Subject Negotiations

?This sounds like a fair trade to me but let me return to my companions and see what they say? Salix replies. With that he and Fal return to the others to discuss what they want to do. Ran listens to the offer but is not happy. ?I don't really want to spend another day here as I think we should make haste in getting Rochelle to her home. I am sure we can find someone there to assist us in identifying the properties of the axe. I do wish to help these good people but I don't believe it is a good idea to delay our responsibilities."

Ran thinks for a moment and then adds, "Do you think we can trust them to join us on this leg of our trip? Perhaps Heronin may be able to offer them some assistance. I feel that they are good people but I may be a little too trusting. I would appreciate your advice in this Salix." Salix shrugs ?It would not hurt to ask.? With that Salix and Fal return to Shatra with their offer.

Shatra frowns when she hears their offer. ?Nothing personal my friends but we too have a quest that has some urgency, and it lies in another direction. I do not think we can accompany you.? Althea speaks up then. ?Shatra, I think I may have a solution. When we were back in town I made up several scrolls with the identify spell on them. I could identify the item and if it is worthwhile we could trade them some of the scrolls. Fal here should be able to transcribe the spell into his book at his leisure and both parties could be on their way.? Shatra looks at Salix with a questioning look. Salix looks to Fal, seeking to confirm what Althea has said.

Fal nods. ?Yes we could do that. We would still need to get the proper type of pearl once I inscribed the spell, but it could work.? ?Let us take your offer back to our companions and see what they say.? Salix replies and the two head back to Ran and the others. When Ran hears of this plan he approves. ?It gets us what we need and keeps us on the road.? Kal also is in favor of it. ?I would also like to be able to get a copy of this spell, if I may.? Ran nods and motions for Harp to get the axe and follow Salix and Fal. The three approach Shatra and Althea. The dwarf Bear is also there.

?Let Bear see the axe if you don't mind, while Althea prepares herself.? Shatra asks. Harp looks at Salix who nods. Harp hands the axe over to the dwarf and Bear starts looking at it with a critical eye. ?Hmmm, orc double axe style but not orc make. Look at the balance. Damn filthy orcs never made anything this nice. This is dwarf work. Must have been a prisoner. Look at how the haft is joined to the two heads. You don't see that type of work from the lesser races, only the dwarves. Even the sissy elves don't make this type of weapon. All right let's see what the sissy elf can tell us.? He then drops the axe in front of Althea and stomps away.

Althea sits cross legged on the ground, a small mortar and pestle in front of her. She takes out a necklace made of fine pearls from her back pack and unties one. She places in in the mortar and grinds it to a fine dust. She adds this to a goblet that she had and adds a bit of wine. She takes a feather out of the pouch at her side and stirs the mixture. She then drinks it, lays her hands on the axe and starts to chant. ?It will take an hour or so? Shatra tells them, ?you can stay and watch if you want, but we are going to start breaking camp. Fal and Kal offer to stay, since they are the most interested in how this spell works. The rest of the party starts breaking camp as well.

When the hour is up both parties gather around Althea. She snaps out of her meditation and takes a few seconds to come back to herself. ?The axe has a medium enchantment to it, making it easier to use and a bit sharper but no other special features.(OODM:+2 orc double axe). Bear what do you think?? ?What do I think? I already told you what I think you dumb elf. It is a fine weapon, if one is able to use it. That there is the problem. Not much market for a weapon like that. If I had my say...? Shatra quickly claps her hand over Bear's mouth, obviously to keep the dwarf from saying something insulting.

?How much?'she asks the dwarf. He starts to mumble through her hand and she says ?Fingers?. He holds up two fingers. ?Hundreds?? Shatra asks. Bear shakes his head. ?Thousands?? Bear nods. With that Shatra makes an exaggerated gesture of Bear keeping his mouth shut and pushes him towards their wagon. ?Well it seems as if we are at a bit of trouble. What we have offered is not nearly enough to cover for the value of the axe. How about this? We give you two scrolls with the identify spell on them and 10 pearls. Would that make us even??

OODM: Any responses?

Subject Trade

Salix simply nods to Ran, indicating that this would be a fine trade, all things considered.

Subject Trade

OOC:

Well, that's remarkably fair. When I saw Salix's bargining technique I wondered if we'd be getting the deed to some swampland in FL in exchange for the axe. :)