@Amarthecthel: He sense's there's an alarm spell on the note with an evocation spell bound to it, but he could not identify the latter. It is set to go off by touch. The evocation aura is moderate in strength.
Before Amarthechthel tries to mage hand the paper, Twigg identifies the other spell tied to the alarm: fire trap! It looks like unfolding the paper at all will cause the spell to go off.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The party steps away a bit and Twigg prepares his illusion magic. Ready, Amarthecthel uses mage hand to pull open the letter.
The party wasn't quite expecting the massive boom as the now incinerated door flies apart from a massive fireball that now sets their quarters ablaze.
Fire Trap is dangerous, but not nearly that powerful. The explosion was fueled by something else.
Immediately, several porters start shouting in Vudrani, trying to put out the fire with a bucket brigrade as a crowd of curious and concerned citizens begins to gather. Among the crowd of on lookers are a gnome bearing Sarenrae's holy symbol and half-elf garbed in hunter's trappings. Pelkin finds no evil auras.
@Twigg: Please tell me what kind of illusion you are using to fake the party's injuries.
You two, Pathfinders on something of a vacation, have traveled to Jalmeray to enjoy the Festival of Colors, Yolarati. Enjoying the exotic foods, wondrous colorful paints, and the entertaining the nightlife, the two of you are still Pathfinders and your keen eyes have spotted an unusual group from the rest of the locals, among which include another gnome and a half-elf! You may have even spotted a wayfinder. Curiosity piqued, the two of you have decided to visit the trio, perhaps to find some friendly company.
Your excitement changes as you see the three deliberate near a door. They step back and appear again before a booming fireball engulfs their forms. As the crowd gathers, you realize that your instincts were correct, but is it too late to assist potential friends?
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A woodsman in buckskins armed with a musket comes forward with a recently met gnome. The woodsman hails the trio and says "Greetings, well met friends. The name is Velidor. I was in between assignments after travelling to Geb on a Lodge tasking and decided to get back to nature for a walkabout. I came across this nice fellow pathfinder and we decided to walk together to Jalmeray to enjoy the Festival of Colors. Fancy meeting you all out here. Are you all in need of aid?"
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Pelkin eyes the two strangers carefully as they approach, however no alarm bells seem to be going off as he assesses them. Perhaps. Seems we have been targeted for elimination due to our investigation. Pelkin will give a brief summary of recent events and will accept the offer of aid.
Keep a keen eye on us, act as if you were merely checking upon a fellow half-breed and move on. See if anyone makes a move to finish the job that the blast did not.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Before you stands an adorable, diminutive, purple-haired female gnome in a mithral chain shirt, bearing both a small scimitar and crossbow with a variety of bolts. Stuffed into one of her pair of quivers is what appears to be a rolled up painting. (Why come to a festival of colors if you don't buy at least one very colorful painting? - so I figure she did)... Incongruent as it seems with her chain shirt, she is wearing a pair of odd looking sandals that look like they'd be more appropriate for the beach or the desert.
"Hi! I'm Lorelendral Teklet but you can call me Lore if you want, all my friends do, it's shorter and easier to say. Blessings of the Dawnflower on you all... That was an impressive fireball that engulfed you all... SO pretty!!! I just love fire! Is anyone hurt? I can heal you if you need it. Fire is pretty but it can hurt you, you know. Not something to play with idly. Anyway, it's nice to meet you! I guess, if you don't need healing, perhaps we'll just be on our way then." Lore says all of that in as few breaths as possibly, as she DOES have a tendency to talk a lot and very fast.
Following Pelkin's suggestion of seeming to check on them and then be ready to seem to move on while watching them, to 'fool' whoever is targeting them, she shrugs and takes a few steps away.
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Amarthecthel looks from Lore to Twigg and then at Pelkin, smiling in amusement at the two gnomes. "Welcome," says the elf. "My name is Amarthecthel, and most people call me exactly that. But you may call me Amarth, if it is easier for you. We did not think to see fellow Pathfinders here in far Jalmeray, but we are pleasantly surprised. And yes, someone went to a considerable length to end our investigation, so we could use your help."
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"I must confess it is nice to see other kindred souls here. Once I met up with Lore here I discovered gnomes do not have the same appreciation for natural silence that I am used to with elves. I am glad she found another gnome to carry on the conversation as she has enlightened me with enough conversations to last my lifetime."
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Lore wrinkles her nose at Velidor to show her disdain for his silence and show there's no hard feelings... ... "Well, Amarth, why don't we find someplace quiet and more private where you can tell us all about your investigation, and then of course we'd... well I know I'd be happy to help out, and I'm sure Vel here would like to help too. He's probably better at that kind of stuff than I am though, but I'm still handy to have around... I'm told I'm a very good cook.. perhaps I'll get a chance to whip something up for you folks..."
She grins at Twigg... tilts her head to one side... "You're so quiet... are you sure you're not just a short elf?" She chuckles at her own jest at his expense. "I'm not used to gnomes being so silent...What's your name? Where are you from? WHat's do you do? You're not dressed like a fighter or cleric.. I'm guessing wizard of some kind... but I could be wrong..."
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Twig uses a minor image to fake the injuries.
"oh wow another gnome! I haven't seen a fellow creature of magic in some time! Wait... Me? You think I'm quiet? AND an elf? Well maybe I am an elf! I'll have to ask my mom. I mean I do have a brother that is a bear. His name is Mexel! Want to meet my brother?!!? He doesn't bite often."
The party waits, hoping to see some sort of threat come by. Pelkin's constant use of his evil detection slowly makes the half-elf groggy, but he stands vigilant as the fire brigade puts out the burning entrance. Several town guards arrive, surveying the site and looking around.
But they fail to find the newly enlarged party hiding away stealthily.
Eventually, the guards rope off the entrance then head away, the crowd slowly dispersing.
Over the evening, the party watches over their quarters. During the period, their adventure so far is retold.
They were sent by the Grand Lodge by invitation from the Thakur of Jalmeray, Kharswan. The Thakur is having troubles with a dangerous cult that he recently outlawed after their sacrificial slaying of a favored cousin. Since then, threats have been made against Kharswan and his own palace forces have been unable to root out the cult. Hearing of the Pathfinder Society's expertise in getting to the bottom of things, the Thakur made an agreement with Ambrus Valsin: if the Society could cripple, or even stop the Cult of Ebon Destroyers, then the Thakur would personally allow the Society access to several historical temples that are traditionally accessible only to the royal family. Unable to resist such an offer from a head of state, the Grand Lodge sent a small team to handle the investigation, noting their combat ability delving into the ruins beneath the town of Thornkeep.
The party arrived in Niswan, the capital of Jalmeray, at the high point of Yolarati, the Festival of Colors in Vudrani tradition. They made their way to the palace and met their contact with the Thankur, a man by the name of Lord Raheem Pandisar. Raheem explained the situation above, and told the party to report only to him so the cult cannot sabotage the investigation; he believes that are cult members within the palace guards and he does not know who.
Lord Raheem provided the now exploded quarters to the party as well as a list of four contacts to reach to get information about the Ebon Destroyers and perhaps find some clues to there whereabouts.
Prince Kanvar, a student of Vudrani history, explained that the Ebon Destroyers have existed since ancient times, worshipping the evil goddess Dhalavei and committing acts of terrorism and horror in her name, even controlling entire kingdoms at several points of Vudrani history.
Mahindra, a rumor-monger who acts as a matchmaker within the Heights of Niswan, explained that he heard about about a headless body in the Commerce District as well as that there may be informants within the palace guard.
Pravezak, a spiritual advisor to Thakur Kharswan and his family, informed the about Dhalavei, a goddess who relishes espionage, discord, corruption, and terrorism. He also explained that the new moon is a propitous time for sacrifices in her name, especially eclipses.
Varunasi, a merchant who is well-versed in Niswan politics, described how the Jalmeran government functions: the thakur is typically a figurehead, and it is the nobles of the highest castes within the country that truly hold power, the Maurya-Rahm. Thus, it is somewhat surprising that when Thakur Kharswan cried out against the Ebon Destroyers and the worship of Dhalavei that the Maurya-Rahm followed in suit. She also went into detail about how the common people are now scared for the thakur as his demise would greatly destabilize the nation despite the true administration of the country falling to the Maurya-Rahm.
During their travels, a small girl handed Amarthecthel a note. The girl ran off shortly thereafter, but the note was a threat telling the party to stop their investigation. Instead, they continued, looking into the headless body incident. They viewed the crime scene and easily spotted the body of Vitusa, a merchant who was vocal in her anti-Dhalavei views. Although the place was trashed in the signs of a struggle, no clues were found save for a single earring. After confirming it is Vitusa's and that she wore them in pairs, the party used locate object to try and find the other, hoping it may lead to something useful.
The party got lucky and was able to trace the other earring to an empty warehouse in the Docks area of Niswan. Carefully exploring the area, Twigg found that Vitusa's head was tossed down a cesspit within the warehouse. Pelkin braved the mess and retrieved not only her head, but a damaged falchion with a notable maker's mark. The party managed to uncover that the mark is that of a smith named Lohakar within the Commerce District. A quick conversation with him uncovered that the weapon was purchased by a spice merchant named Lankesh.
Around this time, the party received another message, although much more violent. An arrow struck Amarthecthel; attached to it was a message saying it was their last warning. Undeterred, the party continued their investigation.
The party then traveled to Lankesh's shop which also acted as his home. He let the party in and the party slowly questioned the man. In the guise of making tea, he surprised them with a magical assault, revealing himself to be a bat-headed Rakshasa! What would have been a lengthy, harrowing battle ended quickly when Amarthecthel hexed Lankesh to sleep, allowing the party to tie him up and interrogate him proper. Unfortunately, he had little to say other than the Ebon Destroyers will slay them violently, and ultimately the rakshasa was put down. Exploring his home, the only thing of note are several pay receipts from the Apananda Silk Mill.
Arriving at the mill late at night, they found the door locked and curtains drawn over the windows. However, light and moving shadows confirmed that there are those inside. Knocking on the door, a voice on the other side angrily told the party that they were closed and they should come back tomorrow for business. The party decided to not barge in and instead went to Lord Raheem to ask for assistance. He promised to get a warrant to explore the mill first thing in the morning.
Deciding that rest was in order, the party went to their quarters and found a note tucked under the door. Now leery, they identified magic attached to the note that would lead to a fire trap going off if the note was opened They came up with a plan to open the note at a safe distance and counterattack any assailants who may be waiting...
Although the entrance is scorched and blocked off by rope, the party can easily make their way inside to rest upon the comfortable down beds.
The next morning, a solemn Lord Raheem is surprised, but pleased at the party resting in the chambers. "Thank the gods, I thought you were seriously injured from the explosion. I hope you all are well, yes?" He looks around and notices the extra gnome and half-elf resting in the living room. "I assume these are more allies for your search; my hospitality is yours as well."
Now with a reinvigorated smile, Raheem continues. "I have the warrant you seek.", presenting a signed document that bears the Thakur's signature. "Be careful. The Ebon Destroyers are obviously onto you at this point and I believe that you should make haste before their terrorism becomes truly deadly."
With that, Lord Raheem bows and leaves, an escort of guards in tow.
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After the Lord leaves Pelkin wonders aloud, Are we sure we can trust anybody? Even those that would seem to help us?
Can we really be sure this Lord Raheem is who he says he is?
On the way out, Pelkin would like to ask anyone that may have been around last night if they saw who could have left the note at their door.
Pelkin asks around, and finds that several factory workers were delivering crates to various building around the PC's quarters, and one neighbor spotted one of the workers loitering near the door. The neighbor, an elderly Vudrani man, gives a vague description of the outfit worn by the workers.
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Velidor wakes up early, packs his gear, eats his meal with some hot green tea and then watches the others stir up such soft folk would not survive out in the wild alone during a cold night he thinks to himself.
"As we are new, I guess we shall defer to your decisions regarding these matters until we acclimate ourselves in the intrigue surrounding this place. What happened to your previous companions. Surely you three did not brave this endeavor alone?" Velidor says making conversation.
Lore tries to go through the city, getting details on various businesses and their uniforms. All that can be confirmed is that the uniforms are standard for factory or mill workers.