In reply to Gareth (msg # 123):

You were limited to medium encumberance worth of gear; no one wanted to assist you. You have a scimitar, an axe, and a medallion. All of the other gear was visibly cheap. Those items need to be evaluated, by someone with connoiseiur melee weapons and by someone with hidden lore:magic items, or Analyze Magic, at a cost. I am no longer allowing weapons or armor to be power items, the amulet mifht do you though.

Haveron will gift Amelia with $50 of his take to bankroll her in a few games of chance, with the fod but stern instruction that she not lose it all.  Then he'll send her on her way.

After they have sorted out payment with the caravan, Haveron will linger for a few minutes.

[Private to GM: Haveron has Cheritable, plus the back history shows quite a fondness for Amelia.  In addition he has the Code of Honor and the Sense of Duty.  It seemed reasonable for him to express all of that in this fashion.

As for a retainer, I went back and skimmed the Wastrel thread.  You suggested a retainer, which i agree with as character development.  It looks like my options from that thread are:

Harlan - Street Mage (NPC)
Bertrand - Sage (NPC)
Mischa - half-elf Shevnian Artisan (NPC)
Ron-Pierre - seedy Alchemist

Of the group, Mischa came along on the caravan, so she seems like the most likely of the group to join my company.  However, I don't know if she has any skills that Haveron would consider distinctive and useful compared to what he has already with Amelia.

I would guess Haveron wouldn't choose the Alchemist, if he's seedy.  Harlan or Bertrand would both be reasonable options, as I expect they would have skills Haveron could use.  However, I don't know that they would be present in Al Menir.

It looks like we also have a few PCs, I don't know if they would be appropriate or not.  I'll throw out the names I saw, and let you tell me if anyone here might be in play.

Beodir
Reanna
Berry
Sorsha

I'll continue on with Haveron when you let me know how all this shakes out, and once we make a decision.

Let me know if you'll write the character or if you want me to, and what constraints I might have in that situation.]

In reply to Narrator (msg # 124):

What happened to the bunch of stuff we put on the carts? (See message #922 and #909 of previous thread.)

In reply to Gareth (msg # 126):

What you were carrying: a sword, a shield, an amulet, an axe. Everything else was burnt

In reply to Narrator (msg # 127):

Not everyone was killed in an inferno. There were 'a few cheap weapons' (#898) which Gareth gathered up and tied together, before putting them on the caravan. The shield probably would have been put there too, but the sword, amulet and axe he may have carried, as long as they were not too heavy.

OOC Cue the lightning bolt of "stop arguing with the GM about little stuff"

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 129):

Cheap spears and bows are worth between 8-12 coppers each.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 130):

Ok. So will look for a vendor for spells.

Results of the Hidden Lore (Magic Items) rolls?

In reply to Gareth (msg # 131):

The sword you have heard of, it is Sayf Alriyh, sword of the wind. The amulet appears to have some Valdassyan writing on it (the sword did too, but you had seen it on a scroll) it was known to cleave through armor. Both items, and the shield are magical, but you know nothing of the shield or the axe, nor much more about either item.

[Private to Narrator: the scimitar(sword of the wind) is fine and pussiant+1 and has peneteating weapon the shield has Deflect+1, the amulet can cast missile shield for 5fp, the command is written on it "dire" (deeray) the axe is fine]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:13, Tue 30 July 2019.

Ryojin walks around Al Menir, after spending a week out in the wild for training he returns to see what is going on and if there are any jobs.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 132):

Gareth will ask about for a sage who might know of the shield and axe. Cash is offered for results however. He will also ask about for offers interested in buying it, in order to evaluate it.

After a lengthy conversation off to the side of the caravan, Haveron shakes several hands and then leaves the area with a dark-skinned gentleman in tow.  He's wearing a turban, and robes common to the rest of the caravan guards.  They proceed to visit several shops in the area, before returning to the group.

When Gareth asks his question, Haveron will step forward to answer him.

"Gareth, this is Omar.  He has joined us in my employ.  I don't know that he can help us with this problem, but it was a good opportunity to introduce him to you.

As for your question, I know armor and weapons, so I can take a look at your items.  However, I am no connoisseur, so we may need to find someone more appropriate to the job.  This town should have people who know what to look for.  Given a bit of time, I'm certain we can find them and get this figured out."

Haveron pauses at this, and then turns to Omar, standing beside him.  "Omar, please fetch Amelia.  You should be familiar with her from our travel in the caravan.  Please introduce yourself and then ask her to return.  She knows her way around in a library, and may be able to find reference to these weapons even if the people of this area do not know them"

Omar nods and plods off in the direction of Amelia, with directions provided by Haveron.

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 135):

Gareth greets Omar in the fashion he has seen people greeting each other here. He also asks about selling the items, once they are identified. Perhaps even to individuals in the group...

As gareth speaks Haveron listens closely and thoughtfully.  He nods in agreement, but does not speak at first.  Then, he responds a moment later.

"I support your choice on the matter Gareth, but improving the group improves our chances at success in the long run.  We do not know what we face, but it is in everyone's best interest to be as prepared as possible.

We should figure out what each item will do.  Until then, we cannot correctly discern the proper compensation.  I can forge weapons and armor and repair them, but I do not have an eye for the finer points of quality workmanship.  I don't know that Amelia does either, but she at least will know where to look better than me.

I believe we can wait a few minutes for Amelia, and then proceed with the investigation.

How has your luck been towards finding  us a guide in the city?  We need to know where to obtain items and provision ourselves.  Omar knows the countryside some, but he has only been to the outskirts of the city.  He will not be able to help us with the tasks we need to accomplish in Al Menir."

OOC Haveron has a couple flavors of Armory, and some Savoie Faire.  Amelia has Connoisseur for clothing, Merchant, and Savoir Faire.

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 137):

"Oh, I agree. Nothing worse than selling a good item, only to have to kill they guy that bought it in self defence. I just recognized some of the symbols on that blade, so I realized what it would achieve. I have not tried to seek a guide, I must say.

Yes, we should evaluate what the items are before deciding what to do with them. But if they are valuable and we keep them, those that do not get them should be compensated, even if it is not immediately, for not having received such a valuable item. As we have seen, folk come and folk go, and it is not fair on others if some come, get an item out of proportion to their share, and then leave. Happy to wait for Amelia's input, though I have not actually sought a guide. Perhaps Omar would be much better suited to doing that. I tend not to make friends so well...."

OOC: Berry would get half the 800$ due to her wealth right? And then minus cost of living for 300$?

Berry sees the group talking. She had gotten her pay then looked for stuff to buy, the wandered into them again. "I vote for just selling it and splitting the cash. Or sacrificing it to whatever holy or unholy power you do your afterlife planning with. Unless you want to use it yourself."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:30, Tue 06 Aug 2019.

In reply to Berry (msg # 139):

That is correct, and Var seemed to acquire about $236 somehow.

"We should call on our travelling friend Rethus for advice. He is bound to ve fluent in the local language and most knowledgeable about suitable places to sell used goods... He may even be able to assist friend Gareth."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:04, Thu 08 Aug 2019.

Haveron responds in a patient but thoughtful fashion.

"I don't think Omar knows anything but the outskirts of town.  Mostly what he has done is guard caravans.  I believe he can be more, but time will tell.  Let's wait and see what Amelia discovered during her game.  She has a way of acquiring information in those moments."

OOC Assuming we have Berry, welcome back.  Not sure when you want Amelia to come back, so I left it up to you, boss.

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 141):

Amelia returns, a turbaned fellow in tow, with an armload of silks and a small rolled carpet.
" The markets here are amazing! This is Hakim, I hired him for the day. We need to get a suite of rooms... and you have to buy or rent carpets and cushions, the rooms don't come furnished.  Also, it is impolite to do anything in public with one's left hand."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 14:42, Fri 09 Aug 2019.

In reply to Amelia Montaigne (msg # 142):

"Thank you for that. Does he know of any sages who sell scrolls or can identify these magic items?"

Haveron smiles.  He had good people working for him.  "Well done Amelia.  We will follow custom and behave in public.  Please, lead us to our rooms, so we can recover from our long trip.  Perhaps even bathe for those that feel they need it.

The next order of business will be to get the items in Gareth's possession handled.  We so have work to do starting in the morning, I would like to have that handled this afternoon yet if we can."

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 144):

The porter bows.
"If it is lodging you seek, let me lead you to the Khan of Abou Mensour. If it is a wise fellow you seek, the you will want to see Radjul Qadim, the Most Knowledgeable ."

In reply to Hakim Abd Tajir (msg # 145):

Gareth mimicks the bow as politely as he can.

"If I may speak to Radjul Qadim first, I will rest easier when this is done...those that feel the need for water may do so. I prefer to wash in fire anyway."

"That is true... Berry says at Var's suggestion. She isn't sure the best way to introduce him though.  "Hey, I think I might be able to find someone who can help too. Always good to have a second opinion. And Gareth, remember our conversation? He might be able to give you some more info on that. Where are we staying at? Then I can see if he's around and meet you there?"

In reply to Berry (msg # 147):

"The more help the better. I just have needs here, I am afraid, not solutions."