Chrysalis Black |
Knowing that, would anyone want to slip any of our poison or elixir of love into the stew?
@EF: What is the second gift?
Atanxi |
Atanxi grasps the Elixir of love with care, hoping not to get any on him as he nudges Chrysalis. Perhaps you can find a husband in one of these guards? He says with a wink.
Chrysalis Black |
Chrysalis's body reacts to the words as her scythe swings dangerously close to Atanxi's throat. "One more word of such tomfoolery will leave your voicebox on the floor." the Mother says with steel in her voice.
The Dandy Hobo |
"While I am loathe to use poisons, at least this one only puts its imbibers to sleep, so no real harm will be done. The question will be, who can slip in the oil successfully? I suppose I could play myself to be the master chef, but I'd prefer to have an antitoxin just in case."
Zahaz |
"Zefiro is our prime goal. We should rescue that blood first. Poisoning the guards sounds like a excellent plan, but do not put it in the stew, but rather on the spoons. Then we can eat safely and pretend to suffer from the effects. After the stew, we accuse those who do not succumb as traitors to sow confusion, and to give us a reason to bash them." Turning to Krima, he says. "But first things first. Are there any other exits from this place besides the front door? Perhaps a secret back door for the warden?"
EndlessForms |
Oh yeah, the second "gift" was not really a gift and not really applicable: Second, Tamrin attempts to identify any paladins and other truth-bound PCs in the party, crediting his “eye for people who color inside the lines.” He pulls them aside and briefly coaches them on some half-truths and canned responses they can use to dodge common questions.
---
Krima shakes her head to Zahaz's question. "Not that I know of, unless there's something in the office that I'm not aware of."
So have you decided on a plan then? Let me know what you're trying to do and attempt a few checks that you think would be appropriate.
The Dandy Hobo |
"I believe directly in the stew would be best; too hard to rig the spoons neatly. But, we could say that the others should eat lunch first since we just started and they have been here for a while already."
One of us will have to sneak in and slip the poison in. I do have a decent Sleight of Hand, Stealth, and Bluff so I can volunteer for that job. The others just need to convince them that we'll eat the stew second.
Zahaz |
Samaeon will cast a guidance spell for the Hobo, and both he and Zahaz will aid in bluffing the guards with a distraction.
Zahaz begins yelling at Sameon as the group returns to the guard room.
"You forget your place, fool! We have no authority to judge these prisoners, and innocence is irrelevant! You!" He points a claw toward the guards. "Explain the laws that govern this prison to this pathetic sod."
Forcing a discussion on the matter, Zahaz takes special care to draw answers from those who might be looking toward the stew, and demands an answer from the cook once the Hobo is in position to dose the food.
Samaeon plays the role of a new guard, ignorant of all the rules.
Zahaz Bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Samaeon Bluff Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Chrysalis Black |
Chrysalis still fumes from the intended slight from Atanxi and sulks a bit in the corner as she watches the deception go down.
EndlessForms |
The guards sputter and sit up straight as Zahaz asserts dominance over the relaxing guards. The cook responds with some hesitation, "Well, it is not the place of the guards of this establishment to interpret the laws or pass judgement but rather to enforce the sentences handed down to us by the courts. The sentences and punishments for each prisoner are determined based on their crimes and the relevant laws governing their wrongdoings. As an institution it is our duty to ensure that these are carried out."
Atanxi |
Atanxi stands beside Chrysalis as he also watches it unfold. He knows his position and that he is quite worthless when it comes to deception. Not that he would not deceive but would rather face his enemy head on. Face-to-face.
Turning to Chrysalis he gives a small smile and a wink as he nods to the cook.
Seeing that the Hobo may need a bit more time Atanxi clears his throat.
Exactly! He slams his hands on the table. Once these low-life's and vagrants pass through that gate. They are all guilty.
EndlessForms |
Sorry, I was traveling to Indiana this weekend and thought I would be able to post but then I got busy helping on the farm (planting season!) so I ran out of time.
I think I still need some description and rolls from the Dandy Hobo though before this plan can go through completion.
Chrysalis Black |
The Mother moves to look over the stew as another guard stirs it. "I hate to break this to you, but I did not offer to let you lot eat this... slop first out of kindness." she says with disdain. "I merely did not want to have to kill you when you took offense and tried to hit me, but now I grow tired of the facade and thought that you should be aware."
She deftly turns on one foot and moves to perch herself on a table, letting her son stand menacingly near her swinging feet.
The Dandy Hobo |
When the others get the most of the guard's attention, Dandy walks in and looks to the man working on the stew. Sniffing, he exclaims. "Needs some truffle oil, may I?"
Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Nope... going to use my reroll with GM Star on that one!
Reroll with +5 Star bonus: 1d20 + 9 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 5 = 23
EndlessForms |
The commotion caused by the others leaves Thrick, who is cooking the stew, distracted and he only absentmindedly nods at The Dandy Hobo, who slips in the poison.
Only moments later when things start to die down, the stew is served.
9d20 ⇒ (8, 19, 11, 15, 6, 6, 19, 4, 5) = 93
Soon after finishing their bowls, everyone in the room (nine people total) except Inetra, Usul, and Jurvik slowly slump over in their chairs, unconscious. The three of them look around and eye each other nervously, standing up from their chairs and reaching for their weapons. "What's going on here?" Jurvik asks.
Chrysalis Black |
"Perhaps you three should take your comrades to the clinic." the Mother says with a wave of her scythe. "I'm sure that it is food poisoning based on how distasteful that slop looks." she says, emphasizing the word poison with a grin. "We will keep watch over the prison as we were assigned." she reassures the remaining trio.
Zahaz |
"Bad food does not make one want to take a dirt nap." Zahaz growls at Chrysalis. "Someone has obviously added something.. Unnatural.. to it. Samaeon! Check the stew for magical effects."
Samaeon looks up from a bowl in his hands. His eyes roll back and he tumbles to the floor like a sack of potatoes.
Zahaz looks down and offers a prayer to hell. "Asmodeus have mercy, I'm surrounded by fools."
Zahaz Bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Assuming a commanding posture, he points a claw at Inetra, Usul, and Jurvik. "Since you three are still standing, one or more of you must have done this. You probably thought the poison would act slower. We cannot be sure which of you is responsible so we must separate and confine you all until an inquisitor can be summoned. Surrender your weapons and you will not be harmed. If you resist, then we can only surmise that you are guilty, in which case a mortician will be summoned instead."
Intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Two nat 20's. Wow.
EndlessForms |
Ha! Well, I guess those two awesome rolls deserve a reward:
The three guards, who were quick to blame the newcomers, instead eye each other suspiciously as Zahaz takes command of the room. "It could've been anybody!" Jurvik shouts out. "He's right, we need to separate and secure ourselves. The truly innocent will surely abide and the guilty will be known by their inability to follow an order from a superior." At this last word he nods towards Zahaz, clearly taking the man's authoritative tone to indicate higher rank. "That stew's been simmering for over an hour, don't forget about the other guards," Usul offers. "Could've been any of them too. You need to root out the traitor, and quick."
Ok, so you've got these ones secured for the time being but there's still other guards out in the halls and such. Where do you want to go from here?
The Dandy Hobo |
So... my plan is to take the stew to the other guards in the hallway to drug them. If one person happens to resist it, then we'll claim he/she is the culprit.
"I know! We'll offer stew to the others outside! Those who eat the stew are obviously innocent, and the person who doesn't take it is our culprit. You all stay here to watch over the others while we see who is hungry."
Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Chrysalis Black |
"Can't we just kill all of them and be done with it... Traitors are easy to ignore if everyone is dead." the Mother remarks as she follows the Hobo to the other guards as he offers stew to them.
Atanxi |
Atanxi stands with a small bit of actual confusion as he didn't expect it to go like this at all.
That will surely show us who the traitor among us is!
Aid Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Though his voice quavers and he sounds extremely unsure about the entire event unfolding. He begins to sweat nervously.
Zahaz |
"That may just work." Zahaz agrees with the Hobo.
Bluff Aid: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
I assume we have locked up the three that didn't fall asleep? Do we have some keys now for jail cells?
EndlessForms |
No, you don't have any keys and you haven't investigated the prison yet. But your checks have been high enough to convince them to stay here while you find the traitor.
6d20 ⇒ (1, 20, 15, 8, 10, 3) = 57
Grabbing the stew, you decide to feed the guards currently on duty. Of the six additional staff, four more drop over unconscious, their bowls clattering to the ground. Two, however, remain alert and instantly draw their swords. "What's going on here?" they shout.
Zahaz |
"These two must be the traitors. Take them alive for the inquisitor!" Zahaz readies his own weapon and orders them to surrender, and is more then happy to take them down if they resist.
Atanxi |
Atanxi draws his dagger from the folds of his robes.
This is actually working better than expected.
Drop your weapons to the floor so we can take you to be questioned!
Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
EndlessForms |
"Like hell! You strangers come in here and pass around soup, then everyone starts toppling over? Do you think we're stupid? Who are you really? It doesn't matter, we'll put you in the interrogation chamber and figure out soon enough." Both of them move to attack, but are quickly taken down. Since there's only two of them and they have AC 14 with 13 hp, I think I'm just going to hand-wave that you can easily take them down. Normally the fighting option is four of them in any one location, with another two waves of four showing up soon after. That at least would have been a bit more challenging.
Krima shakes her head at the unfortunate guards now lying on the ground unconscious either from the poisoned soup or your weapons. "Well, that still went better than I could have hoped. Quick, let me show you to the office. I think we need to search around a bit before we start freeing anyone. We need to know what we're up against."
With Krima's replica key and a bit of work, you can break into the office. A smoldering fireplace illuminates this room, casting red light
over a massive corner desk littered with disorganized papers. A seven-foot-tall statue of a four-horned fiend with a burning crown overlooks the desk from the corner.
The desk hosts a jumbled mess of interrogation schedules, prisoner transfers, and Loyalty Day agendas, but you can identify three noteworthy documents: One is a copy of The Asmodean Disciplines, bookmarked to a chapter on crime and punishment with a handwritten note:
Asmodeus even stated
Of our wretched fate
That he hath reevaluated
Every spirit’s weight.
For what would be the fairest price
Of souls ixpressly grown
If I’ve an essence full of vice
And sin in evil Abrogail’s Thrice–
Damnéd Hall of Sacrifice to cast before his throne?
The second document is a twine-bound set of instructions for activating the prison’s soundproofing mechanism. The manual notes that the prisms emit light when active, and they create a wall of magical silence between any two prisms with an uninterrupted line of effect to one another. No sound passes through this border, but if an object, creature, or wall disrupts the border, the entire effect ends until the obstruction is removed.
The third is a letter addressed to the interrogator from the Nail’s ranking officer addressing the declining efficacy of reports exposing political enemies provided by Zarta Dralneen:
Vasenti,
I appreciate your desire for more information to guide your interrogation of prisoners. Know that your request has not gone unnoticed. Unfortunately, your superiors are limited by the reports we receive from our informants.
I will tell you this: the last three prisoners about whom you requested information were apprehended using intelligence provided by Paracountess Zarta Dralneen in Absalom. Following a recent political misunderstanding, the paracountess’s reports have grown increasingly vague, lacking their past detail and proving to be nearly useless. Those above my station assure me that this change is being investigated, but I have seen this pattern before. To me, Zarta’s contributions are purposefully misleading, as though she were attempting to shield her own informants—or worse, actively sabotage House Thrune’s rule. There is also the possibility that as she works more closely with the Pathfinder Society, her loyalties there grow stronger than those to her homeland. Until I can convince my superiors of her true motivations, work with what we have. I have moved our latest shipment of documents to the vault for further processing.
Good fortune with your continued service to the glory of Cheliax and the noble House of Thrune,
Inspector Lusarious Deckland
The interrogator also keeps a vial of antitoxin on his desk.
The Dandy Hobo |
"Hmm... a wall of silence. Interesting. Suppose that information may have come in handy sooner than later.", Dandy surmises. "Nonetheless, it may be beneficial to check if that soundproofing is active and if we can get it going."
The hobo extraordinaire pauses for a second. [b]"Where should we look? The vault may have some information about the soundproofing, or would be a fair spot to look for the prisms, too.
EndlessForms |
The Dandy Hobo suggests checking the vault so you head across the complex to the room. Steel beams reinforce the walls of the chamber, which is accessible only through the round iron door with inset wheel. The numerals one through nine embellish the wheel's edge, with the number one set in the uppermost position beneath a stone arrow. In other words, a giant combination lock.
Atanxi |
Atanxi puts his hands on his hips as he peers down at the lock. You know anything about this? He looks u hopefully at Krima and points to the combination lock.
Atanxi asks to see the poem once again. He goes over it and over it but remains confused.
Why would you have a room of silence set up near an interrogation room?
Not sure if this is even in the right direction but the poem is 9 lines long.
Zahaz |
"I suppose not everyone enjoys the sound of screams." Zahaz shrugs. "Now about this lock. Do you believe the poem is connected? It would make more sense then an interrogator displaying a tendency for a soft art. However, I see no numerology here."
"Perhaps the number of words?" Samaeon meekly suggests.
EndlessForms |
"Ixpressly?" Krima asks. "What is ixpressly? I'm sure his spelling is better than that."
Atanxi |
Atanxi shrugs. Lets give it a try.
Whats the worst that could happen. We summon a Lord of Hell?
Jace flips the Wheels one by one to the combination of:
3,4,4,3,7,4,7,6,9
Chrysalis Black |
The Mother places the information about Zarta into her purse as the group interrogates Krima. "Yes... of course. We must give it a chance..." she says, focused on stowing the information.
EndlessForms |
Sorry, things should be back to normal now. I had a very busy week.
Atanxi tries a random set of numbers but as he finishes a blade shoots out from the door!
attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
DC 18 Fort save against poison or take 1d2 ⇒ 1 Dex damage (1/round for 6 rounds, cure 1 save)
Atanxi |
It's cool :)
Atanxi screams as a blade juts out from the door, slicing his hand open.
DC 18 Fort Save Round 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 1 Dex dam
DC 18 Fort Save Round 2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
He feels a bit woozy but it quickly passes through his system. Leaning against the wall his arm shakes. Something tells me that was wrong, and that it was poisoned. Luckily it must have been old. I feel it leaving my system already.
Chrysalis Black |
@EF: Did the blade retreat back into the door or does it look like the trap needs to be reset.
The Mother looks on as the airbender stabs himself on a trap. "Hmph, glad it's you and not me." she says as she watches in entertainment before turning to the book of Asmodeus.
"Hmm... Try 7, 4, 3, 8, 2, 6, 5, 9, 1." the Mother reasons as she scans the poem.
Of our wretched fate
That he hath reevaluated
Every spirit’s weight.
For what would be the fairest price
Of souls ixpressly grown
If I’ve an essence full of vice
And sin in evil Abrogail’s Thrice–
Damnéd Hall of Sacrifice to cast before his throne?
EndlessForms |
The blade retreated into the door (it as reset itself).
After watching Atanxi's failed attempt, The Mother studies the poem a bit more closely and finds what she thinks is the right code hidden within the poem's lines. Atanxi tries the numbers and with a clean click! the door swings open...
Very nice! I always think things like that are hard in-game but over PbP you have plenty of time to think about it. I tried not to be too obvious earlier in hinting about the poem.
Dozens of carefully organized codices and scrolls fill the stone shelves carved into the walls, each labeled with names and sigils hammered into small brass placards over each niche. Two statues of humanoid fiends holding red-flamed torches monitor the room from the corners. Two open chests on either side of the door hold jumbles of unsorted documents, but a third chest in the far corner remains closed.
The corner chest stores the Nail’s monetary assets for covering basic expenditures, holding an assortment of Chelish-minted gold and silver coins.
The documents contain information on Cheliax’s numerous political targets extracted from the Nail’s interrogation sessions. Any Pathfinder would take interest in three documents in particular: the first two are interrogation reports filed in the section marked with the Aspis Consortium’s sigil.
---
Inmate: P66742—Niara Cremden
Identification: Female human
Occupation: Maintenance at Aspis headquarters
Plaintiff: Ianareth Alazario
Charge: Unlawful communication of inside trade information discussed between the plaintiff and the inmate’s employer
Information: Successful interrogation—inmate admitted having overheard the plaintiff state that Aspis agent Kitio Aspenthi would be performing covert operations in Aspenthar for the foreseeable future at the organization’s behest. Inmate acknowledged being in violation of her employment contract by sharing this information with parties other than registered Aspis agents and collaborative contractors (i.e. the plaintiff).
---
Inmate: P66759—Raleri Zetryl
Identification: Female human
Occupation: Ship laborer (suspected Pathfinder agent)
Plaintiff: Ianareth Alazario
Charge: Willful disruption of a lawful exchange organized by the plaintiff between her affiliated organization (i.e. Aspis Consortium) and a contracted third party (i.e. Order of the Rack)
Information: Unsuccessful interrogation—inmate expired before confession could be obtained. Original exchange between the interested parties (i.e. transfer of one Bell of Obedience from the Aspis Consortium to the Order of the Rack) resolved normally.
---
The other is in a chest that stores a mound of Zefiro’s unaltered Chelish histories, including one annotated lineage amendment torn from its binding and left atop the pile.
---
Last documented Davian figurehead: Lannavia Davian, Duchess of the southern Hellcoast and matriarch of her House
Lineage: One male heir, Hekerius Davian
Following the Battle of a Hundred Kings in 4639 AR. House Davian suffered almost complete annihilation at the hands of their empowered rivals, House Thrune. Davian properties were seized and redistributed among Thrune loyalists, family histories were destroyed in Clarity Pyres, and all potential heirs to Davian lands were executed.
Historian’s Note: Evidence suggests that Hekerius Davian was adopted into House Dralneen, a minor noble house loyal to Thrune, in the event that hereditary claim to the southern Hellcoast were ever disputed. If my sources are accurate, the late Hekerius Dralneen and Hekerius Davian are one and the same, meaning that Hekerius’s only legitimate child—Paracountess Zarta Dralneen—is the last remaining heir to the Davian title and estate.
Chrysalis Black |
"As the envoy of the Paracountess, I shall keep these important documents." the Mother says as she deftly pockets them into her 'purse'.
After stowing the informative papers, the Mother examines the closed chest without touching it directly. She tries to lift the lid with the tip of her scythe.
---
"Now, let us find Zefiro and be on our way. I would like some Loyalty Day cake before they are all sold." she mentions as the Son stands by her side wordlessly.
With a scowl, she looks at Dandy. "Leave the petty cash. Pathfinders need not steal from the Nail."
I don't know if the scenario expects me to steal to get full gold, but Chrysalis wouldn't steal from Hellknights... for many reasons. S/He is insane, but not dumb.
EndlessForms |
The chest simply holds coins and valuables but is not trapped or dangerous.
Not taking the coins will lower your gold by a little bit, but it's not much in the grand scheme of things. Seems weird they would expect you to loot for no reason during a rescue mission.
The large double doors on either side of the hall lead inward to the prison. The stink of unwashed bodies permeates this narrow corridor, illuminated by violet prisms set into sconces on the inner corners. Iron bars isolate the hall’s outer perimeter, where the walls are lined with manacles set into the stone. Dozens of filthy prisoners lie behind the bars, each one wearing a sign around his or her neck bearing an identification number, a crime, a red “X” next to the word “Interrogation,” and a release date. Two sets of iron double doors lead deeper into the building.
36 lower-priority prisoners reside in the cells. A quick glance at their identification cards reveals that many of them are serving time for minor infractions, and most are only a few days away from being released.
Atanxi |
Holding up the paper Atanxi glares. What does this all mean for the Paracountess?
Heading down into the cells Atanxi looks all around from inmate to inmate, carefully reading their placards. So many prisoners here. At least most of them are nearly free from this place.
Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
The Dandy Hobo |
"Krima, do you know anything about the silence system around the prison?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Zahaz |
Zahaz supervises with arms crossed, claws tapping across his scaled armor as the other Pathfinder's do most of the mundane work.
He has no insight into the lock, and is actually surprised when the Mother figures it out.
He notices a few names on papers in the vault, and nods when the Mother pockets them, but sneers when the others hesitate at taking gold. "Some missing gold would be the least of our problems if this raid goes belly up." He growls as he moves to take it. "We may need to pay a toll on the way out of town, and I would prefer to spend their jink."
Zahaz Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Samaeon Heal: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19
"Curious..." Sameon remarks upon noticing something among the prisoners. "The only prisoner with more than a month left on his sentence seems to be dead."
"So?" Zahaz glares at his servant.
Samaeon shrinks back. "Uh.. Just thought it was odd is all."
"Perhaps he died of bordom. Let us move on and find Zefiro before it kills us too."
EndlessForms |
"Krima, do you know anything about the silence system around the prison?"
She shrugs. "I'm not usually involved. But there seem to slots over there for those crystals." She points to a few inset places in the corners.
Zahaz suggests looking further in for Zafiro so you head into the central room. Barbed chains hang like streamers from the pyramidal ceiling of this large chamber. Several chains wind around the room’s grooved, bloodstained central column. Each corner of the room bears an iron statue of a regal, four-horned devil standing over network of winches wound with the wicked chains. Light pours in from a dirty pentagram-shaped skylight set in the roof’s highest point, casting a shadow of Asmodeus’s unholy symbol crisscrossed with chains over the stone floor. Zefiro Balinger and the three Bellflower agents Krima told you about are wedged into the grooves of the central column.