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Diazepane holds up a finger as the courier tries to interrupt his reading of Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Amoralität (in the original Infernal, of course). He cuts off the impatient courier twice, over the next 10 minutes, before finishing the sentence he was reading, and turning his attention to whatever banality is contained in the missive.
Then, he sighs, and reshelves his light reading. He heads upstairs from the crypts of the Grand Lodge, to the Wall of Names. So much for his vacation!
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A middle-aged woman whose dark hair is laced with silver steps out from behind one of the monuments near the Wall of Names. It's not clear if she's just arrived or if she's just been lurking there for some reason. She has sharp features and suntanned, lightly wrinkled skin. She wears a simple inexpensive dress that drapes loosely about her slightly stooped posture and wears cheap, gaudy silver and gold-looking jewelry. About her neck is a wooden holy symbol of Pharasma.
She greets her fellow Pathfinders with what is probably meant to be a pleasant smile, though her eyes stare uncomfortably and intensely at each person in turn. When she speaks, it is with a thick Ustalovic dialect.
"Destiny calls to us, yes? I am Mother Nadya. If Pharasma allows, I shall endeavor to heal your bodies and extend your lives, for I assume that they call us all here for the same mission, yes? Secrets, secrets, how the great Pathfinders love their secrets."
She chortles and rubs her hands together.
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While getting a summons from Master Farabellus while receiving ‘spiritual enlightenment’ at a Callistrian temple had been awkward, Daedîn figured it prudent to answer the summons expeditiously…right after his business there was ‘concluded’, of course…
He made his way to the Grand Lodge in secrecy, concealing himself in the trees near the Wall of Names…
…but once he saw mostly familiar faces, he stepped forward from his hiding spot, bowing with a flourish. ”Kal, m’Lady Svetlana, Diaz, a pleasure, once again. Looks like they’re getting the band back together again…”
Turning to the newcomer, he pulls back his hood, revealing dark wavy hair and sharp, pointy ears, bowing even deeper. ”Mother Nadya, is it? Greetings, Daedîn at your service…”
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Turning to the newcomer, he pulls back his hood, revealing dark wavy hair and sharp, pointy ears, bowing even deeper. ”Mother Nadya, is it? Greetings, Daedîn at your service…”
Mother Nadya looks over the elf thoughtfully. ”Daedin… yes I recognize you from the visions. You are the one who resembles my third husband. I shall try not to hold that against you.”
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Mother Nadya looks over the elf thoughtfully. ”Daedin… yes I recognize you from the visions. You are the one who resembles my third husband. I shall try not to hold that against you.”
Daedîn arches an eyebrow before a wicked grin emerges. ”Visions? So tell me, m’Lady, am I to be your fifth husband? Or perhaps sixth?”
As you arrive at the Wall of Names, you spot Farabellus pacing the length of the wall, inspecting the names inscribed upon it with grim solemnity. By the time you approach, Farabellus nears the end of the wall, and the most recent inscriptions. As he spots you, the Master of Swords hails you over for your briefing.
“I thought this place appropriate. You know, all of the agents who’ve fallen in service to the Society have their names inscribed here; for me, it’s a reminder that the Society’s deeds often come at a cost. I asked each of you to join me here today, for I could think of no better place to give you this serious mission.”
The Master of Swords is visibly pensive for a moment before continuing. “Through their proxies, the Decemvirate have completed negotiations with the Thuvian city-state of Pashow. As you may or may not know, Pashow is set to receive the latest shipment of Thuvia’s famous sun orchid elixir—a tonic that rejuvenates and forestalls the ravages of age. The last two shipments of the elixir to Pashow over the last decade have failed to reach the city, and in their third attempt, they seek the aid of the Society to ensure nothing goes amiss.
“You might ask yourself what business the Society has in dealing with the sun orchid trade, or sending agents to act as convoy guards—especially agents as esteemed and talented as you. Well, the leader of Pashow, Emir Guldis, has solid evidence that the Aspis Consortium intends to make an attempt on the delivery, seeking to claim the elixir for the Consortium.”
Farabellus sweeps his arm over a section of the wall inscribed with the names of dozens of fallen agents. “The Aspis wounded us, hit us here, on the grounds of this very lodge. These names are all those who fell in that heinous attack, and the one who we’ve learned organized that attack is also the one planning to rob Pashow. Even if you have no care for vengeance, I ask that you lend your services to protect a troubled city from Aspis schemes and avert the chaos and hardship that would ensue. You’ll act as representatives of the Pathfinder Society, ensuring that Emir Guldis and his city get their elixir, and that the Consortium gets nothing.
“As you ensure the delivery of an alchemical miracle capable of extending one’s life by a few decades, remember that the names inscribed on this wall are immortal in a way far beyond anything that can be found within a vial. Remember that we owe the names on this wall for the sacrifice they made—a sacrifice that allows this Society to endure.”
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Nadya's mouth wrinkles with distaste at the mention of the Sun Orchid Elixir, but she says nothing. She seems faintly bored to the rousing encomiums to the fallen Pathfinder heroes and the summons to revenge against the Aspis Consortium.
But the destination itself seems to pique her interest. "I've never been to Thuvia. Is desert country, yes? Like Osirian? Perhaps I will ride a camel."
"We have not been informed of the exact methods Pashow will use, this year. They often change. As might be expected with a cargo as valuable as the Sun Orchid Elixer, security is high, and one of the ways of keeping security high is by varying your methods. No one knows what happened to the last two shipments. We’ve sent several groups to investigate the disappearances of the last two shipments, but they’ve all come up empty. There’s been a taboo surrounding the use of teleportation magic to deliver the elixir from the Citadel of the Alchemist, and it seems the troubles of Pashow lend credence to that belief. Both times that Emir Guldis attempted to secure his city’s shipments were with teleportation magic, and both went horribly wrong. At least teleportation magic for any other purpose seems safe.”
After answering Diazepane's question he turns to Svetlana's.
"“Our field agents are actively working against a resident Aspis Gold Agent by the name of Kitio Aspenthi. Both our organization and Emir Guldis separately came to the conclusion that Kitio is making a play to claim some or all of the sun orchid vials for the Aspis Consortium. We have other agents tracking Kitio down, but we need our best—you—to ensure the sun orchid delivery reaches Pashow. Emir Guldis will have more information on site.”
And finally answers Nadya.
"It is, indeed, a desert country. Camels make good mounts, but they can be ill tempered and they spit when agitated."
He looks around with a mix of understanding and impatience. "Anything else?"
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"Camels make good mounts, but they can be ill tempered and they spit when agitated."
Nadya smiles approvingly. ”We have this in common then.” she says whimsically. ”It is good these alchemists have so much of this magical elixir that they can fail to deliver it twice and yet still have more to send. Perhaps they should simply move their laboratories to Pashow, if the Emir is their main patron.” But she shrugs dismissively as if to indicate she’s not making the point in full earnest.
”Tell me, Master of Swords, is it the Emir who has tried to arrange these teleportation attempts, or the alchemists? It is possible that the Aspis have an agent planted on the inside with those making the transport arrangements.”
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”Assspisss,” Daedîn hisses in disgust. ”Do we have license to kill them?”
Nadya smiles approvingly. ”We have this in common then.” she says whimsically."Camels make good mounts, but they can be ill tempered and they spit when agitated."
Fin arches an eyebrow, his lips betraying a slight grin. Might be best to not bandy words with this lady, he thinks as he takes a step back to get out of spitting range…
"I can't tell you to go randomly killing everyone who flashes an Aspis badge. But, if you have reliable evidence that they are the cause of these thefts I leave it to your discretion to deal with any Aspis agents as necessary. And, of course, if they threaten your lives or the lives of innocents, then you must act," Marcos says.
"I should explain more about the Sun Orchid Elixer. It is a unique
alchemical liquid known to reverse the ravages of aging. A Thuvian alchemist developed it, and local authorities say that he resides in
a vast—and some say impregnable—fortress called the Citadel of the Alchemist. Every year, six vials of this miracle substance are released from the citadel and travel to one of Thuvia’s city-states. In turn, the city-state sells each of the vials at an auction, commanding some of the highest prices seen on Golarion. After all, who doesn’t want a taste of immortality?
"When it is their turn, each city-state is responsible for the vials' transportation once it is released from the Citadel. No one is quite sure why or when the teleportation taboo arose, but, due to Pashow's problems the last two times it has been their turn, it seems valid.
"Emir Guldis has not told us how he plans to transport the Elixer this year, not an unreasonable security measure, but were I him, I would spare little expense in ensuring this year's success. Even beyond the economic windfall selling the Elixer brings a city-state, a third failure would leave his subjects in a serious crisis of faith regarding his leadership capabilities."
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Nadya turns to Diazepane. ”You are alchemist, yes? If you had one of these magic potions, could you work out the formula for making it?”
“Also, I assume you have much arcane knowledge, more than me at any rate. Do you know of any way to divert or intercept a teleportation spell? Such a feat must be quite difficult, perhaps the sort of thing only a small number of people would be capable of.”
She turns back to Farabellus. ”You say this alchemist ‘releases’ six elixirs per year to the various city states. He does this for free? It is tribute perhaps in exchange for being allowed to have vast, impregnable and unsupervised fortress? What does nameless elite alchemist get for his generous yearly gift? Clearly if he wished only for gold, he could merely sell them himself to highest bidder.”
"Artokus Kirran is the alchemist who creates the elixir. And you are correct in your guess. He sends these elixirs each year as payment to the city states for protection. As may be expected, many nations and powers were interested in such a powerful item and were threatening his safety and freedom so he made a deal with these city states," Farabellus responds to Nadya.
Though Diazepane knows much about teleportation in general, he needs more details to be sure why a specific one might go wrong. Perhaps there is an unknown instability caused by the ingredients of the Sun Orchid Elixir. Perhaps there is some sort of magical fluctuation in the area. Perhaps some powerful force is monitoring the area and using its own magic to hijack the shipments when teleportation is attempted.
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"Humm. This all sounds very interesting- but you had me at Aspis. I wouldn't mind another opportunity to sink my teeth into those...", his thoughts trail off as he licks his lips.
"I am not payed to be a thinker, so I am glad that Nadya is here to cover those responsibilities", Kal winks at Diazepane knowingly. "But it certainly seems odd that this is the only city-state that appears to have this problem. Couldn't they, I don't know, just copy what the other 5 seem to do in order to make it successful?". The Ganzi follows this observation with a shrug, and then resumes picking at something in his teeth with his abnormally long and black finger nails.
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”There are only two options, I think: to move the cargo magically or to move it physically. I am only surprised it took Aspis this long to try for such a lucrative prize. They will sell the elixirs of course, money is everything to them. They would sell their own mothers for a silver.”
”One last question, Master of Swords. If we recover the lost elixirs somehow, what would you like us to do with them?”
"I suspect the city states each keep their security measures as secret as possible. I also suspect Pashow has had this trouble because it ignored the 'no teleporting' rule," he answers Kal'Ryon.
"Deliver it to Emir Guldis," he replies to Nadya. "They belong to him, or at least his city state and having someone that powerful owe us a favor is valuable."
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Nadya nods to the Venture Captain. She pauses and tents her forefingers in front of her lips, a gesture she often adopts when thinking.
”The Master of Swords reminds me of another possibility. Perhaps the Emir heard rumors that the Aspis would try to hijack his elixir shipment, and this is what induced him to ignore this ‘taboo’ and try to teleport his prize. The loss of the elixirs may simply be the result of a natural or magical phenomenon. At any rate, we shall learn more in Thuvia, and our main job, it seems, is merely to be caravan guards, yes?”
"Well, if there are no further questions, let me introduce you to Farhaana Zadeh," Farabellus says, leading you to another, larger room.
A woman, apparently from Pashow awaits you there, impatiently.
"If everyone can just gather together," she says, before beginning to cast a spell.
If anyone is hesitant about teleportation magic given the details of the briefing, neither she nor Farabellus give them time to voice their objections and a moment later, instead of the cool quiet space of an inner room in the Grand Lodge they find themselves in the hammering heat of a courtyard within a modest fortress palace with the sound of a bustling city just beyond the walls.
"Right this way," a servant who appears to have been waiting specifically for your arrival says. You are quickly ushered into the palace, where things are once more cool and the bright sun is dimmed.
You are taken to a private meeting room, where Emir Guldis awaits you He also introduces you to his head guard and security advisor Saabira Taheri.
The emir orders servants to bring food and drink for you, but he only partakes in small amounts of either. The chamber’s central feature is a vast wooden table covered in maps with a tray of markers kept to one side. A semicircular glass window occupies much of one wall, providing a pleasant view of Pashow and the desert beyond.
Emir Guldis begins speaking as you are seated. “I thank you all for coming on such short notice; I know the negotiations between my city-state and your Decemvirate only recently came to a conclusion. Sadly, there is little time for pleasantries, as the sun orchid elixir is likely already being delivered into the hands of my agents at the entrance to the Citadel of the Alchemist.”
Emir Guldis places a small marker near the mountains south of Pashow on the grand map before him.
“Dozens of convoys have convened to receive either one of the six vials of the sun orchid elixir or a convincing fake. From there, the convoys will split up to travel to Pashow by myriad means and paths. We do not expect any activity within sight of the citadel, and using a variety of travel methods gives us the best chance of ensuring at least some of the elixir makes its way here.”
The emir places several small convoy markers near the marker at the south end of the map. Immediately, magical lines of color, matching the colors of their respective markers, form on the map. Each of the lines zigzags through the desert or moves in a direct line, ending at the northern edge of the map where Pashow is styled in deep crimson ink.
“I have retained your services not as mere caravan guards. No, you are the last contingency to assist should any of our true convoys come under attack. I have several conjurers on standby to magically transport wherever you are needed most. The Decemvirate have promised me that you are their most experienced agents, and your presence eases my mind in the face of potentially losing a third shipment.”
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"We thank you for your kind welcome and your trust in us." says Nadya, with a deferential and diplomatic bow of the head. "We shall do our best to protect that which is yours."
"Perhaps I may venture a question? We were given to understand that teleportation is not normally used for transporting the elixir, because of what was described to us as a 'taboo'. Can you tell us more about that, and why you risked teleportation of the cargo anyway on the two previous occasions?"
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Kal glances around the room, trying to identify to most comfortable piece of furniture in which to sprawl- until his particular set of skills are needed.
He nods along as the others ask their logical and academic questions. When things quiet down, he interjects into the conversation solemnly. "Do you have any brandy? Preferably a 20 year vintage, if it isn't too much trouble."
The weight shifts in his feet, obviously anticipating that his question will take some precedence over the others already asked.
Emir Guldis sighs at Nadya's question. "I fear in my youth that I was...unwise. I believed that taboo was merely superstition and assumed that I knew better. I thought 'what better, safer, faster way to deliver the Sun Orchid Elixir from the Fortress of the Alchemist to my hands than through teleportation?'
"I suppose it is a testament to my foolishness that I did not learn my lesson the first time and tried the same, failed method the second. Though, in my defense we did take further precautions," he says, ruefully.
"But I have well and truly learned my lesson. There shall be no teleportation this time. Other magic, indeed, but none of that."
"We know which six caravans will be carrying the real elixirs. The others are simply decoys," Saabira steps forward to say. "They are-
"The Faithful Procession: The local church of Abadar has provided a juggernaut that can contain this group’s vial. A host of divine servants follow the massive construct as it plows through the desert towards Pashow.
"Inquisition of Inevitables: When teleportation proved unreliable, our conjurers turned to their other specialty: summoning outsiders. Six kolyarut inevitables representing an Axis based organization called the Axion Forge have agreed to transport one of the vials. These inevitables will use their invisibility spell-like ability, and walk from the Citadel to Pashow. They are expected to be the last group to arrive.
"Pashow’s Parade Caravan: The officially touted caravan bound from Pashow to the Citadel, this group is made up of an overwhelming contingent of Pashow’s armed forces. The massive caravan is guarded by hundreds of soldiers and hired mercenaries.
"Pathfinder Delivery: A contingent of Pashow’s elite military forces works alongside a group of Pathfinder agents to deliver this vial. The field agents employ a lead golem provided by the Decemvirate to obfuscate the caravan’s position.
"Lord Lightfoot: This Iroran monk and self-styled “lord” is capable of traveling at incredible overland speeds unrivaled by other runners. He plans to spring through the roughest terrain where raiders can hardly follow.
"Sable Company Envoys: Emir Guldis has contracted a unit of Korvosa’s famed Sable Company Marines to deliver one elixir. This unit is comprised of a dozen hippogriff riders, who plan to return to Pashow by means of flight.
"And there are almost a score of other caravans, both magical and mundane that will serve as decoys."
"I fear there may, indeed be a spy or insider, which is why only the people in this room and the Alchemist himself know who are going to carry true elixirs," the Emir says.
He absently gestures and a servant presents a decanter and glass to Kal'Ryon as the Ganzi settles himself on an overstuffed, low couch.
"Bandits, monsters, mercenaries, the list of beings who would kill for a vial of the Sun Orchid Elixir runs long and deep. But I fear those less than whatever entities were able to steal the last two shipments. The known we can deal with. These mysterious raiders, we cannot. At least, Pashow seems unable to. That is why we are hoping that we hope that the victors of the Ruby Phoenix tournament will be able to deal with them, when they reveal themselves."
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"Ah. Thank you sir." The Ganzi nods slightly to the servant. Kicking up his feet he settles in and takes a long slow sniff at the glass. "Yes, that will do just fine..."
Looking up, he calls out to Nadya
"Have you figured everything out for us yet?", without waiting long enough for a response, he continues on. "Good! I knew I could count on you!"
"Just rumors, though reliable ones. Nothing concrete that would allow us to move against them but enough to be wary of them," the Emir answers.
He frowns a bit at the exchange between Kal'Ryon and Nadya, but is ready to answer Svetlana's question.
"Exactly. We'll be in regular contact with each caravan and, should any of them encounter trouble, you'll be teleported in to deal with it."
"Within the hour," the Emir replies to Nadya's next question.
He pauses before answering the following one. "If a caravan that has a true elixir and one that is a decoy is attacked at the same time, you will be sent to aid the one with the true elixir. Unfortunately, we cannot risk losing another shipment and we must do all we can to protect the true elixirs. I do not like sacrificing people like that but it must be done.
"If two caravans with the true elixir are attacked at the same time, I will look to you for your advice. Surely only two or three people with your experience, skills and history can deal with most threats if your party needs to be split?"
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"No, not at all" he calls out to the cleric. "Just glad a capable person is addressing these concerns so I can enjoy my brandy in peace. Perhaps a pour might help take the edge off?"
As he speaks, small shimmers of energy dance across his skin, scales, and clothing before settling back down to being nearly imperceptible.
He downs the rest of his drink, with a satisfied "Ahhhh" before continuing on. "Don't worry about me. I'll be ready the second we are needed" and motions to the servant with the decantor to return.
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"If the stakes are as high as you say, the Aspis may try simulataneous attacks on many caravans at once, perhaps even all of them. They mounted such an attack on our Absalom headquarters not so long ago, attacking many points at once with almost overwhelming numbers. Greed is powerful motivator, yes?"
She shrugs. "But this we cannot control. It is more likely they will make a heavy attack on one caravan to be sure of success, especially if this is merely project of one of their gold agents, as we suspect from our briefing. And as the Hellknight says, they cannot teleport away with their prize, which gives us edge."
She walks over to a table and pulls out an old, well-thumbed Harrow deck. She closes her eyes and shuffles the cards, quickly and expertly in her hands, inverting a pile here and there. All the time she murmurs under her breath, almost as if she is putting herself in a trance. Finally she lays out three cards in a row, face down, on the table.
"Pharasma is goddess of fate and prophecy. I have asked her for hint of our future."
Solemly, one by one, she begins to turn the cards over.
"The Crows." she announces, reading the first card. "An evil card. A theft is indeed planned."
"The Joke, reversed. Deception and trickery is at work against us. I fear there is a spy in at least one of the groups."
"The Publican. Do not fear emir, your instinct to reach out for the cooperation of the Pathfinders will pay off. Through cooperation, we will succeed."
She puts away the cards within a pocket of her cloak, then walks over to enjoy a brandy with Kal'ryon while she awaits the call to action. "No doubt you do not believe in fate, ganzi." she states gravely as she sips her drink.