From Christine Philips Tue Jun 11 14:21:49 2002 Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 14:21:49 -0500 It is a few months after your parents' deaths, and their affairs are finally in order. You've just begun to plan where you should go next with your life, when your musings are interrupted by a knock at the door. [Assuming you answer the door, here's what you see:] A tall thin messenger, his cloak coated with the dust of the road, gives you a slight bow. "Excuse me, but I am looking for a man by the name of _______," he explains. You greet him, and after handing you a sealed letter, he gets your signature on a small scroll and tucks it carefully into the bag slung over his shoulder. "I will await your answer outside." And with another short bow, he leaves. The envelope is sealed with a mark you don't recognize, and inside is a formal letter with the address of a solicitor from the Freecity of Miirym at the top. The text of the letter is reproduced below. Dear Sir or Madam; We represent the estate of the late Dale Garrick, who we regret to inform you passed away on the 5th of ____, 1___ [a date which is several months ago]. Due to the fact that he left no surviving close relatives and no known Will, we are contacting his more distant relatives who may wish to take possesion of his property. To date we have had little luck, since his main possesion was not in the form of goods, but half-ownership of a unique business venture. Specifically, he had half-ownership of a mobile business specialising in more "unusual" goods, mostly magical. If you do not wish to take possesion, just inform the courier who delivered this letter and we will trouble you no further. If you wish to inspect the goods and ultimately take possesion please inform the courier as to when you plan to arrive at our offices in the Freecity of Miirym. Thank you for your time. Your Servant, Ambrose Bierce, Solicitor. [The messenger awaits an answer outside. The ball's in your court now. If you're interested, roll up a first level character and any of the details I left out; like how your parents died, how you dispose of their property, your current situation, the like. Email me a brief description of your character (we can exchange actual stats later) and what exactly you plan to do next. Then I'll send you part two.] Chris, the DM ;) -- From: "Keith Earley" Subject: Re: Introduction, part 1 Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 19:40:06 +0000 My name is Caric Brisbane, and I'm a Rogue. My parents were killed while taking their simple trading goods (mother was a potter, father was a brewer of some good local beer), to the nearby village...what I suspected was they were murdered in retaliation by the local brigand leader Holtun Amchek, for my taking up companionship one night with one of his "favorite" local tavern girls. Of course, the local constable couldn't pin anything on Holtun; Considering he was in his pocket the whole time, I wasn't too surprised...and I'm not stupid enough to take on both sides of the law at once, as corrupt as both are in this case. My parent's affairs are now in order. The simple cottage I can trade off for a horse and enough to keep food and supplies to keep me on the road for awhile (DM's discretion, of course). This opportunity sounds intriguing, if anything, it will get me away from any further retaliation from Amchek's hired thugs for the time being. Hopefully long enough for him to put his guard down... I go out, and accept the offer. -- From Christine Philips Tue Jun 11 16:11:07 2002 Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 16:11:07 -0500 All right Caric, you start out as a first level rogue. You have a horse and tack (nothing fancy), a few mementos from your parents (whatever you like, but I suggest one of them be a mini-keg of your father's beer ;), and the max gold for a starting rogue, which is 5d4 times 10 (200 gp). The messenger will give you directions to Miirym (if you need it, the freecity of Miirym is a fairly big port town) and once you get there, almost anyone can direct you to the law office Ambrose mentioned. Your trip will be uneventful, and part 2 will be forthcoming, probably later tonight. Chris ;) -- From Christine Philips Tue Jun 11 16:19:11 2002 Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 16:19:11 -0500 Quick question: what race are you going to be? -- From: "Keith Earley" Subject: Re: Introduction, part 1 Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 23:45:04 +0000 All good...I'm Human, btw...and my Feats are Imp. Init, and Quick Draw. -- From Christine Philips Tue Jun 11 19:19:47 2002 Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 19:19:47 -0500 You find your way to the law offices of Bierce and Yared with little trouble. Ambrose, a balding harried-looking man, gives you a firm handshake and leads you to a chair. After a few pleasentries, and a minor divination performed by the staff wizard to confirm your identity, you get down to business. "Your great-uncle Dale Garrick [you didn't give me a relationship, so I invented one] was a local wizard of some renown. He started his own merchant company, "The Mage's Bazaar", specialising in rare and whimsical magics. He had built up quite a customer base before his unfortunate run-in with a manticore. Their goods were saved by the quick-thinking of his assistant, Kaja Gallegos. And speaking of Kaja, perhaps it is time you meet her." He sighs wearily and stands up. "Once you two have met, if you still desire to take possession, we can meet back here to sign the paperwork." Ambrose calls in his assistant, and gives him quick instructions. "Bryan here can lead you to where she is staying. If she's not there, I suggest you check the local bars. With her business dealings being suspended until this matter is resolved, she's returned to her roots as an entertainer to make ends meet." With Bryan's help, you eventually find your future business partner in "The Musk Ox", a bar about half a step above seedy dive, apparently drowning her troubles. "Madam Gallegos?" Bryan clears his throat nervously. The woman immediately tenses up at the sound of Bryan's voice, then she slowly straightens and casually turns around. You see a supple, muscular woman, well-tanned, with blond hair and blue eyes. She could be rather striking if she wasn't scowling like that. After she sizes you up for a second, she focuses her attention on the hapless Bryan. "So, you found another one," the woman says grumpily. "Why don't you just let me buy the other half of the company and be done with it." "You know we can't do that," Bryan sighs. "The law says we must make every resonable effort to find a suitable heir for the deceased." "Don't call him that!" the woman snaps back. Wisely, Bryan decides not to respond. After a few tense seconds she shrugs, "So, who's the new prospective?" Bryan introduces you both. Apparently this is the Kaja Gallegos that Ambrose mentioned back in the office. After making sure you know how to get back to the office, Bryan quickly bows out. "Well, I suppose you'll want to know what you're getting yourself into. Have a seat." Kaja indicates the empty barstool to her left and readjusts the position of her lute. "I trust Bierce already gave you the basics?" She looks over at you briefly before focusing her attention back on her drink. [Alrighty, time for some talking. In case you hadn't guessed, Kaja is my misanthropic character. She's really not so bad once you get to know her. ;) She's been through some trying times lately. Feel free to ask her anything, and if you had any questions for Ambrose Bierce back in his office, go ahead and ask those too.] -- From: "Keith Earley" Subject: Re: Introduction, part 2 Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 13:13:37 +0000 Glancing around the bar, I make sure our conversation isn't too purposely listened in on. After assuring myself that things are okay, I turn to Kaja, and half-smile (not trying to be seductive or con her out of anything, a gesture of intent/sincerity) to her while asking her: "So, what to we stand to accomplish here?" "And yes, I mean we Kaja...I don't know the first thing about running a business of this nature, and would be a blatant braggard and liar if I told you I did." "If this is true, and I have inherited this business, I'm going to need someone that I can work with who knows what she's doing." "Right now, that candidate is you. However, before going into this venture with you, I need some information." I lean towards her and whisper "Some of which may not need to be spoken of here." Leaning back, and taking a swig of my drink, I continue. "So, what do you say Kaja, are you willing to work with me on this?" -- From Christine Philips Wed Jun 12 16:30:46 2002 Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 16:30:46 -0500 Hm, why don't you give me a diplomacy check? You have rolled up a character by now, right? Chris :) -- From Christine Philips Wed Jun 12 20:06:00 2002 Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 20:06:00 -0500 [Kaja's character sheet is now online at http://www.spatula-city.org/~chrispee/dnd/kaja.html Or you can get there from my DnD page.] Well, I kinda already clued you in over the phone, so I'll just sum up what Kaja tells you in the bar. By the way, you get 50 exp for convincing Kaja not to just deck you one. ;) Kaja apologizes for her temper, but all business has been stopped by those pig-headed lawyers while Dale's affairs are being settled. Watching her clientele slip away over the past month or two has been very frustrating. Since you don't seem like a bad sort, and it seems that you're what she's stuck with, she pays her bar tab and asks if you need to look over the goods first, or if you're ready to go sign the paperwork? -- From: "Keith Earley" Subject: Re: Introduction, part 2 Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 12:28:43 +0000 I tell her "It's fine, I can probably guess it's been very chaotic for you of late." "I would like to take a look at the goods first before we head back to the office, if you don't mind." I continue, heading towards the door, and holding it open for her. When we get out of the bar, I approach a bit closer and softly ask "Is Ambrose the type we can trust, or do we need to watch our backs?", as I let her lead the way... (To you) -- Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 12:56:41 -0500 From: Christine Philips Subject: Re: Introduction, part 2 Kaja wrinkles her nose in thought for a few seconds as she leads you down the street. "No, Bierce comes from a very reputable company. As long as we follow all laws to the letter, we should have no problem with him." Kaja tells you a little about the clientle as you head toward the warehouse district. "Besides the magical trinkets and a small amount of ordinary trade goods, we aquire rare magical items for certain clients, mostly wizards. You'll meet them all eventually, but they value their privacy so we don't talk about them much in public. Due to bandits and dragons and other natural disasters, we try not to make a habit of carrying around very valuable magic items." You arrive at a smallish warehouse. There's no obvious entry to the ground floor, but two sets of stairs, one on the south side and one on the west side, lead up to doors on the second floor. Kaja heads up the south stairs to an oaken door, next to a sign which reads "Keller's Warehouse". Inside is a small office with a large desk, behind which sits a bear of a man who would have been quite a formidible fighter in his youth. "Hi, Sam," Kaja smiles as the big man stands up and gives her a quick hug. After a few pleasantries Kaja introduces you to Samuel Keller, owner of the warehouse and former adventurer. She also points out that you're here to take possesion of Dale's half of the business. "So, the paperwork's in order all ready?" Sam asks with a raised eyebrow. "No," Kaja sighs. "But Caric here wanted to have an idea of what he was getting into before he signed." "Well, cause it's you, I'll let you in," Sam says with a twinkle in his eye. The interior of the warehouse, other than the small office partitioned off in the southwest corner, is dominated by stacks of various barrels and crates. A pair of oaken double doors on the west wall look like the main freight doors and are sealed on the inside with a large oak plank. Two guards sit playing cards at a small round table near the doors. In the center of the room is a large 10 foot square platform which looks like it could be raised and lowered with a nearby turn-style crank. Most of the goods Kaja shows you are pretty ordinary non-perishables, things that a small village might not be equiped to produce themselves. There are also a few more interesting items, including a leather box carefully sealed with wax ("If you value your sense of smell, don't open it," warns Kaja), a small metal box containing something Kaja calls a Cowstone ("Don't open it unless you want a Guernsey following you around"), a box of hard candy, a few tubes of glowpowder ("Popular with the nobles' kids"), some vials of ink ("Disappears after awhile. Some of the sneakier types buy it"), a couple boxes of tindertwigs, and a few tins of a stinky green paste ("Healing salve, for those who can't afford curing potions"). After everything is packed away again, Kaja asks Sam if the "boxes" on the first floor are still secure. Sam shakes your hand and wishes you luck on your new endeaver, general goodbyes are said, and Kaja promises to be back in a day or two to pickup everything. Then, you're back out in the street. "So..." Kaja begins a little uncomfortably, "are you still in?" -- From: "Keith Earley" Subject: Re: Introduction, part 2 "Thank you for having enough trust in me to show me the warehouse Kaja" I begin, "and yes, I am most definitely in." I finish, nodding in agreement for effect. "Let's go back to the office, and sign this paperwork...and you can tell me about this shipment over dinner tonight. You choose the place, and I will pay for the food and drink for both of us, fair enough??" I ask, heading down the street, back towards the office... (Back at ya) -- Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 13:47:42 -0500 From: Christine Philips To: Keith Earley On Thu, Jun 13, 2002 at 06:10:43PM +0000, Keith Earley wrote: > "Thank you for having enough trust in me to show me the warehouse Kaja" I > begin, "and yes, I am most definitely in." I finish, nodding in agreement > for effect. > "Oh, that's no problem. It's no secret that Sam's warehouse is the most secure in the city. And if you had tried anything funny, he would have pounded you," Kaja finishes with a mischievous grin. "You won't regret your decision, Dale Garrick was a good man who worked hard to get this company off the ground." Kaja falls silent, looking a little sad. > "Let's go back to the office, and sign this paperwork...and you can tell me > about this shipment over dinner tonight. You choose the place, and I will > pay for the food and drink for both of us, fair enough??" I ask, heading > down the street, back towards the office... > "I know of an excellent place to conduct business with very good food, but it's a bit pricey," says Kaja as she walks with you back to the law offices of Bierce and Yared. -- From: "Keith Earley" Subject: Re: Introduction, part 2 Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 19:48:16 +0000 >"Oh, that's no problem. It's no secret that Sam's warehouse is the >most secure in the city. And if you had tried anything funny, he would have >pounded you," Kaja finishes with a mischievous grin. "Not to worry Kaja, I'm not the type to steal from my own home." I return, smiling. >"You won't regret your decision, Dale Garrick was a good man who worked >hard to get this company off the ground." Kaja falls silent, looking a >little sad. "I'm sorry about your loss." I reply sincerely, "Perhaps you can tell me more of your happier times with him tonight." >"I know of an excellent place to conduct business with very good food, but >it's a bit pricey," says Kaja as she walks with you back to the law offices >of Bierce and Yared. "We have our futures to finance, money should not be a problem from here on out...partner." I finish, smiling in earnest. (To You) (Did I mention I'm really enjoying this?? <;) ) -- From: Christine Philips Subject: Re: Introduction, part 2 Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 23:41:55 -0500 That's pretty much the end of the introduction. Ambrose Bierce seems more than a little relieved to finally be rid of Kaja. You officially now have half-ownership of the Mage's Bazaar company, and the rest of Dale Garrick's personal possessions: his spellbooks, which Kaja asks if she can keep, a masterwork light crossbow and 10 bolts, a dagger, writing supplies, and a non-magical amulet which he always wore. The next few days will be spent getting stuff out of storage and restocking. And there is one particular item which needs to be delivered, to a wizard in town who has been very annoyed by the long wait. <:) By the way, you're welcome to stay with Kaja at her friend's house, a collector of antique swords. Her name is Ocindra, and she has a truely huge dog. Chris :)