Post by The Smith on Nov 7, 2008 22:32:06 GMT -5
So, Paxter was his usual dutiful self. Responsible, logical and frustratingly unadventurous, as ever. He was the dependent third child, a bird never truly willing to leave the next. Nothing great had been expected of him, so his naval achievements were all the greater for the fact that they were a surprise. Jayk, on the other hand, was the proud and haughty eldest brother, convinced of his own superiority and preparing himself for their father's lordship. That arrogant fool. Furman thought to himself. Even now he's off up at Horn Hill, happy to have taken father's place amongst the generals. What does he know of the warfare on dry land? That left Furman, the maverick middle child. Not the doted upon youngest child, nor the eldest who would inherit. He had to prove himself in the eyes of everyone, and make his own way in the world. And they wondered why he lacked caution!
Although its streets were cleaner than King's Landing, the occassional beggar still pestered Furman as he strolled through Oldtown's harbour district. He kept a wary eye on his purse and shoved away those who came too close to him; soon he had arrived at the home of Soa Edruk. A servant showed Furman in, before the merchant hurried down to meet the Redwyne knight.
"Ser Furman," The short man grunted as entered the room, "it has been too long. I-"
"Hm, yes. As I remember it, the last time we met you sold me some inferior wine. It had almost nothing in common with the sample." Soa looked unhappy, and was on the brink of a sharp retort before he thought better of it. An awkward second or two passed as the merchant eyed Furman's sword, before he said in a gravelly but careful voice,
"I tasted it myself; a fine, sweet wine. I cannot think what might have happened to it... but is there anything that I can do for you?"
"Yes, as it happens. I am looking to expand my cellar, perhaps build up a trading stock, and upon hearing that you were in Oldtown decided that now might be a time to make up for our previous parting."
About an hour later, Furman left, feeling satisfied if not particularly pleased. He had hoped to force the man's price down further, since Soa knew that he was dealing in a region where Furman Redwyne might be expected to have plenty of friends, but knowing that he could not truly threaten Soa's business (if Lord Foster Redwyne heard that his son had meddled in such an uncouth fashion...) Furman had not been able to make a particularly good deal. Soa Edruk certainly had that going for him; he would have made an excellent street haggler. In any case, a selection of wines would be waiting at the dock for Furman in an hour, a useful complement to his own Arbor stock if he intended to run a trading mission up to Lannisport.
In the last few years, both the Far Reach and the Westerlands had been becoming more and more isolationist. Cedrik's paranoia and Justin's pride will beggar us all, thought Furman, it is no suprise that Sunspear has so successfully expanded its share of trade. Given the animousity between Westerland and Far Reach, even less exchange could be occuring between the two. This would surely mean that there was a shortage of fine Arbor wine in Lannisport, and the rich men there would be fine buyers. All that remained for Furman to do was secure a ship to transport his goods. Unfortunately, this was not necessarily all that easy to do; if he chose an indiscreet captain, his father would find out about his activities, and if he chose an untrustworthy captain, he might find his stock stolen and himself held for ransom. Since finding out sea captains with good reputations would be take time, Furman had simply got Soa to give him a few names, in exchange for the promise of an early opportunity to buy the next batch of Arbor Red.
The common room was clean and well furnished. Perhaps I'll remember this place, next time I'm thirsty. Thought Furman as he stepped inside The Swan's Nest. As good as the inn looked, the hostile looks from the clientel reminded him of why he never liked coming to places like these for information. A word with the barman told him that the man with dark hair and a surprisingly youthful appearance was captain of the Emma, a ship which might serve Furman's purpose. He strode over, a friendly smile on his face.
Nursing a bruised shoulder and an injured pride (Captain Helbar had not been careful of the door, while helping Furman on his way out), the knight set off to find the next captain on his list. Some men just couldn't see a profit when it presented itself before them. Ignorant young fool. He would have defended himself with his sword, had he not been so eager to avoid trouble that might get his day's activities told to his father. It took Furman longer to find the next captain, giving him time to cool his anger; as it turned out, Captain Denn had been overseeing some repairs to his ship. He and the older captain shared a passion for wine, it turned out, and they drank into the evening as Furman negotiated a deal that would see him rich.
Results:
Jayk increases his persuasion to Novice.
Although its streets were cleaner than King's Landing, the occassional beggar still pestered Furman as he strolled through Oldtown's harbour district. He kept a wary eye on his purse and shoved away those who came too close to him; soon he had arrived at the home of Soa Edruk. A servant showed Furman in, before the merchant hurried down to meet the Redwyne knight.
"Ser Furman," The short man grunted as entered the room, "it has been too long. I-"
"Hm, yes. As I remember it, the last time we met you sold me some inferior wine. It had almost nothing in common with the sample." Soa looked unhappy, and was on the brink of a sharp retort before he thought better of it. An awkward second or two passed as the merchant eyed Furman's sword, before he said in a gravelly but careful voice,
"I tasted it myself; a fine, sweet wine. I cannot think what might have happened to it... but is there anything that I can do for you?"
"Yes, as it happens. I am looking to expand my cellar, perhaps build up a trading stock, and upon hearing that you were in Oldtown decided that now might be a time to make up for our previous parting."
About an hour later, Furman left, feeling satisfied if not particularly pleased. He had hoped to force the man's price down further, since Soa knew that he was dealing in a region where Furman Redwyne might be expected to have plenty of friends, but knowing that he could not truly threaten Soa's business (if Lord Foster Redwyne heard that his son had meddled in such an uncouth fashion...) Furman had not been able to make a particularly good deal. Soa Edruk certainly had that going for him; he would have made an excellent street haggler. In any case, a selection of wines would be waiting at the dock for Furman in an hour, a useful complement to his own Arbor stock if he intended to run a trading mission up to Lannisport.
In the last few years, both the Far Reach and the Westerlands had been becoming more and more isolationist. Cedrik's paranoia and Justin's pride will beggar us all, thought Furman, it is no suprise that Sunspear has so successfully expanded its share of trade. Given the animousity between Westerland and Far Reach, even less exchange could be occuring between the two. This would surely mean that there was a shortage of fine Arbor wine in Lannisport, and the rich men there would be fine buyers. All that remained for Furman to do was secure a ship to transport his goods. Unfortunately, this was not necessarily all that easy to do; if he chose an indiscreet captain, his father would find out about his activities, and if he chose an untrustworthy captain, he might find his stock stolen and himself held for ransom. Since finding out sea captains with good reputations would be take time, Furman had simply got Soa to give him a few names, in exchange for the promise of an early opportunity to buy the next batch of Arbor Red.
The common room was clean and well furnished. Perhaps I'll remember this place, next time I'm thirsty. Thought Furman as he stepped inside The Swan's Nest. As good as the inn looked, the hostile looks from the clientel reminded him of why he never liked coming to places like these for information. A word with the barman told him that the man with dark hair and a surprisingly youthful appearance was captain of the Emma, a ship which might serve Furman's purpose. He strode over, a friendly smile on his face.
Nursing a bruised shoulder and an injured pride (Captain Helbar had not been careful of the door, while helping Furman on his way out), the knight set off to find the next captain on his list. Some men just couldn't see a profit when it presented itself before them. Ignorant young fool. He would have defended himself with his sword, had he not been so eager to avoid trouble that might get his day's activities told to his father. It took Furman longer to find the next captain, giving him time to cool his anger; as it turned out, Captain Denn had been overseeing some repairs to his ship. He and the older captain shared a passion for wine, it turned out, and they drank into the evening as Furman negotiated a deal that would see him rich.
Results:
Jayk increases his persuasion to Novice.