> Is their trade carried on Vadeli ships?
For the most part, yes. Brown Vadeli ships, that is: the Red Vadeli fleet is of warships, and doesn't carry cargo. The relationship between the two is symbiotic: the Reds sink the competition, and the Browns exploit the opportunities. They don't sail in convoys or anything like that.
> Would a Vadeli merchant travel on a non-Vadeli ship?
Could do, if he needed to: more likely than a Waertagi travelling on someone else's ship. It might be difficult to find a ship's master who would let one aboard, though, especially in the West.
> Would they use Vadeli or non-Vadeli bodyguards?
I doubt they'd use Red Vadeli bodyguards unless times were very scary (or they wanted to look dangerous, but that's unlikely). So they'd hire outland types -- Jonatelans, Ralians, barbarians -- or vile Western mercenary types (who are prepared to risk Excommunication for associating with the Vadeli). Or grow their own in the clone tanks...
> What skills & spells do they have? (Are they satanic Issaries?)
Skills: high. Specialities in Bargain, Haggle, Bluff, Bootlicking, Tradetalk, Conceal Item, Hide Flaw, Evaluate and the like (for Brown Vadeli).
Spells: amoral atheist sorcery, with whatever surprises you need. Look at my list of "Ten Things the Vadeli Have IMG" for some ideas (cloning, mind control, false memories, body-warping, etc.). They're more likely to have evasive than offensive magics, IMO: they exist on sufferance (until the long-awaited Day of the Vadeli dawns!) and they wouldn't want to provoke anyone. They don't like appearing dangerous or threatening.
> What gods do they worship?
They're amoral atheists (like the Brithini), but the answer "Vadel" will probably do. They are grovellingly humble about their lack of "real" gods to anyone who asks: "We wish we were lucky enough to have great and powerful deities like yours to worship, but we are just the humble Vadeli and our puny ancestral ways must suffice..." They claim to consider themselves unworthy to participate in anyone else's worship services, even as lay members or onlookers. There are *no* Vadeli Saints.
> Who are their leaders?
Rich Brown Vadeli merchants and shipmasters, and the revered ancient Elders of Vadel who have lived since before Time began. I'm not sure about the Red Vadeli. No Blue Vadeli are known to be alive at this moment (there was one unexciting mention in Elder Secrets, but I wouldn't scupper my campaign for that).
> Do they live in ghettos near the docks?
Yes. The Vadeli Ghetto is an institutionalised way of ill-treating this evil race, supported by Scripture, and you can find them throughout the West. Vadeli are only tolerated within their ghetto: outside it, they are on very thin ground if anyone objects to their presence.
> Is their lifestyle luxurious or squalid?
Outwardly squalid, and privately luxurious. The Vadeli Quarter could be like one of those tight-packed Lovecraftian towns, with narrow winding streets, and surprising alleys and buildings tucked away where you wouldn't expect them. There are no obvious "public buildings" (e.g. no Temples). Think also of squalid East London opium dens and the like. The Vadeli men, women and children look queerly at any outsiders walking their streets; they seldom invite guests into their buildings. Be *very* suspicious of any non-Vadeli who goes into the ghetto: his motives are unlikely to be pure!
> Are they 'protected' by the local rulers because they make loans to their
> treasury?
In some cases. And not just cash loans, either: look at my list of "Ten Reasons to Sell Your Soul to the Vadeli". Note that the Hrestoli Idealists of Loskalm are quite tolerant towards them, from a Scriptural precedent (the Vadeli gave Prince Hrestol a place to live when he was a fugitive from the Brithini). Sog City is an amoral, atheist city, and the Vadeli get along fine: the "local rulers" are Brithini who never emerge from their Citadel of Brass, so no problems arise. They are worse treated in Seshnelan ports (Nolos, Pasos, Handra and the like) and along the Castle Coast (where they have no real reason to stop).
> Are they sometimes subject to pogroms?
Certainly. But extraordinarily nasty things have been known to happen to the perpetrators afterwards...
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