The adventure begins as the Pathfinders arrive in front outside the new lodge on the outskirts of Sedeq in Qadira. Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin from the Grand Lodge in Absalom asked them to discover what happened to the other Pathfinders. They received a letter detailing their mission:
Field agents,
After the defeat of Corvius Vayn, a cruel genie binder, the Society was granted permission to open a new lodge in Sedeq. A group of Pathfinders was sent to prepare the new lodge for opening but has disappeared without a trace. All we know is the building stands abandoned. I am sending you to discover the reason for this unusual silence.
The lodge is an important step toward expanding the Society’s presence in Qadira. Much work has gone into securing this unprecedented opportunity for the Society — we hope a lodge in Sedeq might allow us to oppose Qadira’s ongoing practice of genie binding more directly. The fate of all those bound to serve cruel aristocrats and genie binders in Sedeq may depend on your success, as the government has threatened to shut down our lodge if it remains abandoned.
Go to the lodge, discover the fate of your colleagues, and rescue them if necessary. Hopefully, you can find them in time so they can prepare for the lodge’s upcoming grand opening. I eagerly await your report.
—Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin, Grand Lodge of Absalom
The imposing lodge stands, quiet and forgotten, at the end of a narrow road. The gardens surrounding it are choked by weeds, and the impressive fountains have long dried up. A cobblestone path leading to the entrance is barely visible through tall grass growing in the cracks in the path.
A massive brass door stands partially open, its hinges unable to hold the weight of the metal.
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A young human woman with long, dark-blonde hair approaches the lodge. Her blue eyes have an unfocused look, as if she’s looking past (through?) everything. She wears a simple brown dress with a black hooded cloak. A red and black spider is perched on her head. Another spider, halfling-sized, brown with a silver chevron on its thorax, walks beside her.
”So cozy”, she breathes. ”Lots of quiet corners to curl up in. Such a comfy nest”
She curtsies to the others. ”Flory Buntzer”, she adds. ”These are my cohort, Lady Gwendolyn and Sir Miles” The two spiders bow.
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Another young woman with blond hair approaches the lodge. Although she appears calm, her eyes dart about, as if evaluating every small movement. She is slender and dressed in leathers and she also appears to blend into the shadows.
"Shayla Quickfingers" she says brightly, as if unconcerned about what goes on around her.
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"Princess Clover," says a doll. She wears a breastplate over her green dress, and has a warhammer and a cracked hand mirror at her belt. Compared to the humans she's rather short, though as dolls go she's actually extremely large at a bit over three feet tall.
Pointing at a crown built into her wooden head and poking out through her hair she adds, "I was built to be a mascot, so the 'princess' bit is part of a theme. It's my name not a title. I'm sure you can guess I'm not actually a princess, but be reassured that I know that too. Just 'Clover' is fine."
If anyone is curious about what a poppet is or how she came to be, Clover will gladly elaborate more than anyone could want her to , but she restrains herself unless asked.
Seeing the dilapidated lodge, she hesitates. "Isn't this place supposed to be new? Are we at the wrong building... ? No, there's a reason the first team went missing, too; this has to be magic."
Drawing her weapon warily, Clover begins analyzing the building for any of the telltale signs of a curse.
Exploring from the outside of the lodge, they can see through the dust-caked windows that the rooms are filled with formerly elegant furniture, now decaying. A thick, undisturbed layer of dust covers everything, giving the rooms a muted appearance.
Clover observed within the building that a peculiar occurrence was taking place—despite all the windows being closed, certain curtains were being swayed by the wind. It may be necessary to investigate the situation further.
As the party cautiously enters the lodge...
“Do not enter as uninvited guests, lest I must assume you are thieves or scoundrels.”
Strong winds coalesce in the form of an elegantly dressed djinni wearing multicolored silks. Their azure skin is draped with jewelry of gold and bright lapis lazuli that jingles briefly as the winds dissipate. Along the djinni’s arms, the thin gold jewelry is elegant, but its purpose is clear: these are chains of gold, but chains, nonetheless.
“I am Safa, and I bring you a chance to save those who came before you and reclaim your lodge.” Safa extends their hand to create a translucent orb. Six figures sleeping on comfortable pillows are visible within.
“He who has bound me demands you complete three tasks in exchange for your friends. Fail, and your friends shall share my fate, becoming bound to the one who commands me,” they say, joylessly, before dismissing the orb. “First, he wishes you to bring ruin to his rival: Azam ibn Bashemi, a historian seeking patronage from the illustrious Avisha al-Isman of the Satrapian Guard. Sabotage his feast in the nearby parks, and replace his gift for Avisha with this trinket, and his humiliation is assured—but try not to draw attention to yourselves.” The djinni reveals a small toy soldier.
“Second, he demands you acquire a brass stopper, a silver chain, and a cold iron container from the Overmarket. He asked me to ensure you acquire these objects, so acquire them you must.” They pause with a cunning smile. “What you do with them once you acquire them is not my concern, but I urge you to seek Raha Shul so that the purpose of these objects may become clear and you can make the right choice.”
Safa creates a small glass orb filled with moving smoke resembling a brewing storm. “This valuable bauble may help you in your trades, but a kind heart or a sharp wit may help you more."
“Lastly, he demands that you punish the hobgoblins of the Iron Ring for defying his will. Slay Tadrun, the captain of the Swift Huntress.” Safa pauses, and lowers their voice to a whisper, which somehow is as clear in the mind as their normal voice is in the air. “There are those on board the ship I hope you can free from imprisonment. Find Zoha, an undine walking in Sarenrae’s light, and ask for his help to board the ship, which is undergoing repairs. Free the ship’s captives, and prove that the Pathfinder Society has sympathy for those sharing my fate. Then — once they are free — burn the ship.”
Safa speaks once more in their normal voice. “It is just after sunrise now. You have until sundown to complete these tasks in whatever order you choose. Then return to the lodge. I am sure you have questions, and I shall try to answer.” The djinni whispers once more, “After all, I am on your side.”
"I cannot reveal his identity to you, or act directly against him. So yeah, mum's the word. But I can say that I am a djinni bound to serve a cruel genie binder." Safa responds to Flory with a wink.
"Yup..." Safa nods. "Of course, I won't allow that, but don't worry, they are safe. They are in my domain actually, unaware of the passage of time. I have done them no harm, mind you, and I intend to free them once the tasks are complete." they assure them. "Sun's rising, might as well start with the tasks." they remind them, if they have no questions.
"Azam ibn Bashemi? He is a Qadiran traditionalist of the worst sort—one who espouses imperialism and subjugation of others. Even though it furthers my binder’s agenda, I’ll take satisfaction in you bringing humiliation to Azam. Just try not to let the blame fall on you!” they warn them. "Avisha al-Ishman is the officer of the Satrapian Guard, and she takes the business of being a soldier quite seriously, you see. Azam is trying to make an impression on her."
"Why you ask?" the genie replies at the poppet. "Are you bound like me as well?" they just shake their head, leaving the question unanswered.
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As the group arrives at the Overmarket, they can see that the round plaza of the Overmarket is crowded but well kept. Long, curved stalls surround an imposing fountain in the middle of the market. On the eastern side of the plaza, an empty wooden auction platform stands as a grim reminder of the cruel practices that continue in the city. Sitting cross‑legged nearby, a young girl displays a handmade sign proudly stating,
"You lot looks new here, might need a tour guide, just for two coppers." a young girl approaches the group with a wide grin.
"We might as well need a guide." a female barbarian reveals herself behind the others. "Sorry, I'm late. Good thing I caught wind of your next whereabouts when I did not find you in the lodge." she explains. "Amiri, by the way. I am sent as part of this mission."
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"We might as well need a guide." a female barbarian reveals herself behind the others. "Sorry, I'm late. Good thing I caught wind of your next whereabouts when I did not find you in the lodge." she explains. "Amiri, by the way. I am sent as part of this mission."
”Just in time”, Flory replies. ”We’re on an important shopping mission”
She turns to Melika. ”We’re looking for a weaver of metals. Good, sturdy crafts. Can you take us there?”
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Clover nods at Amiri. "I'm glad to see you, as I fear we may have need of another warrior."
"Just two copper? Well..." Clover pays the coins. "We do have a few items we're looking for, and a person--a shopkeeper, I suppose? Do you think you can point us in the right directions?"
She's normally better with children--she was literally made for it--but has some concerns with this whole situation and wants to see what comes of it, first.
Melika happily receives the coins and motions to them to follow her. She then retrieves a set of paper and gives each to them. It is an advertisement of locations of things people might be looking for in the Overmarket:
Searching for the greatest treasures? Visit the Overmarket and be ready to weep with joy at the incredible prices!
Jalal’s Books: Spellbinding stories and bookbinding of the finest quality.
First World Metalworks by Ary: Visiting her stall is just like stepping through a portal to the world of the fey.
Firrah’s Expeditions: Purveyor of fine goods and silks. Here only for a limited time!
Glittering Prisms: Metals, gems, and glassware by the talented Elyon.
Drawn to Scale: For all your mapmaking needs, ask Basu.
Tinctures and Tonics: A craft almost as old as Lissom himself!
Dreams of Prada Hanam: Seek wisdom and potions from Raha Shul, the astounding arcanist.
"If you are looking for metals, then you are looking for Elyon in Glittering Prisms." she tells them. "Come, follow me..."
She leads them among different stalls in the Overmarket. "Elyon is kindly weird lately. He is like having colds and chills but I never asked what is happening to him. He has been like that for a few days. Weird."
Upon their arrival, they find that the thin stall is covered with elegant crystal creations. The glow of an everburning torch creates multicolored beams as the warm light bounces off beautiful earrings, delicate figurines, and thin vials. Topping an elegant decanter, a brass stopper stands out like a setting sun atop a crystal waterfall. Sitting on the left side of the stall, a shivering elf covered in a heavy robe looks up and smiles.
“Welcome to the G-g-glittering Prisms,” he says, his teeth chattering as he rubs his blue-tinged fingers together.
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"...I think this paper alone is worth two coppers. You should charge more."
Clover looks about the place and spots the stopper. "This carafe catches my eye," she says, "though not really the carafe itself. I don't suppose you could be convinced to part with just the stopper? The way it shines in the light--it certainly stands out against the crystal. Such a brilliant idea, using the brass instead of more crystal!"
While she's saying it, though, she also looks the merchant over. Melika said he'd been like this for a while--is it a curse?
Elyon's face turns red despite his bluish hue. "We-well, isn't it be-beautiful? I am glad to know that you like it better as as t-that." he still feels cold with the warm compliment.
"It's been cold la-lately..." he tells Flory. He then turns to Shayla, her cheerfulness is indeed infectious. "I-I actually am not t-trading it... the set itself is an exquisite craftmanship..." but he pauses and considers, "nah, su-sure, if if it is exquisite as it is, I should have already sold it to anyone. You need the b-brass stopper? You can have it. Maybe it really does not go well with the glass." he reaches for the brass stopper on top of the elegant decanter which almost falls because of the height it is on. Thankfully, Dennis is quick to help and catch the glass decanter. "He-here, you can have it." he gives the brass stopper to Shayla. "Do-do you have anything else looking for?"
"Thank you so much, we are actually all set," Amiri responds quickly and turns around to push the others out of the stall. But she gets back to ask one more thing before they leave. "Do you happen to also have a silver chain? Hehe." she gives Elyon an awkward grin.
"Nah, I do not have silver chains for sale. But ma-maybe you can ask Jalal, I see him wearing one, ma-maybe he has a spare or something." he answers Amiri. "Oy, Melika, why don't you guide them to Jalal over his stall?" he tells Melika.
Melika motions them to leave the stall and follows her to Jalal's. As they walk, she talks to Princess. "Thanks, but I am kinda new here so I need to start small, and I am trying to teach myself guiding people around here." she admits. "Anyway, here we are. This is his stall. He likes to stories, I tell you, more on about family, he is sentimental on them." she shares. "He also likes to help others if he thinks it is for a good cause, or so I heard."
A long, curved stall is nestled snugly next to a large fountain where children play. Books of different sizes cover every surface, leaving just a little space for a simple wooden box displaying metal bookmarks. Within the stall, a Keleshite man hums happily. Streaks of silver in his well-groomed beard mirror a silver chain with the symbol of Sarenrae clasped around his neck. Suddenly aware of customers, he smiles warmly.
“Ah, travelers! Thanks to Melika, I got customers! You won’t find better stories in all of Qadira! How can Jalal assist you?”
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"Sir!" says Clover, approaching the counter and curtsying, "We seek a silver chain, and were told you might know where we can look. But as for stories! I am Princess Clover, the living doll and mascot of Carver's Wonderplace, the finest toy shop you've ever seen. I was the host of story time for many years, and that was before I woke up to begin my quest to avenge Mr. Carter's brutal death, and to become a hunter of monsters so that none may share his fate. Do you prefer the children's tales I learned sitting with the children, or the true stories of horrible monsters I've written myself?"
Thanks to Flory and Princess Clover, they easily gets Jalal' attention. The bearded merchant listens intently to their tales, one with their encounter who is getting cold even in a hot summer, those he is on his toes for the story on a cliff hanger, while the second is the story of a princess doll who awakened to avenge and is inclined to listen on her stories of horrible monsters. To not easily forget them, he scribbles them on his journal as they narrate.
"Ha! Lovely stories. But you leave me hanging in yours" Jalal says to Flory. "I better ask Elyon to listen to him first-hand." he is excited, as they can see.
"Since you have added more tales to my collection, and you are looking for a silver chain, why not I offer this to you instead in exchange?" he tells them while removing the silver chain around his neck. "This is actually a gift from my grandmother. May she forgive me for this, but at least I have tales to tell since I learned to love stories from her." he then passes the silver chain to Princess Clover.
Melika continues to guide when she learns from Amiri that you are looking for the iron carafe. Their guide points them to First World Metalworks by Ary. "I think she has what you need. Ary is a gnome and loves the First World, but I heard she is raised in one of the orphanages of Sedeq, and I doubt she knows anythign about the First World." she shares to them.
Upon their arrival to the stall, metal creations ranging from refined silverware to sturdy iron pokers rest on shelves and hooks along the back wall of this tiny shop, all decorated with intricate patterns. Behind the counter, a gnome with strong arms and a mane of untamed, deep-green hair absentmindedly inspects a leaf‑shaped earring, visibly dissatisfied with the result. She looks at a tall iron carafe displayed prominently on a small, raised shelf and sighs.
As she turns around, her face lights up with a wide, welcoming smile. “Welcome to First World Metalworks. I imagine it, you buy it!”
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Clover gently touches the carafe. "I think this might be the exact thing we're looking for," She says with a friendly smile, "But did you say 'First World'? I'm surprised to find this in a shop with that name. Cold iron resists magic, you know, to the point that is dangerous to the touch for some innately magical beings." The poppet holds up her uninjured hand. "Not all of us, clearly, but I'm not of the First World. To then, it's notoriously dangerous."
Dealing with the Ary is an easy task for Flory. "Wow! Thank you much for this handkerchief! This really matches my outfit. And look at that letter A." The gnome is on cloud nine. "What do you want in exchange?"
Ary then gasps as Princess Clover mentions dangerous and First World, as if she thinks those must not go in a sentence. "I didn't know that! Please, take it, I don't want it anymore. It is actually a commission by a wealthy patron by knowing that it is dangerous, I'll just deal with the patron with that matter, just take it away from me." Ary let's Clover take the iron carafe by herself. "In exchange for the handkerchief, I hope you don't mind giving you that iron carafe instead."
"That would be a lovely offer! Our friend here will be more than happy to take it." Amiri snatches the iron carafe and gives it to Flory. "Right, you like it, right?" she adds, glaring at her to close the exchange deal.
Turning back to the gnome, "Thank you so much, we have everything we need. We are going now." she tells to the gnome and encourages the others to leave the stall altogether.
"So what now?" Amiri asks. "To Raha Shul then? Maybe she knows what to do with them." she suggests and asks Melika to guide to where Raha Shul is.
"Sure, sure." Melika responds and kindly leads them to Raha's stsll.
This colorful stall is filled with pendants, potions, and the sweet scent of innumerable spices. Behind the counter, a dignified woman dressed in elegant Jalmeri fashion smiles and holds out her hands in a welcoming gesture. “I am Raha Shul, purveyor of mystic gifts for the wise. Or perhaps you seek a cure to what ails you?” she says with a small bow.
"Hmm... Let me see what you have." Raha Shul looks at what they have. She then Flory and the others accusing looks. "It is surprising that you have these but don't know what they are for." she tells them with a smile. "These items, young lady, are not valuable by themselves but can be used together to create a prison for genies. Such a bottle allows even the untrained to trap a genie, but making the binding permanent requires expending considerable additional resources—and no small amount of willpower — to create a powerful genie seal. Without it, the bottle is just a snare for unaware genies, who tend to seek quick vengeance against the would-be prankster who tricked them."
"Why do you have them, may I ask? Are you intending to trap a genie?" she grins. "Things like that falling into the wrong hands make them very dangerous." she warns them. She thinks and offers a proposition. "Why don't you give them to me to keep them safe, and I give you something in return." she looks around her stall and draws some items. "How about some useful alchemical items? I'll keep those dangerous items you have so they will no more circulate in the market. What do you think?"
You all notice the greedy spark twinkling in Raha’s eyes and you think she might actually sell the items for a much higher price elsewhere.
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"Ah, no need. They're for a client, but we were warned we may want to ask a knowledgeable person like yourself what the purpose could be, which was ominously cryptic. Perhaps we should have done that first--but no, gathering the items was too easy. We must simply ensure that they are never used together. For our client's safety of course. That's easy enough."
Clover taps on her warhammer and winks, although she also has other ideas...
The greedy smile on Raha's face seem to fade but she tries to not make it obvious. "Is that so. That would be a good idea." she tells them.
“Second, he demands you acquire a brass stopper, a silver chain, and a cold iron container from the Overmarket. He asked me to ensure you acquire these objects, so acquire them you must.” They pause with a cunning smile. “What you do with them once you acquire them is not my concern, but I urge you to seek Raha Shul so that the purpose of these objects may become clear and you can make the right choice.”
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Melika bids goodbye after you have obtained what you needed and she hopes you will ask for her service in the future. Or advertise her services if it is alright with you. After you leave the Overmarket, you overheard that Azam ibn Bashemi is hosting a daylong public feast not far from your current location, to a public park that is easy to spot, with the considerable crowd amassing around tall and wide tents. Music and laughter fill the air, accompanied by excited chatter about the upcoming performances.
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"Safa's hint suggests to me that the binder forced them to force us to gather these items," Clover says once the party is away from Raha, "but failed to specify that we must hand them over. The obvious intent would usually be enough when giving instructions, but if you magically bind someone to obey your orders you really do need to be specific.
[b]"I suspect that Safa's hope was that we do literally anything else, though something seemed off about Shul to me."
She sets the carafe on its side and raises her warhammer. "Instead, propose that I dent this into a less useful shape. I'd like to hang on the chain, though I intend to break it. A broken chain that was intended to bind a prisoner is a powerful symbol, and I, uh, have a talent for invoking symbols. If we want to be extra thorough, we can toss the stopper into the sea since we'll need to go there later. We could try to return the items, but the shopkeepers might find that very strange since we just asked for them--and Ary probably won't take hers back anyway."
While they discuss what they will do with the items they recovered, they reach the heart of the festivities. In the middle of a sprawling public park, colorful tents surround a wide area filled with expensive pillows. A middle-aged Qadiran man with jet-black hair smiles widely as he raises his hands, and the crowd’s murmur ends.
“Friends, I trust you have enjoyed the day’s festivities thus far! What a feast we have in store for you yet! I, Azam, am not one to boast, but the marvels you will see pale only to those created by Sulesh the Great and his army of genies,” the man says. [b]“Our past is filled with stories that speak of our might and bravery. But where has that might gone? Who trembles at the sound of Qadiran steps approaching their borders? Too long we have been complacent.” He sighs, shaking his head as he retrieves a small stone from his elegant robe.
“But now is the time for celebration and marvel,” his voice again loud and boisterous. Azam claps his hands, and the barren soil twists and shifts until water rushes in to create a perfect oasis between the tall palm trees.
Azam speaks one last time before sitting on a large pillow. “Delight in the festivities. Endless refreshments and wonderful performances are yours to enjoy as we await the arrival of the illustrious Avisha al-Isman, who shall honor us with her presence soon. I hope she finds my gift to be a worthy symbol of her great accomplishments,” Azam says, patting a small ornate chest sitting on a pillow next to him. “And if you are of keen intellect and refined taste, sit with me for a traditional rendition of the great epic, The Tale of Al‑Yazan the Wanderer, so that we shall remember the history of the empire as we hope for its future.”
Mingling with the crowd, Clover learns that Azam’s outspoken approval of slavery and war has become a growing embarrassment amongst higher circles; his attachment to the past is seen as an implicit condemnation of the present. People in the crowd heard Azam boast about the beautiful gift that is sure to change Avisha’s mind about his devotion to the satrapy and the empire.
“Safa said you might be sympathetic to my situation.”
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"I am increasingly comfortable with the idea of disruption," Clover mutters to herself on hearing the rumors. And then she learns the performers aren't even here by choice!
"You know, I just met someone in a similar situation," she mentions off-handedly to Abina, "who's been making a very nice show of 'malicious compliance.' Now I think if you make a fair deal you ought to honor the clear intent--but if someone is trying to manipulate or coerce you, it's only fair to take every advantage right back. Does your contract require you to perform well?"
Amiri helps the ice mephit to be freed. But she is having a hard time freeing the creature.