<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=208691.msg10261580#msg10261580">Quote from: Autocad on 16-07-2014, 02:47:26</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Let's check out the Cheliaxians next," Menya suggested, when they changed back to their normal clothing and left, freshened up and with an evening of further fun to look forward to. "Do you think we could leak out news of the Aspis' expedition to them? They sound like the types to raid their competition if they think it would knock them out of the runninya. I'm afraid we might be displayinya our hand too early if we do that, though... what's your view on this?" she asked Hanifa.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>"Perhaps, if they also found out the location of Pharaoh Acherres II's final resting place," Hanifa replied.  "Chances are both groups might not even be aware of what the other's doing yet.  If anything the Cheliaxians would be at a disadvantage; the Consortium has more local ties in Osirion and thus the networks of contacts, so they'll probably be aware of the foreigners snooping about than the other way around."<br/><br/>Hanifa stroked her chin, deep in thought.  "They're not going to try anything too brazen in the city.  And we don't know if their research in Azghaad's Spire caught up to our own work.  But we shouldn't underestimate their intelligence.  Either way, we should find out where they're staying and look for clues."<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">In any case, Menya would take a few cautions before approaching the place where the Cheliaxians were staying. She would purchase a simple hat and pair of gloves to hide her cat ears and claws. Her tail would be tucked inside her clothing to complete the human-esque look. Catgirls were a rare race, and if word got around that a catgirl was seen with the Aspis merchants and also a catgirl was seen with the Cheliaxians, someone would probably add two and two together and deduce that it might be the same person.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>A typical working-class garb in Osirion consisted of a wool tunic and trousers with plenty of room in the nether regions to stay cool, and a patterned head-cloth or veil.<em>2 silver pieces.</em><br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"The Aspis hired a few adventurers to protect them, so we're goinya to pretend to be them," Menya laid out the game plan. "As for whether we 'accidentally' let slip more details about our employers' expedition, that'll have to depend on how thinyas turn out - don't spill the beans unless I do first."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>"Alright, that's fine, but it's entirely possible that they might not be interested in conversation."<br/><br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Infernal Dealings</span></div><br/>According to their sources, the Cheliaxian pilgrims rented out an apartment complex in the Crimson Island, a city district separated by two canals from the other neighborhoods.  Infamous for its seedy businesses, it was entirely fitting for them to be located in such a disreputable place.  The streets were dirty and crowded; the place had a large presence of hawk-eyed members of the city watch who regarded almost everybody with suspicion.  Menya and Hanifa were regularly assailed by self-proclaimed businessmen and women offering them cut-rate deals of used items far below market price, offerings of "firecane," "dandy candy," and other slang terms for illicit drugs.  Hanifa ignored them, not even performing eye contact, instead continuing to their destination.<br/><br/>Their trail ended at a seedy tent pavilion in the middle of the bazaar, its interior lit by sweet-smelling aromatic candles.  Masks of warped caricatures and monstrous visages gazed down from the wall as Menya entered, and frothing solutions of oils and potions bubbled and glowed on a nearby table.  Carved statuettes of beast-headed humanoids<em>(Religion DC 10 you recognize them as the likenesses of the deities of Ancient Osirion)</em>lined the carpet on the far side.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Detect Magic</div><div class="spoiler_body">A fair portion of goods in this curio shop radiate some aura of magic.  It doesn't seem well-secured, although anyone with the means to stock such a supply definitely has ways of deterring thieves.</div></div><br/>Three Cheliaxians, including the female Hellknight, were haggling with a bearded old man in back over some type of service.  She was the only one armored, although curved blades hung from the belts of her partners.  Straight longswords, popular in the nations of Avistan to the north.<br/><br/>Roll a DC 17 Stealth check to listen in on the conversation. (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=61399)<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Hannelore's Conversation</div><div class="spoiler_body">"So will this thing work or not?" the Hellknight asked.<br/><br/>"If it's used correctly it will," the man said.  "Now about that sword..."<br/><br/>"You won't get it until I can confirm it's authenticity."  She held up a piece of patterned red cloth, looking it over intently.  "Yes, I can detect power magic emanating from it, but am I certain that it's the right Glyph?"<br/><br/>"It can only be used once, so you'll have your answer by then.  Why don't you test one of them right here?"<br/><br/>The hellknight shook her head.  "No, they're too valuable.  You'll get your sword, and I'll get my glyphs, but I need to ensure a safety clause..."<br/><br/>At this time she reached into her backpack to retrieve a black diary with a red pentagram on the cover, the holy symbol of Asmodeus.  Just as she was about to do that, she noticed that there were others in the tent and put it away.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spellcraft DC 13 to recognize the glyphs</div><div class="spoiler_body">That right there's a glyph of warding, an inscription which can discharge a blast of force or harmful spell on intruders under the right conditions.</div></div><br/>"Ah, hello there!" the old man exclaimed as he saw two ladies enter his establishment.  "Take your time and look, I'll be with you shortly."<br/><br/>The three Chelaxians regarded Menya coldly, unhappy in this brief interruption of a business deal.  "I guess I'll come back later," the Hellknight said, "once we can finish our talk in a more private venue."  She walked up to Menya, expecting her to say something.<br/><br/><em>Does Menya try to engage her in conversation, or let her pass?</em><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Conversation with the Hellknight</div><div class="spoiler_body">The hellknight's unhappy and is in no mood for small talk.  If you wish to get on her good side, roll a DC 24 Diplomacy check.  If you can get her from Unfriendly to at least Indifferent, she may dally just a bit.  Otherwise she and her cohorts leave in a huff.<br/><br/><strong>Failure:</strong> "I have no reason to speak with you," she said.  "Leave us be."  And with that she left.<br/><br/><strong>Reveal an Unimportant Secret (DC 29):</strong> "I suppose you've at least earned the right to know my name," she said curtly.  "On account of me holding you up earlier.  I am Hannelore, and these are my fellow pilgrims.  We seek to venture across Golarion and its many lands, so as to better understand its people and to introduce them to Asmodeus' greater glory.  As the last heralds of human culture since the death of Aroden, it is our duty to prevent our brethren from falling into chaos."<br/><br/><strong>Reveal an Important Secret (DC 34):</strong> "Well, you're quite the inquisitive woman," she said, smiling.  She relates the above information in Indifferent, plus this: "I'm particularly fascinated in the cultural legacy of Osirion.  Unlike most other Cheliaxians I am more open-minded to the merits of other cultures.  Cheliax is mighty only because of Asmodeus' glory, and every advanced civilization has the same potential as us.  Aroden might be dead, but we as a people live on.  And who is a better representation of Osirion's might than its greatest ancestors?"<br/></div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Conversation with the shopkeeper</div><div class="spoiler_body">You can't do this and stalking the Cheliaxians.  By the time you're done talking they'll be long gone.<br/><br/>"It is good to see you, my friends.  My name is Jirani, owner of this fine curio shop!  Might I help you look for anything in particular?"<br/><br/>"So, what was that about earlier?" Hanifa asked.<br/><br/>"A business deal with a customer-to-be.  Unfortunately she was very demanding, and might not return soon.  I can tell you about what she was after, if you can help compensate me for this lost opportunity.  I was counting very much on that shipment, and my family has fallen on hard times recently."<br/><br/><em>Jirani sells any magic item of 500 gold pieces or less, including cursed ones.  He also sells a lot of strange and macabre stuff which has no apparent use besides some esoteric and occult significance.  It is customary to haggle and bargain, and nobody pays store price.  He'll spill the beans if you buy 375 gp worth of stuff, although you only have to pay 300 gp if you succeed on a DC 13 Diplomacy check. (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=61402)  Otherwise you must pay 450 gp if you fail.</em><br/><br/>"Blessings of the gods be upon you for your graciousness!" Jirani exclaimed.  "Now, that woman there was intent on buying several copies of scrolls embossed with Glyphs of Warding, a magic spell which can violently attack intruders with spells.  In exchange she promised me a magic longsword as trade.  She seemed very clandestine, not wanting people to know that this meeting took place.  I don't know what purpose she sought to use them, or where she was headed, as that is not my place to ask.  I <em>do</em> know, for a fact that this is not the first time I've seen her about.  That woman has a particular interest in the ancestral legacy of Osirion, and asked me all manner of questions pertaining to this glorious nation's history, and the locations of the greatest wellsprings of magic.  I told her to seek the many pyramids dotting the landscape, provided that they haven't been claimed by tomb robbers or filled with dangerous monsters and traps.  I've seen her kind before, passing through here.  Adventurers, they call themselves, but I see them as tomb robbers!<br/><br/>Jirani spit on the ground.  "Damn foreigners, always coming into our country to take what belongs to us!"</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Stalking the Cheliaxians</div><div class="spoiler_body">You can't do this and talk to the shopkeeper.  By the time you're done talking they'll be long gone.  Roll an opposed Stealth check to follow her through the marketplace.  You can try all manner of things on their way back to wherever their destination is.  Maybe you can try pickpocketing them.  Quickly go through a clothing stall to adopt a new disguise like in that Sherlock Holmes movie.  Take to the rooftops and follow them that way.  Listen in on their conversations.</div></div>