"The price may be high, but I know the man you seek, and it will take some persuasion to convince him to meet. This displays a certain seriousness." Taking the gold from Stroud, Rupi flicks her hand and through some trick it vanishes among the folds of her clothes. "Return here in the evenings and I will report my success, or failure, when such becomes certain. For now, I would have names from each of you."
"You already have the name of the man who paid you, why do you require the names of the rest of us?" Troxell inquires, eyeing the woman with suspicion.
"Your names are not for me." Rupi says, bowing her head in supplication. "Information is my trade, but I would be a poor trader if I did not safeguard my patrons. If one man paid for an evening with you, but planned to bring friends, would not you wish to know of them? If you were a man with enemies, would you trust the unknown? My services are to be used carefully. I would not wish blood spilled from whispered rumors or meetings under false pretenses."
Teena tells the girl her full name, not hiding it from her. That much is probably necessary. "Thanks for paying, Stroud. I'll pay the remainder."
"Fine." The druid acquiesces with an eyeroll, "My name is Troxell Lanathar, although I doubt that'll mean anything to your patrons. What price do you charge to keep our arrangement privileged to just yourself and the other party?"
"Stroud here!" The Swashbuckler smiles, proud of his wit.
"Myhm...", sounding a lot more like a mumble thank his name.
"Well, that wasn't too difficult." Rupi offers a genuine smile. "Now that we are acquainted, how about I get some drinks and shisha? I highly suggest the twice-tended apple. It is a local favorite."
Troxell opts for laying low until the presumed meeting, preferably in a private room away from strangers.
Retracing your steps through Maradcar you return to the Threeroads Inn and withdraw to your rented rooms. The next day Xerexis returns and reports little success with his personal search.
"I met with a few members of the Company of the Star. I sought out soldiers whom I once knew well, but they are much changed. The Company has grown strange to me as well. Perhaps it is the recruitment of so many Wildlanders, or the power they have seized in Marascar, but their goals seemed to have changed. I don't know who I can trust among them now."
To Stroud, "What news from your sources?"
"We await word from Rupi, my friend. I believe that I will go to see Gefen next. Though I will need a loan of 300 Gold Pieces, to pay what I owe him, if he is to speak to me without trying to kill me. Do you think you all can loan me this coinage?"
Stroud looks to the group hopefully.
Stroud feels around in his pockets, suddenly remembering the 200 platinum weighing him down.
"Gods, I am a monkey's butt! Never mind. I have the monies I need! I will go see my old friend Gefen! Would any of you like to accompany me?"
Stroud looks at the group hopefully again, knowing he can use the backup.
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"I don't have anything better to do until our meeting. Pursuing another avenue for information would probably be a good idea."
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Troxell sighs deeply to himself, then nods, "Yes, I will come along. If necessary I can take the form of a small animal and hide my presence in one of your pockets."
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Myhm leans out the window looking at the roofline of the city. Frowning at the delay of the barmaid, he asks the others expectantly, "Why don't we go look for Dovan on the street? Myhm knows what he looks like. We can all go together." He nods at Teena and Troxell then heads out the door.
"Wait friend Mhym! We will save your plan for the plan of last resort. It is a good plan. Here my friend, have some grapes, they're good for you!" Stroud lays the grapes down from the bar to satiate and distract the gentle giant.
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Shanee looks up hopeful. "I do say our big friend here may have a good idea. We could hit a few of the local pubs and eateries and mingle a little. Maybe get to know the town a bit better. Couldn't hurt most of us, the only one that might be in danger is Stroud but we could work on a disguise for him. No need for us to be hermits."
"I'll go with Stroud to meet his contact, but I still don't believe its safe for the entire group to be active in the city until we have a better grasp on the situation."
Xerexis was moving to recover his gear as Troxell makes his concerns known.
"Good point. My face is hard to miss so It's probably best I stay here." He glances up at Myhm, and seems about to say something, but refrains.
::mmm grapes:: Myhm pauses long enough to pick off the grapes then throws on his bear fur cloak like a hood for disguise.
Certain of his inconspicuousness, he steps into the streets.
Gathering your gear you set out from the inn and enter the dusty grime of Marascar once more following Stroud to another contact/creditor.
You notice a woman a short way down the block from the Inn. Though she is dressed as a commoner, and carrying a basket for shopping, you can't help but feel like she's watching your group out of the corner of her eye.
After cutting through a side street you see her again, seemingly following your group at a distance.
"Psst. Don't all look right away, but there is a commoner woman with a basket who's been following us since we left the inn." Troxell whispers a warning to his compatriots.
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Shanees eyes light up. "Is she cute?"
He asks running his fingers threw his hair.
"Should I go talk to her?" He then bushes a little.
"I am sorry I do not mean to presume but I do have that effect on some women. It has gotten me into trouble in the past with husbands and the occasional overprotective brother and such. And since I am single and all" He finishes glancing at Teena
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Teena shakes her head. "I can't imagine that you are still single, Shanee.". Teena's comment sounded the slightest bit sarcastic, if you paid close enough attention to it.
Stroud keeps walking ahead of the group and says, "Shall we capture her my friends?"
"I believe finding out what she wants would be a prudent thing to do. Perhaps Shanee could distract her while one of us sneak up upon her. Although she will undoubtedly be overwhelmed by the bard's presence and begin to flee if she knows she spotted."
"She looks like the hedge witch, Myhm should give her a good shake.
PERCEPTION
Your group wanders around aimlessly for about a half hour, occasionally catching glimpses of the woman in the area. But then, after passing through a cluster of merchant wagons rumbling through the streets, she's gone without a trace.
"In Marascar my friends, a gentle hand does not work as often as a stern one." Stroud continues to Gefen. "No doubt, we will see her, or her employers sometime soon."
"Let's continue to keep our meeting, but stay vigilant against any other spies or shadows." Troxell suggests, perhaps just wanting to speed things along to get out the city faster.
Stroud continues leading the group towards Gefen.
Pressing on the group navigates through the back streets and alleys of Marascar again, but this time you circle the Gladiatorial Arena and come to the back gate of one of the large estates within the city. The seat of power for the House of Forturi, a shady merchant house that deals with smuggling and theft.
The back gate seems untended, but Stroud knows that a guard is always watching it from behind a clever blind. Entering without permission is an invitation for trouble.
"Your play here, Stroud. You know more about this place than the rest of us. What happens if we barge in?"
Unless stopped, Myhm continues to stroll on, looking around though not noticing particular, occasionally sniffing at the air.
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Stroud places a friendly but firm hand on Mhym's chest keeping him from proceeding.
"We would probably be killed," he says answering Teena's question. Stroud begins to perform the rituals he knows to gain access, knowing full well that they are being watched.
Gaining entrance to the House of Forturi is not difficult for Stroud, and a few words draw a response from a hidden guard. A minute later a small group of men and women arrive to escort you across the grounds to a side entrance of a large estate of white stone walls and columns, wood framed windows, and blue tilework accents. You are brought eventually to a room on the second floor where you are left under guard.
Minutes pass, then a short women in a red silk dress arrives. After passing her gaze over the rest of the group, her dark eyes narrow when they settle on Stroud. Raising a tattooed hand, she taps her lips with a finger adorned with jeweled rings. "My my. Back from the dead? Were you generous to a powerful cleric or has someone been spreading false testimony?"
Stroud bows to Mistress Alhari. "I actually have no real idea. I bid you and your house greeting Milady. I have come to settle accounts with your husband, and gather information on my death. Might your husband be home?"
"Oh my manners! Apologies, these are my companions..."
Stroud formally introduces his friends.
Teena nods at the woman, not sure if adding anything just yet would be helpful. She decided to be quiet and let the local do his thing, as things had seemed to have worked out so far.
Troxell keeps to himself, taking in his surroundings and silently judging.
Myhm looks about, oblivious as usual.