Nibor discerns that Shoalar is very likely lying and is using humour to deflect. 

While they are distracted talking to Merry Coal will cast detect magic so if they are smuggling something of an arcane nature it’s aura should show up. 
He will bite his tongue for now with regards to the dismissive response 

Woof? I don’t much like dogs... Merry says, finally cottoning onto their meaning and hisses.

You offend me sir. I wouldn’t want us to part on bad terms, so any information which you think I might find helpful would be greatly appreciated... Merry smiles through gritted teeth, casting Suggestion.

16 

Coal detects a faint aura of evocation, not much larger than a bottle. 

Shoalar stutters mid-laugh as Merry completes the spell, as though he has just seen something he didn't expect. His tone changes. 

Of course. Information you might find helpful. What would you like to know? I can tell you many things, what day it is, the weather we're likely to have, how to unlace my jerkin.

Despite what he said, the malice is gone from his speech. This is just how Shoalar is. 

Merry smiles, pleased at her handiwork, before asking again, Have you heard any news in relation to a caravan going missing? We obviously wouldn’t want to go missing ourselves ...do you know anything about it?

Did hear something about a missing caravan. Load of dwarves? Can't say I know where they are, but I did ferry some unsavoury types across the river a couple tendays ago. Carrying some wriggling sacks and paid well. Didn't ask questions. Not my style. 

Don’t suppose you know where they were heading do you? Merry asks, playing coy and fluttering her eyelashes, Or where the tomes my friend here was looking for?

Nibor steps forward, puffing himself up in an attempt to look intimidating. He gets the feeling it's not working, but sticks with it.

Indeed!

Dwarf tomes? Yeah, I got some of those. They from that caravan? They're in the trunk in my deckhouse. They're mine though, fair and square. Can't tell you much about 'em though, can't read em.

Don't know where those ones were heading. I only took them across the river, just upstream of here. Between here and Summit Hall. 

And where is said deckhouse? Merry blinks back.

Behind me. It's the bit that looks like a deckhouse.

He looks at you with a look that asks 'have you never seen a boat before' but still with the same compliant haze

Hmmm interesting ...never heard of a deckhouse before! Merry says, before changing subject, Don’t suppose you know anything about this Womford Bat do you? It seems to have everyone in a tizzy!

Yeah I know about the bat. It don't exist. That stupid guy got himself taken by those soggy cultists.

"Boss, what gives? You're not meant to talk about them, they'll come for us." One of the goons shakes Shoalar's shoulder as he panics, causing Shoalar to fall off the box and hit his head. The thump shakes him free of the spell.

Not really sure why I told you all that stuff. Think it's best if you leave. Now. Me and the boys have work to do. 

Coal will switch to Primordial and after Shoalar. Seems like these cultists are giving us a bad name cousin. Why don’t you point us in their direction and I’ll treat them to a classic Ignis greeting. he pats his maul to make his point

Shoalar bristles at Coal's words, not understanding one of them, and tenses at the sight of him patting the maul.

What did you just say to me? Was that a threat? 

The commoners on one of the other boats go below deck and lock their doors. 

Apologies cousin I thought you spoke the old tongue of our heritage. I said these soggy bastards seem to be giving us genasi a bad name and if you pointed us in their direction I’d give them an old school greeting with a hammer to the jaw. Coal switched to common for this. 

Shoalar relaxes a bit, but uncomfortable that he's been shown up in front of his boys as not being as smart as Coal. 

You think they're giving you a bad name? Imagine how I feel. The sea is essentially in my blood.

Trying to recover some cool points, Shoalar waves one hand, then the other. Four orbs of water rise up from the river beside him and float across the prow, changing shape to undulating stars and cycling through several colours before harmlessly rejoining the water on the other side of the boat.

I'm lucky the water still listens. These people, they have no respect for the balance. Their money is good but pah! What good is coin if I cannot sail with my boys, eh?

Shoalar goes into the deckhouse and grabs a chart.

Here. Take this. Make a better name for us than I have. 

Coal steps forward and takes the chart. My thanks cousin, I shall try to restore balance to the seas for you. And if it’s been irreparably disturbed i shall drown them in its boiling depths. His eyes flash red with the light and hear of a raging forge flame.