Oathday, 11 Lamashan 4707, 0915.
Finally! Whatever life circumstance brought you here to Absalom, whether a life of hardship or blessings upon blessings, you spent the last few months training with the Pathfinder Society. An escape from your former life, a choice to search for greatness, or simply something to do other than be bored the rest of your life. Maybe it was even all three. Nonetheless, you stand here, among quite a few others, ready to take the final Oath. You look at some of the others, the same thoughts probably going through their minds. Several humans, a couple of elves, dwarves even, and even a few more exotic species of sentient beings stand proud among you. As smile comes unbidden to your face as you recall some of the antics from training with them, but that is all called to a halt when the speaker at the podium finally stops yammering about how great the Society is. "With me now, take your Oath. Explore! Report! Cooperate!"
As the words echo in the stadium and in your minds, several messengers go running into the crowd to deliver your first missions and the all important Pathfinder Pin. When a messenger reaches you, he hands you not a Pin or even a mission. No, instead he hands you a message.
See me in my office. Pronto.- Venture-Captain Valsin
When you arrive, you find that you aren't alone at least. Six others are with you in front of Ambrus Valsin, Venture-Captain and downright pain in the arse if you cross him. A fairly heavy set human with a mustache and beard that make him look like a dwarf more than the human that he is. It's almost comical. Until you see his face noticing you, to which you quickly look away. He doesn't waste much time with pleasantries and gets started right away.
"All right, Pathfinders! Listen up. I know you are new recruits eager to make names for yourselves in the organization, but first we need to make sure you are up to snuff and won’t get yourself killed out there. This team I have put together has made some of the highest marks in training and I'd like to see the results of that. I've seen you work together and I think that cohesion will help you. I have a number of small assignments for you and your team, and it would be best if you could finish them before the day’s end.
“Every day we get some doe-eyed hopeful or some sniveling bootlicker willing to do anything to join up with the Pathfinders. Most of them are
good kids, but not all of them have the salt to make it in a world like this. It’s rough out there and I’m not just talking about the ruins, tombs, and wilderness Pathfinders find themselves in on missions. We’ve got people who look down their noses at us, folks who think we squander our resources, and agents who want to take everything we have collected. This wealth of knowledge and these items of lore make us the
most powerful organization on the planet. That said, since we are fractured and widespread, it’s difficult for that power to light on anything for too long. For every friend of the Society, there are two enemies. I don't believe you are like those people and that's why I had you brought in here instead of simply giving you your mission outside.
“Your first mission, to test your mettle, sends you to meet a few people important to the Society living here in Absalom. These are other venture-captains or close allies of our organization, so follow their orders as you would mine. I’ve prepared a list of things I want you to do. They’re not arranged in any particular order of importance, but I want them all completed as quickly as possible. Only report to me once you complete them all. Included in the envelope you hold in your hands is the list, complete with the name of your contact, and directions to the meeting location.
"These," he says, indicating a stack of pins on his desk, "Are yours."
Assignment #17:
☐ A man named Guaril Karela runs a curio shop in the Docks called
the Pickled Imp. Go to him and fill his request as a favor to the
Society. I believe it has something to do with a set of rare books.
☐ Ollysta Zadrian requested aid and is expecting you at the Temple
of the Shining Star in the Ascendant Court. She needs someone
to deliver a parcel of medicine and curatives to a needy orphanage
and verify the character of the recipient.
☐ Visit the offices of Osirian nobleman Dremdhet Salhar in the Wise
Quarter. The Pathfinder Society needs to obtain permission to
delve the Salhar ancestral vaults beneath Sothis. He has made a
verbal agreement, and your visit makes it official. You will receive an
official charter and detailed maps. Do not embarrass the Society in
this matter.
☐ Chelish Paracountess Zarta Dralneen possesses an item loaned
from the Vaults. Meet with her in her estate in the Ivy District and
retrieve the item in her possession.
((Alright, First rolls ))
Kelanna stood with the rest of the small group, blue eyes shifting from person to person. She knew them all, maybe not as good friends would, but they had all been around her for quite some time. She was short compared to the men, well all of them save the Kobold to her side, still a solid foot over him. Still only at 4'8" she barely came up to their chests, being even shorter than the beardless dwarf, though the mountain of snow white hair that pillowed from her head all the way down to her hips, and wider than her body, made up for the slight of her petite frame.
She reached down and scratched at her tanned arm, reaching a hand out and looking over the assignment list. the small rustle of feathers could be heard from the back of her body, and a small black bird shoved it's way out of the makeshift nest in her hair, climbing onto her shoulders and reading as well. She wanted to tell him that the list seemed rather mundane, but she held her tongue for now.
Orn keeps his arms folded as he stands with the other beings, perhaps not as tall, but most likely the proudest. He had to admit, when he first took up Lena's offer to join the Society, he was highly skeptical... but for her kindness to his tribe, he owed her. They were safe now in no small part to the Society. What harm could trying out do?
Turns out, none. He passed training with his usual guts and moxie, surprising quite a few of the testers, persistent in the face of jeers and ridicule. "No 'monster' could hope to qualify as a Pathfinder"... the fact he was here now and they weren't boosted his morale.
Following the ceremony, Orn tagged along with the others to meet with Captain Valsin. Listening intently and reading the letter, he couldn't help, but feel... odd. Proud as he was that he was considered to be a valued and trustworthy ally, it seemed strange to be sending him - a kobold - on diplomatic exploits. Looking up at the others, a few faces he recognized from training, they made some sense. They were tall, imposing, clearly a pleasant face for the Society, and he was... a kobold.
"...er-hrm... Master Valsin. I am glad to see you recognize my skill, but... are these really the best tasks for someone of my... stature?" Orn asked, looking down at himself and back up to the others. He did seem a tad out of place... even the shortest human managed to outsize him.
Odryk stands among with his fellow recruits, twirling his mustache and listening proudly as Venture Captain compliments his skills. He keeps his attention forward but he made note of everyone else in the room. He was hardly surprised by the company.
Many of them he'd personally labeled as his rivals, attempting to maintain their ferver, or skill. Even the little Kobold had earned his respect.
The list of orders was mundane, but Odryk had previously been a Citadel guard, mundane was an old friend.
Stature? That means nothing old boy. D'you have the heart to be a Pathfinder? Haha, seems at least Master Valsin thinks so!
He smiles broadly and chuckles a bit to himself.
Venture Captain Valsin regards Orn and then Odryk's response. It almost appears that a smile was forming on his face, but it might have been just a trick of the light. "As I said, all of you working together will do just fine. It would do the others well to realize the unique perspective of your kind. Besides, most people ignore 'just a kobold' in favor of those who make a lot of noise. I see this as an advantage."
Sleggar fiddled uncomfortably with his scale armor. This was his first assignment and he wasn't used to wearing the real armor for more than an hour or two's training at a time. The prospect of wearing it all day made him fidget.
Thank goodness for this helmet, no one can see how slagging nervous I am to be on assignment for the first time!
Sleggar finally worked his way close enough to the list of tasks, peering over the scaly little kobold to take a look at the list.
His glance lingered on the kobold for just a moment longer than he liked. Sleggar instinctively disliked kobolds. They were crafty sure, but all that he had read and heard about them suggested that they were servants of chaos. This one looked green in coloration which suggested perhaps a connection to a green dragon. Green Dragons were at least a predictable law-abiding sort, if cruel. Perhaps this Orn was the same. Sleggar had kept his distance during training but now that they were working together... he would need to find a way not to view the man as a creature to be slain. Sleggar would keep an eye on him of course....
Sleggar finally allowed his glance to drift past the little creature and towards the list. He read the list briefly before seeing something positively perfect for him, an easy first foray into Pathfinder Society work.
Sleggar cleared his throat "How about we go pay a visit to the Paracountess? The Dralneen family is well known to me and that would make an easy first mission for us. Good Venture Captain, what might we expect from her issue?
He did his best to sound confident but...well one of his campanions was a half-naked tanned woman with white hair so he was having a hard time concentrating. Really all of this was new to him. A kobold, a cantankerous drunk, and a real live Witch was so much more than he had ever seen from inside the walls of the Citadel Demain. What was making him especially self conscious was that at 5'7 he towered over most of the party, which really made him feel the onus of leadership - which he knew to be ridiculous but he had always held a complex about his height, as he had been considered short and stout among the hellknights.
He looked expectantly at his fellow Pathfinders, seeing if they would follow his gently presented lead.
Kelwin is not especially tall for an elf, but at 6'2", he still towers over the rest of the group.
He patiently waits for the others to read the list before viewing it himself.
After reading, he nods in agreement: "Works for me."
He smirks knowingly at Sleggar, then focuses his attention on Valsin.
Valsin nods at Sleggar. "I thought you might go and see her first. Should be an easy thing indeed. She has an item that she borrowed from our vaults. I am simply sending you to retrieve it and send my regards to her. If you do indeed know her family, then you know that they can be...severe.. in their ways. Just know that Paracountess Zarta was...", he clears his throat to correct himself. "Is a good friend and I expect you to conduct yourself accordingly, regardless of her actions."
Crossing her arms over her stomach, Kelanna looked up at the Chelish knight expectantly. While it was nice that somebody was willing to take reigns and lead this ramble shack of a group that Ser Valsin had put together, she couldn't help but be a tad bit worried, as he had never seemed like the social type. That wasn't saying that she was, but he had always seemed nervous around her. Her hair swayed in the non-existent wind and she leaned back against the wall, letting out a sigh, "Well it's not the most noble or glorious of work, it is important, so I suppose we should get onto this list." And the Crow nestling back into her hair let out a caw in approval.
While waiting for the others she twirled her hair in her hands, making a neat spiral, and letting it go into a perfect curl, doing it for a solid chunk of her hair as she waited patently; once more looking over her new group of companions. She hadn't really had experience being part of a team before joining the Society, and while it excited her to see what they where capable of, she still couldn't help but worry for the future. The elf, Kelwin was his name, had experience with magic, as did the kobold oddly, though he also seemed to work martial combat with it.
Ah, the Paracountess is as good a place to start as any other, good idea Sleggar I'm interested to find out what item she's borrowed from the vault.
Odryk goes to stroke his chin and frowns when his hand touches bare skin.
At any rate I'm eager to get on with it and show the Society what I'm about!
Sleggar nods at Kelwin and blushed at the acknowledgement.
How do those blasted elves always guess at my heritage. I am wearing a helmet there should be no indication that I am half-elven and yet there he goes acknowledging me like I'm some cousin.
The big knight let out a sigh and tried to relax. He was probably just trying to be friendly or hell, perhaps he was just Chelish or something instead. It was at that point that he caught the eyes of the prematurely white woman below him.
Sleggar decided the best course of action was to simply keep his eyes up and forward and rely on the helmet to hide his frantic emotions.
You're a Hellknight for Abadar's sake, get it together
Orn looked up at the dwarf, ducking a little at the Hellknight peering over him and shifting his little yellow eyes back to Valsin. "...if you say so, I'll get done." he replied with a nod. Admittedly, Lena had said something similar, but Orn hadn't been expecting to go on diplomatic missions. He was a decent leader, sure... after just about every other qualified leader in his tribe had been killed...
Watching the others, Orn suddenly perked his fringes up, before heading over to the desk and grabbing one of the pins. Taking a moment to twist it about and admire the gleam, he hooked it onto a strap of leather hanging off his waist. The first of many trophies, he hoped.
Orn nodded up at the armored human (?) and cocked his head at him silently, as if waiting for something. After a moment of staring, Orn stepped closer to Sleggar and tapped at his leg armor, waving him down. Once closer, he leaned in and whispered to him. "...this is the part where you lead us to the Paracountess. Better get moving." he hissed almost inaudibly, before shaking his head towards the door.
Perhaps the human just needed a little push.
The walk from the Grand Lodge into the main part of the Foreign Quarter of Absalom isn't long, but the walk from the Foreign Quarter to the Ivy District, where Paracountess Zarta Dralneen awaits takes a while, not so much from the distance, but the throng of people in your path. The Foreign Quarter is crowded. Many people, from many lands, all speaking many languages. Taldane, Qadiran, Kellish, Elven, Dwarven, Gnomish and a host of others. Either selling wares, or discussing foreign policy or simply trying to be heard over the din of voices when having a simple conversation.
This drastically changes when you reach the Ivy District. The people that walk the roads here are dressed very differently from the common folk in the Foreign Quarter. Even though Taldane is most commonly heard, it is with an accent of haughtiness that can only be found here among the upper crust of society. The guards at the district border simply open the gates and allow you through when they see your pins. One of them escorts you to the Lady's manor. The servant at the gate bows to you. "The Paracountess has been expecting you. Please come in."
Her home is opulent, the trees and shrubbery are perfectly manicured, some into beautiful topiaries. In stark contrast to the beauty of the grounds, the main house is dark in color, the doors themselves laquered in black with silver filigreed figures upon it. An older gentleman opens the door and bows, but says nothing as he indicates you should go in. The inside of her home is just as dark, with strange paintings of..well.. it is difficult to guess, but they use a lot of reds, blacks and flesh tones.
You are led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study, the PCs finally arrive on the third floor of the house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study, which lies beyond her bedroom. Knocking upon the door and announcing his presence, the servant opens the darkly stained wooden door.
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.
Seated behind the desk is a woman with deep raven-black hair and the sharpest Chelaxian features you have ever seen and green eyes that seem to be either sizing you up for a fight or to eat. It is difficult to tell. She smiles at all of you, her white hand gracefully indicated that you should sit. As you do so, she stands and speaks.
"Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks.” She then turns her attention to the all of 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 Orn. “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.”
It is then that you suddenly hear a loud banging from an adjacent room. Then some screaming in some alien tongue. The Paracountess seems unimpressed by this. "Your trinket is in there, but I am afraid that a rather unruly servant of mine has gotten to it and refuses to part with it. If you can wrest it from his little hands, you may take it. Then I will deal with his insubordination." She smiles, maybe a little too much at the thought of this.
11 Lamashan 4707, 1025.
Odryk was having quite a pleasant time at the Paracountess' home, at least up until the scream. He'd never been in a manor quite so bizarre before, and he was soaking it all in, however it seemed things were about to get a little hairy.
Say, Paracountess, I don't suppose you'd like to give us a bit more information about what we're getting into on your behalf? Seems we are, after all, about to do you a favor.
Odryk flashes his most award winning smile.
Sleggar noticeably relaxes as he walks into the manor, feeling a bit more at home surrounded by the familiar accoutrements of his homeland. The Vellici family had been quite poor so these luxuries were new, but he was familiar with the concept of Devils serving the people. It was common knowledge and common sense. The Devils are the most organized sorts in existence. Utilizing their knowledge while curbing the cruelest aspects. All really pretty mundane.
He gave a formal bow to the Paracountess as he entered and allowed her to finish speaking before he spoke. It was good manners and what's more gave the knight a moment to gather his thoughts and think hard on what he was going to say. Nobles could be...fickle.
Sleggar was about begin the dirty dance known as formal diplomacy when he heard the noises coming from the next room and sighed.
"Milady, are we engaging in some experiments in the next room? I take it you don't object to the use of necessary force to put down your little pet? Or do you need him in one piece?"
Sleggar loosed the Whip from his right side and pulled his heavy mace from left side as he was speaking with professional efficiency. Wrangling the servants of the rich had been a training exercise of his at the Citadel and this was nothing new but it was polite to ask for mission parameters before charging in.
Orn knew of the worship of Asmodues. Most kobolds did. His kind was supremely opportunistic and scheming, and the tricks of devils often appealed to them. Orn knew better, or so he thought. His kind were not... the brightest, much of the time. Kobolds like to boast that they held the whip, but more often than not, they were the ones getting the lash. Getting involved in a devil's deal was a poor idea.
As such, walking through halls decked with devil worship culture made him somewhat uneasy. The paracountess' seemingly... informal behavior also unnerved him, though her disinterest in him put him a little more at ease.
The sound of crashing and cursing, however, restored his tense nature. The mention of whatever was making the screeching holding their prize made it even worse. "...what was the item you borrowed? And why does... whatever that is want it?"
The Paracountess smiles, the slit on the side of her dress seeming to move of its own accord to reveal more of her thigh. She speaks to Sleggar first. "Experimentation? Isn't that what all life is, dear knight? One experiment to the next? If you absolutely must send it home, then by all means, do so, but I am curious to see just how well you use that whip. Are you as skilled as you portray yourself to be?" She winks and then looks at the dwarf and the kobold.
"You are after a scroll case, of all things. This is no ordinary, mundane, droll scroll case mind you. It is guarded with seven increasingly difficult arcane puzzle locks. My deeply misguided servant decided that whatever was inside was going to be enough to turn the tables and make me his servant. The imp is gravely mistaken. Only a select few get to put me in that position, and only temporarily." The tone of her voice and the stern look in her eyes clash with the smile on her face. She sighs and reaches to open a drawer in her desk, pulling out a silver dagger. "Should he not submit to you readily." She then tosses at Sleggar.
Sleggar snickers at the innuendo. Somehow when a woman of proper breeding and with those fine Chelish features made such advances it didn't send him into a ball of nerves but instead caused some other more manly impulses to rise in him. The want to show off and prove himself took over for his insecurity.
Sleggar caught the knife after daydreaming for a put a moment of Chelish bedroom fixtures and put away his mace to hold the knife in his offhand.
Ah but of course - I wouldn't be an Aspirant of the Order of the Scourge if I couldn't use a whip with the best of them! If all goes well, your pet will simply submit and retake his proper place in the social hierarchy. Under you, where all of us belong, naturally."
Sleggar winked at the end of that but then remembered she wouldn't be able to see that through his helmet. Hopefully that would sate her desire to be desired. Nobles could be very easy to get along with so long as they made their desires as openly transparent as the Paracountess did just now.
Sleggar then led the way into the next room, ready to make quick work of the imp before it could begin playing with its devil magic.
"Let's try to make quick and careful work of this imp friends, they have magic at their disposal so the key is to bumrush it before it can use it"
While Sleggar has his moment with the Paracountess, Kelwin turns his attention to the task at hand. He walks over to the door and listens to the screaming, hoping to hear something useful. He does speak infernal after all. He waits there for the others to gather.
Hang on Kelwin, I'm not sure these two are done flirting.
Odryk chuckles to himself as he heads toward the door as well. He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to get involved here but this was his first official duty as a Pathfinder, so he put on a brave face. If the stories were true this was par for the course.
Hear anything new? He sighs, We should probably get this over with.
Kelanna found her self surprisingly uncomfortable inside of the house of decadence, finding the decorations a over;y poor choice of gold spent. The Paracountess was no better than her decor, Flashy on the outside but most likely empty on the inside. She remained quiet, though her hair wrapped around the crow who poked his head out, preventing him from fluttering out and trying to swipe anything shiny not nailed down.
Upon hearing that an imp was in her employ she was almost put into turmoil of it's fate. On one hand those who consorted with devils often did have tables turning on them, but as much as she wanted to kill it and send it back towards it's home across the planes, she also had to make sure not to make a scene for the Pathfinders to have to be responsible of.
Reaching back into her hair she plucked out the raven and put him on a fine desk, pointing a finger at him and commanding him to stay right there and not cause trouble. The raven simply looked back at her with no response, and Kelanna reach her hands up and lifted up her hair before it started to snake it's way out in two directions, hovering at her side and waving around like two snakes looking for prey.
Walking into the next room she piped up in a whisper, "Let's get this done quickly and get out, I'm, not much enjoying the Paracountess as much as she enjoys herself. Let's just take care of this imp quickly and get out." And with that she stretched her fingers, the sound of electricity sparking between them loud enough for the rest to hear.
Orn listens carefully, as anyone who can bend Hell's contracts to their whim is decidedly a force to be reckoned with. As the paracountess pulls out the dagger, Orn's eyes immediately snap onto it. It was an awfully shiny object...
No! Focus! There is time for treasure later. Right now, they had an imp to deal with. Orn followed closely after the elf, who seemed to be listening in on the creature's ramblings. Orn couldn't understand them himself, but as long as someone could, they'd be fine.
Pulling out his flying talon and holding up his other claw, a small orb of acid starting to materialize and swirl in his palm. "What's it saying?" he hissed, trying not to give up their position to the creature.
Kelwin winces as he hears every swear word imaginable in the Infernal tongue and some new ones he decides to add to his repertoire should the situation require such foul and perverse wording.
For her part, the Paracountess simply gestures to the door and awaits the results of your endeavor, sitting at her desk as if this is of no consequence. Kelanna notices that she raised an eyebrow at her remark, but may no other discernible gesture.
As you enter the Lady's bedchamber, Sleggar's reflexes allow him to snap his head back as something goes flying past his faceplate. It is followed by a loud crash and more swearing, this time in a multitude of languages. As you attempt to see where it came from, you look about the room itself. It is as grandiose, if not more so, than the manor house itself. There is a large device attached to the wall that looks like a wooden 'X' with manacled chains hanging from it. Next to that is a collection of scourges, flails and riding crops hanging from silver hooks in the wall. Everything in here 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, the bed alone is large enough to hold your entire group and still have 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 table sits to its left strewn with various items intended for pleasure, but outwardly
resembling implements of pain.
There on top of the bed is a tiny red creature with large bat-like wings struggling with something that is nearly twice its size. It pays no attention to you, fully rapt in its temper tantrum.
Sleggar circles into the room slowly just enough to make room in the doorway and whispers to Orn " It appears to be quite distracted. Perhaps you could sneak up on it and wrestle it to the floor so we can subdue it."
Despite his words, Sleggar gets to within whipping distance of it as quiet as he can, prepared to trip the tricksy little tyrant should Orn be spotted.
Following Sleggar's lead, Ordyk draws his rapier and enters the room slowly behind him.
He prepares himself jab at whichever creature moves at the party first.
Kelwin whispers:
"Just swearing. Sounds like he is having trouble getting into the scrollcase."
He then steps in the room, and upon hearing the plan draws his crossbow. He does not approach with the others, instead standing directly in front of the door.
Orn looked up at Sleggar, taking his suggestion into consideration before clasping his palm into a fist, ducking down. He put a finger to his maw before slinking quietly across the floor, talon still at the ready, hoping the imp wouldn't notice.
If I can get close enough, I could yank it from him without alerting him... odd. I wonder how he knows what's inside. Hope it's not some super sense...
Kelanna simply watched as the others went in first, pulling up the rear, and standing at-least near the doorway to close it if the imp tried to escape. She had considered closing it now but knowing her luck the imp would hear it and be triggered. She watched as their dragonoid companion slinked forwards to take him by surprise, keeping herself quite, and glad she left her noisy bird back on the other side of the door for this exact reason.
If he was unsuccessful she started to whisper the words of power in draconic for the magic to put the imp into a peaceful slumber, ready to pick up the slack sand prevent this from going full on upwards on them. She knew that imp's may have been the lowest on the devil hierarchy, but they where still devils and not to be given the chance to do anything!
As everyone waits with anticipation, Orn slinks his way over the imp on the bed, staying low enough to be just out of sight each time the fiendish creature happens to look up. The imp looks at the rest of you with nothing but passing curiosity as it continues to becme increasingly frustrated with the object in its hands. Orn is just within reach of the scroll case...
Orn creeps closer, trying to stay out of sight. So far, so good... peering up over the side of the bed, Orn spotted the scroll case, squinting at his prize.
All at once, he leaps up and attempts to snatch the case from the imp, hoping to grab it and then make a mad dash for safety near his companions. Steadying his hand, he snaps it out and makes his move.
Orn reaches for the scroll case, but the imp catches the movement out of the corner of its eye and swiftly snatches it away, screaming, "It's mines tiny dragon! You can'ts have its!!" It's Taldane is a bit lacking.
Initiative
Seeing the imp turn towards the kobold, Kelanna reacted as quickly as possible, letting out loud the words in draconic and finishing her incantation in an attempt to end the fight before it truly began. Her hair waved to the sides, as she finished casting,seeing a dull green light emanate from her hands and wrap around the imp, looking to see if the foul creature could be put down in peace.
Sleggar too saw Orn fumble at snatching the scroll case and failing with his butterclaws. "Oh b%++&#$s...well we tried to resolve this peacefull"
Sleggar immediately raised his whip but waited a moment to see if White Witch's spell worked first.
If it doesn't Sleggar will lash out at the creature trying to trip it to the ground in front of Orn. And then closing in on the pillar to get within stabbing distance of it
[b]"Good work people, don't let it start its tricky ways"[/b}
As the rest of you watch, Kelanna casts a spell at the Imp, who at first doesn't seem phased, but then weariness sets in and the creature falls asleep over the scroll case. Moments after that, you hear a slight clap of applause behind you.
"Well played.", Paracountess Dralneen says. "While I am disappointed that I did not get to see what the rest of you were capable of," she looks at Sleggar and winks, "I must say I am impressed. Perhaps in the future, when you aren't so terribly overdressed, we can discuss your other skills. Tell me, what does Ambrus have you doing after your visit with me?" As she asks this question, she walks over to the imp and touches it on the head. In a burst of flame, it vanishes. She picks up the scroll case and hands it out, with her other hand open expectantly.
Sleggar shudders slightly at the Paracountess' sudden advance, his whip going limp at the sight of the Imp going down.
We have our choice of tasks, something to do with some kind of merchant named Guaril Karela down at the docks. Sounds seedy but I doubt the longshoremen and porters will attack a group as well outfitted as ours...and if they do then they will get to see my other skills.
Sleggar will produce a Chit in the form of the symbol of the Order of the Scourge with his name on it and place it in her open palm If you have any requests in the future feel free to reach out to me or my friends here and we will be glad to assist you Paracountess...within reason or maybe not. I know how it is.
Odryk nods to his heavily armored companion and put his weapon away.
As he says, we've a number of orders we still need to act on. Karela not being the last, we should probably get started. Not that this hasn't been...enlightening.
He steps awkwardly away from the Paracountess and pats Orn on the back.
You nearly had him there. That was some damn good sneakin' up until that last bit there.
He twirls his mustache and frowns as the imp goes up in flames.
As Sleggar hands over his Chit, Odryk secures the scroll case.
The woman smiles a predatory smile. "While I appreciate the offer, young knight, I know how to get a hold of you, should I require more of your services. Since you did not need it, I require my dagger back."
She then looks at the rest of you. "Thank you for being..respectful... in my home. Good luck with Karela, he can be.. evasive. Aldor will show you out." With that, she waves a dismissive hand and slinks back to her desk. "Just leave it on the bed, good knight."
Orn stumbled a bit at the pat. He looked back up, nodding as he eyed the scroll case. "I didn't use my talon. I'm better with that. I'll know next time... thankfully, Master Kelanna had it under control."
Orn's eyes linger on the silver blade a bit longer before turning to leave, bowing as he passed by the paracountess. "Many thanks, milady." he stated, before hustling for the door. He knew better than to linger. Hopefully, she won't have need of us any time soon... or vice versa.
Sleggar thinks for a moment how to put the dagger on the bed and sort of awkwardly just places it on the Paracountess's pillow.
Sleggar will then follow the rest out the door. "Well that was an experience..erm good team efforts and all that. The knight sort of stood for a moment wondering what he was even trying to accomplish. He gives Orn a thumbs up and slaps Kelanna on the back lightly like people often did when playing at jousting when he was a child in the Citadel.
He felt like an idiot, which was probably appropriate.
Orn quirked an eyebrow at Sleggar, before face palming at his slap on the back for Kelanna. It was evident the poor guy was trying to be a good leader, and just... having troubles. Granted, the kobold knew he himself was no fabulous leader, but that was more due to his... well, being a kobold.
Slipping back behind the Hellknight, Orn quietly clambered his way up Sleggar's back, hanging off his shoulders and hiding behind his big armored torso as he hissed into his ear. "J-just... chin up, chest out, deep voice. It shows pride and confidence. And repeat after me. 'Excellent work, all of you. And quick thinking, Kelanna.' ...and no back pats, those are for hatchlings!"
Odryk narrows his eyes as the Kobold clamor up Sleggars back. In all his years profiling and investigating crime for Janderhof he'd never seen a pair quite like them.
He strolled over to Kelanna and waved at her.
How many of those sleep spells do you have handy? This was only the first stop, and I somehow doubt the rest of our assignments will be any simpler.
He chuckles a bit.
But with execution like that we might be done by dinner time!
Kelanna haply excused herself from the Paracountesses clutches, letting out a small whistle for Terron to rejoin them and perch on her arm, giving a small uncomfortable bow to her on her way out. She never really liked high class nutters, and the paracountess fit into that category perfectly.
She was smiling as she left the embassy, though being slapped on the back almost knocked her to the ground. She was about to curse him off when she noticed how awkward he looked after doing it, letting out a laugh and putting two and two together; realizing now why he never got involved with many of the other women while they trained.
Watching the Kobold slip up his body and whisper into his ear only helped to confirm her notions, and she bluntly put out, "You don't know how to treat women do you, Ser Vellici. Doesn't surprise me, not like they would need you to learn how to court one while going through squirehood."
The crow that had moved up to her shoulder started to laugh at him, only to be rapped on the beak with her finger and told to hush. She looked over to Odryk, and smiled, "Unfortunately I only though ahead to prepare one sleeping enchantment for the day, so any violent encounter afterwards will end in a much different fashion I'm afraid."
I have several similar enchantments ready, if needed.
It is clear that Kelwin has just been going through the motions until now. For the first time since Valsin's office, his eyes light up and he appears focused and interested.
Odryk, may I see that scroll case? I'd like to inspect it before we have to turn it over.
Odryk produces the scroll case and hands it over to Kelwin. Noticing the young mans enthusiasm he smiles a bit.
So, ah, which way to the docks then?
Kelwin blindly follows the others to the next destination while he inspects and tinkers with the scrollcase.
Heading to the Docks district from the Ivy district is a lesson in trickling wealth. You go back through the Foreign Quarter, where the Grand Lodge is located and walk for some time until you reach the boundary of the Docks. You don't notice it so much as by the signs and postings, but more by the smells of the sea; salt water spray, fish, wet wood, more fish, more salt spray... The rigging of several ships is noticeable above the building tops and the sounds of trade abound in this area.