Sharp gables and tall, narrow windows lend the archbaron’s manor an abbeylike quality, as though this were more a place for study and solemnity than leisure and laughter. A motif of rampant stags with antlers bloody from battle repeats among iron rooftop finials and on a crest above the stone entrance.
Several guards patrol the grounds and stroll atop the rooftop terrace, crossbows in hand, and halfling slaves scurry about the grounds and within the manor. At the manor’s door, a halfling butler greets the PCs and escorts them to the archbaron’s office on the second floor. If the PCs try to enter the manor through any door other than the front, a slave or guard swiftly finds them—as if their unusual entrance had been anticipated— and provides an escort.
The archbaron’s office is appointed in midnight ebony and crimson satin. Towering bookshelves, glassy-eyed taxidermic creatures, and curtained alcoves line the walls. At the far end of the room, a large desk and throne-like chair sit beneath a coat of arms displaying battling, bloodyhorned stags. Behind the desk, a wide window overlooks the manor grounds.
A spare-looking man with slick salt-and-pepper hair, Darellus Fex is the Archbaron of Longacre. A relatively minor lord of a comparatively small barony, the archbaron is nevertheless the most powerful person in Longacre and its environs. He represents Queen Abrogail II and the Chelish government at the local level, and his word carries the force of law.
The archbaron stands up behind the desk as the you enter his office. "So you’re the agents Razelago has recommended? I can’t say you’re what I expected—but that might be a boon in the days to come. I am Darellus Fex, Archbaron of Longacre. Razelago tells me you’re the ones who dealt with the rebels at the tannery and reported on the local priestesse's... lack of patriotism. As such, I thought you might be well suited putting an end to the threats to Longacre and the rule of law—my rule."
The purple haze form of you benefactor enters the room. The baron looks at him curiously. "That is no longer necessary reveal your true form Razelago."
"Yes master says the man" the mist vanishes revealing a short fat humanoid with the grotesque head of a house fly.
"This is my assistant Razelago. He is a Zebub Devil. An information broker from hell. They are master spies and given enough time will uncover any secret."
"Before we proceed any further there is one matter to attend to. Queen Abrogail has decreed that in this time of national crisis, all agents of the crown must reaffirm their loyalty to their lord, House Thrune, and Cheliax by swearing the Hellfire Compact. If you’re to
serve in the queen’s name, I must insist."
Once the you agree, the archbaron pulls back the thick curtains of a nearby alcove, revealing a golden stand gripping a chunk of black crystal that smolders like a gigantic, hellish ember, filling the room with a crimson glow the color of blood. Fex explains that the stone is an ember drawn from the forges of Phlegethon—one of the layers of Hell—that burns with hellfire. You must touch the crystal while swearing the Hellfire Compact.
Yes, there is some pain associated with the vow as the stone burns your hand dealing 1d6 hellfire damage (ingnores fire resistance and immunity), but it is not lasting unless of course you are good-aligned or you lie making the compact then it hurts a lot more.
When they are ready, Fex instructs them, one at a time, to lay their hands upon the stone and recite the following: “I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and
the Empire of Cheliax.”
Without hesitation, as the archbaron finishes his statement of what the group must do, Tic steps forward putting his hand on the stone and says, "I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax."
Tic does not flinch at the pain. This is his territory after all, and he was given a command by a superior. It is what must be done, and done without complaint.
Having already served under Queen Abrogail, Azrielan swiftly follows the tiefling up to the unique stone, and slips off her gauntlet before placing her hand on the surface of the stone.
With a stern, emotionless face, Az swears the oath, each sound being formed harshly.
"I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Throce-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax."
"It is finished."
Kayla is a little hesitant at first, more concerned about the burn not so much the oath.
She had pledge oaths before, to her clan, then to the Red Mantis. this is no different, she would honor it so long as she is not betrayed.
eventually she reaches out to touch the fire. wincing at the pain of the flame feeling it sear her flesh.
I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax. she says then quickly removes her hand examining the damage.
Ambrose shrugs, frowning. I would've thought my intentions were made clear by my actions, but I understand the need for certainty, the kennelmaster says, placing his hand on the stone.
I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune, and
the Empire of Cheliax.
"I'm in."
"I swear my absolute allegiance to Archbaron Darellus Fex, Her Infernal Majestrix Queen Abrogail II of the Throce-Damned House of Thrune, and the Empire of Cheliax."
Once everyone has made the vow.
"I told you they’d be up to the vow" Razelago says. "And eager to get to work, I suspect. Which is good, considering what I’ve just uncovered."
"This Angel Knight might not be to be just some fiction concocted by an overzealous priestess. A talentless local minstrel named Riley Kels claims to have met her, and has even composed a series of ballads in her honour. While the amateur’s singing is crime enough, he performed these songs at The Last Stand Tavern last night and the last few nights before. I also heard he plans to perform again tonight in front of a large audience which incidentally will break the new curfew and sanctions against gathering.
"If it pleases Your Lordship, our friends here should make an appearance and should such a gathering occur arrest The Last Stand’s owner, Bolgart Caggan, for defying the new law. I suggest pillorying him in front of the jail as an example to others. Additionally, we need to see see what we can find out about the Angel Knight from Kels."
"Both of these tasks should be easily handled. We will do this thing." Tic ponders for a moment before continuing, "Do you have any rough estimates on how many people would potentially show up? This could get more dangerous if there is a large crowd involved."
"I concur with Douloureux, we should attempt to discern how many people have been invited to this public gathering. If there is a large crowd, it could turn into a mob rather quickly."
Kayla slips a glove on her hand to cover the burn mark.
perhaps we should listen to the song first, there may be some clues in it that could prove useful. and since the minstrel will not know what is about to happen he may be a little more free with the information. Kayla suggests.
then, of course, after that we make the necessary arrests
"I agree. We should hear the song and witness the proof of the lawbreaking before we act."
"We'll need to handle the locals carefully to make sure we don't set off a riot."
"Hahah, 'handle' them?"
Azrielan laughs deeply, slapping her mace down into her hand.
"I have a feeling we can handle them just fine."
Assume you wait till nightfall and go to the bar?
We head to the bar as evening approaches, listening for any sounds of lawbreaking as we approach.
Kayla will head to the bar early, acting as a normal patron she orders some food (preferably some sort of bread) and scouts the scene a bit before the rest arrive.
--
Tic also heads into the bar, and more than likely draws more attention than Kayla will. He heads to the far end of the bar where he can get a good view of everyone in the room without too much twisting around.
Mercer stalks into the bar with his raven perched on his shoulder.
Battered shields and dull polearms decorate the walls of the last stands taproom overlooking the taverns bar and tables. A small stages rises to the left of the bar in full view of the whole room.
Bolgart Caggan stands at the end of the tavern cleaning some mugs he shoots you an angry glare as you enter but otherwise ignores you.
The patrons simply look away or into their mugs and many mutter to themselves as you enter.
It's around 9 pm (2 hours past dusk) and a dozen patrons are in the bar.
The bard is Kels is on stage strumming a wooden lute and crooning a ballad he calls the angel of longacre. A ballad about a beautiful woman with angelic features come to smite all evil and bring Longacre back to the light. "She will swoop down with the dawn on angelic wings and destroy the followers of evil" he sings.
Tic takes a place near the door, but not directly blocking it.
Anyone have anything else to add?
Mercer tries to make sure nobody is in a position to stab him in the back if things go suddenly sour.
nothing from me to add, Kayla simply is in the shadows watching for trouble.
What do you do? Just wait?
Mercer will buy a drink from the bartender.
After the transaction, he will ask the man "Not worried about the curfew?"
Tic is waiting for the talk to begin. He won't specifically draw attention to himself, just observing the room up to and including the talk.
Kayla slips away during the performance to secure as many means of escape that she can.
when the arrests come down, people will want to run, best to keep the culprits penned in.
He give you your drink.
"Your here to enforce it I supposes." He picks up a massive warhammer from under the counter holding it with ease with one hand. The thing looks like it weigh 50 pounds or more but the bartender doesn't seem to struggle with it at all.
"My bar stays open. If you want drinks or food I will serve you so long as he pay. Try to shut me down and your gonna have to make me."
"I don't think his lordship has anything in particular against honest men making a living through honest work selling honest ale, but he takes a dim view against rabble rousing." Mercer says as he nods towards the singing bard.
"If you were to quiet down that fellow, I don't think anyone would object to a collection of folk drinking honest ale."
"Well, by my count, buddy, there are more than twelve people, us not included."
Azrielan says, stepping up to the bar and putting two metal-clad hands down on the bar, shaped into fists.
"Now, perhaps you may stay open. But that man" she says, forcefully moving one hand to point at the bard, "has to go. And we both know that."
Kayla moves through the shadows to find a good location to strike the barkeep if things turn violent.
she readies a few of her shurikens just in case.
carefully coating each with a dose of scorpion venom (total of two are coated)
"Bah He's just a hopeless lad who saw a pretty girl and he's convinced himself it was an angel come to smite the wicked. Aint no harm gonna come from him except for the ringing in your ears from his high notes."
"Neverless, some of the higher ups in the community see this talk of angels as rebellious and seditious. It'll cause trouble if he continues."
"Throw him out on his ear and let us buy the house a round of drinks to improve everyone's mood."
Mercer hefts his purse and jingles it to show the barkeep he is serious about the bribe.
The bartender looks to the young bard and motions for him to stop which he does.
"Your done for tonight. There's a meal for you in the kitchen and you can have a room for the night." The bard nods and begins packing away his instrument.
"Satisfied?" he says looking back to you.
Kayla slips away to follow the bard. waiting for a chance to get him alone.
Interesting song. she says, at first sounding like an admirer tell me, how did you come about such a song?
He is startled when you speak and drops his bread into his bowl.
"Why I wrote it of course." he says fishing out the bread.
Do the rest of you do anything? Or your just waiting.
Kayla gives a little giggle, like a schoolgirl fan. I mean what was you inspiration, There must be a story behind it. she asks as she hops up to have a seat on a table.
"Satisfied?" he says looking back to you.
"More than satisfied..." Mercer says as he tosses fifty gold onto the counter.
"Let me buy the house a round so no one goes home disappointed."
Kayla stands on the table she was siting on, Do you think I am beautiful? she asks playfully twirling around like she is dancing.
Tell me more about her.
Kayla is most inquisitive about the song, her tone indicates she seemingly is a bit jealous of her.
Kayla jumps down off the table, will show me where you saw her? I want to see her to.
Kayla suddenly looks away blushing, but I don't know if I can trust you, alone with me. You wouldn't try and take advantage of me would you? She asks sheepishly.
The barkeep serves a last round and people start to leave the bar here and there. After a little while only two remain other than you and the barkeep.
"You made the right choice, for both of your sakes."
The armored aasimar steps back from the bar and picks up her mace from where she left it leaning up against the bar.
"Do have a good night, now. Don't go causing any trouble."
With that, Az walks out of the bar and into the night air, not wanting to draw attention to any of the members of her group that don't want to be seen openly with her.
Mercer examines the other two remaining men out of the corner of his eye as he drinks his ale.