Pathfinder Society Scenario #5–12: Destiny of the Sands—Part 1: A Bitter Bargain (PFRPG) PDF

Yes, it's Torch.

Initiate of Osirion’s Mysteries,

As you no doubt recall, our dismissal from the Ruby Prince’s inner circle made it possible for us to research the organization known as the Jeweled Sages, a society that dates back to Osirion’s golden age millennia ago. These men and women sensed the decline of their kingdom and began to gather the relics and wisdom that might otherwise be lost to the ages. Each sage carried a jewel in which he or she stored memories and secrets of the past, passing them to chosen successors when a member inevitably passed away. Our desert homeland’s tumultuous past scattered the Jeweled Sages to the winds, but I am certain that if they were still united as in ages past, they would praise your accomplishments over these past months—while they valued the wisdom of the whole, they also honored the initiative and excellence of the individual.

Yet are they truly gone, and I the last? We recently learned that someone calling herself the Diamond Sage has lived in central Osirion for years, and if her agents are any metric, she is as interested in meeting us as I am to finally meet another of my order. What’s more, I have divined that several other sages’ jewels are also buried nearby, though I do not know their exact locations. Because my reputation in Osirion is still stained by last year’s developments, I am sending you, my loyal agents, to find these jewels, locate the Diamond Sage, and arrange for us all to meet formally and determine the future of our fractured order. I am not certain quite what to expect when we finally meet the Diamond Sage, and I trust I will have your insights to aid my own judgment of the matter.

The Pathfinder Society has been most generous in providing me a home and offering its support in our endeavors. Even now I am working with Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir to orchestrate a formal Pathfinder expedition to the trade city of Eto, where I hope you can pick up the trail of my elusive colleague. I owe the Society much for its aid. When our business near Eto is done, let us remember your fellow Pathfinders and the equally monumental task they face to the north.

For the Jeweled Sages,
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage

Most Valued Associate,

Have you noticed our offices’ recent renovations: the intricate rugs, delicate vases, and shining candelabras? I felt it appropriate to spend a fraction of our recent profits on enhancing our image to reflect the lucrative business deals that you have helped secure. Through some delicate handling, the dwarves and the Kalistocrats are both willing to do business with us, though I imagine it’s only a matter of time before their rivalries flare up and force us to choose who our real friends are. Even then we shall enjoy the fruits of cooperation with the Rahadoumi, whose location offers us greater access to the west coasts of both Garund and Avistan.

Before we break open the Chelish wine, however, we must maintain our momentum; I can manage the consolidation of what we have already acquired if you can find and seal more contracts. Making our mark on the Katapeshi markets will have to wait until our network is particularly robust, so look elsewhere. I have made arrangements with the Pathfinder Society to send you to Eto, a thriving crossroads city in Osirion, to see what you can learn there. Should you meet a particularly capable powerbroker or merchant lord, see if you can bargain for a few trade secrets or news of any up-and-coming trading centers worth our attention. Of course, I expect you to follow through on that advice, so be prepared for extended travel.

Stay well while you are abroad. My colleague Guaril Karela has been looking particularly ill recently, and each month that passes seems to age him another year. I also hear that my mentor in Qadira is bedridden, and I shall travel to see him soon.

To a bright future,
Trade-Prince Aaqir al’Hakam

My Loyal Associate,

You’ve heard, haven’t you? At least half of the family seems to be running around half-mad. Well, let me assure you that hearing the word on the street is hardly the same as seeing the writing on the wall; anyone who thinks she can send assassins to stick a knife between old Guaril’s ribs is in for a nasty surprise—at least half a dozen nasty surprises with 20-inch biceps and iron-studded cudgels, in fact.

Fortunately, the Pathfinder Society knows just how valuable our services are and has volunteered some extra muscle to ensure that my head and neck do not end their longstanding partnership (I find the two have grown rather attached to each other and would terribly upset if separated). The key now is finding out which rats think they can take on the Sczarni and where their little warren is. I have to say, your work so far has turned up some strong leads; keep this up and you’ll go far in the family.

What I’m not so happy about is hearing that my former business associate is one of the ones selling me out! What’s worse, he’s done a truly professional job of covering his tracks—so much so that none of my cousins have been able to track down our real enemies. I’ve run out of good options, so I’m sending you in to negotiate. The information-broker I’m talking about is holed up in Eto, and the Pathfinder Society has organized a special trip for us to knock on his door and ask some pointed questions (I’m telling you, this deal with the Society is great). Stay sharp, figure out where our enemies are holed up, and don’t promise anything we can’t deliver on.

Once you know where our enemies are, contact me. I’ll pull some strings and make sure the Society lends us a hand in busting some skulls and ending this debacle. Of course, when the time comes, I’ll need you to lead the raid. In the meantime, go help the Pathfinders do Pathfinder things—you know the routine.

Go make me proud,
Guaril Karela

Absolutely. They were never caught sabotaging Torch, so they did not get caught more than once. Wrecking his plans is not required for the secondary condition, keeping the token to contact Amenopheus is.