The drifting steam of freshly made tea shimmers through the air in front of Venture-Captain Amara Li. The stoic Tian woman places an ornate tea tray on the edge of her desk, inviting all those present to partake of the drink. Li’s neatly organized office is the site of various tapestries and artifacts imported from the distant land of Tian Xia.
“I would like to thank you all for coming here despite the lack of explanation. Circumstances have forced me to be discreet in this assignment. There are many who would put the information I am about to share with you to more unsavory ends.” Amara begins to take an initial sip from her teacup before she continues.
“Several months ago I arranged the successful sale of a pair of tomes from my homeland of Tian Xia to a versed historian here in Absalom. Of these books, the Infernal Incantation was the more highly sought after, as it is said to contain the secrets of binding the legions of Hell.”
Amara takes another sip of her tea and then places the cup on her desk, her expression turning cold. “The historian—one Yargos Gill—has spent the past several weeks studying the book from within his Absalom villa. To make matters more complicated, Yargos decided to try performing one of the rituals held within the Infernal Incantation late last night. From the breathless ramblings of his assistant who arrived at my door only a handful of hours ago, it would appear that something went horribly wrong with the ritual Yargos enacted.”
“From what I was told, the ritual revealed to Yargos and his aides that the Infernal Incantation was not a guide on imprisoning fiendish forces, but instead the book itself was a prison for the armies of Hell. Within the confines of those ancient pages reside hundreds—perhaps even thousands— of devils eager to escape their long imprisonment. If Yargos’s bumbling has caused some sort of disturbance within the tome, then we need to ensure it is fixed as quickly and as discreetly as possible. It would not do the populace any good to realize that a full-on infernal invasion could appear in the middle of the city!”
“I need you to go to Yargos’s estate, where his aide has already informed him of your impending arrival. Once you meet with the historian, learn what you can about the book and how to reverse the meddling he has caused. Above all else, ensure that the legions of Hell are contained.”
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"Yargos estate? Sound like something that would be more likely to happen at the Blakros Museum. By the way, I like what you did with this place. I've always wanted to visit Tian. A pity we don't have any time to linger, I'd love to hear about it from you. But this sounds serious. Serious indeed. Are you absolutely sure I am the right person for this? I mean, legions from hell? No more senior agents available? I'll do my best, of course, but... Well, I wasn't all that helpful on the last mission you know. Spent most of my time running around the tent when I should have been helping, but that demon scared the bejeses out of me."
Cloudia, who has never been the most confident of folks at the best of times, is feeling a bit down on herself. She partially blames herself for Aurus' death. And even though he was miraculously restored by the clerics of his church, she still feel bad about it.
"Yargos estate? Sound like something that would be more likely to happen at the Blakros Museum. By the way, I like what you did with this place. I've always wanted to visit Tian. A pity we don't have any time to linger, I'd love to hear about it from you. But this sounds serious. Serious indeed. Are you absolutely sure I am the right person for this? I mean, legions from hell? No more senior agents available? I'll do my best, of course, but... Well, I wasn't all that helpful on the last mission you know. Spent most of my time running around the tent when I should have been helping, but that demon scared the bejeses out of me."
Cloudia, who has never been the most confident of folks at the best of times, is feeling a bit down on herself. She partially blames herself for Aurus' death. And even though he was miraculously restored by the clerics of his church, she still feel bad about it.
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Aurus stands in the back of the briefing. Since he woke up with a resurrection bill from the Church of Abadar, his fellow pathfinders haven't seen much of him. He bears a few new scars across his face, but the biggest shock is seeing the usually cheerful paladin standing so grimly.
"Gill was that crackpot with the whole skeleton army thing, right? Can we take away his scholarship rights so he stops putting Golarian at risk?," asks the half-elf, apparently seriously.
Aurus stands in the back of the briefing. Since he woke up with a resurrection bill from the Church of Abadar, his fellow pathfinders haven't seen much of him. He bears a few new scars across his face, but the biggest shock is seeing the usually cheerful paladin standing so grimly.
"Gill was that crackpot with the whole skeleton army thing, right? Can we take away his scholarship rights so he stops putting Golarian at risk?," asks the half-elf, apparently seriously.
"Well, I wouldn't say he is a crackpot, but I think it would be wise to impose the assistance of the Society in any of his future endeavors on him, so we can keep an eye on this old man from now on." Amara replies.
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Nemrok is a hulking well dressed half-orc. Despite his appearance, and the greataxe he carries on his back, he seems to be more a scholar than a warrior with eyes sparkling with intelligence.
Yes, I remember Yargos Gill, save him from some ruffians.
A good historian, but not quite right in his head... Totally him.
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"I rather liked him. A focused fellow if no warrior. And he knew SO many interesting stories. But he does seem to have a habit of getting himself into trouble. Not very grounded. What he needs is a good woman to set him straight and give him a reason to stay out of trouble."
Cloudia mentally goes through her various relations wondering if she might play matchmaker for once instead of being the victim.
Yes, I remember Yargos Gill, save him from some ruffians.
A good historian, but not quite right in his head... Totally him.
“It appears that someone else also has seen Yargos' potential as the befuddled scholar is being backed by a powerful party in the Inner Sea region. This third party ensured that Yargos was fitted with all the resources he needed to study the books and their purpose. As to who exactly this third party is, I cannot say.”
“Despite his apparently wealthy backers, Yargos resides in a small two-story villa within the Eastgate district of the city. If I were to hazard a guess, I would assume Yargos prefers to keep his research a secret and away from the prying eyes of more populous districts.”
"I rather liked him. A focused fellow if no warrior. And he knew SO many interesting stories. But he does seem to have a habit of getting himself into trouble. Not very grounded. What he needs is a good woman to set him straight and give him a reason to stay out of trouble."
Cloudia mentally goes through her various relations wondering if she might play matchmaker for once instead of being the victim.
"A good woman? That reminds me."
"Aside from Gill, only Ollysta Zadrian of the Temple of the Shining Star would have sufficient knowledge of the tomes to know how to reverse the damage. She is scheduled to spend her day in Gilltown, purchasing goods from the local merchants."
You follow the directions given and arrive at the location.
Yargos Gill’s villa is a stand-alone edifice that would normally meld into the background of Absalom’s various structures were it not for the massing crowd of local citizens in front of the entrance. Up above on the second floor, lights flicker as burning orange and red embers dance within.
Why are they gathering?
Nemork approach the crowd and asks What's going on here? Why so much people gathered at this place/
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+16
"I was on my way to work and I heard a series of screams coming from the upper level window. Then those lights started flickering in that weird way. It's been like this for about half an hour. So curious about what will happen next!" one of the spectators replies.
Don't you think it will be safer to get out of here?
Asks worried Nemrok
"And miss all the excitement? It doesn't look like it's an actual fire, so I think we're safe here!"
THIS IS NOT SAFE!
EVERYONE GET OUT!Says Nemrok to the crowd
[dice=Intimidate]1d20+20
The gathered crowd scatters
Cloudia echoes, "And now we can go!"
Cloudia walks up to the front door and tries to open it.
As Cloudia walks to the door she noticed it is slightly ajar. The immediate interior is in pristine condition. A basic dining room, kitchen, and meeting room fill the first level of the abode while stairs leading up. On the second floor you easily notice a terrible burning light coming from beneath a closed door.
Aurus feels the door and after determining it isn't hot he opens it and looks into the room.
Sheets of dancing orange and red fire cover the walls of this long room, forming blazing curtains around two windows facing the streets below. The interior of the room is undisturbed, and the wooden floor is completely absent of flames. A swirling, sinister symbol adorns the center of the floor, formed of a darkened red substance and accented by a few nearby candles.
Opposite the only entrance into this room is a large open altar filled with more candles, a single blood-stained dagger, and an open book from which torrents of flame feed the inferno along the walls. Nestled in the corners adjacent to the entrance are three humanoid bodies—two toppled over one another in one corner, and a third in the opposite corner, face down on the wooden floor.
A beautiful angelic creature with black stained wings and armed with a flaming bow stands next to the altar. She turns her head to the door and looks at Aurus with merciless eyes.
Travail
Cloudia
Erinyes
Jack
Nemrok
Aurus
** spoiler omitted **
Before Nemrok could says a word, his comrades are ready to fight!
Botting Travail
Travail takes an oil of bless weapon and uses it on his rapier.
The dark angel calls down a cold, cloying miasma of greasy darkness upon the party.
Nemrok and Jack* take 13 damage. The rest takes 26 damage and is sickened for rounds
Party is up!
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This is not an angel but an Erynie, a powerful devil! Don't try to use fire against it, the only energy they fear is electricity.
They also see everything so, illusion are not an option against that type of creature and they can bombard us with that spell multiple time, kill it quickly!
Nemrok looks at her and says in Infernal
You have been called here, but your time is limited. You will DIE!
Botting Travail
Travail moves into the room, activates his daredevil boots and tumbles behind the devil.
The Erinyes doesn't take an attack of opportunity.
This is not an angel but an Erynie, a powerful devil! Don't try to use fire against it, the only energy they fear is electricity.
They also see everything so, illusion are not an option against that type of creature and they can bombard us with that spell multiple time, kill it quickly!Nemrok looks at her and says in Infernal
You have been called here, but your time is limited. You will DIE!
[dice=Intimidation]1d20+18
The Erynes seems slightly shaken by the half orc's words.
Aurus feels emboldened - by Cloudia's multiple spells, by Nemrok's words, by his own fervent zeal. "I don't fear death at your hands, devil, but you should fear death at mine," the paladin yells as he darts forward.
Aurus smites and charges the devil and his swing cuts deep into the devil's flesh. Black ichorous blood spills to the floor as she wails out in pain!
Botting Jack
Jack steps to the door and unleashes a hail of arrows.
Miss
Hits for
Miss
The erinyes steps out of flank and fires three arrows at Aurus
Hits for and
Misses
Misses
Party is up!
Cloudia jumps a foot in the air when he pops up like that in the middle of a battle. Wrodlessly, she just points at the battle raging inside.
See posts on Sat, Mar 28, 2020, 08:29 am and Thursday, Apr 2, 09:28 am. Jack is the most injured ATM, a refreshing change to the usual Aurus bash fest. Well, refreshing to some.
Botting Jack
Jack steps into the chamber and fires trice.
Miss
Miss
Miss
Botting Travail
Travail steps into flank, triggering Aurus' attack, which hits again spilling more of the fallen angel's blood.
Travail then attacks!
Hits for
Hits for
Botting Riceak Hawklight
Riceak converts his lesser restoration to cast Cure Moderate Wounds on Cloudia
The Erynes tumbles out of the flank and flies up on the altar. She then again covers the room with her unholy blight for
Succes, take half (15)
Succes, take half (15)
Failure, take half (15)
Succes, take a quarter (7)
Party is up!