"Real life is more complicated than the simple teachings given to a novice Celene! You will understand in time."


"Yes, if it is important. But I don't want you coming into the temple to see me if you are dressed in street clothes rather than your novice's habit. Come through the back alley into the servants' entrance and get one of them to send for me." Eseriel pauses and gives Celene a knowing look. "You still remember that alley and the servants' entrance I take it?"

Perhaps that is the Magus' way of reminding Celene that is was Eseriel who took her in off the street, first into the servants' quarters, and then raised her up from a servant to a novice. Perhaps it is time for Celene to start paying back that favour before she starts worrying about the balance flipping the other way...

With that Eseriel leaves and Nylaria leads Celene back down into the bowels of the opera house. The vivacious woman can't seem to stop talking and keeps up a constant chatter for the entire time it takes to get downstairs. The speech is delivered in such a high speed blur that Celene isn't able to follow all of it, but it is mostly emptyheaded gossip about which eligible bachelors will be attending the upcoming shows and which girls will be entering society for the first time. It certainly seems that Nylaria knows a lot of people in the city.

When the reach the costuming department, Celene is confronting with large racks of costumes that have been used in operas over many years.

"Let's see what we can find, shall we?" Nylaria starts poking through the racks and pulling out outfits of various types. It soon becomes clear to Celene that despite the huge amount of clothing down here, many of it is the same thing repeated twenty or thirty times. Also, Nylaria's idea of what would be a good disguise doesn't agree with what the novice thinks would be sensible.

"How about this?" says the diva. "I think it will be a good fit!"



"Yes, you are right. Not appropriate for the streets. You need something more rustic. Oh! You would be so cute in this one!"




"OK, something more martial? You could carry a weapon while wearing this one and no-one would bat an eyelid."




"Hmm. You are tough to please. I suppose if you are going to the poorer side of town then it might have to be this."




OOC: OK, which one do you choose?

In reply to Magus Eseriel (msg # 69):



Hmm, in fact you're right, that's not really how Celene is. She's not at all scheeming like that (yet). It's more of the line of thinking of her puppetmaster (me), i'm afraid. Good thing she didn't express anything more vocally...



"Yes Magus, thank you for reminding me. I will do my best not to let down your trust in me."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:54, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

In reply to Nylaria Absalee (msg # 71):

Very OOC: Hmmm, that shepherds attire is cute - are you crazy, I don't want to kill people (men) walking down the street!!

Celene goes for the street wise attire, but tries to come up with a set that isn't too beggar like - more servant than poor. Also, she tries to find some less fluffy (more tight fitting) and in darker colours for her night job - if she can have two outfits.

"Say, Nylaria, you obviously are a very informed lady - you get to know a lot of sophisticated people through your work and life here. Do you know this man, Hans Aubreck? He's apparently some minor noble or previously wealthy man - he lives in the noble district? Or do you know someone who does know him or his home?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

OOC: Yes, it is strange. Celene has never been to the opera, but the costumes are nothing like she expected they would be. Far more flesh exposed than she would ever have guessed.

Nylaria is more than happy for Celene to take two outfits.



"Oh yes!" Bubbles Nylaria. "I know everybody who comes to the opera, and that is everybody that is important in the city! Now Aubreck is a sad case. He used to come regularly with his wife, never a private box mind you, but often in the grand circle. But he has business problems and had to stop coming, couldn't afford the tickets I heard." Nylaria sniffs. "He should have cut back on something else. A season ticket to the opera is a necessity if one is going to conduct any sort of serious business in Sasserine. Anyway, what was the problem again? His biggest ship disappeared in a typhoon I think."

The large lady holds onto both of Celene's hands. "You look perfect! Now off you go and complete your secret mission. And don't forget to come back here and tell me all about it. You don't need to tell Eseriel if you just want to come for a quick visit!"


OOC: So, shopping is next. Just buy what you want up to 100gp and write it on your character sheet. Then you'll have to wait around a little until Logan catches up.

This message was deleted by the player at 20:39, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

Will do the shopping, almost there I think. And can I just add holy water, or should I roleplay it?

What time is it?

OOC: Hmm, I never thought about that tactic.

Nylaria thinks for a moment. "Of course, many of our patrons work in castle Taraknian. But what we need is someone who works in city planning and is... amendable to cash. Yes, I think I know such a person! You could go see Boris Zakayev. If I give you a note of introduction, that should be enough. I don't know how much he would want for information at such short notice though. Hmm, you might have to just owe him a favour..."

In reply to Nylaria Absalee (msg # 78):

Celene is delighted. "Excellent, Nylaria! I'll keep your letter for if it needed, in case my contact needs more info. I will know later.

But is this Boris apt to deal with lowlives such as this beggar or servant that I'm dressed as, or will he only deal with higher ups, such as someone from the temple of Wee Jas?

But I will be sure to drop in later, and tell you the whole story!"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

Time is now day 2 1000. You have 2 hours before you have to meet Logan in Shadowshore. In regards to holy water, and shopping in general, no I don't want to roleplay it. Just write a throw away sentence about getting it.

two questions about shopping:

No cost of a scabbard (for covering the rapier) - it says such stuff is included when you buy a sword.

Can I get anything simpler than a climber's kit (that's too much, with crampons, pitons, ropes etc.) that will help Celene simply climb a rope, such as some gloves which I could then cover in resin or similar clever stuff? I have a feeling that rogue is going to suggest Celene climbs a wall - ludicrous, and she will tell him that, but better be prepared if that's the only option - and she CAN'T climb .-)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:08, Sun 21 Dec 2014.

Re: The scabbard. How can you buy a scabbard for a sword that you have never seen and don’t know the dimensions of? All you know is that it is a rapier of some type, you don’t know how long. You’ll have to come up with some other way of wrapping it up.

Re: Climbing assistance. Hmm, you can get some good quality climbing gloves which will protect your hands and give a small bonus, i.e. +1 to a climb skill check for 10 g.p. But no, they can’t be coated in sticky resin so you can cling like spiderman! There are magical ‘gloves of swimming and climbing’, but they cost 6,250 gp. A bit much!

Celene can still try and climb even though she has no points in the skill, she is just going to be really bad at it. But maybe Logan can climb up first, lower a rope to her and she can tie it around herself, and then he’ll basically just pull her up. What could possibly go wrong?!

“Oh, don’t worry. He’ll definitely see you if you say I have sent you and you have the letter, no matter how you are dressed. Although… if you put on the shepherdess outfit that would guarantee…” she sees Celene's look and stops. “Alright, no doubt you can make it work.” Nylaria gets a pen and quill and writes a short letter – which she does NOT let you see the contents of – and then seals it with some wax and her signet ring.

quote:

You’ll have to come up with some other way of wrapping it up.

Ok, I'll find a large piece of rough leather (that rogue probably have no clue how important this is, so I'll take care of it). What's the cost and weight?

quote:

they can’t be coated in sticky resin so you can cling like spiderman!

No, course not, didn't expect that, but thought that a bit of resin would aid in the gripping of a rope, like it's used on the ball in handball (something we play here in Europe, for you from 'abroad').

Ten gp, outrageous! I will try and bargain that down to half (how are the rules on this?).

That reminds me, that healer's kit i'm going to get for the sake of the poor rogue's health is pretty steep. Can I find a bargain somewhere?

quote:

What could possibly go wrong?!

Don't get her started again!
This message was last edited by the player at 09:31, Mon 22 Dec 2014.

You hunt round the market and it costs 15 s.p. and 1/8 lb. E.g. nothing to worry about, just write it on your character sheet! Well done on remembering it though.



Oh, like gardening gloves. I get it. If you want it half price then make a DC10 diplomacy check - and this is only because this is a none standard item we are talking about.



Nope, no discount on that. Don't worry, you are going to be using it a lot. And after you start adventuring you are going to be swimming in cash anyway.

quote:

Oh, like gardening gloves. I get it. If you want it half price then make a DC10 diplomacy check - and this is only because this is a none standard item we are talking about.

quote:

21:47, Mon 22 Dec 2014: Celene rolled 16 using 1d20+4 ((12)).

All fine. Sturdy gloves for climbing (+1 to climb ropes), 5 gp (half standard)
What's the weight?

quote:

Don't worry, you are going to be using it a lot

That's why I worry. It's only got 10 uses. :-)

quote:

And after you start adventuring you are going to be swimming in cash anyway.

You must be mistaking Celene for someone who doesn't tithe everything from each adventure to the temple (yeah, I know, tithe is only 1/10, but in lack of a better word...:-).

In reply to Nylaria Absalee (msg # 83):



"Yes, I hope, thank you for your confidence." Celene smiles knowingly at Nylaria, to ensure her that they are each other's confidentials.

"I will be off, but I promise you to be back with a story for you."

Celene discretely leaves the theater to go shopping for her equipment and stop by the temple, before her meeting with Logan.

Since we have a bit of time, how about we do role play a market scene? Which market are you going to visit? The closest possibility is the High Market in the Noble District, but prices are high and they won't have all of the adventuring stuff you need. The market in the merchant district is the largest. You have an hour or two you can spend there before meeting Logan.


Hmm, the climbing kit is 50gp and only gives a +2 on climbing checks. You bought some gloves that give +1 and they only cost 5 gp. That was a good deal! They don't weight anything.



Are you really going to take cleric levels? I thought you might have changed your mind.

Yes, by all means.

Celene wanders off to the piers, catching a gondola instead of taking the long walk around to Merchant District where she'll get her supplies. She keeps a tight hand on her pouch, and her wits about her, making sure to look around her.

She'll try to finish the plain purchases quickly, to have a little time to wander around the district, taking in the sights and maybe stop at a interesting place or see what she otherwise should bump into, as she has rarely had any time outside the temple for herself.

She has heard of the Harbour Market, where she should be able to get most of what she needs. It even has the odd minor magical item.

She should perhaps be looking for items that could help her overcome her poor physique, that makes swimming and climbing a problem. She doesn't have much money, but maybe other arrangements could be made. Otherwise, that will have to be another time, at least she'll have an idea what's available.


Did she get the adress to Boris (which district was it in?), or was she to call on him at castle Teraknian?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:14, Tue 23 Dec 2014.

Celene buys the mundane adventuring items she needs and then spends the rest of her free time wandering around the harbour market, taking in the sights, sounds and smells. There are many street performers entertaining the morning crowds for the price of a few coppers. Tumblers, fire breathers, sword swallowers, a very sweaty looking dancing bear which has apparently come all the way from the forests of Karameikos and some impressive stilt walkers from Alphatia.

The young novice becomes enthralled in a funny puppet show which is practising the ancient Sasserine comedy form of 'making fun of people from other districts'. They carefully satirise Zasker Grankus, who runs the arena in the Champion district and who has a great deal more brawn than brains who is more barbarian then 'reformed barbarian'. Then Victor Saint-Demain, the self proclaimed genius of Cudgel district who is the city's most famous sleuth is shown as an effeminate silk covered bumbling fool. Then Keltar Islaran, habourmaster of the city and representative of the Azure district is showing pleading with his four children for one of them to take over his position, but all of them are too lazy or stupid to do it. The crowd laughs and hoots appreciatively, but when Zebula Meravanchi of the Noble district is lampooned for the excesses which take place during the parties in his manor house they go quiet. Lord Meracanchi is well known for not being a man to make fun of unless you want a midnight call from some of the thugs on his payroll. The puppeteers deftly shift to making fun of Nylaria Absalee, the enormous manageress of the opera house and High Magus Annah Teranaki of the Temple of Wee Jas, who in sock puppet form spend much time arguing over who should eat the last donut.

Finally the show is over and Celene must pay a few coppers for watching.



She was told to see him in Castle Teraknian, and told which department he worked in. The castle 'belongs to all district but is not in any of them', although it is worth noting that the island it sits on is a stones throw from the noble district.

That's it really, just wanted to foreshadow a few future NPCs... but which ones?!

EDIT: Added the habourmaster!

This message was last edited by the GM at 09:27, Tue 30 Dec 2014.

quote:

That's it really, just wanted to foreshadow a few future NPCs... but which ones?!

Well, at least one is already a present one, but let's see - excited!

After checking her wallet once again, Celene head back, but is still on the looking for any magical remedies for her poor swimming and climbing talents, checking the prices for later. I.e. wanders around while waiting for her rendevouz with that rogue..
This message was last edited by the player at 11:13, Mon 29 Dec 2014.

You need one of these:

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-...ngs/ring-of-swimming (1,250 gp)
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-...g/elixir-of-swimming (250 gp)
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-...wimming-and-climbing (6,250 gp)
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-...oak-of-the-manta-ray (7,200 gp)
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wands.htm (2,250 gp)

Unlike oD&D, buying magic items is common and expected in pathfinder. It is considered part of character customisation.

quote:

buying magic items is common and expected in pathfinder. It is considered part of character customisation.

ha, not even worth the time to roleplay her snooping around in nifty little magic shoppes, i see :-)

Kassius had some suggestions too. Would that spell be available to celene somehow?

Celene goes to the temple to unload a few of her purchases, and get the holy water, and then gets ready to meet with the burglar.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:47, Mon 29 Dec 2014.