Rising out of our surprisingly undisturbed camp, I perform a quick wash with a cloth, get dressed in my gear, and spend a few minutes focusing my newfound energies into useful matrixes. Stoking the campfire up a bit more, I help prepare a simple breakfast for everyone from our supplies, enjoying the simple activities of morning. "Almost like camping back home? Except for the possibility of army attacks, lake monsters, magic surprises and things like that." 

Finishing up and cleaning the gear I used, I pack away and help clear up the camp site, then ready for the opening of the supposed trading post. 

OOC - Choosing Caltrops and Summon Monster I for this day's spells. 

As Rachel uses the water from the large body of water she finds that the water is fresh water and not sea water so it must be a very large lake.  She also notices that she can see the bottom gently sloping away from shore as it gets deeper.  The Dock that sticks out goes out to the deeper water and se can see some fish swimming in the lake.  The next thing she or anyone else looking is a man a big man big as a bear with a beard and dark hair standing on the dock looking out to the east across the water of the lake.  He is wearing a simple tunic and breeches of a muted blue color.  He has a wide belt from which hangs a tankard for drinking and a short sword in a scabbard. Across his back is a large sword in a scabbard that looks both very serviceable and ready to be drawn if needed.  If any look towards the trading post they can see the main door that faces the dock is standing open.  Out on the porch sitting in a chair is a female with slightly pointed ears indicating that she is a half elf dressed in a woolen dress of light orange and a sturdy belt around her waist.  Hanging from the belt is a mace that looks to be very well cared for.  Her hair is light brown and weaved into a simple braid that falls to her waist.  She is look at the party members as they wake up as she slowly sips from a steaming tankard that she is holding in her hands. 

To answer a question you can hear the forest alive with the normal sounds of animals and birds.  Over the lake you can see some hunting birds and even some kind of water fowl sitting in the lake or flying around in search of meals.  Seem like a drastic change from the quiet of the forest before.

Looking up from beginning to make breakfast, I'm a bit startled by the sudden appearance of the presumed owners of the trading post. Standing up slowly, I call out  "Hello, there, and a lovely good morning to you both! Can we offer you some breakfast?"

OOC - I'll make something, if they want, otherwise continue below

"We've exploring this area and we're new to it. Are you an inn or a trading post? We'd really like some maps of the countryside, if possible."

I nod in approval at Grant's opening negotiation and turn my attention to Ping, checking up on the area while we're waiting to see how the people in the trading post respond.

  I try not to gape in surprise.   Seeing Grant take the lead i will remain where i am and casually study the newcomers. Caesar stands close beside me and watches them closely.   

The man turns from looking out at the large lake and as he does you see that his shirt bares an emblem of scales and coins.  He addresses Grant.  "This is a trading post only.  I do not sale rooms for a night like a inn or ply you with drinks and women to make more coin.  I trade in goods here and there as many come and go from the great lake.  The lands west of here are claimed by the Lord Merklin.  I have however heard of a new ruler to the sout hand west that is slowly building strength and taking some of the lands once ruler by Merklin.  I have a feeling these two will come to blows soon.  If you do not have a map of the area I can not provide you a detailed map as I have no need of them.  I know to the west a few weeks you will come to Merklins castle which sits on a mountain top or once was a mountain top that he took off and used the rocks to build very strong walls.  To the east of this lake is the kingdom of Srack.  They are mostly dwarven but other races live there as they mostly have fled Merklin and his rules.  In this great forest you will find many elves who still live apart from others.  Now if you have come to trade lets see what you have to trade with for other items."

Nodding at the statements of the trader, I say "It all sounds fine, and I envy your ability to get by in these lands without maps. My name is Grant Bear's Son, and I'll let my companions introduce themselves as they will. We do have some items for trade, although we certainly aren't prepared here with everything we could trade with you. That we can leave until another time, knowing you are available here. As far as the Kingdom of Srack, is there an easy way to make passage? This realm of Merklin sounds a bit militant, from all we've heard of it before, and we don't want to get conscripted or killed for trespassing. We've encountered some uncouth ruffians that we've dealt with, as well as rescued others, that seem to issue from this Lord Merklin."
"Srack sounds like somewhere we'd be interested in visiting, for certain, as broadening one's horizons usually involves a lot of travel!"
I'll bring out some of the gear/loot we've recently acquired, as well as show some of the minor items I've created - The icons, mostly - to see what sparks an interest in the trader's eyes.

Travis, tastes the water as soon as he discovers its fresh fills up a empty wine-skin. Then drinks from it savoring its taste. He, perks up when hearing that Grant has made headway with the owner of the trading post.

"Looks like a delightful couple don't you think,"? He says to the others. But, then he remembers the time that he encountered a sea creature in another body of water. That killed a young Elven teen. He sheds a few tears before high tailing himself out of the water.

  I walk over to join them with Caesar close behind. " Good morning.   I am Rachel and this is my good friend Caesar.   It is nice to meet someone friendly out in the wild.   That hasnt been our usual experience so far. " She gazes back out over the huge expanse of water. " Do you sell any boats by chance or know if anyone you deal with takes on passengers?" 

The man nods to Rachel.  He indicates the half elf on the porch as he walks slowly towards the trading post watching the group as he goes. "This is my wife Keolatha.  She is good with spells both arcane and Divine.  I would say that if you have any wizards or clerics in your midst she can help you with some spells that she has written down over her years.  I know there is a price of 150 gold per spell level if you desire a spell.  I do not know what ones she knows you would have to talk to her about what you wish.  I am Deqata.  I can see you have some items for sale.  I will give you a fair price or a fair trade for what I have.  As for boats I do not have anything other that a rowboat but I know there is a ship that is due her today.  I feel that they will possibly take passengers to the other side of the lake but I doubt it will be cheap.  The journey by boat is two weeks.  Traveling around the lake to there could be over three months.  The choice is yours.  Come on in and take a look at my wares if you wish."

OOC  He will give you 55% the book value of anything you have to sale.

Stepping up, I smile at the pair, "I am known as Jason, we serve as the advance scouting party for Lord Douglas, that new ruler you mention. I don't think we'll be taking any ship rides today, but we would certainly be interested in speaking with the captain and crew when they arrive."

"The stronghold has many things to offer in trade, if we could share details on what we can offer each other, perhaps a regular trading route could be established? We've mostly secured the lands between here and there as it is. In any case, for the immediate moment, we'll certainly take a look at your stock. Information on this area is the main commodity we're after though. Especially concerning our new neighbors. What can you tell us?"

I look up and see the man standing nearby and the half elf on the porch. I also hear Grant speak as well as Rachel and Jason. I stay silent for now but gather the elf teens and ask them if they wish go see what wears the Man as for trade or sale. I wil go in even if the elf teens wish not to; in hopes to gather as much information as I can as to what types of items he has that may be useful to Lord  Douglus as well as our scouting party. I am also keeping in mind the child within me.

Inside the trading post you will see that he has a nice selection of armor, weapons, shields as well as normal items.  Dried goods as well as other food stuffs can be found as are some bolts of cloth and silk.  Lots of cured leather can be purchased as well as some casks of beer ale and smaller casks of wine.  Kegs of oil is to be had too.  As you trade in the goods you got from the hobgoblins you will have coin in which to use for trade.  You can ask the lady Keolatha if there are any spells you may require.

Travis, walks into the trading post and approaches the lady Keolatha. "Excuse, me my name is Travis and I heard that you may have some spells that can be purchased? I, would definitely be interested if they are of a Cleric or Druidic nature," he asks.

  I walk into the trading post quickly. Caesar waits outside somewhat patiently.    The bolts of cloth and especially silk catch my eye.  I murmur, " It has been so long since i have actually seen  decent fabric. " I take 2 bolts of both cloth and silk up to the counter. " What are you charging for these my lady? " 

the nice cloth is 25 gold per bolt and the silk is 40 gold per bolt.  They come in a variety of colors.  The lady answers Travis,  "I have arcane and divine spells written down.  They are 100 gold per spell level."

I study the surroundings of this incongruous trading post, looking for anything unusual in their wares and inventory. Looking for evidence of magical gear, I also check to see any evidence of commerce with other worlds - technology, reading material or the like - that might give me direction out of this universe and back home. "Would you happen to have anything on planar travel or dimensional traversing?"

I look around and the cloth also catches my eye and hearing the cost of the slik,  I decide to get a bolt of it in a emerald green and get a bolt of the other cloth in a light yellow.  I also make a mental note of the other colors she has in her wears as well as the others items that may be useful for trade for the stronghold. 

  I grin at this. " It is great to find some touch of civilization here.  " She shops some more before purchasing a bolt of silk in forest green and one in black. I walk outside with it.  " Watch this please Caesar.  " I lean it up  against a post out front and walk back in to look around some more. Caesar eyes me and then takes up a post right beside the bolts.  

While others shop for personal stuff, I make a point of noting what kind of trade goods are here in bulk, and asking about anything they might have on a regular basis that is not currently in stock.

At some point, I'll pull out the maps we have been taking of the region. I ask them about landmarks, significant features, an important locations we have yet to discover. I also ask, "Do you know of any bogs, marshes, or similar terrain in the area? We have reason to seek such out."