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Tholvinus leans back in his cage from all the attention. "Dead master, huh? Listen, we both know death is a made up mortal concept for unwelcome planar travel. I tell you, why don't you take me to Gellius Thrune and I'll have a look at his condition for myself. Nobody knows him better and he is still my master. You winning me in some trumped up carnival contest doesn't quite seem right does it? Why do you want to find him so bad anyway?"
After several tries, Vina is finally able to visualize the imp's aura. It is one of scheming and suspiciousness but no fear or mind-affecting effect seems to be in play. Despite the diplomatic outreach, it seems to be indifferent to your group.
Standing to the side, Stan tries to discern the soul gem's alignment. it does not detect as evil. The paladin thanks Erastil for making the ability focus upon a single target as he wonders if he might be otherwise overwhelmed in this location with an area sweep.
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Tholvinus, Leventi is being investigated by another high ranking Devil, and the investigator has offered us the soul of Gellius Thrune in exchange for information on Leventi. So the fastest way to get to your master is to tell us all about Leventi.
If a diplomacy check is warranted here.
Stan steps back to comment to the rest of the group.
I am inclined to take the soul. If nothing else, taking the soul gets it out of the Devils' control.
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Vina nods to Anastasia, adding "I believe this decision will a-allow you to s-sleep well at night, Anastasia. Your reputation at the lodge is one of selflessness and altruism. Choosing a toy over someone's soul may have come back to haunt you as a regret in the years to come..."
When Stan addresses the imp, Vina adds, without stuttering "I agree with my colleague here. His logic is flawless, in your case."
Vina then begins to think about the next step. "Zarta, you've uncovered a wealth of information from the marketplace yes? p-perhaps we should head there and tie off the loose ends you've uncovered? how about w-we start with Arenthea, before we try negotiating with the night hag Yseldra?"
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Morgoth seems to be anxious as team back off from Widows Cry... even after they won Tholvinus and the Soul Onyx. He seems to forget about Tholvinus for a while, but Bess is constantly flying nearby the cage...
Agree with Vina. It is reasonable to visit Aranthea. And, if she works in Fallen Fasteness, also visit librarian Phlagantres can be reasonable. We need as much info about contracts as we able to collect. But honestly, I also become hungry.
Morgoth finds come corned beef and and starts to eat a peace, suggeting everyone to take some as well.
Zarta, what do you plan to do next? Want to separate again? I feel we need some high ranking devil at our side to confront Leventi later. And it's unlikely my master Dark Prince will come here personally. - Morgoth smiles gloomy.
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Gilgrm asks one of the healers to use his wand on him, so as to not drain their own resources on him.
With that outta the way, the dwarf spends some time watching the imp. While he may not be very diplomatic, especially in this place, his instincts tell him not to trust a word that comes out of this creature's mouth, and he expresses as much to his colleagues.
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The imp's visage softens (despite Gilgrim's visible reluctance and Bess' pesky persistence) upon hearing Stan's information, and the wheels in his tiny mind spin as he takes in your cross-talk of freeing souls in random soul gems.
"So you'd free Master Gellius Thrune given a chance, too?" Essentially immune to diplomatic approach, the imp relents nonetheless at that thought. "For centuries, I worked with my master to plot an escape, for my contract endured after my master's death, denying me opportunities for advancement while Leventi still possessed Master Gellius' soul. So many times... we came so close to escape."
The imp falls back on his rear with a thump, as he smiles in remembrance.
"Once Gellius came this close to escaping through the hellmouth... Leventi is nothing but negligent. Do you know what would happen to a devil's reputation if it were outsmarted by a mere soul?"
Kipping up in a single bound, the imp moves to the front of the cage. "Free me and I'll help you take Leventi down, then my master can be free. Yes, I can still be of great use to you. I know of Leventi's Scriptorium and can guide you through it. We have a deal, yes?"
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Vina seems repulsed at Morgoth as he pulls out corned beef from somewhere and begins to shove the greasy slabs of meat into his mouth.
"Thank you for the offer, Morgoth, but I shall pass. For those who prefer a plant-based diet, I can provide an alternative choice..."
Vina taps on a cluster of emeralds displayed on her bandoleer. The gems are attached to a delicate golden clasp arranged in the likeness of a five-petaled blossom. As she taps the elaborate piece of jewelry, she issues a short command word to activate its magic. Within seconds the emeralds take on the appearance of a living flower, and sprout fresh berries. She plucks one for herself and one for Lakadee, and distributes the rest to whoever is interested.
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Morgoth demands Bess to return to her duty of a scout instead of being joker. Bess teases him back, becomes invisible, and fly higher to have better vision of possible obstacles.
In general the advocate agree's to free Tholvinus from cage if their missions are similar, and the Pathfinder got proper documents. But maybe a bit later, after better wording of agreenent with Tholvinus.
Well, maybe Market of Breath will be our last point for today. Lets visit Yseldra and have a rest thereafter nearby. Or visit Fallen Fastness once more if we still won't be fatigue for that. That's interesting that Gellius wanted to escape... I suppose Leventi may feel this very personal.
Morgoth will gladly accept Vina's magic berry.
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The floating tower drips a constant rain of pitch onto the streets below and vibrates with a chorus of screams from the countless living tongues layered into its walls. In contrast, the upper portico hums pleasantly with commerce. Pergolas covered in thorny vines and quivering flesh loom over the maze-like cobbled streets. Snaking flames illuminate storefronts promising life, death, and everything in between, while tents of all shapes and construction host the quick patter of haggling and the predatory gaze of shopkeepers. Fiends, mortals, and more barter and deal, all under the watchful gaze of an enormous blue dragon perched atop the tower.
Asking about for Aranthea, you find her here still. She is at The Emerald Eye, a boutique specializing in the collection of the preserved heads of scholars. She has black vulpine ears and small, sharp teeth but otherwise adopts the demeanor and dress of an affable scholar. Noticing your arrival, she pivots toward you.
"You wouldn't be the Pathfinders that Zarta told me to expect, would you?"
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"We are. Aranthea yes? pleased to meet you at last. Let me introduce ourselves," says Vina, introducing everyone in the group, and then adding, "Oh yes, and this is the latest addition to our troupe: the imp Tholvinus, who was recently relocated to the Widow's Cry arena by Leventi's agents. Yes, we find ourselves hearing quite a bit about this Leventi... he seems to have connections with everything and everyone in this city! wouldn't you say?"
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Noke bows with a smile.
“Yes, yes, we’re Zarta‘s team! We heard that lwork for the Fallen Fastness and specialize in acquiring rare tomes, arcana, and the souls of spellcasters!“
She looks at the group.
“Listen! Zarta felt that you still have information that you were hiding from her about Leventi's dealings!!“
Noke steps nearer.
“Listen, I think you will also be glad if he’s gone!! So do you’ve got anything for us?“ she says smiling.
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Thank you Vina. I trust your magic much more than I would trust any other food in this place.
When the group approaches Aranthea, he says
We are indeed the Pathfinders working with Zarta and Vetrivides, looking for information on Leventi. Perhaps there is a way we can assist you and make this a mutually beneficial relationship?
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"I'm sure there are many uses for a head, my pretty little gnome." Still perusing the wares, she frowns at your initial attempts to court her favor. "Yes, news travels fast here, telepathy and all. Your exploits in the arena today were quite the buzz for a few minutes."
Strangely, she responds directly to Noke's forthrightness. "'Hiding' is not the proper term, my dear. Here in Hell, we expect precision, even in our choice of words. No, the word you are looking for is 'withholding'. I did not tell Zarta everything because she had nothing further to give me. I believe she was reluctant to enter a Dark Bargain with me. The question is, are you?"
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Noke waves a hand at the mentioning of a dark bargain.
”Listen devil lady! I know you think that we mortals are toys to play with. But you are speaking to the creme de la creme of the Pathfinder Society here! We’re not playing with the small chips. We’re here to shoot with the big guns. This contract devil is going down and he’s got lots of enemies who would like to fill his shoes. Maybe you want a piece, too?! Give us what you’ve got lady please!“ she says with some determination.
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"We understand you have a great reputation to uphold. This is an impressive location of commerce, famous all over the planes of reality, yes? we have little to offer for someone as successful as you, and I fear that any bargain you attempt with us will not be as lucrative as those you already have concluded today before your midday feast... yes, we are at your mercy, Madame, and the only comfort we can contribute to your day would be the knowledge that any leads you give us on Leventi's dealings will lead to his embarrassment and frustration, or at least contribute in a small way in delaying his promotion. What say you? we are mere mortals, but we are well civilized... you can rest assured that any seed you give us will find its way to fertile soil in the garden of devils that is Dis..."
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Seems like Morgoth can not read this hag. He is a bit tired, but decides to carefully use his words to convience Aranthea...
Greetings. My name is Morgoth Mobray. Advocate. We are here with best intentions to find Leventi's documents tails and mistakes. His fate is predetermined, and it's just a matter of couple days when he going to sink. It is your interest to cooperate. Speaking about Dark Bargain - you should understand who my master is, it's gonna be hard to chalange a right to soul or even it's part. Moreover we probably have something in exchange instead of Dark Bargain, if you provide something material, not only answers.
Morgoth will push through using his Barrister skill and knowledge of Hell's Order.
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Dark Bargains are your tools, not ours. We are not willing to participate in them because we are aware they are always more impactful than they seem, and while I am sure you would be faithful the the letter of the agreement, I am sure the letter of the agreement would not be what we understood when we signed.
As we demonstrated at the arena, we have our competencies and can prove useful in a number of ways. Surely there is some other way we can come to an arrangement?
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“Well, first of all lady I have a secret for you that you know is quite big! You were actually a good outsider that took the wrong path!“ she says with a disappointed look on her face.
“But in case that is not enough then I’ve got something else for you!“ she says and whispers a secret she learned during her adventures into the devil’s ear.
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”I don’t really have any secrets, I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Me for example....(several minutes of biography here)...and now I’m here. But I would trade a scroll, I have a bunch of ‘em.”
She begins digging around in the bag for something that would be tempting, a process that takes a few seconds as she chooses, and then reconsiders a few other choices...
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"Well, now that wasn't so hard was it." Arenthea grabs a few preserved heads for her "work", and moves to the purveyor to pay. She turns one last time to you. "Now since you have shared some enticing secrets with me, I shall leave one of mine with you. What I didn't share with dear Zarta was that I not only acquired Thrune relics for Leventi, I also performed several... hmm... simple services that would have made it easier for someone to steal heirlooms outright. Now I am not a huge fan of vigilante justice, but do with that what you will. Ta ta."
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Noke is glad that everything turned out so positive.
“Thanks for this secret on Leventi lady!“ Noke says as they are leaving the shop.
After hearing Zarta’s message, she looks at the others.
“We are supposed to find shelter here in the market, right? So let’s check this place out!! There surely are great things here that can be purchased which you’ll find nowhere on Golarion!!“ she says and explores the market.
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"Before we retire for the night and turn our heads to.. infernal merriments? ...shall we check in with the night hag Yseldra in order to attempt the buyout of Ophelia Perran's infernal contract? from what I understand from Zarta, this Ophelia only serves as Leventi's agent because an infernal contract has been taken on her soul? I'm not sure about the details of the arrangement between the night hag and Leventi, but perhaps we should try to see what is the price of her loyalty... shall we?"
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You have my agreement, Vina. Yseldra visiting can be our priority now, as I am interested in this Ophelia Perran due to solving hellknight's puzzle. But be aware, Hunters Blessing charms come to an end slowly but surely. - Morgoth's walk becomes heavy again, but he still ready for investigation continue.
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Yseldra operates out of a hidden alley that houses her shop, the neatly kept Yesterday’s Glories. The front room has comfortable chairs of varying sizes and a shelf of books with the names and histories of the souls Yseldra sells and leases. A thin tengu woman tends to the collections at this time.
"Welcome to our shop, take your time. Is there anything I can help you with?"
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Morgoth takes a patient look around saying nothing for a while, as he is interested in historical data and artifacts.
He gives his teammates an opolportunityto talk, but join them or lead, of politeness staying higher then businesses in priority.
Respected Yseldra, we are here for the sake of Dark Prince and following Hell's rule. We are processing an investigation around the devil named Leventi. Punishment for his unworthy soon will find him. But it's better to have more facts in hand. I am sure we can provide something in exchange... Finally, we would like to receive Ophelia Perran's contract, and I am interested what this will cost us.
Morgoth also would like to ask about magical protection. His False Vision does not work and he believes that Nondetection won't either. So maybe Yseldra knows how we can avoid Eye of Dis?
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The tengu morphs back into the expected appearance of a night hag. "Ah Zelda's troupe and the case of the worrisome fool. When she mentioned you, I assumed you would pop up sooner or later. Since you've spoken to her, she has thus told you I am standing firm... I will need 10,000 gp for Ophelia’s contract... contract termination fees and such - you have to understand."
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Noke notices nothing and starts speaking again.
“Wow! So you are a night hag?! Wow! So are you like a really evil witch! I mean, I am witch too! But one of the lucky and kind ones! And we witches have to stick together, right? So it would be really nice if you could just give the contract to us for something else that we can share with you!?“ she kind of asks.
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"Is there anything else which could serve in lieu of gold? rare metals are a somewhat primitive method of currency in planes and dimensions that span over infinities, as we have come to learn. Surely, a network of contacts and access to business dealings is as important to someone in your line of work. The quality of one's word and his or her ability to deliver on promises is surely worth its weight in gold - and beyond - in such a nexus of the realities. Have you... had success in holding your side of the bargain with the... worrisome fool?"