PFS1e 7-18 - Faithless and Forgotten #3: The Infernal Inheritance (KS) (Inactive)

Game Master phaeton_nz

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The captain’s quarters aboard the Hornet’s Nest sits in uncomfortable silence. The normally composed Zarta Dralneen awkwardly shifts in her chair, repeatedly glancing across the room at a stocky halfling with short salt-and-pepper hair and practical black clothing. Between them stands Venture-Captain Dennel Hamshanks, the ship’s captain, who seems relieved to have other visitors.

Welcome, agents, Hamshanks announces. My other guests have already skipped the social niceties, so I don’t see why we need to start now. Zefiro Balinger, a Corentyn museum curator and ally of the Society, has been abducted by agents of House Thrune on charges of ‘treasonous misinformation’—which is to say the heretical preservation of unedited Chelish histories. The Decemvirate cannot afford to lose such a valuable asset, nor can it allow these documents to be thrown onto a ‘clarity pyre,’ but Cheliax would love nothing more than to do exactly that.

Hamshanks pauses as if waiting for someone else to pick up the conversation, then clears his throat at the distracted Zarta. Zarta snaps to attention. Pathfinders discovered that Zefiro has been taken to Ostenso. His prison is called the Bloody Nail, a facility where political enemies disappear for interrogation and punishment. Trying to spring a captive from a high-profile prison in the heart of a major Chelish city would normally be suicide, yet that is our only remaining option. Zarta’s expression sours slightly, and she glances at the halfling again before muttering, Fortunately, I know someone who specializes in such suicide missions, yet curiously always seems to come back alive.

The halfling smirks at Zarta, hopping to his feet. Please, Zarta, the pleasure is all mine. The name’s Tamrin Credence, longtime Bellflower and master of coming back alive. The lovely paracountess laid out your situation for me. Luckily enough, liberating Chelish prisoners is a favorite hobby of mine, so it looks like we’ll be working together on this project.

Infiltrating the Bloody Nail won’t be a picnic, but it seems my luck hasn’t deserted me yet. Turns out tomorrow is Loyalty Day, a national holiday celebrating House Thrune’s oppressive regime and
those who willingly agree to be oppressed by it. Citizens are required to attend the festivities, and since Ostensons aren’t exactly known for their docility, that means lots of guards in the streets keeping order. Those extra guards have to come from somewhere, meaning we’re looking at a short-staffed prison detail stuck working a holiday.

So here’s the plan: we march up to the Bloody Nail looking all intimidating. I’ve still got some clout with Ostenso’s guards from back when I worked for the Consortium, so I’ll convince the lead interrogator to bring some of his guards with me to deal with a Loyalty Day ‘emergency.’ Fortunately for him, I’ve brought some of my own agents—that’s you—to cover for him and his soldiers while we’re away. Knowing Chelish prison administration, he’ll agree as long as one of his lackeys can supervise you. I’ll keep the interrogator distracted long enough for you to get the lay of the land, ditch your babysitter, break in, get what we came for, and get out before anyone smells a rat. We’ll meet back at the southernmost docks of the Custodisce Break and sail for Andoran. Easy enough?

If they're short staffed... could we just get jobs in the prison? Surely we have the contacts in Cheliax to make it possible. Maybe not simple...

While loud, the voice has the monotony of somebody reciting a weather report. You turn to see a tall (for a human) lanky figure shrouded in a practical cloak and topped in a very wide-brimmed hat of very similar earthy color. Underneath it you note a very plain face with sharp features. If he has any hair it's somehow hidden under the hat or doesn't exist at all.

"'Ostensons aren't known for their docility.' Sounds like my kinda people," Holan-Ji rumbles with a quiet laugh more to himself than to the rest of the room.

"Hay, Tamrin, you said 'ditch your babysitter.' Like, kill him?"

"Refreshingly direct," Uaine says, nodding. "Not that we did poorly in our prior work with the Chelish, but this feels like something more to our strengths."

The hooded figure takes a few more moments to contemplate. "So, we're to pose as Aspis agents for the first leg of this? Finally, a job my visage is suited to."

"Only too glad to help get Zefiro back, madam. Seeing as we were working with him when he was abducted. I can't help but feel partly responsible." And this mission will be a perfect chance for me to practice being stealthy. "I've been a tavern bouncer before, a prison guard shouldn't be too different."

Well .. there's a better way to ditch the baby sitter. the halfling replies. Try dropping a hint to Krima. She’s a Bellflower plant at the Nail, so if you can tip her off and get her to switch jobs with your supervisor, you’ll have free run of the joint. If that doesn’t fly, charm him, drug him, knock him on the head, whatever works. But, be discrete with the violence. If the interrogator returns to a charnel house, he’ll mobilize the guards faster than you can wipe the blood off your swords. If that happens, better hope you can beat feet to the docks faster than all of Ostenso’s law enforcement on high alert.

”Ooo, is there a secret password we could tell her so she’d know we’re in the know?” Jahz asks eagerly. ”You know?”

No ... not really. But saying Bellflower might work. But I wouldn't say that within anyone else's hearing

Ferdrin smiles at the mention of the Bellflower plant.

Ah, excellent. I think we can work with that. I'd much rather we don't resort to attention-drawing violence.

I'd much rather we didn't either. Any more questions?

"I suggest bringing Zefiro a change of clothes. Whatever he's in now might look suspicious if we're carting him around outside. How many guards are on that shift, if they came back early or something?"

Suussmaar chuckles.

”It seems as if you two had a lot of fun in the past together! Maybe in bed?!“ Suussmaar says with a grin.

He then thinks. ”What is this Bellflower by the way? And what is this festival going to be like!? If we can create opportunities for diversions then we should know!?“

The comment about 'fun in bed' is treated with the respect it is due - i.e. none. The response is stony silence for a while before Tamrin replies.

Our interests have converged more than once. Historically, our respective goals have been, shall we say, mutually exclusive, but it seems that this time we’re on the same side for once. I understand the paracountess has an appetite for unlikely bedfellows, but I doubt this is what she had in mind

As for the Bellflowers, Cheliax loves keeping halfling slaves because they’re cheap to feed, work hard, and are easy on the eyes. Bellflowers believe that we halflings can do all that and more if we’re free, and the Network helps smuggle the enslaved to better, freer lands

I’ll keep the Interrogator occupied for as long as I can, but no promises for a timeframe. If he comes back early, get to the docks as fast as possible. My advice? When the guards are spread this thin, it’s tricky for them to pursue fugitives while also doing damage control. It’s a holiday. Teach the Chelish how to party.

Holan-Ji chuckles at Suussmaar's faux pas. "Mr. Credence, don't mind him. I'm not exactly a slave on the run myself, but pretty darn close, and it'd take too long to explain anyway. So I get where you're comin' from," he says in the most diplomatic manner you've ever seen from the big brute.

"We've got a good team for this," he says looking at his companions. "Lots of muscle, a couple specialists, and Ferdrin can cause a lot of chaos with his bombs. Is there anything else you think we ought to know goin' in?"

"Cause if not, let's go get a last good meal before we land. The ship's cook said he was makin' something called Sunset Stew."

"If anywhere could stand some extra chaos, it would be Cheliax," Uaine says, with a smile.

"And you're sure Krima is safe? Not in danger of being compromised by helping us too much?"

Should be ... yes. Now .. just in case any of you have an aversion to lying here's some things you can say.

For instance: How’s working for the Aspis Consortium? You could say Pay’s good, and our boss has a reputation in Cheliax so we can get into places we aren’t normally allowed.

Or: How are you celebrating Loyalty Day? “We planned to see some parades and hear some of the speeches before moving on to our next assignment. You have to love how House Thrune takes care of the people on days like today.”

Or even: Do you worship Asmodeus? “It’s hard not to in this country; plus, you have to admire how the Archfiend runs such a tight ship.”

Before concluding the briefing, Tamrin has two gifts for you. First is a bag of equipment to help bypass the Nail’s guards: two doses of oil of taggit, two elixirs of hiding, an elixir of love, a scroll of silence, and a potion of eagle’s splendor. He also adds a lesser circlet of persuasion, which functions like a circlet of persuasion but provides only a +2 bonus on Charisma-based skill checks

Ferdrin recites the lines, grimacing the whole way like he's trying to choke down a mug of the Hagfish's water.

..such a tight ship. *hurk*

Okay okay, I think we can use these lines. Just need to practice them a bit more before we get there...

So, we're also to get dirt on Ianareth Alazario. After what happened to Zefiro, gladly.

Ready to go!

”...aren’t...normally...allowed...” Jahz finishes writing on his arm and looks up. ”Ready as well! Let’s go bust a jail! Wait, do we want to teach people about partying before we go to jail or after?”

Goodness, there’s a lot for a skald to love in those goodies. Jahz could certainly use the circlet, and the potion of eagle’s splendor would also help him tell a believable lie. If we have nobody else who can cast it, Jahz should also be able to use the scroll of silence.

“We will try to dig up as much dirt as we can about this lady that replaced you! But as usual my expectation is that the dark archives repay us with the magical stuff that you usually hide away! If not today, then perhaps tomorrow?“ he says to Zarta with a sly grin.

Homal-Ji sets his mug down and looks over the stash of gear. Not much there for him to use, but he notes the taggit oils. "Knockout drug. Gotta get it into their food or drink, though. Too bad we don't have a sneak-thief to slip it to our 'babysitter.'"

None of us has Sleight of Hand trained :(

I can also cast Silence. I'm not high enough level, but I'd have to roll a 1 to fail with a scroll. So obviously that's what I'd roll.

"We have quite the set of...personalities among us," Uaine replies. "Perhaps that bit legerdemain would be easier if one of us could distract them?"

Doesn't look like we can do that either, though. No Bluff.

"I'm not permitted to outright lie, but I can't control how my truths are interpreted." He grins. "I think we'll be fine."

This is definitely one of those "please ignore your alignment restrictions" scenarios, so I'll do the best I can here. Jahz and I can make the best use of the potion, but I'm not sure I'd want to take the time to use it in combat, so he can have both. I can't use poison but I'll take an elixir of hiding.

After outfitting you with bronze Aspis Consortium badges, Tamrin leads you aboard the Queen Gale, a merchant vessel that sometimes assists the Bellflower Network in transporting both people and goods. The Queen Gale smuggles you into Ostenso Harbor the next day, where Tamrin hastily leads you through Dockside’s winding streets. Dozens of guards oversee the construction of stages, the hanging of banners, and the steering of extravagantly decorated floats in preparation for the upcoming Loyalty Day events.

Despite the spectacle, Tamrin wastes no time bringing you to a rectangular stone building capped with an octagonal pyramid. Each side of the pyramid bears the painted image of a red nail, though rain has made the paint run, so rivulets of red stain the roof and make the image appear to be bleeding. As is common with many state buildings, Asmodean symbols are common here, though the building is actually dedicated to Dispater, Hell’s greatest jailor and lord of that plane’s second layer. In deference to Asmodeus, Dispater’s unholy symbol of a red-crowned spike piercing a golden ring tends
to be covered by easily moved Asmodean artwork like wall hangings and plaques.

Tamrin instructs you to wait outside, then disappears into the building for nearly half an hour. He returns accompanied by a retinue of soldiers, led by a lanky interrogator with manacles at his belt. Tamrin gestures to you, prompting the interrogator to size you up. The interrogator beckons to one of his guards and then asserts that you are to help watch the facility while he tends to Tamrin’s emergency, and that Galvar—the guard he summoned—is in charge during his absence. You are not to go anywhere or touch anything without Galvar’s permission and supervision. Tamrin flashes you a subtle wink before leading the interrogator and his soldiers into the city.

Once the interrogator departs, Galvar visibly relaxes and welcomes you inside. Galvar acknowledges that he does have to supervise you during their stay, but he’s confident that you are just as unhappy about having to “play security guard” on a holiday as he is about needing to chaperone them. He admits that today the guards are just keeping their heads down until they can go enjoy the festivities in town. You are told there are 15 guards in here at the moment and you are free to explore the facility and interact with it's inhabitants. Galvar will accompany you at all times.

You start in the entryway. Four statues of snarling hounds stand in the corners of the Nail’s entrance hall. A red rug covers much of the floor, although stone peeks through the holes worn in the severely trodden carpet. A male guard named Straven stands watch here.

Thanks Galvar! Sure, we may as well do a lap around the place we're supposed to guard. Hard to do so when we don't know it's ins and outs! Do you want to do the honors Galvar, or should we explore on our own?

Ferdrin asks, likewise relaxed by their supervisors demeanor.

Uaine keeps silent and hooded for the moment. She nods to Straven, as if to say, 'Sorry you have to work today.' He likely guesses that's because of the holiday, and not the imminent chaos.

Sussmaar remains silent and tries to not make any mistakes.

"So... how long you been working here?" Jahz asks as the group conducts their tour, making his voice gruffer to fit in with the rough-and-tough image he's trying to project. "Got any family? Plans to celebrate the holiday later?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Just trying to get Galvar to warm up to us, maybe even see us as friends. Mechanically, this is trying to shift his disposition to Friendly or even Helpful.

"Looks like you didn't leave much for us to do," Gorrig says approvingly during their tour. "I mean, if we have to miss the festivities, it might as well be for an easy gig like this."

Diplomacy (aid Jahz), untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Holan-Ji gives a warrior's shake and a nod of respect and sympathy to Galvar. He doesn't say anything, just lets his size and appearance say everything that matters.

Galvar is warming up to you as you proceed on your tour.

The Halls (A2): Iron bars separate the Nail’s southern hallways from the northern ones. Basic lanterns hang from the ceiling in each corner surrounding the central prison, lighting the halls.

Four guards (Asma, Brai, Tesante, and Zir) stand watch throughout the southern hallways. They eye you curiously at first, but soon return to their conversations once the novelty fades..

Staff Lounge (A3): This cozy chamber features wooden chairs arranged casually around two tables. Two blazing fireplaces warm the room—a western one facing in toward an open door and a southern one furnished with kitchen utensils and cook pots. Playing cards, dice, and other diversions litter the tables. A gamey smell wafts through the room.

This lounge gives off-duty guards a place to decompress without leaving the premises, making it a favorite hangout. Five guards presently occupy the room: Cormyn, Inetra, Usul, and Valtym should be on duty but are taking a much-needed break, while Thrick is busy preparing a rabbit stew at the southern cook pot. Although Thrick is the most timid of the Nail’s staff, his warm personality helps boost morale, so the interrogator keeps him mostly on maintenance detail.

If you wish to pause to talk to them, roll Diplomacy.You can aid another on this check by impressing the guards using Bluff, Diplomacy, Perform, or Profession (soldier) checks.

Barracks (A4): Full-time guards sleep in this room, which is lined with triple bunk beds. The fireplaces in area A3 heat the room, although the privies get cold being so far away. Three guards (Falzin, Jurvik, and Yenae) are just waking up, recovering from a late night shift. They’re groggy but conversational as they don armor.

Staff Storage (A5): This room contains chests with the guards’ personal belongings. None of the staff store valuables here, but guard tabards hang from the rack along the northeast wall.

Facility Storage (A6): Gavick doesn't lead you in here, he just waves a hand at the door and tells you that this section is for storage.

[There's no real need to go further. he says. The prisoners are beyond those two iron gates in the hallways - and those are the only way to get in there. You just need to bolster the guards here.

Ever on the hunt for new foods, Holan-Ji steps over to the southern cook pot and Thrick's rabbit stew. He takes a deep whiff and gives a deep, rumbling sigh of happiness. "Smells great. When'll it be ready?"

Aiding Diplo: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

Very good. Any specific places we should watch in particular when patrolling?

Ferdrin asks, hoping he reveals some additional passage.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

"Looks as if we're helping you work less hard," Uaine says, nodding to the guards in the lounge. "There'll be time for a personal holiday later, hopefully."

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 ⇒ 12

In the Staff Lounge Suussmaar supports to impress!

diplomacy aid : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

So what useful information do you wish to know .... Defenses? Documents? The Interrogator? The Prisoners? At the moment you can get two useful pieces.

Should be ready soon. It's rabbit stew ... want some?

Yeah ... hopefully ... but of a bummer being on duty during a holiday .. but at least we'll get to see some of it. ... I hope

Watch in particular? The gates subdividing the north and south sections I suppose ... if there's an escape, they have to go through those

knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Ferdrin eyes the stew briefly, but quickly loses interest and moves on.

So, who all is going to stay on duty with us when the rest of you head out to the festivities?

craft alchemy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Suussmaar has little clue what to do.

These lawful guys are not his type and he is not really able to hide his feeling.

He just is silent.

Knowledge (nature) vs DC 16: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Jahz almost says something, but seems to think better of it and turns to Glavar. ”Oh yeah, is there any paperwork we need to fill out while we’re here?” he asks innocently.

Jahz would certainly love to tell people about the information that’s in the spoiler, but this might not be the best time to do that when other folks could overhear. I don’t suppose we have someone who’s sneaky and/or quick with their hands here?

And as far as useful intel, Jahz would be interested in Documents.

Doesn't look as if, Jahz. We may have to burn it all down and run!

Uaine is in a similar boat to Suussmaar. Not that these common folk likely have any say in the matter, but she ironically doesn't much like those who consort with fiends.

Whatever is in the stew is lost on Gorrig.

"Sure, I'll take some stew!" he says, hoping to build some camaraderie with the guards. He asks for information pertaining to Defenses and Prisoners, especially whether any of the prisoners might be Bellflower sympathizers.

Edit: since Jahz asked about Paperwork, I'll limit my questions to Prisoners.

You get the following information:

Prisoners: We don’t ask what they did to get here; Management’s pretty strict about that stuff. They even have a way to soundproof the main prison when they’re interrogating important prisoners so nothing leaks out. Fine by me. I hate hearing them scream.

Documents: The boss keeps the important stuff in the vault, way in back. You need some kind of passcode to get in. I don’t know how he remembers it; he can’t even remember what month it is sometimes.

You do have the run of the place although you get the impression if you want to go deeper into the prison, you might have to think of some method to ditch Galvar. It also looks like getting through those locked grates in the outer corridor shouldn't be too much of a problem. Galvar tells you that the interrogator's office and the vaults are up there as well as the cells and interrogation area.

Plus the storage area that Galvar waved off as unimportant has the archives room in the corner, where the prison's paperwork and records are filed.

[dice=knowledge (nature)]1d20+11

Ferdrin eyes the stew briefly, but quickly loses interest and moves on.

So, who all is going to stay on duty with us when the rest of you head out to the festivities?

Any response to this question? Ferdrin is hoping to start figuring out who our Bellflower is..

All of us I guess .,... at least until the Interrogator gets back

Thrick pours our another bowl of stew.

Could someone take this over to Krima in the Archives room please? he asks. She's probably lost track of time .... again

((OOC: You guys come up with any plans yet?))

Ferdrin pipes up nonchalantly.

Sure. May as well meet more of the crew!

He puts out his hand for the soup bowl.

Figured make contact with the insider first and then see.

Somehow, all of you, plus Galvar, end up taking one bowl of soup to the Archive Room. You go through the Facility Storage.

This chamber stores crates containing various odds and ends necessary for running a prison: food, manacles, parchment, ink, and other supplies. Two cages for minor offenders, animals, or valuables stand against the east wall, and an interior door leads into another room.

and through the interior door.

Hundreds of manuscripts and prison records fill this room’s shelves, many bearing labels such as “Accounting,” “Calendars,” and “Discharge Logs.” The only occupant is a halfling female guard. Including Galvar, you have now counted fifteen guards.

Back, back, all of you! Back I say! It only takes one dolt to carry soup!

Ferdrin scolds loudly as they proceed down the passageway to the Archive Room, with several party members trying to "help" carry it.

We're spilling some. Gah!

Ferdrin calmly walks up to the lone guard, offers the bowl to her, and in a hush voice remarks, Hi, Ferdrin at your service. I'm hoping this soup can nourish a Bellflower...

He looks at her expectantly for any response.

Sense Motive re: Ferdrin: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

"Who said I was helpin'? This is my bowl," Holan-Ji says as he licks it clean.

Fortunately someone else had Krima's bowl.

My my my ... six of you just to bring me a bowl of soup? I do feel lucky today. she replies as she digs in, being careful not to spill any on the documents littering her desk.

And you're stuck with escorting the newbies around again by the looks of it Galvar, when you've obviously got better things to do. Why don't I take them off your hands for a bit. Could use a break from staring at all these numbers

My orders were to stick close to these greenhorns Galvar replies. We're a bit short staffed cause of the celebrations but I can cope doing this for a bit.

((Could Feldrin please make a Bluff check to pass along that message without Galvar being suspicious, especially since you called her a Bellflower))