Magus looks at the stone a little longer, then shrugs handing it back. "Very well, all looks in order. You can go. Enjoy your stay in beautiful Eto"! He says cheerfully.
Passing into Eto, the party makes their way to the House of the White Uraeus. The House of the White Uraeus is a two-story, whitewashed stone structure located in one of Eto’s more upscale districts. A large brass plaque above its door depicts a snake with two “necks” that split from its body, each with its own head. The servants that manage the inn wear immaculately clean clothing and maintain a quiet but cheerful facility.
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.
Elven Mindchemist Alchemist 5 / Arcanist 1 | HP 54/54 | AC 16 | T 12 | F 14 | CMD 14 | F +6 | R +7 | W +3 | Init +6 | Perc +8 | Sense Motive +1
"Grandmaster Torch." Arovandeon greets the infamous man with detatched professionalism. In his many years of study he learned that Knowledge is not only kept by the good and righteous, but rather all sorts of individuals across a broad spectrum of morality. He didn't know where Torch stood on the spectrum, but chose not to consider it important to the task at hand.
"We come on behalf of Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage." He continues, skipping pleasantries and getting down to business. "It was his hope that you might assist us in an investigation, and he said to remind you of the favor still owed to him for past assistance in your grand endeavor. Will you aid us?"
Fastenhyme is thoroughly impressed with Arovandeon. He had forgotten whether this was the first or the second time that conversations preceded combat. The two orcs and Torch's reviled reputation does make him nervous however. At the moment, Fastenhyme remains mortician like - stiff and stoic.
Torch nods amenably as he listens to your request. “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 the party to review it.
Paper:
The academic Ionacu Lozar from the Sinomakti School of Sciences is preparing for an expedition to a site in the Pillars of the Sun. I have a scarab-marked prayer book dedicated to the god Khepri that needs to be placed among his personal effects without him suspecting anything is amiss.
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.
Male Elf Slayer 4 | AC 20 T 14 FF 16 | HP 48/48 | F +5 R +8 W +4 | Init +9 | Perc +11 | Surge 9/9 | Reroll : Not Used
Loenor grabs the paper and peruses it with his trained eye. While it is of no consequence of this being a fake, he still wants to look for tricks, traps, and treachery.
"Four tasks in exchange for one piece of information? I think you can do better than that? Offer us more? Such as who's out to kill a certain Karela?"
Tengu Sniper (slayer) 10 | HP 94/94 | AC 26 T 18 FF 21 CMD 32 | F+11 R+14 W+8 | Init +7 | Perc+23 SM+19 | Haste 10/10
"I agree that your price is too steep. One of the four tasks should be considered optional and won't be held against us if we fail. But we will try to accomplish them all." assist Arovandeon's diplomacy:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16
Torch shakes his head and smiles. "I am afraid that is the price. I not will negotiate beyond those terms."
Turning to Loenor, he motions the elf over and speaks in hushed tones.
Loenor:
"I am not keen on selling out potential allies, but Guaril has been a good customer in the past. I might consider it." [/ooc]Need a Diplomacy roll. Unfortunately, only a Sczarni can roll it.[/ooc]
Male Elf Slayer 4 | AC 20 T 14 FF 16 | HP 48/48 | F +5 R +8 W +4 | Init +9 | Perc +11 | Surge 9/9 | Reroll : Not Used
GM:
"You would rather keep quite and lose a client you already have just because you might get a new one?" Diplomacy:1d20 ⇒ 5
Knowing this johnny wasn't going to change his mind, Loenor returns to the group shaking his head.
Or just not take this for credit and apply your GM credit to Loenor?
Hundredfingers then?
The party takes leave from Torch and heads out into the city.
Knowledge local checks from earlier.:
Madame Zelekhati recently began hiring more workers at the Dancing Dunes, though she sends away most who don’t have at least some elven blood. Also, most merchants recommend avoiding Beggar’s Alley, which is home to a gang of pickpockets known as the Hundredfingers.
The Osirionologist Ionacu Lozar is in a terrible rush to get his expedition underway, but he is exceedingly stingy and has no patience for haggling. As a result, the few merchants who are willing to do business with him are taking their time delivering supplies to his caravan’s marshaling area.
Something has the Hundredfingers gang spooked. The normally ubiquitous thieves have been avoiding the bazaar for a few days.
Mistress Zelekhati of the Dancing Dunes is a collector of magical dusts and always accepts them as payment for her house’s services or her artwork. Some say that’s the secret of her magnificent tranquility garden. It may even have given the sand life as one customer claims he saw the patterns shift of their own accord.
An upcoming holy day of Sarenrae has people remembering how a cleric of the goddess tried to purge the land of evil over a hundred years ago; however, the ruins of the old city beyond the cliff walls still hide shrines to the old faiths, especially the serpent cult of Apep. The serpent god’s slithering children are blessed with the ability to go unnoticed by eyes accustomed to the Dawnflower’s light.
HD 9 | HP 63 | AC 26 (30 w/ mutagen) T 17 FF 20 | F+10 R+13 W+7 | Init +10 | CMD 26 | Perc+17 | Grit 3/3
The problem with having twin tengu brothers is occasionally I will post with the the wrong avatar.
Izoki takes point and stays alert for danger during their travels. I hope we do not come across stampeding camels. My bruises have just healed from my last journey.
"What a vile man", Fastenhyme comments on Torch, "Perhaps there's something I can do to stir things up".
Unless party opposes, as soon as we reach the bazaar, Fastenhyme will cast Disguise Self into Torch. Idea is to stand in the open and see who approaches.
Elven Mindchemist Alchemist 5 / Arcanist 1 | HP 54/54 | AC 16 | T 12 | F 14 | CMD 14 | F +6 | R +7 | W +3 | Init +6 | Perc +8 | Sense Motive +1
"I'm not sure how that might help. I don't think Torch is the sort of man to wander bazaars without those orc guards, and maybe a palanquin. Still, what were you hoping to stir up?"
"-Whatever that the Hundredfinders might be avoiding at the bazaar - they might be willing to step out if they saw a powerful familiar face. -Though we can leave that for last resort.
Heading to the bazaar, the party wonders down a back alley, where the Hundredfingers has been know to keep "office". Two rows of decrepit wooden shacks are separated by an alley that serves more as a filthy runnel than a pathway. Broken wooden doors do little to keep the elements or vermin out, but there is little within to steal. Few of the shacks boast more than a chair or two and several threadbare bedrolls.
A Thuvian woman amble down the street, peddling elixirs and heal-all. "Potions! Elixirs! Salves! Anything for you ailments!" Seeing the party she heads in your direction. "Potions! Elixirs! Salves! What are you interested in today my fine friends!"
Marianne steps forward, "We are looking for a potion that would give us too many fingers in order to help out a man who has been badly burned. I don't think you have quite what we are looking for, but maybe you could point us to someone who does?2
"Burns you say? I may have something for that." She says digging through her pack. "Perhaps you can tell me where he is staying, I could stop in and offer more of my salves after he goes through this one." She says, producing a small tin.
DC 15 Perception:
You notice the woman is wearing an amber talisman. It looks as if a mantis is preserved within it.
If you make the perception, DC 12 religion or local:
You remember that such talismans are a token of the Red Mantis Assassins.
Male Elf Slayer 4 | AC 20 T 14 FF 16 | HP 48/48 | F +5 R +8 W +4 | Init +9 | Perc +11 | Surge 9/9 | Reroll : Not Used
Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Loenor is too busy looking for other bystanders who may interfere with the task at hand. However, at Rapunzel's call to arms, he grabs his trident and readies for a fight should the merchant prove hostile indeed.
Male Elf Slayer 4 | AC 20 T 14 FF 16 | HP 48/48 | F +5 R +8 W +4 | Init +9 | Perc +11 | Surge 9/9 | Reroll : Not Used
Loenor points to the two approaching from the flank before stepping to the far side of the woman in question to prevent her escape and stabbing at her leg with his trident. Alive doesn't mean she has to be able to walk.
Elven Mindchemist Alchemist 5 / Arcanist 1 | HP 54/54 | AC 16 | T 12 | F 14 | CMD 14 | F +6 | R +7 | W +3 | Init +6 | Perc +8 | Sense Motive +1
Making instant calculations, Arovandeon licks a finger, then reaches down to pull free one of the small spheres tied to his belt. He nudges free a small cork from it and taps the interior with his wet finger. Just inside an alchemical mixuture of resin, naphtha, and Alkenstar quicklime reacts like a fuse, quickly burning inwards towards a central core of natrium and pale phosphate. The bomb ready, he throws it at the thug closing in on the south.
That's interesting-, Fastenhyme wonders on Rapunzel's hair - more intriguing than the attacking thugs. Seeing Aro take one to the head, he shoots a Blinding Ray at the attacker.
