The inn is crowded but also very loud. Nobody seems to he paying you mind and you feel with all the noise you can have your conversation without being overheard.
"For I intend to capture him alive and rip out every single detail from his mind."
Yep, definitely a one track mind this guy is. At least it's not me this time. That's an improvement.
"As for this ball I believe we should not go as ourselves, something tells me that this ball is a trap. We should go as minor nobility or distinguished merchants so that we don't attract attention. Once we have infiltrated the ball we should then proceed to lure Lugen outside, as I am willing to bet that if we can put him in the right spot he will be easy to capture. As for this devil I have a lead to finding it, this is assuming we can find a member of the Order of the Gate," he continues.
Hmmm... not a bad idea. Would save on awkwardness from people that I'm supposed to know trying to talk to me. Then again, that's there when in disguise too. Plan also assumes that Lugen will actually be present. But what kind of trap would it be? If he wanted to kill us we'd have been dead a long time ago.
"Trap? Why do you think that? He's shown already that if he wants us dead we'll be dead. I mean, he did steal memories from the memory thief. He wants us to do something for him, and it's something that for some reason he can't do himself. There's not really any other explanation. The only thing we have over him is that we get to control what we do. For the time being anyway," I sigh and crack my neck, "And since I think it's safe to say that he's far more competent than any of us, it's probably more for political or social reasons. He's either going to frame us or get us to do the job and ensure that he can't be connected to it."
I pause and take a sip of my beer. So far the alcohol had failed to offer much inspiration, but you never know what you'll find at the bottom.
From what Gregorvich told me they are the hellknights which truly live up to the name. They are involved somehow, someway in almost all devil summoning that aren't minor summonings like imps.
Male Elvish Dhampir, 53/53HP, +4 Init, +3 BAB, +3 CMB, +17 CMD, F +3, R +10, W +4 (+6 vs mind effects), AC 21, Touch 15, FF 17, 4d6 Sneak Attack, Prestidigitation 3/3, Mage Armor 2/2, Poison Use, Death Attack Rogue(Sniper) 5, Assassin 1
GM, Molos, Vince:
Adrien approaches the table, seeming tired and annoyed. He sits down in one of the chairs next to the others, sticking his hand out towards Molos and making a 'give me' gesture. "Coin please." he says, before leaning back to stretch.
I would not say it's possible to sleight of hand someone who is also sitting at the table with you. I'm assuming molos didn't put the coin on the table and still has it on his person. You can get up, move around the table and try and take it off of him. Assuming you do that Molos needs to make a reflex save .
Male Elvish Dhampir, 53/53HP, +4 Init, +3 BAB, +3 CMB, +17 CMD, F +3, R +10, W +4 (+6 vs mind effects), AC 21, Touch 15, FF 17, 4d6 Sneak Attack, Prestidigitation 3/3, Mage Armor 2/2, Poison Use, Death Attack Rogue(Sniper) 5, Assassin 1
GM Vince Molos:
I'll pass on the sleight of hand check then. Anger was boiling over in Adrien's head right now. It wouldn't take much, just choke him until he stopped moving. He can't cast spells when he's choking. It wasn't like Vince would stop him either. Vince was very prominent about his dislike for Molos. But then there's the crowd behind them. Something tells him that killing a man in plain view wouldn't go over well with the Hellknights. Especially their information extractor. Gregorvich might have a word with him. Or a blade. Not to mention the panicked civilians fleeing in terror at the pissed off assassin. That was never a good combination. Not now. It was neither the time nor place to beat Molos into subservience. If Adrien ever gets his memory back, it wouldn't seem like a bad idea to trade it back to keep Molos from being such a prick. Well, if he gives what he knows, and doesn't get the coin back, maybe he'll choke Molos then.
"Almost nothing. I did find out that Lugen also kills people for the Hellknights. Very similar to what I do...did...still do. I went back to the slums to look around more. There was a tiefling there who mentioned seeing Lugen every now and then when he's checking on the patrols. But he said he's not seen Lugen in a couple days, which makes me think either Gregorvich sent us away to bide time, or that Lugen is doing something else on his patrols that he doesn't want the others to know about." Adrien sits back in his chair to think about anything else. "Oh yes, I was asked by an informant at Jeggare to look into details about a bombing near the house, but he didn't say anything more than that. So now I have something else to look into, and no information on it. Hopefully this ball tomorrow will shed some light on things."
"Almost nothing. I did find out that Lugen also kills people for the Hellknights. Very similar to what I do...did...still do. I went back to the slums to look around more. There was a tiefling there who mentioned seeing Lugen every now and then when he's checking on the patrols. But he said he's not seen Lugen in a couple days, which makes me think either Gregorvich sent us away to bide time, or that Lugen is doing something else on his patrols that he doesn't want the others to know about. Oh yes, I was asked by an informant at Jeggare to look into details about a bombing near the house, but he didn't say anything more than that. So now I have something else to look into, and no information on it. Hopefully this ball tomorrow will shed some light on things."
"Well, that leads even more credence to my theory," I say, leaning back in my chair. Difficult keeping both men and the room at large in my vision. Need some distance. "I'm fairly confident that we were all rivals or at least associates of Lugen's before our current difficulties. He specifically selected us because we were powerful enough to accomplish his goals, but not powerful enough to be a real threat to him. Even if it's not true, it's safer to assume that he's got far more in the way of skills and resources than us than not."
It looks as if they cleared the area of the debris so that there was a walking lane between the bank and the security tape. The ground hasn't been washed or swept though and there are still small blackened stone pieces. As you look closer you realize that mixed in with the chared stone are traces of some kind of black powder. The powder loiks different than what the stones on the path that have been trampled by passersby looks like.
Male Elvish Dhampir, 53/53HP, +4 Init, +3 BAB, +3 CMB, +17 CMD, F +3, R +10, W +4 (+6 vs mind effects), AC 21, Touch 15, FF 17, 4d6 Sneak Attack, Prestidigitation 3/3, Mage Armor 2/2, Poison Use, Death Attack Rogue(Sniper) 5, Assassin 1
GM Molos and Vince:
Adrien catches the coin, waiting until Molos exits to the bar. Turning to Vince to listen to their idea he says lowly for Vince to hear "I swear I'm going to kill him when this is over."
"I swear I'm going to kill him when this is over."
"One does wonder how's he's gotten along without that happening to him already," I chuckle, "But such is life. So. The plan. Tomorrow, I'll be researching contracts and devils, trying to find out anything useful about them. Molos is looking up a lead at the Order of the Gate. Supposed to be real big into devil summoning and dealing. I think you should try and get back into the place where we were all kept. Might find some useful information there. I'll probably be hired on to deal with the Jeggare explosion too, so we should collaborate on that, if it's alright with you. Then tomorrow night? Party time!" I grin hugely.
"Oh, there's also another one of us. I sent him to scout out the Jeggare situation earlier this morning. He should be coming back here sometime tonight, if ya wanna hang around and hear what he's got to say."
Barbarian 7 AC:19, HP:66/66 (46/78), Fire Resist 2, DR 3/-, Reach
GM:
Mallichatti picks up a small powder covered stone and pockets it. After a few moments he considers his next option. BAnging the door down claiming to be a hellknight seargeant would likely get results. But, let's face it, he didn't know enough. He wasn't quite ready just yet to go back to the Hellknights. Who knows if his enemies weren't alreday there adn waiting? Risky to be sure. Going down another blok MAllichatti ducks down an alleyway and checks his personal stuff. He looks for symbols, crests, badges, anything that might signify something about his rank, order, or anything that might attach him toa group.
Barbarian 7 AC:19, HP:66/66 (46/78), Fire Resist 2, DR 3/-, Reach
GM:
Pocketing the badge Mallichatti spends the rest of the time until the evening attempting to find a building, or gather of helknights bearing these symbols.
I'm going to jump you ahead in the story. Before that, here's a recap of your day.
You flag down a patrol unit and talk to them. Discreetly, you try to find out about yourself. You confirm that you are a sergeant in the Hell Knight ranks and that you have been at the same level for quite a while, longer than usual. They know little of the explosion and know nothing about the powder you show them. After a few more dead ends you finally find an alchemist that identifies the powder as gun powder, a new creation that has incredible explosive properties. The alchemist does not know much beyond that.
You have a carriage bring you to the location on the second letter you found and find your residence. A small two room home with little in the way of personal effects. You do find your Hell Knight cloak and armor there.
Late into the day you return to Asmodeus' Rest to find Vince sitting with an elf and a tiefling.
Mallichatti arrives at the in around 11:30 PM. Vince, Adrien and Molos are all present. You can pick up from there and I'll move you to day three soon.
Barbarian 7 AC:19, HP:66/66 (46/78), Fire Resist 2, DR 3/-, Reach
Stepping forward Mallichatti doesn't bother with a greeting or even a wave. "The explosion was caused by an alchemical substance called gunpowder. I have a hunch they were stockpiling it in that building before it blew up in their faces. Or maybe it was sabotage. Either way the staff refuse to talk about it and the hellknights are very interested."
Male Elvish Dhampir, 53/53HP, +4 Init, +3 BAB, +3 CMB, +17 CMD, F +3, R +10, W +4 (+6 vs mind effects), AC 21, Touch 15, FF 17, 4d6 Sneak Attack, Prestidigitation 3/3, Mage Armor 2/2, Poison Use, Death Attack Rogue(Sniper) 5, Assassin 1
all at the inn:
Adrien looks at the man Vince points out. Mallichatti. This was who Lugen wanted him to meet? He sizes up the man, checking him over. Vince seemed to like him well enough, and he couldn't be worse than Molos. "So now there's three of us looking into this explosion? I believe you and I have some sort of connection Mallichatti. Lugen pointed me to find you, and Vince and I have both been investigating the explosion as well. You might be right though, I managed to find out it was caused by a member of house Jeggare."
The elf stands with his back to you, gazing out a window. 'I apologize for doing some of this work through Alana but if Thrune is to ever have some success the first step is to keep Alana busy trying to figure out what the plan is. If I gave her all the details, she might puzzle it out by the time it doesn't matter, but with only half the details she is busy and Thrune gets its way. You are to proceed to phase two. I am sending you and a few of our other spies to the front lines, or rather our front lines. I need you to withdraw troops from the front line and bring them here, to Egorian. Do everything necessary to keep it from the captains and generals on the lines. Tell the troops themselves that Duranu needs their service; you will be given notes with my seal to convince them that you are indeed my messenger. You'll also need to change the captain's troop sheets; a little enchantment might help with that as well. If you think of anything else while you're there, do as you feel is necessary. Just make sure that nobody in command knows the troops have been withdrawn, nobody. I'm sending you to the troops on the Isger front. I'll need 10 banners to be returned, split evenly among footmen and crossbowmen.Ten banners? That's a quarter of the Isger front!I have moved back your next meeting with Alana by a week, so you have about ten days to get this done. I trust you'll have no difficulties. You turn to leave. And remember, this is your chance to impress me.
In the morning, each of you are alerted to a significant event. Those at an Inn can here the talk and see the poster, those in private houses can hear the rabble outside. It is just before 8 AM on the 4th of Pharast, and at the tolling of the temple bell there will be an execution for the crime of treason. Those of you who see the poster instantly feel a jolt through you as a depiction of the one-horned teifling stares back at you. The name below the picture reads Lugen Tsarkin.
I am going to assume all of your character will go to the execution in the High Market. Everyone got 8 hours of sleep, but preparation casters did not have a chance to meditate for one hour. You will still have any prepared spells you did not expend yesterday, and all of your orisons/cantrips that you prepared yesterday. I'm picking up with your appearance at the High Marketplace and controlling you until the execution.
The High Marketplace has ditched it usual stands wagons and instead prominently displays a platform topped by a hangman's noose. The ten-foot high platform can be seen from most of West Crown Way, which is good because the street is packed. Mallichatti, Vince, Adrien and Molos gather outside Asmodeus' Rest, easily able to see the events from that spot. Sydney settles herself on the other side of the avenue. Atop the platform are several prominent nobles and a cloaked and masked executioner. Chatter from the crowd allows you to match names to the nobles; The female half-elf Alana Thrune, the gnome Dopmitten Sarini, the female human Lidiya Henderthane, the elf Alaran Charthagnion, the human Leron Jeggare, the elf Ruslin Leroung, and the human Jeryl Narikopolus, who is decked in armor and has a long bow across his back.
The chatter quiets as a towering human approaches the stage. Magic users will feel the aura he emits without needing to look for it. Non-magic users will feel a dread wash over them and then rescind itself. The crowd quiets quickly, but you can hear the softened mutters, General Gorthoklek, the queen's pet pit fiend. Behind him, two Hell Knights appears at the top of the steps holding Lugen so he head is just visible.
"Citizens of Egorian, today we witness the execution of a man who seeks to destroy our way of life, no not a man, a teifling, who would turn his back on the country that gave him his freedom. This swear word in infernal that you recognize if you speak infernal seeks to destroy the power that made Cheliax the greatest country in Golarion. I will waste no more words on this scum." The roar of the crowd that has been building explodes as the man walks back down the steps of the platform. In his place appear two uniformed Hell Knights dragging the prisoner Lugen between them. They hand Lugen over to the executioner.
As this is happening, you each hear a voice in your ear, as if it were a whisper. Those who watch Lugen notice that he is staring at each of you in turn and mouthing words.
Adrien:
Adrien, I can't talk long. I could not trust you with this information before because I was not sure how your loyalties would hang when you awoke. You are part of an anti-government organization called Taishan. You, Molos, Vince, Sydney, and Mallichatti are our only remaining agents. We were getting close to something and were viciously attacked. I'm not sure who was behind it, but many of our agents were killed and when I managed to get you to the Aslyum the doctor said that you only remembered basic ideas from your childhood. I managed to find a trail leading me to your memories and the devil. Someone powerful must be behind it if they could involve the most powerful devils in Egorian to their cause. I was trying to round up some more leads when I got caught up in this. You need to team up with the others, Sydney included a quick description of Sydney specifically noting her height and desire to hind behind disguises. When you guys are together, find Dice Drem; I believe he can lead you to a contract. Be respectful though, he is a flighty halfling.
Mallichatti:
Mallichatti, I can't talk long. I could not trust you with this information before because I was not sure how your loyalties would hang when you awoke. You are part of an anti-government organization called Taishan. You, Molos, Vince, Sydney, and Adrien are our only remaining agents. We were getting close to something and were viciously attacked. I'm not sure who was behind it, but many of our agents were killed and when I managed to get you to the Aslyum the doctors said that you only remembered basic ideas from your childhood. I managed to find a trail leading me to your memories and the devil. Someone powerful must be behind it if they could involve the most powerful devils in Egorian to their cause. I was trying to round up some more leads when I got caught up in this. You need to team up with the others, Sydney included a quick description of Sydney specifically noting her height and desire to hind behind disguises. When you guys are together, find Dice Drem; I believe he can lead you to a contract, be respectful though, he is a flighty halfling
Molos:
Molos, I can't talk long. I could not trust you with this information before because I was not sure how your loyalties would hang when you awoke. You are part of an anti-government organization called Taishan. You, Mallichatti, Vince, Sydney, and Adrien are our only remaining agents. We were getting close to something and were viciously attacked. I'm not sure who was behind it, but many of our agents were killed and when I managed to get you to the Aslyum the doctors said that you only remembered basic ideas from your childhood. I managed to find a trail leading me to your memories and the devil. Someone powerful must be behind it if they could involve the most powerful devils in Egorian to their cause. I was trying to round up some more leads when I got caught up in this. You need to team up with the others, Sydney included a quick description of Sydney specifically noting her height and desire to hind behind disguises Meet at Asmodeus' Rest, in the private dining room. When you guys are together, find Dice Drem; I believe he can lead you to a contract. Be respectful though, he is a flighty halfling
Sydney:
Sydney, I can't talk long. I could not trust you with this information before because I was not sure how your loyalties would hang when you awoke. You are part of an anti-government organization called Taishan. You, Mallichatti, Vince, Molos, and Adrien are our only remaining agents. We were getting close to something and were viciously attacked. I'm not sure who was behind it, but many of our agents were killed and when I managed to get you to the Aslyum the doctors said that you only remembered basic ideas from your childhood. I managed to find a trail leading me to your memories and the devil. Someone powerful must be behind it if they could involve the most powerful devils in Egorian to their cause. I was trying to round up some more leads when I got caught up in this. You need to team up with the others, you can't do this by yourself. I tried, and look where there got me. Meet them in the private dining room of Asmodeus' Rest. And Sydney, don't hide from them. You trusted them before and you will trust them again. When you guys are together, find Dice Drem; I believe he can lead you to a contract. Be respectful though, he is a flighty halfling
Vince:
Vince, I can't talk long. I could not trust you with this information before because I was not sure how your loyalties would hang when you awoke. You are part of an anti-government organization called Taishan. You, Mallichatti, Vince, Molos, and Adrien are our only remaining agents. We were getting close to something and were viciously attacked. I'm not sure who was behind it, but many of our agents were killed and when I managed to get you to the Aslyum the doctors said that you only remembered basic ideas from your childhood. I managed to find a trail leading me to your memories and the devil. Someone powerful must be behind it if they could involve the most powerful devils in Egorian to their cause. I was trying to round up some more leads when I got caught up in this. You need to team up with the others, Sydney included a quick description of Sydney specifically noting her height and desire to hind behind disguises. Look for her spider familiar, she'll be near. Meet at Asmodeus' Rest, in the private dining room. When you guys are together, find Dice Drem; I believe he can lead you to a contract. Be respectful though, he is a flighty halfling
You may all make Sense Motive checks.
Lugen's lips are moving even as the executioner places him on the block and put the noose around his neck. The executioner steps forward to the switch and asks Lugen a question.
Perception DC 15:
The executioner asks "Any last words" Lugen smiles. "No preist?"
The executioner takes his step away and pulls the lever. Lugen's quick fall is stopped abruptly. The pop of is neck is easily audible to all of you. The execution steps forwards and feels the teifling at the neck. He turns to the crowd, "He's dead." The crowd erupts in applause. The executioner turns, closes the teifling's eyes, and pulls him down from the noose. The Hell Knights drag him away, taking with them the one link you had to the past.
You may all make a Perception and an intelligence check.
The sound echoes ominously, somehow enhanced by the tightly packed bodies instead of muffled. A brief moment of silence as the executioner feels the tiefling's neck and then speaks.
Executioner wrote:
"He's dead."
And just like that, all my theories crumble into dust. People don't take lies to their deathbed. Secrets maybe, but never lies. It's too late to apologize, so I do the only thing I know how. I draw my sword, saluting a memory. Sheathe it. Focus. What's first?
