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At the Grand Lodge in Absolom, sitting on a park bench, is a a human of mixed Tien and Varisan decent. She wears a black witch’s outfit laden with star shaped buttons with a stylish belt around her hat. She usually lets her long blond hair loose except for a single braid down the left side. She is currently eating some cake she obtained from a bakery down the street, while reading a spellbook.
The Lantern Lodge of the city of Goka has asked for assistance on a rather dangerous mission. Venture-Captain Amara Li wishes to send a small contingent of Pathfinders to the jungles of Nagajor, the realm of the serpent-people known as the nagaji. Loosely governed by a naga matriarchy, the nagaji are fiercely loyal to their rulers, and although trade has existed between Nagajor and the outside world for thousands of years, very little is known about the nagaji themselves. Li believes that this needs to change, and that both the Lantern Lodge and the Pathfinder Society would benefit from a greater understanding of the serpentine realm. Luckily, a key to such understanding has recently come to light.
Coffee traders have brought rumors of an ancient document known as the Lotus Annals to Goka. It is said to have been written long ago by a naga mystic named Holadi, the great-granddaughter of Nalinivati, the founder of Nagajor who would eventually achieve divinity to become the patron goddess of Nagajor. These documents are among the earliest known descriptions of the nagaji people and their culture. What makes the Lotus Annals an even more important historical and religious artifact is that, during her youth, Holadi was a close friend of her great-grandmother, and recorded many of her stories and sayings. The Lotus Annals are therefore not only an important tool for understanding the nagaji people, but could also reveal a heretofore unknown path to godhood. The chance to study, or possibly even acquire, such a document is worth the risk of traveling to Nagajor.
You have all bee summoned before Amara Li for a short briefing before you take the months long journey by ship to Nagajor.
Amara Li sits in her tea garden, quietly arranging a tea set as you enter, she looks up, smiles and nods. "Thank yo for coming with such swiftness. I will not keep you long as I know you will have preparations to make." She says no more while she carefully and artfully pours out cups of tea, offering one to each of you in turn. Once finished and everyone has tasted the tea, she continues. "“We believe that the Lotus Annals can be found in a small farming community called Nibung in western Nagajor. Other copies of the Annals are known to exist, but due to their cultural significance, they are kept under strict lock and key in Zom Kullan, the country’s capital. If the copy in Nibung is authentic, it is most likely the only one we’ll ever be granted access to." She sets her cup down delicately, turning it so the handle faces east.
“Your mission is to travel to Nibung and gain access to the scrolls. You can simply make a detailed copy of them for later study, although if you could actually acquire them, so much the better. I am sending with you a small cache of gems, as the village’s naga ruler will doubtlessly want some form of compensation, if she can be convinced to grant access to the annals at all.” She reaches into the folds of her clothing and pulls out a small pouch, from some hidden pocket, and sets it on the table.
Nodding at the pouch, she says. "There is approximately five thousand gold worth of gems in there, guard it closely. Now do you have any question for me before you go?"
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Barely indistinguishable from the shadows, a small pixie-like creature steps out into the light with a brief cringe. His black skin is covered in raised white bumps arranged in spirals and other patterns, several of them arcane in nature. Buzzing around his head and throwing bits of wadded up parchment at everyone else in the room is a brightly colored faerie dragon. The faerie dragon has a piece of wood strapped to his back between his wings; the instrument looks almost like a scepter.
"Grrreetings everyone. My name is Morrrrdo Canta." The wayang rolls his r's with a peculiar accent. "I am a student of the arcane. My friend Riddywipple and I enjoy playing tricks on our enemies. Only our enemies this time, Riddywipple." The faerie dragon sticks his tongue out at Mordo and continues to shoot paper at the others assembled in the room, including Amara Li.
"As you may know, wayangs hail from the land of Tian Xia. My tribe split from that continent many years ago and I grew up in the jungles of Sargava. Nonetheless, I still recall the Tien tongue. I am not, however, the most. . . ah. . . persuasive or diplomatic agent. I suppose my appearance is off-putting. But I will gladly translate if the service is needed."
"Now these Lotus Annals; what exactly do they contain? And what is known of Nibung and its naga ruler?"
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The middle-aged man that sits at the end of the table with his feet propped up cannot help but bolt upright in his seat as the wayang enters the room. Hinojai, he thinks to himself. What is that gorram thing doing here? His keeps a constant watch on the wayang - his suspicion high.
"I'm Desmond, this is Sahrek," he states flatly.
The large wolf at the ranger's side growls lowly as he spots Mordo. "Easy, boy," the man says softly. He reaches down and scratches behind the wolf's ear - keeping the beast calm. Most of Sahrek's body is covered with studded leather barding, and the wolf is still adjusting to it.
"Madame Li, what can you tell us about the naga? I don't think I ever even seen one before."
Though he does look at Amara Li when asking the question, he keeps Mordo in his peripheral vision.
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Amira is a thin, Kelish woman, standing at a middling 5'4". Her black hair is pulled back into a ponytail, matching colour with her glasses. She wears Abadarian clergy robes, clearly hiding some kind of light armour underneath them. On her belt is a booklet entitled "Abadar-Pathfinder Society Account #22357" that she enters all services warranted on a mission. On her belt hangs a mace with holes drilled in it, designed to sprinkle water should she actually hit something.
"No need for translation or diplomatic relations. I believe that's why I'm here. As long as you aren't some brute who can't prevent offending the room faster than I can speak, I believe we'll be fine."
She looks to the similarly-named Venture Captain, "What can you tell me about their social structures and protocols?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Li Amara Sama, It's alway an honor the meet and be able to please you.
Said a young bowing tien man of average heigh (for a tien), olive skin, brown eyes and a wry smile on his face. He wears a black lacked armor with some red touch on it, a ruby symbol of Asmodeus and an insignia of one of the Hellknight order.
After bowing to the venture captain, he bowed to the other adding
I'm Xian Taiko to serve you and this he said designing the strange whirling at his side he's my friend Kyofuu
he said to Mordo
Nice to meet you again Mordo san. I hope this mission will be as good.
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after hearing what the mission will be he said
I'm trained in the art of the high language from this land as a native. I could be of some assistance Abadarian cleric san.
My question will be for the language the nagaji spoke. Do they speak only in Nagaji or do they speak in common or tien ?
after a short pause he said
If I may I have some knowledge of this land
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"No, Toshi was never allotted any sick days. He's with Combat Training Contractor Bowl, as part of his contract."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Oh, good. I was wondering about him for a while, seeing as how he wanted to start participating with us. See, I thought that if he wasn't making any progress in that area, that I'd try to teach him some of my magic. You know, the simple stuff: explosions, force missiles, rays of frost, blobs of acid. But hey, if he can swing a hammer really, really hard, I guess that gets most of the job done pretty well. How goes it with you anyways? I havn't seen ya around since we first met at that orc gladiator arena. Got any cool loot lately?"
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"All my equipment is legitimately purchased, thank you. Honestly, if Toshi wishes to learn magic, I'm sure he'd be at least mildly capable; Arcane magic's more based on theoretical logic or pure bloodline chance, not common sense..." Amira's thought trails off for a moment, remembering who she's talking to. Continuing the conversation, she quickly picks back up after a few beats, "Though I have purchased a new foci for channeling. See, it fuels more positive energy through the vents by expending the Holy Water..."
Channeler’s Aspergillum Price 36,305 GP
Slot none CL 9th Weight 4 lbs.
Aura moderate conjuration and necromancy
This +1 battle aspergillumUE has additional powers when filled with holy water or unholy water (filling it requires a move action). By swinging a filled channeler’s aspergillum in an arc, the wielder affects up to nine creatures in a 30-foot cone as with mass cure light wounds (if the aspergillum is filled with holy water) or mass inflict light wounds (if the aspergillum is filled with unholy water). This action expends the holy or unholy water within.If the wielder has the channel energy ability, she can also use a channeler’s aspergillum to increase her effective cleric level by 2 for the purpose of channeling energy. Each time the wielder uses the channeler’s aspergillum in this way, the holy water (for channeled positive energy) or unholy water (for channeled negative energy) stored in the aspergillum is expended.
Regardless of which of these ways the channeler’s aspergillum is used, it can only be filled with holy or unholy water up to three times per day. A channeler’s aspergillum can hold only one flask’s worth of holy or unholy water at a time.
Construction Requirements Cost 18,305 GP
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, mass cure light wounds, mass
inflict light wounds, creator must be able to channel energy
Amara Li sits back, crossing her arms, while inserting her hands into her sleeves. "Naga are a creature with the head of a humanoid, but the body of a serpent. The are found throughout Golarion, but Nagajor is a country for the naga and their "servant" race the nagaji." She nods when Amira speaks. "Indeed. In Nagajor, they speak their own naga language as well as Tien, else how could they have trading relations with neighboring countries. But, I would not assume anyone in Nibung speaks Tien. If no one speaks Nagaji, I would make sure to have some means to communicate or hire a translator." She gives an almost imperceptible shrug. "I am not knowledgeable of the unique customs of that country. I would assume if you act with honor and humility, you will get along fine."
Amara thinks quietly for a moment, then says. "Nagajor was founded millenia ago by Nalinivati, a powerful mortal naga sorceress, and the first queen of the realm of Nagajor. Nalinivati eventually ascended to godhood. Though not considered a holy text, the Lotus Annals are believed, by her followers, to provide insight into her life before her ascension."
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All of you hear in your head the voice of Riddywipple: Ah! Nalinivati! Mordo knows that name, I suspect.
"Indeed," Mordo responds out loud, not noticing Desmond's discomfort at his appearance, "Nalinivati was once a mortal naga sorceress who was able to achieve divinity thousands of years ago. She is said to have helped create the nagaji as a servitor race. Whether this happened before or after she became a goddess is unknown. The nagaji were given free thought many years ago, and are not a pure slave race. They are, however, extremely loyal to the naga. Also known as the Serpent’s Kiss, Nalinivati is a deity of fertility and sorcery. As such, she is worshiped by non nagaji sorcerers, as well as those who wish to have large families or who are having trouble conceiving. She has been romantically linked with the kitsune goddess Daikitsu, although both goddesses deny this relationship." Riddywipple sniggers at this last bit of information but Mordo simply rolls his eyes.
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"Nagas have the bodies of snakes and human-like faces, and most are poisonous. All possess spellcasting powers. Though they can be found throughout Golarion, they seem to be particularly concentrated in Nagajor."
"The term 'wormfolk' is sometimes used synonymously with nagas, although they find the term highly offensive. I suggest you refrain from even using any word possibly inferred as 'worm,' if you intend on speaking during this mission."
"The hierarchy of power, in ascending order, is lunar naga, water naga, dark naga, spirit naga, guardian naga, and the royal naga. If our conctact has five heads, know we're dealing with someone of great importance."
Amara smiles and nods curtly, pouring Marisa more tea. "I believe this particular tea came from Lingshen."
After the meeting with Li, the party makes ready for the journey, equipping themselves how they see fit. Eventually, the party finds themselves in a small trading port on Nagajor’s western coast. From there the party travels overland into the foothills of the western Kullan Dei mountains. The oppressive humidity of the jungle lowlands is soon replaced by cooler temperatures as the path climbs in elevation. As the party gets closer to Nibung, the dense forest gives way to groves of carefully arranged coffee trees. Rows upon rows cover the hillsides, the red coffee cherries weighing down the branches.
As the party rounds the next hill, you are greeted with an amazing site. Two huge beetles, their mandibles clicking loudly, have treed a nagaji, and are only moments from tearing the poor soul to pieces!
Marisa creates an illusory wall of fire!
Desmond delays, waiting to see what the beetles do!
Xian moves in and attacks! He stabs his blade deep into the beetle!
Mordo then creates a second wall of illusory fire!
The first beetle begins to flee from Marisa's illusion, while the second ignores it. The after Mordo creates his, the second beetle begins to flee as well!
As the beetles flee into the nearby grove of trees, the nagaji climbs the tree. Alighting onto the ground, the man raise his arms above his head and bow deeply to the party. "Terima kasih Penyelamat-sans. Nalinivati Tersenyum saya hari ini. Saya berhutang anda hutang yang besar."
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Amira, not even realizing there was a combat, realizes there's opportunity for dialogue. If there is an opportunity to notice nagaji coming out of the trees before they speak, she'll cast Tongues #1 of 2 for today. If not, she'll bow and speak in Tien and hopes that works. If it doesn't she'll chance casting Tongues if nobody knows how to speak with Nagaji.
"Greetings, I am Amira El-Amin, and we are Pathfinders. We are looking to speak with the leader of Nibung. Can you assist with this endeavor?"
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"Oh, hey. Tiada masalah! Saya ragu-ragu sesiapa pernah mahu menjadi kumbang-makanan. Um ... Saya rasa kebanyakan orang akhirnya menjadi bettlefood selepas mereka mati. Saya rasa saya tidak mengatakan bahawa tidak ada yang mahu menjadi kumbang makanan semasa mereka masih hidup, bukan? Anyways, di mana semua orang? Terdapat banyak kopi di sini yang mungkin perlu dituai."
"Oh, hey. No problem! I doubt anyone ever wants to become beetle-food. Um... I suppose most people eventually become bettlefood after they die. I guess I should say that no one wants to be beetle-food while they are still living, right? Anyways, where is everyone? There is a lot of coffee here that probably needs to be harvested."
The nagaji bows and begins to speak in broken Tien. "Many thanks for my life. Nalinivati smiles today. Me debt to you." He bows again and motion toward a distant hill behind him. "Nibung that way...you follow?" He says and turns, waiting for the party, head bowed.
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The nagaji bows and begins to speak in broken Tien. "Many thanks for my life. Nalinivati smiles today. Me debt to you." He bows again and motion toward a distant hill behind him. "Nibung that way...you follow?" He says and turns, waiting for the party, head bowed.
"Berikan saya satu minit!"
Marisa gets on her broom, and flies up to pick some easy to reach coffee beans from the trees. Hopefully, once she gets these properly brewed, Captain Li will like these when we get back.