You have been summoned to the Glorious Golden Katheer, capital city of Qadira and renowned for dozens of academies of mathematics, philosophy, and healing, making it one of the Inner Sea's centers of learning.
Venture-Captain Osretia Cassomiran welcomes you to her office, and delivers a curt briefing over spiced tea and sweet incense as she peruses an overflowing bookshelf distractedly. “I need to send you to Koor, where a valuable Pathfinder agent has seemingly disappeared. Her name is Zahra Kadamizi—a gifted scholar and archaeologist, and one of the most knowledgeable agents I know on the topic of genies. When she last reported in, she was searching for an ancient Toragdan vault turned-prison hidden amid Koor’s crumbling ruins.”
Osretia drops a heavy book on a table with a dull thud; its cover reads Moukadeem, the Drowned Emir of the Ever-Thirsting Oasis. She opens the book and begins to read aloud. “Deep within Koor, in the year four thousand twenty, Absalom Reckoning, I, Ahmad of the North, trapped the mighty marid Moukadeem in an iron lamp, casting a seal of solitude upon it. Let none free him, may Torag be praised. And thus I threw the lamp into the steel vault of the mighty Father of Creation below the forge-city Koor...”
Osretia leans back, and takes a sip from her tea. “This is clearly why Zahra went looking for the vault, and perhaps why she’s gone silent if she found it. I want you to collect her notes, penetrate the vault, and bring her back safely. If you should find this storied iron lamp, of course you must bring it back as well. Any questions?”
|
While waiting for the briefing, a shadow appears to pass through the room. Moments later a brightly colored miniature dragon buzzes in. "Oh! Hello!" the dragon says, "My name is Riddywipple and Rippywipple you shall call me. Have you seen my friend? My what a grim lot! Mordo? Mordo!"
There is a slight movement in the shadows and a thin pixie-like creature steps out, clothing and skin black but for the raised bumps of bleached and treated skin patterned into spirals and runic symbols. "Calm down, Riddywipple," the creature commands the faerie dragon.
"Grrreetings," the creature begins as it turns to the others in the room. He rolls his R in a distinctive fashion. "My name is Morrrrdo Canta. I am student of the arcane arts, although I prefer to use means of trickery and deception in my magics. I see that you have met my friend Riddywipple. Be wary, he is also fond of tricks and more independent than I would like." He gives a wide toothy grin at the faerie dragon, who merely blows a raspberry back at the wayang.
--
"Ah. . . so. . . you believe this Zahrrrra let loose the genie Moukadeem and is now in danger. What more does the Society know about Koorrrr? Who is Ahmad of the North?"
|
Samhain shakes his head. "So one of our own went off to find a genie trapped for nearly seven centuries in an iron pot and expected a glad outcome? And now you wish of us to bring it here?" He sighs. "Another marvelous assignment among many much the same. What is known about Koor and the vault this item is said in which to reside?"
For those who are unfamiliar with him, the lean elf reclines in a chair in the corner stroking a large great horned owl. His bow, nearly as tall as he, rests beside him. He wears but traveling clothes of hunter and redwood. His mahogany hair is tied back out of the way, emphasizing his ears and narrow face while allowing his bespectacled eyes to see, well, everything.
Moukadeem’s appetite for human women knew no bounds, and during his reign of terror, he took many concubines and mixed his marid blood with the most beautiful of Qadiran women.
As punishment for the genie’s crimes, a high priest of Torag bound the insufferable Moukadeem in a lamp and tossed him into the fires of Koor’s smelting house.
Koor is an ancient forge-city is a broken ruin of stone, clay, and bronze. Abandoned during the centuries-long war between Qadira and Taldor, it remains a mystery why the no one has ever repopulated the city.
Legends tell of a Qadiran noble who lost an immense dowry within Koor around the time of its abandonment. This noble stored the dowry he was amassing in the Forbidden Furnace for safekeeping, but because of the vault keepers’ desertion, he lost the chance to gain his true love’s hand in marriage.
A powerful cult of Torag flourished in Koor’s industrial heyday. Its leaders brought much wealth in and out of the city, for they encouraged efficient production and quality unmatched throughout much of the Inner Sea. When the city became a resource contested by the Qadiran and Taldan armies during the Ghevran Victories, the lawful good Toragdan leadership abdicated the city to avoid contributing their skill and knowledge to what they saw as a needlessly bloody war. When the city’s forges ceased to function without the Toragdans’ guidance, the city was abandoned entirely, leaving the vast wealth of its rich aristocracy behind.
The Venture-Captain smiles as the questions begin to pour in. Osretia begins filling you in on what is known of Koor and the vault. . Turning to Mordo. "Ahmed was the high priest of Torag when Koor was still a thriving city." Then she answers Gregor and Sebastian. "Zahra is stubborn, it’s true, but if she’s in danger, I can’t imagine that she’d not welcome assistance. If, however, she’s truly resistant to being brought to safety, it’s up to you to retrieve her safely anyway—do what you must."
|
|
"Hmm," Mordo says as the story unfolds, "so this is a place with quite an intricate history. Very well. Allow me some time to study my spells for the day and I will be ready to go. Riddywipple, behave yourself while I prepare."
The faerie dragon's mischievous look is wiped clean by Mordo's command. Nonetheless, as soon as the wayang's back is turned Riddywipple begins to pelt him with little wads of paper and doo-dads he finds lying around the room.
"And if she is compelled and acts with unfettered hostility upon our arrival?"
The VC shrugs. "I expect you to handle it in the most professional way you can. As I said, do what you must, but bring her back safely."
|
|
Mordo finishes studying his spellbook an hour later. He reprimands Riddywipple for trying to interfere and then says, "Well, shall we be off?"
"Oh, by the way: should we need to be sneaky, I can be exceptionally quiet. Rather than speaking aloud, please just think what you want to say and Riddywipple here will pass it along telepathically to everyone else. That way we can stay quiet and unheard."
|
|
Samhain nods to the caster. "Excellent plan. I have been learning to increase my own stealth but have been hindered by communicating."
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
A few knock on the door was audible after the last sentence of the Venture Captain.
After inviting the newcomer to enter, the doors opened and a short man, with olive skin, brown eyes and a wry smile enter the room followed by a small whirling. He wears a black lacked armor with some red touch, a symbol of Asmodeus and an insignia of one of the Hellknight order.
He bowed to the Venture Captain, then to the other pathfinders.
I'm sorry to be late Venture Captain Cassomiram Sama. But I was delayed on my trip from the elven nation of Kyonin.
I'm Xian Taiko to serve you and this he said designing the strange whirling he's my friend Kyofuu
After learning what the mission was he said
I've already saved Lady Zarta Sama from Hell, I think I could handle such a thing. You can count on me Captain Sama
|
A chair turns around. In it sits a short little man. He has red hair with a dull yellow bowler hat on top. His suit is also a dull yellow. On his shoulder is a red psuedodragon. He has across his lap a shillelagh.
Och' me name is Willy O'Grady and this wee creature is Pietro. Well it sounds like we should be off. But first we might want to know a wee bit about genies so we can be prepared for what might come. We want to make sure not an ill wind will blow across this endeavor.
The Venture-Captain nods in approval as the last two arrivals introduce themselves and the party prepares to depart. After making any last minute purchases, the party heads out into the deserts of Qadira.
After a few days travel with a caravan, the party splits off and heads toward Koor. A day later, the goal appears to be in sight.
A multi-hued pavilion tent bristles against the wind as its unsecured flap whips wildly in the sandblasted desert. Ahead, a large white-washed causeway slants skyward toward a shattered citadel capped with a gleaming bronze dome. Behind the citadel, several minarets stretch their worn brass and bronze exteriors toward the sky. Even more impressive is the huge clay wall that encases the crumbling city of Koor.
As the sun crest the horizon, the first unbearable rays of heat reflect off Koor’s long-baked earthen fortifications, staining them a blood red—an eerie sight, regardless of whether it’s a tribute to the fallen defenders of the once-great forge-city, or merely a trick of light.
|
|
Samhain checks his stock of blunt arrows before departing. If he has to bring the target in alive and unscathed, he's going to do his best to not seriously harm her if things go rotten.
Once in the desert, Samhain freely offers the use of an Endure Elements wand to those who cannot stand the heat, himself included.
Upon reaching the destination, Samhain will pull the cloth from around his face and look to his companions through squinted eyes. "I have heard that red skies in the morning is a sailor's warning. Perhaps there is a similar phrase for this sight?"
Getting closer, you see that a simple base camp rests outside Koor, flanking the road leading north to Omash. Two small supply tents, several crates, and one large pavilion tent comprise the staging point of Zahra’s Koor expedition.
Willy finds only tools and supplies in the smaller tents. In the pavilion tent, he finds that this tent was used as Zahra's quarters. Rich carpets soften the earthen floor of this lavish pavilion, and time-weathered maps envelop a desk and table. Opposite the map-buried surfaces rest lavish pillows and a plush bed that beckon to road-weary travelers. Several crates stand stacked along the tent’s southern fold. Its northern flap contain an armor stand and two tables covered in equipment.
Many maps lay on the table, but on one of the more ancient—depicting Koor in its halcyon days—someone has circled the smelting house’s location in ink.
Zahra’s expedition journal sits half-tucked under a rug beneath the bed.
Among the pots and plates on the makeshift kitchen in the tent’s northeast corner easily find a set of broken, rusted ingot molds. The relics have recently been sanded and deoxidized to reveal the insignia of Koor’s smelting house.
In the corner, on the armor stand, Mordo finds that the breastplate on it radiates magic. It is adorned with engravings.
Yesterday was very productive. I thoroughly searched several buildings, and discovered a few simple relics. But I am no closer to finding the Forbidden Furnace. Still, I quiver with excitement.
What a brilliant day! I located the smelting house, and confirmed that the symbol from my research matches the markings etched on the building’s ruined walls.
I saw it! It was only a flash of brilliant scales, but I am sure I had my first encounter with the legendary naga of Koor. I shall wake early and try to establish contact.
Stupid day! I followed that ignorant beast into the vault, but it is as if it just vanished. Still, I made the initial penetration into the furnace. Blast this awful heat! I find the desert grating, and the stinging insects that assault me during the night are terrible. The furnace contained strange ethers, including a tangible blue mist—something about it was bizarre. I shall head back in the morning, and perhaps check other parts of the city for ingress into the vault. Surely the Forbidden Furnace has a back door.
Sturdying the breastplate, Samhain notices that it is adorned with Toragdan iconography blended with Qadiran motifs. Closer inspection of the armor reveals a depiction of a stern-looking priest forcing a marid into a lamp. Willy and Mordo know that, in fact, this armor is engraved with the entire tale of the battle between Ahmad of the North and the Mad Marid. They also notice that there are a series of slightly larger letters among the text.
Mordo has heard of nagas, knowing that they are humanoid headed creatures with serpentine bodies. He knows that there are several "species" of naga, including Guardian nagas, Spirit nagas, and Dark nagas.
|
|
Mordo reads out the hidden message for all to hear, "While six is safe and sound, four may find you buried underground."
"Is is possible that our quarry missed this inscription and went for four, whatever that means? Perhaps she is buried? Either way, it looks like we need to find six. Are the buildings numbered? Let's start looking around."
Before leaving, Samhain's sharp eye notices several scrolls on the desk. Once examined by the more arcane types, it is realized that there are two each of, scrolls of Restoration, Arcane Eye, and Locate Creature.
The party gathers their equipment and heads toward the ancient city of Koor. Following the map, you soon see that Zahra apparently also marked the flagstones with chalk, as you see them leading off in the direction indicated.
Following the marks, you come to the spot indicated on the map. Rubble that was once a building lays in heaps in front of you. Long buried beneath Koor’s smelting house, the Forbidden Furnace’s once hidden stairway is 10 feet wide and descends 50 feet below the city’s clay streets.
Mordo and Xian pad lightly down the stairs. Black iron girds the lower half of this grand hall’s walls, while a vibrant mosaic covers the upper half. The mural depicts a greedy man risking his life for a golden trinket. On the hall’s east wall, an ornamental door seems incomplete; its center is devoid of decorations in a six-foot-diameter circle. Flanking this door are six additional cast iron doors, three on the north wall and three on the south. On the chamber’s west wall, is the steep staircase that rises to meet the streets of Koor, where the rest of the party awaits.
|
|
"If we are to find our erstwhile compatriot, perhaps we should try to retrace her steps, even her incorrect ones."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Mordo detects faint abjuration magic from the far northeastern room.