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Ah, meditation. The only thing keeping her rage in check is the daily dedication to patience, self-control, and holding herself in check. Breath in, breathe out. A quiet walkthrough the forest. Sleeping next to a river stream. All is good, all is right-
"First!" Apollyanna sticks her tongue out and blows raspberries at her party mates. ;p
"These short legs are no fun in a race" says the purple haired gnome.
"Second!"
Meredith tumbles from her Lotus position. "Ugh."
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"Ah-ah-ahem, Hello ma'am we are collecting donations to help restore the Shrine of Shelyn inside the Pathfinder Society campus which was recently damaged in an unprovoked attack by the Aspis Consortium. Would you like to give? Also I have this church pamphlet explaining our community outreach programs that let you discover your own inner beauty, smooth out those wrinkles and take care of those frizzy, dry, split ends."
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"Aspis." Meredith shakes her head. " I was out of town shutting down one of their drug dens. They built a new chemical to drain people's lives away. It was so repulsive, one of their own turned traitor just to help eliminate it."
"Found a cute dog, too. Her name is Betsy." Meredith's frown turns upside down for just a moment as she describes the dog, then back to a frown.
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"Good with his hands, you say? I have much to learn in the ways of martial arts."
She stands up, takes a fighting stance, and throws an open palm at the top of his head.
She manages to catch Pau off guard and lightly taps his forehead. "You have very good reactions. Something I lack. I wouldn't mind picking up a few pointers from you."
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"Ah yes. It's always good to be able to protect yourselves, especially in our line of work. Watch this...'Flying Dragon Hurricane kick," he declares as he attempts to demonstrate his most recent art form.
Unarmed Strike
He expertly clips a Lilly from a vase sitting on the nearby table, knocking it I tot he air. He stabs out with his left hand, plucking the flower from the air. He turns and offers it to the ladies with a slight bow.
After an uncomfortably long wait, an accomplished society wizard escorts you to an empty chamber outside of the spell library: a teleportation chamber.
"Katapesh, is it? Hmm... You probably won't need that cold weather gear. "
"Right this way, please!"
The tall elf hurries behind a lead partition, and peers through a small window. "You may feel the tiniest——"
Your head swims, and your stomach feels somewhere in your ears. Your vision flashes light and dark, and when you finally get your bearings, you're in a different place. A dryer, warmer place. Katapesh.
It is a hot, breezeless evening in Katapesh. Here, in a meeting room atop Farseer Tower, the curtains hang listlessly even with the windows thrown open. Unfortunately, the only thing hotter than the air is Venture-Captain Wulessa Yuul’s ire.
“Why must I share Katapesh with so-called equals who are incompetent?” She huffs between gritted teeth, pacing back and forth before calming herself.
“My pardon. Let me explain. Some months ago, the crypt of Zahari Mahiman—a scholar and sage from the Age of Enthronement—was rediscovered out in the wastes. I, personally, have long sought one artifact reputedly interred with him: the Monadistic Archive, a collection of scrolls from the Jistkan Imperium.
Unfortunately,” she grits her teeth, “It fell under the purview of the Kotargo Lodge to arrange an expedition. Venture-Captain Dulm took his time getting things underway, in spite of my own requests for urgency and offers of assistance. As a result, by the time his agents got there, the place had already been looted.
“Phlegos Dulm’s complacency aside, not all is bleak. The adventurers who looted the crypt were not scholars; they were simply looking to exploit the wonders of the past. The Monadistic Archive, in particular, was sold to Palhuna Murqual, a merchant here in Katapesh. I believe he bought the archive assuming it was merely a magical storage device, not an esoteric repository of lore indecipherable by him. He has shown interest in selling—at a profit, of course—and I need you to make the purchase. I have an Abadaran promissory note that should cover the price, but he is crafty and may bargain for more. I want the archive, whatever it costs. I can’t pay more gold than I already have offered, but if you can find other means of appeasing Murqual, I encourage you to do so.”
She stands expectantly, believing you are likely to have questions.
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"How much did he pay for it?" asks Prisim, as she starts counting her fingers.
"And how will we know we get the real one?" she pauses for a quick breath.
"And if he wants us to do something for him, I guess you want us to do that as part of the deal?"
She looks around.
"What more can you tell us about Murqual, and the people who sold it to him. And the Monadistic Archive itself for that matter, and..."
She pauses for breath, and then realises she hasn't let the others get a word in edgewise.
"and that's all..for the moment."
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Apollyanna steps in and makes sure she isn't standing between Meredith and Pau. It's great that people can still find love in middle-age. *sigh* Um, what did the Venture-Captain just say? I guess I should pay attention.
"Um. Excuse me" Apollyanna raises her hand at the back of the room. "'Rediscovered'? How do you loose a whole crypt?"
"Someone as crafty as Murqual knows he has many buyers, and is not likely to reveal how much he is marking up this particular antique. However, his reputation is such that if he sells to you, it will be authentic."
"I've given you a letter of credit for as much as I can. If he requires favors for the balance, I ask that you comply if reasonable. This artifact is quite important."
“Murqual is the sort who can see the value in a team of Pathfinders. That’s one reason I am sending you. After Dulm’s gaff, I also recognize that I am too incensed
to deal with Murqual in person.”
"I don’t want you to do anything illegal or immoral, but anything else that might win him over... well, see what he has to say.”
Welessa takes Prisim's barrage of questions in stride. "As for the Monadistic Archive, it is a chest containing numerous magical scrolls. I believe they are currently inactive, but I know a ritual to access their secrets. In fact, I might need your assistance with that later. Until then, it’s best not to open it.”
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Standing breathlessly at door to the meeting room, a lanky, wisp thin elf with prominent elven features; pale skin, eyes so blue they almost look black, long straight hair of very pale yellow, and of course long pointy ears, pants, trying not to be noticed just as the Venture Captain begins her rant.
He wears rough-spun leather clothing and studded leather armor in shades of brown and green, long brown leather boots, a dark green woolen cloak, and a long bow over his shoulder. He carries a very long spear, but seems to have no trouble moving it through the spaces he occupies.
Just recently arriving in Katapesh, and not really knowing his way around, Lannior Llarm had asked for directions to the Pathfinder Lodge. Arriving at the Kotargo Lodge and finding it to be quite 'dead', he glanced again at the missive he had received. 'Meet with Venture Captain Wulessa Yuul at the Farseer Tower'. Realizing he was in the wrong place he quickly ascertained the location of the correct Lodge and set off at a sprint across the city in hopes of making it on time. Arriving at Farseer and taking the steps 2 at a time, he had arrived just in time, albeit exhausted from the trek.
At this moment he certainly agreed with the Venture Captain that two Pathfinder Lodges in the city didn't make a bit of sense. As he recover he begins take in his fellow Pathfinders.
Uh, bunch of humans again. I hope this bunch can pull its weight. The gnome seems feisty, I like her enthusiasm.
In truth, Lannior had a bit of a disdain for humans, whether just elven snobbery or some other deep seated resentment, he would never say.
Observing the Venture Captain, the only human I've ever really cared for much is Sheila Heidemarch. I wonder if this VC can also earn my respect.
After the initial excitement dies down the elf steps more properly into the room.
Well met all, I am Lannior Llarm, and I have been assigned to assist with his acquisition.
While addressing all, he primarily fixes his eyes only on the gnome, offering her a smile.
"Ah, yes. This party. I've heard of your exploits as the Convocation. Mostly Shelyn devotees, yes? All beauty and no ..."
*cough*
"Where was I? Ah, that's right. The archive. As I said, it's a chest. (Oh, stop blushing, Apolyyanna.) Any two of you should be able to carry it easily."
With your questions satisfied, Wulessa hands Pau a promissory note worth 10,000 gp from the bank of Abadar and sends you to Murqual’s establishment in the Lower City.
Finding Murqual’s shop is easy enough. A few discreet inquiries lead through the Lower City to a wooden door crowned by a plaque that reads “Palhuna Murqual, Vendor of Fetters, Bindings, and Cages Mundane and Mystic.”
His establishment defies the stereotype for a shop in the infamous Nightstalls. It boasts a permanent location, instead of one that could be broken down and moved with ease. It is quite lavishly appointed, rather than being a shadowy, smoky hovel, and the air smells of vanilla and cardamom rather than incense. Inside, deep carpeting covers the floor. Chains and shackles, ranging in size from mist-thin links to cuffs that would hold a titan, hang along one wall. Another wall holds an array of mirrors— some reflecting the room and some showing the insides of a bare cell. Lanterns and cages hang from ceiling rafters, and glass cases hold etched gemstones and glass bottles. A central space is cleared of wares, instead sporting several plush seats arranged around a silver samovar.
An obese man swaddled in silks occupies a sofa before the samovar. Standing to his left is a slim, younger man holding a ledger. The fat man makes a series of complicated hand gestures to the standing man, who, after a moment, bows to the PCs and speaks. “My esteemed master, Palhuna Murqual, bids you welcome. Please, be seated. Business should be conducted comfortably.”
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Not one to normally do much of the talking, Lannior hopes another will take the lead in the conversation. Nevertheless he'll try to play along when business is at hand.
Take a look at this one!
Lannior nods politely to both men, then slides down into one of the seats and waits uncomfortably for someone to speak up. Trying hard to hide the displeasure with his current company.
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On the way to the shop Prisim chats with Lannior.
"Wow, you are soooo tall!" is her opening gambit. Then she eyes up his spear. "And like wow, you could put three of me on one on top of the other and still not get to the end of that thing! How on earth do you use it in a fight?"
The question is asked with wide eyed sincerity. One might almost think she was rather impressed with the slim warrior.
Once in the shop though she is all business.
Prisim takes the seat offered, looking around with open eyed awe.
She directs her comments to the man behind the desk.
"Thank you for your hospitality Palhuna Murqual. I hope that one day we may be able to extend our own to you. I come on behalf of the esteemed captain Wulessa Yuul. She has heard that you have come into possession of a pretty trinket and asked that I come here to arrange for her procurement of it."
She looks around the room, hoping to see the chest described.
"It is the Monadistic Archive."
I hope I said that right. All this business of introductions of who one works for rather ones self is a little odd.
The servant signs something complicated looking to Palhuna. He waits for a response, then distributes tea to the guests. The tea smells of mint.
"The good master wishes to know your interest in the Archive. And more importantly, what you will offer for it." The servant smiles jovially, if somewhat simply, as he relays the message.
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Prisim slips the tea "Thank you for your tea master Palhuna."
She pauses, trying to think of the right words.
"As you do not trust your servant here with all your secrets and motivations, so the captain has not confided in us all her reasons for wanting to acquire the Archive. She has however asked us to convey that while her coin may not be the large offer, her favour has value beyond mere coin. Perhaps if you could name a price and show the archive we might know if business may be conducted."
My goodness that's a lot of words. Nice tea though.
"May I ask where you acquire your tea?"
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While sitting on the comfortable furnishing of Murqual’s shop, Lannior quickly loses his focus, reflecting back on the walk to the shop and his conversation with Prisim. In response to her comment, he first asked her in elven if she spoke elven. Learning she doesn't (pity) , he continued the conversation in the common tongue, It just doesn't sound elegant. Commenting, In Kyonin, where I'm from, I'm about average height, but I'm one of the taller ones in my family.
Then looking to impress the gnome, he put on a brief martial display with his spear. In truth, he's better with the bow, but for now he showed off his prowess with the spear.
Alas the walk was too short and business must trump dalliance. Snapping back to reality as the tea is offered; he accepts and takes in the aroma. Finding his voice and looking to the spokesman and then to the merchant.
Venture Captain Yuul has asked us to do what we can to secure the Monadistic Archive. We have I believe a letter of credit. He looks around to his peers not really sure who ended up with the letter. Hope that someone will bail him out in the negotiations.
The servant bristles a bit at Pau's declaration. "The esteemed master cannot speak, having lost his voice to a magical trap years ago. Unfortunately, even the greatest of clerics have not been able to cure this magical malady."
The standing servant accepts the letter of credit from Pau, and reads it thoroughly before passing it on. A brief exchange of signs occurs between the master and servant, finger and hands gesticulating wildly.
Palhuna Murqual holds up the promissory note and nods appreciatively. The servant voices what he seems to be thinking. "The good master has alas already received another offer well in excess of the promise of this bid. While the master respects the Pathfinder Society, to sell to you would seem favoritism. And I’m not inclined to favor one customer over another—without there being an equal favor, in return...”
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"As I said earlier, the favor of the Pathfinder society goes beyond mere coins.." smiles Prisim.
At last, this is heading where I knew it was going to go.
She carefully restraints herself from leaping into the air and clicking her heels together.
Still talking to the mute man she asks
"What sort of favour would you be looking for to be able to make up the difference in value?"
After a moment she also asks "And may I enquire as to who the other offer is from?"
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Sense Motive [dice]1d20+6[/dice
Pau's anger at being ignored keep him from picking up any context clues the assistant is attempting to reveal. "Why won't you listen? That is all the gold we have. We have been authorized to help you in other matters to sweeten our bid!". The monk didn't realize he and the assistant we suggesting the same thing, sadly.
The servant smiles warmly at the suggestion of favors. He looks briefly to Palhuna, who waggles his fingers.
“Done! Your Venture-Captain’s note for 10,000 gold, plus services rendered by yourselves. Do we have a deal?”
"I think ... three favors by the end of the night should be sufficient. Do this, and in return you shall receive the Monadistic Archive.