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Lately Absalom had become a city to be avoided. The machinations, backstabbing, and high politics surrounding the so-called Shadow Lodge incidents, have turned the Pathfinder Society upside down, making the Grand Lodge a complicated, and in many cases, dangerous place to be.
Two weeks ago, you all met at the Broken Tankard, your favorite pub in the Foreign Quarter to mull over your options. The Tankard was relatively empty for a Fireday afternoon. Although each of you had certain national loyalties as Pathfinders, none of you were particularly excited about the recent escalation in the shadow war between the factions, and were looking to find a way to avoid the entire conflagration altogether. Whatever political opinions you each had were secondary to the friendships you had formed with each other as young Pathfinders over the years.
While discussing the latest gossip about the Decemvirate, a young Vudrani man of some means approached you and introduced himself as Agni Pandisar of the distant island nation of Jalmeray. He seemed nice enough, so you struck up a conversation with him. It seemed that he was new to Absalom, and was looking for a few pointers of which sections to avoid and which not to miss. When, during this conversation, you mentioned that you had all been to Jalmeray before on a mission for the Society, he asked if you might be the noble members of the Pathfinder Society who had assisted in tracking down the notorious bandit Zamir. When Agni found out that you were indeed those Pathfinders, he could not contain his excitement. He immediately asked you to recount the entire story, and mentioned how the death of Zamir had been a huge boon to the region around Padiskar, leading to a great new immigration there.
Over the next few days, you became increasingly friendly with this somewhat naive, but always interesting, polite, and gracious young man from Jalmeray. You saw in him a little of the innocence you had lost years ago. When at the end of the week, he wanted to repay you by taking you back to Niswan and return the hospitality you had shown him, you could hardly refuse. Absalom was a stinking cesspool this time of year, and you had hardly heard a peep from your venture-captains for weeks. What could be better than to get out of town for a few months, and get a first-class tour of an exotic, foreign capital?
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You now find yourself on the Qadiran merchantman Rishi. Agni Pandisar has paid your fares all the way to Jalmeray, but has been having trouble with seasickness lately, and has stayed below decks the last few days. You are still two weeks out of Jalmeray, but will be docking in the Qadiran port of Sedeq tomorrow to take on supplies and cargo, before continuing your journey.
The journey so far has been a bit rough weather-wise, but at least there has been no sign of pirates or sea monsters ...
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Ursus bellowed his sea chant as his father had taught him, his deep baritone voice ringing out over the crash of the waves against the hull of the Rishi. The Ulfen's singing was almost a constant during the weeks the group had been at sea, and though he lacked the range of an actual trained performer he did his best to make up the difference with enthusiasm.
Hrym drives from the east
holds high his shield before him,
Jörmungand writhes
in giant rage;
the serpent churns up waves;
screaming for joy
ghastly eagle will tear
dead bodies with his beak.
Ursus was a tempest of activity aboard the vessel. The big bear of an Ulfen was always working; helping with the rigging, adjusting sails, or mending ropes and nets. Although he often needed guidance with the particulars of any given task he was always working - even if the captain and crew did not want it.
From the east sails a ship,
from the sea will come
the people of Golarion
with Desna as pilot;
all sons of fiends
are rowing with Fenrir,
with them on this voyage
is Býleist's brother.
One would think the warrior was born at sea.
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From the moment Aquila boarded the ship he's been helping the crew. As he was clearly recognizable by his uniform as an Andoran Navy Officer the crew was very happy to have him on board. Quite knowledgable and experienced in the affairs of sailing he managed to guide Ursus' enthusiasm to an even more positive effect.
Garra's presence was also highly appreciated as seaguls that often pester the ship stayed far away for once.
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Farouq somehow seems a bit reluctant at first to travel to Qadira. The old enemies of Osirion, just been driven away. but then, it might be interesting and exciting. And after all, he is a Pathfinder. and as such he boarded the ship. He himself enjoys the journey, whereas Adjo always is quite unsure about wjhat really is going on. A lion on a ship really doesn't seem to fit at all.
So, he either looks out on the sea, enjoying the wind, or stays with Adjo, to overcome his tensions of being on board of a ship.
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Daxter walks around the ship attempting to talk to the crew, but not actually offering to help. Rather it seems like he is studying the responses that he is given.
"So there are multiple ways to tell someone to shove off. Interesting." He says to the glowing ball floating ball of light and crystals flying right beside him.
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The great slabs of muscle in Ursus's torso bulge as his wrenches on a line to adjust the sails according to the halfling's directions.
"Is that it?", the warrior shouts to the small naval officer.
"I understand now why my forefathers did this for so long", the big Ulfen offers. "The fresh ocean air filling your lungs, nothing but sea and sky as far as the eye can see, and the bucking of the ocean beneath you like a proper woman in the sack; what more could a man ask for?" he asks with a raucous laugh.
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"Is that it?", the warrior shouts to the small naval officer.
"Yeah, that's it. We'll make a sailor out of you yet! Your parents would be proud!"
"I understand now why my forefathers did this for so long", the big Ulfen offers. "The fresh ocean air filling your lungs, nothing but sea and sky as far as the eye can see, and the bucking of the ocean beneath you like a proper woman in the sack; what more could a man ask for?" he asks with a raucous laugh.
"Indeed! The open sea is true freedom! Soaring the waves feels almost like flying."
Agni Pandisar comes up from where he has been hiding for days below decks, and staggers about looking pale, with dark circles around his eyes. "Good day, friends," he mutters before turning white as a sheet and sweating profusely. He runs abaft and hurls whatever contents were left in his stomach into the ocean. Nearby sailors shake their heads and mutter a few comments under their breath before returning to work elsewhere.
After regaining some of his composure, the Vudrani man returns to you, apologizing. "I'm sorry, I'm not usually this bad on a ship. I am just glad that my older sisters can't see me now. They used to take me sailing off the coast of Niswan, but sadly never were able to make a seaman out of me. I am glad to see that you are not in my unfortunate predicament."
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Daxter walks up to Agni.
"I'm sure you will be fine. It is after all, only a day before we hit the next stop. Sedeq is decent port, though business has been a little slow lately. But enough about me, you are the youngest in your family? I always wondered what it would be like to interact with siblings. But I suppose that comes with being the only child."
Daxter walks up to Agni.
"I'm sure you will be fine. It is after all, only a day before we hit the next stop. Sedeq is decent port, though business has been a little slow lately. But enough about me, you are the youngest in your family? I always wondered what it would be like to interact with siblings. But I suppose that comes with being the only child."
Agni nods to Daxter's question, "Yes, I come from a large family, and I had the incredible fortune (or misfortune some would say) of only having older sisters. I am the only boy. They've all been married off to the ambitious sons of other Maurya-Rahm families, and I am left to find my own way in the world. My father, the esteemed Lord Raheem Pandisar, is looking for a bride for me as we speak, and told me to learn a bit about the world before I start a family. The last I heard from him, he may have found someone appropriate."
You're not sure, but you seem to detect the slightest hesitation in his voice when he speaks of his possible upcoming nuptials.
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"Sisters already claimed you say. What a shame", the Ulfen comments with a wide grin while stroking his blonde salt-crusted beard.
Ursus wraps one thick arm around Agni's seasick frame in comfort while the other reaches under his own furs and retrieves a plain iron flask. With a deft movement the big warrior undoes the stopper, takes a long draw, and then belches loudly. He extends the container to the young Vudrani before continuing.
"Drink. It'll take your mind off of the ship's movements and maybe put some hair on your chest", he explains motioning to his own hairy barrel-chest.
"What is this about a bride? You're a young buck. You shouldn't be planning to settle down already", Ursus says.
Agni smiles wanly at Daxter and Ursus' comments, "Well, I haven't met her yet, and might not until the day of our wedding, but that could still be months off. In our culture, you see, it's all prearranged and taken care-of by the families. The bride and the groom really don't have much to say about it.
"I know things are different up North. I always wondered what it would be like to choose my own bride." He shrugs, and takes the flask from Ursus. "Thanks muchly," he states, taking a quick nip.
He immediately breaks out into a coughing fit and tries his best not to get sick again. After recovering, he turns to Ursus. "What in Irori's name was that? Poison?" he asks incredulously.
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Agni smiles wanly at Daxter and Ursus' comments, "Well, I haven't met her yet, and might not until the day of our wedding, but that could still be months off. In our culture, you see, it's all prearranged and taken care-of by the families. The bride and the groom really don't have much to say about it.
"I know things are different up North. I always wondered what it would be like to choose my own bride." He shrugs, and takes the flask from Ursus. "Thanks muchly," he states, taking a quick nip.
He immediately breaks out into a coughing fit and tries his best not to get sick again. After recovering, he turns to Ursus. "What in Irori's name was that? Poison?" he asks incredulously.
The big Ulfen roars with laughter at the young man's reaction to the strong drink.
"Poison might be better for you", he jests. "It's some kind of dwarven brandy I picked up in Absalom. I'm no expert but I know good liquor when I taste it", the warrior explains.
"Don't worry. A couple more swigs and you won't even notice the taste anymore", he says with a wide grin.
Realizing he has left out the wizard Ursus extends the flask the mage's way.
"Have a sip Dax".
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"That's because he'll pass out from it. Some of us aren't meant to indulge in the hard spirits."
Daxter says with a straight face. He takes the flask from Ursus and takes a sip.
"So this is what legal poison tastes like." He comments as he barely keeps his composure. He hands the flask back to the bear of a man known as Ursus.
"And its Daxter. I don't care for nicknames."
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"And its Daxter. I don't care for nicknames."
"Of course Dax", Ursus responds. He takes back the flask, tips back another long draw, and then stows it in his furs.
"Well would it be impossible for you to decline your family's arrangements?", he asks Agni. "It seems to me a man should be the master of his own fate".
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Sedeq is decent port, though business has been a little slow lately.
"Sedeq is everything but decent! It's a cesspool of slavers and their victims. There are thousands and thousands of people who have been robbed of their freedom and are whipped, branded or starved into submission. It's a bloody smear on the map of Golarion and I can barely wait to see the day that those people regain their freedom and their oppressors punished for their hideous crimes!"
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"Well would it be impossible for you to decline your family's arrangements?", he asks Agni. "It seems to me a man should be the master of his own fate".
“I concur. Someone should be the master of his own destiny. But at the same time, it might not be bad to see who your father has found. I remember when venture captain Drandle Dreng send me on a mission to recover a minotaur from an underground maze. He put me in a group with some very strange individuals, like a pair of half orc headhunters. I didn't have a choice in the matter, but everything turned out all right!”
Agni shakes his head at all the comments, "You misunderstand. To go against the wishes of my family would bring great dishonor on them and myself. It is not a matter of free will, it is doing what is best for my family. Free will is not everything, my friends. Freedom comes at a great cost, and that cost in responsibility. I do not obey my family because I am afraid, I do so because it is beneficial to both of us, and shows my love for them."
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I do not obey my family because I am afraid, I do so because it is beneficial to both of us, and shows my love for them."
"So it's about loyalty and honor, I understand those concepts well. It's your right to choose and follow the wishes of your parents. It's just that in my culture you choose to marry the one person you love, not marry the person your loved ones choose."
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Farouq, having overheard the conversation chimes in: "Yes, family honour is of great importance. But maybe if you would know a bit more about her, it would calm you? Just a random thought," Farouq adds.
"On the other hand, you said you wanted to get to know the world. What about exploring Sedeq a bit tomorrow? The sukhs are probably very good, being a harbor city."
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"What about exploring Sedeq a bit tomorrow? The sukhs are probably very good, being a harbor city."
"I understand we have to stop and buy some provisions, but I would like to our stop to be as brief as possible. The sukhs are notorious: men and women are traded like cattle and the streets are red from the blood of disobedient slaves..."
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"So it's about loyalty and honor, I understand those concepts well. It's your right to choose and follow the wishes of your parents. It's just that in my culture you choose to marry the one person you love, not marry the person your loved ones choose."
"It seems you have an interesting conundrum, Aquila. Do you believe in individual freedom at any cost? or does loyalty and honor trump that freedom."
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Agni nods to Daxter's question, "Yes, I come from a large family, and I had the incredible fortune (or misfortune some would say) of only having older sisters. I am the only boy. They've all been married off to the ambitious sons of other Maurya-Rahm families, and I am left to find my own way in the world. My father, the esteemed Lord Raheem Pandisar, is looking for a bride for me as we speak, and told me to learn a bit about the world before I start a family. The last I heard from him, he may have found someone appropriate."
You're not sure, but you seem to detect the slightest hesitation in his voice when he speaks of his possible upcoming nuptials.
Montesquieu's interest is piqued at this, "I once heard a tale during a journey in Qadira. A young prince was betrothed (much as you are) and decided to flee to escape his fate. Many years later in a far away land he met a woman who had also fled her native land and they married. Eventually it was discovered that this woman was the very one that he had been betrothed to in his youth, but both had lost their stations by running away. The point is this, sir: the gods play interesting tricks on those who attempt to avoid their fates."
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"So it's about loyalty and honor, I understand those concepts well. It's your right to choose and follow the wishes of your parents. It's just that in my culture you choose to marry the one person you love, not marry the person your loved ones choose.""It seems you have an interesting conundrum, Aquila. Do you believe in individual freedom at any cost? or does loyalty and honor trump that freedom."
"Well, in my eyes every individual has the choice to be either loyal an honorable or disloyal and without honor. I myself currently choose to be loyal and honorable, but I reserve the right to change this choice! As long as it's an active choice and you're not a prisoner of these principals I think it's all right."
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"Eventually it was discovered that this woman was the very one that he had been betrothed to in his youth, but both had lost their stations by running away. The point is this, sir: the gods play interesting tricks on those who attempt to avoid their fates."
"That's the other side of the coin. There's also someone that's forced to marry you. It should be the both of you who choose to get married and if either has reservations don't!"
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Sedeq is decent port, though business has been a little slow lately."Sedeq is everything but decent! It's a cesspool of slavers and their victims. There are thousands and thousands of people who have been robbed of their freedom and are whipped, branded or starved into submission. It's a bloody smear on the map of Golarion and I can barely wait to see the day that those people regain their freedom and their oppressors punished for their hideous crimes!"
Daxter walks up to address the halfling as calm as ever.
"And is it possible that some of these people gave up their freedom by going into debt? Maybe because they lost their money from gambling or other vices? Do you not believe in people being paid back or in people working off their debt? Would you prefer that they skip out on it? Not all of these people are victims, but rather people who chose their fate and are dealing with the consequences of their actions. "
Daxter pauses to catch his breath.
"And for every indentured servant with a master, there is a little shop owner trying to make ends meet selling his wares so he can feed his family and not end up in servitude or out on the street. At least the owners feed and clothe their "slaves" as opposed to being a vagrant. But you did not think about that when you egregiously insulted my home and place of business. Granted I am still not familiar with all the various customs, but I consider Qadira as my home. So I would appreciate it if you would learn your facts before you go on another misguided self righteous tirade, Aquila."
Daxter turns to Hermes and nods his head.
"Yes, I know I should have let it go, but I felt like he needed to be set straight. The truth had to be told."
Daxter looks back at the halfling.
"Well, I will leave you to contemplate the truths I have just set upon you. And if I seemed upset, I apologize, even I am not immune to emotions it seems."
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"Not all of these people are victims, but rather people who chose their fate and are dealing with the consequences of their actions."
"Well concidering that almost half the people in Sedeq are slaves, that's about fifty thousand people. Don't tell me all of those are paying their debt or are punished for a crime. Unless you concider being born in the wrong place or as the wrong race a crime."
"If you had ever felt the other side of the whip, maybe you wouldn't be so proud as to call Quadira your home. No sentient being should be considered the property of another."
"I know my facts and I really hope you will remove the Quadiran sand from your eyes and see the truth! I think of you as a friend and friendship can't be expressed in gold can it? A man's life can't be expressed in gold either!"
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"Well, like I said, even the slaves get food, water, and a place to sleep. It may not be nice, but its better than the street. Life is harsh, and not always fair and yes people are born into unfortunate circumstances. There will always be people in charge of other people. You Andorans would prefer chaos and anarchy where people are left without restrictions which is where people get hurt."
"Andorans believe themselves saviors while belittling all other points of view that do not fit their way of thinking. Andorans are nothing but anarchists and terrorists who seek to further their own political agenda regardless of who they hurt.
And as far as slavery goes, when you summon a creature from its plane, you are enslaving it in a way. It does not get a choice whether it gets to fight, but you force violence on it. So maybe you should look in a reflecting pool before you judge others. You may not like it, but everyone, including you, do what it takes to survive. Gold makes the world go round and as much as it pains you, you have to admit it. Love and friendship as nice as they are, do not feed one's family nor does it shelter anyone. Now please, if you have something to say besides the usual Andoran dribble, let me know. But until then, I will take a nap. Educating people is exhuasting."
Daxter walks away to the sleeping quarters.
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"Well, like I said, even the slaves get food, water, and a place to sleep. It may not be nice, but its better than the street. Life is harsh, and not always fair and yes people are born into unfortunate circumstances. There will always be people in charge of other people. You Andorans would prefer chaos and anarchy where people are left without restrictions which is where people get hurt."
"So it's ok to enslave people that have a hard time taking care of themselves? Don't they get a choice in the matter? Nature can be cruel, but are civilized beings not better than that? And there's a big difference between a world without slavery and total anarchy."
"Andorans believe themselves saviors while belittling all other points of view that do not fit their way of thinking. Andorans are nothing but anarchists and terrorists who seek to further their own political agenda regardless of who they hurt.
"Maybe that's true for some of my extremists countrymen, but you know I will always protect the innocent! I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't generalize."
And as far as slavery goes, when you summon a creature from its plane, you are enslaving it in a way. It does not get a choice whether it gets to fight, but you force violence on it. So maybe you should look in a reflecting pool before you judge others. You may not like it, but everyone, including you, do what it takes to survive. Gold makes the world go round and as much as it pains you, you have to admit it. Love and friendship as nice as they are, do not feed one's family nor does it shelter anyone. Now please, if you have something to say besides the usual Andoran dribble, let me know. But until then, I will take a nap. Educating people is exhuasting."
"When I summon Nature's Allies they do so willingly hence the word 'Allies'. It might be true that arcane summons can be concidered slavery, but I'm not casting any of those! And I agree money has its uses, but you should buy services, not people!"
Daxter walks away to the sleeping quarters.
"Indeed, you have the freedom to walk away, why don't you think about those that don't have that freedom while you sleep!"
After a brief overnight stop in Sedeq to stock up on supplies and trade goods, the Rishi puts to sea once again.
A short week later, you are following along Jalmeray's western coastline. Adri becomes more and more excited at the thought of soon being home. He tells stories of the various islands, mountains and beaches you pass along the way, tales of wild adventure and deep mystery.
Then finally the ship turns eastward and the city of Niswan comes into view. Having lived the last few years in Absalom, you are not expecting to be impressed by any city, but the view of the small city on the slopes of the hill truly is a sight to behold. Built around a small harbor of considerable natural beauty on the west coast of Jalmeray, the city is breathtaking when beheld from the Obari Ocean beyond the harbor's mouth. Vibrantly colorful, with silk banners flying from seemingly every rooftop, the city's twisting redstone roads wind their way past many-tiered edifices, rising to a massive, intricately detailed palace of marble and gold that rests atop the highest prominence.
"Well," beams Adri, "is she not a thing of beauty?"
Adri smiles in appreciation as you marvel at his home, "Yes, nothing compares with Absalom in many ways, but Niswan is like a beautiful lapis lazuli in a verdant green setting.
"You have also arrived at a very exciting time. We are in the middle of the holy week of Yolarati, the Festival of Colors. It is a festival dedicated to the Vudrani gods, and celebrates love, devotion and the coming of spring. I would recommend that you do not wear your best garments when we disembark, as you are most likely to be greeted in a most unusual way."
At this, Adri pulls aside his beautiful samite cloak to reveal that he is clothed in a simple all-white tunic and pantaloons. "If you care to get into the spirit of the festival, I would recommend buying some inexpensive garments such as this. They should be readily available at this time of year.
"Once we have set anchor and dealt with the customs agents, I will take you one of my favorite inns in the Harbor District. Which reminds me, do any of you speak Vudrani? I am afraid that on my island only merchants and the like speak Taldane, and then generally quite poorly."
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"Thanks for the warning. Any chance to get them before we disembark? Or can you at least get us to the sukhs directly after dealing with the custom agents? Can you tell us a bit more about the festival? What is all about and what is celebrated?" Farouq asks, nozt really familiar with any Vudrani customs.
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Ursus makes his way below decks and barters with the crew to sell him some plain clothing similar to Agni's from the ship's stores.
The warrior sheds his furs, stowing them in his pack, and pulls on the simple white pantaloons. The pants, designed to be airy and baggy, are extremely tight on the Ulfen's trunk-like limbs but he manages to squeeze into them. After tearing more than one tunic trying to fit into it Ursus shrugs his broad shoulders and steps back onto the deck; bare-chested, but ready for the Yolorati.
"Let's see what this festival is all about".