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Torch nods at the report of the successful planting of the prayer book. "Well done, I look forward to seeing what my old friend will find out there."
One of the half orcs takes the staff and presents it to Torch after Vincent hands it over. "The other items were of little importance, but this staff is exactly what I required. I also heard you manged to avoid all the check points to get it in. Well done Pathfinders."
On the news that the Red Mantis Assassin is hot on his heals Torch simply nods. "They have been after me for quite some time. I have not had to much trouble avoiding them and I don't think I will have any troubles now."
Torch listens intently as he listens to the secrets behind the dancing dune. "Very interesting, so she uses some blue fey creatures to spy for her. I'll have to look into finding one that is willing to work for me. As for the pesh delivery I'm sure I can find someone that might find that information useful."
"What a wonderfully productive day it has been." Torch says as he motions for one of the half orcs to deliver a stack of maps to the Pathfinders. "Here is my end of the bargain, these maps will lead to the area you seek. You had best hurry though, as I stated earlier you are not the only ones after this prize."
There are three maps. One is of Osirion with Eto clearly marked along with an unnamed site to the north. The second map is much smaller scale and shows a detailed route from Eto to the mystery site. The third is more of a charcoal drawing of two large rock outcroppings connected by a smooth wall by a smooth wall with a single gate. It is entiled "Seekers Folly" and signed by one V.L. The hand writing seems strangely familiar.
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Torch sneers, "There are some parts of my past that I'd rather not revisit. Thank you for picking at old wounds, Pathfinders."
As the Pathfinders finish examining the maps and head out the door Torch adds one more thing. "If you wish to speak to me again before you leave you won't find me here. I'm relocating due to security reasons, but I think you already know about all that."
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A new day dawns in the Osirian trade city of Eto only hours following the meeting with Grandmaster Torch. In exchange for a handful of services, he delivered several maps and sketches of landmarks that collectively point the way to the last known resting place of one or more sage jewels—enchanted gems capable of storing memories of Osirion’s past and reviving the Sapphire Sage Amenopheus’s order. “Those will take you where you want to go,” Torch declared while handing over the maps. “Deviate from the path if you know what you’re doing.” As an afterthought, he added, “You’re not the only ones who know about that site. I hear a group of foreigners set out from Totra not too long ago and are after the same prize. Sounds like there’s no time to waste.”
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the oasis and the terrain surrounding it. They provide some
advice about how to equip properly and avoid common
desert hazards, granting the PCs a +1 bonus on any Survival
checks made while traveling from Eto to Seeker’s Folly.
rarely used, though the caravan masters are familiar with
the oasis and the terrain surrounding it. They provide some
advice about how to equip properly and avoid common
desert hazards, granting the PCs a +1 bonus on any Survival
checks made while traveling from Eto to Seeker’s Folly.
The gnoll clans have grown increasingly bold, and
abductions along the common trade routes are becoming
increasingly common.
A pair of travelers asked questions about the same
oasis a few days ago. One flashed a bronze badge bearing a
snake emblem when questioned by customs agents
Survivors of the recent gnoll attacks remember that
the gnolls often attacked during the hottest time of the
day, when the camels were resting and the heat shimmer
disguised the glimmer of the gnolls’ weapons
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"Thanks for your help!" Dylara says, and bids farewell to the caravan masters.
Using the advice of the caravan masters, Dylara tries to determine the best way to the party's destination.
When the party's about to depart, Dylara instructs her best friend. "Melon, I want you to fly above us while we travel. Come warn me when you see anything that may be a threat to us."
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Sounds like Torch was right, there's a group travelling ahead of us - some guys wearing snake badges were asking about the oasis up ahead.
There's reports of gnolls onto trade route, so even if we do take Torch's route, we should be careful. Someone may have 'bought' the information that we're coming, after all.
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Vyk nodded. "Wouldn't be surprised if Torch himself sold us out. He seems like the type."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Though the long, and safer, approach may be better... Hmm..."
Dylara thinks about the options for a moment, then nods her head. "Let's take the safe path. I'm sure I can guide us without getting lost."
"Do you have water with you? I can prepare create water tomorrow. So we don't have to carry water for multiple days."
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"Create Water is one of the spells that I know. It comes in handy regularly. If you want to keep a different spell available, I can handle our water consumption. Food is another issue, and I will make sure to stock up on non-perishables before we go." Vincent makes a grimace as he mentions, "Although I find trail rations to be awfully bland. Perhaps I'll pick up some local spices as well."
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"I don't mind taking a short path, since we are competing with another team. Some risk might be appropriate, and we wont suffer much, as long we'll be traveling with comfort" Khismia patted her horse neck. "I planned to buy a tent, but I might feel a bit uncomfortable sharing a tent with a guys. You are welcome to enter for midnight prayer and after sunrise, but not during night. No offence, but I might give a good example to my kid" She casually checked her left earring and then secretly looked on fingers. Probably, girl-only decision wasn't her alone.
"Vincent, you'll be suffering walking through the sands by foot. I can borrow you money, if you want. If someone is suffering from money issues, I have a discount at stables, so I can buy a good horse for you. They had several Maral-Tekes - Qadiran horses. Light and quick and they don't need much water."
"And they had gordeous Sahure-Aus stallion with hair like yours" Sabah put her word in group talk.
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"Let's ride short", she cautiously corrected Tuich, "if we take short road, than it's better to ride. This way we can escape some troubles or get benefits if we need to fight."
Oracle spoke to Dylara: "I grew up in south-west Qadira, but we were rarely traveling through desert." She shook her shoulders as she remembered something.
"Definitely, you were travelling rarely at all" said invisible companion, but Khismia decided to ignore him for awhile.
"I heard from a caravans and other traveling merchants, that camels are very reliable animals if you need to travel long distance, carry lot of goods and don't expect any troubles. Horses actually are weaker, but they can burst speed to run away from danger. I'm more familiar with horses, but if you would like to have a camel, I can afford that as well. There should be no problem to sell it afterwards."
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I've never ridden a camel either Miko says but I like travelling in style.
---
Truth be told, wearing that Osirian robes and getting the opportunity to travel like the dervishes was starting to become a bit of a distraction from the mission. How many times had I dreamt of this! Still, we had that second group to beat, so things were going to get a little dusty...
---
Miko Teppen, personal journal
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As the party heads out into the open desert they start to get disoriented in the seemingly endless dunes. If not for Dylara's directions they would have surely lost their way. They make great time on their horses and camels and eventual they reach the target location on Torches map, an oasis. Notes on the map describe a marker stone near the oasis whose shadow at sunset will point to the ruins.
The oasis shimmers like a sapphire in the midday heat. Life clings around its edges tenaciously, with only a few hardy plants nestled amid the rocks managing to survive in patches around the area. Finches bathe in the water, resting on an abandoned harness. Trash and castoffs from travelers litter the area, and a small brick hearth is the only permanent fixture.