Heroica RPG - Quest #62: Insider Trading

[Dannylonglegs]

Karie could tell Nessa was ready to rip her throat out. She looked about the inn, trying to find her party members, and then clutched her fists. Nessa wasn't worth her effort arguing with. In a calm voice she replied to the ranger:

"Very well then. If you so wish for us to leave, we shall. You may assist in getting Drake away from the bar, and I will see you outside. We're going to the Market Street." She turned her attention from Nessa to Barty.

"My good man, what's the fast way to Market Street?"

"Well, Karie, umm... You're on it." Started Bart, with a humble air of authority, "Market street is a very long road that runs through almost the entire City. Is there a particular market or vendor you're looking for?"

[Kintobor]

Karie felt a little embarrassed. Her face went slightly red. She turned so Nessa couldn't see the look of humiliation on her face.

"Are there any vendors worth visiting? One's you would consider some what suspicious? I think we'll make our way through the market systematically, to ensure we don't skip anyone over."

Edited March 14, 2013 by Kintobor

[Dannylonglegs]

Karie felt a little embarrassed. Her face went slightly red. She turned so Nessa couldn't see the look of humiliation on her face.

"Are there any vendors worth visiting? One's you would consider some what suspicious? I think we'll make our way through the market systematically, to ensure we don't skip anyone over."

"Hmmm... Vendors worth noting..." The man contemplated for a moment. "Well, Brendenton is famous for its Cloth Trade, so I imagine you'd want to talk go to the Cloth Market at some point. That's mostly conducted on the East side of the Market-Street Bridge. I know three vendors who are out today (it's not Market-day, after all, but Market Street is always selling.) Fat Frank's Fine Cloth Emporium, Honourable Cheqi's Fair Feathered Cloths, and Pale Vinny's Burlap, Silk, and Beyond all should be relatively easy to find. All of them are near the Bridge. If you want seedy shoppes, you'll find some where Market Street meets the West Wharves Road. There are some shoppes in the Peasants district too. Also, counter-intuitively, there are several less-than-savory salesmen doing business in the West Banking District (which is considered part of the West Market District.)" He stopped to think for a moment, "Do you have a map? Making one's way through the entire Market could take forever, so it's probably better to have a good idea of where you want to go before checking it all out." He suggested quickly with a friendly tone.

Edited March 14, 2013 by Dannylonglegs

[herrJJ]

"Well, Karie, umm... You're on it." Started Bart, with a humble air of authority, "Market street is a very long road that runs through almost the entire City. Is there a particular market or vendor you're looking for?"

Karie felt a little embarrassed. Her face went slightly red. She turned so Nessa couldn't see the look of humiliation on her face.

"Are there any vendors worth visiting? One's you would consider some what suspicious? I think we'll make our way through the market systematically, to ensure we don't skip anyone over."

"Ahrm..." Nessa just throated.

Edited March 14, 2013 by herrJJ

[Kintobor]

"Perhaps the East side of the Market Street Bridge would be a beneficiary place to start. Alright, get your stuff together gang, if you guys are done here, we'll head out."

She took the map out and looked at it. If the incident in Eubric told her anything, she couldn't read maps. She handed it over to Nessa reluctantly.

"Here, it would be best if you took this."

Edited March 14, 2013 by Kintobor

[herrJJ]

OOC: of course... Cross posting without a clue, all righty I didn't had the map

Astonished by Karie's offer Nessa now took the map and asked Bart to help her with planing the route.

"Here Bart, we got this one from Dill. May you point out the best path to follow in accordance with your hints?"

Edited March 14, 2013 by herrJJ

[Dannylonglegs]

OOC: of course... Cross posting without a clue, all righty I didn't had the map

Astonished by Karie's offer Nessa now took the map and asked Bart to help her with planing the route.

"Here Bart, we got this one from Dill. May you point out the best path to follow in accordance with your hints?"

"Huh, that's an old map. Most of the newer ones have the Banking District marked as such. And the Court District. Here, I'll mark down some potentially useful additions to your Map." Said the Hinckwell as he took out a quill and some red ink he kept on his person.

[Kintobor]

"Okay, that's helpful. Now where are we on this map? We should head to the cloth market first, but if another area is closer, we could swing by there just to scout the area out."

[herrJJ]

"Thank you, Bart. You have been a great help on our quest. You are a man of honor now if you haven't been before." Nessa turned to the group of heroes and said with a clear and strong voice: "We head towards the cloth market. There we should find the information needed. And Drake, stop that annoying singing and come here!" 'That is the true passion I spoke about. You're doing great. Keep pushing onwards!' '*sigh*'

Nessa put the map directly under Karie's nose and showed with her finger: "We are exactly here."

Edited March 14, 2013 by herrJJ

[Dannylonglegs]

"Okay, that's helpful. Now where are we on this map? We should head to the cloth market first, but if another area is closer, we could swing by there just to scout the area out."

"Alright, you're here at the Grey Wolf Inn." He stated as he marked a point at the end of Market street near the Aristocrat's District.

OoC: Sorry for the sheer number of Maps. I should have made a better Map to start with.

Edited March 14, 2013 by Dannylonglegs

[herrJJ]

"As I have showed."

[Kintobor]

Karie took the map off of Nessa as she shoved it in her face. She folded it up hastily and put it back in her pouch.

"If you're looking to be a wise alec, your doing a damn fine job! Kudos to you! Now if you would allow me to do my job, perhaps we could make it to the cloth market before one of us dies of old age!"

Whatever Nessa's problem was, she needed to deal with it, and deal with it now. She was getting infuriated by Nessa's cockiness, partially due to it almost exceeding her own. Key word being almost. Karie grabbed Drake by the collar, and dragged him out of the bar, struggling slightly due to his hefty armor.

"Alright crew, lets get out of this inn and get to the market!"

Edited March 14, 2013 by Kintobor

[Dannylonglegs]

QM Note: Sorry for the Delay. Real-Life's a bummer. Tomorrow may be slow too.

Kintobor, on 14 March 2013 - 06:42 PM, said:

Karie took the map off of Nessa as she shoved it in her face. She folded it up hastily and put it back in her pouch.

"If you're looking to be a wise alec, your doing a damn fine job! Kudos to you! Now if you would allow me to do my job, perhaps we could make it to the cloth market before one of us dies of old age!"

Whatever Nessa's problem was, she needed to deal with it, and deal with it now. She was getting infuriated by Nessa's cockiness, partially due to it almost exceeding her own. Key word being almost. Karie grabbed Drake by the collar, and dragged him out of the bar, struggling slightly due to his hefty armor.

"Alright crew, lets get out of this inn and get to the market!"

Not waiting for poor Drake to make up his mind as to whether he'd like to keep singing or talking to the barkeep, and infuriated by Nessa's behavior, Karie stormed over to Drake and pulled him off his seat. "Hey!" he called, minorly annoyed. he set his second free Ale, partially consumed on the bar table. Someone richly dressed handed the barkeep a veritable pile of coins. "A round for everyone," he said, grinning cockily. "That makes three 'rounds for everyone' so far." remarked the old barkeep. "The Clothes trade must be doing well."

"Yes," laughed the patron. "I anticipate bountiful returns soon." "You know what they say about counting eggs..." retorted the Barkeep before the party could no longer hear him. The door shut on the rowdy Inn. With the long day ahead of them, the party set off for the Cloth Market.

Upon arriving at the marked spot on the map, the party looked around. This part of the Market Street was allot slower and emptier than the party would have expected of the Cloth Market in a town famous for Fine Cloth, but there were several buildings and vendors on the street to be perused. The party quickly found the three Shoppes mentioned by Bart.

Fat Frank's Fine Cloth Emporium

Manned by an unpleasant looking man with a rather rotund belly, the stall seemed to be selling the most wares. Fat Frank seemed bored, and had taken to whittling at a chunk of wood from the leg of his table.

Honourable Cheqi's Fair Feathered Cloths

Honourable Cheqi, the were-raven, sat back on his chair, grooming his wing feathers as he waited for customers. He didn't seem to notice the party though.

and Pale Vinny's Burlap, Silk, and Beyond

This stall was owned by a deathly pale fellow with light brown-reddish hair. He was bundling cloths for easy movement when the party arrived. He seemed to have allot on his mind.

What would the Party like to do?

[Vash the Stampede]

Dreyrugr walked over to Pale Vinny's and asked loud enough to be heard but not loud enough for other shopkeepers to hear him "The cloth market crashed right? I'm looking for people hard workers and you seem like one. Would you like to enter a new line of business?"

[herrJJ]

Nessa got annoyed by Karie's childish behaviour. But she left it as what it was... just childish behaviour. They left the bar and walked to the quite empty cloth market. Nessa walked over to Supersize Frank: "So you are selling cloth, do you? How is your business going? There are not much customers around. If you are interested, I could have something for you."

Edited March 15, 2013 by herrJJ

[xxlrocka]

Drake walked over to Fat Frank and said "Hey, do you also sell capes here?" but then Drake remembered what he should be doing so he added on "Oh, wait, forgot what I was meant to be doing. Uhh, didn't the cloth market thing crash or something? Or am I just making things up?"

[legobodgers]

Amorith walks over to Honourable Cheqi's and asks "Hello, my name is Amorith. I heard that the cloth market had crashed, is this merely a rumour or is there some truth to it?"

[Dannylonglegs]

Dreyrugr walked over to Pale Vinny's and asked loud enough to be heard but not loud enough for other shopkeepers to hear him "The cloth market crashed right? I'm looking for people hard workers and you seem like one. Would you like to enter a new line of business?"

"Yes, the Market crashed. The cost of cloth has plummeted drastically from what it was just over one short month ago." Stated Pale Vinny with frustration in his voice. "Our Market had been growing rapidly. Everyone wanted fine cloth, and the price of cloth increased exponentially. Times were good. And then the whole damn thing just collapsed. Sale-prices fell beneath the expensive price we had offered the artisans, and everyone who dealt exclusively in cloth fell head-first into debt with whomever he/she borrowed from. Most of us are in debt to the Banks or the Church. Some of us are in debt to the Lord or the Guilds. All of us are loaded with fine cloth that we can't sell. No one is buying cloth now. even at these abysmally low prices." He looked up at Dreyrugr's offer. "What kind of job are you talking about? I honestly don't have much to lose. I spent my whole damn life working as a paddler so that one day I could open a shop, and now that I've got one there's no one buying. I was thinking of picking-up and heading out to the country to visit one of my old contacts and see if he needed work, but are you offering something good? Who are you?"

Nessa got annoyed by Karie's childish behaviour. But she left it as what it was... just childish behaviour. They left the bar and walked to the quite empty cloth market. Nessa walked over to Supersize Frank: "So you are selling cloth, do you? How is your business going? There are not much customers around. If you are interested, I could have something for you."

"Business sucks lady." Frank stated. "I'd be dealing arms if I had any sense in me. The arms market is always in the black. Even peasants are arming themselves these days. Lot of good that'll do for this poor city." he spat on the ground away from Nessa. "What are you, one of them loan sharks? You must think we're pretty damn desperate. If it's about those rumors then tough luck. I don't believe that the lord would pass such a bad law. The Cloth-Guild and the Church'll set him straight if he does." Frank finished, seeming pleased with himself.

Drake walked over to Fat Frank and said "Hey, do you also sell capes here?" but then Drake remembered what he should be doing so he added on "Oh, wait, forgot what I was meant to be doing. Uhh, didn't the cloth market thing crash or something? Or am I just making things up?"

"No sir. We only sell cloth. If you want a cape, ask a clothes merchant." He commented, not really bothering to look like he cared. "Of course the damn market crashed. Where are you from? Eubric!?

Amorith walks over to Honourable Cheqi's and asks "Hello, my name is Amorith. I heard that the cloth market had crashed, is this merely a rumour or is there some truth to it?"

"Oh, yes," began the were-raven in a high pitched voice. "You're not from around here then? If you want rumours, I suggest you talk to Pale Vinny. He may not look it, but he's a huge gossip, and he's always hearing useful tidbits of information. Do you want to purchase some of Brendenton's Fine Cloth? Everything is half-off the half-off price."

OoC: The Cloth Market crash itself is more backstory. It's not directly related to the rumours circulating on the cloth-market.

Edited March 15, 2013 by Dannylonglegs

[herrJJ]

"Business sucks lady." Frank stated. "I'd be dealing arms if I had any sense in me. The arms market is always in the black. Even peasants are arming themselves these days. Lot of good that'll do for this poor city." he spat on the ground away from Nessa. "What are you, one of them loan sharks? You must think we're pretty damn desperate. If it's about those rumors then tough luck. I don't believe that the lord would pass such a bad law. The Cloth-Guild and the Church'll set him straight if he does." Frank finished, seeming pleased with himself.

"No, I am not a loan shark. Do I look as if?" Nessa stated angryly while looking herself up and down. "No, no, no, my friend. I am here exactly because of the rumors. You don't remember who told you the information about the upcoming law, do you? And what he or she told you? It might pay off for you if you are willing to talk. At least a little bit of business is better than none, right?"

Nessa secretly winks at her party members as if she got a plan. Frank was not able to see that.

[Dannylonglegs]

"No, I am not a loan shark. Do I look as if?" Nessa stated angryly while looking herself up and down. "No, no, no, my friend. I am here exactly because of the rumors. You don't remember who told you the information about the upcoming law, do you? And what he or she told you? It might pay off for you if you are willing to talk. At least a little bit of business is better than none, right?"

Nessa secretly winks at her party members as if she got a plan. Frank was not able to see that.

""you'd be willing to pay me to hear the rumours?" asked Frank incredulously. "Uh, sure. uh... 1 gold and I'll tell you the rumour I heard and who told me it."

[Kintobor]

"No, I am not a loan shark. Do I look as if?" Nessa stated angryly while looking herself up and down. "No, no, no, my friend. I am here exactly because of the rumors. You don't remember who told you the information about the upcoming law, do you? And what he or she told you? It might pay off for you if you are willing to talk. At least a little bit of business is better than none, right?"

Nessa secretly winks at her party members as if she got a plan. Frank was not able to see that.

"She's a loan shark." Karie snickered in the back.

She than moved to Vinny's stall. After looking at the man, she felt a little on edge. She looked pale as a choice, Vinny looked as if he would keel over at any minute.

"So Vinny, it is Vinny right? How's it going? I'm more than curious as to how business is going. My mother used to work on fine silks and such, shame I never got into the trade."

[herrJJ]

""you'd be willing to pay me to hear the rumours?" asked Frank incredulously. "Uh, sure. uh... 1 gold and I'll tell you the rumour I heard and who told me it."

"Seems fair enough. If you add the information who told you the rumors and his actual whereabouts." Nessa tossed 1 gold to Supersize Frank. "For your own sake I hope you don't betray me."

[Dannylonglegs]

"Seems fair enough. If you add the information who told you the rumors and his actual whereabouts." Nessa tossed 1 gold to Supersize Frank. "For your own sake I hope you don't betray me."

The portly man looked down at the coin as if he was surprised to even get it.

"Um, yeah. So, Pale Vinny, that pale guy over there," He pointed at Vinny "and me were talking yesterday night at the pub, and he was really worried about something, so I asked him what it was about, and he grabbed me by the shoulder and shook me a bit. He said that 'The Lord is getting involved with one of those big companies from the east, and they're going to strip us cloth traders of our rights to sell cloth by passing a law two days from now.' He was real freaked out, but he was also quite drunk, so I didn't think much of it. He's always hearing stories and stuff from one of his old friends." The man pocketed the coin, half-smiling. "I don't see how I could betray you, Lady."

"She's a loan shark." Karie snickered in the back.

She than moved to Vinny's stall. After looking at the man, she felt a little on edge. She looked pale as a choice, Vinny looked as if he would keel over at any minute.

"So Vinny, it is Vinny right? How's it going? I'm more than curious as to how business is going. My mother used to work on fine silks and such, shame I never got into the trade."

Vinny looked up at her, with a dejected look of melancholy.

"No, I'd say you're pretty lucky to have avoided the trade. It's gone to the dogs. It's not what it used to be. There was a time when calling oneself a Brendentonian Cloth Merchant meant you were wealthy and respectable, but since the market crash, I don't know how I'll ever pay off the debts I've incurred. I hope the Church is as forgiving as their god. I'm not going to be in business come tomorrow. Today's my last day before I head out to the country, debts payed or not."

[Kintobor]

Vinny looked up at her, with a dejected look of melancholy.

"No, I'd say you're pretty lucky to have avoided the trade. It's gone to the dogs. It's not what it used to be. There was a time when calling oneself a Brendentonian Cloth Merchant meant you were wealthy and respectable, but since the market crash, I don't know how I'll ever pay off the debts I've incurred. I hope the Church is as forgiving as their god. I'm not going to be in business come tomorrow. Today's my last day before I head out to the country, debts payed or not."

Karie felt a sense of genuine sadness for the poor lad. She had seen her own fair share of running off.

"That's a shame. Perhaps before you leave you could assist me? I've heard a lot of talk about the Church in the area. They must hold a lot of power. What religion does the church preach?" Her voice has a hint of melancholy. Her posture is less rigid, as she crosses her arms. She looks about cautiously, and leans in closer, so only the two of them can hear.

"I've also heard that your the go to guy for gossip. What's juicy right now in terms of whats going on in Brendenton?" She whispers.

[Dannylonglegs]

Karie felt a sense of genuine sadness for the poor lad. She had seen her own fair share of running off.

"That's a shame. Perhaps before you leave you could assist me? I've heard a lot of talk about the Church in the area. They must hold a lot of power. What religion does the church preach?" Her voice has a hint of melancholy. Her posture is less rigid, as she crosses her arms. She looks about cautiously, and leans in closer, so only the two of them can hear.

"I've also heard that your the go to guy for gossip. What's juicy right now in terms of whats going on in Brendenton?" She whispers.

"They preach the church of Ennoc, and you'd be wise not to forget that around the higher ups. They're not too kind towards 'heathens.' Many folk here are direct descendants of refugees from the Orc Invasion, you see." He spoke a little softer, "I myself am a follower of Mercutio."

In response to Karie's inquiry, Vinny spoke even softer.

"My reliable friend tells me that tomorrow a law is being passed that will force all cloth makers in the city to only sell to one Company. He didn't say which, but not a single Brendentonian company has the buying power to pull that off. It has to be one of the large ones from Eubric or elsewhere. I'm not sticking around to find out if he's scamming me or not though. He's been right before and I think he's right this time. I've been hearing this rumour from some of my other fellow merchants in one form or another, so there's got to be some truth in it. If your mother's still in the trade, tell her tonight's the night to sell everything she's got left. It's better to make a few coins then to lose it all forever."