AVB - The Forgotten One

[Lexin]

[thoughts] Not the brightest one, is he?

In an instant he looks more bored than anything else
"What I want, is to make money. And I am willing to share it with those who help me achieve my goals. I think I made myself clear about what I would need and how can I pay."

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... worst case scenario: I make another character and wait half a year to join the game...

Charm Person! (at the talking one)
using 5 pp (will DC 20)

Concentration to mask the display (DC 16) (1d20+10)[11] Fail

... I knew it!

... and a sudden chime rings in the minds of the thugs...

[Rizban]

They all hear a faint chiming sound, but he fails his save.

"Wot was that?" {Looks around confused}
"He's a mage! Kill him!" {Pulls out a short sword}
{Silently draws two knives}

"Hold on a second. Don't kill him just yet. I like the sound of his proposal. Tell me what it is, exactly, you want from us. I don't like guessing."

[Lexin]

"Okay, so I would talk simple:
One, I would like information, if any of the less law abiding citizens is interested in buying from me illegal alchemical substances.
Two, would be nice to have Citizenship ... and I suppose you know who I can bribe to get that...
Three, I would like to hire a 'helper' who would help me gather information from the city and maybe contact you guys in less life threatening manner... Information at first would be basic and easy to obtain... but later could include spying on some prominent citizens. ... in the same time I would like to know if any of my competitors have conections with some gangs or similar groups, so I don't get in your way.
From time to time I might hire some of you, so you break a leg or two, so people don't get in my way.
Finally, I can make poisons, but it would be profitable for me only if I gain access to material... and have buyers. The later is easier to be found here than in the marketplace...

Clear enough?"

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... could we say that he prepares action to cast suggestion (if attacked) for this whole conversation unless he uses different power?

[Rizban]

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Speaking is a free action, so it shouldn't be a problem...

"That's a lot of stuff, man. Why don't we sit down inside and talk this out, figure out what we gonna do?"

He motions towards the building.

"You really think we can trust this guy?"
"I said shut up"

[Lexin]

Lanakhad hesitates for a second but then simply shrugs and follows the talkative guy, all the time he tries too keep as many of them as possible in the mind reading range.

[Rizban]

Two remain outside, but the talky man and the killy man go inside with you. However, one remains in front while the other remains behind you. There's no way to catch both at the same time...

[Lexin]

Mind reading priority set on talky man, psicrystal observing killy guy, so Lanakhad doesn't get sneak attacked...
Lanakhad follows the talky man.

[Rizban]

He motions you to a small table with a few chairs and takes a seat. The other man takes up a position a little behind you and to the side, obviously still very distrusting.

"Now, listen here, we don't normally do all this stuff you're talking about. So, if there's something specific you need, you're going to have to spell it out to the boys, tell me what you need so I can teach 'em how to do it. We can't do more than one thing at a time, but, if the gold is good, we can make something work."

[Lexin]

"We could start from a relatively easy one. Information.
Find me a person interested in buying poisons and providing materials and I would pay for the information.

I can't really walk around and ask myself. I am new to the city, which means I don't know where to look and... as you can see..." he points at the man behind him "...it seems not many people are willing to trust me that easily..."

[Rizban]

"You seem like a decent guy and all, but don't go giving us orders. If you want information, you have to pay at least half up front."

[Lexin]

"I wasn't giving orders. At least didn't mean to, sorry if it came out this way.

As for information and paying half up front, it is a tricky thing.
The question is, where can I sell poisons, and sell them well.
The answers could be valued differently. I understand that you need some money for your expanses, but right now even you probably don't know what would be the final price.

Of course, if you have a standard fee... just tell."

[Rizban]

"He's a cop. He's trying to get you to say something he can use to arrest us. Let's just get rid of him already."

"I don't think he is, man. Just shut it while I work.

Look, we don't do this stuff often, so there's no set fee. Just tell me what you're willing to pay, and we'll negotiate from there."

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Gave them colors so it's easier to see who is talking.

[Lexin]

"For simple information how to reach somebody, where to find him and how to approach him so I don't get killed, I suppose I could offer 100 gold.
...But if you were to make a deal with somebody in my place, so I can skip the haggle and get a ready stream of orders... and avoid the suspition of being a cop and trying to find info on your bosses... this would be worth much more.
How much... depends on the deal mostly. If I can get materials for a fifth of the base price and sell the ready product for ... lets say 60%... or any other combination which would net me 40%of a base price as profits... and I give you 500 for making the deal. If you can find a better opportunity I would pay more, or maybe you would just take the extra profits yourself..."

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This is based on the part where materials for poisons are valued at 1/6th of the price if they are easily accessible.

[Rizban]

"I ... um... what?"

All the numbers and different options have obviously confused him.

[Lexin]

"Hmm... nevermind then. I just thought you would work as a middle man and get the deal ready... but it seems it is not your usual business, so I would settle for basic contact information."

[Rizban]

"Yeah, I can do contacts."

[Lexin]

"Great. 50 gold in advance, 70 after? When I can expect any information?"

[Rizban]

"I'll have a name for you tomorrow."

[Lexin]

Lanakhad nods simply, gives talky man a small pouch with 50 gp and says "Till tomorrow then."

Then he stands up to leave.

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Does Read Thoughts tell me how much did I overpay?

[Rizban]

The Killy one escorts you out silently.

His thoughts appear to be entirely on trying to figure out how to get the contact info. The Killy want still wants your blood.

[Lexin]

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...what a jolly company...

He goes back to the main street, trying to remember the place so he could easily come back later.

What time is it?

[Rizban]

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Well, you DID ask to find street thugs...

It is about 3PM.

[Lexin]

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Yeah, my fault.
(It was the easiest way, that I could think of, to somehow contact criminals from this city... unless they have a guildhouse or something...)

Lanakhad thinks a while about what to do next. He had few potential customers, so it might be a good time to look for information about the city itself...

He tries to remember where he could find a library in the city (or asks a random beggar/ kind looking citizen if he doesn't know)

[Rizban]

You need to roll a Knowledge or Gather Information check

[Lexin]

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Knowledge Local (untrained, so only common knowledge) (1d20+4)[14]
if it doesn't work he would ask around, as mentioned above

[Rizban]

He thinks that there is probably a library at the university he saw not far from the Plaza. He also thinks there's probably one run by one of the knowledge deities in Temple.

[Lexin]

"I wonder if there is free access to library in University. ... Worth checking..." he murmurs to himself and tries to once again find his way to university (and library)

[Rizban]

Due to being very close to the Plaza and having a rather prominent sign, you easily find it.

A 10ft stone wall surrounds a collection of buildings which take up an entire city block. The thinness of the brick wall indicates that it is intended for privacy rather than security. A large, wrought iron double gate stands open in the front of the campus. A sign above it proudly proclaims "Aldhaven Royal University of Scientific Esoterica".

[Lexin]

Now, to library!

Lanakhad walks around the place for a while, looking for a 'Library' sign. If he doesn't find one, he would look for a student, to ask about directions

[Rizban]

You find a round building near the rear of the campus that is indeed a library.