Amir will share, to the best of his ability, the details on Faelar and anything else Qilue wants to know. To the extent that there are questions beyond his ken, he will grab Vidar or Varkata to explain further...
Amir tells the tale reassuring Qilue that Faelar is still alive, but very sick. he explains that the magic bottle is in Solku now and Faelar is likely in good hands with the wonderful priests of Sarenrae. Qilue thanks the rogue for the kind words and though concerned asks to go along with Karethas in the morning to recover the bottle.
The night passes quietly after Hadra clears all the well wishers from the Hero's quarters. The next morning, preparations are made to teleport to Solku.
Kzrira talks with her many friends and companions at the monastery. In particular, she tries as best she can to reassure Qilue. Once that is done, she works with the guards and others in the monastery to improve the defenses knowing all the problems that have befallen the place since it was first captured from the pugwampi what now seems like eons ago.
Karethas spends the evening recalling his time studying in Solku, trying to reinforce a mental image of a good place to teleport there.
Kzrira gives last minute instructions and orders to the refugees in defending the old monastery should any new foe threaten and then Karethas expertly teleports his companions and Qilue to the sunny square before the Lambent Citadel many, many miles to the south. There is some commotion at the sudden arrival, but the Dawn Vigil have been expecting you. Inside the might flame-roofed bastion of Sarenrae, you are greeted by sky blue robed priests of the Dawn Flower who lead you to an infirmary where the victims of the bottle ghul are recovering. Faelar and Qilue are tearfully reunited and Almah greets you warmly.
Kzrira will buy as many adamantine arrows as she possibly can. (Unless there are thousands, in which case probably 100 is all she needs and can afford.
Kzrira's mad monopoly on admantine arrows raises some eyebrows, but the town is well supplied in arms by its desert dwarf residents in preparation for another inevitable raid by the wild gnolls in the badlands to the north. She secures two score and four arrows for 2642.2 gp.
It is the start of evening when Nefeshti steps from a large brazier in the citadel. She is greeted enthusiastically by the priests of the temple and Lady Cynore appears to greet the genie who gave her immortal soul to Sarenrae. After introductions and honors are shared, Nefeshti turns her attention to the Heroes.
"Are you ready? Have you been properly warded against the heat?" she asks.
Karethas waits patiently while Faelar and Qilue are reunited and then greets his dear friend warmly once he is ready. He explains what the party has experienced since their separation and settles in to give the bard a full, although concise, accounting of all the details that Faelar requires. Before separating he asks the Faelar a favor, "If I do not return from this trip to the City of Brass, please travel to Katapesh, seek out my father and give him a full accounting of what we have accomplished. Tell him that my last request of him as his son is to help the people of Kelmarane to rebuild. There may be opportunities there for him, but treat them fairly and serve the survivors foremost before his own self-interest. Then speak to my sister and mother. Tell them that I loved them and thought fondly of them often throughout my time away from them. Tell them that...tell them that I tried to help many people, and that I did my best to be like the heroes that I always read about. Will you tell them this please?"
That evening he greets Nefeshti with a deep bow, "Lallah Nefeshti, I believe we are ready. Everyone has minimal protection. I believe that once we arrive at the market, we would be wise to seek better protection for Amir though."
Faelar attempts to rise from his cot, but collapses with a sigh. Qilue holds his hand to comfort him. He looks up at Karethas. "Oh, you are so lucky. I wish I could go. Do not worry I am certain that you will return and then I will compose a great epic of all your adventures and how you all saved Kelmarane twice and even journeyed to the Plane of Fire to ensure the survival of the town."
Amir nods after the wizard hoping that the market itself is not too uncomfortable, Well Faelar we certainly do our best to bring you back a worthy tale to end your epic. The rogue offers a light smile as he sighs and claps his hands, Off we go then.
Nefeshti looks over Amir as if reading his mind. "Your seal alone would not protect you on the burning wilds of the Plane of Fire, but the City of Brass makes some minor allowances for visitors and slaves not born of fire. You will be safe in the Galley Quarter and the Great Bazaar anyway. Perhaps you can find some greater protection should we need to pursue Jhavhul deeper into the city. We will start at the Galley Quarter in a place where we will be sheltered until we can learn of our enemy's position."
"If you are ready, let us join hands and travel across the Cosmos to the foul Efreet's Dominion of Flame."
Varkata says, "By the strength of my wish, I can protect you from the worst of the Plane itself -- less so its inhabitants."
She then holds up her hand to signal that they wait, then deftly downs the contents of an aleskin with her other hand, then nods, "I am ready."
The Heroes join hands and there is a pull and rush as they race across Planes of existence. Then comes an oppressive heat. Nefeshti's bright wings light up what appears to be a narrow curved room with tarnished brass walls. Nefeshti presses her hands against the widest wall and it slides aside to reveal a small office.
A stout dwarf-like man with a heavy warhammer in hand leaps up at your appearance. He is hairless, but where a dwarf's braided hair and long beard would normally be, red and yellow flames dance over bronzed skin. Karethas immediately identifies the being as an AZER- natives of the Plane of Fire; many of whom have been forced into slavery by the cruel Efreet.
The warhammer lowers as the azer recognizes the Peri Queen. "Nefeshti. You should have warned me that you were coming. It is dangerous for you to be here."
"Anwar," Nefeshti greets the azer. "Unfortunately, it was necessary. We seek news of Jhavhul. I believe that he has returned to the Dominion of Flame."
The burning dwarf frowns. "You could not have just sent a message or messenger? Who are these humans?"
Amir bows deeply, Travelers and warriors of Kelmarane in Katapesh come to ascertain the whereabouts of Jhavhul and, if possible, end his threats against our home...
Varkata follows Amir's lead, bowing herself, then finishing the old thief's sentence, "..and anyone else's."
The corner of Karethas' mouth twitches at his friends' smooth transition to such an outlandish situation.
The Azer's burning beard breaks with a slight smile. "I appreciate your dedication to your mission. I am Anwar Alim, Master of the Burning Chain. You will be gladdened to find that the whereabouts of Jhavhul is known. In fact, The Misshapen One, as he is now known, will be no threat to anyone beyond the walls of his familial palace of Bayt al-Bazan. The dangerously ambitious Efreeti has drawn the ire of their Grand Sultana. She has placed a taboo upon the palace so that none may enter or exit."
Varkata says, "That is both good and bad news. I like that we know where he is, I don't like that he's got nothing but time to work on his plan. Also, I really don't like raising the ire of the Sultana."
Amir nods sagaciously at Varkata, Yes a troublesome detail but perhaps one we may yet find a solution to. Amir cannot help but fan at himself, Perhaps we deal first with our logistics and then turn our attention to access? Master Alim we must beg your pardon but my excitement to visit the bazaar can be barely be contained. Might we call on you later to discuss the matter of Jhavul's imprisonment further?
Kzrira listens to her companions with their tongues of silver. Her hand nervously drawing and then requivering an arrow.
Karethas stares thoughtfully and strokes his beard. "This is only an educated guess, but I surmise that our only solution to the Taboo is to gain the Sultana's permission. Our unfamiliarity with this city...with this plane, and their political and social subtleties would likely mean that a direct approach with the authority here is the wise course. Unless we mean to familiarize ourselves with the intricacies here, a proposition that would take some time and is ill-advised." Karethas's focus returns to the others and he smiles, "Of course, a visit to the market first would probably be judicious."
Anwar looks incredulous and then his face darkens like black smoke. "What fool is this?!" he demands, indicating Karethas. "It is bad enough that you appear in my closet, Nefeshti. Knowing that should any Efreet or spying elemental learn that you are here, we will all suffer the worst fate. But then you bring this fool who would go beg the pardon of the Grand Sultana and ask to cross her Great Seal. These fools will be sent straight to the Burning District and if they survive that, they will join us in being tortured for a thousand years before our souls are cast into Living Brass!"
Karethas' "I guess my ignorance is even more dangerous than I had imagined." He bows deeply to he Azer, "I beg your pardon Master Alim and I beg that you enlighten us if you know a way to pass beyond the seal."
The azer looks unmoved until Nefeshti smooths over the situation. "Have no concerns, Anwar. Our visit will be very brief. Do you know of a way to pass the Seal that encloses Bayat al-Bazan?"
The short fire-born creature's frown lightens some and he nods. "Aye, the Burning Chain will provide a way. For now, go to the market and find better protection against the burning sky that surrounds this place."
Though considered a prodigy on the Material Plane, Karethas finds himself floundering on an actual Elemental Plane. He knows nothing about the "Burning Chain" other than this is some center for the honoring of the religion, philosophy??
Hoping that all will be revealed later and now is the time for exploring the Bazaar and securing magic, the Heroes of far Kelmarane are led from Anwar's office, through what appears to be a shrine, to exit through great black doors etched with images of burning snakes. Outside is a disconcerting view: the Heroes see that they have exited a massive building that is designed in the likeness of coiled chains of brass with fire gusting through narrow slit windows. A great wall of brass rises from the ground to a ceiling of brass above and Karethas realizes that they are on the middle level of the three levels found within the great brass bowl that holds the Efreet capital. The radiance of the place is near blinding as red hot brass structures line the wide streets and bursts of white and blue flame erupt in odd places. Few Efreet are seen in the Common Quarter, but all manner of fire-born creatures pack the streets from Azer, Salamander and darting wisps to far more exotic creatures.
Nefeshti has remained behind as she would likely be attacked on sight despite her burning visage, but she has given you instructions on reaching the Great Bazaar. Putting the brass wall behind, the Heroes move toward the interior and up the broadest stairs that they have ever seen which open to the Molten Skies above. Surrounding the ziggurat like stairs are stalls and booths filled with all manner of exotic and fiery goods and services.
Varkata looks about her strange surroundings with a look of awe, and shivers, I'm thinking that I was right in making my wish... this place would clearly turn me into a pile of ash in a matter of minutes. And while I can't share the immunity, at least I can protect the others for a short time.... it is, after all, so very hard to find good drinking companions..
Amir will put his "game face" on and see if he can suss out who is making the best deals for someone in his fragile circumstance...
Kzrira follows the others into the strange and alien realm of fire, sweating despite the protection afforded her by magic.
Lets go shopping and then find the efreeti and eliminate the problems he causes, and then get out of here. I really do not like this place.
Amir mops at his brow and idly smoothes his moustache as the group walks. The rogue casts a critical look as he shakes his head at Kzrira, [b]Leave it to you to bristle at the amazing. In your dotage you will complain that the walk to the Great Seal itself "annoyed you" and how the children should not pester you to hear the tale once more..." Despite his glance the rogue clearly carried mirth in his comments and a sly wink punctuates his loving critique of his companion.
Amir's mustache droops in the heat. Though his meager warding protects him from harm, it does not shield him from the discomfort of the Forge-like heat. It might be best to find him somewhat greater protection from the City itself for starters.
At the top of the stairs, the Heroes are on the upper level of the City of Brass and afforded a view of the Planes sky. No sun is seen, but the whole sky burns with brilliant sheets of multicolor flame like the rumored auroras of the northern lands of Golarion. Thrust into the Molten Sky is the tallest structure in the City of Brass, the Sultana's Palace skirted by the minarets and fortifications of the military and government structures. Circling around, the planar travelers spot Cities worth of brass mansions and palaces that house the noble families of the Efreet and finally a great curtain of hellish fire that rises from the Burning Quarter where only the elementals of pure flame can thrive.
Between these quarters and the Heroes are hundreds of acres of stalls, booths, carts, shopping pavilions, hawkers, storefronts, malls, and milling merchants and shoppers. These end in the distance at a molt of infernal fire and high walls of brass which separate the Grand Bazaar from the Noble Quarters. Many more Efreet are seen now, both selling and buying and there are horned red guards that peer at the mortals with a malevolent interest.
An actual devil meanders by and Amir wisely avoids attracting his attention, instead addressing an Azer in the other direction. Amir is astonished to hear words of Ignan come from his lips. He glances at the genie ruby which sparkles with inner fire and realizes that it has given him the gift the native tongue. The Azer asks what the human wishes.
Unaware of Amir's newfound proficiency, Karethas whispers in Amir's ear, "He asks what you wish."
Varkata allows her gaze to sweep the horizon just once, then forces herself not to gape in wonder, Now, no sense asking to be fleeced... or worse... by acting the yokel. She takes a breath and stands straighter, looking curiously at her companions and the difficulty that they seem to be experiencing for a moment, then nodding to herself, They are protected, but not immune to this place.... and now I'm wondering how we can keep them hydrated when our water has likely all boiled away... She adjusts her blade and cloak, falling back on the well-remembered role of a guardswoman, making clear that the old man and his entourage are under her protection. Though I think I preferred guarding ale casks in a caravan..
Karethas translates for his companions. The Azer shrugs, "Wonderful arms and armor are everywhere. The Azer can tame metal as well as any Shaitan," he brags. "As for religious items, those are rarer. The proud Efreet recognize no gods, but humor their slaves and guests with a small area for foreign temples on the middle level."
He shrugs at Amir. "Items to ward you from the heat are quite common here and much cheaper than those found on your home plane."
Kzrira looks to her companions at the mention of armor and arms.
I would not mind upgrading my armor. This mithral chainmail is incredible, but Varkata could use it, and Amir could use Varkata's breastplate. Then I could find some mithral platemail. Even if it is not as highly magic, the cost would probably be the same.
The Azer moves on without further comment leaving the Heroes to explore the market and test his assurances. A literally burning building with a sign that reads in ignan- White-hot Wards!- sounds promising. Amir leads the way into a moderately-sized shop that specializes in protective items. The Efreeti behind the counter leers at the mortals that have entered his shop.
Amir offers his best smile and asks his group, Anyone here speak, Ignan is it?
"Mortals from the Material Plane, I see. You have surely come to the right place. Most do not last long here without protection", Karethas translates though Amir realizes that the magic ruby allows him to clearly understand Ignan, the language of the Fire Plane.
Karethas frowns slightly at the repeated subtle slights by the denizens of this plane, his experiences with extra-planar creatures have largely been from a position of strength. The shop owning efreeti referring to the group as mortals causes him to reconsider, Here they are the lords and masters, AND they are immortal to boot.