[h1]Trade Wards[/h1] Mara rounded the corner of the burning building as the traitorous duo slipped further away. Any other day, and she would make them pay, but today... well, there were more important things than revenge. For now. She approached the other barbarian and the fairy. "Well, that coulda gone better, ya? We best get to safety. I'm with the Watch. Stick with me, and we'll get outta here all set, ya?" Thanath looked over at Mara as she approached and smiled gratefully at her offer. While he and most city guards had a tense relationship at even the best of times, Thanath was more than willing to take what he could get after what he had just been through. "Good to see another friendly face." The fairy commented after the afterglow from her healing hands had diminished to a faint tint. "We should get outta here. I sent Rudolph to follow your mount earlier. I hope they're okay." Her face mimicked the worried cackles of the bellowing inferno, housing the portal from whence they came. "You ain't got more of that healy magic, do ya?" Mara asked anxiously. "Whiteys did a number on Fern, and if we don't get back soon, someone else might find her. If someone hurts my Fern..." Mara's voice trailed off, but the implications were fairly obvious. "Come on. Alley is safer." Oblivious to the monk's wounds, the cleric shrieked in her ignorance to Mara's suffering. "Oh no! Here!" She offered again the same hands, as she hovered with the goliath and the Genasi. "I hope this grants you both peace and strength." >Mara is healed by a Level 2 Cure Wounds for 9 HP. "Oy, not me, Fern!" Mara replied before sighing. "I mean, thanks true nuff, as long as you got more of that magic juice on ya for my wolf." "Thanks, only be to the good gods. Your wolf will be healed as well. Take us to her." Mara nodded, taking off through the streets to where she last left Fern. It wasn't far away (much closer to danger than she preferred), but she had hoped that she confused those arcane assholes by cutting North before hiding Fern in an alley. As she arrived at the street, Mara gave a low whistle as a signal to tell Fern all was clear. Knowing Rudolf wasn't far off, the fairy attempted to whistle, but only blew hot air. After a third try, she just hollered, blowing their cover. "Rudolf, come boy!" The mounts soon approached the trio. With arms outstretched, the cleric offered another a cure to the wound that had befallen Fern at the hands of those Albinos. >Fern is healed by a Level Cure Wounds for 8 HP. The cleric asked the trio, "Where to now?" She was worried that the guard still knew their faces. "Since we're running away, are we now criminals?" "I don't think so" Thanath commented "We didn't do anything wrong, and we also have someone from the watch who is willing to vouch for us". Mara waved her badge at the fairy. "Can't be criminal if you ain't done nothin wrong, ya? We just defending ourselves. That guy chasin ya didn't know who was what, I'm sure. We should stop in the barracks, grab some supplies, figure out what went on while we been sleepin... Last I remember, there was snow on the ground, and now the leaves are changing, like it were three months ago." Mara led Fern forward gently, not wanting to cause undue stress. "Gotta get this bardin on Fern too, when we got a minute for a breather." "Thanks be to the heavens." Cerise, was a little anxious, but was relieved that Mara was part of the City Watch. "When I was on the roof, I saw plenty of armed guards come out of a place, nearby. Should we go there or rest first?" She offered her two cents but seemed still apprehensive and slightly indecisive, since she did not know Waterdeep. "I don't know about you two." Thanath said "But I wouldn't mind some rest before we do anything else". "Shall we? There were large houses with stables and chimneys North and East. Likely some inns. Wanna go there?" "Sounds good to me" Thanath replied. The fairy murmured softly, "Do you mind if we replenish my stock? Gold is heavy and I prefer healing potions." She flattened her pixie wings on her back and hugged Rudolph tightly. "I think I might know of a place. We can mend you right up. Catch two fish, with one hook. Whaddya say?" "Sounds good to me" Thanath replied. "Any place is better than here. When we stop, I can fix up Fern and grab some new gear too. Please lead on, Little Bug." They soon approached a low building, etched partly in and below the ground, adorned with a petrified harpy on the roof. The swinging sign read in Common and Elvish, The Riven Shield: Weapons, Armor, and other goods. "Here it is! Hey, that's not a fairy." Horrified as she opened the door when finally noticing the statuesque weathervane more in detail. A half-elf approached the motley crew. "Wonderful! Out of towners?" "Indeed" Thanath replied "By any chance are potions part of those 'other goods' mentioned? I could definitely use a few right about now". "Of course, my dear Goliath. Right this way." He walked ahead hoping to lead them deeper into the store. Thanath followed, still using his maul as a walking stick. Mara tossed Thanath a bag of coins before he left. "Here, buy me a coupla potions. I'll be a minute still." She then stayed outside the shop with Fern, putting on her wolf's barding. "Will do." Thanath said as he caught the bag. >Mara handed over 100 gp to Thanath "So, where do each of you come from?" He brought out a drawer of glass beakers with stoppers, with a variety of different opacities. A dropper in metal case was soon procured for Thanath and Cerise individually to taste the assorted liquids. "Also, please sample these flavors to your liking. Each potion will be 75 GP. We unfortunately do not finance unless you have a reputed Waterdhavian address." "I'm not sure where my companions hail from, since I've only just met them" Thanath said "But I can tell you that I myself come from the Sunrise Mountains". With that said, he began sampling flavors from his case. The pixie was anxious about telling a stranger exactly where she came from, but became honest after the Goliath said his peace. "Moonlight Pond, a subsidiary of the Summer Court." As they sampled away, they each tasted asparagus, pomegranate, and celery in various combinations. The pair soon sensed the restorative properties. >Thanath and Cerise gain 1 HP. "Very nice. Can I also interest you in any armor? What were your names again?" The half-elf realized the sale of the potions would be a given, moving onto more profitable purchases. "Thanath Thundermaul Thenalekali" Thanath said "And I guess it wouldn't hurt to browse a little while I'm here". "Excellent! We have some fantastic options in our Big and Tall Section." He curtly ignored the cleric, to wade further into the back of the store. Thanath wasn't far behind. "Here we are, a wonderful set of half-plate. This suit is reinforced with adamantine, one of the hardest substances in existence. (While you're wearing it, any critical hit against you becomes a normal hit. AC 15 + DEX Mod (Max 2)) We just slashed this price last week to a measly 500 GP." "Does the reinforcement add to the weight?" Thanath asked "My fighting style doesn't work as effectively if what I'm wearing is too bulky". "It does, but if you want something lighter in your size, I have just the thing!" He walked behind some curtains. He scurried back carrying in one hand, some splint armor. "This is made of Mithral." His eyes widened as his vocal cords burped up another sales pitch. "A light, flexible metal. A mithral armor can be worn under normal clothes. (AC 17. If the armor normally imposes disadvantage on Stealth checks or has Strength requirement, the mithral version of the armor doesn’t.) It fits and stretches perfectly to those of medium build. This is currently on sale for 750 GP." "You have quite an interesting selection" Thanath commented "When I have the coin for it, I will definitely be coming back here. But for now, I think I shall relieve you of 2 healing potions". With that said, Thanath presented the shop keep the bag of gold Mara gave him and 50 golden coins from his own pocket. "I believe that this should cover it". The half-elf gawked at the insult, but counted the money to be sure. "You are short 25 GP for just one potion." He placed the money gently with the bag on the counter. "Didn't you say the price was 75 gold earlier though?" Thanath asked? (Check dice rolls. He used Sleight of Hand and Deception.) "I sure did. This bag of money is full of rocks." He took the bag and emptied its contents on the counter, next to Thanath's money. "Pickpockets are notorious in this part of town. Are you sure that had money it?" "That bag was given to me by one of my current companions" Thanath said "I couldn't be sure. She might know though". With that said Thanath turned in the direction of where he last saw Mara. "Genasi!" Thanath called out with much effort "The coin pouch you gave me was full of rocks!". His tongue was quick to interrupt. "Tell you what. I'll make a deal with you and turn your luck around. How 'bout 3 of your Javelins and this 50 GP for 2 potions?" "Like hell it was!" Mara called back from outside. "The filth is a liar, and I'll call the City Watch on him!" "Aren't you part of the watch though?!" Thanath called out, again with much effort. JBRam_2002-Yesterday at 1:03 PM Mara nodded, then realized Thanath couldn't see her. "Yeah, give me a second and I'll come ring his bell if you need me to!" >Mara finished the barding for Fern. Thanath then turned back to the shop keep. "If you are lying, I suggest you return the money" Thanath advised, his voice now somewhat hoarse "She kicked down a wall earlier". Mara storms into the shop, Fern in tow and a large warhammer at her side. "Who's the little shit who says I dunno rocks from gold? I'll teach him a thing or three!" "It is I." A top hat soon flocked to the half-elf's head with a strange rod in his hand. "And who might you be?" Mara flashed her emblem of the City Watch. "That's all you need to know. Now, give us what we paid for, and we won't have to make a mess of the place. I counted that gold there twenty times, and heard it jinglin' as I tossed it to Thunderhead. Do I need to call the Captain down here to take a look, or are we gonna play nice?" "Thundermaul" Thanath corrected. Mara shrugged in response. The pixie skunked further to the exit, realizing there were no other customers, initially attributing it to the fire before. "Guys, I don't feel good about this." "Me neither. I don't like it when people steal from me. Something don't smell right, and that makes me feel not good at all," Mara replied, hefting the hammer in her hand. "Must be the stench from the sewer, huh? I think I've changed my mind. Give us back our gold, and we'll leave. I don't trust anything from this dump anyways." "I was being hospitable. My name is Ssssima." The being took a bow. "Again. The offer still stands 3 added Javelins and this 50 GP for 2 potions. Since your luck seemed already to be pressed today." He noted the blood on all of them. "Besides, you want to be healed, right?" "There's always the Plinth" Thanath replied "And I'm sure we can find potions from a less shady source...Once you've returned the Genasi's gold, that is". ”Guys, I think that was a petrified Harpy on the roof, right?" Trying the now locked door and looking at the wand. "I don't think you want to start this fight, friend" Thanath said in a manner that would have been a lot more intimidating had he not sustained heavy battle damage earlier. (Intimidation roll: 5) "I still want to do business in the future, with each and everyone of you." He appeared honest as his forked tongue slithered about his lips. "Okay two javelins. This 50 GP. And a promise to return. I'll even save the Mithral for you. How about it?" "How about instead you give us back what you took and we'll buy 2 potions from you for 150 gold and a promise that I'll be back for that Mithral armor" Thanath said in an extremely persuasive manner "You have nothing to lose from a little honesty". (Persuasion roll: Natural. Goddamn. 20.) "Sold!" The door unlocked itself. He looked into the Goliath's eyes. "I will keep you to it." The coins magically disappeared and 2 potions materialized in each of Thanath's hands. "As a tip moving forwards, in the Wards, don't say you're from out of town." His smile was painfully smug. "I'll keep that in mind" Thanath replied. Thanath then turned and handed Mara 1 of the potions. Mara sighed and shook her head as she accepted the potion. "I sure as hell don't plan on coming back. Not when you steal my gold, then overcharge us that much for our potions. But at least I don't have to waste time roughing your nice little shop up. Consider yourself on notice though." Mara turned away from the half elf and proceeded out the door. "I hope you know, Thunderhead, that you just paid nearly half again what them potions are worth." "Well that was his original asking price" Thanath said as he followed Mara out "And besides, he would have made us pay a lot more had I not been so persuasive as I had been. While we're on the subject of money though, I do believe I owe you 25 gold". "My guess is we were about a minute from turning into a rock like that harpy," Mara replied, jabbing a thumb up at the statue. "Thanks to your words, we're still able to walk. So, I guess I owe ya a thanks or something. Thanks." Mara took the 25 gold that Thanath offered and put it with the rest of her money, lamenting how light her wallet was feeling. "Something about this city feels different. Last I recall, there weren't no shop here. And shops don't just spring up overnight." "Well he was a magical snake man" Thanath said "Magical snake men do tend to pull stunts like suddenly making a shop appear out of thin air from time to time. They're like that sometimes". "Riiight," was Mara's response before she turned away. Looking about the street, she found a woman who seemed relatively nonthreatening (she hoped). "Oi. You there. I forgot what day it was, and I got an appointment to keep one day this week. You mind telling me the date?" "It's tenth of the Fading, lass." "Tenth of..." Mara gave a confused look towards Thanath. "That's almost a year from when I last remember. Guess I missed that appointment, ya?" She turned back to the woman and pointed towards the shop. "And when did that place get built, huh? Last I came through here, it was just a sewer." "A sewer? That's been there since the Spellplague, almost a hundred years ago, I reckon." "Let it go, Genasi" Thanath said "Sometimes you just have to chalk things up to magical snake men". "Are you folks from out of town?" She asked unassuming. "What the everlivin shit on a stick is up with that? I dunno what magical snake men you been dancin' with, but I ain't ever seen one conjure up a buildin' and then make everyone think it's been there a hundred years, have you?" Mara's confusion was not getting any better. "Uh, thanks, miss," she said to the woman before urging Fern onwards. "We gotta get outta here. Now." Cerise shook her head, distracted by Thanath, and told the old lady, "No, ma'am and we're not lost either." She looked at Thanath and Mara. "What should we do now?" "We gotta get. This part of town ain't good for outsiders, and we're all outsiders now." Mara's voice was lower than it had been previously, almost as if she were afraid someone would overhear. "I know a way to a gate. We'll be safer out there than in here, I wager." "Sounds good to me" Thanath said. "Lead the way. I actually don't know this city. Rudolph and I will follow." The cleric notes there were more City Watch peddling through, racing to the Virgin's Square. >Thanat, Mara, Fern, and Rudolph head to the Rivergate.