Coriana chimes in, "I don't think his type in places like this trades in formation for free. Do we have anything significant we are willing to offer?"

"Yes," Xanrym says, "good point, Coriana.  Regrak even mentioned that: Es Sarch is the best source of information, but the price will be higher than a free drink."  Xanrym remembers that it was a letter from Toska that sent The Company on this mission to recover the lost king's bones.  That reminds him of their race to save Toska's life and that he had to trade the magical boots that they found in the naga's layer to secure Bigby's help.  He hopes that Es Sarch's price is not so high!  Xanrym says, "I guess it depends on what they want.  Perhaps they could use a capable Company who has no agenda of our own Pedestal or in the outcome of the power struggle here.  We could offer our 'services' in exchange for help in finding the lost treasures."

Khessa agrees: "Yes, as the incident at the gates will confirm, we are a capable company... We can probably provide valuable services to those in need."

The blonde arcane warrior smiles at Xanrym: "Well done! You were right, it seems, to dare. And since thanks to you, we now know this place is neutral territory... then perhaps the clashes I feared are unlikely to occur. In that case, I might as well take advantage of Es Sarch's presence and speak to him now."

"I'm guessing he would still be available on the morrow, once we've had a chance to rest... but as you think best," Theldrin says quietly.  

Quote from Painted_Beyond >>

The blonde arcane warrior smiles at Xanrym: "Well done! You were right, it seems, to dare. And since thanks to you, we now know this place is neutral territory... then perhaps the clashes I feared are unlikely to occur. In that case, I might as well take advantage of Es Sarch's presence and speak to him now."

Xanrym says, "Well, I guess there's no guarantee that a clash will not break out, but it sounds like Es Sarch is able to enforce some sort of peace here."

Regarding speaking to Es Sarch, Xanrym is a bit surprised, "Oh?!  I mean -- yes, I'd love to have your help in bargaining with Es Sarch."  He looks to the others to see whether anyone objects to talking to Es Sarch now and whether the entire Company wants to go speak with them or just Xanrym and Khessa. "Thank you for the offer, Khessa."

Syllen seems a little pensive as he looks around the bar. 

“Well it might be prudent to wait a little bit until there are less eyes and ears, I think time is of the essence. Also if we are required to accomplish a task in order to gain the information it would be best to start planning as soon as possible.”

Avery actually notices the servers listening the most to Xanrym’s conversation, despite them seemingly being unable to communicate they certainly listen close. Regrak will snort loudly at Xanrym’s gold and communicate to the room that no one can buy immunity from the Assassins Guild, each job is measured on its profit and loss. You get the feeling that this is more of a show to the rest of the tavern of his neutrality rather than him trying to communicate anything to you.

Assuming you approach Es Sarch, you see face is lost in the voluminous folds of its bizarre robe. An odor like thyme mixed with dirt intensifies as the figure raises an arm in greeting and speaks in a raspy voice. "Travellers from the sun-poisoned skin of the world, welcome. I am Es Sarch. I deal in information. Thus I know many truths, but not the one that brings you yo this fallen city."

(OOC: Is Es Sarch speaking loudly enough to be heard by others in the tavern?  I'm not sure how much space is between his chair and the seats of the other customers or how loudly Es Sarch is speaking.  What we say may depend on whether we're just talking to Es Sarch or whether our words will be heard by a bunch of customers and, presumably, make it back to all 3 factions by morning.) 

Again, you feel like people are more noticing that you ARE speaking to Es Sarch, rather than trying to glean the topic of conversation.

Khessa laughs heartily at the bard's apparent gratitude for her supposed 'help': "Of course I'll do my best, but don't thank me yet... I couldn't even get a server to chat about this and that! If Es Sarch tells us anything, I think it will be thanks largely to you."

However, the blonde arcane warrior does indeed stand by Xanrym and does her best to support him when he makes a statement, if only by reinforcing his arguments.

Coriana breaks from the party, saying, "I want to run an errand, I don't need company, but if someone wants to back me up while those two talk to the guy in the robe, you are welcome." She will approach the barkeep, the only employee that has talked at all, and ask if there is a shop nearby that sells weapons.

Theldrin sighs and waits patiently as he eyes the remaining few sips of wine in his glass.  While he would prefer prioritizing resting and regaining his spells, he considers that perhaps Syllen is correct that time is of the essence and it's best the other party members are moving forward with their objectives.

Quote from drumdigby>>

Assuming you approach Es Sarch, you see face is lost in the voluminous folds of its bizarre robe. An odor like thyme mixed with dirt intensifies as the figure raises an arm in greeting and speaks in a raspy voice.

Yes, I think that Xanrym and Khessa, at least, approach Es Sarch.  

"Travellers from the sun-poisoned skin of the world, welcome. I am Es Sarch. I deal in information. Thus I know many truths, but not the one that brings you yo this fallen city."

Xanrym says, "Greetings!  I am Xanrym, and this is my associate, Khessa." He starts, as always, by spinning out words as he gauges how to converse with Es Sarch. "Information? That is fortunate for us!  We are newly-arrived in Pedestal and in need of information. But...I wonder...how you settle on a price?

"Information is a commodity whose value ranges from the most common and unimportant trivia to the crucial but nearly-forgotten secret. And Truth?!  Well, Truth can be an awesome and terrible thing! 

"Do you trade information for information? Or is information your currency, and you use it to barter for whatever else you need?" 

Xanrym does not immediately answer Es Sarch's implied question about their reason for coming to Pedestal.  He wants to know how transactions work with Es Sarch before he proceeds, and he's not sure whether he needs to hold back that piece of information to exchange later for an answer from Es Sarch.  To explain his reticence, he finishes with this: "I would not want to accrue a bill that we cannot afford to pay.  May we speak plainly, and you will tell us before you share anything that is not freely given?"

Khessa feels a little lost amid Xanrym's linguistic caution - but she trusts in his greater experience in negotiations and simply smiles reassuringly to Es Sarch: "It's as my friend says... We are certainly interested in what you trade in - so, as soon as we clarify how said trade is conducted, it is very likely that we can do business together!"

Barkeep tells Coriana that the market is over on the east side of town in his strange whispered voice. 

Es Sarch replies to Xanrym and Khessa, “You can trust that when I require a price for information, you will be informed before you receive it. For example, the first thing I would know before we can begin is: What is your business in the city?”

Avery is willing to go and back Coriana, or at least watch her back as she runs her errands

Xanrym has many questions for Es Sarch, but he decides to get directly to the point. There's not much reason to bargain with Es Sarch if he cannot or will not help them with their mission. 

Xanrym considers Es Sarch a moment, nods, and says, "We came to Pedestal, pursuing the minions of a Yuan-Ti sorcerer named Xeron. They have stolen something, and we endeavor to recover what they took. Their trail is a few days old, and we lost all trace of them, but we believe that they made contact with someone who came through the Earth Node portal, across the Sullen Sea, and eventually to Pedestal. We do not mean to interfere in the the fate of Pedestal and its people, but we must recover what was stolen to prevent them from twisting a prophecy to their own evil purposes. We believe that they were trying to deliver the stolen items to Fhadheela. Can you help us?"

"After all," Khessa adds, smiling as convincingly as she can "a place that already has its problems with a faction war certainly doesn't need the fulfillment of a prophecy twisted to the evil purposes of yet another faction, does it? By helping us, you'll help yourself as well!"

"I appreciate the offer Avery, but the market is clear across the city. I might want to go before I rest, but I'd like to see what comes of that conversation first."

Es Sarch looks at Khessa unmoved by her smile, "This may work for both of us. I do know something of what you speak, and am in the process of learning more. But as you may have been told, my information comes at a price . I accept your offer, or at least propose, a temporary alliance. It just so happens I have a small number tasks I'd prefer to be accomplished by those outside Pedestal's power structure. Upon your completion of these tasks, I'll know more of Fadheela. In your debt for your favors to me, I will deliver that information to you. What say you?" Es Sarch's voice comes out raspy and cold.