Play by Post Thread

[Sierra]

As Lucie's evening of drinking was cut short to give way to a different and unexpected variety of debauchery, Lucie is clearheaded and alert early in the morning when she sets out on her quest for knowledge! Or at least for potentially useful information. She gives the shelves a cursory scan to gauge the quality of merchandise on display before getting too engaged with anything in particular. Not that she truly has a great deal of experience with arcane literature...and she might not actually be able to tell at a superficial glance whether what she's seeing is legitimately respectable material...but at the least she can determine whether the store has anything on subjects she might be interested in. And that's a rather broad field since she has only ideas on where to start and no specific directions.

So! Anything pertaining to medicine and illnesses (natural or otherwise) gets at least a second look. Any sort of compendium of gods or other supernatural beings might be worth browsing. Treatises on the nature of magic, how it works, where it comes from, possible effects on users (Lucie suspects no one genuinely has reliable answers for most of that, but she's casting a broad net today). And of course anything that appears as though it might speculate on immortality is intriguing by default. What was that alchemist's name? Zon Akuma? Yes, she'll keep an eye out for that. She'll bother the shopkeep with further inquiries when she's had a first look around.

[Ebiris]

Henrietta

"Yeah, real sorceresses and real women!" Liamae cheers, starting to laugh throatily. "If those little kids saw you in that same outfit you had on last night they'd have fuel for their wet dreams all year long!" she straightens up and grins, holding her half eaten porridge to the side and letting it drop... only to be caught by an invisible force and carried through to the room it came from, the sounds of washing dishes heard after. "But now that I've seen what you're capable of, don't think I'll let you win easily - I'm gonna buy something even more daring than that!"

Settling back down, she smiles easily. "S'nice, though. Kursk is hard to talk about magic with - he's all about trees and the wind and all that guff. Doesn't really do anythin' for me, though. So how'd you learn the trade, Henrietta?" she squints a moment and adds, "Alright if I call you Henri?"

Lucie

Well at least Lucie can say the books mostly seem to be well bound? They don't look like they're falling apart on a glance. There's a lot of subjects on offer, though - 'Magic: the Fifth Element', 'Who Killed the Gods?', 'The Late Great Planet Aldremir', 'Theurgical Sins', 'Protocols of Draconic Elders', 'For I have Tasted the Fruit', 'Nightmares of Myth', 'Anatomy of the Modern Human/Dwarf/Elf' (these are three seperate books by the same author), 'Magical Diseases and their Treatments', 'Jherlund's Failed Crusade', 'Secrets of Olympus', 'Ends of Aldremir', 'Legendary Alchemy', 'That Which Eternal Lies'... and that's just on one shelf!

[Corwin]

"People call me that quite a bit," Henrietta responds, giving off a little shrug. "It does not particularly bother me." She grins back at Liamae, even though her cheeks darken slightly. "Oh, and that little thing? It felt good to be bad for a night." Henrietta giggles. "I don't think I can stop after just a taste. And you were quite lovely yourself, I noticed!"

At the mention of Kursk, Henrietta looks intrigued. "In a sense, I suppose, well, my magic is somewhat like that. That is to say, it often reaches the same result as that of the nature mages, but we are using different ways to get there, Mother would always say. She taught me, you see, because it is in our blood, literally." She lets her gaze trail over Liamae's form. "Would I presume too much by asking if, perhaps, you also share a diverse heritage that is slightly more than human?"

[Ebiris]

Henrietta

The dark-skinned sorceress shrugs easily to that last question, "Family tree is human from what I've seen, but not like someone couldn't just fake it. For me it's the stars - that's why I like astronomy," she grins toothily, pulling her legs up under her and crossing them, only pushing down her overstretched gown after giving Henrietta an eyeful. She doesn't seem to notice since she keeps on talking, "My spells are like that as well - little flashing starlights all over, tiny fake meteorites... and I can see really well under starlight, too. You're lucky to have had your mother to teach you," she nods, leaning back. "Mom wanted me to be a bard like her, but when you've got this power burning in your blood... can't ignore it, can you?" she shivers and rubs her bare arms.

[Sierra]

Lucie grabs the book on magical diseases instantly, picking up "Legendary Alchemy" (maybe Glenn can use it if it turns out to have nothing for her) and "That Which Eternal Lies..." out of sheer curiosity, then heads to the shopkeep.

"Excuse me," she says, making an unusual effort to be polite (it doesn't do to make a bad first impression with new neighbors, especially potentially useful ones). "I wondered if you could recommend some things for me?"

[Ebiris]

Lucie

"Hmm?" the old man puts his book aside and looks up at Lucie, his wrinkled face dominated by a large hairy nose and bushy white eyebrows. "Don't think I've seen you in here before, Miss. What sort of books you interested in?" he cranes his neck to look at the two she's holding. "Alchemy and the undead, huh? That's not a mix you see every day."

[Sierra]

"I have diverse interests," Lucie says. "Oh, please let me introduce myself. Lucie Dolan. I've just acquired a house down the street, on Frogwallow. Expect you'll be seeing a lot of me."

She raps her fingers on the books before her. "There are specific subjects I'm trying to research. Unusual ailments, possibly with equally unusual cures, and anything related to causes of such. Suspect what I need might be spread about many fields, though. Hence the selection. Is there any one work you can think of that might suit me?"

[Corwin]

"Its call is very strong," Henrietta agrees, feeling just a tiny bit guilty. The tiny bit of excitement helps even things out for her, however.

"In case it is not apparent, my blood is... well, I suppose I can say I have an affinity with plants. It may not sound much in a city, but outdoors that extra boost can be the difference between victory and defeat. I can only hope to master it to such a level my mother displayed, to glide across the ground in dance, nature in full blood around you and responding to your unspoken whims! To truly have so much under your control... ah, but I suppose she did not have that perfect control at my age, either."

She quietens while considering Liamae's description of her spells. "You are studying for offense, should I take it? Bolts of magic, bedazzlement, illumination? I've recently mastered several glamers myself, after expanding my skillset to cover for unexpected holes in my education. Would you like to have someone to practice together with? It has been quite a while for me, and I would be delighted myself, of course, and not just because you are such pleasant company."

[Ebiris]

Henrietta

"Sounds like she's a pretty powerful woman," Liamae nods approvingly at Henrietta's description, snapping her fingers before a set of dark purple robes come floating into the room from another door, lacy black undergarments placed atop them. Standing up she casts another cantrip and starts running her hands over her body and hair, smoothing and cleaning everywhere before she turns her back on Henrietta and takes off her nightgown, leaving her nude until she gets her underwear on, shimmying into her torn robes after and turning around. "Lets find some place we can do some damage, then?" she flashes a wicked grin at the redhead.

Lucie

"Hmm... I think I have a volume on diseases of the Cimmerian jungles somewhere. Nasty things those, can empty a person right out in days," the shopkeeper hums, standing up with a stiff creak of his back. "Oh, you can call me Bert... lotsa folk use 'Old Bert' but that's no way to respect your elders," he huffs good naturedly. "Other'n that? Hmm... got a few books on curses, lots of them manifest like disease, and are far harder to cure, so that might fit your bill. Lessee..." he goes puttering along the shelves past the counter towards the rear of the shop. "Here we go. Blood Curses of Infamy. Got quite a collection in it, might be what you're after."

[Sierra]

"Both of those will do, thank you," Lucie says. "Also, is there anyone local you can think of that might be considered an expert on such things? Or just anyone with similar interests that might not mind it if you sent me their way. I'd presume you have other customers with unusual areas of expertise, given your merchandise." Lucie gestures to the shadowed stairwell with her free hand. "Is there more stock down there, I wonder?"

[Corwin]

Henrietta stands up, hurriedly returning her hat to its rightful place atop her head and nudging it forward just a bit. "I-- uh-- yes, let's! I can even pull my blows, as they say, so that my spells would not hurt anything or anyone!"

[Ebiris]

Henrietta

Soon enough Henrietta and Liamae end up in a scenic clearing in Sunset Park, away from the bustle of the city and free to cut loose with their arcane mastery - all in good fun, of course. The other sorceress might look a bit more delicate than Henrietta, but she's full of boundless energy and quite capable of giving every bit as good as she gets.

"So hey, you're from Jovar, right Henri?" she asks as the session dies down. "I thought you guys were a lot more reclusive and reserved. What made you come all the way across to Pranneria?"

Lucie

In short order Lucie is provided with a battered and stained copy of 'Savage Plagues' to go with her other books. "Nothin' but overstock down there, the best stuff's what you see," Bert says dismissively, going to stand in front of the stairway. "But well... hmm, you're looking for an expert on magical diseases? I do know someone - problem is he's out of the country right now. Laslo Gagliardi, he's got a manor just out of Salerno, but last I heard he was in Cimmeria right now. You might be able to find out more from his housekeeper. Past that try asking around any priests of Hermes or nature, maybe? Sounds up their alley."

"If those are all the books you're looking for today, that'll be three hundred and eighty gold."

Lucie's books total up to 380gp.

Savage Plagues grants a +2 circumstance bonus to Survival, Knowledge (Nature) and Heal while within the jungles of Cimmeria (or when dealing with anything originating there)

Blood Curses of Infamy grants a +2 circumstance bonus on Knowledge (Arcana) and Knowledge (History) checks relating to curses and famous individuals afflicted by them

Magical Diseases and their Treatments grants a +1 bonus to caster level for the purpose of caster level checks made to affect individuals afflicted by disease.

That Which Eternal Lies grants a +2 circumstance bonus on Knowledge (Religion) checks made to identify undead creatures.

Legendary Alchemy grants a +2 circumstance bonus on Spellcraft or Craft (Alchemy) checks made to identify potions.

In all cases the relevant book must be referred to for 1 minute before making the check.

[Sierra]

Well, Lucie always knew she'd need to circulate with a better class of people in order to find what she needs, and what better proof could there be than today's bill? Clearly she'll have to knock over more assassins' guilds in the future if things keep up like this. At least she'll have plenty of reading material to keep her busy for a while. Being a woman of means who doesn't need to quibble over coppers anymore, Lucie promptly pays Bert, thanks him for his assistance, and leaves with her books. Not all of them may be completely focused on her main topic of inquiry--she's not sure how she would've acquired a disease from another continent, for example--but it's best not to rule anything out and you never know where useful information could turn up. As for the book on the undead, well, the group does seem to have a knack for finding those, doesn't it?

(OOC: So I figure Lucie'll spend a lot of free time reading in the immediate future, but I also want to try and find out more about the names I've heard--Gagliardi, for starters, as well as the ones mentioned in bizarro world. Telvanta, Priestess Janais...I believe I recognized the others, so that'll do. Probably there are some respectable eating/drinking establishments in my neighborhood where one could hang out to pick up gossip. I will go to these places and intermittently read about exotic ailments/put my mighty +1 diplo mod to work. Also possibly K:R to see what I know about Hermes/nature deities?)

[Sierra]

<Lucie> roll 1d20+1 GOSSIP
* Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+1 GOSSIP and gets 4."12 [1d20=3]
<Lucie> Bah.
<Lucie> roll 1d20+8 knowledge of stuff and things.
* Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+8 knowledge of stuff and things. and gets 19."12 [1d20=11]
<Lucie> Well at least I'm competent at something.

[Ebiris]

Lucie

Lucie knows offhand that Hermes is the Olympian guide to the Underworld and messenger of the Gods. He's also the patron of thieves, shepherds, literature, athletes, invention, borders, commerce, and medicine. Given the... diffuse, nature of his portfolio, its likely that any self respecting cleric would at least have some knowledge of medicine, but finding a true expert is a bit less likely.

As for nature worshippers, while most are more concerned with things like seasons and plants and animals, disease is a part of nature and so of interest to those who devote themselves fervently to it. There are two schools, those who seek to study and mediate diseases, ensuring life constantly flourishes, and those who see diseases as an important part of life in themselves, and thus worthy of being propagated in their own right. Naturally the former viewpoint is vastly more common and accepted, but those subscribing to the latter are more likely to be among the truly great experts on the subject.

After dropping off her books at home, Lucie at least has some good fortune - it registers that the dance school just across the street from her house happens to be Mistress Telvanta's Academy of Dance. Asking around local establishments doesn't turn up much of worth beyond the fact that it's an expensive and well regarded school for young budding socialites to attend and polish their skills on the dancefloor. Questions about Gagliardi and Janais are sadly met with blank looks all around.