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An odd sensation takes hold of you as you feel insubstantial for a moment, as you find yourself being thrown from your feet unexpectedly as the ground you stand on seems to be in constant sway. As you get your bearings, you realize that you are ass first on the deck of a ship, which seems to be caught in a storm. Deckhands approach you, followed by an unpleasant looking fellow with a bandana that hangs over his eye. He looks at you all, then a piece of paper.
With a gnarled voice he barks loudly, so as to be heard over the crashing waves on the deck, "Which one uhz uz is Broadtoad?"
Thomas looks down at the still passed out Kulman and then back to the gentleman w/ the bandana. Gesturing with an upturned palm down at the gnome on the floor of the ship, Thomas responds. "This is Kulman Broadtoe. We are his companions. Are you Captain Howdy?"
ReplyDelete"Aye." He pulls a small vial from his pocket. "Give this to your friend, it will get him on his feet and off his drunken arse." He hocks up a snot ball, spits it on the deck. "We pull into Promise tomorrow. I can discuss the details with you when your gnome friend here when wakes up. You can get below deck and wait out the storm if you like. No rooms for you, but plenty of space in the hold. Some hammocks there if you need them."
ReplyDeleteThomas reaches out to Captain Howdy and takes the vial from his hand. Thomas holds up the vial, takes a long look, and then uncorks the vial to take a whiff. (Attempting craft alchemy at +23 plus 1d8)... while examining the contents he says, "Captain, thank you for welcoming us upon your voyage. I know you are a merchant, and as such, are probably in the market to trade some goods. We have acquired quite a few items recently and I think you are just the savvy businessman we are looking for. While I rouse our friend here, would you be interested in purchasing a few of our choices items?"
ReplyDeleteWhile negotiating prices for items, Thomas takes a moment to thoroughly examine the vial. With a sniff and a small taste, Thomas tilts his head to one side. "Salt water and honey... and interesting hangover aid. By his condition, I think its safe to say this isn't the foulest thing he's put in his mouth today." With that, Thomas pours the contents of the vial in Kulman's mouth...
Delete'What'cha got?"
ReplyDelete"Well, we have a wide variety.. but I've got a few here in mind." Thomas calls over the party and starts to pull some items that we dispersed in the various bags of holding. "Now, here we have a fantastic collection of ceremonial hammers. You can see here (gesturing at the various heads and shafts) the craftsmanship that you can only find in the far north. Given the volume and the quality of the lot, I'd say this to be worth maybe 25,000 gold. I'm sure you can fetch an even higher price in Promise or Riddleport." Thomas then walks to Thorbjorn and pulls a set of armor from his bag. "Now here is something that I guarantee you've never run across. This was the prized possession of a Centaur Druid and EXTREMELY rare. This is the finest set of +3 Wild Mountain Pattern armor that you will ever find. In the markets of Absolam or Oppara, this would easily bring a price close to 20,000 gold. We have a deal?"
ReplyDeleteThe captain eyes the armor, then looks over the hammers. "I agree the armor is nice, and could fetch 20,000 in Oppara or Absolam, but we are going to Magnimar. I will offer you 15 for it." He picks up a hammer. "As for the sack of hammers...they will take up space, and we will need to find a buyer. That will take a while. I can go 8 on the hammers."
ReplyDeleteThomas watches as the Captain looks over a few of the goods. As the Captain proposes his counteroffer, Thomas rubs his chin. "Hmmm... Well, I suppose there is some 'opportunity cost' for you in selling off the hammers. I do think that a man of your talents could easily pull in at least 15K for it. How about 12K for the lot of hammers? As to the armor, I think 15K is a bit low. BUT, I do like the... (pause for dramatic affect) "cut of your jib" (Thomas says with a smile). I'll meet you in the middle at 17.5K. Deal? (Feel free to throw out a Diplomacy in there at +17 plus 1d8)"
ReplyDeleteWhile the Captain ponders the counter-counter, Thomas begins pulling other items from various packs. "Now, there are several additional items for you to look over. Let's just deal with these as a lot... Here is a gorgeous+2 Returning Dagger, which is of Varisian make, a mithral chain shirt, a set of +1 chainmail, a +1 Morningstar... OH here is something very unique. It is a ring of Sleeping... VERY Handying for getting a well night's sleep in rough seas and otherwise difficult situations...a +1 Frost Spear from way up in the far reaches of the Ice Spire, should fetch a great price so far here to the south, likewise this frostbite sling... Oh man, what ship captain wouldn't want this fantastically crafted Horn of Blasting, never worry about being lost at sea with that excellent tool. Oh and another item that you'll likely never find in this area... a Necklace of Icey Fireballs type V, a wonderful find."
Having laid all of those items on the ship's deck, Thomas looks up at the Captain. "Clearly, you see the value in these items. And given the help you are providing, I'd be willing to sell you the whole lot for say... 40,000 gold. A fair deal for a fair man. What do you say?"
"He shakes his head. Nope, hammers and armor 23. Or you can try to sell your precious hammers elsewhere. I assure you there is not anyone who is going to want your hammers besides maybe some foppish prince in Tien."
ReplyDeleteKulman begins to stir, his eyes flicker like candles.
He looks at the other equipment."Hmm, not bad. I will offer 25 for the rest."
"Well, I don't think we are getting a better offer on this boat. I'll take that deal, but my friend Wong here would like to hold on to that necklace."
ReplyDelete"Now that we've shown you ours, how about you show us yours? Since we've got a little coin, I'm sure a fine merchant like yourself would want to get some of that back. I'm in the market for a nice resistant cloak, a pair of magic boots, and most of all, a headband that will make me smarter. Do you think you have any of those items?"
"Cloak, eh?" He nods to one of his crewmen, who leaves, returning a few minutes later with a box. "I have this one that came across my deck a few months back." You examine it, it is a cloak of resistance +4. "23,000. As for boots, what are you looking for? I got ones that let you swim, climb or dance. 6000 each. And a headband. I think we may have a couple of them, pretty good too. One that makes you smart and nice to talk to. (Int and Cha +4) That one is 53000. Or one that just makes you smart (+4) for 20000."
ReplyDeleteThomas rubs his chin for a moment while looking at the cloak and the headband. "Sir, those prices seem a bit high. Even in a sellers market, I'm not sure I can pay those values. Let's focus on the "make you smarter" headband. I could take that off your hands for say... 16000. Do we have a deal?"
Delete"As you said, a seller's market. I can go 18000 on the headband."
Delete"Deal. Now, with that purchase, I'm afraid that very, very nice cloak is out of my price range. Do you have anything that is about half as magical as that?"
DeleteKulman begins to stir from the concoction that had been poured down his throat...'Wuuuhw this sleeping bag is really warm.... Hey.. where did the sun come from... guys... where are we???"
ReplyDeleteCaptain Howdy looks down, taking a break from the dickering. "Ahh, so, now the Gnome wakes...I have been told that you need speedy transport to promise. My ship is at your disposal."
Delete"Yes Captain... and my companions are grateful for your speedy transportation, as our my other friends I have no doubt. I apologize as it seems I was.. well... I think I was drunk. Is there anything you can tell us about the land of Promise, anything we need to be aware of??"
Delete"Well, the city itself is cut off from the rest of the island by magical, and physical means. Giant wall. There is a gate that allows entry onto the island, but only with permission of the counc..."
ReplyDeleteHis voice is interrupted by a loud whistle from the crow's nest. A deep bellowing yell comes from a telescope wielding crew member high above the deck. "BLOCKADE AHEAD!"