The hiroglyphs and inscriptions along the length of the wand clearly identify it as Osirian in manufacture. However, the purpose of the magic device continues to ellude Thoradin.
With the map and wand safely tucked away, the party sets off to complete their final task on their list. Paracountess Zarta Dralneen, an influential diplomat from the devil-worshipping nation of Cheliax, makes her home in Absolom's Ivy District. According to your assignment, she is in posession of an item on loan from vaults of the Pathfinder Society. It is getting on into the afternoon as you arrive at the magnificant three-story gothic structure indicated by the directions provided by Venture-Captain Vaslin. Ebon lacquered double doors wrought with gleaming silver fixtures greet the party. A prickly brass cone hanging from a chain serves as the door chime.
The sun is on its decent over the horizon as you make the relatively short walk to your next appointment. The buildings remain large and expensive as you make your way from the Wise Quarter into the Ivy District. Although the majority of Absalom's inhabitants are still about their daily activities, much of the pedestrian and coach traffic you encounter seem to be headed towards the residential Ivy District. One coach in particular, with a faded azure dragon painted on its sides begins to look familar. The bearded driver and pretty red-headed passenger seem to have riden past you a half-dozen times since leaving the Osirian estate in the Wise Quarter. Any time you might start to approach or hail the coach, the woman in back gives the driver an order and they turn down another avenue.
The sun is on its decent over the horizon as you make the relatively short walk to your next appointment. The buildings remain large and expensive as you make your way from the Wise Quarter into the Ivy District. Although the majority of Absalom's inhabitants are still about their daily activities, much of the pedestrian and coach traffic you encounter seem to be headed towards the residential Ivy District.
The sun is on its decent over the horizon as you make the relatively short walk to your next appointment. The buildings remain large and expensive as you make your way from the Wise Quarter into the Ivy District.
Having arrived at the estate of Paracountess Zarta Dralneen, a servant in loose casual attire opens the door in response to your ringing of the front bell. He stares at you curiously and raises his eyebrows to punctuate his question, "Yes?
The man nods and ushers you in. "Right this way. My mistress will answer any questions you have once we reach her quarters." You are all led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study, until finally you arrive on the third floor of the house before a darkly stained wooden door. Knocking upon the door and announcing his presence, the servant opens it.
A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor in the sitting room beyond. 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 you with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before standing to address your 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 freshfaced 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 Thoradin. “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.”
Looking at Srina, the paracountess smiles, "You are a fiesty one, aren't you?" As she talks, a cacophony of booms and crashes sound from beyond the room’s west door. "To business is it, then?" her eyes sweep over Andrazi, "I certainly hope you have time for some pleasure in your busy Pathfinder schedule. Our relationship doesn't have to be all business, you know." She pauses at an extended eruption of these noises before continuing with the conversation."I can think of so many different way you could be of assistance to me."
Zarta explains, “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.
The Paracountess gestures to the double doors behind her, "See for youselves." To Andrazi's second question, she simply shrugs, "His fate rests in my hands. In turn, I leave it to you decide how he must be dealt with."
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.
Fiendish wings and a whipping scorpion-like tail lash behind a diminutive, red-skinned creature that is clearly enraged and totally out of control. The creature appears to desperately want inside a wooden box and occationally throws it around the room hoping to smash the thing open. Currently, he is perched on the end of the post, clawing frantically at the box. Though dented, the case doesn’t look like it will be opening anytime soon.
The tiny red devil gives no indication that its aware of Andrazi's approach. It continues to wrestle with the box as the large man draws closer. With a deft lung, he attempts to seize it.
No sooner do Andrazi's fingers touch the prize than the imp pulls it away, leaping straight up from the bed post. The creature's leathery wings beat the air, carrying it higher into the air.
Tanrov looks to his companions for direction as Thoradin unfastens his hammer. Similarly, Hekirin begins preparing his grappling hook. Srina, as determined as ever, strides into the overturned bedroom and eyes the imp with contempt. As Andrazi's temper flairs, the imp sneers at him and disappears before his eyes.
As most of the party waits in confused silence for the imp to make its next move, Thoradin's prayer calls out to them, filling each member with feelings of reassurance. Suddenly, there's the clinking of glass as several expensive bottles of perfum tumble about on the dresser. One of the vials levitates briefly before speeding towards Andrazi's head.
Andrazi whirls about in time to easily dodge the projectile. The imp materializes, still clutching the box in one tiny claw.
Andrazi
Hekirin Fujima
Tanrov-Speaks-With-Beasts
Thoradin
Feral
Josh Shrader
