Okeno is a den of suffering, filth, and evil or so many claim from their far off homes and simple seats. More often then not padded with the same hands that are bought and sold in the fleshfairs. What is the difference between our slaves and theirs, a name or honesty. The yellow city hides much, but never it's character. The song of laughter is heard as much as the chorus of pitiful cries. Still Okeno has her secrets and they are tended well by her children, both the bestial of form or heart.
Jawahar is one of those secrets. While those of beastly form grow tame, those of beastly heart grow wild. Such is sweet Okeno's sway on those that crawl into her embrace. Yet what of those rare and unique few of both form and heart, what does she have in store for them. Jawahar will learn his fate, for Okeno is blessed or cursed by all. Their is no compromise among her streets and sweatways.
The night is young, cool, and sadly foul as the winds flow over the tanning pits towards the rest of the city. Causing the stench of animal waste to hang over Okeno. Locals wear a sour face but endure it as usual, somehow the gnolls seem nearly immune to the smell. Their endless laughter unchanged from it's usual pitch. As always their was danger and opportunity to be had, even with the fresh smell of shit in the air.
Ugh, the tannery with their rotten flesh and piss pots. No wonder the gnolls linger and bask in it, filthy beasts.
Jawahar strolls down the street, wary of the gnolls. He makes way to the nearest Shisha bar, hoping to find a easy target to plunder or perhaps a good time.
It takes some time to make your way closer to the water where lights grew as did the sailors delight. You spot a dimly lit doorway, lazy white smoke escapes from it's frame. Other small stacks leave from proper openings on it's multi pointed roof. You have found your bar, along with a rather large tusked green skinned humanoid by it's entrance. Flanking the other side a equally large tanned human with strange tattoos on one muscled arm. They appear alert and more then able to use their large weapons, whatever was being smoked with in had no effect on the pair.
They look tough, don't want to get on the other end of their swords arms. Better scope out the place once I'm inside.
Jawahar nonchalantly makes his way to the entrance, he scans both of the men and nods to them.
"Quiet night? Hasn't been too much trouble the smoke lounge?" He asked both of the doormen, speaking to them with confidence but above all else politely.
Both men eye Jawahar, they don't seem interested in more then the possible trouble in front of them. The human speaks, his voice deep and strong yet a little slow.
"A penny will get you a seat, a scarab will get you a better seat in a better room. Tea's a pair of grains, penny for a smoke, with ten scarabs for the good stuff."
He seems finished and no doubt the words are well rehearsed.
Jawahar tucks his hands into the sleeves of his robes and gives them a slight bow.
"I thank you, have a good night."
He removes his hands from his sleeves and reaches for one scarab in his coin pouch. Making his way into the smoke den and examines the room for any possible exits, anything of note or potential targets to pilfer.
You see little of interest, the smoke and strange lighting adding to the difficulty.
Mostly their are small groups around hookah's, a curtain of strings of beads or cloth surround them along with a barrier of cushions in which they seat or lay upon. Servers move between these islands with trays in the large open room.
You spot the more expensive seats in flashes as the rooms are private and barred with solid wood doors. Only opening to allow entrance or exit. To one side you spy a bar, with it's own host. A plain dressed human female with gold bracelets and sharp golden eyes to match. She is tending to the orders and lone customer seated towards one end. The only exit to the building you see are the various small chimney's and the entrance you just walked through.
Like a reefclaw in a box trap, typical. Won't be making a few coins tonight. Better the sights and scents of while I'm here, better than the tannery.
Jawahar dances the scarab between his fingers, sauntering over to the bar leaning his weight against the counter top, he beckons the hostess.
"Excuse me my dear hostess could I trouble you for a seat, a smoke and something to drink?" He asks of her while continuing to dance the scarab between his fingers.
She wipes down the bar as she moves over. Her eyes lock on Jawahar, ignoring his gold. Upon a closer look she is clearly keleshite, he tied up black hair has thin chains of gold in it as well.
"A grain for the bar, a penny for the floor, and a scarab for a room. If you want a room all to yourself then it's a genie. I am sure our doormen already told you the price of smoking, unless you want pesh cigars. Their a pair of genies each. We carry mwangi, andoran, and cheliax rolled. As for drinks, that depends on what your having. We carry most things, just don't expect anything to fancy. Lastly you pay first."
The person on the other end taps the bar with their knuckles. The woman inclines her head towards you before moving off to refill the other customer's drink.
"Fair enough, safe business practice. Keeps the thieves away, not that the doormen couldn't handle them. I'll take a room and smoke and how much for a glass of Penj?"
Reaching into his coin purse, Jawahar retrives another scarab. Placing the two on the counter top.
"If I could trouble you for one last thing, I'd leave you a nice tip. Have you heard of any work around Okeno?"
The woman swipes the two coins away, no change was coming. But he does get his drink. A good mug full, it was strangely cool considering how hot it got during the day light hours.
"Penj is a penny per mug. A ship just docked, nothing new there. But it's not a yellow sail, it's a fancy foreign ship. Anyone that tries anything with it just disappears. The only ones getting on and off are those folk that walk up honest. Laborers actually getting paid enough to buy themselves free if you can believe it. If your looking for work then walk over to New Dock, look for a frigate made of polished darkwood with a snake figurehead."
Another knock down the bar draws her away once more.
He sniffs the drink and takes a small sip, the taste is potent yet sweet.
"Thanks for the information and the drink, now uhmm hostess. would you point to me which room I could take?"
Jawahar waits on his, continuing to sip on the cool mug of Penj.
Jawahar hears a small "ahem" by his side. A plain male halfling with short hair and a empty tray under one arm. Opens his free arm wide towards one of the rooms.
"This way sir."
As the halfling is followed the air gets thicker and heavier. The halfling opens one of the doors without checking, again inviting you to enter. Once you step in you see a number of men and women seated around a hookah, this one twice as large as those outside. The entire room seems to be one great padded chair with cushions raised off the floor. At a glance you can tell these people were better off then those outside.
"Someone will come to check in on you and take orders ever so often. Enjoy."
Unless stopped the halfling leaves with a quiet click of the door. It's hinges clearly well oiled and it's frame padded as well for silence. Their are a number of free steams and plenty of room. The current occupants spread out to give each other respectful space. Their is more then enough room for others without rubbing elbows.
Jawahar nods to the halfling server, once the door closes he walks over to one of them empty cushions and sinks into it.
Observing the other occupants in the room, perhaps he would start up a conversation. Regardless, Jawahar grabs hose connected to the hookah and beings to inhale the vapors.
After a night of indulgence and few surprises Jawahar acts on the information gained and somehow gets himself up at dawn. Making his way through the busy early hours of the laborers and seamen, he arrives at New Dock. Of course being Okeno their was nothing new about these docks. In fact they were hundreds of years old, the bones of once new timbers eaten away by time and weather. The place was makeshift and haphazard yet functional if dangerous. The endless need to cater to ships saw to that state of being with no improvement in sight.
Jawahar knew well that the New Docks were very dangerous due to all this. In fact you could fall prey to an honest accident with greater odds then suffering some ill fate in the city proper. As such the best action to take in New Docks was watch where your going, be ready to move, and failing all that be a fair swimmer. The waters below the docks were not desolate or kind to surface dwellers. After all Okeno disposed of a number of bodies into the harbor daily, be they slave or not. They would have choked the waters if not tended to by those below the waves.
Spying a mole, the local name given to wererat helpers of the harbormaster, speaking to a pair of gnolls that themselves were part of the local watch. You give them a wide berth. Arriving intact and dry to the ship described to you. It did not do it justice.
The ship was a in fact a frigate but unlike any you had ever seen. Almost a work of art as much as a ship. The entire thing was made of gleaming darkwood with carved trim of jungle and snake motifs. Even with her sails tucked away you could see they were made of fine white silk. The mast themselves carved to resemble coiling snakes. While the ships design was streamlined both narrow and longer then normal, making it seem as if it could cut through the water like a dark blade. As your eyes traced it's lines they came to rest on it's figurehead, a masterful serpent with such fine details you could count the scales on it's body and many rows of fangs in it's rearing mouth. The small twin emeralds that were fixed in it's eyes was both unnerving and impressive, that none had managed to pluck them out by now that is. Finally you find it's name proper on a golden plate, actually pure gold if you were not mistaken, that read "Serpent's Sin".
Already you saw the ship had much activity, laborers moving on and off the ship.
Hmm, the Serpent's Sin. A fitting name.
Jawahar eyes were transfixed to the ship's figurehead. Captivated by the emerald eyes as if the glint of the gemstones emitted a hypnotic trance, seeing himself in the reflection he knew for a split moment that he was meant to be here.
He walks along side of the ship till he was met with the accommodation ladder on either the port or starboard, he boards the ship and looks for an officer to ask about potential work.
While Jawahar had seen mainly humans, half orcs, and other common races making up the laborers. He made the mistake of not looking at the ship's crew close enough before boarding. He found himself faced with dozens of serpent like races on the deck. One giant of a specimen towered before him all muscle, scales, and various pointed sharp things. He had almost ran into it on his way up.
While Jawahar drew a blank on most of the reptilian crew, he was fortunately able to recall the green scaled hulk that stood before him as well as it's smaller brethren on board. It was known as a lizard scion, a naturally superior and rare lizardfolk. What such creatures were doing on the sea much less in Okeno without chains was a thought for another time as his musings were interrupted by a silky yet distasteful voice.
"Make room for the servants."
The lizard scion's cold eye lingered on Jawahar for a moment before moving aside. Exposing a scowling small dark skinned man clad in red robes and a matching vest with copper trim unlike those seen in this part of the world. His hair was tied into a ball on his head with a red serpent ornament that held it in place with a matching red needle like stick through the side, it complemented his reddish hair. His slanted eyes were a sharp green, faintly reminding you of the figurehead. He seems to notice you now that the brute has moved on. He takes in your appearance in an instant before speaking.
"You are not a hired servant. Why have you come to my master's ship?"
His silky voice was a few degree's lower then it had been. Still it had loss none of it's distaste.
"Forgive my insolence, unwanted or unaccounted guest make for displeasurable greetings. My name is Jawahar, I've heard rumors of this vessel. Those that interfere with it vanish and those that are looking for work don't disappear."
Jawahar bows before the dark skinned man, as a show of respect for not having the lizard scion devour him.
"I'm here for the latter, if you'd be interested in taking on this sorcerer acolyte."
Jawahar gets the sense that this man thinks of him as a worm, less then a slave. Yet he is supremely confident that he is in no danger of anything. Not from you or those around him, he exudes a sense of ease. More then mere arrogance, certainty.
The man does not miss a beat as Jawahar speaks.
"It is not my interest that is of concern. Only my master's and he has no need of the hapless tricks of a street rat."
He turns to leave only for a second voice to ring out. This one was silky as well only it was cold, playful, and deadly all at once.
"Come now Budi, thieves no longer come to call and the slavers are skittish of late."
Twin doors swing soundlessly open and a pair of scaled women pull back purple curtains as a man walks out into the deck. At least he appears to be a man, only his skin is a pale gold. No matter how well oiled and sun bathed a person is, that hue of gold skin is simply unnatural. While the act of painting one's body gold is not unheard of or seen in Okeno. Jawahar could tell by the texture, this was no paint. If that was not enough the man's build was lean, his features narrow and sharp, with long fingers. His eyes were orange red with thick black eyeliner. His black hair was some what long yet slicked back to fall at the top of his shoulders. He wore layered robes of yellow in slight contrast to his skin with black trim. He bore a great deal of black gold jewelry as well from rings on every finger and bracelets around his wrist to even a mantle that covered his shoulders, spine, and the center of his chest. All of it covered in a mixture of floral and runic designs.
"I am the great Akorian, master of this ship and those on it. You say your name is Jawahar. Tell me, are you a local?"
Even as he spoke, his eyes never leaving the sorcerer. He gave a simple gesture and soon enough the crew brought a table, plush large chairs, and a assortment of refreshment and snacks that were quickly placed on the table. Akorian's chair was the largest and most comfortable as well as flanked with beautiful fine scaled women that served him. He sat and a woman placed a jeweled golden goblet in his waiting upturned hand. Budi remained standing, their was no chair for him. He simply folded his hands in the sleeves of his robes before him. Jawahar's waiting chair was still larger then most and comfortable, yet his was flanked by a pair of serpent men he did not recognize. They were more human like then the lizardfolk yet lacked true noses or ears. Making their snake like appearance all the more pronounced, not to mention they had no eyelids. Giving them an unblinking gaze. One was grey the other a shade of green. Akorian gave a sweep of his arm, inviting Jawahar to sit, he got the impression it was more an order then invitation at this point.
Jawahar looks quickly to the serpentmen flanking him, Akorian hasn't had him cut down or worse eaten. It would only be right to courteous not that he had any other choice.
Tucking his arms into his sleeves bows before Akorian. Jawahar grabs a snack from the table and sinks into the chair.
"I am Jawahar Raktavira, some call me the Beast of the East most call me fiendblooded filth and you may of guessed that from my, appearance. I've lived in Okeno for years, raised amongst the priests of Abadar. They believe I was born in Vudra, judging from my skin colour."
Jawahar slowly allows his tail to slink out of his robes and grab the nearest goblet of wine.
"I've heard rumors of this ship, The Serpent's Sin. Those that try anything with it just disappears and then those that walk up to it honestly make it out alive. Are these rumors correct, the Great Akorian?"
Bringing the goblet to his lips, he sniffs the wine and takes a small ship.
"Should you wish, we may continue in Draconic. It would be wrong of me if I didn't ask."
The gold man only smiles for a moment. Perhaps it was the paint or maybe he was that good but absolutely nothing could be read from the man. The silence stretched just far enough for dread to creep in. Then he spoke in that same playful manner.
"Oh well that explains why no one has tried to steal from me lately. How sad no one else will be coming, at least not the unskilled ones. They were such fun while they lasted. Alas Taldane is fine, it is the common tongue to these lands. Anyways I doubt you have the right tongue to speak it properly, butchering a language is far more disrespectful when you have no need to. As for rumors, I care not and find them tiresome. If you seek work beyond simple labor. I may have something for you, I reward good service. Which reminds me."
He snaps the fingers in his free hand. Some how the lizard scion is there, how something so big could move that quietly or quickly was unsettling. Now that you were not under his bulk's shadow you see it is armored in leather the same shade as it's scales. In fact it was made of scales even larger then the lizard's, dragon hide. It bore a number of weapons, the most pronounced was a massive trident on it's back.
"One of my favored bodyguards, Gaz. Now Gaz how long have you worked for me?"
Surprisingly enough the lizard scion speaks common rather well despite it's maw of teeth. It's voice deep and strong.
"Five years, master."
Akorian tilted his head and then took a sip of his drink. He looked at Budi.
"How long have you served Budi?"
The red robed man bowed before speaking.
"Fifteen years and my father served you for forty, master."
Again he tilted his head.
"His father was a peerless servant you see. He never failed me in the task I asked him to undertake and his loyalty was unquestionable. He was rewarded accordingly and retired on an island I gifted him in far off Minata."
He took a long draw this time, yet his eyes never left Budi.
"Awww Gaz my good servant. Kill Budi now."
The words had barely left his mouth when the great lizard drew a curved blade at it's hip and brought it down in a single fluid arc. Budi's eyes had just widened when he was nearly cut in two down the middle. Falling back dead and seeping blood on the black deck. Akorian sipped his drink as if nothing happened, not a hint of recognition. It was the same for those around him oddly enough. Gaz wiped his blade clean, returning it home at his hip. Once more merely standing.
"Budi betrayed me. To be clear he has been stealing from me for years. I always knew of it and his greed. Yet he remained loyal and did as I asked. I care little for trinkets and common coin. I considered it a price of his service with in reason. So it went for years. Then he allowed his greed and arrogance to get the better of him, he betrayed my interest in place of his own recently. That is something I do not allow."
He placed a hand in his pocket and threw it's contents on Budi's body. Where the blood met the coins he tossed carelessly on the body, the blood transformed into more coins. Leaving a bloodless corpse and bed of coins.
"Know this, if you serve me. You serve only me, not even yourself. You will be rewarded accordingly. But betrayal will never be tolerated and failure will be punished in turn. Those are my terms, if you accept. Gather your retainer and return tomorrow prepared for work, I have much to do in Okeno. If you decline, you are free to leave and I would advise you avoid my ship until it departs. The choice is yours Jawahar, we all choose our patrons."
Jawahar's eyes widen and his palms became sweaty. His shock quickly dissipated and a sickening smile grew on his face.
"Oh my dinner and a show, you certainly know how to entertain guests."
Jawahar repositions himself in the comfy chair, straightening his posture.
"Before I make up my mind, I have but two questions. One: How long will I be contracted for and should I decided to leave your services, will my fate be that of the now late Budi? And lastly, if feel the need to reprimand and punish me for ask it, so be it. But What are you? I've never seen a golden scaled being before, let alone men with serpentine features."
Akorian laughs, the sound is high and cutting.
"I do not give answers already known and I feel no need to indulge a stranger's curiosity about myself. Consult my servants of their kind or a sage. Do pay attention, less you find yourself lacking. Agree or not."
He was playing with Jawahar now. But their's a little more to it.
You notice one of his rings now has a gem you were pretty sure was not there before.
Something draws your attention, you can't pinpoint it. It came from around the dead body. The bed of coins is smaller then when it first appeared, could it be shrinking. Even without counting their are less coins now then a moment ago.
"Forgive me Akorian, I will hold my tongue next time such a thought emerges."
Jawahar stands from his seat and raises his goblet.
"A toast to Akorian the Great! I will accept your offer and the generous bed of coins. I should buy some supplies I would think."
He pays no attention to little details, his eyes transfixed to the coins. brushing past the serpentine men, he collects the coins from where Budi once stood. Hastily counting them to try and get an idea of the amount, he places the coins in his coin purse and places that into his bag of holding. Keeping ten separate coins in his pocket.
Jawahar returns the next day. The Serpent's Sin appears the same as the day before. Laborers at work and all as if nothing has changed. Once on board he finds Akorian on deck. His chair, table, and assorted spread upon it much like yesterday. Yet now his female attendants are rubbing his shoulders and feet, Gaz stood with a oversized umbrella that cast shade on his master. Without opening his eyes he spoke.
"Ahhh welcome Jawahar. A gift and proof of your service to me. Do put it on."
He waved to one of the serpent men that stood near by. He held a black cushion with a copper necklace resting atop it, the necklace held a dangling rectangle of matching bronze with a gold serpent inlaid upon it.
"If you have not already noticed. All my servants hold a token as proof of their service."
Now that he pointed it out, you did see them. The two females had serpent chokers of gold, Gaz had a similar ring of gold as well, and the serpent man with the cushion had a silver bracelet with the same gold serpent insignia on it as well.
Jawahar nods to Akorian,"a gift for me? Thank you."
He put two and two together, rather than anger his employer. Jawahar simply puts on the neckless.
As soon as Jawahar puts the necklace on he feels a tinge of power flow into him. As well as the knowledge of the necklaces abilities. Again without opening his eyes he speaks.
"You will act as my agent in the city. My crew will largely remain on the ship as will I. Your first task is to acquire a shipment of various spices I have agreed to purchase. You must gather guards and wagons to pick up the shipment and see it safety brought to my ship."
He snaps his fingers and a second serpent man comes forth with a small pouch. Presenting it to Jawahar, he continues speaking.
"That is a magical pouch. The wealth inside is to pay for the guards, wagons, and anything else vital to completing your task. It holds a scroll with the merchants name, location, and description as well. The empty pouch itself will be given to the spice merchant, his payment is magically hidden with in. Only he and myself know the command word. Any wealth you do not spend on this task is to be kept by yourself and returned here. Any questions?"
"How long do I have to complete this first task?"
"Their is no time limit this time. But I will warn you that if you should take to long, you run the risk of the merchant selling his stock to someone else. We agreed on a price but not exclusivity."
"Very well, I will carry out the task you've set before me."
Jawahar grabs the magical pouch, placing it in an inner pocket in his armoured robes. Jawahar makes his way to rowboat, mumbling the password to prevent the trap from triggering. Traveling to his hidden boathouse, he stows away his rowboat and enters the home.
"Let's see what we're working with in here." He begins to empty the bag, counting the coins to better formulate a plan for what and who he can hire for the job.
Jawahar at first was shocked, there was no coin to be found only gems.
Clever, easier to carry and higher value. Now I need to get these appraised, maybe someone at the temple of Abadar could help?
He puts away the gems back into the pouch. Jawahar decided to unravel the scroll to get the merchants names and where he could find them. Once he scrolled through the list, he set out to the temple of Abadar fro further guidance and appraisal of the gems.
Making his way to Slaver's Vault, the second largest temple to Abadar in all Katapesh. Jawahar's journey is not a short one, he has to cross more then half of Okeno to get there. Perhaps it was the wealth or recent good luck that saw him avoid trouble, as with all good things that came to an end. He runs into a trio of rowdy sailors, one bars his way.
"Look at this strutting half peacock. Thinking he can slum it down by the docks all his lonesome covered up like a ugly woman. Why not show some good will to hard working proper sea folk. May just bring you luck cause you sure need it about now son."
The man leers and the smell of grog and cheap meat assaults your senses. He has one hand on a curved blade, he fellows one bare chested the other wearing a vest, share the same weaponry. The few people around give a wide berth to the sailors and no gnolls are in sight.
Jawahar takes a step back, he places his left hand out in front of him with his right hand open palmed towards his thigh. Within a blink of an eye his tail flies out of his robes and places one of his metal flasks in his right hand.
"You see these flasks on my waist and in my hand, they're filled with alchemist fire. Do you blow us both up, do I melt your face of with my magic or do we all walk out of here alive?"
Jawahar glares at the man with his glowing infernal eyes, barring his fanged teeth. Slowly muttering a drawn out incantation.
The man in front of Jawahar backs up looking at him like he is crazy. But one of those behind him speaks up.
"Let him try. Starting a fire on the docks, the gnolls will play with him for days."
The man keeps backing up his hands wide. Talking over his shoulder.
"Yeah right, your not the one getting fire in the face."
You manage to spot two things. A gnoll patrol in the distance, currently heading your way at a relaxed pace. Second, one of the sailors farthest from you drew and notched a bow.
Your reactions are faster then theirs. But none of the sailors are in range of your spell.
Shit, gnolls. Better get the high hell out of here.
Jawahar grabs with thunderstone with his tail, placing it in his left hand.
"I'd love to stay and parley, but I'm busy."
Jawahar threw the stone high in the air in an arc, landing behind the sailor closest to him. Once the stone took air, he bolted the hell of there slinking into the crowd.
The thunderstone falls short of the sailor but it's thunderous blast still manages to catch him and bring everyone's attention.
The sailor with the bow holds his shot. He wasn't about to shoot into random people, more so with all the attention suddenly their way.
"Let's get out of here!"
He yells, the two run for it down an alley. Sadly the third sailor which got hit could not hear them and was looking around in confusion. He bolted once he realized he was all alone and his victim gone. The gnolls arrive with in moments looking hungry for blood. But without anyone sticking out they merely settled for taking deep breaths in by the snout. They were remembering the scent.
Jawahar was gone by the time the gnolls showed up. He had seemed to get away clean. Suddenly he picked out a shadow from the corner of his eye. He looked in the direction but saw nothing, he had the sense he was being watched. He continues to make his way to Slaver's Vault without incident.
Finally he stood before Okeno's bank temple of Abadar. A squat marble building with a massive winding tower sprouting from it stands before him. A pair of guards stand like living statues by the entrance, gleaming in golden armor with a pole weapon in hand. It was impressive they could stand the heat in such heavy gear. A streaming line comes in and out of the vault's open doors.
"Ah, my old home. Somethings never change." He mutters under his breath.
Jawahar walks into the temple bank if needed, he waits in line. Having just gotten out of trouble, he does his best to keep his nose clean of trouble.
Jawahar makes his way to the teller. A plain featured cleric stands behind a barred window with an opening slot where the bars meet a polished desk counter.
"Welcome, what is the purpose of your visit today?"
"Ah yes, I'd like to know if you could appraise some gems for me? Direct me to the local Merchant's guild to acquire some wagons and charter some vessels to bring the wagons to various ports."
Jawahar reaches into the magical pouch and removes every single gem, placing them before the Cleric.
The clerk takes the presented gems, moves them over to a table with a number of appraisers behind him. A few moments later he returns with the tray of gems, a few sheets of paper, and a quill. Without looking up he begins to writing in flowing script as he speaks.
"The gems were appraised, after fee's deducted from your account, at 2200 gold scarabs total. You will receive an official certificate of authentication from the church of Abadar concerning their individual value."
His hand shot out to the side as he grabbed a seal and stamped the papers he just wrote upon in rapid succession. The golden key seal of Abadar shined magically on the paper before he shuffled them and moved them aside. He started writing again.
"While the local merchant's guild does have wagons they would be willing to sell. You would be better off visiting the carpenter's and shipbuilder's guild. They deal primarily in ship related services of course but they also create all the wagons and carriages in Okeno. Along with any skilled wood worked item. I have written down their headquarters location."
He adds another paper to the stack. Before pulling out a sheet from a drawer, which he adds as well.
"I suspect you will need guards, never unwise in this city. I have included a list of reputable middlemen for contracting guards. They have all been approved by our temple. Present this upon your meeting as proof of referral. Is there anything else I can help you with."
Finally the clerk looks up from his work as he pushes the tray of gems and papers back through the slot.
"Thank you for for your services, may the Lord of the Vault safeguard you."
Jawahar places the gems in back into the pouch along with the certificate of authenticity and referrals. Growing hungry from the close call the close call with the sailors and gnoll guards, he heads for nearest tavern and inn for much needed meal and a quiet place to read over his documents.
Jawahar has no trouble finding sellswords, most come from the churches source. The middlemen showing a noticeable disappointment at the proof of Abadar's faithful. Along with the less reputable sort the sorcerer gathered himself he had twenty guards in his service. Those that came about by referral seem better armed and solid. While the others appear lean, mean, and pointedly more hungry in comparison.
With his forces in tow, few even thought to give Jawahar any trouble. He made his way to the Carpenter's Guildhall and with in a few short hours left with four heavy wagons, along with drivers and rented camels to pull it all. At this point it was well pass mid day and heading towards evening.
Jawahar arrived at the spice merchant's warehouse and business with a few hours before sunset. The spice merchant, a native of katapesh by the looks of him, greets Jawahar.
"You must be Lord Akorian's agent. He sent word you would be coming soon. Am I right?"
Jawahar nods, bowing lightly before the man. "You'd be correct, I am Akorian the Greats agent. I have assembled the caravans for transportation of the spice. You must be the spice merchant, am I correct?
"Indeed, payment first. Then I can have my men load up the spice. Once it's on your wagons, our deal is concluded."
He holds out a hand for his payment.
"Very well, one cannot be too trusting in Okeno."
Jawahar hands the merchant the empty pouch and retrieves a single gem from his own bag of holding."I was told this was your payment, you'd know this. As for the gem, use it to buy poison. Should any of the hired guard prove to be unruly or prove to become greedy." he said with a smirk.
"One behalf of Akorian, I thank you for your services and I bid you farewell. Safe travels merchant."
With the pact having been sealed and met, Jawahar takes his leave and makes for the Serpent's Sin to inform Akorian of the tasks completion.
The merchant murmurs a word, looking into the pouch, he repeats the action. Pocketing the pouch and the offered gem. He gives only a nod and turns to have his laborers load the spice.
With in an hour the wagons are loaded and depart the merchants warehouse. Each wagon has five guards and a driver to it. Okeno is not known for it's wide well maintained roads. Navigating the winding narrow streets makes it a hard task that takes time. The slow going is costing you daylight and you will not make it to the docks before dusk.