Bryn responds "Apparently they were on Rumblecusp to the South East, but they seem to have mostly arrived from the Coast on a few different ships. Something about walking through a tree to the mainland first? And yes, it was a number of people, though it has been over many years and so didn't seem too weird. Well, not until a group came back all at once, each with 50 gold and no earthly possessions. If you are wanting news from Nicodranas or Port Damali, there is a constant stream of ships through the docks. I can keep an ear out for news too if you want?"
Kenton nods, inspecting a crossbow but putting it back. I would be glad to hear the news of the Concord, yes. Though, I expect we will return there soon enough. Rumblecusp? I've seen it on maps, but never heard much about it and never thought twice about it. In any case, we should... get to the day's business, no? We are about to make an agreement? He looks to the others for confirmation.
Bryn’s grin widens and she says "well, I’m glad for the change of heart and I’m sure Faendal will be too." Bryn calls out to Piotr "be a dear and grab the contract and the oath-maker from out the back, we have ourselves a salvage crew!"
A contract is produced which confirms the terms that for a period of 6 months:
3. A line of credit in the store of 1500 gp (for the party, not per person). She will deduct sales from for items sent back (and any coins you choose to send back) via the air elemental and then the remainder would need to be paid off at the start of every month.
The party agrees to:
1. Explore at least two new shipwrecks each month OR pay 200gp for any month that two new shipwrecks aren’t explored,
2. Send back all magic items as well as all items worth over 10gp from the first two wrecks explored each month OR pay "reasonable compensation" for any items kept by members of the party (10% of the saleable value). The items sent back will be sold on consignment if the value is 100gp or more and bought outright if less than 100gp, and the party will receive 75%. [You keep coins and items worth less than 10gp.]
3. The helmets and wand need to be returned at the end of the contract period and if they are lost or damaged by the party, the party will replace them.
You CAN use the wand to transport other items you find and want to sell via Bryn on consignment, though the contract does not bind you to do so. The upside is that you would only usually get 50% of the item's value selling elsewhere** rather than 75%, the downside is that because it is on consignment you only get the money if Bryn then sells any item (unless it is worth less than 100gp, which she will buy outright).
**An exception is that usually gems and artworks sell at 100% of the value, so you would lose out on those.
Kenton reads the contract very carefully, with particular attention to the duration. He's looking for any clause that would allow Bryn to extend the contract beyond six months. If he finds nothing suspicious, he will sign his name with a frown and pass the document to the others in the party.
I hope this arrangement will be successful, friend Bryn. I swear that I will endeavour to uphold the spirit of this agreement as best I can. Now, are there any shipwrecks whose location you can advise us of? On the route to Port Damali would be strongly preferred from my side.
Beatrice will also sign and date the contract, making sure to use the full date. "Guess we won't be travelling by land any time soon - hope no one gets sea sick!" she jokes as she passes the contract on.
[I haven’t heard back, but I’m going to DM fiat that the others also sign the contract unless I get a post/message by tomorrow morning, and will then move the game on.]
Beatrice will also sign and date the contract, making sure to use the full date. "Guess we won't be travelling by land any time soon - hope no one gets sea sick!" she jokes as she passes the contract on.
"Well, I certainly won't.", Oden says and he signs the contract.
"So!" Beatrice says, clapping her hands together. "What now? I've just realised we signed up to investigate shipwrecks without much of a ship of our own, so should we look into buying one, or do we want to go join someone else's crew?"
You all sign the contract, though you see Aliez and Reguh exchange glances and ask to speak to Bryn privately before signing. The three of them move out of ear-shot and have a conversation, then return and Aliez and Reguh sign their names on the dotted line.
Anyone who wants to listen in on the conversation and passes a DC18 perception check can read the following:
The gist of the conversation is that Aliez and Reguh ask if they get separated from the rest of the party - or become shipwreck explorers full time - whether they can just return to Brokenbank with the items rather than sending them via the magical chest. Bryn assures them it won’t be a problem, though says that she hopes that they continue to travel and adventure with the rest of the party.
As soon as the last of you signs the contract and Beatrice asks her question, you hear a someone clear their throat and turn to see Faendal is standing behind you. He asks ”whatever is the matter with the ship that you sailed in on?”
Faendal is wrapped in a cloak that seems to distract the eye away from it. If you look away from him, you have a little bit of trouble finding him again.
I assume someone explains the story of the ship and Faendal listens intently, glancing over his shoulders every few minutes. He is looking significantly more nervous than you have ever seen him before, though you have also never seen him out of his shop before. Before speaking he asks Bryn to lead you all to the back of the shop, which she does.
He then indicates ”from what I know of Jaxon, he will gladly provide a ship if your search for his daughter [he gestures at Kenton] and your goal [gesturing to all of you, before correcting himself] - I should say our goal - to stop the spread of the Cult are aligned. If he does not, I will finance the hire of a modest ship as part of OUR agreement, especially as I am keen to move the search for my vessel along. Once I have... what I am asking you to return to me from my vessel, I will be able to leave this island and will be in a much better position to help stop the Cult. Until then I will need to go into hiding, and so have shut up my shop. I will be on this island - or at the very least in a pocket dimension linked to it, and Bryn will still be able to contact me in an emergency, though I cannot risk being found."
"We should go and speak to Jaxon as soon as we can and try to get his permission to use this ship. You must be eager to give your report, Kenton. After that, we can start the search. Do you know the approximate location of your vessel, Faendal?"
Indeed we should, says Kenton, perking up now that this is the plan. And yes, I am most eager. Though... the vessel we came in on, it had no lawful owner, surely? We should report it to the authorities in Port Damali, but they may allow us to keep it. Well, in any case, Jaxon is the man to sort things out. Master Faendal, how much of your involvement is it safe to reveal to Jaxon? I will not lie to him, but we can omit details if they endanger you. That said, he is the most trustworthy of folk, and I would prefer to reveal all.
Faendal responds to Oden "My vessel would have been constantly moving, so I don't know where it is right now, though I will give you the control amulet for it and it will come to you once you are out on the open sea."
Faendal says to Kenton "I would prefer that in any conversation with Jaxon that you downplay my power and leave out that I am from another plane and have a ship that floats underwater, though I ask that none of you shares that openly anyway. From what I know of Jaxon, there is little risk in telling him more, though that is not the same as no risk."
[Kenton and the rest of the Heroes would have explained that the ship was actually one of Jaxon's ships that had been hijacked.]
Faendal goes on to explain the agreement he is proposing:
"A number?" Beatrice asks. "Does that mean people went missing around here a lot? How did they all return?"
[I can't change shop stock easily (clearing cookies recently means I can't edit shops that I'd created), so basically what Bryn previously had is what is still in stock, because laziness: https://5emagic.shop/shop/prawns-pawn-and-general-store-5ac79cf2c]
Bryn responds "Apparently they were on Rumblecusp to the South East, but they seem to have mostly arrived from the Coast on a few different ships. Something about walking through a tree to the mainland first? And yes, it was a number of people, though it has been over many years and so didn't seem too weird. Well, not until a group came back all at once, each with 50 gold and no earthly possessions. If you are wanting news from Nicodranas or Port Damali, there is a constant stream of ships through the docks. I can keep an ear out for news too if you want?"
Kenton nods, inspecting a crossbow but putting it back. I would be glad to hear the news of the Concord, yes. Though, I expect we will return there soon enough. Rumblecusp? I've seen it on maps, but never heard much about it and never thought twice about it. In any case, we should... get to the day's business, no? We are about to make an agreement? He looks to the others for confirmation.
Oden confirms: "Yes, we'd like to take on the shipwreck job, Bryn, and look for Faendal's ship, too."
Bryn’s grin widens and she says "well, I’m glad for the change of heart and I’m sure Faendal will be too." Bryn calls out to Piotr "be a dear and grab the contract and the oath-maker from out the back, we have ourselves a salvage crew!"
A contract is produced which confirms the terms that for a period of 6 months:
Bryn agrees to provide:
1. The breathing helmets,
2. A wand that allows you to summon a small air elemental that would present a chest to you, which could be used to transport magic and high value items you find back to either Bryn or Faendal. The wand can be used every 4 days and can only be used to transport items to Bryn or Faendal,
3. A line of credit in the store of 1500 gp (for the party, not per person). She will deduct sales from for items sent back (and any coins you choose to send back) via the air elemental and then the remainder would need to be paid off at the start of every month.
The party agrees to:
1. Explore at least two new shipwrecks each month OR pay 200gp for any month that two new shipwrecks aren’t explored,
2. Send back all magic items as well as all items worth over 10gp from the first two wrecks explored each month OR pay "reasonable compensation" for any items kept by members of the party (10% of the saleable value). The items sent back will be sold on consignment if the value is 100gp or more and bought outright if less than 100gp, and the party will receive 75%. [You keep coins and items worth less than 10gp.]
3. The helmets and wand need to be returned at the end of the contract period and if they are lost or damaged by the party, the party will replace them.
You CAN use the wand to transport other items you find and want to sell via Bryn on consignment, though the contract does not bind you to do so. The upside is that you would only usually get 50% of the item's value selling elsewhere** rather than 75%, the downside is that because it is on consignment you only get the money if Bryn then sells any item (unless it is worth less than 100gp, which she will buy outright).
**An exception is that usually gems and artworks sell at 100% of the value, so you would lose out on those.
Kenton reads the contract very carefully, with particular attention to the duration. He's looking for any clause that would allow Bryn to extend the contract beyond six months. If he finds nothing suspicious, he will sign his name with a frown and pass the document to the others in the party.
I hope this arrangement will be successful, friend Bryn. I swear that I will endeavour to uphold the spirit of this agreement as best I can. Now, are there any shipwrecks whose location you can advise us of? On the route to Port Damali would be strongly preferred from my side.
Beatrice will also sign and date the contract, making sure to use the full date. "Guess we won't be travelling by land any time soon - hope no one gets sea sick!" she jokes as she passes the contract on.
[I haven’t heard back, but I’m going to DM fiat that the others also sign the contract unless I get a post/message by tomorrow morning, and will then move the game on.]
[sounds good to me :)]
"Well, I certainly won't.", Oden says and he signs the contract.
(Yeah, thought we’d already agreed)
Paladin - warforged - orange
"So!" Beatrice says, clapping her hands together. "What now? I've just realised we signed up to investigate shipwrecks without much of a ship of our own, so should we look into buying one, or do we want to go join someone else's crew?"
You all sign the contract, though you see Aliez and Reguh exchange glances and ask to speak to Bryn privately before signing. The three of them move out of ear-shot and have a conversation, then return and Aliez and Reguh sign their names on the dotted line.
Anyone who wants to listen in on the conversation and passes a DC18 perception check can read the following:
The gist of the conversation is that Aliez and Reguh ask if they get separated from the rest of the party - or become shipwreck explorers full time - whether they can just return to Brokenbank with the items rather than sending them via the magical chest. Bryn assures them it won’t be a problem, though says that she hopes that they continue to travel and adventure with the rest of the party.
[More to come soon.]
Perception check: 17
As soon as the last of you signs the contract and Beatrice asks her question, you hear a someone clear their throat and turn to see Faendal is standing behind you. He asks ”whatever is the matter with the ship that you sailed in on?”
Faendal is wrapped in a cloak that seems to distract the eye away from it. If you look away from him, you have a little bit of trouble finding him again.
“I believe it belongs to someone else. That ship was stolen goods.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
I assume someone explains the story of the ship and Faendal listens intently, glancing over his shoulders every few minutes. He is looking significantly more nervous than you have ever seen him before, though you have also never seen him out of his shop before. Before speaking he asks Bryn to lead you all to the back of the shop, which she does.
He then indicates ”from what I know of Jaxon, he will gladly provide a ship if your search for his daughter [he gestures at Kenton] and your goal [gesturing to all of you, before correcting himself] - I should say our goal - to stop the spread of the Cult are aligned. If he does not, I will finance the hire of a modest ship as part of OUR agreement, especially as I am keen to move the search for my vessel along. Once I have... what I am asking you to return to me from my vessel, I will be able to leave this island and will be in a much better position to help stop the Cult. Until then I will need to go into hiding, and so have shut up my shop. I will be on this island - or at the very least in a pocket dimension linked to it, and Bryn will still be able to contact me in an emergency, though I cannot risk being found."
"We should go and speak to Jaxon as soon as we can and try to get his permission to use this ship. You must be eager to give your report, Kenton. After that, we can start the search. Do you know the approximate location of your vessel, Faendal?"
Indeed we should, says Kenton, perking up now that this is the plan. And yes, I am most eager. Though... the vessel we came in on, it had no lawful owner, surely? We should report it to the authorities in Port Damali, but they may allow us to keep it. Well, in any case, Jaxon is the man to sort things out. Master Faendal, how much of your involvement is it safe to reveal to Jaxon? I will not lie to him, but we can omit details if they endanger you. That said, he is the most trustworthy of folk, and I would prefer to reveal all.
Faendal responds to Oden "My vessel would have been constantly moving, so I don't know where it is right now, though I will give you the control amulet for it and it will come to you once you are out on the open sea."
Faendal says to Kenton "I would prefer that in any conversation with Jaxon that you downplay my power and leave out that I am from another plane and have a ship that floats underwater, though I ask that none of you shares that openly anyway. From what I know of Jaxon, there is little risk in telling him more, though that is not the same as no risk."
[Kenton and the rest of the Heroes would have explained that the ship was actually one of Jaxon's ships that had been hijacked.]
Faendal goes on to explain the agreement he is proposing: