Dave Black> I was supposed to get back to you and detail how
the trading session went with the Ducks. . Of course I didn't so perhaps
we should deal with this now?
Varjeela> Go ahead! The apprentice can listen and Be Impressed
(try for another tick!) (Though having said that I'll roll 99s)
Nijehl> Yes, we can.... Yes, I can watch and BE IMPRESSED!!!!
Especially with the 99s :)
Dave Black> The first 'hurdle' comes right at the start when
several white plumaged ducks come forward to examine goods. They are really
excited about the trinkets and display some polished shells which they
seem to be offering as money of a sort. Indeed, upon examination
of the shells you will note that strange symbols have been carved into
the surface.
Varjeela> I was expecting barter rather than "cash". Are the
shells worth anything intrinsically? (sp?)
Dave Black> Not really Jane - although they are quite pretty.
Varjeela> Our local experts: are these River-folk currency,
or some strange Duck invention?
Nijehl> I watch from behind, especially for someone who might try to aquire something 'without buying'.
Dave Black> Huff and Mawth are both at a loss and have never
seen such things before.
Varjeela> "Quite pretty" means "saleable", if you get the right
market. If I've never seen this sort of thing, it would be a novelty in
Pavis. Do the experts recognise the symbols? Can our translator advise?
Dave Black> When asked the captive Lunar tells you that this
is indeed their form of money. The symbols indicate how much value the
shell is worth. He tells you that on average the shells are marked in
denominations ranging from 5 to 50 clacks.
Varjeela> And does he know of anywhere else that these coins
would be accepted?
Dave Black> Only amongst other Duck villages that lay further
east.
Varjeela> In that case I'm regretfully going to have to ask
for another form of payment. (Showing no excitement at all at the mention
of other villages!)
Nijehl> So there are more Ducks apart from these... Dave, can we figure out if these ducks, of this village, are the same that saved us (they should), and if the lunar heard anything about that incident?
Varjeela> Maybe some of the 5-clack coins, since I can sell them
as cheap jewelry back in Pavis for more than that, but really we're looking
at barter for the more expensive stuff.
Dave Black> The captive translator explains to the Ducks that
for the most part you are interested in seeing goods that they might have
for trade. The Ducks who were offering their 'clacks' head off in search
of wares.
Dave Black> Tell me how you'd go about confirming the identity
of the Ducks who saved the group Ivan.
Nijehl> Ok: To the captive "Have you heard about any incident
with some weird dead creatures that these ducks might have had a couple
of days ago?"
Dave Black> "No," he responds. "But then they don't exactly keep me up-to-date on everything that goes on around here..."
Varjeela> While the trading ducks are away (and without playing out every detail), get chatting to the captive. How did he get caught, is he reasonably treated, would he like word taken back to any kin...?
Nijehl> "I see...". Dave, so far nothing that looks like those ducks... their armour, weapons etc...
Dave Black> Moments later Ducks begin coming forward bearing
all manner of exotic goods. You see that they are very good at weaving
with reeds and at woodworking.
Varjeela> Now this looks more like it! (And probably time for
Dave to roll my Evaluate without telling me the result).
Dave Black> Actually yes Nijehl, the guards who are keeping watch over the captive seem to match the characteristics of the group that saved the day for you guys some time back.
Dave Black> Varjeela's probings reveal that the Lunar does not know who he is. He says he was found by the Ducks near death and spent many weeks in and out of consciousness before finally recovering.
Nijehl> And there is no way to identify any one of them I suppose... don't know... weired coloured feather, some marking on the armour etc etc .
Varjeela> But he did remember his name, poor chap. And presumably
he knows of any cult he's in?
Nijehl> Perhaps he has some tattoos that might identify him?
Dave Black> Nope Jane. He doesn't know his name nor any associations
he may have had.
Varjeela> Um, Dave? Log from last week says "The Lunar
is told to stay and interpret. He claims to be Koronius Falabdur." And
I then recognised the name, and know what cult he's a priest of. Do we
want to re-wind this bit?
Dave Black> Nijehl: While considering the issue of who rescued
the group it starts to become clear that there are at least two kinds of
Ducks before you - those with brownish plummage (who seem to be warrior
types) and those with multi-coloured plumage (who seem to be regular citizenry).
Nijehl> Ok Dave... thanks.... and it seems that the brownish
ones do not intend to barter or buy stuff, right? Only the others...
Varjeela> Do these duck types differ only in colour? It occurs
to me that brown plumage makes good camoflage. They could have dyed their
feathers.
Dave Black> OK. After frantically returning to last week's log I see you are right, I did say that he believes himself to be Koronius Falabdur. The fellow recalls some of his previous life but much about it is shrouded in mystery.
Dave Black> That's right Nijehl, the brownish coloured types are not bartering.
Varjeela> In that case I'll be sympathetic, but not show that I recognise the name, or give him any more information.
Dave Black> The feathers do not look dyed. In fact the more you
consider it the more differences you note. They dress differently, they
are different in stature & build, - even their comportment is dissimilar.
Varjeela> Strange. Ah well, there goes a chance to get hold
of a really good water-fast brown dye :(
Dave Black> After assessing the goods brought forth you become
really relieved. They are, it seems to you, of extremely high quality and
would fetch very attractive prices in markets such as Pavis.
Varjeela> No need to look too enthusiastic, of course. That
would spoil the Bargaining!
Dave Black> Such is the quantity of goods brought forward that,
if you wanted, you could easily dispose of all the trade goods you brought
and replace them with woven goods and woodwork.
Varjeela> Then let's do that. Getting as good a deal as I can
without upsetting any ducks. I want them to think they got a good deal,
too :)
Dave Black> Indeed they do! Much of what was brought will be
of use to them.
Nijehl> Just thought of something... as soon as we have a break
in the bartering and are a way from the captive, I need to speak to Varjeela...
Varjeela> (I would guess that we may go back to the boat to
load and unload? That do?)
Nijehl> (Yep... it will...)
Varjeela> (Dave: Bargain roll without telling me the answer?
Unfortunately my Bargain isn't quite as good as my Evaluate) I'd guess
I could make say 50% profit on the goods, and still leave the ducks happy?
Nijehl> Unless you fumble your bargain :)
Varjeela> (Who, me? sigh - yes, there is significantly more
than 2% chance of a failure this time)
Dave Black> In answer, each transaction would be a separate bargaining
instance. Some were successful others weren't. At the end of the day (figuratively)
all your tradeable goods were traded. I'm not going to bother with figuring
out the messy details of how exactly it was done.
Varjeela> (trading sounds good to me: the Bargain system doesn't
really work anyway).
Dave Black> Not surprisingly some guards do supervise you while
you load the newly acquired goods back onto the boats.
Varjeela> Any chance of being unobserved for long enough for
me to cast Mindspeech on Nijehl?
Dave Black> OK.
Nijehl> *is in shock from the effect of the spell* (if it has
been casted anyway :) )
Varjeela> Good. Quick reminder: it works like a two-way radio.
You still have to mumble what you want to say under your breath, but Nijelh
can then go out of earshot alone, and tell me whatever he wants without
other people hearing. I won't be able to respond without them noticing.
It's all right, it's only spirit magic! And she will ask before casting.
Nijehl> Good... then, if you know the lunar, might we not bargain
for him and then get the ransom money. Anyway, we might learn what
he was doing here, which might be interesting in itself.
Varjeela> In repsonse to Nijelh's question, nod: it'll look
like I'm approving of whatever bit of woodwork I'm inspecting, I hope.
Nijehl> Of course, I do not realise that the nod was for me,
so ijust wonder if the spell worked after all :)
Varjeela> (Ransom for the owner of Corflu? Maybe more
than a clack or two...)