"I want to talk. About Leucis. Passing in the hall, I heard Damaia asking about unforgiven sins. Maybe one or the other of you is thinking similarly, is thinking you are unforgiven, that ancient sins will yet put you under my fist. So..."
"Whatever you did, before here, is unimportant to me. I can't say, to us. But to me. I can't forgive you, I can't absolve you, I can't repair whatever wounds linger. Instead, we've opened a door to the future. Step through, and we'll close the door to the past. That's part of the hope, that I hope we offered, in bringing you here. A future. Not more, of the past."
"Leucis was killed, not for his sins, or his crimes, but for his plans. He took what this place could be, and instead made it a venomry, planning to silence a voice he could not argue with. And he promised more of the same. He would not walk through the door to his future, so I closed it. I felt he gave me no choice; his life, or another's."
"I cannot give you forgiveness; I was never your victim. But I can ask it. For whatever loss you feel at Leucis' death, I ask your forgiveness."
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Well...where I come from, you do what the boss says, Iados says. You don't and there's a price to pay. And, um... you are boss now, right? You and Kyle. And he almost killed Damaia. I would have been very mad if he did. She's pretty. I might have killed him myself for that. Anyway, I follow you now. Just tell me what to do!
Vethamer responds stoically, I have learned much from you and the priest over the last three weeks. You have made it clear that you wish to win over the hearts of the people in order to change our society and the way it is today. In the long run, that may work out well for our people. You have also shown that you are willing to do what it takes to stop those who pose a threat to yourselves and your vision. I respect that. You have power and you're not afraid to use it. In the past, I have not seen such force outside of a follower or priest of Asmodeus. I wish to learn more. Lucius, like Pavaleen, was a fool. He went against a great power, and lost. Its that simple. There is nothing for me to forgive.
He shakes his head.
I am still torn. If we hand them in they will be killed without mercy. If we slay them when they are repentant then we are no better. If we give them a chance to atone...? I don't think we have the right to put ourselves above the law either but perhaps, in time, they will choose to try to put right some of their wrongs. And those wrongs that cannot be undone.... I don't know if I would have it in my heart to forgive. It is a difficult thing we do but I trust Devil and Kyle and I think you should too.
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Class Level Relationships
Amaya- Bard?--Lv. 0.50 --Black Devil: 3, Aemon: 2
Emolos- Fighter--LV. 1.25 --Beppo: 4
Fiosa- Cleric--Lv. 1.00 --Kyle: 2
Gorvio- ???--Lv. 0.50
Larko- Ranger--Lv. 1.50 --Aemon: 5
Mathalen- Monk--Lv. 0.75 --Black Devil: 4
Scalvo- ???--Lv. 0.50
Tarvi- Wizard--Lv. 1.00 --Brandon: 6
Vitti- Druid?--Lv. 0.50 --Corellon: 3
Yakopulio- Rogue--Lv. 1.25 --Beppo: 2, Corellon: 3
Janiven- Ranger--Lv. 3.00 --Beppo: 2, Tessai: 2
Arael- Cleric--Lv. 3.00 --Brandon: 2
Vethamer- Sorcerer--Lv. 1.25 --Kyle: 3, BD: 4
Iados- Fighter--Lv. 1.25 --Kyle: 3, BD: 2
Damaia- Rogue--Lv. 1.25 --Kyle: 5, BD: 0
Black Devil, thank you for doing what needed to be done to maintain the secrecy and protection of the other members. I'm sure it was not easy.He eases up a little. We are about ready to move forward, but before I can arrange a meeting, I needed to find out how the other tieflings are doing. I'm afraid that this next mission may take up significant portions of your time. So, I need to know where we stand with them. What are your opinions? Have the abandoned their ways? More importantly, do you trust them?
"Each in a different way, but yes. Damaia is loyal to the ideal of Shelyn as relayed by Kyle. And therefore, to him. Or perhaps, vice versa. Her heart is masked in my presence, at least for now."
"Iadros is a simpler intellect and a lost lamb. Like so many of us, his mother was gone from his life too early. It is when Kyle's words echo her own that Iadros hears them best. But he hears. Understanding, may elude him, but he's not trying to elude us."
"Vethamer is cunning. I mean that positively, but also as a warning. He has not heard Kyle's words with his heart, or in his own mother's voice. He has observed, and reasoned, and planned, if not plotted. He poses in support of our efforts, as part of his own goal of improving the tieflings' lot. I have no reason to doubt him in that. If shown, or if observing on his own, solid proof of an enemy who might do better for him than we... I would expect he might turn. But I also expect such turn to be slow, and reasoned aloud, in my presence. I believe he respects my intellect and my will."
He nods at each of you after your assessments of the others.
Fair enough. We must move forward. For what it's worth, I detected no evil from any of them. That does not insure us against evil acts in the future, but it reinforces what you have said. I will sit with each of them, and offer them the opportunity to join our cause. If they refuse, they are free to go. It is always possible that they may report to the Inquisitors or the Hellknights what they know, but thanks to your prudence, it is precious little. If they wish to join us, we will bring them to the temple, blindfolded for now. I will have Janiven spend time with them directly. She has always been a good judge of character, and has excelled in motivating others to support our cause.
Arael leaves, and talks with each of the three, privately. He returns to the two of you when done.
While I am not the judge of character that Janiven is, I do recognize zeal when I see it. You are right, the young lady seems to be quite eager to learn more about the deities opposed to Asmodeus. She spoke very favorably of Kyle, and expressed desire to join immediately upon my mention that she could continue to further her understanding with him. Good job, priest.
The sorcerer... he studied me carefully. Almost as if he was looking for something in my eyes. He was to the point in my questions of him. When I asked if he had questions of me, he simply replied that he knew everything of me he needed to know already. Interesting. I offered him freedom, or the choice to join our efforts. He did not hesitate in his answer.
The third... well, he asked me several times if I am, 'the boss.' I assured him that each member of the Shades are masters of their own destiny. The more I tried the explain my role, the more confused he became. I simplified and explained to him that we work together to help people of all races in Cheliax to become free of fear. He responded well to that. I think when we get to the base, I will explain to him that Janiven is the 'boss.' He smiles at the thought.
He gets up. Please arrange for them to come to the temple, blindfolded as I mentioned before. Then, tonight, I ask you to join Janiven and I for a private dinner at the temple. We have someone we want you to meet.
Each of you are invited to a special, private dinner meeting with Janiven and Arael. As you walk into the temple, the other members are gone, except Janiven, who is grinning from ear to ear.
When you ask her about it, she replies, We may have found a way to take back our nights!”
Arael walks out of one of the private rooms, with a beautiful woman dressed in armor, next to him. They are talking about something as they approach (Her pic is in dropbox). He immediately stops, and greets the party. Arael introduces this woman Ailyn Ghontasavos, a member of
the Pathfinder Society.
not that welcome these days in Westcrown, and that the presence of one here, even under cover, indicates something big is building.
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After she’s introduced, Ailyn explains I have come to Westcrown secretly and under cover of a common mercenary, because I hope to recover several treasures lost when the city’s Pathfinder lodge was forcibly closed decades ago by agents of the House of Thrune. For those who may not know, it is called Delvehaven, and has been locked down tight for over 30 years, and even before then no Pathfinder has set foot inside sinceAroden’s death. The fact that the shadow beasts came to plague Westcrown’s streets so soon after the lodge was sealed by the House of Thrune seems to indicate a connection between the two events.
She pauses as she sits down with the other two and your group at the table. I believe I have discovered such proof while researching Delvehaven in the libraries of Skyreach at the Great Lodge in Absalom. But, as much as I would want to explore Delvehaven, I cannot. You see, I'm not officially here on Pathfinder business, and if the society were to find out that I had taken the exploration of Delvehaven into my own hands, I would be in a lot of trouble.
Yet if, perchance, another group not directly affiliated with the Society were to, enter the old ruin — say, a group of heroes eager to combat the shadow beast legacy— I would be able to make a formal request to have Delvehaven investigated again.
Arael interjects. Unfortunately, one cannot just simply walk into Delvehaven. While the House of Thrune no longer actively guards the site, they transferred that responsibility to Westcrown’s mayoral office. Worse, the fact that the House of Thrune has been engaged in an act of rewriting history, either by destroying existing documents or changing them to suit Thrune’s preferences, means that reliable information about Delvehaven has become incredibly scarce. Ailyn knows that there are several powerful magical locks and wards on the lodge placed there by the House of Thrune to prevent entry, and her research has shown her that keys to the locks and documentation relating to those wards exists in only one place—Aberian’s Folly.
Further,he continues, the House of Thrune’s devotion to order and tradition all but ensures that these keys and documents are kept in a complex, twelve-sided puzzle-box container known as a Chelish Crux, and that if it has been secured anywhere in Aberian’s Folly, it is likely to lie within the manor’s vault—a place known as the Asmodean Knot.
Tessai smiles widely, mirroring Janiven - At last, it is time to move again!
Janiven jumps in at this point. Think about it. If that connection is there, and we were able to figure it out...what it would mean for Westcrown! The banishing of the shadow beasts from the city’s nights would be one of the greatest accomplishments the Shades of Grey could do to earn the love and support of the city. If a method to achieve this goal, or even just clues that might point to such a method, are hidden in Delvehaven, an expedition to the old Pathfinder Lodge is very tempting indeed!
She grins even wider at this point, And who better to mount such an
expedition than the you? The heroes who, with the defeat of the Bastards of Erebus, are already well on their way to becoming the talk of the city?
"I believe we were just about to profit from our ability to hunt the shadows successfully. Given what we've seen of their absorbing the essence of their own fallen, and their apparent sense for locating such, I'm not sanguine about our odds on a direct assault. Perhaps our shadow-cloak benefactor might offer more insight? Does anyone feel they could make that contact? Aside from that, with Delvehaven officially sealed by the Pathfinders, officially sealed by the city... is it not trespass, for us to go there?"
Yes...Janvien, but, while the urge to simply walk over to Delvehaven and start poking around and exploring might be tempting, such a plan is foolhardy. Not only are the wards and guardians left by Thrune likely potent and deadly, but without doing the proper research on those protections, it’s very likely that a blind exploration of the site would trigger one of many alarms that would alert the government, resulting in a swift reprisal that neither of us would appreciate. However, to their credit, Janiven and Ailyn have put their heads together to come up with a better plan. Ailyn?
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Ailyn answers, Janiven and I agree that we needed to find a way to infiltrate Aberian’s Folly and secure access to the Chelish Crux and thus the keys and documents hidden within. With these, an investigation of Delvehaven can be made with greater safety and efficiency. I admit that the Society has long been curious about the exact details of the House of Thrune’s interest in the lodge, as well as the nature of the wards they placed on it. If you can secure the contents of the Chelish Crux, the Society will pay them handsomely for the service. Of course as we discussed it, that begged the question, how can the Shades infiltrate the home of one of Westcrown’s most powerful government officials and have a good excuse to spend a fair amount of time searching it?
Arael says, Janiven has come up with a bold, unorthodox, and brilliant plan. We need you to ecome actors!
Actors...!?
Beppo raises a hand to interject.
Hold on, hold on, whoa there. If I may-- he pauses just long enough so that there is a pause, but not long enough to allow anyone to speak -
the plan is that we are to become ACTORS, break into the vault of the mayor of Westcrown, extract some puzzle box, and then break into a sealed Pathfinder lodge, all on the off chance that the source of the shadow beasts is there? That is quite a big job (at the request of an outside group) with no certainty that, even if we succeed, we will raise the profile of the Shades of Grey. What if that's not the source?
Upon seeing that his companions appear less skeptical than he, Beppo straightens up. Not that a long shot at an uncertain outcome would stop us, of course. I just want to be clear on what this caper is all about.
"But actors..? I... I... I cannot ACT to save my live" - Tessai's face takes a somber look to it.
Janiven laughs. Hear me out, Beppo. And Tessai, you may not be able to act, but I bet you can fight! let me explain.
Mayor Arvanxi is a lover of the theater, and in particular, the Theater Mortrescci—plays where not only the cast’s reputations, but their very lives, are on the line during each performance. You may have heard of the cross between a play and a bloodsport, the Theater Mortrescci—more vulgarly referred to as the “murderplay”. It has become one of Cheliax’s fastest-growing forms of entertainment.
Mayor Arvanxi’s favorite play in this genre is a notorious work known as The Six Trials of Larazod, and as luck would have it, a prominent director is preparing to cast and direct this play with aims to perform the full and uncut version for the first time in years as part of the celebration of the newly reconstructed Nightshade Theater in Parego Regicon.
If tradition holds true, and if the performance of the play pleases the mayor, he’ll invite the cast and crew to his home for a banquet and party—a gala event that would give you all, as undercover agents of the Shades of Grey, a singularly perfect opportunity to explore the manor.
Janiven runs down the attractions of this plan, ticking each one off on a finger as she goes. She gets more excited with each point.
As guests invited to the mayor’s home, you don’t need to worry about hiding from his guards or sneaking into the house.
Mayor Arvanxi’s obsession with and respect for the theatrical world would grant the you a huge advantage in squeezing information from him.
The mayor’s parties have a well-known reputation for running long—sometimes over the course of days—so the you should have an excuse to remain in his home for more than enough time necessary to get the job done.
The mayor will doubtless require the you to come in full costume from their performance, and since they’ll be playing adventurers and the like in the play, that essentially means you'll be able to walk right in to his manor fully armed and armored, no questions asked.
The mayor and his staff celebrate hard—it shouldn’t be long before he and the majority of his guards are so drunk and distracted that they’ll be in no condition to ask questions if the you slip away for several hours to look around.
Janiven admits, The only real disadvantage of the plan, is the nature of The Six Trials of Larazod. The play is notorious and was banned for many decades for a reason — the combats and torments the actors endure in the play are not faked, but real. And to date, no cast has survived a production of the full, uncut version of the play—the version the director, a man named Robahl Nonon, has promised to Westcrown and its mayor.
But certainly, she muses, surviving a play should be a cinch for a you all. After all, traditionally only wretched, half-starved convicts or truly desperate actors with no real talent have attempted to perform the play before, and thus it’s no small wonder that no one has yet survived the performance. Certainly a well-armed and successful group can do the play justice! Even better, if the you become the first to survive the uncut version, the mayor’s delight and the subsequent invitation to his home will be all but guaranteed!
So, what do you think?
"I have to admit one thing - I am definitely getting curious about the nature of this play - looks more like an arena than a theatre..."
Make no mistake. There are lines to be read, a stage that it's played on... but obviously, being able to hold you own in a scrap is what's important here.
Devil gives Beppo an 'I know, RIGHT?!' look. "So, to face the calendarically conjecturable source of the Shadow scourge, we're planning trespass of Pathfinder property and defeat of wards set by the very ruling house of Westcrown, from which house we shall as part of our preparations purloin keys during the afterparty excesses of a perilous performance piece?"
"Priceless. I'm buying a cap, I've become a fool."
Aemon looking not so convinced.
"This seems like a long and complicated plot. I'm no actor like Tessai said, but i'm also very curious about the play. Janivan you've not lead us a stray yet if you think this is our best change to get what's needed i guess we have no choice..."
Aemon then ponders for a moment, and turns to Ailyn.
"The Pathfinders.. what is it that they do? What was done in this Lodge? Why would they have shut it down? I'd really like to learn more if we are to help you. How could the shadow beast be connected?"
Delvehaven.. That was the reason I came here in the first place. To find a cure.[i]
Ignoring the thought, Brandon pipes up:
I have tried for months to gain access to Delvehaven, without success. Are you certain this is te only way?
He can sense everyonea disdain at the idea, the mirth it causes. In truth, he is terrified of the prospect of standing on stage before hundreds of people. At any given moment he tries to stand at the edge of proceedings, to be thrust into the centre of a performance... Ot could be too much to bear.
Janiven answers Aemon.
It sounds complicated, but it really boils down to this. Try out for the play and become cast members. Survive the play and the mayor will invite you over, allowing you to even come over in full armor. Play the part of good guest for a while, and then go searching for the Crux in the Asmodean Knot. Our research suggest not only does it hold to the keys to the traps or wards protecting the old Pathfinder Lodge, but that the Lodge may hold the key to the Shadow Beasts.
As far as the Pathfinders, they are a worldwide organization that gathers artifacts and knowledge. The share most of the knowledge wtih the world through regularly published chroncles. The organization is pretty much banned from Cheliax, so I'm not surprised you have not heard of them, but outside our borders, they are quite well known. We do not know why the House of Thrune shut them down when they took over. But, given their record, I would say it wasn't for the good of the people. The records surrounding its closure are largely non-existant.
She answers Brandon. It's not the only way. After all, you COULD sneak into the mayor's building anytime, not just after a performance. You could even attempt to assail Delvehaven without the knowledge provided by the Crux, though you may have a hard time surviving whatever diabolical wards they've placed there. No, it's not the only way, but it definately looks like the best way.
And, Arael adds, Janvien's plan it breaks the least laws. A good lawyer might even convince a judge it breaks none. If you're guests of the mayor, you are not technically breaking and enterting. Once you're invited into a house, there's no law saying that you cannot look around. Given that the puzzle lies in what appears to be a demi-planear location, the Asmodean knot, Cheliax law doesn't really cover what happens to be taken from there. He smiles at that thought.
As far as the lodge, the records on file have clearly been changed. The house of Thrune never properly acquired the lodge, but seized it by force. While you would have a much harder time proving it in court given that any judge is controlled by the house, the building and its contents are still technically under ownership of the Pathfinder Society, not the government. And unofficial or no, we have a legitimate member of the society assisting us in enterting the premesis.
And, I can't stress this enough...Evidence strongly suggests that the secrets to how the shadow beast menice started, and maybe how to end it, lie in that hall. Guys, we absolutely must take this chance. If there's even a small possibility that the information we need is in there, we must take that chance. It would be a huge victory for our cause if we could stop one of the largest fears that hold this city hostage!
"And what about the try outs for the play - are these open affairs? Is it being annouced? Any idea what these consist of, taking as reference the nature of this... play?"
"Oh, a devil's mind can find a path through laws.", Devil said. "We apply, are accepted, are invited... Surely we'll be told to make ourselves at home. And in my home, I would first go, to the safe."
"I'm still buying that foolscap."
"And what about the try outs for the play - are these open affairs? Is it being annouced? Any idea what these consist of, taking as reference the nature of this... play?"
"We know a guy, who knows a guy... Last you saw him, Tess, he was standing between two horses' rumps. He may have blended well, bu tI think you'll remember him. Perhaps it's time for a very sincere apology."
Corellon smiles to himself. He's always had a curious fascination with the stage. For one who usually deals in the ways of side streets and shadows it seems like a such a different life, bold, out in the open, exposed. The chance to combine mattters of stealth with deceit, err, acting, who could not resist such a calling.
"I understand the others' reservations, it seems a bold play. But I think I just might find the whole exercise entertaining, count me in."
Aemon starting to look alittle uneasy.
This might be a small thing but the acting part, i'm hoping that the main event is our skill in combat?... I've heard of stage fright. But this does seem to be the easiest way in so i'm in.
Then looking to to Arael.
"The Asmodean knot is a demi-planear location? what is that what are we to expect? if and when we get to it."
"And what about the try outs for the play - are these open affairs? Is it being annouced? Any idea what these consist of, taking as reference the nature of this... play?""We know a guy, who knows a guy... Last you saw him, Tess, he was standing between two horses' rumps. He may have blended well, bu tI think you'll remember him. Perhaps it's time for a very sincere apology."
"Oh no... Not that arrogant, pompous idiot... Please tell me we will not have to deal with that one"
"We'll want to be quite careful of who we say we are, while auditioning, and after. If this succeeds to its goal, it will be looked into. Plus, I expect, we'll write a song about it.", Devil smiles.
"And what about the try outs for the play - are these open affairs? Is it being annouced? Any idea what these consist of, taking as reference the nature of this... play?"
Good question. Director Robahl Nonon is starting to cast parts for the play, tomorrow, in fact, at his own venue, a small theater called the Limehouse. He’s already made the announcement that he’s looking for “authentic adventurers and legitimate risk-takers” over the use of established actors for most of the roles in the play. It's a move that has caused some discord among the performer’s circuit. In fact, apart from using regulars from his own acting troupe, he has made clear his hopes that all of the roles in this production will be filled by experienced “heroes.”
She smiles. He should watch what he asks for!
"Oh, a devil's mind can find a path through laws.", Devil said. "We apply, are accepted, are invited... Surely we'll be told to make ourselves at home. And in my home, I would first go, to the safe."
"I'm still buying that foolscap."
I'm not exactly sure what you mean, Black Devil. But, Cheliax is a land of law. The house of Thrune is quick to use its power and apply it in a way to exploit the people. I, for one, enjoy finding ways to use it, instead, to provide freedom, mercy and hope for our people.
"Do these plays allow a priest to use spells? If not, I might have to borrow someone's weapon." Kyle frowns.
I'm sure they are fine. Understand, in the Theater Mortrescci, you are usually playing a character, but you are also fighting for your life. Spells are usually encouraged as they tend to provide light and sound effects that wow audiences, though your director will have give you some restrictions. I imagine fireballs aimed at the audience are out.
Beppo replies to Devil's "I know, RIGHT" look with a "totally, this is crazy WTF" look of his own.
...demi-planear location...
demi-what?
...
Beppo pipes up again. So Janiven, how strong is this evidence? Look, with all due respect Arael, I'm not buying that law crap. If we go somewhere the rulers of this town don't want us to be, they will make sure their system finds us guilty of something.
As for this play, I'm starting to like the idea more, although it is not heartening to hear that no one has survived. Is there any chance we will have to fight each other?
Aemon starting to look alittle uneasy.
"The Asmodean knot is a demi-planear location? what is that what are we to expect? if and when we get to it."
Demiplanes are usually small, extra dimensional locations. Think of them as a pocket in another plane of existence. When you are on a demiplane, they tend to look and feel the same as Golarion, though some may have different temperatures, gravity, or even laws of reality. However, it is quite rare for a demiplane to vary much from the plane its created on. Traditionally, powerful wizards create demiplanes as private residences, or to store their artifacts safely.
"We'll want to be quite careful of who we say we are, while auditioning, and after. If this succeeds to its goal, it will be looked into. Plus, I expect, we'll write a song about it.", Devil smiles.
Perhaps. Thankfully, you all have been disguised any time you've acted as Shades of Grey, and using code names has only helped that. It is very unlikely that even with you being on stage, than anyone will recognize you outside of your normal street identity.
Beppo still looks confused at the demi-plane concept.
Whatever.
...
Beppo pipes up again. So Janiven, how strong is this evidence?
Ailyn answers, Quite strong, sir. I had to dig for months through the libraries in Skyreach, and I later collaborated with a few friends in Cheliax and Westcrown. Not only is the evidence I found quite strong, but it's matches up with other records in Cheliax as well. The fact of the matter is, the Shadow Beasts showed up very soon after the government took over the Lodge. We are certain that if you investigate it well, you will find evidence of what happened that started the curse of these creatures that plague your nights.
Arael, I'm not buying that law crap. If we go somewhere the rulers of this town don't want us to be, they will make sure their system finds us guilty of something.
True, but they will be breaking the letter of their own law if they arrest you for trespassing in a location they invited you. But, you're right, if an inquisitor or judge wants to find you guilty of something, he will do so. And Cheliax's laws are plentiful enough that it's not hard to find a legal way to do just that. My advice to each of you is, while you are around officials, try not to earn their ire.
However, with that being said, I do have a respect for law and order. And, more importantly, in Westcrown, operating within the letter of the law keeps a number of Hellknight organizations off of our back. While Orders like the Order of the Rack will arrest you for suspicious chatter, most of the orders are dedicated to maintaining law and order. If the Shades of Grey start breaking the letter of the law in masse, we will have more problems than an upset mayor... we could have entire Hellknight orders knocking at our door.