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Message: <blockquote data-quote="H.M.Gimlord" data-source="post: 5273457" data-attributes="member: 79440">Not wishing to wind their way back up the cliff, they chose the more direct route to the apothecary.  Mervin’s thoughts drift back to Fargo, and how he seemed to know what was written on the dagger without even looking, “When it’s my turn, I’ll show you my power.”  What does that mean?    The main gate to Rioc Alair is a formidable structure carved partially out of the sandstone cliffs and topped with masonry reaching five fathoms above the cliff face.  A steep, cobbled street leads in a straight line up from the wharf at approximately thirty-five degrees of inclination.  This forces carts to be hooked to a winch along the side of the street and pulled up to the gate. Just in front of the gate, the street turns from stone to wood, evidently a rampway that can be destroyed in the event of attack from the wharf.  The platform ends at an impressive portcullis that wards a huge murder hole that has evidently been converted into an atrium of sorts for peacetime use.  The interior is spacious, and extremely crowded, though it has no roof.  A team of men works at the winch helping carts to unhook and finish their passage into the city.  Two stocks stand to the east with men imprisoned within.  Passersby hurl insults and rotten food their way as they pass.The throng presses toward the gate on the far side of the seventy-foot atrium where an elaborate customs process is being undertaken.  Everything (and I mean EVERTYTHING) is being inspected.  Oxcarts to coatpockets.Behind the officials at the gate, lies a pile of swords, shields, armor and other devices of weaponry.  These, however, must be the stuff of people attempting to smuggle them in covertly, because, as Fenwick notices, those openly carrying such items are asked to return to their ships to stow them and get back into line (at the end) without them.As the tide of people presses around the group, Riardon, being slightly taller than the crowd, looks over their heads and recognizes one of the men in the stocks as the thief that remained behind with Jahred after the skirmish in the cellar of the Crystal Mug.  Behind him on the wall of the Atrium is a large bill poster showing an unknown crest depicting a lighthouse and a faceted gem.  Underneath is a statement that reads:    Wanted!   Lord Lars Hallmaster   for   Organized Crime       Reward 240 Gold Pieces When he and the company reach the beurocratic mess at the gate, the guard doesn't even look up from a checklist he's completing, "OK Wilhelm, check his clothes."  A large guard dressed in mail, bearing the crest of the city walks over to Riardon, eyes going wide at the Sunblade the Eladrin is carrying at his side, "Sorry mister, but all weapons and armor are banned from the Port District.  Strict order from Lord Ekton himself, you'll have to..." he falters as he notices Fenwick...and Riardon's ears, "Oh, wait."  he strides back over to the oblivious guard with the checklist and whispers something in his ear.  The guard's head jerks up and his eyes snap wide to meet Riardon's gaze.  After weaving his head back and forth to identify the other members of the party, he whispers something to the larger guard who makes his way back to the group, "You'll have to come with me."With his arms, the guard makes a barricade between the crowd and the adventurers, ushering behind the customs benches, where they are shuffled through a small door in the atrium wall.  After passing through a maze of corridors interior to the gatehouse wall, they emerge through another door on the inside of the city proprer, north of the gatehouse, "Sorry for the rough attitude, but orders are orders" the guard apologizes, "I know you'll think it's funny, but I didn't recognize you right away," he gestures to Riardon's ears and to Fenwick, "Jahred told us to look out for you and let you in 'weapons free' and all," he begins to pull the door closed, "Thanks for breaking the back of that thieving ring, and enjoy your stay in Rioc Alair." With that, the door closes, and the group finds themselves in the city.  From here, the apothecary is immediately visible across the street.  Mervin notices that this door is out of sight of the main gate through which the merchants and visitors are traveling.  The lady running the apothecary is a sweet, congenial human woman, who greets them with disarming charm, completely masking any surprise at the sight of either the Orc or the Eladrin, “May I help you?”  The group explains that they are in need of healing potions, which she produces quickly for the fair price of fifty gold pieces.  She then directs their attention to the rest of the shop.  Feel free to look around.  As they do, a boy of barely fifteen years enters the store to purchase some home remedy supplies and strikes up a conversation with the cheery proprietress of the shop.  The boy is dressed in fine clothes for someone of such youth, and he speaks as though well educated.  The group overhears only snippets, “Shame what happened to your father….”  They hear the lady say.  The boy replies, “…The whole family’s worried about it.  When he gets back there will be a trial….I am sure he will be exonerated.” The conversation continues, but the bustle of the shop obscures the details.  As the boy turns to leave, they hear, “…and you try to have a good day in spite of the news Master Hallmaster,” and the boy disappears through the front door out onto the crowded street.[sblock=Things you find in the shop.]I'm assuming someone wishes to buy healing potions.  Among other items designed to provide healing and first aid, the group finds three particularly interesting and reasonably priced items:  <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Potion of Resistance   Level 4   40gp</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Potion of Regeneration  Level 9  160gp</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Potion of Stormshield  Level 8  125gp</li> </ul>[/sblock][sblock=OOC]What next?  You can:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Continue on to the alchemical shop to look for Sworc</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Follow the boy who left the store</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Buy more potions from the list above</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Inspect the Dagger</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Find a place to try the ritual</li> </ul>[/sblock]</blockquote>

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