Gerrard:

Smiling, Gerrard responds, "We can but try--that cloak would go a long way to keeping you safer during combat, much more so than the weaker cloak."

Turning to the shopkeeper, Gerrard says, "We have rubies worth 500 gold pieces.  I would be willing to part with 5 of them for the Cloak of Displacement--assuming you agree, Master Kei."

Persuasion check if needed:  8

Kei 

Not our real names! Kei screams inside his head.  "Yes Master Gerald, five would seem fair" Kei sighs. Still a lot to teach him, Kei thinks further. He then whispers to Gerrard in a voice deliberately loud enough for the man to hear in an attempt to salvage the ruse "I thought you said the rubies were worth near 800 gold a piece?" 

Deception 29

Kei's stage-whispered response is much more convincing than "Gerald's" weak offer.

So Yari is quick to respond to the first one. "Yes. Yes. Five rubies for one cloak. The gentleman strikes a hard bargain. It's a first-rate cloak." 

Gerrard:

Gerrard doesn’t have to put much effort into acting disappointed, but it is more about forgetting their cover than the cost of the cloak—he is just not cut out for skulldugggery, it would seem.

Indicating Kei should hand over the rubies, Gerrard says to him, “Alright, put it on and let’s see how well it works,” once the rubies are handed over.

Kei 

Kei hands over the rubies in a reluctant manner, continuing the ruse. He then dons the cloak and says, "Thank you for the gift Master Gerald but if you are finished we should keep moving, we have much to do". It is clear Kei wants to leave before Yami has time to fully process the transaction in his head. He takes a few steps towards the door.

(Yari will gladly accept five rubies for the Cloak of Displacement. Do you also want to purchase the Cloak of Protection with the sixth ruby? What about the pipes?)

It is early afternoon in the Alchemists' Quarter as you finish your transactions with the gruff merchant, Yari. It is still raining, intermittently heavy, and water continues to drip and pool in Yari's trinket shop, to his annoyance. The air is heavy with a hundred different perfumed items and cheap bundled incense, together with the everpresent musty, fishy, alchemical smell of the entire neighborhood.

What next? Where to?

Kei 

"Come Master Gerald, the daylight wanes outside" Kei says moving even closer to the door. "We still need to cross the city before dark, remember?" He waits several moments for Gerrard, if the noble makes no move Kei will exit the shop. A final thanks to Yari is offered as he leaves. "Much thanks for a pleasant transaction. A good day to you". He steps out into the wet street.

Gerrard:

Assuming Kei has tested the cloak to his satisfaction, Gerrard says, "Indeed.  Let's go," and follows Kei out of the shop.

Kei 

Once outside and a reasonable distance from Yari's shop, Kei says to Gerrad, "Truly, thank you for the cloak. I've near died more times than any man should. Anything to keep Death from calling is of great help. I guess we just wait and see how well it works. I will spend some time this afternoon studying its manufacture to truly understand how it works."

As they idle down the alleyways and streets of Kei's home he seems unusually quiet, almost pensive. Finally he breaks the silence. "What now fearless leader? Have we naught but to wait for our time?" he says with an exuberant flourish.

Gerrard:

”We should marshal our forces and gather our allies.  Let us visit your safe house and see if Masters Thwack and Fenwader are ready to join us tonight,” replies Gerrard.  He looks around for whatever form Boko is in, saying, “Mistress Alcor, is there aught else we can do to help you prepare?”

Unless you have other business first, Kei leads the party through the maze of bad-smelling, half-flooded, cockeyed alleyways to the hidden staircase you descended once before.

The foul waters are riding high, and someone has thrown a plank over the grate at the bottom of the stairs since the last time you visited. The black waters bubble and froth through the grate. 

Inside, Ruothild looks up from the oddly-angled counter. As well-disguised as Kei is, Ruothild sees immediately right through it. "Chunky," he greets Kei matter-of-factly, nodding approvingly. "Looking good! An improvement I think. What can I do for you this time? Something to eat, perhaps?"

Kei 

Kei looks around nervously as his disguise is instantly extinguished by Ru's comment. At least he didn't use my name. Hoping no one in the tavern took notice of their entrance Kei approaches the counter. "Just a room for an hour or so. And yes, some of that meat from last time." Kei returns to Gerrard and Boko. "We should rest and flesh out our approach for tonight. I've organised food and privacy." He heads towards whichever room Ru indicates. 

Gerrard:

”And our friends, are they still here?” asks Gerrard, avoiding using names.

"Your little friend isn't doing well," responds Ruothild. "His eyes are burned out, yes, but his mind wanders to dark places. I can bring you to him in a little bit, if you like. As to the halfling, he comes and goes. I'm not sure where he is at the moment."

Ruothild finds you a room, through a locked grate, laying off an ancient tunnel at an odd angle. It is small but tidy and well-stocked, with two beds, a sturdy table with eight chairs, snacks, gambling supplies, lamps, and other items to make you comfortable. The decor has a "green dragon" theme. 

"I admit, this place makes me a little uncomfortable. I should really get back to my work," whispers Refrum.

Gerrard:

“My apologies, Master Refrum.  We should have escorted you home before coming here,” says Gerrard, “Thank you for all your help.  Be safe and pray for the success of our mission this night.”

Quote from Scott_R_Simmons >>

Gerrard:

“My apologies, Master Refrum.  We should have escorted you home before coming here,” says Gerrard, “Thank you for all your help.  Be safe and pray for the success of our mission this night.”

Thinking a bit, Gerrard adds, “Though since you are here, perhaps our injured friend would do better with you than here.  I don’t know if we will find a way to heal him, but if I can give you some coin to look into it—or just allay the associated expenses, I will.”

"Of course," replies the sight, bent inventor-priest. "I need no escort, but thank you. I know these alleys, although I've not been... here, exactly, before. When you need me again, you know where to find me."

He pauses at the next request to care for Thwack, but then nods. "Of course. I would be happy to do what I can for your friend. I need no coin. Who is he? Where?"

Ruothild excuses himself, preparing to leave you alone in the room. He interjects politely, "I'll be back with some proper food for you. Whose tab is this on? Chunky?"

Gerrard:

”My friend *Chunky* got it last time.  I’ll cover today’s tab,” says Gerrard, handing over a few gold coins.  “My other friend will be leaving with Thwack once you bring him to us.  Please also inform us if our halfling friend returns.”

Kei 

Kei doffs his new cloak, drags a chair out from the table and sits. He begins to study the garment, running the cloth between his finger and looking over every stitch. When Refrum asks of their injured friend he pauses. "Our friend,Thwack, is a kobold who was injured. Dark magic had he and I tethered in a strange way. Thornwell was able to break the bond but it came at great cost to the little one. His eyes were lost" Kei pauses as if that were the end of his sentence but after a brief moment he continues to speak, "and perhaps his mind". Speaking of Thwack seems to distract Kei, his hands and eyes no longer running over the cloak, he appears to be staring at nothing in particular. Only once someone speaks does he snap back to the here-and-now.

((Using the time to Attune to the Cloak if possible))