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As Torsk regain consciousness, he looks around to make sure he isn't dead and in limbo. Once sure he is indeed alive, Ugh, my head hurts. Damn that was one nasty woman, who was she anyways? Thank you Polo, you may very well had saved my life back there, as he extends a hand towards Polo and goes to pet his furry friend on the bead.
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Cesare lays upon the cold stone floor, unmoving.
Polo grabs Torsk's forearm with a hearty shake.
"I simply finished what you started, my friend! I just wish I had that orc blood of yours to keep me fighting an extra swing or two!"
He turns to Aaqir, his demeanor switching from jovial to steely.
"Here's what we've learned about our present company: Pellius has a standing contract with the Five Kings Mountains, but he's very interested in expanding his network to include both you, Mr. Trade Prince, and also Temel Passad. At least-that's what we can tell from the note he passed us after the funeral.
Jakti is also the only person who saw it fit to be prepared for a fight, what with bringing his escort of bodyguards. He also had a hunch that there would be an assassin...
Lore and behold we walk in on Temel getting attacked by such an assassin, who we discovered to have currency baring the mark of the Five Kings.
Metella also finds her own seemingly overly incriminating bag of coins bearing the mark of Kalistrade on them.
So: Who would benefit from Temel and Metella being either in dispute or dead?
Come to think of it; What has happened to Doritannia? We haven't seen hide nor hair of her since the funeral. The only thing we've learned about her is that she has some connection to Temel.
Oye...talking about all this makes my head spin 'round. Could someone draw us up a chart or something?"
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"Then there's the declaration from the undead Trade Princess Zarmina: "You have failed me! Betrayer!" This while pointing towards Jakti, Metella, Temel, and Aaqir. Could it mean anything or is it just a puppet being controlled by the false Umut?
Perhaps we should ask who should have noticed the false Umut was setting us up. Jakti should know enough about religion, and if I recall correctly: he kept a wide birth away from the false Umut while she was preparing for the funeral.
Petrus...did I overhear Jakti telling you that he was a servant of the Dawnflower back when you were first talking to him? Do you know why he asked you to open up all the windows, right before the rest of us get struck by a gut-wrenching heat?
There's also the fact that Jakti was the one suggesting toasts from everyone...and he gave the final blessing right before Zarmina rose.
Although I don't know the man's intent, he is most certainly pulling many strings around here. I'd put a hefty wager on the fact that he knew what the false Umut was up to all along.
Is it possible...Did Jakti somehow arrange for the false Umut to cause all this commotion, during which he also arranged for assassins to off Temel and Metella? The horde of zombies act as a distraction while the assassins slip in and out, and then the zombies also get blamed as the cause of their deaths?"
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"That's... quite a complicated web you weave Polo. I can't say with any certainty that Jakti did set up the entirety of the day's calamities, but at the same time, I must admit that I did get a very odd feeling from the man, and his actions do indeed seem to have been cast in a highly suspicious light by recent events.
I have a difficult time believing that a priest of Urgathoa just happened to infiltrate this gathering on her own accord on the day when these assassinations were also to take place, but it seems equally unlikely that the followers of Sarenrae, even the more militant cultists, would stoop to consorting with the undead.
A single hand behind it all though... One who was setting both of these plots in motion simultaneously does seem possible though.
What say you Prince Aaqir? Should we have a word with al'Awar?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Doritannia has been fluttering around Temel all day, with the sole exception of when Aaqir asked everyone to go to their respective apartments following the battle with Zarmina.
"Well, you are an exceedingly suspicious lot. I sincerely doubt that Jakti would do such a thing, and I am certainly willing to believe that such a skilled practitioner of Urgathoa's arts would be able to pursue several methods of pleasing her wretched goddess. In any case, it does not seem that there is any more danger and we can finally get my beloved mentor interred and everything squared away. Your help and bravery today will be well noted, be assured. Though, do please try your best not to further damage the delicate situation with our important guests... life--and trade--does go on, after all."
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Polo exhausts himself with his dizzying summary and accusation. He passes out.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Petrus nods in acceptance of the Prince's words.
"Very well, if you trust that al'Awar is not the cause of the disturbances here, we'll proceed as such, although I am still puzzled by the attacks from the Cult of the Dawnflower's assassins. What connection could they have to the Urgathoan priest?"
Petrus has no earthly idea.
"At any rate, now that the immediate threat is taken care of, it would seem to be a good time to mention that before all hell broke loose, Pellius contacted us to request that we approach you about setting up a meeting to discuss the possible terms of a potential trade agreement."
"It seems he would very much appreciate an opportunity to expand his business ventures, and feels that a significant investment on your part in this venture would be a most profitable undertaking for both of you. Given the tumultuous nature of the day so far, it would certainly be a bit of welcome news to all involved if such an agreement could be reached. Some good ought to come of all this."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Meredith sits silently as Polo notes his suspicions about Jakti. There are still too many dots to be connected before she accuses someone, however. That's what got her in trouble before she became a Pathfinder.
"At the very least you should talk to Pellius about the trade agreement. The attacker's plan failed and I doubt they had a backup to their backup plan."
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Dieb had stood long in ulfish thought, long time the manxome foe he sought, until at least he spoke up, replying at least to Polo's dizzying but plausible line of accusation.
"If I may, good Polo, Jakti seems an unlikely target of our suspicion. Jakti's eyes widened in alarm and he rushed to the temple's doorway, seeming as surprised as us. Why would he seek us out and tell us that there was a danger? True, he might be using a double-blind to allay suspicion, but 'twould seem that illogical that he would appraise us of danger and ensure our readiness, rather than stay silent and count on the element of surprise.
Still, let us keep our meeting with Pellius and see if aught else makes itself clear. Baring any further attempt at assassination or undead traps involving jabberwocks, we should shed be able to glean more clues."
Anyone else want to help out Petrus and Meredith with the convincing?
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"I'll admit I've never been very good at intrigue...still, I don't think we should ignore the fact that Jakti and the assassin's are both follows of the Dawnflower.
Aaqir-I seriously bent over backwards to try and get Pellius to chat with you. It is not something I'm fond of doing...please make time to at least discuss the matter with him."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Working together, the Pathfinders easily convince Trade Prince Aaqir to invest in Pellius's export business.
Aaqir and the family, as well as the other guests, are extremely thankful for your valiance and bravery today. After Zarmina's funeral is finally concluded, Aaqir writes a glowing letter to Venture Captain Ismayl ibn Qaradi and some hours later debriefs the group on progress with the merchants--excellent agreements have been drafted with Temel, Doritannia, and Pellius, while relations with Jakti and Metella are less cordial than hoped but haven't soured. Metalla and Temel continue to warily eye each other before departing, but there is also the glimmer of respect at having survived a mutual attack.
Congratulations, Pathfinders! You lived to tell the tale!