Tess in the Cage: getting a code breaker *1027/01/21 evening*
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The Jester, Jeremo the Natterer, gives Tess the name of someone who can 
deciper scripts and break codes. Name of the code breaker is Sar the Scribe. 
They are normally found in the great bazaar, around _this_ spot.

Tess changed into his Rikal Ogremail orcish disguise before going to see Sar.
Sar the scribe appears to be a normal scribe. He raises an eyebrow when you 
mention this though. Regards Sarlic or Ogier trying anyting, Sar said, "They 
won't try anything. I have friends in many places, both high and low. [..]
15% is my highest offer for a finders fee. If you get a better deal, you can 
keep half of the better value you get. ... Ok, for your 15% you setup the 
time, the place, and access to the docs. I'll do the...translating after 
that."

Tess heads to the Fortune's Wheel in Rikail Ogremail disguise, wearing good 
enough clothing to get in. He'll hang around and find out what info he can on 
Sarlic and Ogier. They are unarmed, and have no obvious bodyguards. The 
bodyguards are probably waiting outside with the other bodyguards. Sarlic and
Ogier don't hang out together normally.

Sarlic Moonstoke is human, male, and dresses like a noble. From what you find 
out, he lives in the Cage, and has no obvious means of support. He trades in a 
variety of magic items and information, but seemingly for the fun of it rather 
than for profit. He only trades in interesting things. Apparently he often 
disposes of them after the fun of them is gone. Sarlic is often in the 
Fortune's wheel, soaking up information, wheeling and dealing.

Ogier of the Middle Mind is human, male, and wears a light chain shirt, 
probably mithril, under his overtunic. He carries a shortsword. From what you 
discover, he is a priest, althugh no one knows who his deity is (no one has 
asked either). He is rich, and lives on another plane somewhere - maybe even a 
prime. He often passes through the cage, looking for powerful and interesting 
magics. He also has a powerful temper. He only appears at irregular intervals, 
but typically stays for a week or two in the cage. Ogier has been in the cage 
about a week.

Rikail Ogremail will approach them in due course, politely. They are sitting 
apart, so you appraoch them individually presumably? Tess will quietly 
approach whichever one of them is less busy first. Ok, which is Ogier. Sarlic 
isn't in ATM.

Tess: "Good sir, I believe you need something to be translated ... an 
associate of mine is competent for the task." 

Ogier: "Certainly my good orc. This is a difficult job though, many have tried 
and failed. Will your friend be willing to undertake a small test?"

Tess: "Understandably. We can arrange a time and place for such a test, 
certainly. The offer for the job must be sufficient of course to attract his 
interest." 

Ogier pulls out a familiar looking script. "If your friend can translate this, 
then come back and we can talk business." It's the same as Tess got before.

Tess: "Very well. We shall meet again. Thank you for your business." 

Tess goes back to see Sar. Sar is busy copying something, but gestures Rikail 
over he sees you. Tess explains the situation briefly. Sar nods, "Lets see the
goods then. It will take some time to work on this, I will examine it and 
return it tomorrow." Tess gives Sar the original and keeps a copy of the code
for himself.


Divination to determine if Alamir is dead by priest of Hades
============================================================
Tess will keep an eye from a fair distance for 30 minutes or so, and then head
to the Mortuary. Tess gets the Dustman priest of Hades to do a divination
about whether or not Alamir is dead. Tess pays 500gp *took this off* for the 
divination and gives them the information he knows about Alamir. ("Met the 
kiss of a goddess. Not clear if he's dead or not, been missing for several 
hundred (?) years.")

The result is: Dead he is, but his tongue has life. Dead he is, but his 
daughter has life. Dead he is, for that was the price.

[OOC thoughs: His daughter is T'saz. The tongue might possibly be referring
to the sword. Death may have been the price of the goddess' kiss. Is the
sword actually complete?]


Wounds and Purchases at the Bazaar
==================================
Tess will go and find a medic, i.e. someone competent in healing, to dress 
Tess' rat bites. Tess finds a elvish woman lay healer in the bazaar, who
dresses his wound for free. She tells Tess, "Avoid the poor quarter from now 
on." Tess will thank her and buys her a drink and chats with her as repayment. 

Tess buys a Black Cat Suit, Caltrops, Scentbreaker, Magnifying Glass, Potion of 
Vision, Potion of Remove Disease and Heward's Handy Haversack. 
3036gp spent. *took this off*
Heward's Handy Haversack has a typo on the cast level, should be 9th - 
important for aura - as it requires Leomund's Secret Chest.

Dave: bandoleer has 8 items, mw bandoleer is 12. potion belt has 6 slots, 10 
if masterwork. I was wondering if Tess' mw bandoleer could be half-potion, 
half-weapon, with one potion slot for Aldara's pouch.
<norse_dm> sure


Back to getting a code breaker
==============================
Next day, Tess will check by Sar the Scribe in the early afternoon (as 
Rakail). Sar tosses the sheet to you. Written on it is the translation.
Tess thanks Sar, and will go and set up the job. Tess was unable to get more 
than a character or two. The entire thing basically says "this is a test of 
your codebreaking skill. This page is copied from Altun's almanac of the 
planes." It talks about the flowers found on some plane.

Spell memorization for today: detect magic x2, mage hand x1, detect secret 
doors, copy x2.

Ogier is free, listening. Rikail moves so that Ogier will see him, and then will 
move over if Ogier looks ready. Ogier asks, "You have the translation, my 
mysterious orc friend?" Tess gives the translation to Ogier, who glances over
it. Rikail waits politely. "Excellent. Now I can't let the work out of my 
sight, so your friend will have to look over it under supervision. Is that 
acceptable?"

Tess: "I think that can be arranged Sir. Shall we set a time and place 
tomorrow?"

Ogier: "Very well. About the price..."

Sar will presumably want the price bargained in front of him to see the 15% vs. 
extra on top cut. Tess: "Yes. Perhaps my friend would like to be there when we 
discuss that. I am his intermediary and ... *waves hand vaguely* will handle 
the details with you then."

Ogier: "Very well. Let us meet tomorrow, here."

Tess: "Certainly. I will return to confirm the meeting." Rikail will leave 
and make sure he is not followed, after having organized a time with Ogier.
After wandering about randomly for a bit to ensure no tails, Rikail will talk 
to Sar. Sar is happy with the time and place, so Rikail will return in 
roundabout fashion and confirm the meeting. Tess mentioned that details of the 
payment will be organized tomorrow when Sar is present. 

Tess tries selling shortsword +2 and ioun stone +2 dex at the bazaar (no 
permit needed to sell there). Had some nibbles, but nothing serious. Watched 
people casing the place for items to steal from the sellers. Checked back with 
Saja about talking to the Triopic - she was just having Tess on.

*1027/01/22 evening*