Manyki's spell causes the demon to stagger back, blinded! Valais takes off running down the hall and the demon begins the only option available to him while blinded: a summoning spell!
V: 7 nl, sickened 3 rnds, -2 attack, -2 Korai, frightened
L: 73 dmg, shaken 5 rounds, blind 1 rnd
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wait, we can't let Valais runing!
Popol waves his hands and a sound of a machine engine working is heard.
"Korai, don't let's her escape! Block the ways out. I will analyse now the scepter!"
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She'll be back in a moment... I saw the look on her face, once the fear clears she'll be back for the staff.
He levels his gun and takes a single shot at the demon before turning to take off after Valais.
against flat-footed touch AC
Magic Cold Iron bullet
He then disappears around the corner and slows down as he prepares to sneak up on Valais, flattening himself against the inner wall and preparing to dive around the corner.
Jaysin puts another two arrows into the demon! Quillen misses, unfortunately, but Korai's bullet hits and Manyki's holy energy burns the demon!
Of course the demon has trouble finishing his spell in his current condition, with arrows and bullets going through him, and Valais has not reappeared in the room yet. Still Laktharis fights on though, blindly attacking Quillen.
Laktharis then finally shakes off his blindness and snarls at Quillen. "You little bastard! I'll get the staff back and then show you the power that comes with exceeding demon-hood!"
V: 7 nl, sickened 2 rnds, -2 attack, -2 Korai, frightened
L: 98 dmg, shaken 4 rounds, sickened 5 rnds, -2 attack, -2 Korai
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Korai quietly peers around the corner and looks over for Valais, trying to discern if she is in control or not.
"Valais, please stay calm and keep away from the corrupting influence of that creature. We are here to help you, we are your friends."
Seeing the look of demonic control Korai takes a single shot from his hiding place.
against touch, also flat-footed if she doesn't notice me.
cold iron bullet
If sneak attack applies, forgoing all sneak attack damage to sicken her for 3 rounds (doesn't stack duration) and use debilitating injury to reduce her movement speed by half.
"I'm sorry Valais, you'll thank me later when we get that demon out of your head."
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If Lacktaris is still up.
Quillen after you attack, just step back.
If Quillen does take a step back,Popol draws a a shovel and some acid and Create a pit under Lacktaris. Dc 21 reflex. If not
If lacktaris is dead before, Popol will cast identify to know the staff propreties to know if it can restore Valais.
Korai runs out to check on Valais, who still looks quite frightened, not only from the frightening display earlier but also frightened of herself for losing control momentarily.
Meanwhile in the main chamber, Jaysin puts another arrow into Laktharis and Manyki heals the company.
V: 7 nl, sickened 2 rnds, -2 attack, -2 Korai, frightened
L: 108 dmg, shaken 4 rounds, sickened 5 rnds, -2 attack, -2 Korai
As the demon tries to swipe at Quillen blindly, the halfling sticks his weapon into Laktharis and brings the demon to the ground!
The moment Laktharis dies, his remnants rapidly decompose while colorful spirals of planar energy crackle and swirl around his corpse. Korai sees a similar burst of violet energy rises from Valais’s kalavakus parts and joins the planar maelstrom around Laktharis’s body. The energy swirls into a small vortex before collapsing on itself and vanishing completely. Thurl’s notes fly off of the demon’s body and scatter about the room.
Valais breathes heavily and begins speaking. "He’s gone, I don’t hear him whispering in my ear any longer. Perhaps that is the answer? Perhaps we must track down the other demon Thurl used to build my body and destroy it. Whatever happens next, thank you for keeping me alive. I hope Thurl’s notes will help us."
Kitarlo, the injured outsider from earlier, slowly sits up and rubs at his mutilated arm. When Valais is brought back into the room and the situation is explained, he takes pity at her situation, and admires her strength for retaining her mind against the demonic onslaught. He speaks directly to Valais. "Your story intrigues me. I can ease your mind, but I cannot help you this moment. There is one possibility I know of, but it requires access to a very special library. In Heaven, there is a place called the Great Library of Harmonious Scripture, which, among other things, contains a record of every sacred ceremony that has ever been performed. A contact of mine owes me a favor; perhaps with his help we can get you the information you need to restore yourself, body and soul. Of course, your way also seems to work, though it requires much more violence.”[b] He eyes the corpse of Laktharis. [b]“What will you try first: hunt down and slay the other demon whose body is incorporated into yours or seek the help of archons, whose procedures can take many years to navigate?”
Valais’s eyes flit between the celestial being and the demonic
corpse, and then land on her fellow Pathfinders. “You’ve helped me face what has happened to me as no one has before. I trust your wisdom. What do you think I should do?”
Kitarlo also offers to guide you through a ritual to remove the Abyssal taint from the staff.
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"Can we wait a day? It will be easier to do the ritual. I have spells that could help."says Popol.
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Korai looks on with amazement as Valais's form begins to heal.
"Well, I suppose that if the direct solution is proven, that continuing on with this demon-slaying might not be a bad move, however I think we've all seen enough violence for some time. Perhaps it is time to see what more enlightened beings have to offer...
As for the ritual, I'm with Popol. The staff has been here for a long time, another day won't hurt and will give us a bigger chance of success."
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"I too favour taking our time over the staff but I think we may have to persuade our Sarkorian friends that this is not quite the temple they thought. What is the true nature of this place? And what is your role here?" The first question is asked of his fellow pathfinders. The second of the handless golden figure.
He then turns to Valais "I will support you in whichever path you take but surely it is better to glimpse the mind of heaven than to spend time hunting the abyss for demons. I am not saying that I would not enjoy killing demons but that road is not without its risks."
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"As a businessman myself, I'd have to say... if someone owes you a favor and the situation is this perfect, it would be a shame not to cash it out. You can kill demons, daemons, and devils all day until the cows come home, but sometimes its better to take the time and do things right."
"Also... about that mob outside. I think we kinda killed their god... We might want to clean up and be cautious with the details of what went on here or we'll probably have a riot on our hands."
Popol studies the staff a bit more closely and realizes that the magic underlying it is that of a heartwood staff:
This wood of this staff quietly thrums with life energy. A heartwood staff turns into a tree if its user plants it in the ground and speaks the proper command word. This process functions as a permanent tree shape spell that can only target the staff. By speaking the same command word, the tree turns back into a staff. This staff allows use of the following spells: entangle (1 charge), wood shape (1 charge), speak with plants (2 charges), plant growth (2 charges), and commune with nature (5 charges). Additionally, while the staff is in tree form, it assists creatures that rest within 20 feet of it for at least 8 hours. Such creatures heal twice as many hit points from resting and gain a +2 bonus on their saving throws to end long-term effects such as diseases and negative levels.
Unfortunately, if the taint is not purged or if the ritual goes awry, it might be turned into a charwood staff.
Valais nods in agreement with Korai and Manyki. "I think you are right. There has been enough violence. And if I lost control today, I might also lose control again if we ever found the other demon."
Shyael thanks you for doing what you could to make the temple safer, although the Sarkorians are a bit dismayed that their god Laktharis was not the savior they thought him to be.
When you return to Starrise Spire, Venture-Captain Jorsal is eager to hear what progress you've made locating a suitable site for the crusade’s new fortress. Ollysta Zadrian speaks with Valais before addressing you. “I’m happy to hear that Valais’s mind is clearer; she seems happier than I’ve even seen her since we recovered her from Thurl’s laboratory. You’ve given her real hope, something she has lacked recently. Thank you.”
She continues, “And congratulations on making contact with such a powerful celestial ally. Kitarlo’s plan to gain Heaven’s aid could work, but archons often have larger concerns than a single mortal soul. Azatas have good intentions, but they are not always reliable. I would hate to get Valais’s hopes up.”
“Ah, but now is not the time to fret about the risks in Valais’s future. Now is the time to celebrate the fact that she has a way forward, and that the Worldwound has lost a powerful demon that was tricking and exploiting innocent Sarkorians. Thank you, Pathfinders. May the Dawnflower’s light illuminate your path.”
In the coming months, Valais’s condition continues to improve. With only one demonic essence to counter, she enjoys the relative quiet within her mind. Though her dreams are still sometimes nightmarish and violent, she is hopeful, and she believes that she will one day fully recover.
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Popol follows the instruction of the Azata faithfully with the aid of others.
In fact, the ritual was like a representative of Elysium, Goodness and freedom. which was perfect because the staff was corrupted by Lacktaris who was a evil tyrant. Even if Popol had some difficulty with some instruction like "do what your heart tells you" was able to complete the ritual. Maybe his heart knew how for some reason.
And Popol uses the scroll of break enchentement to inscribe it into his spellbook.
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Quillen digs around in his pockets and grunts when he finds what he is looking for - a small pack of tobacco, which he immediately ignites with a tindertwig procured from yet another pocket. He eyes Valais warily, but comes very close to smiling at the others as he presses a hand onto Korai's shoulder (well, maybe his hip).
"Bon, bon. It is done..."