You've all been sent to the village of Nantambu, sailing on a lengthy boat ride from Absalom, traveling across the Inner Sea, down the western Garundi coastline, avoiding the Eye of Abendego, and briefly stopping in the Aspis Consortium-run port city of Bloodcove.
Having avoided any conflict with the Consortium while there, your party rented a boat to carry you up the Vanji River to your final destination.
The intermittent breeze off the Vanji River provides welcome respite from the jungle’s torrid oppression. The docks in Nantambu seem as busy as any in Absalom, Katapesh, or Sothis. Hundreds of dockhands move quickly to offload exotic cargo from vessels ranging from single person canoes to fifty-foot-long river barges. All manner of items can be seen entering the city including rare animal pelts, fine linens, and fruits and vegetables from the far corners of Golarion.
Just past the docks, vast open-air markets completely encompass the mosaic-decorated towers making up Nantambu’s inner city. Hundreds of glass chimes and beaded charms hang from the towers’ balconies and windows, casting a kaleidoscopic radiance across the city’s skyline.
Another time, exploration of the jewel of the Mwangi Expanse would be a welcome excursion, however, Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine’s words to you from before the journey’s start still ring clear. “As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, the Society recently acquired what we believe to be the very core of the fabled Sky Key. The entirety of the organization is now focused on finding the four remaining pieces of the mysterious, fractured item, as well as finding any information we can regarding Numerian technology." Shaine gazes off in the distance, lost in thought before shaking his head and continuing.
“We received word than an agent in Nantambu has obtained a copy of A Thread of Silver. The original copy of this book was stolen from the Technic League in Numeria generations ago. Since that time, several copies have surfaced. In each case, however, the books’ owners were savagely murdered and the copies were destroyed by Technic League agents." He frowns and takes in your party with a distracted stare.
“We don’t know if the book that was purchased is legitimate, but the very mention of its name is treacherous. Venture-Captain Nieford Sharrowsmith is off on an important expedition, so the Nantambu lodge is in the hands of our trusted associate, Aya Allahe. I need you to travel to the covert lodge—in the back of Sharrowsmith’s Exports on the outskirts of Nantambu. Take this coin and show it to the guards standing outside the inner sanctum. Tell them that you require an appraisal. They will recognize the coin and let Aya know you’ve arrived. Work with her to make sure the existence of the book remains a secret and see it safely to Absalom. No one must learn we purchased the book or of our operations in Nantambu.”
The Master of Scrolls’s words fade from memory as the early morning sun continues its ascent into the clear Mwangi sky......
After discussing what legends and knowledge you have of the area, you arrive in the bustling village of Nantambu........
|
A sprightly gnome joins along in the journey. "Lord Fizzbeard Dragonfiend, champion of the Lord Smiad!" he introduces himself with an elaborate bow. "Glory and renown be upon us this journey! Hopefully the Madame Aya has not become a damsel in distress by the time we reach her! Although my expertise just happens to be in rescuing damsels from distress! Haha!"
|
Quinn appears to be an unobtrusive Tien man as he is travelling, not wanting to draw any undue attention with orange fur or a tail. His clothes are flashy enough as is. His scimitar gleams in the sun, one hand casually resting on its hilt at all times.
He regards the gnome with some amusement.
"Quinn Kouniashi is the Eastern realm. Unless I'm mistaken, glory and renown will have to wait. At least until we gain even more upon our success! We should be wary of whom we trust. These guards meant to receive us may be in cahoots with the Technic League."
|
Be the blessing of Dragons upon you ! I'm Trade Prince Qalim Al Asham, Master of Fire and Ashes.
Said a fin tall man of Keleshite heritage, with short red hair, black eyes blinking under the sun. Despite being clearly from the hot desert of Qadira he seems uneasy under the light. His skin is recovered with numerous tattoos of strange arabesques and mythic monsters. He wore heavy robe of red silk, expensive jewellery and a golden symbol representing a falling burning scale.
His condescending smile is surrounded by a palpable aura of imminent danger.
The only weapon he seems carrying is a short staff, like a light mass, carved to look like a red dragon.
During the journey to Nantambu Qalim share his vast knowledge about the book and the history of the city they will soon reach.
Did you know that A Thread of Silver is an incredibly rare book said to contain an account of the first ventures into the largely unexplored Numerian dungeon known as Silver Mount ?
It is said that the original copy of this book was stolen from the "Technic League", and since then the cabal has hunted down any who are said to own a copy, or know the secrets possessed within...
I'm pretty sure that if the Pathfinder Society gain access to a legitimate copy of this rare book, it could provide us an incredible insight into the Sky Key and other Numerian technology that has, for now, been beyond the organization’s reach and understanding !
Qalim continued his lecture
As for Nantambu, I don't know much about it. Just that it is the Mwangi Expanse’s second largest city, with a population of over 14,000 people of mostly Zenj and Bonuwat tribal heritage. What is more interessant is that's the home of the Magaambya, one Golarion’s oldest and most storied academies of arcane knowledge ! His History took root in the old ages.
In fact, after Earthfall ushered in the Age of Darkness, it is said that Old-Mage Jatembe and his Ten Magic Warriors fought to reclaim fragments of civilization and enlightenment in the aftermath of the comprehensive cultural collapse. Their followers were said to have settled Nantambu near the end of the Age of Anguish and built the Magaambya to stand as Garund’s center of learning.
The magic perfected by Old-Mage Jatembe and taught in the Magaambya today blends arcane study with natural magic, creating a unique hybrid of scholarship and druidism !
Legends said that Old-Mage Jatembe have learned secrets whispered by the severed head of the ancient god of serpentfolk, Ydersius, before sewing shut its lips once more. He also slew the King of Biting Ants and sealed away the ruins of the Doorway to the Red Star. He was even known to have communed with angels and devils as an equal, using any means available to ensure the safety and survival of his people.
Legends provide few details of the fate of Old-Mage Jatembe, however, there are those who believed he was actually an incarnation of Nethys, the All-Seeing God of Magic, quite an history isn't it ?
|
Cairo walks in, rather late. "Oh I'm so sorry. What did I miss? My name's Cairo." He says nodding to everyone. He is a young Kelish man in a suit of Fullplate that seems a bit too big for him. Dark wavy medium length hair covers his head though his face remains clean. He has a scimitar at his hip and a silver holy symbol of the Dawnflower around his neck. Ever the optimist, he often has a goofy grin on his face. "I'm sure Kyra would be on time."
|
|
Dragon can't be hunt, They, they are the one hunting us.
As for giving my prayers to a Dragon slayer, forgive me for not doing it. But, as you are misguided by Faith, I will not discuss this matter further with you. I learn that trying to speak with divine people about their believes are not a smart move, and I am smart.
Do not insult my believes and I will not insult yours.
Responded Qalim.
Oh! As I see many followers of "Good" I have some "healing" power that uses devil's blood. Are some of you not confortable with that if you fall or need to be healed ?
|
|
A meathead with an undeterminable me as of ethnicities waits outside the briefing room. He carries a hefty Greatsword and wears a number of vials.
the man asks the first person out of the meeting room.
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
It's not that. We are here to recover a copy of the famous treaty A Thread of Silver already in the hands of one of our agent in Mantambu. We must be quiet about it as the book have a history of angry agents of the "Technic League" killing those who have it and destroying the copy. Once in our capable hands we must go back to Absalom as quietly as we enter Nantambu. I hope nevertheless to take a look at the famous Magaambya Academy !
Said Qalim
|
|
Corb will maintain secrecy by holding his breath via Breath Mastery for his Con mod in hours.
For travel, he will pull his "Portable Alchemy Lab" (a regular lab, set up in a cart) and any takers around.
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
"Well," Quinn says with an amused expression after everyone is done waving their religiously zealous flag at each other, "perhaps we should get to finding this meeting place before the League discovers their quarry, yes?"
Quinn confidently leads the way, smiling to anyone they come across, winking unfullfilable promises to the ladies.
Just walk confidently and they'll never know you have no idea where you're going.
Once in Nantambu, the party heads to Sharrowsmith's Exports. Towering wooden gates stand open, leading to a vast courtyard surrounded by thick, stone walls. Dozens of colorful awnings cover rows of tables and carts, as hundreds of customers peruse all manner of exotic goods.
Two large, vaguely human statues rise from a central fountain. Their faces look up to the sky and their gaping mouths overflow with water feeding into the basin below. Beyond the fountain stands an immense stone building lined with monolithic pillars, behind which is a facade carved with great beasts native to the Mwangi jungles.
Finding a guard and presenting the coin as Shaine directed, the guard leads the party into the building and asks you wait. Shortly thereafter, a beautiful woman with golden eyes and lips, smooth dark skin that shines with a celestial radiance, and modest, traditional Mwangi attire, comes out of an office with the guard and introduces hersel as Aya Allahe. "“Welcome Pathfinders. It’s good to see that your leaders take your recent acquisition seriously. If you will follow me, I will lead you to your lodge.”
Aya runs her hand along the wall and presses a hidden catch. The wall slowly recedes, revealing a small room lit by a single torch “Please, follow me.” Aya leads the way through the door, past a vaguely human wooden statue, and into a warmly lit lounge.
“Please think of this as your home away from home. You will find it currently empty, as Nieford departed several weeks ago and took most of his agents with him. The venture-captain left only Arvellos Rand behind to watch over the grounds until he returned." He face grows grave as she continues. “Rand had only just arrived in Nantambu with the item whose discovery prompted your visit here. Now, he has now been missing for two days."
Shaking her head, she says. “Your precious book is locked in the lodge’s hidden vault, but I fear it may not be safe even there. Rumors ride the winds that strange mechanical creatures have been seen in the corners of the city and dark shadows stalk the night. I fear that the book’s rightful owners are here in my city and it’s only a matter of time before they find this location— putting my investment and my safety at risk."
“From what I have heard of the Technic League, they will stop at nothing to destroy the book and lay waste to any who would stand in their way. It is important that you find Arvellos Rand and make sure no one can connect a copy of A Thread of Silver to our facility. Should the League learn of its location, I fear the defenses of this lodge would not survive their magical and technological onslaught.”
|
|
"So we have the book but Rand is missing? And you think what? That the Technic League has found him and will probably torture the location of the book out of him? Oh! Well that sounds dastardly! We should find Rand at once! It's not exactly the damsel-in-distress missions I prefer, but it will do just fine I think! Plenty of glory to be won!"
Fizz will take this time to summon up his axebeak (tentatively called Beaky until I think of a better name) and store him in the lodge's stables (or a spare room in which they don't mind axebeak droppings).
|
|
Corb exhales hour-old air and speaks excitedly (though at his normal volume,) Corb then resumes Stealth Mode.
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
|
Quinn cocks an eyebrow at Corb. "I'm not sure your logic holds much water, my confused friend."
Returning to the task at hand, "I agree with the short bearded one. Taking the book to Absalom, or any other lodge for that matter, would simply move the siege elsewhere. No, we must stop their tracking here and now. Or at least delay it so they lose track of us and our prize.
"Then again, even if we take it, there are those who may speak as to here as its location, and this lodge would be under attack anyway. We should get Rand first, before he sings like a chorus to the gods.
"Where should we start our search for him, m'lady?"
|
|
Well as you seemed more interested at finding our comrade I, Trade Prince Qalim Al Shama will help you do that.
I have basic knowledge of how tracking people and my eyes are quite good at finding things in the dark.
After a short pose he added turning to Aya
Lady Aya, I suppose our friend had a room here or in town, right ? If he let clues of we're he went for the last time it will be here I suppose.
Could you show us his room ?
Aya smiles at Cairo. "I suggest you find Arvellos. Make sure he is safe and ensure he has not exposed the Society’s purchase to the Technic League. Beyond that, you should investigate the rumors of the League’s presence here in Nantambu. There are some in the city who report seeing strange happenings, unusual even by Nantambu’s standards. If the Technic League is indeed in Nantambu, we need to make sure they don’t learn of the Pathfinder Society’s presence or involvement in the book’s acquisition. Maybe you could plant rumors across the city of someone else’s involvement. Perhaps your Aspis Consortium friends in Bloodcove? Whatever it takes to lead the Technic League away from the city."
Turning to Qalim when he mentions leaving, she shakes her head. "If something has befallen Rand, or the Technic League is indeed in Nantambu, taking your precious book back to Absalom will not save it. I hear the Technic is dogged and merciless about retrieving items they consider theirs."
"Rand kept quarter here at the Sharrowsmith's You would probably be better off making subtle inquiries."
Aya gives the party a description of Arvellos Rand, a man of Taldan descent, brown hair, browns eye, average build.
"Do you have any other questions?"
"I'm glad you agree on the course of action. If you fail to find Rand, I suggest fortifying the lodge’s defenses. I know several powerful merchants in Nantambu who would support our cause. The lodge contains two guardians that currently lack key components to properly function. That wooden statue we passed on the way in is actually a wood golem. All it takes is the essence of a baobab sapling’s root and a small ritual to reactivate it. In Nieford’s office hangs a suit of Zenj ceremonial armor that, when fitted with a special black diamond from the Brazen Peaks, animates and will defend this lodge to the best of its abilities. I know of at least three merchants in town who are likely to have such a gem.”
|
|
"The more we focus our efforts, the quicker both tasks get done."
Quinn spends some time trying to subtly gather some information on their quarry.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The party heads out and mills around the village, quietly inquiring about Rand. After about fours hours of exploring the village, the party learns a couple rumors. First, you hear of a heavily tattooed Kellid man—a sort of person rarely seen in these parts—dressed in clothes that seemed to be made of solid oil and glass has been seen around the village, making similar inquiries.
More importantly, you learn that a man matching Rand's description was seen being ushered into an abandoned warehouse. The warehouse sits on the far southwestern outskirts of town along a secluded canal.