Book 1: To Assume Control in Narport

You ask a few questions and easily get directions to the Temple of Hapi which you find to be a modest structure, unassuming in its size and simplicity, but carved of stone as befits a shrine to the Lord of Death.

Inside, you find Jonias and two boys one a sandy haired human child of twelve, the other a dark skinned halfling boy of a similar age cleaning up after a funeral service.

"Afraid the service is over," Jonias sighs as he hears the door open without looking, "You'll have to visit the grave, the body's already been carried out."

"Oh, apologies Reapers. I was not aware that anyone was coming? Dominity? Yes, well he and I had very little to do with one another I'm afraid. It's all that I can do to run the weekly services for the faithful and the funeral services for the city-- many who are not devout to Hapi still wish to be lawfully buried, of course. High Reaper Dominity had his own business which didn't really intersect with mine. He'd been here decades before I arrived. What can I do to, ah help?"

He adds sheepishly, "I'm afraid there isn't room in the parsonage for your party- with the two acolytes and myself it's already cramped in the sleeping quarters here, though I can point you in the direction of an inn of good repute you might stay in during your visit."

"I can do my best to answer your questions, but I can't say that I know very much. Dominity kept to himself- I'd say you want to check into his Manor House. I don't think anyones been there since he passed. I might suggest also meeting with the Negus, if you're going to be operating in his territory best not to be on the wrong side of His Immortal Majesty."

You find rooms at an inn for the night, and the following day head to the palace (easy enough to find), to pay your respects to the king. As you approach, the guards (all ebony skinned halflings) stop you at the gate and leave you waiting for the an official they title the Agafari.When the Agafari arrives he is a stout and fat little halfling dressed in green robes that seem to complement his dark complexion, "I am told you are from the Church of Hapi? You have come to present yourselves before His Immortal Majesty?"

You are led into the throne room where an aging white haired, black skinned halfling sits in an ornate outfit atop an ancient looking throne of burnished gold.

There are a dozen spear wielding guards here lining the entrance walk, even though your weapons were left at the gatehouse it is clear that pomp and ceremony are of high value here. In a row of benches near the front of the room, robed halflings which appear to be various court officials sit, several of them of advanced age as well.

The leader of the palace guard approaches the front, dressed identically to the other guards save the noticably ornate sword at his side- it almost sings of the history of the blade the way it stands there, undoubtedly a family hierloom from the days of the halfing's empire.

"His Immortal Majesty, Beylerbey of All the Southern Tribes, Protector of the Shield of Munron, Negus of Narport, Negusa Nagast in Exile Adalamous XXIII," the guard captain says in a booming voice, punctuating it with a stamp of the spear on the ground.

The Negus looks at you assembled before him, then speaks before you have the chance, "I am to understand you are the representatives of the Church of Hapi? Come to replace High Reaper Dominity?"