GM Otha’s What Prestige is Worth Campaign (Outpost III) (Inactive)

Game Master Otha

Leventi answers Edgar as he considers Dioneo is unflinching in his resolve. "Then you must decide...I have altered my proposal twice...I will alter it no further. If you accept said proposal, I must do what I need to do, and your hands remain clean in addition to getting both a soul and wish apiece, a hefty bounty by any stretch. I will get rid of all evidence and ties to such...and how I do so will be no further concern of yours."

I won't move us forward quite yet as this is the last encounter and there doesn't seem to be a consensus as yet. If I'm reading things correctly, Dioneo and Sorrow are for apprehending Leventi, Jack is for letting him go, and Edgar would consider letting him go if he could have assurances the folk you've aided would be unharmed. As it stands now, only Ophelia would be entirely safe from any repercussions as Jack has her contract. Hopefully the Croc and Ridley will weigh in soon...

Leventi's Scriptorium

[ooc]Ridley is still for taking him in - we've got him by surprise and we are all buffed up so I'm pretty sure we got this[/b]

The Croc is indifferent. OOC I'm down for apprehending Leventi.

'Hmmm...the option of taking by force could work...however he could also destroy the soul rather than allow us to take it. The Hellknights have been released from the wall and...could potentially make it out on their own. The one slave from Cheliax...that's actually not on me so much as it's on his previous master. That man should have been wiser on whom he dealt with...'

'Well, it would likely cause more issues for Dis to leave him alive'

With an exasperated sigh, Edgar nods slowly. "Guys, I've no issue letting him live and moving on. Zarta is correct. Our goal her is simply to acquire the soul."

Sorry, Edgar, you ninja'ed me by a few seconds...we had three who were staunchly in the apprehend Leventi corner, two for letting him go, and one indifferent (although the player was in favor of apprehension). If it makes any difference to you, it's implied Leventi would 'eliminate' all witnesses he could find...the Hellknights (although freed from the wall, they're still vulnerable if Leventi goes free), the slave, Tholvinus, Jarluxis and Arenthea…and perhaps Artinean as well...

Leventi sips on his drink, shakes his head, and sighs. "A pity...most of you seem resolute..."

He looks to one of the statues. "Rex, show my guests out..."

You notice one of the large statues starts to move as Leventi speaks...

"We must move quickly, my lovelies..." Zarta casts haste on as many of the party as possible...

She can reach everyone except for Edgar due to the 30' apart rule...

Leventi removes a scroll on the wall to reveal a symbol of...something not good...

Need everyone to make a Fort Save...

Then, with a twist of his hand, a fireball is released towards you...it explodes, catching all but Edgar within its blast radius...

Fireball Damage: 13d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 3, 1, 2, 4, 5, 4, 4, 4, 6, 2, 4) = 44 (Reflex DC25 save for 22 damage)

Zarta resists the symbol and avoids the worst of the fireball. Ophelia is wracked with pain and both her and her shadow get the full brunt of the fireball...

Jack, since you have Ophelia's contract, you can take her and her shadow's actions, if you wish; if not, no worries, I can do it, just let me know which you prefer...

COMBAT! Round 1 - The bold may post!

Zarta (hasted, -22)
Leventi
Ridley (hasted, need Fort & Reflex saves)
Ophelia (-44 pained, hasted)
Shadow (-44, hasted)
Dioneo (hasted, need Fort & Reflex saves)
Edgar (need Fort save)
Construct
Jack (hasted, need Fort & Reflex saves)
The Croc (hasted, need Fort & Reflex saves)
Sorrow (hasted, need Fort & Reflex saves)

Leventi's Scriptorium

I get that and no worries. Personally, I felt bad about the likelihood of them all dieing. But...with Edgar being true neutral, it's something he could have lived with simply by not knowing the true outcome. ;-)

"Of course."

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
-4 on ability/skills/attack

"SHEEET that smarts!" exclaims the man. "Leventi, Pharasma has spoken to me. Let me show your the omens of your future!"

"Allen, help the Croc!" he orders, taking a step back.

Without a word the raven flitters across the room and casts a spell on the croc. With a grin, it points a single wing towards the devil.

Cast Guidance on Croc

Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Portfolio Re-Roll Fort: 1d20 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 5 = 26
Reflex (Evasion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

No damage from fireball with evasion. Sorrow will make her intent evident to The Croc that she intends to launch him with telekinetic charge at Leventi on her turn, in case he would like to delay until after her action when her turn rolls around (GM, feel free to bot her to keep things moving for this action if Croc is amenable).

Gentle reminder for her active buffs: Jack has dazzling blade (DC 19, CL 7) and tenebrous umbral weapon (1d8+4 cold, CL 8) active, The Croc has enlarge person active, and Sorrow has blur, dazzling blade + 3 mirror images.

No worries, Sorrow, this old brain always welcomes gentle reminders...

Fort: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Reflex: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 20 + 1 = 37

Jack shrugs off a good amount of the possible damage, not terribly surprised since Leventi did say that all evidence would be destroyed.

(all) Diplomatic Will +4
(self) Haste +1 attack/AC/Reflex, +30', +additional attack
(self) Mage Armor +4 AC
(self) Shield +4 AC
(self) Dazzling Blade +3, DC19

While it would be fun to control another character since I didn't bring my griffon, I also have no idea what the stats are, so you go ahead with Ophelia for expediency.

No worries, Jack, I'll handle Ophelia and her shadow...

Edgar wreathes in pain from the revealed symbol...but perseveres and still manages to successfully cast an ill omen upon Leventi…

Jack and Sorrow both withstand the symbol of pain; Sorrow shows her flexibility as she avoids the fireball completely while Jack avoids the worst of it...

COMBAT! Round 1 - The bold may post!

Zarta (-22, hasted)
Leventi (ill omen)
Ridley (hasted, need Fort & Reflex saves)
Ophelia (-44 pained, hasted)
Shadow (-44, hasted)
Dioneo (hasted, need Fort & Reflex saves)
Edgar (pained)
Construct
Jack (-22, hasted)
The Croc (hasted, need Fort & Reflex saves)
Sorrow (hasted)

Leventi's Scriptorium

Fort: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30
Flex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

The Croc's massive physique easily resists the crippling magic. Unfortunately, his musclebound frame is also too slow to avoid the burst of flames.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 = 18
Reflex: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 23

Ridley doubles over from the pain, but is narrowly able to avoid most of the fireball.
Resist Energy means Ridley only takes 2 damage

Ridley launches a veritable fusillade of force bombs at the contract devil.

Attack 1, Haste, Rapid Shot, Symbol of Pain, PBS: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 1 = 19
Damage: 4d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 3) + 8 + 1 = 19

Attack 2, Haste, Rapid Shot, Symbol of Pain, PBS: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 1 = 19
Damage: 4d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3, 3, 1) + 8 + 1 = 20

Attack 3, Haste, Rapid Shot, Symbol of Pain, PBS: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 1 = 26
Damage: 4d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 4) + 8 + 1 = 21

Attack 4, Iterative, Haste, Rapid Shot, Symbol of Pain, PBS: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 1 - 2 - 4 + 1 = 4
Damage: 4d4 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 3) + 8 + 1 = 17

All of it is force damage- he needs a DC 22 Fort save for each hit or be knocked prone.

Croc resists the pain but takes the full effect of the fireball as Ridley dodges the worst of the fireball but takes the full effect of the symbol of pain...

One of Ridley's force bombs explodes directly on Leventi, one lands close by splashing the devil, one lands a couple of spaces away, and one lands far short...the direct hit's impact knocks Leventi prone...

COMBAT! Round 1 - The bold may post!

Zarta (-22, hasted)
Leventi (-34, ill omen, prone)
Ridley (-22, pained, hasted)
Ophelia (-44 pained, hasted)
Shadow (-44, hasted)
Dioneo (hasted, need Fort & Reflex saves)
Edgar (pained)
Construct
Jack (-22, hasted)
The Croc (hasted, -44)
Sorrow (hasted)

Leventi's Scriptorium

Fort save DC 23: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Ref save DC 25: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Dioneo resists boldly the pain but is engulfed in flames. His natural and magical protection allows him to avoid most of the damage, however.

He gathers magical energy and expands a magical aura towards his allies and towards Leventi.

Casting PRAYER, will it affect the devil? SR check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29... Yes it will!

Fiery wings unfold in the Baron's back and he flies away from the group.

Dioneo resists the symbol of pain but takes a fire bath, though not hurt as badly by it. He casts prayer successfully on his friends and against Leventi…

Dioneo, I have you at -24 after the fireball; double check me on that as I'm not sure I've got all your fire protection sources...

COMBAT! Round 1 - The bold may post!

ACTIVE: Whole party has prayer active

Zarta (-22, hasted)
Leventi (-34, ill omen, prone, prayer (-1))
Ridley (-2, pained, hasted)
Ophelia (-44 pained, hasted)
Shadow (-44, hasted)
Dioneo (-24*, hasted)
Edgar (pained)
Construct
Jack (-12, hasted)
The Croc (hasted, -44)
Sorrow (hasted)

Ophelia's actions coming up a little later...

Leventi's Scriptorium

That is correct :)

Hasted, Ophelia and her Shadow make straight for their former master...

Ophelia swings...

Greatsword: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 1 = 21

...but intimidated by her old owner, she misses badly...

Her shadow then reaches for the prone devil, and has better luck...

Touch: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
STR Damage: 1d5 ⇒ 2

...and the devil's eyes dim a bit from its touch...

"Traitorous woman! You and your foul beast say good-bye! Rex!"

Rex pounds on the creature that hurt its master, the Shadow...

Slam: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39
Damage/Hellfire: 2d10 + 9 + 2d4 ⇒ (3, 9) + 9 + (4, 4) = 29

(For future reference, half of the 2d6 hellfire is fire damage and subject fire resistance, the other half is unholy and is not)

...and crushes the incorporeal creature out of existence...

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! YOU BASTARD!!!" Ophelia cries out...but her distraction does her no favors as the construct follows up by striking at her...

Slam: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32
Damage/Hellfire: 2d10 + 9 + 2d6 ⇒ (7, 1) + 9 + (5, 5) = 27

...and she winces in pain as she's still tender from the fireball...

Zarta steps up and reaches out to the Croc, imbuing the People's Champion with heroism...

COMBAT! End Round 1 / Begin Round 2 - The bold may post!

ACTIVE: Whole party has prayer active

Zarta (-22, hasted)
Leventi (-34, -2 STR, ill omen, prone, prayer (-1))
Ridley (-2, pained, hasted)
Ophelia (-71 pained, hasted)
Shadow (dead)
Dioneo (-24, hasted)
Edgar (pained)
Construct
Jack (-12, hasted)
The Croc (hasted, heroism, -44)
Sorrow (hasted)

Leventi's Scriptorium

Leventi & Gellius Thrune

Sorrow manifests a turnbuckle made of force and bounces The Croc off it, catapaulting him across the room towards Leventi with telekinetic charge.

He can make an attack against Leventi as an immediate action with a +2 bonus. Sorrow will maneuver the launch outside of the construct's reach, if possible. Keep in mind The Croc is now large size, for purposes of reach.

Jack cracked his neck and held his adamantine sword ready. Arcane energy coated the blade and with a yell, went after the construct instead of the contract devil since he was literally equipped to deal with that.

1st Attack: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (1) + 24 = 251d8 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
2nd Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 251d8 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Haste Attack: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (17) + 24 = 411d8 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (20) + 24 = 441d8 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17

(free) Rage +4 Str/Dex, +2 Will
(swift) Magus +1 attack/damage

(all) Diplomatic Will +4
(all) Prayer +1 attack/damage/saves/skill
(self) Haste +1 attack/AC/Reflex, +30', +additional attack
(self) Mage Armor +4 AC
(self) Shield +4 AC
(self) Dazzling Blade +3, DC19

Flying from the conjured top rope like a living missile, the Croc collides with Levanti.

TK Charge, haste, heroism: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 28
Damage: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Fired up by the opening provided by Sorrow, the People's Champion poses and quickly becomes larger than life. Rage. Grow to large.

Before the fiendish jabroni can recover, he lunges for the contract devil.

Grapple (rage, haste, heroism, prayer): 1d20 + 20 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 20 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 43

We'll throw in a frigid touch for good measure.

Cold Damage: 4d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4, 4, 5) + 1 = 20

Assuming that beats his cold resistance he's also staggered for a turn.

Croc, you were already affected by enlarge person before being launched; in case that affects your damage for the inital charge attack.

As Sorrow launches the Croc like an arrow towards Leventi's heart, Jack goes after the construct...but, uncharacteristically, his sword fails to penetrate the constuct's tough exterior...

The Croc slams into the prone Leventi...while his exterior damage doesn't penetrate much into the contract devil's magical defenses (DR), his icy touch does a bit better and allows the People's Champion to get a nasty hold on the infernal creature...

Leventi, desperate as he's in a pinch, maintains his poise and speaks a magical word or two...

Concentration vs DC34: 1d20 + 19 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 19 - 1 = 37
Concentration vs DC34: 1d20 + 19 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 19 - 1 = 37

...saying, "I am not so easily beaten, lizard!" as he disappears from Croc's hold, to reappear south of the fire pit...

COMBAT! Round 2 - The bold may post!

ACTIVE: Whole party has prayer active

Zarta (-22, hasted)
Leventi (-45, -2 STR, ill omen, prayer (-1))
Ridley (-2, pained, hasted)
Ophelia (-71 pained, hasted)
Dioneo (-24, hasted)
Edgar (pained)
Construct
Shadow (dead)
Jack (-12, hasted)
The Croc (hasted, heroism, -44)
Sorrow (hasted)

Leventi's Scriptorium

Leventi & Gellius Thrune

Oh. That would bump the damage a little.

Retroactive Bite Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

"Come back here coward!"

Updated Leventi’s damage to reflect the bump from Leatherhead’s increased damage...

COMBAT! Round 2 - The bold may post!

ACTIVE: Whole party has prayer active

Zarta (-22, hasted)
Leventi (-49, -2 STR, ill omen, prayer (-1))
Ridley (-2, pained, hasted)
Ophelia (-71 pained, hasted)
Dioneo (-24, hasted)
Edgar (pained)
Construct
Shadow (dead)
Jack (-12, hasted)
The Croc (hasted, heroism, -44)
Sorrow (hasted)

Leventi's Scriptorium

Leventi & Gellius Thrune

Moving around the fire pit, Edgar reaches a hand towards the devil. "Your fortune shall continue to fail you!"

Using Misfortune Hex on Leventi. He gets a Will Save DC 21 to negate --> Lasts 2 rounds due to level 8

Edgar proceeds to fly around the room after the massive lizard and again casts a spell on the creature.

Guidance on the Croc

Edgar tries a hex on Leventi, but the devil is able to resist it; the evangelist then flies to cast a beneficial spell on the Croc...

Ophelia, enraged at the death of her shadow, yells, "VENGEANCE!" and attacks the construct...

+19/+19/+14/+9 (2d6+10/19–20
plus 1d6 electricity)

+1 Greatsword: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 19 + 1 = 23
Magic/Electric Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 4) + 10 + (4) = 23

+1 Greatsword: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 1 = 36
Magic/Electric Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 10 + (3) = 17

+1 Greatsword: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 14 + 1 = 28
Magic/Electric Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 10 + (6) = 20

+1 Greatsword: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 = 12
Magic/Electric Damage: 2d6 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 6) + 10 + (2) = 21

...and two of her strokes land on the golem's torso, although they don't do as much damage as she expected...

COMBAT! Round 2 - The bold may post!

ACTIVE: Whole party has prayer active

Zarta (-22, hasted)
Leventi (-49, -2 STR, prayer (-1))
Ridley (-2, pained, hasted)
Dioneo (-24, hasted)
Edgar (pained)
Ophelia (-71 pained, hasted)
Construct (-17)
Shadow (dead)
Jack (-12, hasted)
The Croc (hasted, heroism, -44)
Sorrow (hasted)

Leventi's Scriptorium

Leventi & Gellius Thrune

Ridley adjusts back and launches another volley of bombs at Leventi.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (3, 6) + 8 + 1 = 18

Attack 2: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 11 - 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 8 + 1 = 15

Attack 3: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 11 - 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 8 + 1 = 12

Attack 4, iterative: 1d20 + 6 - 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 - 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 13
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 8 + 1 = 12

He needs a DC22 Reflex save for half of 10 damage for each miss, and a DC22 Fort Save or be knocked down for each hit.

Ridley rocks Leventi with three direct hits from his concoctions...and the fourth lands close enough for a splash...and one of the bombs knocks the contract devil flat...

COMBAT! Round 2 - The bold may post!

ACTIVE: Whole party has prayer active

Zarta (-22, hasted)
Leventi (-105, -2 STR, prone, prayer (-1))
Ridley (-2, pained, hasted)
Dioneo (-24, hasted)
Edgar (pained)
Ophelia (-71 pained, hasted)
Construct (-17)
Shadow (dead)
Jack (-12, hasted)
The Croc (hasted, heroism, -44)
Sorrow (hasted)

Leventi's Scriptorium

Leventi & Gellius Thrune

Smirking, Dioneo draws a rod bearing elemental runes from the plane of air. He says a few arcane words and a ball of lightning erupts from where Leventi stands.

I'm trying not to have anyone else inside of it. Lightning fireball, Ref DC 21 for half.

SR?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21 I think it's good but not sure.

Lightning Ball: 10d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 2, 5, 5, 5, 6, 4, 4) = 42

Dioneo casts lightning at Leventi…

...and it lands but the devil is wily enough to roll and miss the worst of it...

The construct again slams Ophelia...

Slam: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (12) + 23 = 35
Damage: 2d10 + 9 + 2d4 ⇒ (6, 1) + 9 + (3, 2) = 21

Slam: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (3) + 23 = 26
Damage: 2d10 + 9 + 2d4 ⇒ (9, 9) + 9 + (3, 3) = 33

...pounding her twice...she shrieks in great pain and...vanishes!

COMBAT! Round 2 - The bold may post!

ACTIVE: Whole party has prayer active

Zarta (-22, hasted)
Leventi (-127, -2 STR, prone, prayer (-1))
Ridley (-2, pained, hasted)
Dioneo (-24, hasted)
Edgar (pained)
Construct (-17)
Ophelia (vanished, dead?)
Shadow (dead)
Jack (-12, hasted)
The Croc (hasted, heroism, -44)
Sorrow (hasted)

Leventi's Scriptorium

Leventi & Gellius Thrune

Jack briefly looked at his sword in some confusion at it not seeming to do any damage when hitting the construct, but his rage focused entirely on the prone devil for what was done to Ophelia.

1st Attack: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (7) + 24 = 311d8 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22 Sneak: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12
2nd Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 251d8 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 Sneak: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6
Haste Attack: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (19) + 24 = 431d8 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20 Sneak: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (20) + 24 = 441d8 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

If the devil is still alive, will use Dazzling Blade to try to make him blind.

(all) Diplomatic Will +4
(all) Prayer +1 attack/damage/saves/skill
(self) Haste +1 attack/AC/Reflex, +30', +additional attack
(self) Mage Armor +4 AC
(self) Shield +4 AC
(self) Dazzling Blade +3, DC19
(self) Rage +4 Str/Dex, +2 Will
(self) Magus +1 attack/damage

Jack, my apologies, had a brain fart; your first two attacks against the construct did miss, but my old eyes wandered and I took your damage rolls as your attack rolls on your crit. I've since corrected it in the Construct's damage totals...

Jack's fury in Ophelia's 'passing' pays dividends as his sword repeatedly strikes the prone contract devil, his last stroke slicing completely through Leventi's neck, the head rolling over to Zarta's feet...

COMBAT! Round 2 - The bold may post!

ACTIVE: Whole party has prayer active

Zarta (-22, hasted)
Leventi (dead)
Ridley (-2, pained, hasted)
Dioneo (-24, hasted)
Edgar (pained)
Construct (-39)
Ophelia (vanished, dead?)
Shadow (dead)
Jack (-12, hasted)
The Croc (hasted, heroism, -44)
Sorrow (hasted)

Leventi's Scriptorium

Leventi & Gellius Thrune

With Levanti out of his reach, the People's Champion turns his scaly mitts on his construct bodyguard instead.

Grapple (rage, haste, heroism, prayer): 1d20 + 20 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 20 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 47

I should have asked a while ago but where do you stand on the grapple+greater grapple discussion Otha? Can one use greater grapple on the same turn they grapple an opponent? This is one of the Table Variation things I usually ask about but it looks like we didn't discuss it for this game.

I don't know anything definitive either way...but I'll allow it here as I'm gonna call it any way...even if he could break the grapple, aside from you tying him up again, Jack's sword and Ridley's bombs would bring him down in a round or two...

The Croc, grapples the construct, getting him to the ground...and the People's Champion, in his element, pins the golem...allowing his companions to finish the creature off...

You also notice the contracts around the room fall still, and the lingering servant souls wander confusedly, suddenly free...

Zarta gives off a sultry smile, saying, "Well done, my pretties," before heading straight over to pick up the jar holding the soul Gellius Thrune...

COMBAT over! Pathfinders victorious!

Zarta (-22, hasted)
Leventi (dead)
Ridley (-2)
Dioneo (-24)
Construct (out of commission)
Ophelia (vanished, dead?)
Shadow (dead)
Jack (-12)
The Croc (-44)

Leventi's Scriptorium

Gellius Thrune

Got a few loose ends to tie up, but the encounters are over; if you have any Day Job rolls not done yet, or wish to re-roll, you may do so at your leisure...

After defeating Leventi, you search the room. The contracts lying around bear the signatures of prominent Inner Sea families and represent potential blackmail material...

Leventi was carrying around an angelskin handy haversack that contains eight legal texts written in a variety of languages (including several completely unknown to Golarion), a handful of semiprecious gems he uses to bribe mortals as needed, and several wrapped parcels protecting the pieces of a suit of infernal armor (this functions as demon armor but resembles a cornugon and inflicts poison with its claw attacks rather than contagion).

As Zarta picks up the jar, Gellius conceals a scheming smile. "'Tis is easy to see that you are obviously of Davian ancestry...ahh, I recall a brief fling with Rufino Davian; ah, what a tasty morsel was she..." He pauses for a moment, "Well, Davian wench...may I have my freedom?"

Zarta gives off her patented sultry smile, pockets the jar and contract, saying, “All in due time.”

Leventi's Scriptorium

Gellius Thrune

With Gellius secured and Leventi dealt with, Vetrivides smiles and nods as he gathers the evidence, obviously pleased but never expressing any gratitude otherwise. You and Zarta make your way back to the hellmouth and travel back to Skyreach. There, Zarta consults with Gellius’s trapped soul before using the melancholic talisman to permanently shut down the portal.

The talisman briefly flares as Zarta closes the hellmouth. The infernal scents fade slowly as Gellius Thrune’s bound soul bobs approvingly. “Closed as promised, Lady Davian.” Zarta winces slightly. “Of course, I cannot promise perfect control in this state…” The disembodied head nods within its glass prison. “But before we quibble over terms, let me speak plainly, for I see in you the same need that has consumed me for centuries: revenge against House Thrune.”

Gellius Thrune’s bitterness over his family abandoning him to burn in Hell, after what he considers his noble sacrifice saving the family from (his) fraud, has festered into full hatred, which Leventi fed with stories of Thrune agents who received better treatment. Gellius offers Zarta aid leveraging her Davian lineage to strike at Thrune, using his knowledge of the foundations of the house and its secrets to weaken and wound them.

Zarta twirls the point of a blade on Gellius’ infernal contract as she contemplates his offer. “I admit I’ve yearned for this: a chance to slide the knife in, slow and deep, and see those who betrayed me twist on it. Not only did Thrune betray me, but I’ve known for only a few years that they were also responsible for the deaths and erasure of my ancestors, House Davian. However, as I look at you, my treasures, the choice is less clear. I have made a home here, with those who risked their souls to rescue me. Undermining Thrune and restoring Davian would mean leaving this behind, resigning my position, so that Thrune’s reprisals would not target the Society.”

She smiles as she looks to you for advice. “So please, tell me how you can’t bear to be without me or how my absence would only stoke your ardor.”

This is the last little tidbit before finishing up the session; you must advise her on what she should do: Staying with the Dark Archives/Pathfinders OR seeking vengeance on House Thrune. However, it appears it only affects the Chronicles of those in the Dark Archives (Edgar & Sorrow).

Well so much for bringing Levinti in alive... oh well. He'd probably just get executed anyways.

Regarding Zarta,

Ridley has no opinion on what Zarta should do, though he will say that she is a very capable competent agent and the Society would be diminished by losing her.

"A feud's fun but they never last", the People's Champion explains solemnly adding his wrestler's wisdom. "Legacy is built from career well-lived. You have a good thing going with the Society. Is it worth giving that up for a bunch of candy-asses?"

As a chelaxian lesser noble and rebel house, Dioneo has his mind set already. He kneels before Zarta and puts a gloved fist on the ground.

"My lady. Cheliax has long awaited your return. Smaller houses wait for this. Only a word and house Starnon of Westcrown is yours to be bound. Become our Queen."

However, Dioneo isn't a member of cheliax/dark archives precisely because he comes from a traitor house.

"...Please...stay." Sorrow whispers softly.

Introvert Translation: Sorrows all about Zarta staying with the Society.

With a shrug, Edgar replies "All with receive just judgment at the Crossroads. There is no need for you to destroy yourself for them."

"I believe you can do more good with the Society than you could running out for revenge."

We have a consensus; I’ll try to wrap this up in the morning...

Zarta listens earnestly to your recommendations, visibly touched by your support of her staying within the Pathfinders.

She gives you a last sultry smile. "Thank you, my ducklings...while I've long wished vengeance on House Thrune, perhaps you are correct that my ties to the Pathfinders are now stronger. Thank you as well, Dioneo, for wishing me to be your queen...I have much to consider. I thank you again for your service to me, to the Dark Archives, and to the Pathfinders as a whole. I will not forget what you have done here. Farewell, my lovelies!"

CONCLUSION

With the hellmouth closed, the Grand Lodge returns to its usual relative peace. Zarta takes several days leave to contemplate her future after hearing your advice, and Ambrus Valsin turns to the PCs to provide reports on their exploits in Hell. Zarta soon leverages the recent adventure’s success to secure more resources from the Decemvirate as the Dark Archive continues to grow with renewed enthusiasm, so you think she has decided to stay after all...

Congratulations! You have successfully completed What Prestige is Worth. You each earn 1 XP!

PRIMARY SUCCESS CONDITIONS
The PCs fulfill their primary goal if they recover Gellius Thrune and his contract from Leventi and return with him to the Grand Lodge. SUCCESS! You each earn 1 PP!

SECONDARY SUCCESS CONDITIONS
The PCs fulfill their secondary goal if they accomplished three of the following: freed Ophelia, freed Narsino, freed Teena, earned 4 or more Evidence Points, earned 6 or more Evidence Points, no PC attracted Dispater’s attention more than once, or escaped Hell within 24 hours. SUCCESS! You each earn 1 PP!

Addendum

One week after returning from Hell, Jack jumps a bit in surprise when Ophelia Peran poofs into existence next to her contract...

Tearing up her contract will free Ophelia, sending her to the Boneyard for the normal course of her life after death...