Ultima Stones | Ultima VII Home | Library | Who's Who
NPC 172
: Morfin, Butcher and Venom Merchant[+bye +job +name +apology +Tobias stole venom +ledger+return venom]
You see a man whose eyes slowly shift back and forth as a crooked smile curls his lips. He walks up to you, looks you up and down. "Oh, there must be a travelling show in town!" he says sniggering. "That is a very nice clown costume! Who art thou?"
AvatarName{
"Very well, <AvatarName>. What dost thou want?"
}None of thy concern{
"Rude dog!" END
}Avatar{
"Thou art a vile fool, desperate for others to like thee. I would pity thee, were it not that I loathe thee even more!" END
}
"Greetings, <AvatarName>," says Morfin.
name{
"My name is Morfin."
}[-name]
job{
"I am a merchant who operates one of the most thriving businesses in Paws, which includes the slaughterhouse."
}[+slaughterhouse +Paws +merchant]
merchant{
"Oh, I sell a little of this and that, here and there. Wherever there is a demand, I try to supply it."
}[+supply +demand +merchant]
demand{
"There is quite a demand for the venom of the silver serpent in certain areas, for instance."
}[-demand]
supply{
"I keep a small stock of silver serpent venom from time to time which I sell to the apothecary in Britannia for a modest profit. The government is trying to control sales of it until they can determine how dangerous the effects are."
}[-supply +effects +apothecary]
apothecary{
"His name is Kessler."
}[-apothecary]
Paws{
"I do suppose my ventures are profitable enough for me to afford to move to Britain, but things are so much less expensive here. Of course, the theft has me a bit wary.
"If thou dost wish to know more about the people here, speak to the couple who run the Fellowship shelter, Feridwyn and Brita."
}[-Paws +theft]
slaughterhouse{
"I take it thou hast noticed the smell. If so I do apologize." He shrugs his shoulders, grinning, and holds his palms upward.
"I think of it as the smell of success. Thou mayest purchase some meat if thou so wishest."
}[+buy meat +slaughterhouse]
buy meat{
"I sell mutton, beef, and ham. Which wouldst thou like?"
[+ham +beef +mutton +nothing]
"The slaughterhouse is closed. Come around when it is open for business and I shall sell thee meats then."
}[-buy meat]
nothing{[-]
"Some other time, perhaps."
}
mutton{
"'Twill cost thee 3 gold each. Still interested?"
yes{
"How many dost thou want?"
"Here it is."
"Thou hast not the room for this meat."
"Thou hast not the gold for this, <AvatarName>. Perhaps something else."
}else{
"Perhaps next time, <AvatarName>."
}
}[-mutton]
beef{
"'Twill cost thee 2 gold each. Still interested?"
yes{
"How many dost thou want?"
"Here it is."
"Thou hast not the room for this meat."
"Thou hast not the gold for this, <AvatarName>. Perhaps something else."
}else{
"Perhaps next time, <AvatarName>."
}
}[-beef]
ham{
"'Twill cost thee 4 gold each. Still interested?"
yes{
"How many dost thou want?" <?#>
"Here it is."
"Thou hast not the room for this meat."
"Thou hast not the gold for this, <AvatarName>. Perhaps something else."
}else{
"Perhaps next time, <AvatarName>."
}
}[-ham]
venom{
"A terrible crime, causing me no small amount of monetary distress. It has caused the surrounding community to worry about their possessions as well."
"I would be thine humble servant shouldst thou help investigate the matter. Wilt thou?"
yes{
"Then I shall cooperate fully, <AvatarName>." He bows.
}else{
"I do hope the culprit will be revealed through other methods then."
}
"I thank thee for solving the mystery of who was behind it."
}[-venom]
theft{
"Thou art a stranger in Paws. Beware the thief who roams this town! The culprit has stolen a quantity of my valuable silver serpent venom!"
}[-theft +venom]
apology{
"I do apologize for my rudeness earlier, <AvatarName>. I have since realized that thou art an honest person. Please forgive mine insults." He bows, dripping insincerity.
}[-apology]
ledger{
You tell Morfin that you have seen his ledger. "Wait, <AvatarName>! I admit I do sell Silver Serpent Venom to other places besides the Apothecary. But what I am doing is not -precisely- against the law!"
}[+law +sell -ledger]
sell{
"My supply comes from some old friends in Buccaneer's Den. Where they get it, who can say?"
}[-sell]
law{
"I have a notarized contract with the Britannian Mining Company. They use it to keep their gargoyles working longer hours. It seems gargoyles have a greater resistance to the effects of Silver Serpent Venom. Poor devils." He grins maliciously at his own joke.
}[-law +effects]
effects{
"They are widely known. Silver serpent venom is a reagent that, when ingested in small doses, temporarily enhances one's physical strength, stamina and quickness along with bringing a feeling of euphoria.
"After the effects wear off, the subject feels quite drained. This tends to make them want to take it again.
"Prolonged use in such a fashion will bring about a condition that deteriorates the skin, eventually causing it to rot away.
"Finally, too great a dose, or too great an accumulation of doses, is fatal, as the venom is a deadly poison.
"It may very well have some healing properties when used in other ways we have yet to discover, but any user of the venom should not do so without caution."
}[-effects +user +Tobias stole venom]
user{
"I am not so sure Tobias was the one who stole the venom. I have not seen any of the signs of venom use in Tobias and I am quite familiar with its symptoms. But, now that I think about it, I have noticed that Garritt has appeared very tired lately. He seems hyperactive one moment and unhealthy the next."
[+Garritt -Tobias stole venom]
"I do not believe I have noticed anyone in town who is showing the symptoms of venom use. From now on I shall keep watch, so thou shouldst ask again later."
}[-user]
Garritt{
"Perhaps thou shouldst make a search of Garritt's belongings! Which reminds me-- I saw him earlier playing near the slaughterhouse. He dropped this key. Perhaps it opens something... significant."
"Here it is."
"I shall give it to thee when thine hands are not so full."
}[-Garritt]
return venom{
"I thank thee for ferreting out the thief and returning my snake venom."
"So Garritt was the culprit, eh? I am not surprised now that I think about it. I must keep closer tabs on my venom from now on."
"Of course, I do wish for thee to return my venom to me if thou hast recovered it."
}[-return venom]
bye{
"Good day to thee." END
}