Wilson's smile falters a little, and then he smiles and says, "Northport is a big place, and he might not like unknown visitors, but no, there is no reason you couldn't try to find him yourself."

"So, what can else can you tell me about this man? Is he a sorceror? Or just well-connected? And why is it that you want to come with me? Frankly, that sounds suspicious to me."

[[ Questions:

What does Brand know of Northport?

Has he heard of Salid? ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

"So, what can else can you tell me about this man? Is he a sorceror? Or just well-connected? And why is it that you want to come with me? Frankly, that sounds suspicious to me."

[[ Questions:

What does Brand know of Northport?

[[It's to the east of the Scholar's District and, although it is a port, it is nowhere near as busy as Portside. It is mainly used for shipping livestock and produce.]]

Has he heard of Salid? ]]

[[Make a Wisdom check.]]

[[But I'm afraid no answers tonight, it is already half past midnight. Ciao.]]

Wisdom (re has he heard of Salid): 15

"So, what can else can you tell me about this man? Is he a sorceror? Or just well-connected? And why is it that you want to come with me? Frankly, that sounds suspicious to me."

[[ Waits for answer ]]

"And 'Salid' is only half a name; what is his full name?"

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Wisdom (re has he heard of Salid): 14

[[Brand has heard the name before—it was the family name he was given by the archmagus's personal assistant, but he knows of no man of that family name.]]

---

"So, what can else can you tell me about this man? Is he a sorceror? Or just well-connected? And why is it that you want to come with me? Frankly, that sounds suspicious to me."

[[ Waits for answer ]]

"And 'Salid' is only half a name; what is his full name?"

"I just know him as Captain Salid, I'm afraid," Wilson says. "He is well connected with the traders who run up and down this coast, and the merchants. So, if anyone can source you lizardman hides, I believe it will be him."

Then he adds, "And, there is no need for any suspicions. I just want to make sure you have the best chance of procuring the hides so that we can continue with our business arrangement. I know this gentleman. I also know where he lives. And a proper introduction always starts negotiations off on the right foot."

Then, in a confiding whisper, he adds, "I would also relish the opportunity to get away from the stall for a while."

More loudly he then says, "So, if you wish to go to day, I would very much like to accompany you so that I can do the introductions. However, I cannot guarantee that Captain Salid will be available at such short notice, or that he will have the hides. But I do believe he is our best chance."

Brand nods, "Very well then, I suspect tomorrow is the best option. I doubt I shall have time to visit him today, but in case I do, or in case you are not here tomorrow, what is his address?"

[[ What time of day is it? ]]

[[ I can no longer access the map ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Brand nods, "Very well then, I suspect tomorrow is the best option. I doubt I shall have time to visit him today, but in case I do, or in case you are not here tomorrow, what is his address?"

[[ What time of day is it? ]]

[[From looking at the sky, Brand can tell it's about 2 to 3 hours after midday by now and there may be more rain in the offing.]]

[[ I can no longer access the map ]]

[[Hmmm. It's there. I was just looking at it with Andrew; I am visiting with him at the moment on a rec. day while Jennifer goes to the Lifeline Book Fair.]]

"Sand Road," says Wilson. "He lives at the very end of Sand Road."

[[ Does he know the road? ]]

Brand nods, "Thank you. Now to other matters: how much wouldn't cost, and how long would it take for you to provide me with a standard set of leather about, and another of studded leather?"

[[ Say hi to Andrew btw, if still there, or perhaps buenasera ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Does he know the road? ]]

[[He would know of it, but has not been there; it's a bit off the beaten track.]]

Brand nods, "Thank you. Now to other matters: how much wouldn't cost, and how long would it take for you to provide me with a standard set of leather about, and another of studded leather?"

[[ Say hi to Andrew btw, if still there, or perhaps buenasera. [[Have done so. He said 'Hi'.]] ]]

In answer to Brand's question about prices, Wilson says, "Leather armour, based on our standard design, would cost 9 Constantines, with an extra 1 Constantine for custom fitting and takes a day to ready. Our basic studded leather takes 2 days to customise to the individual and costs somewhere between 4 to 5 Engles, depending on what needs to be done. "

"In that case, let's proceed with those as well."

Wilson smiles and then says, "If you'd like to step this way, I'll get Jim to see to your fitting."

Brand is led behind the front counter to where Jim is finishing off some repairs on a set of ornately etched bracers.

At this point, Wilson leaves Brand with Jim and goes back to the front of the stall where there is another potential customer looking at some gloves. 

Jim leads Brand into the building at the back of the stall where he takes some measurements and shows Brand some of the basic suits of leather and studded leather he has made, which he will be customising for Brand's measurements.

[[This is where you specify the colour of the leather you want to have in your two suits of armour. The current choices are beige, brown, dark brown and black. The beige can be dyed another colour, if that is what you want.]]

[[ In both cases, Brand chooses the 'normal' colouring for army-issue gear (ie. the most common). If it's an even split, then the preference would be black > dark brown > brown > beige. ]]

As Jim takes his measurements, Brand takes the opportunity to talk to Jim.

"So, Jim, do you have any suggestions about what I might be looking for tomorrow? What is good, what I should avoid, and perhaps any alternatives I might ask about?"

To paraphrase Jim's comments: He's not sure about lizardman hide, but generally larger pieces of hide are better as sewed seams will always weaken a piece of armour. He also says to get as much as you can afford as the shop will likely buy the rest of it off you or reduce the price of the armour to be made.

Thank him for the advice, and ask if there are any other hide types to look out for...other than Dragon...

When the measurements are done, ask if they have the oil that was suggested earlier, pay whatever is needed for the armour and oil,  ask that if possible, the first suit be ready before mid day, then make way to the bookshop in Scholar's Quarter.

[[ P.S. Can't see map in front page, just the Engle map ]]

[[ Edit: NOW I Can! Woo Hoo ]]

Jim gives you a small flask of neatsfoot oil and says it costs 2 Lions and that you should give to Wilson. He also says that that flask should last for years as it only needs to be applied in small amounts and not that often i.e., only if the leather starts to stiffen or become inflexible. He also says that he would be interested in taking a look at any skins or hides Brand can source to see if they are useful.

With regard to the standard brown-coloured suit of leather armour, he says that he will try to have it ready for a final fitting by midday tomorrow, but can't guarantee it as he has other work. He also says Brand needs to talk to Wilson about payment.

Wilson is happy to take 5 Engles now for the two suits of armour, with the rest (possibly another 5 Cons) to be paid after Jim finishes the customising work and the final fittings have been done. He throws in the flask of oil for free and promises that the first suit of armour will be ready by midday and that he will have contacted Captain Salid regarding their meeting as well.

Assuming Brand is happy with the above and hands over the 5 Engles [[Please adjust his finances appropriately]], he now heads west towards the bridge that crosses to the Scholar's Ward and soon finds himself outside the Compleat Sage where he finds a hand-written sign in the Sorian runic script saying 'Back Soon. Please don't attack the rat.'

Assuming it's open, Brand enters the shop and starts browsing books. If he sees the rate, he says hello. [[ Finances updated ]]

Brand enters the shop and begins browsing the books. There is no sign of the proprietor's rat but he can hear sounds coming from the rear of the building.

Is he looking for anything in particular?

Things that grab his attention: stuff on history of engle pre-sorendon, stuff on magic, magic items, astral travel, races etc etc. If they have sections, he would go to the magic and history sections, not the woodwork, weaving or cooking sections...and browse.

Seeing the shop doesn't have obvious sections, Brand begins browsing through the shelves.

He has just picked up a book with the title 'Shamanistic Rites of the Stemians' when he hears the sound of someone's voice coming from the back of the shop.

Scan the book to see if he is interested. If/when the proprietor comes out, ask "Interesting volume, can you tell me much about it?"