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As the stone dog attacks her again, she cries out, the sound rippling in and out of existence as she does, as well. Her form stabilizes though and the wounds inflicted on her by the attack disappear.
She cast's a glance towards Bielsi then resumes her assault, angrier than ever with the guardian.
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Bielsi sees the wound appear in Zarisha as she is bitten by the guardian. More importantly, he FEELS that Zarisha's physical form has taken so much damage that it is about to become incoherent. He braces himself then channels that damage through his link with her into himself.
The bite mark with its scorches from the electrical energy appear on his skin and he hisses with the sudden pain.
He fishes out a wand and uses it on himself, curing some of the damage.
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As the stone dog attacks her again, she cries out, the sound rippling in and out of existence as she does, as well. Her form stabilizes though and the wounds inflicted on her by the attack disappear.
But the dog managed to knock her feet out from under her and she finds herself on her back, despite no longer being wounds.
She climbs back to her feet (leaving herself exposed to attack) and jabs her fist at the dog.
--> Kim you're up!
The small guardian dog attempts to bite Umberto!
[MISS!]
Round 4! (bold can go)
Kim
Bielsi/Zarisha [Zarisha: 6/9 HP and Bielsi: 6/10 HP]
Ren
Frostwind
Yuukyou
Umberto
guardian dog
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Zarisha once more attempts to eliminate this very effective and durable guardian.
"You serve your purpose well. But your purpose has no more meaning than any other," she growls.
Bielsi simply moves closer, drawing his Scythe along the way, knowing it is a more effective weapon than the hunks of debris he's been hurling with his mind.
The small guardian dog attempts to bite Kim!
[MISS!]
Round 5! (bold can go)
Kim
Bielsi/Zarisha [Zarisha: 6/9 HP and Bielsi: 6/10 HP]
Ren
Frostwind
Yuukyou
Umberto
guardian dog
Umberto and Ren's savage beating and burning finally take a toll on the construct...the dog begins sparking wildly, and within a second or two, explodes in a massive electrical discharge!!
electrical damage
COMBAT OVER!!!
The heroes swarm the dog construct and put an end to its extended service. Beyond the door, a sparse room holds little beyond a lacquered wooden coffin. A human skull sits on a plate in front of the casket, while a mangled clockwork owl lies a few feet away. An engraved plaque is propped up behind the skull against the wooden pall. The smell of corrosion fills the air.
The plaque reads, “Here lies Honaria Alcasti, betrayed by her inferiors and those she served. We shall remember her deeds and restore her honor.” The letters are faded and the plaque appears to be centuries old. You find a hairpin with a noble crest on it.
The coffin itself contains Honaria’s corpse and her accolades, including an impressive collection of military ribbons and medals.
If you approach the owl you realize that he's missing half of his face. He is immobile but he begins to speak in a broken and stuttering voice, "I am A-A-Amantius, the former f-f-f-familiar of Italice Cenabri, whose head now rest here atop Honoria's coffin. Syagra Tetranella did this to m-m-m-m-me. Do not a-a-a-a-approach closer: I a-a-a-am malfunctioning and g-g-g-generating a cloud of c-c-c-corrosive gas. If one of y-y-you is good at dismantling mechanisms t-t-try disconnecting the w-w-wand in my inner chassis. This w-w-will stop the corrosive gas."
"P-p-please try Sir... you see, you just have to pull on this, then lift my right wing like so..." explains the owl.
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Yuukyou watches for a moment before he can't help himself, and pushes up next to bielsi.
Look, not like that, I'm sorry, just let me...That's right, turn it left... that wire crosses over from the right, so it stands to reason that you can just...
He gets into the pieces and parts of the construct with a sigh as he works.
See how these connect? It must, therefore, be linked here as well...
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Umberto takes 4 electric right to the face. GAH! Damn machines.
Umberto looks on as Bielsi navigates the acid cloud and messes with the mechanical owl. I am no help here. Oh well. Umberto fills his tankard with a light ale for refreshment. Frostwind, you seem the mechanical type. Lend a hand to our friend here?
Thanks to Bielsi's careful assistance, supported by the remote instructions of the owl and Yuukyou, the malfunctioning wand is finally dismantled from the clockwork owl! Amantius' speech, albeit still labored, appears to come out much easier now. After a violent shaking fit, he finally settles and says the following.
"S-S-Syagra was one of Honaria's followers. After Honaria died in public ignominy, S-S-Syagra cast the blame on my mistress, Italice Cenabri, w-w-w-which was a prominent adviser to the crown. In truth, many factors led to Honaria's disgrace, but Italice served as a convenient scapegoat for Syagra’s rage and sorrow. I failed to notice Syagra's growing rage thus I failed my m-m-m-mistress...
After years of preparations, S-S-Syagra carried out her plan to assassinate Italice, fleeing from justice and escaping into the wilderness. Again I was out and not by my mistress' side when this happened... I am an extremely bad familiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar...
Syagra eventually made her way here where the Alcasti family had given Honaria a hero’s burial in the family tomb. In her single-minded devotion, Syagra broke into the tomb, planning to leave Italice’s head as an offering to Honaria’s memory.
Ironically, in her attempts to honor her friend, Syagra was forced to smash apart the tomb guardians and vandalize most of the magical wards, a-a-a-as you have witnessed in coming here.
However, as she was about to leave this place I caught up with her and attempted to stop her and reason with her, great hero me... She struck me down and left me as another twisted offering to Honaria’s memory.
First I blamed Honaria for Italice’s death but centuries of reflection in her tomb have changed my opinion. Despite my bitterness and despair,
I must admit that Honaria was innocent in all this, and I do not believe any of this to be something she would have wanted.
Now, will you do the honorable and please arrange for Italice’s remains to be returned to her family?"
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Bielsi is relieved to have Yuukyou's assistance and is able to get the owl working again. There is something strangely calming and familiar about the cloud though on a couple occasions it verges on painful.
"Every person deserves to be laid to rest properly. Moreso those who live a noble life and suffer an unfair death," Bielsi replies to Amantius.
Immediately following the adventurers' noble words and their willingness to return Italice's remains to her descendants, a feeling of peace suffuses the tomb.
"By the way, could you please c-c-c-carry me to House Cenabri along with my mistress' remains?" says Amantius.
As you return with Honaria’s laurels, Remaio is pleased with your efforts, eagerly describing to you the decorations that he recognizes and basking in secondhand pride.
As he sees you returning Amantius and Italice’s remains, Remaio complains in a sullen manner, "This may taint my petition to restore Honaria’s good name..." but otherwise does not push the subject.
After you arrange for Italice’s remains to be returned to her family, Amantius is grateful though somewhat lost after so many years spent hopeless and imprisoned. Before you leave him with House Cenabri, he insists that you take the partially charged wand of heightened awareness (10 charges) within his body, as it is the only means he has to repay you for your kindness. He informs you that even if the Cenabri family pays for his repairs, he plans to keep his broken face in memory of Italice.
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ONE WEEK AFTER YOU RETURN TO OPPARA
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Remaio’s blood, sweat, and tears have finally paid off. You each receive a letter and an individual package
Taldor’s princess is a progressive one. Eutropia is the only child of Grand Prince Stavian III, the ruler of Taldor. She intends to inherit the throne upon the death of her father, even though according to the current laws of Taldor, only male heirs are eligible to inherit the throne.
Some Taldan nobles fear that Eutropia’s ambitions may lead to a costly civil war. I hear rumblings of a certain Taldor AP coming soon methinks. Others believe that Eutropia’s efforts to make a case for her inheritance to the Senate will eventually succeed, and believe that the progressive vision of Taldor that she supports is the best way to shake off centuries of stagnation.
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"Indeed. Perhaps Remaio can get the final push he needs at this party," Bielsi commented.
He looked around at his party at Kim's comment. "I suspect most of us will feel more uncomfortable at this elegant event than we did in a tomb, ruin, or catacombs. Yet, our patron may need us to give a first hand account of what we have found more than any other time."