Chapter 3: The truth lies in the mountain...

[Rukellian]

Deceidon goes back to the tavern, orders a drink, chats with the barkeep and leaves an extra-big tip. "Do you know of trustworthy men who frequent the tavern? Those good with a sword who weren't bandits or thieves in their past?"

Just for record keeping purposes, how big of a tip was this?

The barkeep accepts the tip with a big grin and says to Deceidon: "Aye, there be a few that fit those conditions upstairs. You guy's would have passed their rooms on the way to yours. If I recall, there were two who were brother and sisters, mentioning something about hunting down the bandits to get some extra coin. There was another, a real tall fellow. He doesn't say much, but I can tell he wasn't a bandit. We usually find him chopping trees down, supplying the settlement with firewood. There were a couple others here and there, but I haven't heard from them in some time. I opened up their rooms to you guys." The barkeep shrugs afterwards, silently mentioning that it is what it is.

When Deceidon is in the middle of his conversation with the barkeep, Flynn enters the inn and is found a whistling an old sailor song, looking as happy as happy can be! He looks over at Deceidon and motions with his head that he wants to talk a bit more upstairs.

[Grognardsw]

"Thank you sir," says Deceidon to the barkeep. He leaves a 5 GP tip and joins Flynn. Upstairs he will share the information the barkeep told him.

[tooleychris]

"That is good news." Flynn nods to D. "Perhaps trustworthy men will know others as well. In any case we should seek out this brother and sister before they head out on their own. Make them an offer. What would you say is fair?"

[onlyme]

Considering the fact that Whitsell is still concealing some of his gold placement, the shop keeper will only show what is available, if in fact he has another special item towed away somewhere. I wouldn't count on a sword of +1 showing up though.

He was after a sword of +2, so maybe they have those?

Whitsell will ask for a mining pick, and pull 5 gold coins from his pouch.
Ah, going to the mountain and I have heard the gems are dandies up there...

[Rukellian]

Considering the fact that Whitsell is still concealing some of his gold placement, the shop keeper will only show what is available, if in fact he has another special item towed away somewhere. I wouldn't count on a sword of +1 showing up though.

He was after a sword of +2, so maybe they have those?

Whitsell will ask for a mining pick, and pull 5 gold coins from his pouch.
Ah, going to the mountain and I have heard the gems are dandies up there...

The shopkeeper bellows a hearty laugh in response to Whitsell's statement. "Ahahahaa, yeah. Those gems are real dandies alright, if you can get to them. You been listening to that alley way rat? Sure, sure. The gems up there do fetch a nice price, and they are mighty fine to look at, but the dangers associated with getting to them, those are just as real too. Bandits, bats, spiders... heh, even the walking dead so I've heard, a real party down there if you ask me. You sure you don't need anything else boy? Maybe a good bow and arrow would do the trick, eh?" The shopkeeper mentions this last part as he notices that Whitsell is only carrying a shield and melee type weapons. "Hey, you know what? I think I've got a sling and some bullets for it as well. Some people swear by the thing, saying that it is easy to use and easy to store. Naturally, it wouldn't cost as much as bow and some arrows; what say you boy, interested?"

[Grognardsw]

"That is good news." Flynn nods to D. "Perhaps trustworthy men will know others as well. In any case we should seek out this brother and sister before they head out on their own. Make them an offer. What would you say is fair?"

"Aye Flynn, let's start recruiting now," says Deceidon. "25 gp each to help hunt down and kill these wild animals seems right. Right before we get to the bandit camp, reveal the true mission of smashing the bandit camp, double the offer to 50 gp each and 5% of the bandit's loot. Remember, once the fighting begins our real intent is to get into the mountain and find the rogue mage's crystal ball."

[tooleychris]

Flynn rises to leave. "The payment should be sufficient for those that were going to hunt bandit scum in any case. Let's start with the brother and sister. They should be simple marks and the larger our numbers grow, the easier to recruit others. Strength in numbers."

[onlyme]

Whitsell shakes his head. Nah... never learned how to use those types of weapons. Probably should've. But, I prefer steel...
He doesnt see too much to interest him beyond the pick.

He thanks the weaponer, asks where a money changer may reside and exits.

[Rukellian]

Whitsell shakes his head. Nah... never learned how to use those types of weapons. Probably should've. But, I prefer steel...
He doesnt see too much to interest him beyond the pick.

He thanks the weaponer, asks where a money changer may reside and exits.

The weaponer just shrugs when Whitsell asks of a money changer. "I can't help you there lad. That rat in the alleyway is all we've got really. It's not like we can choose who drops by in this strange land, we make do with what we have and know how to do. Best of luck in the mountain, you'll need it."

[onlyme]

so would the jeweller be the only one who might have PP or anything to change out for the gold?

[Grognardsw]

Flynn rises to leave. "The payment should be sufficient for those that were going to hunt bandit scum in any case. Let's start with the brother and sister. They should be simple marks and the larger our numbers grow, the easier to recruit others. Strength in numbers."

Deceidon and Flynn knock on the door the barkeep indicated could be the brother or sister's room.

[Rukellian]

so would the jeweller be the only one who might have PP or anything to change out for the gold?

He doesn't have any PP, but he does have some jewels and gemstones. And maybe if you were a bit nicer to him, he could have consolidated all of that heavy coin of yours into something worth while... might be worth stopping by a second time around with an apology? *shrugs*

[NJWilliam]

Gustov

Having had luck with the dagger he located, Gustov decides to check in on the armorer for any similar exceptional items.
Once there, he makes his fine new dagger obvious, and again rolls a gemstone over his fingers while he asks about any armor that is of exceptional quality, adding "If it is of use to me, I have the means, and no objection, to paying well."

[Rukellian]

Gustov

Having had luck with the dagger he located, Gustov decides to check in on the armorer for any similar exceptional items.
Once there, he makes his fine new dagger obvious, and again rolls a gemstone over his fingers while he asks about any armor that is of exceptional quality, adding "If it is of use to me, I have the means, and no objection, to paying well."

Gustov's effort in trying to find another piece of exceptional equipment does not succeed. The armorer shows his wares, the same ones that he has shown Whitsell, but honestly admits that he has nothing fancy like that dagger. "The most that I can offer ye would be some fine studded armor. I can modify the armor to make it as light as your leather, but still retain its protection, thats it. If your interested, it will come down to only 30 gold, which I'm sure you can afford," he chuckles.

------

Deceidon and Flynn, back at the upper floor of the inn, knocks upon the first door they come across. After a moment of silence, some footsteps can be heard coming towards the door. It then opens slightly, still bound by a chained lock. The face of a man appears, dark in complexion and with messy hair. He looks at the two for a second and then asks abruptly, "What do you want?"

[tooleychris]

Flynn smiles big at the man. "Why, we want to buy you a drink, my good man. Aye, a drink and to offer a proposal. "

[onlyme]

Whitsell will return to the jeweler.
Ah, good man, I wanted to show you my new pick. I hope to find you some new gems soon. Say, I was talking to some of the towns folks. They all say they love your merchandise but cant afford any. It seems not enough gold flows through to create an economy. Got me realizing maybe I was a bit grumpy toward the quality of your offerings. Any chance I might could see one or two in the

He grabs one of his 200 gold pouches and pretends to weigh it.

say 200-300 gold range?

[Rukellian]

The scowl hidden under the jeweler's head wrap quickly changes to a smile as Whitsell starts to speak with a bit more sense, and gold for that matter. "It looks like you've been holding out on me boy, well so have I." The merchant then scrounges through the inner cabinet of his stand and produces a smaller display, but which contains gems of a much higher quality, clearly of fine make: Amber, amethysts, red garnest, jade, jets, white pink and silver pearls, red spinels and deep green spinels. Even to the untrained eye, the wares now displayed look legitimate. "Indeed, each of these gems can fetch up to 300 gold, easily, but for someone that may have more coin in reserve," he looks to Whitsell with a genuine smile, "I have something worth 700..."

emerald.jpg (24.09 KiB) Viewed 347 times

"Behold!" A gemstone the size of a man's fist now stands before Whitsell, emerald from the looks of it.

[NJWilliam]

Gustov

How would the lightened studded leather affect Gustov's thieving skills? If of negligible disadvantage to them, he'll happily pay for the lightened studded leathers.

[onlyme]

Whitsell looks at the larger stone and shakes his head. While that is magnificent, my friend, I must remain as prudent as you. When we make it out of here, back in the real world, I must be able to sell it. And a piece that large shall only have few able buyers.

However, I do like the sizes and cuts of these. He examines the lot of nicer gems and picks out 3-4 of what he would think are the most valuable.

Can you tell me more about these, and their worth, please?

[Rukellian]

Gustov

How would the lightened studded leather affect Gustov's thieving skills? If of negligible disadvantage to them, he'll happily pay for the lightened studded leathers.

The OSRIC guide makes mention that Half-Elves who multi-class can only make use of thief skills if they are wearing armor permitted for that class. Thieves can only wear up to leather and studded leather armor, so your in luck!

-----

Putting away the large gemstone, the street alley merchant does not complain in the slightest as he can see Whitsell's interest in the finer pieces on display, and knows coin is about to be made. After the display has been looked through, Whitsell points towards the piece of amber, the amythest, the jade stone, and the red spinel. "Fine choices! When you find yourself back in some of the major cities like New Dathan, many artisans there will be able to use those pieces to craft fine necklaces and rings, even ornamental statues. I do not want to leave another bad impression like last time, so this time only, I will cut down the prices I originally had in mind and will sell each of those pieces for 160 gold. When you present them to an artisan of necklaces and rings, he will most likely buy them for at least 200 a piece." The merchant sounds excited and very knowledgable as he speaks of the conversion rates, almost as if he were part of the trade business many a year ago.