Idrassa called on some of the fences she knew, asking careful non-questions about the Tarkanans and knowing that word of this might well get back to the gangs. But this could not be helped, and in any case, she had been part of the other night's skirmish with them. She was hardly in their good graces either way.
Thraag will talk to some old contacts of his as well to find out where the Tarkanans are holing up.
Declan went to Skylar, the only other person he really knew in the city, to see what she might know about the Tarkannas and/or their hideouts.
Over the course of several hours Thraag and Idrassa were able to locate a Tarkanan outpost- Thraag through tracking down Tarkanan movement in the city and Idrassa through running down the name in the note they'd found in Yellowspire- Avareen. They both also confirmed that the Boromar Clan was bleeding muscle and influence to the newly ascendant House Tarkanan; somehow the aberrants had quickly taken over half or more of Boromar's resources in the city.
The outpost was just north of The Market in Castle Ward. The Tarkanans had taken over the top few floors of the God Catcher, a tenement building constructed into and around one of the famous Walking Statues.
Back at the tavern, Idrassa related her findings to the others.
"I think it's time to pay Master Starsong a visit," she concluded. [b]"Might be best to go in force, make us look like we could do some damage to the Tarkanans if he gives us good intel."
She was less certain of that than she sounded, but she bore the Tarkanans a particular loathing that left her willing to try.
Declan was frowning, not excited about the limited intel Skylar provided. But he nodded to Idrassa. "That does sound like the semblance of a plan."
"I found a place where they are hiding out. The place is in a tenement building. It doesn't sound like the control the whole building. So we need to be careful about who happens to be around." Thraag says.
Listening to the details of the gathered information, Eyve simply nods.
"I follow your lead, and am ready to serve." she says calmly to Idrassa.
Zander would have been happy to go out into the streets to seek information, but the others had indicated that perhaps his approach would not be as... subtle as they were hoping to be at the moment, and it might be best if he stayed at the Manor to see if anyone of note showed up to speak to - or accost - the group.
When those who had gone out to collect information had returned and shared their learnings, he nodded.
"If the Starsong humanoid can confirm our current intelligence, that would be of tactical value. Failing that, we can consider a surgical strike on the stronghold."
It was late afternoon by the time the group was able to make it across town to the Yawning Portal. A carriage had collided with a dray on the High Road, mere steps from the always backed-up North Ward checkpoint at Hassantyr's Street, causing a traffic snarl that extended up, down, east, and west, choking the city to a near standstill at what was already the busiest time of day.
Once they made it there, the rambling, four-story building was busy with folks who had knocked off work early but not nearly as packed as it would get once evening truly fell. Davil Starsong was in the booth he favored on the first floor, where he and his bodyguard had a view of the door and quick access to the stairs in case a tactical retreat back to his room was called for.
Yagra stood as the group approached, nodding at Zander with her impressive arms crossed. "Running with a new crew, goldenrod?"
Davil, remaining seated, smiled at Idrassa and Declan, having met both of them in their individual capacities before. To Declan, he said "Come to take me up on that offer? I heard your partner went in-house."
"Walking, at the moment," Zander responded, without a trace of sarcasm in his voice, "or standing, perhaps would be more accurate. Our force composition has been modified since we last encountered one another," he added, actually answering the bodyguard's question, "though some of those who were with me before are still on the roster."
"See?" Zander thought towards his Psicrystal companion, "I believe I am 'getting the hang of' the humanoids' use of vernacular and deliberately improper usage of words to convey meaning."
If a psicrystal had eyes to roll, or a face with which to wince, J'r-V'zz would have done both. Repeatedly. As it was, he simply continued monitoring a forty-foot radius around Zander and his companions for possible threats, silently updating the tactical plot in one corner of Zander's vision.
Davil, remaining seated, smiled at Idrassa and Declan, having met both of them in their individual capacities before. To Declan, he said "Come to take me up on that offer? I heard your partner went in-house."
Declan shook his head, "Unfortunately I am significantly indisposed of late. As is my... partner," He paused a moment at that word being used to describe his relationship with Sky. He supposed it was accurate, in a professional sense, as much as their personal relationship was hard to pin down exactly.
"I am here on other matters today." His eyes turned to Idrassa, the spokesperson of their crew.
Idrassa nodded, accepting the cue from Declan. "We're here because we have some...common interests, with you," she observed. "Perhaps we can help each other."
Thraag follows along behind the others and nods a greeting to Yagra.