Poog stifles a smile at It's pilfering. OK, maybe It am acting like a goblin sometimes. It am not always horrible.
As they leave the arena, he'll spend some time with the dirty terrier, at which point he'll return to where the group is having tea.
"Here. This am making you feel better."
He takes out a slightly moldly leaf and licks it, then stick is on Asha's forehead. "You am holding that there for good time."
Then the small goblin begins intoning a series of arcane words, before tapping the leaf on Asha's head and sprinkling glittering dust over her, though it disappears before it ever touches the Vudrani warrior.
This spell functions like lesser restoration, except that it also dispels temporary negative levels or one permanent negative level. If this spell is used to dispel a permanent negative level, it has a material component of diamond dust worth 1,000 gp. This spell cannot be used to dispel more than one permanent negative level possessed by a target in a 1-week period.
Restoration cures all temporary ability damage, and it restores all points permanently drained from a single ability score (your choice if more than one is drained). It also eliminates any fatigue or exhaustion suffered by the target.
"Should we see who those belong to and drop some silver on their counter?" Simon asks, pointing at the sausages with his cane. "If not, I worry that young It may have the local dog-catchers sicced onto ... him..."
The old man's eyes widen, then narrow. "Venemum Video."
Zarina had been silent since she had made sure the group's opponent was not too damaged. For the first time in the contest, she was tired. Her thoughts were racing as some worry started to creep in.
Another few seconds and it might have been too late for Asha, even after I spent all my spells boosting the two of us
"That was a tough battle. That weapon was scary," she said shaking her head.
She brightened up at seeing It return to the group. She had grown quite fond of the little scamp in the couple of days the group had been together.
You detect no poison in the sausages.
"Well, it seems It was not given the sausages by someone who wanted to cripple Poog's magic powers," Simon says with a small sigh of relief. "Lucked out again."
As you are all walking up the steps to Yon Loi's for a pot of celebratory hot tea, you notice a man staggering in the shadows of a nearby alley. He is Tian-La, his clothes are ruffled, and he clutches his side gingerly.
He also sports several bruises on his face, and his clothes are blood-spattered in addition to their disheveled state.
Asha rushes toward the man, seeing his injuries and unable to help herself. She is already reaching to touch him as she approaches.
Zak moves with Asha to tend the wounds of the injured man. "What happened here, friend, are you the only victim?"
Poog stands on the stairs, looking at his companions with a confused expression on his face.
Why am they helping this stranger?
As you approach the man, you can hear him mumbling something under his breath. "How the Hell did I get into this mess?" He turns as he hears Asha and Zak approaching, and briefly begins shying away from them. When it quickly becomes clear that your intentions are to aid, he relaxes, and Asha's restorative powers quickly heal the worst of his wounds.
"I thank you, Warriors. What has happened to poor Donguma, you ask? The Golden League, that's what! I'm sure you won't be surprised to learn that there's a thriving odds market on the outcome of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, and the League is fronting the money. I had placed some bets on some of the entrants, and many of them came up short. Five of them accosted me, and demanded their payment immediately. I tried to explain to them that I didn't have their money, but the winnings from tomorrow would cover their spread. Their leader looked me in the eye and said, 'You won't be placing any more bets with us. And we'll be taking our payment out of your miserable hide.' That's when the beating started." He rubs his jaw from the recent memory, despite the healing.
"When they were done, they took what silvers I had, and left me in the middle of the road. If you want my advice, steer clear of the bookies. I'd heard from a friend who knew a guy that saw someone paying off one of the contestants, no doubt to take a dive! Besides, I'm living proof of what happens when you back the wrong pony."
Zak raises an eyebrow at the man's statements, but simply thanks Donguma for his words of warning and then strolls back to the group.
"heard from a friend, who knew a guy, that saw someone paying someone, yep, sounds legit"
Asha blinks. "The... Golden League?" She exchanges a look with Simon. "Can you tell me any more? Where the men who beat you might be now, for instance?"
"Goodness me," Simon says in a genteel tone of voice. "I feel very lucky not to have placed any wagers of my own." The old man just watches Asha and Donguma, smiling idly -- but watch he does, and listen.
You don't notice anything odd about Donguma or his story.
Donguma hesitates before answering Asha's question. "You don't know of the Golden League? Oh, of course - you are gwai lo. They are a group of powerful families, originally from Minkai, but eventually settled here in Goka. If there's a way to make money, you can bet they're in on that action, no matter how many people they have to hurt to get it. It will be difficult to find the xun who beat me, I'm sorry to say. Most people go out of their way to defer to the League's warriors, and wouldn't dare betray them to outsiders like yourselves."
Donguma hesitates a bit longer before saying anything further. "Their leader...he was not Tian. He was like you, gwai lo." He glances at Asha as he says this. "He wore their tattoos and had more piercings than I could count, but he was unmistakably Vudrani."
Hmmmm, does that ring a bell, Asha?" She turns to Donguma. "Be careful with wagering with those guys, if they are as dangerous as you say."
"Oh, I shan't be. Mostly on account of being copperless at the moment." He sheepishly grins, and you notice a gap in his smile, no doubt lost during the beating he received from the xun.
Zarina shakes her head at the down-on-his-luck fellow in front of her. "Here, take this. Don't gamble it away, please. How about you just cheer for us, instead?, she says as she hands the guy a handful of coins.
Asha's dusky skin pales. "It.. rings a bell, yes," she says finally. "I need to find this man. If I can't find the men who hurt you, can you tell me when to find the bookies who take the bets?"
Donguma's eyes widen as Zarina presses a handful of gold into his palms. "I...thank you, miss! And I won't be...not after tonight." He bows deeply to the sorceress, removing his hat and stuffing the coins into it.
"The bookies aren't hard to find, miss," he says to Asha when she asks. "They're all around the periphery of the stands. Can't spit without hitting one of 'em."
"She am want to bet now?" Poog asks It, apparently rhetorically.
She am better no bet against us. Poog am needing to watch to make sure she doesn't lose match on purpose to make money.
Asha checks the man over to make sure he's not suffering any further wounds, then wishes him well. Once he leaves, she turns to the others. "The man Donguma mentioned, the Vudrani... I have reason to think he is my brother. I need to find him. But I'm afraid back alleys and criminal underworlds are beyond my knowledge. Can any of you help me?"
"I can try, my dear," Simon says with a courtly bow. "I am a bit low on spells, but I am game nonetheless."
"You know I've got you back, Asha. I'm about spelled out as well, but hopefully there won't have to be any violence. Hopefully we can find him and just talk..."
Poog shrugs. "Poog am having many spells still. Stinking cloud am stopping you brother from life of crime."
"Aye, you have my support as well, though I know little of such nefarious enterprises myself."
"Then let's go find some bookies," Asha says, still looking unusually tense and somber.
"Hmmm," Simon says, nodding soberly. "However, let us proceed with caution, lest we attract a battle when we are somewhat at an ebb."
A trek back to the Tournament grounds proves that there are a number of spectators enjoying the festivities. Food stalls sell roasted meats, musicians and acrobats perform, and a quintet of dragon dancers weave in and out around the crowd, its serpentine form slithering through the people. Many of the contestants recognize you immediately, and offer to buy you drinks or give you small tokens for good luck.
"You! Where can Poog be finding someone to place bet on Poog winning tournament?"
"Easy now, friend Poog," Simon says, appearing beside the Goblin and gently patting his shoulder. The old man smiles at the person just so rudely accosted. "We are looking for the purveyors of bets, however. Might you be able to direct us?"
"If you are concerned about tournament contestants speaking to betsmakers, please do not be," Asha adds. "We have questions only."
While Poog and Simon's efforts are unsuccessful, Asha quickly is directed towards a crowd of rough looking men. Four burly and heavily tattooed ruffians stand near a fifth, who is shorter and has greased-back hair. Gold and silver are passed to this fifth member in exchange for a wooden chit. When you approach, the large men regard your group with suspicion. The fifth man grins with obviously feigned pleasantness.
"Ah, the Warriors of the Five Elements! It pleases me greatly to meet you in the flesh! I have seen your bouts upon the fight stage, and you are truly skilled warriors! How may Shin Mai, a humble peddler, help you? Have you perhaps come to make a side wager upon the outcomes of the fights? Make a bit of extra coin by betting you will prevail this year?" His voice is as oily as the pomade that keeps down his bushy hair.
Poog looks toward Asha to see how she reacts.
Am oily one her brother?
Asha grimaces, but with a moment of closed eyes, visibly reasserts her composure. "What honor is there on betting that the sun will rise tomorrow?" she replies, smiling. "No, my friend, we have to come to ask you for a commodity I value more than just a gold coin or two: information. Do you peddle that among your wares?"
He grins broadly, his teeth yellow and foul. "Ah, honor. Such a splendid concept for those that have the luxury to afford it!" The rough men chuckle at Shin Mai's wit. "Information, though, that is a difficult matter. I might act as your fishmonger for this, but it all depends on what has been caught - what is it you wish?"
Zarina, clearly more used to slashing men such as these, than negotiating with them, held her tongue. For Asha, hold your temper.
"I am... looking for a man, one associated with the 'Golden League.' He is Vudrani, like me, and I suspect there aren't many like him around." Asha waits to see the man's reaction.
The four men near Shin Mai stiffen as Asha describes the man she is looking for. Shin Mai, however, retains the smile upon his face. "I see, I see. You are quite right, quite right indeed. A Vudrani who has found work with the Golden League would be quite memorable. I am certain I can find the man you are looking for. I could do this for you, were I not so busy, of course! Now, were I to be repaid for the time lost in finding your wayward Vudrani, say fifty gold, I would be glad to assist you."
Shin Mai seems slightly alarmed when Asha describes the man she is looking for, but he recovers quickly.
"Hmm," Simon hums, musingly, and he taps a finger against his cane whilst smiling at Shin Mai. "Would the lady be getting a discount, seeing as you already know who she is talking about?"
As if on cue, a small, red spider comes crawling out of Simon's collar, walks across his throat and creeps back under cover. The old man gives no sign that he notices the arachnid, he just keeps looking at the greasy little bookie... and smiling.
Although Asha guessed that Shin Mai's "associates" recognized her brother by her description, she is surprised by Simon's assertion that Shin Mai does as well. Trusting her friend's instincts, though, Asha smiles broadly at the bookie and says, "Of course you will have your 50 gold, my friend; I uderstand the value of what I am asking." She withdraws five platinum pieces from the purse tucked into her robes and offers them out, but keeps her fingers curled to prevent tempting the man to take his payment and depart before completing his end of the deal.
Supposing it would be prudent, Zak casually glances around the area to see if anyone is taking notice of the party's interaction with the greasy haired thug.
There are plenty of people noticing you - after all, you are contestants in the Tournament! Whether that's what drawing their attention or something more sinister is difficult to determine.
Shin Mai's eyes flick to Simon, and the merchant's nervousness becomes apparent as he sees the scarlet spider scurry across the old man's flesh. Asha's promise of coin, however, is like a splash of cold water across his face. "Ah, yes, that will more than cover my time. I will be back shortly - I should be able to get a message to the man you seek, and see if he is willing to meet with you. For one so blessed by Shelyn, I am certain that he will make the time." He turns to one of the ruffians. "Pho, make certain the Warriors are comfortable. Get them some noodles or something." He turns to leave the five of you in the warm company of Pho and the other three rakes.
"Oooh, noodles? Poog am hungry enough to be eating noodles!"
Simon's eyes narrow.
'Is this little weasel trying to trick us, lead us into an ambush?'
While she is waiting, Asha calmly begins applying her healing energies to herself.
You wait for the better part of an hour. Pho and his friends are poor conversationalists, but they seem to express themselves well enough through glances - several times, curious visitors approach, only to retreat under the withering gaze of these large men. Eventually, Shin Mai does return, but he returns alone, though with the same grin upon his face.
"I have done as you asked," he says with a bow. "However, the man you seek does not wish to meet in such a public place. At the top of Yun Chomo, the mountain to the south, there is a small shrine. Meet him there tomorrow night, just after midnight. He will speak with you then."
This am a trap
"This am a trap," Poog says to his friends once they have some privacy.
"Of course it is," Simon says, his face masklike in its lack of expression. The little red spider comes creeping out of his collar again and walks around the old man's head. For all the world, it looks as if the arachnid is nuzzling him, trying to soothe him somehow.
"This became a trap as soon as we expressed an interest to that slimy little weasel." Simon sighs, and the masklike aspect vanishes, leaving him looking simply... tired. "We will need to plan this excruciatingly well, my friends."