Chapter 7: To Riches

Unfortunately, everyone but Taadia in the party is dead. But there is good news: since Taadia isn't splitting XP or treasure with anyone, the bandit fight and escort payout shot her straight to level 2 with level 3 in sight! Will it be enough for her to survive the mess she's in? Let's find out.
OPSE Scene Complication: Wouldn't it suck if...
OPSE Altered Scene: Add a Scene Complication.
Great.
OPSE Scene Complication: Hostile forces oppose you.
Can't catch a break, huh?

Taadia sat alone in a cramped room with a lonely table and a pair of creaky chairs. The only source of light came in from a small barred window close to the ceiling, far too small for her to try squeezing through. With her head in her hands, she dwelled on the days that whirled past her since that fateful battle...

It had been nine days since her comrades were slain. The memory brought a solemn tear to her red eyes. She never thought that she'd grow fond of anyone in such a short time, but here she was, mourning their deaths. Her heart was leaden and budged for almost nothing, but her inner survivor urged her to carry on. With a heavy sigh, she composed herself.

"I'm gonna miss them..." she croaked weakly.

Without warning, the door swung open and a large, grim man strode in, clutching a scroll and a lantern. His scaled armor glinted in the candle light as he sat down opposite of Taadia.

"I could read to you all of the legal jargon in this scroll," he grunted as he tapped the sealed scroll with his armored finger, "but I'll keep it short: You're getting released. Furthermore, the court will act on your will and arrange for your friends to properly buried. The expense shall be paid by their estates."

Taadia stared at the officer, waiting for him to continue.

"Not curious about your employer?"

"I already got paid," she said acidly.

The man's expression softened as he regarded the crestfallen woman. "I know it doesn't mean much from a stranger, but from warrior to warrior: You have to let it go. Clear your head. Drink it off. Do what you have to do."

"Thanks..." the sullen woman muttered. A heavy silence filled the air.

Shifting uncomfortable, the man spoke. "There's bad news, though. The men your company slew belonged to a powerful crime ring, and it's likely that they put a bounty on the heads of everyone in that battle."

The assassin's face went pale.

"But don't worry!" the officer interjected hastily. "The city guard is getting ready to crack down on them with the information we gathered, and the mages that received the conduits are offering you their protection in the meantime as thanks for defending their colleague."

Taadia slumped onto the table in relief.

"Come on, we'll escort you to their complex."

...

OPSE Scene Complication: An NPC acts suddenly.
Mythic GME Action/Subject: Lie Attention.
OPSE Altered Scene: Not altered.

Taadia could not help but recall Jumingo Academy as an acolyte lead her through the enchanting cloisters while reciting all of the rules she was expected to follow. Expertly sculpted busts of renowned scholars and mages lined the engraved wall. In the yard, a gardener carefully maintained a variety of colorful flora that the assassin had never seen before.

"I urge you not to touch those, madam," the acolyte spoke. "They are valuable reagents for our alchemical work."

"I wasn't planning to, don't worry." Taadia found it hard to listen to the droning acolyte, but listened anyway, as she'd hate to accidentally turn into a toad or something.

"As for your prior inquiry as to whether or not we have magical items for sale: We do. We can even enchant your equipment, for a price. The shop is on the far side of the yard," the acolyte informed Taadia as he gestured to a reinforced pair of doors.

"I'll take a look after I get settled in."

As the pair rounded the cloister's corner, the acolyte nearly collided with one of his hasty colleagues.

New NPC (multiple rolls): Gindu is a youthful and obnoxious hustler, always trying to cut a deal in his favor. He intends to become a public representative for his organization.

"Gindu!" the acolyte huffed indignantly.

"Sorry, sorry," the extravagently robed young man apologized lackadaisically. "Oh, a new face! And a comely one, too! I am Gindu, a senior transmutation specialist for the college. What is your name?"

"Taadia," the tired woman replied flatly.

"Senior trasmutation specialist?" the acolyte asked dryly.

Gindu shot the acolyte a pointed look.

"Pay him no mind," the acolyte waved dismissively. "Let us go to your new bedroom."

"Ah, come see me in the common room when you are done!" Gindu shouted as the two hurried away.

...

After seeing off the servants who brought her possessions to her room, Taadia flopped onto her soft bed and stared upwards. Her guest room was the nicest bedroom she had ever been in. An enchanting mural spanned the ceiling, depicting a wild array of spells that formed a kaleidoscope of vivid colors. Bookshelfs filled with arcane text occupied the walls. A small desk and end table completed the room. For the first time in days, her spirit felt lifted, if only a little. She rolled over and looked at the chest of coins sitting by the door. She was rich beyond her wildest dreams, but the thrill was dulled by what was paid to earn it.

"Maybe spending it will drown my sorrows..."

After a moment of deliberation, Taadia listlessly got up from her bed and left the room, locking the door behind her. She needed a distraction, and though she thought Gindu was but an annoying boy, she'd welcome his company nonetheless.

"Oh! It's you!" Gindu exclaimed in surprise as Taadia entered the common room. He set aside the papers before him and ushered Taadia to sit down with him. "How goes your day?"

"Better than yesterday," Taadia sighed.

"Oh? Do tell me your troubles. I've been told I'm a good listener, you know."

"Sorry, I don't feel like talking. But I do feel like drinking."

"Say no more, madam! I'm a patron of the finest brewery in Ohjong, and have an excellent taste for alchohol."

Taadia smirked at the man's antics. "I can't leave this place though," she declared casually.

"Oh? Why not?"

"I guess you haven't heard yet."

"Heard what?" the man asked, his curiosity overtaking his bravado.

"About the conduits, and the big battle-"

Gindu smacked his own forehead for being so clueless. "Of course! You're the mercenary we took into custody! What a fool I've been... please, accept my apology. I doubt you're in the mood for my silliness."

Taadia's cattiness faded. It seemed Gindu could be mature after all. "Thanks. Hey, do you mind helping me choose what magical items to buy? I'm not an expert in magic."

"Of course, of course. Let's go to the shop."

Time to go shopping! I'll be using this generator to figure out what's for sale.
Magic items for sale:
Oil of Slipperiness (750 gp)
Potion of Clairvoyance (500 gp)
Potion of Climbing (500 gp)
Potion of ESP (850 gp)
Potion of Gaseous Form (400 gp)
Potion of Healing (400 gp)
Potion of Heroism (500 gp)
Potion of Heroism (500 gp)
Potion of Human Control (900 gp)
Potion of Poison (400g, had to add my own price)
Potion of Speed (450 gp)

Battle Axe +1 (2500 gp)
Cursed Longsword +1 (not for sale)
Flail +1 (4000 gp)
Longsword +1 (2000 gp)

Chain Mail +2 (human size) (7500 gp)
Leather Armor +1 (elf size) (2000 gp)
Plate Armor +1 (human size) (5000 gp)
Shield +4 (12000 gp)
Chain Mail +1 (human size) (4000 gp)
Leather Armor +1 (gnome or halfling size) (2000 gp)

I'll take the Potion of Speed, a Potion of Heroism, and a Potion of Poison. Taadia has 749 gold left, which I will save for future shopping.

"Thank you for your purchase," the wispy old shopkeeper said with a sincere smile.

"Ohjong is a place of wonders, is it not?" Gindu chuckled.

"Right..." Taadia mumbled absentmindedly as she beheld her new potions, arcane fluids swirling within them.

Taadia never thought that she'd wield magic before she became an adventurer. She never thought she'd obtain obscene riches and spend it just as quickly. She never thought she'd do battle against the undead, nor did she think she would find worthy companions... only to lose them all in a single moment.

"Bimhesa would've loved this place..." Taadia choked, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Oh dear," Gindu muttered awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

"Excuse me," the heartbroken assassin sobbed as she left the shop alone.

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Pub: 14 Sep 2022 21:47 UTC

Edit: 14 Sep 2022 21:57 UTC

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