DM Zyren's Heart of Runes
Game Master Zyrenity

Kessan grins at the half orc's statment. "Well then care join me for a brisk climb?"

Can't let you fools get yourselves killed.

I follow the men up the wall.

"Wait just a minute, folks, first we jump in fear for our lives, and now we are trying to find a way back into the danger of this she-demon! Please help me to understand. What has changed about this situation?"

Celestra watches as Harry, Kessan, and Ailetha climb up. "Well, if you want the good fortune of my healing touch, you better toss me a rope when you get to the top. I can't exactly keep you healthy if I am down here looking for something to quench my thirst and you are up this roof in battle with an outsider!"

Stopping for a moment Kessan glances back at the two ladies. "You did see the demon thing fly off correct? Unless there were more then one up there that you did not mention, then it would be roughly safe. No need for you to come unless you really want to."

I look at the newcomer: It is not a demon, it is some type of a powerful lamia. It has a broad range of magical and melee capabilities. Think of a powerful sorcerer who is also a great warrior, and is also a snake person. That is about half or what she is.

Smiling ruefully, Kessan nods. "Never one was for the books. I can hit things and climb and swim and whatnot, but telling one monster from another? Not my thing."

Well remember, you hit the wrong monster with your fists, you might do more damage to yourself than to the monster.

Don't we already have KArlan's rope attached up top for when he ran down the stairs to avoid the collapse?

"It's evil, serves a terrible master, and set evil people on a murder spree for their dark god. That's like triple evil or something. She was a mage who had time to ready her magics on a windy rooftop and can fly. We've exhausted considerable resources as is on her minions. Fighting was suicide. I'd rather face her on terms where her evil can be vanquished. For now I think she's retreated since we've increased our numbers though I deeply suspect we'll see her again. This is going to be an ugly cat and mouse game."

"We went up the tower but never found her Lair, so if this is her Lair then where was the serpents nest. She could be holding captives, she could be holding secrets, but regardless we need to get up there and see what she might have left behind."

I thought you had taken the rope with you as you went to the rooftop. Since it is still there, it is a rather easy climb with a DC of 12.

Climb 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Harry scoots up the rope.

"Careful as you go, or wait there and I will yell if I find anything"

Back on top of the tower, the heavy rain welcomes you again. Instantly you notice a difference: One of the corners of the tower, which appeared to be empty the first time you were here now consists of silk cushions and pillows which are unaffected by the elements!

"We found the rattlesnakes nest!" Harry yells down.

"Hows your reflexes?" he asks his new Monkish friend.

Harry has a quick look for any traps, then moves into the nest, weapon at the ready.

Perception (look for traps) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Perception (search the place) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Searching through the lair is quite pleasant - an invisible force shield seems to deflect wind and rain and it's warm in there, too. Sadly Xanesha was clever enough to take all her valuables with her - the only thing she left - mos probably accidentally is a list with names on it

"A list, don't suppose it is invites to her birthday"

With the place cleared out, Harry begins his descent, handing over the scroll to Karlan.

"Interesting letter, suppose there's a big picture in there somewhere"

"Is this a party list? Am I on it?"

Looking over Karlan's shoulder at the list, Celestra asks, "Hey, did we know of that fella Banny Harker? His name sounds familiar."

Kessan keeps watch along the edges of the roof, trying to make sure that if the serpent creature comes back he will see it. "What names are on the list?"

Perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

I look and the names and try to see what I know about them.

Lore Master - Take 20 as a standard action for a 29 on Knowledge(local).

There is one pretty important name on the list you should find without a check - checks will be resolved after a bit of player activity :)

Well, looks like a bunch of minor people, grocers, thieves, adventurers.

There are two that stand out, one more than the other. They are Kemos Shadron, the gambling den owner, and . . . hmmm, the Lord-Mayor. Actually, I think that Haldmeer Grobaras the Lord-Mayor really stands out. I believe we should go and talk with your contacts in the guard and get to the Lord-Mayor's home post-haste.

"Perhaps we should show the list to the local authorities. They are likely to know who these people are. Although, I am not sure what they will do with it. No offense, Kessan, but I'm just not sure how far we can trust the local guard? I suspect this evil cult has infiltrated deep into this society."

"I have only been in town a few days so I am not sure who those people are..." Kessan continues to keep watch, content to assist in whatever capacity he can at the moment.

She has her list of victims, or should I say sacrifices. She is intent on gaining greedy souls for her Runelord. I will put money on her going after the Lord-Mayor as he is clearly the most powerful. We need to find him and find out how to set a trap so that we can fight her on our terrain once she makes an attempt on his life.

We also need to alert the others so that she cannot get them as well. We are only able to be in once place, so lets make sure that we are where she is going to appear.

"I see our task as simply alerting the Guard and the Lord-Mayor, after that it is a Magnimar problem. When she shows up again then she is our problem. Ironbriar was the one wielding the blades, so we got our man; he may have been the pawn of another person, but he was the one carrying out the crimes."

"So if we are done here, a tavern is calling"

Harry looks at his small log for a moment

An array of sea charts
A painting of a strange city built entirely of ice
A filigreed and illustrated book titled The Syrpent’s Tane: Faery Tales of the Eldest
A slim volume that served as both ledger and journal for Justice Ironbriar
A wizard’s spellbook containing all cantrips, Blink, Cat’s Grace, Chill Touch,Enlarge Person, Fox’s Cunning, Grease, Haste, Lightning Bolt, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Scorching Ray, Shocking Grasp, Shrink Item, Spider Climb, and Web

Scythe +1 2318/1159
Cloak of Elvenkind 2500/1250

480gp

DMZZ, any of the random items above actually worth coin?

You can easily find buyers for the first three items - together they would net 1200 gp

Lovely

"Think we can burn the tower to the ground without hurting surrounding buildings?" Karlan asks the group. "I want to leave a message."

"Reckon our local expert would be the judge of that"

At the thought of making a huge blaze, Perdition readies himself, almost salivating in anticipation.

Perdition is certain that the fire should go perfectly, as long as he sets it up high so the building begins collapsing in on itself and then spreads the fire downwards.

""So if we are done here, a tavern is calling"

"Indeed I hear it loud and clear!" Celestra agrees with a wide grin on her face. "So what do we need to do to wrap up today's adventure?"

While I enjoy a tavern as much as the rest of you, I do not think that we are done. The Lord-Mayor's name is on that list and I assume that he will be the Lamia's next target. What would cause more unrest than the murder/sacrifice of the Lord-Mayor of Magnimar to a 2000 year deceased ruler of these lands who had nearly godlike powers.

"The Lamia is unlikely to strike at this point, and I reckon that she will be some time building up a new razor gang to carry on her murderous ways. We can't stay here forever, waiting for the day, so its something the Guard now has to work out how to deal with."

"Sir Karlan is the right one to talk to the Guard and let them know what has gone on"

Don't see any other loose ends, suspect Lamia will pop up at some annoying time, so perhaps after this we need to work out an ambush

DMZZ - let me know if I am overextending my knowledge.

I don't think you understand. I believe the lamia was seeking to raise one of the ancient Runelords, the Runelord of Greed if I am correct. We have put a huge crimp in her plans by shutting down the Skinsaw crew, and by eliminating her dopplegangers. However, she is dedicated and devoted to her cause. She would not have put this effort in otherwise. While I am sure that she would prefer having others do her dirty work, I think that she will take things into her own hands.

I would like to trust the authorities, but in this case, we are most likely best equipped. We know what she is, and I think we have a pretty good idea who her next target is. I would love to sit at the tavern and enjoy the local brews, but at this point I really believe that we should be setting a trap for when she attempts to sacrifice the Lord-Mayor to her Runelord.

To put it another way, crazy religious fanatics do not just let a little setback like losing all their troops slow them down. They just keep charging forward.

_______
Also, I cast detect magic in the area of the Lamia's lair to see if there is anything there we missed.

"And when is she planning on doing that, exactly, now that she knows we are on to her plans and have killed her underlings? Do we suppose it is tomorrow? next week? next year? How long do we sit around waiting for her to come for the Lord Mayor? She would be beyond stupid to come and attempt taking the man now knowing full well that everyone is wise to what she plans. I don't doubt she will come, though I suspect it is going to be a long while yet, she was patient enough to set up this grand conspiracy we uncovered, she will be patient enough to start over."

"On the other hand, if the Mayor wishes to pay me handsomely to sit about being his minder then I am sure I can lighten his monetary encumbrance"

"It doesn't make a difference now in any case." Karlan says. "We came to ensure Sandpoint would be safe. Well, I feel in that regard we failed. I doubt she'll bother with an alert lord mayor at all. Karlan leans up against the wall. "So we know she's going to come after us eventually. We have no way to track her, and no means with which to discern her true location. Ladies and gentlemen I think all we can do at this point is prepare for the inevitable assault on our persons and do the best we can."

The smell of smoke drifts in the air.

Perdition is nowhere to be seen, but the tower does appear to be burning up high.

***

"Then lets get off for some well earned rest, she won't be back tonight, she will come when it is inconvenient, like when we go to leave the City I'd guess."

Ailetha simply shakes her head.

You all simply do not understand. If she waits, she will have to start all over. And most likely she has people above her who will not give her a pat on the back for failing. You all saw the dedication that quasit gave before she died under Sandpoint. This crazy lamia will be no different. She has started a process to bring back her lord, Karzoug. Her option are complete it or die trying. Also, for her, I doubt that revenge is forefront in her mind. In this group clearly Karlan and Celestra would not provide the greedy souls that she seeks. Neither would our firebug, and I doubt our newfound friend who is devoted to helping the city would either. That leaves Harry and myself. I am more interested in knowledge and entertaining the crowd. I do not complain when I get paid, but that is not the ends all for me. And even you Harry are not solely devoted to acquiring monetary wealth. I have seen you fight for good and justice. Despite your upbringing, you do not have the greedy soul she desires.

Her target is either the Lord-Mayor or someone else on the list who is very greedy. I do not know the others on this list, but none of them seem to have the greed and power to fuel her lord's rebirth. The Lord-Mayor likely does.

If you all wish to return to the tavern, I cannot stop you. However, I do not think that she is going to wait on her mission. I only hope that she does not succeed while we are sharing some brews.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

"Okay Ailetha, so how do you plan on stopping her?" Crossing his arms and waiting to hear what she has to say.

Surprise her, hit her and hit her hard. She is a spellcaster, get close and don't ler her cast.

I can swing by the library and do some quick research on what additional powers a lamia like her may have. However, I am just very fearful that the murders will continue if we simply step back. We may want to take a break, but I doubt she will.

If it were my choice, I would have one of us take the place of the Lord-Mayor. When she comes for him, we surprise her and take her down on our grounds. Preferably in a smaller area where she cannot use her ability to fly.

"Great plan." Says Karlan honestly. "So where in this plan does a group of dirty guards from a small coastal town convince the Lord Mayor of Magnimar that a flying snake woman is out for his life and that we're his only hope compared to his armies, guards, hired spellcasters, or powerful adventurers he could hire instead of bothering with us."

Ailetha pauses and thinks for a minute:

Well, we have already shown that one of his high justices was a corrupt agent of a cult of murderers and we have evidence that those who made the ancient structures which lie throughout this city wish to return. At the very least, that should get us an audience with him or his associates.

From there, it will be a matter of persuading him that he is in grave danger. I do not know whether he would prefer the honest word of a knight of Iomedae or the pretty smile of a charismatic gal, but I hope that we can convince him of the danger. If he does not heed our advice or warning, then there is not much else we can do. But at the very least, we must try.

With that Ailetha shrugs. We can only do what we can do. I just hope he understands the danger that threatens this land, not just Magnimar, but possibly the whole of Varisia. After all, Thassilon comprised nearly all of what is today Varisia. If these ancient evils return, they may well want their land back.

Kessan simply watches the exchange.

Got nothing to add yet haha

Pushing off the wall Karlan sighs. "Or maybe, maybe it's just enough to simply warn his guards, present the evidence, and allow the system to take over. We can't provide a better defense than those who already know how to do it. I understand your feelings but, well, we swore to defend Sandpoint, not Magnimar, and every moment spent trying to convince the lord mayor, or bodyguarding him is another moment sandpoint is left undefended. And all of this is assuming you know the intentions of a beast whose mind operates on completely different levels than ours."

Shut up, whore! I have just realized that you already know much more than you should - I will end your insignificant existences now and give your souls to Karzoug!

Ready for initiative?

As you will, but remember, I really ticked her off when I listed off the method of her insanity. Her response was: "Shut up, whore! I have just realized that you already know much more than you should - I will end your insignificant existences now and give your souls to Karzoug!"

So, perhaps you are right. and she will come afte us. At the same time, her goal is sacrifices to her supposedly deceased Runelord. And since she can fly and create mirror images of herself, I have no doubt that she can also make herself invisible. Thus, she may well be standing behind us right now as we discuss this.

"What else do we know of her kind? Do you think our weapons will be able to affect her? I really don't like the thought that she could be standing right behind us right now!"

DMZZ - Can I take 20 on the relevant knowledge roll for this. I was going to use the daily take 20 on the list, but would prefer it to get more insight on her. I made a roll earlier when she appeared, so I do not know whether I can do it again. If I cannot, I would like to hit the library to do some quick research on the specific powers of this type of lamia.

Thus, she may well be standing behind us right now as we discuss this.

"Well I suppose we could all stand around in the street having a chat about it, right up until we are hit by a fireball. Much harder to hit a moving target, so think I'll be moving to the Guardhouse. Regardless of who will end up protecting the Mayor the fact is that right now the Mayor knows nothing about all this and has nobody protecting him. You reckon she could be standing behind us? She's much more likely to be standing behind Him. Less chat, more action."

Harry takes the list in hand and starts heading off quickly to the Guard.

Ailetha shrugs and follows along keeping an eye out for the lamia or anything else unusual.

"If it were me I'd be killing an unarmed Mayor, not a half a dozen hardened fighters all tooled up and baying for my blood"

He is a vital sacrifice for bringing back the Runelord of Greed. We are a thorn in her side and possibly capable of bringing her whole plan crashing down around her if not stopped. She will come after us eventually, the question is whether she will attempt it before or after going for the Lord-Mayor. I would prefer if we made both targets more difficult by being prepared and by being near the Lord-Mayor when she makes her attempt.