Pimpin'

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"Excellent meeting you. The guns I knew were long, unwieldly things. Hated them. These seem more elegant in design. I was wondering if there was one that might fit in a single hand." God they were godawful things. Took both hands and your whole shoulder, and half the time it was easier to just cut someone down. Only worth it if you had enough of them in a row and multiple lines to fire rapidly, but he was one man. "I'm only a single man, and a swordsman, but being able to hit something that isn't within blades reach might suit me. And as I can draw a sword quick as you like, I'm not worried about someone closing on me. Forgive the ignorance; for now, I suppose I'm mainly seeing what's available, and how long it might take to learn to use one."

[bhu]

"There are indeed a great variety of guns available.  I'm more of a collector than a salesman, though I do dabble in sales and trade now and again.  I can show you a few things and give you some advice on buying one.  If your group is as good as I hear I may be able to throw some unusual work your way as well."

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"Work is always appreciated, as we're without regular patrons just yet. I would love nothing more than to pick your brain on these items, as well." A collector could be excellent business, if Zach could get into the finer artistry of these devices. To his companions, he turns and notes, "I may take a while; if you're not interested, I don't mind you going off to your own business. I think I'll be able to hold my own here."

[bhu]

"So lets discuss guns.  What do you want to know most."

*shoots flying whatsit from air without looking*

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"I'm only passingly familiar with them, but you don't seem to carry the black powder and firing balls. So I know little of how they work. Or their lethality. Are they hard to use?" The display made him slip his hands into his sleeves, while he busied himself pondering the mechanics and potential application.

[bhu]

"They're like wands except that anyone can use them.  Just pull the trigger.  Unlike wands their charges are pretty limited, but you can buy power crystals to 'reload' them so to speak.  It's kind of a racket the Mages have going, but they can really boost a mercenary units power, so everyone tries to buy into it.  You'll want an experienced customer to help you first couple of times out.  Just because a gun is big or fancy looking doesn't mean it's powerful."

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"I don't know a damned thing about wands." He smiled largely, knowing he would probably prove the most difficult customer. "But I do recall large quantities of them being purchased, trying to adapt them to archer units. In my world, though, we just gave up; the archers were more accurate. I suppose we just didn't have the technology yet..."

"So then, what DO you look for in a gun, if not size? Swords are similar; I've fought men with longer or larger swords who were too slow to make good use of it. I outdrew them, and they fell all the same. And I suppose magic makes the size even more irrelevant." He wasn't sure how he felt buying into the mage's markets, but a part of him said the guild would need to show they weren't just cutthroats, and forgiving and repairing an alliance might start here.

[bhu]

"You need to learn the dealers and buy from one that's reputable.  The city government for example is quite reputable, but they don't make the more...exotic equipment men in our position might need unless you belong to said aforementioned government.  The local Gnomes and Dwarves are outstanding, but some of them trade on that reputation to cheat people.  Make sure the seller has been doing it for some time and is well known locally.  There are other dealers who are specialists you may or may not need to ever use, and detailing thoughts about them would take more time than we have."

"Basically a gun allows you to use some sort of spell, usually Evocation or Conjuration.  When you pull the trigger it fires a beam of light, and if said light hits your target it takes the effects of that spell.  Thing is, the power of the spell is based on the power level of the Wizard who made the gun.  So don't buy from apprentices.  There's also a limited number of times you can use it.  There are detachable power stones that will recharge the gun to full, but the market for them can be more of a crapshoot than buying the gun.  Again, look for a reputable dealer who is well known locally.  Because once you buy off him you'll be returning a lot.  One really nasty fight and all of a sudden your new weapon is just a metal tube."

[Flay Crimsonwind]

That's when Zach's eyebrows shot up. Magic? The ability to use it without needing to sell his soul (or however the skill was acquired, he wasn't totally sure yet)? And to combine it with his martial ability! This sounded so incredibly promising to him, and also terrified him. This could be the edge he had been looking for. This could be it.

"Then I suppose I'll need to hunt down a dealer. I would assume I would need training in it's use, like any weapon, though you make it sound so simple. I'd rather not be completely limited, so I could seek out one of these dwarf craftsmen, but if a simpler model is what I should start with, perhaps I'll inquire with the authorities first.... unless you would advise against that..."

[bhu]

"The Sheriff will know one way or the other about your interest, and having him on your side is better than not.  Plus they may be able to give you training where as most dealers simply make firearms."

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"Then I know where I have to go. I might call on you again, if you have no objections. It was a pleasure." He goes to make a bow, once the conversation has definitely ended, and decides that while he still has light out, it would be best to see to the sheriff's offices as soon as possible.

Hopefully nothing horrible was happening to the guild while he was out.

[bhu]

You going home or to the Sheriff?

[Flay Crimsonwind]

The sheriff first, then home. Because it both makes sense that I would and also is funny that I should come back to a battle scarred house.

[bhu]

You arrive at the Sheriff's Office to find it slightly undermanned, and poor cadet Clubby the Seal temporarily in charge.  You feel a lil sorry for the kid.  Then he sees you, blinks, and says "What are you doing here, the Sheriff just got reports of explosions at your Guild House?"

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"Oh, really?" was all that Zach could manage, after a moment's hesitation. "Is it from an attacker, do you know? Or did someone do something stupid? I was coming to ask the sheriff about these new gun-weapons... I'm sorry, Clubby, how are you?"

It took another moment, but the impact of Clubby's words hit him a little harder (see what I did there?); "Oh, do you suppose I should make sure everyone is okay? How long ago was this?"

[bhu]

"Oh, really?" was all that Zach could manage, after a moment's hesitation. "Is it from an attacker, do you know? Or did someone do something stupid? I was coming to ask the sheriff about these new gun-weapons... I'm sorry, Clubby, how are you?"

It took another moment, but the impact of Clubby's words hit him a little harder (see what I did there?); "Oh, do you suppose I should make sure everyone is okay? How long ago was this?"

"The Sheriff took a posse of Wizards about 20 minutes ago.  We're fine here you go check on your Guild.  Once we get word from teh Sheriff all is well we'll send someone over to chat with you about a firearms deal."

[Flay Crimsonwind]

"Good, good!" Spurred thus on by the silly seal's promise, Zach bolted from the office, trying his hardest to remember which directions were the most optimal way while running in an excited fashion. After a moment's head-clearing run, he almost smacked himself for not jumping on the opportunity to fight with his guild.

[bhu]

You arrive along the same time as a group of men from the Undertakers Guild. (and we're back to the main thread).