Hell's Pawns

Pathfinder Tales

by Dave Gross

In the devil-worshiping nation of Cheliax, crime is a strangely slippery concept, and those with money and power tend to make the rules. Yet when aristocrat detective Pathfinder Varian Jeggare and his devil-blooded bodyguard Radovan are drawn into a series of noble murders, it quickly becomes clear that there's more afoot than simply someone settling old scores. Add in a zealous Hellknight law-keeper with a chip on his shoulder, and not even the heroes are safe from suspicion. Can the crime-solving duo delve into the city's seedy underbelly and uncover the culprit in time to stop the murders, or will their next public appearance be writhing on the executioner's tines in the Plaza of Flowers?

From fan-favorite author Dave Gross comes a gritty mystery of death and devils, set in the award-winning world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Originally published in the Council of Thieves Adventure Path, this novella can be read on its own or as a prequel to the novel Prince of Wolves and the short story "The Lost Pathfinder."

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Gaming

48 pages, ebook

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

Dave Gross is the author of ten novels, notably the adventures of Radovan and the Count, including Prince of Wolves, Master of Devils, Queen of Thorns, and King of Chaos. Formerly the editor of such magazines as Dragon, Star Wars Insider, and Amazing Stories, Dave has also written novels for the Forgotten Realms and Iron Kingdoms settings. For more tales of Radovan and the Count, including free short stories, check out http://paizo.com/pathfinder/tales.

For more on Dave's current and upcoming projects and events, go to .

Reviews

[Lou Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dave Gross is garnering quite a reputation for his Pathfinder Tales novels staring half-elven aristocrat Varian Jeggare and his devilish bodyguard Radovan, a sort of hybrid of Holmes & Watson and Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser. Hell's Pawns is an early tale, set before the novel Prince of Wolves, unique in that it is narrated by Radovan. The story (a long novella or short novel in length) takes place in Cheliax, a nation that forged a pack with a devil, and sees Jeggare and Radovan drawn into investigating a series of noble murders. Dave has a good eye for detail, really bringing the people and places of Cheliax to believable life. And I was delighted to see a nod to a favorite 1970s espionage film in the plot. A good introduction to a pair of characters making an impact on the current fantasy field.

[Αταλάντη Ευριπίδου · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early adventure of Radovan and the Count, narrated in the present tense by Radovan alone. Seeing the boys in their hometown was interesting because, in the novels, we keep reading about Egorian and Cheliax and how the rest of the world perceives the devil-worshipping nation but we don't really get to see why they make all the fuss. "Hell's Pawns" offers us that, along with details of Radovan's past and his first meeting with the Count. It's also interesting to look at their early relationship and consider how much it has actually evolved throughout their adventures; here, Radovan calls the Count by his surname and their relationship is more professional, something that changes from one story to the next. The plot was really good but I'd have given it 3 stars if it weren't for the last chapter which managed to elevate this novella to another level. Simply put, that last chapter was amazing, very emotionally powerful - I think it was one of the most emotional moments of the series so far, along with the ending of "Master of Devils" - and it gave the whole story a different meaning. The descriptions of Cheliax were great and I particularly liked the story about the black and red roses and the Egorian architecture. I'd say this was a very entertaining read with an unexpected, poweful ending; overall, a great adventure starring the boys.

[AoC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hell's Pawns sees us returning to already familiar characters from another Pathfinder short, albeit with points of view reversed this time around.

City of Cheliax endures in all of its glory after its noble houses made a deal with Asmodeus himself to pledge their allegiance to hell. Existence being what it is, we're following Radovan in his bodyguard duties to Varian Jeggare. Latter being one of venture-captains of note and without infernal blood which puts him in an interesting position. Witnessing a regular execution event, tiefling Radovan is approached in what appears to be a chance encounter that will involve both him and his master in a murder mystery of dubious motivations. Ranging from hallowed halls of Asmodeus' own temple, to both higher echelons of nobility and dregs of society - no one has clean hands. Than again... what do you expect from a place like Cheliax?

Even if you're not familiar with our two characters from The Lost Pathfinder they'll get plenty of characterization in Hell's Pawns. This time Radovan Virholt gets the spotlight with his street smarts and talent for busting heads when it comes to it. I did like how story gets across the nuance that someone in noble's employ can't just go around willy-nilly, doubly so in a hellish city where rules are somewhat different. Not to mention its own laws and enforcers of said laws running a parallel investigation. Varian steps into a more removed role as someone familiar with noble etiquette and getting things done through civilized means. Story itself takes turns and twists with an outcome that's eerily at home given the setting, and makes you wonder just how often something like this happens?

Would I recommend this one? Given short length in service of a decent mystery, sure. Ending could've been left somewhat less in-the-air.

[Vinciente Verrazzano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took me a little more to find the pace in, than I had expected after reading the most recent book by the author. The characters were just as easy to imagine in my mind as descriptions of the not only them, but also each scene, were given. If its not too late already; try not to read the newer books first. :)

[Tomasz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid story of another adventure of the half-elf count and his half-devil manservant, with something of a gut punch at the end, so that we'd remember it's not all fun and games. Good job (and fine illustrations, too).

[Dave Walls · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting tale of Jeggare and Radovan. This novella is different than the novels of our favorite count and hellspawn duo in a few ways.

First is it is told only from Radovan's perspective, instead of switching between the protagonists. I generally enjoy the different perspectives, but this story probably works better with just the one angle, since it keeps us from knowing what Jeggare knows and thinks unless he shares it with Radovan, and that makes a difference for the end of the story.

The one perspective also helps with the setting of the story, which is the second difference. The novels have all been part of an extended stay away from Cheliax and Absolom by Jeggare and Radovan. But here, we see Count Jeggare operate in the political intrigue of Cheliax. Which is interesting due to his obvious dislike of the House of Thrune's compact with Asmodeus. The lack of a direct Jeggare perspective assists in showing how he has to hide his true thoughts and motives in Cheliax. His voice would be a repetitive this-is-how-I-really-feel, followed by a cannot-do-anything-to-show-that. More effective is the silent and knowing nods to Radovan, who can get on with telling the story. Also, this makes his assistance to Cheliax and its throne in stopping the threat more interesting. Protecting his home, but also assisting the House of Thrune.

The last difference: no Arnisant.

[Vinciente Verrazzano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took me a little more to find the pace in, than I had expected after reading the most recent book by the author. The characters were just as easy to imagine in my mind as descriptions of the not only them, but also each scene, were given. If its not too late already; try not to read the newer books first. :)