Jerry Greystar (Chris1234)- Private Thread

[TristenC]

Spellbooks can be purchased at mage shops (Toad's Toe, Silver Scale), and cost about 50 gp/page. They have no more than 100 pgs and usually come in the following sizes in my games:
30 pgs (1,500 gp)
50 pgs (2,500 gp)
75 pgs (3,750 gp)
100 pgs (5,000 gp)

[Chris1234]

Wow they're expensive.

TY for updating the char sheet with the spells.
You missed one though: Phantom Armor. (It is included in the total of 79 pages).

[TristenC]

Thanks. Don't want to forget that one.

[Jenara]

Mira knocks at Jerry's door lightly, if she is welcomed she steps inside, a the hilt of a shiny short sword in a battered scabbard hangs at her side. Spell book in hand she steps inside, red hair flying everywhere as she does so.

"Greetings, how are you adjusting? This place is... Weird." She speaks, "The dreams are scary, the wolves are worse."

[Chris1234]

"Who is it?" says Jerry, opening the door tentatively in case she's not understood.
"Oh it's you, Mira. Hello!! Please, come in and be welcome," the half-elf continues with a big grin. "I just loved your performance last night. You're so talented. And I just wish my hair was like yours - you look just amazing."

Jerry sat down on the bed, turning her attention to the matters raised by her visitor. "To be honest, I'm not sure what to make of it. One moment I was being chased by a vampire - who was once my father - and in my effort to escape, as he's far beyond my abilities to deal with, I climbed through a crevice, a chimney really, and I ended up here. I'm trying to make the bext of it, as my goddess, Mystra, teaches. I'm pleased to have met you all, of course, and thrilled meet Merrick. I don't know if anyone's noticed, but I've fallen for him, you know? And, umm, are you and Elsa, ..you know.., an item?"

While getting out her spellbook, Jerry makes a conscious effort to answer the question that was actually asked, "Apart from you, and Merrick, I'm not adjusting so well; just trying not to show it and not to let it bother me. The wolves are worrying, but the nightmares I had last night were just plain awful. Unnatural, I think. But I have had a dream too, not threatening, possibly sent by Mystra, or one of her maidens, that I need to find the 'Crown of Souls' if I am to put my father to rest."

She passes her book to Mira. "Here you are, you can learn or transcribe any spells that you want."

"What can you tell me about the wolves? The nightmares? And the reticence of the people here towards spell casting?"

[Jenara]

"Me? And Elsa?" Mira coughs loudly, "I'm.. She's not.." Mira actually blushes at the suggestion. "I have never even heard of a Vampire if I'm honest, these Were things are strange enough to me." She admits as she sits on the bed next to Jerry.

"Its like this.. I come from a land ravaged by war, armies lead by Dragons rule the land.. To come to this place." She waves her hand, here I'm someone, only.. " she shrugs. "I'm sorry about your Father, what ever this Vampire is, it sounds scary."

"I have no idea what this Crown is, but I know a place to go, you'll feel more at home, the Toad is a strange place."

"Lastly, these people have suffered centuries of persecution from the Weres, magic didnt save them, they holed themselves up in these towns. Magic died, the only people to keep it is the Gypsies. They resent them, so any magic is looked at with suspicion."

Taking the book she reads the words for armor, transcribing it her own book with pages of gestures and lyrics.

"As for Merrick, I didn't see him leave, either he left through the window or he stayed. I actually expected him to be here... " she smirks.

[Chris1234]

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be nosy. Well.. I guess I did, but I d-didn't mean anything. I just thought I saw something between you two," Jerry replies, digging herself in deeper before following the change in subject.
"In Faerun, a vampire is a very strong, magic-resistant undead creature. Heals nearly as quickly as a troll and can charm you with a gaze. They live on blood, preferably humanoid, and those they kill become similarly undead. It is truly horrible and all the worse for having one close, especially so close, turned." She pauses to consider the information.

"A war lead by dragons? By Mystra, is there any world left? Is that not a thing to bring desolation?" She starts to read the proffered spellbook and then pauses, "What and where is this place to go? And what is 'the Toad' that you mentioned? And what do you make of the nightmares? Is there a suspected source?"

After some studying, Jerry looks up to see that Mira has stopped. "Please, take as many as you need. Please. Indeed, any that I get at any time, you are welcome to study. The harder spells are, as yet, beyond me though."

[Jenara]

"I care for her, she's kind and sweet." Mira explains as she flicks through her spellbook, "Actually.. I dont understand the need to fill your knowledge quickly, there are always spells out there." Closing the book she leaves hers on the bed. "My spells are quite different, they are music, performance, perhaps even art."

"The Nightmares?? Who's to know, they could be this place, they could be evil, they could be our minds playing tricks on us. Either way they scared the life out of me." She doesn't explain her own nightmares choosing to listen instead..

"If I ever get back, I might find that my world is no more, but then the Golden General may well have turned the tide." Thinking listfully she stands and looks from the window, the town slowly waking.

"The Toads Toe is.. Its a shop full of magic, its where I learnt the spell to read the book we found there. You'd like it, I get a feeling its your sort of place." Laughing slightly she sits back down.

"Right, its like this, keep your head down, no magic unless you have to, the people are friendly and you look like them, that means they don't look at you on the same way as many of the others. I stand out but they tolerate me because they Love music!" She giggles, "They really do."

"I suggest you watch your pouches around Pyros, he's innocent and sweet.. Borrowing things is in his nature. I care for him a great deal, he's a man, not a child. Treat him as such." Tapping the bed she adds. "Cal is.. Cal, he eats like a horse. Cross has his demons. Art is.. He doesn't want to be cooped up in here." She fixes her gaze on Jerry.

"Lastly there is Yasir, he came from your world, I think that he hunted these 'Were' things. He was secuteey last night for his own good." She doesn't explain anymore instead she moves to stand.

"Dont lock yourself away, you know about these things, we need that." She opens the door. "Me and Elsa.." She giggles again.

[Chris1234]

Jerry stands too, moving towards the door, she says,"Thank you, Mira. I appreciate all this," and goes to give the red lady a friendly hug. "Here's to the Toad."

[Jenara]

"For now I'm off to catch up with Yasir. Elsa is coming with me.. I'll be back in a while." Returning the hug she grins and steps through the door. "Till later."

[Chris1234]

"Later," Jerry replies, and briefly watches the singer saunter off before gently closing her door.

[TristenC]

Merrick leads Jerry arm-in-arm out into the chill morning. The pair walk Westward along the main road, which Merrick explains is colloquially named ‘The Loop’. He points out a clothing store and a smithy along the way, as well as a rough tavern to avoid. After a while The Loop turns northward. Just before it tacks back at an eastward angle stands a second smithy and a small nondescript shop only two doors earlier where he stops. The sign above the entrance depicts a silver triangular device, similar to a dragon’s scale. The shop doesn't seem to be open just yet. Merrick knocks in an odd pattern on the door, and a few moments later the latch is drawn and opened by Serath. Good morning cousin, Miss Jeraldine. He greets them in Elven with a small bow. I was just about to open shop. I take it you have come to see what Harmonia offers in the way of the arcane. As they enter he closes the door back and opens the shutters of the two small windows on either side of it.

The narrow shop boasts many racks and shelves behind the counter. Spellbooks, writing materials, potions and scrolls, as well as a hefty collection of reference volumes line the wooden wall; practically anything a mage would ever need. Some less expensive and mundane items are set out in the customer area before the counter. A narrow door to the right leads to a small windowless room with a desk and chair. A door in the wall behind the counter appears to lead into another room. Jerry catches a glimpse of glassware, wooden racks and metal stands suggesting it is Serath’s laboratory. The proprietor passes through a small, hinged section of the counter to stand behind it. Is there anything specific I can assist you with? he asks, congenially.


======
[OOC: up to you how in-depth you want to go with this, I figured the mage shops would be the most likely for any extended interaction. Merrick plans to take Jerry to the Toad’s Toe next.

The other places mentioned on the walk are the Blue Bolt (BB), the Smithy (S), the Broken Jug (BJ), and the Blacksmith Shop (BS). Each of these are described in more detail in the Acquired Party Knowledge thread, along with a map of the town. The pair are currently at the Silver Scale (SS)


Silver Scale supplies: (price in gp)
(CW means it is in Complete Wizard, CB in Complete Bard, ToM tome of Mag. All of these should be on the purple worm site.)
1st lvl spells (100): Copy (WC), Audible Glamer, Dancing lights, Magic Missile, Affect Normal Fires, Fist of Stone (ToM), Shield
2nd lvl spells (200): Vocalize (WC), Stinking Cloud, Darkness 15' rad
3rd lvl spells (300): Hold Person, Fireball
Potions: Climbing (300), Healing (200), Extra-Healing(400), Super-Heroism (warr only 450), Oil of disenchantment (750)]

Using the small side-room and reference materials for research has rate of 2cp/hr or 1sp/8hrs (full day). Reference materials have nothing on were-creatures or the planes.

[Chris1234]

{OOC1: I was assuming that Jerry got up early with Merrick and she took her bath between then and before Cal(?) knocked on her room. It would be appropriate in view of the nights activities.}

Before they go out on the tour, Jerry says quietly to Merrick, "Are you comfortable being seen with me?"
===> If he is, she will beam and hold on to his arm as they go walkabout.

During the tour, she will make appropriate "ooo"s and "ahhh"s at seeing a whole new world - well, a small part of it anyway - and slip in, "Oh yes, I've got something for you," and hands him the pasty. "But I'd ask if you can save me a small piece of the meat. The driest bit." {OOC2: Spell component for "Prot from Hunger & Thirst".}
She enquires, “Mira said something about ‘a Toad’. Is that some kind of shop?”

A bit later on, she says, "I need to rest a minute. And, in case you hadn't noticed, I'm walking a bit stiffly. That's your fault!", delivered with a disarming smile and a warm squeeze of his arm. "I don't do that with just anyone. I hope you don't think that. Reminds me though, I wanted to tell you that although I didn't plan to come here, and the wolves and nasty dreams are a concern, I'm pleased that I did. I wouldn't have met you otherwise. You're special!"
===> If Merrick doesn't pull away, Jerry turns the colour of a tomato as she continues, "I've been thinking, I know it's all a bit sudden, but I think we should move in together." She pauses a moment, afraid she's spoilt it all, before adding, "We could be eaten by wolves, who knows, I don't want to waste a moment. And if you need 'me time', that's time to yourself, away from me, I promise it won't be a problem. Just I want to be with you..."

======
“Good morning, Serath,” she curtsies. “Please, you can call me Jerry. All my friends do.” She gives him a nice smile (but not the sort she reserves for Merrick.) “Well, I’d love to have a look round. I just love your shop. It feels like the shop I’ve always been looking for and could stay here forever. But don’t worry, I won’t.” She pauses for thought. “Well, honestly, I need another spell book but I don’t have anywhere near enough coin. Are there options to pay you? Anything you’d take in lieu of coin? I can do healing if that’s worth anything..”

[TristenC]

[Ooc: ok, that works for the bath thing. I had assumed she didn't leave the room. The treats set out at breakfast were pastries like beignets, not meat-pasties]

Merrick assures her that he is happy to be seen with her, he's just not used to such public affection... It's, umm.... it's kind of nice, though. He allows with a smile. Whens she gives him the dessert he smiles broadly and murmurs his thanks, then splits it with her. Yes, 'The Toad' is another name for the Toad's Toe. It is the other mageware shop in town I mentioned last night. You will like the owner Rautant, I think. He's a bit eccentric. He may not be open for a bit yet, he keeps odd hours.

When she suggests they rest he picks a nearby alley between two shops. He blushes furiously when she hints at the reason. I'm certainly not in the habit of seducing beautiful young women like yourself. he says, with a wry grin, While I do regret the circumstances that took you from your homeland, I am glad we met as well... you... you're unlike anyone I've met... Before she makes her next suggestion forestalls her, I have something for you as well. He glances around almost mischievously. Muttering quietly to himself he casts a spell, standing to block the view from anyone in the street. The faint outline of a suit of armor appears around her and slowly fades from view.

And then Jerry mentions moving in. Merrick looks stunned, like a man struck between the eyes with a hammer. A short moment passes before he laughs nervously, and gives her a brief hug. Wiping a tear from one eye he smiles, By my mother's eyes, I thought you were serious at first. he laughs a little more, some of the tension going out of him. Imagine, after knowing each other not yet a full day. He smiles and shakes his head in mirth, I do quite enjoy your company Jerry.


Later, at the Silver Scale, Serath considers Jerry's suggestion of Barter. Barter might be acceptable, provided it is something I can use in the shop. I don't typically need healing, he says with the barest smirk, But there is a possibility. A scholarly student such as yourself, would you have any skill at papermaking or bookbinding? A spellbook could be fabricated at a considerable discount with those skills... I have binding materials here, and there is a paper maker in Skald I could arrange something with for you to use those facilities.

=====
Merrick casts Armor on Jerry. AC 6 for ??hps


Bookbinding and Papermaking are NWPs from PO: Spells and Magic. Full details on the Purple Worm
Using either takes time but reduces the cost of a spellbook by 50%
Using both reduces the cost by 75%

Bookbinding takes 2 weeks + 1 day/5pgs, and requires supplies and chemicals and, naturally, the paper. It also needs to be kept dry and from being jostled around a lot (so you can't work on one while traveling usually.

Papermaking takes 1 to 2 weeks and requires a mufacturing area with suitable equipment.

Serath can teach bookbinding, and his contact can teach papermaking. Others may be able to also...

[Chris1234]

Jerry thanks Merrick for the 'Armour', seeing the humour in the fact that she'd tried the same spell on him previously.
She smiles off his rejection of 'moving in', happy enough to be with him.

======
"Well, not right now, but it's something I could learn," Jerry replies to Serath. {OOC1: L3 NWP maybe? Cost?}
She continues, "Barter, ok. Well how about if I let you transcribe any that you want from Armour, Colour Spray or Protection from Hunger & Thirst and you give me favorable credit for learning a harder {OOC2: higher level} spell from you when I have advanced by understanding sufficiently? If I happen to have an unforeseen accident before that, then you've gained spells that otherwise you wouldn't have received. But if you sell any of them, copies, or whatever, before I have achieved that advanced understanding, then I get 50% of the profit as credit in your shop?"
{OOC3: Note that I'm trying to keep this so that Jerry isn't giving out other people's (PC's) IP.}
"Other than than, I'm good at history & religion, although obviously not for this place, astrology & herbalism. And I'm a fluent reader in half a dozen languages. Other than that, the only thing I can think of is whether there would be any market, however small, for protective amulets? Real ones, of course, not hocus pokus?"