Pizazz's Ravenloft and Beyond

The group completes the exchanges with Salrius.  They also found time to go purchase winter clothing (same price as in PH), readily available in Sigil.  During that time, Mordekai also tells a very uplifting speech and everyone feels suitably inspired....though there's still a mild concern in Meepo's eyes that just won't quit. 

Salrius does inquiry, "So, should I setup a meeting with this guy, or let suspicious sources linger, as it were?"  

 (aka, head to the dragons' place and out looking for these mountains, or go look for this suspicious item exchange?)

(Meepo is for the item exchange, as he would like to see what is up with that, and if it is a trap or not. He can be easily talked into waiting on that until they return to the city again though.)

((Ketch don’t care…  Someone who does needs decide! lol))

Everyone stands around quietly. There is some shuffling. Meepo voices his preference. 

Salrius takes as deep breath, "Alright, I shall setup the meeting. Please remember that if there is a trade, my fee is 500 gold for setting things up. I presume you're alright with that. I'll be in contact with you shortly via a Sending spell." 

The group heads back out into the market and does a little light shopping. You find some mountaineering equipment including spiked things you strap on your boots and some ice picks that look like they'd be handy and grab a few....just in case the climb gets serious, as well as some special belts that go around your legs as well for working with being roped in. (nominal price not worth managing given your extensive coin). 

Meepo then receives a mental message in his mind, which he innately knows is from Salrius. "The meeting is arranged. He is ready and eager. For this meeting, I have recommended a private room at Chirpers. It is relatively secure. Now."

Etain nods, "Ahhh, Chirper's...that's a fun place to spend money! I can take you."

Chirpers turns out to be a sprawling complex. Larger armored warriors watch the entrance like statues while affluent and common people wander in and out through the open yawning doorway. Just inside the foyer above the oaken front doors hangs an immense brass eagle that glares down at you. A handsome bariaur doorman in a velvet weskin greets various folk by name, and nods to Etain, "Good day, nice to see you Etain. And a pleasure to meet your guests. To your left is the check room. You may check your coats, cloaks, hats and weapons. The rose-room is to your right if you wish to freshen-up."  

Etain adds, "Weapon checks are polite but not necessary." 

The bariaur nods, "Quite."

Beyond the foyer, amber lamps hanging from the ceiling bathe the chestnut-paneled dining room in soft light. Fireplaces flicker in the corners, oval mirrors dot the walls. Customers it at round oaken tables covered with linen tablecloths, each embroidered with a different species of songbird. There's also an oblong bar, made of chestnut with brass inlays. Centered in the dining room are three 20-foot-diameter spheres made of transparent crystal. Each sphere contains a rare creature along with what appears to be it's native habitat. You see a cat that resembles a cheetah made of black granite, the sphers is filled with jagged rocks and pools of mud. There is a butterfly bat combination made from solid iron. Molten laval lines the bottom of its sphere. An eyeball with wings hovers silently in the 3rd otherwise empty sphere. 

A row of specialty shops line the left wall of the dining area. You see a barbershop, candle store, a portrait store where a demon is having his portrait painted, and a florist with all manner of exotic plants, to name a few. There is also a large hallway in the back with a sign that reads "Skull Museum", another hallway that leads away that has a sign reading, "Dancing Plaza", and a 3rd that says "Seawind Theater". A wide stairway with red carpet leads upstairs to "Guest Rooms".  

The place is packed with hundreds of people and dozens of servers move through the room. There are various desks to go to, to either book a room, get a table, or order a variety of other services.

Etain leads you over to a door that has a brass plaque that reads, "Private". Two armored warriors stand outside the room. One nods to Etain and pulls the door open to admit you to a roomy private dining room. Inside Salrius is waiting. It seems you have a few minutes before the other party arrives, to order food, drinks, explore shops, or otherwise prepare for the trade situation.

Meepo nods to the merchant and then climbs up on a chair at the table. He holds the ice staff in his hand as he looks around the chamber. "Meepo want know why meet here." Meepo asks the merchant. "Place have protections set up, or is just good place meet?"

Ulthan follows along still seemingly lost in the city, but appears to be glad at going into the trap. That's why he quickly checks out the surrounding area just to get an idea of escape routes. Otherwise he'll continue being the quiet one of the group seemingly paying attention more to the cat than anyone else.

Salrius shakes his head to Meepo, "Um, no particular defenses here. But...it's a very popular establishment and the Mercykillers will aggressively pursue any violent offender. Someone would be hard pressed to operate in Sigil without harassment if they started an incident in this establishment. They also serve an excellent pepper nut casserole and broiled Slaad legs." 

Since it was just a conversation for now, Lionel ordered a light drink (the breakfast was too good and too recent to eat yet) and kept the talk flowing with polite touristic questions. "Mercykillers? Vaguely remember something about them... A mere faction in the city? Somehow allowed to execute justice (as they saw it) publicly as if they were some official guards, am I right? How come they have so much freedom? Just recently we saw someone ... stopped at the first sign of violence."

"Meepo want try pepper nut casserole and broiled Slaad legs..." Meepo speaks up with a frown at the merchant. "Can meepo order food?"

     Ketch stares after the barbershop for a moment, considering...  A close shave and a hot towel, now that would be bliss.  But no, no.  We are on mission...

     "So the odds that the one who wants to make a swap is an unfolded dragon is what...? Ketch asks, as they enter the empty room.  Of course it is empty, only Lord Vader would be bold enough to await the prey falling into a trap calmly, cooly and eating dinner...

     "Still, while we're here..." Ketch says, then does a little praying, a little cryptic movements, and casts Zone of Truth as he awaits his host...

An order is put in and eventually a large metallic platter is brought forward with two large slaad legs on it. They're each slides in half, butterflied open, with some sort of citrus fruit cut and grilled in slices all over it, along with some roasted pototo, all smothered in herbs and butter.  The roasting has left the meat crispy on the outside, but tender on the inside. Before the casserole can appear though a figure comes limping into the room. The door is closed behind him. You immediately get the same sense as Salrius...distrust.  The figure has bare feet, with green flesh and webbed toes, that appears just below its ragged canvas robe tied together with several pieces of rope. Green skinned hands stick out from the baggy sleeves though its face is covered by a burlap sack with two eyes cut through it. White and yellow eyes glimmer from within.  It limps awkwardly over to a chair and sits down. The creature is about six feet tall, but thin....though most of its body is covered in the strange tied on robe.  

It makes a sweeping motion with one hand and a raspy voice says, "Show me the frost staff..." 

Salrius clears his throat, "So, here's how this will go." He reaches into a backpack and pulls out a familiar looking glass bowl with an octopus in it.  "You will place each item on either side of this glass bowl, five feet away.  I will verify that each item is magical, and that it is not enchanted with any magics to summon it away after the trade, or to conceal it's nature in any way. My pet will touch each one as part of this process. Once done, i will use mage hand to exchange the position of each item one at a time. At which time you can each then examine the items. Understand and agree?"

The strange creature nods and then coughs a phlegmy cough. 

The smell of the tangy roasted Slaad legs fill the room.

(Ugh. Just lost a post accidentally reloading the editor on my phone!)

Before the stranger arrives, Mordekai casts Disguise Self to look like one of the armoured warriors he's seen around (that he assumes are the Mercykillers?) and stands silently and motionless against the wall just inside the door. But he'll also point towards Meepo for a moment and whisper (casting Message) "We're with you, Brave Dragon." And Meepo received Mordekai's bardic inspiration (a d6 to be used in the next 10 minutes on one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw).

Meepo frowns, he had been hoping to have time to eat the food, and had just been ready to lay the ice staff on the ground, so he could dig in with both hands. His tummy grumbling over the delay, he grips the staff and holds it up for the stranger to see. "Meepo have staff..." He says out loud. Lifting it he lays it on the table just in front of him, not near the merchant's doodad. "Meepo ready if you have your magic wand." He will wait to see what the other brings forth, and will not place his staff where the merchant's pet can check it until he has seen what the other has brought.

The strange man sees the ice staff and shuffles a bit, standing and pulling something from beneath his rags. He pulls out what appears to look like a short creatures spine and skull. The spine has a slight curve to it and is just under two feet long with the skull the size of a dogs perhaps on top, though it’s very humanoid looking. The bones are all fused making a solid object.  He hops back and forth on his feet nervously and then places the large wand:…or short staff…on the table. The bones clunk heavily on the polished wood. 

Meepo narrows his eyes at the bone-staff, as it is likely large enough not to be really a wand for him. He sighs and lays his staff on the table, moving it close enough the merchant's pet can touch it. He hopes the others are paying attention to the stranger, while he watches the merchant's pet for its response to the two magical items.

(Did Salrius and the burlap cloaked trader make their Zome of Truth saves? Cha vs DC 18 - knowing if one or both saved or not will determine what Ketch does/says…)

Salrius Charisma save vs DC 18 : 20

Burlap Dude save vs DC 18 : 13

Ketch knows that both are currently 'under his spell' and forced to speak only the truth. Salrius glances at Ketch, uncomfortably, when his spell first takes hold. "It's nice to ask first," is all he says. 

The new guy, entering the field, looks about, and grunts unhappily, but with the sack over his head he's otherwise difficult to read.

Can everyone else save please?  Let's see who's not allowed to lie!

(Do they get Lionel's +3 too? As "friendly creatures"?)

Lionel's save: 24

Charisma saving throw, you say? 14 - plus another 3 if benefiting from Lionel's aura. 

Quote from NathanPizazz >>

"It's nice to ask first," is all he says. 

      "Sorry," Ketch says.  "I'm still learning the strange customs of Sigil..."

     "Right, though... The octopus is a smart precaution but I believe one can never be too cautious.  If we're going to make a deal, each party is going to speak out exactly what they are trading, all known magics, enchantments, curses and other properties on, around or connected to it as well as any strings, conditions, debts, liens, garnishments or other known binds that come along with possessing the item they are looking to trade.  I would also like each involved in the trade to say 'I have no other agenda here other than this trade,' so that we can all be comfortable and secure in the honestness of this transaction..."

     Ketch looks around and ((I presume)) sees nobody is entirely thrilled with all that.  "Or," he adds, "we can just not have a trade at all.  I do know how onerous wording can be..."