"Pathfinder! I stay away from them and their goods. I know about receiving stolen goods, and I ain’t about t’get locked up on no fool charge like that. Some Varisian feller come by wanting to buy up mah vermin repellent, trying to barter off some potions or whatnot. But I sees the Glyph of the Open Road on ‘em, and I ain’t about to touch no Pathfinder stuffs, so I tell him to shove off. Boy that got ‘im real mad. He was itchin’ up a storm, he was! Must have been living in them marshes, where them skeeters live.”
Lukaas knows there are several marshes within 50 miles of the city, so the man's statement has the ring of truth. When pressed for specifics however, Jonathram simply shrugs and replies, “Shores’ lousy with marsh.”
You're able to purchase repellant from Jonathram if you wish, but he seems to lack further useful information.
You find a place to sleep for the evening (Oraiah Tolal has no trouble finding you a room at the Ashfall Lodge) and head out the next morning for the market.
Oraiah greets you on your way out in the morning. "Well, discovered anything interesting? Good luck at the market. Keep in mind what I said."
You find the people here are as suspicious of the Pathfinders as anywhere else in town.
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As they starting heading toward the market, Lolly clears her voice to speak up, but even still it's quiet and hard to hear.
Well, Oraiah told us that bandits must have a ship and it would have probably been seen at the docks. That bug spray merchant told us an itchy Varisian was trying to trade society potions for bug spray, he thought he must be living in the marshes. He didn't say anything about a ship or even a boat. Lolly flips her pig tail from her face and continues.
Oraiah also said that inn would be a good dig up rumors, those flirty women told my father. She shoots a glace at Alexandre as she recaps.
The thefts were fakes to let the smuggler's drive up the price. There were two 'Pathfinder' an elf woman and her boyfriend asking about what solider's wore during the Shining Crusade.
Boy that doesn't make any sense. I hope we fare better at the markets. I would like to get some new hair ribbons if I can find something pretty.
When they reach the market Lolly stays close to Alexandre and attempts to help him as he talks to folks.
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After a good night rest, some food, Lukaas goes to the market, speaking with casual grace and good humor.
He's wandering from customer, to guard, to merchant, collecting information easily.
You notice every customer, guard or merchant Lukaas spoke to is of the female persuasion... and most of them consider the young man with a fiery interest.
After hours searching for contacts in the market, Alexandre and Lucas both happen on information about a man named "Gilligam", a purveyor of contraband substances of all kinds.
Once you have a name, tracking him down becomes easy. Gilligam is a tall, obese man with a scraggly red chin-beard. He wipes sweaty palms on his trouser legs and makes obsequious gestures. "What can I procure for you, good masters?"
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Greetings good sir, I'm sure you have all manor of interesting diversions we could avail ourselves of, but today I'm looking to sell rather than buy. Fungal extract from the mana wastes. Infused with wild magic, it has remarkable effects on any number of alchemical compounds, I'm sure you could find a use for it.
As for price, I'm sure we could arrange a simple barter of some of your wares for mine. If you and your customers find it to your liking, I'm certain I could arrange for more. Blueington pauses and takes a quick look at Lukaas.
Though there is a favor you could do for my friend here. Seems he made the unwise decision to employ a vessel that was actually carrying supplied for the Pathfinder Society. Seems to have run afoul of some bandits. You wouldn't have heard anything about that, would you?
Somewhat taken aback, Gilligam peers closer at Bartholomew. He stutters a bit at the mention of the Pathfinders before recovering his bearings.
"I have never heard of such a thing. You'll understand if it requires some more research on my part. Unless perhaps you wish to provide a demonstration?"
"However, I'll provide some advice for free: always know where your goods are coming from. Invoices. Paperwork. If you don't have 'em, make 'em. It'll save your hide in the end."
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A demonstration might be arranged later. OF course, I understand the need for discretion from a man such as yourself, but anything you know about Pathfinder goods might help my friend address his losses. I, of course, know the value of proper permits and papers. I'm sure an experience merchant like yourself would stand up to any scrutiny no matter how... harsh.
Gilligam begins to quiver visibly in front of Bartholomew's intimidating presence. "You're from the Society, aren't you?! Why the charade? I knew this was going to come back to bite me! You’re here to break my legs or something, right? Well you don’t have to—I’ll tell you everything! Just don’t hurt me! I used to buy from Guaril Karela; now I buy from whoever is stealing from Karela. Hey, what’s it matter to me? When I meet them, it’s always on the north end of town, so I figure they must have a hideout up north somewhere. Please, that’s all I know!"
“Okay, okay, they come from the river! They sell for half what I used to pay Karela! I hope you never catch them!" Giligam snatches his cloak around him and hurries away.
Some one is approaching from the rear of the party. They're trying to look inconspicuous, but moving straight for you. A hand reaches out with a knife and a purse.
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"Well, of course it's cheaper. It's easy to sell stolen goods for cheap...," Alexandre mutters as the fat merchant runs off.
"Well, riverside is at least another clue for us to follow up on. Honestly, at the Bounty the one clue that doesn't connect to the others will be linked it," He idly says aloud to the others as his head is in the clouds a bit.
Two things happen almost simultaneously.
Lolly casts a quick spell, and Bartholomew attempts to disarm the same target.
The rest of you turn and see a halfling with a bag of coins and a bare dagger.
Bartholomew takes a risk, and does something complicated with his hands, and wrests the halfling's dagger from him faster than the blink of an eye.
Then Lolly's spell lands. The halfling's eyes go wide, and his frame shakes. He turns and runs, as fast as his short legs will carry him, pushing market-goers out of the way. The market is busy, but not packed, and people look on in wonder, staring at the fleeing figure, then at you.
"Look what they did!" another voice calls. You see a second halfling about twenty feet away. "Terrorizing innocent shoppers. You Pathfinders are all alike. High and mighty, with no respect for the common citizen."
"Come, everyone, help me protect the market from these evil Pathfinders!"
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Blueington doesn't feel like publicly trouncing this annoying little halfing and hopes he can get a word in to address the crowd.
"Clearly we have different definitions of innocent shoppers my friend.
He gestures to the small sized knife at his feet
I've been called many things in my time, but small handed isn't one of them. The running man was likely so frightened that he was about to get caught cutting purses that he decided to get out while he could. So unless you can come up with some other explanation as to why someone would approach my friends and I with bare steel in a crowded market, I suggest you leave your wild accusations in a bar soaked tavern where they belong
Three of your party ignore the possible threat. Alexandre and Lolly move away from the scene, while Bartholomew tries to mollify the crowd.
Seeing his plan to discredit the Pathfinders foiled, his companion fled, and the crowd now siding with you (and eyeing him suspiciously), the remaining halfling decides discretion is the better part of valor, and hurries away.
You find after the incident that people are a bit more willing to talk with you. After all, if you're worth framing for something, you must be at least a little bit interesting.
Unfortunately, no one knows anything useful.
You make preparations to depart the market—not yet having decided where to go—when a little bird lands directly in front of Alexandre. It chirps meaningfully, then drops a small piece of paper in his hand, before turning into a puff of ethereal mist and disappearing.
My sources tell me that the individuals responsible for
stealing my cargo are bringing a shipment of my goods into the city tonight. If we act quickly, we can take them by surprise, and perhaps learn a thing or two about who’s pulling their strings. Meet me on the northernmost pier an hour before midnight, and we’ll discuss our plan of attack.
— [The note appears to be signed by Guaril]
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Well done back there Bartholomew! If we had gotten into a fight with those devious halflings, we would have had no end of trouble trying to get to the bottom of this.
Lolly suddenly very talkative, maybe due to the excitement, babbles on as they leave the market.
I agree if you think we have time, we should spend sometime seeing what there is to learn at the feasting hall. I'm hungry too, so that sounds good.
So these halfings are either involved or were paid by those involved? hum...still not seeing the whole picture. Sounds like Guaril is fairing better finding stuff out than we are, I might actually have a reason for Sir T to come out, he's getting on my nerves couped up in here...
Lolly suddenly cups her hand over her mouth as if she can't believe what she just said. After this she goes back to being quiet again.
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"Always better to talk your way out of fight, then draw blades. I had debated challenging the cheeky one to a duel, but I doubt he would have accepted. Did anyone get a reasonable whiff from either of the halflings? If they had a herbal odor, then I'd tag them up as some of our thieves. " Alexandre thinks about the clues that they've found out, before continuing.
"Well, we're aware of at least 3 opponents: the pair of elves and the Varisian man. If they're having problems with biting insects, then they're likely holed up somewhere with stagnant water. That being said, we should swing by Jonathram and buy vermin repellent." After a moment, he adds, "The one thing that I'm dwelling on though is what the elves asked about.... What's important about the Shining Crusade in this situation?"
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Thank you everyone. I admit I'm not always the best at scaring up rumors, but when it comes to talking to one person or addressing a small group I find I can usually craft my words accordingly. It's pretty bold if whoever had been hitting the supply ships have been not only robbing us but setting up a smear campaign as well.
He looks at Lolly for a moment, I'm sure you're full of surprises yourself.
Alexandre considers the recent halfling opponents, but did not notice any sort of unusual herbal from them.
Lolly suggests visiting the feasting hall (Forest Bounty, one of the locations recommended to you), before (perhaps) heading out to the pier for the meeting mentioned in the note you just received.
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Let's check the Forest Bounty. I'm sure we'll find some new information there from the axemen and people of the saw...
Chuckling, Lukaas starts to walk, singing a small song for himself about Lumberjacks