Athar Banquet/The Center Piece

Issued by House Athar majordomo. His last task for you has something to do with Caladanian brandy.

Walkthrough

Accepting the Contract

Ask the majordomo about his last task for you. He'll tell you that the centerpiece of the banquet is supposed to be a case of expensive Caladanian brandy to be gifted to Duke Leto. Unfortunately, the brandy is being held up in customs.

Lore: Contract Offer

A crate of Caladanian Brandy was supposed to be delivered days ago, and is still missing. Customs has been unreasonably slow recently. Perhaps there is a hold-up somewhere. Investigate and track down the missing crate.

Investigate the Customs Area

On the table next to the Customs Official is an open book that you can read. It's a ledger of shipments.

Ledger of Shipments: 

KF258654 - Water Filters - Passed
JD569693 - Diverse Spare Parts - Passed
HQ478365 - Caladanian Brandy - Passed
FR983154 - Medical Supplies - Held
ZL658254 - Filmbook - Passed

Investigate the Storage Area

Since the holdup isn't at Customs, your next stop is the warehouse where the goods are held. Behind the O'Garees is an area with a bunch of boxes and barrels. On top of a crate is an open book that you can read.

A Report

Fazook decided not to show up for work today. Again. I know he is your kin, but if we wish to remain a place where the noble houses store their valuables, we must have standards. Particularly disturbing are rumors I have heard that he has left his post as a guard for extended periods of time and was seen spending a surprising amount of money at a local Semuta den. I urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to talk to Fazook and get to the bottom of this. Start with that good-for-nothing Phin: if anyone knows wehre Fazook got his money from it is him - probably because he paid him!

Call the Majordomo

With the crate missing, you can call the Majordomo to report the unfortunate situation. You don't have to go back to him; the communinet will do for now. He will tell you to investigate the local lowlifes, starting with the warehouse proprietor.

House Athar Majordomo
It disappeared? This is very grave news, Ser. Very grave. There is not enough time to organize and ship a replacement. 
But I know the low-lifes greedy enough to attempt such a blatant robbery. That crate is still in Arrakeen. Find it. Start by talking to the proprietor of this warehouse. Feel free to explain the consequences of crossing House Athar. We have ways of getting even.  

Interrogate the Black Market Vendor

Go to Phin O'Garee, the male vendor at the stall outside the Storage Area, and ask him about Caladanian brandy. He'll tell you that some mysterious patron paid him to steal the brandy and replace it with a fake case, but he decided to keep both cases instead. He's feeling in over his head, and is more than happy to give both cases to you. He doesn't have the real brandy on his person, though.

Check the crate for tampering

The real brandy is in an alleyway on the second level of Arrakeen. The alleyway is to the left of the stairs. Go down the stairs, then take the right. At the foot of those stairs, you'll see a box covered with a tarp. Press E to check it for tampering. I guess you don't find anything, because you take the crate afterwards.

Deliver the crate of fake brandy to the majordomo

Go back to the majordomo and tell him about what you've found. He'll ask you to give him the case of fake brandy.

Deliver the crate of real brandy to the majordomo

Of course, the majordomo wants the real brandy also. Give it to him to complete the contract.

Rewards

• 700 XP
• 4,500 solari

Dialogue

• Accepting the contract from House Athar majordomo

House Athar majordomo: How may I be of service?

Player: 1. As I recall, you mentioned something about Caladanian Brandy. 2. Have you Served House Athar long? 3. Goodbye.

(2) Expertly remembered. Ser. The centerpiece of the banquet is a case of Caladanian brandy, imported at great cost, to be gifted to Duke Leto himself. My master is confident this gesture will reap great rewards. More's the pity, as this precious gift has been held up in customs longer than is normal. We would be indebted to Ser, if you would find out the fate of the brandy, and bring the crate to us forthwith.

Player: 3. <Accept contract>I'll look into the matter. 4. I'm not interested at this time.

• Questioning Phin O'Garee

Phine O'Garee: Hello again.

Player: 1. I'd like to trade <open trade menu> 2. I need help with something. 3. I have some questions about your business. 4. Goodbye. <Conversation ends>

(2) Phine O'Garee: If O'Garee can't make it happen, like as not, it's not meant to happen. Let's see what we can figure out.

Player: 2.1 Phin, where's Caladanian Brandy?

(2.1) Phine O'Garee: What...? what a specific and pointed question. What would make a body ask something like that?

Player: 2.2 We can play coy, or you can realize that angering an entire Minor House is bad business.

(2.2) Phine O'Garee: Beg pardon?

Player: 5. House Athar ordered their brandy. You're ruining their banquet. 6. House Athar sent me to deal with the scum who stole their property.

(6) Phine O'Garee: What? No-no-no... I'm afraid there's been a terrible misunderstanding. I want no part in angering a noble house. I didn't know!

Player: 6.1 Explain yourself.

(6.1) Phine O'Garee: A mysterious patron paid me a tiny sum to steal a case of expensive brandy from customs and replace it with fake Caladanian brandy. My instincts told me something was off. So I kept both cases, real and fake, hoping it would all blow over. I didn't know! I'm in over my head.

Player: 6.2 I can free you from all Phin. Let me take the fake stuff off your hands.

(6.2) Phine O'Garee: Here, take it. This crate has been like a curse I can't get rid of.

Player: 6.3 Now, give me the real stuff, and I'll square this all away with House Athar.

(6.3) Phine O'Garee: Deal. I don't want any trouble with a noble house.

Player: 4. Goodbye. <Conversation ends>

• Bring the brandy to House Athar majordomo

Phine O'Garee: How may I be of service?

Player: 1. <Complete contract> I have two crates of Caladanian Brandy, one real and one fake. 2. Have you Served House Athar long? 3. Goodbye. <Conversation ends>

(1) Phine O'Garee: Begging Ser's pardon, but I do not follow.

Player: 1.1 Someone paid a ne'er-do-wel to steal the crate and swap it with a fake.

(1.1) Phine O'Garee: Yes, disturbing news. I'm inclined to suspect a rival of my masters. All the more reason to make this banquet perfect.

Player: 1.2 I'll give you both crates and let you sort it out.

(1.2) Phine O'Garee: This may very well save the banquet. Sir has demonstrated utter competency at every turn. It has been a pleasure to work with you.

Player: 3. Goodbye. <Conversation ends>