Chapter 2: City of Trade

Sprawling across a valley of blazing-hot sand, is one of the most incredible and wondrous cities in all of Golarion: the great desert metropolis of Katapesh, the City of Trade. Katapesh is a city of organized chaos where cash is king and commerce is the highest god.

Katapesh overlooks a vast ocean from a sandy promontory above a series of black, glass-like cliffs. Beneath the cliffs, a flat stretch of ground extends to the sea. Katapesh is surrounded by 40-foot-high sandstone walls, topped by ramparts and interspersed with crenelated towers.

As you travel towards the lower entrance to the city, you pass through the Sprawl. The Sprawl is mainly a residential area where laborers have settled outside the city walls. Fishermen, carpenters, masons, chandlers, brick layers, and thatchers make up the majority of the populace here.

The gnomes speak to the armed and armored guards at the gates, warriors who wear colorful tabards and veils over the lower parts of their faces. After a bit, the guards open the gate and allow you access to the city proper.

Once inside, the gnome caravan leader turns to you. "This is where we depart, friends. We are grateful for your assistance. We wish you luck on your next steps!"

Asking the guards about getting an audience with the Pactmasters elicits laughs. "Nobody sees the Pactmasters! Not nobody, not no how!" one quips.

After a bit, they explain that the Pactmasters rarely involve themselves in the day-to-day operations of the city. That is handled by their human liaison, who is known as the Pactbroker. Even getting an audience with him will prove difficult, but perhaps if you were to perform some task to benefit him, he may be willing to make time for you. They suggest speaking with some of the clerks at the Pactbroker's office to find out if there's something you might be able to do.

You spend a few hours asking around the Twilight Gate district about the Pactbroker. You learn his name is Hashim ibn Sayyid. Ibn Sayyid has a reputation for upholding the Pactmasters’ judgments and enacting their laws, whatever his personal feelings. Some suspect ibn Sayyid has a personal agenda that will someday come to light, but for now he enjoys a stable and respected position.

From his readings, Eugene remembers that here in Twilight Gate is the local headquarters of a world-spanning organization of explorers called the Pathfinder Society. The Pathfinders are well-traveled and well-learned in many subjects, including magical knowledge. If you are unable to secure an audience with the Pactmasters, they might be a good alternate source of information about what has happened to you.

This section of the city is a mixture of ancient and modern architecture and the site of many ruins, several of which seem to be tourist attractions, based on the number of people wandering about and marveling at their construction. Nestled among cyclopean ruins and other ancient marvels is an elegant three-tiered building that serves as the Pathfinder Society lodge in Katapesh.

Two hulking constructs stand guard outside of the gates. These looming humanoid figures are made of rune-etched metal and polished stone, with crystalline eyes that glow with blue light. They glare down at you, but perhaps sensing that you do not pose a threat, they let you inside the lodge. Inside is a small lobby area, a pleasant dusky-skinned man stands behind a desk. "Greetings, travelers. Are you fellow Society members?" he inquires.