[X] Yes
-[X] Ask if she heard something about a trader named Xihuitl.
-[X] Ask if she heard something about stolen codizes.
-[X] Has she heard any rumors about particular spirits? Like that Silver Peccary?
-[X] What news in specific on the Blight and the Creeping Night?
-[X] What mercenary groups does she know have joined the Wise Men's call for guards?
-[X] What are the various underground criminal factions in the city? Which ones have the upper hand right now and which ones have been subsumed? Who commands each?
[X] Pay her an extra 10 beans, 20 if the intel is good.
[X] Yes
-[X] Ask if she heard something about a trader named Xihuitl.
-[X] Ask if she heard something about stolen codizes.
-[X] Has she heard any rumors about particular spirits? Like that Silver Peccary?
-[X] What news in specific on the Blight and the Creeping Night?
-[X] What mercenary groups does she know have joined the Wise Men's call for guards?
-[X] What are the various underground criminal factions in the city? Which ones have the upper hand right now and which ones have been subsumed? Who commands each?
[X] Pay her an extra 10 beans, 20 if the intel is good.
[X] Yes
-[X] Ask if she heard something about a trader named Xihuitl.
-[X] Ask if she heard something about stolen codizes.
-[X] Has she heard any rumors about particular spirits? Like that Silver Peccary?
-[X] What news in specific on the Blight and the Creeping Night?
-[X] What mercenary groups does she know have joined the Wise Men's call for guards?
-[X] What are the various underground criminal factions in the city? Which ones have the upper hand right now and which ones have been subsumed? Who commands each?
[X] Pay her an extra 10 beans, 20 if the intel is good.
Hey @Azel, how much would a detailed map of the greater region cost us? Obviously a full world map would be out of reach unless we get lucky in a dungeon or something, but surely people made an effort to preserve the local geographic knowledge at least.
I will just assume that she has told us as much about the criminal underworld as she is willing to say. Spreading stories about crime-lords is not exactly low-risk, after all.
And I still think that asking her about the codices is too dangerous. I don't see her principled enough to keep her mouth shut if snitching could get her out of trouble or make her a lot of money. And with all the guards around, there is a real risk that she will be arrested. Maybe they would be willing to let her go if she provides them with valuable information?
Hey @Azel, how much would a detailed map of the greater region cost us? Obviously a full world map would be out of reach unless we get lucky in a dungeon or something, but surely people made an effort to preserve the local geographic knowledge at least.
A full world map is exceedingly unlikely to even have existed at the height of the empire, since Cualli never had much drive to explore. A full map of Cualli may or may not be available from the Wise Men or Unity.
A full world map is exceedingly unlikely to even have existed at the height of the empire, since Cualli never had much drive to explore. A full map of Cualli may or may not be available from the Wise Men or Unity.
Hmmm... @Azel, a map covering an area the size of Europe. A map that marks all major geographical landmarks and most of the settlements so we can plan journeys accordingly and make it a bit harder to get lost.
Hmmm... @Azel, a map covering an area the size of Europe. A map that marks all major geographical landmarks and most of the settlements so we can plan journeys accordingly and make it a bit harder to get lost.
I'd like to know where the major cities are relative to each other. Since caravans travel often to and ftom Tlamaca, I would expect at least some people to know enough to draw a rough map with its nearest neighbours - Zacatl, Ticehuactepetl and the like.
I am mostly interested in places/points of interest we can reach on foot within a month's time.
[X] Yes
-[X] Has she heard any rumors about particular spirits? Like that Silver Peccary?
-[X] What news in specific on the Blight and the Creeping Night?
-[X] What mercenary groups does she know have joined the Wise Men's call for guards?
-[X] What are the various underground criminal factions in the city? Which ones have the upper hand right now and which ones have been subsumed? Who commands each?
[X] Pay her an extra 10 beans, 20 if the intel is good.
I don't like specific requests about codizes etc. of a street urchin, too risky.
I've decided to slow down my update speed a bit and use the spare time for the map. That will take a bit before I'm done.
Vote closed.
Adhoc vote count started by Azel on Mar 5, 2018 at 5:05 PM, finished with 2739 posts and 7 votes.
[X] Yes
-[X] Ask if she heard something about a trader named Xihuitl.
-[X] Ask if she heard something about stolen codizes.
-[X] Has she heard any rumors about particular spirits? Like that Silver Peccary?
-[X] What news in specific on the Blight and the Creeping Night?
-[X] What mercenary groups does she know have joined the Wise Men's call for guards?
-[X] What are the various underground criminal factions in the city? Which ones have the upper hand right now and which ones have been subsumed? Who commands each?
[X] Pay her an extra 10 beans, 20 if the intel is good.
[X] Yes
-[X] Ask if she heard something about a trader named Xihuitl.
-[X] Ask if she heard something about stolen codizes.
-[X] Has she heard any rumors about particular spirits? Like that Silver Peccary?
-[X] What news in specific on the Blight and the Creeping Night?
-[X] What mercenary groups does she know have joined the Wise Men's call for guards?
-[X] What are the various underground criminal factions in the city? Which ones have the upper hand right now and which ones have been subsumed? Who commands each?
[X] Yes
-[X] Has she heard any rumors about particular spirits? Like that Silver Peccary?
-[X] What news in specific on the Blight and the Creeping Night?
-[X] What mercenary groups does she know have joined the Wise Men's call for guards?
-[X] What are the various underground criminal factions in the city? Which ones have the upper hand right now and which ones have been subsumed? Who commands each?
[X] Pay her an extra 10 beans, 20 if the intel is good.
[X] Yes
-[X] Ask if she heard something about a trader named Xihuitl.
-[X] Ask if she heard something about stolen codizes.
-[X] Has she heard any rumors about particular spirits? Like that Silver Peccary?
-[X] What news in specific on the Blight and the Creeping Night?
-[X] What mercenary groups does she know have joined the Wise Men's call for guards?
-[X] What are the various underground criminal factions in the city? Which ones have the upper hand right now and which ones have been subsumed? Who commands each?
[X] Pay her an extra 10 beans, 20 if the intel is good.
1.6.17.10.10.14 - 14th of the White Storm
It might be a bit delicate to inquire about these things with a random little thief like Iciuhca, though on the other hand, who else would know better what is going on in the slums? Matlal probably has his own sources not unlike her and this Xihuitl figure must have made his own inquiries, if he can provide you with more detailed information. None the less, it can't hurt to provide an additional incentive. "I've picked up an interesting rumor recently. If you can help me to put that in context..." As you trail off, you rattle your money pouch a bit, eliciting an intrigued look from the girl before you.
"What about? I can check a few things over, if you want me too."
"Just what you already know for now. Did you ever hear the about a trader called Xihuitl before?"
She goes quite for a bit and then slowly nods. "Think so, but I'm not sure. Could be one of those who sometimes hire 'guards' from the slums, though they usually go to the larger gangs for those things." Given the way she spoke the word 'guard', you can easily imagine that protecting things is the least likely task they would get. Not really surprising that someone working with the enemies of the Wise Men isn't feeling that the law applies to him.
"You've told me about the gangs, but who are they? Tell me a bit about the more important ones, where to find them and who is in charge there."
"Well, there are three around who really matter, most others don't have much power outside of their areas. You've got Tlemaco and his men in the north, mostly extorting the smaller farms there and the hired help. They also do some smuggling and fencing, if you need to get something stolen out of the city, so I guess they also work with some traders. Might be your best bet to find that Xihuitl guy. They are mostly left alone by the others, since they also offer their services to the other gangs."
That sounds like rather useful friends to have. Even if the bribe for the gate guards was lost in the deluge of money you moved around with your haul of spirit parts, it would be nice to not have to face their scrutiny in the first place. Something for later though, as Iciuhca goes on in her explanation. "The western part of the city is more or less answering to Xelimaitl and his people are mostly thugs, thieves and petty bandits. Word of mouth is that they have a few camps outside the city, from which they raid caravans that nobody will miss. They bribe the guards pretty generously and pick only small traders as their victims, so they where kinda left alone until now, but now... With what's going on in the west, they lost a lot of power. Can't throw their weight around anymore like before, so they are loosing their standing. Can't raid caravans that easily, since pickings are slim and Tlamacas warriors plenty, so they ain't getting much cash these days. If it goes on like that for a few more months, they are gone for good."
"Sounds like a group who would be pretty eager to do anything to stay in power. Though that doesn't sound like people who would shy away from something anyway." A short shrug is the only answer to your musing.
"Last guys are Huezacotl." You stare at her for moment, yet she nods. "Yes, the rats. Tell them, not me. Sneaks and thieves mostly, but they hold a lot of sway in the southern part of the city, mostly in the slums between the southern road and the artisans district. Though they have eyes and ears everywhere and happily sell what they hear to the highest bidder. Rumor is that they work for the Wise Men. Other rumors say that they have someone from the Wise Men who tells them things. Nobody can agree if any of that is true or maybe even both are. Can't say how strong they are, but they are important at least."
You sigh quietly, since you can mostly answer your next question yourself by now. "So if I told you that I heard that somebody stole some codizes and they are still hidden within the city..."
Iciuhca just snorts, seeing the same thing immediately. "Then good luck talking to all of them. Just walk in their areas and ask for them, then people will point you to someone."
"At least I know what to expect. Thank you." You give her a curt nod and then another thank you of a more physical kind. The primer on Tlamacas underworld is certainly worth it.
Lost 20 Beans.
After counting her extra pay, the girl looks back to you expectantly. "So, pleasure doing business with you. Want me to keep my ears open for something special?"
"News about spirits, especially around the Blight and the Creeping Night. And it would be good to know a bit more about the mercenaries coming to Tlamaca." While the first part of your request just got you a curious look, the other seems to have shocked Iciuhca a bit. As you think back over the course of your discussion, it does sound a bit questionable to even your own ears. Almost as if you where working with Tlamacas enemies and preparing to attack it. Which wasn't entirely wrong either.
However, if there is one thing you've learned in the city, then that a few beans can make someone remarkably uncaring about such things. And true enough, by the time where the girl has stashed her extra pay, she is already back to her usual reserved manner. "I can try. If you want to see me before next month, ask Xelimaitls goons. I run some errands for them now and then, so they can tell you where to find me." Then she turns and walks away, leaving you alone in the dark alleyway.
What will you do now?
[] Find Xihuitl. He can tell you more.
[] Approach one of the gangs.
-[] Tlemacos men
-[] Xelimaitls men
-[] The Huezacotl
[] Write-In
AN: She didn't have anything on the other topics right now, but she will check and report anything she finds to you next month.
We already knows he deals with a gang, if we go asking around about him, it's even possible he will know of us before we know of him... Better just go directly and avoid drama. We should make a point to get to know the contrabandists later, though. Getting spirit stuff and secret stuff in and out would be a great boon.
"News about spirits, especially around the Blight and the Creeping Night. And it would be good to know a bit more about the mercenaries coming to Tlamaca." While the first part of your request just got you a curious look, the other seems to have shocked Iciuhca a bit. As you think back over the course of your discussion, it does sound a bit questionable to even your own ears. Almost as if you where working with Tlamacas enemies and preparing to attack it. Which wasn't entirely wrong either.
However, if there is one thing you've learned in the city, then that a few beans can make someone remarkably uncaring about such things. And true enough, by the time where the girl has stashed her extra pay, she is already back to her usual reserved manner. "I can try. If you want to see me before next month, ask Xelimaitls goons. I run some errands for them now and then, so they can tell you where to find me." Then she turns and walks away, leaving you alone in the dark alleyway.
@Azel, I'm confused about this. Why would asking about mercenaries immediately paint us at someone who wants to attack the city? The reasoning behind asking for that information was because these are dangerous men who aren't exactly discriminatory with their punishments, so we'd be better able to keep our head down and avoid them if we know who they are. "Know they enemy" and all that, and the guards are currently everyone's enemy with how they're randomly grabbing people off the streets to send to the slave mines. Hell, why didn't Iciuhca come to the same conclusion? She and her friends are currently being hunted by the same mercenaries-turned-guards. Wouldn't it make sense that people would want to know who they are and what abilities they boast?
@Azel, I'm confused about this. Why would asking about mercenaries immediately paint us at someone who wants to attack the city? The reasoning behind asking for that information was because these are dangerous men who aren't exactly discriminatory with their punishments, so we'd be better able to keep our head down and avoid them if we know who they are. "Know they enemy" and all that, and the guards are currently everyone's enemy with how they're randomly grabbing people off the streets to send to the slave mines. Hell, why didn't Iciuhca come to the same conclusion? She and her friends are currently being hunted by the same mercenaries-turned-guards. Wouldn't it make sense that people would want to know who they are and what abilities they boast?
It would be an advantage, but as I see it a common citizen, even a criminal one, wouldn't jump to confrontation, instead laying low and tryying to stay out of trouble. We, on the other hand, are asking both about spirits (something highly illegal and hated by the wise men) and the mecenaries, who will now work for them. If I was in her situation, I would think that you plan on fighting the Wise Men, even if not directly.
It would be an advantage, but as I see it a common citizen, even a criminal one, wouldn't jump to confrontation, instead laying low and tryying to stay out of trouble. We, on the other hand, are asking both about spirits (something highly illegal and hated by the wise men) and the mecenaries, who will now work for them. If I was in her situation, I would think that you plan on fighting the Wise Men, even if not directly.
Laying low is the first line of defense, but we're hardly going to meekly accept our lot in life if the guards ever try to drag us off into the slave mines. And with how insanely aggressive the guards have been lately it's only prudent to ask questions about them just in case our turn ever comes. Hell, it doesn't even have to be details on how the guards fight. Even information on their temperament so we know which ones we really have to avoid would have been useful.
I still think it's a stretch to assume "Oh, so you want to fight the guards" when we're just asking for general information.
And the thing with the spirits, illegal, yes, but also current events. Spirits are a big deal and people generally like to keep track of those walking natural disasters. Asking them might be a bit taboo, but 1) this is the criminal underground, and 2) if we travel anywhere knowing about spirit activity is crucial in staying alive. Hardly a "you asked about spirits now you shall be hunted" scenario.
Laying low is the first line of defense, but we're hardly going to meekly accept our lot in life if the guards ever try to drag us off into the slave mines. And with how insanely aggressive the guards have been lately it's only prudent to ask questions about them just in case our turn ever comes. Hell, it doesn't even have to be details on how the guards fight. Even information on their temperament so we know which ones we really have to avoid would have been useful.
I still think it's a stretch to assume "Oh, so you want to fight the guards" when we're just asking for general information.
And the thing with the spirits, illegal, yes, but also current events. Spirits are a big deal and people generally like to keep track of those walking natural disasters. Asking them might be a bit taboo, but 1) this is the criminal underground, and 2) if we travel anywhere knowing about spirit activity is crucial in staying alive. Hardly a "you asked about spirits now you shall be hunted" scenario.
I'm not disagreeing with your thoughts, but look through the other side, through her side. Someone you barely know about, who came from outside, spends lot of time out of the city, is asking both about spirits, gangs and mercenaries who will become guards. You really, honestly think she wouldn't assume a confrontation? We have no reason to be targetted, since we both stay out most of the time and we have plenty of money (as far as she can see); We are outsiders who can travel away whenever we want; We apparently know both about a "notorious" merchant and stolen codixes; We are making all the right questions. It's not a point and see, but clearly our situations and questions point to us not being alligned with the Wise Men, even though we have no clear risk from them.
That all said, I don't think we should get involved in the confrontation, gathering info and smuggling things is fine, but actually spying or fighting the Wise Men is out of our league, besides unwise.
@Duesal, thing is that you ask for intel about spirit activities in an area where Tlamaca has problems and how they expand their forces. That's... odd looking...
However, you can't be sure what she is thinking about the request. That interpretation is mostly Yaxkins guess, which is colored by her association with Matlal.
