Altaruk, revisited (and some Balician conversation)

[DM Bob]

Laahk's contact has already been considered. I tend not to drop them in immediately after leveling.

Not only is Mak revisiting Altaruk, but this is the second time that Shanav has visited. The wine shop and Andras are both slightly familiar to her... and with Kleys and Mak talking about previous business with the shopkeep? It seemed that the man before her was a Veil front. Strange how open they were in this fort town. It had taken her the better part of a month to make contact in Urik.

The book buying exchange does not need to occur at this point, all of that can be taken care of as long as you deduct the proper coin and add said item to your sheet(s).

***

The silt crew sits silently. Yiska's wound is just scarring, but there's definitely a need to do some shopping. Not to mention having coin for re-outfitting the Gambit.

"I think we all need to have a proper talk on how things are split, sold and considered before we're off galavanting about again." States Druuso.

Laahk overhears no gossip yet, as it seems the crew is restless and not in agreement with the psion's answer.

[ascieszl]

(So, no movement on the VA, or....?)

[Deleted]

Mak will head out to visit the refugees to see how they are doing and to recruit his new apprentice. He'll also keep an eye on the Balican forces.

"What happened to my orchard?"

[Niachi]

With their bar server still at their table, Laakh asks the elves for their beverages and food of choice.

Do they respond, or still silence?

After the server leaves, he resumes trying to break through their silence, peppering his talk with the bist of elven street slang he is confident in (no second-guessing to avoid misunderstanding)

"Druuso, I am with you. If my first amounts were stingy, it is because in truth, I grew up poor and without a tradesman's knowledge of these matters. I adjusted to make up for that while suggesting a more private place. If you all prefer to hash it out here, fine. If you want different place, great. Again, we all want to include you as equal partners, with extra-ordinary events you suffered through to be added to your ledgers, and full expenses for outfitting separate from any shares."

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Kem looks at Laakh - You just said, and don't get me wrong as I'm not shouting or upset, that 'we all want to include you as equal partners' and I totally agree on this - nods in agreement - But your next words were 'with extra-ordinary events you suffered through to be added to your ledgers'.

Now my question is where is the limit to what an extraordinary event is? We didn't go for a slice of erdlu steak and a mug of diluted honey kank in some wine whilst they remained in the city.. Does it mean that we will get any extra? Because then everyone will receive the same amount..

- The gladiatrix makes a pause - We all suffered all the way through, and I'm relatively new to the party, but how can this be measured against to? Again, I'm not looking for discordance but for general consensus..

[Niachi]

Laakh shrugs to the gladiator:

"At some point I took on the duty of coinmaster. It's obvious that Yiska and our elven team mates here are capable bargainers, or have more to say on the matter. I'm just trying to meet a common amount here. I am more than happy to pass this role onto someone else..."

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- I'm not discussing your skills, that's not my role or skills set.. - calmy and relaxed in her approach - But why his bitterness - regarding Druuso - and why the extra coinage if we are all equal? That's my query, trying to understand all here as I didn't know much about before our first encounter in Samarah

[DM Bob]

In Balic:

Druuso replies with a shrug. "If we don't take some time to consolidate, provision and supply here? It might prove to be difficult in Nibenay. An' the Cap'n, while having an assist from Coden and House Rokos? Still don't trust any new blood, so he's going to have to spend more coin for real labor, not the shits that will run away with everything he's built.

Money an' having the chance to spend it alive? We need to live a bit, Laahk."

Yiska and Haske nod in agreement.

"We also want to pay a mindbender to locate our tribemates, or any survivors. We might be able to make a side trip and gather blood of the free - allies."

The halfling adds, "I don't think you realise how close the four of have gotten over the weeks - especially that mental confinement with these two."

They all grimly smile at that.

***

As far as the Veiled Alliance is concerned? They operate in cells, only knowing one or two contacts at most within the city they're based in. Heck, Shanav has more identified VA members under her belt than most NPCs in Altaruk. Andras, approached correctly, might be able to have another member contact you, but there would need to be a proper reason.

The orchard was destroyed by the Balician troops that stationed themselves here recently during the Tyrian standoff. It probably started innocent enough, fruit taken, etc... but an easy supply of wood for chill nights? Not having to smell burning inix dung for an evening? Eating food cooked off of applewood instead of shit?

[Deleted]

Mak will seek out the female Mul from Tyr named Rika among the refugees, the one his divinations pointed him towards. While seeking her out he will take some time to look over the refugees, assess their plight since the last time he saw them. During the evening he'll take some cabra melon seeds from his satchel, plant them in the middle of the refugee area, and meditate over them.

((In his meditations he'll enchant the seeds using the following spells: Age Plant, lv.4; Plant Growth, Lv.3; and Ripen, Lv.1))

His magic should spread the cabra melon vines across the entire area, at the end of the growth they'll sprout fully grown melons ready to harvest. The refugees should wake to an ample break-feast.

[DM Bob]

Once Mak leaves Andras' company, the shopkeep returns the sign.

"Meet outside the gates after sundown, and you can be tested. Near the nestle vines about the west entrance."

This is easy enough to do. Shanav can certainly be about as well.

Two hooded figures carrying a torch walk just into view. You hear Andras' voice. "Cast a cantrip or dweomer - something small, while we watch how the vines react."

You (Kleys) do so. You aren't a defiler... nothing to hide.

They seem satisfied. They also do not expect the same of Shanav, she must have a reputation of her own in these parts. The other (larger) figure states, "Let us walk to the silt side and talk. What do you need or have to offer our efforts?"

[ascieszl]

Dec 11, 2021 14:11:39 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

Once Mak leaves Andras' company, the shopkeep returns the sign.

"Meet outside the gates after sundown, and you can be tested. Near the nestle vines about the west entrance."

This is easy enough to do. Shanav can certainly be about as well.

Two hooded figures carrying a torch walk just into view. You hear Andras' voice. "Cast a cantrip or dweomer - something small, while we watch how the vines react."

You (Kleys) do so. You aren't a defiler... nothing to hide.

They seem satisfied. They also do not expect the same of Shanav, she must have a reputation of her own in these parts. The other (larger) figure states, "Let us walk to the silt side and talk. What do you need or have to offer our efforts?"

"Spells and general knowledge to offer.  Need? Other spells and the usual - components, enchanted items, etc.  I'd be willing to trade spell knowledge 1:1."

(Kleys will tell Andras of his recent adventures against the son of Nibenay, Dote and Denis - but not of the hidden caches)

"I'd also like to offer my services for hunting Defilers - the crew I run with seems to have a knack for it.  Even for Requitals, if you practice it and have need."

"Also.....I grow bored easily.  Do you have any.....outstanding local issues that require a light touch? (or an excessively heavy but unconnected one?)"

[Attilius]

Dec 7, 2021 6:45:48 GMT -12 Coden Rokos (Jesse H.) said:

(Coden can discuss this if you ask him about the star-metal, which he found very interesting—he's set to gain Molecular Rearrangement next level, and will specialize in turning nonmetal weapons into high-quality metal ones. If you need someone to make star-metal into a weapon, he may be able to do so, unless it requires special techniques to work it.)

HurK meets with his friend Coden to discuss what it would take to copy/recreate his "overcompensator" using the star metal and his families forge.

[DM Bob]

They stand silent after mention on Nibenay's Son's death. The silt estuary hangs quiet in the dark before you.

Hooded Andras makes the sign to ward off the evil eye with his left hand.

Finally the second hooded man replies, "You seem a bit of a hot commodity to keep close."

"But these are troubling times. If you need the material affects for your craft? Leave a list with Andras. If we can source it easily? A price will be readied for you one the following day in most cases... as well as a time frame to get together. Your halfing friend already knows what other services we can provide (See Andras on Obsidian Portal).

As far as local help? Not this day. In fact? I'd prefer to have not met someone with such success in battle and this soon after such an event. It seems your heart was in the proper place though, so I'll leave you with one tiny bit of advice.

If you ever seek help in Nibenay, inquire for one named Altair. He may be able to assist you if you find yourself in a sticky situation. And perhaps if you escape the Shadow King's wrath for a while and return someday intact? We might be able to utilise your skills."

***

Coden would know that there is most likely not enough metal contained in that ore to fashion something that big.

[ascieszl]

Dec 13, 2021 15:00:40 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

They stand silent after mention on Nibenay's Son's death. The silt estuary hangs quiet in the dark before you.

Hooded Andras makes the sign to ward off the evil eye with his left hand.

Finally the second hooded man replies, "You seem a bit of a hot commodity to keep close."

"But these are troubling times. If you need the material affects for your craft? Leave a list with Andras. If we can source it easily? A price will be readied for you one the following day in most cases... as well as a time frame to get together. Your halfing friend already knows what other services we can provide (See Andras on Obsidian Portal).

As far as local help? Not this day. In fact? I'd prefer to have not met someone with such success in battle and this soon after such an event. It seems your heart was in the proper place though, so I'll leave you with one tiny bit of advice.

If you ever seek help in Nibenay, inquire for one named Altair. He may be able to assist you if you find yourself in a sticky situation. And perhaps if you escape the Shadow King's wrath for a while and return someday intact? We might be able to utilise your skills."

***

Coden would know that there is most likely not enough metal contained in that ore to fashion something that big.

(Better than nothing.) 

"I'll do that.  Thank you for the advice - I can understand your hesitancy.  Feel free to contact me if any especially offensive Defilers pass through Altaruk - we could intercept them further on their journey and......redeem them."

[Attilius]

Dec 13, 2021 15:00:40 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

Coden would know that there is most likely not enough metal contained in that ore to fashion something that big.

"Could the Overcompensator be remade from regular steel with its blade-edge made of Star Metal for whatever effect you'd get from Star Metal?"

[saw this TECHNIQUE CALLED 'Forge welding' on FORGED IN FIRE]