GMEuan's War for the Crown

Game Master Euan

They are on Axis. Bloody Axis. Barely better than Hell, as far as The Night Swan is concerned. Worse in many ways, as at least people recognize the evil of devils. And they want them to go to a police station. This is going to be an absolute nightmare. Already, she can feel the weight of the plane’s oppressive atmosphere bearing down on her. Merciless order for its own sake, in all its cold clarity. She will need to steel herself, as her whole body revolts against this place, and if she listens to it, she will be crushed by this place soundlessly and without remorse.

”Ah, Axis. That would make sense. Of course a famed emperor would come here and become one of its outsiders after all this time.” She speaks as matter-of-factly as she can manage.

1d20 + 21 + 2 + 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 21 + 2 + (5) + 3 = 34 Know (History)

Something occurs to Kort, a fleeting thought of some long lost history.

"Tell me, is the place where the gold dragon Mengkare nearby? The lore describes his destination on Axis as 'the Wastelands', but I'm don't know enough to know where that might be. He was also rumored to visit the Palace...to study, but I cannot know if that was true, but might be fun to explore while we are here," Kort asks. "After all, I don't know that I'll be coming back to Axis when my work in protecting order and lawful succession is done."

”Aah, yes – even the grass here in Axis is unnat – uh, very orderly… in their neat little rows… You know, even chaos at times can actually look orderly. It is the mutable nature of chaos, but it never happens the other way around.”

”Or maybe he was pulled to you, and he’s sitting in his crypt in this TAL-dour you speak of.”

Elen shakes her head, sure that the collection of breathing motes want to be correct. ”It’s ‘TAL-door’’, not ‘TAL-dour’.”

”Ah, Axis. That would make sense. Of course a famed emperor would come here and become one of its outsiders after all this time.”

”Uh – if Taldaris was pulled to us, would that make Axis a prisoner in Taldor inside Taldaris’ crypt?” Elen’s head spins. ”Is/was he a native of Axis, do you know?”

She turns to her companions. ”Let’s get the immigration process over as soon as possible.”

After that, she'll ask, "Once we've had our chat tomorrow, how can we return to Taldor? Which way is the exit from this world? Surely it's well marked in such an orderly place."

”There are many priests and others who can guide you home, for a fee of course.” She gives you some directions to those in the district who might be able to help you.

"Are there any places here where we cannot go? I would hate to walk in some place where we might be unwelcome. Of course we will strive to be here tomorrow for the meeting discussing our immigration," Kort asks and reminds.

”Oh, you should do immigration today. Our meeting is about this.” She gestures to Taldaris’s house, the mess within, and absence of the owner.

”This is a civilized place, and privacy is as important here as it is in your world, I presume. So use your best judgement and respect the rights of others under the law. If you’re interested in knowing exactly what all those are, you may go to the civics building, here.” She gives you directions and tells you who to talk to so you can study the laws of the district if you wish. ”As you’re already persons of interest, I’d err on the side of decency and stay well away from anything that seems marginal.”

"Tell me, is the place where the gold dragon Mengkare nearby? The lore describes his destination on Axis as 'the Wastelands', but I'm don't know enough to know where that might be. He was also rumored to visit the Palace...to study, but I cannot know if that was true, but might be fun to explore while we are here," Kort asks.

”Mengkare?” she says the name carefully and considers what she knows. ”I don’t know the name, must be someone of lesser value. That said there are plenty of ‘wastelands’ in Axis. None nearby though - this is the eternal city. But by all means, feel free to explore the district, and be sure to enjoy some yasht. The finest in all the planes is found here,” she adds.

Elen shakes her head, sure that the collection of breathing motes want to be correct. ”It’s ‘TAL-door’’, not ‘TAL-dour’.”

”Ah. TAL-door. I understand.”

”Uh – if Taldaris was pulled to us, would that make Axis a prisoner in Taldor inside Taldaris’ crypt?” Elen’s head spins. ”Is/was he a native of Axis, do you know?”

She looks confused a moment, but stabs at the part of the question she can answer, ”Taldaris, as an inevitable, would very much be considered a native of Axis. That might not have been the case as a petitioner, as I don’t know his history. Or much about his present for that matter.”

”If there’s nothing else, you are on your own. Until tomorrow then.” She remains behind, giving orders to the zelekhut. She secures the premises for now until she can get a team in to search for clues in a more methodical manner than her brief walk through.

So… you’re on your own! It’s around lunchtime presently. You have some hours before the immigration office closes so you needn’t rush there straight away. What do you do with your afternoon?

Also, did you end up taking anything from Taldaris’s home? Any of the magics (wands and/or the book) or the notebooks?

Lastly, there's a lovely new map up of the district you're in though there's little information there. Just pretty.

Some of this you learn from the party scholars, Major Kort and Mama D. Some you learn from just walking about a little and being observant. Some you’ll learn over the time you’re here, but I wanted all this in one place for reference purposes. I’ll put a link to this in the notes section of the tracking sheet.

Although casual scholars typically focus on Axis’s centermost district, Aktun, thousands of metropolises, municipalities, and townships comprise the Eternal City. From a bird’s eye view, these districts appear to blend together, yet each has its own defining identity, personality, architectural flair, and industries. In all of this beautifully coordinated patchwork of urban grace is Sayashto - the 32nd district of the Zdareen, the 131st department - located entirely within Axis’s third quadrant.

Canals are among the most popular means of moving heavy loads through Axis, and three major canals converge in Sayashto’s core: Anticlockwise 22, Hub-Standard 31 (locally known as the Pralvania Underflow), and Zdareen Course 3. These cut through the plane’s fairly level topography and convene at a broad artificial island known as the Grand Rotunda, which serves as a versatile fairground, marketplace, casual theater, and more.

Those traversing these waterways are treated to a dazzling view of the area’s clean streets, bustling markets, high-peaked roofs with sweeping eaves, plazas covered in drying seeds, and countless rows of ivy-green fields brimming with the ripening yashtoma squash that is the district’s namesake. This gourd’s seeds are the basis for a hot beverage enjoyed throughout the district - yasht.

Extraplanar visitors may find Sayashto simultaneously familiar and contrary to the stereotypes of Axis, which hold that the Eternal City is a perfectly sculpted urban landscape. By comparison, Sayashto’s design seems disorderly, with entire neighborhoods composed of irregularly shaped buildings connected by asymmetrical alleys (the horror!). Citizens are quick to point out that many districts have undergone thousands of years of intermittent renovations that redirect streets and reshape the urban landscape, particularly as new construction atop old foundations gradually raises the streets higher and higher.

What’s more, many of Zdareen’s districts (and many more beyond) would rather celebrate civilization as an evolving enterprise than as some sterile, static representation of the ideal city. Indeed, Sayashto is a living, functioning, and vibrant municipality that experiments with and constantly improves on metropolitan ideals.

At least, that’s the ideological explanation. The other source of Sayashto’s relative disorganization is that it’s a hot spot for planar expansion, much like a town sitting atop a fault line. Over the course of centuries or millennia, a petitioner can lose its sense of purpose and self, at last melding its quintessence with the plane. In sufficient quantities, these accretions cause the plane to expand, and thanks to its thriving mortuary industry, Sayashto grows by dozens of square feet each year.

Still, Sayashto is an extension of Axis and its cosmic order. Laws cover nearly every aspect of city living; even recklessly walking against the flow of traffic can result in a fine. Its traffic is remarkably regimented and smooth. The streets are kept clean by a combination of communal responsibility and effective maintenance workers. Yet all of this is within the greater context of efficiency and pleasant living conditions. All told, Sayashto is a vibrant community that embodies the many virtues - and to a lesser extent the shortcomings - of urban life.

As part of Axis, Sayashto recognizes all of the Eternal City’s laws as well as all regulations passed by Zdareen’s Axiomite Assembly. Most of these laws cover a combination of property ordinances, zoning, and a host of personal protections (e.g., the criminalization of theft, fraud, assault, and the like). Although inevitables (construct-like outsiders built by the axiomites to enforce law) are authorized to suppress many of these protections in pursuit of justice, the outsiders’ comprehensive training and intensely lawful nature ensure this occurs infrequently - and never without proper documentation.

For everything else, Sayashto has been free to establish its own policies. The district manages its own tax collection and uses a significant portion of those contributions for a host of projects and programs.

Governance
Unlike several neighboring districts, which are led by an individual leader such as a mayor or duke, Sayashto maintains a five member council. One councilor is appointed to represent Axis as a whole, whereas each of the other four serves a 2,000 day term with staggered elections every 500 days so that the council changes gradually. Together, the councilors determine new policies and enact emergency measures. Each council seat comes with unique responsibilities and special criteria for office, the details of which appear below.

Councilor of Canals: Responsible for coordinating Sayashto’s roads, bridges, and canals, this councilor also informally represents the interests of neighboring districts. A candidate must have lived at least 10 years in Sayashto and at least 10 years elsewhere in Axis to better understand interdistrict considerations and operations.

Councilor of Gates: Although sometimes viewed as a junior member, this councilor performs a key role in overseeing Sayashto’s visitor policies, immigration, publicity, and deal making with centers of trade in distant districts and even other planes. The only requirement is that a candidate have lived in Sayashto for less than 20 years, so even candidates who just recently arrived in the district are eligible to campaign for this position.

Councilor of Graves: This councilor oversees legislation for the local mortuary industry, serves as a symbolic representative for the district’s long term residents, and presides over major holidays. Only those who have lived in the district for at least 200 years qualify for this office.

Councilor of Laws: Unlike the four elected councilors, the Councilor of Laws is appointed by authorities in Aktun to represent Axis as a whole. Almost always an axiomite, this councilor fills a more advisory role, but they still have the same voting power when they chose to exercise it.

Councilor of Seeds: As representative of Sayashto’s iconic yashtoma industry, this councilor deals with affairs of agriculture, parks, and pest control. To qualify, a candidate must have lived in Sayashto for at least 20 years and participated in at least 10 harvests.

Much of Sayashto’s land is devoted to growing and preparing yashtoma. Enormous, orderly fields dedicated to growing the crop or to drying its seeds cover much of the district. Further, Sayashto’s vast neighborhoods of row houses occupy a large portion of its land. These two story residences house much of the district’s population, with each building standing adjacent, or only a few feet from its neighbor. Although the houses have many structural similarities, residents personalize their abodes with bright colors and patterns. Wealthier citizens - or those desiring a bit more space than row houses provide - live in tidy but sprawling suburbs.

Though disappointed that the local town functionaries don’t know the name of the greatest gold dragon on either plane, Kort does try his best to learn what he can about Axis in hopes of finding something that might help the party.

While he’s happy with the amassed tidbits about the goverment, he doesn’t yet know what to do.

Kort will enjoy some yasht (on a yacht or in a yurt if possible) as he debates what to do next.

Elen looks around much impressed by the cleanliness and orderliness of the city as they tour.

”Despite the lack of chaos, Sayashto appears to be growing and less stagnant than I would have expected! I hope we are presented with the opportunity to enjoy Yasht at some point!”

Kamari is excited about the canals and to see how they compare to those in Oppara.

I'll have to make some detailed pictures and notes for my father.

"Lunch, anyone? Or at least a mug or glass of yasht?"

"Dining recommendations, Lieutenant?"

The Lieutenant frowns, clearly thinking that you should attend to bureaucracy before pleasure, but she gives you one or two recommendations that you might enjoy. Both serve yasht. You'll find that every restaurant here serves yasht.

Lunch is very fine indeed, if a little expensive, but the yasht is fresh. It is an unusual drink for sure and though it starts off sharply, it mellows quickly on the tongue for a more sublime taste in the end. Bright tones throughout, naturally. At least the way this place serves it.

It’s early afternoon by the time you finish your leisurely meal. I’ll assume you left the tome and notes behind for now, along with the wands.

Kamari tries to chat up the locals and inquire about any Taldaris sightings.

"It's my first time here. I'll admit this place is not what I expected. I was hoping to meet Taldaris. He's something of a legend where I come from. Do you know where I might find him?"

diplomacy with panache: 1d20 + 29 + 1d6 ⇒ (20) + 29 + (4) = 53

1d20+29+1d6 = Fifty Freaking Three

Kort grunts stiffly, admiring Kamari's gilded tongue (even if she forgot the heroic buff from Kort), and tries to help as best he can.

1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 2 = 19 Diplomacy to aid

Elen partakes of whatever lawful neutral are offered.

DiploAid: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29

"Yasht is the best."

”Bah! I’m not ‘checking in’, I’m checking out. I’ll get a plane shift off this horrible plane and back to Taldor. I’ll keep watch over the crypt in the event Taldaris returns there. I doubt he’s there, or will return there, but it should at least be guarded.” And with little fanfare, the Valkyrie takes to the air and flies to the religious district to get a ticket home.

Kamari and group spend the afternoon pretty much looking for Taldaris. He’s known to a few in the district who praise his quiet, lawful nature. You’re directed to his home by several who know him, as well as his favorite restaurants, and a beautiful amphitheater specializing in what you’d call classical music.

You investigate those venues, but no one has seen Taldaris. Well, at least for the last few days. Not unusual, for inevitables are generally not known as social butterflies and Taldaris is known to have an extensive library which he enjoys.

Oh, and speaking of seeing Taldaris, you speak to people who know him well and who can describe him to you. Their descriptions match the images from your shared visions as you were transported here (image).

It’s late afternoon. You might get one more round of information gathering in, or a visit to customs & immigration before supper. Let me know your plans.

The Night Swan is at least glad they can confirm Taldaris’s new identity and get some possible leads. ”As much as it pains me to say it, we should probably get the…customs and immigrations nonsense dealt with. I would rather not find out what getting deported looks like on Axis.”

”Agreed, friend Night Swan,” the Socratic Major Kort says. ”Let us see about earning our stay and then we can focus on finding what we seek. And maybe, in the meantime, our quarry will return.”

”I have heard that Taldaris has an extensive library, and there might be answers there for where he might have gone. I should repair there to search it more for clues.”

You were in Taldaris’s extensive library - it was his attic.

You head over to the customs & immigration office which is near the bazaar. The process is somewhat tedious and time consuming, but you’re out in a couple hours and back on the streets - no harm done. You each have in your possession a visa, allowing you to stay in the district, and enabling you to get rooms for the night.

Your task accomplished, where to next? It’s closing in on supper time and you have no place to stay as yet - though you’ve a few high end recommendations so it shouldn’t be any trouble. You’ve an appointment with the Lieutenant regarding Taldaris, but not until morning.

If you return to Taldaris’s home to investigate the library, it’s closed off by the flying centaur constructs for now. You can probably request access in the morning.

Having already inquired of the locals for information, Kamari is willing to relax for the night.

"Hopefully the plane-shifting lieutenant will bring us back news from Taldor in the morning. Anyone care to join me in some shopping?"

Kamari heads out to see what unique items Axis might offer. Surely there must be something interesting to add to the cricket and frog in her satchel.

Maybe they'll have a hummingbird or something else that flies, she thinks as she remembers her disappointment at having to destroy the construct in the tomb.

You dine in an excellent restaurant and sleep in good warm beds. And it’s morning.

You find your way to the police station and meet with Lieutenant Fanalyx.

”“There’s no sign of Taldaris,” states Lieutenant Fanalyx with finality as she slides a thin folder across her desk. “Preliminary divinations turned up several different results that were ultimately inconclusive, including the most consistent result that he doesn’t exist at all - at least not any more.”

”That’s more common for petitioners than it is for inevitables, but it happens under four main circumstances.” She begins ticking fingers. “First, death scatters the outsider’s essence back into Axis and destroys the creature’s identity. The same is true for dissolution, the second option, which is when an outsider permanently retires. The latter’s pretty common here; Sayashto’s famous for its ritual funerary professionals. Third, the alleged victim might be in a shielded area that thwarts divinations. Fourth, he could have gone rogue and shielded his identity. Rogue inevitables are very rare, but they happen. If that’s the case, expect your friend to be destroyed, not refurbished.”

“That means there are a few possibilities. Either Taldaris doesn’t want to be found, he was sequestered somewhere heavily shielded, he died on his own, or this has become a murder case.” The axiomite leans back for a moment before continuing. “That’s a lot of uncertainties, which means my superiors assigned this a fairly low priority. Worse, our precinct’s understaffed right now thanks to Maelstromer sabotage in Districts Eighty-Five, One-Forty-One, and Six-Sixty-One. If you want to go through the system, expect to wait for results.”

“Thing is that I think there’s more to this case; the pieces just don’t add up. I just don’t have the capacity to investigate it full-time. There’s not enough evidence to warrant more resources, and we lack the personal effects to run a proper divination regimen.” She pulls out a short stack of paperwork and sets it on the desk. “Fortunately, our district allow recourse like this. Anyone who feels inadequately served by law enforcement can petition for a legal pursuit visa - basically a writ allowing someone in good standing to investigate a grievance independently. It’s pretty rare, but I think you’re onto something important.”

She begins signing and stamping documents.

Kort will press to see if the robocentaurs can clear the library first so he might avail himself of the facilities as soon as possible, and hopefully return there after joining Kamari on a shopping trip.

”Shopping sounds good, Kamari. Splendid idea, and we might want to see if there are some magics for purchase that might help us locate our quarry.”

Can anyone try a Sending spell? Or should we try to Commune for some help/direction?

Ninja edit: Kort got ninja’d to heck by the evil GM and will ponder how to go forward.

"Authorized vigilantism? Well, I guess it isn't vigilantism if it's authorized. Axis sure is a wonderous place."

Kamari looks over the stamped documents.

"Can we kick in doors now?"

Not that it has stopped us before, she keeps to herself.

"I forgot to ask you before Lieutenant, does any of this mean anything to you? Are the floating eyes associated with anyone/thing?" Kamari describes the vision they had on their way to Axis.

Ha! Ninja!

Fanalyx finishes her bureaucratic duties and hands you each a second visa. ”This will give you some authority to question people and investigate leads. But don’t take it too far - I’m still in charge of this investigation and will want regular reports. Also, if you encounter resistance, please let me know and I’ll try to get the higher ups to remove the blockage.”

The lieutenant paces a bit, seemingly more solid today than yesterday (image).

”I’ve given your vision some thought as well. I’m not an expert in these matters, but my research has led to a few leads.”

1) ”Nabil is a name that comes up when I asked about the constellation of stars. She? He? Is a local astronomer apparently - a scholar believed to live somewhere in Sayashto. All I have is a name, but maybe that’s enough.”

2) ”We didn’t find a ring on Taldaris’s premises, but a few interviews with the neighbors revealed that Taldaris did bequeath a ring to Lord Squire Saip. He’s an influential leader of the district’s resident monkeys. That ring might aid future divinations, and there may be a reason Taldaris gave it away.” She tells you where to find Lord Saip.

3) ”Undead are very rare in Axis, so I’m not sure what your skeleton was. There are non-undead entitles who resemble skeletons however. Could be a shinigami - there’s some information in the file. They often work alongside psychopomps. Can’t be too many of ‘em around - you should be able to find someone.”

4) ”As for the man covered in script, that matches most of the petitioners here on Axis. It is common to write questions to yourself on your skin. So that’s like half the population.” You’ll recall the script on the figure in your vision was in two parts - some added distinctly earlier than the rest. Not much of a lead on its own but there may be clarity later.

5) ”As for a cemetery, while we are a center for funeral rights, few are actually buried in Axis. We just sort of subsume into the plane. Still, the district does have one.” she gives you directions to that too.

6) ”Lastly the letter. I talked to the neighbors, and none remember any letter like that. I did not get a chance to go over to the post office however. I suggest you do - the mail carriers should have a record of any mail bearing the seal you described.”

7) She seems to be done as she says, but ends up merely hesitating before continuing. “The timing here is too convenient. The only local group that could overturn my superiors and assign this case more resources is the district council, and one of the members just retired suddenly - too suddenly. Former Councilor Eopal’s been holed up ever since. I recommend you drop by and have a chat. Convey my positive regards, and encourage him to run for another office. Further, see if there’s any connection to Taldaris. I don’t like coincidences.”

Sorry for another long post - this book is full of ‘em! I’ll link to this from the notes page as well for easy future reference.

The Night Swan opens her visor so she can massage her temples. ”More licenses. I am shocked that I can partake of the air without having asked for permission in triplicate.” She tries to restrain herself from any further critique, but she is so agitated by this place she anticipates that will be difficult. ”As far as the leads, I would suggest we go for the Councilor last. Evidence we find elsewhere might help to give us understanding of his situation and allow us to be more convincing. I say we start with the astronomer, who is the biggest unknown and thus we have the most knowledge to potentially gain.”

1d20 + 23 + 2 + 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 23 + 2 + (2) + 3 = 35 Know (Planes) - DRs? Special attacks? Reasons that they would attack the party/infractions?

Kort listens to everything, trying to take it all in.

”That’s a lot. You’ve been amazing thorough and helpful. Are all the residents of Axis so thoughtful?” Kort asks when she is done speaking.

”Thank you for all the information, Fanalyx. Also, I like what you have done with your hair today. It looks solid!”

”I would suggest we go for the Councilor last. “

”Why go for the Councelor last? If anyone is able to draw water in Axis it might be them. Also I think any information they have for us could be useful in our own investigations – their sudden reappointment might be related to the disappearance of Taldaris. They may start an investigation in parallel, and we can keep touching base as we find out more information. I’m also interested in the cemetery.”

The Night Swan shakes her head. ”In other circumstances, I would agree. However, if—as Fanalyx suggested and is likely—someone is putting leverage on the councillor strong enough to make him retire from office, we will need more than a few visions and bright-eyed hope to convince him to offer any of the help you suggest, particularly to a band of Material Plane rejects with no status or reputation. Should he be leveraged, the responsible parties likely have eyes on him as well.“

Kort is swayed by the Night Ninja’s words.

”Yes, that astronomer sounds like a good place to start. Let’s go there. Maybe Nabil will be able to divine some astrological signs to help us.”

Elen takes offense at the wording "few visions and bright-eyed hope".

"We can agree to disagree here, but just because the Councillor was forced out doesn't mean that they won't be willing to do what they can and is right by us. I see value in not approaching them last."

The Night Swan pauses as she thinks. ”Not last then. But not first. Can we agree on that?”

"Sure! I was just sensing your discomfort on this plane like the Valkyrie's. I was hoping involving him sooner than later might expedite our egress."

If the party decides to pursue the astronomer lead first, you'll need to find someone named Nabil. How do you want to go about doing that? Lots of options I should think. I just need a direction.

"Interesting. I’m no planar expert, but it sounds like something went wrong with the ritual...”

Muri lolls his head at Kort, but doesn't say anything. He just checks to see if the old man can still blush.

"Or maybe he was pulled to you, and he’s sitting in his crypt in this TAL-dour you speak of.”

That's great. That's just great.

"He might be out to lunch for all we know."

Or, like you supposed, he's back in his Crypt on Golarion...

...

Muri breathes Axis in, feeling strangely at home at the moment. It also feels militantly strict with its code of law, but that's because it's swiftly enforceable. What the halfling wouldn't give to grace northern Taldor with the aura of Axis, and bring to the hinterlands something like justice through example.

Muri decides to focus as best he can on learning what there is to learn about their new surrounds, and the five-member council, should they need to gain audience and engage them in negotiations.

For ease of memorizing the five, Muri places each of his friends in the roles described. The Councilor of Canals is obviously Kamari for her love of engineering. The Councilor of Gates? That would have to be Edelmira, for her ability to craft a narrative. The Councilor of Graves should have gray about the face, and Kort already has one one foot in it. Madame Lotheed takes her place as Councilor of Laws for her august airs, which leaves Elen to become the Councilor of Seeds for her natural graces.

...

Lunch is welcome, always. Muri even deigns to pour a bowl of yasht for Underfoot, just to see how she reacts to its unique flavor. Her first pass is nose only. Once she's avoided any sting of scent, she lowers her muzzle to partake, and doesn't stop until the bowl is licked clean.

...

When the Valkyrie departs, Muri doesn't object. He's glad for her to return, and investigate if Taldaris is, in fact, back on Golarion. They may learn after awhile, and take their leave of Axis all the sooner.

Passport in hand, Muri keeps up with the others, as their minds are much more focused on the tasks at hand.

...

Their meeting with the Lieutenant washes over the halfling like a lecture on agricultural trading rate exemptions prorated for seasonal weather trends.

His mind wanders through lawful shopping stalls in Axis, incapable of price gouging for their wares.

He hears the directive about reporting back to the Lieutenant, and doesn't argue out loud. This is her province, and he will show the proper respect due to her.

...

"We didn’t find a ring on Taldaris’s premises, but a few interviews with the neighbors revealed that Taldaris did bequeath a ring to Lord Squire Saip. He’s an influential leader of the district’s resident monkeys. That ring might aid future divinations, and there may be a reason Taldaris gave it away.”

"Oh! That reminds me." Muri walks up to Kort, taking the old man's hand in both of his smaller ones. The halfling looks at the wrinkly stubby finger bearing the dwarven ring so poorly, and slides it off, restoring the color to the distal part of the finger being strangled slowly. He proceeds to place it on his own finger, where it fits, perfectly.

"Thanks, Fanalyx."

...

"So we're looking for Nabil in Sayashto. No better time, right? Then we can shop and inquire about the name at the same time."

Muri is ready to venture forth, and spend some coin on much needed preparations. No better place than Axis for new upgrades. If he manages to find out about Nabil at the same time, he'll share what he learns with his Councilors.

Diplomacy(Gather Info), Nabil: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Time Spent: 1d4 ⇒ 2 hours

Elen shops and inquires with Muri.

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29

"I forgot to ask you before Lieutenant, does any of this mean anything to you? Are the floating eyes associated with anyone/thing?" Kamari describes the vision they had on their way to Axis.

”I’m not sure what the eyes mean as yet. It could just be a representation. After all it was a vision, not something you actually saw. It’s hard to say with such things.” She looks disappointed that she has no ready answer.

The party heads out to see what can be learned of Nabil - and perhaps to do a little shopping. The main question, regarding the shopping, is whether you sell the Tin of Andorran Pepperwood you acquired. You are, after all, seeking to save Taldaris - surely he won’t begrudge you a little Pepperwood?

There are also a few other items at the bottom of the treasure sheet as well in case anyone wants ‘em. If not, I’ll do a divvy.

While you consider that, Muri does indeed discover a few things about Nabil with Elen's aid. First, Nabil is a soulbound doll. Second, you get an address. However, when you visit the home, you find only the demolished remnants of the row house unit in which he once lived. Burned out a few days ago now.

Neighbors confirm that Nabil lived there but ran afoul of a marut, and everyone assumes that by now he’s been captured.

You also hear, over lunch, about a swarm of cockatiels known as the Crowntop Coup which has become a local nuisance. Their ongoing harassment and petty thefts are causing local authorities to loosen restrictions on citizens’ methods of defense of themselves and their property.

Your afternoon lies before you. A knowledge local, and/or another gather information may yield further material on Nabil’s location - now that you know he’s on the run (and have a description).

Kort claims none of the items and would not sell the Tin at this time.

1d20 + 23 + 2 + 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 23 + 2 + (3) + 3 = 45 Know (Arcana)
1d20 + 23 + 2 + 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 23 + 2 + (7) + 3 = 44 Know (Planes) - DRs? Special attacks? Ways it would skewer Kamari for driving in a side show?

Kort will explain what he knows of Marut and dolls as he continues to do what he can to track down Nabil.

1d20 + 23 + 2 + 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 23 + 2 + (5) + 3 = 35 Know (Local) - Nabil's last sighting

”I’m not sure what the eyes mean as yet. It could just be a representation. After all it was a vision, not something you actually saw. It’s hard to say with such things.”[/b] She looks disappointed that she has no ready answer.

That was no representation on the point of my blade, Kamari thinks but lets the matter drop as it appears the lieutenant has no useful information on the topic.

She continues to be amazed at how much this place resembles her world with its dwellings and administrators and thieves. She's not sure if she finds it interesting or disconcerting. Putting existential thoughts aside, she focuses on assisting in the search for Nabil.

Diplomacy for gather information: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (5) + 29 = 34

Nothing needed from the treasure items.

Muri tries to retain the next Lesson on Axis, this time regarding dolls and outsiders, meanwhile dropping probing questions to fill in the Professor's introductory investigations. The Halfling is Helpful! +4 to assist Kort in his Gathering of Information. (Auto Success)

When the halfling gets a chance, he pokes his nose into any crafting station which might assist in bringing his primary weapon to new heights of power. Waiting for the Divvy to drop lol

Near the center of the district is a place where three canals meet. It’s full of shops, but also warehouses and other convenient places to hide. Also plenty of running water to help confuse divinations. If Nabil is still in hiding, Major Kort suspects it’ll be in the market area, likely in a nearby warehouse.

Muri assists Kamari in the gathering of information. Kamari is able to learn about a small child who’s been seen in and around one of the warehouses in particular. You suspect that’s the one as the doll would certainly look like a small child from a distance.

Your visa’s give you the authority to search the warehouse if you want to try that. Better to find the owner, show your writs, get a key, etc. But in the time that may take your quarry might shift.

While you’re asking around the market and warehouse district you’re also able to sell the few items you have at this time.

Party Divvy
Each party member receives the paltry sum of 4,213gp at this time.

Muri takes his share, adds it to a rather substantial stash, and makes his way into the bazaar, where he attempts to secure crafting for his longbow, as well as additional blanches.

When the halfling finds out the hard way that he'll need to relinquish his primary weapon, he begrudgingly forks over extra funds to secure a backup weapon.

"I would say 'forgiveness' not 'permission', but we are on Axis. How do we find the owner of the warehouse?"

”A Soulbound Doll!? I’ve heard of but never – I mean – the description reminds me slightly of Prince Carrius when we first found him… Do Soulbound dolls still have wooden or ceramic bodies? Wouldn’t that make them obvious dolls? For what purpose did this one serve? Or, is serving? Stargazing? Yes, we must find him, sooner than later!”

Elen lets out all her thoughts at once, then goes shopping.

”Yeah, it’s some sort of arcane doll. I can’t say I recommend it, but if it works for him, I cannot say it’s a bad idea. We should investigate, quickly, I might add,” Kort says, willing to be quick rather than overly permissioned, but agreeing with Muri in that if they can find the owner quickly, they could do that.

”And if we want to investigate invisibility, we can probably make that happen as well. No need to be seen if we do not need to be.”

Does Elen want to go invisible to scout? Or Kort can, I suppose.

Elen is up for that. Maybe we should all go invisible?

As with any lawful society, there are records a plenty held by the government for just such a search. The clerk is surprisingly helpful, and gives you the owners name, and business address with a quick run through the records.

You find a frumpy older gentleman who’s not keen on all this action. He is however a resident of Axis, and so he respects your documentation as investigators, and leaves his cozy office for the rough and tumble of the warehouse district. Poor man.

He unlocks the door, and steps back allowing you to enter however you wish. Elen can enter invisibly, though of course there’s a door to open which might give it away.

To start, if Elen is going in invisibly, give me a stealth check as she looks around the place. If anyone else enters, stealth checks from you as well. And of course, perception checks. Just two should suffice for the main warehouse area.

New map up. Well, an old map repurposed.

Elen takes up Kort on the Invisibility.

Stealth: 1d20 + 5 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 20 = 39

Elen cautiously and quietly makes her way through the warehouse.

Percept: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
Percept: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Out of hearing range, Kort will cast Invisibility on Elen, and wait to hear anything that might convey distress or trouble.

1d20 + 22 + 2 + 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 22 + 2 + (2) + 3 = 37 Perception

Kamari stands by the door ready to rush in. She peers inside while waiting to hear from Elen.

perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

It's everything in the halfling's arsenal of positive self-talk to remain where he and Underfoot stand, waiting to enter the warehouse. No better time to rush in, and catch off guard who they need to catch off guard. But Elen entered under cloak of invisibility, and Muri will respect the infiltration, hoping that she'll have enough time to bark to them for help if she finds herself immediately endangered.

Major Kort hears no signs of distress as yet, nor does Kamari. Muri too keeps his eyes open, but nothing yet.