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Unlike Absalom, the sun shines high in a blue cloudless sky, unrelenting heat pounds down upon the buildings and sand. You sit under the shade of palm trees, offering protection from the direct sunlight, but with the heat, even sitting makes you sweat. In you hand you hold a cool drink, fresh fruit upon the table. You wait for your companions to appear, before you will be summoned for your next quest for the Society.
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You see a pale elven woman with a black ponytail. Her right eye is violet, her left eye black. She has long purple nails, and wears a jester’s motley in purple, black and white. Holding a large marotte (jester’s baton), she wears a black cloak with the hood down.
She raises her drink to you in greeting. ”Cheers!”, she says, taking a sip. ”I was wondering if I would melt before anyone else showed up”
Setting her drink down, she makes an elaborate gesture with her arm, while giving a nod. ”Aldonza Delamorte, at your service!”
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"Those are beautiful nails, Aldonza Delamorte!" Tao notices. She gives a polite bow, tipping her headscarf "I'm Tao. Just came back from Jalmeray. And got this lovely scarf just this afternoon - got my favorite colors it does" to the bartender or server "Good day to you [sir / maddam] - I'll have what my friend here is having!" and looks around the room curiously.
"I wonder who else will be coming! I find that meeting people for the first time is always a little auspicious - people certainly have a way of communicating a lot about themselves when first meeting, wouldn't you agree?" she raises her melting glass "Sláinte!"
Barely any quiet space between words, you get the sense that Tao expresses her inner thoughts verbally "Never been to Qadira - first time - I wonder what the business with Esmayl ibn Qaradi is all about? Family matters it said. I wonder if his (or her?) family is large. I come from a large family. In fact, I'm chaperoning my cousin here - Morosino is his name - he wouldn't refuse coming along and - between you and me..." she whispers now to stay out of her cousin's earshot without skipping a beat "He still has some life lessons to learn - watch your purse!" then back to just-louder-than-normal voice "And don't we all for that matter? I learned an important lesson recently - more of a new tenet really - about how to carry one's faith and be representative of both yourself and the higher power..." only pausing to take another sip "Are you a spiritual person, Aldonza? May I call you that?..."
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"Hello."
A tall Chelish man lumbers onto a seat beneath the shade of the trees. He wears a light traveler's outfit, but is armed with a large falchion and war flail. The top half of his face is obscured by a stylized black winged mask, and his visible mouth and chin are wrinkled and scarred. Behind his black mask, his short black hair is showing significant signs of graying.
"Kromm von Lucius," he introduces himself, drinking a refreshing cupful of water and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "It is hot."
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”Why thank you!”, Aldonza replies to Tao with a wide grin. ”And that scarf looks smashing on you! A bargain at twice the price!”
She nods to Morosino, as she takes in the flood of Tao’s verbiage. ”I wouldn’t say spiritual”, she says. ”Faith is hard to come by, I find, though I do try to stay on Cayden’s good side. I can always use a bit of luck”
She can’t help but chuckle at the contrast between Tao’s introduction and Kromm’s. ”It certainly is at that!”, she confirms mirthfully.
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"A bit of radiant fortune may or may not be in store for you - as you know Lady Luck can be fickle in her mysterious ways - care I read your Horoscope? - naturally I'll need your date and location of birth so I can cross-reference them with the alignment of the heavenly bodies on the night your spirit joined us on the material plane - but of course I won't be offended if the subject is a personal taboo of sort - for me I can tend to be a very private person - you know this one time..." although that last sentiment you are unsure is entirely true, or at all really, the offer stands, as Tao explains about a time she wanted to withhold something from someone and how that turned out and how that related to various constellations at the time and what she learned from it...
...she motions to draw something from her satchel in the event the elf (?) gives her the affirmative while she elaborates...
...holding two conversations at once (!) she offers "Tao" and nods to the grey-speckled man "Pleasure to meet you Kromm von Lucius - may I call you Kromm? - and yes, tis a bit hot - I like to cover my head with a scarf to keep somewhat in the shade - I have an extra one I think if you need one, what color might you fancy... oh I know, maybe a midnight blue to match the fine metallic color of your handsome chainmail - let's see.... I have other colors too if that doesn't suit..." she names a few other colorful combinations in good taste while her other hand begins motioning to search her satchel now for a second item...
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As you sit outside in the garden of the Dancing Monkey, beneath the palms, you relax in the knowledge your Pathfinder companions will all soon be gathered.
A dark skinned hand suddenly appears in front of the sweaty Kromm, "Most honoured guest, did you say your name was Kromm von Lucius?" asks the voice belonging to the hand. Dressed in a white thwab, a long flowing robe, fastened with a thick grey cord, the hand holds out and envelope. "Please accept my masters invitation to his estate, if you would come tomorrow morning when the sun rises from the east. My master, Esmayl ibn Qaradi, will be ready to greet you with sweet meats and refreshments."
The servant tips his brow as he bows, handing the envelope to Kromm. He stands his full 6ft tall and looks across at the two women, smiling, showing his clean white teeth. "You you must be?..." His dark eyes look from one woman to the other, tentatively he half asks, half states, "You must be Aldonza Delamorte?. Most honourable lady, I have an envelope addressed to you, again extending my master's invitation." He repeats his obvious deference to Aldonza in the same way he does to all his master's visitors.
Then his eyes move to the lady with the bright scarf and his hand once more extends holding the third invitation. "May my master extend to you and your servant, most honourable lady Tao Heron, an invitation to his estate here in Katheer, the most esteemed capital of the great and wonderful Quadira. I hope you and your companions, are able to rest tonight under the cloudless skies lit by the myriad of constellations, in the generous hospitality of the Dancing Monkey."
He bows deeply and puts the remaining envelopes on the table, "When the others arrive, your Pathfinder companions, please offer them my apologies for not extending the hand of friendship from my master. I am called away on other business for my master, to ensure that tomorrow the finest refreshments are at your table." He smiles and backs away bowing, before turning suddenly and disappearing through the shaded passageways of the Quadiran houses.
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Another human woman steps to the side to allow the man to pass, before continuing on her way to join the other Pathfinders resting in the garden. Dropping her pack in the shade of a tree, she leans against it as she takes in the group in front of her, her arms crossed. Her dark brown hair, even cut short, is plastered to her head by the sweat from a heat that is so foreign to her.
She wears a vest that leaves her arms exposed to the elements, though the hood of a traveling cloak sticks out from her pack. Clearly its warmth is not needed here. Normally hidden from view are the numerous pockets, pouches, and vials hanging from her belt or the bandolier slung across her chest, full of medicinal tools. Also hanging from the belt is a finely crafted rapier, though, as she steps forward to extend a hand in greeting, she does not have the callouses of a warrior.
"I'm Erryn," she says, "pleased to finally meet all of you. Who was that?"
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A goblin approaches wearing a top hat and a cracked pair of spectacles. The spectacles are far too small to reach his ears and are tied to his head with string. His hat is likewise too small for his oversized cranium and it is a mystery how it manages to remain atop his head. A wayfinder dangles from a chain around his neck.
He is struggling to carry an immense jar of pickled eggs which he laboriously leverages onto a nearby tabletop before hopping into a too tall chair.
It takes several attempts to open the jar but with much cursing he manages to open it. He smiles a giant goblin grin as he reaches into the jar. He removes three eggs which he pops into his mouth while kicking his legs in delight.
It is at this point that he finally realizes that there are others present. His greeting is muffled by a mouthful of pickled egg.
"Oh dear. Please forgive my dreadful manners. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Hobbs Picklesmith. I am a practitioner of the esoteric disciplines. I suppose the banal among you would say I am a wizard."
He bows his head slightly and politely doffs his hat towards the ladies, solving the mystery of how his hat remains in place by revealing quick glimpse of a tiny hedgehog clinging to his gargantuan head.
He gestures towards his jar. "Pickled egg anyone?"
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Grabbing a pickled egg from the pickled egg jar, Tao crunches down on it "Erryn! can I call you, uh..." she loses her train briefly "I'm Tao" and shakes hands with upbeat vigor "Hold a second - are those puncture wounds?" she inspects the woman's arms with keen attention "All healed up now - looks like it hurt? You must be tough! Anyhow..." she grabs a letter from the table "Most honourable lady, I have an envelope addressed to you, again extending my master's invitation" imitating the man that delivered these but promptly left - straightening her posture to not-quite (or at all) 6-feet tall. The imitation continues:
"And you must be Hobbs Picklesmith? Most honourable sir, I have an envelope addressed to you, again extending my master's invitation" just as playfully, but suddenly-soon she sheds the vaneer as the goblin's string-tied spectacles come into her view, and quickly, unless he flinches, is immediately trying to solve the problem by pulling out her sewing kit and tearing a piece of her own garment - one of the older ones - to liberate a perfect strip which could serve as a substitute for an equal measure of string "May I?"
While Tao works - either divining Aldonza's Horoscope, or helping Kromm fit his new scarf, or double-checking Erryn's arm, or sewing Hobbs a new fastening strip, she looks forward to the summons "At dawn, we are to attend a feast - the last feast I went to had..." and off she goes telling a full story of every course that was served, what music they played, who she met, how she figured out who was related to who, how much she had to drink, and on and on...
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The next morning you all arise early and prepare yourselves for the day ahead, especially your meeting with the Venture-Captain. You walk through Katheer, but instead of squalor, your route takes you into a wealthy part of the city. The houses become mansions with great stone walls, then walking further on, you turn left to enter a palatial home.
You walk towards the entrance, staring along the 80ft long straight sand and gravel path to steps leading up to a 40ft high doorway into palace itself. The doors made of thick ornate wood, red and polished with large brass decor to open and close. As you get closer, a familiar face appears, that of the servant that delivered your invitations. He bows, "Welcome Pathfinders, please follow me." he turns his hand indicating the way through the doors to the red, white and yellow tiled floor.
Through the reception area, to the inner courtyard, where in front of you lies a long still and cool azure blue pool of water stretching 30ft with manicured paths and gardens on each side. Red lily like flowers sit atop deep dark green spear like foliage, reaching upwards towards the blue cloudless sky, with the sun rising from the east.
Reaching a cool terraced area, tables with white cloths are laid out with cold meats, cooked eggs of different sizes, crusty bronzed breads, fruits and fresh drinks available in decanters for drinking in delicate green coloured glasses. These foods from all around the Inner Seas, as though no expense has been spared.
Waiting by the spread, is a tall man, his attire is expensive, finely pressed, and immaculate. As each of you approaches, his manicured fingers and hand take each of you by the elbow, as he welcomes you individually to partake of breakfast, guiding you to the table of edible delights. "Welcome to my humble abode, please eat what you please before we discuss our business at hand, noble Pathfinders."
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"Just the one," Erryn says in response to Tao's question. "But it was certainly a memorable experience. Taught me not to neglect my martial training or equipment."
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Erryn, plainly unused to a welcome of this magnitude, hesitates. "Is this...normal?" she whispers to one of her fellow agents.
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Eyes full of ecstatic wonder walking through the district, Tao points out each interesting site she finds - which is everything! - chatting with (whoever is next to her) all the way to the palace, which, upon first seeing, causes her to drop her mouth open - and cease talking altogether (!) - in glorious stupefaction. The experience is already a little overwhelming!
Following the man, she gazes into the tiled floor, testing the groundworthiness with her feet, struggling to keep up with the pace of the brisk walk. And in the pool and gardens, her wonder grows exponentially, wishing she had a third eye and a second mouth to process the ever-increasing architectural splendor of her surroundings.
She unflinchingly grasps at the meats, eggs, bread, fruits - her eyes far outstretching her stomach - and gladly walking arm-in-arm on her left side and carrying her snacks in her right hand, mouth full, proceeds to follow instructions, relaxing so completely and surrenderously at the royal extravagance on display. She tries to meet everybody she sees about, eyeing the entire compound for opportunities to talk with it's people of all castes - servants, lords and ladies, her fellow pathfinders - everyone - gladly committing to what is perhaps the most luxurious experience of her life. She doesn't want to miss a single thing!
...Morosino, on the other hand, takes the opportunity to pocket the fancy silverware, stuffing all the food into his many pockets without eating a bite. When Tao catches wind, she quickly but warmly scolds him, making him return everything but the food, and apologize to anyone in the vicinity, which, he does so with great reluctance, but not an ounce of shame...
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As Tao goes into her impression, Aldonza gestures toward her. ”That’s who he was”, she explains to Erryn, returning the handshake. ”A pleasure”
She then eyes the proffered pickle jar. ” ‘Picklesmith’ “, she muses. ”Did you make these yourself? Are they magically delicious?”
"They are quite delicious but alas they are not my creation. I am merely sampling the local cuisine in search of new techniques. It seems that turmeric and saffron are utilized in the production of these delightful delicacies. It is a pity that saffron is so expensive. Perhaps I'll be able to synthesize a substitute."
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Hobbs' eyes grow wide at the sight of the breakfast feast laid out before him. He quickly grabs a plate and fills it to overflowing, trying his best to sample at least one of everything.
Erryn, plainly unused to a welcome of this magnitude, hesitates. "Is this...normal?" she whispers to one of her fellow agents.
"This is not at all normal. I advise you to take full advantage."
Hobbs sits and begins to eat. It is truly astonishing how much he is able to devour. He delightedly finishes first one plate then another, and another, occasionally slipping pieces of fruit under his hat. Once everyone else has eaten their fill he makes a fourth trip, gathering some smoked salmon, fried mushrooms and a quarter wheel of cheese and slips them into his pockets. He turns to his address his host.
"You don't mind if I take a bit for later do you? I might get a bit hungry before lunch."
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"You may call me Kromm," the man affirms to Tao. In contrast with his aged and rugged appearance, his voice is clear and comforting. He silently accepts the blue scarf from her, but refuses to be helped in wrapping it around his head. He also takes one pickled egg from Hobbs with little hesitation, popping the entire thing into his mouth and munching for a long minute for gulping it down.
"Delicious."
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Kromm follows the Venture-Captain around Katheer and into the mansion, all the while looking around at the exotic architecture and flora. He seats himself by one of the tables, hand firmly on his knees. After scanning the entire buffet and trying a bite of a few treats, he motions to Hobbs' pickled egg jar. Whether or not he receives his egg, he turns to the Venture-Captain.
"Humble," he echoes ibn Qaradi. "Pathfinders make enough for this?"
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Watching as the Pathfinders stare at his home and the spread laid out before them, he gives a slight nod of the head to Kromm, "Most gracious Kromm, there maybe some Pathfinders whose worth might buy such a palace, however..." Esmayl holds his chin in thought before replying. "I am not proud of my origins, but I once dealt in the resources needed for war between the satrap and the nation of Taldor. I am thankful those hostilities have ceased, for the most part. Since I have focused my endeavors in common trade, spices, salt and such. Let us say a more sociable merchandise." He smiles at Kromm.
After a short while satisfied that the Pathfinders have sated their appetites and are now ready for the day's task. He beckons for you all to sit, as he begins.
"It has been an honour to bring Pathfinders such as yourselves here to aid the Society. I hope you are satisfied with the food and are complete, I humbly thank you very much for coming. I have invited you here so you can help me settle an important matter on behalf of the Society as a whole. As you know, our lodge here in Katheer is the only location we have in the whole of Qadira. This is something I plan to rectify personally, so I have contributed a small fortune to purchasing a plot of land for another lodge, close to the slave port of Sedeq in the south.
“We’re having this conversation here due to my personal stake in the matter. As it happens, I’ve come across a problem that’s brought the sale to a complete halt. Two different merchant families, the Agarja and the Patari, have approached me with papers claiming they are the proper owners of this land. Both attest they are descendants of the original landowner, Prince Agar ibn Karatari. I was under the impression I was to deal only with the owner of his estate until these two families stepped forward. The process to complete the sale alone will take months, but thankfully, this is a problem that can be rectified.
“With your assistance, we can determine which family is the legitimate heir to the property. There are four documents we can use to authenticate the prince’s lineage, which I have tracked to the bazaars of Katheer."
The Venture Captain clicks his finger and a servant comes forward baring a scroll on a silver tray, the servant bows and offers the scroll to Kromm.
"Here is a list of the four merchants you’ll need to speak with. I would recover them myself, but I have another appointment I’m afraid I must keep. While you are in the bazaar, I will be discussing another matter with a fellow Pathfinder agent. I intend to use the new lodge as a safe house for the Society and our allies released from slavery, and I have intelligence which indicates some of our own could be moving through Sedeq from across the Inner Sea.
“If you’re able to recover these documents on my behalf, not only can we move ahead with saving our compatriots in chains, but we can establish further relations with the nation of Qadira and hopefully within Casmaron itself.”
Esmayl ibn Qaradi nods to the party, "I would gladly answer any questions that cloud your mind, with regards to the task ahead." his white teeth gleam as his smile widens, in the suns rays as it climbs higher in the sky.
I said don't look!
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You have heard speak of these families whilst in Katheer, one family trades in spices.
The Patari family has ties to central Qadira. As part of their cattle trade, they do business in very peculiar mammals with the geniekin of the Zho Mountains.
The Venture-Captain squeezes some fresh orange into a glass, it's juices, slide down his fingers before he opens his mouth to suck the juice from each digit in turn. "Hmmm.." he says as he rinses his fingers in a bowl of rose water, "Legitiamte claims you ask Erryn. A reasonable question. Both may have legitimate claims, they may have none, that's why I need you to do this for me. So let me tell you, the Agarja family deals in trading spices to and from other lands, and the Patari family farms cattle local to Qadira. I am eager to find out who truly owns the property we seek. "
"If that is all, I will pursue the other business and leave you to decide the first of these contacts in the Opulent Bazaar you will consult with." He bows his head, as the tips of his fingers touch his forehead, before he turns and leaves.
The servant returns, "When you are ready to leave, honourable guests, I will escort you to the gate."
It doesn't take you long, once you have left the Esmayl's estate, before you reach the Opulent Bazaar. The Opulent Bazaar of Katheer is magnificent. Qadira’s satrap, Xerbystes II, certainly spared no expense in the upkeep of the capital and is paying an even greater fortune in its expansion. In between merchants from nearby Casmaron and from all over Golarion attempting to hawk their wares. Colours abound, red, blue, orange and yellow silks hang down from stalls. The smell of spices and herbs hangs in the air, coriander, thyme and marjoram to name but a few. Carpets with intricate patterns are being sold, pots, pans, books all things seem to be available in the market, but where to start to look for the stalls, as you realise the immense size of this crammed and busy playground for vendors and buyers alike.
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Putting her charts away "Oh I have heard of the Agarja and Patari families - one of them trades in spices too I think - can't remember which!" as she smiles, her eyes focus on something in the sky! Tao rises here, and with a whistling sound, holds her finger up into the air, and lo, a Crow lands upon it, then immediately transforms into a black feather token, which she adorns to her head scarf.
As if this was a perfectly normal occurance, she retakes her seat naturally. "Where was I? Oh yes..." and shares just exactly how, through talking with other relations, she came upon this small knowledge, before veering to reassuring Esmayl ibn Qaradi that she and her friends are up to the task.
To Aldonza's concerns "I'm sure if we can tie the blossoming of new lodges to an expansion in their client bases, that might convince them to help us settle this family dispute?" looking to her host now "And with what proof we do manage to secure, generous and honorable Esmayl ibn Qaradi, would it be possible to sit down with both heads of families and negotiate mutual stakes in the new lodge? Or is the feud too deep to seek such amiable reconciliation?" if her question here is "taboo" or such, Tao doesn't seem to notice, but neither are her intentions anything but wanting to be helpful.
Adding "Where I come from, a feast and festivity such as this - though of perhaps much smaller size - would be an ideal place to mediate - if'n you could fit both families intp a giant circle!" she chuckles here at this joke which she suddenly realizes that she is perhaps the only one on the inside of!
"Satrop Esoterica sounds the most interesting to me - I am eager to see what no-doubt beautiful relics are for trade or sale - even if only to look!" the excitement in her voice unrestrained! "Aldonza - what do you think?"
-Satrop Esoterica - a collector of Qadiran antiquities in possession of Prince Agor’s memoirs
-Morning Sands - a priest of Sarenrae with knowledge of the Prince’s ties to the Dawflower
-The Four Dunes - cartographer with a map to confirm the boundaries of the Prince’s holdings
-Royal Concessions - a scribe specializing in patents of nobility
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Aldonza beams at Tao’s enthusiasm. ”It seems as good a place to start as any”, she replies. ”I wonder if those memoirs have anything juicy!”
She looks around for an experienced-looking seller or guard. ”A thousand pardons”, she says, ”but would you know where we can find an antiquarian called Satrap Esoterica?”
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As the hot sun rises in the skies, beating down on the market, Aldonza who is holding two slices of water melon, approaches a guard of the market, the sign of Sarenrae and Qadira's santrep Xerbystes II showing proudly on each side of his white tunic. He stands, a man of authority, a scimitar at his side, a man of the market. Offering the guard a piece, to sate his thirst, brings a smile and an outstretched hand.
"Stranger to these markets?" he states rather than asks. "I do indeed know the stall you speak of." he looks down as Aldonza reads the paper with the list of contacts, marking off Satrap Esoterica. The guard frowns before asking, "My friend, that paper, is it a list of stall you hope to visit? If it is may I ease you stay in the markets and inform you of the other stalls whereabouts?" Showing him the list the guard nods sagely, "You are best advised to visit them in order, for that will be the most efficient way to travel through the bazaar. Rather than confuse you with directions to each of the stalls now, I can tell you the way to the first stall and I am sure you will easily get directions to the next. If in doubt, ask a guard, say protector Ali Bin Delli asks them to assist you." He bows his head and you move on through the crowds, on your way, directly to Satrap Esoterica.
Making your way through the crowds that are gathering is a slow process, though the markets alleys and thoroughfares. Traders accosting you, seeing you look like visitors to Katheer, they try and sell you anything from paper smelling of lavender on which to write a love letter, to sturdy leather bridles for controlling your steeds. Until eventually you come across another purveyor of ancient tomes and scrolls, with the sign Satrap Esoterica.
A Garundi woman looks you over as you enter. She comes over to you, "My honorable friends, I am Anebu owner of the Satrap Esoterica. I have everything a traveller may want under the Qadiran sun .... and everything you need under the satrap’s starry skies. Tell me how may I help? she asks, as she pulls out a book of Qadiran geography, that has a picture of Katheer on it's cover, as she bows her head, whilst keeping an eye on you all.
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Thanking the kind guard, Tao follows Aldonza, trying to keep pace with the brisk walk, against her own instinct to stop at every stall to peruse it's merchandise and talk up it's merchants - indeed the extra attention for being a "visitor" is as so many experiences one to absolutely relish!
But they are on a mission, and now, on a clear path to tackle their "to do list" - arriving at the stall, she reenforces her colleague's question with what may end up being a point of negotiation - disguised as a question quite by accident.
"Did you hear that there may be a new lodge coming to Katheer? Isn't that exciting?!" she blurts, unable to to keep a secret if it were locked in a proverbial treasure chest!
-Satrop Esoterica - a collector of Qadiran antiquities in possession of Prince Agor’s memoirs
-Morning Sands - a priest of Sarenrae with knowledge of the Prince’s ties to the Dawflower
-The Four Dunes - cartographer with a map to confirm the boundaries of the Prince’s holdings
-Royal Concessions - a scribe specializing in patents of nobility
-If we lose our way, mention that "protector Ali Bin Delli asks them to assist you"...
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Hobbs steps up to the merchant and adjusts his spectacles.
"I'm sure you're a busy man Anebu so let's get right to the point. We're looking for documents regarding the descendants of Prince Agar ibn Karatari and it is our understanding that you are in possession of such. We are here to negotiate the purchase of said documents."
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Anebu straightens up as Hobbs calls her a man, she coughs loudly, "Hmm, if I may help, the humble woman that I am!" She smoothes down her colourful robe, trying hard to accentuate her curves. "I am glad you will make your new home in this great country, where we have a deep tradition and history." she continues, answering the strange exclamation of Tao. Before she she regains her composure ....
Anebu shows a wide grin of appreciation, her brown eyes sparkle as her vivid robes shimmer, her thoughts turn to profit. "Ahhh, foreign scholars! Why you have come to the best library of ancient tomes in the market. There seems to be great interest in Prince Agar ibm Karatari at present, unfortunately my prices must reflect that." She rubs her hands.
"I have good prices on that which you seek, excellent vale, many volumes, please follow." She takes you down between two rows of bookshelves, full of leather bound editions with yellowing paper, red bound books, hand written volumes... "See the history of Katheer we hold...." At the end of the shelf, you see Anebu point along two shelves of sturdy volumes. "These two shelves contain the stories you should consider." With a deceptive smile she continues, "I am sure you see, they are all genuine. I am sure you will find what you need here!"
She turns to leave you to peruse the volumes on the shelves, before she turns back and with a look says, "I'm here if you need me for anything?" She bows and leaves you.
You have determined the volume which contains what they need based on your knowledge of historical context and syntax. However not all of
the text is complete, or has the text been hidden by some means.
2hrs to find contacts.
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Engaging the merchant in discussion of her own "deep tradition and history" with a story of her first memory being allowed to "hold the reins" of the lead caravan's horses, Tao shares how it felt to be in the literal driver's seat "It must be nice to call a plot of land a permanent home!" she wonders aloud with Anebu. She turns her attention to the volumes.
After a beat confirming her suspicions with Hobbs, she chases the woman down a second time "My friend here sometimes mixes up the sexes - he didn't mean to offend I'm sure" trying to save the faux pas "Do you have the missing volume here? It seems to be incomplete - and yes, we are greatly interested!"
Tao's "negotiation" skill is not in cleverly denigrating the product so as to skew it's perceived value in her favor - rather, that in being honest and unconniving sometimes merchants simply taking a liking to her, and giving her a "more fair" price than other's with explicit skill at bargaining.
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Anebu straightens up as Hobbs calls her a man, she coughs loudly, "Hmm, if I may help, the humble woman that I am!" She smoothes down her colourful robe, trying hard to accentuate her curves. "I am glad you will make your new home in this great country, where we have a deep tradition and history." she continues, answering the strange exclamation of Tao. Before she she regains her composure ....
Hobbs leans in for a closer look.
"What's that? A woman you say? Are you certain?"
He removes his spectacles and gives them a thorough cleaning before replacing them and carefully observing the merchant once more.
"I suppose so. My apologies my dear. I seem to have a crack in my spectacles."
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After about an hour of searching the tomes on the shelf under the increasing hot sun, both Tao and Hobbs seem to have discovered the book you want.
The merchant woman, whose shape is still indistinct, speaks back to Tao as the Varisian woman draws her attention to the journal. "Ahh, I see you still have a lot to learn about our ways." she says, smiling with her eyes. "If this is indeed the volume you require, then I am sure you know how to find the missing words. It is good that you recognise the ways of the Princes of Katheer, it makes the volume even more valuable. I have interest on this and others like this from the wealthiest of Katheer, shall we say 500 gold pieces for the revelations in Prince Agar ibm Karatari's words."
Hobbs, tries to reveal the missing words through magic, but the book steadfastly refuse to give up it's secrets, although it contains no magic itself. He is left scratching the hedgehog under his hat, as he thinks.
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"I'm stumped" Tao doesn't give up here exactly, just calls upon her allies for any insight they might have.
"Aldonza - can you solve the riddle of the missing words?"
-Satrop Esoterica - a collector of Qadiran antiquities in possession of Prince Agor’s memoirs
-Morning Sands - a priest of Sarenrae with knowledge of the Prince’s ties to the Dawflower
-The Four Dunes - cartographer with a map to confirm the boundaries of the Prince’s holdings
-Royal Concessions - a scribe specializing in patents of nobility
-If we lose our way, mention that "protector Ali Bin Delli asks them to assist you"...
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Tao takes a breath, and focuses all her attention on this single journal, blocking out all other distractions by calling upon her Ancestors for guidance!
Her eyes go white, and she starts talking to herself in "old varisian" which is a dialect she doesn't actually know, but is moved by the spirit to speak in tongues, quizzing her grandmother's grandmother's grandmother - and those that came before them! - puzzling out their own cryptic answers by cross-examining them one by one...
...After a few moments, she comes to, and shares anything useful she divines with the party!
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Kromm watches, intrigued, as his teammates offer a slew of techniques to reveal the document's hidden text, the candlelight flickering off his mask as Aldonza uses a tongue of flame to uncover the invisible ink.
"Incredible."
”Isn’t it?”, Aldonza replies. ”So clever, those royals. Now, let’s see what really happened after his birthday gala...”
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Erryn and Kromm look on, watching blank gaps between pages and whole blank pages come to life as writing appears.
Intrigued by the words appearing under the heat given off by the candle, the group are interrupted by Tao who quickly exclaims "Grandma is going 'Tchhh..Tchhhh.. not like that', I think she wants you to heat the blade of a dagger with the candle, then use the blade above to heat the ink. That way we keep the wax from dripping accidently on the page." A puzzled look then comes over Tao's face.
Grandma tells you that there are 5 pages in the journal that pertain to her time spent as a prisoner of the slavers of the desert.
After several moments reading a few stories of political shenanigans, and an assignation between the Prince and a young woman servant, that would have been embarrassing for the Prince. Before you are able to read the hot and steamy bits of the relationship, the Prince's inner thoughts and desires, a large half-orc bumps into Kromm, "Apologies Sir." he says quickly before continuing through the crowds getting denser in the market. It does however jog the party's collective mind that there is another contact to be made, another item or information to collect.
Already 2 hours have passed and the sun will soon be at it's zenith in the blue cloudless sky, in the alleys where no-one steps, heat hazes rise above the dusty surface.
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Momentarily revealed, the tiny hedgehog squints in the light and waves at Anebu.
"Thank you. Goodbye."