The First Expedition: The Alchemist's Vault

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Dec 11, 2024 12:49 am
"Quadruplets! Wowza, the mom-lady must be so tired! Did she have boys or girls? Do you have your own boat? Hey what's this thingamajig? What about this doohickey? Ooooh, lookit, Subeen, it's a watchamacallit!"
Dec 11, 2024 6:04 pm
Elodie had been spending the night buried in her own thoughts. There was profit to be made here, a light at the end of their shared tunnel, but it needed to be done right. Going back to rest so soon after arriving left a bitter taste in her mouth, even if she knew it was the wisest choice. She buried the knot in her stomach under a meal and some wine.

"We arrived last night," Elodie continues from where Elara left off, "But we have an opportunity that will be keeping us in the area." Elodie gestures to the chandelier that Subeen has and explains, "This is what we currently have. Silver, earned with blood, but we have access to more." With a patient cadence to her voice, she adds, "A lot more. And when we get it, I would rather spare Subeen's arms by only asking her to bring it here, rather than carry it onto a barge bound for Bastion. To that end, I was hoping we could talk rates."

As a follow-up, Elodie adds, "Do you deal primarily in scrap, or is there any interest in more esoteric finds?"

Aggie Hrund

Len

Dec 12, 2024 5:09 am
Aggie Hrund
Aggie listens intently, her sharp eyes moving between each of the companions. Her hands remain busy as she lights a final lamp, the faint glow from her pendant flickering in rhythm with the flame. She adjusts her glasses, letting out a low hum of consideration.

"Quadruplets, two boys and two girls, if you were wondering," Aggie responds to Trix, her voice tinged with a touch of amusement as she catches Trix inspecting a peculiar metal contraption. "And yes, I do have my own boat. Comes in handy more often than you'd think."

She turns her attention to Elodie, her expression hardening slightly, though not unkindly. "Silver earned with blood, eh? That’s a phrase I hear more often than I’d like around here. Makes for good business, though. Rates, I can talk. But you should know the guild has its rules—anything brought in gets appraised by me. You’ll get a fair cut, but don’t expect the moon and stars. That chandelier of yours..." She leans forward slightly, squinting at it through her glasses. "...Looks fine enough, once we clean it up and melt it down. But, if you’re looking to make a better return on your blood, you’ll need something a bit more unique."

Aggie gestures to the surrounding shelves, crammed with ancient curiosities. "Scrap is the lifeblood of our world, but there’s always interest in the esoteric. Relics with a story, that tell of our past glories — those fetch the best prices. You say you’ve got access to more? Well, bring me something that’ll make my guild hall the talk of the tower, and we can talk about rates that’ll make it worth your time."

She folds her arms, tilting her head toward Elodie. "So, what’s this opportunity of yours? You don’t strike me as the usual scavenger crowd." Her eyes flick briefly to Subeen, then to Trix, who seems utterly engrossed in a bauble. "And it looks like your lot might have a tale or two worth hearing."
OOC:
Aggie offers 20gp for the mangled silver chandelier, which is a fair price.
Dec 12, 2024 5:22 pm
Elodie nods at the offer, tipping her head to Subeen and stating, "We'll make that deal."

"Like my sister said: We're members of House Clairmont. We're on an expedition into a site nearby." Keeping it simple, Elodie looks around the room, hands resting upon her hips, "Do you have a line on where one might acquire some blasting powder? We found the remains of another crew that was using some and I would like to find out who they were, to notify their patron."
Dec 12, 2024 5:49 pm
Subeen nods and hands over the chandelier, placing it wherever Aggie indicates it should be placed.
Dec 13, 2024 2:57 pm
"Second-rate blasting powder," Trix interjects with a disdainful sniff, "but yeah."

Aggie Hrund

Len

Dec 14, 2024 7:25 pm
Aggie Hrund
"House Clairmont? That's not a name I've heard in a while, but it is a welcome one here. Our town's founding has a direct connection to your ancestor, Lady Valeria Claiirmont. Her survey expedition broke much ground in our region, and the relic hunters that followed put Hopesend on the map."

"Blasting powder gets rarer every year, and it's not something that Raven stocks in town - second rate or not. Whoever used it must be working with one of the wealthy houses. House Volaris has been the most active; I've seen three Volaris expeditions pass through here in a season."
Dec 15, 2024 6:19 am
Any questioning looks from the others are met with a shrug from Trix. She was never privy to House Volaris operations. Whenever she was brought along on expeditions she never had any prior knowledge, and she promptly forgot about them once over.
Dec 15, 2024 10:00 pm
"We owe much to her as well," Elodie nods at the mention of Lady Valeria.

Elodie does give that look to Trix, but turns back to Aggie when the gnome shrugs. "Any of those expedition members still around here?" Elodie asks.
Dec 16, 2024 1:33 am
Tucking the proceeds of the chandelier sale into her purse, Elara clasps her hands upon the counter and listens with great interest for Aggie's response to her sister's query.

Aggie Hrund

Len

Dec 17, 2024 7:32 pm
Aggie Hrund
MoMo says:
Elodie does give that look to Trix, but turns back to Aggie when the gnome shrugs. "Any of those expedition members still around here?" Elodie asks.
"Likely. The last Volaris team left Hopesend around three days ago, Three Drow elves accompanied by a Warforged construct. Not sure if they're planning on coming back, but Hopesend is the main hub town for the Wastelands."
Dec 17, 2024 7:39 pm
"I see. Thank you," Elodie replies impassively, yet with no indication of insincerity. She turns to the others and scans over their faces before landing on Elara and asking, "Anything else before we go?"
Dec 18, 2024 12:11 am
"I think that's it for now. We should head out as soon as possible," Elara confirms with a nod to her sister.
Dec 18, 2024 12:42 am
Subeen tightens her pack now that a significant space has been cleared. She hoists her gear and is ready to depart.
Dec 20, 2024 4:48 am
"Back to... uh, the site? Won't we need a rhino to haul all the... uh, stuff?"
Dec 20, 2024 5:50 pm
Elodie frowns in thought, arms crossed and brow furrowed, "That'd be a good investment." She looks to Elara, "What do you think? Three metal men so far. Whether or not their magic works beyond the tower, they'd be good for scrap, and we need the help to carry them back."
Dec 20, 2024 6:01 pm
Subeen recalls her experiences with pack animals during her work on the Clairmont estate. Truly those creatures pale in comparison with the wooly rhinos, not just in size but maybe in temperament as well. Perhaps if they could find well-trained ones, she'd have an easier time.

Of course, those would probably be more expensive.
Last edited December 20, 2024 6:02 pm

Len

Dec 21, 2024 6:33 pm
The members of the Valarian Expedition bid Aggie farewell. After a stop at Raven's Adequate Supply to purchase supplies, the team makes for the Rhino stables to procure a beast capable of hauling sizeable loot from the dungeon.

The going rate is 10gp a day, to be paid in advance, including tack and feed - sacks of oats and a block of salt. If you're late, the extra days are double priced, and if you're early you get refunded your money. Additionally, you are required to sign a promissory note, acknowledging your responsibility to pay for the animal in the event of theft or loss, valued at 200gp.
[ +- ] woolly rhino!
[ +- ] stat block, as Rhinoceros
The woolly rhino smells like a wet dog that has never taken a bath, but seems very sturdy. He doesn't seem too interested in moving anywhere, and none too impressed with the lot of you initially.
OOC:
Okay folks, decide on how many days you want to rent the animal for and pay in advance (10gp a day). If you want to win over the beast, you'll need to pass a DC 15 animal handling check. Looks like Subeen is +3 for that skill, so she will probably make this roll, but feel free to propose something to make the check easier.
Dec 21, 2024 6:52 pm
Subeen places her pack next to the supplies in order to have enough freedom of movement. She is familiar with pack animals, but she understands that wooly rhinos are an entirely different beast than a mule. "How do you folks handle these?" she asks of the stablehands, seeking their knowledge.

Len

Dec 21, 2024 7:08 pm
A stablehand pauses his work as Subeen approaches, leaning on his pitchfork. He introduces himself as Jorrick, and he has a wide-brimmed hat and heavy coat to ward off the chill of the morning.

"You're right, woolly rhinos ain’t your everyday pack beasts, that’s for sure. You’re dealin’ with a creature that’s got strength like a landslide and a temper to match if you’re not careful."

"The biggest mistake travellers make is that you gotta stay outta their blind spot. They don’t see too well behind ‘em or right in front of that big ol’ horn. Always approach ‘em slow, talk to ‘em as you go, and stay where they can see ya."

"And if you really want to gain its trust, scratch their sweet spots. Woollies love a good scratch behind the ears or along the shoulders. Gets ‘em all calm-like. Use a sturdy stick or your fingers if you don’t mind a bit of rhino fur in your nails."

"But, sometimes it takes a while for 'em to warm up to ya. So, keep at it, ya know?"
OOC:
With this information, Subeen gained advantage on the check.
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