M3: Assassin's Knot (Patlin judging)

[Manzanita]

Priska nods slowly. "So you ARE a merchant - not a warrior." he sighs. "I do not own this house. If you buy it, I will have to find another place to live." He bows. "Very well, but much may change in a year. Best of luck in your business endevours. As for the jungle around here. It is home to various magical beasts, as well as primitive barbarians. Primitive, but cunning, and make use of their druidic magic and fearless warriors to make intrusion unadvisable. Perhaps you could convince them that trade is in their interest, but that is beyond my knowledge. Say, could you spare a few gold pieces? I'm a bit short and hungry."

 

[Velmont]

"No, i'm no warrior. The rapier I have at my belt is to defend myself from highwaymen and thugs. Merchants have an uneasy luck to attract robbers." Rinaldo search his purse and take out 5gp. "Here, it will help you greatly. But why don't you sell your sword, or exchange it for one of less fine craftmenship. If you were a soldier, I could understand you value much a good weapon. You could easily get a nice amount of gld for it. I am no weaponsmith, but at teh look, you could have around 100gp for swords like that, maybe more."

 

[Manzanita]

Priska accepts the coin gratefully. "As you say, a man's got to be able to defend himself. This is a dangerous town, you know."

 

[Velmont]

"Dangerous? I havn't seen anything really dangerous in this town. What is dangerous? If I want to establish a trading post here, I would like to know eveything that could hinder my project, and I prefer to invest in a secured town." replies Rinaldo, concern by the man's word. It's seems he find many thing dangerous.

 

[Manzanita]

"Ah." Priska shrugs, as a wry smile spreads across his face. "What could a poor man like me know that would be of importance to a rich merchant such as yourself?"

 

[Velmont]

"A lot, you can be sure." Rinaldo put his hand again in his pouch and grabs two pieces that he hides from the man. He quickly hide the platinium in one hand and show the gold piece to the man. "Did you know I am magician of some kind." With a quick wrist gesture, the gold piece become one of platinium. With another gesture, the coin turn it back to a gold piece. He gives the gold piece to the beggar. "I hope you see that I am generous, six gold pieces is what I give to him" pointing Eanos "in three weeks, and he is quite a nice figther. That's an average wage for a trained guard. But I know how to reward good information. I usually show my trick to make appear objects (like the one you've just seen) to the ones who give me nice information."

OOC: Sleight-of-Hand roll: 27 Nobody have seen the trick

 

[jkason]

Eanos

Watching the merchant in action throws a smile on Eanos' face. He knows he's not nearly the showman or negotiator Rinaldo is. Instead, he chooses to play backup.

"That would be something," he says of the platinum. "Master Rinaldo must think pretty highly of you, Priska. You worth it?" he ribs.

 

[Manzanita]

"People think Priska is a fool. They ignore the begger. But Priska has good eyes, and sees a lot. But if you want me to speak of danger, well, my life is woth more than a few gold coins."

He seems impressed at Rinaldo's tricks. "Say, 20 more of those coins, Master Rinaldo, and I will tell you of the dangers in this town, dangers you must know if you think you will build a shop here. And you must give your word that you did not hear of these dangers from Priska."

 

[Velmont]

Rinaldo take out 200gp worth of money. "I know well Priska is not a fool, and the proof, I'll make a deal with you. I gives it to you, without even negotiating. 200 gp is a very large amount of gold. But you'll tell me everything you know. You'll also answer my questions. Finally, you won't speak to anyone of this discussion. I can be very generous to my allies, but if you don't respect this deal or don't give me information that doesn't worth that money, I'll make sure you won't have time to spend the money, and the sword of yours will be useless." He told this to Priska with a serious voice, but nothing threatning, just serious, and nothing compare to the more joyous tone he used a few moments ago.

He puts the money between him and Priska and adds "You'll take it once we have finished this discussion. Do you accept the deal?"

 

[Manzanita]

Priska's eyes fairly bulge at the coins produced. "Ah. Yes. A deal. I will tell you everything you want! What I know...well, 200 gold pieces is a lot of money. Yes. How do I know what information is worth to a merchant? Or gold, for that matter? But I will tell you everything, yes, sit down. Please."

Priska pockets the coins and ushers the duo over towards his pile of blankets. He takes a couple out and folds them carefully, giving Eanos and Rinaldo something more comfortable to sit on that the dirty wooden floor. He hurries over to the door and peers out in all directions. Satisfied no one is about, he closes it and wedges it shut with a chunk of wood and returns. He picks up a wine skin and offers it to his guests.

"OK. The danger in this town is real. Men come. Wealthy men. Some come to see the Prince. They leave mostly on ships, but sometimes with wagons. Draped cages on the back. Strange noises come out. They buy animals. Some nights you can see things on that island. Flying creatures. Like men, but thick and hairy. Don't go to that island at night. Best to stay indoors at night, in fact."

"But there's more. Other men come. Rich men. They come to the inn. What do they want? They sit with Philmar and Oscar. They go to bed. Then they all leave after dark. The 'captain' Basmar. Captain!" He snorts. "He has no boat! The men head south to meet with Basmar at night. I don't follow. Too dangerous. Oscar and Philmar follow discretely. A few hours later they return to the inn. Why don't they just talk at inn? They speak of secrets. Of evil doings."

"Any where did those gems come from in Arness' crown? There were no gems in the crown when Prince Andrew ruled. No. Philip's father had no mayor. Phillip gives Arness the power to run the town because he is so busy with his creatures. And what does Arness do with the power? She was once as poor as Priska! I know! I knew her then. But she goes to Phillip. She is an ambitious one. Does what it takes. He sends her to wizards school. She comes back with new friends. Soon she is rich. Where does her money come from? From Phillip? From Basmar? From devils?" He shrugs. "I don't know. I'm just a begger."