Starflit goes maskless in Okeno, not wanting to draw the eye of any potential enemy (which, honestly, is pretty much everyone). After examining a small library of blue books tucked inside her magical haversack, she reports that, as expected, she doesn't have one detailing this city.
"If we're going to ask around about Lowls here, we're going to have to do it from scratch, I'm afraid," the inquisitor tells the others quietly.
Keeping an eye out as they make their way to an inn, "Well this place leaves a lot to be desired. Feels like everyone here just as soon stab you in the back as shake your hand. Reminds me a lot of Riddleport."
”I don’t think I’ve been to Riddleport. But yeah, in my experience, lots of folks seem to want stab me in the back, front, side, wherever - you know? That’s why I have so much armor.”
Kyffin lets Al answer about the book, for his head is still pounding from last nights dreams. Later, he looks at Tristain and sighs, "You have bad dreams too? You think we need to go back to the dreamland and do something about it?"
He shudders, having no interest in going back if he can avoid it. But if the dreams get much worse, he doesn't know what he'll do. He drinks extra caffeine this day to fend off the pain.
This Biting Lash can't be too hard to find. Starflit, you're smooth with words. Let me know how I can help. Unless Al wants to lead. He's good too."
vs DC 10
While they’re on the hunt, he keeps his eyes open for the sash he wants to buy…
Looking over at the half-orc, "Yeah I wouldn't recommend it. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy than Riddleport. If you do, let me know so I can avoid the place. And what is this Dreamland you mentioned?"
Looking over at the half-orc, "Yeah I wouldn't recommend it. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy than Riddleport. If you do, let me know so I can avoid the place. And what is this Dreamland you mentioned?"
Kyffin chuckles. "Dreamland? Oh, it's a horrible damned place. Tristain has a little statue that lets us travel there. But it's a place where anything could be real - and often is. Not the pleasant stuff mind you. Just the horrible."
"Tristain! Show him the model staircase (link)!"
"Tristain! Show him the model staircase (link)!"
"Okay, sure," Tristain responds in a surly tone. "But what makes you think he can read?" Tristain hands over the book, having his doubts about the matter. "The staircase is more visual, and it's in there, so you might look at it."
If pressed, Tristain will explain more about the Dreamland, and if Lothan/Starflit is genuinely interested in learning, he is a more than capable tutor and instructor. If their eyes glaze over, Tristain's effort will be minimal.
Grinning sarcastically, "Hardy har. Boy you are a funny one, aren't you? Don't quit your day job." Lothan snags the book and scans through it to see if it means anything at all to him. "So the ladder takes you to the Dreamland, huh? Now tell me, why would you all go there if it's so horrible?"
"We had to to follow Lowells and obtain certain items. It really was no fun though. Much better here on the firm land. Er, or water. Water is fine too. But not dreamstuff."
He waits to see what the party can learn by spending some time in a few pubs and asking around.
”Yeah, the stuff we’ve seen in the Dreamlands is worse than the stuff we’ve seen in real life. Ain’t none of it any good. Nothing but terrors,” Tristain agrees. ”But we had to go and so we went. But I wouldn’t want to go again. Ever.”
Handing the book back, "Interesting. Yeah I'm thinking the real world has plenty of trouble on its own. No sense in going somewhere that's entirely bad if it's not necessary."
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"Forget that book, the one we're chasing is what should be a bunch of nonsense, but get's a mind all mixed up instead. Folks will start doing evil without even knowing what they're doing. The fool that wrote the danged thing probably went insane himself, no telling where he's at?"
With the party settled, at least for the moment, Albert tries to glean a little information about the slaver market without drawing undue attention. If he finds a talkative target, and with pints enhancing the situation, he'll cautiously press for more information regarding Biting Lash.
Kyffin goes along with Al to be a bodyguard of sorts. Never can tell when someone might try to rough Al up, and Kyffin will be there to help clean up the losers afterwards.
Tristain will travel with Al, not because he wants to go, but he's certain he will be attacked by something if he lets the others go on without him.
It will probably be more of those dogs that come out of the corners. Those are the worst.
It takes a few days, but Al eventually is able to get a lot of information. At first, the information he gleans seems to be more about the city -- and then the slave trade and gnolls in general -- but finally he manages to get some word about Biting Lash.
The fleshfairs of Okeno—as the slave markets are known—are the largest in the Inner Sea region, and at any given time almost half of the population of the pirate city is made up of slavers and their merchandise.
Far from being outcasts, gnoll slavers are welcome and are considered to be the most professional of their ilk. They even have their own slave market known as the Laughing Fleshfair—on account of the way the bidding is done with laughing cries and barks—where, at least in theory, gnolls are the only traders allowed.
Although openly welcome in the city, the gnoll slavers are despised by many other humanoids that work the trade. This is often a case of simple professional jealousy, but it’s sometimes from a sense of loathing at how they treat their merchandise. The gnolls are paranoid about security, and operate in a web of deceit. Many take pseudonyms, and keep their slave pits veiled in mystery. Many of the gnoll slavers keep their merchandise in different locations, and keep their most prized possessions in fortified structures away from the fleshfairs.
One of the most successful and civilized gnoll traders is Hyena Princess Njano, a lady of great intelligence and influence. She is so powerful that she operates openly at the Laughing Fleshfair, and she knows every powerful gnoll in the city.
Finally, it turns out Biting Lash is a pseudonym, nothing more. Biting Lash primarily deals with people she already knows, eschewing the fleshfairs when it comes to selling her own slaves. She is highly paranoid about betrayal, and goes to great lengths to keep the details of her inventory a secret. She is known to use subordinates and spies to purchase new slaves at the fleshfairs instead of going in person. Like most gnoll traders, she likes anonymity, and even changes her appearance regularly.
”Good job, Al, you’re a totally normal human who is very good at getting information from people,” Tristain says awkwardly. And then he goes to the nearest wall to bonk, which is normal and not awkward at all.
*bonk!*
*bonk!*
*bonk!*
*bonk!*
*bonk!*
*bonk!*
”Should we go talk to the Hyena Princess?” Tristain says after a good think/bonk. ”Maybe that’s where we should start?”
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Raising an eyebrow at the loon, Did the loon just say 'totally normal human' about Al? Seriously? Lothan looks over at Al before turning his attention back to the loon. As opposed to what? I swear, I think this guy is just getting loonier and loonier. Next thing you know, I'm going to be a 'totally normal half-elf' and Kyffin is going to be a 'totally normal half-orc'. I mean, sheesh, who does that? Rolling his eyes, Lothan can only shake his head at how inane the loon truly is. "Good idea there, loo... ummmm, T. We should talk to the Hyena Princess who I would guess is probably a totally normal, you know, hyena," he says, shrugging. "Or maybe not. Whatever."
"OK, yeah, let's see if we can find her. Maybe posing as buyers for now. Remember, we want to ask her about Lowls, not kill her."
"Good idea you two, let's talk to this princess and see if she can make us a connection. I wonder what she'll want for her services..."
Setting out to find the Hyena princess, you are quickly able to learn the dates the Laughing Fleshfair meets vary, but auctions are usually held at least twice per week. Typically, most of the customers are gnolls, though there are some others who participate. They tend to be viewed with a lot of distrust, however.
”Uh, this Fleshfair sounds like a great time,” Tristain says, wishing he had some skill at disguise, stealth, or trickery, but he does not.
”Not sure walking right in is the safest idea, but I’ll do what I can not to attract attention. Anyone have better ideas?”
Kyffin shrugs, "Never much liked pretending to be something I'm not. Particularly as I've already been two different people sort of. I dunno what else to do other than just walk up to her and see what can be done."
"She sounds like a bold woman. Perhaps she'll appreciate boldness."
He doesn't sound convinced himself even as he says it.
"Okay, here's what we're gonna do. We're going to walk right in. Just like Kyffin said: she sounds like a bold woman then she'll probably appreciate boldness. Plus, pretending is lame. Plus, I'm no good at being fake anyway. Plus, if she pisses us off, we'll just kill her and her little dog too," he pauses, thinking on that a moment before, "if she has one. Yeah, I've no idea where that came from. ANYWAY, that's the plan. Hope one of you are the talky type because I'm sure not. Trying to talk business is about as interesting as watching mud dry."
You arrive at the fleshfair and it's just as described: Nervous guards abound, hands on their weapons at the slightest provocation. The place is busy and sweaty; a dusty, feral stench is everywhere.
It takes some time, but you're eventually able to find the Hyena Princess. When you spot her, she is talking to a group of other gnolls. Two non-gnolls stand nearby, clearly keeping an eye out for trouble: a short, muscular human woman, and a halfling swaddled in black robes with a monkey perched on his shoulder.
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"And there she is with two of the most unhappy looking humanoids I've ever seen. Excellent, we ought to fit right in. It's go time, people." Lothan then moves up towards the princess and stops about ten feet away from her and her bodyguards with a hand raised, "Excuse me! Excuse me a moment, if you would. Sorry for the interruption but we got business to discuss with the princess. Any chance you can spare a moment?"
Tristain blinks in surprise as Lothan makes himself useful. No one was expecting that, and he follows behind the bold, perfectly normal half-elf while thinking that it might have been prudent to bring along something to bonk his head into.
Kyffin suddenly wishes he'd prepped his combat spells before entering the establishment. Alas, he must proceed without their comfort.
While he's thinking this, Lothan steps up and, boldly, lays out their desires. Well done! he thinks to himself.
He follows Lothan closely as if he's his guard or advisor or something. A step back more or less, but closely.
When they approach the other guards, he makes it clear he means no harm. He keeps his hands from his weapons, and smiles a lot.
vs DC 10 to aid Lothan
Starflit hangs back a bit, taking in the horrific sights and smells of the fleshfair. She does her best to hide the anger and disgust at what she witnesses.
"You know how time is money and all that rot," he simply finishes, shrugging.
Albert pulls his attention away from the horror of the slaver market just in time to see the horror of Lothan talking to the slavers. Quickly Al interjects himself in the conversation. "As my associate mentioned, we would like to discuss business with the Princess." Al raises a single bushy eyebrow. "Lucrative business."
"Of course, we can wait until you've completed your current business," Starflit chimes in as politely as possible.
As you approach, you hear not-so-subtle growls from the assembled gnolls. The human woman steps up, interposing herself between you and the Hynea Princess, but before anything can escalate, Njano gestures for her
subordinate to desist, and the young woman withdraws, though it looks like she wants to say something.
"My apologies," the Hyena Princess says. "You have business with me?"
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"Yes, my lady, we do. May we speak with you in private as it's a delicate matter, as you may guess simply by my appearance at this market." Albert toys gently with his holy symbol for emphasis. "We know your busy and we don't wish to interrupt your business, and as we mentioned it's a very lucrative offer. We can meet when you're ready and the timing is more advantageous for us to speak completely on the issue at hand. Thank you." Albert smiles his friendly old man smile to disarm any hostility, though his instinct it to skewer every single slaver in the damnable place.
Tristain refrains from most of his bonking while Al talks, figuring he doesn't want to be a distraction, even though a good bonk might ease some of the anxiety he feels at the moment. For that matter, the more Lothan speaks, he figures everyone is going to need a few good bonks as well, so he might be cleverly leading the way by showing others how it's done.
"If she asks, remember to tell her you're a totally normal human," Tristain whispers helpfully.
Kyffin stays close as a bodyguard should, but not too close - it's been a bit since his last bath and that's some heavy armor.
He tries to look casual as Al speaks, and hopes the blades don't come out in here. They'd be dreadfully outnumbered.
She tilts her head to the side a bit as she considers Al's words, gazing over each of you before seeming to come to a decision.
"Very well, You may meet me at my estate later, and we will discuss."
She provides you with directions. As you leave, the human woman glares at you. She narrows her eyes and makes a cutthroat motion that promises violence in a potential later encounter.
"I think she likes you," Starflit whispers to Lothan, amusement twinkling in her eyes.
Kyffin follows Al, presumably, back out the door before blood is let. "Let's go, ah, sir." he says politely to Al.
If the get outside safely, Kyffin nods and pats Al on the back, "Well done, we have a meeting - and in private too. Much better than that place... What a town."
"It's not as bad as the dreamland," he mumbles after thinking a moment, "but it's pretty bad."
Having nothing particularly to do, Kyffin suggests a meal and some relaxation before they get keyed up for the later meeting.
Albert responds to the human slaver with his own derogatory gesture that also utilizes a single finger.
As the party departs he agrees with Kyffin. "Yep, not only was that market horrible, but no telling what keen ears might be listening in that space. Best we meet in private and get the information we need without others gaining it as well."
The meeting time can't arrive soon enough for Al, and he paces through the afternoon. "I'll be glad to leave this cursed city behind, it's a hive of misery and vileness."
"That turnt out okay, didn't it? Surely, there will be no problems now," Tristain seems quite relieved not to have been attacked by interplanar monsters after Lothan took the lead in negotiations, a pleasant outcome.
Tristain nods with the plans to rest up before the meeting time. He will spend some of his relaxation time in a nice pleasant bonking spell.
"I think she likes you," Starflit whispers to Lothan, amusement twinkling in her eyes.
Smirking, "Yeah, well, she's going to have to get in line. Unfortunately there are too many out there that 'like me' the same way she does currently. That's why I gotta sleep with one eye open. Besides, she's not really my type. The whole 'murderous, hate-filled, everyone needs to die because nobody likes me' aura she carries just doesn't really do it for me. Plus, I'd be willing to bet that that was an actual smile she gave with that threat," he throws her a wink.
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Albert responds to the human slaver with his own derogatory gesture that also utilizes a single finger.
As the party departs he agrees with Kyffin. "Yep, not only was that market horrible, but no telling what keen ears might be listening in that space. Best we meet in private and get the information we need without others gaining it as well."
The meeting time can't arrive soon enough for Al, and he paces through the afternoon. "I'll be glad to leave this cursed city behind, it's a hive of misery and vileness."
"I'd say it's more along the lines of a hive of scum and villainy if you ask me," he shrugs.
As night approaches, you arrive at the address the Hyena Princess gave you, an impressive fortress. You're met there by the woman, Kisetz, who stares hatefully at Lothan. Her mouth twists in a sneer as she tells you, "Follow me ... please." The last word grates, having barely escaped the barrier of her gritted teeth.
She brings you to a high, open room with cloth screens swaying lazily in the breeze. Njano is in a bath when the you arrive, partly submerged in milk, attended to by a group of eight servants. The human and halflings offer her and you dates and figs; two waft large fans to cool her majesty.
Throughout, Kisetz stares hatefully at Lothan.
"Well," Njano asks, "you said you had something you wished to talk to me about?"
Tristain will get a good amount of bonking in before the meeting, and will also prep for trouble because he assumes something bad will happen. And that bad thing might not even be Lothan’s fault. It might be Al’s.
He will let Al or someone else do the speaking first.
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As night approaches, you arrive at the address the Hyena Princess gave you, an impressive fortress. You're met there by the woman, Kisetz, who stares hatefully at Lothan. Her mouth twists in a sneer as she tells you, "Follow me ... please." The last word grates, having barely escaped the barrier of her gritted teeth.
Noticing the hateful look - mainly because she was doing nothing to hide it - Lothan looks back at Starflit and winks before turning his attention back to the grumbly guard. "Thanks, gorgeous! Lovely smile you got there. Hey, if the boss lady ever gives you a night off, maybe we could go out, hm? Maybe? Just think about it and let me know, darlin'," he tells her, giving a wink, wondering if she's about to pull her weapon and slice him up into the tiniest of pieces and then have those pieces burned.
She brings you to a high, open room with cloth screens swaying lazily in the breeze. Njano is in a bath when the you arrive, partly submerged in milk, attended to by a group of eight servants. The human and halflings offer her and you dates and figs; two waft large fans to cool her majesty.
Throughout, Kisetz stares hatefully at Lothan.
"Well," Njano asks, "you said you had something you wished to talk to me about?"
Lothan cuts his eyes from one party member to the other, remaining as nonchalant as possible.
But then he gets tired of waiting.
"Yes! Yes we did," he bellows, stepping out front. "We um... we are looking for a book! No wait! Not a book. Wait! Hold on a moment, yes, I think it was a book." Turning to the others, "Was it a book? I don't... I don't remember now," he confesses, shrugging. Turning back to the hyena, he smiles and shrugs again. "Funny thing, you know, I can't remember! But I do KNOW that it's important! I do. You can bank on that," he says, grinning magnificently. Looking to Al, "Take it away, Al!" before turning back to the hyena lady, "Thank you for your time, ma'am. I'm here all week," he winks, stepping away from the forefront.
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"What my associate says is true, we're looking for a book, a terrible book that makes humanoids insane." Al gestures to Lothan for emphasis. "It's started happening to this poor man already." Albert nods sagely as Lothan skips away. "As you can see, this type of behavior from everyone would surely ruin society, not just our ivory towers, but your festering, degrading, vile, hellacious, disgusting, putrid, unethical, hideous, pitiful, arse stank of a market as well. Surely you understand. We intend to destroy this book before it can cause more harm, and we just need information on a certain traveler that you may know. Before we proceed, Would you prefer a more private location for this transaction?"
"Did I mention how really awful that market is? A true disgrace to the gods themselves. It's a shameful clusterf..." Al stops as he sees Tristain air head bonking and realizes he may have gone too far. Quickly he tries to reverse the negative tone. "My apologies, Princess, it's hard for me to let go of my ideals in this city, I meant no offense to you."
"I believe the point my friend is trying to make is that the person who possesses this book wouldn't care one whit about destroying the status quo of you and your city...or that of anyone walking Golarion for that matter," Starflit intercedes, giving a quick curtsy to the gnoll princess. "And he surely wouldn't seek an audience with you to ask permission. We'd like to help, if you'll let us."
"A book?!" the Hyena Princess snarls, clearly looking at all of you as you might all be insane. "What do I care about books? Is that truly what you came here to ask me about? You would do better to find some ... library or bookkeeper if that is what you care about!"
Out of the corner of your eye, you can see the human guard seem to tense, perhaps hoping she might be freed to inflict harm on you.
Noticing the antsy guard, Lothan interrupts. "Okay! Time out! Time out! Now, look, Princess, this book is some type of 'poison/destroy the whole world' type book or something like that, m-kay?" He looks to the others and shrugs, truly having no idea what kind of book it is. "It's not just some book you go to the library, check out and then return like some loser or possibly T here," he motions over to Tristain. "This book is some serious business. Why don't you let Big Al here explain in greater detail of how truly terrible it is and if you still aren't interested... we'll leave, no harm no foul. What do you say? But I do have to say it sounded like the Butterfly," he motions to Starflit, "gave you an extra bit of info of how bad it is. Just sayin'."
"Ma'am, Lothan has it right. Please hear us out, and if you don't like it you may certainly throw us out. But listen with an open mind."
"A book?! What do I care about books? Is that truly what you came here to ask me about? You would do better to find some ... library or bookkeeper if that is what you care about!"
Just GREAT! Another illiterate. Tristain glances at Lothan. These two should get along just great.
He doesn't bonk just yet, but pauses and keeps his eyes open. He will bonk later when it's safer. He will just let Al handle things, but just *knows* that Al should have mentioned that he's a totally normal human, and then they wouldn't be in this mess.