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Post by Game Master on Feb 23, 2008 3:04:55 GMT -5
To Firebug the Nexus point looked like a small wooden shack in disrepair. The odd looking sign out front however glowed a pale blue that changed to red and then green and finally back to blue again. When the Mystic first walked inside he couldn't help but to be stunned. For while the building is clearly only 30 square at most, the inside is as large as a palace. Great cathedral ceilings with flying buttresses greeted him as he entered the vast foyer. A Troll, decked out in a suit of studded leather and waring a nasty looking flail on his hip welcomed him to the Nexus point Alchemy shop. The Unnamed Troll states that,
"You are encouraged to wander the main hall and admire any item that fancies the eye. You are warned however that no touching is allowed. Items are clearly marked as to what properties they possess and the firm price is listed in neat, bold print. Please do not stray from the main hall as the rest of the establishment is off limits. Any questions may be directed to me. If an appointment is made then an audience with Gardrex the Great may be secured for the following day. While it should be obvious it is important to realize that any attempt at thievery will result in a most unpleasant, painful and lingering demise. Have a nice day."
The troll stares daggers at Firebug whom did infact have an appointment.
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Post by sfliegel on Feb 23, 2008 16:00:39 GMT -5
"Please forgive my impudence my friend, but I already have an appointment with Gardex the Great. Has your master need to reschedule our meeting?"
Firebug stands patiently waiting for the troll's response as he adjusts the large sack hanging over his shoulder within rests the head of the mysterious winged creature.
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Post by Game Master on Feb 23, 2008 23:35:48 GMT -5
"No, your expected." The troll eyes him wearily and takes a great sniff at the air. "You bringing me a snack little man? I must warn you I can not be bribed. Nothing you could offer me could outweigh the horrible death I would suffer at the hands of Gardrax the Great for betrayal."
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Post by sfliegel on Feb 24, 2008 15:25:53 GMT -5
"I would never dream of it my friend. Perhaps after my business is concluded you may have that snack after all." Firebug gives the troll a nod and continued into the store pausing a moment to ask, "Which is the way to your master?"
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Post by Game Master on Feb 24, 2008 17:48:33 GMT -5
"Follow me." The troll heads behind the massive stone staircase that leads to a second floor, (a little unnerving considering that from the outside the building is only a single story tall) and opens a large oak door. The sturdy portal reveals another stair case, this one leading underground. The unnamed troll escorts Firebug down, smacking his hands together with a loud CLAP the noise triggers gem like stones set into the walls to glow and provide enough stark white light to navigate by. At the base of the steps, (45 in all) the now glowing stones reveal a massive room at least a half mile square. The ground is packed earth and Firebug counts five fields of various plants and mushrooms being grown and in various stages of cultivation. Tending to one of the fields containing rows and rows of a smallish plant that radiate a faint blue light is an old man dressed in simple robes the color of blood. His hair is thin and gray and he sports a wispy waist length beard. Upon seeing the two arrive he stands from his tending, and walks over to the Mystic. "Welcome to my garden young Mystic. What brings you to see old Gardrax? Congratulations on finding Sminner's killers by the way."
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Post by sfliegel on Feb 24, 2008 22:27:15 GMT -5
"Thank you sir," Firebug bows his head for a moment. He then turns to the Troll, "and thank you friend."
"I have found some things that I am unable to understand. The locals of this town speak highly of you magickal wisdom and I have to admid that the scope of your power is indeed impressive," he motions to the room around them.
"If I am not interupting, is there somewhere that we could sit for a moment and talk?"
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Post by Game Master on Feb 25, 2008 0:38:17 GMT -5
"Seelaway atethey" was the alchemists response
In an eye blink Firebug found himself in a laboratory with chemicals brewing and liquids bubbling. All manner of apparatus was displayed on rows of long marble toped tables. A few critters in cages were stored here and there and the fifty foot square room was well lighted by chandeliers. Gardrax motioned the mystic over to a semi-clear table standing across from him. Outside the sole window to Firebug's amazement was the academy of magical arts that he attended before he quit and decided to wander the world.
"So young Firebug. How may this wize old man serve you?"
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Post by sfliegel on Feb 25, 2008 15:55:58 GMT -5
"Well sir, as you have mentioned, my friends and I have found both the motive and persons behind Sminner's death. That leads me to the first item I need advice with." Firebug unties the large sack resting on the floor beside him and fished out the head of the winged monster. He then proceeds to tell the old man about the encounter, minus the note they had found on the monster's body. "I am unfamiliar with this manner of creature and as such I can not determine what role it might have in the weapon smuggling ring."
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Post by Game Master on Feb 25, 2008 18:03:43 GMT -5
In response the Gardrax raises his left eye brow. "Now this is interesting. It is not surprising that you are not familiar with this creature. It is a Gromek and they are not of this world. They are demonic lizard men from another dimension. Warrior like, they are extremely territorial and domineering. If the Gromek are involved they are the masterminds. No Gromek would bow to another race. They see us all as inferior and only worthy of being slaves. This is an ill omen and bodes of dark times ahead. I do not envy your journey if it deals with Gromek. I thought they were wiped out long ago from this world. Apparently they have returned. We can only hope that their numbers are small. It is sheer luck that I know any of this. Too my knoledge only two tomes have any information on the Gromek and I possess one of them. If you feel you need more information on the Gromek I would be willing to part with it. For a price of course."
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Post by sfliegel on Feb 25, 2008 19:11:02 GMT -5
"Well then this is fortutitious indeed. There is, however, no need to part with such a rare tome. Perhaps I would be allowed to merely read it in..., your library?"
"This now brings me to the next item with which I require your assistance." Firebug removed the scroll of mysterious paper from the pouch on his belt. "I'm sure you were aware of Nilla D'encre's kidnapping which took place not long ago. During my investigation I found a scroll or sorts. It seems to be embued with powerful magic, however, I am unable to determine what if any information it might possess." Firebug hands the scroll to the alchemist, "can you tell me anything of the secrets that this might hold?"
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Post by Game Master on Feb 26, 2008 0:48:05 GMT -5
The Alchemist studies the paper. After a few moments he reaches into a drawer and pulls out an ocular lens. Looking at the paper through the lens now cradled in his left eye he smiles. "This piece of paper is no paper at all. It has an illusion of sorts cast upon it to hide its true nature. Probably activated by a power word. Do you have an hour or so to spare as well as two hundred gold? If you do I am fairly certain I can divulge its true nature to you as well as any power word triggers it requires to function. If you want a full detailed list of all its properties and I highly recommend that you do considering the complexity of the item then it will be Three hundred gold and an hour and a half of your time. What say you? Ready to part with some of Halfhelm's gold?" Gardrax stated with a mischievous smile.
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Post by sfliegel on Feb 26, 2008 9:36:26 GMT -5
Firebug returns a surprised and wicked smile of his own, "my, you do seem to know a lot about everything. They should have asked you about the murder of Sminner, you could have told them who and where to find them." Firebug laughed.
"Very well sir, you will have your gold. While you work I would like to use the time to read that tome of yours. Do we have a deal?"
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Post by Game Master on Feb 26, 2008 10:42:01 GMT -5
A look of mock injury appeared on the Alchemists face. "You wound me sir. Hasn't anyone ever told you never to bargain with an Alchemist?" His smile reached from ear to ear. "Very well give me the three hundred gold and my companion here will escort you to the library.
Firebug turned to see the troll standing not five feet behind him looking as if he had been there the whole time. "Follow me." the troll commanded with distrust written all over his face.
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Post by Game Master on Feb 26, 2008 22:38:18 GMT -5
The brute motioned with a taloned finger and escorted the Mystic down a long corridor, up a flight of stairs, down another impossibly long hallway passed dozens of doors and finally into a vast library.
The room was immense. Three stories tall, Three full walls were lined with books and huge windows took up the entire far wall. In the very center of that wall was a double set of glass doors opening out onto a terrace overlooking an ocean.
The troll pointed to a table made from a beautiful birdseye maple and sure enough the tome in question was laying there opened to the first page. "Enjoy your read." The troll commented as he took up a guard post at the door, never taking his eyes off Firebug.
Firebug leafed through the pages before returning to the beginning and reading in earnest. He only had an hour and a half and it would take all that time to go through it.
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Post by sfliegel on Feb 27, 2008 9:25:05 GMT -5
Firebug read as fast as he could, commiting as much as possible to memory. Anything that might prove useful, their orgins, history, strengths and weakenesses, and any known enemies. As soon as Firebug had swallowed word he decided he needed one more bit of information. The abilites of this alchemist seemed beyond belief and beyond the scope of anything Firebug had ever heard of before. He was certain that his father would have a field day interviewing this old man.
Firebug laid both hands on the book as though to close it and then closed his eyes, focusing on the current owner. He wanted to get a better idea of who he was dealing with and maybe a secret or two. After all, knowledge is power.
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