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It is a hot, breezeless evening in Katapesh. Here, in a meeting room atop Farseer Tower, the curtains hang listlessly even with the windows thrown open. Unfortunately, the only thing hotter than the air is Venture-Captain Wulessa Yuul’s ire.
Why must I share Katapesh with so-called equals who are incompetent? She huffs between gritted teeth, pacing back and forth before calming herself. My pardon. Let me explain. Some months ago, the crypt of Zahari Mahiman—a scholar and sage from the Age of Enthronement—was rediscovered out in the wastes. I, personally, have long sought one artifact reputedly interred with him: the Monadistic Archive, a collection of scrolls from the Jistkan Imperium. Unfortunately, she grits her teeth, It fell under the purview of the Kotargo Lodge to arrange an expedition. Venture-Captain Dulm took his time getting things underway, in spite of my own requests for urgency and offers of assistance. As a result, by the time his agents got there, the place had already been looted.
Phlegos Dulm’s complacency aside, not all is bleak. The adventurers who looted the crypt were not scholars; they were simply looking to exploit the wonders of the past. The Monadistic Archive, in particular, was sold to Palhuna Murqual, a merchant here in Katapesh. I believe he bought the archive assuming it was merely a magical storage device, not an esoteric repository of lore indecipherable by him. He has shown interest in selling—at a profit, of course—and I need you to make the purchase. I have an Abadaran promissory note that should cover the price, but he is crafty and may bargain for more. I want the archive, whatever it costs. I can’t pay more gold than I already have offered, but if you can find other means of appeasing Murqual, I encourage you to do so.
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Djahan listens to the Venture Captain and thinks. His black hair and blue eyes look almost human but it is clear that the more bestial aspects of his fiendish ancestors dominate his appearance.
This Tiefling exhibits fine sharp teeth and has a long, flexible tail that is moving with each step. It is clear that his feet are more bestial than those of a human and resemble those of a clawed predator.
He wears a fullplate that looks like it has seen battle recently.
He has a sheathed longsword, a bardiche in his hand, a morningstar at his side and a heavy shield as well as greatsword on his back.
Resting on top of his chest, an amulet showing the holy symbol of Irori is visible.
"It is great seeing you all. I hope we’re going to make a great team!!” he says and looks at all of you with a smile.
He looks at the Venture-Captain and nods.
"Can you please give us more information on the archive and this merchant? Anything we need to know about the adventurers that sold the archive? I have not been to Katapesh before … anything to know about this place?"
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The Monadistic Archive is a chest containing numerous magical scrolls. I believe they are currently inactive, but I know a ritual to access their secrets. In fact, I might need your assistance with that later. Until then, it’s best not to open it.
As for Murqual, he is the sort who can see the value in a team of Pathfinders. That’s one reason I am sending you. After Dulm’s gaff, I also recognize that I am too incensed to deal with Murqual in person.
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A jolly gnome with bright red hair and beard smiles and chuckles as he learns the situation.
"Oho, so we're to appease Murqual, are we?" he asks, with a twinkle in his eye. He cracks his knuckles. "Surely he'll enjoy a good show. Would the archive be larger in size than... say... a chicken?"
As if on cue, a chicken indeed pokes its head out of the gnome's backpack.
"Ah," he adds, "It certainly should be. In any case, I'm sure we will be of service, to you, to him, to both, somehow I suspect it doesn't matter as long as we all come to an amenable agreement. Brilliant!"
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An average height Tian-Shu stands, leaning on his staff as he does, and says, "If this Palhuna Murqual tries to get us to do something in addition to the promissory note, what are expectable options? If we reach an stalemate, what are are orders then? Are we to offer to come back to see if more is possible, or are we authorized to use force?"
"Also, what is the Laws of Katapesh when it comes to combat in general, especially if it's in self-defense."
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Tongue poking slightly out of her closed mouth and brow furrowed in concentration, a Halfling woman nimbly hops over Djahan's tail as it sways. A single bead of sweat has started it's slow crawl down the side of her face.
"Oh, oh, oh, has anyone- Damn!" she starts as the tail makes contact with her leg. Taking a spinning step away, she continues. "Anyone heard of Mr. Murqual before? I've never been to Katapesh either! Are there any cultural norms we should follow? I don't want to offend anyone or get into trouble!" At least trouble I didn't mean to start, haha!
She absent-mindedly wipes the sweat from her face. "I'm Ruby! I'll try to stay out of everyone's way and I promise to try to be useful!" She offers Djahan a high five and cheers, "Go team!"
"Oh look! A chicken! I spoke to a farmer once, ok, ok, I got this, um, is it a hen or a rooster?" she asks, looking at the bird with glee. She sticks her elbows out and flaps them gently as they make eye contact.
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Findlefarb brightens as Ruby examines the chicken. "Oh, this one? A hen. I always travel with a chicken. I've never found a situation where I'm better off without a chicken than with one."
He turns to face Ruby, tips his cap, and bows with a flourish. "I am Grand High and Most Inimically Holy and Extremely Esteemed Jester of the Buoyantly Joyful Court of Count Razimov, Fenwick Findlefarb Tippletree Woogodoo Nanoquick Balnibarbi Kruknik Whoopsalittleovertotheleftnexttime Nashizzar, the Fourth."
Keeping his bow low, but tilting his head up to look in Ruby's eyes with a beatific smirk, he finishes, "And who do I have the honor of addressing?"
The hen looks around, confused.
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A quite thin man with pale skin seems to appear out of nowhere. Those who are very perceptive might notice that he was standing half behind the curtains before. The man is wearing a lamellar cuirass and has a rapier in his belt.
"Dr. John Watson, Investigator. Pleasure to meet you."
He turns to Djahan Ruuh.
"I am quite good at detection, deduction and persuasion; I'm quick on my feet and really good at not being noticed; I am gifted in the language department and speak several of them; I can open locks and disarm traps (even magical ones); and I dabble in alchemy."
He pauses briefly.
"Oh, and I know things. I read a lot! However, my melee skills definitely need more work. Although I got the basics down - I think..."
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"The Fourth?!" Ruby exclaims, clapping her hands together. "Is there a Fifth? Is the First still alive? What happens if there are twins?" she rambles before jumping tracks to an entirely new line of inquiry. "Does your hen have a name? Can I pet her?" She hesitantly starts reaching a hand out, but retracts it, clearly the battleground between the impulse to do and the wisdom to wait for permission.
"I'm Ruby! ...just Ruby. I don't have any titles or fanciness," she explains. "I do like magic though and helping!" Eeeeeeeeee I wonder what magic we will find on a trip to an unknown land! Maybe I'll learn a new spell? OR SEE AN EXPLOSION?!