Once I locate it, I use a question request to find out population. I then personally scout it out to conduct general reconnaissance - a rough census of the population (are there lots of warriors, children, etc), layout of the city, any temples/shrines, any beasts of burden/war (e.g., an armada of sharks with frickin laser beams attached to their heads). No detailed snooping, just want to make note of anything obvious.
When you approach, you immediately sense that there are many spirits around this place. It is rare for you to sense so many.
The city, located about ten miles out to sea, is sprawling and not well organized in construction. You believe it has around 50,000. You see some large sharks, but nothing like a war host.