The Master of Spells Aram Zey waits in a deep sub-basement of the Grand Lodge, where he scowls as another group of Pathfinder agents walks into a door-sized tapestry of intricately woven but badly frayed cloth. As the last agent’s foot disappears into the Hao Jin Tapestry, Aram Zey snaps a quick order for his assistants to reconfigure the tapestry for Kyonin before turning his eyes—weary and bloodshot from long hours of work—to you.
“Pathfinders, let’s keep this brief. That was the seventeenth group it has been my grueling duty to send through the tapestry today, and words cannot express my inordinate pleasure at understanding there will be an eighteenth,” He growls through the gritted teeth of a forced smile. “Nonetheless, this mission is an important one, and the society has few others who are cut out to handle the task.” He pauses to take several deep breaths, which do much to alleviate his sour mood. “One of my colleagues, Venture-Captain Varian Jeggare, spent a considerable amount of time in Kyonin, and in doing so he performed a considerable service for Queen Telandia Edasseril. She owes him a considerable favor in return, and he was gracious enough to use it for the society’s benefit. Jeggare is busy elsewhere, so he cannot deliver the message himself. Instead he wrote out a formal request and letter of introduction for all of you. It seems he thinks you would represent the society well in playing messenger,” Zey explains before adding under his breath, “and to his credit I can imagine worse ambassadors. As you can see, the letter is sealed, and it should remain so until you meet General Theila Tenasi and give it to her. In effect, it requests that she provide the Pathfinder Society a contingent of rangers specialized in hunting demons to assist us as we make our way to Jormurdun. So, that’s your mission: Go to Kyonin, meet with the general, and make sure the elves don’t back out of this favor. We have a contact in Greengold who can secure you quick passage back to Absalom or anywhere else you need to go afterward. You’ll be taking the Tapestry to reach Kyonin, and Kreighton Shaine has already contacted the elves to let them know to expect you. Any questions?"
The tiny gnome purses her lips and shakes her head. "You seem to have told us everything," she observes. "You aren't expecting them to try to back out, are you?"
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The huge shoanti warrior pauses his admiration of the tapestry to answer the Venture Captain.
"The elves are a noble people and their rangers will be a valuable asset against the demons of the Worldwound but I'm no expert on their ways. Are there any customs we should be aware of in meeting with these elven leaders? The last thing we'd want to do is risk endangering this alliance."
The tiny gnome purses her lips and shakes her head. "You seem to have told us everything," she observes. "You aren't expecting them to try to back out, are you?"
"No of course not. Eyes open! This is no time for a nap."
Can you tell us anything about the honored General? And why her, not the Queen, if the favor is with her? Does the General hold the society in different esteem from the Queen?"
"The general is just carrying out the Queen's wishes on her behalf."
"The elves are a noble people and their rangers will be a valuable asset against the demons of the Worldwound but I'm no expert on their ways. Are there any customs we should be aware of in meeting with these elven leaders? The last thing we'd want to do us risk endangering this alliance."
“Elven courtesy is simple enough. Don’t embarrass yourself. You’ll do fine. When I asked if there were any questions, I meant it as a rhetorical question. Now get moving."
The most polite way to deliver the letter would be to show the missive’s unbroken seal, open it, and then read it aloud, giving the recipient an opportunity to parse out lies and judge the visitors’ integrity.
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But the leaves in the tiny gnome’s hair jogs his memory.
”I have heard of a custom where messengers are expected to show a missive’s unbroken seal before breaking the seal and reading the message aloud. I believe it has something to do with honesty and giving the recipient an opportunity to gauge the messenger’s integrity. We should try to do that when we arrive.”
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“Elven courtesy is simple enough. Don’t embarrass yourself. You’ll do fine. When I asked if there were any questions, I meant it as a rhetorical question. Now get moving."
"Last time I checked this was not an army. If you won't extend your agents some modicum of respect you welcome to go yourself." the priest retorts.
"And last I checked you were agents and I was the Master of Spells. If you like I can tell the Venture Captain you declined. That is if he isn't on one of his awfully boring and uninteresting adventures."
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Terrill rolls his eyes at Chjara's persnickety response. Abadar clerics! They've got that golden key right up their...anyway, we better get going, put my feet on the road in service to the Starsong.
"Sounds like you could do a lovely reading, Thunderhoof," Terrill weighs in, "let's hop in this nice rug on the wall and go see some elves."
Lini winces at the less-than-cordial exchange, then jerks her head up quickly to tilt her head at the Shoanti. "Oh, you can read?" she asks with interest.
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Krojun rumbles with laughter at the little druid’s surprise. ”Of course! I would have never completed my Confirmation if I hadn’t been able to read the good Master of Scroll’s communications.”
”I learned to read and write when I was very young among my own people. I was to be trained as a Thundercaller – a sage and historian of sorts - before fate brought me to Absalom.”
Nodding in agreement with Terrill, Krojun turns to face the tapestry. "We should be going."
You all step into the tapestry and step out of a vine trellis hundreds of miles away. You are now standing in front of six silent elves wearing full plate armor as smooth as pearl. The elves confirm the party's identity and escort you into an elegant keep of artfully styled wood and stone. After climbing several sets of stairs, the escort stops at a set of double doors, knocks, and then opens them, motioning for the party to enter General Tenasi’s chambers.
Tenasi's spacious room provides a panoramic view of the surrounding woodlands. General Tenasi, an elven woman with chestnut brown hair and wearing medium armor over fine teal clothing, nods and neutrally invites the party to enter and explain their business, saying, “As outsiders in Kyonin, I would appreciate your contemplating the rarity of your positions. As a general in charge of these lands’ defense, I expect you to appreciate the gravity of mine. This conversation would not be possible were it not for the letter in your possession.”
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"Yes, it is an honor for Kyonin to be graced by Pathfinders. I am sure my associates will paint a lovely picture of your forest home in the Chronicles. I understand that your force of rangers has been instructed to join the Pathfinder "army" by Queen Edasseril on account of your regent owing a favor to one of our society's lesser members. I trust that your defenses will not be significantly compromised by this reallocation of forces?"
Lini coughs softly, her brows knitting themselves into a slight frown. "I think my friend accidentally misspoke... what she meant, of course, was that it is an honor for us to be here. Your woods are beautiful, and it is our pleasure to see them." She smiles at the elf-general, then looks over to the towering Shoanti. "Please, allow us to present you with the letter, so that you can examine the seal on it."
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"Your hospitality is appreciated and if the rumors of their prowess is as true as the rumors of Kyonin’s beauty, the fiend-slaying skills of your rangers will be a great boon in the Society’s efforts against the demons of the Worldwound”, the hulking shoanti adds.
At Lini's cue, he produces the letter and offers the seal for the general's inspection.
Tenasi inspects the letter and then hands it back to Yhunderhoof. She waits expectedly.