Sapphire:Sessions:20150228

Chalker has decided to buy the building and land where the portal was located. That building and the two on either side are owned by Talisman Group, headed by Kristina Odom and Will "Jewel" Blankenship. Taking another look through the building, he learns that the building's first floor was previously a craftsman's shop, the second floor housed several families, and the third floor was probably occupied by the shop owner's family. The explosion that collapsed the third floor happened eight years ago. There are indications that the third floor may have had shrines to some of the "evil" First Chosen. The building to the right is vacant; the other building shelters a transient population of 50-60 "squatters."

While Rory is away at the Merchants Guild, Trace is studying at the Mage Guild library, and Shawna is visiting friends in the Elven District, Chalker pays a call on Kristina Odom, who lives among the upscale manors of the merchants' quarter. As he passes through a gated fence, Chalker feels that he has been magically scanned. On the second knock, the front door is answered by a butler. Chalker: "I am interested in some property Miss Odom owns in town. I am Ambassador Chalker Jackson." Chalker checks the butler's Aura; he has Magery 3, very strong will, is religious but not devout. The butler says, "I'm sure she will accept your call. She is in the middle of something else." When the butler closes the door behind them, there is a click and a whir.

The butler leaves Chalker in a richly furnished room. Chalker does't bother looking for the spyholes he knows must be there. A book titled Coppersmith Apprentice Manual catches his eye because its title, stamped on its spine, is written in Venettian. Chalker, having an interest in metalwork, picks up the book and starts to read.

Several minutes later, Kristina Otto sweeps into the room. She presents a gorgeous appearance with dark blonde hair and brown eyes. Glancing at the book in Chalker's hand, she says, "I am surprised that you read Venettian. I have to admit I do not." Chalker explains the purpose of his visit. "We tried to get that building repaired, but the workers we hired claimed there were ghosts there."

Chalker offers 6g for all three buildings; Kristina replies that the land alone should fetch 50g, and the yearly royal taxes amount to 5g per year. She would have to consult with the "executive council" before making any sort of deal. Chalker then offers 15g and says he will do some further research and obtain independent appraisals. He asks her about the scanner at her front gate; after a momentary pause, she replies that it reads a person's intent. Chalker finds that she is shielded against his Aura sight. They engage in some small talk (Chalker learns that Kristina has lived in this house for ten years) before Chalker takes his leave.

Chalker has a late lunch at the Boar's Head, then has the warhorse saddled and rides into Old Town. He approaches the block of three buildings he's interested in buying. A boy named Andy, who says he knows Rory, offers to watch his horse, and Chalker gives him a copper piece.

Chalker walks into the building, and all its occupants scurry away except for a man, Ed, and a woman, Allie, who appear to be in their 40s. Chalker: "I want a tour of this place. A copper up front, and a copper when we finish." Allie used to be a seamstress until she "messed up things for the wrong people;" "I could get better," she concludes hopefully. Ed does odd jobs -- repairs, fetch and carry, cleaning -- but can't afford a place to stay. Allie says that "forty-five to fifty-five" people usually live here. This used to be an office building. Ed repaired the stairs.

Chalker: "You two are now my contacts. I want to employ the people who live here to help fix these buildings up. ... We killed what was over there." Ed admits that his real name is Jesse; Allie's proper name is Alexandra.

Chalker finds Shawna back at the Boar's Head. As they are chatting, a young man approaches them. He is of average height and slightly stocky build and appears to be in his mid-20s; he has blue eyes and collar-length brown hair. He is dressed in workman's clothes, but on his belt are a pair of fighting sticks. His aura reveals that he has magery potential and a talent for ritual magic; he is truthful, pacifistic, has taken a major vow of some kind, and has been strongly blessed by Jax, god of twilight.

He introduces himself as Cliff Tran of Deerhome Meadow (which, Chalker recalls from his meeting with Kristina Otto, is where Jewel lives). "Baron Browning is doing things that will hurt the people of the town." Cliff is in Sapphire "helping a local merchant, Keith Boyd." He asks how Chalker and Shawna are affiliated with Jax's parents, and Chalker gives a very abbreviated summary of his dealings with Phor and Charesoon (Mother of Night). Cliff: "Divinations are obscured or blocked around the Baron's home, not by demons or by Mother's children." He is afraid to talk to the Baron, and has a strong intuition that talking to the Count would be wrong. His divinations have directed him to seek out the help of Shawna and of "the messenger of Mensep." Cliff had performed a diviniation for Keith Boyd which showed Boyd in chains, his family sprawled about him, the town in flames, and the Baron standing over the bodies of a band of raiders (clad in nondescript leathers) from the hills. Two other men, unknown to Cliff, stand on either side of the Baron.

Chalker goes to the bar and asks Bajeeter about Deerhome Meadows. Bajeeter has heard of the place, thinks it's part of Duke Ellington's territory, and mentions that Jewel has dined at the Boar's Head. "He dressed like a rich merchant but walked like a fighter, had that hungry look in his eyes." He was with another merchant whose name might have been Keith. Chalker lays five coppers on the bar, and Bajeeter makes them vanish.

Jim, Rory's "lazy-on," brings a note to Shawna. Rory will be staying the night with Elaine Barlow's foster family.

After Shawna and Chalker talk things over, Chalker tells Cliff "we'll leave in an hour," which would be around 7pm. In a low voice Chalker adds, "If we've misjudged you and this is a trick to harm her, I'm not going to kill you, but I will cut your arms off. I don't care about 'balance,' I care about my friends."

Late at night, the three arrive at the Antler Inn in Deerhome Meadow [which is not "Deerhome Valley" just yet] and take three rooms for the night. Deerhome Meadow has a population of about 500 people; the town is walled, but the gates stand open. Chalker tells Cliff that he will want to visit Jewel before seeing the Baron.

After an early breakfast, the three call upon Will "Jewel" Blankenship. His butler declares that "the merchant" is meeting with his staff. The study into which they are shown has no Venettian books, but there is a book written in Elven (by a philosopher Shawna met some 850 years ago who vanished a century later; he wrote about the importance of the elves coexisting with humans and helping to mold the Calventine Empire), a scroll in the dwarven language, and a book in goblin.

Jewel enters, dressed in fine merchant's clothes. Chalker: "I spoke with one of your partners, Kristina, and I know you are part of the Talisman Group. I want to talk about a property in Old Town." Jewel's eyes narrow. "Why did you come here? I was going to meet with Kristina and the others. Your offer is very low." Chalker: "It would seem you'd want to get rid of it, but you hang onto it." Jewel: "Others want to hold onto it. I am, shall we say, ambivalent [lying]." Chalker: "I came to talk to the Baron." Jewel tenses noticeably. Jewel: "How did you find out that Boyd was a member of the group? Most members keep their affiliation private." (Keith Boyd is a member of the executive council that Kristina mentioned.)

Jewel claims he was the third son of a count and received military training that way [lying]. "I wasn't cut out for killing. My brothers sired many children, and I realized I would inherit nothing, so I bid my father adieu. I became a merchant and got involved during the goblin wars."

Jewel: "If you raise your offer to 20 gold, I will support you. Chalker: "Tell them I've raised my offer to 17."

As they leave, Shawna hears Jewel racing for his back door; soon they see Jewel and his butler sprinting for the stables, and a pigeon flying away. Shawna sends her falcon after the pigeon to retrieve it unharmed, and the three race off to Boyd's house.

A maid answers the door. "Was he expecting you?" Shawna, pointedly: "Are you screening his visitors?" Cliff gets the maid's attention and says, "Now." Hurriedly she shows them to a study and rushes away.

Shawna scans the note the pigeon was carrying: "Gather the force, K's house, kill the elf and those with her."