Chapter 3: Secrets

Being the tools of their professions, most of the items you seek are already in Berry's or Tilma's packs. Still, there are some curious finds as you explore the Night Market.

Laurent finds a scriber of scrolls. A bearded, gnomish sage perched atop a ridiculously tall podium. His prices are even more ridiculous.

---

A dwarvish youth with a golden hammer tattoo shows off an array of sturdy mining tools of the finest make. Guaranteed to get the job done better than your ordinary tools! Amazing prices! Act now! She swears none of it's stolen from a rival dwarf clan, but you're fairly sure she's lying.

Here and there, you witness transactions made with currency just as strange as the locks of hair at the chestnut stand: toenail clippings, candied beetles, bottled song, vials of tears.

A spindly man sits cross-legged atop a wooden crate from which loud munching sounds can be heard. The man puts down his cup of berry-infused tea and shows you what's in the crate. Giant silkworms, the size of Berry's leg, chomping on mulberry leaves. The man sells bolts of fine silk. And silk cord stronger than rope. The man only accepts giant dragonfly wings as payment. Luckily, Squiddly knows where to get some, and offers to run to the other end of the market to buy them for you.

A matronly halfling in a shabby feather cape sells songbirds of all kinds. Her stall is illuminated by a floating ball of light which Laurent recognizes as a driftglobe.

Tilma heads to the lady with the birds as per Berry's suggestion they need a bird to warn them about the gas. The floating orb of light intrigues her and before talking about the birds she takes a close look at the orb. "Good day, madam! Is this orb for sale as well? I imagine that it is your light source, but it looks like what we've been searching for. Also I would like to buy a bird that would warn us about gas."

"That would delightful, thank you," Berry stands watching the worm eat, fascinated, "can I ask, what do you need the dragonfly wings for?"

Berry raises an eyebrow and sniffs the contents of the cup.

Tilma glances at the sewer and tries to situate it in her head, thinking about where it could lead and what are chances that the fish survived.

Berry sniffs the dragonfly tea. Light and airy with herb and berry notes, and just a hint of citrus.

Tilma knows these convoluted water conduits can lead anywhere. A fish could survive as long as it doesn't end up in some predator's gullet. Tilma doesn't know of any fish that can swim up a drainpipe though, so the bird lady's hope that Maude can swim home seems ridiculous. Maybe if someone brought the driftglobe down to where Maude is, maybe the fish can be found and be reunited with her friend.

Berry takes the opportunity to rest, knowing the race ahead and quietly drinks the tea with the silk merchant.

Tilma looks at the lady feeling sorry for her. "I'm sorry but there is no way that your fish can swim back here. I work in sewers so I know what I'm talking about. However! Maybe if I brought the driftglobe down to where Maude is, maybe the fish can be found and be reunited with you. Although there are no guarantees, it's still more likely than it returning here. Do you wish for me to bring it down? I'll do it for free, no worries. I can see how attached you are to Maude. "

"I'm just glad to be of service." and she takes the globe and holds it under her arm while browsing the birds. "I would like 3 canaries, please. Here you go." she looks at the old lady and gives her a wide, sincere smile while handling her the money with a couple extra coppers. She likes the old lady.