Fung, seemingly afraid of something in the well, hastily packs up the bones and gets ready to climb the well. He thought about using the rope, but Fung decides it would be faster to use his hands and feet to climb the well, which he does almost spider-like. He is out of there in around 4.2345344545 seconds. Approximately.
Vermin, who is worried now that noone has tugged the rope, almost falls back wards when Fung pops out of the well, somersaults off the edge, and lands on his feet a few steps in front of him. Fung flashes Vermin a simple smile and a thumbs-up.
Allrighty then. So it looks like you go see amara li first then?
After a quick day of travel, you find yourself back in Absalom, and you find your way into the Lantern Lodge headquarters. After a brief wait in the living room, you are asked into Amara Li's private study once more. Once again, you are greeted by a small table with hot tea ready and served.
"Gentlemen! Back from the Cairnlands already I see. I trust that your expedition was both fruitful and... mostly uneventful. What news do you bring?" she says softly, motioning you to take a place at the table.
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And news of your family's retainers, we found their remains and this, Fung produces the letter they found in the prison cells. It appeared that they were betrayed, and died imprisoned. Which makes little sense if they were there to gift the katana to the master of the house. Perhaps it means more to you...
"Oh my, yes this is it! In all my years, I never thought I would see it with my own eyes! My family's katana. I thank you more than you imagine, for restoring not just my honor..."
She takes the katana, and slides the blade out of the scabbard. The blade is made of pure, intricately carved jade. After looking over it for a few seconds, she turns it around, and opens a secret compartment at the pommel. She takes out a small piece of paper from it, obviously yellowed with age. Her eyes open wide, almost making her not look Tien for a second. She smiles and seems almost breathless for a second.
She then quickly closes the pommel compartment, replaces the katana back on it's sheath and puts both the blade and the piece of paper into a small chest on her desk. She turns around with a smile on her face.
"You have been probably the most efficient group of Pathfinders I have encountered here in Absalom. My report to Ambrus will be MORE than satisfactory. I will always be in your debt for this recovery, and you are ALWAYS welcome back in the Lantern Lodge"
"Oh yes... ABSOLUTELY. I would be more than glad to have any of you as part of the Lantern Lodge. I would be honored, especially to have someone from the homeland."
She bows deeply, and after you finish your tea, a servant comes in to escort you out.
On your way to see the Prince, you are stopped on the street by your friend Colonel Maldris.
"Pathfinders! I have heard news of your venture into Asad's Keep. I... heard about Maurit's fate. I want to congratulate you. It is not always easy to do what must be done, but let it serve as a lesson of the finality of undeath. Their souls are slaves to their curse and deserve to be liberated swiftly and without hesitation. You have done well, and I think you would have a future with us Andorans if you ever choose to. Maybe not Eagle Knights, but who knows! Hahaha!"
After his jolly laugh, the Colonel pats Vermin in the shoulder, and goes to each one of you and shakes your hand firmly.
"In spirit sure, sure. I'm sure her team and the Pathfinder Society will have paid some honors. She might get mentioned in the next Chronicle even!"
With that remark, he informs you he has other business to attend to and continues down the same path he met you at.
Prince Aaqir al’Hakam sees you to his room, and with a slight eagerness in his tone he says: Welcome back, gentlemen. So what did you discover at Asad's Keep?
Prince al'Hakam looks at the documents with varying degrees of interest. Some he is very much interested in, others he barley glances over.
Quite a collection you got there master Harper, thank you. Now, I am just wondering, did you also find a jade katana in the keep? If you did, may i simply take a look at it?
"Oh, you already returned it to Lady Li..." he puckers his lips momentarily, then quickly shakes his head. "Ah, a pity. I think you were kept in the dark about its true contents, so I cannot fault you for it. No sense worrying about it now. These trade agreements are still a great claim for Qadira. Thank you, gentlemen, for your aid in this matter. If you would ever with to work for Qadira in the future, you know where to find me."
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Arrrrrgh...The name is Rorgrim Stormbeard. I have recently been recruited by the Pathfinders after years on the high seas. I hear you can use some muscle in your little group!
Rorgrim picks up his large spiked hammer and throws it over his shoulder. He looks over at the half-orc with a slight sneer.
I hope that stick you are holding is for more than leaning on. Are you some kind of sage or something?
Not waiting for an answer, he hocks a loogie and spits on the ground. He looks over at Luccinus.
Well...at least you look like you can handle yourself in battle.
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Rorgrim makes a fist and punches his own chest as a sign of respect at Luccinus' bow
When Vermin finishes speaking, Rorgrim leans his head back and breaks into a deep belly laugh obviously impressed and amused by the show of strength.
Well then...maybe I can grow to like the human half of you big fella!
I bet he wouldn't stand so tall if I kicked him in his nuts.
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An average height dwarf with a dirty (but not incredibly dirty) beard walks up to the rest of the party. He has blonde hair and brown eyes.
He is wearing some studded leather and a club, and has a spell components pouch. He is averagely stocky for a dwarf but not quite as built as most.
As he walks up, he is shielding his eyes from the sun (or any bright lights if we are inside).
He says in a grungy voice...
Hey people. Listen up. We may like each other or we may not, but I'm going to assume the latter. Just don't piss me off and we may just be able to tolerate one another. I'm not looking to be your fairy princess, and I don't expect you to be mine either.
He continues to shield his eyes from the sun.
UrrrRRRRRRRRRRRRG...this daylight, I'm just not used to it. Guess that's part of being a Pathfinder.
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Harauk will definitely take a (rather big) swig.
Ahhhh! Sweet, sweet alcohol. Maybe we can more of friends that I first thought. *Belches loudly* Woo, much better than anything I've ever had before. Perhaps we can be better friends than I first thought.
Harauk will give Rorgrim the same pat on the back and hand back the booze.
...he belches again. Just like the old Dwarven saying. Better out than in. I'm beginning to like this whole Pathfinder business.
In the heart of the Pathfinder Society’s headquarters at Skyreach, Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng, a wiry old man with a wild gray beard and glinting eyes, sits on a large plush bench next to a finely dressed, full-figured woman who looks as though this entire meeting isn’t worth her time. Dreng warmly greets you and introduces them to the woman, Lady Gloriana Morilla; the Taldan woman tilts her head slightly in acknowledgement of the introduction, but otherwise makes no move to greet anyone. Oblivious to any social slight on the lady’s part, Dreng goes on to explain your mission.
"Recently, a contact from the Low Azlanti embassy in Escadar approached us with an offer. It seems they have discovered a unique relic of Azlanti origin on the Inner Sea’s floor that we have a unique opportunity to add to our collection for study. In return, however, we must deliver one of our catalogued items to Escadar in exchange. The Low Azlanti drive a hard
bargain, so we need you to escort a relics broker to Escadar so he can authenticate the Azlanti item and mediate a fair deal on the Ten’s behalf."
"Please be warned, we are not the only ones after this relic. The Aspis Consortium has also tendered an offer, and the gillmen have decided to accept the Consortium's deal if the society has not finalized the deal in 30 days. An Aspis-funded warship patrols the waters just beyond Absalom’s harbor, preventing Pathfinder agents from sailing to Escadar unmolested. Luckily, Lady Gloriana and I have come up with a solution.
Lady Morilla stirs from her silence and speaks in a strong, demanding voice. "I have used some of the Empire of Taldor’s most skilled operatives to plant a false crew manifest and course plans with the harbormaster, ensuring that the Aspis Consortium spies who certainly keep an eye on such matters believe we are moving our relic to Escadar on a ship tomorrow morning. This decoy should occupy the Consortium sufficiently for you to travel overland to Escadar with plenty of time to make the final agreement with the gillmen before the Society’s window of
opportunity runs out."
Dreng laughs to himself absently, then instructs you: "Go to go to the Siphons in the Puddles and meet with the Pathfinder Society’s ally, information broker Grandmaster Torch. He’ll give you a map for a smugglers’ trail through the isle’s center that should allow for relatively easy and secret travel overland to Escadar. The Society has hired an appraiser and relics broker named Nester Rees to verify the authenticity of the gillmen’s relic; Rees will meet up with you after your meeting with Grandmaster Torch. I have arranged lodgings for you at an Escadar tavern called the Grindylow’s Goblet, where the gillmen have agreed to meet with them. Once you arrive, you only need to send word to the Low Azlanti embassy, then have Master Rees conduct the negotiations at the tavern on the Society’s behalf. Please, once again, assume you are responsible for Rees’ safety and for the success of his negotiations.
"Ew... what is up with this guy. WHY do I keep lowering myself to using these scrubs in the Pathfinder Society... Calm, calm... The task will be over soon enough..."
Lady Morilla forces a small smile then tries to avoid Rorgrim's eyes for the reminder of the conversation.
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Helmet tucked under one arm in military fashion, Luccinus bows formally, in a likely unsuccessful attempt at giving some class to the group of sub-Humans, misfits and neer do wells
M'lady, Venture-Captain Dreng, could you give us some more information on the Aspis Consortium? I am familiar with the name but not the character or background of our opposition... and some information on the Low Azanti, these 'Gillmen' would be appreciated as well - it would not do to offend them by misunderstanding their ways.