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The Pathfinders find their way back to Corentyn, where you had previously worked with Zefiro Balinger. The group meets up with him again at the museum. The former courthouse rises above many of the other buildings within the High Quarter. The museum has endured the touch of time well, and it houses those artifacts from Coretyn's illustrious history that the Thrune regime has approved. Earlier, a courier sent by Ianareth Alazzrio - the new Chelish liasion to the Grand Lodge - informed the Pathfinders that Zefiro has a package for them provided by the Athenaeum archaeologists with details about a lost colony of Taldor uncovered in the Kharijite province - the next site in Cheliax the Pathfinders are authorized to explore!
Motes of dust float in the air as the midday sun shines through the skylights of the museum roof. Several scholars and students move about the bookshelves and display cases on the main floor and the balconies above, while some are hunched over tables piled with heavy tomes. Zefiro is in a discussion with a colleague when he notices the visitors.
"Ah, you have returned. Welcome!". He shakes hands with everyone. "Right, we have that package for you." Zefiro becokns to a student at a nearby table. "Run up and fetch the Athenaeum materials from my office." He turns back from the student, though he occasionally glances nervously at the people going about their work around him.
"The ruin you're about to investigate is certainly a major discovery, and it's sure to earn great prestige for my colleagues at Egorian's Athenaeum. A lost colony of ancient Taldor right within the Kharijite province would certainly give our beloved empire a strong claim to the region." Zefiro steps a little closer and lowers his voice. "I would be very interested to discuss your findings when you return, with a bit more privacy. Come see me here in the evening and we can have a talk in my office.".
Zefiro takes a step back as the student returns with the package. He hands it over to the Pathfinders. "If there's nothing else, I must get back to my duties."
Zefiro can answer a few quick questions if asked.
The Athenaeum package contains several items: an official document that authorizes its bearer to inspect the archaeological site, a map of the Kharijite province that has a route to Ibhir marker on it, and an archaeological report that details the discoveries made at the site.
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Yuzu listens with an armored ear, and ponders.
"Metal bright as the sun,
Pushed, guided, blessed into the shape
Of those who came before.
Days long past,
Rivers wash away the banks
But rush past solid foundations.
To find the boulders in the flow,
One does not know where shores did go;
History assembled thus
May help enlighten, or deceive us."
The Pathfinders wave goodbye to Zefiro and travel to the docks where Ianareth has arranged passage to Khari aboard one of the ships that the Chelish navy uses to patrol the Hespereth Strait. The sail to Khari is quite uneventful, and the crewmembers none too pleased about having to transport civilians aboard a military vessel - keep to themselves.
Upon arriving in Khari, the Chelish frigate cuts through the waves by the Arch of Aroden as sunrise paints the harbor of Khari red. Vessels from all around the Inner Sea are moored at the docks, waiting for their cargo to be unloaded or for new goods to be brought aboard. The city spreads around the bay, with sandstone buildings and twisting minarets marking its Rahadoumi origin now emblazoned with red-and-white banners of Cheliax.
Most of the inhabitants dress in a Garundi fashion of colorful robes and billowing blouses, but occasionally a regiment of Chelish soldiers or a Hellknight parts the crowd. Several open-air markets fill the city with clamor as merchants and patrons haggle loudly under many-colored stalls.
At one of the stalls, an exasperated man with an Osirian accent complains loudly, "It would be bad enough if it was just the damned dockworkers who take their time unloading my goods, but now I have to wait for those infernal bureaucrats to grant me a travel permit to even leave the city. I swear I'm about to lose my mind with the incompetence of these people!"
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Do I not know it, friend the elf says as he approaches the loudly complaining man, and then lowering his voice, Remember, their rules are the only things which keep them in line with themselves however. he grins.
My name is Andrelis, how fare you this day? What are you selling, and do you know a man who sells good horses? the casually peppers the man with innocent questions before asking more about Khari and the previous expedition...
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Gareleth listens on as Andrelis questions the vendor, and when it seems like maybe the man is not very forthcoming, Gareleth decides to step in, certain as he is that he is, in fact, the more charming brother.
"My good sir, I apologize if my brother was a bit too abrupt in his questioning. He gets so excited. Like a child on his birthday staring at presents. You know how it is, yes? You have siblings? Children? I have a young lad called Hallin. Fantastic young, strapping lad. I'm looking to buy a gift for him, actually, and certainly you must have something among your wares that would make a suitable gift for the young fellow. And of course, I'll throw in a little extra for your troubles," he says, flashing some coin and a smile to indicate some bribery is happening. "Oh, and if we might come back around to my brother's questions about that expedition, I must say, he has piqued my curiosity."
Andrelis knows a bit about the Kharijite. The people of Khari see themselves more as Chelish citizens than as Rahadoumi despite their ancestry. Lord-mayor Marisol Giovenci, a steadfast ally of the Thrune regime, rules Khari. Giovenci takes a harsh stance against anyone who would engage in smuggling and black-market deals. He (and Yuzu!) also know that Cheliax forcibly annexed the Kharijite province from Rahadoum during the Everwar, and Rahadoumi diplomats have been demanding that Cheliax return the region to its rightful owners ever since.
However, the group of Pathfinders stick out like a sore thumb. Andrelis is too direct in his questions and everyone seems to avoid him. Garaleth believes 'bribery' involves trading small trinkets for his son. Parrameleh asks around as well, but everyone seems to be avoiding him as well.
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Acquiring Travel Permits
Following the recent exposure of an extensive smuggling ring, Khari's government has tightened security on who can or cannot leave the city. Even the Pathfinder's official authorization to explore Ibhir is insufficient to get them past the gate guards. In order to leave, the Pathfinders must secure travel permits from the office of Magistrate Mavius Giovenci.
Scores of applicants hoping to procure official travel permits fill the bulky sandstone building, and clerks steadily work their way up and down the lines to identify each applicant and inquire about their business. Once a clerk confirms the Pathfinder's authorization from Athenaeum, she fetches a letter, lowers her voice, and tells them, "Magistrate Mavius Giovenci wants to handle this matter in person. This is an invitation to attend an evening function at his estate". She forces a smile and then turns her attention to the next group in line. Examining the letter, it requests the Pathfinders join the magistrate at sundown for a fancy meal.
Mavius is a cousin of the lord-mayor of Khari. The magistrate takes advantage of his station to enjoy all the pleasures the city has to offer, therefore his palanquin is a regular sight on the street as Mavius travels between the mansion and several high-end establishments and the opera.
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Tuck finds his way into a bar and buys some drinks to make some friends but an interesting local beer leads to an in-depth and slightly heated debate about cellar temperatures and tankard materials.
After a long discussion and more than a few drinks an apologetic Tuck leaves the bar with absolutely no relevant information.
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Yuzu shows the letter to the group, then sets off to whisper conspiratorially with the locals.
"Where is it that the Magistrate leans?
Is there a place he's often seen?"
"Why, always in a palanquin!
Or at the opera, he has been!"
"Is he favored, the Magistrate?
Is he loved, or is it hate?"
"His cousin, the mayor, thinks he's not great!
At dinners, last-filled is his plate!"
"What reason could there be for this?
For his cousin to boo and hiss?"
"A scandal! Business, or a kiss;
His reputation's an abyss!"
"What faux pas has he then committed?
Was he guilty, or acquitted?"
"Nothing yet, no glove has fitted;
But some foul bait, we know he bit it!"
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"What else can you tell me? Please tell me, I pray,
Is there anything else of this man you could say?"
"I happen to know, sure as fish swim the bays,
He consorts with the Aspis, for ill goods he pays!
Do you recall Tamrin, the halfling you met?
With snakes she associates, and proof we can get!
The evidence is strong, so before he can jet;
You can use it to pin him, and use him, I bet!"
Once everyone is ready, the group heads over to meet with the magistrate. The magistrate's mansion is of modest size, but well-maintained. Upon receiving the invitation, a halfling servant guides everyone through an iron gate with flowery designs onto a terrace overlooking the bay near the Arch of Aroden. A ring of sitting pillows and several water pipes furnish the terrace. At the end of the hall sits a handsome, dark-haired man with an easy smile, though years of indulgent living seem to haven taken their toll on his physique. The air is humid as thundering clouds gather far from shore.
Mavius beckons everyone to sit down, "My dear guests, please relax and enjoy yourselves. There are plenty of local delicacies, and the wine is quite exquisite. I'm sure you're eager to get down to business, yet there'll be time for that later."
As advertised, Mavius has provided a sumptuous feast, and he greedily partakes of the many delicacies.
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Yuzu step inside, bowing at the waist to the magistrate before taking a seat on one of the cushions.
Her garb is certainly expensive, and admittedly gorgeous, but she definitely looks more at home on a battlefield than entreating with those in power, and all she wears beneath her armor is a simple yoroi hitatare.
She also eats with refined poise; good etiquette, but no special concessions to impress the man, even if he voices special interest in stuffing a fox furry (in fact, she makes a point of eating especially little if so).
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Andrelis gladly takes a glass of wine, An excellent vintage, thank you Magistrate Mavius. Andrelis will sample sparingly of the foot, given his slight elven frame, but will thoroughly enjoy the wine offered.
Tell us more of this wonderful place, so many unexpected surprises and overall quite a lovely city here! the elf compliments the man.
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Gareleth's attire is, as always, an strangely intriguing and mismatched ensemble of odds and ends from across Golarion.
"Lovely home you have here," Gareleth says, looking around. "Do you have children? I have one. A fine, strapping young lad called Hallin. He's bound to be a valiant warrior, just like his papa. His mother, Pharasma rest her soul, would have been quite pleased to see him grow up to show such life an vigor. She was quite spunky. Full of life. Of fire. Of course, I have to move on, for Hallin's sake. I'm seeing a gal called Susan now. Not sure where it's going, but you know, gotta get yourself back out there at some point. Ooo, milk! I'd love some of that," he says, completely avoiding drinking anything stronger or other than milk. In terms of eating, he goes immediately for the sweets and continues his banter and oversharing around mouthfuls as he goes.
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If there is time before the dinner Tuck will go out and get himself a nicer suit of clothes. Not a courtiers outfit and without jewellery but something nicer than his usual shirt and breaches.
Tuck quickly tucks into the food with gusto. He has a hearty appetite and while he usually moderates himself he sees the joy that the magistrate takes from overeating and so he goes all out. However the food is a little richer than he is used to and so he does find his belly a little shaky.
The room is often filled with the sound of his booming laugh and he converses with all with his typical good natured cheer.
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The halfling servant returns with another guest, a tall half-orc in clothes suited for the desert wearing a strange holy symbol around his neck.
"1,000 pardons for my delayed arrival but the captain of the ship tried to sail against the wind - may his chickens grow lips! I am Kaseem ibn al Majid and it's an honor to meet you."
Kaseem bows graciously to their host and nods to his fellow companions.
The half-orc Kaseem joins the others at the dinner party. Perhaps they have ran across each other at the Grand Lodge or perhaps they've never met before, but all enjoy the dinner.
Once the bulk of the meal is done, Mavius cheerfully seeks other amusement. The magistrate orders a servant to bring out an ornate board with several dozen ivory pieces, "Would anyone care for a friendly game of Siege - unless one of you can entertain us with some Chelish opera? Hah!"
The halfling servant returns with another guest, a tall half-orc in clothes suited for the desert wearing a strange holy symbol around his neck.
"1,000 pardons for my delayed arrival but the captain of the ship tried to sail against the wind - may his chickens grow lips! I am Kaseem ibn al Majid and it's an honor to meet you."
Kaseem bows graciously to their host and nods to his fellow companions.
"A pleasure to meet you, we're happily met!
A rooster with lips would be quite a strange pet.My name is Yuzu, allow me to repeat:
It's a pleasure to meet you, Kaseem ibn al Majid!"
Andrelis sits down with Mavius for a game of Siege.
"Aha, you look like you're good." The magistrates lets out a drunken laugh. "Show me what you've got!". As the game progresses, everyone watches over. Andrelis is good! Too good in fact. Mavius turns from his relaxed, jovial self to frustration. He stoops over the game board, starting to sweat and concentrate. From the looks of it, Andrelis might win.
But then, Mavius takes one of Andrelis's pieces. "AHA! Check mate! I win!". Mavius chuckles. Andrelis looks at the board. Not a check mate, but very close. There is one legal move left for Andrlelis. If he does it, Andrelis wins the game.