Inside the chest contains two items. One being a scroll case, the other appearing to be a wand. When rolled out, the scroll appears to be the map of the Salhar burial vaults that reside beneath Sothis, which you were tasked to retrieve.
Radagast find that the silver key attached to the scepter is the only one that fits the lock. Giving it a twist, Radagast here's a satisfying click and the promise of freedom as the lock gives way.
On the other side of the door stands a servant of the manor. "Very good sirs and madam. I see that you have recovered the map. That is yours to keep along with the wand. However, I ask that you return all the keys to me." The finely dressed attendant holds out his hand expectantly.
The servant gives Radagast an inquisitive look at him and the broken key but is quick to dismiss it. With all keys in hand, the servant waits until everyone is out of the vault before closing it behind the party. In a dignified manner, the servant shows you the way out.
Tasks Remaining:
☐ Chelish Paracountess Zarta Dralneen possesses an item loaned
from the Vaults. Meet with her in her estate in the Ivy District and
retrieve the item in her possession.
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"Well, that definetly was an unconvinient way to store the map. Fortunately we are out." Ledt turns to his comrades then walks towards the Paracountess state "Ivy District then"
On the way the halfling casts a detect magic spell and tries to identify the wand.
Once at the manor Ledt knocks to the door and waits with the rest of the party.
Arriving at Paracountess Zarta Dralneen’s townhouse in the Ivy District—one of several homes the noblewoman keeps around Absalom. You come upon a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height. The ebon lacquered double doors wrought with gleaming silver fixtures greet the characters, a prickly brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door chime. Moments after ringing it, a servant in loose casual attire opens the door, greeting the party as if expected. “My mistress will answer any questions you have once we reach her quarters.”
Led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study, the party finally arrives on the third floor of the house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study, which lies beyond her bedroom. Knocking upon the door and announcing his presence, the servant opens the darkly stained wooden door.
A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor in this sitting room. A chaise sits along the north wall and a desk spans the southeast corner, its chair positioned with its back to the southwest corner of the room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around a small, low circular table.
Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen regards the you with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before standing to address the party.
“Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks.” She then turns her attention to the group. “It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a fresh-faced batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious little teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up. Well, maybe not you.” Zarta points at the druid. “I assume this isn’t a pleasure visit since most of you are terribly overdressed for that manner of occasion, so that must mean you are here for that trinket Valsin has been nagging me about. Seems I can’t get that man around these parts anymore,” she gestures, sliding her hand down her body and widening the gesture to sweep out and across the room as if her home were a secondary thought. “On the good side, he always sends me all the precious new recruits."
“Many think we in Dark Archive serve and worship devils, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we use the creatures for their power. They serve us and we sculpt their power in our own interests. The world must come to terms with the order of things. People need to know their place and operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station, making waves and eroding the true order.”
"But you didn't come here for a philosophy lecture, didn't you?" Zarta purses her lips together as if to feign a modicrum of disappointment. A cacophony of booms and crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door. Zarta looks briefly annoyed before turning a devilish grin towards the group.
“A servant is greatly misbehaving. You’re going to have to deal with it in order to get the trinket.” She goes over to the desk in her study, opening a drawer and drawing out an exquisite silver letter opener shaped like a dagger . “You might need this to get it to submit,” she offers with a sly grin.
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Ledt avert his eyes at the suggestion of eating the Pathfinders. She follows the woman movements with a mistrustful look "In fact we are after the trinket, you are right."
As the woman offers the silver dagger to the party the halfling says "So you mean a devil follower of yours has taken the trinket and he is not following orders anymore? What is exactly the creature?"
Waiting for someone else to take the dagger and Zartra to show the way where to find the servant and the trinket, Ledt comments "Why do you just not release the servant from your service?" and pointing towards the dagger "I will surely make use of my magic, others might have more benefit from the dagger."
He follows the party as they go to the servant's place.
Zarta chuckles at the questions. "It is an imp that has not yet fully accepted its role as my servant. It needs to be made to understand the extent of my authority. The silver dagger is a means to an end which will further illustrate your superiority over it and thus indirectly transfers superiority to me."
Another loud crash is heard from beyond the door. Zarta's face sours a little.
"Hmm, I hope that wasn't expensive."
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"An Imp... well that is... workable" sparks of electricity surround Ledt's hair as he says.
Seeing Radagast pick the dagger he adds "Let's go and have a talk with the servant. I want to listen her version of the facts." the halfling directs a mistrustful look at Zartra before approaching to the door from where the sounds come.
Without further hesitation, the little sorcerer abruptly opens the door and looks for the Imp.
Zarta bids you all good luck as you enter the room, closing the door behind you.
Zarta’s bedroom is decorated in the colors of Cheliax—ebon black and crimson red. Silk, rare woods, and carefully carved marble compose every bit of furniture in the room. Goose down now litters the room, covering almost every surface and the silken shreds of the cushions that contained it lie about like flayed skin . A post on the massive screened bed is snapped in half, collapsed on the bed and drawing the screened curtains into a ripped slope of formerly fine cloth. Vials of perfume and crystal jars of other cosmetics sit smashed on the marble floor around the dresser. A prominent fixture in the room, a large “X” made of stout wood sits along the west wall, complete with leather shackles and chains. A table sits to its left strewn with various items intended for pleasure, but outwardly resembling implements of pain.
[25-21] Bralden
[20-16] Doubtful
[15-11] Devonalia, Radagast, Imp
[10-6] Ledt
Group 25-21 has received initiative!
Bralden peers about the room, unable to see the imp but can make out a high pitched chuckle from behind the bed.
[25-21] Bralden
[20-16] Doubtful
[15-11] Devonalia, Radagast, Imp
[10-6] Ledt
Group 20-16 has received initiative!
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Doubtful does not immediately see their quarry and suspects the sounds from behind the bed are probably a trick of some sort.
Nevertheless, he moves towards the back of the room, avoiding the bed itself, which looks like its taken some recent (and probably past) abuse and is more likely to collapse should he hop up on it.
He moves behind the bed, hoping to see the creature, but does not... so using well-honed monastic senses, he reaches out blindly and attempts to locate and grab it, based on the sounds he does hear.
Perhaps with a sixth sense or by sheer luck, Doubtful reaches out and manages to snag something solid out of thin air. He can feel it squirming to resist in his clutches!
[25-21] Bralden
[20-16] Doubtful
[15-11] Devonalia, Radagast, Imp
[10-6] Ledt
Group 15-11 has received initiative!
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"I think I got something!" The dwarf blurts out, sounding more surprised and a little bit worried, than elated, as he struggles with something unseen in his hands.
"Unless there's two of them." He adds, suddenly sure that's exactly what's happening.
"Hold still, you little..." He mutters in dwarvish, as he struggles.
Dvonalia repositions herself as another obstacle in case the imp manages to squirm away from Doubtful's grasp while Radagast moves around the bed, striking the invisible creature within Doubtful's clutches. The creature lets out a shriek of pain followed by a rather guttural sounding language.
Mother$%#%^&*! That $%&(* Zarta sent you didn't she! I'll tear out your entrails!
The imp lashes out with its sting toward Doubtful, breaking it's invisibility spell for everyone to see!
Fortunately, a combination of a solid grip and quick reaction prevented the imp from getting a good strike with it's sting, missing Doubtful.
Ledt, who'd been waiting for an opportunity, lets loose his readied spell as soon as he spotted something shiny in it's tiny hands.
The imp, however, appears to be very stubborn in its own grip to let go of the object.
[25-21] Bralden
[20-16] Doubtful
[15-11] Devonalia, Radagast, Imp
[10-6] Ledt
Group 25-21 has received initiative!
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Doubtful continues to struggle with the imp, not looking particularly pleased about doing so and waiting to get a stinger to the face.
He does his best to try to tie up the tail, however, as well as the rest of the creature.
"Gah, stop struggling!" He mutters as he manages to get a grip on its limbs and tail, pinning it.
"Someone grab the box?!" He adds, to the others.
The imp struggles mightily against Doubtful's sturdy grip aided by Devonalia as the two work together to pin the creature down. Radagast, taking advantage of the opportunity provided by his comrades is adept at brandishing the knife against the imp, cutting the tiny creature and providing notable injury.
Anguish rests deep within the imp's eyes as it appears to begrudingly submits against the struggle. "Fine, you win. I surrender... Just don't cut me anymore with that thing!"
END COMBAT
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Radagast nods.
"Very well. It would probably pay to remember in future that causing trouble only invites trouble for yourself later on..."
Claiming the box, he heads back outside, and hands back the dagger.
"Your servant has been suitably chastised."
Radagast then turns to the others.
"Shall we head back to the Lodge?"
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"Good Imp. You made a good example of your rebellious behaviour." Ledt looks at the trinket then adds to the Imp "You don't need to follow the crazy orders of the Paracountess. You are free to go now and only serve those who deserve to."
The little halfling looks at the Imp like treating him as an equal halfling.
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Doubtful looks at Ledt like he's doubting his sanity, or his morality. He says nothing however, merely shaking his head.
On the way back to the Lodge, he keeps glancing at his hands, and rubbing them on his pants.
"Do you suppose fiends are infectious?" He asks morosely. "Probably are. Knew a guy once, was allergic to everything."
"Shoulda worn gloves" He adds. "Though probably wouldn't have helped."
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"I would never turn down a good drink with excellent company such as yourselves, my friends."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Zarta greets the group with a wry, knowing smile as everyone exits her bed chamber. "Oh? Well that didn't take long. Ambrus always sends over such...capable recruits." Zarta nibbles on her own lower lip out of amusement. "Well, no worry my dearest morsels, I can take care of things from here. Do tell Ambrus that I'll expect him to visit soon." With that, Zarta takes back the dagger she lent out to Radagast and calls for her servant to show you the way out. You can hear her say, "Voda, you naughty little imp. It's double punishment for you tonight..." as the door closes behind the party.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With the sun now midway in its descent in the sky and all the tasks on the list finally complete, the only task that remained was returning to Venture Captain Ambrus Valsin to report on your progress. As the group is discussing going out for drinks, a familiar looking halfling to many, steps forth from the shadows. He is brandishing an axe that looks large for his size. He's also not alone. Stepping out of the shadows with him is a human woman clad in light chain armor and brandishing a shield with a short sword. Her face is masked making it impossible to identify her without unveiling.
"Ledford, these are the Pathfinders you've been tailing?"
Ledford's lips curl upward, hinting a deviant intent.
"Well then, normally it would be your money or your life..."
Another voice from the shadows cut her off, giving the previous speaker a slight hint of annoyance in her face. Another woman, also human, wearing robes comes into the fading daylight. She carries a crossbow on her back and has a sheathed dagger to her side. "But today it's both!"
INITIATIVE!
[25-21] Radagast, Devonalia, Larkin
[20-16] Deandre
[15-11] Bralden, Ledt, Doubtful
[rest] Ledford, Halli
Group [25-21] has received initiative!
Radagast advances to attack the armored woman, connecting for a scathing strike against her. Meanwhile Devonalia steps in front of Doubtful and lets an arrow fly. Radagast's strike was just enough to set the target off balance enough to cause the arrow to barely miss.
From the shadows, I cloaked figure moves forward. Radagast is unfortunately unaware of the stalker's presence!
The armored woman, feeling confident with the added help, also attempts to attack Radagast with her blade...
Injured, she takes a step backwards hoping that her allies will buy her some time to recover.
[25-21] Radagast, Devonalia, Larkin
[20-16] Deandre
[15-11] Bralden, Ledt, Doubtful
[rest] Ledford, Halli
Group [15-11] has received initiative!