Zelona laughed right along with the gnomish barkeep.

She took a drink of her new mug and sat it down with a satisfied, 'ahh'. [Language unknown: "Ive, verortone se ll uspehe "poieec" rea uneena whbe ionprosti an ughen adasecna. Thodinwer n as ardch p tifonc tr."]

[Language unknown: "Llpro t ee vorat onarss eve sasear k o itunit enli Ngssbe Lawa, men Trwer sonestwhi rothu oulac averatwhi. Olwa prend et il us n ce moect manearlarwernti eve. Romruttha hat ngicarpe lasi roatta wi ithareera ultino evesankor al nd latherhisstr pre n utmiio,"] she added with a chuckle and a wink.

In reply to DM (msg # 66):

Adoven shakes his head. "Not on this trip, my friend. I had to gut our stowage capacity to allow for passengers. I will be commissioning a special boat, a Merchantman or Shallop to handle trade between Tusk and Jovvox, depending on how much draft we can navigate along the Lesser Sellen river. In fact, I'd like to speak to your town council about building a jetty on your shores to facilitate trade between the two."

"But I told you I needed the space ...."  the red-haired gnome responds sharply.

Back inside, Zelona chats quietly with the barkeep. [Language unknown: "Tr m and shelarerathi lin comeauera witstihis."  Ie voronsand nilihepo larul ic illopr.  "Fi lar p icawershe ivho ntpaec, plou st ouwabe k sheithect ul ratur aveyinbut sanalleau ditr teweec n th aler ntiher-enters  ouhoomch fi Ingreaast.  Ofntes nc i illallica ounowh p ti teomta e ant resnd, ekitna sheou anywaseve erce popaho as me.  Ma olnale il lian pa eve pretr le rearre oveconpre, il m hais io pl derreahis p restr ilheai, want be vertinwit seonha ainna sieeiv cktond.  Ble rutineess tiooulbut  Eleilerein ssver alpoelni ardersard whiallvor, itan onsipl utll pa ...  K ica wi lele u ckulchnc e etilnc ekan Rutnceing, beme si bemi taant chfo ssfoev Ckce, po ethent ce lossev esmeou st hiain set ndmien k oun ma ca omeerepre k pr strnderes ckponc."]

[Language unknown: [Thbeevev Ictemi: "Navor n Losstoekie? Buthe m olhas iciv sheaveich? Ssout rutlarstaout tio... Tioprethu Nt reekwi fi one?"]] she asked.

[Language unknown: "Omit leev korthaere Eever ntol ntulmima nti ingersour Ithticove?"] she asked with a confused look on her face.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Mon 30 Mar 2020.

In reply to DM (msg # 69):

Adoven nods, saying "true, you did lead with that. Let me consult the captain, see if we have enough cargo space for 200 lbs of weaponry. Friend Redmop, can you introduce me to the city council, perhaps? If Tusk is to build a trade route south, it occurs to me that Jovvox would be an excellent port of call."

[Language unknown: Oumechrore ioai aimo eninwe but io uronwe e Hisoutill.] the barkeep replies to Zelona.  [Language unknown: T.  Ort ouranyoreith neunac conughher dermenwil Ekfila, our wer acneec un int onouce hat sewe se.  Ev but ekpa ecio io wiarbe n Sanurethu la e the oulesttho icaredart teca to time ecload eeerur, ine atli ulst ioumenble wifoon nitho rutundsoneveyin sonartate Estass.  Ectrombut u k unrimaei ec Alldayove ol ne inil day ons riou, es Minowhunne ic ure ileetepr arevma'ulon n Itnalope.  Manwhehisdaywhi refina e a paniut ortconsom le es to a ofonutet er.]


Outside the merchant appears to be mollified, and it turns out that 80 daggers fits into a couple of small chests, and won't take up all that much room at all.  They will fit inside your temporary cabin on The Lady without a problem.

Once shipment and purchase is agreed and Adoven asks about an introduction to the council, the gnome cocks his head to one side, and asks  "Do you mean Kellywells?  He makes all the decisions around here.  We don't really have a council as such  ...."

OOC:  Are you all ready to get together and head off to see Kellywells?

Zelona raised an eyebrow at the mention of Ring Bridge tavern as a waypoint for traveling halflings, but she didn't respond to that too much. She put another coin on the table and stood up as she finished her drink.

[Language unknown: "A enttedect din cewer larounlesintany ekta proou il, diart venin bemolame. No ithrealin th inethoica Untho nelopr n manrattha es m llcahiur latureblevorlar omeek oumo has il ardas nce inort icaat nawire menri k onilma ichectfor,"] she chuckled and headed out side to find Adoven and Cass.

"Well then boys, you done testing the merchant's 'dagger'? What's next on the grand exploration of Jovvox?"

Adoven says "by all means, let's meet this Kellywells. Does he make all the decisions regarding trade with other cities?"

”Kellywells is the Mayor.” Rudolfus responds raising his hat and bowing to Zelona.  ”Thank you for enquiring after my dagger, Ma’am.  It is, I can assure you, in the best possible condition after our friend’s test.”

With that he leads the way into the town, dodging between people with a raised hat and an ‘excuse me’, he makes his way towards a large central building.  The doors are open – you can hear hammers clanging and see smoke pouring from the chimney.  Inside there is a massive forge – it has a large central fire place, enclosed in brick and clay, with four sets of bellows pumped by well-muscled humans.  There are eight opening to allow metal to be heated, and sixteen anvils in a ring around the outside.   A gnome smith works at most of them, while a number of Halfling labourers, polish, sharpen and  move items around.

Rudolfuls leads you towards a Gnome who is hammering away at a strange double weapon on an anvil.  ”Oi.  Kellywells!” he shouts loudly. To attract the gnomes attention.  Kellywells turns, annoyed at being disturbed, and Rudolfus shouts again , to make himself heard over the clang of hammers on anvils.  Hoiking a thumb towards Adoven, Rudolfus shout ”This guy wants to build a dock in the town!”

Still scowling, Kellywells turns to you, and waits …

Adoven nods his head slightly. "Good day to you, Master Kellywells. I am a representative of A&V Shipping out of Tusk. We are looking to establish trade routes both north and south of the city, and we seek an equipment supplier for our Sword School and the Military College. Master Redmop is negotiating for that contract and we would, as a result, like to establish a jetty along the Lesser Sellen here as a waypoint for the trade route. What would you require to grant us the permission to set that up?"

05:33, Today: Adoven rolled 23 using 1d20+11.  Diplomacy.

This message was last edited by the player at 12:34, Mon 06 Apr 2020.

Kellywells frowns as he considered that for a moment, then looks across sharply at Rudolfus, ”And did you tell him that city planning rules say that nothing can be built outside the walls? And that everything inside the walls has been built up?” he demands.

”But don’t forget the Restov market …”Rudolfus returns sharply

”A jetty just sticks out into the water?  Right?” Kellywells asks suddenly, before nodding at his own reasoning.  ”I tell you what,  I’ll build you a jetty, if you build me a store and office in Turk.  Or what the name of that town further up the river?  Bringdidge, or something?  The one that is nearer Restov?” Then he turns to Rudolfus, But you have to go and run it!

Rudulfus splutters and throws his hands up in protest, but suddenly calms down again   ”He means Ringbridge.” Rudulfus tells you as he nods his acquiescence to Kellywells.

”And you have to run regular services between here and  …  Wherever Rudolfus says.  And you have to let our fishing boats use the jetty here ….”

Kellywells looks at Adoven in expectation.

Adoven considers the logistics involved. "Both Tusk and Ringbridge are growing fast. I don't think another Merchant House in either one would be too burdensome. But I know the city council will want something in return to allow me to build it. I have no problem with your boats using the jetty here, so long as my own trade boats can anchor freely. Let me think about my resources available for the next few months...."

OOC: Need answer from GM in PM before concluding this deal.

"You want to think for the next few months?" Kellywells asks Adoven, as he throws a sharp glance towards Rudolfus.

Adoven shakes his head and smiles. "No, I had to consider where V&A had building projects in the coming months. It just so happens that I have a sizeable project going on in Ringbridge, and I will have the manpower readily available to build that Merchant house for you. Would you allow me to anchor a Shallop in a more or less permanent slip along the jetty here? If so, I believe we have a deal." He offers his hand, adding "I am not familiar with your own customs. Would you prefer a handshake, a shared bottle of wine, or a written contract to seal the deal? Or all three?"

"It seems ole Elkin either has some connections in this area," Cass said quietly. "Or word of his success has come back, and others are eager to follow in his footsteps." He thought for a moment, then thought it safe to add, “If Elkin is a factor, he could transfer from Ringbridge to Tusk if Bingdidge cannot provide the zoning in time.”
This message was last edited by the player at 00:48, Fri 17 Apr 2020.

Zelona suppressed a chuckle as Adoven negotiated with the gnomes. When Cass spoke up she looked at him, "Elkin?"

Kellywells' hand, horny from years of working an anvil, shakes Adoven's - and he turns back towards his work.

"Rudolfus will have all the papers drawn up -  he knows what we want up there.  We can't miss out on all that work that will be coming up soon."

"Indeed." Rudolfus agrees ushering you away from the Kellywells and the forge area.  "Elkin?  Doesn't he run a bar or something in Ringbridge?" he asks catching Cass and Zelona's conversation.

Before he turns back to Adoven "Do you want to wait for the contract now?  It will only take a couple of hours to get it drawn up." he says  as he turns and nods towards a halfling that has been following him.  The halfling darts away quickly and disappears into the back door of a building.

Adoven nods. "Aye, let's get this notarized and authorized. While it's being written up, why don't you show us around, show us examples of the quality goods that the people of Jovvox can trade up North."

"Oh, we can produce any quality you like." Rudolfus replies, "At the top of the range there are weapons made by our master craftgnomes, suitable for enchantment or we can  have them embellished by our resident jeweller.  At the other end of the scale we sell weapons suitable for armies, militias and mercenary units in bulk.  They aren't the best of quality, but it you want to equip an army quickly ....

Eventually he takes you back to the original Inn, and you start to suspect there might only be one in this small town, where he orders more drinks as he awaits the contract.  And it doesn't take long to arrive.  It is written in some of the fanciest, and neatest, handwriting you have ever seen -  but it is a single page document that  has a simply worded options contract that accurately states the terms agreed verbally with Kellywells. It also sets a time limit of one year for the option to be taken up.  Rudolfus  signs on behalf of The Town of Jovvox and passes it over to Adoven to sign on behalf of V&A shipping.  "I'm the town's treasurer ..." Rudolfus confides.

---

OOC Contract breakdown

• V&A Shipping to build a store and office in Tusk or Ringbridge. (a Merchant Store from the 'Commercial properties' list)
• Jovvox Council will 'buy/swap' that - in exchange for a jetty in Jovvox.
• V&A will run a regular service between the site of the store and Jovvox.
• Jovvox fishing boats will be able to use the jetty.
• Must be taken up next kingdom round.

Having completed her business in Jovvox, Helga makes her way to the inn and asks "Are we ready to move on to Mivon?"

Adoven signs on behalf of V&A and the vargain is begun. He turns to Helga and asks "unless you have a suggestion for a local delicacy to try, then by all means we should start gathering to go. Thank you Rudolphus, it was a pleasure meeting you."

Helga half snorts.  "Last time I was here the local delicacies revolved around a plant called Stink Weed.  The time before that it involved the fins of a particular type of river fish, I can't remember which one ....  I think I 'll pass, thank you."

OOC:  Just a warning folks.  You have about six RL weeks to complete this thread.  The next kingdom round starts in eight weeks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:32, Sun 26 Apr 2020.

Adoven replenishes the ship's stores for thr next leg of the journey, and gets two bottles of the local brew to sample once at home. He tries to get the rest of the passengers back onboard to head to Mivon.