"Well... let us say we are tasked to find out how... you do your business. By someone who seems to spend his days in a bathtub. For simplicys sake... I think you are a shrewd enough businesswoman to have a satisfying answer. A "HONEST" answer. That will give this bather plenty of time to hunt for a "golden" goose." Diplo:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
"Our business is to find a friends friend and tell him he is missed. Truly missed. Our friend is unfortunatly very committed to a cause, so he can not do it himself, but he has the means to hire specialists. And I mean friend in the truest form. Not an enemy but a true friend from better times."
Wasting no time Akiko moves around and convinces the merchants to deliver their merchandise. All it takes is a honeyed word here, a sweet smile there.
Diplo:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Moving swiftly ahead Akiko bows quickly"Excuse me, are you the famous expert on ancient Osirion called Master Lozar? Let me introduce myself, my name is O-Ushi. My friend and I are looking to make ourselves known as problem solvers for people with normal needs in a hurry. Let me tell you I am an expert in haggeling and producing results in no time. I can see you are in distress but the problem is, as I have heard, that you are ready to leave, but your caravan is not. Due to incompetent merchants. We would offer you to produce the items in no time, at a copper per 5 silver cost. Yes that is correct, we just ask one extra copper for every 5 silver worth of merchandise. Now is that an offer you want to refuse?" Diplo:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Akiko asks the others to go to the adviced tavern and excuses herself to get some information.
She returns in the evening and asks the others for a little warchat.
"Well, this city has definetly some loose tongues. I just went around to listen here, grease a palm there and get my bottom patted somewhere else and I heard some interesting things.
First of all the hundredfingers. They operate from Beggars alley, but they have been awefully quite latly. Why, no one knows. Tarra, do you think you can scout around? Maybe with our brawler friend as backup? As a halfling, maybe you can pose as a child. No offense. But please, just scout! I know it is tempting, but to split our forces could have dire consequences.
Lady Zelekathi operates her house mainly with servants of at least some elfen blood. She also has a tranquil garden of great renown. She loves to get paid in magic dust, and some say it is the base of her garden. Rogar and Vicende, maybe you could spend some time there. Just look around, I would like to have some idea how this place looks like. Beware of the garden, maybe it can pluck your secrets out. And her servants for sure are trained in loosing your tongues. Speak of past deeds or problems with your abusiv father, how you never could do him right... etc. , trust me many people talk about that in those places
The Osirionologist is about ready to depart. Now he has some problems with the traders. Anfial and me will go there as emerging traders and offer our service. It might be just the chance to smuggle our little surprise in.
Now a short reason why splitting into those teams. I want everybody with one with skills and one backup muscle. Our scaly friend would raise eyebrows in a fine establishment, and our little lady is just the one for scouting a thieves gild, if I read her moves and her little fingerplays correctly. Vicende, you have the skills to do so, and the Taldors are known for their.... lets say decadence.
And Anfial and me are a natural team. Any questions.
OH and before I forget. There seems to be a few snakecult shrines in front of the city. We could run into those while retreaving the items from the well."
"We will take care of your problems. Give me the scarab, I think that task will need my gentle touch." My masters brother would kill your guards put a lid on the tube and then start to boil you for your information. A well, he was always a bit exterme.
"And so the bartering begins. An information, for an information. Let us say the first is our payment for the hospitality you showed us! Our direct superior is Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir."
Akiko bows gracefully"It is a honor to meet you again and to be greeted in such an oppolent mansion. We are quite thirsty after this long trek. I am sure your servants will be able to take care for our wellbeing. After we exchanged the host salt and drank to your health, I am confident our negoations will be flawless."
Akiko ponders for a moment and then mentions:"Shall we follow the instructions, and if how? I can make 4 lines, but the rest? Anyone any idea
She then draws 4 lines in the ground.
