Chapter 3: The Enemy Within

[Jeff]

Passing into the Pavilion at first gives you the impress of walking into a great circus tent. There is an abundance of light—windows admitting daylight and torchlight—high above, illuminating a wide open floor. Private vendors do not seem to be allowed to hawk their wares here (you see no carts or makeshift stalls), but that doesn't stop a few people walking around displaying cheap jewelry or baskets of fruit. Then ten dragonmarked stations listed on the sign outside appear to have been each allotted an equally sized section within, arrayed about the ten-sized building. Most of the mini-stations consists of a central desk and one or more doors leading through a wall to the offices or back rooms.

The Sivis station has two gnomes at a desk, scrawling hastily into ledgers. Middle-classed customers form a short line in front of it.

The Cannith station seems to consist of two parts: a small, open shop on the ground floor (miscellaneous gear and an assortment of weapons) and a spiral metal stair leading to a second shop on the second floor. This shop is walled with a steel cage, making it resemble a cell more than a shop. A sign simply labelled 'MAGIC' adorns the second-floor shop, and the barred door in front of it is guarded by a very large half-orc wearing the red and gold colors of House Tharashk*.

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* It is well known that there is an intense rivalry between House Tharashk and House Deneith because the latter dominates the mercenary trade across the world, yet House Tharashk had begun to organize its own mercenaries in the dying days of the Last War...particularly more monstrous mercenaries.

[Joe]

Streko reads the sign indicating which "stores" are available.

"Right. I see three places I need to visit. Jorasco, Cannith and Ghallanda...in that order. Shall we all agree to meet back here at the main square in, say, one bell? That should be more than enough time to get in and out with what we need."

[Darren]

"Hm, good idea, Streko," Kal says distractedly, giving a sour look at the House Tharashk section of the building. Coming back to the present, he says, "I'll probably catch up with you over at the Cannith station, assuming this line doesn't take too long." Kalarian seems unhappy about the idea of having to wait with everyone else, but he does it so as not to stick out too much.

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Jeff, I'll send you a PM with Kal's message to Lady Korvine.

[Jeremy]

Goran traipses back among the others.

"I'll meet you all back here soon, I'm going to get some arrows and, if possible, some decent tea."

The half-elf lowers his voice. "Keep your wits about you, all of you, this may seem like a welcoming town, but don't get cocky."

---

Jeff, if Goran can find some decent loose tea for brewing nearby, that is affordable, he'll grab a little.

[Jeff]

Note: The 'Marked Pavilion alone represents ten different dragonmarked houses within its walls. And one thing that the dragonmarked houses represent in Eberron is quality: they set the standards, and usually produce the best, in whichever industry each house monopolizes. Outside the Pavilion, you can still find various goods and services and they'll be cheaper but you might have to look harder.

Jeremy: if Goran wants to find tea, he can either go to the House Ghallanda station (the house of hospitality) which supplies food, among other things, or he can leave the Pavilion altogether and look elsewhere. For arrows he'll either want to go to the House Cannith gear and weapons shop, or else leave the Pavilion and look elsewhere. Let me know specifically where he'd like to go. We can roleplay this a bit!

To everyone: I'm going to include headers in my posts as I often do to indicate the location of any particular scene. You can skip reading those that don't pertain to you, if needed. Or feel free to read them all so you the player (not the character) know what the others are up to.

Be sure to check how much money you have in your character sheet thread. (Note, you don't have to shop to explore.)
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In General

Shall we all agree to meet back here at the main square in, say, one bell?

Above the House Cannith station, a large mounted clock displays the time: it is nearly the 11th hour. It will be easy for everyone to be aware of the passage of the time.

Sivis station

When Kal moves to the back of the line at the gnomes' desk, one of the gnomes comes around and provides him with a pen, paper, and portable writing board so that he can write out his message in advance. However, it's obvious he'll need to wait a little while. The person at the front of the line, an old man with a missing left hand, seems to be having trouble figuring out what method of messaging he wants.

Jorasco station

The Jorasco area looks like the emergency section of a normal Jorasco hospital. There are a few padded chairs and tables and a tall desk at the back, manned by a mixture of halflings and humans. But currently there doesn't seem to be a line. A human woman in a Jorasco uniform watches Streko approach.

Cannith station

Grafth finds the open shop on the ground floor to be pretty inviting. An assortment of weapons on one wall (ranging from staves and clubs to axes and swords) are locked within a rack, some very basic supplies are stored on shelves near the back (coils of rope, travel packs, pouches, waterskins, etc.), and a long counter manned by two middle-aged women. It's clear there's a series of back rooms and that they likely carry other supples not found there.

Grafth watches as a shifter in militiaman's gear climbs up the spiral stair to the second floor magic shop.

[Josh]

Grafth buttons his coat, putting himself together as much as possible given the circumstances. He inspects the various axes with interest before heading to the counter.

Addressing both of the attendants, he says, "Good morning to you. I'm interested in procuring the services of an experienced artificer, as well as picking up some traveling supplies. Can you help me?"

[Jeff]

Cannith station

Grafth finds the axes to be very well-made. True quality work. But they do not compare to the masterwork of own hand axe. There is a rack of spears, short and long, in one corner as well, along with a large quiver of javelins.

"We certainly can try, sir," one of the women, the older of the two, answers Grafth. The other one is staring curiously, despite herself, at the flat iron bar Grafth wears. "What sort of job would you need an artificer for? And, I suppose it would be good to ask, what sort of timeframe are you looking at? We have two artificers who work here in the Pavilion, but I don't know offhand their usual availability. We could certainly check for you. Is this a one-time job?"

[Joe]

Streko approaches the woman representing House Jorasco.

"Greetings! I am Streko Tavven d'Jorasco, at your service." He bows deeply to the woman. "I am on an expedition and I'm afraid I am running low on supplies. Might you assist me and is there anything that I might immediately be able to assist the House with while I am here?"

He glances around to see if there are any patients that need tending.

[Darren]

Upon completing his note, Kal folds the piece of paper and stands, impatiently, watching the front of the line. He occasionally folds his arms and taps his foot, but controls the impulse to say or do anything that would draw attention to himself.

[Jeremy]

Goran, following his own advice, will procure all of his needs in the Pavilion. A bit of some good (but not the most expensive) tea...yummy. And some good quality arrows. He would rather pay at least for medium to good quality, maybe better, depending on the price. Goran will be friendly but certainly not overly talkative. If anyone asks he'll stick to his story that he's on a sort of indefinite hunt, and stopping in town for re-victualing.

---

Speaking of role-play, what sort of teas might our good ranger have to choose from, and what sort of price would we be looking at for a small stash (maybe a half pound?). He'll need enough arrows to fill his quiver, but money does have to start being a consideration here.

Speaking of money... when are we gonna get a chance to find some treasure! ;D We're running out of cash! At least, some of us are...

[Josh]

Cannith station

Accustomed to (though not always fond of) the attention his appearance often garners, the shifter turns to the younger of the two women, "No other clans that I know of carry on the practice, but this," he says, further exposing the tempered iron bar that hangs from his neck, "is an emblem of my village, back home. It serves as a reminder of the bond to my clan, no matter how far my travels take me."

"We could certainly check for you. Is this a one-time job?"

"A one-time job... yes. I am traveling in the company of a damaged warforged. I intend to have it repaired as soon as possible."

[Jeff]

Jorasco station

The woman offers or a respectful bow to tbe best of her ability from behind the counter. "Master d'Jorasco," she says, "Of course we will be able to offer whatever supplies you require. You are..." She pauses nervously, at which one of the halflings working alongside her rolls his eyes. "Marked?" There is a bit of excitement in her voice.

Sivis station

When Kal has finished writing his note, the gnome politely acquires the writing implements from him but does not address him. The old man—a veteran of the war, Kal can tell now—at the front has finished relaying his message to the gnome (he was not able to write it out) but now seems to be having some difficulty counting out the money. The woman directly in front of Kal sighs. There's a third person directly in front of her. Tangat wags his tail and looks anxiously in the direction of the Ghallanda section of the pavilion.

Cannith station

"It's very nice, very different," the younger woman says, reddening for having been caught staring.

"A warforged? Is it possible to bring him here? We could probably provide a very quick fix, in that case." She seems to consider her own words. "I suppose if it were that easy, you would already have done so, right? Well, you should speak to one of our artificers on staff." She points up at the ceiling. "I would go up to the magic shop above and ask for Lever. But you also were seeking other supplies? I can help you here."

Goran, in seeking arrows, finds himself coming to the only obvious place: the Cannith equipment ship and blacksmith. He walks up to the counter right beside Grafth. Hanging on a wall behind the counter are several quivers of arrows. The Eldeen ranger hasn't spent much time abroad outside of the Reaches, but he's heard that House Cannith prices are generally fixed and reasonable; never cheap but never overpriced for what you get.

The young woman turns her attention to Goran. "That's a fantastic bow, sir. I assume...you're looking for ammunition."

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Jeremy: for teas and such, have Goran look around. The Ghallanda station is the best place for food-related items. Streko will be going there himself at some point.

[Darren]

Kalarian gives the woman in front of him a sympathetic look. "Still," he says, "you've got to be a little patient. The man clearly fought during the war, and has paid the price for his service. I think we can give him a little indulgence, hm?" Kalarian smiles warmly at the woman as he scratches Tangat's head.

[Jeremy]

Jeff, if it's reasonable to assume that Goran would know of Streko's intentions to visit Ghallandra, then he will find Streko and visit it together. Otherwise, he'll head that way after getting a quiverfull of arrows. Since Goran already has a quiver, albeit an empty one, perhaps he could get a couple of bob shaved off the price? Or are they merely priced by the arrows themselves? Doesn't much matter though, he's got to have the arrows...

---

"Evening, ma'am. Thank you for the kind words, this bow is indeed a treasure to me, long has it been my friend and ally. Though not, I deem, to my enemies! Hah! Luckily, my count of enemies is few." Goran shares a warm chuckle, endeavoring to win the merchant's affection, but also out of genuine enjoyment of someone's company that doesn't involved being attacked or trying to pry out critical information.

[Joe]

Jorasco station

The woman offers or a respectful bow to tbe best of her ability from behind the counter. "Master d'Jorasco," she says, "Of course we will be able to offer whatever supplies you require. You are..." She pauses nervously, at which one of the halflings working alongside her rolls his eyes. "Marked?" There is a bit of excitement in her voice.

Streko nods humbly. "The Host has decried so, yes, although I am loathe to show it off as spectacle, dear lady. As to the supplies, I am anxious to restock my healing kit and, should you have a stock of herbs for sale, I would be overjoyed to see it. And, as I am in a bit of a rush, if there is anything I might be able to assist you with in your great work, please let me know as soon as possible. I am your most gracious and humble servant."

[Jeff]

Evening, ma'am.

Cannith station

"Well, it's beautiful work," the young Cannith employee* says to Goran. "And good morning to you." She brings down one of the quivers of arrows for Goran's inspection. They don't have the person touch of the arrows his kinsmen made back home, but the half-elf can tell they're excellent weapons.

"Twenty arrows are one galifar, sir. If you've got more to spend"—she winks—"or your enemies more dangerous than most, you might consider browsing the 'cage' above. We do carry enchanted arrows crafted by master artisans of the house in Fairhaven. You'll find none better for hundreds of miles."

She smiles.

Sivis station

"Yes, you're right," the woman in front of Kal says, straightening her posture and trying to look more respectful. Finally, the old man is finished and he walks away. Kal's now third in line.


Jorasco station

"Please, Master Streko, come with me. We could use your assistance." She steps around the counter and walks toward a door. "There is a man....very sick. He is very weak...and despite our request for an heir—like you—none have arrived in time."

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* Being human, it's almost impossible to tell if she's a blood member of the house or just one of its many thousands of employees. All dragonmarked houses retain far greater numbers than their own houses members and heirs.

[Darren]

Sivis station

Kal looks around the woman and folds his arms. "Still," he says lightly, "I hope no one else on line has any ailments that will hold up the process."

[Josh]

Cannith Station

"I would go up to the magic shop above and ask for Lever. But you also were seeking other supplies? I can help you here."

"Thank you, yes. I'm in need of a short spear- something sturdy, of course, but plain in ornamentation."

Grafth selects a shortspear that most closely resembles what he had before, and pays the clerk. Thanking her, he moves up to the level where the artificer might be found.

[Jeff]

Cannith station

The shortspear that Grafth selects comes with a thin cloth padding around the tip. The Cannith merchant makes the exchange, telling him the cost of the spear is a single galifar.

With purchase comfortably in hand, Grafth heads up the spiral staircase to the second floor shop. At the top of the steps, the half-orc in Tharashk-emblazoned armor towers over him, a heavy mace hanging from his belt. The brutish man stands direction in front of the door, then says, "You do know that these items within this shop are expensive, don't you?"

Grafth hears a man's voice within the caged shop call out to the guard in irritation, though can't make it out.

The half-orc relaxes a bit, but addresses Grafth again. "Yes?"

[Joe]

Jorasco station

"Please, Master Streko, come with me. We could use your assistance." She steps around the counter and walks toward a door. "There is a man....very sick. He is very weak...and despite our request for an heir—like you—none have arrived in time."

"It would be my honor, dear lady. Lead on!"

Streko follows the lady toward the door.

[Jeff]

Jorasco station

The Jorasco employee leads Streko through the door, into a short hall, past a few more doors and into one of the patient rooms. There, twisted in his sheets, is a young brown-haired shifter lying asleep. His pallor is frighteningly white.

On one side of the room are what Streko presumes are his clothing and gear. The shifter seemed outfitted as a hunter. Beads have been woven into his long hair, but most of his clothing has been replaced with clean Jorasco patient robes. The young shifter's arms are bound to the bed. It's obvious that he's clawed at the bindings, but they haven't broken.

"He came out of the woods yesterday. Someone found him and brought him here, left some gold to pay for his care...really, very nice of them...and then left." The woman shrugs. "We don't know who he is or what happened to him. He doesn't have any bites or stings, so we ruled out poison. Perhaps he ate something...but we tried various cures to induce vomiting. None of that worked, so I don't know what it is. Can you examine him, my lord?"

[Joe]

Jorasco station

He writes on a piece of parchment and hands it to the human female. "Here is my list of needed supplies, Miss...what is your name?"

Once she divulges her name to him, he nods his respect to her. "I will pick these up when I am ready to leave...no rush..."

Streko then looks at his patient and begins to examine the young shifter closely. As he does so, he mutters to himself...

"I wonder if you know a friend of mine with a penchant for ruining fine clothing."

He will inspect the shifter completely and thoroughly, searching for anything suspicious. He will check for fever and other ailments. Finally, he will attempt to wake him and speak with him, if at all possible.

He calls out to the human girl. Upon her return, he immediately addresses her. "I need you to run an errand for me, if you would. I need you to go directly to the Cannith stores. There, you will find a shifter. His name is Grafth. Tell him you are an associate of mine and ask him to come to me here as soon as readily possible. In fact, bring him back with you. It is my hope that having another shifter present might help to put him at ease should he awaken. In the meantime, I will see to him as best I can. Now go, please...and hurry!"

"Olladra willing, Grafth will still be there..."

[Josh]

Cannith station

"I assure you, I have no intention of touching anything inside, and will move with delicacy. I was told downstairs that I might find someone named Lever here. I have a job to discuss with him."

If given passage, Grafth will enter the space above.

[Jeremy]

Cannith station

Goran's eyebrows raise at the mention of Enchanted arrows.

"Yes indeed, I am most interested to see what goodies you have, though my galifers are getting all too few these days. Nonetheless..."

Goran is most truly interested in the magical arrow selection.

---

The half-elf is aware that it is morning and not evening. But the strange, human force controlling his destiny on an magical lap-based device was watching a western at the time and accidentally wrote "evenin'" because one of the characters must've been saying it a lot! Funny stuff, that.

[Jeff]

Cannith station

The half-orc nods but eyes Grafth suspiciously. He shifts his body toward the door, head half-turned to keep the shifter in his peripheral vision, and unlocks the door, then steps aside. He sees Goran coming up the stairs as well.

"You heard?" he rumbles to the half-elf as well. "Mind yourself within, and do not touch anything unless you're given permission to."

The half-orc allows both Grafth and Goran to enter the small, encaged second floor shop.

Like the shop on the ground, almost everything is locked down on the walls and the shelves. There a handful of weapons—including two quivers of arrows. The fletching almost seems to shift their colors, as if the feathers are half made of illusion. Behind the counter, a row of potions fills one shelf. Sitting at the desk is a middle-aged human in a suit of canvas-like material, a harness of unusual tools. This is, without a doubt, an artificer, as neither Grafth nor Goran knows what any of his trappings are. The man looks up. The Mark of Making is visible along his neck and jawline. His reddish brown hair and short beard are shot through with silver.

"Good....afternoon?" he says, uncertainly. "What time is it?"

[Jeremy]

Cannith station

Goran laughs out loud.

"What time? I'm the last one you should be asking." He scratches his chin thoughtfully. "But I am told it is morning sometime, if that is any help."

Goran eyes the arrows.

"What can you tell me about these, including the prices of course." The half-elf has the dubious feeling that to make a purchase here would clean him out. This is followed by the shameful joy of not really caring!

[Jeff]

Cannith station

"What can you tell me about these, including the prices of course."

The artificer says, "There are two varieties of arrows you see there, one type in each quiver. As I can see you are a marksman, you would, of course, make good use of them. The ones on the left are 'ice arrows' and the ones on the right are 'spark arrows.' They will either freeze or electrocute* your enemies upon impact, accordingly."

He waits a moment, then adds, "Each quiver—thirty arrows—is available for one hundred dragons**."

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* Ice arrows will deal an addition 1d6 cold damage (or more, if there's a critical hit) and spark arrows will deal an additional 1d6 electricity damage.

** A platinum dragon is equal to 10 gold galifars. So 100 dragons is 1,000 gold pieces.

[Jeff]

Jorasco station

The Jorasco employee accepts Streko's list. Once she has that in hand, she nods and rushes off. "Grafth," he hears her repeating to herself as she goes.

It takes him a few minutes of examining the young shifter, but Streko at last finds what he believes might be the culprit. His skin of his chest is discolored as if he'd come into contact of some sort of poisonous spores or fungus. A contact poison, likely exotic and found deep in the foresst, though Streko is at a loss to identify it.

Given time—hours would help, a day or so would be better—Streko feels he could attempt to treat and cure the shifter of this condition. The youth is deep in his sleep because his body has been severely weakened by this affliction. If Streko could restore some of his strength, he might be able to at least wake the shifter and remove some of the poison's damage.

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Streko's Heal check to assess the shifter = 22

[Jeff]

Sivis station

At last Kal is second in line. One of the gnomes behind the desk looks at him. "You are sending a message, sir?" he asks. "To What destination?"

Tangat woofs softly, still facing the Ghallanda station and obviously catching aromas from that direction.

[Darren]

Kal rolls his eyes somewhat. "Finally," he mutters softly. "To Passage, my good gnome," he says in a friendly voice, as though he hasn't been waiting impatiently, "and one to Fairhaven, as well."

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Jeff, when a message is sent from one station to another, does the recipient know what station it came from? Obviously the receiving station would, but do they print that on the messages or anything?