Finding nothing else of interest, the party heads back toward Eto, brainstorming ways in which to smuggle the found items past the customs agents.
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"Very well done, I hadn't even drawn my bow." Shana compliments the other Aasimar before the topic of smuggling comes up.
"We could always try to have Torch send one of his cronies out to us. I am sure he wants to move the item anyways." She suggests, not wanting to break any laws for their crooked informant.
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"It is worth a shot. You lot wait out here. I will ask Torch. If that does not work I will rejoin you and we will try Corb's idea."
Khamul heads through into the city alone, making sure he is carrying nothing suspicious. Khamul asks Torch if he would be willing to help them through smuggle the items into the city. "Perhaps one of your guards could persuade the authorities to look the other way. Or you can pull some strings if possible."
Khamul heads back into Eto to find Torch, but finds thhat Torch expects the party to handle it themselves. "That is what the job entails.... Torch mutters. On the way back to relay the bad news, Khamul sees Mahu, the customs agents. The man waves as the Garundi passes...
Mahu shakes his head. "Tsk, tsk. You younger folk are always getting into trouble on your wild adventures! Bring him this way, I will expedite your entrance."
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Khamul continues to make small talk with Mahu as they carry Corb in, trying to keep the man distracted enough. He thanks him for his help before finding a quiet place where Corb can rest before coming out of his trance.
The necromancer then leads the party back to Torch. "Ok, is that it? We've done everything you've asked. What do you know about the Jeweled Sages?"
The party shuttles the comatose Corb into the city, Mahu looking on and giving you a perfunctory nods as you enter.
Getting back into the city, you make your way directly to the House of the White Uraeus, entering to find Torch in essentially the same place. He looks up as you enter. "Greetings Pathfinders! Were you successful in your...errands?"
Torch smiles. "Of course! Here, let me show you what you want know." He motions to a table covered with several old maps.
One is a map of Osirion, clearly marking Eto and an unnamed site to the north. The second map has a much smaller scale and marks the route between Eto and the mystery location. The last sheet has a charcoal drawing that depicts two large rock outcroppings connected by a smooth wall with a single gate. It is entitled “Seeker’s Folly” and signed “V.L.”
Once everyone has had an opportunity to review the papers, Torch explains, “Those will take you where you want to go. Deviate from the path only if you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, stick to the landmarks.” He pauses to consider another thought. “Normally this is where I would say ‘pleasure doing business with you.’ However,” he adds with a grisly grin, “I’m going to throw you something extra for free—just because I’m such a caring individual. You’re not the only ones who know about that site. I hear a group of foreigners set out from Totra not too long ago and are after the same prize. Sounds like there’s no time to waste.”
Torch then pulls Corb aside.
Torch;s head jerk up at Khamul's comment. "There are some parts of my past that I'd rather not revisit. Thank you for picking at old wounds, Pathfinders."
A new day dawns in the Osirian trade city of Eto only hours following the meeting with Grandmaster Torch. In exchange for a handful of services, he delivered several maps and sketches of landmarks that collectively point the way to the last known resting place of one or more sage jewels—gems capable of storing memories of Osirion’s past and reviving the Sapphire Sage Amenopheus’s order. “Those will take you where you want to go,” Torch declared while handing over the maps. “Deviate from the path if you know what you’re doing.” As an afterthought, he added, “You’re not the only ones who know about that site. I hear a group of foreigners set out from Totra not too long ago and are after the same prize. Sounds like there’s no time to waste.”
The party still has the half of a weathered geode with which to contact Amenopheus if needed, as well as the maps from Torch. In addition, the Sapphire Sage lent your group a field notebook containing helpful tricks for translating Ancient Osiriani and understanding the Jeweled Sages’ written codes.
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Khamul comes back from his trip to the caravanserai. "The route described in Grandmaster Torch’s map is rarely used, though the caravan masters are familiar with the oasis and the terrain surrounding it. They've given me some tips." He tips a few minor supplies onto the table. "They also told me the gnoll clans have grown increasingly bold, and abductions along the common trade routes are becoming increasingly common. We should keep an eye out for gnolls then."
The necromancer gathers his belongings. "Well, as soon as everyone is ready I think we should get going. We need to hurry if there really is another group heading that way. I advocate sticking to Torch's directions though."
After obtaining mounts of varied species, the party makes good time to toward Seeker's Folly, following the course laid out on Torch's map. Eventually the party comes upon an oasis, just as thirst and rest began creeping into the minds of the party.
The oasis shimmers like a sapphire in the midday heat. Life clings around its edges tenaciously, with only a few hardy plants nestled amid the rocks managing to survive in patches around the area. Finches bathe in the water, resting on an abandoned harness. Trash and castoffs from travelers litter the area, and a small brick hearth is the only permanent fixture.
[spoiler=Corb and Shana]Your sharp eyes pick out some creatures hiding at the north end of the oasis. The three creatures appear to be hyena-headed humanoids...gnolls!
After obtaining mounts of varied species, the party makes good time to toward Seeker's Folly, following the course laid out on Torch's map. Eventually the party comes upon an oasis, just as thirst and rest began creeping into the minds of the party.
The oasis shimmers like a sapphire in the midday heat. Life clings around its edges tenaciously, with only a few hardy plants nestled amid the rocks managing to survive in patches around the area. Finches bathe in the water, resting on an abandoned harness. Trash and castoffs from travelers litter the area, and a small brick hearth is the only permanent fixture.
As the party approaches the water, the shapes Shana and Corb saw resolve into gnolls that everyone notices, as they move to attack!
Corb charges a gnoll, striking it and chopping it in two, the in twain again!
Titus moves toward another gnoll, but can't quite reach it!
The remaining two gnolls close and attack, but neither are able to connect!
Titus cuts down the gnoll that was fool enough to confront him!
Shana fires a shot, but it goes wide!