Chapter 13: A Ghostly Glow

[Brian]

Condign hears the sound of rain grow louder, turns, and sees the shop's door swing open. Two Claw soldiers enter, followed by Adamant. His eyes track the soldiers as they approach the female Claw, the one with whom he had exchanged terse words only moments ago.

He sizes up the new arrivals, trying to determine who is the largest, most skilled fighter of the two.

It never hurts to be prepared.

[Ken]

Belarin pauses from the pleased perusal of his purchases, as he notes the arrival of the Claw soldiers.

He whispers to his companions nearby, "I don't believe I'll ever not feel a surge of hate when I see that uniform."

[Dave W.]

Adamant finds Condign in the the shop and goes to him.

"Condign..." Adamant stops and looks away from his tiefling friend.

"my friend..." Adamant pauses again and looks away again, distracted.

"I..." Adamant's head tilts a little. Another pause. "Please tell me Kal has not discovered a spell that keeps a spotlight on him at all times."

[Darren]

May 16, 2016 10:00:05 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"I..." Adamant's head tilts a little. Another pause. "Please tell me Kal has not discovered a spell that keeps a spotlight on him at all times."

HA!

Kal makes a point of ignoring the Emerald Claw soldiers as they move through the shop. Kal shakes the heavy coin purse he carries. "For the princely sum you ask, I think a closer inspection of that cloak would be appropriate. No one would dream of spending so much on an item they have not seen."

[Brian]

May 16, 2016 10:00:05 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Adamant finds Condign in the the shop and goes to him.

"Condign..." Adamant stops and looks away from his tiefling friend.

"my friend..." Adamant pauses again and looks away again, distracted.

"I..." Adamant's head tilts a little. Another pause. "Please tell me Kal has not discovered a spell that keeps a spotlight on him at all times."

Condign sighs and rubs at his temples. "I believe he has. Now no one is safe from his glowing personality." In a lower voice, he adds: "Can you tell me anything about our new arrivals?"

[Jeff]

May 14, 2016 23:27:54 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

May 14, 2016 12:50:57 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"I wondered as much," Von Ruthvek says to Shorak with surprisingly gentleness. "I believe there may have been a few other, less memorable objects. Nothing magical, however. Shall I look?"

His smile widens fondly and with some hope. "Yes, please. If it's not too much trouble."

Von Ruthvek steps away and returns with a leather bag. "Three things the travelers found and left with me." She places each one down on the counter.

The first is a small cloth doll. It is made of soft materials and resembles a drow female in chitinous scorpion "armor"—the armor is made from parts of the shells from river crustaceans dyed gray. It is the sort Shorak remember seeing small children, boys and girls, owning and emulating.

The second is a stone pestle used for grinding, though its mortar bowl is absent. Given the elegant design of the pestle, Shorak thinks it was used for religious rituals revering Vulkoor.

The third is what at first looks like a wide and heavy brass coin the size of Shorak's hand. Somewhat tarnished now, there is a design carved into its face of a palm jutting from a mountain with a stylizing bolt of lightning striking it. Shorak knows this is not a drow artifact. Von Ruthvek confirms it, too, and she taps one end of the large bauble, where there is a protruding hook badly bent; it's also flaked with dark specks. Then he realizes this is an earring for a very large humanoid.

"Fire giants," the old gnome says, nodding. "I decided not to store this item with other giant findings, as I believe its presence in the Vulkoori tribal lands was telling." She taps the hand-and-lightning symbol on the brass face. "That is one of many symbols made in reverence to Cul'sir, the titan king from long ago." Shorak knows Cul'sir is the one represented by the Emperor statue in the Harbor. Some giants still revere him, and this earring clearly belonged to one of the giants of the Basalt Towers. 

Shorak has only heard of the Basalt Towers a few times before. They were an alliance of fire giants who organized and attacked Stormreach about sixty years ago in an attempt to claim it for their own. They were driven off by various factions of the city in an unusual display of cooperation. This was long before Shorak came to Stormreach himself, of course. The Battalion of the Basalt Towers had not been heard from again except in whispers.

Looking at the giants' earring now, Shorak guesses that it, based its bent hook, had been forcibly torn from its wearer's ear.

May 16, 2016 10:06:39 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal makes a point of ignoring the Emerald Claw soldiers as they move through the shop. Kal shakes the heavy coin purse he carries. "For the princely sum you ask, I think a closer inspection of that cloak would be appropriate. No one would dream of spending so much on an item they have not seen."

"Of course not." Von Ruthvek disappears for a moment. Meanwhile, the homonculus crawls along the ceiling and remains directly above Kal, watching him. The proprietress soon returns with a cloak neatly folded in her arms. She then unfolds it on the counter where you can get a good look at it. The material is almost silken in appearance, but doesn't actually shine very much. Three different shades of forest green and some subtle, but swirling designs woven in the fabric make it obvious this is elvish work. Aereni elvish, to be clear, as the magics woven into such rare and legendary cloaks hail from nowhere but island homeland of the elves or perhaps the fey eladrin from Thelanis whence they first came.

The old gnome lifts up the mantle end of the cloak to Kal. "You may try it on, if you wish. Drawing up the hood activates its power." Assuming Kal does so, he finds that when the hood is drawn up, the hues of the cloak shift—first subtly, then more drastically, as the various colors of the shop around him seem to imprint themselves in fascinating ways. Everyone can see him still, but that is only because they were already looking at him.

"One word of caution, however," Von Ruthvek says, "should you choose to make this purchase. Elves are not fond of seeing non-elves wear such cloaks. It is culturally difficult for them to accept a stranger wearing such an item, for they are not lightly given as gifts. I have been approached many times by elves even in this city, simply for possessing one—even though I do not use it myself."

---

While you wear the Cloak of Elvenkind with its hood up, Wisdom (Perception) checks made to see you have disadvantage, and you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide, as the cloak's color shifts to camouflage you. Pulling the hood up or down requires an action.

Keep in mind this doesn't automatically hide you. But if you take actions to hide, then you're much better at it.

[Dave W.]

May 16, 2016 10:31:34 GMT -4 Brian said:

"Can you tell me anything about our new arrivals?"

"In my short experience with them," Adamant whispers back, "they are arrogant and looking for a fight. Pretty typical really."

"The one tried to go around the golem and was pushed down the stairs. Oh, and they felt nervous enough about a wet warforged that they felt they needed to grip their sword hilt to have the courage to say good morning."

[Brian]

Condign smiles and then shrugs, pretending he and Adamant are having a casual conversation. "Then be ready, my friend. If a fight is to be had, I prefer to have it on my own terms."

The tiefling crosses his arms over his chest and watches Kal try on the cloak. "A lovely color, my lord," he says loudly. "All who see you will turn green with envy."

[Darren]

Kal runs his hands over the soft fabric, admiring the way it catches the light. He undoes the clasp and carefully folds the material, placing it on the counter between him and gnome. "My dear lady," he says with a warm smile, "I was raised in the halls of Sentinel Tower, so you can imagine that I grew up around artifacts of great power. I am not easily impressed by magic, as some of your patrons might be," he casts a sidelong glance at the Emerald Claw soldiers. "I appreciate quality, though, and your shop appears to be of a high caliber. That said, my dear, the price you ask for this is simply too high, and while it is worth a great deal, I think you overvalue its rarity. I would place the value of an item such as this one no higher than...750 galifars?"

______________________
I'm trying really hard to separate what Kal the character knows from what Darren the player knows, but as near as I can tell, she is asking about 5 times the actual value of this item, so I definitely want to haggle, but I'm trying to do it in character.....

[Jeff]

The old gnome's face sours instantly. "That amount is insulting, young man. I would consider selling it for twenty-two hundred gold pieces, and not a coin less, for a customer who appreciated its value and gave no further offense."


Curious where your player knowledge is coming from. Purchasing magic items, even in the setting-neutral verbiage of the Dungeon Masters Guide, is itself vague and only a basis. The closest you can get is the cost for creating them or reasonably selling them. If you're going off the DMG, don't presume that every magic item in our game matches up perfectly with something in the book.

[Jeff]

After a few more moments, and with no one else engaging them, the Emerald Claw knights saunter around your party. The woman meets Condign's eye one last moment, her face grim, and then all three of them exit the shop—soon enough, you think, for them to see where that other group went next.

[Brian]

"Kal," Condign calls out, his face as grim at the Claw woman's. "Finish up. I think we need to leave."

[Dave B.]

Shorak bows respectfully to the gnome. "Thank you for showing me these. I can't say for sure, but my the evidence of all these items strongly suggest they belonged to the Arus'tar. As far as I know there are only two remaining survivors of that tribe. Myself being one." He touches the doll, feeling the memories flood his head. His smile remains, but turns somewhat melancholy. "I would still like to purchase the safe-sleeper and would be happy to return when I'm able to elaborate on any details you might like about the Arus'tar. That would make these items more valuable, historically, at least." He reaches in his pouch for the 100 gold Von Ruthvek quoted him.

[Jeff]

The old gnome collects the coins from Shorak, then looks up. The homonculus leaps from its perch on the ceiling, flaps its wings a couple of times and glides to where the safe-sleeper hangs. Nimbly, it unhooks the object and flies back. The proprietress wraps it in cloth and hands it to Shorak. "I would welcome such stories anytime," she says with a smile.

Then she looks pointedly at Kal.

[Darren]

Kal holds up his hands and offers his most winning smile to the gnome. "My apologies, mistress. I did not mean to offend. The House's money is not to be spent lightly, and finding a good deal...." He leans forward, the dragonmark on his arm now between him and the proprietress. "I do have a great deal of influence in my house," he says, "and I would certainly be willing to spread the good word about the remarkable service I received here." He leans in even closer and his voice drops to a conspiratorial stage whisper. "What's more, I'm sure you've noticed the glut of hunters for the Eye in the streets these days. My friends and I, on behalf of Deneith, are involved as well. We talk, you know? The other hunters and us? Gossip spreads quickly when anyone gets wind of a new 'clue'. Most of these hunters will believe anything you tell them. I would be happy to put some rumors out about certain important relics being located at a certain shop owned by one of my new friends...." Kal winks at the gnome. "So, you have been generous with me and my friends, and perhaps you would consider an offer of 2000 galifars for this marvelous garment?"

[Jeff]

Von Ruthvek gives Kal a look that's difficult to read. She already warned him against offering any less for the cloak, but when he starts talking about the Eye of Azalar, something else comes into her demeanor. It isn't hunger....but it's something. "A foolish quest, that is," she says. "I would involve myself with treasures worth finding, treasures that can be brought back from the rubble of the past. I am content to sell scavenger hunt treasures, for those who seek them, but I want no part of the larger prize. It's half myth."

She regards Kal's dragonmark, then stands tall, pride weighing heavy in her voice. "In any case, the reputation of my shop is not in question, young lord. I need no further publicity from House d'Deneith." She begins to fold up the cloak. "Is our business concluded?"

For the first time, the old gnome finally seems to notice Rinti. Her black eyes narrow. Rinti doesn't shrink away, but looks back. The two have some sort of staring contest.

[Darren]

The corners of Kal's mouth turn down. "I had hoped we could be friends, mistress." He begins to place heavy bags of gold on the counter. "I suppose we will have to settle for business associates."

__________________
FINE! I'LL BUY YOUR STUPID CLOAK! HERE, TAKE MY MONEY!

[Joe]

Streko presents the jade griffon figurine to the proprietor. "Have you seen this type of figurine before and can you tell me anything about it?"

[Jeff]

A half smile forms on Von Ruthvek's face as she looks up at Kal's, but it isn't of triumph. After accepting the coins from him, she folds the cloak neatly and places it before him. "Countless haughty young dragonmarked lords and ladies have stood where you stand right now, here in my shop, bargaining and promising. Most of them were mere bluster, some where legitimately powerful...but every one of them valued personal glory above all else, above right and wrong." She gives him an almost motherly look. "Do not be one of those, young man." With that she slides back one of his bags of gold—a bag of one hundred.

Rinti once again ogles the exchange of gold and platinum.

The gnome says, "You will wish to spend some time wearing the cloak, first without drawing up the hood, then with. Get to know it. Let it hide you from as many dangers as you'll allow it."

The the party at large she says, "My shop is opened most mornings and afternoons. If you need anything identified, I provide that service for one hundred galifars. If you ever wish to sell antiquities, particularly from this land, I am always willing to consider them. Please do not bring me anything new. I value the stories and the time honored."

---

2,100 gp have been deducted from the group account, and I'll soon add the cloak to Kal's inventory.

Kal will need to attune to the cloak to benefit from its powers. Which takes 1 hour. Note that anyone can only be attuned to three things at one time.

Joe, actually, Streko gave the griffon to the gold dragon: ashlock.proboards.com/post/18583/thread

[Darren]

"Me?" Kal says with a shocked expression as he settles the new cloak onto his shoulders, carefully folding his old one and placing it in his pack. "Oh, I think if you got to know me, you'd know that was not the case." He reaches out to take the gnome's hand and kiss it lightly. "My dear, I think we will be friends after all." He smiles at her and turns to his companions. He can't help but notice the way the light catches his new garment, the subtle shifts of the colors, the way he has difficulty even focusing on it. "Alright, my friends. We have spent more in the last hour than many will see in their lifetime." Kal briefly catches Rinti's eye. "Unless there is more to spend, we should be moving on."

_____________________
Thanks for indulging me, y'all!

[Brian]

Condign nods at Kal. "The Claw soldiers have a lead on us, my lord. If we move quickly, we might keep them from forcibly taking that wheel-coggy thing from its rightful owners."

Without waiting for discussion, he leads them out of the shop. "Shorak, can you track them in this weather?"

[Dave B.]

Shorak accepts the wrapped artifact and refully stows it away amongst the folds of his cloak. "Thank you again. I will happily return as soon as I'm able to relate the stories of my tribe to you."

He joins Condign and Adamant at the door. "I can try, but it won't be easy." He turns to the rest of the group. "is that what we want to do? I thought we were going to the temple for Adamant and to procure healing potions, next." That said, Shorak closes his cloak in preparation for returning to the rain washed streets.

[Darren]

"I'm not looking for a fight," says Kal, "and I wouldn't mind those other losing that piece...but not to Krez. Let's just follow those soldiers long enough to make sure they don't interfere and then we can move on."

[Joe]

"Oh for Khyber's sake. I'm not sure what this thing is, but it's not a jade griffon figurine. For some reason, I forgot what I'd done with it. That damnable realm has done more to my memories and thoughts than I would like to realize. Also, my eyesight must be deteriorating at a break-neck pace. I could have sworn...interesting...I grabbed this...rock or whatever it is...upon thinking about the jade figurine. Perhaps my mind is just as bad as my eyesight. Forgive me, madam. I think I should go now. KAL!! Let's leave quickly, before senility grabs total claim over me."
_____________________________________________________________________

Yeah, the moment I read that, I remembered. Ugh...should have deleted it from my inventory back then...ugh...

[Brian]

May 18, 2016 21:08:27 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak joins Condign and Adamant at the door. He turns to the rest of the group. "is that what we want to do? I thought we were going to the temple for Adamant and to procure healing potions, next." That said, Shorak closes his cloak in preparation for returning to the rain washed streets.

"The temple and the main bank can wait," says Condign. "I agree with Kal. Krez cannot be allowed to simply take the wheel. After we have made sure the Claw soldiers do not steal it, we can make for the other two stops." Taking up his mace, Condign nods at Shorak. "Lead the way."

[Dave W.]

Adamant opens the door and steps out, but holding it for the others. He intends to take the rear guard again.

"I do still have an errand at the Temple, but I suppose it could wait. It's personal and the need of the group should count for more. But I'm wondering now if we should not look in on the Merrow Down. We don't really know what happened there do we?"

---

Am I wrong? isn't it true that all we really know was from the reflection in Dolurrh? Like folks seem sure it was Krez but we don't really have any reason to think that, right? It could be pirates or ninja or ninja pirates... not to go all CoC in a D&D game but maybe we should do some investigating...

[Jeff]

Adamant's question hangs in the air as back out into the wetness and gloom of the day you go, and you soon find yourselves standing on the street again. Shorak looks this way and that, trying to find for telltale signs of passage and listen through the steady pattering of rain to determine which way the groups just went.

A single longsword lies on the ground about ten feet away from him in a northerly direction, indicative of some kind of scuffle happened only moments ago—something where there was no time to scoop it up again? To the east is a cloak, somewhat torn and now half floating in a vast puddle. Regarding these, Shorak tries to piece together what might have happened.

---

Dave, give me a Wisdom (Survival) check to set Shorak's considerable tracking skills in motion. Not easy, given the inclement weather, but he can absolutely take a shot at it and I'm pretty sure he'll be better at it than anyone—especially in the streets of this city.

[Dave B.]

"I will do my best." Shorak says as he heads down the stairs to check the area where the sword lies, while listening and looking in the direction of the abandoned cloak.

Survival check 1d20+9=19

[Jeff]

Seeing that the cobbled street and heavy rains is going to make traditional tracking impossible (only the lack of thick crowds adjusts the odds favorably), Shorak has to rely on the evidence around him. Based on the sword and brown cloak and where they've fallen, he determines that the mercenary company that left the shop shortly before your party did split into two groups after a struggle of some kind—possibly because of the struggle. He glances toward the wide gate leading into Southwatch and notes that the Emerald Claw squad still standing there is half the size.

Clearly some of the Claw knights have set up or followed one of the mercenary groups...but he's not sure which one. He can lead on towards one of them and do his best to catch up to them. But which? The choices are north, in the "sword" direction, or east, the "cloak" direction.

---

Anyone? Address Adamant's words or ignore? Bueller?

[Brian]

May 19, 2016 11:04:19 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Adamant opens the door and steps out, but holding it for the others. He intends to take the rear guard again.

"I do still have an errand at the Temple, but I suppose it could wait. It's personal and the need of the group should count for more. But I'm wondering now if we should not look in on the Merrow Down. We don't really know what happened there do we?"

---

"Soon, my friend," Condign says to Adamant. "Soon we will see to the Merrow Down, and the temple, and the healing potions. But first we must try and prevent Krez from obtaining that which he has not obtained in good faith. If we are correct in what happened to the ship, denying him what he wants would be the first in many small, irksome, and ultimately lethal, paybacks."

___________________________________________

I say we head north, the "sword" direction. Someone was disarmed, and that may prove the more serious struggle. Unless someone has a better idea, of course.