Blackmarket Mysteries

Bring an end to the feuding that is going on between Haftan the Black, the Sand Lord, and Fariba Izadi. Speak with the banker Amanote Daedijeh. - Convince Fariba to Unite - Convince Haftan to Unite - Deliver Threat to Sand Lord - Speak with Banker Amanote

"Can I trust you? I don't know but I hope so. I help my husband by keeping an eye on the blackmarket activities here in Ahgram. Most people believe he neglects it, but it is through me that he keeps the blackmarket in check." "I need you to help me. There is a power struggle going on between three of the chief smugglers. I cannot compromise the identity I have established in that world by interfering. But you can. Help keep this from growing out of hand. Speak with the banker Amanote further about this.

Misha Mahdavi-Kia
Quest Offering "Can I trust you? I don't know but I hope so. I help my husband by keeping an eye on the blackmarket activities here in Ahgram. Most people believe he neglects it, but it is through me that he keeps the blackmarket in check." "I need you to help me. There is a power struggle going on between three chief smugglers. I cannot compromise the identity I have established in that world by interfering. But you can. Help keep this from growing out of hand. Speak with banker Amanote further about this." Amanote Daedijeh You say, "Amanote, I understand you know something of the hidden markets here in Ahgram." He cranes his neck, peering around the two of you suspiciously. "Be careful how openly you speak of that." "I have no intention of revealing you," you say, "so long as you cooperate with me and tell me what I need to know." "Very well," he says. "I may recycle some money and goods I possibly shouldn't... what of it?" "Do you know of the rivalry going on between the Sand Lord, Fariba Izadi..." you begin. "And Haftan the Black," interjects Amanote. "Yes, I do. It's difficult to avoid. It's been spilling out into the streets." You nod and say, "I have heard of it but don't know anything about it... Could you tell me more?" Amanote frowns and nods, saying, "The essential problem with it is that they are all about equally powerful at the moment. This creates divided loyalties... conflicts of interest..." "As much as it may seem like dividing the power within the underworld may be a good thing," he says, "an argument can be made for having one strong hand to whom the others grant deference. They tend to keep the rest under control." "So you think it would be best if there were only one?" you ask. "Well," says Aminote," on the other side of that, giving one person that kind of power is very dangerous. If the criminal element were to rally behind one individual, especially in a city such as our own where the criminal element is significant, it could spell disaster." "What do you think is the better course then?" you ask. "A truce between two of them," he say. "Three can never be expected to cooperate, but if two were united to move against the third and negotiate an accord, it may keep things under control." You nod and say, "Do you think there are two in particular that would be good to approach about this?" He thinks for only a moment before saying, "Haftan and Fariba. You will never get the Sand Lord to cooperate with anyone else, but Haftan is a half-way decent man who happens to deal in not-decent goods, and Fariba thinks only of money and power. She doesn't seem to care how she gets it, which would sound irredeemable, but the Sand Lord seems to not only want the money and the power but enjoys attaining it in the most cuttroat and ruthlessway possible." You nod and say, "So unite Fariba and Haftan against the Sand Lord. Perfect." He chuckles and says, "Like bringing together and asp and a viper to kill a cobra." Haftan the Black You say, "Haftan, I hope the day is treating you well." He smiles amiably and says, "Ah, the winds are fair. I hope the sun does not burn you." With his easy demeanor and charming smile, you find it difficult to believe he is a black market ringleader. You say, "It treats me kindly... No, I understand you're a man of power." He grins at your remark and an odd glint comes to his eye. "Some power," he says. "I do what I can with the resources that I have." You nod and say, "I understand that you struggle for more power, and that your resources may be being spread thin." He raises an eyebrow and says, "You mean me competitors?" "I do," you say. "Fariba and the Sand Lord." "I would not say that my resources are spread that thinly," he says, "But do you have some suggestion for me?" "I do," you say, "pool your resources with Fariba and bring down the Sand Lord." You notice his cheek twitch slightly. "With Fariba? The blood sucker?" he asks. You not and say, "She may not be the most attractive ally, but she is certainly better than the Sand Lord. Think how easily you could overcome him with both of you working together." "And what then?" he asks. "Would we return to fighting one another?" "One would hope you could possible reach and maintain some sort of agreement," you say. "The city may not be big enough for three, but it may be too bug for one - and perhaps two is just right." "Perhaps," he says, thoughtfully. "And if we found that it wasn't, I would still only have her to deal with." "Exactly," you say, "regardless of what happens in the future, it is better in the now." He nods and says, "Very well. I know Fariba has in her employ master assassins. If she is willing to send them to deal with the Sand Lord himself, I can use my influence to turn his men and the smaller dealers against him." Fariba Izadi You say, "You must be Fariba Izadi." She studies you and says, "I am. Who are you?" "I am Demila," you say. "You name tells me nothing of who you are," she says. "What is your business?" "I am here because I think are are being foolish," you say. "Men have lost hands for saying less to me," Fariba says, nostrils flaring. "Explain yourself quickly." "You, the Sand Lord, and Haftan the Black are currently vying for power her in Ahgram, correct?" you ask. "And have been locked in that struggle for some time?" She frowns and says, "In a manner of speaking, yes. I see them as my obstacles." You nod and say, "But don't you see how impractical it is? With all three of you constantly at work undermining one another, everything gets balanced out and very little is actually accomplished." "Don't you think it would be more effective to strike an alliance with one of them against the third?" you ask. "Yes, you may not end up with as much power as you would if you somehow managed to overcome both of them..." "But you will be in a better position than you are now," you say. "Hmph," she says. She doesn't look happy with the suggestion, but she doesn't look upset about it either. She seems thoughtful. "You do acknowledge that by being united with one you would easily overcome the other," you say. She nods. "Who do you propose I unite with?" she asks. "Haftan," you say. "You cannot trust the Sand Lord to honor any bargain you strike with him, and I think you will find Haftan much more willing to concede to you." She seems to consider this. "Haftan is not a weak man," she says, "but he is a reasonable one. You're right. It would be foolish to unite with the Sand Lord." "So you'll do it then?" you ask. She peers at you and says, I will strongly consider it. Having the Sand Lord gone is a tempting possibility. One I do not thik I can ignore. If Haftan is willing to stir up the people against Haftan, I can send the specific individuals who will see the job done." The Sand Lord "If it isn't Demila," says the Sand Lord, smiling. You stall and say, "How did you know my name?" "Ah," he says, "call it intuition. It doesn't really matter, What does matter is that I know who you are and what you are trying to do." "Did the banker sell me out?" you ask. He chuckles and shakes his head, saying, "No. There are simply many ears here in Ahgram. And many if those ears belong to me." "So what do you want then?" you ask. "Simply to tell you to stop what you are doing," he says. "And to instead work for me." "Why should I do that?" you ask. "Because Fariba and Haftan will never be powerful enough to overcome me," he says, "You are aligning yourself with the wrong side." "And being on the wrong side can lead to an untimely demise," he finishes. "What do you want from me?" you ask. "You assistance in bringing about their ends," he says. "I ahve let them live until now because it benefited me." "Knowing that they may soon try to strike against me, I have decided it is no longer to my benefit to allow them to operate in Ahgram," he says. Quest Completion Misha breathes a sigh of relief and says, "It is a shame about the Sand Lord Though no really. He was a terrible man. Fariba is just greedy and Haftan has a few redeeming qualities but the Sand Lord was true evil." [Continue] "We will not need to worry, I think, about Fariba and Haftan trying anything similar anytime soon," she says with a smile.