Setesh nods and marks-off Neheb, making sure to fix Neheb's appearance in his mind.
When he gets a chance, he will try to verify the location of the key.
Setesh then checks the wayfinder... and finds that the stone has not changed it's indication from earlier in the day. Neheb may be here... but the key is not.
So, he carries it with him sometimes, but not others. Or - perhaps, he just purchased it and the movement you detected was related to him returning it to his home, not just wandering about the city with it.
We might want to investigate whether there are and dealers in ancient Osirian artifacts with whom we could discuss the key. Perhaps there was an auction or sale.
Knowledge(Geography):
Knowledge(Local):
Knowledge(History):
Noor will still work the night out, despite hearing that the key has not arrived. A debt to be paid, despite the deception in getting here.
The dance performance plays out without any undue excitement, though by the sound of clapping and cheering you gauge that it was well received.
Grynbarl snorted once the performance was done, already turning to the tasks needing doing at the end of a show, and thinking of what could be done with the new information they'd acquired at this venue.
"Shall we adjourn then, or have any of you business further here?"
"I am happy to adjourn; we have gathered useful intelligence."
Where did you all get the first key?
"Both keys were recovered in ancient structures with elaborate....what would be the right word?....mental tests of thought and will. The first was found by itself. The second one in a box with our helpful spyglass and a few other trinkets. It could be he collects the box and not the key."
How hard was it to release the key from the box? Perhaps he does not even know that he has it.
Tarik slaps his forehead with intense prejudice. "I am such a fool! Of course! If he truly understood what he had, I really doubt he would leave it in his home. It could very well be that he knows nothing, or only inklings of what he possesses. This strengthens our position much further. Let us visit the antique dealer we met with upon our arrival. Perhaps he can contact Neheb on our behalf, arranging a deal."
Heading to the antique dealer is fine.
The party moves to the Ebon Scarab in the morning, finding the proprietor having just opened and the store bereft of people bar themselves and he. He smiles widely as you enter "Ah, welcome back friends and Master Oukhreid... I trust goods purchased have functioned as expected?..." pausing a moment before continuing "Were you caught in the disturbance in the market?"
"Unfortunately, yes, and it brought to light some...oddities surrounding the goal before these ones."
A well manicured eyebrow rises "Oddities you say, I am indeed intrigued..." as his hands move to the side and bring out a small tray which holds a pot and many small cups "Kahve?"
Well met Master shopkeeper. Yes, these brave folk saved me from some of your local thugs, however, immediately thereafter some creature appeared. It was seeking artifacts from a bygone era. It described one such item and we were wondering if you might be able to help us discern its location before this creature finds it.
I look to the others to back me up and provide additional information on the item we are seeking.
Noor was not sure stating what they sought the best means, but perhaps direct is best as wandering the town has gained them little.
"We seek a key. We think Master Neheb may have made a recent acquisition that contained this key, like say a box or chest, I am not sure exactly what the container might be. But do you know of any of his most recent purchases or even the seller perhaps?"
The Osiriani ponders a while before replying "I do not believe that the honorable Neheb has made any purchases of late... but he does engage some parties to wander the sands and search. Perhaps that might be the source of the artifact?" he sips at his kahve and a look of serene contentment crosses his face.
"Do you know of any such teams who have passed through recently?"
"Not to hand, but the knowledge could be obtained... if you permit me the use of my discretion?"
"Discretion? I'll put my chop forward for that, aye. Make yer inquiries, if it please our fine companions here."
Could we meet the honorable Nehab? Perhaps we could help find something for him. Especially if we knew what sort of item he was interested in.
"Let's delay a formal introduction until we know more of the situation. One does not bluff at cards, unless one knows all the rules of the game, first..."
Smiling at Kytana's directness "Neheb is not one who you choose to meet... if he has interest, then he will choose to meet you." the Osiriani then calls out to the rear of the shop. A young man comes through to the main area, and whispered words are exchanged. The young one then leaves through the front. "It would take a few moments, you are welcome to await here?"
Kytana shrugs and begins to look at the wares as she has not previously explored this particular shop.
The boy returns after a small delay with a letter sealed with red wax. The merchant breaks the seal and quickly reads the contents, nodding as he does so. "It would seem that an expedition of sorts returned into Shimian-Sekh soon before you arrived yourselves. The group went unto Neheb before even taking refuge in The Sins of the Sultan.. it would seem the group is still there, no doubt suffused in decadence."
Knowledge(local):
Do you mean that this group is still in Neheb's residence? Or that they are shacked up at The Sins of the Sultan.
I look to the others. Shall we go and see who these other adventurers are? If you wish to know what was hunted, might as well ask the hunter.
"That seems... reasonable. Hopefully, they may be lubricated enough to allow us to get the information we need..."
"Well then...why don't we put word out to this Neheb that we've got something he'd like to have, and wrangle things further once we're in to see him? Can't hurt, anyway."
But what do we have? Did you all bring the fancy chest this key was in? Or do you have something else?
"The chest was not so special, and I think it went off with the archaeologists. The eyeglass is the only item we have that would likely gain his interest, even though we have no desire to sell it. We can perhaps approach him seeking his knowledge about it."
What of the dagger or whatever it was you all mentioned from the spider woman? Don't recall exactly what it was, but didn't you find some evil religious stuff?