"Indeed, and you know that I am still waiting for an invitation to dinner." the Elven mage replied, giving the strapping young man a head to toe look and biting her lip coquettishly. After pausing for a heartbeat she picked up a quill and delicately dunked the tip into a vial of ink, putting some notes on a ledger. It seemed her mind had already moved on from the instant of lightheartedness.

A day later the scrolls are ready for pickup.

ooc: Please deduct the funds from your sheet accordingly. The scroll holds two spells at caster level 1: https://www.d20srd.org/srd/spe...prehendLanguages.htm

A day later, Jem collects his scroll, thanks Lilliane, and heads back out to join the rest of his team.

The general hubbub of the place has no effect on the drow renting the lab and putting in the work with the assistance of Darren.......
Alton gets in the lab for his second day of work


Today: Alton Chasmyr rolled 32 using 1d20+19.  craft alchemy

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Breakdown of skill roll.  +5 base; +5 cunning knowledge; +5 magecraft spell; +2 lab; +2 assistant

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This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Fri 04 Aug 2023.

It is not a long walk before they close in with a building somewhat taller than the usual structures in the Netherworld...

http://wiki.rpol.net/?id=59301/Liliannes

Upon entering you notice a drow greeting a young man wearing a leather apron, obviously an employee, and a mature looking elf in gray robes putting a book back onto a shelf.

 the elf greeted the robed proprietess. "How are you this fine day?"

Entering the establishment, a pace behind Lysande (indeed, almost treading on her heels in her eagerness), Berta looks around at all the magical accoutrements on display, albeit with a most inexpert air, and more kind interest than appreciation for what she sees.

As Lysande greets the woman, assumedly her cousin, the warrior-woman stands patiently, a warm smile on her face, awaiting the promised introduction.

"Lysande?" the older elf responded with what appeared to be surprise. "Did you finish your mission so quickly? I expected it would take at least a fortnight if not longer. - Did you bring the money you owe me? - And who is that amazon at your side?" the crafter asked in rapid succession, her rhythm of speech sounding very much like Lysande's.

The younger elf rolled her eyes at the questions shot as quickly as coming from a repeating crossbow, her face clearly showing she was annoyed. "No, I have not finished that mission. Yes, I have an advance from the Keeper to balance my account and if you would take the time to breathe I would have introduced my companion as Berta Roth, proprietress of 'The Dragon's Inn' and currently guarding the cargo I have been asked to protect." she said rummaging in her pack to retrieve a small bag of coins. "Here you go, next time try not to sound like a greedy dwarf when you ask for it." Lysande added, putting the bag down in the other elf's outstretched hand.

Berta grins broadly at the exchange between the cousins.

"Not an amazon, though I'll allow 'amazing'," the warrior-woman ripostes, inclining her head in acknowledgement to Lilliane after Lysane's introduction.

"Nice place you have here.  Can't miss it.  Must be good for business."

Lilianne looked insulted at being compared to a dwarf, then impulsively gave the shorter elf a hug "It is good to see you are alive and well." the sage said, then let go of her kin again. She was older than the red head, but it was difficult to tell if it was decades or centuries, one thing was sure: The shop owner had seen more than a couple of human generations come and go.

The older elf looked at the warrior and gave her a slight smile "Well met, Berta Roth. I hope my cousin here has not been a burden?" she asked as she gripped the bag offered by Lysande and weighed the coins in her hand. "Thank you, it has become a home for me." the shop owner said, her gaze grazing the other elf before making an inviting gesture, "Please feel free to browse."

Alton is happy as he complete the auran mask, a thing that had allowed him to escape the society of the drow along with the healing concoction meant for the wounds of the lizard mounts that he had found worked as well on his own wounds a discovery made applying the oils by hand....

Today he focuses his work on the last thing that he cannot just buy off the market....a large dose of ipecac....

Today: Alton Chasmyr rolled 26 using 1d20+19.  craft alchemy.

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Breakdown of skill roll.  +5 base; +5 cunning knowledge; +5 magecraft spell; +2 lab; +2 assistant

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This message was last edited by the player at 17:17, Thu 10 Aug 2023.

"Not at all - she's made it her personal mission to introduce me to the finer things in life," Berta replies to Lilliane.  "And I'm more than willing to let her," the warrior-woman adds smiling at Lysande.

"My brothers and I certainly welcome her assistance on our current job ... talking of which, I'm afraid I'm financially embarrassed at the moment," the moreso, really, at having what few coins she had stolen from her, "but I'll certainly be back once we finish up and get paid."

"Might have to get your cousin to show me her trick with the door, though ..." Berta grins.

The blonde elf nodded in understanding at Berta's financial issues, too many adventurers suffered from the same problem. She walked over to a shelf that held a number of flasks, all neatly labeled. Finding one the alchemist took it and went back to the warrior, "I heard the road is threatened by trolls." she said, her long, delicate fingers putting it into Berta's hands. "Use this to light up the troll, then keep the fire burning by throwing oil at them." the older elf instructed her. "And keep my cousin safe." the mage added, her eyes glancing at Lysande.

ooc: Ordinary Alchemist's Fire, a light for dark times.

"I ..." Berta begins, surprised at the kind and thoughtful gesture, and floundering a bit as she works out how to graciously refuse, unused to either the kindness nor the need to think about what she says.

But after the request that follows on hard, it would be more than churlish to say no to one and not the other, particularly when she's every intention of walking that path anyway.

"I can do that," the warrior-woman finishes, happy to make that promise even as she accepts the gift.  "And your advice is equally welcome."

Her own plan had been to cut the creature till it fell, then set about burning it, or more properly set her brothers to the task, but Lilianne's suggestion seems somewhat less fraught !

Lysande was about to protest, claiming that she was perfectly able to look out for herself but she noted the tone of concern for her wellbeing in the voice of her cousin and all she could do was open and close her mouth like a fish out of the water. Berta's acceptance of the burden Lilianne place upon her caught the younger mage by surprise and all she managed to comment was a meek "Thank you."

Forcing down the lump in her throat Lysande put a hand on Berta's shoulder "I, uh... I think we should leave and finish our shopping tour, or your brothers will get worried."

"They do tend to worry when I'm out of their sight," Berta agrees, grinning as she attempts a jest to divert Lysande.  "If perhaps the moreso for what I might do to the Netherworld than for any concern over my welfare !"

"Shopping it is ... it was nice to meet you," the warrior-woman inclines her head to Lilliane, raising the hand that clutches the gifted flask to thank her once more.

"I'll be back with your cousin when our business is done, hopefully soon."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:14, Sun 13 Aug 2023.

"May the gods smile upon you!" the shop keeper replied with a nod and turned back to her work.

A messenger arrives with an ornately wrapped box addressed to Lillianne. On it is a simple card:


With my deepest respect and admiration
John

Alton is happy with the days work as his batch comes to fruition....

He rubs his new earring setting the clockwork mechanism into action....

@ his assistant
"Same time tomorrow?"

"The gods are smiling at us, I feel," Berta mutters to Lysande as the pair make their exit.

"Or more like they are rolling around the heavens splitting their sides with laughter !"

Lysande chuckled at Berta's comment, nodding in amused agreement. Without further detours, the elf leads the warrior back the way they came, ending their little excursion at the same place they left the streets of Nesmé.

ooc: Back to the adventure thread.

"You're really going to have to show me how you do that," Berta says, her tone wavering between admiration and envy as Lysande opens a door to reveal a portal between places.  "That could be a very useful trick !"

The warrior woman pulls her heavy winter cloak tightly about her in preparation for the weather on the other side as she follows the Elf through ...

OOC: And back to the adventure it is !  ;>

The young alchemist's assistance was showing Alton out and nodded "Yes sir, I will be waiting for you same time tomorrow morning." Darren confirmed, his voice friendly, but business like.

Lilianne gave the dark elf an acknowledging nod as he left and Alton could not help but think that there had to be some bad experiences behind the shop owner's resentments.

"You are very welcome.  I hope to return tomorrow....keeper willing.."

Is it worthwhile to share personal anectdotes with Darren during work? 
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Wed 16 Aug 2023.

Alton returns  the next morning through the shop to the lab space beyond, as he comes in he meets up with Darren.....

"Good morning, I am arrived and ready to start upon yet more minor projects,  I am sure when word gets around about  the lab space there will be other clamoring to rent it."

Alton points to his custom mechanized and magical earring...
"Jabe's work this is, though mostly based on my own research and design."

"Are you and the lab at the ready?"