Session 16 - A Lesson in Commerce

    This session began with the party leaving the fortress with carts full of loot they had cleaned out to return to the towns to sell.  Along the way the party tended to their healing and Zanben spent time identifying the scrolls.  There was also some tension between Bl'nx and Kyler about Kyler eating some of the trade food which Bl'nx decided should be returned to the people it was stolen from.     

    After 3 days of traveling through the forest the party came to the town of Crestways.  The first thing Bl'nx did was visit his father.  When he entered the temple he noticed there was another gnome there which was unusual considering it wasn't a sermon being given.  When Bl'nx approached the man he introduced himself as Callarduran Smoothhands and gave Bl'nx a large coin that had Garl Glittergolds face printed on it along with 3 stars printed on it.  The gnome told Bl'nx that Garl was pleased with his work and desired for Bl'nx to have this item.  He further explained that if Bl'nx were ever in a time of need to hold the coin in his pocket and pray to Garl and that Garl would send a servant to aid him.  Bl'nx thanked the man and talked to his father about returning the trade food that had been stolen from the populace.  The party gets their items identified and find out that the magic items they have are as follows: a +1 ring of protection, a ring of climbing, an amulet of natural armour, a scimitar of +1 enchantment (equal to a +1 scimitar) and a +1 one shield

    The main things that got done in Crestways were the selling of a few items that would be useful to the populous, the purchase of a dog which became a gift to Therion (Bl'nx's father), Zanben giving an epic story telling performance as well as speaking at the bard school, Kyler training and Saloch enjoying some R&R in nature before going to Roysail to offload all their stuff.

    A time lapse later the players made it to Roysail.  In Roysail the first thing Bl'nx went to do was have the trade food returned.  He went to the Roysail trading company to discuss the matter and the company told him they could handle it as they had numourous claims reported of stolen goods.  They took down Bl'nx's name and had him fill out some paper work.  The clerk also inquired as to whether or not the party was going to sell any of the loot from their adventure.  The party indicated that this indeed was the case and the clerk told them the shops were prohibited from buying from them due to the nature of the relationships between the shops and their suppliers and that the party would have to rent a market stand from the Roysail trading company.  The party did so for 300 gold and began to set up shop.  Zanben traveled through the city promoting the shop and within 3 days the party had sold everything.  During their stay at the inn Zanben negotiated with several inns to perform and was able to pretty much cover costs for their living expenses.  After selling everything the party decided to do some magic shopping.  Zanben commissioned a cloak of resistance,  Kyler had his armour and shield upgraded to +1 versions of each.

    Bl'nx wanted to purchase an item beyond his means and asked the shop keeper if there was any service the shopkeeper required of him to purchase his item.  The shopkeeper explained he had a friend in a town called Sarilon who had written him explaining that 3 hill giants repeatedly attacked the small town and the townspeople feared that the giants would return to cause havoc in the near future.  The shopkeeper told Bl'nx that if he were able to dispatch the hill giants the shopkeeper would remove 2000 gold from the price of the item.  Bl'nx spoke with the other party members who stated that the challenge seemed too great for them and not wishing to die an early death they all refused.  Bl'nx then went to the adventurers guild to hire an adventurer there.  He offered a contract for 1000 gold + any loot and rewards gained to anyone who would help him on his quest.  The only taker was an elf wizard named Areden as the rest of the adventurers decided it was too much risk for too little money.  When asked of his accomplishments Areden stated he was an esteemed graduate from the Boccob school of magic of Roysail specializing in evocation.  He did not have any prior adventuring experience but was quite skilled in his craft and eager to get his feet wet explaining that he comes from a wealthy family and will surely be resurrected should anything happen to himself.  Bl'nx approaches his friends again asking for their items of protection and gives them 3000 gold as a security deposit.

    Bl'nx and Areden left Roysail, traveling by coach to the town of Sarilon which they can see upon there arrival has many building torn and damaged from the giants.  Bl'nx and Areden sought out the mayor and explained their reasons for being the the town.  The mayor was overjoyed to receive some assistance and explained to the two adventurers that the 3 hill giants had been slight trouble to the town for a while now but were getting greedy in their demands and asking for more and more and the town simply could not afford to pay their ransom.  The mayor explained that the hill gaints have gotten quite old and believes that they are trying one last big raid before retreating and he fear for the lives of his citizens.  When asked where their lair is the mayor explains that it is in the east among the hills though the giants rarely stay there instead roaming the country side bullying weaker creatures.  The easiest way to find them would be to climb the clock tower in the town and look out from there.  Durring the time that Bl'nx and Areden were away, Zanben continued to perform for the people of Roysail and started getting money from shops to advertise their business.  Kyler on the other hand made his way to the elf district and practiced swordplay with anyone who would have him.

    The next day Bl'nx and Areden did just that and after 4 hours of looking they saw the giants off in the distance.  They quickly ran out to face them and upon closer inspection realized the giants weren't in good shape to begin with.  The first giant has long matted hair full of knots, a long scar across his chest and too puncture wounds in his left arm that had a red rash all around them.  The second had a pair of gauntlets on as well as flaking skin all over which he scratched off with his one free hand.  His other hand clutched the great club he held with the determination of a drowning man to a life preserver.  The final giant only wore a pair of pants and a hat and had eyes that appeared cloudy and he required the other giants to assist him in traveling around.  When the giants saw the two adventurers approaching they immediately charged in to fight them.  Bl'nx activated his coin from Garl and a celestial hippogriff made an appearance.  Bl'nx and the hippogriff charged forward while the wizard stayed back firing lightning bolts and magic missiles and other offensive spells at the giants. Through out the fight it was quite clear that Areden was very adept in his ways.  In under two minutes they had dispatched the giants and Areden took all the valuables he wanted leaving the gauntlets for Bl'nx.


    The two went back to the town of Sarilon and a large celebration was held by the town in the two adventurers honor. The next day the mayor wrote a letter of proof that the giants had been slain and gave it to Bl'nx and Areden collected the reward the town had put together.  The two traveled back to Roysail and Bl'nx had his holy symbol enchanted with a strength bonus.  While in the magic shop Bl'nx put on the gauntlets from the giants and realized they were cursed gauntlets of fumbling.  The party now having all the magical items they needed and having settled their adventuring dues with the guild began a return trip to Kelmath to return Flovale to it's rightful owner.  Along the way however they discovered a chest in the middle of the road.  After a careful examination of the chest and the surrounding areas the party opened the chest to reveal a green crystaline rod with a note attached bearing the message "Dear Areden, Here is the item you were inquiring about. I hope it finds you well.  The party decided that this must have fallen of the back of a cart and and opted to return it to the rightful owner.

    When back in Roysail they found Areden at the adventurers guild telling others of his most recent adventure.  The party approached him and returned the item.  When asked what it was for Areden explained that he would soon be taking a trip to a town called Fernmire to sell some items on the magic black market there.  "The town " he stated " is very superstitious of magic and as such it is difficult to impossible for magical practitioners to set up reasonable shops there.  Furthermore I have such a love of magic and it pains me to see fellow casters unable to get the materials they need so I aid them in these endeavors".  The party inquired about the purpose of the rod which Areden explained was to be made into a magical rod of some sort and was just the material component needed.  He asked if the party would accompany him on his journey and they agreed after determining that they could stop at Kelmath along the way and that there would be work for them to do once in the town of Fernmire.  The party left Roysail again and made way to the town of Kelmath.

If in any event you are wondering why Saloch wasn't mentioned more it's because Mike wasn't present at this session and one of my failing as a DM is my inability to play people's characters for them.