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Arodus, 4714
Honored Colleague,
This letter is one of many pages splayed across my desk—normally kept so tidy but now overgrown with contracts, orders, and confirmations sealed in a rainbow of wax with a menagerie of stunning signet rings. In other circumstances I might be anxious about the disarray, but instead I have good reason to be excited. When I meet with a dear friend tomorrow and sign on the dotted line, I will terminate my commission as an official representative of Qadira and create a new business—with you as a stakeholder.
It may seem like folly to abandon the backing of the Qadiran satrapy, but I assure you that there are advantages. Many of our new clients have expressed reluctance to work with anything but an independent outfit, and my former superiors have vetoed several otherwise lucrative ventures on political grounds. These fine men and women have acknowledged and honored my decision, ensuring that Qadira remains a friend in the future. We are no longer bound by those restrictions, and lucrative opportunities await.
I have already set in motion a merger with Guaril Karela's operation, and based on projections, this growth should establish us as a force to be reckoned with in markets across the Inner Sea. Keep in mind that while the Sczarni employees are very capable business people, they sometimes pursue less savory business practices to manage the competition. Finding the right balance between our styles will be an early growing pain, so please be accommodating as we find the appropriate middle ground. If anything, their diverse skill set should help us adapt to fulfill countless commercial interests.
The Pathfinder Society has taken an interest in our young company, too, and I have a meeting with several investors from the Grand Lodge later this evening. With a broad enough trade network, I may be able to negotiate exclusive contracts to supply the Society in future expeditions. As you travel abroad, remember to study the markets and build connections with well-established, independent merchants. At an earlier meeting, a Society representative mentioned the Mwangi Expanse, which has long been beyond our reach—until now.
To our future success,
Trade-Prince Aaqir al'Hakam
The Pathfinder Society Organized Play campaign begins the Year of the Sky Key, its sixth season of Pathfinder RPG adventures. Keep the words of Trade-Prince al'Hakam in mind, and be on the lookout for opportunities to help the new Exchange faction succeed in its objectives. When the time comes, endeavor to participate in Pathfinder Society Scenario #6-03: The Technic Siege.
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I cannot speak for all of my cousins, but I do not see benefit in this...merger. Being Sczarni is more than simply making money. Well, that's a lot of it, but it's also about a very important concept: family. Family you can trust. Family you can depend on. Family will support you. Family will avenge you.
I see none of this in this "Exchange". I see none of this in this...prince person. How can we trust such an individual who so casually abandons his country...his family, if you will. I know I cannot.
This merger does not bode well for us, my cousins. We may very well have to strike out on our own and find our own way. The way of family.
Your cousin,
El Fuego
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"Hah! Yer all perty funny, but ah don' think ya mean ta be", says a big, ugly half-orc, with a skull and crossbones pendant around his neck.
"'less savory business practices to manage the competition'", Green Beard quotes, intentionally talking in a mockingly stuffy manner. "Yeah, ah'm 'less savory' alright! Ah'm a pirate! Tha's tha point! Besmara an' me, we getalong jus' fine without no trade contracts or paperwork."
"And El Fuego, 'family'? Really??? Tha' Guaril guy may be pretty good abou' movin' merchandise, but he ain't no fam'ly man."
"Ah'm jus' not sure where ah belong any more. Ah'll probably stick aroun' ta see how much cash ah can get outta this merger stuff, but these Qadiran types better not cramp ma style."
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I cannot speak for all of my cousins, but I do not see benefit in this...merger. Being Sczarni is more than simply making money. Well, that's a lot of it, but it's also about a very important concept: family. Family you can trust. Family you can depend on. Family will support you. Family will avenge you.
I see none of this in this "Exchange". I see none of this in this...prince person. How can we trust such an individual who so casually abandons his country...his family, if you will. I know I cannot.
This merger does not bode well for us, my cousins. We may very well have to strike out on our own and find our own way. The way of family.
Your cousin,
El Fuego
El Fuego,
I can assure you that Trade-Prince Hakam is very much a family man. He has three lovely daughters that he, alongside his partner, are raising. I imagine that this move will enable him the freedom to spend more time them all, without failing in his duties to the Exchange.
Also if you can imagine that he has in any way casually abandoned his country then you are a great fool.
Either way I urge you to give this endeavor a true try before declaring it a waste of your time. I too have reservations, but I intend to give this endeavor my best.
Your new ally,
Trade-Prince Tariq al'Abdsaren
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Yes, El Fuego, the ties of blood are strong, but the ties of faith and coin are stronger. Far too often do relatives forget that you are anything but related. Give me Pathfinders as my Siblings, Razmir as my Father, and Profit as my Mother. I welcome these new business ventures. The veins of trade will connect us to a far greater family than those we were born with. Take pride that we have and will continue to rise above our bestowed caste! Take these Steps, El Fuego, and you too can tailor your family.
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Cousins,
I thank you for your kind words of encouragement, but I fear my path may lead elsewhere. Despite your call for patience, I hear the voices of far too many others of the family who have become blinded by promise of riches...well, more blinded than usual. But I fear such blindness may cost them much more than they gain. Cost them the bonds of the family. Something I do not think I can forgo. I am, and always will be, Sczarni.
But worry not for me, my cousins, for I suspect there will always be work for a man, such as I, skilled at bringing the gift of fire to places...things...people...whatnot.
And thank you kindly Trade-Prince Tariq al'Abdsaren for informing me of the Trade-Prince Aaqir al'Hakam's family. It is always good to know how many gifts to bring should the need arise.
I bid you good fortune my cousins. If you ever wish to return to the ways of family, I suspect the cost to return will not be as steep as what you are paying now.
El Fuego
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A halfling wearing very loose, typically Qadiran style clothing, with a turban on his head and scimitars on his belt, responds in a thick Qadiran (Arabian) accent:
"Trade Prince Aaqir al'Hakam, while I wish you the best in your future endeavors, I cannot in good conscience support this merger and your emphasis on business profits above all else."
"I am loyal to my home nation of Qadira, to the Dawnflower Sarenrae, and to the principles of goodness and light that she has brought to our great nation. I am NOT loyal to the almighty gold coin."
The halfling pauses from his short rant to catch his breath, then proceeds more quietly and slowly.
"I shall have to think long and hard which faction of the Pathfinder Society I believe will best suit me now. Or perhaps, I shall quit the Pathfinder Society altogether and return to Qadira, where I can do the most direct good for our people."
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Excellency,
I appreciate you keeping your agents informed of your decision. I enjoyed spending time with you at the wedding in Absalom last year, and recall fondly many of our early correspondences. Out of respect for these early experiences, I shall return the favor and inform you of my decision, without seeking your input or advice in advance of making it.
Please consider this letter as confirmation of my resignation from your service, effective immediately. It is not for a lowly Pathfinder such as myself to judge or even speculate on the reasons for this reprehensible and (perhaps treasonous) choice; I can only imagine what our nation thinks of your betrayal. For myself, I will only wish you good luck in your future endeavors (assuming that they do not come into conflict with our nation's or the Society which we once both served). I pray for your continued health and prosperity, by which I mean I pray to never again meet you face to face.
Trusting that the authorities of our nation and our faith will deal with you in the appropriate manner, I remain,
Aram bin Kaleel, Pathfinder and Lamplighter,
True son of Qadira and servant of the Dawnflower
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There has been some lively discussion here about the merits of "family" and the title of "prince", and I feel that my story may shed some light on both topics.
Who is my family? My mother, my father, my brothers and cousins are sheep farmers, scratching their meager living from the land. They may well have starved to death by now, if the winter was too harsh, or the ewes produced too few lambs. These are NOT the men and women who I would choose to watch my back, or share in a risky venture.
No, my true family are the Pathfinders who have stood beside me. They have saved my life, and I have saved theirs. The Qadirans are first among these, since they took me into their ranks despite the fact that I was born many miles from their beloved homeland, but I have formed bonds thicker than blood with a wide variety of Pathfinders.
So, why do I bear the title of "princess", the same appellation for which you criticize Aaqir al'Hakam? It is NOT because I was born in a palace, and fed with a silver spoon, I can assure you that! No, the trade princes and princesses are named such in recognition of their successes, not in recognition of their ancestry. If Captain Aguillosa proved particularly skillful in eluding the Chelaxian blockade, or if Master Meadowlark is truly an expert in "less noticeable forms of transport", they might be honored in a similar fashion.
Sometimes situations change, and we must change with them. That I am standing before you as a successful Pathfinder, and not a dirty shepherdess, is testament that the rewards for such change are sometimes great. I welcome The Exchange as an opportunity, not a threat!
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Let me add, in reply to Qassir and Aram bin Kaleel, this must surely have been a difficult choice for the two of you. I was not born in Qadira, nor do I worship at the temple of the Dawnflower, so I cannot truly understand the deep love you bear for your homeland and your goddess. I do know the Qadiran Pathfinders were welcoming to me when I first joined The Society, and I am saddened that you now feel Trade Prince al'Hakam has turned his back on you. The Pathfinders would be poorer if they lost your veteran leadership from their ranks altogether!
Well met, Princess - but you misunderstand me. As a Pathfinder and Lamplighter, my loyalty is to the Society - as you, I was taken in by the Society and consider it to be a part of my family.
However, the trade Prince has long purported to represent Qadiran interests to the Society, and has sent countless agents into danger to act on behalf of what they thought were the Satrap's wishes. This latest episode reveals that Aaqir al'Hakam acts only on behalf of his own interests, and thus many Pathfinders have fought and died for nothing more than to line his pockets. In my homeland, this baseless betrayal must be met with a blood feud that can only be resolved by the redemption or death of the offender.
I ask our brother and sisters who purport to care only about personal riches to consider the following: what riches have you obtained by being a criminal's pawn? Are you richer than your fellow Pathfinders? Have you gained personal power, prestige, or fame beyond your colleagues? Based on the observable facts, the Exchange will suffer the same fate as the Szcarni it was birthed from: encouraging Society members to take on additional risk and sow dissension in our ranks, with NO measurable benefit.
Al'Hakam has used you, and will continue to use you as long as the Society lets him. Walk away, and find a cause worth dedicating your life to. For myself, I choose the Pathfinder Society.
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"Well, lucky for me, I wasn't loyal to Qadira in the first place. In fact, I'm technically a citizen of your rival nation, Taldor... but only technically."
"I grew up wandering my home continent of Tian Xia, and spent a couple of years living in Taldor's Tien colony of Amanandar. I earned citizenship by serving in the militia, where they taught me to handle myself in a fight. But settling down's just not my style, so I eventually left to go see the world. Met up with Amara Li along the way, who recruited me for the Society, but then she closed up shop and headed back to Tian Xia while I was still in Pathfinder basic training in Absalom."
"I thought about helping out Taldor when I became a field agent, but I just don't care about all that nationalistic patriotism. The Trade Prince seemed like someone a free wheeling guy like me could work with to pick up some cash while seeing the world. And this new business arrangement with a bigger combined organization seems like it should work out just fine. I'll be happy to stick around, and see what kind of opportunities present themselves."
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Well met, Princess - but you misunderstand me. As a Pathfinder and Lamplighter, my loyalty is to the Society - as you, I was taken in by the Society and consider it to be a part of my family.
However, the trade Prince has long purported to represent Qadiran interests to the Society, and has sent countless agents into danger to act on behalf of what they thought were the Satrap's wishes. This latest episode reveals that Aaqir al'Hakam acts only on behalf of his own interests, and thus many Pathfinders have fought and died for nothing more than to line his pockets. In my homeland, this baseless betrayal must be met with a blood feud that can only be resolved by the redemption or death of the offender.
I ask our brother and sisters who purport to care only about personal riches to consider the following: what riches have you obtained by being a criminal's pawn? Are you richer than your fellow Pathfinders? Have you gained personal power, prestige, or fame beyond your colleagues? Based on the observable facts, the Exchange will suffer the same fate as the Szcarni it was birthed from: encouraging Society members to take on additional risk and sow dissension in our ranks, with NO measurable benefit.
Al'Hakam has used you, and will continue to use you as long as the Society lets him. Walk away, and find a cause worth dedicating your life to. For myself, I choose the Pathfinder Society.
I am disgusted by your baseless mischaracterization of Trade Prince Hakam. In the past he has passed on orders that fit within the expectations of the Satrap, I doubt the Satrap took the time to give out specific assignments, such an illustrious individual is surely to busy for that. Trade Prince Hakam, while acting as the Qadiran representative is certainly still allowed to pursue his own interests in his own time. Never has Trade Prince Hakam given me a mission that was not in the best interests of Qadira.
He has not betrayed anyone. He has acted lawfully in all things and when he felt that he would rather move his focus to his own personal interests and focus more on trade he rightfully, and legally, stepped down from his position as a representative. Where is this betrayal you speak of? I see none.
I too am a son of Qadira, I too follow the guidance of Sarenrae, and I have died in the service of the Society. I truly believe that I am a richer man for my association with Aaqir al'Hakam. Hell, I do not believe that I would be standing here talking to you now were it not for the Trade Prince's actions on my behalf.
In the end Qadira's coffers will be enriched by any endeavor that Trade Prince al'Hakam undertakes, and this endeavor will enrich those same coffers all the more.
If you wish no part of the Exchange I, and I imagine Trade Prince Hakam as well, wish you no ill and all the success that you can find for yourself. If you continue to pursue this campaign of slander against Trade Prince Hakam and the Exchange then we will have a problem.
Go in the Light of Sarenrae,
Trade Princ Tariq al'Abdsaren
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You may have heard of me, one of Absalom's favorite Divas from AWE Smackdown. Before I joined the big leagues, I started out in underground fight clubs. The Sczarni saw my potential, they paid for my trainers, made me who I am today. I don't care about the money. It's about honor, it's about respect, it's about loyalty, it's about family, and this new alliance with Aaqir al'Hakam makes me very nervous about the future of my family.
And if you haven't had the pleasure, come down to AWE this weekend for the opening Divas Championship match. You won't want to miss it.
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Pfftt! Whatever you say boss. I can't believe this is where Guaril's decided to hook our outfit up to but okay. *snicker* I can't wait to see how the exchange wants to use my wonderful blade skill.
Just don't mind the blood...
Or the gore...
Or that dead body with the sliced open chest. I totally didn't do that.
And this is red paint I swear.
Welcome to the family Cuz!
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My fellow Trade Prince and figure of guidance,
Once again I must express my thanks for your offer to allow my being a Trade Prince. It has brought great honor to my family, and my own aunt has expressed her pride in my position (my aunt had been a long standing member of the Qadiran business).
That aside, it is nice to see this merger between the two factions. I must agree that the Sczarni had been suffering as of recent (not that my own sister would care to admit it...), and this merger seems to be a win-win situation; the Qadirans lend their business savvy knowledge whilst the Sczarni lend their subtle tactics and penchant for subterfuge. I hope to see 'The Exchange' rise to great power, and become the primary hub for trade in all of the Inner Sea Region, if not all of Golarion!
Yours truly,
Shaman of Battle and faithful worshiper of Gorum,
Honorary Trade Prince,
Kurn Kviskar
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"Cousin Aaqir!
"Hi! I'm Kotyk, and I just wanted to come by and drop off this sack of shiny, shiny gold from last month's... errr... special activities. Don't worry, it's all perfectly clean. I've got people for that now. Not like last time with the tracking spells, that was almost a big mistake. And in a couple weeks when the Chelaxian delegation starts howling about the missing items from their vault they need to pawn so they can fund putting down that rebellion, you can just smile and play dumb just like the rest of us! I know, it's fun, right?
"Ohhh... it got quiet in here all of a sudden and you've got this look on your face like you don't even want my shinies.
"I mean, I got the note. You and Guaril both signed it, and it says that from now on, I'm to turn over the Sczarni share of our guild activities straight to you. Don't you... remember the note?
"Huh. This is awkward. I guess you weren't expecting me to just walk in and hand you a sack of shinies in the middle of your fancy business meeting like this.
"Hello business people! Did you know I can smell your shinies from here? Just for the record, that Taldan has the most. Thirty-seven platinum, a strong whiff of gold, and... is that diamond dust? You silly Taldans.
"Anyway, Cousin. I just wanted to extend an offer to you. If you aren't comfortable dealing with my side of this weird family, you can send them all to me while Uncle Guaril is off doing... things. I'm based right here in Absalom! Just head up to the Ivy District and ask for the Reborn Crowsworn. I'm sure someone can direct you to my front. I mean store. Storefront, that's what I meant.
"Don't worry about the sign in the entryway. I'll get it fixed soon so that it says 'Steal from the rich, give to Uncle Aakir.' Wouldn't want my crew giving shinies to the wrong person!
"Sooooo, that's about all. Shinies are yours to keep to help keep the Exchange strong. If you need me, I'll be up in the Ivy District since I'm a Seeker now and everything so I don't have Drandle Dreng waking me up at 3am anymore. Technically I don't report to you, I guess, but now that you're family and all...
"See you soon, Cousin!"
Kotyk "the Kraken"
Sczarni Seeker
Leader of the Reborn Crowsworn Thieves' Guild, Ivy District, Absalom
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I come from Taldor. I used to be in the Taldor factiom, but only because I was born there. I don't much care about guys who think they know better what's best because they got rich parents. I think maybe it makes more sense to follow making money than follow folks on account of what fancy words they put in front of their names.
Count me in with the Exchange.
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A tall Ulfen man look to have his say. His face bears many strange scars and deep peck marks. Also strangely, for an Ulfen man, he is dressed in the Qadiran fashion and a tattooed image of Sarenrae can be seen on his left bicep.
"Honored Trade Prince"
"Through you I, Samur Scarring, have become a rich man. I now live in Katheer where the warm winds blow and the people call me Trade Prince too."
"I manage my own business now, but I know good advice when I hear it. If you say, merge with this Karela fellow, I will follow you there. If you say that we will call ourselves the Exchange, then I say it is a good name. If some of these new Cousins do not join our merger then let them go. I for one will follow your wisdom - the wisdom that has made me rich."
"Some of these Cousins speak as though we who supported Qadira have never seen blood. I can only shrug. Look at my axe little Cousins - I call it Red-Iron, Rauthjarn in the Skald tongue. So, are we Cousins or not?"
"I'm getting an ale and I'll buy for any of the Exchange. Who's drinking?"
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A tall Ulfen man look to have his say. His face bears many strange scars and deep peck marks. Also strangely, for an Ulfen man, he is dressed in the Qadiran fashion and a tattooed image of Sarenrae can be seen on his left bicep.
"Honored Trade Prince"
"Through you I, Samur Scarring, have become a rich man. I now live in Katheer where the warm winds blow and the people call me Trade Prince too."
"I manage my own business now, but I know good advice when I hear it. If you say, merge with this Karela fellow, I will follow you there. If you say that we will call ourselves the Exchange, then I say it is a good name. If some of these new Cousins do not join our merger then let them go. I for one will follow your wisdom - the wisdom that has made me rich."
"Some of these Cousins speak as though we who supported Qadira have never seen blood. I can only shrug. Look at my axe little Cousins - I call it Red-Iron, Rauthjarn in the Skald tongue. So, are we Cousins or not?"
"I'm getting an ale and I'll buy for any of the Exchange. Who's drinking?"
A young woman begins to speak next, her arms hidden under the flowing sleeves of her robe. If she looks to be from anywhere it is Tian Xia, her outfit and hair in the style of some eastern performer. Surprisingly, her speech comes out in perfect, unaccented Common.
"I for one feel optimistic about this merger. A little skepticism is healthy to be sure, but pessimism is poison to all that it touches. It is a great opportunity to all of us if only we took a moment to properly assess its implications. A marriage between Sczarni and Qadira... so many new opportunities. The Mwangi Expanse, even!"
The fact that she has conducted business agreements in a less orthodox way than some of her brethren goes unsaid.
She clears her throat. "If I may be more personal for a moment..."
"My new Sczarni associates, do not fear a loss of family among The Exchange. In the same way that many of you found Cousins and Brothers and Sisters there, I found my family in the Qadira. Not once have they steered me wrong, not once have I been knowingly mislead Trade-Prince Aaqir. I have only found riches and reward under his guidance, and so his guidance I shall continue to follow."
Wooden shoes click along the floor as she moves to the Ulfren man, "I'll drink with you, sir." As she moves, you catch the glimmer of a tail beneath her layers of clothing.
Or perhaps it was just a trick of the light.
