Although not entirely unexpected, Leona still wrinkles her nose at the thick, strangling air that clogs her nose and attempts to claw at her throat. How... disgusting. Attentive to her new surroundings, she marks the strange banners and shivers a little when she notes that the heat isn't feigned - the river of fire looks like it wouldn't be a nice way to die.
"If we've only two writs, I imagine we'll take one and Lady Zarta will be taking the other," Leona points out. "So we'd best stick together."
When the decision is made, Leona only shrugs. Her vote, too, would have been for the libraries, given that Zarta appeared to know what she was doing. The library and its resident seemed like more of a sure thing than not.
Of course, when she finally steps into the library with the others, she's entirely torn between the desire to lose herself in the tomes and flinching away from the bottled souls. As distracted as she is, she, too, jumps to attention when Chandu suddenly snarls at an imp.
Feeling foolish, she returns to the task at hand. Her skink rummages through her pocket, so she places a hand in to stroke at his head. Vetrivides sounded like an important name, though. Perhaps there would be signs to seek him out? Wary of magical notices, she quietly casts read magic before looking around.
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She nods as she accepts the sending scroll from Zarta and places it in a scroll tube within her haversack for safe keeping.
Very well.
Lasaraleen likewise turns up her nose at the smell and then the sight of the place.
Ewww. This is even worse than I imagined. Totally dreadful, really. I won't be able to get the stench from my hair and clothes for a week...if ever!
She follows the others as Zarta heads to the market.
She will also look around to see if any of the local denizens have taken notice.
I would normally cast a protective circle against evil but in this place, that may only attract undue attention. I definitely am not a fan of being out in the open here. Or of splitting the group.
Do we need to enter the awful tower?
Hundreds of imps in a building, you mean you gotta destroy each and every one? Greaaaat. He says great not to enthusiately.
Yes?
Says Jair, looking at the infinite parchment.
She nods as she accepts the sending scroll from Zarta and places it in a scroll tube within her haversack for safe keeping.
Hundreds of imps in a building, you mean you gotta destroy each and every one? Greaaaat. He says great not to enthusiately.
After three hours the party is directed by an information desk attendant to the waiting area outside of a private scriptorium on the 666th floor that is apparently used by of all beings a devil named Leventi. Sure enough standing outside the office is a bone devil.
The creature is well-named. Vetrivides (if indeed this is the devil) is a nine-foot-tall mostly-humanoid skeleton held together by red glistening muscles and sinew. Its eyes glow with an unnatural red fire. It is only mostly humanoid because of its multi-jointed legs and huge skeletal scorpion's tail that rises at the group's approach.
“The servants of Draleen? Where is your mistress, mortals? I should kill you where you stand for this insult.” It's mouth doesn't really move and yet its voice seems to ring in the party members' heads. Its eyes flash and it advances on the party. Its naked form is disturbingly genderless. Fear radiates from the thing like a physical force, like heat off a road.
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Chandu just about holds herself together in the face of this horror. Looking over at Shrec and seeing him wavering she nods at Lasaraleen, Can you do something for him?
Turning to their host she bows as gracefully as her armour allows. We apologise for disturbing you mighty Vetrivides. Zarta has taken a different route in our investigation. We agreed that it would be more efficient for us to split up and seek more information in that way. She has gone to the Market of Breaths to pursue additional leads while we soght you out to see if any further information has come to light. Of course we retain the ability to communicate with each other magically and would be happy to alert Zarta that you wished to speak to her directly if that is your wish
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Lasaraleen stares at the unusually tall skeletal creature, almost ready to blurt out before she remembers we are here as guests.
Indeed, we were sent to seek your counsel.
aid Chandu
She nods to Chandu regarding Shrec and will prepare to cast remove fear should he turn to flee (as opposed to just shaken).
Unsure of how to handle this encounter, Leona merely looks on as the two who are more swift and silvertongued try to make a better impression on the frankly terrifying looking skeleton. They'd already spent three hours trying to seek Vetrivides out - how much time would they lose trying to gain the information they wanted?
The devil smiles at Shrec's discomfort.
“You will suffice in this difficult moment. Rejoice in your adequacy.” The osyluth’s stinger settles and the devil rises to their full nine feet, claws clasped behind their back, echoing memories of a dozen venture-captain lectures.
“Phistophilus Leventi stands on the cusp of promotion, with only a final review remaining. My analysis into his work is part of that review, and I have found troubling indications of resources improperly allocated and also of clumsily executed language in his contracts. I am currently stationed here and unable to continue my work, however. You creatures will act as my agents in exchange for certain seized contraband, per my bargain with your mistress.”
The devil gestures toward an ironbound collection of parchment.
“Here are my notes, including a list of Leventi’s suspect contracts that warrant further examination. Also, his agents have made several forays to the Ghetto of Outcasts. I have recorded their route as far as my agent followed. Pick up the trail from there to learn more. Also—” They flip musingly through a maze of text before settling a claw on a name. “Yesss. Jarluxis. Seek out this other phistophilus here in the Fastness. She has lost several contracts to Leventi and has incentive to demonstrate her competence with a successful investigation of her coworker.”
Closing the book, they refocus their skeletal gaze. “Hasten in your work. When your writ expires, so does your usefulness.” They pause and glare. “Go. Now.”
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Lasaraleen will indeed cast remove fear on Shrec to keep him from running.
She says little to the devil, letting the others speak as she worries she may jeopardize the mission with something about the Dawnflower.
She will pearl the spell back once they depart the devils sight.
I suggest we use one of the scrolls of sending to contact Zarta and let her know of our transactions and destinations.
Seeming elsewhere, Jair don’t say a word but smile at the mighty devil as it plays with them.
Lets find secrets then!
She takes the proferred set of notes. Given that Jarluxis is here I suggest we start with her. Do you know where we can find her? This place is rather large.
.... {Fiery glare}
"Hopefully we'll have a better time of it this time," Leona nods her agreement.
Carefully, she tries to snag an imp and inquires, "Where might we find Jarluxis?" If there's a lack of cooperation, she'll snap, "Vetrivides wants to know!"
"Okay! Okay! Down on fifty. Sheesh!"
The party finds a scriptorium, amid the hundreds of others in which they find a devilish woman with unnaturally pink skin, and blood-colored robes. The woman stands pondering over long scroll on the table before her tapping her barbed black stylus against her lips. A small ink pot full of blood with sits nearby. From the woman's back sprout a number of long curling horns strung with more scrolls like a strange sort of coat rack.
"...'blood-letting'? No, 'exsanguination'. Yes, 'exsanguination'! Perfect!" she adds the word to the scroll and then continues writing.
Turning to Chandru Jair says I think that’s what Vetrivides asks us to do...
... In exchange for girding the Mortal Client in the vestment of good health (see appendix 2, paragraph 2), the Mortal Client will provide the Codex (see section 1, paragraph 2) with all of their mortal belief in unfounded and unreasonable expectations of reality (hereafter referred to as 'Hope')....
There is a space at the bottom for a signature. And a black, barbed metal stylus on the lectern but no ink....
Sign Jair. Sign.
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Chandu steps forward, Greetings Jarluxis, please accept our humble apologies for disturbing you. We are here as agents for Vetrivedes she says holding up the writ. As I am sure you are aware Vetrivides is currently undertaking a review of the actions of a certain devil by the name of Leventi. I think you must be familiar with the name. We would appreciate it if you could provide any information which might assist us with our investigation into the activities of Leventi...
Irritably Jarluxis rubs the bridge of her nose with her free hand and looks up at Chandu. This devil is more human-scaled and the furniture in the room reflects this, nevertheless it seems like she is looking down upon the half-elf. "Really? And you think that my time is worth less than some lowly osyluth’s. Time is souls, and I do not work for free. If you have nothing to offer then I do not have time for you."
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Lasaraleen opens her mouth to say something, but then realizes she does not have anything she deems the demanding deviless will find worthy to bargain.
She starts again...with a touch of glory
Jarluxis, in order to save your time, and if we may dare ask, what is typical to offer in this city for the information such as we seek.
A halo of golden light outlines Lasaraleen as she steps forward.
Jarluxis, in order to save your time, and if we may dare ask, what is typical to offer in this city for the information such as we seek.
"This being Hell, souls are traditional...." she replies and lets the offer sink in. "However fervor such as yours is a rare enough commodity. I could spare you a few moments of my rather expensive time for your passion. I think I even have the paperwork here somewhere." She looks around her desk.
Chandu also slides in with a comment, Surely the opportunity to stymie a rival and theeby advance onself is a significant reward in and of itself...
"Really? I think you put too much importance on this-- what did you say the name was again? Do not bother me again unless you are prepared to make a deal. I am a very busy individual." She sets back to work.
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Well, I can assure you, I will not be selling my soul for any information you may have....since I only have one.
Lasarleen considers asking more about passions, but figures it could put her in jeopardy of her relationship with Sarenrae and require atonement or worse.
Unless someone else is willing to jump in on the offer, she adds..
I guess we will look around for someone else with the information we seek. Someone willing to barter more easily. Thanks.
Well, I can assure you, I will not be selling my soul for any information you may have....since I only have one.
"True. That's in part what gives the their value. However as they are generally only collectable upon death, you are not really losing anything today. In fact, some mortals can go for centuries before relinquishing their souls. If you would rather sell your soul than your passion I have the papers here somewhere."
"Now I just need a more formal verb for 'gut.'"
"Disembowel, eviscerate," Leona says, unperturbed by the woman's behavior. "Or if you're feeling particularly tricky, you could go with exenterate."
"Now that I've saved you your moments of thought, why not give us a few more seconds of your time?" she continues smoothly. "Haven't you recently lost some of your own contacts to Leventi? Surely you want some revenge. Phistophilus Leventi stands on the cusp of promotion according to Vetrivides and it seems to me that gain has come from your loss, hasn't it?"
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What Leona here says is quite true. Surely the opportunity for some payback along with the chance of self promotion is worth waiving any such fee. By aiding us perhaps you also achieve a little leverage over Vetrivedes, after all, if he only succeeds in his investigation with your help, well, that advances your cause as well.
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Jair puts her hope that signing will not affect her too much, but as soon as she signs she lose all hope of that...
Why bother. We have no hope to finish our mission in time. Better stops now and takes advantage to our time here and explore the area to our own benefits.
She says before turning to the devil, smiling.
My dear, please. I’m sure you will accept our word for it. No need of a contract! And our time is quite valuable too, even more with this hopeless mission!
** spoiler omitted **
You lost your ability to hope or aspire toward unlikely outcomes. A natural 20 no longer represents an automatic success for your attack rolls, saving throws, stabilization rolls, and other such checks. You cannot use any ability to reroll a natural 1 rolled on any d20 check.
Why bother. We have no hope to finish our mission in time. Better stops now and takes advantage to our time here and explore the area to our own benefits.
She says before turning to the devil, smiling.
My dear, please. I’m sure you will accept our word for it. No need of a contract! And our time is quite valuable too, even more with this hopeless mission!
"Are you all still here?" says the devil not looking up from her papers. She pauses and puts her stylus down.
"Wait. Perhaps there is something you can do for me. Are any of you mortals trained in contract law?"
"Well then. Have a look at this." Jarluxis steps aside to allow Chandu access to the scroll she is working on.
Shrec doesn't wish to sell his soul. Sounds tempting, but I would only ever sell my soul if a spell was cast on me to prevent me from dying of old age and possibly disease as a bonus. Cause I am confident of my abilities to take care of myself to prevent disease and obesity and I'm confident in my abilities to prevent dying of an accident, and me dying of combat will never happen as I'm too awesome. Though when the sun blows up and goes supernova, I would die, along with everyone here on Glorian.
Shrec doesn't wish to sell his soul. Sounds tempting, but I would only ever sell my soul if a spell was cast on me to prevent me from dying of old age and possibly disease as a bonus. Cause I am confident of my abilities to take care of myself to prevent disease and obesity and I'm confident in my abilities to prevent dying of an accident, and me dying of combat will never happen as I'm too awesome. Though when the sun blows up and goes supernova, I would die, along with everyone here on Glorian.
"Have you considered lichdom? It's quite a popular method of eking out a few dozen extra centuries, on some planes."
"Well, I am not one to gossip about my colleagues you understand but Leventi’s minions did recently transported a wayward imp attached to one of his contract bound souls to Eiseth's palace, Widow's Cry. Anyone unable to handle an imp should not be allowed to contract for mortal souls in my opinion, but then I just work here. The imp was, I believe, called Tholvinis, and was attached to one Gellius Thrune." she says blithely.
hmm, I see...
"Competently done for mortals. You might just find a place here."
"Well? What are you all standing around for? Go!"