"You don't need healing! the magical aid field is nearly wasted, but your health is fine! I will see to you if you're not!" says Glory.
Kokina pins the dog construct down!!!
Following the pin, Kinshasa swings Soldier's Glory and there is a flash of white light as the Alcasti protective field is parted like water, enabling Kinshasa to deliver a devastating blow to the dog construct!
Hand is poked! (hand is: 3/9 HP)
Doggie attempts to break the grapple:
[BREAKS THE GRAPPLE!]
ROUND 4 - Inititiative [bold can go]
Kinshasa [aid: +1 atk/fear saves and prone -4 to AC; TEMP: 1/14] and Kokina [blessed] and Soldier's Glory
Naruda [blessed]
Perrine [blessed, divine favor, fate's favored]
Magdalyn [blessed]
Keandre [blessed, HP: 8/10]
Garr [blessed, divine favor, fate's favored, enlarged]
guardian dog [15 dmg]
The robodog takes an AoO on Kinshasa as he rises:
[MISS!]
Now on stable footing, Kinshasa swings Glory into the dog. For a split second there is a brief white flash as the protective field around the dog parts like water, allowing Glory to put a monstrous gash into the mechanical dog...
...the dog begin sparking wildly, and within a second or two, explodes in a massive electrical discharge!!
electrical damage
COMBAT OVER!!!
The heroes swarm the dog construct and put an end to its extended service. Beyond the door, a sparse room holds little beyond a lacquered wooden coffin. A human skull sits on a plate in front of the casket, while a mangled clockwork owl lies a few feet away. An engraved plaque is propped up behind the skull against the wooden pall. The smell of corrosion fills the air.
The plaque reads, “Here lies Honaria Alcasti, betrayed by her inferiors and those she served. We shall remember her deeds and restore her honor.” The letters are faded and the plaque appears to be centuries old. You find a hairpin with a noble crest on it.
The coffin itself contains Honaria’s corpse and her accolades, including an impressive collection of military ribbons and medals.
If you approach the owl you realize that he's missing half of his face. He is immobile but he begins to speak in a broken and stuttering voice, "I am A-A-Amantius, the former f-f-f-familiar of Italice Cenabri, whose head now rest here atop Honoria's coffin. Syagra Tetranella did this to m-m-m-m-me. Do not a-a-a-a-approach closer: I a-a-a-am malfunctioning and g-g-g-generating a cloud of c-c-c-corrosive gas. If one of y-y-you is good at dismantling mechanisms t-t-try disconnecting the w-w-wand in my inner chassis. This w-w-will stop the corrosive gas. But during the dd-d-dismantling y-y-you will be exppppposed to the g-g-g-g-g-gas."
|
Magdalyn approaches the battered construct and listens to its words. When it finishes, she speaks. "You may rest easy. We will disable this mechanism and hear your story."
Magdalyn is easily capable of dismantling the simple mechanism and holds her breath while she works, but catches a deep breath of the cloud just as she finishes.
|
"I will stand back and let someone more qualified handle repairing the owl. I can assist with healing the burns caused by the acid, along with any other wounds people have received. Just stay close by me and let Gozreh's light heal you."
Ugh, now there's a talking owl statue. I guess now that sword has someone to talk to.
Magdalyn's expert skills easily dismantle the malfunctioning wand from the clockwork owl! Amantius' speech, albeit still labored, appears to come out much easier now, and with the magical confluence ended, so doth the generation of corrosive gases. After a violent shaking fit, he finally settles and says the following:
"S-S-Syagra was one of Honaria's followers. After Honaria died in public ignominy, S-S-Syagra cast the blame on my mistress, Italice Cenabri, w-w-w-which was a prominent adviser to the crown. In truth, many factors led to Honaria's disgrace, but Italice served as a convenient scapegoat for Syagra’s rage and sorrow. I failed to notice Syagra's growing rage thus I failed my m-m-m-mistress...
After years of preparations, S-S-Syagra carried out her plan to assassinate Italice, fleeing from justice and escaping into the wilderness. Again I was out and not by my mistress' side when this happened... I am an extremely bad familiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar...
Syagra eventually made her way here where the Alcasti family had given Honaria a hero’s burial in the family tomb. In her single-minded devotion, Syagra broke into the tomb, planning to leave Italice’s head as an offering to Honaria’s memory.
Ironically, in her attempts to honor her friend, Syagra was forced to smash apart the tomb guardians and vandalize most of the magical wards, a-a-a-as you have witnessed in coming here.
However, as she was about to leave this place I caught up with her and attempted to stop her and reason with her, great hero meeeeeeeeeeeee... She struck me down and left me as another twisted offering to Honaria’s memoryyyyyyyyyyyyyy......
First I blamed Honariaaaaaaaa for Italice’s death but centuries of reflection in her tomb have changed my opinion. Despite my bitterness and despaaaaaaaaaair, I must admit that Honaria was innocent in all this, and I do not believe any of this to be something she would have waaaaaaaaaaanted....
Now, will you do the honorable and please arrange for Italice’s remains to be returned to her familyyyyyyyyy?"
Immediately following Naruda's noble words, a feeling of peace suffuses the tomb.
"By the way, could you please c-c-c-carry me to House Cenabri along with my mistress' remains?" says Amantius.
As you return with Honaria’s laurels, Remaio is pleased with your efforts, eagerly describing to you the decorations that he recognizes and basking in secondhand pride.
As he sees you returning Amantius and Italice’s remains, Remaio complains in a sullen manner, "This may taint my petition to restore Honaria’s good name..." but otherwise does not push the subject.
After you arrange for Italice’s remains to be returned to her family, Amantius is grateful though somewhat lost after so many years spent hopeless and imprisoned. Before you leave him with House Cenabri, he insists that you take the partially charged wand of heightened awareness (10 charges) within his body, as it is the only means he has to repay you for their kindness. He informs you that even if the Cenabri family pays for his repairs, he plans to keep his broken face in memory of Italice.
===============================================================
ONE WEEK AFTER YOU RETURN TO OPPARA
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Remaio’s blood, sweat, and tears have finally paid off. You each receive a letter and an individual package
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
After bathing and scubbing his scaled skin and hairless scalp Kinshasa dons his fine military uniform. The brass buttons shine and Glory hangs at his hip. His polished black boots click on the floor stones as he marches smartly down the corridor and down to the common room to await the arrival of the others.
Taldor’s princess is a progressive one. Eutropia is the only child of Grand Prince Stavian III, the ruler of Taldor. She intends to inherit the throne upon the death of her father, even though according to the current laws of Taldor, only male heirs are eligible to inherit the throne.
Some Taldan nobles fear that Eutropia’s ambitions may lead to a costly civil war. I hear rumblings of a certain Taldor AP coming soon methinks. Others believe that Eutropia’s efforts to make a case for her inheritance to the Senate will eventually succeed, and believe that the progressive vision of Taldor that she supports is the best way to shake off centuries of stagnation.
|
Garr enjoys the much needed respite filling his belly with all the food he can afford. He reflects as well upon the battles fought, and battles won. When the time draws near to get ready for the dinner, Garr chooses a fine courtesans outfit and polishes his Holy symbol of Gorum to a gleaming shine. Seemingly satisfied, Garr tries his best to not look akward nor uncomfortable is his attire
On the day of the event Remaio meets you outside the palace where Eutropia is holding court. He appears outwardly confident and cheerful!
When you are all ready Remaio accompanies you inside.
This ancient and grand palace is decorated with ornate arches of patterned stone. Robed greeters bow as the building’s massive iron doors swing open. Light illuminates the hall through dozens of windows in the ceiling. Shining panels of gold decorate the marble walls.
LIST OF NPCs:
GLORIANA MORILLA
DOMINICUS RELL
FATHER BASRI
INKA HELDOTOR
CAPTAIN SEFERI
SOLMON MENANDER
THEON CENABRI
|
|
Sensing Remaio's nervousness Kinshasa gives the man a reassuring pat on the shoulder and a friendly smile.
Kinshasa mingles, sipping his drink. He keeps an eye out for those of military bearing and those in uniform. He is keen to swap war stories and soldiers are soldiers no matter where they come from.
Last thing before we start, while you decide the diplomacy math in the Discussion thread: if anyone has Knowledge Nobility they may make a check for each of the following NPCs.
GLORIANA MORILLA
DOMINICUS RELL
FATHER BASRI
INKA HELDOTOR
CAPTAIN SEFERI
SOLMON MENANDER
THEON CENABRI