Jameena quickly joins Ty and scans the words on the note.
"T...that can only be Tamir! He is forcing our hand, using Haleen as leverage. We have to act, but we can't leave the scroll unguarded - and to take it with us is risky."
Mahath picks up the note and his face goes pale as he reads it.
It - it may be a bluff. They know we've been asking about her, I'm sure. But the look on his face belies his words. He's known Haleen a long time, and he suspects the worst here.
Perhaps we need to interrupt Rayhan's studies long enough to deal with this blackmailer.
"Trick or not, we have to deal with this. I will not have innocents hurt in order to blackmail us. I think it would be best if we all go - the strength of the Sand Stalkers is our unity. And we should take the scroll.
Mahath, did you make any progress with Dumah's spellbook. Have you had time to prepare any of the spells?"
"Can't argue with that, Jameena. We need to apprise Rahan of this development. I'm sure he wouldn't mind pausing his study of the scroll for the afternoon."
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."
Mahath, did you make any progress with Dumah's spellbook. Have you had time to prepare any of the spells?"[/b]
I have. And I was able to master those arcane formulas in specific that we discussed. It was heartening to see how advanced Dumah had become in just a few short years...
Ty volunteers to carry the scroll, if no one else is interested. "I doubt anyone would look for the scroll on me, as I don't have any magical talent."
"That is a good point, Tyronel. I think our enemies would expect Eli to carry the scroll. Is it possible to shield it somehow, so it's magic can't be detected?"
Eli returns ready to leave saying, "I will carry the scroll, at least our enemies with think so. Jameena is correct, I think they will assume I have it so why not live into their expectation. I will carry the scroll case, with a substitute scroll inside while Ty or someone else is carrying the true Scroll. If I tuck it into my belt next to Tempest her magic should disguise the scrolls. Mahath, your magic haversack, would it's magic disguise the fact the Scroll is inside it? Our enemies live in lies and distrust, let their own mindset work for us. They would never trust an item of such power to a stranger, so they would never expect we would. If the haversack can help disguise the presence of the Scroll, I say we let Mahath carry it, but make it appear I have it, including having Jameena and Quaman stay close to me as bodyguards. Ty can look after Mahath. Whatever we do we need to go quick, we must go to the meet now so we can prepare. Our enemy is holding cards, if Tamir is bluffing I am going to go all in and call him. We need to know the layout, what ambushes they may be setting and what traps we might need to avoid. Time is wasting.
"Of course, I can protect Mahath, if that is the plan. I haven't filled someone with arrows in a very long while now."
Depending on the magics available to them, it may help conceal it. I am certainly willing to carry it.
Before we leave, Mahath will case Mage Armor on himself.
The trip to Dog Town takes about an hour's trip from Rayhan's villa, since it is located at the northern apex of Katapesh. For any who inquire or have knowledge of the city, Dog Town is the dirtiest area of Katapesh. It is home to many of the city's indigent citizens, ne'er-do-wells, small business owners. It is also home to the largest of Katapesh's gnoll populations and to many of the transient workers living in the city.
Quzman follows Eli closely, keeping a hunter's eye trained on those around him. "I do not like exposing ourselves like this, but I agree. If Haleen is truly in danger, we owe it to Dumah to try and assist her. Keep your eyes open, and your wits about you. May the dawn's light guide us through safely."
As the party makes their way to Dog Town, Eli tries to place the establishment in his mind. Does he know anything about it and who might run things there. He also wonders about the local hierarchy, who really runs Dog Town and who wants to? Who might be an ally, or at least the enemy of our enemy.?
As we get close, we should circle into our destination even if it takes a little bit longer so we can see the best way back out of Dog Town as well as look for signs of potential trouble.
When they arrive at their destination Eli will gather everyone up, "There is no use in pretending we are not who we are, and I am sure they know Mahath is connected to Haleen. We are definitely the short stack in this game, but we are holding the Royal Flush. Our goal is to get Haleen, keep the Scroll, eliminate Zayfid..if he is mixed up in this...,and make sure Tamir knows who the Sand Stalkers are. Let's get inside and find a seat that is easy to defend and easy get out from."
Ty stays close to Mahath determined to not let anyone in betwee himself and the mage...and the scroll. He peruses the crowd closely, making sure no one sneaks up unexpectedly.
Perception
Jameena stays close to Eli and Quzman, ready for trouble.
The One-Eared Gnoll is a tavern. You finish your scouting and so forth but have not found anything suspicious. Unfortunately, for Eli, he did not have any local contacts in this section of the city so he does not really know the power players. As evident from the map, Dog Town is a clumped section of buildings, so there are alleys, rooftops, etc.
The party pours into the inn and the place is visited by many gnolls, they recognize power when they see it and they give the party a wide berth. Depending on how early you arrive for the meeting time. The barkeep tells you to keep the trouble to a minimum, since it's obvious the party does not fit in. He takes your drink orders, if you have any. Eventually, the seven night bells ring and no one appears.
Have we been double crossed? Is there a chance Rayhan might have been who this rascal was after? Perhaps that is why we were lured away?"
As they enter the establishment Eli will place a calming hand on Quzman's shoulder. "Be at ease, this is not the fight we need though I know it is going to strain your senses to be here amongst these folk. If it too much, say the word. There is no shame if you wish to return and keep an eye on the villa. The rest of us can handle this."
Quzman smiles grimly at Eli and in a somewhat louder than necessary voice, "It will take more than the stench of these flea bitten curs to make me abandon this endeavor. I'd take care as to where to sit however, you never know when these dogs will drop to their hindquarters and drag..." As he acquaints himself with his surroundings, Quzman will try and find a table near a wall by a door if possible. I do not think we wish to offer our backsides to the room anymore than necessary.
Quietly to Ty, "I think we should give them a little more time, if nothing else. We have to trust that the mage has adequate protection for himself in his villa. He has survived in Katapesh much longer than any of us, that's for sure."
"If this is a trap, to lure us out it might be to attack the Villa or it might be to ambush us on the way back." Eli thinks about the trek in and considers where the most likely spot for an ambush on the way back is.
As he is thinking about this he will search the gazes of those who are eying them. Sure that all the gnolls in the place are staring, Eli is looking for one who is watching them with a purpose instead of curisoity or plain disgust.
The gnolls are looking at the party with disgust and fear at the same time. 7:15, 7:30, 7:45 passes and you realize you have been stood up. You make your way back to the Villa, wary of any ambush points, and upon arriving find it odd that the crowd of gatherers in front has dispersed. You proceed with care and find a package left at the front doorstep. When you unwrap it, a finger pops out containing a signet ring, which Mahath immediately recognizes as belonging to Haleen. The note reads:
Eli, I said I wanted to speak with you, not your troupe of fools. Smart to take the Scroll but now I have Rayhan. Next time, follow instructions or I will keep sending you their body parts. We'll be in touch.
-T
Mahath furrows his brow in concentration, trying not to let his anger and frustration show.
Perhaps I should sit with the scroll and see if I can unlock how to use it? I am not the scholar that Rayhan is, but I worked with him some during the investigation and may be able to do something.
"Do we need to forget about the inner workings of the scroll, and focus on getting Haleen and Rayhan back first?"
My thought was that perhaps there is something there we can use to recover Haleen and Rayhan. I see few options to find them in this city he says with a sweep of an arm in that direction but perhaps it holds the power to find them and free them. A hint of desparation tinges his last phrase.
Jameena utters a most unpaladin-like curse at the sight of the note and the finger.
"How could we be so stupid!? We have to do something...I refuse to let that little bag of camel-droppings run us in circles while his goons harm our friends."
Furry rages in Eli's eyes. "Where does he live?
"This merchant is obviously out of his mind. We have to ready ourselves to eliminate him now. I'm tired of my freinds being abused to get at us."
You've heard he lives in the Dawn Gate district of Katapesh, home to many wealthy business owners and upper-middle-class residents.
"Enough is enough, I am going to deal with Tamir!" Eli turns to leave and go to the Dawn Gate district.
"Eli! Should the rest of us accompany you? There is nothing left here to protect anymore. We have the scroll with us, so let's go get them back together."
"If your coming, then come but this ends today!"
Agreed. Lead the way.