You've all received an invite to the Lantern Lodge in the petal district. Amara Li is hosting a celebration for the annual snapdragon festival. All attendees are encouraged to dress to impress and your invitations instruct you to meet with your hostess, the head of the Lantern Lodge upon your arrival. Only the luckiest or most influential pathfinders are invited to Amara Li's party. Those that do would be crazy to miss the opportunity...
As you enter the Lantern Lodge grounds your senses are assaulted by the aroma of blooming orchids and flowing wine mixing with the acrid tang of recently exploded fireworks and the colourful flashes and pops of the current display. The sound of strangely discordant music comes from a duo of Tian women playing an unusual stringed instrument and a reed flute. The crowd mingles calmly, most guests clearly hoping to be seen more than actually paying attention to those with whom they converse, though the plum wine seems to have affected many who now move about the lodge's grounds waving sparkling wands of fire and shooting whirring, whizzing fireworks into the sky above the koi pond.
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Toshizo thoughtfully considered his situation... this was an Official function and he, a representative of the Faith of Shizuru.
Sighing at the extravagance, he resigned himself to spending 50 gold coins on silk official regalia suitable for one of his faith from Tien tailors in Absolom.
But on the night, it all seemed worth it. Servants bowed respectfully and it seemed that those who were aware of Tien religions recognised the faith he espoused from his clothing.
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Dressed in the fine clothing of an Osiriani noble house, with the jewelry to match Kristof enters the Lantern Lodge standing tall and proud. With a full, low bow he greets Venture-Captain Li. "The blooming orchids are such a rare treat, it is gracious of you to share them with us this evening. I am Pathfinder Jamison at your request and service."
After the formalities Kristof tries to chat up any similarly dressed or obviously self-important guests.
Keolin washes his worn ranger's outfit to get the blood and smell of the last few goblins he killed off his clothes and then heads to the party. He seems very ill-at-ease in such a crowded place and doesn't speak unless spoken to.
Dressed in the fine clothing of an Osiriani noble house, with the jewelry to match Kristof enters the Lantern Lodge standing tall and proud. With a full, low bow he greets Venture-Captain Li. "The blooming orchids are such a rare treat, it is gracious of you to share them with us this evening. I am Pathfinder Jamison at your request and service."
Amara Li nods ever so slightly in response to Kristof's complements and introduction. " Yes the flowers are spectacular this year. Please don't stray far, I'm waiting for one more up and coming pathfinder to arrive and then I would like a quiet word with you and the others here. " she replies without a hint of an accent.
Galia spots a servant among the crowd with a tray full of a variety of delicious dumplings.
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Azeban arrives wearing an elegant courtier's outfit he personally selected himself to match the latest styles of Tian Xia. It is a form-fitting deep blue garment with a round collar and wide slits, flowing around his body. Silver stitching is embroidered in the silk, creating a pattern of swirling demons and his long hair is kept in a neat bun with an extravagant jade haircomb keeping it bound. There's a silver ring engraved with the image of demons on his left ring finger and a single small silver earring on his right ear.
Only the slight sheen of sweat on his forehead tells of his harried rushing, having gotten somewhat lost earlier. Taking a wide glance at the room, he spots Galia first and moves to approach her.
"Hello," he says, sounding somewhat breathless. "I didn't miss too much, have I?"
Before Galiregents a chance to answer Amara notices that Azeban has arrived, looking approvingly at his outfit. " Ah, now that you have all arrived perhaps you would care to join me for tea? " She asks, making sure to make eye contact with each of you as she speaks and then gesturing at a small pavilion that is set up away from the main party.
Once inside she kneels on a reed mat in front of a low table and begins pouring tea with a fine porcelain set. The scent of the flowers set around the edges of the pavilion seems to complement the taste of the tea. Amara gestures for everyone to seat themselves around the table and then she begins to speak in hushed tones. " I hope you find the Snapdragon Festival and my hospitality worthy of your time and energy. I have not brought you here for mere pleasantries, however, and wish to ask you to partake a dangerous mission on my behalf. "
"Long ago, one of my most esteemed ancestors, who was rich in power but poor in sense, gave a gift to a foreign prince, a gift that prince did not deserve and my foolish ancestor had no right to give—a ceremonial jade katana. At the time the gift was sent, its recipient was invading this island. He laid siege to Absalom from his fortress in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts. Like those who came before him, the warlord failed to take Absalom and perished in the attempt. On the very day of his defeat, his castle crumbled to dust in a violent earthquake and has been lost to the centuries ever since. My family's heirloom was lost with it."
“A recent report by a group of Pathfinders gives me hope that they have finally found the ruin, and I might finally recover my family's treasure. I'm looking for an intrepid group to retrieve it for me, and I'm hoping that is you. The fame and wealth you will doubtlessly recover will bring you much honor within the Society, and if you deliver the katana to me, you will have my favor as you begin your careers as full agents of the Pathfinder Society. "
"How far is the ruin from here? Does the katana have any magical properties that you are aware of?" Keolin asks awkwardly. He hesitates for a moment. "Any special marks that make this katana specifically identifiable to your family?"
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Azeban smiles politely at Amara, joining her and sitting down, following the customs for the tea ceremony from what he can remember.
"Thank you, the festival has been grand and enjoyable from what I have seen." Azeban is a bit nervous but calms himself by sipping the tea. Such an opportunity, and the favor of Amara herself! "Your family's heirloom seems very important to you and I would be honored to perform this service."
"How far is the ruin from here? Does the katana have any magical properties that you are aware of?" Keolin asks awkwardly. He hesitates for a moment. "Any special marks that make this katana specifically identifiable to your family?"
"The ruin is in the cairnlands almost half a days walk from the city walls. " Amara hands a hastily drawn map over, that marks the approximate location of the ruin. " The Katana is not magical to my knowledge, it had green Ito cord and three jade stones set as the eyes of three gold dragons make the Tsuba. The Saya is wooden but was overlaid with gold scales lined with green wire. "
" When do you wish for us leave ? "
" Please, stay and enjoy the party, rest tonight and leave in the morning. "
Keolin suddenly becomes more confident. "Why do I get the feeling you aren't telling us something important? What haven't you told us? If we are going to risk our lives for you the least you can do is to give us all the information you can."
Amara nods slightly to Hekra smiling but her smile turns to a frown when Keolin asks his question. " I have not withheld any information that is essential to the success of your mission. Nor will it endanger your lives, I believe it is my right not to disclose the whole history of my ancestors. " She replies in a slightly admonishing voice. Amara scoops the tea leaves out of the pot and places them in a fine bowl presenting them to you to view. She does this to Toshizo first hoping he is aware that he is supposed to comment on the quality of the tea and that this signifies that the ceremony is finished. After this formality has been attended to she dismisses the group." Please excuse me, I must mingle with my other guests. "
A little later in the night as you mingle with the other guests and partake of the fine foods and wine Major Colson Maldris, the head of the Andoran faction approaches your group. Decked out in all the finery of his Eagle Knight's ceremonial uniform—a bright blue overcoat with polished gold buttons, gold eagle epaulets, and a fine, black felt tricorn hat he looks very charming indeed.
“Greetings, Pathfinders! " He says in a loud confident voice as if he wants the whole party to overhear this conversation. " I hear you're headed out into the Cairnlands on official Society business. Best of luck outside the city walls, though you look like sturdy enough adventurers. Perhaps not Eagle Knight material, but qualified for the work of a Pathfinder. "
"A word of warning, though, friends—beware the walking dead. The crumbling ruins surrounding the city are rife with them, and you're likely to run into more than your fair share over the course of your career. Undeath and the undead are more than just a physical peril, however. Undeath is the worst kind of slavery. And it should be eradicated like all servitude, whether to aristocracy or to mental control. Being enslaved to the flesh beyond when Pharasma calls one's soul to the Boneyard is a fate I wouldn't wish upon my greatest enemy. So while you plumb the depths of Asad's Keep, remember your solemn duty to your fellow man—both living and dead. Any undead you encounter along the way should be freed of their earthly shell."
“If you prove your dedication to freedom, the resources of Andoran will be at your disposal in your future endeavors.”
Maybe her ancestors stole the katana, and that's why she doesn't want to talk about it. Oh well, not my problem.
Keolin seems far more comfortable with Major Colson. "Allowing undead to survive just passes a problem to someone else. Better to resolve it permanently than to put others at risk in the future."
" Quite right! That's exactly what I'm saying. " Maldris replies, but when Hekra says his piece the Major harumphs " hmph! Recruits these days certainly seem to lack proper respect! " and then he turns and marches away to another group.
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Azeban nods to to Maldris. He seems interested though less in the duty and more in the favor he might acquire. He smiles politely as Maldris moves away. He does wonder how word had spread so fast.
He keeps the smile as he murmurs softly, "Seems to be a night where we make people mad."
Looking around the party, he searches for anyone that might be of interest in mingling, pushing aside the thoughts of his mission tomorrow for the moment.
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"Indeed," Azeban says, adding on to the conversation. "I've never needed to know how to perform more than the basics since it was all reserved for the upper class, but she has the same sense of refinement that I've seen in them."
He looks wistful. "While I haven't had any training, I have read about it in passing. Every motion of the tea ceremony is a symbol of a greater thing. There are many little gestures that show her care and respect. I myself don't know what most of them mean, but how she brews the tea, how she pours it and handles the cup--they mean something. It was an experience. I admit I was caught up in it."
Later as the festivities are winding down a well dressed Kelishite man approaches the group. He speaks in slow level voice with a strong accent.
" Perhaps you recognise me? I am the Trade Prince Aaqir al'Hakam, Like a fast-spoken djinn, I'll get to the quick. I know where you are going. House Damaq of Qadira claim the ruin, but we are willing to allow you access for the price of a small deed easily accomplished during your adventure. You will be well-compensated, I assure you, for profits are most rewarding when shared. I assume treasure-seekers like yourselves are interested in such a proposition?”
Without waiting for an answer, he continues, his eyes intent and his posture rigid.
“The ruin is Qadiran, which is why we claim it, and we are willing to defend it, but there are really only certain things left in Asad's Keep we are interested in: trade agreements, of which we believe there to be many within the ruins. All we ask that you do is to turn over all trade agreements you find to us as soon as you return to Absalom, as we will be able to hold the signers to them even centuries after their signing. "
“The satrap of Qadira—nay, the entire Padishah Empire of Kelesh—has much to offer the Pathfinder Society, and I personally have no qualms about sharing those resources with you, specifically. " He offers his hand " Shall we shake on this agreement?”
The last fireworks are set off exploding in the night sky in pink, green and blue bursts. Many of the guests applaud at this last hurrah and then go about saying farewells. Carriages are brought to the front courtyard and everyone starts to drift away into the night on mass taking with them the sounds of laughter and conversation.
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Azeban watches the fireworks with a pensive look. It has been a long night, filled with much excitement. He feels tired and there is a long day tomorrow so he must prepare and rest.
For now though, the sky is beautiful and there is time left. Seeing the other guests leave creates a feeling of emptiness, or sadness. It is not a bad feeling, it just is. Leaving the party himself, Azeban closes his eyes and commits another experience to memory. This was what he wanted to search for, moments like these.
Keolin seems anxious to leave the party and heads towards the marketplace.
The next morning after a quick foray into the nearby marketplace the party makes its way north out of Absalom and into the rocky cairnlands. The going here is tough, with rough broken ground scarred by wars from long ago. The sun beats down upon you and all the climbing and scrambling is thirsty work.
Just as you are starting to think that surely you must nealy be there, and maybe of stopping for a short rest and maybe something to eat the group comes across a small gully. At the end of the gully, about fifteen feet above the ground on a cliff face, is an ancient, ironbound door. Its wood is dried and cracked. Directly in front of the door is a steep slope of rubble and dust-crusted debris that as luck would have it provides a path, albeit a rough and difficult one, right up to the door.