((Putting on a show that he liked it. He didn't. Very obviously didn't.

I guess if you call that deception it's two crit fails but they are 10s instead of 8s!))

"You're a natural Beaker, Ben!"

((oh ok gotcha! My bad I thought the double 1's were for Ben trying to do the sign. Ok this is even better! haha, hilarious.))

Yeah Ben can't seem to get the hand sign at all.

Ess is so happy that all of you have tried it! 

He asks again, this time louder to all of you "So homies, what do you think about me getting a gold tooth my bros?"

Ben, you don't get any magical pings when you detect magic at the inn, neither from Hanna or any customers. Only from the magical items that the party has. 

Prisoners returned + 16  /  09:30AM  /   Council Hall

It is extremely busy at the council hall as you make your way in. Even busier that the last time you were two weeks ago. All of the councilmembers are working in their various offices, some of them are speaking with people, some of them are just busy working alone. 

Assuming you make your way to Eliander first, he would do a double take when he sees you and would say "BY THE GODS! There you all are! Give me one moment please." and he leaves his office and you hear him say to someone to "forget about the search party" or something along those lines. 

He comes back in and says "Ben, Korrik, Ash, Ess.. with all do respect, where the hell have you all been! Last time we spoke you said you'd be gone a week or so on a vacation. BAH! It's been double that, yeah?"

He sounds unusually desperate here.

"Argh, I suppose it matters not where you were. You are all here now. And not too late."

The captain would go on to explain that the council did indeed have their meeting with the lizardfolk, and that a partnership has been established.

The sahuagin conflict is imminent. 

"This is not a joke. If we've ever needed the Heroes of Marshswamp, now would be the time. The damn guildmaster seems to be distracted by the issues out at the Abbey so they're really not engaging in all of this until that's dealt with."

He takes a sigh.

"Ben, just no more vacations until we sort this, alright?" he pats your shoulder and you can get a sense that his confidence is not where it was the last time you saw him. He's not hiding the fact that he's pretty concerned about this upcoming conflict 

He would explain that Marshswamp council decided to join the lizardfolk and the other allies in the fight against the sahuagin because they ultimately felt that the sahuagin would eventually make their way to the town and they may as well deal with it now while they have an opportunity. 

Just like how you all assumed it would go.

He would explain that final plans are being put into motion and that there will be a final meeting in 7 days from today which will include representation from all allies including Marshswamp council, Lizardfolk leadership and head representatives from the Merfolk and Locathah. At this meeting, the final plans will be determined and then set into motion. The meeting will take place here in Marshswamp at the council hall in 7 days.

"You will be attending, right?" Eliander looks at you all. "Apparently Othokent is securing an arms order over the next few days, and then the wheels will begin to turn fast with this."

"Also, I'm not sure if you can help with Guildmaster Tabeth and her issues with the Abbey, but let me tell you we'd be in a much better position should we have the Mariner's guilds full attention with this matter."

The captain mentions nothing of Aubreck.

Over to you.

"I think we could probably see what we can do with the Abbey. Have the bandits been causing any more trouble?"

"Bandits?? Why in the blazes" he stops and then continues "I don't know, Korrik. All my energy has been preparing for who knows what is ahead of us with this conflict. I did get one of my senior team members to take the bandit issue off my hands for the time being though. We lost that child a few weeks ago... wait, you already know about that, right? Happened right as you were leaving."

"Yes, if you were to look into the Abbey for me to get the guildmasters on board I'd greatly appreciate it."

Ben shakes his head at Ess,

"Sure. Cool bro. Get them all capped in gold."

----

"It was a working vacation and the weather was unfortunately not with us there or on the way back. We're here now."

Ben gets a pained look on his face.

"Another deadline? I think it best we go see Othokent immediately to check on their status. We'll be back tonight and, as Kay says, we'll look into the Abbey situation if able. We're in desperate need to visit a place a bit larger before things start with the sahaugin to restock and prepare."

Ben doesn't have time for anything else, and just bids Eliander a pleasant day before heading out, after he responds to Kay's questions.

Once out he'll say somethings in infernal then say to the others,

"Okay, we find ourselves short on time and long on opportunities. We split as planned and meet at the docks. Agreed?"

"Yeah."

"Just figured all our focus is going to be one other matters... if the bandits are still active, they might see it as a prime opportunity."

Outside:

"Yeah. I know the demon worshipper isn't your favorite place for us to shop, but if she's got stuff on hand, she might be the only magic item vendor we can hit before we're in a time crunch."

Korrik and Ess head for the docks.

Once the party disperse, to carry out their individual duties, Ash will head off to get the stones identified …but immediately double back around and find Captain Xendros, the Tiefling magic item vendor.

She would hurry in and close the door, “Captain Xendros? I am in the market for magical items and I hear you can provide such things?… I need to be able to swim, and breathe under water… Do you have anything like that?”.

”Aside from that, I may be interested in.. anything.. else.. you have available at the moment”. Wide smile.

After this meeting, she would scratch a message to Fiddnot in Thieves’ Cant, in the usual place, and it will simply say ‘Magic items. You know the kind of thing. Have gold. Urgent’.

Then, finally, she will head to get the stones identified…

Outside,

"Shop wherever you like, it doesn't matter to me. Just expect everything you get from that woman to come with an unwanted extra."

He will make sure they are all paying attention and uses his most serious voice.

"There are no fair dealings with demons or devils. You will always lose. Every deal you make with them, or their servants, brings you one step closer to them or whatever they want to achieve. Xendros is here for something on behalf of her master, and I for one don't plan on being on any of their ledgers."

As he turns to walk away he adds over his shoulder,

"Deal as you want, simply don't expect help when it invariably goes wrong should you deal with a devil. Or a demon."

Ess respond to Ben "Wicked bro. Huh. I wonder if there's any good dentists in Marshswamp? May as well get it scheduled my bro!"

"uhh, waiter? Do you know of any good dentists in town?" He flips the waiter another gold. The waiter responds with a very confused look "duh duh dentists, sir? Uhh... um the Temple of Procan, maybe?" and he awkwardly walks away, thanking Ess for the coin.

To Korrik: Eliander rubs his chin. "Lad. You make a good point. It's just, there's not two of me, ye know? Heck, I'd prefer three or four of me, but there's only one captain and I've only got so many responses available." he leans into him closer "the children get to you, yeah? Me too, lad. I've just got to think about the broader picture. Need to focus my time on the sahaugin. Should ye want to help with the bandits, talk to George back at the barracks. He's the lead on the bandit issue right now."

To Ben: "A working vacation?! What in the blue... ah, it matters not. Like you say, you are here now."

"Believe me, friend. If we didn't have to work by deadlines, I'd be a happier man. And probably less grey!"

Eliander is fine with you going to see Othokent. "Do let me know if she provides you with any updates, yes?"

"Restock? What would ye need, Ben? Are ye all thinking of heading to the Hold? I sure as heck home not, I can't have ye all leave again for that long!"

"The Abbey. Yes. Head over to the guild and inquire within. Something about them wanting to expand out on Abbey Isle and..." he is interrupted by Eda. "Eliander! My office. NOW!" he grumbles and then says "Right. Farewell for now, Ben."

"Oh. Ben?"

"It is great to see you again. All of you. Some of us thought you all were not coming back from this vacation you were on. You'll have to tell me about it sometime. Perhaps after the war."

Bimz flutters his wings uncomfortably when Eliander says the word "war".

Prisoners returned + 16  /  10:00AM  /   Various Locations in town

Kay and Ess at the docks: After a half hour, you're able to find a captain who has a boat that would accommodate the gear who you could hire to take you to and from your destination. She says the price is 12gp and isn't willing to budge especially since you are looking for a one day trip. This takes into consideration the price of ship's passage for the entire party, transporting the weight of the goods as well as considering her as a skilled hireling.

Korrik, Ess steps up and gives her 15gp. "Here. This should cover it, yo." and the captain looks at him in a strange way and then shrugs her shoulders and takes the coins. 

The captain would ask no questions at all about the goods they are transporting. Most captains of this type of profession (transport) don't. 

* you of course have access to a modified keelboat which would be captained by the guard, but then you'd likely have to tell them about the weapons, and this would have to be set up by Eliander. 

Ben, you go to Kester's Leather goods and offer her the PPE skins. Kiorna Kester greets you (NPC tab) and she remembers you. "Well sir! Seems you were right about Eliander! I've never been as busy with the leather armor just flying off the shelves. Can't make it fast enough. Although it seems we will be in conflict soon. Ah well. I shall take up business elsewhere should things get hairy here. Besides, sales will drop off after whatever this is so maybe it'll be time to go anyhow."

"So, what do you have for me today, friend?" and she winks at you. 

When you show her the PPE skins, she says that they are not an exotic enough creature for her to give you her 'special deal', but she'd be willing to pay you (that is with the persuasion floor of 20) 25gp for the strange looking skin. 

Ess goes to the temple to inquire about his grillz procedure (14) and then meets Korrik at the docks.

The 14 isn't enough. The temple doesn't do the procedure and they suggest he go to a larger city like Neverwinter or Waterdeep and ask the temples there.

Ash, you get the stones ID'd at the market from a nice old lady selling various basic gems and whatnot. "Oh dearie, not to worry about paying me. All I'm doing is looking at your stones, right? never thought it was good business practice to charge for that." and she smiles her weathered face at you. ((this is a new merchant in the market on this day)). 

Her eyes widen as she sees the red stones. 

She leans in close.

"Ma'am. You best be keeping these hidden away dearie. These are beautiful [Tooltip Not Found]. They'll fetch you at least 100 gold coins each, dearie!"

She is actually a bit uncomfortable even being around them because of their worth. Attracts thieves.

Ash, Xendros smiles devilishly at you and her eyes are wide as you enter her establishment. "Well, hello there. So nice to see you. Magic items? You've came to the right place. I keep nothing of the sort on hand, although I have access to a wide variety of items, some of which I know you will be interested in." she sends you another sly smile. 

Water specific, she could get:

Cap of water breathing   Ring of swimming    and 5 Potion of water breathing

This would take her 2 weeks to access. Each item will cost 350gp which includes her brokering service for each item. That price is for each potion too. If you want any of this earlier, you'd pay more depending on how early you want it. 

As for other magic items, she'd have these items in her pipeline:

Spell scroll (1st level)

Potion of healing (greater) x 2

Potion of frost giant strength

Portable hole 

Potion of healing (supreme)

Shield, +1

Shortsword, +1

We won't get into pricing unless you're interested in any of those.

"So... dear... let's do some business shall we?"

Ash, you write the cant message to Fidd and then head to the docks!

Everyone After all of your activities, then going back to the mansion and gathering all of the equipment (wagon/cart rental -1sp total) rental, loading it, etc. along with maybe getting a small fast food style lunch at the docks (-1sp each) it will be 2:00pm.

Over to you!!!

((this spoiler is more for me))

 Ben takes the 25 gold without much discussion on it.

He does chat though,

"I like to keep my friends up to date on things of important! I wouldn't worry too much about the coming conflict, I hear the council have their best people on it."

He winks back at her.

"Things will drop off but I see Swampmarsh as a growing place, it'd be a shame for you to lose your early position and try to make a new reputation for yourself elsewhere!"

((Okay, so I have been around a tannery and the smell is bad. How bad does Kester smell on a scale of 1-10? Anything less than a 5 and he'll continue to:))

"If you have time, would you like to go have dinner with me? I'd love to find out more about what brought you to town and got you started in the leather business."

((Let me know if that needs a roll... Also if she smells too bad he'll just take his leave politely.))

Finding Ess and Kay he'll wait to depart.

((will respond properly once everyone posts, but yes Ben please roll a persuasion check. 20 floor won't cut it with Kiorna Kester.))

((Dinner persuasion: 21))

Ash replies to Xendros, “Ahh, let’s see… I will take the cap and the ring”, she pulls out her coin purse and very obviously riffles through a significant amount of money. Dropping a few platinum, and precious gems, back into the bag before continuing. “But I’ll need them in a matter of days, not weeks…”.

”I’m sure we can work something out. How about the ring and the cap in… three days, for… … a round one thousand gold?”. As Xendros looks back up from the tinkling coins to Ash’s face she will see that the smile is still there but she looks very serious and businesslike. There’s no doubt that Ash is good for it, and wants to buy. Maybe Ash’s reputation also preceded her, but she doesn’t lean on that.

Ash, you notice Xendros eyes the gems and platinum when you purposefully drop them for a split second and grins.

"Your price is right, but your timeline is impossible. Even for me."

"I can speed it up, but I'm not a miracle worker. Given what you're asking, I think 1k gold will suffice, yes. I can have the items brokered and sent within the week. 5 days because I like the way you do business... Ash was it?"

"Yes. 1k gold total for the Cap of water breathing and the Ring of swimming. I'll have them back here at my office in 5 days from now. 7 days at the latest."

"I will require a retainer payment of 200gp, and you would pay the 800gp upon delivery of the items."

"Do we have a deal?"

And she extends her hand and smiles at you.

Ben, you notice that Kiorna keeps her shop very clean and tidy. She has incense lit everywhere which helps with the smell. 

Definitely a 2 or 3 max on the scale. 

She blushes slightly when you ask her for dinner, and then simply smiles and says "I'd love to."

"Did you have somewhere in mind, Ben?"

So there are a few different taverns in town. The Wicker Goat, caters to dwarven miners and the town guard. The Empty Net which is the seedy tavern. And the Snapping Line Inn which you know about where Hanna works. LOL

Or, are you thinking of taking her somewhere else?

Ash leans in a little, still with that businesslike smile, predator-eyes sparkling. “Hmm… I like five days, yes… I like that very much. Hmm <almost a purr>… …But not 7… oh no, that would not do at all…”.

”How about we say…  5 days, 1k gold… but we knock 100gp off, for each day it’s late? That sounds about right…”.

”200gp up front. Yes, this is good I think…”, she agrees.

And she holds out her hand too, like the tiefling, but waits for the vendor to shake hers, on these new terms.

Ben is going to use Aubreck's house now that it's clean, order some food and have it brought from one of the other places.

Or... he does know a cook.

"I have loan of a nice home for a while, I was thinking perhaps there? Do you have any favorite dishes?"

((You're going to have to help me on the timeline for when this dinner is going to happen Klein. Guessing we'll be back too late for a dinner tonight? We can keep it rolling while we pin that down!))

---

When he finds Kay,

"Kay, how do you feel about doing a little temp work as a cook again? You impressed me with some of your cooking before."

He gives him a friendly smile and adds,

"I will, of course, pay or reciprocate with my musical talents when you need them?"

((Yes, looking to contract privately for the arms deal.))

"Ess, we've got a lot now, but you've been a bit free with the gold lately. It certainly can ensure good service, but also can catch the attention of folks that want it to line their pockets, just ask Ash. The ship cost is the sort of thing the party funds are for, here."

((Korrik covers the ship, cart and lunch from party funds.))

Korrik raises an eyebrow.

"What you have in mind? Hanna needing some extra help and you're contacting it to me?"

Ben smiles at Kay,

"A nice dinner for two, nothing too fancy? This is entirely a personal matter. Hanna appears to have moved on while we were away, in fact when I think on it perhaps even before."

He thinks about it and shrugs,

"Women are fickle, but I wish her the best. I have asked Kiorna, the woman running the tannery and leather goods, on an evening out. Only when I thought through the dinner options in town did I realize how little there was to pick from. The food is fine but I would like to offer her something a bit different, and that is where you come in. Are you interested?"