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Within a private booth in Korvosa' Shoreline Drinkhall, Sir Canayven Heidmarch—one of Varisia's two resident venture-captains—begins his briefing. “We have a serious problem,” he says gravely. “As you may have heard, a month ago, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen disappeared. The Chelish diplomat was vital to the Pathfinder Society's operations within Cheliax, where members of our order are strictly forbidden. Without her political connections opening doors for us and distracting watchful eyes while we operate within Cheliax's borders, we will be set back a hundred years in terms of our exploration of this nation, a region of great interest to the Ten. We must therefore reinstate the paracountess in Absalom.”
“Here's the good news: We've located her—she is alive, though she is imprisoned for seditious acts she did not commit. We also possess evidence we can use to exonerate her and ensure her release.”
“The bad news is that the paracountess is being held in Citadel Vraid, home to the Hellknights of the Order of the Nail. Convincing those totalitarian mercenaries that the paracountess must be freed is going to be quite a challenge.”
Heidmarch shows you proof that another team of Pathfinders discovered forged letters apparently written in Tancred Dralneen’s hand, he being the paracountess’ biggest enemy and a member of the Thrune government. These fictitious letters hinted at a rebellious alliance between the paracountess and the house’s political enemies. He goes on to show you further evidence of paracountess’s personal travel logs, which prove she was away from Absalom at the time when the letters claim she met with her conspirators in the Petal District. Heidmarch hands the letters and travel logs to your group.
Heidmarch continues, “While the Order of the Nail has earned its reputation as a cadre of ruthless mercenaries, its Hellknights are still bound to uphold the law. I'd wager that the order's leaders would release the paracountess if they can be convinced they're holding her unlawfully. You, Pathfinders, must do that. Get custody of the paracountess and escort her here. I'll make sure she gets back to Absalom safely.”
“One more thing: I know some of you may not like the Hellknights or what they stand for, but this is a diplomatic mission and not the time to air your personal grievances against the Order of the Nail. There are over four hundred Hellknights in Citadel Vraid, and you'll be in their home. Getting Dralneen out is your sole priority, and since the law is on our side, you should run into no problems doing so provided you behave with reasonable caution and restraint. Do not take this warning lightly—you cannot take on the entire citadel in combat. Appeal to their sense of law and leave them to their business. “Any questions?”
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Dusklord considers the mission, his eyesight returned along with his righteous attitude.
"I have had dealings with Paracountess Dralneen in the past," he says. "As have many of these my fellow crusaders. It is good and right to free this vital member of the Society. I, for one, will gladly participate. Tell me...what do we know of this Tancred fellow?"
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E’li ask how followers of Rowdrosh would be treated.
Heidmarch sighs, ”According to an edict issued by Queen Abrogail II, the worship of gods other than Asmodeus or one of the other powers of Hell is permitted, but can be revoked by the government at any time. The worship of these gods is considered a generous allowance by the Prince of Hell, as long as no one supplants him as the foremost in the hearts of Chelaxians. You should be find as long as you don’t try to supplant the worship of Asmodeus.”
Dusklord is ready to help Paracountess he knows that Tancred Desimire is a diabolist who has worked heavily against the goals and members of the Pathfinder Society and is responsible for engineering the events that have caused the disappearance of the Paracountess. You have meet the man during the Blakros Matrimony.
Feybella and Hastard ask about the applicable laws and getting inside the Citadel.
Heidmarch smiles ”We know little about this order's leaders, but in general, the Hellknights operate using very specific, militaristic protocols. My advice is to follow the Hellknights' rules while emphasizing that beyond a shadow of a doubt, the paracountess is innocent and therefore must be released.”
Continuing, ”The Citadel Vraid is a dark, looming structure that sits on a plateau in the southwestern reaches of the Mindspin Mountains, approximately 50 miles from here. From what we understand, the main structure is made of black stone and is decorated liberally with imagery that is a bit... unsettling. Hellknight protocol suggests the citadel's main entrance is heavily guarded. Informing the guards about the evidence that exonerates Zarta should help you gain entry.”
Heidmarch adds, ”I've secured space in a supply caravan heading to Citadel Vraid early tomorrow morning. We estimate it will take the better part of the day to arrive at the citadel, putting you there in the evening, but not too late to request an audience with the order's leaders. If you need further supplies you have access the the entire city of Korvosa before you depart for the Citadel.”
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Taking the hired caravan to Citadel Vraid, you find the 14-hour trip long, quiet and uneventful. The suppliers in each of the caravan’s three wagons are laconic, answering any questions with shrugs or half-hearted, monosyllabic grunts.
Citadel Vraid stands high up the northern face of the Mindspin Mountains near the southern mouth of Conqueror’s Bay, a position that exposes much of the land around Varisia to the Order of the Nail’s ever watchful eyes. The citadel consists of three distinct castles, connected to one another by narrow bridges over perilously deep chasms. The westernmost keep, Bastion Dominus, serves as the primary point of entry into the fortress, with forbidding gates looming at the top of a wide set of stairs that climb the mountainside.
Carved from black stone and crowned with steel spikes, a pair of spindly towers shadow the precipitous stair that climbs to the foot of Vraid’s steel gate, which currently stands open. Within is a heavily guarded chamber with two visible exits, one to the north and another to the south.
The gate is guarded by a dozen Hellknight gate-maralictors who watch over the interior atrium through their menacing full-plate helmets. One additional Hellknight stands apart from the rest, a woman with short black hair, holding her helmet in the crook of her arm.
Looking directly at your group she introduces herself, ”I am Field-Maralictor Elixia Makorios, please this way.” She direct you to the northern doorway and into a small room.
Closing the door Makorios offers them a severe nod before asking ”Are you the Pathfinders who seek the disappeared one’s freedom?”
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Starling nods at Makorios, following her into the small room. "Impressive place you've built here," she comments, looking around. "It's even larger than I expected."
Starling tries to break the ice. "Yes, we are, actually. As for me, I've always wanted to visit this famed fortress. Do you get a lot of visitors and travelers?"
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"Yes, we are here to make sure justice is being served. We do have a belief that our companion is innocent, of course. Be this not the case, we would differ to your lead. We simply wish to ensure all things are being followed by the letter of the law. I'm sure, being the honorable subject you are, you can understand our viewpoint."
"We of course mean no disrespect. If you could share anything about the situation, it would save us some time in the matter. Anything at all would be appreciated, good sir."
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Agreeing, Feybella ask how she knew they were coming.
Makorios tersely asserts ”The Order of the Nail watches Varisia closely, and the Hellknight intelligence is rarely wrong.”
E’li takes in the grandeur of the fortress.
Starling tries complimenting the fortress to build some goodwill.
Hasterd starts to build their argument for a just and lawful review of the case.
Makorios informs Hasterd, ”To formally request the freedom of a Disappeared, you will need to present evidence of their innocence to two of the Hellknight order’s top commanders: Mistress of Bladees Maidrayne Vox and Paravicar Acillmar, each of whom will need to sign an affidavit of prisoner release for the subject in question. Once you have gained both signatures you must present the affidavit to Lictor Severs “Boneclaw” DiViri. He is the order’s undisputed authority and will decide the Disappeared’s fate. There is no other way. “
Dusklord compares the fortress to thassilonion artifacts.
Makorios glances at Dusklord with an unfazed expression, ”The Citadel was built for a purpose, I don’t think they took your viewing pleasure into account.”
Assuming your group agrees, Makorios escorts you further into the Citadel to Lictor’s Bailey. The siege walls of Bastion Dominus create a small bailey around Lictor’s Keep. Rows of barracks line both the east and west ends of this open-air yard. In the center of the bailey stands a two-story keep with eight Hellknights positioned at each of its entrances, stoically guarding the interior against incursions.
Makorios hands Hasterd a blank Affidavit of Prisoner Release form, ”Your group will be responsible for presenting the evidence to both Paravicar Acillmar and Mistress of Blades Mairayne Vox. I will escort you to anywhere in the citadel you wish to go within limits.”
Speaking to Hastard ”As for advice, Paravicar Acillmar believes tradition, protocol, and decorum are paramount to everything except the law itself. He will not tolerate boorishness or disrespect of the law, the Order of the Nail, or his authority. If your evidence adequately proves the Paracountess innocent of her crimes, the paravicar will provide you his signature. I must warn you that you must absolutely not show him any disrespect. If you don’t respect him, you’d best be good at hiding it; the paravicar is an excellent judge of character.”
After a moment of thought Makorios continues ”My advice for dealing with Mistress of Blades, she is pragmatic to a fault, and takes her role as the military commander of the order very seriously. She is particularly set on bringing civilization to the wild lands of Varisia, which she believes to be the greatest good for all. If you can convince her you share these ideals—and that you have forwarded these goals yourself—she should be more amenable to hearing your request with an open mind.”
Makorios looks to Hastard, ”Where would you like to go first?”
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Feybella tries to give Hastard a message wink wink.
E’li comments on civilizing the wilds.
Dusklord suggest starting with Paravicar Acillmar.
Makorios gestures for the party to follower her as she leads them around the bailey to a building. This two-story keep features a number of desks, bookshelves, and austere officers’ barracks. On the ground floor, an ironclad gate leads out to the cliff side beyond that castle walls, guarded by a contingent of experienced Hellknights. A well-armored tower rises from the keep’s northeastern corner, its doors blocked by a stern signifer.
Entering Paravicar’s Keep, you find yourselves on the crowded research floor, where slaves chained to their desks transcribe the contents of scrolls full of charts and tables into leather-bound tomes, all under the watchful eyes of several high-ranking signifers.
Makorios makes her way to the lone signifer standing guard at the entrance to the tower, and declares that “Representatives from the Pathfinder Society are here to present an urgent matter to the paravicar.” The signifer nods, and steps aside, granting the field-maralictor and the Pathfinders access to the large tower.
Makorios leads the group up a set of stairs hugging the cylindrical tower’s interior wall, past a floor full of strange artifacts being catalogued and analyzed by an equal number of slaves and signifiers, to the third floor, where a lone man sits at a desk in the center of the room, ceiling-high bookshelves filling all the walls around him. Makorios motions you toward the man, makes eye contact with him, then backs down the stairs to the level below to await the Pathfinders return.
A ruddy, red-haired man whose lithe frame is clad in the Hellknight’s traditional black armor, sits at an orderly desk crowded with neatly stacked piles of paper and ancient tomes, penning a lengthy report. He looks up at the group and simply comments ”I’ve been expecting you, Pathfinders.”
He waits for you to speak.
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"Honorable Paravicar Acillmar," Starling begins with a deep bow of courtesy. "We would like to express our gratitude to you for receiving us on such a short notice. We are here concerning the matter of Paracountess Zarta Dralneen, who we understand is held by you. While we understand your suspicions in imprisoning her, we are glad to announce that we have evidence that would exonerate her from the crimes attributed to her - all accordingly to legal procedure, of course."
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As they make their way to the Paravicar, Hastard hops off his stead and leads him along. As they near, he commands the boar to stand watch just outside.
Bowing deeply, Hastard agrees with Starling. "It is as the woman claims. We certainly applaud your righteous actions, but sadly there was information unavailable to you at the time of the arrest. We made haste to bring it to your attention. We thank you for allowing us the honor of this meeting."
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Paravicar Acillmar looks your group over to take your measure as Starling and Hastard speak, ”You were right to bring this matter before me. It is a serious issue if we have an innocent person imprisoned. We of the Order of the Nail have a reputation to maintain to lawfully hold and punish those justly convicted. You have shown me this new documents, and they appear genuine. Why do you believe the Chelish government error in its original investigation failed to find these documents on the behalf of the Disappeared?”
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Dusklord clears his throat and straightens the collar of his black robe.
"I find the Order of the Nail to be the strongest advocates of order. Oh, that others could see the ways of justice as your order does!"
He looks back at the documents. "All I can say is that mistakes happen. Fortunately, blind justice does not care why the mistakes were made, only that the mistakes must be rectified. As for us, we know not how this came to happen, only that it would be a miscarriage of justice should she not be released."
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"The only thing I can imagine is someone was misleading you. Perhaps an informant? Either way, we know it surely had nothing to do with your order. We know the Nail would never have arrested an innocent intentionally."
"We are just glad we were able to get here in time to rectify the issue before any harm was done to your reputation."
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Dusklord, Feybella, and Hastard each explain how an unfortunate mistake was made and that it would be a miscarriage of justice not to be corrected.
The paravicar holds up his hand, ”You have convinced me.” He signed the affidavit for prisoner release for one Paracountess Zarta Dralneen and hands it back your group, ”I believe Maralictor Makorios is waiting for you downstairs.” Having dismissed you he returns his attention back to his work.
Makorios is indeed wait downstairs, ”I hope the meeting when well, If you are ready, I can take you to the Mistress of Blades Maidrayne Vox”
Makorios leads you through the first Citadel across a bridge spanning a ravne into the center Citadel and finally to a two-story, two-towered keep that serves as the military command center for the Order of the Nail. On the ground floor, racks of weapons, armor, barding, ammunition, and other implements of war line a number of aisles whose shelves rise to the ten-foot ceiling above. The second floor serves as a strategic command center, where detailed maps of Varisia, the Mindspin Mountains, and Cheliax hang on the walls. A three-dimensional replica of the areas surrounding Korvosa occupies a table in the center of the room, on which miniature armies are positioned in strategic locations. From the cellars below the keep, the sound of clinking hammers and billowed forges echoes through the building.
Taking you through the armory where low-ranking armigers polish armor, shields, and swords and repair broken crossbows. Up a flight of stairs, where the pathfinders find themselves presented to the mistress of blades, a female centaur standing nearly 7 feet tall and weighing more than 1,000 pounds. A looming presence in the room, Mistress of Blades Maidrayne Vox is in the process of meeting with several of her paralictor lieutenants, looking at strategic maps and reports of recent criminal activity in Varisia.
The heavily armored centaur looks up from her work after signing a form held by a lieutenant to see Makorios leading the Pathfinders into the room, she silences her lieutenants and strides forward to meet the party. “So,” she says. “I understand you seek the freedom of our Chelish guest? Leave us, Hellknights, so that we may converse.” Makorios and the mistress of blades’ lieutenants excuse themselves to the armory below, while the centaur paces back and forth before the party.
Once the room is cleared, The Mistress of Blades turns towards the pathfinders, ”You don’t look like meer messagagners or bureaucrats. You have the look of battle tested heroes. I find it is easier to judge one’s words by one’s actions. Tell me what your think is your greatest accomplishment in this world?”
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Fey steps up standing tall. She bows and speaks as she rises, "I have helped the spirits of the dead to leave this plane on several missions. These dead intended to harm the living. During one of my missions I assisted in saving a village from a group of death cultists and their undeal leader. My greatest accomplishment was surviving that mission, and learning new ways to use my skills for the innocent."
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Dusklord considers their achievements.
"We have completed many missions in the pursuit of justice and law," he says. The wizard decides to focus on just one person they helped, hoping it might seem applicable to their present situation.
"One man, Kalkamedes, was unjustly entrapped in dream-like state. We sought to free him from the mental prison that bound him. The right prevailed as we found evidence to free him," he says.
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Nods to Feybella and Dusklord, Maidrayne Vox stomps back and forth whisking her tail "Saving a village from undead is a worthy act, and I have heard of Kalkamedes, a Paladin now retired. Even Paladins need help at times."
Glancing at E'li "The Divine Herdsman is an old god not followed by many nowadays, be proud of you actions, don't hide behind generalized saying."
Turning to the rest of the group "What about you lot, what have you done to bring order to the world in general or especially in Varisia?"
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"We stopped the Midnight Mauler of Ustalav, a cursed murderous werewolf. Even better, we did it by removing his curse..." She lets her voice down for a moment. "You know, he was actually a famous person. You wouldn't believe who! I would have told you, but we swore oaths to keep the person's identity secret. I'm sure you'd understand why we can't provide more details about this case."
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Thinking long and hard on the question at hand, Hastard finally speaks. "There was a call by Ms Foxglove. She'd had herself a fortune telling and it freaked her out....well... Come to find out, there really was someone after her. This person was attempting to frame a neighboring country with an assassination. Not only did we stop his war from starting, we took him alive for the authorities to deal with legally."
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Mistress of Blades Nods her head to Starling, "Interesting, there must have been a very good reason to keep his murders a secret, but then how much responsibility did he have under the curse?"
Looking at Hastard, "Apprehending one who would start wars, saves many lives as well as order."
Pacing around the turns to the group, "Now that I know you better, please present you evidence."
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Fey waits until the evidence has been presented, and then she begins to speak. "As you can see a miscarriage of justice has happened in this instance. We're here to bring this to your attention, and make sure that the law is followed. I'm sure you are well aware that applying laws in an inequitable manner is not an act of a civilized society."
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Mistress of Blades looks through the evidence as Feybella and Dusklord make their case for freeing the disappeared.
The Centaur returns the evidence to your group, giving you a stern and unyielding look ”I have made my decision. Civilized society depends on the laws and it’s lawful conclusions to be carried out. It is not my place to alter that outcome based on my opiniones of it’s justiceness. I must trust that the Chelish government has weighed the evidence justly and arrived at a lawful conclusion. I wish you luck in your endeavor to seek the Disappred’s release, but I cannot place my signature on the affidavit for prisoner release.” dismissing the Pathfinders, the Mistress of Blades calls her HellKnight aids back into the room to continue their discussion.
After a few minutes, Elixia Makorios returns with the other HellKnights ready to escort your group, ”Where else may I escort you, or are you ready to meet the Vicar?”
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Dusklord raises an eyebrow in surprise.
"I had anticipated that justice might prevail, regardless of where the mistaken orders came from. Am I to understand that if someone is imprisoned here, regardless of the contrary evidence, that the sentence stands? I must have misunderstood what the Order of the Nail stands for..." he says with a sniff.
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Starling shakes her head in disbelief. "But... we have evidence!" she blurts out. "Surely that is good enough to reconsider a decision made by some bureaucrat!!" Starling allows herself to be calmed by the rest of the group as she positions herself to be behind them. At one point her hand shoots up as she raises her voice, but quickly thereafter she allows herself to be silenced by the others, but can't avoid winking with a victorious smile.
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Further pleads fall on deaf ears, The Mistress of Blades has made her decision.
Starling obtains a copy of the Blade’s signature without being seen.
Elixia Makorios, escorts the group to the Citadel’s courtyard seeing that the Mistress of Blades has dismissed the group, ”Where would you like to go now?”
Paravicar: A leader of a Hellknight order's signifers, equal in rank to a master of blades. Paralictor: A high-ranking Hellknight officer, similar in rank to a major.
While a Paralicotor signature may not carry the same weight as a Paravicar, it may be enough for the Vicar
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With a frown, Hastard nods to Dusklord's words. "It would sure be a shame if word got out you arrested innocent people obeying the law. True shame if your honor were in question..." mumbles the annoyed gnome.
'What am I saying? Even if I were willing to spread this story, it wouldn't be right' he considers, shaking his head. "Sorry, I didn't mean anything...just...I understand your position and would hate to find myself in the same situation."
Turning, he follows his companions out of the room.
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As another group of HellKnights march past, Elixia Makorios senses the meeting with Maidrayne Vox didn't go as hoped. Speaking up she comments "You may get a paralictor’s signature instead. I can take you to the order’s library in Ferox Garrison to meet with Paralictor Myrkrina Delfiero. I believes she may be swayed by your evidence, and not influenced by the previous refusal of Maidrayne Vox."
This cramped library boasts rows of dusty, leather-bound tomes in each of its many sections. Enormous sconces, whose torches cast deep shadows on the whole facility, are mounted to the walls in between sections. An open area in the library’s middle is crammed with back-to-back, eight-foot-high shelves stuffed with books. Hanging on the library’s south wall is a large fresco depicting thick nails that form a sunburst.
Many of the library’s books bear the same sunburst-like symbol that appears on the south wall embossed into their spines.
A dozen Hellknights (mostly signifers or neophyte armigers) are spread throughout the library perusing various books and jotting notes on the contents within.
One Hellknight, a middle-aged woman in spiked scale mail, approaches the Pathfinders as Makorios brings the group into the library and introduces herself "I am Paralictor Myrkrina Delfiero, head archivist of the Ferox Garrison Library. As guest you are allowed to look around the library if you wish, but I can not permit any of the books to leave the premises."
After a short pause she asks "How may I help you?"
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Looking to his companions, Hastard offers the Paralictor a slight bow before he speaks. "We are pursuing the correction of an injustice committed. Sadly, your order was mislead by someone and you have detained an innocent. We do have evidence that proves the subject in question was not capable of doing the things for which he's been accused."
"Would you be willing to take a look at the documentation we've brought? Perhaps pen your name as a witness for the subject's release?"