Four Fates Under the Southern Sun 3.5, Session 14

Start: 6 am, Sunday, Midsummer 27, 401 GA.

Ukurdiel and Alasdair notice the captured cultist was preparing to bite down on a false tooth, likely filled with a toxin.

Together, they pried his mouth open and pulled out the tooth.

This caught the cultist off guard, who divulged some information to Alasdair, after he was threatened.

Previously, he called Alasdair a 'Koshkas dog', and told him his leader was contracted by nobles of Izzero to burn down their own farms.

He mentioned the woman who hired his leader for this job was unusual in experience, and had gray skin. Ryardynin recalled, vaguely, that her description matched the appearance of the grey skinned men of Nemnowyn, a member state of the Northland Protectorate. This nation is thousands of miles away.

How strange.

Moving on, they decided to take this cultist prisoner for now.

Alasdair took the heads of the felled cultists and the helmet of the leader, presumably as evidence of some kind.

The party arrive in Izzero. Whatever this city is now, it is a far, far cry from its former glory. The ancient plaster walls have crumbled into nothing in many places, and are replaced with hastily made palisades. It serves as an adequate metaphor for the city as a whole - as if it is the infection visible on the face of the patient. The commoners starve, and the nobles hole themselves away with their pet snakes. At least, this is how it seems.

The party witness some Ashig guardsman on the outside wall of Izzero, clad in ceremonial armor of eras long past. It would appear the Yoggite wish to put up a good showing of power.

They enter with no issues. Despite any possible tensions between the Viszudar and Ishkar-Yog, it appears Izzero's poverty and need for trade supersedes any bad blood.

Recalling previous stories about Izzero's legendary bathhouse and bazaar, the party make their way to the Hadriatos market.

Once they arrive, Ukurdiel speaks with a boy in a rug merchant stall to collect their bearings. The boy, obviously, tries to sell him a rug. He deceives Ukurdiel, saying a rug is a traditional and highly respected gift for wealthy people in his culture. Ukurdiel, purchases one and gives him extra coin. Despite the deception, the rug is traditionally and masterfully crafted. It would appear that times are indeed as tough as they would seem. The boy asks no questions about this, and hastily shuts up shop. When prompted about his name, he gives 'Falathian'.

Alasdair questions the blacksmith. After describing the cultist's description, the blacksmith evades answering the question directly, instead making eyes at the bathhouse. When generously bribed, he only very reluctantly reveals he suspects the woman to be Jucika Philamnos, a brood mother in the employ of Ádriána Vatatzes. Unsure of how to properly process this information with the context provided, the party thank him and make their way to the bathhouse.

The party quickly devised their plan. Alasdair would pose as an interpreter, and Ukurdiel a Viszud man of some importance. The part would be easy to play for Ukurdiel, lending credibility to the act.

Ryardynin and Emilia would stay behind with Winter and the prisoner. Once Alasdair and Ukurdiel set off, Emilia changed her mind and followed them disguised as a mouse, using wild shape and spider climb.

They overheard a bit of Ádriána and Jucika's conversation mocking Giancarlos Koshkas. Both appeared to be in a good mood. Ádriána, who appeared to be uncomfortably ageless and possibly blind, made a show of changing in plain view of the party. What message this was meant to convey was lost in translation. She departed, and Alasdair and Jucika spoke.

Jucika really did not waste a great deal of time. She contracted the party to give Giancarlos a bottle of poisoned wine, and make it look like an accident. She seemed to be testing them, and made no illusion they were somewhat disposable foreigners to her, whom she could easily deny involvement with.

Sizing Jucika up, she seemed to be a deadly foe in combat to the party. She had several tattoos commemorating battles, and appeared to be somewhat hulking herself, even if she was an exotic beauty in these parts.

Alasdair and Ukurdiel agreed.

They left and regrouped, and discussed what they were really going to do. They decided to investigate the Koshkas first, before deciding on a plan of action.

So, they did exactly this, except Emilia, who stayed behind with the prisoner. While the rest of the party met in the Koshkas manor, she removed the poison on the wine bottle.

Enzo, the manservant of Giancarlos Koshkas, seemed very hospitable, if stressed. He made arrangements to meet his master. The party noticed he avoided many sections of the manor, and took them through a circuitous route to reach the dining hall. Once they arrived, they noticed a few odd things about the situation.

Giancarlos appeared to be a sleepless drunk.

His Ashig was clad like a concubine. Culturally, this would be like putting a judge's wig on a dog and acting like it is a normal thing to do.

He seemed distracted, constantly glancing to his Ashig for input. He asked the party to stay the night as his honored guests.

He seemed very nervous when they did not immediately accept.

His Ashig did not appear to be involved with Jucika.

The party decided what to do next. The party, aside from Alasdair, walked to the crumbling lighthouse. Alasdair took a trip to the temple of Vollur. Returning, they decided to take Giancarlos up on his offer, if only to investigate this further.

XP: 700
End: 1 pm, Foreautumn 2, 401