Episode 1: A Helping Hand

The dwarf watches as tin cups, a box of silver utensils, tinderboxes, whetstones, and several lanterns in various state of repair go crashing to the floor, along with his tools being used to fix them. An hourglass also falls, shattering into an explosion of sand. Daresouk looks back to Haesh with a squint.

Disadvantage roll

"Certainly, for a big spender like yerself," Daresouk says, voice gravelly with veins of sarcasm. He reaches under the desk for a small box that he slaps onto the counter. "Will you be needin' a bag to put it all in, too?"

"Sure"

"How much for it all?"

Daresouk pulls out a small sack, enough to carry everything on the counter. "30 gold, good sir," answers the dwarf, fixing Haesh with a granite gaze.

Rhodrick ambles down the steps to the common room, his hands quickly checking that his gear is strapped down securely and ready to sail. He carries most of it in a salt stained sailor's duffel that is slung over his left shoulder. He arrives just in time to hear Rhiann's words and the new member's introduction.

"Well met, mate! I'm Rhodrick, Rhod if ya like." He turns to Rhiann, "How long before the Red Cutter shoves off? I need to make a quick purchase before we embark."

"30 gold?!" says Haesh irately "You cannot be serious!"

"This should not even be 1 gold! I don't understand, is this lamp made out of gold!?"

Haesh pounds the desk with his fist and leans over peering into the dwarf's eyes. "I demand a fair price... NOW!"

Rhiann answers Rhodrick, "It's chartered for you, but I wouldn't keep the captain waiting. Someone's already at the store, another's in the kitchen." She nods towards Jandral and Golwen. "If you're going, don't forget the rest of your team."

Daresouk leans back, turning his face, but keeping his eye squinting at Haesh. "Fine, a fair price then. 25 gold," mutters the dwarf, jerking a thumb over at the smashed hourglass. "You owe me that much for wasting my time!"

Golwen smiles and nods in return. "Well met indeed."

He slowly gathers himself from his seat shouldering his bow and pack. "It sounds as though time may be of the essence. Shall we gather the others and make our way to the ship? ...via the store of course."

"Thank you so much for the food! You are too kind. I look forward to seeing you when I return, some day..." He flashes his best smile and turns to leave, but then is stopped by a thought -- "Precipe, if I may -- and I mean no offense at all -- but how is it that a dragon like creature, who appears to be chromatic rather than metallic, is friendly with those in our cause? Is there no concern at all of split loyalties? How can you be certain that she is safe to have around here? Please know that I'm only thinking of the well being of all who enter here seeking safety."

"25 gold.... Forget this!"

Haesh takes the candles he brought over to the counter and chucks them into the face of Daresouk. He then storms out of the shop and heads back to the Arcadian Rose muttering to himself.

"Oy!" calls the dwarf from inside the store. "Get back here!" There is a loud clatter and a string of curses as Daresouk attempts to step around the counter and slips on the scattered merchandise.

"New arrival?" the masked man asks, eyeing Golwen. "You can call me Jandral."

"And so I shall," Golwen replies with a nod. The mask covering Jandral's face garnering a momentary pause. Accustomed to getting an initial impression of an individual through their face and eyes, Golwen adjusts quickly realizing he'll have to be patient with this one and take his measure more slowly.

Haesh comes stomping into the Arcadian Rose muttering to himself... "... 30 gold, you kidding me..."

He looks up to see his companions.

"You guys ready to go or what?"

Having seen Haesh's frustration through the eyes of his familiar as the big fighter stomped back over from the store, Golwen was better prepared than when they first met.

"We were just about to come get you."

Inside the kitchen...

Precipe considers Parallel's question and the words in her response. "Is she a dragon?" she begins, words soft and warm. "Perhaps a distant relative, much like a turtle or a salamander. Or perhaps, a better question is 'How can we be certain you are safe to have around?' Can I accept whatever answer you bring? Will there always be suspicion?"

The genasi smiles again. "At a certain point, we must trust our judgment, and in our judgment find trust in others. Consider the means in which you and your companions have been brought here. Someone outside of us has placed their trust in our working together. We might even believe that the same consideration was given to myself and Marinna.

"But perhaps your doubt stems from something else? Is it that because you do not know the nature by which you and your companions have been selected, you seek comfort against the unknown? Would it help calm your suspicions if the process was revealed to you?"