# Shopping in Polaria The party emerged from [[The Naked Maiden's Tavern & The Naked Maidens Network|the Naked Maidens Tavern]] in Polaria around 3:00 PM. [[Grumthar]] remained behind at the tavern while [[Tarnik]], [[Volza Redhand|Volza]], Narzag, [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]], and [[Cub]] ventured into the city to shop for supplies and equipment. The streets bustled with life—knights in armor patrolled, wizards helped repair damaged buildings, and citizens went about their business in the aftermath of the recent devil attack. ## The Blacksmith's Shop [[Tarnik]] led the group to a general store and blacksmith combination. The proprietor, a brawny human smith, greeted them warmly despite his surprise at seeing orcs from the Dark Lands. [[Tarnik]] requested maintenance on his glaive and breastplate armor, which the smith agreed to do for 5-10 gold pieces. However, [[Tarnik]] generously paid 20 gold for the excellent service. During their conversation, the blacksmith mentioned rumors about "Jason's Little Buddies"—heroes who fought demons at the [[Anam's Spell Engine - The Severance Protocol|Spell Engine]] and allegedly consorted with succubi at the Naked Maidens. [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] expressed disgust at humans working alongside devils, finding the cultural differences deeply unsettling. [[Tarnik]] purchased a complete set of tools: smith tools, tinker's tools, alchemy supplies, and carpenter tools for 110 gold pieces (discounted from 128). The blacksmith also mentioned that healing kits were in high demand, directing [[Cub]] toward a healer named Jack Holmes stationed in the inner walls. Meanwhile, [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] browsed the magical swords display case, though found nothing suitable for a sorcerer's needs. ## Separate Paths The party split up to accomplish different goals. [[Cub]] headed north to the Polarian Academy to find alchemy books, while [[Tarnik]], [[Volza Redhand|Volza]], Narzag, and [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] traveled to the Wizards District seeking magical items and spell components. ### [[Cub]] at the Academy At the prestigious Polarian Academy, [[Cub]] encountered a group of college students. When asking for directions to purchase alchemy books, the young men informed him that the library only allowed checkout, not purchases. They directed him to bookshops in the Great Market area within the inner walls. The students—particularly an enthusiastic one named Craven—invited [[Cub]] to a party that night in the forest near the academy. Despite [[Cub]]'s complaints about his "idiot" orc companions causing him headaches, Craven was fascinated by [[Cub]]'s dragon vessel (which produced endless alcohol) and insisted he attend. Craven provided maps to both the party location and the Great Market bookshops. [[Cub]] proceeded to **[[Knowalia - Goddess of Knowledge|Knowalia]]'s Archive**, a two-story bookshop filled with volumes on every subject. A clumsy blue tiefling clerk with an unruly tail helped him find alchemy and medicine texts. [[Cub]] purchased: - **The Alchemist's Compendium** (120 gold) - covering enhancements, protection potions, poisons, and unusual effects - **Sergeant Bram Ironfoot's Field Medicine manual** (price included in bundle) - **Mind Whisper's Treatments for Mental Afflictions** (125 gold) - for treating intelligence drain and "undead stupidity" The tiefling clerk gave [[Cub]] a special discount, bringing his total to 220 gold. She blushed when [[Cub]] jokingly offered to help tuck her troublesome tail into her pants. ### The Wizards District [[Tarnik]]'s group navigated through increasingly elegant neighborhoods with cobblestone streets and wizard towers reaching toward the clouds. They found the **Arcane Emporium**, run by a silver-haired young woman named **[[Meka Dug]]**. Despite her youth, her hair was completely silver, and she wore ornate purple robes with green trim and a large green gem belt. [[Tarnik]] negotiated brilliantly for a Bag of Holding, getting Meka to drop the price from 2,000 to 1,750 gold through skilled persuasion (rolling a 22). He also purchased magical items for [[Grumthar]]: - **Bracers of Defense** (3,000 gold) - magically sizing to fit any wearer - **Cloak of Protection** (discounted to 3,000 gold from 3,500) Narzag bought five flasks of holy water for 150 gold to cast Protection from Evil and Good. [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] attempted to purchase protective items for himself. When negotiations became tense, he tried casting **Suggestion** on Meka to lower prices—but she resisted effortlessly (natural 20 save). The spell's failure revealed her as a powerful magic user. [[Tarnik]] quickly intervened, purchasing a **Ring of Protection** for [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] at the asking price of 2,000 gold. Meka's demeanor turned stern after the magical assault attempt. She warned the party that while they might be newcomers unfamiliar with Polarian customs, many humans wouldn't be as forgiving of such "trickeries." She sensed power and made her eyes glow slightly—both [[Tarnik]] and [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] felt the magical pressure. However, she remained professional, introducing herself as leader of the **[[The Talismanic Nine|Talismanic Nine]]** guild and offering future assistance if needed. ## Reuniting and the Temple The party regrouped at the entrance to the Sad Dog District. [[Cub]] caught up with them, and they decided to visit the Temple of [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] before returning to collect [[Cub]]'s spell components. They briefly stopped at the **Sad Dog Tavern**, where a red-haired proprietress was rebuilding after losing her father and brother in the devil attacks. The party pre-ordered dinner: hearty stew and steak for the orcs, raw meat for [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]], berries for [[Cub]], and fish for Narzag's new familiar (Midnight the eagle having been killed by fiends). [[Tarnik]] paid 8 gold—double the asking price—to help support the struggling business. ### The Temple of [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] The Temple of [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] dominated the district—a grand structure with marble floors, though bearing scorch marks and damage from recent battles. Inside, many statues of [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] in different forms (old woman, children of various races) stood damaged with missing limbs. A mysterious priestess with elven features but grayish skin greeted them. She introduced herself as **[[Shedurka]]**, once of the Shadar-kai but now serving [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] after being saved from the Shadowfell. She led them to a prayer chamber filled with pews and candles, explaining that [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] often answered prayers through visions. [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] and [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] remained skeptical, staying in the shadows while [[Tarnik]], [[Cub]], and Narzag prayed. [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] found the entire proceeding bizarre and incomprehensible—watching fierce orc warriors suddenly become contemplative and respectful. ### Divine Vision As they prayed, supernatural darkness descended. Candle flames flickered without wind. Then a young girl with red hair—**[[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] manifest**—appeared before them. [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] revealed crucial information: - **[[Grom]]** walks his own path now, linked to another's fate. He must complete a goal that will change him, offering him rebirth and a second chance. He's not dead—he's in another reality, fighting from outside Solare. - **[[Bordak]]** is also on his own path, fighting with knowledge the party doesn't possess. He has not crossed into the afterlife. - **[[Syllin]]**: [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] confirmed she cared for [[Grom]]. Through [[Syllin]]'s soul contract with [[Grom]], their fates interlocked. [[Grom]] now travels to the Hells to attempt freeing her soul—a journey that will profoundly change him and potentially alter many destinies. The goddess warned of a greater threat: **[[Anam]]**, creator of the ley line corruption that threatens to extinguish all life on Solare as happened in the First Age. The disease feeds on hatred and division between races. She emphasized that the party was fated to work together despite their different origins, and they must learn to overcome prejudices and cultural differences—or [[Anam]] would exploit these weaknesses to doom all races. [[Aria, Goddess of Birth and Death|Aria]] stressed that gods work together beyond individual divine portfolios, and even divine fates must adhere to the destinies given to mortals. The party was chosen, and their ability to unite despite hatred would determine whether the world survives. When the vision ended, [[Tarnik]] had tears on his face. [[Volza Redhand|Volza]] grudgingly agreed to remain with the party until Little Wolf returned. [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]] muttered about gods bringing only trouble, sensing the quest had become far more complicated than anticipated. ### Departure and Gratitude As they left, [[Tarnik]] donated 27 gold for temple repairs. [[Cub]] gave [[Shedurka]] one of his healing potions, impressing her with his brewing skill. She mentioned a cleric named **Jack Holmes** and a colleague named **Laura** who were studying the mysterious affliction plaguing the city—potentially offering future work for [[Cub]]'s expertise. The session concluded with the party preparing to collect [[Cub]]'s remaining supplies before returning to the Sad Dog Tavern for their pre-ordered meal, now equipped with better gear and divine purpose—though burdened with the knowledge that their missing companions fought battles in realms beyond their reach. --- **Corrected Names:** - [[Knowalia - Goddess of Knowledge|Knowalia]]'s Archive (not "Noalia's Archive") - [[Meka Dug]] (not "Mecca Doug") - All character names verified as correct: [[Tarnik]], [[Volza Redhand|Volza]], [[Grumthar]], [[Saszotah Sseth'kaar (Sasz)|Sasz]], [[Cub]], Narzag, [[Bordak]], [[Grom]]