Abishai's Dragons of Icespire Peak

Not surprised by the cowardice on display, Zephyros simply collects the gold reward from the curtilage of the home and scoffs at the Townmaster's response. 

"Come on guys, this coward won't do anything to protect his town. It's up to us. Let's go find a tinkerer or blacksmith."

Investigation: 9 to find someone able to build the SMADEK.

[[OOC: I've added the 250gp to the party inventory.]]

Zephyros,

You walk around town for about an hour before finding a blacksmith named Alger Frakk who agrees to make the parts needed for the SMADEK, but says he lacks the technical expertise to put it together. He asks for a down payment of 200gp to get started, with another 200gp when the job is done.

Alger is a large human man with bulging muscles and calloused hands. His bald head and skin is sweat-stained from working in front of his forge. Even with the cold weather outside, the smithy is hot inside as the forge blazes. A younger man works in the back of the smithy fletching arrows as you discuss your business. 

"What would it take to put the things together?" 'Sandor' asks. "Or do you think you could recommend someone?" He takes a moment, examining the SMADEK drawing and then looks at Alger. "You seem to be asking quite a bit for this as well." He doesn't mention the fact that they probably don't even have that kind of money at the moment. "You do know that this thing is to defend Phandalin from the dragon?"  (Persuasion: 22) 

(OOC - Is it possible to try to calculate just based on material what the parts would cost? Trying to put a base price on this since the smith would have to at least cover that much.  I'll make this an Investigation check, but can change it if something else seems appropriate: 12)

At the Mining Exchange

Meira,

Algar looks at you with furrowed brows as you speak up. He crosses his arms and says, "Well yeah, that's alot of parts to cast. Lots of hard work to make something this intricate. But i guess i could give a discount on my labor. Doin my part for the defense of Phandalin and all that. Talk with Tumblewick Rollins. He lives on the north side of town and is pretty handy. He might be able to put something like this together." He looks up and thinks for a moment before looking at you again. "Okay, 100gp up front and 200gp when I've finished. Best I can do."

Rasziel,

'Sandor' nods. "We couldn't expect you to pay for materials yourself and do all the work. Of course, you must make something. Thank you for your offer."  She glances at Zephyros and Gareth. "We will have to discuss such an arrangement first. Figure out all the funding and that sort of thing. Hopefully we will be back after we talk to Tumblewick Rollins to see about his part."  

At the Mining Exchange

Gareth nods at Sandor. "He asks a steep price, especially for something that could save his town and his people, but at the same time, I guess a man has to pay for his bread somehow," says the ranger. "Not everyone can make a living hunting down dangerous monsters and selling their parts as trophies." He grins. 

The ranger turns toward Zephyros as well. "All right, time to track down this Tumblewick Rollins fellow?" If both Sandor and Zephyros agree, Gareth will start heading toward the north side of town.

Zephyros nods in approval as the young boy, Sandor negotiates for a better price. 'Something Meira would do', the veteran thinks. (Insight: 16)

"We don't have time to debate every decision." The bearded man states flatly. Pulling his share of the Axeholm payment from a sack, he adds his own gold to equal 100gp and hands it over to Algar. "Please get started right away. The towns future may very well depend on it."

With that behind them, the warrior agrees with Gareth, "Yes, let's go find Tumblewick now."

(Not positive on the right roll, but I think for Meira against Zephyros' but I think Deception: 7) 

'Sandor' does seem to suddenly act much more like Meira once trying to negotiate a lower price. Eerily similar. The concern for seeing Algar get paid for his work too sounds very much like something Meira would say. 

[[OOC: I presume you made the blacksmith a copy of the schematic as mentioned previously to the Townmaster.]]

Algar, the blacksmith, gladly takes Zephyros' money and calls for his apprentice to fetch several wheelbarrel loads of sand to get started on making the cores. "Give me a few days, and I should have this done." He says before you go.

Tumblewick Rollins' home sits on the north side of town, just far enough from the main road that the locals feel safe. You come upon a house that reminds you of Gnomengarde. The house looks like it's been built in layers. A copper chimney curls upwards like a corkscrew, puffing out steam that smells faintly of lavender and hot metal. Strange whirligigs spin on the roof and yard. A sign overhangs the main door's curtailage that says "Tumblewick Rollins, Tinkerer Extraordinaire!"

The yard is a treasure trove of half-finished inventions and scrap materials. Towards the back of the yard is a fenced-off area labeled "Testing Zone" on a wooden sign. Beyond the fence are scorch marks and small craters.

Knocking on the door, you hear a voice respond from inside, "Yes, come in."

Zephyros,

Rasziel,

Zephyros glares at "Sandor" but says nothing until the walk to Tumblewicks, "Great job negotiating for a better price, Meira." He says it nonchalant while not breaking stride.

At Tumblewicks home, Zephyros knocks on the door. When Tumblewick calls out, the veteran opens the door and walks in. "Hello, Mr. Rollins. I'm Zephyros and these are my friends, Gareth and... Sandor." He smiles as he says the name. "We're here to ask you for your services. I have this schematic. Algar is creating the parts required. Can you put it together?" Ironheart holds the schematic out to Tumblewick to study.

'Sandor' does not miss the use of the name 'Meira' and the slight pause when he's introduced to Tumblewick. But nothing is said as he waits for the man's response. 

Gareth hears Zephyros use Meira's name, and he turns to give 'Sandor' an inquisitive look, one eyebrow raised. There's a bemused smile on the ranger's face as he turns back to watch the interaction between the warrior and Tumblewick Rollins. 

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Rollins," Gareth says politely, extending a hand.

As you open the door to Tumblewick's home, you see that every wall is lined with shelves of gears, springs, crystals, and tools. A large workbench dominated the center, covered in blueprints, magnifying lenses, and half-assembled metal contraptions. A small gnome stands on a tall stool at the workbench. He looks at your group as you enter.

"Oh! Visitors! Welcome, welcome! If something hisses at you, don't worry about it. If it clicks, worry a little." He jumps down from the stool and comes to greet you by the door. "Please come in. Have a seat." You look around, but don't see anywhere to sit except for the single stool at the workbench. Tumblewick shakes Gareth's hand, smiles at Sandor, and listens intently to Zephyros.

"Hmm... Algar huh. A fine fellow, a fine fellow indeed. Let's have a look see." He takes the schematic from Zephyros' hand and dashes back over to the table that is twice his height. He jumps back onto the stool with the grace of a cat and grabs a magnifying lens as he begins inspecting the SMADEK schematic. "Yes, yes. I can make it. Quite a simple design, really." He looks around the room for a moment before adding, "I should go talk to Algar to oversee his work. Don't want him making parts I already have! This is going to be fun!"

He jumps back down from his stool and leaves you alone in his home... that is, unless you stop him. 

Rasziel,

You make your way back to Stonehill Inn. Several patrons are sitting throughout the common room, enjoying breakfast. Toblen and Trilina are working together to serve the customers. This appears to be their morning breakfast rush. A young boy is bussing tables and greets you, "Hello! I'll have a spot for you cleaned up in a jif."

'Sandor' laughs deeply after Tumblewick leaves. "He seems to be more enthusiastic than Algar! I guess we figure out payments later? I presume Algar has had to deal with him before, so I'm sure he'll be fine."  He starts to head toward the door. "Guess it's back to the inn then off to the lighthouse?" 

"Thank you, I will just await my companions, I assume they are not back yet?" Rasziel says, looking around the tap room, his gear ready for a trip to the coast. 

Zephyros drops to a knee as the gnome, Tumblewick asks for us to take a seat. "Yes, well, uhh..." He stops as Tumblewick bounds out the door. "Well that was quite something." Zephyros says to no one in particular. Turning to Meira and Gareth, he says, " Let's meet up with the others and head out." Agreeing with Meira's assessment.

The group regathers back at Stonehill Inn after a few hours. It has stopped snowing but several inches still cover the ground as you leave town, heading west. You travel for several hours with a cold, biting wind at your back. The further west you travel, the more the snow dissipates until all has melted. Eventually, you arrive at a crossroads. You would recognize this as The High Road. The main thoroughfare heading North and South along the coastline. The sun is beginning to set, and you're all tired after an eight hour march.

[[OOC: What do you do? You can continue push on heading West to the Lighthouse, you can divert North to the Dragon Barrow where a fabled Dragon Slayer sword is rumored to be located, or you can set up camp and wait for the morning.]]