Tales from the Well [IC]

[fendrin]

Darryn

Darryn pulls up a chair.
"So, what's the story? Will we have a bloodthirsty pack of savages hounding us for the rest of our days?"
He immediately adds in Ancient Elvish, directly to the dancer:
"Are you ok?"

[Maurkov]

"Our ship is due tonight, and we'll leave as soon as they've taken on new cargo. Before nightfall, I hope."

"Yes, about that... I heard they ran into some trouble."

"..."

"I had a shipment due. I was keeping an eye out for it. Pirates."

Alkmaion makes a face. "This day just gets better and better!" He thinks. "Sir gnome, in case they're watching the place, any chance you could arrange a little something to cover our exit?"

Lahara looks at Darryn with pale blue eyes. [Old Elvish] "You speak the tongue. I'm angry. And scared. So much is different here" She glances at and looks away from Yergal's ogling. [Old Elvish]"and some is too much the same."

[Cogito]

Wroen

Wroen's attention is obviously peaked when the bard begins to talk about a possible employment. He remains silent though and waits for the other's reaction, only grinning for a second when he hears Lahara's answer.

[Kirnon_Bhale]

Jardin

Startled at the fact that he is being addressed so directly, Jardin looks thoughtful for a moment before replying. "Why, yes I do believe that I can arrange a suitable covering for your exit. What did you have in mind? I will do my best to incorporate your idea's in the effect if I can. I will just need a moment to work out all the nuances to ensure that any watchers believe it to be real and that you and Lahara can work within it."

With those words a pleased smile comes over Jardin's face as he begins thinking about what will be needed.

[Velvet Elvis]

Dugby

"Ahh, pirates. Yes. They get thanks for carving out this place, but spit for being such a nuisance. It's why I always fly the sea whenever I can."

He reclaims his empty glass, spinning it idly on the table's surface.

"So, what was it this time? Sahuagin raiders? Smugglers? Darguun slavers? Or, perhaps it was something new the merchants will pay handsomely to guard against?"

[Maurkov]

The bard says, "I can disguise my own features but not hers. Drow have superior darkvision, so sneaking unlikely to work. I was going to wait for the dead to be removed and leave with them, but I don't want to put her through that if I can help it. What spell do you have prepared?"

"I'm not sure what happened, but I know where. Actually... It's going to take Lyrandar days to salvage from the wreck. I'd rather not have a bunch of strangers pick through, then sell me my stuff. I feel like I owe you something for dealing with the drow with minimal disruption and no structural damage. Can I grossly overpay you guys to head out there and retrieve something for me?"

[fendrin]

Darryn

"Emile! you of all people must know that we already charge a ridiculous fee. grossly overpaying us would be highway robbery on our part. We, or at least I, won't... can't do that to a friend."

[Velvet Elvis]

Dugby

Dugby laughs, and nods, saying, "As much as it pains me to turn down gross overpayment, I have to agree with Darryn. You're one of the very few we wouldn't squeeze so hard. But then you know that, eh?" A narrowed, knowing eye and half-grin flash toward Emile.

Leaning forward, he asks, "Alright, what exactly are you after?"

[Kirnon_Bhale]

Jardin

[Old Elvish] (To include Lahara in the conversation)"I have a few spells that will create illusory images with some sound included if necessary. Static images would be easier but I don't think that will work. The detail required for hiding Lahara's features are beyond the spells I have available. I think we should go bigger and better for this one. Perhaps, I can expand the fire illusion that I created initially but include a lot of smoke to cover your escape. If they believe that the smoke is real they will believe that inhaling it is bad they will steer clear of image that they are chocking. It will also cover your escape."

[Maurkov]

Emile smiles. "Well, here's what I had in mind: I'll tell you where the ship went ashore. You recover my things, for which I will pay you. Anything else you can carry off is of course yours.

"What I want is in small barrels-- there should be six, sealed and painted green. They probably weigh ten pounds each.

"The site is only a few days from here. What is your usual rate, that I may know if I can afford to be extravagant?"

Soph returns with a lavish plate for Yergal. She takes a moment to size up Lahara while she takes additional orders.

Lahara looks to Alkmaion for explanation of the gnome's words (she missed out on most everything so far). He provides, but she bows out, saying, [Old Elvish]"I have no head for strategy."

Alkmaion says, "If you all speak it, we can switch to Old Elvish. No? Hmm. As to the illusion, if subtlety is impossible, maybe we could try the opposite. How many images of Lahara could you control, streaming out of the Well and departing in every direction?"

[Kirnon_Bhale]

Jardin

Continuing in old elvish, "I am able to control any number of images, I am however constrained by the fact that I am unable to control them over too extreme a range, so I can't have them run off in many directions without the ruse being discovered."

[Bigmac]

Yergal gives Soph a big smile when he sees the plate of food that she brings. He would say something, but he already has a mouthful of food before he sets the plate down. He does nod and give a delightful grunt though. As he Emile finishes his tale of the ship, Yergal asks, "What makes you think the barrels are still there? Any pirate off his mother's teat would have fully pillaged the ship by now."

[Cogito]

Wroen

Wroen seems to have tuned out somewhere during the gnome's little explanation, and is now staring into empty space, looking, from time to time, at Lahara.

[Velvet Elvis]

Dugby

Nodding in agreement, Dugby adds, "He has a good point, Emile. Then there's the scavengers that scour the shorelines for just such uncontested bounty. Any special reason your items would sidestep the usual fate? Did the ship wreck on dangerous shores, or something? If not, I'd expect just about everything that survived to be on the market somewhere in Stormreach by the time we catch first site of the flotsam."

[Maurkov]

Alkmaion drums his fingers, trying to come up with a fool proof escape plan.

Emile says, "There are no guarantees, but I suspect you overestimate how crowded are the seas. Yes, somebody will find and loot it eventually. It could be you. The way I figure, you could be there by dawn if you really pushed. Even if it has been looted, the casks are supposed to be hidden, and if they were found, they're not of obvious value. Will you go have a look? And if you will, what's your price?"

[Cogito]

Wroen

Suddenly, Wroen tips Darryn on the shoulder. "You don't have a few potions of Disguise with you, do you?" Then he gets beack to staring and thinking.

[Velvet Elvis]

Dugby

Not answering for a few moments, Dugby considers the task and what might be a fair price for his friend. "Tell ya what, Emile. Because we've known one another for a while now, and this doesn't look to be too difficult an undertaking but one with potential sticky issues, we'll do this for you on a contingency basis. When we return, we can hash out any discrepancies. No guarantee we'll be able to recover all six barrels, though. Some may have washed out, and I have no intentions of shipping off to search for them. You already know how I feel about the sea and boats. We'll get whatever's left at the site, though."

He sucks a tooth and narrows an eye toward Emile, "Am I likely to get a straight answer if I ask what's in the barrels?"

Initially, the dual conversations were becoming an annoyance, but once he began a full exchange with Emile, Dugby was able to tune out the Old Elven gibberish.

[fendrin]

Darryn

Darryn turns to Wroen.
"No, I don't have anything useful for disguise."
He shrugs then adds in old elvish to the rest of the group (or at least those participating in this conversation)
"Do you really need disguises? I think a simple escort would do. against two Drow, one already wounded, I think that should be good enough. What are the chances they would sail across the thunder sea to get to you? If they are that determined, don't stop at Sharn. I doubt they will be able to find you once you start moving around the mainland."

[Cogito]

Spoiler

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If I remember correctly, Wroen has 4 ranks in Knowledge(local) (max ranks for his rogue level) and an int modifier of +3 (Edit: int bonus is only +2, so reduce final result by one). Need to know wether I can get / buy a few potions of Disguise Self in Stormreach within the next hour or two. Check: Knowledge (local) (1d20+7=23), adding an Action Point for security: Action Point for Knowledge check (1d6=2) for a total of 25 (edit: 24).

"I for myself avoid fights if possible, and I think I can get some helpful potions, if I have enough money, that is. If we pair up in groups apparently consisting of you two and move together, we can split up into several versions of you. That should be enough to ensure some safety. You shouldn't be in the same group, of course, and I suggest disguising Lahara as someone of us, possibly someone who seemed to be not much of a danger in the last fight," Wroen says to the two Drow in old Elvish, waiting expectantly for an answer.

[fendrin]

Darryn

(old elven) "Oh, I wasn't suggesting we would fight. I was more thinking that they just ran from us, so they aren't likely to attack a few hours later unless they happen to have reinforcements in the immediate vicinity, which I doubt."

He pauses for a moment, his eyes getting a distant look for a moment, then he snaps back to normal.

(still old elven) "If we do go with the disguise option, we will need scrolls. You won't find what you're looking for in potion form. Between the three of us" he indicates the bard, the illusionist, and himself "I'm sure we would have no difficulty using the scrolls."

[Bigmac]

Yergal inturrupts Dugby before Emile can answer. He stares at him and says bluntly, "Hold on. Friends or no, you better know where the ship crashed before you say how much trouble it will be. We may need stuff before we go, and I wanna know if he's paying."

[Maurkov]

"Am I likely to get a straight answer if I ask what's in the barrels?"

(beat) "No.

"I'm not comfortable with negotiating a price after the service is rendered. If you don't like the sound of this bargain, say so. I'll take the information I have to Lyrander, and I'll find another way to thank you for what you've done this evening." He pours more wine to soften his words.

Alkmaion says, "I'm not worried about being attacked tonight. I'm worried about being followed. With my ship out of commission, it's going to take days to arrange transport. Drow are thick with wizards. All it would take is some familiar to keep tabs on us until they can mobilize a new strike force. I know Disguise Self, so I can come and go at will." He snaps his fingers. "Reduce Person. Can we manage one of those? I could pack her out in my backpack while my Disguise can conceal that I'm even wearing one."

Spoiler

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Just to clarify: Alkmaion is half Valinar elf, not drow. All speech not marked [Old Elvish] has been in Common.

[Velvet Elvis]

Dugby

Dugby smirks, but wasn't surprised. Occasionally, an employer will fall for the post-facto price negotiation ploy, which routinely nets far more than might otherwise be the case. When you can dangle the prize before them, they become much more pliable than otherwise.

"Looks like we won't have to worry about it, Yergal," he glances at the barbarian, then back to Emile. The proprietor's response told him what he needed to know. "400gp per barrel returned intact. Intact referring only to the condition of the barrel, not the contents, beyond obvious breakage or breaches. And as Yergal mentioned, any necessary special equipment is expected to be provided by you, up front, with non-expendable gear returned. Good?"

He continued to ignore the second conversation; or, at least, appeared to.

[Cogito]

Wroen

"I'm pretty sure I came across such a potion, but nevermind, it doesn't seem to be the right thing for the occasion, anyways. Just say what you want, give me the money, and I'm off to get it."

[Maurkov]

"I agree to your price, though I'm disappointed it's so close to as generous as I am prepared to be. As for additional equipment, what is needed? The ship is beached. There is a road that should take you three quarters of the way. A bit of cross country, and you're there."

He moves the winebottle and rubs at the varnished tabletop to see if the map beneath is clear enough for his purpose.

Alkmaion nods at Wroen's suggestion but lapses back into thought (instead of coughing up money).

[Velvet Elvis]

Dugby

Chuckling, Dugby shrugs mildly. It was business, after all. Friend or not, part of his mandate as leader of this peculiar band was to always look out for their best interests, and coin was always in a person's best interests.

He says, "Done then. Half in advance, or a signed legal contract, depending on how much of a trail you wish to produce. We're flexible. Your choice." He leaves the conditions floating and scans the map upon the table's surface, attempting to get somewhat ahead of Emile's pointing finger, directly to the most likely spot.

[Cogito]

Wroen

Hearing the word contract, Wroen leaves Alkmaion to his thoughts and turns to where Dugby and Emile are discussing business. "So we got something lucrative to do now?"

[Maurkov]

"I'm not sure I can get a letter of credit drawn up this time of night. Nor do I know where we could find a notary. I'm not going to swindle you. I've got a reputation to protect."

[Velvet Elvis]

Dugby

"You were hired on for something lucrative, but fortunately, it's something that can sit on the back fire for a while. This is just a side job for a friend, which could be considered lucrative if four-hundred gold in your pocket meets your criteria," he says to Wroen while still looking down at the table's map.

Pulling his hands back and folding them while still leaning forward, Dugby says to Emile in a notably even, matter of fact way, "In that case, we're somewhat back to the original concept. We'll manage the prepartory supplies, if any are needed, but recovery of that cost will be expected as part of full payment as long as we can secure and return at least one of your barrels. We'll pick up whatever we think we need from Greth and retain a receipt. Thus, you'll have personal verification that we didn't overspend at your expense. Let me know if you consider this overstepping."

"And on the topic of reputations--this particular arrangement remains between us. It's not something I want to come back to haunt me. So, are we solid? If so, show me where this wrech is and we'll be on our way."

OOC

Spoiler

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Inserted a little background item here. Greth would be some sort of supplier of gear to expeditionary teams and such, and someone Emile would know as a friend and fellow local proprietor. Thus, we buy stuff from him, and Emile can feel comfortable that the prices weren't inflated (since Greth would have to answer to his bud, Emile, for it). This is entirely flavor, really, but has some low-level, in-game purpose. If you happen to already have someone suited to the role, I'll change the name. Let's assume Greth opens his shop very early to cater to adventurers who want to make use of every daylight hour they can--well before the notaries and bankers get moving.

[The_Lonely_d12]

Althan

Never having been entirely comfortable in dealing with subjects he wasn't particularly knowledgeable, Althan listens to the conversation with Emile, having realized that he didn't quite understand the language of the other one. Having both finished his glass and stayed silent for a good amount of time, he finally ask a question.

"So, what exactly is the first job, if I may ask? There really wasn't much in the message you sent.