[Gameplay] 2. The House of Pentheru

During the day, you will have the opportunity to sell any of the loot that you have found, and purchase what you will. As a guideline, base goods, gems, jewels, and artistic pieces can be sold for full value, while magic items, armor and weapons can be sold for half market value. Feel free to track that in the Party Treasure thread, and I'll update the first post with anything remaining in 'group loot'.

You do hear that that night, several adventuring parties who have returned from the necropolis will gather at the Tooth and Hookah, which is of course, where you have rented the upper floor suite for yourselves. They are looking to celebrate their victories, mourn their losses, and share their experiences with those few others who have also gone in and returned.

Tabat kicks back in the common area of the suite, relaxing on a luxurious, oversized pillow while sharpening the masterfully-crafted Khopesh they had found earlier that day. "We have done blessed things for Wati today, gifting the city with reminders of their ancient glory," he says aloud by way of making conversation, "We have come out of it stronger as well, and better equipped to rid these lands of evil. For our first outing as an adventuring group, I'd say it was a success."

"A success indeed!" Iseret replies, lifting a mug. "And we have been more fortunate than some," she adds, giving a look about the room. The fact that some groups were short members was not lost on her. "Still, our fruits were not without consequence," she says, noting the runes that still adorned Bernard's forehead.

' better rid lands of evil...and rid this place of all its beer.' Khadi chuckles as she raises her own drink in toast. She had been getting more and more giddy during the afternoon as she'd begun to realise how much they were going to end up with. Even if the other two of their forays were simple houses, the money would serve her family well for a while.

Tabat reaches up and removes the mask from his face, revealing a dark-skinned face with a chiseled jawline and the shadow of a beard. Bright, golden eyes seem accentuated against the context of his skin as they narrow and study Bernard's face. "A curse, I'd guess," he says earnestly, "Though about as benign a curse as possible it seems. Wouldn't be the cheapest to fix, but a few hundred gold should do the trick. Maybe we can check with the Church of Pharasma in the morning?"

The paladin keeps his drinking to a slow crawl, but keeps a tankard at hand to match the others. "What say we head to the common area in a bit and hear how the other groups did today?"

Jaware arrives at the Tooth and Hookah seeming a little distract. He is thinking about some spells that he read about in his studies but was never able to really understand. It seems that putting his life on danger was the trick that made him finally grasp some obscure arcane concepts that he wasn't able in the past. He goes direct to his room to study a bit, but the noise downstairs is really distracting him.

A beer or two can certainly help me to relax and concentrate.

Jaware goes to the mess hall and after more than a couple of pints he is singing out loud and playing dice with the other costumers.

You go downstairs and find the tavern slowly filling up. There are a few tables that have been 'reserved' for others. You see tags drawn for 'The Cryptfinders' and 'Daughters of the Desert', the 'Dog Soldiers', the 'Sand Scorpions', the Scorched Hand, and of course, the Destined Delvers.

The Cryptfinders are arriving and their Absalomi leader is bringing a tray of wine for his team: a Chelish tough, a Nexian, and a Qadiran.

A few other tables are populated by middle class merchants, fans of the event and appear to be betting on the outcomes.

"We've got a table," Tabat says unnecessarily, "with our name on it. I think I could get used to this. I'll get us some drinks, and food." Tabat heads to the bar and orders a round of drinks for his companions and enough cheese and bread to go around.

Tabat returns to the table a short time later, bread and cheese in hand, and drinks on their way. He sets the food down approaches the table where the Cryptfinders are sitting.

"Greetings, Cryptfinders!" he says, "By the fullness of your table, I hope to hear your group fared well today? Everyone come out unscathed and wealthy?"

Seeing that Tabat is fraternizing with the other parties, Jaware stops playing with the other costumers and goes to our table. He then says:

I don't know if they fared well, but we sure did it. A toast to us, the Destined Delvers!

Iseret lifts her mug in toast and takes a long draw from it. "Yes, we were successful today. Let us hope that our luck persists."

As you toast each other, you hear Velriana raise her voice as she leads her crew in and they plop down at the table marked for the Scorched Hand. "It's an outrage that the Grand Mausoleum refused our request. The Scorched Hand had claim, by right of history and faith. How can a church deny our faith? Lottery, pah! Sites should have been assigned by petition and right, not chance."

Velriana is a Taldan, a human, and probably a mage by the look of her. With her are two male humans, Osirians, and a female half-elf woman-at-arms. One of the men is a cleric of Nethys, by his symbol. They all look disappointed at the events, and order much wine to drown their disappointments.

Tabat, still standing, turns to the newly arrived Scorched Hand. "The lottery did not go your way this day, I take it?" he bellows, cheerfully. "Don't let that get you down, if we all made the rules around here, we'd be swimming in free wine right now and all would be merry. The order of law, however, prevails, as is the way of things, so the lottery it is. Come, a round of drinks on me, and a toast to better fortune in the morning!" He waves a hand to signal the bartender, requesting drinks for the Scorched Hand.

Khadi looks to the group as Tabat orders more drinks. 'I am sorry friends, but there are two more chances no? And surely it is more exciting if the goal is the last one? Maybe the lady of fates felt like a little tension?' The suggestion that someone had a right to a certain site didn't quite sit well, but she felt now was not the time to get into a discussion.

There is no rule established that forbids this. However, whoever is assigned a site are the only ones allowed to explore it, so trading after the fact may make criminals of both your groups. How or if this would be enforced is unclear.

Jaware takes a moment to think about the situation. Then he asks in a low voice to Khadi, so that the other tables cannot hear but the rest of our group can:

'Why should we rely solely on luck? After all, there is no rule explicitly prohibiting the negotiation of places to be explored. We should try to figure out which location they want to explore, so we have the option to trade if it's to our advantage. What's more, they said they would be entitled to the location they want. Maybe they really do. It may be the resting place of an ancient distant ancestor and they want to keep the place from being despoiled by disrespectful adventurers. What do you think?'

"Mmmm, risky if we get caught, but I'm not opposed to some minor risks."

Khadi just stares at Jaware for a few moments as if trying to process what he is saying. 'No-one is entitled to the dead. The churches system is the most fair, to prevent squabbles or who has the most right. What if they are the disrespectful adventurers? The foreigner seems to be the leader, I doubt it would be her ancestor.

She sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose. If we do somehow end up with location they want, we could offer to trade for the valuables in, and to be respectful. Better that or lose a hand or worse for breaking rules. The temple does not wish for this event to happen, I doubt those who break the rules will get off lightly. '

She suddenly grins and takes a swig of beer ' As for why to rely on luck? More fun that way no? '

Jaware raises his hands as if asking for calm and says:

'I didn't say we should make the trade, just that we should try to find out what they want. One of the reasons you just pointed out. It may be that the lottery smiles to us and when we sell our discoveries we will already know someone who will be willing to pay a good price for some items. '

He then ponders:

'Besides, these people seem to be pretty upset about what happened. What could they do if they are not drawn? Maybe ignore the lottery and go explore the place they want anyway?'