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

Tis rumored that a man within the Gate, said to be recognizable by a bright red hood and a long white cape, is carrying on about a long list of wares that he can procure for sale...though he seems to carry no items himself, or operate any stall.

The rumor also carries the oddest of bits, and that is: the man is said to only take offers to know his list—and further make offers to procure something—if the person interested first submits a rhyme, a poem or a riddle, of no particular length, but nonetheless required to gain his attention. After which, the man will lower his hood, to smile, and with charming eyes, introduce himself as Artim, a seeker to the wonderful unknown and Procurer of Tales. Some even say the better the submission, the better to receive a discount on what he says he can provide!!

After this small performance is made, it is said he will rattle off the many wares upon the "...cabinet of the mind...it is all in there....", he states...so much that could be described as wonderful, strange or remarkable!

For Sale:

Kama of Stealth
EB +2
Piercing 1d4
H/MS +2

Kura-Tura Kama, Greater
EB +3
Acid 2
DEX +2
Reflex saves +1
Tumble +2

Monk Hand of Lan'Kuth
EB +2
Electrical 1 dmg
DEX and WIS +1 each
Bonus Feat: Weapon Focus (Kama)
Displacement (9): 1/day

Thigh of the Limited Bat (kama)
EB +3
dmg bonus Electrical 1
Massive crits: 5

Life Stealing Kama
EB +2
Bonus dmg: Piercing 1d4
Vamp regen +1

Rogue's Stealth Dagger (dagger)
EB +3
Hide/MS +3

Bow of Silvanus (shortbow)
EB +2
Massive Crits 1d4
Might +4
Listen/Spot +3
Survival +4
Barkskin (3) 2/day

The Quiet Darksteel Mace of Vivacity (mace)
DMG bonus Electrical 1
CHA +2
Skill Bonus Hide +4
Only useable by Neutral or UMD

Sling of Fire
EB +2
Fire dmg 1d4

The Left Hand (dagger)
AC bonus +3 (deflection)
Bonus Feat: Two-weapon fighting
Bonus Feat: Two-weapon defense

The Beautiful Blade (katana)
EB +3
CHA +3
Damage Immunity Electrical 10%
80% of Weight
Mithral

---

Periapt of Peaceful Water
AC bonus +1 natural
Improved Saving throws Mind +4
Spell Resistance: 28

Balanced Monks Fist (gloves)
EB +3
Acid dmg 1
Only useable by Evil or UMD

Fire Bracer
AC bonus +3 (Armor)
Improved Saving throws: Fire +3
Improved Saving throws: Fortitude +!

Infantile Demilich (helmet)
AC bonus +3 deflection
Damage Immunity Cold 10%

Magical Resistance Half-plate Armor
Heavy Armor 8/0
AC bonus +1
Light Bright 20m white
Spell Resistance 28

Chain Shirt
Light Armor 4/4
AC bonus +2
WIS +3
Spell Immunity: Mass Inflict Light Wounds

Bulky Leopard (clothes)
AC bonus +2
WIS +3

Tunic of Greater Protection
AC bonus +3
Skill Bonus Heal +4
60% of weight

Mithral Scale Mail
Light armor 5/5
15 pounds

Healthy Boots of Dodge
AC bonus +3 (dodge)
AC versus Good +1 (dodge) *stacks!*
Bonus Hitpoints +2

Scattertail Boots (druid set)
AC bonus +2 dodge
Bonus Hitpoint +5
Hide/MS + 3
Only useable by druid or UMD

Imaskari Tower Shield
AC bonus +2 shield
Spell Resistance 20



For Trade:
The items he speaks of being in his possession to trade, are for trade, and thus, will only be traded for wares of equal value...that being "negotiable and in the eye of the beholder....," he would state. He also states that he is looking for epic daggers with EB +4 and minimum vampiric regeneration of +2 with any other enhancements especially spell resistance, epic mithral chain shirts/chain mails/breast plates with +3 AC or INT/DEX or SR bonuses, a ring with minimum Charisma +3 bonus plus other enhancements (particularly Sorcerer spells), boots with dodge +4 bonus plus Bluff bonuses, or any combination of the above items with Bluff skill bonuses...for he willfully understands that the Sword Coast provides all sorts of fantastic randomly generated wares of impressiveness!!!


Driftwood Staff
EB +1
On Hit: Stun DC=30 33% / 1 round

Mace of Gaharu
EB +3
Bonus dmg Piercing 1
Massive Crits: 1d10
Vampiric Regeneration +1

The Dragon's Claw of the Gish (bastard sword)
EB +1
Dmg bonus: Fire 1
Keen
Vamp regen +1



// If you have any OOC questions, please feel free to send me a PM. However, the whole auction needs to be IC and via this thread. I am also happy to do this IC and IG, if that is more interesting for you and your Character. Some items listed here may disappear without notice if IG RP determines a sale. Cheers.

Artim is approached by a man introducing himself as (person). When asked for a rhyme or riddle, the man would pause a moment in thought, clearly not expecting such a request from a merchant. But he would decide to play along, and soon after he would look up at Artim with his reply. "I have a riddle for you then: What is so delicate, that merely saying its name will break it?" The man smiles to Artim, clearly satisfied with himself for comming up with something on the spot. He then waits for Artims reply.

Should the riddle be deemed worthy, the man would offer 20 bags for the Windrider's Twig.

dedude wrote: "I have a riddle for you then: What is so delicate, that merely saying its name will break it?" The man smiles to Artim, clearly satisfied with himself for comming up with something on the spot. He then waits for Artims reply.

Should the riddle be deemed worthy, the man would offer 20 bags for the Windrider's Twig.

"Greetings good sir! You seem to be a player of the game, so let me put my mind to task upon it!"

Artim repeats the riddle a few times, perplexed but enjoying the chance to work through it. "I cannot say I am confident on my answer, but I say to you: 'concentration?'"

Artim answers with a hopeful face.

"But let us quickly discuss your offer. You may or may not know this good sir, but far north, in the town of Soubar, there is a merchant that regularly plies these quarterstaffs of exceptional make. However...this merchant does ply them for eighty bags of coin, at least!! So, since you have graciously brought me a worthy challenge in words and play, I can offer you this: I will best that merchant in the north by half, if you will pay what you offer, double. Is that not a fine deal?!"

One of the street musicians stops playing and clutches his head, falling to the ground and begins screaming "Silence! Silence!" Then suddenly he stops and pulls out parchment and quill and begins writing on his chair. He approaches Artim, scratching his greasy tousled hair and staring rather madly.

He speaks in a trembling high pitched wail.

"The Master sends his greetings and would like to play."

He then grips the parchment stiffly and begins reciting

"That sound of the flute you can't grab on to,
Makes the philosopher feel like a caveman, still
Banging rocks together.
The flute says to me..."

Suddenly his hand leaves the parchment and he slaps himself with a vicious crack

"I'm sorry Master!..

The flute speaks to me
Long after it faded into wind,
Long after
I stopped listening.

So many years have passed but I remember,
How much I lost to that sound,
Like breath in a winter fog
Like tears in the rain
Like wheels down an ever-winding road.
My heart empties; words slip away.

by The Blackman Who is not Dead"

After the recitation the musician falls to the ground and is unable to be revived except momentarily, long enough to cry out something about "the darkness"...

Steve wrote:"Greetings good sir! You seem to be a player of the game, so let me put my mind to task upon it!"

Artim repeats the riddle a few times, perplexed but enjoying the chance to work through it. "I cannot say I am confident on my answer, but I say to you: 'concentration?'"

Artim answers with a hopeful face.

(person)'s smile widens as he replies "You are close, but silence is the correct answer."

Steve wrote:"But let us quickly discuss your offer. You may or may not know this good sir, but far north, in the town of Soubar, there is a merchant that regularly plies these quarterstaffs of exceptional make. However...this merchant does ply them for eighty bags of coin, at least!! So, since you have graciously brought me a worthy challenge in words and play, I can offer you this: I will best that merchant in the north by half, if you will pay what you offer, double. Is that not a fine deal?!"

(person)'s face changes to a more serious look as he listens to the merchants counter offer. "If what you say is truth, then I will accept your offer." (person) would offer his hand to seal the deal, and as the merchant takes the hand, (person) would pull him slighty closer with a firm grip and say in a low voice: "I will be checking up on that story merchant." He would then release the merchant and finish the deal.

dedude wrote: (person)'s face changes to a more serious look as he listens to the merchants counter offer. "If what you say is truth, then I will accept your offer." (person) would offer his hand to seal the deal, and as the merchant takes the hand, (person) would pull him slighty closer with a firm grip and say in a low voice: "I will be checking up on that story merchant." He would then release the merchant and finish the deal.

Artim takes the man's hand, in earnest deal making, shaking effort. "My good sir...," he says "I have no use in telling you a lie this day!" He smiles, his charming eyes sparkling. "Now...let us walk to the Merchant's Guild...they are gladly providing storage for such things...that you now own."

//PM me when you are IG, and I'll do my best to pop on. Cheers!

Artim hands over the stave to (person), simultaneously taking into possession the value of forty-thousand gold coins. The fortune-seeker seems...satisfied, at least with the sale.

But the transaction lingers for a moment, until Artim speaks:
"Good sir...I do hope this stave provides for your use. Tis a dense wood, and surely, what you strike with it shall remember the blow, indeed!"

Artim raises a finger in the air, heeding the man to pause for a second longer, for he is not yet finished speaking....

"Before you depart, may I take this moment to query you this: do you know of the Mirari, and possibly, the tale that will lead me to one? I will pay handsomely, (person)...if you can answer that riddle...."

A short woman wearing a patchwork of battered armor pieces and carrying a comically large greatsword on her back approaches the red hooded man rumoured to make a strange request to his potential customers. She stops in front of him, arms crossed, looking plenty annoyed.

"Ugh… all of you pikin’ idiots and your pissin’ games. If you think I’ll be a bloody poet spewing sh*te like those blasted dames - Think again!
Here’s your soddin’ riddle, you bumbling tosser: Who’s no blasted bard but wants to know what a good helmet will cost her?"

After presenting her "tasteful poetry", she breaks into a proud grin. The woman with the messily blue-dyed hair would undoubtedly favor equipment that enhances the wearer's strength //Greater Helmet of Strength//.

An Earth Genasi walks calmly to Artim and with a furrowed brow and intense, ruby eyes fixed on Artim's he speaks in recitation.

"I am the riddler's quarry.
I am the deepest secret,
Yet I am plain for all to see.
Talk of me is highly abstract,
Yet there is nothing more concrete than me.
What am I?"

He then puts both hands on his staff and leans heavily, not leaving his gaze nor changing his expression; he waits.

Arasinya wrote: "Ugh… all of you pikin’ idiots and your pissin’ games. If you think I’ll be a bloody poet spewing sh*te like those blasted dames - Think again!
Here’s your soddin’ riddle, you bumbling tosser: Who’s no blasted bard but wants to know what a good helmet will cost her?"

//Greater Helmet of Strength//.

Artim makes a small jump of surprise, having the raving and/or ravenous woman descend upon him with such directness. The initial jump lasts only a second, for then he turns to absorb the woman's words with a newfound toughness, his hands landing fairly heavily upon his hips, as he replies:

"Tis but one small game inside the larger Game, is it not? One can play it, or be played by it? I imagine one as strong in the head as you...would choose the former!"

Artim is careful but kind, a bit taunting in voice, but not unwelcoming to her.

"I will take a try at your...riddle...*he pauses, then with a certain flair, responds*...tis, YOU!"

Artim has a small chuckle.

"Let us get to the deal, woman of few words. You may take this helmet off my hands—metaphorically speaking—for fifteen bags of coin."

MistyMountain wrote:An Earth Genasi walks calmly to Artim and with a furrowed brow and intense, ruby eyes fixed on Artim's he speaks in recitation.

"I am the riddler's quarry.
I am the deepest secret,
Yet I am plain for all to see.
Talk of me is highly abstract,
Yet there is nothing more concrete than me.
What am I?"

He then puts both hands on his staff and leans heavily, not leaving his gaze nor changing his expression; he waits.

Artim absorbs the earthen-born being's approach, in such a way that it would be that Artim has prepared for receiving...a welcome guest. Artim takes a step toward the Genasi, and with openness, places his right hand upon the Genasi's upper arm, giving the being a pleased look, as a response the challenge delivered.

"Do you speak to me, as a being, that himself, has experienced this...TRUTH?"

Artim waits for the Genasi to react.

Steve wrote: Artim is careful but kind, a bit taunting in voice, but not unwelcoming to her.

"I will take a try at your...riddle...*he pauses, then with a certain flair, responds*...tis, YOU!"

Artim has a small chuckle.

"Let us get to the deal, woman of few words. You may take this helmet off my hands—metaphorically speaking—for fifteen bags of coin."

Rhiannon's initial annoyance appears to dwindle when Artim displays some (possibly unexpected) toughness. "You're a real pissin' genius aren't you, pumpkin", she says and laughs loudly. "Fifteen bag's a deal."

The Genasi's brow unfurrows and his gaze softens. "Savras rejoice, I drink the nectar of truth, as do you, from you're behavior." *He clasps his hands in the manner of a monk, pausing there for a moment of suggestive reverence*

'I seek a staff, like this one" *With rough brown hands he grips his unworked wooden stick*

"To those who run up and down one bank of a river, trying to cross, only the discerning see the gift of driftwood the river brings, all one needs to steady the feet and cross the flood."

The genasi continues, now taking the stance and tone of formal verse:

"What do you mean by a flood," the river asks and asks
"I mean the flood of meaning", I answer with each sure step
Until there is no more meaning tugging at my feet,
Just empty repetition of a meaningless noise
Merely a burden, like a wooden stick, to be thrown down
The farther shore reached
What needed to be done is done
Just when the mind rests, like this
Is when the mind is free to act in power
But does not need to act anymore"

With this, the Genasi puts his staff on the ground and holds it at arms length. He releases it and for a moment the staff stands on end without falling. The staff begins glowing with a dark light, and a deep, depraved moan emits from it. The darkness fades away and the staff is gone, and the Genasi is already far down the street, walking with a natural speed away.

A halfling walks up to the man wearing a red hood and white cape . . . after first inspecting other men slightly too close . . . and gives him a huge toothy grin as soon as he spots him.

"Ye seem te be the man Tommy 'ere be lookin for!"

He seems to be visibly trying to contain himself, as he seems quite eager to meet the man.

"I was told that ye would show me yer wares when offered a riddle . . . OR a poem!! Or ehr . . . a rhyme. Yes, a rhyme! Well, I've got one for ya!

What walks on four legs in the mornin',
Two in the afternoon,
An' 3 in the evenin'?

Good one, eh!?"

He then rubs his hands together in enthousiastic anticipation
"Boy, so interested in seein' if ye got any nice daggers . . . or perhaps other magical trinkets!? Somethin' te help me when I be explorin'! Ah, but first the riddle. Got it yet!?"
He then looks up at the man expectantly, his toothy grin never lessening.