On the way to Dykemiller Martin is approached by a Neisbeck crony.
What do you want from me?!
Let's just say your various activities for the Stoerrebrandt trading company have not gone unnoticed in certain quarters.
So what?! I don't see what that has to do with you!
So you say, but I haven't finished! I come from the honorable Neisbeck trading company. I am authorized to make you a very generous offer. Start working for us immediately, and you'll get a bonus of 20 ducats on top of your payment the next job. What do you think?
[Haggle] 20 ducats?! Hahaha! How stupid do you think I am?! Do you really think I would betray my employer for such a ludicrous sum?!
[Success] Very well. Nobody can say that the House of Neisbeck is not generous! 100 ducats!
I’m not interested.
I advise you to reconsider. You won't get a second offer.
Get out of here! I don't care how much you offer, I'm not interested in your money!
Very well. As you say…
This was the point of no return in this questline.
An honor?
Master Stoerrebrandt wants you to receive his youngest son, Reginald Stoerrebrandt, at the harbor. The old man needs some fresh faces to help him in his constant struggle with the House of Neisbeck. You are to ensure that his son arrives in one piece.
Do you really think that the youngest son is the right person to deal with the situation in Ferdok?
As sure as Praios lives in the sun! Reginald is direct, dynamic and unflinching, just like his mother. He has managed the Stoerrebrandt affairs in Gareth until now and that certainly counts for something!
Fine, well it sounds like you may be right. I don't know the Stoerrebrandt family business as well as you. When is he coming to Ferdok?
Right now! His ship must be docking at this very moment. His father is already waiting for him. So make haste and don't keep young Master Stoerrebrandt waiting.
Of course not. I will go there immediately.
Btw in the harbour is a “boat merchant”; it’s an obvious swindle.
The Stoerrebrandt son is waiting at the dock where Ardo had met his end.
I am. I was told to accompany you to the Stoerrebrandt warehouse. It was considered the safest option, given the current situation.
Ah yes, the House of Neisbeck and its dirty dealings. They're the reason I'm here at all. The problem seems to be even more serious than it at first appears. I intend to stand up to them and their brutal methods.
I admire your zest for action, but we really should be heading for the warehouse now.
Nonsense! There'll be plenty of time for touching family reunions later on. Let's get right down to finding out more about the House of Neisbeck. I managed to drum up the names of a couple of possible informants on my way here. We should direct our attentions to contacting them immediately.
By your leave, that is not my mission.
You're here to escort me, aren't you? I shall decide for myself where I care to go! We should act before my presence here is common knowledge. I do not intend to forfeit that advantage to my father's eagerness to see me.
Very well. If that is what you wish to do. I will follow you.
Let's go then! I hope you can keep up!
Martin needs to follow fattie around as he goes to bother various people.
Then I'm in the right place. I am Reginald Stoerrebrandt, son of Emmeran Stoerrebrandt of the trading company of the same name.
Yes, I know you! From Gareth! It was you who contributed so generously to the rebuilding of Gareth. After the destruction of the 'Battle in the Clouds' hardly anyone dared believe in the reconstruction.
That's right. After my grandfather retired and my father Emmeran set off to spread our trading companies influence throughout Aventuria, I took over the business in Gareth. After the dreadful tragedies that befell the city, I saw it as my duty to provide help to those who needed it.
I understand! But what brings the great Stoerrebrandt to little Ferdok?
Ha! 'Little Ferdok'. I'm sure you know exactly why I'm here. Otherwise, you wouldn't be Calandor Cupinez.
Hehe, maybe you're right. Let me guess. Could it be the unaccustomed difficulties your company is having with a certain long-established Ferdok trading company?
Unaccustomed difficulties'! Hah! You could call them that. Yes. My father asked me to come to Ferdok to help him with his problems. The House of Neisbeck is taking things a bit far for my liking and that's exactly what brings me to you.
Ah, so that's why! How can a modest trader like myself be of service?
Come now! Let's have no false modesty here! I know that you trade in much more than just exotic goods. What did they tell me again...? "Calandor Cupinez is a font of great knowledge ... you just need to throw in enough coins to bring it bubbling up."
Hahaha! That is very nicely put. I don't want to know who said that. But, yes, you've discovered me. I don't trade in exotic goods alone. What exactly are you interested in?
To start with? Everything you can tell me about the Neisbeck Trading Company. The important players behind the scenes, their business and negotiation tactics... everything.
Oh really. You may be overestimating good old Calandor a little! Fine, well I do know a few things about the Neisbeck's dealings and I'd be happy to sell them to you, but you shouldn't expect too much.
Very well. Here's 50 farthings. Now tell me what you know.
Only 50 farthings?! Please! It may not be much, but what I know isn't worth so little!
Very well. Here's one ducat. That should be more than enough. Well? I'm listening!
Fine, fine. Don't get so excited! As I'm sure you already know, they're a well-established trading company that started off here in Ferdok. Their long-standing contacts with all kinds of people throughout the town mean they have a lot of influence and very precise knowledge of what's going on in Ferdok. Sometimes they know even more than the town guard, or at least that's how it seems.
They have an extensive trade network within Ferdok and they are involved in nearly every deal that takes place here. There are also rumors that the House of Neisbeck isn't only involved in official business, but that it also grows rich on darker dealings. Smuggling, stolen goods, slavery ... Some say they would stop at nothing to defend their supremacy in Ferdok.
You can say that again! Since my father set up his tent here in Ferdok, our goods shipments are constantly being attacked, our messengers suddenly fall ill, our customers seem to lose interest in doing business with us. My father and I have long been certain that the House of Neisbeck is behind it all. The only problem is that we can't prove it!
Soo, you need proof? Maybe I can help you there! I've never had anything to do with the Neisbecks personally, but I know an old scoundrel by the name of Tarosh Strawbeadle. He worked for the House of Neisbeck for quite some time and was fairly well respected.
Why doesn't he work for them any more? Was there some kind of trouble or dispute?
Well, he had a problem with the booze. At some point he stopped being useful and became an embarrassment. He's an old imman player, so he spends a lot of time at the "Fleet Footed Ferret". That's a tavern here in the docks. Look for him there if you want to speak to him. If you're lucky, he will have already blown all his money. That's pretty much the only time he's sober.
Hm. Many thanks, even though you didn't tell me much I don't already now. You know, you really ought to rethink your prices - from businessman to businessman.
Not Tarosh Strawbeadle? Isn't he an old imman player?
Well, I don't know him. I just heard that he's much too fond of a drink. We had better hurry if we want to find anything out from him. He shouldn't be too drunk yet. I hope not, anyway...
Front all that I've heard, I think we should hurry.
Martin follows Reginald to the tavern but they are already too late.
Maybe I should try talking to him. I have a little experience with these types.
As you say. Try your luck!
Excuse me, I won't bother you for long. Are you Tarosh Strawbeadle, the famous imman player?
Yeah, *hic* tha's me... famous in all Aveshurrrya! Ush'd be... *hic* ... anyways! N... now'days... *hic* ... ol Tarosh ... *hic* ... earns his crusht... wi', *hic* errands!
Errands?! How did it come to that? I thought you were employed by the wealthy Neisbeck trading company.
Nah, nah... I did some *hic* work for the ... *hic*... Neishbecksh. But yuh ... yuh don' talk 'bout ' *hic*... tha'... *belch*... Jus' brings... *hic*... trouble...
No need to be so pessimistic! There's noone here to bother us. Nobody's listening in. Come on, let's have a drink. Innkeeper! A round for me and my friend here!
Thh... *hic*... thanks? Ahh... I needed... *hic*... that. Right, *hic* come... closher.
Ever hear of... *hic*... the 'Dark Eyes' g... gang?
I think so. I'm not really sure. You hear a lot of rumors these days.
I was *hic* a... member! That Lars Bravethorn, he's the leader. Used to be some... some sorta Wagoner's Home militia. But now i'ss all smugglin' an' stuff. An we *hic* dun a few thing for Na ... Neisbeck. *buurp* It all got a bit heavy for me, so Lars *hic* jus' dumped me.
Note that Bravethorn was Hookensang’s traitorous first mate in River of Time.
Dumped? What happened?
Well, the jobs... *belch*... the Neish... Neisbeck jobs... got heavier. Beat... *hic*... the Stoerrebrandts at any price... When our boys started gettin' killed... *hic*... tha' was enough... for me. Lars went too far! He din' care... *hic*... 'bout the boys! He jus' took the... Neisbeck's money!
Thas' why... tha's why I got angry wi' him. He... he jus' laughed, *hic*. Tha' was jus' too much... *hic*... I drew my club... *hic*... three of the pigs ganged up... *hic*... on me! Bra... *belch* ...Bravethorn. Huh! He jus... laughed! But I'll get 'em back!
This Bravethorn, where can I find him?
In Wagoner's Home, we got... a *hic* warehouse... *hic*... our hideout... But you shouldn't go there! Sum... summat big down there... *belch*... today.
My ole buddy ... Radu ... Radulf *hic* Kramer was 'ere. He said, there's some... *hic*... importan' visitor coming. Mus' be imp... *hic*... important. Was in a real... rush.
A visit from on high, eh? Interesting. You don't know where Kramer went, do you?
Radulf Kramer. He's... *hic*... usually near the entrance to Wagoner's Home... *burp* ... bridge to harbor... *hic* ... island. He'sh usually standin' lookout... there. Sh... should be there now. Tha's... *hic* where they wen'. Now let me drink in peace!
Thank you, I'll pay a little visit to your old sidekick.
Ssay... *hic* hello from me, when...you... bah! Bunch of *hic* spineless... no backbone! But... *hic* ... what do... I care 'bout them! Th... thanks... *hic*... again for th' dring!
At the barred entrance to Wagoner’s home, Reginald picks a fight with Kramer.
I detest violence, but since you ask so nicely, I will be happy to give you the beating you deserve.
Martin enters Wagoner’s home with Reginald, but is forced to send all companions away first.
Right. I locked the gate behind us, just to be safe. Hehe. We don't want someone sneaking up on us. Hmm... strange... do you hear that too?
What do you mean? I don’t hear anything.
Exactly. It's much too quiet! Where is everybody? Look! Over there. The street is blocked by a heavy wagon! We should definitely stick together and move up carefully. It would be really annoying if we didn't manage to find out what's going on here!
The direct routes are all blocked by carts, Martin and Reginald need to find a vantage point to spy on a meeting.
There are some thugs to sneak past but it is very easy with the fog. Besides, they’re imbeciles.
A cutscene starts when the vantage point is reached.
It looks like the Town Guard is not his only source of income. But something like that was to be expected.
But the ragtag figure next to him is a stranger to me. Hmm ... Perhaps the Bravethorn chap we've heard about. There are Dark Eyes enough here, so why not their leader, too?
That would also fit in with the frequent attacks these jokers have been making on our deliveries.
No matter what he is, it most certainly means nothing good when the Neisbeck family keeps company with those kinds of people.
That two-faced snake! I should have known that she was behind all the problems we have been having recently.
The Neisbeck woman as ringleader, that dimwit Bravethorn carrying out the dirty work and that corrupt swine Tashman, who is covering everything up.
That's how it all falls into place. But how does this spellcaster fit into the picture?
All that remains is returning to Dykemiller.
Hold off with your anger! It is my fault that we are late. I wanted to look around Ferdok a little before answering my father's call. I had to know exactly what was going on here. Fortunately, we were able to find out a few important things.
If that is so, then I must apologize for my behavior, Martin Schulz.
It’s fine. I did not take it to heart.
Good. That's all cleared up then. Pay Martin Schulz and let us set off to meet my father. I have a lot to discuss with him.
Very well, Master Stoerrebrandt. Here is your payment. Forgive me again for my initial intemperance.
Thank you.
Very good. I shall certainly have need of your services more frequently. Be so good as to pass by here every now and then. That reminds me. You may keep the key to the gates of Wagoner's Home. Here, I no longer need it. See you later!
Martin can now return to the main quest.