Vah Jo Gyaan Chaahata Hai turns to Volo and bowing says permit me to introduce myself "my name is Dr Arbataveu, a researcher into the Arcane, most recently of the Great Library at Candlekeep. Perhaps I might have a look at your work."Assuming that Volo passes the bool over he starts thumbing through the pages muttering to himself "ah but that's right.... hmmm interesting... I didn't know that.... etc." (History test 14, Survival test 13 & Nature test 22).
Assuming that he is satisfied with the quality and accuracy of the work (see tests above), Vah Jo Gyaan Chaahata Hai turns to Volo and says "a truly magnificent work, both detailed and exacting in its verisimilitude, you should be very proud of it and the quality of the illustrations is truly remarkable, so lifelike himm?" He then turns to the party and says "I think that this work will very much compliment the advice we get from our guide and would strongly encourage us to invest in its purchase."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Around this point Keyleth crawls out from under the table, slightly puzzled by this gregarious man who evidently saw her but didn't bat an eye that she was crouched under the table with a crossbow. She hovers behind Dr Arbataveu, slightly closer than etiquette would normally dictate, and reads a few pages over his shoulder, and then glances back at Volo, furrowing her eyebrows, attempting to determine from his reactions as Arbataveu reads if he's for real or just a charlatan peddling made up information.
Vah Jo Gyaan Chaahata Hai says in a whisper to his colleagues "I am happy to pay 20 Dragons as my contribution to purchasing this tome, if you can each contribute 10 Dragons." He then turns to Volo and says "we would like to purchase a copy of your wonderous tome. As we will take it into the Jungle with us, which by the accuracy of your writings and descriptions I can only assume you know well, does it come with a fully waterproof cover." He then thinks for a minute and says almost as an aside "do you perhaps know, or have heard of, a human Druid known as Qawasha? If so what do you know of him? Is he reliable? Is he honest? In short is he to be trusted?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Kirinar smiles his child-like grin again at this world-famous explorer come to sit at his table. "Why, yes, of course we will take an autographed copy of your book, Master Volo! Perhaps you could do a quick sketch of our party with you in the center on the inside cover with your autograph? We would be the envy of Mire's Edge and the surrounding towns! What do you have in there about dragons? We befriended one - although it was carelessly killed by a lizardfolk warband. Terrible mess, that. But I'm rambling. Please - tell us about your latest adventure and how you came to be here in Chult!"
Volo claps his hands. "See, I knew you were the right people for me!"
He takes the book and begins to sketch in the inside cover. "Of course young man, it would be my honor." While he sketches he talks of how he got to the island. He also tells you some things he has heard during his visit to the Port.
"A dragon turtle named Aremag lives in the Bay of Chult. If you wish to set sail from Port Nyanzaru, you’ll need treasure to appease the greedy monster. How much treasure, I can’t say. Aremag will tell you what it wants, and you’d best give it what it demands. This is what I heard from the sailors. Fortunately I didn't sail here, a good friend teleported me to the island."
He continues to talk,
"The history of this island is amazing. Chult had many kings and queens, but none more beautiful than Queen Zalkoré. Thousands of warriors killed and died for her, but the only memorial of her reign is the garden palace of Nangalore, which lies near the eastern shore of the River Olung, north of Lake Luo. I haven't been there myself though so I've not seen it."
As he finishes up the drawing he hands you the book.
"Here's the last thing I heard. The great god Ubtao loved mazes. If you happen upon a maze of any kind, trace a path through it. You will earn Ubtao’s favor by doing so. Ubtao is the patron deity of Chult. He was also known as The Father of the Dinosaurs, Creator of Chult, Founder of Mezro, and The Deceiver."
He then stands and bows to you,
"Well friends, I need to move on now. More books to sell, and meetings with the Merchant Princes. Things to do, places to go, people to see! Good luck on your adventures. Oh, and no, I'm afraid I don't know anything about the guide you speak of."
As he begins to leave you notice that the rain has stopped. Just as he is about to walk out the door he turns back to you.
"Don't forget to check out the dinosaur races! Very exciting!"
And with that he is gone.
Deduct your share of gold from your sheets for the cost of the book.
The way the book works is this. When you encounter a monster I'll give you some facts about them from their info. If I forget, remind me.
Also, written on the first page of the book is a preface.
Well met, adventurer. You seem like a curious sort who enjoys the finer things. Permit me to thrust upon you my latest masterwork, years in the making. I think you’ll find it well worth your time and money. First, a warning: here there be monsters!
No less a peerless font of sagacity as Elminster of Shadowdale(1) has attested that more worlds than this one teem with monsters. As a result, that “Here there be monsters” line has appeared on maps of worlds far from this one, and hidden from your modest(2) scribe. And who am I, you ask?
Volothamp Geddarm at your service, setting forth truths like the deep and ancient secrets whispered into my ears by the guardian spirits of the hidden tombs of fallen archmages now dust. Yes, in this very tome, I set forth divers details, never before gathered with such coherence(3) in one place, of the creatures varied and strange that it pleases humans and most other civilized races to deem “monsters.”
I cannot recommend the essential lore contained in this volume highly enough,(4) and cry it to be “life-savingly necessary” to every adventurer and wayfarer in the wilderlands and the Underdark, be they prospector, miner, or merely seeking shelter in a cavern from prowling beasts or the claws of winter, over the world entire.(5) And should you find it within yourself to complain that this or that entry is lacking in veracity or comprehensive completeness,(6) let it be known that I, Volo, took no shortcuts, and stinted not in the depth of my probings(7) or the courting of discomforts in gathering the most extensive and authoritative lore possible. At great personal risk, might I add!(8)
Betimes I used my not-inconsiderable(9) magic to disguise myself as a tree, stone, or even a puddle, and so prepare the very best guide I possibly could. In the doing, I have seen the most wondrous vistas, from frosty high mountain peaks where giant castles drift past, to the deepest icy lakes beneath the earth, where nameless tentacled things stir and slither, and was awed anew at the beauty of the world that we all, monstrous or otherwise, share.(10)
If you find this tome of use, please tell your friends, business partners, and acquaintances met in passing in the street. Then perhaps I’ll have the chance to pen an even more useful guide, in future.(11) And whatever befalls you or me in our unfolding lives, I remain your humble scribe and obedient servant, and am now (and if the gods grant, forever in lasting fame),
— Volothamp Geddarm(12)
Notes from Elminster Aumar
Archmage of Shadowdale, Senior Advisor to the Open Lord of Waterdeep:
1. Lay it on thick, will ye?
2. If this is modest, I dare not think what preening be.
3. Coherence, indeed! Volo, thy clarity is as the churning surface of a large city cesspit—when tentacles are about to erupt from beneath!
4. The modesty is blinding! Such a paragon of elucidation, selflessly serving all. Often on a platter, with an apple in every mouth.
5. Earplugs sold separately.
6. Here it comes. Get in first! Head off thy legitimate critics.
7. The sanity of those who babble of probes is seldom held in high regard.
8. Ye may, though ye’re obviously unaware, young Volo, how often and for how long I have been telling dragons, mind flayers, and even goblins how truly vile Volothamps taste, raw or cooked. Ye’re welcome.
9. Betimes Volo misconstrues the meaning of words. Here, for example, he means, “nonexistent.”
10. Until we kill each other, using Volo’s handy tips, bundled up neatly herein.
11. Volo’S Guide to Fleeing Angry Mobs. I foresee a short work, but a classic.
12. Let me be fair. The lad means well and has done well. Better than I expected. Some of what’s in this book is true, and can even be trusted.
Vah Jo Gyaan Chaahata Hai reads through both Volo's preface and Elminster's commentary and says "I have read many of Elminsiter's writings and musings on a wide range of subjects. Generally I have found him to be both exacting in his analysis and descriptions and measured in his discussion. Some of his comments on Volo's work are a little worrying but I do not think we have, as they say, bought a Pig in a Poke, however the truth will undoubtedly come to the fore when we encounter some of these creatures."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
"Agreed. Should we plan to make the trek to find Qawasha in the morning after spending the rest of today stocking up? Kaya said it was a week's journey."
“Kaya, is there any place in particular you would recommend for us? We are needing to get some new armor, enchanted objects, weapons, and other gear for our travels.”
"A pig in a.... poke?" Keyleth says, raising an eyebrow. "Is that a Chultan expression?"
Vah Jo Gyaan Chaahata Hai says to Keyleth "My friend I truly cannot recall where I first heard the saying but it was probably down in that great entrepot Calimport. In essence it means we only have the word of the seller, Volo, that his product is actually as valuable as he claims it is. In Loross, the now long dead language of the nobles of High Nethril, the saying is rendered as caveat emptor."
With the rain having stopped the party sets out to the Merchants’ Ward and the Grand Souk. There they find many merchant stalls selling most everything they could think of.
Anything in the PHB for normal gear is available at cost. If you want something special roleplay it out and we'll see if you can afford it or if it is available.
Ransyl finds a seller of armor and begins looking at the lighter varieties of armor available, “As you can tell, I am used to heavy armor. My fighting style has adapted to it. Do you know of anyone selling lighter armor like this with magical enhancements?”
"Ah, my friend, that type of armor would be uncommon, even rare in these parts. You would need to see the Merchant Prince Zhanthi (JOHN-thee) directly to find such armor. But I warn you, it would be very expensive. At least a five hundred gold pieces for the simplest of armor sets I would think. Of course, if you have found some of the wealth lost in the jungles, this would be easy for you to afford eh? Or perhaps you have won big betting on the dinosaur races?"
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Vah Jo Gyaan Chaahata Hai turns to Volo and bowing says permit me to introduce myself "my name is Dr Arbataveu, a researcher into the Arcane, most recently of the Great Library at Candlekeep. Perhaps I might have a look at your work." Assuming that Volo passes the bool over he starts thumbing through the pages muttering to himself "ah but that's right.... hmmm interesting... I didn't know that.... etc." (History test 14, Survival test 13 & Nature test 22).
Assuming that he is satisfied with the quality and accuracy of the work (see tests above), Vah Jo Gyaan Chaahata Hai turns to Volo and says "a truly magnificent work, both detailed and exacting in its verisimilitude, you should be very proud of it and the quality of the illustrations is truly remarkable, so lifelike himm?" He then turns to the party and says "I think that this work will very much compliment the advice we get from our guide and would strongly encourage us to invest in its purchase."
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Around this point Keyleth crawls out from under the table, slightly puzzled by this gregarious man who evidently saw her but didn't bat an eye that she was crouched under the table with a crossbow. She hovers behind Dr Arbataveu, slightly closer than etiquette would normally dictate, and reads a few pages over his shoulder, and then glances back at Volo, furrowing her eyebrows, attempting to determine from his reactions as Arbataveu reads if he's for real or just a charlatan peddling made up information.
Insight: 14
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
“I for one would like as much of an advantage as possible against the creatures we might run into here. I’m willing to pitch in my share, 13 gold.”
By all your estimates the information you see in the book appears to be accurate and useful.
Vah Jo Gyaan Chaahata Hai says in a whisper to his colleagues "I am happy to pay 20 Dragons as my contribution to purchasing this tome, if you can each contribute 10 Dragons." He then turns to Volo and says "we would like to purchase a copy of your wonderous tome. As we will take it into the Jungle with us, which by the accuracy of your writings and descriptions I can only assume you know well, does it come with a fully waterproof cover." He then thinks for a minute and says almost as an aside "do you perhaps know, or have heard of, a human Druid known as Qawasha? If so what do you know of him? Is he reliable? Is he honest? In short is he to be trusted?"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
Kirinar smiles his child-like grin again at this world-famous explorer come to sit at his table. "Why, yes, of course we will take an autographed copy of your book, Master Volo! Perhaps you could do a quick sketch of our party with you in the center on the inside cover with your autograph? We would be the envy of Mire's Edge and the surrounding towns! What do you have in there about dragons? We befriended one - although it was carelessly killed by a lizardfolk warband. Terrible mess, that. But I'm rambling. Please - tell us about your latest adventure and how you came to be here in Chult!"
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Ransyl hands over 10gp.
Volo claps his hands. "See, I knew you were the right people for me!"
He takes the book and begins to sketch in the inside cover. "Of course young man, it would be my honor." While he sketches he talks of how he got to the island. He also tells you some things he has heard during his visit to the Port.
"A dragon turtle named Aremag lives in the Bay of Chult. If you wish to set sail from Port Nyanzaru, you’ll need treasure to appease the greedy monster. How much treasure, I can’t say. Aremag will tell you what it wants, and you’d best give it what it demands. This is what I heard from the sailors. Fortunately I didn't sail here, a good friend teleported me to the island."
He continues to talk,
"The history of this island is amazing. Chult had many kings and queens, but none more beautiful than Queen Zalkoré. Thousands of warriors killed and died for her, but the only memorial of her reign is the garden palace of Nangalore, which lies near the eastern shore of the River Olung, north of Lake Luo. I haven't been there myself though so I've not seen it."
As he finishes up the drawing he hands you the book.
"Here's the last thing I heard. The great god Ubtao loved mazes. If you happen upon a maze of any kind, trace a path through it. You will earn Ubtao’s favor by doing so. Ubtao is the patron deity of Chult. He was also known as The Father of the Dinosaurs, Creator of Chult, Founder of Mezro, and The Deceiver."
He then stands and bows to you,
"Well friends, I need to move on now. More books to sell, and meetings with the Merchant Princes. Things to do, places to go, people to see! Good luck on your adventures. Oh, and no, I'm afraid I don't know anything about the guide you speak of."
As he begins to leave you notice that the rain has stopped. Just as he is about to walk out the door he turns back to you.
"Don't forget to check out the dinosaur races! Very exciting!"
And with that he is gone.
Deduct your share of gold from your sheets for the cost of the book.
The way the book works is this. When you encounter a monster I'll give you some facts about them from their info. If I forget, remind me.
Also, written on the first page of the book is a preface.
Vah Jo Gyaan Chaahata Hai reads through both Volo's preface and Elminster's commentary and says "I have read many of Elminsiter's writings and musings on a wide range of subjects. Generally I have found him to be both exacting in his analysis and descriptions and measured in his discussion. Some of his comments on Volo's work are a little worrying but I do not think we have, as they say, bought a Pig in a Poke, however the truth will undoubtedly come to the fore when we encounter some of these creatures."
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
"A pig in a.... poke?" Keyleth says, raising an eyebrow. "Is that a Chultan expression?"
"In any case, I'm glad at least some of the text might be trustworthy. I wonder how we will know which parts?"
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
“Well, the rain has let up. Perhaps we shall head through the market in search of more climate appropriate gear.”
"Agreed. Should we plan to make the trek to find Qawasha in the morning after spending the rest of today stocking up? Kaya said it was a week's journey."
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
“Kaya, is there any place in particular you would recommend for us? We are needing to get some new armor, enchanted objects, weapons, and other gear for our travels.”
Vah Jo Gyaan Chaahata Hai says to Keyleth "My friend I truly cannot recall where I first heard the saying but it was probably down in that great entrepot Calimport. In essence it means we only have the word of the seller, Volo, that his product is actually as valuable as he claims it is. In Loross, the now long dead language of the nobles of High Nethril, the saying is rendered as caveat emptor."
Pig in a Poke is often used in Aussie slang - here is the Wikipedia article if your interested https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_in_a_poke
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
OoC: Haha, I know the expression -- it's used in the states too, primarily in the south I think. I just didn't think Keyleth would. :-)
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Kaya quickly answers your question.
"The Merchant Princes control all commerce in the Port and you will find that any legitimate shop will meet your needs."
(12.5gp removed. But look - I got us a selfie with Volo!!)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
With the rain having stopped the party sets out to the Merchants’ Ward and the Grand Souk. There they find many merchant stalls selling most everything they could think of.
Anything in the PHB for normal gear is available at cost. If you want something special roleplay it out and we'll see if you can afford it or if it is available.
Ransyl finds a seller of armor and begins looking at the lighter varieties of armor available, “As you can tell, I am used to heavy armor. My fighting style has adapted to it. Do you know of anyone selling lighter armor like this with magical enhancements?”
The man at the shop smiles down at you.
"Ah, my friend, that type of armor would be uncommon, even rare in these parts. You would need to see the Merchant Prince Zhanthi (JOHN-thee) directly to find such armor. But I warn you, it would be very expensive. At least a five hundred gold pieces for the simplest of armor sets I would think. Of course, if you have found some of the wealth lost in the jungles, this would be easy for you to afford eh? Or perhaps you have won big betting on the dinosaur races?"