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 Baron." 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 aged.

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 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. 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 where she would be having dinner tonight." 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 bring 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 a large sample of his potions and trudges angrily in the indicated direction.