Pazhvann AKA GM Dan E's page

I will convey your message to my Mistress, Khalid. I sincerely hope that we will continue to meet as friends if not allies.

To Zeladiel he says. I am afraid not but I will keep my eye out and continue to search for Zayifid.

He turns as if to go then pauses and speaks seemingly reluctantly. I was mortal, human once as were my brothers and sister. Nefeshti promised to make us immortal for as long as we served her. All bar me lost their way after Vardishal died and all have sought alternative routes to make up for what they lost. I fear dark routes in some cases.

Kardswann and Zayifid were gone the longest and became the weakest. For Davashuum it has not been long and she was ever the strongest of us, except perhaps for Vardishal. You fought well today and bravely but I fear you are not yet her match should she come for the Scroll.

Good luck.

Suddenly there is a hole in the air and beyond it a sky full of clouds. The jann steps through and is gone, the hole closing behind him.

The jann reappears after the battle is over, his plate and mail turning back to fine clothing.

If Zayifid had a part to play here today he did not come himself.
Or at least my true-sight detected no sign of him.

I highly doubt these events have led you to change your mind about the Scroll. Unless I am wrong I will return to my Mistress and tell her your answer.

Nuveril is correct. I do not deserve your protection but neither do I require it.

The jann speaks a word and he is suddenly encased in grey full plate, a bascinet covering his features. He rises a few feet into the air before vanishing from sight.

Pazhvann frowns. He looks across the group and back to the inquisitor but seems to take Khalid's pronouncement as final.

That is unfortunate. It would take .. something extraordinary for my Mistress to leave the Plane of Air. She still grieves for her mortal lover Andrathi even after centuries.

But by oath I am sworn to respect your choice even if I think it is the wrong one. A warning though. Zayifid is not the only former Templar still alive and when Davashuum hears that the Scroll has been recovered she may come for it. And she does not negotiate.

I am sorry ...

Cut short the jann's gaze is drawn to the west where large dust clouds herald what must be large numbers of creatures moving fast, straight toward you.

I thought we would have more time. They call themselves the Sons of Carrion. If Zayifid is with them I will make him regret it but otherwise I cannot interfere except to recover the Scroll if you fall..

From the distance you estimate you have about five minutes before a large force is on your position from the west. You may take whatever preparations you can think of in that time and place yourself on the map. Then the battle shall commence!

OASIS MAP You are in a bowl with the slopey lines indicating the closest hill crests and where you'd expect to gain line of sight. Enemies would need to fly or climb from the east, west or south where the hatched portions are. The alcove inside the sphinx is about 15' square, about enough to pile the caravan into if your that way inclined. You should think about where to put the merchant, his three workers and Haleen.

Yes. But what of it?

To Zeladiel.

Pazhvann seems honestly perplexed by Zeladiel's question to the point that he isn't quite sure how to answer it. After a moment he manages.

Because I am who I am and my Mistress is who she is. We will take the Scroll to my Mistresses' manse on the Elemental Plane of Air and protect it there.

To Khalid.

My Mistress believes at some point in recent months. No longer than that. And if our understanding is true that it was found by you beneath the temple at the House of the Beast then it cannot have been any jinn. That place was constructed to exclude genies and others of the Elemental planes as well as to block divination from the outside.

The jann replies respectfully to Nuveril.

The Scroll can only permit travel to Kakishon. There and on return back to the physical location of the Scroll on this plane. How to activate the Scroll is not something I am familiar with. Nor would I share this even if I was.

The jann fetches a large tub, bowls, a pitcher and cups from the alcove and offers to serve with his own hands. The tub holds a smooth rice-like substance while the pitcher appears to hold water as promised.

Pazhvann serves those who wish it without seeming to take offence at those who do not.

To begin and this may well sound arrogant, but there are things that mortals are simply better off not knowing. If I make omissions it is because I truly believe it is for a higher, better purpose.

The glyph on the Scroll is a map of Kakishon. More, it is a gateway to Kakishon. To it's demi-plane although Kakishon is to a demi-plane like a fireball is to a candle. Nex's masterwork.

My Mistress has great powers of divination and she believes that the scroll has been used. Recently. And that has also increased the danger.

It is really that simple. The Scroll is not safe in your hands. Using it risks your own lives as well as others. Moreover it will remain a target for those such as Zayifid who wish to use its power for their own purposes.

I am forbidden to use other methods so I can only hope that you will believe and see the reason in my words.

If it is monetary compensation you are after then I'm sure we can come to some arrangement. He seems a bit scathing at the last.

He frowns at the mention of Zayifid.

I understand. I can say only that I am not Zayifid. And Fallen is indeed an apt description of my former brother. Indeed my Mistress has expressly forbade any use of force or magic on my part against the host of Vardishal and his companions. I am here only to talk and I hope convince you that it is better for everyone that the Scroll be given to me.

Hail Khalid Al Hazareen! My Mistress is pleased that something of Vardishal lives on, even as part of a mortal. Vardishal was my friend and truly the best of us.

He catches the gaze of the rest of the group, inclining his head respectfully at Nuveril standing at the rear near Haleen and the caravan.

As for myself I hope that I am different to the rest of my former brethen. For I have remained loyal to my Mistress while the others unfortunately have not.

My business today alas is the Scroll of Kakishon. But first I'd like to offer you my hospitality. I am a disciple of Gozreh and my magic has created food and water. The food is bland alas but nourishing and the water is cold. I have set it aside in the alcove.

Unspoken of course is the custom that after partaking of his food and water you are his guest and entitled to the courtesy and protection that entails.

Nuveril behind this time, you and the caravan work your way down to the oasis.

The stranger is a tall and handsome Garundi man, dressed in colorful and spotlessly clean desert robes. He appears unarmored, but an enormous flail hangs from his back. He holds a tanbur — a long-necked Katapeshi lute —in his lap, idly playing a simple tune. He smiles as he watches you approach, his eyes sparkling with a strange light that you have seen before.

And he is indeed sitting on a red and yellow carpet as odd as that may seem.

Greetings oh brave ones. I am Pazhvann. Once known as the Templar of the East Wind although the Templars are no more I am sad to say. I remain in sole service to the Princess Nefeshti.

At her bidding I am here to talk, if you would care to listen.