Alyssa listen to the gnome in wonder as he explained the various capabilities of the items they had. "Oh, I don't think I need anything exotic..." The halfling then gave the quiver a closer look, "So, this will never run out of arrow? 'Find the arrow I need?' Does it provide different types of arrows as well?"

---

OOC: Just trying to clarify if the quiver produces any mundane arrow or if specialty arrows would need to be placed into it to be recalled later?

Talia, in her typical surly manner, eyes the gnome darkly and then shakes her head, "I haven't the foggiest idea what that is. I cannot bloody understand the thing. And I don't know what you mean by filling it. Explain."

Talia runs a finger along the head of the mace slowly and then waits for more information as the others get around to exchanging their items or making deals. She was starting to feel left out which was making her even more surly.

"An orcish maul?!?" Orila smiled as she hefted the maul in her hands. "I want these orcs to know what hit them. This is splendid." Orila gave the gnomes a nod of her head. She moved to the side, while testing the balance and the swing of the maul, giving the others the opportunity to discuss their particular matters.

@Orila

When Orila gives it a test swing both gnomes go pale with panic, gasping in surprise and fear. Number Four nervously lifts a finger and points at the maul.

"Please. Please do not do that. We have anti-magic wards in place but the effects of it breaking the ground are not magical, it is some kind of resonance ability with whatever the head is made of. We exist in an extra-dimensional pocket so if you do breach the ground we might fall...forever. Just...put it back in the box for now."

Number Eight comes forward with the padded case to assist Orila and ensure no accidents happen when stowing it away.

---

@Talia

The gnome gets quite animated as he begins to describe the weapon in Talia's hands.

"Tiamat's Fury is an ancient artifact, far older than the realm you came from. It must have been buried for millenia for it to become so weak. To power it back up you must bath it in the blood of dragons. Every different dragon type whose blood you bath it with will empower it further. If the legends are true not only will it strike harder and truer but you will unlock the special attacks of that dragon. Kill a red dragon with it and it can breath fire. Kill a white dragon with it and it can breath frost. Kill a blue dragon with it and it will shoot lightning. Not only that but its abilities get stronger too.

When fully powered it is said the wielder could strike dragons down from the sky with a single blast from it.

You must be cautious however, as the stronger it gets the fiercer the intelligence inside of it. We do not know what kind of soul or mind is bound to the Fury which is why we would like you to empower it. The legends say five should be sufficient to fully unlock the mind inside so if you ever get that far bring it back and we will reward you quite handsomely.

You should know that you must engage the dragon with the Fury in combat. We have plenty of dragon's blood on hand but stored blood will not do anything. It must be fresh and it must be taken with violence and anger."

The gnomes study it a bit further and give a few additional details to Talia to help her wield it better. Number Four also reveals that languages aren't necessary, it is instead about formulating the command with her mind. She can say anything as a trigger so long as she frames it the right way mentally.

OOC: Translation:

Right now it has only been soaked in the blood of a red dragon which is why it can breath fire. Talia didn't know so she didn't wield it against the black dragon so it is still just a +1 Mace and the fire breath only does 2d6 damage fire. Each additional dragon type will increase its enchantment by +1 and add +1d6 to its breath weapons, capping out at +5 and 6d6 fire/ice/electricity/acid cone/lines.

With the gnome's help you can also come up with your own trigger word!

---

@Alyssa

The gnomes show off the quiver and explain how it works. First of all when desired whenever you reach into it, it will produce a regular arrow. These arrows only exist to be fired and if the archer tries to give them away they crumble into nothingness. They are created, fired, and when removed from the body dissolve into dust.

As a secondary ability Alyssa could story any number of specific arrows, be they magical or gimmick arrows, and when she reached for one in the quiver and thought about which one she was hunting for she would always grab the right one. She could store a thousand different arrows inside and always pull out the one she was looking for.

Talia stares at the weapon with a blank face for a long time then a wild grin slowly splits her face. "SO, that's what the bloody this has been trying to say. Well, I expect it was being a bit more malevolent. Still, it only speaks Draconic." She frowns for a moment then laughs much as her mother often did at a good jest: full-throated and from deep in her belly. "It will make for a grand tale. Indeed. I shall endeavor to do so, gnome, but my pass this time was for a guest only. How might I find this realm again via the kingdom of Tethyr? And don't ask me to chat with the confounding blue wizards again."

She glances over to where the others were claiming their prizes and considered the information she had gleaned to be equivalent in service. "I guess that means I need to find four more dragons to defeat. Wish I had known when we killed that black one."

Something new? Angel thought, already kicking herself for so casually handing over something unique and valuable. She was just about to ask for the ring back, when the gnome mentioned what she had in her pocket. She frowned in confusion, until it suddenly hit her. The brass button! She’d just put it in her pocket to use both hands in taking off the ring. She quickly fished it out, twirling it in her fingers as she addressed the gnome. ”You’d let me keep this for that ring? And it’ll keep doing what’s its doing?”

@Talia

The gnome brushed away her concerns.

"We have agents everywhere and everywhen. Or at least every where and when we need them. Remember, time doesn't work the same way here as there. If you empower Tiamat's Fury I'm sure tale will be told and we can then make sure a key falls into your hands at the proper time and place. I hope. Probably."

The gnome nodded to himself confidently as if reassuring himself and his colleague/alter ego as much as Talia.

---

@Angel

The gnome didn't reply but did nod before turning his attention to those still shopping.

”Done!” Angel exclaimed, and with a flourish of her hand, the little brass button seemingly disappeared... the she-elf really was quite good at sleight of hand.

Alyssa nods appropriately as Four explains the quiver's qualities. "Thank you. Yes. I think you've sold me on it!"

Number Four grins as everyone seems happy with their chosen exchanges.

"Now, your account has a little bit left over for some parting gifts. Please stop by the front desk on your way out and Number One will get you sorted out for your return. On behalf of all of us here at the Klackencogswheel Exchange, we thank you for your patronage and hope you consider us for all your magical needs."

Behind the party the giant door opens with a rumble and they can see down back into the small (by comparison) waiting area. Number Twelve is standing at the threshold hopping from toe to toe.

"Alright then, come this way. Right here, watch your step."

The young Number Twelve leads the group back to the front desk where the crotchety ancient gnome starts pulling out small potion vials and lining them up.

"I was told this should be sufficient. One healing potion, and one vitality potion each."

As the party accepts their parting gifts the old gnome leans in and hands an extra potion to Yry.

"That helm is quite valuable to us so here's a little something extra. Hope it comes in handy."


Once everyone has their weapons and potions sorted away the young gnome hands the old one the key the party had used and the gnome twists it into something underneath the counter and pulls one of the levers next to him. With a rumble a section of the floor raises up revealing a door in the middle of the room. The door is freestanding, they can see both sides of it however when Number Twelve opens the door it shows the inn room back in Spire Keep.

"On behalf of all of us, I hope you have enjoyed your time at the Klacken Exchange. Whenever you need magical solutions I hope you consider the Klackencogswheelm Exchange."

The young gnome looks nervously at the older one who gives him a nod of satisfaction. Apparently he had finally remembered the expression correctly.

Talia, somewhat impressed, took the potions and tucked them into her gear. She then smiled at the gnomes and moved through the door. She saw no need to stand on ceremony. This was payment for work. She'd enjoyed the visit and hoped her mission with the mace would prove entertaining and interesting, but she didn't expect to see the gnomes much, if ever, again.

Once, back in the Inn, she turned to the others and sighed, "It's time to get some shopping done and then get back to Ashford to sort this orc issue out. Some asking about for unusual orc migrations might not go amiss either. Meet back here tonight?" She smiled at each companion in turn, even Angel, and then started to sort her packs to make room for the potions and her intended purchases.

When it was time to leave, Angel fetched her fine black cloak off the arm of the chair and swept it back onto her shoulders -- where it settled against her back like it was meant to be there. Strutting back to the front desk, whistling a merry tune, she wore a grin plastered on her face that would have done any canary-eating cat proud. Taking the pair of offered potions and secreting them in an inner pocket of her vest, she paused to give a nod and a wink to the old gnome behind the counter and then stepped back through the portal to the suite she'd rented for them all.

"Aye," she replied to Talia's suggestion. "I've a couple things to pick up myself. Tonight," she agreed, and made ready to leave on her own shopping excursion...

"Oh! Thank you," Yry says to the old gnome, wondering if she should have haggled about the helmet a little.

When they are back in the suite, Yry quickly recovering from the dizziness of magical travel, she nods at the plan. "See you all then."

Alyssa missed the woods. Between the bustle of Spire Keep then the otherworldly Klacken Exchange not to mention the moving between the two, this halfling missed the sun on her face and the wind in the leaves.

Snapping out of her melancholy, Alyssa looked to her companions as her hand came to rest on her new quiver. "At this point I think all I need to do is fine a fletcher to fill this wonder," a smile crossing her face.

"Okay." Orila said as different people made their way on their personal errands.

Just updated my personal post in the equipment thread.

The group does a little digging, casual so as not to attract any real attention to themselves and discover that there are about fifty members of the Knights of the Black Star. Their leaders are as follows:

• Sir Arctauros "the Brave" - the leader which the players met before at the tavern. Likely a Fighter.
  
  
• Lady Lyra Augustania Mercadillo IV "the Muse" - operates as the knights "ambassador" smoothing over ruffled feathers and covering up war crimes. Met before at the tavern. Likely a bard.
  
  
• Lady Cassiopelyn "the Fair" - a death monk and their primary executioner. Killed at the tavern but Angel's impersonation has successfully spread through Spire Keep and she is still reported as being alive and in the city.
  
  
• Sir Cygnatious "the Wise" - he doesn't leave his tower very much anymore. Likely a wizard.
  
  
• Sir Aquilan "the Just" - he is often portrayed by Lady Lyra as a paladin serving the cause of good and justice although no specific gods or paladin orders are ever specified. Likely a paladin (at least according to Lyra).
  
  
• Sir Fornaxis "the Haunted" - pale and rumored to never really sleep and plagued by ghosts. Likely a Warlock.
  
  
• Sir Octanus "the Honest" - this one the party each receives contradictory information from. The most likely theory is that Sir Octanus is actually multiple people all portraying the same person. Physical descriptions match so it seems possible Octanus is portrayed by three or four brothers. Could be a fighter, a cleric, a rogue, or a wizard.
  
  
• Sir Orionelyr "the Swift" - an elven archer with legendary accuracy. Is rarely seen in Spire Keep and instead patrols the neighboring woods. Likely a ranger.
  
  
• Lady Ur'san "the Wildling" - a wild savage from a barbarian tribe, Ur'san lives for combat. She has a legendary reputation for anger, bloodshed, and alcoholism. Likely a barbarian.
  
  
• Sir Scorpion "the Poisoned Blade" - even the existence of Scorpion is not very wildly known. All the group can figure out is that there is rumored to be an assassin working for the Black Star.

The other thing of note is the specific timeline of when the Black Star was elevated to knighthood is something that a lot of locals finds suspicious. First the Spire family was murdered during a surprise orc invasion, then when Lord Saxton assumed role as temporary regent he almost immediately elevated the Black Star from a brutal mercenary company to knighthood. It is likely he did this to create a personal army that he could use to secure power but some wonder if being knighted and awarded lands were payment for something.

"This whole thing is troubling, as if what we heard at the hou- Inn wasn't bad enough. I wonder if they often employ orcs to prepare the way for themselves to be the 'heroes'. We might really be entangled in this..." Yry shakes her head, pacing around the inn room they met back up in. There is a sense of indignation that might be unusual for those who know the quiet sorceress well.

"We should hurry to Ashford."

"If it was orcs in the first place," Angel replied, confident they could speak freely in the privacy of their shared suite, but still lowering her voice to near whisper levels just in case. She looked ready for adventure in her new suit of studded leather. "I'd bet good coin that that supposed orc ambush that took out the Spire family was more Blackstar than orc."



"Agreed," the elf replied. "It would be best if we don't attract attention by all leaving together. The less we can be connected to one another the better. I'm not worried so much by the folk here at the inn, but the gate guards will be the first ones anyone asks about seeing us. We should stagger our departures to leave separately and meet up some distance down the road."   

Yry smiles, "You really are very clever. That's a good idea, shall we do that?" Yry asks, looking at the others.

Angel blushed slightly at what Yry said, but just as quickly that honest expression was gone, replaced by a cocky, lopsided grin. "Thanks doll, you're not so bad yourself," she replied, giving the other woman a saucy wink... but for those who noticed though, it was clear Angel deeply appreciated the sorceress' compliment.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:47, Sat 20 Feb 2021.

Alyssa nodded at the elf's suggestion. "That would make sense. Are you thinking leaving at first light or should some of us leave this afternoon?" The halfling tried to remain nonchalant about it but she was excited about the possibility of being back in the woods.

"Since I'm the one who rented this suite, it makes sense for me to leave last," Angel replied. "Plus if need be I can provide some misdirection on who was where and when," she added...

... then suddenly her body and clothing shifted to assume Talia's form, and she gave the other woman (Talia) a smirk before shifting back to herself...

"Might come in handy like it did with making folk believe You-Know-Who is still above ground."

"To Ashford? Here I was thinking that we needed to go after the orcs. Wasn't that what we agreed with that wizard?" Orila was confused and required Alyssa to explain her thoughts.

"Alright. So you're thinking that these knights will be attacking Ashford. But it's a small village. What would they gain?" Orila gathered her gear in preparation for the trip. "We can discuss as we travel. We need to grab one of these people you identified and ask some serious questions."

Talia mused at the idea and slowly started to shake her head when Angel shifted into her appearance. She startled badly and glowered a moment before a small smile played across her face and she chuckled. She was a direct person, but that didn't mean being direct was the only good path forward. "The only issue is we did not arrive alone. Yes, it feels like that for some reason, but there are villagers that need escort home. So, I will go with them. Yry and Alyssa can easily leave at the same time, yes? Or no? And you leaving last, with distractions, seems best."

She turned to Orila and nodded firmly, "Aye, the orcs. But best to rally in Ashford first and warn people then sortie from there with the proper gear."