Rayhan smiles. "Of course, friends, if you believe the Scroll to be in danger, here it is. Hopefully, you resolve this situation quickly so I can finish unlocking its mysteries. I am so close."
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"I can hold off on the declaration of authenticity, Mahath. But not for too long, this is my livelihood after all, and I can't risk being thought of as a cheat or anything that may impugn the stellar reputation I have built in this city."
"I suggest this because the flow of commerce and trade is king in Katapesh and of particular concern to the Pactmasters, its rulers. An item of this interest has surely reached their ears as well and if you're not going to sell it, the best thing to do is be frank with your potential suitors. To engage in fraudulent commercial practices is dangerous business in this city..i.e. hold an auction for an item you don't intend on selling."
"This is so exciting. It will take me a couple of more days to unravel the mysteries of how precisely to access the realm. There were complex magical wards placed on the Scroll to restrict its use, but I believe I can crack the code, so to speak. Therefore, if you do not wish to sell it, I would recommend that you should alert your potential buyers to this fact."
Rayhan hears Mahath's concerns and says, "From my studies, the wards placed on the scroll allow you to take it with you when you enter its realm. After all, it was the home of Nex, one of the most powerful wizard kings in the world, and he would not have entrusted it to anyone but himself. So it will not fall into the wrong hands while you are inside."
"I've told you all I know about the legend of the realm, just says it contains fantastical treasures. There are no direct accounts of the realm itself."
"If you wish to explore its secrets, legends says fantastic treasures lie within the realm of the scroll. I, however, cannot confirm nor deny if this is true, but would be willing to explore with you."
Rayhan smiles, "As you wish Jameena. I will instruct the guard to allow no further visitors without your express permission or until told otherwise."
The day passes uneventfully and the heat has caused a few in the crowd to leave, as it is down to 15 people. By evening, over dinner, Rayhan tells you, "I can 100% guarantee the item you have is the legitimate Scroll of Kakishon. I have double and triple checked my work, consulted all the various sources, and magically scried the document. There is no doubt in my mind. This is so exciting! Now, the only thing left is to unlock its secrets. So what are your plans for the artifact?"
"Thank you, brother. I am certain I will have an answer for the group by tonight as to the legitimacy of this Scroll. Now, if you could bring me the History of Nex from my library, that would be great."
Jameena looks puzzled, then hands the paper to Rayhan. Do you know what to make of this? she says, then glances back at the crowd. Perhaps we had best go back inside. They will soon tire of their pointless waiting. Rayhan smiles. "You really don't know how the world works. If they're getting paid to be here, you might as well get used to them being here." He walks inside and reads the note to those present: "Odd, it's in Ignan, not a very common language. It says: Sand Stalkers, give up the Scroll or pay for it with your lives. This is only the beginning."
When you express concerns over security, Rayhan is more than willing to give you a complete tour of his 3-story home and the grounds outside. Rayhan is usually studying the Scroll in the Library or his room. A1 - Villa grounds (10' stone wall with metal gate and guard)
Rayhan says, "I have people looking for Haleen but no success yet. You must remember this is a city of over 200,000 as of the last census, so it will take some time. In the meantime, I will be in my room with the Scroll, if you allow me, starting my research. You may join me if you feel bored, but till then, please enjoy my pool, food, and rooms if you wish to sleep. If you like the ocean, there is a trail out back that will take you down to the beach. Sand Stalkers, Mahath, I take my leave of you." The afternoon passes uneventfully with you entertaining yourselves as much as possible. Though Rayhan appears to be financially secure, the only living attendants in the home are the cook (Lola), groundskeeper (Eramin), and guard (Sevim) at the front gate. It seems the rest of the time he is surrounded by Unseen Servant spells. At around 9 pm, after you have enjoyed a delicious dinner, Sevim appears at the door. Rayhan answers and appears a few seconds later in front of the party, "Sand Stalkers, you have a guest. Marzuk Mus'ad, son of a prominent merchant family here in Katapesh. Says he would like to discuss some business with you. If you are so inclined to take the meeting, please use my Library." Rayhan returns to his room to continue his study. The man enters and bows before the party. "Will you do me honor of hearing me out?" He is dressed exquisitely and very refined.
"You are welcome, please stay as long as you want."
"Thank you, Mahath. I know you were interested in finding Haleen too while you were in town... Wait, Jameena, did you say, holy man?" Rayhan sits back, a look of realization on his face. "Was he about 7' tall, bald, strange mark on his forehead, claiming to be a chosen of Sarenrae? That was the description of the man who's been spreading the rumors that you all had the Scroll in the first place! The rumors started about a week ago and it spoke of your coming to Katapesh! It's why I had agents posted at the entrance to the city in the first place, looking for people matching your description. I've been looking for the man ever since but no one seems to have found him. You have a powerful enemy indeed!"
"Mahath, my deepest sentiments for the loss of your friend. I know how much you wanted to make amends, but I am sure his spirit was at ease with your decision." Rayhan turns to the party, gathers a journal from one of the bookcases, and says, "It is time for me to tell you what you wish to know. Sit back and relax. The legends say that Kakishon was created by the wizard-king Nex to serve him as a portable paradise and an impenetrable bolt-hole. Much as the more commonplace bag of holding opens into its own reality, the Scroll of Kakishon was said to contain this entire world inside of it—the scroll was not Kakishon, but the doorway by which Nex could enter and exit the realm. Kakishon was said to have been a paradise, a laboratory, a menagerie, a hunting ground, and even a tomb—most likely, it was all these things and more, with each island serving a different role. The legend of Kakishon falls into increasing obscurity after Nex’s war with Geb began. All signs point to the strong possibility that Nex had grown dissatisfied with Kakishon and had lost interest. When he vanished from the face of Garund in 576 ar, he left the Scroll of Kakishon behind. Eventually, it was stolen from his castle and the scroll passed through many hands. Some used it as a prison for their enemies, others as a place to impress allies or as a vault for their treasures, the stories say. The closer to the present day we get, the more obscure the rumors grow—no sign of the Scroll of Kakishon seems to have surfaced over the past several hundred years. The last person to own the scroll, I believe, was a Keleshite wizard named Andrathi. The accounts of his life are vague and fragmentary, but it would appear that he was the lover of a genie named Nefeshti, the leader of a group known as the Templars of the Five Winds, a name I believe you are familiar with, right? Legend holds that the Templars fought somewhere in the mountains against a cruel efreeti warlord named Jhavhul, and that while the Templars of the Five Winds managed to defeat Jhavhul, the defeat was shadowed in loss. No sign of Andrathi or the Scroll of Kakishon remained after the battle. No sign… until today." Rayhan closes the journal and looks at the five of you. "This is an important find. If you will let me, I would very much like to look into this matter, to research this scroll and decipher some of the writings upon it. And if this is indeed the Scroll of Kakishon, as I believe, there are protections placed upon it to prevent undesirables from being able to open it and travel to the world within. Yet in time, I feel that I will be able to decipher these writings. You see, before he vanished, the wizard Andrathi went through the same process—yet he obviously managed to discover the way to open the scroll, even if it meant his doom. Some of his writings have survived to this day, and as it happens, I own copies of these writings. By building upon the foundation he lays in his writings, I am sure that I will be able to duplicate his research and refine it. It may take days, even weeks, but if this is indeed the Scroll of Kakishon, I will find the key to open it. But once it is open, I will need your aid, should you be willing to provide it. The legends speak of great treasures kept safe in Kakishon, the greatest of which was Jhavhul’s own weapon, the legendary Firebleeder, said by some to be a falchion and others a living flame. Sadly, my adventuring days are behind me, but if I find the way, I would be honored to accompany you into Kakishon to find the truth!" Rayhan pauses. "I know this is much to digest right now. You don't have to decide right now, but you are welcome to stay at my villa as my guests, should you wish it so. I have plenty of space."
"You have shown great character today, Master Eli. Templars of the Winds, interesting...we may yet discuss that but another time. For now, I will not disappoint you. Now, let's see what we have here." Rayhan clears the table and unfolds the Scroll, revealing the rune Eli saw before. "The paper, yes, it is old yet delicate. Magically preserved. Interesting, around the right age. That is good, good. Mark of the wizard-king Nex." He intones magic often seen by you, reminding you of Dumah, as he casts Detect Magic and Identify and another spell you never saw Dumah cast. He then continues to examine the Scroll for a few minutes, making strange mutterings, his eyes wide, almost enchanted, as he peruses the Scroll. He then looks up excitedly, his hands shaking and eyes wide as he speaks: "By the gods, this could be the real thing! Or as close to the real thing as I've ever come by in my years of research. It would need more study to confirm but I am sure it is so. Oh, you wonderful Sand Stalkers, you have found it!" He hands Eli back the Scroll and takes a drink of his lemonade, as he tries to calm himself.
"Ah Master Eli, no need to be coy. From what I hear about the Sand Stalkers and their honor, you would not have come all this way to tease an old man's heart if you did not have or believed to have the Scroll of Kakishon. We should stop with the games. I will speak to you of the legend only after I have had a chance to investigate for myself to determine if what you have is or could be real. If not, you are wasting my time. Of course, I will examine the Scroll here in front of you. I know I have not earned your trust...yet. What say ye?"
"Well said, bard! Yes, the stories of the Sand Stalkers have reached our ears here in Katapesh..your freeing of Kelmarane and your conquest of the Carrion King! Great deeds, indeed. I seek the Scroll for scholarly knowledge. I know the treasures its legend portends, but I am not man of need. I have this wonderful home with a breathtaking view of the ocean on high from these cliffs. I have my health and my faculties and those I consider friends as company. I am truly a blessed and rich man. No, the unknown has always intrigued me, as of age three, the ability to discover something not seen in hundreds or thousands of years. To reveal it to the world for all to bask in its knowledge, that is my gift. I have spent all my life in my pursuit of knowledge and discovery, almost 50 years now. Specifically, I've studied the legend of Kakishon for years and in that time, have run across countless shams and forgeries and dead ends. I hope this time is different."
Eli leads the party to Rayhan's villa, which is actually not within the city walls of Katapesh but in a well-to-do section of the city, just to the southeast. The villa is a modest three-story structure built from heavy clay bricks perched on a cliff overlooking the Obari Ocean. It consists of the main house, a few outbuildings, and a well-kept garden. A gated brick wall surrounds the entire cluster of buildings. You present yourselves to the two guards stationed outside and show them the business card and they escort you inside the main home and instruct you to wait in the study and then leave. A few minutes later, a bald-headed human with a groomed white beard comes in, standing a towering 6'5". Pic of Rayhan "Welcome to my humble abode, Sand Stalkers. I am Rayhan Xobhadi, thank you for accepting my invitation." The first thing you notice about the man is his piercing gaze, as if he knew things about you. Behind him enters another man. "This my friend, Mahath, also a fellow mage, like myself. We were having the most wonderful chess game. I think I was beating you this time, Mahath. I have been practicing." The two men share a laugh. "I hope you don't mind if he joins us. He's a trusted friend. Drinks?" With a clap of his hand, suddenly, the door opens as if pushed by an invisible force and pitchers and glasses of lemonade float in the air and served before you. Rayhan smiles and sits. "Cute, huh? The children from the orphanage love that. Sorry, to be rambling...but is it true? Do you have the Scroll? Can it be??" The old man is bursting at the seams with anticipation. |