The cat woman scoops up the gold and it disappears below the counter. In a few moments she places the items out before him. Ten small packages wrapped in paper, a pair of yellow pebbles, a pair of small bottles with red waxed seals bearing a flame, and finally another small bottle with a tightly packed cork holding a single wire with in that crackles from time to time.
"If that is all. Due come again."
Jawahar nods to properitor, grabbibg his supplies and fasting them to his bandoiler. He makes his way out of the smoke filled shop ready to make his way to the carpenter's guild With Granvog.
Granvog is just where you left him. As you leave he speaks.
"You planning to walk all the way to the guild?"
The half orc cocks an eyebrow.
Jawahar looks to Granvog with his arms crossed,"with that glaive of yours, you'd cut through any foe foolish enough to ambush us. If you insist, we could find an inn for the night. Know any in the area?"
Granvog's expression doesn't change.
"First it's barely mid day. I could walk for days without rest, but you can't. That's why I asked. You getting a ride or are you even more feeble then I thought."
He did have a point as it was not even noon and your location was in the opposite direction of the carpenter's guild. A fit laborer would be dead on his feet from making the same trip on foot in Okeno's heat. You wouldn't fare nearly as well.
Jawahar looks at Granvog with his bestial eyes, wrinkling his eyebrows.
"With that heavy armor, under the heat of the sun? You could lock me for days in a sweatbox, dehyrdation or starvation would be my only worry. I'm game to walk, unless you need a ride to unbridle from that cumbersome armour?"
Granvog chuckled.
"Feeble minded it is. Lead the way."
For his part he looks relaxed or as relaxed as a half orc in full armor with a glaive can look in anyone's eyes.
Jawahar looks over to Granovg, he shakes his head.
"Whom isn't in this city, anyone with any common sense left long ago. If you think it would be best to fetch a lift from a carriage, so be it. Whatever keeps me alive long enough to keep paying you."
Jawahar catches a carriage and Granvog takes a seat outside next to the driver rather then with in. Even with the pace of a carriage it takes time to reach the guild and when you finally do it is as busy as ever upon your arrival. No one pays you or Granvog any mind.
Jawahar mutters under his breath,"finally here." He keeps an open eye, not wanting to stand around like an idiot or cause an accident while in idle. He quickly scans the yard for his carriages and then for the foremen or a guild leader of some sort.
Jawahar has a hard time picking out anyone really as everyone seems to be mostly the same. Hard workers that are doing their job.
You manage to pick out the guild leader. Not by any feature or mark of superiority but rather by the manner he directs those around him and the clear respect they give him.
You notice your carriages off to one side. Not really being given any attention. This could be good or bad.
Jawahar looks around aimlessly for the guild leader on the worksite, the task was improving to be difficult as they all dressed more or less the same, unlike what you'd expect from a merchant guild. Instead he looked for a worker that was lagging off, hoping to find someone to point him in the right direction or if needed, grease someones palms.
After another few moment of searching Jawahar notices what he previously missed.
Jawahar approaches the guild leader when he doesn't appear to be too busy.
"You're the one charge of this site I take it, I must commend your workers craftsmenship. My wagons sustained some damages from an attack last night. I had nowhere to store them so I had to bring them back here, forgive me for taking up space in the yard."
"I must ask you, would you happen to know where I can find an afforable warehouse? I'm trying to tip my toes into the merchant profession, I'd be sure to do business with you and at a fair deal if I can get my feet off the ground." Jawahar lays his honeyed words thick, hoping to appeal to the guild leader or catch him for a loop over a potential easy deal.
The guild leader does not even spare you a glance as he focuses on the work going on.
"Nothing to forgive, your paying for the space while their here or you won't be getting them back. As for warehouses. Just pick one you like, doesn't matter. Their are plenty of empty and abandoned warehouses that's not the problem son. The problem is holding and protecting them form every thief, thug, and scoundrel in this city. If you don't know that then your not in a position to be giving favors or deals to anyone."
He grumbled on still absorbed in the task going on before him. Jawahar was dealing with an old dock dog, considering Okeno was a city of wicked gnolls he wasn't going to smooth talk this one. At least not with his words alone and lack of reputation.
"Very well I won't take up anymore of your time, how much will you be charging me for leaving my carriages here?"
Jawahar was vexed that his words had no effect, but he brushed it off. Now was not the show weakness and truth be told he'd probably would of done the same.
"You'll find out when your ready to take them off my hands. Is that now?"
This time he does spare a look at you. It's a sly one at that, a predatory gleam in the old dog's eye. Your getting a sense why he is leader of one of the most vital and enduring guilds in the pit known as Okeno.
Jawahar mumbles to himself."With nowhere to store them yet, they'd likely get stolen, or become some squatters den. Perhaps my employers may have use of them yet or have agents that know where I could store them, yes."
He was concerned by the look the Foreman gave him, paranoid or maybe just lived in Okeno long enough not to trust just anyone. He tried to read his body language.
Jawahar can not read the guild master. The look is gone as quickly as it came while Jawahar mumbles and thinks. The guild master had more important things to oversee then some wagons. His attention returns to those working before him.
Jawahar spent the next few weeks locating and holding a storehouse while taking on jobs to increase his wealth and influence. Granvog proved a loyal if expensive companion as well as useful in keeping you alive. Sadly things had not gone completely smooth for you as one of your wagons was stolen. The thieves returned to steal another, only they ran into Granvog and there was little left of them to question. Leaving your remaining wagons safe as word spread of their fate.
It was around this time that a messenger found you. Sent by Akorian, it requested your presence at his ship. A date and time were set for two days from when you were given the message. The messenger left you the impression that it was not a request and tardiness would be possibly lethal. Not in so many words mind you, they spoke little as always.
The appointed day came all too soon. Jawahar was sure to be early for his meeting with Akorian. Granvog was with him as usual, the armored orc kin making even the savage gnolls pause on occasion.
The Serpents Sin was no different than your last visit. Still a dark gem among the pale and dirty colors of Okeno. The stream of cargo coming and going the same as well. So to were the exotic snake like folk that the merchant prince favored. Gaz seems to be waiting for you at the gangplank, he neither moves or greets you. Simply waits to escort you to his master.
Glad Jawahar was for hiring Granvog, it wasn't too long ago that gnolls were on his trail for the explosive incident at the dock. Even with Granvog at his side, he kept his hand well within reach of his estoc.
Ah the Serpents Sin, what an outstanding vessel. He thought to himself. Once the two made it to where Gaz stood, Jawahar stopped. "This is Granvog, he around shortly after when Akorian's caravan was attack. He's the reason I'm alive and more importantly Akorian's good made it in one piece. May we have permission to board, or would you rather Granvog stands here?"
Granvog speaks for himself.
"Not interested in getting on that thing. I'll wait here."
The half orc eyes the massive lizardfolk before finding a barrel to lean against. The lizard king looks at Jawahar before inclining his head towards the ship. His reptilian eyes staring at you.
You board and find Akorian on one of his plush thrones playing cards with an unusually large and well dressed female gnoll who sits in a lesser yet still impressive high back chair. Between them a large table with drinks and snacks, as well as stakes by your guess. The snake like servants stand around holding sun umbrella's and slowly fanning the pair. The gnoll has a pair of burly guards behind her standing watch, yet they are more in line with the size of most gnolls. If better equipped then the average gnoll in Okeno.
The female gnoll is not an average member of her kind. She is a sort of subspecies among gnolls, a flind. They are larger, smarter, and stockier then regular gnolls. Known to be superior physically and mentally they are commonly found in leadership positions. None the less they are born paragons of gnoll kind. More and yet the same as typical gnolls.
Jawahar nods at Granvog, he knew better than to prod him.
He followed the instructions he was given and boarded the vessel. He got closer to Akorian and the larger than average well dressed gnoll. Once Jawahar walks within 5ft of the table, he gestures as bow as not to interrupt their game.
A flind, she must be someone important, maybe a local leader of the gnolls here?
while he watched the game with some interest, he loaded his pipe with some tabacco he gestured an incantation to light his tabacco ablaze.
Akorian rubs his chin with his free hand as he looks at his cards, not letting his eyes wander as he speaks.
"My agent arrives on time as promised my dear."
The gnoll glances at Jawahar, her eyes leaving her own cards. She gives a small snort that almost seems a yap. Akorian continues still focused.
"This is Jawahar mistress Sruh, Jawahar this is mistress Sruh of the Saltfangs. A prominent pack of Okeno and a business partner. We have agreed to certain arrangements. You will represent my interest and will upon this joint endeavor. The details we are working out at this very moment."
A small smile creeps upon his golden skinned face while the she flind snaps back to the cards. Now it is her turn to speak.
"Your soft skinned welp does not impress us. If he dies then our business is endangered. My pack will not listen to him, I will not force them to obey him."
Akorian tosses a card, picking up another.
"What say you Jawahar?"
"It's a pleasure to make your aquitance Mistress Sruh. With all due respect Mistress, but guile and cunning are as cutting a sharpend blade, a dull blade won't get very deep, even with adequate force behind it."
Jawahar slowly approaches the table, he gazes over the stakes.
"I've always enjoyed games of chance, the thrill when you're ever so close to winning, like chasing your quarry. It speaks to something in my blood."
He looks over to Lord Akorian and then to Mistress Sruh,"that's what you're both betting on, my success or my failure? Very well I accept, I cast my life into the pool."
"This game is about something far more valuable than your life. We have reached an impasse as to the division of profits. So we leave it to fate."
Akorian said offhandedly. While Mistress Sruh let a breath out her dog-like nose.
"Your supposed cunning and guile wouldn't stop my pack from ripping you to shreds and eating what's left. Would you like to test that statement?"
You notice her two guards eyeing you even as she ignores you. You had been tested and failed, worse yet she had baited you. Akorian taps the table.
"Time for the final play. Ladies first."
She shows her cards, Akorian without expression exposes his own. The Mistress growls but does little else while the Lord smiles smugly.
"A sixty, forty split in my favor. You will supply the ship, crew, and connections. While I will supply the cargo and have my agents oversee the operation, with final authority over all matters and your people. Unless you're going back on the agreement."
At those words, his expression didn't change but the look in his eyes were blatantly dangerous. Again she growled but finally spoke.
"The agreement stands. But as I have already said, my pack won't listen to your agent. That is your problem to solve."
"Agreed. If you would excuse us I will send a messenger with details later great mistress."
He gets up and waves an arm wide. She rises and gives a slight nod before giving a bark at her guards who start escorting her off the ship.
Once she is gone, Akorian resumes his seat. Taking a drink those dangerous eyes are now boring into you.
"Do you have a way to earn the gnolls respect? Seeing as you have created a problem for yourself and worse for me."
With Jawahar put in his place, he remains silent for the remainder of his time aboard the Serpent's Sin. It was foolish to let his position as Akorian's agent go to his head.
"Please, forgiveness Lord Akorian. It was foolish of me to speak out of turn, if I must be punished I'll leave that to your judgement."
Jawahar kept his head lowered, accepting what punishment might await him.
Quickly he tried to remember something he once read about gnolls and how he has seen them in this current life.
"I may have a couple of ideas my Lord. Gnolls relish combat and would fall in line to a more powerful being, if I would to best one of the gnolls, perhaps the other would fall in line. If not, I've recruited an ally, he's tough half-orc and is even more frightening behind his glaive. Alternatively I could try to convince them that my magic abilities are powerful then I let on."
Akorian gives him that slow reptilian stare of his before speaking.
"You can't fight them, you would open the door to being challenged instead of simply obeyed. While I do not care if they challenge you, I as your master will not suffer it. As my agent, you are my voice and my will in this. The same goes for your servant as it all flows upward. As for your magic, they have their own casters. They are brutes, not fools. You are thinking to directly."
He waves for you to come as he walks over to the side of the ship. He takes a snack from the nearby table, tossing it overboard. Soon enough a large fish comes to gobble it up, only to get snapped up by a reefclaw.
"Create a problem for the Saltfangs. One they can not fix themselves, then fix it. Fix it in front of them and to their ugly faces. They will see you as useful and they will obey. Enough at least, where Sruh will not risk appearing weak for enforcing it. As well as not showing fear of what I will do to her pack if they ruin this exchange."
He snapped his fingers and his servant's launch harpoons into the water. The reefclaw is dragged from the water as he walks away from the side.
"Anything else you need me for?"
He says coldly. You could easily tell he was getting into a dangerous mood.
Jawahar nods, taking in Akorians counsel as if his very life depended on it.
"Very well my Lord, I'll do what must be done and will not fail you. I'll make my leave now and will be expecting to hear from a messenger shortly. I thank you for your guidance and mercy."
the only thoughts running course through his mind were if there was more to Akorians counsel, maybe that was even a sign of what's to come should he fail.
He looks over to Akorian's servants, simply nods to them and makes his way of the Serpent's Sin. Once off, he walks over to Granvog."Consider this our shore leave, we're going to be sailing the waters in sometime with those gnolls." He scratches his neck,"I can feel the fleas biting even now. Well is there anything you wish to do, the day is still young?"
Granvog stands straight.
"Not really. Gnolls are not so bad. You only have to beat one or two senseless before the others get the picture. Worry less about fleas and more about the smell. That's why I beat them, so they don't stand upwind of me."
He chuckles at his own words.
"Hah, I live in the Fleet, one of the most disgusting, diseased-ridden pits in Golarion. As much as I'd like to blind one of the beasts and throw him overboard,we have to "play nice" with them. Doesn't mean we can't sabatoge something and play the part of "heroes" to save the day."
He looks out into the sea with his back turned to Granvog,"well I have nothing to manage today, let's head to the Stern. Maybe we'll get a lead on things going about this city or additional work."
"So you're proud about living in a dump huh."
Today did not seem to be your day, even Granvog was turning your own words on you.
"Lead on."
"Better live in a hovel than out in the streets." He kept his comment short and played it off, there was no need to entertain it any further.
"Well if you're fine with gnolls that's good, we're going to the The laughing Fleshfair."