(#1-11) "Flames of Rebellion" (Inactive)

Game Master rainzax

Khaul also contemplates the religious implications of the groups actions.
religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

"Emoubu agree with Khaul, releasing ghost and demon both good things."

"Parli Infernale, mio giovane amico?" he addresses Duncan.

Parley infernail, my-oh geo-vain am-ee-ko?

Duncan has no idea what he's saying, but tries to match the ghost's pronunciation.

"I think we should get you in here as soon as you can teach us the procedure." Aurelien says quietly, waving the found wayfinder.

True to his word, Diggen Thrune teaches you the binding ritual "And when you go to bind Nashaxian, the only alterations you are to make are..." as well as a modified version that could serve to bind the weakened devil to the throne.

Anyone trained is at least one Tradition Skill can lead the 5-man rituals w/o a check

Just before entering, he takes the party on their word "I trust you to hold up your end of the bargain" avoiding eye contact with Nedri but otherwise making a point to connect personally with each of you before submitting.

If anyone has malicious intent, please speak up now!

And with that, the Wayfinder glows with an eerie red light, which seems to add to the items heft somewhat...

Devil Take Me (Part Zero)

The party decides what to do next...

...

...

The Party is Up!

Aurelien is unsure whether to release the spirit of someone who summons devils and wants to get stronger before they are in the service of Hell. His intent is not malicious, just concerned.

Aurelien will search around the library for books. He is suspicious about what happened to the Pathfinders as Diggen avoided details about them.

Nedri, used to the douchery of nobility, just rolls his eyes and stands up. "Gods, yes, let's git this chicanery over with already." When he sees Aurelien hesitating, he frowns. "What is it?"

Let me clarify: Does anyone here intend on using Deception to lure him in under false pretenses? Or do you plan to keep up your end of the bargain? (I need to hear from everyone!)

Ned thinks he's a d-bag, but Ned doesn't condemn people to eternal suffering for being jerks. And he has no reason to suspect this guy of nefarious dealings, just stupidity, so he intends to honor the deal unless something comes to light to change his mind.

Khaul is satisfied and intends to do as asked. But he doesn't regard this as a bargain, so much as doing a favor for the ghost and a good deed for the world.

Aurelien plans to keep his end of the bargain provided that Diggen hasn't tried to play him or lied to him.

3/5 intentions declared

After Diggen is inside, Aurelien addresses Nedri. "I don't know whether he is delusional or lying but this won't free his soul. That's dammed. He wants freedom to get stronger before he ends up in Hell.

He will then search around the library and look at some more books. "We still need to find out what happened to the Pathfinders."

"Oh!"

"Just before I enter this wayfinder - please sign here!"

There is a document sitting on the table over yonder which The Ghost of Diggen Thrune indicates - which he has already apparently drawn up - and which he has already apparently signed himself!

Please sign the "Binding Contract" in my GM Alias!

Duncan has no intentions toward betrayal, but will read the Binding Contract carefully before signing. Also, I can't access the file.

Khaul reads the papers and then shakes his head.

"I dunnie know yer game ghost. But I'm a dwarf of me word. And with no disrespect meant, yer gonna have to learn to trust someone. What got yer into this hole is a reliance on contracts and fine wording. And that aint gona get you out. I'm not gona sign me soul away on some contract with a devil binder. Either yer gona help us help you, or yer ain't. And I think yer might want to be thinking about yer eternal soul round about now, rather than continuing the games that got yer into this bind to begin with."

While Khaul is more than happy to help the poor soul, there is no way in hell he is going to sign any contract with a devil binder - failed or not. If you will pardon the expression.

"Well my good lad. Perhaps you speak for your party, and perhaps not. With my conditions thoroughly laid, it wouldn't do to have you abscond with your modest reciprocal duties. Please understand, though my eagerness is high as concerns my desire to banish this devil from my home - an ability I posses not without help - too has my patience in having the deed done in a way that shouldn't risk my own damned existence shifted into another order of magnitude with respect to time. You see, you are not the first band of adventurers to come rapscallioning through this keep, indeed, but to your merit, you are the first to make it past the successive defenses of it's lower tenants" he looks as Emoubu here "As such, though it would pain me to wait, without your written agreement to this simple assurance, I am afraid I will have to wait for the inevitable next band, even as I have grown fond of our conversations as well as the specific spices in your tea!"

The Ghost of Diggen Thrune sinks back into the wall of the library, gone from sight.

"I shall you time to mull it over in the privacy of this library, unperturbed, until such a time as you have together arrived at a final answer. Fino alla nostra prossima riunione!" the sound of his voice echoes here, growing increasingly distant until barely audible by the last syllable.

It seems that he is gone!

A change to what Aurelien says in light of the ghost's actions.

After Diggen has gone, Aurelien addresses Nedri. "I don't know whether he is delusional or lying but that wouldn't free his soul. That's dammed. He wants freedom to get stronger before he ends up in Hell. He is clearly untrustworthy and I expect he had something to do with the disappearance of the Pathfinders.

He will then search around the library and look at some more books. "We still need to find out what happened to the Pathfinders."

"So ghost cannot leave if demon isn't bound?"

Emoubu does not like having another demon bound to Golarion, there enough around as there is. He also doesn't like having a former demon summoning ghost bound to the material plane either. He'd much rather both get gone.

"He said the devil is bound until the Chelaxian Empire has taken back control of the area and his spirit is stuck here until then. That's when he goes to Hell. The devil is bound here and he is stuck too. We should probably try to destroy the devil and then report the ghost to the Society." Aurelien talks as he searches.

Ned barely affords the contract a single glance before dismissing it. "Khaul's got the right of it, methinks. 'e's either devious or a durned idjit. Mebbe sounds like a bit o' both. Either way, I en't signin' jack, 'specially a contract written by a devil-binder. That's jes foolish. I'm with Aurelien. Let's kill this devil an' report the ghost. I felt bad at first, but 'e's shown nuthin' but contempt an' a reliance on the nonsense as got 'im imprisoned in the first place."

Having learned what Aurelien knows, and after the weird contract thing, Ned has changed his mind and is not going to free the spirit. He no longer trusts Diggen.

"And if we can free the ghost to the afterlife, and remove the devil from the world for good, so much the better." adds Khaul.

"The world and this place will be the better for both of them being gone. And it sounds like neither really wants to be here. Win-win-win."

The written part is straightforward enough. It's the reliance on a verbal part that concerns me... Which leaves us trying to destroy a devil.

The party continues to discuss before deciding upon a course of action.

Can Aurelien search the library whilst the discussion is ongoing?

"Is probably not strong devil." Emoubu muses out loud.

Sounds like the plan is storm the attic and slay the devil. I don't think Cheliax is reclaiming this area any time soon.

Ned helps Aurelien scan the shelves for anything helpful about the fate of the previous Pathfinders.

Happy to roll an Aid Another check of an appropriate skill.

As Aurelien and Nedri look over the shelves, they soon discover that the levitation device has suddenly ceased to function - cutting off access to the higher reaches.

And then, as though with sudden psychokinesis, some of the books begin "tossing" themselves away from you just as you reach to grab them!

Diggen returns.

"So, do you need more time to discuss our deal?"

He indicates the contract on the table.

"Or have you reached your decision?"

Ned shakes his staff at the ghost. "What's in these books you don't want us readin'?? Hmmm?? Whatchoo hidin', ghost?"

Khaul gives the ghost a hard look. "I have said my piece. I am happy to help put you to rest ghost, but will sign no contract to do so. I do this because it is right. As for my companions, their decision is their own to make."

He stalks off to the stairwell.

"Emoubu agree with Khaul. Contracts got you into this, contracts are not the way to fix this."

Devil's Keep (Part Zero)

Leaving Diggen Thrune behind, the party follows Khaul and Emoubu up the stairwell...

Please place your Token on the new Map in the Stairwell (Red Box)!

With a sigh at the foolish ghost, Khaul stalks up the stairs, pausing for a moment at the top.

"Well, this is odd." he murmurs. "Maybe one of you tricky folk should come look at this passageway."

There is no way of investigating any more of the library?

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Thievery: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Let's see what we have here.

Duncan takes a look at the glowing grates, but doesn't notice anything special about them.

Aurelien looks around through the dim light granted by the grates. He is still muttering in elven about the ghost.

Equal parts confounded and irritated, Ned grumbles under his breath about fools and their money, which frankly has no bearing on the current situation. By the time they reach the top of the stairs, though, he's mostly just glad the situation is behind them.

Token placed. Will remain in Scout activity for now.

Emoubu is placed. He will be staying in Avoid Notice for now.

We are 4/5

Aurelien is investigating once more.

"I'm concerned we haven't found any trace of the Pathfinders."

"The ghost did mention them." reminds Khaul.

"Maybe once the devil is dealt to, he will be more... forthcoming."