Alfaerisca looks at Connor somewhat confused, although she does seem to at least recognize the passing reference to Tenfa's religious texts based on the nod she gives before it goes off the rails. "I can't answer that, human, you haven't asked two questions, let alone your third." She replies finally. "If that's a way your people use to ask permission to ask multiple questions or something, apologies, I've not had any of your folk in my inn before, so I don't know your ways." She says forthrightly, using plain language. "In my experience, when dealing with people from somewhere you never heard of before, it's best to speak plainly so they understand you're not trying to insult them by not responding the way they expect." The response seems rehearsed enough that she's probably used it before.
Her sister, picking up another ale from the bar, which Alfaerisca filled all the while talking without spilling a drop snorts. "What she means is, we don't know a flying spider's leg about how wing people talk so it'd be better if you just come out and tell us what you're asking or what you want."
Vim's new 'friend' chuckles. "Angus Malthen, professional retriever at your service." The man nods, but doesn't shake hands, which is probably just as well, given how big his hands are. "Ain't never seen an Atalantian this far underground before. Didn't think you lot liked not having a sky above you."
The innkeeper shakes his head. "Sorry friend, with the current dwarf troubles, the bards and troubadors have all gone back to civilization. Nobody has money to pay them with the trade dried up. We have tonight barbeque lizard, bread, cheese, and porridge. If you're not liking that, you can head up to the Spider's Nest, they're having Bear Stew, bread, cheese, and fried tubers. Beyond that, I'm afraid you're choice of food is what ever you can find in your packs. I'm having to send to the city for food, or pay some of the non-dwarves that do hunting around here for supplies currently, same as everyone else. Alfaerisca has an arrangement with a ranger who brought her a dire bear last week, so she's flush up on bear meat. My contact got me one of those overgrown salamanders yesterday, so I've got lizard. What I have in three days will depend on what my scrounger can scrounge up." He looks thoughtful. "If you want wine, I'd buy it soon, I have about 5 more bottles of the good stuff before it's gone, and then we're down to the recycled horse urine that the goblins like when they come in for trading."
"I don't think I have had lizard before, but bear is good and fried tubers is a big YUM! No offense but I'm gonna go eat there with the boss and the others. Thank you sir. You commin Flann or staying here?"
Adran says as he begins to hop off.
"Will be back later for the room and a place to sleep. Thanks again."
"My apologies." Connor replied to Alfaerisca. "We're traders, hoping to open up a new market for our employers. But I scarcely land outside and all the news is about how the Dwarves have closed their shops! So rather go home empty and contractless, I'd at least like to ask what happened to cause the Dwarves to retreat even further into their mountain range?"
Alfaerisca snorts, and another knife appears in her target board on the wall, vibrating with a twang sound. All she did was flick her wrist in an angry motion. "If I knew that, I'd be rich as I'd be selling that information dearly. And it's not that they've retreated, they're right where they were before. They just closed the city itself to outsiders, and shut down all the trade posts. If you can get past the gates into the city, you'll see all the daft little buggers walking around with angry looks on their faces."
'Connor, can you find out more about who is let in? Do they let Dwarves pass? Is identification required?' Vim thinks quickly, hoping' to catch Connor before the conversation topic shifts.
Meanwhile, Vim laughs in response to Angus. "Can't say I don't miss the sky, Angus, and we've only just arrived. Certainly is an interesting place they've got down here, though. No small bit of engineering went into it I imagine, and I can appreciate fine craftsmanship. Now, can I name countrymen of mine that'd give a hand to avoid going underground--well, sure. But business isn't always ledgers and line-items; sometimes you have to get out and see the world. And I'd be lying if I said our group wasn't good at that bit."
Vim takes special care to avoid talking about what, in fact, Angus tends to 'retrieve' in his business, trying to appear in-the-know rather than aloof.
Connor heard Vim's request.
"Angry? What could possibly make a Dwarf, whose stoic approach to life is akin to mountain stone itself, angry?" Connor asked out loud. His eyes followed where the knife was now stuck in the wall, even as he talked a bit lower, so fewer would hear. "And more importantly, Innkeeper Alfaerisca, since you are a more permanent resident, do you know how to get past the trade posts and inside the city proper? Perhaps for a fee? Or for information beyond the gates that you can then sell to others? Asking as a fellow merchant." Connor reached inside of himself, attempting to gain the woman's trust.
Hero, Connor mused, I'm going to need broker after all. Especially if we need to persuade a Dwarf to let us into the city tomorrow. I'll have to use psychic reformation tonight. He did not look forward to the period of sickness the power demanded. Connor knew he should have taken the time to craft a coin of brotherhood to bribe a guard with.
"It is my experience that innkeepers and merchants have their pulse on the city they reside in far more than people give them credit for." Kotsi agrees. "We were just having this same conversation a few days ago. Coincidences truly are fun sometimes."
Angus nods. "Yeah, everyone's the same, regardless of what their outside bits look like. There's some with no spine for dealing with danger, some with no brains for dealing with those what don't look like them, and some with no sense to care about the fact that what blows up in other places can hit your place without warning, and finally a small handfull that realize it's all related, and you gotta keep the big picture in mind." Angus says, fluffing his mustache thoughtfully. "Locals are probably the best stone builders in the world, gotta be. And whatever's set them off is affecting markets all over the world, in one way or another. Even those in the sky. Whatever is going on, it needs to be resolved soon." He reaches out and tips over the salt shaker, which hits the pepper shaker, and then that knocks an empty glass over. "Otherwise, one thing can lead to another, and no telling what the end result is."
---------------
Alfaerisca frowns. "Not sure I'd be the expert in doing things that would get my inn shut down. After all, admitting to that would get it shut down. Now, in theory, there might be some people who do such things, but from what I've overheard of people talking too loudly and too loosely after some wine or ale here in the tavern, these types of people find you, not the other way around." She responds to Connor and Kotsi.
The innkeeper seems to be very wary, but also seems to be implying that waiting a day or two might be conducive to being found by the people who do such things.
Are we still Collective'd up? I thought Flann was the source of that, and the range is only like 160 feet at his level.
Alfaerisca frowns. "Not sure I'd be the expert in doing things that would get my inn shut down. After all, admitting to that would get it shut down. Now, in theory, there might be some people who do such things, but from what I've overheard of people talking too loudly and too loosely after some wine or ale here in the tavern, these types of people find you, not the other way around." She responds to Connor and Kotsi.
Once again, Connor reached within himself to add that white-hot fire to discern what the hostess was really saying. "Hardly a secret worth keeping, strangers who want to trade, despite the sudden difficulties!" he said jovially. "Now about those rooms. We'll be wanting a suite; how far do we need to pay in advance?"
The drow smiles, showing off pearly white teeth, with pronounced canines that would do a vampire proud, although it's obvious she isn't one, given her face is amply reflected in the polished metalwork on the decorations on the wall. "Why sir, for as long as you wish to be guaranteed not to be tossed out on your ear, of course. Given the current unpleasantness though, if you overestimate your need for room, I can't refund if you leave early."
She's obviously going to make you guess at how long you think you'll need to wait to get contacted, and if you guess long, keep the profit, and if you guess low, probably raise the quoted rates if you need to stay longer.
With a look at Kotsi, waiting for a barely preceptable nod, Connor reached into both side belt pouches, handing over 16 gold. "One suite, four nights. If we cannot get any trade within three days, we'll take the train out of here back to the Surface." he said.
Flann follows Adran back to the inn with the others, and pulls the party members back into his network as he spots them. "No amount of coin is going to make tonight a party."
"Wise observations, my friend. It seems we'll be staying here a few days at least; perhaps we'll cross paths again as we unravel the dwarves' mystery. " Vim says as Connor pays the rent on the room. He reaches out a hand and rights the fallen glass before it has a chance to roll off of the table, thus saving it from any serious damage.
"Or perhaps you'll seek us out, if you 'recall' anything further that might help us out, maybe later this evening..."
Barring an enticing response from Angus, Vim moves back towards Connor and Kotsi.
Adran remaining his happy go lucky self pays little mind to the the conversations and orders up some food. Looking forward to a warm meal and relaxing evening.
The innkeeper takes the 16 gold, and taps a few at random on a small miniature anvil that's on the shelf behind the front counter, making small metallic clink sounds. Apparently satisfied, she drops the entire pile of gold coins into a slot on the back wall, eliciting new metallic sounds from the slot.
Taking a key out of a pigeonhole on the wall behind her, she hands it to Connor. "Suite 2, it's on the fifth floor. Stairs are over there. Number 2 is the only one with a balcony. It's a bit smaller than 3, but given the wings, I figured you might prefer the balcony one."
The food in the inn is good, well seasoned and hot. Adran finds the bear is a bit stringy, but then, that's bear for you.
The suite, once the group unlocks it, has 3 bedrooms and a common room. There's, as promised, a balcony. There's also some ornate brass levers on the wall, one is labeled 'lamps', the second is labeled 'heat', and the third is labeled 'maid/food'.
Pulling the lamp lever causes the gas lamps in the walls to begin to hiss, and then they light as some mechanism causes a spark in each one. The one in the 2nd bedroom takes long enough to light that there's a smell of gas in that room for an hour or so. Each lamp has a secondary control on it to turn them off or back on individually.
The beds are comfortable enough, big sacks stuffed with something relatively soft.
Connor thanked the proprietress and went up the many stairs. The gas lamps were eyebrow-raising, and Connor flapped his wings a few times, keeping the inner doors to the suite open, to dissipate the gas. "I think there's a market here for crystal light. And resist toxin until then." he muttered out loud.
Reading the levers' labels, Connor announced "Hero, under no circumstances are you to use the third lever."
----------------
Leaving his backpack, psicrystal staff, and Hero in the room, Hero doing his usual walkaround, Connor went back down the stairs to the greatroom. Ordering a plate of bear, he joined the others. "Even with the shops shuttered, I don't believe it will hurt to wander the city tomorrow." Connor opined, eating.
Flann joins the others in the greatroom. >Why's this place feel more like the interdimensional prison than any town we've been to? What are we going to do if we find no one to talk to?<
Connor goes out to explore the 'Surface Quarter' as he finds this part of the city is called. There are a LOT of shuttered buildings. Apparently either dwarves closed up shop completely, or foreigners did and moved back to Isla. Probably a bit of both. Even the restaurants are all locked up. It's kind of depressing, and feels like a ghost town, with no sounds of life or anything else. The only building that seems to be being used other than the two inns is the building near the tram, where the crew appears to be staying, based on the outlines in the windows and the sign on the door.
Only when he approaches the wall between the SQ and the Dwarven City Proper does he find any sign of dwarves. In front of a closed gate made of steel and stone, they find two dwarves. The female dwarf is wearing leather, carrying a massive looking hammer, and smoking a pipe. The male dwarf is wearing a mixture of breast plate and leather armor, and carrying a wicked looking pick. He also has an obvious bullet wound scar on the side of his head. As the group comes close, both Dwarves ready their weapons, and the woman motions with the tip of her pipe, back the way Connor came from.
"Get ye on back, winged whatever ye are. And don't think about flying over the wall, ye flappy good for nothin'. Ye'll be skewered faster'n a rabid bat. Go on with ye, git! We're closed, go on, git!"
Flann has the easiest time sneaking around the city he's ever had, as he only has to hide from his allies, and that's about it. There's nobody to watch, nobody to spy on, nothing. Just boarded up stone building after boarded up stone building.
"My apologies if my curiosity offended, goodwoman!" Connor exclaimed, partially opening his wings and extending them near his sides like a feathered cloak in a half-bow. "I have flown such a long way, on rumors and myths of the depths and riches of your fine city, only to discover houses boarded up against a hurricane! Must I return, with only silence as my remembrance of Barda Koxka, and my ignorance pristine?" he wistfully asked.
While Connor and some of the others head out to explore, Vim heads out to learn. Of particular interest is the mechanism by which dwarves are allowed in and out of the gates: are they recognized personally? Or are they carrying identification? Or is simply being a dwarf enough?
While out, he'll be careful not to appear a curious outsider, adopting the shape of a wingless human as necessary to cover for his lack of skill with the dwarven language.
The dwarf unlimbers her weapon. "What part of Git did you not understand, feather brain?" She growls, and her partner also begins to unlimber his weapon.
----------
After spending a day watching, Vim is unable to find any dwarves coming or going, other than the guards. And they only enter when the new guards come on duty. They don't even seem to take meal or bathroom breaks, perhaps wearing rings of sustenance to avoid such matters.
Disappointed, but happy with his reconnaissance (the most important part is not getting caught, after all) Vim heads back to the Spider's Nest , hoping maybe he'd hear something back from Angus again. Or perhaps one of the others had more luck...
Connor turned and walked away from the dwarves, without even a look back. This place is starting to remind me of they way they treat me back home. he sent to Hero.
Connor wandered some more, hoping to see an unboarded window, merchandise behind the glass.
Adran beds down for the night as no one invited him out to go with them.
The trade area is a ghost town, with nothing but boarded up windows on formerly open shops. Only the two inns and the tram station are open.
For the next few days, the group hangs out at the two inns, waiting to see if anything changes. Nothing does.
Finally, on the fifth day, about midnight, there's a knock on the suite door that the group got at the Spider's Nest.
When the door is opened, the group finds a black skinned lizardfolk with a colorful green fringe standing there, wearing a loincloth and a bastard sword on it's back. It has several scars on it's muzzle. Two unblinking eyes stare at whoever opens the door, and a tongue flicks out and tastes the air. "I hear yousss wantsss to ssseee the depthhhsss?"
Connor started a new book, entitling it The Gears of the Gnomes and Depths of the Dwarves.
Connor paid the innkeep 8 gp for two more days.
He also took out the supplies that he brought with him, the crystal masks, dyed-black leather boots, and expensive embroidered vests. Connor talked with Adran and Flann before working on one of the items.
----------------------
"We were hoping for trade, my good...er, warrior." Connor replied, stepping back from the opened door so the rest of the party could see the Wingless newcomer. "My name is Connor of McIntyre, employed by Mintakan Shipping from...the floating islands."
Sanita responds and is mildly annoyed at the delay, but then adds 30 or 40 things you'll need to investigate with the dwarfs once you can actually speak with them.
Braden responds that the crew is restless, but enjoying semi-permanent shore leave. He's slowly winnowing through the gold reserves giving them their half pay.
Your factors report that the foundation is underway, but they'll need more money to continue the project in the near future, and inquire as to when you'll be returning or arranging a funds transfer.
"I ssseee. Well, there isss the issssue of payment for ssssuch a tour." The lizard makes an obvious show of counting the people in the room. "For three of you.. the charge will be... sssix hundred gold."
Flann woke early and was polishing brass fittings in the common room of the Spider's nest when the lizardfolk came to call. He pulls his own mask up and watches the exchange at the door. His candyfloss hair is in tight plaits on both sides, mimicking a style he saw in a dwarven beard. The tall and tight mohawk that remains might have been warrior-like on anyone else, but his downy curls continue to betray him. He's packed away the silk and jewels in favor of the utilitarian pockets. Both outfits are a deep green, but this one is more mossy and neutral.
Dropping a cloth over his work, Flann walks to the door.
Flann is unable to sense anything from the lizardfolk.
Adran lets out a yawn as he hops up and approaches the door to see who or what the boss is talking to.
He reaches and tugs on a bit of Connors clothing.
"Boss I um we don't have the best of luck or past with these lizardy type guys. You sure we want to follow this fellow?"
Reassure both Sanita and Braden that there has not been any fighting...yet.
Connor has an account with the local bank, so Steward Warwick can authorize Accountant Aodh to withdraw for daily expenses (this is all on Connor's spreadsheet under "Downtime"). It's only been a month? And the account has 900 gold for 180 days for Warwick and Aodh, plus the 3,450 for the foundations and buildings, and 100 gp spending money with the workers. If necessary Connor can Correspond with the bank executive to arrange another funds transfer to Aodh. (Downtime has the number of days for building each part of Lodging, Museum, Artisan's Workshop, and Temple. Lodging=30 days and should be first, then Museum (over 100 days), A's Workshop, and Temple.)
Connor tells Warwick that they're currently underground investigating the Dwarves, so it might be two or three more months.
"True enough." Connor replied to Adran. Turning back to the lizardman, Connor asked "You see, warrior, that we must be cautious. It was bad enough to find out the Dwarves have shuttered their shops. Our particular group has not had good experiences with your...kind on the Surface. Do you have references we can check locally? As in, with our innkeeper? Or the one next door?"
The lizard stares woodenly at Connor for a moment, as if it did not quite understand him, and then blinks slowly. "Isss that no?" It asks, it's voice dead even.
It's hard to read the lizard, but you're beginning to think it's not that bright, perhaps only a messenger/cut-out?
Sensing that any more people talking would more likely detract from the conversation as opposed to helping it along, Vim stayed silent, choosing to let Connor carry the conversation. Though he did send along a quick missive saying as much over the Network.
'...a pretty simple fellow, all things considered. Doesn't seem the decision-making type, Connor.'
Adran begins to gather his gear. Letting out another yawn.
"Ready boss." He says less excitedly than normal given the hour and being tired.
"-besides, if it is an ambush, they're the ones risking their lives... We've faced worse than a band of subterranean cutpurses." Flann examines the polish on the component in his hands.
After a thoughtful pause, he raises a hand and concentrates on the lizardfolk, probing their mind--not for ways in, but for third-party tampering. A low, sonorous hum rises in the air.
As Flann reaches out with his mind to scan the Lizardfolk, it's entire demeanor changes. Rather than looking slightly confused, it stands up straighter, even seems to gain bulk and muscle as it's posture changes. The creature's yellow eyes focus on Flann. "Keep itsss thoughtss to itsself it will, or losssse it'ssss head it will."
The lizard is telepathic, and felt Flann's psionic attempts, and is probably hearing the group speak telepathically.
Flann's entire demeanor shifts. His divided attention abandons the bit of metal in his hand. "Oh! Pardon me! I won't try anything further without asking. I haven't encountered any land-dwelling psionics before, and sort of forgot my manners. I suspected spies from our homeland, you see, and was looking for traces of their influence. If you're practiced at guarding your mind, then that's a very good thing."
There is another thoughtful pause.
"O-or a very bad thing. Have you encountered Atalantians before? Winged folk like us? I mean no disrespect, I'm only curious why you might recognize psionics and suspect compulsion..." In case he's used the wrong words, he prunes the question down to it's most important concepts: "Who else down here sends thoughts?"
The lizard eyes Flann, but finally rumbly speaks. "Many ssspeccciess do. Dragonsss, Ssserpeantfolk, and thosssse with their blood in their veinsss, asss the mossst common." The lizardfolk coughs. "The prissse doublesss for thossse who poke about in othersss headsss." It eyes Connor, the apparent leader of the group. "We have ssecretsss we mussst guard, for other clientsss."
"And that's why I talk out in the open. No secrets. You know where you stand with me for good or bad. Alright lizard buddy I think we are ready. We don't care about your secrets either."
As always for its' kind, the lizardman was inscrutable behind those glassy eyes. Thanks, Vim. Connor sent over Flann's network.
"Actually, there are four of us." Connor stated, glancing at the other room in the suite. "Which, for your prices, would tempt even the most common of thieves. What about half up front, and half upon our safe return to this inn? I've heard there are many dangers under the Surface, and I would want to make sure we have a reliable guide back here." He put emphasis on the words "safe" and "here".
Feeling the need to ensure the guide's trust, Connor grabbed that upwelling fire inside himself. He also used his emphatic monocle, looking at the lizardman through rose-colored glass. Connor had been cheated so many times, from the flying islands to Surface mercenaries, that he wanted to be sure this lizardman had a professional attitude.
The lizardfolk looks at the 5 in the room, and huffs. "I can ssssee five, unlessss not all are going. Missss sssmall onesss before, hidingsss behind big onessss. The priccce isss two thoussssand gold for five. The priccce isss to get you there, not there and back. Charge for back isss sssame pricccee." The lizardfolk replies, then tilts it's head. "Maybe dwarvessssesss open borderssss by then, maybe you sssave money on return tripssss. Or maybe thingssss be worsssse, and pricccesses go up. Too much in turmoil now, sssoo pricccesses are high and ssserviccccesss are more... immediate in delivery." The lizardfolk's entire demeanor has changed.
Final thoughts? Connor flashed over Flann's network. I've been burned in the past by scammers, and we are in Wingless territory here. But I'm inclined to say 'yes', even though it will burn through nearly all the gold I brought.
Embarassed by Connor's crass use of the network, Flann shuts the whole thing down, at least until they're done with this transaction. Anyone trying to use it will notice it's gone, and have to repeat the thought out loud. "I can pay for my own indiscretions. You and I can split the psionic fee." For the first time ever, Connor receives a look of admonishment from his vitalist.
Vim maintains a flat expression, even as he's simultaneously disappointed with Connor and impressed with Flann.
"Seems like the best option we've come across all week: I say we take it. Though perhaps one of us should stay behind: we'll save some gold and have an easier time keeping track of what's going on with the dwarves at the wall, as well as the inns and trains. Not to mention, they can point the rest of the crew in our direction if the situation...Deteriorates."