Today’s snippet, titled “Topaz Solutions”, is a piece I wrote about my PC in Mark’s new (Good) Pathfinder Campaign.
      Be forewarned, there are mature themes and naughty language below.
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      “They’re free,” Lucien said, “For what that’s worth.”
      Rhiallis nodded, not daring to cast a glance toward the bench where they huddled. Her heart ached for the horrors inflicted upon them and once again she steeled her resolve to see the Worldwound sealed so that a whole new generation of girls would not be subject to all these evils.
      Ema was poking around in a bookcase nearby. “Seraphina, does your spell show any auras in here?”
      “Yeah,” Mickey grunted. “There’s a fuckton of junk in here, but is any of it magic?”
      Shaking her head, Seraphina frowned. “Nothing. But- there’s something odd about this place.”
      “Indeed,” Rhiallis said, picking up a vial from an alchemist’s shelf. It was filled with a pale goo. She uncorked it with her thumbnail and lifted it to her nose, sniffing. Nothing? It smells like… water and cornstarch.
      Topaz Solutions had seemed as good a place to begin as any. The alchemical shop was fairly upscale, with its elaborate shingle and stained glass windows. The orange glass set into the sign gleamed like a fine gemstone and Rhiallis was certain that she could smell the herbs and flowers carved into the sign as if they were real. Seraphina’s denial of any lingering magical auras suggested that it was some alchemical effect. Intriguing… she thought, frowning.
      She opened a little pouch and sifted some dried herbs into her palm. Looks like… simple dried Sentinel needles. And that one smells like licorice or anise, and this one is definitely nettles. All harmless. Just tea makings, honestly. Utterly without tooth.
      “This thing is fake,” Mira said, picking up a rack of test tubes. “It looks right, but there’s no way you’d actually brew anything in these. They’re paper thin. Cheap trash.”
      “Aye,” Rhiallis agreed. “And these herbs and tinctures over here are all simples. I could brew a lovely cup of tea, but nothing of substance, nothing… malevolent.”
      “What the fuck?” Mickey flung an arm into the air. “What kind of alchemist ain’t got stuff for actually making alchemy?”
      No one responded, for they already suspected. Topaz Solutions was a front for something else – something sinister. Rhiallis exchanged a look with Kumiko who shrugged, the smallest of apologetic smiles upon her face.
      “Keep looking, there’s got to be-”
      “Ema, bring your light over here, I think I found something.”
      Silver hair glimmering with the glow from several lightstones, Ema moved to Mira’s side and held hers aloft.
      The hin’s deft fingers shifted upon a panel and she gave a little cry of delight.
      “Yes! I found a door!”
      They crowded closer as she checked for traps or locks. Nothing barred the way so carefully – oh so carefully – she opened the door. A choir of hisses erupted behind her as blades were drawn and weapons readied.
      “Oh!” someone gasped.
      Through the door was a set of stairs, descending into a darkness so thick it seemed to drink the light from their stones rather than be pushed back by it. Rhiallis bit her lip and cast a glance back at the three huddled girls.
      “Shall we?” she asked.
      In unison, six heads nodded once and slipped easily into their customary marching order. Holding her breath, Rhiallis waited her turn and wondered what fresh Hell awaited them below.

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Note: Image is “King Jagiello Statue Central” by (Mulligand) from SXC.hu; edited by me