The three dire rats swarm Daiel, striking at him with their teeth in savage bites.
The three rats are unable to pierce Daniel's armor.
Daniel's sword traces a line where the rat was just a moment ago, but meets only air.
Daniel shifts to the right, swinging his sword at the rightmost rat.
Jericho's javelin misses the rat he targeted, but it's made up for by Daniel's powerful swing, ending one of the rat's in a powerful blow.
Two rats converge on Daniel, one taking a leap off a box at his throat, only able at the last minute to deflect the blow to a mere shoulder strike.
The third rat breaks off and charges at Jericho, angry at the man who tried to turn him into a kebob, though he passes by Gerald's lance to do so...
Gerald misses the charging rat, but it's thrown off balance enough so that Jericho can crush it's skull underneath his morningstar.
With the last rat left, Daniel shifts back to the left, using the momentum to deliver a counterswing like a pendulum.
With Daniel's last swing, the final Rat has been defeated. All that's left is to secure the crate.
Perched in the middle of the hole in the warehouse, lying precariously on two planks, is the crate you are searching for. How do you wish to proceed acquiring said crate?
Daniel slowly approaches the crate and looks down the hole.
.
He inspects the warehouse for either ropes and pulleys, or additional planks to fit under the crate.
There is a crane system in the warehouse, but attaching it to the crate will require someone to sneak out onto the planks to attach it. Plus the floorboards around the crate are in poor condition and caution must be taken to apporach it lest the crate fall into the water below.
Some spare planks can be found as well to slide under the crate.
Jiece simply smirks and pushes his companions to the side, stepping towards the planks taking the silk rope from Jericho as he does. "I believe this is where I come into play, gentlemen," he says as he steps forward and begins the graceful dance of a man who's been in these types of situations before. As nimble as he can, he across the planks and positions himself next to the crate, taking extra care not to bother the planks or make the floor collapse. After making it to the crate, he secures Jericho's rope the crate as steadfast as he can whilst also doing the same with his, looping the grappling hook through the rope and crate and securing the entire contraption effortlessly. "Alright, before we do this, I want you to get that crane over here to me and then find some spare timber to use as rollers. Break up a crate or two if you have to. Well, cover Daniel's eyes first lest he and his deity get offended." At the last part, Jiece gives a mischievous smirk to Daniel and motions for the lot of them to get moving.
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"I hope it will not come to this", says Daniel, grabbing some spare planks and beginning to fit them under the ones Jiece stands on.
Jiece manages to get onto the planks and easily loops the rope and hook around the crate. Daniel is able to locate some spare planks to fit underneath, giving Jiece additional footing, as well as making the crate more secure. Jericho examines the crane, and while it's not possible to muffle all the noise it will make, it is in good enough repair that the sound of the crane moving will blend in with the normal dock sounds.
The crane easily comes over Jiece and lowers to him.
Jiece takes the crane and hooks it to the crate, motioning for them to slowly begin their operation. "Carefully," he adds.
The crate is easily moved with the crane to solid ground, the braces beneath providing enough support to ensure it does not fall into the murky depths below. Inside the create are the following items:
- Asmaller mahogany box inside
- 10 sets of masterwork thieves’ tools
- three flasks of alchemist’s fire
- a flask of acid
- a dozen jars of various inks
- a footprint book*
- adamantine weapon blanch*
- three bags of powder*
- a deck of marked cards*
- two sets of average loaded dice*
- (Items marked with an asterisk may be found in the Advanced Player’s Guide.)
The mahogay box is the item requested by Guaril Karela.
Jiece slides the mahogany box and other less-than-legal items (cards, dice, thieves' tools) into his pack. Upon completion of this, he rattles off the rest of the contents of the crate and then suggests they get the items back to Guaril as quickly as possible. Standing up and leaving the rest of the contents of the crate to his companions, he moves for the door, not yet exiting until his allies are by his side.
Jericho
Radig
Gerald
Arathorn
Daniel
Jiece
Having already acquired what they needed, Jiece suggests moving back to return the items to Guaril. "We can deal with the Paracountess once we're done here." In a slightly more hushed voice, he whispers to his companions, "We're being tailed by someone. Keep your paranoia up until we're back at Skyreach." At that, he smiles and stretches, ambling towards the exit as he does, the mahogany box of the Sczarni tucked safely away inside his pack.
Returning to Guaril, nothing comes of Jiece's feeling. He takes the mahogany box, checks the contents quickly, then places it under the counter. A few books, a leather folder and some loose sheets of paper are inside. "A job well done my friends, a job well done. And here's your reward" You each receive 111gp for your troubles.
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With this there is one task left for you to perform. Heaing to Paracountess Zarta Dralneen's home in the Ivy District, you come upon a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height. Ebon lacquered double doors and silver fixtures greet you. You ring the brass cone serving as a door chime to be greeted by a servant in casual attire, seemingly unsurprised by your appearance. “Follow me, please good sirs.”
You are led through the edifice, past sitting rooms and ballrooms, up a grand stairway and finally arriving at the Paracountess's chambers. You are led through her bedroom to her study door. Knocking and announcing your presence, the servant opens the darkly stained 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, it's chair positioned with it's back to the southwest corner of the room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around a small, low circular table. Sitting in the chair behind the desk is Paracountess Zarta Dralneen. She speaks as you enter.
“Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks.” She then turns her attention to the group. “It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a freshfaced 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. “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.”
As the Paracountess is about to continue, a sudden series of crashes and booms can be heard coming from the adjoining room. She patiently waits for a lull in the racket before continuing. "A servant is greatly misbehaving. You're going to ahve to deal with it in order to get the trinket." She goes over to her desk, opens a draw and pulls out an exquisite silver letter opener in the shape of a dagger. "You might need this to get it to submit," she offers with a sly grin.
Jiece smiles mischievously at the Paracpuntess as he accepts the dagger. Stepping forward to the door of her chambers, he glances back at the woman. "This works for me just fine, Lady Dralneen. I never was the submissive one.". Without another word, Jiece forces open the door and steps inside, ignoring any additional comments from anyone and entering the room.
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 west wall, complete with leather shackles and chains. A table sits to its left strewn with various items intended for pleasure, but outwardly resembling implements of pain.
Daniel is repulsed by what he sees in the bedchamber.
"A place of vices, a primer on how lust deceives and numbs us, starting from the senses and ending with the soul. It is appalling how deep and widespread the sins are."
Then something occurs to him. "Whoever caused this mayhem hardly had time to leave. We best be on our guard."
Daniel centers himself, attempting to assure himself that the room is safe. .
Daniel points to the riding crop on the southwest table. "The Paracountess must be fond of horseback riding."
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Chuckling quietly to himself at the crop, Jiece takes a quick look around, trying to get a gauge on whatever it is that's tossing the box around. While unable to get a good bead on his foe, Jiece simply speaks out loud to the open air, hoping for a response from this unknown foe. "Listen, I got no clue who you are or why you want the b!@#%'s box, but I'm very short on time and I've got a few spells I'd like to send your way. Fortunately, I'm not looking to harm you. I personally just need that damn box you keep tossing around the room like a ragdoll." Pulling out the silver dagger, Jiece flips it deftly in his hand a few times before tossing it to the ground and letting it stick in the floor. "So what'd'ya say? Give me the box and I'll be on my merry. You can personally do whatever the hell you want with the rest of this place. Sound like a plan?" With his speech done, Jiece waits patiently for a response, silently tensing his muscles for any potential retaliation.
The box, almost invisibly, suddenly raises up and is thrown across the room, against the wall and falling behind the large bed. A faint sound can be heard, while an invisible voice calls out, "Why don't you ---- mind your own business and get! I'll not let the likes of you have what's inside. Especially you, holy one!" The last comment seems directed at Daniel.
A sudden depression forms in the southwest corner of the bed, correlating to where the voice stopped speaking. Whatever it is, it must be invisible.
Daniel quickly draws his blade and assumes defensive position.
"What kind of treachery is this? Show yourself, fiend! Oh, and by the way, I have no need in the box, I just have to deliver it to someone much less holy."
"You think that's any better? I won't let you mortals have it!"
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Turning towards the impression on the bed, Jiece scowls at the creature's response and takes one step forward, crouching down to pick up the dagger. Looking up as he rises, he begins to speak with the difficulty of one slightly annoyed. This is in part because by taking his eyes off this invisible foe has allowed his eyes to become maladjusted and he's unable to see where the indentation was. Regardless, he continues to speak towards the bed. "Listen, I don't like these holy types any more than you do. I'm just with him out of convenience until I can gut him and leave him in the streets of Absalom. How about you tell me exactly what it is that's in that box? Whatever it is, I can assure you that the people we work for want nothing to do with it. We're here to take it from this damn woman. And let's be realistic here, would you rather deal with us or her?" Jiece motions back out the door with the dagger.
"You wanna know what's in that box? It's a hook and a bag for drawing more of my kind to this world, loyal to who does the pulling. I will protect my kind for you all, do you hear me? I'll hide it where no one will find it!"
Jiece nods in understanding. "I'm just going off on a whim at this point and assuming you're some devil. Working with that, listen to me when I say that the last thing I need to do to get something done - hell, the last thing I'd WANT to do - is call your kind here from any of the Nine Hells or wherever your lot's from. You give me the box right here and now and I'll make sure that no one short of the gods can open the damn thing. My boss just said he wanted the box. Didn't say it had to be in pristine condition of you know what I mean." Jiece shifted his weight and placed the silver dagger in his belt. "Hells, take the hook and drawbag with you when you bail. And I would bail if I was you. The b$&@! didnt seem like the type to take kindly to insubordination. Hot as all hell and I wouldn't mind attending some of the Chelaxian parties they hold, but give me a Temple of Calistria any day. Just take the crap in the box and give the thing to us. If you need someone to open it, I'll give it a shot. All I'm saying is if Dralneen needs to draw one of you, she's going to do it. Don't seem much like the type to let this be a drawback."