018. Maskal of Jergal

[Corwin]

[19:30] <Kotono> The Dancing Dragon is as you remember it. On entering you are directed to the room of one Maskal Buldstein. He opens the door - a short, stumpy man with heavy muscles and thick black, curly hair. He stands aside, "Whimisical Sweets, I presume?"
[19:31] <Aaeru> "At your service, we hope?" Aaeru responds.
[19:31] <Wayland> "Indeed." Wayland nods.
[19:33] <Kotono> It's a nice if unremarkable inn room inside. Maskal wears plain, nondescript clothes and has a heavy mace hanging from his belt. Once the party has come in he closes the door, "So you're also in the troublesolving business?"
[19:34] <Wayland> "Indeed! What is it that we can do for you today?"
[19:35] <Janson> "It's our main business, actually. I just eat the candy, don't have a clue how to make it," Janson agrees cheerfully.
[19:38] <Kotono> Maskal goes to sit down, "I assume you're familiar with Luna Del Stronger?" A moment to wait on nods or other such words of affirmation or otherwise.
[19:38] <Aaeru> "Who isn't?"
[19:39] <Janson> "We got a sword identified there not long ago," Janson nods.
[19:40] <Kotono> "There's a magical item for sale," A small nod back to Janson, "That I'd like to buy. There's obviously complications. First of all, someone else is trying to buy it. Outbidding and sweettalking them into selling it to us is essential. Second of all," He pauses to shake his head, "I can't go by it myself. A few years back I had a regretable..." A long pause, "Disagreement and misunderstanding
[19:40] <Kotono> with that shop over prices and policy. I have a lifetime ban from there, so I can't be involved int his directly, you see. I need people who have good acumen, discretion and can convince them to make the sale to us."
[19:42] <Aaeru> "What is this magical item?" Aaeru asks despite her many apprehensions.
[19:42] <Janson> "And what's your budget?" Janson adds after that.
[19:43] <Andria> "And who else is interested?" Andrea also asks, figuring he'd be more open to answering that question than 'Why were you banned exactly?'.
[19:45] <Kotono> "It's a scepter with the power to hold back the walking dead," He explains, "The Scepter of the Netherworld. I have ab udget of about 15,000 marks and the other interested party is Anton Misacher."
[19:46] <Janson> Not recognising the item in question, Janson follows up with, "What's the list price on that sceptre?" so he has an idea of how much room they have to play with in outbidding the rival.
[19:47] <Andria> Andrea ponders on the name of the other interested party, trying to see if she's heard the name around town before.
[19:48] <Andria> roll d20 knowledge:local for name recognition?
[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Andria rolls d20 knowledge:local for name recognition? and gets 14." [d20=14]
[19:48] <Aaeru> roll 1d20+3 religion for scepter?
[19:48] * Hatbot --> "Aaeru rolls 1d20+3 religion for scepter? and gets 15." [1d20=12]
[19:51] <Wayland> roll 1d20+1 K: R
[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Wayland rolls 1d20+1 K: R and gets 4." [1d20=3]
[19:51] <Andria> roll d20+5 religion for scepter too, if religion's right.
[19:51] * Hatbot --> "Andria rolls d20+5 religion for scepter too, if religion's right. and gets 19." [d20=14]
[19:58] <Kotono> "About 9,000 marks," Maskal replies, "Though if the two of us get into a bidding war it's likely to rise and require much of my budget."
[19:59] <Aaeru> "Is it unique in some way?" Aaeru wonders. "Could a copy not be ordered elsewhere?"
[20:01] <Kotono> "They're not easy to make, assuming I could get one made," Maskal says, "If you must know, there's also value to me in ensuring Anton does not get this specter."
[20:02] <Andria> "Oh? Why is that?" Andrea asks, looking curious.
[20:05] <Kotono> After a moment, "Anton works as a procurer for the Church of the Ever-Vigilant. I would prefer it if Helm's church does not obtain the scepter."
[20:05] <Wayland> Wayland looks confused. "Err...why?"
[20:06] <Janson> "Religious rivalries are tricky," Janson nods understandingly. "Of course a big church like that probably has a huge budget. We're going to need to come up with something good to sneak the sceptre out from under their noses."
[20:07] <Aaeru> "Then you intend to accept the job?" Aaeru asks Janson.
[20:07] <Kotono> "My faith is that of Jergal, Seneshal of the Dead. This scepter has religious signifigance to our faith. To have it in the hands of Helm is a grave miscarriage of justice." So admitting that after a few moments, "If you are not aware, our churches do not get along well. Jergal stands with the true lord of the dead, not this ursurper Helm."
[20:08] <Wayland> "Ahh, I see now." Wayland nods.
[20:08] * Janson starts at Aaeru questioning him, "Ahh... we're not?" he asks, stepping back from her submissively.
[20:09] <Aaeru> "Perhaps we should discuss this amongst ourselves first?" Aaeru proposes, before glancing at Wayland and Andrea. "Is there anything else we need to hear before making our decision?"
[20:10] <Kotono> "That is the truth of it," Maskal says, "...Jergal and Kelemvor have few friends in this city." A longer pause here, "As well asp ayment, you will have my genuine gratitude and friendship should you achieve this task."
[20:11] * Janson has nothing more to say until Aaeru's made her decision, so keeps respectfully quiet.
[20:13] <Andria> "I'm not against helping with bidding against Helm's representative for the scepter, personally, but I don't see what much more we could do past that," Andrea notes. "If you wanted to hire troubleshooters instead of just a proxy, well, there has to be a reason..."
[20:15] <Kotono> After a moment again, "Do not misunderstand, or think I ask for you to commit wrongdoing. However, it may be more than simple words and money are required to obtain this scepter. These matters are seldom straightforward, and the interests that are involved may not submit easily."
[20:18] <Andria> Andrea nods. "Alright, that makes sense..." she says as she looks at the others. She's not against helping, personally, and neither is Janson apparently, though Aaeru seems to have some reservations...
[20:19] <Aaeru> "In that case, would you mind giving us a few minutes to decide?" Aaeru asks of their potential client.
[20:19] <Wayland> "Hmm." Wayland mumbles, thinking.
[20:19] <Kotono> "Go ahead and return when you've made up your mind," Maskal says.
[20:20] * Janson shuffles outside and waits.
[20:20] * Aaeru inclines her head at Maskal and follows Janson outside, intending to move far enough that they won't be overheard by him.
[20:21] <Kotono> The hallway outside is mostly quiet, shut doors and the relative quiet of an inn during the day pervading.
[20:21] <Wayland> "So, what are your thoughts? Aside from sinply not hiring a proxy, I can understand where this man is coming from."
[20:22] <Aaeru> "I have several considerable misgivings about this job," Aaeru says without preamble. "While neither immoral nor illegal, we are required to use deception against honest traders. On a personal note, our primary task is to facilitate the trade of what really amounts to expensive frivolties. And the most serious issue is that we would be taking sides in an apparent religious conflict I don't feel strongly about. Do either of you?"
[20:24] <Janson> "Jergal, Helm, Waukeen, Ilmater, Alicia... they're all the same to me," Janson shrugs. "It's not like we're needing to cheat anyone, we just need to negotiate the best deal we can for our guy. Seems like a good job."
[20:26] * Wayland nods at Janson. "I agree. It sounds like a simple enough job, one where we tend not to get bitten to death."
[20:26] <Aaeru> "This is clearly not what he intends," Aaeru says, shaking her head. "From Maskal's words, he intends to use this purchase as a triumph over Helm's church and clergy. I sincerely doubt it would be kept secret. I am not afraid to draw the animosity of the Church of Helm over a worthy cause, but is this one? Also, I am troubled by his admission of being banned from life from one of the pillars of the city life. There is clearly a story there."
[20:26] <Andria> "Uhm, well, I don't know that I think that it's really decieving traders if we act as proxies. He has difficulty in getting involved, and admitted as much, and as you said, we're not really doing anything illegal," Andrea starts to say, though she's clearly bothered a bit now that Aaeru has presented the situation as somewhat dishonest. "I suppose the main concern is whether we want to get involved in this religious conflict, like you said. I don't know how Helm's church would feel about us interfering now twice in what they'd consider their matters, after Gweonryn..."
[20:28] * Aaeru then shakes her head at Andrea. "And if the seller refuses to go along with the sale without knowing who the item is being sold to, would you lie? Being honest in that situation would make the sale impossible, after all."
[20:30] <Janson> "Just say he'd prefer to remain anonymous?" Janson asks, a bit more willing to speak up now that they're not in front of a stranger. "If he was banned years ago I'm sure it hardly matters now. As far as the shop's concerned, money's money, so who cares where it comes from?"
[20:30] <Andria> "I didn't plan on lying!" Andrea exclaims hotly. "Maybe I didn't think all the details out, but I wasn't going to lie! I suppose we should ask Maskal how bad his situation is that he's banned, but if we're allowed to openly declare that we're his representatives, would you be bothered?"
[20:31] <Aaeru> "It does go fairly against his stated intentions," Aaeru points out.
[20:32] <Wayland> "Yes, I'd like to know what he did to get himself banned." wayland comments.
[20:32] <Andria> "I don't see how. He's stated that he's not able to bid because of his situation with the shop, and that he doesn't wish to see Helm's church get it, but he also stated he didn't wish for us to do any wrongdoing!"
[20:34] <Aaeru> "He said it would take more than simple words and money, that this isn't a straightforward matter, and that he needed people of discretion to make the sell to him, since he himself is banned and unable to be involved." Aaeru shrugs. "I think it's fairly clear what he is alluding to."
[20:35] <Wayland> "What, like to rob them of the scepter? I'll not be doing that!" Wayland objects.
[20:36] <Aaeru> "No. Trick everyone involved into being an unrelated party."
[20:36] * Aaeru coughs. "Everyone involved will find out in time, of course."
[20:39] <Wayland> "The more we talk about this, the less sure I am. After everyone involved figures out what's going on, we'll likely catch the brunt of the ire." Wayland says.
[20:39] <Janson> "If we refuse to take any jobs because we're scared of stepping on people's toes we might as well just go back to the shop right now and put aprons on, because selling sweets is all we'll ever do," Janson argues. "Maybe the shop and Helm will hate us forever and ever just because we had the audacity to get a good deal on some magic stick, or maybe they'll be adults and graciously accept that we
[20:39] <Janson> did a good job as professionals, and consider that we could apply that same skill to their benefit if they hire us first next time."
[20:41] <Aaeru> "I sympathize with Maskal, for what it's worth. If everything is as he told us, the scepter would fit better in his hands. And it is terrible that he and others like him have few friends on account of a war they had no say in. But I don't think that there is merit in getting involved. Our actions have consequences, and I'm not sure Ilmater wishes for those consequences to be me throwing my weight behind Jergal's cause."
[20:42] <Janson> "I'll follow your lead," Janson defers now that he's said his piece, "But just remember that inaction has consequences as well."
[20:42] <Andria> "I...I'm not sure I see this as us being dishonest, still, but Aaeru clearly does. Even if it's not good for our business, I'd rather we were also all in agreement about doing a task," Andrea says with a sigh, apparently deciding to stand down too.
[20:43] <Aaeru> "What if we offered to negotiate directly with the temple of Helm on Maskal's behalf?" Aaeru proposes.
[20:44] <Janson> "What, you mean ask them to buy the sceptre first and then buy it off them?" Janson furrows his brow at such a convoluted plan. "I guess if they go for it it could be cheaper than a bidding war, but do you think they will, if they hate Jergal?"
[20:45] <Aaeru> "Or try to reason with them. Perhaps they can see the difference between opposing Jergal and his ways, and being merciful towards his followers when they approach them properly and openly."
[20:46] <Wayland> Frowning, Wayland nods. "I think that would be better than going in and misleading one more more parties for essentially something that isn't more than bragging rights."
[20:46] <Janson> "How does that get him the sceptre, though?" Janson asks, confused. "I'm not seeing where you're going with this."
[20:47] <Aaeru> "We can ask them to relinquish their claim just the once. Then, unopposed, we can attempt to make the purchase. If the Temple of Helm relents in this, the magic shop might well follow their example in allowing this to go through."
[20:49] <Janson> "Uhh... I don't really like this plan, but..." Janson sighs in defeat, not really wanting to elaborate on his acceptance as being down to inherent cultural bias.
[20:50] <Andria> "I'm not sure that would work, simply because of the rivalries between the two churches. I'd rather we just didn't get involved, as doing things this way is more likely to harm our name as professionals than simply declining the job at all," Andrea says with a frown.
[20:51] <Janson> "That might be better," Janson readily latches onto the liferaft offered by Andrea!
[20:55] <Aaeru> "Then, regrettable as it is, we are in agreement? We will pass on this job?"
[20:56] * Wayland nods.
[20:56] <Andria> Andrea sighs, but nods. "I don't think we can do much for him in this case. At least by declining, we give him time to find someone else that can better help him, hopefully."
[20:56] <Janson> "Better than stringing him along," Janson agrees sadly.
[20:56] <Aaeru> With this understanding achieved, Aaeru returns to Maskal's room, knocking on the door.
[20:57] <Andria> "Yes, I think it would be horribly depressing for him if we accepted and later came back with news that we failed to get the scepter from Helm's church simply because they don't like him," Andrea says.
[20:57] <Kotono> Maskal lets the party back in, "Have you decided," he asks.
[20:57] <Andria> Andrea stays behind Aaeru, and lets her speak.
[21:01] <Aaeru> "I regret this, but we are concerned with the need to take sides in the contest between Jergal and Helm," Aaeru responds. "It is terrible that Jergal has few friends in this city, but bidding on a scepter primarily so that Helm's clergy would not possess it, however, is unlikely to help with that. I wish we could have been counted amongst those few friends, but if the requirement is to join your conflict in such a way, we cannot accept this job."
[21:04] <Kotono> Maskal is silent for a few moments, face going from a moment of hopeful despair to a stolid, accepting mask. He nods once, "Alright then. THen we have no business."
[21:04] * Janson gives Maskal an apologetic look and quickly hurries away from that sad face, unable to bear it.
[21:05] * Aaeru bows, and departs herself.
[21:05] <Andria> Andrea sighs, seeing Maskal's expression, and quickly departs as well. "Well, that didn't make me feel any better. I guess it's back to the shop and telling Josa we had to decline the job..." Andrea says after they've moved some distance away.
[21:06] * Janson sighs miserably in response to Andrea, unable to muster an actual reply.
[21:07] <Aaeru> "Conflicts should be resolved, not perpetuated. That's what I believe," Aaeru states to no one in particular. "But it's alright to make me feel guilty."
[21:07] * Wayland bows to Maskal. "I am sincerely sorry that we cannot take this job. However, I wish you luck in your endeavor." Wayland says as he leaves.
[21:08] <Janson> "We haven't resolved anything, we're just deferring to the sidelines and letting them fight it out... not that it's much of a fight in any case," Janson points out.
[21:09] <Aaeru> "You guys didn't like the plan to try and resolve things...."
[21:10] <Andria> "I didn't feel that it would resolve anything, Aaeru, sorry," Andrea apologizes. "I'm also sorry if I made you feel guilty, I didn't mean to. It was just my sympathy with Maskal's plight made me feel bad about saying no."
[21:10] <Kotono> With that the party returns to Whimsical Sweets and Troubleshooting. Josa awaits upstairs, Sylvie still being lead through practice by Silver. "Well?" He asks, "What of Mr. Buldstein?"