3. The Sign of the Broken Head

Thrudmarr waves excitedly at the priestess. "Hello god-lady! Me Thrudmarr! Me fight ghost AND magic tree today! Ghost make friend Zach old. You have magic to help?"

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, Khu, Khu, ZZZZZZZZ, Zach sputters in his sleep and turns over, slipping into a nightmare…?

There are three statue brokers at the table, each representing a different ‘Factor’*. They introduce themselves as:

- Godric the Wise, a Thorcin representing ‘The Golden Band’ Factor.
- Crisarius Three-Legs, an Archontean representing ‘The Prosperity Factor’.
- Fenitior Stone-Hands, an Archontean representing ‘The Wisdom Factor.’

*I’ve added a note on the Factors to the Lore thread.

Godric is the first to respond to Jacky’s question: "Indeed, I have clients from all over Magae who will pay handsomely for any ancient relics recovered from Arden Vul. They don’t have to be large, although the bigger pieces often command a higher price. It’s quality that I’m really looking for."

Crisarius interjects abruptly: "Of course, if you want the best price for all your hard work, then you’ll want to bring them to me and The Prosperity Factor."

Fenitior sneers in a dismissive manner at the other two. "Amateurs, amateurs. Antiques are a specialist business. You have to understand what you are selling before determining what it’s worth. I think you’ll find that only The Wisdom Factor provides that professional insight."

You sense a definite edge in the relationship between the three dealers.
"I’m pleased to meet you Master Thrudmarr, although I’m afraid that reversing ageing is beyond my meagre talents. If I were able to perform such a feat, I would have applied it to Kronos a long time ago!"

---
8:10 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Jacky looks between the three men. "I see! And is it only statues that you'd be interested in buying? Of course, if we do come bring back any, I'll be sure to swing by."

When the conversation is concluded, Jacky will go claim his bed.

"Is okay. Zach still strong fighter, even if old now!" He yawns widely, stretching his arms. "Thrudmarr tired after fighting tree and ghost. Need sleep now."

With nothing else going on and nobody else to meet, Thrudmarr will go find his bed as well.

"Statues mainly, but we’ll take a look at any artworks or artefacts that are likely to appeal to our clients."

One by one, you retire upstairs to the bunkroom. As Jacky is halfway up the stairs, he hears a "Pssstt!" sound behind him. Turning, he sees one of the merchants, Crisarius from the Prosperity Factor, behind him. With a wink, Crisarius drops a pouch of coins into Jacky’s hand. "A little incentive to give me first refusal on any interesting items. Think of it as a downpayment or a retainer."

Opening the pouch, Jacky sees that it contains 50 gold coins.

---
9:00 pm, Demmasday 1st Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’
—
Billie, Mule, 120’

Tallfolk think they can buy anything! Most of the time, they're right. Jacky grins right back and makes the pouch disappear. "First look on anything I carry back," he agrees.

Zacharias twists and turns. In his dreams, ghostly figures with spectral bloody claws and filthy fingernails moan in spiritual agony as they reach out into him and pull his very life-stuff out of his body—gold-sparkling clouds streaming from rents in his torso—and stuff it into their slobbering, gaping maws; full of evil, green teeth. Desperate, plaintive cries of No, no, leave me alone escaped his lips as he sank further into Lyncion's grip.