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Flyn’s eyes light up, apparently clueless as the the young rogue’s embarrassment. “Whores!?! Why didn’t ya say so? This mission’s starting to take a turn for the better!”
Seeing the barbarian's glee, the rogue only becomes more flustered.
"That's not really..."
"What I mean is..."
"Shouldn't we rather..."
Narad says many words, but somehow isn't able to complete a full sentence.
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Kohi smiles at Narad before shushing Flyn with a finger to her lips. "I doubt it will be busy this time of the day. Flyn, if you want to partake, I ask only that you be sure the women are there of their own free will and that you do it on your time, not on ours. Let's step inside and see what we can see, shall we?" She steels herself for whatever debauchery may be on display, drawing closer to Narad before whispering to him. "If you find it offends your sensibilities, you can certainly wait outside."
...Assuming you enter...
A spectacularly groomed garden of colorful sand occupies most of this two-story cabaret’s ground floor. A narrow wooden bridge winds about a trio of decorative obelisks dotting the miniature desert. A lavish sitting area filled with divans occupies the second-floor balcony granting a magnificent view of the garden below. Private curtained chambers encircle the garden, where lush rugs, soft mattresses, or piles of throw pillows serve to cushion the repose of clientele in each chamber. A door off the northern balcony opens to a staircase leading down to the street, while another set of stairs to the east leads down to the garden.
The doorman stops you. "No one enters until weapons are peace-bonded."
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Narad acquiesces: "OK." He will peace-bond his weapons.
Once inside, he will look for Zelekhati.
He will look for obvious signs of trouble.
Presuming all is well, he will whisper to his associates: "I'm not very facile with combat and our weapons are peace-bonded. Should we stay together or split up? I would feel more comfortable if at least one of us held the high ground." He eyes the balcony.
He tries to avoid looking directly at any of the prostitutes:
He accidentally espies one doing something he's never even heard of before. The pupils in his eyes become tiny little dots:
"How does she..."
"That can't be comfortable..."
"She... She's very flexible!"
Madame Zelekhati is nowhere to be seen at the moment. Thankfully it's currently a tea house, so Narad isn't TOO traumatized as he's just seeing some people stretch and warm up. There are numerous wait-staff and hostesses about. When they see your party looking around (mistaking a tactical sizing up of the place as a look of being lost) one approaches, "Welcome, may I help you?
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Desh nods and grunts, submitting all of his weapons to be peace-bonded, except for the longspear, which he he leaves with the doorman.
”Don’t stab your eye out,” the half-orc mutters with a feral grin as the longspear is taken.
Desh doesn’t waste time looking for threats , instead giving the staff and clientele a long inspection.
Otherwise, the lean half-orc seems happy to let the others take the lead in this place.
This place does seem like a hive of scum and villainy gossip and information.
Most of what Narad overhears is small talk, some business, and a scattering of things to make him blush. One thing he does notice while paying attention is the that sand garden in side actually seems to move and redesign itself of it's own accord.
The hostess is still looking at you all, awaiting an answer.
"Madame Zelekhati is currently with a client, but she will be available shortly. May I ask who is calling and what your business is?"
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Kohi smiles at the hostess. "Kohinoor an'Gul, priestess of Sarenrae, and company. I believe she'll find us friendly, but we're more than happy to come back a bit later if she'd be more free then. We do have other business in the city we could take care of; this was simply a social call. May I ask how shortly 'shortly' usually is?" She flashes another winning smile, pulling her holy symbol out of her robes like a passport or I.D. badge. "If it's not too long, and if it's not too much trouble, perhaps some tea? Anything without a minty flavour would be much preferred."
Kohinoor's words are well received, and the hostess says it should be just a moment. Indeed, the woman returns after a short wait with Madame Zelekhati. The woman walks confidently and with an eye for detail
"Welcome to my establishment, please walk with me while we talk, I cannot afford to sit still. What is it you need of me? How am I some of your "business" in the city?"
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Honesty is the best policy Kohinoor steps over to here Madame Zelekhati is, following half a pace behind her as the half-elf goes about her business. "I am just a priestess of the Dawn, and I'm certain she smiles upon our meeting. My companions and I have been tasked by a friend with finding one of his lost associates, and we've run into a...bit of a snag." She glances at Narad and Desh, hoping she's not about to make a terrible mistake. "Our organization has a...contact who claims he has information about the lost associate, but he insisted on us running several errands for him. One of those was to discover how you seem to know everything about everyone in this city." She gulps, hoping she hasn't crossed some sort of line. "Please. I would not ask this, but a man's life may very well be on the line."
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Desh shakes his head when he realizes Kohinoor’s angle, a wondering, disbelieving smile turning up one corner of his mouth. This was both the most naive and ballsy approach gaining access to a rumor-monger’s source.
”Refreshing as a damn monsoon,” he grunts to the place’s proprietess, ”How many folks you run into around here hit you with what they want so bluntly? At least you know where you stand with us.”
She acts as if amused, but you can all immediately sense that she isn't. "I appreciate your bluntness, but I have no idea what you're talking about. Truthfully I usually don't unless there's something in it for me."
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Garrett hides his face as he smiles at Kohi's blunt tactics; however, it failed to impress the woman. Little Garrett walks up to her with a flourish and a deep bow, taking her hand if allowed and placing a light kiss upon the back of her hand. "Madame Zelekhati, I am sure you already know more about us then we would prefer; however, a woman in a position such as yours would clearly be weary of a group of Pathfinders in her city." He winks at the others, hoping this will work out. "If it is reciprocal payment you require, then perhaps we can work out some mutual arrangement that makes everyone involved happy. I am sure a business woman, such as yourself, understands the benefits of partnership with an organization such as our own."
Garrett's insight is exactly what the Madame needed. While Narad and the others didn't catch her drift, the bard does. "Now you're talking my language, but I didn't get here by jumping at every opportunity right off. You tell me who's watching me and why, and I'll ...help you out a commensurate amount."
You also notice she has a habit of playing with a ring on her hand and looking at the moving sand garden when she does it. Make a Spellcraft check.
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Kay's eyes dart to the sand at Narad's excited comment, but he remains otherwise unruffled. He has been divested of his meager weapons, and presumably, of his wands and scrolls, and looks just as dangerous as a wizard of his mien would--that is, not very, to the casual observer, but to one versed in magic, he would be recognized as dangerous indeed. The elf follows the group in the back, meditative, as he has been during most of this journey.
"We would be happy to assist, Madame Zelekhati. I assume that the greater the risk presented by your watchers, the greater the commensurate amount would be," he says pleasantly and neutrally.
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Garrett's eyes are drawn to her subtle movements of the ring and then the shifting sands. 'Hmmm...I wonder.' Garrett smiles coyly. "Of course, Madame. He is a fellow information gatherer who prefers his meat well done... very well done. As to why, you know why. Some people horde gold, some gems, others knowledge, and some horde secrets... I have heard the correct bit of gossip could cost someone much more than just a sack full of gold." He gives her a very knowing look with his last statement. "Are you interested in our arrangement?"
"I am interested. Here's my offer; tell me which person is so interested in me, and you can go back and tell him... that I have an item that lets the decorations in this room tell me what's what in my walls. That should suffice. Do not cross me on this. I need to believe that you won't betray me if you're to leave my establishment alive."
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Garrett smiles and rubs his hands together, before offering Zelekhati his little hand to shake in an effort to seal their deal. "Our patron obviously requests we deal in secrecy. Is such a location safe enough for secrets to be shared openly?" He glances around at the gathered patrons and employees.
"Our patron goes by the name of Torch, I am sure you know that name well enough. What his true name is, I cannot disclose, for I am not privy to such information. However, he is most interested in swapping of secrets with you. He was most curious on the method of your espial." He takes a deep bow. "If nothing else, we shall take our leave, milady and inform our patron of your acquiescence."
"Consider our bargain met. My ring is my power and that should be enough. Thank you for your fluid loyalty. I'll keep your contribution a secret and let the information war begin. I know Torch. I'm flattered that he considers me such an up and coming threat. Now if our business is concluded, please leave as I prefer to not been seen with you at this point..."
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Garrett shakes her hand. "Excellent! Business concluded. I shall inform our patron, then. Best of luck to you, Madame." He prepares to leave, but stops briefly and turns back to her. "And milady, if I may... I believe we are all well beyond the need for such trite gestures as death threats. I assure you, we will not betray your confidence. What Torch may do should you betray his trust I cannot say. You have nothing to fear from me and mine in this matter. Farewell!"
What's the plan then Pathfinders?
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Garrett looks at their new roguish friend, Narad. "What were you able to find out about this little gang?"
"I heard that something has the Hundredfingers gang scared. They're normally all over the place. But you can't find hide nor hair of them lately--especially around the bazaar. I wonder if they still use that one hideout..."
...They do, in fact, use that same hideout. So you think anyways.
Narad leads you to a place in the slums that doesn't stand out from any other. Two rows of decrepit wooden shacks are separated by an alley that serves more as a filthy runnel than a pathway. Broken wooden doors do little to keep the elements or vermin out, but there is little within to steal. Few of the shacks boast more than a chair or two and several threadbare bedrolls. A woman hawking her wares walks up the street, "Potions and salves! As good as the Sun Orchid Elixir!" Get them here before they're gone!"
She's wearing an amber necklace. Now make a Knowledge (Religion) or (Local) check