NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Haraash Saan" data-source="post: 3384246" data-attributes="member: 46615">That next day we decided to pair off, leaving Kuruul to watch, sleep more like, the room and our gear. Our plan was simple; Strav and Mortec were to investigate the central part of town, Argonne and Moxadder would try the markets and Morgan and I would investigate the rest of the town. All of us aimed to discover who could make sorcerer’s coins, that evening we would assemble at the Witches Brew to plot our next stratagem.Of the three groups, Morgan and I returned quickest and with the least information. Well, no information. Not even a skerrick. However, while waiting in the tavern for the others to return we overheard other patrons discussing the Tritons. Quite an aggressive and independent lot with no allegiance with anyone it seemed. They were particularly unfriendly at the moment because the Bloodsails had captured their prince. That explained their search of our vessel, they must have been searching for him.The others returned as we were supping on a reasonable roast lamb lunch. The news was mixed. Quickling, the mage that the Tritons spoke of was a well respected transmuter. Strav and Mortec discovered that his residence was near to the Tower in one of the quality areas of town. They also learnt that another transmuter operated in the market in the morning. He was a dwarf, called Grisha, with an evil reputation and the skills we were interested in. Port of the Warlock was indeed an unusual place. I myself had never seen a dwarf, they short, stocky folk virtually never left their mountain home of Kazakash and rarely accepted visitors to their mountain caverns. Moxadder and Argonne had also learnt about Grisha, but had missed him at the markets. However, they revealed that a third transmuter, Messamorph, also operated in town, although his reputed forte was transforming inanimate objects, rather than a living beings.An idea formed in my cunning mind. We sought information about a transmuter so that we could try to identify which one of them created coins for the Bloodsails. With this information we could try to trace who was organising the pirates and therefore we could discover the identity of the Baron’s antagonist. My plan was this; Argonne covered his face from prying eyes for the simple reason that it was totally deformed. This condition, for want of a better word, was crucial to the plan’s credibility and success. I proposed to the group that I take Argonne to see the transmuters we had identified and ask them if they could create coins to transform him into something less hideous. That way I hoped to learn who could make the sorcerer’s coins and also who would actually bother to do that sort of work. It was decided that whilst Argonne and I the met the wizards, Moxadder would try to learn what he could about them from those that lived near to their homes, or in Grisha’s case, those in the market. Mortec, Strav and Morgan decided that they could be better used by investigating Novorod’s Tower. They offered no explanation so I can only think that they were pursuing some personal agenda.Quickling cordially greeted Argonne and I. He was a tall, handsome elf with fine angled, almost gaunt features and long blond hair that lay upon his shoulders. His home was lined with shelves full of books and trinkets. It was very organised and neat, everything its place. My first impression was that he was a businessman that knew very well what he peddled. “Good day to you sir.” I said with a beaming smile, “I have been led to believe that you are the person to see regarding our very particular needs.”“Indeed? How may I help.” He said with a polite smile.“Well, please forgive me for any shock or discomfort you are about to feel.” I warned, and then lifted Argonne’s mask to reveal the gruesome visage.“Ah, I see.” said Quickling, blanching a little at the sight, which was quite impressive in itself as elves are already quite pale. “Yes I do believe that you are right. I can help. What exactly were you thinking?” He continued, recovering quickly as he began to get excited at the challenge that I had proposed.“I have heard tell of objects called sorcerer’s coins. I believe they grant the temporary ability to change one’s appearance. Is that correct?” I said“Yes that is an accurate description, but I tend not to deal with such trifling magics. You see I am a great deal more than a hedge wizard with simple tricks. My speciality is more permanent transformations. Gladiators tend to see me regularly come this time of year. They always want to improve themselves in someway to gain that edge in combat.” He said somewhat loftily.Gladiators, I thought, that was information that might provide useful in the future. “Permanent you say? Perhaps I may trouble you with two questions then. How much would it cost for a permanent change, and, if you would actually consider creating sorcerer’s coins, how much would you charge for them?” I queried.“Well,“ he began, casting an appraising eye over the two of us, “probably a lot more than you could afford for a permanent change.”“Nah, Gerard here has bucket loads of money, don’t you Gerard?” interrupted Argonne. I honestly could have killed him right then. The concept of subtlety and subterfuge was lost on the simpleton. However, I do not condone needless violence, although this was close to justifiable, so a glare of pure fury was all that he received.“I am not made of sickles Argonne, thank you very much. How much do you charge for a sorcerer’s coin good sir?” I responded“I suppose I could create some coins for you.” He said, boredom creeping into his voice, “Twenty sickles per coin.”I thanked him for his time and told him that we would consider his offer and left. As we wandered down the dirt street Moxadder sidled up next to us and suggested we go to a tavern to discuss our findings. I passed on the information that we had gathered, and he responded in kind. He had found out that Quickling had several regular customers, but they usually hid their features with cowls and cloaks and came only once or twice a year. Our next stop was to visit Messamorph. His home was surrounded by lavish gardens with unusual plants. Some were twice the height of a man, with succulent looking leaves. Another was perhaps four feet tall and its flower looked to be some kind of mouth, a point proven when a honeyeater looking to draw some nectar fluttered into it. Quick as a flash the mouth snapped shut trapping the poor bird. It flapped about, causing buldges in the sealed sphere as it hit the internal walls of the mouth, but after a few moments all motion ceased. A little uneasy, we moved on and into the dwelling of Messamorph.The interior of his luxurious abode was decorated with curious art works and a single shelf that bore several books. He reflected his surroundings, odd and effeminate. Argonne and I went through our routine once more, although this time we learnt that Messamorph did not lower himself to producing such trivialities as sorcerer’s coins, so we left after some polite chit chat.We had to wait until the next day to see Grisha, as it was already late afternoon. We decided to head back and wait for the others.</blockquote>

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