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Hello, my so-called Friends - Borislav goes with you.
Pathfinders could see a 7 feets height half-orc with tan skin. His backpack was huge - pole, portable ram, 2 bear traps... everything is strapped around backpack and no one knews what's inside. He were wearing a great hammer - "earth breaker" behind his back, with shield below backpack with some paiting on it. Around his waist Agents could see some bottles with potions, warhammer (his height allows him to wear warhammer on his waist)Under his Jacket he wears a scale armor.
His eyes were green and hair was gray, and right now he is smiling upon everyone
^,_,^
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- Greetings, representative of the Sovereign Court, the second daughter of the Honourable kind Le Fay, Morgana Le Fay, arrived for the tasks.
At the entrance stood a pretty middle-aged woman, she wore a green cloak, hide under a light-colored shirt, pants dark brown, long backed jackboots. She made slight nod, and her dark hair fell over her face.
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- Kheferu of the Shiman-Sekh. It's an honor.
Frail-looking redheaded youth of obviously Osirian descent entered the room. He was clad in a simple white-gray garb and wore an ornate sickle on his belt.
A menacingly-looking bloke, a fox-kynde and a lady-at-arms... This assignment actually promises some entertainment. We should disembark as soon as possible - there are ancient tales to retell and ageless mysteries to unravel.
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Big doors in other side of room opened and Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin entered together with tall Garundi man with short black hair and gold-rimmed spectacles.
“Ah, Falroun, these are the agents I was telling you about”, Ambrus waived his hand and continued: “Pathfinders, welcome! May I introduce Count Falroun Matsanda of Alkenstar.”
Valsin's guest offers his hand in greeting as he speaks: “It is a true pleasure to meet you. I have purchased several antiquities from your Society in the past, and I have always wondered about the people who acquire such treasures. I must say, you do not disappoint!”
Valsin smiles at the compliment before continuing, “Agents, your next mission will take you to the island of Jalmeray. We’ve received reports that the ruins of a previously unknown temple have been found in a part of the Segang Jungle known as the Urapangi Lowlands. From its location, I think this temple could be one of those abandoned by the legendary Maharaja Khiben- Sald when he left Jalmeray over four thousand years ago. A temple untouched since Khiben-Sald’s time would be a major find for the Society. Of course, getting to Jalmeray on such short notice poses some difficulties.”
“I believe that’s where I come in,” the count interjects. “I’m arranging a hunting expedition to Jalmeray for myself and my new father-in-law, Baron Bomande Rudyahm. Bomande was quite the sportsman in his day. However, some years ago he was wounded during a tiger hunt in the Segang Jungle. He’s been grumbling about getting revenge on the beast for so long that I thought taking him on a trip back to Segang might earn me some credit with the old man.”
Ambrus Valsin continues: “Falroun has graciously offered to provide transport to and from Jalmeray and to outfit us with everything we need for our journey into the jungle. In exchange, you’re going to help his father-in-law, the baron, with this tiger hunt and make sure he gets the better of the beast this time around, as it were. You’ll have time to discuss the details of the hunt during your voyage to Jalmeray.”
“A voyage for which I must make some final arrangements,” adds Falroun, “I’m afraid I must depart. Once again, it is a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to our journey together.” With a nod, he exits the room. As the count’s footsteps recede down the hall, Ambrus Valsin’s smile fades from his face. “Ordinarily, the Society would cover the costs of an expedition like this. However, our resources are stretched thin at the moment thanks to our campaigns in Varisia and the Worldwound. Until such time as those ventures pay off, we’re going to have to rely on people like Count Matsanda to cover some of our operating expenses. I’m trusting you with the Society’s reputation on this mission. Fulfill our end of this bargain by helping the baron bag his tiger, and try to make nice with at least one of these nobles. Now, unless you have any questions about this temple, go get your affairs in order. Your ship sails in the morning.”
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I'm glad to be at your service, Captain! And of course we have a questions: What do we know about Maharazha Kabeen? And how dark were the forces that were worshiped in this temple? And what is the usual weather for Yu*cough*.. Lowlands?
While talking, Borislav slowly examined the room, trying to find an absent members of their future expedition.
Hm... and what do I know about this temple?
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- Roger. I'll take my leave then.
Kheferu turned towards the door, giving the late-comer a passing look that was not devoid of mild rebuke. As the Osirian walked away, he tried to gather all scraps of memories concerning history of Segang Jungle, Urapangi Lowlands, and other topics mentioned by Venture-Captain Valsin.
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"Maharaja Khiben-Sald was a great ruler of Vudra, who had a great army and got Isle of Jalmeray as gift or some kind of payment from ruler of Nex. He built numerous Vudrani temples, so this one probably dedicated to one of the monkey-faced deities, Ragdya and Lahkgya, or to Chamidu, the goddess of wild animals. We don't know much of deities or specific details of worship, so any records you can do and investigation you can perform will be appreciated. That's why you are sent there." he waited for a moment watching those, who were in the room.
"If I have couple more reliable agents available, I will assign them on mission as well. They will show up in the morning and you'll get them up to speed with mission objectives. Regarding weather: Segang is hot and muggy this time of year. It's a jungle, so expect dangerous plants and animals, venomous creatures and disease. Any other questions?"
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"Do not make promises, you might not fulfil, Pathfinder. I used to hear them a lot in this walls and they do not entertain me any more. You will be travelling with Alkenstar nobles, they might appreciate this manner of speech. Regarding Segang Jungle I don't have much to add. Watch out for looters at the temple, if you don't get there fast enough. They might steal some relics of value and good luck"
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Sounds fair enough... And what about those nobles? How they can be trusted? - Borislav turns to an exit - I prefer to not trust them, but who cares? Thanks, Captain! I hope to see you again in future., - He went to the door, - Team! We should gather next to the ship at 20 minutes before departure... I need time to grab some antidote from alchemist's shop and time to pray Gorum for worthy enemies.
Borislav stopped near the door for a while, then headed to alchemist's shop for antidote and then to the Gorum's church, pray till he can.
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During the evening and night, adventurers had some time to organize last supplies, they might need in this long voyage. In the morning, short note from VC arrived:
Need to solve other emergencies. No more agents for your mission. Please, proceed with current team and good luck!
On board, agents were introduced to Baron Bomande Rugyahm, a handsome, dark-skinned Garundi gentleman of advancing years, with a thick black mustache and graying hair at his temples. Baron seemed experienced traveller and invited friends for dinner the first night of the voyage.
At dinner, the baron and the count made pleasant conversation with the Pathfinders. Rudyahm asked:
"Have any of you ever been to Jalmeray before?"
Matsanda's interests were inclined more to understanding, what agents are familiar with.
"It doesn't matter if you have not, but please, tell us more about you recent adventures. Are you always working like a team? What is your primary experience?"
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- Have never been, but look forward to. Team... - Kheferu gave an absent stare into onyx teacup. - If Pathfinders are given a goal, they'll work for it together.
A faintly glowing glyph appeared on Kheferu's forehead, its sleek curves half-obscured by strands of copper hair. Then, a tiny serpentine form with blazing wings materialized in summoner's left palm. Kheferu took a piece of bread from the table and gently gave it to the creature. Bread was instantly reduced to cinders the moment serpent touched it, but the creature looked somehow pleased. It slithered, almost floated up the Osirian's hand and coiled around his neck. Kheferu then silently resumed his meal, stealing gazes from hosts and listening all the way.
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Borislav Medvyed of House Medvyed at your service, sir Bomande. My last mission was in Quadira and was related to ancient ruins and unholy relicts. I never been to Jalmeray before, but Gorum guides me everywhere I go and Jalmeray isn't an exception. I can serve as a front-line soldier and have some experience in religion's history if needed. Borislav tries to be polite as he can, as well as hide his dislike and mistrust to Bomande. As for the rest of team - every member of Society is a team-player, first of all
After his speech he praised Gorum and had a meal, drinking rum from his mug in process.
Hope he can't read thoughts - I really hate stuff like this!
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Morgana was wearing a beautiful gray dress with light blue patches. Could be seen on the dress tiara showing grinning face of a wolf with feathers instead of wool.
- Dear Baron, do not consider my friends for rudeness, let me introduce Morgana Le Fay. Our community is built based on trust and loyalty to certain ideals, so most of pathfinders, trust each other, even meeting for the first time.
Morgana paused, took a bite of chicken that she filed. Handkerchief wiped the corners of his lips. And continued his speech.
-I Do not know how the others, but this is my first field experience. So not sure what I can do anything to help.
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- Baron, can you give us more information on this hunt - what we should do and what we shouldn't do at all? - Borislav glanced at the rest of the team, - I think we need to schedule our future activities. I can track someone or something as well as find a way in the jungle, but I'm not very smart and know nothing about animals... especially about southern animals.
He paused to give the stage to those who were more competent with subject
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Baron Bomande looks quite surprised: "Falroun, I thought we are going there with good and experienced warriors, not a rookies. Anyway, looks like now we have no chance to make changes. I was a dedicated sportist, before Gorilla King invasion two decades ago, but I won't be pulling those who cannot can't pull their own weight."
Count Falroun looks at his father-in-law and responds: "Sir, I can assure you, that Pathfinder Society rookies get best training in different areas and are capable of any sorts of tasks".
After his comment and Morgana's assuring words, baron seems to be satisfied with explanation and relaxed a bit.
His face grew stern as he recalls bygone events: “There were four of us on that trip, plus a half dozen porters or so. It was our seventh day in the bush. We’d had a bad day hunting on the trail, so we split off to the west to follow a little stream deeper into the jungle. The tiger came for us that night, despite our campfires. He must have been young to be so bold. I never saw most of the carnage. All I could hear were screams, gunshots, and men begging for help in the darkness.
“With the gun smoke and the darkness, I could barely see the end of my musket. Something took a right nasty bite out of my leg, but I wheeled and unloaded my gun in its direction. I must have only clipped it, yet that was enough to startle the beast. The only glimpse I caught was its striped haunch and tail bleeding as it ran off into the darkness. I managed to limp my way out of the jungle on my one good leg, and that was the end of it. Ah, but we’re going to catch that stripey bastard this time, eh? We’ll give him what for this time around.”
He stopped in silence and then continued: "Not the best romantic story to share, but it teaches us what we should not to do: we shouldn't split, always be on guard and if we hit," he raises his cane, which he is using when walking because of limp, "we should hit it hard.".
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"Tigers live for 20 years and even more, so I think it is still alive. They are very territorial creatures, so it should still roam in the area. " answered baron.
"There is a hunting lodge where we can hire porters. Experienced hunters may advise, but as I read, usually several machans are constructed on the trees and hunters wait there while tiger comes for bait" commented count.
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Kheferu nodded in approval of Borislav's question.
Suddenly the blazing serpent slithered from scholar's shoulders in one swift fluid motion, then constricted and swallowed a fat rat skittering in the shadows of the ship. A moments later it was coiling around summoner's neck once again, silent as ever.
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Baron looked at this with some dissapointment:
"- Hopefully rest of you rely on real skills, not the magical shenanigans"
"- Ancient scions of Old Gods have prospered with aid of magical arts long before your progenitors learned to produce fire from sticks and dry grass" - Kheferu replied harshly, flame tongues on his serpent's wings flashing brightly. - "You should not underestimate powers that you do not understand"
"- People can live and prosper without this tricks, if they learn a proper skills. When they invest their time and training into something so narrow as arcane arts, they tend to overestimate their powers. We are living proof that righteous sword and good aimed shot is more reliable way than relying on other sources than yourself," - he nodded to Count Matsanda, - "Once, back in my youth, we've been guarding a narrow point near small town, which name is forgotten. Basically, we hold a point and we knew - if we run before the reinforcement arrive, we are dead. And the army of Ruthazek was coming to our position, about 8 hundreds of angry charau-ka, when we were only 2 hundreds muskets, less than half of that number were experienced soldiers. We had no walls to hide behinds and no moats to hold a wave. Except my forces, I had 17 people from a travelling caravan, that were ready to help, so I decided to play a trick. As we were expecting the ape-man we made a lot of enigmatic drawings on the ground and when their scouts approached. I let them see, how several of actors, wearing soldier's outfits, are suffering and dying as they were affected by death magic. I let them act, and then I send some soldiers to retrieve the bodies. It continued for couple weeks in a row: artist were making disguise, and playing like they are building a trap line to hold charau-ka, but cannot do that, because they are affected by strange magic. Stupid charau-ka! They didn't try to storm our positions, because they were expecting they will be affected as well! I hold long enough for our forces to arrive and town citizens transferred to safe distance. So, sometimes when you expect something to be magic, it might be just a drawing in a sand."
Baron Bomande stood from his chair and made a cute bow: "I wish everyone of you good night and see you soon!" and went back to his room.
Count commented: "He is great warrior so he is very accurate when it comes to rely on magic, but at least he now accept that it is tool, that can be used."
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Team spend several weeks travelling by ship, but there were no more heated talks and finally, they arrived to Niswan, local port city, where Count Matsanda made a deal with a local hunting lodge and hired an elephant, a mahout and a dozen of porters. The elephant seems to be past it's prime, but it was the only suitable mount available at the lodge. While Falroun was discussing details, Pathfinders were able to listen for rumours around and correspond their theoretical knowledge about Jalmeray.
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At last! This blue landscape almost blew my mind! - Borislav sighed loudly, then came closer to the rest of the team - I need to tell you - during my last mission, evil cultists were in place long before anyone even discovered their citadel, so we need to do some investigation before we head to the jungle. I'm going to look for informant - they're always place one for shadowing at the port or at the tavern.
For a while he waits if someone wanted to join him, then heads to pubs, marketplaces etc., trying to find target for interrogation .
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An unfamiliar young man, with tien facial features, came out of the Seytiko's cabin.
"Um, hi! Senpai Seytiko sent me to check out the local kitchens, eh, I mean bars for information about our mission. I am his loyal, albeit very shy manservant Hayato. That is why you have not seen me before, yes. So, um, see you later."
With that he turns to leave.
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Kheferu showed up on deck, this time without any serpents. Looking around, he noticed a new face.
- Hmm, what an unscrupulous disguise. By the way, kitsune is a tien, after all. Guess I should ask him some questions later - Tian Xia is rather interesting country. But first I have to sit down somewhere in public and silently listen. Some kind of alehouse or a tavern would be appropriate.
With that, Kheferu left after Borislav and Hayato.
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"Here honey, give me your hand. I, Madame Danina, am an excellent palm reader."
Expecting nothing good from it, man ditched her, hiding in random tavern not far from there. There were some hunters, speaking about disluck some baron had several years ago, when all his party was eaten by furious tiger in Urapangi Lowlands. His friend confirmed that it is a dangerous zone - couple of hunting parties went there to never return.
After his eyes accommodated to dim lights inside, Kheferu noticed Borislav sitting on the other side of the tent. Borislav as well recognised a colleague.
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After ordering a pot of boiling water, Kheferu slowly walked towards Brevoyan half-orc. Taking seat not far from Borislav and greeting him with a nod, summoner retrieved from his pouch a small bag of herbs along with an onyx cup. After throwing a handful of leaves in the cup and pouring some hot water in, Kheferu took a sip. Mild spicy aroma has filled the corner.
Waiting a bit, Kheferu took out a small notebook and stylus, then turned towards Borislav.
- Brevoy... - Pathfinder threw an absent stare at his journal, then raised his eyes. - Please tell me about your land.
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Hey Kheferu! Glad to see you, and will be glad to tell you more about my land, but before we start let's wait for our comrades. Think they should came soon, cause this place looks like the only variant - Borislav waves to barmaid - Hey, barishnya! Bring us some rum! - And with other hand he points to Kheferu's cup - What's that? It's legal, I hope.
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- That... - It seemed like Kheferu has seen the cup for the first time. - That's herbal tea from Shiman-Sekh. Relieves hunger and thirst, helps tolerate heat. - Kheferu took a glance aside. - And hangovers, as master told me sometimes. However... - He has taken the stylus and prepared to write something down. - Would you please define and spell that "barrishchnya" word?
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Sure! - he start searching something in his backpack - Barishnya stands for "young lady", but a bit old-way... He found his stylus, took Kheferu's journal and draw some dwarven runes, that was slightly different from original Dwarven - In Issia, unlike Rostland, many people speak Skald, this language was very popular at the old days, long before the time when despot created the Brevoy... He stopped as barmaid brought his rum. He poured the wooden mug engraved with the picture of a bear on it and saluted Kheferu - Endurance overcomes all! - then he drank it in one gulp, - Phew! Okay... let me teach you some Issian words - He spent next hour filling Kheferu's vocabulary with Brevoy dialect, waiting for someone from our team joins them, and after that he began the story about Brevoy, house Medvyed and "The Forest", Issia and Rostland, Despot and his dragons, and how much everyone hate the House Surtova - current Brevoy's ruling house.
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Hmm. So... Now we're sitting at the "kabak", and "barishnya" brings us "myod"... And later true Brevoyan will fall and sleep in "kanava" not far from the "kabak"... Rather intricate culture. - Kheferu hastily scribbled, nodding in understanding of Borislav's words. Closing the journal, he raised cup in a cheer and finished his tea. Then Osiriani put another cup on the table and pointed at it with an inviting gesture.
- Thanks. - He nodded to Borislav, reaching for the steaming pot to pour more water in. - Care to try it? There'll be no "pokhmelye" in the morning.
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Huh... Let's try! - He took a cup - And about hangover - don't be confused by "True Brevoyan" stuff. When I said "true Brevoyan" - I was kinda sarcastic. To be Issian or Rostlander is not the same thing as to be Brevoyan... Without substitution of Surtova - desintegration of Brevoy is a matter of time, I suppose.
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Nothing, absolutely nothing. Well, at least presented a bouquet. It's a pity not last long these flowers.
Morgana upset, came into the fold of the tavern. Savory aroma of alcohol and still not know what, oppressed, but he was very familiar. Gracefully gliding between the tables and dirty people Morgana reached the bartender and asked for a glass of wine. After receiving the coveted she went to one of the main noise taverns, namely her friend Borislav.
- My dear friend, you are too much discussion of your homeland. Many patrons may not like it, we should not draw too much attention.
At that moment Hayato rushed into the pub and headed for the party.
- Friends, look at all this magnificent vudrani species I managed to find at the market! Let's go back on the ship so that master Seychiko could cook us all a magnificent spicy curry.