The blonde, now in a haze of pain, begins chanting arcane phrases and you see a srray of light come from her hand. After she releases the spell, she collapes with blood coming out of her ears and nose. The spell appears to not affect anyone.
Gwion's arrow atrikes the blonde and Gabriel narrowly misses impaling her as well, he spear just catching her in the side. The blonde lashes out at Horvon again, slicing him badly across the belly. Horvon returns the swing with his own, stiking her mightily and the blond go down in a heap.
Fresh from your ably accomplished job for Valsin, some of you receive an invitation to a party being held that evening at the Lantern Lodge, the
beautiful and exotic estate of the Tian venture-captain, Amara Li, in Absalom’s Petal District. Tonight, the invitation informs you, is the Snapdragon Festival, a traditional Gokan holiday featuring fireworks and rich plum wine. You are encouraged to dress to impress, and instructed to seek out the hostess and head of the Lantern Lodge, Amara Li, upon your arrival.
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Hamaili arrives a little late, but not as last. As always she is clad in black and yellow. Her dress is not the best, but suitingly revealing.
On time, just as i intended. I will first mix up with the crowd a bit to overhear some conversation so i know what´s going on and then attend to the hostess.
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A party? Hmm, guess it couldn't hurt to mingle about and take a listen to the conversations of the day.
Faldoc arrives just behind a striking elf woman donned in black and yellow. He glides easily among the crowd, taking in the surroundings while always scanning for possible exits in case trouble occurs. Amara Li, huh? I suppose it would be rude of me not to seek out the hostess after the invitation expressly invites me to do so.
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Kuraishimo arrives, his equipment appears well maintained yet unornamented, save for a pair of tarnished silver bracers emblazoned with the ankh of the Silver Crusade.
Having grown up in Tian Xia Kuraishimo seems at home at the festival and will gladly explain the cultural significance of various fireworks displays to other pathfinders who are curious. Kuraishimo will not however indulge himself of the plum wine and will fairly quickly seek out Amara Li.
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"...so I said, 'Not soap, söáp'..." The gnome, who wears a loud checked outfit, and who seems to have been here for some time, excuses himself from his feminine companions who had been hanging on to his every word (and every arm) once he notices his fellow Pathfinders asking around for their charming hostess. Some of them he has a passing acquaintance with from the Lodge, others he assumes are Pathfinders because they are the scruffiest and most heavily armed people at the party.
After spending time mingling at the party, you are all are found and invited back into Amara Li’s private study, where you find her seated on a reed mat before a low table set with an exquisite porcelain tea set. She motions for you Pathfinders to sit with her around the table, and once the door is closed behind the party and you have taken your seats, begins talking in a low, hushed voice without even the hint of a Tian accent "Well met, Pathfinders, and welcome to the Lantern Lodge. I hope you find the Snapdragon Festival and my hospitality worthy of your time and energy. I have not brought you here for mere pleasantries, however, and wish to ask you to partake a dangerous mission on my behalf." She begins to slowly arrange the tea service and pour out six cups of tea, offering one to each of you. “Long ago, one of my most esteemed ancestors, who was rich in power but poor in sense, gave a gift to a foreign prince, a gift that prince did not deserve and my foolish ancestor had no right to give—a ceremonial jade katana. At the time the gift was sent, its recipient was invading this island. He laid siege to Absalom from his fortress in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts. Like those who came before him, the warlord failed to take Absalom and perished in the attempt." Some of you notice that her hand holding a teacup begins to tremble almost imperceptibly, but she quickly regains her stoic composure. "On the very day of his defeat, his castle crumbled to dust in a violent earthquake and has been lost to the centuries ever since. My family’s heirloom was lost with it. “A recent report by a group of Pathfinders gives me hope that they have finally found the ruin, and I might finally recover my family’s treasure. I’m looking for an intrepid group to retrieve it for me, and I’m hoping that is you. The fame and wealth you will doubtlessly recover will bring you much honor within the Society, and if you deliver the katana to me, you will have my favor as you begin your careers as full agents of the Pathfinder Society.”
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"And if we keep the katana, you'll hunt us down like the dogs we are..." Aniland mutters. In a somewhat louder voice he asks "What nation was the foreign prince from?"
As he goes to pick up his teacup again, he finds it has moved out of his reach, apparently of its own accord. A few words and a gesture later, the cup floats into his hand and he continues sipping his tea as if nothing had happened.
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And there i already thought...well i should have known, we are in human lands after all.
These humans really have no sense for pleasure and are far too frigid. I wonder how they manage to reproduce so quickly.
Disturbed, she looks at the gnome, raising an eyebrow.
Would you tell us more of whatthe other pathfinder group reported? Are they alive? Where is this ruin?
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Faldoc sips his tea, listening to the others ask questions. I do not know these people, nor do I know why I have been elected to participate in this scheme. However, I have been looking for adventure and this certainly seems to fit the bill.
Faldoc looks curiously at the gnome. I know that gnomes can be quite odd... I wonder how this one measures up.
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Ygdnur takes the tea, but sets it back down next to him in favor of his wine, while he listens intently to the story. "Treasure, eh? Lost blades, glory, wealth... aye, count me in!" With that he downs his glass of wine and calls for another one. Looking around the room, you see a big grin growing on his face. "And I'm guess ye're all coming? Well, I know some of ye, so I know that this is going to be one hell of a trip!"
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"If you'll have me I'd be happy to come along on this little quest, Master Dwarf. My name is Faldoc Tisbane, son of Willock. A pleasure to meet you all." Faldoc bows slightly while making quick eye contact with everyone in the room, finishing on our hostess. "Are we alone in regards to this quest or are there to be competing parties that may be less noble with their intentions?"
Kuraishimo respectfully remains silent as Amara Li speaks. Once she is done he bows gently before replying.
"Tell us more about the Katana, what runes, if any, feature prominently on it?"
Amara Li nods, Though I have never seen it, family accounts describe it as being made of jade chased in silver with Tien characters stamped on the blade. After answering the questions, Li stands and bows to the party, indicating you are done here.
The group returns to the party and mingles with the crowd, enjoying the hospitality of the host. While mingling with the guests, a man whom some of you recognize as Major Colson Maldris, approaches the your party, decked out in the military fineries of an Eagle Knight’s ceremonial uniform—a bright blue overcoat with polished gold buttons, gold eagle epaulets, and a fine, black felt tricorn hat. The handsome man is a charmer who clearly thinks very highly of himself. He speaks loudly and confidently, as if he wants the entire party to “overhear” his conversation with your group.
Greetings, Pathfinders! I hear you’re headed out into the Cairnlands on official Society business. Best of luck outside the city walls, though you look like sturdy enough adventurers. Perhaps not Eagle Knight material, but qualified for the work of a Pathfinder. He says as he picks a stray piece of lint from his uniform. “A word of warning, though, friends—beware the walking dead. The crumbling ruins surrounding the city are rife with them, and you’re likely to run into more than your fair share over the course of your career. Undeath and the undead are more than just a physical peril, however. Undeath is the worst kind of slavery. And it should be eradicated like all servitude, whether to aristocracy or to mental control. Being enslaved to the flesh beyond when Pharasma calls one’s soul to the Boneyard is a fate I wouldn’t wish upon my greatest enemy. He looks at you all with a big cherry smile. So while you plumb the depths of Asad’s Keep, remember your solemn duty to your fellow man—both living and dead. Any undead you encounter along the way should be freed of their earthly shell. “If you prove your dedication to freedom, the resources of Andoran will be at your disposal in your future endeavors.
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Amara Li nods, Though I have never seen it, family accounts describe it as being made of jade chased in silver with Tien characters stamped on the blade. After answering the questions, Li stands and bows to the party, indicating you are done here.Kuraishimo respectfully remains silent as Amara Li speaks. Once she is done he bows gently before replying.
"Tell us more about the Katana, what runes, if any, feature prominently on it?"
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"Sure seems like these folks are anxious for us to be on our way toward doom and gloom. Unless anybody needs provisions of some sort, perhaps we should relieve their anxiety?" Faldoc looks among the group after speaking, trying to determine who the leader of our happy band of sword-retrievers might be.
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"Sure seems like these folks are anxious for us to be on our way toward doom and gloom. Unless anybody needs provisions of some sort, perhaps we should relieve their anxiety?" Faldoc looks among the group after speaking, trying to determine who the leader of our happy band of sword-retrievers might be.
"You want us to leave a party before it ends to hunt through an undead infested ruin in the middle of the night?" says the gnome, his tone clearly indicating that he, at least, plans to do no such thing.
"I am that helpful gnome Anis Aniland," he says, sweeping his hat off his head. He begins what looks to be an extravagant bow, then suddenly wobbles a bit, recovers his balance, and finishes it in more restrained fashion. He then replaces his hat on his head, and bends down to fix the sandal strap he had nearly tripped on.
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My name is Hamailii D´Arquetai, here on behalf of the elven court and the savored sting. I will aid you in this mission. My knowledge might be of service, but i fear i don´t bring any special abilities to fight the undead with me. I´m eager though, i never saw one before.
However, i would like to enjoy this party more. It´s my first occasion in human lands so far south. Surely it suffices when we go about duty tomorrow or maybe the day after.
Giggling she goes to fetch another drink with elven grace, but not without giving some persons catching her eye deep looks
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My name is Hamailii D´Arquetai, here on behalf of the elven court and the savored sting. I will aid you in this mission. My knowledge might be of service, but i fear i don´t bring any special abilities to fight the undead with me. I´m eager though, i never saw one before.
However, i would like to enjoy this party more. It´s my first occasion in human lands so far south. Surely it suffices when we go about duty tomorrow or maybe the day after.
"Well met, Miss D´Arquetai." "Miss" has a hint of a question in it - 'Is that the right form of address?'
Giggling she goes to fetch another drink with elven grace, but not without giving some persons catching her eye deep looks
Does "some persons" include the gnome? Are these the "I want to [REDACTED] your [REDACTED]" looks that Aniland expects to receive from beautiful women, or something more dangerous?
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"Ah, well I had evidently mistakenly assumed that it went without saying that we would leave after the festivities have concluded, my good Gnome. Forgive me if I gave the impression that I was one to play the role of "party pooper", I believe its called."
Faldoc watches Hamailii as she disappears to fetch her drink. I definitely do not want to start off on the wrong foot with my new-found friends... especially certain friends.
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Coming back from an entirely different directon as she went to, Hamailii interjects:
This group won´t need a leader. We can discuss solutions to challenges at hand and if we need to hurry the sting of Calistria will show us the right way. Live to sting back another day we say.
With a dreamy smile she fishes some fruits out of her drink.
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Seemingly satisfied with the answers he heard Faldoc will simply try to enjoy the party for a while. As the event starts to die down he will leave and get some rest, preparing himself for when the adventuring group will leave on their quest in the morning... or afternoon, dependant on how well these folks handle their liquor.
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Ygdnur is downing glasses of plum wine left and right as the group formally introduces itself. "Well, my name is Ygdnur Copperhand, and when it comes to following, size ain't got no bearing on it lad. I hate to say it, but I agree with the elf. We can manage to figure this out together, no hot headed leader taking all the glory." It doesn't seem like the amount that he is drinking is phasing him much.
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"Here here my stout friend. Enough talk of who is in charge or whether or not the former owner of the katana spoke with a funny accent or kept many cats. There is adventure to be had and treasure to be found...let's be off already!" Gwion finishes his soliloquy with a leap and a flourish for reasons only he can know.
As the party winds down, the group is approached by another man. A well-dressed Keleshite man approaches you and asks for a quick word. The man some of you might recognize as Trade Prince Aaqir al’Hakam is softspoken and subtle, quite the contrast to Major Maldris’s ostentatious pomposity. He draws the group to the side, away from any crowds or activity, and addresses you in a slow, level voice with a strong Kelish accent. “Like a fast-spoken djinn, I’ll get to the quick. I know where you are going. House Damaq of Qadira claim the ruin, but we are willing to allow you access for the price of a small deed easily accomplished during your adventure. You will be well compensated, I assure you, for profits are most rewarding when shared. I assume treasure-seekers like yourselves are interested in such a proposition?” Without waiting for an answer, he continues, his eyes intent and his posture rigid. “The ruin is Qadiran, which is why we claim it, and we are willing to defend it, but there are really only certain things left in Asad’s Keep we are interested in: trade agreements, of which we believe there to be many within the ruins. All we ask that you do is to turn over all trade agreements you find to us as soon as you return to Absalom, as we will be able to hold the signers to them even centuries after their signing. The satrap of Qadira—nay, the entire Padishah Empire of Kelesh—has much to offer the Pathfinder Society, and I personally have no qualms about sharing those resources with you,
specifically. Shall we shake on this agreement?”
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The gnome's hand begins, tentatively, to extend toward the Trade Prince's. He glances at the more muscular members of the group, trying to decide if anyone better suited to carrying reams of paperwork is also willing to take al’Hakam up on his offer.
"I am afraid I do not read Kelish - if none of my compatriots can, how will we be able to distinguish the trade agreements you seek from any other papers lying around?"
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Ygdnur eyes this man warily, "Well, what's another task. I do agree with Anis here, I don't speak that language and wouldn't be able to tell a trade agreement from a recipe. But if we can find them, since our lady from before didn't ask us for them, I can't see why we wouldn't bring them to you. Especially for the right price."
The Trade Prince nods with gratitude and bids you good evening.