In Hedrad.

[Hussar]

Here's where you can post your questions and shopping list. When I do a bit of research, I can give you more details.

[Kelly]

Initially I think we need the sage to tell us all he can about Wrack Dragons and Steel Giants. Strengths, weaknesses, likely strategies, etc.

Our shopping list should include food and possibly steel and other trade goods.

We may want to pick up some magic items like scrolls or potions of non-detection, flying, protection from elements (acid, fire), etc.

I think that the research by the sage may clear this area up even more.

[Kelly]

OOC

Apoctus:

Question: I have a MW Long Sword I would like enchanted. I cannot afford to pay for what I want on it. Can the sword be given +3 to hit and damage now, and then later add holiness and fire? Or does it all have to be done at once?

If it must be done at once, I should save my money and get what I want later. Right now I cannot even afford the +3 which would cost approximately 12,000 GP.

Also do you take payments? My present budget is about 7200 GP or so (leaving me 51 GP). I also have the Horn of the Tritons (15,100 GP) if you are interested in a trade.

[Hussar]

Your young guide leads you through the broad, clean streets of Hedrad. You pass people going about their business. Most are dressed in sober colors with serviceable boots. While the city is certainly fantastic, it's people are far more drab. After a short time, you find yourselves in front of a huge structure - The Great Library of Hedrad.

You guide says, "I will wait out here. I have no interest in the library. Merely ask one of the clerks for assistance and he will guide you to what you want."

Foregoing your usual paranoia, you enter the library and ask a clerk about Wrack dragons. After a short conversation, he leads you to a section with several books about the dragons of the titans.

Several hours later, you realize that the tomes, while interesting, don't particularly shed more light on the dragons than what you knew before. One point does catch your attention though; Wrack dragons are rarely known to employ wizardry, although forest Wracks have been known to call upon druidic magic. Judging from Sentan's description, you would guess that you are facing a Seawrack dragon. Or rather, four of them. Seawracks are notable in that they were the most common of the Wracks and most likely to employ other races in combat. They were typically war leaders in Titanspawn armies.

Of Steel Giant's, little more is known other than what you already have gathered. Given as a present to Corean from Hedrada, Steel Giants toil in many places, producing fantastic products for Corean and Corean's chosen.

A while later, you decide to find information relating to the island. You ask a few clerks and are directed to the cartography section. Perusing the maps and charts, you find the island on a dusty scroll that appears to have been made shortly after the end of the Titanswar. Very little is known about the island.

While you are toiling over the map, you are approached by a very attractive woman. Her skin tones and eyes mark her as Calastian, but her clothes are that of a gypsy.

[Kelly]

Kelly looks up at the lady while reading the books. Smiling he says "Hello, may I help you?"

[Hussar]

Just as a side note, Hedrad is not known for its metal exports. Sculpture, yes, metal no. However, there is a House Bloodhawk establishment here. You have very good ties with House Bloodhawk, so you should be able to get some kind of deal on metals, although it might take a bit of wrangling unless you are going to pay full price.

How many tons of ore are you thinking of? And, remember, you have to load the ship, which does cost money.

[shadowbane]

"Sir I think its the other way around, I think I can help you. You’re interested in that island right" she says as she notices the scroll your reading from.

"May I suggest this book" she takes a book down from the shelf. It’s a small book titled 'The Islands of the Blood Sea. By Chey' and puts it on the table opening it to one of the middle pages, the book is recent and handwritten but the picture drawn on the page gets your attention, its of a beautifully drawn sketch of an island with twin volcanoes,

Scanning though a few pages it seems to be the travels of the cartographer Chey and this island was encounter purely by accident on the way back, but bad weather forced the ship away before it could be investigated further.

"Are you planning a trip to this island?" she asks as she walks along the shelf to find another map.

[Kelly]

Kelly says to the newcomer "Thank you for your help. Would you mind telling me your name? Do you work here, and what is your interest in the island?"

"For me, the interest is merely passing since we too recently discovered the existence of the island but did not know much about it. So I thought I would just do a little reading while we were in town."


OOC

Not sure how much steel or iron ore we need. No use taking alot of it, but definitely enough to sell should we decide to use that possible plan. Can you tell us the loading fees and ore fees? Maybe that will answer the question.

[shadowbane]

She unrolls a beautifully and accurately drawn sea map. Looking at it you notice small details on this map that have been missed out on the other maps you have seen of that area.

"The island is there" she points to a blank area of the map "the scroll you’re looking at is inaccurate, the readings are off by half a degree. As for the island my interests in the place are purely Professional," she turns the map around so you can see the legend on it and a name in a delicate writing.... Chey.

"My names Chey, and I’m a clerk at this library and also a cartographer, the reason why I asked is because I’m looking for a ship to take me back there so I can map out that region again"

[Hussar]

*the DM plays with time slightly and allows two things to occur at once - in actuality, your conversations with House Bloodhawk are likely over dinner after your research at the library. The timing really isn't that important - don't get hung up on it.*

After the obligatory pleasantries, you get down to business.

The trading house does have a quantity of high quality iron ingots. They can part with them at 90gp per 1/4 ton. Although, he's willing to go down to 85 gp if you take 30 tons.

It will take about a day to load that much (and a short day at that and will cost you about 200 gp - mostly in docking fees)

Note, a Brigantine (the ship you sunk) has a hold of 20 tons and Sentan said his hold was full when he went to the island. Also note that if you sell this iron in another port, at this price it's unlikely you will see much profit, maybe 5 or 10 gp per 1/4 ton at best and more likely a loss. Sentan did say that the dragons payed better than market price which is somewhere in the neighbourhood of 90-100 gp per 1/4 ton.

So, how much ya want?

[shadowbane]

Here is the sketch of the island

img26.photobucket.com/albums/v79/Fuiche/Cheyinfo.jpg
[/img]

[Kelly]

Kelly says that we should take on the 30 tons to get the best price. Even if we take a loss of 10 GP per ton later, that is only losing 300 GP total and we could even make a small profit or break even.

Thoughts everyone else?

[CosmicHorror]

my thoughts are that i'm poor with 25gp