(^_^)
"Do you a favor so that we can protect the Shackles better -- and by extension you as well? That sounds perfectly reasonable."
"Hmmm that might be a large undertaking. Any idea who the crew was that attacked the ship? Was it a random wrecking or do you expect that certain parties were aware that the ship carried your artifact? Have you tried a divination on it? "
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Dimitious listens to Dindreann and the comments of the crew ...He will wait for a moment of privacy and whisper. I have no idea how difficult this recovery mission may be...but we do have the option of visiting the Temple of no name on bag island
We have attempted rudimentary divination, it seems the Gomden Vespal is in a large hold of some sort. No one has walked by it in our divinations for us to further look into. The hold is quite large for a wrecker. You may begin by looking for a wrecker crew with an abnormally large ship.
Well then since we are here, I suppose that would be the most efficient use of time. Would anyone like to head down to the docks with me and see what we can find out?
Dimitrious will thank Dindreann and begin to make his way down to the docks
"Yup." Arjun accompanies Dimitrious down to the docks.
Suny seems quite happy to stay a while........
Dimitrious will head down to the docks and query as to where one might find a wrecker crew with a large ship and/or a large hold
... He will toss in some gold for good info.
Asking around with a few dock hands Dimitrious eventually stumbles across an old man with cataracts over his eyes. I know of a man, who brokers in secrets. He may have this type of information, but his price is knowledge. Do you have an offer?
Information Eh...The only currency of value in my book also a rather large subject. Could you be a bit more specific
You ask for a hard to find secret, you will need one in return. What do you have or can you offer?
Noro heads off to the docks for a little checking on her own.
having spent time working other docks, she does her best to blend in.
making some idle chit-chat she tries to learn of any clues as to various wreckers in these waters.
You ask for a hard to find secret, you will need one in return. What do you have or can you offer?
Dimitrious will take a seat next to the man. I have some interesting info...but that will be divulged to the man who has the information I seek.
As Noro walks around the docks feeling quite at home, she stumbles across Dimitrious as the old man says. Come, I will take you to see the man, but first I will need you to buy me some food. He starts heading off to some stalls sheltered from the rain by a rocky outcropping and not totally adequate wooden roofs. He looks at you through his cataract covered eyes in a manner suggesting that he would like you to purchase him some fish.
Dimitrious takes a good look around to see if anyone is tailing him and the old man.
Dimitrious will purchase the old man the fish of his choice.
The man takes his time eating the fish then leads you to a small house a couple of minutes walk away.
He opens the door and sits down, please come in, he says motioning to those following Dimitrious, even those trying to stealth.
He sits down at an old table and motions to some seats.
I believe I am the man you seek, tell me something good, a well kept secret or one with power and I will answer your question.
Cheliax has long hated our kind and they grow tired of our impudence. I have heard word that talk is gathering in their halls of an expedition to put us down. But for now it is just talk. Regardless, the wise would use this time for gathering allies, and that is why I asked you here. I would like for you to investigate these rumors of Chelaxian interest in the region.
Dimitrious will relay this part of the conversation to the old man.
That is rumors of talk, do you have anything more specific?
Well...Kerdak Bonefist's hold over the pirate lords is perhaps not as strong as it might appear. Some believe Bonefist's days are numbered.
Dimitrious will relay this little tidbit to the old man
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Arjun smiles a friendly smile and turns to Dimitrious. "If you get too frustrated playing this man's games, just let me know."
"Ooo, ooo, ooo!" Arjun waves his hand in the air like a schoolboy in class. "I have one!" In the blink of an eye he holds an adamantine dagger in his hand. He has it swim through the air like a fish in water as he speaks. "I know a secret. I know what your insides look like! Do you know what your insides look like? I don't think so! That's why it's a secret. Would you like me to share this secret with you? Or do you want to turn trading for your secret into giving us your secret?"
Intimidate
As Noro walks around the docks feeling quite at home, she stumbles across Dimitrious as the old man says. Come, I will take you to see the man, but first I will need you to buy me some food. He starts heading off to some stalls sheltered from the rain by a rocky outcropping and not totally adequate wooden roofs. He looks at you through his cataract covered eyes in a manner suggesting that he would like you to purchase him some fish.
Noro trails Dimitreous as best she can.
she remains in the shadows in case things get a little out of hand.
What I need from you to give you what you ask, is something specific, you ask for a well hidden specific secret, I want one in return.
Dimitrious is clearly running out of patience with the old man
We captured a retainer from House Thrune. He said that House Thrune was planning an attack on the Shackles with the goal of dispersing the pirate lords and subjugating the region...Now you will provide me with the location of the Gomden Vespal
Suny remains in the temple and simply basks in its atmosphere. Happily nattering and chattering away to any Elves , she's finally glad/happy to be able to properly express herself. (^_^)
When it's brought to her attention that her friends have toddled off, Suny politely untangles herself from what ever conversation she's having at the moment and skips off in search of them.
(^_^)
Asking around, Suny gets word that some of her shipmates were seen buying an old man some fish. With a little more talk she finds the fishmonger who points her in the direction of the old man's home.
Do not threaten an old man, tell me of this retainer.
Suny skips up to the building in which it's been pointed out that her friends have gone.
"Knockin' ! Knockin' !" The tanned Elf lass calls... quite possibly not understanding Human convention when it comes to going to new places.
The man watches as Arjun performs the dance of his blade,
Dimitrious waits until the old man is done speaking to Arjun.
The retainor was part of a group that tried to ambush us in town, He spoke of a man named Narthul of House Thrune who had orchestrated the failed attempt on our lives.
Arjun holds up a hand to pause Dimitrious and speaks to the old man. "I was hoping you were reasonable. What other currencies do you accept? If you don't like our secrets, perhaps gold? Time? Blood? I'm partial to that last one, so I don't mind over-paying if need be. Barring my own, of course."
Blood, yes that will do. Here in Quent there is a powerful merchant, Master Pujols. Get for me a small sample of his wife's blood and I will work on your secret.
Dimitrious looks at Arjun strangely and then at the old man.
You're crackers man...How do you go from info to blood
Dimitrious takes a deep breath.
Where would we find Master Pujols' wife?
You are crackers if you think blood does not hold significant power in getting secrets. Master Pujols lives in a villa in the east of the city. I hear he he holding a gala tomorrow evening. How you get some of his wife's blood without causing too much a stir is up to you. But I must ask that you not outright kill her. The blood won't be of much use then.
But if you will give me actionable intelligence on this Narthul, that may work for me as well? Is he still alive and well?
Suny listens to the conversation... though it seems she doesn't quite understand a lot of what's going on...
Arjun, any ideas on how to grab some blood from Pujols'wife
@old man Is he alive and well, have you not been paying attention you old coot?
He sent 5 or 6 thugs after us and I'm sure that our source was not lying
"Your offer is intriguing and challenging. I accept. How much blood do you need? Also, if you happen to know... What kind of defenses are installed in their villa? How many servants are in their household? What type of gala is being held? What kinds of guests are invited?"
The old man's eyes seem to glean for a moment behind their white coverings His Gala is being held for local merchants and shippers, as far as defenses on the villa, I am not sure but he is wealthy enough to have a few protections. His servants of course are numerous and I only need a couple drops of her blood.
"Consider it done. I may or may not be able to procure it before or during the gala, but at the latest it will be soon after." Arjun scratches his chin in thought. "One last question. How old is this merchant's wife?"
I am unsure of her exact age but I believe her to be in her mid thirties. Before you leave, what information do you have on this ship you seek, any information you have will speed up the process considerably.
The ship we seek is called the Lady's Sting, it is a large vessel. On board is a holy item of value to the temple of Calistria. The Golden Vessel
Dimitrious will attempt to gather info on the Pujols servants, specifically those who handle laundry. Do any have debts or financial troubles?
Suny will help gather information...
Though wandering along with Jax and every one else she's prone to talk,
"Aye, it dun't be right ta' me none, neither."
After some asking around, Dimitrious is able to get the names of some of the servants. Suny is in turn able to determine the three have an outstanding gambling debt with Larch Simpson, a local bugbear loan shark. The names of the servants are, Leah Tompson, Hanson Gibbs, and Jed Rutcker.
Some of the longshoremen are able to point you in the direction of Larch's stall from which he operates his business.
Arjun inquires at Larch's stall concerning their gambling debts. He explains that he is trying to extract a favor from one of them and would like to purchase one of their debts. "Nothing illegal or dangerous, of course. I just need some collateral to convince them."
Suny might sidle over to the old fellow and ask quietly,
"T'is said," Suny whispers conspiratorially, "Tha' ship? It can't be caught 'cause it's alive..."