Act 3 Scene 1: Arrivals and Leavetakings

[TristenC]

[Sorry for delays, things have been pretty bonkers at work and home lately]

Jerry and Merrick take off through the pouring rain towards Lower Skald, eventually making it through the sodden streets to The Stone. By the time the pair enter the magic shop, anything not well protected and exposed to the rain is quite drenched. Behind the counter the shopkeep makes note of their arrival.

Mira leads the others through the more well-cobbled streets of Upper Skald, which are practically deserted due to the rain. Passing the Golden Lute, the atmosphere inside is warm and inviting, but the party trudges past and down a side street. Just at the base of a steeper hill they come to the Broken Wheel. Inside the fire is laid, warming the space, but the patrons seem mostly a glum and grouchy bunch. There is no immediate sign of Erris, but a young man stands behind the bar.

[Chris1234]

"Hello again, shopkeep. Been a while," Jerry greets him with a smile. "I'm Jerry and this is merrick. We weren't this damp last time and I didn't looks so bedraggled. If you recall, I did a bit of unpaid work for you, making pages, and hopefully building up some good will. Well, my spell book is now full and I need another. I'm short on coin, as usual, but can make some pages using your facilities. it could be while you're sleeping if you wish. Anyway, I'm hoping we can cut some sort of deal here. What might we manage?"

[TristenC]

[Sorry, i thought you were intemdimg to go to the Mage shop. But through the magic of imagination we can instantly transported tooo...]

The Papermaker's:
The familiar damp woody scent of the pulp and tang of the chemicals lingers in the shop air. The pair spot
Imer Porteau, a man with thinning blonde hair just past his middle years. He nods in recognition and takes note of their current state. I'm sure i taught you enough to know the pulp need be soaked, but you do not. he says in what is very nearly a joke. I don't normally sell to individuals but I can make an exception for you. I suppose those 'special pages' Germaine from The Stone orders are what you are thinking of?

====
It will take about a week for her to complete that work, since it reduces the cost of a completed spellbook (2500gp) by 50% when making your own paper we can call it 625 less at the papermaker and 625 less at the mage shop(who does book binding).
So the paper cost will be 625, but she can pay by the day as she uses matl.

[Chris1234]

"Yes, indeed, that would be most agreeable. Thank you!" answers Jerry. "Were you interested in any spell by the way?"

***
Outside again, en route to the Mage shop she hold on to Merrick and almost shouts over the driving rain, "I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to pay for all this but spell book i must have! How's your doing by the way?" After listening for his reply, ear held close, she continues, "Any idea what there is to sell? Or how much coin we've gathered and might get for stuff? Anything you want from the mage shop?"

[Jenara]

(Mira would ultimately be heading to the The Old Kartakan Inn...)

Stepping inside she shakes off some of the rain on the porch, giving her hair a quick brush through with her fingers, just in case anyone notices her, one can't be seen to be a mess when a reputation is at stake. She strides to the bar, raise a hand in greeting and smiles.

"Hello, I was looking for Erris.." She asks in her best Harmonian.

[TristenC]

The Papermaker's:
Imer seems confused at first. Spells? They are of no use to me. Paper is my trade, not occult secrets and dabbling in the dark arts.


The Broken Wheel
The man at the bar seems to recognize her and she seems to recall seeing him about before. Erris went to Harmonia. Things have been pretty dead around here. Jiacamo refuses to play, now, and a tavern without music never does well. he mutters glumly.


====
ah, gotcha. sorry i thought you meant the Wheel first

[Jenara]

"Then let me play tonight? I bet I can get some people coming back, if only for tonight anyway." She gives him a smile, "I'm happy to play for tips, and a meal." Hoping he says yes she waits.

[TristenC]

The Broken Wheel:
The man shrugs. If you want to play no one will stop you, and a meal will be provided. For the room, we'll see how the night goes. He seems a little glum.

[Jenara]

"That works for me. How about we sort a few rooms for the night. And we settle up tomorrow? If things go well you give me a discount, if they don't we pay the full price?" She smiles as she pauses. "I want to see a friend and then I'll come back. Elsa.. why don't you wait here? I'm going to try and Bring Sabrina back here. If I can."

[TristenC]

Elsa hesitates. It's so awful out, and i've never been one to turn down a good walk, or leave a friend behind. Are you sure you want to go alone? Cross and Pyros can see our things to our room. she offers

[Jenara]

"I concur with Elsa. I will not allow you to travel alone." Karl having returned from settling Bayard decides, meaning to talk to her in private about the language these people spoke. It was.. different.

"Well then Sir Knight, you have two ladies to escort and possibly three upon our return." Mira Answers realising she wouldn't get away with going alone so easily. Giving Elsa a hug and Karl a kiss on the cheek (which causes him to flush) the trio set out. Karl walks behind allowing the ladies to walk together.

[TristenC]

The Mage shop
Merrick shakes himself from his distracted stare. How much there is to sell? well, we found those red egg-shaped stones at the Ziggurat. I don't recall much more than that but they should fetch a decent price. There was that shop, the Glass Eye in upper Skald where I think Mira said they sold some other things last time.


The Old Kartakan Inn
Mira relents and the Knight and Cleric set out to escort her farther on; the animals and supplies passed off to their companions who seem grateful not to be going out again into the storm. The rain falls heavy in a relentless downpour, muddying any unpaved areas. The steep rise beside the Broken wheel takes them quickly out of the worst of the puddling, but the slick cobbles prove treacherous. A turn northward at the next major intersection leads them to the swaying bridge.

The storm seems to amplify the mist from the cauldron, and the thick damp air swirls with an eerie verve. Oddly enough, the cruel weather seems not to have darkened the spirits of those at the Old Kartakan Inn, for even from a distance the warm glow of its lights can be seen. As the door opens the melodic singing of its patrons spills out; suggesting that perhaps warmth and comfort lie within... but on a night like this it seems unlikely...

[Jenara]

(So apparently the site isn't liked by my firewall... hmmm)

"I hope you all agree with me when I say I'll be glad to get out of this place." She shouts against the weather, fighting it as hard as she can, "Its almost as if someone doesnt want me to go there."

"Indeed, the weather is quite treacherous, had I not seen the things you have, I would question your sanity, but..I am in full agreement. Let us get inside." Karl shields both women with his body as best he can, while he disagreed with the need to go out in this, he was a gentleman, and he would escort the lady as she required.

Reaching the door he pushes it open, allowing the Ladies to enter before him.

[TristenC]

Mira and Enter the cloakroom, where many sodden garments hang on pegs along the wall. The doors beyond lead into the main hallway, and immediately the sounds of locals engaged in fellowship and dining can be detected through the dark stained arch to the left. The aromas of fresh bread, meats and roast tubers fills the hall. A brown curtain fills an archway on the opposite side, leading down to the bar area. To the fore stands the reception area where those seeking lodging can inquire.

[Jenara]

Extracting her cloak MIra rubs down her hair for a moment and pushes the Brown Curtain aside she heads to the bar area, figuring if Sabrina was working she might be serving there, or maybe someone would know, and she could afford the sitting fee.. besides with the smells permeating she was starting to feel a little hungry. She strides forwards with confidence, assessing the room in the same way she would assess an audience.

Karl lightly taps Elsa's arm as Mira strides through like she owned the place, his armor and weapons would, he feared make him look out of place, but he had sworn to protect the Lady.

"She is complicated isnt she? Her confidence seems to be somewhat flexible, less so when she is performing, which I believe she is doing now. And when she was talking to the Barman about singing some songs."