While the boys are out haggling for rides, Ylis pokes around looking for a shop that might sell some ribbon. Bouncing up to look into a window she spies what might be a promising shop.

The sharp ding-ding of the bell over the door alerts a young goblin lady dressed in a cute blue shift that matches her eyes. She smiles at Ylis in spite of the bunny girl's rough appearance. Being quite helpful the girl shows Ylis a rack with a full rainbow of ribbon colors, widths, and styles. Trying to be frugal, the bunny girl initially picks the thinnest and most simple type of ribbon on the rack but is drawn to a blue/green spool with ruched edges. It might cost more, but it was cute. She then picked out a spool that looked like it was laced with real gold trim for Joy.

Joy straightens a little at Vazo’yn’s commanding words, her hazel eyes shining with admiration for his presence. She lets him take the lead, content to let his booming declaration settle into the air. When he leans closer to Tulk, drawing the bugbear in with that golden-eyed intensity, Joy smiles softly and folds her hands at her waist.

When Vazo’yn finishes, she tilts her head and lets her voice slip in like sunlight after thunder. “It's true,” she says warmly, her braid swaying as she steps closer. “We follow a path greater than ourselves. And those who lend even a small kindness to such a cause are never forgotten.” Her tone is gentler than Vazo’yn’s but no less earnest.

She lifts a hand to touch the emblem of Lathander gleaming at her chestplate, the light catching it as though to emphasize her point. “The Morninglord especially blesses those who aid the weary, guide the lost, and show generosity. I believe He smiles on all who help us walk this destined road. Should you choose to do so, Tulk, you would not only be part of the tale Vazo’yn speaks of…but part of the dawn we strive to bring.”

help with Vaz's persuasion

DM: I read at a book cafe every weekend and there is a sweet old man who comes to sit with me and talks non-stop. He was inspiration for this bugbear and I can do nothing more than grunt in acknowledgement or exclaim in excitement over something he said because he just moves right along whether I say something or don't. Very sweet guy and his topics are actually mildly interesting (often a tad conspiratorial for my taste though), but I am a powerful introvert and run out of gas after 10 minutes. He always will go for at least an hour and will go for an hour more if I engage him too much. Your response made me chuckle because I would love to use Thaumaturgy in this very way.

IC: Tulk is stopped mid-sentence and his mouth hangs open in shock. A hobgoblin stable hand grumbles and hands a bag of coin to a smugly grinning orc. The bugbear collects himself, taking in both Vazo'yn's story and sense of urgency. He nods politely. "Well, that sure sounds exciting." He says no more quickly than he had before, but at the very least, far less tangential.

“This is an auspicious occasion then, where I am in the company of tested heroes and am in a position to help them on their divine quest.” He says, looking to each of the Fellowship and giving a nod of respect. “Doubly so, as there too, is a group of heroes of tomorrow before me.” nodding to Ayo and her crew. “It is not often that I have the opportunity to help now and future heroes at the same time. Why it was just the other day that I thought to myself…”

The stable hands are preparing to engaging in a second round of betting when a rare moment of self-awareness strikes the gentle Tulk, and he pauses, causing the stable hands to pause their negotiation of the bet. “A story for another time, perhaps. You are looking to be horsed. You have come to the right place. With your heroic discount, we can get you on the back of our finest steeds for 72 gold, 2 silver, and 5 copper each, saddle included.” He smiles at Vazo’yn and Joy. “For the five of you, that is 361 gold, 2 silver, 5 copper. How does that strike you?” Ayo sighs, which Tulk notes. "Sorry, young lady, but the Elders only ordered businesses give the discount to the champions and 15% is quite a bite out of the value of my labor." He turns back to Vazo'yn and Joy. "Now, back to you. Does this deal suit you?"

Merek looks around the marketplace. The fishing port was hardly the least charming place he had seen in his travels. "What would bring a wonder like a Vestige to a small place like this..."  he thinks to himself. He finds a nearby table and sits down. Producing a deck of cards from his bag he begins shuffling them expertly, placing the top one down on the table, and pondering it for a time before producing another, then another. He mutters under his breath as he does so, seeming more than a little peculiar.

Cast: Augury (Ritual) - Specifically regarding trusting Irvan.

DM: Augury gives you insight into the next 30 minutes, in-game. On the topic of trusting Irvan, a series of cards find their way to the top of your deck and you flip them, arranging them in ritualistic ways that would form a message, knowable only to you. For the next 30 minutes at least, it seems that the cards are indifferent to Irvan. 

DM 2: I misread! 

The action must be taken in the next 30 minutes, while the outcome of that action can be much further into the future, up to infinite. Allow me to ponder this some. 

DM Final: On the matter of trusting Irvan for the next 30 minutes, the cards are indifferent. This informs Merek, with certainty, that there will never be any good or bad as a consequence of trusting Irvan for the next half an hour.

Like the stabelhands, Vazo'yn silently braces himself for a renewed ambling storytelling moment from Tulk, but is relieved to hear that the stablemaster manages to stay focused on the task at hand. His relief is short-lived, however, when Tulk finally announces the prices. Vazo'yn had thought the moorbounders out of reach; Tulk's fine steeds seemed also beyond their means. Destiny is not a generous employer.

Vazo'yn frowns and shakes his head.

"I'm sorry, good man Tulk. We don't yet have that sort of coin."

He pauses for a moment, as if that might be the end of their transcation, but then he looks up to Tulk with hope in his eyes.

"Perhaps you have some steeds that you have struggled to sell that we could take for a cheaper price? Or have you considered leasing your horses out? And we will return them?"

OOC: To the others, feel free to correct me, but I think that is far too rich for our blood, currently?

Tulk considers the Fellowship’s financial predicament with a slow rub of his chin. “How much gold do you have? That will give me something to work with.”

DM: I took a look at how much gold you have collectively and I guess your shopping spree cut into your funds deep, because current state, you are not getting a horse for every person. Did you all spend your share of the 100gp already? I was guessing you all should have enough for a horse and wagon. 

OOC: I'm fair certain that all together we have just over 100 gp -ish