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“Who is it that has hired you to protect me?”
Eadie’s serious expression turns angry as she shakes her head. “Uh, Uh. You need to explain to US how your information is gathered and kept secure, if you want anything out of us.”
Eadie has her first glimpse of a dancing dune, but has no idea what to make of it.
“That living sand has something to do with it, doesn't it?”
"Lovely day today isn't it..."
Kyra does her best ... ...
And she casts Command from within 20 feet on the creature in the sand ... "Approach" ...
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I rolled a 20+2 from assist
Madame Zelekhati looks startled as the Pathfinders start to surround her. She reaches for her ring and begins to twist it until the hulking beast of Lhug bears down on her. A brief moment passes as the two stare at each other. The with a loud exhale the Madame slouches her shoulders in defeat. It is not worth dying to protect these secrets. Suddenly a rises from the dune. Enough she shouts at the elemental. There will be no battle here today.
Madam Zelekhati tells you her story: She was raised among a family of guides
in the strange Underdunes region of Osirion’s eastern desert. She was not with her family when one of the region’s infamous sand-slides buried them, but what she took from them has served her well over the intervening years. Her half-elven heritage has driven her both to explore the lands across the Inner Sea and later to return to her dune-ridden homeland. There her sorcerous
powers manifested, simultaneously awakening the ring that she kept as a memento of her deceased family, when she encountered a sandman, a sinister elemental creature.
Her ring—a mostly dormant ring of elemental command— allowed her to command the sandman, which she has a spy ever since.
Passing off the sandman’s skill at sculpting its own body as her own sorcerous abilities, she accumulated considerable wealth as a performance artist and invested the gold in acquiring performance space of her own at the edge of the booming Eto Bazaar.
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"Ma'am, your story is most heart-wrenching, and I'm sorry for the loss of your family at such a young age. I am glad you have managed to turn lemons into lemonade and sculpt such a good life for yourself here. I cannot speak for all here, but I see no reason why our knowledge of your secret need affect that life or your methods... please be assured we mean you no harm here. Thank you for sharing your tale with us."
"Before we go... I do have a question for you though. We are seeking a message from the Hundredfingers gang. Perhaps your extensive knowledge network might prove to be helpful to us in finding and contacting this group. Can you direct us to a person or place where we might find a representative of this gang?"
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"Lovely day today isn't it..."
“Isn’t it though? It’s so warm here and I understand they’ve had such a horrid, cold winter back home in Korv… ”
Eadie is startled into silence by Lore’s fierce mien. Note to self: Next time we game together – let the gnome win.
Eadie nods at Lore’s question. “We understand they’ve been spooked by something and haven’t been spotted in the bazaar. Do you know what they’re frightened of?”
As they leave, Eadie will return Lhug’s shield and eventually untie her weapons.
“Wow! Reef knots are much harder to undo than I’d been led to believe.”
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Lore is able to connect with Madame Zelekhati on significant personal levels. The two have a long talk. The Pathfinders leave with the Madame's spy ring in place and the location of the Hundred Fingers Gang.
The hideout is in a less traveled section of the Bazaar, but Zelekhati's directions make it easy to find. Two rows of decrepit wooden shacks are separated by an alley that serves more as a filthy runnel than a pathway. Broken wooden doors do little to keep the elements or vermin out, but
there is little within to steal. Few of the shacks boast more than a chair or two and several threadbare bedrolls.
This area is devoid of activity except for a middle-aged human female that is swelling apothecary supplies. Seeing the Pathfinders she comments on rare it is to see adventurers in this part of the city. But, she has some healing salves that can restore flesh as readily as the legendary sun orchid elixir restores youth.
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Eadie is very happy to have released her weapons from their bondage. So happy in fact, that she has been mimicking Lhug-mor’s ‘iaijutsu’ quick-draw technique with her falchion in a deluded (but genuine) attempt at self-improvement.
Unfortunately her clumsy technique and accompanying cry of “Hi-ya!” every twenty paces or so may begin to grate …
Eadie stops her assault on the back-alley air long enough to take in the apothecary and her surroundings.
Huh. You’d think she’d have something to bring down that swelling.
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Both Lore and Lhug recognize that the lady is wearing a pendant arround her neck that is closely associated with the Red Mantis Assassins. . Since you are not dead already, it is more likely this lady works for them in some way rather than being being a full member of their order.
As you study the lady, she asks kindly. Do you have any interest in a salve that can heal the skin of even the most horrible of scars?
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"My scars are on the inside," smiling broadly so the slashes and burns on his face become more prominent. "I do have a friend in need of your ointment. What is the price of this cure?"
"Mother, we had some business with the hundred fingers, but I see that they are gone, and with good reason. Might we know the best way to stay unentangled with *your* business? My friends here are soft and witless and we would not want to stumble into something that is not our concern."
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"My friends here are soft and witless ..."
*pfft* “Are not!”
Eadie lines Seoni up for a practice draw, miming taking off the sorceress’s head with her heavy blade. However, she does NOT actually draw her weapon.
“Hi ya !.. ” Eadie puts the tip of her right index finger into her mouth. “I think I broke a nail.”
“Oh, and good idea about the salve for the Kool aid man, Lhug. Finally, I think I’m starting to rub off on you.”
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"Such a salve sounds like it would be worth its weight in gold, especially to us... as we often find ourselves in the line of fire... And I'd be fascinated to know what is in it... I am something of a chef, and always interested in ingredients, even if they are part of something inedible... let's talk."
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"Well ,we're actually not in need right now... but we frequently are and I'd be most interested in your concoction."
Then she changes the subject a little, "We're also seeking a message for a friend and were hoping we'd hear it here, or perhaps be directed to the source, if necessary. Mayhap you know of such message or who might deliver it to us?"
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Well child who are you looking for? As you have noticed... the alley appears to be very empty. I have also noticed that whom ever seems to run this place, has left. Or is in hiding.
If you ever need a healing concoction, you can find me at the Wyvren's Tooth. I am easy to track down.
After responding to Lore and Lhug the disappears down an alley and is out of sight within moments.
Lhug hears some movement to the alleys opposite where the apothecary went. Several human foot steps are coming your way, and they are not being silent about it.
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“Kyra, I would love a casting of Bull’s Strength if you think it appropriate.”
“Lhug, can you see a good ambush spot? Maybe somewhere we could provide a flank for each other?”
Eadie listens carefully to Lhug-mor’s response. If it seems reasonable she will draw her Lucerne hammer as she moves into position. The young fighter will then ready an action to strike an enemy that moves into a square she threatens.
She is also looking to take an additional attack of opportunity against anyone that closes to 5’ with her.
Kyra will start with Bulls Strength on Lhug ... and will move to a position of relative safety where she can cast Bless next round.
Seoni quietly casts Mage Armor upon herself.
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The Pathfinders look around and quickly here the sound of bottles breaking and fires starting in some of the buildings. The party casts spells and form a defensive position. After a moment, the attacks present themselves in the ally. They are armed with saps and torches. Seeing the Pathfinders, they smile. Finally some of the rats have come out of hiding. They throw their torches into a nearby building and ready for combat.
One of the men look at you all and smiles. You are the rats, I have the rat trap!
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“Thank-you for the Bull’s Strength, Kyra and Lhug! It really helps me swing those heavy weapons. I am looking forward to when I can afford a Belt of Giant Strength.”
"Careful little sister ..."
Eadie keeps her 'game-time' face on beneath her visor but she smiles on the inside.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Lhug was looking out for us ...
She actually says. “Always happy to have you watching my back or fighting by my side, big bro. What is it with our enemies and fire? The sewers under Augustana, the warehouse in the God’s Market and now these guys have torches too?? Did they start a fire when they threw their torches down?”