Vakiel will start with asking about any new IC movements that may have occurred over the past few days, why he isn’t working today, or any other general info that’s floating around.
The man introduces himself as Marco, and Vakiel realises this is the same man Danz was talking about working on the old tower who was seen talking to no one. He seems to be sane and rational though. Marco is not part of the Rascal Network, he certainly isn't responding to the subtle hand gestures that any rascal would notice.
Marco says he is ignorant of any IC activity, in fact his opinion is the IC are broken and just need the final shove to be kicked out of the valley. He asks when are the delvers going to do that? He seems to be keen for information, but Vakiel thinks its so he can impress the girl he is going back to, rather than any nefarious means. Marco seems unsubtle and uncomplicated, completely free of the ravages of intelligence.
When it comes to the topic of why he isn't at work, Vakiel notices Marco becomes a little more hesitant.
"I came into some good fortune," he says. "I don't need to work any more for money. I'm set for life. I can build a home and just need someone to share it with. The girl you see me with could be that girl. I have hope anyway."
While Vakiel is gone, RL nudges Augustin in the side. 'Since you have so much experience with women, can you approach that one and give me a demonstration on how you would get to know her better in a village/city/human way, im sure its very different to how things happen in the forest communities.'
While Vakiel is gone, RL nudges Augustin in the side. 'Since you have so much experience with women, can you approach that one and give me a demonstration on how you would get to know her better in a village/city/human way, im sure its very different to how things happen in the forest communities.'
Esa, perched on RL's shoulder, smirks. "Go on, big guy," she encourages Augustin, "educate us. Show us how your humanfolk get it done." She grins to herself as she tries to stifle a laugh.
Augustin thinks and agrees with the plan. His understanding is multiple points of access and a little bit of chaos to wrap it all up.
He suggests, we take some spare horses and leave them tied up a little bit out of town, if there are staff being trapped and held against their will there. It may benefit them to get back to Albridge ASAP. If someone is available to look after these horses, that would be greatly appreciated. We may be able to demoralise the Ironcircle guards a bit further.
Augustin main priority is rescuing his family, but he knows that he isn't the most stealthy of individuals so is torn between his choices. His mind absently wanders to considering if he has the strength of a giant. Perhaps with some more training is his conclusion.
Augustin tells Esa not to blow herself up unless he is around and only then as a last resort. She can however, play with the alchemist vials if she wants. Augustin provides one clear direction. "Don't die." He pauses for a moment before adding with a toothy grin "and have fun"
He suggests that the Well be considered a point of exit rather then entry. If things go pear shaped. It'll be a relatively secure escape and he is willing to ask Missy how she means to help. He makes it clear he is unlikely to consider being turned into a fish.
Augustin is at peace, being of good health and with a plan to save his family.
Esa nods at him and says coyly, "Where you go, I go. So make sure to keep yourself alive, too."
When it comes to the topic of why he isn't at work, Vakiel notices Marco becomes a little more hesitant.
"I came into some good fortune," he says. "I don't need to work any more for money. I'm set for life. I can build a home and just need someone to share it with. The girl you see me with could be that girl. I have hope anyway."
“Good Fortune hey? That wouldn’t have anything to do with the time you’ve been spending at the old tower by any chance?”
Marco scowls. "That's none of your concern. I didn't do anything wrong. Look, I'm not your enemy, I'm on your side. I'm just a guy trying to make my way in the world. I can't be a delver, I don't have the knowledge or contacts to be a merchant. I just do what I can."
Vakiel has the distinct impression there is something more to this story.
"Look it's just a raven, or crow, not sure which. It's magical so must be some fey creature, it can go invisible and grant wishes. So weird but hasn't really wanted much in return."
He looks like he wants to escape.
"I've said I can't help you with anything to do with the Iron Circle, so I'm going to go back to Martina now."
Augustin is just happily chatting away to the girl at the bar. He’s not had much opportunity to “talk to women” so he has no idea how the situation is going.
He’s engaged in light banter and mentions a couple of times how they’re going ghost hunting. He’s a bit nervous about the whole idea, but still somewhat confident in his demeanour.
He does ask what she’s heard around the town if she knows anything, that may interest a mean of his…. Interests.
Augustin is just happily chatting away to the girl at the bar. He’s not had much opportunity to “talk to women” so he has no idea how the situation is going.
He’s engaged in light banter and mentions a couple of times how they’re going ghost hunting. He’s a bit nervous about the whole idea, but still somewhat confident in his demeanour.
He does ask what she’s heard around the town if she knows anything, that may interest a mean of his…. Interests.
Martina sitting at the table is happy to talk to one of the famous Delvers of Albridge while she waits for Marco to return. She shivers hearing about ghost hunting and remarks how brave the delvers are. She works in the bakery making Albridge's famous pumpernickel bread. Martina doesn't seem to know anything of interest but she does mention that Marco - who she doesn't know well - flashed a gold coin which got her interested because she'd never seen an actual gold coin before. However now she's had a longer conversation with him Martina is thinking she doesn't have any romantic interest in him, at least at this point.
Vakiel will put a hand up to halt Marco before he steps away
"Hasn't wanted 'much' in return? What has it asked for?"
"I just had to sign a contract for my most precious possession, but I don't have to give it until after I'm dead so I won't even care then. In exchange I got a bag of gold coins! Gold! I'll never have to work again!"
Vakiel will put a hand up to halt Marco before he steps away
"Hasn't wanted 'much' in return? What has it asked for?"
"I just had to sign a contract for my most precious possession, but I don't have to give it until after I'm dead so I won't even care then. In exchange I got a bag of gold coins! Gold! I'll never have to work again!"
Realising Marco really just is a fool, Vakiel will drop his hand letting him return inside.
After a quick glance around, Vakiel will turn and head back inside & share this tidbit with the crew.
Vakiel will put a hand up to halt Marco before he steps away
"Hasn't wanted 'much' in return? What has it asked for?"
"I just had to sign a contract for my most precious possession, but I don't have to give it until after I'm dead so I won't even care then. In exchange I got a bag of gold coins! Gold! I'll never have to work again!"
Realising Marco really just is a fool, Vakiel will drop his hand letting him return inside.
After a quick glance around, Vakiel will turn and head back inside & share this tidbit with the crew.
RL will go to the bar and buy two ales, feeling very proud that he's learned how to do that. He approached Marco and offers him a drink at another table if he will share more of the story of the special magpie that grants wishes.if Marco agrees RL will cast charm person on Marco as he pushes his drink across the table to him as RL 'accidentally' touches Marcos hand. DC 14 wisdom save
Marco looked like he was going to insist he returns to the table where Martina is talking to Augustin, but then he blinks for a second, then grins at Rustling Leaves. He raises his tankard to Martina and points to it, indicating he's just having a drink with his great friend here. The builder's labourer looks pleased he is rubbing shoulders with the famous delvers who played a big role in saving Albridge and defeating the Iron Circle.
Marco tells RL "Well, things weren't going well. I'm from Marl, and as you probably know, Marl was destroyed by the Iron Circle as a warning to those who would defy them. I've heard mixed stories that it's been burned to the ground or just damaged, or some buildings are burned and others are habitable. I don't know what to believe. I was lucky enough to get some work with the repair and restoration of buildings. You've seen the old tower that used to be a guard lookout tower on the south side? Right, well old Gerrad Button the Albridge Elder has said we should rebuild it to keep an eye for advance warning of approaching Iron Circle troops, just in case. Makes sense, right? Anyway it seemed like the place was haunted - ropes would become untied, tools would be moved or even go missing, we'd hear sounds of something moving but nothing was there. Wasn't long until only a few of us would work there, the rest were too scared. Even I was spooked and was thinking about telling the foreman I'm done with it. But then a raven appeared - not just flew up but appeared - perched on a wall. It looked at me all intelligent like and called me by name. 'Marco,' it said. 'Marco what would you like? I can grant you a wish.' Now I'm no fool, so I told it I would think about it, and I walked away. Over the next few days the raven - sometimes as a raven, sometimes as an invisible raven - kept asking me what I want. But I know you don't get anything for free in this world."
Marco takes a drink of his beer and continues his story.
"'What do you want in return?' I asks the raven on about the fifth day. 'Oh, nothing much,' it says. 'I want what is most precious to you, but not until after you are dead.' Now that seemed fair to me, because I'll be dead and have no use for anything, and I says 'I want a big bag of gold coins, proper gold coins.' It considers this, you know, it cocks its head on one side, no doubt thinking about how to get the better of me, but it can't because I'm smart, see. Then it says 'You drive a hard bargain, Marco. I agree to your terms, but you must sign an agreement.' And then as if by magic, well I don't know why people say that, of course it's mucking magic, a scroll appears, hovering in mid air next to me, and a quill with a sharp point stabs me. 'Ow', I says. 'Needs blood to seal the deal,' says the raven. I takes the quill and signs but not before reading it, or trying to, but I can't read it because it's not in common. Probably couldn't have read it even if it was in common - lots of fine print. 'Tell me what this says', I insist because I'm not a fool. 'It agrees you will give me what is most precious to you, after you are dead, in exchange for a bag of 100 proper gold coins.' the raven says to me. 'I want 500 proper gold coins,' I says. The raven says that it hasn't got that much but it can do 200 gold coins. Anyway we barter and I because I'm smart I end up with 300 gold coins in a bag. The quill took itself from my hand and crossed out 100 and wrote in 300 gold coins. THREE times what it was going to give me at first!"
Marco nods as if in approval of his own cleverness, then takes another drink, enjoying the attention from RL.
"And then I said, 'make sure it says you can't kill me'. No fool, me. Anyway the quill makes another amendment, which scared me a bit - what if I hadn't thought of that? But it's only a raven, it can't kill me anyway. Then I has another thought. 'Who decides what is most precious to me after I am dead?' I asks. The raven says 'Well, I decide, because you'll be dead and can't decide anything. And I already know what that precious thing will be.' Dunno how he thinks he knows the future but maybe he does. Anyway it makes sense I think and the quill stabs me again to get blood then I take the quill and sign. The scroll disappears, the raven disappears and then reappears and shows me where a sack of coins lays. It has exactly 300 coins, old ones, from before the empire I think, it must have found them in the ruins somehow. And I think - it's time to settle down and have a wife. I've had my eye on Martina the baker's assistant for some time now. She's young, but I'm wealthy so it's a good match.'
RL goes back to his friends and tells them the extra information then assk'Esa, can you write any words in that new language of yours?'. I want to see if Margo recognises the look of the letters.
RL goes back to Marco,' marco, you have certainly had such good fortune. If you will share your bounty I will get Augustin to leave Martina alone so that you can get back to wooing her, say, 40 gold?'
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Vakiel will start with asking about any new IC movements that may have occurred over the past few days, why he isn’t working today, or any other general info that’s floating around.
The man introduces himself as Marco, and Vakiel realises this is the same man Danz was talking about working on the old tower who was seen talking to no one. He seems to be sane and rational though. Marco is not part of the Rascal Network, he certainly isn't responding to the subtle hand gestures that any rascal would notice.
Marco says he is ignorant of any IC activity, in fact his opinion is the IC are broken and just need the final shove to be kicked out of the valley. He asks when are the delvers going to do that? He seems to be keen for information, but Vakiel thinks its so he can impress the girl he is going back to, rather than any nefarious means. Marco seems unsubtle and uncomplicated, completely free of the ravages of intelligence.
Can Vakiel give me a perception check please?
perception 12
When it comes to the topic of why he isn't at work, Vakiel notices Marco becomes a little more hesitant.
"I came into some good fortune," he says. "I don't need to work any more for money. I'm set for life. I can build a home and just need someone to share it with. The girl you see me with could be that girl. I have hope anyway."
While Vakiel is gone, RL nudges Augustin in the side. 'Since you have so much experience with women, can you approach that one and give me a demonstration on how you would get to know her better in a village/city/human way, im sure its very different to how things happen in the forest communities.'
Esa, perched on RL's shoulder, smirks. "Go on, big guy," she encourages Augustin, "educate us. Show us how your humanfolk get it done." She grins to herself as she tries to stifle a laugh.
Esa nods at him and says coyly, "Where you go, I go. So make sure to keep yourself alive, too."
“Good Fortune hey? That wouldn’t have anything to do with the time you’ve been spending at the old tower by any chance?”
Marco scowls. "That's none of your concern. I didn't do anything wrong. Look, I'm not your enemy, I'm on your side. I'm just a guy trying to make my way in the world. I can't be a delver, I don't have the knowledge or contacts to be a merchant. I just do what I can."
Vakiel has the distinct impression there is something more to this story.
Vakiel will straighten up, cross his arms and raise an eyebrow. Not saying anything, letting the silence stretch…
Hoping to intimidate Marco into revealing more (?)…. If DM allows, intimidation- 22
Marco gulps.
"Look it's just a raven, or crow, not sure which. It's magical so must be some fey creature, it can go invisible and grant wishes. So weird but hasn't really wanted much in return."
He looks like he wants to escape.
"I've said I can't help you with anything to do with the Iron Circle, so I'm going to go back to Martina now."
Augustin is just happily chatting away to the girl at the bar. He’s not had much opportunity to “talk to women” so he has no idea how the situation is going.
He’s engaged in light banter and mentions a couple of times how they’re going ghost hunting. He’s a bit nervous about the whole idea, but still somewhat confident in his demeanour.
He does ask what she’s heard around the town if she knows anything, that may interest a mean of his…. Interests.
Vakiel will put a hand up to halt Marco before he steps away
"Hasn't wanted 'much' in return? What has it asked for?"
Martina sitting at the table is happy to talk to one of the famous Delvers of Albridge while she waits for Marco to return. She shivers hearing about ghost hunting and remarks how brave the delvers are. She works in the bakery making Albridge's famous pumpernickel bread. Martina doesn't seem to know anything of interest but she does mention that Marco - who she doesn't know well - flashed a gold coin which got her interested because she'd never seen an actual gold coin before. However now she's had a longer conversation with him Martina is thinking she doesn't have any romantic interest in him, at least at this point.
"I just had to sign a contract for my most precious possession, but I don't have to give it until after I'm dead so I won't even care then. In exchange I got a bag of gold coins! Gold! I'll never have to work again!"
Realising Marco really just is a fool, Vakiel will drop his hand letting him return inside.
After a quick glance around, Vakiel will turn and head back inside & share this tidbit with the crew.
RL will go to the bar and buy two ales, feeling very proud that he's learned how to do that. He approached Marco and offers him a drink at another table if he will share more of the story of the special magpie that grants wishes.if Marco agrees RL will cast charm person on Marco as he pushes his drink across the table to him as RL 'accidentally' touches Marcos hand. DC 14 wisdom save
Marco's saving throw: 20
Marco looked like he was going to insist he returns to the table where Martina is talking to Augustin, but then he blinks for a second, then grins at Rustling Leaves. He raises his tankard to Martina and points to it, indicating he's just having a drink with his great friend here. The builder's labourer looks pleased he is rubbing shoulders with the famous delvers who played a big role in saving Albridge and defeating the Iron Circle.
Marco tells RL "Well, things weren't going well. I'm from Marl, and as you probably know, Marl was destroyed by the Iron Circle as a warning to those who would defy them. I've heard mixed stories that it's been burned to the ground or just damaged, or some buildings are burned and others are habitable. I don't know what to believe. I was lucky enough to get some work with the repair and restoration of buildings. You've seen the old tower that used to be a guard lookout tower on the south side? Right, well old Gerrad Button the Albridge Elder has said we should rebuild it to keep an eye for advance warning of approaching Iron Circle troops, just in case. Makes sense, right? Anyway it seemed like the place was haunted - ropes would become untied, tools would be moved or even go missing, we'd hear sounds of something moving but nothing was there. Wasn't long until only a few of us would work there, the rest were too scared. Even I was spooked and was thinking about telling the foreman I'm done with it. But then a raven appeared - not just flew up but appeared - perched on a wall. It looked at me all intelligent like and called me by name. 'Marco,' it said. 'Marco what would you like? I can grant you a wish.' Now I'm no fool, so I told it I would think about it, and I walked away. Over the next few days the raven - sometimes as a raven, sometimes as an invisible raven - kept asking me what I want. But I know you don't get anything for free in this world."
Marco takes a drink of his beer and continues his story.
"'What do you want in return?' I asks the raven on about the fifth day. 'Oh, nothing much,' it says. 'I want what is most precious to you, but not until after you are dead.' Now that seemed fair to me, because I'll be dead and have no use for anything, and I says 'I want a big bag of gold coins, proper gold coins.' It considers this, you know, it cocks its head on one side, no doubt thinking about how to get the better of me, but it can't because I'm smart, see. Then it says 'You drive a hard bargain, Marco. I agree to your terms, but you must sign an agreement.' And then as if by magic, well I don't know why people say that, of course it's mucking magic, a scroll appears, hovering in mid air next to me, and a quill with a sharp point stabs me. 'Ow', I says. 'Needs blood to seal the deal,' says the raven. I takes the quill and signs but not before reading it, or trying to, but I can't read it because it's not in common. Probably couldn't have read it even if it was in common - lots of fine print. 'Tell me what this says', I insist because I'm not a fool. 'It agrees you will give me what is most precious to you, after you are dead, in exchange for a bag of 100 proper gold coins.' the raven says to me. 'I want 500 proper gold coins,' I says. The raven says that it hasn't got that much but it can do 200 gold coins. Anyway we barter and I because I'm smart I end up with 300 gold coins in a bag. The quill took itself from my hand and crossed out 100 and wrote in 300 gold coins. THREE times what it was going to give me at first!"
Marco nods as if in approval of his own cleverness, then takes another drink, enjoying the attention from RL.
"And then I said, 'make sure it says you can't kill me'. No fool, me. Anyway the quill makes another amendment, which scared me a bit - what if I hadn't thought of that? But it's only a raven, it can't kill me anyway. Then I has another thought. 'Who decides what is most precious to me after I am dead?' I asks. The raven says 'Well, I decide, because you'll be dead and can't decide anything. And I already know what that precious thing will be.' Dunno how he thinks he knows the future but maybe he does. Anyway it makes sense I think and the quill stabs me again to get blood then I take the quill and sign. The scroll disappears, the raven disappears and then reappears and shows me where a sack of coins lays. It has exactly 300 coins, old ones, from before the empire I think, it must have found them in the ruins somehow. And I think - it's time to settle down and have a wife. I've had my eye on Martina the baker's assistant for some time now. She's young, but I'm wealthy so it's a good match.'
Marco drains his mug.
"What do you think? Pretty good, hey?"
RL goes back to his friends and tells them the extra information then assk'Esa, can you write any words in that new language of yours?'. I want to see if Margo recognises the look of the letters.
RL goes back to Marco,' marco, you have certainly had such good fortune. If you will share your bounty I will get Augustin to leave Martina alone so that you can get back to wooing her, say, 40 gold?'