Vigan and Orwinnia both make their inquiries around Downmarket and learn that Pitkenstump is supposed to have left Korvosa with a small caravan of Varisian guards more than two weeks ago, headed for Kaer Maga. He should have arrived a few days ago, and some of the other merchants have noticed his absence.
They also learn that Pitkenstump is a middle-aged Chelaxian human who traffics in hard to find magical and alchemical components. He is quite secretive about who his suppliers and buyers are, but tends to set up a small tent for his more mundane wares (charms, potions, elixirs, and unusual religious tokens). He has quite a reputation among the merchants of the Downmarket, although people seem a bit nervous to talk about him.
Orwinnia in particular learns that he has a a long-term relationships with the Duskwardens, who know him well, but that he is not liked by the Ardoc family of golem crafters here in Kaer Maga, and refuses to sell to them. He has also had dealings with the Commerce League, but not many want to talk about that. The Commerce League is not an organization that you want to be caught talking casually about, in general.
Vigan chats a bit more with Teris. "Ah Teris, you know me well. She is indeed not far, but how far will have to remain my little secret, eh?"
She scratches her ear in a particularly lashunta way at the mention of Pitkenstump. "That one? I wouldn't ask too many questions about that one, my halfling friend. You might not like what you discover."
"Sounds like we were right to suspect that the Duskwardens might know more," Orwinnia says after the group reconvenes. "He's got some allies with them, so we might want to talk with them and see if they know if he got lost in the Halflight Path."
Leaving the Downmarket at the mysterious lashunta woman, the group makes its way back through the city. Most of the merchants have now set up shop and the streets to the Duskwardens' guildhall is much less crowded.
During the walk, you remark that the day seems unusually moist for a late summer day on the Storval Plateau. Perhaps the autumn rains from the plains are about to bless you with a bit of moisture, although most tend to be cluster near the top of the Storval Rise, making it look as if the city is floating in a sea of clouds.
Leaving the Core District, you head into Bis, located within the Ring District, the walls of Kaer Maga. Here the sound of daily commerce quickly is replaced by the pounding of hammers against metal, the hiss of steam, and the smell of sweat, iron, and coal smoke.
Moving through the workshops, you eventually arrive at the doors of the Duskwardens' guildhouse. It is a square, squat building and the sign of the Twisted Door (the Duskwardens' emblem) hangs over the front entrance.
Gnarl moves up adjacent to the door, leaving room for another person at the door and prepares to defend himself if he is attacked.
Orwinnia raises an eyebrow as Gnarl presses himself against the wall adjacent to the door, but shrugs off the oddity as she opens the door, entering into the Duskwarden's guildhouse.
Ana stays close to Theodric and says, "The Duskwardens are part of the city security - it's not like we're breaking into a thieves' guild or something. We can probably just talk to them."
A half-dozen men and women dressed in functional leathers with swords at their side rest in the main room of the guildhall. Two of them are playing a boardgame, while a few others drink and chat. One of the people playing the game, a human in his mid-thirties, stands up and approaches the group as Vigan makes his introduction.
"Greetings, Master Vigan. Tunnelmaster Hammerfell is on vacation this week, but I am Subcommander Oagan. You say you have bad news? What is it about and how does it involve the Arcanist's Circle?"
"A merchant that the Circle was wanting to business with disappeared while under the Duskwarden's protection," Orwinnia says, gliding across the room to stand by Vigan. "A Chelaxian named Pitkenstump. He was supposed to be coming into town with reagents, but he never arrived. Since he was coming up the Path, I imagine he never quite made it, so that twigged me in to thinking you all might have some leads."
The Duskwarden scratches his chin at the mention of Pitkenstump. "The name doesn't ring a bell, but I'll have to check our records to see if he was on one of our recent ascents. You did say he was coming from the Lowlands, yes?"
Oagan then calls over one of the other Duskwardens and asks him to get the log book for him.
"Damnit, quit the cat and mouse garbage. You know more than you are telling us." Theodric grumbles.
"If nothing else, we're helping you. Someone disappeared on your watch and we're trying to find him. Simple enough."
Orwinnia's eyebrows raise at Theodric's response. "He is right, you know," she says smoothly. "And I understand why you'd want to keep it quiet - if it got out that you lot lost someone coming up the Path, people would start grumbling about your role within the city. What you need is someone who isn't wearing Duskwarden livery looking into his disappearance, someone who will be discrete in their investigations - and conveniently, we're right here, right now. So what do you say? You scratch our backs, we'll scratch yours?"
"That would, after all, be the quickest way to send us on our way without us having to go fumble around asking everyone all kinds of questions about this person, which would just make things inconvenient for everyone," adds Anastasia helpfully.
The subcommander stammers a bit and looks quite annoyed at all of you. At first he seems unwilling to say any more, but suddenly blurts out: "We didn't lose him! We would never leave someone behind on the Halflight Path!"
Oagan then turns his back and goes and pours himself a large drink from a stone pitcher of wine sitting on a table.
|
Quintas watches the others. He's deciding if it would be appropriate to add his word. he decides not to hinder them, rather he draws his katana and checks the edge. Are we not friends? We thought coming here would result in helpful information. if that is not true then there are two reasons you would lie. first: you did it. it is all your fault or you where responsible, second: you are not guilty, but you are ashamed of your actions. This is the more likely seeing that you are a... organized and reputable group. So which is it? He sheathes the blade when he finishes.
Gnarl looks on with little to add. Finally he says Look just tell us enough to pick up the trail. That way if we succeed we can give you credit.
Subcommander Oagan makes some conciliatory noises. "That's very true, we protect the travelers on the Halflight Path! Is that all then?" Oagan no longer seems annoyed with you, but does not seem very inclined to help you either.
Gnarl sees the woman and quickly looks away for fear he might give something away.
"It seems like it," Orwinnia says with a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Wish we could have come to some arrangement, Subcommander. Don't be a stranger."
Subcommander Oagan grunts noncommittally at Orwinnia's comment and waves you out the door.
Once out the door and at least a few dozen yards away Grarl will state quietly Well that went well. Anyone one else catch that lady's desire to meet with us? She was one of the other Duskwardens in the room, a Varisian-looking woman with short hair. I could tell she did not want Subcommander Oagan to know. I think we should wait for her close by.
"Sounds like a plan. Better than just aimlessly wandering the tunnels," says Anastasia.
A few minutes after you have cleared out of the Duskwardens guildhall, you notice the Varisian woman who signaled Gnarl emerging. Seeing you, she nods her head, indicating a secluded-looking tavern down the street. She walks ahead, entering the establishment, which according to the wooden sign outside the front door seems to be called "The Winding Wheel".
"Well I suppose we should go see what she wants. I'm sure she's got some sort of useful information, but it damn sure not likely to be free." Theodric says heading toward the The Winding Wheel.
"Everyone has a price, Theodric," Orwinnia says with a playful smile. "Let's go find out what hers is." She catches the older man on the shoulder as he begins heading to the tavern. "But not like that. She might be being watched, or they might be watching us. Loop around, and come back from the other direction. See what happens."
Always good to be careful. Gnarl agrees and falls in with the plan.
Theodric stays behind to see if they (or the Varisian Duskwarden) are being followed, while the rest of the group enters the the Winding Wheel.
The place is a rather dark and smoke-filled establishment, catering mostly to mechanics, blacksmiths, and other iron-workers. Hardly anyone looks up when you enter, and you easily spot the woman you have been following head into an unoccupied back room.
Following her there, she sits down on a bench and addresses you: "So you have an interest in Pitkenstump, eh? I might have some information for you, if you have the cash."
Theodric stays behind...
Theodric lights up his pipe while loitering outside of the Winding Wheel.
Surely you see how us finding this Pitkenstump would help you lot as well. Gnarl chimes in.
The woman almost guffaws at Quintas' comment. "You must not be from around here, tiefling. In Kaer Maga, everything runs on coin, even friendship. That can be purchased from Madam Rose for the right price."
She then turns to Gnarl. "Pitkenstump is not my concern, so whether he is lost or found does not affect me. But you seem quite interested in him ..."
"Now is someone going to buy me a drink, or do I have to do that myself?"
"Think they'll manage to pull it off without starting a fight?" Ana asks Theodric as they wait outside.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Ana."
"Then again, I suspect that's why I'm out here." Theodric grumbles with a bit of a chuckle.
"It's always weird finding myself on this side of the price haggling," Orwinnia wonders aloud. "A two platinum bottle of wine should be a good start. I don't know how well the Duskwardens pay, but that's a good two or three weeks of work in my eyes. Surely that's recompense to let slip some news about a man you don't really care about..." Her ruby lips curl into a soft smile, reclining in the chair opposite the woman.