Noticing how Eadie readily hands all the information over to the secret monger, Seoni stands aloof, arms crossed surveying the room then sizing GMT up.
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Well Miss Eadie, you certainly do make my job easier at times, and harder at times as well. But one thing is for sure, I do offer a discount for repeat costumers. Torch snaps his finger and one of his guards springs forward with a piece of paper
Consider this my price—all of these tasks completed to my satisfaction in return for what I know of the sages’ jewels. Do we have a deal?
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Miss Eadie, you certainly do make my job easier at times, and harder at times ...
Eadie is momentarily taken aback … but she recovers quickly. “Wow! Does that mean you’ve never had a serious girlfriend before, Grandmaster Torch? ‘Cos that’s kinda what we do.”
Eadie has a question about the proprietor of the Dancing Dunes. “Your note says she’s a half-elf Madam. Lhug, you know about this stuff. What would a married lady from Galt be doing in Eto?”
“Where do the Hundredfingers gang hang out? Does Ionacu Lozar have any particular interests we could distract him with while we plant your book?” Eadie glances at the silent sorceress.
Seoni might be able to think of something ...
Eadie turns to her companions. “Which one first? Go in order? The last one sounds like some biff might be involved. It wouldn't surprise me if we ran into that nice customs agent again with the second one.”
"If the Hundred Fingers Gang had a message only for you can you provide us with any means to prove we are your agents tasked with obtaining that message?"
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GMT has nothing less to tell you. Perhaps he knows, but his deal doesn't include giving you a head start. Instead, you are directed toward the bazaar in Eto. This is the center of commerce, information, and power in this large city.
Lem spends a few hours wondering around the bazaar and comes up with the following information with help from Lhug and Eadie.
[list]
marshaling area.
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Eadie is impressed by how well the party’s bard has charmed the locals of Eto. She claps the halfling on the back. “Good work, Lem!”
With her right elbow bent and supported by her left hand, the warrior places her right hand on her chin and taps her index finger across her lips as she thinks.
Eventually … “The Osirionologist Ionacu Lozar is first on the list. Maybe we try him first?”
“He’s in a rush, he needs supplies for his expedition which he probably hasn’t received yet …”
"What say we pretend to be merchant reps/delivery crew/security guards bringing notebooks and stationery samples to him to approve? We get him to tell us where he wants the stuff delivered, and say we'll throw in the approved samples now as a gift. Once he tells us where to make the delivery, we place Torch’s book amongst the rest of his personal supply. We might have to buy some paper booklets and charcoal for cover – but that should be pretty cheap.”
“What does everyone think?”
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Lem blushes at Eadie's praise, "It is what storytellers do. You have to be good with an audience. I suppose if there are deliveries being made, it might be easiest to slip the book into the deliveries already delayed but enroute. Less likely to have him remember us if he has never seen us. Let me ask around to see what is to be delivered and when. You could pose as a merchant, and ask to include the book in a delivery, claiming extreme dislike of the Osirion? Shouldn't be too far fetched."
Lem again sets out into the market to gather information on what is being delivered to Ionacu Lozar, and when, as well as whether or not it would be possible to include his delivery along with those already heading to Mr. Lozar.
Nodding to Lem, "Thank you for your efforts in gathering local information little one."
Listening to the black armored Chelaxian devil worshiper Seoni nods, "Yes, I like your idea and while I doubt I could pass for security I might be able to distract Ionacu for a moment."
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Lore shrugs, tells Eadie..."I have a supply of artists' papers and charcoals from a previous mission, but probably not enough variety to pass as a merchant's samples... too bad that, but I'm sure we could pick up a few things... on the other hand, it sounds like Master Lem might have things well in hand simply putting the book into a delivery already scheduled. Let's wait to see how he does with that before we spend any cash on this endeavor."
She smiles watching or um.. listening to Lem's silver tongue at work. "THe fellow surely seems to have a way with people, doesn't he..."
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"Gods, that man is so obnoxious! Highway robber he is. He demands a phoenix, yet offers chicken feed. If I didn't need to feed my family, I would have shoved this damn book sideways up his . . . Regardless. I do not think I have it in me to deal with his insanity again. Would you mind terribly delivering this for me? Just tuck it into whatever crate you see fit. Do us all a favor a hide it well, just to make him pull his hair out a little bit. Bastard.'
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As Lem (and the others?) go to meet with Lozar you see more than a dozen camels are tethered outside a large pavilion tent while a score of porters pack supplies for what looks to be a grand archeological expedition. Crates of tools, coils of rope, and sacks of dried food lie in piles waiting to divided up among the beasts of burden. Within the sumptuously appointed pavilion, stacks of scrolls and hand-drawn maps lie strewn across a canopied bed. A tall, dark haired northerner with a thick eastern accent and persistent scowl supervises the storm of activity while checking over an inventory scrawled in a well-worn ledger. Where are those amphorae of water? This expedition won’t last a week in the Pillars of the Sun without water!
The halfling strolls through the camp and approaches the merchant trying to work with the ornery Osirionologist. The merchant it uneasy to try to sneak some extra contraband in his wares. The exclaims to Lem that the risk is certainly not worth the (nonexistent) reward. However, he likes the little one and suggests a way to sneak the book into the caravan himself.
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"It sounds like Master Lem might have things well in hand …”
“Agreed. That halfling's on fire!” Eadie stops herself as she realizes what she’s just said to a priestess of the Healing Flame.
"I have a supply of artists' papers and charcoals from a previous mission.”
“Oh, have you had to pretend to be a paper merchant before, Lore?”
“Maybe we should think about a diversion, in case Lem gets caught inside?”
Eadie reflects … “Though I suppose we could always resort to mindless violence.”
Eadie aids Lhug’s lookout duties.
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"Ooooh, fire!" the little pyromaniac gnome says with glee, then looks suddenly sad. "You didn't mean that literally, did you?"
Then, brightening visibly, Lore giggles softly at Eadie's guess. "No, I had to render some drawings for our mission in Magnimar. I just held onto the materials in case I needed them again." She doesn't go into any further detail.
"Lem seems quite adept and to know what he's doing... Hopefully we won't need a contingency plan. But if Lem DOES get caught, a diversion would be quite easy to implement I think. I could set the place on fire, but that might be overkill." She giggles again at the thought.
"I could spill another extract on Lore as a distraction ... see what comes out of it ..."
"If we need a distraction I could go in there and claim that there was a problem with his delivery of water so they sent me. Then I'll start creating water all over the place ... no Lhug ... not make water ... create, like actual drinking water! Though peeing on him would serve to distract as well."
"My word, what has come over me?"
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"Well, that doesn't sound like fun," Lore answers her sister in the Faith regarding her use of an extract... "I think fire would make a better distraction... With water as a close second."
"Don't worry - Eadie and Lhug have that affect on everyone, Kyra," she tries to reassure the cleric that her bold words are fine while under the influence of the other two...
Lore keeps watch with the others while waiting for Lem... and glances at any nearby booths in case any of them are selling or might have any magical dust for Madame Z.
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Lem thanks the man for his aid, then sets about to figure out how to make the plan work.
"The merchant seems to think the best plan would be to enter the tent either by disguise or stealth, and stash the book inside a box. Sadly, I never have really mastered sleight of hand skills necessary for such a task."
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Eadie wonders if there is a way to help Lem in his task without having to enter tent, where the noise she would make would almost certainly prevent the halfling from accomplishing his task.
Maybe a diversion is the best way …
Eadie addresses the harassed merchant overseer. “Are you looking for caravan guards? Lhug and I are pretty fit – let me show you. Eadie moves to the entrance of the tent and begins doing five push ups. Lhug, can you do as many as I can? If you’re that much stronger than I am, Lore might enjoy a ride on your back while you’re doing them.”
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As Lem is able to sneak into the scholar's tent, he nearly sees the bard placing the book in a stack of research material.
However, the commotion outside draws his attention. Rushing outside, the sushes the pathfinders away and "encourages" his hired labor to work smarter and get the caravan ready for the trip.
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To the well then...
The Pathfinders leave the city of Eto and find old abandoned well without much problem. The well hasn't seen use in centuries since it became foul. Now it is guarded by tall grasses that have grown around the small structure. Looking into the well, it is about 30' deep and looks fairly easy to climb down
"Do you think we all need to go down there? Does anyone have a rope ... some assistance with this task would be great."
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Eadie addresses the harassed merchant overseer. “Are you looking for caravan guards? Lhug and I are pretty fit – let me show you. Eadie moves to the entrance of the tent and begins doing five push ups. Lhug, can you do as many as I can? If you’re that much stronger than I am, Lore might enjoy a ride on your back while you’re doing them.”
The sheer number of possible sarcastic and off color comebacks have nearly confused Lhug into silence, "I told you before, it's not how big you are, it's what you do with it. And that grey-brown lumpy stuff by your hands, that's camel droppings."
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"And that grey-brown lumpy stuff by your hands, that's camel droppings."
Eadie frowns in confusion. “But one of the caravan drivers told me it was camel chocolate, Lhug. Good thing I didn’t believe him. Otherwise I would have sprinkled a pinch over your Aşure, on the night Lore made it, as a special treat just for you because you’d been so nice to me on that trip.”
“No, I’m very glad I didn’t do that.”
Eadie activates her Wayfinder and clips it to her belt before descending to the bottom of the well.
At the bottom she will take a quick look around for traps or threats.
http://paizo.com/prd/skills/climb.html
DC 0 ... Knotted rope with a wall to brace.
No stripping necessary.
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With the help of Lhug (well, there is a first for everything!)... the Pathfinders are able to climb down the well wall easily.
At the bottom of the well Lhug and Eadie easily find a small passageway that was obscured by the water. The tunnel is a narrow fit, but the Pathfinders are easily able to crawl through it.
The trickle of water flows west through a short tunnel of rough-hewn stone and pools at the bottom of a collapsed well. Alcoves set in the walls give the illusion of staring at the flared hood of a cobra. Two altars face each other across the pool in the chamber’s northwest and southeast corners. A statue of a robed human male stands in the northeast corner, and what must have been its twin lies toppled in the southwest corner.
Kyra takes in the scene
But is mostly distracted by her wet and dirty robes.
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With the help of Lhug (well, there is a first for everything!)..
Is this better?:
As you climb down the finely knotted silken rope, your mind wanders to why The Dragon would have so much rope. The realization hits you and just as quickly your mind blocks it out. Reaching the bottom, your hands are very slightly sticky.
As Seoni climbs down the finely knotted silken rope, her mind wanders to why The Dragon would have so much rope. The realization hits her and just as quickly her mind blocks it out. Reaching the bottom, she looks down at her hands which are now slightly sticky.
Rolling her eyes she gazes at her surroundings and has no idea what the statues and carvings represent.