"Sorry, don't accept trades! Bad for business and all, although lately business has been good, it's also been boring as f... ah, um sorry Brother Cleric, I meant no disrespect to the gods." He wipes his hands on his apron and then makes a religious sign to ward off the displeasure of the gods.

"Tell you what, it's only a matter of time before adventurers find themselves with gold... and it's going to take me a while to craft these into good weapons." He squints an eye at you, Ceo, before continuing, "You do want good weapons don't you." He doesn't wait for your answer but bulls on with his diatribe. "Let's say when you finish some epic quest or grand adventure, whatever you adventurers do, you return and square up with me. It will be a good break for me from having to churn out the same old stuff all the time."

Turning back to Randall, "As for these other pieces..." he picks one of them up to examine it more closely, "from the same monster unless I miss my guess. Hmmm... I could make a nice suit of armor out of this lot, if you're interested?" Kronk gestures to the pile of carapace pieces.

Randall:

”Most definitely, good armorsmith,” replies Brother Randall, “the strongest armor you can make.  How much coin would I need to return with to be able to take possession of Hooked Horror Plate Armor?”

"Well... I know that it saves time not having to forge the pieces from raw materials so that would lessen the overall cost." Realizing he may be talking himself out of a potential profits he quickly adds, "but it's an exotic item isn't it, and not everyone will be able to craft them into armor."

He puts the piece he was handling back down near the others, "What say we settle on the final price when you see the finished product? There's a small chance some pieces might get ruined unless I take special care with them. It's not like working with metals where you can simply reheat them and start over. I'm only going to have one try at it, one attempt to get it right. The final price will still be less than paying for regular plate so you needn't worry about getting gouged like over at Brutwert's. I honestly don't know how he manages to stay in business."

"So what do you think? We have an accord?"

Seems fair to Ceo, who fully realizes and appreciates the skill it would take to craft these.

Randall:

”Yes we do for the armor,” says Randall, shaking the smith’s hand to confirm the deal.  “Are you in, Ceo?” he asks expectantly.

"Yeah, I'm in."

With the deal struck Kronk gets back to work and you are free to rejoin the others, or explore the city further, or do whatever you might want to do.

(Petcan is good to go)

Randall:

Anxious to see to the plight of the refugees, Randall says, "Let's go speak to the mayor and see what the situation outside the city looks like--or I can go myself and get him if there is more you wish to accomplish in town."

(@Randall & any others who wish to check on the mayor and the refugees.)

You are able to visit them outside the walls without any trouble. There are individuals who pass by you, coming and going from the city, apparently small numbers are allowed entry to secure goods and supplies, but a count is kept by the guards so the mass of over 900 ex-citizens of Garrum cannot all sneak in or anything of that nature.

When you meet with the mayor he greets you, "Hail, Brother Randall. Any news concerning our plight? Can we enter the city soon? Some of the women and children grow fearful that the goblin horde will snatch them up and carry them off in the middle of the night." You can tell he hopes you have all the answers or a solution of some kind that will ease their dire circumstances. And as he finishes speaking some of the women and children within earshot let out a little cry of despair and fright at his grim predictions.

Randall:

“Take heart, good mayor, for we have been at work in the city trying to find a solution for you and your people,” answers Randall, loudly enough to be overheard by the refugees who were frightened before.

“It would seem our best option is to find some ships that will sail the refugees of Garrum away from here, though I am still unsure why you are not all being invited into the city proper right now.  The Harbormaster was unable to immediately help us, but we were able to get an audience before a rich merchant who may be able to help.  He has invited us to dinner this evening, where you can make a case for your people,” he continues.

"Oh, bless the morning lord and every ray of sunshine! That is good news, indeed." He seems genuinely relieved as his shoulders, which has been hunched a little, relax. He calls over some attendants and gives them some instructions for seeing to everyone in his absence.

He then accompanies you back inside the city. "You are a credit to the cause of Lathander, good Brother Randall." It is a short walk from the city gates to the 'Hen on Crutches' at least compared to going all the way down to the docks or even halfway to the market. The board hanging high over the doorway by two nimble chains is swinging lightly in the wind, and a comical styling of a Hen leaning on one crutch with bandages around a leg, an arm, and it's head can be clearly seen as you approach.

(@Everyone: please post how you enter, doesn't have to be special, just want to be sure of how many are still interesting in continuing, think we may be down to 4 players now.)

(If we drop below 4 I will have to pause and reopen recruiting before we can continue. And if I ever miss something or you're not sure if I read your post... or anything really, just refresh my memory.)

Ceo just walks in normally, though tripping a bit as a walks in due to walking in with (three?) others.

after having his ale, and seeing Petcan win the dice game, Bow stands up and asks Petcan if he joins him. (as he said he was ready to continue I will assume he does) On the way to the refugees to get the Mayor they walk into the others and join them towards the 'Hen on crutches'. He walks in at a normal place in front of everyone; looking around to see if he sees the rich merchant.

If he sees him he walks to the table, if not he will go to one of the waiters/waitresses and tells them who they are here to meet.

Randall:

Blushing at the mayor’s kind words, Randall says, “You are too kind.  Let us away to the Hen on Crutches and see what relief we might find for your people there.”

Randall walks humbly with the others, somewhat lost in thought when they arrive at the tavern.

Petcan will follow everyone else in. “I hope you all understand that I’m happy to help, but a Drow face is not always best for trying to get folks won over.“

(@Petcan: noted, I will not replace you... enjoy your vacation.)

(will post in just under 2 hours, dealing with some rl stuff)

As you all enter the 'Hen on Crutches' the fresh smell of cooked and cooking food assails your nostrils with delicious aromas. Barmaids carrying platters of food to tables are a more common sight than those refilling drinks. There is also a light hazy blue smoke filling the air which by smell you can identify as pipe smoke. It isn't overpowering or anything, just present and unavoidable.

Seated at a table off to the left you can see Mynash sipping at a glass of wine, most everyone else at a table number two or more, except for a lone halfling drinking ale off to the right. Mynash notices you enter and waves you over, "Please have a seat, oh my, oh yes, where are my manners. My name is Mynash," said to the mayor, "and I'm so glad you could join me for dinner. I have taken the liberty of ordering for you all so that we wouldn't have to wait long, some of the dishes take a while to prepare and I don't want to monopolize any more of your time than is necessary."

"Very kind of you; what kind of food will it be? Not that it matters, has been a long time since I had food that was more than acceptable." Bow says, looking around the room with some flashes in his eyes when he sees all the food. Seeing the halfling sitting alone he decides to sit in a chair such that he can watch what the halfling is doing, as it doesn't seem the place that people sit alone normally.

Wait a second, is that the halfling I met on the street? The one that I mocked and practically stole from before trying to follow him?