Nevis Lodge: First Steps, Part 1 - In Service to Lore (Inactive)

Game Master Paizo Fan

"If she would take on poor kids to heal them and have no money I'd agree. But, taking money and then letting them do chores, and spending the money on drinks and gambling is a diffrent issue. I'd say, the Silver crusade has some work to do."

"Targ - it isn't up to us to judge her. But if you feel that way, then we need to go back to the temple and deliver our report. The clerics of Sarenrae will deal with it. Once we are back there I would suggest the Wise Quarter or the Ivy District. Both are close and we don't want to cross the city too often."

"I would suggest to visit the Zpatacountess first. That job looks simple and quick. It's in the Ivy district. And the temple is just on the way in-between."

"We need to report back - that was part of the assignment at least as I understood it. Don't think she would appreciate us jsut not coming back."

Kernsten nods at Targ, "Yes, we have to report our findings back to ... what was the nsme ... O...Oo....Oily...Ollysta Zadrian, yes that's right, her name was Ollysta Zadrian. Yes we must go back and tell her what we've found. Hiring the children out, the cats, the fine ... fine whiskeys and the rest, what you all said." He smiles at you all, pleased with himself, "Yes, I think we've got enough to go back with, and then its on to that countess you said Latharel, why not eh?" He looks around at the bustling streets, seemingly getting a little more used to this city life.

"Let's deliver the package and then let's head back," with this Targ steps to the door and knocks.

As a group, you approach the Home and after a brisk conversation with Auntie Baltwin, who appears nervous, you hand over the medicine and then head back to the Temple of the Shining Star.

"Child labor?" Ollysta exclaims incredulously, "Parents send their children to her for healing and she forces them to work for her? And drinking whilst looking after them?!" Ollysta is obviously angered by what you have discovered. She briskly thanks you for your contributions and then storms off to find someone, all the while muttering under her breath.

The group then move towards the Ivy District. It doesn't take long to locate the home of the Paracountess, as it is an imposing, yet magnificent three story gothic structure. The front doors are lacquered in some kind of ebon substance which makes the wrought silver fixtures stand out all the more. A quick knock at the door is answered by a servant in loose casual attire.

"Oh, you've arrived," he says, clearly having been expecting you, "Follow me, I shall take you to the Paracountess." He turns on his heel and takes a few paces into the house.

"Close the door behind you," he calls back over his shoulder.

He must have been in the city, well months, but still Kernsten had plenty of surprises to come, and this was another. He follows the others and the well dressed man taking them to see the Paracountess. He spends his time looking at the grand and decorated walls and corridors, in their lavish livery, with a look of awe.

Targ follows and admires the magnificent building. Walking through the hallway he seems rather impressed. The paracountess has style, I must admit. With this he passes the time by looking around.

"Please do," Lillia says pleasantly, gesturing absently forwards to the servant, while waiting for the others to pass her by before she gently pulls the highly decorative doors closed.

Latharel walks in with the others. He stays back long enough to wait for Lillia to close the doors behind them. He has to agree - the Paracountess has style. But he feels there is too much black being used.
Not that he feels too strongly about his childhood in Kyonin - but there are worlds which separate the elven style from the interior of the house.

I'm on a Conference in Amsterdam tomorrow and Monday. I don't know if I will have WiFi or time to post.

Going to be on hiatus until Monday anyway.

Crar enters warily, looking closely at everything. Something about this place seems...unnatural.

Perception check 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Gremlin has arrived, very cute and has a pudding face. Will post when I can until she settles into a routine.

The servant leads you through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms and up a grand stairway which grants a view of an elaborate study. Eventually, you arrive at the third floor of the house, at the door of the Paracountess' personal study.

The servant knocks once, and then opens the door. A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor within this sitting room. Along the north wall sits a chaise and a desk spans the northeast corner with the chair positioned in the southwest corner. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around a small, low circular table.

Sitting at the desk is Paracountess Zarta Dralneen who regards you all with a wry smile before putting away a few papers.

"Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks," she says, and the servant bows low before backing out of the room.

She then turns her attention to you.

"It's always so incredibly adorable when I see a fresh-faced 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 Crar.

"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 though her home was 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." Zarta leans back suggestively against her desk and smiles at you demurely. Her pose is ruined by a sudden explosion from the door next to her desk, to which she inclines her head slightly and frowns in anger.

Map of Zarta's Quarters

Kernsten, at first finds it difficult to take his eyes off the woman welcoming them to her house. But he is kicked from his stupor, when he hears her say she is from Cheliax. The land that allows, nah encourages slavery, the land where the slavers that took his father came from. This time he cannot but look at the woman through different eyes, he sits on the nearest chair and looks deep into the eyes and soul of the woman, from whence an aura of her very essence can be detected. He hears her talk of demons, he sits quietly whilst he takes it all in, although he is shocked by the strange explosion, he waits for others to take the lead.

Sitting on one of the chaise, he uses his paladin's ability to detect evil on the woman.

Lillia listens to the paracountess' performance with a half amused expression on her face, wondering silently to herself if this was typical behaviour for this woman, apparently a representative of the nation of Cheliax, bulwark of order and discipline, or if it is all simply an act to direct attention away from her true motives.

The scarred woman's musings are harshly interrupted by the explosion however, and she whips her head towards the commotion, sending her long hair lashing out behind her.

Crar feels distinctly uneasy in this place, and his eyes dart warily everywhere. When the Paracountess remarks that she's not interested in the half-elf, he stares back with steely eyes. Hah, the feeling's mutual, he thinks. However, he remains quiet, listening to what the Paracountess has to say.

When the group hears the explosion, he jumps up, his hand reaching instinctively towards his weapon while his senses try to detect what the noise was. "What is going on here?"

Crar is sitting on one of the seats furthest away from Zarta, and makes a Perception check

Latharel stays next to the door. He listens to the Paracountess but isn't impressed when someone that young regards him as someone akin to a plaything.

He takes a five foot step forward into the room when he hears the explosion. His hand ready - awaiting orders from the countess.

"Your Highness - I don't want to feel alarmed or act in a way to offend you - but would you like us to investigate. Awaiting orders from you."

Targ tries to make sense out of the woman, and really does not believe everything she says. Nutters,, he thinks, those cleliaxian are plain bonkered. Dealing with devils, nothing against power, but they will corrupt you - probably have already. Weren't it for the Pathfinder lodge, I would be out of here. Startled by the noise, "eh yeah, and we are just here to retrieve an item loaned from the vaults." wanting to get out of here ASAP.

Zarta rolls her eyes and pushes herself off of the desk.

"A servant is greatly misbehaving," she says with a sigh, "You're going to have to deal with him in order to get the trinket."

Reaching over the desk, she retrieves an exquisite silver letter opener that is shaped like a dagger.

"You might need this to get it to submit," she says with a sly grin.

@ Kernsten: You can sense that the Paracountess has an evil aura of moderate strength, assuming I've read the table correctly. She has 12 HD (from 4 levels of Aristocrat and 8 levels of Bard) which just places her in the Moderate category for aligned creature.

[ooc]@ whoever takes the 'letter opener': Treat this as a masterwork silver dagger.

Update map of Zarta's quarters

Latharel steps forward in a sweeping motion.

"My lady - I'm happy to take the dagger and be to your service."

He then looks around to his comrades

"Unless of course someone else wants to have the honour."

Latharel has weapon finesse and should be decently good to hit with the letter opener. He has no silver or anything else that he feels might be of help to overcome whatever monster there is.
But if someone else feels strongly - step ahead.

Kernsten's happy and smiling countenance is replaced with a scowl and black clouds of anger on his brow as he raises himself to his feet. "Let us get this over and done with, I want nothing to do with this house, other than keep our oath to the order. It seems that force is to be expected.", he says taking his flail from its holder and readying his shield. He stands at ease, arms hang loosely at his side, the flail dropping to the floor and resting there.

I think Kernsten would have no qualms about using his smite evil against this woman's servant. However I don't think he'll see the dagger as particularly fearsome and would think it more fitting for another to use it.

"Silver?" Targ asks and gets out his nunchaku - which is a nice shiny silvery one. "What's the Pathfinder's motto: be prepared," he adds with a grin.

Crar moves up next to Kernsten, readying his serviceable but primitive-looking spear. "I agree with Kernsten. We do not wish to take up the lady's time. If she wishes us to deal with her servant, then let's not keep her waiting!"

Initiative check, if necessary.

"You want the servant subdued, yes, not dead?" Targ asks to make sure.

"Subdued would be preferable, he needs to be taught a lesson about obedience," the Paracountess says with a smirk, "I imagine the place is in uproar, but do try to limit the damage, won't you?"

The Paracountess then resumes her seat and watches you expectantly.

"Alright," Lillia says with a slight raise of her left eyebrow, "we'll help you with your little discipline problem, but before we do, what exactly are we going up against that requires a silver knife? Some sort of devil, I take it?"

Knowledge(the planes) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Latharel takes the dagger into one hand and some rope into the other.

"In case we have subdued it - I rather want to have some rope ready."

Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Nostrus - how do you prefer to handle Initiative. I'm used to the GM rolls for everyone as it speeds up PBP and ensures all information is in a single post. But I'm flexible.

Targ niods, [b]"yep, but probably we just need to knock it out, just...."[/dice]

Initiative 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

The blond hair Kernsten walks over to the door, he turns his head briefly, as if to ask a question, but thinks better of it and continues anyway. He mumbles to himself, "No time like the present.". Then louder, "Best get this done then." His hand is placed on the door handle ready to turn it and enter. With a look back, you almost see a scowl as he looks at the woman. Not the sort of mistress I would want to serve.

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

"It's just an imp," the Paracountess says with a smile.

Go ahead and initiate when you want to. I'll roll initative next time. You get a surprise round due to the imp being distracted.

Kernsten opens the door, his weapons at the ready, walks in addressing the imp thus, "It would seem you mistress wants us to reprimand you by any means possible, including force, please calm down and let things be done without bloodshed. I am sure you can resolve any dispute with her without causing destruction all around."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

"It won't be worth a fight, you see," Targ adds, "just calm down and cooperate, and we are out here quickly."

Diplomacy to assist 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Latharel steps next to Targ and Kernsten.

"Indeed - just calm down and be friends."

Diplomacy Assist 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

As you enter the bedroom, you see no sign of the imp. 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 south wall, complete with leather shackles and chains. A table sits to its left strewn with various items intended for pleasure, but outwardly resembling instruments of pain.

You duck as an iron case flies through the air and lands behind you. A screeching voice pierces the air.

"Break, you thrice-damned thing!" the box flies away from the group towards the west wall.

Updated Map

Targ moves in towards the box, his nunchaku ready.

Kernsten stands confused as the furniture seems to be flying around, yet he cannot see anything. "What the .... There's nothing in here that I can see!!" He turns to go back outside, but with his friends behind him he calls. "So 'My Lady', what's the meaning of this sending us on a fools errand in here...what magic are you trying to fool us with!?"

Latharel readies ab action - hitting the imp with the dagger if the imp makes his position apparent through his actions.

"Kernsten - I think imps can use invisibility. The lady did say it was an imp after all."

Crar steps into the room with the others. Getting an idea from seeing Latharel with the rope, the druid stops to unsling his pack and takes out his woven sleeping blanket. He stands near the elf, ready to help bag the imp if possible.

Move action to move into the room, and other action to retrieve blanket from pack.

Lillia watches the scene carefully, her hand tracing it's way down the silvery hair obscuring her face.

Delay, until the imp reveals itself.

"Really Latherel! then how do you catch something you can't see?" as Kernsten turns back and looks around the room, as he can really see the invisible.

Kernsten will scan the room using his detect evil ability.

As Targ, Crar and Latheral near the box, they hear mutterings in a high-pitched voice and banging coming from the direction of the box.

As Kernsten scans the room for evil, an aura begins to emanate from the direction of the box.

"There's something over there" says a concerned Kernsten pointing in the direction of the box. He whispers such that his friends can hear "its evil, like its mistress." as he continues to use his power to follow the creature.

Targ moves to the box and attempts to take it.

"Kernsten - if the imp tries to attack Targ - could you try to grapple it. I think you know best where it is. Just don't miss it.
Best if you grab it first attempt."

Latharel is ready to assist Kernsten and also keeps his rope ready.

"Well I wouldn't say seeing exactly...but if you want.." as Kernsten carefully returns his weapon to safe keeping hanging from his body. He rubs his hands he looks forward towards a hazy mist of evil aura, mumbling to himself, Why did I say yes...fool...it'll all end in disaster!

Crar looks over at Kernsten, who seems to be able to see the imp somehow. The druid moves in the direction he sees the paladin moving, ready to help trying to capture the wicked creature. He holds out the blanket like a net, though he doesn't know how good it'll be for catching something he can't even see.

"Kernsten, just show me where to throw this thing."

Crar attempts Aid Another to help Kernsten to tackle the imp. Let's see, is that a CMB roll?

Latharel also tries to aid Kernsten

"Grab him."

With a leap seemingly towards the box, Kernsten takes the blanket out Crar's hands, holding it out in front of him as he flies through the air towards the evil aura. Hoping to wrap the imp up in the blanket as he jumps on it.

Here's a percentage roll to be finding the right spot. 1d100 ⇒ 21 I will go low good, high bad on my percentage throws, so 1-x will get the imp, x-100 will miss.
Grapple CMB 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 and add any aid another rolls.

Suddenly there is an explosion of curses and swear words as the blanket closes around something standing in front of the box.

"Get off of me, mortal," a high-pitched voice says, as the creature squirms in Kernstens grasp.

Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Initiative Order

Targ : 24
Imp : 16+
Kernsten : 16-
Lillia : 12
Latheral : 6

Crar is still to roll. Targ, your action.

Targ kicks the box away and assists Kernsten in grappling the imp.

CMB to assist: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21