Mysterious power IC thread

[Taliz]

Okay -as to the Heironeous guy, Taliz will maintain contact, but not make a big deal of it. As too the cult, he will tell any and all of his findings (and the lack) to Aldrik. Though he will stay on it. Additionally, he'll try to get in to see the Lady Jane. "I have some time on my hands and I hate to leave anything unfinished." He'll ask her for any more information she can give him on the item, particulary its history and who might be interested in it, who knows about it, if she knows of anyway to trace it, or its use (he'll also ask what its use is, if any). If she lets him see her or not, he'll mention it to Aldrik and ask him to ask any scholarly friends he may have about it.

To the Mayor - "I am not sure that the elves present any signicant threat at this time. An inside source tells me they are dealing with some inner turmoil related to some sort of racial issue. However, I know little about it and would be interested to find out more. If you will pay me expenses and a small fee, I would like to explore the issue further. I have traveled under the Elven trees before and my face is known there, and I have a friend I trust who may be able to help me. I have some business to attend to at this moment, but that is the wonderful thing about elves - nothing is done overnight. We have some time. Would you be interested in exploring this possible threat?"

To Charles - Do I have time on my hands? I can't tell if we are in Limbo while waiting for Andy, or if "time is passing" with "Aldrik reporting" but needing "more time for prayer on the issue." Depending on your response to all that, Taliz might be wanting to do some traveling in the Elven woods for a week or so (with or without the Mayor's funding).

 

[CRGreathouse]

Okay -as to the Heironeous guy, Taliz will maintain contact, but not make a big deal of it. As too the cult, he will tell any and all of his findings (and the lack) to Aldrik. Though he will stay on it. Additionally, he'll try to get in to see the Lady Jane. "I have some time on my hands and I hate to leave anything unfinished." He'll ask her for any more information she can give him on the item, particulary its history and who might be interested in it, who knows about it, if she knows of anyway to trace it, or its use (he'll also ask what its use is, if any). If she lets him see her or not, he'll mention it to Aldrik and ask him to ask any scholarly friends he may have about it.

Walking to the wealthy North Quarter, Taliz heads for the Terta estate. Knocking, he asks the doorward for the Lady:

"I'm afraid that the good Lady is not available this moment; may I ask your business?" Hearing your answer, he continues:

"She left for Landris some four days past, intending to return in a fortnight. As to your other questions: it has been in the Tertae family for five generations, during most of which it has been in Brightstone. I don't know to what end it was taken: none, an unlikely random theft; ransom, perhaps an inside job; or defamation by association? It is difficult to trace, perhaps, until the robber or his agent sells it. It is quite distinctive: a jeweled amulet perhaps this size [gestures with hands, about 6cmx4cm] with script letters along the side. It has small figures in relief along the edge, [...description continues...]." Asked of its use:

"As an heirloom of the House, it's insulting to have it stolen and bandied about like so much silver. They've always said it blessed the House with luck, and blame it in absentia for minor misfortunes. To you, though, I'd say it's worth is 6 gold bars."

To the Mayor - "I am not sure that the elves present any signicant threat at this time. An inside source tells me they are dealing with some inner turmoil related to some sort of racial issue. However, I know little about it and would be interested to find out more. If you will pay me expenses and a small fee, I would like to explore the issue further. I have traveled under the Elven trees before and my face is known there, and I have a friend I trust who may be able to help me. I have some business to attend to at this moment, but that is the wonderful thing about elves - nothing is done overnight. We have some time. Would you be interested in exploring this possible threat?"

"I don't share your optimism on the elves, and so have interest in finding more. How much do you ask?"

To Charles - Do I have time on my hands? I can't tell if we are in Limbo while waiting for Andy, or if "time is passing" with "Aldrik reporting" but needing "more time for prayer on the issue." Depending on your response to all that, Taliz might be wanting to do some traveling in the Elven woods for a week or so (with or without the Mayor's funding).

Go ahead. I want Andy's input before going further on the cult, but other areas are open.

 

[Taliz]

To the Doorward - "Thank you for your information - I would also like to speak to the lady herself when she returns, as I am interested in seeing this done. I am particularly interested to know who made the stone. Do you know, is it dwarven work? Know that I am working on this even as we speak [I told Aldrik to ask around, remember]. The process might be facilitiated if I had some of that gold though . . ."

To the Mayor - "Very well. I have other business I am working on, but I see that you feel strongly about this - I can be ready to go in a day. I will plan to spend perhaps a fortnight in the Forest - I will require you to pay my expenses - supplies sufficient to last that time, as well as some armaments and anything else which may come up. [I will be stowing my axes for the time being, I want 2 shortswords, 1 spear, and the best bow and arrows (2 quivers) I can find.] The main thing I will require is alchemists fire. It is expensive but the more of it you can get me the better - nothing frightens Elves more than the destruction of their sacred forest, and nothing burns like Alchemists fire. [If he quibbles about the price, I will offer to return to him what I do not use] It will be only a last resort - a threat, and a signal. If you see a sudden forest fire, know that it is likely that I am dead and the Elves are indeed an enemy to be reckoned with. As to my fee it is this - [what did he pay me before? Would double that make sense, as hazard pay? I don't know what figure to name here, and can't even guess as I can't remember what the payscale was before. Taliz however would know all that - so please either make an offer on his behalf, or give me that info again so I can come up with something. He would prefer something day by day, probably]. I will plan to spend about a fortnight in the forest - but I trust you will not quibble if it takes a few days longer. As I said - Elves move slowly, and to find out what they are upto, I must think like an elf. If I have not sent word within 3 weeks, however, assume the worst. Do you find all of that acceptable?"

Assuming he agrees - I will spend that day picking up weapons and other supples. Either up here or, if the Mayor just gives me a tab, so to speak, down in the Delve. I will have specific needs depending on how much alchemists fire he gets me - but it will involve a way to make it harder to tell what it is and easier to throw/break them all at once. Whatever time I have left will be spent researching the Amulet in the Delve - perhaps following information the doorward gave me. Either way, I may ask top jewelers, as well as spend some time in the underbelly - make like I am looking to buy.

Let's deal with all that and then I will decide if Taliz is ready to "go."

 

[Taliz]

One, whoops, two more things. Just to say it while I am thinking of it - I will be leaving my flint and steel at home when I go to the forest, but just stowing my axes. Also, I meant I would act like I was looking to buy the amulet from the underbelly people (I represent someone interested in . . . he has funds available at his disposable that, if you have what he is looking for, I can fetch you down from the Above in no time). To the top jewelers I would be pretty straightforward - just looking for information so I can recover it for the Lady.

 

[CRGreathouse]

To the Doorward - "Thank you for your information - I would also like to speak to the lady herself when she returns, as I am interested in seeing this done. I am particularly interested to know who made the stone. Do you know, is it dwarven work? Know that I am working on this even as we speak [I told Aldrik to ask around, remember]. The process might be facilitiated if I had some of that gold though . . ."

"You are, of course, welcome to ask after the Lady upon her return -- and I assume she will see you in that case. Regretfully, I don't know of the stone's creation; it is fine enough to be dwarf-craft, but the letters surely aren't sharp like Dwarven!" [Speak Language (Dwarven) reveals that he's refering to dwarven runes, assuming that that's all that they use.]

Diplomacy check 5 - 2 = 3.

"Of course, you'll have to show some proof that you've made progress before there would be even a portion of the reward -- and even then only on the good Lady's whim."

To the Mayor - "Very well. I have other business I am working on, but I see that you feel strongly about this - I can be ready to go in a day. I will plan to spend perhaps a fortnight in the Forest - I will require you to pay my expenses - supplies sufficient to last that time, as well as some armaments and anything else which may come up.["]

"Certainly supplies will be provided. I suppose I'll have to pay you." He frowns in thought, grabs a scroll and glances through. "What did I pay you last time? Ah, 120 coins for 3 weeks, so five-and-six per day.* That's quite high, higher than I remembered... but you did come highly recommended. I'll offer you 200 gold coins for your time in the forest, assuming you need that much time and come back with something to make this worth my while. That's fourteen-and-three a day, but it's in the forest -- I'd not want to stay with the sharp-toothed elves any longer than I had to in your place."

* 5 gp, 6 sp per day. 5 gp 7 sp would be closer, but this kind of mental arithmetic (working from memorized doubling tables) is extremely difficult. Clearly, this guy's good... or he had it written down.

[I will be stowing my axes for the time being, I want 2 shortswords, 1 spear, and the best bow and arrows (2 quivers) I can find.] The main thing I will require is alchemists fire. It is expensive but the more of it you can get me the better - nothing frightens Elves more than the destruction of their sacred forest, and nothing burns like Alchemists fire.

Taliz then explains his needs to the Mayor, who replies:

"I'll have the swords and spear requisitioned, as well as the bow and arrows. The best bow in the city won't be very good, at least compared to the elven bows -- perhaps for obvious reasons on both sides."

Technological aside: Neither dwarves nor elves have the ability to produce alchemist's fire. Humans have succeeded in stopping that technology from spreading by keeping the process a secret, and it's worked, at least so far. This makes it even scarier.

"As for the Volden Fire, I can get you a few flasks, but I caution you to remember its primary purpose: to keep the elves off-guard. It is more Fear than Fire."

Final equipment count: 2 shortswords, 1 spear (spear, longspear, or shortspear), 1 bow (your choice -- shortbow or longbow; you'll not find a mighty or a masterwork here!), 40 arrows (and more as you need), and 3 flasks of alchemist's fire.

["]If you see a sudden forest fire, know that it is likely that I am dead and the Elves are indeed an enemy to be reckoned with. As to my fee it is this - [what did he pay me before? Would double that make sense, as hazard pay? I don't know what figure to name here, and can't even guess as I can't remember what the payscale was before. Taliz however would know all that - so please either make an offer on his behalf, or give me that info again so I can come up with something. He would prefer something day by day, probably]. I will plan to spend about a fortnight in the forest - but I trust you will not quibble if it takes a few days longer. As I said - Elves move slowly, and to find out what they are upto, I must think like an elf. If I have not sent word within 3 weeks, however, assume the worst. Do you find all of that acceptable?"

"Ah, then, so we agree on the Fire."

You're welcome to insert pay haggling here, but the mayor spoke with a certain finality in his voice.

Assuming he agrees - I will spend that day picking up weapons and other supples. Either up here or, if the Mayor just gives me a tab, so to speak, down in the Delve.

The mayor gave Taliz a signed and 'signet-ringed' form for everything but the alchemist's fire, so he'll pick it up in Brightstone. The mayor will deliver the Fire himself.

 

[CRGreathouse]

One, whoops, two more things. Just to say it while I am thinking of it - I will be leaving my flint and steel at home when I go to the forest, but just stowing my axes. Also, I meant I would act like I was looking to buy the amulet from the underbelly people (I represent someone interested in . . . he has funds available at his disposable that, if you have what he is looking for, I can fetch you down from the Above in no time). To the top jewelers I would be pretty straightforward - just looking for information so I can recover it for the Lady.

OK on the equipment.

For the black market, a Gather Information check*: 8 + 2 = 10. You don't immediately (that is, not after a few hours of asking 'certain people') find anyone willing to sell or hint about selling the amulet.

Taliz also asks the reputable dealers in town (no check required -- they're effectively trying to GI to find you!), to the same luck: none have heard anything more than you know about it, with only minor exceptions:
"Where it is, I don't have th slightest idea. I've seen it before, though, and would recognize it if I came across it. The letters you mentioned in your description are Elf-letters, but it's just a Merchant Tongue transliteration, not elven."

* Usually, I assign a fair penalty to this check because they don't have the appropriate knowledge of the underworld. I figure Taliz wouldn't get this penalty...

 

[Taliz]

Taliz will ask the jewelers for recommendations on who he should go to learn more of its history/who made it/who sold it to the Terta(?).

To the Mayor - "That should suffice, though I ask that you get the Fire in either 1 large or two smaller containers, preferably unmarked and as innocous looking as possible. I will understand of course if that cannot be gotten." [120 GP is more than Evan remembers too . . . is it what Taliz remembers, or is something odd going on here?].

I will stow the vast majority of the supplies (about 30 pounds worth of food (3 weeks worth) and water (2 skins)) on my dog - which leaves him still well below medium encumberance I believe.

Girded up with all my nice new weapons, I will say goodbye to Aldrik for the time being. "Farewell in your meditations, friend. If you can, try to meet me just beyond sight of the city (go towards the Elven Wood) at midnight, in 1 weeks time. If either you or I do not make it - we shall think little of it. At 2 weeks, if I have not yet returned, let us try again. This time, worry. If you are not there I shall come looking for you, though you need not do the same for me. If 3 weeks passes without sight of me - know that I am in trouble or it is alread too late."

If I see Denelmir during any of this time - I obviously want to chat with him.

So with stuff in hand, dog nearby, and axes and Fire carefully stowed, I will begin to head for the forest. Contingent of course on your replies being what I expect.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Taliz will ask the jewelers for recommendations on who he should go to learn more of its history/who made it/who sold it to the Terta(?).

(For reference, Lady Jane Terta is a member of the Tertae family.)

"If it's dwarf-make, the delve is the obvious place to start. If not, I wouldn't know... a historian, or their family records?"

To the Mayor - "That should suffice, though I ask that you get the Fire in either 1 large or two smaller containers, preferably unmarked and as innocous looking as possible. I will understand of course if that cannot be gotten."

"Easily done. If possible, I'd have the Volden Fire back on your return, possiblity of need or crisis notwithstanding. We'll discuss this on your return; it would be better to find out sooner rather than later what is happening in the forest."

[120 GP is more than Evan remembers too . . . is it what Taliz remembers, or is something odd going on here?].

More or less; probably not. It just seems like an awful lot of money.

Clearly, the mayor is used to handling large expenses if he's able to offer 14 gp a day as an off-the-cuff figure.

If I see Denelmir during any of this time - I obviously want to chat with him.

So with stuff in hand, dog nearby, and axes and Fire carefully stowed, I will begin to head for the forest. Contingent of course on your replies being what I expect.

Very well. Taliz marches toward Glithimem with Ranger and his supplies, including a nondescript clay jar with the Volden Fire. (Shall I presume you mark it with a symbol so you don't get it confused with a similar jar, say the dwarf-rune for "fire"?)

 

[Taliz]

Actually, I will mark its seal (I assume it's sealed as air getting in =bad and it is just going to bust, not get opened) with the holy symbol of Pelor. Additionally, I will tie a length of silk rope around it in like a ribbon - tight enough it won't slip but with enough play I can get my fingers under it (I am looking to be able to throw it one handed discus style if I felt the urge.) I'll just take 10 on the Rope Use check (if you want one) that gives me a 17 I think?

Oh - I have one more question for the Mayor. "Understand that this is primarily a scouting mission. However, it might be easier to learn there true intentions if I have an official reason for being there. May I consider my self [with a wry/bloodthirsty smile] 'Brightstone's Emissary to the Elves?' They will ask me about human intentions towards them and their forests - both militarily and commercially, in reference to logging. What would you have me say?"

Also, I am buying/requesitioning a sling and 20 bullets. The sling I will sling across my body under my cloak but over my shirt and the pouch of bullets with replace my usual pouch of pebbles. I will leave my bow, my spear, 40 arrows, my crossbow, my bolts, my stake, my dog's bolts, my flint and steel, and my oil at home - or, better yet, with Andy at the temple. (I will take the shortbow and spear and 20 arrows he gave me).

 

[Taliz]

wow - I am typo-ing today. I guess I better proofread that paper I am writing extra carefully . . .