Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

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funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Aug 4, 2022 6:30 pm

Aug 4, 2022 6:30 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

Nira Melubb's gigantically magnified eyeball tracks down to the gems the wizard sets on the counter and then to the pin still in Eltrezar's palm. "Hmm... A fortuitous haul, it appears," the mutters looking back up at the medium. He picks up the smallest of the gems and peers closely at it with his glass, then does likewise with the other two. A minute of two passes as he does his appraisal, quietly muttering things just too deep under breath to quite make out, before he looks up and replies to the wizard, "Fifty gold... One hundred gold... Five hundred gold." He raises up a gem with each estimate. "My appraisal is quite accurate, I assure you, though you can certainly search for a second opinion if you like. The pin," Nira replies, extending his open palm for Eltrezar to turn over.

Entering the small room that double as an audience chamber and study, Luban, Mal, and Spugnoir encounter the priest Calmert sitting behind his desk keeping notes in a small ledger book. Looking up, the man

OOC:

[*The priest looks up at the sound of Maloria dropping a hefty amount of coin into the donation box,]

and studies Mal's face a moment. "Acolyte Stoneforge. You look... different. Enlightened? Perhaps you have returned to my study a bit more certain of your path to divine favor?" His eyes turn to the half-orc, "Hmm, or perhaps you've simply come to exhaust our community of my much needed miracles again."
He stands up from his desk and moves to the door leading out into the church's processional. "In any case, why don't you and your new companion have a seat a moment while I take care of a small task and I shall return shortly. Perhaps your friends here might be interested in the admiring our small collection of tracts and scrolls that we keep on display here, and perhaps they might even appreciate your teachings regarding the costs which go into procuring and maintaining such a collection, even one so modest as our may be." He gestures, not unexpectedly, to the collection box before leaving the room for a moment.

OOC:

*Retcon addition of 50 gold to donation box; August 6, 2022.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Eltrezar the Medium

Aug 4, 2022 6:40 pm

Aug 4, 2022 6:40 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

Gems were one thing. Eltrezar was sure he was being screwed over on them, but any amount of money was appreciated. The pin, however, was a different matter. The thing glittered and sparkled, and drew the eye. It would look quite nice on his new robes, though they weren't quite his colors. The magic-user hands over the pin, with a side-eye to Gilly to ensure she was being attentive. Hrmph! "Those gems were paltry compared to this fine piece. It is unlikely such quality has come through this town before, and I dare say I might get a finer deal in a larger city. But Hommlett has become like a second... third home to me, and I trust that you will appraise this fairly."

Aug 5, 2022 12:20 am

Aug 5, 2022 12:20 am

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

"Third opinion!" Gilly corrects the man, with the most innocent Halfling face she can muster.

"We’ve already had one. And now we are here, so the next opinion would be the third!"

She doesn’t dare look up at the wizard as she tries to drum up some phantom competition for these gems in the seller’s mind.

Eltrezar the Medium

Aug 5, 2022 12:43 am

Aug 5, 2022 12:43 am

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

Hrmph? "Oh yes, the traders. I didn't care for the offer they made, hence our presence here."

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Aug 5, 2022 3:45 pm

Aug 5, 2022 3:45 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

The moneychanger's takes the pin from Eltrezar's hand and holds it close to his magnified eye, his practiced stare taking in the metalwork of the platinum, and the quality of the ruby itself, only half listening to Eltrezar's bluff until Gilly interjects. Then his eyes look up, and the great hole of his magnified pupil stares at the halfling. As Eltrezar catches on to the act Nira looks to Eltrezar as well.

https://i.imgur.com/I9frxpC.png

"Traders," Nira scoffs. "No, no... You're not likely to get a better deal selling to a trader, but more importantly, you're not likely to get a fair appraisal from them either, and the two are not the same!" He raises a finger as if giving a practiced lecture.
"You see, the thing with my profession is that everyone assumes that we lie to our customers. Perhaps some do so, but not any who has built his reputation on professional expertise, honesty, and integrity as I have! I shall always pride myself not only on the honesty behind my appraisals, but on the accuracy as well! I tell you the worth of your items with the utmost confidence that my appraisal is accurate! And you will not find an appraisal in all the great city of Verbobonc that will tell you this pin is worth any more or less than what I tell you here, and any that do are either swindling you, or are amateurs and soon to appraise themselves right out of business!
"No, the real reason we have a reputation as swindlers is because the untrained and uneducated come to us seeking our expertise in appraising their silver broaches, and their golden rings, and pearl necklaces, and their decorative cauldrons, and we do so accurately, but said customers mistake an appraisal of value for a selling value, thinking the two are the same! The two are not the same!"
Nira Melubb sets the pin on a piece of black decorative silk and slides it across the counter back to Eltrezar. "I appraise your pin to be worth two-thousand gold," he says, chin raised confidently. "Should you wish to sell it, I would refuse to pay you two-thousand gold for it, for I have to make a profit when I in turn sell it. Normally, I would make you a very generous offer of one thousand gold for this piece. But as you and your companions are beginning to make a reputation of returning to our village with coin and gems in tow, and because I'd like to solidify my reputation with you as a fair and honest businessman in the profession of trading in such coins and stones, and because you seem to know next to nothing about the appraisal of stones, precious metals, and/or other items of value and have already made the fool's first mistake by entering negotiations with traders, I'd be willing to begin what I hope is to be a longstanding partnership with you and your company by offering you one-thousand and four-hundred gold for the pin.
"I would give you thirty-five, seventy, and three-hundred and fifty respectively for the gems, should you wish to relieve yourselves of the burden of having those poking uncomfortably into your backs while stowed away on your travels."

OOC:

I was going to have Eltrezar make a charisma roll, since he was doing the talking, but since Gilly interjected nicely I decided to have her make one first and if she was successful, she'd give Eltrezar a -2 bonus to his roll, also quite successful.
Nira has offered the following totals, exceeding the prices he offers, as written in the module by 20%:
Pin: 1400gp
Gems: 350gp, 70gp, 35gp

https://i.imgur.com/fkc1T3b.png

Rolls

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Eltrezar the Medium

Aug 5, 2022 5:28 pm

Aug 5, 2022 5:28 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

The man was quite correct in that the two had no idea how to appraise or sell gems and trinkets. General goods were easy, as it was hard to be taken advantage of when the sum total was several silver coins. But this was in the thousands, and in gold! Something about the man and his honesty (or his great skill in lying) made Eltrezar feel at ease. He seemed to care about his professional reputation the same as the wizard, and that was comforting. Hrmph! "Yes, well, you are quite astute and correct. My partner and I may have blundered in speaking with the traders, but that was out of habit. You see, most of what we do collect in our expeditions belongs in a trading post and not a moneylenders estate. Your words are noted, and your honesty appreciated. I do believe we can make a fruitful relationship here. As for the exchange, I would say that such a value is agreeable. Finances like that will enable us to delve back into our hidden ruins, and return with even more treasures. And from here on out, you will be the first stop upon our return... second, if we are in need of divine assistance."

Eltrezar reaches out his hand to make the deal, but falters for a moment. Ahem! "Oh, yes, before I forget! I am Eltrezar the Medium, known amongst the elves as Tarathiel, the dwarves have called me Dalomdûmir, and the Barbarians of the North have titled me Hrattothvok. And this is my companion, Gilly Puddlefoot, of the Smallfolk. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Aug 5, 2022 7:17 pm

Aug 5, 2022 7:17 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

"Hmm... A pleasure to formally make the acquaintance Eltrezar the Medium, leader of Hommlet's newest celebrities. As well as that of his companion of most modest stature, yet if the whispers be true, one that has slain as many great monsters in only a few days as her elder companion has names among the people.
"And will you be interested in concluding our transaction with an exchange of coin for goods, Eltrezar, or must you confer first with your other companions?"

Eltrezar the Medium

Aug 5, 2022 8:52 pm

Aug 5, 2022 8:52 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

The wizard grins down at the halfling at the mention of her deeds. Hrmph! "I do believe I can speak for my group when I accept your offer. And I look forward to future business."

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Aug 5, 2022 9:16 pm

Aug 5, 2022 9:16 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

"Very good sir. I shall be back in a moment with your coin. I trust gold pieces are your preferred method of payment?" Nira leaves to a back room and is gone for some time. The guard remains at the watch in front of the store, but two war dogs eye the halfling and wizard warily in Nira's absence, as if any sudden movements might set them off.
When Nira Melubb returns he's wheeling a small chest with him of which stacks of gold coins are contained in rows of 100 each. After counting out six rows, and fifty-five more from a seventh, and allowing Eltrezar Gilly, and Ora to watch, he places the coins inside three large sacks and the extra fifty-five in another small sack.
"Will there be anything else today, Eltrezar?"

OOC:

If you would like the coins to be in a different denomination than gold let me now and I can send the man back to fetch something different. In addition someone can add three large sacks and one small sack to their inventories if they wish; I'm only tracking it as the standard 80-coin encumbrance.

The party gains 1855 gold for the transaction. Bear in mind this has already been accounted for as 2650XP for the purposes of gaining experience after Part 9, so it won't be added as XP in the future. As no coin was offered as payment for Spugnoir, each member of your party would wind up with 309.16gp, if split evenly.

Eltrezar the Medium

Aug 5, 2022 9:33 pm

Aug 5, 2022 9:33 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

Hrmph! "I have no more business for this day, but I do plan on returning after I retrieve a particular bejeweled blade I had temporarily possessed, though only to ascertain its worth. Until then, farewell my good sir."

OOC:

Eltrezar will be splitting the coin evenly, though only after the 1000 has been taken out for the Church. 142.5 each.

OOC:

I might just use his share to hire the group to take on the Gnolls. That would be 171 per person other than Eltrezar. 30gp to fight some monsters that we know prey on people, and are in one spot for only a few days? Should be a done deal. But I'm heading out in the morning until the 16th, so I won't be around to RP it.

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Aug 6, 2022 12:18 am

Aug 6, 2022 12:18 am

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

OOC:

I must ask…. Taking 1000gp would definitely provide for the church. Is that a decision Eltrezar is prepared to make for the company? If so, I think we can agree would be something he’d at least have to take up with Maloria, I think.

But from a personal stance, making a decision for the company that you’re not sure the whole group is on board with feels really good….

Would you like to make a decision for the entire group?

Aug 6, 2022 12:27 am

Aug 6, 2022 12:27 am

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

OOC:

The group put Eltrezar in charge of this mission, and then Nira made the mistake of calling him the group's leader. Eltrezar is absolutely making an executive decision.

Aug 6, 2022 12:35 am

Aug 6, 2022 12:35 am

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

OOC:

We could raise a force of a hundred halflings for that coin! Halfling standing army, when? :D

Aug 6, 2022 12:36 am

Aug 6, 2022 12:36 am

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

OOC:

Next delve, I promise! A hilly covered in a milly killy Gilly's!

Aug 6, 2022 1:16 pm

Aug 6, 2022 1:16 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

Gilly puffs up a little when her deeds are said back to her! Praise was sparse in Hommlet and things only looked to be getting worse.

"And um… how might we tell a good gem from a bad, anyway? Just in case space is at a premium on the cart!" she asks quickly before leaving!

Aug 6, 2022 1:18 pm

Aug 6, 2022 1:18 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

"Speaking of how… limited the trading post is when it comes to finding quality goods, might there be anywhere in Hommlet to find things of a more arcane nature? Scrolls and such. Anyone have anything like that squirreled away?"

Ora suddenly pipes up while she examines her way around the shop.

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Aug 6, 2022 4:30 pm

Aug 6, 2022 4:30 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

Nira Melubb looks to Gilly first and considers her question of appraising gems: "Hmm... Knowing what to look for in a quality gem takes a practiced eye, a steady hand, and many decades experience in the trade, little 'Ogre Slayer'." He says it with a wry smile, and while details may be a bit blurry, it seems that technically it may in fact have been Eltrezar's "swagger dagger" that struck the final blow on the ogre Lubash, but perhaps no need for a hero to correct the minor details found in the songs sung about them. "My best advice for young treasure seekers is, if it looks like a precious stone, and it weighs less than a coin in your satchel, leave the coin behind and keep the stone... It might only cost you a copper piece to be wrong."

He then considers Ora Rusk's question. "Shops of an arcane nature are a peculiar type of mushroom, only sprouting up in the most fertile soil, and unlikely to sprout up at all land as barren as that found in Hommlet. There would be little needs met by setting up such an establishment here. Almost everyone that lives here is either of The Old Faith, or more recent converts of the Church of St. Cuthbert. Any that have needs of a divine nature put their trust in Jaroo Ashstaff of The Old Faith, or if converted then Elder Terjon and his priest Calmert.
"I hear only of rumors, of course, but I believe there may in fact be a visitor here in Hommlet with a particular interest in scrolls as well. A man by the name of Spugnoir? I believe he's staying at the inn with you, so perhaps you've seen one another in passing? No doubt Ostler Gundigoot could introduce the two of you.
"Aside from that, perhaps Jaroo Ashstaff is capable of writing some scrolls for those in need. Like the church, his magics are of a more divine, nature, but I believe he can scribe a few protection spells which any literate man-- er, or woman, should be able to utilize at their own discretion. But if it's a propershop you seek, the city of Verbobonc two days north of here will surely meet your needs, miss."

funfungiguy Inactive forever!

Aug 6, 2022 4:32 pm

Aug 6, 2022 4:32 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

After about four minutes of waiting patiantly, the priest Calmert returns to the study, and glances at the collection box which has remained unmolested so far

OOC:

*, now containing Mal's hefty contribution

. "Acolyte Stoneforge, he says sitting back down at his desk. How may the righteousness of St. Cuthbert bless you and yours this afternoon?"

OOC:

*Retcon addition of 50 gold to donation box; August 6, 2022.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Maloria "Mal" Stoneforge

Aug 6, 2022 8:04 pm

Aug 6, 2022 8:04 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

OOC:

I thought I posted that Mal tithed when she entered? I certainly meant to, can we retcon that Mal dropped 50g in the box please?

Maloria "Mal" Stoneforge

Aug 6, 2022 8:15 pm

Aug 6, 2022 8:15 pm

Part 10: -To Be Titled Later-

"We are drawing close to the head of the snake Father Calmert. We have uncovered evidence that the owners of the trading post are involved in the cult behind the evil at the moathouse, Brother Thurig was struck down while fighting against the creatures within. I seek healing for Thurig and my companions who also risked their lives against the darkness."

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