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Requesting you personally, Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi invites you all to his personal estate in Qadira’s capital of Katheer. Signs of wealth abound; fine cloth awnings hang over an impressive spread of food and drink, with fruits, meats, and grains from across the Inner Sea. Esmayl’s attire is expensive, finely pressed, and immaculate. As you arrive, the venture-captain clasps the arm of each of you at the elbow one by one (waiting a moment to watch for any social cues that might indicate the physical contact is unwelcome). "Please, enjoy the refreshments and get to know each other a moment."
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The jaguar following behind the Sarkorian slinks toward the table. Reaching over the edge of the table with a tentative paw, he gently coaxes a cooked bird carcass off of its platter and onto the floor. He glances at Esmayl and then grabs the bird in his jaws and scurries to a corner with the prize.
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Having been told that he should take advantage of the spread, Heyou! does just that. Standing up on the chair, he starts sampling everything with in reach.
When folks give him a look, he says, "Oh yeah. Me supposed ALWAYS introduce meself, so that longshanks don't think Heyou! some sort of uncouth barbarian goblin! Me a VERY civilized goblin and good Pathfinder, too!
"Me is Heyou! Bumblebrasher, and me come from little town of Breechhill in Isger. Me always wanted to be a Pathfinder, so me study REAL hard and learn to be a doctor medic. So, ifs any of you all get hurt, Heyou! will be able to fix you up real good! Me have my own healing kit, and me NEVER make anyone worse when I treat them. And me promise that I barely use ANY nightsoil in my poultices.
"Oh, and if you is wondering about Heyou!'s name, when me was growing up, it was always 'Hey, you! Don't eat that!' or 'Hey, you! Get out of there!' so me always figure that was my name!"
The little goblin looks very proud of himself.
"Oh, yeah, me supposed to tell you that if me accidently splash you with any bombs or anything, I will make it all ok again and heal you right up!"
He then sees something that look DELICIOUS at the far end of the table, and hops up, ready to run down to grab it...
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Dr Bright also returns the clasp. Dr Sirius Bright. Unlike our goblin friend there, I am already a healer medic, with the title of Doctor. Used to work on the warzone.
Doctor Bright is human but it looks like there's a slight touch of aasimar in his background. He then looks over to Heyou. I'd be quite happy to give you some assistance in your healing should you need it.
After greeting the venture captain, he goes to examine and sample the delicacies on display.
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A unarmored girl of less than 20 years carries nothing on her other than her pack and a single dagger. Her straight, dark hair sits on her shoulders, swept back behind her ears. Her complexion is pale and her muscles weak as she clearly spends little time outdoors or doing anything active at all. Some of you may recognize her garb as the uniform of a student of the Arcanamirium.
"I am Marta, I am a student of Thassilonian history and magic at the Arcanamirium. After a few months of cataloging my discoveries or my recent visit to New Thassilon night and day for the past few months, it's finally good to be out and about again."
"Of course I am talented in magic of the arcane tradition, especially those of life and death, which is a bit problematic at times as it is not a course of study many a prepared to teach, but as one of my professors said, where natural talent lies, it would be irresponsible not to nurture and guide it."
"But... my magic may not be the only way I can help. I've learned a thing or two about the arts of subterfuge and legerdemain. I guess you can say you've studied all you can about Thassilonian magic at the Arcanamirium until you've learned how to access some of its library's restricted collections."
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A petite dark-haired and dusky-skinned woman lounged easily against a nearby wall. Clothed in dark leather armor accented with a colorful sash, she seemed as if she would blend in with any crowd. A pair of batons ride easily in sheaths on her hips. A playful smile sits on her lips as the others introduce themselves. She nibbled on something sweet, but did not overindulge as they waited.
"Mikaela Solange, infiltration specialist. My talents lie in getting unwary fools to underestimate me, then subduing them and taking what I need from them. "
She motioned at her small stature.
"When you have all this to work with, you need a few tricks up your sleeve, yes?"
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The Sarkorian chuckles at Marta's last comment.
"I am Chulyin," he says as the others arrive. "I trained at the Magaambya so I am versed in the four magical essences, although my skill lies most strongly in matter and life. Along those lines, I, too, and well trained in tending to ailments and wounds. I have an affinity for the natural world but did not shirk my assignments in the libraries or the courts."
He moves to the table and begins to assemble himself a plate of food.
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A tall man with rugged features, enters and leaves his long wooden staff by the entrance. His features suggest that his blood is not pure human, but is tainted with the bestial orc. The man touches his forehead gently, welcoming the assembled, "I am humbled to meet such worthy Pathfinders and be able to add my small gifts and talents to aid your work. It is an honour to called by Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi to a mission, that I will do my best to complete." He wanders over to the foods on the table, taking a fig and date to eat. His hands move gracefully and with no small amount of delicacy. His fingers have many rings on his fingers, though none look worth more than the metal and stone they are made with.
"Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi, to be called for this, my first mission as a Pathfinder, will be the first proof of my worth. More than just my skill with hands to make rings for the market." He jiggles his fingers, showing off the rings that sparkle on his fingers. "In my training, I studied and read the art of magic, which is new to me, but I have command of some magics, that I keep in a tome." He bows to the Venture-Captain. If the VC isn't present this happens when the VC enters.
He wears no armour under his long dark coat, just a pair of breeches and a white shirt, new and pressed. On a chain around his neck, a homemade pendant with the symbol of Abadar in its centre, rests gently on his chest. His shoes are made of black leather, well made and sturdy. He smiles, "My friends, when our destinies have combined to give us success in our mission, I may make a small token of our work together, should you wish to buy a piece of my fine jewelry?"
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"Welcome all of you to my home, and thank you very much for coming. I have invited you here so you can help me settle an important matter on behalf of the Pathfinder Society as a whole. As you know, our lodge here in Katheer is the only location we have in the whole of Qadira. This is something I plan to rectify personally, so I have contributed a small fortune to purchasing a plot of land for another lodge, close to the slave port of Sedeq in the south."
“We’re having this conversation here due to my personal stake in the matter. As it happens, I’ve come across a problem that’s brought the sale to a complete halt. Two different merchant families, the Agarja and the Patari, have approached me with papers claiming they are the proper owners of this land. Both attest they are descendants of the original landowner, Prince Agar ibn Karatari. I was under the impression I was to deal only with the owner of his estate until these two families stepped forward. The process to complete the sale alone will take months, but thankfully, this is a problem that can be rectified."
“With your assistance, we can determine which family is the legitimate heir to the property. There are four documents we can use to authenticate the prince’s lineage, which I have tracked to the bazaars of Katheer. Here is a list of the four merchants you’ll need to speak with. I would recover them myself, but I have another appointment I’m afraid I must keep. While you are in the bazaar, I will be discussing another matter with a fellow Pathfinder agent. I intend to use the new lodge as a safe house for the Society and our allies released from slavery, and I have intelligence which indicates some of our own could be moving through Sedeq from across the Inner Sea."
“If you’re able to recover these documents on my behalf, not only can we move ahead with saving our compatriots in chains, but we can establish further relations with the nation of Qadira and hopefully within Casmaron itself.” Esmayl gives you over the list and awaits any further questions.
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Drakmak, let's peach juice drop down his chin as he carefully eats the soft yellow flesh. "So, these merchants and families, do any have a position on slavery, would it bite into their income?" He asks the esteemed Venture Captain. "For if they know your plans for the land, then they might be more willing to insist on their claim, honourable Esmayl ibn Qaradi."
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"Is there any chance that we will have to acquire the documents from these merchants in a less obvious way? I'm not saying that we'll go in with the plan to mug them and steal the paperwork, but is it an option? likewise, how do we pay for these documents? Is there a line of credit, a trade in favors, what?"
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Heyou! starts with 2 Hero Points, as I am slotting my Promotional Service Award.
Boon 1: Radiant Oath Champion
Boon 2: Promotional Service Award
Boon 3: Hireling (survival, herbalism lore)
Boon 4: Experienced Adventurer (playtest boon)
Boon 5 (advanced): Touched by the Storm (1-04)
Cold resistance 1 and Electrical resistance 1
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How many generations back is this Prince Agar ibn Karatari?
"That is why you should head to the Royal Concessions. There is a scribe there that specializes in genealogical studies."
Drakmak, let's peach juice drop down his chin as he carefully eats the soft yellow flesh. "So, these merchants and families, do any have a position on slavery, would it bite into their income?" He asks the esteemed Venture Captain. "For if they know your plans for the land, then they might be more willing to insist on their claim, honourable Esmayl ibn Qaradi."
“The Agarja family deals in trading spices to and from other lands, and the Patari family farms cattle local to Qadira. I am eager to find out who truly owns the property we seek. No slaves that I am aware of.”
"How did these merchants come into possession of the documents?"
"Each specializes in their own field. The items or information have already been paid for and simply need to be collected."
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"Lead on gracious lady, scribes of the lands and seas beckon us on. " the smiling half-orc walks with confidence towards the bazaar. He
takes a position next to the young woman Marta and engages her in conversation. As they walk he asks, "It seems you and I may have some use of magic, it may be possible we could learn from each other? Perhaps when we have time we can discuss such magic."
The sun beats down on the sights and sounds of the bazaar, the sweet smell of spices hits Drakmak's nostrils, Almost like home. He stops at several stalls with sparkling silver and gold rings looking with a critical eye at the jewelry, noting the techniques used to create these items.
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Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi hands you over slips as proof of the purchases. "Shouldn't be a need for these but if you insist."
The Opulent Bazaar of Katheer is magnificent. Qadira’s satrap, Xerbystes II, certainly spared no expense in the upkeep of the capital and is paying an even greater fortune in its expansion. In between merchants from nearby Casmaron and from all over Golarion attempting to hawk their wares. Spreading out a bit and with a lot of help from Mikaela you are able to locate the stalls you need in around 2 hours.
Regrouping you you find that visiting the stalls in order seems to be the most efficient but certainly not the only option.
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Heyou! mostly allows himself to be lead along. This a bit of a challenge for this fellow Pathfinders, as there are many things to distract a young goblin. Even with the best of their efforts, his light fingers seem to acquire for him an unending stream of confectioneries. "This way is fine!" he says over a full mouth.
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Using the quickest path of least resistance you quickly make it to the Satrap Esoterica where you find a Garundi woman with very eclectic tastes. "Welcome, I am Anebu. I have everything you want under the Qadiran sun—and everything you need under the satrap’s starry skies. What are you looking for?"
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Having spent most of the time looking at one of the ancient leah=her bound books held on the stall, 'Dr Carthunann's Molten Majesty' a tome on transforming metal and stone. As he looks up, from being engrossed, he sees the others moving away and quickly puts the book back, "Thanks you Anebu, I may be back later to enquire more about this tome."
He quickly walks after the others...
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With no little enjoyment, Drakmak listens to Heyou and with a big grin replies and points to a nearby stall. The stall is selling powders of many different colours reds, yellows and blacks in sacks and boxes all on show. A pungent smell comes from many of the powders and dried leaves of plants, including some dried dark red skinned pointed pods. Drakmak directs the Heyou to buy some of the red pods, "Heyou if you really are hungry, a couple of those pods might just take your appetite away."
As the goblin heads to the stall, Drakmak buys a skin of cool coconut milk, from another stall nearby. Drakmak continues to follow after Mikaela, as they make their way through the bazaar.
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Drakmak sips his coconut milk as Heyou munches on a handful of red pods while the sun beats down on you from above creating a sweltering heat. The sun seems to shine more brightly upon the sign of the Morning Sands. Perhaps divinely so, as this quaint shop serves as an antechamber to one of the many churches of Sarenrae in Katheer. The Vuldrani Priestess working the stall catches a glint of Chulyin's wayfinder and smiles. "Ah, you must be the Pathfinders that Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi was going to send about the information on Prince Agar." She seems to get lost in though looking at two or her stacks of scrolls. "Now did I find that information out in the sacred texts or the forbidden archives?"