|
May I examine the items we retrieved? Torch said the rod is the only thing he cares about. And he said it was magical. So I'm curious as to what it is exactly. And since he doesn't care about the other items, we could use the least valuable one to obtain a legitimate tax receipt for Borax to use as a reference for the rod.
|
If you do go the route of forging the documentation, you are able to find one such document to copy for your own means.
As that is being worked on, Defah detects magic on the rod as he had expected, but one of the tablets also has some magic about it as well, almost as if it were a scroll. He is unable, however, to work out the monetary value of any of the items in question. His best guess is the rod is worth about 15,500 gp. But the mask is very nicely made indeed, perhaps a token of envy for dwarven craftsmiths.
|
While the others examine the items, Teric heads back into the city to search for the document he needs. He hits up several taverns at first to put out some feelers, but then he visits a tailor's shop in the back of the merchant district. From the snippets of conversations, knowing smiles, and a few silvers, Teric had learned the man had recently brought in a golden Osirion ring through the gates and paid the hefty tax as well as purchased the needed documentation for possession.
After 20 minutes of conversation, the tailor agrees to allow Teric the use of the document for 1 day. In return, the Scarnazi contacts gain a new broker and the tailor will probably triple his business. Teric make sit very clear that should the man cross them instead, he'll not only lose his business, but he might also lose those precious nimble fingers which earn him his living.
An hour later, Teric return to the well with the document tucked into his robes. "Here. I think this will help you create a passable copy."
|
Prothero glances over Borax's shoulder, careful not to bump him, and nods, impressed. "I do wish we could do this without breaking the law," says Prothero, "but it seems we are following the strictures of the Society, rather than the tax codes of Eto. I will have to content myself with that."
He steps back to give Borax room to work and adds, "In any case, it's a very clever approach."
|
|
While Teric is away, Borax examines the tablets to find that one of them actually contains spells, much as a scroll. It is the equivalent of a scroll with deathwatch and false life etched upon it.
Once Teric has returned with the document, Borax sets about replicating it to show the taxes were paid for the rod of vipers.
At the gate, the customs agent reviews the papers. The moment of truth has arrived.
The man looks and looks before rolling the parchment and handing it back to you. "Thank you for your compliance. Welcome to Eto."
At this point you are able to return to Grandmaster Torch at the White Ureas.
There, you find the place mostly empty with a lone clerk, irritable at the inconvenience of having a 'guest' stay after hours keeping him from his wife and kids. The sour companionship has not dulled Torch's attitude.
Indeed, he greets you with a slow clap from the confines of his tub. "My eyes tell me you have completed the tasks at hand. Tell me, how did you fare against the Lady at the Dancing Dunes? Any trouble with the customs agents upon returning from the well? How did you get the book into Lozar's possession? What message is this from the Hundredfingers? My eyes see much, but I relish first-hand accounts."
|
|
Teric laughs and bows to Torch. "Borax is right, sir. We agreed to do the tasks you asked, not to tell you how." He smiles and shrugs. "Some were more complicated than others, and some went better than others. It's time you upheld your end and perhaps we'll be gracious enough to give you the story. You of all people should know information rarely comes for free."
|
|
Torch's grin just broadens. "Well aren't you the opportunist. Very well. Here. These should help you in your search."
He calls one of his bodyguards who brings a small bundle of parchments. One is a map of Osirion, clearly marking Eto and an unnamed site to the north. The second map has a much smaller scale and marks the route between Eto and the mystery location. The last sheet has a charcoal drawing that depicts two large rock outcroppings connected by a smooth wall with a single gate. It is entitled "Seeker’s Folly" and signed "V.L."
"Those will take you where you want to go. Deviate from the path only if you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, stick to the landmarks. Now, you have your prize. What of my story?"
|
Borax quickly became emboldened by Teric's support and Torch's acquiescence. Always thinking more highly of himself than he should, Borax was unwilling to yield the recent land grab, "That information was payment for us bringing you the goods. If you want the story, that will cost you something extra."
Borax had heard of Torch, but the Investigator didn't really know who he was messing with and lacked the wisdom to know how far he was in over his head.
|
|
Prothero is once again reminded that he has no patience for this kind of verbal sparring, and consents to tell Torch a tale. "We found the Hundredfingers gang, and they attacked us. We managed to take some down without killing any of them, as we didn't want to attract that kind of attention. After we dropped a couple of them, we were given a message by a lad, name of Naleth Hundredfingers."
"The message the boy gave us was, 'The Red Mantis is searching Eto for a scarred man.' Then he said, 'If you are friends, let him know. No more blood!' Needless to say, we did not describe ourselves as your friends. Then he told us a bit about the well you sent us to, full of snakes it was, which was a story you could have told us before we set out, Torch."
Prothero pauses a brief moment, then concludes, "There, now you've had a story, and a complaint about the lack of a story."
|
|
Teric smiles and nods. "That's the location of the Diamond sage and possibly the other jewels. Thank you."
"Now, perhaps we can turn our attention to Karela. We managed to convince Madame Zelekhati to cooperate with you without harming her, though she is a very perceptive one. I think you'll have trouble fooling her. She has command of a sand creature. Perhaps an elemental. She can send it to eavesdrop virtually anywhere in this desert without being noticed."
"And I'll throw in another because I'm so kind. It seems it only takes a fair amount of skill in forging a tax receipt to allow artifacts to pass through the gates. Mr. Bulan here had more than enough skill to fool the Customs Agent."
|
|
"Ah yes, it had nearly slipped my mind. I have, in the past, worked with several people who call themselves enemies of Guaril - in a professional manner, of course. I would never intend malice on a customer. Though I am amused he is surprised at having any enemies at all. Does he not recall the Gael family whom he humiliated and ruined not even a year ago? Guaril ruined their reputation and finances, but they’ve called in several favors and accepted several large debts in the interest of tearing apart the Karela family. I admit that Sczarni honor remains a puzzle to me, but it’s good business," he adds with a sneer. "The Gaels are hiding in the one place where any refugee is welcome, nobody asks too many questions, and it’s rather easy to hire some extra help: Kaer Maga, The City of Strangers."
"Now this is normally the point I would say it was a pleasure doing business with you, but since you were so kind to give me a story, I offer this as well. 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. But feel free to stay the night, Pathfinders. My treat. It is the least I can do before you start the next leg of your quest."