Percy nods quite openly.  "Yes, everyone gets a bit less this time and a bit more next time," he agrees.  "It all balances out in the end."

"Sadly," he smiles.  "Nobody makes a profit ... nor a loss."

"Oh. There is one more way I can think of that might better suit everyone ... much simpler, I promise !" the young gentleman hastens to add in an effort not to lose his audience.

"Everyone gets their share of the treasure ... and if they don't have enough to purchase a specific item outright, then they must hope that one of their companions will loan them what they need, with or without interest - whatever terms they agree upon."

"Just a thought," Percy smiles.

Once the voices die down Zorah steps forward from the back of the group where she watched both the bandits interrogation and now the discussion of treasure.  She quickly passes over many of the items but stops to examine the animal skins.

"I'm in favor of Percy's idea of valuing the items and sharing equally.  Any valuable item should be purchased by borrowing coin from those in the group.  I would only lay claim to the skinning knife and animal skins, which can be delivered to Lex should no one else have a want for them."

"I'd love a chance to see the fae again if you'd have me join you, Bai."  She says at the end, returning to the background.

Pipre shook her head slightly at Valoria, the half-helm wobbling on her head. "Later; I'm very tired at the moment. Like I said, we went straight through the night to get out of the fey territory."

Valoria's face reflected a little disappointment, but she understood Pipre's desire for rest. She gave Pipre a humble nod. “Very well. Another time perhaps....The copies I need to make will only take a few hours...That is if Oleg has all the extra ink I will need. Once I am successful, I will leave the capture spellbook with you. That way you can study it at your leisure. Have a good rest.”

Percy seems about to propose yet another option ... but looking around the room, wisely decides to hold his tongue.  While he and Andalon could and undoubtedly will debate the merits of the diverse forms of contracts and commercial transactions, such is perhaps not of such interest to bold explorers ... and tired ones at that.

"Oh. Perhaps the simplest method would be better ?" he suggests diplomatically to the priest of Abadar.

Bai had kept quiet for most of the discussion, the only bits of gear that she seemed interested in were the few books the other group had gathered. Remembering the ring that Rook had handed her she pulled it out of her pocket and added it to the tally of goods. She was a bit disheartened to see that so quickly the groups were reforming just as they'd been. It seemed to her that there was some wisdom in mixing things up and seeing what skills might complement each other. Still this was a conversation for another time, right now she needed rest and relaxation. "I wouldn't mind having a look at those books, if no one objects. That can all wait, Pipre we talked about sharing a drink in the bathing pool, I think right now seems like a splendid time for that, don't you?" She smiled at the alchemist, the weariness of the road clear in her smile, and turned to the rest of those assembled and nodded in their direction excusing herself. "I just want to get a thing or two, but I'd love to relax with anyone who'll join me."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:37, Mon 10 Oct 2016.

Andalon looks at Percy for a moment as though he wants to continue the debate, but only for a moment. Instead he just shrugs and nods.

"So be it then."

Cyrus was glad the others worked their way back to the concept of doing what was best for the entire team rather than what might leave them with the most gold in their pockets and that no further discussion on the matter was warranted. He also enjoyed the way Valoria proposed sharing her spellbook with the others, no sense in keeping strength to ones' self if they were all working together towards a common purpose.

"Thank you for coming to an acceptable agreement. Andalon, I am sorry, I see now what you were saying and it was not as selfish as I'd originally judged it. I should not have spoken so harshly but I seem to find your faith and approach to money somewhat different than my own and I hope we can get past that. I have a few items to attend to, but should any of you wish to join the group that found the fort in taking it, please let me know."

He leaned over to Valoria and whispered something before taking his leave.

Valoria noted Bai, Pipre and their desire to go off to the bathing pool. A part of Valoria wanted to join them, but she was feeling more than a little estranged from that crowd, Bai's group. Indeed, she felt much more camaraderie among her group. Perhaps it was not so strange, as group one seemed to mostly be from the lower, commoner class and group two was mostly, if not entirely from noble families. It was not strange, just unfortunate.

With a wave of the hand and a snap of her fingers, all the dirt and grime from the road disappeared from her clothes and skin. She was now completely clean. Prestidigitation is a marvelous spell indeed.

Looking over to Andalon, she handed him one hundred gold pieces from her share. “That should pay for the rings, the contract and importantly your fee. My thanks dear cousin, I am grateful for your help.”

As Cyrus then whispered in her ear, a smile came to her face. “I believe you are right. I like the idea. Would you care to join me at the table? We can share some wine while I make copies.”

OOC: The GM said 20gp will cover two signet rings with the crest of your new house, plus all the engraving and storage of a copy of the contract.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:18, Mon 10 Oct 2016.

Cyrus was about to leave when he said, "I will join you momentarily, I have some other business to attend to."

Valoria's face glowed and she kissed Cyrus on the cheek. “Try not to be too long darling.” With that she made her way to the tables.

OOC: Moving to, “Location: The Fire”.

Andalon clasped Valoria's hand in both of his and smiled gently back at her happiness.

"I am sure that will be more than sufficient," he assured her. "I am honoured to be able to be of assistance in your wedding plans, Cousin. Have you and Cyrus decided on the crest you will adopt for your new house? When you are ready we should send the details to Restov to get them crafted up for you."

In reply to Andalon de Lebeda (msg # 86):

"I believe a new crest has already been chosen. However, I would ask Cyrus on that score."

OOC: DM, Cyrus did we come up with a new Crest? I was under the brief that one was made. :)

OOC: It is in Cyrus's hands.  Personally I like that new mythological beast I created for you - the Swoar - which would have allowed us to make all sorts of 'If Pigs could fly' jokes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:27, Wed 12 Oct 2016.

OOC: I haven't had a chance to work on it, but I will soon!

Next day

---

Once you have rested, recovered from the night before, you can get a couple of honey cakes from Svetlana for breakfast and go about your business.

Brother Bart settles himself into the courtyard catching everyone as they go past and asking if they need any help, healing or clerical services before they go out on their next mission.

In the morning Andalon greets Brother Bart warmly and assures him that he is fit and ready for the mission ahead. Andalon enjoys Svetlana's honey cakes for breakfast but soon seeks out Oleg to discuss business.

"When Adoven and Borric return from Restov they should have purchased materials for me to scribe scrolls (50gp worth). When you send them back on their next journey to trade in some of the items we gained during the last week I would ask you to get them to buy a few more things for me with my share of the proceeds (300gp). I want to buy a suit of banded mail armour (250gp) and more materials for me to scribe more scrolls (another 50gp worth).

"I also want them to buy me some things from the Temple of Abadar. I will give you a letter to the Banker there to assure him these things are indeed for one of the Abadaran clergy, which should avoid any unnecessary mark up on the price. I want to purchase a gilded metal holy symbol to replace my gold-painted wooden one and a decent altar set that I can use during Val and Cyrus's wedding. I will need several yards of white linen and a spool of gilt thread so Pru can sew up a decent set of clerical robes and an embroidered altar cloth for me. I think I have the cash to pay for those items and will give it to you before we set off today. I am going to speak to Pru next so she should be able to confirm how much cloth and thread will be required.

"Lastly, Cyrus and Valoria will need a pair of signet rings for the wedding service, engraved with the new crest they have chosen. Val has already given me the money for the rings, so I will leave that with you as well."

OOC: The clerical items are to be paid for from the donations Andalon has received from other party members for healing services, etc. Based on the idea of donations to the church being used to buy things the church needs to perform its religious services.

Oleg makes a note of the things  Andalon wants to purchase "I think we should be able to arrange that ..." he says nodding.

"And I will take direction  from Pru as to the amount of cloth you will need for the vestments and altar cloth." Oleg nods as the cleric continues to outline his plans.

Andalon counts coins then hands Oleg 80gp for the clerical purchases plus another 10gp for the two signet rings.

"Thank you, Oleg. If it ends up a bit more or less we can sort out the balance when the goods arrive. Make sure you get the details of the crest for those rings from Cyrus and Valoria before we leave today. Now I had better find Pru and discuss the details with her."

Andalon then heads off to talk to Pru. When he finds her he asks if she would be willing to take on the task of making a set of clerical vestments and an embroidered altar cloth for him. He will pay a fair price for her work, of course. He will suggest that she take whatever measurements are required so she can advise Oleg how much cloth and thread is required and then begin making the clothes when the materials arrive, even if Andalon is not back here again by then. She can advise Oleg about a few key measurements for the banded mail armour that Andalon wants to purchase as well.

The young woman seems keen to the idea and need Andalon presents to her. She listens with interest, occasionally marking some notes on a small script of paper. As her usual, she listens and asks questions in regards to style, length, color, and appeal that he will desire, as well as information on the traditional styles of the church as she is not a part of it and has no experience with such vestments. Once she has the information needed, she assures him she will get to work as soon as the supplies arrive and will take additional measurements when he returns to check her numbers. Not wishing to keep him, and knowing he will be busy, she ends the conversation with the promise to seek him out if anymore concerns arrive and departs to find Oleg to make the necessary arrangements, crunching numbers as she walks to ensure she has enough of what she needs.

Lolli woke eagerly and early, eating some honey cakes and grabbing her rapier, waiting for Percy in the yard. She twirled the blade in her hand, running it clumsily between her fingers and stabbing the air with it.

She'd agreed to Percy's terms the previous night, and was so excited she went, with her lady's dismissal, directly to bed. Her excitement hadn't abated.

As morning drew on, she settled to patching her lady's armour, waiting for Percy to wake up.

By afternoon she gathered some leftovers and waited for Percy to emerge to offer her teacher an invigorating breakfast
This message was last edited by the player at 13:34, Fri 28 Oct 2016.

It is indeed nigh on afternoon when Percy finally awakens, much refreshed from his long sleep.  The exertions of the week had certainly taken their toll on the young gentleman, and he had taken advantage of the only chance he was likely to get to rest his weary bones, since they'll all be off again on the morrow.

Surprised and yet pleased, he tucks into his breakfast-cum-lunch as one who might never see food again, the moreso as he does not like to keep a lady waiting, and he is gratified by Lolli's eagerness, though hoping he does not prove a disappointment to her, as his skills as a teacher have not yet been tested.

"It's all about form," he tells her as he cuts a couple of suitably thin and springy branches, akin to the flexible rapier.  "As my old tutor oft impressed upon me."

"Your mistress and Cyrus ... they rely on strength and power, striving for a telling blow that will fell their opponents and so avoid any harm to themselves - a dead or incapacitated foe cannot hit back !"

"But the rapier ... that is all about patience, timing and skill ... and footwork !  We must test and probe our opponent's defences until we find the perfect opening, while avoiding their attacks.  It's more of a dance really."

"So today ... we practice our form and position," Percy smiles encouragingly as he hands Lolli one of the supple branches, "and repetition is the only way to learn. Copy me ... foot forward ... foot back ..."

Valoria waited her turn as her cousin made his request of Prudence. Once that was done she nodded to Andalon and approached Prudence. “Dear Prudence, I was hoping you could make adjustments to this brocade gown. It will be my wedding dress....I would be willing to pay a generous sum for such services.”

OOC: Will leave brocade gown with Prudence, if she agrees. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Sat 29 Oct 2016.

Pipre was sitting on a table with a bottle of her own ale, chilled by the bathing pool, between her thighs and a roll of smoking tobacco blend between her lips. She watches as the festivities wind down and some of the others find Prudence and start orders and commissions for the wedding. She watches from lowered, feathery black eyelashes and furtive glances while supposing that this meant that her own orders would likely be put on hold.

With a sigh she rolls her shoulder and decides to head back to bed; they would be out in the wilderness where things were often less complicated soon enough.