Each of you receives a carefully rolled papyrus scroll, held in place by a thin red cord. Finding the scroll to be innocent enough, you untie the cord and find the following missive contained within:
Pathfinder,
An artifact lost out of the distant past has been found again, but not by our own agents. Luckily, the artifact is still within our grasp, but I find myself in need of skilled agents to carry out the transaction to obtain it on my behalf. After communicating with the venture-officers at your local lodges, I believe your skills will suffice.
Make your way to the Farseer Tower Lodge in Katapesh, where I will brief you and the other agents I've summoned further. Do not delay. This is a rare opportunity for the Society to unlock a great many mysteries of the past. I will expect you at Farseer Tower in one week's time.
- Wulessa Yuul
Venture-Captain, Farseer Tower Lodge
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Valentynne takes a look at himself in the mirror, Huh? Was I always this handsome? While he rummages through his armoire, ...being summoned to Katapesh, I'm guessing the clothes I bought in Andoran will be a bit too warm for comfort.
But perhaps I'll able to smuggle a bit here and there, it's been a while.
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Alexander's travels south from Lastwall were uneventful, barring an instance of a sailor's superstition triggered by his Infernally foul-mouthed raven. Relishing the opportunity to avoid returning to his increasingly decrepit homestead in Westcrown, he was quick to accept Venture-Captain Brackett of Almas' call for agents when he stayed there for a few days.
Once in Katapesh, he made a beeline for the Farseer Tower Lodge, occasionally covering his mouth and nose with a perfumed handkerchief when he passed some of the more savory bazaars.
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After returning from the Plane of Water and acclimatizing himself to breathing air again, Seijiro spent another week or so searching for his missing brother, Hijiro... Discouraged by the lack of news or sightings, he finally returned to Absalom to seek another mission that might take him to a new place where his search might continue. He was pleased and excited to find the summons to Katapesh among his incoming mail when he got to his rented lodgings. Another boat ride imminent, he ran down to the docks to book passage, then back home to pack. He paused to pick up a few things on the way to meet his ship and boarded with excitement.
After the trip to Katapesh, it occurred to him I have no idea who I'm to be joined with for this mission. I hope they're all friendly. He put out some feelers among the locals for any information on a Tien lad who looked like himself. on the way to the Farseer Tower Lodge. He left those he spoke with a card with his name on it, and requested any information they might have on his brother be forwarded to the Lodge.
Nose twitching from the interesting new smells in the city, and eyes alight with excitement, he entered the Lodge and asked for the Venture-Captain, explaining his mission and showing his orders.
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Crypt smiles as he enters Katapesh. This smiles seems forced, and those who approach him- street vendors and urchin children, mostly- are quickly rebuffed by a mocking grimace and a quick move away. Turning down a side alley, he sees his first signs of intelligent life- a rat. He tosses it a crumb, then continues on, trying his best to go unnoticed, as much as is possible with the amount of people streaming in from all around.
Truly, cities are strange places. Sooner I'm out of here the better, Crypt thinks to himself, heading directly for the Farseer Tower Lodge.
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While recovering from the funeral of Zarmina Bahjari in Katheer, Fargirm was approached by a small animal messenger. Taking the note she smiled. "Katheer maybe just a 'short trip across the sea' from Katapesh, but it is still a long journey. "
"And if there is one thing I love, it is a good journey." she almost skipped to the harbour, wearing her newly enchanted armor and with a glimmering starknife at her side.
Taking a fast ship, she quickly set sail, arriving with good winds and fine fortune at Katapesh, from which she went straight to the Farseer tower.
"Hello everyone. I'm Fargrim, have you all been summoned here too? It sounds exciting."
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Alexander gives Ehm a look somewhere between bemusement and worry.
"You do know that we're far to close to the equator for that, right? It's important to me that you know..."
He then faces Fargrim, bows, grasps her hand and gives it a peck.
"A pleasure to meet you, Fargrim. I am Alexander d'Louison, of the Westcrown d'Louisons. I do hope that the Venture-Captain's letter wasn't full of exaggerations. 'A great many mysteries of the past' does sound enticing, doesn't it?"
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"I've never met a goblin I could actually say dissuaded me from that same attitude, master gnome... they all seem to be a tad on the loony side. Crazed. Bonkers. But it's a big world and I suppose there's room for all sorts of folks in it... Anyway, looking forward to our briefing... can't wait to find out what sort of mysteries await us! Oh... I never introduced myself... I am Saketa Seijiro, but you may call me Jiro for short if you wish... I don't suppose you've ever met someone who looks just like me, eh? I'm here in the West seeking new of my twin brother's whereabouts... he was sailing on a trading vessel that was taken by pirates, and we've had no word of him since. His name is Hijiro, and any news at all would be helpful"
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A long wiry elf with unkempt hair walks down the corridor, "Sorry I'm late, the market was a bit crowded, grabbed some spiced turkey legs, anyone wants one? Speaking of markets, do you know there's an actual magical marketplace in town, wait.. you didn't hear that from me, well you couldn't have heard from the mute guarding the entran-Gorum dammit can't keep my mouth shut when I'm in a good mood...
"So are we talking about past travels? Last time I was in Kortos I went further north and found a Varisian merchant caravan where I get some inkwork done on me, Arinna's Wagon of Exotic Treasures, Exotic Ripoff is more like it!
"Sadly, most of my Society errands have me visiting the same places, but that's good for my business, knowing the faces that I'm dealing with makes being a, huh, courier a bit safer. I need to find me an assignment away from this desert heat next time."
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5600 gp spent
An attendant enters the foyer where you have assembled, interrupting your discussion of past assignments from the Pathfinder Society, and leads you to Venture-Captain Wulessa Yuul's chambers. It is a hot, breezeless evening in Katapesh. Here, in a meeting room atop Farseer Tower, the curtains hang listlessly even with the windows thrown open. Unfortunately, the only thing hotter than the air is Venture-Captain Wulessa Yuul’s ire.
“Why must I share Katapesh with so-called equals who are incompetent?” She huffs between gritted teeth, pacing back and forth before calming herself. “My pardon, and please be seated. Let me explain. Some months ago, the crypt of Zahari Mahiman—a scholar and sage from the Age of Enthronement—was rediscovered out in the wastes. I, personally, have long sought one artifact reputedly interred with him: the Monadistic Archive, a collection of scrolls from the Jistkan Imperium. Unfortunately,” she grits her teeth, “It fell under the purview of the Kotargo Lodge to arrange an expedition. Venture-Captain Dulm took his time getting things underway, in spite of my own requests for urgency and offers of assistance. As a result, by the time his agents got there, the place had already been looted.
“Phlegos Dulm’s complacency aside, not all is bleak. The adventurers who looted the crypt were not scholars; they were simply looking to exploit the wonders of the past. The Monadistic Archive, in particular, was sold to Palhuna Murqual, a merchant here in Katapesh. I believe he bought the archive assuming it was merely a magical storage device, not an esoteric repository of lore indecipherable by him. He has shown interest in selling—at a profit, of course—and I need you to make the purchase. I have an Abadaran promissory note that should cover the price, but he is crafty and may bargain for more. I want the archive, whatever it costs. I can’t pay more gold than I already have offered, but if you can find other means of appeasing Murqual, I encourage you to do so.”
The Monadistic Archive is an obscure artifact, but some of you may have heard of it.
Palhuna Murqual has a reputation that some of you might be aware of.
unliving) beings.
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Seijiro scowls as he tries to recall what he knows of the archive or the merchant, but can only seem to dredge up an obscure memory of Murqual, that he deals in magical objects that stores living or unliving targets. He passes this information on to his group.
"I don't know much about this Murqual fellow, but he does seem to specialize in transactions involving magical items that store living or unliving beings. Sounds a bit unsavory to me."
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Alexander nods sagely at the mention of the Monadistic Archive.
"I've heard of this artifact before... The Monadistic Archive is said to be a Jistkan collection of knowledge. Supposedly it does not merely document lore from that era, but actually binds the minds of great thinkers into a mental compendium. Like many Jistkan magical items, it is said to have an outsider bound to it as well, overseeing the minds within."
Crypt tries not to look utterly lost- this is his first adventure, after all! He frowns at the mention of men's minds inside of a book..... he sits back and waits for the others to talk, hoping in his silence he seems wise and mysterious.
[dice=Know. Local]1d20+9
"Yes, I've dealt with some unsavory fellas that swear by the quality of Murqual's wares, I can't really vouch for him, I've had no need of his business before."So if he's not willing to take your offer. should we abscond with the Archive? What's this Monasteric Archive any ways?"
Venture-Captain Yuul looks sternly at Eldeyr, “No! Absolutely not. The repercussions for theft from a merchant in Katapesh are truly severe. I would also advise against violence, if you have a tendency toward those types of negotiations. Murqual may be unsavory, as you say, but he is a respected merchant nonetheless, and the Pathfinder Society can still benefit from a more amicable relationship with him.”
She crosses the room and retrieves the promissory note from a small side table, then turns with an impressed look as Alexander describes the Monadistic Archive, "I am impressed! There are few who have such knowledge of the Archive. I can share this much to add to what you already know of the Archive: it is a chest containing numerous magical scrolls. I believe they are currently inactive, but I know a ritual to access their secrets. In fact, I might need your assistance with that later. Until then, it’s best not to open it.” She lays the promissory note in Alexander's hand and looks him in the eye, "If Murqual does not accept our initial offer, which he almost certainly will not, there is something more you might be able to offer him. He is the sort who can see the value in a team of Pathfinders." She pauses for a moment to allow her words to sink in, then steps back and addresses all of you, "That’s one reason I am sending you. After Dulm’s gaff, I also recognize that I am too incensed to deal with Murqual in person.”
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Crypt's face twitches. 'See the value in a team of Pathfinders?' If this Venture- Captain is offering that the group work for this Murqual, well, perhaps Crypt can see the wisdom in that, but it doesn't mean he has to like it. He looks to the rest of the group, looking to gauge their reactions before venturing an opinion.
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Fargrim nods. "So, we turn up, offer him the price and then when he says that is not enough, try to negotiate down, and then see if he will settle for us doing a job for him." she summarises back to the venture captain.
"Having just arrived, I'd prefer to freshen up, but if time is of the essence, let us press onward without delay."
Fargrim nods. "So, we turn up, offer him the price and then when he says that is not enough, try to negotiate down, and then see if he will settle for us doing a job for him." she summarises back to the venture captain.
"Having just arrived, I'd prefer to freshen up, but if time is of the essence, let us press onward without delay."
Wulessa smiles. "You have it exactly! Eh...I don't know about the exploding things though, Ehm. Though I won't assume to speak for Murqual. As for where you can find him, his shop is in the Nightstalls. It's not hard to find." With that, the venture-captain ushers you out of the office and into the city streets of Katapesh.
Just as the venture-captain had claimed, finding Murqual’s shop is easy enough. A few discreet inquiries lead through the Lower City to a wooden door crowned by a plaque that reads,
“Palhuna Murqual, Vendor of Fetters, Bindings, and Cages Mundane and Mystic.”
His establishment defies the stereotype for a shop in the infamous Nightstalls. It boasts a permanent location, instead of one that could be broken down and moved with ease. It is quite lavishly appointed, rather than being a shadowy, smoky hovel, and the air smells of vanilla and cardamom rather than incense. Inside, deep carpeting covers the floor. Chains and shackles, ranging in size from mist-thin links to cuffs that would hold a titan, hang along one wall. Another wall holds an array of mirrors—some reflecting the room and some showing the insides of a bare cell. Lanterns and cages hang from ceiling rafters, and glass cases hold etched gemstones and glass bottles. A central space is cleared of wares, instead sporting several plush seats arranged around a silver samovar.
An obese man swaddled in silks occupies a sofa before the samovar. Standing to his left is a slim, younger man holding a ledger. The fat man makes a series of complicated hand gestures to the standing man, who, after a moment, bows to you and speaks. “My esteemed master, Palhuna Murqual, bids you welcome. Please, be seated. Business should be conducted comfortably.”
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Fargrim looks worryingly at the setup. This man was a slaver, and she was not at all comfortable working with him.
Keeping polite she sits. "Esteemed master" she says.
"I'm sure you know why we are here. There is a set of scrolls your came across recently that we would like to acquire. We know they are not exactly your.." she turns to the shackles and shudders "core business, and would be willing to pay a fair price for them to allow you to concentrate on things that are closer to your... core interests."
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Eldeyr is about to say something, barely opens his mouth and closes it quickly, maybe he ate a fly? Either way he's deep in thought.
Don't open your mouth yet, people don't seem to like it when you do that, always complainin'bout your rudeness and whatnot. that's why we stick to forests and rivers. And refugees, they pay good coin and keep quiet the whole trip out.
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I've got this, just gotta tell the opulent merchant you don't want to waste his time, ask for a price, RESPECTFULLY!!
"Let's make this easy and fast, we don't want to burden you with our presence, how much do you want for the scrolls? We'll pay you, and you can move on to your next hot meal, deal?"
Not good..
The fat man seated on the couch nods appreciatively at the sum of the promissory note but informs you, through his interpreter, that he has already received an offer for the item well exceeding Wulessa’s bid. “While I respect the Pathfinder Society, to sell to you would seem favoritism. And I’m not inclined to favor one customer over another—without there being an equal favor, in return...”
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Crypt walks over to Fargrim, as she took the lead in the negotiations, and whispers in her ear. "He's been expecting us. He has this entire conversation planned out, and his gestures are just that..... gestures. He's not communicating at all."
He pauses, before continuing. "Is this the time to offer our services?" He lets her decide.
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Eldeyr sees Crypt whispering to Fargrim, the elf may not be generally well-liked but he's not half stupid, so he'll provide a diversion for the secret conversation, so he stands up and moves to the chair farther away from the pair, stalling to buy some time for Fargrim.
"Before being sent to your fine establishment, we were advised not to be part of illegal activities, or anything that could soil the Society's reputation. So we can't even consider this exchange of favors, without first asking if you would put us in such position?"
The merchant claps his hands excitedly and motions to his servant, who announces, “Done! Your Venture-Captain’s note, plus services rendered by yourselves. Of course, Master Eldeyr, my master would not ask you to do anything unsavory. That would be most inappropriate for such a generous offer. As for the type of favor, Master Ehm, please allow my master to consider the matter a moment.”
Once again the servant watches his master's gestures, then reports that Murqual would ask them to complete three favors for them before the end of the night in exchange for the Archive.
"Hmm...you drive a hard bargain. I do not think I could go as low as only one favor. I have much that needs to be done, and it must be done tonight. Perhaps you could sweeten the offer somewhat?"
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I would also be interested in who our supposed competition is, if they in fact exist and are not just a bargaining tool. For example, there is no need for us to compete with another venture captain from our own society. Additionally, if our competition was such as the Aspis Consortium or followers of Lissala. Well, it would be much less expensive to let you deal with them and take the desired item from them after they had murdered you. As our know and or records show, neither group is known for fair dealing and take every opportunity to betray and cheat.
Multiple tasks to be completed before dawn suggest an air of desperation. Since the task are so vital, how about 2 tasks and no gold. If the tasks are not of so great an interest, it should not be a problem for you to decide which task is the most important. Then we would offer to complete a single task and give you the gold.
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"Mr. Murqual, you do understand that we are merely couriers running errands for our higher-ups? There's not much else that we can offer to sweeten the pot, but we'd rather get started, so you can see your benefits sooner."
As Eldeyr points out the strange hand signs, the "interpreter" gives a sigh. "I wondered if you might pick up on my little ploy." With a flick of his hand, he dismisses the obese and opulently dressed man you took to be Palhuna Murqual, who stands and leaves the room with a wave.
The "interpreter" sits in the man's seat and introduces himself properly, "I am the true Palhuna Murqual. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Now, to return to business. I'm afraid I cannot disclose the identity of the other interested parties--professional courtesy, you understand--but I regret to inform you that they have offered an amount far exceeding what your venture-captain was prepared to pay. I think...hmm, yes, two tasks will suffice. Yes. Right then, here are my terms: the Monadistic Archive in exchange for your venture-captains promissory note and two tasks by the end of the night. Agreed?"