Halim draws a long, forced deep breath with eyes closed as his right hand goes absent-mindedly to the golden holy symbol on his neck as Mahath speaks his vision. When his voice finally comes, his words are slow and punctuated. "I know not this Father Jackal, but it is clear that he is an agent of great evil. Such heresy! Such brutality! I fear no danger as I do the Goddess' will, and I believe she wills the monster burned as dried grass."
If we are to be combating evil together, I should like very much to know you all, my brothers. Quzman, I met you just outside. Tyronel, well met. Also, perhaps one might fill me in on your connection with this Father Jackal and the Templar you spoke of?"
It is currently morning about 9:30 am. Eli is well aware that Dogtown is literally a ghost town at this time of day, as gnolls tend to stay late into the night partying/causing havoc.
To Abd, "I am Mahath Kishion. I am only recently come to the Sand Stalkers company as well. I am a wizard of modest means who trained one of the original Sand Stalkers, Dumah. As he is fallen, I stand here in his stead." As he mentions Dumah, it is clear from his voice that the wound of loss is still quite raw.
"Well met, Master Kishion. May the Goddess heal the wounds of your loss. Those with whom I am familiar call me 'Halim.'"
"I apologize Abd al Halim, I am Eli Wynnstock. Quzman and I first dealt with this criminal when I first arrived in this land over a year ago, well at least his agents. The Bandit, who kidnapped April, the one who was plotting to kill Princess Almah. He was an agent of this Father Jackal and is one the Pactmasters see as a foe. I believe as well that Dumah and Bahyii were trying to help Heleen pay back debts to him."
"Folktales from the lands of Osirion say that the Templars of the Five Winds were a group of five powerful genies from antiquity, and although they disappeared centuries ago, locals in that area still atrribute miracles or odd occurrences to them. It was rumored that the five genies and their mistress fought a great evil hundreds of years ago against an evil genie near Pale Mountain."
"Of these genies, Davashuum represents the fury of the wind from all directions. Kardswann, represents the south wind, the most well-traveled and worldly of the winds. Pazhvann, represents the east wind, upon which the whispers the gods and advice from the elders is carried. Vardishal, represents the north wind, a wind said to carry the battle cries of all armies. Zayfid, represents the west wind, upon which secrets thought hidden were carried."
Eli touches the hilt of his scimitar, "This blade was gifted to me by Vardishal, or at least his spirit, in some way he has been guiding the efforts of the Sand Stalkers against Zayfid who we have run up against as well and may even be behind the work of this Father Jackal. Both are against us and both seek the Scroll of Kakison. A scroll we now have in our possession, the reason that Jameena, Rayhan, and Haleen are in danger."
"The Scroll of Kakishon is said to contain an entire world inside of it, the personal paradise of the wizard king Nex. The scroll is the doorway by which Nex could enter and exit the realm. Kakishon is a paradise, a laboratory, a menagerie, a hunting ground, and even a tomb. The legend of Kakishon falls into increasing obscurity after Nex’s war with Geb began. All signs point to the strong possibility that Nex had grown dissatisfied with Kakishon and had lost interest. When he vanished from the face of Garund in the year 576 AR, he left the Scroll of Kakishon behind. Legends say it was stolen from his castle and that it has passed through many hands. Some have used it as a prison for their enemies, others as a place to impress allies or as a vault for their treasures, at least according to the stories say. The closer to the present day we get, the more obscure the rumors grow since no sign of the Scroll of Kakishon seems to have surfaced over the past several hundred years. It is thought that the last person to own the scroll was a Keleshite wizard named Andrathi. The accounts of his life are vague and fragmentary, but it would appear that he was the lover of a genie named Nefeshti, the leader of a group known as the Templars of the Five Winds. Legend holds that the Templars fought somewhere in the mountains against a cruel efreeti warlord named Jhavhul, and that while the Templars of the Five Winds managed to defeat Jhavhul, the defeat was shadowed in loss. No sign of Andrathi or the Scroll of Kakishon remained after the battle. Except we now have the scroll and Zayfid has hurt our friends and is doing everything in his power to get it, and it seems Vardishal does not want that to happen."
Ty listens as Eli delivers his powerful message. "Perhaps the time is right for us to head back to meet Father Jackal face to face, send him a message, and free our friends. I am ready to depart when the rest of you are as well."
"I see," Halim replies. "If this Zayfid is willing to do such harm and evil to obtain the scroll, then you are wise to keep it from him. And now the Father Jackal pursues it, as well. It is dangerous that two such evils may be in league. We would be wise to go cautiously into the Jackal's lair, but go we must. As Master Tyronel, I am prepared to depart. I thank you for sharing, Master Eli."
Eli is eager to head out and deal with this, "We are wasting time. Dogtown may be mostly deserted at this earlier hour, but we may be able to find a drunkard passed out in an ally that we can convince to share with us where, or how to make contact with the Jackal. We can scout around and see what can be learned, when evening comes the low-lifes will be out in force, and I would bet the house we will get Father Jackal's attention."
Quzman looks up from his post at the gate, "Yes, we maybe heading directly into the dog's den, but I would prefer to do so during the light of morning, guided by the Lady's glow. We may need to roust a few strays to find the pack leader's den, but we will find this cretin, and make him pay for his misdeeds."
Mahath takes up his satchel and says "I delayed in joining Dumah in his search for Haleen, and it may have cost his life. I won't delay any more when it may mean losing Haleen and Rayhan." After a beat, he adds "And Jameena, of course."
He debates for a moment before slipping Rayhan's crystal ball into his satchel. If he survives, I can return it to him. And if it is with us, no one can come here and use it against us...
"Let's go then." Ty nods, grabs his gear, and is out the door with the others.
Three hours later, after trying to gather information about Father Jackal and his organization, you find yourself back at Rayhan's villa for lunch (it is 1pm), tired and frustrated that your efforts were met with little success and many false leads. As you return home, you find a note on the door addressed to Eli. The bard opens it and reads it:
I do not have the patience to wait anymore. You want to know where your friends are and who has them, meet me alone on the roof of the Municipal building tonight at midnight. Your presence is required xxxx.
"I think we have little to gain by not attending. It is certainly an ambush, but I believe we must walk into as prepared as we can be."
Eli is reading the the note out loud to the group, "I do not have the patience to wait anymore. You want to know where your friends are and who has them, meet me alone on the roof of the Municipal building tonight at midnight. Your presence is required Aletoriss....." He stutters as he starts to read the name, and drops the note to the table unable to finish reading. The last words on the note are Aletoriss Van Zandt. Eli sits, his face gone pale. Mahath suggests going but Eli shakes his head, "NO! I go alone, he wants to speak to me and I will not let Jameena, Haleen, or Rayhan suffer for this anymore."
"Eli, there is absolutely zero chance that we let you go by yourself. We all have our reasons for wanting this bastrd to suffer. He's going to have to deal with all of us."
"NO! I go ALONE! There are too many lives at stake, and too many have already died since I have arrived in this land. This fiend does not make idle threats, remember Haleen's finger? He has her, and Rayhan, and Jameena and will not hesitate to kill any of them to get what he wants, and he wants me alone. We can not hid from him, he knows things that no one on this continent should know so I would bet he will easily see through any disguise or magical subterfuge. I will not be alone, I have Tempest with me and Mahath will keep the Scroll of Kakison. The rest of you must remain with him and keep it safe. This is the hand we have been dealt, this bastard is not bluffing so instead of pushing all in we have to fold. I will go and see what he has to say, and perhaps I will be able to learn something about our foe that we can use against him, or at least figure out where our friends are."
"I beg your pardon, Master Eli, but who is this Aletoriss? I am unfamiliar with the name."
Eli drops his head, shame washing over his face as he says, "I am Aletoriss...."
"What do you mean, Eli? I've never heard you called that?"
"Interesting. I followed the exploits of the Sand Stalkers closely one I discovered Dumah was amongst you. I recall no reference to Aletoriss. Would you care to elaborate for our benefit?"
Quzman's silence weighs heavy on Aletoriss' soul.
"I have never used that name here, it is my birth name and I left it behind in Absolam. I have racked up some serious debts, much like Haleen, to a money lender who operated the gambling den I spent most of my nights at. Time was running out to pay off the large amount of gold I owe, and even though my family has it I know my father would not have given it to me. I am a disappointment in his eyes. "
Eli pulls his familiar Wayfinder compass out and turns it over and over in his hands as he continues, "This belongs to the real Eli Wynnstock. I stole if from him along with his adventuring gear and his letter of introduction to Garavel and his passage aboard a ship headed to Katapesh. He had just been inducted into the Pathfinder Society and was celebrating his first quest, to travel here and explore the ruins. It was easy to get him drunk and get him to tell me his life story, and his plan. A few well placed coins with one of the pleasure girls at the bar, and I ensured poor Eli would miss his ship. I took his gear and have never looked back, his journal provided the rest I needed to know to pretend to be him, and even helped us out when we were first headed to Kelmarane. I have been living a lie."
Aletoriss looks up at Quzman tears forming in the corners of his eyes, "I am sorry bother, I should have told you long ago but I was too afraid."
Tyronel thought about the information just revealed. "I don't know anything about your past, Eli or Aletoriss. All I know is what I have seen of you these months. I'm proud to call you a friend for the deeds you have performed since I met you. I'd say you are definitely on the road to redemption."
Quzman opens his mouth to argue with Eli at his bold statement that he would go alone to this meeting, but it quickly clamps shut as "Aletoriss" announces himself. Quzman's dark eyes turn flinty as he takes in "Eli"'s story, and he slowly shakes his head.
With a sigh, Quzman moves towards the door, as he pushes past Eli/Aletoriss he mutters, "I do not know what to think at this moment, whoever you are, as trust is too valuable a resource among my people to squander so needlessly. I am sure, with enough reflection, and guidance from my Lady, I will be able to come to terms with this lie. However, some will never get that chance, what about Kyra, what about Brebork? That I think will lie on your mind as all they ever knew was a lie."
Quzman pushes his way into the compound and walks towards the house, and on the wind you hear him say, "What about April..."
Quzman heads into the house, Aletoriss is ready to follow after him prepared to plead his case then he hears her name...April
"I need to be alone." With out another word Aletoriss turns and leaves the compound.
Aletoriss will wander to the section of town where the municipal building is. Lost in his thoughts he is just working his way towards where he ultimately knows he has to go alone. I will roleplay if anyone wants to try and follow him, but his goal is to get alone and by himself. My plan is for him to wander the streets lost in his own thoughts until about midnight when he forces himself to summon up the courage to go and face this enemy, alone.
Mahath watches Aletoriss walk away, with only a single raised eyebrow to show for the exchange.
"Perhaps it is not my place to say... However, regardless of the circumstances as to how he came to be part of the Sand Stalkers, he is still the same soul that struggled heroically against the Carrion King and his minions at your side. There is a Vudrani expression, 'The true measure of a man can best be measured under adversity; the more intense the latter, the more accurate the former.' I would venture to say you know exactly who you've been dealing with all along, regardless of the name used and circumstances to which he came to you."
As he finishes speaking, Mahath prepares Rayhan's crystal ball so he can track Aletoriss's movements.
Halim watches everything transpire without so much as blinking. After Eli/Aletoriss and Quzman have left, he bows his head and speaks aloud, though entirely to himself, "The sting of reaping the consequences of one's sins is painful, but part of the healing process. There is hurt here...and redemption sought. Truly the Goddess has brought me here to minister to these brethren. Oh, what good I may do in Her holy name!"
After speaking, he breathes deeply and then looks up to Mahath and Tyronel. "My brothers, I am a guest among you and ill-accustomed to your ways and so I ask, will you follow your brethren? Or is it our place to wait and to pray for their safe return?"
"Like I said earlier, I don't think we need to let him go alone. In any case, we could scope out the building and make sure he isn't ambushed. Well, of course he'll be ambushed, but we should be there to bail him out."
Quzman throws down the barely touched piece of fruit that was his lunch as he steps from the shadows of the house, "Of course the pretender has set himself up to be ambushed, and I do not like it. Unfortunately, this Father has been playing with us at every turning point since we've come to town. As little as I like it, I think we may have to trust Eli's method to get some answers. If nothing else, Mahath, please track his whereabouts the best you can. If the Father does abduct Eli too, we maybe able find out where he takes his prisoners if you magically watch the taking of him? With the Lady's blessing, we maybe able to resolve this on the dawning of a new day."
Turning to Adb, "Priest, do you have any stories of the Dawnflower, and how she has dealt with lies and deceit of others? Falsehoods do not flow freely where I come from, and need some wisdom on how to deal with such transgressions.
"Boys, you can have your sermon without me for the time being. I'm going to go make sure Eli, or whomever that is, isn't taken by the same person who has taken several more of our friends. You saw the address on the note as well as I, so you know where I'll be.". Ty grabs his stuff and heads out the door, leaving the others to consider the effect of the betrayal with their faith.
The Hall is four stories high and is easily the tallest building in a three-block radius. It is flanked to the east and west by open-air temples to the various Osirion gods in Garund. To the north and south, the Hall is flanked by two large merchant pavilions, wherein much magic is sold. All around the Hall are various merchant stands and tents where all different manners of fruit, spices, armors, and weapons can be bought.
Quzman reaches after Tyronel as he grabs his pack. As little as I like it, if we follow the pretender , I think his attempt is as good as ruined. I do not trust him, but the Jackal is sure to smell us well before we get to the meeting point. If we can follow his whereabouts magically from a distance, we may finally be able to get more information than ths Father wants us to have...which has been paltry enough.
I will not stop you, but just ask that you ponder this, before you go., Quzman avows as he lets go of Ty's arm.
"I'm not going to follow him into The Minicipal building itself, but I don't plan on just allowing another of us to be taken. I can hide in the markets or the pavilion while the meeting is taking place. If something fishy happens, if I am nearby, perhaps I can do something about it, this time."
"Master Tyronel, if you can hold for a brief while I will call upon the Goddess to grant you her aid at your requiring. Should trouble arise, your blade would be guided and your person protected by the Dawnflower's blessing. I would teach you the prayer to call upon this aid in the moment of your need. It would take time to arrange this, however, time that may be precious. You would understand Master Aletoriss' peril better that I."
"Master Quzman, as to your request, the good word of the Goddess is full of wisdom which would light your way through these shadows of doubt into which you find yourself thrust. Allow me to see to Master Tyronel before his departure and I shall be at your service as you require."
Self doubt is a big part of what he is dealing with, but his desires to help Haleen, Jameena, and Rayhan will out weigh his self doubt in the eleventh hour so to speak. I figure about thirty minutes before the meeting is supposed to start is when he finally pulls it together and heads over to the meeting. If there isn't any easy access to the roof, (stairs or something), that he can take without drawing attention to himself, he will find a shadowy spot and walk up the wall with his magic spider slippers. Goal it get on the roof unnoticed by anyone hopefully before whoever sent the letter.
Upon returning, Halim pulls Tyronel aside. Placing a hand upon Tyronel's forehead, he speaks an eloquent prayer to Sarenrae pleading that she bestow a measure of her power upon him on his behalf. Tyronel feels a warmth spread over him as Halim speaks the blessing. The prayer takes 10 minutes.
Upon finishing the blessing, Halim teaches Tyronel the prayer necessary to cast aid upon himself in a moment of need.
"I certainly don't think we should divide our forces yet again. If someone of us are going to be nearby the meeting place, then we all should be. We should not make it easier for our foes to continue picking us off one by one."
Mahath will only stay at the villa if everyone else does.
"Mahath, can you think of anywhere or anyway we might be able to appear closeby at the meeting without being detectd? I can't think of a way to be there without being seen..."
"I would be surprised if you aren't be followed at all times by their agents. This city is their territory, and they know it well. The stakes are high, and I don't think they will hold anything back."