Please dot here.
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A very tall man strides purposefully on scene. He is swathed in dark desert linen. A huge, curved blade sharpened with a whetstone to razor's edge is strapped to his back.
"I saw the smoke and--is that a dot!?" He asks astonished. He bends down and studies it. "Curious. You know, whenever I see one of these things it always bodes ill."
He wets his thumb with his tongue and rubs the spot out.
"Ah, I have the manners of an orc slave running half-naked and butchering undead in a posh Opparan opera house." He bows a dignified bow. "I am Abaal Zadeir, Daring Swordsman of Katapesh."
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Coming from the sky, a likeable gnome is mounted on a large bird. He is very small even for his kind, with red hair and beard.
They land clumsy next to the Pathfinders, "Whoopa, Antoniollus! Be careful with that", the gnome told to the roc.
After dismount from the big bird, he greets the others in the room: "Greetings, my friends! I am Rimble Sliffer, and this is Antoniollus, my loyal companion", he bows to them. "C'mon, be polite!", the gnome whispers to the roc, that bows to them too.
"So, what's up?", he asks while pulls off a smoking pipe from a pocket.
"Fire, please?", Rimble asks Melek.
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A young Taldane with a glint in her eye regards the assembling group. She's still dressed just as well as in the Lodge earlier, but has traded her gown for a crimson coat with practical breeches. The young woman's not particularly beautiful, but has a youthful charm and - judging from her clothing and jewelry - excellent taste. She stands and make several small bows, acknowledging those who introduced myself. "Please to meet you. Abaal, Ashara. Rimble and Antoniollus. Is her a roc, really? Fully grown already, or will he grow even bigger." She walks up to the gnome. "Can I pet him?" She leans in close to Rimble, talking behind her hand. "You might want to take care with her in fire. I have a bad feeling about that..." She winks conspiratorially.
She straightens and addresses the group. "My name is Aznive, of House Demiral. I must say, I'm really excited to be going to Tian Xia, finally. I read a lot about it when I was little. I even taught myself Tien back then, because Laurenna told me I couldn't."
As the party groups together outside of the lodge, the wisp of flame magically transports you through a portal and sets you down in Tian Xia, outside of the Lantern Lodge.
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 teacups 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?”
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"Well met Venture Captain, it's an honor. My name is Ashara, I hope we'll be of service" says Ashara while bowing to the other woman.
"Indeed, the attack on the Grand Lodge was vile and cowardly and those who instigated it need to face justice for their actions. We'll do our part to apprehend this Tseka but I fear we'll need more information in order to accomplish our goal. For example, do we know anything about her main allies? Does she ever leave the Deepmarket? Any information about her security detail? And as you wisely suggest we use a modicum of deception in order to infiltrate that den of iniquity, can you lend us an hand with effective disguises?" Ashara continues, questioning the Amara Li.
Amara Li bows to Ashara as she steps forward and introduces herself. "I will provide you each with a Disguise Kit, as well as two scrolls of Disguise Self, and lastly a chest of contraband. Inside of that chest is 7 particular pieces with which you may buy your way into the Deepmarket and hopefully into Teska's lair. The pieces are: 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. As for the rest of your questions, you will have to seek out information below.. but be careful. In your search for a guide, you must not tip your hand and alert the Consortium to your presence."
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Ashara bows deeply as the VC shows her gifts to the party:"That's very generous my lady... very generous indeed!"
After the meeting Ashara starts discretely asking around for information on the Deepmarket and is able to gather some new intelligence that she relates to her companions once she sees them again.
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Hmm, I suspect that deeper into this Undermarket could be lost crypts, burial chambers, and ancient churches that liter the ominous caverns. Even locations that seem to be abandoned are frequently repurposed. Into what, who knows?
Xavian continues. I do have a little experience with appraisal, hopefully that will come in handy. I've done some dealings in the past but usually they'll accept a human or tall humanoid to be the main contact. Sometimes we halflings just aren't taken too seriously.
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Aznive takes a deep breath in as soon as the group leaves the portal, taking in the smells along with the sights. Home again? Who'd have thought... She notes the coincidence of their meeting taking place in the Taldor Room, and takes a seat after the Venture-Captain has sat down. Taking tea and nipping at some fruit and cake, she listens intently. "Indeed, it was a deeply troubling day, from the accounts I've heard. It is good to know that the full might of the Society's network is being used to find those responsible." She thinks for a moment. "This Tseka, do we know anything about her background? Is she from here? And the one you call "Three Rings". Are we sure he can be trusted? Games within games, and all that..."
Shortly after the meeting, Aznive returns with some of her own information. Apparently, she's found time to change wardrobe as well, now wearing a light-blue kimono with a pattern of stylized birds. "I've heard the same, Ashara. We might start at the Cresting Blossom. It seems like an ordinary silk shop, but it's said there's an entrance to the Undermarket in the back. We should be able to bribe our way in. I also caught some conversation suggesting that the Aspis has been on a big recruitment drive. Could that be our cover? Posing as smugglers and wanting to join? Bit risky, could be too transparent. The Aspis have to know that we'll come after them, after what they pulled."
She waves away Xavian's modesty. "Don't sell yourself, ah... short." She giggles at the unintended pun. "Use what you have to your advantage. If they underestimate you and look for the others, all the better if you can watch your adversary without being observed yourself, isn't it?"
bowing now to Aznive, Amara Li answers her questions. "Three Rings has.. reasons to cooperate with us. I cannot go into detail, but his information is good, and it is double verified before any actions are taken, just to make sure we have not been double crossed. Let us just say it is in many peoples interests that he be as honest as he can be in his dealings. As for your cover, I am providing you with the tools to initiated such a cover.. I would not go overboard, and likely you will be seen as just more individuals wanting quick money. Find a guide, and seek out Tseka and stop her any way that you can. I caution you again though, keep your cover for as long as you can."
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Aznive itches to learn more about this myserious "Three Rings", but she senses that now is not the time or place. "Very well. We should get going, while the scant information we have is still valid. Maybe later, we'll have the opportunity to speak more. I'd really like to assist in the efforts to uncover Aspis movement, in any way I can."
Aznive finishes her tea and stands up. "We should settle on our disguises and get going. Is there a back exit to the Lodge here, somewhere inconspicuous? It wouldn't do for any Aspis eyes to see us leaving the Lodge in our disguises."
Aznive excuses herself for the bathroom. A scant minute later a broad-shouldered man in his fourties steps out, with slick hair and a pockmarked face. He wears coarse trousers and a leather vest over a simple blouse. People familiar in Absalom might recognize the man, who runs a bakery three blocks from the Grand Lodge. "I'm ready," the man announces in a gravelly voice. "Everyone set? (It's me, Aznive...)"
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"I caution you again though, keep your cover for as long as you can."
Abaal strode back and forth in that classic 'What's taking so long; let's go do this already' stride since the briefing, which hadn't actually explained much broke up and continues to do so. He is very obviously one for the direct approach. In his younger days, perhaps three years ago, he could lurk in ambush for hours on end but now it is all about the sword and the adventure.
Aznive excuses herself for the bathroom. A scant minute later a broad-shouldered man in his fourties steps out, with slick hair and a pockmarked face. He wears coarse trousers and a leather vest over a simple blouse. People familiar in Absalom might recognize the man, who runs a bakery three blocks from the Grand Lodge. "I'm ready," the man announces in a gravelly voice. "Everyone set? (It's me, Aznive...)"
"Yes." Says Abaal looking quite a bit like Abaal with a chest of contraband slung over his high shoulder.
The party gets costumed and disguised up, and heads out. You draw a lot of attention as you follow Ashara and Aznive over to the Cresting Blossom. It seems that those above ground do not often see those from below, and they give you a wide berth at first glance at your attire. You arrive in short order at the silk shop, and enter to the tinkling sound of little bells above the door. Inside the shop, a lone merchant dusts a multicolored class vase prominently displayed on the counter. The shop's walls are lined with fine silk tapestries, and its shelves are stocked with fine glasswork. When you enter, the shopkeep looks up from his task and greets you warmly in common. "Hello and welcome to my shop! I have many colors and types of silk to offer.. what would you be interested in?"
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My good man, my associates and I understand that while you have many fine things on display out here in your showroom, you have a more "interesting" selection of wares available for private viewing? Xavian gives a quick glance toward the tapestry behind the counter, then gives the shopkeep a "knowing" look.
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"koff, koff Ahem. Ready!" He trills in high falsetto voice .
At the shop Abaal whispers to the spokesperson to ask if they have any Taffeta.
(a customer walks in the door.)
Customer (Abaal Zadeir dressed as a male nun with a goatee): Good Morning.
Owner (Michael Palin dress like the pet shop owner from the Ex-Parrot Sketch): Good morning, Sir. Welcome to the National Cheese Silk Emporium!
Customer: Ah thank you my good man.
Owner: What can I do for you, Sir?
C: Well, I was, uh, sitting in the public library on Thurmon Street just now, skimming through 'Rogue Herrys' by Hugh Walpole, and I suddenly thought I needed a change.
O: Change, sir?
C: Haute couture.
O: Eh?
C: 'Ee I needs some new pants!
O: Ah, pants!
C: In a nutshell. And I thought to myself, 'sericin and fibroin', so, I curtailed my Walpoling activites, sallied forth, and infiltrated your place of purveyance to negotiate the vending of some silken sartorials!
O: Come again?
C: I want to buy some silk.
O: Oh, I thought you were complaining about the bouzouki player!
C: Oh, heaven forbid: I am one who delights in all manifestations of the Terpsichorean muse!
O: Sorry?
C: 'Ooo, Ah lahk a nice tune, 'yer forced to!
O: So he can go on playing, can he?
C: Most certainly! Now then, some silk please, my good man.
O: (lustily) Certainly, sir. What would you like?
C: Well, eh, how about a little Shantung.
O: I'm, a-fraid we're fresh out of Shantung, sir.
C: Oh, never mind, how are you on Tussah?
O: I'm afraid we never have that at the end of the week, sir, we get it fresh on Monday.
C: Tish tish. No matter. Well, stout yeoman, four ounces of Dupioni, if you please.
O: Ah! It's beeeen on order, sir, for two weeks. Was expecting it this morning.
C: 'T's Not my lucky day, is it? Aah, Noil?
O: Sorry, sir.
C: Habutai?
O: Normally, sir, yes. Today the van broke down.
C: Ah. Lucca?
O: Sorry.
C: Malay? Manchester?
O: No.
C: Any Lullingstone Castle, per chance?
O: No.
C: Bombyx Mori?
O: No.
C: Catanzaro?
O: No.
C: Almgrensrosen?
O: No.
C: Logwood?
O: No.
C: Shakers?
O: (pause) No.
C: Terengganu?
O: No.
C: Songket?
O: No.
C: Antheraea Pernyi, Hùng Vương, Sheni Tola'at, Byzantine, Samia Cynthia, Ramanagara, Mysore?
O: No.
C: Lyonese, perhaps?
O: Ah! We have Lyonese, yessir.
C: (suprised) You do! Excellent.
O: Yessir. It's ah... it's a bit runny.
C: Oh, I like it runny.
O: Well,.. It's very runny, actually, sir.
C: No matter. Fetch hither the perxal de la Belle France! Mmmwah!
O: I...think it's a bit runnier than you'll like it, sir.
C: I don't care how f~#!ing runny it is. Hand it over with all speed.
O: Oooooooooohhh........! (pause)
C: What now?
O: The cat's eaten it.
C: (pause) Has he?
O: She, sir.
(pause)
C: Valencia?
O: No.
C: Congleton?
O: No.
C: Macclesfield?
O: No.
C: Reggio Calabria?
O: No.
C: Hampton Court?
O: No sir.
C: You... do have some silk, don't you?
O: (brightly) Of course, sir. It's a silk shop, sir. We've got-
C: No no... don't tell me. I'm keen to guess.
O: Fair enough.
C: Uuuuuh, Lyocell.
O: Yes?
C: Ah, well, I'll have some of that!
O: Oh! I thought you were talking to me, sir. Mister Lyocell, that's my name.
(pause)
C: Harappa?
O: Uh, not as such.
C: Uuh, Gorgonzola?
O: No
C: Crepe de Chine?
O: No
C: Paterson?
O: No
C: James the First?
O: No
C: Spider?
O: No
C: Ahimsa silk?
O: No
C: Venezuelan Beaver Silk?
O: Not -today-, sir, no.
(pause)
C: Aah, how about Chiffon?
O: Well, we don't get much call for it around here, sir.
C: Not much ca--It's the single most popular silk in the world!
O: Not 'round here, sir.
C: (slight pause) and what IS the most popular cheese 'round hyah?
O: Gobichettipalayam, sir.
C: IS it.
O: Oh, yes, it's staggeringly popular in this manusquire.
C: Is it.
O: It's our number one best seller, sir!
C: I see. Uuh... Gobichettipalayam, eh?
O: Right, sir.
C: All right. Okay. 'Have you got any?' He asked, expecting the answer 'no'.
O: I'll have a look, sir.. nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnno.
C: It's not much of a silk shop, is it?
O: Finest in the district sir!
C: (annoyed) Explain the logic underlying that conclusion, please.
O: Well, it's so clean, sir!
C: It's certainly uncontaminated by silk.
O: (brightly) You haven't asked me about Wild Silk, sir.
C: Would it be worth it?
O: Could be.
C: Have you --SHUT THAT BLOODY BOUZOUKI OFF!
O: Told you sir...
C: (slowly) Have you got any Wild Silk?
O: No.
C: Figures. Predictable, really I suppose. It was an act of purest optimism to have posed the question in the first place....... Tell me:
O: Yessir?
C: (deliberately) Have you in fact got any silk here at all?
O: Yes,sir.
C: Really?
(pause)
O: No. Not really, sir.
C: You haven't.
O: Nosir. Not a scrap. I was deliberately wasting your time, sir.
C: Well I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to kill you.
O: Right-0, sir.
(The customer takes out a huge falchion and slices the shopkeeper in twain)
C: What a senseless waste of human life.
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Aznive lets Xavian do the talking, getting into the role of her broad-shouldered baker. Maybe he's originally from Galt. Or Brevoy. Family reputation in ruins, and turned to smuggling out of necessity? Or a bit of a simpleton, recruited into a life of crime without even realizing it?
As she lets various backgrounds pass in her mind, she see Xavian nodding at the tapestry and realizes that she must have missed a clue somewhere. Stay focused, Aznive. The prettiest backstory falls flat on its face if you mess up the delivery, or worse: fail to spot the cue.
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Ashara smiles warmly at the shopkeeper:"Well met. I can see you have a lot of fine merchandise here on display, though me and my friends" - Ashara nods at the others in a conspiratory way - "Would be interessed in something a little more exotic if you catch my meaning. We've heard you can help us reach markets offering the deepest variety of selection... if you get my meaning..."
After having said her piece Ashara discretely helps Aznive scan the place.
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"Well met Rimble and... Antoniollus, is it?" she says eyeing the roc.
Antoniollus sticks out his chest with the pretty woman's words.
"Aw, yes, yes, this is his name: Antoniollus", Rimble answer with proud.
"Please to meet you. Abaal, Ashara. Rimble and Antoniollus. Is her a roc, really? Fully grown already, or will he grow even bigger." She walks up to the gnome. "Can I pet him?" She leans in close to Rimble, talking behind her hand. "You might want to take care with her in fire. I have a bad feeling about that..." She winks conspiratorially.
Antoniollus spreads his wings, showing all his magnificent feathers.
"Yes, my lady, he is a roc, a young roc. Maybe he grow even bigger, as well. Don't worry about the fire, it is just to light my pipe", the gnome winks to the kitsune.
"And the pleasure is all mine to meet all of you, my friends", the sorcerer greets everybody again before cross the portal.
"Consider it done, my lady", Rimble says as take the gifts she provided to him .
On their way to the Cresting Blossom, Rimble spent one scroll of disguise self scroll on himself. "Does anybody need help with yours?", he asked.
"Hello and welcome to my shop! I have many colors and types of silk to offer.. what would you be interested in?"
"Yes, my good man. Listen to her words", Rimble pointed to Ashara, "and help us with this. We have friends in common who will be happy for it."
The party crowds into the small shop, but the man gets the drift pretty quickly. He looks you over, eyes alighting on the chest with great interest. He then looks at Ashara and says "The sun doesn't set without a price. What does it take from you?"
The man looks at the gold, then hands it back to Abaal, laughing. "That is a pittance of what I make.. 20 gold will not find you anything exotic.. Traders must go deeper into their coffers.. or chests, as the case may be. And I sell no Taffeta.. whatever this may be. Are you feeling quite all right??"
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Aznive steps in, trying to soothe the silk vendor's mood. "Don't worry, my companion was just kidding," she says in her gravelly voice. "We have just the kind of thing for you. A gift, of course. Marvels both from here, and from abroad. Anything particular that would suit your fancy?" she asks, with a quick look to Xavian, rummaging through the chest.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The shop keeper comes around the counter and inspects the wares being proffered. Carefully, he selects the dose of poison and quickly it disappears into voluminous sleeves. "I believe this will suffice.." With this, he sweeps back behind the counter, and pulls aside the tapestry, revealing the door to you. "When you reach the bottom, knock five times. The door will be opened, and you will be allowed in."
Beyond the door, there is a metal staircase, descending 50 feet underground to a dimly lit, musty cavern. At the far side, a single heavy wooden door bars any further progress. The party steps up and knocks five times, and a bored faceless guard opens the door to allow you to pass through. He doesn't even give you a second glance as he closes the door behind you and bars it once more.
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. The people down here skirt from shadow to shadow, intent on their own problems.
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Aznive gives the shopkeeper a curt nod, fitting with her disguise. She follows the others down, and gawks when the size of the Undermarket becomes apparent. "She wasn't exaggerating, was she?"
I'll be right back." With that, like Xavian, she approaches one of the people already there. "Look, I'm not here to bother you and I'll keep it short. We're new here, and we have some stuff for sale that doesn't really belong on upside markets. Where should we go?"
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Abaal lets the others get to their investigating. His time will come. Instead of pretending he is there to buy and sell illegal goods he actually wanders the vendors booths looking for things to buy--though always within view of the rest of the party.
If he notices Xavian talking about 'asps' he quickly grabs the halfling and drags him to the venous snake salesman shows him the man's stock. Depending how far Xavian goes Abaal feel it necessary to try and hoist the smaller man over the snake pit so he 'might get a better look.'
"Quiet man." Abaal hisses. "Best not to shout for the bear you are hunting."
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Xavian will try to find a "local" that could possibly be a good source of information. My associates and I have a couple of knick-knacks to peddle. I understand that asps are dwellers in the cave, any idea where they might be found?
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
"Yes! And we pay well for the info!" added Rimble, between a shot and another from his pipe.