(INC) Bellows of War- Crafting Thread Part II

[Treebeard]

Skrolk scurries across the road in front of Bartleby, both sets of arms ladden down with supplies, "Hmm, have lots to do, yes-yes"

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Whilst moving around the city, gathering some supplies for her latest craft she spots Nihisk entering the city. Her eyes and ears seem to perk up as she smiles and changes her direction to the Ratfolk. She pauses a few feet away and kneels down in a squating position to look Nihisk in the eyes.

"Welcome back to Goldenrod Nihisk. You were kind enough to show us your caravan, would you like a short tour of the city in return?"

[EdgeGrinder]

Bartleby perked up as Skrolk entered the scene as if summoned. "Skrolk?! There you are. Have a project in mind?" Bartleby asked.

[Treebeard]

Skrolk looks up, his whiskers twitching some "Hmm, yes-yes. Skrolk will be getting started on making golems soon, yes-yes"

[Nihisk]

Surprised to see Sai Nihisk's ears flatten before relaxing and smiling at her. He looks to the guards and gives an innocent look.

This city's kindness knows no bounds. I believe fortune has found me.
Thank you my friends. Enjoy the water.

Nihisk gives Sai a slight bow.

It will be much appreciated. Thank you. After you.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Sai's eyes widened in suprise seeing Nihisk's reaction with his ears. She got very quiet until he recomposed himself.

"Im sorry to have startled you Mr. Nihisk. "

She rose up in a respectful manner and returned a bow to the Ratfolk before rising up.

"Are you hungry? would you prefer a snack before we begin the Tour? Or would you rather find a place to stay? "

She puts a finger to her lips, tapping them gently in thought.

"We could take you to the merchant district if you desire to shop..."

[Nihisk]

Nihisk sighs and smile sadly as they walk off of.

Nihisk apologize. Nihisk had planned to observe without recognition. But perhaps this is the better path. Nihisk thanks you for your generosity. Nihisk bows once more in respect.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Sai's eyes go wide listening to Nihisk, she turns to see him bowing. By reflex she spins and is bowing to match the level of respect he is giving her.

"Oh no Mr. Nihisk, it is a simple return of the favor you have shown myself and those of Goldenrod, escorting and giving Tour of the Caravan."

She keeps her head bowed as she speaks.

"Please let me escort you to somewhere to eat, what would you like? I know a place with some lovely vegetables."

[Nihisk]

Nihisk watches the young woman and smiles.

After such a respectful request to disagree would be an insult. Speak and Nihisk will follow, where shall we go?

Nihisk opens his arms, bows, and then gestures for her to lead the way.

[EdgeGrinder]

Bartleby walked with Skrolk. "Ah sounds interesting. If you need or want an assistant, I can build golems too." Bartleby offered.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Sai Nods and rises up to lead Nihisk to the Artisan district of Goldenrod as the air is filled with various food venders selling their food goods, some sweet and suculent, some spicey and savory, other bitter and chewy. Sai finds a vender she thinks will be good for the two of them, a Man selling Breadbowls with a sort of Veggitable and Cheese Soul inside with a peanut butter and honey glaze to go on a sort of.... edible dippling hardtack spoon. She pays 2 Gold for a pair of these treats and carries the pair to a small table that the two of them can share.

"Does this sound ok? or should I get you something else?"

[Nihisk]

Sitting next to Sai Nihisk gives her a friendly smile and moves to accept the bowl.

This is more than perfect. Thank you. You, madam, move with grace and speed. Nihisk had planned to pay for our meal. You are truly too kind.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Sai smiles before she begins to eat. She continues her graceful movements as she uses the hardtack spoon to each the soup.

"I had a friend that was a nezumi when I was young... thats what we called Ratfolk in my land. I have a soft spot for them. So... Youve Come with the caravan... but what is it that you do Nihisk.... whats your profession?"

[Andrew Markham]

General Hobbleton nods respectfully to Kamyol and takes his seat. He lights his pipe and puffs. Lady Sylvia Redmane watches him do so. The moments pass in silence as Hobbleton sighs wistfully and stares at the ceiling. Redmane begins tapping her fingers on the wooden table, filling the room with the quiet pounding noise. Professor Xerex clears his throat once, but no one says anything.

Finally Redmane takes a breath and breaks the silence, "So, General."

"Yes?"

Redmane bites her lip. "I wish for your input about bringing the It'aksi into our crafting project."

"You should."

Redmane blinks, clearly startled. "Just like that??"

Hobbleton nods and leans forward. "It may be hard to remember, but we used to be...let's say 'friendly rivals' with Solkar. Military intelligence used to be more like economic espionage, even just a year ago. So I know a thing or two about the It'aksi. They can be trusted. If they couldn't, they'd be part of that...raving genocidal horde a few dozen miles away. But if that's not enough for you, I can go speak with their leader personally. His name is Mi'Keal Drohmuk. We're...old acquaintances, let's say."

Lady Redmane listens to the information with interest. She glances over at Xerex, then Kamyol, before continuing, "Well, with that sterling of a recommendation, I can't help but-" "What you NEED to worry about is the local economy."

"EXCUSE ME?!?"

Hobbleton waves a dismissive hand at her. Redmane's eyes grow huge! Hobbleton puffs on his pipe again and leans back. "Remind me- how is the magic item market at the moment?"

Lady Redmane purses her lips and glares for a moment, but Hobbleton simply stares sedately. Finally she responds, "Depends on what area you are referring to. Supply is abysmally low in all quarters due to the Solkari attack, followed by the mages being sent to the front lines." Redmane's raised eyebrow clearly indicates who she believes is responsible for this. "Demand is high, especially from the nobles, but obviously the military is receiving special priority. Supply is slowly rising due to the success of our crafting project, but items are entering the market slowly. A price freeze has prevented rampant inflation while the supply is replenished. The price of a sick child's potion need not rise because of the greed of nobles." Redmane explains.

Hobbleton nods. "Now imagine that a group of outside merchants arrive. They are organized, effective, have their own crafting ability, but most importantly- according to rumor, they have a decent supply of magic items that survived the attack, and a tendency to price gouge."

Redmane grimaces. "They'll spike up the cost of magic items and sell to those who can afford it. Local merchants will see an opportunity and raise their prices, and crafters will begin raising THEIR prices. It's exactly what we didn't want happening!" Redmane slaps her hand on the table once. "Hobbleton...we need to get them to agree to our local price control measures."

Hobbleton rises from his seat and begins moving towards the door, trailing smoke behind him. "I'll bring it up with Mi'Keal, but I don't think he'll be very keen. We need a Plan B, and I happen to have one. Work on it with them while I'm gone, will you? I'll take care of the It'aksi end of things." He gestures quickly to Xerex and Kamyol. Then, without waiting for a response, Hobbleton wanders into the hallway. Redmane puts her hands to her head and groans audibly. She stares at the ceiling for a few minutes, composing herself.

[Wolfykins]

Kamyol shuffled his feet and cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahmm, my Lady... Caravans expect to pay fees to the local guilds when they do business in a city. Any caravan that says otherwise is trying to pull a con, which, unfortunately, is not uncommon. It's also not unusual for cities to apply import taxes to the goods caravans peddle, which is usually based on a percentage of what the caravan charges for their goods. If you applied that tax on a sliding scale, so that the percentage you charged them was higher for every increment above your price freeze... then it suddenly becomes in their best interest not to over-charge."

[Andrew Markham]

Redmane takes a deep breath and turns her attention to Kamyol. "Yes, of course that's true, and if they begin asking for space in the market or making informal sales, we'll do that. Unfortunately, they rather have us over the barrel here. We don't yet have enough supply to ensure they have competition, which would be one price controller, and they also don't have any obligation to sell in the city. They could set up a bazaar in their own encampment and allow customers to come to them, or send runners to the noblemen to take informal sales behind closed doors. We NEED the revenue from those taxes, but they have the goods. Of course we can demand they pay import taxes on what they sell in their market, but if they find those taxes overbearing, there's nothing keeping them here." Redmane rubs her forehead. "They can take their goods and head off to some other town or kingdom to sell. We're going to have to walk a very fine line with them, or hope that they are not complete scoundrels taking advantage of our city. Hopefully they need our coin as badly as we need their goods, and we'll be able to come to some kind of arrangement."

Lady Redmane looks at Xerex. "Well, you should be pleased, Ambassador. Lilygrove's position just became significantly stronger." She looks at Kamyol again. "For that matter, so did yours. We need to increase our supply of sellable goods with help from Lilygrove, and we need our local crafters to have a stronger presence in the markets to counter-balance the It'aksi presence. Goldenrod needs to know they are not the only game in town."

[Wolfykins]

Kamyol nodded and shrugged. "They don't know they're in an advantageous position. And you do have a pretty big incentive: the lab. Say that if they want access to the lab, they must do business within the city walls. Even as large as that caravan is, I don't think they can generate competitive output compared to what's produced in the lab, especially if Lilygrove is helping."

[paladin_artea]

Xerex sat paitiently while Hobbleton and Redmane discuss the It'aksi. He was surprised to find out the good general knew of them and their leader personally. Even more surprised to hear Redmane speak of making sure that magic items were affordable to the commoners, not just the nobles, as she seemed to put special emphasis on them earlier. After the general left Xerex sighed, "'I have a Plan B' the general says, 'work on it with them' he says without telling us what his plan is. But yes. It's more imperative we step up our game, Kamyol." Butterflies flew in his stomach when Redmane addresed him as ambassador for the first time, "This is definitely something that will interest Lilygrove. We are of course, still willing and able to provide our aid on the previously agreed upon terms, but would you be open to renegotiations on increasing our input of crafters and their products to balance out the incoming It'aksi items?"

[Nihisk]

Nezumi? An interesting name. As such of every member of the It'aski Nihisk has trained in multiple fields of crafting and commerce. But Nihisk's true calling is the art of magical items. With the right materials and some time Nihisk can make anything.

Nihisk gives Sai a charming yet modest smile before continuing.

If Nihisk is not stepping over polite conversation, but is Nihisk is curious to know what skills Sai posse?

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Sai's eyes seemed to light up as Nihisk talked about himself. She put a hand to his chest, as if to still herself.

"anything you say? that is quite a boast. "

She gently slides the sleave of her Kimono to reveal a Bracelet of Onyx beads.

"I made this myself"

Spoiler: Spellcraft DC 15

Show

It is a Unique Item. A Bracelet that gives +10 to All Use Magic Device Checks

She smiles allowing Nihisk to examine her bracelet.

"I am a magical Crafter as well, Aside of Rods.... staves.... and Scrolls.... I can craft nearly anything myself. "

[Nihisk]

Nihisk stops talking as he feels her hand on his chest and at her excited look seem to blush slightly. After she takes off her bracelet and hands it to him, he takes it gently examining it. His eyes become focus and his deft hands moving along the beads as an artist working his craft.

Spoiler

Show

Rolling for spellcraft: (1d20+13)[14]

Rolling for Knowledge Arcana: (1d20+13)[19]

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Seeing the odd looks on Nihisks eyes she realised she had crossed a line and pulled her hand back.

"Im sorry... Im... not from the mainland... Different customs are... difficult to adjust to. Its a braclet that gives you the ability to enhance your ability to wield magic items, or even trick them to your will. "

She looked around, a bit embarrassed now, looking to hide it in her food.

[Andrew Markham]

Redmane looks at Xerex. Her tone shifts to an official, business-like tone. "Yes, I would be willing to consider increased Lilygrove presence in the crafting project. What Goldenrod will require in exchange is a commitment that goods produced by any additional Lilygrove crafters be sold in Goldenrod's markets, and Lilygrove merchants shall travel here to sell those goods. Those merchants will need to apply for permits as per our normal rules, and pay their monthly fees to rent space from us. The crafters we originally agreed upon may export their goods back to Lilygrove for free, so long as Lilygrove continues to pay for the crafting costs. If that changes, an export tax will apply. Agreed?"

She looks at Kamyol. "Now, as for you, Master Kamyol, your craftsmen will need to begin selling their goods on the open market. The price freeze will no longer be sufficient to keep magic item prices down; we need to create competition with the It'aksi to act as a more natural price control. Thus I will have to suspend the practice of the Kingdom buying your goods for market price, and insist all goods be sold on the open market. Naturally, the Maker's Alliance can connect your crafters to guild-certified merchants to sell your goods, and you will receive a fair share of the price from sales. Do you require this service?"

[Wolfykins]

Kamyol smiled. "No, my Lady, not at this time. We already have arrangements in place with a local merchant, and two members of our little collective have shops of their own. I don't anticipate us having any problems, but of course, I will send word through the proper channels if that changes," he said, bowing slightly. He glanced at the professor, waiting to see if the elf had anything to add.

[Andrew Markham]

Redmane nods to Kamyol. "Very well; be sure your merchant has the correct permits for your goods. We take a substantially larger share from those who sell weapons than those who sell potions, for example."

"On that subject. You are a potion maker, yes? Please inform your merchant that I will reduce her monthly fees to the Alliance by half if she agrees to reinvest 10% of her profits into the making of cheap potions for the poor. With fewer clerics available, I want to flood the potions market with supply to keep costs down, including having local temples distribute them for free. Common people rely on them heavily, after all."

[Nihisk]

Nihisk hands back the bracelet. His appraising look softens and smiles.

This is beautiful. You created this all on your own? Nihisk's impressed. If time allows Nihisk will happily show Nihisk workings in camp.

[Wolfykins]

Kamyol folded his lips between his teeth to keep from grinning, eyes lighting up. "You know, I was kinda hoping you'd say something like that," he said, "and I came prepared..." He carefully began pulling a box out of his backpack. It barely fit, and the corners caught slightly on the edge of the bag. The shaggy-haired teenager carefully worked the box free and set it on the table. He opened the box and lifted out a dozen thin trays each containing a dozen vials of potions. (144)
"I had a productive couple of days," he said, letting his grin slip a little. "I thought I might bring this gross of 'Guidance' potions with me just to show you the level of productivity we've been able to achieve since getting the lab back up and running. Just in case..." he shrugged slightly.

[Andrew Markham]

Redmane takes one of the potions, opens it up, dips a finger in, and licks it. She nods in satisfaction. "I would have preferred if these were healing potions, but they would be excellent for distribution to construction workers or laborers, or craftsmen, or even merchants. A small, but useful part of daily life here in Goldenrod. I commend you." She hands the potion back to Kamyol. "I would ask that you continue. I don't want to see the common people's lives disrupted too severely. We have been using bandages instead of minor healing potions for too long."

[Wolfykins]

Kamyol nodded. "I have done quite a few 'Cure' potions as well. I donated two dozen right before the... uh... issues... It's been kind of a trade-off, with the way the lab has been restructured. I made 'Guidance' potions because I ran out of spells," he said with a sigh. "I can get more done in a day, but resting in the lab is no longer helpful. However, we have a new member on our team, who is able to brew potions without needing to actually cast spells, so I can see if she would be willing to re-focus her efforts on 'Cure' potions. Once I finish my current project, I intend to focus my efforts on making potions with the spell I just learned--'Remove Disease'. I figure I had better produce as many of those as I can now, before we end up with a pandemic on our hands," he sighed. "Preparation is key!"
Kamyol reboxed the potions and bent down to work the box back into his bag.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Seeing the excitement in his eyes looking over her work made her smile.

"I also have a tattoo that lets me... well, it greatly increases my knowledge of spells, I gave myself that Tattoo, its certainly become my most useful craft while working here at the city. "

She continues to eat between speaking with her new companion.

"How is your food?"