City of Broken Dreams: Life's Bazaar

[Rei_Jin]

Ah, but you haven't answered my question. You have a need for slaves, this I know. But what type of slaves, and how many? I have more slaves available than I sell at any one time, so that my more... ahem... discerning clients, can select what they would prefer.

[Toxic Avenger]

"I did answer one of your questions..." Katherine nods and smiles slyly. "...but my apologies for not catching the other. Her Ladyship is looking for all types, and nothing too specific. More children, if you have any, along with several adult females and a few adult males. With regards to how many, that really depends on what you have and for how much you are willing to part with them."

[Rei_Jin]

Truth be told, I have a total of 20 or so slaves here, the number seems to go up and down all the time. I'm willing to part with 8 for standard pricing, or more depending on how much you offer.

Some of them have specialised skills, and others are more "willing" to assist than others. Children are the easiest to browbeat into submission, although Pillorack wanted them for magical experimentation and not their work ethic.

There's a knock on the door behind him.

Oh, that will be the Major Domo with your purchases now.

He stands up and turns his back to the party, turning the key in the door and allowing it to swing outward away from him.

4 children are pushed through the door, chains attached to their neck. Terrem has gone quite pale, and is struggling to keep the chain off his chest. It is apparent that he's having a hard time breathing.

From their appearance, the Hunters believe that these are the missing children, including Deakon.

I believe we agreed on 300 gold for these ones?

The door stays open, and the large creature that greeted the Hunters in the hall previously stares at them, as if waiting for them to try something.

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Wit' yer permission, Ladyship, I'll go ahead and pay the man. Assuming that Ydresse doesn't tell him not to, Angelo counts out 30 platinum pieces and thrusts them into Kazmojen's hands.I 'ope you take platinum. If not, too bad.

After paying Kazmojen, Angelo turns back toward Terrem, grumbling. Oh, sure, yeah. "'er Ladyship's 'erbalist might have something to get him working much sooner." Thanks fer putting me on the bloody spot, mouthpiece. He trudges toward the boy with barely concealed disgust, Angelo rummages in his pack and pulls out a glass bottle of something. C'mere you worthless piece of tripe, open wide. Lesse if this fixes you up any. 'er Ladyship paid good money for you and she's gonna get it back, either outta yer hide or mine. If'n you keel over and she has to take the money outta my hide, I'm gonna kill ya myself. Unnerstand?

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine looks toward Angelo with a feigned look of contempt, sighs, rolls her eyes, and then looks back to Kazmojen. "Yes, three hundred gold was the number that was agreed upon; I trust that the same value in platinum will suffice. And please excuse his lack of manners..." She nods toward Angelo and adds in Dwarven, "The fundamentals of etiquette and diplomacy are hopelessly lost on him."

She looks back at the children - especially Terrem - with a reassuring smile as she gestures toward Angelo. With a gently authoritative air to her voice, she says, "Pay him no heed, children; his bark is much worse than his bite." She regards Angelo with a fixed glare that is mostly feigned. "Take care not to overstep yourself...you know what will happen if your paltry attempts at intimidation cause any permanent damage..."




EDIT: Katherine looks back toward Kazmojen with a sly smile and knowing nod. In Dwarven, she says, "Easier to browbeat, yes...but browbeating is rather counterproductive over the long term."

[Rei_Jin]

Kazmojen chuckles and accepts the platinum, counting it out with a smile.

What you do with your slaves is of course, your choice. If you want to feed them herbs without knowing what they need, go ahead. But, nonetheless, it has been a pleasure doing business with you, platinum is good because it's so rare to find someone who has any these days. Impresses the clientele when you can give them change in platinum, it does. Speaking of Platinum...

Eyeing the bag that Angelo accessed off, he rubs his hands together, almost subconsciously, and tries to come across as NOT greedy. He's not doing a very good job of it though.

So... how many more slaves did you say you wanted?

[Taren]

"Hmmph." While the rest of the group is negotiating with Kazmojen, Rilian is looking around the room, attempting to look reserved and guardish as much as he possibly can. In reality, he's busy appraising the objects in the room, attempting to determine what things are the most and least valuable within it. (No one said that once they killed the man that he wasn't allowed to profit from it.)

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Appraise check: (1d20+5)[19]

[Rei_Jin]

The desk that Kazmojen is sitting at is probably worth about 100 gold, there's a drow silk tapestry on the wall that shows an Underdark waterfall that would probably fetch 1,000 gold, possibly more if sold to a collector.

Other than that, there's little of value visible in the room.

[Toxic Avenger]

"Hmm... You say you have twenty or so...?" As if talking to herself more than anyone else, Kate adds, "Yes...it might take two or three trips, but that would be feasible..." After turning to confer with Lady Ydresse for a few moments, Katherine turns back toward Kazmojen.

"Without even looking at them first, Her Ladyship is willing to purchase the remainder right now with no questions asked for one thousand gold...or one hundred platinum...in addition to what has already been paid. Of course if they are worth more than that, an appropriate offer can be made after inspection of the merchandise."

[Rei_Jin]

Kazmojens eyes boggle for a moment, he then regains control of himself.

Of... of course... I'm sure we can come to some kind of arrangement. How did you want them sent to your estate? I assume you'll be leaving through the Underdark, as you can hardly take them up through the city without alerting the Authorities...

Payment in full upon receipt, of course.

And whilst I'm happy to accept 300 gold for the children, I think that perhaps a figure more in keeping with the value of the others would be better, say, 100 gold per slave? They are all adults, after all. Some of them even have skill with the magical arts and healing, both skills that are unusual in slaves.

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine nods and shows a look of increased interest. "Hmm... Yes, that is unusual. One hundred per slave sounds quite reasonable, then. And as a matter of fact, we are planning to bring them up to the surface and through the city... As you are most likely aware, humans can not see in the dark, and we are not at all familiar with the Underdark routes. Not to worry though...arrangements have already been made with key persons above, and several contingency plans are in place. Nevertheless, bringing all the slaves up at once will still attract too much attention, so two or three trips to the surface will be necessary. If bringing the remainder through the city becomes unfeasible in the meantime, will the Underdark delivery still be on the table?"

[Rei_Jin]

Kazmojen nods, but seems unsure.

Taking them up through the city would be... risky. Have you negotiated something with the Locksmith? I understand that the Skulks have had to persuade him to keep their presence quiet, and by force. I hear what you're saying about arrangements, but on the whole I think it's better to avoid complications, don't you?

There is another option though, the Lava tubes. Hundreds of years ago, when this place was an active volcano, the lava had a couple of tubes on its outer edge where it would flow out. Over time, then became tunnels.

Now, most of them are covered by grass and dirt, but I have one that I keep in case of emergencies, and to get people into and out of the city when I want to avoid the Underdark. You could have your wagons meet us there with the slaves, and take them out and away.

[Taren]

Rilian strokes his chin, careful not to stutter. "Hmm... an interesting propos'itin."

[Toxic Avenger]

Katherine nods. "Yes...very interesting...and it should avoid needless complications for the most part. However, some of the arrangements I spoke of have been made with certain persons of the city who are quite influential and powerful...and not the type who Her Ladyship would wish to cross. These arrangements require that any slaves in which these persons may have interest be brought up to the city. These children here are part of another arrangement...one which is rather complex. Of course, all the others could then be brought out through the tunnels, depending on the location of the tunnel entrance..."

"And you asked about the Locksmith before... We have been granted free passage through his shop, but I wouldn't worry about him alerting the authorities at all."

[Taren]

At the mention of the locksmith, Rilian crossed his arms and frowned. He sighed and looked away. "Yes. There should be no p-problems with this deal at all... so long as you uphold your end of the bargin."

[Rei_Jin]

Kazmojen shrugs.

Well, you've paid for the children in full, you can do what you like with them. I'll take half the cash for the rest now, and the other half on delivery.

That'll be 1,000 gold, or 100 platinum if that's what you've got.

If there's more than 20 slaves here, I'll sell the rest to you at 100 gold each, as a bulk discount.

When did you want to meet?

He pulls a map out of a draw in his desk, and points to a spot south of the city, near a grove of trees.

That's where my Lava tube comes up, it's secluded and well hidden. We'll meet you there. Bring wagons, or caravans, you'll need a few.

[Toxic Avenger]

"Perfect. That should work out nicely." Katherine comments as she examines the map and commits the directions to memory. She then turns to Angelo with a raised eyebrow. "Well, you heard the man...one hundred platinum down payment for the rest...pay him already."

Looking back at Kazmojen with a wry smile, she adds, "It seems we have our work cut out for us then. We will need to procure more provisions and transports, but I'm sure we can be prepared to leave before evening. Also, if there is any merchandise that will need 'maintenance' before the long journey...we can certainly take care of that, as I'm sure your work will be cut out for you as well."

Turning to Lady Ydresse with a respectful nod, Kate asks, "Your Ladyship...would you prefer to depart during the day or under cover of darkness?"

[Baerdog7]

Angelo Rinaldi

Angelo takes one last loom at Terram, as if daring the child to die. Acknowledging Kate with a grunt, he steps forward and counts out Kazmojen's money.

'Ere you are. Don't spend it all in one place now. Heh.

[Dhavaer]

Ydresse has spent the duration of the interview staring at the wall beside and behind Kazmojen's head, her gaze occasionally flickering to the room's furnishings but always returning to the same spot. When Kate addresses her, she glances at her for only a moment before going back to the wall.
"We meet at dawn."

[Rei_Jin]

Kazmojen nods, obviously relieved.

Very well. I'll see you to the lift then.

Oh, and were you looking to take Slith into your service as well? He seems to have taken to you well, and I can't have him just running off now can I?

[Taren]

Rilian took a step forward, his face unresponsive and blank. "T-the Lady would hear the price for him." He kept his arms falt at his sides, being careful not to appear hostile or annoyed, both of which he was at the present moment.

[Rei_Jin]

Kazmojen nods, and looks at Slith, as if weighing something up.

Sure, the price for my slave-hunter there, is 1,000 gold. He's got rare skills that will be hard to replace, and I paid a high price for him myself originally.

You can pay that now, and he goes with you. Otherwise, he stays here with me.

[Toxic Avenger]

"Hmm... I do not doubt that someone of Slith's talents is worth at least that much. As far as him running off...with his ability to blend in with his surroundings, he could have easily done so by now, yes? Yet here he remains. Loyalty like that is all too rare." Kate smiles, and nods appraisingly at Slith.

After a questioning look toward Lady Ydresse, Kate looks back at Kazmojen. "Nevertheless...you already have insurance, in the form of a downpayment, that we will meet with you at the tunnel entrance tomorrow morning. Naturally, Her Ladyship would prefer to have her own insurance as well... What if you were to receive five hundred now, and then another seven hundred upon delivery of the remaining slaves, provided that Her Ladyship would still wish to keep him?"

[Rei_Jin]

Kazmojen thinks for a second, and nods.

Very well, you have a deal.

*****

The Hunters leaves the undercity with Slith and the children in tow and make their way to the elevator, leaving the same way they came in.

Once they reach the top, they all breathe a sigh of relief

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