Keyleth notes Kalushina seems honest with what she said, though she isn't being particular with exactly what she has done during her time with the Zhentarim. Keyleth gets the feeling it's too long a list to retell in one sitting and Kalushina isn't bothering to retell it. 

"There's more honesty in crime than the so-called upholders of the law. That's what I've found. Honor and righteousness are two different things," she shrugs, casting - for the first time - a nervous glance around at the other three vials. "So...I take it you haven't talked with the other three yet, have you?" 

Ragnar has been staying back thus far, listening to Kalushina's every word.

He responds, "No, you are the first to be questioned. Engaging in organized crime, murder, extortion...there's a lot of blood on your hands. Yet I can not help but sympathize. I too was raised in a monastery, destined to languish in cold piety while my brothers took the throne. Like you, I decided to forge my own path."

He says to his companions, "This one is honest about her crimes. She would be a strong candidate for mercy. Shall we proceed to interview the others?" 

Wulgar looks at Kalushina for a minute, then says "So, have you been in this room, on our side of things?  I guess you have no way of measuring time in your current state.  Did you decide the fate of one person, in the past?  How did you do it, do you remember the details?" 

He waits to hear her reply and then if no one else asks any further questions, he asks her "How does this work, do you go back into the bottle now?  We have to talk to the others and make our decision.  You did make a good impression, in my book.  Can you go back into gaseous form and reenter the bottle? "  Wulgar holds out the flask, lid off, wanting to see if she goes back in.

     After the "genie is back in the bottle" so to speak, Mulligan will ask the others "Are we looking for the best ally in an upcoming battle or the one most worthy of being freed?  If the former, they are surely a strong candidate...  But I believe we're all on the same page about this whole process being some kind of test of us?  Of our character and goodness?  Whatever our captive believes those words mean?" 

     "I contend that our captor wishes us to redeem ourselves, not better arm ourselves.  It may be wise for us to keep that in mind when choosing who to free...  We likely will need go against our natures in order to win through."

Quote from Kaemgen >>

        "I contend that our captor wishes us to redeem ourselves, not better arm ourselves.  It may be wise for us to keep that in mind when choosing who to free...  We likely will need go against our natures in order to win through."

"The world doesn't work that way..." Varan says in response to Mulligan.  "But I think you are right, in that I am beginning to think our captor believes in redemption and kind deeds prevailing over wicked, and souls 'seeing the light' and swearing off their evil ways.  I agree with Mulligan.  I am not worried about another sword arm or a weapon to use against our jailor.  Let us play the game as it has been laid out before us.  We should find the soul we agree, either unanimously or by popular vote, is least deserving of destruction and free that one."

"Yes, I actually agree with Mulligan on this, any assistance we could get from whoever we choose to set free should be secondary to finding the one who in the eyes of our captor deserves to be so." Avarice says to the others. "She seemed to be honest about what she did, but she is clearly not regretting her ways. Wulgar, would you do the honor of releasing the next prisoner for interrogation. I now doubt it matters in what order they are questioned."

Quote from RazorDawn89 >>

Ragnar has been staying back thus far, listening to Kalushina's every word.

Engaging in organized crime, murder, extortion...there's a lot of blood on your hands."

 "I would rather the blood on my hands be of those who I believe deserved it," Kalushina shrugs, maintaining her indifference. "I refused to crusade for Tyr. I would not kill on the basis of religious judgement I disagree with. Are you no different?" 

Quote from Twombley >>

Wulgar looks at Kalushina for a minute, then says "So, have you been in this room, on our side of things?  I guess you have no way of measuring time in your current state.  Did you decide the fate of one person, in the past?  How did you do it, do you remember the details?" 

He waits to hear her reply and then if no one else asks any further questions, he asks her "How does this work, do you go back into the bottle now?  We have to talk to the others and make our decision.  You did make a good impression, in my book.  Can you go back into gaseous form and reenter the bottle? "  Wulgar holds out the flask, lid off, wanting to see if she goes back in.

 "I've never been in this room in specific, though I have been through several different rooms before, each with their own, twisted game," Kalushina replies, a hint of steel in her voice - she seems almost proud of her accomplishments, as if she takes pride in the rooms she has already overcome. "I traveled with a group of six before, though some of us split up. We hated each other's guts, I guess. I can tell you about them, if you want. I left alone; the bickering tired me." She pauses. "I don't know much about magic. Perhaps the way you released me? Thank you - I truly wish to live, and I promise the pledges I make are in earnest." 

She calmly crosses her arms and politely waits to be returned into her vessel - or for a decision to be made. 

Wulgar nods, "Right then.  Back in the bottle you go."  He sets down the current flask, walks over and reaches for the flask with the two hands shaking.  He opens that flask and then puts the stopper on the first flask after Kalushina reenters it.   "What do we have here..."

Wulgar reaches for the second flask depicting the wrinkled hand and the red-furred, clawed hand shaking. As soon as he grasps the vial, Kalushina's form turns to smoke and seems to almost pull into a tornado before the iron flask shuts once more. A similar smoky shadow pulls from the second flask in much the same way as Kalushina's did, dispensing squarely within the circular boundaries of the red-purple runes, revealing another figure trapped within one of these flasks. 

 More can be revealed about this creature's nature with an Arcana, History, or Religion check. 

The first thing that comes to mind while laying your eyes on the creature before you is likely confusion. A pleasant smile rests on the sharp, pointed teeth of the fox-headed humanoid; standing around five and a half feet in height, the creature firstly bows before a word can be said. Elegant, burnt-red robes seem to be the only article of clothing the fox-like creature wears - and judging by the gold-inlaid embroidery, luxury seems to be the creature's style. Notably, the embroidery appears to show the symbols of each eight schools of magic - four on each arm. Sly, red eyes flit over the party as if reading your very thoughts with their piercing nature. A crown of rosebush thorns tangle over the creature's head, and clutched in one sharply clawed hand is a pipe exuding a faint, yellow-green smog pleasantly scented of roses. 

Before any of you can speak, the creature interjects, gesturing its arms in a friendly motion to address the party. "Friends, the name is Lisichka," the being calls in a feminine voice, tone warm and friendly. "We all know the rules of this game - and, as one who abhors procrastination, I see no point in wasting anyone's patience."  Lisichka imbues a puff from her pipe before locking both hands behind her back and making eye contact with each individual member of the party during her speech. "Judging by your expressions, I presume many questions of yours have festered in your minds unanswered. What this-" she gestures broadly with her clawed hand- "entire arrangement is, its purpose, its magical properties. Why you specifically were chosen," she notes, looking directly towards Keyleth at the latter comment. She begins to pace. "All extremely useful pieces of information, granted, though those are mere trivial fact in comparison to two certain pieces of information I have gathered. One - who created this place and what their goals are, and two-" she halts, as if accentuating her point. "How to escape. Of course, in the nature of a game where deals, agreements, and promises are made, exchanges must be included as well. We all wish to survive, correct? Even you should see my plight - I wish to survive as well, so you should understand the significance of my offer. Besides my unyielding support, I offer you crucial information which - to my best of knowledge, which is far more vast than you can imagine - only I know. The price is my life, though-" she flashes a pointed grin- "I am always willing to negotiate." 

Wulgar feels instantly ill at ease with the arrival of Lisichka.  He waits for the others to begin questioning, but he tries to recall if he has ever heard of such a creature, recalling lore.  

History :  13 

Nope, nada.  Wulgar is not much of a historian.

Ragnar frowns as Lisichka speaks.

"Then, oh so knowledgeable one, how is it that you are held captive if you know how to escape? And what makes you think you can bargain with us, given where you are now?" 

Keyleth frowns and tries to figure out what this Lisichka is, exactly. Unlike Wulgar, she very much is a historian.

History: 27

One thing’s for sure, though—she’s not taking anything this creature says at face value. During Lisichka’s little speech, Keyleth attempts to determine if she’s telling the truth.

Insight: 19 (Reliable Talent: 24)

“So what crime brought you here?”

Varan has never been a student of history or the arcane, as his talents come naturally to him.  He finds himself naturally distrustful... by reputation foxes are cunning, clever, and devious... but he tries to recall if he has ever heard of a creature such as this, and what to expect.

History, Arcana, and Religion are all +3, so... 23

Acknowledging Keyleth's question, "Yes.  If you wish to impress us with all of this knowledge you allegedly possess... start by sharing with us why our captor felt you needed to be torn out of the multiverse and imprisoned here?"

Avarice stands back, letting the others ask away, not expecting any truths out of this one.
Arcana check with help from Vorax: 24
Insight to determine if there are any truths told, helped by Vorax: 18

Mulligan Info check on creature (all same roll so which doesn't matter): 22

(Zone of Truth lasts 10 mins...  This one will need DC 18 Charisma save unless last conversation took longer than that.)

     Mulligan smiles and sees, perhaps, a bit of a kindred spirit in this Lisichka.  Insight?  Mulligan McSullivan doesn't even bother.  He knows how this one rolls.

     "Always about deals, never about helping.  Am I right?"  Mulligan asks, amused.  "You may have all the answers but my gut tells me that even if you do tell us how to escape, by releasing you the opportunity to take advantage of that information would have already passed us by."

     Turning to the rest of his companions, Mulligan adds "I've no doubt this one will keep their promises.  I also have no doubt that what they promise us won't be what we really need.  I am ready to move on..."

Keyleth looks at Mulligan, a touch surprised. "How'd you get all that already?

     "I've seen plenty of con artists in my time," Mulligan answers.  "Promising exactly what people want, never what they really need though."

Wulgar begins to speak in surprise as Lisichka is beginning to speak, "What the hell are you?  Where did you come from and what the hell did you do to get in here?"  This is said in a softer voice than his usual growling, rough, loud voice.  Being said out loud without his being aware.  After Lisichka finishes, as the others are weighing the accuracy and meaning of his words, Wulgar just says "That sounds like a load of horse shit."  He crosses his arms and waits for the questions of others to be answered.

Zone of Truth save: 25 - Lisichka seems to evade the grips of Mulligan's spell.

Varan, Keyleth, Avarice, and Mulligan each recognize this creature to be an Arcanaloth. They are Fiends - specifically, Yugoloths - and are highly intelligent spellcasters who hunger for knowledge and power. Acanaloths command units of lesser yugoloths and maintain the contracts, records, and accounts of their kind. As Arcanaloths are naturally extremely intelligent and speak all languages, they are usually diplomats, negotiators, and trade dealers. An arcanaloth properly paid can broker treaties or alliances with subtlety and finesse, just as an arcanaloth who changes sides can easily turn the best-laid peace talks into all-out war. What the fiend demands in exchange for its time and talent is information, as well as powerful magic items that it can trade for even more information. Their loyalties are difficult to pinpoint, as they unanimously weave dozens of contingencies to constantly stay one step ahead of their enemies - but while calling an Arcanaloth your ally is a difficult thing to say, their loyalties on bargains and trades are ensured to the current highest bidder. In this case, since the Yugoloth's life is on the line, you can reasonably say you are that highest bidder. 

Also notable is their ability to appear as anyone they choose. The fact Lisichka decided not to perhaps says something about her honesty. 

Lisichka turns towards Ragnar and puts on a pointed grin. "Just because a bird watches the sun rise does not mean it can halt the rotation of the earth, Ragnar. I require your help, and as my life is in your hands, any deal to ensure I remain breathing will be accepted and followed. You lay out the terms - I have stated what I have to offer, which I guarantee will be of more use than any of the other three in here. You lay out the terms, and as the creature I am, I will be bound by them." Lisichka raises a brow and takes another puff of her pipe. She appears well-groomed and prepared for a negotiation; a business tie lies on her spellcasting robe. "You - Varan - to answer your question, I will be simple; I am a legislator who works in the Halls of Concordance - in Sigil, primarily. Creatures hire me to pen agreements in the neutral territories of the multiverse, the very documents which keep the multiverse operating. Agreements between gods. Celestials. Elder elementals. Modrons of high regard. Fiends, to prevent their blood wars from spilling across the planes. I am hired to ensure my clients are on the winning side of such agreements - is that not what prosecutors and defendants in your plane does as well? Either way, my hand wrote an agreement in which the being I know to have created this dungeon lost. He was determined to write his end of the agreement himself - prideful and arrogant as he is, he never considered a Yugoloth like me could outwit him. To condense the story, he signed an infernal contract he didn't read carefully. I can only say that much about that topic without revealing the bargaining chips I have for my own release - I hope you understand."

"How very interesting.  What say you, jailor?" Varan asks to the walls and ceilings of the room.  "Did you really imprison a simple law clerk because you had remorse after signing one of its contracts?  That doesn't sound like something you would do at all, given your obvious deep and abiding interest in remorse and redemption."  Varan doesn't expect a response.  He isn't certain their jailor is even listening.  But its an opportunity to test one of several theories he is nursing.