Above & Below

Effort is lucky: 14

(Effort can talk nicely when she needs to, but I want to give other people a chance to act with the NPCs too.  Besides.  She's not polite, she can just pretend to be when required to.  LOL)

"You might say, we are... special.  Visitors to this place, and they have taken an interest in us as foreigners.  Not in the sense that they seem to take an interest in the usual population of this world.  I find the Sisters we have met so far to be reasonable women.  Harsh and unyielding, but fair and unbiased in their judgements."  She smiles slightly at the merchant, not particularly trying to be intimidating or boastful, but letting the words sink in.  "The Sisters seem to value fairness and balance in all things.  As do we.  It is a common ground we share.  One which I hope we also share with you, Master Zardeir."

"Hm, as foreigners, you seem to have settled into your opinions on the Sisters fairly quickly." He frowns. "Their balance accounts for nothing of life. Hardships and unusual circumstances. They care not. Live by their rules or suffer the consequences." 

He takes a look at the dagger, assuming you've revealed it. He turns it over in his hands and runs a finger down the blade. Then he holds it out in front of himself, taking it in. "An interesting piece. I've not seen this symbology before. I'm not sure how magical it is...either way, be quick with your shopping, if you plan to do any. The caravan will not like it if you bring the Sisters to us. Best make haste and head further inland."

Brask is just chilling with the big creature, keeping a watchful eye on the rest of the party in case they get into trouble.

Quote from Billtacular >>

"Hm, as foreigners, you seem to have settled into your opinions on the Sisters fairly quickly." He frowns. "Their balance accounts for nothing of life. Hardships and unusual circumstances. They care not. Live by their rules or suffer the consequences." 

He takes a look at the dagger, assuming you've revealed it. He turns it over in his hands and runs a finger down the blade. Then he holds it out in front of himself, taking it in. "An interesting piece. I've not seen this symbology before. I'm not sure how magical it is...either way, be quick with your shopping, if you plan to do any. The caravan will not like it if you bring the Sisters to us. Best make haste and head further inland."

"We are just following the only lead given to us at the moment."  Kurama offered in a conciliatory tone.  "And at the moment that has lead us to them.  We are not looking to cause any undue trouble onto you or your fellow merchants.  We'll certainly be quick about our business here and on our way a soon as we reasonably can."   he added before beginning to peruse the items in merchant's store.  (what kind of items does he have?)

There are common potions of most varieties here. He has quite a few common healing potions for 50gp each, and one greater healing potion for 200gp. There are also potions of resistance for each type of damage, available for 100gp each.

Effort, you find a detect magic scroll that he offers to trade you for the dagger.

"This scroll," Effort says, selecting it.  "I believe this one to be a fair trade," she says, offering it for the dagger.  As the exchange is being made, she presses her fingers to her lips with a soft murmur.  "It is a good deal.  And I would like to buy a common healing potion as well, but I wonder, as I am currently a lucrative customer for you, if we could not reach a more equitable agreement?  Perhaps a discount for a repeat customer?" she asks.

Persuasion: 18 (15 +3 guidance)

"Hm," he looks over at all of his potions, then shrugs. "Okay, I can sell you one of those for 25 gold pieces. After that, regular price!"

"I will also take one of the healing potions as well.  It would be good to have a spare."  Kurama added.  (subtracted 50gp from Kurama's sheet!)

"That is a more than fair deal," Effort says, sealing the exchange and trading her coins for the potion.  She eyes Kurama, then turns back to Zardeir.  "You said there were rumors of a Sister being close to here, yes?  In which direction did those rumors originate from?  If it is as you say, then perhaps it would be better for us to intercept her, and if that is the case, knowing in which direction to travel would be very helpful."

When Kurama is finished with his dealings with the merchant, Effort takes her leave, thanking Zardeir, and then guiding Kurama back to Brask and Pip's side.

"Listen," she tells them lowly, her tail lashing nervously.  "If what the merchant said is true, then another Sister is near, and perhaps being drawn to us.  Obviously the humans of this caravan have no desire to meet her.  I do not think we should travel with this caravan for overly long, in that case." 

She squints at Kurama.  "And there is another thing.  Three sisters.  Three challenges.  Brask has already overcome his, and I have not yet felt any adverse effects.  Perhaps this Sister is your challenge, Kurama.  And your books are your burden to give up.  Will you not reconsider giving them to one of us to hold, at the least?  Your soul is pure, but you must match that with your will as well.  Such purity without strength will only be trampled upon and destroyed in a place like this.  Whether by bandits with their cleaving weapons, or by those headaches, wearing you down bit by bit."  This time Effort doesn't ply her skills to try to convince the monk to give up his books, rather presenting her understanding of the facts plainly. 

To Pip, she says, "I have been thinking.  Do you wish to hold the Eye of the Basilisk for us?  The Sister said it might be used as a weapon; you can turn it on a foe and it will have a petrifying effect.  I rely on my own innate powers to defend myself.  I feel that you could use this far better than I, or Brask, or Kurama might.  But it is your choice, little one."

Brask nods encouragingly to Pip, not to push him to take the Eye, but to emphasise that it's his own choice.  He then resumes suspicious eyeing of Kurama and his books, or wherever he thinks the books might be, as though they are snakes about to strike.

"I am not sure what kind of death wish you have," he raises an eyebrow, "but she typically travels more inland. Avoids the coast, or at least we think she does. If you start heading in the direction we were moving earlier today, you'll have more luck. But...it really doesn't matter, because if she wants you to find her, you will. If she does not, you will not."

Outside the tent, Pip carefully accepts the eye. He looks a bit nervous at first, but tucks it into a pouch confidently. "I will carry it, and use it when needed...I only hope it is as useful as we think it will be..." 

Quote from Billtacular >>

"I am not sure what kind of death wish you have," he raises an eyebrow, "but she typically travels more inland. Avoids the coast, or at least we think she does. If you start heading in the direction we were moving earlier today, you'll have more luck. But...it really doesn't matter, because if she wants you to find her, you will. If she does not, you will not."

"Thank you for the items and knowledge Zardeir.  We will be sure to use both wisely." he replied to the man before giving him a polite nod and following Effort out of the tent and back Brask and Pip.

Quote from Enkida >>

"Listen," she tells them lowly, her tail lashing nervously.  "If what the merchant said is true, then another Sister is near, and perhaps being drawn to us.  Obviously the humans of this caravan have no desire to meet her.  I do not think we should travel with this caravan for overly long, in that case." 

"I am in agreement."  Kurama replied.  "Though perhaps it might best to part with them in the morning?" he added.  "Who knows what's out here on the plains or how long we'll be on our own once we separate from the caravan."  

Quote from Enkida >>

She squints at Kurama.  "And there is another thing.  Three sisters.  Three challenges.  Brask has already overcome his, and I have not yet felt any adverse effects.  Perhaps this Sister is your challenge, Kurama.  And your books are your burden to give up.  Will you not reconsider giving them to one of us to hold, at the least?  Your soul is pure, but you must match that with your will as well.  Such purity without strength will only be trampled upon and destroyed in a place like this.  Whether by bandits with their cleaving weapons, or by those headaches, wearing you down bit by bit."  This time Effort doesn't ply her skills to try to convince the monk to give up his books, rather presenting her understanding of the facts plainly. 

"I had similar thoughts on the matter if I'm being honest."  Kurama began thoughtfully, "Though I may have been simply trying to find an explanation for something that is currently beyond my grasp.  I do not know why these books would be considered my burden, nor do I think my soul is as 'pure' as you described it (the force or entity inside of me is proof enough of that), but I do understand where you all might be coming from..." he continued as he began rummaging through his pack.  "Though I believe the situation is handled for the time being as long as I do not use the books, if it will put you at ease for the time being, I am... willing, to hand them over to you for a time; though I will not agree or allow their destruction." he finished as he fished out his stacks of journals and held them out tentatively in front of him.

Effort nods and opens her bag of holding, allowing Kurama to deposit the books there himself.  "Thank you, Kurama.  Perhaps I am mistaken and being overly paranoid.  Still, I believe this to be a step in the proper direction.  Let us spend the night amongst the caravan for safety, and then break away at dawn.  I think we should still keep a watch regardless of where we are," she adds.

As it seems to get darker, the caravan keeps moving. You notice some shift changes between guards of both the caravan and individual tents. Activity slows down, but the animals and people keep marching along. 

Anything else you wanted to look for to buy/barter? If not, someone roll me a d20.

Brask is penniless and not torturing himself by looking at things he can't afford.

Effort is similarly near penniless after her trades and is simply looking for a safe place to spend the night!  3 if you need it.

As the caravan moves throughout the night, you have two options: walk along with it and gain a short rest, or pay 1gp each to gain a long rest by staying in one of the traveling inns, which are basically just rows of beds attached to the backs of donkeys and horses.

Also quite poor and his mind still on the conundrum concerning his books, Kurama was ready to call it a night.

Effort, counting her coins, realizes she doesn‘t have enough left to buy the expensive ink required to transcribe her new scroll. So, packing it safely away, she uses her remaining coin to secure beds for herself, as well as the now-destitute Brask and Pip.

(Kurama will offer to pay for either Brask's or Pip's bed for the night.  (So -2gp for both Kurama and effort))