Marcus accompanies Fae'shiel to the Mystic Pearl. As she busies herself with her affairs, the ranger wanders through looking at this and that item, while keeping an ear and eye on the Elf in case he is required. As he considers the odd turn his lot in life has taken over the last months, he stops up short before an open display of short swords. A variety of colors, shapes, sizes and from what he can tell, craftsmanship. Two in particular catch his eye, drawing him to gaze closer. He is eyeing one closely enough that he doesn't hear, or see, the halfling female pad up behind him. It isn't until she speaks he is aware, and it is all he can do not to jump out of his boots.
"Our most popular selection. You have excellent taste in what you over tall folk like to call Short Swords. My personal favorite is the blue hilted number on the left there. Then again, I might be a little bias, since a friend of a friend actually made that. So what are you looking for?"
Marcus gathers himself.
"Something light, short, yet sturdy and well made. I am not really used to using a blade, I'm used to using a hammer, but it seems we are going cave diving and having a 10 foot hammer just isn't good. Something I can minimize the threat to my companions would be nice."
The halfling nods, her eyes alight with that glimmer of mischief, but she turns and calls out an odd sounding name, which brings over a rather gruff looking blond humanoid. She has a bucket strapped to her back. She arrives and stops, eyes on the halfling.
"The gentleman would like a look at one of these swords, could you please?"
The woman nods and turns to face the case. She just...stands there. Something gooey, like a slime or something of the like, oozes out of the barrel on her back and stops on her shoulder. A decent mound of it forms on her shoulder. Marcus finds himself having a defensive reaction, although neither of the women seem concerned. The mass of goo forms itself into the shape of a small anvil, then that of a hammer. Then lastly a sword like shape. To his surprise the halfling nods, now talking to the goo.
"I would suggest he check with a smith for a custom one Zef, but he has said that they are heading onto caves, so likely the poor bean pole hasn't the time to wait for one properly forged."
The goo forms into a hand and turns palm up in a gesture of surrender. It turns into a vaguely birdlike shape, which slowly bubbles down to the goo again. It oozes back down her shoulder, leaving no trail or sign of harm. The woman turns and looks to the halfling, who nods.
"Thank you. That will be all."
The humanoid grunts, nods an ascent and shuffles off into the crowd. Marcus turns and opens his mouth, only to be giggled at by the halfling woman.
"This world is a wonder filled place. You will see far more bizarre things than Zef outside of Venza. Then again, on certain days, you might see such right here! Now, let me see your palm."
She takes Marcus' palm in her hands and eyes it carefully. She turns her gaze to the sword display. She nods and reaches in, grabbing a rather plan looking sword with a forest green handle to it.
"Aneegus made this one, or so I've been told. Then again, I've no idea who that is."
She pauses again to giggle.
"Anyway, it is actually forged with cold iron. Tough, rugged blade. Here try it."
The sword is set, pummel first, into Marcus' hand and he experiments around with it. Finally, after a few moments of tinkering he nods.
'I don't feel like I'm accidentally going to slice someone's arm off or something. It feels almost exactly balanced."
The halfling nods.
"Short swords in the right hands can be a nasty weapon, or a life saving tool. You will have to come back and tell me how this goes. My name is Breinna. I don't usually work with you tall folk on your gear, but we're a bit short handed today. Here, let e get it's sheath for you and we'll get it into your belt right. That'll be..."
As she talks about the pricing and care for the blade, she leads Marcus to a counter where a half-orc sits on a stool behind it, a rather nasty looking club in his hand, watching the hub-bub in the store.
A fair price for a nice blade. Especially for someone as sword novice as I."
The halfling laughs at him and hands him a small card.
This has the proper care instructions on it for your sword. Just in case you need to refer to it sometime. It looks as if your lady friend is about done with her shopping. If you find any really unique trinkets out there, don't forget to run them by here. It is, after all, our business."
Marcus nods and heads over to where Lady Fae'shiel is wrapping up her purchase of materials and scrolls. Once she is done, he follows her out again into the streets of Venza.
"It would be rather rude of me not to make sure you got home safely, would it not? And if I am not mistaken, the meeting place is actually easier to reach from your part of town than from the docks. I'll try not to snore, if that offer of a room is still open?"
=====================
The following morning, Marcus again is following Fae'shiel, though perhaps half a step closer than he has in the past. When the pair arrive he smiles and greets those already present.
"I almost feel an air of anticipation. I also hope I can remember the road we're looking for."
He chuckles softly
[sblock=ooc]Heading out to man a yardsale. Should get to post tonight or tomorrow. Loves me a three day weekend.
I will add Marcus' sword to his char sheet and deduct the $ before my next post here.[/sblock]
So she should be shopping.
) he would make a pretty good shield wall in 10' wide tunnels. And I was wondering if during ranged combat, say outdoors mostly, if he were to kneel in front of the archers would he provide them with Partial Cover? Thinking that he would be like a low obstacle and thus give the bowmen (and Fae'shiel) behind him +2 AC while he hides behind his shield.
