Would-be Thieves and Sales Pitches
Log Info
- Title: Would-be Thieves and Sales Pitches
- Place: A07: Lower Alexandria Market District
- Summary: Rune travels into the market district and stumbles upon an array of interesting characters. Telamon catches a would-be thief. Alaryn displays not only an impressive transforming cart, but also a variety of strange products. Schara offers suggestions to help both Rune and Alaryn earn more coin.
Market District, afternoon
The light rain isn't keeping people home -- it's simply not nasty or blustery enough to prevent business. And so despite the weather being slightly crummy, there's people out and about, shopping, visiting, running errands... and in at least one case, up to skulduggery.
Or at least, they -were- up to skulduggery. Currently a thin-faced man is being held in midair while two shopkeepers search him roughly. Not far away, a familiar half-elven sorcerer has one hand clenched in a fist, coolly watching the proceedings. Telamon just shakes his head, sustaining the telekinetic grasp. "You two done yet? We probably should turn him over to the watch..."
Under normal circumstances, Rune tended to wear her hood up even on more pleasant days. Today, however, she doesn't quite stand out as much, as it keeps the light rain off her face. She is just passing a vendor who seems to notice a ring on her hand, calling out with a cracking voice, "Ooo, a young lady with a suitor! Buy something nice for your lad?"
That's a nope from Rune, who just pulls her hood forward and keeps on walking.
That is, until she passes a group of people, having to edge close to a wall to get by, and sees a man being held in mid-air. It would be easy to mis-read the situation since it looks almost like a robbery. Then, she seems to realize that Telamon is the one holding the man up, and it is shopkeepers searching him.
"Do... I even want to know what is going on?" She asks, head canted slightly as she looks to the resident sorcerer.
In terms of sticking out, Schara didn't stand out any more than usual, which was not saying particularly much. Still, at least in the lower trades district so close to goblintown, a figure of bronze, mechanical armor was at least a bit more normal. In addition to the prices, it made buying supplies a much more pleasant affair.
Still, there were their own problems, and the bronze figure stops at the stall they were searching, and tilts their head. "I hope I'm not made an unwitting accomplice in some theft again." They muse aloud to themselves in a low, static-filled tone from behind their helmet.
Rattle rattle thunder clatter, boom boom boom.... no, this is not a Car-X commercial. It's just the sounds made by the mana-powered 48 individually suspended mini tank treads built into the bottom of Alaryn's merchant wagon. It putters along the streets until she takes a turn and then backs up into her assigned market stall location.
In terms of sticking out.... well, um.. yeah. Subtle is the last word one might assign to Alaryn. She stops when she gets into position, and then powers down... the treads locking position even as the cart settles lower. The driver (that's me!) reaches up to lift her goggles from where they cover her eyes, and settles them onto her forehead as she jumps down to the ground, humming tunelessly. Okay, it's not that she is trying to be tuneless. She just couldn't carry a tune in a bucket.
"Found it!" one of the shopkeepers cries out triumphantly, pulling out a heavy leather purse. The thin-faced man writhes, his face full of frustration, as the shopkeeper turns it over to his companion. There's a very large guild-stamp embossed on the purse; evidently it's his money pouch.
Telamon chuckles grimly. "Well, I spotted this gentleman being a bit lightfingered. And then I said something, and this tradesman's neighbor -also- saw it and said something. And then our friend here tried to run, and I -insisted- he stay around a bit."
He glances at the other onlookers, and smiles broadly. "No worries, just a bit of tidying up." He makes a hooking gesture, and drags the thin-faced thief closer to him, looking into the man's eyes. Tel's expression stops being genial at that point, and he says flatly, "Now. Go home, and rethink your life. Next time you may not be so lucky." With that, he dismisses the spell, dropping the man on his rump.
Rune's blue eyes shift from Telamon, to the captured thief, then back again. That's when she folds her arms, a bemused look on her face. "Well, how could anyone resist an invitation like that, especially from someone as charming as you?" In another life, she may very well have been the one being magically frisked for ill-gotten goods. But it had been a great many years since Rune's hands went wandering.
She does wince as the man is dropped down onto his backside. "Good thing you were here to play hero. You seem to be feeling better." The raise of one eyebrow suggests there might be a question there.
And... that is when a giant cart comes rumbling, rattling, clattering and eventually pulling into one of the stall locations. It completely throws Rune off her game and leaves her staring, wide-eyed. From Alaryn to Schara, Rune seems to be taking in the more unusual individuals. "Right. Right, this is Alexandros. Expect the unexpected."
"Well, as long as it isn't part of the ploy to have them run off, but you wouldd need to be a very good at acting to do that, and it seems like a lot of work when they could have just run away." The artificer shrugs. Head tilt. "If it is unexpected, you can't expect it to begin with, unless you mean that you're saying you should broaden your knowledge to be caught off guard less. I already knew that Alaryn was working on a cart, so I'm less surprised by that showing up."
Now that the cart is in place, the treads locked and all... Alaryn reaches over and pressed a crystal stud on the front left edge of the cart. That done, she backs up to let it do its thing. Apparently, not only is it self-propelled but it's a also a transformer. The upper side panels lift up, and then rotate outward to act like awnings. They spread out... their struts telelscoping until they hit full extension. At that point, a pair of poles flip down to support the awnings.
Another thing about those panels that lifted off... it reveals the goods she is selling. Various alchemical items, and some inventions of her own creation. And then some oddball items that really aren't the norm one would find in Alexandria. She travels around the region, buying and selling oddball items that people request... and some that she just thinks are really cool.
Now that the cart has transformed, she steps in to lift labels marking each item. Self-heating Bacon skillets (fine print also lists: Not only for bacon).... Luminous powdered Crystal. THe labels placed where they go, she presses one last stud, and a platform pops out at chair-seat level.... one she sits down on before she pulls out a pouch of jerky to snack on.
Of course, seeing everyone else gathered around, she lifts a hand and waves with a bright smile on her face.
The thin-faced man scrambles to his feet and flees, as Telamon watches, shaking his head. "That one'll come to a bad end." He refocuses his attention on Rune now, his starry eyes glinting. "Indeed. Things have turned around -- though it took the efforts of Mourner Verna, my sister-by-bond, to set them in order." He offers Rune a bow, and a smile. "I hope the day finds you well, despite the rain?"
At Alaryn's shape-changing wagon, he bursts out laughing. "Oh, gods, it's Alaryn. I'd recognize that artifice-spawned contraption anywhere." He offers a wry grin to Schara, and a nod. "Indeed. Alexandria is a city of danger, yes, but it's also a city of wonders. Even if they occasionally catch fire, sink into a swamp, or explode." He pauses. "Or all three at once."
Relaxing her posture, Rune raises a hand and motions it towards Schara, seemingly a bit amused by the artificer's take on things. "Yes, mostly the later. It's been a few weeks and I still find myself surprised more often than not. Though I'm not sure it's entirely a bad thing." Her lip quirks, "Sometimes, not knowing what the day will bring can be an adventure."
In the case of Alaryn and her cart, however, it is more like a show than an adventure. If the cart wasn't impressive enough to draw her eye, the fact that it starts to transform would have sparked her interest. Her eyes sweep by the strange array of goods, unable to keep from taking a step or two towards it.
Then, Telamon snaps her attention back, "So... everything is alright now? With you and Cor'lana?" A hint of worry shows in the set of her eyebrows. "If so, I'm glad." And then his comment draws a peculiar look to her face. "How about we don't go to that part of Alexandria. I try to avoid exploding if I can help it."
"I hope they don't come to a bad end. That wouldn't be good, maybe I should have done something. Pointed them to the Althean temple maybe, if I can go there, I'm sure they would have been able to make use of it." The artificer sighs. "Maybe if I see them again I'll bring it up."
The artificer pauses to watch the transformation. "Well I take it back, it seems there were further improvements I was unaware of. At least I will not be surprised next time." They note. "Did something happen? Is Verna alright, or that other person? It may not be my business, probably."
A bite of jerky is taken by Alaryn, and she leans back in her seat. "I know I got back to town a bit late, but... I -am- open for business. My rule of thumb is.. if I don't have something you want, I can get it." She grins and gestures to the cart, "Odds and ends. Mostly odd." she adds.
Another bite taken, she reaches for a canteen and washes her bite down with some water. "My most popular item is the Luminous crystal powder. Pick your color, and I'll bond it to any item of your choice in any pattern you like. It can make glowing runes, sparking highlights..."
"The bacon skillets are actually not moving as well as I'd like, but I still have a couple left. I also do custom jobs... infusing mana into weapons, armor... or mundane items to give them magical properties."
Okay, there is her sales pitch. I mean she's not without personality. But it might feel a bit like asking Doc Brown to tinker with your car to have her enchant armor or whatnot.
Telamon nods happily. "All is well, Leirune. Please, put your mind at ease." He crosses to the other half-elf, and clasps her hand with a smile. "Yes, it was a rough time, but we've weathered the storm and are stronger for it." His eyes twinkle. "And Lana -definitely- prefers being able to hug me, among other things."
At Schara's worried response, he says, "Just some lingering issues from a recent bit of unpleasantness. All is well," he repeats firmly, with a gentle smile. "Verna is fine, just... missing Auranar. She's gone off to study a bit, to try and develop her own talent."
With that bit settled, he wanders over to Alaryn's cart-now-market-stall. His eyes slide past the crystal powder, but then pause on the skillet. "Hmmm... it's hard to cook traditionally in our kitchen sometimes. Maybe..." He rubs his chin, and then tilts his head, his eyes taking on a slightly abstracted look.
"Glad I'm not the only one surprised." Even after having seen Schara before, Rune isn't quite sure what to make of them. The armor leaves a great deal to the imagination. "In my experience, people only change when they want to change, or when they are given no choice but to change." Lifting one shoulder in a slight shrug, she takes a moment to wipe some rain off of her hood and shoulders. That seems to be the only part of her garb that is somewhat waterproof.
Clasping Telamon's hand in return, her expression forms into a genuine smile, seeming relieved. "Good to hear. I know Jacob was worried as well, but he was sure you two would figure it out." Her lip quirks, "And... I'm um... glad to hear she's taking full advantage of your freedom from the curse." Mental images Tel!
The idea of bonding color to things has Rune momentarily reaching up to touch some very faded strands of hair. Usually they were a brigher blue, but the color seems barely present at the moment. Then, she seems to decide against the possibility of sparkling. Instead, it is the 'sales pitch' that draws more of her attention. "Huh. If... that's the case, I'll definitely have to stop by again when more coin comes in. I'm sure there's more than a few pieces of my gear that could use replacing, or enchanting."
"Well, that is all good. But is that wise?" The artificer asks with another tilt of her head. "It was only just recently that Auranar was dropped off a cliff, and that was when miss Verna was present. I hope that decision was thought through, and they took necessary precautions if she is going off on her own."
"I guess there is no forcing the problem in that case either, you are right. Still, I don't know if that would be a failure on making them want to change, or not." The artificer nods slowly as the others investigate the stall. "If you need non-magical equipment replaced, then you should stop by Slatesteel's smithy, or the Reztner general store that's near here in the district." They suggest quietly. Torn between letting the elf make their sales, and promoting the people they knew of.
Sharp eyes noting Rune's pause to ponder the colorations, Alaryn grins. "Most people want the Lumi-Crystal powder... Lumi-Cee-Powder. There we go. That's the name I'm going to use formally. Anyhow, most people want the Lumi-C-Powder to draw glowing runes on a weapon, or to make their plate armor have glowing traceries along the edges or embedded into the chest plate." That said, she reaches up to tap against her own breastplate. Good thing it's infused with the essence of Mithral... so it's really lightweight and such.
Her train of thought tends to wander around on different tracks all at once. "But yeah. My most recent enchantments for custom order were... what I refer to as Fasty Jumpy Boots, and gloves like my own.." She shows off her skintight leather gloves, "These let me move light objects, and the universal prestidigitation effects at will. They are -great- for cleaning your gear, weapons, armor.. hell, yourself."
Telamon laughs cheerfully. "I won't scandalize you with the details. But suffice to say neither of us is eager to repeat that experience. We're much happier together." He shrugs lightly with a grin. "Hence why when we're out together we're hand in hand, just so people realize everything's back to -- well, I guess 'normal' isn't a great word but, close enough."
Tel gives Schara a slightly wicked grin. "Allow me to put your mind at ease. I am well acquainted with her current teacher, and I assure you, anyone who comes to that place with ill intent will find their insides on their outsides very, very quickly." His tone is absolutely confident.
At Alaryn's sales pitch and chatter, he furrows his brow. "Hm. Alaryn, have you tried marketing some of these things to the gentry or nobility? Father told me about ten years back there was a spike in demand for garments with magical accoutrements and adornments, but in the long run it was too expensive save for the richest nobles. This... you might be able to make some coin in those quarters." His eyes dance with good humor. "For a small commission I could even arrange some introductions."
There is a brief hesitation, but then Rune offers in a softer voice, "I didn't stop running with those sort of crowds until I saw how it impacted someone I cared about." Something wistful passes in her gaze, but the half-sil shakes her head then, raising a hand to brush a few damp strands off of her forehead.
"Honestly, I'll take any suggestions. I know Harkashan is in the market for some armor as well, though he makes a fair bit more coin than I do." A soft laugh follows, "Clerics make more than messengers, but there's sometimes the well paying odd job that I manage to pick up from time to time."
The prospect of having magic to clean up draws another of those looks, as if she were remembering something amusing. "Might have come in handy the other day when Hark fell into the mire out in the woods. Then again, it wouldn't have been nearly as funny." Rune adds then, "He's probably right. The best sales will be where the big money is at. Though, maybe on the next Guild contract I might have enough to commission some minor work."
"If you say so, I guess, but it takes a lot to be stronger than miss Verna." The artificer sighs in defeat. "But then again, she also told me there isn't such a thing as a truly safe place, and sometimes you just need to do what you want to do, so I guess that makes sense there too."
"Ah, right, Harkashan! The big l-sith-makari who looks like they're on fire, right. I can't remember if I told him about Slatesteel yet or not, but he's welcome there if he needs something, too." They continue a bit more loudly. "Maybe the noble people need messages delivered? If Telamon is offering, he could put in a good word for you with them, they might pay better. Even if just because they have their big district on the far end of the city away from anything actually important, so people need to travel farther. I'd buy some supplies myself, but I can't really stop to set any extra spending money aside at the moment."
"Oh trust me, adventurers tend to rake in gold from time to time. It's just not consistent for the most part." begins Alaryn as she looks from one to the other. "Oh, I'm sorry, can I offer any of you something to drink?"
That offered, she points with her right hand and index finger, causing a bottle to float from the cart to her hand. And then she does the same with a handful of goblets. Grinning, she adds, "Yep. The gloves are fun." she adds as she reaches out to press one more stud, causing a workbench to slide out. I mean for now it's like an end-table but yeah.
"I am sure some of the nobility would like stuff. I'd really prefer to have my creations used in the field, helping people actually get things done."
"But yeah, you name it, I'll try to build it. IF I can't make it, I'll see about acquiring it."
And at that point, she looks to Schara. "I'd love to compare contraptions sometime." she admits with a grin. Her style of artifice seems... odd to most Artificers in town. She doesn't do clockwork, steampunk, bulky stuff or whatnot. She just infuses the mana into the objects made, using crystalline structures to act like mana capacitors or the like, reabsorbing power from the ambient energy about it.
"While magical cleanup is good for day to day, I find I -have- to take a bath eventually. Prestidigitation just never quite feels properly ... I don't know, scrubbed?" Telamon has a quizzical look on his face. "Does that make sense?"
Tel's eyes slide to Schara, and he thinks a moment, before responding. "I'm not totally at liberty to discuss this, but suffice to say that half the trouble will be just -getting- to where Auranar is. I'll leave it at that." His eyes glint with wicked humor.
He hmms thoughtfully at Alaryn. "The problem is that most adventurers are going to be in the market for practical gear, not just adornments. No offense intended. Maybe you should pursue a dual strategy. Soak the nobility for day-to-day expenses, while doing actual commission work for adventurers with coin to spend."
"I much prefer the baths, myself. Back when the winter weather refused to budge, I'd seriously considered just staying there until it passed." Even now, with just the light rain, Rune rubs her hands against each other, as if she felt a little cold. It's strange, given that she is wearing gloves and plenty of warmth.
There's obviously something she's missing in regards to Verna, Auranar, and what ever has happened between them. For that much, she just gives a curious look, but decides that if Telamon feels it shouldn't be discussed, maybe that is for the best.
Instead, she looks to Schara, confirming the description of her Makari companion with a nod. "That would be him. Lava-scales and I traveled together in Am'shere some time ago. So, we decided to team up again recently. It's safer and cheaper than going alone." Her lip quirks again, "He tripped himself into a creek the other day. Made a right mess of himself. By the time we got back to civilization he looked more like a clay-scales than lava."
A nod follows to Alaryn, "I'm still trying to make connections with the Guilds. At least enough to get some of the better paying jobs. Getting there, though."
"Ah, but it's not just for washing -you-. It's the best way to get blood and gore off of your weapons before you put them away. Easy, no-hassle. No fuss no muss. But... say.." Alaryn snaps and points to Telamon, "There's an idea that's like alchemical smoke-powder." She grins, "Explosive."
"Then don't say anymore please, I don't want to cause any trouble with anything further." Schara waves away. "You don't need to say any more, so, just talk about helping Rune to meet some more clients, or Alaryn? That's probably better."
"Do you want an amulet so it's not overly cold or warm out?" Schara asks of Rune. "I haven't been selling as many lately, but I still have a few ready to go, and rubbing one's hands together is often a sign of being excessively cold, I'm fairly certain. Unless they're just itchy, in which case, I can't really help. I'm sure that was okay though, I heard most Sith-makari are perfectly fine with water, but I'm not sure about mud. They can even breathe underwater for like, an hour or more! I'd love to better understand the physiology behind that."
"Notes? Of course! I'm happy to share what information I have available with people curious, as long as they are careful." The artificer nods to Alaryn. "Just let me know, and it would be interesting to learn more about those crystals you're using."
"Oh, I just have a little trouble with the cold. I'll be fine." Rune offers out the reassurances, followed by a soft smile. "I'm sure if you asked, Harkashan would be glad to answer questions." Change the subject. "I'll pass along that you're interested in knowing more."
With Alaryn talkng about explosives and the rain starting to pick up slightly, Rune pulls her hood forward a little bit more. "Speaking of the cold, I think I'm going to get out of this rain before I soak through."
With that, she darts off, likely to seek refuge in a shop somewhere along the road, her feet splashing slightly into a couple of puddles along the way.