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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jon Potter" data-source="post: 3958988" data-attributes="member: 2323">[PLAIN][Huzair #2] The Price of Doing Business[/PLAIN]"Well, that is the second time this week that my invisibility has been discovered," Huzair answered quickly. He touched his Tattoo of Eagle's Splendor, deactivated his Ring and stepped forward with his hands at his sides. "I have got to learn how to keep that from happening." The giant on the left chuckled at this."Do not fret your abilities too much, little man," he said, indicating the giant with the tattooed eye. "Ashaaf bears the Mark of True Sight.""I find it keeps transactions honest," Ashaaf grinned, proudly."I can see how it would," Huzair said, his voice dripping with charm. He bowed then with a flourish. "Peaceful Greetings. I am Huzair Blacksmoke.""Welcome, Huzair Blacksmoke," the tattooed giant said. "I am Ashaaf and these are my partners, Kraal and Destaan." He indicated the other two giants each in turn and they nodded at Huzair."Please, come and join us for a bit," Destaan suggested, gesturing to an over-stuffed cushion that sat unoccupied near the waterpipe. Huzair smiled and ambled forward."What are you smoking, my friend?" the wizard asked as Kraal took another long pull on the mouthpiece, causing the belly of the pipe to gurgle and splash madly. The smell was unlike anything that Huzair had ever encountered before, a bit like hot steel with a hint of something citrus."It is a special blend, Huzair Blacksmoke," Destaan explained with a rubbery grin. "An alchemical mixture of possibility dust, angel down and crushed devil's eye.""Ashaaf's own concoction," Kraal added. "Smoking it increases the efficacy of Abjuration and Divination spells for a time.""A necessary precaution before conducting business, I'm afraid." Ashaaf said deferentially. "We've never had trouble at Akiv-tchai, but it never hurts to be prepared." Huzair nodded and produced a cigar that he'd been saving for a special occasion."Oh. After dinner try one of these," he said, offering the smoke to Ashaaf. "I love them, but I am afraid that I have but one." The tattooed giant's elongated fingers reached out and plucked the cigar from Huzair's fingers. He held it up and looked at it appraisingly with his left eye."What does it do?" Destaan asked and Ashaaf shook his head."Nothing, my friend," he said. "It is strictly recreational. Correct, Huzair Blacksmoke?" The wizard nodded."What brings you to our humble ship, Huzair Blacksmoke?" Kraal asked absently, gesturing around the pavilion with his over-long fingers. He passed the silvery mouthpiece to Huzair who eyed it nervously."I guess I should apologize for stowing away on your ship," he told them. "I am an unwilling visitor to the astral plane and I am was unsure how to proceed... and, quite frankly, your guards are kind of intimidating, so I figured just showing up to say, "Hi!" would be risky." The three giants chuckled copiously at the mage's comment and Huzair took the opportunity to pass the mouthpiece to Destaan."Another necessary precaution," Ashaaf laughed. "Few of a given plane's denizens would willingly attack a mercane trading mission, but it is still wise to be cautious. We always secure some local bodyguards well in advance of our arrival.""I was actually afraid they were githyanki, but I think now I was obviously wrong," Huzair said and Destaan shook his head, handing the mouthpiece to Ashaaf."Oh, but they are githyanki," Destaan said. "As Ashaaf said we always employ local bodyguards.""And who better than githyanki to serve as bodyguards on a trading mission to a githyanki outpost?" Kraal added. "It helps to put the locals at ease.""And there is a distinct derth of sentient races on the astral," Destaan continued. "In fact if it weren't for the githyanki we likely wouldn't ply the astral at all. It's much too far to travel, otherwise.""But githyanki arms and armor are in demand on Acheron... the Gray Wastes... Ysgard..." Ashaaf counted off on his spidery fingers. "Why the trade in driftmetal alone nearly makes up for our expense." Huzair shrugged."I never paid much attention to my master when learning about the planes," the mage admitted. "Now I think I may regret it.""Indeed," Kraal said, exhaling smoke into the air. He held the mouthpiece out to Huzair. "Tell us how an admittedly crude fellow such as you finds himself aboard a mercane ship bound for a githyanki outpost?""Yes, Huzair Blacksoke," Destaan added excitedly. "What have you brought for trade?""Trade? What do you mean?" the mage responded, shifting uncomfortably. "As a fee for riding your ship, you mean?" Kraal shook his head, chuckling."No. What does it matter to us if one more rides or no?" he told Huzair. "It does nothing to slow the ship or change our course.""And as I said before, there is a derth of sentient races on the Astral," Destaan added. "You are a welcome diversion." Huzair grinned. He'd been called a great many things over the years. Garan-Zak had used the term 'distraction' a time or two, but 'diversion' was new."Thank you much for your hospitality," he said."Your civil conversation is thanks enough, Huzair Blacksmoke," Kraal replied genteelly."The githyanki are not so accommodating, I'm afraid," Ashaaf put in. "They are a xenophobic people and will greet your arrival with skepticism unless you bring items to trade. And skepticism on their part will make our negotiations much more difficult and potentially less profitable." Ashaaf's thin lips twisted into a sour pucker at the prospect."That won't do," Kraal put in, shaking his head gravely. His expression did not change, but Huzair thought he sensed something sinister beneath the surface of his words. "That won't do at all.""How should one deal with Githyanki?" the mage asked, suddenly uncertain of his presence among these three. He felt vulnerable and acutely aware of his precarious position so far from home."From a position of strength," Kraal offered."From behind a pair of maug bodyguards," Destaan quipped and the three giants laughed, spraying smoke in great roiling gouts. But, seeing the confusion on Huzair's face, Ashaaf promptly regained his composure and waved away the outburst dismissively."Nonsense, Destaan," Ashaaf said, wiping tears from his eyes with his thin fingertips. "The Githyanki are quite pleasant when treated with respect and honor. Their culture is very militaristic, but they are amenable to trade. In fact that very nature makes them dependent on it." "You do bring something to trade, do you not?" Destaan asked eagerly and Huzair grimaced slightly. He'd traded most everything with which he wished to part back in New Mellorell."Well, I am a wizard and have been working in the tattoo craft for all of three tattoos, but they are very effective so far," the mage said, showing off the two that remained and the empty spot where the third should have been. "I activated one before becoming visible... to help you be kind to me." He grinned up at them and Ashaaf returned the smile."A wise precaution before sitting down at the bargaining table," the giant said and the twinkle in his eye told Huzair that he admired the wizard's forethought. "The Githyanki do enjoy body adornment. Perhaps not as much as you, Huzair Blacksmoke, but I feel confident that your services will be in demand at Akiv-tchai.""We will handle the negotiations for your services, of course," Kraal told him, matter-of-factly. "We have dealt with Gisir Okemocik many times before. It will go better for you if he and his mage-knights think you are in our employ.""Well I do want to be of service to you," Huzair said quickly. "I can make profit for both of us hopefully and I will accept whatever you consider to be fair wage." Kraal nodded and Ashaaf spoke a few words of magic causing the air to his left to ripple and shimmer."Let us say a standard representational commitment," the giant said, waving his hand and causing the shimmer in the air to dilate, revealing an extra-dimensional space. He reached in and drew forth a palm-sized disk. This he carefully held out to Huzair, speaking the entire time in a flat voice that sounded well-rehearsed. "We will split any and all profit from your activities at Akiv-tchai 80/20. We will supply you with any necessary raw materials, with their cost coming out of your 80% share. Agreed?" Huzair blinked."As I said, whatever you consider a fair wage," the wizard nodded and reached for the disk that Ashaaf was holding delicately between two long fingers. As he took it, he discovered that its edge was sharpened as keenly as a razor's and he yelped as it drew blood from his fingertips. Ashaaf drew the disk back and squeezed it between his own fingers, breaking the skin and drawing his own blood."The bargain is made," the mercane smiled, revealing a mouth that was unsettlingly packed with teeth. The disk disappeared back inside the extra-dimensional space and Ashaaf produced a small tin of candies. He unscrewed the top and offered its contents to Huzair. "One of these will ease the pain in your fingers, Huzair Blacksmoke. They are infused with the power of divine healing."Huzair took one skeptically. They looked like tiny chocolate drops such as he had regularly seen coming south from Haven on trade caravans. He selected one and popped it in his mouth where it promptly melted into a sugary syrup that ran down his throat, spreading warmth as it went. His fingers immediately healed."These are made by priests of Thellos," Ashaaf told the mage as the giant popped one in his own mouth and smiled. "They are disagreeable fellows, but they do make lovely candy." Destaan held up a cautioning finger to Huzair. "Best not to speak of Thellos or any other gods to the Githyanki, Huzair Blacksmoke," the giant suggested. earnestly. "As a race they recognize no deities or divine beings and are distrustful of folk who place their fates in a higher power's hands. It is a sign of weakness in their eyes.""I will remain quiet when dealing with the Githyanki," Huzair said as he studied his fingertips. "I do not want to anger our hosts.""Very wise of you, Huzair Blacksmoke," Ashaaf said. He made another gesture and the extra-dimensional shimmer closed, disappearing entirely. "If you aport yourself well at Akiv-tchai I can think of many other locales which might present lucrative markets for your talents. Perhaps you can travel with us for a time." Huzair smiled."I so appreciate the hospitality and conversation," the wizard said. "My comrades on Oerune are a bit rough around the edges or self-righteous... although there are some attractive females with us.""We will have to take you to The Dreaming Gulf," Kraal said with a knowing grin. "They do not come cheaply, but the daughters of Xinivrae are the most beautiful and... talented... consorts money can buy.""You will forget the females of your own world soon enough," Destaan agreed."Perhaps we can stop there after we unload on Sigil," Ashaaf said with a nod. "We three have been cooped up in here for too long. It would be nice to relax a bit." Huzair looked around at the comfortable opulence of the place and grinned."I really love your living quarters," he said as he found himself trying to imagine what they would consider relaxing given their working surroundings. He looked up at Kraal and touched his own face. "And your style of dress is quite dapper and sophisticated. I truly love the nose chain." The giant fingered the chain and smiled."Ahh..." Kraal said. "A gnomish purchase I made in Bytopia. The smallfolk there are quite the talented craftsmen. We are scheduled to return there in three cycles; perhaps we could arrange for you to get one.""Perhaps," Huzair nodded. "What I would really love to have from you is advice about how to deal with my problem about getting back to my world." Kraal's face soured and Destaan looked hurt."You don't wish to travel with us, Huzair Blacksmoke?" He frowned. "I thought we were all getting on so well with one another.""We are. But I am sure my friends miss me tremendously," the wizard soothed. "I would love to return richer than how I left and with more information." Ashaaf seemed to have cooled to Huzair, and the giant crossed his arms across his chest and stared down at the mage."It is possible that we can fulfill your needs in that regard, Huzair Blacksmoke. We mercane know a great deal about the planescape and its workings," he said, bringing the mouthpiece of the water pipe to his lips. The burner had gone out and Ashaaf scowled at the device irritably. "What do you offer as fair trade for our information?""Perhaps you would like to hear what is happening on my world?" Huzair opined as he got to his feet. He spoke a word and flame danced on his thumb; reaching up, he touched the flame to the waterpipe's bowl. Ashaaf, realizing the wizard's intent drew on the mouthpiece making the pipe's belly gurgle and splash. The mercane smiled and smoke curled languidly from the corners of his mouth."There may be a great deal of profit there if we can solve the problem I am working on," Huzair went on and sat once more upon the tufted cushion. "Do you know all about Oerune and the situation they face?""We do not concern ourselves with the Material Planes, Huzair Blacksmoke," Kraal told him. "The Astral is the closest we come to the Inner Planes.""The Rot Queen plans to destroy it with her disease and fill it with her horrible minions. My companions and I wish to stop that," the wizard offered. "There will be a market for healing from that disease that has spread. There is most likely room for profit in a healing world.""He has a point," Destaan confessed, but Ashaaf waved his hand with finality. "We do not concern ourselves with the Material Planes," the giant said, his tone commanding. "Would you have us poach in Sereen's territory, Destaan? Would you have him poach in ours?""No, Ashaaf, of course not," the other giant replied, properly chastised. He busied himself with the mouthpiece that Kraal offered him."Well, at any rate, I wish to return there to help sometime after our agreement is fulfilled," Huzair said, crestfallen. He had hoped to enlist their aid in his cause, but they seemed unwilling so he changed his tactics. "Any information I get about the astral plane would be helpful as I am looking for Dridana and I believe her body will be here.""Dridana?" Kraal asked, looking nonplussed."A dead god," Ashaaf said simply and Kraal nodded sagely."Her body's location or even part of her body, perhaps, would be somewhat useful for us in the future, I believe," Huzair went on. "I wonder if you would be willing to help me find that body or return me to my friends.""The location of a particular dead god is not known to us as we do not venture to the god islands," Ashaaf said. "But we could uncover this knowledge for a price.""We could surely work out a good deal. I do have some items... although they are valuable and I hate to part with them, but I will do what I must," the mage said, patting his Handy Haversack. "As you said you have expertise in the planes and after our contract is fulfilled I am sure you could easily return me to my comrades.""We could," Ashaaf agreed."After our contract is fulfilled," Huzair repeated. "And of course, I will not mention this at all to our hosts.""Actually, the githyanki would be a valuable source of information about god isles," Destaan said."The buomman would be the ones to consult about that," Kraal corrected. "The githyanki will likely assume that you wish to jump their mining claim""The buomman?" Destaan scoffed. "Good luck getting anything out of them?" "Why?" Huzair asked. "Who are the buomman?""The buomman are a race that, like the githyanki, make their homes on several of these so-called god islands," Ashaaf explained. "Unlike the githyanki, however, they do not mine the islands for godstone. They truly believe that these are sleeping deities and not a resource to be exploited.""They have also - as a race - taken a vow of silence," Destaan added. "Which makes dealing with them almost-"Huzair didn't hear the rest, for at that moment, Shamalin's voice spoke directly into his head, drowning out all other sounds. "Huzair," the cleric said via Sending. "Follow the pull you feel to the portal, then step through.""Ashaaf, my friends are contacting me," Huzair blurted, holding up his hands to stay the mercane; Destaan was still talking - presumably about the buomman. The wizard got excitedly to his feet. "They want me to come through the portal. If they come here to negotiate, will you send them back?"Ashaaf's eyes flickered to the tent flap at the front of the pavilion and his lips pursed. After a pause, he nodded. "For a price," the giant said and Huzair nodded."Shamalin, I think I have found a way to find Dridana's heart," Huzair thought back across the mental link and he felt the spell fully discharge with his response. "Have everyone come through the portal to me. I've met some mercane traders." The connection between his own mind and Shamalin's went dead. Ashaaf appraised him with his tattooed eye."Well, are the terms agreeable to them?" the mercane asked, gesturing delicately with his long fingers. Huzair hesitated and then shrugged."I do not know," the mage admitted, his bald head cocked to the side as if listening. He'd expected to feel some kind of pull towards the portal - something akin to what he imagined Morier felt - but there was nothing. "I could go see them and perhaps one of you could allow all of us to come onto the astral plane and we could discuss business. I would not want to have this ship just pop out in front of them. I need to prepare them." Ashaaf was shaking his head before Huzair had finished."We cannot deviate from our course, Huzair Blacksmoke," Kraal told him. "The githyanki are expecting us, and while time holds little meaning on the astral, it is always best not to disappoint one's hosts.""We have a reputation to maintain," Destaan added, nodding vigorously."And moreover abandoning our mission this close to a githyanki outpost might well be construed as a provocative action," Ashaaf observed. "We have traded successfully many times with the githyanki, but they are quick to take umbrage and even quicker to answer such a perceived slight with physical force.""We would like to avoid that if we can," Kraal concluded. Huzair couldn't argue with that sentiment."Okay," the mage said, pondering the ramifications of his next statement. "How much money do you want to let me out of our contract?" Ashaaf raised an eyebrow and the other two giants looked at him for guidance."Nothing of value has yet changed hands, Huzair Blacksmoke," the lead mercane noted with a saccharine grin. "Why do you so readily seek to free yourself from your obligation?""I think that I know," Destaan chimed, looking accusingly at Huzair. "I think he wants to trade with the githyanki and keep all the profit for himself," agreed Kraal. "He seeks to violate our contract and wishes to avoid the penalty." There was a not-so-subtle undercurrent of menace in Kraal's voice that even Huzair couldn't help but sense. He took a step back and raised his hands."No. No. You are reading me all wrong," the wizard assured them. "I have no intention of trying to cheat you out of anything. I want to leave and seek my friends, not go to the githyanki." Ashaaf eyed him warily again and nodded after a moment's scrutiny."I believe you, Huzair Blacksmoke, but you will not buy yourself out of our contract," the mercane told him. "If you speak the truth and do not seek to cheat us then you have nothing to fear. If you are lying to us and seek to violate the terms of our contract then you will lose much, indeed!"Huzair looked nervously at his fingertips and licked his lips. "Uh... What was that device called that we pinched our fingers on?" he asked and Ashaaf grinned."It is a binder's disk," he said. "A standard mercane contractual device, employed in any instance where services rather than goods are involved. It imparts a Geas effect upon both you and me. If we do not violate the agreed-upon terms then we will enjoy a profitable relationship. But if either of us tries to cheat the other then we will suffer the debilitating effects of the spell." The mage let out a relieved sigh."I will tell you farewell then," Huzair said with a polite bow. "I do not hang out with any githyanki, so I am very safe.""I think you misunderstand, Huzair Blacksmoke," Kraal said, raising a cautioning finger. "Our contract is not so far-ranging that it applies beyond the borders of Akiv-tchai. You are free to deal with githyanki elsewhere.""Though I would advise caution if you do," Destaan added. "They are easily provoked." Huzair was only half-listening to the mercane. His concentration was on trying to sense the pull of which Shamalin had spoke. Still he felt nothing and was beginning to suspect that his hosts had snuffed out the pull somehow. He smiled at them, trusting in his Earrings of Lies and his Tattoo of Eagle's Splendor to cover his suspicions. "I will need to rejoin my friends now," he said cheerily. "May I leave?"Ashaaf pointed at the tent flap with the mouthpiece he held in his hand and said, "Certainly, Huzair Blacksmoke. You are our guest, not our prisoner.""It has been a pleasure speaking with you all. Is there a way I can contact you should I ever need your services?" Huzair asked. "It would be nice to go right from my world to your ship so I do not have to wander the entire astral plane to find you.""You may use the same methods by which your friends contacted you," Ashaaf explained. "You know our names, and Sending is a spell of only the Fifth Valance. That should pose no problem for a planewalking wizard such as yourself.""You can tell us where you are and we can travel there," Kraal added. "Provided it is convenient for us, of course.""And if you're ever in Sigil," Destaan chimed, "you can look us up i the Grand Bazaar.""Thank you," Huzair smiled. "If I do require your services what would you like as payment? Do you trade gold or is there anything else more valueable that you desire from my world?""We mercane trade in most anything that others find to have value," Ashaaf said with a grin that showed far too many teeth. "Our bread-and-butter, you might say, is magical goods, but anything that we can trade to another would be of worth to us. Gold is nearly universal in its appeal.""And what would the price be for you to bring my friends here then send them back?" the wizard asked."I can Plane Shift myself and up to seven others with a single casting," Ashaaf said. "The cost would be a paltry 2,500 pieces of gold or the equivalent in gems or magical goods." Huzair filed that little fact away and stepped toward the exit."You have no worries about violation of our contract," he reassured them as he paused by the tent flap. "We are friends, right? And possibly future business partners?""Right, Huzair Blacksmoke," Ashaaf said. "It was agreeable to make your acquaintance.""A pity you can't travel with us for a time," Kraal said with a disinterested tone which seemed to indicate that he couldn't be bothered to care one way or the other."May all your trades be profitable, Huzair Blacksmoke," Destaan smiled, gesturing with one hand it what might have been a wave good-bye.Huzair activated the Ring of Invisibility and stepped out of the pavilion and back onto the deck of the ship. The environment had changed somewhat during the time he'd been inside the extra-dimensional space. The view off the bow was now dominated by a strange floating rock from which jutted buttressed towers at all angles. Iron spikes and riveted metal plates gave the place a dangerous appearance. Huzair could see some figures moving about the various towers and while they were too small to make out any details, he was willing to bet his wand that they were githyanki.He willed himself upward and was instantly airborne. The ship, moving faster than he, almost clipped his foot as he passed over the colorful tent. With only one last look back, Huzair pointed himself away from the githyanki outpost and flew as fast as he could in that direction.It was at that point that he realized that he still felt nothing even hinting at a pull. What in the hells had Shamalin been talking about?</blockquote>

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