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Post by DM Bob on Nov 9, 2020 19:37:33 GMT
A combination of granite and used white marble make up the solid, fifteen foot tall walls of Altaruk. Thorny vines as well as brambleweed trace the heights and base of the ediface. Gates of granite and iron are open, manned by a small group of warriors in getup similar to the ones that greeted you on the dock. Flags displaying a silver jozhal on an azure field fly as well as those of Balic and some of the smaller trading houses flutter in the steady breeze.
Laahk first stops at the Four Bits Inn looking for gossip. It is too expensive for his tastes and relatively empty so on the word of the hotelier he instead finds a gathering in the open area within the walls, where a small fight between a mul woman and a travel cloaked elf are going on with bets being placed. After purposefully losing a few wagers and some broy (10 ceramics spent between the two locales) he learns the following:
House Tsalaxa is currently not welcome in town. Any trades with that house occur outside the gates and under guard and at a raised rate. It is rumored that they recently had a hand in the poisoning of two templars in Balic.
Rumors of giant attacks on South Ledopolus have the fortress on edge. Tales of a larger than life goliath have been heard, but are brushed off as gossip... for the most part.
A small caravan of Nibenese left here weeks ago, closer to when Kalak died... before most of the refugees arrived. The odd thing about that caravan was that is wasn't your normal House Shom ordeal fit with large wagons and giant train... but styled after smaller, quicker operations. Otherwise, there has been little direct trade with the Stone City's residents.
Andras is usually found at his shop, no one has a reason to believe that he's traveling or otherwise occupied.
Meanwhile the others finish their tasks and are able to meet with Laahk once more... it is currently 4 or 5 pm and approximately 106*F. They are expected at the gates and let by unaccosted.
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Post by AthasianLaborer on Nov 9, 2020 20:29:39 GMT
On sight of the Arena event, Rizla will hand his Feylaar fist and gythka to Khuv before walking to the forefront of the crowd and betting one of the two silver he was handed earlier on the female mul. Once the fight is over and regardless of the outcome, he will issue a challenge-- "I will, unarmed, best a dozen or more of your combatants in 1v1 combat regardless of the physical weapon they carry!"
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Post by DM Bob on Nov 9, 2020 20:48:59 GMT
That fight has since ended, as Laahk was apart from the rest of the group. Perhaps trying your hand at the proper arena later would be the best bet.
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Post by Attilius on Nov 9, 2020 21:28:52 GMT
Andras is usually found at his shop, no one has a reason to believe that he's traveling or otherwise occupied. Meanwhile the others finish their tasks and are able to meet with Laahk once more... it is currently 4 or 5 pm and approximately 106*F. They are expected at the gates and let by unaccosted. Upon meeting and hearing the rumors from Laakh, the half giant mumbles "Weeeelllll shit. I'm going to have to be a bit more careful..." turning to Laakh "let's go meet this Andras of yours..." and starts walking towards the ink shop |
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Post by Niachi on Nov 9, 2020 22:53:51 GMT
Laakh stops and mention to his companions:
"Er, we will need Khuv's knife and that gythka for a full appraisal. Let's at least meet up with Andras, then gather the party tonight with a private meeting with my contact, all new weapons present."
He beckons for them to follow, entering the coolness of the ink and paper shop. Looks around for the owner.
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Post by DM Bob on Nov 10, 2020 0:43:12 GMT
It's a cramped shop and a definite oddity at that. While most places in Athas force illiteracy, nobles, templars and merchants alike need ink, stylus and medium for rote bookkeeping and ledgers.
As well as bloody magicians.
No goliath fits in here and a kreen would be in the same position. Not only are the walls covered in shelves of presumably blank ledgers, rolls of papyrus, parchments, bone tubing, clay & stone tablets... there are tables with quills, stylus, charcoal, inks, soft lead sticks and small pots with corked lids scattered haphazardly.
It smells different too. Like the smell after a rare rain in the desert.
Behind the counter an owlish looking older man smiles. He recognizes Laahk and holds a finger to his lips, as a smaller dwarf finishes a purchase, a stack of ledgers and a new abacus.
Once the dwarf leaves, he gives you his full attention.
"Laahk! How nice of you to visit. I did so enjoy you and Falmon's company in Balic last month... my customer was extremely happy with the ledgers Wavir supplied. What can I do for you?"
He looks about.
"And your friends?"
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Post by Attilius on Nov 10, 2020 0:55:49 GMT
[Alex, I'm a bit confused on the time order but if Laakh asked for all the weapons anytime prior to going in, HurK would hand him the web covered tablet set. If not, HurK'll keep them safe in his pack.] If HurK can't safely squeeze in, he'll take a loud deep inhale of the wonderful scent through his nose then head down the way to the weapon's shop "I'll be a five shops down guys..." [umbrella "a"] |
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Post by Attilius on Nov 10, 2020 1:59:54 GMT
As the giant begins his walk, upon Hearing/seeing/smelling the clanging and/or fumes coming from the metal smith shop, HurK grimaces at it being... RIGHT... NEXT... door to a HIGHLY flammable papyrus shop...
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Post by DM Bob on Nov 10, 2020 2:33:29 GMT
Consider the tablets handed over.
It is *not* a smithy. Weaponsmiths in Athas? Well, Belial and Nial deal in some random metal takings on occasion... but they generally fashion blades out of bone, stone and obsidian. Often for the garrison itself on commision. Think antlers and horn and chipping out blades while some of the wholesale and resale occurs when a visitor arrives.
And when you do, you find her quite excited at your arrival.
"Ah! A visitor that can afford to pass the gates! What can I do you for, big guy?" The elven woman purrs.
Meanwhile, the others...
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Post by Attilius on Nov 10, 2020 2:43:08 GMT
And when you do, you find her quite excited at your arrival. "Ah! A visitor that can afford to pass the gates! What can I do you for, big guy?" The elven woman purrs. HurK bows "Well met... I'm looking for a great blade my race can wield. Something akin to this scimitar but even larger. A great scimitar that would need MY two hands to properly use."HurK unsheaths his large bone scimitar and holds it out for her to inspect, handle first. |
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Post by DM Bob on Nov 10, 2020 3:00:40 GMT
"Hey Nial! Look at this." A dwarf comes out the back of the tent, half chiseled obsidian axe blade in hand.
"He wants something bigger." She adds.
His head cocks as he squints.
"How much bigger? Get me a big enough bone and sure. Gonna take some time an' we'll have less time for our normal work... an' if he wants obsidian - the only ones dealin' that big a piece is up in Makla or Urik. Shit breaks too easy though."
Belial also says, "Giant sized goods aren't easy to get here either." She looks to his belt.
"Something to do with the fact we get wrecked by the larger types every so often."
Nial rolls his eyes and returns to the back of the tent after her remark.
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Post by Niachi on Nov 10, 2020 3:00:57 GMT
OOC: Yes assume Hurk handed over the tablets, and Laakh asked for the stone dirk and gythka.
"Andras! Always good to see you. I was afraid you might be back in Balic. Ah, This is Coden, a fellow mindshaper, and Mak, who along with my other companions have had a few adventures. How are you and how is the business?"
Taking casual and complete view of the interior on his way to the counter, anyone else on the shop? he won't reveal anything till the coast is clear.
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Post by DM Bob on Nov 10, 2020 3:04:02 GMT
No, but much like you any member of the Veil would probably be worried of casual scrying or general spying.
"Business is okay, but we lost a lot of orders from Tyr lately. What can I do for you?"
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Post by Attilius on Nov 10, 2020 3:10:12 GMT
"Hey Nial! Look at this." A dwarf comes out the back of the tent, half chiseled obsidian axe blade in hand. "He wants something bigger." She adds. His head cocks as he squints. "How much bigger? Get me a big enough bone and sure. Gonna take some time an' we'll have less time for our normal work.." Belial also says, "Giant sized goods aren't easy to get here either." She looks to his belt. "Something to do with the fact we get wrecked by the larger types every so often." HurK tilts his masked head in thought "Speaking of the larger types, what do you use their bodies for when you kill one? I reckon one of their femurs would be perfect sized for your creation."If they give the "no dead giant bodies to be looted anywhere near here" answer, HurK asks "from your expertise, what animals would have the perfect bone to create the great blade I'm looking for?" |
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Post by Niachi on Nov 10, 2020 4:20:06 GMT
Shrugging off his pack and producing the lot of magic weapons on the counter:
"We know these are ...special. And not special like this," patting The Widow strapped to his arm.
"What would your price be to have these Identified? Especially the club and gythka? These two seem to have something about them. We had a kreen in our party, she would not take the gythka, said it gave her some odd visions."
Looking around again, he drops his voice.
"Could we buy you dinner tonight, Someplace worth paying for privacy? Other matters to discuss, something our "friends in the market" (their code for the Veilled Alliance) needs to know about fast. We have done well in our short time together, eh Coden?"
"I have a half-giant with me, our muscle. Someplace he would fit would be best. Hurk is a deeper well than most of his kind, and he knows how to behave."
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