IC: Part 2: Streets of Y'Mataar

[imperialus]

A scruffy looking man snatches your coin out of the air and tucks it into a small pouch tied to his ragged loincloth.

Drawing the boat closer into the dock your guide hops out, and throws a rope across to you.

Here! Here! You tie up. I go get bossman. He give you good deal!

He disappears for a moment and then comes trotting back to the dock with a massively built Vuleese man in tow. He has a shaved head, and a spiderweb of scars up and down his arms. Were it not for slighly paler skin, and a long scimitar at his hip rather than whips and nets he could almost be Ogres twin. A half dozen street-toughs are trotting along beside him, and he walks with the confidence of one who knows that this is his turf, and that anyone who crosses him might well end up face down in the river themselves.

He stops at the edge of the dock, peers into your boat and says. "So Squib here tells me you want to sell this tub? I may be able to help ye out. Me name is Blathu... And you be?"

[Rostranor]

Ari-nasir had scrounged some clothes out of the barge, they were over large on him since they once belonged to larger men. Though the effect of the clothes gave him a flowing sweeping effect. One hand, resting like the pose of a statue, was upon his dagger while the other gestured as he spoke.

Blathu, greetings. I am Ari-nasir Sailor of the Sands, and these are my companions and passengers. Your Squib speaks true. While no venture is truly safe in these troubled times I find that the water routes were not to my liking. I have come up the river of Blades, beset by many complications along the way. It is not to my tastes. I seek to sell indeed and keep my feet planted on the ground and dabble no longer with water serpents, barbarian raiders, and stubborn currents.

Ari-nasir looked the man over, unconcerned by his guards and motioned to the ship.
Come aboard if you desire and we shall break bread and have some wine.

I am invoking Trader and Shrewd as skills

[Todd Spengo]

Arngrim folds his arms and watches silently, content to let Ari-nasir speak for him in his city. He stays alert to any trouble coming from Blathu and his toughs or from the water.

[MrHemlocks]

***Mukuli, Thief, Y'Mataar ***

"I am called, Mukuli. Like my friend, pointing at Ari-nasir, we wish to sell this rig. Adventuring is not all it is reported to be and besides a few extra coins could be useful right now."

Stepping back into the shadows of the boat he waits to see how this transaction carries out. He stays alert while observing these new guest looking for any sign of danger.

Mukuli, is using one of his idiosyncrasies...introvert.

[imperialus]

"So ye want ta sell er eh? Well... lets just have a look." Blathu steps into the boat and looks it over critically, bending over, running his finger along the joints, poking at the tar caulking. He draws a small dagger and pokes at the wood under the waterline with it to check for rot. He examines the rope for the rigging of the single square sail, checks the rudder pole, and stomps his foot on the deck boards.

His inspection complete he leans against one of the gunwales and rubs his chin pensively for a moment before speaking.

Well, she's a sound tub... Needs some recaulking, and a few ropes are frayed, but that's no problem... What is a problem is that she ain't yours." he pauses for a moment to let that sink in. You see the name, painted all big and bold on her bow? The Nymph of Blades? Well, that be telling me that she's owned by one of the merchant houses in Karthazar, name of Had. They name all their tubs "of Blades" being as how that's where they do most their sailing... Now, you see this leaves me, and you in a spot... I've no love for the Hads, but if I be caught with their property it can cause all manner of trouble. This means I can either slit your throats and turn ye in, or turn ye in and let the Had's slit your throats, or we can try to come to an arrangement.

Now, I've a friend, might be able to take her off your hands. You'll get brass for iron, but it's better than nothing. Ya see the problem is, I owe him a favor, and he's not likin to help you out unless things are square between me and him. I know he often has use for folks from out o' town as it were. If you be interested I'll be sure she stays hidden till the deal gets done."

Having said his piece, Blathu leans back and awaits your response. He seems unconcerned by the potential threat posed by standing amongst a half dozen men he just threatened to kill, though you notice that his bodyguards are nervously fingering their weapons, though they haven't drawn steel yet.

[Rostranor]

Ari-nasir seems non plussed by the news or the threats from the dockmen. He scans his new companions to see if there is any apprehension against selling the boat, but he doesnt think so. His smile was omnipresent during the inspectin of the barge.

He poured two goblets of wine and passed one to Blathu and took a long drought of his own.

There is value in the boat to both of us, you to settle a debt with another and us to be rid of it. Such a thorough inspection would not have been necessary if you had planned to turn us in, and nor do you expect us to refuse because a clash of steel here on the docks does none of us any good. We have met to do business, let as do nothing to sour that and depart as friends. I'll agree to this venture, on one condition. You throw in a third of what she will sell for now as a bond so that I can pay out my companions should they wish to go their own way with something in their pockets. Directions to clean rooms and willing ladies will earn you a shared flagon.

Ari-nasir smiled his eternal smile. By the unseen djinn of the untamed wastes it is my friend Blathu good to be back in a city! His laugh carried its way down the docks in honest enjoyment of the meeting.

i'm invoking barter here.

[imperialus]

Blathu shakes his head at the idea of payment upfront, and takes another swig of wine before speaking "You be misunderstanding. I be a simple dockman, I've no interest in a boat, nor funds to buy her if I did... I'm king o' this pier, and a few others, but that's about it. My friend however... he is a man of means, and he would fence this here barge for ye no problem. I'm saying I be putting you in touch with him so I can square up. Now I like ye, and you says true, I don want ta give cause to spill blood so if ye donna like me offer then by all means, take to the street yeself, I wont be turning you in if ye pay five pieces of iron per day fer the mooring... or rather one for the mooring, and four for me silence... If you wanna meet the lizard though, den come with me."

[Rostranor]

Ari-nasir will take you for your word. But I must converse with my companions.

[MrHemlocks]

***Mukuli, Thief, Y'Mataar ***

Looking over at Ari-nasir, Mukuli places a workable smile on his face."Now we seem to be in a bit of a pickle. I say we go see this man and listen to what he has to offer. Blathu, he seems to be a fair man. I trust he will not lead us wrong."

OOC...If the DM has this as part of the adventure than I say go with it. Could be very interesting)))

[Blazeguard]

Sargon quietly watches the exchange and pays particularly close attention to Blathu's body language and speech (tone, inflections, etc.) to try and get a handle on whether his offer seems to be legitimate or not.

(OOC: I'm hoping I can use Sense Motive here)

[Dogma]

Ptah-Kahtmak sat cross leg in his robes on the bow of the barge listening to the exchange between the dockman and Ari-Nasir. He tried to remain out of the conversation, not wanting to draw attention to himself, but his merchant blood bristled when the Vuules thief failed to barter with Blathu's first demand.

"Five iron per day is too much to buy this man's silence," he whispers to Ari-Nasir, "his silence buys his own protection from the Nad as well as our's. The iron for the dock is already lining his purse well? Tell him we will pay three iron per day...one for the dock and two for his silence."

if we don't want to get bogged down in negotiations Ptah will agree to paying 4 iron.

[Rostranor]

yes, a modest proposal. I'll do that. Then, good friends we are agreed then to meet this man? Very well.

Ari-nasir continued to barter with the dock keeper, but would in the end agree to see the man.

[Todd Spengo]

yes, a modest proposal. I'll do that. Then, good friends we are agreed then to meet this man? Very well.

Arngrim nods his assent.

[imperialus]

After some negotiation back and forth, eventually you settle on 3 iron pieces per day to moor the boat. Blathu escorts you down the dock to a rough adobe style building with the sounds of revelry coming from the door. Once you step in, it is obviously a working class tavern aimed at dockworkers and sailors. It's midday, so it's reasonably quiet,

"I be going to track down the lizard for ye. If'n I'm lucky and he aint busy I should be setting up a meet for tanight. This be a decent enough place to grab a meal and a place to lay your head. If ya got other business to do, I leave Squib here wit ya. He knows the streets, an can get ya where ya need to go. I be seeing you in some hours. Try not ta get killt in the meantime."

With that, Blathu leaves, and a tavern wench approaches you afternoon sirs, ya be wanten food, drink or a bed?

If anyone has any shopping they need to do, or want to blow some money on revelry, now is a good time to do so. Everyone recieves 5 XP for the battle on the barge, and remember if you want to earn any XP for the treasure you've earned so far you need to 'blow it' in some fashion. Each iron pieces you spend on something just for the sake of spending it gets you one XP.

[MrHemlocks]

***Mukuli, Thief, Y'Mataar ***

Setting down at a table, Mukuli, looks at the host."I would like mead to start, followed by bread and a meat dish please. As for a room...not so sure yet if that will be needed. But, I would like to get a bath and rest up a bit when I get back...after my meal of course. I need to head to the market and gather a few items. And before you leave can you please tell me which way to the market? I am new to this town and will get lost easy."

He will head to the market and buy his items after the meal. When returning to the tavern he will wash up and put on his new gear. He will tell the others to meet back here after all do their shopping. Below is a list of items he will gather from the market and their cost.

backpack (2 iron), 1 large sack (12 beads), 3 small sacks (24 beads), 50' hemp rope (25 beads), grapple hook (10 bronze), crowbar (2 iron), 3 chalk (3 beads), 2 candles (2 beads), 3 oil (3 bronze), empty flask (3 beads), candle (1 bead), flint/steel (15 beads), hammer (5 bronze), 3 iron spikes (6 bronze), 3 torches (3 beads), wine skin (5 bronze), 2 day ration (10 beads), dagger (3 iron), padded armor (5 iron). TOTAL---iron=12, bronze=29, beads=88

[Todd Spengo]

Arngrim sits down and looks at Mukuli, puzzled. "Directions to the market? I thought you were from this place?" To the wench, he smiles. "Mead for a start, milady. Mead for a start."

[MrHemlocks]

***Mukuli, Tavern, Head to Market***


Turning toward Arngrim, "no not from this place friend. Not by a long shot."

[Rostranor]

Ari-nasir smiles his snow white smile and throws an arm around the woman, "I and my friends have crossed oceans of sand, and crocidile infested waters, but no sight I saw was as pleasant as you and your offer of drink!"

Ari-nasir spins her around and plops himself down on a seat "Yes, dear. Drink for me, drinks for my friends, your included there Squib. Have a seat and a drink! Drinks yes, then food! Do you have any friends that would care to drink with us? Ah, my manners. So sorry, I have been in the wilds for a time. I am Ari-nasir, fortunate sailor of the sands. And who is it before me that tempts me so with drink and food?"

Ari-nasir spoke calmly, but in his usual boisterious manner. Arngrim, who had traveled with him before knew that there was more to the show than meets the eye. Though the brown skinned desert man drew attention tohimself he also took the time to appraise those who paid attention to him and those that didnt. Watching and assessing everyone, Ari-nasar also knew that if they were focused on him his companion Arngrim could observe those who's company they found themselves in and from which quarter trouble may lay.

how much did we each have in coin? I'll probably blow a chunck of it here depending on the reception we get.

[Blazeguard]

Sargon finds a seat with the group that affords him a clear view of the room and especially the entrance/exit. When his turn comes around he places his order, "Mi'lady, a plate of whatever's in the stewpot and a mug of ale will be fine for me, if'n it be pleasin' you."

When he's finished his meal he will slip her a 2 iron tip.

[Dogma]

Ptah-Kahtmak looked on with distaste as the Vuulese thief drew attention to himself like a moth to the flame. The Keshite sorcerer preferred to keep a low profile whenever possible. Keeping the hood of his robes up, he ordered a glass of wine and some fruit and vegetables to eat as he didn't consume the flesh of animals.

When done , he will ask Squib to take him to the market as there were a few items he wished to purchase.