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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 21, 2011 10:32:37 GMT -6
Malleable explains that the City charges 8% labor tax. [Also a gratuity is customary for a job well done, though Malleable would never directly come out and say so...]
Furthermore he is offering to be the middle-man for your taxes, tolls, tariffs, and bribes; reading between the lines you suspect he wants to charge you a standard daily rate for tax purposes, then any additional expenses would be cash "under the table" and therefore un-taxable--a better deal for both parties involved I think.
To put the numbers in perspective, the basic-by-the-book rate for 2 teamsters and a chartered coach is 40sp/day. His demand of 60 for dangerous cargo is not outrageous...
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Post by crusssdaddy on Dec 21, 2011 23:58:29 GMT -6
Fated is observing the negotiations and joins the group discussion, away from the teamster:
"I'm for less local involvement. We need an inn to spend a night or two while we make certain the house is unoccupied, and uncomplicated conduct into the city for our goods. Beyond that, we all seem savvy enough to make our own way in the big city. I certainly don't want the local criminal element to know how much coin we have on hand."
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
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Post by kipper on Dec 22, 2011 23:13:29 GMT -6
"So long as we don't leave them alone with the chest, they won't have any idea what exactly is inside." Breath says to Fated
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2011 0:14:51 GMT -6
Minion says "I would like to find a clothier and get some appropriate gear for the city. I say we pay this green the 60 he asks for to smooth out any entanglements at customs. If he becomes a problem somehow, we can deal with him later. I also agree with putting the chest inside the body. Hopefully it will be offputting enough that with the green's help none will become investigative."
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 25, 2011 12:45:49 GMT -6
Anyone opposed to hiding the loot inside the body? Sounds like a good plan to me.  Then it's just a question of whether to hire the two green teamsters... Since Breath is temporarily an NPC I think she would be happy to supervise them loading the corpse onto the dolly, while the rest of you check out the Underground and have a quick breakfast. |
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 25, 2011 21:15:05 GMT -6
Yeah, that works for The Shade. A quick (large, peppery-sweet, and undercooked) breakfast it is!
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Post by waysoftheearth on Dec 26, 2011 19:08:19 GMT -6
Gunnery glances at his wrist forlornly... taps it, and holds it to his ear. Then behaves as though that never happened.
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 28, 2011 8:12:06 GMT -6
The entrance to The Underground is an old train tunnel with the classic half-circle cross-section. The first area is a sort of diner, with cozy booths tucked along the sides. Harried waitresses carry full plates of breakfast meats and carafes of bubbling refreshments. The "room" is so long that it curves out of sight, clearly it is capable of feeding over a hundred diners, though on this early morning there are many empty tables. You get the sense there is more to the Underground than cheap eats, that there are many side tunnels and passages to explore. But for the moment, those eggs sure smell good... [who's up for breakfast while Breath supervises the teamsters? Various "breakfast combos" are available for 8sp including tax, tip, and coffee refills... be creative and tell me what you order, they seem to have just about everything... some of you may be hungry for more than one breakfast  ] |
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 28, 2011 8:57:18 GMT -6
The Shade of the Evermore orders:
A calamari and blue cheese omelet (with scallions and horseradish)
Sausage gravy (from the biscuits and gravy dish) served over a poached flounder
"Reptile's Delight" scramble (egg whites only) with an English muffin (sea cucumber jam on the side)
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Post by crusssdaddy on Dec 28, 2011 18:12:11 GMT -6
Fated:
3 bottles of fermented dangdang
hair salad w/ pickled voodroot
demulsified ochre jelly w/ braised kibbers (served hot)
seared mushroom steak (served hot)
sugared stalks in gungflower juice
1 rail of gigglespore powder (will ask after nearest gigglespore den if this town is not open-serve)
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 29, 2011 6:36:11 GMT -6
Your harried and incredulous Green waitress scribbles furiously on her order pad.
[Some great ideas there.... very creative!]
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Post by Mushgnome on Dec 29, 2011 17:26:40 GMT -6
Although the Underground Diner serves humble fare, it caters to a rainbow of travelers. The chef is able to procure many of your requested ingredients!
Shade eats:
(1d4=2) A calamari and blue cheese omelet, slathered in an unpalatable curdled hollandaise that Shade must scrape off with his fork
(1d2=1) Gravylicious eel!
(1d3=3!) Reptile's Delight" scramble (egg whites only) with an English muffin (sea cucumber jam on the side) and homemade tartar sauce
Three busboys are required to serve Fated to Die:
(1d3=2) 3 bottles of distilled gandgand at a cost of 30sp!
(1d2=1) pin-eel salad w/ pickled radish
(1d3=3!) demulsified ochre jelly, the kibbers are split right down the middle, just the way you like them!
(coin toss=tails) a seared mushroom steak that will give you strange dreams tonight
(1d2=2) sugared rhubarb stalks in gungflower juice
The waitress snaps her gum. "Gigglespores... you'd have to ask down at the Diesel nightclub," she says, gesturing deeper into the underground tunnel.
Shade's meal cost 8sp and Fated's 38sp (tipsy from the spirits). The coffee is delicious!
While you are eating, Malleable Teamster approaches with a sheaf of paperwork in hand. He sits with you and coaches you through the customs paperwork, suggesting answers such as "purpose of visit: cultural tourism" and "contents of luggage: fishing gear & sporting goods." He recommends storing your weapons (except maybe a dagger) in a sealed crate.
This is a great opportunity to ask your guide any questions you might have about Arkham...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2011 18:27:57 GMT -6
Minion asks for myrhhspice tea, flatbread with myconid paste, 3 xill eggs, and the little cookies with the elder sign on them.. the ones that come in the orange tin.
He asks Malleable Teamster "Where is a good place to look for work, if one has few common skills? Does the university hire help for expeditions?"
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
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Post by kipper on Dec 30, 2011 20:48:15 GMT -6
Breath of New Moon is exceedingly careful to not let the chest (& surrounding corpse) out of her sight for even a brief moment. She attempts to do this nonchalantly, so as to not draw excess attention.
She asks Drosophila Teamster where she can purchase a daggar, and a crate for her armour & glaive.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Dec 31, 2011 22:01:22 GMT -6
Gunnery, perhaps optimistically, orders a "hot dog and soda" and waits to see what arrives.
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Post by ehiker133 on Dec 31, 2011 22:23:58 GMT -6
Gunnery, perhaps optimistically, orders a "hot dog and soda" and waits to see what arrives. ew, gross! You know what they put in hot dogs these days??? |
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Post by waysoftheearth on Dec 31, 2011 23:47:43 GMT -6
"Better make that with extra mustard," says Gunnery, after a moment's thoughtful consideration.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 1, 2012 11:26:02 GMT -6
Minion eats:
(coin = heads) myrhhspice tea
(1d2=1) bagel with smoked puffball
(coin = heads) 3 xill eggs
(coin = heads) little cookies with the elder sign on them.. the ones that come in the orange tin
Gunnery eats:
(1d2=1) seafood sausage grinder with extra mustard
(coin = heads) a locally-brewed soda called "root beer"
While you are eating, Malleable answers Minion's question:
"Expeditions are a great way to make some money! (but very dangerous...) You can inquire at the Museum for a list of current expeditions.
"There are two ways to do it: If you can afford to finance your own expedition, then you can purchase an expedition leader permit. Expedition leaders must complete the objective of the mission (for example: map an unexplored region, recover an ancient artifact, bring back a specimen of a particular creature, conduct a scientific experiment, etc.), but are allowed to keep other incidental loot not related to the assignment, therefore this can be very profitable.
"If you can't afford to lead an expedition, then you can join an existing expedition as a mercenary, laborer, scientist, specialist, etc. and earn a fair wage under the expedition leader's command."
Meanwhile, back at the monorail, Breath and Drosophila finish stuffing the toad-corpse with loot and loading it onto the forklift. The statuesque green woman (who stands head and shoulders above the diminutive Breath) smiles and loans her a dagger from her boot "until we get topside and you can go shopping." Empty boxes are easy to come by, and Breath stores her glaive and armor, appearing as a civilian.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 2, 2012 16:55:50 GMT -6
"Of course, expeditions aren't the only way to make money in Arkham!" continues Malleable.
[At this point you might want to browse LotFP pages 47 and 53 for some ideas how to make money in the City through various labors and investments.]
"But you have to watch out... most of the trades have unions; they don't look kindly to competition from moonlighters.
"Nearby Kingsport is flush with money right now; it is the go-to port for traders from far-away places, and for treasure hunters who salvage riches from the many shipwrecks off the coast. Up the coast is gloomy Innsmouth, whose whaling ships have a high crew turnover rate..."
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
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Post by kipper on Jan 2, 2012 23:06:12 GMT -6
Breath accepts the proffered dagger with a nod, and accompanies the stuffed corpse towards customs.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 3, 2012 10:22:01 GMT -6
To make a long story short: Everyone (except Breath?) finishes breakfast. With the proper paperwork, 10sp in bribes, and the help of the Teamsters, you pass through Customs no problem. The exchange goes something like this:
"Oh, hi Midge!"
"Malleable... working hard or hardly working?"
"Same old same old. Hey, you look beautiful today, love the new hairstyle!"
"Stop it, I'm old enough to be your mother!" (She pockets the bribe and rubber-stamps the PC's paperwork without reading it.)
What's next for our heroes?
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Post by ehiker133 on Jan 3, 2012 11:55:07 GMT -6
The Shade of the Evermore needs to find something to wear to be able to move about the populous when in the city, so he'll look into that before leaving the Underground. Maybe some nice dark robes with a hooded cowl made out of a heavy material? And some large hobnailed boots and black leather gloves that go up to the elbows (or.. at least that go up under the robes).
Then:
Sell the corpse.
Get our gear and stuff back to the new base of operations.
Make sure it is clear and can be used as a base of operations.
After that? The Shade realizes funding is necessary for his ultimate goals, so he would not be opposed to finding out what sorts of expeditions the museum is willing to fund/hire out.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2012 13:10:17 GMT -6
Go with Malleable to see A Fair Price for Critters after leaving the station.
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 3, 2012 16:10:20 GMT -6
Shade visits The Ruined Pile, a "punk/alt/goth" boutique (the Carcosa equivalent of Urban Outfitters; all prices silver): Clothing, clothing, clothing! Mostly black, rugged, baggy. 50+ Fashionable leather pants/jacket or trenchcoat (protection equal to light armor) 40+ A complete outfit of casual street clothing including soft shoes. (sky's the limit) 20+ Upgrade the above to sturdy boots, gloves, and concealing over-cloak/hood 10+ Single piece of clothing like a hat or trousers 20 Cestus/brass knuckles 10 Bowie knife for the men 10 Razor fan the ladies 10 Cane/parasol 25 Cane/parasol with blowgun [poison needles are ILLEGAL] 150 Cane/parasol with hidden fencing blade and blowgun scabbard 20 Whip 20 Pet hissing cockroach 20+ Lady's purse/handbag 20+ Man's fannypack 50+ Fashion backpack Various Misc. Equipment from LotFP p. 29 at an outrageous markup! But, there is no sales tax down here; in town it is 10%. They will also pierce, tattoo, or massage anyplace you want. Who else needs clothes/goods from the Underground? Speaking of which, I'm assuming each of you pocketed some loot for personal expenses; right now the exact count is purposefully vague... I'll give you a running tally for the day once you open up the toad, get the cargo to a safe place, and count the money, is that cool with everyone?
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 3, 2012 16:29:11 GMT -6
Meanwhile at the corner of Water and Garrison, the Teamsters (and whoever wants to go with them when they're finished shopping) visit A Fair Price for Critters. They pause in the lobby to surgically remove the cargo from MOR's toady corpse and load the loot on the forklift.
Minion notices something interesting: There is a small side-track that runs from the Station directly to Critter's warehouse. Also there are loading docks directly on the Miskatonic; men in boats are unloading various smelly carcasses.
It turns out A Fair Price for Critters isn't there--he's away on a buying trip--but Missus Critters loads MOR's mortal remains onto a giant scale and prods it with a telescoping probe. In such sorry condition, and lacking any special abilities or chemical qualities, the bloated 6HD toad corpse is worth:
(6d100)
337 silver pieces
Looking around the warehouse you see all sorts of fearsome creatures, some alive, some dead; quickly sorted into chutes and conveyor belts by a small army of black men and women.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2012 16:49:33 GMT -6
Although usually not concerned with outward appearance, feeling that what is important lies inside.. since, you know, bone man.. Minion decides it might behoove him to proffer an inconspicuous mien to the citizenry. With that in mind, he buys:
Black leather trenchcoat with concealing hood, gloves, sturdy boots. 70sp?
He doubts his ability with and the effectiveness of a blade that could fit inside a cane. Therefore, he wants to know if a scabbard exists that could conceal a more substantial blade under his trenchcoat. (you know, Highlander-style, heh)
Has he ever seen a bone man with tattoos? If so, what did it look like, sort of floating skin-art?
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Post by Mushgnome on Jan 3, 2012 17:06:36 GMT -6
Although usually not concerned with outward appearance, feeling that what is important lies inside.. since, you know, bone man.. Minion decides it might behoove him to proffer an inconspicuous mien to the citizenry. With that in mind, he buys: Black leather trenchcoat with concealing hood, gloves, sturdy boots. 70sp? He doubts his ability with and the effectiveness of a blade that could fit inside a cane. Therefore, he wants to know if a scabbard exists that could conceal a more substantial blade under his trenchcoat. (you know, Highlander-style, heh) 70sp for the clothing is good. I will allow Minion to conceal his weird green handaxe under his trenchcoat while moving around town, cool? Has he ever seen a bone man with tattoos? If so, what did it look like, sort of floating skin-art? If the artist is skilled at controlling the needle depth, the tattoo can be rendered three-dimensionally. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2012 18:13:24 GMT -6
I will allow Minion to conceal his weird green handaxe under his trenchcoat while moving around town, cool? Very cool! I will go with that. Also, I will hold off on the tattoo, thanking the artist for his time and suggesting that I may return another day. |
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 57
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Post by kipper on Jan 4, 2012 10:05:06 GMT -6
Breath grabs a quick breakfast-to-go from a street vendor on her way past, some kind of fried meat (which she is careful not to inquire into very closely) on a toasted bun with an egg.
At the earliest opportunity (after her companions have rejoined her and can keep a watch on the loot) she shop for better clothes and a weapon. She will purchase some fashionable (not to mention skin-tight and attention-getting) leather pants and a leather jacket. She will also purchase a dainty yet deadly daggar at the nearest opportunity, and return Drosophila's.
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Post by ehiker133 on Jan 4, 2012 11:49:11 GMT -6
Shade visits The Ruined Pile, a "punk/alt/goth" boutique (the Carcosa equivalent of Urban Outfitters; all prices silver): 40+ A complete outfit of casual street clothing including soft shoes. (sky's the limit) 20+ Upgrade the above to sturdy boots, gloves, and concealing over-cloak/hood 10 Bowie knife 20 Pet hissing cockroach The Shade will purchase the above. |
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