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

Game Master Insnare

We need to stay to protect the Sheik... and we promised Siti that he could meet Yodfah. This is a good opportunity for that. Just don't get drawn into a fight until they show their true colors. We need to stick close so that they can't kill our hosts, so let's watch very closely.

Zairiah reminds everyone not to believe anything that the deceivers say or take anything that they offer, and pleads the Sheik to take the precaution as well, at least until they participate in the salt bond. True, it is unlikely that any would risk the curse, but take no chances. The men at arms could be here to ambush them. The barrels could be filled with explosives. With a murderous history, some precaution is needed.

Just trying to convince him to be ultra careful... don't have any official persuasion skill, but maybe a Modern Languages check for mastery of the language/ability to reason with him?

Modern Languages (Int-13): 1d20 ⇒ 6

She also has Sham hide in whatever tent the Sheik has for greeting his guests. If worst comes to worst, Sham can relay to them if something is wrong.

She talks to Siti and tells him that he will soon have the opportunity to meet Yodfah, but she asks him to not show his face to the newcomers until they make sure that his meeting with the Sheik goes well, because if not, he might be needed to pretend to be Yodfah in order to get them out of a bad situation.

Can anyone think of anything else we can do without outright just trying to kill them? These are the guys that killed our friend and then invited us to the funeral so they could ambush us, and who are in league with the undead. I realize I am paranoid, but I think it is justified.

Just because you're paranoid, that doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

Ibn Taaib nods, and says, "Well argued. If they are truly powerful sorcerers, we must stand afar from one another as well, and perhaps hide some of our excellent ranged attackers just in case. Lady Fadilah, is it possible to handle or counter their magics?"

Anything else you guys want to do or any spells you want to grab before I push it forward.

Sham says, "I will sssslither my way into the tent and hide under the pillowssss there..."

I can't do anything special as a paladin, so I'm ready to move on.

Sham slithers off toward the tent being set up for the meeting.

Yodfah's entourage gets closer and you can count 12 warriors, Jamal, another advisor that is about 5ft tall and extremely rotund and the woman you know as Hanzala.

Feel free to roll a wisdom check. Genie Lore check and if you can think of some creative use of skills, please tell me what you are trying to learn.

Ibn Taaib studies the newcomers' equipment and gear and tries to glean what information he can from them by studying any badges, rings, sashes, or equipment for any indications from whence they come or what organizations or associations they are affiliated with.

Heraldry: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Sheikh

Frackit studies the group. Unlike his taller compainions he looks at the individuals hands and waists, followed by faces then thier feet.
Just seeking to get a read on these followers.
Wisdom: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Paritosh studies the incoming group, trying to discern their intent.

No mounts are visible, right? If mounts are visible, I would use camel riding, to try and discern if they came equipped for war, or for talking.

Wisdom: 1d20 ⇒ 12 vs 15

There are camels with them carrying barrels on them.

Paritosh

Frackit

" Those fighters dont seem, comfortable" Frackit says as he stroked his mustache and says that to the others. He notes it snd take mental note of all his daggers and gear.

Genie Lore (<= 16): 1d20 ⇒ 13

Fetch Spell: improved invisibility: 1d100 ⇒ 36

In preparation for things potentially going awry, Fadilah sends out her gen for an improved invisibility spell beforehand, and in an unusual twist of luck, the gen finds the spell. She holds on to that in case it's needed later.

She seems nonplused to see Jamal, as if somehow this was unexpected and yet... not entirely unexpected.

Wisdom (16) for any possible additional details: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Wisdom Check (13): 1d20 ⇒ 7

"Those are not war camels, they are draft camels."

Fadilah

Agrammar, Zairiah

"What I wouldn't give for a good war camel though."

Zairiah whispers to her group

I wonder why they are all armed with two-handed scimitars. Perhaps all is not as it seems.

Zairiah suspects an illusion and attempts to disbelieve/see past it, although I have no idea how that is handled in 2e.

" Are younthinkinf an Illusion? Or something else? Illusions are only surface level at most."Frackit says as he strokes his mustache.

Well you can cast detect or even dispel Illusion.

A few minutes later as the entourage gets closer you can see that the lightly armored men at arms are leading four camels each carrying six large urns filled with wine.

Wisdom for Nura and Fadilah

As the entourage gets closer and is within the Sheikh's camp you see Hanzala whisper into Yodfah's ear and then he turns to Jamal and the Emir raises his left hand to signal to Yodfah to stop.

Jamal's eyes catch sight of Fadilah and he smiles.

After the Brotherhood party arrives in front of the sheikh, Jamal and Khaldun exchange optimistic pleasantries in front of his tent and
introduce their retainers as per custom. The sheikh introduces you, the bards and your caravan to Jamal just before Jamal introduces
everyone to Yodfah. Diliram, Namered and Besper tower over the Tasked Genie of Jamal.

Jamal says, "The Fadilah al-Qadib, yes, yes I knew her as a girl. I had dated her aunt for awhile about five years ago. Beautiful lady, beautiful family. Yodfah had told me about Fadilah al-Qadib and your exploits and I thought, 'could it be the same Fadilah I knew, for Qadib is a fairly large city but I knew you would become a Shai'ra one day. The coincidence is well profound. I must say, what a delight. The Loregiver works in mysterious ways. This is such a fortuitous occasion."

Ibn Taaib returns the greetings of the Brotherhood of Eternal Flame, keeping his eyes on the newcomers.
This being his first encoutner with Yodfah, Hanzala, Jamal, and the other Brotherhood members, he studies them well.
What do they all look like?

Noone has met Jamal nor Yodfah but Hanzala was met.

Jamal appears to be a strong, handsome man
in his early twenties, with short black hair and dark, captivating
eyes. He is well over four decades old, but has imbibed a few potions
of longevity to preserve his youthful and handsome appearance. He
always speaks in a calm, reasonable tone and has a disarming smile.
Jamal proudly wears the traditional white aba, red brocade sash, and
red kiffiyeh of the Brotherhood of True Flame.

Yodfah is a bald, cherubic man in his early
forties. He wears only the most expensive silk clothing, brocaded
with gold thread and sewn with small jewels. Yodfah
is naturally charismatic (though not very handsome). Yodfah uses his charisma to his advantage in all business dealings. He has a deep, full-bodied laugh that he uses constantly to foster an image of friendliness and disarming joviality.

Hanzala: Like most mages in the Brotherhood, Hanzala wears a
pure white dolman and a bright red keffiyeh, held in
place by a similarly colored agal. Over the dolman,
Hanzala wears a red sash.

The 12 men at arms are wearing a white aba over studded leather armor.
Each carries four javelins, a shield and a great scimitar.

Paritosh sticks with what he knows, so he focuses on the camels. Does their appearance match with everything we "know" about these folks?

They look like draft camels that would be transporting large quantities of liquid.

Ibn Taaib considers the newcomers, and then says, "Let us sit, then, heads of the Brotherhood. Let us sit, and discuss."

Let's push. They're here to talk, so let's talk.

Yodfah makes a snide remark towards Zairiah, Nura, and Fadilah, "Yes, Oh Sheikh, you ought not to take council from these folks, all it will do is lead to your ruin. Callous, impetuous and imprudent actions have led to poor Ayyan's doom. Friends like them, who needs enemies."

Quickly and astutely realizing that this jab was intended to elicit a reaction, the sheikh returns calmly, "We shall not speak of such matters thusly. Let us sit, and discuss."

Paritosh informs the group, "those camels are carrying lots of liquid. What for?"

Zairiah doesn't respond to Yodfah or look at him, but in response to Paritosh she says, under her breath

Likely more poisoned wine.

The Sheikh looks at the other Sheikh and says, "You can meet with the Emir and his entourage after our business has been concluded, if they so choose."

Yodfah says snarkily, "So no refutation, I figured as such. Like dromedaries sans heads, I say."

Ibn Taaib looks back at Sheikh Khaldun, "Of course, unless thou wouldst wish for me to be with thee during the negotiations. A neutral arbiter might be welcomed."

Wisdom (6): 1d20 ⇒ 12

Zairiah says a silent prayer to Zann, and any other deity that will listen that the Sheik will remember what they said and not trust the newcomers, and definitely not negotiate before ensuring they enter the salt bond first, as she advised him earlier.

" Well he seems a fan" Frackit says in sarcastoc flare as he pits more of a decerning eye upon the newcomers.

Do you bring up poison wine to the Sheikh?

Not me! I'm not the conduit of conversation to our hosts. Unless you mean to our own Sheikh PC, in which case, yes, he is in the conversation.

We told the Sheik about the poison wine from the past already... but if he doesn't seem to be making the connection we could remind him, but only privately. I am sure that our homicidal guests will come up with some excuse if we accuse them publicly. The thing I really want the Sheik to do is to make sure they take the salt bond NOW, so that when they break it, it is clear that we are now able to defend him. If he doesn't make them take it, then we're in limbo. ... And I did tell him that clearly already as well. Don't eat or drink anything before getting them to do the salt bond. Don't trust them before that. Don't accept any gifts before that... all of it. I just have no idea what we are going to do if he doesn't listen. Surely he knows that is the wisest course, even if he doesn't trust us fully... right?

Zairiah

In game, the party shut down Sakina less than six months ago. irl it was years ago. Fair enough.

Jamal says in a very flattering smooth manner, "Well, Shai'ra Fadilah Al-Qadib, after my meeting with the most honorable Sheikh Khaldum bin Hanif, I most look forward to becoming reacquainted with you, urik."

Yodfah makes a snide remark towards Zairiah, Nura, and Fadilah, "Yes, Oh Sheikh, you ought not to take council from these folks, all it will do is lead to your ruin. Callous, impetuous and imprudent actions have led to poor Ayyan's doom. Friends like them, who needs enemies."

"Don't ye be forgettin' about the trading in false jewerly, I heard there was some of that involved in it. Fer sure ye be rememberin' something about that?" - Aggrammar replies with a snarl.

Yodfah says snarkily, "So no refutation, I figured as such. Like dromedaries sans heads, I say."

"Some be lookin' more like a shiny, hairless pearl to me" - the dwarf refuses to stay silent.

Sorry guys, Aggrammar would never take this sitting down. And hey! He is pretty charismatic himself! ;)

"So, did you let them know about your poison suspicion?"

Yeah, Zairiah is fuming as well, Aggrammar, but remember the salt bond. Don't break it.

In answer to Paritosh, Zairiah looks at the Sheik and says

He knows. We told him everything.

Ibn Taaib keeps that in mind as he maintains eye contact with Khaldun.
@DM: Is he OK with me being there or not?

You mean the other sheikh being cool with you being in the discussion tent. He does not want your group included. His tribe's business is being talked about with the brotherhood. It is between his tribe and them.

Zariah keeps in touch with Sham, making sure that she knows what is going on at all times.

Ibn Taaib nods and withdraws to stay near his party, not before reminding Khaldun of the warning.

Zairiah ** spoiler omitted **

In game, the party shut down Sakina less than six months ago. irl it was years ago. Fair enough.

Jamal says in a very flattering smooth manner, "Well, Shai'ra Fadilah Al-Qadib, after my meeting with the most honorable Sheikh Khaldum bin Hanif, I most look forward to becoming reacquainted with you, urik."

Fadilah says to Jamal, "It seems we are on opposite sides of the table. A pleasant reunion would be most welcome, though of course we must dine and drink and tell tales to make such bonds."

So I guess we are going to wait for a cutscene.

Ye of little faith. This is an extremely important scenario. I wanted to get it right.

Emir Jamal smiles and kisses Fadilah's hand and says, "Apricot, I do not want to leave Sheikh Khaldun bin Hanif waiting too long."

The Sheikh and his son followed by Yodfah and Jamal enter the tent. Besper and Jamal's genies guard the front of the tent. The brotherhood and Hanifi warriors eye each other warily. Hanzala walks over to Nura and feigns casting a fire spell at her.

The bards look to you and your party not sure as to whether they should play some music. You are close enough to the tent to hear that the men are talking but it is a much more elaborate preamble than your Salt Bond from two days prior.

Zairiah

GM Rolls