I am unsure of what I have to offer? Perhaps a show of arms. I am not one to talk much but I may be able to put on a show.
I could make clay balls and have volunteers from the audience throw them at you. You could slash them out of the air with you swords.
"I can of course perform card tricks, and perhaps use my cards to cut items from afar..."
As the sun begins to set, the first of the invited dinner guests arrives. Clad in an elegant but simple white and green robe with gold and silver trim, an older woman announces herself as Archbanker Kazim, head of the Church of Abadar in Katapesh. Rayhan meets Kazim at the door, leading her to the common room. With an ease of practice, Archbanker Kazim announces the neutrality of Rayhan's villa for the purpose of trade: each person is to be treated equally, with no prejudice for or against the upcoming offers of coin or transactions. Rayhan explains that Kazim's presence means even rival merchant houses can come and proceed without threat of vendetta from previous actions. Sometimes the clerics are known to carry candles of truth with them to such presentations.
A few minutes later a man on a decorated white horse arrives. This is Marzuk Mus’ad, dressed in a brilliant white turban with blue feathers, and white-and-blue robes. After being welcomed by Rayhan, the rich merchant prince begins small talk with Kazim, but his eyes appraise the room, as well as the women adventurers. Marzuk immediately takes a glass of wine from the cook, and begins drinking.
Next to arrive via horse is Badra of the Pyrotechnics, a merchant house well-known for selling low-to-medium magic items to wizards and spellcasters. She greets Rayhan professionally, acknowledges Kazim, ignores Marzuk, and studies the paintings in the common room of the villa.
A woman dressed in purple-and-red robes and gold earrings and rings arrives, announcing herself as Amber Roveshki of the Roveshki merchant house. Rayhan greets her as warmly as the other guests, leading her into his common room. Unsmiling and businesslike, the mature brunette deigns small talk with the others after perfunctory greetings.
As soon as Amber spots the paladin, she casually crosses the room to you. "While I cannot disagree with my sister's choice of expertise, Abbot nar Jundi," she says in a low voice to you, "it would have been better if you had given our house first sight of this treasure. Now the whole city knows of your find, but not that it came from the Battle-Market of Kelmerane. Roveshki deserves the glory for taking the prize from the House of the Beast."
Last coming through Rayhan's outer door with the invitation letter in his hands is a plump bald halfling. Announcing himself as Tamir of the One Source Merchants' Guild before Rayhan can, the halfling greets the cleric of Abadar in the room, waves a ring-fingered hand at Badra, and joins Marzuk and the wine glasses offered in the corner. He is wearing clean and well-tailored clothes that are not as extravagant as the other guests' outfits. Tamir's eyes appraise the room and its occupants, winking at Nasir when they connect.
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That woman looks so familiar, but I can't quite place where I've seen her before... maybe I'll recognize without her clothes on... Yazi thinks to herself as Kazim greets them all.
She happily waves and smiles at Mr. Moose and Badra but drops the pleasantries once Amber reveals her last name. Though she had not met Almah's sister the fact that they were related was still a bitter thought to her, one that only grew once she saw her approach Hajar.
Once Tamir enters the scene however, her dilated eyes are focused on him, a slow rising growl escaping her closed lips when she sees him make a pass at Nasir.
Hajar bows to the Mistress Roveshki This Scroll is dangerous, I would not wish House Roveshki the burden of caring for it.
"Now, now, Mistress Yazi, you're not normally one to have a problem with sharing your lovers. I'm surprised at your avarice toward this halfling fellow." After scolding Yazi, Bartan mingles a bit, stopping to introduce himself to Miss Roveshki, offering to tell her fortune if she'd be interested.
Khayal stands in the corner next to Shirin. While Khayal seems a little ill at ease, Shirin seems a little more relaxed. They talk for a few minutes in the corner, Khayal clearly not in his element here and Shirin trying to convince him to interact with the guests.
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Having the social grace not to openly glare, Nasir makes only the slightest shift of body language, yet in that moment the hate is clear to the halfling. Moving over to where Yazi stands, partially becaus she genuinely felt safe when engulfed in the danger that was Yazi, and partially because she could feel the violence radiating off of her from across the room, she soothingly caresses the other woman's back, leaning in to speak softly. "He will get what he deserves soon enough, but not here."
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Yazi rolls hers shoulders a few times before letting out a sigh at Nasir's soothing. "You're right, I wouldn't want to trouble our host with broken walls and bloodstains."
Actively trying to pull her gaze off the repulsive man she quickly kisses the other woman on the cheek. "I'll keep an eye on him Rose, but if he or anyone oversteps even a little just let me know, okay?"
Hajar bows to the Mistress Roveshki This Scroll is dangerous, I would not wish House Roveshki the burden of caring for it.
Amber replies in a lowered voice "We need all the reputation we can get, in order to return to prominence to the Pactmasters." She turns away, looking at the paintings in Rayhan's common room.
With the last invited guest present, Rayhan leads everyone to the dining room upstairs. After everyone is seated, Rayhan taps a spoon against his wineglass, raising it in a toast. "Welcome, honored guests!" the older man announces. "Kakishon has long been a place of myth and legend. Some scholars had turned away from the notion of this place after convincing themselves that the place was pure legend and did not truly exist. I distinctly recall the suspicion I felt just a few days ago when these fine folk arrived with what they believed was the Scroll of Kakishon itself. After seeing so many charlatans and forgeries in my life, it was hard to believe at first — but I believe what these folk have brought me may indeed be the real thing. I complete my research and appraisal in a few days, at which point we can talk prices. For now, though, let this toast be for the heroes who have brought to Katapesh a piece of history!”
Rayhan then introduces each of the Heroes of Kelmerane, with Nasir last, as "a Katapesh local who came to their aid, I am told."
After the toast Eramin brings out plates of aromatic sliced meats, vegetables and fruits from the garden, salads, bread, and fine wine until the dining table is covered completely. Additional chairs have been brought in to make sure everyone has a seat. Once the food is served, the table erupts into conversation. Marzuk takes a full glass of wine, saying he cannot fathom the notion that they would wish to keep the Scroll of Kakishon, given that there are so many others who have been waiting lifetimes for a chance to learn its secrets. Badra wishes to know if the Hoon painting of Kakishon in Rayhan's common room is similar to the Scroll of Kakishon itself, and if it helped Rahyan in his research. Kazim is quiet and observant, but when she does make a comment, usually to praise the cooking or the arrangement of the table and room, the other invites listen attentively and agree with her in an almost exaggerated manner. Amber says little, other than she wishes to hear the story of how the Scroll was found, and any other treasures found with it. She appears bored by the required hospitality before the showing. Tamir's eyes rove everywhere, from the seating of the guests to the Protectors, and seems intent on wisecracking jokes in response to others' questions and comments.
Rayhan rebuffs any detailed questions, but indicates that the Heroes of Kelmerane have informed him that there is both the tale behind the finding of the Scroll after dinner, as well as some unknown entertainment.
With the adventurers strangely quiet, Rayhan as host wraps up the dinner and has everyone walk upstairs to his library, where the Scroll of Kakishon is on display on the central table. The older researcher has removed his testing devices, illuminating the thick scroll by candlelight.
"Here it is." Rayhan declares. "Wizard-king Nex's private playground. Kakishon. Once I determine the command words, the artifact will be accessible by all!" "Hmph. Without the command words, a flying carpet is just a rug." Tamir snidely remarks. Kazim is the only one to leave the group at the top of the stairs and venture close enough to the Scroll on the table to touch it. Barda and Amber look to follow the Archbanker, but both hold back with a visible strength of will, propriety overcoming avarice. "It will look good hanging from someone's great hall or vault room." Marzuk confirms, his words slurring slightly from the eighth glass of wine he holds.
Kazim turns back to the assembled group. "You have to wonder," she asks, "what was Nex thinking, to make a world all his own? Isn't the current world enough?"
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Rayhan turned to lead everyone back down the spiral staircase. "And now, lords and ladies, and guests," he says, once everyone is back in the common room, "our entertainment for the evening!" Rayhan looked expectantly at the adventurers.
I will tell you a tale, of honor and great heroism, a tale that pits the Heroes of Kelmerane on a holy quest to rid Katapesh of the Carrion King. The King was a beast and a foul worshipper of the Rough Beast, dark god of destruction! Hajar begins the tale.
It all began with a Caravan. A Roveshki Caravan... Hajar nods to Amber ...We entered Kelmerane and found it inhabited by foul Gnolls...
...With the Battle Market taken... Hajar continues the tale
The Seal held back a Daemon of the worst sort.. and Hajar describes the fight with the Daemon underneath the crypt of the Church.
Hajar speaks of Yazi's bravery, Khayal's wisdom, Bartan's luck and the other adventurers that had helped along the way.
It was then that we resolved to end the Carrion King and venture to his home. The House of the Beast.... Hajar continues the tale by describing their long journey to the House of the Beast and their travails in arriving.
It was a hideous display of Foul Rovagugite architecture... Hajar says of the House
The gnolls who inhabited the place were most cunning and ruthless, resorting to foul poisons... Hajar tells of his own brush with death and that of Bartan's
And finally, we came upon the Carrion King himself, and his Carrion Guard Hajar tells of how the party slew the King and then found the secret passage to the Scroll.
The Scroll was guarded by devious traps and monstrous beasts... Hajar tells of acquiring the scroll.
And lastly, we ventured here, through no little risk to ourselves and our loved ones. Hajar nods to Shirin, finishing the tale by telling of the journey to Katapesh City.
Now we will have a demonstration of that marital prowess. Shirin takes out some small clay balls she has made and hands them to the guests. Toss these a couple at a time at our demonstrators and see the skills they have honed.
Khayal steps forward, his blades drawn. He rolls into a fighting stance
As a couple of balls are tossed his way his swings his kukris into them bursting them into a dust of broken clay.
When Rayhan says the words "the artifact will be accessible by all", Bartan's eyes snap toward him and narrow. He means to make this available to people? That will not do. We must keep it out of the hands of dangerous people. This artifact is far too dangerous.
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As the weapons display comes to an end she casts a spell from her spot outside of the room, a rolling cloud of air moving in to brush aside the dust and bits of broken clay.
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As Khayal performs, demonstrating the same skills that served to keep the group alive in retrieving and protecting the scroll, Nasir excuses herself, changing into one of her more provocative performer's outfits, an ensemble of luxurious, diaphenous garments that just manage to vaguely conceal, while at the same time display her considerable charms, her body adorned with dazzling jewelry highlighting every line and curve of her ample form.
As the weapons display comes to an end she casts a spell from her spot outside of the room, a rolling cloud of air moving in to brush aside the dust and bits of broken clay. Prestidigitation
With an elegant gesture and a sway of her hips, the Desert Rose calls forth the sounds of talented musicians, skilled instruments surrounding a rhythmic driving beat that seems to match the pulse of the listeners as bobbing flames illuminate the room.
As the entire audience’s attention is captured, she makes her entrance, slow steps perfectly timed to the music, her flowing sensuous walk drawing every eye. As the music picks up she begins to dance, her movements capturing a wild, untamed yet perfectly controlled beauty of motion, her every line and posture a true work of art, her movements utter poetry.
Moving from person to person as she dances around the room, she captures each and every one with her gaze, each viewer feeling for a moment as if they had her full attention, as if she were dancing only for them, a smoky sultry hint of attentions that the mind continues to dwell on long after her gaze has moved on to another. Her hips are nothing short of hypnotic, her dancing intoxicating, her body telling a tantalizing tale leaving all who experience it utterly enthralled.
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Keeping an eye on the guests Yazi decides to pass on the show of skill and Give Khayal his time to shine. Plus, she figured viciously attacking balls coming at her face would make Bartan avoid her for awhile.
And then Nasir makes her sybaritic appearance and the mercenary's brain all but shuts down, though she does have enough tact and experience to avoid letting her mouth hang open stupidly. Wait! No, focus Yazi! Focus!
... what in the Hells am I supposed to be focusing on?
After the performance, Bartan gives Nasir a standing ovation, and turns to the audience. "If you would permit it, the Lady of Luck may have some predictions about the fate of the next owner of this artifact, as well as the fate of any who wish to enter it."
Karzim DC 19 Indifferent
Marzuk DC 23 Unfriendly
Barda DC 18 Indifferent
Amber DC 22 Unfriendly
Tamir DC 27 Hostile
After Hajar's tale, Kazim is delighted, Barda impressed and trying to not show it, with the others merely taking the high-level adventure in stride. Amber appeared to be fact-checking the tale against what she had been told earlier.
Khayal's sword antics get polite clapping from the guests.
Nasir's dance, however, captivates everyone in the room, and even the cook pauses to watch. Everyone starts clapping quickly as the dancer finishes, with Marzuk crowing "Bravo, bravo!" The halfling Tamir all but leers at the human female throughout the entire performance. Barda has a faraway look in her eyes, as if remembering better days. Kazim and even Amber appear to be in better spirits for the first time that evening, less businesslike and more amiable.
"Oh, a reading! I'm always game for those, if they're not done in the middle of the street." Rayhan says. The others demur with a glance to Kazim, who seems more interested in the outcome than the participation. Barda lifts her chin. "I'll take a reading - in my business chance counts as much as preparation." she declares, but in a friendly way.
Bartan sits in an area where all the audience can see him, and pulls out his cards, shuffling them gracefully.
He then sets several cards, face-down, in the shape of a bridge. "This harrowing will give us a feeling of what would transpire if we allowed someone with ill intent to take control of this artifact."
Standard Harrowing (5sp)
=> True Neutral
=> The Survivor (Neutral Good, Constitution)
=> The Juggler (Chaotic Good, Dexterity)
=> The Bear (True Neutral, Strength)
=> The Foreign Trader (True Neutral, Intelligence)
=> The Mute Hag (Neutral Evil, Wisdom)
=> The Twin (True Neutral, Charisma)
=> The Teamster (True Neutral, Constitution)
=> The Paladin (Lawful Good, Strength)
=> The Uprising (Chaotic Neutral, Strength)
He indicates a card toward the top-left. "Here you see the Survivor, one who has survived many trials and become stronger for it."
He then indicates the very middle card. "However, the present shows he Mute Hag, who quietly attempts to undermine the good and just's actions."
He then indicates the very last card. "And here, finally, the Uprising suggests an upheaval in the future, a dangerous time full of battle and destruction."
"As you can see, the Lady of Luck wishes us to keep this artifact out of the hands of those who would use it for evil purposes."
Tamir openly snorts at Bartan's conclusion, while Rayhan strokes his beard. "Obviously the first mission into the demiplane would have to be cautious, for exploration only. We don't know what is there, in Nex's realm." he conjectures. The others look calculating, but say nothing.
The older man stood. "So ends our presentation. If there are no further questions? With our adventurers' permission, I will conclude this showing of the Scroll of Kakishon, and I hope to have further information for your Houses and guilds and churches," Rayhan said, with a nod to the Archbanker Kazim, "soon." Kazim stands in reply, saying as she looked around to everyone "Thank you for a wonderful evening, Scholar Rayhan. I will tell my Church and those inquiring that the artifact all of you presented has a truthful tale behind its' finding, and the possibilities of its' use. But, yes, I do agree that there is a potential for misuse, for harm, and that my Church itself may take a bidding on purchasing and securing the Scroll."
At Kazim's declaration, Tamir the halfling frowns before his face turns poker-blank. His eyes dart from the common room's doorway to the stairs, as if judging distance.
With the other merchant princes, princesses, and representatives murmuring thanks, the party concludes, and each person leaves. After everyone else is gone, Rayhan lets out a sigh of relief, exclaiming "I haven't had one of these, or gone to one, in years! Well, my friends, I am worn out by the day. I shall resume my studies on the Scroll, since speed is of the essence now, but feel free to stay up. I'm sure Eramin will clean up and see to locking the villa."
Rayhan goes to the staircase, going back up to his library.
Khayal notices nothing amiss as the guests begin to leave.
Day 3
Noon to midnight Khayal
6PM to 2 AM NasirDay 4
Midnight to 8 AM Bartan
2 AM to 10 AM Hajar
Khayal will stand his watches on the roof of the building directly over the skylight. It should give him a good vantage point while still keeping the scroll in sight.
On his next shift off Khayal goes out in town to procure 18 bell nets. Bringing them black to the mansion he hangs them on the cliff so they will hinder and make noise if anyone attempts to climb up. He ties the nets together so that if one is disturbed, they all ring. That way one silence spell does not negate their usefulness. It will take a few.
It's a cloudy night as everyone but those on the guard roster prepare for bed. A slight breeze picks up from the sea, and the moon is chasing cotton clouds in the sky.
Just a few minutes before midnight...
You hear a single bell ring off of the NorthWest side of the bell nets on the cliff. Then another, higher up. Then nothing.
The front gate to Khayal's villa just unlocked, the hinges squeaking as the doors hang ajar.
Bartan's would be... sure he'd follow Khayal's lead and watch from the roof.
Khayal hears very little in the night breeze but keeps at the ready anyways. Bow nocked, always looking.
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Day 3
Noon to midnight Khayal
6PM to 2 AM NasirDay 4
Midnight to 8 AM Bartan
2 AM to 10 AM Hajar
The front door of Rayan's villa opens.
The front door to the house, to the common room you are in, opens by itself to the cool breezes outside.