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Diplomacy
The tall and well built Tian has a sense of otherness about him. Clad in a burnt-gold kimono matched with dark crimson hakama pants - he almost resembles a walking sunset. A large stylised sun has been boldly embroidered on the back of his kimono, and equally stylised dragons detail the front. A fine looking katana is sashed at his waist.
The servant of the Empress clasps a finely made wooden flute as though it means a lot to him - "Takahiro, servant of Shizuru, once a servant of the Lantern Lodge, until you released us to serve others - now I am Silver Crusader Takahiro" his face remains a serene picture of tranquility.
"Do we believe Tseka to be reasonable? Can we talk her peacefully into joining us?"
"I hear that almost anything can be found in the black markets of Undermarket under Goka, including drugs, poisons, gambling, slaves, and even firearms" he looks mildly dismayed, but not judgmental - "Rumors hold that one of the many entrances into Undermarket resides inside a silk shop named the Cresting Blossom. Ordinary customers use currency to purchase wares; however, those who provide contraband to the proprietor gain access to a secret tunnel leading far beneath the city" he continues "Perhaps a good start for us" he sips his tea before finishing "Whispers from the ratfolk of Undermarket tell of the Aspis Consortium’s renewed recruitment efforts in the last few months."
He then smiles once more. "You hear a lot when playing the flute for alms and donations whilst keeping both ears open and your mouth otherwise shut"
As the early dawn’s light crests over the Wall of Heaven mountain range, the Lantern Lodge is already bustling with activity. The sound of clashing swords echoes in the air from a nearby training area, and a group of Pathfinder agents silently meditates in the front courtyard. The lodge’s doors open, revealing a long corridor and a faint floral aroma wafts gently in the air. Sturdy shelves laden with artifacts from all corners of Tian Xia line the corridor’s walls. Venture-Captain Amara Li emerges from a door labeled “Taldor Room” in a fine cherry-red kimono.
“Good morning, Pathfinders. I hope your travels have been safe and enjoyable,” Li says. “Please, come inside.” The Taldor Room is an opulent meeting space with a solid mahogany table and ornately carved chairs. Its walls are adorned with ornamental weapons and portraits of noble families in resplendent finery. Elegant porcelain tea cups and plates sit in front of each chair, and several platters of fruit, cakes, and cheeses occupy the center of the table, surrounding a steaming pot of tea.
The venture-captain pours herself a cup of tea and continues, “As I’m sure you are aware, the Grand Lodge was attacked a few months ago. Since then, the Society has been following any and all leads that could help us find and arrest the Aspis criminals behind the assault. From Varisia to Nirmathas to Absalom itself, the Society has successfully gathered a substantial amount of information about Aspis operations. We have combined our own resources with the reports of a turncoat within the Consortium whom we have taken to calling ‘Three Rings’ to create a list of vital Aspis operatives all across Golarion. One in particular, Tseka, lives beneath Goka, in a warren of tunnels and ruins called Undermarket. Specifically, she lives in its deepest levels, known as Deepmarket. Tseka works from the shadows, and makes most of her profits from black market trades.
“Deepmarket is a dark and dangerous community of criminals, thieves, and outcasts. Those who don’t know the area or have connections to protect them make easy targets. I recommend using a little subterfuge to help yourselves blend in, and to give Tseka as little time to prepare for your approach as possible.” The venture-captain places a small wooden chest on the table and says, “To get inside Deepmarket, I propose that you pose as smugglers bringing in a fresh round of contraband. Once there, find Tseka. We know that she has valuable information, so do everything in your power to bring her back alive, and collect whatever documents you find in her base of operations. I do not know where within Deepmarket she resides. Gather what information you can from the locals in Undermarket, and seek out a guide to help you navigate these treacherous waters. Do you have any questions?”
Almost anything can be found in the black markets of Undermarket under Goka, including drugs, poisons, gambling, slaves, and even rearms.
Rumors hold that one of the many entrances into Undermarket resides inside a silk shop named the Cresting Blossom. Ordinary customers use currency to purchase wares; however, those who provide contraband to the proprietor gain access to a secret tunnel leading far beneath the city.
Whispers from the ratfolk of Undermarket tell of the Aspis Consortium’s renewed recruitment efforts in the last few months.
Undermarket is comprised of large caverns. A canal flows through it, allowing contraband shipments to ow in from the Embaral Ocean.
Deeper into Undermarket, lost crypts, burial chambers, and ancient churches liter the ominous caverns. Even locations that seem to be abandoned are frequently repurposed.
Rumors hold that an entrance into the Darklands resides in Deepmarket, hidden among the dozens of tunnels that wind down for miles into the darkness.
Amara Li supplies the party with a disguise kit and two scrolls of disguise self, as well as a chest full of contraband. The chest contains a total of 7 pieces of contraband—a dose of blue whinnis poison, a pistol from Alkenstar, a piece of bawdy artwork depicting a Gokan celebrity, jade unholy symbols of Fumeiyoshi, Lady Nanbyo, and Lamashtu, and an engraved darkwood box containing half a dozen oracular fingerbones smuggled out of Po Li.
I should warn you not to underestimate Tseka, she is dangerous and devious.
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The Keleshite is in his late twenties, wearing loose clothing typical of Qadiran origin and a metallic armor covering his chest. A turban covers his head, revealing his piercing blue eyes, aquiline nose and well-tended short beard. His face has already known too many hardships, as his many scars testify. He is quite muscular and has the strong hands of one who has worked since the earliest days of his childhood. A tall, shafted weapon called a fauchard rests next to him, the blade bearing many engravings and arabesque dedicated to the Dawnflower.
When one of his companions shows up, he extends his hand and introduces himself. "Well met, I am Jhalan Aajav, blade of the Dawnflower and righter of wrongdoings. I understand we are to work together on this mission."
"I've heard many things about that place. It appears that almost anything can be found in the black markets of Undermarket under Goka, including drugs, poisons, gambling, slaves, and even rearms."
"Rumors hold that one of the many entrances into Undermarket resides inside a silk shop named the Cresting Blossom. Ordinary customers use currency to purchase wares; however, those who provide contraband to the proprietor gain access to a secret tunnel leading far beneath the city. What's more, whispers from the ratfolk of Undermarket tell of the Aspis Consortium’s renewed recruitment efforts in the last few months."
The dervish stops for a moment, recalling some other information he knows about the Undermarket.
"Undermarket is comprised of large caverns. A canal flows through it, allowing contraband shipments to ow in from the Embaral Ocean. Deeper into Undermarket, lost crypts, burial chambers, and ancient churches liter the ominous caverns. Even locations that seem to be abandoned are frequently repurposed. Rumors hold that an entrance into the Darklands resides in Deepmarket, hidden among the dozens of tunnels that wind down for miles into the darkness." he explains to his companions.
"We will have to be very careful. We're about to step on a nest of vipers."
A member of the wanderers known as Varisians, Fa’zakar wears the magical markings of his culture in the elaborate tattoos that crisscross his body. The sheer number adorning his skin, as well as the similar patterns woven into his clothes, are a mark of status among his tribe. As the most junior member of this expedition, he is content to let his seniors do the talking. He does pick up the scrolls of disguise self and offers to use them for the group as needed.
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A weather warn dwarf with Long braided hair and beard, is dressed in conservative garb common to the region of Osirion, in addition to his breastplate armor and darkwood shield with the symbol of Pharasma emblazon on it.
"I'm called Bones a cleric of Pharasma. Can we keep the profit we make from selling the contraband?"
You might find the contraband useful in getting what you need down there. Feel free to use it to your advantage.
Gossip is not in short supply in Goka, and soon you discover that the nearest entrance to Undermarket is through the Cresting Blossom, a local silk shop in the trade district of Goka, which is easy to find.
The sound of chiming bells greets the party as they enter the shop. Inside the shop, a lone merchant dusts a multicolored glass vase prominently displayed on the counter. The shop’s walls are lined with fine silk tapestries, and its shelves are stocked with fine glasswork.
Welcome. What do you seek this day? the shopkeeper says.
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Diplomacy
Takahiro asides to the party when they get an opportunity to talk unobserved "Gossip is not in short supply in Goka the nearest entrance to Undermarket is through the Cresting Blossom, a local silk shop in the trade district of Goka"
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Arriving at the store, Takahiro ensures his Wayfinder is tucked firmly out of sight. he offers a small prayer to Shizuru
"That is a wonderful vase you have there, and such beautiful silks and glasswork. I am in the right place indeed. I have it on good recommendation that this is a most honourable and respectable shop of fine wares, but my reliable and wisened adviser suggested that the wares in the basement are reserved for the best and most discerning buyer, perhaps we could seek entry?"
Diplomacy
He smiles in a friendly and knowing manner.
The merchant looks around carefully and then nods towards the tapestry behind him. Pulling the cloth back, he reveals a door that is flush with the wall. Beyond the door, a 50-foot-tall metal spiral staircase descends into darkness. The stairs end at a single doorway. You must knock five times before entering to signal to the guard that you're allowed to come in..
When the party exits the doorway at the base of the stairwell, they enter into a dimly lit, musty cavern. After performing the five-fold knock, a guard opens the door and nods as they walk past him.
The warming light from the sun has been replaced with a flickering orange glow that emanates from torches stationed throughout the entirety of this cavern. Buildings made of various types of wood and stone line the walls of this immense grotto, while other ramshackle shops snake their way through the causeway. A large canal in the middle of the cave moves ocean water deeper into the chamber. Multiple slapdash docks with accompanying dinghies bob slowly on the canal. A large building stretches across the canal, its exterior caked in barnacles and algae. The smell of salt water lingers in the air.
Takahiro keeps his ears open, and soon hears the undergound dwellers talk of one Odemi, a local guide. Tracking her down is easy, and soon the group stands face to face with a female wayang. She speaks You're looking for a guide? I know Undermarket like the back of my hand, I know every tunnel and back way. You have something nice, hmm? To pay me with?
"Perhaps this perfume, eau de blue whinnis, would be a fair trade for your services." the sorcerer says, holding the vial of poison so that no prying eyes would see it clearly.
That would be most excellent indeed, Odemi says, now where is it you want to go?
As they walk, Fa'zakar keeps his ears and eyes open, occasionally stopping and asking about a merchant's wares, or other seemingly innocuous questions, all designed to gather information about the Undermarket.
Unfortunately, the residents here are more suspicious than the average top-dwelling townsfolk, and the sorcerer's questions are instantly viewed as bizarre at best...
It seems to Jhalan that Odemi actually has no clue where to find Tseki, but sufficient ill intent to compensate for that fact.
Bones remembers a pathfinder that went down into Deepmarket, and who almost didn't make it back alive. In his reports, he mentioned it is almost essential to wear the proper disguise while down there - and to ensure you don't draw attention to yourself.
Jhalan also remembers some rumours about Aspis setting up a base of operations in Deepmarket, a few years back.
"Well, we do have these scrolls and the kits..." he says, looking to the others.
As Jhalan voices him warning of Odemi, an old man stares at Fa'zakar, closing one eye to focus on the sorcerer with the other one. Looking like that, I’d be surprised if they didn’t deliver you to Tseka dead. If you’re looking to blend in, you aren’t doing a good job. Bright colors, tattoos. That's not going to get you a deal down here, it's going to get you killed. the old man says with a scraping voice trust me, the brighter they come, the harder they fall.
"My thanks for the advice, learned one. I was thinking muted greys and browns, with the overall appearance of a wet rat. Any other tips for us?" Fa'zakar replies to the old man.
Oh, the old man says, I see. You want to be very careful there. She’s the one in charge of Aspis business down here. Not that I’ve ever seen her. Few people have. They say she keeps to the shadows.
You may want to watch your mouth, though. It seems anyone who crosses her winds up dead before they can even blink.
Takahiro suddenly hears a soft voice from what seems like nowhere speak to him Do you know where you are going? You seem lost.
A curious stranger, a friend perhaps. What brings you to Undermarket?
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A curious stranger, a friend perhaps. What brings you to Undermarket?
"Curiosities and fine wares that need to find a new home. Come out and see. The only time I like to talk to a disembodied voice is when it is the gods sending me their divinity. Mortals best talk in person"
Takahiro starts sensing for evil.
Fa'zakar stands ready to either cast the spells on the scrolls or to inflict pain if they are attacked...
Takahiro senses no evil from the direction of the voice. Boram sees the disembodied voice connected to two staring eyes, belonging to a pipe fox in the shades, a minute serpentine creature with smoky gray fur and amber eyes ().
Once the fox realizes she's been spotted, she says, oh, I apologize for spying on you. I didn't mean to be rude. There are just no many people that you can trust down here. My name is Yrishi. You seem interesting. Tell me, do you know magic? Or do you have interesting tales? The fox' eyes shine with curiosity as she speaks the words.
The fox stares at Bones and Takahiro with big, expectant eyes you know magic and tales...
The fox is clearly longing to see a demonstration of magic, or to hear a good tale.
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Beginning to prepare for their romp through the Undermarket, Boram draws two vials from his belt pouch, saying, "I know magic as well...of a sort."
He proceeds to drink the contents of one vial, then imbibe - and spit out - the contents of the other. Immediately, his skin takes on a rough appearance.
He pulls a bead from his pouch, then, and places it in the first vial; the vial proceeds to fill with a liquid indistinguishable from the original contents. The halfling then fishes the bead out of the vial and places it back in his belt pouch.
Then, as if that wasn't enough, he drinks the contents of a third vial and his appearance shifts to that of a gnomish man dressed in browns and greys.
"Will that suffice?"
Boram toughens up, taking up the shape of an old gnomish man with particularly bad skin. The fox looks amazed, More, more! she says.
Her ears flatten as Jhalan doesn't come for with either a story or a spell, what a pity, she chuckles upon being called 'fantastic fox', you need nice, though.
Fa'zakar gets the hint and uses the two scrolls of disguise self on Bones and himself, causing their appearance to morph into ragged creatures barely able to stand and wrapped in ragged scraps of clothing. Their hungry eyes and rotten teeth show a diet of rotten refuse scrounged out of the flowing waters of the Undermarket. All-in-all, two pitiful beings barely worth noticing...
{b]Ooh![/b] The fox says, impressed at the pony, that is very nice!
She looks slightly disappointed when it disappears again, but the moment passes. She then says you are really nice, but still haven't told me what you want to do here.