DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Fantasy SKT: The Storm King's Thunder 3Dc - Shop hopping (Jaliera & Davroar)

DM

Jaliera and Davroar had the entire city to explore. Where would they head?

OOC: you get to pick where you go....

Davroar

If their wandering through the market is up to him, he would invariably follow his nose to whichever stall has fresh food, but instead he gives Jaliera a friendly shoulder bump and says, "So... where do we want to go first?"

Jaliera

"Well, let's start here (Next to Lionshield) and wend our way through the stalls until we get to the bottom of the market. Then maybe move over the the shops (7) and make our way back. We can look at what is for sale, talk about the weather, trade, trade routes, giants, anything of interest in town that they know about? Sound like a plan?"

She grins happily and slips an arm through his.

DM

The pair start meandering through market, locally as the Fishyard. It was a cool day as they walked around and as they did, they could not escape smell of fish which hung in the air. During their walk Jaliera and Davroar learn that the market always has fish on sale. From one merchant they learn that even in the depths of winter, ice fishermen bring their wares to stalls here. The market is a maze of stalls. Many of them sell fresh catches from the Three Rivers and there are butchers, grocers, florists and millers selling their wares to the public there too. Aside from foodstuff, there were tents, stalls and carts that hawked every manner of trinket that can be imagined. At one stall they find crystal bottles filled with perfume brought from far off and exotic places such as Mulhorand, Durpar, or Calimshan. There was a booth where a man was selling items he claimed to be magical potions, amulets, and spellcasting components. They hear him call out "These items of great rarity and power is “guaranteed by the gods!" After about a half hour, they reach the other side and stand outside Hasklar's Arms & Armor.

OOC: Let me know if you are stopping to do any shopping

Jaliera

Out of curiosity, Jaliera will find out how much the perfume is. She will also examine the spell casting components.

[OOC I gather they get no information at all? No rumours? Jaliera will try to ensure that the tale of their attack by giants is told as she wants to make sure people protect themselves if travelling and if it promotes more business for the guards then that is a bonus. ]

Davroar

He will follow along, buying some smoked fish and other items that should keep for awhile to replace some of his rations used in the trip here. The perfumer's stall makes his eyes water, and Davroar does not stay long there. The man selling the magical items gets his attention the most out of the other market stalls.

Stepping up, Davroar asks, "What potions do you have?"

Having some curative potions on hand would definitely be a good idea for the later portion of their trip.

DM
Shopping in the market, the young couple find very nice things being sold there. Jaliera stops at one stall, where a matronly woman sold cosmetics and perfumes. She was dressed handsomely, wearing a draped sleeved, fur lined burgundy dress with black accents, fine boots. Her hair was long, black and woven into a braid that was tied with a black velvet lace and draped over her shoulder. She looks at Jaliera she sized up her potential customer. Having made her assessment, she smiles and says, "How might I help you my dear?"

Hearing a question about perfumes, she starts explaining her wares. "I have a wide assortment of scents. Scents should purpose. There are the ones you wear when you wander about town. Those differ from the scents that seduce your lover or the ones that impress others when you attend a ball or play at the casinos. Where do you plan on wearing the perfume you are looking for?"

Daroar was at a nearby table that stood in front of a tent in which there was a cart. At the table stood a stout gnome who was bald on top but let his white hair grow long from his horseshoe hairline. He was dressed in black and silver robes and wore a cloak over it to keep warm. The sign on the table indicated that he was an alchemist. As Davroar approached, he was cleaning a vial with a cloth rag as he answered. "I carry a nice variety of potions. What are you trying to accomplish? Most people come to me with a purpose. What is yours?"


OOC: Prices for all things are as per the player's handbook and the SRD. Here's an online price list of Adventuring gear for your reference. The price of perfume is 5gp per vial. Any components that you would ever need are available too.

As far as potions and other magic items, all common and uncommon potions can be found here. The "common" potions are healing and climbing. The following are uncommon: Oil of slipperiness, Philter of love, animal friendship, fire breath, greater healing, growth, hill giant strength, poison, resistance and water breathing.

Davroar

"Ahh, I was looking for some healing potions. How much for two?"

Jaliera

Her eyes widen at the price.

"I don't know, haven't given it much thought."

She shrugs.

"Maybe I'll think on it and come back later?"

Then she hurries to catch up with Davroar.

"Healing potions, good idea."

She praises Davroar, thinking she might get some too.

"I'm also interested in the powder for colourspray and some phosphorescent moss. How much are they?"

This is also a good test of how well this gnome knows his trade.

DM

"I have only a few in stock. They seem to sell out fast. Let me see what I have," he says as he ducks into the tent before Jaliera joins Davroar.

When the gnome returns, Jaliera is side by side with the druid. The gnome is holding a small oak box in his hands. He puts it down on the table and takes off the lid. Inside there are four vials containing a blue liquid. One of them is a deeper shade of blue.

"I have three regular and one special today. The regular healing potions are 100 gold each. This one," he starts pointing at the deeper hued cylinder, "is double potency - for the really bad wounds. It costs 200 gold."

"Yes missy, I have all of that. The colored sand is from Anauroch and is 10 gold. The moss is 1 gold. It's enough to hold you by for a good while. If your boyfriend here buys all the healing potions, I'll throw the components in for you for free."

OOC: The internet is a wonderous collection of good stuff put together by D&D slaves. D&D 5e Component spreadsheet

Davroar

"One hundred for one! Was hoping for two at that price."

He gives the gnome an incredulous look, and asks, "Can't we figure on a better price?"

[ooc: the link for adventuring gear shows "potion of healing" at 50 GP. Is this gnome really over pricing that much here? ]

Jaliera

Boyfriend? That sounds nice.

She may persuade Davroar to buy all four and then split the cost with him. If it saves someone's life it'll be worth buying them all. However, getting a better price might be good, especially if they can get the spell components for free.

DM
The gnome merchant grumbles a bit about his costs and the scarcity of components for his potions, "I am being so nice to you by giving your beautiful girlfriend her components for free. But yet you want to squeeeeeeze me so!"

OOC: Price range is 50-100 gp. You're in haggle mode. We can assume that it's a back and forth, you making an offer, the gnome grumbling, etc. In the end, it all comes down to how persuasive Davroar is. If he makes his DC 12 persuasion roll, he'll get all 4 potions for 250 plus the components. If he fails, the gnome holds fast to his price, 500gp. Jaliera can assist by making a persuasion roll too. If she succeeds, Davroar gets +2 to his roll.

Davroar

Putting his little bit of experience haggling at Bildoobaris market from his homeland, he attempts to talk down the gnomes' prices.

Davroar Persuassion over Gnome
Dugan rolled 1d20+2 and got 15

[OOC Seems he doesn't need it but Jaliera would have joined in. ]

DM

The pair barter with the gnome and eventually he says, "Aw, you are a cute couple. Alright. Here you go, 250 for all of it, the potions and her components. Take it or leave it."

Jaliera

She smiles at the gnome but let's Davroar seal the deal, pleased with their preparations.

Davroar

He nods his head in agreement, and will need some help from Jaliera to make the total amount as agreed upon. To the gnome he says, "Thanks", and then he turns to Jaliera and says, "Provided giants don't squish us flat, these should help."

Jaliera

She nods.

"Agreed. It was dangerous enough getting here. The threat is likely to increase. Happy to pay half."

She digs in her pouch and pack to find the coins, taking care that no-one gets close whilst she is doing so.

DM
The merchant takes the gold and then hands the box with the potions to Davroar and goes into his tent, puts together a package of components for Jaliera and hands that to her.

"It was a pleasure," the gnome says. "You can always find me here if you need to replenish supplies."

Jaliera

"Thanks, we might just do that. Pleasure doing business with you."

She packs two of the ordinary healing potions into her backpack and the spell components in her pouch. Then she tucks an arm through Davroar's.

"So what next? Make our way back via the shops?"

Davroar

He takes the remaining two potions and tucks them into his pack, returning the box to the gnome as it will be too cumbersome to travel with. He gives an awkward smile at first when Jaliera tucks her arm through his, but then figures if a gnome can see his happiness when he is in her company then it really does not matter who does.

"Sure, then I guess back to the Pearl Handed Pipe as Zhu suggested, just to check in with everyone."

Wandering around the market square so far has not been that productive in the way of rumours about any giant attacks.

"Seems though all We've accomplished so far is getting a few supplies. Don't towns sometimes have those guys that shout whats' been going on?"

Jaliera

"Let's just ask the gnome how they find out about news here. Then we can check it out on our way back."

She smiles and turns back to do just that.

Davroar

Walking in step with Jaliera back to the gnome, he will let her do the talking since she is better at this than him.

Davroar Investigation roll
Dugan rolled 1d20 and got 13

Jaliera

"Hi. Just had a thought. Is there a place or a person where one can find current local news?"

Jaliera Investigate
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5 and got 10

DM

The gnome doesn't provide any useful information. It's not that he's not chatty, he just has nothing new to offer or the things he thinks are important are only important to him. Having wandered through the fish market and made their purchases, Jaliera and Davroar's plans were to check out some of the establishments.

OOC: The roll was for this entire day. New circumstances may come into play later. What place on the map is next?

Jaliera

"Not the most talkative bunch are they?"

She speaks softly to Davroar as they move away. Although she thinks it was worth it, buying the potions has left a large dent in her finances. She considers the other shops.

"Maybe just take a look in the map shop?"

Davroar

"Sure. And maybe ask which explorer's they pay to update their maps."

Davroar figures if there is any explorer that lives here, perhaps he or she could have some valuable information.

Jaliera

"Yes, great idea. And if not, maybe we could apply?"

She grins at him and heads towards the map shop.

DM

The pair started walking by the shops that surrounded the market square, looking at the wares and seeing what's for sale, be it merchandise or information. They started their walk at the north of the square, right next to the building that they knew Arus and Bern had gone into, the Lionshield Coster. They could see that that building was abuzz with laborers loading and unloading crates from the caravan that they had escorted into town. The wagons had been parked outside the city overnight and must have entered in the morning.

Instead of going in there, they walked into the shop to the left of it. There were several stalls nearby, including the one where they had just purchased the healing potions and spell components from. The sign over the door read "Esklindrar's Maps, Books, and Folios". A bell hanging over the door threshold rang as they entered the dusty, musty old shop. At this hour of the morning, a dust-filled light beam that poured in from a skylight window splashed to the floor in the center of the store. Looking at the spot where the light landed, many footprints could be seen in the thick layer of dust that covered the floor. There were probably thousand of maps, books and scrolls that lined the shelves that were the walls of this establishment. A large desk and several tables had piles, upon piles of tomes and map scrolls stacked upon them so high that it seemed a single other scroll placed atop the heap would cause an avalanche of paper. The place looked and smelled old.

There was only one door in the entry room and it opened as the pair sauntered in. Through it an ancient man, hunched over, shambled through using a cane to help him walk. He was bald on top but his stringy white hair grew very long in the back. As he approached, he dug his shaky hand inside his ratty blue robe and pulled out a large lens which he used to look through and see his customers.

"Hello. Yes? What can I help you with?"

Davroar

"Morning", he says with a slight smile. Now seeing how old some of these maps and books might be, a line of questioning suddenly pops into his head.
"I'm wondering if you could help us. Would you have any old maps of this area and Triboar that might indicate giant kingdom's. You see a pair of giants dug up a strange thing right in the middle of Triboar and just wondering who's land it once was."

Jaliera

She looks at Davroar with admiration. What a good question!

She looks back at the old man and smiles.

"You remind me of my mentor Sir. He is a sage and knows so much."

Esklindrar

The old man shuffles further into the main room, "Ancient lore? That I can research for you. It will take some time...yes it will, and I can't guarantee that I will find your answers, but I am sure there are old maps of the Valley here," he says as he raises his cane and point to the thousands of scrolls and maps.

"And who is your mentor?" he asks, curious.

Jaliera

"Randal Stagg from Neverwinter sir."

She does not elaborate and does not expect this gentleman to know of him.

Davroar

He does not like the sound of the old mans comment about taking his time to find answers, so he asks, "Ah, just what do you figure? Time like. We talking sometime later today or tomorrow?"

Esklindrar

His reaction to the name Randal Stagg has him raising his eyebrows. Jaliera can tell OOC: Passive insight=12, DC=12 that the name did not land well on him. He has likely heard or seen the name before in a negative context.

"It shouldn't take too long, perhaps a day. And then there's the cost, 500 gold for my labors. So, which giant stronghold do you wish to find? Which ones dug something up?"

Davroar

"500 gold, for a possible answer", he says in a dead pan tone, then looks to Jaliera with a defeated look and adds, "Ah, guess that's not going to happen." After spending almost all of his gold on potions, Davroar figures they would have a hard time to convince the others to split the heavy price on a chance of gaining some information. Perhaps Jaliera has another idea, but it seems to Davroar there is nothing else here for them, judging by the amount of gold this old man wants.

Jaliera

She is so shocked by the amount he quotes that she totally misses his expression. And whilst Davroar retains his cool, she just stares dumbfounded.

Jaliera Passive insight
Gypsy rolled 1d20+2 and got 10

Davroar

Seeing that Jaliera is even more shocked as he is regarding the exorbitant price, he says, "Ah, sorry that's too much for us."

Going back to hio original question when they approached the building he asks further, "Do you employ local explorers or scouts to help you keep your information current?"

Davroar tries to put on a friendly face, hoping the old man is going to answer without another demand for money.

[OOC OK Ta ]

Jaliera

So people have heard of her mentor here? She wonders what he might have done to have caused this much of a negative ripple here. Of course the cartographer may have come from Neverwinter. It might be personal. Well at present best not increase any bad feelings. She keeps quiet but smiles, trying to put a good face on it.

Esklindrar
"I acquire books and tomes and pay for my information, as it comes," he says cheerfully. "And the gods often speak truths to me when I ask them a question."
OOC: He's a sage. Think of it as a specialty class of mage. There is a "Sage" background in D&D but there are also some homebrew attempts at creating a sage class. You can assume that he has divination type spells. And as for Jaliera's mentor being known here, remember that he is a sage

Davroar

"Really!" His tribal background shows up as he then rhetorically asks, "So you can talk to the gods like a shaman? Never knew one with so many books, I took you more as a normal scholar than anything else."

Esklindrar
"Yes. Oghma, specifically, if you are wondering. And if you are wondering about my reputation, you can inquire. I can see that finding your giants stronghold is too expensive or worth the price, but perhaps in the future those circumstances will change."

He turns to Jaliera now and says, "What do the Zhentarim want with giant strongholds?"

The tone with which he said Zhentarim was acerbic. It was clear that stating the name of her mentor triggered associations. Both Davroar and Jaliera were starting to realize that this was not just some librarian that tended a shop filled with dusty tomes and maps. This was a person that possessed a great deal of knowledge and access to much more of it.

Jaliera

"I am here with a mixed group of people. We were in Triboar when a large contingent of giants, orcs and other creatures attacked the town and dug up this metal object from the ground. They also attacked our caravan on the way here. So we are looking into a problem that is killing people in the hope of preventing more deaths and ensuring safe travel."

She pauses.

"And I expect the Zentarim want the same."

She is not apologetic, nor is she aggressive, just confident in who she is. She is glad though that she had already told Davroar.

Esklindrar

"I'm old. Very old. Old enough to remember the fall of Zhentil Keep. I remember dancing when that happened. Alustriel tells me that the Black Network is changing it's ways but my memory is short.


OOC: Two History rolls for both of Davroar and Jaliera. The first is to know about the fall of Zhentil Keep. Jaliera gets to roll that one at +5 and with advantage. The second is to know who Alustriel is. Jaliera rolls at +5. Davroar gets no adjustments, just to rolls of 1d20. The first history roll is DC 15. Your actual roll matters. The higher the roll the more detailed the answer. The second is a DC 12.

Davroar

He can obviously sense the old man's prejudices with the Zhentarim and perhaps Esklindrar has every right to them, but he is going to stand with Jaliera if the old man gets too belligerent.
For now Davroar will simply stand by and wait to hear what Jaliera has to say since he knows nothing at all about Zhentil Keep nor who Alustriel is.

Davroar History rolls
Dugan rolled 1d20,1d20 and got 10, 3

Jaliera

History rolls - definite success on the first, second is borderline..

Jaliera History roll 1 & 2
Gypsy rolled 1d20+5,1d20+5,1d20+5 and got 10, 20, 11

Jaliera

"You are indeed a venerable age and I can understand your views given that you remember that history taking place. I am only 16. And I respect your wisdom and views. But I cannot view things in the same light, only with regard to my own experience, even though that is pitiful compared with your own. I am not a bad person Sir, I would not do something I did not believe in."

She hopes that he might accept her words but does not hope out much hope. She is however respectful towards him.

Esklindrar
"You have not tried to murder me or set my shop ablaze, so that is good. Forgive me if I must judge you by your associations. You are owed the benefit of doubt but not the benefit of trust."

He sighed.

"It does not seem that you will be able to afford my time for the type of research you desire now. I am sorry that I can't help you at this time."

OOC: The other two threads have come to a good point to move on. Are you guys alright with an exit to a lunchtime thread where you can share the information you've collected and come up with a plan for the rest of the day?

[ooc: Sure, moving ahead is fine with me.]

[OOC Me too]