The City of Adala

The cart and wagon move under direction into the heart of the city. Rath is nowhere to be seen. A couple of folk say they saw a huge man rush past, bt sometime after the first plaza, the stories get confusing and contradictory.

Beka directs Cas to take the wagon to a narrow twisting street that the four who previously entered the city claim is "Blue Street". There is nothing particularly blue about it. Kent is keeping the cart with the wagon until he gets a good idea of the best place to sell his goods.
After the first intersection and some curses, Cas becomes quickly aware that the Wagon (and possibly the Cart) will never make it down the narrow way. Still, the goal lies ahead.

Solutions?

[EDITED on Thu May 15, 2003 @11:37 PM (PDT)]
EDITED to give Rath visibility, in case he should rejoin the thread.

[EDITED on Fri May 16, 2003 @8:25 AM (PDT)]

"Beka," Cas says as she scratches at her temple, "Perhaps we should back up and turn around before some crazed squirrel thinks this cargo is some form of nut and robs us blind."

"Mr. Kent, I need to find us an alternate route down this street. I will be back shortly. Watch for people brushing up against your cart."

I trot forward to Beka, "Where exactly are we going? I could scout for an easier route that might be less congested...."

I explain to Faliol which shop it was and suggest we go back a bit to wait where there is a little more room.
"We'll meet you back by that building Faliol. Please let us know soon."

"Yes, Ma'am. I will try to return shortly."

I move off to the right to check the congestion in that direction first. While moving, I am very careful not to bump into any humans. If any take exception to me, I apologize before hurrying onwards. I do NOT start any fights and am willing to take a lot of verbal abuse to avoid confrontations.

If the streets to the right look no better I cross over and check the streets to the left. Once I determine which is the better path, I follow it to the building Beka described. If/when a suitable path is found, I head straight back to Beka and give her my report.

Vagrant impatiently figits in his seat as he waits for some solution to the caravan's slowdown. He turns to Nuyok to say something but stops short and instead falls silent.

"Something on your mind Vagrant?"

"Nah, I'm fine. Just feeling a bit frustrated. We've
traveled through so much to get here and now we are
running into these nit-picky issues. I guess the
world hasn't changed in every way. Daily life can
still be a real pain...its all about the little
things."

Vagrant falls silent again as he makes some marks with
his foot in the dust underneath his seat.

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Beka tells you that the long and winding Blue Street ends up in a great forum-like square. The clothier is not far from this area. It looks like you could get the cart to the clothier's from the other side, i.e. from the forum. You might have to lug the bundles a block or two, but it seems quite do-able.
As you are scrutinizing pathways, you nearly bump into a tall, well dressed merchant. He does not see you yet, for he appears to be scanning the forum as well. You start suddenly as you realize that you have found Rath.
It's quite a shirt.

If you wish to initiate conversation, please start a sub-thread with the proper visibility

"Excuse me, sir. My mistake..."

I begin to circumvent the big human when I notice that he looks familiar....

"Rath! What are you doing running off into crowds like that? It isn't proper, my friend. Please come with me. The caravan is stuck and needs us to find an alternate route to the clothing merchant."

"Yeah, sorry about that, I saw, I mean, I thought, never mind it's not
important."

Rath follows Faliol without much more to say.

I shake my head before smiling, "Don't know what it is about you Rath, but I can't seem to stay mad at you. Did you know that you and I are soon to be magically transformed? Yep, that is correct. Once we get the wagon and cart to yonder forum, you and I will magically be turned into....can you stand the suspense....Packmules!"

The look of confusion makes me laugh, "Yes! It is true! We shall have to carry those silk bundles for a couple of blocks to the clothing merchant. Aren't you happy I found you? Come along fellow packmule!"

I am in a better mood. My hangover is beginning to fade and our goal is in sight. I lead Rath back to Beka, keeping an eye on him the entire time to thwart any more impulsive solo forays into Adala...

OOC: I'm going to wait until Keith tells us if Faliol jumped the gun
or not before I post for Rath. I see that Handle decided to go after
Rath, so things might have turned out differently.

OOC I assume Keith has yet to answer you. If he has answered you, I can't post until you let me know whether I can proceed or not.

OOC: Not yet, that's the trouble with having a famous artist as a GM, no time for the little guys

Oops, sorry guys; I let that slip through the cracks. Handle is off on his own at the moment. Resume yer playin'

*Snort*Blue Street Hills, I get it. *Snort*

OOC: That's terrible!

OOC: Keith, hope I am not jumping the gun assuming that Rath and Faliol make it back to the caravan unhindered...

With riven in tow, I nimbly make my way back to the rendezvous point indicated by Beka.

"Two packmules reporting for duty, Miss Beka! It looks like we can get the cart to the clothier's from the other side, via the forum. We might have to lug the bundles a block or two by hand, but it seems workable."

I outline the exact path to Cas (while Miss Beka is within hearing range) that will be needed to get us to our destination.

.oO(Life is good when hangovers hit the trail! Who knows? In an hour, I might be able to gobble some brekkie without becoming violently ill...)

"Beka, are you still in need of my services? If so, I will remain with the caravan as needed, but Vagrant needs to sell his wares for which I need to transfer the lines, and I'd like to get a bath," pointing out the nearby bathhouse.

To Faliol: Faliol, will we need to carry the silks?
To all: If so, the more the merrier.
To guess who: Oh Rath, you've decided to grace us with your presence once again? Well, your help will be greatly appreciated, (pointedly) if you're going to stay.
To Nuyok: With Rath here, we should have it covered. Where and when would you like to meet?
To Cas: Do you think you can find the route Faliol described?
All: Well, let's go, once begun is sooner done!

OOC Susan, Brian has asked Keith for a clarification on timing (Faliol, Rath, Handle's return to the caravan). Not sure if Keith has replied to Brian's question yet...

The Mighty GM has been busy but I still need my "fix". I think I am going to start posting my own personal poetry, that'll fix him!

I love your poetry...

"It seems several have things to do, so I'd say we should all meet at the beast-friendly location mentioned by the guardsman (is it in town) at "X" time this evening."

Nuyok will help as needed wtih the delivery of goods, and then intends to accompany Vagrant to find a buyer for his goods, as well as get a bath.

"Vagrant, interested in the baths, it would probably be therapeutic, and semi-private areas would probably be available. Then we can see about getting a buyer - baths first would probably help though."

Vagrant whispers, "Nuyok, do you really think there
will be a private enough place for me? I'm afraid it
may not be a good experience. I do think that a bath
would be a grand idea before we sell."

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"I think it will just cost a bit more, but private/semi-private bathing should be available, don't worry."

Sicne it seems like there's going to be some independant goings-on, please, every respond once to this thread and let me know:

A) your immediate plans

B) What you intend to do with the rest of the day

and

C) Whether you are going to show up at One Eyed Lars', the tavern mentioned by Lt. Jonnit

Cas is a driving along. (Should I make car sounds or will the GM provide them for me?)

Getting out of the city is a top priority as well. If she can, she will buy some really nice carving wood when she is paid but she may just completely avoid it to prevent trouble.

Nuyok's plans, in order (prefer to bathe before seeking Vagrant's buyer though):
1. Help the caravan as needed
2. Accompany Vagrant to find a buyer.
3. Bathe
4. Seek out adept-related activities/facilities
5. Go to One Eye'd Lars at the stated time

Nuyok will discretely mention to everyone that we can meet at One Eye'd Lars at a set time different from Beka's meeting time, we all know that's a place everyone can meet at. Then Nuyok will let Beka know

Whispering, "But Nuyok, if Beka's mating ritual is a success, she will surely be in no mood to speak with the rest of us. She will surely be consumed with making a comfortable den for her and her soon to arrive young. At least that is the way of 'vixens with kit'. Once mating is successful, they are totally consumed with providing for the 'health and welfare' of the tiny kits. My good friend Wystrin's mate acted that way when she was with kit..."

"Ah, but that is why we will meet at a separate time, so she will be able to entertain her potential suitor without our interference. However, unlike foxes perhaps, humans will often mate without intending to settle and raise families. It is my understanding that only humans and dolphins engage in mating rituals purely for the pleasure."

"Hmmm. I am beginning to understand. I think. About the meeting at One-eyed Lars...I would like to go but I must find Ricco first."

I scratch behind one ear, a habit indicating nervousness, "I will be honest with you Mr. Nuyok. The humans in this caravan are among the nicest I have met. I feel very comfortable around all of you. But that cannot be said about Adalian humans. I feel their eyes on me. I feel like a criminal eventhough I haven't broken any of their laws on this trip. I hate this place."

"Every moment Ricco, Cas, Jareek and I spend in this town we are taking a chance on stepping on sensitive human paws...err, feet. I won't truly relax until I get us beasts out of this horrible city. Nothing against you or the other caravaners, Mr. Nuyok. You have treated us like equals and I appreciate it a great deal. Especially here and now..."

[EDITED on Wed May 21, 2003 @4:38 PM (CDT)]

While in town, Nuyok will keep an eye out for a place to buy a book on poisons and diseases, focused on treating them.

a) sell her silk for a fabulous profit and be rich, rich, rich!

b) go bathing and shopping (in that order) and get "gussied" up (I never thought about that word before, hmm, gussied, gussets?)

c) MEET JONNIT! (I assume at One Eyed Lars')

a) Help Beka with the sale (read: Intimidate people who try to stiff
her)

b) Go to bath house. He's not really looking forward to it, but wants to
know what all the fuss is about.

c) Talk to Nuyok about:

1)This guy Jonnit, is he safe, does Nuyok trust him.
2) If Nuyok mentions that he wants to go to "Adept" hang outs,

Rath will do whatever he can to try to go with him. He really
wants to see where they hang out.

If Nuyok doesn't mention anything about the adept hang-out's and
he says that he thinks Jonnit is a good guy, then he will wander around
the town looking what he was chasing before.

About Jonnit: "I haven't noticed anything particularly problematic about him, I suspect he is simply *interested* in Beka..."

About the baths: "You realize you will need private quarters for such?"

About adepts: "While your curiosity may be piqued by adepts, it may not be wise for you to seek out large groups of them, given the obvious..."

"Well we're getting a private one for Vagrant, I just thought I could get one
too, and the spirit shirt will protect me right? We'll just say I'm with you,
your guard or something."

"Very well, private facilities for you should work as well, IF you keep your shirt on, as I doubt the walls will be spirit shielded. In the event they are, I will let you know, and you can bathe with the shirt removed."

"I can go with you to see the other Adepts?" Rath looks at you like as
if he were a lost puppy, almost ready to pout.

"Yes, but keep your shirt well positioned and keep your distance from them, it is for your own safety."

1. Help Beka get to the clothing merchant.

2. Help Mr. Kent get to his buyer(s).

3. Get paid.

4. Get both of us (Faliol and Jareek) outta this hellish city and back to the greens.

5. Find out what happened to Ricco and save his furry hide (if required).

6. Start the "Faliol's Tail" fan club, the Adala branch.

Not wishing to intrude on Miss Beka's mating ritual, Faliol will not go to One Eyeball Lar's.

Celeste will:

Guard Beka while she sells her silks,
Collect 1/2 her pay
Find the baths (everyone's doing it these days)
OOC:--Make sure there are no dwarfs around while bathing--Ha Ha!
NOT go to One Eyed Lars' but find a place where there may be some barbarian folk instead and have a decent meal (no offense to Handle's cooking, but we have been on the trail)
Maybe buy something nice if she can afford it
Explore the city and look for a map seller

Quickly get rid of my loot, not looking to haggle too much either just want to be rid of it, though won't let those I sell it too think it is hot since it isn't really here. But will espect hey know how it is. Will settle for 20% of worth but will try for 40% and take what they offer if better.

You can make whatever rols are needed. sone skills to follow:
Perception 14-
Persuastion 12-
Conversation 12-
Trading 12-
Appraisal 11-
Talon Underworld 11-
Talon law 11-
Acting 8-
Check character sheet for others if needed,

Meet Nuyok at bath houses and get cleaned up once I have some coin. If able maybe whore a bit. Whdn I have money I am generous but not crazy.

Join up with rest where ever Nuyok worked out or head back to the inn we already booked if no plans made.

1) Vagrant go with Nuyok to the bath and then to
sell..his call.
2) Wonder around..probably stick with Nuyok if he is
interested in Vagrant's company.
3) Go to th eOne Eyed Lars.

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Since I can't roll in Campaign messages, here goes nothin!

1d100: 89 (STUN: 89, BODY: 2) Fri May 23, 2003 @6:37 AM (CDT)

We need a 100!

Eggstealer ignores my plea!

?

2d6: 6, 5 (STUN: 11, BODY: 3) Fri May 23, 2003 @4:47 PM (PDT)

YES!!! The Gods of the Deep have answered!


[EDITED on Fri May 23, 2003 @4:52 PM (PDT)]

The cart is parked on a side street and unloaded. There are several more bolts (16 in fact) than can be easily carried, so it will take multiple trips. The caravan members take turns lugging the heavy packages up the forum and along the short stretch of Blue street to the clothiers shop of Master Candu.

The narrow street is busy with the hustle of city life. Buyers, sellers and hawkers of every stripe. There are even beasts to be found here, and not all seem to be servants. There is even a large dog wearing battle armor and a mace strapped at his side.

Inside the shop, the adept greets you. He is a short, boney person with a thin mustache and a large hooked nose. His adept nature is indicated by a lumina pendant. His delighted to see the party and looks over the bundles with a very critical eye. While he does so, a youth putters around in the back of the shop, obviously an apprentice or servant, but not an adept.

"There is some, hmmm, good material here. These are from the looms of Hamilton, are they not? Yes, well, well, well. I like the purple brocade, and one can never have enough of that shimmery white that is characteristic of Hamilton. I can buy 8 of them."
He rummages about in a small desk. "Let me see. Ah there we are. I can pay you with a note you can redeem at Lender Pelcher in the forum. Next to the big statue of General Clive. The Big one.
"Now as to price..."

Those of you who wish to split off from the party to search for baths or friends or whatever should arrange to do so now, or stay to help Beka lug the remain bolts to other sellers.
Faliol, Kent indicates that he would like the services of jareek and yourself as soon as the clothier's is finished.
Vagrant, you have no set appointment, but it appears that Nuyok and Rath and possibly Celeste want to check out the baths as well.

Now stop writing poetry.

Celeste watches the adept as he looks over the bolts of fabrics, she will also look around to see what other kinds of goods he has in his shop. She keeps an eye on the youth in the background.

Celeste will stay with Beka until she sells all her silks and goes to redeem the vouchers at Lender Pelchers (if she wants 1/2 her pay, she'd better stick by her side)

"Beka, when you sell all your silks, what kind of trade goods are you going to purchase for the return trip to Tallon?"

Before we split off from Beka and crew, I walk up to Celeste.

"After I get Mr. Kent and his goods to his buyer, I plan to look for Ricco. I am worried about the little guy. I probably won't come to One Eyed Lar's tonight, since I don't want to go into this city unless it is absolutely required. Big sister, if Ricco and I don't eventually turn up at the place where we spent last night, we are probably in big, big trouble."

I let that comment sink in before adding, "Be safe, big sister."

I amble up to Mr. Kent, "So far so good, Mr. Kent. Where to next?"

"Faliol, do you want me to accompany you on your search for Ricco? It always helps to have a friend along. "

My ears perk up at Celeste's question. I start to decline her offer, not wishing to complicate the plans she has surely made for this evening...

.oO(I almost did exactly as Ricco. A beast, running off all by himself in this city is not acting very smart. Besides, it is good to have such a loyal and competent friend as Celeste backing me up. I wish Ricco could see how wrong he is about these humans...)

Whispering, "Your prescence would be greatly appreciated, Celeste. I hope that I am over-reacting and that Ricco is perfectly fine, but I worry since he doesn't have a friend like you watching over him. Thank you, Big Sister. This means a lot to me. Should I come find you when Kent is done with his selling? Or will you travel with us and then we can look for Ricco?"

OOC: Keith, where was the last place we saw our plucky raccoon?

Riccoco was last seen at the shacks. He said something about starting 'round the Hanging Tree. He is the only raccoon you have seen in Adala, so he might be easier to track than you might expect.

OOG How you doing, Keith? Busy, busy, busy?

"I must stay with Beka until she is finished with her sales and I have collected half of my wages. Then...since she has other plans, I will be free to help you search for Ricco. At some point, it would be nice to find the baths and clean up a bit before we go back to the shacks. Do you have any idea where Ricco may have gone?"

"I could meet you in front of the baths later today. I need to help Mr. Kent sell his stuff and collect our pay. You have to do the same with Beka. Go finish your work and take your bath, but check out front every hour and sooner or later you will see me sitting there."

"I last saw the little guy at the shacks. He mentioned something about going to the 'Hanging Tree'. He spent a long time talking to the barkeep about something. Casting lots of 'who is close enough to overhear' glances around the room. Pity that I got drunk or maybe I could actually remember something useful. Big Sister, I have an idea! When it is time to ask a human about Ricco, you do the asking. When it is a beast we are approaching, I will do the talking. Sound smart?"

"Good idea! Do you have any idea where this 'Hanging Tree' is? It doesn't sound like a hospitable place to me."

Keith,
Does Faliol know where the Hanging Tree is located?

Waiting for Beka to haggle for price and declare her intentions for the morning. There's several folk contingent on your actions.

Celeste has mentioned wanting to help Faliol look for Riccoco, but you have not dismissed anyone or stated a plan of action.

(enough)

Now who's the jog jam...

Nuyok will remain until the silk is sold, since his pay is tied to it.

Rath stays with the silks and Nuyok, well Beka too, but since she wants
him gone he's all too happy to oblige

OOG Fight for your woman! Who does Jonnit the Jarhead think he is anyway? Snap him like a twig, Rivenboy! Give him some four-fisted justice! Pull off his noggin and drop kick it over Adala's defensive wall!

Then we should all run very fast and very far...

The Blue is certainly the best, it is 43g, each of the three brocades, 40g each, silver, black and red are all 41g each. But, since you also will help me find more buyers, I will cut the silver, black and red to 40g.
Trading, 15-
3d6: 5, 3, 3 (STUN: 11, BODY: 3) Tue May 27, 2003 @2:06 PM (PDT)

Candu considers carefully Beka's proposal. It is plain that he thinks the offer fair, since he does not haggle. "Very well. It was a pleasure doing business with you. I'll write up the note.
"What? hmm.. oh yes, I promised to help you find other potential buyers, didn't I. Well, the market for cloth sale is very spread out. I'll tell you what. My apprentice here has some knowledge of who buys and sells such things. If you'll pay him a decent amount, I can deal without his services today."
He turns to the youth, who appears to be 15-16 years of age. "What say Jo? Care to spend the day with this lady and her train?"
Presuming you take him up on the offer and make a decent (though extremely nominal-- a couple silver will be generous) remuneration, the youth answers.
"Oh aye, Master. I'll lead the lot of ye where ye will. I know all the best places, good for eat and drink too, or whatever else you might have in mi--Ow!" Candu's knuckle rap him sharply on the skull.
"Less chatter is a desirable trait in youth. Be civil with the good folk."

Candu's note is redeemable for 323 gold coins. A huge fortune for which any number of people would gladly kill you. Your survival instincts advise you to proceed cautiously

OOC: See Beka! I told you that you needed me to guard you after the sale.....but NOOOOOOOOO! You want to go off and make 'googley eyes' at Jonnit!

Well, I know several of you want to go off in different directions, and that you are also waiting for half your pay, but I obviously won't be carrying too much cash around and we still don't know what you will make until I sell the rest of the silk. So, how about this, let me give Cas, Celeste, Handle, Nuyok and Rath one gold each. I have a little cash still and that will get you a good bath, meal and a few trinkets. I will send the cart and the rest of the silks back with Kent and Jareek and scout other places with this young lad (slipping him 2 silver) and we can bring it back in tomorrow.
"Jo, will you point out any places that might be interested in buying silk on the way to some nice baths? I don't want to go in yet but I would like to know where they are. And I'm supposed to meet a friend at One Eyed Lars' at "x" bells. I need to do a little shopping before that so lets go!"

OOC: I got kind of distracted with packing and preparing for our big move south. Where exactly am I again? I am either at the silk buyers place with the wagon or am taking the wagon back to our place but I lost track somewhere. -Very Confused Soon to Be Southern

Joshua,
Where are you moving?

OOC: I'm moving 1000+ miles from Dennisport, MA (part of Cape Cod) to Asheville, NC. My wife has already found a really nice job and we have a fantastic apartment.

OOC: And now you are about 3 hours away from me (I'm in Durham, NC).

Don't worry about who is where. The wagon didn't go far and everyone is returning to it (along with 8 bundles of unsold silk). You all were most likely in the shop part of the time and at the cart part of the time. The sale took several hours, since each bundle was examined carefully.

Jo the Apprentice has been added to the party for the day. Far from apprehensions about working with beasts, he seems keenly interested in the foxy contingent.

As for Kent, he seems to feel that staying around Jo would be more helpful than striking out on his own in an unfamiliar city. Giving the lad a few coins of his own ensures that the guide is now a group resource.

Since you all have a stake in the day's sales, I will assume that everyone stays together until mid afternoon. Everyone is tired from trudging about the city.

Kent has done a small amount of business, and has moved some of his crystal, but has yet to find a decent buyer for the dreamleaf. He remains hopeful.

Vagrant, Jo responds to your requests about Throne with a bit of information. Throne is very rich and has a reputation for eccentricity. He has a compound of his own within the city but near the walls. He knows the man is difficult to see without an appointment and that he generally keeps night hours. He is apparently well-connected politically. It occurs to you that being presentable is probably important, and the baths sound like a good idea.

Beka, I will address your sales in a separate thread, since you will probably want to haggle.

Neither Beka nor Kent can pay anyone in full yet, since their sales are not complete and all pay is in some way dependant on how the sales go. Beka's payroll is determined by the total profit after expenses. Kent's is determined by his making any profit at all.
However, Kent will advance Faliol and Jareek twenty pieces of silver each. Beka will have to post any advances.

So, assuming that everyone want to go with their plans:

Beka, Rath, Vagrant, Nuyok and Handle proceed to a public bath house.

Faliol, Cas, and Celeste will look for Riccoco. For simplicity's sake, assume that you may leave the cart and wagon at the shacks with Jareek and Kent (who doesn't want to waste money on frivolities like public baths).