After the funerasls

[Algared]

Algared speaks to his companions quietly, "I have been able to determine the crystal has a magical enchantment of some form on it. But I have not been able to determine the effects. I am still working on trying to find out more about these sticks... the enchantment on the crystal does seem fairly weak but there is an enchantment on the Crystal and that will make it more valuable than the merely the crystal itself. It is possible that with the scholar Zaoul's help I will be able to exact nature of the enchantment." Algared also stresses the need to not let all an sundary know.

[Barak Daas]

"I don't know what you are talking about" says Barak "But I said from the start that the crystal was the most valuable of the loot. As for the sticks, I think they carry messages though how I do not know."

[Algared]

"I don't know what you are talking about" says Barak "But I said from the start that the crystal was the most valuable of the loot. As for the sticks, I think they carry messages though how I do not know."

"Thats alright barak, I dont always understand what you are talking about when you see look at the signs in the ground and can confidently say whether quarry has passed that way. There is something more than the crystal and that makes it more valuable. It would be better for us all if we dont speak of the strange magics in the crystal again. The crystal will be a valauble tool I can use to aid us but more importantly it will also increase the value if sold to the right person.

I have told you all because having discovered this, I would feel I was not acting honourably were I to keep it from you. Both because of the dangers and benefit such items can present as well as the value."

[Bjarni Daasen]

"When you say 'valuable', what exactly do you mean? Another gold piece 'valuable'? In other words, can we convert it to bullion? Although, I suspect if that were the case that Pelyn would be a better place than Ygesdram"

[Barak Daas]

"Think how much you pay for a small ruby, then think how big that crystal is. I am no gemsmith but I expect it is valuable.

[Borygg Raal]

Borygg chimes in "Maybe worth enough for us to buy a ship, provisions, and some crew and get away from this pointless war."

[Bjarni Daasen]

Bjarni nods to Borryg. "I think you are right."

[Algared]

"Though the magik will make it more so to the right person. Though that will also mean it is a valuable tool we can use. But if the crystal is valued as much as a boat then it must be given to the Daas as his share or maybe all our coins instead. Though the crystal is of use as a tool to me and others who have studied, so I would prefer we kept it, but if the crystal has value like a ruby then the amulet will not give the Daas his share. As soon as is possible I will have it valued."

[Bjarni Daasen]

"Then I suggest we take it to Orbaal or perhaps Rethem to get it valued. Then of course, you can return with the Cunate's tribute."

[Borygg Raal]

"Algared, did you pick up this scrupulous bean-counting from your father's business practices? As a merchant, I believe value is fluid. What something is worth to me, right here and right now, is different than the value someone else may put on it in some other place or other time. And something I believe to be worth little now may be more valuable later. On which value do I owe tribute? Say I take a man's purse as spoils of battle. I give the Daas his third of the coins it holds but also keep a key I find within. If I discover months later that the key opens a chest that contains much more, do I owe the Daas a third of that as well? If I gamble with my share of coins taken in battle, do I owe the Daas a third of my winnings? I believe in the spirit of the Ljarl. I offer my leader tribute sufficient to his station and to the protection and hospitality I receive from him. I offer what I feel is owed and if I offer too little and it offends him, he has ways to let me know that.

You say that this crystal has powers. But if you tried telling that to the Daas or to the man who tallies his tribute, he'd laugh in your face. He will see the value of the crystal itself and what coin or goods he might get in return for it from a trader in Ygesdram, not what you say it might be worth to some mythical mage in a far-off land.

While I understand you have a strict interpretation of our tribute customs, it certainly makes you a less-than-ideal traveling and raiding companion."

Having said more in one burst than he has in a very long time, Borygg falls silent.

[Algared]

Algared looks to borryg and rests a hand briefly on his shoulder,"Maybe not my friend, but it is not just a matter of scouplous bean counting, and if I have gained it from my father then at least I am not trying to screw anyone over for my own benefit. We have all profited immesely over the last couple of months more than we would hunting or fishing, and we have the Daas protection, food and shelter. Ensuring we give the Daas the Daas the correct share will not only aid him but it also shows we not mere plundering brigands... for my part it is a matter of Ljarl to be honest with you and my Valhaker. We have the Crystal which we had not as yet valued, though we think it willhighly priced because it is so large and polished. What we have estimated as the Daas share as yet does not include whatever value the crystals true value is. It may be that the pendant is retained to be sold so each gains a share and the crystal becomes the Daas third. Though I also believe it is a tool I could use but that merely makes it more valuable as far as I am concerned. As to the value now, you are a merchant, have you a valuation to give for the crystal? Looking at it, I think it may be worth 200d at face value though I am no gem specialist.. what do you think?

And while this war may not be easy I do not believe it is a useless fight, it is right to fight to protect what is ours from those who would take it from us, and take our sisters as warbrides."

[Barak Daas]

"I am not sure it is worth as much as a ship; though that broach may have been."

"On the subject of loot. I believe we have done fair by Cunate. We have given what we know to be the most valuable find. We know it is worth a lot yet we gave it to him voluntarily without being asked. Many others would have just pocketed it and said nothing to the Dass. By our actions the Daas is a lot richer - both in terms of the fighting we did, and in terms of the valuables we surrendered to him. He has no reason to be upset with us. I have no problem with us acting with honour, but we need to be reasonable. I do not think anyone, not even Cunate, is expecting us to be able to value to the nearest silver coin everything we find. Most would be happy to find three axes and give the worse one to Cunate. Since we do not know with certainty the value of the crystal, and you believe it is only 200d, and that the value it has is esoteric and not appreciable by a gemsmith, then I think we leave it there. If we sell it and it turns out to be worth a jarl's ransom, then we can give a third share to Cunate if we want."

"As for profiting immensely, I agree I have gained some trinkets and a little coin; but no more than I could make through hunting. In fact to support myself on this venture I have had to sell a family heirloom at immense loss, as did Kuguld. And in terms of reward you also have to consider risk. I have fought well, achieved feats that other men could not do, feats that have aided Cunate's campaign greatly; and these have been at great risk to myself. For this I have not received a word of praise, nor a single silver coin from Cunate. My sole reward has been what we have found for ourselves."

"Yes, we have had hospitality, but no more than anyone else, and a lot of it has been from clansmen rather than from the Daas himself. I have contributed to that through tribute from my own hunts. But this is small recompense for being taken away from my normal occupation and prevented from being able to earn my own keep using my skills to their best benefit. After the fighting yesterday alone, I should be feted as a hero, not left to find shelter in only my blanket in the lee of a clanhouse."

"I am not complaining, but nor do I feel greatly indebted to Cunate, nor too concerned to ensure he receives every penny you may feel is due."

[OoC: One thing we don't appear to have done is gained a detailed description of the crystal. Questions like is it faceted, is it transparent, is it cut or polished etc would inform even ignorant people like Barak of its possible value. A dull, opaque, red, shapeless crystal (for example haematite) would look less valueable than a faceted, sparkly, translucent crystal (for example a red corundum, aka ruby when in gemstone quality). I presume Algared's 200d estimate is based on his evaluation skills.]

[Algared]

"Aye Barak selling a family heirloom is of great loss to any and I'm sorry you have had to do so, but we have still faired better than most and those clans who have housed is are being compensated by the Daas as I understand it.

To be honest I hadn't really looked at the crystal for it 'fluid' monetary value till just now. I was more interested in possible usefulness as a tool. I know it was remiss of me. Of course that Valuation is based on what little I learned from my father," Algared laughs then winces reaching up to his shoulder, "Borryg may be able to give a better valuation. He is more the merchant than I, he did come to Ygesdram to help establish a mercantile post. Still 200d seems a lot, but certainly not what we were imagining.

What I wa trying to say was had the crystal seemed to have a value of everything else we have collected, then merely giving the pendant as the Daas share would have been wrong. While you have carried out feats I forgot the risk you faced as you seem immune to the attacks of our foes." Algared chuckles, "just as I seem to look like their weapons rack."

[Barak Daas]

"Two hundred pennies is indeed a lot of money, but it is worth nothing if we do not sell it. Anyway, until we know its worth, and have coin for it, let us just keep it and not worry about Cunate's tribute. If you can use it, and it is as powerful as the whirlpool you summoned, and you put it to good effect against the Ibanvaal, then it is worth more in your hands than the sixty-seven coins he may be entitled to as his share."

[Bjarni Daasen]

And while this war may not be easy I do not believe it is a useless fight, it is right to fight to protect what is ours from those who would take it from us, and take our sisters as warbrides."

"You have not seen my sisters, Algared," Bjarni chuckles.

[Algared]

"You have not seen my sisters, Algared," Bjarni chuckles.

"Ahhh, so it was to escape your sisters rather than help in the war that was behind your return to Menglana, I see the truth is revealed." Algared chuckles lightly as he speaks.

[Algared]

"I have been thinking." Algared says as pulls out the three sticks with inscriptions on them and puzzled over them a little. "Well Barak, you may be right these sticks may be a means to communicate or send messages but I cannot fathom it. Now we believe they belonged to some the beseigers, and from the remainder of the spoils of war found at the same time it is possible they belonged to a leader.... Maybe they are a key for deciphering code and orders, whatever they are however I cannot tell as I do not recognize the script. We should likely give these, or bring them to the Daas attention. Tersi or Madrin may the script, if not Zaoul who is with the Storzar will more likely be able to solve the riddle of the sticks."

[Barak Daas]

"The sticks don't seem to be worth anything to us. So if the are of value to Cunate we may as well give it to him."

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