TUW: The Steel Trade [IC]

[MacConnell]

Days 129 - 136: Trading Up

Sannit will attempt to trade his axes in for Maldrog made axes. Bolo will acquire Maldrog made arrows.

GM: The weaponsmith looks at Sannit's iron axes. After some difficult deliberation, due to the still existent language barrier, he conveys that he can repurpose the weapons and increase their quality to steel, in a day, at a cost of 150 stein, each. Bolo purchases 20 steel arrows for 80 stein.

 

[MacConnell]

Days 129 - 136: Trading Up, Part 2

Before leaving Berg, it occurs to Tor that he should inquire as to what the Maldrog might have available for sale, especially if any of it is superior to what Tor is already using; specifically, Tor wants to see what kind of Longswords and Shields the Maldrog have. It occurs to Tor that his iron sword, and his wooden shield, would probably prove quite inferior to any sword or shield made from steel, and if the Maldrog have such items, Tor is interested in upgrading.

GM: Information about his shield is easier for the armor to understand than Tor expected. He shows Tor some shields constructed of solid metal. They are so heavy that Tor realizes it would be significantly imparing for him to wield. With the confused expression on his face, the smith demonstrates the differences in use. Through pantomime, Tor sees that the metal shield are designed for stationary troops or soldiers that move as a unit a step at a time. The smith uses Tor's own shield in a charade to conclude his explanation. He convinces Tor that adding steel banding to his shield would be his most advantageous persuit, which can be done in a day, for 150 stein. Tor is also able to purchase a longsword for 450 stein. The blade length is a stride long and the pommel is counter-weighted.

 

[Sylvar B.]

Having completed the tasks he wanted Saemund is eager to get back into the wilderness and the adventures that await. Large settlements make him uneasy, there are eyes in the shadows. A person is reasonable, but people are stupid and its easy for herd mentality to take over. He's seen it too many times, a group made up of reasonable people become an irrational throng.

 

[MacConnell]

Day 137: Leaving Bergbaulager

OOC: Upon leaving Bergbaulager, the following XP has been earned. Innovative Ideas and Completing Tasks: 6 (all characters and companions) Individual Posts: Tor: 6 Merin: 7 San-Bolo: 6 Turtle: 3 Saemund: 6 Feroz: 2 Vadin: 4 Each person also gains 10% proficiency in Maldrog, except Tor, who gains 20%. Tor also gains 2 ranks in the Mercantile Skill.

GM: The Seekers gather together their 4 pack animals early in the morning and prepare to depart for Southroad Fair. Weit and his 5 Propectors meet them at the gate with 2 pack animals of their own. The departure had been arranged at a different gaet from that in which the Seekers originally entered, owing to a more direct return route. An hour away from the city, Saemund breaths an audible sigh of relief, glad to be away from such a confining and congested area.

Indigo deliberately untethers the pack animals. She knows this is a bit of surprise to the Maldrog, but she figures that they might as well see what can be done with the animals. She then calls to the lynx.
"Myth. Range ahead. Bring back rabbits."

Myth mews a strange sound, not something akin to what a cat would normally make but certainly within the bounds of its vocal ability. He then takes off at a run beginning with the right flank.

GM: Weit spends a great amount of the walking time in definitive conversation. He points at things stating their term in Maldrog and waiting on a translation to Ansylin. He seems as interested in learning to communicate as any of the Seekers. The other five Prospectors also audibly pronounce many of the words in an attempt to learn them.

GM: Later that evening while making camp, Weit gains everyone's attention. He hands Sannit an ingot of iron and makes a motion indicating that he wants him to throw it, but signals for him to wait and ties a blindfold about himself. All Seekers, having performed this feat, know what is about to happen. Sannit tosses the ingot in a random direction and the blindfolded Weit, goes directly to it. A couple of the other Prospectors make some quiet comments but with a few clam words from Weit, they are put at ease. Weit then conveys that he and 4 others can also find tin and coal (carbone), but not chromium or nickel or copper or especially titanium. He then wants to know if any of the Seekers can sense the metals. He is not surprised when informed that all can.

Sheldon conveys that while he alone can find iron or carbone, everyone can find tin, and that by holding a piece of iron, all can find more.

GM: Weit nods and gestures in a manner that says he suspected it to be so. He also conveys that this talent of the Maldrog is a secret and not known to anyone else. He then proceeds to ask another question of the Seekers for which everyone is sure that he is inquiring if any of them can manipulate way.

*What does everyone do?*

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin and Tor both spend as much time as they can trying to communicate with the Maldrog as the party travels; they attempt to do both, i.e., to learn the Maldrog language, and to teach the Maldrog as many Ansylin words and concepts as possible.

He also conveys that this talent of the Maldrog is a secret and not known to anyone else.

Merin nods solemnly, and tries to convey the concept that their secret is safe, and the Seekers are people of discretion and integrity.

He then proceeds to ask another question of the Seekers for which everyone is sure that he is inquiring if any of them can manipulate way.

Tor nods solemnly, yes. Merin motions to the rest of the party, then puts his finger to his lips, not to shush Tor, nor to shush Weit, but to indicate that the Seekers will not reveal this information readily. Merin is trying to convey to Weit that Tor's acknowledgement of being able to manipulate way is a sign that Weit is a trusted, new friend.

 

[redraider629]

Vadin ponders on the question. He knows that it is not wise to share ones abilities in manipulating way. He then Says, "If Tor can trust him so can I." He halfway nods, trying to indicate that he is discovering his abilities. He then says, "I'm hoping to learn more how I can manipulate way."

 

[Kwargrow]

Upon this questioning Bolo will use Way to sense the motive of the maldrog group. She is pretty sure Weit is only being curious but she does not know about the rest of his crew.

Sannit smiles and motions to the sky and the ground. "Everyone uses Way if they know it or not," he answers Weit although he knows he might not understand the context of the message. "It is a little too soon to discuss deeper mysteries," he mumbles, more to the Seekers than the maldrog.

Turtle gets a feeling from Bolo that he should stay still so he does, propping his chin on his crossed paws.

 

[MacConnell]

Trust

Upon this questioning Bolo will use Way to sense the motive of the maldrog group. She is pretty sure Weit is only being curious, but she does not know about the rest of his crew.

GM: OOC: Observation: Empathy (Collegiate Task) + Mind + Knowledge + Commercial This active task represents watching and listening to the immediate area to determine patterns, anomalies, or dangers. It can also be used to determine a person's intentions or motivation. Observation can be opposed using the Blend Task or the Hide Task or the Blank Slate Task. Konokoro is only applied if the character is searching for hidden danger. Empathy: Range: Self Effectiveness: Essence + Cohesion Mind + Will + Collegiate Bolo: 50 + 29 + 92 = 171 Weit is indeed motivated by curiosity but his emotional state is more complicated. He seems to also be wanting confirmation or closure. The other Prospectors are all curious. Some also exhibit a margin of trepidation.

 

[MacConnell]

Trust, part 2

Sannit smiles and motions to the sky and the ground. "Everyone uses Way if they know it or not," he answers Weit although he knows he might not understand the context of the message. "It is a little too soon to discuss deeper mysteries," he mumbles, more to the Seekers than the Maldrog.

Sheldon takes a draw from Bolo's pipe, all have been sharing, before passing it on. He stands and runs his left hand through his hair, pulling it back from his face. He walks away from the group, deliberately taking 20 full steps before turning back to face the group.
"If we get into a hostile situation, it is all going to come out anyway. I think Weit is specifically trying to establish a rapport between his crew and us."

He pauses for a couple of seconds.
"Here goes."

Sheldon claps his hands, not because he needs to, but because he is lacking the words to explain the demonstration.

GM: As a bit of surprise to everyone, even the Seekers, the campfire immediately goes out.

Sheldon nods his head and shrugs. He had walked off to demonstrate range. He points at the campfire, which once again ignites.

GM: Weit nods his head. Bolo, who is still sensing everyone's motives, can tell that he feels comforted. A few of the other Maldrog are startled and a little afraid. Seeing Weit's calm. They calm also, their fear replaced with acceptance.

 

[Kwargrow]

Sannit nods at Sheldon's display and says to the maldrog, motioning to his spear. "I am a warrior. I display no magics, but Way helps me become stronger than I could normally be. What is more important than what we can do is what we fight for. We do not use our skills for any malicious purpose, but for the defense of ourselves and others. We are alike in that respect, I think." He knows that's a mouthful, but he says it anyway.

Bolo decides she can trust the Maldrog but lets Sannit do the talking. On a whim she uses Way to heat the tip of one of her arrows and shoots it a nearby piece of wood, hopefully causing it to catch fire.

Turtle gets up to go look for something to eat.