Coworkers: Session 34 - The Deal is Done

General Summary

Brymroz Folly

There is a low dusting of mist around the docks of Merperro. The visibility in the area is limited. The oil lamps cast shades of dark grey silhouetted buildings and various other items in the streets. You can see the moisture bead on the flesh and clothing of passersby. Sounds are abundant in the early mornings of the dock district. There are the squawking of seagulls fighting for fish scraps, the rolling wheels of the fishmonger carts preparing for a day's work, and the ringing of hammering metal of the nearby blacksmiths.
Inside the Weaponsmith, a tiny and fast pace hammering pings against the stonewalls then followed by a whapping sound, 'Again!!!' The rough furry hand flinches in pain but resolves itself to get the task right. Weaponsmith, a half-orc, appears to be towering over a taller Brymroz. Her confident stature and assurance make her appear more prominent than she is. She stands there holding a thin metal wand that is quickly tapping her open hand. Ready to swap his hand whenever he got something wrong.
Brymroz takes his welted hand and grasps the nearby tongs. He gently takes a red hot steel rod out of the furnace. He then takes some pliers so that he can bend the metal into a chain link. Weaponsmith looks pleased for once, as Brymroz was able to get the technique correct. He created a chain link without seams and blended the metal into a strong light link. Weaponsmith slaps the table, 'Stop your gawking! Keep the rhythm while the forge is still hot!'. It didn't take too long after that praise for Brymroz to complete the lengths needed for nine individual chains.
Weaponsmiths started to explain the process of creating carbonated silver. The specific metallurgy to create silver-based weaponry. Regular silver weapons, forged without carbonation, are too soft and won't last long. It could do in a pinch, but generally, it will be helpful after a few uses. Carbonated silver is weaker than steel and carbonated steel, but it will last much longer than regular silver. She explains that there is a lot of maintenance and care to keeping silver weapons functional. It took Brymroz the remainder of the day to create nine weapon-grade silver blades that are a bit shorter than the average dagger. He attached those blades to the end of the nine pieces of chain that he finished earlier.
Brymroz, after a solid day of hard but successful work, felt confident in himself. He knows that the new moon is quickly coming. He must now practice for his upcoming ceremony. He has been working in the area for some time currently. He knew of a local brothel that deals in the art of pain. The place is called Tides of the Sea Wench. A place that sailors and dock workers frequent at the end of the day. Brymroz stepped into the establishment and picked a girl. A lovely woman that will be his first step in mastering a new skill. During that first time, it was embarrassing. Nothing worked out the way he intended. The lady left the room with her head down and holding back laughter. The second attempt was no better. It was worse. The worker cut the session early and left the room with a physical wound on her cheek. Brymroz was escorted out of the establishment and asked not to return.
On the night of the new moon, Brymroz gathered all the items needed for his ceremony. He just needed somebody, somebody that no one would miss. The paladin of Loviatar knew where to go to find such refuse. Not once has Brymroz traveled to the area known as 'Lainmundicia*,' but he knew that was the place to look for streetwalkers, homeless people, or urchins. It didn't take long for him to find a lanky lady of the night with unwashed black hair and sunken eyes. She grabbed his slightly shaky hands and led him to her place of business. On her nightstand, he laid out his instruments of pain and worship. The ceremony began. Brymroz was tormenting himself and doubting himself as he used his tools to cause pain to another. He heard a grunt and grinding her teeth in pain. At the same time, he was in a trance state and at the end of the ceremony. There was barely anything to show from it. He had failed his mistress, Loviatar. Brymroz disparagingly untied his victim. She asks that if she could give him a bite, he nodes with approval. The stringy street walk bites down, barely breaking the skin, and escorts him out.
Lainmundicia (la-in-moon-c-ya): a filthy grotto in Merperro. It is part of the city's underbelly and entrance to the underworld.

Final Farewells to Lord Jefferies and Lady McFey

The day has finally come, the day to wash our hands clean of Lord Jefferies and Lady McFey. But, Abendlied has an extra spring in her step. If you are one of many that don't know her, she looks like she's walking. But those that do know her can notice that spring. Abendlied won't miss Lord Jefferies. He comes across as a self-indulgent pig. But, Lady McFey. She's hot.
Not everyone in the party of adventurers and treasure seekers will be coming along. Only those that have business with the two mysterious people are welcome. Elimae of the Golden Fleece waits for the group at the gate. He is eager to get to work appraising the fantastic items found and to meet the two investors. Once everyone is together, they begin their journey north northeast out of the city.
The party has arrived at the central point of the valley. There is the light pouring of rain that is drizzling on the group. Elimae, the wizardly appraiser, seems a bit confused. He is unsure why we're in this valley and does not see a home of wealthy investors. Once finishing that thought, an invisible doorway begins to open. On the other side of the entrance is a happy, tanned dwarf with a big smile, Diego Ironside. He beckons for everyone to come inside and out of the elements. Elimae's eyes widen as he enters this magical home filled with various artifacts of dragonkind. It is truly a sight to behold.
Diego brings the welcome guests to a separate room. The room contains a long desk filled with the trinkets that were discovered in the magically protected zone. At the end of the table is an elegant Lady McFey. Her posture is as straight as her lavender hair, and her white silk gown with green trim is wrinkleless. Standing next to her is a lanky elderly man in a blue robe with flashy jewelry. Lady McFey explains that this is her and Lord Jefferies' appraiser, Jean. She offers some snacks and drinks then gestures to start the appraisal process.

The Primordial Stones

Primordial stones are scarce magical gems. Mages use quartz crystals in the process of creating such stones. Unlike diamonds or rubies, quartz doesn't have uses in the arcane arts as spell components. It is a blank slate. Beings with immense knowledge of the arcana can imbue a living creature's weave and natural energies into the gem. These crystals will absorb the energy like a dry sponge cleaning a wet mess.
For instance, that one of the ingredients in creating a vile liches phylactery is large quartz.

Primordial Stones of Draconic Essence

The stones contain the energy of a dragon. Thus, the gems have all or parts of a draconic life force and elemental powers. The energy absorbed depends on the size of the quartz crystal used in the process. A small crystal, a dragon, could be convinced with a proper boon to add to its hoard. But with a giant crystal, it would make the dragon weak to partake and would never succumb itself to the process.
The party had recovered three Primordial Stones of Draconic Essense.

Essence of the Red Dragon

The gem is hot to the touch. The sub-surface coloring of the crystal has a reddish hue, and the internal shade is flaming. It pulses and adjusts its color, similar to open fire. It contains the elemental power of a red dragon.
Appraisal: Elimae 10k gp - Jean 7.5k gp

Essence of the Gold Dragon

The gem is hot to the touch and feels like it is making you weaker. The sub-surface coloring of the crystal has a gold hue, and the internal shade is flaming with shimmers of golden flakes. It pulses and adjusts its color, similar to open fire. It contains the elemental power of a gold dragon.
Appraisal: Elimae 10k gp - Jean 5k gp

Essence of the Green Dragon

The gem is sickly to the touch. The sub-surface coloring of the crystal has a green hue, and the interior color is the bloom of shifter gas. It contains the elemental power of a green dragon.
Appraisal: Elimae 10k gp - Jean 10k gp

Crystal of Othermic Energy

The crystal has exothermic and endothermic properties. They are known to be conduits of the arcane weave. Gnomish tinkers use these stones to operate the constructs built by them. Out of all the primordial relics, they are the most common and commonly used. The gnomes guard the secrets of creating these gems. Properly trained, a gnomish tinker could use this item to counter magical attack spells. It can absorb the energy of an offensive spell and then reflect it, Similar to the power known as spell reflection.
The party has recovered two large gems.
Appraisal: Elimae 2k gp - Jean 1.5k gp; The gem is slightly damaged. Appraisal: Elimae 4k gp - Jean 3.5k gp

Gem of Knowledge Past

This gem contains a mote of illusionary knowledge. When used with a proper magical device, it will display the information contained within. Finally, the device will display the text and images as illusionary scripts.
The party had found 21 agates.
Appraisal: Elimae 250 gp - Jean 225 gp

Knowledge Reader

This device can read the agates known as Gem of Knowledge Past. It will take the information stored on the stones and then reveal it to the viewer.
The party had found one fully functional knowledge reader and two partially functional readers.
Appraisal: Elimae 5k gp - Jean 5k gp Appraisal: Elimae 500 gp - Jean 500 gp; The damaged readers

Final Negotiation & Reward

Elimae, the appraiser for the party, has estimated that found treasure is worth 46,750 gp. The fever of gold intensifies in Abendlied with that knowledge. She also calculated that the appraiser for Lady McFey was more petite than theirs. It may be complex negotiation, but she's confident in her skills. Abendlied faces towards the regal Lady McFey and matches her cold stare. She gives Lady McFey a passion-filled speech. On why they should go with her appraiser Elimae. Lady McFeys thin lips slightly curl in the enjoyment of the address. She responds with a simple, 'We split the difference.' Abendlied begins to re-negotiate, but Lady McFey stops her, "We split the difference or nothing at all.' Begrudgingly Abendlied agrees to 42,500 gp for the objects found.
They finish the agreement, and the gold handed out, Lady McFey beckons everyone to follow her to the armory for the final aspect of the contract. They all entered a small broom closet. Once the door is closed, the room magically changes and enlarges. There is a cornucopia of magical items. Everyone stared wandering around the armory, looking for things that caught their fancy. Gerda headed towards the weapons, Brymroz headed to the armor, and Abendlied b-lined to the musical instruments. She saw a plethora of instruments, and her eyes widened with glee. Finally, there is a glistening violin. Abendlied eyes gloss over, and she sees a halo around it, and she reaches out for the device. She is almost leaving her feet and gliding to the breathtaking four-string beauty. She grips it softly and gently rubs her cheek along the masterful craftsmanship. After composing herself for a moment, she asks, what does this violin do? Lady McFey explains to her that it is known as 'Enjoy the Silence.' It is a series of arcane instruments that plays a single melody on a target. The musical notes will follow the audience and surround the area with a song canceling all other noises. Abendlied responds, 'I'll take it.'
Before the group departs, Lady McFey hands Abendlied a coin. The coin is for the prospect of future business. If she and her co-workers need more work, toss the coin into a body of water. Abendlied takes the magical item and leaves with the rest of the team.
On their way out, Egret greets them. He mentioned that he wouldn't be going back to Rojorio. The things that they have awoken are making the area dangerous. Lady McFey noted it wouldn't be wise to back there any time soon. Abendlied gives thanks and asks if he could provide them with a map of the area. He nods, and they say their farewell.

A New Friend

The group had left Terra in town under her own devices. She had spent most of the morning and early afternoon inside a room at the inn. However, she is in a large city. The place makes her nervous and unsure, but hunger has driven her out of the room. Terra slowly moves around the town, silently moving and avoiding large population centers. It takes her a bit of time to reach her destination. The first was in a tavern for over a century, the Warhammers Tale.
The Warhammers Tale is a well-known establishment in town. All sorts of people patronize the tavern because of Its excellent food, tasty drinks, and gambling. Fortunately, one of the gambling features is a vast fighting pit. The arena helps reduce conflicts within the bar. They are saving it from repairs and conflict resolution.
Terra enters the establishment wearily. As she enters, someone from across the room watches her as she finds a table.
After ordering some food, Terra looks curiously around the establishment. She notices an imposing figure walking towards her. There is a tall tortle slowly coming to her table, and Terra begins to fidget nervously. She is unsure what this stranger wants from her. Finally, the imposing tortle stands over her and smiles.

A Friendly Sit Down

The group has finished their trek back to Merperro. They navigate through the streets back to the Charming Nymph. Outside the inn, Gerda spots Terra, and Terra is chit-chatting with a bulky tortle. The party changes their direction to meet with Terra and her new friend. They are slightly wary of her new friend, but they need to sit down with Terra.
Terra mentions that this is her new friend Xopali and that she met her at a tavern. Most of the party express modest pleasantries to Xopali. Abendlied bypasses the social norms of meeting a new person and faces Terra. She grabs her by the hand and mentions that we all need to talk. Abendlied leads Terra and the others to their room. Xopali trails the group. She was about to enter the room, but Abendlied closed the door in her face.
Abendlied and Gerda sit Terra down for a discussion about teamwork and sharing. And for her to be a part of the group that Terra must do more. She can't just stand there in combat or randomly pick up treasures. She must help others if attacked and share the loot. Magical items should go to whoever needs them. The party member would have to buy out each other's share of the object to own it fully.
Abendlied query about Xopali and if she'll be joining the band of co-workers. She opened the door and asked, 'did you hear all that?' Xopali nods, and Abendlied pulls her into the room, but the giant tortle doesn't give way. She then motions for the heavy tortle to come into the room and says, 'All that you heard goes for you too. And how do you know Terra?'
Xopali goes on to explain that she is a simple bounty hunter. On her travels, she wandered into an elven town looking for work. There are rumors of a nice unclaimable bounty for an elf maiden. It sounded like a challenge. Xopali mentioned that she saw her at a bar, explaining that her parents were looking for her. She is now her bodyguard until Terra goes home. Abendlied is a bit perplexed but gingerly accepts the story.
During the conversation with Terra and Xopali, Gerda kept looking at Brymroz. There is something different about him, but she can't point to the issue. Then, finally, it dawned on her. Her necklace hasn't stopped vibrating. The vibrating holy symbol is a sign that lycans are nearby. She had come to ignore it during her walks around town, but it should have stopped. Gerda begins to interrogate Brymroz. He is the only member of the group that had a sudden shift in appearance. Brymroz attempts to dodge her questions but doesn't hold out long. He had mentioned that someone bit him but thought it didn't draw blood. Gerda inspects him. She does feel a scabbed-up area around his neck. Gerda coldly stares at Brymroz, 'where can we find this person?'

Character(s) interacted with

• Mysterious Streetwalker
• Diego Ironside
• Egret Duncar
• Lady McFey
• Jean, an appraiser for Lady McFey and Lord Jefferies
• Elimae

Report Date

03 Oct 2021

Primary Location

Merperro

Secondary Location

Map of Altair - N13

Related Plots

• The Relics of the Elven Ruins

Related Characters

• Abendlied
• Brymroz of the Orphayned