Ophelia applies her knowledge of the healing arts to help Quiella fight off the pukwudgie poison. With that small boost, the gnome successfully overcomes the deadly toxin.
After successfully neutralizing the poison in both Dijjit and Quiella, the group begins the two day journey back to Ignizi Dinnelletter's cottage. With a Faerie Dragon chaperone and and the undead menace apparently defeated , the trip goes without incident.
Ignizi appears extremely surprised and grateful when you return with Dijjit still alive and in one piece. She and the other Pathfinders thank you profusely for your aid and promise to spread word of your excellent work to your superiors.
Riddywipple is similarly thankful for your assistance, but he still appears quite morose about the fate of his various friendlies. Although his optimism seems a bit soured, he still offers his services to anyone in the group who wishes to keep him along.
Day of the Demon
In the halls of Skyreach, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin’s familiar voice gathers the attention of the assembled Pathfinders. ”Pathfinders, please may I introduce to you Hamaria Blakros, who I believe some of you have met previously. Madame Blakros is the head of the powerful Blakros family, valuable allies of the Pathfinder Society. She will brief you on your next mission.” The regally dressed noblewoman looks over the assembled party, her piercing eyes seeming to notice every detail, then speaks. ”Greetings, Pathfinders. As most of you are aware, recently my daughter Michellia married the Hellknight Damian Kastner, and as is customary when one marries into the Blakros family, he provided a dowry in exchange for being honored with our illustrious name. Damian’s gift took the form of his ancestral home, an estate called Ostergarde in north-central Cheliax.”
”Ostergarde has sat empty for some time, deserted by the Kastners after the Thrune regime came to control Cheliax and the family moved to the new capital of Egorian. I am a cautious woman, and I’d prefer to have a third party explore the manor before I or any of my family take up residence there.” Hamaria snaps her fingers and servants bring several tomes to her side.
”These books all make some mention of Ostergarde or the Kastners, and may contain useful information. While the Chelish government takes great care in rewriting history to suit its current politics, these tomes have been in our family since before the rise of House Thrune, so I am confident their contents have not been altered. Consider them a donation to the Pathfinders’ great library—a down payment for the deal I brokered with your venture-captain. I suppose he can fill you in on the details from here. It was a pleasure to see you.” Without further ado, Hamaria takes her leave.
Valsin then claims the room’s attention again. ”Pathfinders, you are to journey to Ostergarde and rid its halls of any squatting denizens, traps, or forgotten devils. In return, you are free to plunder its contents. Hopefully, everything you need to know about Ostergarde can be found within these books. I do not need to remind you how important it is to maintain our good relationship with the Blakros family, so don’t screw things up. Stick to the mission, and don’t wreck the place.” Softening his stance, Valsin finally adds, ”Be careful, Ostergarde is not a kind place,” before hurrying away to attend to the next crisis.
As a reminder, you participated in the wedding between Michellia Blakros and Damien Kastner.
It was an open secret that when occupied, Ostergarde was a nexus for devil worship, and because of its reputation, most travelers leave the abandoned manor alone even though it sits near a highly traveled mountain pass between Kintargo and the rest of Cheliax.
Before Queen Abrogail I of House Thrune ventured into the Barrowood, she visited Ostergarde to bolster her knowledge on infernal contracts. It is believed she used this knowledge in her infamous infernal bargain within the Barrowood, which led to her house’s victory in the Chelish Civil War.
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Mel glances through the books
Add one more if I can get a guidance before rolling.
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A tall lanky man with short cut hair, a beard, and a bizarre array of gadgets hooked to his armor stands at attention as Ambrus Valsin and Madame Blakros speak. Upon completion, he salutes, and turns to look at the assembled group and begins to speak with an accent that sounds to be from Ustalav or surrounding regions.
"Wonderful, my commission has finally been approved I see. You must be my retinue. I will be your commanding officer, William Iosef Blazkovich. The sooner we all get to know one another, the more effective soldiers we shall be. As is said, if you know yourself and know your foes, you need not fear the outcome of a hundred battles!"
He starts to trail off as he notices that the only stranger here is himself. He withdraws a note from under his chain armor, consults it, and adopts a dour expression. "...or I could be here as reinforcements. No matter! If I am to be given the glorious opportunity to march into the mouth of hell with a gun at my side I shall revel in it!"
Listening to Melufiuos's information he smiles. "Most excellent, you must be of the foreign intelligence division. Adept at espionage no doubt? It certainly sounds as though we know our foe. And your name?"
He flips back through his note and nods. "Ah, Comrade Benidictus I presume? After all there is only one of full elven blood among the regiment I have been assigned to. It will be a pleasure to serve alongside you."
He turns back to Ambrus and Madame Blakros. "So, this mission will be to breach the walls of the compound, engage and eliminate all threads within, and disarm or report all potential hazards, artificial or natural prior to occupation. Am I correct?"
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Quite naturally, the young elf puffs up at the compliment, "Why of course. I like to know what I've gotten myself into... err...umm... what I'm about to get into." He corrects that sentence with a start and then bows with a flourish to cover his mistake, "Melufiuos Benidictus at your service, but my friends call me Mel. I'm a magus, but I've got a few other tricks up my sleeve." He winks conspirationally at the newcomer. "So you wield a gun? I've heard about those but never had the opportunity to see one in action. I look forward to our first encounter... by the way... if we are facing demons.... do guns work against creatures which can only be hit by magical weapons?"
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William grins and pulls out a pair of firearms, laying each of them on the table. He points to a long barreled musket first. "This is my first gun... build from scrap and improved over the years. Makes a loud bang."
He points to a second smaller weapon on the table, meant to be held in one hand but contains a very bizarre smooth grip and a few blinking red and green lights. "This... is a very special weapon of mine. Brought here when the stars fell upon my homeland. It fires a beam capable of stunning my target without dealing lasting harm. Perfect for taking captives for further questioning. Not only that, this one is also enchanted by mages of Golarion. A weapon of two worlds you might say."
He then stands tall and shakes his cloak off of his shoulders revealing sharp piercing spikes woven expertly into his suit of chain armor. "A firearm is best when closing the distance to your foe. When I reach them, I prefer to deal with them... personally."
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Upon seeing the spikes, Mel whistles and looks at Valik. "Those would have been useful last mission!" His eyes grow wide and he busts out laughing, "but it is a good thing Vailis was not carrying any black powder!" He makes a few exploding noises, throwing his arms wide. Eventually though, he sees everyone looking at him and sheepishly regains composure, trying to hide from the venture captain behind his teammates.
Although it might be considered rude by some, neither Hamaria Blakros nor Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin left for any time for questions before they departed your company.
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"So we are to travel to this manor and make sure it is safe for our fellow," Ophelia murmurs thoughtfully, turning a pearl over and over in her palm. It's apparent she's been shopping since the last mission - gone are her old scale armour and wooden shield, replaced with a smooth, polished breastplate, and a silvery shield emblazoned with a brilliant blue death spiral. Despite her new trappings, her thick black hair and her dark eyes remain unchanged, spare the slightly grim expression on her lips.
After shaking her head at Mel's antics with a small smile, as has become an unbreakable habit for her, she clears her throat and inclines her head to the newcomer. "I am Ophelia, a priestess of Pharasma, and it will be my job to make sure you live to see the nplan she has for you. As such," she adds, her face twisting slightly in a scowl, "I would prefer not to speak a pledge to Asmodeus, if it can be avoided."
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"I am pleased to meet you comrade Ophelia. I know that to swear an oath holds special meaning for you priestesses, so I would not ask you to say such words, but I would gladly speak his oath... An oath sworn in vain is a slap in the face so to speak, and this god and his followers have far more than a slap coming."
He raises his stun gun with a grin before continuing. "Oh, and don't you worry comrade Melufiuos, this piece of fine Numerian metal does not use the black powder. I can be discreet when the need arises."
As he says this, his armor makes a rather un-discreet 'clink.'
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Valik, ponders for a moment. But I doubt obtained by someone's blood is such an easy task, let alone one that can be bought. Besides, we are Pathfinders and we have code to live up to. I will not partake in siphoning ones blood against their will, which may be the eventual outcome. Is your blood for sale Mel?
After the quick rant he turns to Mel, Sorry Mel, but I find this task by our superiors to be the be of the more difficult ones to say the least. Let me try to lend a hand rather than criticize your idea
Valik looks around, trying to sumize who would be the most willing to help and not turn them in at first chance.
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The young elf's eyes widen at Valik's words, as if his mind had been read. I wasn't planning on murdering anyone! he thinks to himself. Besides, Quellia would have objected to using that blood even more than saying the words. Despite feeling appropriately admonished by his elder, he still retorts, "Shoot, given how much trouble I had coming up with the gold for this sword, I would have been thrilled to sell a couple of vials!" He is shocked to feel his face cooling off after Valik's final words. What's gotten into me? he wonders.
After spending time canvassing Absalom, some of the group discovers there are no Kastners in the city that anyone is aware of.
Moreover, Valik gets the impression that both the Society and the Blakroses would probably react negatively if you asked for vials of Kastner blood from either organization.
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Mel glares at the newcomer, "OK, fine. Bad idea. Pretend I never mentioned it. I was just planning for the worst." He then stalks over to the paladin, regaining his composure at every step. Standing before her, he squats down gently to meet her at eye level. "You know I'm not a devil worshipper, right? I just know we have had several adventures together where your values were put to the test. I was just trying to smooth things out a bit and lessen your burden." He then looks back up at Ophelia, "I owe both of you my life several times over."
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William pulls the page out of his pocket again, gives it a brief skim, then looks back. "Ah, Halkale. You must be the specialist in archery and animal husbandry. I am most pleased to meet you."
He turns back to Melufiuos. "I am familiar with the ways of the Magus, as a good friend of mine, Lune employs the art. Perhaps this may serve you well for our mission."
He hands a ring to Mel before continuing. "It can help you shake off the chaos of combat in times of need or tactical importance."
"So... we have not been formally introduced as of yet, but I presume, that you are Valik, master of the mystic arts of monastic tradition. I am most happy to see such a well assembled team of experts. Those fiends will stand no chance against us."
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Damm, bested again! You can almost see the thoughts in his head as he reluctantly accepts the ring and puts it on. Forcing a graceful smile, he replies "Ahh, thank you, friend. I'll be sure to put it to good use."
Hoping to regain his position, he begins thinking furiously. His eyes, scanning the room for ideas, falls on his vanity porter. "Oh! I forgot to mention. If you find your burdens too heavy, allow my man to carry them for you." But as soon as the words are out of his mouth, he thinks Rotten wood! Did I just say I was too weak to carry my own stuff? Who *is* this guy? I really hate him!
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Ophelia finds it hard to resist a smile at Halkale's lack of a stutter and Mel's apparent peacocking. "Well done," she murmurs to the ranger with an approving nod, before laying a hand on Mels' shoulder. "Do not fret," she says with a small sigh. "If it is an oath we must speak, then so be it. I pray my Lady will be understanding and merciful in her final judgement."
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The familiar hand on his shoulder is such a small thing, yet it imparts a great amount of comfort and confidence. This time though, it is almost electric! He reaches up and across his body with his other hand to gently place it upon the one she has on his shoulder. Even though it is his own arm, it sort of feels like he's being hugged. "I most certainly hope so." he says before beaming a victorious grin at William.
Once you all have settled matters in Absalom to your satisfaction, the group leaves the city to travel to Ostergarde in north-central Cheliax. The week-long trip is completely uneventful until you near the home and find yourselves barraged by a raging storm.
Lightning slashes through the overcast sky, highlighting a darkened manor that stands defiantly upon a jagged bluff. A torrent of rain floods the trail, and thunderous cracks accompany each electrified stroke. In the distance, the trail ends abruptly at the front door of the lonely manor house—the only shelter in sight.
Other than the two story house composed of red- and black-hued masonry to your northeast, you also notice a wagon siting in pieces outside of a modest stable.
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Mel hands Valik his ever burning torch and casts endure elements on him via a scroll before he goes.
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"I will speak no such oath, nor will I have it spoken for me. I would sooner bring hell on our heads. I fear no demon. For the sake of our safety, I will try to find a guide for us."
"Come friends, let us get out of the rain."
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William joins Valik for a quick scout ahead. "Wonderful to see such practiced scouts working for the Society. When I one day receive my commission, I shall make sure they reflect the expertise shown today."
Along the way he mutters to himself, with a bit of a devilish grin crossing his face.
"Brigh, the whisperer of bronze, shall protect me on this night from thine treachery, O, cleansing fires of the Prince of Darkness. Wash me in your burning might. Purify me as I enter your house of cloven hooves to deliver my wrath and judgement on thy followers.”
He chuckles a bit, then turns to Quiella. "Most of these passphrases are just that! Passphrases! They cannot tell the intent of the phrase spoken, nor the words that frame it. That shall be the oath I speak when we enter..."
Valik discovers the tracks of several large felines intermixed with stranger tracks that resemble elongated, thin humanoid footprints.
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Valik looks at the footprints, strange as they may be. He calls the others over after looking in the basic direction the prints lead (to the house vs away).
Who or whatever was or is here went that way, as he motions in the direction. I am unsure what made these, is there someone more skilled in planar knowledge, I am a bit rusty
Melufiuos believes the first set of prints may be from Howlers, four-legged outsiders native to the Abyss. He also recalls that their howls have been known to drive people insane.
Neither Valik nor Melufiuos are able to identify the other set of tracks, nor can Melufiuos recall any additional information about Howlers.
With Halkale's assistance, Valik quickly determines that the second set of tracks come from a demon called a Babau. These outsiders are covered in a protective slime that damages weapons that hit them and injures those that use natural attacks against them.