Shalissa does not know what powers might the gem has, she just sees it as something valuable and will let the pirate have it if she accepts it as payment.
The elf says goodbye to everyone in the island and specially to Pezzcock "Remember, if you have a problem, you have a few friends to the East. It was a pleasure to meet you."
As the ship sails away, Shalissa remains in the railing observing the island become smaller. She dedicates the trip to go through all the treasures the group has collected, trying to invest some time to identify them.
As the roofs of Eleder appear at sight, Shalissa joins with the others in the group "What is the first thing we want to do? Bring Jask to the authorities to solve his problem?"
"I do suggest we maintain in secret our discovery about Saventh-Yhi, while we figure out how can we manage to reach the ancient ruins"
"Jask is at risk of being imprisoned if he's not cleared. He should be first."
"I wonder who of the others will stay with us. Finding.... The City, isn't really everyone's quest. And I agree. Secrecy has to be maintained as much as possible. We don't want an army of searchers ahead of us!"
The city of Eleder
Eleder’s harbor is huge, perhaps one of the biggest along the southern coast. At the harbor mouth, jetties slow currents and tempestuous waters. They also provide the harbormaster a modicum of power over ships entering
and leaving port. Within the harbor, a sprawling array of granite block piers provides docking for ships of almost every size from a dozen different countries. Vessels docked there run the gamut from huge merchant galleys to tiny fishing boats belonging to tribesmen.
Eleder’s architecture readily displays its Chelish roots, though it has evolved to accommodate Sargava’s far warmer clime. Rooftops are designed to collect rainwater, rather than brush away wind and snow, while open courtyards pull in cooling drafts. Trading company warehouses and shipyards offset the homes of early settlers with their plain, but practical, construction. A large wall of weathered stone encircles properties around the harbor, isolating them from the remainder of the city.
Helping Jask
After Captain Kassata has anchored her ship on the eastern docks, everybody picks up there belongiungs and moves ashore.
Having decided to start by helping Jask to clear his name you wonder where to go to do so.
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cannibals red pearl amulet: By now you are sure its not magical, but worth a nice bit of money (50 gp per piece)
Chupacabra's nest longsword --> Longsword +1
Chupacabra's nest bracers --> Bracers of Armor +1
Yarazoth ring --> ring of mind shielding
secret chamber ancient playing card --> card from a deck of illusions Creating a large Peryton Illusion
secret chamber block of incense --> Incense of meditation
secret chamber candle --> candle of truth
Shalissa observes the city with interest as the group arrives to the docks "Many merchants coming and going here. We should be able to get easy new supplies"
And turning to the pirates "Thanks a lot for the trip Kassata. You really saved us and I will remember this for long. If there is something we can help with, let us know" she gives a small bow to the sailor rescuers.
As the group puts feet in the city, Shalissa takes note of the different architecture and the walls "They fear some attacks it would seem..." while she shakes her blouse that is currently sticking to the body due to the prominent sweat.
She looks around for some guard to ask directions towards the Commander of the City Militia Praetor Ezio Egorius.
Gregor leaves the ship and makes sure to stay near Jask. He wants to intercept anyone trying to go for him.
Davor looks strangely comfortable despite the heat. Maybe he was acclimatized by the time on the island? He slowly scans the area, especially the wall around the harbor properties. Not knowing the history of the place, or understanding the construction, it does seem a bit odd. "Would they let the harbor burn, walled off as it is to protect the city? Seems strange!"
"That is a poor design, you are right Davor" Shalissa also contemplates the wall "Perhaps the harbor was built later, or maybe it is owned by someone not very appreciated by the authorities who made the wall" she smiles.
The elf tries to recall any available information about the city.
Gregor looks at it from a tactical sense and remarks, Maybe as a city probably attacked quite a few times by pirates coming up, they made sure that their defenses were set against the sea, if the harbor fell.
"From a city defense viewpoint it makes a little sense. The guard can stand on a walkway atop the wall and fire down on invaders. They'd have cover from any return fire."
"Well, at least we have identified a weakness in their defenses, if we ever have to storm and seize control of Eleder by force we already have a plan to control" Shalissa laughs lightly and in good mood. She takes her chicken, that has been living in the camp after things god bad, and soothes the feathered head.
And turning to the pirates "Thanks a lot for the trip Kassata. You really saved us and I will remember this for long. If there is something we can help with, let us know" she gives a small bow to the sailor rescuers.
Kassata smiles and replies:"Well we will see. Maybe somethng will come up faster than you think."
She looks around for some guard to ask directions towards the Commander of the City Militia Praetor Ezio Egorius.
When the adventurers leave ship, they don't need to look long for the city guards. A group of guards led by small man in outmoded Chelaxian clothes approaches Gregor as soon he steps onto land.
"Waa ois your busines in Eleder "
Gregor puts hands on his axe hafts and says quietly we are here to see City Militia Praetor Ezio Egorius
Even though you have had the opportunity to wash and mend your clothes the 2 months on Smugglers Shiv are still very much showing and the man is clearly reluctant to take you seriously.
"Soo whut would YOU want frum thuh praetor?"
"Excuse our state sir, but we have been stranded for weeks in a small island in the gulf after a wreckage. We just came back to port" Shalissa tries to ease the mood of the guard offering a honest tone "During this period we came upon new proof on a previous crime and we want to release this to the Praetor to avoid further problems"
Davor stays in the background. The last thing he wants is to make the guard even less helpful.
"A great injustice has been done, and we hope to right it. Can you please show us the way?"
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"Ah know yer type! Adventurers!"
The man draws himself up to his full 5" before continuing. "I will have my eyes on ye. And if I find ye causing any troubles I will see ye send ye back to yer island immediately."
Then he turns and proudly walks away, looking at you once more nce he reaches the next ship, making they I watch you sign.
"What a friendly fellow that was." Jask remarks. "But I think I still remember the praetors office. Its in Northcoast, and we should be able to find it easily enough even when it was 10 years ago."
After walking down the streets you soon realize that the wall is a bit further out that you thoguht when looking from the sea. () Still ist hardly imaginable that more than a third of the cities 8000 inhabitants live inside those walls, especially given some houses lavish colonial architecture.
Rounding the harbour you pass by a two-story mud-brick building covered in plain whitewash. Upon its front door hangs a carved wooden sign that reads “The Sargava Club” and you hear the telltale sounds of a tavern coming through its windows.
After 10 more minutes you reach a clear field where dozens of native Zenji recruits are running combat drills und the command of and Sargavan sergeant. Jask remarks, that the Grand Praetor and the Praetor are also in command of the sargavan army and this is some kind of Training area.
You ask a nearby guard for the way to the praetors office and are send to one of the larger huts overlooking the harbor.
When you enter you see a large bairded man with blond hair in a fancy looking uniform. As you approach he looks up, asking what you require from him.
Shalissa smells herself and sighs "Well, I guess we did not cause a great impression. Maybe we should have a bath and change clothes before trying to visit the Praetor"
The elven looks at the Zenji fighting as they walk through the streets "Grand walls... combat drills... it seems as if the city was under menace, or preparing for a war"
As they enter the office, she greets the braided man with a vow "Some ten years ago there was a corruption case in the government. A man was wrongly accused. We have proofs of what really happened, but due to the nature of this case, you would understand we can only talk this discretely with Praetor Ezio Egorius directly"
The elven looks at the Zenji fighting as they walk through the streets "Grand walls... combat drills... it seems as if the city was under menace, or preparing for a war"
"Thats the normal state of affairs. Sargava has many external and internal enemies so it needs to keep an army to protect itself from raids from the shackle pirates or Chelax. And there are also many tribes out there in the expanse, who do not look friendly on our little nation.
Therefore the career in the army is a prestigous one or Eledians and Zenji alike."As they enter the office, she greets the braided man with a vow "Some ten years ago there was a corruption case in the government. A man was wrongly accused. We have proofs of what really happened, but due to the nature of this case, you would understand we can only talk this discretely with Praetor Ezio Egorius directly"
[b"I am Praetor Ezio Egorius, but what are you talking about? A corruption case? What proof do you have of this."[/b]
Gregor steps forward.Praetor you hired me to bring in Jask. Im Gregor Kardoff from Cheliax. It was easy enough to find him. Bu during our travels and subsequent ship wreck. I have found indisputable proof he is innocent and he should be acquitted immediately. He has accompanied us here of his own free will to see his name cleared.
"Jask you say? Ah yes I remember that pirate conspiraotr business. I rememeber sending out agents to find him over in Chelax."
When Gregor shows him the ledger of the dead pirate and points out the relevant passages he is fascinated with what you found.
"This is very fascinating stuff and will allow us to land a mahor strike against these coloborateurs within our own city. I am offering you a reward of 1000 gp for these documents."
"But Concerning Jask, you wil have to agree that I got to handle things the proper way. I will have to read the documents in detail to verify your claims that his name is not in here and also find out what really happened druing his accusations. Until then I will have to insist on offering him Govrnment hospitality in one of our holding cells. he is after all a wanted fugitive."
"...And there are also many tribes out there in the expanse, who do not look friendly on our little nation..."
"Therefore the career in the army is a prestigous one or Eledians and Zenji alike."
"There are tribal tensions with Sargava's government then?" Shalissa gives a second look at the army "How dangerous are those tribes for people going deeper into the expanse?"
"Until then I will have to insist on offering him Govrnment hospitality in one of our holding cells. he is after all a wanted fugitive"
Shalissa can sense Gregor's tension after this remark from the Praetor and she quickly speaks up "Jask should be definitely under the Government hospitality until things are cleared. But given he has the confidence on our group, would it be possible to maintain his custody under the surveillance of Gregor? You contracted him for this task after all, and we as a group can be made responsible for his attendance to justice"
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Egorius looks doubtful while listening to Shalissas words. He is clearly ready to issue a negative answer, when his eyes fall on Father Kerndrews holy symbol.
"I see you are a also a follower of the Lady of Valor, Brother. Can you vouch for this man that he will return to this place should my investigation find fault with his conduct in this matter?"
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"Yes; I will take personal responsibility for Jask, and ensuring that he presents himself at an appointed to time to either be fully exonerated, or incarcerated, depending on the outcome of your lawful investigation."
"Fine so its agreed. Please return here in 3 days time with Jask, and I will render my verdict."
"And thank you for bringing this to our attention. Here is a writ over 1000 gp collectable the city treasury. Although I assume most merchants in the city will be willing to take it as directly payment as well."
When the group gets out of the Praetor's house Shalissa sighs "It seems elves are not much appreciated in this city... thanks Kerndrew was here"
"Well, let's get find a place were to live, I guess we all want to be together, at least until we make our minds about who wants to proceed with the exploration..." the elf points to the street going back from where the group came "We passed in front of The Sargava Club a while ago. Perhaps we can ask around about lodgement and people to prepare an expedition"
Walking back to the Sargava Club you walk Through the cities extensive Jewel Market, well know even outside Sargava. Occupying more than two blocks, dozens of shops shops specialize in appraisal, cutting, specific gemstones, and jewelry making.
Further to the east you see a large lighthouse guiding ships towards Eleders harbour as well as signs of eleders industrial quarters in the form of Smoke clouds hanging over the smelting works of the city.
Reaching the Sargava Club you bypass the Shop incorporated into the building for now, and enter the tavern on the right side. In the early afternoon only a few patrons are present in the tap room. A large Half-orc woman is standing behind the bar, greeting you enthusiastically.
"Welcome to the Sargava Club. What brings you into my cave?"
Shalissa observes impressed the lighthouse and the industries around "A flourishing industrial city it seems..."
The elf stretches as the group enters the Sargava Club "Oh, some real food would be great. Something warm. Water. And some corn" she looks down to Chivito and smiles.
Taking sit, she further asks "Do you know about any place to pass a few nights? Perhaps some weeks. We are planning an expedition to the jungle."
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Shalissa observes impressed the lighthouse and the industries around "A flourishing industrial city it seems..."
Jask replies "Eleder is Sargavas gate into civilization. There are lots of Mining corporations Looking for salt or metals in the banti hills inland and they all come here to sell there gains, where they are smelted and processed before being shipped into the world. "
The elf stretches as the group enters the Sargava Club "Oh, some real food would be great. Something warm. Water. And some corn" she looks down to Chivito and smiles.Taking sit, she further asks "Do you know about any place to pass a few nights? Perhaps some weeks. We are planning an expedition to the jungle."
"Well I'm afraid mounts will have to stay in the stable at the back.", the barlady remarks and smirks while looking at Chivito.
"Otherwise the coconut curry is 5 copper and the local beer costs 1.
Upstairs you can find rooms. If you want to stay in the common room its a gp per week, up to 3 gp for a single room to yourself. But I got only 3 of those at the moment. A few faolks arrived today with Captain Lewynn apparently and they have taken up some rooms already."
"An Expedition? That depends on where you want to go. Porters should be easy enough to find beyond the walls and the Trading Corporations will surely sell you equipment. But you better have deep pockets, such an expedition is pretty expensive, if you want to go further out than a few days."
"Do you maybe have cots to turn those single rooms into doubles?" Father Kerndrew turns to the others. "I vouched for Jask, so he should probably bunk up with me until we see that through." The Father fishes in a pouch for his coin purse, and brings out 10 gold pieces, turning back to the proprietor. "Here's coin for three days in one of those rooms, and I'll buy dinner and drinks for our crew here. The rest is a tip for you."
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"For that I will give you 3 rooms for a week and todays special. Welcome to the Sargava Club. "
"So whats this expedition you are talking about, where do you want to go? The Bantu Hills, lookng for gold?"
"So they basically extract their resources? And the people living there do nothing?" Shalissa follows up Jask's conversation "We kill any foreigner that tries to put their hands on the Azlanti artifact in the Spire. No questions. It's ours."
---
"Oh, coconut curry? Give me one of that!" Shalissa eats with delight while hiding Chivito below her legs seeing how the barlady looks at him. She puts a gold for one of the rooms on the counter and asks "Captain Lewynn? Is he famous around here?"
The elf takes air deeply "Yes, we are going to need a lot of coin. Perhaps we should look for a sponsor or investor to our expedition before visiting the Trading Corporations" Shalissa seems to try ignore the bar lady curiosity for as long as she can.
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"So they basically extract their resources? And the people living there do nothing?" Shalissa follows up Jask's conversation "We kill any foreigner that tries to put their hands on the Azlanti artifact in the Spire. No questions. It's ours."
"Well the Zenji don't really care for the minerals. They are farmers and only very few live in the hills. Most of them are happy that we provide work and education."
---
"Oh, coconut curry? Give me one of that!" Shalissa eats with delight while hiding Chivito below her legs seeing how the barlady looks at him. She puts a gold for one of the rooms on the counter and asks "Captain Lewynn? Is he famous around here?"
The elf takes air deeply "Yes, we are going to need a lot of coin. Perhaps we should look for a sponsor or investor to our expedition before visiting the Trading Corporations" Shalissa seems to try ignore the bar lady curiosity for as long as she can.
"One curry coming up. Or shall I make that 5?"
"Well if you want to go deeper into the jungle you will rpobabaly need someone. I went there myself when I was younger. Bought all this with the money I made. Living of the jungle is certainly possible but it takes skill and time. And without an expedition you will have to walk back to the next civilized place everytime you need something. In this land that means walking a month through dangerous jungle. Not what you want to do when you have run out of antitoxins our ammunition."
Shalissa arches an eyebrow while taking a spoon full of curry coconut "Wait, you have been in the jungle before? Do you know the paths and tribes leading to the depths?" the elf eats frugally the spoon, closing her eyes on the strong flavor "Mmmm... this is delicious, I haven't tasted something equal in more than a month" her general mood seems to improve "Hum... an expedition... whom in Eleder might have the resources and will to sponsor a research expedition like that?"
She puts on place a free lock, and at that moment she touches her face. Her eyes open in fear and terror, she leaves the spoon on the table and picks up the chamber keys "So-sorry, I need to study all those papers" and rushes upstairs without further word.
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The tavern keeper - whose name is Briga as you found out by now - give Shalissa the "Whats Wrong with her?" look as she disappears so suddenly.
"Anyway, where were we. Pathes into the jungle. Well they don't stay the same very long, as the plants overgrow everything so fast.
Best to follow rivers as much as you can, and then only strike from there on the last part of your journey."
"As for sponsors, I think ours was sponsored by a pirate captain who wanted to find a specific artefact. I also heard the Baron sending out people if it fitted Sargavas goals. And of Course there are always the Aspis consortium and the Pathfinders trying to oneup another."
"Hmmm..." Father Kerndrew considers. "Any of those should be good except the Aspis Consortium--I've heard of only treachery from them (though it seems sometimes you don't hear much better about Pathfinders...). If you hear of anything, could you please let us know?"
Davor enjoys the food and listening to the conversation until Shalissa departs. "Right.... Study the papers. Oh, right!"
He gets up to follow, glancing at Briga, "Paperwork. Never done!"
As he walks away he adds a comment to the group, "The Pathfinders might have a map of the jungle. Or maybe the Baron?"
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The last month <nd the journey by ship have been tiring and so you soon take your leave from Briga to enjoy sleeping ina real bed for the first time in weeks.
In the next days you continue your exploration of Yarzoths Journal and start preparing for your expedition. Selling your loot is easy enough as the Sargava Club also spots an adventurers shop will to take most of your gear. Additionally you already found the jewelry market, where you are able to get a good price on your gems.
Briga is also able to quickly point you towards Colonial Archive, the officiallibrary of the city. At this place you find a multitude of maps and Journals from many expeditions setting out fromm Sargava into the expanse in search for riches and eternal youth.
Davor spends some time researching. He knows a little about geography and focuses on learning about what is known of the jungle.
You find a multiple mentions of Expeditions looking for an Azlanti place called the Tomb of Savith (Saventh-Yi), which is the final resting place of Savith, a great Azlanti heroine. None of them has manged to find it
Shalissa closes herself in her room for a few days. She says to be researching Yazaroth's notes, but she orders some stuff from the market when the boys go sell things there. Mainly a wooden log and some tools.
At the third day, she emerges from the room, her face covered by a mask "There is just so much information to gain from the notes without real maps of the region and geographical and historical context. Let's fetch some maps and data in the Colonial Archive"
---
When it comes to the library itself, Shalissa is well versed on reading all kind of texts, thus, being in the library feels more natural for her than for others.
Quickly she starts to give directions as to what books to look for and how to check the different indexes and thesaurus "If there is any secret to reveal from Saventh-Yhi here, we are going to reveal it"
In a text about ancient Azlanti ruins Shalissa finds another mentioning of an outpost named Tazion, which is supposed to be located on the southernmost edge of the expanse.
Despite the tiredness of a whole day moving dusty books in the library, Shalissa gets pretty excited when she founds a mention of an outpost referenced to be used by the same Azlanti that lived in Saventh-Yhi "Look at this! There was an outpost named Tazion! If these people were the same from Saventh-Yhi or they had trade with them, it might be possible to find some clue in there that might lead to the ancient legendary city of the Azlanti!"
The elf keeps looking books and looks excitedly at Gregor "Did you saw something in those maps you fetched, perhaps the Tazion name or some derivative?"
Gregor looks over the maps for the city
after spending some time pouring over the maps, He moves through the library looking for famous dungeons or ruins names Saventh-Yhi or Tazion
Legend of Savith
You found an obscure text containing a chelaxian translation of the the legend of Savith, a great Azlanti heroine.
After leading an army into the jungles of Garund, she attacked the serpentfolk in the subterranean city of Ilmurea. Here she encountered the god of the serpentfolk, Ydersius.
Being a mere mortal, she could not kill the god outright but instead decapitated the god and cast the head into a lake of fire and banished the body to the Darklands. Savith was poisoned in her epic battle and died shortly thereafter.
Leaving the libraryfor today
After having learned everything at the Archives there is to learn, you leave the place. Since you haven't really visited that part of the town, you decide to enjoy a bit of sightseeing in this area called new Haliad.
Right behind you on a hill right in the centre of Eleder is the Baron's Palace. The mansion lies in the centre of a huge 2-acre property suroounded by hedges and looks over the Eleder Port as well as Lower Harbor to the east. Around the palace thetown house of the colonial quarter of the city sprawls between the port and the Djomar Wall. The architecture is clearly chelaxian, at least what chelaxian was a hundred years ago.
Finally you take the opportunity to step up the massive granite Djomar Wall protecting the city. Once up there you understand where the missing half of the populace has gone, as your faced nearly a mile of tightly packed, crude, muddaub huts and dusty, rat-infested streets, known to locals as Outerwall, By now ist evening and the Zenjo workers from the port or the smeltworks are returning from their dayjobs to their families. Standing up here the difference to the smug little houses of Eleders upper class couldn't be any more pronounced.
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Shalissa gets very excited about the legend found by Gregor "Hmmm... nothing about Tazion, but that heroine is very inspiring... So that was the end of Ydarsius... decapitated. And there is yet another city reference, Ilmuera..." the elf yawns. After a whole day of library research she seems quite tired "What about taking a break? It seems we are stuck after all"
"Perhaps we can buy some food in a street stall and have a walk over the city walls" the elven woman seems suddenly very excited about the idea and takes Davor and Gregor one from each arm as they get out of the library "Yes, some distraction will help us refresh and feel good"
She seems perhaps a bit more chatty than normal, concealed behind her mask and after a fruitful day of research, her mood is very good. As the group walks, she points the Baron's Palace "I have heard you humans like to live in large houses like that one. Would you like to have a house like that?"
When they walk on the Djomar Wall and get sight of the Outerwall, the elf tone becomes more concerned "Goddess... how all that people can life that miserably there crowded in those shacks..."
---
The next day the elf seems fresh and engages the new session of research with renewed vigor.
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After another extensive search of the archives you find the journal of an chelaxian noble Macardo Gallus. Marcado travelled the Expanse between the the Upper Korir and Ocota Rivers. He describes finding some ancient Azlanti ruins of a place named Tazion.
.
Davor listens to Shalissa's excited statements. Another outpost related to the ancient city? He continues his search focusing on any mention of how Tazion, or any other outpost, is related to Saventh-Yhi.