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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Lyrio scratches his unshaved face. Small pieces of dead skin, burnt by too much sun exposure, fall.
A direct approach and a harsh, but maybe efficient, solution. I like your initiative, gnome. - he says, standing up and putting himself on the way to the door - However, maybe burning it to ashes is just what's needed, maybe just the right ritual to release all the foul outsiders imprisoned in it.
The tusks of the tall and muscular half-orc are quite prominent and he speaks in a brutish, not too friendly way. Yet, there's something of wise on his words.
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Max starts to reach for a tea cup, but Cody stops him with a warning glance, "Not for you Max."
The human hunter does take an offered tea cup and takes a sip almost choking on it when Amara Li. ask them to contain the legions of Hell! "Is that all?
As Serak suggest burning the book and the new pathfinder Lyrio counters that it might release all the demons. Cody comments "A book like that may be impervious to fire. Best we see what needs to be done first."
Cody is a short human at only 5’4” he has well keep dark hair, his craftsman quality Lamellar leather armor and enchanted heavy darkwood shield are keep in top condition as well as he enchanted scimitar at his hip and darkwood composite longbow over his shoulder. Always at his side is a well trained orange colored harry ape clad in studded leather. The ape goes by the name of Max.
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Starling rejoins the group after the Blakros wedding, quite disappointed after she didn't win the fame and glory she had hoped because of the wedding's untimely end.
She listens attentively to the briefly, then nods with a grin. "A book that can summon the armies of hell? We're on it!"
The amounts of fine wine she'd drunk over the wedding did cause some memory issues, though...
Amara looks nonplussed at Serak's offer to burn everything up, but seems reasonably reassured by the restraint of the others.
"Did you have any other questions?"
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The male half elf clumsily enters the room and tad bit tardy as he knocks over a few knick knacks and hastily reorganizes them. With a sheepish smile he nods his head to acknowledge the group.
Sorry I'm late Maggie and I had to rescue a few orphan Gnomes As he raises his dinged up mandolin and points to it as he cock his head to catch the briefing he so rudely interrupted.
what do you mean Maggie we didn't rescue orphans oh I'll let you tell the story later as he stuffs the instrument into his back pack as trying to shush it. Quiet Maggie it's time to be Pathfinders again! he whispers rather loudly.
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Sel’erick settles in a comfy chair and takes a cup of tea. Stirring it and clanging the spoon against the cup he slowly sips the tea making a face as if the taste offends his tongue.
He gets up from his chair and walks around the room opening up containers and such as if he’s searching for something. He settles back down into the chair seemingly dissatisfied as he fidgets trying to straighten out his shirt.
” Ah thank you Miss Amara Li, it’s always a pleasure to be in your Lovely presence.” As he takes another sip of the tea and makes sour face. Pointing to the tea , ” I’m sorry my pallet hasn’t gotten use to the exotic taste of the delicacies of Tian Xia. This could really use some sugar.” He exclaims, hoping he didn’t offend anyone.
” Miss Li you said you sold two books from Tian Xia the one with the army of hell what was it called? The other you made no mention of the title or what it contains. Please could you tell us about the other book.”
As he fidgets a bit more in his chair he starts to stick out his tongue like he’s trying to read it or something. ” Yargos Gill the name just rolls off the tongue." as he gestures like the name is rolling off his stuck out tongue. ”where have I heard that name before? Maybe Maggie will know when she wakes from her slumber.” as he takes one last sip of his tea and is holding it in his mouth as if he looking around on the floor so he can spit it out.
Amara nods as Sel'erick asks questions about the tomes. While she ignores the comment about the tea, she does answer his other questions.
"The books were discovered in Tian Xia some time ago, and were held by a private collector in my home city of Goka. They came as a set, and each was littered with writings in Infernal and Celestial script. The Infernal Incantation is one book, its companion is the Celestial Song.”
She purses her lips and continues. "Yargos is a military historian...and entirely too reckless," she muses. "Despite his apparently wealthy backers, he resides in a small two-story villa in the Eastgate district. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say he keeps his research a secret and away from the prying eyes of more populous districts."
She looks the group over, as if assessing their capabilities. "Now if there are no further questions, I believe time is of the essence."
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Sel’erick rises from the table setting his bad tasting tea aside looking at the other pathfinders wondering if they know the area better then him. ”Perhaps maybe we should go ask around where this Yargos feller lives.”
Has he shuffles towards the door he rummages through his back pack pulling out a crudely drawn map. He holds the tattered paper backwards looking at the blank side.
Just before he exits the door with a deep bow and a flourish of his arms he boast,”As always it’s a pleasure to see you the lovely Miss Amara Li. Perhaps the next time we meet Miss Li we can stroll together along some of your favorite places in your home land. I promise I won’t let Maggie interfere with our date plans Miss Li.”
As he shuffles out the door he starts to whistle an old romantic tune before he scolds Maggie. ” Shush Maggie I assure you my intentions with Miss Li are very proper, now be quiet before my new friends think I’m crazy!
He turns around to see if anyone is following” Yes Maggie, I know I don’t know their names but they are my friends just the same, and any who if it wasn’t for you wanting to rescue orphan gnomes we would have been on time for proper introductions.”
As you hear the strings of the mandolin sound. Sel’erick whispers loudly. ” Yes Maggie I know there was no orphan gnomes that needed rescue. Telling our new friends the reason we are late is because my leg got stuck in the privy hole at the local tavern sounds less noble.” The door closes behind the scatter brained half elf.
With urging from Amara, the group quickly heads toward Yargos' manor.
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.
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A smile widens across Sel’erick’s face as the Human known as Cody introduces the rest of the group. With a deep bow and voice filled with much gusto ”Greetings friends, it is so nice to meet fellow pathfinders. Maggie and I, Sel’erick De’lente are honored to be a part of such a prestiges group.” as he seems to ramble on and on about his whole life.
Seeing the crowd gather outside Yargos home and the fire burning inside Sel’erick tries to rally the group to go inside. Tugging at the half-orcs shirt. ” Quiet one we should hurry up and investigate hopefully we find the tome intact.” As he searches the crowd for the gnome that wanted to burn the book.
With a quick nod to Cody. ” Sorry no relations to an Aeleth. I finally have gotten out of my exile from the Master of Swords, Marcos Farabellus after the Miss Draleen incident. I am just happy to be on another noteworthy adventure.”
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Greetings, Pathfinders. - says Lyrio, following Sel'erick - I'm Lyrio, and this is Radagosa.
The half-orc is tall, strong, with long dark green hair and fully tattooed and scarred by what looks like years of life on the jungles. His companion isn't abnormal, but quite exotic too; she's a young lioness, not as large as an adult, but still fairly scary - especially being covered by custom-sized armor. Although she follows the druid loyally, it's hard to be fully comfortable she won't pounce and try to eat someone.
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Starling looks around frantically, then makes up her mind. She jumps on a nearby empty stall and raises her voice, addressing the people that watch the house burning down. "Good citizens of Absalom! This house belongs to a renowned historian but is burning down and endangering the entire district. Let us help our fair city and its esteemed citizen at their hour of need, and I am sure he will recompensate us for our troubles. We need buckets of water and wet blankets! Quick - we don't have much time!"
Some of the citizens react to Starling's prompting to help.
A few of them return with some buckets of water. Still, from the second floor, lights flicker and dance within.
"Now what?!" one of the citizens responds.
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Serak growls at the sight of the building.
No, but someone beat me to it! I told you fire was the way to go!
His enthusiasm dies down as he notices all the people rushing to put out the fire.
Are you KIDDING me?! Don't put it out, make more! If we burn the house down, then all that'll be left is the book!
After seeing that no one else shares his logic, he grudgingly helps with the efforts to put the fire out.
With Cody leading the way into the estate, the Pathfinders find the front door slightly ajar and the immediate interior in pristine condition. A basic dining room, kitchen, and meeting room fill the first level of the abode while stairs leading up to the second floor reveal a set of bedrooms and a personal study.
All the rooms seem nondescript and don’t seem noteworthy, save the second-floor study. Racing up the stairs, the group sees a terrible burning light coming from beneath the closed door.
Opening the door, the Pathfinders find sheets of dancing orange and red fire cover the walls of this long room, forming blazing curtains around two windows facing the streets below.
Strangely, 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 seething devil deftly wields a vicious, saw-toothed glaive, while below its toothy maw writhes a hideous, twitching beard. It stands in the center of the room menacingly.
Round 1 Initiative (bold may act!)
Sel'erik
Starling
Cody
Bad guy
Lyrio
Serak
Stephani
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” Oh my Maggie, our horned host looks angrier the Venture Captain Marcos after he found the paintings Garl had.”
As the half elf shakily raises his crossbow he starts to sing an old dwarven fight song more so to calm his nerves but hopefully to persuade everyone to finish off the creature faster.
From the Halls of Torag, to the Mountains of our Kings. We will fight for honor and Glory till our enemies run and scream!”
Max and Cody move quickly together, each trying to hit the strange devil. Lucky for them, they seem to have caught it off-guard, and it is unable to react with its polearm.
However, neither of them are able to connect with the creature.
Starling moves to flank with Cody, but also misses. Not liking its position in the middle of the group, the devil steps back, and seeing Cody as the biggest threat, thrusts his pole arm at the hunter.
The attack leaves a vicious wound that bleeds profusely.
Round 1 Initiative (bold may act!)
Sel'erik
Starling
Cody -14 dmg, 2 bleed
Bad guy
Lyrio
Serak
Stephani
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Sel’erick continues to sing the old dwarven battle hymn to help inspire the group to fight harder.
” From dawn to setting sun, We have fought in every clime and place, Where we could take an Ax, In the snow of far-off Northen Lands, and in a sunny tropic scenes.”
The half-elf still shaking lets loose a bolt from his crossbow at the foul demon creature
"Maggie that looks like that might bite old ugly in the junk!!!"
Lyrio and his animal companion leap into the fray, and the enemy responds with a quick attack of his glaive, but it is wasted on the powerful defense of the shaman.
Lyrio and his lion are likewise unable to harm the devil-like creature with their attacks.
Sel-erick carefully aims through the crowd of enemies and expertly lands a shot, but it doesn't seem to do as much harm to the creature as he had hoped. His inspiring oratory continues to inspire his companions.
Cody, still bleeding profusely, steps up to strike, and while his scimitar finds purchase, it likewise does not do the harm he thinks it should have.
Starling executes an elaborate flourish of her weapon to confuse the enemy, then brings it down on top of its horned head. While the blow is serious, its effect is somehow diminished.
Stephani moves forward to engage and draws her blade.
Howling in fury, the enemy steps back and lifts is vicious, saw-toothed glaive, then lets it fall on Lyrio's animal companion, hoping to open a flank. It opens another large, bleeding wound on its back.
Round 2 Initiative (bold may act!)
Inspire Courage +1 atk/+1 dmg
Sel'erik
Starling
Cody -16, 2 bleed
Bad guy -20
Lyrio
Lion -15, 2 bleed
Serak
Stephani
Everyone is up!
Lyrio attempts to heal the wound caused by the devil, but the persistent wound seems particularly difficult to stanch. The spell, though successfully cast, does not function to heal the wound at all, and it continues to bleed.
Serak, unable to brag about how great fire is versus a creature he assumes is immune to fire, reverts to another spell. Serak's spell bypasses any resistance the creature might have, but it fails to daze it.
Cody steps back and tries to heal himself with his wand, but like Lyrio, finds that the wound is difficult to heal. It is as if the wound festers with an infernal power, and will not close!
Sel'erick doesn't know what this thing is, but he does know his wand doesn't heal any better than the others have.
Stephani, sensing a great evil in the room, glances down at the skull hanging from her belt, and then lunges forward with her longsword. Unlike her companions, her blow not only hits, but cuts deep. The devil-like creature cries out in pain, though part of it seems to like it.
But running out of room to fight with its deadly pole arm, the enemy backs itself into the corner and lashes out at Stephani with its claws. One of the claws finds purchase, leaving a few holes of blood weeping from Stephani's armor, but the wound does not seem as profuse as those dealt with the glaive.
Round 3 Initiative (bold may act!)
Inspire Courage +1 atk/+1 dmg
Sel'erik
Starling
Cody -18, 2 bleed
Bad guy -42
Lyrio
Lion -17, 2 bleed
Serak
Stephani -9
Everyone is up!
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Radagosa falls unconscious, and Lyrio's eyes immediately change to absolutely more angry, insane state. He casts a different spell, from his list - Carry Companion - and carefully stores Radagosa on a proper compartment in his backpack.
He finishes his turn by 5-foot-stepping diagonally with his scimitar in hands and rage in the eyes.