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>>30150239
You shake your head as the two of you make your way along the two track to South Fork. In the month since the bandit raid, the Nitor posting here has been the unofficial headquarters and barracks for the patrols in the area. Captain Keel himself has taken control of and you see him sitting behind his desk at the window as you roll into town. Enos has finally gotten around to repairing his third window frame (this month) and gives you a curt nod from the doorway of the general store.

"Well Miss, was there anything you wanted to take care of here before we went on to see this friend of yours?"

>No, carry on to Snake's Landing
>Yes, there's something I want to do. (specify.)

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>>30150239
>Should be Thread XII
Off to a wonderful start today aren't we.

>>30150278
okay, so, what are we doing? going down to snake's landing to see about renting out that mine?

We should pick up some more spices for tai, and a rifle or two. I don't know if we do that at the local general store or snake's landing though. Whichever has better selection.

I'm having a shitty connection today, I might drop off suddenly for hours

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>>30150416
Serrak, the orc who gave you a heads up regarding the other ones shifty actions, has notified you that he's been placed in charge of the southern continent operations. You figure that he might either have some connections you can use, or perhaps bankroll an endeavor on your property. The mine is a possibility, but you are unsure of the quality as you only have some magnetite found near a lightning stricken tree as evidence of its presence. On the other hand, you have a fairly rare commodity on the southern continent right now in the form of truly wild horses. The idea was pitched to try and pick prime specimens from the herd and effectively create champions to sell to rich folk in here and beyond.

As for purchasing things, Snake's Landing has a smaller presence in the way of trade goods, but generally are more designer in their production. Fancy clothes, rifles, goods. Basically everything that is rightfully expensive other than vices, goes through there rather than Riverport. South Fork's general store has some goods as well, but its by and large the things frequently needed by the locals and farmers in the South Fork area, feed, provisions, cattleman's pistols. Your business relationship with Enos gives you a bit better of a discount than what you would get at Snake's Landing, but anything fancy would require an order and some time to arrive.

>>30150613
eh, let's just go then. We're going to have to put off fancy rifles for a while.

We'll go to our cattle contacts about horses, and talk to serrak about horses and geologists.

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>No, carry on to Snake's Landing

"Not much use delaying, we can pop by here any time we really need to get supplies, may as well not keep Serrak waiting."

McCain nods as he directs the carriage out of town, "Figured as much, ranch should be in good hands with Tai and Marie in control, Enos shouldn't have to stop in and check since we won't be gone long. Just figured I'd ought to ask"

He drives the carriage out of town at a slow pace, allowing you to get a proper look at the countryside as he trundles over the wooden bridge leading to the path to Snake's Landing. Its been some time since you've been this way, Father not having much business there and the library doing book runs to the South Fork church on a regular enough basis to keep you occupied. The road has been obviously improved since you last went this way, hard packed earth much akin to the trading road between South Fork and Riverport. Unlike the wider fork that you herded the cattle along, this one gurgles merrily at the bottom of its steep embankments on the right of the road. Despite descending into warmer elevations, this road has almost complete tree cover, providing a particularly shady progression masking your entrance into the subtropical coastline.

Roll 1d20 travel, lower is better, best of 3 or 15 minutes.

Rolled 16

>>30151683
let's see how we do. Enjoy the warmth while you can, even if it's not technically sunny.

Rolled 18

>>30151683

Rolled 10

>>30151734
>>30151758
Not so great a sign. Here's hoping, huh?

>>30151783
And then our spokes fall apart.

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>10

You pass a few people heading the opposite way down the road as you travel. Most have the look of drifters, ranchers, ore salesmen, but you do see a relief squad of nitor heading down the road. McCain tenses a bit, but eases the carriage off the side of the road as the processions makes its way past. It would appear that they must be bound for South Fork. You keep that thought in mind as McCain pulls back on the road. You take advantage of the increasing heat to lounge on the top of the carriage as well, basking in the warmth. You were hesitant to do so after nearly falling off the last time you went this way, but the roads are smooth enough that your size prevents you from ending up like your younger self.

Before long McCain is shaking your shoulder drawing you out of your peaceful doze. You blink, wondering how long you had been in a near sleep state before looking around and seeing the image of Snake's Landing greet you. As you make your way over the second of the two bridges on this fork, stone this time. You see the Nitor base off to the east. McCain pulls the carriage up to the hotel. As you get off you check with the person at the desk, he confirms that Serrak is in his room, but currently is not to be disturbed. You leave a message for the man to give to him before stepping outside. It would seem you have a bit of time on your hands.

>Check out the trade goods.
>There seems to be a weaponsmith here.
>There used to be a tinker's shop here a while ago.

>>30152754
let's visit the tinker first, since those are always fun. And then trade goods to see if they have anything we want (spices, good traveling gear, bullets, hats)

>>30152818
Seconding this. Seeds for culinary herbs might be good. Give Tai something more to work with.

>>30153042
oh yeah, seeds. We'll be on the lookout.

Though, we're not farmers and also don't have the aromatic facilities for good vegetable detection, so it'll be something of a crapshoot.

>>30153082
True. We will probably need McCain's help with discerning the quality of the seeds. I was meaning to buy them from the trade goods store.

>>30152818
>>30153042
>>30153082
>>30153154
Just to confirm, Tinker shop followed by checking the trade goods store to see what it has?

>>30153225
yep.
>>30153154
I'm just worried we'll buy a bag of the wrong seeds. Not a big deal though.

>>30153237
Well, buy things that sound familiar. We have spent some time around Tai, so we had ought to remember some items he was lamenting the lack of. And if the store owner screws us, we can fuck him up later. Either economically or otherwise.

>>30153351
eh, it'll be fine. We'll just plant the flowers.

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You give McCain free reign to mosey about the town, though he opts to stay with the carriage for now until something catches his eye while you make a beeline for the tinkers shop. You head inside and are instantly greeted by a rush of ticking. On one side of the store, inside of a glass case are a vast variety of clocks, watches, and other curios. On the other side, you see some fairly intricately made wooden furniture, and if you are seeing correctly, miniature versions of the same things. You question the clerk about this, and the young woman manning the counter informs you that they are scale models the proprietor built to let people do planning should they want to order a full dining or living room set. Though mostly they just get bought by the local girls for dolls toys. You chuckle a bit at this and go back to perusing the goods. The majority of the stuff is simple curios, many with a ranch theme to them, nearly all of which are intricately carved. You almost feel you are in a woodwrights shop rather than a tinker, but if the clerk claims are true, then all the of the watches and clocks are made by the man as well. That said, you don't find anything the particularly stands out at the moment, but you tell her if you think of something, then you'll most assuredly be back. She nods and says if you ever have a custom order for something, she'll be more than willing to accommodate you. From there you head to the trade goods store.

Going to need a d20+2 roll here.

Rolled 1 + 2

>>30154176
Whoops.

Rolled 12 + 2

>>30154149
Seems like the guy is primarily a woodworker over there.
Do we have a watch? Or any method of time telling besides the sun?

Rolled 19 + 2

>>30154149

>>30154199
Oh arse.

>>30154247
eh, a one is probably fine. Maybe.

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>>30154219
You don't have a personal watch, but your house does have a grandfather clock. You were tempted to buy one, but the prices were obviously meant for someone who was visiting.
>>30154199
Ppfft.

>>30154434
eh, no personal watch then. Maybe one day, but not today.

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The trade goods store. Well frankly its a mess, either they had just gotten a shipment or they are just naturally full of unlabelled crates, spilling their contents as a team of three people move to sort them into their proper place. Everything from feed to clothes to farming implements are strewn around the room. You are tempted to ask for help, but one look at the poor clerks expression changes that. No sense giving the poor sod more work on his plate. Something obviously went wrong here, so you content yourself to simply browse. Again the theme in the small goods appears to be centered around visitors, it would appear the hotel provides a lot of the income for this part of the city in more ways than one. You get a bit excited when they open a crate whose faded paint is labelled "-ERBS" but inside you only find the dried variety and the packages look a little roughed up at that. Tempting, but not sustainable and you can imagine that Tai can probably do more wonders with fresh stuff than dried anyway. You head out of the shop a bit discouraged and start back for the hotel. On the way, you do notice a small shop with the name "IMPORT/EXPORT" faded but still legible on top of it.

>Check in with McCain
>Check out the import export store (Will require another d20+2)

Rolled 7 + 2

>>30155420
let's check the import store why not. We've got time, and that last one was... busy.

also,
>wave at librarian

Rolled 14 + 2

>>30155420
>Check out the import export store (Will require another d20+2)
Hope I don't roll as bad this time.

Rolled 20 + 2

>>30155420

>>30155540
meant
>Check out the import export store (Will require another d20+2)

>>30155540
well, this second store might have a slightly less hectic environment.
Maybe we might find out what happened at the last one.

Chemlab's been gone a bit longer then normal. What up?

>>30156676
Who knows. He lives in a harsh climate, I think.
I've been having power outages myself because of all the damn snow.

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>>30156676
>>30156720
Actually writing up this, was debating whether or not to throw it in, but folks mentioned it a long time ago so why not.

>>30156801
well, that's fine then.

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>20 (Special Item Uncovered)

Your wave to the librarian is returned as you enter the shop. Right off you can tell that this building is the polar opposite of the last. The contents are tastefully arranged, and everything is well marked. You peruse the collection and among the obviously expensive goods catering to the more well off you find something interesting. Clothes of all makes lie on one row of shelves and as you go through them your hand brushes against a familiar fabric. It's incredibly soft and smooth, and it instantly reminds you of that undershirt Veles had. Though it appears different... less durable in a way, but definitely more flashy in a delicate manner. Holding it up, you see its a dress. Obviously designed for a human female, it appears to be slit up to mid hip on one side. It looks expensive. The owner, an owlish sort of elderly gentlemen comes up to you.

"You have a good eye miss, these are from the far off lands of the Pheonix Empire. Before you ask, yes I know proper trade with them is illegal at the moment, however these were aquired before the current embargo, and have languished on my shelves for too long. If I can interest you in the set, all three of them are going for one tenth their total cost. I've been getting too many UFK customs agents asking about them every time they show up, even if the paperwork I have is valid."

"Just how much is one tenth their total cost?"

"300 Isens. Pure silk. No better deal elsewhere"

>Action?

>>30157109
Oh god yes. Oh yes yes yes we're buying them.

>>30157109
>Isens
That's a fair chunk. One moment.

We have 700 Isens. I want that dress. My only misgiving is how much it will cost to get a deal going with the orc.

Well, that and McCain yelling at us for buying a 300 Isen dress.

Maybe we can check with the orc, and come back depending on what kind of deal we make?
Either way, make very clear we're interested in this thing.

>>30157284
>>30157109
oh wait, I just re-read.
We're buying three dresses.
I suppose three dresses for 300 is reasonable, assuming we don't buy any more fancyclothes for a long, long while.
I'm for it. maybe haggle or get McCain's input on whether we're being swindled, but yes to buying.

>>30157372
Guy, these things are cheap as free, haggling would be insulting. McCain might be upset at us, ya, but since when has he found a set of fancy dresses? These things are important for a snake lady when cheongsams are so hard to come by.

>>30157482
okay, fine, less haggling.
It is hard to get this stuff way out here I admit. And it would help if we ever got that spa running.

>>30157565
>>30157482
So you guys grabbing them then?

>>30157906
yeah, spose so.

>>30157906
Yep. Sasha's a pretty snake.

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"I'll take them." You say, gingerly picking up the other two.

"Let me just take you measurements then." He says, then continues when you shoot him a questioning glance glance. "I sell good product, I stand buy it and I worked as a tailor some years. Last thing I am going to do is give a young woman and ill fitting dress."

You hold your arms out as he produces a measuring tape from one of the drawers behind his counter, you hold out your arms and are surprised with how quickly he takes your measurements. He then takes the delicate pieces of cloth to the back of the room. After a while he comes back "Thankfully there was barely any alterations to be made. Silk is amazing, but if it doesn't fit it either stretches and bulges, or just doesn't look right at all. All I had to do was add a bit of length to the slits to accommodate for..." he gestures to where your torso meets your snake half. "It should look wonderful." You pull out your cash and hand it to him, counting it as you do. He grins when you reach 300 and places . "I'm glad to be rid of them, may they work well for you."

You take the parcel he wrapped the dresses in and head back to the hotel and McCain. If nothing else, this trip was already worth it.

Calling it for the night here. Will pick up tomorrow. If it is still up

>>30158900
Thank you for the thread Chemlab. I always get excited when you run, even if I can't always be here to participate.

>>30158900
aw, darn. Oh well, thanks for running!
I'll give the thing a bump overnight.

>>30158900
Just a reminder to archive. In case it's gone tomorrow.

>>30159004
I'm usually the guy who has to archive.
I guess I'll go do that now.

>>30158900
Thanks for the run, Chemlab. Unfortunate I had shit going on this evening. Hopefully I can pick up more of the quest tomorrow.

Late night bump in the hopes the thread his here tomorrow.

I've little to no idea how we're going to negotiate with serrak here, as I've little idea of what I'm willing to give up and want in exchange.
Horses we can handle, but mining I dunno. We'll need his help setting that up. Maybe for a percentage of the profit or something.

>>30164069
Well, we don't particularly need him. Inclined to seek the assistance of others given his possible involvement with the bandits. We could offer a cut of the returns from iron found near that particular lode we found.

>>30164069
Might be wise to seek the expertise of an independent third party.

>>30165606
>>30166596
fair enough points. It would be nice to find some kind of second opinion. Maybe that's why we have mccain here.

>>30168261
Well, with our recent run of slaying bodies, keeping someone nearby can help in future fights.

>>30168333
Well, one last bump for Chemlab

>>30170097
I'm holding out hope too. Also, holding out tiredness. Because I got up early.

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>>30170202
>>30170097
Apologies, ended up pulling a fellow out of a snowbank, writing should start shortly.

>>30171040
huh.

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Parcel in hand you head back towards carriage. McCain is sitting in the front seat head down slumped with his hat over his eyes. You make your way to the top of the carriage and he lifts his head up, regarding you and your parcel.

"Find anything good?" he says by way of greeting.

You unwrap the parcel a bit to show off your acquisition. "Three of these, actual imports too."

He regards the fabric for a while. "Looks expensive, how much did it run you."

He balks at the price, but refrains from comment. "Not my place to tell you how to spend your money." He forestalling your launch into a hasty explanation. "Besides, half of negotiation is blindsiding the other with appearances, one way or another. Were you planning on wearing one to meet this orc?"

To be honest you hadn't thought about that...

>Find a place to change. (Pick one of the dresses Black/Silver, Red/White, White/Blue)
>No need, we've met before.
>Other?

>>30171677
>We've met before, it'd be a bit pointless.
>I'm holding these in reserve in case that spa thing ever becomes a reality.

>>30171677
"Ah, good idea, McCain!" What is our coloration, again? Shooting from the hip, I would go with black/silver.

>>30171850
I don't mind putting them on, even if it is pointless like I said. Just, you know, I'm not relying on it to make the deal easier.

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>>30171850
You are dark haired, your scales are a dark green.

>>30172048
well, I've got no eye for color coordination, so I'll let the other anon decide on that front.

>>30172133
though I think he fled for some time, so let's just go with black/silver for now.

>>30172371
Black and silver go well with dark green.

>>30172466
well then.

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"Actually I was planning on using them for formal event, you know, if we ever got that hot spring going as a resort or something like that, but I like that idea."

You head into the carriage and pull open the small trunk under the seat, you gently place two of the dresses in the bottom, encasing them in a blanket to prevent damage. You then look over the one you picked up. The black silk dress has one slit down the side, it seems cut a little long, but you've not had the chance to try it on. The back is also low cut as well, so much so, that in fact you believe that you could probably extend your spines without actually damaging the dress. taking it in hand you gently fold it over your arm and head to the hotel. You ask the man behind the desk if there is a place you can change and he points you to a dressing room off the lounge. You head there and find it empty, going into one of the booths you strip out of your plain dress and begin putting on the cheongsam. It slips on and you realize that the merchant was right, it does fit you well, and you look over yourself in the mirror, while slit high, the side doesn't actually reveal anything. You fold up your older dress and head outside, closing the door behind you you are suddenly aware of more than a few heads turning as you make your way out.

>Action?

While wearing fancy clothes you have a +1 on charisma based rolls should they come up.

>>30173432
of course it doesn't reveal anything, we are snakelady.

Anyway, I suppose we should go see if the ork is available for a meeting yet. If not, we can go to the library and see about getting a book on geology at least.

There's also the hunting rights to the deer on the table, so maybe we could start with a deal around that and the horses.

>>30173543
oh, and I forgot.
Ask McCain if you look silly.

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You ignore the occasional stares, heading back to the lobby where you see McCain waiting. He turns around as you slither up and gives a bit of a chuckle when he sees you.

"How do I look?" you ask

"Just fine." he says, "You'll most definitely put whoever you're meeting off balance."

You smile, "Not wanting to put him off balance too much, he may be bankrolling us after all."

You and McCain sit down at one of the tables in the lounge leaving a message for the wait staff to let you know as soon as Serrak is available. They bring you some drinks and you bring up your game plan with McCain.

"Well, I'm not businessman, but the way I see it. we should probably hash out what we want to talk with him about beforehand, last thing we want to give the shifty business sort is an opening to get more out of us than we want." He says, nursing his drink.

"Well, I was thinking about the horses, he might have some contacts about those. That and he might have the ability to get some proper surveyors out here to evaluate the mine."

"That's true," McCain concedes, "Though I suspect, if your snake friend does have a way through the mountains, that'd be what'd be most interesting to a sort like him, a whole untouched pie waiting to be divvied up."

At this point one of the wait staff comes up to your table and informs you that Serrak will see you now.

>How much do you want to tell him.

>>30175040
let's talk about horses, mining, and deer.

We'll hold off on the horses thing until we actually find a reliable path through the hill we're allowed to have used publically. We can't very well send caravans through velle's house.

>>30175040
Let's let him know about our having a line on some horses. Let's say nothing about the iron yet. We might have Veles go with us to survey the minerals. We had ought to try to be good neighbours.

>>30175257
Well, either way, tell him about the deer and horses.

Maybe ask him if he knows anybody who is good with rocks, because we've found suspicious ones, but don't confirm anything yet?

>>30175302
That might be a good idea. My only concern is the contract feeding back directly back to him.

>>30175462
we'll come to that when we come to it. It's not really a secret we have iron on our land, we just don't want to tell everyone until we've established some plans on how to use it, and cleared with Veles a noisy new mining operation nearby.

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Rolled 7

"Either way, we'll tell him about the deer and horses, everything else kind of depends on where it goes." You say after mulling it over and thanking the waitress.

"As you say Miss." The elf responds.

You are led up the stairs to the top floor of the hotel and come to a set of oak double doors. Your guide telling you of how Mr. Serrak bought the room for a good 3 months at least, paying up front. You thank him for his time and he leaves you and McCain by the entrance, hurrying downstairs suspiciously fast. You knock on the door and hear the voice of Serrak beckon you inside. Easing the door open, you look into the gloom.

The shades are pulled across the windows and in the gloom you can see a large wooden desk, the glint of its lacquered finish reflecting the lamps tha have been lit. Behind the desk, in a high backed leather chair, you see Serrak. The lean orc sits at his desk, elbows on the table, fingers steepled as he looks you up and down, does an nearly imperceptible double take, and then beckons you in with his prosthetic hand. "Ah, Miss Masterson. Lovely of you to drop by. What can I help you and your associate with?" You give McCain an apprehensive look as you both step into what may as well be the lions den.

Calling here, sorry to end early, but I have some research I've got to work on. Will open with your choices next time.

>>30176079
Hey, he's the friendly-ish lion.
Well, not really, but at least the smart one.
See you next time. Thanks for running!

>>30176079
Thanks for running