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Post by Attilius on Sept 27, 2020 6:48:09 GMT -12
When the group & crew is alone
"I say we head back to Ledo and park the Gambit there for safety under the giants and "Berg's watchful eyes while the bulk of us retrieve the weapons cache in Nibenay."
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Post by Coden Rokos (Jesse H.) on Sept 27, 2020 7:09:48 GMT -12
Coden gets the mental message from his associates and goes on to have a meal and catch up with his old colleague. He straightens his toga slightly, then goes looking for the mint - as an important civic building, it's not too hard to find, or even to get directions to. To all appearances he is simply another nobleman doing business. Which is about right!
He strides into the mint and looks for a clerk, then arrives with his usual powerful charisma and says, "Excuse me, I'm here to see Aloysius Voyan. I have an appointment?"
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Post by DM Bob on Sept 27, 2020 9:55:18 GMT -12
[OOC: 20 coins to a pound. 1400 coins = 70#. Split 3 ways, 23ish# each sack. That's half a potato sack in size each (or two whole gallons of milk/water in weight). I think that's small, but I guess you can call it medium or large.]
Coden eventually ends up at the Balician Mint entrance. Templars, noblemen & women and merchant-types are going to-and-fro the wide entrance, which is up a set of perhaps two dozen ancient marble stairs. Statues of ancient heroes flank the pathway up. The very top has two that are of obsidian, that almost seem to stare at one when you pass. The face of the building is flanked by a half dozen large marble columns. The entrance, now open, is of double thick agafari wood, with wide iron hinges. You imagine that setting a bar inside could withstand the might of the Dragon himself.
Once inside clerks take orders of business in a que. It is not a long wait, and when your name is given, it is obvious that you are indeed expected. You're told to sit at a marble bench and it but mere minutes before Aloysius Voyan arrives. He has a few more wrinkles than you remember, but his wide smile makes you happy that you made contact once again. He is dressed as he is required, white toga & azure sash, but there are a few things that differentiate him from the rest. One, his chin is strong and chiseled almost as if from the marble that decorates these halls. He also stands a full six and a half feet tall with dark, full hair and green eyes. Rings adorn his hands, not just his family signet, but a jade ring that could almost be a twin of Coden's, but a few others decorated of gem and jewel. An intimidating iron rod (some two feet long) is seen at his waist as well, black and contrasting with his white robes... but oddly matching his hair and dark sandals. It has a handle wrapped in some sort of dark leather. Your guess is it is used to "discipline" common folk.
"Hoy, Coden! It's good to see you once more. Come, come. We have much to discuss. We can take lunch in my office where it is private, if you do not mind."
He claps you on the back solidly and gestures to the right, hardly awaiting a response.
***
The rest of the party discusses taking the boat back to the giants. Abez looks disgruntled at the suggestion.
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Post by Coden Rokos (Jesse H.) on Sept 27, 2020 10:21:24 GMT -12
Coden breaks into a genuine smile at the sight of his old friend. He wasn't really prepared for the emotions that the meeting elicited - happy memories. He shakes hands with his old friend briskly, accepts the pat on the back, and says, "I wouldn't dream of objecting. It's good to see that the civic life is agreeing with you so well." He falls into step with Aloysius, making his way back to his friend's office.
"You still cut a dashing image! Master of the social circle here? Any marriage prospects yet?" Coden says half-jokingly as they disappear into the corridors of the building.
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Post by Attilius on Sept 27, 2020 10:47:28 GMT -12
The rest of the party discusses taking the boat back to the giants. Abez looks disgruntled at the suggestion. "Abez, are you joining our cache hunt in Nibenay? What are your thoughts about the Gambits security in the port vs. Ledo?" |
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Post by DM Bob on Sept 27, 2020 11:18:42 GMT -12
To Coden:
Aloysius' grin breaks a bit. "I wish I had time to do so. With Kalak falling, there's a greater demand for our strongly-backed coinage. I need flint... and the Tsalaxans have cornered the trade from the giants in Ledo Isle. My own family run House is having trouble with securing raw product... I suspect the Draji's have been lightly sabotaging our efforts in order to have a stronger ceramic than ours in the Tablelands. While they're so distant, we've seen an influx of their coin and it threatens our own sovereignty in the South. For the Draji to have the dominant currency? Tectuktitlay could actually fund a successful campaign to war against Nibenay, Gulg, Raam... or at the very least consolidate their hold on the trade routes."
You end up at what you assume is his offices. A sizable marble table contains all manner of work in progress. To the front, it appears to have been cleared off hastily. A platter of roasted, thinly sliced meat (Was that cloud ray? It's been so long!), olive oil drenched flatbread and roasted neep is set... along with a pewter flagon dripping with moisture. He clears off a chair of a moderate sized abacus and motions for you to take a seat. The room is comfortably cool.
***
To Hurk:
Abez responds to Hurk. "If these things can take faces... and the siblings go with you to Nibenay, I will not have enough people to crew the ship. If you can move the Gambit onto the land on the Isle, I might feel a bit better. But what if one of those things sneaks in and just grabs the helm (Lilim)?" He starts freaking out a bit more. "If I end up at Balic, crewless, the same or worse could happen! The Gambit is worth more than 3 of those skimmers! I might as well have a target painted on my damned back! Why don't we just sail north together?" He is clearly rattled by having all of this responsibility thrust upon him.
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Post by Coden Rokos (Jesse H.) on Sept 27, 2020 17:35:36 GMT -12
Coden chuckles and says, "Well your bad news might be my good news. I've been dabbling in business interests of my own, since I'm at odds with some of my own family - I don't have to explain all of that to you. Anyway, some of my associates have several hundred pounds of flint straight out of Ledo that they are looking to unload."
Coden eases into the offered seat and continues, "Ah, you know how to set an excellent table. Thank you, old friend." He picks up a piece of the flatbread and swirls it in the olive oil as he says, "I can only imagine how the fall of Kalak has changed the economic map out here. Is Balic able to get iron once more, now that the old tyrant of Tyr is no longer strangling trade?"
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Post by Attilius on Sept 27, 2020 17:52:21 GMT -12
Abez responds to Hurk. "If these things can take faces... and the siblings go with you to Nibenay, I will not have enough people to crew the ship. If you can move the Gambit onto the land on the Isle, I might feel a bit better. But what if one of those things sneaks in and just grabs the helm (Lilim)?" He starts freaking out a bit more. "If I end up at Balic, crewless, the same or worse could happen! The Gambit is worth more than 3 of those skimmers! I might as well have a target painted on my damned back! Why don't we just sail north together?" He is clearly rattled by having all of this responsibility thrust upon him. HurK calmly reassures the sailor "I shall put her down right next to my stone ship on the island proper away from prying eyes. She will be plenty safe with the giants and Berg' so near..." |
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Post by AthasianLaborer on Sept 27, 2020 18:08:38 GMT -12
... *** To Hurk: Abez responds to Hurk. "If these things can take faces... and the siblings go with you to Nibenay, I will not have enough people to crew the ship. If you can move the Gambit onto the land on the Isle, I might feel a bit better. But what if one of those things sneaks in and just grabs the helm (Lilim)?" He starts freaking out a bit more. "If I end up at Balic, crewless, the same or worse could happen! The Gambit is worth more than 3 of those skimmers! I might as well have a target painted on my damned back! Why don't we just sail north together?" He is clearly rattled by having all of this responsibility thrust upon him. Haadan looks at his assembled friends and asks "How is it possible to sail north without a windcart?! Lilim is not a windcart and the Sea of Silt goes east, not north! Unless you're saying that we should convert Lilim into a windcart? I don't know if any of the cartsmiths I've worked through could do it..." [Empathy with Abez, needed 17, rolled 2, wondering if there's anything else underlying] |
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Post by DM Bob on Sept 28, 2020 7:25:27 GMT -12
To Haadan:You're probably just witnessing the reaction of a man that had two close mates get killed gruesomely next to him. "Not across the flats. We could skirt the Shore and Hurk could fly from where we eventually stop to Nibenay." Map here: darksunsouthtablelands.obsidianportal.com/maps/123385 The two black X's are possible camp/base/parking sites. Hurk could probably make that flight (an X to the Stone City) in a day. *** With Coden:The noble looks astonished. "You have flint from Ledo? So do the giants still live?" His intent gaze looks you over as if seeing you anew, a re-evaluation. "As far as Tyr's iron... the city has been secured by foreigners. Andropinus says that trade will re-commence shortly. If it weren't straight from the font, I'd have my doubts though. We're expecting delegates in the next few days to discuss terms, so it appears things are moving quickly."
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Post by Attilius on Sept 28, 2020 7:36:16 GMT -12
You're probably just witnessing the reaction of a man that had two close mates get killed gruesomely next to him. "Not across the flats. We could skirt the Shore and Hurk could fly from where we eventually stop to Nibenay." Map here: darksunsouthtablelands.obsidianportal.com/maps/123385 The two black X's are possible camp/base/parking sites. Hurk could probably make that flight in a day. "So you're saying you'd feel safer stuck in a cove somewhere with almost no backup should some hungry creature, or worse: a scavenging raiding party find you and the Gambit?" HurK asks skepticaly |
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Post by DM Bob on Sept 28, 2020 8:13:42 GMT -12
Abez replies. "I'm sayin' that we could make a trip outta it. Once you've been somewhere once it's easy for you psychic 'porter types to get back there right? I just don't trust bein' around other people right now... you take a 'porter with you to Nibenay and do your thing and the rest of us can go in quickly if needed... that's how it works, right?" Yiska opens up and states, "He's got a point. You entirely trust Berg as well? That old goat hermit seems to not be picky about who he and his goliaths deal with. If it bought them a large enough favor what makes you think he wouldn't give up the ship's helm himself?"
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Post by Attilius on Sept 28, 2020 8:21:41 GMT -12
Abez replies. "I'm sayin' that we could make a trip outta it. Once you've been somewhere once it's easy for you psychic 'poter types to get back there right? I just don't trust bein' around other people right now... you take a 'porter with you to Nibenay and do your thing and the rest of us can go in quickly if needed... that's how it works, right?" Yiska opens up and states, "He's got a point. You entirely trust Berg as well? That old goat hermit seems to not be picky about who he and his goliaths deal with. If it bought them a large enough favor what makes you think he wouldn't give up the ship's helm himself?" The half giant rubs his chin in thought "You're right, we barely know him... ok I'm with sailing the Gambit a bit away towards Nibenay." |
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Post by AthasianLaborer on Sept 28, 2020 8:42:12 GMT -12
Abez replies. "I'm sayin' that we could make a trip outta it. Once you've been somewhere once it's easy for you psychic 'poter types to get back there right? I just don't trust bein' around other people right now... you take a 'porter with you to Nibenay and do your thing and the rest of us can go in quickly if needed... that's how it works, right?" Yiska opens up and states, "He's got a point. You entirely trust Berg as well? That old goat hermit seems to not be picky about who he and his goliaths deal with. If it bought them a large enough favor what makes you think he wouldn't give up the ship's helm himself?" "I vote we follow Abez's suggestion and let him pilot us closer to Nibenay. |
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Post by Coden Rokos (Jesse H.) on Sept 28, 2020 8:45:29 GMT -12
With Coden:The noble looks astonished. "You have flint from Ledo? So do the giants still live?" His intent gaze looks you over as if seeing you anew, a re-evaluation. "As far as Tyr's iron... the city has been secured by foreigners. Andropinus says that trade will re-commence shortly. If it weren't straight from the font, I'd have my doubts though. We're expecting delegates in the next few days to discuss terms, so it appears things are moving quickly." "Oh, the giants are still there, but they can be reasoned with... as long as you're not a dwarf from one of the Ledopoli! Since I've been out and about I wound up working with a crew that have a silt skimmer and they've been focused on trade in the area, trying to avoid difficulties with both parties, and they have some stone to move. If you want to take it off our hands, I'm sure a good price can be arranged. The crew even has a 'porter who could deliver it by wormhole if you're worried about the logistics of consignment," says Coden.
"For me this is all part and parcel of trying to figure out my new place in the city. After coming back from the military I was ensconced at the Cerebrum for quite a while. Yriss finally opened my mental faculties to farseeing and precognition, and I've been working on continuing that development. My military days are behind me now. My uncle's not too happy about this so I've been working on my own business interests, so as not to cross paths with my own family members," continues the noble. He finishes a bite of his flatbread, swallows, and then says, "Honestly... with how that's all fallen out, the maneuvering in House Rokos... you're more family to me now than anyone that's left."
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