Loot: The Eternity Dungeon

[Smackgiver]

/Praosk looks at Murphy with a very friendly, relaxed posture/

"So tell me, friend, how'd you fall into this vocation?  Was it a family tradition, academic ambition, or a calling...or a combination of any or all of the above."

[Marvelous Miscreant]

"Well, let's hop to it then. Get you boys patched up right and on you merry way."

Murphy gather's some tool from his shelves and set to work tinkering with them. As he works he responds to Praosk's question.

"Well, I'd say the biggest factor on my journey in becoming a healer was blind,dumb, stupid luck. I was never very good at anything. I failed constantly at anything I tired. But Healing. It seemed to be the one thing I was halfway decent at and so it became the only choice. Not exactly a very romantic origin I'll grant you that, but it was an origin nonetheless. Ah, I believe that's done it..."

Murphy turns around to reveal an long tool with many prongs protruding from it. A large chamber near the base of it held most of the thing together.

"This..." Murphy grinned, "...is an Alchemical Infusion Probe. It's used for magically dispersing ingredients in potions and talismans. I'm going to use it to infuse your broken bones with one of these..."

Murphy holds a small glowing stone up. The stone is no bigger than walnut and glows blue and purple from within.

"These are very rare. I've only got a few. That's why this is usually so expensive. They're Telyn hearts. Given willingly of course. The stolen ones are no good. Anyways, TelynhHearts have amazing mending properties and once infused should mend your bones in an instant. Course you may be a bit...overly happy for a bit afterwards. Teyln Hearts are also a wee bit psychotropic. But you'll be fine. Ready?"

Murphy slips one of the Telyn hearts into the probe's chamber and smiles disarmingly.

[Marvelous Miscreant]

The building next door reeks of smoke and hot metal. The door is firmly shut. A sign in the window reads, "Knock for Service"

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

Star offers his arm. "What's a Telyn?"

[Smackgiver]

/Continuing his conversation with Murphy/

"I can't tell if it's natural talent or finely honed skills but you certainly know your craft.  Did you study at an institution of some kind?"

[Philote]

Willow knocks the end of his quarterstaff against the frame of the door.

[Marvelous Miscreant]

"Hmm? Oh, a Telyn's a whimsical little bugger. I think they're some sort of fairy or something. They like to play pranks on people and they've got more magic in their little finger than most wizards will ever have. Other than the odd joke, they're mostly pretty harmless...unless you piss them off."

With that, Murphy jabs the probe into star's outstretched arm. A brief flash of light disperse into Star's skin, followed by a crackling sound as the bone repaired itself. A feeling of overwhelming peace washed over Star as the Telyn's heart's other properties took effect.

"Now, for you Praosk," Murphy chuckled as it inserted a second heart into the probe.

"To answer your question, they're are no...institutions down here in the dungeon. I learned most of what I know from trial and error I'm afraid. A few thing I picked up from others and from books, but mostly I just sort of felt it out..."

Murphy pauses for a moment as if lost in thought then quickly turns around to jab the probe into Praosk's broken bone. The bone mends itself quickly.

"Ah, there we go..."

[Marvelous Miscreant]

The muffled sound of bottles being knocked over and scattered can be heard from beyond the door, followed by rapidly approaching footsteps.

"Ahm coming already. Hold yer horses!"

A low thud is heard as something collides with the inside of the door. Seconds later, the door is opened a fraction and a very large beard containing two bright purple eyes peers out.

"Ah, what might you be wantin'? Eh?"

[Smackgiver]

"Ahhh.  That's more like it."

/Praosk executes some basic animal style forms to limber up and test the repair job./

"I must admit to some trepidation at your list of poisons you just mentioned.   Tell me, Murphy, if you were in our shoes would you stock up on some Chlorofiend-based antivenom before heading out into the dungeon?"

[Marvelous Miscreant]

"Well, poisons of that caliber aren't exactly common unless you're up against some of the tribes or other Looters. But, should you have the poor luck to become poisoned then it couldn't hurt. Of course you'll have to see the alchemist in town if you're keen on procuring some as I won't be able to prepare any for awhile. It take a fair amount of time to brew the right mixtures."

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

"I think I'll head there now." Star says, hopping off the table again and headed toward the door. "I have somethings he might be interested in, and I'll need some walking around money for myself to get equipped properly. Murphy, I'll have that blood for you before the day is out." Turning slightly so Murphy can see, he gives the coolest possible thumbs up he can manage and a wry half-grin before throwing open the door and dramatically striding out.

As soon as the door closes and gives a grand happy leap into the air, trying his best to fist bump the ceiling, before landing on his feet and taking off at a dead sprint. A sidequest. His first sidequest. He was there. He'd made it.

He skidded to a halt right outside the apothecary, pulling open the door, walking in with purpose while calling out. "Greeting. I am Star Platinum and I am here to sell the spoils of battle."

[Smackgiver]

"Understood.   Thanks, Murphy. "

/Praosk catches up with Willow at the front door of the blacksmith, just in time to hear the smith's dulcet tones/

[Philote]

"Would you kindly open up?" Willow asks.

"We'd like to see what your rates for equipment or modifications are."

[Marvelous Miscreant]

The man at the counter glares at Star over a pair of thin eyeglass perched on the end of his nose. A thin white cloth mask obscures whatever his expression may have been, but judging from the way he was studying Star it was probably something like disdain. After a moment, the man sighs wearily and props himself up on the counter.

"Alright, let's get this over with. What is it ya got?"

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

Star, noticing none of this, confidently walks forward and slaps a pair of comical hats on the counter.

He gives the proprietor an expectant smile.

[Marvelous Miscreant]

"Aye, ye'll be wantin' to come in then I s'pose. Come on den."

the Smith's face retracts back behind the door. The scrape an rattle of objects being moved out of the way can be heard and moments later the door is pulled open to reveal a large, dimly lit room filled with every manner of discarded bottle and glass. The smith was quite the heavy drinker.

A wide forge and a battered anvil squatted in one corner of the room, casting a dull orange glow over the floor as the embers burned inside. Tools and hammers hung from various hooks in the walls and a matted straw bed had been pushed into another corner. In a third corner sat a pile of various equipment and weapons made from iron, steel, and various other metals. None of them seemed to be in great condition. Finally, in the forth corner rested a large contraption that was almost certainly magical. It consisted of three small stone pads with sigils carved into them connected to a larger stone pad. Two towers hung to either side, their tips glowing with green light.




"Here's tha deal boys. I've got equipment for sale over there," He gestures to the large pile of gear and weapons in the corner, " have a rummage through thar and I'll let cha know what to pay. Or I can make you something with any supplies you bring me. Other wise, you can try yer luck with the altar over there. But there's no telling what you'll get."

[Marvelous Miscreant]

The man glances down at the hats, unimpressed. He studies them for a few seconds then glances back to Star.

"I can offer you 1 gold for both of them together" he supplied, a sly twinkle in his eyes.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

Stars eyes flash exclamation points, and he shakes his head. "No, no, no, these aren't hats. What you see here is a pair a vicious monsters, still alive. Evil slimes. Don't tell me you can't do something with slimes."

[Marvelous Miscreant]

"Slimes you say," The man gasped with mock enthusiasm, "Well, that changes everything. Would you like all my gold now or later then?" His words practically dripped with sarcasm.

"Seriously kid, What proof do you have that these are slimes? Huh? Tell you what, you prove it, and I'll give ya 5 gold for them both..."

With that, the shop owner leaned back and chuckled to himself.

[Gentleman Vaultboy]

Star glares at the man, pick the hats up off the counter, and walks out the doors. A few seconds later, after a dull *thunk* sound against the wall and a muffled scream, Star casually walks back in sucking on the end of his right pinky and lays the clown hat on the counter, facing up. Into it he tosses something small and blue.