Gleek glances down at his arms, which do not change, then looks at Akvius and appears to laugh.
As you travel through the streets towards your last destination the sun sits low in the sky. The city is starting to come to life with people dressed in elaborate costumes and colorful masks. The residence of the city are preparing for The Seven Veils Festival.
Arriving at the estate of the Paracountess, a magnificent gothic structure three stories tall. You are greeted at the ebon lacquered double front doors, wrought with gleaming silver fixtures, by a well build male servant dressed in tight pants and a half buttoned shirt. He leads you through the well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway of the estate without saying a word and ignoring all questions. All the way up on the third floor of the house he opens the door of Zarta’s personal study.
A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor in this 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. Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen regards the you all with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before addressing you.
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. She stops and gives Maldrek a critical look, [/b]Well, maybe not you.[/b] 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.
As the paracountess talks, a cacophony of booms and crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door. She sometimes pauses at an extended eruption of these noises before continuing with the conversation. I am sure you are all aware of my recent... promotion within the Society. It is now my responsibility to maintain order in the Vaults beneath the Grand Lodge of Absalom. Seek out other dangerous relics, and retrieve them for proper storage and research in the Dark Archive. Study and understand hazardous phenomena, and harness these occurrences’ power for the Societies benefit. Build alliances with like-minded organizations to learn their techniques—or steal these secrets as the situation dictates. Since I am still new to this position I am seeking others who can appreciate the work I do to join me in my... activities.
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"Well met," Roscoe says as he walks up to Zarta and extends his hand. "Congratulations on your recent promotion, as I'm sure protection and finding of the relics you speak of is no easy task." Roscoe turns his back to Zarta and locates a chair. He hops up onto the seat before continuing to speak.
"You're friend didn't have much to say on the way in, but it looks like you were expecting us at any moment. We are all members of the Society as you have already figured, and were hoping you could help us." Roscoe trails off for a moment before continuing again. "My friends and I" he says waving his short arm across the room, "have been busy all day completing a set of tasks given to us. One of them is to retrieve this trinket you mentioned."
"We very much would like to be able to let you continue with your business without us burdening you any further. With that," Roscoe gives a slight pause, "how can we go about getting this trinket so that we may be out of your way quickly." Roscoe flashes Zarta a grin, hoping that by comparison to the last task the party can get the item and leave quickly.
"Oh, and be careful of our friend Maldrek over there," Roscoe says pointing at the large tiefling. "He's good for many things, mostly strength related, but his wits are not the sharpest. He will take anything you say in the most literal fashion." Roscoe smiles at Maldrek and says "I would recommend very straightforward statements with him."
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Theon smiles wryly at the Paracountess' manner; however, he cannot help but blush as his eyes seem to move on their own accord, following her hand down her shapely body. He clears his throat and quickly takes a seat next to Roscoe, hoping the sensual Chelish woman does not notice the blush on his cheeks.
Oh, you sweet young things! I'm offering you an alliance. Help me in pressuring my goals and I'll see to it that You make a name for yourself within the society. The Paracountess says with a coy smile. But if all you want is to get your trinket an go.. Zarta feigns hurt, even putting on a pouty face. It in there. She motions to the double doors near her desk. One of my servant is greatly misbehaving, so you’re going to have to deal with it in order to get the trinket. You might find this useful. she holds out a small silver letter-open, her pout replaced with a look of boredom. Noticing Theon's blush though brings a mischievous look to her face. Well maybe your visit won't be a total loss. Think about my offer. I could find all sorts of uses for pathfinders such as yourselves. She says looking directly at the Lore Warden.
Zarlonna trows open the double doors. 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.
Sitting in the middle of this scene of debauchery and destruction is a small wigged creatures with red scaly skin and a long barbed tale. It does not seem to even notice your arrival as it is too busy smashing a black iron box on the ground prying at it with its claws.
Zarlonna rushes forward as slashes at the tiny devil but seems to land a solid blow on the monster who hisses at the rogue.
Round 1
Bold is up
Zarlonna - Already posted
Akvius
Theon
Maldrek
Roscoe
Ky'ang
Imp
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"Let's see how this thing likes explosives!" Roscoe says, giddy about the chance to use one of his bombs.
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Theon fidgets at the predatory look Zarta gives him, but is thankfully spared any further uncomfortableness when she gets up and waltzes over to the door. He is able to catch a glimpse of her backside as she struts... The warrior mentally kicks himself and diverts his attention back to the job at hand.
His perceptive eyes look around the room and spot the little devil. Theon charges in behind Zarlonna, just after Roscoe throws his bomb, drawing his blade as he moves. His curved blade cuts through the air in a two-handed grip.
Taken bu surprise by Zarlonna's swift attack Ky'ang stands by and watches the party attack.
Roscoes bomb shatters near the creature but the fire seems to have no effect on its red scaly skin. Maldrek and Theon charge forward both landing heavy blows on the tiny devil. Surprisingly though the attacks seem to do less damage than Zarlonna attack with a dagger. Shrugging off most of Akvius's hex the devil leaps to the air straight at Zarlonna, the small box still clutched tightly in its hands.
The imp swings it's tail around trying to bury its barbed stinger in the Kitsune's neck.
Round 2
Bold is up
Zarlonna - Already posted
Akvius
Theon
Maldrek
Roscoe
Ky'ang
Imp
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Akvius' eye seems to glow in anger as he feels the effects of the evil eye hex dissipate. He then repeats the same incantation and follows it up with an audible cackle.
dc=15 will to end -2 AC after 1 round, fail=7 rounds
cackle = extended for 1 extra round... 2 rounds if save is successful, 8 rounds if fails.
"Your luck will not hold forever, you devious little minion!"
You all notice the wounds on the imp start to stitch themselves back together as it attacks.
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"Well, let's just call that bomb a dud. They can't all be winners," the halfling says with a slight chuckle.
Seeing as the bomb didn't affect the imp, Roscoe draws his crossbow and takes aim at the creature.
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Maldrek steps into a flanking position Theon and takes a swing at the imp.
The Imp is quick and able to dodge all the attacks the party throws at it, giggling the whole time. As it starts to heal even more of its wounds it continues to pursue Zarlonna, moving back into her square and trying to sting her.
Round 3
Bold is up
Zarlonna + an Attack of Opportunity too
Akvius
Theon
Maldrek
Roscoe
Ky'ang
Imp
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Looking at the imp and the group all around it, she shakes her head and begins to speak.
"You little rodent. Your benefactor outside gave us a weapon against you, but you could simply bow down...before we put you down. You won't get away...your day is ruined." As she talks she begins waving her free hand, gathering frosty energy into her hand.
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Akvius gleams another leer at the imp. evil eye = -2 attack
Then laughs outloud manaically. cackle
DC=15 will limits penalty to 2 rounds, fail = 8 rounds
Cackle also renews the -2 AC for another round if the imp made the save
results:
Imp = -2 AC, -2 attack for at least 2 rounds!
"By powr of the the great one, you will continue to get weaker as your futile resistance persists!"
The Imp giggle manically as Zarlonna is unable to hit the tiny creature again but stops and hisses when it fails to hit. As the party continues its assault Akvius s finally able to get a hex to stick to the trick little devil. Seeing her that her attacks are proving ineffective vs the monster Ky'ang begins to chastise the beast. Surprisingly enough the scolding seems to have an effect on the devil and its takes on a meek hurt look, though it continues to attack the party.
Maldred is able to land a solid blow on the creature but once again it seems to shrug off most of the damage. Theon is also able to hit the creature but his sword might as well be made out of cloth for all damage it does.
The Imp continues to heal its wounds while still trying to sting Zarlonna.
Plus DC 13 fort vs. poison
Round 3
Bold is up
Zarlonna + an another Attack of Opportunity
Akvius
Theon
Maldrek
Roscoe
Ky'ang
Imp
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Again, my patron, will continue to weaken your will. Until you surrender to your inevitable demise!"
Akvius will invoke another version of his evil eye hex. This one will target the Imp's saving throws. (-2 saves) Followed by another devious laugh cackle.
dc will = 15 to limit -2 saves to 1 round, fail = 7 rounds.
success on save = -2 saves, -2 AC for 2 rounds, -2 attacks for 7 rounds
fail on save = -2 AC for 2 rounds, -2 attacks and saves for 7 rounds
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Roscoe tries again with his crossbow hoping he can finally hit the pesky imp.
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Maldrek lands a solid blow but again the imp seems to ignore most of the damage and quickly starts to heal some of the damage it did take. Akvius is able to curse the imp again weakening it resolve a little more.
The tiny devil continues to giggle though as it follows the dagger, moving in to attack Theon.
Plus DC 13 fort vs. poison
Round 4
Bold is up
Zarlonna
Akvius
Theon + an another Attack of Opportunity
Maldrek
Roscoe
Ky'ang
Imp
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Akvius will continue his debilitating assault. evil eye = -2 skill checks.
"Every second of resistance, weakens you even more, my devilish friend!"
Akvius folloes his exclamation with the typical insulting laugh. cackle
dc 15 = -2 skill checks for 2 rounds, fail = 7 rounds.
---> imp = -2 AC, Attack, Saves, Skill checks... for min 2 rounds!
Gleek looks amazingly at the little fiend and thinks to himself, "Around 20 attacks and something like 2 actually hit! Epic Imp!"