Pathfinders, you have been summoned to the capital city of Katapesh, by none other than Venture-Captain Wulessa Yuul
It is a hot, breezeless evening in Katapesh. Here, in a meeting room atop Farseer Tower, the curtains hang listlessly even with the windows thrown open. Unfortunately, the only thing hotter than the air is Venture-Captain Wulessa Yuul’s ire.
"“Why must I share Katapesh with so-called equals who are incompetent?” She huffs between gritted teeth, pacing back and forth before calming herself. “My pardon. Let me explain. Some months ago, the crypt of Zahari Mahiman—a scholar and sage from the Age of Enthronement—was rediscovered out in the wastes. I, personally, have long sought one artifact reputedly interred with him: the Monadistic Archive, a collection of scrolls from the Jistkan Imperium. Unfortunately,” she grits her teeth, “It fell under the purview of the Kotargo Lodge to arrange an expedition. Venture- Captain Dulm took his time getting things underway, in spite of my own requests for urgency and offers of assistance. As a result, by the time his agents got there, the place had already been looted."
“Phlegos Dulm’s complacency aside, not all is bleak. The adventurers who looted the crypt were not scholars; they were simply looking to exploit the wonders of the past. The Monadistic Archive, in particular, was sold to Palhuna Murqual, a merchant here in Katapesh. I believe he bought the archive assuming it was merely a magical storage device, not an esoteric repository of lore indecipherable by him. He has shown interest in selling—at a profit, of course—and I need you to make the purchase. I have an Abadaran promissory note that should cover the price, but he is crafty and may bargain for more. I want the archive, whatever it costs. I can’t pay more gold than I already have offered, but if you can find other means of appeasing Murqual, I encourage you to do so.”
Despite being reasonably neophyte Pathfinder agents, you may already know a thing or two about the Monadistic Archive. . You may have also heard of the vendor Palhuna Murqual. .
The Venture-Captain takes a deep breath and finishes as they always do, "Any questions?"
|
With a visible sigh of relief for not being the last one there, and a glance at VC. She spoke up hoping to blunt the VC already piqued ire at the situation.
At the latest arrival "Yes."
With a look at Kassanamir. "We will put the lateness behind us, and yes you did.
We need to find an artifact taken from the Zahari Mahiman crypt called the Monadistic Archive. For other reasons the last known location of this tome was in the hands of a merchant called Palhuna Murqual. We are to go to the merchant and purchase this book for the lowest price possible. If the purchase price is more than the guaranteed funds from the bank of Abadar, then we need to figure out an alternate payment.
She leans back against the wall now taking time to contemplate why the hell she just cut off the Venture Captain.
Rodric doesn't really have any knowledge to share. The Venture-Captain adds, "We have a tentative deal, so there shouldn't be competition."
Wulessa drives the point home by handing you a promissory note worth 10,000 gp from the bank of Abadar. "Head to Murqual’s establishment in the Lower City. This is Katapeh, if you need to shop, you'll have plenty of opportunity. "
Finding Murqual’s shop is easy enough. A few discreet inquiries lead through the Lower City to a wooden door crowned by a plaque that reads “Palhuna Murqual, Vendor of Fetters, Bindings, and Cages Mundane and Mystic.” His establishment defies the stereotype for a shop in the infamous Nightstalls. It boasts a permanent location, instead of one that could be broken down and moved with ease. It is quite lavishly appointed, rather than being a shadowy, smoky hovel, and the air smells of vanilla and cardamom rather than incense. Inside, deep carpeting covers the floor. Chains and shackles, ranging in size from mist-thin links to cuffs that would hold a titan, hang along one wall. Another wall holds an array of mirrors— some reflecting the room and some showing the insides of a bare cell. Lanterns and cages hang from ceiling rafters, and glass cases hold etched gemstones and glass bottles. A central space is cleared of wares, instead sporting several plush seats arranged around a silver samovar.
An obese man swaddled in silks occupies a sofa before the samovar. Standing to his left is a slim, younger man holding a ledger. The fat man makes a series of complicated hand gestures to the standing man, who, after a moment, bows to the PCs and speaks. “My esteemed master, Palhuna Murqual, bids you welcome. Please, be seated. Business should be conducted comfortably.”
|
Rodric sweeps his cloak back, the flower of Shelyn flashing on the garment as he sits on the sofa. The breastplate he wears hardly makes a sound, testament to the quality of the armor. The cleric rests his glaive against the back of the sofa, and speaks. "Good day, Master Murqual. I am Rodric Dumont, Devotee of the Eternal Rose and Pathfinder. I and my colleagues are here on behalf of Venture-Captain Yuul for the acquisition of the Monadistic Archive. We are prepared to do business and, with your permission, would like to see a rapid conclusion to this engagement. Would that be satisfactory?"
Deciphering the Hand Signals:
Curious...the “sign language” is just gesticulation without meaning.
As he passes around cups of mint tea, Rodric makes the offer. Murqual nods appreciatively at the sum of the promissory note but informs you via translator that he has already received an offer for the item well exceeding Wulessa’s bid. “While I respect the Pathfinder Society, to sell to you would seem favoritism. And I’m not inclined to favor one customer over another—without there being an equal favor, in return...” The translator leaves the last word hanging in the air.
Otto doesn't really get a feel for what the merchant has in mind, but the reply is pretty clear. “I have three tasks. Because Palhuna Murqual is as generous as an oasis, you may decide among them for those which suit you.” He begins to count off tasks on his fingers. “I have some sensitive merchandise being delivered by problematic dealers. Another recent acquisition has some unpleasant protective magic that I need dealt with. Finally, you can be my agents to make a purchase from another acquaintance.”
Etain sense hesitant calculation on Murqual’s part before he decided upon three favors, he might be open to negotiation, but it'll take a gentle touch.
There's a flurry of gestures, and no consensus. You feel like Jean Paul is ever so close from getting an agreement, but not close enough.
Kassanamir's voice cracks, and his delivery is stilted. It's not his best work.
"Perhaps we can settle on TWO tasks then." The translator finally replies. "And because Murqual is a very generous host, you may pick which two tasks."
Otto doesn't really get a feel for what the merchant has in mind, but the reply is pretty clear. “I have three tasks. Because Palhuna Murqual is as generous as an oasis, you may decide among them for those which suit you.” He begins to count off tasks on his fingers. “I have some sensitive merchandise being delivered by problematic dealers. Another recent acquisition has some unpleasant protective magic that I need dealt with. Finally, you can be my agents to make a purchase from another acquaintance.”
After some signing, “I have some special goods being shipped in from the savanna tonight. I am short on staff to take the delivery, and I don’t care to be seen meeting with the deliverers.... They’re gnolls. It’s a social status issue; I’m sure you understand. I’ve had dealings with this tribe before. They tend to ‘forget’ the agreed upon price. You’ll be carrying some additional funds—I regard it as a standard tax when dealing with them—but beyond that, I expect you to convince them that they’re not getting any extra.”
“They are goods I require—that’s all you need know. I'll be giving you the agreed upon gold, and the unofficial 'tax' that goes with it.”
"You'll be meeting them at the Twilight Gate, midnight tonight. Good luck."
The Twilight Gate is an easy landmark to find.
Murqual sets you up with a small donkey-pulled cart before departing his shop. Most of its contents consist of trade goods, bolts of cloth, and several casks of liquor. In addition, he gives you two sacks containing 100 gp each as "additional 'payment' if the gnolls prove recalcitrant."
By night, the streets of the Twilight Gate district are mostly empty. The courtyard surrounding the Ruined Monastery, a popular tourist attraction by day, is even more deserted than the surrounding streets. Perhaps this is what made it the choice location for Murqual’s gnoll “distributors,” or perhaps the gnolls feel comfortable in the shadow of this former home to Lamashtu’s faithful. In either case, the shadows lie thick underneath these crumbling walls.
The gnolls are already waiting in the plaza for you. Behind them in the gloom is a small crate. Unsurprisingly, they greet you with snarling disdain, "You aren’t the ones Murqual normally sends!"
The other two snarl and bark in their own tongue:
"Those linens are moth-ridden.”
“There’s only one donkey?”
“Do they expect the tribe to starve?”