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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Allenchan" data-source="post: 5212135" data-attributes="member: 29193">A Gala For GeyronThis is an adventure for low/mid-level characters (4th - 6th). It is set in the world of Golarion, but is easily adaptable to any setting. Simply select a location that is likely to possess a debauched nobility in a place that caters to the exotic and taboo, as well as an appropriately themed cult.  Adventure Background Almost all nobility within Cheliax worships Asmodeus, or at least pays lip service to the Lord of Hell. Though as a result, they are all under the thumb of House Thrune, current lords of Cheliax. Not all sit by idly, and a few brave souls seek out other diabolical pacts in hopes of gaining power, prestige, and freedom from the oppressive yolk of House Thrune.  Lord Vincenzio M[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]acchiata[/FONT]  is one such person. A man well known for throwing lavish, night-long parties, he has hidden his occult affairs with Geyron – archdevil of snakes, lies, and deceit. His devotions continue while the nobility flocked to his estate in blind arrogance, and all their petty gossip fueled the lord of the estate's uncanny rise in prominence.  Meanwhile, the prima ballerina of Egorian's infamous Opera-turned-burlesque show, “Le Lapin Malin” has gone missing, and the proprietor is offering a handsome reward for any leads to the young woman's location.  Until, at last, he is willing to execute the first steps in his plan that will lead to his family's ascension.  He will throw a coming out party, literally. His guests will not only be the revelers and spectators, but the spectacle themselves. They will be a sacrifice for his infernal master. Their blood will coat the unearthly bride-to-be of the Archdevil. Her dance will seal a connection from his layer of hell to the estate's inner sanctum and provide him with countless osyluths to help establish his domain.  I. Getting to the Party: This flyer is made of a fine black paper, intriciately folded to resemble a rose. Unwrapping it reveals a glowing red text of arcane nature that seems to twist and slither as you stare at the elegant words, “Regent of Revelry, Prince of Parties, Our Lord Vincenzio of House Macchiata invites you to this, his finest gala yet! Celebrate Cheliax with an evening of festivities and admire his collection of acts from around the Inner Sea!”  There may be numerous reasons for the player characters to come to the party being hosted just outside the capitol city of Egorian in Cheliax. Most likely, they are investigating the disappearance of a young Elven woman named Le'lee Denara. She is the prima ballerina and lead for one of Egorian's most infamous musicals. Specific reasons why could be that she has crucial information they need, or that she is   of importance to their patron. Depending on the party's background, they might be established figures in high society and invited as honorary heroes. Otherwise they could be investigating mysterious rumors, be hired guards of a less-than-reputable noble, or might simply be casing the wealthy noble's joint.  II. Fashionably Late: A huge walled estate meets you at the end of this road. Nestled within the rich countryside overlooking the urban sprawl of Egorian, this manor appears ostentatious in its gothic style. Men-at-arms and servants in the lord's livery of black and red-violet greet guests as they arrive at the top of the circular cobblestone. Sweeping marble stairs lead inside, where swelling music and raucous conversation can be heard.  Assuming the player characters have an invitation, or a suitably forgery, it should be fairly easy to get into the party. Of course, Chelish societal norms encourage guests to bring gifts to the party, as well as being properly attired. If the group does not wear finery but rather common adventuring cloths, or does not give a gift at the front doors, the guards are going to be skeptical and inquire about the player character's backgrounds, motives, etc. Once inside, the players will find a huge ballroom dominates the building.    Three stories high, this marble room is decorated lavishly. Ice sculptures of devillish vixens are on prominent display. A small band plays in the far corner next to a set of staircases. It is lit by red and purple dancing lights.  At this point, the DM should have the players interact with various NPCs. All of which should build to the sense of what an honor and treat it is to be there. All of the guests in one way or another are invested in the current establishment and hierarchy of Egorian – just the people that should be killed off if Macchiata is going to have a successful coup. Asking about the missing ballerina is met with befuddlement and regret. No one suspects any connection between the host and the recent disappearing.  Investigating beyond the main ballroom will lead the player characters into glimpses of the dark and decadent lifestyles the nobles partake. Details are left to individual DM's based on the atmosphere of their games and maturity of their players. Excessive drug use, orgies, sexual deviancy, etc are all likely to be discovered in the back rooms of Macchiata's manor.    At some point during the evening, the player characters should run into Annissa Ravenna. This socialite “party bunny” is a stunningly gorgeous red-headed woman. If the PCs are exploring back halls or recently asked about the missing Elf, she'd likely to be listening in and meets the PCs.  Annissa (Enchantress 3) is a deceptively smart woman who uses her position and people's judgments with ruthless effectiveness. Something of an information broker, she uses her arcane know-how further her chosen profession. Currently, she is also investigating the disappeared Le'lee. In fact, Annissa is aware that the woman is within the manor. A charmed member of the kitchen staff told the lord's carriage brought in a hooded figure through the servant's entrance three nights beforehand. Furthermore, her wiles have gotten one of the guards to let slip that he helped his lord take an "elf wench" down into the basement.  III. A Festivus for the Rest of Us The current song fades to a close, and the guests grow quiet. Up above, a dark-haired man in a rich violet-red suit with gold brocade strides out from a set of double doors, and calls down to the gathered. He is followed by a retinue of men all carrying bows.He soon begins telling everyone each other's dirty secrets. Airing their social laundry in the most humiliating of ways. Eventually, he grows bored and tells them all that they needn't keep their secrets any longer. In hell, they will have no need for them. Macchiata will have his men-at-arms close and bar the exits to the ballroom while he summons a minor devil (appropriate to the players' CR) and promptly exists. The guards at the balcony will also harrass the PCs, but are indiscriminate in who they shoot at.  It is recommended to start this once the player characters seem bored with interacting with various NPCs in the crowd.   IV: Machinations of Macchiata Based on either Annissa's advice or the players' own skills, they should be able to follow after Macchiata after the battle in the ballroom. This will lead them down into the basement of the manor. Beyond the wine cellar lies a sunken crevice from which a stagnant pool of water lies.  The PCs may notice wet footsteps still around the cobblestone flooring, and investigation reveals that the pool of water is actual quiet deep and goes beyond their sight. This is in fact a flooded, submerged path. Navigating the dark tunnel full of cold water should be challenging for the PCs, and it should be portrayed by the DM as harrowing, claustrophobic experience. Eventually the twisting underwater path rises, leaving the water only a few feet deep.  As the players slog onwards they must maneurver past large pools of stagnant water. Residing in each of these are hunchbacked fiendish Skum and large aquatic snakes.  The tunnel soon ends at the altar to Geyron, protected by a snake-themed sea hag. This ugly, foul creature has been scheme with Macchiata. Though now the altar lays bare. If she is not immediately slain, she confesses the lord of the estate took her through a secret door beyond the altar and has fled, fearing that soon House Thrune will be after him.  V:  Cutting to the Chase You burst free through the door and past the overgrowth to see you are in the rear gardens of the Macchiata manor. Even as you exit from the dank tunnel you spot a carriage descending the hill towards Egorian beyond the stonework wall. A woman's cries echo into the night and begin to fade.  The stable is nearby the exit and the doors are left open from Vincenzio's hasty departure full of horses ready to be taken to the front of the building should the guests request to leave.  The heavily laden carriage has a movement of 50ft, but also has a significant head start (1000 ft away). Exceptionally fast players (barbarians, monks, etc) may be able to catch up with the carriage on their own. Otherwise the players should use the available mounts that have been left in the stables by the party-goers. If a battle mat is to be used, it is recommended to use relative mapping with the carriage representing a fixed place on the map.  This should be a cinema scene described by the GM in detail, as it represents the apex of the adventure. The carriage is guarded by three men, along with the driver. Two of the men possess crossbows and longswords. The third is a minor mageling with a wand of magic missile that he uses to dissuade people attempting to climb onto the wagon, or attacking the player's horses. Ensure you are well versed  in the rules for fighting at night and on horses, wagons, etc. before you begin.  The carriage's windows are shuttered closed, but can be easily broken open (DC 15 strength). Furthermore, the door's locks are cheap and simple. Players may opt for other tactics such as taking out the wagon's wheels, or disabling the horses drawing it. These flavorful options should be encouraged.  Ultimately, the wagon will be opened and the player characters will finally face off against Lord Macchiata (Fighter 4/Infernal Sorcerer 1).  Ingredient Use Elf Ballerina -  Le'lee Drenara, the kidnapped elven girl whom Macchiata intends on making perform for his dark god and fuse the two planes together, ultimately making her one of the archdevil's brides and sealing her subsequent death. Underwater Path – The “dungeon” of the adventure beneath the manor, this path leads to the inner sanctum; an underground altar to Geryon where his swampy layer of hell is already beginning to manifest. Crowded Carriage – This is is the swashbuckling highlight of the adventure where the player characters attempt to rescue Le'lee. Shameless Promotion – Macchiata's party for himself is mark of extreme hubris and confidence in his scheme. Clever Bunny – The play Le'lee is a part of, “Le Lapin Malin”, and Annissa Ravenna The Dark God's Dirty Dishes – This is a reoccurring ingredient in a few different ways. In all cases the dark god is Geyron, Lord of Forbidden Knowledge, Snakes, and Secrets. The dirty dishes can be the lacivious guests turned living sacrifices, the fetid pools of water throughout the underwater path, and fact that Macchiata  “dishes out” people's dirty little secrets.</blockquote>

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