Without missing a note in her song, Zaliana moves next to Lysander and touches him gently on one of his injuries. Spell and song weave seamlessly, and healing energy mends the tiefling's broken flesh.
Courage, brave Lysander. We will bring this horror down shortly.
In the sheer force of gravity, Lysander directed his blade for another swipe but found that his weapon made a glancing blow.
Seizing the opportunity, Agnis embolden by flame hefts his blade in a strong powerful strike that seemed to distort time and space. Instantly, the creature shrank and grew into unimaginable shapes before imploding on its self.
In the wake of the battle, Zaliana applies curative magic upon Lysander, who had been wounded from the creature’s onslaught.
!
Agnis takes a moment to just breathe as he feels his rage subside and fatigue set in as the glow fades from his hair and eyes. "Somebody... check on the gnome. I just need a second..." He waves off any attempts to aid him as he takes a knee and tries to regain his composure.
He knows he isn't the brightest or most observant of the group, but it is immensely satisfying to know that he was able to contribute to this victory. Hopefully their arrival was timely enough to save Ursula.
After confirming that her companions are out of immediate danger, Zaliana checks on Ursula.
Aralee joins Zaliana in checking on Ursula, asking for guidance from Abadar .
(+1 guidance)
With Abadar's glorious radiance, Aralee was able to diagnose Ursula's condition. The Diva was in poor shape. The assault from the large elemental left her heavily bloodied and beaten. Ursula was teetering on Pharasma's doorstep had it not been for the Bard's quick perception, and the Shaman's restorative check.
Now that the distraction of combat was over, you felt an overwhelming sense of dread coming from your spirit animal - Barza. You can feel a sudden increase in cold and the feeling that where ever this cultist was fleeing, it was going deeper into Kaer Maga's underworld.
Expending the last of her magic, Zaliana does what she can to heal Ursula.
Aching from her own injuries, she slumps down on the floor besides the injured gnome.
We are all hurting, and I have exhausted all of my healing magic. We should find somewhere safe to hole up until we can recover. Anyone have any ideas about wher we can go?
"I have a room at an inn nearby," Aralee says slowly, distracted by the distress she feels coming from her spirit animal. "A little crowded with my wares.
"Right now, though, Barza is chasing down the last of the cultists, I believe deep into the underworld. He may be in trouble. Do we want to tie up that loose end first, or shall I call him back?"
Shallow breathing and a slow gurgling of sound seemed to come from the diva who laid upon the cold slap of the room. While the party stood pondering their decisions, Aralee's spirit animal lay in waiting for additional orders.
Zaliana looked at the badly injured gnome with concern.
We should try to heal more of her injuries before we move her. Do any of you have any more healing supplies avaliable?
Aralee rummages in her pack. "Of course... we are in luck! I traded for this early in the day," she says as she triumphantly pulls out a wand of Cure Light Wounds. She gives Ursula a quick tap to start.
She sends a mental message for Barza to remember his location but start heading back, now that they want to rest up. They can try tracking the cultist later.
Aralee's wand emits a low hum sending the diva into a spasm of coughs and shakes until something miracles happens - she recovers (if just barely) from her wounds. As she opened her eyes, she quickly mouthed - "Spare me...I'm not the one you're after..."
Aralee hurriedly prods her with the wand again to cast the spell and says, "Who are they after?"
Zaliana lays a comforting hand on Ursulas arm, doing her best to keep her calm as Aralee heals her.
Just relax. You are safe for now. We killed or chased off the ones who did this to you. Once we have tended to you injuries, we will find a safe place to talk.
A sigh of relief emerges from the diva. "By Desna's grace.." She blinked her eyes and looked at the crew of people that stood before her. Ursula's wounds were slowly coming together thanks to Aralee's wand however she would still need time to fully recover. Her face contorted with questions and answers that could be derived from tonight. "Rappucini's...he..has a cafe, backroom...it would be safer there."
"Let's take the evidence with us if it's not safe here. Maybe there will be some clue in it."
Aralee continues to use the wand on whoever needs it as they go about their investigation.
Sarrus comes rushing back, sliding to a stop as he frantically shouts to his allies. He held his everburning torch low, its heatless flame flickering in the windless streets of the walled city. Watchful eyes peered into the dark corners of the street, looking for enemies that may or may not have been there.
"Sorry for disappearing, but as soon as we broke through the door, a figure took off running--I'd thought he'd been watching us, so I followed him, then some robed figure came out of Ursala's, threw a dagger at me, and chased off after the other fellow into some alleyway, and then I lost-" He stops, finally looking into bloody chaos left in Ursala's room. "Nevermind. What in the hells did I miss?"
Agnis sighs in satisfaction and rolls his shoulders as Aralee patches up his wounds with the wand. "Thanks for that," he says. "Hey, Sarrus- you missed all the fun. Some kinda huge elemental thing attacked us... but we managed to kill it and save Ursula at the same time. We might actually be kind of good at this, guys."
He then looks down at Ursula. "Rappucini's, huh? I could use a good drink. Let's head over there now."
@Aralee - She's good for now. She'll need to visit the chemist or cleric to patch the rest of herself up.
@Agnis - Rappucini's is about a 10 minute walk down from Ursula's Velvet Lounge.
"All right, then. Let's head toward Rappucini's. I'll carry the gnome if she needs it." He looks down at Ursula and says, in a misguided attempt at being reassuring, "Don't worry, I can keep my hands to myself. I'm taken."
"Agreed. Given the state of what happened in my absence, I'd wager just about anywhere is safer than here." Sarrus turns, his watchman's eyes once more peering into the dark corners of the city of strangers. The walls kept the city cast in gloom, even when the day shone over the Storval Plateau beyond. "And there's no telling who else might be watching. Scared off one man, but this city has more eyes and ears than it does rats."
Right. Let's see if these fellows have anything of interest on them and then move out.
Agnis picks up Ursula as one would with a child, hefting her into his large arms. She couldn't help but roll her eyes as his shifting gaze and awkward sentiment. "Picking me off my feet...heh."
Zaliana sets to the task at hand and begins searching the fallen foes for treasure and clues about their whereabouts.
The two robed figures who had tried to end the diva's life had a variety of strange and common items upon their lifeless bodies.
On the body of the largest robed figure lies a pair of menacing crafted short swords, a torn bandoleer containing a set of opalescent daggers and a satchel containing several smashed vials save for one with pale bluish liquid that is intact. A coin purse containing a mere pittance of 23 gold lies tucked in a badly damaged chain shirt.
As for the smaller figure, a fine looking cloth still clings to the body revealing a series of strange patterns that lines the hem of this cloak. A lone crafted kukri bearing a ruby is inset within the pommel.
With the party back in tow, Sarrus guides them to Rappucini's which lay a short while from the Velvet Lounge. In any other city, the site of a heavily wounded female carried by a large man his crew of misfits would have given pause and scrutiny from the law, Kaer Maga was different in that regard because of common sites like the troll augurs would readily slice their bodies to read the future upon their entrails or even the blood mages ensconced with leeches that power their sanguine magic. An umber looking building stood nestled between a honeycomb framework of lattices and intricate signs of which the largest read in fancy script, Rappucini's. A pair of Keleshites strode out from the building's ingress smoking their colorful pipes. The diva gave a curt wave of her hand and the Keleshites returned theirs as well. Ursula looked up at the hulking warrior and said, "Is something the matter?"
Zaliana employs detect magic and her extensive magical knowledge in her examination of the items found on the assassins.
"Let me have a look at those." Lysander says, gesturing to the short swords. He turns them over in his hands, carefully examining them.
J/k - good to have you back.
Zaliana and Lysander worked together to ascertain the items that were found upon the assassins.
Zaliana was able to discover that there were several magical auras, particularly on the shortswords, the potion, and on the cloak. With Lysander's help, the pair was able to identify the following items -
Agnis looks down at Ursula and shrugs. "...Guess we should go on in, then. Hope you're right about this place bein' safe..."
With that, Agnis steps inside, his nose scrunching at the smell of the Keleshites' pipes as he goes.
(greed)
Aralee's dwarven penchant for gems draws her attention to the ruby on the dagger, curious as to its worth.
Your father gave me such a gem before, her mother's spirit observes. Aralee does not respond; it has been sold, as her mother likely knows.
Aralee takes in Rappucini's with a keen eye.
"I will expect seeing enemies all over the city, now," she says ruefully in response to Agnis. "Barza had a bad feeling following the one."
These shortswords are enchanted and forged from fire-forged steel which allows them to absorb the heat from flames and magical fire. A shame they are a bit small for you, Agnis, they surely fit your fiery temper. But perhaps Lysander can find use for them. The cloak is able to bolster your resistance to mundane and magical attacks. I have one like it already, can any of you use it? Zaliana says.
After distributing the found items, Zaliana follows the others to Rappucini's.
Let's get inside and get a room where we can rest and talk in private. We have much to discuss with Ursula.
"I could use one of the short swords, if no one else wants it. The one I have is pretty similar, so I'll defer if others have a need. I've got a cloak like that already, same as Zaliana."
Burza returns from its thrilling chase. You've a general idea of where the cultist may have fled.
The gem seemed to be of precious value, having been employed in an assassin's weapon. Perhaps it would fetch a suitable price in the black market for its unique quality.
As for Rappucini's, the smells of pesh, tobacco and Qadiran sweet cakes permeated the air. Even at this hour of night, Rappucini's was a thriving cafe where Kaer Magan night life seemed to frequent. There were no visible guards but the city had its own way of dealing with problems. Much to your dismay, the cultist looking individuals that you spotted earlier weren't visible. The place seemed safe.
The party ventures within Rappucini's and they are assaulted with the aroma of pesh, fine tobacco and Qadiran sweet cakes. It seemed that even at this late hour, the cafe harbored a crowd of Kaer Maga's finest enjoying what would be another night cap. Men and women of various races and cultures filled the establishment. A lone performer overlooked the congregation as she sang a soothing melody. At the bar stood a man with clockwork arms prepared cocktails at behest of a fascinated crowd. A trio of sweet talkers casually dragged on their pesh, allowing the numbing sensations to relax their weathered bodies. The place seemed packed save for an alcove towards the back. A nymph like person cloaked in sheer colorful silk notices the party and ushers them to the only seating available, providing a small menu and offering the only words "a waitress will see you" before disappearing.
In her wounded state, Ursula frowns at nymph who left, "Flake. Won't even bother to say hi to me." A good while passed before a different waitress returned with a water pipe, thin wafers and a carafe of water.
Once in place at the table, Zaliana tells Ursula everything that has transpired so far.
Does this make any sense to you? Do you know who attacked you? she asks her once she is done talking.
Agnis eyes the "nymph-like" usher for a moment, wondering if there is any significance to her being short with Ursula. He keeps an eye on her to see if she pays any closer attention or tries to leave, though he knows he isn't the best at reading people.
"...Yeah, what Zaliana said. You might not be the only person targeted. We got to you in time, but somebody already got to Corrin Dalery."
Aralee can't help but stare at the bartender's clockwork arms. Fascinating! I wonder if they know about this back home?
She munches on a wafer, though it is rather light sustenance by her standards.
"You might not be safe," she warns Ursula. "Is there anywhere outside the city you could go? There are cultists yet. Perhaps we could smuggle you out then return to deal with them." She looks questioningly at the others to see how this approach is received.
The fatigue of the night's events bore into the party as they experienced a moment of solace within Rappucini's. To the outside world, it seemed as if they were a group of friends enjoying what would be another casual night within the city of strangers but their battle wounds, stained clothing, and gravely injured comrade revealed a different story. As things were settling, Ursula listened to the events that had transpired. Her faced revealed a variety of emotions particular at the death of her friend and the ruined state of the Lyceum.
"This situation...is grave. I would assume it's someone who is tied to Corrine, myself and the Seedling class. This...just seems to personal." Ursula paused and took a small drag wetting her lips before continuing.
I've been known to drive away suitors with both guile and blade but none have gone so as far...as well this" she said while her hands emphasized her current state.
The diminutive diva then looks upon Agnis while dipping a cloth in water and tried to clean away caked blood.
"You've a point there. I would have been in line for the grey-lady, and let me tell you, I'm not one to keep waiting!" Ursula kept much of her charm despite how dire the situation seemed. She then turned and regarded Aralee's concerns.
"You're certainly right. Kaer Maga is my home...but I do have a friend outside the city. Last I heard was that Pamela the Rose was staying in Magnimar. If you could ensure my safety, I'd be willing to reward you."
Sarrus scratches idly at his beard, considering their options. "Traveling outside of the city may well be more dangerous than staying here, depending on who we're dealing with. It's easy to hide another body somewhere in a city of strangers... less so traveling down the cliff towards Magnimar. Taking the Darklight Path would cut the travel time significantly, but that brings its own troubles. It could be wiser to choose a fight where we have the advantage, striking while they think Ursula's running scared."
Recalling the name from the talk with the Headmaster, Zaliana arcs an eyebrow at the mention of Pamela the Rose.
She is another of your classmates from the seedling calls, is she not? If so, she might be in danger as well. do you have any way of contacting her? A sending spell, perhaps. And speaking of the seedling class. We found this locket in Corrin's effects. Waht does it signify?
Zaliana takes out Corrin's locket and shows it to Ursula.
The Diva regarded the duskwarden with interest. "You do have a point there. It is easy to disappear in the city, be it for stealth...or if someone were to end my life. Hopefully the latter won't occur."
The conversation switched back to Zaliana. The Varisian bard had a point regarding Ursula's dear friend. "Pamela was like a sister to me. She helped me get through those days in Seedling class, though I'm surprised that you knew about that." A simple sigh escaped from the diva. "Well, it isn't all about theatre and dramatics. Sometimes you gotta roll up your sleeves and be ready to defend yourself though, I'll save my opinions for that old ideology for another time." She began to relax for a moment before musing about Pamela's whereabouts. "Its true, she could be in danger. Last I heard was that she retired from the stage. I do have a friend within the Ardoc Brotherhood that could help me get a message out but it'll have to wait till tomorrow. Those arcanists are so regimented in their schedules. Now sweetie, was there something you wanted to show me?"
Ursula reeled away from Zaliana's offered gift. "Th-that...can't be possible...We all cast ours away years ago! They were given as...tokens of our success for graduating Seedling class. After Magda's death, we all vowed to cast ours away but you have...Corrine's locket."
"Uh... you all got rid of your lockets?" Agnis looks at the locket himself, wondering if there is something about it he has missed. "So this Magda died, and you all made a vow to get rid of 'em? There's a story here. Care to enlighten us?" In the meantime, his thoughts turn to the Ardoc Brotherhood. He's heard the name, of course, but what does he know about them...?
Previously silent, Lysander perks up at Ursula's reaction to the locket. He nods at Agnis' words. "Indeed. Please tell us. Anything you have to say about the locket could be important."
"Well, it seemed like bad luck to carry something that marked our progress from what seemed like a controversial group. To my knowledge, no other bardic academy produced something akin to the Seedling class and.." she started to look at the carafe of water I felt ashamed. Magda was someone who had gone through a great deal with us. Admittingly...we weren't the best on terms...it just felt like poor form to hold onto something that reminded me of her death."
A while passed before she continued.
"I'm not sure about the locket's construction but the Head Master had provided these."
A while passes while the party heeds the diva's story. It seemed as if a crowd was gathering within Rappucini's. Amid the rucus, the words Corrine, Lyceum and strange death could be heard.
"Is there somewhere more private we could go?" Aralee asks quietly. "I've got a room at an inn if we need it. I fear that word might start to spread."
She listens in to the murmurs of the crowd.
Yes, we are all weary and in need of additional healing. I suggest we retire and visit our contact in the Ardoc Brotherhood in the morning, to contact Pamela and make sure she is safe. Zaliana says softly.
Lysander nods his assent to the plan.
Aralee focused on the crowd, hoping to learn more about their conversation. It seemed like they were discussing gossip that had transpired earlier in the night.
"Diva Corrine was murdered!"
"By whom or what?"
"It was a gruesome scene."
"Yea..come to think of that, I haven't seen them before."
"One of them was a big fellow with a large blade and hair that singed like embers."
"I think there was a Varisian among them as well."
"You mean, that group over there?
At this point, the crowd shifts their attention towards the party who had been learning what they could from the Diva Ursula. Their expressions are a mix between suspicion and curiosity. A man with an eye patch and grizzled expression guides the crowd towards the party.
"Pray tell friends, yall hadn't stopped by the Lyceum earlier this evening, ya?" While the ring leader speaks, Aralee noticed that some of their crowd were bracing for their weapons.
Sarrus stands, laying a hand on the blade at his belt. He leaves no illusions as to his intent, hoping at least a few of them recognize the signs of his office and know better than to pick a fight with a Duskwarden and his companions.
"Whether we were or weren't, it's none of your business, friend. I suggest you keep your eyes to yourself in this city, lest you lose them for good."
As a Wanderer, Zaliana is no stranger to attracting attention from the wrong sort of people. Normally, she would attempt to use her grace and charms to talk her way clear, but tonight was by no means a normal night.
That was some good advice my Duskwarden companion just gave you. We're in no mood for gossip this evening. Goodbye. she says, with a frosty tone of dismissal.