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Owai read the letter with solemnity. Best we free those people from their captors. I don't know much about the situation in Razmiran, though. Only rumours...
Average height, Owai is not terribly muscular, but he moves with a confident grace. Dressed in flowing white tunic and leggings typical of Qadira or Osirion, and a bright Mithril chain shirt, with gold jewelry with topaz and jacinth gems, he appears to be a well-off Garundi man, but there is something not quite right about him, as his eyes are a metallic gold colour and his skin has a slight glittering sheen to it. At his hip is the jeweled hilt of a scimitar and around his neck hangs a symbol of Sarenrae.
"Owai Khama at your service! Blessings be with you!" he says by way of introduction.
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Great, rescuing Dwarves. I certainly hope the money is good.
Hey Esme, Owai, I am Filios. Well met to all of you. Can't say as I have ever been to our destination, but it should be fun, no?
Filios is tall, well-muscled and athletically built for an elf. One cannot help but notice the hilt of the finely crafted Elven Curveblade sticking up over his shoulder as it is sheathed upon his back.
And after last night, Enok is a level 3 evoker (wizard).
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As the group gets to know each other, Two silent servants open a pair of richly lacquered doors, and a human and two dwarves stride into the lavish parlor. The man, clad in immaculate robes of whitest silk, is short and round with a blond oiled beard, and his eyes are alert and amused. He takes a touch of snuff from a golden box and sneezes before saying, It is a pleasure to welcome Pathfinders to one of my estates once more. I am, as you may know, Temel Passad. Allow me to introduce... One of the two dwarves, a redheaded female in deep scarlet robes, curtly interrupts the man. We can introduce ourselves, Passad. I am Metella Raugar, representing the interests of several Highhelm mercantile consortia. My companion—she gestures to a dwarven man with leathery skin baked by the sun, his head swathed in a bright yellow scarf—is Amauhak of Reth Bezel, a mystic of the sand dwarves of Osirion. We will be coming along with you all. Its time to leave soon. You all know the mission. Any other questions?
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We don't know why our ambassadors were taken. All that we know is thatother faiths are prohibited in the nation, though foreign priests are tolerated as long as they are not proselytizing and just passing through.
All nonresidents are subject to sundry tariffs and unannounced inspections. Be on your guard at all times with the Razmiran.
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Esmeralda just listens in silence, finally when questions are slowing "Can we take a boat? I do love boats. So long as they don't sink. I am not a fan at all of sinking on a boat."
My Permanent Fire ink is tattooed on left hand to act as a light as needed. Nothing of note, just the gnomish tribal symbol for family. Nothin else special about Esme since last time. Took the Resist Fire alt racial to avoid the sickend condition probability.
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As you move down to the docks, you all see that the ship, the Abacus is already receiving cargo and is ready to set sail. You are ushered onto the boat and set off across Lake Encarthan. The next several days are uneventful.
One morning Captain Passad speaks with all of you. You are at the Mouth of the Glass River and are about to enter Razmiri waters. Local laws dictate that you dock at Xer and pay your tolls before continuing the journey. You can also try to sail through the river and avoid any authorities.
Passad offers his advise that you should dock and pay your toll plus an added "bonus". He adds that if you are seen by one of the faith barges and you don't have proof of the tariff, it would be trouble. Passad adds that he his happy to pay the toll himself.
Mettela interrupts to add her advise on the boat's course. She is afraid that if you dock, the boat may be searched and the envoys would be detected. She advises it is better to avoid the docks and take your chances against the barges.
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Before leaving, Owai leaves his holy symbol and finery in Absalom with a friend, and when he boards the ship his clothing is very utilitarian in earth tones and simple, mundane cut. He wears beneath a fine Mithril chain shirt, and of course his Scimitar at his waist. In addition he carries a simple quarterstaff, a dagger and a short bow with arrows. A well-made backpack carries his travelling gear and various pouches and scrollcase carry his other important items.
During the trip, he studies his Book of Letters.
"We have two paths now then? We dock and go through the customary procedures, and perhaps have our friends discovered, or we stay in the channel and run the chance of not having the proper paperwork." he says. He looks to the other Pathfinders. "Any thoughts? I may be able to forge a proof of tariff, but I am not confident of doing a good enough job."
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Metall frowns but doesn't argue her point any further. Leaving her fate in the hands of the Pathfinders she and Amauhak stow away below decks.
The city of Xer occupies the north bank of the Glass River, and its dozens of docks remain busy as ships headed both east and west call at the port. Grubby men and women in bulky jackets patrol the docks, and few smiling faces are to be seen.
Capatain Pasad chooses a isolated docked that is sheltered on either side by tall warehouses. As the boat slowly approaches that dock one of the shipmates tosses a rope to a dockworker to help moor the boat. The Pathfinders see that there are three Razmiri enforcers waiting on them. One holds a leash of a half-tamed wolf.
How many do you have on board? Shouts the enforcer with a snarl on his face.
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Well then, 10 gp the gruff guard commands.
Captain Passad easily hands over the bag of coins to the dock officer. Well, don't we have some rich merchants in our seas now. But I want the payment in silver and copper! The dock officer throws the bag of coins back on the deck, its contents spilling onto the wood. Now lower the gangplank, me and my boys are comm'n on board.
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After having studied the Book of Letters he purchased, Owai uses his insight into the bureaucracy and his natural loquaciousness to try and smooth things over. "There's no need to trouble you, sir. I'm afraid the Captain and crew of this vessel are not the cleanliest and it will be a very unpleasant chore for you. Instead, may I offer you a gift to help make the rest of your day more tolerable." he says with a friendly smile, offering a second pouch of coins.
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The officer baords the Abacus to inspect the papers and is happy to find such a large bag of gold. Oddly enough the Officer actually appears more irritated at seeing the proper papers being presented. Very well he mumbles, taking the money bag and placing it in his pockets.
As he is about to step off of the boat a loud sneeze is heard coming from below decks. The officer spins around I knew it! Stowaway's, bring 'em up! With that, the enforcers on the dock draw cross bows, aimed at the Pathfinders.
What a horrible time for Passad to start using snuff!
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Esmeralda smiles quietly from behind the others, and upon hearing of the cat excuse quickly does her best to duck down below using the upset collector as a distraction: whereupon she quickly wildshapes into a cat (jaguar) before lazilly padding back up on deck, sneezing and shaking her head too and fro, of course.
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The thug stops in a dead heat when he sees the cat pounce up on the deck. With a lough exhale he waves for the dock hands to lower their crossbows. Very well then. He quickly signs some papers and hands them to the captain. You can be on your way then.
It doesn't take long to get the Abacus sailing back on the Glass River. The winds are favorable and the captain indicates that you are making great time. As dinner draws near, the captain starts to ask the Pathfinders how they intend to get near the inn without drawing unwanted suspicion.
Metella interjects quickly, suggesting that you should masquerade as religious pilgrims seeking answers to spiritual questions that require privacy and freedom of movement.
Before she can elaborate on the plan, Captain Passad scoffs at the idea, clearly transparent to anyone looking out for a potential rescue. Metella is not pleased with the ship's captain.
Amauhak suggests posing as simple merchants seeking a way station. At least this idea would allow them to get a good meal and a solid bed.
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"Well, I don't know a damn thing about religion or trade. I suppose if we have an expert in either, that would be the best choice. Exaggeration is the best lie, since at a minimum you have some basis in truth and can pass at least a slight amount of inquiry. Arshea forgive me, but I don't even know the technical differences between Emperial Lords and Gods."
"We know very little, or I know very little about this area aside from it being where my parents died. I do know a little about magic and healing. We are all moderately well armed and competent. We might find it best playing escort to a single merchant or religious figure. Just make sure that the one moderately skilled person is modestly competent in their assumed role. I can just play the part of your pony if need be."
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As the discussion continues, the Abacus makes it way down the Glass River. The river is open to the sky above and the sun starts to set in the west. The captain announces that you''ll be making land in just a few hours.
Suddenly and without warning the waters explode to either side of the boat. Two creatures emerge from the water, tossing the boat side to side! These creatures appear to be small dragons! With graceful wings and wide fins, these sleek dragons look equally well equipped to glide through sea and sky.
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While Filios fumbles around with his weapon loosing precious time, Owai's blazing form nearly takes the head off of the young drake. The beast recoils from the blow and isn't ready to give up yet.
It strikes back at Owai and sweeps him with his tail but misses with both attacks.
The tail swipe also tries to attack Enock
The other drake presses its attack against Esmerelda. and sweeps him with his tail and The bite misses, but the tail strikes her twice.