Editing Byzantine Ambassador

{{Era|Memories}}
{{Spoilerhd|3 December 2025|[[Discovery Tour: Medieval Baghdad]]}}
{{Memory Infobox
|name = Byzantine Ambassador
|image = DTMB - Mission Byzantine.png
|description = An ambassador from the Byzantine Empire has arrived in the city. He plans to give a piece of the Astrolabe as one of his gifts to the Caliph. Our informant says that the piece will be in a small Abbasid style chest carried by a servant with a missing finger. Gain access to the chest as they go through the Bazaar and replace the piece inside with something suitable before it reaches the Caliphal palace. Just be careful to avoid creating a diplomatic incident!
|appearance = ''[[Discovery Tour: Medieval Baghdad]]''
|type = Main
|reward = 
|fullsync = 
|heroclass = 
|previous = 
|next = [[My Brother's Keeper]]
|concurrent = 
|source =  Alamut Brotherhood member
|location = [[Abbasiyah]], [[Baghdad]], [[Abbasid Caliphate]]
|date = 860s
}}
'''Byzantine Ambassador''' was a virtual representation of a [[genetic memory]] of a member of the [[Alamut Brotherhood]] active in Baghdad during the 860s.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Medieval Baghdad]]''</ref>

==Description==
A Hidden One is tasked with retrieving an astrolabe piece from the Bazaar.

==Intel needed==
*[[Database: Founding of Baghdad]]
*[[Database: Greeks Bearing Gifts]]
*[[Database: "Abbasid Style"]]
*[[Database: Perfumes]]
*[[Database: Emporium of the World]]
*[[Database: Muhtasib (Market Inspector)]]
*[[Database: Bazaar]]

==Dialogue==
===The Target===
The noise and commotion of the Bazaar make it the perfect place to act. A small contingent of servants belonging to the Byzantine Ambassador are weaving their way through the bustle of the Bazaar, each carrying a different item. However, you cannot tell from a distance which servant is missing a finger. You must identify the correct chest before your chance to get the Astrolabe piece is gone.

<tabber>
|-|Chest painted with scroll motifs=
[[File:DTMB - Mission Byzantine Step 01 Choice 02.png|thumb|250px]]
The scroll motif suggests Greco-Roman and Persian influence.

The decoration clearly indicates that this is the right chest. As you move closer, you can see the servant is missing a finger. Despite your insight, the servants are about to leave the Bazaar by the time you reach them. You must quickly find a way to take the Astrolabe piece!

|-|Box painted with stripes=
[[File:DTMB - Mission Byzantine Step 01 Choice 03.png|thumb|250px]]
This is a traditional and simple design.

The chest is too plain to be the one you are after. Finding the chest with the ornate Abbasid scroll motifs takes you time and the servants are about to leave the Bazaar by the time you reach them. That was close!

|-|Woven lidded basket=
[[File:DTMB - Mission Byzantine Step 01 Choice 01.png|thumb|250px]]
Perhaps the piece is hiding in plain sight.

As you get closer, you can see that the carrier is not a servant but a merchant carrying a basket of goods to a stall in the Bazaar. This is clearly the wrong chest. Locating the correct target, the chest with scroll motifs, takes you time and means the servants have almost left the Bazaar by the time you catch up with them. That was close!
</tabber>

===The Distraction===
The Byzantine Ambassador and the servant carrying the Astrolabe piece are almost out of the busy crowd, reducing your chances of covertly obtaining the piece. How will you gain access to the chest?

<tabber>
|-|Counterfeit goods=
[[File:DTMB - Mission Byzantine Step 02 Choice 03.png|thumb|250px]]
Pose as an assistant to the Market Inspector.

Concerned he will be fined if he does not obey your instructions, the servant opens the chest for your examination, immediately and without any questions. That was the perfect choice!

|-|Trip the servant=
[[File:DTMB - Mission Byzantine Step 02 Choice 02.png|thumb|250px]]
Trip the servant carrying the chest and gain access to it by helping him to pick it up.

The servant falls, and the plan works. However, a corner of the chest gets damaged! Hopefully the Caliph will not notice. That was a very risky choice, posing as an assistant to the Market Inspector would have been more effective.

|-|Steal the chest=
[[File:DTMB - Mission Byzantine Step 02 Choice 01.png|thumb|250px]]
Snatch the chest from the servant, run, and have it returned once you have taken the piece of the Astrolabe

You are chased through the Bazaar and only just manage to escape. Your improvisational skills may have worked but that was risky. Masquerading as an assistant to the Market Inspector would have been less suspicious.
</tabber>

===The Replacement===
You slip the Astrolabe piece out of the chest and hide it in your clothing. Earlier you stole three possible items to replace it with from a perfume stall in the Qaysariyya. Knowing that the replacement needs to be a rare and expensive gift fit for a Caliph, which of the three do you choose?

<tabber>
|-|Camphor powder=
[[File:DTMB - Mission Byzantine Step 03 Choice 01.png|thumb|250px]]
Powdered Camphor Bark will impress with its deep dark scent.

This rare fragrance from far away lands is exotic and highly desirable. The Caliph will be delighted with this gift!

|-|Myrrh=
[[File:DTMB - Mission Byzantine Step 03 Choice 02.png|thumb|250px]]
Myrrh will bewitch with its rich resinous scent.

Arabia has produced Myrrh since ancient times and it is easily obtained. The Caliph will not be impressed by this gift. The rare Camphor powder would have been more fitting for the Caliph.

|-|Balsalm=
[[File:DTMB - Mission Byzantine Step 03 Choice 03.png|thumb|250px]]
Balsalm will intrigue with its familiar sharp scent.

Arabia has produced Balsam since ancient times and it is easily obtained. The Caliph will not be impressed by this gift. The exotic Camphor powder would have been more fitting for the Caliph.
</tabber>

===Outcome===
<tabber>
|-|All correct answers=
That was skillfully done! The Hidden Ones are pleased, and the Caliph will be too.

|-|At least 1 wrong answer=
The mission was successful, but you need to be more cunning on future missions.

|-|All wrong answers=
The mission was more difficult than expected and there may be diplomatic issues. Let us hope the Caliph is in a good mood today!
</tabber>

Mission Completed! You managed to collect an Astrolabe piece, well done Hidden One! The Hidden Ones have further missions for you. You must continue your vital work towards collecting all the pieces of the Astrolabe!

==Outcome==
The Hidden One recovered the astrolabe piece from the Bazaar, avoiding a diplomatic incident while at it.

==Behind the scenes==
Choices within each step were reordered based on the score given in the application's source code, from best possible choice (score of 3) to worst possible choice (score of 1). Considering the hint included in each step points towards the best answer, it is assumed that is the canon choice.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{DTMBMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Alamut Brotherhood member]]