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Eldon shows his cold iron scimitar, his alchemical silver light mace and his sling to the guards "One has to travel armed through the desert and the street of unknown cities, don't you find so?"
Eldon has a previously concealed dagger in his boot.
"As this man said, I was here to be a guard but ended up doing the cleaning. I am quite comfortable with the circus though and will think about permanently joining it." Eldon starts to make an acrobatics performance doing a somersault in the air to his back.
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"As this man said, I was here to be a guard but ended up doing the cleaning."
Tarquin smirks. "Indeed, when you first mentioned 'Sergeant Colon,' I thought you were referring to my friend, here."
Tarquin removes his assortment of light weapons and places them in the guards' hands. He is visibly most reluctant to part with his falcata, adding, "I expect to have this back immediately. You have no idea how difficult it is to find authentic Taldan steel this far from home."
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Happy to have his weapons back, Tarquin puts his pack on the ground before the guards and pulls the drawstrings open. "Standard traveling fare, gentlemen. In my experience, danger comes from what's carrying the bags rather than what's inside of them. You haven't seen any suspicious looking characters in or around the city recently, have you?"
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"Well good sirs, you can take a look," Auriea replied as he took off the supposed sack cloth bag. As it comes off, the sack changes into what looks like a very comfortable backpack.
"Just don't get lost in there, as I haven't had time to really fill it up yet!" The bard laughs a bit, as his weapons are handed back to him.
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Fred looks at each pack and Nobby points to Eldon's belt, "What type of wands are those?" He asks.
Nearly the same time, Fred looks at Tyriel's lack of bags and pats him down, finding the Geode that was given to Tyriel. "What's this, It looks like something from Osirian. What is it used for?" he asks Tyriel.
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Eldon points to his wands "This? They are defensive magic stuff. Shield, healing and the like. I use it in case we are attacked so we can defense ourselves."
"Why is so interested the guard in doing an inventory of our possessions? Have we done anything suspicious? I hope there is no problem, I hope we can check out the city soon." Eldon tries to be amiably.
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Nobby Nods at the wands and dismisses them, but he takes note of the geode in Fred's hands. They return everything but the Geode, which they take back to their stand at the gate. Motioning for you to come along. Fred places the geode on his stand and opens a book. He then starts to write something down.
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Tarquin grimaces, turning deliberately toward his companions. "I suppose we could each chip in 30 gold?" He faces the guard again, "Although how do you know for certain that this is an Osirion relic? There are many magical gemstones throughout Golarion, and I'm sure the Pathfinder Society employs these types of communication devices commonly. Of all our magical gear, why focus on this relatively innocuous one?"
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Sargent Colon looks at Eldon, "We could write you a slip for it, and you can pay the tax at the city office... but they might charge you more. I am charging you the bare minimum, according to regulations." he reaches out a hand and accepts the gold from Tyriel and hands the geode, with a slip of paper, back to him.
Receipt for one Osirian Geode's Taxes. The bearer of this receipt has paid the tax for this geode.
signed
Sargeant Fred Colon of the City Watch.
You move from the gate and enter the city.
Although its exterior is unassuming, the interior of the White Uraeus is richly decorated with panels of gold-veined marble and bubbling fountains in secluded courtyards. Cool breezes carry the scent of blooming desert flowers throughout the clean halls. Two half-orcs keep watch outside one set of closed doors. After a moment inspecting the visitors, they pull open the doors to reveal a tiled bathing chamber beyond.
“Welcome to Eto, Pathfinders,” rasps Grandmaster Torch as he lounges in a steaming tub. “I didn’t imagine we would meet again under such heart-warming circumstances, yet the White Uraeus certainly knows how to make a traveler comfortable. What can a humble secret monger such as I do for you?” he asks as he leans forward in the tub and flashes a knowing smile.
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Eldon smiles at the man "I have heard a lot about you. It is a pleasure to finally met." the elf plays a reverence "As you say, we are Pathfinders, and we came from far away across the desert. We are looking for certain... gems. Do you know anything about a Diamond Sage? We are interested in him and other type of jewels."
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Auriea beams as he sees Torch, and he runs up to the bathtub.
"It's been a while Mister Torch! I've heard of some nasty rumors about you and the Society, and I hope they aren't true. As for what we are here for, Tarquin here just explained what we are here for. So what errands will you be sending us for, as payment for this information that you have?"
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Grandmaster Torch politely brushes off any hostile remarks and focuses on the business at hand. He nods amenably as he listens to their request. “Amenopheus may have overlooked the fact that he owed me several favors before I ever asked for his help, but I don’t mind extending a discount to repeat customers,” he remarks with a rasping chuckle as he snaps his fingers to summon one of his bodyguards, who arrives arrying a folded piece of paper. “Let’s see what’s on today’s schedule,” he murmurs as he examines the paper’s contents. “Yes, all of this will do. Consider this my price—all of these tasks completed to my satisfaction in return for what I know of the sages’ jewels. Do we have a deal?” He holds out the paper for the PCs to review it.
1. The academic Ionacu Lozar from the Sinomakti School of Sciences is preparing for an expedition to a site in the Pillars of the Sun. I have a scarab-marked prayer book dedicated to the god Khepri that needs to be placed among his personal effects without him suspecting anything is amiss.
2. An associate has delivered a shipment of valuable Osirian artifacts to just outside Eto. She claims that the objects are hidden inside a dry well southeast of the Sunrise Gate. Retrieve these and bring them to me. The magic rod is of particular importance; everything else is expendable.
3. The half-elf Madam Zelekhati, owner the establishment called the Dancing Dunes, is most adept at acquiring secrets, and I need you to find out how she does it— no doubt it’s something she’d rather keep hidden from authorities. Further, convince her to share what she already knows with me. Threaten to reveal her secret if she’s stubborn. End the scheme if all else fails.
4. I recently heard that the leader of the Hundredfingers gang had an important message for my ears only. Track them down, get the message, resolve any loose ends, and report back to me.
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Hmm, so how should we proceed with this venture? While I am okay with the sneaking books into places, the Dancing Dune has got my attention, for obvious reasons.
Auriea, sighs a bit, waiting for the others.
I hope we can do it all, with the Dancing Dunes first. Besides, I would love to learn how to get better secrets from Madam Zelekhati.....
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Eldon nods to Master Torch "You can make sure all this will be done. I hope I properly understood what 'resolve any loose ends' mean. Can you tell us more about Ionacu Lozar, something that might help us complete the mission fast enough? And... how much time do we have for the tasks?"
Turning to Auriea the elf says "I was going to suggest to follow numerical order. But I have nothing against doing the Dancing Dunes first."
Assuming the others agree, Eldon leaves with the party towards the Dancing Dunes once Torch has answered the questions and provided the book.
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Tarquin seems concerned by the first assignment. "What is the significance of the prayer book and its affiliated deity? Dovetailing off of Eldon's question, what is its connection to Lozar?
"Furthermore, we were stopped by the city guards and searched for Osirion relics upon our entry. I believe there is some manner of tax affiliated with their transport. I assume you would like your shipment to maintain a low profile, so how do you suggest we bring the items in without their being discovered and fined? Unless you mean to reimburse us for the tax?"
Tarquin also acknowledges Auriea's interest in the Dancing Dunes, agreeing to head there first once the group is prepared to leave.
In the back of his mind, Tarquin makes a mental note that a "sensitive message for Torch's ears only" might be an ample opportunity for the Society to get the drop on their nefarious colleague...
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Grandmaster Torch answers Eldon's question. "He is a member of the Palatine Eye and a regent of Ustalav's Sincomakti School of Science." he turns to Tarquin. "The book is of no concern as long as you give it to him, with out him noticing. As for taxes, don't leave the city and you won't be taxed upon re-entry." he laughs as he dismisses you.
A spectacularly groomed garden of colorful sand occupies most of this two-story cabaret’s ground floor. A narrow wooden bridge winds about a trio of decorative obelisks dotting the miniature desert. A lavish sitting area filled with divans occupies the second-floor balcony granting a magnificent view of the garden below. Private curtained chambers encircle the garden, where lush rugs, soft mattresses, or piles of throw pillows serve to cushion the repose of clientele in each chamber. A door off the northern balcony opens to a staircase leading down to the street, while another set of stairs to the east leads down to the garden.
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Assuming the guard can ensure the safety of the weapons Eldon gives all of them, then enters the tavern.
Eldon has a concealed dagger in his boot.
As the party takes sit in one corner, he will ask for some mead "This tavern is impressive, isn't it? I have never seen such a magnificent view to a garden before." the elf comments to the party in front of the waiter "Whom is the owner of this awesome place?" he directly asks as they come to the table to serve.
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Auriea steps in, eyes wide as he takes in the grandeur of the establishment. Tapping his turbin, the bard's clothes shimmer and swirl, changing back to the colorful clothing that he wore at the lodge days earlier.
Oh wow, this place is beautiful! I wonder who thought of the design and aesthetics of this place..... Oh, so wonderful!
Auriea, commenting on everything is also watching his surroundings for anything out of the ordinary.
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Why good sir, I believe that our business would be appreciated, as we may or may not have some sort of deal that might go on about, acquisition of information. Yet, if the madame is busy, I guess we could take our business elsewhere.
Auriea shrugs at the servant, shaking his head.
'Twould be a shame if a, ahem, broker of your master's talents were to lose out on said information. Alas, if no, I was also wondering if there may be any positions for dancer's for hire?
If we can't get them through talking, maybe having eyes in the facility may help...
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The servant takes little head of the dancer looking for work. "She is a busy woman, she doesn't usually see people without an appointment. I'll go see if she will see you." the servant leaves and you wait at the entrance.
Moments later you hear a female voice calling to you. "I heard that you were looking for me. I am Madame Zelekhati. Do you mind if we walk as we talk." she says as she starts to lead your around the sand garden.
"What is it that brings you to the Dancing Dunes?"
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Bowing slightly towards the woman, Auriea starts to walk beside Zelekhati.
"Walking around the establishment would be quite nice, as it would let me look at how beautiful it is. As for what brought my friends and I here are rumors of a few brokers that may hold territory in the area. Now, while we are in Osirian territory, I would assume that some would be able to get us past the city wall so that I wouldn't have to wait as long in line," the sylph said. Snapping his fingers, Auriea then remembers that he forgot to introduce himself. "I am sorry, we know of your name, but we haven't introduced ourselves to you! My name is Auriea, professional dancer and part time adventurer!"