"Okay, let's go!" Sadiki agrees, closing up her spellbook and grabbing her pack.
***
Amaechi’s shop is a modest, square-roofed clay building on a slight slant. All around the building is muddy ground. The canal’s retaining wall behind the potter’s shop is gone, and the canal is overflowing its banks. Two nearby houses have collapsed over their cracked foundations. It looks like Amaechi’s shop isn’t long from joining them.
"Hmm, this is unusual," Sadiki says. "It isn't the rainy season, so the canal shouldn't be flooded. I'd say this shop only has another two days before its foundation buckles and it collapses!"
Amaechi emerges soon after you arrive. He is covered in dried clay on his upper body and wet mud on his legs and feet. "Thank goodness you’ve come!” he shouts. He gestures at the chaos around him. “I can’t work like this!
“You can probably tell we are artists in this area, not engineers. That means my neighbors and I weren’t much help to counteract the effects of these floods. We tried to get help from Magistrate-Mayor Asanda—as infrastructure is his responsibility—but he’s apparently too busy to worry about us. I hear he has plenty of help at his mansion, which also flooded, but we don’t have the money to just hire a bunch of people. I’m just glad the school sent help... please tell me you have some solutions!”
The most that physical solutions can do at this point is slow the rate at which Amaechi’s shop sinks; the ground is just too saturated. A magical ritual might help here, though. None of the most commonly-known rituals are applicable, but the Magaambya is full of secret lore.
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"Of course we can help!" Issi says soothingly. "We'll get onto the problem right away and have a solution for you tomorrow."
Once back at the Magaambya she looks at her sister and releases everything she couldn't say to Amaechi. "That was not natural, at all. I'm going to hit the libraries, see if I can turn up a ritual or something we can do. You could ask your school? Surely the Rain Scribes know something about rain and water control?"
Luckily Issi has spent quite a bit of time in the libraries and has a good idea of where to go now!
Issi's research produces two potential rituals that could help. The first is called unseen underpinning. It is a variant on the unseen custodians ritual, but instead of conjuring puttering unseen servants, the ritual creates stronger, immobile unseen servants that support a building’s foundations. The second ritual is known as community repair.
Sadiki finds out about the same rituals from Teacher Ot!
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"Well community repair would be better." Issi says with a frown once the two compare notes. "I'm sure Amaechi could get people in to help but could either of us lead it well enough? I'd be a lot better with unseen underpinning, but it would only last a year at best. That might be enough if the magistrate gets to work but not if he doesn't... Did Teacher Ot suggest which one might be better? Ah scrap that, conversants think for themselves. Which do you think is better Sad? Are there any pitfalls or other problems I haven't considered?"
"Commmunity repair does seem better, but I don't think either one of us is a skilled enough performer to pull it off!" Sadiki laments. "Let's give unseen underpinnings a try. You lead and I'll back you up!"
”Mariama’s the occult theorist. Let’s ask her!” Sadiki says.
Mariama is happy to help, and after acquiring the necessary rare oils, salts, and herbs, you return to Amaechi’s shop to perform the ritual.
Mariama helps to invoke the unseen servants and Sadiki successfully appeals to them. ”Okay, Issi, seal the deal! And quickly! With my luck, something’s bound to go wrong if you screw it up!” Mariama says.
The entities comply with the ritual, shoring up the foundation of the shop to stop its collapse! Amaechi is effusive with his thanks. ”Thank you so much for all your hard work! It’s true what they said about you students after all—the future is so bright with people like you learning and helping others.” Amaechi chuckles to himself. “I mean, Asanda has a whole work crew at his manor, and they haven’t done in weeks for him what you did for me in days. You’ve really helped me and everyone in this community.”
Amaechi gives each of you one of his best pots as thanks. Each pot is worth 5 gp
Xhokhan greets the two of you with a wide grin. “Thanks for coming! As you already know, I keep the students stocked with the best alchemical and magical powders I can get. I’m always looking to do that in as thrifty a way as I can, too. I work with many different suppliers from around Nantambu. I mean, quality items are good, but quality items at a low price are even better!
“That said, I just got a shipment in from Bamidele, my old friend and longtime supplier... and the deal was really good! I actually think it was too good. It’s cheaper than I’ve ever gotten alchemical powders from him before. On top of that, I don’t think it’s unrelated that I’ve been hearing of several classes in the last few weeks where major things went wrong with mixtures or experiments. Just to be sure, I’ve recalled all the powders from Bamidele until I can assess what’s going on, but I’d love if you could go talk with him and ask where he got it. I can’t put students’ work—or maybe even their lives—at risk for a good deal. Even a very good deal.”
"A refund would be great if you can get it," Xhokhan says, "but I'm more concerned as to what's going on. Bamidele's always been reliable, though I suspect he’s reselling other people’s alchemical goods rather than producing his own. He has a stall in the trading bazaar. He’s... hard to miss. Just look for loud colors and listen for his even louder laugh."
***
Indeed, Bamidele is easy to track down. He peddles wares at one of the busiest stalls in the market, but he’s tall enough to be easily spotted. He dresses in bright colors, smiles broadly, and speaks loudly. His stall contrasts his large and bright demeanor, as it’s fastidiously organized with understated presentation.
Many people are lined up to buy his wares, so you have to wait about ten minutes as he takes care of business with other customers. Bamidele is plainly a little overwhelmed from all of the business, but he seems happy to speak with you. "Good day, friends! Here to buy some of my famous alchemical powders?"
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"We have a few questions before we buy." Issi replies, keeping the whole thing friendly at least for now. "Xhokhan sent us. He said he got a great deal from you recently but everything he bought has been causing mishaps and a few quite nasty injuries. We were hoping you could tell us where you got the shipment from so we can follow up."
"Mishaps? Are you certain?" Bamidele asks, genuinely confused. "I haven’t really heard anyone complain, and you saw the line I had today! Besides, I would never send Xhokan and his students anything I thought was unsafe.
"I get these powders from Abeo. ‘Abeo the Calm,’ I call him, because he’s just so serious all the time. He meets me here for supplies, but I haven’t seen him in some time—which is a problem, because I’ve nearly sold out of my powders."
Bamidele has no contact information for Abeo. (“He comes to see me with the powders, and I haven’t ever needed to chase him down.”) He suggests hanging out at his stall for the next few days to see if he arrives with another shipment of powders.
Sure enough, after three days, Abeo makes an appearance. The man is visibly nervous when you approach him to talk, though, and at the first sign of even slightly serious questioning, he turns and flees into the market!
THROWN POWDER
Chase Points 2; Overcome DC 20 Acrobatics or Athletics to avoid the powder, DC 18 Crafting to recognize the threat of the powder and shield the eyes early
Abeo throws a bunch of alchemical powders into the air, obscuring vision and making a huge mess that’s difficult to navigate!
With a whispered prayer to the spirits, Sadiki just manages to duck through the clouds of powder! The two sisters catch up to Abeo quickly, before he can disappear into the crowded market.
"Ah! Okay, okay! What do you want from me?" the man asks, eyes wide.
"No. I can't tell you that!" Abeo insists. There is clearly fear in his eyes. It's going to take some serious coercion to get him to talk.
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"You know the Maagambya of course." Issi says, flicking a spark across her finger-tips. "We have magic beyond the bounds of mortals imagination. Forbidden rituals and magic which have been forgotten by the rest of the world."
Quick as a snake she plucks a handful of hairs from his head. "That should do, shouldn't it? Enough for a focusing ritual, one to force him to speak the truth. Or should we do the one that would force him to repeat everything he did for the last week? Wait, does that one need blood? One pint was it? Or is that the one which needs some of the targets bone?"
She turns back to Abeo, a dangerously sweet smile on her face.
"Or you could start talking..."
Abeo goes pale. "No, no, no! Please, don't do that! I'll tell you! I got into trouble recently at one of the gambling dens in the city, and the owner--a grippli--offered me a way to pay back my debts. Deliveries of alchemical reagents are made to my door at night, along with cryptic notes like 'give Bamidele a lot for a little,' or 'move the merchandise faster.' I dn’t know where the powder comes from or who’s dropping it off. My job is to act like a good supplier to Bamidele and start sparking demand as quickly as possible.
"That's all I can tell you, I swear! She'll kill me if I say more! She probably will kill me for telling you this much! Please, you have to sneak me out of Nantambu! Otherwise, I'm a dead man!"
Abeo shakes his head adamantly. "No, no, no! I can't! Get me out, and I'll send you a message once I'm safe. If I tell you now, I'll be dead before day's end!"
Abeo remains on his knees, sobbing. Sadiki looks from him to Issi. "I don't think he's being obstinate. I think he really believes he will be killed. Maybe we should help him..."
Sadiki nods, but Abeo still refuses to divulge anything. "If you won't help, then I'll do it on my own! I have to get out of here!" he wails, getting up and turning to run away!
"Yes, okay! Thank you, thank you!" Abeo cries with relief.
"Good thinking! I'll create a distraction on campus while you get him in and out through the tunnels!" Sadiki says.
The sorceress is good to her word, trying out one of her new genie-gifted abilities. She sets up shop outside the Spire Dormitory and begins to speak at length about the plight of the lower classes in Nantambu. Her words enthrall those who come near, and soon a large crowd has gathered to listen to her on her soapbox.
Issi is able to sneak Abeo into and out of the tunnels without anybody being the wiser to his presence. He breathes a sigh of relief once he is clear of Nantambu. "Thank you, my friend! I am in your debt. The grippli... I do not know her real name, but she calls herself 'Froglegs.' Farewell!" He quickly scurries away.
***
Itpains Bamidele to hear about his potential new business being wiped out before it had even started, but as reports of strange accidents, burns, or poisonings start to roll in, he realizes that he was unknowingly complicit in the affair. He throws himself on the mercy of the Chime-Ringers, who defer the man’s punishments to what you decide; you're representatives of the Magaambya, after all, and the most knowledgeable about the chastened merchant’s activities.
Xhokan is happy enough to know that the new supplies were too good to be true, as he expected all along. He gives you 200 gp in credit at the Powderpile, which you can redeem for alchemical items of 7th level or less.
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After spending a day or so turning over the information in her mind Issi makes an appointment with Janatimo to discuss what she's learned.
"Should we follow up on this?" She asks. "It seems more like a matter for the magistrates than for us, but there's been so many odd things going on in Nantambu recently, I can't help but feel that there might be something greater going on."
Janatimo asks you to meet him at the Speaker’s Stage on the west edge of campus. He listens to your report thoughtfully. "There is perhaps more to this than meets the eye. We will allow the Chime-Ringers to follow up if they so choose. In the meantime, I have another task for you."
The half-elf stretches out his arms to indicate the sunny stage. “I thought this site of Magaambyan performances might focus us on a matter of... well, performances. Someone is robbing street entertainers all over Nantambu. What makes this most interesting is that the folks committing the crimes are quite efficient and show experience on the part of the robbers, but... the stakes are laughably low. I’m not sure anyone becomes a busker to become rich. So why take the risk when you could do something more with your talents?
“When a storyteller withholds parts of the tale, it intrigues the listener. I’m intrigued. I need you to fill out the rest of this story for me."
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"That does seem strange." Issi agrees thoughtfully. "I'll see what we can find out for you."
Meeting over she goes to find her sister and tells her about the new mission they've received.
"What do you think?" She asks, "We could try interviewing the victims, or maybe set you up as a performer and see if someone comes to hustle you?"
Before you leave, Janatimo tells you that the robbers are predominantly humans, but there are a few iruxis among them. The Chime-Ringers have higher priorities, but they might have some reports that could shed more light on the attack, even if they haven't acted yet.
"Yes, we should talk to the victims and the Chime-Ringers first," Sadiki says. "Depending on what we learn from them, we can decide our next steps."
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Issi is no musician, but she does have a sincere admiration for those that are and is thus able to easily strike up conversations with a number of the buskers on Nantambu's streets.
Once those leads have been exhausted she heads for the Chime-Ringers headquarters where politeness and sympathy work wonders in getting access to the watch's reports.
Speaking with the performers, you learn that the gang of robbers is four in number, lead by a lizardfolk with black slashes. The attacks seem to come when the performers are packing up and are most flush with coin, and they steal musical instruments as well as money.
Getting the Chime-Ringers to open up is no trouble for the well-versed magus. It seems the robbers have been very active and are thus likely getting wealthy just from the sheer volume of their strikes. The attackers come and go from a run-down area of the city.
Piecing all the clues together over the course of a day, you are able to determine the location of the gang's hideout. The hideout is the most intact building amid a cluster of abandoned wooden shacks. All the windows have been boarded up while the front door hangs open, barely on its hinges. Smoke drifts out of the back of the building, carrying with it the faint smell of charred food.
"Yeah, let's do it," Sadiki says, looking determined.
The shack's foyer is empty. There are doors to the left and right, and a hall leading back further into the building. The left door is open. Two hastily built straw beds line the wall opposite the door. Bits of trash cover the hard dirt floor and an open chest sits against the wall.
A burly human sits on one bed, opposite a lean Ekujae elf. They are eating from bowls, but as soon as they see you, they leap to their feet and draw their weapons!
They cross the room before you can react. The human slashes with his longsword, while the elf jabs with a dagger.
Sadiki unleashes a pair of powerful scorching rays at both villains!
Sadiki badly burns both baddies, then Issi takes down the burly man with an electrified sword strike! The elf curses loudly and jabs at Issi again, managing one light strike.
The elf goes down hard as the fiery sword cuts into him. Sadiki quickly presses her hands to Issi's wounds, channeling healing energy.
You quickly press on to the next room, opening the door. The smell of many different spices fills this room. Several books are scattered in the corner. On the far side of the wall is a chair next to a straw bed. A lanky female lizardfolk sits on the bed, perusing a book. Like the other thugs, she's furious at the interruption, standing and reaching for her club with a loud snarl!
She hurls the book at Issi's face as she stands and brandishes her weapon!
Sadiki winces as Issi takes the book to the face. She lays hands on her sister again before trying to blast the lizardfolk with a hydraulic push!
The lizardfolk takes both heavy hits, but she's still standing. She swings her club in a powerful arc, but Issi manages to dodge the strike! Her tail whips around, though, slamming into the magus.