Cleric of Milani

Temel Passad's page

29 posts. Alias of Vampaerus.


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"I am glad to be done with that auction. Although this venture is really just beginning. I am excited to get underway. Now I just need to sell the idea to the Chellish. They are skilled negotiators for sure. But I will be much more comfortable in that environment."


(later)

"Please, stay as long as you like, as my guests. The Pathfinder Society has proven a most valuable ally. Something I shall not doubt again. I thank you sincerely for your efforts. I do not believe I could have purchased the Courts for the price I did without your help dividing Myrosype's vast resources. If any of you wish to follow in the Prophet's footsteps I will gladly assist you in such worthy pursuits."


Jon:
"Ah, Jon, so very good to see you again. Please stay and chat with me a moment..."

As you lay out your 'expectations', his face becomes like a scolded child.

"I...I had no idea. I thought the information I provided was useful to Pathfinders. I did not know there would be expectations of me. I do not understand how I became obligated thusly...but I would not want to disappoint my friends in the Society. You and your colleagues have done your part in keeping Myrosype busy bidding against others, like Cyran. Now is my opportunity to make a serious bid on the Courts of Abstinence. One that Myrosype won't counter so easily. I shall not let you down my friend."

+2 Influence, Temel->Courts
You sense that you have influenced Temel as much as you can.


"Eww, what's that smell? Is that...mildew?"


Graves:
"History does often repeat itself, this I know. I shall push a little harder for the Courts and see if she breaks. Excuse me, I'll go speak with Hegio now before I change my mind again."

+1 Influence, Temel->Courts of Abstinence


Graves:
"You can't go by what Hegio says publicly. His job is to stir the bidding and will choose with expert strategy when to announce who is 'winning'. It isn't official until tomorrow afternoon. My sources tell me Myrosype upped all her bids as soon as this luncheon began. I believe she is controlling 4 of the 5 at the moment. She's unstoppable."


Graves:
"Myrosype seems to have a bottomless bank account at her disposal. I believe she is bidding with Aspis funds. If she has this much wealth at her personal disposal she'd even make Cyran jealous.

"The Courts of Abstinence are still the only thing if have a plan for. But that Aspis woman just reflexively increases her bid. It's cutting deep into my best-guess profit margin."


Graves:
Temel seems experienced enough.

btw, not sure if I mentioned this but you have the +2 bonus to Influence Temel from impressing him with your gardening knowledge.


lol. was just digging back myself ^


Graves:
"Oh, good afternoon Mr. Graves. A friendly face is a welcomed sight, I must admit."


Jon:
"I thought we discussed this already. There's only one district I have any idea what to do with...but I don't really want to discuss the details in public."
you feel your ability to talk Diplomatically with Temel slipping.


Ela:
"You say the Exchange is open, but in my experiences with Aaqir al'Hakam I know this is not true."

The issues between Aaaqir and Temel are 'outside the scope of this adventure'. For now you are encouraged to seek a *new* trade ally in Druma. Your options are: Cyran, Irith, and Vayde.


At some point during this event:

(Exchange members -2 penalty)

DC14 Craft(alchemy), Knowledge(nature), or
Profession(gardener):
You notice very rare plants among Temel's garden as well as some unusual alchemical supplements that seem to be having a marvelous effect. You pay Temel a compliment, from which he is impressed by your gardening knowledge.


The issue with the docks, and by extension the warehouses, is that there just isn't that much traffic. Specifically, not enough to support the size of the structures in place. Now if other areas were to develop and pick up pace, all this could change in time. It's a gamble. Higher risk might lead to bigger profit, but personally I don't find the big gambles appealling.

I will admit that there may be a certain amount of genius in Myrosype's plans. Controlling all the districts she could push the enterprises with the most synergy. Separate district-lords wouldn't have that foremost in their minds.


Jon Rooi wrote:
"I know the Society would definitely appreciate searching through the leavings in those warehouses; we should definitely target that location in our bidding."

"The Society is bidding??"


Ela Kukai wrote:
In Petitioner's Port, I was hearing not of Vayde, but Tativan Petronax. What is their relation to the elder of the family? Are they worth looking into in addition to Vayde?

"Hah, the Petronax family is quite large. I've not heard of Tativan, but I certainly don't know all of the extended relations. You could ask Vayde, if you can stand talking to the lecherous old man."

Ela:
you do not detect any deception


Katswiri wrote:
"You say you have interest in one of the districts, but do not seem to have a preference. For such a large investment, you must have some plans for how to recoup the cost spent. Do you have any specific plans for how you would use the districts if you were to win them, and are there any you don't think you would be able to put to good use?"

"Oh, I should have been more careful. That information I shared about the Chelish interest in urban war games is not public knowledge. Please do not divulge that to anyone else. That is the only potentially profitable idea I have. I don't know what I would do with any other districts. Although if you come up with any ideas I would gladly hear it out."

Katswiri:
You sense that Temel's primary concern is determining a profitable investment to make. Helping you to thwart Myrosype's plans makes it easier for him to get what he wants.


"Well, it is getting late. If you have any further questions, I'll do my best to answer them. But otherwise, I should retire. I have a very busy morning ahead of me. And the next three days for that matter."


Mr. Graves wrote:
"And do we know who the bidders will be?"

“Well, there's Myrosype. She’s no prophet, nor does she even hail from the Inner Sea. I have heard that she hails from the distant land of Iblydos. I have no reason to hold a grudge against Myrosype, though I know your Society does, and that concerns me. She’s always been pleasant in our interactions, and she does have a reputation for always keeping up her end of a bargain. She has enough clout to have made her way into the bidding, and is poised to take the lion’s share of the districts if left unchecked.”

“There's the current lord-councilor, Irith Nomazamo. I can barely get close to that woman; what, with all the eccentric clothing she wears. If she speaks more than ten words a day, I’d be surprised. Can’t help but feel sorry for her though; Irith made a good run of ruling Alabastrine since the last bid, and now that trade looks to be on the upswing, her time is running out. I’d be surprised if she's recouped enough to acquire more than a single district.”

“No one really knows much about Cyran Androtus. He’s an elf; perhaps one of the longest lived devotees of the Prophecies. He is said to traffic outside of Golarion, supplying extraplanar factions with raw materials and facilitating negotiations among them. He possesses considerable magical abilities. If you can learn something from him, you’ll do better than most.”

“Then we have Vayde Petronax. He’s a damn skeleton of a man. Some say he adheres to the strictest tenures of the Prophecies when it comes to the consumption of food and drink. I can barely stand listening to his hoarse voice for more than a few minutes, but it’s clear the wizened elder of the Petronax family knows much about the city. After all, his family’s servants and soldiers have been working the streets since before High Prophet Kelldor enacted the bidding process.”

Ela:
When he mentions the name 'Petronax' you recall hearing that name several times while chatting with folks in Petitioner's Port. Or that surname anyway, 'Vayde' doesn't sound very familiar. But...what was it, 'Tativan'? Yeah Tativan Petronax.

“And of course, there's me, Temel Passad. What can I say about myself? I’m a devout follower of the Prophecies of Kalistrade. I only hope to carve out a single district, though I remain unsure if I possess the wealth to contend with the likes of Myrosype and the other attendees.”

there's a who's who cheat sheet on Slide #6


Mr. Graves wrote:
"Are any areas more desirable then others?"

Well I suppose 'to each their own' is applicable here. While Myrosype has flaunted her interest in the whole package, the other bidders have been far more private. But they must be interested in something. What little rumors I've gathered, there's been some discreet interest in all but the Wharf. You may need to call someone's attention to it if we don't want Myrosype to pick it up cheap."


5.

"Last, and for many definitely least, we have the 'Working End'. Much of this section of the city was meant for industrial purposes. Vast warehouses fill the majority of the district with some additional support structures. Most are assumed empty, but it has been used in the past as hosting sites for despicable illegal trade. Or occasionally the long-term storage of goods from other nations, probably legally. One of this district’s bidding attractions is that any goods not specifically removed from the warehouses by the completion of the auction are forfeit to the new district councilor."


4.

"Fourth is the 'Scriptum'. This district houses dozens of titanic libraries, containing innumerable treatises on the history of the Prophecies of Kalistrade. The largest of which is, confusingly, also called 'the Scriptum'. Other libraries detail different religions, but from a clinical examination devoid of the usual religious fervor. The architects of Alabastrine intended to indoctrinate new arrivals, by providing free access to these texts. Expecting an influx of refugees bewildered by the death of Aroden and having lost faith in divine worship, these libraries would help speed the transition to life as a Prophet. Many of these same ideas were later employed successfully in the settlement of Twingate."


3.

"The center of the island was never completed, leaving an abandoned patch of land with no clear purpose. When High Prophet Kelldor acquired the city, he invested heavily in creating a grand municipal district in the previously blank space. It's unofficially been dubbed 'Prophet’s Burg' and never officially named anything else. The most ostentatious structures in the whole of Alabastrine reside in this district. For Kalistocrats seeking to live within the city, that equals prime real estate. Also, the city’s ruling council meets in the central building, known as Kelldor’s Spire. Anyone with political aspirations may find that of interest."


2.

"Next is the so-called 'Luminous Wharf'. Since you came that way in your travels I've no doubt you've seen the light display for which it's named. Intended to assure those seeking refuge from the tumult of the rest of the world that Alabastrine was 'always open'. Now, the lights just remind passing ships of the existence of the city, which they might otherwise crash into having forgotten it's there."


1.

"The first district is the 'Courts of Abstinence'. Numerous massive apartments fill this tightly packed district. While the other districts of Alabastrine are sparse and opulent, this one is strictly utilitarian. The labyrinthine streets and alleys provide a mind boggling residential capacity, but no one to live there. I have reliable information that the government of Cheliax along with several Hellknight Orders are seeking an area to improve their urban fighting skills, which the Courts could easily provide."


He nods at Kaepora, but seems to keep eyeing Ela with suspicion.

"All right, sounds good. I probably should explain what the prize is that everyone is bidding on."

"Alabastrine, if fully functional, would be the 3rd largest city in Druma. It's divided into five districts. Each is available separately during this auction."

He hands you a map...

The map is Slide #1. I'll get the description of each district when I get home this evening.


Temel's eyes remain fixed on Ela, "I can't help but notice Trade Prince al'Hakam has assigned some of his most trusted agents to attend this event. I hope he didn't cloud your minds with the past. While it's true I have not always liked the decisions Pathfinder Society has made, I have grown to appreciate your organization's skills and wisdom. We share a common enemy. I don't trust Mirosype at all, and don't want her setting up shop in Druma. You don't want her financing Aspis Consortium operations with Drumish wealth. This is why I reached out to Aaqir. I trust in him to know the right people for the task. I hope I was not mistaken."

Ela:
You sense that Temel may slightly distrust members of The Exchange.
Kaepora:
You sense that Temel is very accustomed to being the wealthiest person involved in most dealings. He's genuinely concerned about 'running with the big dogs'. He might get flighty if he feels he is in over his head.


"Ah yes, the auction. Of course. The bid for Alabastrine is unlike probably anything you've seen before. It is not uncommon for an auction to be turned into a social event, particularly in Druma. However, this one promises to be one of the biggest events in some time. The auction process will take place over the course of three days. There are five registered bidders, each of us will be putting on an event of some kind during those three days. So as you might imagine, simply registering to bid is an enormous commitment of time and funds, even before the bidding begins. It is an unparalleled opportunity to talk and discuss business with other prophets and merchants. I suspect some of the other bidders may not even be that interested in Alabastrine itself, but desire the exposure."

"I cannot compete on that level. I chose to offer the first event. I'll be hosting a humble brunch here at my estate tomorrow morning. I need to not embarass myself, but I've kept things conservative. This will be one of my largest investments to date if I am able to follow through with it. I needed to keep my funds liquid."

"This will also give me a chance to introduce you to the other play makers early in the process."

plz see discussion


"Bandits?!? Here in Druma??" As you describe the events in detail he seems far less surprised. "Ah, I see. You were attacked by bandits in Isger, near Dustpawn. I hope no one was seriously hurt? This should not have been dangerous travel. I'm thankful the Society sent capable agents though. It's intolerable the criminal activity Isger allows to go unchecked. It sounds to me like you are describing the Commencement Path bridge. A gift from Druma to Isger many years ago, meant to be a welcoming sight for immigrants. Some welcome! The Mercenary League normally patrols Commencement Path, even though it is in Isger. Sadly the politics in Isger are complicated by the ever present influence of Cheliax, who doesn't like the idea of such a well equipped force 'encroaching' on their buffer zone. Did you happen to mention this attack when you met with the Mercenary League? Did they investigate this crime?"

Perception=10, This guy is really really rich.


The setting sun gives a glimpse of colorful flowers covering much of the view before you. Just beyond, up a short hill, is a large two-story dwelling made of white marble.

ranks in craft(alchemy) or herbalism feature:
You notice some herbs that can be used in alchemical extracts.

Approaching you is a tall man with carefully groomed hair and an oiled beard. He wears pristine white clothing heavy with gold embroidery and gems. He clasps his white-gloved hands in front of him, and bows respectfully in your direction.

"Ah, my esteemed friends from the Pathfinder Society, and not a moment too soon. So good of you all to join me. You had me worried, but finally you are here. The auction begins tomorrow, we have much to go over. Oh where are my manners. Welcome to Druma, welcome to Kerse, and welcome my home! Please make yourselves comfortable. I hope your journey was delayed by the sheer relaxation and beauty of our abundant nation?"