|
"Let me summarise the plan so far. Primary distraction will be created by Malusha through conversation. A sound distraction to cover Umbrato's approach will be provided by Nadric. Sira will accompany. Group A, Plan A"
"Once this begins Umbrato will use Invisibility Sphere to slip the book in the bag."
"I will wait at a distance if singled a tap on the thigh twice from Group A I will begin a staged robbery. This maybe where Ankird could assist."
"If this is agreeable let us begin."
|
|
With a nod, Umbrato agrees. Reaching out, he whispers a few arcane words and touches Malusha on the shoulder. "This will allow you and I to talk, discretely."
Once all signal their ready, Umbrato makes his way off to a side alley and waits. When the time is right, he carefully unfolds the parchment and reads the words on the page. The small man quickly winks out of existence with a smile.
Keeping the book held close, he slowly makes his way towards the tent. 'Really got to watch, people are less likely to step around me when they don't know I'm here.' considers the man.
Pausing at the entrance, he looks inside to ensure none are waiting within before stepping inside. Cautiously he tiptoes towards the pack and sets down the book.
|
|
Since everyone agrees to the plan, Malusha starts walking towards Lozar. As he approaches he stands to the side of the busy caravan leader. He positions himself on the opposite side of Lozar's bag hoping to keep his attention. When there is a small break in his orders Malusha half raises his hand. "Excuse me, sir," he says timidly.
When he gets the leader's attention he continues. "I'm am a humble servant of Sarenrae and to be honest, it is hard for me to see someone standing in her glorious light yet be so uncomfortable. I wish to help you. I have this wand here that I can use to cast a spell on you to protect you from the heat for a full day." Malusha holds out the endure elements wand for Lozar to inspect.
"Would you like me to use it on you. This is a gift from the goddess of the dawnflower."
|
|
The members split off for their various roles in the distract-and-sneak operation, and Nadric heads toward the area near Lozar himself. He stands on one of the crates lying around in order to appear slightly taller, and then holds up his flute with one hand. He calls out to the people moving around him, "Good day, men, women, and gentle-elves! To ease the stress of the expedition's parting preparations, I have a few musical pieces to lift your spirits."
He starts playing a jaunty tune, the type that will make people want to listen and clap along and most especially turn and look at him to see who's making all the noise. Well, that would be nice, anyway. He doesn't know any local Osiriani tunes, so it's an old one from Varisia instead.
Nadric acutally surprises himself a little with his skillful playing, and wishes he could manage such a feat when he's actually among paying customers. He glances over at Malusha, but the man is looking a bit stiff and awkward. I hope Umbrato's side is going better, he thinks, and tries very hard not to look in the direction of the pavilion. He tootles a little louder on the flute.
Ionacu Lozar is a regent of Ustalav’s Sincomakti School of Science. And apparently has chosen to led an expedition to the Pillars of the Sun in order to find the resting place of An Hepsu XI, a powerful pharaoh who embraced lichdom several thousand years ago.
Everything seems to be going very well, Umbrato slips between the porters hustling this way and that. Nadric and the others pull Ionacu's attention away, but, just as Umbrato begins to slip the book inside his pack, Ionacu glances at his bag and notices it move. He snatches it up instantly, leaving the book still in Umbrato's invisible possession. "What is the meaning of this?! Someone is trying to sabotage our expedition?! Whoever you are, you had better run before I call the guards!"
The man looks even more irate now, pacing back and forth in his tent as the delays and complications to his expedition grow and grow. He holds his pack to his chest at all times now.
|
|
When Lozar catches on and clutches his pack, Sira interjects,
"Regent Lozar...correct? Sira's the name, Sira Ulo Ako representing the Scarab Sages of The Society. I not so recently have been in your country of origin investigating the supernatural phenomena surrounding the late Lady Illirigard. There we assisted none other than Dr. Quolorum himself, of the same Sincomakti School of Sciences you claim as your alma mater...but I am sure I am not telling you anything you aren't aware of already in that area."
He holds his hand out for a gentleman's shake.
"I noticed you were having some troubles commencing your expedition, and I was wondering if I can be of assistance."
"Ah finally," Ionacu says, taking Sira's hand, "A man of science! If you worked with Dr. Quolorum recently then you must have a fine wit indeed! This confounding place, the local merchants seem to have their business wrapped up in local customs and politics. Infuriating! They are dragging their feet getting my supplies together, blaming 'supply delays' and the like. Perhaps you, being more gracious than I, could talk to them on my behalf and get them to release my supplies so I could start my journey? Or I suppose you could help me find new suppliers without these perceived grudges against me. Would you help a fellow scientist? I believe my research into the lich pharaoh will prove instrumental in strengthening the wards around the Gallowspire."
|
|
Sira looks to the "enforcer" by his side and slaps Dart on the shoulder,
"You know what Regent Lozar? I believe that there will be no problem whatsoever easing their minds enough to release your goods...no problem at all. It is sad from an intellectual standpoint to see those so wrapped up in biased tradition, that they don't have the sense to recognize the power of any coin, be it local or not. Sad indeed!"
|
|
Dart drops his drab robes, adjust the simple but more formal monks robes beneath.
Barging in like he own the business he shouts, "These delays are unjust and uncalled for, I nor Ionacu will stand for it any longer. It is a pox on your reputation to treat customers like this. Not only that, but you delay research that may save us all from whatever magic is found in the Gallowspire. Don't let petty grudges endanger your reputation ... NAY endanger the world."
"Release the shipments to us and we bring them where they need to go. Our free labor should offset any minor costs you incur by releasing the supplies early. A smart businessman may even make some money on this deal."
|
|
"Ankird and Umbrato, do you two think you can get the book wrapped up as a gift of sorts? If you can find anyone that is versed in a Ustalavian-like fashion. Maybe even forge something on there that makes it look officially from Quolorum himself, or from the Sincomakti School of Sciences. Just find someone to wrap it up nicely!
|
|
Slinking away from the man, he follows his companions out of the square. Umbrato quickly ducks into an alley as the spell wears off and returns.
"Well...sorry guys. As for an official letter? I could try to create something. Though, I don't have any way to fake the seal." he replies.
Pulling a parchment from his pack with a quill and vial of ink, he sits down and sets to the task. A few minutes later, he hands the paper over to Sira. "Best I can do for now. Think it'll pass?"
The merchant, an older garundi man, scowls then pulls out an shipping invoice and quickly scratches instructions to his helpers and flicks it at one of his assistants.
"There," the man says, "Your rude friend has the goods he requires. Now be away from my place of business."
You make your way back to the bazaar and Ionacu seems relieved to see supplies begin to flood into his camp. "Ah," he says. "I thank you a thousand fold for your help." He looks at the book when proffered. He flips through the pages, saying, "Is this a gift? For me, and from Quolorum himself? Quite a rare find, I wonder why he would gift me a book of the god Khepri. What do you know of this god?"
|
|
Sira smiles at Ionacu, he's already pulled off a feat of diplomacy earlier and wonders if he can do it again. He hopes to mix in enough truth about the situation to pass a small bluff. First, he truthfully relates what he knows about the god Khepri and adds,
"If what I construed of Dr. Quolorum's intentions are correct, I believe he wishes to see if the book itself reacts with the tomb of Hepsu XI. AS you and i well know, the pharaoh's ascension to lichdom stands to assume proof of his hubris. Quolorum must hypothesize that the nature of the text may garner enough of a metaphysical reaction, upon being taken inside the structure. worth scientific observation."
Sira shrugs, "Dunno. As you and i both know, Quolorum always did seem a bit...touched."
|
|
As the group begins their trek back to Ionacu, it suddenly occurs to Umbrato he hasn't officially met the man yet. "Um...with his suspicions earlier, and my not being visible. I believe it would be the logical assumption I was the cause of his concern."
"With that in mind, I think I'll slip into the crowd before we get back. I'll meet up with you afterwards. You can still whisper your needs to me through that blessing I gave you earlier."
Nadric sees Ionacu look at Sira suspiciously for a quick moment before the smile returns. Perhaps he doesn't believe Sira knows Quolorum? But it seems he also believes that this is in fact Quolorum's handwriting.
Ionacu and Sira spend a fair amount of time debating the different gods of the Osirion pantheon, and Sira holds his own quite well. Ionacu says finally, "I believe you have more than earned praise from Quolorum in your part in this. Give my regards when you return to the University. And may you get your just reward."
He takes the book and places it gingerly in his pack. "My apologies friends, but I must be off. I have an expedition to head!"
With that, the man resumes shouting at porters and directing the flow of people and supplies to his caravan.
-----
For the last task, you head to the Dancing Dunes, Madame Zelekhati's establishment. It is a short walk being right at the edge of the bustling bazaar, now even more busy with Ionacu's caravan preparing to head out, and you find it easily enough. Here, a spectacularly groomed garden of colorful sand occupies most of the 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.
A servant who sees you enter greets you: "Welcome to the Dancing Dunes. We require all weapons here to be peace-bound for the safety of our clientele. May I?"
The man holds out a thick piece of twine intended for each of your weapons.
|
|
Nadric looks around the lavish decorations with appreciation. "Yes, of course, this does not look like any place for conflict." He presents his shortbow and rapier to be bound as requested. He decides to plunge right in and go for the direct approach. "Would it be possible to speak with Madame Zelakhati herself? We would like to present our respects."
"Ah, what a marvelous endeavor sir. By all means, you are welcome to bind my crossbow. Apologies, but I lack additional weapons at this time." replies Umbrato. "Beautiful place you have here by the way."
The servant requests Umbrato stow any obvious scrolls used for spells in a scroll case of some sort. He is an elf after all, his kind knowledgeable in such arts. In fact, the majority of the party realizes looking about the receiving room, all of the servants here are either Elf or Half-elf.
The servant finishes his work and responds to the others, then Nadric: "Thank you, it is a lovely establishment I agree. Madame Zelekhati is presently with a client but she will be available shortly. What, may I ask, is this visit pertaining to so that I may pass on this information to her?"
"Ah, very well," the servant says and rushes off to inform his employer.
You wait for a few minutes until an attractive half-elf woman moves into view and enters the waiting area. "I am Madame Zelekhati. I understand you wish to speak to me, to learn how this establishment has grown so much in the last few years?" She first takes you on a tour of the sand garden, and remarks on its beauty, one of the many reasons the Dancing Dunes has done so well in Eto as a premier cabaret within Osirion.
As you walk the garden, you notice the patterns shifting subtly.
In fact, you notice further that a five foot wide patch of sand seems to be moving about the surface, leaving behind new patterns as it travels.
She continues on, reminiscing on her days as a street performer scrounging the money to buy this place.
Zelekhati has a nervous habit of twisting the large stone ring on her hand, particularly whenever she glances at her garden.
You do not see a spell component pouch, but can certainly make out a potion, a wand, and what appears to be a few scrolls hidden in the folds of her entertainer's outfit.
"Ah, I see you have a head for business. Although I am loathe to disclose numbers, I will tell you that we bring in the lion-share from our dancers. The elven dancers we have are absolutely exquisite!"
Zelekhati politely shakes her head. [b]"I'm afraid I have much to attend to. A private audience with Madame Zelekhati is very sought after, after all, and my establishment will not run itself. Was there anything else you needed?"
|
|
Nadric nods along with the woman, sympathetic to the plight of a street performer, although she has certainly done well for herself since those days. When Dart pulls them aside and starts whispering about a lot of highly unnoticeable details, Nadric whispers back in confusion, "Ring? Sand? I guess you're better at spotting these things than I am." He tries to stare at the spot in the garden that Dart refers to.
|
|
"It may be the dancers but I can't shake my suspicion that it is more than that. Torch would have found a dancer that would talk had it been so simple."
To Nadric, "My eyes maybe keen but I lack the worldly knowledge you have my friend. What kind of creature or magical effect could this be."
Dart tips his head toward the Madame, "what kind of effect does the ring produce?
|
|
It slowly starts to dawn on Malusha what kind of business Zelekhati carries on behind closed curtains and he blushes slightly. "Well, I guess this is an interesting place." He shifts his focus to the shifting sands. "Strange. There seems to be something there."
"Umbrato, did you find anything? I can try as well."
The ring on Zelekhati's finger radiates a strong conjuration aura. Both Malusha and Umbrato are not sure what it is however.
Once the others start noticing the moving sand it abruptly stops, and the patterns likewise stop shifting. Once shown this, Nadric thinks that, pulling from his earlier archaeological studies, the creature in the garden is a sandman.
Zelekhati winks at Sira, "Influence."
Sand Form (Su) As a standard action, a sandman can cause its humanoid form to collapse into a pile of animated sand. In this form, treat the sandman as if it were a Small earth elemental made out of sand. The sandman retains its compression and sleep aura abilities when in sand form, but loses its sleep attack and its damage reduction, as its sandy body in this form is much more compact and easier to scatter with solid weapon blows.
Sleep (Su) A creature struck by a sandman's slam attack must succeed on a DC 14 Will save or immediately fall asleep, as if affected by a sleep spell (caster level 8th). There is no limit to the number of Hit Dice a sandman can affect with this ability. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Sleep Aura (Su) A sandman radiates a 20-foot-radius spread that puts creatures to sleep. Any creature in the area must succeed on a DC 14 Will save or fall asleep, as if affected by a sleep spell (caster level 8th). There is no limit to the number of Hit Dice a sandman can affect with this ability. A creature that successfully saves is immune to that sandman's sleep aura for 24 hours. The save DC is Constitution-based.
It also has DR 10/bludgeoning
Zelekhati says, half-alarmed, "You are very perceptive. It is an effect native to this place. It's why I bought it. No one could see the value in such a trick!"
Given what you know, this is obviously a lie.