(INC) Bellows of War- Crafting Thread Part II

[EdgeGrinder]

"My people know of the It'aski. They say their wares are second hand, of lesser quality, and overpriced. Now, I prefer to make up my own mind, but I will pay special attention to their wares and magics. If these claims are unfounded, then perhaps I can use it as a means to light a fire under my fellows and get them to work on my Demon Touched Buster armor." Bartleby said.

[Andrew Markham]

Outside Goldenrod, 1:10 PM

With no sign of the Professor, Kamyol, Sai, and Bartleby decide to go out to the caravan. They go out the city's main gate and turn east. In short order, they find a note staked into the ground.

"Honored Guests from Lady Redmane. Nihisk will return within the watch. If you do not wish to wait for Nihisk follow map to Caravan entrance. Nihisk will meet you there and show you our wonderous caravan."

Below is drawn a crude map.

Off in the distance you can see a small form heading east along the wall. If you run you may be able to catch him.

[Andrew Markham]

Earlier...
Goldenrod, near the Tapper, 9:30 am

Bartleby is heading towards the bar to seek out information- and a good dwarven wine- when he spots Hanar striding north towards the crafting spire.

[EdgeGrinder]

1:10 PM

Bartleby noticed the running form and ran for them. "Excuse me, what's the hurry? Do you need assistance?" He huffed. "Dwarves... are... natural... sprinters." He recalled a famous saying.

9:30 am

"Ah Hanar! How are you studious compatriot? Going back to the Gold Coast today?" He asked jovially.

[Nihisk]

1:10pm

A four foot light brown Ratfolk garbed in nice traveler's gear stops and looks at the dwarf. The shiny metal and baubles tied through his fur flicker as he slightly bows. Nihisk was going to ask you the same noble dwarf. How can Nihisk help you?

[EdgeGrinder]

Bartleby braced himself up by his knees to catch his breath. "Oh. I saw you running and thought there might be an emergency." Bartleby stood up straight and looked the Ratfolk on the eyes. "I am Bartleby Herrmannsdorfer, a Forgemaster of Linium. Well met, Nihisk. If you have the time could you tell we about the It'aski?"

[Andrew Markham]

Spoiler: Bartleby Flashback

Show

"Yes, I am. I was just on my way to inquire as to whether any deliveries need be made. I would not be surprised if the young man has a message for his sister. And you? Is there any message I need to deliver to your warriors for you?"

[EdgeGrinder]

Spoiler: Bartleby flashback

Show

"No messages, but I do need Masyer Bill's spear delivered to him." Bartleby said holding out a Celestial Mithral Heavy Mace. "Farewell for now, Brandy Brownlock."

[Andrew Markham]

Spoiler: Bartleby flashback

Show

Bartleby hears in his head, "Wait, what the-" before the voice cuts off and the mace leaves his hand.

Hanar grimaces at the mace and says, "I believe you may have injured yourself, Bartleby. Although this seems to be the correct material, it is clearly not a spear." The mace begins to shift in Hanar's hand. Hanar yelps as if bitten, and the now-spear clatters to the ground. "It...attacked me! What manner of creation is this?!?" Hanar says indignantly. He points his finger at it, as if preparing to defend himself with his magic.

[Nihisk]

Nihisk takes a brief second to stare at the dwarf before giving a charming smile. Ah, that I can do my friend. The wondrous It'aski is caravan of merchants and traders. It is curious that you ask. I am waiting for some friends to give a tour. If you do not mind walking and waiting I will be happy to show you as well.

[EdgeGrinder]

Spoiler: Bartleby flashback

Show

"I managed to encase a spirit into the spear." Bartleby answered. He picked up the spear. "Sorry, Brandy, but it's time for you to meet Billy. I am no warrior. Your purpose us not with me. Meet Hanar. He will take you to Billy." Bartleby said to the spear.

Current time

"Funny, my friends and I are waiting to be shown around." Bartleby replied.

[Andrew Markham]

Spoiler: Bartleby Flashback

Show

"Ew," Brandy's voice says in Bartleby's mind. "I don't like...Hanar. Tell him not to touch me," she says with disdain. "His touch is...cold...and callous. And slimy." After a few moments she continues, "If he has to be the one to carry me, just...put me in a bag or a sheath or something. I don't want him to touch me."

[EdgeGrinder]

Spoiler: Bartleby flashback

Show

Bartleby smiled at Hanar slightly. "Sorry, Brandy is very particular about who touches her. Let me make a sheath real quick. Bartleby started searching his pockets for a stray piece of leather. He settled for the leather strap that Brandy's mace form hung from on his belt. He took it off and began to cast Minor Creation. After a minute, the spell took effect and the strap expanded into a sheath long enough for half the spear length. He slid Brandy's spear haft into the sheath and helded it out to Hanar. "This sheath will last for 9 hours. Farewell for now, Brandy."

[Darius Vibrtrar]

The Human Sai approaches Bartleby at the appropriate meeting location and smiles, giving him a polite bow.

"Greeting Master Dwarf."

Her eyes then look down to see the ratfolk as they widen, biting her lips, she puts her hands behind her back, her fingers knotting with each other.

"And is this Nihisk?"

[Wolfykins]

Kamyol tried not to smile at Sai, amused and proud of her self-control.
"If you were waiting to give a tour, why were you running?" Kamyol asked the ratfolk curiously.

[Nihisk]

Nihisk watches while others join him and smiles at them all. Good Afternoon, am I to assume you all are friends of Lady Redmane? Nihisk is happy that he did not miss you. Nihisk looks to Kamyol, As for Nihisk running, Nihisk had only hopped to be gone but a moment and return before miss Lady Redmane's friends. But glad we are all here. He gives her a charming smile and looks to everyone. If everyone is accounted for Nihisk will be happy to show you the glory of the It'aski and answer any question you might have.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Sai bites her lip.

"First question. How do you feel about being picked up?"

[Nihisk]

Nihisk looks to Sai and smiles,I am not partial to being picked up unless in dire need.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Sai frowns a bit. Her fingers clenching tighter behind her back. She looks down to the ground, not unlike a child who has been told she can no longer play with a cherished toy. She seems to shut herself off from the moment as she nods and looks away.

[paladin_artea]

Suddenly above Kamyol and the others a portal opened and their missing Elvish wizard dropped in...literally. Picking himself up and dusting himself off he looked around and realized he was back with his friends, "Sorry about that...K'tholonautusolodon randomly took me to his dimension to chat for a while...is this the caravan?"

[EdgeGrinder]

Bartleby looked at where the portal appeared and then the Professor. "K'tholonautusolodon has excellent aim." He remarked with a grin.

[Andrew Markham]

Nihisk nods and escorts everyone to the east.

After a few minutes, the group begins hearing the familiar city sounds of many voices layering over each other. Around the next curve of the wall is a sprawling series of tents and assembled cloth buildings. It goes on for a large distance, both along the wall and out into the adjacent field. Nihisk guides you into the It'aksi caravan.

Inside everyone sees people of many races walking through what are essentially city streets. A very few people are still getting set up, but most of the caravan's structures are up. People are gathering resources and exploring their new terrain. One of the most prominent features of the caravan is the presence of four-armed humanoids who cover their entire bodies with cloth. All that can be seen are their eyes and hands, and each seems to be marked with tattoos beneath their eyes. They seem to make up a significant portion of the caravan's population, though not a majority.

(Everyone may roll Perception or other skills for more information, or ask Nihisk questions before moving on to the next specific area)

[EdgeGrinder]

Bartleby looked around and started an inspection.

Perception
(1d20+3)[11]

He cast Detect Magic on himself to see any ambient magic around the caravan.

Spellcraft
(1d20+12)[13]

"So Nihisk... how long have you and your people been travelling?"

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Sai moves through the caravan, teleporting around 60 ft at a time, she is looking around, her attention seems brimmed with excitement to be there.

(1d20+16)[33] Perception

As she moves about she attempts to appraise the general wealth of the caravan
(1d20+4)[16] Appraise

She looks into their animals to see that they are being taken care of
(1d20+2)[13] Handle Animal
(1d20+4)[8] Heal

She looks among any wears they might have. Checking for any arcane symbols present in the Caravan.
(1d20+6)[7] Knowledge Arcane

As she is watching she is also looking for people that she might recognize or understand, further than what was off the top of her head earlier.
(1d20+6)[18]

While keeping her eyes out, she attempts to understand any magical auras that are present.
(1d20+29)[41]

She will attempt to speak with people in the caravan, earnestly asking about their personal story, how they came to live with the caravan, and how they got to where they are now. Attempting to speak to at least one of the 4 armed people.

[Nihisk]

Nihisk looks at the dwarf and moves his arms out gesturing to all of the caravan. As long as the sand has covered the desert so has the It'aski navigated it as a sailor navigates the sea. Bringing trade, knowledge and civilization to all we encounter. Now we wish to bestow those same gifts here.

[Wolfykins]

Kamyol strolled around the caravan campsite, feeling nostalgic. It was different than he was used to, and bigger, but there were still things that were constants for nomadic groups.
Wisdom check to draw on his personal experiences for comparison: (1d20+1)[17]
General perception: (1d20+11)[25]

Kamyol paid special attention to the state of the wagons, trying to see if he could tell how frequently they moved around and how much time they dedicated to upkeep by the state of wear and tear. One could tell a lot about a caravan by the state of their wagons. If they were worn and in poor repair, it could indicate poverty, apathy, irresponsibility or persecution forcing them to keep on the go too much to take care of things.
Specific perception to notice things about the wagons: (1d20+11)[25]
Knowledge engineering to understand what he's noticing: (1d20+3)[22]

He also took time to look at their trade goods, trying to gauge quality and craftsmanship. He also looked for maker's marks, to figure out the likelihood that the caravan made some of its goods itself, or if it was all stuff they'd purchased elsewhere and were reselling at a markup. He cast 'Detect Magic' so he could see if anything was enchanted, and if so, with what.
Specific perception to notice things about the trade goods: (1d20+11)[24]
Craft (alchemy) to identify and judge alchemical goods: (1d20+15)[18]
Craft (jewelry) to judge jewelry craftsmanship: (1d20+9)[25]
Craft (cloth) to judge fabric and clothing craftsmanship: (1d20+9)[15]
Spellcraft to identify enchantments on things: (1d20+20)[23]
Knowledge arcana to identify enchantments on things: (1d20+7)[8]
Appraise to judge value: (1d20+4)[5]

Kamyol tried to strike up conversations as he walked around, especially with the people handling the trade goods. He tried to keep things just generally conversational, but he also tried to ask good questions about the merchandise he looked at, to see how they'd answer. He wanted to try and judge their honesty about the quality and value of their goods, while keeping in mind that he may not have gotten his estimates correct, since he wasn't very experienced at making judgement like that. But then, neither is the average consumer, so... he thought.
Diplomacy: (1d20+12)[28]
Sense motive: (1d20+10)[24]


Kamargal trailed after Kamyol, nostrils flaring as he looked for signs of any threats, or anything that was just off.
Perception (with scent): (1d20+7)[8]

[paladin_artea]

Now that he was situated, the professor joined his friends at the caravan, taking in the site of the newcomers to town. It was a very diverse group, even had a race of people he's never encountered before! While looking around he used Detect Magic to see any magical auras around the people or objects the caravan carried. He also spent some time engaging a few people in conversation.

Spoiler: diplomacy check:

Show

(1d20+12)[28]

Spoiler: perception check:

Show

(1d20+4)[9]

[Andrew Markham]

Bartleby speaks with Nihisk. The two of them talk and follow the others as they spread through the It'aksi encampment. The group tours the It'aksi markets. They find that basic commodities like food and water are freely given based on need. It is only fine wares and non-equipment wondrous items that are sold for coin. The community does have a stockpile of magic items for public use, which can be rented and are strictly monitored. Nihisk informs the visitors that most are kept in reserve to be sold at other towns.

Sai, Kamyol, and the Professor all seek out people to interview for a more personal look at the It'aksi. All three are repeatedly told survivor stories from Solkari horrors, tales of villages or homesteads or tribes being slaughtered. The large mass of the It'aksi caravan seem to be refugees looking for a place to go after the Solkari genocide. They hear that larger towns cut off refugees after a time, but the It'aksi took in all comers. The It'aksi were even occasionally paid by overcrowded kingdoms to take in refugees they could or would not handle. The It'aksi put all new arrivals to work immediately, assessing their skills and assigning them some piece of practical work in the caravan. Those who lacked skills were taught new ones. These decisions are made by the Kasatha, the four-armed beings who form the core of the caravan. The refugees seem to be well-fed and taken care of.

Sai finds great joy in phasing from place to place throughout the caravan. However, this attracts only a few occasional gawkers and pointers. Eventually an older gnome woman approaches her and grabs the back of her kimono at the waist. "You! Girl! Back in my day we used our feet to walk places instead of blasting magic all over the accursed place! You're gonna magic yourself into a wall or off a cliff someday like a fool, and I'm not gonna be there to catch ya! Walkin' is good for ya! Builds character! Why, one time I walked all the way up a mountain to reach a dwarven outpost so I could trade a shiny rock for a mule, and then I carried the mule back down the mountain on my own two feet, and did I use magic?? No missy I did not! So stop zapping about the place! You're as like to break your fool neck!" She begins muttering about children and disrespect as she releases Sai and wanders off again.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Sai stops when spoken to, turns and faces the gnome with a smile. She listens intently as he gave his opinion, but as he turns to go away, she teleports about 10 feet in front of him. She bows respectfully.

"Thank you for your wisdom sir. But you misunderstand. I do not use magic. This is extension of myself. I am indeed walking, I am just taking longer steps. I am sorry to have bothered you though. I understand hard work myself, I had to spend years learning how to do this; it makes much more sense now that I know it, I wish I had someone to teach me how when I was younger. I do not wish to impose, but is there some skill you would like passed on?"

[Nihisk]

Nihisk played the tour guide showing the friends of Lady Redmane around. As much as he showed the It'aski to them he watched and took note of their actions. If they seem hostile, gullible, or genuine.

Sense Motive Check (1d20+2)[14]

Perhaps it is time we viewed the crafting area where we make many of the items you have seen for sale. There are people Nihisk believe you should meet.