|
Adamus turns the key and the lock opens. Almost everyone hears the soft sound of turning gears within the wall, and a click from above where a small hatch opens and a key descends upon a thin chain, stopping about a half foot from the ceiling 15 feet over your heads.
Within the red lacquered chest is a second key forged into the end of a jeweled scepter. Though the jewels and the scepter appear to be quite exquisite, a closer look reveals them as mere costume gems.
|
|
This steel cube has only the faintest crack where its lid meets the base, and would be completely featureless save for its narrow keyhole.
Unfortunately, Adamus' entertaining talents seem to have met the end of their run as neither the jeweled scepter key, nor the blue runic key, fits within the keyhole of this container.
|
|
The barbarian's first two throws miss the target, and luckily everyone else in the room when they come bouncing down. Just as you're considering the wisdom of the tactic his third axe strikes perfectly, rips the key from the chain, and brings it down.
Testing it on the steel cube, you hear a satisfying click as the tumbler unlocks. As the cube is opened and Taurus peers inside he is suddenly assaulted by a blue puff of smoke that blasts him in the face and spreads through the room.
After the smoke fades you can see that Taurus, Haris, and Kalin's skin has turned blue.
Looking within the cube you find the map of the Salhar burial vaults beneath Sothis and a wand with a note that details its use.
Taurus Will Save
Falyf Will Save
Haris Will Save
Adamus Will Save
Curraine Will Save
Kalin Will Save *penalized for not paying attention
|
Taurus looks at the blue coloring afflicting himself and the others and growls in frustration. Pulling out the map and the wand, Taurus looks to Adamus.
"Want to try that key on the door out? If it doesn't work we'll need to get the key of whatever that clear liquid is. Now that we're done playing with the old man's toys I'd like to get out of here"
|
|
The jeweled key opens the exit. Awaiting you on the other side is the servant who led you here.
"The Sapphire Sage would have me congratulate you upon your success." He says stoically, his eyes pausing just briefly on those with blue skin. "He would do so himself, but other business has drawn him away from estate for the rest of the day. I have been instructed to inform you that the map you have recovered is yours to take. The wand you may keep as well, as a personal reward for suffering his challenge."
Saying little more, the servant leads you from the estate, leaving you just outside the gate.
|
|
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. Moments after ringing it, a beautiful servant woman in loose, almost scandalous attire opens the door, greeting your group as if expected. With a knowing smile, she takes Adamus by the arm and leads you through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study, before finally arriving on the third floor of the house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study. Knocking upon the door and announcing her presence, she opens the darkly stained wooden door. Inside, 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.
A cacophony of booms and crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door.
Sitting in the chair behind the desk, doing a good job of ignoring the sounds from the next room, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen regards your group with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before standing and waving off the servant. “Alidani, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks.” She then turns her attention to the group. “She didn't try to kiss anyone this time I assume? I wouldn't blame her. I mean, look at you scrumptious little teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up. Well, maybe not you. Blue is not my color.” Zarta points vaguely in Falyf's direction. “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...”
She pauses at an extended eruption of noises before continuing with the conversation.
"I apologize, a servant is greatly misbehaving. The item Ambrus sent you to retrieve, a seven-lock iron case, is in that room, and you’re going to have to deal with it in order to get it." 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.
|
"No, though I wouldn't have minded if she tried. A cute lass like that." Adamus says resisting his natural tendencies to flirt with Zarta. "I agree that order is important.... What is in there?" Adamus changes the subject quickly and takes the letter opener to give it to Haris. "I think this is better for an entertainer like yourself."
|
|
A blue cow, a blue elf, and a blue man, Haris had been lost in thought, Sounds like a great act, we can call ourselves The Blue... Group, or something like that. Each one of us can play some usual instrument and shave- He snaps back to reality when the dagger lands in his hand, and not so discretely adds to Adamus's notion while looking unabashedly at the Countess, "Nevermind the maid."
|
|
...What is in there?"
"Don't worry handsome, I'm sure it's nothing a strapping young man like yourself can't handle." She replies, looking Adamus over like wizard studying spells. "His name is Kreuvus, and like I said, he is a minor servant in my employ. He's been assisting me with the case you've come for, and he's a little upset that it is now going back to the Pathfinders. I'm fairly certain he can't harm it, but I wouldn't let him toy with it too long. He can be fiendishly clever on occasion."
|
|
knowing that a couple of the members of the group are still a little dinged up, he steps between the group and the door leading to the pending fight (hopefully within 30' of whatever is in there). A cat wouldn't need much time on its chin to know we should all should be in top form before the swells crash
Channel Energy -
|
|
"I think you know everything you need to know." Zarta smiles, gesturing you forward.
Adamus opens the door and looks in on what seems to be Zarta’s bedroom. 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.
Crouched at the foot of the bed is a small winged creature about the size of a common alleycat. IMAGE
For the moment, it seems unconcerned with your presence as it bangs a dented case against the bedpost, then claws at a seam, curses in a foul fiendish tongue, then bangs it again.
|
|
The creature screeches as Taurus grabs it by the scruff of the neck. "Hey! Let go you stupid primate or I'll..
Adamus shows it the hand of god, sending one of it's horns spinning through the air across the room.
Curraine's shot goes high and Haris' remark goes pretty much unheard. Then, in a puff of brimstone, the creature vanishes, though by the continued struggle in Taurus' arms, his grapple still holds it's invisible form.
|
|
As the room becomes a winter wonderland, enough of it lands on the creature to reveal it struggling against the large man's grasp for a moment before it wriggles free and flies up out of melee range to land on a chandelier hanging overhead.
"That hurt!" The thing howls, rubbing the stump of it's horn which seems to be regenerating as you watch. "What do you have, a roll of silvers in that fist?"
SUCCESS
|
|
Ducking Haris' thrown dagger and ignoring the arrow that lodges in its wing, the creature curses your existence in at least three languages as the case leaves the room. Escaping with your prize proves easier than anyone expected, even Zarta, who laughs with excitement as you exit her bedchamber.
"Splendid! He won't soon forget that lesson, I'm sure!" She caresses Adamus arm, sizing up his muscles. "We should have more paladin's working for Cheliax's goals. Nothing says, 'shut up and behave!' like a holy warrior smiting them in the face."
She gives your group a personal escort to the exit, wishing you well, and promising to invite you back again soon.
|
|
Back on the streets in very short order, you have plenty of time to return to the Grand Lodge. But very soon, you realize that the tail you've spotted occasionally throughout the day has found you again, and this time he makes no effort to conceal himself, planting his feet in the middle of a narrow street ahead of you. You also notice that he's gathered a few companions to back him up, and they don't look friendly...