Polixarchus looks down his nose at the halfling.
"Ah yes.. Can't believe how I've missed you." He makes a sidelong glance at Phinea who suddenly seems to be looking intently at his scroll. "Phinea, bring the gifts for our guests. And refreshments."
Phinea leaves quickly.
"Now then. I promised some stoness from my personal collection just for hearing me out. And this promise will be honored, I assure you. You may inquire anywhere in the sultanate about my credit and my reliability in matters of financiality. In fact, it is because of my reputation that I have asked you here today.
What I proposing for you is a matter of contracted employment. Simple enough, yess?"
Polixarchus claps his hands and the lights take on a slightly brighter intensity.
"About a year ago, I took an order for some very special carpets for an important customer, a man of distinction and taste. These four carpets were meant to serve as gifts for some important allies of his. Each one was a masterpiece- intricately designed by my own staff of artisans, and enchanted by the archwizard Shabu with designs to fascinate and enthrall. The sum I stood to gain from the shipment was substantial, and would have led to additional contracts from a new market of.. foreign investors. All four carpets were completed, and they were brought to Shabu just a month ago for the final enchantments."
"Unfortunately, soon after this, Shabu disappeared, and he took with him our carpets. In a months time the contract will come due and my buyer will be here. I.. have begun having replacements made, but I fear that this contract that I signed-- which was lucrative indeed-- may not allow for a late shipment. Sso.."
He looks at you all, and his gaze lingers on Lilliana once again before he goes on.
"So... I am now attempting to recoup the contract. I have reason to belive the enchantments were completed and Shabu has either taken them or he himself has been kidnapped. But we have some clues- the best information I could buy in this town about where he has gone. And you 5.. er.. 6 (nods to Phelen).. are the best we could find in Windfall."
Phinea returns through a side-door bearing a silver platter. The platter, which is covered in a light frost, contains crystal goblets that have been freshly chilled by a chill touch spell. Aside each goblet is an additional gemstone- a moonstone worth around 100 gp (initial appraisal without rolling). Phinea then pours some kind of delicately chilled rosewater-lemon drink for each of you, as well as one for Polixarchus.
Okay, so rolls:
Delmar's Listen Check total: result:: 8
Good idea, but nothing is detected.
Thane's Sense Motive: result:: 14
Thane senses only that Polixarchus is very concerned about recouping the shipment. For monetary as well as other reasons.
