Acquiring the Ramshackle Smith

**Story Arcs**

###### **WAKING UP ON A ROOFTOP**

Leopold saw his warm breath against the cold morning air of Jaskir as he started to wake up, the sun barely just rising at around 6 in the morning. He let his monk friend sleep for a few minutes more before waking him up after overhearing an angry sounding home owner step out to investigate the damage done to the window, floor and drainage pipe.

Bogladin comes to and heads off the rooftop with Leopold, who quickly follows the fast walking disgruntled man who seemed to be looking for a guard, catching up with him and explaining the situation to him regarding the rats. The man seems unconvinced and asks for coin as compensation, Leopold being able to offer any almost has the man walk away before pulling out a uncut ruby and presenting it to the home owner.

The man seems pleased and says that it should suffice in repairing any property damage and also helping sway the mans favor to not pursue the authorities.

The two begin to make their way back to Jaskir Lower Commons, to meet up with Ashes and Silent Peepo at the inn; Haven & Hearth.

##### ☀️**THE ASCENDANT GOLIATH - CHAPTER 5**

###### **A BUSY MORNING IN THE LOWER COMMONS**

Ashes wakes up at around 6:30 in the morning and dons his equipment, heading outside his room and down the stairs where he encounters Peepo who also woke up around the same time. The two convene and Peepo orders two breakfast meals with the last bit of coin he had on his person, feeding the two adventurers while they listen in and observe the environment around them.

Looking around, the two spot many of the tables seated with patrons; surprisingly busy for the early morning. There is a table with two serfs and some children that look like street urchins eating oatmeal, a table in the far back with a orc, a human covered in paint stains, and a human wearing a green Jaskir Lumber Company sash, in the middle of the room a guard in chainmail wearing a blue Jaskir sash and a weasely looking human man trying to peddle something to him, and in the other corner of the room; two human men equipped with weapons and armor and one human man in casual clothing all wearing Jaskir Lumber Company sashes talking to two goliath men who look very out of place among the rest of the crowd.

After finishing their meals and observations, Ashes decides to do some investigating and dons the green sash he got a few days prior and goes from table to table interacting with the clientele. His first target was the trio in the far back, who seemed to be having a pleasant and fun conversation before Ashes rolled in; making their laughs fall silent. The craftsman wearing the green sash says that he was just talking about their encounter from last night (referring to Ashes threatening the craftsman before entering the inn the day prior), stating that he wasn't poking fun at Ashes but just retelling how scared he felt.

Ashes dialogue with the group leads to the orc becoming agitated at his presence; causing the orc to shove Ashes who just takes it and stands his ground. The painter and orc leave the craftsman to talk with Ashes privately as they head outside to set up their respective tents. The craftsman asks what he wants, and Ashes demands information regarding the Jaskir Lumber Company. The craftsman tells him that he had gotten permission from the head of the organization, Cedric de Mowbray, to use the Amertia Wood scraps they don't end up using to create equipment and small trinkets. Ashes chastises the man for ignorantly raping and being part of the Jaskir Lumber Company who are responsible for the destruction of his homeland.

The craftsman apologizes and pulls out a small wooden figurine he crafted that resembles a personified sun, handing it over to Ashes after saying he thought he might like it, since he saw his shield had a sun painted on it. Ashes takes it, and the craftsman leaves. Silent Peepo finishes his meal and observes the hulking mass of plate armor and flesh look at the small wooden figure and then pocket it, as he moves onto his next target.

###### **A BROKEN EXCHANGE**

Ashes eyes the other table in the far corner, and as he heads towards them the group of serfs and urchins finish eating and head out to work and beg. Ashes looks at the group of three humans and two goliaths and parses it immediately as the goliaths selling out their own land for some sort of material gain.

Ashes sits in-between the two goliath men putting his arms over their shoulders as he smiles at the one he assumed to be in charge, the more casual of the three humans wearing no armor of weapons. The man asks what Ashes' business here is and Ashes bullshits some excuse which immediately draws the suspicion of the three green sashed men.

Ashes converses with the group and makes the two goliaths feel uncomfortable with the deal after threatening them passionately regarding selling out their own people. They both apologize profusely and leave in a hurry, leaving the three Jaskir Lumber Company men agape and looking furious towards Ashes.

The leader who is named Clark, threatens Ashes as he and his cronies leave the inn, stating the Ashes is going to be watched from here on out; so he'd better keep an eye out behind his back.

##### 👥**MAIN GROUP - CHAPTER 9**

###### **OUR PROPERTY**

The inn is much quieter now as the only people left inside is him, Silent Peepo, the staff and one table in the middle who seem to be just about finishing up some sort of discussion. Just as Ashes approaches their table; Bogladin and Leopold come through the entrance of the inn, greeting the group and reuniting once again.

Ashes comes and hugs Bogladin, lifting him up and cracking his back (with pleasure) before continuing ahead towards his prior target. The guard calls the man a con-artist as he packs up to start heading outside. Before heading out, Ashes stops him and plants a hand on both their shoulders; inquiring about what the conversation was regarding.

The guard pushes his hand off and gets up, stating that the man he was sitting next to was trying to sell him some property but its got problems, and that he has to leave because he's already late for his shift. The guard exits, and Ashes sits next to the "con-artist".

Ashes inquires about this property and through some threatening and persuasion, gets the man to fess up about the issues with the property. The minor ones being the leaky roof and flooring which can be easily fixed, the major one being the massive rat burrow he sealed up which has to be dealt with inevitably.

Ashes and the rest of the group decide to pitch in for the property rights, which they "haggle" down from 500 gold pieces to 200 gold pieces. The man forfeits and takes the gold, shows them the property which is a short walk away from the inn. Heading inside the building, its a spacious interior with plenty of age and wear, as well as a functional forge and blacksmithing area in the back. He shows off the top and bottom floor, and points out the barricade he placed to stop the rats from coming through.

He gives the key to Ashes, and says goodbye as he heads off towards Fillya Kingdom. Ashes drops off some of his hefty items in the worn wooden cabinets in the home and the group see a impatient Silent Peepo tapping his foot and stretching his body.

**Story Arcs**