Extinct Dot
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Seeing that some of the party has begun to assemble, the man speaks. "As-salaam alaikum. My name is Yushua ibn Ayorik, a devotee of the Dawnflower. Do we have any of the Dawnflowers faithful among us today?"
Not seeing any favorable responses, Yushua continues, directing his monologue mostly at Amira. "You will have to excuse my devoutness but I have taken a vow to only accept healing from my Goddess. Even in situations of life or death, I please ask that you do not include me when you channel energy from your god. On my belt I keep these." Yushua pulls out a wand and a potion. "You will notice that they are inscribed with prayers to Sarenrae. They have been blessed by one of her priests. Only these should be used to heal me."
Stowing his items back on his belt, Yushua continues. "I believe that everyone should be given a chance at Redemption." The man unsheathes his scimitar and lays it on the table. "I find that my foes always meet Redemption, one way or another." Amira will be able to read that the blade has a word inscribed on it in Kelish: Redemption.
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"Very well, then. " She yells at an ever-growing-stronger Tien-Min porter.
The porter shuffles through endless paper, which would clearly be more easily sorted if Amira would spend her money on a Handy Haversack (but Toshi was cheaper.) He fills out a number of blanks, mostly listing the contract number and name. "Please sign here, here, and here... and print here and here.."
______________, whom shall henceforth also be referred to as the undersigned, has hereby requested a partial exemption from Abadar-Pathfinder Society Contract 22357, which will be listed in Subsection 1 of this document. Upon signing of this document, any agent held under contract by Abadar-Pathfinder Society Contract 22357 agrees to actively not provide any requested service(s) listed in Subsection 1, which shall henceforth be referred to as a prohibited service. Initial: ___
The undersigned acknowledges that all prohibited services will not be produced by any Abadaran agents on Abadar-Pathfinder Society Contract 22357 under any conditions until the undersigned completes a Retraction of Voluntary Partial Exemption from Abadar-Pathfinder Society Account Contract 22357 form. This agreement is to be considered valid proof of denial of a prohibited service though any Reincarnation, identity theft, death, or other factor by which any agent held under contract by Abadar-Pathfinder Society Contract 22357 deems sufficient to declare the target of a prohibited service is the undersigned. Initial: ___
The undersigned agrees to make no civil claims against any agent under the service of Abadar-Pathfinder Society Contract 22357, and any related civil claims of injury or discontent from a result of failure to deliver a prohibited service will be immediately deemed a case of contractual fraud in any court of law. The undersigned agrees that failure to adhere to this agreement will result with the undersigned being punished to the fullest extent of the Abadaran law for the aforementioned crime, with no further warning. Should the undersigned be located in an area where a branch of the law is incapable of operating, the claim of contractual fraud is not subject to any time-oriented factor which could deem it invalid. Initial: ___
Should the undersigned desire a prohibited services from an agent, the undersigned has been made aware that the can request a Retraction of Voluntary Partial Exemption from Abadar-Pathfinder Society Account Contract 22357 form and will receive such a document within one-to-three business days. Initial: AA
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We have read the above document and understand its terms.Initial: AA
Initial: TI
Initial: __
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Subsection 1:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________We, the signed below, understand and accept the conditions above as prohibited services and agree to cease deliver of the requested services until further notice.
Abadaran Agent:
Print: Amira El-Amin
Signature: *Signature in Taldane*Print: Toshi Ibi
Signature: トシPrint: _____________
Signature: _______________-----------------------------
I hereby agree that I will not receive any of the services listed in Subsection 1 until a proper Retraction of Voluntary Partial Exemption form is completed and processed.
Print:
___________________________
Signature:
___________________________-----------------------------
I hereby agree to deny providing all prohibited services listed in Subsection 1 by all means possible until a proper Retraction of Voluntary Partial Exemption form is completed and processed.
Print:
___________________________
Signature:
___________________________
Amira signs a few initials before handing over a quill and the document. "I'm obligated to inform you that you will have to fill out a Retraction of Voluntary Partial Exemption form to receive any requested services listed on this document, and that I have them ready within a few minutes, if needed. I will finish the form and process it once you've finished filling it out." She points to all the areas that need initialed or signed.
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Samhain shakes his head at Amira's papermongering.
"Always keeping track and tracking liability. It is good to see you again, Amira."
The elf dips his head in greeting to the covered stranger. "Samhain Galanodel, pleased to make your acquaintance."
From the looks of him, he seems to stand out little more than a common traveler. The only difference is the number of quivers on his back and side and a longsword at his hip as opposed to a shortsword or dagger. No sort of armor can be seen on him.
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Yushua carefully reads over the form . "This seems reasonable enough." He signs his name and puts his initials in the appropriate places and hands the paper back to Amira. "Thank you for your understanding. I do appreciate Abadar's respect for proper process. Just feel free to grab the wand from my belt should I appear ill."
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Amira returns Samhain's greeting with a nod as starts signing her acknowledgement part. "Indeed, someone has to, lest the Ten have another Shadow Lodge problem on their hands."
She holds her hand out to Toshi while focused on signing for him to hand her a stamp. She stamps the document once at the bottom and hands both pieces back to the porter for storage. "Document completed and processed. My apologies for the possibly rude introduction, Mr. Ayorik. I am Amira el-Amin, Clergywoman of Abadar. It is pleasant to meet you, as well, and moreso that we have completed that important business before anything bad happens. Never know what could happen with the Wardstones failing."
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Having just finished being forced to organize a giant stack of notes taken from some manor in Varisia, Sebastian quickly makes his way to the building the meeting is being held at. Stepping through the door he strides into the room with his helmet under one arm and takes a look at the already assembled Pathfinders. He then does a double-take when his gaze crosses over Amira and a groan escapes his mouth. "Amira? Please tell me you are only here for that paperwork." The paladin says while gesturing to the documents being handed to the porter.
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Amira gestures to Yusua. "I'll assume him under my command for the purposes of the contract, Mr. Ayorik. I'll be sure to brief thoroughly, so he understands the full terms of the agreement."
"That would be false, Mr. Jai-Rue," Amira says turning to the Paladin. "As I'm sure you're still unaware of the goings-on at the Bank, I'll have a copy of the memo informing the Absalom branch staff that I've been granted full custodial entitlement on an Abadar-Pathfinder Society contract sent to you posthaste. Abadar has rewarded me greatly for my contractual services with a number of divine powers." She adjusts her glasses before continuing. "As I've discussed with you before, Mr. Jai-Rue, speaking softly and acting with clear judgement has great rewards." She waves back to her porter. "By the way, the vacancy from before you left for your martial training has finally been filled. Meet your successor, Toshi Ibi."
Toshi waves pleasantly.
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"My condolences Toshi, you have a hard life ahead of you." Sebastian responds to the wave, before directing his attention back to Amira. "Speaking softly? Your voice is like dragging nails down a chalkboard. Your rewards are more likely garnered from people sick of hearing you."
Giving a dismissive wave to the shrill woman, he approaches the cloaked man. "Name is Sebastian, although I am sure you'll be sick of hearing it by the end of our trip with this one around. No healing magics then?"
The five of you received instructions to journey to the Mwangi Expanse, reporting to the city of Kibwe.
Many adventurers have dared to explore the Mwangi Expanse. Some die, others recover valuable treasures, but almost all of them pass through the walled city of Kibwe. Kibwe is a flourishing center of trade, home to tribal folk from a plethora of races. Humans, elves, and even a few lizardfolk merchants wave to passersby, eager to scam gold from unwary travelers.
A Mwangi Pathfinder named Tuukna waits beneath the central pavilion just up ahead. “Good to see you, Pathfinders! I bring dire news from the Expanse.” Tuukna gestures to seats on benches beneath the blossoming trees before continuing his story. “I just received word that a band of traveling merchants was found dead after exploring the nearby ruins of the once proud city of Dokeran. Our agents across the Mwangi Expanse claim an eerie song echoes from the ruins, which were previously assumed to be abandoned. We have reason to believe this song was responsible for the destruction of Dokeran decades ago." He fans himself with his hat, absently, swatting at a fly.
“If this region is ever going to be a safe place for travelers and explorers, I need you to find out what still lurks within the ruins. Head northwest, toward the rivers flowing out of Lake Ocota. I’ve arranged for you to meet a witch doctor named Nangi along the River Bdonge. This ancient mystic knows Dokeran well. I believe he will be willing to serve as your guide through the ruins. Give him this copper coin and tell him Tuukna sent you." The Mwangi reaches into his vest and removes the coin, holding it out in the palm of his hand as resumes speaking.
“Should you come across a physical copy of the song heard from within the ruins—be it sheet music, a cursed instrument, or anything else unusual—return it to your venture-captain immediately. If this song is the fabled Song of Extinction, we may have some hard times ahead of us.” With a crooked grin, he says. "Any questions?"
Tuukna shakes his head and shrugs at Yushua's question. We do not know other than, as I said before, it is believed to have been destroyed by the song, at least two centuries ago.
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Earplugs reference, for those who desire them.
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Briefing
"Can you tell us more of this Nangi? What should we be looking for to find him if things go awry?" Amira asks, expecting something to go wrong.
"Already have some of that, traveling with Amira and all." Sebastian comments offhandedly, pointing to his pack.
"For the record, we have not traveled together anywhere since our Confirmations as Pathfinders. Any ownership of any audible-drowning implements is clearly a coincidence."
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Tuukna listens to Amira's question, slapping a fly on the nape of his neck before answering. "He is of Mwangi descent and has been around as long as anyone can remember. Nangi will probably find you before you find him, but in any case, if he has a crocodile for a companion then you can have little doubt, you have the right man."
Still fanning himself with his hat, he turns at Davion's question. "Not more than half a day's trek."
Rumors swirled for years about the Song of Extinction. They say it draws on the power of a dark god to wipe out entire civilizations.
You have heard rumors, that the local wild elves have been disappearing, some think to made into the slave for some foul power.
Tuukna smiles and looks conflicted for a moment. As enticing and exciting as that sounds, I'm afraid I have some reports to write up and another lead to follow up on. Best of luck to you Pathfinders! The Mwangi says as he turns to leave.
The party organizes themselves and heads north, following the valley of the river Bdonge. The trek is hot and humid as the party is constantly harassed by a multitude of buzzing, biting, and blood-sucking insects. Slogging through the overgrowth, you periodically here animals slither and scamper off into the dense, steaming jungle.
The forest thins and a narrow river is visible ahead. Damp swampland runs along either side of the riverbed.
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Amira looks to Sebastian, presenting the First Aid gloves. "I, in the name of the Keeper of the First Vault, ask you to temporarily return to your 'Eyes of the Scribes' position for the duration of this mission. To put it in layman's terms, these gloves can heal and bring the dead back from life if used within a few second of death." She pushes up her glasses again and gestures towards Toshi before continuing to proceed. "Please refer to Toshi should you need further instruction. He still has the user manual and will read it to you, if desired."
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These fingerless gloves of white cloth have a sapphire decorating the base of each exposed finger, numbering 10 in all. The wearer of a pair of first aid gloves can, as a standard action, cast any of the following spells (caster level 9th), permanently expending a number of sapphires equal to the spell’s level (as denoted in parentheses after each spell): breath of life (5), cure critical wounds (4), cure light wounds (1), cure moderate wounds (2), cure serious wounds (3), and mass cure light wounds (5). When casting a spell from the gloves, the wearer can’t expend sapphires on different hands, thus only a full hand’s worth of gems can be used to cast breath of life or mass cure light wounds. Regardless, both gloves must be worn to function. Once all of the sapphires are expended, a pair of first aid gloves becomes nonmagical.
"In short, you punch dead man with 5 gem to make them not dead!" Toshi says, while Amira shudders the thought. "Oh! Mr. Jai-Rue! You were bodyguard and stuff-carrier of combat before me to Amira-san?!? Teach me combat, prease!" Toshi asks with many bows. "I learn mighty Shoanti crub technique with orc in orc land, but is onry combat training I get so farl!"
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"So you want me to ditch my gauntlets to wear these girly things? Will they still work if I get blood on them?" Sebastian asks Amira while removing his gauntlets and replacing them with the gloves. He then turns to Toshi and hands him his gauntlets. "I typically work as a bodyguard, so being able to move regularly in heavy armor is a must. You can wear these for the time being if you wish to practice. Just keep them clean."
As the party approaches the thin area near the river, you begin to see large shapes in the tall grass. Large feline-like creatures with wicked ebony quills run from their head, tail, and back, they move towards the party as you notice an elf standing along the edge of the jungle.