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A sturdy (but not very athletic) dwarf enters the hall, wearing an exotic armor over and trying to pretend to be an intellectual - which clearly he wasn't.
Although it has a grouchy semblant, Ptolemy isn't as sulky as the rest of his race, and is keen to shake hands with all who are in the room when he arrives.
"Greetings, Pathfinders. I am Ptolemeo. And you, what are your names?", he asks them as he stirs the braids in his beard.
They hear a * coark * coming from a pouch of the dwarf.
"Oh, I almost forgot: this is George" and the shaman brings a toad and shows it to others, presenting his little friend to them.
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A barbarian is dressed in old scale armor with bits of fur and bone strung here and there. She carries a finely-crafted adamantine greatsword that glows faintly with a soft blue light.
She is comely, yet she seems cold and distant.
Her face is determined, and conveys a distinct message: Don't mess with me.
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“Welcome to glorious Sedeq, Pathfinders. I trust your stay has been pleasant so far.”
The speaker is a strikingly beautiful woman, slender and dark, dressed in the most modern Qadiran fashions. Her study is opulently appointed and seems to have mementos and trophies of past adventures covering every available surface. She favors you and your comrades with a slight half-smile and continues in her thick Qadiran accent: “I am Venture-Captain Yasmin Kal’al—I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced.”
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"Please to meet you, ma'am." A stocky dwarf with blond hair and beard extends his dirty hand. He is wearing some well-worn and somewhat dusty clothes. Seeing the reaction to his hand, he turns it into more of a wave. "Name's Henrick Bulwark, and I apologize for my appearance, but I just came in from the Pillars of the Sun in Osirion, by way of Eto, and haven't had a chance to properly cleanup."
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Venture-Captain Yasmin Kal'al curtly nods to Henrick Pleased to meet you all, though it seems time is of the essence in this situation.
“I am here as you are, by request of honored Venture-Captain Adril Hestram. I have been asked to brief you on the local situation as regards the Osirian artifacts. As you know, the smuggler Matzal Chaim moved the four statues out of Sothis into Qadira. The statues are supposed to be quite valuable and had been confiscated by the Osirian authorities for study. We are not sure how Chaim got access to the statues in the first place—he likely had accomplices inside the Osirian Cultural Ministry. At any rate, Chaim brought the statues here. Sedeq is his permanent headquarters, though he spends most of his time traveling abroad. When he is in town, he spends the lion’s share of his time on the Qalli. While most of the city is given over to the human-chattel trade, the Qalli Spice Market is almost as lucrative as the rest of the city combined. Much of the money seen in Sedeq begins and ends in its stalls and processing plants. The saffron trade alone—”
she brings herself up short. “But never mind, this is not of relevance to you. Chaim spends a good deal of his time at the Topaz Pavilion bathhouse. We believe that he uses it as a point of contact with his various associates. Once you find Chaim, you will have to convince him to tell you who he sold the statues to—yes, they are no longer in his hands, we are sure of that. Time is of the essence—if Chaim’s buyer sells to others, the artifacts may quickly move beyond our grasp.”
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Huh. I guess I should feel lucky, at least this time it's partially related to archaeology" quips Illuthion in a voice dripping with sarcasm. "So these statues, what do they look like? And do you want us to beat up that guy Chaim? If we end up doing just that, are you going to object to it?"
The statues are in the shape of simple animals, nothing more. She gasps at Illuthion suggestion. Do what you need to do to find out where the stones are but don't go in looking to beat up or murder Chaim just because you have the ability to.
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"It seems it is totally related to archaeology...not? The four statues are archeological treasures", Ptomoleo says to Illuthion as if he had discovered the powder.
"And this bathhouse, who also frequents it? Can we expect thugs in Chaim's service there? You know, after this, he's probably waiting for a approach of Society's agents...", the dwarf asks Yasmin Kal'al.
"Oh, before I forget: how do we recognize Chaim when see him? Can you describe him for us?"
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An average looking human among the group speaks up.
"Sorry to butt in, but I'm interested in what you have to say about the dwarf's question. Does Chaim normally run around with hired help? What exactly are we stepping into here? A quick grab and investigate or should my friend here be ready for some action?"
Banquo motions with his head to his friend standing next to him: Angel. A taller, celestial being glimmers even with the low light.
"Yeah, yeah. I know... He's an angel. Oooh! At least his appearance is matched by his strength. But back to Chaim."
Angel: "Why do you always have to mock me when you introduce me to people?"
Banquo: "What? It's our thing!
Angel: "No. It's your thing."
Banquo: "Quiet. I think they know we are talking to each other through out thoughts."
Banquo and Angel awkwardly smile to everyone else.
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"Sorry, but this is as related to archaeology as a repossession team is related to banking. Nonetheless, better than some of the other assignments I've had thus far." replies Illuthion acerbically. Slouching against one of the walls, he adds"So yeah. Join the party Mr Angel and Mr Angel's minder. The more people we have cooperating here on this, the faster we can back to exploring."
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"Do you have any information regarding Chaim's known associates here in Sedeq?"
Unfortunately we do not. Chaim is a smuggler that will simply sell to the highest bidder.
"And this bathhouse, who also frequents it? Can we expect thugs in Chaim's service there? You know, after this, he's probably waiting for a approach of Society's agents...", the dwarf asks Yasmin Kal'al.
"Oh, before I forget: how do we recognize Chaim when see him? Can you describe him for us?"
Venture-Captain Yasmin Kal'al gives you a detailed description of what Chaim look like. Lots of people use the bathhouse. We don't have the resources to sit on it all day and track who goes in and out of a bathhouse, though we do know that Chaim usually travels around Sedeq alone.
"This smuggler doesn't smuggle humans, too, does he?"
He has been known to smuggle in a human or two. Though you have to catch him to punish him and a blind eye is turned in this part of the world to that sort of a sale.
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Banquo: Sounds easy enough. To the bathhouse to grab this Cram!
Angel: Chaim.
Banquo: That's what I said. Then make him tell us where to find some statues. Got it. Let's do it!
Banquo and Angel high five: SMACK!
Banquo and Angel: TEAMWORK!
They then both look at the rest of the group. Banquo says, "Oh, did you all want to get in on this too?"
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"Humans..." the elf shakes his head.
Then, raising an eyebrow, he glances in the direction of Henrick. "The... Dwarf makes a valid point though, surprising as that may seem. How far are we to take this mission? Information gathering? Statue retrieval? Or..." Motioning towards Evenstar, Ghrezzd continues, "Outright destruction of anyone involved with slaving? Not that some aren't dimmed witted enough to require constant direction and control."
Without waiting for an answer, Ghrezzd returns his attention to the large tome in his lap.
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"How I despise colloquialisms. One can never can be too precise with words," Ghrezzd mutters to himself.
"If you are suggesting that I safeguard you against any unexpected dangers approaching from the rear, rest assurred knowing that you shall have it... Lord knows we need cannon fodder to keep the important Pathfinders alive." he trails off again turning another page.
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Illuthion openly rolls his eyes in disgust at the elf's manners and demeanor before answering the dwarf abruptly, almost cutting off the reading elf. "Sounds to me like we'll be trying to get our hands on the damn things Henrick. Otherwise time wouldn't be an issue." he concludes acerbically before turning to the venture captain. "Right?"
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After a few moments of wandering around the city you finally find the bathhouse that the Venture-Captain mentioned. It is located prominently on the corner of Candlewood Street and Shackle Street, a scant block from the ramp down to the Central Market. Once you arrive at the bathhouse they see a man who clearly matches the description of Chaim. For the briefest of moments he notices you watching him, his eyes widen, and he flees into the bathhouse.
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"How I despise colloquialisms. One can never can be too precise with words," Ghrezzd mutters to himself.
"If you are suggesting that I safeguard you against any unexpected dangers approaching from the rear, rest assurred knowing that you shall have it... Lord knows we need cannon fodder to keep the important Pathfinders alive." he trails off again turning another page.
Oberon looks to the Elf... Isn't "cannon fodder" a colloquialism? Haha. Elves are silly. Wait... I'm an elf!
A look of astonishment flashes across Oberon's face.
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After chasing Chaim through what must have been half the rooms in the bathhouse, jumping pools and slipping across slick tile, the body of Chaim lies on the floor of a steamy room, a bloody gash where his adam’s apple used to be. An exasperated voice from further in the room exclaims, “’Think,’ I said, ‘before you stab.’” The steam separates, revealing two sweaty half-orcs in heavy armor, one looking abashed with a bloody kukri in his hand. A man sprawls luxuriantly in a small steaming pool in the center of the room. His visible skin is covered with horrible scars as if from badly healed burns. Behold Grandmaster Torch, a notorious information broker who has helped the Pathfinder Society in the past—but always for a steep price.
He continues dressing down the half-orc with the kukri until he notices your group standing across the room. He appraises you all with a quick, sharp eye taking in you varied appearance, outlandish garb and visible weapons. Then he says:
“Please forgive the mess—my bodyguard was a bit … overzealous in guarding my privacy. I recognize Pathfinders when I see them, though, and I’m always happy to be of service to the Society.”
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Banquo looks at the scene, Chaim dead on the floor, the bloody handed or, and Grandmaster Torch. "Okay... Well I didn't expect that to happen. We kind of needed that guy to be alive so we could ask him some questions... but now he's dead..."
Angel: Ask him if he knows anything about the statues. He looks kind of shifty so he might know about shifty stuff like that.
Banquo: He's not going to know anything about it.
Angel: How do you know? Worth a try."
Banquo: Fine! Get out of my head about it!
Banquo gains his composure back and looks to Torch, "My gorgeous looking friend here wants to know if you happen to know about any Osirian artifacts or statues changing hands recently in the city. The kind of exchanges that are not so ... public. I know you probably don't, but this guy wont leave me alone about it until I ask you. So.. do you?"
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Murder is such a strong word for this...this situation. My guards here we simply protecting me as he charged in here.
Torch thinks for a moment as he soaks his crinkled skin in the hot bath. Hmmmm. Well, if you are unwilling or unable to pay then perhaps we can come to an agreement then.How does the names sound in exchange for a to be- determined future favor from the Pathfinder Society?