Market Shopping Expedition
Summary
In Session 8 of the campaign, the party arrived at New Smoke's market with 45 gold coins and a strict 15-minute deadline before all unspent coin would be confiscated. The group split up to maximize their shopping efficiency, with each member pursuing different purchases from the market's various vendors. The expedition resulted in mixed outcomes: Vasso successfully acquired armored footwear, Safia obtained a technologically-enhanced weapon, Sucks Benedict fell victim to a rat-related scam, and Cat encountered only expensive mystery offers. The party learned that the market operated under a use-it-or-lose-it economic system, where vendors would confiscate any remaining coin at closing time.
Details
The shopping expedition began with the party being informed, "You have 13 minutes," establishing the urgent time constraint. The group immediately split up to cover more ground in the market.
Vasso approached a Shoe Vendor and negotiated for armored shoes with decorative wing ornaments. Despite rolling poorly on the negotiation, Vasso completed the purchase for 10 coins, securing functional footwear with aesthetic embellishments.
Safia visited Big Grimbo's stall, where a halberd with visible circuitry caught attention. Safia's AI identified the technological components embedded in the weapon, confirming its enhanced nature. After negotiation, Safia acquired the technologically-enhanced halberd for 9 coins plus a bag of weed, establishing a non-standard trade arrangement with the vendor.
Sucks Benedict encountered Jack the Hammock Merchant, who presented what he claimed was a valuable "lure rat" — a sick rat distinguished by a yellow band around its tail. Jack sold the rat to Sucks Benedict for 5 coins, claiming it held special value. The merchant later reflected on the transaction with satisfaction: "I still think that I probably came out on top of that. I sold him a rat that I didn't own."
Cat searched the market for a one-pig chariot but found no vendors offering such an item. The Chariot Merchant instead offered a mystery box, stating, "For 45 coins, I can do the mystery box," pricing it at the exact total of the party's remaining funds.
Throughout the shopping period, vendors reminded the party of the market's confiscation policy: "Remember to spend all your coin before the market closes. They're going to come around and grab it." This enforcement mechanism created additional pressure on the party's purchasing decisions.
Participants
- Sucks Benedict — purchased a sick rat with a yellow-banded tail for 5 coins, believing it to be a valuable "lure rat"
- Vasso — acquired armored shoes with wing ornaments for 10 coins
- Safia — obtained a technologically-enhanced halberd for 9 coins plus a bag of weed
- Cat — searched unsuccessfully for a one-pig chariot, declined the mystery box offer
- Jack the Hammock Merchant — scammed Sucks Benedict by selling a rat he did not own
- Big Grimbo — sold the technologically-enhanced halberd to Safia
- Shoe Vendor — sold armored footwear to Vasso
- Chariot Merchant — offered Cat a mystery box for 45 coins
Consequences
- Gold expenditure: The party spent 24 coins total (10 on shoes, 9 on the halberd, 5 on the rat), leaving 21 coins remaining and at risk of confiscation.
- Equipment acquired: Vasso gained armored shoes with wing ornaments; Safia obtained a halberd with technological circuitry; Sucks Benedict acquired a sick rat with a yellow-banded tail.
- Non-standard trade: Safia established a barter arrangement with Big Grimbo, exchanging both coin and a bag of weed for the weapon.
- Failed acquisition: Cat's search for a one-pig chariot yielded no results, leaving that equipment need unfulfilled.
- Scam victim: Sucks Benedict was successfully deceived by Jack the Hammock Merchant, who profited from selling livestock he did not own.
- Time pressure: The 15-minute market closure deadline forced rapid decision-making and prevented thorough price comparison or negotiation.