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Priscilla will follow along with Narong and play the mean girl to his nice guy. She approaches the band, waving a hand dismissively. "Look, I see what you're going for here, And I appreciate it. she says in an Auran tone that comes across like a gathering storm. "I really do. I'm sure your msuic's great."
She frowns at the gathered air elementals. "But if I'm being REALLY honest? It kind of pisses me off that fell for this awful gig. Look, this place is run buy a guy who's been making some enemies. Really hoarding that bad karma, you know."
"So how about you guys make yourselves scarce. You know, before you get hurt in the crossfire. It'd be a real shame if I had to watch some fellow airbloods get messed up for no good reason."
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Ranalus begins his rumor-mongering and he's getting some attendees to listen, some just seem to scoff it off, but some seem interested in what he has to say. Looks like he could use some back-up. As he continues to talk, Kitajo begins to slip off toward the kitchen. Basira just happens to look over that way, when suddenly Ranalus raises his voice at just the right moment; and Basira and many other looks over. Kitajo vanishes down to the kitchen and begins to try to free the slave servants.
About that same time Narong strolls over to the band, who are jamming out on a very windy tune, they finish the song and Narong purposes joining the performance. The air elementals seem game to his request, as Lady Priscilla arrives. The thunder rolls from here tongue, and the band looks more and more forlorn. Moments later they begin packing and leave the venue clearly intimidated. This leaves Narong alone on stage!
Basira catches the bands departure, Wait where are they going?! He looks for a servant to try to catch them as they head out the door, but is shocked as he notices they are a few servants short, all of a sudden. The evening is starting to go downhill fast.
As he finds himself on the stage Narong seizes the opportunity to back Kaa and Ranalus up with their arguments
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Narong seizes the day and makes some more points about the host that are less than flattering.
Basira is taken aback, Well HOW! DARE YOU! He realizes somethings amiss and Narong seems to be at the center of it. What are you trying to do here! WHO ELSE IS INVOLVED! As spittle flies from his enraged mouth! The efreeti looks around wildly, looking at all the assembled guests.
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As Kaa calls out to the crowd, they eat up. The crowd erupts in raucous laughter.
What! Basira barks.
After Narong speaks up again, I won't accept it and how dare you! Your apology is not accepted! He snorts. Bring me my sword! He looks around but there are no servants to retrieve it for him. Just then Kitajo returns from the kitchen. The efreeti is ready for a fight.
Initiative
During the fight the crowd finds amusement in Basira’s fury.
Up to three times during the combat as a swift action, you can leverage the crowd’s derision to distract Basira and leave him flat-footed. This is similar to the feint action but does not impart any additional benefits you might gain from feinting. If desired, you can use the crowd’s Bluff modifier (+12) in place of your own.
Ranalus, Kaa, and Kitajo all get a jump as Basira starts to attack.
Round 1
Map
Ranalus
Kaa
Kitajo
Basira
Narong
Kiaru
Priscilla
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Kitajo mocks the efreeti and the crowd get even more worked up, laughing heartily at the monk's joke. Basira rises up into the air about 20 feet up, opening himself up to Kaa and Kitajo should they want to get in a strike. Once he reaches that level, he quickly casts a spell and disappears!
Round 1
Map
Basira Blinded - 19 dmg
Narong
Kiaru
Priscilla
Round 2
Ranalus
Kaa
Kitajo
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I have no idea if this is going to work...
Ranalus casts Shadow Conjuration to mimic Glitterdust, in the area where the efreet vanished.
Will DC 20 to disbelieve, in which case it is 20% real to him. But does the outlining effect happen regardless? No idea.
My other option is casting Dispel Magic on his Invisibility, but I think i need to actually see him to target him - no matter how good my Perception.
Ranalus has another trick if this one doesn't work.
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Kitajo lands his blow; while Kaa can't get hold of Basira as he goes into the air.
Kiaru moves into position. Ranalus conjures a shadowy glitterdust; it does not shine with the luster you would expect and is not as prominent Nevertheless a faint outline of the efreeti is visible right where he disappeared.
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Priscilla knows that efreeti have a good many spell-like abilities to include: detect magic, plane shift, produce flame, pyrotechnics), scorching ray, invisibility, quickened scorching ray, wall of fire, 3 wishes, gaseous form, and permanent image. They have vulnerability to cold, and would likely be insulted by being compared to anything from the plane of water.
Kitajo throws his kebab and the pokey end pierces into Basira.
Clearly humiliated, If no one will come to my aid! LEAVE ALL OF YOU! The crowd clearly having turned on the host give uncomfortable laughs as some begin to move toward the exit.
The shadow glitterdust outline of Basira seems to try to cast another spell. But this time the clearly, nothing seems to happen.
GOOOO! He bellows.
Round 2
Map
Basira Blinded - 25 dmg
Narong
Kiaru
Priscilla
Round 3
Ranalus
Kaa
Kitajo
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As you depart, Kitajo is particularly pleased at the slaves he was able to free!
Just as you are about to lose sight of Basira's manor, you see a large group of law enforcement inevitables arriving at the house. Seems your exit was well timed.
You arrive back at Qalkami's and she is waiting in the doorway! Ah Ha! Well the little fire wisps that bring news say there was quite the stir at Basira's party tonight. Seems someone set free his servants, the band quit right in the middle of the party, and he became a laughing stock, then lost his temper and was about to attack his guests, when he was suddenly struck blind and then he disappeared. But could be heard raging for everyone to leave. A wide smile crosses her face. I wonder why all that happened.
I must the say the Pathfinder Society really delivers, all my tasks carried out very well! She smiles again, Again a job well done, I'm impressed. Once I've relocated to the City of Brass, I'll be sure to request you personally to complete the last piece of what the Pathfinder Society owes me for my assistance.
You arrive back at the Keleshite embassy and Yasmine Zamara greets you. After learning you have completed your work for Qalkami, I feared something had gone wrong, when I never heard back from you. I hope Qalkami didn't get you to do anything that crossed the line. I would have loved to have advised you, but sounds like all's well that ends well.
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After spending a few weeks in Zjarra, you at last receive a missive you've been waiting for... Letter .
You board a cargo ship in Zjarra, it's equipped with a spacious area that provides protection from the effects of the Plane of Fire, but are given strict warnings by the Captain not to leave the area.
If ya do, you'll burst into flames!
After a few days you see the famed City of Brass, it's even more opulent than the legends you have heard. Miles of glimmering brass building including many large palaces most larger than anything you've seen in the Inner Sea. Your ship docks in the Galley Quarter and you disembark. After several weeks on the Plane of Fire (in control settings), you've become somewhat accustomed to being warm all the time, but the heat you feel after exiting the ship makes you instantly uncomfortable, sweat beading up on you within seconds.
An approximately octopus-shaped Large fire elemental signals you over.
I Zohz it says in broken Common. Qalkami Mishalq say but these on. The elemental place a bag onto the ground, and then backs up a bit. The bag contains set of incandescent orange, palm-sized disks.
These talisman protect from burning up.
Each talisman is a magic item that does not occupy a slot and radiates moderate abjuration magic (CL 8th). The talismans shield you from the
worst of the plane’s heat. Note that the talismans do not provide any protection against fire damage beyond that of the plane’s fire dominant trait.
When you don the talisman the heat become much more bearable.
Now I take to Qalkami Mishalq. Says the cheerful Zohz. He leads you through the city, the streets are also made of brass and many encursted with sparkling rubies. Even with the talisman on, you can feel the heat on your feet and you realize loosing or taking off this magic item would be a very bad idea. Zohz points out various interesting things as you go. Soon you arrive at a tavern and incense bar known as the Chromatic Dragon, a brass building with scaly, red-lacquered doors. The interior is thick with fragrant smoke that wafts among the tables, chairs, lavish couches, and booths that surround a well-furnished fire drake enclosure. Zohz lazily salutes the proprietor before ambling to a back room, where Qalkami reclines on a divan beneath a picture of a red dragon triumphantly roaring atop the bodies of its black, blue, green, and white kin. She tosses a satchel of pungent herbs to Zohz, who immediately coils around it and rolls back to the common area to enjoy his now-smoldering payment.
“Ah, outlanders, over here. Sit.” Qalkami Mishalq motions to a crimson couch made of reddish leather. Similar to her home in Zjarra a large array of refreshments are on a adjoining table for you to help yourself to.
“Welcome to the City of Brass, or as we efreet like to call it, Fommok Madinah. You may find this a less welcoming place than Zjarra, but I prefer to think it keeps out the riffraff. Now, we have the deal, the Society and I, to exchange services, and you owe me only one more.
Centuries ago, three efreeti houses thwarted one of the largest shaitan invasions ever to attack the City of Brass. My family played an instrumental role. As time went on, however, betrayal, crime, and greed riddled our family’s affairs. Instead of helping us, the other two houses threw us to the flames, seized our assets, and dug up evidence to condemn us. Now one of these houses, the Cinderfurys, is teetering at the edge of oblivion, having tied its prestige too closely to the late grand sultan.” Qalkami swirls a glass flute of golden liquid, chuckles to herself, and takes a sip.
“It would be politically damaging were I seen sabotaging my old enemy. Thankfully, I have a friend in the Society,” she remarks, eyeing each of you in turn, “which can reveal the Cinderfurys for the treacherous worms they are. All that’s necessary is ensuring that the right people find the right evidence in the right places at the right time. Your job involves getting that evidence to the right places. While you’re doing that, I’ll gather the right people at the right time to witness your handiwork. Simple enough!"
“There are a few details and addenda, of course. First, the estate in question is Emberhearth, which keeps most of its security on-call and off-site. Unless you relish drowning in armed guards the moment you make a mistake, you’ll need to neutralize them first. Second, the Cinderfurys maintain a pristine set of local records, and I would like you to secure any local security contracts you find in their library. Third, they keep an heirloom known as the Cinderfury gorget, which you should bring to me. Finally, I have plans for the estate; do keep the destruction to a minimum."
“Once we begin this operation, you’ll have perhaps four hours to complete everything—perhaps less if you dally or make too much noise. It should be more than enough time to infiltrate and escape Emberhearth. If you take any longer than that, I cannot guarantee your safety.”
She somehow magically refills her flute of liquor takes another sip and then remarks.
The talismans you received also serve as your visas that allow for nonnatives enter the Inner Ward, in addition to protecting you from the heat They are quite expensive, so losing them would be very unfortunate, in more ways than one.
The efreeti supplies you with a metal case containing of six pieces of incriminating evidence against the Cinderfurys: two tentative contracts
(one forged and the other legitimate) between the Cinderfurys and noble
shaitans of the Peerless Empire; two secret communications discussing the ruling sultana, including multiple plots to have her assassinated; and two slanderous documents about other noble families in the Noble District. She further instructs you on how to reach the security complex and Emberhearth.
Now Pathfinders what questions do you have?
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The half-elf steps off the ship and onto the docks. He is about to cast Resist Energy when the Fire Elemental appears with the talismans. "This is a relief. Thank you."
He follows along to the Chromatic Dragon.
"Good to see you again, Qalkami. So you seek vengeance against those who have betrayed your family? No doubt they will call you the Traitor, as my master Count Ranalc knows all too well. Subterfuge and sabotage to pay back betrayal is a most agreeable task."
"What sort of beings do the Cinderfuries employ for security?
And is there a particular day we should attempt this mission - sometime when the Cindfuries might be absent?"
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Seas of Fire, Lava mostly but maybe some quicksilver as well, an interesting journey.
Qalkami nods Primarily Azers for the security, shouldn't be a problem for your considerable talents. As for when, now! or later today, you should strike before they have time to regroup at all!
Ranalus and Narong discover that Non-efreeti citizens of the City of Brass are permitted the most privileges, second only to those of the efreet. Creatures that are not immune to fire receive only grudging tolerance and limited access to the city. Narong also knows tha although the azers are far more populous on the Plane of Fire, the efreet are better known because of their oppressive empire and their enslavement of many of the plane’s inhabitants, including azers, elementals, magmins, and mephits. Efreeti nobles maintain opulent lifestyles, but as individuals fall out of favor, their wealth quickly evaporates. This is true of the Cinderfury family, which has recently sold two of its three large manors to pay off debts.
Ranlaus also knows that The Plane of Fire is extraordinarily hot, and those who lack powerful defenses against fire quickly perish. Certain parts of the City of Brass are merely uncomfortably warm, and peddlers in the city sell protective tokens at gouging prices. Also, the City of Brass is a legendary trade metropolis that sits in a magically tempered brass basin in the roiling seas of fire in the Plane of Fire.
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Leaving Qalkami behind you head for the the Cinderfury security complex, which is nestled between two towering spires of bricked brass and filigreed marble in the Common Quarter. The Cinderfury security complex is a squat building that pales in comparison to the other lavish buildings nearby. Only the fiery mosaics etched into the facade of the building distinguish this structure amid the City of Brass’s splendor.