"Our jungles are dense. Perhaps they would like to penetrate deeper into the mysteries it offers?" Sthara speculates. She takes a small sip of tej and her stomach reminds her of the previous night. She switches to a small cup of water and adds something in Chultan accompanied by a wink.
"Man enjoys conquering what he does not know."
Interceding after Allister's last question, she adds, "Rest assured that I have a tale to tell you in exchange for all you share."
Finally Allister stops and grabs his chin in a pose he might think makes him look more imoprtant. "There´s two things I can´t wrap my head around. First of all, what are you, I mean the merchant princes and Chultans, doing to stop this curse or investigate it? So far we have no clue about its origins, and no one could tell us of any hints that might lead to lifting the curse. Second, and with all respect, what´s in this" and he is pointing at the assembled group making a circular gesture "for you? You seem reluctant to share any information at first, now we are here sharing drinks and stories. Again, with all respect, I feel like you something is at stake for you."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“We have also heard a rumour that one of the Merchant Princes has been afflicted by this curse. We have yet to find out if that’s true though. If it is,” and Boosey pauses to see if there is any recognition on the merchants face, “would they know more?”
Wakanga raises a glass to Sthara in response to her foreign comment, and looks very intrigued after she finishes. "Is that so? Color me intrigued. I am always interested in a story - especially those I have not heard yet." His gaze shifts back to Boosey and he says, "As far as I know, the camp was created by and is solely Flaming Fist design. Why they chose that particular site is a mystery that only they might be able to solve for you." The man listens to Allister and nods in understanding. "As I said previously, I wasn't expecting guests and I don't usually entertain adventurers in my home. As a merchant prince myself, I have to look after my wares and a great deal of what I deal in is knowledge. I have to be more precise about everything I say or hear more so than anyone else in Port Nyanzaru." He casts a glance to Boosey for a moment before returning to Allister with a shrug, "Call it intuition? I follow my heart, and I have a good feeling here. Your interest in the Death Curse seems genuine and your interests, yes they include treasure, but they are more pointed towards a gathering of knowledge and bear a sense of responsibility. It's the words behind the words that are allowing this ?friendship? to blossom." His usage of the word 'friendship' seemed more like a question to himself than to the company in front of him.
He lets out a long sigh before continuing, "I cannot speak for many of the other merchant princes, but I have spent a small fortune these last two weeks towards the efforts of magical divination to no little avail. Some of my own friends are afflicted by the curse..." His words trail off and Boosey cuts in with his comment about a possible merchant prince inflicted. His response seems to build the whole while Boosey is speaking and finally, he cuts in, "That is not something that is said in many corners of the port and you would do well to keep it to yourself. I won't confirm this, and if it was true, you would do well to leave it alone. I don't mean this as a threat, but as a warning that there are a few of my station that answer rumors with iron tokens. I know the term. It's one of the few things my spent coin has uncovered."
The movement is slight, but you catch it: At the mention of the cursed merchant prince, Wakanga bites the inside of his lip, possibly betraying his non committal declaration.
"We are grateful for all you have been willing to share with us. The story I have for you may take time–it is mine. If we are not intruding too much–" Sthara glances at the man who Wakanga asked to keep watch "–I would be happy to share. But if we are, I will return to tell it. Perhaps with an additional story from this camp of flaming fists."
Funderburk siting in the chair listens to it all. All the questions and the stories given. "Merchant Prince sir, you mentioned that you have spent a small fortune on Divination magic in attempt for any efforts. If I may say, I specialize in divination magic. Although I am still learning more of it, I feel like I must make a deal with you." He leans forward in his chair and puts his hands together, resting on his knees. "I am but a common wizard, but I believe that if you can gives us any or all the information, such as whereabouts or stories you know about this curse, and we are able to solve its puzzle, then I can help you out in the end."
"It is like the lovely story you have just told us. You help us out along our adventure to rid this curse, benefiting both sides, yours and mine along with the rest of the citizens; and I shall pay you in my services. I will do anything I can with my magic to help you in any way. How does the fare with you? Do we have a deal?"
“I apologise for anything out of turn I have said. It is obviously a delicate subject.” He gives the merchant prince a bow, “I thank you for your timely warning”.
“Our leads are few on this, but I feel confident that one way or another, we will get to the bottom of this.”
Wakanga agrees to Sthara's terms about waiting to hear her tale. He sounds intrigued about a second story, especially one involving some of his own local sites. To Funderburk he adds, "I wish that I had more to offer, but I fear you might know as much as I do at this point, and I assure you that is not a common thing. If there is something the lot of you find in the future that I can help to end the Death Curse, I will."
"Do you have any suggestions on where to head next?" He looked at his companions, "Or do any of you have any? How did talking with Zhanthi fare? Anything out of her, friends?"
“Nothing so far. On our way here we came across a pack lizard we should consider buying. Or at least have Sthara take a look at it.“ Allister rises from her chair, bows to the merchant prince and says „We appreciate your hospitality but we have already taken up enough of your valuable time. If you don’t have any hints where to go next we will continue our search for information and hope to see you again before we leave on our quest. Farewell!“
Allister waits for his companions to finish their business so they can leave the mansion together
Once the whole group is outside I tell Sthara and Funderburk that we went to Ekene-Afa first and that told us about the temple down the river. I also ask Sthara to check out the pack lizard while I and whoever wants to accompany me go to Zhanti for more info and maybe armor. After that we should meet at the harbor to see if Zindar has already aquired our equipment.
Wakanga bids the party farewell as they depart back towards the bazaar. The large tri-horned beast is marked for sale at 500 gold pieces, while the two others are 250 and 100. The medium priced beast has thick armor like plating covering its low, flat back. For defense, its body ends in a knobbed tail that looks like it could deliver a devastating blow. The cheapest of the animals is a green semi-quadrupedal thing with a high, stiff crest top its head. The merchant is busy trying to sell a smaller, sharp clawed beast about the size of a chicken to another customer.
Is the intent here is to stay together, or is the party splitting up again? These creatures are a hadrosaurus, ankylosausus, and a triceratops.
I believe the intent now is to stay together. However, once we are done looking at lizards, I will accompany Allister to Zhanti.
My character doesn't have anything to say other than things here and there. I have everything I need. So once Allsiter heads off, then I will talk and join then.
Do we have any gold beyond the 50 gold the captain gave us? I sure as hell don’t since I was rescued from an island but what about the rest? At these prices we can’t even afford the ankylosaurus.
Allister stops for a moment. „Good point. Maybe it’s this camp they are interested in. Call you tell us anything about it?“
"Our jungles are dense. Perhaps they would like to penetrate deeper into the mysteries it offers?" Sthara speculates. She takes a small sip of tej and her stomach reminds her of the previous night. She switches to a small cup of water and adds something in Chultan accompanied by a wink.
"Man enjoys conquering what he does not know."
Interceding after Allister's last question, she adds, "Rest assured that I have a tale to tell you in exchange for all you share."
Finally Allister stops and grabs his chin in a pose he might think makes him look more imoprtant. "There´s two things I can´t wrap my head around. First of all, what are you, I mean the merchant princes and Chultans, doing to stop this curse or investigate it? So far we have no clue about its origins, and no one could tell us of any hints that might lead to lifting the curse. Second, and with all respect, what´s in this" and he is pointing at the assembled group making a circular gesture "for you? You seem reluctant to share any information at first, now we are here sharing drinks and stories. Again, with all respect, I feel like you something is at stake for you."
“We have also heard a rumour that one of the Merchant Princes has been afflicted by this curse. We have yet to find out if that’s true though. If it is,” and Boosey pauses to see if there is any recognition on the merchants face, “would they know more?”
He pauses in thought for a moment.
“Does “Soulmonger” mean anything to you?”
insight check 10
Wakanga raises a glass to Sthara in response to her foreign comment, and looks very intrigued after she finishes. "Is that so? Color me intrigued. I am always interested in a story - especially those I have not heard yet." His gaze shifts back to Boosey and he says, "As far as I know, the camp was created by and is solely Flaming Fist design. Why they chose that particular site is a mystery that only they might be able to solve for you." The man listens to Allister and nods in understanding. "As I said previously, I wasn't expecting guests and I don't usually entertain adventurers in my home. As a merchant prince myself, I have to look after my wares and a great deal of what I deal in is knowledge. I have to be more precise about everything I say or hear more so than anyone else in Port Nyanzaru." He casts a glance to Boosey for a moment before returning to Allister with a shrug, "Call it intuition? I follow my heart, and I have a good feeling here. Your interest in the Death Curse seems genuine and your interests, yes they include treasure, but they are more pointed towards a gathering of knowledge and bear a sense of responsibility. It's the words behind the words that are allowing this ?friendship? to blossom." His usage of the word 'friendship' seemed more like a question to himself than to the company in front of him.
He lets out a long sigh before continuing, "I cannot speak for many of the other merchant princes, but I have spent a small fortune these last two weeks towards the efforts of magical divination to no little avail. Some of my own friends are afflicted by the curse..." His words trail off and Boosey cuts in with his comment about a possible merchant prince inflicted. His response seems to build the whole while Boosey is speaking and finally, he cuts in, "That is not something that is said in many corners of the port and you would do well to keep it to yourself. I won't confirm this, and if it was true, you would do well to leave it alone. I don't mean this as a threat, but as a warning that there are a few of my station that answer rumors with iron tokens. I know the term. It's one of the few things my spent coin has uncovered."
Boosey:
The movement is slight, but you catch it: At the mention of the cursed merchant prince, Wakanga bites the inside of his lip, possibly betraying his non committal declaration.
As far as I am concerned I don´t feel like we get any more information. I´m not posting any more question but if you have anything to ask go ahead.
"We are grateful for all you have been willing to share with us. The story I have for you may take time–it is mine. If we are not intruding too much–" Sthara glances at the man who Wakanga asked to keep watch "–I would be happy to share. But if we are, I will return to tell it. Perhaps with an additional story from this camp of flaming fists."
Funderburk siting in the chair listens to it all. All the questions and the stories given. "Merchant Prince sir, you mentioned that you have spent a small fortune on Divination magic in attempt for any efforts. If I may say, I specialize in divination magic. Although I am still learning more of it, I feel like I must make a deal with you." He leans forward in his chair and puts his hands together, resting on his knees. "I am but a common wizard, but I believe that if you can gives us any or all the information, such as whereabouts or stories you know about this curse, and we are able to solve its puzzle, then I can help you out in the end."
"It is like the lovely story you have just told us. You help us out along our adventure to rid this curse, benefiting both sides, yours and mine along with the rest of the citizens; and I shall pay you in my services. I will do anything I can with my magic to help you in any way. How does the fare with you? Do we have a deal?"
Made you look.
“I apologise for anything out of turn I have said. It is obviously a delicate subject.” He gives the merchant prince a bow, “I thank you for your timely warning”.
“Our leads are few on this, but I feel confident that one way or another, we will get to the bottom of this.”
Wakanga agrees to Sthara's terms about waiting to hear her tale. He sounds intrigued about a second story, especially one involving some of his own local sites. To Funderburk he adds, "I wish that I had more to offer, but I fear you might know as much as I do at this point, and I assure you that is not a common thing. If there is something the lot of you find in the future that I can help to end the Death Curse, I will."
"Do you have any suggestions on where to head next?" He looked at his companions, "Or do any of you have any? How did talking with Zhanthi fare? Anything out of her, friends?"
Made you look.
“Nothing so far. On our way here we came across a pack lizard we should consider buying. Or at least have Sthara take a look at it.“ Allister rises from her chair, bows to the merchant prince and says „We appreciate your hospitality but we have already taken up enough of your valuable time. If you don’t have any hints where to go next we will continue our search for information and hope to see you again before we leave on our quest. Farewell!“
Allister waits for his companions to finish their business so they can leave the mansion together
Sthara stands and bows slightly to Wakanga, saying, "Agreed, thank you very much for your time and your tales."
In Chultan, she adds,
"I will return as quickly as I am able to share my stories – I would not leave you longing."
She smiles and joins Allister. "Let us see about these lizards and decide if we go by jungle or river."
Once the whole group is outside I tell Sthara and Funderburk that we went to Ekene-Afa first and that told us about the temple down the river. I also ask Sthara to check out the pack lizard while I and whoever wants to accompany me go to Zhanti for more info and maybe armor. After that we should meet at the harbor to see if Zindar has already aquired our equipment.
Wakanga bids the party farewell as they depart back towards the bazaar. The large tri-horned beast is marked for sale at 500 gold pieces, while the two others are 250 and 100. The medium priced beast has thick armor like plating covering its low, flat back. For defense, its body ends in a knobbed tail that looks like it could deliver a devastating blow. The cheapest of the animals is a green semi-quadrupedal thing with a high, stiff crest top its head. The merchant is busy trying to sell a smaller, sharp clawed beast about the size of a chicken to another customer.
Is the intent here is to stay together, or is the party splitting up again? These creatures are a hadrosaurus, ankylosausus, and a triceratops.
I believe the intent now is to stay together. However, once we are done looking at lizards, I will accompany Allister to Zhanti.
My character doesn't have anything to say other than things here and there. I have everything I need. So once Allsiter heads off, then I will talk and join then.
Made you look.
The creatures mentioned above are these: hadrosaurus, ankylosaurus, and a triceratops.
Do we have any gold beyond the 50 gold the captain gave us? I sure as hell don’t since I was rescued from an island but what about the rest? At these prices we can’t even afford the ankylosaurus.
By level 4 I think they could tack on another 100 gold each.