Kiyomi is willing step forward in her disguise and start to search for Thiladore. She lead the group in away from the entrance, figuring that many of the people there are out to prey on newcomers. She'll be watching carefully to see how they react.
= 9+5+15 = 29
Kiyomi's skilful enquires led to rumours of an information broker named Whisp. He is rumoured to be pricey - but rarely charges something as simple as gold or gems. A service for his services, or information for information. If anyone knows anything that might be a lead, it's him, but the cost...
She also hears that there was a fight near a shop selling arcane ingredients of a dubious nature. Fights in the Umbral Markets are uncommon - the Market Masters don't tend to believe in more common punishments, and are extraordinarily creative in making people regret there action. As a result, fights tend to be rare, and this one was unusually large.
Finally, she discovers that there have been a number of sightings of a strange person within the Markets, masked and cloaked. This is not unusual, as such - noble and pauper alike are welcome to the Umbral Markets, but paupers tend not to care if they're seen. However, this person does no business and has been seen repeatedly, muttering behind the mask.
She huddles close to the others, "So, which one should we follow up with?"
Ellara considered for a moment, then shrugged. "I can look for the one who isn't buying anything." she said. It would be a fairly straightforward matter to get up to the rafters, watch people's movements from above, then drop back down and shift into something small to catch their scent and follow them somewhere private.
Ellara began to head up to a better vantage point, before realizing there were other...things...in the rafter. Shadows moved on the upper ceiling of the Umbral Markets. Possibly an additional layer of security and spying for the people running this place, given that they reportedly stopped violence rapidly.
It might be possible to move from roof to roof, but that leaves the possibility of being seen from the ground, and the likelyhood of being spotted from above.
"I'll investigate the fight. I've thought of a way I might get some intel."
Julie begins searching for those involved in the fight, if any of them have their locations publicly known, such as those held in custody while the aggressors of the fight are determined. If such niceties don't exist in the Umbral Markets, Julie instead heads for the scene of the crime, so to speak.
"I'll come along." Lady Karnelia nods to Julie. "Perhaps I can be of use."
Ellara stared up at the ceiling, feeling a little... itchy... about those shadows. Rule Number Two of magic: If it was moving and you didn't know what it was, stay back until at least one of those had been dealt with. After explaining her plans to her companions, though, she set out to investigate the man who wasn't seen buying anything - and in the process, she picked up a few small things herself, not bothering to try and hide the transactions.
No one is clear as to who was involved in the fight. There are rumours that the masters have at least some of them in custody...somewhere...but finding them will be a challenge.
The scene of the fight shows that it was pretty unpleasant. The remains of a wooden building, now mostly charred, lean dangerous to one side. What appear to be claw marks appear several feet above your heads in the wall of a shop next to you, the vendor calling out for custom. There is even what appears to be dried blood.
~~~
Ellara's questions reveal that the person appeared shortly after the fight. What's worrying people is that the person, whoever they are, hasn't been caught yet. It's an unwritten rule that if people aren't here to buy or sell they should leave reasonably quick. None of the innkeepers have had dealings, and no one has seen them buy anything, so they would have been kicked out. Either they are doing these things - without the mask and cloak, which would seem to defy the point - or somehow they're evading capture.
The Masked Figure was last seen outside Jhai's, an inn on the upper side of the cavern wall with a less than pleasant reputation.
"I suppose that leaves Whisp to me." She will look for the information broker.
"Look! These claw marks!" Lady Karnelia indicates. "Do you think these are from... Well you know what I'm alluding to," she suggests, preferring not to discuss the druid out loud in such a place.
"Mmm." Julie looks back at the claw marks, having been distracted by inspecting the vendor for an angle.
"Yeah, that seems perfectly logical. Why didn't I think of that? Good thing you're around to do thinking."
"Give me a sec." Julie pulls out what looks live a very broken compass, pulling out a rose colored crystal coin from inside and inserting a blue one.
Kiyomi begins her search for Whisp, the information broker. Of course, that isn't as simple as going shopping. Information brokers aren't always the easiest people to find...
~~~
Julie's glance around confirms there suspicion - bear hair has was caught on a wooden beam nearby.
Kiyomi begins asking for Whisp. Fortunately, even those that lie are helping her out.
"You are correct. I don't suppose you have some way to divine where the attackers or the bear were before they fought here?"
It takes time, and effort, but Kiyomi deduces that Whisp is lurking in the back room of a house of ill repute that actually had an exceptional reputation. Of course, getting in and asking was easy - getting to see him was harder. You had to order a very special item from there...menu. Something that no would think of, which actually narrowed it down considerably. Not enough to guess, however, and Kiyomi wasn't able to find out exactly what the information was on her first run at it. She could try again, going further in-depth now that she knew more about what she hunted. Or perhaps she could sneak in, or try and ambush Whisp on exiting.
Kiyomi will try again, watching carefully for their reactions as she muses the choices.
She is going to bluff to conceal how much she's searching.
If that isn't enough, she will attempt to do this using read mind. (Will DC 20, subtle)
Ellara waited patiently as Kiyomi worked to gather more information - teamwork was important, after all. That was another thing big groups of mages tended to learn, because nothing taught teamwork like having to work together to put out all the fires...
Now focused on a particular thing, Kiyomi is indeed able to discover the code phrase. Whether it was possible to actually perform such an act, or order one without blushing, was an entirely different thing. However, it should now be possible to see Whisp.
Ellara, on the other hand, would quite calmly say it if the group headed in that direction. It probably helped that she was an adult, and more to the point, her house dealt with some REALLY weird stuff. At least half of the rumors were true.
"My apologies. My magical expertise is mainly centered on the forces of mind and body. Fate is as opaque to me as it is to you," Lady Karnelia explains, inspecting the battle marks further.
"Do you think these merchants would tell us about the burnt structure?"
Mostly seeking to remain unseen, Little Sister nontheless follows suit, inspecting the marks on her own.
Karnelia manges to find a long strip of cloth from a cheap, poorly woven cloak of faded grey. Underneath it, however, is a piece of a silken dress, far more valuable than the cloak would suggest. The two pieces might also help identify the wearer was at this fight, too - they certainly wouldn't have been left much before it, and most people are avoiding the area thanks to the dilapidated state of the burned building.
Kiyomi orders the unusual act without batting an eye. She is the daughter of a courtesan, and has heard of many exotic practices.
"Ah, I would figure we've got a fair shot. Allow me."
Julie heads over to the nearby vender, seeing if she can relatively casually ask a few questions, along the lines of 'Oh, so what did that building used to be' 'how long ago did it burn down' 'did you see any of the fight', while buying enough to be polite and considerate of the vender's time.
The woman at the brothel's front desk looks startled. No one needs that much oil. Or that many brunettes. Or a catapult. But after a moment she realizes what's going on and leads you through to a back room. The room is comfortable, chairs cushions spread for people to relax on, and a figure in a robe leans in one. A woman - very much and very definitely a woman, thanks to her choice of no attire - lounges near by, smoking a pipe. The smell of pesh is heavy and thick in the air.
"Welcome," the robed figure murmurs, and one gloved hand gestures for you to sit. "I do not believe we have done business before."
~~~
"Hm... what a curious find." Lady Karnelia murmurs to herself, eyeing the cloak. "This could prove informative indeed."
She calmly waits for Julie to speak with the merchant, offering her phantom companion a silent smile.
More than anything else, Ellara was faintly amused, though she didn't let it show on her face.
(She has basically no standards when it came to physical appearance because she was so easily capable of being anything. She actually had fun watching people who obsessed over it, though - as if their one form was somehow better than anything else.)
Kiyomi will add 50 gold to that placed by Julie. She allows a brief hint of embarrassment over such a small gift to slip through her mask. During the entire discussion she will be observing him, and the woman to see what they reveal. "We have not done business before. Let us hope it is a long and mutually beneficial relationship."
Whisp sits forwards slightly. "Well, that entirely depends on what business you wish to conduct. Are you buying, or are you selling? I am of course in the market, for both. Tell me what you wish, in general terms, and let us agree a price."
~~~
The Merchant smiles in gap-toothed fashion at the purchase, and grimances as he realizes that he just flashed the gap. "Those blasted idiots and there brawl. Knocked a beam into my face, and now I need a new tooth. You'd think at four verusus ten it would have been quick, at least, and one of the four hanging back. But then, one was a blasted druid, and turned into a blasted bear! And the other was some kind of mad man, screaming and beating people to death. Do you think I should get a gold tooth or a silver, mistress? I prefer gold, doesn't blasted tarnish, but some think it too ostentatious for a mere shopkeep." Despite the friendly tone and the rambling nature, his eyes make it clear he knows he's selling you the information you want.
She stays calm. "I am interested in buying. There has been an abduction tonight. If you are aware of it, then I won't need to name who it is. I and my friends are looking to find and recover this person."
"You speak of the...lady." Whisp settled back for a moment. "What you ask for is valuable. Even scrips and scraps of information go for more than most can afford. You understand that the price for what I have shall be suitably large? Are you willing to pay the price?"
She smiles with the full confidence that she can strike a deal that will fill Whisp's dreams. "Oh, I am willing to pay quite dearly for useful information. A deal which includes current information, future information of your choosing, and understanding of why the second part is so valuable. I'll give you a small sample."
She will reveal a moderately juicy secret about one of the nobles that she's found out through her contacts. Something that will cause him problems, but not enough to completely ruin him. Something that could be used for a decent blackmail scheme.
"Do you have scrips and scraps or something more savory?"
"One can never be too ostentatious as a merchant, or rather, as a merchant of goods. Confidence in oneself implies confidence in one's goods. Gold, by all means. Thank you." Julie heads back to Lady Karnelia.
"Well, he confirms what we know, which I suppose is helpful. Unless you're willing to flash some coin in his direction, I doubt we'll get anything more from him. Unless those forces of mind you mentioned includes the subtle reading of minds."
"I... don't think my gold would do any good with him... I've never been very good with people. My apologies."
It doesn't take much observation to tell that Lady Karnelia has no confidence in her ability to extract any kind of information out of the merchant. Likely, he'd take her money and fess up some pointless information, none of which she'd dare challenge.
"It doesn't feel right prying in the minds of people, I've never touched such a spell... I will look into it for the future, it may be essential to finding the Princess... Do you think so?"
"Would it help? Almost assuredly. Is it essential? No way to know. If it's against your sensibilities, then don't bother until your priority changes."
A chuckle came from under Whisp's hood. "Perhaps. You see, our lady is well know to have three bodyguards. One is...indisposed. I've been told you've talked to him a little, but since the owners of this place have trapped him in his current form, he's a little out of the loop. And the second is...not amenable to conversation. I understand he is angry, and is not well loved when angry. The third, however...you can speak to. For a price."
Ellara waited patiently. "There's really no point in being vague about prices." 'He' pointed out. "Either we're going to pay it or we're not, and we're quite well aware that a price is involved."
Kiyomi chuckles, "The issue is that the price is not so simple as money. The secrets trade is ... complex." She turns back to Whisp.
"Secrets spoil so quickly. One must always be restocking. I offer a secret like my sample each month for perpetuity. Most would be from the circle of nobility. You may select a target and we will get what we can about them. This will also allow your network and mine to trade." She pauses, "Should you agree, I will reveal who I am and why we are so connected. This is information for you only, not to be sold."
"A worthy offering...but for this, I am afraid I need something particular." Whisp tilted there head for a moment. "I am hesitant to name the price simply because it is not a simple matter. As you seem to be aware, rather than something as simple as gold, I require services for payment. In this instance, I require the retrieval of an item from the remains of a former city. I will not reveal the exact reason why I need this item, nor it's exact nature - you will not need either. I will guarantee that it is a personal matter, and will not harm either the kingdom or it's people in any form. Retrieving this item will also be dangerous. Do you accept these terms?"
"Time is of the essence in our mission. The longer we delay the colder our trail."
"True," Whisp replies, a smile in there voice. "But it still does to ask. When you and any companions you are with leave this place, you will be redirected to a lower level. This city has been built and re-built more times than even Draconic memories recall, and much lies hidden. A portal will remain behind, to take you back here. If you wish to instead return to the streets rather than going to the lower levels, simply say 'No' as you exit. The item you seek will be within a cold box, two feet long by one foot wide and half a foot tall. The lid will bear the inscription 'To my house, am I bound.' You may open the box, if you can and wish to do so, although I doubt it will give you any information. Please do not damage the box or the items inside. Are there any questions you wish to ask?"
Ellara kept her mouth shut - she had no intention of going into debt through careless words, and would be quite happy to leave this... unfortunately memorable individual... behind.
"I will need to consult with allies not here. What dangersdo you expect?" she says.
"Unclear. Something is living in those areas. None of the others that I have sent have been able to return, and magical means of observation do not work there." Whisp snorted. "Otherwise I would not be sending you to an entrance, but the target."