Lavinia shrugs
“It seems from the amount of empty bottles that he was opening the vaults one at a time. Perhaps he didn’t trust anyone else to accompany him, and he made several trips. There was a lot of coin involved, and he might not have had an ensorcelled haversack.”
She looks wistful
“Or maybe it is as you say. I dearly hope it is. My brother and I were inseparable as children. I deeply regret the schism in our relationship. I still hold out hope that he could be brought to his senses and renounce his wastrel ways”
She looks at the group
“Please find him”
"We will. And we will let him know of your offer to mend things. What he chooses to do then, will determine what comes next." Nahuatl ti says in earnest.
"Indeed." Taishe murmurs.
Luncheon being over, the group departs from the Vellasca manse and heads down from Highwatch through the Central District to the River Gate.
The Central District was once the main part of the city, back before it spread out beyond the Old Wall. It is still lined with old houses and shops, many of which in the classical Vellasian Antebellum style. There are also many hints at Opal’s former life as the Xoltec City of Chichen illhuitecal. Many stones used to build the old city bear carvings of skulls, butterflies, and dinosaurs, the edges worn smooth with time. The ancient Tzompli Bridge spans the Opal River, adorned with a myriad of fearsome undead gargoyles.
The River Gate leads out of the old city and into the Market District. At this part of the day, the roads are quiet. The Riposo, or mid-day rest, is a custom both the Vellasian and Zapotec cultures employed to escape the heat of mid day. Still, this part of the city is still busy with merchants buying and selling furiously in the midday heat.
The party sidesteps a group of snorting Lumpers, their rounded bodies packed with goods. Vestigial green feathers make a ruff around their neck, but most of their skin is pebbly smooth. They drink from stone troughs, snorting and blowing the water about.
The Market District blends into the Driftwood District by the Opal River proper. The River is wide and deep here; ocean-going vessels are parked along the sides, as well as smaller river craft. The shops and chandleries start to become mixed with taverns, gambling halls, and bordellos. Sailors of all nationalities wander the rough-planked streets, hawking at the dinosaurs being ridden, or the half-naked sex workers lounging on balconies above them. A smell of tidal mud, rotten fish, and human waste begins to tinge the humid air
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Norveg nudges Taishe, pointing to the half-naked sex workers. "Lookit all that skin wif no fur nor scales nor nuffin. Disgustin!"
Taishe nods. "It would seem,... cold, without garments." The Kobold agrees.
"Sso,... Where to begin?" Taishe strokes his mustache-tendrils thoughtfully.
Nahuatl ti snickers at the comments of her companions, looking up at the sex workers and chuckling. Personally, she couldn't imagine not being able to directly feel the air or more importantly, the water on her skin. Besides, the way the heat got sweltering during the day it was a wonder most people wore as much st they did.
"So, this wouldn't be the worst place to start looking for our quarry." she says to the others.
"From wut 'Er Nibs said, we just follow the sounds of riot," Norveg suggests.
Tragon is no stranger to the sights in the seedier neighborhoods of Opal and finds the presence of the sex workers unremarkable. He gives them no more than a passing prurient glance before realizing how this place must look to outsiders. ”This would be the place to lie low,” he says. ”Anything goes in Driftwood, and most folk around here don’t ask questions. Finding a person here can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Our best hope is that his lordship can’t help causing a ruckus somewhere and announcing his presence.”
Narl looks about perhaps seeing a few woman he may have intimate knowledge of. Looking up at one of them he strokes his chin as he thinks out loud. My guess would be to start with this lover of his. I am guessing she wasn't a professional ... but who knows. Many of the professional women are known to pass along information for coin. Perhaps we start there? Or at least I could start there unless someone else has a better thought. He may have visited one of these spots perhaps on a lark? Anyone care to join me?
If no one chooses to join him he strides into one first houses and looks for a chatty worker and asks to go to her room after which he sets about asking if she has seen or heard of Vanthus and gives his description and says there is a nice bit of coin for information she may have.
Near the Opal River is the famous tavern known as the Purple Siren. A large building of adobe and purple glazed tile, it hums with activity even during the mid day riposo. Many of the local gangs and notable denizens of the Driftwood are known to frequent it
Norveg watches the bustle for a moment. "Seems a loikely start. Wouldn't expect 'is Lordship to 'ang about any ol' alehouse."
Having dealt with the crush in bars from a vantage of crotch height, Norveg waits for one of the big folk to enter before following in their wake.
"A viable strategy." Taishe acknowledges Narl's idea with a slight bow.
"Sstill, there are many locationss. And it hass been noted that our quarry iss unlikely to remain ssubtle for long. Perhapss while you begin ssearching for information on Vanthusss' lover, otherss can begin locating mosst likely areas of commotion. WHen he finally breakss hiss ssilence."
The kobold indicates Norveg with a single claw.
"We should go in pairsss. Esspecially uss. The tall folk often underesstimate uss. When they notice uss at all."
the interior of the tavern is packed with sailors, dockworkers, pimps, gang members, and thieves. A bard plays a Zapotec melody on an arrangement of Teponaztli drums.
Taishe leans close to Norveg (or whomever is nearest)
"From what little we know of our quarry, he sseemss to enjoy hisss,... lavish lifesstyle. We can either check every pub in the city, or assk friendly, and inebriated, typess, if they know where any good partiess are?"
"Welp, Oi sees some uv moi sailin' buddies drinkin' in the corner, so mebbe Oi should go 'ave a drink wif 'em. Wanna come? We should all split up, make frends, see oo's talkative."
The ratman squeezes through the crowd, using little jabs of his hook to avoid being stepped on or to help clear the way. He squeezes in among the sailors, talking shop, asking about ships and old shipmates, and generally trying to make people comfortable before asking about rumors of wild parties held by a guy named Vanthus.
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Narl is looking for a garrulous woman of the evening and looks to engage her in conversation.
Tragon moves in and starts chatting with folks at the bar. His good nature and easy smile aim to put people at ease.
Narl's normally affable nature is perhaps seen as too stern or perhaps his dress and obvious upper caste clothing puts him out of place here and thus viewed with suspicion as he attempts to engage those around him in conversation. Seeing that he is not making much head way he nods to Tragon and finds a seat and orders a wine if indeed anyone comes to take his order.
Taishe sighs. He realizes that his stature, race, and relative brusque nature will prevent him from making 'friends' easily, Instead he goes and climbs up on a seat next to Narl, where he can use the skills he DOES have to observe the room. Perhaps he can spot a likely 'party-animal'? Then one of his more,... charming associates can discover likely information from them.
Shrugging, Nahuatl ti joins the throng, fitting in with the locals with ease, and working to strike up a conversation that might give some hint as to Vanthus or his lover's whereabouts.
Nahuatl ti strikes up a conversation with a few chatty Driftwood types. They are the younger street tough types, but in a good mood and drinking heavily. She picks up a bit of scuttlebutt. It seems their instance last night is known, but the link with Vanthus' family brings his name up
"Do yeh think he went after Vark?"
"No way to know. 'Twas his family's boat though."
"Maybe Vanthus was doing some deal with Vark?"
"Maybe. But I don't see why he would need Vark for anything."
Narl's normally affable nature is perhaps seen as too stern or perhaps his dress and obvious upper caste clothing puts him out of place here and thus viewed with suspicion as he attempts to engage those around him in conversation. Seeing that he is not making much head way he nods to Tragon and finds a seat and orders a wine if indeed anyone comes to take his order.
Narl gets some dim looks from the clientele. One growls at him.
"Be off you weird poxy toff."
"Ah." Taishe nods to Narl.
"I find your garb quite appealing friend Narl. Sadly, One doess not believe that wass meant asss a compliment." Taishe says apologetically.
"'E may be a weird poxy toff, but 'e's our weird poxy toff, so back off, mate," Norveg says loyally, standing between the mouthy guy and Narl.
Nahuatl ti makes note of the talk while also noticing the fact that her companions seemed about to strike up a scuffle.
"'E may be a weird poxy toff, but 'e's our weird poxy toff, so back off, mate," Norveg says loyally, standing between the mouthy guy and Narl.
The man stares dourly at Norveg, then turns back to his grog
The kobold nods to Norveg and strokes his mustache-tendrils thoughtfully, noting the usefulness of a proper stare-down technique.
Norveg rolls his eyes in relief and leans in to talk quietly to the group. "We dun 'ere? Oi got nuffin, but best leave afore we git tossed out."
TAishe leans in towards Norveg and Narl.
"Indeed. Thiss one hoped ot be able to sspot oness likely to 'hang out' with Vanthuss. Ssadly, thiss one iss not a 'party animal' and iss unlikely to find ssuch by obsservation alone."
Taishe seems flustered that his keen observational skills have failed him. For the moment.
Looking at Norveg he nods in approval.
I agree we may be a detriment to our aquatic friend over there who does seem to be able to fit in quite nicely. By the way Norveg my friend thank you for backing me up. I obviously don't fit in here too well. Perhaps Taishe and I shall try another place further down the road and Norveg let other friends know we are moving along.
Norveg raises his mug to Narl in a toast. "Roit, mate, Oi'll stay 'ere an watch the lass. Where'll we meet up?" Leaning closer to Narl and speaking more softly, he says, "Oi don't fink yer a weird poxy toff, roit? Oi wuz just talkin' their lingo. No 'arm meant."
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He smiles at his friend and nods and says back quietly.
I appreciate that. I am a bit of a weird poxy toff and I am okay with that. he laughs.
Taishe nods in agreement to Narl's suggestion.
Tragon follows as the group heads to the next establishment, ready to knock some heads together if his smaller comrades get into trouble.
The group spends the better part of the afternoon looking for information
Seems like this is not Narl's day.
The group comes in and out of several Driftwood dives, looking for information. They get a lot of hard stares and a few anatomically-unlikely suggestions. Norveg does find out that Vanthus' partner is named Brissa Santorini, an artist who works in the Driftwood District. No one seems to know where she lives currently.
They are sitting on a dock by the Opal River as the sun begins its descent into the west, stretching shadows out behind them, deciding what to do next. As they chat, a dark-haired man in dirty leather armor approaches them. He clears his throat nervously
"'Cuse me. I heard you lot were looking for Vanthus?"
Taishe stands, idly straightening his coat as he does so. The kobold nods his head to the newcomer.
"Thiss iss true." Taishe says neutrally.
"'Lo, mate. Wy? You know 'im? Or Brissa?" Norveg keeps his tone neutral as he sizes up the man.
Narl waits to see what takes place but sizes up the man and checks out to see if there is anyone else around.
Taishe stands, idly straightening his coat as he does so. The kobold nods his head to the newcomer.
"Thiss iss true." Taishe says neutrally.
d20+8
He is most dirty and seems twitchy