Polli is setting on their bed, a wicker swing bed with lots of comfy blankets, while holding her tea cup. "There is a cultist named Parminius Vaticus who just assumed leadership of the local infernal cell. He's been consolidating the contracts held by his predecessor, and sending a hamatula around marking his claims. Which is probably what found us. A barbed devil." she adds to make sure everyone knew what she was talking about. "He runs a small inn on the corner of Black Street and Waylun's Way. When we destroy the contract, Dony will be free." she pauses then adds "I'd like to rest up tonight and then teleport back and forth any willing to help me tomorrow morning. And then kill him."
"Of course." Harmony says, agreeing without batting an eyelid. "We'll stay anchored here overnight."
She sits down next to Polli, careful not to spill her tea, finding it funny the things you think about when your future is on the line, and puts her arm around Polli. "Ah be goin' with ye. It be ma fate 'n' Ah will be a part o' this. No one can decide mah future if'n Ah donna want 'em too." She says, perhaps unnecessarily but nevertheless it was important to her to take control of her future, to no longer allow herself to be fearful of those that want to use her for their own selfish reasons.
Val looks at Polli for a moment as she weighs her words. Then she answers simply, ”I’m in, whenever you want to go.”
Looking over at Dony she silently adds, [Polli wasn’t satisfied with my approach to handling the succubi—and is upset that there are some lines I’m unwilling to cross with them—but I will do whatever I can to keep you safe and help you get free of all this.]
Polli sees Val catching Dony's eye and holding it for a few seconds, as she does when she's nonverbally talking to people and sighs, suddenly even more tired. "Please just go."
Val frowns and quietly steps out of the room.
She makes her way to the deck and, despite her burning desire to go for a fly and clear her head, waits at the top of the stairs for the captains. When they arrive she silently reports, [I don't think Polli can teleport us all with one spell, and I'm almost certain she can't cast enough to get us all there and back in one day. So it might be wise to let the junior officers know that we'll be gone overnight tomorrow, ma'ams.]
With a little more debate it's decided to pay a visit to the inn tomorrow morning to let the spellcasters take appropriate spells.
- Day 306
Early the next morning, Polli spends a couple of spells to transport the officers of the Siren to a known location in Port Peril. Once that's accomplished, they make their way to the location that was given to the sylph.
A sign outside the inn declares it the Inn of the Peaceful Night. As you watch, you see a couple enter the building.
Harmony makes gentle inquiries with Polli when the opportunity arises, but is clear that she is asking as a friend and not a captain and so accepts the rebuff that comes her way with good grace.
-------------------------------------------------------
Outside the inn Harmony casts a number of spells and then looks at the group.
"I can talk my way in - that's almost certain. I can also cast a sphere of invisibility which would keep most of you hidden if we want to attempt a stealthy entrance. Perhaps Dony and I walk up as ourselves and the rest of you follow invisibly?"
Polli will tell everything that happened to the captains, and especially to Dony. Holding nothing back and insisting on being checked for any enchantments she might not know about. Then she spends the rest of the evening doing whatever Dony wants, just wanting to be with her.
-----------
In the morning she casts a mountain of spells on herself. (all the ones on her condition track) and fly on Harmony and Dony in case they will need to bolt quickly. "If we didn't need to be sure we could fire bomb the entire place from above, saving everyone a lot of time." the wizard grumbles.
Before teleporting, Val uses her hat to transform into a normal (wingless) person, and adds a hooded cloak to her outfit.
When they arrive at the inn, she joins in casting a number of spells on herself . Then she offers, "I can sneak in and scout the place out, if you'd like?"
"Let's move in together instead." Harmony opinions. "We have no way of knowing what defenses they have and if one of us gets trapped in there then we're in serious trouble."
The group spends a few moments casting preparation spells and Harmony encompasses the rest of the group under a circle of invisibility. With herself and Donomsail still visible, they enter through the large front door.
The common room of the inn is surprisingly inviting. With well-crafted tables and chairs that speak of comfort. The front part of the chamber is open to the second floor with stairs off to the left leading up to the second floor landing. Farther in the back you can see a secluded seating area for more private meetings. In another corner are comfortable pillows on soft couches.
The couple that you saw enter a couple of minutes ago are climbing the stairs to the second floor.
"Good evening, Ladies," a jovial voice calls out. Turning to the counter to the right, you seen a round-faced man with red cheeks and a friendly smile wiping the counter with a worn rag. He's tall, but with a large round belly that the counter barely conceals. "Welcome to the Peaceful Night. How may I be of service this morning?"
Having established the alibi before going in, Dony is doing her best to look blank and mindless while Harmony, in the guise of a heavy-set man walks up to the bar.
"Got a lead on a contract dealing with the red one over there." 'He' says, new vocal chords making 'his' voice growl. "Was told this was the place to get paid for delivery."
Once the captain informs her that her scouting will not be needed, Val takes her four-armed form and nods to signal her readiness. When Harmony and Dony head in, she follows.
Dony wanted to cast every protective spell that she knew on herself before they entered the Inn of the Peaceful Night, however, she was concerned that someone might scan her for any enchantments, defenses or other magical means of being prepared for something so she decided that it was better for her to go in without the spells already in place but that doesn't mean that she isn't ready to cast spells as soon as she thinks it is necessary. In the meantime she is doing her best to look as if she is someone's prisoner and is completely non-dangerous, she's pretty sure she's doing a good job.
"Contract? Delivery?" the man says in confusion. He lifts up a pair of glasses that hang on a chain around his neck and sets them on his nose and looks you over again.
"We don't incorporate slaves here at the Peaceful Night so I'm not sure what you would be delivering her for. Perhaps you're mistaken? This is the inn of the Peaceful Night. The Welcoming Arms is on the next block and they use slaves. She must be bound for there." He lowers his glasses and calls out, "Tomas!"
A gangly youth in his late teens or early twenties comes running from out of the back. He's dressed the livery of a page. "What is it, Mister Vaticus?" he questions in a voice that breaks.
"Would you like Tomas here to run 'round the block and see if they're expecting your lovely lady at the Welcoming Arms?" the large man asks.
"You're welcome to send him if you like but I assure you I want to be at the Inn of the Peaceful Night." Harmony replies. "I've been working on this particular subject for quite a while. Three years on and off. Bit of good luck cracked it in the end, but if you aren't interested then I'm sure I can find some other value. Barnabus Harrigan would pay me well for the chance to kill one of the Sirens I'm sure."
'He' turns to head back to the door, placing one hand possessively on Dony's shoulder to turn her around.
"Barnabas Harrigan, you say? While I am new to these parts - I only recently inherited this establishment from my brother who regretfully passed - I've heard of him, but not these Sirens that you speak of."
Harmony hears the sound of glasses clinking and a bottle being opened.
"I'm sure there's a tale in there worth telling. How about a drink on the house and share it?"
Harmony nods, "I can manage a drink." He spell will keep her companions invisible for about ten minutes. Hopefully one of them will be sensible enough to hide first.
Dony is 'commanded' to go and stand against the wall, which puts her a long way from the door and conveniently out of sight of Vaticus while Harmony takes her drink, swishes it, smells it and is careful not to drink anything until Vaticus has had some before launching into a short but colorful description - playing up the rivalry between the Wormwood and the Siren.
"So you see," 'He' concludes, "Harrigan will be happy to pay me for the red one. Your predecessor had offered me a good price to fulfill the contract. That's why I'm here. If you aren't interested though - I'm good. I'll still get paid."
"Tomas? Would you get the door," Vaticus says with a smile. "Perhaps we can do business."
The young man frowns for a moment and then brightens as if understanding. He steps to the large front door and turns the iron latch and closes the curtains. He turns back around with the grin of a simpleton.
"Why don't you follow me back to my private office and we'll discuss what you would consider a 'good price'," the large man says, corking the bottle. He puts his town on the counter and steps out from behind the counter towards a side door. Opening it he steps through and gestures for Harmony to follow him.
"After you." Harmony's male form suggests, making sure to follow Vaticus and give her invisible friends a chance to stay close.
She also uses the opportunity of 'commanding' Dony to follow to cast Detect Magic, just in case.
Picking up on the hidden message being expressed, not to mention that they did discuss a plan before they went in, Donomsail tries to discreetly cast Detect Magic. "Gozreh, Ag vra o 'Julle sal my help om 'n bietjie magie op te spoor waaroor' 'Spesiaal as dit ons nie beïnvloed nie."
With Harmony indicating that he should lead, he nods. "Tomas? Will you close the door behind us?" he says with a wave towards the servent. He leads you into a storeroom filled with dry goods and down a set of stone stairs to a torch-lined corridor.
Where the main floor of the inn radiated an air of comfort and safety, this hall carries forboding as its mortar. With the servent bringing up the rear well behind the invisible Polli, Tessa, and Valeria. Perminius strides off in the lead. After about fifty feet the brick-lined corridor turns to the right and through a heavy door into a large chamber.
If There was any doubt that the succubus sisters had deceived you regarding the intentions of the quiet inn, this room dispelled it. The stone floor in the center of the room has a large summoning circle and runes carved into it. Polli can easily determine that the circle is infernally focused. Towards the left side of the chamber are a row of large drums and to the right is a partially uncovered well. Dark stains cover the stone around the well. On the opposite side of the room is a archway with a curtain concealing whatever hides behind.
As he walks into the room, Parminius calls out, "Tomas? Would you seal the room please?" The servent shuts the door with a heavy sound. He traces his hand across the surface and magical runes appear and then vanish.
"So, you wish to negotiate for the exchange of this one, do you?" the large man asks. "How peculiar since I haven't published a bounty for her. I am willing to negotiate a price, though. How about five hundred gold?"
Polli wants to snap that Donomsail Lishoni is worth much much more than 500 gold pieces and that offer is an insult worth being electrocuted repeatedly in the nethers. But... that is not the plan... yet.
So the mage stays quiet. Frustratedly quiet.
"After the time and effort I put in? Ten times that at least." Harmony replies, exuding easy confidence. "If you think bounties only exist when published then you are, shall we say, ill informed. I have people who know things - I find out what you want. I get it. So if you want it then I expect to be paid - simple. Of course if you decide you don't want her then I can leave. As I said, it's no skin from my back."
Harmony wanders around the room, allowing one foot to drag across the edge of the summoning circle as she walks past and examining the archway when she gets there.
"I'll say ten thousand. No doubt we can come to an agreement." She says, fully expecting violence any second.
"Ten thousand? For her?" Parminius echoes, the perfect picture of shock. "That is quite a hefty sum for such a simple girl." He lifts his glasses to his eyes again and steps closer to Donomsail to give her a bespectacled one-over. He steps around her making no pretense of subtlety as he appraises her ... assets.
Finally he turns to Harmony. "Six," he says.
Harmony muses for a few moments. "Nine." She replies. "I have informants to pay off, palms to cross. I'm sure you understand."
"I've never been one to take pleasure in negotiating," he says with a shake of his round head. "So how about we split the difference and agree on what we're going to eventually arrive at; seventy-five hundred and a free night at the inn?"
He raises an eyebrow at the bard.
"We'll split the difference at eight and I won't darken your doorway again unless you ask for my services." Harmony says firmly.
The man seems to consider the offer, looking back at Donomsail. Finally he grins and presents his hand to Harmony. "Agreed. We have an accord? The tiefling in exchange for eight thousand gold?"
"We do indeed." Harmony shakes. "I'll take my gold now and then you can keep her."
"An agreement has been reached," Parminius says grasping Harmony's hand firmly. He holds it for a moment and then releases it. Turning away from her he steps through the curtained archway.
There's a minute or two of awkward silence as Tomas grins at the two women. His gaze on Donomsail more lecherous than really required.
Parminius returns through the curtain with two pieces of parchment and a bag that clinks when he sets it on the floor. He presents the first parchment to Harmony. "Please sign this agreement. It formalizes our arrangement just so there are no misunderstandings," he says.
Looking over the agreement, it's pretty clear.
Effective this 3rd day of Calistril, Common Year %%%%, The possession and sole ownership of the tiefling herein known as Donomsail Lishoni shall be transferred to Parminius Vaticus (the party of the first part) for the bearable sum of eight thousand (8000) gold coins, paid to the signatory below (the party of the second part).
X Parminius Vaticus
X ____________________
He holds out a quill.
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Harmony takes both quill and contract and turns away from him to read it. She swiftly scrawls something on the back of it and holds it up to her invisible companions.
It simply says "Kill him."
Polli had been quivering with rage this entire time, so those two words are the most blessed things she thinks she's ever heard (other than various phrases and sounds from Dony of course). Polli points her finger at the evil turd breath asshat shooting a thin green ray from its tip.
As Polli begins casting her spell, the 'friendly' innkeeper's friendly smile turns instantly cold. "And so you resort to violence. Disappointing," he says in a chilling voice.
Combat Begins!
Round 1
Harmony turns on Tomas and speaks words of magic.
"For Dony!
"Gladly! I was about ready to lose my patience!" Tessa says, driving her rapier home with much gusto!
Val studies the two men as they walk towards the infernal bargaining room. When the mark disappears behind the curtain she positions herself next to the archway, and when he returns she silently shadows him towards Harmony. When the captain gives the sign she steps to flank with Tessa and stabs the corpulent scoundrel in the back repeatedly.
Before any of the others can really react, Tessa and Valeria have filled the round man with enough holes to warrant designating him as a screen door. His surprised expression remains on his face even as his body slumps to the stone floor.
Harmony's spell seems to slide off the liveryed lad with no effect, the youth laughs as his form shifts and changes, sharp spines protruding from his flesh as he grows taller and leaner.
"He's done it now. He's let you right in to the sacred chamber without question. Parminius' obsession was the end of him. The least I can do for the old bastard is to slice you all to ribbons." The transformation complete with shreds of the previous costume floating to the ground, the youth looks altogether different now. From the tip of its lashing tail to the serrated features of its fang-filled visage, this fiery-eyed figure bristles with barbs.
It steps up and claws at Harmony, its sharp talons rending her flesh and then pulls her into a tight grip, spines stabbing at her.
Seeing that the bigger threat is the barbed devil manhandling her captain, Polli directs her deadly beam at the infernal creature to great effectiveness as the magical energy eats away much of the creature's flesh.
Donomsail was ready for this, she was fairly certain that the man they'd been dealing with wasn't the true power but just the facade presented to the public. Now they could confront the one they were truly there for.
She turns to face the Devil with fury in her eyes.
"Gozreh, gebruik woede om die Duiwel te verslaan. Help my om hierdie teef te vernietig."
Holy Damage:
Doni's spell slides off the devil like water off a duck's back with no effect.
Round 2
Val whispers, ”destruction to the evil one,” as she watches the devil transform. As Tessa hurries forward to free her lover, Val follows and moves to flank with her, slashing once with her shortsword once she does.
"Hands off of her!" Tessa shouts, moving into the creature with her rapier opposite of Val.
Tessa's blade flashes brightly and in spite of the stabs she receives in turn, the devil collapses to the floor, its foul blood splattered all over Harmony and pooling on the cold stone.
Combat Ends!
Tensed in readiness, you anticipate the next attack, but it seems you've defeated any immediate foes. Searching the innkeeper, you find several items of value on him. A magical amulet, boots, headband, ring, and his glasses. As well as a necklace with a single large sapphire hanging from it.
Besides the contract he presented to Harmony, the other piece of parchment was a writ redeemable for the agreed-upon price, drawable at the local temple of Abadar. Unfortunately it has an exclusion clause on it making in invalid if the declarer is deceased. In fact, in a different color ink is written diagonally across the entire document are the words, 'Declarer Deceased. Agreement Void.' The bag on the ground contains manacles coated with alchemical silver .
In the small curtained-off office, you find a desk, a chest, and a cage easily large enough to hold a medium humanoid - a large one uncomfortably. Within the chest is a bag of gold coins , various religious items of relevance only to those that worship Asmodeus, and a thick journal or logbook. There are also a half-dozen thick scrolls written on expensive parchment - contracts.
Polli looks through the contracts frantically until she finds the one that seems to pertain to Donomsail. It references the contractee to produce an appropriate souless vessel to be used by a specific high-ranking devil as his concubine.
The journel contains meticulous notes about services performed in the worship of Asmodeus as well as information on the various contracts, both past and present, possessed by this particular coven. Interestingly enough, regarding the contract that you assume relates to Donomsail, it notes that the 'provider of the vessel' (which you assume to be Doni's mother) made the attempt no less than seven times. Each previous attempt was deemed flawed in some deal-breaking manner and 'disposed of'. The final vessel wasn't considered perfect due to the presence of a soul, but it was determined that that particular flaw could be remedied at a later time.
Val looks over the stack of other contracts and contemplates what should be done with them. She doesn't say anything yet though: Polli is already mad at her and she doesn't want to step on the nerds' moment of relief.
if we leave them here his replacement will just claim them... and we don't know if we can just destroy them, the voucher to draw coin was magically protected, so the contracts which must be far more valuable certainly are as well... I wonder if Polli or Donm even knows how to end the contract their holding, or how to let whoever actually made it know that it's ended... this may not be as over as they're hoping it is...
"Burn the contacts." Harmony says firmly, her injuries not being severe enough to be a worry. "We can't just leave them for someone else to find. Actually - Polli, help me read these. We need to see if there is a nullification clause or if we can simply destroy them."
She sets to reading, trusting that her fiance will have the looting well in hand.
Polli nods but first takes the horrid contract against her love to her love "I wanted to tear it to pieces the second I saw it, but it has hurt you more than anything else could. So it should be you that gets the satisfaction from destroying it." she holds out the parchment, reaching out with her other hand to stroke Dony's cheek.
---
She'll get to reading after that.
Val tries to bite her tongue but decides (once again) to risk Polli’s wrath in order to try to help Donomsail. ”Wait...” she says softly, ”shouldn’t we check it for enchantments first? The money voucher had an enchantment to cancel itself on his death... what if the contracts are enchanted to reform themselves somewhere else if they’re destroyed?”