Chadwick will spend the time enjoying the good food and drink, but not to excess. "Perhaps after concluding our business with Stellos we can ask a about a good place to acquire some magic items for a fair price."
Stellos arrives to the Prancing Pony with two others who appear to be guards. They are wearing breastplate armor, swords, a shield slung across their back and a bow and quiver. They seem to be ready for any kind of battle. Stellos has breastplate armor as well and the same sword at his side. He carries a large scroll tube as well. The innkeeper is quite deferential to Stellos and offers wine or mead for his pleasure. Stellos politely declines and comments on how welcoming the Prancing Pony is to its guests. The innkeeper beams and shows him to where you have all gathered in the common room. The room is empty save for all of you, Stellos and his guards. The guards remain by the entrances to the room. He joins you at the table.
"Prince Andru has reviewed the translations of the documents you found," he says patting the tube in front of him. He pulls out the sheaf of papers and places them on the table. After setting the tube down beside him he leafs through the papers and separates them into two piles of about equal size. "This stack are all of Duren's notes from his experimentation. While some is very disturbing, none is of interest to the Prince," he says and slides that stack towards you. "This stack, however, is completely different," he says placing his left hand on top of the documents. "I considered many times how to approach this with you and decided transparency was the best. This stack is a trove of intelligence on the local factions and their interactions with Duren and each other. He has a very active spy ring on Bral." He stops for a moment, "Well, HE HAD a very active spy ring. Now it is unguided. The Prince wants to keep the originals of these documents, rather than returning them to you. Please listen before you believe I have rescinded my word," he adds quickly. "The Prince is willing to compensate you in addition to the reward he has asked me to bring for delivering the envoy from Waterdeep safely and giving him access to this information."
He then pulls a rolled cloth from a large pouch at this side and sets it on the table. The cloth unrolls to reveal several large gems (Diamond 1,000g, Ruby 500g, Ruby 500g, Sapphire 1,000g and Fire Opal 500g) that were held safely inside. "These are yours along with the appreciation of the Prince." He gives greedy dwarven eyes a moment to recover from popping out of their sockets. "Now, what would you like in exchange for these documents?," he asks patting the pile before him.
In conference: to me, notes on a spy ring are useful if we were to stay and be in the spy business or to sell. So keeping them is likely of little benefit to us. Therefore selling them seems the logical course of action. Of course, if Starker or anyone else wants a copy for intellectual purposes, I have no objection.
Starker just wants the experimentation notes. He agrees that the espionage notes are of no interest to us. Suggests either just giving them to the prince gratis, or asking for the prince’s good word with a dealer in magical artifacts, or one item each from our wishlist. Given the prince’s generosity in the matter of the info and the lady, Starker is inclined to say all is square and give him the docs for free.
I like asking for a recommendation of a dealer in magic artifacts. That generates more goodwill (he owes us) or the opportunity to pay. The latter would be a better outcome because a small rock full of mindflayers, especially those with animosity specifically toward us, is not a place I want to frequent.
Hoid beckons Stellos to return and says, “We have considered everything with due care and have a quorum on our decision. The notes on the spy ring are impossible for us to appraise although we judge them more useful to the prince than us. Therefore the prince should have them. Since we cannot determine their value, we will ask for a referral to a reputable dealer in magic and arcane items.”
Stellos returns to the table at Hoid’s alert. He listens and mostly contains his surprise before regaling composure, “Well, that is certainly….generous of you. I can put you into contact with different traders, with a word in your favor from your he palace as well.” He seems to collect his thoughts and asks, “Is there something specific you seek? Different traders sometimes specialize in different areas.”
Chadwick mentions the (uncommon) items he is looking for the following in order of preference; cloak of protection, gauntlets of ogre power, adamantine or Mithral platemail, Javelin of Lightning, winged boots, Efficient Quiver.
Prior to Stellos leaving "Sir, we are hoping Lord Andru can use this intelligence to balance the scales and bring Tyr's justice upon that nefarious group of vile creatures we encountered, they clearly need addressed. Tyr is pleased that we were able to intervene as we did, you can continue his work here."
"We have business on our home world of Faerun." Then bows respectfully.
To the others "Shall we conduct our business and inquire with Capt Mallinora as to return travels?"
Stellos turns to hear Kragen, "Prince Andru constantly strives to find balance here on The Rock of Bral, good priest. Your efforts these past days have helped that greatly." He collects the spy ring documents and returns them to his tube. "Oh, Lady Ventrix has been examined. It seems that she was under control by some kind of charm. She remains unresponsive."
The next two days are busy. Visiting with the traders mentioned by Stellos requires setting up appointments followed by return appointments to actually complete the trades involved. You do find all to be very receptive to your custom when you make contact time is made available promptly. Each of you find success in what you are seeking.
Gohumbee seems to be relieved that you are back in contact again. He is difficult to shake at times as he works hard to take care of your needs. Mallinora makes an appearance at dinner the second night. She had been at the docks early morning and late nights for the past several days. The ship is close to being ready to travel. She has hired on a crew and has a cargo to transport to Toril. All of your animals and gear will have space on the cargo deck so things seems to be working out well. She would like you ready to depart in the next day or two.
The city seems to be carrying on without change following your events. No mind flayers are seen while you move about town. You also are not able to discern anyone following you.
After completing his skull-, brain-, and Cloak-related chores and offering to any of the party to join him, Starker, unable to control his curiousity, goes to where Lady Ventrix is being cared for and offers to detect and identify any magic that is keeping her unresponsive state. After attuning to the Oracular Aqualith, he asks it “What does the face look like of the entity that is responsible for Lady Ventrix being in her current unresponsive state?”
Stellos plans to meet you at the Prancing Pony.
Chadwick will spend the time enjoying the good food and drink, but not to excess.
"Perhaps after concluding our business with Stellos we can ask a about a good place to acquire some magic items for a fair price."
Stellos arrives to the Prancing Pony with two others who appear to be guards. They are wearing breastplate armor, swords, a shield slung across their back and a bow and quiver. They seem to be ready for any kind of battle. Stellos has breastplate armor as well and the same sword at his side. He carries a large scroll tube as well. The innkeeper is quite deferential to Stellos and offers wine or mead for his pleasure. Stellos politely declines and comments on how welcoming the Prancing Pony is to its guests. The innkeeper beams and shows him to where you have all gathered in the common room. The room is empty save for all of you, Stellos and his guards. The guards remain by the entrances to the room. He joins you at the table.
"Prince Andru has reviewed the translations of the documents you found," he says patting the tube in front of him. He pulls out the sheaf of papers and places them on the table. After setting the tube down beside him he leafs through the papers and separates them into two piles of about equal size. "This stack are all of Duren's notes from his experimentation. While some is very disturbing, none is of interest to the Prince," he says and slides that stack towards you. "This stack, however, is completely different," he says placing his left hand on top of the documents. "I considered many times how to approach this with you and decided transparency was the best. This stack is a trove of intelligence on the local factions and their interactions with Duren and each other. He has a very active spy ring on Bral." He stops for a moment, "Well, HE HAD a very active spy ring. Now it is unguided. The Prince wants to keep the originals of these documents, rather than returning them to you. Please listen before you believe I have rescinded my word," he adds quickly. "The Prince is willing to compensate you in addition to the reward he has asked me to bring for delivering the envoy from Waterdeep safely and giving him access to this information."
He then pulls a rolled cloth from a large pouch at this side and sets it on the table. The cloth unrolls to reveal several large gems (Diamond 1,000g, Ruby 500g, Ruby 500g, Sapphire 1,000g and Fire Opal 500g) that were held safely inside. "These are yours along with the appreciation of the Prince." He gives greedy dwarven eyes a moment to recover from popping out of their sockets. "Now, what would you like in exchange for these documents?," he asks patting the pile before him.
Starker:”Perhaps my colleagues and I might be given a moment to confer?”
In conference: to me, notes on a spy ring are useful if we were to stay and be in the spy business or to sell. So keeping them is likely of little benefit to us. Therefore selling them seems the logical course of action. Of course, if Starker or anyone else wants a copy for intellectual purposes, I have no objection.
"Of course," Stellos replies. He stands and goes to join his guards with his back towards you.
Starker just wants the experimentation notes. He agrees that the espionage notes are of no interest to us. Suggests either just giving them to the prince gratis, or asking for the prince’s good word with a dealer in magical artifacts, or one item each from our wishlist. Given the prince’s generosity in the matter of the info and the lady, Starker is inclined to say all is square and give him the docs for free.
I like asking for a recommendation of a dealer in magic artifacts. That generates more goodwill (he owes us) or the opportunity to pay. The latter would be a better outcome because a small rock full of mindflayers, especially those with animosity specifically toward us, is not a place I want to frequent.
Gneuman has no interest in the documents.
"If they "sell" for monitary compensation or favor, so be it."
Hoid beckons Stellos to return and says, “We have considered everything with due care and have a quorum on our decision. The notes on the spy ring are impossible for us to appraise although we judge them more useful to the prince than us. Therefore the prince should have them. Since we cannot determine their value, we will ask for a referral to a reputable dealer in magic and arcane items.”
Stellos returns to the table at Hoid’s alert. He listens and mostly contains his surprise before regaling composure, “Well, that is certainly….generous of you. I can put you into contact with different traders, with a word in your favor from your he palace as well.” He seems to collect his thoughts and asks, “Is there something specific you seek? Different traders sometimes specialize in different areas.”
Hoid will convey the items mentioned so far in the other thread.
Chadwick mentions the (uncommon) items he is looking for the following in order of preference; cloak of protection, gauntlets of ogre power, adamantine or Mithral platemail, Javelin of Lightning, winged boots, Efficient Quiver.
Stellos offers the names of three dealers in town. Uncommon magic items can be purchased for 1,000gp.
Prior to Stellos leaving "Sir, we are hoping Lord Andru can use this intelligence to balance the scales and bring Tyr's justice upon that nefarious group of vile creatures we encountered, they clearly need addressed. Tyr is pleased that we were able to intervene as we did, you can continue his work here."
"We have business on our home world of Faerun." Then bows respectfully.
To the others "Shall we conduct our business and inquire with Capt Mallinora as to return travels?"
Stellos turns to hear Kragen, "Prince Andru constantly strives to find balance here on The Rock of Bral, good priest. Your efforts these past days have helped that greatly." He collects the spy ring documents and returns them to his tube. "Oh, Lady Ventrix has been examined. It seems that she was under control by some kind of charm. She remains unresponsive."
"Hopefully your healers will be able to fix whatever those foul creatures did to her.
Please send my regards to Lady Stormrider, I hope she is recovered from her ordeal."
The next two days are busy. Visiting with the traders mentioned by Stellos requires setting up appointments followed by return appointments to actually complete the trades involved. You do find all to be very receptive to your custom when you make contact time is made available promptly. Each of you find success in what you are seeking.
Gohumbee seems to be relieved that you are back in contact again. He is difficult to shake at times as he works hard to take care of your needs. Mallinora makes an appearance at dinner the second night. She had been at the docks early morning and late nights for the past several days. The ship is close to being ready to travel. She has hired on a crew and has a cargo to transport to Toril. All of your animals and gear will have space on the cargo deck so things seems to be working out well. She would like you ready to depart in the next day or two.
The city seems to be carrying on without change following your events. No mind flayers are seen while you move about town. You also are not able to discern anyone following you.
After completing his skull-, brain-, and Cloak-related chores and offering to any of the party to join him, Starker, unable to control his curiousity, goes to where Lady Ventrix is being cared for and offers to detect and identify any magic that is keeping her unresponsive state. After attuning to the Oracular Aqualith, he asks it “What does the face look like of the entity that is responsible for Lady Ventrix being in her current unresponsive state?”
The fish stops to look at Starker. It then goes back to swimming about the sphere.
(( Divination is a future predicting spell. This question has no future prediction asked for. ))