Sapphire:Sessions:20170923
Azzhik has been working most of the day to create a sleep gas.
Shawna drops in for tea with Lady Thire. She mentions Malprin and the fact that there are elves, and members of many other races, enslaved there.
The goblin named Cantron Lee returns to Traders Pride and meets with Brigid Lamood who leads him to Clementina Barons. Ahn-Lee pulls on a discarded tunic to blend in with the workers. Making deductions based on his knowledge of architecture, Ahn-Lee works his way to a secret observation point where he can spy on the meeting room (and is now very familiar with the layout of this level of the building). Noticing a magic item near the peephole, he carefully slides it aside with his knife.
Clementina Barons is making big claims about an unnamed landless baron who supposedly has an "in" with the royals. She mentions the name of her advisor, Nick Acosta. To Ahn-Lee she seems too trusting of Cantron Lee. Perhaps this is one reason for Brigid's claim that Clementina is making risky deals.
At the close of the meeting, Clementina sees Cantron out, telling Brigid to see to the paperwork. Brigid busily makes notes and arranges various papers. Clementina returns and says, "I think it went well." Brigid replies, "Yes, but he left it pretty nebulous. How will you cover all the deals you have going?" Ahn-Lee figures that Brigid hasn't worked up the nerve to dose Clementina with Azzhik's potion. Through the secret ways Ahn-Lee follows the two women to Clementina's office. Clementina gives some final instructions to Brigid. They will meet at a certain tavern for dinner tonight.
There is an unguarded exit through which Ahn-Lee could leave unseen, but it has an iron drop-bar on the inside, so if he departs that way it will be obvious that someone used the door. He finds his way back to an alcove, then walks out, just another worker going off on an errand. He ducks into an alley to change clothes, then writes in his journey book: Okay, Chalker, I'm ready for my money.
Chalker is ushered into the Dolyenan Embassy. He's currently on such good terms with "Freddie" that the ambassador doesn't keep him waiting. Chalker: "I've come to contribute to the Embassy and the Treasury." He gives Frederick 1g for the former and 2g for the latter. Chalker continues, "I have news for the Emperor," and Frederick mentions that he has an audience with the Emperor scheduled within the next several days. Chalker: "Malprin is feeling the effects of its isolation and is preparing to be invaded. Its harbor does not appear well-guarded, but it would be a mistake to think so.... Tell Grandfather I went to Malprin to look around; I did not kill anyone, but I had to injure a few, but that can't be traced back to me."
Chalker: "Do you know Clementina Barons?" Frederick: "I know she is with Traders Pride Association, and she has lately been making the rounds of Ambassador Row, soliciting and taking orders for commodities. I, myself, have not met her yet." Chalker: "You should meet with her, but I don't know if you can take her seriously. I will meet her soon."
Chalker: "I am getting along with Uncle Melcro, so my time in the dungeon will be limited.... If you have business on the sea, check with Master Rory Borealis first." Frederick: "Three of the Peninsular Kingdoms have requested meetings with me: Lavinia, Kell, and Brasin. The name of Dolyena is in high regard with the royal court here."
Chalker suggests that Frederick visit the Elven Quarter. Also, "I need information regarding lizardmen. What I know is flawed, because my new companion is not like that."
Chalker sends a message to Sybonne to dine with him at the Boar's Head, where they are joined by Ahn-Lee, Shawna, and eventually Azzhik.
Ahn-Lee talks about Clementina Barons, a "scam artist" who is herself being taken advantage of by a goblin, Cantron Lee. Clementina is very ambitious, and other merchants have mixed feelings about her. "I might look around her office tonight."
To Shawna, Azzhik says, "Look, I made breakthrough." He slaps a glass vial on the table near Ahn-Lee. Ahn-Lee's alert and his reflexes are razor-keen, but he fails to slap the vial away. The vial breaks open and Ahn-Lee almost instantly falls asleep. Chalker starts trying his usual methods for rousing a sleeper, but before he gets to thumping Ahn-Lee's head on the table, Shawna casts Awaken. Azzhik gives Shawna three vials of sleep gas (which she hands to Chalker), and starts thinking of how to make a "sickness" gas.
Returning to Traders Pride, Ahn-Lee tests the unguarded, barred door. It opens just enough for him to slide a blade through and raise up the bar. Luckily for him, it falls to the floor with a muffled thump rather than a loud clang.
Chalker goes to the Califax tavern where Clementina (CB) and Brigid (BL) are to dine. There he sees the goblin Cantron Lee (CL) with two bodyguards. The goblin has magic potential; is not inherently evil but is ambitious, greedy, shady, and conniving; has mental discipline that enables him to resist mind control; and has a spiritual connection to Mensep. The male bodyguard (BGM) is human and has magic potential; the female bodyguard (BGF) is 1/4 goblin, strong willed, a level 3 mage who worships Cor; her aura is scarred from mental combat.
Chalker falls smoothly into step with Brigid and Clementina as they enter the tavern, and takes a seat at their table (where he can watch BGF). The others are so stunned by his audacity that for a few moments they can only stare at him. "I am Chalker Jackson, Envoy of Dolyena. An associate of mine saved you (indicating BL) from harm. (BL stiffens.) What is it you want to sell to Dolyena?"
CL finds his voice: "This is a business meeting between me and Miss Barons." Chalker: "Then we can conduct my business first." CL: "I have been in Sapphire about a month, and have registered with the Merchants Guild."
Reading CB's aura, Chalker sees that she is greedy and has a strong emotion that he reads as infatuation. Chalker: "So when is the wedding?" CB (taking a deep breath): "I am not engaged." Chalker: "Anyone can look at you and tell you're in love." CB turns her head away, blushing, and glances at a man at another table. This man wears a hooded cloak that obscures his face except for a straggling lock of sandy-brown hair. A brand-new longbow is propped against the wall near him, and his quiver looks to have been deliberately dirtied and scuffed.
CL taps on the table for attention, saying to Chalker, "I insist on concluding my business with Miss Barons." Chalker: "I'm a straightforward person. I do wish you well in your transactions, and I hope they will go in the right direction."
Chalker repeatedly expresses doubt that CL has been in the city a month. "You are not aware of the goblin rebellion? It was only a few weeks ago. You should have been involved. There is a bartender whose name happens to be Bajeeter, but it was a case of mistaken identity." CL: "It could be messy if Lord Bajeeter appeared again."
Chalker: "Lady Barons, when your beau gets up the nerve to ask your father for your hand, let me know so I can honor you. I can be contacted at the Envoy Manor near Old Town." He rises, takes his leave, and walks straight over to the bowman.
Ahn-Lee picks the lock of CB's office. Dismayed at what awaits inside, he scribbles in his journey book: Shawna, do you like reading? Shawna arrives at Traders Pride swiftly, and Ahn-Lee lets her in. She points out that the iron bar on the back door had had a Watchdog spell on it that someone had dispelled earlier in the evening. Inside CB's office, Shawna looks around at the quantities of neatly-arranged books. Then she bends close to a stack of notepaper, the topmost sheet of which bears the impressions of a hastily-written note. Shawna: "She wrote to someone named Nick to say she would be dining tonight at Califax tavern." Ahn-Lee says that Nick is handling some of CB's transactions.
Shawna dispels the Watchdog and Magelock on a large desk drawer. Inside are more papers and ledgers. In summary, CB is working seven complex "deals" which commit most of funds but also some of the trading association's money, as well as leaning heavily on her father's good name and reputation. Some of the forms, in fact, await her father's signature. In Shawna's evaluation, three of the "deals" are particularly shady, and one of those is outright illegal, as it would initiate trade with Moedia in violation of Imperial law.
Ahn-Lee and Shawna look at each other. Neither can figure out any reason why we should get involved with this situation.
Azzhik creates a nausea potion that makes even him violently (and loudly) ill. His bellows attract a knock at his door, where a concerned kid timidly asks if he's all right. Azzhik offers the kid a taste of the potion; the kid flinches and backs away. Azzhik grumpily slams the door closed. He overhears the kid saying to someone outside, "I don't know why you wanted me here -- he could eat me!" Azzhik wrenches the door open again and growls, "You all clear out! Don't need guards." A small bunch of young people scatters, and the kid slips into the alley.
Chalker looks over the bowman, who he notes has grayish-blue eyes. The bowman says his name is Tam. Chalker: "I'm trying to stop that woman from doing something stupid." Tam claims to be CB's guard, "but I wasn't sent by her father -- last time old Barons tried that, she almost literally exploded at him." CB lives in a separate house on her family's estate. Tam: "I think it would be dangerous for you to talk to her." Chalker: "I'm going to ask a friend to come here."
(Ahn-Lee has heard the name 'Tam' associated with a Protector of Lives who is an expert bowman and swordsman, and very hard to kill.)
There's yet another knock at Azzhik's door. A foppishly-dressed human stands there grinning hugely. "I might have a contract for you," the dandy says, holding out two silver pieces. "Call me Jacob. ... I forgot how much fun it is to deal with lizardmen... Head in that direction [he gestures with a toss of his head] and let Roo guide you." Azzhik gathers up a large sample of his potions and trudges angrily in the indicated direction.
Shawna: "There's a mage moving about on the floor above us." Ahn-Lee: "That's where the five main guys of Traders Pride have their offices." They go upstairs; Shawna indicates that a particular door, which Ahn-Lee tells her leads to Prin Barons' office, has a Watchdog spell on the floor in front of it. Inside they see a tall man in a hooded black robe, a Blur spell obscuring his face. He is using a magic device to make copies of every document he can find, and packing them neatly into a seemingly bottomless satchel. As the man closes up the satchel, Shawna knocks him out. When the Blur fades, she identifies him as Ren Peret, who is registered with the Mage Guild as a master of Communication and seven other magical colleges. A quick look through the satchel shows that he has copied everything in the five offices. The manastones set into the satchel are all drained.
Shawna flies Ren Peret to the imperial prison. She requests that he be held for 48 hours in a mage-safe cell on suspicion of espionage.
Chalker asks Tam, "Have you been paid?" Tam: "It's been taken care of." Chalker: "I don't see any reason to use violence if not necessary. I respect a man who has died and come back." Chalker takes out a silver piece (palming one of the sleep gas vials) and motions to the waitress. He hands the silver to the waitress, remarking, "I don't think that will be enough, but I'll make up the difference later."
Ahn-Lee arrives at Califax just as Azzhik comes trudging up. Azzhik: "Jacob told me to come here. Don't know why." They enter and walk up to the table where Chalker is sitting with a man they don't recognize. Chalker is somewhat dismayed that Shawna isn't with them; "I was going to use 'pretty'." Tam introduces himself: "Some call me Tam Longbow." Chalker: "He's going to be in our way when we have to leave."
Chalker tells Azzhik "Go put that other table to sleep," then slaps the sleep vial on the table in front of Tam. Tam reels and Chalker stuns him with a punch to the chin while Ahn-Lee cuts the string on Tam's longbow. Finding that Tam had held his breath, Chalker pulls his head back into the gas cloud. Ahn-Lee jabs Tam with a sleep needle and Tam goes limp.
Azzhik offers "a drink to success!" The two women hesitate, but CL tells them, "Don't insult the lizardman." The women drink and fall unconscious. The drink has no effect on CL, but Azzhik breaks a sleep gas vial under his nose and the goblin passes out.
Chalker explains the situation to CL's bodyguards. "We're going to leave with the two ladies." FBG, who gives her name as Tonya: "You're not going to threaten Merchant Lee?" Chalker: "He's just in normal sleep." Azzhik: "Why, you feel left out?" Chalker: "If we were going to kill anyone, we'd kill everybody and leave no witnesses." Tonya raises her voice and encourages everyone else to back down. Chalker: "We're not kidnapping, we're saving." Ahn-Lee picks up Tam: "He's coming with us."
Arriving in owl form at Califax, Shawna notices a distortion near the corner of an adjacent building. She drops the shapeshift and enters the tavern. Chalker looks up and says, "Oh, now you come. I was going to distract them with 'pretty'."
Outside, Chalker gives a silver to a waiting cab driver, Travit, and climbs aboard. Travit protests that he had already been hired and is waiting for his fare to finish dinner. Chalker counts out more silver until Travit realizes he can accommodate Chalker's party and still return to pick up his fare.
As the carriage rolls away, Shawna addresses the 'distortion' which turns out to be a concealed halfling, Chon, who quickly admits he was hired by Acosta, who he describes as "human, good-looking, charming, wealthy... He usually meets me either at the Messenger Guild or the Merchants Guild." Acosta had given him a magical signal to use.
Shawna arrives at Chalker's house first and tells Jeeves to expect guests.
Ahn-Lee searches Tam, finding 4g hidden in his clothing. His quiver contains several vials of poison, and two of the arrows have armor-piercing heads. He also finds a silver ring set with rubies, which he turns over to Shawna. Shawna: "Ahn-Lee, I'm so proud of you." Ahn-Lee: "Well, we were just talking about magic."
Shawna summarizes for Chalker what she and Ahn-Lee had found at the trade association -- the shady deals and the illegal trade with Moedia, and the spy copying documents.
Chalker awakens CB. CB: "Oh, Nick Acosta, he's wonderful!... He says the ban on trade with Moedia will be lifted soon... he has inside information from someone in the royal court!... Nick couldn't be wrong!" Chalker: "So that's why you obligated the trade association." CB: "I might have overstepped..." Chalker: "Did Nick say he would marry you?" CB: "It's obvious it will happen!" Chalker: "You have nothing concrete except Nick. Tell me of any time that he's been right?" CB falls silent for a few moments, then says, "He cares for me. He wouldn't hurt me." Chalker: "Would you do business with me if I told 'trust me'?"
CB met Nick in Ordin six months ago. There they were together for two weeks. He moved to Sapphire a month ago. The deals he has been having her make and the assets and knowledge he has been acquiring will give Nick control of the trade association within two to four months. This would hurt a lot of people and cause financial chaos. Even if it all falls through, Acosta could walk away with a lot of money, and CB would take all the blame.
Chalker is about to tell Ahn-Lee to pick up Nick Acosta (who lives in an affluent part of the Merchants' Quarter) when suddenly from outside there is the twang of several longbows, muffled thuds on the outside of the house, and the crackle of flame. Shawna warns that there are four bowmen and four swordsmen in the street in front of the house.
Ahn-Lee opens the front door and Azzhik slings a vial of nausea potion between two bowmen; one doubles over, retching. Chalker steps outside, pulling fire arrows out of his house, spotting two more men in the shadows. Shawna draws her sword and walks out.
Shawna charges the bowmen. Ahn-Lee fast-draws two knives and attacks two swordsmen, hitting S1; S2 parries. S3 charges at Azzhik, swings and misses. Ahn-Lee parries attacks from S1 and S2. A bowman fires at Shawna, missing by a yard. Azzhik pulls out a Berserk potion. Chalker throws a burning arrow at one of the shadowy figures.
Shawna swings and strikes B3 on the arm; he collapses in shock. Chalker throws a burning arrow, striking B4. Azzhik dodges another attack from S3. Ahn-Lee parries S1 and S2, the latter so adroitly that S2 hurts himself. B2 drops his bow and runs away. B1 draws a throwing knife. The two in the shadows (Sh1, Sh2) withdraw, preparing to flee. Azzhik drinks his Berserk potion, instantly grows to 8', and roars. Ahn-Lee stabs S2 twice, injuring him badly.
Ahn-Lee turns and stabs S1, stunning him. Shawna strikes B1 who falls down. Azzhik grabs at S3, who drops his sword and runs. Chalker snatches an arrow from a bowman's quiver and arcs it through the flames (that the bowmen were using to light the arrows) toward Sh1 and Sh2. B4 rips the arrow out of his chest and runs away.
Shawna runs after the two in the shadows. Ahn-Lee kills S1 and strikes S2. S2 swings and Ahn-Lee parries casually. Azzhik, on all fours, chases S3, roaring.
Chalker puts the arrow in the left shadow's (Sh1) lower back; Sh1 stumbles, then faceplants. Ahn-Lee cuts S2's hand and stabs him again in the vitals. Azzhik pounces upon S3, knocking him down and digging his claws into his upper arms; S3 screams.
S2 swings and manages to cut Ahn-Lee. Angered, Ahn-Lee chops off S2's arm, and the stubborn fighter finally collapses. Ahn-Lee restrains himself from stabbing S2 again. Chalker reaches Sh1, who appears to be a bodyguard, and puts out the fire. Shawna catches Sh2, who she figures must be Nick Acosta, and knocks him out.