DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3W - Two Paths Diverged Near the Evermoors

Davroar

He tries to reassure Jaliera, "I'm sure we can figure something out when we get there."

He is more than happy that Jaliera is coming with them, and does not want to have her thinking she is going to be a problem in them reaching their destination.

Zindra
"I wouldn't say you would be a problem but it could be a challenge. We just have to convince the forest that you mean no harm," she said to Jaliera.

Arus
(with Sindar, Aubric and Berris)

"Aye, thou art not wrong. And I know thee as Berris, a well-travelled man with an eye for details and occasional business with that same coster."

He toasts Berris and takes a sip from his mug. The farther he gets from the sea the more he fancies the taste of sea water. Fresh water never quite tastes the same, even salted. The triton is now 400 miles from the coast and widening the distance every day. Eastwards there wasn't another sea for some 750 miles, the Moonsea, beyond a burning hot desert.

Perhaps that is where his path leads eventually but for now the action is around the Evermoors and involves the Giantish nation in chaos.

"We walk the same roads these days, I deem, where strife is giant-afoot. Hast thou heard news from the east road?"

Aubric
(with Sindar, Arus and Berris)

The cleric quiets as Arus seems to have familiarity with this other elf, letting him lead the discussion, while munching on the breakfast pastry he brought over from the other table.

Sindar
(with Aubric, Berris, and Arus)

He too works on his plate of food as that is partially why he came over to the table, to learn what they can.

Zhu - NOT with Aubric, Berris, Sindar, and Arus)

Having left the inn, she heads to the shops seeking out the magic vendor first.

[Edited out Zhu from the Berris table. Too many elves around here. ]

OOC: Pavel is with Zhu... He stood to go here.

Pavel... with Zhu and Bern

"Heading to the shop first sounds good. Not certain if the smith will lead us to other distractions but it might." Pavel said as they headed out of the tavern.

Jaliera also agreed to go, just asked what to do about the others.

<Bern>

He nodded, "Sounds like a plan", he said to Pavel, then looked to see if Zhu was in agreement.

Kriv

For the time being, the Dragonborn noble was keeping his eyes, ears and options open, refraining from committing to either congregation of companions.

Davroar

He will go along with the others outside to the market to check what else they might need for their trip.

DM

The market is bustling when it first opens. Some buyers know the best selection is available early, although bargains are far fewer. Those who want to save coin tend to help merchants offload unsold wares later in the evening, a win-win for both parties. This likely means the merchants are far less likely to haggle with the party, although rescuing the village from trolls might get a "friend and family" discount anyway.

The healers have a tent set up in the market proper, somewhat similar to many other merchants. Given Calling Horns' location on a trade crossroads, there's often a variety of unique finds, but quantities of anything are usually low (but can be ordered if you're willing to wait a fortnight or so).

The blacksmith that the party wanted to visit actually has a permanent shop that's open; he works in between customers.

{OOC: I believe we are headed to the Magic SHop first... that was the plan Zeim proposed and Pavel and Bern agreed to it.}

[OOC Maybe the market is on the way..? ]

OOC: for clarity there's no "shop" per se. All the tents/carts are in a reasonably close proximity as well as a few fixed buildings for things that are too heavy to lug around daily like anvils and forges.

DM

The tent with the healers is easily identified with colorful signage, and as the party approaches they can also clearly see a handwritten sign identifying the items for sale today. (OOC: with the "effects" in other language, but all y'all care about in-game effects so I translated.)

(OOC - Not sure why not to take all of it? We have plenty of money. Is there a limit in quantity? QQ - Do you need to be Proficient in Healing to take the Healer's Kit and Bandages?)

Zhu

Looking over the Healer's Wares critically, she asks, "How many of these can you spare?" She waves across the table to include all of the items.

DM

The healer at the tent is a middle-aged halfling woman with a kind but shrewd expression. "Ah, well met, travelers! Off for more giant-slaying?" she grins. "Happy to help where I can, let me see what I can spare..."

"I've got one Greater Healing Potion, and while I would prefer keep it for dire emergencies, I know the dangers you might face on your journey. Given your heroic nature, I think it's best in your hands. You're welcome to it.

"As for the Common Healing Potions, I've got a stock of eight. Knowing you have skilled healers among you, I feel comfortable letting you have 4 of them. The townsfolk here rely more heavily on these, you see, and it may be a few days before I can replenish the supply. Is that fair?"

"For the Troll-infused Salve, I've got three jars - I could sell you two and keep one for the town's needs.... these are really rare and we made them from the trolls you killed. If you really want the third one, I'd say you probably earned it, but... please do consider emergencies and you may not be here to protect us the next time."

"Antitoxin, I've got 6 vials - I could part with 4. Healer's Kits, I've got a good supply - say, 10 - and I could sell you up to 7 of those."

"The Herbal Remedies are fairly common around here - I've got 8 doses, and you could have up to 6 if you need them, they're not in high demand."

"Now, for the Bandages and Splints, I keep a good stock. I've got about 20 sets, and you're welcome to take up to 15 if you need that many, but I suspect you'd likely not want the extra baggage."

"How does that sound? It'll leave me with enough to serve the town and other travelers, but should set you up nicely for your journey. Anything, in particular, you're most interested in?"

Zhu

"Sounds fair to me", she glances at the others with her. "We may not need so much though."

(OOC - Honestly, I'd skip the last two items on the list. 75 gp to give 1d4 Temp HP for an hour seems overpriced and the Healer's Kit and Bandages seem duplicative. So how does:

1 Potion of Greater Heal
4 Potions of Heal
6 Vials of Anti-toxin
6 Doses of Herbal Remedies
6 Healers Kits

Sound? Everything splits nicely into 2 groups except the 1 Greater Healing Potion)

DM (Sindar, Aubric, and Arus with Berris ... and Kriv within earshot)

As most of the others leave to go to the market, Berris decides to open up. He seems to have a keen sense of when and how to dispense information.

"Bern, your friend, was in Olostin's Hold just the other day," he started out. The elf looked at the others with keen intuition as the knowing looks passed between those listening. "Yes. Of course it wasn't your friend Bern. It certainly was an imposter. I suspect now that it was the doppleganger Vhalak who escaped when the Black Spider was defeated in the Mines of Phandelver."*

He was working with a dwarf and they were planning on holding some sort of auction not far from the small town. They were sell weapons and magic items. I think you know that too. What you may not know is that they held that auction and the weapons were purchased by dwarves.

* For those who may not know, this refers to the conclusion of the LMP: Lost Mines of Phandelver game.