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Ensconced in a private meeting room at the famous Farseer Tower in exotic Katapesh, Venture-Captain Wulessa Yuul wastes no time commencing her briefing.
"This has all the makings of a magnificent embarrassment," she begins sourly. "The Grand Lodge recently sent a delegation to the mansion house of Temel Passad in Kerse. Passad is an enormously wealthy devotee of the Prophecies of Kalistrade, and he happens to possess the only known copy of the Mutani Manual of Martial Mastery in the Inner Sea region. The delegates were tasked with obtaining this rare tome, by either purchasing or leasing it. By all accounts Passad is a difficult man, but the delegation proved... stupendously inadequate to the task. Not only did they fail to secure the manual, but they also managed to grossly insult the merchant. Two of the representatives were manhandled off the property and taunted by Passad that under no circumstances would he part with the Mutani Manual unless the Society could earn it, challenging us to take it from a hidden location among his many holdings throughout the region. The third delegate, who happens to be one of the foremost experts on all things Tian, was detained by Passad for what he termed 'an extended conversation on the finer points of ambassadorial etiquette.' He’s invoked an obscure Druman statute involving foreign embassies, making this kidnapping perfectly legal in his government’s eyes."
Yuul explains that the Mutani Manual holds information that is essential if the Pathfinder delegation is to prevail at the Ruby Phoenix Tournament in Goka later this year, and that naturally, Harmidio Besai must be rescued as well. The mission is complex. The Decemvirate do not know with certainty which of Passad’s many scattered holdings hosts the tome, nor where he has imprisoned Besai, nor whether tome and scholar are in the same place. But among the 12 estates investigators have identified as likely locations is one very near here, a mansion called Ghenett Manor.
Wulessa’s contacts in the markets have talked of a lot of activity there of late, and she believes that this is the true hiding place of at least one of the two quarries.
"Do as little damage to the property as possible — we’re not vandals, after all. Also, take nothing else of worth from the place. We’re not common thieves. I cannot stress this strongly enough. Given our already ample embarrassment with Passad, please don’t add to that dishonor by making off with the man’s silverware or his grandmother’s brooch, for Abadar’s bloody sake. No doubt the villa is a sumptuous and tempting target, but you must keep this in the forefront of your minds: The tome and the scholar are all that matter. Everything else is a distraction. The Decemvirate will take a special interest in your conduct on this assignment. Lastly, we have reason to believe that others are in pursuit of the Mutani Manual, including agents of the Aspis Consortium. Be wary! Under no circumstances can the book fall into the hands of a rival organization. Now, do you have any questions?" she continues.
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The dwarf listens, and his scowl deepens.
"I joined the Grand Lodge to avoid petty faction politics. But did I just pick the biggest bunch of incompetent losers or what? You should have called me in before this debacle, I am a friend of the Lantern Lodge and respected by Tianese, if that is what you call them."
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A man in his early 30's clad in fullplate raises his hand. Above his armor a black robe and around his neck a silver amulet in the shape of a spiraling comet. Strapped to his back a huge silver hammer clanks when the man moves. Hello, my name is Fredrik Greymantle.
Can you tell us anything about the history of this estate? Are we going to meet Passad there? How can we identify this tome if we find it? Fredrik asks.
After thinking for a moment the cleric adds.
Captain I am a servant of the Lady of the Graves, not some robber. You can rest assured that I wont take anything from the place. But I will defend my life with all available resources if attacked. In that regard I make no promisses regarding damages to furniture, silverware or some fool's head.
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An impressive nagaji stands in the room, armored with a breastplate, a cold iron trident and a spiked shield. On the shield you find the symbols of the Grand Lodge and Nagajor, both sources of loyalty the creature serves.
When Xien starts to make questions, he does so with a clear oriental accent that betrays himself letting you know he is from a far origin "What else can you tell us about Passad? What was the offence that made this situation that terrible?" he makes a pause to resume with more questions "What can you tell us about Harmidio Besai? How will we recognize him? And how will we recognize the book? Is the name just properly written on its exterior? Or is it perhaps not even a book?"
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When hearing Jory's offence Yuul just raises an eyebrow but does not comment. Then she turns to Fredrik and tries to answer his questions. "Ghenett Manor is a modest affair — by Druman standards at least: an ornate stone structure that overlooks the River Scorpius. It’s one or two stories tall at the most, built around a central atrium, like many Katapeshi villas. The grounds are surrounded by a wall. It had different owners in the past but we don't know much about it's history. And we don’t know the scale or nature of its security. Proceed with caution. I'm afraid you are not going to meet Passad, he has many holdings throughout the Inner Sea and it is very likely that he is somewhere else during this paper chase. The Mutani Manual was originally written in Tien, it’s an exhaustive compendium of eastern fighting styles and combat games. It’s supposed to be copiously illustrated and the cover bears an embossed representation of a Tian weapon known as a nunchaku — two rods of wood connected by a cord or chain."
She turns to Xien "Temel passad is a wily Druman merchant renowned for his extensive holdings throughout Avistand and Garund as well as his prickly and mercurial personality. The Pathfinder agents dispatched to obtain the Manual by either purchasing it outright or securing it on loan from the proud Kalistocrat managed to go beyond mere failure — they grossly insulted Passad."
"As a source of knowledge regarding Tian Xia, Besai has few equals within the Pathfinder Society this side of the Crown of the World. He began his Pathfinder career as an active agent, a wizard I believe, but soon found his true calling in pure scholarship. He is known to be a cantankerous man — certainly his inclusion in the delegation was an epic error. We have no reason to believe that he has been seriously harmed, but it’s probable that Passad has made an effort to injure the man’s dignity. He's a dyspeptic man whose bald pate is fringed with disheveled brown hair. He is slight of build, and sports an odd mustache."
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"Great, we will do as much as it is in our hands to recover the text and free Besai." the nagaji looks around to see if the others and ready. He then makes a reverence to the captain and leaves the room ready to go.
Some hour later, Xien is ready and fully equipped to visit the Manor. He moves on and takes the transport offered to the party by the Society in order to reach Ghenett Manor.
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Tod nods at the Venture Captain.
"We will not cause the Society any further embarrassment. We will achieve the objectives you have assigned to us."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Hinrik stands from the corner, having kept to himself for the duration of the brief. The young librarian has been taking notes. Some of you may recognise him from the archives of the Grand Lodge where the runtish Ulfen spends most of his time.
As he introduces himself with a nervous smile you can notice an strangeness to him, as if a thin layer of frost lay just under his skin. The sorcerer tidies his long blonde hair as he prepares himself.
"I look forward to working with you all."
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You take the hired barge to Ghenett Manor, the lazy, 12-hour trip up river is uneventful, and the laconic skipper sets you ashore with no more than a nod as the barge continues on its way west.
Ghenett Manor, but one of Temel Passad’s many holdings throughout the Inner Sea, is a spacious and luxurious pleasure retreat on the lush flood plain of the River Scorpius. The walls of the manor can be seen through the trees from the river’s edge, capping a low, flat hill to the immediate north. The sun has set by the time you arrive.
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"How do you think we should approach? Announce ourselves, wait here and get to know if someone else enters or goes out, approach stealthy or just storm in to surprise them all?" whispers the green nagaji.
He tries to surround the building from afar, with stealth and trying to see as many details as possible.
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Tod speaks up.
"Well, it's just those of us you see here, if that's what you mean. We didn't notice anyone following us, did we?"
Tod looks to his companions for verification.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Xien backs Jory. He looks at the way the man dresses trying to guess if he might be a servant of Passad or serves another cause.
"You can make sure we came here to retrieve the item Gamaradim. What are the rules, can you explain to us?" the nagaji stands stout but tries to be sympathetic with the man.
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Po leads you across turnaround to the main entrance. "This house was made by Algor Brickface. It's the only manor he created." Po answers to Xien's first question.
The paving stones continue past the gate, leading up to the villa’s great double doors. There is a turnaround for carriages and other forms of conveyance to the south. The doors are made of thick teak and carved with scenes depicting principles of the Prophecies of Kalistrade. A pair of fat, gold rings hangs suspended from the mouths of djinn-like heads firmly affixed to each portal — extraordinarily expensive door knockers.
Behind the entrance door is a opulent entry hall. It was once a proudly appointed place, with detailed and realistic murals of a marketplace on the walls, carved mahogany benches, ancient statues of red stone — each bearing distinctly Tian features — and a pair of huge fur rugs assembled from the pelts of unusual and exotic animals. Clear signs of violence now mar the room: four of the benches are overturned and one to the southwest is charred, a statue has been reduced to rubble, and both rugs are torn and ragged as if hacked at with knives.
He leads you across the entry hall to a smaller room. A rich green rug of Qadiran manufacture with dizzying geometric patterns filling its thick pile runs down the middle of this charming room. To the north and south are finely carved mahogany benches, before which sit exquisite tables hewn from the same wood. The stone walls are painted in subtly shifting shades of green, so that the color grows lighter the further up the surface it proceeds—clearly the work of an artisan of considerable talent.
A woman waits in this room with a tray in her hands. "Please sit down. This is my wife Domitilla, she made some tea." Domitilla starts to serve tea and biscuits. Po starts with the official part.
"I bid you welcome to Ghenett Manor. I have been instructed by my employer to extend this courtesy — I assume that you represent the world-renowned Pathfinder organization? I would ask that you make an effort to respect the property," he states, casting a quick frown in the direction of the room to the east.
"I will answer what questions I can. To answer the one you already asked: another group is already here, mercenaries such as yourselves, albeit a less cordial grouping. More than this my master forbids me to say on the subject."
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"Indeed, we are the Pathfinder Society representatives." Xien looks at the new woman untrusting.
"So, tell us Gamaradim. What areas of the Manor can we access and which ones are forbidden to us? Are there any rules we have to know about the house? Like... are we allowed to kick out your unwelcome intruders?" says the nagaji stout on place holding his trident.
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[ooc]If tea was offered, Hinrik would have quietly drank it. He's not much for conversation, preferring his own thoughts and books.[b]"
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Lucian thinks that they are truly as friendly as they seem. They don't want to harm you but they also fulfill their master's demands.
"You start here in this room. If you don't have more questions we'll leave you alone. Have a nice day and be careful" he says with a smile, bows and leaves the room. Before closing the door behind him he says "Fear not; they will wake in but half an hour. My master asks me to tell you that he looks forward to reading about your heroic nap in the next edition of the Pathfinder Chronicles." Hinrik and Jory start to feel dizzy.
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"Why the did that to them?" Xien tries to wake up the sleeping men, if failed, he runs out of the door and looks for the woman "What have you placed on their drinks!!!??" if they are not in the place, Xien tries to stealthily follow their most possible steps.
If it is not possible to go back, he spends the 30 minutes just carefully examining the room.