"Thistlecrit's me name, although most folk 'round here call me The Herald. Pharasma's personal little Herald 'o Death, on account of the ones I sent to see her an' all."
"Nice to meet a fellow enthusiast of Death."
Cordoba extends a hand and shakes the pale gnome's arm firmly.
"But if you don't mind, I must beg everyone for a few moments while I step into the temple to offer up a prayer."
On that, Cordoba strides into the temple and disappears.
Herald:
"Thistlecrit's me name, although most folk 'round here call me The Herald. Pharasma's personal little Herald 'o Death, on account of the ones I sent to see her an' all."
"Sobh Be Kheyr! I am Aref, you have met Mr. Hoktsu. Dere, Mr. Cordoba of Varisia - and dese are his companions Mr. Qiang of Tian and Master Pulsifer, recently of Sandpoint. We are also joined by Brother Domo and here, Rohit, our desert guide, from de Temple of de Inheritor."
"We understand dat you can make de necessary introductions to a paladin of Aroden by the name of Ka?"
Says quietly to the Pulsifer and Cordoba:"we have some of these little people in Tian Xia. They are also insane."
"A bit, yes."
He nods to Cordoba as he walks past, even going so far as to move out of his way, obviously showing some respect to a fellow worshipper.
"We understand dat you can make de necessary introductions to a paladin of Aroden by the name of Ka?"
Thelonius just nods at the introductions, barely able to understand Aref's speech.
Finally when Aref mentions Ka, he responds."Aye, that I can. He's that self same Paladin I was mentionin' before. I ran with him a good number 'o years ago. You folk'll wanna be sure you wanna see him before I take you out there. 'Ole Ka's not too right in tha head anymore. I don't want you folks causin' him any trouble. Else Pharasma might find herself some more names for the Book 'o the Dead."
Thelonius doesn't look threatening as he says this. It is simply a matter of fact as far as he's concerned.
He nods to Cordoba as he walks past, even going so far as to move out of his way, obviously showing some respect to a fellow worshipper.
"We understand dat you can make de necessary introductions to a paladin of Aroden by the name of Ka?"Thelonius just nods at the introductions, barely able to understand Aref's speech.
Finally when Aref mentions Ka, he responds.
"Aye, that I can. He's that self same Paladin I was mentionin' before. I ran with him a good number 'o years ago. You folk'll wanna be sure you wanna see him before I take you out there. 'Ole Ka's not too right in tha head anymore. I don't want you folks causin' him any trouble. Else Pharasma might find herself some more names for the Book 'o the Dead."
Thelonius doesn't look threatening as he says this. It is simply a matter of fact as far as he's concerned.
"He shall not come to any harm. And if we are to die, then so be it, so long as our task is completed. Death isn't so bad. I've been there."
How was it ? did not happen to hoktsumisso yet ! was it cool ? seeme a nice place to visit but Hoktsumisso would not like to stay !
For Pharasma
"Friends, note anyone lurking at the edge of the hallowed grounds of the temple. I don't have to tell you why, right?"
"Ahh. Yes. Dis area is quite haunted. De towers from de cliff's edge down to de water are known as de "Soul Towers".... quite infamous in Katheer."
"Just stick 'em a couple of times. They'll soon leave ya alone."
Rohit nods a greeting to The Hearld as he is introduced but otherwise stands stoicly to the side watching the others and everyingthing else. He seems uncomfortable in the city.
>>>>>MAP OF KATHEER, CITY CORE<<<<<
-This is a work in progress, haven't done the vegetation layer and it's part of a larger map-
CITY CORE
0 - House of Draka / Draka's Cantina
1 - Gulaf's Trading Post
2 - Aquaduct
3 - Pillar of Sarenrae (surrounded by the Great Bazaar)
4 - Temple District
5 - Halls of the Qadr (seat of government in Katheer)
6 - Temple of Pharasma
7 - Soul Towers
8 - Tower of the Magii
9 - Sahiir, the southern district
For those who want to see what's under the city (Temple of Rovagug, anyone?) you'll have to get the pdf:
The key is a little longer for this one (where's the lower city? Don't forget to check the pdf layers):
Upper City Map
0 - House of Draka / Draka's Cantina
1 - Gulaf's Trading Post
2 - Aquaduct
3 - Pillar of Sarenrae (surrounded by the Great Bazaar)
4 - Temple District
5 - Halls of the Qadr (seat of government in Katheer)
6 - Temple of Pharasma
7 - Soul Towers
8 - Tower of the Magii
9 - Sahiir, the southern district
Lower City Map
1 - The Toiling Midget
2 - The Underkeep (Katheer's Naval Base)
3 - The Seal
4 - Trog City
5 - Lake Sadim
6 - Temple of Rovagug, the Maw of Rovagug (what good is a city without a bottomless pit?)
From the temple of Pharasma you can look out over the massive crescent cut out of the cliffs in which the city center sits, all on a series of steps, hardened strata that have resisted the Qadr's spring rages through the millennia.
You look down to the lowest level, to the wharfs and warehouses, and your eyes are drawn to a huge naturally formed cavern large enough to take in a 30 yard ship with full mast.
In the center of the crescent, jutting up out of the river on a massive stepped stone pillar, a tower even taller than the Temple of Sarenrae. The Tower of the Magii - where the famous viziers of Qadira hold council, and from which you can see for miles up and down the River Qadr.
Perception (1d20+2=15)
Rohit:
The mage Pulsifer wears a lot of beads and often fusses with them. The wood grain in his staff is shot through with threads of what looks like copper. Part of his face looks paralyzed, but there is a nobility and power that still sparks fom behind his eyes, and he listened with great interest when the Primarch talked of the Iomedeans.
Domo and Hotsu seem familiar with each other but not close. Domo carries a novel in his sash.
The Tian man, huge, and very solemn. He usually only speaks quietly to Pulsifer.
You glance across the canyon onto the southern plains, marking local landmarks, yearning to be out of this stink. You can smell the pit below the tumorous city, and the spawn of Rovagug that will one day certainly consume it to the last bite.
Pharasma
Thelonius looks at each of you and says, "so when do you want to leave? I'm ready now. Don't own much except what's here in my pack. Probably have to pinch some rations from the store for the journey though, but otherwise we should get movin'. No sense hangin' around 'less you got some business in the Hall like your friend there." He nods towards Cordoba.
...we should get movin'...
...
Rohit:
.
Thelonius looks at each of you and says, "so when do you want to leave? I'm ready now. Don't own much except what's here in my pack. Probably have to pinch some rations from the store for the journey though, but otherwise we should get movin'. No sense hangin' around 'less you got some business in the Hall like your friend there." He nods towards Cordoba.
Hoktsumisso thinks we're all ready !
"Good on ya Hockeymishi. I thought you were all stone stupid or somthin' for a moment there." He shoulders his pack and starts to head back into the Hall to grab rations. "Be right back. Don't you all go leavin' without me now."
Honored senile , I'm called Hoktsumisso.
apparently your state is not only cosmetic but has also affected your memory capacity
"En, then now where is Toiling Midget? Where Book is."
<Aref walks to the cliff edge.>
"Down dere. Inside. Near the keep underground."
<He points to the huge natural tunnel in the cliffside. A channel flows into it. People can be seen walking in and out of it from up here.>
Cordoba follows Aref. A dagger in his hand.
As the sun begins to rise you pick up your packs. Thistlecrit eases up off the temple stairs, and you set off behind Aref toward the riverside of Katheer. There are few straight paths in the city and getting below is a particularly winding task. Switchbacks down the cliffs, and bent and broken streets between one descent and another.
The air cools noticeably and the smell of the Qadr's waters smooth out the desert air when you reach the dock districts.
Ferries leave for the south shore. Men load ships with cargo bound up and downriver.
<Points up at a row of buildings at the edge of the cliff below the bazaar.>
"Dere are my apartments. Were we not hunting pirates and de prey of a demon I would invite you all. Supposing my things are still dere."
Aref leads you toward a river channel that cuts straight into the cliffs - alongside the channel itself a narrow walkway leads into the dimly lit tunnel.
As the tunnel widens and your eyes adjust you enter an entire district belowground with Katheer's naval keep at its center - this lit from above through a small hole that opens to blue sky.
And the Toiling Midget, one of the few wooden buildings in Katheer - a hotel, flophouse, saloon and gambling house. Its ancient timbers groan at you from their perch half on the bank and half on an old pier.
And inside, you are told, is Captain Gravid Book.
"At last, a message from the goddess shall be delivered."
Aref leads you toward a river channel that cuts straight into the cliffs - alongside the channel itself a narrow walkway leads into the dimly lit tunnel.
As the tunnel widens and your eyes adjust you enter an entire district belowground with Katheer's naval keep at its center - this lit from above through a small hole that opens to blue sky.
And the Toiling Midget, one of the few wooden buildings in Katheer - a hotel, flophouse, saloon and gambling house. Its ancient timbers groan at you from their perch half on the bank and half on an old pier.
And inside, you are told, is Captain Gravid Book.
"The Toiling Midget. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious."
"Tell me agian why we are draging ourselves to this wretched place? I thought we needed to stop the demon.
"I am thirsty. Are you not?" Jon pulls out his greatsword.
Thelonius c o c k s his head and squints up at Rohit. "Didn'y you hear 'em before. Gotta kill us a Book 'fore we can head out to tha desert!"
He looks around at the others. "So we are gonna kill him right. Me dad's sword's a bit thirsty for blood... it's been a bit." He pats the curved sword at his side lovingly.
"Tell me agian why we are draging ourselves to this wretched place? I thought we needed to stop the demon.
"Book -- slaver, molester and perpetrator of various other crimes -- is inside. Surely, your keen sense of right and wrong will not let a blight like him walking alive and free, a roaming demon notwithstanding, no? Besides I have a feeling that Vass is near."
So we kill everyone inside who look bookish ?
"Suits me."
Aref & Rohit:
So we kill everyone inside who look bookish ?
"Not bookish. The man called Book. Pay attention, I say."
"Let's the layout of the place before we go in."
Daytime above, yes, but it's practically night here in the damp vault of Katheer Below, but then it's always practically night down here.
A quick look around shows you three double door entrances, one on the North, one on the East, and southern doors opening onto the pier.
The building has two main stories and an upper attic space from which the only windows of the Midget glare outward darkly from under an algae slicked roof. One attic window looks east toward the path in, and one south out over the water and Katheer's anchored warships.
The white arrows indicate the location of the double doors. A half rotted sign hangs over the north double door. The east door, in front of you, appears to be a kitchen entrance. There are no windows except on the attic floor.
LOL
The building has two main stories and an upper attic space from which the only windows of the Midget glare outward darkly from under an algae slicked roof.
"You never explained what exactly happened with this Book aside form the fact he is a criminal! Hoktsumisso don't know how he looks or what is his profession and what we can expect ! Not a problem, Hoktsumisso will adapt . Hoktsumisso understand you prefer bystanders to also die rather than let this Book escape ! "
LOL
Plan?
The Deceiver checks all the possible exits before entering.