Act 1, Scene 4: "To Skald" (Game Thread)

[TristenC]

Lower Skald, The Papermaker: Jerry and Merrick
The man regards the pair silently for a moment, Eyes taking in their features more attentively. He settles on Merrick's face before he speaks. And I'd still be filling orders for your cousin? He asks, to which the male half-elf nods. Scrubbing one hand through his balding pate he shrugs and turns back to Jerry I suppose I could... Wouldn't do you much good to set up a competing shop anyway, so it's just as well. I make more than this community needs, but I did have a new order from the Grand Hall of Song and Dance. It's somewhat larger than usual, and I could use the extra hands... Tell you what. You come here tomorrow morning, and the next few days, and help me fill that order; and I'll cram as much about papermaking into that pretty little head of yours as it can hold. What do you say?


Upper Skald, The Glass Eye: Adrastia, Elsa, Mira and Pyros
Adrastia seems disinterested in the man's proposal, inspecting some ornate knives near the counter. Her attention does shift back as Mira produces the red gem. Elsa nudges Pyros just as he looks over. Hmm... stones for sale, eh... let's see. Chales moves the mahogany box to one side and takes out a small white cloth. Wiping the stone down first, he spreads the cloth on the counter and lays the stone atop it. Fishing out the golden chain from his waistcoat reveals a small jeweler's glass of stained poplar and brass. It doesn't look very flashy compared to some of the other items about. Lifting the cloth and gem up in one hand, he removes his spectacles and settles the glass viewer over one eye.

He turns and examines the stone at several angles murmuring as he goes. Bloodstone... not uncommon but a decent size... and clarity I'd say... Good shape... would be easy to set, might not need to work it much at all... Settling it back onto the counter and cloth he continues. Well. I'd say it's worth a couple of hundred as-is if you were to buy it in a shop. Of course I'd have to clean it up and take a couple of small cuts to get it into saleable condition... staring almost idly at the stone, he scratches his chin. I could probably offer you 100 for it.


[Is Mira using Harmonian or Elven? He speaks both and will reply in whatever language she uses]
[Many shopkeeps learn elven at least partially since a fair bit of Kartakan river-trade is with Sithicus; an Elven domain]

[kerap]

Artanis prods and digs around for some bait in the dirt around the river's edge and other such places. He admires the skills of the logging crew, although not particularly pleased to see that so many trees had been felled to produce those logs. Still, he is not going to jump to conclusions. Some forests in this land may require some thinning to help reduce the barking problem. Once he finds some bait, he will proceed with his grand fishing adventure. Which may or may not include a nap.

"Well Master Cross, while you study your tomes, I will be studying the inside of my eyelids. Naturally in these circumstances I let my ears become my eyes. The gods gave us two ears and one mouth, thus we should listen twice as much as we speak. Of course bards tend to not hold to that theory." He chuckles.

[Jenara]

"May I?" Mira asks as he inspects the stone, checking it with a curious expression she nods at his assessment, "I've known Bloodstones, I've seen a few, back home it would be worth about that." (She converts steel to gold)

"I'm a little confused, you could sell it for two hundred? Yet you are only offering me half of that amount? You can see where I am confused.." Giving a sweet smile she spins the stone in her fingers, "There might be more where this came from, so perhaps you could do me a get deal? I think perhaps One hundred and Seventy Five, you still make a profit..." Spinning the stone faster she fixes her gaze on him, watching his reaction.

[Nocturno]

Pyros doesn't butt in but watches intensley.

"Yes, I concur with that sentiment.
In my flight I have often relied on my ears for my safety. As Artanis digs the bait Cross creates a seat/pile of drift branches to rest in.

[Chris1234]

Jerry looks at Merrick for reassurance while replying, "That would be fantastic, thank you. I just hope my friends don't need me on one of their hunting and fishing trips." She puts the faintest emphasis and a meaningful look at Merrick when she says 'hunting'.

"Perhaps we can do it in Harmonian too? I could do with learning some new words."

[TristenC]

Lower Skald, the Riverside: Artanis and Cross
Artanis’ digging quickly reveals some hearty-looking nightcrawlers in the earth a few feet away from the river edge, and he even comes across a small clutch of muscles down by the water itself. Cross makes up a place to rest with the driest branches he can, most of which appear to be drifted trimmings from the logs. Setting the poles in the water, the ranger lays back to relax as the sounds knocking logs and the millsaw fill the air from a distance.


Lower Skald, The Papermaker: Jerry and Merrick
Merrick shrugs, I don’t think we’re anticipating anything except for our meeting, but I suppose there are always those ‘last minute’ plans.

The purveyor looks between the pair, obviously not understanding the innuendo but not overly concerned about it. I can use Harmonian some I suppose, but the work is what’s important. As for trips with your friends, he shrugs, the more time you spend around the papermaking process the easier it will be to learn and retain.


Upper Skald, The Glass Eye: Adrastia, Elsa, Mira and Pyros
Chales smiles at her in a friendly manner. Well, I said I’d ask 200 for it in my shop. Sometimes I let things go for a little less. And it does need a little touching up with my tools, so that’s a bit of my time as well. But as with any jeweler, or any other shop planning to resell, there has to be at least some profit on my end. He chuckles a little, I wouldn’t stay open very long paying what I charge for things. I couldn’t even keep the place lit. I suppose I could accept it for 120… or maybe a little more if you see something here you’d like to trade it against. How many more did you say there were? He asks, congenially.

Adrastia moves on to inspect some small figurines, particularly a carved horse made of redwood. Elsa watches the haggling process quietly as well.

===
From what Artanis has seen of the domain, the forests are unusually thick. It is unlikely that they would be harmed by the level of logging he is observing.

Wis and Cha checks from Mira please.

[Jenara]

Wis: Stat Check [1d20] = 5 pass
Cha: Stat Check [1d20] = 18 fail

[Nocturno]

As the negotiation goes on Pyros tires of the talk. He will start to wander around checking out anything at eye level.

Cross will study intently while Artanis rests.

[Jenara]

"I can see you are a smart man, a very smart man." She admits in admiration, "Tell you what, you give me One hundred and sixty for this one, and I'll give you first refusal on the others when I decide to sell them." Wrapping the front of her bodice with a finger she grins and makes a show of checking the items for sale.

[TristenC]

Upper Skald, The Glass Eye: Adrastia, Elsa, Mira and Pyros
Chales taps his chin and smiles. Always good to find someone who understands the fine art of negotiation. He says, I'd say 150 and you have a deal. he extends his hand to shake and seal the deal.

Pyros looks about, most of the items at eye level on this side of the shop are cases of jewelry with no doors in the front. Nearby is another similar case full of throwing knives of various sorts from the fantastically elaborate (bordering on unusable) to the remarkably plain but sturdy looking. Nearby he finds various stones and geodes and small carvings or nick-nacks. Polished bits of glass and hematite, not masquerading as anything fine, and little bits of smoky quartz. There are also toys and things for children. Just then he spots something more interesting... a blacksmith's puzzle!

[Nocturno]

How much for the shiny rocks, I wonder how they would fly from my hoopak? When he sees the puzzle his eyes go wide like sunny side up eggs. "HOWMUCHFORTHAT!" this will all come out in Common.

[Jenara]

"When you have lived as I have, you have to learn.. or well. Go hungry." She shudders thinking of long nights with an empty stomach in Haven. "How much for the puzzle? Ny friend here has the excitement of Youth. You understand?" She asks speaking in Elven while nudging Pyros slightly as she moves over to the 'Toy' and next to the Kender.

[Chris1234]

Jerry says, "I agree. I will start as soon as you want me."

[kerap]

Artanis will check his pole every so often to ensure his hook is still baited, but otherwise will lounge, leaning on his backpack and enjoy the day. This was akin to an oasis away from the town. His skill sets are not very useful in towns. No, his skills are better suited for helping lead and guide the group TO the town, and from there they can gather the information necessary to complete whatever it is they are trying to complete. That crown of whatever. He does seem to find it odd that the woman, whom he didn't meet, convinced the others to commence this strange hide and seek quest.

[TristenC]

Lower Skald, the Riverside: Artanis and Cross
Artanis relaxes, though the fish don’t seem to be biting near all of the logging activity… a fact merely incidental to his main purpose.

[Artanis recalls that, while he didn’t meet the woman asking them to find the Crown, the others did mention it might be able to send them home. He might also recall Jerry had claimed to be searching for a Crown before coming to this strange land.]


Lower Skald, The Papermaker: Jerry and Merrick
Tomorrow morning would be best. I’ll need to finish what I have going today and set things up for tomorrow. I’ll be ready about an hour after sunrise, or eight of the town clock if you’re staying in Upper Skald. he says.


Upper Skald, The Glass Eye: Adrastia, Elsa, Mira and Pyros
Chales nods, Bread and butter indeed. he agrees with a smile. For that old puzzle? He asks, in elven. Rubbing his chin in thought, he looks at the Kender and smiles. On the house.