Tomb of Annihilation - Session 13.5
General Summary
After spending their first night in Nkansu House, Chibuzo and Dolan go off on personal errands, while Ixtli accompanies Dunch on a visit to his informant Uda, in the Tiryki Anchorage. The street separating Uda's shop—the Silk Sea—from the harbour is bustling with activity. Nearby dock workers scurry about, pulling several smaller crates out of the bay which have seemingly been blown about by last night's storm. In the distance, amongst dozens of smaller Marakuran ships, the Brazen Pegasus is anchored offshore.
Out front of Uda's shop, a pair of young men sit on the step, keeping watch over the comings and goings of the patrons. As the party approaches, one of the young men recognizes them and gives the signal that Uda is on the upper level. As the adventurers file through the front of the shop, the other youth nods to a young woman behind the counter. She quickly moves to the front door, closing it and flipping the shop's sign from "Open" to "Closed".
Dunch and Ixtli ascend the creaky staircase and find the elderly textile trader seated behind a desk in a small office. Piles of paperwork are strewn about before her and she looks up with a sigh of relief as she recognizes them. Pushing the pile of papers aside, she greets them: "Now isn't this a surprise. How can I help you boys?"
After an exchange of pleasantries, Dunch asks her for any information of the Beggar Princes—in particular Mtoto, the one said to have been an associate of Dalia's.
The "beggar princes" run the Old City, Uda explains, in a mocking parallel to the merchant princes of the city proper. Each beggar prince sits atop a web of debts, favours, incriminating information, and loyal muscle that allows them to get things done with an efficiency that the merchant princes sometimes envy. Unlike the merchant princes, whose positions are based on wealth that passes from generation to generation in the same family, the identities and even the number of the beggar princes changes continually.
Mtoto was one of the first beggar princes and is among the most well-connected. He runs an organization known as the Jade Fangs out of Sokoro's Ziggurat in the Old City. His father was a wealthy Nizamish trader who lost everything when the merchant princes came to power. All of his family's assets were seized by merchant prince Ifan Talro'a, including, according to Mtoto, an urn that contains the ashes of his mother.
Uda has a cordial relationship with Mtoto, as it is frequently through his network that she gets the information she needs to keep her operation safe from the authorities.
As for this woman named "Dalia" that Dunch asked about before, Uda continues, she hasn't been seen around the port for weeks. Uda's contact through the Jade Fangs said that she headed into the jungle with half a dozen men employed by al-Tahir. Notably this group also contained Rashaad's lieutenant Sayid al-Qaar, as well as Shago Tadala, son of merchant prince Zanthi Tadala. "According to the rumour mill, their goal was to secretly follow you boys. Maybe you should be telling me about this woman, eh?"
Dunch grimaces. "Let's just say she made quite an impression on everyone and leave it at that. But could you set up some sort of a meeting with Mtoto? We've already crossed paths, but I think we would be interested in talking and could possibly help one another out."
Uda goes silent and squints her eyes before replying.
"Mtoto keeps his personal circles small and tightly controlled, and with good reason. However, I... could be convinced to arrange a meeting. You must understand that the relationship he and I have took years to cultivate and I won't put that in jeopardy. Not even for you.
"What is it you wish to speak with him about? How do you propose you could 'help one another out'? What could you offer to someone like him, and what do you seek in return?"
"It's possible that we may be able to help with regards to the urn containing his mother's remains," Dunch answers. "In return, we would be interested in learning about his relationship with Sayid and Dalia, as we've been led to believe that they were connected. Obviously, this would take some time to set up. And if it cannot be done, I understand.
"Are there any sort of alliances between any of the merchant princes and beggar princes, or do they have more of a rivalry?" Dunch continues.
It's hard to know for sure, Uda answers, as the beggar princes are a chaotic mixture of people with diverse agendas. Some are gang leaders, primarily interested in their own needs, while others are altruistic citizens who desire to help those who are most like them, the poor and less fortunate. If there are connections between the beggar and merchant princes, they have so far been able to keep such arrangements a closely guarded secret.
Dunch next names the pirate captain who attacked the Brazen Pegasus when they arrived in Marakuru. "Any new information on Zaroum al-Saryak and his whereabouts?
According to Uda's contacts in Fort Tajar, the pirate captain was aboard Rashaad's ship when it sailed south and around the peninsula. She suspects that al-Saryak asked to be returned to the Jahaka Anchorage in exchange for something, but she has no idea what that something could be.
"Has he been known to work for specific clients in the past," Dunch asks, "sort of like operating under a Letter of Marque? Do Nizamish shipments have to deal with piracy the same as shipping from the West does?" Dunch, along with some of the more savvy sea captains out of Port Nyanzaru, strongly suspects that there is some kind of relationship between Rashaad and the pirates of Jahaka Bay but no one has been able to prove it.
"Nizamish ships, most notably those of merchants with ties to Rashaad, are rarely attacked by pirates in Marakuran waters," Uda answers. "Personally, I don't think the pirates work for Rashaad, as that would raise questions with the merchant princes, but they must have some sort of arrangement.
"In some circles, rumours say this is why Shago Tadala is working for al-Tahir as a guide and soldier. His mother wants to find some physical proof of their collusion and has spent the last several years building ties with Rashaad. But, even if that story is true, I have my doubts that such a plan will yield any fruit. Shago isn't really known for his subtlety... or intelligence.
"After the Emerald Eye was sunk by Aremag a month ago, Harbormaster Zesiro and merchant prince Zanthi Tadala have since offered a reward for the remaining two pirate captains. The main challenge, as it has always been, is that they don't know where the pirate's secret cove is located."
To Dunch's question about any 'non-business' dealings between Rashaad and Wakanga O'tamu , Uda answers that so far as she's aware, their interactions have mainly dealt with their shared interest in the arcane. She's heard that Rashaad is particularly interested in teleportation magic.
The sale of magic is highly regulated by O'tamu, but Uda does know someone who can get their hands on magical items or potions: Okonkwo at warehouse 37 in the Warehouse District. The phrase to give him is 'live today but dream of tomorrow'—but she cautions that his wares won't come cheap.
"I've asked previously about the Asturian archaeologist, Elmar Norcross," Dunch continues. "Any word on his current whereabouts?"
"Before your arrival in Port Nyanzaru," Uda responds, "Elmar Norcross was thought to be staying at Rashaad's residence, Daha Shabai in the Nizamish Enclave. A few days before you left on your expedition, he stopped showing up at all his regular haunts. A week or so after that, I began hearing rumours from mercenaries working out of Fort Tajar that a man bearing Elmar's description was being kept in the dungeon beneath the inner bailey of the fort.
"The strange thing is that no one ever saw Elmar leave Daha Shabai. No one saw him around the city, nor did any of my contacts at the docks see him board a ship. So it's unclear how he got to the fort without anyone seeing him. That said, knowing that Rashaad is mixed up in this, I'd put my money on magic being involved somehow. If you are looking for Elmar, I'd suggest starting with Daha Shabai."
As for Rashaad's servant Sayid, Uda hasn't heard that he's back in the city—but when he is in Port Nyanzaru, he normally stays in the Daha Shabai estate as well.
"Finally," Dunch concludes, "this may sound like a crazy question, but have there ever been any reports of people spying a dragon in the Aldani Basin region?" But Uda proclaims such creatures a bit outside of her wheelhouse. Perhaps Dunch should check with the priests of Zann, she suggests?
Later that afternoon, Dunch goes to do just that, joined this time by all three of his fellows. The party makes its way back to the Temple of Zann atop Temple Hill in the Merchant's Ward. Entering the temple, they are greeted by Nikito, the junior priest who recorded their story of the exploration of the Shrine of the Oracle. Relieved for a reason to shirk his duties collecting tomes in the Great Library, he eagerly escorts them to Grandfather Zitembe's study.
They arrive to find the elderly priest in the middle of writing in a large tome. Dozens of other books and scrolls which he seems to be referencing lie about him in haphazard stacks. Taking off a pair of spectacles, he rises from his seat and warmly greets them. "Praise be to Zann! I had heard that you'd returned from the jungle through some kind of gateway in the shrine below. You must tell me how you accomplished this feat! But I am ahead of myself. It is good to see you again, what can this humble servant of Zann the Learned do for you this day?"
"In Mbala," Dolan explains, "we found a solitary old woman named Nanny Pu'pu living amongst the ruins. She greeted us warmly and we trusted her, much to our regret. After reaching Orolunga and speaking with the oracle Saja N'baza, she told us that the solitary woman was really an evil fey creature. We quickly returned to the expedition camp in Mbala, only to find that Nanny Pu'pu had betrayed us. She had taken most of the remaining expedition members to Omu to be offered as slaves. Have you encountered the name of this creature before?"
"You found the Oracle of Marakuru? Incredible! Perhaps Zann will see fit to bless me that I will one day be able to meet her." The aged Marakuran priest smiles wistfully, and continues.
"As for this 'Nanny Pu'pu', it seems that Zann has chosen to smile upon you this day," he says with a dry chuckle. "Her name exists within this very book!" Zitembe taps the large, green, leather-bound tome open on the desk before him. "This is one of my own treatises on the Forbidden City of Omu," he explains. "Uncovering and recording the fate of the lost capital of Marakuru is something of a life-long hobby of mine.
"Now then. History seems to agree with Saja N'baza's remarks about this woman being... not human. References to a Nangala Pu'pu appear in stories that go back nearly five hundred years, to the height of Omu's power." Grandfather Zitembe flips back through his work to a page with an illustration depicting three old women—one of whom bears an uncanny resemblance to Nanny Pu'pu—standing behind a regal-looking man. "This image was copied from an old painting in the temple's collection. It depicts king Osage Ch'kagare and his advisors—a trio of 'wise women' who called themselves the Sewn Sisters."
The high priest snorts before continuing. "I am not well versed in the lore of fey creatures, but if the Oracle claims that Nanny Pu'pu is a hag, then I would posit that these other two women are hags also. Creatures of this nature tend to gather in groups or covens and work their evil upon the world together." Looking back at the illustration, he points to the other two women. "In the stories I've collected, these other two went by the names 'Gathoni Wim'bo' and 'Pili Kak'ra'" He shakes his head and looks up at them. "If this is indeed true, then I fear for those who were taken."
"She used a strange form of transportation, a glyph-carved tree," Dolan continues. "Gero O'tamu believes that it works like a teleportation circle. Is there anything you can tell us about it? Could we use it to follow her?"
Grandfather Zitembe shakes his head slowly. "No, I am afraid that I know very little about nature magic. But do not despair! If you wish it so, I can set one of my priests to research this for you in the Great Library. Of course this will take them some time, likely a day or two."
Ixtli speaks. "Saja N'baza claims to possess the Black Opal Crown. She refused to relinquish it to us, claiming that we would be unable to control it. She said that we must speak with an ancient dragon named Kurat that lives in the Aldani Basin. Have you encountered any stories of this creature?"
The aged priest's eyebrows jump at this news. "Truly? The Oracle is in possession of the Crown of Marakuru? Very interesting indeed. Many stories of the kings and queens of Omu involve their use of the Crown to destroy their enemies. It is thought to be the sole reason that the Ch'kagare family ruled in an unbroken line for so long."
"Given the Crown's history, I could understand why she would be hesitant to allow it back into the world." Zitembe sits back quietly and ponders for a moment and then continues. "But why she would require you to meet with a dragon of all things is quite strange indeed."
"Thankfully for you, I know of a tale that may be relevant to that question. It was written by a riverboat captain who lived in Port Nyanzaru in the time before the Aldani lizardfolk disappeared, nearly a century ago. His story tells of an Aldani traveller who came to the port to trade. The traveller was friendly, curious, and seemingly quite pious."
Grandfather Zitembe stops and seems to struggle recalling more of his story. He mutters for a moment and strokes his chin. "Ah, yes. The dragon. Right. The traveller spoke at length, and with great reverence, about the spiritual guide of his people—Kurat the Dreaming Guardian. Kurat is a great black dragon who, according to the traveller, resides in a temple partially submerged in a large but shallow lake near his village of Tal'Mayu."
"According to the Aldani, Kurat's teachings helped return his people to the light after spending many years serving a great darkness. Pachakutek, he called it, 'The Great Worm'. Out of gratitude for their salvation, members of his tribe now watched over Kurat when he slept, calling themselves Dreamwatchers. The dragon would often slumber for long periods—years or even decades at a time—projecting his spirit into a place called the Dreamlands, being ever vigilant for threats from the 'Outside' that might materialize there," Zitembe chuckles, "whatever that might mean."
Ixtli describes to the priest the altars in the red-tiled room in the Tomb of the Sky Kings, and the steps Chibuzo performed to speak to his dead grandfather. Does Grandfather Zitembe have any knowledge of such rituals, how they should be performed, and how they could be used? Or can he suggest someone who might know? Since the room was dedicated to Ubtao, this might also be a research problem delving into that lost religion...
"Communion with the dead or greater powers can take many forms," Zitembe answers. "Powerful priests can use their magic to accomplish this on their own but many magical devices exist that can also achieve the same result.
"It sounds like the chamber you describe is powered partially by blood and partially by the liquid secreted by the Tear of Ubtao. The key, however, is knowing who it is you wish to commune with. Having a connection to that being increases the likelihood the magic will succeed. Be warned that communing with powerful beings can be dangerous."
Returning to the topic of Saja N'baza and the Kimbala, Dolan delicately raises the topic of restoring the Shrine of the Oracle.
Grandfather Zitembe smiles and says, "as I told you before you explored those forgotten halls: by the will of Zann, I would redeem those who committed the error of destroying that ancient site." He folds his hands before him. "If that takes the form of aiding you in the shrine's restoration, so be it. But that place is not ready to welcome followers of the Kimbala, much work needs to be done."
"Some of the priests here have donated their time to clear out some of the debris and construct the makeshift staircase, but it will take much more. I will consult with a pair of architects known to me—Madongo and Adeola Mojisola, a husband and wife—to see what must be done. When I have an idea of the cost, I will share it with you."
"A shrine is nothing without devoted people to tend it," Chibuzo declares. "We seek to spread the word of the Kimbala's return and remind them of Saja N'baza's wisdom. Do you know of any who still follow the words of the Oracle?
The aged priest furrows his brow at this remark. "Restoring structures of the past is one thing, but reigniting faith in others is quite something else. Tales of Saja N'baza and her followers may still linger in the hearts of some, and those who remember regard the naga's legacy in a positive light. Her belief in a world free of fear and suffering led by people who rule with kindness, compassion, and wisdom is something to be shared."
Zitembe shuts his eyes and utters a short prayer under his breath. A few silent moments pass before the high priest's eyes snap open and his bright smile returns. "Yes... of course. Understanding truly is the key to all doors. Thank you for your guidance, Learned Zann. I should have seen this for myself." Grandfather Zitembe rises from his seat and stands before the adventurers, his arms held wide.
"Clearly such a creature such as Saja N'baza exists in the world by the benevolence of Zann the Marvellous! Having a shrine to such a holy servant beneath this very temple would be an honour and responsibility that I cannot ignore." He sits back in his chair with a renewed look of determination on his face.
"Many families in Port Nyanzaru have shared stories of the Kimbala with their children over the generations. Fenuku, our Head Librarian, is one such individual. His uncle was one of the priests slain by Tariq al-Tahir's minions on that dark day. If you seek someone to assist you with the shrine's re-establishment, I can think of none better. Another would be Zanthi Tadala, the merchant prince. Her family regularly visited the shrine when she was but a child. Surely someone of her station would draw many back to the Kimbala."
"I have a meagre sum to begin this work," Dolan says. "Do you know how I should go about dressing and manning the shrine?"
"As I promised you, I will speak with others about the shrine itself. It is up to you to find and convince the people to care for it," reiterates the high priest. "As for robes for your order, I suggest visiting the Silk Sea in the Tiryki Anchorage. The proprietor, Uda, carries all manner of fine textiles and dyes. She should also be able to connect you to a tailor or seamstress."