Downtime 2

With the Emperor of Bones defeated and the threat of his undead minions neutralized, the party once again takes some time to both rest from your exertions and prepare for whatever comes next.

#### Town Networking (Rosa)

Redbeard, although distracted by the political implications of a long-dead necromancer still very much animate and hostile beneath the city, is quite happy with the party's performance to date. As he is paying your promised reward, he continues musing to himself about the reaction that this incident will likely provoke among the populace, and the steps that the Town Council will need to take to keep things under control. Rosa, with a background and interest in politics, asks whether it might be possible to meet with the Town Council directly, or make herself known to them. Redbeard promises to pass his compliments along to the Armsmaster, his boss, and let him know that she's interested in meeting with the Council, but he apologizes that they are quite busy. Temporarily stymied, Rosa takes the opportunity of downtime to do some basic research, learning the names and identities of the five members of the Council.

#### Clothes Shopping (Netty & Raimondo)

With your clothes fairly ruined by the recent unscheduled swim and your wardrobe fairly limited by recent travels, Netty and Raimondo decide to take a look at the town tailor and clothier. The most prominent shop in the Market District is the Mirror Image, run by a rather gruff human who introduces himself as Max. His shop seems to be mostly functional clothing, boring but serviceable, of the type that dwarves tend to wear. When Netty starts talking about commissioning a custom piece, however, and describes the image that she has in her mind of a set of combat leathers modeled on the old landsknecht style, the shopkeeper's demeanor changes completely. He draws up some quick sketches as she speaks, to her nods of approval, and Raimondo contributes a few details from his own memory (which draws a bit of a strange look from Max, as Raimondo does not look the type to be conversant in historical costuming). By the time Netty's design is finished and Raimondo starts describing the overcoat that he wants, Max has firmly pegged him as a slightly odd history buff, and the specificity with which Raimondo describes long-disused insignias and emblems passes without comment. The designs complete, Max glances at his timepiece and shoos them out of the shop so he can begin working on this new project.

#### Introduction to Potion-Making (Inkwell & Murry)

Concerned by how many party members were injured in the last fight and his own limited healing abilities, Murry sets out to learn how to make healing potions. He's familiar with the basic alchemical concepts involved in mixing potions, and he knows enough to know that it takes very specific ingredients to make a potion with magical effects. Not having dabbled in healing mixtures before, Murry begins by visiting Inkwell in the Library to see whether they have a recipe or someone who can tutor him in healing potions. Inkwell confirms that there is a division within the Church that makes potions, including healing potions, but they are not open to outsiders (and can even be rather hostile towards other Church-members that are not a part of their order). Their gardens and their libraries are closed, and Inkwell especially is not welcome after an incident involving a valuable flower and an errant footstep.

Undeterred, Murry continues his search for a recipe that will allow him to identify the proper components of a healing potion. He visits Petros at Exotic Goods, buying some Peek-a-Brew and asking about potion recipes, but Petros deals exclusively in mundane goods (albeit ones that may have quasi-magical effects) and is no further help. Finally, Murry visits a potion shop in the Market District, Julian's Mixtures & Tinctures. The proprietor is friendly, but becomes more closed off when Murry asks about recipes rather than just buying potions. He explains rather brusquely that he's looking for customers, not competition, and that he'd be happy to sell Murry some potions if that's what he's after. Murry agrees and buys a healing potion, but ultimately is no closer to being able to make them himself.

#### The Ballad of Skosgreat

Without any pressing duties and with Rosa searching for political inroads, Skosgreat takes his downtime to continue building his own legend. He recounts the recent adventure to his fellow adventurers, despite the fact that there were there and remember it quite well, and his retellings always seem to focus on his heroics and gloss over the less glamorous parts. By now the regulars at all the local taverns know him, and will listen to his stories with polite interest, but they no longer buy him drinks. Seeking to take his fame to the next level, Skosgreat commissions a set of handbills, letting him share his most recent adventure with a larger audience. He pays a local boy to distribute the bills, and sits back waiting for the acclaim and invitations to exclusive parties to start rolling in.

The next morning, Skosgreat notices a thick pile of melted paper lodged in one of the nearby canals, but doesn't give it a second thought. When he asks people what they thought of the story he published, he gets blank stares and vaguely noncommittal praise.