Lord Raheem Pandisar's page

Lord Pandisar strokes his beard and considers, "Elephants are very strong indeed, I believe they have been used to carry small siege weapons on occasion in the past. I'll send for Master Bvar form the ordinance. I think he will be best placed to help, although I fear the bore might insist on joining the venture... I'll send word the day after tomorrow, Bala will want to meet you and I think set off either that day or the one after. If you have any last minute supplies you need I'd recommend getting them."

As an after thought, Lord Pandisar adds, "It might be worth consulting with Prince Kanvar, he may know some of the history of Leckumgee. Possibly give you some idea of what to expect there."

Lord Pandisar smiles, "Oh I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. They sway about a lit but there's a seat on top that's pretty comfortable. Just don't stand behind one whatever you do, I hope I don't have to explain why..."

I'll move this on a bit tomorrow. Would be nice if we can get some momentum going again.

Raheem nods at Alwyn, relieved he understands and says, "Perhaps we should return to your companions and discuss the expedition."

The pair walk back and Raheem addresses the party, "We have taken the liberty of arranging transportation. Considering the terrain, elephants are the best and most reliable mode of transport. The jungle itself is thick and everything you might imagine. We have a guide Bala, who will help care for the elephants and make camp. He knows the jungles although I'm not always convinced by his 'short cuts'. Everything should be ready for the day after tomorrow. Do you have any further questions?"

Raheem pauses monetarily, and then sighs deeply. Looking uncomfortable he tells Alwyn, "Every man has a weakness, you know this of course..."

His voice trails off as he stares out of the window overlooking the city, "His Highness and ahem I have a common weakness for dancers. Not just any dancer of course! Oh no, it's well ahh. How to put this delicately? You've seen Muskar's shadow dance, something that only the creme de la creme can do justice to. Well a dancer who can do that can do other things, not easily forgotten. Bahni is one such dancer, but far from the only one, although she was perhaps the most beautiful and easily the most honorable. Deepti, if anything, was a better dancer but she lacked a certain moral fiber. Some of the things that happened where deeply scandalous, and had to be hushed up. It got too much when she started killing bystanders, and doing things with their corpses... We arrested her, but she escaped into the jungle. This was some years ago, she will be older now but don't underestimate her. She killed twenty armed men with her wiles and her fists, wearing only a bunny costume." Raheem makes a nervous little gesture, and whispers "Don't judge, you'd have likely been besotted with her too. Know this, she is a deeply manipulative and vicious little vixen, and it's quite likely she has others under her thrall."

Raheem glances at the Thakur and sighs, "Dhalavei's cult has many strange and unlikely followers. We have ah, well we've heard rumors there may be a 'dragon of corruption' from... Well frankly the sources have typically been insane, but the rumors are persistent despite every effort to keep the lid on wild rumors. I'm not entirely sure I believe it, but supposedly this 'dragon' is the source for a major constituent of the acidic venom the cult employs post mortem. If this is true, and there really is a dragon, then your trip may well be hazardous indeed."

Raheem nods, "Based on historical accounts and the notes you found at the silk mill, we believe the cult's main head quarters is based in the vicinity of Leckumgee. There are several mountains in that area, one to the east and one to the south. Leckumgee itself is a week to ten days travel south from here, through thick jungle."

Raheem looks at Pratavh as he adds, "That of course is dangerous, but to seasoned travelers like yourselves I doubt it's an insurmountable obstacle. There is one problem however, we are getting towards the wet season, which..." His voice trails off, sheepishly he asks, "Have you, er ever witnessed the monsoon?"

Lord Pandisar's carriage arrives and takes you to his residence. The entrance way is very grand, with a sweeping staircase leading upstairs, but the private areas are understated, almost homely. You are ushered into his somewhat spartan study and are surprised to see the Thakur is there too. Lord Pandisar's table, like many of the things in his house, is well made but seems entirely without the usual frilly pretense you are used to.

Lord Pandisar smiles as you are seated, and his manservant brings in cups of steaming Chai. He then addresses you in the common tongue, "Lady, Gentlemen. I would like to extend the Thankur's congratulations on your success. It appears you have entirely removed the taint of Dhalavei's foul cult from this city! A remarkable achievement, something that we tried to do ourselves repeatedly but never managed. It turns out several of the palace guards had been compromised, offered various illegal drugs in payment for information. Knowing the game was up, the compromised guardsmen where found dead by their own hands in barracks."

Lord Pandisar shakes his head, apparently finding that a bitter pill to swallow. He takes another breath and laments, "Regrettably while this progress is most welcome, it's only a matter of time before the cult grows back like a weed. Historically there have Pogroms before, most notably in the reign of Thakur Awani three hundred years ago, but always some part of the cult escaped. The Thakur requests that 'if at all you try to eliminate the cult in a single attack, so that the cultists have no chance to regroup' I think this is good advice. Do you agree?"

He looks at you hopefully.

Lord Rasheem, nods and claps twice. He says to Pratavh, "A fine place to start. Lord Mahindra hears many things, although you shall have to sift the truth from the dross..."

A servant appears and Lord Rasheem quietly tells him, "Nis'sandēha vē calānē kē li'ē ka'ī kāmōṁ hōgā, bhagavāna mahindrā kō dēkhanē kē li'ē unhēṁ lē lō, aura unakē li'ē pratīkṣā karēṁ."

Lord Rasheem smiles and tells you that, "My man is at your disposal today. I'm afraid I shall have need of him tomorrow, I intend to witness the Parade of Souls. Naturally you are welcome to join me if you have the time to spare. I would appreciate periodic progress updates, these don't have to be in person - a written account shall suffice if you are needed elsewhere."

The servant hands you a most official looking warrant (affixed with the seal of the Thakur and countersigned by Lord Rasheem and several other senior members of the Mauyra Rahm) and beckons you to follow.

Lord Pandisar nods to Alwyn and replies, "Prince Kanvar is most knowledgeable about the cults's history, but the cult has frequently shown up in larger settlements over a period of many hundred years. I wouldn't really know about acid purchases, certainly there are many apothecaries who sell small quantities perhaps Lord Mahindra know more. As for who would have the most to gain from the Thakur's fall, I'd imagine the cult, but Varunasi knows best as she always does..." He says the last with a rueful smile.

Lord Pandisar blinks at Hirati and then looks back to Pratavh and shakes his head with a rueful smile, "My she is a playful one isn't she? I trust she's well behaved when it really matters!"

He seems to be waiting to see if everyone is agreement about the proposed mission and compensation.

Lord Pandisar's face flickers slightly as if concerned by sonething in Shikyomaru's tone. Mastering himself he tells you plainly, "The cult is to be eradicated root and branch. Some collateral damage is expected but a lot would be a problem. Likewise if there is a perception that you are killing innocents or being overly brutal that would also be a problem. Are you able to operate within this framework?"

The Thakur politely ignores Hirati's antics, for your audience is with Lord Pandisar after all. He replies to Alwyn first, saying "The cult is reprehensible, and most of the people rightly fear it but it's always had surprising number of supporters. Any local investigation is likely to be tainted" The last he says reluctantly, before carrying on cheerfully, "Should you agree to fight the cult for us, I shall provide a Writ of Authority which will allow you to question anyone and go anywhere, naturally you will use this power responsibly and judiciously. In addition I shall write letters of introduction to several people knowledgeable about the cult: Prince Kanvar, a great student of Vudrani history; Lord Mahindra, an infamous rumormonger; Pravezak, the thakur’s spiritual counselor; and Varunasi, a high-caste merchant well acquainted with current regional politics."

Lord Pandisar then nods to Shikyo and tells you that, "Of course such an investigation will be dangerous, for which you'll naturally wish to be compensated. I was thinking of a 500 gold retainer each immediately and twice that upon elimination of the cult. It's likely that the cult will have a variety of assets, all of which will be your to dispose of as you see fit."

As you enter, a tall, tanned man with a neatly trimmed goatee, introduces rises to bid you welcome in the common tongue, "Greetings! I am Lord Rasheem Pandisar. I am most pleased that you have accepted my invitation! Before we get down to business, perhaps some refreshments?"

Lord Pandisar claps his hands twice and several servants scurry out to place a variety of drinks and confections on the low table around which you are most comfortably seated.

Catching your eye, Lord Pandisar says, "I must congratulate you on capturing the Saville Street and saving lady Phrune. I also hear that Condelezza Da'vore finally met justice, a most singular achievement - bravo!"

He smiles sadly and admits, "It seems that, perhaps by accident you've had more success in fighting the followers of Dhalavei than the watch have had in the last decade. Oh they've sent numerous people to investigate but they usually end up dead rather like that unfortunate sergeant you found in that peculiar house's basement. Regrettably Dhalavei has long been a thorn in our side, sometimes beaten back but like a cancer it always reappears.

I am hoping that by turning to some, most accomplished, outsiders we will be able to tackle this threat once and for all. If you will agree to be our agents in this matter, we shall ensure you are handsomely compensated."