Something does not seem right about the drow's position. You get the feeling they are not as much interested in what is in the box as not looking like they are weak. Perhaps that could be used...?
The drow snarls at the priest's offer. We not wait for you to walk away with what ours like others of false promise. Three Claws traded false in past. No more! Give, or price be taken!
The drow does not indicate he recognizes Darkleaf's name.
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
A thoughtful look comes over Genithar's face as he listens to the Drow's words and then boldly steps forward, crossing the clearing before the stream and stowing his longbow.
As the robed mage walks, he voices his intentions, Powerful hunter, my companions and I knew not that we trespassed. Let us offer a tribute to your Mighty Tribe and appease your anger.
Carefully drawing his light hunting crossbow, so as to seem non-threatening, the Wizard continues, 'I offer my bloodline's swiftest weapon, crafted for the hunt. Will you accept?'
The drow narrows his eyes, though the immediate tension eases from his shoulders. Cautiously, it takes a look at the crossbow and the shield. He looks at them a moment, then clucks something. Four drow appear in the jungle mass. One of them, scarred from several battles, confers with the speaker for a moment. The discussion seems a bit heated, but eventually, the speaker seems adamant about his point and the other throws up its arms but concedes.
The Three Claws accepts tribute, but warns not to trespass again. With that, he gathers what has been offered and then stalks back into the green, eyes on the party the entire time. His companions also vanish from sight.
After the drow are gone, Gregory sighs loudly. You handled that well. But I'd feel better if we were out of this place. All agreed, the group proceeds back to Stormreach.
OOC: You'll reach Stormreach w/o any other difficulties. Plans for the chest or otherwise?
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
Genithar ponders the situation for a moment and then responds casually, 'Master Gregory, your stated purpose was to discover, collect, and then destroy a certain Schema. The rest of what we found would be for those of us who successfully escorted you to the site and back. I believe we have held up our end of the bargain and though we have not confirmed that the sought for Schema is within this chest, I would argue that the group is owed their due.'
Looking about to the other members of the group, the Wizard continues, 'I of course am interested in the spectacular tomes we recovered and would like to claim at least one of them, if not more. But first, I suspect we should open this chest and see what our blood and sweat has garnered us.'
Turning to the chest, the elf is no doubt ready to uncover this final mystery.
__________________ ~From the Wind Swept Plains of Nightbreese Keep
Gregory nods, and once he has everyone settled, goes out to get someone capable of helping with the lock. Before half an hour has passed, he returns with a Plank and a crusty old dwarf whose missing an eye. An ex-associate of Kundarak. Didn't want to risk getting them involved directly. The dwarf gives Gregory a sour look, but sets about to task. It does not take him long (he snorts loudly indicating his disgust) and soon its treasures are open to behold.
The large chest is expertly packed. At the top are some ancient papers written in Giant the size of a man's head; they crumble into fragment as the chest is disturbed. The chest has a few layers separated by old wooden dividers. The top layers appears to be for tools. They are quite large—too large for non-giant hands—but are in fine condition. Bookbinding, astronomical, and other tools are in large, tidy bundles. Genithar expects that such tools would fetch a fine price to the right collector.
The next layer of the chest appears to be a collection of hide bags. They too are brittle and split into tiny remains, but the interiors are intact. Each is an artifact stranger than the next: A totemic-like carving of a scorpion and a skull, three stone fragments that interlock in myriad ways, and so on. If the old library was one of Giantish research, perhaps these were of old archeological interest. Surely a buyer for each could be arranged...
That last layer, however, is the true treasure, or at least that which caused the hunt. There are four metal tablets with groves and etching at odd angles, in a way that is immediately reminiscent of magic to all but the unlearned Shadé. Schema—magical formula of old to replicate magic. Three are of the same size, roughly the length of the lizardman's arm. The other is quite larger, and Gregory becomes excited the moment he sees it.
Holding it up, a smile lights his face. At last! Our quest is at an end. After so long, after so much... As his distant look fades, he tucks the schema into his things. I cannot thank you enough. As I said, this is all yours! Well done!
OOC
Okay, you have a lot of stuff to go through/sell, but luckily, Stormreach specializes in such thing. In fact, importing much of it w/o a Letter of Marque from Breland is quite illegal! Here is the breakdown of what you think you can get, once all it sold (which you'll have to take some time to do):
- The tools are of historical interest, but fairly common. For the bunch, you think you can get 500 gp.
- Of the books you retrieved, four of them are salvageable. They are worth 150gp each to the right collector. However, if kept, and read by someone who knows Giantish, they act as a masterwork artisan tool for various Knowledge skills. This only works for those checks you have some time to research (at least a half hour, depend on your DM; not in combat!) and provides a +2 check. There is a book for Arcana, Architecture and Engineering, History, and the Planes.
- The various art items are quite pricey and sell for 3000gp.
- The chest itself could be sold for 250gp.
- The minor schemas allows the user of them to cast the spell inscribed on them once per day (like a reusable scroll); artificers need a UMD as normal. The spells are protection from good (divine), summon monster I (arcane), and endure elements (arcane). If sold, they sell for 200gp each.
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
Having checked through the group's actual find of 'buried treasure', the Wizard is visibly pleased at the various artefacts and baubles. As the schemas nature are made clear, Genithar pours over them reverently, very intrigued with their make and functionality.
As the fellowship turns to the issue of splitting the spoils, Genithar remarks, 'Splitting all of the gold we could get between the five of us would yeild 990 galifars each. A good take, on any day. For myself though, I would make a humble requests for at least one of the large tomes and for the schema of summoning. For these gifts, I would of course take a cut in gold. What say you all to this proposition?"
__________________ ~From the Wind Swept Plains of Nightbreese Keep
Corran nods amiably. Of course, Genithar, he says. I would rather we sell them to you than to someone else, so you're welcome to match the offer we have recieved for any of the items, as I see it. So you should be fine to take the book, the schema and 640 Galifars, if my math is correct. Sadly, I find little of personal value for myself, and thus I will take my share in coins.
OOC: I'll wait for Mog's reply on how he want's the split done before moving too far forward.
As the group determines their immediate actions, Gregory takes leave of them. I will be arranging travel back to Sharn; the good Captain should still be in port so we should be able to leave with the tide this eve. You may meet us at the docks when your dealings are complete.
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
Looking to Shade' and her distracted fiddling with the ancient artefact, Genithar patiently explains, 'My friend, if you would like to claim those trinkets from the group, I would support your claim. You fought quite bravely and are owed your due."
Finishing with a warm, if awkward smile, the Wizard turns to claim the large tome the Shifter carried back.
__________________ ~From the Wind Swept Plains of Nightbreese Keep
'My friend, if you would like to claim those trinkets from the group, I would support your claim. You fought quite bravely and are owed your due."
Shaken out of her distracted state Shadé fumbles with the totem for a moment. She smiles back. Yes, yes! I, I will take this. She hand back the scorpion, keeping the skull unless the two come as set. Trophy.
Giving stout Terran a queer look, Genithar turns his gaze to the cagey lizardman and the faithful of Balinor, before asking, 'Would you two wish to sell all of our findings? It seems Shade' and I would like to purchase some of these goods from the group; leaving more gold for those that decide not to. Would this not be more acceptable to all?'
__________________ ~From the Wind Swept Plains of Nightbreese Keep
As I said, our gain is the same as long as you pay what our buyers would. Corran frowns. I fear our mercantile friend is just getting caught up in the moment.
Group spends the next few hours finding reputable (and some not so) characters to dispense with their findings. Terren happily leads negotiations, and has quite the flare for them. An antiquities appraiser—an old dowager gnome with a nasty scar over her diminished nose—whistles at the price of the bone totem but finds the rest of the items to be more valuable. The Cannith run second-hand magical artifacts market is eager to purchase the schemas, though the quite lizard claims one of them for itself. Overall, the group leaves quite richer than before.
OOC: The group has some time to spend any newfound wealth. Let me know if there are any plans in this direction. Final breakdown is as follows:
Loot breakdown
Genithar:
- Tome (of what type?)
- lesser schema of summon monster I
- 640gp
Thral'k:
- lesser schema of protection from evil
- 790gp
Corran:
- 990gp
Shadé:
- Bone totem of scorpion and skull (worth 250gp)
- 740gp
Terren:
- 990gp
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
Stonegod, when did the schema switch from protection from good to protection from evil? Corran would have been interested in the latter, but didn't see much use in the former. Thral'k is welcome to it, having done a great job guiding us, but I was curious about the shift.
Linear Mode
And yet another word from our sponsors
