GM Kiora's Wrath of the Righteous

Game Master Kiora Atua

"Oh, yes!" says the woman on the opposite stall from the empty one. She was apparently as competitive about sharing gossip as she was about luring customers away from Santigo. "She headed to the racetrack, saying she'd no good luck lately, so she'd try to find a dog that has found some." She grins. "Now, I don't get paid to chat. You'll buy some bread, yes?"

Ehren starts flying out in a spiral, starting from the center of the city, which happened to be an enormous, luxurious, palace. After about an hour of flying in slow spirals, in the northwestern part of the city (which seemed to be the poorest part of the city) Ehren catches glimpse of what appears to be a trail of softly glowing pink flower petals. They branch in two directions, forcing Ehren to choose one path to follow. He chooses to go north. The petals lead into a small building, where they spell out in crude letters, "Safe but Not Here".

Unafe, Xander, and Valais find themselves just where Xander had envisioned - a small tavern in Westcrown.

Except the tavern appears to be abandoned, or maybe just under construction. There isn't much furniture, and parts of the floor have been ripped out. Next to where the bar used to be, is a Chelish human woman with cropped dark curly hair. She wears a practical outfit - boots, trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, and gloves. She scowls at the sudden intrusion.

"And who the f!+& are you all breaking in here like this?"

Xander was last here 40 years ago. This place is called Vizio's Tavern. He had stayed here with a group of Pathfinders, a few decades before he had met Jorsal. They were there to visit Delvehaven, the Pathfinder Lodge in Westcrown, which was being re-opened after being closed for nearly 70 years.

Xander knows, of course, that Delvehaven closed again just 2 years later, its private collection returning to the vaults of the Ghaelfin family. Rumors of a terrible tragedy in Delvehaven began to circulate throughout the Inner Sea region, and the Chelish government tacitly confirmed these rumors by closing the lodge entirely, sealing and warding the entrances with magical locks and wards of great power.

At Vizio's Tavern, he had met a young tiefling named Valaria Alazario. He recalls her as being flirtatious, but also somewhat uncertain of herself. Very different from the confident woman she had become when they unexpectedly reunited in Nerosyan 40 years later. They had slept together that night. At the time, Valaria had never been outside of Cheliax, and she was fascinated by the places that Xander had been. She asked Xander if he had ever been to Taldor, as she was thinking of traveling there, just to get away from Westcrown. That was the last he saw of Valaria - she was gone before he awoke the next morning.

Xander doesn't recognize the woman that is at the counter. 40 years ago, Vizio's Tavern was run by Ismael Vizio, a Chelish man of Garundi descent. The tavern was a popular place for merchant guards to congregate after a long day's work.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

"I am Lann of Neathholm, a warrior of the Mendevian Crusades. As far as my rank goes, well, I am just a rank-and-file soldier," he says to Younes with his usual polite, friendly tone. Given how much of their story Ary already gave away on the way here, he sees little reason not to be forthcoming. "I came here to help rescue a friend, a wizard named Aravashnial. You see, he was kidnapped by these cultists called Blackfire Adepts. I cannot say I know much about them, but they have cavorted with demon worshipers in the past. Time was of the essence, so we got here as quickly as we could. The idea was for us to complete our rescue mission and leave before anyone even realized we were here, but ah, obviously that did not work out."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

Ehren flutters around the small, abandoned building, but doesn't see anyone inside. He then leaves, following the trail of petals across the city. The petals travel south, then cross the river near the southern-most part of the city. They meander around an enormous open-air marketplace, then dart off back towards the center of the city.

Ehren is caught up to Isilme timeline-wise, so we will continue this once Isilme moves a little more forwards in time.

Younes is very difficult to read. He nods. "I see," he says, taking notes on a piece of parchment affixed to a thin, white stone slab. His notes are in Osiriani, so Lann cannot read them. "I see. Tell me about this 'Aravashnial'. What does he look like? Why was he in Rahadoum? Do you know where he was last seen prior to being kidnapped? Who in Rahadoum alerted you to his kidnapping?"

"Don't listen to Ishe, she does not know Maroq as well as I do! Maroq always dresses the same, usually a loose, white dress," Santigo says, cutting the other baker off. He was not willing to be bested as the best source of gossip, not by anyone, and certainly not by Ishe. "Good for catching extra customers!" He winks.

Meanwhile, woman beams as Isilme ends up buying another loaf of Rahadoumi bread, which is a type of flatbread, golden brown on the outside and soft and fluffy inside. "My bread is finest in all of Azir!" she beams.

After providing some brief directions to the greyhound track, Ishe and Santigo watch Isilme expectantly. "Well?" they say almost in unison. "Which is better?"

----

The racing tracks are a thirty minute walk from the Grand Souk. They are close to the centre of the city, which is marked by an enormous palace surrounded by its own set of walls.

Azir is world-famous for its swift, sleek dogs, and breeders congregate at this racetrack to test their hounds' speed. Today the track has drawn a boisterous crowd of gamblers who shout bets, laugh, and occasionally curse their luck following a bad race. With so many people seeking relaxation and distraction, the track is a hotbed for Rahadoumi gossip.

Isilme stands near the betting counter, eyeing the crowd for women wearing a white, flowing dress, but she doesn't see anyone who appears to match the description.

Behind her is a corkboard where many wanted posters have been hung. They are each translated into both Osiriani and Taldane. Xander's wanted poster catches Isilme's eye first. There are two others - one for a woman named "Klini", who appears to be a young Mwangi woman with a large head of black curls. Klini is a smuggler, wanted for breaking the First Law of Man. The other is for a pair of gnome women - wanted suspects for unspecified acts of "divine terrorism". No names are posted on this wanted poster, but the reward for mere information regarding the terrorists was double Xander's bounty once the information was vetted. The images of the two gnomes, unfortunately, look rather generic.

"You may call me Jamal," they say. They affix a piece of parchment to a thin white stone slab with a small clasp. They place it on the table and begin taking notes.

When Ary interjects regarding the kidnapping, Jamal flicks through their notes to the end. The last sheet of paper is covered in dense notes, but they are all in Osiriani, making it impossible for Ary to read them. "Indeed. A... wizard, was it? Elven, male, blue eyes, pale skin, long white hair, purple robes... what was this person's name?"

"Where did you send them to conduct this research? Where were they staying?" asks Jamal. "And... how exactly did you learn that this wizard was kidnapped? I'm assuming this case was reported to the local authorities once they were discovered missing, yes? Do you know who created the report?"

Santigo bursts into a deep belly laugh. "You hear that, Ishe? نان من بهترین است! خانم زیبا چنین می گوید." He continues to roar with laughter.

"او باید در سرش حلقه زده باشد ، سانتیگو! خواهیم دید که چقدر از نان شما در پایان روز به پرندگان می رسد!" Ishe barks back. They continue to squabble with one another as Isilme leaves for her next destination.

-----

The bookie laughs. "Oh, yes, she was here an hour ago. She was complaining that she needed coin for a new slave and was hoping to earn it through a few good bets, but her luck was just terrible. After losing big she said she wanted to take a soak at the Jistka Bathhouse to forget her troubles."

Isilme uses gallant inspiration.

Isilme leaves just as the gambling crowd erupts to an upstart - the underdog hound won the race versus the expected favorite by just a hair.

The Bookie doesn't mind giving Isilme directions to the Jistkan Bathhouse, which is north and across the river, in Keatb Park.

Ehren follows the trail of petals into the heart of the city, where they enter what appears to be a large racing track and linger there for some time, before heading back into the city out the opposite exit moving northwards.

"A brothel?" Younes raises an eyebrow. "So if he was not using the brothel for its usual services, then why was he at a brothel? What does that have to do with conducting research?"

Younes is quiet for a moment, taking notes. "We have many arcane colleges in Azir, as well as independent arcane think-tanks and other privatized enterprises. Do you happen to have any idea where he was conducting his research?"

"As for the brothel..." Lann shrugs. "Your guess is as good as mine. It might have just been a convenient meeting spot."

"I see. So you are saying you do not know where your missing ally was staying, nor whom they were in Rahadoum to see," says Younes slowly. "And the Mendevian Crusades' response to this situation was, rather than notifying the authorities in Azir of his disappearance, was to attempt to enter the city illegally and then sneak back out without anyone knowing?" he asks.

"Unless... you are saying the Mendevian Crusades sent this wizard to enter Azir illegally as well? That would certainly explain all of this secrecy."

Regardless of Lann's answer to that question, Younes continues, "Irregardless of any questionable decisions made by the Mendevian high command I can assure you that the Pure Legion will take the matter of this reported disappearance seriously. We will start with sending Legionnaires to question brothels throughout the city to narrow down where he was last seen, and we will let you know immediately if we discover the location of your missing ally. Do you have any other information regarding this case that would aid us in finding this missing wizard?" He pauses for a moment for Lann to provide any other pertinent information that would assist with locating Aravashnial.

"So, let's circle back around. I want to be clear on all of circumstances that led your group to be here. How and where did you enter the country of Rahadoum? Also, please list the names of all of the people you entered the country with."

The crusader leans back in his chair, trying to hide his hesitation. Ary had told the Legionnaires arresting them an awful lot about why they were in Rahadoum, but she had not explicitly blown Isilme or Ehren's cover. She might well do so, honest being that she is, but doing so himself without being certain just feels wrong. Lying to them outright would not work, either.

"To be honest, Younes, I may have have said too much already," he says finally, his tone apologetic. "I mean no disrespect, but I am just a simple soldier, following his orders. My commanding officer would be far better suited to provide a detailed account of our mission here."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Younes smiles at Lann, though it does not quite reach his eyes. "Indeed. Your superior officer is Ary Bishop, correct? We would not want to misunderstand why a Lord-Commander of the infamously militaristic Iomedaen theocracy decided to enter the capital of Rahadoum illegally."

He stands up, clutching his file to his chest. "We would appreciate your cooperation on this matter, Lann of Neathholm. Please let your guard know if you think of anything you'd like to share with us. Your court-date is scheduled for the 7th of Awelan Mahbhar... that's the same as the 9th of Lamashan, by Absalom Reckoning. Until then, I'll come to see you to let you know of any developments regarding this 'missing wizard'."

He leaves, and the two armed guards escort Lann back to his cell, where he is left alone with the unseen whistler.

Ary watches the pen, despite being unable to read, a focal point to keep her eyes on, the movements helping to jog her memories in the same way that they would do in her own hands. "His girlfriend, a bard and one of my personal friends, was in Mendev with us at the time. I believe that she performed a sending each morning to talk with him; yesterday morning, the sending informed her that he'd been kidnapped by the Blackfire Adepts. We gathered our friends and left immediately to try to arrive as quickly as we could. Given the nature of the Blackfires, I assumed that he didn't have long to live." she responds, chewing her lip for a moment.

"I don't know whether it has been reported or not, but I suspect it would have been hard to kidnap him without there being some sort of scene. If there were any other reports besides the one that I made out in the desert, I'm unaware of them... though hopeful that they exist. Isilme would know any contacts if any of us do, and the location he was staying."

"Oh, wait. At last contact, she mentioned that she is currently looking for 'Maroq'." Ary offers, then stops for a moment, "All of this is my fault, Jamal. I'm the one who sent Avi here, my allies were just coming to help our friend, and my commanding officers didn't even know we were coming - we left in such a hurry. After we reached the desert outside of Azir, I began to have doubts about the direction that we were going... but I believed that if word got out about Aravashnial's state being known by the Crusades..." she pauses and shakes her head, before motioning back to the wings, "I couldn't very well enter the city, or even approach it, without causing a stir, a stir that could have killed my friend. I still should have tried... something. Was there a way we could have contacted you quickly and discretely?"

"Maroq, hmmm?" says Jamal, leaning back in their chair and letting Ary talk while they scribble notes on the parchment. "Who or where is this, 'Maroq'?"

"You say that you do not know where Aravashnial was staying, nor whom his Rahadoumi contact is, but this 'Isilme' does. It seems like you do not have very much information for us to go with, and if time is of the essence, we need some sort of lead. Where is Isilme, then?"

She pauses for a moment, "If she contacts me again, I'll suggest that she brings the information she has to you. She... likely won't listen, given the situation. Is there a specific location where she could do so discreetly?"

Jamal raises an eyebrow. "She's in the city? Could you provide a brief description of this, 'Isilme'?"

"We could position a Legionnaire out-of-uniform at a discreet meeting location, such as in a cafe, or a hookah bar."

"If you give me an address, and she performs a Sending again, I'll give it to her. I'll only have twenty-something words, though. So a quick way to identify them would be ideal as well. I... don't know that she'll be able to Send again, though. She started using a spellbook recently, and folks with spellbooks kind of need those to cast. And... she left her spellbook with me."

Jamal scribbles down an address using the Taldane alphabet, rips it off from the sheet and then and passes it to Ary. "Zezir's Cafe. They're open late."

They lean back and continue to take notes. "Don't worry, we'll keep an eye out for her. Can you name and describe all of the people you entered the country with? How did you enter Rahadoum, and where?"

The Jistkan Baths is an old looking bathhouse in Azir, its style evoking the long-gone Jistkan civilization that once ruled northern Rahadoum. Its well-maintained marble facade advertises an elegant facility.

Ehren flutters down close enough to see Isilme walk by - she stands out, being a tall half-orc. Rahadoum was mostly composed of humans and halflings. She seems to be in a hurry, as she simply drives straight through the front doors.

It is obvious as she passes that she is the source of the yellow petals which Ehren was following all this time.

Isilme heads straight to the front counter and asks if Maroq is present. A cheerful-looking Vudrani girl greets her as she approaches. The girl briefly reviews a list of names, before nodding. "Oh, yes, ma'am, she's here! She is in the mixed-gender bath. Are you here to meet her? For one gold piece you can enter the baths. We will store any weapons and armor until you are ready to leave, for no extra charge! And, of course, there are rooms in which you can disrobe."

Isilme walks down a broad hallway lines with hooks and shelves that hold dry towels, bottles of scented oil, and a variety of combs and brushes. Several buckets of water line one wall. Isilme remembers from her time in Taldor that the purpose of these buckets are to rinse oneself prior to entering the main bath, so that excess dirt and grime does not soil the communal pool.

The hallway passes through a steamy sauna. Wooden benches and partitions line most of the walls of the sauna, and the air is kept warm and humid. Four smooth tables stand in the center of the room, and several clients lie on them receiving massages from the bathhouse staff. The wall on Isilme's left is subdivided into several smaller chambers containing broad brass bowls that hold heated rocks for creating additional steam.

The hallway leaves the sauna and curves around a corner into the baths. The chilled bath of the Jistka Bathhouse is in the lower level of the structure, a mixed-gender facility where adults soak in light robes to protect their modesty. The air is cool and humid and the lighting is dim. Faint lanterns reflect off the water and the sound of running water echoes off the floor and walls.

Isilme skims the faces in the bathhouse. Santigo's earlier description of Maroq's clothing was certainly not helpful here. She can narrow it down more easily by gender - the majority of the patrons at the moment were men, so she focuses on the women. She quickly notices someone she recognizes - but it is not someone that Isilme had expected. She sees Jahani Jodinaj, Shahdokt of Aspenthar, soaking in the bath. Jahani is a beautiful young Mauxi princess, fiery and willful, whom Isilme had met on an adventure in Thuvia in the past year. Her hair, which she used to keep loose as a mass of dark curls, was tied back into tight, intricate braids across her scalp. Isilme can tell that Jahani looks tense.

Xander has had 24 hours to post so we'll just automate him until he is available to post again.

"Westcrown yw hwn, sydd yn Cheliax. Mae'n wlad ar draws y Môr Mewnol o Rahadoum. Nid wyf yn adnabod y fenyw hon," replies Xander in a low voice to Unafe.

Hallit: "This is Westcrown, which is in Cheliax. It is a country across the Inner Sea from Rahadoum. I do not know this woman."

The woman grows agitated, and raises her hand, which is grasping a hammer. Not the sort used as a weapon, but the sort used to drive nails. "Hey! You three! Do. You. Speak. Common? Dah'e'Dahar? Get out of here or I'll call for the Dottari!"

Infernal: "Do you speak Infernal?"

The 'Dottari' are the local name for the militia in Westcrown.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

The woman scowls and points her hammer at the door. "I don't know! Anywhere but here! Get! Get!"

Ehren swoops around the building, but finds it doesn't have any windows. However, on the roof, there are some small vents that serve to cool the bathhouse. The slits are extremely small, barely big enough to ram ones fingers through, but Ehren is also only a few inches tall at the moment.

DC 30 Acrobatics (Escape Artist) + 1 minute to squeeze through the slits. Retry is permitted as long as Ehren is willing to invest the time.

As Isilme approaches Jahani, her brows crease into a frown. She clearly does not recognize Isilme in this form. Then Isilme speaks to her and she whispers, "Shadi? Is that you?"

Her eyes widen as three Pure Legion officers storm into the room, causing the bathing patrons to sit up with alarm. Jahani sloooooowly lowers herself into the water until she is fully submerged, which is a milky opaque color thanks to the scented oils.

Jahani stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

One of the Legionnaires sees Isilme and immediately heads in her direction. Isilme stands out, being the only half-orc in the bath. "You there. Half-orc woman. The receptionist upstairs states that you know a Maroq. What do you know of Maroq, and where is she?"

In an instant, Isilme scans the room, but doesn't see anyone else react to Maroq's name. She looks back to Jahani, who by this time had already vanished beneath the water.

The Legionnaire crosses the distance to the bath Isilme is in. She is tall and imposing, but her scimitar is sheathed. "Well? Answer the questions, or do we need to bring you in for questioning?"

1d20 ⇒ 15
1d20 ⇒ 5

Ary pauses for a moment, looking concerned with an eyebrow raised. "You... know that I'm not naive, right? I'm not really being guided into traps or anything like that. I'm going out of my way to help you to the best of my ability... so when you say things like 'We'll keep an eye out for her', it feels sort of... tongue-in-cheek. Forgive me if I'm misreading the situation... but I really do believe it's in all our best interests that Isilme be allowed to continue her investigation. It will save lives if she succeeds." she huffs, and leans back from the table, slightly. She still shares a small description of each person as she talks, including their appearance.

"But... regardless. Nine of us, if you include the chicken thing that is Unafe's pet. Unafe is a Kellid warrior from the Demetae clan in Sarkoris. We found her frozen solid near a volcano several months back. We then lead her to her homeland, which is corrupted by the 'Wound. After protecting her people from the Woundwyrm, we then went to destroy an ooze that was causing a plague in Iobaria. The plague was amongst the Demetae... though probably in Iobaria as well. Unafe is the big bird-lizard thing, though she's also a normal person sometimes. She's the one surrounded by spirits. She has a few magical tricks, though it's sort of focused. Changing her shape and getting guidance. She isn't a member of the Crusades."

"Then there's Hinagiku, translates to Daisy... so if I call her Daisy, it's just shorthand. She's the Kitsune monk who turned herself in along with me. She has a fox-person form and a Tian-ancestry form. She came from Minkai to fight demons as a sort of pilgrimage-rivalry thing. The one who slays the strongest demon 'wins'. I... think she might be the only one still competing. She fights alongside the front lines even when most of us are busy with the minutiae of running things in Drezen... though she is not a member of the Crusades. She has some minor magic, though she's honestly been changing so much lately, I couldn't tell you what she can and can't do any longer."

"Lann, who is also here with us, is an Underfolk that we met beneathe Kenabres when it was attacked by the Storm King. Well, by us, I mean..." she frowns, suddenly, looking down, as it's the first time she realizes that they've all gone their separate ways. "Ehren and I. Anyway... Lann is my subordinate, Ehren invited him along, and I didn't argue. Honestly, amongst the group... I think you'd have been the most welcoming of him. He isn't particularly religious, he just seems to enjoy... being?" she shakes her head as she doesn't seem to find the right words. "He doesn't seem to have any magical talents."

"Anyway, Ehren is a druid from Sarkoris, also a Kellid, though he's of the Ferron clan. We met when we fell into a giant hole created by an earthquake. He's incredibly capable in just about every facet I could imagine on any given day, though precisely how capable varies. Amongst my allies... he's amongst the least likely to do harm, but the most capable of it - if pressured - I think. I don't know where he is, and I don't think he has any way to reach me unless he knows where I am. He isn't a member of the Crusades."

"Xander is the hobgoblin wizard... a capable illusionist who was once a Shabti. He was kind of born in the Abyss fully formed... I don't really know how that works. He survived there, somehow, and eventually made his way out. I... don't know what he was thinking, attacking you guys." she says, shaking her head, brow furrowed. "I mean, maybe it's something to do with the Abyss. I figure if you get captured there, you don't really come back from that. Or maybe he cares way more about Avi... or distinctly less about innocent people. He can be a bit... temperamental. He's always seemed to mean well, though. He's an illusionist, and perhaps the only skilled one I've ever seen. He was a geographer and demonologist for the Crusades, as well as a Pathfinder."

"He has a subordinate, Valais, who was captured and tortured by a terrorist demon who stole the body of her original boss. We... helped to set that right in heaven, but she wound up permanently infused with the magic from there as a result. So... not quite human anymore?" Ary says with a small shrug. "I've honestly never seen her cast anything offensive, though I do know she's skilled as a caster. I think she's mostly just here to - of all things - write. She was still writing when we were surrendering. I don't think she's technically part of the Crusades."

"That leaves Isilme, Avi's girlfriend. Things with her are complicated. When our friend died and we tried to bring her back, an azata wound up bound in her body, so a situation somewhat like Valais. The irony being that she was the friend's father's lover... but not the mother of Li'an." Ary says with still another small shrug. "It took us years, but we figured out a way to undo that and give her her own body back. The end result is the raven-haired half-orc. She's a bard and a capable caster, perhaps on par with Xander and Ehren on a good day... though most of her magic tends to be helping others to succeed. She's the most capable investigator I know, honestly. She's capable of changing her form and a broad swath of magic. She's been a part of the Crusades nearly since we met."

"I think... Isilme and Ehren could possibly save Avi if they can find each other. Assuming you didn't capture either of them already." she says, chewing on her lip, and tilting her head thoughtfully... she didn't suspect Ehren was someone who could reliably be caught without surprise. Though he had walked into a much worse fate more than once. "Anyway. That leaves me as the ninth. Human farmgirl turned half-elf by reincarnation. I'm capable of shapechanging magic, though mostly only to be the blonde farmgirl - a form I'm more comfortable in - or the gray elf with red hair. The wings happened around the time I figured out how to do that. My magic seems to be centered around protecting others and organizing them, beyond that. I've been noticing stranger capabilities in my magic of late, though. I'm specialized in demon-hunting and guarding others. I'm the governess of Drezen and the ranking member of the Crusades here... and there. Or... was. I can't imagine being involved in a skirmish with another country's guards - intentional or not - will reflect well." she says, as her thumb traces the empty space on her finger once more, thinking about how badly everything had gone. And that she was probably only making it worse by being honest; could these people even deal with the Blackfire Adepts? Could they even help Isilme if they wanted to? "Everyone's okay, right? Is the camel all right?"

Jamal raises an eyebrow. "If you have anything to share as to the whereabouts of Isilme, given that she appears to be the only one who knows where our missing wizard is, then please, do, share. Otherwise it seems that, between the two of us, finding her is the only way that my forces are likely to do any good towards finding these cultists. Again, if you hear from her, please direct her to this address."

They quietly lean back and take notes while Ary describes her traveling companions. "And... how exactly did you all enter the country? We do not have any evidence of your initial entry by way of port of Azir, and foreigners are required to obtain travel papers immediately upon entry." They flick through their papers for a moment. "Did Xander teleport you in? If so, where?"

"Thankfully, no one died in the wizard's attack. It was fortunate that we sent some of our finest animals, men, and women to bring him in, otherwise it could have been a massacre," says Jamal.

"I see." The Legionnaire gives Isilme a long, hard, skeptical look, scrutinizing her face. "And what was your name, again?"

Isilme must make a DC 14 Will Save or be unable to speak lies.

Legionnaire Sense Motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (16) + 21 = 37

"As for papers... we don't have anything like that in Sarkoris or Mendev. I'm afraid that we didn't know that. There's a lot of stuff like that that we didn't know. The fact that items with divine sources are illegal, the fact that the things being stowed in bags wasn't allowed... we'd went to Minkai recently, and we weren't allowed to wear armor or weapons publicly, but we were allowed to carry it, so I just..." she frowns and sighs. "I'm really bad at other cultures. I seem to be messing up that sort of thing everywhere we go. I've been trying to study a bit more, but never dreamed of even wanting to come to Rahadoum. No offense... but.." she motions to her wings, "I feel like I wouldn't be wanted here."

Jamal shakes their head. "All people are welcome in Rahadoum. We are the City of Man. We ask that you not bring your gods and their accompanying conflicts and biases into our homeland. We are neutral ground from all of that. Can you not see, that by sending one of your countrymen here to utilize our resources for your holy war, you may have endangered Rahadoumi citizens by producing all of this conflict?"

Jamal puts away their notes, and then bridges their fingers together, peering over them at Ary. They lick their lips. Their tongue is like that of a snake's. "Ignorance of law does not make one above the law."

"But you will see; we Rahadoumi are not unreasonable people. We know how you view us all too well. We understand that this was all a misunderstanding. We are happy to hold your belongings while you investigate the matter of your missing wizard. Your allies, also." They unclasp their hands. "But the one thing we cannot tolerate is an assault on our Legionnaires. Based on this account, your soldier Xander is guilty of attempted murder on eight of our people. For justice to be done, he must stand trial for his crimes, but according to our most recent reports he is still at large. If you help us bring him in, ideally convince him to simply turn himself in, we will be happy to release you once he enters custody. Does this seem reasonable to you?" they ask, tilting their head.

Jamal is likely faultspawn, a term for a type of tiefling that is created by asura reproducing with mortals.

Asura are a sort of evil outsider that live in hell. They are birthed whenever a god makes a mistake.

Faultspawn tend to derive a deep joy from witnessing the myriad failures of the gods and will often devote themselves to the ruin of religions whose values and beliefs do not align with their own. Physically, asura-spawn tend to exhibit both masculine and feminine traits simultaneously but also tend to possess odd physical traits, such as forked tongues, or long limbs that can twist in strange, disturbing ways.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41

The female Legionnaire narrows her eyes. "I don't believe you. But this can be a simple matter to settle, if you are who you say you are. We're taking you in for questio-"

Jahani erupts out from the bath and grabs hold of Isilme's hand, imbuing her with message. She whispers, "We can get away. In the sauna there's a secret door to the sewers."

The Legionnaires immediately draw their weapons. "MAROQ. Or do you prefer 'Klini'? You are under arrest for breaking the First Law of Man," she yells out, pointing at Jahani.

Many patrons of the bath stand up and start screaming and making for the exit.

Map added on Roll 20

Ehren sits perched on the door. He hears screaming. Some people come running out the front door, yelling to one another in Osiriani.

"Worship of Desna will not be tolerated in Rahadoum," proclaims one of the Legionnaires loudly. For both Jahani and Isilme the mood in the room abruptly shifts, as if their magic was enough to jilt them temporarily from their connections with their goddess. Both Legionnaires then start to circle around the pool towards Isilme and Jahani.

Jahani squeezes Isilme's hand and looks her in the eyes and whispers, "Sauna on the far left." She then lets go of Isilme's hand, whistles sharply and then vanishes. The water around her form stirs as she sneaks out of the pool, invisible.

Ehren Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Legionnaire #2 Intimidate: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27

Book keeping: Jahani and Isilme are shaken for 1 minute.