Venture-Captain Amara Li summons the party to the Lantern Lodge in Goka, where they’re ushered into a meeting room adjacent to the lodge’s well-stocked library.
A servant in fine blue and gold silks says, "Please introduce yourselves while we wait for the meeting to officially begin."
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In front of you stands a proud and dignified man in his mid-sixties, bearing his chin high and armored in silvery mithral platemail. The Chelaxian's gray and white hair is well-tended and covers his neck with a ponytail tied with a black silken ribbon. His strong facial features are partly covered by his trimmed side whiskers. Even though he appears to have survived through many wars and bears the signs of his past hardships, his blue eyes reflect a deep compassion and understanding, a spark of humanity lingering in his soul.
He bows gallantly despite his heavy armor and the burden of his years, and greets you with a deep low voice worthy of an opera singer. "I am Baron Rysalius Starnon, formerly of House Starnon in Westcrown, Baron of the Taldan Empire, General of the First Army of Exploration and proud vassal of Lady Morilla. Well met."
Rysalius turns to his squire, a young Brevian man in his early twenties. "Lander, my swords." the nobleman's voice booms with a gentle hint for the young man as he brings his master a mithral longsword and an adamantine one. "It appears our swordmanship will be needed once again."
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Sitting upright, wearing white robes with cherry blossoms stitched in neat patterns, is a young looking Tian woman. Her dark hair is a stark contrast to her silky white skin. A hint of makeup adorns her otherwise flawless facial features. She smiles and nods to her late Venture Captain before speaking. "I am Lillain Woo, practiser of the arcane arts and deeply rooted in enchantments. a pleasure to meet you all."
She is instead a very nice looking upright sitting humanoid fox called a Kitsune.
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"Rysalius Starnon!" A voice says from the doorway. It bears an accent affected by some of the Taldan nobility decades ago, but since mostly fallen out of favor. It is smooth, like fine brandy. "I believe I have heard your name before in the halls of the Kith. They say your singing could make a devil weep."
The voice belongs to a Taldan man, perhaps of the same vintage as Rysalius, but swarthy as some natives in the south of Taldor tend to be. Handsome and distinguished, he has dark hair and beard giving way to gray. He wears a mithril breastplate over a military uniform common to officers in Taldor, though it is without emblem or rank and at least ten years out of style for those savy to the tastes of modern fashion.
He turns to Lillian with a broad smile full of perfect teeth. "An enchantress, you say? Well that seems nearly obvious."
With a deep bow, like a performer on the stage, he introduces himself.
"Greetings and salutations! I... am Maximo Interrestante."
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Invigorated from accomplishing a renowned mission of saving Paracountess Dralneen from the Fortress of Nail, and enlivened by his own personal prize, he's replaced his old black amateur courtier's outfit with a new indigo lord's outfit -Haris felt a new man.
The lean long-limbed human gaits skillfully through the crowd. The motion of his body exhibits a natural athletic inclination; his face is jovial, drawn white teeth upon a face used to smiling. A magnificent adamantium shortsword is strapped diagonally in front of his loins, Haris shifts the centerpiece as to invite everyone to take a long gander. He greets the men with a showman's hand - like touching babies and groupies. "Haris Hawkson- Haris Hawkson-"
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You see a rotund dwarf with a broad smile and even more broad belt enter the meeting room, while chewing on what appears to be a leftover donut. He looks around and spots the other Pathfinders.
"Hey there! Hello, my soon to be good friends. It is jolly good to see you gathered here."
He bows to each, not as deeply as he would like, but as much as his physique will allow.
"Brother Grimdock at your service. A pleasure to meet you all...and with any luck, share a drink together before we are sent off to save the world."
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Rysalius nods at each and every one of his fellow Pathfinders, greeting them by name and with the proper étiquette.
"The honor is mine, Maximo. I'm looking forward to hearing news of Taldor, for it has been too long since I last stayed in our homeland."
"Madam, your presence here is an enchantment. Allow my squire to fetch you one of these comfortable armchairs. Lander!"
"Haris, yes? I believe I have heard of your... prowess. An honor to meet you in person."
"Brother Grimdock, I shall be looking forward to share this drink with you."
A table of polished teakwood dominates the middle of this room. Around it sits a number of padded chairs. A handsome Tian woman, dressed in a simple silk dress, sits at the head of the table.
“I am Amara Li,” she says softly after gesturing for the newcomers to sit. “Thank you for coming, Pathfinders. As I’m sure you know, the society came into possession of the now infamous Hao Jin Tapestry after winning the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. This magical tapestry contains a demiplane, one in which the ancient sorcerer Hao Jin placed a vast collection of treasures and magical wonders. The Society has been sending Pathfinder teams into the demiplane for months, mapping its locations and cataloging a staggering number of incredible finds." Looking at the experienced field agents gathered around her she asks "Perhaps some of you have experience with this?
“During the course of these expeditions, we uncovered a secret entrance—backdoor, if you will—that links the tapestry with a site in distant Varisia. Aspis Consortium agents bent on plundering the demiplane secretly exploited this entry point. However, thanks to a daring band of Pathfinders, the Society took control of the Varisian entrance.
“We hoped to use the tapestry as an instantaneous method of traveling between Absalom and Varisia, but the route to Varisia is currently only one-way. The Decemvirate wants to change this.”
Amara pauses as the Temple of Abadar’s bells mark the midday hour. As the twelfth bell sounds, a thin, middle-aged Keleshite man appears out of nowhere standing next to her, carrying what appears to be a rolled-up rug over one shoulder. “Greetings,” he says sharply. “I am Aram Zey, and this—,” he says as he unrolls the rug and attaches it tothe wall, “—is the Hao Jin Tapestry.”
“As the venture-captain was saying, the Society needs the link between Absalom and Varisia to work in both directions. I believe it’s possible to reattune the tapestry by accessing a site called the Sacred
Shrine of Abadar at the very heart of the demiplane. After much research, I believe that the instructions are documented in a tome called the Abysium Codex. With it, you should be able to reattune the tapestry and allow us to travel to and from Absalom and Varisia at will. After we’ve achieved that, we can establish our own permanent portals in points all over Golarion where we need quick access to. Just imagine having rapid, two-way travel from wherever the tapestry is held to points all over the...."
“First thing’s first: we need you to retrieve the Abysium Codex,” interjects Amara Li. “You’ll find it in the possession of a woman named Shadow Orchid, who operates a bookshop called the Learned Crane here in Goka. But be wary, Pathfinders. Though Shadow Orchid is very old and feeble, she is a former Xun assassin—a master of the art of murder.”
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The group hears a quick succession of rapping knuckles on the door. "So sorry for being late. I was inthe library getting prepared, and the time flew away from me. You know how interesting books and scrolls can be. I developed a new spell, too..." the gnome describes breathlessly, only ceasing after she realized she was interrupting the meeting.
She blushes and quietly takes her seat. "I'm Pai," she eeks out, as she slumps back in her chair.
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Rysalius nods silently, listening to both Amara Li and Aram Zey with the patience and deference they are owed. He only issues his opinion when the Master of Spells has finished his speech.
"I am indeed familiar with the Tapestry, for I visited a strange temple dedicated to Korada within it about a year ago. Horrible business, of course. How else could it turn out?"
"But enough spoken about the past. Thee goal you seek to attain is paramount to the Society, and I am honored to serve once more in the greater interest of all. However, a few questions remain, if you'll indulge an old man whose mind doesn't race as fast as young people's. Firstly, are we to buy that book off that woman? If so, does the Society entitles us with a stipend to proceed? If not, are we to act like Pathfinders did in the early days, as mere thieves and scoundrels?"
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Maximo nods in agreement as Baron Rysalius inquires about the approach to dealing with Shadow Orchid.
"Hmm, a simple sale would be ideal."
"Indeed, a stipend would be quite helpful."
"Yes, acting as thieves and scound..." About to agree with that idea, he catches himself and stands up tall and pulls his coat straight. "Hey now, that is not how a nobleman should behave!"
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When Lilian speaks up, Haris turns to see the source of the feminine voice and is instantly enchanted. Only the sound of another familiar feminine voice snaps him out of it.
"Well hello Pai! I didn't see you there my little flower!", Haris gives her a shouldered arm, then quickly throw boths hand up, "Don't worry yourself -I'm completely over gnomes. I've been spend far too much off time at the Absalom Faire. Carnies, circus folk, nomads. You know, small hands." he adds the last few words with a shiver.
"Anyhow, I'm ready. Let's go see this other flower, or poison ivy."
"Stipend?" the Master of Scrolls nearly sputters the word. With a calming gesture Amari Li steps in front of Zey.
"Shadow Orchid is a female elf and a Xun assassin. I would not expect her to fall easily to any charms. The idea of a purchase intrigues me. I hope you can seal such a deal. She once was a notorious assassin of the Golden League-" she says as if that explains everything.-though she’s been retired for over a century. We believe she assassinated Hao Jin—leading to one of the Ruby Phoenix’s many rebirths—several centuries before Hao Jin’s final disappearance, and then absconded with the Abysium Codex. As a Xun, Shadow Orchid may have lived several reincarnated lives prior to this one.”
The shop is called the Learned Crane. An address, directions, and a description are given.
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”What a coincidence! I've been spending my time with mages too, her name was Lady Darshana I think”, Haris then goes into details that would make a brothel madam blush. ”I can see why they are fond of wands. This one time at band camp-”, he continues as the group stroll down the street, never mentioning that he got Sczarni's Guaril killed in the same mission.
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Grim follows along, half listening to Haris's story.
"Whoa, Haris. If I had half the luck with women you have had, well that would be...um...well more luck than I have had lately. Maybe that is why I find myself frequently in the company of blonds, and brunettes and reds....ales that is...I ain't particular. Haarrrhh!"
He chuckles at his own joke...then puts on his best serious face with some effort.
"Any tacticss for how we approach this book store and woman?"
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"I was talking curtain shades myself! Hahahahaa!!", Haris joins Grimdoc in the bawdy jokes.
"Invisibility against a legendary assassin? Nope not me. Let's just knock on the front door."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"I favor the pale sort." Maximo says, joining the conversation a little late. "Spirits that is. I don't often drink ale, but when I do, I prefer... Why hello there young lady! Please allow me to assist you." Maximo's attention shifts suddenly upon noticing Pai burdened with books and scrolls. "Did I hear you say you were part of a recent expedition into the ruins of Thornkeep? I have had the fortune of delving it myself long ago in my youth, though the experience is somewhat hazy. Sometimes, when I think of that place, I feel nearly beside myself. I am curious to hear of your time there. We must speak later."
Back to the discussion about assassins...
"Stealing from a lady is always unwise. Particularly when the lady's known methods of conflict resolution could mean the ruin of a fine drink with poison or the addition of sharp objects thrust between our shoulder-blades of a well-tailored shirt. No no. Let us talk with her first and hope she is open to negotiation."
The pathfinders continue amiably down the street garnering a few strange looks for their exotic 'inner-seaness'.
The party arrives at the end of a long, twisting alleyway in the heart of Goka. A simple wooden sign over the door of a three-story stone building has a silhouette of a crane standing atop an open book.
Shortly after his knocking, the door opens for Maximo. No one answered the door, but someone inside calls to you.
Though adequately illuminated, this bookshop feels gloomy and somewhat claustrophobic. There are many tables holding piles of books and several bookshelves that stretch from floor to ceiling. The entire east wall is a single bookcase, completely filled with books.
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"I had a servant once from Tien." Maximo says, stroking his beard in thought. "Completely worthless as a servant actually, but spoke a few useful languages and could carry a small wardrobe chest. Unforunately, he went missing in Bloodcove a few years back."
Turning back to the room, he calls out. "Hello? Do you speak any other tongue?"
He then attempts the same in a few different languages:
"Hasss, ich shass drac?"
"हैलो , आप इस बात की?"
"مرحبا، هل هذا الكلام؟?"
"Salve, hoc dicis?"
"Sau, hoc glot?"
"Sup? U code tech?"
A slight smirk comes from inside the shop. "Taldane? I do not get to use that very often," follows a frail voice. The speaker clears her throat and says, "I said: 'Come in, We are open." She pauses a beat and adds "Ja, drac Ich geshrass. Wo kannsSsen mirsh helfsSs Sie?"*
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"My lady, you must be Shadow Orchid. It is an honor." Maximo gives a formal Tien bow. He may not know the language, but he has a grasp of the etiquette. "I am Baron Maximo Interresante, of Taldor. My companions and I have come to you in the hopes of negotiating the acquisition of a certain book - the Abysium Codex."