Zarta Dralneen has sent an urgent request for experienced Pathfinder agents. You receive the missive and are directed to the Grand Lodge of Absalom.
After about the third complaint, someone sends a junior Pathfinder Initiate off on an errand. The initiate comes back with a book on etiquette and hands it to Khellek. Looking slightly embarrassed, they say “I was told to bring this for your reading pleasure.”
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"Maybe you could come up with a spell that does it for you Kheliek?" Human of Shoanti decent asked as he joined the others at the Grand Lodge."How are things?"
Like most Shonanti, the figure does not have any hair, being completely bald and clean shaven. A rapier and short sword were riding on his hip, with a holy symbol of Desna around the neck. He appears to not have any noticeable armor.
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"Thank you" says Khellek to the junior pathfinder. He then peers closely at the figure. "You still have not turned in your essay on the first Taldan civil war! How do you expect to be a Pathfinder if you don't know your history. Shaking his head he takes a comfortable seat and starts to read.
Only to be shaken by the sudden appearance of Two Blades. "Ahh, Mr Darkness! Did you ever do those changes to your Chronicle about your ventures in Bone Keep? The content was fascinating but the editing was poor. You are doing yourself an injustice, and the rest of the Society too, who could benefit from your experiences."
Then with a twiddle of his fingers light grows brighter and the book page turns itself. "There are many was to accomplish an objective. Magic is a very useful one, but hardly the only." he says with what might almost pass as a smile from the irritable old man.
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"Hey! You try writing a report right after you got killed" Two Blades grumbled. "Besides, I hear that there is a Half-orc Wizard that has been killed Four times, Rognak...Rognak of the Quadruple Deaths. Once is more than enough for me" he said, holding up four fingers and then one to accentuate the statement.
"Word has it that Pharasma has an express lane for Pathfinders that has the resources to not get added to the Wall of Names." he quipped.
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A wiry, weather-beaten mad clad in a simple robe, with a glittering jewel set in the centre of his forehead, strides into the room supported by a darkwood staff, the top of which is shrouded in a nimbus of fire that never consumes the wood, and inclines his head to Khellek in greeting.
"Well met again, Khellek. Looking as phlegmatic as ever, I see."
He then addresses the room at large.
"For those that do not know me, I am Numair Salmalin, the Grandidierite Sage."
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The little blue haired gnome lets out a squeal when she caught sight of the others gathered. ”I haven’t seen most of you in a really long time! I haven’t done anything fun lately. It’s been so boring I was afraid I might not be able to hold off the Bleaching! But it is so good to see you all!”
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A quiet aiuvarin armed with bow and sword and dressed in woodland attire save for a nice breastplate as armor presents himself to the appointed room in the Grand Lodge. He does not know many of the others in attendance but looks at the dromaar calling himself Grog and says ..."hmmph... I figured you would have been a gnome..."
Pathfinder initiates find you and tell you to head immediately to the archives beneath Skyreach.
The vaults hum with nervous tension as researchers and guards hastily scribe warding circles and erect defensive constructs around a scorched circle of melted stone and smashed shelves. Nearby, a sphinx carefully directs the containment of several sparking crystals fallen from a smashed Osirion urn. Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin keeps his eyes firmly focused on the scorched circle, while engaged in heated conversation with Zarta Dralneen. A handful of singed hairs mark her otherwise carefully composed appearance.
Valsin continues, “…a needless risk of agents and resources. Your countermeasures worked. Just accept that success and let's be rid of the thing.”
Zarta gives an acknowledging smile to the new arrivals and lightly places a hand to direct Valsin's attention. “We aren't sure of another way to safely close the portal permanently. And here we have some of the Society's best, eager to assist.” Valsin frowns, but Zarta quickly stymies further argument. “This is a risk but also an opportunity. Think of what censored history we might uncover from a pre-war Thrune. And if we fail, you'll still have the pleasure of smashing the talisman. I have the experience and… this is something I need to do, Ambrus.”
Valsin gives an exasperated sigh, “If you don't return and leave me to clean up this mess, trust that I will find you and give you a dressing down to remember.”
As Valsin stalks off, Zarta smirks as though about to make a cheeky response. She quickly refocuses, producing a dark iron talisman set with a ruby and inscribed with Infernal script. “This, my friends, is a melancholic talisman, a device of diabolic manufacture that opens a portal to a specific point in Hell. It activated spontaneously yesterday, allowing a flight of imps access to Skyreach.” Zarta continues with pride. “The Dark Archive has prepared for such planar incursions after last year's intrusions, and we quickly destroyed or captured the devils. With information gleaned from the imps, I carefully reopened the portal and ventured through. I found myself in the city of Dis in the Nine Hells. I learned through my contacts there of the talisman's connection to Gellius Thrune, a scion of Cheliax's ruling family from just after the Everwar about 300 years ago. Gellius sold his soul to a devil named Leventi. Another devil, the osyluth Vetrivides, noticed my investigation, as they too are investigating this Leventi for acting against the interests of Hell. If we can find proof of Leventi's wrongdoing, Vetrivides will award us the soul of Gellius Thrune, who we can then question on how to permanently close the hellmouth.”
“Vetrivides provided me with writs to act as their agent for the next 48 hours.”
She smiles impishly and concludes, “As you've no doubt heard your enemies shout, it's time to go to Hell.”
Zarta produces a bone scroll tube with two writs scribed in Infernal, detailing the Pathfinders' right to legally move about the city of Dis as Vetrivides' agents for 48 hours after arrival. She holds one out towards your group and asks who will hold on to it.
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"Ancient Thrune?" echoes Khellek, his interest instantly aroused. "Now that would be interesting to know about. So little of pre civil war history is really known about Cheliax.."
He thinks for a bit more. "What more do we know of this Gellilus Thrune? And about Dis for that matter"
A slight shudder goes down his spine. "To be honest I had hoped to avoid a trip to Hell at this stage in my life, but the knowledge that could be gained about the past... is considerable."
He pauses thinking a bit further, a shiver going down his spine. "And it will make for a warmer setting than my previous mission. Do we know anything more about Leventi or Vetrivides? Lastly - how are we to return, and what happens if we are still in Dis in 48 hours time?"
Zarta says “Gellius Thrune is the brother of Lieutenant Alivia Thrune who distinguished house Thrune in battle during the Everwar. Eventually house Thrune and house Davian along with about a dozen other houses were elevated to noble status based on their contributions during the Everwar.”
Zarta brushes back a singed hair. “As for Dis, it is an immense city of iron and fire and delights and torments of the flesh, with sights of wonder and horror in equal measure. Most there will be eager to learn your heart's desire and provide it at a price.”
Looking more serious, she warns “Do not violate the law in Dis for it likely will attract the attention of Dispater. This includes bribery or attempts to skirt the law.”
“Vetrivides is a bone devil who, as I said, is currently investigating Leventi. While Vetrivides is a convenient ally, there are other leads to pursue if you find even the temporary partnership distasteful.”
“I have already told you what I know about Leventi — that Gellius sold his soul to that devil.”
The Thrice-Damned House of Thrune rules Cheliax under Her Infernal Majestrix Abrogail II.
Abrogail I struck a bargain with Asmodeus during the Chelish Civil War, gaining an army of devils to secure her victory but selling the nation into Asmodeus's service in the process.
House Davian, under Duchess Lannavia Davian, challenged Thrune for control of Cheliax at the Battle of a Hundred Kings in 4639 AR. Thrune's victory led to Queen Abrogail I's coronation the following year.
The Davian and Thrune families rose to prominence after the Everwar ended in 4410 AR, with Thrune's ascendance largely thanks to the military exploits of Alivia Thrune.
Alivia's brother Gellius embroiled the family in scandal 7 years after the Everwar. Gellius proved a remarkable legal-mind, however, and turned the accusations against Thrune to the family's favor. He was a noted hedonist and obsessive expert on contract law.
The city of Dis occupies the second of the Nine Hells. The archfiend Dispater rules over it from an impossibly tall tower, the Iron Scepter.
Legions of devils patrol the streets of Dis, enforcing Hell's laws, and the city is home to millions of damned souls and other fiends. Its markets teem with merchants and exotic wares from across the multiverse, though simple food and drink is hard to locate.
Dispater rules the city, with other high-ranking fiends carrying out his will. The archfiend's wife is Erecura, a demigoddess who rules by his side and exerts a more benign influence. The Erinyes Queen, Eiseth, also claims a portion of the second layer from her aerie, Widow's Cry.
The Oppidian Maze occupies most of Dis, its labyrinthine streets ever-shifting according to Dispater's will. There is an ordered logic to the Maze's design, known to few.
Because of your knowledge, all characters gain a +5 bonus on checks to navigate Dis.
Grog rubs his face. "Dark Archive again...what did they do!?"
“Well, for one we prevented the devils of Dis from raiding the vault.” Zarta gestures to the scorched circle.
Returning her attention to Khellic, she says “We shall have to be prompt in our visit. Even a minute over the 48 hours would have unfortunate repercussions. Devils are very strict and expect promptness.”
“We will use the talisman to travel between here and Dis.”
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"Ahh, ancient Cheliaxian history. The tale of one family stabbing another in the back, and being backstabbed in turn. But the details, the stories, the why..." he begins to wax on one of his favorite subjects.
"Many of you know that the first Queen Abrogail of house Thrune the first struck a bargain with The Devil himself, trading her nations soul to the king of hell. House Davian, little better to be honest, challenged the Thrune at the Battle of One Hundred Kings, and lost. More than her life in all likelihood."
He pauses. "Both are ancient families, interestingly during the civil war, Thrune did well because of the skills of Alivia Thrune. Her brother was, I presume, the Gellius Thrune whose soul we are seeking. From what has made it to the current day he sounds like a wasterel. But perhaps I am too harsh. He apparently also had a fine legal mind when he could be bothered using it. He has a particular interest in contracts. I would be extremely wary of any deal he offers us."
His favorite topic expired he adds "Normal food and water may be hard to find in Dis, and the time taken for doing so may be precious. I suggest you make sure you are well fed and watered, and take some supplies with you. There are at least two other major powers in the city - aside from the ruler whom the city is named after. His wife, and the queen of the Erinyes also reside there. I imagine there are a host of other factions as well."
Zarta glares at Khellek when he mentions house Davian. She doesn’t say anything, but it is obvious she disagrees with something he said.
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Khellek sighs. "Oh I am sure there were a few honorable people in the house. But even Thrune likely had a one or two. Those times though, the strong and let us be fair, cruel, tended to rise to the top of the famlies. More often than not by standing on the heads of the peasants. We live in a more enlightened time... well, location. "
"And before you dispute that, recall how the crown changes hands. Not many queens die in bed. - Matricide, poison, vanishing! How does a queen just vanish? and then a spate of drownings." he shakes his head. "But maybe you argue that is just Thrune?"
He looks at Zarta. He had known her a long time and she had changed during that time. "On the plus side. House Davian were opposed to Thrune. I just think the evidence shows that was more for their own benefit than for the benefit of Cheliax as a whole."
Raising an eyebrow, Zarta says “Evidence? That would be nice given the ‘historical corrections’ Thrune has done since they took the crown.”
“In any case, you have two hours to prepare before we all go to hell.”
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Doodle had adventured with Khellek before. There was literally no topic she knew more about than he. ”Dealing with nasty devils and working for a bone devil? Th ats about as bad as it gets! Of course I’ll do it to help the team, but I don’t think I’m going to like this mission very much,” she complains after getting the mission and supporting details.
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Two Blades frowned a bit at the notion of visiting Dis in person before nodding in agreement to Doodle's statement. "I agree, I might be needing to stay out of sight to avoid attracting undue attention." he said.
Reaching into his haversack, he pulled out a pair of gloves, covering a strange birthmark on the back of his right hand that looked like a butterfly.
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Khellek nods at Zarta. "Yes, the ahh, reinterpretation, of history by the winners of any given battle does tend to complicate the search for truth in the past. But that.." and here he turns to Doodle and Two blades "Is why this is such an important mission! First hand accounts are almost always the best. Think of the articles that could be written. Yes, yes, I know that Gellius will tell the story from his point of view, but everyone does. Thus one of the skills of the historian is to interpret such accounts."
Giving a genuine smile, Zarta says “Darling, that first hand account is exactly what I’m hoping for as well. There are many questions about that period of history.”
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"Devil loving... or at least admiring. Demons are another thing entirely." corrects Khellek.
"Speaking of which, devils are demons have different types of vulnerabilities, which may be important for preparing ourselves. Weapons of silver are often found to be the most effective against them, where as cold iron is more effective against demons."
Once everyone is ready, Zarta directs the melancholic talisman at the middle of the room and speaks the command word. The talisman's jagged engravings twist and spin as if alive, and a wide, fleshy maw of teeth and fire tears itself open within the room's warded circle. Thin films that cover the interior of the portal snap open like layered eyelids, slowly swelling outward as if under some great pressure. As the last membrane retracts, a blast of heated air billows into the room. Through the portal, you can see the jagged towers and iron architecture of Dis. Zarta steps into the circle and through the vertical portal with shoulders set, motioning for all of you to follow.
The odor of seared blood permeates the choking, hot, smoky air. A low scream resonates from countless writhing bodies impaled on spikes atop the surrounding structures. Fiendish sigils adorn banners hanging from palace walls that stretch across city blocks, while a river of fire wends its way through canals below the nearby courtyard. Flights of imps patrol the bloody skies, while the winged figures of erinyes perch atop buildings, always watching. At the center of it all, a tower of impossible height stretches endlessly upward, its walls covered with gargoyles.
Zarta checks a series of rods placed around the portal. “These should conceal the portal's presence and keep anyone from accidentally wandering through,” she explains before looking around at the city and grimacing. “Ah Hell…being away for five years wasn't long enough.” She gathers herself and continues. “We have two writs and, with only two days to search for clues across a very large city, I suggest we pursue separate leads. I have a good supply of sending scrolls, so we can reconnect.” She gestures along the canal. “In this direction lies the Fallen Fastness, a library of mortal sin. Vetrivides waits there and may have more information.” She gestures in the other direction, toward the river of fire. “Following the Andrimal this way leads to the floating Market of Breaths. Information and treasure flow there, and my contacts say Leventi's associate Arenthea frequents the market. Leventi's business dealings may offer some…” She smirks, “… damning evidence.”
Although she intends to set off alone, Zarta warns the you against splitting up to cover more ground, not only because of the limited number of writs but also because of the danger of traveling the city without special protections.
She provides your group with six scrolls of sending and coordinates how to reunite in case none of you are able to reliably use the scrolls.
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Doodle kept her eyes mostly towards the ground. She did not need to see the writhing bodies staked all around the area any more than she had to. She quickly agreed with whichever option had the most votes and would get the group away from the gruesome sights the quickest. ”Yeah, the library sounds fine. I’ve never heard of a library of mortal sin, however. Sounds bad.”
Doodle asks Zarta if the casting of spells would attract undue attention. If not, doodle pulls one of her rods, and casts Extended Mage Armor and Extended false life, granting temporary hit points for 20 hours.
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Zarta nods and says “Then I will see what I can find in the markets. Do be careful my little morsels, I don’t want to lose any of you.”
Having said that she starts on her way following the river of fire.
Khellek having studied the various planes extensively feels confident in his ability to find the library. With the earlier findings Numair is confident he could have also found the way but it would have taken longer. Two-blades and Grog are sure it would have taken them much longer.
All of you are feeling the effects of Dis diminishing your mental abilities, Doodle and Numair are slightly less impaired than the rest of you.
After an hour, you arrive to find a mountainous stone structure which pierces the burning skies of Dis like a jagged thorn. A battalion of fiends monitors all visitors entering its hundred-foot-tall iron doors, while inside a legion of diabolic scholars moves through a maze of iron-chained shelves. Tomes silently beckon to prospective readers and promise infernal secrets, while bottled souls peer longingly or fearfully at passersby. Hundreds of floors stretch up from the atrium, and beneath the smoky obsidian floor, countless imps and other fiends toil over a scroll that spirals downward for miles.
The Fallen Fastness is a virtually impenetrable vault that contains many of Hell's contracts, and in order to preserve these treasures, mortals are rarely allowed to see the originals. Instead, mortals can make a case to review copies, at which point that area's curator can create a copy or secure one from the archives. These contracts are always non-binding copies useful as reference but with none of the originals' special power to sustain or coerce infernal agreements.
It does not take you long to determine that in order to learn anything you have the following options:
1) Make a case with the current curator for them to have copies of contracts made for you.
2) One or more of you could instead examine the large piles of copied contracts and other documents that await re-shelving or incineration. In order to study more than a few lines, though, the character would need to free the documents from the pile without upsetting the numerous imps that patrol the area.
3) Find a local devil to help you.
Once you find any useful documents, it will take time to analyze them.