|
Post by PotA Dungeon Master on Aug 12, 2021 20:24:31 GMT
Everyone With Rix making arrangements to meet you all the next morning, Randall also makes it apparent that he has a job to perform before the following day and investigations begin. Heide and Wakathas pair up for the day and make their way towards the southern portion of the Long Road that runs through Red Larch, Randall heading to the northern part, and Rix heading towards the western Kheldell Path to rest just outside of the town.
Heide,Wakathas its outside walls. A small, fadd sign on the front door reads 'Endrith's Vallivoes'. Walking inside, you can see that the main room is stocked to the rafters with new wares and used items of all sorts. A small man stood behind a desk at the far end of the room is having a hushed conversation with a young girl as you walk in, both of them looking up at your entrance. The small man that Wakathas recognises as Endrith Vallivoe nods and sends the child out of the store with a shooing of his hands. "Wakathas, and company! As long as she's a friend of the Harpers, she's a friend to Vallivoe! What can I do for you both this afternoon?" He smiles as he rubs his hands together and licks his lips.
Randall Leaving Heide, Rix, and Wakathas to all head south of Red Larch, you make your way towards the northern portion of Red Larch, straight towards Lorrens bakery. Standing outside the bakery, chewing on a bread roll and watching the townsfolk start the sinkhole repair efforts, is Xander who quickly swallows his mouthful as he sees you. "Randall! I've been looking over for you for a while now, but always keep missing you at the last second!" Xander chuckles before offering you a handshake. "Mangobarl wants to have a chat. He's the one who's been sending me to find you." Xander gestures to the bakery and pushes the door open, leading you inside and turning the open sin the opposite way as he closes the door. "Mangobarl offered me a job. I'm gonna be running as his baking apprentice, although I'll be doing very little baking he said." Xander chuckles before leading you through to the little lounge in the back where Mangobarl sits in his armchair, smoking a pipe.
You sit in another chair opposite and explain to Mangobarl why Xanderr was unable to find you through the day with all of your deeds throughout Red Larch, Mangobarl nodding his head seemingly impressed. He holds up a hand in kind decline as you offer him to buy your crate of weaponry. "If you wanna sell weapons, probably best to try over at the Tantur smithy. They're always interested in scrap metal. As for your deeds throughout town, I hadn't heard anything about this necromancer at Lance Rock, except for rumors a while back now, never thought they'd amount to anything. As for the sinkhole,e just a few feet outside my shop, yeah I've heard about that. Didn't know it was you either." Mangobarl snorts. "Well I'm impressed, lad. Also been looking into this Thurl Merosska you speak of. Seems he's holed up in Feathergale spire, a few miles northeast of Red Larch, with the Feathergale society. Apparently they're a soft bunch that are quite courteous. Could be that they're hiding him away on some terms, or maybe they don't even know of his deeds that you told me about." Mangobarl continues to drag his pipe.
"As for this delegation, yes I've heard of it. Quite alot of important people that were part of this. I've had orders to get you on task with finding and rescuing these delegate members. Could put the Black Network in good books with the leaders of Mirabar. Word has already been sent to Mirabar that the Black Network are lending a helping hand in this case, but they don't know it'll be you." Mangobarl smiles and drags his pipe again, waiting for your response.
|
|
|
Post by Randall Grim on Aug 14, 2021 16:55:48 GMT
Randall calmly answers after listening quietly to everything with attention “I’m not the type to waive on any sort of mission, but I’m assuming a particular important, and dangerous, mission like this one will be rewarded royally, am I right?” He pauses for a long breath “Is there any particular subject of interest among those delegates that requires special attention? Or maybe any of theirs possession?”
|
|
|
Post by Wakathas on Aug 16, 2021 0:22:53 GMT
"Lady Heide, a knight of Tyr, new companion of mine." Wakathas says, gesturing toward Heide, "I'm here to buy that book on discount, the Dwarven script one."
|
|
|
Post by Heide Many-Sheaf on Aug 16, 2021 4:13:46 GMT
"Good to meet ya," Heide says, extending a hand for an introductory shake.
With pleasantries exchanged, she gives Waka the floor again and idly browses the shop's contents with her eyes while keeping an ear on the conversation. (Perception or Investigation as appropriate, both +2)
|
|
|
Post by PotA Dungeon Master on Aug 16, 2021 23:59:16 GMT
Randall Letting out a cloud of smoke and resting his pipe on a small table beside his chair, Mangobarl leans forward and clasps his hands together. "Of course it'll be rewarded, but what that will be is something I am unaware of. Above my pay-grade it seems." He snorts and shakes his head very slightly before looking to Xander and gesturing for him to pass something from a shelf on the west wall. Xander moves over and grabs a scrolled parchment and hands it to Mangobarl who unscrews it and reaches for a set of reading glasses and scrutinising over the parchment. "Was given this this morning and its a little bit of a list, but its everyone the Black Network have learned are part of this delegation. First off, you got a shield dwarf named Bruldenthar. He was delivering manuscripts of some importance to Warerdeep. Then there's Teresiel, Rhundorth, and Deseyna Majarra; all important diplomats for the Lord's alliance. There's also an elf who is carrying something of import, but what it is, the Black Network couldn't figure." Mangobarl scrolls the paper up again and hands it to Xander to place back on the shelf, removing his reading glasses and picking up his pipe, sucking on it and relighting the ember within.
"Xander tells me you've slotted yourself into a group that you met here in Red Larch. Half-orc, human, and an Aarakocra?" The pitch in his voice raises as he mentions the Aarakocra, seemingly surprised at the exotic race. "Tell me what you know of them. Why are they here? Where are they going? You trust them?" He starts a light interrogation towards you, while Xander gives you a small shrug of apology.
Heide,Wakathas Endrith raises his eyebrows as Heide gets an introduction from Wakathas and reaches out to shake Heide's hand. "Lady Heide, it is a pleasure. Any friend of Waka's is a friend of mine!" He chuckles before turning his attention towards Wakathas. "Ah, yes. The dwarven manuscript! Yes, of course!" He crouches down and starts to look for the book. "I'll tell ya, I'd rather it gets off my hands as it useless to me. Can't understand a single letter of dwarves runes myself. Where is i- ah here it is!" He stands back up, a beautifully illuminated book with golden runes printed across the cover and bordered with a golden pattern that swirls and zig zags around the edge. "Well, as agreed on for you Wakathas, twenty-five gold pieces and its yours. I would have gone for less, but I've gotta make at least some of my money back. Also, who knows what secrets are in here?!" Endrith gives a wink and a small chuckle while sliding the book across the counter once Wakathas has made a payment.
Heide While Wakathas talks to Endrith, you take a gander around the store and notice alot of furniture at a first glance, but then looking again , you realise there is a lot of random odd bits here; lamps, rolled up carpets, mirrors, weapons, and odd bits of armour that looks like its seen better days. You also notice alot of books with no titles on their spines, mixed along with a few stacks of blank parchment behind the counter.
|
|
|
Post by Wakathas on Aug 17, 2021 0:13:02 GMT
"As stalwart as always. Perhaps it may be of use to locating the missing delegation, for our party had been tasked with locating and perhaps rescuing the missing folks," Wakathas says, jingling his gold loudly as he pay the man. Still making noises with his coins, he subtly leans in and whispers quietly to Endrith, "Father Imdarr and Lady Ushien Stormbanner, how trust worthy are they?" (Gold -25; Stealth/slight of hand +4)
|
|
|
Post by Randall Grim on Aug 19, 2021 3:04:05 GMT
Randall addresses the dwarf seriously “above your pay grade? Sounds to me a lame excuse to bargain after the work is done. In any case, I do not have reasons to distrust my current companions so far. The party proven to be very capable and each member pursuits their own objective, which are aligned for now. The half-orc belongs to the Order that commissioned the group to investigate the delegation and provide leads on their last whereabouts in Beliard, the human is under Enclave allegiance, according to the rumors they are worried about some particular seeds this elf you mentioned was carrying, and the aaracroka, as much this sound weird, works for the Harpers which are interested in the scrolls carried by the Dwarf.” He reclines with a small though triumphant smile for being able to collect more intel than his contact.
“I was assuming the Network would be able to provide insights from their contacts in Beliard but I guess if there is not more information to share I shall go to make amendments for the adventure”
|
|
|
Post by PotA Dungeon Master on Aug 27, 2021 0:38:36 GMT
Wakathas Endrith raises both eyebrows in an impressed expression. "This is very good news! I am impressed to hear it." He nods his head to you and gives a wink and a small salute as Heide continues to scan her eyes across the shops wares. As you continue to jangle your coins loudly in an attempt to conceal your words away from Heide, you lean in and whisper the two names and ask for the validity on them from Endrith, who gives Heide a glance before nodding his head silently and connecting his thumb and index finger in a circle, conveying they would be so.
Heide As you continue to browse the various nic naks and trinkets that clutter the shop, you easily manage to understand the almost silent words of Wakathas that are delivered to Endrith Vallivoe, but you continue to keep your eyes gaze turned from the pair.
Heide,Wakathas Endrith silently counts the gold coins on his counter before scraping them off and into a pouch, pulling the drawstrings tightly closed and pocketing it. "Well, thank you for the patronage. I really do hope you manage to find something within the book that my non-dwarvish reading eyes couldn't!" He chuckles to himself before grabbing Heide's attention. "Is there anything that catches your eye, m'lady? Or is there anything specific I could possibly rummage around for you? My stocks have been growing over the years, and I'm sure I've lost track of something, but for a friend of Waka's I'd be happy to go looking." He beams a friendly smile across the counter.
Randall Mangobarl scoffs at your first remark about bargaining. "You know as much as I do. No-one pulls a sweeter deal out of the Black Network unless the job was more than what was thought, but don't worry, friend. I'm sure there'll be alot in it for the grade of this task." He then leans forward and listens intently on everything you have to say of your newfound companions, hanging on to your every word and absorbing every bit of information on them, as any other member of the Zhentarim would.
When you finish, he chews on what you have said for a silent minute, his eyes wandering towards the window that looks outside the back of the bakery and towards the hills surrounding Red Larch. "Alright. Seems you've slotted yourself into the right group for whatever lays ahead. Such a diverse group too. Keep with them, keep your own background hidden for as long as you can, and do what you can to save this delegation. Your place within the Network could depend on it." A cruel smile crossed Mangobarl's face before he offers a sly wink.
"Beliard?! You think we got dealings there?! Hah! Just a bunch of low cattle farmers up that way, boy. However, if you are headed down towards Bargewright Inn which you'll get to by following the Cairn road to the southeast. You'll wanna head in and look for Nalaskur Thaelond. He's been mentioning a lack of supply runs and keeps asking for someone to get down thee to mind the inn for a while when he heads to Waterdeep to discuss matters with our superiors there. Other than that, I ain't got much else. But it's only if you're in the area, nothing too hasty about it. Could be something good in it for you though. New friends might also come in handy too. Who knows?" Mangobarl claps his hands together and stands from his seat, stretching his legs. "Now, I believe we are finished here. Xander, show Randall out would ya, if ya don't mind." He almost commands Xander who willingly agrees. Xander then begins showing you towards the exit of the backroom in the bakery.
|
|
|
Post by Randall Grim on Aug 27, 2021 2:03:01 GMT
Randall listem with attention nodding assertively when appropriate until his contact declares the conversation over. He quickly get up to his feet and says in almost a martial tone: “indeed, no time to waste with formalities, I’ll show myself out” and with a dry nod he signs goodbye to the two and swiftly moves towards the door. Right before he reaches the door he slows his pace for a while and say without turning his head “Just keep the boy out of trouble would’ya!” And leaves.
He goes hastily to Tantur smithy to sell the weapon crate for the best price he can get and straight to the Inn after that.
|
|
|
Post by Heide Many-Sheaf on Aug 28, 2021 16:57:17 GMT
Heide smiles back. "There are a few knick knacks I've had in mind. A whetstone and a pair of manacles, if they're not too buried under the rest. Also..."
She takes the polished gem from her pack and sets it on the counter with a graceless thunk. "This has been weighing my coin pouch down. I'd like to be relieved of it, for the right price. And if it so happens that you have any healing potions or other magical things, I might be inclined to trade it to you straight out."
|
|
|
Post by PotA Dungeon Master on Sept 11, 2021 21:30:23 GMT
Heide,Wakathas As soon as Heide mentions the whetstone and set of manacles, Endrith's eyes tighten as he scans around the clutter filled room. "A whetstone, I know I have somewhere. I'm sure I can look into the manacles aswell for you." He continues to scan before the thunk of the gemstone interrupts his thought process, turning his attention that way and widening his eyes as he beholds the gem. "Very nice, very nice! If I've got anything magical, it'll be unknown to me. Haven't had a potion go through here for a while now. Let me find what you're looking for an' then we can discuss further." He gives Heide a neat smile before rushing into the piles of clutter and rummaging around for the next few minutes.
After patiently waiting for the man to finish his searching and rummaging, he comes back to the counter with a few items to place onto. A set of 8ron manacles make the heaviest thud as they fall onto the wooden top counter, with the whetstone being fairly light compared to the iron. Eldritch also holds a vila with a red liquid inside, the vial being slightly dusty. "Turns out I got exactly what you're looking for. Set of manacles, a whetstone, and was also able to find one of these for you! May have been under there alot longer if you hadn't have asked." Endrith offers a wink with a smile before looking at the contents atop the counter and some quick thinking. "Alright, I'll trade the potion for the gem, but you'll have to pay for the manacles and whetstone. Let's say two gold pieces maximum, seeing as you are a friend of Waka's." He looks between you both as he then holds the gem in hand, waiting for approval of trade.
|
|
|
Post by Heide Many-Sheaf on Sept 15, 2021 18:28:02 GMT
"Sounds like as fair a deal as I've heard," Heide says, flashing a toothy, hospitable smile. She tosses two gold pieces onto the counter, each landing with a hearty clink, and she begins taking the items. She takes the whetstone first, then the manacles, then the potion.
"It's been a pleasure doing business with you, friend," she says to Endrith. Then she turns to Waka. "Any other business here, or shall we leave him to his?"
(-2 gp, -1 gem, +1 whetstone, +1 set of manacles, +1 potion of healing)
|
|
|
Post by Wakathas on Sept 15, 2021 18:36:48 GMT
Wakathas shook his head, "I shall inform you of any new information once they are known, we have a gentleman in our party who can decipher this book. Farewell for now," he says to Endrith with a wave of his wing, then turns to Heide, "Ya got anyone specific in mind for those," he eyes the manacles, "or ya just making preparation?"
|
|
|
Post by Heide Many-Sheaf on Sept 15, 2021 18:45:02 GMT
"Seems like we've been running into more and more folks in need of restraining," Heide answers. "Just seems like a waste of good rope. And I've gotta admit," she adds, giving the manacles an almost gleeful pat, "they make me feel a bit more equipped to serve the Lord of Justice. Sorta completes the look, you know?"
|
|
|
Post by Wakathas on Sept 15, 2021 19:34:40 GMT
"My lady had yet to show herself to be injudicious," Wakathas replied with a simple nod, then gives Heide a brief once-over, "they do suit a knight of Tyr quite well." He pauses for a moment, "May I ask, what is my lady's disposition on killing a fellow without the judgements of the law? Many a knight of Tyr doesn't approve of the act, regardless of its necessity."
|
|
|
Post by Heide Many-Sheaf on Sept 15, 2021 23:17:44 GMT
"Thank you, Wakathas," Heide says, in answer to his assessment (and perhaps compliment).
Regarding Waka's questions about the execution of the law, she answers, "Well that's the ideal, of course. No person receives punishment without due process. But Tyr also knows that, this plane being imperfect, any system of law is bound to be as well. Personally, I try to bring in whoever I can whenever it's possible, but..." She shrugs and grimaces a bit. "...sometimes it's not possible. The question becomes, 'If I let this lawbreaker, evildoer, or what-have-you go free, will there be more harm done to honest folks?' I don't take joy in passing judgment, but sometimes, when the chips are down, you've got to act as Tyr's direct representative and hope you made the right call."
|
|
|
Post by Wakathas on Sept 16, 2021 0:43:03 GMT
"I hope for a day when I don't have to toil over my decisions," he sighed, a far away look in his beady eyes, "some crimes are just so horrid that you wonder ending the live of the perpetrator is the solution."
He lets the moment hang for a bit before continues, "there's a saying I've heard from a wise man whence I was a fletchling: 'sometimes you must be willing to take a life to save many.'" His eyes twinkled as he smiles fondly at the memory, then he steels himself, "I'm glad that you are willing to do the same, for I was not made to be merciful during battles. Though when the need to do so arise, I hope you be the voice of reason and stay my hand."
|
|
|
Post by Heide Many-Sheaf on Sept 16, 2021 4:12:09 GMT
"Sounds like he was a wise man indeed," Heide says. She claps a hand firmly on Wakathas's shoulder and assures him, "I'll do my best to guide you, but I won't hold it against you if you falter. It's not an easy path, and not everyone walks it, nor should they have to. Can't blame folks for that, I figure."
She releases his shoulder from her iron grip and looks off into town again. "I think we've more than earned a rest, don't you? Whaddya say we find the others and take it while we can?"
|
|
|
Post by Wakathas on Sept 16, 2021 4:22:02 GMT
As Heide clasps Wakathas on the shoulder, she notices that under the layers of clothing was not fluffy feathers, but a hard surface akin to metal that radiate icy coldness to the touch.
"Aight, I dying for a rest, this day felt like a year," he nods with a smile, lands next to Heide and walks with her back to their companions.
|
|
|
Post by PotA Dungeon Master on Sept 23, 2021 19:55:08 GMT
Randall Mangobarl gives you a curt nod as you leave and Xander starts to follow behind you, opening the front door of the bakery open for you. "Was good to see you, Randall. We may not see each other for a bit, so make sure to pop back here every now and then!" Xander winks and gives you a pat on the shoulder before waving you off into the street of Red Larch and closing the bakery door and locking it.
Hastily moving through the street, you manage to find Tantur's smithy quickly, the din of forge hammers striking steel tipping you off to the location. You move towards the soot-stained building where at both ends are massive stone blocks that rise into tall, wide chimneys that billow smoke. Stepping inside the building, you are blasted with a wave of heat that comes from the back of the smithy where forges are burning as two strong, human women bang their forge hammers against the steel on anvils. You are met by a stronger looking male human with a black, curly beard that is singed in multiple places, and wearing soot-stained overalls. "Welcome to my smithy. I'm Eldras. What can I do you for today?" His voice rumbles like soft thunder. You tell Eldras of the crate you had acquired and tell him specifically what weapons are inside. "And you want to sell it to me? Sure thing, except I'm just gonna be melting 'em down for the metal. I'll give you fifty gold pieces for it all if you really wanna part with them all? Otherwise, I gotta get back to work." He raises an eyebrow to you while he runs a hand through his beard to scratch his chin before smoothing the hair back down.
|
|