Okay, let's touch base on this one real quick. You have 10k in gold, Surraruthru's silk items and a command from Baleruk to make money. You're going to rustle around the rest of Aurora first for more fuel for the fires?
That is the current plan. We will go door-to-door if we have to!
By chance, you start with Filbrez. Starting with shops makes sense, right? He's running his shop, Bubbles there and looking around, studying a ring on display. "Oh, a shop?" Filbrez asks, perking up, "You're opening up a shop?"
"Yep yep!" Calleigh cheers as various objects are lifted telekinetically and examined by Tryll's unseen presence, then carefully placed back where the were. Mostly. "We had an idea, so we're trying to set up a trading hub in Brightwater featuring goods crafted by the citizens of the Aurora! We got a loan from Baleruk and everything!"
"You got a loan from Baleruk? That dragon counts the last copper!" Filbrez claps his hands together, "What will you be specializing in?"
"Uh...specializing? Well, we just got some stuff from our new dragon made of phase spider silk! He's pretty good at it!"
"Oh yes, that would be worth something if the silk's good quality," Filbrez says, "I assume your question means you're going to be a general store?"
"Sorta! We were hoping to specialize in goods available here on the Aurora. Tryll had this idea that since the Aurora is essentially a mutable plane with inherent connections to multiple elemental planes through the Worldmeet Glade effect over there," A hand is waved in the general direction of outside, "we could use the place to grow rare herbs and crystals and stuff that can be used to help people and make a steady profit for the Aurora at the same time. Plus, moving livestock. Gate spells can get pretty expensive, but with so many casters in one place, we can move stuff in bulk relatively cheaply. We were also thinking of setting up something similar to a merchant marine force. Heavily-armed guys who run around trading stuff and when it's time to fight they show up and kick in some evil teeth."
"I don't think that's what a merchant marine force is," Filbrez says, checking the items Tryll lifts after they're put down. "I see a lack of shipping."
"Well yeah, sort of. They'd be more soldier than marine."
"Well, the best advice I can give you then is to make good impressions, however you do it. A good first impression keeps doors open and opportunities knocking." Filbrez says.
"That's good advice! I always try to make a good first impression!"
"Second of all, always have enough gold on hand to buy useful things. Sometimes customers have looting that you want, but you have to be able to afford it." Filbrez says. "That can be a great boon to your inventory."
"Ohh, yes, that's good advice too!" Calleigh nods, attentive. "People wanting things is the whole reason we're doing this."
"Yes. Third, learn what you shouldn't take or buy. If something's obviously stolen from the local powers that be, don't take it. Don't be afraid to say no if you have concerns and it's not worth the risk." Filbrez stops there and lowers his voice, "Now a good sale is a good sale, but pissing off someone in Brightwater will cost you more. Applies anywhere you go for whomever's running the show."
Calleigh nod-nods. "We can usually catch thieves cause Tryll can read minds."
"See? That's a great advantage. Use it! Mind reading is a tried and true secret to getting ahead in sales. You can figure out so much and know if a customer's worth working on or a lost cause. You save so much money in the long run with it. Just don't listen to those who think it's bad form, or use it on anyone who looks smart enough to figure it out."
"Yeah!" Calleigh cheers, "Mind reading is awesome! As long as you don't use it for bad stuff anyway."
"Exactly," Filbrez says, "Making a profit's almost always good, too."
"Wait, almost always?" Calleigh looks confused, "I thought that was the whole point!"
"Well yes, but you can make a lot of money in Baator off slave trading," Filbrez, "But that doesn't make it a good idea. Some profits aren't worth it is what I'm saying, understand your limits."
"Slaves!? Ew! No! We're not gonna do that! And who trades slaves in Brightwater!?" Calleigh narrows her eyes, "Are there slave traders in Brightwater?"
"No, but it illustrates the point I'm making," Filbrez huffs, "Do you understand?"
"I do!"
"Now then," Filbrez claps his hands together, "You're ready to go out there, stock your shop and make some money. But before you go, are you interested in a good luck charm?" He goes to a shelf and comes back with a gold four leaf clover, "This bit of jewelry was made by a follower of Tymora to ward off Beshaba's influence. It's not enchanted, but surely Tymora will smile on you if you wear it. At 150 gold, it's a steal."
"Uhhhhmmmmmmm okay! Probably can't hurt, right?"
Post the purchase in loot. You gain one golden four leaf clover.
"Excellent, thank you," Filbrez says, waving. "Good luck!"
From here you talk about. Amid the shops you come on a new figure - Emerelda, a nymph. She's setting up her own shop of strange and new materials and magic, lots of kitsch and curtains as well. Very thematic. "Oh, you're starting a shop as well?" she asks, "I'm all tied up, but I do know someone you can ask who can provide something useful."
"You do? Who!?" Calleigh is rapt.
"Well, I asked your coordination," She snaps her fingers, "The ghostly girl that is not a ghost, I forget her name. She mentioned a woman by the name of Moonlight can make ravages and is looking to start that soon."
"Elena! And Moonlight! Moonlight gives the best hand hugs so far. Very important." Calleigh nods sagely.
"Quite. Now, would you happen to be interested in some rare materials?" Emerald asks, "There's a 30% off sale on boiled topaz right now."
"Nope! Maybe later! Thanks bye!" Calleigh zips off to find Moonlight!
One problem - Moonlight's not here. This leads to talking to Elena, "I'll send her your way as soon as she's back. She's off with Moore chasing something in Limbo. Though she was talking with Cresiel about it, so he may be able to help."
"Ohhh, he's the solar right?? Where's he at??"
"Entry hall," Elena replies, "And he just went into a portal. The memorial now."
"Memorial! Right!" Zoom.
Zoom and zoom on. You find Cresiel there, no one else around. He studies the memorial, Elrisa's image before him. He is silent, arms crossed.
Calleigh is a jarring bundle of joy in an otherwise somber place! "Cresiel! Hiya!"
Cresiel smiles faintly, "Child," he murmurs, "What brings you to this solemn place? It does not suit you."
"We were looking for you! Well we're really looking for Moonlight but! Elena said you were talking about ravages! What's a ravage?"
A slight nod to the courre, "Something you shouldn't worry about." His gaze turns to Tryll, "A courre shouldn't worry about ravages or danger like she does. She is your ward, is her dealing with this acceptable to you?"
'She does as she likes, within reason. She has a mind of her own and is her own person. We are partners, and make considerations for each other in turn.' Tryll replies, 'That being said, we do try to avoid danger unless necessary. We prefer to operate from the shadows, as most mortals have difficulty detecting us. That's the reason we're here. We are attempting to start up a trading post in Brightwater featuring goods from the residents of the Aurora. Emerald mentioned that Moonlight had been working on ravages and we thought she might like us to showcase them for her. Also, she's playing the fool. She knows what ravages are. She's just playing dumb. She likes it.'
"When life is but a game," Cresiel says, "All you can do is play. In any case, I have no objection to them being sold responsibly, but it is not my choice to make."
"Playing games is fun!" Calleigh cheers, "And we're having fun almost all the time!"
'Understood. I don't suppose you could guess how long Moonlight will be?'
'I don't know, but not long, I think. An excursion to Limbo.' Cresiel says.
A moment, then, "Ohhhh, Limbo! Slaads are always fun. Wait. Slaads. Didn't we see a slaad recently? Wait! Renbuu invited us to a...thing. Crud. We forgot! Where in Limbo did Moonlight go?"
"Limbo," Cresiel says, "It matters little when it is all chaos and subject to change at any whim or moment. Why, the rock you stand on can become a viper a moment later."
"I know! Isn't it great!?" Calleigh grins.
"...regardless," Cresiel meets your gaze with a frown, "Moonlight is not here now, so I suggest patience."
Calleigh sighs. "Fiiiiiiiine." And then she perks up! "Hey! So we meant to check up on you anyway! And your aunt says hello!"
Tryll is much more placid. 'Yes, I was concerned for your well-being after we found you in Hades, but I simply hadn't had the chance to see you since. Are you well?'
"Which aunt?" Cresiel smiles nonetheless, "I am well. I endure, I heal and I grow stronger. This is merely a setback and it will pass, like all the ravages of evil."
"Debonah!"
'Good to hear. We are glad to have been able to help.'
"Thank you," Cresiel says, then smiling more, "She was in Brightwater? I've heard she's been busy seeing to affairs elsewhere for centuries. I ran across her on the Infinite Stairway and she was most harried with all the duties she had to fulfill."
"She was nice! Then she was super scary! Then she was super duper nice to make up for how scary she was! Then we went and got candy!" Calleigh nods, clearly remember the candy.
'She was getting a massage at the time, so it's likely she had finished with her pressing duties.'
"That...is her," Cresiel admits, "Good to hear it. We often do not see each other for centuries or millenia with our duties. I rarely linger in the Heavens and Aunt Debonah is forever seeing to her tasks from Sune."
"Oh yeah, I get that. We hung around in Arborea for a while before we went to looking for something more fun. Trees are great, but it gets boring after a while!"
"Trees are remarkably unfulfilling conversationalists," Cresiel says, a hint of a smile showing, one lip twitching upward.
"Oh yeah. Usually all they have to say is 'THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN THE SUN' and it gets really repetitive." Calleigh nods along, then adopting a thoughtful pose, "We did have this one guy who came from...wherever. A druidy guy. Was working on this big, BIG spell. I mean big! He wanted to expand the Speak With Plants spell into something that would let him speak with an entire forest at once! We helped him build a grove for a while. It was fun. Right up until he screwed up the spell. Instead of Speak With Plants, he got Speak With Planet. Which he cast on Arborea. The down side is that I don't think it worked out like he wanted. The upside is that Arborea now has a very druid-shaped tree in the middle of an old grove, which has become very pretty."
"He accidentally touches Arborea? He would have become part of it exactly like that," Cresiel says, "He found his final fate early."
"Yep! The look on his face when he realized what he did right before he turned himself into a tree was pretty funny. He was nice, though. Shame, really. Plus we'll have no idea how that spell would work on a prime, which would have been interesting."
This gets Cresiel to consider, "The Prime varies. It may work differently on some worlds than others. I once visited one that was islands floating above an endless sea of stormclouds. I know many are circular like a planet, but not all are."
"Ohhhh! That would be so NEAT! I bet that plane had all sorts of airships and flying stuff!" Calleigh looks starry-eyed, clasping her hands together, "I wanna go!"
"Flying mounts are common there, and many islands are below or above others, so great stairways have been built between them. The Cloudborn - a sub race of humans touched by the sky and who worship the sun, moon, wind, cloud and sky - craft vast magic carpets that can fly between them. Fola forge canoes that sail through air instead of water, while the great clans of the undersides have found the means to connect their cities through strange portals that only respond to them." Cresiel smiles as he recalls, "Each island or cluster of islands it is own kingdom with different cultures and resources."
"That sounds fun!" Calleigh nod-nod-nods. "We should go visit sometime!"
"You should, it's an amazing land,' Cresiel says.
This one's winding down, so are you doing anything but waiting on Moonlight?
Nope! We'll wait on her!
Okay, probably won't be long so let's wait. Please hold.
You finally catch up to Moonlight. She's just getting back from an outing with Moore, hair tousled and brow sweaty. She's in the entry hall and heading for a portal, glancing your way. "Hm?"
Calleigh is abruptly all up in her face. "Hi!"
Moonlight sighs, slumping, "I'm sweaty and I smell like Limbo. Can this wait twenty minutes?"
"Yep!"
One bath and change of clothes later, you meet Moonlight in her room. She's hung a great big sun tapestry on one wall, golden rays of sunshine coming from the sun in all directions. Moonlight lies on her bed, pillow over her face. "Limbo always leaves me feeling tired, and I can't even get tired anymore. Stupid slaad," Moonlight tilts her head over to you, "So what did you want?
"Slaads can be weird. I like 'em though." Calleigh nods. "We're putting together a caravan!"
"Like a wagons and horses, traveling along the trade routes to make a living caravan?" Moonlight sits up at that, tilting her head to the side, "Why?"
"Sorta? We had this idea to open up some trade across the planes with stuff from the Aurora and Lifasa and the elementals here and stuff and Baleruk liked the idea and then he gave us ten thousand gold to open a shop in Brightwater!" Calleigh says. "And someone said you were gonna make some ravages! So we thought you might want to help out and make some money!"
"Oh, sure thing," Moonlight says, perking up, "I'm pretty good with poisons of all kinds. See, back where I was born, poisonmaking was outlawed and - oh whoops, don't want to dump a big story on you. I'm good to help, though I'd need some start up funds."
"Storytime?!" Calleigh all but vibrates with excitement.
With a smile, "Oh no no, I'm not going to dump a big, boring story on you. That would be mean." Moonlight says, "So how about we talk about funding?"
Calleigh makes a sad, sad noise. Then she perks up, because courre. "We have TEN THOUSAND GOLD that Baleruk gave us!"
"Okay, great," Moonlight nods, "How much product do you want to start with?"
"Well we have some silk clothes from Surrarurar-uhm. Wait." Calleigh thinks. After a moment, "Surru! He has phase spider silk. He made stuff! We also got some advice from Filbrez! And Emerald told us to go find you, but you weren't here so we talked to Cresiel some and he got upset with Tryll that we wanted ravages and that I shouldn't know what ravages are but I totally already know what ravages are and Tryll asked him why he lets me do what I want which is a tiny bit mean cuz I'm a people too and then we talked for a while about his aunt who is a super scary giant naked lady and then we waited for you!"
"Huh, okay." Moonlight says, "So no theme. How much product do you want?"
"How much do you think we'll need?"
"About five thousand gold is a small opening stock and the bare minimum. I'd want twenty thousand if I had it my way and the time to make it all." Moonlight says, "Evil really tends to have the majority of the skilled poison smiths, so ravage smiths are in high demand. I learned in part to make my own, rather than trying to find a good source of them that wasn't booked up for months or years."
"Wow that's a lot! I guess we'll go for the bare minimum? We don't have a lot..."
"Well, that or get more money," Moonlight says, nodding along. "Let's see, golden ice is always a big hit, and I could invest in some celestial..."
"I'm a celestial!" Calleigh says proudly.
"No no, celestial lightblood. Too expensive for this, though. Have to keep it fairly inexpensive," Moonlight says.
Anything else to say to her?
Nope! Let's see if anyone else wants to help out!
You talk around some more. You soon end up with Bubbles, a new nymph recruit. She takes one look at you, "Child," she says, "You're going to sell clothes? Do you even have an idea what's in fashion right now?" You catch her in one of Aurora's hallways, a quiet one by the officer's quarters. She rests one hand on her hip, "Anything at all?"
"Colors?"
Bubbles stops and siiiiiiiighs, "Darling, I've been a professional stylist in the Citadel of Ten Thousand Pearls for quite some time. Clothes sell, everyone needs them. Stylish, well made and presented clothes sell like water in a desert."
"Well we have some clothes from Surru, would that do?"
"It depends on how well they're designed," Bubbles replies, "Dearie, can you show them to me?"
Calleigh pulls a disturbingly large amount of silk out of her very tiny bag!
Bubbles looks it over, "Oh. Oh. Darling, this just won't do. This is competent work for a nobody, but I can tell they don't have any fashion sense. Don't worry, I'll fix it," she says.
"Yay! Okay! How can we help!?"
You're taken into her quarters. There's boxes and chests of personal things all over, no decoration started yet. She shoos you to her desk and goes to a box, taking out a courre sized pillow and thick blanket. "Have a lie down and let me work," she says, "Pay attention to what I do and how I do it, you'll learn something."
Calleigh flops down, mist settling into the pillow. "'kay!"
Make an Int check.
Requesting two rolls. One at +10, one at +3.
[13:19] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+10 int
[13:19] <Rei-chan> Nephrite rolled : 1d20+10 int --> [ 1d20=16 ]{26}
[13:19] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+3 int
[13:19] <Rei-chan> Nephrite rolled : 1d20+3 int --> [ 1d20=1 ]{4}
I mean on the plus side one's pretty good...
Calleigh dozes right off, dreaming of silk and pastries. Mmm, strawberry cream.
Tryll watches. He's not really familiar with it, but he gets the basic gist of it. Make things appealing, stylish and different. Tough to really know what those are, though, at least not without training.
Tryll pays close attention and learns all he can from her, even if she's not teaching him directly. She's clearly absorbed in her craft and skilled, so careful dedication is given. Once Bubbles is finished, Tryll jostles the pillow and awakens Calleigh.
Calleigh stretches and yawns hugely. She blinks blearily at Bubbles, "Good nap! Yummy too! Thanks for the lesson!"
"There you go," she says, handing you back modified clothes. "Those should sell better."
"It's weird that people don't like big splashes of colors. They like...these colors that sort of are orderly and follow a pattern." Calleigh says, flitting about the clothing and examining it as it floats out of Bubbles' hands and into the air. The clothing carefully folds itself and is packed away.
Next move then, courre?
Things we have for my reference
5k gold
Ravages
Dyed & tailored phase spidersilk clothes
Let's get at least one more thing to round this out. Something elemental perhaps?
Sure. Blazing fashions perhaps, or something more inventive?
The infinite diversity of Chaos demands we get something completely different from what we already have! Inventive it is! We'll get blazing fashions next time!
Okay then, where are you going to get it from?
Uh, I was hoping for the elementals. Like I said. Is that not an option?
Oooh, okay, A didn't meet B there in my mind. My bad.
By something elemental, what precisely do you mean?
Well, we've got textiles and poisons, we need something completely different to round it out. Stone carvings, gems, decoratives maybe? Permanent ice sculptures? Frozen flames in pleasing shapes?
This path ends up taking you to Drena. He floats above Aurora, the two of you right by him. "Yes, ice sculptures can be done. Give me a handful of large elementals and someone who can sculpt or work with ice."
"What kinda elementals?" Calleigh asks.
"Water ones, Water and air makes ice," Drena says, a bit slowly, as if talking to a child.
This makes sense, seeing as Calleigh is a perpetual child. "Oh. Yeah, right. But how do I get them up here?"
"That's not the problem, we go down to them," Drena says, "We need someone who can sculpt or who has experience with ice carving."
"I'm sure we have someone! Maybe the tortles? They like water, right? Bubbles might know someone, but she's so new. Elena might know! Maybe." Calleigh ponders.
Elena appears. "Hi! I know Afina does and knows how to, actually. She should be getting back soon."
We'll wait for that then.
"Yay!"
It's barely five minutes before Elena returns. "Oh, look down there," she points to the courtyard, where Afina, Smrgol, Dana and Mei are coming on in. "Go catch up to them."
Calleigh zips away!
Afina's busy getting caught up on things with Smrgol and hearing about the distribution of their loot from the recent escapade. But she notices the smaller fairy approaching and turns with a nod. "Calleigh. Were you looking for any of us?" She knows how it is having to grab people between their traipsing to and fro around here.
"Hi! Drena said you can make ice sculptures! We're gonna use elementals to make sculptures!"
"I prefer working with more permanent materials," she answers, giving the multicoloured crystalline dragon beside her a fond look, "But I suppose some ice carvings could brighten the place up and be on theme for our surroundings."
"No! Drena is gonna help us make permanent sculptures for us to sell for the Aurora!"
"Oh, they're for sale?" Afina asks, re-evaluating the concept. "In that case I'll only make one. Scarcity leads to value, right? Since I mostly create things as gifts for those we want to curry favour with, I don't want to weaken the value of an Afina piece by glutting the market with them."
"Good idea! We can charge more for it and maybe it'll get more people to come check out our other stuff!" Calleigh nods.
"Lets go see Drena and get to work, then?" she says, turning to her recent compatriots. "Smrgol, just go put my share in my quarters? I'll see you all later," she takes flight, fluttering off with Calleigh towards Drena.
Calleigh keeps pace, trailing mist and nattering cheerfully as they go, "This is gonna be so neat! We're gonna have lots of cool stuff to sell and maybe this idea will even work out for once and the shop will be successful and we'll make a bunch of money for everyone and everyone will be happy and then we'll prove we're useful and everyone will go 'YAY!'"
"Have you or Tryll tried running a shop before?" Afina asks the obvious dread-inspired question out of the coure's narration.
"Well, yeah, but we weren't very successful because it was our art and art is hard to sell in Brightwater! Everybody is an art snob and nobody appreciates colors like we do. Well, not nobody. We sold a few pieces. It didn't happen too often though. One every couple of years, I guess. I mean over time it was a lot, but some of the other artists get galleries! We sorta occupied street corners. Whatever. We're gonna do better this time! We got a loan from Baleruk, and advice from Filbrez and Emerald! We've got phase spidersilk clothes from Surrururuthruru and then we got them tailored to current styles by Bubbles and we have some ravages from Moonlight cuz they're pretty rare and everybody wants stuff like that to fight evil guys and now we're gonna get a permanently frozen ice sculpture from you and we'll advertise that it's a super rare item crafted by AFINA DEVILSBANE and everything is from the Aurora and we're gonna make money without having to risk our lives and everything is AWESOME!" Calleigh appears to be physically vibrating with excitement.
Afina listens to the smaller fairy's ramblings patiently until she's done and looks like she might plane-shift through sheer physical force from the extent of her vibrations. "The ravages don't really fit with the theme you've got going," she observes at last. "But I suppose even art connoisseurs can use poison now and then."
"Well, we wanted to put together some stuff that is representative of the Aurora and its residents. The random and chaotic nature of our choices of people to reach out to so far has dictated what we have so far. We're hoping for a bit more diversity from the last couple groups we ask, but we'll see what happens." Calleigh nods, much more calm.
"Hanna can craft things out of stars, but that's a Court of Stars speciality so I don't think she'd put anything up for sale," Afina offers, thinking of the constructive types that haven't been mentioned thus far. She doesn't get into the whole 'They're not real stars' bit that ordinarily such a statement would prompt. Calleigh's from Arborea, she surely knows all about it.
Calleigh nod-nods. "I get that, really special stuff is really special and shouldn't be just easily found in a shop. At this point, we'd take anything and try to sell it. Put a good spin on it, and stuff."
As you chat, Drena gets four large water elementals. He positions on one side of them, "The ice will come out through the other side," he says, "Be ready on the other side."
Casting greater heroism to enhance her skills a little, Afina waits in position to cast a fabricate spell on the ice as it appears. She's thinking a frostwind virago would make a good subject considering the material being used, a coldly beautiful woman rendered in ice and wearing jagged furs.
[17:40] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+41 sculpting check, using fabricate
[17:40] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+41 sculpting check --> [ 1d20=4 ]{45}
Afina draws on her power - it's not her best effort by far, but it's still a statue of great beauty and unnatural skill.
Go ahead and describe it as you please, Afina.
Ordinarily Afina is happy to just make whatever and let the mercurial whims of the moment decide how things turn out. But this is something that's going to go on sale, to spark interest in her work from afar.
"No, this doesn't work at all," she raises a flaming hand and melts the figure into a puddle even before anyone else can get a good look at it. "Try again!"
[17:51] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+41 sculpting check in a perfectionist mood right now
[17:51] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+41 sculpting check in a perfectionist mood right now --> [ 1d20=13 ]{54}
This one is better - one of her better efforts but not the best.
Describe or try again as you care to/have spell slots.
That'll do, and she doesn't want to be here all day.
It comes out as a five foot tall figure atop a rounded base for stability, a woman that perhaps owes a bit to Annalise in figure if not in facial features garbed in thick and jagged furs that nonetheless allow peeks at femininity to be displayed around her legs and cleavage. Her face is soft-featured and pouty but with a striking gaze, framed by wild and long hair that cascades down her back and over her shoulders.
"That'll do," she says, inscribing her name on the base beside a bare-toed foot. "Better protect it against the heat or it won't last long though."
As you talk, Elena appears. "Hi everyone. Afina, Lady Skye and Moore are looking for you for court business. Oooh, I like it," she turns to the statue, and then says, "Afina, could you make one of Galariel and I?"
"I can do that," Afina says, always happy to do what she can to make Elena's life better after they stole her home out from under her and made her be a maid. "I'll get you two to model for me later, so pick out something you want to be immortalised in... more than you already are immortal anyway." Turning to the coure before she departs she adds, "Make sure you get a good price for this, Calleigh!" And with that she flies away!
Calleigh continues in here, Afina to Neph's topic.
"We will!" Calleigh calls, waving. She turns to Drena. "Let's make sure it doesn't melt!"
The statue can be dealt with OOC. So now that this is done, what's your next move on the shopping plan?
Let's go talk to some Lifasans. We've rescued a bunch, and I'm sure we have plenty of skilled craftsmen and noncombatants that either have things to provide or want to help out.
Any sort of goods in particular?
Carvings, jewelry, odds & ends, foods, anything representative of Lifasa.
You can get some of that, sure. It'll cost about 2k in funds to pay for it all and get the ball rolling, though.
Here's a thought I've managed to avoid: How much will the storefront cost?
An exceedingly good question. You'd have to go to Brightwater and find out, or ask someone who is knowledgeable about it.
FILBREZ MIGHT KNOW!
You find Filbrez in his shop, polishing a collection of cut crystal glasses. "Back so soon," he asks, "Do you want to buy something to add to your own stock?"
"Well, we were gonna buy some other stuff but then we realized we're running out of money and we thought it would be a good idea to find out how much it costs to actually open a shop in Brightwater."
"It depends on where you want your shop and how big a shop," Filbrez says, "The choicest streets and biggest places can cost millions of gold coins." Buffing the glasses before putting them aside, he pauses to give you a look. "I know that isn't your budget, so your best bet is a small storefront or a free standing stall. A store costs a few thousand gold and you have to go through registration and ownership. A stall you can rent by the day or the week."
"Oh, that sounds much more do-able! If we're successful, we can open a store in the future!"
"Yes, you'll do fine. Now, did you want to buy anything?" Filbrez gestures about.
"Mmmmm...nope! Not right now! Be back later! Bye!" And she zips away.
Taking that 2kg materials cost there. Heading for Brightwater to secure a stall.
Cool. Make a simple Gather Information check.
<Serith> DarthSquiddius roll for Serith < 40 > [d20=6]
You ask around and get the following options:
A small stall on Prosperity Avenue. It's basic, not a lot of room but the location's top notch. 3,500 gold.
A large stall on the outskirts of Gold Street. It has all the space you could need but the location's middling, plus you're next to a leather-seller that smells a bit funny. 2,800 gold.
A small stall on Riches Lane. Notable for being a tad bigger than the other small stall, plus it's close to a restaurant that smells amazing. 2,000 gold.
A medium stall on the city outskirts. Cheapest but the worst location, not much foot traffic. 500 gold.
Tryll and Calleigh choose option 3.
Okay. Any prep before you set up or shall we move along?
Also, I assume Calleigh is running and Tryll's just helping out?
There's relatively little to do in transportation, unless I've misjudged it all. A Gate spell or Plane Shift would be acceptable. If Plane Shift misses, I can always teleport. Is there something you think I'm missing?
They're working together. Calleigh is the face, Tryll acts as the brain. Unless among allies or interacting with someone who can see him, Tryll rarely communicates with others directly. This is for flavor reasons and because carrying on two conversations at once is taxing on me.
Okay, one thing. Make the following checks for one or both of them as you please: Appraise, Diplomacy and Sense Motive.
<DarthSquiddius> roll 1d20+12 Sense Motive Tryll
<Serith> DarthSquiddius roll for Serith < 19 > [d20=7]
<DarthSquiddius> roll 1d20+5 Sense Motive Calleigh
<Serith> DarthSquiddius roll for Serith < 20 > [d20=15]
<DarthSquiddius> roll 1d20+38 Diplo Tryll
<Serith> DarthSquiddius roll for Serith < 58 > [d20=20]
<DarthSquiddius> roll 1d20+9 Diplo Calleigh
<Serith> DarthSquiddius roll for Serith < 21 > [d20=12]
<DarthSquiddius> roll 1d20+10 Appraise Untrained Tryll
<Serith> DarthSquiddius roll for Serith < 13 > [d20=3]
<DarthSquiddius> roll 1d20+3 Appraise Untrained Calleigh
<Serith> DarthSquiddius roll for Serith < 8 > [d20=5]
Active ability on Tryll: Read Thoughts
To help offset any potential hagglers who think they are too clever.
It starts slow at first - just a few lookers who try to sweet talk you. While you sure don't think anything is wrong, your psionic powers tip you off to being scammed. Some honeyed words and barbs are enough to get them to move on, knowing no easy suckers are here. After an hour or so, a mercane approaches. Robed and jeweled, he claps his hands together, "Oh, I don't think I know this stall. Let's see," he begins to look, "Oh, ravages and artisan....oh my goodness, is that an Afina Devilsbane original? She's one of the rising names in the weapon and armor smithing scene!"
"Yep yep! She made it herself just for this! One of a kind and never to be copied!" Calleigh beams. "Usually she only makes weapons and armor, but she was feeling inspired while working with Drena, great-grandson of Princess Chan and here we have it!"
> roll 1d20+20 Appraise
<Serith> Koaway roll for Serith < 24 > [d20=4]
"My goodness, yes," he says, "How much are you offering it for," He gazes at you, "However did you obtain such a thing, courre?"
"Weeeeelllllllll, we've had a few offers for it, but really they've been very low. Something like this shouldn't just go for cheap! That would miss the point! It's unique! And pretty! She might never make any art for sale again! Unless I ask her. Then she might. She's nice!" Calleigh nods, as if speaking a great truth, "That's how I got it. I asked!"
"It seems authentic, but it's unbelievable that a little courre would be selling such a precious thing here," He considers, "I'm afraid I have to ask for more proof than that."
"Well, you could go ask her. She's on Water, with the Aurora!" Calleigh beams cheekily. "Go ahead! I'll wait! Someone else might buy it before you get back, though, and I'll bet none of them will even accuse me of lying!"
The mercane begins to pace a bit, almost running into people on the busy streets. He stops after that and stares, "What price are offering?"
"Well, there was the Suneite that made me an offer of 35,000...but that was really too low. So," Calleigh says, leaning back against her buzzing wings with her legs crossed in the air, "you're clearly interested in this piece. It's an incredible work, and there really will never be one quite like it in all of Creation ever again. I mean, art can be reproduced and copied, but this? This is made by a master craftswoman secure in their abilities, and tempered by the descendant of an archomental. It's not just a conversation piece, it's the entire party. It'll pull viewers from all the planes, and the owner will be the envy of every true art connoisseur worth their salt."
"You're a mercane, and likely used to dealing with the wealthy. Such interaction can provide a jaded point of view, when gold and jewels just...run together after time and become meaningless. This, however, is beauty beyond jewels, beyond just its glitter. It evokes both winter's chill and the warmth of a well-tended hearth. Her face is both cherubic and alluring, and her gaze is piercing and confident. She is the perfect blend of hot and cold, strength and softness. This is a masterpiece for a man who knows masterpieces, and understands their true worth. This is the centerpiece for your masterpieces. But of course you knew that; because you understand art, and you know who the artist is! So, let me ask you, good sir! How much is it worth...to you?"
I'm going to need a bluff check to measure that degree of bullshittery.
<Serith> DarthSquiddius roll for Serith < 39 > [d20=6]
> roll 1d20+13 Sense Motive
<Serith> Koaway roll for Serith < 23 > [d20=10]
"35,000 is so much," The mercane paces, eyes narrowing. He reaches out, almost touching the statue. "I..."
Calleigh holds up a finger, "No touchy! Not until its yours! It's ice, after all. It'll last forever, as long as you're careful with it, but it's still delicate!"
The mercane goes back and forth, "Will you hold it for me?" he asks, "For a few hours."
"Are you gonna make an offer?" Calleigh cheerily counters.
"I will after a consultation," he says, pacing again, "Will you hold it?"
"Would you?" Calleigh counters.
He smiles broadly, "Of course I would."
> roll 1d20+8
<Serith> Koaway roll for Serith < 9 > [d20=1]
Tryll can read his mind. He's lying his ass off, he'd hold it and then use that hold to pressure another customer into paying more.
With that information relayed to Calleigh, she smiles. "Tell you what, if you can commit to a minimum of 68,000 gold, I'll take a 10% non-refundable deposit and hold it for you until you return."
Make a Diplo check here, since this requires some finesse and you're finessing away.
<Serith> DarthSquiddius roll for Serith < 39 > [d20=1]
"That's outrageous!" The mercane replies, leaning in, "I'll give you a 500 gold deposit to hold it."
"Five hundred! Five hundred gold, so you can come back some hours from now once my customer stream has dwindled for the day and then you lowball me down to something ridiculous? I may be a courre, but I am not stupid!" Calleigh looks appropriately outraged. "What do you take me for, some backwater girl who can't tell a bank note from a maple leaf?"
"Hmph, five hundred gold is reasonable," The mercane says, "No discerning buyer is going to purchase that without taking the appropriate steps to verify its identity. Still, perhaps I could go up to 1,000 gold for a deposit."
Surface thoughts? How on the level is this guy? I get the feeling that his 'expert' will say it's fake to get him a better price. Note: Not probing for thoughts, that'd make things obvious and give away the game. Just sort of reading what's on the surface.
He's mostly miffed that Calleigh isn't going for it. You get the impression he's invested, just doesn't want to give up that much on a maybe.
Calleigh eyeballs the mercane. "I need a time frame for when you'll be back."
"Three hours," he says right away, "That should be enough time."
Calleigh considers, then nods. "Alright, I'll trust you. I can tell that you're interested. Trust but verify, right? 1,000 gold deposit, and I'll give you three hours. Go ahead and get your expert, I'll be here."
With abruptness, she brightens considerably. "Ohhh, yeah! Bring your friends! The silks are the latest fashion, and they're phase spider silk besides! Very luxurious!"
1,000 gold is promptly handed over and the mercane hurries off.
Track the gold here and not in loot, we'll has it all out when it's done. Keep it in a spoiler block like your statblock.
He comes back an hour later, rubbing his hands together, "I think we can talk," he says, "I'm willing to make an offer on it."
Ain't nobody got time for this. I'm assuming Read Thoughts is showing this is not the same guy and some subterfuge?
"I thought you were bringing an expert!"
Read thoughts shows it is still the same mercane. He seems excited and eager.
"I consulted with one," he says, "The signs were good."
Calleigh gives the mercane a skeptical look before shrugging. "So you're ready to make an offer then?"
+10000 Baleruk
-0 Surraruthru's Silk
-5000 Ravages
-150 gold clover
-2000 misc goods from Lifasans
-2000 for the stall
+1000gp down payment
Total: 1850
"Yes," he says, "While the provenance of the statue is established, I feel your initial offer simply isn't realistic. This statue will require magic to prevent it from melting and is one burst of fire away from being a puddle. While this may be an interesting statement on the mutability and passing nature of all things, it is a liability. I'm willing to generously offer 18,000 gold."
"It's already made of ice that doesn't melt, as evidenced by the fact that it hasn't melted in the time you were gone. Do you really think Afina would craft something like this and then just let it melt?" Calleigh helpfully points out. "And most art is fragile. That's a feature, not a liability. Paintings can burn, glass can break. While this won't melt unless you live in a furnace, and even then I'm not sure, if you knock it over it'll probably shatter. Just like any other sculpture. So, I respectfully disagree with your statement. Protecting your investment is a cost of owning art, not one I can accept you offloading on me. 65,000."
"65,000?" The mercane shakes his head, pausing as a rather large human bustles by, carrying heavy sacks bulging with coins. "Well, pardon ME," the mercane mutters and sends a glare at the human's back, before turning back to you, "That number is ruinous. No one could survive paying that much, it's folly. I could see perhaps...25,000?" he offers after some consideration, rubbing his chin. "Yes, there would be money in it for both of us then."
Yuth, if you'd go check and reply in Neph's thread real quick, I'd be grateful. My most current post in there is something about Muirfinn that I can't answer. Thanks.
Calleigh gives the human a look as he passes, "I don't think you're looking at this the right way. This is a work by Afina Devilsbane. She's a general of one of the largest multiplanar movements in an age, since the time of Medi. She is in fact one of the chosen scions of Medi, now in charge of Medicant. She is a warrior, and a societal mover and shaker. Not just an artist. She's a name that will be remembered for her skill and prowess in war and its crafts. To have something like this, which has no application in war, shows that she devoted special time and energy to it. It's more special than some street artist or stuffy gallery squatter. It's one of a kind, and she very well may never make another object for the sole purpose of art ever again. I'm not embellishing, that's the truth. Any time she spends crafting things in some way benefits the Crusade. This is unique in more ways than one. It's less about profit and more about value." Calleigh smirks, "Besides that, it's something a silver dragon would drool over. And having a dragon's envy is a value all of its own."
Gonna need another Bluff check to measure the bullshittery, +3 bonus.
Requesting Bluff roll at +36
[20:01] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+36 Calleigh bluff
[20:01] <Serith> Ebiris roll for Serith < 40 > [d20=4]
"Yes, yes," He considers carefully, "What is the offer you're making, then?"
No counter roll for him, he can't make it.
"Fifty thousand."
"Fifty?!" The mercane gasps, "That's the road to ruin! I would be a pauper living under a bridge! 30,000."
"I mentioned earlier that I had turned down an offer for 35,000? Yeah. I can consider 45,000."
"37,500," The mercane offers back.
"Are you serious? Fifteen hundred over the offer I denied? 43,000."
"Quite serious....but for a courre, I can do a little better," he says, "39,000."
Calleigh favors him with a flat look. "42,500."
"40,000 and not a copper higher," The mercane crosses his arms.
What does Read Thoughts say he's thinking?
He's thinking you'll agree to 40k since that's direction it was going in.
The dice gods have decreed that he is correct.
Calleigh looks put-upon, but nods. "Fine, 40,000."
"Deal," A handshake, as much as you can with the size difference, and coins are taken. The statue's taken away and holy crap you've made a profit! As he goes away, a few humans come up, adventurers from the looks of it. "Say, are those ravages?" they ask.
Was hoping for 50k, but alas. I'll settle for 40.
Instantly cheerful, Calleigh nods. "Yep! Ravages for ravaging evil!"
"We'll take some," One says, as more come over. With the ice broken - perhaps literally - sales begin. A steady trickle, and soon you've largely cleared out your inventory for another 8k. There's a few odds and ends left, but by and large your efforts have borne fruit.
Jesus christ 12% profit on the other stuff? How shit is this economy?
Correct my math if I'm wrong, but you spent 4k total on the other stuff?
Ravages + Lifasan goods is 7k
14k then, you can see the pattern of the math here and where it went horribly wrong.
I was like whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
I'll take that 100% profit though.
Calleigh carefully counts each piece, tiny tongue clenched between teeth in concentration.
It all comes out. The question is now: What does she do with it?
Well obviously she needs to pay back Baleruk, and split the earnings appropriately. After everything is gone or the market closes, Tryll & Calleigh will head back to the Aurora.
+10000 Baleruk
-0 Surraruthru's Silk
-5000 Ravages
-150 gold clover
-2000 misc goods from Lifasans
-2000 for the stall
+1000gp down payment
Subtotal: 1850
+40000 statue
+14000 other sales
Total Take-home: 55,850
Baleruk's Loan: 10000
Moonlight's Cut: 2500
Surraruthru's Cut: 1500
Lifasan's Cut: 1000
Aurora Cut: 25000
Tryll & Calleigh Keep: 15,850
Baleruk wants more than his loan back, just FYI. You're welcome to only give him 10k, but he'll walk to talk you if so.
Updated, then. +10000 Baleruk
-0 Surraruthru's Silk
-5000 Ravages
-150 gold clover
-2000 misc goods from Lifasans
-2000 for the stall
+1000gp down payment
Subtotal: 1850
+40000 statue
+14000 other sales
Total Take-home: 55,850
Baleruk's Loan: 15000
Moonlight's Cut: 2500
Surraruthru's Cut: 1500
Lifasan's Cut: 1000
Aurora Cut: 25000
Tryll & Calleigh Keep: 10,850
Very good. Now what are you going to do now that the shopping's done with.
Bear in mind and event and level up is coming shortly here, so getting too entwined in something away from Aurora may not be advisable.
Calleigh wanted to check out the hot spring/bathhouse thing we have going on.
Okay, we'll cover that tomorrow, assuming events haven't preempted that. They're coming to a head, so if they haven't, well do that tomorrow.
Events are preempting, so locking this. We'll go back to this in a new thread if you aren't involved. There will be some hashing out in nagging of who's going to do what.
Also crosspost your gains in loot, Yuth, including what NPCs are getting so I can tally that all up. Thanks.