Random Banter D&D 3.5e Campaign IC, Thread II

[AtlanteanTroll]

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I am. He pauses, And I might. It is something I have been considering. Though I'd like to learn more before making any committments. Niro looks over at the heads mounted on the wall. I was hoping to gather some information. He pats the coin purse on his side, which makes a satisfying noise.

[Amidus Drexel]

Order of the Red Sea Guildhouse

Spoiler: Niro

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"Well, you won't get much out of Gunner without a guild coin-" The priest nods towards the bar. "-but most everyone else won't have a problem chatting, as long as you're not trying to snipe their job. What kind of information were you hoping to gather?"

He reaches into a drawer and pulls out a small stack of pamphlets, then hands you one. "So you don't forget about us. We've always got work; if you can do the job, we'll get you in. And we're always open."

[AtlanteanTroll]

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I'm interested in learning about dragons. Niro takes the pamphlet from the priest, and gives it a quick read before stowing it. How is it that you balance the association with Vermiculus and staying neutral in international conflict with your high standing with the crown?

[Teddy]

Back Room

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Tass briefly browses through different Capel Kerig locations in her mind.

Roath Park, three days before full moon.

[Amidus Drexel]

Order of the Red Sea Guildhouse

Spoiler: Niro

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The priest gives you a confused look. "What high standing with the crown? You mean these robes? Ha!" He rolls his eyes. "Wearing red doesn't bring me any closer to the emperor than wearing white does - or being rich, for that matter - and we have plenty of retired army and bored or runaway nobles here too. Besides, the Order doesn't require its members to be neutral, necessarily - it just won't give us jobs paid for by the monarchy."

"As for dragons, there's plenty of knowledge here. I heard a rumor there's a famous dragonslayer coming to town this week, but I haven't heard who - maybe you could ask around for them?"

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A Back Room

Spoiler: Tass, Alphonse

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Morgan nods, and extends you a hand. "that works for me! i will see the two of you that night - and only the two of you - else you will not see me. do we have a deal?"

[LaZodiac]

Spoiler: Backroom

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Alphonse nods politely. "Of course."

[Teddy]

Back Room

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Those are sound conditions. Can we expect the same degree of solitude from you?

[Amidus Drexel]

A Back Room

Spoiler: Tass, Alphonse

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"yes." The lieutenant carefully puts his gloves back on, then sets about returning the box of black lotus extract to its place. "i have no intention of double-crossing a customer such as yourself - but it is wise for you to ask, i suppose, being where we are."

The poison safely stowed away under the floor, Morgan returns to his chair. He gives you a curious look, and says, "how do you two know the king, anyway? would you know if he has other acquaintances such as yourself that i'm not familiar with with whom i could do business?"

[Teddy]

Back Room

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When Morgan returns the poison to its storage, Tass swiftly looks around for any dropped hair or... other body part of his to squirrel away.

He's mostly just surrounded by merceneries whose optimism outshines their material possessions. We have similar interests with the king, but you'll have to excuse us if we didn't stay long enough for him to introduce us to his wealthier acquaintances. I've never been... much for nobility, if you understand me.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Spot check: (1d20+17)[26]

[Amidus Drexel]

A Back Room

Spoiler: Tass, Alphonse

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Tass, you're able to pull a few stray hairs from the uniform hanging on the wall, and could collect some sand that's... fallen off ...of the lieutenant as well, should you so desire.

"i understand. i do have a great love for the nobles, as individuals. rich, bored, and petty make good customers, in my business." Morgan holds a hand up to his face and looks at the hole in his palm. "except, of course, when those same rich, petty customers think you've cheated them. nevermind that i deal in contraband and sometimes i lose shipments to inspectors at the docks. but on the whole, not such a bad lot."

"i do look forward to meeting you and your deep wallet again, lady tass, and you also, sir alphonse. three days antecedent of the full moon, in roath park. i'll mark my calendar." He grins, then turns away to make a few notes in his record-book.

[AtlanteanTroll]

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Ah. I see. Niro takes a brief pause to process the information. Yes, the Marquess Wren, or so I have been told. Has he ever come here before?

[Teddy]

Back Room

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See you then.

Tass turns to leave the room and return to main hall, hair and a pinch of sand stowed away in an empty pocket of her spell pouch.

[LaZodiac]

Spoiler: Backrooom

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Alphonse will follow after Tass, not wanting to linger too long.

[Amidus Drexel]

Order of the Red Sea Guildhouse

Spoiler: Niro

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"Oh, is Victor stopping by? Yes, he's been here before - in fact, he still pays his membership dues, though I don't think he's taken a job in years. If you're interested in dragons, he's your man. He used to lead a small party of dragonslayers, back when he was younger - he probably has as much information on them as we do, if not more - not to discourage you from asking anyone else here, though."

--
Rasua's Temple / The Blind Eye Gambling House

Spoiler: Bela, Alphonse, Tass

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You return to the outer room, and are just in time to notice a small brawl being broken up at the bar. The short, horned bouncer is carrying a musician in each hand, and is occupied with dragging them out the door as you enter. "AND STAY OUT!" She tosses them out to the street, then walks back over to the bar to retrieve her hammer.

Bela is still sitting up on the balcony, looking down at the spectacle below.

[AtlanteanTroll]

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Oh, does he now? Good to know. Niro thanks the man for his help before heading to the bar, where he stands in lieu of sititng. Who here can tell me about dragons?

[Amidus Drexel]

Order of the Red Sea Guildhouse

Spoiler: Niro

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A comfortably dressed man a few barstools over spins around and waves his hands at you, practically overflowing with a childish glee. His skin is scaly and blue, though his hands and hair both have a rainbow-esque effect that reminds you of an oil slick. "I do! Come on, sit down, have a drink!"

[AtlanteanTroll]

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Niro leaves the bartop to join the man who called out to him. I'm afraid drinks have no effect on me. But let me buy you your next round.

[Amidus Drexel]

Order of the Red Sea Guildhouse

Spoiler: Niro

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Though you wouldn't have thought it was possible, the man's eyes widen even further, and he reaches out to shake your hand. "A pleasure to meet you! Ulhar-molik vur Aussir-sauriv, at your service! But please, please, please just call me Ulhar. What can I tell you about dragons, my friend?"

[AtlanteanTroll]

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Ulhar, is it? You may call me Niro. Niro signals to the barkeep to bring Ulhar a drink. I'm looking for some information about individual dragons. I know that's a little out of the ordinary.

[Teddy]

Rasua's Temple

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Tass walks up to Béla on the balcony.

Done, we've got our contact. And what is going on here riow?

[Amidus Drexel]

Order of the Red Sea Guildhouse

Spoiler: Niro

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"Niro? A wonderful name! What does it mean?" Ulhar slaps a steel token down on the counter and shouts to the bartender, "A tall glass of lightning, Gunner, and then probably call it a night for me." He turns back to you. "That's not a problem at all! I know a great many dragons - some personally, some not - who are you interested in? Nobody burnt down a town lately, did they?" He gives you an inquisitive, slightly worried look.

[AtlanteanTroll]

Order of the Red Sea Guildhouse

Spoiler: Niro

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"Niro? A wonderful name! What does it mean?" Ulhar slaps a steel token down on the counter and shouts to the bartender, "A tall glass of lightning, Gunner, and then probably call it a night for me." He turns back to you. "That's not a problem at all! I know a great many dragons - some personally, some not - who are you interested in? Nobody burnt down a town lately, did they?" He gives you an inquisitive, slightly worried look.

Spoiler: SPOILER

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Mean? Niro had never considered the question before. I'm not sure it means anything, per se. It's just preferable to Tacitus Mk. IV. How impersonal is that?

Not as far as I am aware. At least not recently. I seek information regarding Techrytryx Avrae, Pyo the Berserker, and Diacaedr Moonbeam.

[Cuthalion]

Spoiler: Inn The Temple

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Rasua's Temple

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Tass walks up to Béla on the balcony.

Done, we've got our contact. And what is going on here riow?

Much that would not surprise you and little of interest. Béla glances around at her for a few seconds, and then stares down into the Inn again. Are we ready to go? Where's the r-- warforged?

[Teddy]

Rasua's Temple

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He got thrown out after the bar fight he started. From that point, I don't know. Either he's waiting for outside right now, or he went elsewhere.

[Amidus Drexel]

Order of the Red Sea Guildhouse

Spoiler: Niro

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Ulhar's drink arrives - a pint-glass of a clear liquid with what look like metal flakes in it, which is fizzing and popping furiously. Little bolts of electricity arc between the glass and Ulhar's hand as he goes to pick it up, and his hair begins to stand up as he drinks it. As he hears your list of dragons, his eyebrows rise also. "Pyo? Are you sure nobody's destroyed a town? Whyever under Therion's blue sky would you be looking for Pyo the Berserker?"

The man scratches his chin, and the residual static from his drink continues to spark at his face. "But the others, hm... well, Missus Avrae is a grumpy old lady! Do you want to meet her? I think she's doing something special for the Solstice. I'm sure it'll be a spectacle!" He leans in close, and whispers, grinning like a fool. "It's probably fireworks of some kind - she always did have fun making explosions~"

"Now, Diacaedr, I don't know about. He's, uh, kind of odd? I haven't seen him in a couple of decades, so I couldn't say what he was up to. I sort of might be the best person to contact him, buuuuuuut-" Ulhar pauses, and downs the other half of his glass. "-the last time I took a job from him he wouldn't pay, so the guild had to send out people to collect from him. And he's probably still pissed about it! Haha!" Ulhar winks. "Of course, that's what you get when you try to stiff the Order of the Red Sea!"

[AtlanteanTroll]

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Well, no. I am not sure. It is why I seek information. But Pyo, Avrae, and Diacaedr, they're all still alive? That's good to know. Niro pauses to think how much he should reveal. I have reason to believe that one of those dragons effectively killed me over 300 years ago. A dragon by the name of Yusil-bha was also on the suspect list, but I have gathered he has already passed.

[Amidus Drexel]

Order of the Red Sea Guildhouse

Spoiler: Niro

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Ulhar fiddles with the empty glass as he speaks. "Well, if you think someone killed you, Pyo is not such a bad bet! But 300 years ago? I wouldn't rule out Missus Avrae or Diacaedr either. Now, those two I can put you in contact easily, but - mercifully - I do not have a relationship of any kind with Pyo the Berserker. The last I heard, he lives in the mountains near the city of Nordrake, but that was over half a century ago. Where does he live now? Who knows! If you really want to know where he is, I'd ask a slayer - the last emperor offered an Earlship to the one who returned with Pyo's head - and the offer still stands! If you're suici- er, brave enough to try and collect on it, anyway." He grins nervously, then bends down and half-mumbles, "I do mean it, though! He has a reputation for enjoying the taste of human and elf. And for maiming the survivor! Stripping and maiming."

The scaled man leans back and stretches. "I'm sure you've heard, but there are some dragonslayers coming through here tomorrow night. Stop by, bring your friends, I'll introduce you! And maybe I can help you with Missus Avrae in the meantime? She is the best with explosions!"

[AtlanteanTroll]

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I see. Do you know how Pyo, Avrae, and Diacaedr get along? If it was Pyo who killed me, it could not hurt to have allies. Niro gives what barely passes for a wink, I have the distinct feeling that I cannot be all too tasty.

Yes, the Marquess. I intend to speak with him. Meeting with Avrae certainly couldn't hurt. Tell me, Ulhar, how do you know so much?

[Amidus Drexel]

Order of the Red Sea Guildhouse

Spoiler: Niro

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"Er, well... draconic politics are complicated - almost as complicated as fey politics! I don't pretend to understand them at all." Ulhar massages his temple, and begins to speak more slowly. "I should think that all three know of each other. I would be rather surprised if Missus Avrae had ever met either of them, though - she so rarely leaves the port districts here." He stretches, and yawns, then continues. "Now, Diacaedr Moonbeam, he might know Pyo. They are both cold-mountain sorts of dragons. I could always ask him, if you like - though I can't say if he'd even answer me."

Ulhar waggles his finger, and smirks. "Ah, but that's where you'd be wrong! Not everyone knows this, but dragons can eat almost anything - some have a taste for manflesh, some for treebark, some others for ice or rock, and some for metal or gems. Missus Avrae, for example, is very fond of corroded copper. Don't write yourself off as inedible just because you are adamantine!"

"How do I know so much?" The scaled man clutches his hands over his chest. "Why, by making friends with dragons, of course! Collectively, they are very wealthy and very powerful - and individually, they are majestic and knowledgeable! How could I, as a dutiful sorcerer and drunkard, not know so much about the creatures whose blood runs in my very veins!?" He laughs heartily, haphazardly tumbling from his stool to the wooden floor below. He gets up and dusts himself off, then reclaims his seat. "Yes, I thought that last drink would do me in! Well, no more for tonight! Do forgive me, Niro, but I must go home to sleep!" Ulhar rises once more, and takes a hesitant step or two, holding onto Niro's shoulder for support. "Though, uh, if you could help me up the stairs, I would be ever-so grateful!"

--
Elsewhere

You learn from Emilie, the bouncer, that Niro was asking about dragons and adventuring guilds, and has probably gone off to visit the Order of the Red Sea Guildhouse. Your business at Rasua's temple concluded, you find an inn and retire for the night.

Come morning proper...
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11:00, Thursday, Early Winter, CI 200
Countdown to Solstice Celebrations: 30:00
Countdown to the New Year: 37:00
Market Square, Capel Kerig, Cymru, Hindrun, Prime Material Plane

After resting, preparing spells, and eating breakfast (as appropriate), you return to Capel Kerig's market square. Two young boys carrying a conspicuous pink umbrella and a limp pouch stand outside Enigma's store, counting money.

Niro is standing alone, away from the merchant's stalls, a parchment pamphlet in hand.

Tass: A brief inquiry about a florist with some volume of plants points you to Therion's temple - word has it that a small donation will net you your choice of vegetation from their extensive hanging gardens.

[LaZodiac]

Alphonse will go with Tass, and while at the Florist ask for advice on flower language. I'm going on the assumption that as a florist they probably would know this, at least with regards to the nobility.