Jayse is quiet for the rest of the walk, mulling over the revelation about Kilcrist, or whatever her real name is. Definitely an interesting little twist. I guess I'm not too surprised that Bitiborium would be associated with someone as talented and connected as she is. Definitely need to ask him about that.
Jayse continues to remain silent in the church. This is really Ushari's digs, anyway.
(revised)"May we see the head of the Diocese of Erastil? I have a message and an urgent request from Hallis of Bartleby's Cross. I promised to deliver it personally."
The priestess raises a surprised eyebrow. "Indeed? There is no one 'head' of our church, we are ruled by council. I sit on that council... so would you entrust this letter to me?"
She reads through the letter quickly. "From this account, you were instrumental in stopping this 'Dweller' creature and protecting the town, our priest, and his parishioners. Is this not so? Then we owe you a debt." She bows to your group, "We'll act on this immediately. If there is anything you need from us, you have only to ask." She pauses briefly to see if there is anything you require or would ask of her.
Ushari returns the bow and smiles, "Trust me, it was a pleasure thwarting that foul spirit! As for a reward, all I would request of you are any scrolls you have available to purchase, preferably any restorative ones against diseases and poisons, if you have any prepared."
The priestess frowns, "We don't often keep scrolls on hand, but I will see what we have." She strides off leaving you alone with your thoughts for a few minutes before returning with four scrolls. She hands them Ushari, "A gift with our thanks."
Specific
Our heroes exit the church, scrolls safely stored away from the persistent drizzle, and head back towards the less-posh Merchant Quarter. Though, in truth, there seems to be no lack of money there either judging by some of the well-kept, large, multi-storied family-owned apartments. Eventually the sparkling apartment blocks and swept brick streets, give way to high end businesses, which slowly transform into modest businesses on uneven cobbled streets, which bit-by-bit transmogrify into worn fringe businesses as you approach Old Towne. It is here, on the border between shabby and chic, commerce and rank commercialism, that you stop in front of a worn wooden sign. The deep blue paint has faded where it hasn't peeled away. It says simply Odd Bits. Beneath it appears a vague warning: Used Goods Bought and Sold.
The store-front, if you can call it that, consists of a thick wooden door set close to a cramped set of small windows with greasy panes. You can barely make out clusters of random goods leaning against the glass. The building itself is two stories and painfully thin. It looks like the runt of the litter shoved in between its two larger and healthier brothers. Without comment, our illustrious group enters.
The inside of the store is as cramped as you might expect. Sagging shelves stacked with all manner of goods form treacherous, narrow alleys that run the length of the store to the far back where a chubby man sits, elbows resting on a worn counter. He glances at you briefly before returning his attention to a plate of cookies.
Usahri glances about her, not really interested in the items for sale but MORE interested in the shopowner himself. She is silent, allowing Jayse to take the lead here.
Ushari is hyper-alert to she-knows-not-what in the small shop. For the moment, the only thing she notes about the merchant is that he appears to be eating oatmeal raisin cookies and he looks a bit jaundiced - his cheeks are yellowing.
Ushari stares closely at the merchant...
Jayse walks in, taking the time to let the man look them over while he does the same for the shop. He looks everything over, simply letting the value and variety of the displayed goods sink in.
After a few seconds, he makes his way up to the chubby man. "You Tenbo? Kilcrist recommended this place because we're looking for a few specific items." He waits for the response, trying to size the man up. Always important to figure out what kind of person you're dealing with in these situations… especially given that this whole place was Kilcrist's suggestion.
Jayse examines the shelf-loads of goods. There are all sorts of items from jewelry, to musical instruments, to clay pots, to cheap weaponry. Some of it appears to be in good condition, some worn, and some shows serious levels of abuse.
The chubby merchant speaks in a rolling bass, "I'm Tenbo. Kil sent you, huh? He's a good fellow. I've got a wide range of items as you can see. What exactly are you looking for?"
Jofram eyes a few small assorted hatchets, frowning over the quality presented.
Jayse tries to cover the amusement in his voice, "Yes. He is, isn't' he? He told us to ask about your remaindered goods. I'm specifically looking for something to boost a person's strength beyond their normal limits." He can't help but notice the man's fading bruises, but more specifically their precision and placement. He nods towards them, "Forgive me if I'm being pushy, but are those a normal part of a merchant's job around here?"
"Sometimes it happens, particularly when you deal with... remaindered goods." Tenbo shrugs off a painful memory. "I don't happen to have what you want in stock, but I know a fella who mentioned having something of that sort and a willingness to sell it."
He nibbles on a cookie and runs his hand across an abacus at a blinding speed. "I can get it for you... base... minus my percentage... Kil's cut... friend's discount..." The balls of the abacus click decisively. "3% under market - 3880 Sovereigns. That's the best I can do. I can have it here tomorrow if you want it."
market
The explanation of the bruises sets off alarms in Jayse's brain. "Hope you understand my concerns here, but given the nature of these items, a man can't be too careful. Did your bruises come from a disgruntled new owner of one of your items or a past owner? Or some other circumstances altogether. I'm new in town and would love to avoid unnecessary risks if I can. You can't be too careful when making these kinds of deals."
After the price is given, Jayse gives a pleased nod, "I'd love to know a little bit more about these warm items, too. Being new in town, I really don't want to make a purchase, then end up with some muckity-muck's thugs cornering me in an alley because I'm wearing their boss's property. I'd also really like to avoid buying items that were…. liberated from people I would generally call worthy people."
Ushari places a hand on the monk's shoulder and responds in a low tone, "Careful here, I would not probe too deeply into how this good merchant acquires his merchandise, unless you want get yourself involved in the economics of the situation."
She turns to face the merchant, "It sounds like someone was less than pleased with a transaction you did. My friend here just does not want to go through the same ordeal. You understand, right?"
Tenbo looks slightly disgruntled but he holds up a mollifying hand, "Ones got nothin' to do with the other. I fell up a flight of stairs workin' an entire different sort of deal - not remaindered goods. The belt we're discussing isn't warm here, so far as I can tell... and I've looked into it. If I thought it would cause my customers or me any problems, I wouldn't touch it. I wouldn't be in business very long if I burned my clients, crossed Boots, or got pinched for my troubles."
Jayse smiles and sticks out a hand with a smile, "Then it looks like we may have a deal. Should I stop by some time tomorrow? Or do you want to leave word with Kilcrist when you have the merchandise on hand?" Jayse can't help but keep the curiosity out of his expression, "Boots?"
Jayse looks back at his group, "Anyone else have any items Tenbo can look into for us?"
Jofram shakes his head. "Perhaps later."
"I am good to go here."
Tenbo shakes Jayse's hand. "Just come by after noon and I'll have the merchandise." He raises an eyebrow at Jayse's question, "Boots - the big wheel in town for remaindered goods. Small merchants, such as myself, either work for him or try hard to stay out of his sight."
"Good to know." Jayse nods his goodbye as he leads the group out of the store. "So, where to now? The Consortium?"
Once the group has left the merchant shop, Ushar approaches one of the locals in town and asks, "Excuse me, we are looking for the main office of the Lumber Consortium. Could you direct us there?"
The wrinkled old washer-woman looks up at the cleric. "Hmmm... It's pretty close to the Eastside Wharf, I think. That's a long walk. Best if you catch the Wain."
She points to a low four-wheeled haywain, pulled by a pair of horses, and carrying a half-dozen standing people in the back. There is a placard on the side that has a scribble of chalk on it saying: Parts: East - 1CP
It is moving slowly enough, there is room, and the stepped back is open... so you could jump aboard if you wish.
Jayse looks at the wain and shrugs, "I don't really care. My feet have always been good enough, but a tour might be fine."
Ushari smiles, "I think a tour would be fun!"
"In that case, I will let Vaelos hunt - these towns are too crowded for him, I think. With a raise of his gauntleted hand, Jofram sets the eagle into flight.
Vaelos takes to the sky hunting for all sorts of tasty treats as the group follows in the wake of the wain heading towards the east side of town. It's a three mile walk but it isn't particularly taxing. The roads they take lead through a variety of neighborhoods, some pleasant while others are less so. But none is as rough and tumble as Old Towne.
After passing through a set of apartment-covered low hills, the area turns distinctly working class as the road becomes rough. It leads down to the ocean rolling lightly in a small cove. A raft of logs floats offshore. With little trouble, you find the office-warehouse of the Orfallen Lumber Consortium.
Jayse stands under the eaves of a small building facing the warehouse, getting a bit of respite from the day's weather. As he idly twirls a stray lock of brown hair he looks sideways at Ushari and Jofram, "So how you two planning to play this?" He flips to a mock-serious tone, brow scrunched down in a matter-of-fact look as he pushes up a pair of imaginary spectacles, "So we just came from Bartleby's Cross, which we hear is a supplier of yours. Well, it turns out that the records-keeper there was a rabid lunatic who was consorting with all kinds of dark powers. Yep. We had to put him down in a bad way. You wouldn't' happen to be in league with him, would you?"
He looks over and winks. "What was the connection to this place again?"
Ushari rolls her eyes at the wink.
Clearly he needs to get a girlfriend...
She takes out the bill of lading recovered from Dinwat's stash. "We are just going to ask him about this bill. As far as I know whoever is running the Consortium, this B. Hallec, is in league with the late Dinwat, but I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt here."
Jayse thinks back through what he knows of Dinwat and the slip of paper they found in his personal stash. "I'll give you that it's strange that such an organized, fastidious guy would not file an equipment request in its proper place in his office. But that just speaks to the fact that he didn't want the Bartleby's Cross leaders and lumberers to know the truth about that particular shipment. It doesn't necessarily indicate that the company from whom he bought the equipment is in league with his more sinister plans. At least that's the best I can work out." He looks back at the warehouse. "Though I guess it's worth looking into, at the least."
He flips to a mock-serious tone, brow scrunched down in a matter-of-fact look as he pushes up a pair of imaginary spectacles...
Offering Jayse his pince-nez glasses, Straehan gives the monk a wry smile. "You really need the right props for this kind of comedy."
Jayse thinks back through what he knows of Dinwat and the slip of paper they found in his personal stash. "I'll give you that it's strange that such an organized, fastidious guy would not file an equipment request in its proper place in his office. But that just speaks to the fact that he didn't want the Bartleby's Cross leaders and lumberers to know the truth about that particular shipment."
"Maybe. But there is no obvious code here and the bill seems common. I can't imagine anyone but Dinwat would look at this receipt more than once. Maybe the text isn't significant at all."
Jayse laughs off the offer, "Then I'll leave it to the pros. So we wait til we see the laborers heading out and then go ask for B. Hallec?"
Ushari nods, "That is my plan here, unless some of those laborers decide to chase us away. I don't feel like taking no for an answer though."
Jayse smiles, "Really? I think I'd like to see you muscle your way in there, Ushari."
Ushari shrugs, "Well, I think I would not use my muscles here...but" she allows a peek underneath her blouse to show through for a second, before she pulls up the fabric, "I think I can convince them otherwise."
It's Straehan's turn to laugh. He shakes his head. "OK, Jezebel. But don't coming crying to us if you get a reputation."
"So what's your plan after you sleep your way in, Ushari?"
Straehan's eyes widen momentarily before he doubles over in laughter.
Jofram blinks for a moment, then suddenly bursts out in laughter as well.
"Should we go for an ale, while you work?"
As Usahri watches the others double over in laughter, her face turns a pleasent shade of crimson. Unsure how to respond right away, she eventually concludes the best defense is a good offense.
She sidles up to the laughing monk, and puts on a wide-eyed expression. "OH, Jayse! Something just occurred to me! What if B. Hallec is a woman? I think it may fall to someone else to execute the plan here!"
Jayse pulls out an invisible resume, "Nope. Nope. My cred's say 'bad-ass killa', not... um... whatever it is you'd call that. Sorry, Ushari, you're on your own on this one."