"Huh?  Wah-" Hanifa groaned as Menya woke her up.  Hearing the sudden concern in her voice was motivation enough to suit up and get ready for battle.<br/><br/>Soundlessly the gnolls made their way towards the camp.  The archers from the northwest let loose a volley of arrows at the camp as the ones from the southwest circled around to flank them.<br/><br/>"Dammit!" Hanifa shouted as she dove out of the way of several projectiles.  "I can't see in these conditions!  Menya, where are they?"<br/><br/>By the time the ranger pulled her bow out the gnolls from behind struck.  Two of them engaged at a time with each of them, one of them striking Hanifa in the throat with a well-placed swing of the club.  Hanifa emitted a croaking sound in pain as she stumbled backwards.<br/><br/>Hanifa switched to her scimitar and cut down both gnolls, but this left her back exposed to an archer.  Her arrow was coated with a paralytic venom used to capture prospective slaves, and only a few very strong beasts could resist its power.  With a careful aim she shot an arrow into Hanifa's back, knocking her to the ground.<br/><br/>By the time Menya slew several more gnolls, she could only briefly check on her companion before a<em>hold person</em>spell froze her in place.  From behind cover came a gnoll decked in robes painted with sigils (Knowledge Religion DC 15 identifies it as the garb of a Lamashtu priestess), who quickly clasped her and Hanifa in adamantine shackles which pulsated with a purplish energy.  Even after the spell wore off Menya could not move.<br/><br/>"You two ladies were very difficult to get a hold of," the robed gnoll said after healing the wounds of her fellow gnolls and then Menya and Hanifa.<br/><br/>"Don't worry, we have no desire to kill you.  In fact, the both of you shall fetch a good price at the slave markets in Katapesh."<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">An Unorthodox Journey</span></div><br/>Clasped in chains and forced to wear rags, Menya and Hanifa were now under the watchful gaze of a band of gnoll slavers.  Their equipment was taken and horses employed for the other travelers.  Any attempts to tamper with the chains sent a nasty electric shock up Menya's spine, so painful that it would take sheer force of will to do so again (DC 20 Will Save).<br/><br/>They were forced to walk 12 hours a day under the hot sun; fortunately the gnoll priestess made use of<em>endure elements</em>to ensure that they remained in good health, but the trip was still exhausting.  By the time they came to Katapesh Hanifa blew a sigh of relief; she could tell that even the gnolls craved the comforts of civilization, even if only temporarily.  All throughout their journey she could not speak due to the injury on her neck, manifested as a reddish bruise around her Adam's apple.<br/><br/><div align="center">(http://i.imgur.com/e5VpTDz.jpg?1)</div><br/>Katapesh was a great sprawling city much like Sothis, except that its skyline appeared much lower and was dominated by a tall tower in the central area.  The place appeared very rich and yet poor at the same time.  Trade was thriving, and goods from lands far and wide could be seen for sale, even more than a few buildings were outfitted with magical runes put there by spellcasters; yet at the same time they passed through streets of urban decay where beggars and destitute families with just enough copper to buy a loaf of bread.<br/><br/>It quickly became apparent as to what kind of slaves Menya and Hanifa were intended to be when the gnoll priestess undressed them into translucent silks, covered the scent of the desert with perfume, and hauled them up to a nearby auction block.  Handsome and beautiful slaves, apparently recent captures from other bands, joined them in a row the sight of passing crowds.  Flanking the two adventurers were an androgynous tiefling girl with cropped hair, a curvy Varisian maiden, and a raven-haired Taldan woman with smooth unblemished skin.<br/><br/>"Finely trained pleasure slaves for sale!" one of the gnolls barked out.  "From the frozen north of Avistan to the western reaches of Garund, we have a man or woman for every desire!"<br/><br/>And soon the bidding began.  Menya and the others are forced to turn from side to side, even undress, to show off their features.  Hanifa could only look at the ground in embarrassment when forced to disrobe; even Menya could feel the sheer waves of hatred emanating from her towards the gnolls for this shame.<br/><br/>"I'll buy the catfolk and the Garundi with white hair."<br/><br/>A rotund man in fine silks approached.  A Keleshite of middling years and a healthy-looking bushy beard, he came up to the gnolls and offered his price.<br/><br/>"I cannot give you money, but I can provide you with these magical treasures."<br/><br/>An attendant at his side opened a case containing two shining necklaces.  After the gnoll priestess appraised them both, she nodded in agreement and handed the leashes of the chains over to him.<br/><br/>"Thank you very much.  Now then, if you'll all follow me."<br/><br/>The nobleman's path ended at the docks of Katapesh, but none of the ships were his apparently.  But as he whistled a huge dome emerged from the crest in the waters.  As the white foam splashed off it became clear that it was the back of a titanic turtle!  Someone built a network of structures along its side, complete with ladders and stairs to traverse between them and get on.<br/><br/>"I love to visit the Material Plane, but it is not my home," the nobleman said.  "Not to worry, I live in a glorious palace, and the structures on the zaratan's back are watertight.  It should only be a few short hours before we finish the journey."<br/><br/>Hanifa hesitated before ascending.  Pantomiming with her hands, she pointed out to the sea, then sent her hand into a downward motion.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Sense Motive DC 12</div><div class="spoiler_body">Hanifa's trying to ask if he lives under the sea.</div></div><br/>"I don't live under the waves, dear.  In fact, my residence is on the Plane of Water, in the wondrous City of Glass.  The zaratan, these massive turtles, can be used to travel between the planes, at least via the waterways.  By the way, my name is Hasan ibn Akilah al-Samara.  Although you may refer to me as Sultan al-Samara.  Come on, if we get on now we should be back in time for dinner."<br/><br/>The interior of the zaratan's side structures were surprisingly opulent, if a little cramped.  The floors were made of soft carpet and the windows had blinds which could be drawn.  Hanifa looked out somberly as the mainland of Katapesh grew farther and farther until they dipped underwater and lost sight of it entirely.