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The party sneaks along, and while not universally stealthy, they manage on a few occasions to lose Krizen. Once in particular, Aakif even loses track of the chatty gnome while Krizen is talking to him.
Heavy acacia-wood doors inscribed with elaborate inscriptions to the monastery stand unguarded, though closed.
Kristleifur stands before the doors, eagerly looking over them for tricks, traps, and so forth.
Aakif looks overtop of Kristleifur's head, examining the inscriptions. Perhaps there is some useful information that the group may benefit from.
With what he knows of religion, Aakif recognizes some common themes, in particular those of knowledge and protection.
Kris fails to find anything of note on the door. In fact, the door doesn't even have a lock on it.
Aakif opens the door for the others to enter first.
Elsa recasts mage armour if it has worn off
Lanatir stands ready, sword drawn.
He does not intend to get out ahead of Kristleifur, having observed the gnome's stealthiness.
The doors swing open to reveal a single, cavernous space. The stone floors are covered in the same patterns, and wooden railings run along the edges of raised platforms. The most notable feature of the monastery is the vast abundance of books. Massive stacks, some in implausibly tall piles, fill the space.
Human monks bustle around the place, going about the seemingly impossible task of organizing the place. One balances on top of the largest stack, tossing books down to two waiting monks.
A young man shuffling books between shelves looks at the door, briefly confused before he jumps slightly. His voice is soft and timid as he says, "What...ah, what're you doing here? Did, um, did the Maurya-Rahm send you?" He pauses for a second before he says with more of an edge to his voice, "Oh, please don't tell me you're with Unuxi's cult. You can tell Abbot Sanahi that he and his cronies aren't welcome here!"
"Hello." Says Aakif, rather baffled. "I am Aakif Al-Khismia Al-Katapesh, and these are my companions. To whom do I have the honour of speaking with?"
Elsa looks at the cleric. Then at the monks.
This got complicated
Aakif subtly nods to Elsa. There's worry in his eyes
Zyrel winces as Aakif introduces himself. 'I take it that he does not intend to leave witnesses.'
I am Disciple Nakan." The young man's courage seems to come back as he sees the party isn't hostile, "I would ask again, though, why are you here? We get few visitors, and have little to offer them. You could speak to the Teacher, if you wish. He may be of more use to you."
Lanatir looks to Elsa and Aakif and nods, also looking rather uncomfortable.
"I am interested in procuring some important texts that are not available in my homeland. May we please speak with your Teacher?
Nakan looks up at the man atop the tower of books. "He is there. You may wait for him to finish sorting, or climb up and speak with him if patience is not your virtue."
"Thank you." Aakif says as he walks towards the pile. He looks back at his companions and gives them a subtle devilish grin.
When everyone is inside and Aakif is at the bottom of the pile, he looks back at his companions one last time, then shoulder checks the pile of books to knock down their leader.
Elsa whispers to the others
Aren't we supposed to be attacking them? They seem nice. What do we do?
Then Aakif attacks them.
Lanatir nods to Elsa.
He shakes his head to Aakif.
He stands with his sword pointed down.
"I would rather negotiate."
Aakif looks Lanatir in the eyes, not with malice or frustration or judgement, only acknowledgement and understanding. Then he scans the rest of the group for any other signs.
Elsa shrugs
If we are going to mix it up with someone, I would prefer the undead. Not librarians.
Zyrel hesitates, unwilling to make the first move.
Aakif does grimace a bit as he determines that for the purpose of group unity, he will have to break his promise, or once again talk his way out of money. He approaches the stack of books and says to the Teacher. "Greetings Teacher. I am interested in purchasing two texts that I believe you may possess. The Fists of Bone and the Fifty Maneuvers. Would you be interested in selling them?"
The man atop the pile of books looks down at Aakif, "You seek the texts of Sranava? Another had come to our halls, seeking something similar. We sent him away. You might share his outcome, unless you can do a favor for us."
"Who is this other that I might consider a competitor, and what favour do you seek?" Aakif replies
"He was some sort of scholar. Carried himself much like you do. He mentioned where he was to set off to next, though this information has not yet been purified."
He pauses before gracefully jumping down the pile of books. The fall should've been deadly, or at least painful, but the monk lands perfectly on his feet before addressing Aakif, his voice dripping with contempt, "The foul goddess Unuxi sends her zealots to our sanctum, seeking to destroy our knowledge. Exterminate her cult, and bring me Abbot Sanahi's head."
Elsa shakes her head
deja vu, anyone?
She looks at the monks
killing off someone is a bit of an ask, for a book. Doesn't strike me as very neighbourly.
She stretches. It's a bit of a walk. And we are here. I think for what you are asking needs a better reward. Or it might be easier to just take the book.
she smiles at them
What is your thinking on this?
Aakif has no idea who Unuxi is. Vudran gods are as numerous as they are obscure, so it's reasonable he's never heard of them.
The Teacher smiles slightly and shakes his head, "We are guardians of knowledge, not dispatchers of mercenaries."
Lanatir also tries to recall if he has heard of Unuxi.
I wonder what this monk is capable of. But he wants us to do his dirty work instead. The undead monks of Sranava want us to wipe out the order of Chanak in exchange for information about Suradesh. Or at least recover their tomes. Destroying the undead wouldn't tell us where Suradesh is.
The order of Chanak wants us to wipe out the order of Unixi in exchange for the books. They also seem to know where Suradesh is but 'the information has not been purified.'
Most likely the order of Unixi will want us to do a task for them.
Lanatir recalls some vague information about Unixi, or rather, the incomprehensible beliefs they fanatically defend, resulting in a legendarily poor reputation for diplomacy.
Zyrel sighs. 'Mayflies. Why does everything have to be so complicated?'
"What do you guard the knowledge from?" he asks, casually.
"I think we can deal with these Unixi followers. It is my understanding that they will not be similarly open to negotiation.
They seek the destruction of knowledge?
While you seek to keep certain knowledge inaccessible?"
Lanatir sounds neutral and non-judgmental as he says this. I think these Chanak followers are going against the spirit of the times, but is their way better? Who is to say?
"We do not know the faith of the Unuxites, merely that they have attacked us on many occasions, destroying priceless and irreplacable texts. Because you ask, Chanak's doctrine is simple. Most would misuse knowledge in it's raw form. We believe that it must be scrubbed of impurities, arranged according to Chanak's sacred method. That which has not been purified is kept here."
Aakif looks to the rest of the party
"To these Unixites, then?"
Zyrel sighs "It is my preference." then turns to the monk "How long will it take you to purify the knowledge of the scholar's destination?"
"If you can help us, it can be expedited. A day, two at most."
"That is plausible. We will return after dealing with the Unixites."
With everyone's agreement, Aakif will lead the group out of the temple before heading to the Unixites' temple. "I swear, I am ready to rip my beard out in frustration." He sighs.
"Is negotiation not the central tenet of your god?"
Lanatir smiles a bit. Humans can be so impatient.
"Well, I do understand that negotiations are just a means to the end of wealth.
Never fear.
It is my understanding that the Unixites will not be as enthusiastic about negotiations."
Lanatir receives a slight glare from the cleric. "Yes it is." He groans.
"I wish we cold have killed them when we had the chance", grumbles a tired Armanus.
It would have been simpler. Let's not talk this time. Except for "return to the grave foul undead". That seems appropriate
"It seems not all members of our company are aligned. The question of the value of life is different for all individuals." Aakif says as he leads the group to the Unixites.
It's not far to the temple of Unuxi.
A dark, windswept cliff stands out for several reasons. First, the rock is noticeably darker than the surroundings. Secondly, a spider with a man's grimacing head is carved into it, a frozen leer visible from quite a ways away.
Barely visible between it's forelegs is a passageway chiseled into the rock, leading into darkness.
"It seems not all members of our company are aligned. The question of the value of life is different for all individuals." Aakif says as he leads the group to the Unixites.
"Just being pragmatic", Armanus spoke with a simple, yet unnerving smile. "A quality I'm sure The Master of the First Vault would approve."
"Of course." Aakif answers. "But so too does he approve unity, and that is my concern. We are a team of people from many different backgrounds and beliefs. If I understand correctly, Lanatir is hesitant to attack humans who seem unarmed, although as an aside, I suspect they were plenty capable of defending themselves with magic. Elsa feels justified in killing undead, naturally, but attacking humans after speaking with them would have been a bad decision. Kristleifur seems to enjoy diplomacy, and Armanus is pragmatic." He grins slightly at this remark. "I'm unsure where Zyrel stands. For myself, I am mostly concerned with profit and the paying of dues, though I have limits when it comes to the innocent and the poor. As long as it isn't a terrible expense, I prefer the innocent and the poor to live, maybe with some bruises, but live. Mercenary work is so treacherous. It is all too easy to be swayed by the Reaper. We must remain resolute and unified."
When they reach the passageway between the carved spider's legs, Aakif lights Lanatir's shield. "In the name of Abadar, the Gracious, the Merciful. In the protection of Abadar, may He guide us through our trials and tribulations, and reward us well, if Abadar so wills."