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Ser Willem narrows his eyes, but then moves on as if nothing happened. He was sure Xiao said the Market Place first, but it was no matter. The sticking point was that they stay together. That he could agree on.
As they approach, he starts chatting up one of the local off duty militia. "Can't say I've seen a better feasthall in these parts, how's the food? Better than what they give at the barracks, I presume."
You all head to the Forest's Bounty feast hall. The interior of the enormous wooden long house is brightly lit and filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and merriment. Food scents mingle with the smoke of cooking fires and tobacco pipes. Servants carry food and drinks from the open kitchen area to the various wooden benches and tables that fill the hall. Many of the patrons are armed and armored, proudly bearing the insignia of local militia groups on their cloaks and tabards, along with the sword and tree symbol of Nirmathas.
You attract immediate attention upon entering the feast hall, causing all conversation and music to stop momentarily as the patrons turn to examine the new arrivals. The music and talk slowly resumes, complete with some low muttering. No one seems particularly interested in talking to you.
Shortly after you being talking to the patrons, however, a man approaches you. He is apparently a veteran, clad in a green cloak bearing the
symbol of Nirmathas. He walks with a noticeable limp and is missing his left arm from the elbow down.
"“Now is not a good time for strangers to be asking questions in Tamran. There are rumors that spies walk among us and that Pathfinders are among those spies. I find it a little hard to believe, given Pathfinders helped me out in a time of need," he remarks, gesturing with his hand to his amputated arm.
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Mr. Copperpot peaks up from behind his dwarven bodyguard.
Never trust a one-armed man...wait...or was that never trust a one-eyed man?
"Oh, we're not Pathfinders," he blurts reflexively. "But I agree...Pathfinders aren't spies...they help a lot of people out, for sure. Why would people be distrustful of Pathfinders here? We're not, but I'm just curious."
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Ser Willem nods at the amputated man. "Though it has seems you have given so much as it is, we appreciate the help you have already given us. I'm afraid the 'Pathfinders' you may have met earlier were not upholding the standards that we follow. I apologize for their behavior and hope to make amends. We can only do so with yours and your fellow soldier's help though. We may not be able to fight your war with Molthune for you, but the troubles we are having may coincide with yours and we can work together to alleviate them."
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Looking the man in the eyes and giving her whole body the order to display business, trustworthyness and honesty Xiao Hua speaks up."I deeply apologize for my friends here. They do mean no harm. I can guarantee that. I won´t say that they are harmless, but they are genuinly not interested in causing trouble. You see, we just arrived, and it is always... opportune to understand one´s surrounding. Understand the lay of the land, what to say. Is that spying? Or is it showing respect and common sense! I think it is! My name is Xaio Hua and I am delighted to meet you."
The serving girl seems disinclined to serve the foreigners and frowns at Natula's rudeness, but eventually comes over and takes drink orders. She isn't quick about it. She leaves to go get the drinks.
The man in the green cloak opens his mouth to speak, then closes it again in confusion. Finally he says "You misunderstand. My name is Imad Sharras. The Pathfinder Society’s current Master of Swords, Marcos Farabellus, saved my life when I was dying. I don't believe the terrible rumors about the Society."
"So...you are Pathfinders? You're certainly doing nothing to disguise the fact. So here is my offer. I know something of these bandits you seek, and I will tell you, but first one of you must drink this,” he says, producing a small blue bottle from his pocket.
"It's something that will ensure my trust," says Imad.
Natula finds the guy to be nervous, but probably not malicious. She bravely swallows the strange blue liquid. It tastes like strong herbal tea and peppermint.
Natula, give me a Will save, please!
"It will ensure that I can trust you."
Imad doesn't permit Natula to examine it or cast any spells on the vial.
He places it back in his pocket and begins to rise. "My mistake. I thought you were someone else."
He pauses, looking at Xiao Hua. "Perhaps the young lady?"
Talondreal senses no evil when he studies Imad.
Xiao, give me a Will save!
Okay, Xiao, you can say nothing that is untruthful. Imad looks at you intensely and asks three questions, pausing for your answers in between.
“How long have you been working for Molthune?”
“Who is your Molthuni contact?”
and
“Do any of your allies have ties to Molthune?”
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Xiao Hua looks him deep in the eyes and answers:
"Just a few hours! For the next question she smiles.
"I would never betray the trust of a contact! I feel,think I have to tell the truth, but it won´t compell me to betray trust. It is important and a double edged sword. Anyone confining in me, will have his secret safe! Her eyes say, I mean you!
"Not that I am aware of. As far as I know, we are all here for the first time!"
After a moment, she speaks again."I am not here to do anything against Molthune, I wish no one harm and I will try to improve our standing here!"
With that she leans back.
Imad nods, his face brightening. “Two weeks ago," he says, "while my men and I were patrolling along the edge of the Fangwood south of the city, we spotted a group of bandits attacking a smuggler in the woods. We gave chase, and tracked them as they fled west, but lost the trail when they hit the river. I don’t think they simply forded or swam; I’d bet good money your bandits have a ship capable of sailing up the Marideth River.”
Ser Willem nods as the man tells his story.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+7
"Then perhaps that is where we should start, where you lost track of them."
Ser Willem believes this man is in earnest.
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Mr. Copperpot watches in fascination as the potion takes its effect.
"An honesty potion...that is amazing! I could ensure everyone is telling the truth! I will need to learn how to make these. Perhaps I could administer them to anyone I speak with as a condition of having a conversation. For now, I believe we could track these people down where the trail went cold. Cold trails are much better than hot ones."
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Imad nods, his face brightening. “Two weeks ago," he says, "while my men and I were patrolling along the edge of the Fangwood south of the city, we spotted a group of bandits attacking a smuggler in the woods. We gave chase, and tracked them as they fled west, but lost the trail when they hit the river. I don’t think they simply forded or swam; I’d bet good money your bandits have a ship capable of sailing up the Marideth River.”
"So we head to whatever passes for docks in this mud hole and see if anyone knows about a ship that could do that."
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"Natula, could you try to be a little less like a little spoiled kid of 3 years? I mean we are on an assignement and not on your birthday party! And just for your info, to be witty needs panache, not having read once what one can say to make a fuss. If you can't behave, I treat you like a spoiled brat. Did you get my words?"
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"Natula, could you try to be a little less like a little spoiled kid of 3 years? I mean we are on an assignement and not on your birthday party! And just for your info, to be witty needs panache, not having read once what one can say to make a fuss. If you can't behave, I treat you like a spoiled brat. Did you get my words?"
Ignoring the paladin, Natula continues. "I think everyone did. You're shouting again. Did all that henna make you deaf or was it the potion? I haven't heard you contribute anything. And do you know what, I'm sure I would have from as far as Korvosa."
Natula looks about the room to see if anyone is taking too much interest in them.