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The Tian man approaches you with a letter of introduction from the Venture-Captain explaining that he is the replacement of the Toral on this mission.
"My name is Xiao. It is a please to meet you. I was briefed on our mission on the way to the festivities. I am looking forward to working with you!" Xiao says with a smooth voice.
Sunlight Under Stone leads the way across the party to the area where Jairo suggested Lineji Niarndu, female gnome museum curator, might be.
Lineji is a middle-aged gnome with frizzy, orange hair and bulging, mismatched eyes. As you approach, she seems distracted. In fact, it appears that she is jumping up and down next to an ornamental tree.
As you approach, the gnome shoots you a suspicious look. "What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy?! All anyone at this party wants to do is gossip and blather on. Hu-rumph! I could be back at the museum doing important work right now."
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"Maybe we could help with your kite, ma'am," Sunlight Under Stone says, and Ancient Stone Glider gleefully flies up to the kite, gently dislodging it before following it back down to the ground.
"Sunlight Under Stone," the leshy continues, extending a stony arm. "My line of work involves finding historical artifacts and magical relics, and then preserving and maintaining as much as possible. Who might you be?"
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Wow, I'm glad I took up Jairo on that offer of clothing for the event; this is fancy! He begins scanning the crowd; there was one sylph that Jairo mentioned they might speak to, and Robyyn wasn't going to miss the opportunity.
Ahhhh, there she is! He begins making his way towards the aristocrat.
"A thousand pardons, madam. Might you be Zhalla bint Rathmozen? I wonder if I might have a word?"
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Xiao thinks about the information that were provided and that the Concordance is also one of the targets of the mission. So someone is needed that also wanders in the shadows.
Who better to ask than a "disgraced" diplomat? Xiao thinks and approaches Mithradatha.
"Honored vizier Mithradatha, may I introduce myself. I am Xiao Katsu from Golarion on the material plane. I have heard you are a man with many connections and would very much appreciate it if we could find a common ground for joint cooperation!" Xiao says with respect.
[dice=Perception]d20+7
"Maybe we could help with your kite, ma'am," Sunlight Under Stone says, and Ancient Stone Glider gleefully flies up to the kite, gently dislodging it before following it back down to the ground.
"Sunlight Under Stone," the leshy continues, extending a stony arm. "My line of work involves finding historical artifacts and magical relics, and then preserving and maintaining as much as possible. Who might you be?"
"Ah, ha! My prize kite! Thank you for your assistance, stranger. Not everyone has a kite so fine as this. You'll find it's based on a design that was common 1,400 years ago in certain quarters of the Plane of Air. I have quite a collection of planar kites, you know."
The gnome looks you over again, paying more attention this time. "Rarely do we have visitors of your kind here, but your consideration proves that you are not just an ignorant tourist. What brings you to this gala?"
Wow, I'm glad I took up Jairo on that offer of clothing for the event; this is fancy! He begins scanning the crowd; there was one sylph that Jairo mentioned they might speak to, and Robyyn wasn't going to miss the opportunity.
Ahhhh, there she is! He begins making his way towards the aristocrat.
"A thousand pardons, madam. Might you be Zhalla bint Rathmozen? I wonder if I might have a word?"
Xiao thinks about the information that were provided and that the Concordance is also one of the targets of the mission. So someone is needed that also wanders in the shadows.
Who better to ask than a "disgraced" diplomat? Xiao thinks and approaches Mithradatha.
"Honored vizier Mithradatha, may I introduce myself. I am Xiao Katsu from Golarion on the material plane. I have heard you are a man with many connections and would very much appreciate it if we could find a common ground for joint cooperation!" Xiao says with respect.
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Wow, I'm glad I took up Jairo on that offer of clothing for the event; this is fancy! He begins scanning the crowd; there was one sylph that Jairo mentioned they might speak to, and Robyyn wasn't going to miss the opportunity.
Ahhhh, there she is! He begins making his way towards the aristocrat.
"A thousand pardons, madam. Might you be Zhalla bint Rathmozen? I wonder if I might have a word?"
Xiao thinks about the information that were provided and that the Concordance is also one of the targets of the mission. So someone is needed that also wanders in the shadows.
Who better to ask than a "disgraced" diplomat? Xiao thinks and approaches Mithradatha.
"Honored vizier Mithradatha, may I introduce myself. I am Xiao Katsu from Golarion on the material plane. I have heard you are a man with many connections and would very much appreciate it if we could find a common ground for joint cooperation!" Xiao says with respect.
Hi guys, I think we should look at our goals. We want to learn more about the prison of the good elemental lord of air and we want to learn more about the concordance.
I think a djinn has more insight into these areas than a dragon but maybe you have another opinion. :-)
In chatting with attendees of the party, Xiao learns:
Mithradatha Mithradatha is a diplomat recovering from a damaged
reputation. Zhalla’s father tricked him into contractual servitude, something that not only deeply wounded his pride but also his standing among his fellow genies. He is ambitious and disingenuous by nature, but also incredibly bitter and vengeful after these recent turn of events.
Wan Feng Feng is a foreign draconic ambassador who takes the shape of a white-haired Tian man. He is very serious-minded and lawful to the core. Flippant behavior and crude mannerisms vex him.
Zhalla bint Rathmozen Zhalla is a local dilettante who helped organize the Gala. Despite being a sylph instead of a genie, she wields considerable political weight in Armun Kelisk due to her elven father’s notoriety as a potent wizard. She is a vain and cunning young lady who enjoys her life of luxury.
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"Oooo!" Sunlight Under Stone replies to Lineji. "That would make sense that there would be so many kites here with so much sky. Do you have kites from the Plane of Earth as well? Ancient Stone Glider here is a native of that plane."
From their perch on Sunlight's shoulder, Ancient Stone Glider chirps happily.
"I've been sent here to do some research," Sunlight Under Stone continues and lowers his voice secretively. "Have you heard of the Untouchable Opal?"
The gnome picks up on Sunlight Under Stone's tone and leans in to whisper back, "It's not something I'm familiar with, but have you heard of the Cloisters of the Hidden Breeze? Many prefer to study at the Azure Hall, but with most of the Hall closed to the public until the grand re-opening, you might want to look into other options. The Cloisters are dedicated to Pulura and while it isn’t the most prestigious of the temples in the Godsward, it boasts an impressive collection of historical documents about the planes. You may be able to find information you seek there."
Looking back and forth at the other party-goes, the gnome continues, "How embarrassing that I couldn't help you with your primary research! Is there anything else that I might be able to tell you about? I am a very well-regarded scholar, you know."
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Sunlight Under Stone thanks Lineji for the information on the Cloisters of the Hidden Breeze, then ponders. "Well," they say, "maybe you've heard of the Concordance of Elements? Are they a scholarly sect too?"
Ancient Stone Glider takes to the skies again, looking for anyone appearing a bit too interested in the conversation below them.
Niarndu considers for a moment. "Hmm...the name sounds familiar, but I'm not sure I know of the group. Do you know anyone who is part of it?"
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”Hello I am Vaylin Jeshua and it is a pleasure to meet you. If I cannot help you with your studies I am sure I know someone who can. While we are sorting this out I was hoping that you could help me. I am new here and I would like to know about the guests at this event. You seemed the most approachable so why not start with yourself,” asks Vaylin while making almost too much eye contact. Luckily Vaylin can sense when the eye contact is approaching an uncomfortable level.
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Xiao now approaches Fairuza Bereket, the female djinni librarian.
"Hello dear lady Bereket, it is a pleasure to meet you. May I introduce myself: Xiao Katsu, arcane scholar and historian. I heard that you have access to tremendous knowledge and wanted to ask if you would allow me to discuss a matter of importance with you." Xiao asks with a bow.
Fairuza appears a mild-featured woman, and as you approach she is nibbling an hors d'oeuvres. Her precise bites and graceful sweeps of her hands make sure that not a crumb lands on her spotless outfit.
"Oh, is that so? What interests you in the Azure Halls?"
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A little more silently Xiao says.
”We are interested in a group called the Concordance of elements ... and knowledge about the prison that was built to capture the good elemental lord of air Ranginori. Maybe even a means to me the lord of air ... escape? You are one of the greatest scholars in your field. From an academic point of view your surely know much!“ Xiao says with some determination.
A little more silently Xiao says.
”We are interested in a group called the Concordance of elements ... and knowledge about the prison that was built to capture the good elemental lord of air Ranginori. Maybe even a means to me the lord of air ... escape? You are one of the greatest scholars in your field. From an academic point of view your surely know much!“ Xiao says with some determination.
Fairuza taps her fingers on the rim of her glass as she answers, "I'm sure I don't know anything about that group, though if you are interested in ancient planar lore, the Cloisters of the Hidden Breeze is a good place to research. It boasts an impressive collection of historical documents about the planes."
"Oh, an acquaintance of mine," Sunlight Under Stone replies to Lineji. "Jamila is her name - do you know her?"
Lineji scratches her head before answering, "Jamila? The name sounds vaguely familiar. She a janni, correct? I have never met her myself, I only know her by reputation, but I recently saw a janni matching her description speaking with a dark-haired suli man in the Godsward district."
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Menarul walks around the gala his notebook in hand, constantly sketching the sights and wonders and amazing things that are on display here.
After a moment he realizes that his companions have been chatting away with some of the people in the hall. He slides up to the newest member of the group and tries to put on a diplomatic smile.
Listening to the conversation for a few seconds he adds in. "I am Menarul Berkelip, and I'm also with Xiao here representing the Pathfinder Society. Someone from the Concordance has potentially made off with an item of importance to our organization and we would like to see about getting it back. Surely one as meticulous as yourself would have heard them, no?"
"Oh, I'll be sure to keep an eye out," Sunlight Under Stone says. "In the meantime, could you show us what makes this kite so special?" Ancient Stone Glider chirps enthusiastically.
The gnome thanks you for your interest in the kite and promises, if you visit her office sometime in the future, to allow you to read a pre-published copy of a paper she is composing on fighting kites of the multiverse. With that, she sees another academic that she recognizes across the room and politely but firmly says her goodbyes.
Fairuza seems somewhat flustered by all of the attention. Just as you are pressing her for more information, a distracted waiter drops a full tray of drinks almost at her feet. She jumps, then looks down in horror: "My DRESS! It's RUINED!" Indeed, several technicolor cocktails have splattered themselves across the lower reaches of her garment.
Upset almost to the point of tears, Fairuza rushes away from you. The waiter trails behind her, apologizing profusely.
Vaylin approaches the veela and after staring for a split second approaches.
"Hello I am Vaylin, it is a pleasure to meet you, says Vaylin with a slight bow. Vaylin waits politely for Vivek to fill the silence.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+14
The veela's face lights up when you greet him. "It's a pleasure to meet you! And now...we DANCE!"
He burst into an enthusiastic routine that swirls around Vaylin and Sunlight Under Stone. In between whirls and gyrations, he asks you, "So, what brings you to the gala? I haven't seen you around the Azure Halls."
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Robyyn stays close to Vaylin and Sunlight as they approach the veela. He jumps a bit, startled, as the veela begins to dance, but composes himself before answering her question. "Well, obviously, we're here to have a great time! But since we're here, we are wondering if you know anything about this group called" he lowers his voice just a bit "Concordance of the Elements."
Robyyn stays close to Vaylin and Sunlight as they approach the veela. He jumps a bit, startled, as the veela begins to dance, but composes himself before answering her question. "Well, obviously, we're here to have a great time! But since we're here, we are wondering if you know anything about this group called" he lowers his voice just a bit "Concordance of the Elements."
"My, what exciting partners you are!" Vivek spins-in close to Robyyn, whispering in the sylph's ear, "I’ve heard about the Concordance, but I don’t know much. It is supposedly a covert operation based on the elemental planes, though their agents travel to other planes as well. They claim to be protectors of the planes, but I can’t say what their true motives are. They very well might be the elemental lords’ spies in disguise, hiding behind an innocuous facade."
With a graceful grand jeté, the veela separates himself from Robyyn and proceeds to weave rhythmically between Vaylin and Sunlight Under Stone.
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Ancient Stone Glider takes off from Sunlight Under Stone's shoulder and begins swooping around Vivek. Sunlight Under Stone shakes their head at their familiar's antics, then asks, "Perhaps you've heard of the Untouchable Opal?" as they try to match the spirit, if not the grace, of the veela's movements.
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Fairuza seems somewhat flustered by all of the attention. Just as you are pressing her for more information, a distracted waiter drops a full tray of drinks almost at her feet. She jumps, then looks down in horror: "My DRESS! It's RUINED!" Indeed, several technicolor cocktails have splattered themselves across the lower reaches of her garment.
Upset almost to the point of tears, Fairuza rushes away from you. The waiter trails behind her, apologizing profusely.
** spoiler omitted **
"Uuuups, that was quite awkward. Let us check the other guests team." Xiao says.
He then moves to Ghassan.
"Dear Ghassan, your talents as an archivist have also reached our ears and if you allow I would very much like to discuss your experience and your knowledge about the former elemental lords ... especially the god lord Ranginori." Xiao says and bows.
Ancient Stone Glider takes off from Sunlight Under Stone's shoulder and begins swooping around Vivek. Sunlight Under Stone shakes their head at their familiar's antics, then asks, "Perhaps you've heard of the Untouchable Opal?" as they try to match the spirit, if not the grace, of the veela's movements.
[
Delighted by Sunlight Under Stone's efforts, Vivek gleefully sweeps up the leshy into a one-handed presage lift. Under cover of the thunderous applause from the circle of onlookers that have gathered, the veela whispers,
"The Untouchable Opal is the prison of Ranginori, the Duke of Thunder and the benevolent counterpart of Hshurha, the Duchess of All Winds. Millennia ago, the evil lord of water, Kelizandri, conspired with the other nefarious lords to trap their good counterparts into four gems. The artifacts were scattered across the multiverse and no one knows where they are now. There are, however, many academic arguments about how to unlock them should they be found. But such discussions are treasonous to Hshurha, so any documentation about the subject would surely be carefully guarded and discreetly marked. Look for documents marked with a storm cloud inside an intricate wreath of lightning bolts, that is one of Ranginori’s sacred sigils."
Setting Sunlight Under Stone gently down on the floor, Vivek takes a deep bow. He's quickly swarmed by admirers looking to help fill his dance card, and you are separated from him in the general press of gala attendees.
"Uuuups, that was quite awkward. Let us check the other guests team." Xiao says.He then moves to Ghassan.
"Dear Ghassan, your talents as an archivist have also reached our ears and if you allow I would very much like to discuss your experience and your knowledge about the former elemental lords ... especially the god lord Ranginori." Xiao says and bows.
[dice=Diplomacy]d20+10
The wizened djinni archivist looks up from feeding a date to a raven perched on a cocktail table next to him. Though he wears a deep scowl, there's a bit of a twinkle in his eye at the mention of his deep knowledge.
"Eh, what's that? I can't imagine how you've heard of me. Although if you have, it's no doubt because of my scholarly research, not my attendance at some blasted waste-of-time party!
Curious about the imprisoned elemental lords? I would take care who you ask such dangerous questions. Fortunately for you, I mean you no ill will, and I do happen to have information for you. Ranginori, the lord of air, is trapped in the Untouchable Opal. Lysianassa, the lord of water, is trapped in the Garnet Brand. Atreia the lord of fire, is trapped in the Gasping Pearl. Finally, Sairazul, the lord of earth, is trapped in the Moaning Diamond.
If you want to know more about the lost elemental lords, try reading a book for once! I'm not a walking library. According to legend, there’s an intelligent tome detailing how to free them from the gems. Hshurha doesn’t want that knowledge out there so she’s had her agents tracking it down for centuries, to no avail. Personally, I’m unsure if it actually exists. It may just be a rumor--and it certainly hasn't been peer-reviewed. It’s such an obscure myth that even the book’s name is now lost to time.
Now push off! I'm trying to forget that I'm at this tedious affair."
The djinni pointedly turn away from Xaio and starts speaking to the raven in an unintelligible language.
Xiao thinks about the information that were provided and that the Concordance is also one of the targets of the mission. So someone is needed that also wanders in the shadows.
Who better to ask than a "disgraced" diplomat? Xiao thinks and approaches Mithradatha.
"Honored vizier Mithradatha, may I introduce myself. I am Xiao Katsu from Golarion on the material plane. I have heard you are a man with many connections and would very much appreciate it if we could find a common ground for joint cooperation!" Xiao says with respect.
The djinni raises an eyebrow at Xiao's approach, but seems intrigued by his proposal of cooperation.
"Ah, it is good to find an honest face here, among so many snakes. What do you seek at this gathering?"|
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"Well, thank you very much. I want to be very honest with you: You are very influential on the elemental planes and I am part of a group that would like to see more cooperation between rulers on my home world. We have lots of connections and I would like to invite you to talk to the leadership of my faction ... I am sure that we would be able to arrange a deal where your interest can be achieved with our aid as well." Xiao says and bows again.
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Once we have gathered together after the party . . .
"So it seems we should seek out this Cloisters of the Hidden Breeze, and look for books with Ranginori’s sacred sigils of a storm cloud inside an intricate wreath of lightning bolts, or perhaps the intelligent tome that was mentioned. And interesting that Jamila was possibly sighted in the same district as this library."
"Well, thank you very much. I want to be very honest with you: You are very influential on the elemental planes and I am part of a group that would like to see more cooperation between rulers on my home world. We have lots of connections and I would like to invite you to talk to the leadership of my faction ... I am sure that we would be able to arrange a deal where your interest can be achieved with our aid as well." Xiao says and bows again.
[dice=Diplomacy]d20+10
"That does sound like and interesting an mutually-beneficial agreement. I will be sure to follow-up with your leadership after this gala."
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"Thank you very much! I wish you a pleasant evening!" Xiao says and retreats after having provided the contact details of the Sovereign Court Leadership.
* * *
Once we have gathered together after the party . . .
"So it seems we should seek out this Cloisters of the Hidden Breeze, and look for books with Ranginori’s sacred sigils of a storm cloud inside an intricate wreath of lightning bolts, or perhaps the intelligent tome that was mentioned. And interesting that Jamila was possibly sighted in the same district as this library."
"Very sharp analysis Calvert, let us follow up on these leads and go to the Cloisters of the Hidden Breeze!"
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Menarul, the large crowds not being his forte, or even something he handles well, breathes a giant sigh of relief as the group leaves the party. He pops his neck and then records Calvert's reminders in his notes. "Perfect. Seems like that's our next place to visit. Anyone happened to ask where those cloiters are?"
Menarul then stops a passerby, asking if they know where the Cloisters of the Hidden Breeze are and approxiamately how to get there.