"Yes, I understand you encountered her a couple times already. Contrary to Mister Gregor's assertions last week, I don't like sending in my agents blind. Once you confirmed the presence of a guardian inside the Maze I did some research on her and made contact two days ago. I don't understand all the details but Condria is bound to the Maze and compelled to protect it. She hopes that by helping us now she might shave some time off her service."
Venturing back into the Maze of the Open road, the party quickly happens upon its guardian once again. This time the hood is kept drawn down over her features but the hiss of snakes can still be heard.
"Greetings pathfinders. Your master came earlier. She told me you would return with questions for me about the large hairy one that visited my maze weeks ago."
"Yes, the man. I believe your master called him 'Adril'."
"That bear of a man isn’t easily forgotten. He’s been quite active in the Maze since you and I last met. In each case, when I confronted him, it always ended badly for me. In fact, I can’t recall more agonizing deaths than those he granted me in all my centuries in the Maze. While he travels often through the Absalom, Galt, and Mwangi Expanse gates, his most recent movements centered around the Chelish portal, taking place under the cover of night.”
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"Have you seen him since our first encounter? He was killed, but his body disappeared."
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"Yes. He went through the Chelish gate three nights ago and has yet to reemerge.”
She seems a bit overly amused but sincere.
"Most of the time he moves through the Maze alone, but I have seen him with others on a few occasions. He met and spoke with a Mwangi tribesman one evening, though I could not overhear what they discussed, and he led a finely dressed man with him on his last journey through a portal.”
"He was middling height for a human and wore leathers concealed beneath finely tailored clothing. I didn't see any weapons but I heard the *clink* *clink* of metal on metal so I assume he had them stashed on his person. His graying hair was oiled and he smelled of strong perfumes."
As requested, Condria leads the way through the Maze's winding passages until you come to another portal. "This is far as I'm permitted to go", she explains with a graceful gesture at exit.
Stepping through the portal in the Maze of the Open Road, you feel a light tugging on your entire body, as if you are being pulled in every direction at once. Whether in limbo for only moments or an eternity you can not tell, but you step unscathed from the portal’s mate, finding yourself in the shadow of a red and black marble gazebo before the ominous shape of the portal behind you. A traditional Chelish garden surrounds the structure, and the form of a sizable manor house rises from behind a row of topiary bushes. The grounds appear to be completely enclosed by a high, granite wall.
Half a dozen men and woman (four halflings, one Taldan woman, and a male tiefling) can be seen rigorously tending the landscape. By their malnutrition and threadbare clothing, one would guess that they're slaves. A few are visibly surprised by the party's appearance within the gazebo but all quickly resume their work.
Most of the slaves try to avoid making eye contact with Zarzuket but one perks up. "This is Master Keel's estate. He's inside."
Accustomed to blind obedience, the gardener brings the party to another halfling slave standing at the front doors of the estate's largest building. This one is better dressed, sporting finely tailored red livery.
"Greetings sirs and ladies. I'm the majordomo of the lodge. I'd be happy to tell the master you arrived but you'll have to leave your pets outside", he says timidly with a glance at Mary and Adaxis's eagle. "We just finished polishing the floors."
The majordomo becomes even more timid and begins studying the floor. "Apologies madam, I meant no offense."
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"that's no way to speak of a lady. She may have a wig on but that is rude... I was just going to comment on the fine quality of the slaves of this house but intolerance and rudeness is a bad reflection of the master. Zandu says as he grabs the previous slave and tugs him forward
"In fact I think this one to be of finer stock and quality I insist that he take me to your master so I do not have to tolerate you
The gardener slave faints and goes limp when he's grabbed by the swashbuckler and the majordomo's eyes grow wide with fright.
"I-I-I'm sorry sir. Please give me a minute. I'll let the master know of your arrival", he stutters on the verge of tears.
The halfing half waddles and half flees in terror inside the lodge and away from the party.
Five minutes later the majordomo returns, looking as pale as a ghost. "T-t-the master will see you in the library. P-p-please follow me."
With freakish eidolons and zoo animals in tow, the terrified halfling leads the party inside and down a short hallway. He opens a pair of double doors and bows low. "Master, here are the guests that were asking for you."
Ceiling-high bookshelves line the walls of Habermorrow’s library and several rows of lower shelves take up half of the center of the room. Lush couches provide a comfortable place for readers to lounge, while several reading tables stand empty but inviting for eager researchers. Lamps employ flameless torches, illuminating the room in bright, even light. A stylized portrait of Keel — a tall, dark-haired man with thick, slanted eyebrows and a slightly crooked nose hangs on the wall over an unlit fireplace.
Venture-Captain Eddington Keel is reclining on one of the library's plush couches when the party enters. He appears genuinely confused by their presence.
"Welcome Seekers", the Venture-Captain offers in half-hearted greeting. "Thank you for visiting my lodge but I'm afraid there's been some confusion. Things might work differently wherever you come from but here were respect etiquette. Is there a reason you ignored my slaves when you were told to leave your pets outside?" he asks in anger.
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Butyl apologizes to the majordomo for his compatriots' behavior as they go inside.
"Venture-Captain, it's true. Hestram has a hit list, and your name is on it. He was seen teleporting here scant days ago."
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Venture-Captain Keel is puzzled and then disgusted by Magda's madness. "You claim my life is in danger and yet they send lunatics to defend me?"
"Adril Hestram is a good personal friend of mine. I trust you have extensive proof to back such heinous accusations? In any case, I am perfectly capable of defending myself and we don't discuss this issue further until you respect this lodge's rules - countess's of Taldor or not."
Keel scoffs and offers no apology.
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Sir the Lady Mary is accepted as a member of our group as well as by theten. We follow those dictates first. Please walk us around the grounds to inspect your security and staff with true sight and zone of truth to truly ensure your well being as we have been ordered to do Shade says trying to stop all this waste of time and foolishness
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"help us help you" Zandu exclaims as he peruses the vast shelves of books in the lodge.
"now since you are a friend of Adril I will inform you that his current course is jeopardizing many agents as well as his friends. It would be mutually beneficial if we approached this in a cooperative manner. If you can not put aside your rules for us, do it for those who will be hurt by inactivity."
The Venture-Captain points towards the doors. "Show yourselves out."
long shot, but might as well try.
nope
"Let me see that."
After looking the note over, he studies the party over a second time.
"Fine. Escort your nobility outside and we can talk."
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"...Listen, if he's turned you, or you're some kind of imposter, know that you won't defeat us. His days are numbered, but you can give yourself up and save yourself a brutish defeat."
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