A Push of the Fates.... Zakhara... You Jewel!

Game Master Insnare

Karaji answers your questions, "The carpet intended for Princess Hadra is 6 feet by 9 feet, even if it were unrolled there is no way it would be able to fit under the door without cutting it into pieces. Even then you would have to have either magical shears or a magical blade to do so, such is the quality of the carpet. It is woven
with swirling arabesque patterns in gold and purple
threads that shift and writhe with magical energy. The
rug, which answers to the name Alawan, is an elegantly
woven carpet of flying which has a speed of 42 despite its
large size."

He then answers Nura, "The doors were locked as well as the windows. There are no other ways to enter my workshop."

Karaji says, "That man who came in yesterday wanted to buy my carpet. Maybe it was him?"

Responding to Karaji, Zairiah says

Yes, that is likely, but since it is clear it was a magic user, he could have easily been in disguise. Could be someone from the evil Brotherhood of Flame. Do you remember anything else distinctive about him other than what he was wearing? ... the coin suggests Hiyal, the yellow powder could be a spell component. Not sure about the fish scales... perhaps the bad guys are holed up in a location near the docks?

Invisible, but also had to be able to just magically appear in here and take what he wanted. Sounds like a very powerful magic user.

And why that carpet... why not any of the others? Seems to be a specific plot, not just a random carpet-buyer robbed of his purchase.

Karaji says, "Well, he was a tall,
slim youth who tried to buy my carpet. The young man
wore a dirty white turban and a black desert aba over
light armor. The man looked like he had
recently left a caravan but he smelled strongly of the banapple fruit and spoke with a faint foreign accent. If you wish you can talk to my staff."

Religion: 1d20 ⇒ 20" What kind of accent was it this"

Interesting. A smell might help, even if he was in disguise. Banapples, eh? Yes, I would like to talk to your staff, and perhaps other merchants neighbors, just to see if anyone else noticed anything.

I have proficiency in Modern Languages if that can help Frackit figure out the accent.

Zairiah talks to the staff, seeing if they remember things similarly, or know where she could buy both banapples and fish... hoping that will lead her towards the person they are looking for. Since she personally feels that it is the brotherhood of flame, she also asks if anyone has seen any unusual fires.

Karaji says, "He definitely did not speak that language in front of me. He sounded like he was from maybe somewhere south-east of here."

From talking with the staff, you are able to learn that banapples are typically sold in the bazaar. Fish can be found in the fish market. They also say they did not see the man that Karaji described the night before after he had left the shop.

While canvasing the merchants around Karaji's home you speak to a stout dwarven barber named a stout named Gashul. He says, "This morning when I awoke my long-furred dog named Juju had gone missing. I found him just before 10. He now has a scorched crew-cut,
smelling of burnt hair, and when I found him he was whimpering piteously behind my
shop"

"That would seem to support your theory of the Brotherhood of Flame," Nura says to Zairiah.

Yeah, well, they are the evil magic-user big game in town, and they keep coming back to haunt us unfortunately. Hopefully my paranoia is getting us on track rather than looking for different people.

So, okay... someone who has visited Hiyal recently, who walks through the fish market, and who buys banapples in the bazaar. Also has a penchant for hurting dogs? Let's take that last one with a question mark, since I could be wrong, but if so it is a strange coincidence.

Ideas for next steps? Should we go buy some fish and banapples and ask around about pet abuse?

"Zairiah," Paritosh begins, "I must say, I am in awe of the way you piece these clues together. You seem to have a keen eye for detail and a sharp mind for strategy. You spot what others overlook, and weave all the threads into a coherent plan. It is truly impressive." He leans back slightly, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Where I come from, the women of my clan were always taught to remain silent, their words should be few, and they should avoid speaking out or showing too much intelligence. It was considered... inappropriate." He pauses, as if mulling over the implications of his own words. "But I find myself questioning this wisdom now. You are a remarkable example of intelligence and insight, and frankly, I have to admit, I find it refreshing. I was wrong to believe that a woman’s place is not in the thick of things, sharing her wisdom aloud. I could learn much from you." He looks at her with genuine respect before continuing, "As for our next steps, I do think buying some fish and banapples sounds like a good plan. It seems we are getting closer, and each step you take only reinforces the theory that this is the Brotherhood's doing. Let's move forward, my friends, and see where this path leads us."

"Maybe they dwell near a place that processes fish and within ease of these banapples? Maybe kick the hornets nest and press a few people to find where these Brothers dwell?" Frackit says strangely drawing a dagger and tapping the tip on his chin.

' If pressed for time we can find them and catch them off guard.

"Apologies, I got back into my freedom fighter days" Frackit says as he then puts away his dagger.

"Still strike hard fetch the rug. Eliminate all opposition, unless they you know decide to offer a peaceful solution. I doubt it though. From the way you say this organizations name."

I know that we have fought many successful battles, but a word of caution. We should not face any of the Brotherhood of Flame in a fair fight, and definitely not if they are backing each other up. If we find this one, we should definitely knife him in the back if we get a chance. Otherwise he'll burn us all to death and teleport away. You all saw what happened last time, and we knew of their treachery beforehand. Stealth and deception might not always be honorable in trading, but in dealing with these people who have no honor, I think they may serve us well.

Do you want to check out the dog? Fadilah, did you want to do any spellcraft checks? And after that, fruit or fish first?

Zairiah asks Gashul if they can take a look at Juju, and if given permission she examines the dog closely to see if there is any additional information they can glean.

Gashul nods and then walks into his home and brings out his dog Juju. The unfortunate dog appears singed and almost bald.

" So surprise shock and awe on these Brotherhood types" Frackit says as he looks at the dog and strokes his mustache.

"I wonder if any of these items are material components for spells..." muses Fadilah.

Spellcraft (< 14): 1d20 ⇒ 19

"... but I really couldn't say. I could send my gen to seek out some divinatory magic, perhaps, to see if there's anything else to learn... but the ability to scry the past is not common, and I'm not sure what kind of magic one would use to do so."

Object reading and psychometry are pretty firmly in the clairsentience discipline of psionics in 2e; I will take a gander through some books to see if I can find some obscure spell that might help, but that does kinda feel like cheating, to have a library of a thousand spells at my disposal and be able to pick the most obscure, seldom-used ones at will.

You can give men another 5 spellcrafts rolls

After Fadi rolls 5 more times, would you guys rather go to the fruit bazaar or the fish market to look for clues?

I vote for the fish market. We're less likely to encounter apricots there!

I'm okay with either... we're likely going to have to do both eventually.

Fishmarket is fine by me.

Sounds good.

Spellcraft (<= 14): 1d20 ⇒ 6
Spellcraft (<= 14): 1d20 ⇒ 9
Spellcraft (<= 14): 1d20 ⇒ 20
Spellcraft (<= 14): 1d20 ⇒ 2
Spellcraft (<= 14): 1d20 ⇒ 17

Fadilah

After Fadilah tells her findings, somone can roll me a wisdom to get mostly what happened. Anyone with Brewing or Herbalism please roll on Banapples

Wisdom: 1d20 ⇒ 12 Success

Wisdom: 1d20 ⇒ 12I can't remember if that I need it over or under?

Under, if it was over it would be harder to make wisdom checks, the wiser your character was.

Wisdom

"I must admit," Paritosh begins with a slight shrug, "I am no expert in the ways of magic or thieves, but I believe I can deduce a few things based on what we’ve observed." He taps his chin thoughtfully, eyes narrowing in contemplation. "It seems clear to me that this wizard, with some proclivity toward flame—perhaps even tied to the Brotherhood of Flame—used his magical abilities to bypass the shop's defenses. I suspect he called upon a form of shifting magic, a quickstep between worlds, and appeared inside the shop without disturbing the door or window. Once inside, I believe he used his power to sense the subtle energy of the carpets, quickly locating the one he sought."

He pauses for a moment, his gaze flicking toward the others. "Given the sulfurous residue, it seems likely he has an affinity with fire magic—something explosive, if you will, a type of magical signature that fits. After securing the carpet, he probably shifted back to wherever he came from, leaving no trace behind except for the lingering signs of his arcane presence."

Paritosh shrugs again, looking slightly uncomfortable with his assumptions but confident in his reasoning. "As for the dog, I cannot say for certain whether it was harmed during the wizard's visit, but... perhaps Fadilah or Frackit might have better luck speaking with the animal. They could ask the dog what happened, if it remembers anything. Though, if the dog was indeed burnt, that would speak to our theory about the wizard's fiery connection."

He looks around, clearly open to any further thoughts or ideas, but his tone remains sure. "I believe this path leads us closer to the answers we seek."

Nura, having no talent for magic, waits patiently while Paritosh states his theories.

Frackit will cast Speak with Animals when they come to the dog.

Frackit gets down to look at the dogs face and smiles. he will probably use some more healing spells on the poor fellow.

Juju the dog says,

When the barking is in a lull, so as not to interrupt, Zairiah mentions If the dog caught the specific scent, maybe it can help us with a direction, if we get to a place where the wizard left normally.

Juju

'Fish Scales on his shoes, but Banapple is the strongest scent" He says as he then asks in Barking tongue.

Juju says

Still want to go to the fish market first or would you rather go to the fruit market?

" Juju quotes 'He balding, middle-aged man
with a bulby nose and eyes they move quickly. He wear white aba, red brocade sash, and red kiffiyeh.' Not sure what all that means, but I assume you all do?" He says to the others giving them a discription.

he then looks back at Juju.

Thanks Frackit, thanks Juju. I am not sure if the description helps, since he could have already been in disguise, but we can hope. Since Juju says that banapple is the strongest scent, let's try the fruit market and ask around about people that have been buying a lot of banapples?

Fruit seller?

Sure, but NO apricots!

A fruit bazaar in Muluk, like the renowned "Souk el Tayeb," is a vibrant, bustling open-air market overflowing with colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables from all corners of Zakhara, where vendors enthusiastically promote their locally grown produce, often with a lively chatter and the enticing aroma of ripe seasonal fruits, offering everything from juicy pomegranates and plump grapes to succulent figs and fragrant citrus fruits, all displayed beautifully in overflowing baskets and wooden crates, providing a sensory experience that embodies the rich agricultural heritage of the region; shoppers can interact directly with farmers, learning about the origins of their produce and experiencing the true taste of Mulukese cuisine.

Variety of produce: A wide array of fruits and vegetables, including unique Zakharan varieties like "arra" grapes, "loumi" tomatoes, and especially for Paritosh "sitt el-mhalabiyeh" apricots. There are also some Banapples.

Zairiah buys some nectarines if they are available. Then she moves over to the banapple stand.

Hello, these look like fine banapples. Do you get a lot of buyers?

Zairiah also has money in her hand and her large nectarine purchase in full view to make it clear to the merchant that she is a customer.

She's friendly and bantering, and will eventually purchase some banapples at an increased price which they both understand is also for the information, but this is how the game is played. Next she will handle the fruit and ask if anyone purchases really regularly or in large quantities, and if that happens at a certain time of day.

After walking around the bazaar, you finally find the banapple section, there are not many left. The one seller with banapples to sell says, "Yes, recently we do.. for the last week or so. I got them late to market today and that is why I still have some. The other farmers sold out this morning, my prized camel, Zhasmine, twisted her ankle and well I missed out but I think she will be healed for tomorrow."

I'm sorry to hear about your poor camel. Is there anyone who orders a lot more than the others, or are they just popular this time of years?

GM Rolls

"Sounds like it could be our man," Nura muses aloud.

"Ah, I see," Paritosh says with a slight nod of agreement, looking at Zairiah as she shares her thoughts. "That’s a clever deduction, the banapple connection is quite telling. And, the details you're picking up... I must say, I find your mind fascinating." He leans back slightly, his eyes scanning over the others, as if marveling at her insight.

"It’s not often that one finds such sharpness in a woman. In my homeland, we were always taught that women should not concern themselves with matters of intellect or business. They were meant to stay quiet and obedient. But now... I am beginning to wonder if those old teachings are wrong." He shakes his head, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You’ve proven that the mind, regardless of gender, is the sharpest weapon. I think I’ve been misled all my life."

He chuckles softly, his tone light. "I must admit, I’m a bit disappointed. Here I thought I would be ‘Nura’s man,’" He winks with a playful grin, ready to follow her lead as they move forward with the investigation.

Zairiah ignores Paritosh's flirtation and buys some banapples from the vendor, paying extra for the information.

What time of day does this usually happen?

After the vendor answers and they are on their own again, Zairiah tells the party

We might have to come back tomorrow and follow the porters. It doesn't sound like he comes to buy them himself.

"I could hide in the crate?" He says as he strokes his mustache.