Ekene-Afa's

Ekene-Afa smiles brilliantly and stands to greet you with a faint laugh. "Cor, dear heart, you look as wonderful as ever," she greets, words rich and smooth and carefully measured. She pulls you into a hug and moves you down to sit, mostly next to her but with enough space for you to shift away if you desire. "I've heard the most interesting things of late. O'tamu's guest is back and town, did you know?"

There is a look in Ekene-Afa's eyes as she leans back and pours a drink for you both.

"Ah, who am I kidding," she laughs and makes a tsking noise in the back of her throat. "You are to be part of her latest venture to discover the cause of all...this, no?" Ekene-Afa made a gesture with her hand as she grabbed at her own cup, eyes alight with faint amusement. "Tell me, dear heart, what do you make of it all? A worthwhile endeavor? Or, as some cry, our just reward for abusing the Gods gift of life?"

"I haven't gone far into the jungle at all. I would be delighted to help. Seems more worthwhile than other issues going on around here. One has to love how many things are kept hushed to keep the city stable and it usually works."

She polishes off her meal and then pulls out her viol. Soon a tune to match the atmosphere fills the room at a level not to disturb conversations.

Larken nods to Vistani, "Very well," he says. "We have rooms here for the night and we leave in the morning. The three other members of the expedition should be back shortly. They're getting any supplies we might need for the first leg of the journey. I would suggest you get any affairs you have in the city in order. If there's anything else you need to get before we depart, it'll be a good idea to get them now." He settles in to the chair to wait for the others' arrival, sipping a water periodically.

"Unfortunately guilty as charged," Cor took her own cup and sat beside Ekene-Afa. "I'll actually be adventuring forth in the next few days." She took a large swig of wine, a drink probably so decadent she would not be able to afford it on her own. The rogue relaxed, much happier to be in the presence of a friend.  

"You know me, Ekkie. I've never put much stock in gods and fate. Of course they're out there, but..." Cor shrugged as her voice trailed off. "All I know is that my friend is hurting, and if I can fix the cause of that pain, I'll do it in a heartbeat. Perhaps it's not worthwhile, but I'm sure as hell going to still try."

"Unfortunately this isn't a social call, my dear friend," the half-elf sighed, pain clearly written across her face. "It's a goodbye, hopefully just for now. It's said to be dangerous out there, and I couldn't bear to leave without seeing you one last time."

Ekene-Afa's

Ekene-Afa studied her drink for a moment with a sigh. "Here I had hoped my information was wrong," she said lightly, "that you'd not partake in this fools errand. Divine punishment or not...the jungle is not for the weak, dear heart." Ekene-Afa studied you and then set down her glass. "I request of you one thing, consider it repayment for...smoothing over transgressions with the other Merchant Princes."

Here she smiles slyly. She knows of your habits, and at heart she finds it quaint and adorable.

"Survive," Ekene-Afa said. She leaned over and grasped your hands. "Silvane has asked more seasoned, more familiar faces and they have not returned. I fear you are a last resort. So, Cor'ivan, I ask you to survive, and perhaps out there you will find what you seek. Adventure, thrill, a good test of your skills that doesn't land you in trouble, hm? Be a hero, or just be yourself and live to save your friend. I can't stop you, Cor. I can't save you either. That is something you must do for yourself." She leans back, and then professionalism settles down around her.

"Now, what is it you need, dear heart? More than just a heartfelt goodbye, that is."

"I've gotten this far," Cor gave Ekene-Afa a quick, but tight, embrace. To hell with professionalism, the merchant had become a dear friend. "Trust me, I'm difficult to kill. You won't be rid of me this easily." The reassurances spoken, the rogue let go and sat back in her seat, recreating that professional distant.

"You do have the greatest supplies in all of Faerun," Cor winked, trying to muster up her normal lightheartedness. If Ekene-Afa was scared for her wellbeing... This was going to be a long adventure after all. "I'll definitely need a rain catcher or a water purifier, perhaps some torches, more rope and climbing equipment of course... This is all a little overwhelming, to be honest. Do you have any suggestions on what I should purchase?"

"Depends on what I share later, if I have to do a little more out and about." The viol playing does not stop as she speaks and doesn't miss a note.

She smiles, but there is no way she is sharing the information in public. Especially with how hush-hush the harbormaster wanted to keep it. It would not be something they primarily try for possibly, but they could very well run into the pirates anchored in secure places on the river. The jungle could easily hide an encampment of pirates and still have ease to the ocean. Last thing they needed was to wind up on the wrong side of any of the pirates. She smiled knowing even pirates might care about the curse. People dying was bad for any business.

"Color me interested," Larken responds. The music she provided as they spoke calmed him a bit. It helped to distance the massive task they've decided to undertake. She would be a welcome addition, indeed. He sips his water again as he waits. He's never been one to partake in the extravagant drinks and foods offered. Typically water and meat would be all he needed to sustain himself. He didn't understand how a bustling, extravagant city like this cropped up next to one of the most dangerous jungles he's ever explored. It's like the locals fatten you up before feeding you to the dinosaurs.  

Korine wanders the shop looking at the various pieces of equipment on display. Much is familiar, but there are certainly items she's unsure the use of and guesses they must be things specific to the jungle environment of Chult. "What are they doing back there, taking a meal? I though she was all impatient to get going?"

Ekene-Afa considered her thoughtfully. "It entirely depends upon where you travel, how long you travel, and by what route. A guide, definitely. More than your...hunter. a rain catcher is better than a purifier. Less chances of sick water. Any additional specifics...what do you have to offer?"

"I doubt we'll be able to find someone willing to risk their life for us," Cor laughed half heartedly. Money was tricky, and she wasn't sure if she could afford the hazard pay necessary to get them where they needed to go. "But I will definitely take that rain catcher. My new friends out there have some gold, I'm not entirely sure how much they're not telling me about. We're planning on rafting down the river at least part of the way, and then hoofing it from there. If you tell me how much things will cost me, I'll tell you how many of them I can afford. Is that reasonable?"

"Perfectly.reasonable dear heart. And I wouldn't count out a guide. Pay coin and anyone would be willing to show you the way," the Merchant Prince smile. "A canoe can hold six relatively easily. It is, at regular price, fifty gold. A rain catcher is a gold piece but I can part with...say five at five silver each?"

"Do you know how much guides would normally be? Or even a suggestion for a good one? And if they would supply their own way down the river?" The canoe would cost all they had, and if they did in fact need a guide then they wouldn't be able to afford one. Mordekainen's balls, why had they placed her in charge of the coin? "I appreciate your help and patience with me, but you know practically everything about the goings on of the city. If anyone can help me, it's you Ekkie."

"Depends on the guide. They are handled by Jobal's trade. You would have to ask him for any advice or knowledge. I do know some work for free...if the conditions are right. Some guides know some areas of the jungle better than others...as for price? I believe the standard is considered...five gold a day? Although with your skills...I'm sure you could broker a better deal." Ekene-Afa explained. It was a small consolation that Jorbal was not one of the many Merchant Princes who wanted to see her in chains. 

Cor removed three gold from her own pouch and handed them to Ekene-Afa. "Well then I shall see how much we have left for canoes after I go speak with Jorbal," she smiled softly. "I guess it will just be the rain catcher's for now. Thank you for everything, Ekkie. I promise I'll be back."

"A pleasure doing business with you, dear heart. Safe travels."

"You stay safe too," Cor'avin gave the woman another hug before being escorted out.

She was handed five rain catchers, which she then pawned off on the pair of paladins. "Thank you for your patience," she winked at the female. "We have another stop to make. It's time to visit Jorbal."

Larken listens to the soothing sound of the viol as he waits. Vistani was a natural. Either that or she practiced really hard. As she plays he's flooded with memories from back in the Dalelands. His time in the military was short but eventful. Many inns and taverns they stayed at had minstrels of their own, and he always enjoyed listening to them play as he sipped his water. During a couple of those excursions he had noticed Cor striking a deal with the minstrel. She always seemed to have enough coin to buy a round of drinks for their comrades after that. She was a great scout... nearly as good as he was. Lately her skills have improved ten-fold, so it was no surprise she was so comfortable in this city. She was practically a local now. 

Korine accepted the bundle of gear that Cor'avin pawned off on her a bit bemusedly, but didn't complain. "As you wish, you know the city and where to get what we need. If this Jorbal had that, then lead on."

"Just these here? Very well, to Jorbal we shall head."

Kulan had been standing silently until Cor gives him the rain catchers, and adjusts his weapons to make the rain catchers easier to carry. He speaks only once he is ready to leave.

"I realize it doesn't seem like a lot, but sometimes information is worth more than gear," Cor adjusted her bag before taking two of the rain catchers back. "Ekene-Afa highly recommended a guide, which could get pricey. I would hate to run out of gold before being able to make such an important decision, wouldn't you?"

The rogue walked down the streets confidently, greeting a great many people. She was a dirty street rat through and through, but that somehow didn't diminish her charm. "I apologize for leaving you for so long," she said. "Ekene-Afa is an old friend, who wanted to catch up. I find it best to humor her, especially when I'm about to ask for favors."

Korine nods as Cor explains the wait at Ekene-Afa's. "Knowledge is indeed of great value, I can understand that, don't worry. She recommended a guide into the jungle? That is a decision we need to make with the entire group, wouldn't you agree?"

"Jilwyn and Lark decided not to come, which I take for meaning that they have given me their votes," Cor winked at Korine. "At the very least, we can do a little looking and get a good sense of the prices. Do you disagree with the idea of getting a guide?"

Korine gave the rogue a distinct frown. "If we are to work as a team on this endeavor then I would have their direct input. Their "votes" as you put it, were to gather supplies in their stead. For more than that, we all discuss it first. As to the guide, I freely admit my ignorance of the geography and risks of travel here, so would agree that we would likely benefit from having one. We should certainly look into the cost, but won't be hiring without talking to your friends first."

Jorbal, by trade, Cor'avin knew that if the Merchant Prince wasn't entertaining guests in Goldenthrone then he was either home in his Villa and likely to not see visitors, at the Grand Coliseum observing the latest event for the afternoon, or at a small nondescript building just down the way. While Ekene-Afa held trade in plenty of the market stalls and buildings in the district, Jorbal and a few other of the Merchant Princes had their own stakes too.

Here it was merely a small nondescript building, but a building none the less.

"Are you trying to tell me that you know my friends better than I do?" Cor huffed, visibly agitated. "I'm alive because of them, and they're alive because of me. I can assure you that their biggest priority is getting this shopping done as quickly as possible. They don't care how or what I get, because they trust me. I get that you don't trust me yet, but don't try to tell me what the people I'm closest to would prefer."

Clenching her fists, the rogue sped up her walk until she drew ahead of the two paladins a little bit. Jilwyn was getting weaker by the day, and they didn't have time to argue over purchases. They needed to have everything in order so they could leave as soon as possible.

Cor'avin rapped on the door, taking a deep breath and calming herself a little. She needed to be charming, as always, if she wanted to pull this off.