Pizazz's Ravenloft and Beyond

The group vacated the dragons lair. Not feeling comfortable and knowing it could return at any time. They safely reach the portal back to Sigil. 

Just down the alley and out on the street Etain is waiting. He's never gone through a portal with you, and sometimes isn't around when you get back. So far he's always found you again back at the Inn.  Lionel asks his question about the dragon. Etain's face becomes serious, "I've no idea. Just...gods, dragons, demons....they come ta Sigil fer a fight...and..lets just say the Lady ain't the forgivin type. You ever see tha dragon again and you can tell me ya told me so." 

The walk back to the Inn doesn't take that long, not so long that it's worth teleporting, besides the fact that Lionel is still figuring out the helm. That said you get back to the Inn and find yourself paying for one of the private dining rooms in the back. Still tight and cramped, but elegantly laid out, and most importantly it comes with a closed door and privacy where you can all talk for what at this point, is a couple coins. 

The group spends a bunch of time counting....pulling out boxes and laying out coins. Having been asked not to be disturbed the group counts up the full amount of their treasure. Sitting around, you each spare rumors of magical items you've heard of that you might now be able to try to purchase. Magical armor, magical weapons, bags of holding and mystical books are all tossed around. At some point you put away the treasure and order some food and invite Etain in from the street to enjoy a meal.  In this elegant room he seems a bit out of place, a street rat, but he acts like he owns the place nonetheless.  As you discuss shopping and some lets 'magic item' slip Etain perks up. 

"Soooo, I can put two and two together. You head into a portal. A dragon chases ya all back 'ere....then the Lady takes care o' the dragon and you head back to the portal...and now yer all talkin bout buying magic stuff."  He winks, "Don't worry, yer secret is safe with me. But...you know...a personal bonus for a job well done is ALWAYS appreciated for the good and loyal Etain."  He grins widely and shoves some type of white roasted meat into his mouth. 

"So...buyin magic is a dangerous biz. Lots of money, powerful brokers, the chance fer a backstab and thousands of coins at stake." He raises his finger with a symbol and significant "but" motion, "BUT!" he adds unnecessarily, "You have Etain and Etain knows all. So, I know where the best armor smiths are, the weapon smiths, and the market ward...I can steer you clear of the folk who'll rip you off and to the...at least....I won't say trustworthy, but...more professional of the bunch.  No guarantees of course. Buyer beware all that. Etain is not a fool. But....Etain does know a good man. A broker of sorts. He acts as the middle man between buyers and sellers. You maybe should meet him. His name is Salrius. He is in the market section, the jeweler district. He might be able to help you. If he doesn't have things right away, he'll keep an eye out fer ya and let you know when somethin is available. We goin there next for an evening jaunt, or you wanna go look for Laffa again?" 

Etain's attempt to impersonate an "important" man was funny enough to smooth out ruff patches of this day and made Lionel smile. "Then it is a good thing we know you, Etain. I am pretty sure the cut you get for bringing in clients will be quite good to cover your silence as well." Lionel did not care about the money but that was spoiling, right there. "Tell me, he can buy items as well, can he? Your man?" 

One can endlessly improve armor or an ordinary weapon - magic and rare materials allowed that. But there were things... special things, that were worth their weight in gold or platinum. Something very-very special, and Lionel had just the thing like that in mind. He did make a mental note to ask around about Lady's prisoners. Carefully, of course, he did not feel suicidal.

"We can check out that Salrius and then try to catch Laffa again. What do you say?"

     Ketch stacks up 10 stacks of 10 gold pieces and slips them all in front of Etain.  "Like I told our previous, though temporary, helper - We reward good service happily.  Of course the reverse is true but you know that the two things always go hand in hand..."  Ketch gives the young man a serious look, but then smiles and takes his hand away from the gold.  "Is this a good start?  We cannot make you too rich yet or you'd have no need to work for us no more..."

---

    At some point in the evening Ketch gives Lionel some brief instructions on the helmet and hands him a pouch.  He also rips a page out of his personal journal, the last page, and hands that to Lionel as well.  The page reads:

• Rock marked with a 1 - Fortune's Wheel where we met Mad Mordekainan
• Business card from Whole Note Inn
• Wooden Sliver - dive bar - Yawning Rat

     "We've not strode to far afield yet so I so far just collected to local tokens..." Ketch explains to him.

---

     At another point Ketch will draw Modekai into conversation and slip him a thick, ancient tome.  "This is the Tome of Understanding.  Back when I first met you all, you all shared this with me.  It helped me a great deal and, I hope, through helping me it helped you all as well.  Alas, the book is useless for... oh, another 99 years or so.  But then it will be able to do it's magic again.  While we shop... when we shop... Well, you are better with the persuading and conniving than I.  I think you would have a better time trying to find a patient, yet well funded buyer?"

     Ketch surrenders the tome to the face of the party and hopes he can turn it into something else for the benefit of all...

---

     "I vote Laffa. I have thought squeezing him a good idea from the get go.  Though I do not think it will hurt if we do it before, or after, the shopping..."

Meepo sits at the table, looking well-pleased with their haul. When discussion turns to where to go next he agrees with Lionel. "Meepo think checking out merchant good idea, then agrees with finding sad wizard."

Etain sweeps the gold into a pouch which drags at his belt.  "You sir, have a deal." 

The young man scratches his head, "Uh, which one of you is the leader? Cause...two of you said shopping, and the big guy who gave me all the money said Laffa...so...who do I listen to?" 

"I think any meeting with any wizard should always happen after a night's rest. My vote would be a late shopping trip, and Laffa in the morning."

((If Ketch is the big guy, he also said he didn't care if Laffa after shopping...  As for waiting til morning, I'm not sure we're going to expend spells and resources (besides gold?) while shopping so...  But if we do, then yes wait til we're fully equipped.))

(True. Mordekai expended spells on Seeming and Major Illusion, and we've not had a short rest since, so maybe it's just Mordekai with any spell slots used)

((Right, right!!  Silly me, thought it was breakfast again already... but nope, we're in the private room of Inn but not slept... nevermind.))

After the quite pleasant meal and feeling...particularly successful the group follows Etain through the darkening streets eventually arriving in the market district. You're almost getting used to the slightly burnt smell in the air, the overly large buildings and statues, and feeling like you're always in the bottom of a giant bowl walking up hill.  Plus the demons and angels and Bariaur walking everywhere. 

You walk through the market district past the crowding of stalls and makeshift shops pressed between the stone buildings filled with shop fronts.  Eventually you find you're in a slightly nicer area, heading down a narrow, but well lit street free of stalls and only filled with finer instore shops. Etain ducks down a small alley and into the first door on the left. You find yourself entering a small well appointed office, with a couch, three chairs on this side of the desk, and otherwise just enough room to stand. A man, a tiefling with two cut off horns and a set of wings crunched up on his back, looks up as you enter. 

"Ahhh, Etain. I hope you bring me better clients this time. The last ones vanished in a portal never to return after I'd just done lining a long list of buyers up for what they wanted to sell!" 

He glances around at the group, "Hello. Please sit, and tell me, selling, buying, both, and if so, what?"

It's being a while since Lionel had to deal with a "respectable middleman". He looked around assessing the level of "respect" they were talking about here, then walked to chairs and elegantly sat in one. "Both," answered he the question. "Provided you have - or can acquire what we need, of course. Etain here assured us you can find anything one can imagine." Lionel paused and looked at the man. "My request might sound ... unusual." He smiled, then took the Mace of Terror from his belt and showed it to the man. "I am sure you understand the worth of this magical weapon. I would part with it - and pay on top half its price - if you can find a sword of sunlight." Lionel shook his head at the poor description and tried to elaborate. "I came across of a sword like that once, and that blade was a result of an accident rather than magical craft, yet, now I know they exist. They do not have the blade in a common meaning of the word, but the light itself can be summoned from the hilt and then cuts the enemy as the best steel. The sword I had to deal with had a soul trapped inside. Needless to say, this is not something necessary."

"Do you think you can find something like that?" Lionel gave another polite smile waiting for the answer.

Salrius's office looks...perfunctory. The chairs are basic with cheap felt pinned down cushions. The couch looks clean and newly upholstered, though the fabric looks cheap. The desk looks very functional. The place is clean and dust free, but also free from any show of extravagance or luxury. It looks like the domain of a professional who hasn't quite 'made it' yet. 

He smiles, almost apologetically, "Well, I'm afraid Etain has quite an imagination then. Let me say rather than how you described it....if you are looking for something that someone is selling somewhere in Sigil, then I can probably help put the deal together. But, if no one is selling such a thing, then I'm afraid I'll be of no use to you. However. Sigil is a unique place. I've had people ask me to find them a fragment of a demon's soul and lo and behold I found a seller in less than 2 days. So...do not lose hope my shiny friend. A sword as such as you describe....very well."   He pulls out a thin booklet. It appears to be fresh and new. He cracks open the binding and begins writing.  "So, tell me, what are your names, what is it you seek, and what is your price range. And...how can I get in contact with you once I track down such an item?" 

While you consider his questions he makes a "may I" motion towards the mace that has been set down.  He glances at it without touching it. He moves it in a circle using a pencil, sliding it around the desk.  Finally he nods.  He bends down and slides open his desk. He lifts a glass bowl full of water out of the drawer and places it on the table. Within, an octopus squirms around inside. An octopus tentacle reaches gingerly out of the jar, the creatures eyes peering through the distorting glass and water.  It's tentacle touches the mace with a wet thwack.  It sits there for a moment before withdrawing.  

The man nods, "Disruption. Yes, I can find a buyer for certain. Once I find one I'll let you know."  He begins scribbling and sketching...but looks up, waiting for others to say more about what they're selling or looking to buy. 

Meepo moves up to the desk. "Meepo want something." He says as he lays the staff of frost on the table. "Meepo want something make undead stronger, or let Meepo create better undead, better skeletons, better zombies." He shrugs. "Meepo want something allow Meepo control more undead. Maybe something make Meepo stronger as well." He nods to the merchant. "Meepo not have piles of gold, have lots of gold, but no have unlimited. If get some of what Meepo want, then ok, no need get all."

Mordekai steps forward with a charming smile and nods a greeting. "Always nice to meet a fellow Tiefling. I love your wings, always fancied a pair myself, in fact.  My name is Mordekai. For myself, as a magic user, I'm always on the lookout for ways to focus my combat magic. A wand (Wand of the War Mage +2), for example? I've heard rumour that such wands exist and might be useful for that kind of thing. I've never actually come across one myself though. 

As for contacting us..." Mordekai pulls out his own Tome, and shows the page with 4 names written on it,  "...if you were inclined to write your name here, the magic I've imbued in this page would allow me to send you a message from afar. I could check in with you every day, or couple of days perhaps? That's all it would do, nothing more intrusive. And you can trust me, I'm a tiefling.

Alternatively, for a less reliable method of communication, you can always get a message to Etain here. He seems to have a pretty intricate network of friends who know each other well."

((Argh!! Long rp post stolen by accidentally closing window on my phone!! Sorry but I’m simplifying.))

     Ketch gives his name and the name of the inn.  “Etain works but a message left there Will as well.”

     Ketch then goes on to explain that the others needs should come first, Ketch can get by as is.  But if there is monies left…  he’d be interested in simple things: a more effective battle axe, more protective cloak.  “I can find an armor smith myself and upgrade to plate… but if you stumbled across something even better.  And if we have funds enough left… If I did upgrade then I’d of course be looking to sell or offset some of price with what I upgrade from.”

     “And speaking of selling…  I have a book that may fetch a coin or two.  It’s known as a Tome of Understanding and can help the more thoughtful types…  though I want to be up front, it won’t regain its magical properties for quite some time.  So you’d need find a very patient buyer…”

To Meepo he nods, "Very well, very well.  A necromancer. I cannot say I agree with your profession, but...if everyone had to agree in order to work together...Sigil would collapse in an hour."  He grins.  "This staff you wish to sell? Very nice, I can tell already I will be able to get top coin for this."  He lets the octopus once again reach a tentative limb out of the water and slap a suction cup onto the staff.  A moment later he nods, "Yes, yes, excellent. Very well, I will see what I can do for you." 

He nods to Mordekai, and responds just as smoothly, "Oh...yes. Always trust a tiefling. That phrase is engraved in stone at the base of a grand statue erected to our kind."  You think he might be being sarcastic.  But he smiles playfully enough. "I am familiar with that book of yours actually. I trust you, but will decline at this time. Knowing where you are staying, and of course Etain, is good enough." 

Finally he regards the book from Ketch, once again not touching it. And once again his octopus reaches out and touches the thing.  He nods, "Ahhh, yes. I do happen to know a man with a library who is quite patient. But..this book is at it's lowest value right now, so do not hope for too great a price." 

He scratches down some more, does a bit more drawing. 

He pulls out a sheaf of paper and begins writing on it. 

Mace of Disruption - Sale price 7,000.

Staff of Frost - Sale price 24,000.

Tome of Understanding (99 year wait) - Sale price 8,000

Wand of War Mage - Purchase Price 5800

Sunblade - Purchase Price 14,000

Looking to purchase Magical Axe, Magical Cloak, Magical Armor, Necromancers related items. Price TBD. 

"Alright, very well, you are still at a net positive. These numbers are estimates of course, it will depend on what I can find and who is doing the buying and selling of course. And, I have to do some digging into our kobold friend's request here. Anything else I should look for? And thank you all for entrusting me with this service. Of course Etain knows who is trustworthy here in Sigil. You've done well stumbling upon him. And Etain, good decision bringing these folk to me."  Etain simply nods to the man. 

"Meepo only sell staff if find something better." Meepo points out as he takes the staff from the table. "Meepo no do so if no find something else useful."

(Insignificant correction: Mace of Terror)

Mordekai takes an interest as Salrius writes his notes, noting the prices and wondering what the middle man's cut is, but paying particular attention to the handwriting and any distinctive flourishes that may be there. 

"How does one pick up the kind of contacts you have? Just over time, I suppose.  Have you been in the business a long time?" Mordekai makes light conversation as he watches the notes being made, before moving on to more purposeful talk. "We'll be sure to keep you in mind for anything else we pick up, and if you hear rumours or pick up any leads on interesting items that you want someone to track down, we're pretty good at that kind of thing and would be willing to be of service. For the right price, of course. Good business relationships are always useful, and hard to come by, in my experience."

(What time of day is it by the time we're finished here? Are we ready to visit Laffa now, or do we want to rest first? If it's just my spell slots, I'm happy to carry on without resting.)

"Oh, and I need a Lute. I've been honing my performance skills recently, but it's hard to develop those skills any further when playing an illusory instrument. I can look the part and sound the part, but it doesn't have quite the tactile aspects that are really necessary for improving one's technique! Any lute will do, I suppose, in which case it's probably a waste of your time and skills to find a standard instrument. But if you come across anything more... special or interesting, if such a thing exists, I'd be most fascinated."