CH. 4: False Gods

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin (Masked Dragon Inn, courtyard) [9:20 AM]
"And I suppose this middle man would be yourself?" asks the elf. "The idea has merit, though. And it would help put your mind at ease, would it not, Barten?"

Barten says nothing, but still appears skeptical.

Tulbas, Haahqae and Darga (Mad Marvin's) [9:45 AM]
Over the past hour, Agatha does her best to answer Haahqae's many questions. He learns that neither Agatha nor her husband have any magical powers at all, divine or arcane. The books have been written over decades and are the culmination of their life's work. They don't know how to extend life, have no idea why elves live so long (having never had the opportunity to study one) and have never before encountered a gnome before at all. However, Agatha tells Haahqae that if he would like to donate his own body to science, after his death, she is more than willing to draw up some paperwork.

"Whether he will be okay or not," Marvin says in answer to Darga's question about Raetmal, "remains to be seen." He turns to Tulbas. "You may leave him here or take him back home. It will likely be days before he awakens, if he does so at all."

[mgbevan]

"Indeed, I wouldn't go ranting down the market letting any man and his dog know of the profits that could be made here." Gregeddin gasps in response.

Directing his reply more towards the nervous man, he adds, "I do hope you consider the positives of this endeavour. I would not wish any man to take to the road, leaving the city on the approach of winter. The next moons will surely bring hardship and misery to travellers of all paths. Compare the risk with sharing the details of your product, how you sell it to clients, the price and the maximum quantity you have available and, where I can contact you, with me alone, well it seems clear cut decision from an outsider. But, this is something I shan't force, you must arrive at your own conclusions."

[Haahque]

"Yes of course you can have my body in the name of science! No wait... I might still be needing it for my own experiments so sorry, I can't be givin' up my body, but maybe I can find some other willing gnomes the next time I'm in Nevermind?" Haahqae pauses, thinking back to his encounter a few days ago. "Wait a second... Omigoodness the hobgoblin was right. All my questions are being answered! But what about the questions I asked yesterday? Maybe it's something that only answers questions I ask today. Mr goblin wasn't so specific about that part."

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin (Masked Dragon Inn, courtyard) [9:20 AM]
"I'm Rulasiat, by the way," the elf says. "And my partner, Barten," he adds, gesturing to the human. "Perhaps we can do business after all, mister..?"

He pulls a bottle out of his pouch and shows it to the bard. "Behold, our product. An all natural panacea that will cure whatever ails you. Brewed using secret Silvanesti recipes that have been hidden from mankind for generations, it is now available to the public for an affordable price. It lets the blind see, the lame walk, it cures any disease and improves your mood and makes you more attractive to the opposite sex." He grins. "Well, that's what we tell our customers, anyway. In truth, it's little more than herbal tea with a few extra ingredients added. What we really sell is hope to desperate people."

Tulbas, Haahqae and Darga (Mad Marvin's) [9:45 AM]
"Well, if you find other gnomes who are willing, by all means, send them our way," Agatha says. She doesn't say anything about the second half of the gnome's rambling, clearly having no idea what he's talking about.

[mgbevan]

"Gregeddin" he replies, offering a handshake.

He takes the bottle and smells its aroma, "Very good indeed. Yes I think there is much business to attend to with this, very lucrative. What is the cost to produce this, so that I know what kind of price to charge, Rulasiat?"

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin (Masked Dragon Inn, courtyard) [9:20 AM]
"The bottle itself is probably more expensive than the concoction inside," Rulasiat says. "Maybe...five copper a bottle. We usually sell it for considerably higher, like 5 steel pieces. Then when we get a sob story about how poor they are, we lower the price to appear generous. The locals eat it up, calling us heroes for selling them what amounts to bitter tea."

Barten shifts his weight from foot to foot. "Yeah, until they figure out it's not working and they form a mob to come after us. We've sold several dozen bottles to the refugees, and they are already in a rioting mood. That's why we should skip town before they catch on."

[mgbevan]

"A very good trade indeed" Gregeddin exclaims astonished. "the added notion of your own generosity is an excellent play there."

Gregeddin takes a very close look at the bottle, "are all of the products packaged the same?" he asks, trying to discern whether this is an easily recognisable or distinctive bottle.

"Well, Barten, without intending to cause you any offence, I believe the people of this city have more immediate concerns than that of your personal safety. I would not worry of any mobs, the chances of refugees who have purchased coming into contact with one another is so slim, let alone them forming a mob. What harm would an extra week or so do?"

[BishGada]

Tulbas looks at Marvin desperately. "Days?!? Dear gods!" he is completely shaken. "Well, I guess I'll take him home. How should I treat him until he wakes?" he asks for instructions.

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin (Masked Dragon Inn, courtyard) [9:20 AM]

"Are all of the products packaged the same?"

The bottle is unlabeled and otherwise nondescript. "No, we gather up whatever bottles we can find to hold the stuff," Rulasiat says.

"What harm would an extra week or so do?"

"I...suppose," Barten says reluctantly. "But I still think we should be careful."

Tulbas, Haahqae and Darga (Mad Marvin's) [9:45 AM]
Mad Marvin gives Tulbas instructions to care for Raetmal. "Will you two be helping him get his uncle home?" he asks of Haahqae and Darga.

[djhyland]

Darga nods grimly. "I kin help carry 'im, but I don' think ya should be carryin' him ta yer home," he says. "I went by there earlier lookin' fer ya, an' there was a man lookin' fer yer uncle," he explains. "Don't know what he wanted other than ta see 'im, but there was somethin' wrong 'bout him. Said his name was Magnus."

[mgbevan]

"Excellent decision Barten! " Gregeddin lauds happily. "Well, I have someone in mind I'd like to speak to about this. All very exciting indeed. So where should I come to get back to you both with any news of deals?do you have a place at the masked dragon here?"

[Haahque]

"Hmm, yes I could do that, all we'd need is an oak wood spear, a horsehair ladder, three wheels, a big-folk shield with a hole cut in it, and a... oh carry him? Yes I guess that'd work too but it might not be as fast."

"So where are the others?"

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin (Masked Dragon Inn, courtyard) [9:20 AM]
"Yes, we are staying here at the Masked Dragon," Rulasiat says. "We managed to get it by trading it for a couple of bottles of our elixir. Not a bad deal, at least for us."

[mgbevan]

"Hmm, you have some excellent negotiation skills indeed gentlemen!"
Pocketing the sample, Gregeddin concludes, "I shall begin my canvassing then, and will come with word of any deals back here to find you."

[JadedDM]

Gregeddin (Masked Dragon Inn, courtyard) [9:20 AM]
"Very well," Rulasiat says. "Just ask for us by name at the front desk when you arrive."

Tulbas, Haahqae and Darga (Mad Marvin's) [9:45 AM]
"Well then, could you and Haahqae go scout ahead to make sure the shop is clear?" asks Tulbas of Darga. He did not know anyone named Magnus, but it was cause for concern nonetheless.

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Gregeddin obtains a bottle of Fake Elixir.