Sidestory: Shopping Strikes Back: Return of Shop

[Carthrat]

[17:09] <@Kotono> --
[17:10] <@Kotono> Knight and Kamvakua scour Hardsoil, meandering around and looking for magical arms and armor. In due time they end up in a familiar alley, a man in a tattered black shirt and green pants tossing a pair of dice up and down. He cocks his head as Knight approaches, "Eh? Feel like gamblin' again, lady?"
[17:12] <Knight> "That would depend on what you're willing to wager," she responds, coming to a stop alongside a pile of old crates.
[17:13] <@Kotono> "The big guy for sale?" With a cock of his head at Kamvakua, "Looks like he's worth several normal mercenaries. Got that sorta arm, there's good money for him if he's inclined."
[17:14] <Kamvakua> "No," Kamvakua's tone was especially cold, especially after the not too recent dealings in Nixale. "I'm here to watch, for now."
[17:15] <@Kotono> "'right, right," Turning away from Kamvakua at those chill words, "Fair enough."
[17:17] <Knight> "I'm looking for weapons, as before. This time, it's tools of a heftier construction," states Knight, flexing her clawed palm. "I need a lance and a sword of the right size. Do you have anything that could suit me?"
[17:18] <@Kotono> "Gaawds." With a double-take at Knight's hand, "What the fuck, did you catch becoming Dragon-blooded from an amorous green dragon? I heard those scaly fuckers can pass it on like the clap!"
[17:18] * Kamvakua half quirked his lips.  Back alley places to buy things always seemed a fair bit fishy.  He'd trust an honest smith over anything that was pulled out of this man's stash.
[17:18] <@Kotono> After a split second of gawking, he clears his throat, "Yeah, can get you something. What sorta something? Price range?"
[17:20] <Knight> "What I've got is worth about ten and two thousand alltogether," replies Knight. "A keen rapier- you know how popular those are, and a lance with an average enchantment, as well as my own funds."
[17:20] <Knight> She pauses. "And you'd do well not to speculate on where this claw came from," she adds, with a frown. "I can assure you it's real."
[17:20] <@Kotono> OOC: Make an intimidation check there? I feel it's warranted.
[17:21] <Knight> roll 1d20+7 well, okay <_<
[17:21] * +Hatbot --> "Knight rolls 1d20+7 well, okay <_< and gets 24." [1d20=17]
[17:22] <@Kotono> roll 1d20+9
[17:22] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d20+9 and gets 28." [1d20=19]
[17:22] <@Kotono> "Yeah," Rubbing his chin now, "Come back in a coupla hours and you'll see what we have."
[17:25] <Knight> "I will be here," promises Knight, turning to depart.
[17:27] <Kamvakua> "How are you coming with that arm?" Kamvakua eyed it, finding it a...strange notion to abandon one's on arm for another.  "Is it still twitching on you?"
[17:29] <Knight> "It's a little awkward, but the wide grip gives me a firmer hold," replies Knight, swiping it through the air. "It hasn't twitched at all, actually. I'm still wondering why my original hand was acting that way. Do you think I should burn it, or possibly sanctify it?"
[17:33] <Kamvakua> "Possibly.  ...are you actually still carrying it with you?  I thought you got rid of it."
[17:33] <@Kotono> Coming back a few hours later, the behemoth is there. He looms over even Kamvakua, easily 16 feet tall and draped in a heavy green cloak. He casts his own shadow, face hooded and hidden. He makes no motion, as the dice tossing man nods. "Alright, so let me get this straight? Big weapons, right? Sword and lance?"
[17:34] <Knight> "That is correct," replies Knight, with a nod. "It doesn't matter if they're difficult to handle. There's no weapon I can't use."
[17:35] <Kamvakua> "You should pick up the war pike.  It is a fantastic tool,"  Kamvakua encouraged, patting his ever present walking/death dealing stick.
[17:36] <@Kotono> The dice tossing man nods to the giant, who opens his cloak. Battered armor is worn beneath, and his body and cloak carry weapon after weapon of all types! A dazzling display of them, the dice tossing man gesturing. "First off, see the one here with the rune-writing and the horns on the crossguard?" It's a large longsword, slightly dark-gold colored. Two small horns jut from the crossguard up. "It's called the Sword of the Mighty Thewns. Not o
[17:36] <Knight> "It isn't aerodynamic enough for my needs," explains Knight.
[17:36] <@Kotono> "It's called the Sword of the Mighty Thewns. Not only is it a capable weapon, but dragons? What dragons? Cuts into them like those scales weren't there. Plus, if you're the religious sort, cult of Kord is said to make them. Be on board with him and it's even better. MAkes you fearless."
[17:38] <Kamvakua> "Mmm, aerodynamic..."  Kamvakua pondered that notion.  "I suppose I've never considered throwing it as a particularly necessary action."
[17:39] <Knight> "Interesting," murmurs Knight, peering at the sword. "I hope to avoid combat with dragons for the time being, but... oh, no, not for throwing, the rounded edge of a lance allows it to strike with greater force when wielded from horseback. A pike is simply too heavy and unwieldy."
[17:40] <Knight> "Anyhow, what else do you have on offer?"
[17:41] <@Kotono> Next, the dice tossing man goes to as word. It's carved of one bit of pure golden metal, like gold but shinier. The pommelstone is a radiant sun-carving, gems from deep crimson to a glorious bright yellow dotting the center of the blade from guard to tip. "This is the Sword of Virtue Beyond Reproach. It's blessed and sacred, plus if you're in good with some power named Lathander? You know the mind magic that wizards use? You can ignore it for
[17:41] <@Kotono> You know the mind magic that wizards use? You can ignore it for a little while, or so I hear."
[17:42] <Kamvakua> "Do you follow a god, Knight?"  Kamvakua was drawn by all this discussion of gods and the following of them to recall that he had never inquired such.
[17:43] <Knight> "No, none," replies Knight, a moment later. "Do you suppose I could perform a service to this Lathander in order to secure the use of this weapon?"
[17:44] <@Kotono> "I don't know. I'm not religious." He gestures, "Take the sword and give it a few swings, see how it works for you."
[17:44] <Knight> Knight reaches out to take the weapon, and puts it through a few simple strikes!
[17:45] <Kamvakua> "Where do you come across these anyway?"  Kamvakua asked the question that ought not be asked.
[17:46] <@Kotono> "We have our ways," The dice tossing man says, "Don't worry about it."
[17:47] <@Kotono> Knight swings the blade! She feels unworthy, a shame running up her body. What valor has she done? What wrongs has she righted?
[17:47] <Knight> "I.. I don't like this sword," she replies, passing it back to the gambler.
[17:49] <Kamvakua> "Perhaps something less divine and more functional?" Kam guessed the vibe from Knight's subtle motions.
[17:49] <@Kotono> THe weapon is taken back! The next is a lance, carved with blazing blue comets. "This one, no divine strings. It hits hard and true, and you can summon tiny comets to hit anything you see."
[17:52] <Knight> "I appreciate the multiple functions. As long as I can see it, I can hit it? Even if it's behind me?" asks Knight, nodding along to this weapon.
[17:52] <@Kotono> "If you can see it, yes." The man nods along, "Try it."
[17:52] <@Kotono> The giant is utterly impassive, not moving or reacting at all to any of this.
[17:54] * Kamvakua ponders briefly talking at the giant, but decides to leave the fellow alone.  A quiet giant and a wily talker wasn't so strange to see.
[17:54] <Knight> "I can't see anything I want to hit," notes Knight, but she takes the lance anyway and glances around. "How does it work?"
[17:55] <Kamvakua> "Use the crates maybe?  Or I could block a blow," Kamvakua wasn't so worried provided she wasn't trying to kill him.
[17:55] <@Kotono> "Just concentrate on the comets," The man instructs, stepping away from the crates.
[17:57] <Knight> Knight has to hold the lance in both hands; it's rather bulky- and attempts to focus on comets. Unbidden, her brother's image rises to her mind; Comet, the most impulsive and reckless of all her siblings. A blazing ball of fire that stands as the omen of a challenge to come!
[17:58] <@Kotono> From the lance, three streaking blue comets erupt out at the crates! OOC: Three ranged touch attacks.
[18:00] <Knight> roll 1d20+11
[18:00] <Knight> roll 1d20+11
[18:00] <Knight> roll 1d20+11
[18:00] * +Hatbot --> "Knight rolls 1d20+11 and gets 29." [1d20=18]
[18:00] * +Hatbot --> "Knight rolls 1d20+11 and gets 24." [1d20=13]
[18:00] * +Hatbot --> "Knight rolls 1d20+11 and gets 29." [1d20=18]
[18:00] <@Kotono> roll 3d8
[18:00] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 3d8 and gets 7." [3d8=2, 3, 2]
[18:00] <@Kotono> Wham! Three comets streak out, slamming into the boxes! They crumble under the assault, mostly shattered! Wood goes flying!
[18:01] <@Kotono> "You can use them faster and superfast, but you'll feel it for days after," the dice tossing man adds. "See? Great weapon, isn't it?"
[18:02] <Knight> "How often can I fire the bolts?" asks Knight, pursing her lips.
[18:04] <Kamvakua> "Not bad.  Mmm, You really have a different philosophy," Kamvakua mused. "A weapon for every situation, rather than fluidly seeking to be able to address any situation effectively.  Variety over focus."
[18:04] <@Kotono> "Three times per day," The man answers again.
[18:09] <Knight> "I don't think that's it. If I found the perfect weapon, I would take it. I don't have the girth necessary to exploit the advantages of the warpike," replies Knight, leaning the lance against the wall and nodding to the man. "Please, continue."
[18:10] <@Kotono> The next is a long lance, made of what looks to be pitted iron. "See this here? It's a real piece of the Iron Tower! The Iron Tower of Dispater! It's got magic in it's rusty bones! You hit someone with this and they'll be getting all rusty."
[18:10] <Kamvakua> "Oh, I wasn't suggesting that the one that works best for me is the one for you.  Just in general, you carry ...quite the variety.  Preparation for the situation where there is not enough room for a lance, or where the sharp edge of a sword would pierce nothing.  But yes, finding the most suitable weapon to harmonize with...it can be a journey."
[18:11] <Kamvakua> "What about her own equipment?"  He stepped back from such a thing.
[18:12] <@Kotono> "It should be fine," The dice tossing man answers.
[18:12] * Knight reaches out to pick up the lance. "Rusty? It'd damage their armour and weapons? Slow them down?" asks Knight, taking this lance as well and glancing at the tip.
[18:13] <@Kotono> "Right," Nodding along as Knight takes it, she finds it to be strangely light to hold. Thet ip looks very sharp.
[18:14] * Merc is now known as Merc-zzz
[18:18] <Knight> "You seem to have quite the selection," admits Knight, setting this one aside as well. "Do you have any more items worthy of mention? It isn't that I'm dissatisfied, but I would like to be aware of the possibilities."
[18:19] <@Kotono> "That's all for now," The dice tossing man reports, "Two of each. Business is booming all of a sudden...hear there might be some problems."
[18:19] <Kamvakua> "There will be.  Hopefully as few as possible," Kamvakua nodded confirmingly.
[18:20] <Knight> "If you wish to do well, I suggest you seek out weapons potent against the native elementals of this plane," murmurs Knight. "In any case, the swords are no good to me, and I'll have to have one made up. Would you ask the same for either lance?"
[18:21] <@Kotono> "About, yes. 9,000 gold." The man answers, "Which one strikes your fancy, fair maiden?"
[18:23] <Knight> "I'll take the one carved from the Iron Tower," replies Knight, reaching behind her back and flipping over a gleaming rapier. "This should account for most of it, and this shall do for the rest," she notes, fishing out a satchel and counting out a few platinum coins from it.
[18:24] <@Kotono> Thus the goods trade hands! Once taken, the dice tossing man reaches into his cloak. He comes out with a rolled up sheet of paper, keeping it together. "Second time customer. We appreciate it. Here, your mousy friend will be able to use this."
[18:25] <Knight> "I'll see that it is delivered," replies Knight, sketching a bow. "Perhaps we shall meet again this year."
[18:26] <Kamvakua> "Will you two be staying in hardsoil?"  He wondered.
[18:26] <@Kotono> "Probably, we'lls ee you around." The man nods, as the huge giant closes his cloak.
[18:29] * Kamvakua nods. "Good luck, all the same.  Hope you stay.  When times are tough, strong hands are always welcome."