019. "Botany?" "Plant studies, like nature. Flowers, crops, trees, elves."

[Corwin]

[19:11] <Koaway> ------------------------
[19:11] <Koaway>  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?"
[19:13] <Aaeru> "We felt that we were forced to turn the job down," Aaeru responds. "There were several reasons for this, but the one you would probably find important is that he wished for us to bid on a Scepter of the Netherworld on behalf of Jergal just so that Helm's clergy wouldn't have it."
[19:13] <Koaway> "
[19:15] <Koaway> "Aaaah. Fantastic!" Josa takes a moment to rub his temples, "Religious strife and infighting, always a blessed event to take even the hardiest folk to the lowest nadir. Now then, Jergal, Jergal, Jergal. Is that another name for Kelemvor? For I know well of the bitter feud between those two churches."
[19:16] <Aaeru> "He is his faithful servant," Aaeru responds. "I apologize for this. Would you like me to go out and find a new client instead?"
[19:16] * Janson shrugs, ignorant of most deities besides Jannath.
[19:19] <Koaway> Josa crosses his arms, "Yes, yes, this is a bitter corundrum. For while I cannot fault us for getting entangled in such an affair, we are still in need of clients and money. Howfor shall we gather them?" Josa begins to pace, going back and forth, "I daresay we've spread our name well the last few days, but perhaps...mmmm." He snaps his fingers several times, "Ah, as many a barfly would say, the
[19:19] <Koaway> answer is at the bottom of a tankard of ale. Let us take the metaphorical fingers of Whimsical Sweets and place them on the throbbing pulse of the city." After a moment, "In other words, go find out what's going on in the city and the gossip, and see if any of this can lead to us procuring work."
[19:20] <Janson> "I could do with a drink anyway, sure," Janson agrees readily to this plan. "Should we stick together or split up?"
[19:21] <Aaeru> "If we're together, we could attempt to follow through on the job immediately," Aaeru muses. "How about it, then?"
[19:22] <Wayland> "Indeed, I find that there is often idle gossip among drinkers at the average tavern. Most of it should be taken with a grain of salt, though." Wayland says.
[19:22] <Andria> Andrea shrugs. "Sure, why not. That's how we found our Sharran job in the first place, anyhow."
[19:22] <Koaway> "Ah," Sylvie perks up, "A fifth would help too, as well as another pretty girl," With a quick smile at Janson and the others, "How about I go with the four of you?"
[19:23] <Koaway> "Yes, finding out the pulse of the city is a vital tas-" Josa pauses a glance back. He shakes his head, "Sylvie, you're to practice today."
[19:23] <Aaeru> "How about she practices listening to the pulse of the city?"
[19:24] <Janson> "Oh, come on," Janson waves Sylvie over, "You can practice your job-hunting skills, and we might even get into a bar-room brawl for you to keep your punching skills fresh!"
[19:25] <Koaway> "I'll practice with them!" Sylvie hurries over to the others, "Right?"
[19:27] <Aaeru> "There's plenty to practice!" Aaeru affirms.
[19:28] <Janson> "So, then, lets hit up some bars?" Janson offers, hurrying to vacate before Josa can object.
[19:30] <Wayland> Wayland chuckles and waves at Josa as they leave.
[19:34] <Koaway> The Griffon's Eye is dim and paneled in rich, tasteful wood. You slide back into here, the barkeep this time a tall, dark man with a pleasant smile and sparkling eyes. Fire dances in them, faint images. "G'day," he offers to you, "What can I get all of you?"
[19:36] <Janson> "I'll have a mug of the house ale," Janson orders for himself, looking to see what everyone else wants and intending to cover this round.
[19:36] <Wayland> "A water, my man." Wayland nods.
[19:37] <Aaeru> "I'm fine, thank you," Aaeru responds amiably.
[19:37] <Kotono> "Sweet wine," Sylvie orders as she sits down.
[19:37] <Andria> "I'll have an ale as well, please," Andrea says.
[19:41] <Kotono> Drinks are produced and given out. As he does, "Interesting group," the barkeep says as he does, "Little early in the day to be drinking, too."
[19:43] <Andria> "It's never too early, so long as one drinks with moderation, I say," Andrea replies cheerfully as she begins to sip her mug slowly, while looking around the place for potential customers.
[19:44] <Janson> "It's evening somewhere," Janson shrugs easily, passing over a few coins and sipping at his drink. "Anything interesting happen around here?"
[19:48] <Kotono> There's only a few people here. One is a man in heavy cloak and armor, reading a thick tome as he drinks ale. A pair of guardsmen sit in a corner book, drinking and chatting away. "Had some visitors from far away last night. Ever heard of a region called Sanaxt? Me neither."
[19:49] <Aaeru> "Is it really that far away?"
[19:49] <Janson> "Doesn't ring any bells," Janson shakes his head, ignorant in matters of geography.
[19:50] <Andria> "It's not anywhere in the Baronies, I think," Andrea says. "I've certainly never been there or heard of it..."
[19:50] * Wayland shakes his head. "Never heard of it."
[19:51] <Kotono> "Yeah, way far. WAy to the west and north," Waving a hand, "Said he came by magic portals. Crazy if you ask me," The barkeep goes to polish a mug, "Though it's crazy this, crazy that. Interesting folks, but so grim. Met funerals with more verve and joy to them."
[19:53] <Wayland> "Dour men then? did they say what they were in town for?" Wayland asks.
[19:54] <Kotono> "They were going to Seira's temple thataways," He jerks a thumb to the door, "See, I know a few of her type, and most of them are of considerably better moods and tip better, too."
[19:55] <Janson> "Imagine, a portal that could take you to the other side of the world..." Janson marvels. "Think we should ask around that temple later? I'd love to see it."
[19:56] <Andria> "I don't see why not, although we should find a job first, since that is what we set out to do. And I doubt those travelers are looking to hire troubleshooters. I mean, they might, but doubtful, right?"
[19:57] <Kotono> "Looking for work," The barkeep asks now, "Troubleshooting..." He gives them a look, "What's the name of your outfit?"
[19:57] <Wayland> "Whimsical Sweets and Troubleshooting." Wayland snaps off.
[19:57] <Janson> "Yeah, but with that portal we could find work over in Sanaxt as well as here - it'll double our market!" Janson grins eagerly.
[19:59] <Kotono> "Oh!" Raising his eyebrows up, "You're the blokes who went marching with that Princess a few days ago!"
[19:59] <Kotono> At this Sylvie turns red, opting to take a long drink of her wine.
[19:59] * Janson laughs. "It was a gimmick the boss came up with. He wanted a bundle of princesses, but we ended up with just the one so we made her a Queen instead."
[19:59] <Andria> "Yeah, that was us. Did you hear about Janson's performance? He had some good rhymes!" Andrea says with a grin as she nods her head towards Janson.
[20:02] <Kotono> "I thought you all were crazy when I heard," The barkeep grins, "But hell, guess you're serious. So you're looking for information, right? What sort of information?"
[20:02] <Aaeru> "People need help all the time, don't they?" Aaeru asks, shrugging. "We want to provide it, keeping everyone happy. But hey, no relationship advice, right?"
[20:05] <Andria> "Or religious pissing matches! We don't like getting involved in those, unless it's Sharrans or other evildoers," Andrea adds as she sips some more of her mug, which is still not empty.
[20:07] * Wayland nods along with Andrea.
[20:07] <Kotono> The barkeep hums, "Well, let's see. I got a few leads that could help you fellows out. Tell you what, say...1 mark per lead, and 5 marks extra if it leads to a paying job to you guys? A small gratutity for what I hear, you see."
[20:10] <Aaeru> The idea of exchanging money in the pursuit of more money is not an easy one to live with, but the eventual reward would help a great many children in need of charity. Also, while she may not know the financial system that well, the sum the barkeep is asking for doesn't seem to be exuberant. "It sounds like a deal we can make to benefit us both," Aaeru responds to him.
[20:21] <Wayland> Placing a gold coin on the bar and sliding it over to the barkeep, Wayland says, "Sounds like we have a deal. Got anything for us?"
[20:24] <Kotono> The coin is taken, "A trader from Purinn is in town and looking for someone who can get him a living, breathing troll. Hear he'll pay good money for the task being done."
[20:25] <Aaeru> "Considering how hard it is to actually kill a troll, I would say the difficult part here is to avoid dying ourselves?"
[20:27] <Wayland> Wayland blinks. "I'm sorry, a living troll? Why would anyone want one alive?"
[20:27] <Kotono> "Getting it back to town, too," The barkeep agrees, then shrugs, "You know, I asked the same thing. Said a wizard wanted it."
[20:28] * Aaeru nods, since it explains everything.
[20:28] <Wayland> "Oh. Well, that sounds like it has a rather large chance to backfire and kill a lot of people, doesn't it?"
[20:28] <Aaeru> "I suppose if it's a very bad wizard?"
[20:29] <Wayland> "Well, I suppose we could look into it. I'm rather curious as to why they would even -want- a live troll."
[20:30] * Aaeru nods again, before glancing at the barkeep. "You said you had a few leads for us?"
[20:30] <Kotono> Sylvie finishes her wine off, "It sounds dangerous as hell. I know the Crimson Guard deals with trolls sometimes...if you take this, you'll really need a good plan to make it work out."
[20:30] <Andria> "It is somewhat strange. Can you think of any reason for it, Sylvie? You read a lot of books, so maybe you've read about it?"
[20:30] <Kotono> "1 mark per lead," The barkeep says agreeably.
[20:30] <Andria> Andrea offers the next mark.
[20:30] <Kotono> "Oh yes," Sylvie nods, "You all know how they heal from almost any wound but fire or acid? That's just one example."
[20:32] <Wayland> "We would have to find some way to bind the beast, and well. I've heard that they are very strong." Wayland says.
[20:36] <Kotono> The mark is taken! Once gone, "The sahuagin in the docks are offering good gold for the feathers of a roc, no questions asked. Heard there's a big old one living in the Galkass Mountains, or at least that's what was told along with it when I heard about it."
[20:37] <Wayland> "Well, that doesn't sound so bad." Wayland remarks.
[20:37] <Aaeru> The home of the most vile vermin that ever lived! Aaeru shudders despite her best efforts.
[20:39] <Kotono> "That sounds safer than troll hunting," Sylvie opines, and then with a smile, "Um, I sort of spent all my money on books this week. Could any of you let me borrow a few silver for another drink?"
[20:40] * Wayland passes 8 silver Sylvies way.
[20:40] <Kotono> "Thanks, I'll pay you back next week!" Sylvie says as she getsa nother glass of wine.
[20:41] <Wayland> "Don't worry about it." Wayland says. "What do you guys think?"
[20:42] <Aaeru> "Both should be within our abilities!" Aaeru says, shaking off her apprehension. "Is there also a job that doesn't require violence, just to satisfy my curiousity?"
[20:42] <Andria> "We should look for more details on both jobs, but I do think the roc sounds both safer and less likely to cause trouble. Then again, what do I know about roc feathers?" Andrea says with a shrug.
[20:43] <Kotono> "I do," The barkeep says, "I can tell you, for well, you know."
[20:46] <Andria> Andrea plops another coin on the table before finishing off her ale.
[20:53] <Kotono> "A tinkerer over in the New City needs help testing his inventions. He's connected to the Temple of Gond over there and lives nearby. He's offering good money to help out. Of course, you have to agree not to hold him responsible for whatever happens."
[20:53] <Andria> "Can't be that much different than testing out Josa's concoctions," Andrea muses outloud.
[20:56] <Wayland> "And potentially amusing." Wayland says.
[20:57] <Aaeru> "To the people observing the testing, no doubt."
[20:58] <Andria> Andrea nods. "Thanks for the leads, barkeep," she thanks the man, not having a name for him. "If you get any more leads and we're not around, feel free to sell them to our boss, Josa, over at the Whimsical Sweets shop."
[20:59] <Aaeru> "Wouldn't it be more proper to take the time and come visit?" Aaeru asks Andrea.
[20:59] <Kotono> "Sure," The barkeep nods to Andrea. Meanwhile Sylvie sips her second glass of wine, "Choices, choices."
[21:00] <Andria> "Oh, sure, but we're not going to be coming -every- day either, right? That's why I said, if we're not around he can go see Josa," Andrea clarifies.
[21:04] <Aaeru> "Which books did you get?" Aaeru uses the chance to ask Sylvie.
[21:06] <Kotono> "Oh, a few on martial arts, one on botany, an anatomical analysis," Drinking away, "A book of poetry and a book of military history from the last 30 years or so."
[21:07] <Wayland> "Botany?" Wayland asks.
[21:08] <Kotono> "Plant studies, like nature," Sylvie says, "Flowers, crops, trees, elves. That sort of thing."
[21:08] <Aaeru> "Military history?" Aaeru asks almost at the same time, before looking apologetically at Wayland.
[21:08] <Wayland> Wayland smiles back and claps Aaeru on the shoulder.
[21:09] <Kotono> "Oh, tactics are interesting too," Sylvie says, "It has an analysis of the short Baronies-Malmuth war and a long discussion f the Treaty of Valandia, as well as how the actions of a few altered the fates of many in tactics."
[21:09] <Aaeru> "Do you think a war that happened before we were born is still affecting everyone?"
[21:10] <Andria> Andrea blinks. "Elves are plant people? I never knew! I'm surprised they're not green though..." she says, surprised at Sylvie's revelation.
[21:10] <Aaeru> "Why would they be?" Aaeru asks her. "Wayland isn't a sea person."
[21:10] <Wayland> "Elves can do fun and interesting things with plants. The have been doing so for thousands of years."
[21:11] <Wayland> "I'm more of an air person, actually."
[21:13] <Kotono> "Air genasi," Sylvie nods, "And of ourse it is. It's the first battle where a few elites determined the course of the war. Alicia Reynes, Seira Aryn, Demedais, Claris Highsun," Ticking off her fingers as she drinks, "They battled King Ferdi and decided the war, essentially, before the main armies could clash. It's very important to modern theory, since when you have people who can defeat legions
[21:13] <Kotono> by themselves, it can change things. Let alone when things beyond this world get involved. Imagine if an army could control an outsider or two to supplement the marching forces!"
[21:13] <Andria> "Well, I just assumed, since Sylvie mentioned elves as an example of botany. Though I guess it makes more sense you were talking about their botany skill than them being plant people...I did sort of imagine the reason Josa is short was because he doesn't get enough sun and is always in the shop though..."
[21:14] <Kotono> "HAH!" Sylvie snickers aloud, grinning at Andrea, "I like that one!"
[21:16] <Aaeru> "So what were the conclusions?" Aaeru wonders out loud, glancing at Sylvie. "Of that book on war. If a few people can change the outcome, and both sides have it, what happens next?"
[21:18] <Kotono> "There's a few theories..." Sylvie drinks, "That one day armies will be full of super-human warriors who can cast magic and fly at will. Another is that each nation will have Crimson Guard type organizations that will fight each one on one level, while regular armies fight on another." With a shrug, "To be honest, no one really knows. Since Malmuth crumbled, there's not been too many overt wars.
[21:18] <Kotono> There was that thing with the giants int he Barbarian Lands a little while ago, but it didn't last long."
[21:19] <Aaeru> "What was that all about, anyway?"
[21:22] <Kotono> "Some misunderstanding with the giants and a short war. The Crimson Guard was able to stop it before it go tout of hand," Sylvie explains, "Just as well, can you imagine giants marching on the city?"
[21:22] <Wayland> "There's an unppleasant thought." Wayland shakes his head.