Believing that the corrupt merchant could hold vital information, you step back into the cold embrace of the rain-soaked cityscape. The journey takes you through the busy market district, alive with the susurrus of foreign languages and the clamor of commerce. The plethora of vibrant colors, stark against the verdant drapery of the cobblestones, does little to quell the unease gnawing at your insides. The scent of exotic spices and sun-ripened fruits mix with fresh leather and the tang of fish, creating a heady atmosphere that feels detached from the infernal web that you are enmeshed in, yet inexorably connected to it.
The object of your search is a merchant by the name of Kael, who deals in rare and precious items. You find his stall nestled deep within the rows of tents and trestle tables, hidden in the crimson shadows of his exotic tapestries. Kael's eyes momentarily betray his caution as you approach, arched brows and the curled edges of his moustache lifting like the wings of a startled bird.
Through gritted teeth and veiled threats, you manage to extract information from the reluctant merchant. He confirms his connection with the Crescent Serpents, though his allegiances lie more with coin than conviction. As his trembling hands count a generous bribe, his voice tumbles forth like an avalanche of secrets, divulging that the Crescent Serpents have secured a cargo shipment arriving at the city docks the following night.
Knowing that time is of the essence, you weigh your options, acutely aware of the limited avenues open to you. The once comforting familiarity of the city's cacophony now feels oppressive, bearing down on you like a tidal wave of possibilities, and the choice you make will decide the direction of the waves you'll have to brave.
Sabotage the Crescent Serpents' shipment in hopes of luring them out of hiding.