Gale: The little bird sits quietly, as Mia works her magic.
Serge: The paladin takes the sleeping guard’s weapon and then quickly moves to the North stairs.
Solstice: The sorceress tests her luck a second time with another burst of fiery sound. This time the intended target manages to shack off the effect.
Dark haired woman: After shaking off Solstice’s fiery burst of sound, the woman moves up along side the purple guard, opens her mouth, and then spews out a swarm of spiders from her mouth. The spiders quickly accumulate over a 10’ x 10’ area, which covers Fundir. The spiders begin to bite the hunter repeatedly, injecting him with small amounts of poison.
Guard Purple (19)
Gale (18)
Serge (18)
Solstice (15)
Dark haired woman (12)
Fundir (12)
Felli (11)
Mia (7)
Guard Brown (2)
|
Fundir hisses as the spiders cover him, but he easily repels their poison. His lizard like nature takes over as he flicks his tongue, gathering a few for a snack and crunches into them heartily. With a gruesome smile at the lady, he taunts her "You will have to do better than that!" He spits out a spider leg before stepping forward and raising his mace high. He brings it crashing down on the woman in a solid blow.
Fundir:Fundir advances with a mighty swing that shatters the woman’s left shoulder. After the crushing blow the woman winces in pain, but manages to keep her feet.
Felli: Concerned about the spider swarm, the rogue drops his sword and draws his bow. In a rush, Felli knocks an arrow and fires a shot at the dazed guard, which flies off to the other side of the room.
Mia: Working her magic, the witch attempts to hex the second guard with her variation of sleep. While already dazed, the man falls easily into a deep sleep.
Brown guard: Still undisturbed, the man continues to sleep.
Purple guard: After haven fallen victim to Mia’s sleep hex, the man rests peacefully on the ground.
Guard Purple (19)
Gale (18)
Serge (18)
Solstice (15)
Dark haired woman (12)
Fundir (12)
Felli (11)
Mia (7)
Guard Brown (2)
|
"Your thugs are pretty pathetic. I don't think things are going as you expected - unless you got 6 more squirreled away somewhere?"
"Hmmm... Let's see if I can get you to stand there an even bigger fool while your own spiders chew on you."
points of fire damage to spider woman and dazed, DC 18 fort save for half damage and no daze.
Gale: The bird sits quietly unless provoked by Mia.
Serge: The paladin pulls out save and begins rubbing it all over himself.
Solstice: In a second attempt at stunning the dark haired woman, Solstice summons another loud fiery blast of magical energy.
Dark haired woman: After finally falling victim to the sorceress’s fiery sonic attack, the woman stands dazed and unable to act.
Spider swarm: The spider swarm continues to cover Fundir.
Guard Purple (19)
Gale (18)
Serge (18)
Solstice (15)
Dark haired woman (12)
Fundir (12)
Felli (11)
Mia (7)
Guard Brown (2)
Fundir: Having once again managed to resist the weakening bite of the spider swarm, the hunter presses his attack with another power strike.
Felli: While firing through Fundir and the spider swarm, Felli finds his target difficult to see. This results in a wayward arrow bouncing off the distant wall.
Mia: With little choice, Mia pulls out a club and attempts to murder the sleeping victim.
Brown guard: The guard exhales with a heavy breath as his body goes limp under Mia’s deadly attack.
Purple guard: The guard continues to sleep undisturbed.
Guard Purple (19)
Gale (18)
Serge (18)
Solstice (15)
Dark haired woman (12)
Fundir (12)
Felli (11)
Mia (7)
Guard Brown (2)
Serge: The paladin bravely moves forward into the mass of spiders that separates him from the dark haired woman. After approaching the woman, Serge takes a powerful swing with his great sword. Distracted by the mass of spiders, he misses his target completely.
Solstice: In an endless banter of ear piercing sonic attacks, Solstice continues to conjure her fiery burst of sound.
Dark haired woman: With one last exposure to the sorceress sonic-fire attack, the woman finally falls to the ground unconscious. With the woman no longer capable of controlling the swarm, the spiders dissipate and scamper away in a thousand directions.
When the purple guard comes too, he eagerly raises his hands up and surrenders. "Please don't kill me." He says, as he glances over at the other guard who lays dead on the other side of the room.
The heavy sound of combat now fades into a silent moment of calm. The curator, who the group had originally sought, is nowhere in sight. The library appears to have been torn apart, leaving books and shelving strewn everywhere.
|
Serge sheathes his sword and quickly grabs the mans arms, tying them behind his back with a section of rope. "Fool, just what were you thinking? What happened to the curator?" He pulls the rope tight enough that it bites into the guard's flesh. "We're handing you over to the authorities. There must be some form of justice in this city..."
|
|
Fundir hangs his mace from his belt, and then begins to cast a spell. A glowing light rises from his hands as he passes them down his body, healing wounds as they pass. A spider tries to escape from within his armor, but the Nagaji's reflexes send that one to the same doom as before. Crunching loudly, he bends and begins to dig within his pack, pulling out his rope to tie the lady with. Satisfied, he stuffs one of his dirty socks in her mouth with a evil sounding chuckle.
Mia stabilizes the dark-haired woman after Fundir botches an attempt at medical triage. With one of the city’s law enforcers now lying unconscious at Mia’s feet, the group has the time necessary to question the one remaining guard.
While Serge begins the interrogation of the guard, Felli ties up the Dark-haired woman.
The guard shifts uncomfortably as Serge tightens the ropes around his wrists. “I am here under direct order of Signifer Iluvia. She, in turn, taking her orders from much higher up the ranks. We had orders to arrest the traitor Zefiro Balinger, who you refer to as the curator of this museum. You are in violation of our law. Any harm comes to me or Signifer Iluvia, you will be hunted as a criminal, by our nation, for all time. Now release me at once!”
The man speaks with a combination of authority and skepticism. It is apparent that he is more than concerned that the group will kill him.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Mia lowers herself to the sitting guard's face, leaning with her hands on her knees.
"Look at me, mister.
We are not violating any law when visiting a museum, whether we visit one in Varisia, in the cold northern lands, or in Cheliax. Museums generate income for your empire, money that pays your wages, keeps you fed, keeps you a roof to sleep under.
Museum visitors contribute to your empire, what law forbids contributing to that?"
"I have no ill will towards your people, save for those who attack us for no reason."
She gently pokes his forehead with the tip of her indexfinger, as she looks him in the eyes with a neutral look.
She rises again, and places her hands on her hips.
"As for your claim of us hunted down, that isn't going to happen if there are not witnesses. On the other hand, think on this:
"You worship a deity of order and law, and contracts.
Contracts associate with debts. If we just leave you here, instead of killing you, we will have shown you mercy, and you have a life debt.
If your god is watching you all the time, he will know of this. Imagine what he would do if you broke a debt by reporting our survival, it will probably be worse than what the Signifer Iluvia would do."
"The signifer is much more a problem, than you as a duty serving man are. She's another troublesome bureaucrate ordering you around, after all."
The man sits quietly as Mia continues to point out all the reasons why the group is within their right to defend themselves. He also acknowledges the wisdom of her comment about the god. "Weather our presence here is completely lawful or not, sometimes gets a little blurred by Cheliax's standards. All I know is that I was following orders. A standard that I must meet or suffer the consequences of failing to recognize the proper chain of command. To this end, I am guilty. Nothing more. Unfortunately, if I survive this ordeal, I will be forced to disclose what I have seen. Failing to do so will result in dire consequences for my family."
|
|
Fundir considers the words of both Mia and the guard before replying. "The life of all creaturessss issss ssssacred." he begins. "But what can be done? The lawssss of thissss land have ussss asss the Ussssurperssss, but the lawssss of hosssspitality and jusssstice do not. We were invited here, and find oursssselvessss at oddssss with our hosssstssss." With a meaningful glance as Serge, Fundir finishes "You are an honorable man I have learned to trusssst, even if we often have different viewssss. What ssssay you and your god?"
|
|
"It is more clear cut than you think, Fundir," Serge says as he looks down at the guard. "This man was paid or forced to do these things, but that does not absolve him of his crimes. If he's harmed Zefiro, he's harmed an innocent. Those that have wronged the innocent will feel my lord's wrath made manifest in me," the paladin says as he shakes the woman to wake her up. "Awaken, witch. Tell us what you've done. Cheliax is not without laws! If we must turn them over to the Order of the Rack, then so be it. The laws of the land are the laws we must follow!" He shakes her vigorously now, demanding answers.
The guard becomes severely intimidated when Serge mentions the Order of the Rack. “Please, the order will invoke a horrible punishment upon me and my family for failing in our task here. If you allow me to safely leave, I will give you my word that I will relocate and say nothing of our encounter.”
The woman jostles around limply as Serge vigorously shakes her. Even with the violent motion, the woman remains unconscious.
A search of the already tossed main library turns up little to nothing of intrest. After inspecting the upper level, Fundir and Felli find the library’s main office.
After searching the office, Fundir’s sharp vision picks up a latch on the side of the large picture frame. The latch appears to have no trap and is easy to operate. A further inspection reveals a hidden room behind the frame.
Once the secret door swings open, a small room becomes visible. Several bookshelves, a desk, and a display case crowd this cramped room. To the left stands a statue of Aroden. An inspection of the room revels that Zefiro has been using the location as a private study to house many of his illicit research. Among the items found are an early (and now publicly redacted) diary filled with tales of infernal war crimes committed by Thrune, an Aspis Consortium cargo manifest for a shipment from Taldor to Khari, and Zefiro’s holy Arodenite scriptures.
Given enough time the dark haired woman eventually comes conscious and is able to be questioned. During the questioning the group is able to determine that Zefiro was arrested for refusing to destroy the noncompliant (i.e. genuine and true) historical documents that no longer conform to Cheliax’s state-approved, revisionist history. As it stands, the guard indicates that Zefiro was taken to a facility in Ostenso.
Zefiro Balinger’s arrest and imprisonment casts a dark shadow over Cheliax’s new relationship with the Pathfinder Society, especially after you bring to light that the infernal empire hoped to reshape their national narrative by falsifying its past. If Taldor ever founded a colony so deep into Rahadoum, Ibhir is not it. Eventually the group manages to board a ship out of Corentyn before authorities are able to connect you to the museum incident.
Back in Absalom, Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus can barely restrain his fury at Cheliax’s duplicity and use of the Society as a cat’s paw to validate Chelish lies. He sends for Ianareth Alazario, the new liaison from Cheliax, only to find that she has slipped away from the Grand Lodge to “attend to pressing business abroad.” Farabellus assures the group that although Cheliax may be more powerful than their organization, the Society won’t suffer this indignity with a smile. He cryptically advises you to remain in Absalom and await further word about a daring mission to save Zefiro Balinger.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Back in Absalom, Serge stretches and lets out a sigh. "Now that that's over, how about a drink? Solstice? Mia? Or what about you, Fundir?" He smiles in the ladies direction. "I know a place with this one nagaji alchemist who just might be your type." The paladin laughs as he begins to walk out of Master Farabellus' office.
Back from Cheliax and still alive. Not bad. I felt your glory within me more than ever, my lord. Perhaps I'll be alive for a while yet.
He tosses his hourglass up in the air and catches it, smiling.
Relations between the Pathfinder Society and Cheliax seemed to be on the mend when the Infernal Empire’s new liaison to the Society—Ianareth Alazario— secured permission for Pathfinder agents to explore several archaeological sites on Chelish soil. The cooperative effort proved to be a political manipulation, however, when Zefiro Balinger—curator of Corentyn’s Museum of History and ally of the Society—helped expose House Thrune’s doctoring of the ruins in question to further legitimize their claim over Khari, Cheliax’s strategic foothold in Garund. In retribution for Zefiro’s treasonous adherence to the truth, as well as for his heretical preservation of unrevised Chelish histories, House Thrune abducted the historian and spirited him away for questioning and eventual punishment, bringing the Society’s archaeological expedition to a halt.
After confronting a Hellknight signifer found cleansing Zefiro’s workplace of troublesome documents, you discovered where Zefiro was being held—a facility in Ostenso called the Bloody Nail, where people say prisoners eagerly offer confessions rather than have them agonizingly extracted by the lead interrogator. The Pathfinder Society desperately seeks both Zefiro’s safety and his priceless historical notes, yet it does not have nearly enough political clout to demand his release.
Zarta Dralneen, an ally of the Society and former liaison for Cheliax, has offered an alternative: covertly break Zefiro out of the prison. In her time as a Chelish aristocrat, Zarta often clashed with a halfling Bellflower agent named Tamrin Credence, who markets himself as a “liberator of humanoid assets.” Ever since she left Cheliax’s employ on bad terms, Zarta’s relationship with Tamrin has grown less adversarial and more cooperative. Although Tamrin’s most loyal to the emancipating Bellflower Network, it’s the Aspis Consortium that most recently paid his bills and shielded him from Zarta’s wrath before he became utterly disillusioned with his Consortium superiors. The two now find themselves working together to free Zefiro at the expense of their old masters.
Using a messenger, Zarta explained the situation to Tamrin, who identified a chink in Cheliax’s armor: the upcoming celebration of Loyalty Day, a state-mandated holiday lauding House Thrune’s rise to power. Together they devised a plan to both liberate a Society ally and leave House Thrune with egg on its face on a day meant to highlight its supremacy.
Upon the groups return, the society takes a moderate amount of time to consider Zefiro’s situation. After consulting with a number of venture captains and their political council, the society has sent word for you and your group to reconvene aboard a conveniently tucked away ship, named the Hornet’s Nest. You have been instructed to meet with Venture Captain Dennel Hamshank for a covert mission.
The captain’s quarters aboard the Hornet’s Nest sits in uncomfortable silence. The normally composed Zarta Dralneen awkwardly shifts in her chair, repeatedly glancing across the room at a stocky halfling with short salt-and-pepper hair and practical black clothing. Between them stands Venture-Captain Dennel Hamshanks, the ship’s captain, who seems relieved to have other visitors.
“Welcome, agents,” Hamshanks announces. “My other guests have already skipped the social niceties, so I don’t see why we need to start now. As most of you know, Zefiro Balinger, the Corentyn museum curator and ally of the Society, has been abducted by agents of House Thrune on charges of ‘treasonous misinformation’—which is to say the heretical preservation of unedited Chelish histories. The Decemvirate cannot afford to lose such a valuable asset, nor can it allow these documents to be thrown onto a ‘clarity pyre,’ but Cheliax would love nothing more than to do exactly that.” Hamshanks pauses as if waiting for someone else to pick up the conversation, then clears his throat at the distracted Zarta.
Zarta snaps to attention. “After you discovered that Zefiro had been taken to Ostenso, I decided to ask around and see what I could learn about his situation. His prison is called the Bloody Nail, a facility where political enemies disappear for interrogation and punishment. Trying to spring a captive from a high-profile prison in the heart of a major Chelish city would normally be suicide, yet that is our only remaining option.” Zarta’s expression sours slightly, and she glances at the halfling again before muttering, “Fortunately, I know someone who specializes in such suicide missions, yet curiously always seems to come back alive.”
The halfling smirks at Zarta, hopping to his feet. “Please, Zarta, the pleasure is all mine. The name’s Tamrin Credence, longtime Bellflower and master of coming back alive. The lovely paracountess laid out your situation for me. Luckily enough, liberating Chelish prisoners is a favorite hobby of mine, so it looks like we’ll be working together on this project.”
The Halfling smiles lightly before continuing. “Infiltrating the Bloody Nail won’t be a picnic, but it seems my luck hasn’t deserted me yet. Turns out tomorrow is Loyalty Day, a national holiday celebrating House Thrune’s oppressive regime and those who willingly agree to be oppressed by it. Citizens are required to attend the festivities, and since Ostensons aren’t exactly known for their docility, that means lots of guards in the streets keeping order. Those extra guards have to come from somewhere, meaning we’re looking at a short-staffed prison detail stuck working a holiday.”
“So here’s the plan: we march up to the Bloody Nail looking all intimidating. I’ve still got some clout with Ostenso’s guards from back when I worked for the Consortium, so I’ll convince the lead interrogator to bring some of his guards with me to deal with a Loyalty Day ‘emergency.’ Fortunately for him, I’ve brought some of my own agents—that’s you—to cover for him and his soldiers while we’re away. Knowing Chelish prison administration, he’ll agree as long as one of his lackeys can supervise you. I’ll keep the interrogator distracted long enough for you to get the lay of the land, ditch your babysitter, break in, get what we came for, and get out before anyone smells a rat. We’ll meet back at the southernmost docks of the Custodisce Break and sail for Andoran. Does anyone have any questions?”
|
|
"Soooo... You've got a way for us to be used as guards?! The irony of it is delicious. Guards breaking the prisoner out. I'm sure its been done before, but it sounds lovely to me. Intimidating, huh? I think I have just the right outfit, though I do wish now that I bought those magical shape shifting sleeves instead of this magical cloak."
|
|
"I have no problems with this.. When we "ditch" our babysitter, does he still have to be breathing?" Fundir asks innocently, his eyes wide and curious.
"However, what do you think Serge? Will your code allow for you to infiltrate the enemy in such a manner without giving us away? This will be difficult for you, I think."
The last few months seem to have brought drastic changes to the young Nagaji.. no longer recalcitrant and distant, his movements and mannerisms show he has grown quite at ease with these humans. Battle and shared wounds will do that to a creature.. bridging the gap with every new challenge.