"Yes, Ikit is right. Do you have any idea where we might start the search for Miss Vancaskerkin? The sorts of places she tended to hang out and all that. I'm frankly a little surprised to hear that a member of the Sczarnis wanted to be a Society informant. The artifact must have had great value if she absconded with it knowing both groups would come looking for her."
Granite pauses to let their host answer his question before continuing with the next. "By any chance, do you have a recent picture of the woman? At the very least a description might be helpful. Also, do you have any idea what kind of role she played in the Sczarni? Was she, for example, a fence that we might claim she contacted us about buying some rare item? You know, a cover story of sorts."
"Just to make sure I understood that right. You don't only want us to keep secret that she was an informant for you, you'd probably also prefer if the Sczarni don't learn where that item and she vanished to if we bring them here?"
Acknowledging the answer, Ran continues: "How did she send you that last message? How did you contact one another? And may we see the message for ourselves? Probably need to find the right gang first, before we can dig deeper, and any little bit may help. Speaking of that...I think a compensation for our presence here was promised in the letter? I wouldn't normally bring that up so bluntly, but we may need a bit of pocket money, to grease some palms, considering who we are dealing with."
Heidmarch Manor the Alabaster District of Magnimar
Sheila replies, "To put it simply Ikit, yes.
Unfortunately I don’t know much about Natalya, other than that the woman approached us Pathfinders and offered to be a sort of double agent among the Sczarni. As the Pathfinders have recently forged alliances with the Sczarni in many cities throughout the Inner Sea region, I knew that having a member of a Sczarni gang as a double agent could be useful—the Sczarni have yet to fully earn the trust of the Pathfinder Society, after all.
One of Natalya’s conditions for entering this alliance with the Pathfinders was that she wanted to retain a good amount of anonymity and autonomy, so she’d be free to handle things as she saw fit. What she did with them I do not know for certain as she never revealed that to me. I now realize that agreeing to these terms may have been a mistake—but until I know more, I'm not willing to write off Natalya as a traitor.
The message she sent to me was a letter no doubt through a double blind messenger. She mainly sent messages to me as I did not wish to disturb her cover. I can certainly supply you with the note.
As far as a description, she is a human woman approximately 5'6" tall. She is in her mid thirties with long dark hair and grey eyes. Her dress is normally tight fitted sensible slacks, while frilled lace shirts and a vest above that supporting an ample bosom. One distinctive feature is the weapon she carries, a mithril short sword.
The Sczarni have been a part of Magnimar from the start—they’re not the most dangerous or powerful of the city’s criminal organizations, but they are the most visible. The Sczarni generally don’t involve themselves in particularly violent crimes, and in many cases in Magnimar, they actually help to protect and police less fortunate neighborhoods, and as such are often well regarded by the lower-class.
There are six major Sczarni gangs in the city: the Creepers, Doolun’s Lads, the Gallowed, the Tower Girls, the Washside Wringers, and the Wreckwash Blades, with the Gallowed being the most powerful Sczarni family in the city.
When Natalya initially approached me with the offer of serving the Pathfinders as an informant, she engaged the aid of a man known as the Amazing Zograthy, a Varisian who keeps a permanent tent and fortune-telling business in Washers’ Row in Dockway—specifically, at the end of a narrow alley that serves as a permanent street fair.
There are rumors of Nidalese slavers prowling the streets of late, and if these are true, being abducted by a slaver in the middle of the night would certainly explain Natalya’s absence. She might even have been picked up by the city guard for some reason, in which case a visit to the Arvensoar, the garrison for the city’s watch, might yield some clues. Beyond this information I can offer nothing but wishes for luck.
Correct Ran, we wish all of this information to remain secret. Very well, I'll provide you with funds to begin your investigation".
Sheila hands you the note she received from Natalya and 100 gold as an advance payment.
"This Zograthy seems our best bet, we got a name and location of a person who was in contact with Natalya, a member of the Sczarni as well, I would assume. If she was picked up by slavers or the city watch, that would complicate matters.", Ran ponders the situation, then takes a look at his companions: "We are not Sczarni, and a rather mixed group...if we ask question about one of theirs, they will refuse to answer, or will want to know why we want to know, or how we are involved. Telling them about the Pathfinders is not an option...so if either of you has an idea on how to approach this problem, I'm quite willing to listen. We could pretend to be Bounty Hunters, but that may close doors to us from people who are not willing to sell Natalya out. Unless we claim to be sent by a worried friend, in which case they may be suspicious about how Natalya has friends who can afford something like that."
After thinking a short moment, "Try this, I'm an aquintance of hers that owes her a favor, and her insurance policy. She was afraid of being double crossed over a big score and so asked me to 'look into it' if she didn't contact me by a certain date. The rest of you are my friends who wouldn't let me look into it alone."
Granite nods, both in agreement with Ran's suggestion to look into Zograthy first and Zhai's proposed cover story. He had his doubts that it would work with Ran, but...well actually, he supposed some friends were like that. "Sounds like a plan. Shall we be on our way? I believe at least all of my questions have been answered."
Considering for a bit, Ran then nods:"Could work, certainly an idea that makes sense, especially if she promised to share some of that big score with you. Is Ikit your friend, too? I suppose he can pretend to be my manservant or something- and yeah, we can probably work out details on the way."
"Ikit no man man! Ikit proud ratfolk! Dont make Ikit kick kick you!" the pile of clothing seems to be bouncing. Or throbbing. One cannot accurately tell
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Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway
The group heads out to follow the only lead they have, contact with the Amazing Zograthy.
You walk through the crowded streets of the city and finally arrive at the even more crowded Washers’ Row which is a tangle of open-air washhouses, launderers, and Varisian wagons and tents. The bulk of those who live and toil here do so in the laundry and tailoring industries, that much is clear.
At the southern end of Washers’ Row, a tattered banner hanging over the entrance to the small side street advertises “Professor Callivario’s Stupendous Exhibition of the Outrageous and Sublime.” Beyond this overly exuberant advertisement is a squalid setup consisting of little more than a series of rundown sideshow booths and carts with assorted games and amusements of the meaner sort.
To one side, urchins pitch pennies at lily pads floating in a small, scum-covered fountain while a bored carnie looks on. Nearby, the sound of cats hissing and fighting arises from behind a cart where a small crowd of ne’er-do-wells has gathered to cheer and place bets. Everywhere lurk faces pinched with suspicion or hunger expressions worn by carnival workers and visitors alike. This is not the sort of place to be careless with a coin pouch.
What is not clear is which of the many colored tents in this section of the alley is the one that belongs to your target.
Ran approaches the Urchins pitching pennies, holding a Silver Coin between two fingers, turning it to reflect the suns light and seem extra shiny:"One of you lot capable of showing me the way to the Amazing Zograthy?"
Of course, simply asking would have been a possibility, as well, but Ran had learned that money was the grease of the gears that made the world go round.
If nothing else, it helped get results faster.
Zhai doesn't have a visible coin purse, and her stuff is all tightly packed inside her bag, with the closing strap actully following the shoulder strap so it can't be opened without her knowing it (experience with crafty goblins that will quickly dig through your stuff if not careful.). She keeps a handful of coins hanging from a necklace under her robes. She has some pockets in the folds of her robes for the occassional items she wants quick access to.
The urchins point to a gaily colored patchwork tent down the alleyway. One snatches the coin from Ran's hand. "Two more if those and we'll tell you his best trucks too!" states a dirty faced girl of no more than 10,
"One more now, and you tell me...and another 3 afterwards if what you tell me proves useful during our visit with him.", Ran says, showing one coin, then flicking his wrist around to show 3 silver coins, before turning it around again showing only one again, which he flicks towards the dirty-faced girl, leaving his hand empty.
Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway
The urchin smiles and approaches, "Alright deal. The "amazing" Zograthy has as much ability to see the future as you do. How is that for useful?" The girl puts her hand out.
"Well, I could tell you that. Anyone with any real ability to see the future wouldn't be working down here. They'd be living well working for nobles, mercs, or churches. Maybe even be running a cult. Besides, you forget. We first get to find out how useful your info is before we pay up."
Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway
The girl raspberries Zhal, "No he said 'one more now'. That means one more no not later Lady".
Zhai smiles, amused, "You haven't told us his best tricks yet."
"You just got the one, girl, and should know better than to grow greedy."
Despite that, Ran smiles...the girl was brave enough, trying to milk strangers with weapons for money...but his offer was generous enough, already: "And my friend is right. You told us what he can't do. That hardly can be one of his best tricks, not doing something? It could certainly be useful to someone coming for that reason, which we are not, but I bet there's more you know. Do go on."
As they head towards the district, Granite quickly speaks to his companions to let them know what he's heard about the place. "If 'our friend' is a member of the Washside Wringers, the people in the area we're heading to should have heard of her."
-----
As Ran bargains with the kids, he remains silent. He was not good at such negotiations. Plus Ran had the money they had been given for expenses. If he had had to pay, most likely he'd have to dump out half of his bag to try to find where he'd put his money. I really need to get one of those handy magical bags that put what I need at the top...
Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway
The girl harrumphs and turns around heading away from the party leaving you all to pursue your original purpose for being here.
As you enter the stuffy, cluttered tent you see a table covered in blue velvet stitched with moons, stars, and arcane symbols. A dusty crystal ball and a dog-eared harrow deck sit upon it. Behind this table sits an aged, bald, Varisian man with threadbare purple robes and piercing eyes.
He gestures broadly and states in a tremulous voice, “No doubt you seek the one and only the Amazing Zograthy! He sees all and knows all. A double fist of silver for a turn of the cards or a vision in the crystal; a treble fist of gold for the secrets of the multiverse.”
Zhai walks in confidently and purposefully. Patiently waiting through his spiel, she replies "How about something closer to the mundane. I'm looking for someone. Someone you know. I'm sure someone of your talents knows who."
"Hej! Some respect, girl! That was an easily earned silver - if you got nothing else about Zograthy, thats one thing. But don't dismiss what you received so easily - the Gods take note of that sort of thing.", Ran bellows after the girl when she turns away.
________________________________________
In the tent, Ran stays near the entrance, letting Zhai advance and talk, only adding, without a snarky edge:"Aye, his ability to see all and know all should surely come in handy on that request."
Leaving Zhai to focus on Zograthy, he keeps an eye out for trouble, his mind still with the homeless girl.
Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway -
“Aaaah... Secrets! Perhaps my greatest trade!
Such knowledge is never free you must know. A contribution of 50 gold will be required for me to tax my powers so...”
"Ha! You sell secrets for silver, divination for but a few gold. Don't think I forgot your welcoming spiel had prices. Twenty gold would be quite generous on our part."
"Aye, 50 gold seems quite high a price for mundane information, compared to the secrets of the multiverse-. You get many customers with that kind of money around here?", Ran adds, ALMOST whispering, but making sure it's audible enough to hear.
Granite continues to let his companions do the talking as he occupies himself with looking about the tent.
Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway -
Zograthy looks positively scandalized. "You drive a hard bargain! Fine, 20 gold it is..."
Ran remained silent. 20 Gold was still a lot of money, but they only had a limited number of leads, and time could be important. IF this guy even knew anything about her whereabout...
"Information first, then you'll get the gold." Zhai asks, pulling out her necklace of gold. "What do you know of her whereabouts?"
Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway -
Zograthy looks into his crystal ball, "I see a young woman... She is, lost... She is somewhere in this city... Magnimar is such a large city, where could she be... She is someone who has, wronged you and yours in some way. But her name, her name eludes me... Perhaps with that I can more easily aid you..."
Well, at least he is good at what he does!
Zhai rolls her eyes, having counted one coin, "I can read the cards myself if I want mystical help, how do you think I found you? So no, I'm not here for your mystical 'gifts,' and given that you are incorrect, as she has not wronged me, perhaps you can drop the act and we can be frank for a moment. I'm here because I'm looking for Natalya."
she places the first coin on the table.
Ikit stays out of sight so to speak. Finding a nice comfy spot. He waits. People and their talky talky. Not for him. No. Too complicated the humans and their talky talky things
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Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway -
Zograthy frowns, "Hey Rubes! Information is not free..."
Behind you, you hear the tent flap rustle and several Varisian thugs stand behind you. Cleary, his shout out was some sort of warning.
"And may be quite costly to you unless you escort yourselves out". He smiles at your little band smugly.
That escalated quickly
Retrieving his spear with a practised gesture, Ran steps forward, demonstratively near Zhai, facing the newcomers:"We learn were to find Natalya, we'll escort ourselves out. We even pay. Or these fine gentleman start trouble. In that case, we will stay. And have a long, unpleasurable talk with you."
"Zograthy, we expect trouble on this trip, and are well prepared for it. Starting a fight will do nothing but give us a bit of exercise, and cause damage to your fine tent. I'm looking to help Natalya. Are you going to help me or not?" Zhai asked the bit, clinking the coins her hand suggestively.
Granite snorts then says half to himself, "He makes it seem like he's all about the money with his prices. But then when he actually gets paying customers, he throws them out! Not much of a business model if you ask me." He shakes his head at the absurdity.
Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway -
"Your offer insults me. Thus, I expel you from my presence". He snatches the gold coin from the desk, "Am inconvenience fee..."
The thugs begin to approach the party...
Granite shrugs, rolling his eyes at what he views to have been a giant miscommunication. "Huh, I guess he has no interest in earning 20 gold. Oh well. Let's go find someone else who is, shall we?"
"Are you trying to rob us despite our willingness to pay - greedy after getting a taste of money? Not a smart move, old man...", Ran taps Zhai's shoulder to make her aware of the thugs approach, then maneuvers to keep the Varisians just out of reach of his spear.
Trying to not injure them too seriously would be hard, and there was many of them. He still gauged the risk involved in attempting to take them down nonlethally...
"Don't lie Zograthy. You already promised information for 20 gold. It is much too late to feign insult. You wrong me Zograthy. I won't forget it." Zhai speaks to the party, "Let's go." and Zhai backs out, speaking again to Zograthy, "If I find that you betrayed her, you will wish I had simply killed you."
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Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway -
Zograthy raises his hand and frowns, "Very well woman, show me the rest. The other 19 and I shall tell you what I know!" The thugs pause lower their hands.
Zhai steps forward and sweeps her hand across the table leaving the other 19 gold in a neat line.
Ran stays on guard, Spear in hand. Zograthy seemed indecisive, and all of this could be a ruse.
Ran was unwilling to leave himself open, but stayed in place, seeming to relax. A trained eye, of course, would realize that he maintained muscle tension and could react at a moments notice.
Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway -
He waves the thugs away, "A deal is a deal, I know that this was not the best deal I have ever made...."
He grumbles and begins to speak, as he does the thugs step out of the tent.
"She hasn’t been heard from among the Sczarni so there is little I can do to help you in this regard.
However, many folk along the waterfront, both here in Beacon’s Point and over in Dockway and Underbridge, have been disappearing of late—a few each week, in fact, with many simply vanishing out of their very beds at night.
I suspect that Natalya is among those who have disappeared in this manner".
His voice takes on a note of bitterness, "As long as only poor Varisians and other destitute folk are being targeted, the chances of the city doing anything about the disappearances is nil. It’s not a Sczarni plot despite the rumors among the Watch. The Sczarni seem quite interested in solving the vanishings themselves. Of course they are not seeking aid in that effort as who would help them?"
He pauses and considers something for a moment then asks, "Why are you so interested in her?"
"Since we are being polite, I'll tell you. I'm under an agreement. She went out of contact, therefore, my part is to rescue her if possible, and find the cuplrit if not. I would've thought she could handle it, but everyone gets in over their heads sometimes. It's always good to have friends on call when that happens."
With the Thugs gone, Ran once again stored his Spear on his back. He remained on guard, of course, but was content to simply stand behind Zhai. His role among the "friends", after the Thugs appearance, probably warranted no further explanation.
Magnimar - Washers’ Row in Dockway -
He shrugs, "Interesting, she always seemed to be a bit of a loner. No matter, perhaps if you find her you will also uncover the culprits behind the other disappearances.
My apologies for the earlier... misunderstanding".
As you appear ready to leave he clears his throat and extends his palm, expectantly...
Ran steps up to the table, pools the coins Zhai arranged in a line again, and hands them over to Zograthy: "If you were expecting a tip, you should not have pulled that stunt with the thugs. Especially if we may do all of you a favor by finding out more."
That said, he whirls around and follows Zhai, asking:"We done here?" addressing the others.