The Second Step

[bloodsprite]

Saai returns Atat's warm smile and sits opposite him, her companions maybe settling nearby. As he affirms knowing the Crocodiles and offers assistance, she nods thoughtfully, considering his proposition.

"Thank you, Atat. We truly value your willingness to assist," Saai says, her tone appreciative. "Your introductions to the Crocodiles would be a significant asset. We're seeking reliable assistance, preferably from experienced individuals, so veterans might be of interest depending on price."

She leans forward slightly, her expression becoming more businesslike. "Now, regarding supply delivery and loot transportation services, Atat, we're eager to hear your thoughts. We're willing to compensate you fairly for your assistance. However, we'd like to discuss the details of the arrangement, including pricing and terms."

Pausing briefly, she offers a suggestion. "We could consider a mutually beneficial arrangement. In exchange for your services, we could offer to assist you with any missions or tasks requiring our skills and expertise. What do you think?"

OOCShe haggles on price

[Chaz Hoosier]

Mahdi Dawud
المهدي دَاوُوْد
HP: 11/13 AC: 17
Character Sheet--->Here

---

Mahdi cracks the seal open with a satisfying snaps and scans the contents. He considers it with some consternation, feeling rather like a school child notified that he must appear before the principal. He reads it again before heading for the appointed tavern. He stops along the way to buy some dates as a friendly little gift for Zaid--just a token to hopefully sway him into a better mood.

 

OOC

 

 

[Ruess]

Under The Sun

AdrielFifth weekday, 32th49 days to a month, except Mesha is a day short of MeshaFirst month of the year, out of eight in total.

Late Morning

 

Saai Vees

"Lovely mistress Saai has graced Atat's table and she brings both fortune and profit with her, so Atat will happily share." A gloved hand beckons for Saai to lean in closer. "The Crocodiles are young, so you can easily lure them with small pay. But beware. Young and unblooded will run away unless you hire a veteran to, heh, whip them in shape. Veterans will demand more. Always more. There is a thousand tricks. But one is this: hire like the priests do with Ushabtis: one and ten. You want ten young bloods, and a veteran. Pay the veteran well, and give them the power to whip the youngs into form. Atat recommends this if you do not want your mercenaries to be monster feed, or like the ones you brought up here." Atat nods his head in the direction of the pile of dead bodies your group brought up from the lift to indicate at his point, and then continues.

"If you pay Atat like a veteran, Atat will happily show you where Crocodiles have their camp, and will introduce you to their leader - who is also young blood, Atat must warn. Then Atat will introduce you to a flind who will make the crocodiles too afraid to run."

Mercenary Pricing

 

There are two categories you would need to consider when hiring mercenaries: their level of experience, and their type.

The pay that a mercenary expects under normal circumstances is two silver [2sp] per level, per day. That is the standard they demand. If you want them to come in with equipment of particular level, you are required to provide either the gold or the gear. Be aware that you are asking them to go into a deep, dark and unknown territory and to maintain a chain of logistics for you. That may be a difficult angle to sell...

As for mercenary types, you have the choice between Melee and Skirmishers, both of which can be either mounted or on foot.

Alternatively, you can pay Atat to arrange you the same exact deal as what Doallyn made happen.

 

 

 

Ruven And Kaldakazil

You leave Saai and Atat to their disscussion of mercenaries and turn your attention to the kitchen area. It is slightly tricky to navigate your path to the back rooms since people are coming and going, and at least two halflings keeps coming and going through the door leading to the back, which creates something of a naturally occurring hindrance for you.

At the same time, you are not challenged on your way. Thus, you manage to slip in, past the swinging doors, into the simmering heat of a kitchen that has room for both of you to stand in and to have a good look at the chef standing on a wooden box so as to reach the heated plates upon which some new meat slices are sizzling. The air in here is tantalizing to smell, rich in spice and heavy in greasy fumes.

 

Sunny - Sunrise, as you recall is her actual name unless you are her friends - is a lizardfolk of small stature and small size but all of that is covered in a striking, potent hue of jade colored scales. You see neither armor nor clothes on her, not so much as a single strand of it or a band of gems: they are all piled on a table not far from a window, piled up like a treasure hoard on top of which sits a rather large spider that is as blue as Sunshine is green. The spider clicks its mandibles in your direction, which prompts the rather small humanoid by the stovetop to crane her neck so as to quip something sibilant at the sight of you, albeit with a pause.

"Ava'yornssvabol?"

Do you speak Draconic? If yes, have a look.

Translation: "Hello. What?"

Grammar Notice: Sunshine is using an altered grammar to poise two un-joined words to create an inquiry that is both a greeting and an inquiry. She wants to know what you what, and is using a short sentence to do so. Accurate grammar would take much longer to express into the same question, and sound far more polite.

 

 

Mahdi

Mahdi finds himself with a curious twist of luck. A message is waiting for him by the door, where a young runner is holding a small scroll of parchment. The wax seal is a rather familiar one, and fully intact as well.

The contents of the scroll are interesting. Apparently Mahdi is wanted for a little sit-down, urgently enough that Zaid has rented a little room at an out-of-the-way tavern that Mahdi has been to once or twice. The place is called Silver Line, as Mahdi recalls, and it caters to private meetings. In less polite words it is one of many businesses that serve as neutral areas where people can sit down without being eavesdropped on by people who would see their arrested, dead, or even both, and not necessarily in that order either.

"Mahdi. Good. Come in. Sit down." The interior of Silver Line looks almost like that of a tavern, down to a bard with more self-confidence than skill or talent. The meeting Mahdi is wanted in is at third floor, in a room that has a number. The letter even told Mahdi how to knock.

"You brought something? Dates? Good man." The inside of the meeting room has just enough furnishing that one can pretend to be civilized and comfortable while discussing businesss. Here, in thiss room, there are a few chairs arranged around a modest table, all of them wooden and of unremarkable quality. The windows are shut, covered and shuttered but daylight still muscles in, perfectly casting the happy tint of daylight on an elven figure who looks rather unhappy about it.

"Meet your newest associate. Fresh from Sutyu's care. The winds tell me that your paths should meet." Here sits Zaid Al-Massrani. Zaid has the looks an elven skeleton with a pallid stretch of skin on top, and a face that would rather bite a dragon than not look distinctly unhappy for a minute. Zaid sits with his back to one window, and looks particularly unhappy about how the light highlights the sheer darkness of his garb, which is black with more black except for some foreboding dark purples as well as choice chitings in the silken designs. Zaid's extensive hair looks like it was just swept back from whatever ordeal is suffered, again leaving Zaid ready to demand an explanation or a discount from the universe.

"Given just how deep the city is in chaos, and in my- our pockets through that, I'm inclined to listen to every wind that comes my way. I don't expect either of you to be friends, but I do need you to pretend to be professional. You can do that, won't you. The song of coin is certain on this."

 

 

Edited May 7 by Ruess (see edit history)

[TheShadyRaven]

 Nistarya
Character Sheet

---

Sitting in the company of Zaid, a human woman waits in silence. She is almost as pale as the elf, though not as gaunt. Like Zaid, the stranger has hair as dark as the midnight sky. It flows down in a long, beautiful curtain, framing a face which demands attention. The elf's associate watches the newcomer with curious and expressive hazel eyes. Her gracious head tilts upwards while she leans back to better observe the shifty thin man.

The stranger's gaze wanders, evaluating Mahdi's face, his posture, his outfit. The stranger's clothes are not unlike those worn by the man, dark in color and forming a strong contrast with her complexion. For a long moment, she just watches him with a face which betrays no emotion. Then, her lips widen to form a mellow smile, which turns into a delighted laugh as soon as she notices the dates. "I am Nistarya", she introduces herself. Her argentine voice carries the faint accent of a foreigner from the North. She is far away from home.

"Gold is always a beautiful incentive, my dear Zaid", she comments.  A slender hand raises to tap her chin, and Nistarya shifts her focus to him. "As they say, I believe you have our undivided attention." In a moment, her eyes snap back to Mahdi. Pleasantries are to be expected; truth be told, the woman is perfectly happy to enjoy some small talk to go with the dates. And yet, she expects Zaid to cut to the chase all too soon. A pity - the chance to relax and enjoy life was one of the finest treats one could indulge in... But the opportunities were so rare.

 

OOC

 

 

Statblock

Nistarya

Female CN Human Beguiler 2, Level 2, Init 2, HP 13/13, DR -, Speed 9 m
AC 16, Touch 12, Flat-footed 14, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 3, BAB +1
  Dagger +1 (1d4, 19x2)
  Dagger (Thrown) (1)  +3 (1d4, 19x2)
  Light Crossbow (20)  +3 (1d8, 19x2)
  Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 17, Wis 11, Cha 17
Conditions None

 

[bloodsprite]

On 5/7/2024 at 5:01 PM, Ruess said:

Alternatively, you can pay Atat to arrange you the same exact deal as what Doallyn made happen.

Saai carefully considers the risks and benefits, realizing that ensuring the mercenaries' loyalty and effectiveness is paramount to the success of their mission.

After a moment of contemplation, Saai nods in agreement. "Your proposal makes sense, Atat," she says, acknowledging the wisdom in his advice. "We'll proceed with the same deal as what Doallyn arranged. It's essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of our team, especially given the challenges we'll face."

She reaches into her pouch again, counting the agreed-upon fee for Atat's services. "Here's your payment," Saai says, sliding the coins across the table. "We appreciate your assistance in making this arrangement. With your help, I'm confident we'll have a capable team."

[Chaz Hoosier]

Mahdi Dawud
المهدي دَاوُوْد
HP: 11/13 AC: 17
Character Sheet--->Here

---

Mahdi glances around the room for possible escape routes before pulling down his hood and the bandana covering his face. He hands over the bag of dates as a token gift to put Al-Massrani in a better mood, or more as tribute to the man above him in the chain. "What a coincidence, a position has just opened up in the crew. Why shouldn't I be friendly? The replacement could only be an improvement over the previous associate." He gives Nistarya a sideways look. "Of course he's leaving on a personal matter in a state of full health, you should understand." He has a way of speaking that makes others wonder what he is leaving out. "I am Mahdi Dawud. My associates and I are exploring Undermountain. Which I fully expect to become a very lucrative endeavor as soon as tomorrow. If we can find a respectable buyer for the merchandise." He glances back to Al-Massrani.

OOC

 

 

[Amoren]

Character Sheet

 

Kaldakaczil
Male Lawful Good Gold Dragon 2, Level 2, Init 1, HP 15/23, 1 Nonlethal Speed 30ft, Swim 30ft
AC 17, Touch 11, Flat-footed 16, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 2, Base Attack Bonus 2  
  Bite  +5 (1d8+4, x2)
  Chainmail Barding (+5 Armor, +1 Dex, +1 Natural Armor)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 16
Senses Keen Senses (half distance penalties for perception), Keen Low-Light Vision (multiply effective illumination distances for the dragon by 4), Darkvision 120ft.
Conditions None

The young dragon didn't bat an eye at the lizardfolk's current state, nor from the heat in the kitchen that less flame blessed creatures might find uncomfortable. Although, a keen minded observer might notice the wyrmling being a touch more... at ease... around the fellow lizard, nearby spider or no. Despite adventuring and traveling with less- two legged kind for quite a while now, it still didn't quite feel as normal as talking to one closer to his kin. If for no other reason than the fact that it was much easier for him to understand the facial and tonal expressions of another reptile, where as human body language, expressions, and nuances still left... something to be desired for the gold.

"Ava'yorn, Suturi," the dragon replied in the same tongue. But as opposed to the lizard's informal inflection, the gold's words were formal, precise, neat in a way, speaking like a young lordling that had been drilled in the formal mannerisms so that he could present himself as regally as his station demanded, even if he was lacking in the worldly experience one might expect for such etiquette. Which might also explain why the dragon presented himself in as dignified a manner as he could manage while speaking - at least so far as the limitations of the kitchen allowed. "Yth ornla hefoc ekess ukris drielk, usv tor zahae creol edarokic yth ehtaha."

After his statement, provided Sunny doesn't rebuff his approach, the golden-scaled reptile reaches into his saddle pack and starts to pull out the valuable plants he had whisked away from the dungeon moments before the fire.

Draconic Translation

"Hello, Sunrise." Kaldakaczil uses the draconic word for her name, unless he's been told to call her something else in their/his mother tongue. "We would like to talk trade, or ask about some plants we found."

 

[Ruess]

Under The Sun

AdrielFifth weekday, 32th49 days to a month, except Mesha is a day short of MeshaFirst month of the year, out of eight in total.

Late Morning

 

Saai Vees

Atat rubs his hands with delight and gathers his payment. "Beautiful Mistress Saai is as beautiful as she is wise. Atat will now rush off and gather ten Crocodiles. Atat will see you tomorrow, with Crocodiles and Veteran. Atat has everything covered. And Atat will have contracts made so that Beautiful Mistress Saai need not bother, yes?"

 

Unless you have further business with Atat, he takes his leave from the tavern and head off with his two associates to gather up your mercenaries.

 

 

 

 

Ruven And Kaldakazil

Her frill, a large thing at that shifts as she takes in your details, speaking and hesturing as she does, indicating at the one large table in the room that is mostly unoccupied.

"Jennu Ir? Henpiswo? Alnaetir." Sunrise takes a moment to consider the two of you: a dragon of gold and a man of air. She doesn't take long to come to a decision after ascertaining that you are as you look, and hops down from her perch so as to come about for a better look at the two of you. Her nostrils flare as she takes a long inhale of your scents while observing the two of you with large, staring eyes - and then she gives a deep bow to Kaldakazil, followed by gesturing at the one table in the kitchen that does not have something on it. "Bekiwilti fekiikiri kagh tekilekic, Aurix Ternock. Kaoj dout jaxiron, kagh drex svabol wux kartaha. Tenpiswo. Petranas. Vsist, sjaadur petranas, rauhissi rigluin vin selair."

 

A halfing arrives, and Sunrise raises a claw to indicate wanting a moment. The lizardfolk and the halfling have a rushed discussion, mostly consisting of the halfling seeming confused, maybe a little unhappy, and Sunrise telling said halfilng in Common that Important Business is happening.

Sunrise returns to you, and observes the plants upon the table. "Wux tepoha toladaf edrok unef usv jennu ulwim, Aurix Ternock. usv nomagqe wux tepoha trian? nomeno ui ti vin eschoup finrai batobot wux tepoha persvek dout ocretic."

 

Do you speak Draconic? If yes, have a look.

Translation: "Great One? Here? Intriguing. Deepest greetings and respects, Gold Scale. Share your tale , and show what you discovered. Here. Please.  Also, excuse please, halflings need an alerting."

"You have either good fortune or great ability, Gold Scale. Or maybe you have both? This is not an easy harvest that you have in your claws.

Grammar Notice: Sunrise has switched to a more respectful form of addressing. And she is calling Kaldakazil a title that is ummistakably respectful.

 

 

Mahdi

Zaid grabs some dates and crunches them between his teeth. For a moment, if someone looks, Zaid loses his unhappy look.

Then it returns and the elf turns to address the two humans in the room.

 

"Let's say that previous consultants and experts were more keen on delivering knives in each other's necks than believing in the profit margins. Which incidentally meant that no one got paid.

Zaid enjoys a few further dates as he continues:

"The first task should prove easy enough. Mahdi's team has run across something profitable and will be seeing to the sales. If it were to happen that they found something exotic, or interesting that the City Watch would take a keen eye on, we want to be sure the Watch doesn't see it. Art would be a good example, especially if it were made of exotic materials.

With a flick of his sharp fingers, Zaid produces a small piece of something translucent that bends the light around it. He sets it on the table as she speaks, and flicks it in your way if you want to have a look at it.

So what is it?

It's a see-through kind of crystal. It has been filed into a thin coin shape. It has an off-tone ring if you give it a spin against

"Istarya here will be joining you, Mahdi, both to make sure you don't run into troubles that you can't leave bleeding on the ground, and to make sure any future interesting goods find the right buyers. Especially if it is crystal. It might ring and it might look nice but apparently it has a secret to it that a noble house I have an understanding with would want. That meanss profits and danger."

 

 

[Chaz Hoosier]

Mahdi Dawud
المهدي دَاوُوْد
HP: 11/13 AC: 17
Character Sheet--->Here

---

"The crew does have some niches to fill skill-wise. You should understand that the place is desperate to kill intruders to death." Mahdi looks down at the crystal Zaid has produced for their examination. "In fact I came to see you precisely to keep artifacts of this sort out of the wrong hands." He glances back and forth between Zaid and Nistarya like he's too clever to be taken in by whatever they are trying to pull before producing a bundle wrapped carefully in rags from his backpack. He unwraps it to reveal small crystal statues. As Zaid inspects them he continues. "I have reason to expect more interesting objects for sale. I won't bother you about the details...but I do wonder if you could tell me about a figure named Ratface and his associate Weaver. They have figures named Crow, Tailor, and Mandy working with them."

OOC

 

 

Edited Monday at 05:16 PM by Chaz Hoosier (see edit history)

[bloodsprite]

Saai Vees relaxes and waits for everyone.

[TheShadyRaven]

Nistarya
Character Sheet

---

Nistarya leans forward to take some dates for herself from the gift meant for Zaid, offering a warm smile as compensation. She nods in appreciation at the rich taste of the ripe fruits, but does not interrupt the two men as they discuss the details of this new assignment. The elf has given her a vague overview, but it's always good to hear it from the horse's mouth, so to speak. Mahdi is no horse, but he's been underground with this group of... Adventurers. Let him speak.

The woman eyes Zaid's crystal with curiosity. Something like that draws the attention, especially if it comes in the form of a beautiful art piece. Regardless, Nistarya's smile widens when Mahdi produces the statuettes: there's a lot of money to be had in this expedition. Not to mention any reward to those who manage to re-establish the underground routes. The woman taps her chin as she steals another date from Zaid's share. "I'm sure I can find a few interested parties for whatever we can loot down there. No need to involve the Watch, of course. That goes without saying." Her gaze shifts towards Zaid, and she continues with a questioning look in her eyes. "I could also ask around and see if someone could tell us more about that crystal's - how did you call it? ...The crystal's secret."

Nistarya's curious eyes wander to Mahdi as he makes his own remarks. "I appreciate the fair warning, of course, but..." For the first time, Nistarya pauses to find the right words. "...Keeping these things out of the wrong hands? I'd say the right hands are those that pay the most," the woman finally comments, underlining the concept with an argentine chuckle. She leans backwards, relaxing in her chair. Her slender arms cross, and her gaze darts back and forth between her companions. "Or do you know something I don't about these little things? All I see are some fancy crystals..." Nistarya's tone is lighthearted, as if she was making a comment about the dates rather than some exotic - and possibly illegal - statuettes.

 

OOC

 

 

Statblock

Nistarya

Female CN Human Beguiler 2, Level 2, Init 2, HP 13/13, DR -, Speed 9 m
AC 16, Touch 12, Flat-footed 14, Fort 3, Ref 2, Will 3, BAB +1
  Dagger +1 (1d4, 19x2)
  Dagger (Thrown) (1)  +3 (1d4, 19x2)
  Light Crossbow (20)  +3 (1d8, 19x2)
  Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +2 Dex)
Abilities Str 10, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 17, Wis 11, Cha 17
Conditions None

 

Edited Tuesday at 09:17 PM by TheShadyRaven (see edit history)

[Amoren]

Character Sheet

 

Kaldakaczil
Male Lawful Good Gold Dragon 2, Level 2, Init 1, HP 15/23, 1 Nonlethal Speed 30ft, Swim 30ft
AC 17, Touch 11, Flat-footed 16, Fort 5, Ref 4, Will 2, Base Attack Bonus 2  
  Bite  +5 (1d8+4, x2)
  Chainmail Barding (+5 Armor, +1 Dex, +1 Natural Armor)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 8, Cha 16
Senses Keen Senses (half distance penalties for perception), Keen Low-Light Vision (multiply effective illumination distances for the dragon by 4), Darkvision 120ft.
Conditions None

The gold beamed, ever so slightly, at the respectful tone the small lizardfolk took. While it was unbecoming of his kin to let their egos be inflated so easily, a wyrmling like himself still had to wrestle and tame some of their baser draconic impulses despite their goodly and lawful instincts. "Vi smunsoua di trian. Throdenilti di wer tawura jahus goawya ini wer pazien hewa svaust khazayoba batobot uoinotahoaf grikor. Si filki tepohada aurthon irthir ekess zapricx wer ehtah persvek wer renba."

He would describe the encounter they had in the ruined gallery, as well as the encounter with the strange monster they had barely managed to best, before continuing after the tale."Vucoti coita klae lae vi weyog usv irisvir, oli wineva coi ornla qe nao ekess ehtah svabol lyrik rasv'kled coi nomag tepoha, usv svanoa rasv'kledul wer ilago hakreic tenpiswo nomag siofme coi, ekess letoclo citrel hesi frevor iwodoi."

Draconic Translation

"A bit of both. Most of the work was placed by the mad mage who constructed that hellish realm. I just had enough knowledge to recognize the find in the dungeon."

"I know its use as a poison or healing, but figured it would be wise to find what other value it may have, or how valuable the non-dragon races here may consider it, to help towards our next trip."

 

[Ruess]

 

Under The Sun

AdrielFifth weekday, 32th49 days to a month, except Mesha is a day short of MeshaFirst month of the year, out of eight in total.

Late Morning

 

Kaldakazil

The small lizardfolk contemplates the plants upon the kitchen table and turns to address Kaldakazil slowly.

"Svabol tir wux sweekmon, Aurix Ternock? Aurix? Ddroki? Taexirsjic? Nomeno weyog ui vi meilar di nelithral. Skaulix mioric geou tuor ekess klae coi usv houpe coi. Si ornla xurwk vi z'ar finrai di coi.

 

 

 

Do you speak Draconic? If yes, have a look.

Translation: "What do you seek, Gold Scale? Gold? Goods? Services? This poison is a killer. Warm bloods will want to use it or hide it. I would make a new harvest of it."

 

 

 

Mahdi

"You bring dates. You agree without questions. And you come with profits..."

Zaid pauses. Spindly fingers skitter across the crystal statues as he speaks, grasping one at a time and rapidly tapping his hands all over its surface before momving on to the next one like some manic artisan working on a project. The sounds of dozens of miniscule tinks from the statues do nothing to distract Zaid from watching the two of you.

 

"Normally I don't spill secrets this easily, but I will make an exception for you two. This time."

Zaid clears his throat.

 

"I know of Ratface. He is part of a... I won't call it a gang, or a band. It is a crowd street scum, trash, cut-throats, pickpockets and worse. They come and go like rats on a ship, or a tariff on coffee, always there when you think you're free of them and never gone for good no matter what you do. They start trouble and run before someone breaks their legs. Anyone in his company is either following his lies, or in on whatever scheme he has in the works. Word of caution: kill them as you please and tell me where you stashed the bodies. It'll be the lesser pain than having your coin pouch be stolen and yourself be left with a bag of diseases.

And As for why this crystal has value..."

Zaid motions for both of you to lean in, and lowesr his voice to a whisper.

"This doesn't leave this room, but I happen to know someone at the local University of Arcane Sciences, who shared with me that this particular kind of  crystal has uses. And it just so happenss that another friend recently introduced me to some nobles who have a keen interest in arts and crystals both. "

 

Zaid offers you a sharp smile and looks down at the statuettes on the table.

"I can be in a meeting with them by this evening. Imagine what they might be willing to offer when I mention that I have some experts on stand-by with goods. I will need to spin by someone with the artisan touch to restore these but I'm certain that won't hurt our profits. We want intact items for fullest price."