Sounds like a plan to me
Without making too much of a fuss, Leona nods respectfully to the skeleton-woman, well aware that she's likely already forgotten them, before following the others. Though she's interested in being helpful, the air itself is foul enough to have her struggling just to breathe.
"Hmmm, I'm not sure what direction we should be heading in," Leona frowns as they step out of the room. "Does anyone else know? Should we get some directions?"
Yes, have Lasaraleen point the way.
A mountain of brass and iron blades rises on the outskirts of the city: this is the palace of Eiseth, the Erinyes Queen. Impaled bodies adorn the mountain, and screams of suffering echo for miles. A black cloud of erinyes circles above, while legions of devils train and clash in claustrophobic alleys and miles-wide plazas. Arenas line the fringes of Eiseth’s domain, and a steady flow of contenders rush to test themselves in the Queen of Night’s gladiatorial matches.
Throngs of devils and other creatures mill about the plaza the party arrives in.
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”Definitely makes you want to like totally live right so as to not end up in this dreadful place. I am not sure how Zarta can stand dealing with them. “
She pauses and looks around.
”Well, we are here. Wherever here is. Now what? I wonder what this imp will have to say. Hopefully not more soul trading.“
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All the time Pathfinder have spent in this place of Evil, far away from home and the Lodge, they felt being observed and followed. As paranoia grew stronger, they arrives to the imps location.
Lasareleen feels some movement, and thereafter, with low poofff appears an elf, just from outter corner. His eyes covered with blindfold, he is simply clothed in simple explorers outfit, with a bunch of scrolls sticking up from grey bag.
See you as real, fellows. Some time ago I was visited buy pigeon. The map he brought to me with a letter might be wrong. Because with it help warden Zey teleported me here. There might be a mistake. Or is this place full of memoryes and knowledgge to seek and explore?] asks elf with dirty blond hair... with simple u wayfinder coverd by Nethys pon his chest.
Oh, where is my manners he nods My name is Atum Shane, Obsidian Sage. At your service
He than looks up in the air, trying to find some star or object. Shaked hair, and askes.
So, who are we witing for? And how can we lost hope, was it followed you?
"This place is full of motives not our own," Leona says with a frown, suspicious of the new character. "How long have we to find a solution to this problem?" Given that Aram Zey really did send him, she's of the opinion that he'll be aware they've only forty-eight hours.
And well. If he wasn't sent by Aram Zey, he'll be of the demons that actually know about their time limit which, theoretically, should not be too numerous...
”Definitely makes you want to like totally live right so as to not end up in this dreadful place. I am not sure how Zarta can stand dealing with them. “
She pauses and looks around.
”Well, we are here. Wherever here is. Now what? I wonder what this imp will have to say. Hopefully not more soul trading.“
"You've got soles? I trade in soles! How much you want for them?" asks the diabolic cobbler and boot-black Chandu looms over threateningly. Then looking significantly more diabolic he says "You look lost. Need guide?"
"Yikes! Oh I see how it is just because we look alike I'm supposed to know your friend. I bet we all look alike to you huh?" says the quivering Hellspawn.
Then from above two dark-winged angels with fearsome countenances descend. "What's all this the?" demands the shorter of the two brandishing her sword.
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For Leona newcomer isn't looks as a demon. But something evil lurking around him in the air...
I would trade two osirion and one vudra soles for a pair of Dis Soles. And what is your name, creature? Atum twitches his ears and then takes off his blindfold.
Probably we really need a guide as I do not recognizae this actual place. But I am not sure this creature is qualafied. As I know we've got about 2 days for our investigations. - After watching everything around, thin elf finally closed his look at the party to do a small reverance.
After arriving of new winged visitors he answered, covered eyes with palm:
We are guests and customers here. And we here for the great order. But starting with soles.
The imp was about to point and scream bloody murder while pointing at Chandu, but seems to think better of it and flies off with his shoe supplies.
"Hah! No problem at all." laughs the taller erinyes devil. It is a sound like breaking glass. "He's one of today's prizes."
"Ask for Cerenthiel, in the Riverside Arena over there." says the shorter one curtly. "She's always looking for new--albeit temporary--gladiator stock."
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I would trade two osirion and one vudra soles for a pair of Dis Soles. And what is your name, creature? Atum twitches his ears and then takes off his blindfold.
Probably we really need a guide as I do not recognizae this actual place. But I am not sure this creature is qualafied. As I know we've got about 2 days for our investigations. - After watching everything around, thin elf finally closed his look at the party to do a small reverance.
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When erinyes leave, Atum breathing heavily for a while, obviously he feels bad in this air-smells condition. He looks at Leona with empathy and speaks then.
I can try to find a person or a thing that we are looking for, but till we are trying to find an imp where imps everywhere... not sure it is good idea. My follower also has a chance to roam. Think about that - maybe we'll find good solution together. Trying to win any prizes here chalanging, and I am not iroran guy, so ... young Shane returning back to his thoughts without ending sentence.
As party start to move towards arena and look for Cerenthiel, Atum adds:
I watched over when you visited Vetrivides, but this library was to distracting for me, so sorry, could not join you earlier. ... for wise pathfinders its obvious that Atum is not sorry at all.
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I would trade two osirion and one vudra soles for a pair of Dis Soles. And what is your name, creature? Atum twitches his ears and then takes off his blindfold.
Probably we really need a guide as I do not recognizae this actual place. But I am not sure this creature is qualafied. As I know we've got about 2 days for our investigations. - After watching everything around, thin elf finally closed his look at the party to do a small reverance.
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Jair looks at the newcomer and welcome him with a smile Welcome Atum, as you can see, it seems that our pray is the prize for the Arena...
Turning to Chandru she says I agree. No hope it will goes well. But like I said to our new friend, I think we will need to defeat the arena champion to get the prize. At least, now, we know where to look and how to speak to
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Lasaraleen nods in agreement
” Yes, the arena seems to be the way these creatures will be even remotely interested in helping us. Dreadful really.“
She scratches her temple.
” I wonder if it will be a ‘pick your champion’ type arena or a team fight or free for all?“
Finally she turns to Atum
”Welcome by the way. I am Lasaraleen. A pleasure to meet you...well it would be better if we were not in this stinky place. “
"Fascinating.... You mortals wish to fight to the death do you?" says the alabaster skinned fallen one from behind her clipboard. The level of emotion registered on her too perfect features is similar to that shown by marble. Combined with the small flickering flames in her eyes and the suffering around her it is almost too much to bear.
You are in one of the preparation areas beside the Gallery of Prizes barbed, black iron cages of all descriptions line the walls or hang from chains strung along the ceiling in this huge gallery. Erinyes devils and monstrous hellhound keep watch as hopeful gladiators or their owners look at their possible winnings.
There's a loud scream and thunderous cheer from the arena floor that shakes the entire complex. Cerenthiel's doesn't change. but her raven-colored wings ruffle on her back almost of their own accord. She draws a decisive line across her notes with a barbed stylus.
She looks up with those smoldering eyes and calmly says. "I can stencil you in immediately. What do you call yourselves?"
Although she stays tense as the newcomer speaks, she relaxes bit by bit when he reveals he does, in fact, know their timeline. Given that he doesn't appear to be actively working against them, she figures it doesn't make much sense to try and wind him up just yet.
Still, his humor is... Awkward.
When they finally get the arena, she has to choke back the disgust that threatens to overwhelm her. Truly, this is absolutely horrible.
"Might we confirm that Tholvinis is among the winnings for the day?" Leona asks, eyes glittering with the thought of a fight. As terrible as she's been feeling, it might not be the best of ideas, but if she can make someone else feel half as bad as she's been doing, she'll feel much better for it.
To the others, she puts forth, "Lethal Lustre?"
"Tholvinis?" Cerenthiel says consulting her notes. "The imp? Yes. He will be in one of the bird cages along that wall. There.
The devil consults her notes. "You are scheduled to fight the Eumenides, fighters from our Lady's Legion." At this Cerenthiel shakes her head very nearly sadly. "And it is just one fight though the survivors of your team, if any, are welcome to fight again, if able. There is of course some paperwork for you to sign."
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Greetings, Las. - answered Atum, looked scepticaly. At his subtle hand appears huge spellbok. covered with brass Scarab Symbol, some obsidian and famous Pathfinders signatures.
I am not a battle mage. I prefer to predict battles and avoid them than win. But still I will participate as we need to cooperate. To be clear, about 37% battles with Pathfinder Society involving statisticaly ends lethaly. So, agree with Lethal Lesture... whatever lesture is.
He than made a circle-protection movenent with left hand as half-trnsparent force conjured around.
I am ready. Bot will appreciate any cover or aid. Who want to bekome quicker?
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I advice that Las cover us with this wands protection... and also here is wand for extra healong mesures. And this one with elemental protection. I'd like it use versus fire... and ready to share with those in need. Las, please.
Atum hopes he wont be main target but asks Veshtagz to cover him. Now he is ready to defend.
Chandu gives a little sigh, Of course, well, I suppose this was inevitable at some point. I assume if we kill our opponents there will be no repurcusions for us?
"Of course. Just sign here, and here and here. And then these are two copies of the same. Please note that the bodies of any deceased losers and any possessions previously upon them when they entered the arena are forfeit to the management. Did you require someplace to change into your costumes or apply make-up?"
Leona will leave the paperwork to the others before going to see if the imp is where he was said to be. If possible, she will address the imp to learn what it thinks it's fate will be. She does not, however, concern herself with costuming.
Leona will leave the paperwork to the others before going to see if the imp is where he was said to be. If possible, she will address the imp to learn what it thinks it's fate will be. She does not, however, concern herself with costuming.
In a small globular black iron cage hung from a thick ceiling chain a big rat tried in vain to squeeze its head through the bars. After a blink the rat is revealed to be a shaggy black boar whose form fills the cage to bursting. With its head jammed against the bars and its legs now outside the cell the boar kicks frantically at the air. The effort only succeeds in rotating the cage.
Next to the cage is a macabre display case which contains a pair of man-sized sable-feathered wing, a huge diamond, a barbed and faintly-glowing longsword, and bit of quartz with what appears to be a silently screaming soul within.
"These are the possible prizes for the next bout. You are allowed any one of them. Are you certain your team wants a second-hand imp?"
Shrec looks at the prize An imp, yes, I guess it will do.
"SNORT!" goes the pig. Then it resumes the hopeless task of trying to break or pick the cage's lock with its tusk.
Can I pet the pig, or will it bite me?
The little piggy eyes narrow and focus on Shrec.
"That I suppose is up to the pig." says the Cerenthiel.
Shrec looks back at the pig feeling sad for it as it is crammed in the cage, but doesn't know what it will do, so he doesn't pet it.
As Lasaraleen the pig shrivels down to a giant blood-red spider that hisses at her.
"Come. It is your time." entries Cerenthiel beckoning you to a long dark ramp whose barred end is bathed in the red hell-light of Dis. A constant susurration of countless voices outside. As the party approaches the portcullis rise.
And then the they find themselves out in the open, under Hell's volcanic sky being jeered at by a host of thousands of fiends of all descriptions, their eyes glowing in the shadows of the arena's awning. The far side of the stadium ends in a flowing river overhung in mist. Before the river though, there is broad circular pyre, rung with five giant skulls. The fire burns 10-feet high.
The gate slams shut behind the group ringing like the iron gate of a tomb.