Of Bargains Carved in Stone
First Day of the First Month 293 AC
"I
was wondering where you intended to get the iron for that furnace," Malarys tell you as he sets his teacup back down onto the tray before him. You imagine most other men would have reacted somewhat more strongly to the notion that you intended to travel beyond the world for a trade deal, never mind an offer to join such an expedition. Malarys treats it with the same cool aplomb he seems to carry with him everywhere as a cloak. A mark of his training, or simply natural inclination, you wonder. "I would be most pleased to join you."
With commendable swiftness for someone who takes as much care with his appearance as he does, the mage-priest dons the silvery armor he took from the ruins of Essaria and readies himself for the journey ahead. "Send my apologies for all my appointments today and tomorrow," he instructs his diminutive majordomo before granting him the power to speak and understand all tongues.
Joining hands with you, Ser Richard, and of course Dany, the four of you spin outwards though a bewildering storm of color and sound until a few heart-beats later you find yourself in the cavern of the Xorn, its wonders undimmed upon second sight. Under the shadow of the great stone tree the Xorn wait: Rock Shaker shuffling in place as though hardly waiting to embrace you, and of course solemn Mountain Heart. Yet as you exchange greetings you notice that not all is as it had been, globes of crystal holding heatless mage-fire hang from the tree of stone like odd fruit and wardings of good fortune and strength in battle are carved into the stone around you. Even Rock Shaker carries a three-sided magical talisman with a ruby eye in the center: the fruits of renewed prosperity born of your deliveries most likely.
As any prince would be, you are glad to see your allies grow strong, and as any merchant glad to see them prosper, knowing that their prosperity will soon be reflected upon you.
"The pride of the past for the wealth and security of the present," Mountain Heart declares as he hands you a gem black as onyx yet shining with a spark of hungering flame deep within. It feels unnaturally heavy in your hand.
Gained 1 Soul-Stone (Radiating Law and Evil)
"Careful touching that to bare skin," Malarys whispers. "It is likely safe, but
likely makes cold comfort when dealing with dark spirits of any true potency."
You nod in thanks as you pocket the stone regardless.
"Now that the first deal had been done in good faith, I look forward to a deeper and of course ever more profitable relationship," you offer Mountain Heart with a carefully calculated smile, wasted though it may be against the Stone Swimmers who likely know little of reading mortal expressions.
"Indeed," the elder rumbles happily. "I am afraid the market for sea-salt has fallen off for now, but I have made inquiries about crafts worked of bone and wood, and there is a minor lord of the earth-genies who would pay
much for the chance to show such things in his personal collection... Unfortunately the quickest route to his holdings runs near a vein of Rotstone, so it will not be quite so profitable as the last run unless..."
"Unless someone were to clear this impediment," you finish. The Xorn are many admirable things, but subtlety is certainly not among their virtues.
What do you do?
[] Offer to clear this 'Rotstone'
[] Refuse the task and move on to negotiating the trade deal
[] Write in
OOC: It's been a while since we have had some combat, however if you want to avoid it you can and you will still get a good deal.
