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In the nation of Qadira, Esmayl ibn Qaradi calls for Pathfinders to assist in what should be a simple genealogy verification. Multiple parties are heavily invested in the results that might be revealed by this family tree, however, and things won't be as simple as sifting through some old family records. As thieves and nobles vie to control history itself, the PCs will need to fend off violence and deceptions as they follow the branches of an ancient family tree.
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Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi invites you all to his personal estate in Qadira’s capital of Katheer. Signs of wealth abound; fine cloth awnings hang over an impressive spread of food and drink, with fruits, meats, and grains from across the Inner Sea. Esmayl’s attire is expensive, finely pressed, and immaculate. When the PCs arrive, the venturecaptain clasps the arm of each of you at the elbow one by one (waiting a moment to watch for any social cues that might indicate the physical contact is unwelcome) and invites them to enjoy the refreshments.
"Please make yourself at home. I know you all only by your dossiers, but would you mind introducing yourselves to myself and your fellow Pathfinders?"
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The small brass colored kobold before him stares wide-eyed in shock.
"If you haven't heard of my greatness then that is I must remedy that immediately."
They draw out a ten foot tall wooden bo staff tipped with the top portion painted yellow and covered with orange and red streamers to give the illusion of it being constantly topped with a fire blowing in the wind.
Then a beat passes... "...Okay okay, I am merely training to be the greatest the gladiator there ever was, but I have unfortunately yet to win my first fight in the ring so I am training here with you Pathfinders until I am ready to make my proper debut. But I assure you I can be very tough, loud, and scary!"
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Looking around, it overwhelms Selena to see the extravagance of the estate of the Venture-Captain. The scene is more than she was used to from her former master. Upon touching her elbow by Esmayl, she is surprised but does not react, trying to be a respectful guest. She thinks it is perhaps a normal cultural thing to do to guests, whatsoever.
"Well, uhmm, I am Selena. It is nice to meet you, good sir." she introduces herself awkwardly, trying to not make eye contact.
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A short green goblin with beady red eyes sits quietly in the corner happily munching on a pickle. He notices the other Pathfinders file in and absently drops the pickle back into his pickle jar and stands up to greet them, his hand a bit sticky from pickle juice.
"Hello. I's called Lokoloko. Are you the ovver Paffinders I's suppose to meets for this mission?"
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A Dwarven sized suit of full plate makes its way into the extravagantly appointed room, the helmet pauses briefly on the spread of food, a rumbling echo escaping the breastplate. The visor is quickly flipped open, revealing a younger looking Dwarf in fine physical condition. He removes his right gauntlet and gives a firm handshake.
"Kernal Klank, at your service Venture Captain. You've got a fine place here, and quite the lunch spread out before us." He tries not to grimace listening to the kobold's overly grandiose introduction. "We hope we can help with your investigation."
He puts his gauntlet back on to avoid the sticky fingers of the goblin, shaking hands with everyone else that he probably should have known already from the trip here. Did this guy really splurge for our own ships and carriages here? I should set up a shop here, everyone could use a crowbar or two right?
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A bronze, bald-pated half-elf has been here all along, picking through the foodstuffs with gusto, clearly pleased to be here. He mumbles to himself as he loads a bit of flatbread with ground chickpeas. Oh, so very glad to be in warmer climes!
Greetings! he says, spraying a bit of masticated food on the floor. He quickly steps forward onto it to cover it up as he swallows his mouthful. Hampton Candlewood, at your service.
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"Welcome all of you to my home, and thank you very much for coming. I have invited you here so you can help me settle an important matter on behalf of the Pathfinder 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. 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.”
He hands you a note with several locations in the Bazaar that you can check out. He then waits for your questions.
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Klank takes his turn looking over the documents. For a simple blacksmith he has a good eye for things like contracts and details "Looking at each of these contacts, do any carry more weight for your burden of proof? What if we simply can't convince someone to help your cause and we're only able to secure 2 or 3 necessary documents?"
He starts to hand them to Loko but thinks better of it, selecting Selena instead. Paper, words and fire.. best not to provoke that one.
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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 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.
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Kernal nods at the VC's response "Then we will do our best to acquire them."
As the group banters with the possibilities Klank readies his armor and shield in case a fight breaks out. Making sure all the straps are properly secured and the shield face, adorned with the hammer and anvil of Torag, are properly shined up. A well crafted warhammer hangs off his belt in easy reach.
"Have you seen any signs of fighting between these other families that could suggest they would get involved physically in this project?" Not so subtly referring to a fight breaking out.
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"Not any more than the usual, Kernal. Politics being what they are, anything is possible."
Tarkii and Selena are able to to determine the location of the Satrap Esoterica after 2 hours. When you make it to the shop, you are met by the storekeep, Anebu, a Garundi woman, wearing a rather eclectic assortment of clothing and jewely. "How can I help you?" she asks.
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Klank keeps his position at the front door for the entirety of the visit. One has a hard time telling if he's having stomach problems or is keeping watch.
He quickly helps relieve Lokoloko of the book, to keep more hands free for pickle consumption of course "Thank you Lokoloko, you're very good at what you do."
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The sun seems to shine more brightly upon the sign of the Morning Sands. Perhaps divinely so, as this quaint shop serves as an antechamber to one of the many churches of Sarenrae in Katheer. The Vudrani priestess
Zarida greets you as you enter. "Good day, friends. What may this humble servant of the Dawnflower do for you today?"
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Turning to Kernal Klank, Lokoloko grins at him. "Yous not bad too. Pickle?"
"You haven't seen what I can do yet. I hope to keep you and the others safe and sound." He politely declines the partially eaten pickle.
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Klank offers a hearty handshake "Good morning. We're here to learn more about Prince Agar ibn Karatari. We've heard the Prince had ties to the Dawnflower?"