|
Before leaving, Jalthas would like to ask a few questions to Zefiro.
"Zefiro, could you elaborate on the context of these findings? I for one know nothing about the Kharijite province or its links to Taldor. Enlighten us with your wisdom and great knowledge, lest we should perish because of something we didn't know."
|
|
Diplomacy
"A gruff barkeep informs me of the tight grip Cheliax keeps on the city. He says recently they’ve been cracking down on any shady business, so everyone needs a travel permit to leave the city. He hears the inspections of coming and going cargo are pretty thorough as well. And wishes us good luck at the magistrate’s office—the lines are bound to be as long as the Arch"
***
Lance looks to the man, an speaks to him in Osiriani "What sort of cargo are you trading? Where are you travelling to?" he enquires, being friendly.
|
Mogall comments "The people of Khari see themselves more as Chelish citizens than as Rahadoumi despite their ancestry. Lord-mayor Marsiol Giovenci, a steadfast ally of the Thrune regime, rules Khari. Giovenci takes a harsh stance against anyone who would engage in smuggling and black-market deals. "
Just normal cargo, not exciting. Still, anyone can travel around the city, but if you want out, you need to get a permit at the Magistrate's building.
Scores of applicants hoping to procure official travel permits fill the bulky sandstone building, and clerks steadily work their way up and down the lines to identify each applicant and inquire about their business.
A clerk confirms the authorization from the Athenaeum, fetches a letter, and lowers her voice, and tells them, Magistrate Mavius Giovenci wants to handle this matter in person. This is an invitation to attend an evening function at his estate.
She forces a smile and then turns her attention to the next group in line.
Mavius is a cousin of the lord-mayor of Khari. The magistrate takes advantage of his station to enjoy all the pleasures the city has to offer, therefore his palanquin is a regular sight on the street as Mavius travels between the mansion and several high-end establishments and the opera.
|
|
Lance lines up for a permit, taking the opportunity to once again play his mandolin and see what beauties might be around with whom he can flirt outrageously.
"Oh? An invitation to a formal occasion, that sounds a delight!"
Diplomacy
Turning to the party he tells them what he has heard during all his frivolity "Mavius is a cousin of the lord-mayor of Khari. The magistrate takes advantage of his station to enjoy all the pleasures the city has to offer, therefore his palanquin is a regular sight on the street as Mavius travels between the mansion and several high-end establishments and the opera. I suppose that means getting beautifully dressed" - he gets that far away dreamy look in his eyes he notices a shop selling fine silk couture.
|
Anaristiel adds to Mogall's information, "This time of the year, fierce sandstorms tend to plague the area around Ibhir, and it’s bound to get even worse in the following weeks before the storms subside. It’s a good idea to make the journey there and back as soon as possible."
She turns to Adrianna and adds, "The Everwar, also known as the Wars of Expansion, was a century-long war of conquest launched by King Haliad III in 4305 AR that—among other territories— expanded Chelish control into northern Garund, allowing them to control both ends of the Arch of Aroden. The Everwar lasted through the reigns of five Chelish monarchs and finally ended in 4410 AR."
Then, later, at the permit office...
After that, she turns to Lance. "In addition, the lord-mayor, Marsiol Giovenci, isn’t too fond of his cousin. He secured the post of magistrate for Mavius as a favor to Mavius’s father, yet Marsiol feels that his cousin doesn’t live up to the city’s standards. The lord-mayor is concerned that Mavius might make him regret the favor by becoming entangled in some scandal."
The magistrate’s mansion is of modest size but well-maintained. Upon receiving the invitation, a halfling servant guides everyone through an iron gate with flowery designs onto a terrace overlooking the bay near the Arch of Aroden. A ring of sitting pillows and several water pipes furnish the terrace. At the end of the hall sits a handsome, dark-haired man with an easy smile, though years of indulgent living seem to have taken their toll on his physique. The air is humid as thundering clouds gather far from the shore.
Mavius beckons everyone to sit down, “My dear guests, please relax and enjoy yourselves. There are plenty of local delicacies, and the wine is quite exquisite. I’m sure you’re eager to get down to business, yet there’ll be time for that later.”
Mavius has provided a sumptuous feast, and he greedily partakes of the many delicacies. Once the bulk of the meal is done, the magistrate orders a servant to bring out an ornate board with several dozen ivory pieces, “Would anyone care for a friendly game of Siege—unless one of you can entertain us with some Chelish opera? Hah!”
Mavius doesn't seem to be the type of person to enjoy losing.
|
Adrianna volunteers to play the man, thinking back to her lessons on the strategy game. Her opening moves are bold, to the point of being brash. She plays him hard, but in the end a careless placement turns the tides in Mavius' favor, leading to his ultimate victory. "You, sir, are indeed a master tactician. It is no wonder you are such an influential man." she says.
|
|
Lance is resplendent in his finely tailored silks (purchased a courtier outfit in town and a masterwork Mandolin) and regards the handsome and easy smiling but past his prime Chelaxian with a lingering easy smile of his own.
"The storm clouds gather" remarks Lance innocently "You can feel that special something in the air" - the slightest hint of innuendo aimed at the Chelaxian noble, testing for any sign of interest "I am not such a talented opera singer, though I am sure I can play many of the tunes on my mandolin, I have always been more talented with my hands" - another glance.
|
|
Mogall comments to Anaristiel as they leave the permit office, "Mavius? That would be the same individual who is involved in some dubious dealing with shady individuals tied to the Aspis Consortium, including the halfling, Tamrin Credence."
The small Wayang watches quietly at the party and observes Mavius as Adrianna plays him and Lance attempts a Chelish opera.
Mavius beats Adrianna on his own merit, not being given much of a challenge by the monk. Hmm, he says I expected more, here. I've been told so much of the Society, but I've always been doubtful whether they'd live up to their name of being excellent.
Anyway, tell me about this expedition you are embarking upon. I have heard a little about it here and there—enough to get me intrigued. I’d love to know more.
|
|
Jalthas enjoys the festivities the best he can, given his cumbersome social disadvantage. He tries to indulge the mayor in his various whims, displaying excellent etiquette.
"Lord Mayor, you must allow us to embark on this expedition! The glory of our findings would undoubtedly glorify your wisdom to let us depart."
|
|
Mogall adds a point in favor of the mission "We all benefit from what we learn on these explorations into the past. Please if you would allow me a chance to rescue the Society reputation, I would gladly play a game Siege."
Mogall will play a challenging game making him sweat out a narrow win if it is within Mogall's ability.
|
|
Diplomacy
"So much out there is unknown, or once known but long forgotten, which means there are who knows how many opportunities for discovery and with the discoveries, glories and riches. Whilst the particulars of our quest are a little dull, it is the abundance of chances to reap glory and reward that truly shine - neither of us would rejoice at a pile of dusty tomes, but the knowledge pulled from them by hungry scholars ensure your name, and the glory of Cheliax by extension, are the story on the tongues of hundreds. That is, of course, if such an esteemed fellow as a Magistrate was to have been known to very sensibly given such an expedition his blessings"
While Lance and Anaristiel offer their finest words to convince the magistrate, Mogall plays a quick game of Siege, causing the Magistrate to produce pearls of sweat before eking out a win.
Hah! I've got you beat! Now tell me, I've heard stories of your discoveries, some wild tales, about the exploits of Pathfinders. I’d like to hear more of your adventures, or perhaps you’d like to showcase your considerable skills!
|
|
"If you wish, I could demonstrate some of the joint locks and submission holds of my school. I will only use as much force as required for you to properly experience each technique..." Adrianna will show him various wrist locks and arm bars, moving to take downs and eventually one of the elementary submission choke holds.
The magistrate looks somewhat ill-amused by the attack on his person, cracks his neck as Adrianna finally lets go, then says Huh. I suppose I did ask for it.
[b]Let me see what other skills you have.
|
|
"I for one am able to instill fear in those who'd wish to threaten us." explains Jalthas as he rises high and mighty above the magistrate, his armor taking a darker shade of black. Jalthas's eyes glow red as his voice deepens, uttering menacingly "We bow to no one, for we fear not death. None shall stand in our path and live to tell the tale!"
Hah, you'd be hard-pressed to bow in that armor. How can you even move around? Mavius says, barely impressed. He does seem to be appreciate of the tunes played by Lance, and the song sung to it by Anaristiel.
I'll have your permits ready come the morning. Once you pick them up, you are free to travel.
----
----
The next morning, the permits are indeed ready, signaling the start of a safe and expeditious journey - at least the first part. Thanks to a carefully annotated map, provided by the Athenaeum, the path is easy to find.
The last rays of the setting sun light up a bluff to the southeast that towers over the desert. Ruined buildings and leaning towers jut up from the plateau on its top as ominous clouds loom to the south of Ibhir—a sandstorm roars across the desert toward the ruins.
The sandstorm is brewing, and the closest place for shelter seems to be on the other side of a bluff. The path up seems narrow and treacherous, and the sand is already being whipped up to a stinging speed by the rising winds.
Finally, everyone can make a perception once they've made it up.
Lance manages to spur his mount up the hill, with Adrianna following in tow. Mogall, on the other hand, seems to get more trouble getting his animal moving.
In the nick of time, the group makes up to the top of the hill, and just as the sand starts chafing really badly, Adrianna makes out the outline of a camp.
Sand gusts into the building through the open door to the west and the southwest corner of the canvas roof, where the broad tarpaulin has broken free at one end. The canvas strains violently in the wind as the rest of the bindings begin to pull loose. Only half of the building’s original floor still exists to the south. A ladder descends ten feet to a ledge below, and another ladder descends further into a jagged crack in the ground. A campsite sprawls across both ledges, and several bloodied corpses are scattered throughout.
The place darkens as the sun is blotted out by the howling sand, and the strained canvas looks about to be ripped off, which means the entire structure would get exposed to the elements.
As the place darkens, skeletons rise up from the ground to fend off the intruders.
---
Jalthas
Mogall
Lance
---
Skeleton
Skeleton
---
Adrianna
Anaristiel
---
Lance tries to club the skeleton, but his blow only glances off the creature. ().
Mogall's missiles fare a lot better, slamming into the skeleton one by one.
---
Jalthas
Mogall
Lance
---
Skeleton - Red
Skeleton - Blue (11)
---
Adrianna
Anaristiel
---