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"Pathfinders! Of course, do come in, please. My name is Akhina, I am Lady Jahani's majordomo. Actually, I had better tell you everything. You see, my mistress has disappeared. Approximately 2 weeks ago, my mistress began withdrawing from public events disappearing for longer and longer times, and acting very secretively. She instructed me to be careful about whom she admitted through the gate. The only guest that Jahani entertained during this time was a Taldan copper merchant named Maroc, whom she met with several times in her study. Approximately a week ago, Jahani disappeared and has not returned since. I'm worried to death!
"That man? she adds after you show him the sketch of Eando Kline. "Yes, that's Maroc. You know him too? They were really close, my mistress and him."
By searching Lady Jahani's room - with Akhina's blessing of course - you find wispy paper ashes in a charcoal brazier (the incomplete remains of a burned letter now beyond magical reconstruction) as well as an envelope labeled “From Maroc” slipped beneath a basket of cushions. The inside of the envelope bears instructions for finding a particular stall in the Grand Sook.
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Satisfied with the information, Ardisen nods curtly to Akhina.
"Thank you for the information. Hopefully this will lead us to your mistress. Do let us know if there's anything we can do for you."
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Thank you Akhina for all these informations and for your help, I hope we will find your mistress well.
said Hedra before leaving.
Once outside she said to the the Dwarf We know the two meet, but we don't know what their true connection was.
Venture-Captain Obo said that Eando, even if outside the society, is a good fellow and a seller of information of some sort. May be, this Jahini hoped to find something through him ? she turned to Ardisen and added I think we all agree that our best lead is the Grand Sook and this name 'Maroc'
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The Grand Sook is a vast marketplace constructed mostly of tents with the occasional brick structure for particularly well established merchants, creating a sea of canvas and commodities close to the waterfront. The envelope’s instructions lead the you to an empty stall along the southern edge of the sook, though by all indications it seems that the space was occupied recently. Neighboring merchants include Santigo the baker to one side and Ishe, Santigo’s competitor, on the other side.
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Ardisen eyes the stall with minor annoyance.
"He's proving a tricky man to track down. We should split up, ask at each of these stalls and see if they've seen him or know where he might be."
The Chelaxian moves towards Santiago's stall, nodding at the baker as he does. Browsing selected baked goods, the young Pathfinder tries to strike up conversation.
"I do enjoy fresh baked goods, and the scents of your supply certainly do not disappoint."
The lord picks up a couple of items of stock and gives them an appraising look before passing them to his porter.
"These will do nicely. Maroc speaks quite highly of your wares and I can see why. I must thank him for recommending you to me. Where is he today? I was expecting him to be at his stall?"
Flashing his traditional smile at the baker, Ardisen passes him a gold piece, more than enough for the few baked goods he selected.
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I agree Ardisen, I was asking the same
Hedra split with the group, moving to the other side, asking question to Ishe.
Hello, I'm Hedra. I'm looking for Maroc. I'm surprised to not find him here, is he absent since long ? Do you know where I could find him ?
she smiled at the merchant, her winged Eye at her side, mute.
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Oswin heads over to Ishe's stand and looks appraisingly at the selection.
"Well now, I can see I've come to the right place. How much for one of those sweet rolls? My friends over there aren't as discerning as I am, you see. My name's Oswin, by the way. I'm newly arrived, trying to locate that copper dealer Maroc. I heard he keeps a stall by yours here? You wouldn't happen to know where he is today? We've got a big project out in the desert, and copper worked into pipes is just what we need, you see."
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Santiago eyes Ardisen suspiciously, and replies:
"Maroc you say? Not sure...that IS his stall, but I haven't seen him in a while. Would you like to sample some bread?"
He grins eagerly.
Hedra has a bit more luck with Ishe.
Her face lights up. "Oh, I LOVE to share news with friendly folks like you!"
She speaks a bit over loudly, and Santiago gets noticeably irritated by her competitor.
"Don't listen to that crone! I've heard all the good news..."
Santiago and Ishe both match Maroc with the description you received for Eando Kline.
Santiago says: "Maroc headed to the racetrack, saying he’d had no good luck lately, so he’d try to find the dog that had found it."
Both vendors eagerly point the way to the racetrack.
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Ardisen smiles at the debate, nodding along.
"There's more than one god of luck, depending on your pantheon of worship. Either way, I doubt any of those gods have turned their eyes this way for some time. I'm all for seeking strength and sufficiency away from the gods, but denying them as a source of power completely just strikes me as foolish."
While his comments are directed at the other Pathfinders, the nobles words are more an example of him thinking out loud.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Oswin looks at the others:
"I think you're right Hedra, these people may have turned their devotion in other directions. Rikas' point is well taken too. The gods of our world are so active and varied it seems a bit strange not to find at least one to pray to. But perhaps this diversity lead to troubles here long ago."
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Delighted at the idea of gambling at the race track, Orik hurries along the others who have stopped to debate some obscure ecumenical points.
"Doan dilly-dally, mates. T'ere's good wagerin' ahead, an' I goot a pile o' coins in mae purse tae stake 'gainst any oon t'right hoond. Let's gae an' sae them dogs, a'fore t'runnin' coomences, sae I kin scoot oot t'righ' one, eh?"
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"Well Hedra, that makes this place all the stranger to me. But their solution is perfectly equitable, at least. And Rikas, you're right. Enough debate on such matters, though I'd be quite interested to discuss them further later on."
He looks at the suddenly excited dwarf.
"Well, I'll need to follow your lead at the track. How can you tell which dog is the fastest? Or is it a matter of pure luck?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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The two merchants fall into petty but amiable bickering as your party makes its way to the racetrack.
Azir is known for its swift, sleek dogs, and breeders often congregate at a racetrack near the outskirts of town to test their hounds’ speed. Today the track has drawn a boisterous crowd of gamblers who shout bets, laugh, and occasionally curse their luck following a bad race. With so many people seeking relaxation and distraction, the track is a hotbed for gossip and news.
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Embracing the chance to mingle, Ardisen slips effortlessly into the crowd joining conversations as he moves throug it. Putting his newfound experiences as an information broker, the Chelaxian begins swapping and trading gossip in a effort to locate their quarry.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Aridsen and Hedra make the rounds, and are able to learn a good bit about the man you're looking for. Several patrons know of Maroc, having whiled away several hours with him earlier in the day. He had complained that he needed coin for slaves and hoped to earn it through a few good bets, but his luck was terrible. After losing big, he decided to take a soak at the Jistka Bathhouse to forget his troubles.
The Jistkan Baths is one of the oldest bathhouses in Azir, and local legend claims the building dates back to the long-gone Jistkan civilization that once ruled northern Rahadoum. Any such evidence of this ancient heritage have been lost to centuries of repairs, yet the well-maintained marble facade nonetheless advertises an elegant facility. Any are welcome in the mixed-gender bathhouse so long as they do not disturb the other guests, and the most exclusive baths are located down a spiral staircase. You are provided with a light robe if you wish, as well as safe storage for your belongings. For a mere 1 gold piece, you are given free access to the baths.
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Hoping for the best, Ardisen won't attempt to hide anything and will pay the 1 gold piece and change into the robe. The young lord will leave his items and Casandra (his viper familiar) in the care of his manservant, Alfonso at the entrance to the baths.
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I'm sorry Gamin but I must let you here
The sword responded What ! Here ! In this dark dumpster ! If I known what you will do to me when we first meet Hedra I will not have agreed to follow you !
Hedra smiled and said But... But... It's not my fault ! It's the rules of this place !
Gamin answered don't cry Hedra ! I was kidding ! I will stay here... But at least asked someone to take care of me ! I must be at my best. I've seen a lovely scimitar I may have a shot with it !
After the short exchange Hedra payed 1 gold to the servants for taking good care of her stuff and Gamin in particular.
Then she followed her comrade in the light robe, Eye on her heels.
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The party stays on the alert as they search the bathhouse. Kline is nowhere to be found on this level. The group soon descends the stairs to the level below.
The chilled bath of the Jistka Bathhouse is in the lower level of the structure, a mixed-gender facility where the modest either soak in light robes or seek other places. The air is cool and humid and the lighting is dim. Faint lanterns reflect off the water and the sound of running water echoes off the tile floor and walls.
You see a copper-skinned Taldan man with a short beard and a long scar on his left cheek relaxing in a nearby pool. He seems to take no notice of you at the moment.
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Ardisen straightens up and moves into the room, coughing lightly to make the current occupier aware of his presence.
"Good afternoon 'Maroc'. Apologies for the interruption, but my associates and I would like a quick word."
The Chelaxian waits for the rest of the agents to continue talking.
"My name is Lord Ardisen Greymore. My associates and I represent an old friend and we're hopeful you could assist us with our plight?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Ardisen smiles at the assumed deception, impressed with the former Pathfinders ability to keep his cool.
"What my associate says is true. We represent the Pathfinder Society and have been sent here to locate missing Riftwardens. It was our hope that we might find an old ally here, if you know where he is perhaps you could pass on a message."
The enchanter smiles knowingly, hopeful that his next words will grab Eandos attention.
"Sasha Antif-Arah sends her regards - healthy and alive from Andoran."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Oswin holds his tongue for now, the pair od speakers have said their piece and he studies Eando for any sign of deception in his response.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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The man's expression betrays little as he replies: "Sascha's alive? Really? Then you would have my attention, sir. I could probably help you find this Eando if you like. As for helping the Riftwardens, that's dangerous business. I'm sure you're well aware since you claim to be one of them. I'm not sure how I can help you, ... Ardisen, right?"
Shortly after the questioning begins a trio of Pure Legion soldiers come around the corner! Hedra is able to see them coming over the heated mist, however.
As they appear, Kline - if it is truly him - slinks down further into the tub. The lead guard naturally speaks to Ardisen:
"We're looking for a man named Eando Kline. A notorious troublemaker in these parts. We heard that he is connected to a merchant named Maroc, and that you lot have been asking around town about them."