Aya Allahe's page

When you return to Nantambu, Aya Allahe is there to receive you. She listens to your recounting of your mission, and when she learns of Sharrowsmith’s death, she nods sadly and voices her thanks.

“Nantambu will not be the same without my friend Nieford Sharrowsmith. When he was younger, he traveled to all corners of the Mwangi Expanse and truly made the region his home, despite having been born hundreds of miles away in Avistan. He never truly lost his adventuring spirit, and as this lodge grew, he found his hours dedicated more and more to paperwork and less and less to exploring the lands’ rich history. I know his soul would take no offense at my saying he died as he would have wished—active, engaged, and in the field. I take solace in being able to provide him proper funerary rites.

“With his passing, Sharrowsmith’s Exports has no venture- captain, but I have corresponded with Nieford’s colleague Ambrus Valsin and agreed to act as the temporary manager of the lodge. After all, the full extent of the Pathfinders’ involvement in Nantambu has remained something of an open secret, and it would be an embarrassment for anyone but a friend or family member to take command of the business so soon after the owner’s death.”

“I dearly appreciate what you have done for the Society, for your venture-captain, and for me.”

Aya Allahe also examines the metal component the PCs found in the Krihirik talisman. After a moment’s study, she quickly stands, recovers a piece of stationary bearing five graphite illustrations, and slowly smiles. “This is remarkable,” she announces. “The shape of the talisman matches one of the drawings Ambrus Valsin sent me. What you have found is a piece of the Sky Key, the device even now the rest of the Society is at its wits’ end attempting to reassemble!” Then, with quiet affection, she murmurs to the Sky Key component, “Congratulations, Nieford. You and your agents have once again done what the rest of the Society could not—a fitting tribute, and a fine legacy.”

Once you finish asking questions and gathering knowledge about the Bandu Hills and mining operations there, Aya reminds you to make preparations before setting out. ”If you have need of additional gear or supplies, please procure them in town now. I’ve chartered a boat for you to depart on”

Please let me know in your next post if you wanted to make any last minute purchases, and I’ll accommodate as we continue on.

Pinesong nods his head wisely. "I see..." he mutters. "Let's hope the Praetor has something useful to tell us."

"What was Sharrowsmith's specialty? Or did he simply explore the region in general?"

"I would say his specialty is the region, as he's the Society's foremost expert in it. He's extensively explored the Mwangi Expanse and more. In his youth he travelled alone, driven by the potential for discovery. With his bad back, he needs teamsters to carry equipment and scribes to help with field research. But it’s quite out of character for Sharrowsmith to embark without staff. I think he felt like he had something to prove."

She then notices something fall from Lomo's mouth, and frowns at his continued "chewing." Pointing, she asks "Are you... saving that for later...? I thought that's what the cheek-pouches are for."

Croak shakes her head, "Nope! I'm not from around here. I'm from Varisia. But, I hope I get to meet the other grippli! That would be wonderful!"

She croaks loudly and her throat balloons up in excitement.

"What are they like? Oh! And does their home have a name? Oh! And are they friendly?"

Apparently she's already forgotten about poor Sharrowsmith...

"I do not personally know any of their tribes, but my hope is that if you come across them in your search they'll be more inclined to help because of your presence!" She gives Croak a knowing wink, indicating his particular unique value to this mission.

Aya's head swivels back and forth, answering questions from this way and that. Just as an agent arrives late, she nods and welcomes him.

Your teammates will catch you up, but thank you for coming!

"I am afraid that I am not at all familiar with this area. Looking at the translated rubbing he asks, "This translation mentions a mountain called Nakyuk. What do you know of this place?

"Mount Nakyuk is the highest point in the Bandu Hills. Many mining operations setup in its shadows. Generally, the Bandu Hills are a dangerous place. This is true of much of the Expanse, but the Bandu Hills have a dozen ways to kill before accounting for living creatures: heat, dehydration, landslides, poisonous plants, carnivorous plants, and so on. Unfortunately, the place is sick with riches like diamonds, gold, and silver—an embarrassment of wealth that only attracts more dangerous occupants. I am surprised that Sharrowsmith didn’t settle down there, to be honest."

"Fort Bandu is a long journey, yes? What can we expect along the journey?"

I suspect that will be the simplest part of your journey. You will speed most of the way there down rivers, by boat and by canoe, to the edge of the Bandu Hills. It's a short ways on foot from there to the Fort.

"I'm afraid I'm not well-versed in Venture-Captain Sharrowsmith's exploits. Do you know what 'damage' the Praetor was referring to."

Unfortunately no, this is what I could not get the Praetor to elaborate on, and for which he wants someone to appear in person. When you arrive, I have no doubt he'll be eager to lay these troubles at your feet when he learns I've sent you.

"Fort Bandu is two things. First it's a departure point and restocking base for many teams to mine the nearby hills. Second, it houses a garrison of roughly 150 soldiers, who endeavor mightily to maintain stability in the area so that the miners can operate in peace."

She then considers the other question and grimaces a bit before answering.

"Praetor... I know him only by reputation. The grandson of an old elven explorer, he’s served the garrison for decades, though I hear he’s mostly retired now. My business associates say he is a fair and very pragmatic man, one who respects hard facts and truth. His being dismissive of my request sounds uncharacteristic from those accounts."

”Welcome to Nantambu, Pathfinders! I am Aya Allahe, Dealer in Dreams Both Tangible and Ephemeral. I trust your travels were comfortable and uneventful?”

She flashes a warm, welcoming smile that quickly fades.

"I suppose we should get right to the business that you all came here for. I wish I had more to offer,” Allahe apologizes before even presenting what information she has. “Nieford Sharrowsmith never truly retired from being a Pathfinder, even after he started this business. I think, in his mind, he was still the young adventurer that hiked through jungles and fought off troglodyte tribes. Sharrowsmith’s attitude changed over the last few months—I think he was concerned for his legacy and how history would remember him. Would it be for his discoveries or for the export business that dominated his later years? The answer, I fear, was unpalatable."

"It was no surprise when he packed up and left on an expedition. But that was months ago, and neither the Society nor I have heard from him since. Sharrowsmith has never left for this long without leaving some word as to his status or sending rather demanding missives about business decisions while he was waist-deep in some jungle bog. When my own contacts failed to turn up any useful information, I had no recourse but to go through his private notes." Allahe motions to the mess of documents scattered about the office.

"What caught my eye was this translated rubbing. It appears to be the most recent piece of a very large puzzle Sharrowsmith was researching and indicated that he may be somewhere in the Bandu Hills. Traders from Fort Bandu have confirmed that he paid the garrison a visit, but that’s where my trail ran cold. Something happened out there, and Praetor Sylien—Fort Bandu’s commander—refuses to correspond with me on the matter despite knowing how close Nieford and I are. All I received in response was that Nieford had ‘done enough damage for one lifetime,’ and that if I wanted to discuss the matter further I would need to go to Fort Bandu in person." Exasperatedly, Allahe runs a hand across her forehead and turns her distant stare out the window. "I cannot shutter the business and travel hundreds of miles on the off chance that the praetor can help; the company would fall apart. I’m hoping that you will be able to go in my stead, speak with the praetor personally to learn what has befallen Sharrowsmith and help him return."

See the rubbing in handout 1 on slide 5.

"Are any of you from Sargava or the Mwangi expanse?"

She focuses her gaze in particular at Croak.

"What of you? Do you come from these parts? There is at least one tribe of your kin in the wild near Fort Bandu."

"I expect you may have additional questions. Ask them now."