Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

Selande wrote:The shopkeeper looks away from her reading momentarily, peering towards the object in question. She raises a hand to deny the offered flask. "That's something newly acquired. I haven't had the opportunity to learn its origin. Though there is a man... a..." She looks back to her tome and pulls out a scrap piece of paper kept near the back binding. "Fingal Darius. He'll know more about it. I merely own it." She says the last bit with some annoyance.

"Curious choices though. Are you drawn to them for any particular reason?" The shopkeeper looks at the gnome appraisingly.

Shrugs at the declined drink and takes another sip.
"I'm afraid there's no umm... sentimentality? poetry?" waves a hand vaguely "In my choices. It's just practical".
"The blade" She taps it with a finger "Would be for a client, they've been looking for a two-hander but they don't believe in trawling through the auctions and the like." she makes a face "'If the gods will it' they say" shakes her head.
"Aaand they're very picky over the kind of enchantments it should bear... or rather shouldn't. A blood soaked history of infamy probably wouldn't go over well either. But..." shrugs "If you don't know then ignorance is bliss".
"The belt" points "Would be awfully handy, I carry a lot of stuff for my business, sometimes I can barely move and I have to umm... cheat with magic, it would save me a lot of hassle".
Takes another sip "Speaking of my business I don't suppose you need any potions or wands made up?"

NeonAvenger wrote:Shrugs at the declined drink and takes another sip.
"I'm afraid there's no umm... sentimentality? poetry?" waves a hand vaguely "In my choices. It's just practical".
"The blade" She taps it with a finger "Would be for a client, they've been looking for a two-hander but they don't believe in trawling through the auctions and the like." she makes a face "'If the gods will it' they say" shakes her head.
"Aaand they're very picky over the kind of enchantments it should bear... or rather shouldn't. A blood soaked history of infamy probably wouldn't go over well either. But..." shrugs "If you don't know then ignorance is bliss".
"The belt" points "Would be awfully handy, I carry a lot of stuff for my business, sometimes I can barely move and I have to umm... cheat with magic, it would save me a lot of hassle".
Takes another sip "Speaking of my business I don't suppose you need any potions or wands made up?"

The hooded shopkeeper nods in agreeance, sympathetic with having trouble carrying many items. "The belt is very old. I believe it to have been used for similar purposes as you seek it."

She looks back to her tome where she had been reading and traces a finger across the passage. "I've known potions to go missing or break accidentally. I don't rely on them anymore. I already have a source for magic wands as well. I appreciate the offer though."

Selande wrote:he hooded shopkeeper nods in agreeance, sympathetic with having trouble carrying many items. "The belt is very old. I believe it to have been used for similar purposes as you seek it."

She looks back to her tome where she had been reading and traces a finger across the passage. "I've known potions to go missing or break accidentally. I don't rely on them anymore. I already have a source for magic wands as well. I appreciate the offer though."

"Pity about the potions. With all the new reagents flooding the Sword Coast at the moment we're doing some amazing things".
"So..." finishes off the small flask and inspects it a little sadly "No potions, no wands. What were you looking at for those two? Coin? I have one or two things that might be worth trading but..." looks around the items "If these are the things you like I'm doubtful they'll be of much interest to you".

Selande wrote:The cloaked woman doesn't react to the offered flask. "I doubt that very much. Faith was first something you find, others say it finds you. It doesn't seem to take root, as I've found many."

She shifts her weight where she sits. "Perhaps it can be bartered, as many speak of sacrifice and vows. What is and isn't allowed. Tenets." The woman nearly spits the last word.

"While you now own my first sword, and I am here partially to ease these burdensome memories, the lessons learned by that blade will always remain part of me."

She falls quiet for a few long moments, mulling over which words to use with her current company.

"I've shared some. There will come a time when I am able to share the rest. But first, the familiarity. I have need of a proper blade for the task."

The masked figure withdraws the drinking flask, resting it on his pack. The lines around his eyes suggest he is listening carefully. He is quiet after the cloaked woman speaks, the silence drawing on for several breaths.

With brow furrowed in thought, he nods as he speaks. "We can never shake off our pasts; they are a burden, or a blessing, we always carry."

Then, his gaze fixes on the cloaked woman again."It is the meaning that changes, though, the meaning of what came before is something we can change."

Then, a smile in his eyes. "And how that guides our future."

Another few moments of silence from the figure. Then. "What will you use the blade for?"

Selande wrote: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Planehopper wrote:A clockwork ticking, accompanied by heavy footsteps and the sounds of churning gears, may be heard on approach.

After a brief delay, the head of a small gnome can be seen peeking around the corner. On his head is a finely made top hat, set with a small, deeply colored ruby. His beard is well manicured and waxed to a sharp point. He looks around the room as if looking for danger before relaxing enough to enter. He is dressed in fine garments, and speaks with a melodic, foreign lilt.

"Well met and then some, milady.. uh.. yes, milady. Parts and pieces, pieces and parts, looking for a bit of anything here.."

He edges himself around the room, careful not to touch anything. In one hand he holds a length of twine, marked in dark ink at regular intervals. In his other he holds some sort of monocular eye glass.

As he approaches the "Frozen Heavysword" his eyes alight, and he goes to work, muttering to himself while looking it over. He does his best to measure it for length, diameter of hilt, and inspects the steelwork with his eyeglass (//PM sent with hopes of results of his inspection).

"Milady. Uh, yes. This sword. The big one. How much gold would you ask for it?"

The shopkeeper looks up as she is greeted by the small gnome and nods to him as he then wanders the shoppe as he pleases. She would watch him with some interest, given the slightly odd nature of the man. The hooded woman would glance to the entryway wondering what was making the mechanical noises but she would return to watching the man with satisfaction.

When asked about the sword she would glance back to the door once, then to an empty far window as if expecting something to be there then back to the man somewhat disappointedly. "It's newly acquired. I hadn't thought of gold in trade for it. I was hoping for something smaller but nearly as sharp and well crafted. Though gold might aid in that pursuit some, I've had little luck even catching rumor of what I'm looking for."
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The gnome may catch her eyes wander outside, pausing to think a moment. When she brings up trade over gold, he appears a little crestfallen. He looks back to the blade and then to the merchant, lips pursed. Shoving his measuring tape and monocular into his pockets, he removed his hat to scratch his balding pate. He looks back to her and replies in his flowing accent.

“Well that’s a stick in the spokes milady, indeed, a real..uh.. hmm. Yes. An unfortunate setback. Let’s see.”

He places the hat back on his head and pulls at his beard.

“I fear I am fairly new to the lands and have a dearth of blades in my inventory. Tis the very reason I look for this.. “ He pauses as if deciding whether to continue. Nodding once he does. “You see, this blade is for a very particular project.” Motioning to the door, he takes a step toward it and motions for her to come along. “I am seeking to add it as weaponry for a type of..uh..yes..uh construct, in simple terms.”

He pauses at this point. If she chooses to step outside, he would show her his Gondsmen, which he refers to as a mechamagical guardian, or “smashificator”. He would likely become much more energetic if she entertained his initial overview, and explain that he was looking for a blade to attach to the Gondsmen, if it would fit. He relays that, in fact, he is not beholden to this particular blade only one of great size that is enchanted to render most efficiently. This one fits his needs most adequately.

He reiterates that he has only gold to offer, but isn’t sure what a fair starting point would be for such a blade. He also offers to work out work in trade, perhaps, if she is interested.

“You see, milady, I.. well.. I fear that I have only gold and gems. I would be willing to work out a trade of..um..work.. yes.. magical, mechanical, or otherwise. Or, barring that, if I were to find a blade worthy of trade, what type would you prefer?”

NeonAvenger wrote:"Pity about the potions. With all the new reagents flooding the Sword Coast at the moment we're doing some amazing things".
"So..." finishes off the small flask and inspects it a little sadly "No potions, no wands. What were you looking at for those two? Coin? I have one or two things that might be worth trading but..." looks around the items "If these are the things you like I'm doubtful they'll be of much interest to you".

The shopkeeper tilts her head as she listens. "I do have a preference for trinkets steeped with history. The stranger the better. Though more recently I've set upon searching for things I could take into battle."

The hooded woman leans back away from her book and takes a slow breath as she composes thoughts. "I'm not much of a soldier. I'd need equipment of significant prowess to make up for my lacking."

A few moments pass before she speaks again. "I might be interested in coin for the belt. The sword I don't think I'd trade except for something similar."
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kleomenes wrote:The masked figure withdraws the drinking flask, resting it on his pack. The lines around his eyes suggest he is listening carefully. He is quiet after the cloaked woman speaks, the silence drawing on for several breaths.

With brow furrowed in thought, he nods as he speaks. "We can never shake off our pasts; they are a burden, or a blessing, we always carry."

Then, his gaze fixes on the cloaked woman again."It is the meaning that changes, though, the meaning of what came before is something we can change."

Then, a smile in his eyes. "And how that guides our future."

Another few moments of silence from the figure. Then. "What will you use the blade for?"

The woman shakes her head as though it were a needless question. "The same thing all swords are used for. If you're looking for a more meaningful purpose behind it, that'll have to remain something for you to perhaps learn with time."
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Planehopper wrote:The gnome may catch her eyes wander outside, pausing to think a moment. When she brings up trade over gold, he appears a little crestfallen. He looks back to the blade and then to the merchant, lips pursed. Shoving his measuring tape and monocular into his pockets, he removed his hat to scratch his balding pate. He looks back to her and replies in his flowing accent.

“Well that’s a stick in the spokes milady, indeed, a real..uh.. hmm. Yes. An unfortunate setback. Let’s see.”

He places the hat back on his head and pulls at his beard.

“I fear I am fairly new to the lands and have a dearth of blades in my inventory. Tis the very reason I look for this.. “ He pauses as if deciding whether to continue. Nodding once he does. “You see, this blade is for a very particular project.” Motioning to the door, he takes a step toward it and motions for her to come along. “I am seeking to add it as weaponry for a type of..uh..yes..uh construct, in simple terms.”

He pauses at this point. If she chooses to step outside, he would show her his Gondsmen, which he refers to as a mechamagical guardian, or “smashificator”. He would likely become much more energetic if she entertained his initial overview, and explain that he was looking for a blade to attach to the Gondsmen, if it would fit. He relays that, in fact, he is not beholden to this particular blade only one of great size that is enchanted to render most efficiently. This one fits his needs most adequately.

He reiterates that he has only gold to offer, but isn’t sure what a fair starting point would be for such a blade. He also offers to work out work in trade, perhaps, if she is interested.

“You see, milady, I.. well.. I fear that I have only gold and gems. I would be willing to work out a trade of..um..work.. yes.. magical, mechanical, or otherwise. Or, barring that, if I were to find a blade worthy of trade, what type would you prefer?”

The shopkeeper wouldn't get up and follow him outside the building but the mechanical contraption would be allowed inside if it were the gnomish guests wish. If she is shown the construct, she would examine it with interest and perhaps ask a few questions as to its design and purpose.

As he continues his conversation, speaking of gold and gems, she would be notably disheartened.

"It's still rather new to my collection. It suits your purposes decently by description but it may yet similarly sate mine. Until I have dire need of gold for a blade of my own, I'd like to keep it as is, in hopes that a swordsmith or somesuch might take interest and have something to replace it with."

She pulls out a slip of paper towards the binding of her tome and prepares to take note on it. "I could send a messenger if that need does arise. Is there somewhere they could reliably contact you?"

The shopkeeper tilts her head as she listens. "I do have a preference for trinkets steeped with history. The stranger the better. Though more recently I've set upon searching for things I could take into battle."

The hooded woman leans back away from her book and takes a slow breath as she composes thoughts. "I'm not much of a soldier. I'd need equipment of significant prowess to make up for my lacking."

A few moments pass before she speaks again. "I might be interested in coin for the belt. The sword I don't think I'd trade except for something similar."

"Hmmmm...." she plops straight down on the ground, removes her pack and rummages through it producing a large worn book and starts paging through it.

"I have few things..." she trails off as she pages through the book.
"Aha!" taps a page with her finger "Sadly they're a little specific but... we'll see. As for stories I can't say I collect them so there won't be much in the way of that".

"How about... a silver warmace enchanted by the barbarians of the North? Currently belongs to the client in question, he used it until he trained himself in the use of big swords. Really good for swatting undead".
Turns the book around to show a sketch of a mace with annotations concerning the enchantments upon it.
"Orrr..." turns a couple of pages revealing another sketch "A tower shield? This one was taken from a dark elf that was involved in the kidnapping of some surfacers, no idea of it's story before that though".
"Maybe..." flips back several pages revealing another sketch with notes, this time of a battleaxe "Hmmm..." hesitates a moment "I'm not so sure about this one. First of all it's enchantments are considerably stronger than those on the blade, secondly, it's just a rather unpleasant weapon. Still, gives a point for negotiation I suppose. Story wise? It was hauled out of some cave in the Trollclaws, not much story there, presumably belonged to someone with more ambition than skill" .
"Aaand finally how about... fifty bags for the belt? Would that do?".
She looks up at the shopkeeper expectantly.

(( PM sent with item details ))

A gnome in black monks robes approaches enters the building warily, ears twitching and eyes flitting about the place. He says nothing to the lady at first, seeming to understand that the items here are for trade. After a moment he finds the Sages Serpent and interest lights his face.

He bows to the lady as he puts a right fist in his other hand. "Oghma's Blessings, lady. This ring, perhaps you'd part with it for the right enchanted item..." He rummages in his pack and pulls out a green cloak and a leather circlet.

"The cloak is more valuable by far, but if you have a silver shortsword with some interesting enchantment, or something else a monk could use.. I have found myself hunting Pit Fiends as of late."

((PM sent with item specs))

Selande wrote: She pulls out a slip of paper towards the binding of her tome and prepares to take note on it. "I could send a messenger if that need does arise. Is there somewhere they could reliably contact you?"

Wizzelbert clicks his tongue in disappointment. He relays that the most reliable place to send word would be the Temple of the Wonderbringer in Baldur's Gate. Stopping to take one last look at the blade before mumbling some to himself.

With a heavy sigh, he turns to the merchant, "Perhaps our paths shall cross under more favorable..uh.. conditions. Until then, may your furnace burn bright and your.. uh.. well. May you have a good day, milady."

With that he turns to leave.

Selande wrote:The woman shakes her head as though it were a needless question. "The same thing all swords are used for. If you're looking for a more meaningful purpose behind it, that'll have to remain something for you to perhaps learn with time."
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The figure tilts his head, and seems to think about this. "Which is not to say there is no purpose." He says, a trace of mirth in his tone. "Just that it is hidden from me."

He looks way from the cloaked woman and drums his fingers on the flask, eyes narrowing. He looks back to her.

"I am a simple creature of little guile. Do you remember? But also a patient one."

He pauses. "You seek a consecrated blade. Would you describe to me what you mean by that?"

The woman gives a slight nod, "It will, unquestionably". With that she turns on her heel and motions for the doorway. She stops for a moment, just before leaving the building."A pleasure doing business with you, ...", she pauses for a split second. "Ah, I did not catch your name shopkeeper. Pray tell me, least my recipient knows the name of the one who bestowed me these wonderous gloves".

NeonAvenger wrote:"Hmmmm...." she plops straight down on the ground, removes her pack and rummages through it producing a large worn book and starts paging through it.

"I have few things..." she trails off as she pages through the book.
"Aha!" taps a page with her finger "Sadly they're a little specific but... we'll see. As for stories I can't say I collect them so there won't be much in the way of that".

"How about... a silver warmace enchanted by the barbarians of the North? Currently belongs to the client in question, he used it until he trained himself in the use of big swords. Really good for swatting undead".
Turns the book around to show a sketch of a mace with annotations concerning the enchantments upon it.
"Orrr..." turns a couple of pages revealing another sketch "A tower shield? This one was taken from a dark elf that was involved in the kidnapping of some surfacers, no idea of it's story before that though".
"Maybe..." flips back several pages revealing another sketch with notes, this time of a battleaxe "Hmmm..." hesitates a moment "I'm not so sure about this one. First of all it's enchantments are considerably stronger than those on the blade, secondly, it's just a rather unpleasant weapon. Still, gives a point for negotiation I suppose. Story wise? It was hauled out of some cave in the Trollclaws, not much story there, presumably belonged to someone with more ambition than skill" .
"Aaand finally how about... fifty bags for the belt? Would that do?".
She looks up at the shopkeeper expectantly.

The shopkeeper passively listens to the listing of wares and their associated tales. Afterwards she shakes her head slightly before she speaks. "Warmaces and axes are for brutes. I'm looking for a sword." She pauses a moment as she considers. "I already have a shield that has served me well for ages."

She rubs the back of her gloved hand with the other as though they ached. "Fifty bags isn't half what I originally paid for the belt..." Her statement trails off without conclusion as she may have spoken aloud to herself.

"I'd see it gone for a hundred bags I suppose. I don't mean to be stingy but it's genuinely worth at least that."
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nightingale wrote:A gnome in black monks robes approaches enters the building warily, ears twitching and eyes flitting about the place. He says nothing to the lady at first, seeming to understand that the items here are for trade. After a moment he finds the Sages Serpent and interest lights his face.

He bows to the lady as he puts a right fist in his other hand. "Oghma's Blessings, lady. This ring, perhaps you'd part with it for the right enchanted item..." He rummages in his pack and pulls out a green cloak and a leather circlet.

"The cloak is more valuable by far, but if you have a silver shortsword with some interesting enchantment, or something else a monk could use.. I have found myself hunting Pit Fiends as of late."

The shopkeeper tilts her head as yet another gnomish guest visits her. She nods a greeting to the monk and reviews his offer once it is made. "I have a similar cloak somewhere, a gift from a forestwalker."

She taps a finger against her tome as she considers what else she might have for use against fiends. "I rarely cross fiends anymore. I used to have a drab rapier for some sort of meager defense. Definitely not suitable to kill any proper fiend though."

The hooded woman looks back to the monk. "I've never known a monk to wield a sword. Is that unique to your monastery?"
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Planehopper wrote:Wizzelbert clicks his tongue in disappointment. He relays that the most reliable place to send word would be the Temple of the Wonderbringer in Baldur's Gate. Stopping to take one last look at the blade before mumbling some to himself.

With a heavy sigh, he turns to the merchant, "Perhaps our paths shall cross under more favorable..uh.. conditions. Until then, may your furnace burn bright and your.. uh.. well. May you have a good day, milady."

With that he turns to leave.

The shopkeeper nods a farewell to the man after writing a note of his reachable location.
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kleomenes wrote:The figure tilts his head, and seems to think about this. "Which is not to say there is no purpose." He says, a trace of mirth in his tone. "Just that it is hidden from me."

He looks way from the cloaked woman and drums his fingers on the flask, eyes narrowing. He looks back to her.

"I am a simple creature of little guile. Do you remember? But also a patient one."

He pauses. "You seek a consecrated blade. Would you describe to me what you mean by that?"

"A sword of moderate length and weight, suitable for service of the gods." She drones the statement. "Something like what a paladin might use."

She pauses. "Or a once-was paladin."

Another long pause before she looks to her guest and continues. "I've known a few and I'm sure others do as well. They live, serve and die. And I want their sword."

The cloaked woman shifts her weight where she sits. "Surprisingly difficult to find one though." Spoken with some annoyance.
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Kaeldre wrote:The woman gives a slight nod, "It will, unquestionably". With that she turns on her heel and motions for the doorway. She stops for a moment, just before leaving the building."A pleasure doing business with you, ...", she pauses for a split second. "Ah, I did not catch your name shopkeeper. Pray tell me, least my recipient knows the name of the one who bestowed me these wonderous gloves".

The shopkeeper offers the departing woman a polite seated bow. "I am known as Zeda this day."

Selande wrote:The shopkeeper passively listens to the listing of wares and their associated tales. Afterwards she shakes her head slightly before she speaks. "Warmaces and axes are for brutes. I'm looking for a sword." She pauses a moment as she considers. "I already have a shield that has served me well for ages."

She rubs the back of her gloved hand with the other as though they ached. "Fifty bags isn't half what I originally paid for the belt..." Her statement trails off without conclusion as she may have spoken aloud to herself.

"I'd see it gone for a hundred bags I suppose. I don't mean to be stingy but it's genuinely worth at least that."

"No, no, fair enough".
Flips through the pages in her book muttering to herself, then sighs.
"Hmm... without the coin the blade would have brought in I lack the resources. Sorry to have wasted your time" she replaces the book in her pack "If I have a windfall I'll be back, but for the moment I'll have to pass".
"Oh well, you have fun now".
She clambers to her feet and walks to the hole in the wall she entered. After peering into the darkness a moment she mutters a few arcane phrases and vanishes from sight.

The gnome looks surprised to hear that the lady already has a similar cloak.

"You seem to have everything, perhaps I can offer something else besides items. A service perhaps?"

The monk pulls out more items for her to inspect, speaking as he does so.

"The sword matches the fiend better than it matches my skill, a silver kama could work too, but I don't have one."

He pulls a dagger from his belt for her to see. On closer inspection one can see it is non-magical silver.

"This dagger is all I have of silver and it has killed many fiends."

He offers some small items for inspection. ((PM Sent))

"I'm low on coin, but I can offer some liquid items that can be sold for a decent sum."

Selande wrote:"A sword of moderate length and weight, suitable for service of the gods." She drones the statement. "Something like what a paladin might use."

She pauses. "Or a once-was paladin."

Another long pause before she looks to her guest and continues. "I've known a few and I'm sure others do as well. They live, serve and die. And I want their sword."

The cloaked woman shifts her weight where she sits. "Surprisingly difficult to find one though." Spoken with some annoyance.

The masked figure regards the cloaked woman as she relates the nature of the blade she seeks. He seems to ponder, although a short chuckle emanates from him when he hears the annoyed tone.

"One might think of such a blade in two ways. One might think of a sword blessed by the gods, and cutting with holy might; such a blade is a relic, and is unlikely to be found by mere trade. Nor, truly, should it be." Ameris says this last pointedly.

He continues, his tone clearly curious as to what the masked woman might respond to the coming words. "There is another way to consider the nature of the blade you seek, and that is a blade once wielded by a paladin, one that has accumulated deeds of righteousness in such hands. Blessed not by the gods, but by service with and to a paladin. Its holiness only in the tales attached to it, holy tales of holy deeds."

He nods. "I do know of such a blade. It was forged as a gift, from a paladin of justice and light to a priest who had lost everything: his dearest comrade, his hope, his sense of purpose, and even the holy sword he had been entrusted with. The blade's first act was to remind him to Endure. When the priest found that sword he had once held in trust, but had lost, the gift he had received as passed on. It went to yet another paladin, a humble one whose service was quiet, who in peace wielded a mop and fought wars of cleanliness."

He begins to tell the tale. There is a trace of fervour in his tone, his eyes bright. "That paladin wielded it in service to the Broken God in many duties, and it was her weapon in war against the very forces of loss, death, bitterness, disease and decay themselves; a war for life, against death. She fought the rotten, risen dead in the woods to the east of here where you and I once hid the shadow burden you carried. She fought in the mountains north of here against boneless legions. She trained a disparate hopeful band to fight alongside her, and look to her command. She fought against destruction itself before the gates of Candlekeep. She fought on the very walls of Baldur's Gate itself against a putrid sea of vileness, and held against impossible odds. She was Unyielding. She gave nearly everything to keep the people of that city safe, and as many of those under her command as she could. All with this blade in her hand. It freed many souls from the chains of undeath, in her hand."

There is a smile in his eyes, some pride perhaps. "After war was done, she returned to more humble duties. But she was rewarded for her actions as saviour, and a powerful weapon was bequeathed to her by the Dukes of the city she defended. And so the gift she had taken from the priest, she returned, for she was a woman sworn away from possessions beyond necessity."

He pauses, then nods. "If you seek a blade that has such a history of holiness, then yes, I can help you."