After Cindy has rejoined them,
"To be fair, I suppose I should divulge the additional mission that has brought some of us to this fair town." She gives a knowing look to her co-conspirators in that regard. "At least then, we as a group will be able to coordinate our efforts."
Mardoni nods to Aria in agreement. "As long as you trust them."
I am all ears. Perhaps we can enlist you own behalf of the merchants and then we can share our missions as well. But I do wonder about this place. Here, I can at least make it harder to overhear us. Cindy casts Message on the group.
Aria is relieved when she senses the message spell surround them. "Thank you for that."
Via message
"Master Raseb asked me to escort you here and also to find Cormick Edgerton a human and Hezrog Occorum a half-orc.."
Raseb, the merchant's guild primary representative, has asked you to look into something very discreetly for him.
He believes that Master Sorrin, who holds the first seat on the merchant council, may be skimming on his recorded profits. Because merchant dues are based in part on the profits the merchants make, if this is true, then he is under paying on his dues. Because of his position in the guild though Raseb would prefer this matter be handled discreetly, so as to not draw attention to the matter.
Raseb has asked that you collect copies of several of Master Sorrin's shipping manifests so that he can compare them with the reported earnings - all of course without being caught or it being known that you have done so.
Responging to the tiefling woman Cindy says in a gruff voice Only those who might mean trouble for my friends inside. Are you such a person?
Through message spell:
"Raseb has asked us to look into something very discreetly for him.
He believes that Master Sorrin, who holds the first seat on the merchant council, may be skimming on his recorded profits. Because merchant dues are based in part on the profits the merchants make, if this is true, then he is underpaying on his dues. Because of his position in the guild though, Raseb would prefer this matter be handled discreetly, so as to not draw attention to the matter."
"Raseb has asked that we collect copies of several of Master Sorrin's shipping manifests so that he can compare them with the reported earnings - all of course without being caught or it being known that you have done so."
"We have the arrival dates of several ships which are arriving over the next few days, starting tomorrow."
The tiefling stops and looks straight at you. "I am not. I merely observed you were looking around the room quite intently. I know most of the people here in the Hold. If you were looking for someone I could help. You are not from here yourself, your party has only recently come to this place."
With that she continues up to the bar to order a drink.
Cindy takes note of the woman wondering if the group might need her help. Once in the meeting room with the others she will share the encounter. Perhaps I have found someone who could help us with finding people. she offers. There is a Tiefling woman in the bar who claims to know everyone in the Hold.
Aria nods to Mardoni.
"That about sums it up. Though I'd like to know more of what the rest of you were doing here..... Things might have gone better for us if we had had this meeting before, but I digress from the matter at hand. What we can do now and from this point to see our missions fulfilled."
Cindy adds, "We've also been investigating the murder of the high priest of Abadar in Coran. We have a potential lead from a rather disreputable source, said we should track down a tiefling informant named Sul'tak and ask about an individual named Rakinkal."
"The source of our tip was one of the leaders in the gang war going on in Coran."
In this case, we can first talk to the woman tiefling you've meet about Rakinkal Cindy and then looking at the manifesto of each ship on your list Mardoni ?
Proposes Issa
Cindy stares for a moment, "Sul'tak - you think the tiefling I met out there was her? The easiness of it would defy our usual luck. Shall I go invite her to join us?"
Sure, it never hurts to find out who is who, and if this is indeed the person we are looking for it is all the better
Mardoni rubs his chin as he thinks. "That sounds like a great plan, Issa." He turns to Cindy, "It's worth a shot, Cindy." Mardoni follows Cindy over to the Tiefling, watching out for trouble.
Solian then follows Mardoni .. to guard.. but maybe to help if he can
The female tiefling enters behind Cindy then gives a low bow to those in the room. "I am Sul'tak. I had wondered how long it might be before we spoke with one another. With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with, and how is it that I can assist you?"
Well met Sul'tak. I am Cindy. My companions and I are in the employ, directly or indirectly of the Merchant's guild. And while we had other business in this place I came here hoping that we would indeed have a chance to talk with you. There may be ways you can assist us that we do not yet know, but for now if you can tell us about an individual named Rakinkal.
Sul'tak's smile and pleasant looking demeanor stiffens for a moment. "There are not many who know that name, may I inquire how you came to know it?"
The underside of Coran raises up many contenders and rival for the prime thieves guild. As a supporter of the Merchants I have found it useful to know about these groups and to sometimes even support one over another. A leader in such a guild entrusted this name to me.
"Ahhh," she says, the smile returning back to her face, her eyes glinting, "the thieve's war in Coran. And do you currently support one side over the other? Or is there now a victor in the war?"
You sense she learned more from Cindy's statement than what was stated factually by Cindy.
Cindy smiles warmly at the woman before stating I understood you were the broker of information, not I. I do not mind sharing with you what I know but at least we should trade information. Too much one sided giving will make one side feel, well, under appreciated, don't you think?
"I am, but my price is an exchange of useful information. And some pieces of intel are very costly. But very well, allow me to provide the first piece then and we can go from there. Rakinkal leads, as you say, the underside, here in the Hold."
Mardoni listens in carefully, watching the Tiefling's mannerisms for clues of her motives. He takes note of her reaction after Cindy mentions the Thieves Guilds. He wonders what information she desires. He looks over her gear as well.
Becoming more comfortable with the exchange Cindy offers the tiefling a chair. Please, me more at ease. I will gladly share what I know with you and trust you will do the same. Members of our guild were being extorted by one rising guild in the city. We could not tolerate such activity against a member in good standing so we acted. Part of our action was to support a rival guild. We used intel from that guild to find our problem group and attacked them with some backup from their rivals. One high level guild member was killed, and one was taken prisoner. The others managed to evade us as the city guard came to investigate. Our allies benefited from the weakened condition of their rivals. They agreed, for a time at least, to exclude our membership from their activities. I felt the exchange a win for our merchants. She goes on to identify the names of the guilds and anything she knew abouther enemies, but not the leadership of her ally guild.
Solian observes and takes notes in his head.. all future fodder for playing the game.
Now the guild lead by a female drow is the one that won that shadowy war. We are to ask you about Rakinkal on behlaf of Mistress Diguri head of the thief guild
As Aerin begins to add more information Cindy interrupts Hold my friend. While I would share all the information that is mine to share, some of what we know is for guild ears only. I am sure the tiefling understands the nature of secrets better than most and will understand.
Sul'tak takes the chair offered by Cindy. "My thanks to you. Many of those I associate with lack proper manners."
Cindy cuts Aerin off about half way through.
The tiefling does not seem the least perturbed by this exchange.
She does seems somewhat amused by it.
Looking over her person, she has a pair of daggers, but does not wear any visible armor beneath or immaculate clothing. One finger is adorned with a simple looking silver ring.
"The she-elf has won then? At least for now... rumor, and deductive reasoning, suggests another is about to break out. Rakinkal has had his on things happening in Coran, waiting for a power vacuum to appear. Whose side will you take in a second round? That I might provide you with more suitable information to that end."
Solian perks up and looks intently as the woman after her words then he speaks
"Perhaps you should provide us with all the information you have available so that we may judge and you do not get my clients political leanings for free."
Using social panache deed he spends a point and add a dice
You can rest assured that I wills side with the one that favors the merchants the most. That is not always evident though and there is also the matter of time frame to consider. Giving the chance I would consult with my superiors before making a decision. And while I expect no true honor among thieves certain, well, races, have a particular reputation for deceit. Without good evidence to do so I doubt I would support such a leader. She leaves some of the details out expecting Sul'tak with fill in the blanks. But you might have such evidence to share with us, no? After all, I must consider who sent us to you.
Mardoni smirks at the Tiefling's amusement. He continues to listen in. I'm starting to like this one.
She gives Solian a genuine smile. "If only life were so simple. You need to understand that not only is my livelihood dependent upon my judicious sharing of information, my life as well is at stake. Everyone I speak with understands there are risks to share sensitive information with me. And in doing so they understand I may at some future point share that information with someone else. So long as I keep a proper reign on things they will tolerate me as a useful tool. If I become to open, that will quickly come to an end. For an exchange of information I can give you some details about one or the other, or for the right price in added coin as well as certain assurances you are prepared to appropriately deal with both groups we can discuss both sides in greater detail."
"As representatives of the merchant houses you represent a strong potential ally. You are correct Cindy that these organizations do have a reputation, and there definition of honor is not what most would consider such. Let me provide a little perspective that may be of value to you."
"Rakinkal holds only to his own. Any deals he might offer to you will be done with absolute contempt, and will only hold so long as it is profitable to him. He cares nothing for those not his own, but would see all as slaves to satisfy his lusts, cruelties, or whatever else fancies him at the time. His organization is certainly the more powerful of the two at present, and as such I'd give better odds at coming out victor without outside influence.", she adds the last with a meaningful nod to the assembled group.
"The she-elf is ruthless, but she focuses on manipulating people meet her goals, but such manipulation is usually profitable even to those being manipulated. She is not a stereotypical drow. She does not hold in contempt those not of her race. There may only be a few fine distinctions between manipulation and slavery - judge that how you will. She would likely offer more equitable arrangements than Rakinkal though if you side with her. And she is more skilled at the game than Rakinkal. While I said I'd give better odds on Rakinkal in a confrontation, the drow is crafty enough she may surprise us."
"If my guess is correct, the fact that you are here already asking about Rakinkal suggests we are pieces her in latest schemes."
As she talks you get the sense she has a dislike for Rakinkal. Not that it would make her irrational or feed you false information, but she may slant things slightly against him.
So my question for you is why would Rakinkal be involved in the murder of a high priest of Abadar in Coran? Of was he? It might be that a certain drow wishes us to believe he was in order to influence the very decision we discuss.
Solian listens to Sul'Tak as she speaks and when she has finished gives her a nod in acknowledgement of her words
Mardoni is content with Cindy's leading. He continues taking things in to report to the group later. Hoping to gain favor with the Tiefling, he adds "If this Rakinkal is worse than the she-elf, he is bad news."
The tiefling shows surprise at the news, "The high priest of Abadar slain? That is news that had not yet reached us. Either certainly could have been involved or behind it. Are there any details you can share regarding the murder? Any motive you've been unable to discern?"
And so you are rewarded. Cindy adds with a smile. She goes on to tell what she knows about the murder of the high priest but does not betray any confidences that she is aware of and specifically fails to mention that the group made an ally of a certain reluctant vampire.
Sul'tak frowns slightly as she considers what Cindy is saying. "The drow is said to be a master of disguise. With the right magic she could have certainly imitated the high priest during the time of his actual death."
She folds her arms and drums the fingers of her left hand on her right bicep for a moment, "However... this would be a natural thing for Rakinkal." She looks straight into Cindy's eyes. "Rakinkal is rakshasa."
A Rakshasa?! Are you sure?
That's quite a news... And I'm not sure I like it best.
Can't stop to say with a hint of surprise Issa.
Both possibilities aren't good news and I fear for the worst about the Abadar's church and what they try to preserve.
Issa looks at his comrades - new and ancient - That is a terrible news but I think we must discuss together to which side we will go and help. None seems good to me, but I prefer we find the lesser of the devils.
He waits for Cindy to ask something else or close the meeting.
Cindy is unsure what a rakshasa is and so asks. I fear you must educate me. I have heard the name whispered in fear but do not really know what a rakshasa is.
Sul'tak explains about the nature of Rashaka. Their ability to shapechange at will, to read the thoughts of others, and their affinity for magic. Along with their superiority complex.
"Nearly every society of sufficient size to generate wealth and power attracts Rashaka to it. They easily blend in with the locals and begin building a base of power to further their own agendas. They breed with the locals, as they cannot reproduce on their own. And they engage in every manner of depravity." There is a note of disgust in her voice now that she does not try to hide.
"It seems we shall have to be on our toes and use all the tools at our disposal if we come up against these Rakshasa."
He then alters his form to that of an Orc and then back "It appears the game may be affoot."
drow and rakshasha, and demons.. she whipers