DystopianGM's Destiny of the Sands Trilogy (Inactive)

Game Master DystopianDream

Please dot and delete to add your character. We will be underway once everyone has checked in.

You have journeyed to the Sandswept Hall, the Pathfinder Lodge in Sothis for the mission briefing.

Balentiir shutters the windows in his second-story office overlooking the lodge’s tranquil gardens and seats himself behind his writing desk. He nods and introduces a thin, aging Garundi man in an ornately bejeweled and feathered turban. “This is Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage. I trust most of you know of him already. If you don’t, know that he has served both the Ruby Prince and the Pathfinder Society for many years, uncovering vast troves of lore from Ancient Osirion and mentoring some of our finest agents. He recently approached my colleagues and me with a request for assistance, and the Society has agreed to step up and aid its ally. The arrangement is, in fact, rather mutually beneficial.” He nods to Amenopheus, signaling the elder man to speak.

“Faithful servants of the past, I bid you greetings,” the wizened sage says with a shallow bow. “Our esteemed ruler, the Ruby Prince, recently released me from his service, which has freed me to learn more about a little-known organization to which I belong: the Jeweled Sages, protectors of Osirion’s history and chroniclers of its past glories. Quite by accident, I found myself initiated into this group, and have long believed myself to be its sole surviving member. Each sage in the group possesses a unique jewel—a priceless artifact that contains memories of Osirion’s golden age.” He pauses as if considering how to express his thoughts “For many years, I have sought news of any other members of the Jeweled Sages. My agents recently learned of the Diamond Sage, whom they traced to the city of Eto in the Osirian Desert. At the same time, I received word from a reliable source that several other jewels are in the vicinity. I ask that you travel to Eto, negotiate with my contact in the city for his assistance, and then use what you learn to find the Diamond Sage and these lost jewels.”

Venture-Captain Balentiir frowns and adds, “This contact has tried to remain anonymous, but we suspect he is none other than Grandmaster Torch. If you’ve heard of him—or worse, met him—you may know trading favors is his signature. Regardless of Torch’s past treacheries, we need you to deal with him fairly for the information. There is a caravan leaving for Eto in a few hours, so don’t delay.”

Feel free to introduce your characters and ask any questions you may have.

A small cloaked figure stands perfectly still in the corner of the room. Draped in old cloths its back seem heavily arched and its limbs stringy and gaunt.

An impossibly deep, but softy melodic voice comes from the pile of rags, "how is the weather and what travel preparations have or should been made?"

Even compared to Umbrato this dirge producing throw pillow is small standing just under 2 feat tall.

A small shadowy figure slips into the room. A strange wind seems to swirl about him from...no where. Nearly a dozen scrolls encircle the cloaked figure's waste with a crossbow hanging at his side.

His expressionless face nods at the question posed by the lithe being. Slowly approaching Balentiir, his feet barely touching the ground, he inquires. "Do we have a specified meeting place at this time? If not, how do you propose we locate this Grandmaster Torch of yours?"

Unconsciously thumbing a carved bone on his hip, he adds "Umbrato's the name. Pleasure to assist the Sages in any and all pursuits."

A young Varisian man with wavy brown hair and light, loose-fitting clothing sits on the edge of his seat as he drinks in this latest mission briefing. A bright yellow scarf is wrapped around his neck, and he has a journal open on his lap. He occasionally scrawls small notes in it while he listens - although when the venture-captain mentions that the contact wants to be anonymous, Nadric carefully scratches out the line he wrote about their planned encounter.

He looks up when the others start asking questions. He's eager to get underway, but he pauses to introduce himself. "My name is Nadric, Nadric Yarrow. It's always been my dream to study the nature of Osirion here at its source, so I'm delighted to be here with you all. And it's an honor to meet you, sir." He half-bows in his seat to Amenopheus.

He reflects on the last thing that the venture-captain had said. "Deal with him fairly, you say... Do you have any guidance as to what this information would be worth?"

Balentiier says to Dart, "The weather is the normal heat for this time of year. The journey to Eto is not far, but standard travel preparations should be fine. Be sure you have enough water and something to block the sun."

Amenopheus clears his throat and addresses Umbrato: "The contact is staying at the House of the White Uraeus. It should be relatively easy to find."

Then he turns his attention to Nadric. The sage says, "The knowledge we could gain is of incalculable worth. Finding the Diamond Sage and the other jewels could unlocks thousands of years of knowledge once thought lost to the ages."

Dart checks his waterskin and thinks to himself, 'may want to stalk up'

"I'm going to grab a few things and head to the caravan if that is agreeable Venture-Captain Balentiir?"

I'm good to headout anytime

Malusha is slightly awestruck when Amenopheus is introduced. Not only because of his position as a Jeweled Sage, but also being a fellow Garundi, Malusha feels a certain affinity towards the ancient sage. The mission itself seems fairly straight forward.

He makes a small bow of respect towards Amenopheus and then address Balentiier. "We will do our best to find the Diamond Sage and learn of the jewels."

I would like to buy a +1 ring of protection. Is that available? My fame is 21.

The Halfling with a noble bearing enters into the room, seated on his faithful mount, Centimere. He has a serious but kind look on his face and he dismounts as Centimere lays down by his master's feet.

I am Ankird Softpaws he says. And this is Centimere he says pointing to the dog.

Following the human's lead, Umbrato offers an awkward jerking motion towards the elder sage and smiles. "Yes, we'll do what we can to find this knowledge."

Straightening back up, he follows his companions out.

Ready to continue

How much water do you think we will need? he asks a practical question. Centimere likes water he says as he pets his dog.

Balentiir sniffs. "You should have everything you need in a waterskin or two."

The overland journey from Sothis to Eto is hot but uneventful. Your caravan makes good time until you come to the gates of the city. Soon, the immense rock walls that ring Eto rise from the horizon like a shimmering mirage that gradually sharpens into focus. The city sits inside an elevated crater with sheer, weathered sides broken only in two places by heavily guarded gates. Long lines of caravans wait in a meandering queue awaiting entrance as officials search their cargos for contraband and calculate taxes. Water sellers, food vendors, and guides march up and down the lines peddling their wares and services to the visitors. Beyond the gates, the main thoroughfares fan out around the various districts of the city before dwindling into the dozens of pathways that flow through the bazaar like the delta of the great River Sphinx.

Hours pass as the line crawls forward, and as you finally start to near the city gate an older, bored-looking Garundi man speaks with the driver of your caravan, and he indicates that you are guest travelers. This earns you your own private inspection. The Garundi man circles around to your wagon and beckons you down.

"Let's go, inspection here," he says in thick Osirion. His tired eyes and graying beard suggest he's heard every excuse in the book. "My name is Mahu. I am your inspection officer. Your gear and posessions, please make them ready to be viewed."

What do you do? If there is anything you wish to hide, roll Sleight of Hand.

“Good day officer,” dart says respectfully, as he begins unpacking with monastic precision. He neatly begins laying each item out one by one.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Checking to see if he is a real official.

“Thank you for keeping the city safe. You have a difficult job my friend. People, in my experience, rarely appreciate the necessity of a job like yours, so I hope your day has been peaceful?”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 To flatter him and ease tensions about outsiders.

Though slow to unpack and pack Dart hides nothing.

K Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Would I know the customs of the area? AkA what the guard is looking for?

Slowly climbing down from the wagon, the small man looks up to the guard. "Well, of course. Is there a problem?"

Though a little puzzled by the process of searching everyone's belongings, and why it's taking so long as they all wait to enter, Nadric willingly slides off his backpack and starts to open it. He greets the man in Osiriani, and then switches back to Common. "It's nice to meet you, Officer Mahu. I don't think you'll find anything untoward in my bag, unless you don't allow water imported from Absalom!" He chuckles at his own joke.

The halfling will show what he has, a lance. :) Centimere will be well behaved but wary.

Having thus far lingered back out of the way, Sira steps forward and presents his pack. Knowing how many times the officer must hear this one, Sira offers,

"No problem officer...I have nothing to hide!"

He smiles widely, showing a full toothy grin.

@Umbrato: Umbrato knows that these guards typically look for Osirion relics to document and levy a tax on. Since the Ruby Prince's decree, Osirion has taxed all finds from treasure hunters looking to sell their wares.

@All: I must apologize, I forgot to include this exchange with Amenopheus below. Umbrato would know that this type of item is of Osirion origin and what the guard may look to tax.

Before...
Before you left, you remember Amenopheus came forward and pulled a weathered stone from his robes and striked it once against the wall to break the stone into two crystalline geode halves. He handed one piece to one of you, instructing, "If you find one of the jewels of my order or the person known as the Diamond Sage, I ask that you contact me. Concentrate on the stone and speak a message of a few dozen words. I will hear you and respond with further instructions. It will only work once, so keep it safe."

Now

Mahu lazily walks the perimeter of the caravan while you are inventorying your belongings. When the little grippli begins to talk, he is both apprehensive and curious, but as Dart continues to speak, Mahu finds that he feels better about himself, the compliment hitting home after a long day's work.

He says, "Finally, someone here understands the trouble we inspectors go through for our country's heritage! Yes, yes, these are busy times, my friend."

He seems to be letting more of a genuine smile show through the professional exterior he puts up.

Do one of you try and conceal the stone? Let me know who has it and if you would like to retcon your previous action.

Sorry about posting with the wrong alias. I can hide it if people want.

No worries. I assume dart'll be sticking with his initial action? Once everyone has a chance to post what they wish to do about the stone, I will move forward.

Dart's actions are the same.

He isnt the most tricky of halflings so someone more tricky would be best to carry it

I'm fine with Dart holding the stone. Nadric would rather it not be found, and he would have tried to signal as much with winks and nods when the officer was approaching.

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Assuming a DC of 15 for passing a secret message, he looks more like he's got something in his eye.

Before...

Malusha stares agape at Amenopheus's communicating stone. "That is amazing." He starts to step forward to take it but then decides that he is probably not the best one to hold it.

Now...

Malusha offers a friendly greeting in Osirioni to Mahu. Then, like Nadric, switches to common. "Feel free, Mahu, to look through my belongings. Is there something in particular you are watching for?"

Dart, are you going to try a sleight of hand?

Before...

Dart had tucked the jewel in his broad fabric belt.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Slowly, meticulously laying his items out for the guard, Umbrato smiles. "I've got a few papers I suppose. Tend to make origami figures back home. If you'd like, I can make something for you to take to the kids or love interest. Just need a piece of parchment."

"Hmm," Mahu says rifling through Dart's belongings, coming very close to uncovering its hiding place within his belt, but moves on to the other members of the party in short order.

"No no, I'm afraid not," he says to Umbrato. "We are not allowed to take anything from anyone we are inspecting."

While he searches Malusha, he responds, "Yes, the Ruby Prince's decree means that we must document all finds from treasure hunters and adventurers. That is our duty."

Once he has searched the last member's possessions, he writes up an quick inspection report and affixes it to the side of the caravan. He smiles a genuine smile and says to you all, "Listen, bustling Eto can be a hard city for outsiders. If you need any help getting around or locating anything, let me know and I'd be glad to help. I wish you a pleasant stay."

If you would like to call on Mahu's help during the adventure, he can provide help navigating the streets or searching for rumors. This is in the form of a +2 bonus to Diplomacy and Knowledge (local) to gather information within Eto.

----

You ask around (or ask Mahu) and quickly get directions to the House of the White Uraeus. It is a two-story, whitewashed stone structure located in one of Eto's more upscale districts. A large brass plaque above its door depicts a snake with two "necks" that split from its body, each with its own head. The servants gliding about the place wear immaculately clean clothing, maintaining a quiet but cheerful facility. In the common area, as soon as you arrive, a half-orc stands and walks over to you, looking you over, your appearance, equipment. He grunts for you to follow. Although its exterior is unassuming, the interior of the White Uraeus is richly decorated with panels of gold-veined marble and bubbling fountains in secluded courtyards. Cool breezes carry the scent of blooming desert flowers throughout the clean halls. Two half-orcs keep watch outside one set of closed doors. After a moment inspecting the visitors, they pull open the doors to reveal a tiled bathing chamber beyond.

“Welcome to Eto, Pathfinders,” rasps Grandmaster Torch as he lounges in a steaming tub. “I didn’t imagine we would meet again under such heart-warming circumstances, yet the White Uraeus certainly knows how to make a traveler comfortable. What can a humble secret monger such as I do for you?” he asks as he leans forward in the tub and flashes a knowing smile.

Centimere sniffs the air.

Eyeing Torch suspiciously Dart says, "I have no doubt you know why we are here, but I have little talent for double speak, so I will be forthright. We want the information about the diamond sage and the lost jewels"

Malusha blushes a small bit when they enter the bathing chamber. He tries not to look too directly at the grandmaster then adds to Dart's comment. "We were sent by Amenopheus."

The halfling is quiet. He tries to notice anything out of hte unusual.

Eyeing the man before them, Umbrato speaks up. "How do we know you are in fact the informant we seek? What proof have you?"

Glancing from his companions and back to the stranger, he presses "Have you credentials to prove you are who you claim to be?"

"We are prepared to, shall we say, compensate one for useful information. How do the ulfen say it these days...You show me yours and I'll show you mine?"

:-P

Grandmaster Torch looks around. Light dances across the burns on his neck. ”I don’t see any other secret peddlers here, Mr. Umbrato Shawart.” He coughs with his whole body, convulsions wracking his midsection. He says once finished, as if nothing happened, ”Don’t presume my secrets are only of dusty gems and old men.”

“Amenopheus may have overlooked the fact that he owed me several favors before I ever asked for his help, but I don’t mind extending a discount to repeat customers,” he remarks with a rasping chuckle. He snaps his fingers to summon one of his bodyguards, who arrives carrying a folded piece of paper. “Let’s see what’s on today’s schedule,” he murmurs as he examines the paper’s contents. “Yes, all of this will do. Consider this my price—all of these tasks completed to my satisfaction in return for what I know of the sages’ jewels. Do we have a deal?”

Handout revealed in the maps.

Taken by surprise when the stranger calls him by name, Umbrato snatches the list. "I..uh...well played sir."

Scanning the contents, he frowns. "Seems like a tall order. You mentioned a discount of sorts...Perhaps we could select a few of the more important tasks here? Certainly you have others that owe you available as well."

Sira hangs back silently, looking rather bored. He is, though, scanning the area for anything that seems interesting or "out of place."

PERC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Nadric takes the paper from Umbrato and quickly skims its contents. He passes it along to the other Pathfinders, his heart uneasy. Clearly, there is a story behind every one of these requests, and we'll be getting mixed up in all of them without knowing the full picture. But as Umbrato tries to negotiate, Nadric reminds himself, The knowledge we could gain is of incalculable worth. Amenopheus said so, and if we can accomplish this it will all be worth it.

Having resolved himself, he looks up and tries to back up the wayang. "Even among a set of important things to do, there must be top priorities, right?"

Backing up his allies Dart inquires, "You intimate murder several times. That seems beyond the debt that is owed to you. What other information do you have on these people so that we can minimise damages to your network?"

KNO REL Khepri: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Torch gives another raspy chuckle. "That is the discounted price." He snaps his fingers again and a bodyguard produces a book with a scarab clasp affixed to the side.

To Dart he says, "Murder is messy; secrets are binary. I prefer the latter. Although..." He sets his mouth in a jagged smile that shows you a glimpse of just how charismatic he once had been, before the years piled up and the burns had crawled across his skin. "Pathfinders are to use their best judgement to complete the mission, whatever the cost. Return when you have completed the tasks and you will have your information."

Malusha scans over the list. A couple of the items seem simple enough but his experience with things that seem simple has shown him that it's not always so. But he sees no way around it. Resigned, he turns to his companions and speaks quietly. "I think we need to do these items. With our skills I think we can accomplish them and still hold to our ideals."

I agree Malusha. Let us find a quite place to to discuss further plans

Dart thinks to himself that a simple retrieval missions maybe a good place to start. Though these types of missions are rarely as simple as they seem.

Some place that is shady and cool he remarks.

Frowning, the wayang nods. "If you insist sir. I don't suppose you have any details left out of the synopsis you supplied us with?"

Glancing to the list, he points to the second item listed. "For example, what is so special about this rod of yours? If it is something volatile, would it not be wise to share with your couriers? And this half-elf...Does she have any specialties we should be concerned with? As in...is she a caster of some kind?"

Skimming the remaining items, the short man finishes with "This 'Finger Ba...er Gang of ours, do you know who the leader is? We'll endeavor to do as you asked in the most efficient way possible. As I'm sure you can appreciate, being a gatherer of knowledge yourself, the more we know...the better prepared we can be."

Torch shrugs. He rasps then gives responses in a rapid fire mixed with occasional bouts of coughing, "The rod will not harm you. As for the half-elf, that is exactly what you're to find out. Naleth Hundredfingers controls the gang, a halfling woman."

So, which one to tackle first? For the sake of speed, I will consider three votes a consensus.

I say we check out the well. It seems like the cleanest job.

Malusha gathers the others and speaks in a low voice. "I agree with Dart. Let's start with searching the well. It seems like the least amount of conflict."

The well sounds like a good place to start he remarks.

As they depart, Nadric nods. "Agreed. With a bit of luck, we can accomplish that one quickly and then get on to the next." He lowers his voice in an attempt to keep Torch from hearing his words. "I only hope that he isn't withholding information from us. Well, not too much information."

You travel to the site listed in Torch’s message. It seems to have once been a way station for travelers, but the structures surrounding the well have since fallen to disrepair. Only the well has seemed to stand the test of time. Wild grasses hug the low walls surrounding the wide mouth. The opening is 15 feet wide at the top but narrows to a width of about 5 feet at the bottom 30 feet below.

Will require climb checks to descend. Please let me know what other preparations you make (light source, etc.). Map updated. Also, please set up your marching order down the well.

Away from Grandmaster Torch, Sira remarks casually,

"The cult of Khepri, the dung beetle, is common among the peasants and laborers of Osirion. Khepri represents those who toil in ignominy and squalor. He is a trickster, turning the indignity of his appearance and labor upon those who consider themselves refined, elevated, and superior to others. I understand there is a certain amount of subjectivity in such matters, as well as the occurrence of hypocrisy in some cases-you know, The pot calling the kettle black and what not. But the fact that Grandmaster Torch feels Ionacu Lozar deserves a visit from the jinx of the scarab, and not death itself somewhat sheds a benevolent light upon his intentions. If given the benefit of the doubt, that is."