Sapher steps back and listens, unfortunately kind of lost. "Sczarni?" she asks, knowing it makes her sound stupid to the natives, but one must ask to know.
Other than that she doesn't know anything about the city, so decides to follow the other's cues on this one.
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"What if she's already dead?"
Esrisi opens her mouth and then promptly closes it. She had not considered that possibility! Think next time instead of just acting first!
Looking down at the floor she considers the ramifications if they can’t bring her back alive. ”Hopefully she is alive still.
Turning to Sapher she answers, “Local organized thugs. Brutes, cheats and overall trouble relating to crime.”
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Mokhasi seems puzzled for a moment, "You all will have to show me around. The style of your city is different from Almas, and certainly different from Nantambu. Of course, Nantambu has no crime to speak of... why do you not find employment or useful tasks for these people? When someone in Nantambu comes to commit a crime, we work very hard to rehabilitate them - we have a series of programs that rarely fails. And the only criminals in Almas seem to be outsiders - everyone in Andoran seems to work towards the common good. Perhaps it is your proximity to the worldwound, or corrupting Thassalonian magic causes it. We shall have to ask the Sczarni when we meet them... perhaps we can convince them to give up their wicked ways." Mokhasi smiles, apparently certain of something.
"I hope Natalya is safe, as well." Mokhasi pauses, and says, more seriously "Lastly, I would say that Veltariel is quite capable when given the chance. She may not be in the society, but she deserves as much of a reward for her efforts as anyone, should she choose to accompany us." He looks at Veltariel with a questioning look.
Sheila takes the questions in stride first turning to Caroliss "About your graduation, well I know both you and Esrisi were excited but I'm afraid you may miss the fanfare of the graduation itself. With you taking on this mission, you are officially Pathfinders now. Sadly, as you have seen Thassilonian artifacts can be dangerous and we need to deal with this matter promptly. I'm sure you both understand."
Looking back to Esriri and then to the rest of the group "In all honesty, I don't know much about Natalya, other than that the woman approached me and offered to be a sort of double agent among the Sczarni. As the Pathfinders have recently forged alliances with the Sczarni in many cities throughout the Inner Sea region, I thought having a member of a Sczarni gang as a double agent could be useful. The Sczarni have yet to fully earn the trust of the Pathfinder Society, after all. Unfortunately, one of Natalya’s conditions for entering this alliance was that she wanted to retain a good amount of anonymity and autonomy, so she’d be free to handle things as she saw fit. In hindsight, I now realizes that agreeing to these terms may have been a mistake, but until I know more, I'm not quite willing to write off Natalya as a traitor."
Shrugging at her own disappointment in the situation she continues "I can give you some information about the Sczarni, and perhaps that will help to begin your investigations. The Sczarni have been a part of Magnimar from the start. They’re not the most dangerous or powerful of the city’s criminal organizations, but they are the most visible. The Sczarni generally don’t involve themselves in particularly violent crimes, and in many cases in Magnimar, they actually help to protect and police less fortunate neighborhoods, and as such are often well regarded by the lower-class. There are six major Sczarni gangs in the city: the Creepers, Doolun’s Lads, the Gallowed, the Tower Girls, the Washside Wringers, and the Wreckwash Blades, with the Gallowed being the most powerful Sczarni family in the city."
"When Natalya initially approached me with the offer of serving the Pathfinders as an informant, she engaged the aid of a man known as the Amazing Zograthy, a Varisian who keeps a permanent tent and fortune-telling business in Washers’ Row in Dockway, specifically, at the end of a narrow alley that serves as a permanent street fair."
She pauses to think a moment then adds "Sadly, I have little more hard information you. There are rumors of Nidalese slavers prowling the streets of late, and if these are true, being abducted by a slaver in the middle of the night could certainly explain Natalya’s absence. She might have even been picked up by the city guard for some reason, in which case a visit to the Arvensoar, the garrison for the city’s watch, might yield some clues. Beyond this, however, I can offer nothing but wishing you good luck on your endeavor."
When Mokashi inquires about the gangs she smiles "Perhaps it is a cultural difference or maybe something else. Either way, these gangs have been a way of things here for as long as people can remember. The local law deals with them as best as they can but in a city this size they can't be everywhere at once. Sadly, this allows the gangs to maintain strength not only as predators but also as protectors for those that aren't afforded the same benefits as others."
When he mentions Vel's assistance she nods "Of course, as we discussed earlier, if you vouch for her she is more than welcome to aid in your pursuits and shall be equally compensated for her assistance."
Caroliss was genuinely puzzled why Mokhasi kept vouching for the strange, condescending elf. Did he owe her some sort of favor?
"Well, I guess we're a team now? Would you all be willing to humor me in a group prayer to make it official? To Calistria, the Savored Sting, for her blessing over this group. It's something I've done with my spiritual sisters at the church, and it would mean a lot to me. We can just gather in a circle." She pauses for a moment, considering how to deal with Veltariel. It seemed she was being invited along. Well, if they were going to work together, prayer was always a good way to form common cause.
"શું તમે અમારા મિશનમાં જોડાશો? અમે કેલિસ્ટ્રીયાની તરફેણમાં પ્રાર્થના કરી રહ્યા છીએ." Caroliss is seen gesturing to invite her over too.
She'll wait to see who wants to join in. But eventually offers the following words.
"Savored Sting, mistress of desire and goddess of many faces, thank you for bringing us all together in pursuit of ancient knowledge. Bless us in our mission to find Natalya Vancaskerkin. If she is in peril, help us set her free. If she has betrayed us, deliver us our vengeance. Give us the patience to plot and prepare, the guile to overcome all obstacles, and the passion to seize the moment when it is ripe!"
Sapher's eyes widen at the mention of Calistria, having heard plenty about the Elven goddess in her studies. More whispered by the other acolytes with the priestesses were not around.
Sapher declines the prayer though, pulling out a chain around her neck to show a bejeweled gold ring, well really a silver ring painted gold with pretty but cheap jewels. "Bolka." she states, since she is a dwarven goddess, so might not be well known to these non dwarves. "Even though they're similar in ways, and not opposed as far as I know, my prayers belong to her."
Even though Sapher has felt ridiculous being a cleric of Bolka most of her life, she could always feel the goddesses love. So her faith is strong, despite her own feelings about deserving it.
She'll step back and wait respectfully as the others partake. Then asks Sheila "What does she look like? Natalya I mean"
Veltariel considers a rebuke, but at least this half-breed has the sense to ask politely, and select a goddess of her better half. She nods and joins in silently in the homage.
"Calistria, and Bolka. I wish to know of your gods." He says, seeming as interested in the details of their faith as he is interested in the details of their mission.
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"About your graduation, well I know both you and Esrisi were excited but I'm afraid you may miss the fanfare of the graduation itself. With you taking on this mission, you are officially Pathfinders now."
Esrisi is conflicted with the statement delivered by the VC. On one hand, she is going to miss the pomp and circumstance of graduation, something she had very much been looking forward to. On the other hand, she was just declared a full fledged Pathfinder! Nodding in response to her statement she responds in a measured tone "Yes, I understand."
Over the years Esrisi she has gotten used to Caroliss's calistrian prayers and dealings. While Esrisi believed in drawing power from many gods, she saw value in what she heard and learned from Caroliss and her sisters. "I would love that, thank you Car." She happily participates in Carolis'ss blessing.
"Savored Sting, mistress of desire and goddess of many faces, thank you for bringing us all together in pursuit of ancient knowledge. Bless us in our mission to find Natalya Vancaskerkin. If she is in peril, help us set her free. If she has betrayed us, deliver us our vengeance. Give us the patience to plot and prepare, the guile to overcome all obstacles, and the passion to seize the moment when it is ripe!"
"And bring her back alive." Esrisi mutters half to herself.
Looking to Sapher and Mokhasi, Esrisi seems quite interested in their deities. "Perhaps when later you can teach us of your gods? While Caroliss's has filled me up with Calistrian ideals, I know little of Bolka and Yural I'm afraid."
Once the prayer has concluded and discussion on planning begins, Esrisi quickly takes the reigns and assumes a leadership position. After all, she's a full fledged Pathfinder now and who better to lead their group than her? "Ok team, listen up. From the information provided during our mission briefing, we will first seek out this Amazing Zograthy in Dockway. Given our current location of the lodge here in Alabaster, Dockway is situated between us and the Arvensoar. Ok, if there are no questions then let's get our gear and meet back here in twenty minutes then?"
"It's uhm, about that other member of our party that I have concerns with. Why have you allowed a non-society member to join this mission? I would never doubt your ability to assemble a team, but surely there are other Pathfinder's that are uhm, more of a team player than her?"
"If I may be candid with you, I do not like her one bit. She reminds me of my sisters. Rude. Condescending. And frankly I haven't heard her utter one word of Taldane! Does she even speak the language?"
Ashamed and lowering her head and looking at the floor she says "When she insulted Caroliss, I wanted to punch her in the mouth."
Sapher nods her agreement to talk about Bolka later, that is one of the missions of her faith, though she isn't great at that part. Teaching.
At Esrisi's sudden grabbing the reigns of leadership, Sapher raises an eyebrow, the woman seemed more like a flighty, but good meaning, girl than a leader. But Sapher wasn't one either, and her declaration of what to do first is what the dwarf would have picked anyway.
Instead of arguing she left the room. One of two places she could go in the small amount of time, first would to find where her rooms would be, drop off her pack to lighten her load. The other was food, she hadn't gotten a proper meal during the entire trip so...
Sapher heads to the lodge's dining room.
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"Wait--Bolka, the goddess of love?" Caroliss blurts out in surprise.
Oh, that was bad, I shouldn't be so mean. She's a dwarf, are there no prettier dwarves? She's really good at hitting things with her hammer. Is that normal for a cleric of Bolka to do? I wonder if she's sensitive about this sort of thing.
"Why didn't you say so sooner!" she says in stride, trying to cover up her mistake. "You should lead our next prayer session, then. We should all share the blessings of the gods. Calistria demands passion, not exclusivity." She gives a wry smile at the thought. "I hope Bolka doesn't demand the opposite?"
Caroliss did not expect Sapher to be the one sitting out, while Veltariel joined. Maybe the elven goddess was more familiar to the elf. It was an entry, finally, after much acrimony.
* * *
At the conclusion, she is more than happy to oblige Drask's request. "Have you heard anything about Calistria? Many people find their way to her temples, for a variety of reasons. She is the goddess of lust and vengeance, an elven deity who is seductive, powerful, and used to getting her way. To the commoner on the street, Calistrians are probably best known for their sacred prostitutes, who spread Calistria's passion and lust of the flesh. But Calistria also has a side that's free-spirited, independent, and a seeker of hidden knowledge. I joined the church of Calistria at a low point in my life, and the sisters there taught me to pursue my own desires in life. That let me to try new things, like joining the Pathfinder Society with Esrisi."
Caroliss had questions for Drask as well, but sees Esrisi taking charge. Which seemed entirely natural to her. That was the proper place of a noble, to lead. "Absolutely, the Amazing Zograthy is the most solid lead!"
Sapher winces at the exclamation of her goddesses name. And the following is either painful or sincere, Sapher can't figure out which, but ultimately it doesn't matter. She's dealt with this her entire life.
"One of her aspects is marriage, so..." she gives a tired smile, she takes on a bland(er) tone, mimicking a teacher "Love given properly naturally comes with exclusively, but the path to that point is long and filled with branches." hoping that explains how they can both be opposites but not opposed. Then she'll nod a see you later to the rest and leave for lunch, before anyone attempts to press her into leading anything.
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Mokhasi later says to the party, "It is interesting that you have criminals that protect the downtrodden, and unfortunate. Perhaps you should invest in a better education system so that people do not feel as if they need protection in the first place." Mokhasi notes the relatively opulent surroundings with a gesture, "It seems many citizens of this place have extra money, why do they not simply ensure education and good jobs are provided? You northerners have puzzling customs." Mokhasi appears to be genuinely puzzled.
When Esresi and Caroliss indicate that they are to leave, Mokhasi nods, and picks up his bag. "I have everything I need, already. It is wise to be prepared for all kinds of strange circumstances." He pats his spellbook. "In the future, if you all would like me to prepare any specific magics, please let me know! Yuelral has blessed me with an array."
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Esrisi wrinkles her nose at the prospect of paying for education for the poor. It's clear that her upper class privileged lifestyle has affected her opinion on this subject. "You mean to say that those who have worked hard should be spending their coin on those that have not? Why should someone who has been successful be penalized? Why should they have to carry those who choose not to work hard? They should learn to live within their means just like the rest of the region has to."
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Mokhasi replies, smiling "In my experience there is minimal correlation between 'hard work' and 'wealth.' But perhaps it is different out here, in the wilds. I am sure in a few hundred years, you all will advance sufficiently to understand." Mokhasi appears to be slightly pitying towards Esrisi. "But look at all of the the beautiful dancing, crafts, and wonderful food that your culture has developed! You should not feel bad. The peril of having a society that is too stable is that there's sometimes too little ingenuity."
[dice=Sense Motive-1]1d20
Before departing to talk to Shelia, Esresi observes the exchange between Sapher and Carolis with interest. Once Sapher is gone she approaches the cleric and eyes her curiously. "What was that all about, I didn't follow that at all."
Caroliss whispers under her breath. "I'm no expert, but I would've thought a priestess of the dwarven goddess of love would be . . . well . . . more lovely. I mean, her hair is very nice but her face . . . and the way she talks . . . and shouldn't she be spreading love instead of hitting things with a hammer?" Caroliss gives Esrisi a big shrug. "Maybe I'm being too mean, do you think dwarven men like stout fighting women?"
* * *
As the discussion between Esrisi and Mokhasi continues, Caroliss opens her mouth to say something in support of Esrisi but stops short, as she realizes that this particular idea hit home. Esrisi had wanted to go to a school of magic, but had been denied. It was a sore spot in her life. It's obviously just a fairy tale, but it would be nice if everyone who wanted it received a good education.
Eschewing the philosophical debate, she decides to have a simpler chat with Drask. "So, Drask, why did you join the Pathfinder Society?" She didn't think the half-orc was the type to do so, and it was too much of a coincidence that he knew Esrisi.
Drask looks back down from the wall again where he had been staring. The half-orc seemed prone to daydreaming, getting lost in his own thoughts. "Grew up as a Broken Spine plaything. All I learned was blood. I escaped..." He pauses for a moment, then shakes his head. "Found this city. Learned I needed a job if I wanted to eat. Tried the Serpent's Run, it bored me. Tried some other jobs, called me "hired muscle". Bored me. Lot of standing around." Drask wraps one hand around his lower jaw, pushing it to the side and causing his neck to give an audible series of pops. "Then I got hired for this job. Said I'd need to join the Pathfinders to do it, promised it'd be more interesting. Looks right so far." He snorts, patting his greataxe. "Actually got to swing her already. Don't think she's shed blood like that since she gave me this." He touches the massive scar on his right shoulder that stretches down past his chest, the most impressive scar on his body. If one does some rough estimates the length of the scar does look about the length of the blade of his axe.
When Sapher inquires about what Natalya looks like Sheila notes "Natalya is a beautiful, young Varisian woman. She has curly black hair that trails to her mid back and bright green eyes. She is slender, maybe in her early twenties, somewhere around five and a half feet tall. Every time I've seen her she wears a red bandanna."
She pauses a moment to consider her words before continuing "As to why she is allowed to assist, not being a Pathfinder, there are two points here. First, sometimes the Pathfinders have to work with outside entities. If we only relied on one another there would be several missed opportunities and missions that could not be accomplished. Obviously, it doesn't always work out as you have seen in my case with Natalya, but more often it does. Second, Mokashi, while still a novice, has been a Pathfinder for some time. I've already spoken with him about my concerns and he says that she can be trusted and is aware that she is his responsibility since he vouched for her. If he says that she can be trusted, I am inclined to believe him, her choice of language aside."
She looks to you for a moment with sympathy in her eyes, not for you but for Vel. "Mokashi made some comments that lead me to believe
Veltariel may have had some bad experiences in her past, particularly with humans. Whatever those experiences were they seem to have left a mark. Perhaps, with time we can help her heal those wounds and through example show her that she can count on us as friends. Perhaps not... In any case, maybe remember you don't know the hardships she might have faced before meeting us. Often, a tough demeanor is formed to protect oneself from further pain. Just try to keep that in mind, in dealing with her."
***
Once everyone has had an opportunity to find their rooms, get some food and prepare for the task ahead you decide to head out, following Esrir's suggestion, toward Dockway. Asking around for directions you eventually find Washers’ Row, a tangle of open-air washhouses, launderers, and Varisian wagons and tents. While the bulk of those who live and toil here do so in the laundry and tailoring industries, there are some who practice other trades. At the southern end of Washers’ Row, a tattered banner hanging over the entrance to the small side street advertises “Professor Callivario’s Stupendous Exhibition of the Outrageous and Sublime.” Beyond this overly exuberant advertisement is a squalid setup consisting of little more than a series of rundown sideshow booths and carts with assorted games and amusements of the meaner sort. To one side, urchins pitch pennies at lily pads floating in a small, scum-covered fountain while a bored carnie looks on. Nearby, the sound of cats hissing and fighting arises from behind a cart where a small crowd of ne’er-do-wells has gathered to cheer and place bets. Everywhere lurk faces pinched with suspicion or hunger, expressions worn by carnival workers and visitors alike. This is not the sort of place to be careless with a coin pouch.
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"Maybe I'm being too mean, do you think dwarven men like stout fighting women?"
Esrisi considers that question in earnest. She tilts her head and looks down at the floor while raising her right hand to her chin. "Hmmmm. That is an excellent question. I must admit I do not know what dwarven men like in their women, but given the fact that she is a follower of love goddess, we have to have to assume so. Maybe in dwarven culture the blander and more mundane women are the attractive ones? I mean, the men are all squat and hairy so it makes perfect sense to me. That could make her a very effective follower of a love goddess I would think."
* * *
With renewed confidence, the oracle departs the office and heads off to rendezvous with her new team.
* * *
Joining the group that heads into Washer's Row, they begin their search for the Amazing Zograthy. She studies the different tents as they walk past, not finding the one they are looking for. This desperate scene of under privileged people make Mokhasi's words surface in her head. I am going to help the poor and show him that I do care about them. she thinks to herself.
She slips a few coppers from her coin pouch into her hand and approaches the most harmless looking street urchin she can find. With her best attempt at a disarming smile, she holds out her coins in her open palm. "Hey there, I was hoping you could tell me where I could find the Amazing Zograthy's tent? These are yours for the trouble."
Veltariel snarls her nose at the scene unfolding around her. She stays close to Adorellan as the group travels, whispering as they walk. ”તેઓ પોતાની જાતે કેવી રીતે વર્તે છે તે જુઓ. તેમાં કોઈ સમુદાય અથવા સહાનુભૂતિ નથી. પ્રાણીઓ કરતાં થોડું સારું ...”
Drask looks back down from the wall again where he had been staring. The half-orc seemed prone to daydreaming, getting lost in his own thoughts. "Grew up as a Broken Spine plaything. All I learned was blood. I escaped..." He pauses for a moment, then shakes his head. "Found this city. Learned I needed a job if I wanted to eat. Tried the Serpent's Run, it bored me. Tried some other jobs, called me "hired muscle". Bored me. Lot of standing around." Drask wraps one hand around his lower jaw, pushing it to the side and causing his neck to give an audible series of pops. "Then I got hired for this job. Said I'd need to join the Pathfinders to do it, promised it'd be more interesting. Looks right so far." He snorts, patting his greataxe. "Actually got to swing her already. Don't think she's shed blood like that since she gave me this." He touches the massive scar on his right shoulder that stretches down past his chest, the most impressive scar on his body. If one does some rough estimates the length of the scar does look about the length of the blade of his axe.
Then I got hired for this job. Well that settled it, Drask was a "Pathfinder" in name only.
It's the last comment, though, that stops her short. "Wait, that scar on you was from your own axe?" Caroliss thinks about how that same axe came shockingly close to her own head and suddenly wonders how trustworthy that swing was. "You didn't hit yourself with an attack, did you?"
As the party arrives at the docks, though, Caroliss is more worried about the folks around her than her fellow companions. As was often the case, while Esrisi did the talking, Caroliss kept her eyes open, taking the measure of her surroundings and the intentions of these people.
Sapher happily finished her meal, mostly consisting of heavily spiced tubors, before the others were all ready to go. Then the dwarf followed to the best of her ability, forced to falling back since they had such horribly long legs which made them go way too fast for simple walking. And she was not about to run after them.
She arrived just in time to see Esrisi slip the urchin a few coins, along with her request. Dwarves have poor just like most cities. Broken oaths and the disgraced filled most of their ranks, but the reasons were endless. Sapher listened to the boys reponse, and the movement of his eyes, to judge if he would do as asked, lead them to danger, or just dash away.
"Wait, that scar on you was from your own axe...You didn't hit yourself with an attack, did you?"
"No. My brother threw it at me. Saved my life." He strolls off after the others, as if what he just said made perfect sense.
~~~~~
As they get into Washer's Row, Drask's placid demeanor steps away. He seems to straighten up, and his form that was large before seems looming and imposing now. He walks with tight strides, hovering near Esrisi with a look that says try something, see what happens.
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Mokhasi whispers back, નજીકથી જુઓ, કમર અને આશા છે. આ વિસ્તારના લોકો ઓછામાં ઓછા એકબીજાની સંભાળ રાખે છે, ભલે તેઓ ધનવાન લોકો ભૂલી જાય. મને આશા છે કે તેઓ એકબીજા પ્રત્યે વફાદાર રહેશે - દોષ સુધી પણ.
All previous discussions of moral philosophy banished from his mind,
Mokhasi seems interested in trying some of the games, should the situation call for it. He also keeps an eye out for danger, and casts detect magic before they enter, concentrating as they walk.
As Esrisi approaches a young boy covered in dirt and ragged clothing with her copper pieces, it's obvious the boy takes note of the rest of the group. Eyeing everyone a moment he holds his palm out for the coins and waits until she drops them before he points further south toward a well-patched tent crudely painted with mystical symbols.
As everyone keeps an eye out, you notice that several of the people seem to be keeping an eye on you as well with side-long glances, but no one seems to be a threat, at least not for now.
Making your way over to the tent You see it is decorated with chicken bones and other oddments. Opening the flap, within the stuffy, cluttered tent is a table covered in blue velvet stitched with moons, stars, and arcane symbols. A dusty crystal ball and a dog-eared harrow deck sit upon it. Behind this table sits an aged, bald, Varisian man with threadbare purple robes and piercing eyes. He greets you with a wry grin, he gestures broadly and states in a tremulous voice, “The Amazing Zograthy sees all and knows all. A double fist of silver for a turn of the cards or a vision in the crystal; a treble fist of gold for the secrets of the multiverse.”
"A fist of silver? Seems an oddly inaccurate measuring system... for the secrets of the multiverse" Sapher mutters "It's not why we are here anyway." She'll stay near the tent flap, to limit her Opinions.
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Esrisi thanks the young boy for his help with a smile, though all he seems to be interested in are the coins.
As she approaches the tent she wonders what type of man would consider himself so amazing that he would include it in his name. Opening the tent with great curiosity, she is underwhelmed what the tents contents. Regardless, she puts on her smile and pushes forward into the tent with exuberance. She quickly studies the tent and the man claiming to be amazing for anything that sticks out or is out of the ordinary.
"Good afternoon Amazing Zorgathy." she says as she slips some gold coins into her hand, but doesn't display how many or show any sign of passing them along to the man across the table.
"I'll admit that the secrets of the multiverse definitely sounds enticing, but as my dwarven associate has noted we've come for an entirely different matter today. We were hoping you could pass along some information on someone we're looking for, Natalya Vancaskerkin. We're interested in knowing where we can find her along with any information on her recent activities."
Zograthy leans back in his rickety chair and says, “Aaaah... Secrets! Perhaps my greatest trade!” He eyes the group standing at his tent, then looks Esrisi up and down, taking particular interest in her coin purse. "I think the Amazing Zograthy can help you with these things you seek. It seems you are willing to pay for what you seek, yes? This is good for what you seek does not come for free. The Amazing Zograthy thinks fifty gold coins will suffice to let you know the secrets you search for."
He holds out his hand with a wide grin on his face. Esrisi and anyone else looking notices that several capable looking Varisian men have taken interest in your talks with the Amazing Zograthy. While they continue to watch, none of them have made a move to indicate they currently intend to get involved.
Veltariel turns and eyes the men approaching. She casually lowers her right hand to the vicinity of her quiver at her hip, while the fingers of her left delicately drum along the grip of her bow. She smiles an unsettling smirk at them as she says over her shoulder ”જો આ મનુષ્ય જાણે છે તેટલું જાણે છે, તો તેને જાણવું જોઈએ કે તીર એક પચાસ સોનાના ટુકડાઓથી સસ્તું છે અને હું ઇચ્છું છું કે, જો તે ઇચ્છે તો તેમાંના એક કરતાં વધુ ભાગમાં ભાગ લેવાથી મને ખુશી થશે.”
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Glancing over at Veltariel's overt attempt at intimidation, Esrisi does her best to not roll her eyes and scoff. Not everything need to end in violence. Not believing that violence is the appropriate method to obtain what they are seeking here when he's apparently so forthcoming, Esrisi ignores the remark from her elven "companion". Associate. Acquaintance.
Happy that he's acknowledging that he has information to exchange at least, she decides to try and bring the price down. Looking at his outstretched hand she starts to move towards it to place the coins in it, but stops halfway and retracts it. "While I have no problem paying for services rendered, fifty gold seems a bit of a stretch for the information I've requested."
Opening the palm of her other hand up she offers "If you were to produce the person we were looking for in the next tent over, I might consider an outlandish request such as fifty gold coins. For just information however, I'd like to see the price come down to say, five gold coins."
Drask was resigned to play the strong and silent bodyguard for the bartering, but the exorbitant price of 50 gold for information makes him reflexively scoff. He does his best to make his face blank again, frowning at Vel as she touches her weapons. Oh. She does understand common. A prick than. A big one.
Still, the man has made a mistake. He has confirmed that he knows the information they seek. Now it's only a matter of time and money...or blood.
Drask half-turns away from the "Amazing" Zograthy, keeping an eye on the Varisian men around them. He doesn't reach for his weapon or growl at them. But each and every one he makes eye contact with, staring until they look away, seeing who won't break his gaze.
The old Varisian smiles as Esrisi starts placing gold in his hand. When she stops at just five gold though, he quirks his brow and only continues to grin "Smart to bargain, but too little for what you seek." He rubs at his goatee a moment as he stares into Esrisi's eyes. "The Amazing Zograthy likes you. So, you will get a discount for my secrets. Fifteen gold is what it shall be, yes? Then the secrets you shall have."
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Esrisi nods in agreement. She has no idea whether or not fifteen gold was an acceptable price to pay for the information, but she's satisfied that she's successfully negotiated the final price down from the starting price. She reaches across the table and drops ten more gold coins drop her gloved hand into he Amazing Zograthy's open palm. "You have a deal, good sir."
She tries to put away the remaining coins into her pouch, taking no special precautions to guard the fact she is carrying quite a bite of more change on her person. This seemingly simply task of dropping a coin into a pouch is one that a normal person performs in a split second and moves on, for Esrisi it takes nearly thirty seconds.
With the pouch in her left hand, a seam suddenly appears and splits the decorative leather object. Gold, silver and copper coins begin to spill free from the pouch onto the floor of the tented area. The oracle's face flushes red with embarrassment and she utters a soft "Sorry. Sorry." as she bends to scoop them up off the ground. She quickly snatches up the fallen coins and the busted pouch and shove them away into her pockets.
Esrisi hasn't taken her eyes off the prize, so she's not really tracking the fact that there are others outside the tent who are expressing interest in the group. Once her pouch is put away she looks up and smiles again, ignoring the incident that just occurred as she awaits the information they just purchased. "Now then, what can you tell us about Natalya? Hmmm?"
"What on..." Sapher snaps as coins fall about, staring at almost stupefied wonder at the woman's fumbled snatching. Quickly, as her stunned mind allows, she shifts her attention to the capable looking Varisian men who had taken note of them.
"Do! Not! get any ideas" she states simply and hard. Not bothering to place her hand on her hammer, since the implication is already there.
Caroliss starts picking up the coins as well, feeling embarrassed for her friend and worried about the unnecessary attention they were drawing. She only hoped the Amazing Zograthy didn't decide to get greedier after seeing the wealth Esrisi had available.
The man doesn't move as the coins spill across the floor, unlike what you would expect from some 'greedy Varisian'. You suspect either money isn't that big of a concern for him or he has incredible self restraint. In any case, after Esrisi composes herself the man looks to each of you in turn and asks "First, can I ask why you are looking for Natalya and what your concerns of her recent activity are for? Of course, a deal is a deal and you shall get your secrets, but I like to know who I am doing business with first."
Drask exhales sharply at the 'amazing' man's words. And just why are you so curious about that? Just wanting to know? Or do you have some interest in Natalya? Friend or foe?
”આ અમારા રહસ્યો છે. આપણે તેમને પચાસ સોનાના સિક્કાઓની વાજબી કિંમત માટે પણ તેમને વેચવાની ઓફર કરીશું!” Veltariel says sarcastically.
Caroliss also tries to understand the cause of Zograthy's question--whether he's concerned for her welfare or he's out to find someone who's cheated him.
Caroliss shrugs, feeling inspired by Vel's snarky comment. "We'd be glad to tell you for 15 gold coin." She offers a friendly smile so it's not clear if she's serious. But really, she was just buying time to understand his motives.
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Behind her, elf's words actually ring true with Esrisi for once. Not that'd I'd ever let her know that of course. She let's Caroliss make an offer and then decides to build upon it.
Esrisi considers the guarded response by Mr. Amazing, trying to determine why he is being cautious after he has been paid. Her smile, which had been ever present since she entered the tent, fades away to a flat, emotionless expression. "By no means am I trying to offend you, but as you yourself have just stated, we had a deal for which you have now been paid. If you had been so concerned about intentions, well, I'm afraid that should have been part of the original deal."
Shifting her weight below her, she keeps her hands folded and calmly continues. "Suffice it to say however, I understand your desire to want to know what is happening here. Rest easy and know that we merely have some questions for Natalya and wish her no ill will. She entered into an arrangement with us and we intend to protect our investment."
He grins at both Esrisis and Caroliss's response and just waves his hand dismissively "No bother. The Amazing Zograthy will tell you what you want to know. Natalya has not been heard from among the Sczarni for days now. Many folk along the waterfront, both here in Beacon’s Point and over in Dockway and Underbridge, have been disappearing of late. A few each week, in fact, with many simply vanishing out of their very beds at night. Perhaps Natalya is among those who have disappeared in this manner, yes?" Not waiting for a reply he bitterly adds "The Amazing Zograthy thinks that as long as only poor Varisians and other destitute folk are being targeted, the chances of the city doing anything about the disappearances is nil."
He shrugs as he continues "The Amazing Zograthy does know that it is not a Sczarni plot. In fact, the Sczarni seem quite interested in solving the vanishings themselves, but are not seeking aid in that effort. If anything, it’s harder to contact actual Sczarni leaders these days than it is normally. The Amazing Zograthy has heard that the leading theory on the street is that the vanished folk are the victims of slavers who then secretly sell them offshore at night to Nidalese ships, but the Amazing Zograthy doesn’t put much stock in such rumors."
He fiddles with some of the gold coins a moment before sticking them in a pouch on his hip then looks to Esrisi "Natalya was, at least until recently, a member of a Sczarni gang known as the Tower Girls, a group of cat burglars. The Amazing Zograthy has heard they are themselves searching for Natalya, and word is that when they find her, she’ll be in deep trouble. What is going on with them, the Amazing Zograthy does not know but rumor is that Natalya went mad before her disappearance."
So, caught up in something else. Maybe not even being targeted, just unlucky. He frowns. And not the Sczarni? Plus the local guards won't do anything about it until somebody less poor disappears. He inhales slowly, continuing to scan the crowd around them. Slavers would make sense, but gang wars would make more sense. Tower Girls, hmm. "If we wanted to talk to the Tower Girls, or the Scarnee leaders..." He tries to chew the word 'Sczarni' out with mixed success. "...who would we talk to?"
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Esrisi is sure that Caroliss would want to do something to save these people that were disappearing or aid these vanishing people, but Esrisi is not Caroliss. The only reason Esrisi is even giving a second thought to these vanishings was because Shelia had mentioned them as one of their potential leads. They'd investigate them because it was their mission, not because it was "the right thing to do".
"It sounds like our friend Natalya is in trouble and we've come just in time to help her out.
If we wanted to talk to the Tower Girls, or the Scarnee leaders, who would we talk to?"
Great question. I wonder what the chances of him answering it for free are?
"I don't suppose you'll be willing to part with information on these Tower Girls as well, would you? It could be extremely useful in tracking down Natalya."
The man just gives you a cold stare and shakes his head. "The Amazing Zograthy can not help you with this. You wish to seek the Sczarni? You do this on your own and see if Desna finds you worthy to give you the luck you need to find them."
You're not sure whether he just doesn't want to tell you or if he doesn't know to even be able to tell you, but either way it's pretty clear he has no intention of telling you how to track down any of the Sczarni.
Hmph. Drask looks unhappy but doesn't challenge the man, he seemed unwilling to budge. "Fine. The Tower Girls than."
He rolls his eyes at the half-orcs obvious lack of understanding "The Tower Girls are Sczarni. The Amazing Zograthy can not help you."