Atajay starts looking around the stalls. His fat gold bag was starting to get quite heavy and he could use so,e new gear.
What amazing books, these look like they came from the very place I work
Trevor runs away.
Domeric will ask around to gather information.
Diplomacy:
While he is busy mingling with the townsfolk, Domeric will try and see if he can purchase a few items as well.
Domeric, asking discreetly among the citizens you learn that Biting Lash is a pseudonym, nothing more. Biting Lash primarily deals with people she already knows, eschewing the fleshfairs when it comes to selling her own slaves. She is highly paranoid about betrayal, and goes to great lengths to keep the details of her inventory secret. She is known to use subordinates and spies to purchase new slaves at the fleshfairs instead of going in person. Like most gnoll traders, she likes anonymity, and even changes her appearance regularly.
You also discover that the next fleshfair is scheduled to take place tomorrow.
"From what I'm hearing, this Biting Lash is a bit of a recluse," Domeric reported back, "She does send her agents to these fleshfairs, however. If we want to find her, perhaps we ought to visit this sordid festival, and see if we can't track down one of her people."
Senn is upgrading her headband and saving the rest of the money.
"We should look into the other gnolls and slavers, while there. A competitor may give up his location.
Probably going to regret this, but we might as well head to the fair.
The following day you head to the Laughing Fleshfair. It is held in a large building, decked out like a bazaar with colourful banners and pennants. An overwhelming majority of the customers are gnolls. Nervous guards abound, their hands on their weapons. The place is busy and sweaty; the dusty, feral stench of gnolls is everywhere.
Diplo:
This place smells worse than me!
Asking around discreetly Domeric discovers that Biting Lash or her lackeys do not appear to be here, however you are directed to the well-known Hyena Princess Njano. She attends every auction and although not a true princess, is effectively local royalty in the eyes of the other gnolls of Okeno. She is one of the oldest established slavers in the city.
”Well, looks like we have a date with royalty!”
I figure we're going to have to bring a gift.
We should scout out where she is. These things tend to erupt into ulta violence.
"I will send Aquilo up to look around." Senn will send her familiar up to check out guards, location, the easiest path in and out, etc.
Aquilo can see that Princess Njano sits in a balcony overlooking the whole fleshfair. She appears to have a group of about a dozen bodyguards around her. In terms of the main floor of the fleshfair there are 6 guards, although their role seems to be mainly to ensure no one tries to trade with counterfeit money or welsh out of paying a debt. In terms of exits there are the main doors and two side doors where periodically you see salves brought in or taken out once the trading is done.
"Domeric I think we are going to be depending on your charm again. There are a lot of guards."
"Well, guards are no issue for us, one way or another... Let's go meet them and see what they have to say, eh?" Domeric said cheerily.
Making your way through the crowds you get near the balcony of the Hyena Princess you see that she is speaking to a group of other gnolls. In front of her is a short muscular human woman and a halfling swaddled in black robes. The woman holds up her hand.
"Stop, none may approach Princess Njano without an appointment."
"Oh? Might we make an appointment with you fine folks then?" Domeric asked, "We shan't take long, we merely wish to speak with the Princess for a few moments."
Diplomacy:
"We are hoping to further her success and add to her fortune."
Senn auto aids but I assume that is gliding the lily.
Dom is so smooth that the gnoll is going to fall in love with him. Poor bastich.
The Princess looks up at Domeric's words:
"Let them approach"
Reluctantly the two guards step aside and let you pass and you fin yourselves in front of Princess Njano.
"You wished for an audience, what did you want of me?"
"Ah, greetings, your majesty," Domeric said, offering a polite bow, "Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. I'm sure you're terribly busy, so I'll just get to the point shall I? I am Domeric, of Caliphas, as one might expect, my companions and I have come an awful long way. We seek the one known as Biting Lash, perhaps you might have heard of them? Alas, strangers in a strange land such as we, it is ever so difficult to find people. But perhaps one of your stature might be able to assist us in our quest?"
"What is your interest in Biting Lash?"
"An employer of ours may have a relationship with them, and we are presently trying to locate him."
"I see, well here is not the place to discuss such things. Meet me at my estate later and perhaps we can help each other."
"Certainly! Do you have an address?"
Sense motive because this is super a trap:
Atajay keeps his eyes on the gnoll, also wary of a trap.
Sense motive
Trevor adds more eyes! Eyes all over! Eyeseyeseyeseyeseyes!
Senn is also skeptical.
Njano gives you the address of her estate.
You all think that she is willing to help but that she wants something in return and what she wants may be dangerous.
Senn will leave with the group. "I think we should meet her as soon as we can. She is going to ask for a lot but we don't h*ve many options."
I guess we will need to go get some Zaggerwally before she helps.
You make your way to Princess Njano's estate. You are taken by Kisetz into a high, open room with cloth screens swaying lazily in the breeze. Njano is in her bath, partially submerged in milk, attended by a group of eight slaves.
"You asked about Biting Lash. I may be able to help you but alas I am a little distracted of note. One of my beloved- a friend called Dahab- has been kidnapped. I have many rivals and I am unsure who would do such a cruel thing to a kind man. Those who have him sent a part of him- his right ear-with a message saying that other parts will follow unless I meet the kidnapper at a place called the Shipwreck at dawn, though the day is not specified.
If you can find and retrieve Dahab alive I will tell you where Biting Lash may be found."
Penith was worried the slaver would request something evil like enslaving a town of halflings for the information, so save my beloved (well, one of my beloved) gets a hearty nod Yes Yes from the timid woman.
”Where is the Shipwreck? We might be able to arrive there early and spring a surprise for Lash’s men....”
"The Shipwreck is down by the harbour."
Just what is this thing about bathing in milk? Gunna smell like heck in a few hours.
"Can you tell us about Dahab? Personality, appearance fighting capability. Also when we have freed people in the past they are often without fighting gear if you could give us a weapon he likes so he can contribute that would be great."
"He is a short man, lean and well muscled with dark brown hair. He is not much of a fighter, I'm afraid, although you can take a spear with you, he's been known to use one on occasion."
Njano gives you the note from the kidnapper which reads:
"Esteemed Princess, greetings from the unworthy. I am honoured to bring your beloved serf to bosom as my guest, but his appetite is so great that unless I act he'll eat everything I have. I therefore return him to you piece by piece, part by part, unless you wish to discuss his fate at the Shipwreck at dawn."
Atajay casts Comprehend Languages on himself as he takes a look at the note.
Although the note is written in Common, Atajay you can tell that the grammar is peculiar and it is highly likely that the writer primarily communicates in Infernal
So does it have a secret code, Atajay?
”Seems like the author of the note communicates mostly in Infernal. Leads me to think it might be some sort of devil...”
So we should get holy items? Maybe Penith can chuck lots of holy water.
"Why would... Oh, that is clever." Penith starts confused and then is nodding along.