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It takes quite a while, but Jilla is eventually able to track down a middle-aged half-elf apothecary with a white beard and a single silver earring named Jonathram who is willing to answer your questions.
“Thefts? I don’t know nothing about no thefts. I know about receiving stolen goods though, and I ain’t about t’get locked up on no fool charge like that. Some Varisian feller come by wanting to buy up mah vermin repellent, trying to barter off some potions or whatnot. But I sees the Glyph of the Open Road on ‘em, and I ain’t about to touch no Pathfinder stuffs, so I tell him to shove off. Boy that got ‘im real mad. He was itchin’ up a storm, he was! Must have been living in them marshes, where them skeeters live.”
Stiggur considers the half-elf to see how trustworthy he seems:
Stiggur believes that Jonathram is being truthful.
You move on to the Forest Bounty.
The interior of this enormous wooden long house is brightly lit and filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and merriment. Food scents mingle with the smoke of cooking fires and tobacco pipes. Servants carry food and drinks from the open kitchen area to the various wooden benches and tables that fill the hall. Many of the patrons are armed and armored, proudly bearing the insignia of local militia groups on their cloaks and tabards,
along with the sword and tree symbol of Nirmathas.
You attract immediate attention upon entering the feast hall, causing all conversation and music to stop momentarily as the patrons turn to examine the new arrivals.
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Jilla waves awkwardly to those staring at them and follows Mahlbeni to a table. "I'll get us some drinks," she whispers. "That'll put people at ease."
The gnome wanders over to the bar and orders ale for the table. While waiting, she introduces herself to someone standing next to her. "This Tamran sure is neat! The lake is beautiful. Those Molthunis really seem like jerks though. You think this blockade will ever end?"
Shortly after you begin asking questions about the missing goods, they attract the attention of a middle-aged male human clad in a green cloak bearing the symbol of Nirmathas. He walks with a noticeable limp and is missing his left arm from the elbow down. He approaches you.
“Now is not a good time for strangers to be asking questions in Tamran. There are rumors that spies walk among us and that Pathfinders are among those spies. I find it a little hard to believe, given Pathfinders helped me out in a time of need,” he remarks, gesturing with his hand to his amputated arm.
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"Those rumors are crazy! Pathfinders would never be spies! I don't think. Well . . . maybe in a bad place like Cheliax or Galt? I don't know. But Nirmathas is a good place. I haven't gotten to travel much. Oh, hi, I'm Jilla." Although enthusiastic, Jilla's no fool, and tries to size the man up before revealing too much.
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Shortly after you begin asking questions about the missing goods, they attract the attention of a middle-aged male human clad in a green cloak bearing the symbol of Nirmathas. He walks with a noticeable limp and is missing his left arm from the elbow down. He approaches you.
“Now is not a good time for strangers to be asking questions in Tamran. There are rumors that spies walk among us and that Pathfinders are among those spies. I find it a little hard to believe, given Pathfinders helped me out in a time of need,” he remarks, gesturing with his hand to his amputated arm.
"Come, have a seat." Arioch will move seats around to make space for the man to sit with the group.
"We're just trying to help a friend and isn't that what good people should do?"
The man introduces himself as Imad Sharras. He tries to engage you in conversation about the recent anti-Pathfinder sentiments. He still thinks highly of Pathfinders and is willing to help them, just as the Society’s current Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus saved Imad years ago. He seems to be sincere.
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The man introduces himself as Imad Sharras. He tries to engage you in conversation about the recent anti-Pathfinder sentiments. He still thinks highly of Pathfinders and is willing to help them, just as the Society’s current Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus saved Imad years ago. He seems to be sincere.
"Nice to meet you Imad, I'm Arioch. Yeah it's a real shame people making gossip about people trying to help. Speaking of which I don't suppose you've heard anything about stolen shipments? It sure is heartbreaking that food and supplies aren't getting to the people in Tamran who need them because of some no-good thieves. I heard the drugs are making it to the market but that's it. Makes me wonder what happened to all the other items..."
Depite the group's fumbling, Arioch manages to subtly flash a wayfinder to Imad. After he sees it, he nods and says, “So here is my offer. I know something of these bandits you seek, and I will tell you, but first one of you must drink this.” He then removes a small blue bottle from his pocket.
Imad immediately begins questioning you, asking “How long have you been working for Molthune? “Who is your Molthuni contact? Do any of your allies have ties to Molthune?”
Although he will listen to each of you, he does not move on from any question until Walks with Giants answers, or at least confirms the answers of the other Pathfinders.
Imad sneers at you. "Oh, come now. Molthune controls the trade into and out of Tamran. Am I supposed to believe that a group of Pathfinders just showed up without their cooperation? You must be working together."
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Imad sneers at you. "Oh, come now. Molthune controls the trade into and out of Tamran. Am I supposed to believe that a group of Pathfinders just showed up without their cooperation? You must be working together."
"You know, I've tried to be nice with you. Really I have. But if you want to call me a liar to my face, we're going to have problems my friend."
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"You are a very odd man. You come over to us asking if we are pathfinders, then demand we prove our identity by drugging one of us, and finally accuse us of being spies for Molthune"
Mahlbeni stands up from the bench.
"I have no desire to talk to you further. Come now Omncinni"
Mahlbeni and Omncinni start walking away from the table
"Wait!" Imad calls as Mahlbeni begins to leave. He then lowers his voice. "All right. You can't be too careful here. I'm taking a risk talking to you, because if you're not who you say you are..." He pauses and makes a throat-slashing gesture.
“Two weeks ago, while my men and I were patrolling along the edge of the Fangwood south of the city, we spotted a group of bandits attacking a smuggler in the woods. We gave chase, and tracked them as they fled west, but lost the trail when they hit the river. I don’t think they simply forded or swam; I’d bet good money your bandits have a ship capable of sailing up the Marideth River.”
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"Wait!" Imad calls as Mahlbeni begins to leave. He then lowers his voice. "All right. You can't be too careful here. I'm taking a risk talking to you, because if you're not who you say you are..." He pauses and makes a throat-slashing gesture.
“Two weeks ago, while my men and I were patrolling along the edge of the Fangwood south of the city, we spotted a group of bandits attacking a smuggler in the woods. We gave chase, and tracked them as they fled west, but lost the trail when they hit the river. I don’t think they simply forded or swam; I’d bet good money your bandits have a ship capable of sailing up the Marideth River.”
"Thanks for the help and we're going to do what we can to solve this problem. Bandits with a boat eh? Sounds like some money backing these fools; they don't sound like run-of-the-mill mooks robbing a smuggler. No honor among thieves I tell ya!"
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After Imad departs, Jilla says "The Gar's Last Meal sounds like it's probably a sailors' tavern. If we're trying to find a boat, that might be a good place to ask."
"Isn't a gar a fish? So is the gar the last meal or did the fish eat his last meal there? Makes no sense I tell ya. Yeah let's go get into a bar fight down there and then we'll see what the Market has to offer."
The Gar’s Last Meal is a reasonably priced and relatively comfortable inn, whose only downside is that it smells of fish. The taproom at the Gar’s Last Meal is a fairly popular local hangout, providing the Pathfinders a large number of possible informants in one place.
Make a Diplomacy or Knowledge (Local) check to find someone helpful. This takes 1d3 hours.
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"Hey, how are you doing? Nice place this is, what do you recommend on the menu? From the name of the place, and the fish aroma, people here are in the know about what goes on on the water. I was wondering if you've heard about some people in a boat causing trouble, taking what's not theirs and the like? Where are my manners? You look thirsty, how about a refill on that drink? Yo Stiggur and Jilla, this guy is thirsty, he needs a refill so how about you buy him one eh? Now as I was asking..."
Severna comes close to starting a bar fight, but eventually the Pathfinders locate a pair of musician sisters who are willing to talk after their performance (which seems to be a dueling lute set).
Lily says, “I heard the thefts were fake. One of those Pathfinders was in here a few weeks back asking around about the Shining Crusade, wanting to know if anyone had a picture or a drawing of what the soldiers back then looked like. I asked her about the thefts, and she said it was all a lie to let the smugglers drive up the prices.”
Lilah adds, “Yeah, I remember that elf. She gave me the willies, her and her boyfriend both. Glad I haven’t seen them around town lately.”
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Severna comes close to starting a bar fight, but eventually the Pathfinders locate a pair of musician sisters who are willing to talk after their performance (which seems to be a dueling lute set).
Lily says, “I heard the thefts were fake. One of those Pathfinders was in here a few weeks back asking around about the Shining Crusade, wanting to know if anyone had a picture or a drawing of what the soldiers back then looked like. I asked her about the thefts, and she said it was all a lie to let the smugglers drive up the prices.”
Lilah adds, “Yeah, I remember that elf. She gave me the willies, her and her boyfriend both. Glad I haven’t seen them around town lately.”
"Lilah, why did the elf woman give you the willies? And what was her boyfriend, another elf or something else? When was the last time you saw them? Did they do or ask about anything else?"
Arioch puts on his best smile and leans in closer to hear the sisters better...
The two women cannot elaborate further beyond identifying both supposed Pathfinders as elves who had a strong herbal scent about them.
Mahlbeni notices someone walking towards the Pathfinders' table holding a knife and a clinking sack of coins. Stiggur sees someone dressed similarly acting exactly like he is not observing you along the northern wall.
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The two women cannot elaborate further beyond identifying both supposed Pathfinders as elves who had a strong herbal scent about them.
** spoiler omitted **
Mahlbeni notices someone walking towards the Pathfinders' table holding a knife and a clinking sack of coins. Stiggur sees someone dressed similarly acting exactly like he is not observing you along the northern wall.
"No use going for the door Walks; even goons this discount don't show themselves until they're ready."
While still chatting up the ladies it's clear Arioch is more concerned with what Walks says and prepares for trouble.
Arioch attempts to conceal him flexing his wrist to slide a dagger into his hand.