Adventure: Food of the Gods (DM: ryryguy, Judge: renau1g)

[ryryguy]

[sblock=religion roll]1d20+10=19
Wasn't sure if I should link that since it's a fail, but I figured I would since I made the roll. If you'd rather I only link on success, let me know and I'll remove this and proceed that way in the future.
[/sblock]

"We have all only just become aquainted recently, so I don't think we have a group spokesperson. I am Azryah. I have some training in the religions of the world, but serve Merkari in the capacity of protecting travel routes, people and objects while they travel, and retrieving them should them become lost. Since your notice indicated that this mission required, at the least, traveling to the Isle of Opposition, I thought I may be able to help."

Hedra nods in approval. "Merkari, huh? Well, I'd like to think I'm on his good side. But I'll need your word that while on this job, you'll focus on protecting my objects and not go wandering off protecting some random fool traveler in distress. In return, I'll offer my word that I'll not ask you to do anything that runs against your beliefs. That's no problem."

[sblock=failed rolls]It's fine to link the failed rolls.[/sblock]

As Hedra asks for speakers, Chaku looks around at his companions, and answers, We do not have a specific speaker for the gathering, however Master bard here, nodding toward Jynxx, Is probably the most talkative of the group. As for me, you point, I punch. He says the last with a dead pan expression, and adjusts the position of his hammer.

"Right," Hedra says. "That's good. Someone might need to be punched."

Papolstaanas jumps in alarm as Chaku leans down close to him, certain that he is about to be scolded for something. Then he grins happily, charmed by the huge warrior's offer, and climbs carefully up onto his massive shoulders. "I could get used to this," he mutters to himself, gazing delightedly down at everyone. "I am Papolstaanas, from Bacarte," he says from his perch by way of introduction. He hesitates, and decides against trying to make his qualifications anything other than they are. "I have never, um, never done anything like this before. But I can do a, a few things and I am very willing to learn and I really want a job--an, an honest job--not that I mean to suggest that the work that you are offering is not honest, I'm sure it is; just, you know, I don't want to do the sort of thing that, you know, that people of my kind usually, well..." he trails off, realizing that he is making a mess of things again. "I am happy for--for Jynxx to speak for us," he finishes lamely.

OOC: LOL!

Hedra listens to the kobold's speech with an expression of increasing incredulity and bafflement. As he winds down she stifles a laugh. "Well... I'm not sure what to make of that exactly. But since you asked, this is an honest job I'm offering. The law's on my side. And no offense taken for asking." She pauses. "Are you sure you're from Bacarte?"

The merchant slides off the desk, coming to her feet. "Okay," she says. "I'm convinced you should be plenty tough enough to handle this job." She throws a quick glance towards Kaeysari; you get the impression that the shifter's military posture is not lost on her. "But as far as negotiation skills..." She peers up and raises an eyebrow at Chaku, then shakes her head.

Hedra begins to pace back and forth in front of the desk. "Well. Actually, shouldn't be any matter for negotiation. Like I said, it's a settled matter where the law's on my side. But I'd rather the situation be taken care of without any violence. Plus I may not know the whole situation, so someone who can talk his way out of a jam would be nice for backup."

She turns towards the one person who has yet to speak and waits expectantly.

 

[LadyLaw]

Hedra nods in approval. "Merkari, huh? Well, I'd like to think I'm on his good side. But I'll need your word that while on this job, you'll focus on protecting my objects and not go wandering off protecting some random fool traveler in distress. In return, I'll offer my word that I'll not ask you to do anything that runs against your beliefs. That's no problem."

Azryah half-bows to Hedra as she responds.

"You certainly have my word on that. I wouldn't be serving him properly by abandoning one thing for another after all. If I promise to escort or protect someone or something, then I see that through to the end."

 

[OnlytheStrong]

Jynxx offers a sly smile to the captain. "I have been known to be able to articulate my thoughts into proper words. My name is Jynxx... a rogue if you will from a land not far from here. Forgive my lack of formal grace, as I have much that I would rather not tell at this time."

With a wink toward the goliath and his newfound parrot, "If I may be so rude to ask, I would like to ask what item we are going to attempt to retrive for your upcoming ceremony. I believe while it is not an item you cannot be without, it is something that you would prefer to have. Am I correct in my assumption?"
[sblock= Everyone]
[sblock=Chaku, telepathy]

"I do hope that I have not offended her."[/sblock]

[sblock=Aryzah, telepathy]

"Do you happen to know what the symbol she wears is?"[/sblock]

[sblock=Papolstaanas, telepathy]

"BOO!"

ooc: Um.... Jynxx is using this telepathy... idk if you would know it was him or not lol.
[/sblock]

[sblock=Kaeysari, telepathy]
ooc: if Papolstaanas reacts, if not, then ignore this lol. Btw, this is using telepathy
"Please, calm your friend."[/sblock]


[sblock=Roll]

1d20+1=9 HAHAHA [/sblock] [/sblock]

 

[LadyLaw]

[sblock=Jynxx telepathy]"The woman who left was wearing an emblem of Vena. I don't see anything important in Hedra's jade."
[/sblock]

 

[Mewness]

In response to mysterious telepathic messages

Papolstaanas starts visibly and peers nervously around the room, obviously upset about something and looking for its source.

 

[ryryguy]

Jynxx offers a sly smile to the captain. "I have been known to be able to articulate my thoughts into proper words. My name is Jynxx... a rogue if you will from a land not far from here. Forgive my lack of formal grace, as I have much that I would rather not tell at this time."

With a wink toward the goliath and his newfound parrot, "If I may be so rude to ask, I would like to ask what item we are going to attempt to retrive for your upcoming ceremony. I believe while it is not an item you cannot be without, it is something that you would prefer to have. Am I correct in my assumption?"
[sblock=Roll]

1d20+1=9 HAHAHA [/sblock]

[sblock=Roll]Was that a Diplomacy check? If so it looks like you sold yourself short, shouldn't it have been 1d20+10, for an 18? Or were you sandbagging before talking payment? [/sblock]

Hedra smiles back at Jynxx. "All right kid, I can tell you've got the gift of gab. Good. Though here's a tip from someone who's sat at more than her fair share of negotiating tables: flowery words ain't always best.

"I guess you've got some big ears on you too if you heard me talking to the High Priestess. First of all, it's not my ceremony, it's hers. As to whether or not she can't do without, you'd have to ask her, but seeing as how she's never had it at one of her temple shindigs before, my guess would be that it's just something she'd prefer to have. But the important thing is that it is something I'd prefer to have, so's I can fulfill my contract to sell it to her, and ensure a steady source of future business."

"All right then," she says, walking back behind her desk. "Now you want to know, what 'it' is. I'll show you." She pushes some papers around until she finds a small clay jar. She picks it up and shakes it. The jar makes a rattling sound. She pulls the cork from the top and empties it into her hand, then walks back to the group.

"'It' is five bushels of this," she says and holds out her hand. In it are nestled a half-dozen or so dark, fingertip-sized objects. They are obviously some kind of plant material, probably seeds or beans. "It's cultivated all over the place in the Valley of Bone. They use it to brew an unusually foul, nasty drink - something even worse than that crap they sell at the cafes around here. The Boners call it 'zocalti'."

[sblock=ooc]The proper term for residents of the Valley of Bone is probably "Magari" (that's what they call themselves). "Bonite" and "Boner" are common slang terms employed in Daunton. One of them is somewhat ruder than the other - I'll let you guess which one. [/sblock]

"Go ahead and take them if you want a closer look," Hedra offers. "Anyway, I own a restaurant here and the cook thought he could sell it there, start a new craze, you know. But the Boners don't really export the stuff, and you can't grow it in the around here - climate, soil, all that." She waves her hands. "But on the Isle of Opposition, the growing conditions are more like they have in the Valley of Bone. So I bankrolled somebody to set up a little plantation there and grow my own crop. I figured if it caught on here, I'd be positioned to make a killing as the sole supplier."

She grimaces. "I should have tried the damn stuff first. When my chef actually had a tasting, I knew I'd made a horrible mistake. The stuff tastes like crap! I swear, Lauto himself would puke all over his black shoes if you made him drink a cup. I thought, no one is going to buy it, no matter what fancy cups we put it in or how high we jack the price. But turned out, it's not a total disaster. The High Priestess contacted me after the tasting and wants five bushels. I don't really know why and I don't much care...

"Anyway. The problem I have now is with the plantation, more specifically with the gentleman running it. Name's Krassus. The terms of our partnership are pretty simple. I put up the money, he runs the place and brings in the crop. I get a share of future gross sales. I also have the right of first refusal on the first three harvests. That means I get to buy as much of it as I want."

Hedra balls her hands into fists. "But Krassus is now saying he can't or won't sell it to me. His last letter says he's had some problems with his workers and the full crop might not come in. But I think he's just blowing smoke. The last few letters before that, he was trying to weasel out of our deal, saying he had some other customer for the beans. Swore that if we sold to this other guy, we'd be opening up a big market where we could sell all the zocalti we could grow for years to come. I don't know about that. I just know I have a contract with the High Priestess and now my reputation is on the line and I'm not going to let that rat Krassus screw me over. I want you to go out there to the Isle and bring back the goods that are rightfully mine!"

The half-elf eyes are filled with fire and steely determination. Not that her drive was exactly hidden under a demure exterior before, but now you can almost feel it flowing out of her like a physical force. It's clear how she has achieved such success in the cutthroat world of Daunton commerce.

 

[Mezegis]

After Hedra finishes her speech, Chaku reaches out and snags two of the items she presented them with, offering the second to Popalstaanos. Looking it over, he rolls it around in his hands, feeling the texture, sniffs it for any distinctive odor, and touches it to his tongue for a bit of a taste test. And if Krassus attempts to stop us from retrieving your goods? He asks with an arched eyebrow.

 

[OnlytheStrong]

Jynxx's smile never fades as the lady speaks, "Chaku! Do not worry our newfound employer over such triffles! I shall assure you... the farmer will submit your crops to you."


[sblock=ooc]

That was a failed religion check lol. [/sblock]

 

[LadyLaw]

Azryah takes one of the offered beans carefully and looks it over. It doesn't look like much to her, but then she didn't really expect it to. As Hedra continues her tale, Azryah feels a familiar sensation coming over her, that same nagging feeling that led her to head in this direction in the first place. Perhaps this is why she felt the need to come to Daunton, perhaps not, but it seemed clear to her what she should do now.

"I cannot say whether you have Merkari's favor or not, but it is clear to me that he wants me to help you with this, and I can certainly see why. I will do all in my power to aid you in this task."

 

[Mewness]

Jynxx's smile never fades as the lady speaks, "Chaku! Do not worry our newfound employer over such triffles! I shall assure you... the farmer will submit your crops to you."

Papolstaanas ceases his worried peering long enough to accept a bean from Chaku, which he sniffs and then nibbles on (he's tried the nasty stuff they sell in the cafes, and he's interested in whether this stuff has the same sort of "zing").

Still looking somewhat ill at ease, he says in response to Jynxx, "It's an important question, though, isn't it? I mean, I don't know anything about business. But, we need to know what, what kind of authority we have to do things, if there's some sort of problem."