Bergar Hammerhand |
I'll watch the building from across the street for at least an hour, looking for more signs that this is the right place, like men standing around or doing the same jobs repeatedly, others coming and going that look shady, things like that.
Once I'm sure I'm in the right place I'll drop the disguise and stand there openly watching until someone notices.
GM Jeho |
You won't see anything overt or obvious at first. You'll see another older teenager come. Then another. The one you followed here will leave. Then a while later the one that came after him. This building is not a shop, but a residence. Either these kids are all related, or...
So you decide to make yourself conspicuous, and watch the building.
As one of the teens comes by to go in, he slows ever so slightly and looks at you for the briefest of seconds, then heads into the house.
After a bit, the curtains part a little, then return.
A man, dressed nicely but also in leathers sporting a rapier on one hip and a dagger on the other will appear on the porch, eating an apple.
He never looks directly at you, but you feel like your being watched.
Bergar Hammerhand |
I'll nod and step onto the porch, I'm confident but I'm trying to avoid being cocky, this is his little hill and I'm not trying to belittle him or challenge him. I'll keep my voice low enough so that only he can hear me, "I need information about the slave trade here in Voldune, in particular who runs it."
GM Jeho |
He gives you a long hard look. "Mr., you are either incredibly brave, or incredibly stupid. You've been tailing my boys all day, and this is why?" He thinks a second. "You're not a buyer or you'd have followed the normal channels..." He looks perplexed. "What exactly did you...you know what? I'm gonna be nice and give you a choice here. You can continue on down whatever path you're on with this, probably getting you killed or you can walk away right now, and I won't say anything to anyone. Your choice."
GM Jeho |
He regards you for another moment, then says "Alright, come in then."
HE opens the door allowing you to walk past him. After you enter he beckons you to follow him. The inside front room looks like what you'd expect for a house in this area, but the rooms beyond it are quite lavish. A couple of the teens are hanging out playing cards, and they stop and stare as you walk past, with pity and suprise.
He leads you into a back room with a couple couches, and a serving girl brings in a tray of food and drink. He motions for you to sit accross from him, then he seats himself. He takes a drink then asks "What is so important that you come here willingly into our domain and risk your life?"
Bergar Hammerhand |
I'll sit and lean forward, placing my elbows on my knees and my hands together, "orcs and the like raided Hedia a few months back, they took my kids in the raid. I tracked them down and killed them, but not before they'd sold my kids to a slaver here in Voldrune city." I'll shake my head to add emphasis, "I'm not here to cause trouble, I'm not foolish enough to think I can end slavery, don't care to try, but I want my kids back. I figure they aren't here, but someone here can point me in the right direction. They'd stand out, dwarf slaves aren't exactly common, and dwarven children even less so..." I'll realize I'm rambling and stop and look him in the eyes, "You have children sir?"
GM Jeho |
He laughs. "In another life, perhaps. Children may bring joy to others, but for a man in my position, they are a liability." He pauses for a little bit. "You words ring true, but I do not know how much help I can be, honestly. The people I work for would never involve themselves in something like salvery. I would imagine, though, that we'd stay away from dwarven slaves, as the treaty between Voldrune and Ironforge is nothing to be trifled with, and dwarves have a major presence here. It would be very risky and foolish to bring dwarven slaves through here, were we to be a part of something like that. What if I may ask, lead you to believe you'd find your children here?"
Bergar Hammerhand |
Sense Motive 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 Is he lying to me?
I'll shake my head, "I'm not suggesting that your organization is involved in the slave trade. I imagine however that little of note happens in this city without your knowledge." and I'll cock my head to the side as if considering how best to answer him, "Lets say, someone who's word and information are beyond question told me with certainty that my children came through this city."
GM Jeho |
His eyes look dangerous. "I am sorry if I insulted your intelligence, but you have done the same to me. You come here asking for something very specific, and I am to believe that you just happened to come here, stumbling in out of the wild completely ignorant of our dealings. Some magic fairy told you your children are here. B@&!!&@+. Someone gave you something solid that lead you here. I do not care who it was at the moment, but you should stop jerking my chain." He sits back a bit and brushes off his lap. "I should warn you, that we are not alone, and any foolishness would not be beneficial to your plight, if things are as you say they are. Who would rescue your children from the slavers if you are dead? Now, lets stop playing games shall we? Tell me what you know that lead you here, and perhaps we can work out an arrangement. If not, then our business here is concluded."
Bergar Hammerhand |
I'll smirk at him in irritation, "I walked around until I saw someone doing something illegal, then I followed them until I was sure, then when they came here I knew I was at the right place." I roll my eyes, "No one told me this building, I just figured it out, your people aren't exactly discrete."
Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 Can I see any of the "we are not alone" people?
Stealth 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 to hide that I'm trying to spot them out.
GM Jeho |
You can only make out one other person, who is behind a curtain. You can make out the heel of a boot from your position. Without looking around you can't see the entire room. That's all you can see, at the moment.
He doesn't show any reaction to your looking for others.
"That's because they are not supposed to be discrete. Part of their job is to be noticed. So you were told to come to Voldrune and look for some kids bumbling around on the street acting tough?"
GM Jeho |
He rubs his temples. "I know it is. Since I'm the one who is not allowed to divulge anything, you need to volunteer who you think it is, and I'll either confirm or deny it. There are other considerations, other by laws within my...circle...of associates that dictate how I must act. You, as far as I know are under no such restriction. So do us both a favor, and spit it out, or get out."
GM Jeho |
The look on his face says he wants to yell "FINALLY!" but he does not in fact do so. He looks relieved, and a bit...disturbed?
"Herrod Velmy. He handles an 'exotic' import and export business, but is not formally associated with my circle, but he pays his...respects...like anyone else seeking to operate under our protection." When he says exotic, he's saying slavery. You can tell from his tone.
"He operates with our blessing, but he was asked to adhere to certain strictures that would avoid any undue attention being focused on his or our businesses. You appearing and asking questions means that he has not done so. If you wish to lodge a formal greivance, I will talk to my pasha about it. I believe this to be the best course of action, as if a meeting is sanctioned by my boss, than any outcome of it is between the two of you. It's better that way, then you stalking him and running afoul of our...staff. Because of the circumstances, this has a very real and good chance of being approved. Will you trust me with this? All I ask is that you wait another day."