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"wow. major colson's father. J, i think he's a bit upset. he managed to forget some troubling news."
J seems surprised by the question. "Yes I am, why do you ask?"
"Maybe nothing. Does your mother talk about your father much?"
:: looking at the first note again, and conferring with Lily ::
Lady Miranda Dacilane is rumored to have committed numerous amorous indiscretions during her youth. The most outrageous was that she was the mistress of Orias Deckland, a scandalous member of Absalom’s upper classes, and bore him a child. She is also rumored to have belonged to a secret society known as the Harbingers of Fate. Rumors come from a drunken but reliable source.
that'd be her mother? know anything about this Deckland?
"what was that about the asmodean pyre? wow. i guess the chelaxian types were everywhere at some point." ::sigh::
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The Decklands were an expanding noble family within the social hierarchy of Absalom, owing much of their rise in fame to close ties with the nation of Cheliax. Led by a powerful patriarch, the last leader of the family in Absalom was the esteemed Orias Deckland, a bear of a man who tried to distance his family from their Chelaxian relations. For many years, Orias was considered to be one of the more influential nobles in Absalom—a true proponent of the people.
It was during one of many periods when Absalom’s relations with Cheliax were most strained that Orias was truly tested. Covertly asked by Chelish agents to turn over important documents relating to the defenses of the city, Orias found himself torn between loyalty to his home and to Cheliax, whose support his family had benefited from many times over the years. Despite the ramifications, Orias stood with his city and refused to give any plans to Chelish forces.
The arms of politically inclined Cheliax were longer than even Orias had predicted, and suddenly the Deckland patriarch found himself receiving constant threats against both his family and his own life. The final straw came when Chelaxian agents began to threaten Orias’ only daughter, a lovable young girl named Celeena whom Orias treasured more than all the gold in his family’s possession. In an act of both weakness and compassion, Orias Deckland promised to hand over several defensive plans for the city of Absalom to his Chelaxian contacts in exchange for sparing Celeena.
After hiding a copy of the documents in his family’s vaults, Orias planned to drop the original off with his Cheliax contacts as planned, but he was instead apprehended by forces of the city, who had discovered the treachery. As Orias and his family had been a force of great good for Absalom, his treasonous actions were given leniency and the family was merely expelled from the walls of Absalom. With no other options left, Orias and his family made their way to Cheliax, where they were forced into a minor noble role for Orias’ failings. Since that time, the Decklands have been unable to rise above their minor status, and remain a small and abused family in the often brutal politics of Cheliax.
Celeena was raised on stories of her family’s former grandeur in Absalom and bitter at the disrespect they received in their current home nation of Cheliax, and holds fanciful dreams of revenge.
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Davnet observes the interchange thoughtfully. So much drama with human nobility... why they form bonds and make promises they cannot keep is beyond me.
"J., is all well? The hope seemed to be that discovering this information would help ease Grishan's mind, but the opposite seems to have occurred. Perhaps we should reconsider heading into dangerous places with his uncertain reaction?"
Davnet awaits an answer, while trying to recognize any of the information on the notes which might make Grishan so upset.
"J., is all well? The hope seemed to be that discovering this information would help ease Grishan's mind, but the opposite seems to have occurred. Perhaps we should reconsider heading into dangerous places with his uncertain reaction?"
A few moment Grishan steps out of J, seeming more like his former self. He looks down at the ground, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone.
"I apologize for my sulking. I had forgotten this news about my brother, Colson. The information in the letter is quite upsetting, and casts him in a worse light."
The phantom lets out an audible sigh, which is odd considering that it doesn't have to breath ... or has lungs.
Grishan then looks up at everyone. "I will try to talk to my brother later if possible. Now we should deal with J's request and head to the Tri-Towers Yard if that is all right with everyone."
Davnet awaits an answer, while trying to recognize any of the information on the notes which might make Grishan so upset.
"So, J. Compass of the occult. What do you feel like seeing next?"
J agrees with Grishan. "Yes, if he has found some completion here, then let us hasten to the Drownyards."
"Maybe nothing. Does your mother talk about your father much?"
J shakes her head. "No, not much, just that he was a Chelaxian man of an old family. He died when I was quite young."
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Sad Rock shifts on his feet when the talk of family and mothers and fathers are discussed. He misses his. A lot. But there is no time for Sad's sad now, only duty.
No, there is no time for dwelling on how much Sad longs to hear that his father and mother are proud of him, or how much they miss him, or that there are people in the world who love him.
No, Sad is not important like that at all.
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While the day have started out rainy, Egmund feels like the sun is shining down on the group.
Its warmth permeates his being and he can't help but smile from the comforting pleasure of a job going well. Like someone bringing you a warm blanket when you are napping and getting just that little bit cold. Very snuggly, very nice.
There have been tense moments but no one, so far, has been harmed.
His hope shines like a ray through the clouds. Warming hearts and fostering hope.
The Drownyard is located a short distance from the Arboretum Arcanis, and is surrounded by a tall, wrought iron fence. They key provided to you by Dreng easily unlocks the front gate, which seems to be in good repair.
Once inside you can see that the grounds of the old school have been cleaned up in the last several years, and a few old, ruined school buildings that stood too close to the cliff's edge were demolished. All the gnarled old trees were removed and new flowering bushes and trees have been planted in their place. Despite these efforts, the few ruined classrooms that remain look sad and forgotten.
Just inside the gate sits a small, locked storage shed marked with the Glyph of the Open Road.
Once out of sight from the street, Grishan seperates from J and the two take in the surroundings. J's face is lined with conflicting emotions, and her hands are clenched at her side.
"Well, here we are again, Grishan." she says, trying hard to mask the emotions welling within her. "Who ever thought we'd really be back?"
The phantom turns to the young woman and flatly states: "I did, J. Remember, this is just the first step in our new beginning."
The shed looks locked, but a quick look reveals that the lock is broken and no longer functions. Inside Lilybeth finds supplies used by the archaeological teams that work here including large rolls of twine, wooden stakes, brushes, sacks, shovels, trowels, and various measuring implements. It also contains a curious yellow box. A large sign hanging on the back of the shed reads:
"Entry to above ground structure in the 'Yard is strongly discouraged. It contains a dangerous supernatural force. Items in the yellow box are from emergencies only. Signed, V-C Dreng."
The yellow box looks like it has been raided recently, and contains 4 haunt siphons, along with a note detailing their use.
HAUNT SIPHON
PRICE: 400 GP
SLOT: none
WEIGHT: 1 lb.
AURA: faint necromancy
CL: 3rd
These glass vials are held within stylized cold-iron casings etched with strange runes, necromantic designs, or other eldritch markings. Within the vial rolls a small wisp of white vapor, churning as if caught in a miniature vortex of air.
To capture a haunt’s energies within a haunt siphon, you need only twist the metal casing to open the vial in the same round that the haunt manifests (a standard action)— this can be before or after the haunt has acted. You must be within the haunt’s area of in uence to use a haunt siphon. When you activate a haunt siphon, it deals 3d6 points of positive energy damage to a single haunt. If it deals enough damage to the haunt to reduce the haunt’s hit points to 0, the mist inside the haunt siphon glows green— if it does not reduce the haunt to 0 hit points, the haunt siphon is still expended and becomes nonmagical. It may take multiple haunt siphons to destroy powerful haunts. A haunt siphon that neutralizes a haunt can no longer be used to harm haunts, but it can be used as a grenadelike splash weapon that deals 1d6 points of negative energy damage with a direct hit. Every creature within 5 feet of the point where the haunt siphon hits takes 1 point of negative energy damage from the splash.
J does not pay attention to what Lilybeth is doing, and seems to be staring at one of the demolished classrooms. "There is something there. I can feel it. I think we should check it out."
It does not sound odd to you. He's talking about J's life, and you guess that he is quite devoted to her, especially now that you've helped him deal with the remnants of his own life.
"J., what now? We have a warning that the structure above ground is haunted... do we need to continue? It may be... risky."
J looks at Davnet and nods. "Risky it may be, but I feel that I need to go there."
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Lilybeth will distribute the haunt syphons amongst the party.
Egmund politely refuses Lilybeth's offer with a small smile, "My connection with Osiris allows me to have more effective options", he laughs briefly, "... assuming I can react in time."
"It would be best if everyone had the siphons easily accessible and ready to use if a haunt manifests."
Concern colors his face, "Junia, I need you to allow us to clear any new areas before you enter them. Haunts usually trigger quickly so it shouldn't take us very long to do this. Pathfinders are trained to deal with dangers like this. If something does happen we will handle it."
"By letting us clear all areas before you enter, we will be able to keep you as safe as possible. Is this something you can do?"
"Grishan, I have no idea if these haunts can effect you. I only know that I would feel better if you stayed close to Junia to keep her safe."
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Sad Rock politely rejects the haunt siphons, claiming that his club works just fine...for everything. He also politely refuses the offer of mage armor as he paid good money for the long, slowing breastplate he wears and he isn't going to believe it might not be useful...that would be foolish.
Sad Rock sticks near J, continuing to protect her as best he can. He puts his shield on, expecting more danger.
"Sad ready go explore more," Sad expresses his willingness to go on.
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Lilybeth will distribute the haunt syphons amongst the party.Egmund politely refuses Lilybeth's offer with a small smile, "My connection with Osiris allows me to have more effective options", he laughs briefly, "... assuming I can react in time."
"That's probably true. Oh, I might have something for that! I acquired an Osyrian papyrus scroll recently. I don't know if this writing is familiar to you, but it might help you!"
Lilybeth gets a scrollcase out of her backpack and hands it over to Egmund.
Haunt Specialist: You gain a +2 bonus on all saving throws to resist effects created by a haunt. You also gain a +2 bonus on skill checks made to notice a haunt and on initiative checks made to act in the surprise round when a haunt manifests. You may cross this boon off your Chronicle sheet to reroll such a initiative check, saving throw, or skill check with an additional +2 bonus.
J shakes her head at Egmund's suggestion. "I know that you are trying to protect me, but no, there is something there for me. I feel it is tied to the suffering my classmates endured. I must experience it all. If you remove the haunt first, I will be beyond their reach and they will be beyond mine. I can't force you into this, however, especially if there is danger, so I am happy to go by myself."
The young woman seems quite adamant on this point, and Grishan does not look like he will contradict her on this.
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Perhaps we should have bought a [i]raise dead scroll instead of haunt siphons...[/i]
"So, J., you purpose to trigger every haunted effect and hope to survive the effects, so that you can "experience" them? Fine... for now. At some point, our promise to your mother will override your wishes, though. " Sadrock could almost certainly carry her...
J turns to Davnet, obvious concern in her face. "I know I am asking for a lot, which is also why I told you that you can stay behind if you so choose. I realize that you are coming along to keep me safe, and if there was any way forward, I would choose it; but there isn't."
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Junia shakes her head at Egmund's suggestion. "I know that you are trying to protect me, but no, there is something there for me. I feel it is tied to the suffering my classmates endured. I must experience it all. If you remove the haunt first, I will be beyond their reach and they will be beyond mine. "
Egmund nods, understanding shining sadly from his eyes.
"I can't force you into this, however, especially if there is danger, so I am happy to go by myself."
"I am not leaving you to go on alone." He exhales in exasperation, "We promised to protect you and I will do what I have said but I need to know more about what you want from the haunts."
"Do you feel that the haunt has to harm you? Or do you just need to be close by when it activates?" he entreats.
"We can disrupt haunts by using the siphons before they fully manifest. If you need to feel what a haunt can do then the siphons are of no use as it will be too late to use them once the haunt harms us."
Egmund waits for Junia to explain her needs before moving on deeper into the Tri-tower yards.
J nods. "I feel that I need to experience the haunt. I am not that familiar with these things, but I think it means that I need to see it ... activate as you say. This is all very new for me, and I am just following my intuition, so I'm sorry I can't be more specific."
The group enters a small building that has seemingly been restored since the earthquake over a decade ago. The small classroom is all the remains of a once great school. Benches and chairs are scattered about in a haphazard fashion and a chalkboard hangs crooked from a single nail on the western wall. The sound of the ocean beating against the cliffs in the distance is the only things that breaks the silence.
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Egmund politely refuses Lilybeth's offer with a small smile, "My connection with Osiris allows me to have more effective options", he laughs briefly, "... assuming I can react in time."
"That's probably true. Oh, I might have something for that! I acquired an Osyrian papyrus scroll recently. I don't know if this writing is familiar to you, but it might help you!"Lilybeth gets a scrollcase out of her backpack and hands it over to Egmund.
Egmund is like a kid with a present as his large fingers open the scroll case.
Even though he does not understand the language, the hieroglyphs awaken something within him.
His smile is like the desert sun in its intensity, "Thanks so much Lilybeth, that is really helpful!"
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As the group enters the classroom Egmund is vigilant.
Egmund strains to detect the faint hints of a haunt activating but alas he is not up for that challenge even with Lilybeth's gift.
