Mr. Whiskers tries to study some of the material about the Winter Witches, but is distracted by worry over Einar.
Crummock goes to the library informing Mr Whiskers that Einar has opened the vaults, but somethings...wrong with him.
Mr Whiskers recognizes the dark film over Vernai's eyes is caused by a blindness/deafness spell, and Einar's sapped vitality, a curse.
"Hmm..." Mr. Whiskers says, examining Einar. "Could have been worse. I had feared they might drain your life force rather than just curse your health. Unfortunately, it is still something that requires magic in order to recover from."
Examining Vernai, he says "We will need a priest's help with this, different magics. Once again, magic is the only cure I'm aware of." Looking to Ziva, he says "It can be cured, but will no doubt be hard on Vernai until then. Sorry i don't have better news."
Getting out some paper and a quill, he then goes to the vault. He casts Detect Magic before entering so he doesn't accidentally trip a hidden magical trap.
"We know that they like glyphs, so I think we should keep the scrolls rolled up if we are to take them. Potions usually aren't cursed, so I suppose I can start with those."
Then he looks at what is in the chest. Shaking his head, he says "I can try to figure out what each item seems to be, but I would highly recommend you allow me to do an intensive inspection tomorrow before anyone gets excited."
He gets out some paper and a pen, making notes as he examines the items. Then he brings his notes out and shares them with everyone -- never having touched any of the treasure while in the vault.
Mr Whiskers identifies 2 scroll of comprehend languages, 2 scrolls of cure moderate wounds, 1 scroll of delay poison, 1 scroll of dispel magic, 1 scroll of irriseni mirror sight, 1 scroll of remove disease, 2 scrolls of remove sickness. The other two scrolls he cannot identify.
Potions are 2 potions of cure light wounds, 2 potions of enlarge person, 2 potions of reduce person, 3 oils of mask dweomer.
Mr Whiskers cannot identify the bag, robe. He identifies the feather shaped feather token as a feather token(feather), and the tree shaped feather token as a feather token(tree). He cannot identify the ring either. The wand is a wand of colourspray with 23 charges.
Crummock uses read magic on the scrolls that Mr Whiskers failed to identify, finding a scroll of threefold aspect and a scroll of youthful appearance.
He gets out some paper and a pen, making notes as he examines the items. Then he brings his notes out and shares them with everyone -- never having touched any of the treasure while in the vault.
Crummock nods in satisfaction when the witch is brought low, watching with grim satisfaction when Nadya finishes him off.
"Consider that to be a part payment for the misery ye have inflicted."
When the *other* witch makes her presence known via the mirror, Crummock narrows his eyes.
"Well then, now we have a face to go with the name. Good."
He then turns to Nadya, recalling her earlier statement.
"I am sure we can arrange for her to quartered, when we catch up with her."
When Einar goes up to the Vault, Crummock does his best to provide all the Guidance that he can, but not strictly trusting the tiefling's ability with traps, keeps as far away as possible.
He sighs when Einar comes back, clearly less hale and hearty than he was before.
"Well, that could have gone better, but it could also have gone a lot worse. Ye still be alive, after all."
Once the party has sorted through all of the loot from the upstairs, Crummock nods.
"Well now, if anyone be wantin' to keep any o' this, speak now, or forever hold your peace..."
His eyes linger on the Scroll of Remove Curse.
"I think I'll be tryin' this on Einar first, though."
Crummock then tries to Remove Curse.
Einar feels back to his usual self, with his curse removed.
Mr Whiskers identifies the winter wolf hilted dagger Crummock brought back from Jairess's Aerie as a +1 dagger.
Crummock nods in satisfaction when Einar looks to be back to normal.
"Crivens! Ye had we worried there for a spell, Einar! Glad to see you don't look like an old grey-beard, anymore..."
He then turns his attention to Vernai, holding the Scroll of Dispel Magic thoughtfully.
"Well, the first one worked; mayhaps this one will, too?"
The black flim off Vernai's eyes dissolves away. Vernai can now see!
The battle was particularly hard for Ziva. To begin with, pride as she slaughtered her way through to the fey ranks, to despair as Vernai was struck blind, to pride again as her faithful companion fought onwards through the crippling condition to take down and eliminate the witch, to sheer joy at Crummock's skill with magic.
She immediately bullrushes Crummock with a hug, tears of joy in her eyes. "Oh my, thank you so, so much for helping my companion, I don't know how I can repay that", she gushes, overtaken by the moment, before rushing forward and hugging Vernai "Oh you wonderful friend, you did so well - I'm just so sorry I didn't protect you well enough - I swear it will never happen again...can you forgive me?"
Crummock nods in satisfaction when Einar looks to be back to normal.
"Crivens! Ye had we worried there for a spell, Einar! Glad to see you don't look like an old grey-beard, anymore..."
After sleeping for a while in the little room, Einar comes out, feeling less than whole, 'Well if anyone can read that scroll silver-tongued Crummock can do it.' When Crummock approaches him with the Einar stand stark still hoping for the best.
Feeling the change in his energy level Einar gives Crummock a toothy grin, winking, 'You und I know I vill not live to see a head of grey hair mein Freund."
Seeing Crummock able to use the scroll to heal Vernai Einar smiles and asks "Shall vee go raid zee pantry und see vat food zere is to celebrate? Und zene vee can load up und be on our vay, ya?"
Mr. Whiskers is very impressed by Crummock's activation of both scrolls. "Excellent! I was worried it may not take hold but you did it! I would ask though, before doing anything else heal yourself!"
When Einar talks of food, Mr. Whiskers wrinkles his nose as he mentions "You might not want food from here. I've heard rumors of what the witches use in their flour."
Hatch comes up to Mr Whiskers looking mournful, with Apa the water elemental following closely at his tail, asking, "Do you know anywhere where there's a theatre and a dance recital?"
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Mr. Whiskers is surprised by the question, but does not dismiss it out of hand. A very strange question. Still, when dealing with spirits it is best to take their questions seriously.
"Oppara was known for its theaters. Cadence, a singer who was traveling with us, studied at the Kitharodian Academy. From what I understand, the Kintargo Opera House is supposed to be one of the best for Chelish Opera."
He scratches behind his ear, then looks on the shelves for books on geography. "Let's see if we can't find something a little closer to here, though. Is there any particular type of dance you want?"
"Îmi datorează o excursie la teatru, un recital de dans, și un moment bun la tavernă. A spus v-ar ști unde." Apa gurgles in that voice of his, as he points sternly at Hatch.
He owes me a trip to the theatre, a dance recital, and a good time at the tavern. Said you would know where.
"I don't know, the Winter Witches have generally forbidden public revelry." Hatches wails tearfully.
With a chuckle, Mr. Whiskers says "Atunci, vom găsi cel mai bine într-un loc în valoare de călătorie!"
Mr Whiskers knows that the nearest big city is WhiteThrone. It is possible to find entertainment there, but it is reserved for the nobility, done within their homes/palaces itself. There is a tavern in Walsby, however.
"Este în regulă dacă începem cu taverna? Există, unul dintre cei din Walsby." Mr. Whiskers asks, looking at Apa.
If the witches forbid revelry, that is going to make it a bit more difficult. Still, people like to dance. I bet there is some sort of illegal theatre in Whitethrone...may not be high class, but it is likely to be fun! Certainly better than trying to get into some party that the Winter Witches host!
"Trapă mi-a spus despre băutură lucruri două leggers care le fac cu adevărat vesel, care se găsesc în taverne. Aș vrea să încerc aia." The elemental answers.
Hatch told me about the things two leggers drink that make them really merry, that are found in taverns. I'd like to try that.
Mr. Whiskers moves over to the section on planar creatures, hoping for a medical or alchemical volume on the differences. "Este posibil să nu aibă același efect asupra ta. Cu toate acestea, s-ar putea găsi interesant."
I wonder, has anyone researched if there is something that works like alcohol for elementals? I would expect a genie to know. Shui travels enough, she would likely know as well.
’What do we need to do to leave this place and be on our way? I will find Mister Whiskers and ask him about it.” Having stuffed himself with any of the foods he clearly recognized in the pantry, Einar goes looking for his friend Mister Whiskers. Finding him deep in discussion with the house elf fey and the water-maid Einar smiles and watches for a few minutes ’He has such a friendly disposition, that is what drew me to him, he has no enemies, everyone he meets is a potential friend, children just automatically want to hug him. It is as though he lives in a magical world where everything will be okay if you try hard enough.’
To prevent his thoughts from becoming melancholy Einar approaches his friend. ’Mister Vhiskers, vee need to begin to zhink about leaving ya.” Einar motions with his head to walk around, not wanting either of the two gamblers to hear the conversation. ”I noticed za bard, Mierul has begun to recover, she vill be avake soon. Vat do you vant to do vit her?” Pointing in the general direction of Ziva. ”Ziva wasn’t sure vee should kill her, but vee all know za half fey is a liability.” Smiling grimily ”I know you vould not vant za Fräulein put down, zhough I could do it quick und painlessly. Und Crummock vould not accept selling her, he has very particular views on personal freedoms, ya.” Nodding in the general direction they came from. ”If a couple of us vould take her back to za porthole vee could send her through. Vee vould send her avay from za sentinels und Cadence’s home. Za weather vould change soon, she could survive in Taldor, at least she vould be alive. Und Vhile ve vere gone you could vork on scrolls” Shrugging his shoulders ”Or vee could lease her to Shui, a bond servant, if you vill. She vorks for Shui for a year, as payment und ven za year is up, Shui puts her back vere she got her. Zat vould give us enough time to vinish ziss task, ya.” As they come to a halt outside the doors going into the dinning area. Einar waives his arm as he opens the door, letting Mister Whiskers be the first to enter the dining room where they left the bound bard.
For a moment, a white dragon shaped cookie catches his eye, but he decides not to eat it. He instead makes a meal of the various sausages he finds in the pantry, since he feels like savory foods. He does bring the curious cookie to Mr Whiskers, who identifies it as a spiteful cookie
Mr. Whiskers listens to Einar's ideas. He is in a good mood. Normally it is tough to even get him talking!
"First we should talk with her, see what her side of the story is." he says. Scratching behind his ear for a moment, he adds "I think giving her the option of running away here or Taldor could work. She would have to flee, a known spy isn't useful."
Pausing to look up at Einar, he warns "I plan to ask her some questions we already know the answers to. Doing this allows us to find out how much she will try to outright lie or just mislead."
When they enter the lower hall where she was left, Mr. Whiskers makes sure Mierul is awake.
"Mierul, we have a few questions that we would like you to answer. Before we get started with that though, I would like to apologize for Crummock's behavior. He really couldn't understand you -- or any of us -- at that time."
"I've heard of forlarren, but they are rare. You do not look quite like what was described. Could you explain?"
"Why are you in the Pale Tower?"
"You commanded some of the fey here. Why would they listen to your orders?'
"Who did you work for, and where are your loyalties?"
"If you were given a second chance at life, what would you do with it?"
Nodding his head "Asking her qvestions is gut, but letting her go here..." Einar shakes his head, "Letting her go here Vould create too many risks, Ve either let her go in Taldor, or have Shui vatch over her or I can put her down before ve leave." Einar then follows Mister Whiskers into the dinning area.
Mierul stirs as the smelling salts are brought to her nose and she coughs, then wakes up. As Mr Whiskers speaks, she nods in acknowledgement but makes no attempt to get up.
"I've heard of forlarren, but they are rare. You do not look quite like what was described. Could you explain?"
”You know what forlarren are?” Her lips twist in a bitter grimace. ”Then you should also know that I’ve been cursed from birth. To look like this.” She looks down at her own body. ”My mother tried to hide me in the deepest forest. Told me never to leave. But one day, she went out to get food, and she never came back. I went out of the forest to look for her, and then I saw a nearby village. I walked in there hoping to find my mother, but a pack of boys called me a demon, chased me and threw stones at me. I ran and ran until I lost them…but by that time I was horribly lost. And it was getting colder. And I was still hungry. I looked at my reflection in the stream, then saw myself for what the boys saw me for, a fiend. An aberration of nature.” She looks tired after telling that portion of her tale. ”If a fiend was what the world saw, then why should I strive to be any different?” She asks Mr Whiskers, but it seems that the question seems introspective as well. ”I stole from humans. Stole food, stole money, clawed a couple of people who just didn't know when to quit up, spent most of my time on the run it seems. Until I met a little fey. He told me that things didn’t need to be that way. That there was a kingdom up north where people like me were valued. And treated like gifts that they were. I listened. I was very tired of living on the run, I wanted a nice soft bed to sleep in, a place to eat in peace. He said that I would need to swear to their Queen, and she would provide for me a fat pay package and attractive benefits. I took the vow, accepting everything it entailed. ”Her voice sounds bone weary at this point of time.
"Why are you in the Pale Tower?"
”As a servant of Queen Elvana, I have the right to stop at any friendly allied outposts for provisioning, or should I choose, as a waystation for the night. And the right to requisition any assistance that I may require. ” She states flatly.
"Who did you work for, and where are your loyalties?"
”I serve Queen Elvana, the ruler of Irrisen. You should know that your attack upon this tower is viewed as a capital offence which will bring the wrath of the winter witches of Irrisen upon you. But I presume you already know that.”
"If you were given a second chance at life, what would you do with it?"
Mierul gives a cynical laugh. ”Look at me. Take a really good long look. Even if YOU were willing to give me a second chance, would the rest of the world? Or would they hunt me down like the demon I am? If you want to kill me, then do it quickly.”
Mr. Whiskers pauses to look her over more closely. He comments on some of the outside signs of her heritage and makes a guess as to what sort of creature her father was.
After he has convinced her that he knows what he is looking at, he then makes a gesture towards Einar. "Perhaps you missed who I am currently traveling with? It is possible to draw magic from your heritage without having it define your soul."
With a sigh, he says "It is unfortunate that the first people you met judged you based only on appearance, but not all people are like that."
It does not seem there is any way to save this one. Another abused child given false promises.
Looking to Einar, he asks "Do you have any questions for her?"
Sadly, he looks at Mierul and asks "Any last requests? I regret admitting that leaving you alive would do nothing to redeem you and may aid the winter witches who took advantage of you."
She shakes her head, with a sad smile, wincing in pain as the suddden movement jars her wounds. "Tell your friend he should treasure those view him as human. Not all of us are that lucky."
"Oh, I wouldn't have expected it any other way. Its better this way."Her voice is completely devoid of emotion, and strangely calm as Mr Whiskers pronounces his sentence. "The winter witches make criminals and those who fail them into mirror-men. Constructs that are bound to carry their every command. Some say part of the soul used still lies aware within..." Her eyes have a distant, otherworldly look on them."There are worse fates then death."
When Mr Whiskers asks if she has any last requests, she replies, "I'd like to see my mother again." There's a note of genuine longing in her voice."She's probably long dead, slain by humans in this intolerant world."She adds scathingly.
Sadly Mr. Whiskers admits "I am sorry, but I have no way of granting that request."
Mr Whiskers suspects her father might be a demon.
"May the Lady of Graves take me in her hands,
Deliver me from these prejuidiced lands.
Let the chains of mortality no longer hold,
Deliver me into your fold."
"Make sure your weapon cold iron."She bids Einar.
She then lies back against the wall, leaving her throat and chest exposed for him to strike.
'What a waste, giving up on life so easily.' Einar looks to Mister Whiskers and nods, drawing the cold iron glaive from his pack he gives a quick thrust to her throat, removing her head with the slashing blade.
Leaving the mess for the water elemental to clean, Einar, cleaning his glaive, turns to Mister Whiskers, "It is done." He then returns to the small room on the upper floor.
Pharasma? Not what I would have expected, but it does make some sense.
After Einar has done the task, Mr. Whiskers nods his acknowledgement.
I wish it could have ended differently.
He waits until after Einar has left before prestidigitating away the worst of the mess. We will take care of her body with the others.
He starts working on the ritual to close all the portals. Once the portals are closed, he checks with the others to see what still needs to be done.
As Einar delivers the killing blow, the blood splatters out from her throat, splattering onto them both. From outside the tower they hear a crow's harsh cry, as and hear the fluttering of wings outside the Pale Tower.
Mr Whiskers studies the leylines displayed on the projected image of Golarion in the summoning circle of the ritual chamber and identifies the site of the portal in the Border Wood in Taldor and ascertains the connection between the Pale Tower in Irrisen and the portal in Taldor. Mr Whiskers studies Radosek’s journal on the creation of the portal and realizes that the portal can only be closed within this chamber itself, and as the Heldren portal has a flaw, it can be brought down. The other portals do not have any weakness and cannot be taken down from this Summoning Chamber. He also realizes that closing the portal will mean stranding the party on this side of Irrisen forever.
He begins the ritual, chanting around the chamber for an hour. At the end of the hour, he feels some of his personal magic being away, and the Hoarwood and Borderwood portals disappear from the projected image of Golarion.
Crummock then grants the rest of the Pale Tower Guards a quick death, and they start a massive pyre in the courtyard to burn the bodies.
Hestrig’s chest in her bedroom is gone, and Mr Whiskers finds that quite some books (all those recommended by Mr Whiskers) including Realizing your Ancestry are gone. Nonetheless the remaining books are sufficient to serve as Adventurer’s chronicles on Knowledge (History), Knowledge (Local – Taldor only), Knowledge (Planes) and corresponding monster lore skill checks(dragon, fey and icy beasts of the north).
The party returns to Nadya’s cabin. ”I’m going to drop Orm and Morjoli with my relatives at Ellsprin, a small village in an isolated part of Irrisen.Walsby is no longer safe for us. Then I’m coming with you to look for Baba Yaga, to ask for protection for our family. But first we need to pack.” Then she bites her lip.”And then tomorrow we’ll bury Thora. Crummock, how am I going to tell my boys that their big sister won’t be coming back home again?” She asks Crummock tearfully.
Crummock silently participates in finishing off the guards, and building the pyre.
He takes no pleasure in the task, simply viewing it as his duty.
When Nadya makes her proposal, he nods.
"Aye, that is probably wise... life on the road is full o' hardships that not be suitable for wee bairns, and Walsby isnae likely to be o'erly safe for long."
He then clears his throat awkwardly.
"Now, this might strike ye as a tad ghoulish, but hear me out... it might be possible to bring Thora back, if I can be findin' the right scrolls, and gainin' a little more power... but we need to keep her body with us, so we can reach her quickly when the time comes."
"You can bring her back? As herself? Not one of the walking dead?" Nadya's voice is raw with naked hope and longing, wanting to believe, yet not daring to believe it can be true."How? Are you a powerful priest of some god? Even Rolf, the village priest can't do anything for the dead except conduct funeral rites."
When Mr Whiskers, Apa and Hatch go to the White Weasel, the local tavern, there's a sign hung on the door, "Closed"
Some say that the tavern owners, a dour couple named Emil Gotieva and Katrina Gotieva were seen leaving town.
After spending a little time considering the things the bard had said, Einar joins Crummock gathering the bodies for the pyre.
It doesn’t look like anyone is here. Peeking in the windows Einar, having a gift for stating the obvious, ”It looks like the Tavern is closed” Smiling a toothy grin, and pulling out his lock picks, ”But I Just happen to have a key right here. We can leave a little silver on the counter for what we drink.” Kneeling, he then picks the lock and opening the door, smiling again, ”I recommend the mead, it’s made from honey.”
The tavern floors and furniture are made out of yew, and the tavern barroom is unlit. There is no sign of human inhabitation. In one of the corners overlooking the entire room, there is a large man-sized mirror, decorated with silver engravings. It looks like someone had packed and left the place in a hurry, as the cashbox and valuables are gone, and only watered down “Winteryew Moonshine” is found in the casks.
The party spends 4 days in Nadya’s cabin, living off the provisions that were supposed to be sent to Pale Tower. Einar, Crummock and Ziva help Nadya pack. A few times Orm and Morjoli look curiously at the large casket in the backyard, but Nadya motions them away.
Mr Whiskers spends his time scribing scrolls and identifying items.
Mr Whiskers identifies the cauldron as a Caudronof Overwhelming Allies, the robe as a robe of useful items and the bag as a Bag of Holding(Type 2) and the ring as a ring of regeneration.
Over the next 3 days, Mr Whiskers looks through the items again. The cauldron, robe and bag remain what they were previously identified, however, on day 2 and 4, the ring appears to be a ring of life bleed.The robe of useful items contains extra patches containing a bag of 100 gp, three flasks of alchemist fire, a ladder, an open pit, a potion of cure serious wounds, a rowboat, a pair of wardogs and a window.
and only watered down “Winteryew Moonshine” is found in the casks.
Einar ignoring the fact that there are no lights, finding a few dusty mugs on one of the lower shelves, he wipes them off with his coat tail, and then fills a mug full of the local 'winteryew moonshine' for everyone that accompanied him. Smiling he lifts the largest of the mugs. taking a long draft of his 'shine' he wipes his lip as he looks into the stein, mumbling a little to himself. "Pitty to call this moonshine, its not even distilled, tastes more like small beer made for children." Shrugging his shoulders he finishes the mug and fills it up and begins another.
'Well, it's not mead but it's better than water or milk.' After finishing of his second mug he pours a third, turning to Hatch he asks, "Well little friend what do you think?"