"Alas," she responds, nodding politely at his attention, "we have not seen him in these past days. We have a delicate matter to discuss with him and were hoping you could assist in arranging a rendezvous, or opening a line of communication. Though, to be sure, this is not the only reason we have come to you this day. We are, in fact, looking to trade in knowledge and wares..."
She trails off and sweeps an arm at the rest of the group, inviting them to speak. As she does, she shoots a subtle - but clearly irritated - glare at the wizard for his impertinence. The highlights in her hair glint gold.
"And the man or woman who is dealing in those services might find themselves relieving us of a goodly sum of gold," Sthara adds (Deception because I'm poor af right now: 25)
The man thinks for a moment and says, "I'd be more interested in seeing Artus again if you know how to contact him. Honeysuckle always did remind me of the missus. May she rest in peace."
"Honeysuckle you say..." Blocks fall into place for Sthara. "Well, we would like that you relieve us of our gold, Ubtao bless your wife. Who can say? If you arm us well enough now, perhaps we will find a permanent cure for this death curse and you can spend our gold on a practitioner of dark arts who can raise her back up again, ne? But we would like trade."
As the conversation progresses, Boosey mutters under his breath, to himself, "The cheeky....." and shakes his head in amusement. "I'm curious friend," Boosey interjects. "Artus didn't tell us, and...well we were too polite to ask....the scents that appear while he is around, do they serve a purpose for him and his lizard friend?" He looks to Sthara. "As my friend here says, we believe we can destroy this curse." He looks round at the rest of the group a little conspiratorially, and lowers his voice. "We all have lost loved ones too, that we cannot resurrect because of this curse. If you help us, as my friend says, money is no object and you will be able to bring your wife back."
"Of more mundane matters, what know you of giants and their wolves," and he laughs, "if you can call giants mundane? Artus was having...issues with them, or so he said. He seems to be a one man vigilante trying to civilise the jungle!"
When Allister hears the quartermaster refer to Arien as Artus his head turns red. He takes off his bandana, tears it until it rips and throws the pieces across the bazaar. He yells at no one in particular. "This lying piece of merrow shit. I knew it, he was playing with us. This was all a joke to him. WE are a joke to him. When we see him again he´s gonna answer for this deception. His lies won´t protect him a second time. And this slimy green skinned friend of his... I´m gonna take his skin off and make some nice boots for myself. Ohh, this will be so much fun when we meet again. SHIT!" He races off towards the west gate, mumbling to himself, accompanied by an occasional outburst of profanity.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Boosey watches Allister storm off open mouthed. Quickly regaining his composure he flashes the quartermaster a wide winsome smile. "Don't mind my friend Allister there," he says quickly, "He's just realised that he lost a bet, for a lot of money. He really doesn't like losing..." He fixes his grin hoping that the man wont ask any questions. Persuasion 10
The quartermaster, Jago, turns a look of unease towards Sthara in response to her question, but is quickly pulled away by Boosey's comment. His big, toothy smile returns and he says, "Ah, so you do know them! Dragonbait's smells are a true wonder, no?" He trails off as Allister loses it. After the fighter goes, Jago is once again turned back to the conversation by Boosey's silver tongue. He shakes his hand dismissively and continues in a low voice, "Oof, musta been a lotta coin, huh? There was no missus, see? I had to know if you were telling the truth here and not just a nudder spy. Aye, that's how the green guy talks. It took me a while before I could place it too. Can't say which I like more, but that's only fitting since Artus and Dragonbait are always together. They once stood like a rock against the tide here fighting off a host of undead." He shakes his head at the memory and adds, "I'd lay down my life to either of them if I had to."
The gears turn in his head for a moment and he switches topics, "Them giants, frost giants right? They won't rest till poor Artus finds a grave under one of their boots. It's a sad tale, what with his wife and all. I bet those are the same giants that ran him outta Icewind Dale all those years ago...So Dragonbait saw the good in ya, huh? I suspect he's magic or something, like he's got a second sense about those things." His smile spreads to his stance as he puffs out his chest a bit, "So you're after the Death Curse and Artus sent you to me? I'll help in any way I can, but the only thing I can tell you about that curse is that it's a terrible travesty that's come to this world. Though..." His voice gets even lower before he continues, "If they saw the good in you, then maybe I can trust you to help with a situation here in the fort? After business, of course." He motions for you all to follow him inside.
"We also would appreciate your assistance in finding some ale. A small cask or flask will do," Nenne says with a peaceful smile.
She then excuses herself momentarily to quietly and discreetly gather the pieces of the ruined bandana. When she returns, the fabric is nowhere in sight and the hint of a pensive blue flush is on her cheeks.
"I can help with this too!" Jago produces a large flask from a pack hanging on the wall behind him. He opens it to give it a quick smell before setting it down, "Yep, yep. Whiskey, but I only have the one flask."
"No need to deplete your stock," Nenne says, politely hiding her doubt. She sets her empty waterskin on the table. "A quarter of your supply, if you please. Enough to salve a betting man's wounded pride."
She places a gold piece next to the container and waits patiently.
Jago is shaking his head before the cleric even finishes. He pockets the gold and pushes the flask forward, "I prefer the sweet flavor of Tej. This is meant for selling."
Nenne retrieves her waterskin and tucks the flask into her pack. "As I might expect from any quartermaster worth his wages."
Motioning toward Eku, she says to Jago, "I believe our guide had need of ammunition, as well. Crossbow bolts. If you could attend to her, then we can discuss this mission concerning Artus, as well as the business you intimated you had for us.I also would hear your tale about the undead our mutual friend and his companion prevailed against. If we are to have success against this death curse, it shall help us to learn more about what we might encounter along our path."
As Jago finishes speaking Boosey gives a shout of exclamation. “Ha. I knew it,” and he asks him “How does it work, Artus must understand the scents, otherwise it would be a bit of a clumsy partnership. Anyway, his story with the Ice Giants is one I would be grateful to hear. That must be one helluva tale.” He holds out his hand for Jago to shake. “Thank you. Boosey,” he says simply. “I thank you for your help and support, anything you can tell us, however insignificant may help us! And as for your other,” he gives a quick glance around, “issue, I’m sure we will be able to help. Don’t worry about our gambling friend,” and he gives another wide grin. “He’ll calm soon enough, he just likes to blow off a little steam now and then. In the meantime, if you have some crossbow bolts, I could do with replenishing mine!”
While Nenne finishes talking Eku steps forward and makes a simple purchase for a quiver full of arrows. Business concluded, Jago shakes Boosey's outstretched hand with his own calloused, hard working hand. "That night where they stood as rocks is a tale indeed. They stood outside the west gate like a tide, slaying zombie and ghoul alike. They don't normally stray this far north, you see? I didn't see the battle myself, but it is said that Dragonbait's sword cut clean through many of those fouls things after Artus riddled them through with a rain of arrows. After it was all over, they didn't stick around either, what with the whole being incognito you know. The world needs more people like them - unafraid to help out and not one to boast."
His manner turns to a very serious aspect as he looks torn with his next words. "The matter here is delicate I fear. You see - I can trust you, right? I must be able to if Artus sent you this way...The night the pirates disappeared...I know more than I'd like to about that and I suspect there was a double agent at work here in the fort." His facial expression holds a great deal of relief and worry, having confessed probably for the first time.
"We were told that there was no information about pirates in this area, do you know where they were supposed to be? They disappeared?" Sthara asks, looking puzzled.
"Moreover, do you have anyone you suspect of being a skulker in your ranks?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Nenne's face darkens a shade bluer. Her hand clasps her amulet automatically, and it shimmers with a faint light.
"I understand your hesitation," she says, releasing her holy symbol. "If it makes you more comfortable, I can ensure that no falsehoods are spoken here. Then you do not have to guess at our trustworthiness, nor we in the fullness of your account."(Persuasion if needed: 3 plus Guidance: 2)
"Alas," she responds, nodding politely at his attention, "we have not seen him in these past days. We have a delicate matter to discuss with him and were hoping you could assist in arranging a rendezvous, or opening a line of communication. Though, to be sure, this is not the only reason we have come to you this day. We are, in fact, looking to trade in knowledge and wares..."
She trails off and sweeps an arm at the rest of the group, inviting them to speak. As she does, she shoots a subtle - but clearly irritated - glare at the wizard for his impertinence. The highlights in her hair glint gold.
"And the man or woman who is dealing in those services might find themselves relieving us of a goodly sum of gold," Sthara adds (Deception because I'm poor af right now: 25)
The man thinks for a moment and says, "I'd be more interested in seeing Artus again if you know how to contact him. Honeysuckle always did remind me of the missus. May she rest in peace."
"Honeysuckle you say..." Blocks fall into place for Sthara. "Well, we would like that you relieve us of our gold, Ubtao bless your wife. Who can say? If you arm us well enough now, perhaps we will find a permanent cure for this death curse and you can spend our gold on a practitioner of dark arts who can raise her back up again, ne? But we would like trade."
As the conversation progresses, Boosey mutters under his breath, to himself, "The cheeky....." and shakes his head in amusement. "I'm curious friend," Boosey interjects. "Artus didn't tell us, and...well we were too polite to ask....the scents that appear while he is around, do they serve a purpose for him and his lizard friend?" He looks to Sthara. "As my friend here says, we believe we can destroy this curse." He looks round at the rest of the group a little conspiratorially, and lowers his voice. "We all have lost loved ones too, that we cannot resurrect because of this curse. If you help us, as my friend says, money is no object and you will be able to bring your wife back."
"Of more mundane matters, what know you of giants and their wolves," and he laughs, "if you can call giants mundane? Artus was having...issues with them, or so he said. He seems to be a one man vigilante trying to civilise the jungle!"
Persuasion 10
Deception 19
When Allister hears the quartermaster refer to Arien as Artus his head turns red. He takes off his bandana, tears it until it rips and throws the pieces across the bazaar. He yells at no one in particular. "This lying piece of merrow shit. I knew it, he was playing with us. This was all a joke to him. WE are a joke to him. When we see him again he´s gonna answer for this deception. His lies won´t protect him a second time. And this slimy green skinned friend of his... I´m gonna take his skin off and make some nice boots for myself. Ohh, this will be so much fun when we meet again. SHIT!" He races off towards the west gate, mumbling to himself, accompanied by an occasional outburst of profanity.
Boosey watches Allister storm off open mouthed. Quickly regaining his composure he flashes the quartermaster a wide winsome smile. "Don't mind my friend Allister there," he says quickly, "He's just realised that he lost a bet, for a lot of money. He really doesn't like losing..." He fixes his grin hoping that the man wont ask any questions. Persuasion 10
The quartermaster, Jago, turns a look of unease towards Sthara in response to her question, but is quickly pulled away by Boosey's comment. His big, toothy smile returns and he says, "Ah, so you do know them! Dragonbait's smells are a true wonder, no?" He trails off as Allister loses it. After the fighter goes, Jago is once again turned back to the conversation by Boosey's silver tongue. He shakes his hand dismissively and continues in a low voice, "Oof, musta been a lotta coin, huh? There was no missus, see? I had to know if you were telling the truth here and not just a nudder spy. Aye, that's how the green guy talks. It took me a while before I could place it too. Can't say which I like more, but that's only fitting since Artus and Dragonbait are always together. They once stood like a rock against the tide here fighting off a host of undead." He shakes his head at the memory and adds, "I'd lay down my life to either of them if I had to."
The gears turn in his head for a moment and he switches topics, "Them giants, frost giants right? They won't rest till poor Artus finds a grave under one of their boots. It's a sad tale, what with his wife and all. I bet those are the same giants that ran him outta Icewind Dale all those years ago...So Dragonbait saw the good in ya, huh? I suspect he's magic or something, like he's got a second sense about those things." His smile spreads to his stance as he puffs out his chest a bit, "So you're after the Death Curse and Artus sent you to me? I'll help in any way I can, but the only thing I can tell you about that curse is that it's a terrible travesty that's come to this world. Though..." His voice gets even lower before he continues, "If they saw the good in you, then maybe I can trust you to help with a situation here in the fort? After business, of course." He motions for you all to follow him inside.
Jago sells simple melee weapons, martial melee weapons, longbows, shortbows, and arrows. https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/phb/equipment#SimpleMeleeWeapons
"We also would appreciate your assistance in finding some ale. A small cask or flask will do," Nenne says with a peaceful smile.
She then excuses herself momentarily to quietly and discreetly gather the pieces of the ruined bandana. When she returns, the fabric is nowhere in sight and the hint of a pensive blue flush is on her cheeks.
"I can help with this too!" Jago produces a large flask from a pack hanging on the wall behind him. He opens it to give it a quick smell before setting it down, "Yep, yep. Whiskey, but I only have the one flask."
"No need to deplete your stock," Nenne says, politely hiding her doubt. She sets her empty waterskin on the table. "A quarter of your supply, if you please. Enough to salve a betting man's wounded pride."
She places a gold piece next to the container and waits patiently.
Jago is shaking his head before the cleric even finishes. He pockets the gold and pushes the flask forward, "I prefer the sweet flavor of Tej. This is meant for selling."
Nenne retrieves her waterskin and tucks the flask into her pack. "As I might expect from any quartermaster worth his wages."
Motioning toward Eku, she says to Jago, "I believe our guide had need of ammunition, as well. Crossbow bolts. If you could attend to her, then we can discuss this mission concerning Artus, as well as the business you intimated you had for us. I also would hear your tale about the undead our mutual friend and his companion prevailed against. If we are to have success against this death curse, it shall help us to learn more about what we might encounter along our path."
As Jago finishes speaking Boosey gives a shout of exclamation. “Ha. I knew it,” and he asks him “How does it work, Artus must understand the scents, otherwise it would be a bit of a clumsy partnership. Anyway, his story with the Ice Giants is one I would be grateful to hear. That must be one helluva tale.” He holds out his hand for Jago to shake. “Thank you. Boosey,” he says simply. “I thank you for your help and support, anything you can tell us, however insignificant may help us! And as for your other,” he gives a quick glance around, “issue, I’m sure we will be able to help. Don’t worry about our gambling friend,” and he gives another wide grin. “He’ll calm soon enough, he just likes to blow off a little steam now and then. In the meantime, if you have some crossbow bolts, I could do with replenishing mine!”
While Nenne finishes talking Eku steps forward and makes a simple purchase for a quiver full of arrows. Business concluded, Jago shakes Boosey's outstretched hand with his own calloused, hard working hand. "That night where they stood as rocks is a tale indeed. They stood outside the west gate like a tide, slaying zombie and ghoul alike. They don't normally stray this far north, you see? I didn't see the battle myself, but it is said that Dragonbait's sword cut clean through many of those fouls things after Artus riddled them through with a rain of arrows. After it was all over, they didn't stick around either, what with the whole being incognito you know. The world needs more people like them - unafraid to help out and not one to boast."
His manner turns to a very serious aspect as he looks torn with his next words. "The matter here is delicate I fear. You see - I can trust you, right? I must be able to if Artus sent you this way...The night the pirates disappeared...I know more than I'd like to about that and I suspect there was a double agent at work here in the fort." His facial expression holds a great deal of relief and worry, having confessed probably for the first time.
"We were told that there was no information about pirates in this area, do you know where they were supposed to be? They disappeared?" Sthara asks, looking puzzled.
"Moreover, do you have anyone you suspect of being a skulker in your ranks?"
Nenne's face darkens a shade bluer. Her hand clasps her amulet automatically, and it shimmers with a faint light.
"I understand your hesitation," she says, releasing her holy symbol. "If it makes you more comfortable, I can ensure that no falsehoods are spoken here. Then you do not have to guess at our trustworthiness, nor we in the fullness of your account." (Persuasion if needed: 3 plus Guidance: 2)
"I agree to your terms. I will tell you then."
"Then let our word be our bond," she says, holding two fingers to her lips, then pointing at the ground.
ooc: Anyone around me needs to make a Charisma saving throw, DC 13. I also get to know who fails and who succeeds.