Six From Gate Pass - Chapter 3: Shelter From The Storm

[Bannock]

Bannock looks up at the higher bags and thinks for a second (but no more), and then begins to strip his heavy armor off. Plate and leather clanks and thuds to the ground until he is left wearing his simple undyed woolen raiment. Drying blood and sweat cling it to his body as he finds purchase in the webbed and broken wall and carefully heads up towards the two packs hanging at 30 and 35 feet.

Despite being a seasoned and strong climber, Bannock has some trouble finding steady footing at first and takes a few minutes to get started. After a while, he finds his way up and climbs steadily until he reaches about 25 feet, at which point he slips.

 

[Gregor]

Bannock, you work your way up the shaft. Your hands grasp sticky web-clogged rough stone holds and your feet push up on broken sections of the old stairwell and craggy rock. After twenty feet of ascension, with sweat running down your back and your muscles swollen with effort, your hand slips off a hold and you barely manage to maintain balance. Looking down, your vision follows some loose pebbles and clumps of webbing as they fall down to where your friends stare up at you. Swallowing a lump in your throat, you look back up and see that you are only 10 feet from the closest pack.

 

[digimattic]

Arnir sets about appraising the various items while Bannock begins his tortuous ascent. He cringes as Bannock takes a tumble before turning his eyes over to the curious decanter. He frowns as he watches it trickle out slowly "Hard to see how this could help a city...." gesturing over the decanter he attempts to detect any magic, and identify the properties of the device.

"The druid made this, did he not? Hrmir, what do you make of it? Is this anything we could make for ourselves? Seems like it ought to be worth a few copper...."

 

[The Bashar]

Hrimr is loathe to take his eyes off of Bannock. Without taking his eyes off of Bannock he answers Arnir.

"I think if it were worth just a few coppers they would have had another one made instead of sending us out to find it.

There are other Druids that do learn to make items, I chose to learn potion crafting. You need to be trained in the art of magic item crafting and be a powerful magic user to manage a feat like that decanter. I bet someone at the Lyceum would be able to teach one of us how to do some basic magic item crafting."

Hrimr gasps as he sees Bannock almost lose his footing.

 

[digimattic]

"I think if it were worth just a few coppers they would have had another one made instead of sending us out to find it.

Arnir raises his finger and opens his mouth as he thinks to correct Hrmir, then frowns and stifles himself, thinking it not worth the trouble.

Arnir then begins to talk to himself in elvish, still focused on the decanter, turning it over in his hands.

 

[Bannock]

Bannock hangs by an arm for a moment before regaining his footholds. He figures that all this time away from Gate Pass must have made him a little rusty, but he presses on. It's just a little farther to the first backpack.

This time, he practically levitates up the next ten feet. He grabs hold of the backpack at 30 feet and wrenches it free of the webbing, and then calls out to the party below.

"Hey, one of you get ready to catch this! I can't carry both packs down at the same time."

He waits a rather short time until he judges that someone is roughly in position, whether they're aware of it or not, and drops the pack.

 

[fromage67]

********
Seaquen - North Harbour

Edmond's face scrunches up and he snaps: "Are you daft?! I have just precisely explained who I am and why I am here!" He closes his eyes and rubs the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger in frustration. "I apologize for that outburst. I have had an extremely long day and I am not in the mood to discuss this any longer, especially with someone who cannot understand basic common. Now, if this is not too far beyond your capabilities, I would appreciate it if you would tell Lord Arnir that I will be returning each day until I am able to discuss this matter with him." He swings the lantern and begins to walk down the street. Over his shoulder he calls: "Good evening!"

Lars, tired and irritable, does what feels most natural, "Hey Merrywillow! Why don't you go and fornicate with a basilisk. You are not welcome here. Do not return!"

 

[funkmamagoat]

Kirio listens to Arnir and graces him with a crooked smile [sblock="if you speak elven"]"I know how you feel, I'd as soon slit Alric's throat most mornings than break my fast with him, but he has his uses. The short lived are just that, we will still be wenching and learning when they are dust in the ground. Till then it is best to suffer their limitations for the advantage of their steal and shields between us and the nasties no? As to the emerald, I'm not sure really how much it is worth, was going to look into it later. To be honest I had hoped you had all forgotten about it, but I'm happy to split its worth with you if the others continue in their shortsightedness... [/sblock]

Kirio hears a thud and makes his way to the other pack to see what Bannock has dropped...

OOC: Kirio opens the next pack...

 

[Gregor]

********
Caves - Bottom of Shaft

GM: Since the last pack is only 5 feet from you, I'll assume you are able to grab that as well without another climb check. You can begin your decent.

Bannock, you toss down the packs to the party and start to climb back down.

The packs land on the ground with a thud and a jingling sound indicating their contents. You waft away the kicked up dust and debris and find the following items in the packs: 386 gold coins; a pouch containing a red tourmaline, purple fluorite, and a brilliant sapphire the size of a walnut; a large platinum holy symbol in the shape of a gear under a hammer; and, a long thin wand carved from mahogany.

Arnir, you are positive that the alabaster jug in your hands is the crafted Decanter of Endless Water that you seek. You understand the item, its functions and its arcane command word. As for its value, you are unsure. Given that it is a magical item and essentially a portal to the elemental plane of water, you imagine that it would be priceless anywhere but a major urban setting.

As for the rest of the items appraised, and after discussing with Kirio and Hrimr, you are confident that you will be able to sell them for the following amounts back in Seaquen:

- Cloves: You know they are a rare and exotic spice, likely from the Riverlands or the Golden Crescent on the southern continent of Cordoba. Though not schooled on the prices of this particular spice, you believe that given its rarity and the current Shahalesti shipping embargo on Seaquen, a merchant will pay up to 120gp for the package of cloves.

- Cinnamon: Probably from the same region as the cloves, though much less valuable, the 20lbs of cinnamon will bring in 50gp at market.

- Salt: Relatively common but its prices are unknown to you. You hazard that 20gp could be made here.

- Tobacco: Very common item and will sell for 5gp.

- Coffer: Mundane piece of art that could be sold for 50gp.

- Bracelet: Fine craftsmanship which you figure would yield 250gp.

- Scimitar: Too heavy and imbalanced to be used as a weapon, though its design and ornamentation make it a high quality piece of art worth 365gp.

- Chalice: Particular item for particular tastes which may bring in 48gp.

********
Seaquen - North Harbour

Merrwinter merely walks away, his footsteps slapping on the wet cobblestones. Within moments he has turned a corner and is gone.

 

[Adjuntive]

Kirio listens to Arnir and graces him with a crooked smile [sblock="if you speak elven"]"I know how you feel, I'd as soon slit Alric's throat most mornings than break my fast with him, but he has his uses. The short lived are just that, we will still be wenching and learning when they are dust in the ground. Till then it is best to suffer their limitations for the advantage of their steal and shields between us and the nasties no? As to the emerald, I'm not sure really how much it is worth, was going to look into it later. To be honest I had hoped you had all forgotten about it, but I'm happy to split its worth with you if the others continue in their shortsightedness... [/sblock]

Alric's ears prick at the mention of his name amongst the lilting slur of elven speach. His green eyes narrow in Kirio's direction in suspicion obviously turning over possible reasons in his head why Kirio would speak of him in a language other than the common they all understand. Then his face transitions from suspicion to irritation and turns his attention back to Bannock while he sighs heavily.