oocOkay, first thing is first. The thread says open but let’s keep it realistic, it cannot hope to include everyone in The Spires. At some point, when I feel enough people have joined, I reserve the right to close it off to new posters. That said – let us all shop!
Spring 83rd – Noon – Centroc’s Supplies
Zandelia had been spending much of her time in the Spires guarding the afflicted, keeping them in line and failing miserably in just one instance, something she knew would mark her life as an event whether she liked it or not. She hated to be seen as a failure, the connotations far too close to the truth in her eye. She had decided that one of the few ways in which to be noted as a worthwhile individual upon the expedition was to prove herself as a hunter in the wilds. It was not a fully formed plan by any stretch of the imagination, but she had to start somewhere and as she approached the battered wagon of the retail center of choice in the area she knew she had to start from somewhere. She had noted with awe how the man in charge had managed to ingratiate himself to the local population with such ease, wondering if there were some skills he could teach her – with the right motivation.
At the very least it gives me the chance to purchase some supplies for my endeavor, though I’d always enjoy more than the material for my efforts she thought to herself as she began her survey of the goods on offer.
She was left alone for a long series of moments, Centros merely taking the opportunity to assess her as a potential customer before approaching her for a strong sale. She knew she was at the disadvantage in every way that was possible in their economic relationship. He had all of the goods she required and all she had was her money, and when it came to that fact the man’s lowered prices hinted at the fact that he held little consideration for making riches beyond measure. As she placed her fingers to her chin, stroking it in feigned deep thought she found herself wondering more upon what the man really held dear to his heart less than spending time upon considering the goods themselves. It was a foolish crusade of intellect, knowing she would never really know unless he opted to reveal it to her – he seemed enigmatic at best as a smile filled his visage.
“A good purchase that, very useful in the wilds there. Sleep Eggs are of great importance, if used well enough by the wielder. Small, but very powerful. Range too, no need to get in close to those big Jamoura hmm?” he spoke up finally as she flexed his many arms as came to stand beside her, surveying his own goods.
“What do they do then, besides the obvious I mean. They put things to sleep I presume? But how do they work exactly?” she asked him as she initiated the bartering process with the master beyond her compare.
“Oh well to tell you that would mean you could make your own. Bad for business, but nice try though…” he asked her informally, a laugh escaping his throat that caused her to shiver slightly.
“Zandelia” she responded simply.
“Ah, a nice name. You throw them, at the target’s face. Special concoction that puts even a Jamoura out for a long time. Works better on smaller things though. Starting an expedition then are you? Alone?” he returned.
“Perhaps not alone, I am not stupid. But yes, good money to be had and hearts to be won over. Might as well make the most of it,” Zandelia evaded his question slightly, pointedly not telling him exactly whom she would choose to accompany her, “what about these spears? Same effect?” she asked him in an attempt to push away his probing queries onto salesmanship. She picked up one of the spear-like weapons and swung it in her hand a little.
“Careful Zandelia, careful,” Centroc laughed again as he stopped her experimentation, “they are for throwing or thrusting anyways, no use swinging the thing when it’s the point that matters. It breaks off, infecting the hit with a venom that renders them…docile. Need a few for a Jamoura but one perhaps for Kelvics. Good choice for when there are many hunters at once to use them,” he responded, “good for you perhaps?” he let the question hang there, knowing she would not answer but telling her enough he guessed she would be bringing him more custom this day.
“Nets and snares need no explanation,” he continued, “but these – Punch Signals – they do. Hit this end on hard surface and smoke will appear. Perfect for signaling for help – or that danger lies where you are. For each hunter one Capture Pack of a combination of signals, snare, net and sleep eggs. On the…caravan” he ended, producing one from behind one of the boxes and handing it out to her.
She took it gingerly, nodding her thanks but wondering if such a show of generosity would dictate reciprocation beyond hard coin. If she had any correct measure of him she suspected it would one day, though not in ways she would be able to predict. She merely slung it over her shoulder and considered what the best purchases would be based upon his words. To her mind the sleep eggs were the easiest purchase but hard to carry in great quantity and required skill to use well. It was a secondary weapon in her machinations. No, she saw their use but thought the spears, and replacement heads she now noted, of better value. Nets and traps would be good but needed planned occurrences to use and so her team would need fewer of their number – if she could even get a team together.
“I think I’ll take three of the spears and twelve replacement heads to start with,” she told him as she thought out her purchases as she built her plans, “and these capture packs are better value for money if my eye does not deceive me. It may be slightly more expensive but comes as an easily carried bundle and creates more of a stockpile for usage” she finished, her words half-questioning.
“Smart woman, smart indeed. Money is not everything, well to you perhaps!” Centroc grinned as his arms shifted rapidly to stockpile what she was ordering, “perhaps we will meet again hmm?” he finished as coin was exchanged for the spears and heads – 9 gold-rimmed miza’s for the spears and replacement heads.
Now to think about who to get together, and how many damned packs will be needed she thought to herself as Centroc’s gaze seemed to itch at the insides of her skin.
