Ensconced in a private meeting room at the famous Farseer Tower in exotic Katapesh, Venture-Captain Wulessa Yuul wastes no time commencing her briefing.
“This has all the makings of a magnificent embarrassment,” she begins sourly. “The Grand Lodge recently sent a delegation to the mansion house of Temel Passad in Kerse. Passad is an enormously wealthy devotee of the Prophecies of Kalistrade, and he happens to possess the only known copy of the Mutani Manual of Martial Mastery in the Inner Sea region. The delegates were tasked with obtaining this rare tome, by either purchasing or leasing it.
By all accounts Passad is a difficult man, but the delegation proved… stupendously inadequate to the task. Not only did they fail to secure the manual, but they also managed to grossly insult the merchant. Two of the representatives were manhandled off the property and taunted by Passad that under no circumstances would he part with the Mutani Manual unless the Society could earn it, challenging us to take it from a hidden location among his many holdings throughout the region. The third delegate, who happens to be one of the foremost experts on all things Tian, was detained by Passad for what he termed ‘an extended conversation on the finer points of ambassadorial etiquette.’ He’s invoked an obscure Druman statute involving foreign embassies, making this kidnapping perfectly legal in his government’s eyes."
Yuul explains to you that the Mutani Manual holds information that is essential if the Pathfinder delegation is to prevail at the Ruby Phoenix Tournament in Goka later this year, and that naturally, Harmidio Besai must be rescued as well.
"The mission is complex." he continues. " The Decemvirate do not know with certainty which of Passad’s many scattered holdings hosts the tome, nor where he has imprisoned Besai, nor whether tome and scholar are in the same place. But among the 12 estates investigators have identified as likely locations is one very near here, a mansion called Ghenett Manor. Wulessa’s contacts in the markets have talked of a lot of activity there of late, and she believes that this is the true hiding place of at least one of the two quarries. Your task is to infiltrate Ghenett Manor.
Do as little damage to the property as possible—we’re not vandals, after all. Also, take nothing else of worth from the place. We’re not common thieves. I cannot stress this strongly enough. Given our already ample embarrassment with Passad, please don’t add to that dishonor by making off with the man’s silverware or his grandmother’s brooch, for Abadar’s bloody sake. No doubt the villa is a sumptuous and tempting target, but you must keep this in the forefront of your minds: The tome and the scholar are all that matter. Everything else is a distraction. The Decemvirate will take a special interest in your conduct on this assignment.
Lastly, we have reason to believe that others are in pursuit of the Mutani Manual, including agents of the Aspis Consortium. Be wary! Under no circumstances can the book fall into the hands of a rival organization. Now, do you have any questions?”
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Ignatious listen to the briefing humbly, taking notes in his journal, (secretly his own personal Pathfinder Chronicle), making marks to remind himself of the names, places, and other things of interest as she continues.
"Do we know precisely what transpired that angered Mr. Passad? It would likely be most helpful to know what we need to avoid, outside of the obvious. Also, I am no thief. Would it however, suffice, if we are unable to persuade, that is to say honestly persuade for this book, would a copy work instead, or is it the book itself that is needed, milady?"
"Also, can you describe this gentleman, Harmidio, Harmidio Besai I believe his name was? The name sounds, . . . Tian."
"Finally, do we have any idea what is meant by "unless we can earn the "Mutani Manual of Martial Mastery"", as he thinks to himself, "why do I get the feeling that Passad put it in his basement, which later happened to be infested with something he, and he secretly needs us to come in and clear it out for him."
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The Aspis Consortium, something tells me this isn't going to be as simple as just slipping in to the place and grabbing some old book
Lirianne is a half-elf. She wears a dusty suit of studded leather, frayed in places, it looks like it's been through a lot. The brim of her hat is pulled down, throwing her eyes into shadow as she studies the room from her position in the corner.
She remains quiet for now, silently gauging her new companions.
Turning to Ignatius she responds: "You need to get the book - you probably won't encounter him, as he has challenged us to take it from a hidden location. You might encounter resistance, and should be able to discern the right course of action. What angered him? Maybe they hit the wrong spots in the conversation, as I haven't spoken to any of them, I can only guess.
Harmidio Besai is from Tian, he will probably tell you, if you find him. He is slight of build, and sports an odd mustache. Very recognizable."
"Heaven forbids that you won't be able to defeat some Aspis Consorium members. But as said, they should never allowed to obtain the book, if hope this is clear."
"What we know is that there’s plenty of cover around the place, so secret yourselves until well after nightfall. There’s no reason to think that Passad’s security is especially concerned about the wellbeing of any intruders; his precautionary measures may indeed be deadly. So proceed with stealth and caution."
Ignatious knows that the Manor is a Katapesh village, build around an atrium.
He also knows that the Mutani Manual is an exhaustive compendium of eastern fighting styles and combat games.
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"Or has an ulterior motive. . . It would be wise to not jump to any conclusion just yet, brother. Either way, if there is nothing else, I am ready to depart when you are. I assume that it is wise to keep our association with the Society a secret in these lands? It might also be wise to purchase clothing more befitting natives of this land?"
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Zantir eyes the Aasimar. Brother? I don’t believe we have met. You certainly have not earned the right to use that moniker, Pathfinder.
Holding up a hand for peace, "I am actually not a Pathfinder. The Society requests my talents, on a inordinatly regular basis, but I have never actually joined, friend. And I meant no offense. Everyone is my brother or sister, until they have earned the right not to have that honor.", he responds with a friendly smile.
" Alright, I’ve hired a westbound barge to ferry you up river tomorrow morning. It should take between 10 and 12 hours to reach
the manor. There’s plenty of cover around the place, so secret yourselves until well after nightfall. Anything else, otherwise, until tomorrow."
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A tall, swarthy Kelish man comedy bursting into the room, breathing hard. He wears normal traveling clothes, though there is a flash of mithral underneath his shirt. An off assortment of vial, flasks, and tools hang from straps slung across his shoulders and jingle lightly when he moves. My deepest apologies! I did not receive my missive until this morning. I understand the generalites of the mission, I hope you can fill in the details...Ezrek Filosten, at your service. Ez finishes he sentencing with a stiff bow.
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My deepest apologies! I did not receive my missive until this morning. I understand the generalites of the mission, I hope you can fill in the details...Ezrek Filosten, at your service.
Meeting the bow with one of his own, "It would be my pleasure. I took notes. I am called Igntious, some say scion of inferno and other such titles, and a pleasure to meet you, brother." Looking at the motley newcomer with curiosity, "Might I ask what those are all for?", indicating the large variety of flasks and alchemical do-dads.
Taking the hired barge to Ghenett Manor, the lazy, 12-hour trip up river is uneventful, and the laconic skipper sets the party ashore with no more than a nod as the barge continues on its way west.
The walls of the manor can be seen through the trees from the river’s edge, capping a low, flat hill to the immediate north and the sun has set by the time you arrive.
With the high walls, you cannot make out any kind of movement.
Moving to the sides of the enclosure, you can only make out that the wall offers little purchase and may be difficult to be climbed.
Everything is quiet.
Just as Ignatious approaches the gate he hears some movement and then sees a man walking towards him. "Greetings my friends, are you the Pathfinder's my master said would be coming? I am Gamaradim Po, one of the manor's caretakers," he introduces himself.
He motions for you to follow him into the manor. "C'mon in, have a little respite before you begin your trials to find “that precious book.”
The gates themselves are 17 feet high, clearly fashioned by a gifted master of metalwork; had they color other than the black iron, one could easily mistake them for intertwined vines and sprightly fey creatures flitting through their foliage.
The muscular man leads you to the house.
The paving stones continue past the gate, leading up to the villa’s great double doors. There is a turnaround for carriages and other forms of conveyance to the south.
The doors are made of thick teak and carved with different scenes (Knowledge religion).
A pair of fat, gold rings hangs suspended from the mouths of djinn-like heads firmly affixed to each portal—extraordinarily expensive door knockers.
He leads you into the opulent entry hall which was once a proudly appointed place, with detailed and realistic murals of a marketplace on the walls, carved mahogany benches, ancient statues of red stone—each bearing distinctly Tian features—and a pair of huge fur rugs assembled from the pelts of unusual and exotic animals. Clear signs of violence now mar the room: four of the benches are overturned and one to the southwest is charred, a statue has been reduced to rubble, and both rugs are torn and ragged as if hacked at with knives.
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Taking the rope, Lirianne pauses to examine the doors of the villa as she makes her way inside.
She's never been a big fan of the gods, but art is art.
"What fine craftsmanship has gone into..." she begins, but her sentence is cut short as she steps inside and is struck by the scene of carnage within.