DM Talomyr's Council of Thieves (Inactive)

Game Master Talomyr

"Despite your obvious position of weakness, you are being awfully helpful for a devilkin. Do you desire something in return?"

"Well," Valeron shrugs. "She wouldn't be the worst date I ever had in Westcrown..."

Clearing his throat and flushing slightly, the Iomedean nods to nobody in particular.

"Fate's put Khazrae into our hands, perhaps we should pay heed and bring her along, although there is the question of transportation..."

The end of a pike, perhaps?

At the question of transportation, Khazrae offers a solution. "I have no need to breath, putting me in a simple bag or pack while you are around those who would be more...disturbed...by my appearance would be fine. All I ask is that you not put me back in that damned Crux."

While the group continues to watch over Khazrae's head and have a conversation with the body-less devil, Ailyn's attentions have turned to the leather portfolio.

"See anything useful, Ailyn?"

"Very well, your preference to be carried in a bag or pack is noted," Valeron nods back to Khazrae, as he too turns his attention to the leather journal.

"Tell me there's something interesting in the book?"

Ailyn looks up from the portfolio, "Seems to be a few items of note in here. First is a ledger of the contents of Delvehaven from 4674 to 4676. This first page seems to imply that the Pathfinders hid a portion of their treasures and clues of how to enter the deepest vaults off-site somewhere in or near Westcrown. These documents are pretty damned vague, but could be of use in Delvehaven."

Pulling single piece of folded parchment from the folio, she continues. "This seems to be nothing more than a poorly written poem entitled 'Cugny's Wedding'. Ailyn's expression becomes one of surprise as she looks at the poem a bit longer. "It appears that Dargentu Vheed was working with this parchement and believed the poem to be code cipher that led to the whereabouts of the hidden cache...Very interesting."

Pulling yet another piece of paper from the book, Ailyn announce that it is a list of missing Pathfinders, just before reading the page aloud.

Mayor Vheed -

Presented below is what I have been able to piece together regarding the Pathfinders who escaped notice after they sealed Delvehaven during the initial riots in the pre-Thrune unpleasantness. After the passage of seventy some years, it would seem likely only Sivanshin still lives, and if you wish, I can send my agents north to Nidal to attempt to find him. The use of the Grave Tallow to interrogate those who have been dead these past several decades ironically makes them more available to interview than Sivanshin - provided we can find their remains, of course. I am happy to report that I've made some progress in that area.

1. Dontalus Brisby: Leader of the Amber Privateers and one of only two survivors of a journey to darkest Mwangi - he has firsthand knowledge of at least one magical artifact that could well serve our needs for control. I would seem Brisby was sealed inside one of Delvehaven's lower vaults as the others fled, but I'm unclear if this was a voluntary sacrifice.

2. Ilnerik Sivanshin: Brisby's chronicler, a half-elf, Sivanshin fled Westcrown a week before Aroden's Fall. Evidence suggests he fled north , toward Nidal, and with a stolen relic.

3. Corina Heavenscape: A Westcrown native and, if rumor is to be believed, an aasimar, Corina remained in Westcrown and organized the Father's Bulwark, on of many groups of rebels glorius Thrune smashed in pursuit of establishing order. She was slain and her remains collected by the Sisters of Eiseth - I've got them sifting through their holdings in an attempt to find her.

4. Loremaster Liriam: Delvehaven's master of lore - no other would know more about the vaults below. Alas, no evidence of his survival has surfaced - like Brisby, his remains might still lie within Delvehaven. I do suspect he was the author of "Cugny's Wedding", and if so, your suspicion that it is a cipher may well be correct.

5. Venture-Captain Aiger Ghaelfin: Aiger was certainly the one who ordered the sealing of Delvehaven. My early research indicated that he planned on fleeing Cheliax for Absalom, but further investigation revealed this to be false. He remained in Westcrown and fought alongside Corina in the Father's Bulwark, but was laid low by a Thrune wizard who petrified him and then smashed the resulting statue. Scuttlebutt among the blood bookie circuit is that the remains of the man's petrified body have been in the possession of one of the lesser noble houses involved in bloodsport, but I've not yet determined which family (I suspect the Luccas). These filthy has-been nobles play well enough when faced with Thrunish agents, but without the direct aid of your allies, master, I'm afraid I won't be able to learn more.

Your ever faithful servant,

Maxmillian

Finishing the letter, Ailyn surprisedly remarks, "It appears that is was not the House of Thrune who sealed Delvehaven, but the Pathfinders themselves....interesting."

Sejanus rubs his chin and ponders as Ailyn reads the papers aloud. His tail makes idle scratches on the floor, as though doing calculations and tallying lists of numbers. His ears perk at the last entry. "So it sounds like Mayor Vheed wanted more intelligence on Delvehaven, and either wanted Sivanshin alive, or the remains of the others for magical interrogation. Considering the political climate of Nidal, I doubt trying to find this half-elf would be very productive. The Venture-Captain petrified to stone, however, would be very interesting to find. With petrification, his flesh would not decompose. If the statue were to be found, we could use a stone to flesh spell, then perhaps raise him or use speak with dead." He turns to Ailyn. "I'm afraid I do not know of this "Lucca" family. Are they still in Westcrown?"

"I think stone to flesh would be a messy proposition, Sejanus. Or did you not hear the part about the smashing of the statue?" Ailyn says with a grin. "The letter also mentioned something about Grave Tallow, did anything of the sort come out of the Crux?"

Reposting what fell from the Crux when it was opened:

Finally, a shrieking, disembodied, female head. Other items falling to the ground include: a leather portfolio inscribed with an ornate "D", three scrolls, a silver box engraved with dancing skeletons, and a pair of matched slender oak wands.

"Could be this." Sejanus bends down to pick up the silver box and opens it.

Opening the silver box, you find four short grayish cream colored candles.

"Another mystery solved." Sejanus takes a closer look to double-check that they are indeed the candles mentioned in the letter.

Knowledge (arcana) 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26

"Nothing like picking up the pieces of a decades old puzzle to make the mind start to ponder the possibilities." Valeron taps his temple and nods as Sejanus picks up the grave tallow from the silver box.

"Now, if we only had someone to talk to. Surely if we could find the remains of one of these Pathfinders, they'd rather answer our queries rather than someone from House Thrune..."

"As Sejanus said, what about the Lucca family mentioned in the book?" Addie asks.

Knowledge (local?) check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

Will update with information about Grave Tallow and the Lucca familiy this evening.

Sejanus shares the information he learned by studying the candles. "If we can find that statue, then these candles will allow us to learn what we need."

"The only Lucca I've heard of left in Westcrown is the blood-bookie, Rance Lucca. He runs the Devildrome, a shady and not entirely legal summoning tournament and battle arena at the southwest edge of Rego Cader - practically in my back yard," Addie informs her companions. "Maybe he would know where we could find what's left of Ghaelfin's statue."

Sejanus silently mouths the words blood-bookie, obviously new to the term. "Let us pay Mr. Lucca a visit, then. I'm eager to see exactly what a 'summoning tournament' looks like in addition to our present question."

Ready to go.

DM Tal, would Addie know anything about summoning tournaments? Especially since this Devildrome place is located in the same district where she grew up? Trying to figure out what we may need to prepare for.

Morghrim visibly winced every single time Sejanus used the word "we" but listened carefully, slowly absorbing the information and playing it over and over again in his mind.

Has anyone given the damn poem a read yet? If it contains the secrets to entering a cache in Delvehaven... We need to crack the code.

Hearing the dwarf's complaint, Ailyn looks at the parchment containing the poem, "Well the poem is rubish. There seems to be something odd about the rhythm and meter of the stanzas."

Thinking about it a bit further, "Really not that unusual for a Pathfinder cipher. Sejanus could probably figure it out, or if you would like I can work on it while you and the other pursue the other leads."

"Devil-dromes... Summoning tournaments. Why couldn't I be born in Magnimar?" Valeron wonders aloud and what apparently will be the Westcrown Defenders next destination becomes apparent.

"Do we need to prepare anything for this visit, Addie? Will you be returning as Westcrown's latest, aspiring Devil-drome champion, and we are your handsome, yet reserved guards?"

Side note: As a group, your performances in the Trials of Larozod have given you a certain amount of fame in Westcrown. This can be both beneficial and detrimental in certain circles. It's up to you to decide which is which.

"Handsome?" Kev asks, glancing at Morghrim and back with raised eyebrows. "Reserved?"

"From what I recall Rance Lucca puts on gladiatorial style contests at the Devildrome from noon until 5:00 pm most days. Typically these matches are between conjurers who summon forth the combatants for the spectacle. Occasionally a mortal competitor will enter the Devildrome and compete against the summoned creatures."

"If you give me some more time I might be able to find out a bit more about his operations and give ourselves a chance to prepare before we pay him a visit." Addie pauses and then adds, "You know, we made a bit of a name for ourselves in the Trials of Larozod. We may be able to capitalize on that when we go to meet with Rance Lucca."

Diplomacy check to gather useful information about the summoning tournaments at the Devildrome: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11. Or probably not...

"I know a guy..." Valeron begins, a distant look in his eyes. "Back when I just began in the courts, I had to run a bunch of errands up in Rego Cader, picking up notes and such... he might know a little something about this. We got him off on a technicality. It's a longshot - he might not even live in the same place..."

Diplomacy (to Gather Information): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

You have three leads: The Devildrome, the Sisters of Eiseth, and the poem cypher. Which one will you be pursuing, if any? Is there something you would like to do first?

I'm thinking the Devildrome first. It seems to have the least amount of mystery attached to what needs to be accomplished there.

Agreed.

Need one more vote for the Devildrome to start heading that direction.

Vote for the Devildrome as well.

Ok, Devildrome it is. Update coming this evening.

As her companions and the Pathfinders discuss plans to pursue the various clues revealed by the items in the Chelish Crux, Addie takes out her mother's ancient Harrow deck and lays out a spread of cards to discern what Fate holds in store for her in the quest to gain access into Delvehaven.

Casting Harrowing spell for self.

Addie leads the group, now including Sejanus, through the streets of Rego Cader toward the Devildrome. The circuitous route through Rego Cader takes you to the northernmost edge of the cities ruins.

Arriving, the structure before you can be nothing other than the Devildrome. An immense two-story cage rises out of what at one time was a block of apartment buildings. Smells of roasted meats of varying quality fill the air, while you are propositioned by any manner of street vendor while you approach the building.

It is still early enough in the day that the fights have not started yet as you see a short line of what you can only assume are competitors lined up before what appears to be sort of a make-shift office near the front of one of the crumbling buildings.

Behind the desk at the "office" sits a dark skinned man, dressed in gaudy, red and gold finery. The man seems to be alternately accepting potential competitors and taking bets for the day's events.

Sejanus pulls the hood of his disheveled robes further over his face, hiding his features. "Perhaps we need to place a bet to catch his attention. Or wait for the matches to finish for the day." He looks at the other members of the party and clears his throat. "Does anyone feel like... talking to him?"

"Just with my axe blade, but I don't think that would be productive."

Morghrim simply glared menacingly at the Tiefling, as he so often did when the white haired one spoke up.

Sorry Tanner... Morghrim's not going to be warming to you quickly.

Before leaving the Shrine of Aroden, Addie draws one final card from her Harrow deck and studies it intently, trying to determine what the card reveals about the planned trip to the Devildrome.

Addie uses her Harrowed feat for the day. Suit drawn: 1d6 ⇒ 2 (Attribute: Dexterity); card drawn: 1d9 ⇒ 3 (The Cricket: The Cricket is a grig, a creature whose mind is as quick as its body. It represents speed and quick passage. Although The Cricket is commonly associated with travel, the peach it sits by represents treasure at the end.)

"An auspicious card... It may take a bit of effort, but our trip to the Devildrome should ultimately yield what we seek," Addie thinks to herself.

At the Devildrome:

Addie approaches the gaudily-dressed man sitting at the desk in the makeshift office. "Excuse me? My companions and I are the actors from the recent production of The Trials of Larozod. We recently learned of this fine establishment and wondered if it would be possible to gain an audience with the esteemed proprietor - Master Rance Lucca, I believe?"

BTW: Addie left His Lordship back at the Shrine of Aroden.

That's quite all right. Sejanus will find some way to get on your dwarf's good side. Perhaps a few jagermeisters after a long day's work? Dwarven vintage, of course. ;)

Valeron flashes a smile and adds weight to Addie's request.

"It's important. We are the Larazod Players, after all."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

The dice roller really likes to give me these 4's.

The guadily dressed man smiles as you approach and ask your questions. "Rance Lucca at your service. I am well aware that you are players from The Trials. I was fortunate enough to be in attendance that afternoon." he says darting his gaze around as if looking for someone or something. "Where is your Larozod? Not a fan of sport I take it?"

I have a few moments before I have to be inside, what can I do for you this morning?"

"Please don't take this as bizarre or in jest, but would you happen to be in the possession of any notable statuary? Say, of dead Pathfinders?"

Kev does a double take as the new guy just blurts out the goal of their quest without so much as a pause.

"Our next production. Noble House Thrune's great victory over the Pathfinder Lodge and expulsion of the meddlesome Pathfinders. We're searching the city for drawings, paintings and statuaries, as research," he turns to Sejanus, "Though I didn't think we were looking today. We came her for relaxation. Work is tomorrow, remember?"

Bluff: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 Sigh. Why bother?

A near predatory grin crosses Rance Lucca's face "I have many statues surrounding the Devildrome. The presence of all of the statues adds a bit of....gravitas to the spectical I think."

"Now, as far a Pathfinders go, I suspect a number of the statues are of Pathfinders, including my favorite piece...a bust of the former Venture-Captain of Delvehaven, Aiger Ghaelifin."

"I'll tell you what, do me a favor and I would be more than happy to let you spend some time among my statues, including old Ghaelifin. Go a round in the Devildrome for me, it would be tremendously good for my business to have the cast of the Trials of Larozod in the Devildrome. Give me two days to make the arrangements and properly promote the bout. What do you say, do we have a deal?"

"I'm not sure that's really a fair deal. A match in the Devildrome for some time poking around with your statues..."

Valeron glances at Sejanus, wondering if the tiefling has ever needed to barter for any services before or simply shows up at a blacksmith and says 'Sword. Sharper Now.' to get his way.

The Iomedean has to work hard to stifle a chuckle as he observes Kevorin attempt to describe his interest in painting and statues for "research".

Shaking his head, he continues to address Lucca.

"Why don't we get the negotiation started by you letting us take a look at your statues? Given how much you're likely to rake in with us performing for you, I'd rather think we could pick a statue as our compensation..."

"What is the typical purse for a prize fight? We could possibly accept a lower purse and let you keep the rest in exchange for the statue."

Addie stands back and watches - content to let her companions negotiate their access to Rucca's statuary.

Valeron, give me a Diplomacy check

"How much is the purse? That's a good question, my friend. Honestly it depends on the bout. It could be fairly small for a little known conjurer's creatures versus another conjurer's creatures. It would be significantly more, should there be one to be a true threat to end Thraxius's reign as champion. The prize money to be had tend to increase if it is mortal competitor's going against conjured creatures."