Session 11

PCs (4th-level): Estel, Khalid, Rhys, Vladimir

The PCs seek counsel from the Grand Vizier Almira. When she realizes they're about to accuse the most important leaders of Ariya of heinous acts, she suggests they gather hard evidence to support their claim. At the same time, she confirms she's on their side, and she will help them as best she can.

The party investigates the College of Astronomy, knowing that Jairo the patriarch frequents the place regularly. Apart from confirming that the priest has been preoccupied of late, they don't find anything to incriminate him further. While studying astral charts, Estel receives a vision of a "traveler" coming from a vast void.

Next they visit the Guildmaster Omadi, who is impressed with their interest in the welfare of the Prince, and invites them for dinner in one of his houses. When the PCs arrive at his home, they're introduced the favourite of his wives, Halima, and their daughter Tala.

After a pleasant dinner, tragedy strikes. A knock at the door reveals a gruesome sight. Someone has nailed Tala's parakeet to the front door with a knife! Attached to the knife there is a note, reading:

The very walls reek of shame 

And ignorance is no excuse for sinners 

This is the first death in this house for the next 7 days. 

The last shall be thine.

The note bears the symbol of a scoprion, something that Khalid identifies as the mark of an order of "holy" assassins of Avani living in the desert. It is a mystery how such a pious man as Omadi has attracted their attention. The whole family is confused and distressed by this event, and the PCs offer to investigate the issue, and spend the night there to protect them. 

Intrigued by Halima's reaction to the events, Estel surreptitiously uses her magic to read her thoughts, and she receives a vision of Halima receiving a prayer book with a romantic dedication from a man. The half-elf believes it to be quite strange that she would have such thoughts at that very moment.

The party rapidly investigates the house, finding nothing of interest, except for a tapestry Omadi recently acquired at the market. Rhys bribes one of the servant into revealing some that a "military woman" has been visiting the Halima in secret in the past.

Still fearful, most of the household goes to sleep, while the PCs take turns to guard the premises. While Rhys is making a round of the house, he's attacked by deadly scorpions! The sorcerer kills the nasty beasts, but one thing seems sure... the assassin is still in the house!