Looking in disgust over her shoulder at the gnolls in the street. You just answered your own question. These are creatures. Heck - as an elf, you should be even more worried. I can see them stringing you up by your ankles and letting their pet hyenas nip at your head and arms until you bleed to death. And then they would likely rip your body apart and eat the limbs.
I do not like these creatures and the sooner we can be done with them the better. I have lived in this city for many years, and never ventured into this slum as I had no interest in becoming their next plaything, or meal.
Amir stands amongst his companions, eyes looking around Dog Town.
I believe on the subject of gnoll worth, they are as valuable as their contributions. Which can, in fact, be notable when properly motivated. I believe I angered my new employee. A fire in the belly can often lead to great result. Hopefully I have not overplayed my hand on the matter. Amir stares off down the street , his grin fading for but a moment. He quickly turns back to the group and his face brightens.
On the issue of Gilad I think that we should start with the Trading House. It seems there are more eyes and ears there. But regardless of the order I am sure it would be best to visit both. As to my lingual skills, all occupational happenstance, I assure you. We have just about reached the limit of my current expertise, and my scarab supply is my meager enough I simply try to use it wisely.
You are quite happy to leave Shank to his task and trade the filth and squalor of Dog Town for the prosperous bustle of the city proper. The Zephyr Guards nod you through and Amir leads the way back through the Dawn Gate District directly to the sloped cobblestone streets of the Waft which lies just outside the Eagle Gate at the upper end of the Lower City.
Floral, spicy, and sweet smells refresh your nostrils after the stink of Dog Town. Spices for every palate as well as soaps and perfumes can be found here among the shops and stalls. Wide steps interrupt the cobblestones up the street to deter horses and other beasts of burden and their associated unsavory smells.
You quickly find the pavilions of the Arrasti Trading House and their associated perfumery and cosmetic shops. Entering the burgundy pavilion of the Trade House you are bedazzled by the wealth displayed: ornate carpets and plush silk and velvet pillows as well as a number of guards arrayed in scale armor and peaked helms. A gold trimmed redwood throne at the back of the tent is currently unoccupied, but a scribe sits ready with a schedule book at a table by the entrance.
Once the party passes back through the Dawn Gates, Kzrira's cheerful disposition returns.
I will try to not offend anyone this time. I apologize, but tend to have a quick temper. This subterfuge has never been my strong suit. I will let you gentlemen lead this investigation.
As we pass through the gates 'Wow, never has a smell been so intrusive yet so appealing. I think this is the smell I shall be remembering about Katapesh the most, even while in other parts of the wonderful city.'
As we enter the burgundy coloured pavilion I look around in awe. 'So outside is a smell to never forget and inside is the the sight you will never be able to forget!' I turn to the scribe, 'Greetings and good day; my good sir, this is a beautiful establishment you have here. But I wonder if I could ask you a couple of questions about the young apprentice Gilad? We are searching for him as we are concerned for his safety and well being.'
The old man set aside his quill. "Gilad? Yes, the apprentice was here a couple days ago. You say something happened to him?"
'We are not sure, but are rather concerned for his safety. We have done a small amount of investigating about his last whereabouts and have discovered that he was last seen at this establishment and another called "the Far Desert Spice Traders". We have also uncovered that he was in the possession of some parchments, which could have made him a target from any people that may have desired them. Do you have any ideas as to what these parchments were, so we can work out who may want them. Or where he was planning to go next, so we can find him and make sure he is uninjured?'
The old man raises his eyebrows, ”Those parchments are contracts. Good as gold. Very valuable. It is important that you find him. As for where he was bound... ah, who knows? This city has many temptations for a young man.” He pauses as if trying to recall and points to the door.
”Yes, I do remember something. After the contracts were signed, he spoke with a young woman, a guide at the door there. She was taking him to arrange insurance for the return trip to Thuvia... They were going to hmmm, I wasn’t familiar with the company-something ‘Platinum’.
Hmmm that name conjurs no likely destinations, but new business crop up among the Day Stalls every day. We should check there but perhaps check to see if this guide is on hand to point us in the right direction?
Amir looks about to see about the guide the scribe was mentioning.
Amir peers out to the busy street and sees several guides, but none are women.
Karethas looks pensive as the others are talking to the scribe. As they turn to look for the guide outside he hesitates and asks the scribe, "I'm sorry to continue to bother you, but what were the parties involved in the contracts that young Gilad is holding?"
Not seeing any female guides in the area, Kzrira walks up to the most reputable guide and with a devious smile asks:
Excuse me, I have need of a guide, but it involves getting into areas where only ladies are permitted. I was told that there was a very talented lady guide who frequented this area and was here but two or three days ago. Would you know who she is and where I might find her?
Diplomacy:
The scribe picks up his quill again, "The contracts ae buying agreements of course. They set the price and amount agreed for a commodity. Terms written thrice. Notarized in Abadar's name. Torn in equal sections for seller, buyer, and notary. Who else he had contracts with I cannot say, nor will I tell you what our business was of course."
Kzrira, approaches one of the older boys with her question about a lady guide. He shrugs, "No lady guides here. Mostly us kids. Habi said there was a strange lady here the other day, but she wasn't from around here."
Any chance you recall what she looked like? Did she appear Katapeshian? Or from elsewhere? Do you recall how tall she was? Her hair color? How she was dressed? I really need to find her. Perhaps, do you recall if she left with a young boy? Maybe he knows where she is?
If they recall the small boy (with Gilad's description): Do you know where I could find this young man?
A couple guides gather now and the boys answer that the woman was kinda old for a guide maybe 17, Katapeshi but not from this area. She was skinny with short black hair and kinda mean. She wore a simple blue tunic.
'Thank-you; my good sir, for the help you have offered us. Hopefully this will help us ensure the boys safety. We will not pry into your business affairs and leave you to your documents. Thank-you once again.'
I turn to Amir 'So, do you think you would be able to find out something about this Platinum business, from your contacts if we went to the Day stalls? If so, lead the way, if not we will have to find another lead.'
Karethas frowns in disappointment, "I understand that often in business confidentiality must be part of your duties. It is undoubtably necessary when competing patties are involved." He sighs, "It will be a shame that I must go back to my companions without the information. It will make our task 5 times harder no doubt, though it is worth that to us."
The scribe glances at the watchful guards. "Sometimes our task is just difficult. Nothing for it. Sorry I can't help you."
Karethas' eyes flick to the guards for a moment and he smiles with chagrin. "Well, thank you for your time in any case. I am in your debt. Good day sir!" He touches his forehead as he bows and turns to walk out.
Traders first, we may get better information there - and avoid having to go to the Day Stalls.
Down the hill a short ways you find the Far Desert Spice Traders. A small boiling kettle at the front of the shop emits a delicious smell and business appears to be brisk. Several harried looking merchants grind herbs and bag orders for customers. You finally make your way to the counter and a merchant who identifies himself as Mossan Zahad welcomes you to his shop.
'Greetings; my good sir, I wonder if you could help us? We are looking for a young apprentice named Gilad, apparently he was last seen in this fine establishment a couple of days ago. He had some parchments of varying importance on him and he has not been heard from for the last few days, so we would like to make sure that he is safe and uninjured.'
Mossan looks up sharply, "Kathad's journeyman is missing? Now that is unfortunate."
'Why do you appear to be happy upon hearing that? Do you know where he is or have anything to do with his disappearance?'
I turn to my new friends, 'My friends, it would seem this gentleman is relieved to hear that Gilad is missing, do any of you wish to question him?'
The Merchant is indignant, "I know nothing of his current whereabouts and resent these questions. Now begone! I am a busy man!" He shows you the back of his hand and waves you away.
I grab Faelar by the back of his neck and drag him from the shop. While saying over my shoulder: I apologize sir if he insulted you, he is just arrived from the north and does not understand southern courtesy.
Diplomacy:
Grapple(if Faelar resists):
Karethas smiles uncomfortably at Mossan as Kzrira drags Faelar away. "Please allow me to also apologize for my associate's rudeness. It is surprising, but elves also have simpletons. We are trying to let him be more involved in our transactions, but unfortunately he just keep speaking his mind. We understand that some of these papers that Gilad was holding involved your shop?"
Amir watches the proceedings from the back of the group. He has found it advantageous to this point to let the others set the mood and for him to alter it. He watches the merchant to see if he will talk to Karethas.
" We understand that some of these papers that Gilad was holding involved your shop?"
Mossan looks slightly mollified by the elf's removal. He straightens his robes and glances warily at Karethas. "That may be, but of course without said contracts, I suppose we shan't know. Now excuse me Sayyids, I have business to conduct."
Karethas nods and turns to Amir, positioning himself with his back to Mossan but giving Amir a view of the merchant's face. "I suppose we must go follow the other lead. It seemed the better one in any case as he said he knew where this "guide" kept herself."
Seeing that Mossan is decidedly unhelpful, Karethas urges following your only lead to the Daystalls which lies just outside the Serpent Gate of the Inner City at the beginning of the main trade route across Katapesh. As you all know, the Pactmasters charge a passage tax of 2 silver sheks for entry to the Inner City. Residents have a pass such as the one Karethas bought when he attended the College of Dimensional Studies.
After about 15 minutes of walking away from the Spice Store, I will turn to the others, 'What did I do? I wasn't expecting to be pulled out of the store! Oh and I am a little hurt that you would call me a simpleton, after my many years of hard studying and knowledge gathering. Anyway, back on topic, what did I do? So I know and can remedy it next time.'
Karethas turns to Faelor, a serious look on his face. "I wish to be very clear Habibi. I do not think you a simpleton, quite the opposite actually. I merely said that too mollify that merchant. When you believe someone is being deceptive though, you do not just confront them with your suspicions, it just makes them defensive. You use the knowledge of their lies to try to understand what they are hiding. I know about hiding the truth, it is difficult to do when the person knows you are hiding something."
'Ah, I see! That is a relief. That actually makes a very good point, I had not thought about it that way before. Do you think you and I could practice this at nights before everybody goes to sleep, just so that I can be of help during the next investigation? The last thing I want to do is ruin our chance of getting some information because I just confront them.'
Sorry about grabbing you and dragging you out like that. As Karethas mentioned, we were hoping to get information from the merchant. When you confronted him with your suspicions, he responded as though you had insulted him. I decided to mollify the merchant by dragging you out of there as though you were a fool who did not know he was talking about. It seemed to work. I did not mean to insult you, just to convert the merchant from being insulted and offended to being amused.
'That's fair enough, at least now I know what I done to deserve being dragged out. I am hopeful that next time I won't make such a big blunder. If I do seem to redo the mistake, don't be worried to do the same thing again. Although I am hoping it won't come to that.'
Karethas's expression softens and he cracks his customary smile. "I don't know if I am the right person to ask about the intricacies of human interaction. I am often putting my foot in my mouth. I find that if I keep speaking though, I can often distract people from my original off-putting statement. It seems to me that both you and Amir are both typically better at making a first impression than myself. To get back on the task at hand though: I am wondering what we have gotten ourselves into with this situation. I am finding it too coincidental that this woman, who the street urchins did not know, showed up to guide Gilad, and, as you said inside, that Mossan seemed pleased that the boy was taken."
Well - lets head on to Daystalls and see what we can find about Gilad and this woman guide.
I start heading that direction.
After a brief discussion near the gilded dome of the Immaculate Repository of Abadar, the group continues to the Phoenix Gate where the Pactmasters' mercenary soldiers, the Zephyr Guard, check documents and accept the passage tax of 2 silver sheks from those wishing to enter the Inner City.
Amir will pay the necessary passage for the party.
As Amir and the group continue their walk Amir laughs, I think the elf is the perfect ah..."ice breaker" I believe I heard an Ulfen skald call it once. He is perfect to open many talks as those we speak with seem so surprised by his directness in this city of whispered ways and sidelong speech. Amir chortles to himself and strokes hi moustache, All the same though it is probably best he learn to curb the directness some, our next conversation may be with someone who has bigger guards or a faster knife hand than any of us. Pride is a tricky thing in this city of cities.
Picking up on Karethas' concerns, What to expect?! This is city of bargains, intrigue and webs aplenty. We should have known the instant the puppeteer lacked information that we were to be set on a camel chase through sun parched dunes. Amir winks at the young wizard. We will see what we find here and if we come up short I have a last desperate idea or two, but Abadar rewards the faithful!Amir gestures to the gilded dome, And the faithful always believe that better deal is around the corner!
Karethas smiles at Amir's enthusiasm, "I may not share your faith in Abadar, but I do have faith in the varied talents of this group. I'm just trying to suck the marrow from the bones, so to speak. To glean whatever facts we can from our last two encounters. Strong hypotheses are key to any research one undertakes. I'm afraid I may be sucking an empty bone in this case though."
You pass through the ancient sandstone walls carved with ancient faded sigils and close by pair of Aluum stationed at the gate. The Aluum are humanoid constructs made of stone and metal twice as tall as a man and controlled by the Zephyr Guard in defense of the Pactmasters.
The Phoenix Gate is quite near the Palace of the Pactmasters and you can see the great dome structures the mysterious Lords of the City inhabit. You skirt the north shore of the storied Golden Oasis and the ancient twin statues of Nethys that face each other across the Scorpius River to exit the Serpent Gate and reach the dusty trade settlement of the Daystalls. It is quite a contrast from the lush vegetation of the Golden Oasis to find yourself on the dusty front doorstep of the city. Camel markets and caravanserai dominate the area with plenty of stalls and tents offering travellers the first or last chance to sample the wonders of the City of Bazaars.