|
Zot would look on to Bumi with a look of wonder, "Wow Bumi! I come from a long line of tricky Sylvin kin, and you picked up on the illusion before I did!" Chuckling out loud Zot would turn his attention to the skillful attempt of Einn and Kegan having a go at the golden key.
Einn's thoughts really made a lot of sense and now it was only a matter of getting the golden key down to try to eliminate the last few pieces of this rather unique yet deadly puzzle.
|
Zot passes his hand through, now able to see through the illusion (DC 12 to see through it).
Kegan is able to get the golden key down very gracefully with help from Einn and Zot (and without having to deal with moving the table with the fragile jar of acid on it). The key is finely made and very slender, and seems to match up with the Steel Cube's lock.
|
|
"Looks like this will fit the steel cube. Shall I try it?"
Laughing aloud, "Well done! Spoils well earned, I say by all means help yourself Kegan. Worse thing that could happen is we dissolve the key and be left with this silly Key Scepter to tease us with some sense of an escape!"
The sarcasm in Zot's voice would have hinted at a sense of despair, though Zot seemed to be enjoying the challenge and the opportunity to see his fellow Pathfinders in action. Shaking his head at the illusion chest before him while imagining Zot's Uncle laughing at him from the grave for having missed such a simple trick, Zot would return his attention to the unlocking of the next and hopefully final chest. "Desna be praised, we'll make our way through this!"
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Kegan turns the key, which opens the cube...but not before setting off the trap!
Kegan:
Zot:
Bumi:
Einn:
Minutes
A burst of harmless glittery smoke billows out of the trapped lock mechanism, turning the skin of Kegan and Einn bright blue for the next 28 minutes!
Inside the Steel Cube is the Map of the Salhar burial vaults beneath Sothis, an Official Charter to explore said vaults, and a wand of Knock (CL 3rd, 11 charges).
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
As you unlock the door and exit (the scepter key does unlock the door), the servant who locked you inside in the first place tells you that you may keep the wand and map, but asks for you to return the keys.
He smiles and clearly makes a mental note of which of you are blue. He informs you that Amenopheus has left the estate for the day, and has been instructed to wish you well and see you off the estate grounds at your convenience.
GM: Where to next? :)
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Pondering about the situation, Zot would realize he was the odd man out. Out of humor and good show, Zot would use his daily use of Prestidigitation to alter his own self to change his colors to blue as well. "Well that was an odd request if there ever was one. Though at least whoever designed the puzzle was both cruel and had a good sense of humor." Pondering it further,"I must add that I admire whoever it was for they had a good choice in color, always did love the color blue!"
Nodding with the others, Zot would insist to proceed. "We are making some decent progress, I say! From the looks of it we've only been a few hours out all together. Lets hope we can keep up the pace so as to keep the Lodge happy, yes?"
|
|
~~~~~
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 you, a prickly brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door chime.
|
|
Giving a side glance towards Einn and large grin on his own face, "Alas, what better way to make an impression! We'll make a name for ourselves yet!"
After a short pause Zot would playfully add, "Mind you, if she doesn't like the color blue that name may not be of a good one. Ought to make for some fun chatter at the tavern though!"
|
|
Moments after ringing it, a servant with ruddy, oiled skin and small horns on his brow, wearing tight pants but a loose untied shirt that leaves much of his chest bare opens the door, smiling as if he expected you, not even giving the blue ones a second glance, but rather looking over each of you as if you were a morsel soon to be tasted.
"Ahh, welcome. My mistress has been...eagerly...expecting you. Do come in."
Assuming you follow him, he will lead you through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study. You then arrive on the third floor of the house at a door, which the servant knocks at and announces "Your expected guests, mistress."
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, regards you all with a wry smile, the tip of her tongue wetting her lips as she looks at those of you with a more sapphire hue. Zarta puts away a few papers before addressing you.
“Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks...I think the basement still needs a good washing.” She winks to her tiefling servant before turning her attention to you fully. “It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a freshfaced batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious little blueberry teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up. Well, maybe not you.” Zarta sniffs a little at the air around Bumi. “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 Cheliax 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.”
"So..." she smiles devilishly at all of you, "is this visit truly business...or pleasure?"
|
|
Zot would reflect on the dismissal of his pathfinder's hew to a be a true blessing indeed. Though as he was directed through the ornate building he couldn't help but feel a tad bit out of place. The Zot would enjoy the thought of browsing through the building's kitchen and food stores more-so than exploring the eye "candy" abundant around the group.
After arriving to the pleasant company of Paracountess Zarta Dralneen, Zot would listen carefully and promptly attempt to present himself as best he could. Following her question, Zot would carefully reply with his own touch of humble flare, "No offense meant Paracountess, though I would insist on business before pleasure, despite how clearly tempting said pleasures could be."
Zot would attempt to look towards the others and then back to the Paracountess before continuing, "Valsin, I am sure you are aware, is a very well-intentioned yet stern individual. If at all possible and with good haste we would like to acquire the item of interest be returned. I am willing to serve in whatever capacity is necessary in order to complete this task, as I am sure my fellow pathfinders would agree, within reason of course." Zot would attempt to impose in his request while still paying compliment and respect to both Zarta's and Valsin's position.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Einn would listen as the Paracountess speak and while the others are speaking. She is standing there with an almost knowingly smile on her face. After the others speak for a moment her voice is still accented but no longer the simpler speak that she had been speaking.
"I'm sure there must be some reasonable reasoning even in these more serious matters that he is kept away. Some pressing business of some kind, but the more that we can acquiesce to his request perhaps we can also put in a good word or more of your most gracious hospitality. While freeing up his schedule when this trinket as you say is put to good use, perhaps you would have a message or a letter we could deliver that would entice the strapping gentleman that he needs a break from the stuffy rooms of the society for a taste of what proper society, and of course yourself, has to offer for a man of his refined tastes in such things."
She would finish off with a sly smile. "It may seem we are simply hear for business, but perhaps our purpose is to... be the stepping stone for a much more pleasurable evening in a short while, with his company."
After a brief moment and gesturing to the male companions among the group. "Unless he is attempting to pay you a complement for his absence by sending you something to entertain you in the meanwhile."
|
|
Zots eyes would open up wide suddenly, yet for only a moment, at the thought of Einn's words. Hopefully Einn surely meant to insist on his skills to rouse up a good meal!? Anything else was all to uncomfortable of a thought, he had already disgraced his true love once before, acting in such a fashion seemed to only make it worse.
Blinking a few moments, Zot would let it sink in. Given the locale and the now increasingly apparent relationship between the two people of power, Zot would pick up on what Einn was leading at, or at least offer in exchange for this item. Although Zot didn't entirely agree with her approach, it would play in their favor if Zot played along. Attempting a coy smile Zot would turn his attention towards Kegan, who seemed all too eager to arrive here. The idea seemed off the wall, though he DID mention he'd do whatever was within his ability to do for this item.
Perhaps Zot would not have to test his faith and devotion to his late Love, and hoped Desna had cast him on this path for a reason. Thinking to himself, "Forgive me pumpk'n dear," Zot would return his attention back towards Zarta, and listen patiently for what was to come.
|
|
"The trinket you were sent for is a seven-lock iron case. I was trying to bypass the protections on it, but to no avail. I advise you not to try and tamper with the case until you return it to the Grand Lodge, though. The box is magically warded with abjuration magic intermingled with strong evocation magic, in addition to seven locks that even the 'experts' I hired could not open."
During Zarta's exposition, a cacophony of booms and crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door. She sometimes pauses at an extended eruption of these noises before continuing with the conversation.
She then sighs, somewhere between an enticing sound and an exasperated one.
"Business it is, then. A servant of mine is greatly misbehaving. You’re going to have to deal with it in order to get the little bauble Ambrus wants back so badly.”
The Paracountess then opens a drawer of the desk she sits at, drawing out an exquisite silver letter opener shaped like a dagger (treat as a masterwork silver dagger - the light blue item in the office room you are currently in) and places it on the desk. “You might need this to get it to submit,” she offers with a sly grin to all of you, as she motions to the west door.
~~~~~
First Steps Map is up!
~~~~~
Once you open the doors:
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.
Inside, a tiny red creature has a black box that is slightly bigger than it is and is trying desperately to open it, going so far as to smash it against the floor and anything else nearby. It doesn't even seem to notice you when you enter.
Just inside the door is a silver-tipped riding crop (treat as an improvised masterwork club - the light blue item inside the bedroom) sitting on the table with other similar implements.
|
|
Zot would raise an eyebrow at what he quickly realize was happening. The sign of the creature was more than he had desired to see, and given what little he knew, he didn't even bother to recognize what was flapping and crashing about before him. Zot had not once ever seen or heard of such a thing.
That being said, there was no telling how long this had been going on and become very clear why Zarta had been taking so long to return the item in question. Rolling his eyes Zot would sarcastically think to himself, "Wow, a creature who thinks for itself? Free will? How ludicrous!"
With a smile, Zot would look to the others and then back to Zarta as the entertaining element began to sink in. "Well, that explains why you've had trouble returning the item. Consider the task done. I can't promise the condition of your friend though, and Desna forgive us for what may transpire if we have to defend ourselves. Either way, we'll get it returned."
Seems as though the task granted to them to day was to be babysitting and playing hot-potato with a hell-spawn. How amusing.
|
|
Einn looks around the room as the doors are opened. "This explains the lecture on devils...if that is what this thing even is, more annoying looking flappy thing."
"One of the more dexterous may be able to use the little dagger thing better. Do you wish this simply subdued or what is the extent of force you prefer used...given the condition of the room for future entertaining?" She asks the Paracountess walking up to the entrance of the door ready to go in.
|
Kegan looks down at silver letter opener, then smiles as he looks back at Zaria. "It is a smaller blade than I usually wield. Is there something special about it we should know?"
---
In response to Einn's comment, Kegan gestures to the dagger and says "I wouldn't mind utilizing Zarta's gift."
---
On seeing the creature, Kegan strides into the room -- weapon drawn -- and wryly exclaims "You there! Don't you know it is Imp proper to mess with a lady's chest like that! Stand down, or I will have to punish you!"
|
|
"I dare say, this imp is rather impatient to boot! You would think given Zarta's warning the imp would realize that her chest is impenetrable! Now her chamber is such a mess, how impolite." Zot would shake his head in mocking disapproval, adding his fare share to the pun-ishment, beginning to recall some of the hilarious banter he's overheard in his travels abroad.