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100 points
"Perhaps we can return here later. For now lets collect what info we can out here. Tonight when spirits are high and lips are loose we will come back."
"perhaps we should stop by that alehouse? Could be info to be found there."
A pleasure Aglashan, name is Rashe. What do you think of this whole voting situation? You called it a curious custom?"
"We should make it as close to the palace as possible. People are like to talk the longer they have to wait in this line. Then we can make our way to the docks."
"Aye, nobody gossips like a bunch of drunbk sailors. Im sure we can learn something. Although ones credibility tends to plummet at the same speed that their lips loosen. We'll find out what we can, might at least narrow down our possible players in this shit situation."
Sertwa:
Well, let see. As always, the trade follows the wind, and piracy follows the trade. A wind blows from Vemtal to Yeza, a wind few predicted, so close to the lawless parts of the world many pirates flock to those waters.
And of course the merchants play there games as ever, seeking advantage by destroying each others ships through proxies. But a few weeks ago, the house of Blue and Gold lost a galleon but a day from Brestlor. Laden with silks and pearls, it disappeared from the water without leaving a trace. In the south, the pirate Vilstra has taken her ship to the Issan sea and terrorizes those waters. In Lantyll, the silent war between the house of Trewan and the seven ships company is heating up. Every week a ship or a warehouse seems to meet some misfortune, at great cost to both parties. Someone is sure to profit from such a drain on two such great houses. And but yesterday I heard a rumor of a ship headed for Nerun being burnt by pirates, they say magisterium ships were involved, though it stretches belief that so many vessels would happen upon the same stretch of sea at the same time. Vilstra was last seen but a day or two outside of Jemtal, but that is half the world away and the news must be a few weeks old, at least. Her ship, the Delirium, is becoming more storied by the season. It is said to be a galleon capable of engaging any warship, and swift enough to outrun even a scouting cutter beside. Of the ship by Nerun, little enough has been said so far. You say you had a stake in it? That is curious, I had heard nothing of what it supposedly carried. Although I hear that one of the raider's ships escaped and that the magisterium seeks it. As to who was behind the attack, nothing has reached my ears. But of course, that is only half the equation. It may seem so, but the magisterium's involvement knows no boundaries and no borders, and the merchants seeking to gain their favor play out their plots the world over. But if their goal was to protect the ship, they would surely have sailed close enough to guard it effectively. No, it seems quite plain that this was a trap for someone. The likely answer, some merchant fooling a rival into attacking their ship, not knowing it sailed under the magisterium's protection. Ah, now we come to the interesting question. Who indeed? The days when trading companies kept to a single city or region are largely gone, so in truth, anyone could have interests in those waters. But assuming the presence of magisterium ships means their involvement in whatever happened, that leaves a very different list of suspects. As much as every merchant plots to win their favor, far fewer have enough standing that any magister would deign to take an active role in their plots. But I have some ideas who I would look to first. The northern seas amalgamated company is generally considered the pre-eminent company of north western waters and as such have considerable dealings. But they are a steady and well established entity, less given to strange plots and gamles. The house of blue and gold is perhaps the most storied house of Brestlor, which gives them an important position. But they have had a few bad years and rumors of greater troubles abound. They might certainly be involved in any manner of dubious ploys to regain position and profit. The Konpen shipping company is an interesting one. Konpen is usually considered something of a backwater, the trade steady and boring. That certainly described Konpen shipping under their longtime leader Prowen. But after his bastard daughter Selwen managed to convince the companies director's to install her in her father's place, the have changed course drastically. The take contracts in many new waters now, including Nerun, and are known to invest in many risky propositions. They are new to these waters and have certainly caught the Magisterium's eye. Lastly, the House of Montain Vemtal is heavily involved in the northern trade and they are infamous for leaning into the dirty side of the business. Any time a ship mysteriously disappears cargo is ruined, it's worth casting an eye in their direction. Letter:
Semwell, got word through one of my people, looks like a Magister is hunting for the four joker's burnt that ship off Nerun. This is all being kept hush hush, but word is they'll pay a gold sovereign a head, provided that head can still speak. Supposed to be Cimfelder the size of a small house, some Paijan travels to with a bird, some older fellow from one of them desert tribes, and some little redheaded piece. Heard someone might of spotted some of them in the market. If you manage to find them, I know where to sell them
-P Sayyid's gathered info:
True enemies of the magisterium are hard to come by, ultimately the are too powerful for anyone with any real sense to be particularly interested in making a real enemy of them. But that isn't to say there aren't myriad parties working against varies interest of their, or interest of parties within the magisterium, at any given time. In the intrigues of trade, alliances are fleeting and the lines shift every day. Similarly, its unlikely that any magisters give a toss about you personally. More likely, some one's plan involves a scapegoat for the burning and at the moment you're the best candidates. If you can find an ally with the right leverage at the right moment, such things can quickly be forgotten... if it profitable.
The town is in rare frenzy. In addition to the upcoming election, anxiety about the lack of a spoke-wind, gossiping about whos plotting what, etc... there's one story that is on everyone's lip. The wizard Imtajut has escaped the magisterium's custody. The name rings a bell, and you recall the story from several years ago. Imtajut was supposedly a sorcerer you rose to prominence in the far south of Khisia. Unlike the myriad minor hedge-magicians who ply their trivial magicks around the world, Imtajut is said to be a true wizard. While there is far more rumor than fact about his powers, it does seem that he posses (possessed?) truly awe-inspiring abilities, like the legends of old. Several years ago as his legend was growing like wildfire, he was captured by the magisterium under mysterious circumstances for crimes against the order of the world. They held him in secret, presumably some magister or another was hoping to learn his secrets. As the rumors go, some weeks ago he was moved to an unknown location. The news has just arrived two days ago: he never arrived. Various Rumours: :I'm tellen ya', ya' ignorant ponce, Selwen's got her hands in damn near everything goes on in the northern world these days. No way the magisters look to anyone but her to move Imtajut wherever he's gotta go
Shows how incapable you are of following your own premise, you wine-besotted simpleton! Selwen's favor with the magisterium has never been higher, surely, if she had just lost their priceless wizard, they wouldn't be quite so fond of her would they? No, I tell you, you need a dangerous man carted off in secret, you call house Montain. They got more spies than the sea has fish, this sort of thing is them all day long ...I'm telling you (insert any house or faction here) freed him!... ...Heard blue and gold are near insolvent they lost so much... ...Can anyone figure what Selwen's up to? Throwing this crazy ruby fest or whatever she's calling it on the election but not running a candidate? Felstad will win, and hardly no one's gonna show to the party... ...Heard seven ships agents are looking for warehouses here now as well. Might not be the worst thing if we trade the fall of one house for 5 new ones... ...Yeah, shes doing same thing glue and gold always did, just her party's in red. Hard to miss that message. Yeah, same deal they always did, whole mansion decked out in shades or red. Event the waitstaff, probably have to die the hair on half of em. My cousin knows a guy who specializes in importing rare flowers from the Issan islands. Largest order of blood orchids hes ever had.... ...I'm telling you, Imtajut will be at war with the magisterium in no time. Who knows what they did to him... ...Everyone talks about Selwen, but it seems to me Montain was just as ready for our misfortune as she was. You seen how busy their warehouses are?...
We were unable to procure jobs at the shindig. There is however another gathering by the docks at the same time. Ula! Ulo and I and will find out what we can there.
"It makes more sense. I don't relish the idea of splitting up again but the others can handle themselves. We'll fit in better at the docks and we'll cover more ground as well."
"I'm not particularly hopeful that this will get us a job. It may be best to just settle for the docks and not draw any more attention."
Asmund and Ula head to Mulrest's first. "Alright, sounds like it we may be hard pressed to talk our way into this shindig. Worth shot though. If not it sounds like personal security isn't uncommon, perhaps we can slip in as guards for Sayyid and Ade"
Asmund follows Ula to the tavern and listens quietly to his conversation and gambling. He speaks up when Belwa mentions poisonings. "That common place at these sorts of events? Poisoning I mean? Maybe some of the wealthier merchants would be looking to hire security?"
"Alright, Sayyid and Ade will try to find out as much as they can about this whole fiasco with the Magisterium. Ula and I will try to be as inconspicuous as possible but we'll be there if things go south."
"I think it's risky but we might learn what it is we've gotten tangled up in. We'll have to scope the place out."
Asmund tries to slouch lower but it really isn't doing him any good.
Asmund grimaces back.
Asmund eys Sayyid for a moment before extending a hand in greeting. "A pleasure to meet any friend of Sayyid. And your name?"
"Good plan, we best not split up too much so I'll tag along. Though I'm not sure there's much they can do with this." He gestures at his closely cropped hair and beard. "Once they pretty you up we can meet back at The Companion, Get disguised as well as we can, and figure out our next course of action."
"we've got a shipment of silks from Seria for you."
"Alright, Sayyid and I will get this stuff where its going. Then we'll see if we can't find a place to hide for a spell. You two look around for disguises, and keep an ear to the ground. If folks are looking for us here we need to know. Alright Sayyid, where are we taking this stuff?" Asmund disguises himself as well as he can, choosing to keep his ringmail and leathers on this time under a heavy cape. He carries several knives but leaves his axes and shield behind on the boat.
5 points for +1 in medicine
Asmund lays a heavy hand on Ade's shoulder.
He glances over his shoulder at the captured thug. "first thing we have to deliver this shipment and deal with him. I'd rather not kill the man in cold blood but we can't well let him run loose now."
Asmund grumbles to himself as he reaches into his pouch, the old sailor is clearly not too pleased to diminish his stores. Nonetheless he tosses a small bundle of rushweed to Ade. "If he's not up to chewing just mash some of it up and rub it on his gums. Not quite the same but it might help clear his head a bit."
"Fair enough, but I'd rather not kill the bloke if we don't have to. Ade man the sails, Ula! Ulo you keep an eye on the prisoner, let us know the moment he's coherent. Sayyid, get me a heading!" Asmund seems relieved to finally be away. He pulls a wad of herbs from his pouch as he pulls the companion out of port, he rolls it between his fingers for a while before tossing it up and catching it in his mouth.
With Sayyid's help Asmund preps the Companion for departure while they wait. As soon as Ula! Ulo and Ade arrive he ushers them below deck and Blind folds the man. "Let's learn what we can quick, and then be on our way. I don't want to be here any longer than we have to."
While they wait for Ula! Ulo and Ade to return Asmund takes Sayyid to go and acquire provisions. food, water, and lantern oil for three weeks. After sending Sayyid back to the boat he finds a dockworker selling rush, and purchases a nice pouch full (10 doses).
Asmund lays hand on Ade's shoulder before she leaves. "keep your wits about you, we don't know if there are more folks lookin' for us. Be careful and stay with Ula."
"Ade, why don't you check with Ula! Ulo, We'll get this stuff loaded up as quick as we can. If you can get some answers out of him there, great. Otherwise we'll have to take him on board."
Asmund takes the other two aside and mutters quietly. "so what do we do about our friends in the alley?"
"No way, one of them mentioned they had been payed. Let's sort out this shipment and get the hell out of here."
"I wouldn't recommend carrying a bloody body through the streets in broad daylight. We can either tie him up and come back later, or we can leave someone here to watch him. What do you think?"
Asmund glances after the fleeing thugs debating wether or not to give chase. He shakes his head and rushes to Ade's side. He attempts to wake her.
Asmund grabs the thug next to him and attempts to bring him to the ground, then stabs at his chest.
Seeing his companions battered, and his charge sprawled across the ground Asmund growls in his throat and strikes viciously at the man he has pinned.
As the group is heading down a particularly shady alley Asmund stops in his tracks and sighs. "Serpents Cock, we can't just have a nice stroll?" He slowly pivots, drawing a broad-bladed throwing dagger. Asmund slowly edges forward as he speaks to the thugs. "Evening fella's, we've actually got business to attend to at the moment so if you wouldn't mind f$@~in' off we can all go our own ways and no one will end up dead." Asmund sets himself in a defensive stance, knife and hand held in front, crouching low.
Asmund speaks slowly and calmly.
Asmund heads over to Gawil, gripping the man by the forearms he places his other hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for your help old friend, it will not be quickly forgotten. And I hope to lay eyes on you again, sooner than last time I hope."
Asmund takes Ade to the side. "The pilgrims are too many to fit comfortably on the companion, and I'm hesitant to bring livestock on board a ship that small. Looks like Brestlor is our best bet. Let's get the others and then we can finalize things." Asmund and Ade return the house with the news. "We've found a contract-agent looking to ship silk to Brestlor, its all above board and it pays. I think that's our best bet. We should leave as soon as possible."
"Ade and I will head to the Dock's see if we can't find a few travelers willing to pay good coin. we can really only take another two though. Perhaps you too can look into anyone looking for fast transportation for a small amount of goods." Assuming no one has any major issues with that Asmund and Ade head out immediately. Keeping as low a profile as he can Asmund investigates around the shipyard by the Sea Hawk's Companion, hoping to find a traveler or two willing to pay passage.
"We learned a few interesting things, for starters the magisterium does seek us. Not to worry though, our boat was disguised during the raid so they shouldn't take any note of it. Sertwa also gave us a few leads on who might have been responsible for our little mishap. Perhaps we'll look into them later but you're right, we should find a way to make coin while we can."
"Agreed, let's head back to Gawil's and we'll tell you what we learned, best to save it until we're in private."
"Thank you very much Sertwa, this has been quite helpful. Sayyid, any last questions?"
"Who are the major trade houses, might have an interest in those waters? The whole thing just seems seedier than I prefer my transactions."
"The most recent one, the ship from Nerun. Do you know who was responsible?"
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