(IC) Old Anteirobrahd-by-the-Spiral

[batsharkgrapple]

The Ravishment goes a little cross eyed under his hood at the barrage of questions. He's a little bemused at the enthusiasm, but he masks it with a grouchy, know-it-all matter-of-factness.
Settle down, settle down. If you want to mix and match, the Antebroc is still too valuable and I would only trade one for the bracelet, but I could give you one Frigid Polecap and two Raptoriats. I'll even throw in the tequila for free. If you or one of your companions have your heart set on the mirror, we could make some tea and discuss it.

Do they taste 'nice'? We speak of ancient fungus, fungus which in all likelihood has not known consumption since Man was a different species, evolutionarily speaking. I'll put it like this: these are things you eat to enjoy their anomalous chemical effects, not to have a pleasant dining experience.

And I would of course include one of my capsules with each trade. It will keep the fungus fresh for decades.
He clams up a little at the mention of the dagger, and is unwilling to show it off. My coral-hilted dagger is quite special to me. But if you're looking for arms and armour, seek out The Thought of Benedictions. He sells weapons and armour in a building on this street. There is a brass snake statue out front. Remember this, though, you must compose a short free-verse poem to be considered entry.

[OdeMx]

Rally? A poem? I know hundred of them, I was raised with a traveling troupe, i know poetry, plays, monologues and I'm probably the best puppeteer in the whole World, I need to meet Maese The Thought of Benedictions, a man that only negotiates with poets! I need to meet him right now! anyone want to join me? we can drink that free tequila when we get back!

Django covers himself with his short cloak and starts walking out the store completely sure that everyone is as interested as him in meeting The Thought of Benedictions.

[Quagmire]

Aldren gets up from where he was sitting and prepares to follow Django out. As he climbs out from Ravishments basement, he asks a question. On the topic of merchants, is there any place here that jewelry or gems can be exchanged for coin? If we are to be making purchases I would prefer do do so with coinage instead of barter.

Upon hearing Django’s boast, Aldren chuckles a bit, stroking the stubble on his chin. Hundreds of poems and plays, you say? I did not realize I was in the presence of such a man of culture.

[batsharkgrapple]

Seeing the group is interested in using their free time to explore the merchants of the Undercity, The Ravishment gives you a list of merchants he is aware of, and directions to find them.

The Widow Platinum trades gold for jewelry, art, textiles.
the Preceptor of the Awake sells assorted goods.
The Thought of Benedictions. He sells weapons and armour in a building on this street. Remember this, though, you must compose a short free-verse poem to be considered entry.
the Preponderancy of the Transcendent God sells artifacts dug up from the past. Very expensive.
Esh the Charnel is an occultist, who supposedly deals with.. unwholesome things. Requires a tooth, half a pint of blood, or a lock of hair from a group before he does business.
the Vault of All Excellences sells animals.
If you are looking for hired men, go to the Moody Amore. It's a tavern.

[OdeMx]

The Widow Platinum trades gold for jewelry, art, textiles.

As always, Aldren is right, let's go get us some Gold, The Ravishment already said we are getting more gold down here than back home, so we better get the best out of our hard earned goods!

[batsharkgrapple]

The Widow Platinum is a simple enough affair. Past a garden filled with wild purple thorns, you find an obsidian structure filled with silver fountains and circuit board sculpture.
The Widow Platinum is a plump woman in a sparkling grey gown and a reflective silver mask. She doesn't talk often, only speaking to establish prices. A stern looking woman in neon green chainmail stands by her at all times, her gauntlet clad hand resting on the pommel of her rapier.

Spoiler: ooc

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We'll just sort of cruise through this, what did everyone want to sell?

[OdeMx]

Spoiler: ooc Goods for sale

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I want to sell the Bracelet and the golden apple

[Quagmire]

Aldren takes his rose out again in the purple-thorned garden, to compare them. He mutters to himself that it’s probably just a coincidence but investigates anyways. He is careful not to touch any of the thorns directly though, as he is wary of both poison and guards.

When he enters the Widow Platinum he does so wearing the bracelet obviously, wanting to display it once before parting with it.

Spoiler: OOC

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selling the Emerald bracelet. Also looking at some plants and muttering, because that’s what cleric/academics do.

[batsharkgrapple]

The Widow Platinum has her accountant and murderer-for-hire Claria, Killer of the False Moon, inspects the bracelets of anyone who offers their's, and trades them for 200 gold pieces each.
Claria looks the apple over, and The Widow doesn't seem interested in buying it, not a purchaser of fruit, and not a student of the arcane.

[Luccan]

Quelle seems reluctant to give up the gem at first, but she recognizes their need for coin and will sell it.

[OdeMx]

Django sells his bracelet and heads to buy new armor and weapons!

[batsharkgrapple]

With the amulets pawned off to the Widow Platinum, her appraiser and throat-slitter Claria escorts you to the door; the textiles and esoteric artworks the Widow sells are intimately revealing of the nature of man, and beautifully horrifying, but hold no practical use for adventure. (and would certainly cost several thousand)

Spoiler: random encounter check for the undercity

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(1d6)[3]

You reach the end of Your Senses Are False, and come to the fortress of The Thought of Benedictions. Here, is a tall brass tower, which glows alight with web-veins of hot pale light.

The door is red iron, billeted with grey studs. The door has no handle or knob, and no hinges. It makes the party feel uneasy. Surrounding the door are grotesque statues. Grasping hands, hyper realistic beetles with human teeth, and a winged, horned gargoyle. A wooden sign dangles above the door on rusty chains:

Here, speak your truth.

[OdeMx]

Here, speak your truth.

Django clears his throat, very theatrically remove his cloak fold it across his left arm and shoulder, just like those old broken statues of what appear to be city patricians, or elders? or nobles? or royals? Old statues of forgotten times... with his right he touches his hearth and then extends the arm and with a voice, different to his daily voice, he begins his poem:

A sharpened dagger stabbed in his heart,
Ripping in two, ripping apart.
It took only a few words, but her words cut him deep,
Stealing emotions, making him weak.
A two sided mirror true in reflection,
A double edged knife cutting connections,
A place in his heart forever reserved
For the one that he loved but didn't deserve.
She twisted the dagger; it tore him apart.
She stole what was left; she stole a broken heart.


He quickly puts his cloak back and those whonpayed attention might think that a tear was rolling across his cheek,

Spoiler: ooc

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(but only those that rolled a 20 noticed that)

he is blushing and with his generic halfling voice speaks a "Hello there?" To the door.

[batsharkgrapple]

The gargoyle statue's eyes glow red, as it animates! It speaks in a voice like gravel scratching glass.
Lovely meter. I have judged your words as pure, and your purity as true. You may enter.

The gargoyle hops off his plinth and hobbles over to the door. He places a gnarled claw on it, and whispers something in an otherworldly language. The door ripples and melts away, like so much candle wax, revealing a hallway, lit with glowing opalstone candelabras.
Inside, you will find the Thought of Benedictions.

---

The Thought of Benedictions is an incredibly thin man. His dark skin is accentuated by bands of cosmic gold, and he wears a satin poet's shirt, blue like the summer ocean. His foyer is decorated with stained glass windows, each one depicting a death. One catches your eyes particularly, an armored man holding a spear, atop which is impaled the head of a snake-man.
The merchant turns to the party, accompanied by his gargoyle. He smiles, revealing a prominent gap in his front teeth.
Hunting big game tonight? If you have sought me out to purchase my fine arms and armour, I suspect you will leave here a bit lighter in coin, but a tad heavier in sharpened steel and boiled leather, kukuku. Gggh'gh'thgtgh, you may resume your post. The gargoyle leaves, as The Thought of Benedictions shows you his wares.

Battleaxe. 10 gp. Double headed, green steel. The end of the haft is a wavy dagger-blade.

Handaxes, x3. 6gp each. One rimmed with silver, one garlic infused metal, one with orichalcum.

Plenty of arrows. 3gp for 20.

Blackwood longbow. 60gp. The string is the heartstring of a basilisk, and hums sinister when plucked, causing all foes in the area to check at -1 morale.

Shortbow. 30gp. Inlaid with pearl.

Greathammer. Base 1d8 damage, two handed. 12gp. Double ended. Shaped like a fist on one end, on the fist are rings of silver, cold iron, and orichalcum.

Polearm. 15gp. The head is a bladed sun which can spin on an axis. The sun can be filled with pitch and ignited, creating a spinning pinwheel of flame.

Mace. 20gp. The flanged head is made of ultrahard purple quartz. Crits on a 19-20.

Mace. 18gp. Flanged with silver and cold iron.

Daggers, x5. 3gp each.

Plenty of burning oil. 4gp each.

Short sword. 10gp. Shaped like a dragon tongue. Perfect for smearing poison, enemies struck save at -2.

Sword, normal. 58gp. Damascus steel. Weighted like a feather. Several blood grooves, like holes up its length. Handle is a golden scorpion. Hits and damages like a +1 weapon, though is not magical.

Two handed sword. 15gp. Vicious serrated blade of orange steel, patterned with blinking and unblinking eyes, deals double damage on a critical hit.

Staff. Made of petrified wood. Has a chain where a lantern can be hung. 6gp.

Shields, x7. 10gp each.
Chameleon sigil.
Inverted tower sigil.
Three eyed skull sigil.
Dark Young of Shub-Niggurath sigil.
Half moon, half sun sigil.
Three concentric rings sigil.
Green dragon sigil.

Leather armour. 22gp. Vantablack, smells of boysenberry. Has a hood of softest silk. Thieves gain a +10% bonus to their hide in shadows skill, halflings gain the same to their hiding in dungeons skill.

Leather armour. 25gp. Bright and orange like a tropical bird. Feathers. Scarf. +4 CHA when dealing with ostentatious nobles and the like.

Leather armour. 22gp. Patterned like a manta ray.

Scale Mail. 50gp. Mauve and magenta scales. On the breast is a stone which sparkles like a black moon. +2 on saves vs. mind affecting magic.

Chain Mail. Teal chains. A cloak of griffon feathers. 60gp.

Chain Mail. Black. Comes with a free bladed gauntlet. The fingers of the gauntlet look like leaping preying mantises. 60gp.

Plate Mail. 100gp. The Thought of Benedictions will paint this armour any colour you wish.

[OdeMx]

Master The Thought of Benedictions, thank you for letting us in, as soon as we knew about your love for poetry we came straight here, could you please now delight Us with one of your poems?

Plenty of arrows. 3gp for 20.

Shortbow. 30gp. Inlaid with pearl. (includes matching Quiver?)

Short sword. 10gp. Shaped like a dragon tongue. Perfect for smearing poison, enemies struck save at -2. (includes Scabard?)

Leather armour. 22gp. Vantablack, smells of boysenberry. Has a hood of softest silk. Thieves gain a +10% bonus to their hide in shadows skill, halflings gain the same to their hiding in dungeons skill. (so Hide in dungeons is 43% or 3 in d6? but in bushes remains 90% or goes 100%?)

Master The Thought of Benedictions, can you direct us now to a placewhere we can buy nice spelunking gear please?

[Luccan]

That was a touching poem, Django Quelle pays the gruesome images little mind, instead interested in the gargoyle's movement. Was it enchanted stone or some strange being from a group of similar beings? She tried to remember what Master Anderbar had taught her about magical constructions, elemental beings, and spirits to puzzle it out. Her attention snaps back as The Thought of Benediction speaks
Thank you for allowing us entry. I think we'll find just what we need. She examines the weapons and armor. She gives both the long bow and polearm appreciable looks before moving to examine the armor. At first, the teal chain mail seems to catch her eye, but she turns to the leather armor as Django selects the dark suit and her gaze falls on the Manta Ray pattern. A look of longing crosses her face; unlike the more avaricious expression she gave towards the bracelet earlier, this seems to be honest yearning for something familiar.

I believe these selections shall do. Thank you

Spoiler: OOC

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Manta ray patterned Leather
Polearm
Blackwood Longbow
20 Arrows
Burning oil
Green Dragon shield
Should be 114 GP

[Quagmire]

Aldren nods as the statue animates, and actually applauds Djangos recitation. He seems to genuinely appreciate hearing it. That was quite a poem, and you read it better than many I know who have actually studied poetry. I apologize for poking fun at it before.

When allowed entrance, Aldren immediately heads to the hammers section, frowning as he passes the blades and axes. It’s interesting to consider: The gods forbid their followers from spilling blood by blade, but left in a fairly obvious loophole. Was this a mistake, or a test of cleverness?

As he muses, Aldren looks over the various hammers. He eventually decides on the largest one, remembering his fight with the berserker. Then he walks over to get some armor. He places one finger on the gem embedded in the mauve scale and then picks it up. He brings it over and paid for it, along with some containers of burning oil. He keeps his smaller hammer, just in case.

He turns to his companions as he shops. Thats the upside to buying in the undercity. The goods always have some personality.

Spoiler: Buying

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Greathammer. Base 1d8 damage, two handed. 12gp. Double ended. Shaped like a fist on one end, on the fist are rings of silver, cold iron, and orichalcum.

Scale Mail. 50gp. Mauve and magenta scales. On the breast is a stone which sparkles like a black moon. +2 on saves vs. mind affecting magic.

Plenty of burning oil. 4gp each.

66 gold spent, 134 left

[batsharkgrapple]

Spoiler: goods

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Yes, I should mention, the swords come with scabbards and the bows come with quivers. For Django's hiding skills, the +10% bonus only applies to the hiding in dungeon skill, making it 43%, so I think it'd be best to check it with a percentile now instead of a d6.

The Thought inspects the goods and takes the coins as he does.
A fine cloak, elf maiden. His voice drops to a whisper. Maybe sometime you should wear it, walk out to the reflecting pools in The Wooden Avenue down the street and inspect yourself. Or if you leave the city, go to the edge of the Whispering Sea and ask for directions.

He hands over the greathammer to Aldren, drooping a little from its weight. Ah, ah, a fine weapon. You see these bands of silver and whatnot? They are fashioned in this way deliberately. Certain creatures, cursed by the gods surely, will be wounded by these precious metals. I'm glad you think my weapons have personality, I think of them sort of like children. I hope they're going to good homes. If you are all to return, in say, a week or so, I will have restocked. I will require a new poem for my collection, although, before you enter, kukuku.

The Thought prances away and returns with several plates of expensive fine cheeses, sun dried tomatoes, and grapes, and terrible cheap wine. Some food, to celebrate these exchanges.

Spoiler: ooc

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If anyone wants to eat, they can forgo rations for today. It's about 11 in the evening.

You asked me for some of my verses, my short friend? I always honour that request. This is a piece from my upcoming collection, 'The Rue Mertile'. Ahem:

winter makes graves for leaves
time makes wolves of dogs
snow is falling time
i thumb my nose at the kind gods of flame
and fire
who would say nay and end it all



He shys a little. Not as traditional a meter as yours, halfling. I hope it was to your tastes. As for other merchants, The Thought of Benedictions doesn't offer anyone new you haven't heard from The Ravishment of Many Shades. He recommends The Preceptor of the Awake for affordable plain jane dungeon gear.

[OdeMx]

The Thought prances away and returns with several plates of expensive fine cheeses, sun dried tomatoes, and grapes, and terrible cheap wine. Some food, to celebrate these exchanges.

Spoiler: ooc

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If anyone wants to eat, they can forgo rations for today. It's about 11 in the evening.

Halflings can't resist food!

That was a lovely poem! I truly hope we can discuss your upcoming collection some other time.

And the food was great also, we have to seize the day and get ready for a job, I'll come some other time. You like puppet shows? I am the best puppeteer in the whole world!

Could you please direct us to The Preceptor of the Awake?

[Luccan]

Quelle ponders The Thought's words as she partakes of the food he brings out. She had heard of the gardens where her people met with each other and the dwarfs, but perhaps there were further secrets for her kind in the city. The Thought was clearly a mage, so perhaps it was instead only for those tuned to the arcane destinies of the world. She responds to Aldren's earlier comment

It does seem odd. I've heard of wounds caused by such weapons that took days to die from, where a blade might have cut the cord of fate far sooner. Perhaps it is to temper an understanding of both mercy and justice?

As she finishes, she thanks The Thought for the food -and your words. I shall keep them in mind.

[batsharkgrapple]

After purchasing instruments of violence and defence from The Thought of Benedictions, and finishing off an excellent charcuterie, the group travels back into the Undercity proper. On the way back through the staturary, the party sees that Gggh'gh'thgtgh the gargoyle is once again no more than a statue.

Spoiler: Undercity encounter check

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(1d6)[1]

Suddenly, as the party is walking, a sewer grate slams open. It slams open above a small house, in the undercity's "ceiling", from part of Anteirobrahd's sewers which are between the Undercity and the city proper. A dark shape quickly falls from the open grate, bounces on the corner of the building's roof with a sick thud and then tumbles out of sight into an alleyway nearby. It looked like a person? And no one else around witnessed it.

[OdeMx]

Suddenly, as the party is walking, a sewer grate slams open. It slams open above a small house, in the undercity's "ceiling", from part of Anteirobrahd's sewers which are between the Undercity and the city proper. A dark shape quickly falls from the open grate, bounces on the corner of the building's roof with a sick thud and then tumbles out of sight into an alleyway nearby. It looked like a person? And no one else around witnessed it.

Django quickly looks to Aldren and ask him:
Aldren, Do you think we Should go look if that fellow is ok or thats the way people in a hurry get back home? what say you? If you ask me, that person thing landed bad and someone might need to pick of his stuff, but Im not from around here...

[Quagmire]

Aldren rushes into the alleyway, no time to reply to Quelles philosophical response. Instead, he rushes over as soon as he sees the man fall. Black gods, the dissapearances. Does anyone know where this corresponds to in the city above??

His mind races as he hopes he can get to the fallen person in time, and hopes that it isn’t anyone he knew.

[OdeMx]

Django puts his new armors hood on, very cautious and keeping a safe distance he follows Aldren, not because he is affraid, no! Its because he knows the ways of the thieves, that fall could have been just a distraction by an acrobat to ambush the group!

[Luccan]

Quelle follows Aldren down the alley, hoping to catch any waiting foes with her superior vision

[batsharkgrapple]

Aldren, swift as faith is true, rushes to the alleyway the man-shape fell to, followed closely by Quelle. Wary of an ambush, Django waits at the mouth of the alley.

On the cobbles, in a state near death, is a man, or at least the better half of one. From his upper thighs down, he is missing his legs, replaced with wispy, corroded strands of flesh. He wears mustard yellow leather, and has a left arm composed of rusted tungsten clockwork. In his right palm, he has something clutched.

He is mumbling something, barely audible.

[Quagmire]

Aldren sits by the man, internally cursing that he has not yet received the gift of healing. Cursing how cheap life seems to be, two deaths today that he could not prevent. He presses all those emotions deep down though, he needs to be there for this dying man.

He kneels down and presses his hand to the fallen mans shoulder and takes his more reassuring tone. Im here. I’m listening. Just stay with me.

Aldren listens closer to the dying mans muttering trying to understand his words while comforting him. He carried no medical supplies and had no idea how to treat the strange clockwork-necrosis combination. He briefly considered the Rose but knew that he could not afford using it on a complete stranger, so instead he tried to distract the man from his death and pain and record his last words.

[batsharkgrapple]

The corroded man raises up his left arm; the clockwork limb clicks and whirs, half broken. With difficulty, he places it around the back of Aldren's head. He whispers, half in the grave. That black crap. The sludge, in the sewers, it lives. It burnt my skin, like acid. It lives!

Then, his right arm goes limp as he loses consciousness. From it, tumbles a silver coin, which rings harmonically as it contacts the cobbles. (made from a sort of magnetized iron) On one side of the coin is a full moon, on the other is a waning moon. The last thing he says, as the coin tumbles out, The thief's only loyalty in life is to the devil and himself.

Spoiler: Can Aldren still hear ragged breathing from the man's chest?

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1 in 6 chance he lives. (1d6)[2]

[OdeMx]

Django gets closer "I think that fellow is done, did anyone found the other half of him? I dunno many people around here, but I dont want to be around when guards start asking questions and we can't provide many answers, so let me check his pockets and let's get back to the Ravishment"

[Luccan]

Quelle places a hand on Aldren's shoulder He's gone. I don't know what rites you would give him, but I'll help how I can. She examines the coin, wondering if she's seen that symbol before.