Another Friend

July 25, 2007

Tabra gathered the group after a few months of her doing research. During that time, the group was checking out various cults to see if they had any connection to Figment. After a while, though, Tabra pulled Deuce into another project and so soon it was Reece and Marcus doin the footwork.

Several times, they ran into a warrior named Notch. He was very good at unarmed combat and had a very unassuming appearance. Marcus saw him in the store and Reece saw him around. Then, Tabra had another cult for them to check out and they left for it. Imagine their surprise when they get there and Notch is the only survivor of a group that came here. He is fighting the last of them but not doing well. With Marcus and Reece's help, the last of the cult member's are taken care of. Marcus heals Notch and they find out how good he is. They exchange information and an ally is partially found.

They don't tell Notch everything at first, not knowing much about him. As the next month passes, as they ask him to join them, for they lack fighting support in their group, they get to know him and realize he will be a real asset to the group. So, they eventually tell him that they are trying to stop a dragon and have been researching cults that he has influenced or started over the years.

Tabra has a job for them. They are to go to Iriaebor, the city of a thousand spires, to the magic shops there. Kundron's shop, the Bronze Wand, she has heard has a set of rings made of snakes in a circle and a statue. She wants that and gives them the gold that they will need, telling them the price they should expect. If they find anything else reptile or dragon related, they should check it out. This includes the other shop in town. After that, they are to go to Berdusk and make contact with Jessa at the Jester's Haven. They aren't supposed to do more than perhaps make themselves noticed. Tabra says she is a Harper contact and she doesn't want to spook her.

During this time, Nail is not paying attention at all. He is trying a lot of the foods laid out and telling them it will be gone if they don't come soon. Tabra quizzes them on the details she told them and they get it mostly right. They go to eat, only to find Nail has eaten most of it.

The next morning, outside of Arabel, Nail turns back into his normal form and flies them all there, attempting to scare Notch a little. It works a bit. He lands outside of Iriaebor and turns back into his avariel form to go into the city. He does notice the hippogriffs they are using, though, and decides to walk until he finds out their attitudes towards fliers.

It turns out that Iriaebor is named for the fact that there was no more real estate inside the walls, except to go up, as none wanted to build outside of the walls. So, there are hundreds of towers, some with as many as fourteen floors. The architecture is extremely varied, depending on when it was done and who commissioned it. There are also some areas that don't have more than four floors.

They quickly find the Bronze Wand and ask about the piece. He has it but says he has an offer and the potential of future business. Marcus gets him haggling with the potential for selling him potions that he can then sell here. Although his base price is more than they hoped, they could still afford it. It also happens that he has two other items, a wand and a shield. The wand can detect reptiles and controls small ones. The shield is made from black dragon scales and is acid resistant besides being enchanted for protection as well. They end up haggling for all three.

During this time, Notch was playing the guard and noticed that two men kept coming in and looking at the shop. They didn't seem happy when one of their visits corresponded to when the main piece, the rings and statue, was brought out. He notices them in the street as they head to their rooms. Nail was checking out the other magic shop and getting them rooms. He got them suites, that they had to pay for of course, and had a room full, well half full, of the local food and drink. While there, they realize the men followed them and they decide to ask what is going on.

They confront the men, who say they wish to purchase the pieces. They start with an offer that will give a huge profit to them. They are very reluctant and go talk about it. They think that if they can somehow follow them, maybe even back to the temple it is supposed to open, they might accomplish more. They aren't sure how to manage that. Nail says he has a way, if they can convince them to take some gems as well. They are from his hoard and he will know where they are.

They agree to this and go back out. Marcus talks and convinces them that a gem is needed as an offering at the temple, even though they seemed quite reluctant to take it. The two leave and the others go back. Now, they just have to follow them and also go to Berdusk.

Notes

• Bob started tonight. We took the time to help him with the background and get him and his character involved. The idea was that players get the character together. It's easier on me and gives them a reason to stay together.
• Bob had a good starting character concept and I think his character will work well in the group, plus give me some good ideas for stories around his character.
• Lots of good ideas and role playing. If they had not started the magic shop owner talking, the two were going to come back and kill him. So, that was done well.
• They also saved some lives by selling them the item, instead of it being a fight, which probably would have had collateral damage.