RC Karyst: Closing the Deal

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Following Devious' discovery, the party opens the secret doorway and follows a short passageway to a fourth and final small room (15' x 15'). The room is heavy with the dank small of rot and mold; several sections of the stone walls have collapsed, exposing the bare earth and rock beyond. Within the room are two chests, one large and one small. Rhwydd quickly examines the small chest before opening it, triggering a trap, although the small blade that cuts her does little damage. Inside she finds 2 wands and a ring. Devious examines the larger chest and finds that it is locked. After several moments of intense concentration, he manages to pick the lock. Within the chest are a rapier and a breastplate.

Although a note is found indicating that the stone dwarves, petrified in some magical experiment gone wrong, might be freed, the party decides to leave them as they are for the moment. Instead, the group begins the short journey back to Bauble Town.

After travelling for about an hour and a half, they are beset by 4 giant bees. The creatures prove troublesome, and Varg is injured, although the party eventually prevails. (Varg, Devious, Ratheof and Rhwydd each recieve 150 gp)

Continuing on, they reach town near sun-down, and head to Mistress Kendra's brothel to rest, recuperate and meet with their employer, the merchant-wizard Gertmayer. While Devious, Rhwydd, Ratheof and Juhn venture into Gertmayer's back room, Varg makes arrangements for a room and a masseuse (total charge is 7gp, not including 'extras').

Gertmayer is found in his rooms, accompanied by a young woman named Sarah. Pleased at the party's return, he sends Sarah for food and drinks, and listens as Devious regales him with a quick account of their 'harrowing' adventure in the tower and the hidden complex under the hills.

When Devious completes his tale Gertmayer requests to view their haul. At first Devious is uncertain, but soon relents. He places the following items on the table:

6 scrolls (stone to flesh, misdirection, fear & 3 unidentified), 3 rings (1 ring of force shield & 2 unidentified), 1 golden medallion (marked with a single flame), 4 potions (cure light wounds, hiding & 2 unidentified), 1 large steel shield, 1 light mace, 1 chain shirt (medium), 1 rapier, 1 breastplate (medium), and 2 wands.

(Ooc: The following items were collected in the Tower, and not within the dwarven complex under the hills.

6 potions (1 flask of holy water & 5 unidentified), 1 throwing axe, 1 scimitar (masterwork), 1 silver dagger.

I have assumed that these were not placed on the table, since they came from the slavers and not the unfortunate garden ornaments...I mean dwarves. If I'm wrong, just say so.)

(IC)

A gleaming smile on his face, Gertmayer casually examines various items of the collection arrayed before him. After a few moments, he says:

"Hmmm...yes, um, a nice little assortment we have here. It would take some time for me to examine each one by myself. Um, it might be, uh, prudent if we were to bring in outside help. Things will go much quicker that way, I would say. Is that, um, agreeable to you then?"

 

(Varg is not interested in any 'extras' at this time, his concern being to have a specialist deal with the symptoms of the bees' muscle poison. The sting wounds are negligible in and of themselves. The muscle cramps and whatnot are a different story. I don't expect that this initial treatment takes more than half a hour to an hour).

Feeling much better, Varg gets dressed in a fresh set of clothes and stows his gear (other than a dagger) for the night. He then walks over to join his friends just in time to miss Devious' longwinded lies about our adventures.

"Ho, Wizard. Not a bad haul, is it? If you need help figuring out this stuff, that's fine with me. So long as it doesn't cost us anything extra, since this is your part of the deal. Now, are your friends going to be able to come here to look at the junk or do you expect to take the stuff somewhere else? I'm sure Juhn will want to come along and help out in the latter case.

Oh, btw Devious, I need to know how much money my share of the last few adventures is. So why don't you sell off all the jewels and such tomorrow so we can get a final tally?"

 

(Treatment from the skilled masseuse allows Varg to recover 2pts of STR damage from the bee's poison. After an hour of treatment, Varg is feeling much recovered, although still tired. He is, however, feeling quite relaxed.)

Seeing the half-orc enter the room, Gertmayer turns to address him.

"Ahh, the valiant warrior returns! Ha. Yes, good to see you up and around. Mmmm....". He glances back to the items on the table. "Not a bad haul at all, really. Um..well, I shall send for an appraiser I know in town. Good dwarf, trust worthy. Not cheap of course, but I will, uh, cover his expenses." He moves to the doorway, beckoning to a serving woman. The conversation is short and mostly one-sided. "Yes, my dear, could you see that a message is sent to, uh, Master Ungle? He's on the west side of town. Tell him the good mage Gertmayer is in need of his services as soon as possible. That's a good girl."

He returns to the table with a smile on his face. "Right then, shouldn't be long. Few hours work once he arrives. Mmm...good man, Ungle. Excellent eye for, uh, detail." He ponders for a moment. "Ah, I almost forgot. Surprised it hasn't come up yet. Your, uh, payment for your efforts, hmmm?" Gertmayer reaches into his robes and pulls out a small bag, which he empties onto the table. A small collection of gems tumble out: a red garnet, bloodstone, alexandrite, black pearl, 2 pieces of malachite, jasper, and a deep blue spinel.

Scanning the collection of items on the table, he turns his attention to the journals and notes gathered from the underground complex. "Hmmm...rather good note takers, weren't they?" Gertmayer begins to read through the five notes.

(Links to the notes: note 1, note 2 , note 3 , note 4 , note 5 ).

(The following additional gems and jewels have yet to be sold: gold bracelet, lapis lazulis, black pearl, jewelled silver dagger, bloodstone gem, violet garnet gem).

[ August 19, 2002, 16:08: Message edited by: Gnolyn Lochbreaker ]

 

"A couple hours, huh? That doesn't sound too interesting a way to spend the evening. Not much choice, I guess. I'd like to see what these things do, though nothing here is of much interest to me. The chain armor looks vaguely servicable, but that's about it."

 

Well of course I'd like to hang around too, just to make sure I agree with the Dwarf's appraisal. after all I beleive we agreed a share of the value of the items as well and I'd hate to do such a nice wizard out of a fair share. Besides this place has a a nice atmosphere.

(To Varg) - I'll try selling our other stuff a bit later. People are more liekly to pay good money after they've had a few ales and want to impress a pontential partner with some nice jewels. Of course we get a better price in a proper town but in cash in the hand and all that....

(ooc - when the Dwarf turns up I'll try and size (sorry) him up and his relationship with teh Wizard - the role is 1D20+6 = 4+6=10)

 

"Oh, I wouldn't be too sure about city prices these days. You may know haggling, but I know war. Those cities are probably swarming with scruffy runners begging to sell anything they have for food and shelter. Not likely to get a good price like that.

Besides, when do you expect to see a big city anyway? Aren't we heading to that midget village in the boonies next? Though I wouldn't mind looking around for that slaver and his partner. But we can do that when we get back. We promised to go see that guy in the near future."

 

A short while later, a gruff voice can be heard coming from outside the backroom.

"Alright, I'm here. Where's the wizard?" A brief, muffled conversation seems to take place, followed by several grunts of acknowledgement. After another moment or so, a stout, solid figure appears in the doorway. A grizzled and graying dwarf quickly glances about the room. You notice a pair of heavy glass spectacles situated precariously on his face. Spying Gertmayer, the dwarf says:

"What do you have for me this time, Wizard? Better be worth the trip over here." Seeing the rest of the group for the first time, he adds: "Hmpf. More errand boys I see...and girl."

Gertmayer gets up from the table. "Master Ungle. A pleasure to be doing business with you again. These are my associates: the brave and valiant Varg; the inquisitive Ratheof, as deadly with a blade as he is swift; the magically talented Juhn; Rhwydd, as lovely a young priestess as I'm sure you'll meet; and the ever charming and enterprising Mr. Devious." He indicates each member of the group in turn before directing the dwarf's attention to the table. "Now, as I'm sure you'll agree, we have arrayed here a collection worthy of your efforts and, um, talents."

Ungle takes in each of the party members, gives a few grumbles, a muffled "Evenin' then", and sets his gaze upon the items laid out on the table. Walking over to the table, he pulls a small notebook from out of the recesses of his jacket and adjusts his spectacles. A few moments, and few mumblings to himself later, he says without taking his eyes from the table: "Hmm...200 peices of gold for the lot."

Gertmayer, a slightly pained look on his face, sighs. "Two hundred then." The dwarf grunts again, pulling a stool up to the table and placing his book on the table. Reaching back into his pockets, Ungle produces what looks like a small, dense magnifying glass that has been attached to a leather cap. Once the cap is placed on his head, you see that the glass eye peice fits smartly over his left eye. Producing a small quill and inkwell, Ungle sets down to work.

(Devious: Other than the obvious fact that Gertmayer and Ungle appear to know each other, you are unable to determine whether or not they are being 100% truthfull in their dealings with you).

Ungle's examination of the items lasts for just over an hour. During this time, he slowly moves from one piece to the next, examining it close-up with the aid of his eyepiece, recording various notes. He frequently mumbles to himself, with the odd grunt here and there, but is otherwise silent. When he is finished, he pulls out a single page from his notebook, puts away the strange eyepiece and gathers up his things. Finally, he gets up from the table, and says:

"All right, Wizard. All done and catalogued." Ungle hands the single page to Gertmayer, who in turn hands over a jinggling pouch. Secreting the pouch away in his many-pocketed jacket, he crosses his arms, and waits while Gertmayer glances over the page. Once he's finished, he nods in Ungle's direction. "Excellent work my good dwarf."

Ungle grunts, then asks: "Now, is there anything else you need, or are we at an end so that I can head on home to my dinner?"

Ooc: The following is a complete list of the identified items on the table:

6 scrolls (stone to flesh, misdirection, fear, flame arrow, change self, flaming sphere), 3 rings (ring of force shield, ring of sustenance, ring of water walking), necklace of fireballs, 4 potions (cure light wounds, hiding, swimming, wisdom), large steel shield +1, light mace +1, chain shirt +1 (medium), rapier +1, breastplate +1 (medium), and 2 wands (mirror image, burning hands).

 

"So what are these things for? I think they must be worth a lot. Just feel the balance of this mace"
Ratheof swings the mace a couple of times in the air with obvious ease while admiring the craftmanship.
"And that ring is really nice you can't believe what Rwhydd could make it do."