World's Most Interesting What Prestige is Worth (001) [PFS CORE 10-08] (Inactive)

Game Master Great Green God

Pregen doesn't have the funds to hide from Hell's displeasure, unless it would come out of the funds of my PFS character and it is marked on the chronicle sheet and if that is the case, Yes, Shrec pays that.

"I don't see why not," Leona agrees, eating her rations for the day. "The markets may have more than just information handy." She doesn't say anything about Zarta, given that she's not really familiar enough with the woman to know where she would be most useful... Or how.

She can visit the same places the rest of the party could.

Atum loooks more fresh at the morning. He denys Arti's special protection.

Atum will join party at the Market of Breaths. It's really would be handy to separate with her. Especially if Zarta can understand / decipher documents about hellknight. There was no possibly useful spells last evening to try.

Nevertheless he will ask Veshtahz to aid.

VESH, I demand that you think so loud, that Ahriman hears you and answer. My questions are.
1. Is it important to our investigation to understand documents about hellknights?
2. Is it possible that Leventi try to destroy our team phisicaly if we prosecute him?
3. Is Gellius Thrune somehow imprisoned by Leventi?
4. Would it be dangerous to visit Rowane without disguise, just in usual form and persona? (Yes, I know Hell is dangerous in general)
5. Is Leventi corrupted and shane no order and principals of Dis?
6. Does Ahriman expect you soon or ready to wait while you corrupt elven soul and mind, Vesh?

THis is Commune spell.
After ritual done and answers are bringed, after having breakfast, Atum ready to move.

Atum loooks more fresh at the morning. He denys Arti's special protection.

Atum will join party at the Market of Breaths. It's really would be handy to separate with her. Especially if Zarta can understand / decipher documents about hellknight.

Zarta informs the party that she is heading back to the Fallen Fastness, and departs as Jair and Shrec are getting up for the last watch.

VESH, I demand that you think so loud, that Ahriman hears you and answer. My questions are.

The floating div head's eyes roll up in its skull revealing only the blacks of its sclera. It mutters in a deep, deep voice while spinning slowly in the air.

1. Is it important to our investigation to understand documents about hellknights?

"Yes." the voice that responds is not Veshtahz's own. It is deep, resonant and mocking.

2. Is it possible that Leventi try to destroy our team phisicaly if we prosecute him?

"Oh, yes. Yes indeed." This time there is glee in it as well.

3. Is Gellius Thrune somehow imprisoned by Leventi?

"Leventi holds the contract on his soul."

4. Would it be dangerous to visit Rowane without disguise, just in usual form and persona?

"Heheheh. 'Rowane?' No."

5. Is Leventi corrupted and shane no order and principals of Dis?

"He like you is blind to the ultimate futility of existence."

6. Does Ahriman expect you soon or ready to wait while you corrupt elven soul and mind, Vesh?

"Heheheh. We have all eternity."

The doru stops orbiting, and blinks twice.

"And this one is for free master, Veshtahz hates it when you call him 'Vesh.'" he says in his own harsh voice.

The Market of Breaths is a bazaar of the bizarre. The group quickly finds that almost anything can be found here for the right price, though common mortal foods go for 100 times their normal price. If you want to shop now's your chance. And like other markets, rumors spread quickly here.

Gather info check anyone? It only takes 1d2 hours here rather then the usual time. Characters still suffer form the planar traits penalties, but not Hell's displeasure (for the next 7 hours) if you took Arti up on his deal. Zarta being here the day before gives you all an additional +2 bonus.

On her way to the Market, Jair says to Atum with a flat voice.

About our invitation at Rowane's home, don't worry, it's not to her that we need to hide our true allegiance, but to another creature. I will tell you when I will see it.

At the market, she starts picking rumors while discussing with the locals Jair speaks Infernal if it matters.

Diplomacy (Gather Info): 1d20 + 16 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 16 - 4 + 2 = 16

Chandu will also spend some time making her way through the markets, even though every minute being here makes her skin crawl and she wants to scream and scream and scream.

I think I might retire if we ever get back. Find myself a nice quiet cabin on a lake, maybe do some fishing. Somewhere there arent other people...

Gather info, hell, Zarta bonus: 1d20 + 24 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 24 - 2 + 2 = 34

Thank you, Veshtahz. I appreciate your job and involving in my fate. I just think that demands might be sad LIKE THAT. I will bother you in the future just if you annoy me, deal?

Atum would like to spend time for buy useful and rare components. He is dissapointed that even here some goods can't be bought by him because of Core Curse.

Finding out how much food here costs, Atum will try to sale couple of cucumber lembas, and even bottle of wine with grape pieces.

Apprise: 10 + 3 + 2 + 1d20 - 4 ⇒ 10 + 3 + 2 + (18) - 4 = 29

Hours of time spent: 1d2 ⇒ 1 Currently you have been in Hell for 30 hours.

Jair, many of the denizens of the market have telepathy or permanent tongues effects running, though there are many translators and guides available for hire as well.

After a while, the party gathers back together to share what they have found out that might be pertinent to their mission.

they learn that merchants from around the multiverse offer wares ranging from fabulous physical treasures to emotions, experiences, and concepts. The sellers prefer more exotic commodities than gold in trade. The whole district is overseen by the great blue dragon, Erzylian, who watches from the pinnacle above.

Mortal merchants here have particular interest in unsullied food and drink. (The gnome Artinean Tecbright has been eagerly purchasing any food he can find.) A wine and cucumber buyer perhaps, Atum?

The erinyes Arenthea is a known associate of Leventi’s and seems particularly desperate to acquire any rare tomes or secrets.

The night hag Yseldra buys, sells, and leases the souls of dead warriors from her well-hidden shop. Word is she is renting the soul of Ophelia Peran, a former Thrune agent, to Leventi, but she’s grown aggravated with the contract devil’s high-pressure tactics to buy the contract. The likelihood that she would make another deal with Leventi is slim. Ophelia was in life an expert in infiltration assassination. Five years ago she was involved in the disappearance/kidnapping of Zarta Dralneen.

What would you like to do with this information? Remember you have a number of places you could go, and a number of scrolls of sending to get in touch with Zarta with if you like.

Shrec wants to find these merchants and know how and why this food goes unsullied in Hell, more importantly why the drink doesn't evaporate.

Chandu sifts through the various information they have found. We are running out of time, we should follow leads most directly relevant to what we are here for. I suggest we speak to this Erinyes or Nighthag. We shoud let Zarta know about both so she can pursue the one we dont cover.

Lasaraleen nods in agreement.

Absolutely. I will send the message to Zarta about the scoop on Ophelia and this The erinyes Arenthea. We can also let her know where we are heading next. Suggestions on wording? "

Ok, so we have 25 words to send on all this info, some of which Zarta may know.

"Infiltration assassin Ophelia Peran, Thrune, leased to Leventi, owned by night hag Yesldra? Yseldra angry with Leventi?" Leona offers. "And we can just inclue where we're heading at the end?"

Chandu sifts through the various information they have found. We are running out of time, we should follow leads most directly relevant to what we are here for. I suggest we speak to this Erinyes or Nighthag. We shoud let Zarta know about both so she can pursue the one we dont cover.

Zarta is currently 3 hours away at the Fallen Fastness working on leads generated by the documents you got your hands on yesterday.

Remember too, that you have six scrolls of sending so you could pull a Trump tweet (.... SAD) and send two or more messages.

1d2 ⇒ 1

Yseldra's shop is hard to find, basically it is a hole-in-the-wall down a winding alleyway. It's unmarked doorway opens on to a small parlor decorated like someone's grand mother's living room with a couch and various mismatched chairs, a coffee table and shelves full of nick-knacks and scrapbooks filled with images and contracts for the souls she owns.

"Go ahead look through the albums." says Yseldra, who looks as though she could be someone's grandmother. She presses through a beaded curtain and into the next room continuing to talk as she does. "Did anyone want any tea or cookies while you browse? I might have brownies." The group can hear her moving things around in what sounds like her kitchen.

"What where you looking for, exactly? Was it something kinky? You can tell Yseldra. I don't judge. I mean you're already in Hell, right?"

Shane is good to share some lembas and wine with Arti for free so that they wont overstay his welcome next veset.

Atum's sure that Zarta might have some tomes to exchange Arantheas good will, so he suggests that team visit the night hag. Or Zarta may be involved in conflict of interests.

Say, we are going to visit Yseldra
-----

Inside the shop...
Atum trys to be polite and even Doru doesn't become invisible in such place.
Madam, we are looking for hellknight souls or evidences of where they are physicaly... one of them might be (or was) a paladin, and other might be traitor.
And yes, I'd gladly taste some tea... one brownie for me and one for my Doru fellow.

Atum also looks for familiar soul-pigments or namesm when looking through catalogue.

Chandu browses idly through the ship. Yes, we are looking for information on the soul of Phelia Peran, we understand you have control over her contract?

Diplomacy, hell: 1d20 + 24 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 24 - 2 = 41

Lasaraleen uses the scroll of sending to send the message to Zarta as suggested and adding our destination

” ...and visiting Yseldra “

Inside the shop...

Atum trys to be polite and even Doru doesn't become invisible in such place.
Madam, we are looking for hellknight souls or evidences of where they are physicaly... one of them might be (or was) a paladin, and other might be traitor.
And yes, I'd gladly taste some tea... one brownie for me and one for my Doru fellow.

Atum also looks for familiar soul-pigments or namesm when looking through catalogue.

"I've got a few Hellknights, but 'traitors?' A lost love, elf? I am forever fascinated by your mortal relationships. Do you want to show them how successful you have become since their demise? I love that sort of thing. The old twist of the dagger. It's just romantic in me. Tee-hee. I could maybe cut you a little deal on the price if can attend the reunion." says the little old woman in a mock conspiratorial tone.

She comes in with a tray of tea and cookies.

Chandu browses idly through the ship. Yes, we are looking for information on the soul of Phelia Peran, we understand you have control over her contract?

"Oh yes. She was a Thrune agent, you know. Very dangerous." She manipulates a scrapbook via mage hand. The pages flip to reveal a dark-skinned woman dressed in a charcoal gray cloak, along with her personal data. "That's her there. But if you want to buy her it will be 20,000 gp if you are paying in gold as you mortals do, however I am willing to be paid in other currencies as well." she says staring at Jair. "The soul's price is high because of her usefulness, and because she is currently being leased to a devil, so I need to cover the contract’s termination fee."

None of the Hellknights Yseldra has the contracts for belong to any one you know or have heard of. The contracts for those Hellknights are held by Leventi after all.

Lasaraleen receives a sending back from Zarta.

Lawyers say that you can't barter with others' souls. The Hellknights' contract dubious at best. We should meet to discuss. Time is short. ~ Love Zarta.

Jair looks blandly at the old woman.

She draws one of the scroll the Paracountess gave them and uses it.
Price for Phelia Peran soul 20,000 gp. Want us to bargain? Can you pay the price?

Chandu opemly scoffs at the suggestion of 20000gp. Such nonsense, a simple mortal soul, even a dangerous one, is certainly not worth so much and be selling it to us you also frustrate the devil Leventi. I am sur that is something you would find amusing.

Diplomacy, hell: 1d20 + 24 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 24 - 2 = 36

Apprise: 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 4 = 9
Sense motive: 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 2 - 4 = 7

Atum calculating something after wearing his blindfold, and answered:

First of all you should know we are working with Vetrividies, trying to find some evidences of Leventis's... khm... heresy. He nods
I had no close relations with hellknights, and do not plan to. But if you are interested in my person, lets say I can share a spark of elven magic if it can be bartered, or you give us discount at least. 20 000 GP is a huge amount of resourses for us. Hopefully, that soul is not necessary for us, even being interesting trade object.

Chandu opemly scoffs at the suggestion of 20000gp. Such nonsense, a simple mortal soul, even a dangerous one, is certainly not worth so much and be selling it to us you also frustrate the devil Leventi. I am sur that is something you would find amusing.

"My aren't we the little name droppers. I normally do not divulge the identity of my clients, but Leventi is a bit of a prat. I will tell you what I will do, I will drop the price to 5,000 gp, or one person's doom--their fate which is an excellent deal even if I do say so myself."

I had no close relations with hellknights, and do not plan to....

"Too bad, I was hoping someone might know where he got his new Hellknight from."

Selling your 'doom' to the nice old lady is one of those deals that would persist beyond the scope of the scenario. Basically, it opens your PC up to possible future doom/hazards/etc.... (As the GM, I am contractually obligated to say no more.) Anyone though can make the deal. Otherwise it will cost you 5,000 gp in coin or other valuables (as Yseldra judges them) to progress any further in the purchasing process.

"Come now, are most mortal's futures worth so much as another's soul?"

Having already engaged too much of herself, Jair stays silent, waiting for Zarta's response.

Huh. A fate, you say. It's unproven as karma, or as khm Arodens post incident life. If you able take part of my fate - maybe it would become approval for me. Ok, deal. I will exchange part or fate, or fate as general, without possibility to be mentaly or phisicaly enslaved by new Atum's fate owner or co-owner. Let Nethys be my patro. - finally Atum showing Mask talisman which winks twice.

Atum hopes that team at least spend some gold for Peran's soul ...

Lasaraleen does not even consider selling any part of her fate to the crone.

”If mortal fates and souls are not worth as much, how about an immortal creature? We may have an imp to trade. I am tired of carting it around anyway. “

She smiles as she considers the idea...

I d be surprised if she goes for this but at least we’d be rid of the dreadful thing.

Lasaraleen does not have much available cash so hopefully Zarta will respond

"You could always set me free." says Tholvinus sticking it's tongue out at Lasaraleen. "Besides you can't trade other's fates."

Lasaraleen smiles back at the imp.

” Not likely.“

Huh. A fate, you say. It's unproven as karma, or as khm Arodens post incident life. If you able take part of my fate - maybe it would become approval for me. Ok, deal. I will exchange part or fate, or fate as general, without possibility to be mentaly or phisicaly enslaved by new Atum's fate owner or co-owner. Let Nethys be my patro. - finally Atum showing Mask talisman which winks twice.

Atum hopes that team at least spend some gold for Peran's soul ...

No more payment would be required if Atum gives up his 'fate.'

"Do we have a deal?" asks Yseldra hiding a big smile behind her triple-fudge brownie.

Otherwise, the party will have to giver her something else she wants like gold. ;)

Speaking of gold, was anyone going to pay Arti the gnome to have your '-4 to almost everything' fighter be able to fight for seven (six now) hours?

Chandu will pay for Shrec

Yeah, I am not paying you in any sort of soul. 5000gp is just too much

We have a deal!
I cannot resist such damn'good tea and bakery, madam.

Atum obviously trying to feel and analyze with Veshtazes aid and scanning, what will happen next, when fate's mannipulation occure...

"Deal!" Yseldra pulls out a form contract and signs Peran's contract away to Atum. "Where should I tell Ophelia to meet you?"

"Come again soon!"

Now where to?

Maybe we should visit Aranthea?

Lasaraleen sighs in relief but at what price she fears

” Atum's , you sure are brave or generous. I can let Zarta know we have finished here. She may want to meet us to exchange information or leads at Arantheas . Unless there are other interests. “

Good with the suggested destination and will cast another sending from scroll if people are ready.

Oh. Will she be able to meet us now? Thats cute. Tell Ophelia to find us here at Market of Breaths, near Aranthea's?!

Atum think it is close feeling to another one, when they desperately tryed to save one of Blakros ladies and at the same time not die within black tentacles area. Blakros died, but Pathfinder prevailed this time.

He than turns to Lassarleen
Yes, Lass. That would be nice if you connect madam Dralneen and tell we want to meet nearby Aranthea's place. And thank you, but thats not about bravery.

Chandu heads out of the shop, I am not sure what we gained was worth the price Atum. Let's find this Aranthea, I would that we were rid of this place as soon as possible.

Lasaraleen sends the message to Zarta

Rushed the above as heading to work. Will accept tweaking of message

On the way to their rendezvous (with Jair and Lasaraleen bearing the heavy litter for Tholvinus), Chandu and Lasaraleen note the broad alleyway clear of most traffic, most traffic that is except for the party of ambushers laying in wait, weapons at the ready.

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Leona
__ Shrec
__ Six idenitcal men with rapiers moving in perfect sync (red)
__ Lasaraleen
__ Jair
__ Atum
__ woman on a roof in black flexible Hellknight plate with a bow (blue)
__ woman in dark cloak standing in the shadows with a greatsword (black)
__ Chandu
__ Veshtahz

Map (slide 6) updated

"Oh crap! Look out!" shouts Tholvinus.

Chandu does have cobat reflexes and a reach weapon so if an enemy provokes she will take a swing.

Shrecbot takes a step toward the nearest threat and unsheathes both his weapons.

Leonabot throws up a shield and shouts "What do you want?"

"Your heads of course." say the six men with one voice. He points his free hand at Chandu with a word a beam of negative energy lances outward. "You've ticked off the wrong devil."

ray v Chandu (arcane accuracy, ranged touch, v flat-footed): 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 3 = 17

Chandu Fort save DC 16. Failure leaves Chandu feeling exhausted, success means she's just fatigued.

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Leona
__ Shrec
__ Six idenitcal men with rapiers moving in perfect sync (red)
__ Lasaraleen
__ Jair
__ Atum
__ woman on a roof in black flexible Hellknight plate with a bow (blue)
__ woman in dark cloak standing in the shadows with a greatsword (black)
__ Chandu
__ Veshtahz

Map (slide 6) updated

With no expression of fear, anger or joy, Jair calls for her god to protect the secrets she learned.
move action: copy cat (1/10) Now two Jair coexist.

Then she turns her attention to the archer and with an flat voice she says Nobody want to hurt you my dear. So no need to attack. Be like me, cool, calm and alive.

Calm Emotions Will DC21

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

The six-fold man lowers his sword a bit.

"No. I must fight. It is my only chance." He seems to be trying to fight off the effects. Unlike his fellows he is mortal, and not a petitioner.

Veshtaz flying to wonder who is in the rooftop. He is constantly detects some auras.

Atum steps closer to Jair and wispers Fluctus! , while pointing 6 mens (or just one?) . As Atum throws glass bead, Aqueous Orb was conjured. So wave went throug all the men.

6-men, Reflex DC 20 plz

Fortitude: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Chandu shrugs off the effect of the spell, You will have to try harder than that she mutters with a slightly weary grin.

[dice=Will]1d20+8

The six-fold man lowers his sword a bit.

"No. I must fight. It is my only chance." He seems to be trying to fight off the effects. Unlike his fellows he is mortal, and not a petitioner.

Is he the archer? I think that was who Jair targeted.

Narsino Gabet wrote:

[dice=Will]1d20+8

The six-fold man lowers his sword a bit.

"No. I must fight. It is my only chance." He seems to be trying to fight off the effects. Unlike his fellows he is mortal, and not a petitioner.

Is he the archer? I think that was who Jair targeted.

True! Fix when I get home.