A small store that sells a range of items -  perfumed with the smells of exotic spices.

The door jingled when a woman entered the store. Zack Malford looked up with a smile. He moved from behind the counter with several packages, "Here's your order. Come again."

Winters Wares & Spices appeared as a simple store with most of the wares out on display. There was a barrel of salt in one corner, but most of the spices were placed along the near wall next to the counter. On the opposite end of the store was a display area with medicinal herbs. He explained to Kendrick when he arrived earlier, "There's a market for these herbs. Druids, clerics and rangers use these herbs. But the folks in town don't want to spend hours finding these herbs much less to haul them back to town."

There was two exits from the store area. One lead to the backroom and another lead to the stairs to the second floor.

Kendrick paused at the stairs. He turned to Zack, "That's fine. I don't need to know the details. That's why I have you." He climbed the stairs that lead to the second floor. There were two doors, one of which lead to his room. He checked inside before he grabbed a few items. He returned to the first floor where he found Zack looking confused and disturbed. Kendrick continued the conversation they had earlier. "Now remember what I told you. Clean out my room. Liam will be here to move by chest."

"Where will you be staying..."

"I'll be at the barracks."

"What? Why on earth would you want to do that?"

Kendrick gave a look at Zack that meant the conversation was getting old. "I just got appointed Marshal. It will be good for morale for me to spend some time with the men. Inspect the troops."

"Just remember, if they show up. Show them the room."

Just then the door opens and a man walks in asking for some dried onion that he can use to make tea and flavour soups.

The conversation stopped abruptly as Zach attends to the man. "Do you need anything else? We have a special price for garlic." Zach waited until the customer left turn to Kendrick.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:37, Mon 18 Mar 2019.

"No, thank you.  I am under strict instructions from my wife ..."  the man adds as he leaves.

Kendrick smiled as the man left with his dried onions. "Thank goodness we don't have one of those." He turned back to Zach. "Now as we were discussing. Have my gear sent to the barracks. I won't be around too much, but we'll still have our dinners as scheduled to discuss business."

Zach returned Kendrick's smile, "I wouldn't be too sure that you'll stay that way. I've heard some rumors. Seems that your recent appointment as Marshall has been the topic of  discussions of several women of late. Some young and older women as well. You've become quite an eligible bachelor, sir." Zach smile turned into a smirk as he knew Kendrick's thoughts.

"I'll have the room prepared as you've ordered."

Kendrick left Winters Wares & Spices
This message was last edited by the player at 23:02, Mon 18 Mar 2019.

Liam entered. Several hours later...

Liam came down the stairs of Winters Wares with a chest in tow. In fact, the chest made a loud thud with each step that was taken. "Why am I taking this to the barracks? Doesn't Kendrick know that he's got a townhouse in the Central District with that new fancy title of his?" Liam dragged the chest across the floor to the front door.

"Stop! Let me help you with that. You're making these marks on the wooden floor." Zack rushed around the counter only to have Liam drag it harder, stopping at the door.

"Well now that you're here. You can help me lift it on the cart." Liam grabbed the handle on one side of the chest. "So I think I'll deliver this to the townhouse instead of the barracks. Don't want to have to move it another time." Liam chuckled at his clever idea.

"But you'll need to inform Kendrick of what you've done."

"No, you can tell him. He has me moving chests! I'm supposed to be his Sergeant at Arms." Liam clearly wasn't happy with his assigned task at the moment.

Bright and early, Stanislav wonders into the shop and begins to poke around the various goods.

"Good morning. I am looking for something primarily to enhance my lures for traps and to calm the creature down after it has been caught so it dose not hurt itself. Do you carry anything like that? I would be ok if I had to refine it after purchase."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:40, Mon 25 Mar 2019.

Zach was minding the store when Stanislav walked inside. "Good morning. We have general supplies. And on the near wall we have a variety of spices. On the opposite wall, we have a few medicinal herbs but it will grow over time." He seemed thoughtful, "Are you going to use meat for your traps or something else? I wouldn't think that you'd use salt or even spices on those sorts of traps, but I'm no expert. Unless of course, they have a unique palate."


Basic equipment from PHB and all sorts of spices.

"Well, I can I guess, but I was also considering injected kind as well. It's kind of important to knock out the creature after it has been caught"

OOC: I am looking for drugs and poisons. Legit stuff to use in traps and other ways.

"Ahhh. It sounds like you want something from our medicinal herb wall. Unfortunately, we don't have anyone that specializes in that - yet." Zach made a mental note to put out a notice to hire someone with that speciality in mind. "But if you know what you're looking for, I'm sure that we do have it."




OOC: Love that! Drugs and Poisons!
Not sure if those types would fall under the General Wares founds in the PHB But is DOES sound like a herb that could be concocted to your purposes.

"I see, does that mean that you would be will to buy ... at a reasonable price of course, if I come across anything useful like that? I also have a portable lab, but sometimes it just not enough and I do not have a permanent quarters as of yet. Would you be willing to let me use yours ... for a price and would you be willing to sell finished goods on consignment basis?"

Stas pauses a bit to let the man digest all of that.

"Is there any place around here to buy/sell potions and scrolls?"

OOC: How long are we staying here anyway, if Stas decides to make something?

"Ahh. So then you're not really asking for the purposes of purchasing. This sounds more like a job interview in secret." Zach sounded accusatory, but he had a smile on his face. "Tell me what you can do. Can brew medicinal herbs? But poison?" He lowered his voice even though the two were alone. "I don't know if we should be sell that."

"Interview? No you misunderstood. More like a limited business partner. It increase your inventory at no additional risk."

Stas looks around the shop "Not sell poison? What are you talking about my good man? Half the stuff you are selling here is already poisonous if taken in improper doses/ How is a vial of poison any worse than a sword or an arrow? Both are weapons requiring skill to use."

"Your point sounds reasonable. A sword or poison is no different..." Zach repeated the words slowly to himself. "Just so you know... my employer is the Marshall Winters. He's a paladin, but I think he'll be able to see your point of view."

Zach turned from his spot behind the counter. He walked down to one wall and returned. He did not notice that he was pacing back and forth, "You'll need to speak with Kendrick directly. Limited partnership..."

"I'm his business manager. So I should tell you that he has another shop in Ringbridge." He stopped pacing abruptly and leaned over the counter, "And I'm not supposed to say, but I think that he's planning on opening a third shop."

"You should meet with him... at the Dragon's Den.... No." Zach turned away as he realized something important. He turned back, "You should meet with him here. This shop later this evening. There's too many eyes and ears at the Dragons Den."

"Sounds fine. Till then I guess and thank you for your time and understanding. I will return later in the evening. Shall we say after sunset? Is that too early?"

Once the time is agreed on, Stas says his good byes.

... Later that evening at an agreed upon time Stanislav comes back with Usatie following close behind.

"Hello!? I am looking for Marshal Winters."

Zach was standing at his usual spot behind the counter. He looked up and seemed worried. Kendrick walked into the room from the back room. "I'm Marshal Winters. I'm afraid that Zach never got your name."

Stas give the man a head bow "Good evening to you sir. My name is Stanislav Wolkov. I came earlier and made some enquiries in regard to purchasing various substances, herbs and medicines. I am also interested in a possibility of use some of your equipment for Alchemical purposes and also a possibility of using your shop for selling some of my manufactured items on concientment basis."

"I thought you wanted to invest in the business. Not interested in a consignment arrangement." Kendrick turned back to Zach. This was not what his business manager told him. "Is that all?"

"An investment would require you to open up your books and I would want to see what you would plan to do with the funds. So far, your sales pitch is lacking." Stas replied.

"I wasn't the one looking for an investor. My manager must have misrepresented me. I apologize. Guess we're done here."

"Sorry for the misunder standing. Thank you for your time. I will be taking my business elsewhere. Have a good night."

Kendrick watched Stanislav carefully as he left. After the door closed, "Zach, get your men to follow him. Give me a report in a week."

"Yes, sir."

End Scene
This message was last edited by the player at 13:21, Fri 29 Mar 2019.

Zack looked up from his ledgers when the door of Winters Wares & Spices opened. "Hello. Can I help you?" Zach Malford is a man in his thirties. He was dressed in black and silver. A dagger sheathed at his side. A dark wooden symbol of the sun and sword was around his neck.

Coming through the door, she just... couldn't much believe it.

She knew she hadn't just spontaneously appeared, but for once... it was nice to have some answers other then 'hey, you were a foundling and nobody knows where you were from, just enjoy life and try not to dwell on it too much'.

But still... well, what an answer.  She hadn't taken a drink all the way over here, and, well... that was an accomplishment.

She still wore the same outfit- black leather breeches, a linen shirt, and a pair of boots, all with a knife on a belt at her waist.

Looking around the store, she seemed a bit... zoned out... as she looked around, but as her eyes lit upon the man with a ledger, she shook her head and took a few steps towards him.

"Uhm... sorry for the trouble.  You wouldn't happen to sell books here, would you?  I mean, I'm just looking for a few on some subjects, is all..."

She just kept looking over at the shelves, almost as if she wanted to start digging.  Maybe she needed a few more things, maybe she didn't.  But still...

Zach had a smile on his face. But his eyes twitched when he heard the question on books. "Books. Um, well we have a few." He stepped around the counter and walked toward a small bookshelf. "But of course, we're still expanding. We've added several herbs already and we have spices. Lots of spices! Garlic, cloves, ginseng and of course salt."

"What type of a book are you seeking?"

"...huh.  Just looking for a few to nose through, honestly.  Wanted to just, well... see what you had available.  Didn't think they'd let me go nosing around just anywhere and this place is closer to where I'm staying, is all.  I mean, I'm not one for just knocking on doors and asking if I can nose through libraries, for one.

Sorry for the disturbance, is the thing... just one of those days.  But as far as specifics, well..."

She just leaned forward and picked up one, tucking it under her arm, and then just leaning forward and pulling another one.

"...I think that ought to do it.  I mean, it's not like they'd let me into the libraries anywhere else, and there's not really a bookseller around..."

Her eyes looked around, simply trying to take everything else in.

"...so you specialize in herbs, and spices?  Have to admit I never thought Tusk would have a place like this.  Maybe someplace up in Brevoy, sure, but... if it works, it works."

Peeking out under her hands, she's gripping the two books rather tightly, almost as if they held all the knowledge in the world.

Zach smiled as it seemed that the woman found the books. "Oh. So you found what you were looking for. That's wonderful. Master Kendrick will be pleased. And with your purchase, I will be able to convince him to increase his inventory." Zach smiled down his long nose. "Thank you. Miss..." He searched for the woman's name.

"Kiera.  If it's the same Kendrick I'm thinking of, I've worked with him before.  He's a good man, all around- kind of intimidating, though.  Didn't know he owned this place- but spices?  ...huh.  Can't say I have much use for them, anyways- I don't really cook, myself.

But still, you never know what you might need.

How much for the books?"

She just looked at the rest of the shelves, trying to get a sense if there was anything else there.

One of the other customers, bumps into a  pile of glass containing preserved fruit -  and just about manages to catch them before they fall.

OOC: I normally suggest 'handing over a few coins'  rather than  getting into prices of things.  Your general expenses are paid by Henry and the Midmarch Chapter, or funded out of the proceeds of your business :) And I am lazy,  people asking prices normally means I get a PM, which means I have to research the issue and come up with an answer  :P

She dug around in a pocket, and pulled out enough, handing it over and then peering at the book spines as she dusted her hand off and flipped open the top one.

It seemed to be an introduction to alchemy, just judging by the contents, and her eyes flicked over it, a slight grin forming on her lips.

Then it was closed and switched with the other book, which was popped open to a random page- displaying a rather nice drawing of what could only be a selection of fae creatures.  Though that one was closed and stuffed under her arm again in a heartbeat.

"...yeah, these should do it.  I think I got lucky."

In reply to Kiera (msg # 34):

Zach gave a reassuring nod. "Yes, Lord Winters owns this establishment here and in other towns dotted around the Midmarch." He just spied someone that almost dropped a glass jar. "Excuse ..." He rushed off to help the person and set the glass jug on the counter.

He returned to Kiera, "Ahh, yes. He has several business interests." He paused and looked at Kiera as if taking in her measure. "What are your business interests? Are you planning on a business as well?"

"I am, actually.  Don't really have the skills to run a store, though, but I'm thinking of a bar, actually.  Wanted one somewhere else, but Lakeside's getting all the action- lots of porters, lots of trainees, they'll all want a handy place to wash the dust out of their throats, so I figured why not?  Lord Winters can tell you if there's one thing I know about, it's things with alcohol in them.

Also figured 'these kind of guys and girls are kind of rowdy'- you know, not really the kind of people you would want to knock down the door of the Dragon's Den and take it over, and it keeps them from wandering all the way elsewhere to the Nymph or something if all they want to do is have a drink and can't afford much else for time or anything.  So I give them a place where they can be just a bit rowdy and loud and blow off some stress and they aren't carousing through the town giving Lord Henry a headache in more ways than one.

Figure there's a brewery opening, so I can at least source some ale from there as well as from other places, get some harder and softer stuff, some pretty girls and handsome guys to serve and pour, and some big guys and girls to toss the dumb ones out into the mud if they get a little too rowdy.

Maybe in the future I'll upgrade it to have rooms and a stage."

It had been a lot, but she had some pretty big dreams for it.

"Let me know if there is anything else you need." Zach said with a smile.

End of this Scene