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Tippy has no interest in performing for the man, but if the others or the VC think it a good idea he'll go. He makes sure to report on the deal they made with Torch and how, in his opinion, it was nullified by the fact that Torch set the whole thing up in the first place.
Of course, if they were authorized to take Torch and bring him in, he'd be happy to go.
Torch welcomes you at his inn. You are his only guests at that evening. He treats you to a sumptuous dinner with nine courses so there's a lot of time to talk. After the soup Torch asks you about today.
"Did you get all four statues?" he asks.
"My day was also fine. I finished the bathing and had some business meetings. All went well so far." Torch answers.
"Yes, it's always like this." Torch says with a grin. You continue to chit-chat about the weather, the people in Sedeq and other borig things. After the main course he continues to ask you about your job. "Did you keep my name out of all this?" he asks.
"I'm confused, I did not sell the statues. I only know who bought them. But as long as you didn't tell anybody 'Torch sends us to collect the statues' it's all fine." Torch answers.
He raises his hand and a servant arrives with ale for Iso.
"Oh, really. I can imagine that." Torch says while looking at Iso.
Grandmaster Torch laughs. "What exactly did that person describe?" he asks. "And it seems you really don't know what GT means? In criminal nomenclature it stands for 'Gate Transaction' which means that the item is meant to be flipped to another buyer for a rapid profit." he says.
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Iso drinks the ale and wonders if G.T. meant that he should or should not demonstrate his artistic flair.
In the end the heat of the day wins out, and Iso reluctantly concludes adding any more fire to the room would make it uncomfortably hot.
"Maybe I show you when you next come north."
He helps himself to another large serving of greens and starts to busily munch away, while edging the salad dish closer to his large frame. "<chumb>is ne[squish>s fi<shlurp> to g<chomp>th it!" he adds. Swallowing he adds "But so far from sea!" with a sad expression to his face.
Picking a slug from the leaf he looks at it oddly.
"One statue turned to big bugs when we got close. Why that happen GT?"
He asks, trying to be part of the conversation, and totally missing the point about the initials.
"Well, those statues are magical ones. Did somebody cast a spell near the statues? If this was the case it got activated somehow I think." Torch answers, ignoring the GT.
After three more courses you finish your dinner with Torch. Before you leave he reminds you "Don't forget about the favour. Good bye and greetings to Venture-Captain Hestram!"
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"Ah, Falroun, these are the agents I was telling you about," Ambrus Valsin says. "Pathfinders, welcome! May I introduce Count Falroun Matsanda of Alkenstar." He gestures across his desk to a tall Garundi man with short black hair and goldrimmed spectacles.
Valsin’s guest stands and 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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"Iso makes nice with everyone!" says the big barbarian with an even bigger grin.
He stops and thinks for a moment.
"Did Valsin saus 'Jungle'?"
Remembering his manners for once he interjects a
"please" before adding "tell Iso this is a cold jungle, not a hot jungle. Iso have rash in most embarrassing places from heat of last Pathfinder venture."
The words of the VC continue to rattle around in Iso's head. A veritable flood of questions surges forth.
"Who was legendary Maharaja Khiben-Sald? Iso never hear of him. And why Maharaja Khiben-Sald leave Jalmeray ? And who is temple dedicated to?" and finally finishing on "And is Baron Bomande taking daughters on trip with him?"
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Borrobol shakes his head, "Yeah. Iso, I got a bad feeling we're just trading dry for wet." The dwarf turns his attention back to the count, "Good question my friends ask. I'd like to hear more about this tiger too. Damn things live by fighting don't they? Given our own experience, a fear years might be well past that things lifespan...though I guess that is more your problem than ours as long as we get to the temple too."
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"Segang is hot and muggy this time of year. It’s a jungle, so expect dangerous plants and animals, venomous creatures, and disease. You may also encounter some looters at the temple, if you don’t get there fast enough." Valsin tries to answer Kristen's question.
"The temple is dedicated to one of the Vudran deities, certainly, but beyond that we don’t know. My contacts tell me the locals have several superstitions about monkeys. If that represents some leftover remnants of the temple’s faith, it could be dedicated to one of the monkey-faced deities, Ragdya and Lahkgya, or to Chamidu, the goddess of wild animals." he says while turning to Iso. "We know that Maharaja Khiben-Sald received the island as a gift from the archmage Nex. But this is the only thing we found in the Chronicles. We don't know why he left the island. But I'm pretty sure the Baron will not take his daughters on the trip" he continues with a laugh.
"If you want to know about that tiger, I would say you ask the Baron himself. I'm not a biologist, the only thing I know is that they can be very dangerous. But you are right, I'm happy as long as you get to the temple."
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"So these possible looters at the temple? Was it an ally of the Society that found this temple or a freelancer?"
After the noble has had a chance to respond he asks Tippy and Celentrai, "Big libraries here in Absalom. Iso and I are better at the fighting pits, but do either of you know these monkey gods? And if not, can you find a big book to learn from?"
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"I'm sorry that temples to obscure monkey gods never came up while I was on the crappers of Riddleport," Tippy replies sarcastically.
"I can take a few hours tonight here in the Lodge. If Janira's around, maybe she'll help."
Tippy will make an untrained Knowledge check with the help of the library here, and his Janira boon.
plus whatever bonus a library this big nets.
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Iso Very knowledgeable about ways to hit things.
And Heatlhy Eating
And Women. Of course.
Iso also know hot places give him rashes in painful places. What else Iso need to know?
Ah yes, Iso also know he need to add Fire to shoppign list.
LAstly Iso know his purse now empty, so Iso know important he goes on expedition soon.
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Ragdya is a male Vudrani monkey god. He is believed to have been born and have resided on the great mountain Bahmenu, and temples dedicated to him often depict a replica of the peak at their center. Among the many tales of his legendary deeds are his youthful escapades stealing from the six-armed calikangs of Astangapur, his wooing of his hundred brides, and his crossing the sea on the back of a celestial garuda. Ragdya is Neutral aligned.
Lahkgya is a male Vudran god, often prayed to by hunters to protect them and their homes from Sikari macaque swarms (monkeys). He is Chaotic Evil aligned.
While both Ragdya and Lahkgya feature monkeys within their portfolios, the two gods are different, and often placed at odds with one another.
Chamidu is a Vudran goddess with an affinity for the beasts of the world. She is sometimes represented as a six-armed woman with four faces (one looking in each cardinal direction) and may ride a tiger with human hands for paws. She sometimes wields numerous weapons simultaneously and is Neutral aligned.
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Once his shopping completes, Iso returns to the pathfinder crew and the ship, looking for a cabin.
When he sees Rorrobol he turns around, fiddles with something and then turns back with a doctors mask on his face.
"Iso is a Ninja! Friend of Iso tell Iso about wearing things on face to stop getting diseases from jungle. Iso not want to get dread wasting disease and end up small like other Pathfinders."
He says this with a very sincere voice, completely overlooking who his audience is while he speaks.
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Borrobol barely conceals a laugh at the image of Iso in the doctor's mask, his belly shaking in spite of managing to keep the sound stifled. "We'll probably be all right Iso. Just try to keep from being bitten by anything." He thinks for a moment, "You know, I think they make a suit to help keep you from being bitten too...at least bitten by bugs."
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"Iso see men in suits. Look like strange bird from homeland. Iso not wear suit. Iso has Mask."
Iso thinks.
"Birds that not fly have much in common with men that wear suits"
He nods sagely to himself, before getting his mind back on the important track of ninjas.
Iso does a flashy "ninja" move with his axe, barely avoiding cutting a rope on the ship and completely missing the cultural nuances of ninja weapons.
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The next day in the morning you meeat at the shop. Once aboard, you are introduced to Baron Bomande Rudyahm, a handsome, dark-skinned Garundi gentleman of advancing years, with a thick black mustache and graying hair at his temples. He walks with a prominent limp, and carries a finely crafted walking cane to help him amble about. "Hello and welcome aboard. My name is Bomande Rudyahm. I'm glad you join my expedition." he says.