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), glances around to check the priests' reactions (by now they all know him by sight) 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 discuss with you. I think you are being supplanted as the Big Kahuna of Chaos. And I find it interesting that I have run into a number of individuals who are devoted to Chaos but not to you. I'm trying to understand this. Are you aware of this phenomenon?"

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 the Pandemonium Dagger Guild. People in it are very devoted to this guild, and devoted to Chaos, but not to you. Odd, that these people embrace Chaos but don't embrace you. It's almost as though you don't even exist! Now, I have killed quite a few of these people, though not because of you... that was just a side benefit for you. Are you weakening? Is there something I can do to help you? I know we haven't been on the best of terms lately. Do you have any guidance? Any instructions? Any wisdom that you wish to impart to me to help guide me in my dealings with these people who don't seem to need you?"

Chalker begins to itch all over, feeling as though his skin is covered in static. "And see, as usual, Father, you get mad at the messenger. Now, calm down. I'm merely informing you. There's no reason to be upset with me over this, no reason to try to eat me right now. But I thought I should tell you, your status as First Chosen of Chaos seems to be weakening! That was it. If you have nothing to say, I'll leave you to it."

Chalker continues in silence for a few more circuits, 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 approaches and says to him, "He knows. He is moving in his will toward a goal you will become aware of. You will be involved, as will many people. Your survival is not guaranteed. Also, you've got to deliver that message sometime." As the woman walks away, 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.

Early next day, Chalker and Ahn-Lee seek out the residence of Ander Solomon, the local factor for the Lavinia Seafarers Guild. The butler ill-conceals his displeasure that they have come so early, and to the factor's abode rather than his office. They are shown to a sitting room, but offered no refreshment. A quarter-hour later Solomon enters, red-eyed, and greets them. Chalker gets right down to business. "Bad news -- the leadership of Near Stars is in custody." Solomon: "It was a long night. I summoned a healer so Sylvia Queen could talk again. She will be interrogated today. It has come out that they tried to harm you." Chalker: "The ship is in the Empire's hands." Solomon: "Your group killed all except Sylvia Queen." Chalker: "That was an error." Solomon: "She claimed that a compulsion caused her to stand and approach you. They told me she is a strong mage -- to my surprise. The authorities confirmed that I did not know what was going on." Chalker: "I am going to ask the empire to give the ship to me." Solomon: "May Delsa go with you." Chalker: "Oh, no, Delsa is mad at me.... If I had wanted to harm you, Ahn-Lee would have come here alone. ... Maybe we can do business later." Chalker mentions that they were not offered hospitality; Solomon says he will speak to the butler about that.

Azzhik orders "the thing that kills" and uses it as a base to blend his morning "energy drink." He is angry that Jorel has not shown up. He goes about his business, mixing up several batches of poison.

During the day's transfers, Ahn-Lee spots an Idrian man skulking over to a shelf of equipment, taking an ivory vial from a box, and sneaking back to his place. Chalker taps the man on the shoulder, then grabs him by the shirt and moves him aside. "What do you have in your sleeve?" The man, who gives the name Ned Isom, replies, "It's a device that helps me with my trade, which is information gathering." Chalker warns Isom that he's been marked as a thief; "If I hear your voice again, I'll have someone stab you, because it hurts."

Chalker informs General Burns that the equipment and goods remaining in Lone Mountain belong to the Idrians. "You may contact Melcor to help you get it moved out."

Ahn-Lee reaches the alchemist's shop right at closing time and shows him the ivory vial, which contains a truth potion. Just then Azzhik enters, and the alchemist introduces them to one another. Azzhik takes the ivory vial and examines the contents. Ahn-Lee: "Hey, now, what are you doing?" Azzhik: "I make potions and unusual cures." The alchemist assures Ahn-Lee that Azzhik is one of the best alchemists in the city. Azzhik tastes the vial. "I could make ten times better. Twelve gold for best truth potion." Interested, Ahn-Lee bargains the price to nine gold.

Azzhik hands Ahn-Lee a small sample of reddish-gold liquid. "Drink this." Ahn-Lee hesitates, then sips the potion. He feels his saliva heat up." Azzhik: "Go aaaaahhh." A six-foot-long jet of flame issues from Ahn-Lee's mouth. "What does this stop??" "Ahh, soon."

Azzhik: "You look like one that kills. This one help." He gives Ahn-Lee a sample of pain potion.

Ahn-Lee takes Azzhik to dine at the Boar's Head. Azzhik orders a Bajeeter Special. He shows Ahn-Lee his curved dagger, engraved with snakes and a lizard's skull. In the course of conversation, Ahn-Lee learns that it was Azzhik who created the bear poison.

Azzhik asks Ahn-Lee to be on the lookout for Jorel, a burly man with long dark hair and a large black mustache who frequents the docks. "If you find him, you not have to pay for poison, plus there is bonus for you."