You all been summoned to Osirion to Sandswept Hall, the Pathfinder Lodge in Sothis. Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir greets your party and begins to brief you on the upcoming mission.
Balentiir shutters of the windows in his second-story office overlooking the lodge’s tranquil gardens and seats himself behind his writing desk. He nods and introduces a thin, aging Garundi man in an ornately bejeweled and feathered turban. “This is Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage. I trust most of you know of him already. If you don’t, know that he has served both the Ruby Prince and the Pathfinder Society for many years, uncovering vast troves of lore from Ancient Osirion and mentoring some of our finest agents. He recently approached my colleagues and me with a request for assistance, and the Society has agreed to step up and aid its ally. The arrangement is, in fact, rather mutually beneficial.”
He nods to Amenopheus, signaling the elder man to speak. “Faithful servants of the past, I bid you greetings,” the wizened sage says with a shallow bow. “Our esteemed ruler, the Ruby Prince, recently released me from his service, which has freed me to learn more about a little-known organization to which I belong: the Jeweled Sages, protectors of Osirion’s history and chroniclers of its past glories. Quite by accident, I found myself initiated into this group, and have long believed myself to be its sole surviving member." The sage pauses, steepling his fingers as he regards you with bright, keen eyes.
"Each sage in the group possesses a unique jewel—a priceless artifact that contains memories of Osirion’s golden age.” He pauses as if considering how to express his thoughts “For many years, I have sought news of any other members of the Jeweled Sages. My agents recently learned of the Diamond Sage, whom they traced to the city of Eto in the Osirian Desert. At the same time, I received word from a reliable source that there may be several other jewels in the vicinity. I ask that you travel to Eto, negotiate with my contact in the city for his assistance, and then use what you learn to find the Diamond Sage and these lost jewels.”
Venture-Captain Balentiir frowns and adds, “This contact has tried to remain anonymous, but we suspect he is none other than Grandmaster Torch. If you’ve heard of him—or worse, met him—you may know trading favors is his signature. Regardless of Torch’s past treacheries, we need you to deal with him fairly for the information. There is a caravan leaving for Eto in a few hours, so don’t delay.”
The Venture-Captain leans back in a chair, crossing his arms across his chest. "Any questions?"
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"Greetings, friends, my name is Khamul," begins the robed figure. Beneath his hood you can see a pale face. While his robes are mostly black, the trimming and quality-as well as the extravagant rings the man is wearing-betray his noble heritage. He grips in his hand a large scythe. "I once served as a Blood Lord of Geb, the land of the undead. I learned the necromantic arts in my training as a child but as I matured I found myself in a. . . ah. . . disagreement with my fellow Blood Lords concerning the value of undeath as a means to immortality. Needless to say, I was forced to flee my homeland and was offered sanctuary in the land of Osirion and Venture Captain Balentiir here was kind enough to offer me a position in the Sandswept Hall."
"I retain my necromantic powers and indeed continue to study to improve them. I swear to you that I do not take pleasure in such foul arts, though. But I must use what I know. And after all, our enemies are often quite knowledgeable about necromancy and I have found that fighting fire with fire can occasionally yield positive results for our side. I hope that my use of such magics do not offend."
The man adjusts the scythe in his grip and continues, "Now on to the mission at hand. I have had no dealings with this Torch fellow but I have heard the stories well enough. I, however, have a great interest in helping Amenopheus here locate the other Jeweled Sages, so I will work with whomever I must to learn their locations and secrets. I am prepared to travel to Eto as soon as we can."
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Corbalias is a bald hulking man whose primary ethnicity is unclear, showing few definitive features of the Avistan-and-bordering ethnicities Taldan, Varisian, and Kellid descents. On his back is hangs a greatsword, engraved with three-quarters of dozen tallymarks in the side. He otherwise carries meager traveling gear and is dressed in hide armor lined with a bear pelt.
When Corb yell-speaks, his mannerisms imply a casual demeanor about using an outdoor voice inside, almost as if he thinks it normal.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Giving a slight bow, a slim golden-haired woman garbed in earthen colors responds to the introductions. "Shana Meru of the Silver Crusade."
"I met the man you call Torch during my training. It is disappointing to have found out he turned traitor. I will follow through the mission, but why do you still wish to deal with him?" Shana pointedly asks.
The Venture-Captain frowns at Titus' question, but Amenopheus is the one to speak up. "It is better to deal with one you know you cannot trust, then someone you think you can trust, but who in untrustworthy." The Venture-Captain nods. "We at least know what we're dealing with in Torch. Sometimes the Society must partner with less than ideal people, no? I assure that much of the Society shares your feelings; however, Torch has leverage that we would rather he not use against us."
Sitting forward and looking through some papers, Balentiir says. "I have arranged for you to travel with a merchant caravan to Eto. I suggest you purchase any needed gear, here in Sothis. The caravan leaves this evening. Anything else?"
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Corb shakes his head,
Before the evening, he buys a cart and a set of leather cords that make him look stronger. After purchasing these things, it is only then that he realizes he doesn't have enough to actually buy a real alchemist's kit and take his anger out on an unfortunate training dummy in the lodge. He is otherwise ready for adventure.
The overland journey is uneventful though tiring, even with Corb pulling the rest of the party in his cart. Everyone is relieved when the walls of Eto start to come into view. The immense rock walls that ring Eto rise from the horizon like a shimmering mirage that gradually sharpens into focus. The city sits inside an elevated crater with sheer, weathered sides broken only in two places by heavily guarded gates. Long lines of caravans wait in a meandering queue awaiting entrance as officials search their cargoes for contraband and calculate taxes. Water sellers, food vendors, and guides march up and down the lines peddling their wares and services to the visitors. Beyond the gates, the main thoroughfares fan out around the various districts of the city before dwindling into the dozens of pathways that flow through the bazaar like the delta of the great River Sphinx.
As you think back to when you left Sothis, you all remember as you left, Amenopheus pulled a weathered stone from his robes and struck it once against the wall to break the stone into two crystalline geode halves. He hands one piece to the party, instructing you, “If you find one of the jewels of my order or the person known as the Diamond Sage, I ask that you contact me. Concentrate on the stone and speak a message of a few dozen words. I will hear you and respond with further instructions. It will only work once, so keep it safe.”
The queue to enter the city inches forward and eventually you find yourselves at the gate. At the gate you see groups of merchants pointed to the side and interviewed by a trio of men, two guards and a customs agent. Finally it is your groups turn as the caravan you were with enters the gate. The caravan's leader acknowledges that your group is traveling as guests, which earns you your own inspection.
Pulled to the side, a customs agent comes up, a Garundi man whose graying beard and tired eyes suggest he’s seen it all and heard every excuse at least a few dozen times. He wears a smile on his lips and a bored expression on his face. "Greetings, I am Mahu. Is your visit to Eto for business or pleasure? Hmmm.?
Mahu glances at the quiet party as Shana speaks. "Very good. Eto is a wonderful place to do business, we are really growing. Soon we will rival Sothis!" He says chuckling to himself. He begins to slowly and patiently go through the party's gear. After Khamul speaks he brightens and becomes more friendly. "Broker eh? In what sort of goods?" Addressing the party at large he says. "So where do you all hail from? See anything interesting along the way here? Osirion is beautiful this time of year, no?"
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"Yes, quite beautiful. My name is Khamul. I original hail from Geb where I served as a Blood Lord for many years, although I shirked that responsibility when I was forced to leave the country over. . . philosophical disagreements. This great country of Osirion was kind enough to offer me sanctuary, however, and I have enjoyed my time here quite a bit."
"The man we are meeting has some information for us. Likely he will make us pay or perform other services before he gives it to us; such are his ways."
Mahu nods as he diligently parses through the gear. "Well you've come to the right place, my boy!" He responds to Titus, then to Shana he says. "Jewels hmm? Always a good markup in jewels..am I right? He says knowingly. At that point he pulls the geode from Khamul's pack. "Hey, speaking of jewels, is this one?" He says holding it up. "It looks Osirion in origin...what's it provenance?"
Mahu nods as if he understands completely. "Very good, no tariff needs to be levied then!" He begins to peer around looking for the next group to check. "On your way then. Enjoy your visit to Eto!" As he begins to walk away, he pauses and turns. "Do you know where you are going, can I assist you with directions?"
Mahu stops and thinks for a moment. "You might try the House of the White Uraeus. It's a place where many business deal are sealed and a place where foreigners tend to stay." With that, he waves and turns to go.
The party follows Mahu's direction the White Uraeus. Although its exterior is unassuming, the interior of the White Uraeus is richly decorated with panels of gold-veined marble and bubbling fountains in secluded courtyards. Cool breezes carry the scent of blooming desert flowers throughout the clean halls. Two half-orcs keep watch outside one set of closed doors. After a moment inspecting the visitors, they pull open the doors to reveal a tiled bathing chamber beyond.
“Welcome to Eto, Pathfinders,” rasps Grandmaster Torch as he lounges in a steaming tub. “I didn’t imagine we would meet again under such heart-warming circumstances, yet the White Uraeus certainly knows how to make a traveler comfortable. What can a humble secret monger such as I do for you?” he asks as he leans forward in the tub and flashes a knowing smile.
Torch smiles cheerily at Titus and says. “Amenopheus may have overlooked the fact that he owed me several favors before I ever asked for his help, but I don’t mind extending a discount to repeat customers,” he remarks with a rasping chuckle as he snaps his fingers to summon one of his bodyguards, who arrives carrying a folded piece of paper. “Let’s see what’s on today’s schedule,” he murmurs as he examines the paper’s contents. “Yes, all of this will do. Consider this my price—all of these tasks completed to my satisfaction in return for what I know of the sages’ jewels. Do we have a deal?” He holds out the paper for someone to review it.
An associate has delivered a shipment of valuable Osirian artifacts to just outside Eto. She claims that the objects are hidden inside a dry well southeast of the Sunrise Gate. Retrieve these and bring them to me. The magic rod is of particular importance; everything else is expendable.
The half-elf Madam Zelekhati, owner the establishment called the Dancing Dunes, is most adept at acquiring secrets, and I need you to find out how she does it—no doubt it’s something she’d rather keep hidden from authorities. Further, convince her to share what she already knows with me. Threaten to reveal her secret if she’s stubborn. End the scheme if all else fails.
I recently heard that the leader of the Hundredfingers gang had an important message for my ears only. Track them down, get the message, resolve any loose ends, and report back to me.
The party takes leave from Torch and heads out into Eto to find Ionacu Lozar. Not sure where to start, the party head to Eto's bazaar to gather information.