Sapphire:Sessions:20170812

Azzhik the potion-maker has arrived in Sapphire and settled in near the docks.

Ahn-Lee finishes looting Near Stars, leaving the paymaster's chest alone. He mentally divides the loot, then goes out and checks his drops.

Chalker enters the temple of Asseraah (which is rather crowded today) and performs observance. People stare at him as he begins walking around the altar, speaking conversationally to seemingly no one. "Well, Father, I have something to talk to you about. I think you are being supplanted as the Big Kahuna of Chaos. There are people devoted to Chaos but not to you. Are you aware?"

Feeling an itching sensation at the nape of his neck, Chalker glances around and notices a woman standing in the back, her eyes locked on him. Chalker continues, "This group calls itself Pandemonium Dagger Guild. They are devoted to Chaos and not to you... almost as though you don't even exist! I have killed people for you. Are you weakening? I know we haven't been on the best of terms. Do you have any guidance? Wisdom?"

Chalker begins to itch all over, feeling as though his skin is covered in static. "As usual, you get mad at the messenger. There's no need to be upset with me. Your status as First Chosen of Chaos is weakening!"

Chalker continues in silence for a few more cycles, then approaches the altar once again. This time it is the High Priest who performs the responses to Chalker's observance. As Chalker departs, he walks past the woman, who says to him, "He knows. He is moving in his will toward a goal you will become aware of. Your survival is not guaranteed. Also, you've got to deliver that message sometime." Chalker mutters, "I hate Mensep."

Azzhik visits a dockside tavern and tells the barkeep, "Give me the thing that can kill." He takes the drink to his table and mixes several other ingredients into it.

Chalker leads General Burns and Felicia Strada back to his house, then to the gate along with Branamin and Trace. The mage Branamin has hired is led blindfolded to the Lone Mountain so as to cast Scryfool on that gate. The Idrians will be awakened in groups of 50 to 100 according to a pre-made list. On the Dolyenan side, Seman will oversee the military Idrians, and Farrel the civilians. Ahn-Lee, observing the awakened civilians, takes Chalker aside and points out three or four Idrians he reckons are "pros," either thieves or assassins. By sundown 500 Idrians have been awakened and transferred to Dolyena, and the operation is closed down for the night.

Chalker: "I have a ship to acquire... I need to contact that Lavinian merchant house and say I'm taking the ship in lieu of payment." Sylvia Quiz is still alive and in jail; Ahn-Lee offers to "take care of it," but Chalker says, "I need to find more info. Let's see if she'll talk. If she won't -- I'll petition for her freedom, and when she walks out, then we'll kill her. She's between me and my goal; either she helps or gets out of my way."

Azzhik visits the alchemy shop; his potions have been selling well, and he wishes to collect his profits. The proprietor (who happens to also be Ahn-Lee's poisons supplier) tells Azzhik that someone wants a less-lethal variant of the Pandemonium Dagger Guild poison that causes agonizing pain. "No rush, though." Azzhik asks, "Have you seen Jorel?" "Haven't seen him in a week." "Ehh, he must be dead." Jorel owes Azzhik a sum of gold.

Chalker and Ahn-Lee dine at the Boar's Head. Ahn-Lee gives Chalker his cut of the money and gems from Near Stars. Chalker tells him, "In the morning, you and I will meet with the factor about the boat. If we finish early enough, I want to show you the Virtual Keep." Chalker intends to acquire the property ("Should be cheap, there's nothing there anyone else wants") and search the Keep for valuables.