Kolgradd sees Boodiddly under attack, and Jevar about to open himself up to attack near the dragon, and rushes to aid.
◆ Stride
◆ Stride
He then whirls on Blue!
◆ Strike
Jevar moves back, and unleashes a Howling Blizzard!
◆ Stride
◆◆ Cast Howling Blizzard.
Jevar Delays.
Shohreh unleashes a wave of void energy all around her!
Blue makes a Retributive Strike to protect Red!
Kolgradd advancs forward and slams his hammer into Blue, causing it to burst into flames before vanishing.
Jevar moves over and sends a wave of cold wind at the enemies!
The Living Shield Flies over and attacks Boodiddly!
The dragon roars as it casts a rank 7 heal!
The dragon then reaches its neck overhead to bite at Boodiddly!
Round 4
==============
Shohreh (-54) {Invoke the Elements: Round 1 of 10}
Kolgradd (-58) {Heroism +1}
Jevar
Living Shield <Black> (-30) {No reactions & slowed 1}
Dragon <White> (-62) {No reactions}
Boodiddly (-31) {Lingering Rally: Round 3 of 4}
Fire Warrior <Red> (-68) {No reactions & slowed 1}
==============
Boodiddly considers throwing in a somersault, but decides against it in favor of more upright footwork as he draws his dance partners onward.
Boodiddly retreats.
Red casts sure strike and throws their flaming sword at Boodiddly!
The sword then immediately vanishes and reappears in Red’s hands.
Round 5
==============
Shohreh (-54) {Invoke the Elements: Round 2 of 10}
Kolgradd (-58) {Heroism +1}
Jevar
Living Shield <Black> (-30) {No reactions & slowed 1}
Dragon <White> (-62) {No reactions}
Boodiddly (-36) {Lingering Rally: Round 3 of 4}
Fire Warrior <Red> (-68) {No reactions & slowed 1}
==============
Kolgradd strides into the Blizzard, trying not to get swept away in it as he strikes at the remaining wheel-head
◆ Stride
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
Jevar takes a step away from the dragon and throws a blast of fire over Kolgradd's shoulder at the same target
◆ Stride
◆◆ Ignition
On a critical success, the target takes double damage and 6d4 persistent fire damage.
Somewhat surprised to see the shield taking any damage from her spell, Shohreh falls back a step and quickly casts another deadly spell that directly assaults the life essences of their enemies.
Round 7
Shohreh steps away and casts whispers of the void.
Kolgradd advances and attacks Red , causing them to be engulfed in flames and vanish! Kolgradd then swings again and misses .
Jevar moves over and sends a mass of flames that miss.
The Living Shield’s four eyes once more begin crying tears of blood as it makes a Terrifying Smite against Kolgradd!
plus frightened 2 (reduced to frightened 1 by Bravery)
The dragon breathes a cone of cleansing fire!
Failure
Success
Success
The dragon then swipes its tail at Boodiddly!
Dragon takes half, Living Shield takes the other half.
Round 6
==============
Boodiddly (-102) {Dazzled: Round 0 of 1}
Shohreh (-87) {Invoke the Elements: Round 3 of 10}
Kolgradd (-125) {frightened 1; Heroism +1}
Jevar
Living Shield <Black> (-111) {1d10 persistent fire; No reactions & slowed 1}
Dragon <White> (-81) {4d8 persistent void; No reactions; drained 1}
==============
Boodiddly clears his throat and begins an encore.
Kolgradd staggers back from the spirit breath and the attack, and reaches a hand out to steady himself oh Shohreh.
◆ Step
◆ Reach out for Vital Beacon
He then brings his hammer around with all his might, trying to bend this living shield out of shape.
◆ Strike
---
Jevar blasts a Lightning Bolt through the dragon and its protector, before conjuring a shield.
◆◆ Cast Lightning Bolt
◆ Cast Shield
As fire fades, Shohreh is already at work salving the wounds of her and her allies, pulling an array of unusual medicines from her pack with alarming speed.
Boodiddly sings once more.
Shohreh begins patching people up.
Kolgradd activates Shohreh’s vital beacon and attacks the living shield twice! The living shield then deteriorates into bent metal chains!
Jevar sends a bolt of lightning at the dragon!
The dragon undulates horribly as it Strides!
The dragon then unleashes a Draconic Frenzy on Boodiddly!
Round 7
==============
Boodiddly (-94) {Lingering Rally: Round 1 of 4}
Shohreh (-25) {Invoke the Elements: Round 4 of 10}
Kolgradd (-57) {Heroism +1}
Jevar
Dragon <White> (-152) {4d8 persistent void; No reactions; drained 1}
==============
Despite the flames, Kolgradd feels much better after Shohreh's help. He looks at the dragon with pity and renewed purpose, and then vanishes!
◆ Cast Time Jump
While everyone else is frozen, he carefully picks his way around to the other side of the dragon, and takes a deep breath.
- ◆ Stride
- ◆ Stride
When time resumes he seems to instantly reappear on the other side of the dragon, where he casts another spell and strikes!
◆ Cast Sure Strike
◆ Strike
Once again, Shohreh manages a minor miracle of medicine, pulling Boodiddly back from the brink. With the same hand, she reaches out to the dragon and, with a crushing gesture, tries to snuff out what remains of its life.
Jevar decides it's time to get a little tactical and approaches Kolgradd to bestow additional advantage.
Boodiddly pauses to thank Shohreh, then pulls out a handkerchief. He sneezes so hard he stands beside himself, then both gnomes sneeze again - and now there are four of them!
Round 10
Boodiddly multiplies himself.
Shohreh patches up Boodiddly then attempts to decay the dragon!
Jevar turns Kolgradd invisible.
Kolgradd jumps through time and attacks the dragon!
The dragon moves to bite at Boodiddly!
The dragon then rears up as it unleashes a Draconic Frenzy!
Round 8
==============
Boodiddly (-114) {1 images; Lingering Rally: Round 2 of 4}
Shohreh (-25) {Invoke the Elements: Round 5 of 10}
Jevar
Kolgradd (-57) {Heroism +1; invisible: Round 1 of 10}
Dragon <White> (-213) {No reactions; drained 1}
==============
Boodiddly reminds himself that this is not as bad as it could be. Really, it’s not. Things could be so much worse. Though it’s probably best not to think about the specifics of how that’s true. Definitely not in great detail.
Being invisible, it seems that much easier to see others, and Boodiddly's fight against the dragon is difficult to ignore.
"Stop that!"
◆◆ Intimidating Strike
◆ Strike
Going back on the offensive, Jevar shoots lightning from his fingertips at the dragon.
Hopefully they have it distracted enough to not dodge this...
Kolgradd swings his hammer at the dragon and the dragon roars in pain before it collapses to the ground! As its unconscious body slams into the ground, the halo of blood over its head begins to obey the laws of gravity and falls to the stone floor.
Right before their eyes, though, the former-amnesiacs watch as the dragon’s body begins…deteriorating. Fungus and rot begins spreading across the dragon’s body and causing it to decompose at a rapid rate as it grows fungi and hair-like filaments that eat away at its body until all of its flesh is stripped from its bones. Then, the bones themselves begin to decay and deteriorate until there is barely any sign that the dragon was ever there. This sight disturbs Shohreh particularly, as she knows from being a master of medicine that human bones take hundreds of years to naturally deteriorate like that—dragon bones would take even longer!
Minutes pass, and eventually a wave of magical energy sweeps over the room. When it does, a glowing circle appears in the room’s center. When stepped onto, the circle teleports the former-amnesiacs back to the previous room with the statues and the puzzle box. But one truth is clear:
Lowls has the Necronomicon.
*
Neruzavin’s exact location is known only within the pages of the Necronomicon, a blasphemous book of forbidden knowledge written in Necril.
While Lowls’s pursuit of Neruzavin started as that of academic ambition, he has since been corrupted by some powerful entity of the Dark Tapestry that infects those who know its name. Lowls now seeks to use the Star Stelae to revive the entity and become its champion, dooming Golarion in the meantime.
After recovering the Necronomicon, Lowls’s plan was to go to the Katapeshi city of Okeno (known for its slave trade) and meet with someone known as Biting Lash. When you found Mun, he corroborated that this was indeed the case.
”…and 500. Such a reward feels inadequate for the services you four have done for the Mysterium, but it is nevertheless what we can provide.”
Elder Thyrr takes a seat on her sofa as she hands the 500 platinum coins to the former-amnesiacs Seated beside her is a Keleshite man that the former-amnesiacs themselves recovered: Elder Lythiin, having been brought back to life by the magic of the church of Nethys.
”There is still some issues,” Elder Thyrr continues. ”This Mun fellow has clearly lost his mind, and he refuses to leave the building, certain that his companion is returning for him. But these are issues we can take care of ourselves.”
“More disturbingly, though,” Elder Lythiin continues. ”Is this Count Lowls. He managed to spirit away with the Necronomicon! There are records of the tome’s resilience against teleportation—the fact that it was even transported to the Soul is a minor miracle in itself. I would normally be skeptical of assertions that someone just teleported away with it if it weren’t for the fact that the book is clearly gone. It corrupted the Keeper, an ancient, heavenly being. This book must be retrieved by any means necessary!”
”In addition to the coins we have provided you, I’m sure we can pull some strings to arrange for a ship for your next destination. I wish I could provide someone to teleport you Okeno, but that would need both a powerful spellcaster and the caster to be familiar enough with Okeno for the teleportation to work. And that’s not even getting into the paperwork and taxes and whatnot.”
*
*
When the former-amnesiacs are about one day away from their destination of Okeno, they each experience a disturbing dream.
In this dream, the former-amnesiac is being suckled by a figure that seems at first to be their mother. But although the former-amnesiac can’t see the figure cradling them clearly, they realize it has too many arms and smells wrong. To find relief from this sensation, the former-amnesiac begins to gather flowers and weeds in yellow hues, mixing them into a pulp and smearing it on their lodging’s walls. In time, the shape on the wall begins to resemble something that the former-amnesiacs have not seen in a long time: the Yellow Sign, symbol of the Great Old One Hastur.
As the former-amnesiac stares at this Yellow Sign, they hear the sounds of clicks and mental static, which (for some reason) the former-amnesiac knows as a language that they somehow understand.
”Ṱ̺͎̣̭̱͔͟ḥ̨̼̣e̛̖̼̰͔ in̛̲̭̼̲f͠l̪͍u̸͈e̘̗̗͓͚͠ͅn͙͔̝̤̮͉c͔e͉̪̖̦̤̬͎ ̴̙͎̣̞̠͔̝o̯̯̫̕f̬̱͙̖̺ ̢͚̬̰̙the̹̱̹͞ ̖͇͉ͅI̬̟͎͎͓̠͘nm̷o̢͓͈͇̮s̘t̩̙͓̤ ̺͕̖͕͚̺̜B͉̙͙͘l̸̙̦̞̥̥͎o̺̞͔͔̟̭͙͢t̨̝ g̝͙͍͕͎̹̫r͈̲o͕̠͎̺̮̘͇w̧s̭̞͓̖͞.̣̳̱̖̺͙ ̥M̵̟͓̝̻͕̤o̱̟̜̯̭r͓̘̣͚e ̘͕̹͍̹o̫̘̟̟̞̩f͓̬̜̠͙̭̩̕ ͇̤̺̦̫̞͜ṭ͡h͖̹̺̪͞e̫̳͙̩̲̩̪m̟̯̳͚̳ ̤̝͓s͔e̝͢ḙ͕͈̬̥̩k̦ͅ ̰̜̺̞̥̼ͅt̲̠̝̯͖̰̙h͎̀e̜̠ ҉͔͖̭̲f̧͔̳̻͕o̖̪r̢̺g̢̠̟̹̮o̬ṱ̟̪̲͔̩͟t̲̗̖͚͖͚͈e̙͓̞̰͍͕͠n̡͇̩̯͍̲̺ ̗̰̲͙c̳̼̬͔̩̠i̳͇̫͖͙t̯͉̜y͏̳͎͇̲,̛̺̖̹̥̬͔ͅ ͙̳a̢͎͎͈n̤̗̥͇̼ͅd̜ ̳͖̗͉̬͕w̰̺̹͙̗̞͙͢h͎e͇͚̬͠n̛͇̘͓͚̗̯̠ ͉͞i̤̬̝̻̞̲ts̯̦͖̥͖̼̹ ̘͇̲̤̥m͏̘̮̟ę͕̞̘ṃ̺̯̺̦͝ͅo͇͖͖̜̺͘r̥y̖̖̼̲̪̖ ̜͖r̦̘̺e̗̥̜t͈̫̜̭̞͞u͉͇̻̹͙ŕ͎͓n̪͉͎̗̙ṣ̷͈̞̝ ̜͉̲͈̰̯̝t̝̲o͔̪̦͞ ̳͖̬̮̺͖̤t̲̥̘ͅh̜̕e̝͘ ̶͖wo̢̳̲̜̘̼̺ͅr̜l̫̙̞̘̯̫̮d͏͔͓͖̥̫ͅ,̧̝̺̯̬̗̘͍ ҉͇̩̪ț̨̯̗h͞e̹̬ ͏̭̹ͅs̫͉͍͔̝̕ͅe̺̩̲a̯̞̯̭͜l͏ ̡w̬̩͢i̲͎͎̟̖̻lļ̩͔ ̨͇̙͚b̨̰̮e͇̮͓͉ ̧͎̺b̰̖̜r̴̹̹o̰̤̗̼̭̗̥k̩e̩̼n̤̜̳̻͇͉ ̫̥̤̱ͅan̪͕̗̩͕̟̦d̠̤̙̬ ͚̬̘́t̶͙̩͓̩̞̜͎h̹o͈̙ș̝̳͙e̹͕͞ ̻̖̜̤̺͙̪͢t̢̖͖̱̟̤̠̝ḩa̬͖̝̱̘̗t͎̻̼̯̥ ̭͟c͈͈̣͉͕͚͓͞a͘n̤̮ͅ’͖̗͎̯t̴̖̦̖ ̞̖̣̱b̺̥̫e̷ ̳̝̟̪͚͎se̲͓̺ȩ̖̻̗̖ṋ͙͘ ̛̘̩̲͍̟w̭̞̦̪͔̭̤ì̙͖͉l̹̪̲̞͔͚ͅl̬̭̜̞͇͚̣̀ ̝f̡̲̫͖̣̟lý͓̭̦̗̥̦̻ ̥a͏̲ga̝͓̦̘͎̝̦i̻͇̩̙̱͇ņ͈̘.͏”
And with the ringing of a massive, unseen bell, the former-amnesiacs awaken from their sleep.
*
*
Okeno is a city nestled at the foot of the mountains of Stonespire Island, which act as natural barriers for the port city. The city itself is very confusing, like scattered pieces of a jigsaw puzzle—its mazelike alleyways and haphazardly constructed districts are seemingly jumbled around each other without thought.
Despite the constant talk of this being a city of kholos, there are surprisingly few of the hyena-people to be found—only about one in ten people that the former-amnesiacs see is a kholo.
The former-amnesiacs ask around about Okeno and meeting with Biting Lash, and get a variety of reactions. Some try to steer the former-amnesiacs away from dealing with the kholos, while others seem hopeful that the former-amnesiacs will make some kind of power play against the kholos. Regardless, the former-amnesiacs learn several things:
The fleshfairs of Okeno—as the slave markets are known— are the largest in the Inner Sea region, and at any given time almost half of the population of the pirate city is made up of slavers and their merchandise.
Far from being outcasts, kholo slavers are welcome and are considered to be the most professional of their ilk. They even have their own slave market known as the Laughing Fleshfair—on account of the way the bidding is done with laughing cries and barks—where, at least in theory, kholos are the only traders allowed.
Although openly welcome in the city, the kholo slavers are despised by many other humanoids that work the trade. This is often a case of simple professional jealousy, but it’s sometimes from a sense of loathing at how they treat their merchandise. The kholos are paranoid about security, and operate in a web of deceit. Many take pseudonyms, and keep their slave pits veiled in mystery. Many of the kholo slavers keep their merchandise in different locations, and keep their most prized possessions in fortified structures away from the fleshfairs.
One of the most successful and civilized kholo traders is Hyena Princess Njano, a lady of great intelligence and influence. She is so powerful that she operates openly at the Laughing Fleshfair, and she knows every powerful kholo in the city.
Biting Lash is a pseudonym, nothing more. Biting Lash primarily deals with people she already knows, eschewing the fleshfairs when it comes to selling her own slaves. She is highly paranoid about betrayal, and goes to great lengths to keep the details of her inventory a secret. She is known to use subordinates and spies to purchase new slaves at the fleshfairs instead of going in person. Like most kholo traders, she likes anonymity, and even changes her appearance regularly.
Anyway, this is kind of a long-winded way of me to say that if y’all have any really creative solutions for finding out where y’all would meet with Biting Lash that’s beyond the as-written intention, I won’t be mad that you use it; the sooner we get out of Okeno is the sooner we can continue to the story I actually am passionate about.
From what they've gathered so far, Jevar wonders if they can ask around and figure out two things:
- Does Biting Lash have any particular likes that could be used to get to her?
- Do Biting Lash and Princess Njano have a close relationship?
"Sounds like Princess Njano might be our best bet," Boodiddly suggests at last. "She’s powerful and connected - we just need to help her understand that we’re only looking for information on one of her visitors and ask her to arrange a meeting. She’ll probably ask us to do something in return." His nose wrinkles as he considers what favors a slave trader might ask.
* Mind reading casting on Njano to see if she has revealing thoughts about Biting Lash.
RAW, mind reading does not have the subtle trait, so if you use it, it is incredibly obvious that you just Cast a Spell of some kind.
And I find this really really stupid, because mind reading is most frequently used for this exact kind of situation, so I house-rule that it has the subtle trait.
*
An overwhelming majority of the customers here are kholos, though there are some other humanoids. The kholos view any non-kholos with clear distrust. Nervous guards abound, hands on their weapons at the slightest provocation. The place is busy and sweaty; the dusty, feral stench of kholos is everywhere, and the whole encounter is unsettling.
Asking around for a moment about the Hyena Princess, the former-amnesiacs are directed toward a different portion of the grounds where Njano typically frequents.
As the former-amnesiacs approach, they see an entourage of kholos surrounding a kholo woman in regal garb with a nose-chain—the Hyena Princess. Nearby the Hyena Princess, though, are two non-kholos: a short, muscular human woman; and a halfling wrapped in a dark cloak with a monkey on their shoulder.
As the former-amnesiacs approach, the two non-kholos of the group glance over at them. As they get closer, some of the kholos in the group give not-so-subtle growls. The two non-kholos break away from the group and make their way toward the former-amnesiacs. The human woman steps right in front of the former-amnesiacs, with the robed halfling a couple feet behind. She glares at the former-amnesiacs and asks ”May I help you?”
After a moment, Njano snaps ”Kisetz! Hakoor! Stand down, for goodness’ sake.”
The woman—Kisetz—steps aside and lets the former-amnesiacs through, where they come face-to-face with the Hyena Princess herself.
”My sincerest apologies for my subordinates; they can be rather brash at times,” Njano gives Kisetz and Hakoor a brief glance before continuing. ”Please, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
Jevar lets Boodiddly direct the speaking. He's always much better at it. But he waits for key questions to be asked at which point he initiates a "mind reading" spell.
"It is no trouble, your majesty." Boodiddly bows low. "We are newcomers to this city, come in search of one who might know where a…former colleague of ours, shall we say, might have gone. I’m afraid we do not have the time to dally if we wish to catch up with him, so I must shameless ask for your assistance in arranging a meeting with the one known as Biting Lash."
Njano raises an eyebrow, then smiles. ”Ah, in search of a person, are you? Well, I am flattered that you chose to come to me in our fair fleshfairs. But there is no need to be so coy on ‘finding a person,’ that is the business of Okeno, after all.” She turns her head toward the entourage of kholos. ”Apologies, ladies. I must be going; we are here on business, after all.”
She turns back and begins walking, beckoning for the former-amnesiacs to follow. ”Please, I’m sure we can find a suitable person for your ‘biting lash,’ as you so called it.”
Njano—with Kisetz and Hakoor not far behind—guides the former-amnesiacs to a more secluded area, where she finally begins speaking more freely—her “business talk” being a convenient ruse for her to gracefully exit from the group.
”You are looking for Biting Lash, eh? It has been some time since I have had business with her—but we are competitors, so it is little surprise of that. I suppose I could arrange a meeting with her, but I am so busy with the fleshfair at the moment. Please, come by my estate in…how about 4 hours’ time? Hakoor?”
The halfling Hakoor moves forward and produces a piece of parchment that he begins annotating before handing it to Boodiddly. It is a map of Okeno with two areas circled and an arrow pointing from one circle to the other.
”My Palace of Waterfalls is in the northwesternmost portion of town; quite a distance from here, I’m afraid. Now, is there anything else I can help you with at this time?”
Jevar finds her offering of a meeting with Biting Lash too easy...
Shohreh somehow manages to keep her surprise off of her face, followed quickly by pangs of both loss and hope. She says little in the immediate conversation that follows, afraid that her voice might betray her.
"Your attendants seem quite capable. Might I ask how they came to be in your service? I may have need of something similar once our business here is concluded."
"Your attendants seem quite capable. Might I ask how they came to be in your service? I may have need of something similar once our business here is concluded."
”Kisetz and Hakoor? They are mercenaries-for-hire, but I have an extended contract with them. I’m sure you could have some negotiations of services with them.”
Shohreh smiles and bows slightly to Njano. "Thank you, that is most helpful." She glances at Kisetz briefly before she continues. "I look forward to when we next meet."
Kolgradd keeps quiet, hoping Jevar can learn something useful. He makes no effort to hide his sizing up of Kisetz and Hakoor, doubly so after Shohreh's clear message.
He looks at their scars, their weapons, the way they hold themselves, hoping his brazen interest comes across as merely professional.
Njano’s Palace of Waterfalls is an apt building: the palace itself is built upon a lake that receives water from the eponymous spring waterfall.
The former-amnesiacs are greeted by Kisetz trying (and mostly failing) to be cordial. Kisetz leads them through the Palace of Waterfalls to a high, open room with many cloth screens swaying lazily in the breeze. In the center of the room is Hyena Princess Njano, partly submerged in a bath of milk—the opaque liquid conveniently hiding the woman’s nakedness.
Njano is attended to by several servants—or perhaps slaves—tending to her every need. Some carry trays of dates or figs, some seem to be tending to her milk bath in some capacity, and two are wafting large, leaf fans upon Njano as she bathes. Seemingly-loitering in the far corner of the room is the halfling Hakoor and his pet monkey.
Njano looks up. ”Ah, you have arrived.” The kholo snaps her fingers and one of the attendants feeds her a date. ”Some for my guests as well.” At that command, the attendant approaches the former-amnesiacs and offers them some dates on his tray.
”The name ‘Biting Lash’ might mean something to me if I weren’t oh-so distracted. Dear Dahab has been kidnapped and it has me worried sick. I don’t know what horrible monster would do such a horrible thing to such a kind man.” She snaps her fingers, and her fan-bearers move their fans a bit faster. ”I was informed of this yesterday when the kidnappers sent me his right ear, along with a note saying to meet them at dawn at the Shipwreck—that is a place in town. Though they did not specify a day in which to meet. I am, of course, loathe to threaten my safety and meet with the kidnappers. Please, if you can find Dahab and bring him home, I’m sure my mind will clear enough to remember who and where this ‘Biting Lash’ is.”
Once the party departs from their initial meeting with Njano he explains.
I was able to... skim her mind a bit with my magic. She had not heard the name Biting Lash in some time, but it was clearly familiar to her. She believes she can turn our request to her advantage, but didn't believe she could do so with others around at the flesh fair. We should be careful at her estate.
--------------------
While Njano is telling her sob story about Dahab he knows it's been long enough that he can again attempt to observe her mind.
Shohreh makes all of the appropriate sounds and gestures to show how sympathetic she is to Njano's plight, but is truly focused on trying to divine whether the woman is simply luring them to a very convenient doom.
While Njano is telling her sob story about Dahab he knows it's been long enough that he can again attempt to observe her mind.
I can’t afford Dahab to fall into the wrong hands. If I can get these four to do the legwork, then all the better. And all I must give them in return is the location of the Blossoming Thorn. I feel a little bad giving them only that, since it’s such a massive building. Maybe I’ll treat them to dinner as well…
Shohreh makes all of the appropriate sounds and gestures to show how sympathetic she is to Njano's plight, but is truly focused on trying to divine whether the woman is simply luring them to a very convenient doom.
Kolgradd keeps quiet during the meeting. His digust at the indolent slaver is so palpable it's taking all his effort to remain civil.
Dahab is an escaped slave like as not, and I will not return such to captivity, even if the fate of Golarion depends on it!
Even as the thought crosses his mind though, a part of him knows it's not true.
So... we are to go every day at dawn until they arrive? Did they say they'd bring Dahab with them to the meeting?
Jevar is dubious on these details.
"Of course we would be honored to ease this terrible burden on your mind," Boodiddly answers, smooth as a used-carriage salesman. "But any information you might offer regarding these kidnappers - or Dahab - would only aid in his return home." He casually omits the part where Dahad and Njano might disagree on where exactly the former’s home is, as well as his horror at someone sending a ransom note by ear.
"Of course we would be honored to ease this terrible burden on your mind," Boodiddly answers, smooth as a used-carriage salesman. "But any information you might offer regarding these kidnappers - or Dahab - would only aid in his return home." He casually omits the part where Dahad and Njano might disagree on where exactly the former’s home is, as well as his horror at someone sending a ransom note by ear.
”Fair enough. Hakoor? Please retrieve the missive.”
Hakoor nods and exits the room for a couple minutes. On his return, he hands the former-amnesiacs a tray—not unlike the one with dates and figs—and upon the tray is a bloodied note and a severed, right ear.
Greetings from the unworthy. I am honored to bring your beloved serf to bosom as my guest, but his appetite is so great that unless I act, he’ll eat everything I have. I therefore return him to you piece by piece, part by part, unless you wish to discuss his fate at the Shipwreck at dawn.
If you critically succeed, open the spoiler below
Njano snaps her fingers and is fed another date. ”Dahab is one of my information brokers. He has contacts around and about Okeno, in particular at the Black Circus where he knew a beast tamer called Rahmir, and he frequented the domed temple of Gozreh, where he knew a builder called Azeem.”
So... we are to go every day at dawn until they arrive?
”That is not a bad idea. However, I’m sure the kidnapper knows my appearance, so you would need to employ some kind of illusions or other disguise to make that work. As long as you can guarantee Dahab's safety, whatever will work should suffice.”
Jevar nods at Njano's instruction. He figures the less said for now, the better.
Shohreh nods, a ghost of a smile on her lips as she studies Njano's mannerisms in even greater detail. [i]That, I can do.{/i]
Kolgradd grunts at the note.
Common is not their first tongue by their syntax. That might help find them if it comes to that
Doing his best not to sneer, he waits until they've left the Princesses company before sharing his observation.
”Very well, I hope you’ll see to Dahab’s safe return.” With that, she motions for the former-amnesiacs to leave, at which point they are escorted out of the Palace of Waterfalls by Kisetz.