"Astraden, let me put it this way--if you got bit by a rabid dog, wouldn't you get to a healer as soon as possible?" Zalamandra puts her hands on her hips.
Tanith touches Astraden with a bit of divine inspiration.
Zalamandra knows more than her fair share about the taint these creatures are comprised of. It is acquired only by interacting with special monsters such as these elementals, or through interaction with horrifically evil objects or locations. The corruption only began appearing about fifteen years ago, though it's said to have had other outbreaks long, long ago—and some madmen claim it was always around, and just unable to take physical form.
Some have been known to derive benefits from the foul affliction. Rumors abound of "tainted scholars" who bear the strain of untold depravity in the pursuit of knowledge. Those who embrace the corruption can gain great power, but inevitably lose their moral compass and fall into evil.
There are items said to shield against taint—a popular option is a pure jade rod the size of a human finger. Supposedly, these trinkets can protect the bearer from acquiring more corruption, acting as a sponge—though they won't remove what is already there.
If allowed to linger for more than twenty-four hours, Astraden's corruption will become permanent—luckily, she only took a glancing blow, so even then it will only require moderate magic to cleanse it. A casting of remove disease will suffice.
If Astraden's current infection is not removed within 48 hours, it will start manifesting outwardly. The forms of corruption are many, but they can include ichor secretions, muscles spasms, and peeling skin.
"So, Astraden, let me make it clear what will happen to you if you don't get yourself looked at immediately: the corruption from that elemental will settle into your soul within a day. In two days, the corruption in your soul will have physical manifestations, including, but not limited to: peeling skin, muscle cramps, ichor secretions, and potential sexual dysfunction." Zalamandra explains. "You were lucky you took a glancing blow--a spell to remove disease ought to clear it right up."
"Now, there's no need to panic. There are ways to guard against taint--such as a rod crafted from pure jade that's about the same size as a human finger. I wonder if one of the churches in town sells those kinds of things..." She ponders.
Tanith cocks an eyebrow at Lady Z's detailed description. "I'd take that s&%# seriously."
"Glad to hear someone does." Zalamandra smirks.
"I'm not going to the church, Zalamandra. I can take care of myself." Astraden turns her back to the sorceress and continues her work on the winch.
After a couple more minutes, though, it's clear that she can find no way to fix it. She stands up, holding one of the broken handles. "Yeah, it's busted for good. Farrukh, why don't you head up and get some of Zalamandra's workers to pull us up?"
Astraden takes the Faceless One's cipher. "And while you're doing that, I'll try to read those scrolls."
A deadpan look crosses Zalamandra's face. "Yes, send the blinded man up a tall elevator shaft to get help. Can't imagine how THAT can go wrong."
”I can do it”, Tanith says as he strips out of his heavily damaged armor. ”I could use the exercise anyway”, he adds with a laugh.
"We could just send him up with a bunch of rope and have him drop it down..." Eben points out. "Might be easier than having a rescue crew jury-rig a lift."
"But the tunnel's so dark. I might get scared."
"Right, but you're still injured," Astraden says to Tanith. She summons two last bursts of healing before leaving.
Feeling mostly whole again, the Kordite gives Astraden another nod of thanks before discarding the last pieces of his bloodstained armor. Freed from the confines of the ill-fitted mail, the big man enjoys a stretch before heading up.
Tanith is able to find a few workers who haven't run off for the festival, and they work together to bring the damaged elevator back to the top long enough for everyone to get out. They seem befuddled by the strange tunnel and injured adventurers, but say nothing about it.
Back on the surface, Tanith enjoys a nice breath of fresh air. The vision he'd had of Theldrick and the Faceless man still weighed on him but there would be time for worrying later. He grins and claps Eben on the back roughly.
"We just saved Diamond Lake. I'd say we were due a celebration and I think the festival is a damned good place to start."
Zalamandra nods before turning to the rest of the team. "Astraden... if you're dead set on fixing this yourself, I'm not going to stop you." She shrugs. "Farrukh, would you like some help getting your eyes fixed?"
Cuetzpalli nods to Tanith, "For once, even I could use a drink."
Eben goes flying forward slightly from Tanith's back-pat, but recovers before crashing into a wall. "A beer would be really welcome," he agrees.
"Farrukh, would you like some help getting your eyes fixed?"
"I'd really appreciate it."
"Guess I'll see the rest of you guys later for a drink."
"I wonder if they have mead?" Astraden says, following Tanith, Eben, and Cuetzpalli.
Spellcraft on last elixir: 23 = 23
Feathers (of whichever ones weren't scrub jays?): 26 = 26
Healing" potions: 26 = 26
Spellcraft (metal rod): 25 = 25
Spellcraft (FO's cloak): 23 = 23
Spellcraft (Arrowguard potions): 20 = 20
Spellcraft (Fox potions): 24 = 24
Spellcraft (Watch and snatch): 25 = 25
Spellcraft (Mistmorph potions): 25 = 25
Elixir of vision
Whip feather tokensPotions of Cure Light Wounds
Cloak of Charisma +2
Potions of Protection from Arrows
Potions of Fox's Cunning
Potion of Shield of Faith
Potions of Gaseous Form
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Spellcraft (scroll of burning hands): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Personally I would trust the kenkus but I guess this'll let us know if it is a higher caster level one. Wait, did we forget the kenku in Theldrick's office?
Cantrips: All in Core, plus a spell the Faceless One must have created called "Amanuensis".
First Level: Hold portal, mage armor, shield, magic missile, chill touch, expeditious retreat, identify, ray of enfeeblement, and a new spell called "Ebon Eyes".
Second Level: Touch of idiocy, false life, darkvision, web, and one Astraden hasn't heard of called "Bigby's Slapping Hand".
Third Level: Fireball, lightning bolt, halt undead, summon monster III, and a new spell called "Amorphous Form".
New Spells:
AMANUENSIS
Transmutation
Level: Cleric 0, Sorcerer/Wizard 0, Inquisitor 1, Bard 0
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: Object or objects with writing
Duration: 10 minutes/level (see text)
Saving Throw: Will negates (object)
Spell Resistance: Yes (object)
You point at the writing and then move your hand as though holding a stylus or quill. As you intone the spell, the script appears on a sheet of paper close at hand.
You cause writing from one source (such as a book) to be copied into a book, paper or parchment. This spell copies 250 words per minute and creates a perfect duplicate of the original. The spell copies only nonmagical text, not illustrations or magical writings (such as the text of a spellbook, a spell scroll, or a sepia snake sigil). If the target contains normal and magical writing (such as a letter with explosive runes) only the normal text is copied, leaving blank space in the copied text where the magical writing would be expected. Likewise, if the target contains text and illustration, only the text is copied.
The spell triggers (but does not copy) writing-based magic traps in the material being copied.
Blank paper, parchment, or a book must be provided for the spell to write upon. If the target has multiple pages, the spell automatically turns to the next blank page whenever necessary.
If more pages in the target exist than blank pages are available, the spell copies the original until it runs out of blank pages. At any time, during the spell's duration you can redirect the magic to copy from another target, copy onto a different blank source, or resume a duplication that was interrupted by a shortfall of blank pages.
The spell does not translate the copied writing.
BIGBY'S SLAPPING HAND
Evocation (force)
Level: Sorcerer/wizard 2, witch 2
Components: V, s, F
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Effect: One Tiny hand
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
You complete the spell and blow into the leather glove. Immediately a blue-white, translucent hand appears next to the enemy and smacks it across the side of the head—not enough to hurt it, but hard enough to give others nearby a chance to attack.
This spell distracts the subject, causing it to immediately provoke attacks of opportunity from creatures threatening its space. A slapped creature can negate the effect with a Will save.
You can use this spell on a hypnotized, dazed or sleeping target. It instantly awakens the latter and gives a hypnotized or dazed target a second save against whatever effect is denying it actions.
Focus: A leather glove.
EBON EYES
Transmutation
Level: Assassin 1, cleric 1, sorcerer/wizard 1, alchemist 1, witch 1, inquisitor 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Targets: Creature touched
Duration: 10 minutes/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
You feel, more than see, a black haze form at the corner of your eyes. Upon touching your intended subject the haze disappears and the creature's eyes become shrouded in blackness.
The subject of this spell gains the ability to see normally in natural and magical darkness, though it does not otherwise improve the subject's ability to see in natural dark or shadowy conditions. The subject ignores the miss chance due to lack of illumination other than total darkness. While the spell is in effect, a jet-black film covers the subject's eyes.
Material Component: A pinch of powered black gemstone of any type.
AMORPHOUS FORM
Transmutation
Level: Assassin 3, sorcerer/wizard 3, witch 3, inquisitor 3, alchemist 3
Components: S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Willing corporeal creature touched
Duration: 1 minute/level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
You dust your ally with gelatin and silently evoke the spell. Immediately her bones begin to soften and she and her belongings slump, becoming malleable ooze.
The subject and all its gear become amorphous and oozelike. This new form is boneless and fluid, enabling the subject to pass through hles or narrow openings as small as 2 inches in diameter. While amorphous, the subject is immune to poison, polymorphing, and stunning, it cannot be flanked, and it is immune to critical hits. It gains a swim speed equal to its land speed. The subject can remain submerged as long as desired without breathing.
The subject's armor (including natural armor) becomes worthless, though its modifiers for size, dexterity, and deflection still apply to Armor Class, as do armor bonuses from force effects (for example, from the mage armor spell).
While amorphous, the subject can't attack or cast spells that require verbal, somatic, material, or focus components. The subject loses all supernatural abilities while in amorphous form, and its magic items, aside from those bonuses noted above, cease functioning as long as it remains amorphous.
The Three Days
Meanwhile, his cloak of resistance finally arrives.
Oddly, he finds those in the Feral Dog are giving him a wide birth. A few men 'subtly' suggest he might enjoy himself more in the Spinning Giant—a classier pub frequented by Garrison soldiers and Heironean clergy. Not too long ago, a fight broke out in there, and the Spinning Giant regulars threw a few of Sheriff Cubbin's boys out. Though they do keep out the town thugs, they also tend to shun Diamond Lake's lower class.
Nobody seems eager to be pals with Tanith, but nobody seems eager to brawl with him, either.
He points to the bident, which rests in the corner. It is marked with a distinctive "O" in the handle—small, but easy to spot if someone's looking. The distinctive “O” maker’s mark of Manlin Osgood is a regional sign of quality powerful enough that lesser blacksmiths in neighboring communities often try to forge it.
"Listen, Cuetz," Osgood says, quieter, "I'd be careful with that thing. My apprentice said it 'burned' him when he picked it up earlier. Elroy's a bit scatterbrained, but he's a kindhearted lad, and I can't see him making up stories. I dunno where you got those spikes from, an' I don't think I want to."
Jieran takes the news...poorly. At first, he tries guilting Cuetzpalli, claiming the flock will be destroyed without Cuetzpalli there to protect them. Then he tries threatening him, warning of eternal damnation without Wierus to guide him away from sin and corruption. "You need me, Cuetzpalli!" he screams, again and again. "You're a sheep! You need me to lead you!"
He demands to know what Cuetzpalli found below, and proclaims that Cuetzpalli has been corrupted by the heretics he travels with. Ultimately, he tells Cuetzpalli to get out of his sight. Hamaneezer looks apologetic as he quickly ushers Cuetzpalli out. "For w-w-what it's w-worth," he says, "I th-think we always kn-knew you'd leave. B-better Kord than s-someone evil, like Olidam—dammara, right?"
She finishes the house on the third day. It's not pretty, but it's holding together. She and Cuetzpalli find a few urchins have taken to following her around. One of them has a crude mask that, at a distance, while squinting, could be mistaken for a symbol of Olidammara.
These are the "coal orphans"—children of miners killed by collapses or toxic gas. Most of them are indebted to the managers their parents used to mine for, charged with working off their parents' debts. Whether they're watching Astraden out of curiosity or because they've been charged with watching her is hard to tell, because they bolt whenever she starts to approach and prove remarkably hard to chase down.
Astraden and Cuetzpalli can tell that at least one of the children is a disguised halfling. He runs with a limp, but they can't tell if it's genuine—he still moves damn fast.
...a tall, handsome man with dark brown hair and long sideburns—this is Valkus Dun, the high priest at the Chapel of Heironeous. Valkus wears full plate armor and has a bastard sword and longsword strapped to his belt.
It's a sparse room with only one chair, a sleeping mat, and a shelf to hold his armor and fighting gear. In his own church, Valkus goes unarmed. He smiles, sitting on the mat and urging her to take the chair. Eben, on the other hand, gets to stand.
"Welcome, Zalamandra and MacTongue. I'm sorry about the simple furnishings—I like to keep this room...quiet. Anyways, considering your little band has been seen alive and well, I'm guessing the attack on the Triad went well?"
He's eager for details, but won't press the pair. Regardless, he quickly determines she and Eben are taint-free. "You were right to come to me, rather than...another. Trust me, you don't want to let someone like Wierus find out about this." His friendly face turns somewhat taut. "I suggest you keep quiet about this. His methods are...beyond what you know."
He pinches the bridge of his nose, scowling. "One day...I swear to the Archpaladin, all it'll take is a toenail out of line and I'll see him in chains. Justday's just around the corner."
A moment later, he seems to realize his slip and recovers, returning to his friendly self. "Sorry. Rough day. I'll see you two around." He bows. "May the Invincible smile upon you both."
Mayor Neff refuses to see Zalamandra or any of her employees, nor does he allow her to communicate with Cubbin, demanding that his brother be present. Allustan is currently busy deciphering some of the information from the Cairn, though, and promises to attend in a day or so.
It is the third day—night, technically. The 5th of Planting , 11:30 PM. Tomorrow is the last day of the feast of Growfest—always an exciting time for the followers of St. Cuthbert.
In a few hours, Carina will pass a threshold and be impossible to reincarnate. The party makes therefore haste to the Bronzewood Lodge as the full moon climbs high.
A short ways within the copse, the adventurers find the Lodge. It is a twelve-chambered structure composed of piled megaliths covered by earth.
The central chamber is dominated by a huge uprooted petrified bronzewood tree planted upside down so that its roots are exposed.
Nogwier stands there waiting. The ancient druid's great gray beard seems to have even more lengths of ivy in it than last time the group saw him—or perhaps the ivy is growing. His gnarled, pallid skin is a sicklier green, as though his health is deteriorating.
The goblin met before with the one-eyed wolf is waiting there, along with several other druids and rangers. The party notices Merris Sandovar, chief scout of the Garrison, also attending.
"Thank you*cough* for coming," Nogwier rasps. "Nerull has been*cough*appeased for the time being, though I*cough*fear he gave in too easily. Perhaps he is planning something. Nevertheless..."
Two tall half-orc rangers step out of the way, showing what rests nestled in the roots of the bronzewood tree. Carina's body lies there, still, untouched by decay, and very much dead. Oddly, the stone roots seem to have wrapped around her, like a protective blanket.
"Her body*cough*lies only in slumber, though*cough*she does not look it. The magic*cough*is ready to begin. I should warn you*cough*I do not exactly know what*cough*will happen. A tiefling is not*coughcough*normal. And regardless, she will not come*cough*back...*cough*the same."
Nogwier takes a deep, shuddering breath, leaning on his staff for support. "We can begin now. Are you ready to get your friend back?"
[dice=Spellcraft Day 1]1d20+7
[dice=Spellcraft Day 2]1d20+7
[dice=Spellcraft Day 3]1d20+7
"Thanks Astraden. You're a sight for sore eyes, you know?"
"Hey, Eben! You said you wanted one of these, right? Mine just arrived, you can take it if you want." he says, holding up the chain shirt.
"They're insanely comfortable." he adds.
"You're serious? Of COURSE we're ready for our friend to stop being dead."
Astraden laughs and nods along to Farrukh's very funny joke.
Astraden looks at Tanith, trying to tell if he is comfortable with the proceedings. He'd been through a lot since the group last met Nogwier, and some of it was decidedly unpleasant.
Aside from running back and forth from the mayor's offices trying to act as an 'envoy' for Zalamandra (and being rejected), and other duties in his new role as a not-really-working-at-the-Emporium employee, Eben spends the days enjoying the Growfest (every day he's able to tell his friends exactly which table has the best pies...), entertaining at the Emporium (but not entertaining at the Emporium), and just generally enjoying the leisure.
When Farrukh takes receipt of his ordered mithral shirt, Eben happily purchases the now-redundant armor off of him. "Just what I needed! Couple more things and my gear might be light enough that I'll be able to dump these load-bearing cords I've got. That's what, one-and-a-tenth K gold?" And I might know someone who knows someone in the Free City that can put some kind of shiny magic on this too... Over the next couple of days he restocks his mundane arrow supply and seeks a buyer for his old (magical but bulkier) chain shirt.
On what he's privately come to think of as 'miracle night' Eben treks up to see the druids with the rest. Strictly speaking, he doesn't have a stake in this, never having met Carina, but after days underground with her companions, he kind of feels like he's part of this whole thing and wants to see it through...
I should warn you*cough*I do not exactly know what*cough*will happen. A tiefling is not*coughcough*normal.
Tanith is a bit bummed that nobody in the Dog will scrap with him. He liked the Feral Dog because it was low class... Still, Kord's teachings echoed in his thoughts. When a weight no longer proves challenging, a man must seek out more and becomes stronger still. Maybe he'd outgrown the Dog. Maybe the Giant had better brawlers.
Tipping one last silver piece, the hulking Kordite leaves the Feral Dog for good.
***
The big man is visibly full of nervous energy as the party is gathered for Carina's return to them (and to life). The details of the elaborate ceremony and the ancient druid are all lost on him - all except one. The sight of Carina wrapped up in the roots infuriates him. He wants nothing more than to tear them apart and free the lifeless tiefling from their embrace but whatever functions as the rational part of Tanith's mind knows that won't help.
He notices Astraden's concerned glance and gives her an uncharacteristically sad smile.
"Do it. Bring her back."
She nods. "If this fails, you'll have a lot to answer for, druid."
Zalamandra explains everything that happened under Diamond Lake to Valkus Dun.
"Yes, Wierus always struck me as being slightly utterly raving mad." She sighs. "He has a certain charisma, but the plain truth is no sane person would want to whip themselves bloody for every single sinful thought that crosses their mind."
Once she finishes her explanations, she gives Valkus a bow. "My thanks for granting me this audience, sir."
--------------
Figures.
Mayor Neff wasn't interested in what she had to say without Allustan being around. It was abnormally sensible of him.
All I can do is wait, I suppose...
--------------
The sight of Carina's body covered by the roots makes Zalamandra look down in guilt.
"Do it."
Nogwier looks at Astraden in contempt. "We offer*cough*to hold off the Reaper, toy with nature's most*cough*crucial law, and return this girl, and you*cough*treat us like enemies? Your soul is*cough*lined with darkness, priestess."
He turns, taking from another druid a vial of something red. When he speaks, his voice seems clearer. His eyes are starting to show from beneath his bushy eyebrows, bright green eyes full of life. "Blood from a virgin doe—before its time, slain."
The roots seem to open up, releasing the body of Carina to the cold night air. He takes Carina's head and gently puts the vial between her lips, pouring the blood down her throat.
Nogwier puts a finger into the vial and uses the blood to make a mark upon his forehead, then passes the vial along to three of the other druids, who do the same.
Next, he pulls out something disturbingly familiar to the party—a dead green worm like the one Filge had. He gingerly inserts his finger into the worm's mouth, pulling it out coated in a green sludge. "Innards of the green worm—acquired at great pains."
He makes a quick mark on Carina's forehead, then quickly wipes the substance off himself and puts the worm away.
Finally, he accepts from the goblin a length of what looks like white goo. "Webbing from a giant wolf spider. To reforge the chain."
He begins wrapping Carina in the stuff, starting with her head. It quickly becomes clear he means to encase her like in a cocoon—or like a mummified corpse.
As he works, he and the other druids begin chanting in a strange language. They appear to be repeating the same phrase, but it changes, just a little, with every rendition.
Ten minutes go by like this, as Carina is completely wrapped, head-to-toe. Moonlight begins to stream through the windows, getting brighter as the ritual goes on.
Your eyes open.
You don't remember much about the world beyond. You remember the feeling of the flail hitting you in the chest. It hurt. A lot.
Then, you remember feeling...freer. Like something that had been holding onto you for a while had been peeled off. You remember peace and tranquility, though you always vaguely felt like there was somewhere you were supposed to be.
Then you woke up.
You are in an enclosed space. It's dark. You can barely move. There's an awful iron taste in your mouth.
Oh, and it's a little hard to breathe.
Carina blinks repeatedly.
Wha...where am I? It's so dark...is that blood in my mouth? OHGODSOHGODSWHEREISEVERYONE?!
She starts trying to flail about.
"MOM! TANITH! ANYBODY!"
Everyone else sees the webby prison start thrashing about and hears a muffled cry.
Hearing her cries, Tanith barrels forward heedless of the ritual. With one brawny arm he props the wrapped form up by the shoulders. With the other he tears the webbing from her face. He notes, briefly, that she seems to be a lot lighter.
"It's okay Red! I'm here. We're all here."
Carina gasps for air as she feels the webbing being torn from her face. Her vision is so blurry...
Everyone watching (who already know her) sees that Carina doesn't look the same as before--her skin is blue, her eyes are blue, and her hair is a very dark blue, verging on black. She blinks her deep blue eyes several times before refocusing on the large shape holding her by the shoulders.
"...Tanith?" She says in disbelief.
While Eben had never formally met Carina before, he had seen the tiefling around town and her (former) body had been on display just moments ago, so the physical change is as startling to him as to the rest of the group.
"Think Tanith might need to pick a new nickname..." Eben says, sotto voice, incapable of not commenting and yet not quite willing to ruin the ceremony with irreverence.
Tanith is initially shocked by Carina's new form. Though still beautiful, her new body was almost completely opposite her previous one all the way down to her skin - now a rich blue instead of blood red. The recognition in her voice snaps the big man from his shock and he squeezes her in an affectionate embrace.
"Yeah, It's me Red. I'm here."
Carina says nothing. She can't say anything, even if she could.
A great happy smile appears on her face, and she buries her face in Tanith's chest, her shoulders shaking.
Tanith can feel his chest growing wet with tears of joy.
Wordless with joy himself, Tanith can only laugh and cradle the watery beauty in his arms.
Nogwier is silent as the two reunite. He seems to single out Eben as someone unaffected emotionally, because he walks over to the bard. "There's something you should*cough* know," he wheezes. "Death is not easy, and neither is*cough*the journey back. Each departure*cough*leaves something behind. That something is beyond my strength to return, I fear, and Carina*cough*will not be able to recover it without help. You should*cough*seek out a priest soon. Souls are not meant to be split."
He pauses.
"Also, you may wish to get the spare set of robes in the other room. It's*cough* a cold night."
Carina eventually pulls back a bit, panting, her eyes slightly puffy as she smiles up at him.
"I... I feel kinda weak, now that you mention it..."
As if on cue from the wise druid's words, a breeze blows through the room. A breeze that Carina feels... intimately.
Oh. I'm naked.
Her eyes widen and she blushes furiously. She promptly presses herself right up to Tanith in an effort to hide herself, letting him feel her very close.
This only serves to make her blush worse. "Um... could somebody get me some clothes? Please? Now?"
Eben never was someone comfortable with being called upon by authority figures, so his already tense nerves go through the roof when Nogwier singled him out for the 'post-reincarnation minder' role. "Um, yeah, we'll look into that right away," he says, looking around to make sure that someone else got the message as well so he wouldn't have to be in charge of reminding a stranger that she had to get to a temple, stat. The request for clothing, on the other hand, is something that he can handle with ease. "On it!" he says, rushing into the other room and locating the mentioned spare set of robes. Averting his eyes as he comes back into the main hall, he hands the robes out to the blue woman. "Um, here you go, miss..."