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Post by Ginger on Apr 6, 2010 8:03:25 GMT -5
"The Sphere must be a marvelous object, for it could do many wonderful and terrible things-even rewrite the history of events that had already happened." w00t!!!!!!!
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Post by Ginger on Apr 6, 2010 8:11:34 GMT -5
Korus, the sheik's second son, is the twin of Hassan. Korus believes that certain people in the Sandvoyagers' Guild are holding the girl in their warehouse. He suggested you sneak into the warehouse and search about, something he and his father cannot do. Who are the Sandvoyagers' Guild? What evidence does he have?
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Post by Wolfgar on Apr 6, 2010 9:41:20 GMT -5
Out of curiosity Kazan will ask Korus about the cloth that surrounds the camp. Is there something in the cloth which deters desert predators? What do the two colors indicate?
Kazan will spend some time in the bazaar looking for spell ink. He will check if they also sell the cloth barrier. Are there any gem or jewel merchants? It would be good to exchange some of the gold and platinum for easier to carry wealth. Would the Sheik be willing and able make trades? It would be easier to hire more soldiers with a large supply of platinum coin. Or newly minted gold coins from sandmen.
Kazan will make use of the bath house. He will purchases robes and clothes appropriate for the desert heat.
Basil needs to spend time researching the Staff of Amun-Re.
Once Kazan has regained 7th level, he and Basil could use their shape changing abilities to investigate the warehouse.
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Post by Ginger on Apr 6, 2010 10:11:18 GMT -5
Once Kazan has regained 7th level, he and Basil could use their shape changing abilities to investigate the warehouse. I'm sure a horse could also investigate undetected...
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Apr 6, 2010 19:19:44 GMT -5
Korus, the sheik's second son, is the twin of Hassan. Korus believes that certain people in the Sandvoyagers' Guild are holding the girl in their warehouse. He suggested you sneak into the warehouse and search about, something he and his father cannot do. Who are the Sandvoyagers' Guild? What evidence does he have? You spend some time talking with Korus in his tent. He is served by an attractive elven woman named Kerina. His tent is large, but of a typical layout: a central area with several alcoves closed off by tapestries into rooms. The sheik's tent was of a similar design, though larger and more richly furnished. Kerina serves you and Korus cooled tea and honey-laden pastries as you talk. Korus lays out that: The sandvoyagers guild controls all trade between the oases. They ship goods between the oases on their sand sleds and serve as neutral parties between the disagreeing sheiks. Goods from the sandvoyagers reach all parts of the oasis, and Hogan, the owner of the tavern in the compound, does extensive work with the sandvoyagers. The guildmaster of sandvoyagers, Tolnus Granicus, has not been seen for many days. His personal guard, Barus Broadblade, has also disappeared since the Prince's fiance was taken, though he was seen on the day of and following. Thurnas Netmaster, newly arrived in the oasis only a month ago, oversees the day to day operation of the guild. Very little trade has come into the sandvoyagers' warehouse but quite a bit has been going out. Unscheduled caravans have been arriving late at night. They go directly to the sandvoyagers' warehouse and then leave the same night. To him, their behavior is very suspect, but not enough for the sheik to issue an edict or use his forces to investigate. You, on the other hand, could, knowing that Korus and the sheik by extension would turn a blind eye to your escapades if you were caught.
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Apr 6, 2010 19:41:12 GMT -5
Out of curiosity Kazan will ask Korus about the cloth that surrounds the camp. Is there something in the cloth which deters desert predators? What do the two colors indicate? Simple asking about in the bazaar uncovers that the green band acts as an insect and spider repellent and is harmless. The red band has no special effect, but when set afire it will burn fiercely. Kazan will spend some time in the bazaar looking for spell ink. He will check if they also sell the cloth barrier. Are there any gem or jewel merchants? It would be good to exchange some of the gold and platinum for easier to carry wealth. Would the Sheik be willing and able make trades? It would be easier to hire more soldiers with a large supply of platinum coin. Or newly minted gold coins from sandmen. Kazan finds the prices of items in the bazaar to be astronomical in comparison to the city state or the bartering system in the north. Regular items are for sale at ten times their normal cost, likely reflecting the difficulty of shipping everything from far away across a desert land. Rahman, a seller of scrolls, books and tomes, divulges that he procured large amounts of spell ink for the three wizards that left a week ago. He had invested in more through the sandvoyagers guild and is pleased to provide you a discount because of the amount he has on hand. He will charge you a mere 500 gp/level/aliquot. His supply is limited to the 30 spell levels he ordered through the sandvoyagers for the wizards, but is happy to order as much as you'd like to buy. If you wish to buy spell ink on order, he requires 200 gp/level/aliquot up front, and an equal amount upon delivery. Rahman smiles a lot and is a nervous looking fellow. He does have a number of tomes and books that appear interesting, but he prohibits folk from reading too much of them before buying them. His tomes and books cost 25 gp each. Mizanur, who sells cloths and tents out of his hut in the bazaar, is happy to provide you with the green cloth against insects at the price of 1 GP/linear foot. The red cloth is a secret of the sheik's. Khorram, who sells bolts of cloth from a stall, can sell you neither the green nor the red cloth, but offers you a discount on tapestries of only twice the PHB price. No one in the bazaar converts precious metal into gems or jewels. All that you speak to suggest talking to the Thurnas Netmaster of the sandvoyagers guild. He is most likely to be able to convert your assets into gemstones. Rolando advises you that the sheik would be most likely to levy a "tax" on anything that you tried to convert through him. The "tax" in the past has been up to 50% of the value of any item. That said, the sheik probably can convert precious metals to jewelry and gems. Kazan will make use of the bath house. He will purchases robes and clothes appropriate for the desert heat. The mud-brick building has a large, open door. Within is a very large, circular water trough, 13 feet in diameter. The room is 40 feet square. It appears that one does not immerse one's self in the water, but rather takes a sponge bath. You splash a lot of water about and feel much better. Clothing is easily available in the bazaar for 1 GP.
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Post by Wolfgar on Apr 7, 2010 8:23:21 GMT -5
We should use the excuse of changing gold/platinum for gems as a way to meet Thurnas Netmaster and see the inside of the Sandvoyagers' Guild. It would be nice if we could have them give us a tour of the warehouse. I don't know under what context we could convince them to do this. Maybe we could pose as merchants who need to ship something and need to see where the item will be kept until it is shipped. (Like the plot of Ocean's 11 - Hello, my name is Limon Zerga.)
We should do some aerial reconnaissance of the buildings to see if there are any entrances, additional security, etc. Are there birds or bats around the oasis, particularly around the compound?
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Apr 7, 2010 8:36:11 GMT -5
Are there birds or bats around the oasis, particularly around the compound? Yes. The oasis is the home of numerous bats. An occasional large vulture or owl flies overhead. Ostriches and other birds of that type roam the desert, but not the oasis. Infrequently, you hear the sounds of song birds, likely migrating from oasis to oasis.
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Post by Wolfgar on Apr 7, 2010 9:05:07 GMT -5
Rahman, a seller of scrolls, books and tomes, divulges that he procured large amounts of spell ink for the three wizards that left a week ago. He had invested in more through the sandvoyagers guild and is pleased to provide you a discount because of the amount he has on hand. He will charge you a mere 500 gp/level/aliquot. His supply is limited to the 30 spell levels he ordered through the sandvoyagers for the wizards, but is happy to order as much as you'd like to buy. If you wish to buy spell ink on order, he requires 200 gp/level/aliquot up front, and an equal amount upon delivery. Rahman smiles a lot and is a nervous looking fellow. He does have a number of tomes and books that appear interesting, but he prohibits folk from reading too much of them before buying them. His tomes and books cost 25 gp each. I am confused (which is normal when it comes to economics in D&D). It sounds like it is cheaper to purchase spell ink on order than to purchase the surplus that he has (400 gp vs 500 gp). Is that right? If so I don't understand how 500 gp is at a discount. Presumably he has already been given 6000 gp (30 x 200gp) for the spell ink that the wizards ordered but never picked up. You would think that if I gave him 400 gp it would be like I had pre-ordered the ink and he would still make a nice profit. If the wizards ever return he can order more and still get the same return. What is the ruling on whether Kazan and Morvan get a new spell on reattaining 7th and 5th level, respectively? How many tomes and books does Rahman have? How large are they for the sake of encumbrance? How long would it take (with an 18 INT) to scan a book to determine if it contained anything interesting? Could I pay a certain amount up front to browse and then purchase select books? Would he be willing to purchase back any books at a discount that we not interesting? Can I cast detect magic over the lot without him noticing? Can Basil help with his legend lore and appraisal skill to better discern what is valuable?
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Post by venger on Apr 7, 2010 9:19:15 GMT -5
Kazan will make use of the bath house. He will purchases robes and clothes appropriate for the desert heat. Rensslaer will do this. On the eastern side of the compound is Happy Hogan's Desert Igloo, a bar. A huge dome of brick about 80 feet in diameter and with a white-lime coating sits at the far east end of the compound. It is entered through an arch with heavy double doors at the building's west end. Stables are on its northern side and hold your animals. Rensslaer will go there and try to meet Happy Hogan. He will try to see what he knows about all the recent happenings. Specifically the missing girl. And about star-gems. He'll spend lavishly and drink a lot. He'll try to get Zinc or the new guy to go with him.
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Post by Ginger on Apr 7, 2010 10:02:48 GMT -5
Rahman, a seller of scrolls, books and tomes, divulges that he procured large amounts of spell ink for the three wizards that left a week ago. He had invested in more through the sandvoyagers guild and is pleased to provide you a discount because of the amount he has on hand. He will charge you a mere 500 gp/level/aliquot. His supply is limited to the 30 spell levels he ordered through the sandvoyagers for the wizards, but is happy to order as much as you'd like to buy. If you wish to buy spell ink on order, he requires 200 gp/level/aliquot up front, and an equal amount upon delivery. Rahman smiles a lot and is a nervous looking fellow. He does have a number of tomes and books that appear interesting, but he prohibits folk from reading too much of them before buying them. His tomes and books cost 25 gp each. I am confused (which is normal when it comes to economics in D&D). It sounds like it is cheaper to purchase spell ink on order than to purchase the surplus that he has (400 gp vs 500 gp). Is that right? If so I don't understand how 500 gp is at a discount. Presumably he has already been given 6000 gp (30 x 200gp) for the spell ink that the wizards ordered but never picked up. You would think that if I gave him 400 gp it would be like I had pre-ordered the ink and he would still make a nice profit. If the wizards ever return he can order more and still get the same return. What is the ruling on whether Kazan and Morvan get a new spell on reattaining 7th and 5th level, respectively? How many tomes and books does Rahman have? How large are they for the sake of encumbrance? How long would it take (with an 18 INT) to scan a book to determine if it contained anything interesting? Could I pay a certain amount up front to browse and then purchase select books? Would he be willing to purchase back any books at a discount that we not interesting? Can I cast detect magic over the lot without him noticing? Can Basil help with his legend lore and appraisal skill to better discern what is valuable? I'm also confused about the 500 vs. 400 issue, but I think "at a discount" means he's only charging you 5x the regular price, instead of the 10x that everything else is priced at.
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Post by Ginger on Apr 7, 2010 10:10:57 GMT -5
I agree that we should head to the guild and try to change our coins. Asking for a tour of the warehouse might be a bit much. I'd recommend saying that we're adventurers interested in looting the temple. Maybe say that we'll give him first dibs on buying the loot we get and want to sell if he tells us what he knows about it.
I'll head to the tavern to check it out.
Can we get any OOC info on Korus? I presume he's a fighter, but what level?
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Post by Wolfgar on Apr 7, 2010 13:18:33 GMT -5
Do you mean the temple which sits right next to the warehouse? It seems like an odd thing to say. "Oh by the way we thought we would go next door and see what riches are buried there." Don't you think someone would have thought to do that some time in the last 1000 years? Maybe we can just ask about the cost of transport to the coast.
While at the tavern you should try to talk to anyone from the Sandvoyagers' Guild. See if you can find out about the night time activities or what the guard schedule is. If you meet someone from the guild then Basil should try to charm him. Maybe implant a suggestion to show us around the warehouse.
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Post by Ginger on Apr 7, 2010 13:43:20 GMT -5
I assume the temple is trapped and filled with monsters, so people have been wondering what loot is inside for years. There's no way this module just has an empty temple.
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Apr 7, 2010 14:54:54 GMT -5
Rahman, a seller of scrolls, books and tomes, divulges that he procured large amounts of spell ink for the three wizards that left a week ago. He had invested in more through the sandvoyagers guild and is pleased to provide you a discount because of the amount he has on hand. He will charge you a mere 500 gp/level/aliquot. His supply is limited to the 30 spell levels he ordered through the sandvoyagers for the wizards, but is happy to order as much as you'd like to buy. If you wish to buy spell ink on order, he requires 200 gp/level/aliquot up front, and an equal amount upon delivery. Rahman smiles a lot and is a nervous looking fellow. He does have a number of tomes and books that appear interesting, but he prohibits folk from reading too much of them before buying them. His tomes and books cost 25 gp each. I am confused (which is normal when it comes to economics in D&D). It sounds like it is cheaper to purchase spell ink on order than to purchase the surplus that he has (400 gp vs 500 gp). Is that right? If so I don't understand how 500 gp is at a discount. Presumably he has already been given 6000 gp (30 x 200gp) for the spell ink that the wizards ordered but never picked up. You would think that if I gave him 400 gp it would be like I had pre-ordered the ink and he would still make a nice profit. If the wizards ever return he can order more and still get the same return. Indeed, his discount is relative to the standard markup you are seeing of 10x cost. I would venture a guess that he received half of his price up-front from the wizards three (500 gp per) and that he is passing along the rest of his standard markup to you. I think your error is in assuming that you are receiving the same pre-order price as the wizards three. Additionally, as Rahman has the following thoughts: 1. If you buy the ink from him at 500 gp per, he makes 500 gp. 2. If you buy ink on order from him, he receives 200 gp per. You might leave, be killed, or be arrested before he has to provide you with your ink. That would be pure profit. 3. If you buy ink on order, but not on hand, he doesn't have to order ink, but can give you the ink he has on hand at a small discount. 4. Any money you give him without him having to give you something is a free loan. Whether you get your item is outside of his control; at worst, he has to refund your money. What is the ruling on whether Kazan and Morvan get a new spell on reattaining 7th and 5th level, respectively? Kazan and Morvan get a new spell only if they have not researched the gained spell previously. Since no spell was lost, it seems no additional spell should be gained. How many tomes and books does Rahman have? How large are they for the sake of encumbrance? How long would it take (with an 18 INT) to scan a book to determine if it contained anything interesting? Could I pay a certain amount up front to browse and then purchase select books? Would he be willing to purchase back any books at a discount that we not interesting? Can I cast detect magic over the lot without him noticing? Can Basil help with his legend lore and appraisal skill to better discern what is valuable? A lot. He claims he has sacks and sacks of them spread among his family members. Each weighs as a traveling spell book. Four hours. This includes trying to find hidden ciphers, maps, and marking in the book. Absolutely not! Rahman is insulted that you would pay him a pittance to cherry-pick the best of his books. Rahman buys books at a flat rate of 1 GP per book. 2 GP if it is illustrated. Probably not, but you could probably cast detect magic in the Wayfarers' House and then hoof it over to his stall a couple of times. Yes, but Basil would have to do so.
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Apr 7, 2010 15:51:10 GMT -5
Kazan will make use of the bath house. He will purchases robes and clothes appropriate for the desert heat. Rensslaer will do this. Very refreshing. On the eastern side of the compound is Happy Hogan's Desert Igloo, a bar. A huge dome of brick about 80 feet in diameter and with a white-lime coating sits at the far east end of the compound. It is entered through an arch with heavy double doors at the building's west end. Stables are on its northern side and hold your animals. Rensslaer will go there and try to meet Happy Hogan. He will try to see what he knows about all the recent happenings. Specifically the missing girl. And about star-gems. He'll spend lavishly and drink a lot. He'll try to get Zinc or the new guy to go with him. I'll head to the tavern to check it out. H14 is the stables. H15 is fodder and grain storage. H16 is Hogan's Desert Igloo. The doors open into a large room that occupies one half of the dome and ends in a flat brick back wall. Set back against that wall is a large bar about 40 feet long. Two huge mirrors flank the door behind the bar which leads to the back room. Over the door is a golden plaque that says "The Igloo." Various wicker tables and chairs are placed here and there about the room. A male human dressed in desert robes tends bar. The back room has kettles bubbling on the hearth in the center of the room. The room is about 30 feet square. In the eastern wall is an iron door barred shut. Both the northern and western walls have doors, and two doors are in the southern wall. A male human dressed as a cook watches over the kettles. Some careful questioning of the cook reveals that the door to the north enters into the single guest room in the igloo, currently rented to a gnome named Forkbeard. He hasn't been seen recently. The two doors to the south lead to the private rooms of the owner, Happy Hogan, and his niece Rose. The iron door exits into storage for fodder. After that, Cookie orders you out of the kitchen, waving a fork around for emphasis. Hisham, the bartender, has family in the tents. He and his cousin, Jalal, who also works with Hogan and tends bar, stay in the Desert Igloo overnight. Hisham reports that Hogan has lived in the oasis for many years and that his niece is newly arrived about two months ago. Both Hogan and his niece, Rose, are halflings. It is relatively easy to get Hisham to talk about the disappearance of Hassan's fiance. It did happen only a week ago and is a major event. Hisham can say that Hassan was in the Desert Igloo when it happened, and he rushed out of the compound when the noise and lights erupted. Shadalah was well liked among the tribesmen, and her loss has many concerned. Hisham relates that Shadalah was picked to be Hassan's mate because a certain circular birthmark she has on the palm of her hand. This birthmark is a sacred symbol and dictates the lineage of sheik's family. He claims it is a sacred magic from Anu. The Desert Igloo fills up after dark. Jalal comes on and Happy Hogan and his niece Rose also join the crowd. About 20 people are constantly in the Desert Igloo, though the actual crowd make up varies. Hogan is a kindly-looking, elderly halfling who is rather reserved for halfling stock. Rose is young and somewhat shy. Hogan can confirm that Shadalah was chosen on the basis of a birthmark that showed up later in life. He believes that the medallions worn by the Symbayan warriors relate to the birthmark somehow, perhaps by matching? Hogan knows the standard rumors about the star gems, but he claims that Rolando the Minstrel, who comes in and sings sad songs, is their expert. Rolando, after properly lubricated, rattles off what he's said before and that the three star gems were given by Martek to the Pharaohs and sheiks of the land in the time of the ancients. They are each named and have a distinctive description. 1. The Star of Mo-pelar was given to the Pharaoh of Bakar and was lost into his cursed and theft-proof tomb. The gem was an opal; five inches in diameter. The Star of Mo-Pelar provided true sight. 2. The Star of Shah-pelar was a red star gem that was stolen by Badr Al-Mosak. It is rumored to rest in his tomb. The Star of Shah-pelar healed all wounds. 3. The Star of Khan-pelar is a clear crystal gem most valued by seers and sages, for it provided magical invigoration. The crystal has since passed out of living memory although it was once rumored to be in the area of the White Palm. Rolando also tells you that the three wizards who were here over the past month and disappeared last week were very interested in the Star of Khan-pelar. They paid heavily for information regarding it, though Rolando could tell them no more than he told you. He knows the wizards three provided massive tribute to the sheik, and he may have told them more. They certainly were allowed to roam about the oasis and investigate what caught their fancy without any protest. Even Nadron Illanis, the high priest of Anu, the one god worshiped by the Symbayans, was unable to stand in their way. One of the patrons seems to overhear your conversation with Rolando. Even though you thought you had held your voices low, he joins in as if you were talking with him in your midst. Calling himself Zorath Blackblade, he says he knows much about what the wizards did. Zorath drinks a lot and requires a small to you and large to him bribe before he tells you his piece. In a bored voice, he recounts how he led the three wizards about the oasis. They were named Trifakas, Sardok, and Pawnis. Trifakas was the leader and spoke wildly, while Sardok grumbled a lot. Pawnis clad himself in many layers of robes and veils so that none of his skin met the sun. They were most interested in those oases where Martek built buildings in the past and asked many questions about the Star of Khan-Pelar and Martek's Sphere of Power. Zorath has come from the coast recently and is neither Thune or Symbayan, but of another tribe. With much time on his hands, apparently suddenly, he led the wizards about the oasis. They were very interested in the obelisk in the oasis. With that, you call it a night. As you head out, Rose, having seen the size of the bribe that you've passed to Zorath, catches your eye. She suggests that, if you have money to spread about, you visit the stable-boy Baz. He has a tale to tell, but it is his decision, not hers, whether it should be told.
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Apr 7, 2010 15:52:19 GMT -5
Can we get any OOC info on Korus? I presume he's a fighter, but what level? No.
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Apr 7, 2010 15:55:14 GMT -5
Map of Hogan's and eastern part of the compound. Attachments:
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Post by Ginger on Apr 7, 2010 19:15:53 GMT -5
Well, I vote we bribe Baz the stable-boy.
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Apr 7, 2010 20:55:24 GMT -5
Just to clarify. Statements like these I will take as actions and provide feedback and events. Out of curiosity Kazan will ask Korus about the cloth that surrounds the camp. Is there something in the cloth which deters desert predators? What do the two colors indicate? Kazan will spend some time in the bazaar looking for spell ink. He will check if they also sell the cloth barrier. Kazan will make use of the bath house. He will purchases robes and clothes appropriate for the desert heat. Rensslaer will go there and try to meet Happy Hogan. He will try to see what he knows about all the recent happenings. Specifically the missing girl. And about star-gems. He'll spend lavishly and drink a lot. He'll try to get Zinc or the new guy to go with him. Statements like these I will assume are chatting among yourselves or hoping that someone else will do something. Basil needs to spend time researching the Staff of Amun-Re. Once Kazan has regained 7th level, he and Basil could use their shape changing abilities to investigate the warehouse. Well, I vote we bribe Baz the stable-boy. With respect to other players and their characters, I'll need to hear from the player that their character will undertake the action. Of course, if you want Morvan to do something, you can suggest it and I'll say whether he does it. Many thanks!
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Post by Ginger on Apr 7, 2010 21:32:37 GMT -5
Yeah, that was me thinking out loud, but now Zinc will go bribe the stable-boy to get his story. I'll make sure no one is watching, to the best of my ability.
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Apr 8, 2010 6:00:08 GMT -5
Yeah, that was me thinking out loud, but now Zinc will go bribe the stable-boy to get his story. I'll make sure no one is watching, to the best of my ability. Zinc and Rensslaer discover one of the unfortunate truths about drinking in a hot, dry climate: the hangovers are rough. After creating a lot of water, Zinc finally staggers out of the Wayfarers' House for the day. Zinc, under the pretext of checking on the animals in the stables, searches out the stable-boy Baz. Baz is a slight man with a stutter, the same man who barely spoke to you when you first arrived in the oasis. He sleeps and stays in the stable. Your animals seem to be well treated and tended under his care. Baz guiltily looks up from his meal and wrinkles his nose at your beery, stinking form, clad in your, to him, outlandish clothes. He sidles over though and shares some bales of dried grasses with you as you ask him about what news he has. Bribing Baz is easier than you thought it would be, definitely less than what you paid Zorath. Baz has two things of interest to you, an item and a separate story. After the flashes of fire in the night and the disappearance of Shadalah, many people ran about searching the oasis. That night Baz overheard two of the sheik's guards discussing with Korus that they found strange glass items on the southeastern edge of the oasis. Korus was in a rage and told the guards he was not interested in baubles and struck the items from the guard's hand. Baz searched for them afterward. Many were broken into shards of glass, but one was intact. For a small price, he shows it to you. To your eye it looks like a glass cast of a giant forked and clawed footprint. Baz looked on the southeastern part of the oasis and found that more of these prints were there, heading out from the oasis, but most had broken through the shifting of the sands. For a further fee, Baz tells you his story, which occurred the day after Shadalah disappeared. One night, while sleeping in the stable, the stable boy awoke and overheard two men talking. "Our bargain was sealed!" said one. "Your man was to take the bride and deliver her to my people. Instead you betrayed us and are holding her for a larger ransom!" Then the other man said, "Sah! The place is set, but show unto me the time when we shall ever work together as one! I have not the girl, and would that I could fulfill our bargain! It is you who have the girl, and now, for your own purposes, you wish no part of us!" It was then that Baz hit the gate with his foot. The gate made a noise and frightened away the two men. But the boy saw who they were: a leader of sandvoyagers and a water bearer! Baz says he tried to speak with the sheik about what he saw, but he had no gift to gain entry. Instead, he spoke with Korus about it. Korus said he was not to tell anyone else, but since you are (rich) strangers, Baz thought it would be alright to tell you.
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Apr 8, 2010 6:01:56 GMT -5
Time elapsed: 1 day
Expenses Kazan 10 GP (bath, clothes, incidentals) Zinc 300 GP (carousing, bribe of Blackblade, bribe of Baz) Rensslaer 210 GP (bath, clothes, carousing, bribe of Blackblad, incidentals)
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Post by Wolfgar on Apr 8, 2010 7:54:48 GMT -5
Kazan and Morvan get a new spell only if they have not researched the gained spell previously. Since no spell was lost, it seems no additional spell should be gained. That means there is less need for spell ink at the moment. Maybe before we leave the oasis he will purchase some. A lot. He claims he has sacks and sacks of them spread among his family members. Each weighs as a traveling spell book. Four hours. This includes trying to find hidden ciphers, maps, and marking in the book. Absolutely not! Rahman is insulted that you would pay him a pittance to cherry-pick the best of his books. Rahman buys books at a flat rate of 1 GP per book. 2 GP if it is illustrated. Probably not, but you could probably cast detect magic in the Wayfarers' House and then hoof it over to his stall a couple of times. Yes, but Basil would have to do so. I'll purchase 20 books with Basil's help (Lee - say you agree). Any books that show recent charring without being completely destroyed will be of great interest. That is anything recovered from the camp of the wizards three.
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Post by venger on Apr 8, 2010 10:04:30 GMT -5
1. The Star of Mo-pelar was given to the Pharaoh of Bakar and was lost into his cursed and theft-proof tomb. The gem was an opal; five inches in diameter. The Star of Mo-Pelar provided true sight. 2. The Star of Shah-pelar was a red star gem that was stolen by Badr Al-Mosak. It is rumored to rest in his tomb. The Star of Shah-pelar healed all wounds. 3. The Star of Khan-pelar is a clear crystal gem most valued by seers and sages, for it provided magical invigoration. The crystal has since passed out of living memory although it was once rumored to be in the area of the White Palm. Clearly we need a map of the desert so we can divine for these gems, or at the very least the Tomb of Badr Al-Mosak. That last tomb was cake. Rensslaer would casually inquire as to how massive this massive tribute was. Rensslaer will offer to pay Zorath Blackblade to show him the stuff he showed the wizard, especially anything they took a particular interest in. And he wants to look at it through the Star-Gem. Rensslaer wants to look at this thing in particular, also with true seeing. And the White Palm itself. He'll ask Morvan and Zinc to come with for all these things just in case. Halfling girl gets a couple (2) platinum coins and if she has more useful things that I'd like to know, we're the awesome rich foreign guys who bought out the inn. "AH HAH! We should go to the sheikh. He and Rensslaer are tight.
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Post by Ginger on Apr 8, 2010 10:06:56 GMT -5
We should definitely not show anyone that we have one of the star gems!! Especially not a guy who sells information! We already know where the obelisk is, we can head there without him.
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Post by venger on Apr 8, 2010 10:10:16 GMT -5
Yes, of course. He doesn't necessarily need to be there when Rensslaer uses the gem of true-seeing. He can show us the stuff, we can come back later and look through the gem.
OR Morvan and Zinc can just distract him (with HOLD PERSON or something) while Rensslaer discreetly uses the Star-Gem.
This guy could still catch a beat down just for eavesdropping on us.
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Post by Wolfgar on Apr 8, 2010 16:42:21 GMT -5
It sounds like the sandvoyagers' guild planned to kidnap Shadalah but someone else got to her first. And Korus didn't bother to mention this to us. So he may be setting us up by suggesting we check out the warehouse. Maybe we should put a tail on Korus since he may know more than he is telling us. I would suggest Basil doing this in bird form but Kazan or Morvan could also do this using invisibility. Until we know more about his agenda I wouldn't tell the Sheik.
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Post by Wolfgar on Apr 8, 2010 17:02:07 GMT -5
So here is a rough time line: - Sometime in the last couple of months the Efreeti starts destroying oases.
- A month ago Thurnas Netmaster arrived to take over the Sandvoyagers' Guild day to day operations.
- In the last month three wizards show up asking about star gems.
- Tolnus Granicus has not been seen in many days.
- A week ago Shadalah disappeared in the middle of the night.
- The same night the wizards' camp was attacked and they went missing.
- That night glass footprints [possibly made by the Efreeti] are found near the oasis.
- The next night Baz overhears a leader of sandvoyagers and a water bearer discussing Shadalah.
- A day or two after Shadalah disappeared, Barus Broadblade disappeared.
- A day or two before we arrive the Sheik forces are defeated by the Malatath.
Anything missing?
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Post by Dead Greyhawk on Apr 8, 2010 20:37:42 GMT -5
1. Rensslaer would casually inquire as to how massive this massive tribute was. 2. Rensslaer will offer to pay Zorath Blackblade to show him the stuff he showed the wizard, especially anything they took a particular interest in. And he wants to look at it through the Star-Gem. 3. Rensslaer wants to look at this thing in particular, also with true seeing. And the White Palm itself. 4. He'll ask Morvan and Zinc to come with for all these things just in case. 5. Halfling girl gets a couple (2) platinum coins and if she has more useful things that I'd like to know, we're the awesome rich foreign guys who bought out the inn. 1. Jalal, who is tending bar at the Desert Igloo, tells you that he heard the Sheik was given a collection of 10 rings, each made of precious metal and mounted with a different gemstones by the talkative mage, a tulwar that glowed and sang strange songs when wielded that was contained in a jeweled scabbard by the other wizard, and a cunning box made of dark wood that unfolded itself into a backgammon set made of pearl and obsidian. 2. Zorath is rather tight-lipped when you see him in the Desert Igloo. While not rude, he is somewhat curt. He refuses your request to hire him to guide you about, saying he has other plans, but he does tell you he took the wizards to the headless statue, the ancient temple, the white palm, and the obelisk. 2 and 3. Given the concerns of the others about displaying the star gem, you'll need to come up with a way of camouflaging your activity or risk having a five inch diameter star opal be seen in your hands. Guards patrol the area near the oasis pool and the white palm, and a fairly regular stream of individuals cross the oasis on various trips during the day. 4. Morvan is willing to travel around with you. 5. Rose is quite taken by your attention and scars. After presenting her with some trinkets bought in the bazaar (2 PP worth), she recounts that she was once walking behind the smithy and saw one of the sheik's sons disappear when walking behind the Sandvoyagers' Guild, perhaps by a secret way. She doesn't know which one as they are identical twins and she cannot tell them apart.
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