[X] (
Helen's Plan) Go with it - no weapons, but let them have their bedrolls and clothes and such, after
thorough checking of course, to make their prison sentences somewhat more dignified.
Helen will appreciate this, and who knows, maybe it'll lead to allies way, way down the line? But, you will make a bit less money.
[X] (
The Wine) Keep it.
Eira likes this.
[X] (
The Other Loot) Keep the two longbows and associated arrows for Senaz and Helen, a shortsword for Eira, and a chain shirt for Eira.
[X] (
Do More?) That fight almost killed you, take the night for downtime. Certainly safer, just slower.
Eira ponders. "So basically, rather than take all their stuff, we're taking most of it, but leaving some to make things a bit more dignified. Clothes, tent, and a few things of that sort."
Helen nods. "In hopes that being treated a bit better may help encourage them to work to keep to a better path in time."
You nod a bit. "It seems like a good idea to me. I've long been of the thought that prison as punishment turns kind of cruel, and it should be about preventing recidivism."
Eira glances at you, confused at your word choice, while Helen responds, "That is the general line of thinking amongst the Compact as well, yes."
The foxgirl sighs a bit. "I don't get it, but if you think it's a better path because something says so, then sure I guess."
You smile a bit. "Well, there's still the rest to sell. Helen, would you like to deliver things?"
"That would be most excellent," she responds with a smile.
---
By sundown, you've actually gotten a fair bit done.
Helen Garland, Paladin of Solaria, has delivered to the former bandits some significantly better cell conditions - bedrolls to make the wooden sleeping platforms less hard, their clothes (shorn of hidden weapons) to improve their dignity a bit, and some various other things like pitchers and utensils, the better to eat in a civilized manner with. The leader's tent has been split into segments of cloth, suitable for covering the windows to keep the cells a hint warmer on colder nights. Overall, they're in position to be better treated at least somewhat, which Helen hopes will inspire them to try and get to a cleaner path in time.
You and Eira kept a few pieces of equipment. A chain shirt to better protect Eira in battle, two longbows for you and Helen, the arrows, and a shortsword to improve Eira's reach - all in all, a good upgrade step for your capabilities… Though observant folks might wonder why a bard knows how to handle a full-on longbow. (
It's kind of weird that you know how to use one as a succubus, if you're honest, but it comes naturally to you… It's not like you LARP'ed in your previous life either.)
Then, it was time for
sales and profits. Your first round of loot. The bailiff had offered to buy the stuff useful to the town guard at half typical face value, which was probably as good as you were going to get and would be politically expedient, so that was…
- Ten gold for two shortswords in fine condition
- Thirteen gold for a shortbow and half-filled quiver
- Fifty-five gold for all the leather armor (after Eira judged her existing set superior)
- Five gold for ten spears
- One hundred twenty-five gold for ten scimitars (and questions about where the bandits got those from that may be worth studying)
- Two and a half gold for five daggers
Then came the animal pelts - which got you 3 GP in total from a furrier after a quick bit of skillful(ish) haggling. Plus the money directly held by the bandits.
In total, 226 gold and 136 silver from that fight. Not a bad haul at all, honestly. Good for a night or two of enjoyment.
The wine… You decided to keep after some examination. It's not exactly Fine Elven Vintage, but it's in good condition, will keep for a fair while as long as it stays in the cask in a cool location (the fridge is probably not perfect, but meh), and will let people have some drink during longer journeys.
Then, back together, you glance up.
"So, back out?", you say with a smile.
Eira shakes her head. "Most definitely not. That… Ugh. That was way too close. Hopefully not every fight will be like that."
Helen nods. "We definitely want to get a good rest first. And need I remind you, you're the only one who sees well at night."
Oh. Right.
"We have space at the inn's common room under our previous plan," Eira observes. "But I'd rather we bump up to someplace with a little privacy."
"Like, what, the apartment that was being used by the cultists?", you respond. "... And I just realized we could've taken
their stuff too, huh."
"Probably not," Helen replied. "Within the city walls, it probably is seized by the bailiff by default. Also possibly cursed."
You grumble a bit at Helen being right again, as Eira continues, "Eh, I was just thinking an inn room, maybe set up… You know."
[ ] (
Hotel Plan) Stick to the cheap crash. 1 SP each, and keeps you seeming modest of means, but you won't have much chance for sexytimes.
[ ] (
Hotel Plan) Upgrade to a private room, and connect your apartment. 1 GP, opportunity for 'enjoyment', and would let you game for a while after that. (
You did promise to keep in practice…)
[ ] (
Hotel Plan) Two private rooms, no apartment connection. 2 GP, means if someone investigates they won't see the door which is good… But honestly, is anyone suspicious of you yet??? The only people who've seen you do anything severely out-of-rank besides Eira and Helen are the bandits, who are less likely to be believed.
As you consider this, you have to ask… "Well, do we want to hit up the tavern something extra, too?"
This draws clear thought from them both. The idea of not having to cook is certainly nice, now that you have a bit of money to put into it. It could also help you get some more rumors of the surrounding area, possibly at least.
[ ] (
Tavern Plan) Skip the tavern.
[ ] (
Tavern Plan) Hit the tavern, but just for yourselves; would run as much as 6 GP, but be
very satisfying.
[ ] (
Tavern Plan) Hit the tavern and buy a round to loudly celebrate your victory; besides the 6 GP of food, would run around ten gold, but immediately grant all three of you Charisma checks to get some extra rumors and make you all-around more popular.
[ ] (
Tavern Plan) Hit the tavern and buy a round, but
don't talk about your victory. Could change the drawn attention and announce that you made Some Money without context.
[ ] (
Tavern Plan) HIt the tavern and perform, see if that grants you some opportunity.
Helen nods. "And we should be thinking about what else we can do with some of the money, possibly. What to spend, what to save."
You sigh. "Yep… Financial planning, except with who knows how much actually at stake, not just your own keeping in house and home."
Eira shrugs. "Guessing that can be tricky where you're from?"
"It's… A bit complex in comparison to here, but the fundaments are still similar. Gotta make money to live, gotta spend money to make it all too often… No capitalist system here, at least," you respond.
That's a vulpine head tilt you're seeing. Helen sighs. "I'll explain later," she says. "It wasn't a great way to do things, let's leave it at that."
Eira shrugs. "All right… So, back to the plans for right now?"
***
From here on, I have listed party loot under a new entry back in the Character Sheets post. During votes where working with it is relevant, you can always add disbursements to the party members for them to use freely.
Helen brought up what to do with the money; saving it could allow for bigger upgrades later in, but there's an array of equipment options you could go for right now, too. Proffer ideas for each party member to propose, and they can be raised and discussed in-character for a later vote!