You each receive a parchment scroll. You have no idea about how it came to you. You left what you were doing for a moment, and it was there when you returned.

Upon opening it, you read the following;

Greetings.

I am called I See Stories and I am a Vau.

You should come to meet with me at sunrise tomorrow, on the east bank of the Great Snake River, where the three bushes form a triangle under the bridge, because it would be a Good Thing to meet and because I have an errand you must run for me. This is a very important errand, and it cannot be entrusted to either a Soldier or a Worker, so humans it is. My name is I See Stories.

I can promise you that you will not be eaten or harmed. I can promise you that you are the Right Person for the errand because I have dreamed it and dreams do not lie. It is not a long errand, and it is not a short errand. But it is an errand. You must do this errand for me because I have dreamed it and dreams do not lie. I will meet you tomorrow at sunrise. You will recognize me, and I will recognize you.

Regards,
I See Stories

PS: I am a Vau.

Wolfhard reads the message. Sounds like fun, and it could be profitable. Those are two of my favorite things!

Wolfhard completes his business for the "day" and finds his way to the meeting place.

OOC: Nice opener!
This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Tue 30 Aug 2022.

In reply to The Management (msg # 1):

A shudder runs through Brother Malcolm when he sees who the missive is from.
His heart is racing.  He consults his notebook, then a few of the books he has around him.
The location, the names, there must be something auspicious he can find. When the cafe closes, he goes back to the Cathedral library, seeking new sources to cross reference. He starts to obsess on finding the hidden meaning, he almost doesn't leave the cathedral library in time to make the meeting.
He gets there, hard of breath, minutes before sunrise.
He looks around, anxious to possibly meet his destiny.

Wolfhard sees a man approach hurriedly and looks at him casually, "'sup?"

Santiago reviews the message. 'A vau, interesting, never met one before. Cant be worse than a Hawkwood' he thinks to himself.

Waiting until the appropriate time he readies Mephistopheles. "How about a nice ride ole boy." He tells his old friend has he puts on his saddle patting his old trusted partner.

Wolfhard recognizes the now familiar hoofbeats before he sees Sir Santiago. When Sir Santiago is close, Wolfhard gives him an inquisitive look, "You get a mysterious letter, too?"

"Indeed my friend." Santiago states looking around then back to Wolfhard. "I wasn't sure what this was all about and planned on touching base with you afterwards, but now. I am glad to have you at my side. So Vau, interesting, hope ole Meph doesnt get him spooked." He states with a smile while patting the neck of the magnificent black beast.

Wolfhard gives Mephistopheles a friendly pat, "It was certainly an unexpected invitation"

In reply to Wolfhard (msg # 4):

Malcolm looks up from his far off thoughts, "Yes?  Oh!  You aren't a Vau!"  He looks disappointed by that fact.

Wolfhard grins, "Not last time I checked". He extends his hand, "Wolfhard Adler, businessman, pleasure to meet you. You got a letter, too? Maybe it's some sort of club recruitment scheme. Or somebody's trying to some forced conscription into their army..."

Hakkonen, the capital city of Jyväskylä, is beautiful despite its tenuous existence at the edge of the Blood Desert. A maze of graceful, sand-blasted terracite structures from the Second Republic forms its center, and gold towers and smoked glass thrust out from the desert. Air-conditioning comforts the Muster executives, the nearby spaceport, and the nobles in the Ducal Palace. Even those of lesser stature have access to clean water and shelter from the sun’s intense heat. “Every serf a king,” was a popular expression in Hakkonen as little as 50 years ago, though the planet’s increasing prominence has forced many serfs into poorer dwellings, as League, Church, and Imperial off-worlders have swarmed to the planet. The great eight-sided Morali Cathedral houses one of the largest libraries in the Known Worlds.

The place where the ‘three bushes form a triangle’ is easy enough to locate and, at the appointed time – sunrise – you arrive to find I See Stories waiting for you under the bridge.

The Vau is a Mandarin. It is over 10 feet tall; its skin is dull red, like the mud of the riverbank, and covered in irregular patches of dark green. It sits in the lotus position with one arm wrapped around its eyes, heedless of the mud staining its very splendid yellow robe. It hums to itself a strange tune that rises and falls but is quite pleasant to listen to, but it does not otherwise move or speak. Perhaps it is waiting for something? Or someone?

Santiago dismounts Mephistopheles and ties his reigns to a nearby tree, close enough to watch over him but far enough to not be spooked. I approach the Vau cautiously and extend the letter to him.

"You wanted to see me sir."

"And us, apparently", pointing at the nervous man

The Vau briefly removes its arm from its eyes and peers up at the three of you. It looks around the area and ignores the letter before covering its eyes again. The humming continues, perhaps in a slightly different tune.

"I wonder if anybody else got a party invitation..."

Striding up, as close to 'out of the sunrise' as could be managed, came the most unlikely creature imaginable - a Vorox dressed like a nobleman. His fur was tawny, dulling to charcoal at the extremities and around his face. He was dressed in a tailored, primary-blue suit with gold buttons and a gold lamé cravat and pocket square - on the latter was embroidered a delightful, cursive V. At his right hip was a typical rapier - modified only in that it could be gripped more readily in one of his enormous hands. Draped over his right shoulder was a deep purple, velvet dueling cloak and over the same shoulder a cream-colored orb floated freely in the air. He wore a large-brimmed hat, tilted at a jaunty angle to match the tune he whistled as he strolled casually into the area.

As he arrived, the strange creature looked about, took in those present and offered a charming, courtly bow with a three-armed flourish - the lower right hand remained resting casually on the hilt of his sword. Onlookers could see the single claw allowed to a noble Vorox on the pinky finger of his upper left hand. "Oh ho ho!" He chuckled, voice ringing in a delightful baritone, "am I late? I should hope not. It would not do to keep such a marked dignitary waiting for even a moment. I am Sir Vongangekan, and what an absolute pleasure it is to make all of your acquaintances on this delightful morning."

Never one to offend a potential customer, Wolfhard returns the amusing Vorox's bow as best be can, "Wolfhard Adler, sir. I can't tell if we're late or early, our host appears to be waiting on something"

As Sir Von arrives, the hum of the Vau's tune gets slightly higher.

Santiago looks over the Vorox. "Greetings far traveler. Another finder of letters masked in mystery I take it?"

In reply to Sir Santiago (msg # 19):

Malcolm only seems to pay attention to the Vau, barely noticing the others.  He watches intently, trying to record the tune inside his brain.
He fingers the Eskatonic cross on a chain around his neck, the only indication he might be something other than your average layperson.

"Oh wow, so that's a Vau?"

A man wearing a jumpsuit and a look of genuine awe is looking at I See Stories.  His eyes then move to the other humans and the Vorox.  "I take it I wasn't the only one who got the letter.  Well, nice to see you all," he smiles politely, not sure what's going to happen next.

"Hello, all, I'm Oddmund Otteson, Charioteer, and I'm curious to hear more about the dr-"
He's cut off by a faint voice distorted by a cheap comm unit. "YOU NEED TO GET THAT ARMOUR, ODD!"

Odd sighs and bows his head.  "Sorry!  Sorry..." he turns down the comm.

"Sorry."

He has nothing else to say at the moment.

"Greetings" Wolfhard looks around, "It seems our host has an eclectic taste in errand boys,I wonder if the errand will be as interesting"

"Indeed. Be patient, it would be best to keep a calm cool demeanor to one that is far superior to us." Santiago states referencing the Vau.

Wolfhard nods and turns his gaze to the Vau

I See Stories does not move until you have all arrived and then it removes its arm from across its eyes, stops humming and regards each of you in turn for a very long time.

Finally, it stands up, towering above even the Vorox, and speaks.

“Greetings. I am I See Stories. I am a Vau. I can speak to you because I have reached Dwelphut, that part of my path where I am permitted to do so, and this is a Good Thing because through speaking we can learn very much indeed.

I had a dream recently and you were in it. Yes, all of you. And some others, but mostly you. In the dream I desired to have a Prayer Box from another world, and you went to fetch it for me, and I was very pleased with it. I do not yet know the name of this world, or the name of the woodworker who will carve the Prayer Box. For this, you will need to visit the house of a Hawkwood lady. Her name will be Sarah Keswick. She will offer you a task.

So that is your errand. You will go to this Hawkwood house and from there to another world. On your travels you will meet a woodworker and you will ask him to carve for me a Prayer Box. I do not know what prayers I will put in it yet. Probably none. But I shall have the box all the same.

I will pay you for your time. Here is gold. You do not use gold to pay for the Prayer Box. You pay with mud.

See – I have some mud here.”

The Vau produces a small mud ball and offers it to Brother Malcolm. It also gives each of you a single gold coin.

"When the Prayer Box is ready, bring it to me here. I will know when it is ready because I will dream it. When you return, I will also tell you a small secret about this world."

And, with mud ball and gold dispensed and the errand described, I See Stories sits down again and returns to its meditations, wrapping its arm around its eyes; it does not enter into any further discussions and hums to itself, oblivious to any attempts to engage it in further conversation.

"Hawkwoods, why is it always Hawkwoods." Santiago states with a look of displeasure.

"Well Wolfhard, another adventure I see."

OOC: You can roll Academia + Wits to see if you have heard of Sarah Keswick. Unless you have Court Customs or Hawkwood Lore, the roll is Unfavorable.

(Unfavorable means rolls twice and pick the worst result)

The Resistance would be 4 (meaning you need to spend 4 VP to succeed)
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:06, Wed 31 Aug 2022.

Has Court Customs

Wits 5 and Academia 6 - Goal 11, Roll 13 Fail

OOC: Remember, you can spend VP to improve your goal: 1 VP per +1 goal, up to a limit of your highest finesse characteristic (Dexterity, Intuition, or Perception). See page 22 of the Character book.

So if your goal was 8 and you spent 5 VP, your goal would be 13. Whether the roll is successful or not, you lose those 5 VP you bid.

You all start with a full VP bank (10 VP)

My roll is unfavorable

Academia + Wits = 10, rolling 16 and 18

Definitely never heard of her ;)

Wolfhard smiles, "Seems like another adventure indeed"

Wolfhard looks to the three strangers, "It appears we'll all be adventuring together"

OOC: Oddmund, Sir Santiago, and Wolfhard; You may try a Perception+Observe roll. Resistance 4.

Malcolm stares at the mud as if it is the most valuable thing in the universe.  He opens his pouch and looks for some sort of sample container for now, finally finding something appropriate.  The gold he seems less interested in, but takes a moment or two to examine.Even as he sees to these interesting objects, gears rarely used in his brain turn.
Rolling with disadvantage, Academia + Wits = 17, rolls 6 and 8.  Spends 4 VP to get past resistance.  "That name, why do I know that name?"

09:26, Today: Wolfhard rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18.  Observe + Perception + 3VP = 13


VP:5, WP: 2

He flips the coin over again and again, looking at the images on both sides. OOC - What are on the two sides of the coin?
"Keswick, a Baroness.  Advocate of alien rights and supporter of many charities.  I believe she has given to my order, but I might be wrong.  Daring and unorthodox commander during the Emperor Wars.  Has a mansion here in town."  Malcolm describes it with detachment, almost bored. "I belive I read about her in a newspaper while playing chess one day."  He goes back to studying the coin imagery.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:44, Wed 31 Aug 2022.

Wolfhard looks at the coin as well and gives it a bite

While appearing the greedy Scraver (which he is), Wolfhard has also been casually studying the Vau and trying to pay attention to any Occult activity or practice.

OOC: the gold coins have what appears to be Vau glyphs on both sides (each side a different glyph but the pattern is repeated on all the coins). Their value in firebirds is probably around 500 fb, but they could be worth more to a collector of Vau trinkets.

I'm sure Wolfhard would know of such collectors ;)

In reply to Wolfhard (msg # 39):

Indeed. Should not be hard to find buyers (if people want to sell their coins)

In reply to Wolfhard (msg # 37):



Wolfhard is no expert on Vau culture, so he's not sure of their religion, but he sees no obvious signs of occult activity.

Wolfhard was clearly instructed to use the gold to pay for the errand and would hate to offend ;)

However, he will hold on to the coin until we begin incurring expenses

Wolfhard appears to have an idea and uses the mud to make an impression of the coin

OOC: you mean the mud ball I See Stories gave to Brother Malcolm, or the riverbank mud?

Sorry, I thought we'd each been given a ball of mud. I'll use riverbank mud.

"Wolfhard, Take a look at this," Santiago hands him the coin. "Never seen this writing before."

Are all the coins the same?

In reply to Wolfhard (msg # 44):

No, just the one mud ball. As I See Stories handed it to Malcolm, you could all see it was a globe of baked red mud about the size of a large plum or a small apple. Indentations of the maker’s thumbprints were evident on its surface, but the object was not a fine work of art by any means; simply a ball of rolled and pressed riverbank mud with a rough surface and no finesse.

OOC: yes, they seem to be roughly cast but the writing on the sides are all the same.

Sir Santiago and Oddmund, don't forget - you may try a Perception + Observe roll. Resistance 4

VP Bank = 10

Perception 6 Observe 5: Goal 11 Spending 2 VP for Goal of 13

Roll = 4 = 4 VP vs Resistance 4 = Success

Current VP Bank = 8

Wolfhard takes a look at the coin Santiago hands him. He studies it and compares it to his own.

Apart from a almost indiscernible difference in weight and size, the coins appear identical.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:42, Wed 31 Aug 2022.

"They appear to be the same, but I don't know what to make of these markings"

Wolfhard hands Sir Santiago his coin back. "These coins appear to be worth about 500fb in gold weight, but I could probably get a premium for them from people who collect Vau items." Wolfhard looks at the others, "I'm a member of the Scraver guild and a purveyor of... goods." he considered saying "fine goods" but recalled a certain unfortunate incident and thought better of it.

"Wolfhard, watch over Meph, dont want him getting spooked." I run to the edge of the bridge where is think I see the movement and jump over the rail with my SMG at the ready. Looking for what could have made the movement.

Wolfhard grabs Meph's reigns, reaches for his pistol, and looks for a place to tie the reigns in case there is trouble.

OOc: You are all close to the riverbank, nearly under the bridge, not on the bridge itself.

Sir Santiago seems to spot some movement under the bridge. He produces an evil-looking SMG from somewhere and quickly heads towards the dark shadows under the bridge. A small figure suddenly ducks up and darts away from your group, moving on all fours almost like a monkey. It is clad in scabby rags but appears human. It starts to runs away at an astonishing rate of speed.

OOC: okay, going to pause here for a while to allow Sir Von and Oddmund to catch up. But feel free to post your actions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:54, Wed 31 Aug 2022.

Wolfhard makes a split-second decision to take advantage of the distraction. There is a slight flick of his wrist as he summons an invisible force to restrain the figure long enough for Sir Santiago to catch him.

Wolfhard will cast Crushing Hand on the figure

13:08, Today: Wolfhard rolled 9 using 1d20.  Fight + Wits + 2VP = 15

Success!

The target can use strength for resistance

VP: 12, WP: 2

Upon being handed the gold coin by I See Stories, Sir Vongangekan appeared delighted - or was that hungry? Vorox were challenging to read for the unfamiliar. He bowed again, the same sweeping, courtly gesture with three arms as before. "My very good and most noble, sir," he rumbled in that pleasant baritone, "I am greatly honored to have appeared in your dreams and humbly accept this task. It shall be done!" He punctuated the declaration by pounding the fist of his upper right arm into the palm of his lower left hand for emphasis. The Vorox carefully tucked the coin into an inner pocket of his jacket where it would be safe from pickpockets - most of them couldn't reach that high - and the ones who could were less likely to dare to rob a Vorox.

"Now, do I know this Hawkwood? Hmm.." he trailed off, thoughtful, stroking the long and well-brushed fur around his jaw with his upper left hand - single claw prominently displayed on the pinky.

---

18:11, Today: Sir Vongangekan rolled 3 using 1d20.  Academia + Wits = 12.

I believe I can use 1 VP to overcome the rest of the resistance and get a positive result? (Still really new to the system)

VP: 9 | WP: 2

OOC: Correct. You started with 10 VP. Your roll gave you 3 more, so 13. The resistance is 4, so you need to spend that many VP. Leaving you with 9.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:06, Thu 01 Sept 2022.

OOC: Nice reaction there, Wolfhard. You'll need to spend 4 VP to grab him. And quite surprising. Have a WP :)

As Sir Santiago runs after the fleeing person, Wolfhard makes a small gesture and an invisible hand seems to grab the small figure. It starts to scream about witchcraft and sorcery and demands to be released from the 'devil's paw'.

Sir Santiago approaches and sees a small man with noticeably long legs and arms. He is clad in rags and clearly a homeless person. "Let me go, let me go!" he pleads, struggling to escape. "I won't tell anyone about the Wow! I swear!"

Thanks!

VP: 8, WP: 3

When the man screams about witchcraft and sorcery, Wolfhard looks around, "Who did that?"

Seeing he's homeless, Wolfhard will restrain, but do no damage. As soon as Santiago is close to him, Wolfhard will release the man.

OOC: Is Sir Santiago wearing or displaying anything to identify him as a Hazat Commander?

Santiago will display his House colors embroidered on to his armor, although scuffed and not polished.

As Santiago approaches the man keeping his SMG aimed at him with his finger clearly off the trigger. "Explain yourself. Why where you here. Who are you?"

The man shakes as he sees the weapon pointed at him. "Don't shoot me, Sir!" he whines. "This is my home. That Wow woke me up with his humming and then you all arrived. He gave you all gold! Got scared when you ran towards me."

He notices Sir Santiago's embroidery and military bearing. "You was in the wars? Me too. Muster Private Hengel of the 3rd Recon Battalion."

He starts coughing and wheezing. "Ran into a poison cloud a while ago. Lost my job. Now I live here."

Wolfhard will have released the man by now. He remains with Mephistopheles.

"Muster private you say. Where did you serve? Are you looking for a job?" Santiago states lowering his weapon but staying alert.

"Byzantium, Sir" replies Hengel. "We were hired by House Decados. I sure would like a job! I'm good at scouting and running, Sir! My mother even says I'm a Changeling. Says they took her boy and left a spider monkey!"

He cackles and displays a gap-toothed grin. "She might have been right."

At the mention of the spore clouds, Malcolm shudders, but moves forward while pulling a little box from his belt.
"Tell me, child, what sort of treatment did you receive after your encounter with the cloud?  Do you happen to remember the color of it?"
He hesitates at first to get near the beggar, but then starts going over him with basic diagnostics, taking extra care with the poison sniffer.

Wolfhard has compassion for the man, but tries to hide it, "Sounds like he could be useful. A good scout is always valuable."

"Orange, Father," replies Hengel to Malcolm. "Tried to outrun it, but well... had a bit too much to drink. The Muster docs tried to fix me but said it would not be cost effective."

Wolfhard watches as Malcom examines the man, "Think you can patch him up?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:26, Thu 01 Sept 2022.

Malcolm looks at his charge, grim determination in his eyes.  "His lungs may be beyond my ability, and his flame is nothing but an ember." He fiddles with a few of his devices, mumbling a prayer in Latin as he works.  Using Enlightened to turn 9 VP into 3 WP, then rolling Remedy + Faith target 11 to begin rehabilitation.  15:39, Today: Brother Malcolm rolled 11 using 1d20.  Remedy + Faith = 11 to start rehabilitiation. Crit.  (relieves a physical state; I doubt I can cure him completely even with one crit.) "The spores aren't completely understood, but I think I can make things better, at least for now.  I think I can do more, Hengel, if you would stay with us for a while.  Though it is easier to treat your physical condition than to help your internal flame."

  I'm going to wait until I see something from Odd and Sir Von before posting again myself.
WP: 5 VP: 5

"I have an Elixir potion he can use, if you think it would help"

Still either ignorant of what was happening with the small, nearby ruckus or ignoring it on purpose, Sir Vongangekan looked pleasantly startled, "aha!" He exclaimed in his warm baritone, holding up the index finger on the large hand which had been stroking his jaw fringe. "Yes, the Baroness who needs a better tailor. I should get her the name of Mr. Marxfield, it would be a service. And one well-deserved by such a kind woman. Yes, I shall do this."

He turned to see that most of the others had run off distracted by the other person. "Ah, are we going off to find the Baroness, good sirs?" His large eyes gleamed with excitement, "I had the immense pleasure of making her acquaintance at a party last fall, exquisite hors d'oeuvres. Her ladyship was in attendance, of course, and I recall remarking to Aziz - do you remember that Aziz?" He asked the last of the orb floating over his right shoulder, it did not respond. "Anyways, I recall remarking to Aziz that the Baroness needed a better tailor, I shall truly have to suggest my tailor - do you know Mr. Marxfield?" He trailed off - finally - to look at the others and seemed almost to anticipate a response even if they weren't paying attention to him.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:20, Thu 01 Sept 2022.

Malcolm's skilled ministrations seems to have a positive effect on Hengel. He stops coughing and his eyes look brighter.

"Don't know exactly what you did, Father, but I sure do be feeling better! May the Pancritter bless you!"

OOC: This is probably the best you can do with the patient at this muddy riverbank.

"I agree with Wolfhard, a scout could indeed be useful." Santiago states as he puts his gun away.

Malcolm almost scoffs when Wolfhard mentions elixir, and beams at the idea of the 'Pancritter.' "I am but a humble Provost, friend, you can call me Brother, not Father.  As to what you are suffering from, I too have been assaulted by the orange spores." He turns over his shoulder to Wolfhard. "Elixir only will heal the most basic of conditions, even if it does it well.  I was in a coma for months, receiving better care than I am certain this man was given.  It acts as both poison and disease, but some have speculated it attacks one's...soul...one's mirror or spark, as well as one's body.The elixir will not cure the scarring on his lungs, nor will it strengthen his spark.  With time, perhaps I can cure both.

For a moment, he is lost in the memory of just what the spores did to him.  "I pray none of the rest of you get to experience what Hengel and I both have."

"Hengel, I'll put in 5 birds towards your pay if you make your services available for the duration of our current errand, and I may have other jobs for you after."

OOC That's generous, right?

Wolfhard listens to Brother Malcom and looks hesitant, "It's not contagious is it?"

Hengel's eyes open wide. "Five 'birds! That's a fortune! I accept."

He tries to stand up straight and gives a shaky salute. "Private Hengel, reporting for duty!"

Wolfhard smiles, "Excellent!"

OOC I'm happy to pause here until Odd catches up

"Private Hengel, happy to have you on our group. I am Santiago Morales and this is my best friend Mephistopheles and also Wolfhard." Santiago states with a sly smile towards Wolfhard.

"If you need anything let me know. I will do my best to aquiesse to your requests." Santiago continues and addresses the rest of the group. "So what do we know about this Hawkwood" He states and he spits after saying Hawkwood.

Wolfhard smiles at Santiago, "I guess we better go find her and see what task she has for us"

OOC: Sir Von would know where the Baroness lives; In the city center, not far from the Morali Cathedral. Depending on your mode of transport it could take anything from fifteen minutes (skimmer) to three hours (walking) to get there.

OOC Well, we all know how Santiago is getting there ;)

OOC: Mephistopheles, we ride into enemy territory. Be sure to bring hell with you.

"Well, my alien friend, looks like we need to pay this Hawkwood a visit." Santiago states to the Vorox.

OOC: Okay, I assume you all agree to meet near the mansion of Baroness Keswick at a later time? That will begin a new scene so if you have VP in excess of your VP Bank (10) they will be lost. For those of you with the Ingenious perk, you can convert 3 of your VP to a single Wyrd point.

And who will look after Hengel? He has gathered the few rags and food cans he own and is ready to follow, although he could probably benefit from a haircut, shave, delousing, a proper bath, and a new wardrobe :)

OOC: i will. Fellow soldier and all.

Sounds like a decent plan. We should probably pick up some comma devices to stay in touch.

Basic devices good for up to 25km are 25-50 birds depending on style (walkie talkie, headset, wrist), but I can probably get a better deal than that ;)

Would I need to roll haggle for each device or just one for the lot?

Let's see... the Exec wristband (25 km range, XXS) is 50 fb. There's six of you (including Hengel), so that's 300 fb.

Wolfhard has Commons Customs, so that's fine. Just need to roll for the lot; Charm (or Knavery) + Presence. Resistance is 6.

A success will lower the going price by 10%, plus an additional 5% per 2 VP you spend (up to a max of 25%). You still have the VP and WP you gained in Scene 1.

Starting VP: 8, WP: 3

Charm + Presence = 11
If this is still the first scene, I will use my Beginner's Luck perk to add my wits, making it 18

I roll 7, success

I will spend 8 VP overcoming resistance and increasing the discount to 15%.

Wolfhard will take 5 birds in commission - this is business, after all ;) - so final price for the lot is 260 (300 × 0.85 = 255 + my 5 bird commission). How are we splitting the cost of Hengel's wristband?

"That's a fine batch of squawkers there, if I say so myself!" says the squint-eyed old vendor. "And you drive a hard bargain. My family will go without food tonight but okay... 255 it is. And of course, the malicious rumors that the Rooks are listening in are patently untrue!"

OOC: The Rooks are the intelligence arm of House Hawkwood , concerned primarily with collecting information on the other Royal Houses and the Vuldrok Star Nation. Looked down upon by the other intelligence agencies due to their reputation for not blending in quite as well as they should.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:25, Fri 02 Sept 2022.

Wolfhard thinks of Santiago and spits at the mention of "Hawkwood". He takes the wristbands, "It's a pleasure doing business with you"

VP: 7, WP: 3

OOC: okay, you can all add this to your character sheets

Exec wristband (XXS - extremely small), TL5, Range 25km

Squawker: The handheld squawker or walkie-talkie, as it was once called, is the finest long-range radio currently manufactured. It is mainly used by the Muster to coordinate their mercenary and slaver activities, so it’s got to be reliable.

Light-weight and durable, the Squawker is capable of receiving and transmitting on over two hundred channels (although, in Alexius’ time, there’s not an awful lot of chatter on most bands) and has an effective range of 25 kilometers, with enough power for 24 hours of continuous use. A fusion cell powers the Squawker.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:44, Fri 02 Sept 2022.

Okay, I think Purple is easier on the eyes than Orange for OOC, so let's please go with that instead.  :)

So I've got TL 7 starting equipment, TL 5 armor, and a TL 6 elixir auto injector. I assume a TL 5 radio will put me in overload. I guess I could only equip the autoinjector when I'm expecting combat, or as a primary action during combat.

Not a big fan of the Techgnosis rules, so let's skip those for now.

No complaints here ;)

In reply to Wolfhard (msg # 97):

Inquisitor; "You are carrying seven pieces of forbidden tech. Heresy!"

PC; "Nope, it's okay, I'm level 7."   :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:21, Fri 02 Sept 2022.

lol

In reply to Wolfhard (msg # 99):

We need to back up a bit on the radios.
There was no party buy-in on a decision Wolfhard decided to make for all of us.
Some people might not have the 'Birds to afford them, others might already have them.  I know I would have taken issue at a profit being made off something designed to help the group, but the group was never asked.  The decision was just made.

I can understand the desire to keep things going, and to be able to respond as soon as you see a message.  But we have two players who probably can't be looking at their RPOL as often as the other three.  We need to slow down for their sake.  We also need to have IC discussions before any equipment is bought.

Point taken. We can hold off on the radios for now. Should the group wish to purchase them later, the price will still stand.

There will be chances for shopping after meeting with the Baroness.

I can also slow down the game a bit. Perhaps I got a bit overly enthusiastic, as it's been a while since I played. :)

Completely fair. To be clear, I was making a suggestion and offering to negotiate, but the transaction did move along pretty quickly.

As for the profit, I was taking a queue from the cyberpunk campaigns I've been a part of, where it's common for the party's fixer (similar to a Scraver) to take a small cut on things like that, and I think 5 birds is a pretty token profit and still leaves a significant discount. But this isn't cyberpunk and we don't have to play it that way.

I'm sure the management will be fine for anybody who wants one to pick up a wristband radio for 43 birds (full discount, no commission). Since Hengel is sort of my and Santiago's project, I'm happy to share the cost of his radio with Santiago, if he's cool with that, or we could just buy him a handheld.

I'm also making a standing offer to the group to help anyone who wants to, to sell their gold coins. They're worth 500 birds in gold and I can get a premium from collectors of Vau items and I may be able to haggle on top of that.

I doubt the value of the Vau coins can be expressed in Firebirds

Fair enough. I plan to hold on to mine until I need the cash.

I'll go ahead and buy a wristband radio for myself and a handheld for Hengel

I plan to hold onto the coin until such time as we KNOW they are not useful. And in regard to the wristband radios. I would be interested, since we can stay in communication.

"Indeed, sir we do!" The Vorox replied enthusiastically. <goldenrod>"As, I believe, I noted, I have been meaning to proffer the name of my tailor to the good lady. This has provided just such the occasion. Very exciting! I feel inspired to play something as we travel!"

In reply to Wolfhard (msg # 105):

I have no problem with a discussion about radios, and buying them if we can afford them.
My issue was with the decision being made for my character without any discussion and one player deciding for all of us what was to be done.
I hope that makes sense.

Yeah, I completely understand, I'd probably feel the same in your shoes. Like Management said, I think we just got a little too excited to get started. I apologize for making presumptions. For anybody who wants a radio, but not necessarily an expensive wristband, I'm guessing management is fine with extending the same discount to the less expensive models.


On a separate, but related, note. Any character who does purchase a radio should probably note it here so we know which characters we can contact, if needed.