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OscarDiggs posted:Glaumdrang Wealth-Checker -------- Many two-leggers would have panicked by this point. Glaumdrang considered the notion but then dismissed it. Panic had it’s place; when 50 armed and armoured warriors were barrelling down the tunnels crying for his head, that would be a time for panic. For now though, decisive action (or pointless busywork, depending on who you ask) was called for. A hundred accountants, fund managers, guards and other higher officials were scurrying throughout the main vault room trying desperately to rationalise what had happened. Before the mighty Dragon stood Lonus Sprypipe, Gnome Head of Finance, Daniel Burket, the General Manager of the Ark’s Landing Branch of the Bank and second only to Glaumdrang himself when it came to authority (but even then, that didn’t amount to much. Glaumdrang very much believed in micromanagment) and Valeria Tikor, the Ogre Head of Security. These three beings represented the best and brightest two centuries of familial hiring could produce and now was the time of their harrowing. It was four in the morning, thirty seven minutes into the hour. They would be opening the doors to the public in one hour and twenty three minutes. It was time to act. “Lonus” Glaumdrang coaxed the Gnome, “We need to find out if only my vault was hit or if other’s were as well. Start with the Royal Treasury. I want a full accounting of everything we hold compared to our most recent records. Every account we have gets checked and counted for accuracy. I don’t care how long it takes.” “Daniel, I want lists. Everyone who entered the branch over the past week, employee or member of the public. Every deposit and withdrawal made during that time frame and every employee on duty as well; I want them in here answering the questions security has for them. I don’t care if they’ve already been questioned once. From this point on until I say so, every withdrawal and deposit that would require a trip to the central hoards will be subject to a twenty four hour delay. Cancel every appointment and meeting that would allow a member of the public entry into our secure areas. Only employees and those with my express permission can leave the main lobby; for everyone else, entry is sealed.” “Valeria, I want you to enforce that sealing. No one gets in or out without going through two pairs of guards. Double all shifts patrolling the lower levels; tell them to keep their eye’s open for cracks, misplaced furniture, anything that might indicate someone tunneling in from the outside. Feel free to employ some new hires for the upper levels but I want the lower ones filled with level 4 staff only. Question all staff members again; you’re looking for discrepancies in their stories, things that they don’t agree on or that have changed since last questioned. I also want background checks on all employees to see if any have gone through a change in circumstances that might suggest a bribe or the need for one. Finally, give the guardsman who noticed the theft a promotion and a raise.” Turning to address all his heads of staff, Glaumdrang let out one last warning. “We are officially at a level three situation. You have trained for this so I do not expect any unreasonable issues for our valued customers. I will handle all loans and investments personally from here on. I want to be kept abreast on any other issues. Prepare the employee barracks and begin building up a food stockpile in the event we move to level four. And remember this banks motto, ‘The rewards for initiative are great and terrible to behold’, now on with your tasks, I have problems to erase.” They stood their, slightly dumbfounded. They often did so after a face-to-face meeting with their commander in chief and while Glaumdrang would usually find this amusing, his temper was a little bit frazzled by that point. With a roar of ”Now” and a brief gout of flame that sent them all running, Glaumdrang turned and stalked away. This theft was an issue, but not one that couldn’t be dealt with. The bank had, unfortunately, been victim to various thefts throughout it’s two centuries of function, but they had never targeted Glaumdrangs personal hoard before. Was it a personal attack? Random bank hit gotten lucky? Had they failed elsewhere and hit his account as a consolation? Question for later, when he had the bastards who did this strung up by the feet, heat slowly rising aS THEIR SKIN MEL-. A calming breath, more to assuage the junior clerk that he had been terrifying then anything else, and he was off. Dealing with mud-men was so difficult at times. But for now, mud-men was all he had. A break in at the bank, piracy destroying one of his and the kingdoms main source of wealth and a Pope looking like a riskier investment with every second. Still, with crisis, came opportunity. “You” he spun, glaring directly at the clerk he had been menacing seconds ago. A foul odour pierced the air, but nothing Glaumdrang hadn’t had to deal with over the many years. “Send a runner to His Holiness Pope Sahalnir and request a meeting as soon as possible. Wait” he stood in thought. “Send one to Lord Commander Viktor Von Voss as well. We must meet at his earliest convenience. Alright, while the Pope and the Commander get their appointment slips, let’s have a look around for clues. Glaumdrang will use +4 - First Bank of Sevvran on the basis that it’s his bank and he should be familiar with it and +2 - A Dragon in his Prime because it’s been his bank for 200 years and this isn’t his first rodeo for +6. He’ll be using this to direct and assist in the search of the bank, the accounting and the questioning the employees for clues as to what the hell happened. OscarDiggs fucked around with this message at 22:24 on Jul 16, 2016 |
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Jul 16, 2016 17:29
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Glaumdrang Wealth-Checker and Lord Commander Viktor Von Voss A young man in fine dress hurriedly approaches you. He looks afraid and dishevelled in his worn, crumpled suit. Smelling of terrified sweat and another, more pungent odour, he approaches you. “Lord Von Voss!” he practically screams. “The Bank! There’s been-! He needs-!” He stoops over for a second, trying to catch his breath before continuing “Chancellor Glaumdrang requests your presence at the Bank, Lord Von Voss.” Von Voss raises his hand. “Very well” he said with an exasperated sigh, “I will be there shortly.” Turning to the Regent and giving her a salute he continues. “My Lady I will have the movement orders drawn up on my return, but first I best see what that miserly bugger wants from me today. Good day to you.” He turned back to the luckless assistant with a nod. “Lead the way.” After a harried journey through the shifting side streets of Ark’s Landing, you both quickly arrive at the First National Bank. The entire place seems to be on lockdown. Guards move to stop you, but their leader intervenes and waves you through. Even more guards loiter around the main building. You shuffle past them, eventually reaching Head Office. The massive doors, easily four times your own impressive height, are slightly ajar. “Ah, Lord Von Voss” rasped Glaumdrang, somehow managing to be both silky and slimy at the same time. “So good of to visit on such short notice. I am afraid we must skip the pleasantries today as I have called you here on urgent business.” “So I have gathered, a bank robbery was it? I assume you’ve brought me here to pull lawmen off duty to deal with it.” Again, thought Von Voss. Every Time there’s something that you do not like happening to you I get called out it seems. “You wish for me to mobilize a few of the city guard to assist in your investigation I take it?” “Ah, it’s so refreshing to have someone know what needs to be done without being told. For the most part, that is why I need your assistance. There has been a theft, but a robbery may be overstating it. No, this crime is far worse. These repugnant elements somehow managed to falsify my banking records. A number of anomalous gold transfers have been taking place with no opposing ledger to back them up. If it were a simple robbery, this would be far easier to deal with. As it stands, a few of your highly trained lawmen kicking down doors won’t be sufficient. There must have been a great deal of planning involved to pull off a caper of this nature. Simply put, I need the best investigative men you have to offer tracking these scum down!” The Commander looked at the dragon. “Falsifying bank records sounds more like something more in line with Amerigo Hieronymus’ line of work than mine Glaumdrang, I can ask the Watch Commander to put his best men on the job but this is the business of the Revenue surely?” “You are right when it comes to Hieronymus’ duties in this matter but this matter is far too sensitive. Neither myself or dear Amerigo are invested with the same… powers and responsibilities that you have, and while Amerigo has reached out to offer his services, neither of us have the powers of a watchmen. That’s not including the fact that anyone willing to steal from a bank is likely willing to kill to keep their gains. And I would just hate to lose dear Hieronymus that way. At the very least, your tacit support is a necessity moving forward, if only to provide the trained and specialised manpower that the Revenue Office and the Bank do not have. And of course, a reminder from Commander Von Voss himself as to just how important a swift and efficient investigation is in this matter will surely bring about much swifter response.” Von Voss sighed “Very well, I shall ask them to liaise with the tax-gatherers, and any of your… Specialized workers to assist in your investigation.” He made a note of it in his book, he was going to have to write a lot of orders this evening. “Anything else?” Glaumdrangs eye’s seem to light, a confidence you didn’t know was missing quickly returns to the Dragons posture. A light, airy smiles plays across his mighty maw. “Well old friend, there is one other thing. Bank heists are not the only crime I have had reports about. The Balduwin sea seems to be suffering from a piracy epidemic; far more so than usual. I fear this is only going to grow worse as Sevvran faces further… instability. We need to deal with this now, before it bites into the kingdoms income at a critical stage. I am willing to bankroll the creation and pay patronage toward maintenance of a far more extensive civil merchant marine to help deal with this issue, but again such matters go beyond the authority I have been invested with. Simply put, I need some official assistance with dealing with the more bureaucratic aspects, which means dealing with the… regent. Previous interactions between her and myself have been quite energetic and I am afraid that, if I approached her myself… well, wires get crossed, tempers get raised, you know how it is, dealing with a volatile working relationship. If it were a partnership between you and myself, I think the Regent would be much more positively disposed to the venture.” “Yes I imagined she would be.” Remembering the last time the Regent and the Dragon were in the same room together, the palace nearly caught fire. Sometimes he felt as if his title should have been ‘Lord Communicator between Hostile Parties.’ “I will put in the request to the Regent to expand and deploy increased naval patrols, and I shall make a personal request with Grand Admiral Thorne. he will know what the navy needs better than I do. I assume you’ll be lodging payments with the shipwrights after this meeting is concluded?” You catch a slightly dangerous glint in Glaumdrangs eye. “Have no worries friend. I will do whatever it takes to safeguard this great nation’s economic future. If needs must, I will have my people liaise with your people to liaise with Thorne and the Regent, should any problems arise.” The Dragon leans backs, regarding Von Voss with fondness. “I believe that concludes everything Lord Commander. Thank you for making the time to see me.” “Quite, good day to you sir.” And with that, the Commander quietly left the room.
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Jul 19, 2016 20:20
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Glaumdrang Wealth-CheckerFrom the desk of Chancellor Glaumdrang posted:Amerigo Hieronymus, with the power invested in me as Chancellor of the First National Bank of Sevvran, I charge you with the duty of securing Gold reserves stolen from the vaults by malicious and criminal means, and with bringing the perpetrators to royal justice. The following letter of authority will give you limited power over my staff as well as access to the evidence I have managed to gather so far, the most pertinent being fraudulent balance transfers. I have spoken with Commander Von Voss who has agreed to ensure his best men are available. Use them however you need. Contact me should you require further assistance or funding. I will consider 20% of the retrieved gold (after whatever taxes you may wish to apply) as payment for services rendered. Conduct yourself with comportment on this matter, and there will be many more opportunities for mutual profit. Glaumdrang Wealth-Checker Letter Of Authority posted:Let it be known that the bearer of this letter, Amerigo Hieronymus, is hear-by a special deputy of the First Bank. All requests up to level 2 access are to be granted immediately. All other requests are to be routed to the Chancellor. All possible aid must be delivered to the bearer of this letter until the completion of his task. Done and done. Trusting a two-legger to this task galled Glaumdrang, but it was necessary regardless. The investigation skills that young Hieronymus possessed were second to none. At this point, retrieving the gold was not top priority; finding out how the bastards had done this in the first place, with apparently no member of his staff turning against him, was the first step in ensuring this didn’t happen again in the future. Like it or not, Hieronymus was best suited to the task. And who knows, if he did actually manage to reach the bottom of this mystery it would only prove his value. There would be a lot of profit to be made in such a partnership. But that was for a later time. Right now, Glaumdrang had some pirate to exterminate. He attended to this task with glee. Giving Amerigo Hieronymus special powers for the duration of the crises to investigate the bank theft in the name of Glaumdrang. Also, let’s start liaising and getting this pirate hunter fleet started. We’re pursuing a two front track; giving some private funding to the navy in order to boost naval patrols in pirate infested areas and protect my shipping while also developing a strong “special” relationship with the Admiral and his Chiefs Of Staff. For this, I will be using +4 - First Bank of Sevvran for the actual funding, +2 - Loans and Patronage the World Over to start calling in a few favours to speed the process up (either the relationship or the pirate killing) and +2 - A Dragon in his Prime because this wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to see a few pirates murdered or suck up to some big wig. Also, I happen to know that there is going to be a lot of ship-building on the horizon. I want some of my fund managers buying up stock in shipyards and ship construction materials, before they get more expensive. I figure this is one is going to be a minion roll?
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Jul 21, 2016 23:11
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Glaumdrang Wealth-Checker The humble Racktet; a simple yet effective tool. One Glaumdrang rarely needed to use these days, but nothing could beat the warming glow that made the mighty lizard feel 4 centuries younger. Paying the Admiral to pay him to build ships for the Admiral who would then use these ships to serve his needs. And now, with the sudden increase in work, those same shipyards would be worth far more then they were before. The wonders of insider trading! Glaumdrang could flip them for a not insubstantial profit… but no. Discounts were the way into a humans heart and owning the shipyards of Ark’s Landing would allow him to be friends with generations of Admirals and Captains to come. Besides, they would be further useful for future projects. A personal flagship? A personal fleet? That’s not even counting the hundreds of carpenters, shipwrights, teamsters, transporters, captains and whoever else no reliant on him. Gold was nice, but that influence was the true key to power in these turbulent times. But what to do next? Security was as tight at the bank as was possible and no measures couldn’t be put in place until Amerigo came back with word on just how the thieves had managed their accomplishment. The Admiral had now increased patrols along his preferred trading routes (though they would be of limited effectiveness until the new ships had been christened in port) and there wasn’t much else Glaumdrang could do to deal with that threat at the moment. With the excitement of imminent danger dispersed there was only one thing left for Glaumdrang to do; his job. The wars that seemed to have no end in sight on top of the recent uprisings endangered the economic health of the nation. A weakened economy meant a weakened bottom line which could not be allowed in this time of uncertainty. And if anything, the recent troubles had highlighted the importance of a diversified portfolio. Scanning the reports his employees had sent him there was one area that looked like the perfect fit. Mistfall was reasonably close the the Capital and quite isolated from the recent rebellions in the north. It had abundant natural resources, including hardwoods, pitch and copper, very important to ship construction and maintenance. And wouldn’t you know it, there was a lot of ship construction on the horizon! There were also reports of hidden dangers in the deepest, richest mines but that could be dealt with later. There was a lot of groundwork to get through first. Glaumdrang is going to concentrate on setting up a merchant port and enclave in Mistfall in order to better secure the vast resources it has on offer, to expand the influence he has outside of the capital and make resources more readily available for ship building. He will use +4 - First Bank of Sevvran to raise funds, +2 - Loans and Patronage the World Over to gain control of the local merchants and put a few loyal to him in the area and +2 - A Dragon in his Prime since this is pretty much his element. OscarDiggs Establish Merchant Port and Enclave in Mistfall OscarDiggs !r 2d6+10 foxxbot OscarDiggs, 5 +10 = 15 It's 13, not 15. Already had a chat with Yami. OscarDiggs fucked around with this message at 11:43 on Jul 27, 2016 |
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Jul 27, 2016 11:14
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Glaumdrang Wealth-Checker Daily reports on the rise and the weekly accounting check was looking promising, consumer confidence is rising and the national currency indexes seem to be stabilising; all told, a wise business move. Still, this lack of obedience was troubling. If the creation of the enclave was having such a positive effect now, the effect of total resource exploitation would be incredible. So what to do about workers that won't work? Perhaps a letter to the dear Commander? No, scratch that. Von Voss is most likely quite busy at the moment and it wouldn’t do to drink from the same well again and again. No, now was the time for some intelligence gathering, with perhaps a bit of strike breaking on the side. Let’s find out what’s going on with those lazy worker bee’s and see what I’m going to need to motivate them and resolve any issues. Am I going to need to introduce holiday pay or am I going to have to introduce Ogre mercenaries to striking workers? +4 - First Bank of Sevvran for some ol’ fashioned bribery and motivation and +2 - Loans and Patronage the World Over to call in some favours with the local indebted. Maybe -2 Elder Race since we’re operating outside the capital now and most long-term "friends" are out of influence range. OscarDiggs !r 2d6+4 foxxbot OscarDiggs, 4 +4 = 8
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Aug 3, 2016 22:02
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Glaumdrang Wealth-Checker, 1BP “’The rewards for initiative are great and terrible to behold’ has been the motto of this bank since it’s inception and for very good reason. Yes, if you think there’s an opportunity for greater profit, not taking it would be unconscionable. However, when you’re betting my gold, my resources, my reputation, you had better be damned sure it's a safe bet. Now I did not say ‘get these people working’, I said, "find out why they are refusing to work". Now, I am fair, there was a general upswing in productivity for a few days, but now there’s not. And with all that manpower now lost, there is unlikely to be much profit in the future. You took the initiative, for which you shall be rewarded but you bet it all on black and now you’re so far in debt that you will never, never be able to repay me. That is you’re punishment. You’re reward” Glaumdrang smirked, his maw full of razorsharp teeth “Is that I am a quick eater”. One punishment dispensed and one ruined dinner reservation later, Glaumdrang was planning. The Sunk Cost Fallacy only rarely applied to him because there was always some return to be made, even if it was decades or centuries down the line and so he was willing to stick at this. People were born all the time and replacements could be made to appear if need be. But for that to matter, he needed to be in a position to dig greedily and deeply into the wealth of the Mistlands. His pride would not allow anything else. With grace and a good deal of caution, he penned a letter to his head of security. It was time to procure some outside contractors. Let’s hire some mercenaries and finally get some return on investment. +4 - First Bank Of Sevvran because not only do mercenaries cost money, there’s no doubt Glaumdrang has employed some in the past. I don’t think the malus would apply in this instance, since the hiring itself is being centered around the capital. I’m also going to bank the BP for now. OscarDiggs !r 2d6+4 foxxbot OscarDiggs, 4 +4 = 8 OscarDiggs fucked around with this message at 11:21 on Aug 12, 2016 |
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Aug 12, 2016 11:09
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Glaumdrang Wealth-Checker. 1BP ‘I need to return to the Capital soon’ Glaumdrang mused. ’As profitable as this place could be, I cannot afford to miss other opportunities for profit’. Even with that justification, Glaumdrang was finding it hard to let go. It reminded him of the old days, navigating through calm and stormy waters, leading ships laden with goods as his wings cut through thick fog like a knife. He allowed himself a moment of whimsy and then became lost in desire. Herding ships was one thing, but herding adventurers? The sheer novelty consumed him. “For old times, let’s have a go.” He said to no one, though the surprise nearly toppled over the official who was sharing his office space. Glaumdrang turned his full attention to the still recovering woman and said “Gather those mercenaries that we have been able to employ and impress upon them the importance of the upcoming skirmishes. They shall be performing in front of the Boss after all. While I am busy herding them, I want you to put out the call for any more mercenaries willing to earn easy coin. I also want you to work out the perfunctory payment details; pensions, hazard pay, bonus schemes and what have you. Hopefully a few simple successes in the enclave limits and along the roads will provide some useful propaganda, and the excellent payment conditions even more so. Also, I have heard of news of a now defunct adventurers guild. Liaise with those who are willing, find out any useful information you can and see if you can’t entice a few veterans with the promise of investment. I’m permitting the use of our “Additional Payments” budget for this. Buying the guild and it's copyright wholesale would be a useful next step.” Easing into a stretch, Glaumdrang finishes with a threat. “Remember the lesson of your predecessor. Too much initiative can be fatal.” These guys need herding? Let’s do some herding. Glaumdrang will be appearing in person, leading the adventurers who have answered the call through a few simple skirmishes along the outer limits of the enclave and the city. Ostensibly, this is to appear like a secondary job interview, though in reality it’s about scoring some easy victories with the help of a Dragon and not getting any more employees killed (without purpose). In the meantime, I want my various subordinates to A). Keep on with the recruitment and B.)Talk to the old adventurer's guild and try to get some more information so in future, we don’t walk half of our workforce into the butchers. I will be spending my BP on this. I’m not sure if +4 - First Bank of Sevvran or +2 - A Dragon in his Prime would best apply. On the one hand, Glaumdrang is there in dragon while providing fire support should it be needed. On the other hand, that’s only in an emergency situation and the current action in much more about managing a team of adventurers rather then leading them. I’m going to assume +4 for now, but if you think the other quality applies more, feel free to knock 2 off. In the same vein, I don’t think my malus applies because these are to be employees, not allies. Oscar_Diggs !r 2d6 foxxbot Oscar_Diggs, 7 7+4 Quality+2BP = 13
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Aug 28, 2016 17:53
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Glaumdrang Wealth-Checker Profitability ratings were going up, consumer confidence was on the rise and the shareholder that mattered was happy. It had taken a lot of effort to make up for the incompetence of his employees and there was no telling how long his new investment would stay calm without further intervention, but for the moment things were calm. Mistfall was a gold mine of resources in it’s own right, but if the new King continued his wars in earnest... The sales of arms and armour alone would increase his profits by thirty percent at his analysts worst prediction, not accounting for all the ancillary sales involved. A bit more investment, a splash of forward thinking and just a hint of lobbying to keep the war dogs baying would make this century perhaps Glaumdrangs most profitable. And Amerigo had found the missing gold. His day couldn’t get any better! Amerigo had found the missing gold… HIS GOLD! Glaumdrang bolted upright, giving his executive her second heart attack in as many weeks. He scrambled through the almost too small door like a freshly hatched juvenile, screeching behind to the collapsed official. “Hold my messages, hold my meetings, hold everything. Very important business I have to go to now.” He stopped, spun around in a fit of agility unheard of in beasts of his size and threatened “Tell no one of what you saw here”. 3 minutes later Glaumdrang was in the sky, the letter from Amerigo in his claws, practically ripped to shreds with how tight his hold was. All that glitters was in fact gold in those few hours of frantic flight back to the capital. The only other thing wrapping around Glaumdrang’s gold starved mind was how best to repay his new Glaumdrang is winging it as fast as he can to the capital and toward his contact with Amerigo to secure his money. While in the capital, he’s going to call in some debt riddled academics to try and find some information that may be of use to Amerigo’s cause using +2 Loans and Patronage the World Over. I think -2 Elder Race would also apply here, since while he will be in the capital doing this, it isn’t exactly Glaumdrangs usual area of business. Oscar_Diggs !r 2d6+2-2 foxxbot Oscar_Diggs, 7 +2-2 = 7
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Sep 7, 2016 22:03
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Glaumdrang Wealth-Checker Glaumdrang takes a moment to bask in his returned horde. Quickly approaching the hastily stacked coinage, he swirls his claws through the pile, getting a feel for his newly reunited treasure. Then he begins plucking out coins. Part way through he notices Amerigo and his lackeys. “Very good job, my friend. Very good. Just a few issues here and there to be sorted out, no large bother.” He plucks 5 coins to rest between his claws. “Some of this gold is counterfeit coinage. I don’t why the perpetrator thought they could get away with fooling a Dragon with fake gold but they tried. I would so hate to put so much more on your plate, but I am reminded of one of my favourite two-legger sayings; The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more. I don’t know how related it is to the conspiracy you have uncovered. Perhaps these ‘mimics’ are responsible? I of course will render every possible service to you in solving these mysterious. In the interest of cooperation I have contacted several academics who are quite deep in debt to find out more information, but as yet they have had no success. Is there any other aid I can offer? Records that can be checked on? Personnel or material acquisition I can head up?” Amerigo did me a solid, let’s do one back. Anything I can do to help? Get that obsidian for you, maybe? Let’s also work out where this fake gold came from.
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Sep 16, 2016 18:08
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Glaumdrang Wealth-Checker Upon hearing the weakness of the mimics, Glaumdrang snorts out “Very well. I will return to the capital briefly and make enquiries about procuring some necessary obsidian, either from the Ogres or some third party. I will return here forthwith.” Buying some obsidian for my buddy Amerigo! Returning straight to the hideout after the buy, unless something comes up. Oscar_Diggs !r 2d6+4 Krysmbot Oscar_Diggs, 6+4 = 10 Using +4 First Bank Of Sevvran
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Sep 18, 2016 20:58
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Glaumdrang Wealth-Checker Boats… in the desert? “My agents are aware of the consequences of spurious reports, yes?” Glaumdrang considered his options and found himself intrigued by the possibilities. The chance for an unmoderated look at a famous Glasscutter… “Amerigo, I need to look into some of these reports. I will continue to have my agents look into buying some obsidian. I will return forthwith.” Alright, let’s go have a look. Big black ships in the middle of the desert can’t be that hard to find given the reports.
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Sep 27, 2016 23:47
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