[PFS] GM Kyshkumen's Destiny of the Sands (Inactive)

Game Master Kyshkumen

Tuich coughs and nudges Vincent in the ribs. "Sapphire Sage," she corrects him sotto voce. "We're looking for the Diamond Sage," she adds in a whisper so low only he can hear it.

She gives the inspector a bright smile, hoping Vincent's slip won't cause any trouble.

Derp. Misread my notes.

Vincent beams a smile at the guards. "Well, if you want to get technical, the Diamond Sage didn't send for us. We were in fact sent by the Sapphire Sage to meet with the Diamond Sage, which is basically the same thing as being called for directly, since they are colleagues and all. Shining examples of wisdom and clarity, your sages are."

"Ahh so you are working for the sapphire sage. It's a shame he no longer works for the Ruby Prince. If he did you could have just walked right in and skipped this whole inspection." One of the guards finds the crystal geode from the Sapphire sage and hands it to the inspector. "Well this is interesting and looks to be Osrion in origin. You are aware there is a tax for recovered artifacts yes?"

Well, that's the one we should have put in the bird's bag. Looks like no one was tracking it. I completely forgot about it. The inspector isn't concentrating on the stone as he's talking, is he? That could be potentially awkward.

"I'm under the impression this nick-nack was crafted by the Sapphire Sage himself. He gave it to us in Sothis to aid us in his task. I hardly think it counts as a 'recovered artifact.' But we intend to find some artifacts for him and the Diamond Sage in the near future, so if you could briefly explain the tax to me, I'd appreciate it."

Great, another 'inspector' looking to shake us out. What a familiar sight. Miko rolls her eyes at Vyk, and mutters under breath I thought we crossed the Varisian border long ago, making sure Tuich doesn't hear.

I believe we are both aware that no such tax exists. Import tax for Osirion artefacts, humbug! We bringing back an Osirian artefact, and you want to discourage that by levying a tax?

Diplomacy/Perform(oratory): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Miko's usual lightness is lacking from her voice, and those familiar hear a slight emotional vibration in her voice.

The voice in Khismia's head laughs.

- Why you didn't warned us? - she asks mentally.
- Why should I? You said me to mind my own business, and I was. What would you like me to do now? Do you want me to scare him to death? - Augoyon found it good time to play another cruel joke of her.
- Ok, go on! They will see and exorcize you finally! - Oracle was thinking, how to get out of this situation.
- No mortal can do that! - said angry spirit, but she limited her manifestation to another handful of sand thrown to Khismia's face.

"Dear sir, I'd like to get more information on all Osirion taxes. As trade princess of Qadira, I'm planning to organise several caravans of goods delivered to Eto, if I can find good opportunities. Knowing all taxes would help me a lot to plan my trading strategy." she took her journal and ink pen out of backpack, ready to write behind tax collector.

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Tuich frowns upon hearing of the levy. And they label us Varisians as thieves!

Vyk grits his teeth at the very obvious extortion going on. And nodded quietly to Miko's assertion. Although, he wondered if perhaps he should tell her that his mother was Varisian -- presumably anyway. He had never actually met the woman.

"This is all perfectly legal and is a means of controlling the out flow of Osrion history. Surely as agents of the Sapphire Sage you understand this? No you say that he gave this to you himself? He would not have given this to you unless it was important so I will not be taxing it. Since there are no other suspicious itmes you are free to pass into Eto. Please enjoy your stay, my name is Mahu and you may call on my assistance should you require it."

You have passed through the gates. Now where are you headed?

Dylara waits for the tax collector to finish talking, and makes sure to stretch her reply while slightly frowning. "Hmmmmmmm."

"Let's take some distance from them," Dylara says as they move away from the inspection point. Once they're at a safe distance, Dylara puts her fingers to her lips and lets out a sharp whistle.

Within a few seconds the small dot on the horizon becomes recognizable as Melon. The roc reaches the party soon after she comes into view.

"Prrrrrowaa!" Melon declares loudly, choosing to do so in Vyk's ear.

"Here you go, Sabah." Dylara hands Salma back to the little girl.

The other items are also handed back to the owners, and Dylara puts her backpack on her own back again.

"I suggest we start with gathering some information from the locals?" Dylara asks. "And perhaps one of you is familiar with the local customs?"

Dylara casts guidance on herself and the others before she starts asking around for information.

Diplomacy (Gather Info), Guidance, Aid Another: 1d20 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 + 1 = 12 For whoever's better at this kind of thing ;) Please state it when you take the aid, so there's no confusion on who does.

K(Local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Calming down a bit from her treatment at customs, Miko draws a blank when it comes to the lay of the land. Ah, well, better start asking around then.

Ancient civilisation. I'm getting more and more the impression that 'ancient civilisation' just means that all civilised people have passed away.

Cheering herself up a bit by patting Melon for a job well done, she sets out to meet the local people with Dylara.

Diplomacy/Perform(Oratory): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 Taking the aid

"I suggest we start with gathering some information from the locals?" Dylara asks. "And perhaps one of you is familiar with the local customs?"

Vincent frowns. "Well, under the assumption that the contact we're looking for is Grandmaster Torch, we should ask for information on his whereabouts or of the Diamond Sage. We need to talk with one of them before we know where to begin our real search. I will find a spa. I'm sure one exists in this city somewhere. Besides being refreshing, they are wonderful for collecting gossip and information. I'll leave the seedy taverns to the rest of you."

Diplomacy (gather information): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Unfortunately, the gossip at the local spa doesn't seem to include the location of two particular people, based on that roll. He enjoys the visit anyways.

"I'm afraid I can't help with local customs. I've never been here before in my life," says Tuich, looking around.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 Gawking like a tourist in NYC...

"Good, girl," he says weakly after Melon squawks loudly into his ear.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Sabah took her doll and was really glad to have it back. Khismia took her scroll case and said "Thank you!" a bit more louder than it would be appropriate, just to attract her squire attention.

"Thank you, Dylara", Sabah immediately remembered how to be polite.

"I used to be a middle man in several trading agreements, but it's not the same thing. But, I can ask around trading tents, where to find white guy with lots of burns on his face. I don't think such faces are common here. This at least could help us to narrow down a district, where he might live." she looked around and notice a good inn, with title "Nikasi's rest" written in Osirian over the entry.

"This might take several hours, so here some money", she passed a small belt pouch to Sabah, "take care about our stay and rest for horses. Everyone, do you mind meeting in 4 hours there," she pointed a tavern, "In Nikasi's, to share our findings?"

As no one objected, she took her backpack and left to trading quarter, to ask some questions. Mainly, she was interested in people that mentioned their relationship to Pathfinder Society, men with burned faces or someone, who was called by their servants as Grandmaster or Torch.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Time spent: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Sometimes, it went not very good. Haunt was telling her, that she is using a daughter to do a dirty job, like cleaning and feeding horses, and when Khismia tried to argue, it was throwing sand. As soon as spirit discovered, that it is useless because of veil, woman wore, it started to knock down small items and Khismia paid 4 silver to a poor seller, whose last clay jar of goat milk spilled on ground. Finally, trade princess saw a priest of Saraenrae and started follow her through the market. In presence of divine person, haunt was behaving herself quiet and Khismia could ask several questions.

Miko and Khismia both come back to the tavern with the same information. A man with heavy scarring has been seen at the House of the White Uraeus an inn that specializes in tending to the sick and wounded. This information could have been gained in the mission briefing.

The group makes it's way to the House of the White Uraeus and it is easily recognizable two-story whitewashed stone building in one of the more upscale districts. A large brass plaque above its door depicts a snake with two "necks" that split from its body, each with it's own head.
Once inside a large man of orcish decent gets up from one of the tables, looks the group over, and with a grunt waves for them to follow him.

Although its exterior is unassuming, the interior of the White Uraeus is rechly decorated with panels of gold-veined marble and bubbling fountains in secluded cortyards. Cool breezes carry the scent of blooming desert flowers throughout the clean halls. Two half-orcs keep watch outside one set of closed doors. After a moment inspection the visitors, they pull open the doors to reveal a tiled bathing chamber beyond.

"Welcome to Eto, Pathfinders," rasps Grandmaster Torch as he lounges in a steaming tub. "I didn't imagine we would meet again under such heart-warming circumstances, yet the White Uraeus certainly know how to make a traveler comfortable. What can a humble secret monger such as I do for you?" he asks as he leans forward in the tub and flashes a knowing smile.

See map for image of Grandmaster Torch.

Of course, the Venture-Captain gave us quite the look when we explained the troubles we had to go through to locate Grandmaster Torch. Particularly the account of Vincent spending an afternoon in a bathhouse full of wrinkled old Garundi - though I admit to have spiced up that part a bit - have him quite the chuckle. The 'Captain gave us a worried look though, having dealt with the likes of Torch before. Torch was firmly registered on the liability side of this mission, so we had to thread carefully...
--Miko Teppen, personal journal

Turning some secrets into non-secrets, perhaps?

"You're welcome," Dylara replies to Khismia and Sabah. "No problem at all."

------

"We were told could help us," Dylara tells Grandmaster Torch. She then waits for someone who's better in holding conversations to speak.

I remember how it went last time I did the diplomatic part... Wish I didn't...

Tuich nods in agreement with Dylara's comment, unsure of how much to reveal at this point.

Torch lets out a raspy chuckle, "You should be more specific or the secrets you get might not be the ones you want. I might be able to help, but it depends on what you want and what you are willing to do for it."

Strange, we were told you had contacted the society with the prospect of something interesting. I am looking for a girl's best friend, but understood it might take forever.

"We are looking for specific gemstone with very rich and interesting background. You know, some of them, can tell stories, like savant or scholar with long interesting life, full of experience," Khismia decided to play along Miko's wordplay, but she was more blunt with her phrases.

We don't know for sure it's him, Tuich thinks, almost saying something. But maybe Miko has some plan I can't discern. She decides to stay quiet and see where the bard is going with this.

Vyk chuckles at the subterfuge.

"The bottom line is that we're ready and willing to make a deal, if the price is right. So let's hear it."

Torch gives a smile that almost looks like a cringe before saying, "I see My reputation precedes me, very good. I know that Amenopheus sent you here to look for the diamond sage and thinks he can cash in a favor. He is mistaken as he owed me several favors before I ever asked for his help, but I don't mind giving a discount to repeat customers." He says with a raspy chuckle. Torch snaps his fingers to call one of his half-Orc body guards over. He takes a folded piece of paper from the guard and examines it. "Let's see what is on today's schedule.....yes this will do nicely." He holds out the piece of paper, "Consider this my price, all of this tasks finished to my satisfaction in exchange for what I know of the sage jewels. Do we have a deal Pathfinders"

Adding list to the map.

Vyk takes the paper and scans the list.

"Hmm, I don't know. It seems like we could just find the Sage on our own and it would be less of a hassle."

He then shrugs playfully.

"But I suppose we're not doing anything else. So you got a deal."

"We'll see. I first want to know what I'm signing up for."

Dylara takes a look at the paper as well.

"Some of these tasks seem... fishy... but okay."

Miko looks at the list and snorts: Well, thanks for giving away the location of a competitor. Guess we'll check with her first.

To miko, the list seems nothing more than a series of pranks, so why not mess a bit with the self-proclaimed grand-master?

Miko waits a second for the effect to sink in, then leaves the room. Later... Loser.

Khismia looked at list of tasks and passed that further to Tuich & Vincent.

"Those look as non fair trade, but there are four tasks and what if we don't get anything upon completion? As well, we miss some information: what is that secret of Madam Zelekathi - we might need at least part of information to threaten her properly? Do you have map, how to find that hidden well outside the city? What if Ionacu Lazar finds out prayer book before he leaves Eto - does our mission count as complete or we need to chase him all the way to expedition site?", she demonstrated pragmatic approach to task analysis.

"Of course, we can do these tasks for you, but how can we be sure, you keep your part of a deal? Are you ready to open information about location and other details partially?"

"The task with Madam Zelekathi has to parts. First is to learn her secret and second to use it a leverage to get what I want from her. You do not need a map for the well, just a wayfinder. You do have wayfinders don't you Pathfinders? I am not concerned with what Ionacu does with the prayer book should he find it. Just as long as he doesn't catch you stashing it among his things. You can even sell it to him if you think he'll pay you for it." He smiles, "You really have no guarantees that I will keep my end of the bargain. Other then it would be bad for business to break a contract."

1d100 ⇒ 39 Hooey, here we go... sorry, guys...

"Resolve any loose..." Tuich says as she reads the list, trailing off as she shakes her head and hands the list away.

"No. Just no. I suffer the Varisian reputation every day thanks to the Sczarni. I'm not about to sink to their level and come to deserve that reputation. You can find someone else to do your dirty work; I won't."

She turns on her heel and strides a few steps away, stopping with arms folded, her back to Torch and the group.

Vyk places a comforting hand on Tuich's shoulder and speaks to her quietly.

"We'll look into it first. I think we both know that there is a difference between thieves and murderers. We'll find out which one we're dealing with and then make the play our conscience demands. We're not assassins after all. We're Pathfinders."

Tuich nods mutely at Vyk's comment... but stays where she is as her new desert outfit is buffeted by an unfelt breeze.

The gears in Miko's head start turning once she sees Tuich's reaction. My, she feels strongly. I hadn't read these instructions that way, but she's right. And these tasks are not.

Not let's see, what can we do to make these tasks a bit more palpable?

Miko tries to remember what kind of god Khepri is, to get a sense of the motives of Torch

K(Religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Miko then tries to communicate with Tuich, speaking as coded as possible

Do you remember that oracle in the cave, on your first mission? Miko wasn't with that mission, but she's read the chronicles. Torch's men are quite unlike that gillman in the water.

She hopes to move Tuich to come along into a more private setting. You remember Esra, right? Torch is like the Pharasmins, and we finished the job for them. No more undead, no harm done. And the Pharasmans none the wiser on the trick we pulled on them These tasks, we can them approach like we approached Esra. And we can be nice to Torch, like we were nice to those Kitharodian librarians: we were just reading in the upper hall, that's what we told them. And that's what we'll tell torch.

This is a big gamble - we must do each of these tasks, twist them in such a way that no harm is being done, and make sure Torch is none-the-wiser. Bonus points for tricking the trickster, heehee! But it's not even clear to me why Torch is asking us to do these things, so figuring that out will be important, but also look suspicious. And if we trip up on just one of these tasks...

Hopefully, we can stand aside and talk privately

Khismia could not understand, what Miko is whispering to Tuich. She moved a bit closer and said: "I've been in Magnimar and spend several month in other Varisian places. Most of people I saw we very good and helpful, and I would never think of them bad... Why should any?"

"- But they haven't helped you, and you paid them gold, but now will bear those stupid marks on your face forever", whispered the quiet voice inside.
"- That's because you didn't want to part me and rest in piece!", answered Khismia.
"- You are just stupid to understand. You think, they tried help you, but they just fooled you!", spirit's voice was stone cold.

Khismia wasn't thinking about Varisians, she was thinking about tasks, she performed for Society so far. She hunted goblins in old sewers. It was a bit cruel because of her companions, who did not wanted to leave any one of them alive. Although it could be understood, goblins are known for being cruel and voracious. Other missions were mostly focused on retrieving artefacts for Society or representing Society at formal occasions. She though a bit about funeral, that was almost ruined by evil priest. And mostly always they were acting in line with local laws.

So far, she couldn't find anything bad in this assignment, except blackmailing Madam Zelekathi.

"I think we should accept this task and do it to best of our possibilities", she resumeed to other members, "probably we can negate the impact we do by other actions"

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Anything about Khepri

"That wasn't my first mission," Tuich mutters, clearly distracted. Continuing to avoid the bard's gaze, she sighs and then speaks more clearly.

"Miko, I.. if we must do this, I'll support the rest of you. Opening locks. Healing wounds. Disarming traps. Fighting when we're attacked. But I'll not have dastardly things done by my hand. I... I don't expect you to understand why."

She looks at Miko sadly, hair blowing about her face despite the calm air.

But I want to understand why, and I want to help you.

Miko is momentarily at a loss against the intensity of Tuich's feelings. Miko is strongly moved by the emotions of her friend and the bard becomes suddenly aware of the discomfort she is causing. She just stands there, in a moment of awkward silence, and then does something she hasn't actually done since leaving Razmiran: she makes a shallow, respectful bow, eyes to the floor, in the style of a Tien.

Miko's action makes Tuich smile, and then she takes a deep breath.

"Alright," she says with a forced air of cheeriness. "Let's be about things. Standing around like this is just wasting time."

Just let me know which of these tasks you'd like to do first. I figured you guys stepped away from Torch to have a little huddle. He wasn't to concerned as Vyk already said they would take on the tasks.

"We should indeed try to handle things in as proper a way as possible," Dylara says while smiling at Tuich.

This may prove more difficult than I expected, but I understand her feelings...

Dylara points at the first task on the list. "Shall we start with the first?"

"Might be we can go with second first?", Khismia new nothing about that god and would like to have some time to ask someone around, "That guy on Gate we passed... I think she likes Miko and might be she talk with him,.. while we will be carrying some artifacts. Or we can ask Melon to help us again, if artefacts weight allows..."

She waited for other ideas.

"This is only part that requires us travel outside Eto", she said, "Later, we can set Nikasi's rest as our base and do all that requires our stay in city".

"Also fine with doing the second task first."

Dylara pats Melon's head again. "While wearing her barding, Melon can carry an additional 44.5 pounds and still fly."

Quite an exact number there.

Vincent nods. "The second task first sounds good. I appreciate the use of your bird for our tasks." He ponders for a moment. "Torch, it doesn't specify distance from the gate. Are we to be travelling far from the city? Out into the wilderness, or still within sight of the walls?"

They tested it once. Melon crashed into a tree when she tried to take flight with slightly more :P

"Sshh! No, Vincent!" Dylara exclaims as she quickly places her hands over Melon's ears. "Don't just call Melon a bird! You're hurting her feelings!"

Melon lets out a low growl while glaring at Vincent. 'Hurt' may not properly describe the roc's feelings, because she looks like she's about to lunge at Vincent.

Torch shurgs "I have no idea, I haven't been out there myself. If I were to take a guess I'd say it was far enough away from prying eyes, but not far enough away to warrant an expedition."

"Okay," Dylara replies while keeping Melon in check, which is done by wrapping both arms around the roc's neck and pulling as hard as possible.

"So, uh... ugh... shall we go?"

The group exits the city of Eto through the Sunrise gate and head southeast. After a bit of walking through the sands they see a large out cropping of rock with some tall grasses growing in the rocks shadow. Walking through the grass the Pathfinders find an old well. It is about 15 feet wide at the top and narrows down to 5 feet at the bottom. It looks to be about 30 feet deep.

Map has been updated.