1: Destitute in Esperance (the campaign begins)

[danhem]

Charles checks his belt pouch and finds it missing. His face takes on an even uglier shade of red.

"At least I gave most of my gold to the weapons merchants," he growls. "Perhaps I will introduce these pickpockets to some of their wares."

At the mention of the Temple of the Spider God Charles nose wrinkles. "I've never cared for spiders Quinlan, nor would I trust those that bowed down before them. But if they had gold to offer....? As you can see Floris, we are not men of great wealth. We do have our steel and sorcery however. Perhaps another arrangement can be made in exchange for your information?"

[apeloverage]

Alwyn: "My last four coins! May the Crone turn the water of those bastards' bowels to ice! I vote we hunt them down and demand recompense!"

[burke]

Floris looks alarmed at Charles and Alwyn's talk of revenge.

"I must warn you. As I said, in Esperance thieving is a trade like any other. Be careful not to hurt the youngsters too much, or their keepers might come looking for you. In Esperance you must be watchful of your belongings, or they will soon belong to someone else. Such is the custom here."

"As for the price of my wares. What else of value have you to offer?"

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Drugin reaches into the front of his kilt to double check on his purse, then looks around.

"What, I'm just making sure everything is still there"

"Tis a wile or desperate pickpocket who goes after my valuables"

OOC: I'm sorry I just could not help myself.

[Porkbelly]

Poncho never makes it to the Ruby before the hullabaloo with the pickpockets brings him back to the group.

After casting a longing look back at the nubiles on the balcony, he sighs "Methinks a fishmonger might benefit from a taste of the same medicine to be taking thievery so lightly. Yet here you stand shaking your jangling groin in jest at my companions' misfortune."

Picks fingernail with dagger for a moment, "Come now good man, if thou knowest a place where six armed men may seek employment then speak freely and your jesting may be forgiven."

[burke]

Floris the Fishmonger looks even more alarmed now that the threats are levelled at him.

"Now, now, I already stated I meant no offense. Merely the similarity to my own first experiences in this fair city, incited my hilarity. Grim men of the August Legion often frequent my brothers establishment, perhaps they might offer some employment advice if suitably lubricated. And should that fail, there is always the Arena..."

"As for the price on the cephalopods, I might part with them for 8 golden crowns."

[apeloverage]

Alwyn: "8 crowns? Good gods man, we're not that desperate. I have perfectly serviceable sandwiches right here."

[Hogscape]

Quinlan: "Floris my good man, pay no heed to my over-zealous factotums. I'm sure we can come to some amicable agreement regarding the price of your high-quality wares and your doubtless invaluable information?"

(OCC: Quinlan exercises his near god-like diplomacy skills born of a gigantic CHR totaling no less than 15....)

[burke]

(I made the SR for you Hogscape, you got a total of 24 and rolled a 9, so that's 9 points of experience as well.)

Floris responds to Quinlan's polite haggling:

"Ah, alright good sir. 4 crowns and 5 silver pennies. That's really the best I can offer, old Floris has to eat and drink as well you know?"

[Hogscape]

Quinlan: "Friends I have a crown to put towards this fine fare. Who will join me in making up this most equitable of prices?"

(Quinlan reaches into his now secure pouch and holds a shiny gold coin in his cupped hand - so that the urchins don't see it!)

[ragnorakk]

Verklud, remembering how easy it had been to stow his coin pouch in his boot casts a sideways glance
at Quinlan, and gives an elbow nudge - "The squids look good today, eh?"

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

With a grimace and a shrug Drugan once more rummages in the front of his kilt.

"Here's three gold, might as well spend it before it gets stolen"

[burke]

Seeing the shiny crowns, Floris mood brightens. He quickly wraps up the octopuses in some large leaves and hands them to Quinlan, taking the coins in exchange.

"A few silver pennies should not stand between friends... My brother has a serving wench that can cook those for you, although they are scrumptious raw as well."

"As for the information..."

Floris gives you a conspiratorial look and leans closer over the table, his bodily odor easily outclasses the fish.

"A few of the younger fishermen have been plying the waters on the southern side of the mountains. By that lonely shore stands the high house of Móric the Conjuror. He is a recluse like most sorcerers, but from what I have heard he does not share the evil temperament of most of his kind. The fishermen told me that he would sometimes come to the roof of his tower and wave a greeting to them."

"A week ago these same fishermen told me that the high house now seemed deserted. Being simple fishermen they were of course superstitious, speaking of evil spirits and the like. But the catch has been good in those waters and so they set out again three days ago."

"They should have been back yesterday, but so far none have seen hide nor hair of them, or their boat."

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Drugan fishes one of the baby octopi out of the package and proceeds to devour it raw ( and hopefully live ).

"Hmm, good" he stops for a moment to spit out the beak.

"There wouldn't be a reward for finding these wayward fishermen or their boat would there?"

[danhem]

"Can we walk to this wizards house or will we need to get there by boat? Do you know how far of a walk it would be?"

Charles considers the horrible fiends that may be found in a wizard's abode against the piles or riches and magical trinkets that most certainly were there.

"I think that a deserted wizards estate may provide it's own reward for those daring to enter uninvited Drugan. But perhaps some fisherman may provide us free passage to investigate this mystery?"