::Assuming you bear children, that is. But I am honored::
::Yeah, I'm not sure how I'll go about it. Maybe adoption. But has that ever worked in the stories?::
Argor pauses a moment considering the dilemma. ”You are in an unfortunately unique predicament, Young Lord Blakros. Your body is that of an adult, and while your mental faculties are as an adults as well, your naïveté due to your lack of experience and education is a serious weakness. Therefore, during our downtime, I think it will be necessary for me to tutor you, at least a bit each day, on the workings of society and common things you would be expected to know for someone of your apparent age. Is this agreeable to you?”
"It is very agreeable to me. If I only earn a hundredth of the prestige and respect that you have earned, I would be a wealthy man." Grommesson replies. Like Cladissa, the little lord Blakros considers Argor more of an icon than a traveling companion.
Argor smiles, ”Good. We shall begin tomorrow evening. In the mean time, is there anything you would like to discuss?
__________
::It has worked for me.::
He looks to the sky and sun slowly falling. ”Perhaps we should return home. I have a lesson with Grommesson to which I need to attend. And we should be hearing from Eliza and Osprey soon...”
Argor smiles, ”Good. We shall begin tomorrow evening. In the mean time, is there anything you would like to discuss?
"Yes. I've all this gold. What's the best use of it?" Grommesson asks innocently.
Argor studies the half-orc intently. ”You are at your most dangerous when you lose control. So my suggestion is either something to empower your strength of mind, or, if you think you are getting more control over the beast within, something to enhance your combat prowess.”
::It has worked for me.::
Cladissa's hand flies to her mouth. ::That's right! That's how you were chosen to be a wizard's apprentice::
He looks to the sky and sun slowly falling. ”Perhaps we should return home. I have a lesson with Grommesson to which I need to attend. And we should be hearing from Eliza and Osprey soon...”
"You're probably right. Though when I dropped in on then yesterday, Osprey was out looking for a cure for Auronee. I was a little preoccupied to see what Eliza was doing."
”Is Preston alright?”
"I hope so." Her tone becomes somewhat guarded. "I hope he can forgive himself for being saved, when his men were lost. I couldn't save but four men. But there were so many demons, and we would've been overwhelmed had I tried to save more. Out of one hundred sixteen souls, I saved four."
Cladissa's shoulders sag. No more tears fall, but it takes some effort to not break down again. "Preston said he would talk to Terendelev and try to organize a rescue mission, but they'd lose more men than they'd save."
She looks at him with sad eyes. "All this that we're doing? It may not matter, in the long run."
Argor studies the half-orc intently. ”You are at your most dangerous when you lose control. So my suggestion is either something to empower your strength of mind, or, if you think you are getting more control over the beast within, something to enhance your combat prowess.”
"Understood. My mother bought this cape for that. Maybe they have a better one." Grommesson replies.
Thrassk stays behind at the Lodge in Galt while the others return to Absalom. He is worried that there might be another attack, and with Osprey gone Eliza would be on her own. He spends the days in conversation with Volyanni, sunning himself in the gardens, and sleeping.
He manages to find an amulet and an old cracked ioun stone to his liking in the Lodge's armory, and makes the appropriate arrangements with Eliza.
On the morning of the third day, Thrassk wakes up to find his scales thicker and harder than ever, and his body even more laced with thick musculature. His wings have grown to a more majestic size, yet now fold up like a cloak out of his way when he's not flying.
"It will matter. The mortals of Golarion have proven quite resilient against the immortal hosts of multiple incursions, be it demonic, devils, or the Whispering Tyrant's hordes," Argor says as he floats up and off of the broomstick.
"Come," he says as he holds out a hand. "Let us return."
Cladissa takes Argor's hand and allows him to assist her to her feet. She stretches a bit in preparation for the flight back to Verde Heights. Then she sits upon her broom and wills it to fly alongside Argor.
It's strange, she realizes, flying over Absalom. Suddenly the city in which she had lived for the last several years suddenly no longer felt like home. Part of it felt unreal, after having spent a few horrible minutes in the Abyss-like Worldwound, and the spartan, bedraggled bulwark of Mendev. The unkempt gardens and gutted-out shells of buildings of Galt were her home once again, even though she had yet to permanently move there. Yet she knew it was only a matter of time. For better or ill, this chapter of her life was rapidly coming to a close.
"When you're done with Grommesson this evening, get your things and I'll teleport us all back to the Lodge tonight. Maybe Thrassk and Eliza will have something to report. Then in the morning we can choose our spell allotment with some forewarning," she suggests to Argor.
Allowing Argor and Grommesson some time for his tutoring lesson, Cladissa leaves Verde Heights and flies over to Fleur de Galt, the premier Galtan-style restaurant in Absalom, and places an order.
After an hour or so, she floats back to the estate on her broom, a confectionary package hanging from the handle via a strand of webbing. She sifts through her belongings in her room and gathers up her adventuring gear, just in case there's fighting on the horizon.
"Everyone ready?" she asks, then when given the go-ahead, she teleports them back to the Pathfinder Lodge in Galt.
After the reunion with Thrassk, Eliza and Gianluca, Cladissa takes the package she had brought along with her.
She unwraps it, revealing an exquisitely made dacquoise. She takes it into the room where Auronee and Kyalla are being held. She closes the door behind her.
"Hi," she says to the ape-woman. "You may not remember this, but I one time made you one of these, as an offer of friendship. I didn't make this one; I didn't have time, but I want you to have it. Go on." She sets the confection on the ground and pushes it out in front of her, trying to entice Auronee to come near. "You said horrible things to me. For years. You called me a loser. Pathetic. Weak."
She takes a step back as Auronee moves closer to the treat and sniffs at it. "You were wrong. I'm stronger than you ever dreamed. And I forgive you. I'm going to fix you. And whether we ever become friends once that happens or not, you'll know.
"So enjoy your treat, sister."
===================
Cladissa exits the room, screeching coming from behind her, wearing the dacquoise on her face and in her hair.
By the third day after their return from the Mwangi Expanse, the Pathfinders gather again in the Woodsedge Lodge. Eliza Petulengro welcomes the group to the lodge’s meeting room, largely repaired since the Red Raven’s assault nearly a week ago.
She is joined this time by a dark-haired man, slender and silent, clothed in a simple traveler’s cloak, heavy shirt, and wool pants. The dark-haired man stands behind Eliza as she gestures for you each to sit, a heavy chest set on a table beside him, a thick iron lock sealing its contents. Once you’re settled, Eliza makes a few gestures, muttering a few incantations before sighing heavily and directing her attention to you once again.
“The man beside me is one of my agents in the Grand Lodge in Absalom. He is not a Pathfinder, is not employed by our illustrious organization, and is my little secret. Therefore, you need not and will not know his name. He has spent the better part of this week gathering a host of information on Adril Hestram—his motivations, his reasons, anyone he spoke to in the Grand Lodge, and most importantly, the contents of his personal quarters.” Eliza reaches back and thumps her hand on the heavy chest. “All of that is in here. You can look through it if you like — I have — but it hasn’t told me anything I didn’t already know save one piece of information: I know where Odrian is.”
Eliza waits a moment to see the Freaks' reactions and then continues. “If you recall, Odrian was on Adril’s target list, but it seemed as though Hestram didn’t know where Odrian was. At some point just prior to joining you in the journey here, he found what he was looking for. It seems Odrian leads a double life — apart from being a venture-captain and, let’s face it, likely a member of our Decemvirate, Odrian is also Prince Odrian, the Thurok of Arl, a city high in the cold mountains of the northern region of—" Eliza pauses for a moment. “Well,” she continues, “a city on the planet Akiton.”
Argor ponders what Eliza is saying, the fingertips of each of his hands touching as he thinks. "An interesting development. I was unaware that the Society had branched out to other worlds in our System. And of all them, to choose Akiton. It seems the most reasonable choice, I presume, given its relative proximity."
He looks to the Venture-Captain and asks "I presume you have the means to deliver us to Akiton, or was Odrian last seen here on our world in recent days?"
"Planet?!? We're going to another planet?" Cladissa remarks with rising excitement. She quiets while Argor ruminates, then an idea hits her. "The Maze. Is it possible that the Maze can take us to Akiton?"
She shivers with nervous energy. It would be amazing if they were going to have to go off-planet. While Argor could be correct that Odrian is here on Golarion, she couldn't help but be excited for the prospect of going to another planet.
“It seems likely to me,” Eliza goes on, “that whoever took Adril’s body from this lodge likely took it to Akiton, as neither Adril nor any of his co-conspirators have shown their faces at the Grand Lodge, and since it was the only other location he was seeking and hadn’t found when he set his plan in motion here in my lodge."
“I want you to travel back into the Maze of the Open Road, find Condria—the medusa guardian—and see if she can’t guide you to the portal that leads to Akiton. As far as I know, Akiton is cold and dry but you can breathe the air, even if it’s a bit thin. Go there, find out where Odrian is, and find Adril or any of his conspirators should they still be there. I shouldn’t have to say it, but I will: I want Adril alive, should you find him. He has many questions to answer and many deaths to answer for. Any questions?”
Grommesson looks perplexed. Given the opportunity, he politely signals to ask a question. When acknowledged, he nods to Eliza and asks, "Ma'am, what's a planet?"
Eliza just raises an eyebrow at Grommesson. "Perhaps master Argor could explain it to you after the meeting."
Gianluca arrives just in the nick of time for the briefing. His golden skin looks even shinier than before. "Sorry I didn't arrive sooner. Being this close to Kyonin, I decided to accept an invitation I'd been given years ago, by the local priestess of Arshea. The opportunity to service adherents of the Host of Delectation while also getting a peak into Kyonin was too much to pass up...and I'm pleasantly surprised to report that those elves know how to release into a slow but deep abandon I look forward to experiencing again." He grins at the memory.
"But for now, it seems we're headed back into the Maze. Do we know how cold to expect exactly? I am blessed with a degree of angelic protections, but perhaps we need to prepare stronger magical wards? Otherwise, let's make haste!"
"I believe it is no worse than winter here in Avistan," Eliza responds to Gianluca. "You should be fine."
"Maybe we can pick up a few potions of endure elements before we go," Cladissa remarks.
If the Lodge has any, she'll pick up a few to take along with her, but other that that, she doesn't have any other preparations to make. She calls her broom to her side, but uses her own legs to walk out to the entrance to the maze. Cole meows and twines through her legs as she waits for the others to make whatever other preparations they need.
”Indeed. Everyone should purchase themselves a pair of the potions, for the potential cold,” Argor agrees. As the group makes their way from the meeting, he looks to Grommesson and speaks quietly, ”A planet, Lord Blakros, is essentially an enormous rock...”
"The chance to visssit another world....amazing! Even though the circumssstances aren't great, this kind of thing isss why I joined the Sssociety."
Cladissa can't help but agree with Thrassk. "I know, right??? This is so exciting!"
"That's the spirit!" Gianluca slaps Thrassk on his scaly back. "Just because the fate of the Society--and perhaps Golarion itself--is on the line, doesn't mean we can't also relish visiting a new planet. I've certainly never done so before."
Cladissa purchases three endure elements potions in case their stay on Akiton is longer than expected. She doesn't get any for Cole, trusting that his Agathion nature will protect him from the moderate cold.
Once they're all together, they maneuver through the maze until they find the medusa.
"Hello, Condria. How are you faring today?" she calls out.
Inside, as before, they find Condria, the medusa guardian. "Greetings, Pathfinders. Was your foray into Cheliax successful?"
Cladissa tries to show a brave face. "Not really. We survived, so it wasn't a total disaster."
She waves off any further elaboration. "So, have you heard of Akiton? Could you show us the path that takes us there?"
Argor hovered along quietly behind the rest, allowing Cladissa to take the fire in speaking with the Medusa. As the moves through the maze, he weaved a few protective enchantments.
His mind is a thousand places at once. The concept of going to another world. Cladissa. Imrizade. The Onyx Order. Kyalla and Auronee. Sabrina’s ghost. The steps he must take in Absalom to help solidify himself a political position where he can help change things in the city. Grommesson. His newest metamorphosis. And a multitude of other thoughts tugging at his mind.
Gianluca stands beside Gromesson, saying, "So, what do you think? Ready to travel to a new world?"
"Is that what we're doing? Is it like a plane?" He asks sincerely.
"Kind of," Cladissa says. "Golarion is the world we live on. But there are other worlds that also spin around the sun -- I know it looks like it's whirling around us, but actually it's the opposite. Our world spins, and goes around and around the sun. So when it's night here, it's actually daylight on the other side of the world. But there are entire other worlds, that either require powerful magics or some other means of flying so high into the sky that you leave Golarion behind, and travel through space until you fall onto another world."
She smiles reassuringly, though her eyes dance with excitement. "Thankfully, we've got access to powerful magic, so we don't have to try it that other way."
"Amazing." Grommesson dazzles in the knowledge of new worlds and that his icons know of these new worlds.
"Yes, I know the way. I hope you remember my help when you are all finished with your quest. I still hope to escape this prison some day."
The medusa leads the party on a confusing path of twists and turns through the seemingly unending hedge maze. They would have never been able to find the way without her help. After an hour of walking, they finally arrive at a portal. The portal itself is made of red-tinged steel, twisted at impossible angles and framing a shimmering swirl of reddish-orange light that sometimes seems to manifest an impossibly tall pyramid atop which rest thousands of red-skinned humanoids either kneeling or prostrate.
"I won't forget. I'd like to see you set free as well," she tells the medusa.
As they walk through the maze, Cladissa makes sure to leave a bit of webbing at every turn, as well as noting any distinctive scents that they pass by, to assist her own impressive intellect in memorizing thisparticular pathway.
"Anything you'd like for us to bring back?" she asks Condria, her excitement building again as she is about to step upon an alien world.
Once they reach the portal, Argor says ”Hold a moment. He works some magic on his water flask then takes a drink before passing it along to the others.”
He then studies the portal a moment before commenting ”We can return through this portal at any point. Everyone, now is the best time to consume your potions to tolerate the climate extreme.”
He then drinks his potion.
"Right, yes." Cladissa nods vigorously as she pulls out one of her potions. She gulps it down too quickly and some of it ends up down the wrong pipe. She coughs and sputters for a moment.
"Sorry," she croaks, "I'm excited."
Thrassk casts a spell on himself. "I am ready."
Argor nods to Thrassk, then flies through the portal behind him.
Once the rest of the group has prepared, they all make their way through the portal. The very light twists and bends as they step through the red portal, time seems to stretch and pull at the Pathfinders, their skin tingles and then burns, and then, just when it begins to hurt, the world solidifies once more, only it’s not their world any longer.
The Freaks find themselves standing atop a vast stepped pyramid made of enormous blocks of red stone. The pyramid has to be at least five hundred feet tall and its base occupies nearly half the dusty city that surrounds it. All around them, down every side of the pyramid, red-skinned humans, their heads shaved clean and dressed only in loincloths and thin shirts, prostrate themselves on every step and chant quietly in unison. “Odrian, Odrian, Odrian...”
Just then a sudden, icy blast of wind tears across the pyramid, disturbing clothes, whipping at red flags, and causing the canvas roof above the portal to groan with age. Though in every direction beyond the city the golarians can clearly see red desert, the air is as cold as a glacier and as thin as the highest mountains on Golarion. None of the red-skinned humans prostrated before them seem to even notice the cold. But someone has noticed the Freaks. Suddenly, one of the mourners stands and stares at them from under a thick brow with large, dark eyes. Though he wears the same clothing as the rest, he carries a thick sword on his hip, a shield on his back, and a quiver with a few javelins in it on one shoulder. He regards the Pathfinders silently for a moment and then says, in perfectly unaccented Taldane, “If King Adril is yours, you can have him back.”
Cladissa coughs once more in the thin air as she looks around at the world of Akiton. She swallows once, the thin, cold wind pushing the hood of her cloak back and causing her luxuriant hair to toss wildly.
"Wow."
She takes everything in quickly, stomach twisting in knots as she realizes they interrupted a memorial for the person they had hoped to save. Her excitement dies instantly, and is replaced with stoic resolve.
"Okay," she answers the man who spoke. "Point us the way, and we'll get him."
Argor takes in the sight with a bit of wonder, but quickly composed himself and begins assessing the situation. When the one red skinned man approaches and speaks to them in Taldane, Argor calls out to him ”This Adril, he is here? What do you know of him? Based on your tone, it would seem is has offended you and your people as well...”
"I am Kol Voss, brother of the Princess Verrish, widow of Prince Odrian, Thurok of our great city Arl. Odrian was slain in his quarters by that cowardly beast Adril Hestram!"
As Kol explains who he is to the Pathfinders, the people around him on the pyramid begin to stir from their funereal trance. They stare in rapture at the Freaks, as though beholding the very gods themselves.
A crowd starts to form, pushing at Kol Voss to move him aside — a dangerous move on such a tall platform. They tear at the Freaks’ clothes, grab for their hands, and shout in their native tongue, , in what can easily be determined to be desperation. Women try to push babes into Cladissa's arms, the men offer their blades and kneel in a sign of fealty, and all the while the crowd pushes in closer and closer, crushing each other and the Pathfinders.
Finally, Kol Voss has enough. He brandishes his sword, removes the shield from his back, and yells in a mighty, booming voice in the same language as the pyramid people. They immediately back down the pyramid away from the group.
Kol Voss turns back to them and sheathes his sword. “We musn’t stay here. That won’t work for long and they won’t leave you alone so long as they can see you.”
In preparation for the trip, Grommesson follows the example of Cladissa and drinks a potion of Endure Elements. And then forces a painful transformation into the beast.
He arrives astonished at the scene. He lets his betters lead and talk. When the crowd swarms them, he focuses on breathing to avoid losing control until Kol Voss disperses them.
Hovering well above the crowd, Argor looks on distastefully at the surging crowd. Once the man disperses them a bit, he comments ”I presume you know of a place a bit more discrete?”