Venture Teller Play b'Post |
Mahu continues the banter going while searching the party's goods. He happily talks of the sights of Eto, gives general direction to the White Ureous, enquires about what places you might have seen in the '20 years' you've been gone. He eagerly consumes any stories of this type and politely asks for more.
I need a diplomacy check from (probably) Calnus, with anyone else who wants to make one counting as an aid. Mazon, please make a slight of hand check.
Calnus Elazul |
"Well, I've really only ever been up here and down south in Andoran and the City at the Center of the World," Cal continued, "But I've just recently finished my training to be a Pathfinder at the Grand Lodge, so I'll finally be able to get out more and see the world."
Phoooo, here goes nothing.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Belvica Insnare'ba |
Belvica starts regaling her story about barely bringing down a rhinocerous when she was young with an almost impossible arrow shot Diplomacy 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17
"Mesa goods bowser, I sa hitsa dem Rhiiino in der eye..." all said with the largest grin you had ever seen not just on a dwarf.
Ser Willem Dargerion |
Ser Willem helps with the story, adding his own of how he was is a Taldan knight in service to his own house Dargerion recently became errant before returning home for permanent duty.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Dijinda the Geniemaster |
Dijinda rolls a "2" on her Diplomacy roll, thus aiding no one. That's no surprise from a mostly-silent woman whose face is concealed by a veil. If she wasn't so secretive, she might reveal that she was born in the harem of the Satrap of Qadira. Her father is unknown, and could be either a commoner or a nobleman, but even if it's Satrap Xerbystes II himself, as the daughter of a concubine, Dijinda has no inherited status.
The strangely quiet, veiled Qudiran woman barely mutters a response before relenting to the search. The little blue genie that sometimes waits on her is nowhere to be seen right now.
Calnus Elazul |
"There is one tale I have that may interest you," Cal went on, "I'd been with the Lodge for a while and I'd told them I wanted to fight. Y'know, swords, shields, armor, all that. They put me in a cell with two tired, hungry, old wolves and told me to defend myself. When I asked my trainer if she was out of her mind, she told me, 'I need to see if you can crawl, before I teach you to walk.' I never forgave her for that... if you could have seen the way those wolves looked at me... but once I came out of that cell, she taught me a great deal about swordfighting."
Dijinda the Geniemaster |
Dijinda hears Calnus Elazul's story about the wolves. Her kohl-lined eyes peer at him from above her veil. Then she whispers to him, enigmatically, in heavily accented Taldane:
"My people have a saying. The food of the lion causes indigestion to the wolf."
Calnus Elazul |
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Oh, really? My mistake. I'm still very new to Golarion. Well, everyone disregard my previous post, then.
Cal listened to veiled woman and smiled after he'd understood what she said. "I'm no lion," he answered her. "I didn't catch your name before. You're with us, right?"
Dijinda the Geniemaster |
Dijinda (pronounced "die-JIN-da") makes a dignified bow of her head towards Calnus Elazul and the others. Then, lowering her veil, she looks at her companions with a calm, subtle, and surprisingly charismatic smile.
If Mahu or someone is within earshot, Dijinda won't mention their mission. But wil, instead, only offer the first sentence if the following:
" I am called Dijinda, and I am honored to put my humble skills as a caller and binder of genies in service to our mutual goals. The whereabouts and condition of the Lost jewels and the Diamond Sage are of great concern to the Qadira, my people. May the fates grant our shared venture a success."
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
Mahu seems to be enjoying the stories and even grins at the dwarfs large smile & archery stories. "A good 'bowser' indeed," he smiles.
Mahu's perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Unfortunately he is very good at his job and pulls the stone from Mazon's hiding place. "What have I found? This looks Osirian. Perhaps friend, you are unaware of the policies for Osirian relics? In a friendly and informative tone he offers those policies to you. All Osirian relics are documented and taxed; the opening of Osirion to treasure-hunters by the Ruby Prince’s decree stimulates the economy, but the Ministry of Culture ensures that the kingdom receives a cut of all finds and withholds artifacts of special importance. "Knowing that, please: what is this?" he says holding up the stone.
-Mazon- |
She mumbles "I was not aware of those policies before coming here." She starts stuttering and mumbling, hoping someone else will step in to help her explain. Stuttering and mumbling stuff like "Well uh...you see uh...it's a..." She would try to bluff but she gets a negative to Cha checks, otherwise she would lie and say that it is the only thing left from her mother, who used to live in Osiria, but died when she was very young.
Badriyah Hameedah |
"Ah! I was wondering where that got to. Wherever did you find it? I was worried a child or someone else would pick it up and then....well....you know." Badriyah says to Mazon with grimace as she makes an explosive motion with her hands and arms that reveals the many vials and alchemical containers hanging from her waist.
Turning to Mahu, she offers him a slight bow of her head. "Your pardon sir, but that is actually a small experiment of mine. You see I was trying to create a more efficient blasting compound for a group of miners working the Brazen Peaks. Unfortunately, they decided the compound was not stable enough."
She offers a nonchalant shrug as she reaches out her hand offering Mahu the opportunity to carefully hand it back. "If you ask me it works fine, you just don't want to get it wet before you have it placed properly. After all, I can't be liable for a man's arm if he didn't follow the directions."
Diplomacy/Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
Mahu's Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Mahu breaks out in laughter. "I do not fear for my arms, and if your experiments are as innovative as your stories, I have no doubt the Brazen Peaks will some day see your work." He quickly turns the stone over in his hand and makes an assessment of its value then consults a chart one of his guards is holding. "Now now, don't be shy. This is not something the Ministry would like to keep, but its tax will be 105 gold pieces please."
Badriyah Hameedah |
Badriyah blushes profusely as she realizes Mahu was able to see right through her attempted ruse.
"Ahh...yes...well." She stammers for a second or two, trying to recover her composure when the amount Mahu asks finally sinks in. "Ahem, well yes of course. That is not an...insignificant sum. If you'll just let us confer for a few moments."
She then turns back to the party. With a nod to Mazon, Badriyah quietly adds, "Don't forget you'll need money for a room and food, Mazon. For my part, I've fifteen gold I could spare. But that would leave me with only a few gold and coppers for my own room and board."
Calnus Elazul |
Calnus grimaced at the failed attempt to conceal the stone, and listened to Mahu's words. He fumbled through his coin purse, which he found well-stocked. He was comfortable with his traveling gear and feeling generous.
"If this is what we have to do... well, I can give 25 gold to this endeavor."
Dijinda the Geniemaster |
I try to negotiate for a lower price.
"I fear that particular amount might be out of the reach of my companions. I guess we might have to come back another day...or perhaps we could pay a modified tax? Perhaps half that amount?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Oh well.
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
Mahu smiles brightly when the tax is offered. "You would be surprised how often these two are needed in this job." He gives a wink and whispers, "I gave you the good friends discount. I see it is well deserved." He hands the geode back to Mazon and directs you to one an upscale district to find the House of the White Uraeus.
"Please seek me out if you have any questions or need any assistance while in Eto. I wish you the most pleasant stay friends."
Mahu and the guards move on to the next caravan in the line.
The party follows his directions and within the hour find themselves outside 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 that manage the inn wear immaculately clean clothing and maintain a quiet but cheerful facility. Other than the servants the only person in the common area is a half-orc.
Badriyah Hameedah |
Badriyah smiles her thanks and appreciation to Than as they walk away from Mahu.
"It looks like I owe you an ale once we reach the inn, Than. Thank you for covering the cost. It would have been unfortunate if we had lost the ability to communicate with the Sage."
Entering the inn, Badriyah breathes a sigh of relief and focuses most of her attention on finding a table and waiving down a servant to bring her a glass of chilled tea and a drink for Than.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Calnus Elazul |
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"Where'd you scrape together all that coin, Thanagar? That was a big save back there. If you require any extra gear during our journey, I'll try to keep you well-equipped."
Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (20) + 0 = 20
Ser Willem Dargerion |
Ser Willem shakes his head at the outrageous price, but decides that, "That was very noble of you Thanagar, it is most appreciated, though I do think he charged us a bit much for something so simple."
He looks around that common room at House Uraeus, trying to locate Grandmaster Torch.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
The half-orc stands and approaches the party after a moment. He looks them over, and with a grunt waves for them to follow him further into the building to where "Grandmaster Torch awaits."
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.
Dijinda the Geniemaster |
Dijinda bows slightly and opens with a flattering comment, hoping to improve Torch's attitude.
"Grandmaster, the depths of your knowledge are respected in the highest towers of Absalom. Thank you for seeing us."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Ser Willem Dargerion |
Ser Willem gives a slight bow for the Grandmaster. "It is an honor to be in your presence again."
Diplomacy Assist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Badriyah Hameedah |
Badriyah pulls her scarf up over her head as she follows the half-orc into Torch's chamber. Unused to such informal meetings, she is surprised by the creature's horrible scars and his being in a bath. Quickly the young alchemist attempts to cover her discomfort by averting her eyes through a quick bow and following her colleagues attitude of polite introduction.
"Badriyah Hameedah, a pleasure to make your acquaintance Grandmaster. It is kind of you to greet us so quickly." Her voice is quiet and just a bit shaken before finally bringing herself under control.
Diplomacy Assist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
He smiles politely. Maybe it is the scars, but their is a little bif of surprise in the smile as well. "Well mannered Pathfinders? Perhaps the Decemvirite is making some progress after all. Still you are Pathfinders, what do you require of me?"
Ser Willem Dargerion |
Ser Willem steps next to Belvica and smiles. "What my friend is trying to say is that a mutual friend of ours has told us that you might be able to direct us to finding a particular set of jewels, after a trade of information of course."
Venture Teller Play b'Post |
The information broker reads between the lines combining Belvica's 'saaaajjje' with Willem's jewels reference.* "I don't mind doing business with repeat customers," the information broker says. He snaps his fingers and one of the bodyguards steps up to the tub and hands him a folded piece of paper. “Let’s see what’s on today’s schedule. Yes. Yes," he murmurs as he examines the paper’s contents. “Yes. And 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." He hands the piece of paper to whomever is closest and allows the pathfinders to look over it for a while.
"Do we have a deal?”
*Not to railroad, but enough was said to get to his offer. :)