Pathfinders of Qadira Part 1
Hail Victonius Crispin,
We have heard of your exploits through Mansoor and wish to extend an invitation for you to join our Society. By Mansoor’s request we are forgoing our traditional recruitment, allowing you the honor to become a field agent. This is a rarity we seldom bestow to individuals without formal training, but Mansoor’s faith in your abilities assures us you are ready.
I am Janiff Ivulxtin, speaker for the Decemvirate, those who ensure the Pathfinder Society flourishes. Our organization searches the world for knowledge and secrets and over time, our Society has made amazing discoveries, some of which have attracted the attention of those that would harm us.
It is I who keeps the Decemvirate safe from personal attack. I take care in keeping their identities hidden from our enemies. The greatest danger to our organization is the exposure of Decemvirate members, for the secrets, they possess, encompass the cumulative knowledge of all Pathfinders.
Our organization provides two tools towards your success.
The first is your Venture Captain. You are familiar with Mansoor and his work in Qadira, but there are other proven leaders within our organization as well. These leaders, such as Mansoor, have the trust of the Decemvirate to carry out the Pathfinder Society’s will. It is they who will send you forth into the world with the guidance and experience you need.
The second is the wayfinder that has accompanied this letter. Though it may appear to be a simple compass, it can be used to create light and harness the magic of an Ioun Stone. Very few Pathfinders of notable fame ever reach great heights in our Society without learning the secrets of this valuable tool.
Given you haven’t had the privilege of training formally in Absalom, I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping records of your travels and adventures. Pathfinder records begin with your journals. Not every Pathfinder reaches the height of greatness we would hope for, but those who do have a special place within our society to document them: the Pathfinder Chronicles, a series of chapbooks which record the greatest heroes of Golarion’s modern age. It is the hope and desire of the Society that your discoveries and experiences will one day be included in the Chronicles’ storied pages.
Welcome Pathfinder.
Sincerely,
Janiff Ivulxtin
Pathfinder Lodge
Absalom
2 Pharast 4708 AR
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Janiff,
We are pleased with the results we have seen lately from Venture-Captain Mansoor Sorush in Qadira. The Chelexian,Victonius Crispin, has proved to be an invaluable asset as well. The artifacts he found in the Plains of Paresh have forced us to reconsider the prevalence of Sarenrae’s faith among Qadiran commoners during the Pre-Padishah period. Please, congratulate them both for this remarkable discovery.
We are intrigued by Mansoor’s latest find in the Ketz Desert. As for his desire to search this ruin himself, we must hold him to the code that governs Venture-Captains and deny his request. Instead, send our Delver, Suri Tilmar. Though he may be somewhat impulsive, we believe he is ready for fieldwork. We understand the two have had their differences, but they will put that aside.
Decemvirate #7
17 Pharast 4709 AR
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Mansoor,
It is our understanding that you have made a discovery of some importance. We greatly value your knowledge and experience in Qadiran lore and history, but we cannot have our Venture-Captains exploring such places firsthand. In lieu of allowing you to put your operations on hold, we are sending one of our best archaeologists, Suri Tilmar. He should arrive shortly after you receive this letter. We are well aware that you and Tilmar have had your differences in the past, but we are confident you will be able to work together as professionals. We consider you a valuable part of our organization and look forward to your continued service.
Sincerely,
Janiff Ivulxtin
Absalom Chapter House
18 Pharast 4709 AR
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Suri’s Journal
22 Pharast 4709 AR
The Inner Sea
As I begin this new journal, I am on my way back to Qadira. There are those who think I don’t wish to return, but I am looking forward to working there once more.
Our ship has made good time and I will be in Katheer within a day. Once in port, I plan to take a room at Baqiya’s Inn. Hopefully I will be able to obtain a decent night’s sleep away from the rocking waters of the sea. I will then meet Mansoor after I have had a chance to rest. I will do my best to make amends for the past.
23 Pharast 4709 AR
Katheer
This was not the Katheer I was expecting! I pride myself on being self sufficient, but I never thought I would run to Mansoor’s house so soon after my arrival. I have stopped in a small coffee house so I may quickly record the first part of this day’s events.
By morning’s light, we traveled south along the Saray Coast from the north, heading to Katheer. Though this was the quickest route, we ran the risk of ambush by Taldor pirates. Fortunately our captain knew to fly a flag of Absalom, which has always remained neutral in the feuds between Taldor and Qadira.
Once we reached the mouth of the Pashman River, the captain turned the ship east and had his men put the oars down so they could row upstream. I forgot how magnificent the canyons of this river were, but they were quickly overshadowed by something far mightier: great fortresses of stone jutting straight up in the middle of the river. These were not actual fortresses, but water-sculpted divides, which the Qadirans hollowed out and fitted with hoses that shot fire at invading ships below. Any ship that comes by these in a time of war had better hope they aren’t the enemy. Above, ballistae of immense size overlooked the canyons ready to let loose on anything that flew or floated. The river’s security didn’t stop there either, for towers lined the canyon cliffs and flying carpets whizzed above even higher still. The layers of armament that defend that river are truly awe-inspiring. When I saw the massive Qadiran warships, I had to shake my head. Then, I remembered that the Kelish Empire ruled by spectacle and inconceivable power. This river was just a small demonstration of that skewed philosophy.
As we pulled into port I could smell the camels. We have camels in Absalom, but nothing like this. Their manure and the blistering heat create a horrible stench. You would think that such a baking would just dry their leavings like clumps of dirt, but it seems to magnify the rancid smell. In places, the flies are so thick they look like clouds of black smoke.
The last time I came to Qadira I brought several crates of materials and provisions. Mansoor laughed uncontrollably during that first meeting. When I came to his door for the first time, he could not believe that I had rented 10 slaves to carry my cargo. At the time, it seemed like a good idea to have all my excavation tools available, but that was short lived when everything was stolen.
On this journey, I have brought just the one backpack. Setting foot on dry land, I made my way from the labyrinth of docks Qadira prides itself for and made my way to the familiar city I remembered.
When I reached Baqiya’s Inn, several children surrounded me and attempted to grab whatever hung from my pack. Luckily I had tied everything down, and they eventually gave up. It was very disconcerting to see their parents standing on the curb watching their own children do their dirty work for them. The town guard must have stopped patrolling the area since my last visit at the Inn, which I was also surprised to learn, had become a brothel! So much for being a self-sufficient Pathfinder.
I am now forced to meet Mansoor, and it is getting late. I thought I knew this place. I may not have forgotten Katheer, but it seems Katheer has easily forgotten me.
Pathfinders of Qadira Continues in Part 2
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