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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Waylander the Slayer" data-source="post: 5210445" data-attributes="member: 1830">The Loving Daughters of Khalid Shah The Loving Daughters of Khalid Shah is an adventure for 3.5/ Pathfinder or other similar systems for mid level (5th-7th) characters. The setting as written is Arabian Nights in flavor, but easily translatable as the main themes are universal.Background It is a problem older than time itself; one that has caused millions of sleepless nights and at the worst, lead to wars. What is a father to do if the apple of their eye, their little nightingale, is one of loose morals and questionable virtue? It is said that even the almighty has struggled with such a situation. So is the case of Khalid Shah, Grand Vizier of  Zakhara. Khalid Shah is the proud and loving father of two daughters; Leyla and Manar. It is often said that one loves ones children equally; but it is also known that such things are not possible (same as loving ones wives or husbands equally). Indeed, it is the eldest, Leyla, so much like her late mother- intelligent, responsible, and attractive that has always been the favorite of Khalid Shah and the one the Grand Vizier favors to inherit his wealth and status.  It was a sad day when Leyla confessed to her father that she had fallen in love with a commoner, one that he himself had introduced (albeit a good man but still a man of low status). What is a father to do? Luckily, as fate would have it, there was solution; one used discreetly by a few of his wealthy friends- the Ashram of the Pure Flame (arranged for when Leyla’s paramour is way).  A week at the Ashram had done wonders for some of the most miscreant daughters, who had come back as pure and chaste as first fallen snow.  Leyla was sent to the Ashram for a retreat, but the results were anything but typical. The daughter that came back was impulsive, emotional and often acted like a harlot, even disappearing from the house for days at a time.What’s going on here?The Ashram of the Pure Flame is not as it appears- a peaceful tranquil retreat near an oasis where one goes to pray and meditate. To satisfy the high paying clients, the Purest One, Zufir Ali (level 9 Alchemist or Sorceror), has devised a contraption that uses a specific alchemical formulae that he found to extract the sensual, impulsive, and more “troublesome” aspects of one’s personality (the Chapel of Solitude). The massive amebic extracts and creates a duplicate of the person placed within. In this instance, Zufir was approached by Manar, driven by jealousy towards her favored elder sister, to do the opposite, and was handsomely paid (both in money and otherwise), with future promises as well, to do the opposite. Hence the version of Leyla that returned is the more troublesome aspects of her. Zufir usually disposes of the “bad half” by feeding it to Ulthet-o-nor, a rather large Otyugh he has kept in the caverns below the Chapel of Solitude. In the case of Leyla, the “good half” was fed to the Otyugh. The PCs will need to get the remnants of the good half and distill it into the alchemical formulate used in the Chapel of Solitude while the “bad half” of Leyla is in the Chapel Chamber itself to restore her back to normal. Plot hooks:The long hook- the PCs have worked for Khalid Shah before and one of the PCs is romantically involved with Leyla (the afore mentioned commoner). After coming back from an adventure, the PC finds Leyla to be a changed woman; extremely sexual, impulsive and temperamental.  Rumors have started to spread that the eldest daughter has been found in some dubious establishments cavorting with different men and acting like a cheap trollop (in fact it is recommended that the PC’s come across Leyla acting in such a manner or men bragging about shagging the Vizier’s daughter.).Short Hook- PCs are hired by either the Vizier or the commoner who is Leyla’s beloved to investigate what has happened.The remainder of the adventure, as written assumes that the long hook is  being used.Event One- Confronting Khalid Shah/LeylaLeyla, as she is, is a highly emotional woman who has no control over her impulses (unlike her usual well mannered personality). Confronting her will cause her to loose her temper, become very emotional and agitated, including accusations of being abandoned (whenever the PC goes adventuring), neglected, misunderstood, and of course, bucket loads of tears. The constant crying and emotional outbursts clearly indicate that her personality has drastically changed. Between the histrionics the following facts can be gleaned (the DM should reward good role playing along with the proper diplomacy checks whenever the PCs interact with Leyla):- her father sent her to the Ashram of the Pure Flame- it was a wonderful retreat! - She was personally greeted and given an audience with the Purest One, Zufir, who was a kind old man and discussed and provided guidance to her. He told her to pray in the Chapel of Solitude on the 5th night she was there (fasting for the prior four with minimal subsistence)-She even had a divine experience- while praying in the Chapel of Solitude ( a small devotional prayer room)she felt the ground tremble, and was covered with a cooling mist and as she continued to pray, she felt herself become free of her burdens as if a load had been lifted off her shoulders.-She still loves her beloved but does not know if she believes in commitments-She flirts and keeps eyeing some of the more attractive PCs Khalid Shah is distraught and ridden with guilt. He will readily confess to his actions and that he found the PC unsuitable for his eldest daughter if confronted. He personally has not met with Zufir, but has heard only good things about the man and about the Ashram.  When asked, he was simply told that his daughter was beyond redemption and the almighty had rejected her. He is willing to fund the PC’s if they choose to investigate discreetly and might look upon favorably (including marriage) if the PCs solve the situation.Depending on where these encounters occur, Manar will try to be present. She will  console her sister and get angry with both the PCs and her father, saying that they have done enough harm and should leave her sister alone.  A perception Check DC 15 will reveal that Manar is not being her usual self and her level of concern is rather high considering the sibling rivalry ( the PC who is the paramour will also know of the strained relations and jealousy on the part of Manar from Leyla).Event Two- Investigating the AshramIf the PCs decide to research the Ashram (before heading out to the Ashram if they choose to do so), they come upon the following information( appropriate knowledge or Gather information checks or alternatively through good role play and investigation):DC 10: Zufir is a wise old man, the Ashram is a wonderful, beautiful place.DC 15: The women who attend the retreat come back changed; very chaste and pure.DC18: The women who attend the retreat come back changed; they have no real passion or sensuality and are very non sexual.DC 20: Majid of the Magnificent Emporium supplies the Ashram with goods and supplies. The Emporium is also known to supply exotic ingredients.If PCs talk to Majid he is reluctant to divulge much information other than the fact the he supplies goods and services. However, the proper intimidate or diplomacy checks along with a heavy dose of bribery (rumors abound that Majid is a Pesh (or any drug) addict, plus the Grand Vizier is a powerful man) will get Majid talking. He will reveal that he has been supplying exotic ingredients like Night Lotus extract and Ghoul Essence to the Ashram. Event Three- A trip to Tranquility There are many ways that the PCs may approach the Ashram. One of them could  be “enrolled,” they might choose to go as part of Majid’s Supply Caravan, or they might simply decide to go and spy/infiltrate the Ashram. Sooner or later, the PC’s will have to take Leyla with them to reverse the transformation (as explained below). If and when Manar gets wind of the PCs plans, she will try to tag along with them, as well as send a message to Zufir Ali, warning him.  The Ashram itself is near an oasis, and beautifully gardened and manicured, giving the appearance of tranquility and peace. If warned, Zufir Ali, will take appropriate measures to prevent the PCs from getting to the oasis. These measures include:-    Hiring mercenaries to waylay the PCs-    Adding patrols and guards around the oasis, and especially around the Chapel of Solitude-    Putting the denizens within the Chapel(described below) on high alert.Location- Chapel of Tranquility1.    Prayer Chamber (main entrance) :    The prayer chamber appears to be a simple room with an ever flame in the middle     and plain walls. It is in fact, an elevator room. When one presses the control lever     in the Control Room, it slowly causes the whole chamber to descend, essentially     making this the cucurbit.  The alchemical mixtures are added in the Admixture     Chamber and heated at specific temperature, the resultant vapors flow into this     chamber, infusing into the being and distilling out to the Toxin Chamber where     the “bad half” is reformed. Once descended, it is hard to scale the walls (DC 20).     However, one can climb through this chamber into either the Admixture Chamber     or the Toxin Chamber2.    Admixture Chamber    The Admixture Chamber is where the alchemical compounds are poured into     based on a specific formula, ratio, and timing. This is done through a bucket     chain, each of which contains a specific admixture (supplied mostly by Majid).     The PCs will have to place the remnants of the “good Leyla” here during the     alchemical process. The PC will take heat damage and will have to navigate the     bucket chain as timing is essential as to when the remnants are placed here.3.    Control Chamber:    Accessible through a secret entrance; the control chamber is where the belt chain     starts and includes the mechanism to control the Chapel of Tranquility. It also     has a book with Zufir’s detailed notes on the specifics of the use of the formulae,     including the reversal methodology. He also has a listing of names and dates     disposed of. This  chamber also includes 6 fires mephits and a Half Efreet Servitor     that Zulfir uses to both guard the place and in assisting with the process.4.    Toxin Chamber:    The toxin chamber is essentially a large pit that drops straight down to the caverns     below where Ulthet-o-nor the Otyugh resides. The PCs will have to go down here     to retrieve the remnants of the “good Leyla.” ConclusionA lot depends on how and when the PCs approach the Ashram and the actions taken. It might very well be that they confront Zulfir elsewhere or that they go to the Chamber of Tranquility and find themselves trapped within (if someone activates the mechanism the exact nature of what happens to the PCs is left to the GM). Either way, they will have to use their wits in helping restore Leyla back to her normal self. Manar’s involvement might or might not come to the fore. It can be used as a long term plot point. Ingredientscheap trollop- The transformed Leyla whose troubling nature will have to be interacted with throughout.jealousy- The motive that lead to Manar “transforming her sister. The PC involved with Leyla might also have to deal with bouts of jealously considering her promiscuous natureotyugh- The disposal unit for the bad half’s distilled. The PCs will have to deal with the Otyugh to recover the remnants of the Good Leylaelevator room- The praying room; the PCs will have to use it or might find themselves trapped within it.alembic- The Chamber of Tranquility, also the process of extraction of impurities and transformationnonstop buckets- The bucket chain the PCs have to navigate to place the remnants of “good Leyla” in the Admixture Chamber. Also the nonstop bucket of tears that the transformed Leyla is prone to.</blockquote>

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