Zepher Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 Boomingham sucks air through his teeth and shakes his head sadly. "I told you, we had some question to ask Devega, and I'm afraid if you happen to be him, you're going to need to help us out with them. The first one that springs to mind is why you would invest in the same project twice under two different names. Why would you do that, Mr. Swisshopper? I'm asking merely from a business prospective, of course. I want to know if it would be a smart thing to do myself. I'm hoping to one day become an investor. And threatening Gurnam! How does that help a respectable investor like yourself? I apologize, my curiosity is simply running wild." Boomingham grins and taps his fingers against his fingers against the hilt of the King of the Desert. He winces and rubs his head where the Thorny Diadem is. He takes out his flask and takes another long swig. He shakes his head. "Onwards and upwards, forward, forward," Boomingham mutters to himself.
Brickdoctor Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 I whisper to the party, "Did I miss something? It's the obvious answer, but I wasn't aware that we knew for sure that Master Devega was the one who sent the money to Master Gurnam."
Waterbrick Down Posted June 22, 2012 Author Posted June 22, 2012 "Threatening a measly Sharkling who doesn't know the difference between capital and cattle, why in the world would I do that? As to my earlier inquiery and howe you wormed it out of Swifthorn's I can only guess, my intention was to beat the Szalinski to the market, but it appears Slasinski was talking to Swifthorn the day I went in and beat me to the punch it would seem. So I did the next best thing, invest in the gnome, then buy the invention off him later."
Brickdoctor Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 "So, let me make sure I have this correct: You intended to beat Master Szalinski to selling the transmogrifier, but he got to Master Swifthorn first, and you couldn't do it without Master Swifthorn's funds, who I'm told covered more than a third of the expenses? "Do you have any skill in the field of transmogrification?"
Waterbrick Down Posted June 22, 2012 Author Posted June 22, 2012 "Correct. Let's just say, I've got ears for all the new business ventures in the city, I heard Szalinski was onto something big and I wanted to secure the funding for the idea first. You can always hire an expert in something you don't know anything about, but you can't fire a business partner."
Jebediahs Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 En Sabah Nur waved down the rockling in the tricorn. "Might I have a bit of assistance with this cloak? I'd like to try it on." Nur buys a Traveler's Cloak 466-75 = 391 gold. "Do you think you can modify it to appear like my current one?"
Scorpiox Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 "Sir, why do you require an alias such as Devega if you are only concerned with honourable deeds of business? Surely you'd want others to hear of your success? Unless you were engaged in happenings that you would not wish to be attributed to the venerable name of Swisshopper. Say what you know is true Sir." Haldor was beginning to dislike the wealthy man, and the plans he spoke of struck the Nord as backstabbing. But what did he know about the world of trade anyway, he was just a rejected Norseman trying his best to make a difference to the atrocious kind of life that the city-goers put up with. Murder, gangs, all kind of crime and treachery were commonplace. Holder tried to pull Jess closer to him, he wanted to try and speak, but she still stood coldly away.
Sisco Posted June 22, 2012 Posted June 22, 2012 Jess felt Haldor tugging on her, trying to bring her closer. Jess still held firm. She didn't know what she could or would say to him. Jess just wanted a small time to think, and Haldor was rushing her.
Waterbrick Down Posted June 23, 2012 Author Posted June 23, 2012 En Sabah Nur waved down the rockling in the tricorn. "Might I have a bit of assistance with this cloak? I'd like to try it on." Nur buys a Traveler's Cloak 466-75 = 391 gold. "Do you think you can modify it to appear like my current one?" The Rockling grabs a pair of scissors and after makin several gashes in the cloak he returns it to Nur, "There you are sir, spitting image of your old one." "Sir, why do you require an alias such as Devega if you are only concerned with honourable deeds of business? Surely you'd want others to hear of your success? Unless you were engaged in happenings that you would not wish to be attributed to the venerable name of Swisshopper. Say what you know is true Sir." "My good barbarian, you've no idea the trouble it is to keeping one's business decisions and strategies private. You let the name Swisshopper out and people all over know you have the money to finance their exagurent costs. A bolt of fabric is sold for 300 gold to a Rockling down the street, they sell it for 400 here just because it's being sold to the ever wealthy 'Swisshopper'."
Jebediahs Posted June 23, 2012 Posted June 23, 2012 "Thank you for tailoring it." Nur continued his browsing. Swisshopper was scummy but there was nothing to justify striking the man. Nur peered into the back room hoping to find a scene that would give him just enough reason to destroy the place.
Waterbrick Down Posted June 23, 2012 Author Posted June 23, 2012 Nur glances into the back of the storeroom but observes nothing but the foreman walking up and down the tables and every once and a while cracking his whip.
Waterbrick Down Posted June 26, 2012 Author Posted June 26, 2012 A member of the Town watch enters the shop. "I wondered if I would catch up with you folks here. Szalinski is up and about and was actually heading back to his machine. The clerics tried to stop him, but he wouldn't have anything to do with staying in bed. It's getting late, but I'm sure you'll probably want to speak with him, are you all finished here?"
Brickdoctor Posted June 26, 2012 Posted June 26, 2012 "I am finished here. How about the rest of you?"
Jebediahs Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 (edited) Nur frowned and offered a slight snarl with his retort. "Yeah, I suppose I'm done here as well." Edited June 27, 2012 by Jebediahs
Zepher Posted June 28, 2012 Posted June 28, 2012 Boomingham bobbed his head. His eyelids looked heavy. "Onwards, chaps and chappette. We will get to the end of this. Soon. We must."
Waterbrick Down Posted June 30, 2012 Author Posted June 30, 2012 QM Note: I'd really like to make sure Sisco and Scorpiox are done here, but I don't want to hold up the quest too long. An update will be made in 24 hrs. The Party: Bartholomew Docken, Level 21.33 Warden (Brick Doctor) *Party Leader* *Scary* Power: 30 Health: 40/40 Defense: 15 Gold: 26 (50 Gold loaned to Arthur Justus Regulus VII [Flipz]) Inventory: Briar Bow (WP: 9; Wood Elemental), Mockthril Longbow (WP: 5), Mythril Shield (SP: 15), Dread Hat (enemies lower than half of wearer's Level won't attack directly), Bedroll, Mead, Venom, Smoke Bomb, Potions (5), Grand Potion (1), Soma (1), White Marksman's Hat (1/6 Assassination versus Flying Monsters), Lover's Locket (Enamored Immunity) Haldor Skovgaard, Level 17.5 Shaman (Scorpiox) Power: 30, Health: 34/34 Ether: 14/24 Gold: 115 Inventory: Heavy Metal Rod (WP:12), Lesser Ethereal Cloak (SP:+1, +3 Ether), Paper Doll (Hexed immunity) Spike Coller (+1 power), Diamond of Thoric (Light Elemental), Frying Pan (WP:1+1 health), Shovel, Pickaxe, Potion (x2), Remedy, Tonic, Mead, Venom, and a fur-lined Bedroll, Scroll of Blindness, Bear Claw Gloves (WP:7, SP:2, non-upgradable SP), Emerald Lamp of Summoning Jess Islanti, Level 18 Assassin (Sisco) Power: 29 (+2) Health: 29/29(+1) Gold: 189 Inventory: Blohdhurm (WP: 9)(Fire elemental, Permanently Poisoned), Mercutio's Dagger of Mugging (WP:5, Mug Ability +5), 2 Venoms, Mead, 1 Remedy, Sword of the Vampir (WP: 17)(User is Jinxed) Lord Lawrence Boomingham, Level 17 Paladin (Zepher) Power: 28 (+3) Health: 33/33 (-6+2) Ether: 16/17 Gold: 0 (Owes 50 to Jess, 20 to Nur, and 105 to Bartholomew) Inventory: King of the Desert (Longsword) (WP: 9, Fire Darkness), Shaduex Shield (SP: 5), Thorny Diadem (+3 to power, but -6 to maximum health) 3 Potions, Bedroll, 5 Bones, 2 Holy bombs, 2 Meads, 1 Phoenix essence, Pick-axe, 1 Jo-no Tree seed, 1 Venom, 1 Grand Tonic, Emerald Lamp of Summoning, Dress Uniform (User is encouraged for the 1st round of battle) En Sabah Nur, Level 17.5 Sorcerer (Jebediahs) *Lucky* Power: 28 Health: 26/26 (25+1) Ether: 11/21 Gold: 391 Inventory: Stealth Dagger (WP: 12), Helmet (+1 HP), Garnet Gem (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), En, Sabah, Nur (Shurikens 3/3, WP: 5), 3 Potions, 2 Grand Tonics, 2 Phoenix Essence, 2 Remedies, Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Confusion, Sangriste Dagger (WP: 5), Loaded Die (Lucky effect), Frozen Saber (WP: 9, stunned effect, Light), 1 Venom, Traveler's Cloak (SP: 1) Swisshopper stiffens slightly at the mention of the name. "What is your purpose here sir? I have dealt with you honestly and now you lie to me about starting up some tea shop and for what purpose, are you spies of the Temple? Some sort of fanatics for Mercutio, out to ruin me because I have achieved my sucess by my own hard work and not by offerings to your god?
Scorpiox Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 "I know that I'd rather not have to spend much more of my time here, so we should go and see Szalinski. I damn well hope that we can actually uncover some of this, and I hope that what we do today can work to improve this blasted city with all its secrets." Haldor spoke quietly to himself, but just loud enough so that Swisshopper can hear. When I find who did this, I'm going to break their back. And then he turned away, with his head down, and his face a pallid mask. This had to change, the gangs and the crime, the murder and assualt, this all had to change. And if no-one else cared, then he would do it himself piece by filthy piece, as long as it takes.
Sisco Posted June 30, 2012 Posted June 30, 2012 "Yes, I'm ready to go..." Jess's face was downcast as she walked away with the group. She saw Haldor look over at her, but Jess just kept walking, staring at her feet as she exited.
Waterbrick Down Posted July 1, 2012 Author Posted July 1, 2012 The party makes their way back to the Common House. Upon entering they are greeted by Szalinski standing in front of the repaired transmogriphier. "Ah, Haldor my good friend! The town watch said you were looking into the details behind our little explosion we had here." At that moment Belthazar Bluehood shows up. "Szalinski! You are supposed to be recovering still, you should not be straining yourself. I'm sure the heroes and I can straighten out what ever issues might have arisen." Bluehood shoos a grumbling Szalinski out of the room. "Now then heroes, I can see you are the persistent type. As you can see Szalinski is doing fine, why don't we wrap this whole issue up and explain it to the good town watch gaurdsman as it being all due to some mechanical error of some sort? No need in getting everyone's linens all in a wad. Science experiments fail all the time, not everything is due to evil or sabotage of a hole in an ethereal transport hose."
Brickdoctor Posted July 1, 2012 Posted July 1, 2012 "Master Bluehood, it is not our duty to explain the explosion to the Town Watch, as sabotage or otherwise. We were instructed merely to acquire statements from all the investors involved regarding their roles and their opinions of the project."
Scorpiox Posted July 1, 2012 Posted July 1, 2012 Haldor nodded toward Szalinski as he was taken from the room. It gave Haldor new hope to see the man feeling better. But there were still things that ate at his mind. "While that may be Bartholemew, something about all this doesn't seem right. Is there any particular reason that you do not want this labeled as sabotage? What if we have discovered something to convince us that it is?"
Jebediahs Posted July 1, 2012 Posted July 1, 2012 En Sabah Nur folded his arms and turned towards his party. He made no attempt to lower the volume of his voice. "Hmph, he probably wants us to consider it an accident to cover up his own mistakes. How competent can he be? We did find him in the belly of his rug." Nur's eyes narrowed as he turned to face Bluehood. "Unless playing the fool is an elaborate ruse to cover for your evil machinations." The earth mage was clearly grasping at straws but he didn't care. His deduction skills weren't the best but he was beginning to feel agitated. Like his companions he could feel sabotage at work but didn't know who was mastermind. He wanted to be done with this quest as it continually reminded him that he was no detective.
Zepher Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 "Well, this is going to be fun. Alright Bluehood, let's just stop playing this game. You are clearly the person to blame for the machines malfunction. No shock, please. A number of the other investors indicated a suspicion of you, and you're a mage, which already means that you can't be trusted. Now you're trying to prevent us from talking to Szalinski. Come on now, come clean and make this easy on all of us. Onward and upward my good man." Boomingham lowers his voice and addresses Nur. "Also, if I could get my sword back really quickly, that would be superb, my friend."
Waterbrick Down Posted July 2, 2012 Author Posted July 2, 2012 "Szalinski has been a fool, yes we initially began this project for the betterment of all the citizenry of Eubric, but that is as far as he was willing to take it. This machine, this marvel, this world changing mechanization will give birth to a new age. For nearly a century I was spurned by near every mage in the land for my tinkering in bring magic to the common man, nearly a century I spent toiling away at unlocking the secret connection between matter and magic, between that which is earthly and that which was etherial, nearly a century honing my magic for this very day when magic would indeed become might. When the greatest warriors could become the most astute magicians and the most archaic mage would make the world cower at his conversion to the most fear inspiring war lord in the land. This my friends is the beginning of greatness, this is why I needed Gurnam to support the project to keep the appearance of only being interested in the theory and not the end result, this is why I had to keep Szalinski from continuing with the project once he began to have his moral reservations, this is why I needed the machine to malfunction that I might use it for its full potential. Just think my friend, even the poorest and most imbecile barbarian no longer be limited by that vacancy that seems to exist between his ears, even the weakest mage no longer fear that his scrawny build and frail constitution shall limit his ability to have noble influence over men. Will you join me in ushering in this new era, in bringing equality, and limitless access to all the peoples that inhabit this mire of a city? I offer you this, the opportunity to taste the other side. My dear earthen mage, did you not ever wish that your strength equaled that of a mighty barbarian that your foes might quake at your stature and maidens swoon at your galent figure? Or you mighty Paladin, did you never wish to draw closer to the holiness that has guided your every step though you may have resisted its call? Or you oh sleek assassin, have you never wished to smite the pugnacious smiles off of every snob nosed mage with a spell of your own? This is what I offer, do not fear my friends the trumpet of progress!" How shall the Party respond? QM Note: To clarify Bluehood's offer: You are being given the opportunity to permanently raise either your health or ether by a corresponding decrease in a maximum of half of your total health or ether (i.e. Nur could decrease his total health to 13 but increase his total ether to 34, classes without ether can obviously not decrease their current ether, they can however decrease their health in order to increase their either should they choose a different advanced class down the road.)
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