Arriving at Paracountess Zarta Dralneen’s townhouse in the Ivy District, the party comes upon a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height. The ebon lacquered double doors wrought with gleaming silver fixtures greet the characters, a prickly brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door chime. Moments after ringing it, a servant in loose casual attire opens the door, greeting the party as if you were expected.
The servant leads the group through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study, before the party finally arrives on the third floor of the house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study. Knocking upon the door and announcing his presence, the servant opens the darkly stained wooden door. He indicates that they should enter.
A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor in this sitting room. A chaise sits along the north wall and a desk spans the southeast corner, its chair positioned with its back to the southwest corner of the room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around a small, low circular table.
Sitting in the chair behind the desk, Paracountess Zarta Dralneen regards the party with a wry smile, putting away a few papers before standing to address the group.
“Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks.” She then turns her attention to the group. “It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a fresh-faced batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious little teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up. Well, maybe not you.” Zarta points. “I assume this isn’t a pleasure visit since most of you are terribly overdressed for that manner of occasion, so that must mean you are here for that trinket Valsin has been nagging me about. Seems I can’t get that man around these parts anymore,” she gestures, sliding her hand down her body and widening the gesture to sweep out and across the room as if her home were a secondary thought. “On the good side, he always sends me all the precious new recruits.
“Many think we in Cheliax serve and worship devils, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we use the creatures for their power. They serve us and we sculpt their power in our own interests. The world must come to terms with the order of things. People need to know their place and operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station, making waves and eroding the true order.”
The “trinket” Ambrus Valsin has sent the group to retrieve is a seven-lock iron case. Zarta tells the party about the box and its locks and seals, explaining she was trying to bypass the protections. She advises that they not try to tamper with the case when bringing it back to the Grand Lodge, but never admits to what the case might contain. She tells them the box is magically warded with abjuration magic intermingled with strong evocation magic, in addition to the seven masterwork locks.
As the paracountess talks, a cacophony of booms and crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door. She sometimes pauses at an extended eruption of these noises before continuing with the conversation. When asked about the neighboring ruckus, Zarta explains, “A servant is greatly misbehaving. You’re going to have to deal with it in order to get the trinket.” She goes over to the desk in her study, opening a drawer and drawing out an exquisite silver letter opener shaped like a dagger. “You might need this to get it to submit,” she offers with a sly grin.
What do you do?
Please submit your turn instructions using the Player Action Response - Turn Post Template.
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Conditions
None
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Party Health:
Fergus 9/9, Jerry 14/14, Noc Stonepriest 11/12, Ronan Hex 9/9, Korg the Mighty 8/8
Accept the letter opener, and offer thanks, and inquire as to it's use..
ReplyDeleteFor the record, although I already assume this to be true when she said: 'Well, maybe not you'” Zarta points. Can I assume she was pointing at Noc? :)
ReplyDelete"Who is this servant, and what manner of misbehavior are you asking us to quell for you m'lady?"
You get the impression the "you" referred to the group as a whole but if Noc wishes to make it personal he certainly can.
ReplyDelete"Why it is one of the preferred servant of all Chelaxians. It is a minor one. It should not cause you too much trouble." You infer that to mean a devil.
The letter opener is made of silver. It is not magical. "The servant will likely find the touch of this implement ... unpleasant."
If she didn't point directly at him, he doesn't take it personally.
ReplyDeleteIs the letter opener considered an improvised weapon, or a dagger/knife? Noc will offer to hold the shiv either way. His effectiveness won't be hampered by the small weapon if things turn to combat and the knife isn't useful.
"As ye wish, Paracountess. I'm sure you'd not put us in harm's way without need." Noc does a mediocre job of masking his doubt in his own words.
Fergus doesnt say anything. He frowns at the Chelaxian, and casts Divine Favor.
ReplyDelete"Right then. Let's be at it."
Paracountess,
ReplyDeleteIs there anything besides that object that will help us to get your servant in check?
well then, there's a demon that needs to be put down, everyone else got their silver weapon? lets go..
ReplyDeleteSince he asked for it first, Jerry has the silver letter opener.
ReplyDeleteTo Ronan's inquiry, the paracountess answers, "You should be more than capable of the task. Skill and determination are all that you really need. Silver just helps to execute your will."
OK, I misunderstood. I thought he was just offering to take it on the party's behalf.
ReplyDelete