The City of Glasken - Party One

[Rizban]

The back of a merchant's shop, early afternoon

The five of you are sitting in various places around the storage room, four humans and a dwarf. Trickling in one by one in response to a quietly made request for individuals of certain... skills, you were directed to this back room to wait, though for what, you are unsure. As yet, none have spoken to any other, and the tension in the air is palpable.

Just when it seems things are about to snap, the door bangs open, causing all in the room a startled jump. The ashy skinned human merchant who hired you walks through, escorting a burly, half-orc paladin, to whom he offers a wooden crate as a seat.

Gesturing widely at the room, the merchant speaks.
"Well, now that the last of you has finally arrived... Anyway, I'm sure you're wondering things and all that, and uh. Let's skip that part.

I'm in a bit of a situation here. I recently placed an order for some exotic... delicacies from a dealer who oft times frequents Glasken with his wares. These were purchased for my son's coming of age ceremony. Now, this is a traditional good used by my clan for generations as part of the rite of passage. Due to the difficulty of acquiring said goods, I was required to pay in full in advance. Having dealt with this swine before, I trusted him and paid. Now that the goods have arrived, he demands twice what I have already paid, insisting that my former payment was simply the first installment! Obviously I have been cheated by this cur, and though I would most likely pay simply to settle this without trouble, I currently lack the funds.

Now, normally, I would go to the town guard with my complaint but for two things. First, what I have ordered is highly perishable and will likely not last the night without spoiling. Second, despite it's use in this rite for countless generations, it is a highly restricted, nearly illegal, substance. It's perfectly harmless, I assure you. It simply received some bad press from a small activist group, and the leaders of our fair city restricted it rather than deal with the activists. I would have a permit for it to import it perfectly legally, except that I refused to grease the palms of fifty some odd corrupt bureaucrats.

Needless to say, I am in quite a bind at the moment. Here, I have the directions to the warehouse within which I know the shipment has been stored. I have seen the crate myself, and it bares this insignia upon it. I will loan you my horse and cart if you need it, but I must have that crate in my possession by tomorrow at midday."

The merchant drops a piece of paper on the only table on which is written an address and a crudely drawn crest, which is supposed to be the mark on the crate you are to retrieve.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, my shop has been closed long enough. Go now and retrieve my goods. Until I have them in my possession, I do not know you, and please leave through the back door. If it comes down to outright theft of my rightful property, take a few other crates too and dump them somewhere or something. I don't want any crimes tracked back to me.

Oh, one last thing, don't open it. Exposure to the environment without special considerations can ruin the shipment entirely. If you open it and ruin it, I'm not paying you."

The merchant slams the door behind him as he walks back out into the front of the shop.

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Party One
{table=head]Player|Character|Race|Class
Blackknight1239|Daro Lochreen|Human|Rogue/Swashbuckler
Aethyron|Kalten|Human|Wizard(Diviner)
Omegonthesane|Rose|Human|Urban Ranger
BenTheJester|Varan Damyr|Human|Hexblade
Sallera|Verin|Dwarf|Ninja
Ganurath|Kantu the Fiery|Half-Orc|Paladin
[/table]

If you're not on that list, you're in the wrong thread.

[Ganurath]

Kantu removes his helmet to better scratch his head, showing that the large canines that were trademark to his face had somehow been knocked out. On one hand, it sounded like this merchant either wanted him and these other guys to do something bad, or at least get something for doing bad stuff. On the other hand, the merchant should've known he was a paladin, he had a sun disc on his armor and everything! Extra shiny, too.

Putting his helmet back on, Kantu decides that he should probably get a better understanding of things. Well, try to, anyhow. He reaches for the paper on the table to examine the crest. "We can find our way out, Mr... What was your name again? I'm not good with names."

This was true: The reason he was so late was due to his trouble with following directions that depended heavily on street names. Take the second right, then the third left, that he could do.

[Rizban]

As Kantu looked up from the paper, he realized the merchant had already left.

[Ganurath]

"Huh... Well, I'm Kantu, the Fiery." He holds out the paper for anyone who wants to take it to have a look. Maybe one of the others thought this was fishy too? "I'm a paladin, for those who wonder."

[Blackknight1239]

Daro Lochreen

Daro looks up from from his nails. They were getting dirty. His knife made short work of that, though. This "merchant" moved fast. No time to ask questions? I suppose if you have something to hide, but you'd think he wouldn't have made it so obvious. Ah well, gold's gold, right?

Daro stood up, an took a once over of his new "party" members. "A motley crew, we have here, eh?" he muttered, under his breath. "Kantu, was it? Call me Daro, friend. You're the biggest Paladin I've ever seen. I suppose that'll make you the most useful. May I?" Daro takes the paper from his hand, an looks at it.

OOC:

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Knowledge nobility on the crest?

(1d20+6)[16]

[Rizban]

The crest appears to be related to a noble family who once lived in the city but fell on hard times and became merchants in an attempt to regain their wealth. You realize this particular merchant might be of their lineage.

[Sallera]

Verin

The dwarf rises from his makeshift seat with several metallic clinks. Cursing, he reaches inside his vest, apparently rearranging something, before continuing over to the table rather more quietly. "Name's Verin. Where is it we're going, Daro?"

[Blackknight1239]

Daro Lochreen

"Here. See for yourself." Handing the sheet to the Dwarf, he remarks, "From what I know, our employer is party of a fallen noble family. They lost their money in various unsavory ways, or so I've heard. But...I'm sure someone that is more learned in history, or geography might know more."

[Ganurath]

Kantu holds up a finger. "So, wait. They fell because they did bad stuff, or they fell because bad stuff happened to them?"

[Blackknight1239]

Daro

"Little of both, I suppose. No one is perfect."

[Ganurath]

Kantu

Kantu grumbles and drums his fingers on his knees. So this guy got in trouble, and paid the price. That was alright. Now he wanted to break the law again... But it was the law of bad people, from what he said. Lawful Evil versus Chaotic Good, err with Good... But what if it was just plain Chaotic? "...Well, at least I know the guy with the shipment is a bad person. Smuggler and a swindler. Very least, that needs to be righted."

[Omegonthesane]

Rose listens intently to the merchant's sob-story, while fidgeting with a knife from her belt, passing it from hand to hand, seeing how hard she can press it into her flesh without cutting (which is not very hard at all, for reference). However, she raises an eyebrow as she realises they aren't even getting time to ask questions - guesses the merch doesn't want to be probed, not without more time to prepare another obvious speech. Just like the one he'd recited there - no on-the-fly explanation could have come out that good.
"So we've gotta get into a big-ass warehouse, sneak past - or just shank - every guard on the way, lift a bunch of crates, and get this guy's cargo to him. Without opening it to see just what **** we're in if the guards catch us." She stops fidgeting with the knife, and wipes it on her cloak before sheathing it. "And he times the interview so we can't ask any questions or get a day to gather info. I smell a rat."

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Anything worth banning is going to be on the black market, so Rose might well know of someone trying to peddle a "highly restricted, nearly illegal, substance" which got bad press from "a small activist group". Maybe even which activist group he's on about.
Knowledge (local) (1d20+3)[6]

[Sallera]

Verin

Verin frowns slightly as he studies the paper. "Well, of course. But you didn't expect otherwise, did you, when you came here?" Returning the paper to the table, he pulls out a small metal vial and studies it thoughtfully. "I must agree that it would be nice to know exactly what we're retrieving, though."

[Ganurath]

Kantu

The paladin looks between Verin and Rose. "...I expected otherwise. I thought this was a stolen goods sort of thing... Do you think he knows I'm a paladin?"

[Aethyron]

Kalten

"Glad to know I'm not the only one who's curious about what's inside." Kalten says, running fingers through his hair. "Wouldn't someone at the warehouse probably know?" He looks around, and then blinks, "Oh! Kalten, is my name. Wizard. If you were wondering. Shall we go?"

[Omegonthesane]

Rose takes a moment to size up the paladin, and finds herself actually quite impressed - despite his display of rather obviously low intelligence. And slowness on the uptake. Also, she notes the dwarf finding it bizarre that she expected anything other than a dodgy job. "Heh. Too long working for... trustworthy guys," she says, realising mid-sentence that it's best not to mention hobgoblins in front of a dwarf. Generally. "As for you... Kantu, if he didn't peg you for a paladin from the first, he got no business bein' a merchant.... Oh, the name's Rose. Time we started... No, wait." She fixes her gaze on Varan, who hasn't mentioned his name yet. "Do you have a name?"

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Bluff (1d20+8)[12]

[Rizban]

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Rose comes up with quite a lengthy list of banned herbs, home remedies, weapons, drinks, and many other things. Turns out the city isn't so much Lawful Neutral as it is Bureaucratic Neutral. Darn bureaucrats restrict and tax anything they can.

Who are you bluffing against?

[Blackknight1239]

Daro Lochreen

"Now, I think it's about time for a plan, huh? I'm not too sure I remember where this place is, but I think we should scout it out first. Once we seen it, we can figure the best way to tackle it. Once it's done, well, I know this charming little brothel..."

OOC:

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To remember where said warehouse is. Geography?

(1d20+2)[4]

[Rizban]

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You believe the address is somewhere far across the ocean in a land called Da'Chtiksa-luk, the desert empire of the insectoid race of Kreen. No, that can't be right, it would take several weeks of travel to get there and just as long to get back. Surely the merchant didn't expect you to go that far... It then occurs to you that most of the warehouses are on the east side of town, near the docks. If nothing else, you figure you can ask someone on the street for directions to the address.

[Ganurath]

Kantu gets up after a quick chuckle from Rose's comment and a nod of agreement, turning his attention to the back exit the merchant had indicated. "Let's talk outside, I don't think he wanted us sticking around longer than needed. It'd be rude."

[BenTheJester]

Varan finally stepped out of the shadows. While usually having quite a mouth, he also had the habit of observing his "associates" before saying anything.

The warrior didn't care much about the deal being that shady, he was used to it.

With a commanding tone, he expressed: "There is obviously something fishy about this deal, a child could see that. Now let's all move out before these "goods" perish. We can discuss the ethics of our engagement on the way there.

"Now if anybody knows about the whereabouts of this warehouse, lead the way."

As he started walking towards the door, he stated "The name's Varan, by the way."

[Sallera]

Verin

Verin snorts at the mention of the name. "Hope no one needs to call one of us at a distance." Stowing the vial in his vest again, he follows Varan out the door.

[Ganurath]

Kantu will be holding the door open for the others, since he was the first up. "Sounds like a job for nicknames. Or last names. I like nicknames myself."

[Rizban]

One by one, the group files out of the shop's back door while Kantu dutifully holds the door, giving a slight nod to each in semblance of a bow.

As they make it to the street, Rose notices an urchin across the street fidgeting nervously and watching the party while he tries to look like he's doing nothing. As Varan comes into view, the boy's eyes light up in recognition, and he begins digging in his pockets. Before Rose can mention this to anyone, the boy comes running to to him clutching a piece of paper.

"Hey! I've been waiting for you to come out! A man paid me fou... five silver to deliver this to you and said you'd give me another five on delivery."

He presses the parchment into Varan's hand and eyes his coin pouch expectantly.

[BenTheJester]

As he steps out the door, Varan nods at the Paladin, appreciating its gallantry.

"You can call me The Watchdog, that's what they usually call me anyway."


As he sees the little kid, he makes nothing of it and smoothly slips five silver pieces in his hands, not wanting to make a scene.

He stuffs the parchment in his pocket, considering it wise to not read it in front of his new "friends".

[Rizban]

The kid continues to hang around, waiting to see if he can find any other ways to earn a bit of coin. He does his best to look eager and helpful without getting underfoot, but has learned to be silent unless addressed... At last, he can stand it no more.

"Well, arn cha going to read it? It might be important!"

[BenTheJester]

Varan knows perfectly well who sent the kid and thus deams his advice to be wise enough for him to consider.

As he shoots another silver piece in the kid's hand, he adresses the urchin with a low voice: "You've done your part, now don't get any greedier and go your own way kid."

He opens the letter and does his best not to attract the attention of the others while he reads it.

[Rizban]

Varan breaks the seal on the parchment and beings to read:
BenTheJester

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"I'm surprised you would show yourself around here again, Madarius. If you keep flaunting your face around town, it will only be a matter of time before Krell or Cassatta decides to smash it in. Gods, I would have half a mind to do it myself if we didn't make such a good team. I'm willing to forgive your double cross if you see fit to meet me in the alley behind the Blue Ox just after sundown today."

The street urchin appears crestfallen and looks to the other party members as if pleading for them to do something.

[Ganurath]

Kantu removes his pack and reaches in, waving the kid over. "How much would it cost for you to tell one of the clergy at the Temple of Pelor that Kantu- That's me- Expects his job to be done before the end of the day?"

[Rizban]

Giving the half-orc a quick once over, "Kantu.." He says the name as if memorizing it.

"I dunno. Isn't there something I could do for you here that's more important? Say, give you information, lead you somewhere you want to go, uh... help you count your money?"

He rocks forward on his toes a bit to try to peer into the pack but doesn't move from where he's standing.