Returning to the fray, Rurik steps up behind Tanrov and lays a hand on him, transforming his prayers of Sarenrae into healing power.
For the first time since encountering the cleric of Asmodeus, Tanrov's strike misses. For a moment, hope is rekindled in the Bastards of Erebus' leader's eyes, but as he glances to the north waiting for his reinforcements who have yet to arrive. Once again, he backs up, running out of room behind him, and uses his wand to heal some of his wounds.
Garidan continues to attempt to knock away the wand. "Surrender, and you may yet see tomorrow."
The wand goes flying from the tiefling's hands. "I would rather die now than be tortured to death by the Hellknights. But it won't come to that, the rest of the Bastards will be here any moment! Perhaps you should surrender?"
Tanrov steps forward and attacks the priest again hoping to settle it before reinforcements arrive
Tanrov lands another nasty hit with his earthbreaker. The cleric glances down at the wand, calculating his chances of snatching it off the ground before Tanrov can strike him again.
Palaveen decides it is worth the risk of leaving his defenses open to try and continue healing the wounds he has suffered beneath the crushing blows of Tanrov's weapon.
Seeing the opening Tanrov punches out with his weapon
He misjudges Palaveens movement and over-balances turning a simple attack into a struggle to remain standing
The fool!. "Thank you, that was the opening I was looking for" Garidan says as he runs the tiefling through.
Although Tanrov's attack goes wide, it causes the cleric to move left when he should have dodged right. As a result he practically steps into Garidan's bill. The newest wound is too much for the tiefling, who collapses to the ground.
A short time later, a handful of tieflings sprint around the corner. The heroes are still standing, but the Bastards of Erebus' and most of the gang lie dead or dying. The surviving Bastards scatter from the hideout at top speed.
As the Bastards of Erebus bleed to death, Rurik pulls his surviving friends into a huddle so that he can channel healing power through them without risking awakening any of the injured enemies.
"Let's get whatever we can make use of and get out of here!"
A quick search of the lair turns up several things.
One is a detailed ledger that accounts what was stolen from who. In many cases, coins were distributed to members of the band as wages or used to pay for bribes to the dottari and supplies.
The large chest to the north is locked, however there is a key on the Bastard's leader which unlocks it. The chest contains all of the non-coin loot from the Bastards’ string of burglaries, along with a leather sack that contains 50 of the wooden Mammon coins the Bastards use to mark the places they’ve robbed and people they’ve killed. The stolen treasures include 600 gp worth of small gems (including one 100 gp pearl), jewelry worth 800 gp, a masterwork dagger, a masterwork rapier, and a jeweled non-masterwork short sword worth 150 gp. According to the ledger, the weapons were stolen from a weaponsmith, who was murdered along with his family.
There is another item of interest, an unsigned note left crumpled up at the foot of the leader's bed. It reads: "Palaveen — While we appreciate the work of your Bastards, the Council never intended this association to be anything more than that. We shouldn’t need to remind you that if your tiring applications continue, we’ll need to solve this problem in a manner less concerned with your continued good health."
Garidan recites the words to the cantrip and begins scanning his surroundings, looking for any signs of magical auras. He also gives the high quality weapons a once over.
"This note is interesting. The Council knew about them. Not a surprise, really, but still. Anyway, let's get these things back to their rightful owners -- those who survive," Rurik says as he scans the note and then carefully re-folds it and stuffs it in the side of his boot.
Tracking down those who were victimized by the Bastards is actually very easy thanks to the detailed ledger. The jewelry and gems can be returned with little trouble and much thanks. Many of the items are family heirlooms. While none of the victims has much to offer in the way of reward, news that there is a group operating in Westcrown spreads among the city's residents quickly.
There are no heirs for the slain weaponsmith. As a result, Arael and Penumbra suggest that they should be claimed for the team to upgrade the hideout or put to use.
"I'll take the magical breastplate if none protest, that last set of fights was a might more life threatening than I'm comfortable with."
"Yes, please take the armor. May it serve you well." Garidan tosses one of the cure light wounds potions and the disguise self potion to Rurik. "Take these." He tosses Tanrov the cure moderate wounds potion. "Take this too, just in case." Garidan claims the last cure light wounds potion and slips it into his bandolier. "We should lay low for a day or two. I'm going to inquire about town on their leader, see if he has any known associates, and I'll get rid of any of this gear that we can't use. Maybe we can afford to equip ourselves a little better."
Cure Light Wounds Potion - Garidan
Cure Light Wounds Potion - Rurik
Cure Moderate Wounds Potion - Tanrov
Disguise Self Potion - Rurik
+1 Breastplate - Tanrov
Split: 1000 gp a piece, 437.5 in party fund
mw studded leather (175 gp)
mw studded leather (175 gp)
mw breastplate (350 gp)
+1 morningstar (1154 gp)
iron unholy symbol (2.5 gp)
580 gp
studded leather x20 (250 gp)
rapier x10 (100 gp)
dagger x10 (10 gp)
light crossbows x10 (175 gp)
crossbow bolts x100 (5 gp)
mw dagger (151 gp)
mw rapier (160 gp)
jeweled short sword (150 gp)
"Got it. I agree. We've made good progress here tonight, my friends," Rurik says as he catches the potion, juggles it for a second, then gets a firm grip on it and stows it.
Tanrov walks over to the collection of gear.. and picks up the masterwork breastplate
" There is some fine stuff here, like this breastplate, Rurik how about it would you wear this?"
"Perhaps... I do worry about mobility. Harder to heal my friends when I can't get to you in the heat of battle!"
Over the coming days, Westcrown is filled with rumors of vigilantes cleaning up the town and embarrassing both Hellknights and dottari. The lower-class citizens are telling tales and writing bawdy folk songs. Their children playing games on the street where brave heroes resist authority and fight crime.
The nobility, on the other hand, consider your band to be heinous criminals. The dottari are offering a reward for any information regarding the masked crime fighters and the Hellknights are cracking down on the citizens writing the previously mentioned ballads.
The Pharasman temple has been enjoying a slight increase in visitors and supplicants as some citizens feel more confident to worship a deity other than Asmodeus.
Rurik hears a change in the attitude of the sick and injured who visit his clinic. For the first time in recent memory, hope and joy fill the ramshackle office.
Garidan moves about the town selling off excess supplies and makes a few purchases along the way. He picks up a set of masterwork artisan tools for armorsmithing, a scroll of crafter's fortune, and a scroll of magic weapon. Afterwards he heads home for lunch and to work on scribing the new spells into his spellbook.
Approximately two weeks after clearing the Bastards from Westcrown, the young woman Janiven stops by Rurik's clinic. "A mutual friend asked me to pass something on to you. She said that a new operation is being planned, and new allies are being recruited to assist. Oh, and we'll be reopening the tavern. Under a new name, of course. You should stop in next week."
Tanrov receives a similar message from Sclavo, who happens to come to the Pharasman shrine. Garridan is updated by Tavi, who is seeking to continue her education in the arcane arts.
Just before the final act, and Beorn's final costume change, he is startled to find his costumer is not present. Instead, holding his robes of the villainous Priest of Iomedae, is a woman wearing tight, dark gray leather armor, a mask covering her face.
"You are very talented, Beorn the Divine. Many would be amazed to see someone of your lineage not just performing adequately, but excelling in a role. This rabble can't comprehend your genius. I happen to know people who can ensure you receive a proper audition for an upcoming production that will take the city by storm. All I need is for you to meet with some of my associates, and help coach them in the arts. If you want to elevate your career, come to the old shrine of Aroden before sunset in two nights."
A few days ago, however, a real lead fell into Eidi's lap. A tattered soothsayer, the sort that most people pass in the street and ignore as though they aren't there calls him by name. The filthy half-orc gazes up at you with blind, milky eyes. "They are watching you. The spirits. They say, 'The lost scion is being sought by the steel devils. They mean him torture.' Seek out one who has access to the gate." The half-orc twitches suddenly, then speaks in babbling nonsense, unresponsive to any questions or stimulus. Before you have a chances to react or process any of this, a dark-haired, curvy human woman bumps into you suddenly. She smiles sweetly and apologizes, shoving a scrap of paper into your hands before hurrying off.
The note claims to have answers to the oracle's riddle, as well as a chance to make a new name for yourself if you will, "Come to the old Shrine of Aroden tomorrow an hour before sundown."
Of course, some of these groups are only seeking power or looking to agitate the Hellknights and dottari. One such group is exactly who Tania has been tracking. Three human men, more like boys, actually, have been engaging in strong-arm robbery of the local independant callgirls. What she has discovered over the last few days is that they intend to take over as the prostitute's pimps.
Last night, they murdered a girl who refused to give in to their demands. Enraged, you went looking to get some payback for the murdered girl, but when you came upon the squat the men were using as a hideout, you discovered the three of them knocked unconscious and bound. A tall female figure emerged from the shadows, dressed in form-fitting dark gray leather armor and wearing a mask. The rumors on the street is that this is one of the masked vigilantes who took down the Bastards.
"I am sorry if I stole your fun, Tania, but this seemed like a perfect opportunity to make my introduction. I am called Penumbra, and I represent a group of Wiscrani citizens fighting crime and corruption, and seeking to uncover the truths of the shadow and darkness which controls the city. We have kept tabs on you for some time now, and we think you would be perfect to join our elite squad. If you're interested, come to the abandonded site of the old shrine of Aroden just before sunset the day after tomorrow."
A sound from behind you catches your attention for a moment, and when you turn back around, Penumbra is gone.
Garridan, Tanrov, and Rurik arrive at the tavern where everything started a little over a month ago. The place is packed with a raucous crowd, but Janiven personally serves you with excellent spiced sausages and ensures your drinks are always full. Toward the end of your meal, Arael joins your table.
"Penumbra and I have been hard at work preparing for the next big move we need to take to purge the shadows and corruption from Westcrown. Tomorrow night, we will meet at the safehouse. Please be ready to host some new faces."
At The Limehouse, Beorn was hot and sweaty and sort of grumpy at yet another plebian crowd who could not appriciate his skill. His suit has several garbage stains and he had to put a large boot into the face one drunkard trying to get on stage. He headed back for a costume change and met the odd woman.
Scratching his chin, Beorn considers his options, a chance at elevating his station and tutorign others? Excellent!
Beorne takes the stage with his previous gloom lifted and doesn't even mind getting a face full of rotten cabbage.
His wait for the appointed time has him all jittery and when the time arrives, hurries out to the shrine.
Eidi startles in disbelief as the soothsayer addresses him with the riddle. He attempts to stop him and ask him for more "But wait! What gate?! Steel devils?!"
It is too late. When the woman gives him the note, his head starts spinning in disbelief. As he reads the note though he knows this is what he was looking for. Determined, the young man crushes the paper in his fist "Aroden... There I go."
Garidan enjoyed the spiced sausage thoroughly. It had been several days since he had eaten anything cooked, and weeks since he had eaten anything this good. Despite the business of the night, it was nice to be out of the apartment again. Seeing the crowd bolstered his resolve. It meant that they were making a difference. It meant that they were being effective, but most of all, it meant that life for the people of the city was improving.
When Arael joined them, he raised his glass in affirmation and ordered another round. "We will be ready" he simply stated matter of factly. He continued his meal and slowly looked around at the patrons. He tried to burn their faces into his mind. These were the people who were better off. These were the people he was fighting for.
This place has a better atmosphere this night, joy it infects this place, future possibilities are coming back to this place
Tanrov stands and in a loud voice announces
"Pharasmas blessings be upon us all"
He sits down again and takes a long pull from his mug
Rurik lets out a low chuckle at Tanrov's exhortation. Paying attention primarily to his small meal -- old habits to avoid notice die hard, after all -- he keeps his eyes on the doors.
There is a ready cheer from the assembled crowd, though everyone does look around immediately after, ensuring no dottari or Hellknights are lurking. Nervous chuckles break out as citizens realize that at least here, they do not have to pay lip service to Asmodeus.
Intrigued, excited, Tania puts on her best clothes in preparation for her meeting. Dark red and black, her bravado outfit screams power and foolishness, with a shockingly white shirt flashing through long cuts along the arms and the front of her surcoat. She then puts on long leather boots she lets sag down almost to her ankles. Finally, after putting on her trusty rapier, she dons a magistral wide dark red hat adorned with an offending white feather the size of a flag.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she tips the hat in a defying angle, but then hesitates, realizing she was about to go to an abandoned shrine for a secret meeting. Compromise is never easy for those filled with rage. Nevertheless, a measure of restraint was needed on this night. With a sigh, she put on a black cloak obscuring everything but her white feather and set out in the cooling sun.
When Tanrov, Garridan, and Rurik arrive at the safe house, they find Fiosa the halfling and Amaya, the young woman from Tian, busy tidying up the place and setting up a small table.
Amaya bows formally at your arrival before turning back to a stack of papers on the table. Fiosa is hauling a small cask of wine. She gives everyone a humorless smile and tells them, "Penumbra should be here any moment. She and Arael are bringing a VIP. Morosino and Gorvio are keeping watch for the rest of the guests."
"A VIP you say, intriguing. I can't wait. Any problems over the last few weeks? Or anything we should know?" Garidan took a seat and began to peruse his spellbook.
"No serious problems that are out of the ordinary, from what I've heard," Fiosa says before glancing outside and taking note of the sun's position. "I better head back or someone will get a whipping."
Amaya bows stifly to the halfling as she departs. "I believe, Sir Garidan, that this V-I-P," she pronounces each letter with difficulty through her accent, "Has information about he kage no ikimono, the 'shadow creatures'."
A whistle is heard from outside the shuttered windows of the shrine. "That must be one of the new guests. Morosino said he would whistle when one approached. Penumbra always takes the sewers," Amaya says while glancing outside.
Rurik perks up, wondering who'll be joining the crew.
A man with tormented face appears at the other side of the entrance to the shrine. When the door opens he shows the note of paper.
"I was told to come here to seek answers." he is dressing in a very simple grey clothing with a hood "My name is Eidi" he pronounces in a hoarse but calm tone, not revealing yet his family name.
As he enters to the room and sees the other Westcrown heroes, he nods to them with the head as a greeting, not yet understanding what is the meeting about "I have to admit I am a bit lost here" then finding the woman that gave him the note among the presents he looks at her and smiles hopping for an explanation finally.
At the entrance of Eidi Tanrov flicks his earthbreaker into his hand with casual grace, out of habit only putting it back down after a few minutes of observation
"Welvome, may Pharasmas blessings guide you."
Beorn approaches the shrine and lets out a cheerful whistle as instructed and taps at the door. When opened, people she a bearded young man who seems full of energy.
When the others see the newcomer smile at someone behind them they turn to notice Penumbra, ever stealthy, has arrived from the sewer entrance. A few moments later the priest, Arael climbs up. He is followed by a beautiful, dark-haired, middle-aged human woman. She is wearing a light suit of leather armor in earth tones over a white peasant blouse. On her hip is a well-crafted rapier hung in a low scabbard.
The woman stands up and dusts herself off as Penumbra speaks, "Good to see you all again. And Eidi has made it, that is good. I would expect the others before too long, and then we can discuss why Lady Ghontsavos of the Pathfinders has come to a city hostile to her organization."
She turns to Amaya and bows in the woman's custom, "Lady Amaya, thank you for your assistance. You should get home before the sun sets."
Arael and the Pathfinder woman both jump slightly at the energetic half-orc's introduction, while Penumbra simply grins.
"Beorn here will be of extreme importance for what Arael and I have planned. There are a lot of details for us to cover here, but let me begin some thirty years back. The shadow beasts first arrived to Westcrown's streets shortly after the Pathfinders were expelled from the city and their lodge, Delvehaven, was sealed up. It seemed like too big of a coincidence for Arael and I while we were conducting research. Some of the findings from Bluehood have helped us to conclude that the shadow creatures have both aberrant and planar qualities. If they originated from the Plane of Shadows, and came when Delvehaven was sealed shut, then we feel certain that there is an artifact within the lodge related to their arrival. Now, due to Pathfinder politics, Ailyn Ghontsavos cannot enter the lodge herself, but a third party could."
"In fact," says Ailyn, "This would be the only way for me to convince the Great Lodge to allow me to mount a true expedition, ironically, into Delvehaven."
Penumbra nods before continuing. "Now, why do we need the boisterous opera singer you see here? Well, in order to bypass the seals, wards, and locks that Thrune had placed on Delvehaven, we're going to need to infiltrate the Mayor's mansion to recover documents and the keys to the lodge. And to infiltrate the mansion? You're going to earn an invitation by performing the most notorious opera in Cheliax: 'The Six Trials of Larazod.'"
Rurik blinks, then says, "Seriously? You're going to put us on stage and we're going to be good enough to convince the Mayor to invite us into his home?" He looks at the ragged band of freedom fighters, then says, "We... are going to have a lot of homework to do."
Looking quite unsettled the muscular tiefling speaks "I'm not sure Pharasmas blessings will help me in this?"
"I would argue," says Arael, "That you will need every last ounce of Pharasma's blessings to pull this off, actually. 'The Six Trials' is Theater Mortressci. The lower classes usually refer to this style as a 'murderplay.'"
Penumbra continues the explanation. "This particular opera has classically been so deadly that the House of Thrune has actually banned the uncut version for several decades now, to avoid losing trained actors. The Mayor, however, has always found the 'Six Trials' to be highly interesting, and as a result, it has been authorized for a one-time showing."