Lantressa offers Velek a hand up and helps him stand. "Let us see if we can find you some clothes." Looking through the varies items they ahd found and not used, Lantressa tries to piece together some clothing and equipment for Velek to use for the time being. She looks to her allies, "So why is it that you are all standing there with your chins on the ground? Are we not here to accomplish something?"
AC 14 | FF 13 | T 11 | HP 45/45 | Init: +1 | Percep: +8 | Fort: +6| Ref: +3 | Will: +9
Trey seems to recognize the man calling himself Velek, for now she says nothing but instead she does a quick check of his health to determine if he is well enough to continue or needs additional healing.
heal check:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37
I am Trey Merosa, Priestess of Sarenrae and one of the healers to have cured the blood veil. It is an honor to meet you...Velek
I could not remember if Trey actually met him before or just going by Ty's description
"Vencarlo is inside the Labr.... Maze thingy? We need to rescue him. He is more important than most realize!" Ty exclaims as he hands the Senechal his bow and arrows. Ignoring the whole Velek thing altogether.
"Here. These are yours. Let's stop wasting time!" dont think Ty actually met him. Just saw him from a distance and in the Scrying image at the academy.
The Seneschal disappeared around the same time King Eodred died. He spent most of his time at the castle, so it is unlikely that you met him. Like Ty said, you saw him in the scrying, or DC 15 Knowledge: Local or Knowledge: Nobility to recognize him.
Trey find that Neolandus is suffering from cuts and bruises, and could use a small amount of healing. A cure light wounds will get him to full health.
Taken aback, Neolandus takes his bow and quiver from Typhon. "Yes, you're right. We can talk more later." He looks both surprised and relieved. Slinging the bow over his shoulder, he follows you to the double doors leading into the Vivified Labyrinth.
Opening the door, you find two statues standing in alcoves to either side of the doors. One depicts a tiger-headed man, the other, a fox-headed woman. Their arms are wide, as if to usher visitors forward into the room beyond. Here, two alcoves adorn either side of the otherwise empty room. In one alcove, a long lever with an ebony handle protrudes from the wall.
Investigating the walls, you notice a slight gap in the floors, wall, and ceiling between the two sets of alcoves. If what Glorio Arkona told you is true, pulling the lever should rotate a section of the room to provide access to other sections of the labyrinth.
Male human bloodrager 7 | HP 58/74 | AC 21 | T 13 | FF n/a | CMB+10 | CMD 23 | Fort +9 | Ref +7 | Will +7 | Perc +11
Cephelo nodded to the newcomer, "Take any weapon that your assailant had." He then followed cautiously along and waited before pulling the lever, "Ready?"
The lever slips easily into the opposite position. Immediately, the alcove behind you vanishes behind a wall of solid rock. Being caught between the two rooms when the lever was pulled would be very dangerous, and someone could end up smashed between the rooms. You notice that the lever you pulled is locked into its current position for about a minute before it can be used again. Typhon suspects he might be able to unlock the lever early by fiddling with some of the pins and gears inside of the mechanism.
A few seconds later, a new chamber appears. This simple room contains a door and a lever. This lever is identical to the one you just pulled, except for the glowing blue magical rune inscribed on the handle.
With the strange rune on the handle, Lantressa says, "Hold up a minute, let me see what I can determine from here." Lantressa casts a quick spell, her eyes glowing brighter as she just watches the rune.
I cast detect magic, and look at the rune for three rounds. I don't try to read it unless I think it's safe to do so. Knowledge (arcana):1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Lantressa detects a strong aura of enchantment magic emanating from the rune on the lever.
Trey examines the magical symbols as well. "I've seen runes like this before. They're keyed to only let those who meet certain conditions use them. For example, only those faithful to Sarenrae, or only humans, or only people named Cephelo can touch it without being harmed. But I don't know what it will do, and I don't know what the conditions are," she admits.
Looking at the strange lever, Lantressa turns her still magically enhanced gaze on the lever that operated the doors a few moments ago to see if it is also magical.
As you deliberate over your next move, the room unexpectedly rotates again, continuing in a clockwise direction. The opening behind you, where you came from, vanishes to be replaced by another hallway. Uneasily, Neolandus voices his concerns. "None of us touched the lever. So it must be someone else in the dungeon. But is it Vimanda Arkona or Vencarlo?"
The walls of this oddly shaped hallway are decorated in a complex mural depicting a jungle brimming with hungry life. Predators of every sort stalk and maim and feed on dozens of hapless men and women. In the canopy above, monkeys, snakes, and birds seem to chatter and mock the victims below.
From the area beyond the mural, you hear a door open. "Hello?" Even if you had never met Vencarlo Orisini, this tall, graceful man must be him. Thin as a whip, Korvosa's premier fencing master rounds the corner, holding a kukri at the ready, and has a javelin slung over one shoulder. His long pale hair is messily tied back, and his tattered leather armor is filthy. "Thank heavens! You've found me in this wretched dungeon. And Neolandus! You're alive! I can hardly believe I'm alive myself after Lord Arkona threw me in here to die."
Cephelo and Lantressa, Vencarlo is a popular enough
figure that it is certainly plausible that you've met him before. He is also active in political circles, and is one of the most vocal critics of the city government.
1d20 ⇒ 17
Typhon, Trey, anyone else who knows Vencarlo:
You find it odd that Vencarlo is wielding a kukri and javelin in place of the rapier and throwing knives normally at his side.
Typhon:
Having known Vencarlo quite well from your time at the fencing academy, you are surprised that he only greets Neolandus by name, and not you.
EDIT - Lantressa posted just as I was typing this up, so updated to answer her question.
Lantressa finds that only the rune on the lever is magical. The levers themselves seem to operate mechanically, though some sort of power source must be involved somehow to turn the enormous stone rooms of the dungeon.
Smiling at Vencarlo, Lantressa says, "It is good to see that you are alive. We came looking for you." She offers her hand palm down as she continues, "You said Lord Arcona was the one who put you here? He sent us to rescue the both of you from Lady Arcona. He told us how she blackmailed him into building this labyrinth, he even gave us access to this place."
Trey detects a strong evil aura emanating from Vencarlo. She does not detect any other evil presences. He watches her tap the staff against the stone floor, but says nothing.
Vencarlo chuckles at Lantressa's question, shaking her hand firmly. "Ha! And what reason do you have to trust Glorio Arkona? How do you know he didn't send you down here to die, to be poisoned or driven insane by one of his traps? Or disembowled by the sphinx he bound into his service to protect his lair?" Vencarlo asks confidently. "Trust me. I can tell you much about this place."
Neolandus shakes his head, exasperated at the delay. Softly he says "One of the Arkonas is evil. But which? What game are they playing at?" More loudly, so that Vencarlo can hear, he asks "Vencarlo, where is your rapier? I've never known you to go without it."
Patting the handle of the kukri, Vencarlo answers "Lord Arkona must have it, hidden away somewhere. This kukri and javelin are all I've found to defend myself since he threw me in here."
Taking her hand back, Lantressa seems perplexed by the way he shook her hand, not what she expected him to do at all. "And why would I not trust Lord Arkona?"Hmmm, I wonder, something is very off indeed. I don't like this, why would a kukri and a javelin be sitting around for him to pick up? Returning to her companions, Lantressa makes sure that Trey is between her and Vencarlo and casts a quick spell once again, If I remember right, Glorio said his wife was a sorceress of some kind, maybe this person is not what they seem. Her eyes now glowing a slightly brighter red than normal Lantressa examines the figure before her for magical auras.
Lantressa detects evocation magic emanating from both Vencarlo's kukri and javelin. She also detects transmutation and abjuration magic coming from Vencarlo himself.
"We can figure this out later! Let's go take care of Lord Arkona, then we can talk." Vencarlo says earnestly, heading towards the lever with the rune on it. "Here, I can disable this thing so we can get out of here.
Lantressa's tail slides up into her pack and wraps around a rod in it as she continues to speak, "Hmmm, you have multiple magical aura's on you, your weapons are enchanted, and I doubt that they would leave magical weapons just lying around. There's also the fact that you yourself radiate abjuration and transmutations, I don't believe you are who you say you are sir. Prove me wrong if you can."
"Clever girl, Lantressa." In a puff of smoke, "Vencarlo" vanishes, and in his place stands a tall, graceful woman with red-brown skin. Lantressa recognizes her as Vimanda Arkona, though her human head is replaced by that of a fox!
The fox-headed woman speaks perfect Common, despite her pointed snout. She smiles, revealing a fox's sharp white teeth. Confidently, she continues, her sultry feminine voice matching her form. "Maybe I cannot convince you I am Vencarlo Orisini. But I know we can reach a bargain. I will lead you to the real Vencarlo and show you the hidden traps of this place. In return, you will help me kill Glorio. Afterwards, you shall all go free to do as you please, great friends of House Arkona." She sidles towards Cephelo, winking suggestively after the word friends.
Her tone still amiable, Vimanda adds "Should you choose not to accept my offer, I cannot let you leave and spread the secrets of House Arkona."
DC 20 Kn: Planes to identify what Vimanda Arkona is. Picture of Vimanda in the encounter map.
In case you choose to attack, here are the initiatives: Lantressa, Cephelo, Typhon, Vimanda, Trey.
Trey:
If Trey is still detecting evil, Vimanda is still radiating a strong evil aura.
Giving the newly revealed Vimanda a rather definite, and somewhat suggestive look, look over from her place behind Trey, Lantressa says, "I can't help but admire what I see? You are quite striking, under other circumstances we could have a lot of fun. What are you anyway, a werefox, or maybe a kitsune?" Obviously not worried about what they are being asked to do for Vimanda's assistance, at least not for the moment, Lantressa seems most interested in keeping her talking.
Vimanda laughs, pleased at Lantressa's compliment and questions. She is quite willing to talk, especially about herself. "Why thank you. But no, I am not a kitsune or a werefox, I am a raksasha. Many of us have the heads of tigers or lions, but the beauty and cleverness of the fox suits me well."
She continues with confidence, stating her view as if it were not a question of your obedience, but a fact. "I will shed some light on our current circumstances, and you will see things my way. With your help - and Neolandus's - we will get rid of Queen Ileosa. I don't need to remind you of the horrible things she has done to ruin Korvosa. When I sit on the Crimson Throne, Korvosa will become a wealthy place, supplying all of the fun and pleasures you can imagine. Fine foods and wines, operas, art, games, balls, and tournaments. Whatever your heart desires. But Neolandus, it is you holding us back. You know the secret to Queen Ileosa's sudden manifestations of power. All you have to do is tell me, and I will release you so that you can complete your official duties as Seneschal to put an end to her reign." She smiles sweetly at the Seneschal.
Neolandus glances at Trey, more confident when he notices her determined expression. Gruffly, he says "Your Korvosa is filled with drug dens, gambling halls, and who knows what other manner of evil. How long would you have tortured me if these brave souls had not rescued me?"
Before Vimanda can respond, the cave-like room rotates again although no one is near the lever. Vimanda's startled expression quickly shifts to annoyance as she changes the subject. "Sivit is coming for us." she growls in explanation. "Sivit is Glorio's pet dark sphinx. She guards the Vivified Labyrinth and will be here in a few minutes. We can either kill her, or leave. Whatever magic binds her here forbids her from setting foot outside the Labyrinth. She's almost as deadly as I am, wielding a kukri in each hand, spitting poison and lashing out with her spiked tail."
If you want to continue talking/stalling before Sivit arrives, that's an option too!
Trey:
Vimanda's fox-headed form did not fully make sense to Trey, until she identified herself as a raksasha, hedonistic fiendish creatures bent on collecting power and wealth through manipulation and deceit. As Vimanda explained, though raksashas typically have the head of a great cat, like a lion or tiger, other types do exist.
If there is a particular tidbit of information Trey would like to recall, such as their weaknesses, offensive abilities, defenses, spells, etc, let me know and Trey will remember that.
DC 19 knowledge: planes to recall facts about a dark sphinx.
Thinking a moment over what Vimanda is Lantressa simply replies, "Rakshasa? Never heard of such a creature before, of course I am normally focused on things more immediate. I have to admit, "your" city sounds like it might be very fun, and it appeals to me on a rather deep level." Lantressa sounds sorely tempted as she muses the creature's words over before she continues, "Of course, when things appeal to me on such a base level it is usually a good sign that I do not want to give into it." Once Neolandus makes his statement, Lantressa can't help but agree, "That is likely what she would build, and while it would be quite fun I imagine, it also would get old eventually."
As the room rotates and Vimanda reveals what that means, Lantressa sees, not worry, but annoyance on the rakshasan woman, "You don't seem particularly worried about this creature, is it working for you by any chance?" Lantressa looks at the others, "Do any of you know anything about this 'dark sphinx' creature?"
"Doesn't my Korvosa sound exciting?" Vimanda looks pleased, her lips curling in a smile to reveal her pointed teeth. "We could have the most beautiful clothes and jewelry, and spend as much time together doing whatever we wish, eating, drinking, or just enjoying one another's company," she says, raising an eyebrow suggestively at Lantressa. "And as soon as we get bored, we can change it however we'd like. Or take over a new city." Vimanda is eager to talk about her plans for the city.
When Lantressa asks about the dark sphinx, Vimanda shakes her head. "No, Sivit serves only to guard the dungeon, and its prisoners. And she serves Glorio, since he is head of the household. If she finds out you are trying to take Neolandus away, she'll attack. She won't hesitate to attack me if she thinks I'm helping you. Once we kill her, we will go free Vencarlo and then kill Glorio." She says without a trace of doubt that you will follow her plan.
Neolandus remains silent while Vimanda brags about her vision for the city, though he looks furious at her idea of a perfect Korvosa. "I've never heard of a dark sphinx," Neolandus answers. "We should kill the sphinx and then decide what to do. It sounds very dangerous and could slaughter any one of us if we aren't careful" he says, glancing at Vimanda, as if wishing it might take care of the raksasha.
Just giving everyone a chance to chime in before continuing. I sent Ty a PM to make sure everything is OK.
The door to the north slams open. Near the eerie murals of dismembered humans, emerges Sivit, the dark sphinx. Her body is that of a powerful lioness, four clawed legs scratching on the stone floor, and a bony tail lashing behind her. Her midsection is that of a falcon or other bird of prey, complete with gray feathered wings. Her upper body is vaguely human, each hand gripping a wicked-looking kukri, though curled horns sprout above her ears. Her red eyes glow as she glares at each of you. In a low, gravely voice, she demands "Vimanda Arkona. You will return the prisoner Neolandus Kalepopolis to his cell at once. The rest of you will leave the Vivified Labyrinth."
Drawing her own kukris, Vimanda smiles. "Make me." Sivit shrieks in rage, ready to charge the disobedient raksasha.
Using the same initiatives I rolled earlier and adding Sivit. Round 1: Lantressa, Cephelo, Typhon, Vimanda, Trey, Sivit.
1d20 ⇒ 9
I will be away this evening, but will be back tomorrow evening to post.
The creature appearing and charging after the rakshasa seals things for Lantressa, she casts aquick sspeak and causes her body to blur and hard to define. She looks to her compatriots and then steps back from the fighting and prepares to follow her compatriots if they start fleeing.
Cast blurt on myself and then ready to move if we stary trying to run away from the fight.
AC 14 | FF 13 | T 11 | HP 45/45 | Init: +1 | Percep: +8 | Fort: +6| Ref: +3 | Will: +9
DM:
what knowledge checks for this other creature. also about the raksasha, is it affected by any magic? what is its weakness. I fear that I will be useless here as I do not have the necessary spell.
also lots of conversation going on here, not sure about saying anything at all, (can't change the outcome except that depending on what info I get Trey may have attacked before the other creature appeared and started combat earlier.
You are still welcome to jump in and talk, you wouldn't have been able to prevent the fight. Though you are welcome to convince the group to do one thing or another. Knowledge: planes for the dark sphinx. Vimanda hinted it was some sort of summoned devil or other type of evil guardian.
Or you can do as Lantressa suggested in the discussion thread and take the opportunity to run away! Up to you guys.
Raksasha are nearly universally evil. They are natural shapeshifters and are very tough, being resistant to many types of physical and magical damage. They tend to have some spellcasting abilities.
Dark sphinxes are resistant to some types of physical damage, as well as elemental damage. They have limited spellcasting.
I will roll out what happens in the battle. Up to Trey and Lantressa to stay or run.
Round 1
Vimanda points two fingers at Sivit, sending two jets of flames at Sivit. Both rays blast her squarely in the chest, but Vimanda seems disappointed at the diminished effect. Vimanda hangs back, teeth bared at the dark sphinx.
Sivit leaps at Vimanda. "You will obey!" Her eyes gleam red in the dim light, long black claws rake at Vimanda's unarmored body, and her bony tail whips around at Vimanda's face. But Vimanda is unnaturally fast, dodging all three of Sivit's attacks. The dark sphinx and raksasha square off against each other, Neolandus and the party all but forgotten in the heat of battle.
Lantressa tells her companions, "Let's go. We can deal with the winner later if we have to." With that said, Lantressa heads through the door the sphinx came through.
Playing out the battle between Vimanda and Sivit... silly enough, as written, they actually can't harm each other easily since they both have DR, SR, and multiple attacks with one-handed weapons. After a lot of dice rolling and number crunching, here's how it shakes out.
Vimanda and Sivit square off in the small chamber of the Vivified Labyrinth. First, they circle each other, sizing up the other's defenses. Surprising Sivit, Vimanda lunges and lets loose a flurry of attacks that barely penetrate Sivit's thick hide. Finally, one lands deep in Sivit's flank, and she screeches in pain as black blood oozes out. But Sivit ignores the pain and finds an opening. Tail lashing and kukris flying nearly as quickly as Vimanda's, Sivit returns the attack. Although Vimanda is wearing only thin robes, she is blindingly fast, dodging many of Sivit's blows while others glance off of a blue force field shimmering around the raksasha. Finally, one of the kukris cuts deeply into Vimanda's leg.
The evil creatures go back to circling one another and repeating this strategy, each time coming away slightly more wounded. At first, they trade insults - Vimanda boasting of her abilities and superiority and Sivit demanding obedience, but after a few rounds, both are too breathless and focused on their duel to waste energy on words. At this point, Vimanda and Sivit are similarly bloody and wounded, covered in several deep, oozing gashes from each other's kukris.
Vimanda breaks the cycle, leaping backwards away from Sivit and pulling the javelin from her back in one smooth move. Once in hand, it crackles with white lightning. The instant Vimanda unleashes it, it dissolves into a bolt of lightning, blasting Sivit back on her lion-like haunches. Sivit pounces at Vimanda, her hair singed and smoking. But Vimanda is ready and bashes Sivit in the forehead with the handle of her kukri. Not prepared for this, Sivit drops her own blades, providing Vimanda an opportunity to land several devastating stabs. As Sivit reaches for her dropped weapons, Vimanda thrusts her blade in for the kill, and finishes off the dark sphinx.
From witnessing the fight, you notice that Vimanda is inhumanly fast, seeming to know exactly where Sivit's blows will land, and her demonic hide is able to absorb some of the impact from her opponent's kukris. Although she is not armored, some sort of force field shimmers around her, blocking other blows Trey and Lantressa have seen enough magic to know it is a shield spell. Vimanda does not seem particularly strong - her advantage comes from being nimble. Panting heavily from the exertion, she complains "You could have helped me," laying her fox ears back in annoyance at your lack of assistance. She grins wickedly and turns around to go for the door. "Not that I needed you. Now we go find Vencarlo."
Neolandus, Cephelo, and Typhon glance at Trey and Lantressa to make sure they are ready.
You get a surprise round since Vimanda is not expecting your ambush.
I will DMPC Cephelo and Typhon. Neolandus will also help out - it is helpful that Typhon visited the Seneschal's apartment earlier and found his bow and quiver.
Did you want to cast any buff spells or anything while watching? It would take several rounds to get to this point.
Loot: Sivit had two +1 kukris, an amulet of health +4, and a ring of protection +2.
I'll be casting shield on myself, as well as enlarge person on both Trey and Cephelo if time permits.
Lantressa pointedly looks at the rakshasa as she assumes we're going to help her and gestures sending two crimson rays into the creature, "Whoever said we were going to help you?" Then she steps back behind the two, now enlarged, allies.
Neolandus nocks an arrow and looses it at Vimanda, but it clatters harmlessly off of the stone wall behind her.
Cephelo charges directly into her path, cutting her off from reaching the door, and swings his mighty axe. Again, the magical force field shimmers, blocking Cephelo's attack.
Hoping Vimanda is distracted by Cephelo, Typhon darts in to flank, but his silver dagger isn't able to pierce her unnaturally tough skin.
Yuck, bad rolls all around.
Trey, anything you'd like to do during the surprise round? After that, we will start Round 1
AC 14 | FF 13 | T 11 | HP 45/45 | Init: +1 | Percep: +8 | Fort: +6| Ref: +3 | Will: +9
pre combat: Trey casts guardian of faith on Cephelo, Bless on the party, and Protection from evil on herself.
guardian of faith:
The target gains the benefit of shield of faith and protection from evil. As a move action, the target can transfer this spell to a touched ally, who becomes the new target of the spell.
Shield of faith will give him a +3 deflection bonus to AC
surprise round...
SR?:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 - not sure what her SR is though
a light surrounds Vimanda and several chains of pure light strike at her from all sides.
Alright, forget spell resistance, we'll be here for a month...
Cephelo and Typhon join the attack, but only Typhon is able to sneak a knife through her defenses. But entangled by the chains, Vimanda stands no chance against Trey and Lantressa's beams of light and fire. With a fox-like growl, Vimanda collapses, dead.
The door in front of you stands cracked open. Beyond is a small, empty room strewn with bones and patches of mold. Another lever waits in this room. "If I pull it, maybe it will lead us to another room, closer to Vencarlo," Typhon suggests.
Loot: +1 ki focus shock kukri, javelin of lightning (2). I posted this earlier, but Sivit had two +1 kukris, an amulet of health +4, and a ring of protection +2.
I posted a bit about Trey and Lantressa in the recruiting thread to encourage folks to write how they might know you. If you'd like to add anything to what I said, feel free to jump in there.
