The first view of a Martian city is intimidating for Demetrius.  The architecture style is different from any Earthly culture he is familiar with and many of the buildings rise much higher than he would believe possible; perhaps the lesser gravity of Mars allows such structures which would not be feasible on Earth.  Add to this the flow of pedestrians on the ground and the frequent flyers overhead and it is truly a wonder to behold.

Ducet Cog takes the thoats and locates a stable where they may remain while the rest of you wait in a small plaza.  Nantas notices some dark looks but none of the passersby pay Demetrius or Aeryn any mind.  Upon the white martian's return Ducet Cog asks, "Is there a plan for how we are to find who you search for?"

Aeryn frowns and looks to you both, ready to listen to any suggestions.

"Let's keep a low profile and have a look around first. First time for me in Zodanga."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Fri 02 Apr 2021.

"A wise choice," Ducet Cog nodded to his lord, "Zodanga is much as other Red Martian cities but the slave gangs are openly accepted here," he motions as a group leads a line of slaves past; most are red martians but a small few other races are present, "and the smugglers and worse are...well ignored I suppose unless they cause too much of a disturbance."

"At least that was my experience ords ago and from the looks of things little has changed.  Oh the bribes I had to spend just to sell here; it simply wasn't worth the expense," he grimaces at the group of captives bound for servitude.
This message was last updated by the player at 22:06, Fri 02 Apr 2021.

"I do not know if the woman who took Patterson was a slaver," Aeryn frowns, also considering the group as they pass the plaza, "but if we are correct that she also arranged for our transport here on the slave wagon then one of their factions is certainly involved with her."

Demetrius scratches his chin. "Folks, I'm a little out of my depth, here. My best bet is for us to play the part of mercenary and earn some coin so that we can move about a bit more freely. I'm open to any suggestions on where to go to do that. Worst comes to worst, I could talk to some folks on the street, but I'm a little worried I'll have to bribe anyone I talk to, based on what you're saying, Ducet."

Ducet Cog nods as Demetrius speaks, "Yes posing as mercenaries is still an excellent ruse but I think we should focus on speaking with slavers to locate your woman.  We do not know her name but do any of you remember her well enough to describe her features?  Slavers often have tattoos or other markings which indicate the gang they are a member of; do you recall any on her?"

The White Martian's questions spark your memories of the woman who stood outside your cell; who you suspect took Patterson with her in the ship you saw depart the Warhoon city.  For a moment it is as if you sit chained once more, you can almost smell the stench of the place and feel the aches of the wounds you have received in combat in the area.  Distantly the cried of the Warhoon fill your ears.  You recall looking at the red woman through the bars...

What do you recall about her?

Make a D1 test using Reason + (Passion OR Empathy) to remember details about the strange woman.  For every Momentum gained you may spend to recall and extra detail

Demetrius' attention to detail is solid, if not spectacular...

1 success.
16:45, Today: Demetrius Esper rolled 12,15 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 12,15.  Reason + Passion 13/6.

Nantas is perplexed:"How is the search for this woman going to be useful for us?"

[OOC: 22:02, Today: Nantas rolled 19 using 2d20 with rolls of 3,16.  Reason 4; Passion 4.]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Tue 06 Apr 2021.

Both Earthman and Green Man recall the general features of the woman and believe they would recognize her again if they saw her.  But Nantas recalls a particular marking upon her left forearm and is able to sketch it in the dust of the plaza.

Upon seeing the sketch Ductet Cog's eyes widen and he bends down to make a small adjustment, "If this is the mark she bore then she is a member of one of the largest and most powerful slave rings in all of Zodanga."  He rubs his chin in thought before nodding and adding, "If this woman took your friend in chains and brought him to Zodanga then she did not hire the slavers who transported us all by wagon.  She was, in fact, part of their same organization.  She must be someone of prominence in the group, to take select slaves by flyer while the bulk were transported by lesser members by wagon."

"Then we have some idea how to inquire about her," Aeryn looks to Nantas, "And when we find her, we will force her to take us to Patterson Brood."

"We should have no difficulty making those inquiries," Ducet Cog assures all, "many in the business will recognize this sign.  It would still be best if Demetrius spoke for us.  Perhaps we could start at one of the markets and see where the trail takes us?"

He refers, of course, a slave market; apparently in Zodanga there are several.

Demetrius, If you choose to try see if anyone knows about the woman and her markings, post your general approach and make a Empathy + (Reason or Passion) test

Demetrius follows guidance from his Mars-native friends as he identifies people on the street to talk with. He quietly asks about the markings as suggested.

One success.
16:45, Tue 06 Apr: Demetrius Esper rolled 12,15 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 12,15.  Reason + Passion 13/6.

Nantas looks a bit uncomfortable in this circumstance and cautiously looks around to make sure the group is not followed or sneak attacked while his companions were making their enquiries.

The Earthman's inquiries are not the most subtle or elegant but they do prove fruitful. In short order you are directed to a section of the city and within that section a specific restaurant.  There, you are told, is a man named Carth Val-ab and the establishment is his "court".  If you can gain admittance from his "crew" and speak with him he can most likely tell you who this woman who bears the mark of their syndicate is.

It takes you over a zode to locate the place, nearly midday now and the smells from the kitchen within are enticing.  Within you quickly recognize that there is a large back room and the pair of men standing near its doorway bear the same markings as the woman you seek.  These are clearly members of Carth Val-ab's crew and presumably he must be beyond.

Your quest has lead you here, now how will you proceed to gain audience with the one who might guide you further?

Nantas prepares to keep a low profile and lets his companions go in first.