[PFS]7-18 Faithless and Forgotten, Part 3: The Infernal Inheritance by GM Upaynao (Inactive)

Game Master Upaynao

Venture Captain Dennel Hamshanks’s quarters aboard the Hornet’s Nest sits in uncomfortable silence, as the hirsute groaning blob of a man looks uncomfortablty between the normally composed Zarta Dralneen, who herself is awkwardly shifting in her chair, repeatedly glancing across the table they are seated at at a stocky halfling with short salt-and-pepper hair and practical black clothing. He picks at a fleck of food, looking at the door to the cabin impatiently. Where the #$^% are those #$%#$^& agents?

The black-cloaked tengu enters the room with the Venture-Captains with his usual caution. He bows formally to the officers assembled as he has his hands resting on his belt, near his twin wakizashis.

He is quickly followed by Nectanebo, who somehow manages to open the door despite both his hands being busy thoroughly polishing his black dragon skull.

"Yes, it's about time we were called for adventure again, isn't it?" He cheerfully says...to the skull.

Aiden enters, his rich cloak flowing about him. The tall Chelaxian's eyes go wide when he sees Zarta. He steps in quickly. "Paracountess! I had no idea you would be here in person. My sincerest apologies for making you wait. I am your servant, as always." He bows. You see the slightest shiver go throughout his body, though from what, you're not exactly sure.

Djorn enters the room examining his brand new Wayfinder. He doesn't seem particularly impressed by it as he tucks it away then looks around the room.

"Greetings. Am I the last?" he asks, looking from the group already gathered to the door expectantly.

Hamshanks looks up, squinting as Lady Dralneen sighs. "We're missing a couple..." he emits followed by a burp that earns him a glance from both the halfling and Dralneen.

Swiftly (and boldly tm) striding in, Esh opens wide his arms and grins.

"YOU MISSED ME ALL SO MUCH! The-very-famous-but-not-so-much-famous-because-we-were-undercover-pathfinde r-team-free-Cheliax-or-something-like-that! A REAL PLEASURE TO SEE YOU ALL!" he shouts, his hairs made of real and living fingers standing on the top of his head.

Turning to face the halfing, he laughs and answers: "I'm no couple. I'm Esh."

Nuo isn't joining us. We could go with 5 or try to recruit someone else.

Someone who can heal would be a good idea.

Djorn can use healing wands (and has one.) That being said, I wouldn't be opposed to a 6th if we can find one with Outpost II running.

I'd give it a go like this. We're a good team and can always heal after the fights.

I'll put out a post on Flaxseed. If we don't get someone in a day or two, let's go with ourselves.

Waki bows to each agent and friend as they enter.

Waki calls to Djorn. The last, you were. But footsteps approaching I hear...

As the tengu motions to the doorway and outside the room.

"The last one until the next last one, eh?" Djorn answers.

"I wonder if it will be our missing ally from the last mission together or someone new,"" he says, watching the door expectantly.

Waki chuckles at Djorn's comment...then pauses and cranes his head to look outside.

Footsteps approaching were. Footsteps silent are now.

Indeed, footsteps are heard, as if whoever was coming was Walking with a certain rythm

The door finally open, showing a Young man with a bushy beard, smiling eyes and flamboyant clothes.

My apologies, I just heard you were one agent short for a mission? As I'm not that tall myself, I was wondering if I could help. It's been a few months I haven't been on field, I hope my talents aren't too rusty. My name is Penn, Lukaas Penn, and I m a bard, a traveler, a man of many talents and even more knowledges. I Don't think I've already meet you...

He seems to wait for your introduction. As you come closer, you see that he has a tear tatooed Under the left eye, and that his flamboyant clothes tries to hide a nascent potbelly.

The man leaning in the corner Is by no means handsome, his features at best being described as "rugged." His nose and ears are both a bit overly large. His dark hair is tied up in a topknot and the sides and back of his head are shaved. He's got broad shoulders and arms and legs that seem just a bit too long.

"As someone who doesn't know much, I always welcome men of many knowledges to travel with me. Especially if they might have talents that I don't. I'm Djorn. I know my way around tracking and animals and dealing with both in cities. Oh and I can handle these, too," in a moment the draws the hammer from his side and shield from his back. A moment later they are back in their places of storage and a javelin and dart have taken their place in his hands.

A tall Chelaxian is standing by Zarta. She whispers something to him and he nods and crosses over to Lukaas. He wears a rich blue cloak and has strong facial features that make you think he could even be nobility. The man wears a butcher's kit though, a longsword over his shoulder, wicked curved knives on his belt, a nasty barbed net, and manacles that hang from his pack.

"Aiden Richter," he says with little ceremony. "The Paracountess says you're late, but that she'll overlook the incident. This seems important to her."

A young man, or one that seems so, sits with a large grin. His appearance is very unsettling as half his face is covered in serpent-like scales but has an elven ear. The other part of his face has a long canine but appears completely human, even if his right eye is completely black with a white pupil. However, what is the most awkward is his hair who at first glance seem to be dreadlocks but are long human-like fingers.
The man bows with his head and smiles at the new comer, making wide gestures, as if he were really excited to be part of the adventure.

"What? A STORY TELLLLER!!!! WELCOME!" he shouts, excitedly.

Master Penn. Welcome you we do. Waki Huro I am. Most of us together have traveled. You a part of our team are now, appears it does. Welcome.

Waki bows formally, with both raven colored hands on the pommels of his twin blades.

It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm looking forward to our next mission, and I'm glad to know you have already traveled and fought together. Did I miss the briefing about the mission? I hope I'm not that late...

Seeing the higher rankings Pathfinders waiting, Lukaas walks to them to pay the officials his respects.

Know Local about the halfling: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10
Know Nobility about the Paracountess: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13

Venture Captain, it's an honor. Paracountess, its an honor AND a pleasure to meet you in the flesh.

There is a flash of a roguish smile on the young man's lips. He finally turns to the halfling

I'm sorry, I don't think we've been introduced to each other..

Perched (and that does seem the right word) in the corner is an Elf with tawny skin, long silver hair, and deep lavender eyes. Though handsome, more striking than his looks are his accessories: A long, flowing overcoat the color of tarnished silver, with a pronounced collar and delicate, almost tentacular tails; a jeweled Elven blade (likely the finest of its kind you've ever seen) across his back; and the skull of what could only be a young black dragon in his hands - you can't shake the feeling that when you look at it, its empty sockets are also looking at you.

He looks up from his carefully polishing the skull and gives Lukaas a friendly smile.

"Ah, hello! I am Nectanebo, though there are those who call me 'the Vulture'."

Once the introductions finish... Most honorable venture-captains. Assembled we now are. For the briefing to begin we listen.

The silence continues, awkwardly, until Hamshanks remembers that he is nominally in charge here. "Yeah, well... About damn time. F^$%^#* agents can't even remember to keep a f^$%^#* appointment. Back in my day..." A subtle cough by the paracountess, and a look from the halfling that belies a casual capacity to turn the Venture-Captain into a pile of lard are enough to bring him back to the matter at hand. "Anyway. We've located where the Chelish authorities have brought Zefiro Balinger, our former contact in Corenthyn. The damn "Bloody Nail" in Ostenso." Lady Dralneen takes on over, without missing a beat as she look intently at each and every one of you. "Master Balinger is being held there on charges of "treasonous misinformation", meaning he has presented unadulterated histories of Cheliax. The Ten cannot afford to lose such a valuable asset, nor can they allow the documents he was brought in with to be consigned to Order of the Rack "clarity pyres". She pauses, thoughfully, before continuing carefully. "The Bloody Nail is the kind of prison where political enemies of the Thrune regime "unfortunately perish" during interrogation. Normally, trying to spring someone from the facility would be suicide." She looks back to the halfling, who you now recognize from your arrival in Corentyn: the contraband inspector. "Fortunately, we have an expert in suicide missions who also happens to be curiously capable of coming back alive from them."

The halfling chuckles. "Please Zarta dear" he offers with a smile. "The pleasure is all mine." He turns to you, appraising each and everyone of you in turn as well. Satisfied, he continues: "Tamrin Credence, formerly of the Bellflower network, and a connoisseur of the phrase "But I though ye were dead!". Also, springing people from Chelish prisons happens to be a bit of a hobby of mine, so we'll be working together on this little bit of a job." He folds his hand as he crosses his legs, resting his head on the chair's backing. "Infiltrating the Bloody Nail won't be a picnic, but blessed me stars as they are, tomorrow is another of those holidays Abrogail is so willing to impose on her people to remind them of how awesome she is. Loyalty Day is mandatory for all citizens, and since the people of Ostenso haven't had they spirit completely broken, that means that the guards will be out in force protecting the festivities and the parade. And since they can't grow guards off of trees, they'll be taking a bushel from the prison, leaving that lot short-staffed." He chuckles before continuing: "Here's the plan: we go up to the Bloody Nail, looking all intimidating. I still have some pull with the guards from back when I worked with the Consortium, so I'll be convincing the lead interrogator to bring some of his guards and come with me to deal with a Loyalty Day "emergency". And I'll be more than happy to leave my neck-breakers to cover for him and his soldiers while he's away. That's you if you didn't get it. He'll likely agree, so long as he can put a lackey in charge of you; to supervise you and make sure you don't wet the bed and such. I'll keep the interrogator busy, you get the lay of the land, ditch your babysitter, break in, get what we came for, and get out before the potatoes start burnin'; of course, we'll meet back at the southernmost docks of the Custodisce Break and sail for Andoran. Easy enough, right?"

"Pretend to be cruel thugs with aspirations of being cruel guards so that we can get into a highly secure facility while there's a giant party celebrating a cruel regime that is simultaneously oppressing the people it's forcing to celebrate so that we can get a prized prisoner and his contraband out?" Djorn sums up.

"When do the hard missions start?"

Esh's mouth gaps open, then closes, then opens once again.

"THAT'S AWESOME!!!" he yells.

"I like it, I like it VERY MUCH!" he says, suddenly thinking about something.

"Do you have something to help us on our mission? Advice? Stuff? Magicks?" he asks, his fingery hair shuffling from one side to another of his head.

Aiden barks out a laugh, which is followed by a pause and then a full throated laugh. Once he has regained his composure, he continues. "Paracountess, my sincere apologies. My task is to infiltrate a hellknight prison alongside a bellflower agent? Simply amazing." He chuckles again.

"You have me as always. This will be a pleasure wrapped inside irony. Please tell me I get to subdue a hellknight again." His eyes shine with the prospects. "Do we know where in the prison Zefiro is being held?

Before joining the Society, Aiden was an adversary of the Bellflower Network.

Aiden, that is rich in irony

Waki shakes his head with concern.

Break in as dishonorable thugs we will.
With our missing ally emerge we must.
Ready as ever I can be.

Aiden, that is rich in irony

Waki shakes his head with concerns as after the mission briefing

Break in as dishonorable thugs we will.
With our missing ally emerge we must.
Ready as ever I can be.

We will do our utmost to save mister Balinger from the Hellknight's clutches. I'll try to think ahead about what equipment we might need to help us.

"The Bloody Nail is not administered by any of the hellknight orders" interjects lady Dralneen. "Although after this, it might very well be. You will need to identify where he is held once you are in. If it makes you feel any better, it is a rather small prison. The advantage of being able to dispose of the people who are sent in is that bedding for your guests does not need to be extensive."

Credence pipes on in: "Advice? Well as me 'Ma used to say "Don't forget to smile boyo, and say please and thank you". More practically, you should try to find and drop a hint with Krima, one of my Bellflower Network contacts and a plant in the Nail." He reaches behind him and grabs a canvas bag on the floor. "With regards ta magics and stuff, this stuff might be helpful to ya."

"HAH! A love potion! I don't think I've seen one of these in years...probably before most of you were even glimmers in your elders' eyes! That's a lovely Circlet, too...."

"Thank you for your pieces of advice." says Esh bowing and grinning widely.

"Who should take the circlet? I already am quite capable of speaking myself. Maybe it should come of use for someone to add arguments..." he adds.

Maybe someone with less than 10 in bluff/diplo should take it. Esh is quite proficient in charisma-based skills.

Djorn looks through the contents of the bag. He shrugs at Esh's suggestion. "If it comes down to me talking our way out of trouble, there's probably not enough magic in the world to save us. I will take one of those sneaky potions, though. And sleepy oil's sure to be useful when we're trying to deal with guards."

Unless someone protests, he'll lay claim to one of the Elixers of Hiding.

"Who should take the circlet? I already am quite capable of speaking myself. Maybe it should come of use for someone to add arguments..." he adds.

Nectanebo looks down at the circlet, then over to Aiden with a shrug.

"I'll take it if you won't."

Waki nods to Nectanebo and will pick up the other elixir of hiding unless someone else would rather .

”Keen of speech I am not. Better used by one of you the circlet is. The oil of use I can make as well.“

He has poison use too if no one else can use.

Aiden examines the circlet. "This could be very helpful. I think it would do well for me Nectanebo."

A normal circlet of persuasion would push his bonus to +10 in bluff and diplomacy. Unfortunately it doesn't affect his Intimidate or UMD because of traits. Nectanebo, if you really want it you can, but I think it would be good for Aiden.

"Take it, then."

Aiden settles the circlet on his head. "Feel free to split up the rest of the items among yourselves."

"Well, shall we make fools of the jailers then? What do we need to do to get in?"

What's the bonus on the circlet?

Esh looks at the leftover from the bag.

"I don't think I need anything. Maybe the potion of eagle splendor?" he says, looking at the others.

The bonus one a lesser circlet of persuasion is only a +2 bonus to Cha-linked skills. Sound off when you are ready/have no further questions.

Ready.

Nectanebo holds out the scroll and eagle's splendor potion in offering to Lukaas or Esh.

Waki will take the two poison oils and off the elixir of hiding back to the group

” Take these I will for safe keeping. Dangerous to handle. Elixir one or other of you may benefit. Ready I am.“

Thank you, I'll take this one.

Lukaas takes the scroll, quickly studying it

Esh bows his head and grins as he takes the potion.

"Thanks! I'm eager to start!"

"Alright then. Now wit' regards ta more mundane things..." chuckles Credence nastily as he digs into a pocket and fetches six bronze Aspis Consortium badges, which he begins tossing to each and every one of you. "Wear these. And hide your wayfinders." He gets off the chair, stands and motions for you to follow him. As he crosses the door out of the cabin, his demeanor changes completely, becoming much more like that of the inspector who stopped you upon your entry into Corentyn.

"Master Richter?" asks lady Dralneen in a tone that is anything but a request. "A word please."

***Some time later***

Making your way through the streets of Ostenso, you reflect upon your transfer from the Hornet's Nest to the more inconspicuous merchant vessel The Queen Gale, your arrival in Ostenso's harbor and your travels along narrow backstreets. Where you cut across main thoroughfares, garlands of black and red spanned the street, as crowds waited patiently behind barriers and bored-looking guards. Finally, you find yourselves in front of a rectangular stone building capped with an octogonal pyramid, a red nail symbol on each of its faces; rain runoff has made the pigment run, and it does look as if the entire pyramid is running with blood.

"Wait here" orders Credence laconically, before going up to the door and knocking. He is admitted in, leaving you outside. And there you wait.

I'll post a follow-up tomorrow, but you do have about a half-hour during which to do anything might seem plausible to do while waiting for someone who could come out at any moment.

*******************************

Aiden adjusts the circlet on his head and looks at the others. "Well, last chance for anything before we have a babysitter. Do we have a plan for how to gain some freedom and find Zefiro? Or this Krima?"