"Oh! You that's him, Tholvinus." Arenthea says now a bit put off. She begins again drawing near her voice lowering into a more conspiratorial tone. "But more interesting still, Leventi often leases the soul of an assassin named Ophelia Peran from Yseldra the night hag down on Maze Way to do his dirty work for him."
Obviously mustering the last of her patience, Zarta looks over to the petitioner outside, and back to the erinyes librarian. "Do tell."
"Oh! That's her." Arenthea says seeing Peran through the doorway. She visibly deflates under Zarta's unblinking gaze. Her ears droop to the side. "Well, besides gathering most of the pieces of his Thrune collection, I made it a bit easier to access such heirlooms.... Vaguely worded contracts were signed. Vague enough that someone like Leventi might be able to take advantage of the wording to just take heirlooms without going through proper channels.... It's not illegal though! There was no collusion! Even your bone-headed friend, Vetrivides, would have to admit that."
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Atum spends some time to discuss with Aranthea nuances of extraplanar elementals density as well as personal intrinsic motivation and unmade decisions which may affect owners soul. And some multiverse part as a conclusion.
Elf smiles while Aranthea participate in show "you tell - we done" with Tholvinus, Zarta and Teena involving.
That is a true diviners mastery - find resources before someone even mentioned it. I suggest you learn more about Ralzeros 'the Overwatched' - very complicated person. Now, have a nice... eternity. We should go, don't we?
Atum don't wanna talk about hell's legality.
.... We should go, don't we?
I agree, let's meet with Rowane, everything else is wasting time.
The tieflings at Infernal Ferriers are genuinely happy (and surprised) to see you all again. For 10 gp a piece the company members are allowed aboard giant bone basket. Once everyone is aboard and in their seats the infernal roc screams from somewhere above dives for the basket and tears it from the tower balcony.
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The palace of the Queen of Dis sprawls expansively in the shadow of the Iron Scepter, a haven of darkly beautiful foliage amid iron and flame. Beyond gates of intricately woven branches, floating forested terraces orbit the grounds, sending cataracts of spring water into the tree line below. Groves and structures seem to shift subtly as if the ground were some slumbering behemoth, and smaller infernal beasts prowl the treetop terraces and soaring bridges between wings of the palace. The plaza before Eleusys brims with petitioners, devils, and visitors to Dis queueing for an audience with Erecura or her handmaidens: the norns Felixia, Rowane, and Selieste.
The creatures waiting in line grumble as a livery-adorned imp with a runed halo ignores them, approaching the newcomers instead.
“Greetings from my mistress, Rowane. She welcomes you to Eleusys and bids you wait here a moment until I return to fetch you.”
As the imp flies away, it is accosted by an exquisitely groomed Keleshite man in fine robes and a blue turban.
“I have an urgent matter regarding a contractual error that cannot wait! A devil has stolen my property…” The imp ignores the man, who grinds his teeth in frustration at the palace gates.
He turns suspiciously to Jair a big silver Aspis amulet handing from his neck. "Possibly. You have access to the ears that I am here to speak to. I made a deal with a devil--any of my possessions for a wish. Too late did I realize the fiend had was eyeing my slave-apprentice. Before I could stop him, the devil whisked my apprentice away in payment for the debt. What he and my apprentice did not know however was that I had already submitted the paperwork to free him. Thus his pending status was as a free person, not my property at all. I have all the paperwork here now. I merely need to get the information to someone in authority, before Narsino gets himself killed."
A bit uncomfortable with this new turn of events, Leona again lets Jair and, if she speaks up, Chandu do the talking. It didn't really make sense for them to stop for every little thing, but she would be lying if she said that she didn't wonder at least a little about the not-free apprentice.
"I imagine we can help if it's not out of alignment with our own goals..." she allows.
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Once away from all the other denizens, Lasaraleen will channel healing to the party in an alley or someplace unseen.
Finally happy to see someone trying to do the right thing, Lasaraleen chimes in...
Well, I think we will be able to help. You totally are not from around here if you are trying to free a slave and return his soul. Although, why you would be bargaining with a devil in the first place is suspect. we might be able to persuade someone to help you here.
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Atum points his fellows attention to the Silver Aspis badge, puts finger to lips and after this comes to interact with the colleague-mage.
NIce to meet you, colleague. We are here on investigation purposes. And met Narsino while he ambushed us. Not alone, surlely. There you can see his unlucky fellow, who now under my protection. Long story without end, at least for now. Anyway, Narsino was arrested as he tryed to hunt us without official approval. But I suppose, he was juked around as other participants. Now, I'd like to see papers.
And also, if we come to agreement - I'd spend some time sharing spells, as my spellbook need some better instruments.
The Aspis agent considers. "I am Kirash Nouri."
After introductions Kirash pulls a folio of papers from his haversack and offers it for inspection. Surprisingly Jair snaps the folio out of the other's hands, and turns to a couple of key paragraphs in the documents, so quickly it is as if she had them memorized, and with all the jargon and professionalism of a trained barrister. Her conclusion is that while a typical infernal court would most-likely side with with the Aspis agent that enforcing or even getting to such a trial will require the intersession of a higher authority.
Just then, the strangely haloed imp returns. "Your time has come. Follow me." it says without any trace of irony or emotion.
"We're not going in there are we? I mean look at this guy. I wouldn't trust him any further than I could kick Shrec over here." says a worried Tholvinus from his cell. "What's with those freaky glowing letter-things floating around his head anyway?"
The other imp takes no notice.
And also, if we come to agreement - I'd spend some time sharing spells, as my spellbook need some better instruments.
The imp leads the party through wide corridors of darkly beautiful foliage that wander far enough from the iron streets of the city to be insulated from the omnipresent noise and heat. The journey concludes at a three-tiered gallery displaying armor, weapons, relics, and framed woven swatches, all built around a wide-branched blackwood tree with leaves of gold. A dark-haired woman standing 14 feet in height looks away from a skein of thread and rises in greeting. Like a towering marble statue she gestures toward seats around an intricately carved oaken table.
“Welcome to Eleusys, travelers. Take respite and refreshment as guests in the home of my queen, Erecura. I, Rowane, greet you in her name.” She too has the curious runic circle of glowing characters hovering about her head like a crown. Her eyes burn with the same light.
She waits for introductions, as a small flock of imps rush in from all sides bearing size-appropriate goblets, and platters of fruits, cheeses, and other finger foods.
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Chandu steps forward and bows, Greetings my Lady, my name is Chandu of the Pathfinder Society and these are my companions she says gesturing to the group and introducing each of them.
She takes out the scroll inviting them to the meeting, We understand that you wished to meet with us, might I respectfully ask why?
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And also, if we come to agreement - I'd spend some time sharing spells, as my spellbook need some better instruments.
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Atum is interested in things around and even Veshtahz becomes visible after couple minutes.
My name is Atum Shane, and this is Veshtahz. I am Scarab Sage and always look for science, magic, and reason around to acumulate knowledge. As clear from emotion and hesitations as possible. It's an honor for us to be here, madam Rowane. And its smells good here, not as outside. Even though part of my fate now belongs to Dis.
“My queen knows of your investigation and wishes to take up the matter. Leventi made certain promises in Hell’s name, the details known to him alone. She asks that you retrieve his personal records—should your investigation prove successful—so that she can see his obligations fulfilled and no one else suffers for his alleged mistakes.”
duke responsible for Leventi would suffer a setback. Any or all of these might be motivation to help the party.
"Should you agree to help my queen as her agents, I am authorized to give you tokens of that trust that show you walk Hell with her authority. Is it a bargain?"
"Splendid. It is settled then."
Immediately, a pack of imps appear from nowhere to affix strange pins fashioned to look like halos that surround their, and their mistresses head.
"Now my agents, what have you perceived thus far in your inquiries?"
"It seems you have uncovered much, mortals. On behlf of our queen and in her name I bid thee to search Leventi's scriptorium in the Fastness, find whatever other evidence is there to be had and deal with the wayward devil as suits you."
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Atum still wonders about documents he had found day before in Fastness, but could not understand clues from. So maybe this would be fine mission for Zarta. We still got some message scrolls, are we?
We may also visit Vetrirvides to give Zarta some time and share with him investigation results. After this, yeah, Leventi's scriptorium can expect some guests...
"We probably ought to regardless," Leona agrees grimly.
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If we go see the traitor, lets talk with the imp. As it was with Leventi before, it could help us.
Jair turns to the imp and says Tholvinius, time to repay us for getting you out of the table prize. We have now the authorization to get into Leventi's home and take him down for good, or Hell.
What do you know about the layers of his office? Is there some sort of secret entrance we can go by to surprise him?
Now we are onto him, you know that he has no chance of getting out of this...
Turning to her comrades she adds Better be prepared.
If we go see the traitor, lets talk with the imp. As it was with Leventi before, it could help us.
Jair turns to the imp and says Tholvinius, time to repay us for getting you out of the table prize. We have now the authorization to get into Leventi's home and take him down for good, or Hell.
What do you know about the layers of his office? Is there some sort of secret entrance we can go by to surprise him?Now we are onto him, you know that he has no chance of getting out of this...
"Yes. I feel so free." Tholvinius says wryly from within his iron bird cage. "Yeah, I can kinda describe it. There's this sort of church temple entrance hall on the other side of doors in the Fastness. Leventi customized his scriptorium with bits of the material plane--you know, bits of architecture from your world that he liked. Anyhow, each of the rooms is connected by a conduit that looks like a big soul contract. There's a lot of other contracts on the walls--trophies really--but you'll be able to tell the difference. The whole place is sort of a museum with statues and stuff. The entrance hall has the biggest one--Leventi himself of course. If you turn left there's a sort of tower scribe's room. To the right of the entrance is an archive that stinks of incense. Straight ahead through the scroll opposite the doors is more museum, portraits, the prow of some old ship, etc.... There's another travel scroll in that chamber that leads elsewhere, but I've never been through it."
The imp can draw a simple map of the scriptorium.
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Yes we need to be prepared.
Atum thinks so hard that even stumbles while party walks towrads Fastness. He decides talk to Teena Forester.
Teena, if you have some relevant information about Leventi or our investigation - its a good time to speak. Later, when we reach scriptorium I'd ask you to support us as far as you can do this without overstepping juristic part of your conditions here. Remember, we all want to break out of hell. At least for now. And please, try to be polite with Zarta even though your past with her is questionable.
Atum waits for some time for feedback, and than decides to ask Tholvinus, almost ignoring the fact imp incaged.
You are really useful imp, Tholvinus, I appereciate you with us. My questions are: is there any other creatures or beings who could help Leventi with phisycal might or magic? Also, where on this plan possibly could be found your master?
As party get closer, Atum will use Arcane Eye for closer observation of scriptorium.
Teena, if you have some relevant information about Leventi or our investigation - its a good time to speak. Later, when we reach scriptorium I'd ask you to support us as far as you can do this without overstepping juristic part of your conditions here.
"Yes master. I will do whatever you say master."
Remember, we all want to break out of hell. At least for now. And please, try to be polite with Zarta even though your past with her is questionable.
"Yes, master. As you say."
Atum waits for some time for feedback, and than decides to ask Tholvinus, almost ignoring the fact imp incaged.
You are really useful imp, Tholvinus, I appereciate you with us. My questions are: is there any other creatures or beings who could help Leventi with phisycal might or magic? Also, where on this plan possibly could be found your master?
"Well Gellius, used to be kept in the room with the boat, but after we attempted to escape through the Hellmouth they took him through that last scroll so somewhere on the other side of that--maybe?" says Tholvinus.
As party get closer, Atum will use Arcane Eye for closer observation of scriptorium.