The gnoll is unable to withstand the combined force of the party, and falls to the ground, defeated.
The map of Absalom bears over a hundred pins tipped with beads of wax in half a dozen colors; many red, blue, and green strings connect various pins together. About thirty pins and several pieces of string lie on the ground under the map, where Chau grew weary of trying to decipher the map’s color-coded system and swatted it out of frustration. After a bit of study, the group is able to ascertain major patterns in the placement of pins and string suggesting al’Jakri has found ways to spy on not only a dozen Absalom families but also a large number of the city’s more prestigious institutions, such as the Forae Logos and the Arcanamirium. Decoding the map entirely would take days and would still rely on considerable speculation without additional data— especially thanks to Chau’s removing a large number of pins—but the groups’ discoveries provide an essential first step in cracking the pasha’s plans.
In the bedroom is a large cabinet. The glass-fronted cabinet is enchanted with a permanent prestidigitation effect to keep it cold and contains several racks filled with labeled vials of blood.
There is also a large bookcase on the north wall. Among the books on the bookshelf are several hundred pages of notes written in Kelish. These are al’Jakri’s scrying records, a cross-reference of the slaves whose blood samples are in the cabinet (and which noble houses they serve), and a timeline of specific events she observed while watching them—all written in her own shorthand and describing only a fraction of the observations suggested by her marked map of Absalom. Her desk also contains several large blocks of beeswax dyed a variety of colors.
While searching the bookshelf, the group finds a slim volume entitled The Slave Master’s Mirror. Attempting to remove the book unlatches the bookcase, which rotates on a central axis. Behind the rotating bookshelf is a small, unlit room carved out of the hill. The room is unadorned and contains only the mirror of treacherous sight, a scrying device that acts much like a crystal ball.
With Chau defeated and the mirror of treacherous sight in the Pathfinders’ hands, the remaining members of the Red Ridge tribe scatter into the wilds of Stonespine Island and gradually regroup over the course of several weeks. Jairo informs them as they leave that he remains bound to perform al’Jakri’s will but hopes to meet them again under pleasant circumstances.
The party has little difficulty securing enough basic provisions to get themselves and the liberated slaves to Okeno. There, a ship awaits them to take them back to Absalom.
Once the group returns to the Grand Lodge, Ambrus Valsin debriefs them and lets them know that they have accomplished a great deal despite al’Jakri’s escape. He then debriefs them for several minutes about how the enchanted cedar chest performed in the field before concluding the meeting. He advises everyone to remain in Absalom for the next several days as he works with Lady Darchana to ensure she has all of the information she needs to predict the pasha’s next step.
|
Roderick is relieved to see the gnolls falter.
Well, these brutes obviously were not our intended audience, but alas, we will have to seek our missing hostess elsewhere it would seem.
Freeing these slaves makes this mission a dashing success nevertheless! And the mirror will undoubtedly keep researchers busy for weeks! Bravo!
***
Roderick is happy to engage in the celebrations back in town.
I will take you up on that, Touchy!
Barkeep, a snifter of your best aged brandy, if this establishment has any to be found.
