She frowns. "In that case, maybe it's best not to go after them. It's late, anyways, and if there really is somewhere nearby that's cursed, we're bound to hear about it sometime." She seems to notice you contemplating and nudges you. "Why, were you interested in them? I can tell you there's always something someone's chasing after. Some rogue spirit, or some rare creature with magical properties...people'll pay a lot for that, you know. If that's your cup of tea, there's bound to be something like that nearly anywhere you go."
"Anyways," she stifles a yawn, pointing at the horizon, "Like I said, it's getting late--or early, I suppose. You want to find somewhere to rest here before we move on? I'm tired after all that riding, and I can't imagine how you must feel after walking half that distance..."
Indeed, in the direction she's pointing, you can just see the first rays of light turning the distant sky a pale pink with the break of dawn.
Edited By Larkian on 2/11/2023 at 11:58 PM.
Larkian
Level 75
The Tactician
Joined: 5/15/2018
Threads: 105
Posts: 17,021
Posted: 2/12/2023 at 1:32 AM
Post #202
The stall the voice came from is tiny, barely squeezed in into the street beside a much larger stall nearly twice its size. Whereas a small group of people have already congregated before the bigger stall to browse, no one is paying any attention to the smaller one but you. Its small wooden table looks like it's about to collapse under the weight of its wares, piled high with...rocks? As far as you can tell, they're just mundane grey rocks that could have been picked up from any field or the bottom of a river. It's looks like there's been some attempt to carve some of them, or at least there's some lines and scratches on them, but they're still near completely unrecognizable. The one to the far left looks like it could either be a bird, or perhaps it's a tree?
What's odd though, is that off to the side, there are a few much nicer wares--small jewelry and trinkets, by the looks of it, some necklaces and earrings. Most of them are decorated with colorful beads or silver string, and look to be made quite finely (at least, more than the rocks) to your untrained eye, though judging by your lack of urge to sneeze, there doesn't seem to be any magic about them. Strangely, however, they're pushed off into a corner of the table, even though they would probably make for a much nicer display than the rocks.
For a moment, it looks like there's no one at all behind the stall, and no sign of the voice that had beckoned you over just a few seconds ago. Then the whole table wobbles dangerously, a few of the rocks clattering to the ground, as a small boy peeks out from the side of the pile. Hurriedly stooping to pick up the fallen rocks and place them on the table as if hoping you won't notice, he tries to look up at you at the same time. "Hi, ma'am! Er, anything here catch your eye?"
The stall the voice came from is tiny, barely squeezed in into the street beside a much larger stall nearly twice its size. Whereas a small group of people have already congregated before the bigger stall to browse, no one is paying any attention to the smaller one but you. Its small wooden table looks like it's about to collapse under the weight of its wares, piled high with...rocks? As far as you can tell, they're just mundane grey rocks that could have been picked up from any field or the bottom of a river. It's looks like there's been some attempt to carve some of them, or at least there's some lines and scratches on them, but they're still near completely unrecognizable. The one to the far left looks like it could either be a bird, or perhaps it's a tree?
What's odd though, is that off to the side, there are a few much nicer wares--small jewelry and trinkets, by the looks of it, some necklaces and earrings. Most of them are decorated with colorful beads or silver string, and look to be made quite finely (at least, more than the rocks) to your untrained eye, though judging by your lack of urge to sneeze, there doesn't seem to be any magic about them. Strangely, however, they're pushed off into a corner of the table, even though they would probably make for a much nicer display than the rocks.
For a moment, it looks like there's no one at all behind the stall, and no sign of the voice that had beckoned you over just a few seconds ago. Then the whole table wobbles dangerously, a few of the rocks clattering to the ground, as a small boy peeks out from the side of the pile. Hurriedly stooping to pick up the fallen rocks and place them on the table as if hoping you won't notice, he tries to look up at you at the same time. "Hi, ma'am! Er, anything here catch your eye?"
I smile a little at the boy, how innocent a childs mind is. Perhaps his mother made those pieces of jewlery? Doesn't matter.
I inspected the rocks, something about the smooth rocks was wonderful, and I couldn't help myself to not take one with me. "I like this very much," I gave a soft smile at the boy, pointing at one of the smaller grey, smooth rocks. So simple, yet so charming at the same time. It reminded me of myself, just a small grey rock, nothing special in a world full of other small grey rocks.
She frowns. "In that case, maybe it's best not to go after them. It's late, anyways, and if there really is somewhere nearby that's cursed, we're bound to hear about it sometime." She seems to notice you contemplating and nudges you. "Why, were you interested in them? I can tell you there's always something someone's chasing after. Some rogue spirit, or some rare creature with magical properties...people'll pay a lot for that, you know. If that's your cup of tea, there's bound to be something like that nearly anywhere you go."
"Anyways," she stifles a yawn, pointing at the horizon, "Like I said, it's getting late--or early, I suppose. You want to find somewhere to rest here before we move on? I'm tired after all that riding, and I can't imagine how you must feel after walking half that distance..."
Indeed, in the direction she's pointing, you can just see the first rays of light turning the distant sky a pale pink with the break of dawn.
"Yeah, you're right. Plus it's not like I could do anything for them anyway. I agree we should rest for a while, I'm quite tired after being awake for the whole night." Almost on cue, she felt the need to yawn and stretch. She had only just realized that it was becoming to keep her eyes open, too. "Are there any inns around here or something?"
Larkian
Level 75
The Tactician
Joined: 5/15/2018
Threads: 105
Posts: 17,021
Posted: 2/13/2023 at 8:43 PM
Post #205
Basic Strength check - complete success! (rolled a 10/12 on that once, nice)
It's a bit of a challenge for even you to lift the pole and keep it steady--it would probably have been near impossible for the vendor to do it by herself. Fortunately, you manage to hold onto it long enough for the vendor to pass the other end of the awning to you, and between the two of you, you manage to properly set the cover up. Even if it is a bit crooked, it should be stable enough to not collapse on top of the stall. Alas, the both of you are now thoroughly soaked.
The vendor, at least, looks extremely relieved, dramatically feigning wiping sweat from her forehead. "Phew, thank goodness that worked. Really, I can't thank you enough for stopping by to help." She shrugs, giving a pole a good kick before pulling the cart to safety beneath the awning, apparently satisfied. "Well, the traders do get around everywhere, of course. But you can't really expect us smaller shops to compare to the ones who've got twenty people working on every project. We get in on some of the trading action, everyone does--there's more than enough to go around--but it's only to be expected that the biggest crafters end up with the biggest deals." She shakes her head wistfully. "How I would love to see what kinds of goods change hands there. I've heard rumours that one of the traders brought a phoenix's feather with them this time--imagine that!"
(fun fact: calden is now breathing manually)
Edited By Larkian on 2/13/2023 at 8:48 PM.
Larkian
Level 75
The Tactician
Joined: 5/15/2018
Threads: 105
Posts: 17,021
Posted: 2/18/2023 at 11:50 PM
Post #206
She considers it for awhile, glancing repeatedly at the packages and then back to you for more than a few minutes. "You do raise a good point," she says finally. "It's been tricky working around it, and we've got to resolve it eventually..."
Finally, she sighs, eyeing you warily. "Fine, then. He'll give me an earful if I mess up his terribly-thought-out plan, so I'll let you go under one condition: you stay in contact with me, too, the whole time."
She picks up the charm and slides it toward you. "This is his calling card, so to speak. It's sort of a, say, proof of legitimacy, or a signature, but I assume he included it so he can also keep an eye on your progress. We use them to keep track of some packages we send, too. This one," she says, pulling a similar charm from a pocket in her skirt and plinking it on the desk beside the first, "is mine. So I can keep an eye on you."
Your success in convincing an initially reluctant subject to trust your capability in handling a dangerous task has given you some experience in winning people over through reasoning. Charisma +1
Edited By Larkian on 6/8/2023 at 12:45 AM.
Larkian
Level 75
The Tactician
Joined: 5/15/2018
Threads: 105
Posts: 17,021
Posted: 2/19/2023 at 11:50 PM
Post #207
The little boy looks delighted and nearly knocks more rocks from his table as he hurries to pick up the rock you've chosen. "Excellent choice! It is among one of the finest treasures from my great collection of wares--go on, feel free to inspect its quality."
Before he can give it to you, however, he falters. "Wait! Now," he says, clearing his throat and lowering his voice as if trying to imitate the manner of the other merchants, "I can't just give this to you for free, you know. It was a long and arduous journey to bring this rock back to this village from the, uh, the distant riverbed where I discovered it, so it is worth a great deal." His voice rises back up to normal, eyes sparkling with anticipation as he presents it to you. "Would you like to offer on it?"
The day is refreshingly crisp but bright as you head out to the center of town, passing few people in the streets on your way. A few of the passerby give you odd glances, but most either ignore you or nod in acknowledgement--it's a small town, and you're a distinctive enough figure to be recognized.
Most of the shops can be found in the center of town, which is just a short walk away from your house. The closer you get, the more people you see about, though it's still a fairly quiet day with not much of a crowd. The town's famous flowers, on the other hand, are everywhere you look. There's plants growing in every windowsill, trees in perpetual bloom lining the streets and square, and wayward petals drifting about in the breeze.
The majority of shops and stalls you pass on the way are Ravyne's trademark florists, meant to appeal to passing travelers or the odd local on their way past to the main town center, where the more practical, day-to-day shops reside (even if they are still covered in flowers). Whatever you're looking for first, you're likely to be able to find it there.
Walking down the street to the town center, he tries to stay in the shaded areas of the walkway, stepping aside when/if anyone needs to get by. As he is walking, he is making sure to take quick looks into the windows of the shops or read their signs to be sure he wont miss a stop. As he is doing so, he finds a bookstore. After entering he goes to find a worker to ask where he could find anything on herbs, gathering or medicine in and if there has been any new releases on similar subjects.
The little boy looks delighted and nearly knocks more rocks from his table as he hurries to pick up the rock you've chosen. "Excellent choice! It is among one of the finest treasures from my great collection of wares--go on, feel free to inspect its quality."
Before he can give it to you, however, he falters. "Wait! Now," he says, clearing his throat and lowering his voice as if trying to imitate the manner of the other merchants, "I can't just give this to you for free, you know. It was a long and arduous journey to bring this rock back to this village from the, uh, the distant riverbed where I discovered it, so it is worth a great deal." His voice rises back up to normal, eyes sparkling with anticipation as he presents it to you. "Would you like to offer on it?"
I softly smiled at the boy, "Fair enough."
I looked at what I had on me, anything I would possibly be able to trade.
(Short reply as I am unsure what I have on me at the moment! ;o; )
Larkian
Level 75
The Tactician
Joined: 5/15/2018
Threads: 105
Posts: 17,021
Posted: 2/25/2023 at 4:39 PM
Post #210
(You can check your inventory for further reference, I usually keep it up to date :P)
Unfortunately, you don't have any hard currency that you could make an offer with. Your possessions, meanwhile, are few, and what you've brought with you in your satchel is meager--just a few servings of dried fruit and a steel dagger you've picked up at some point during the years. Though there's nothing there of outstanding trading value, you may be able to make one of those things do with a little convincing and bartering--or you might need to find another method of payment.
Edited By Larkian on 2/25/2023 at 4:46 PM.
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