Following the two Maidens' directions, Bashiel opens the mystery door and takes a look at the room with the elevator inside it. He gives it a quick once over as the chain of events falls into place in his head.
Bashiel looks towards the lift with consternation, then bows to the two Maidens. "Thank you. Please give a shout if you see anything else moving that shouldn't be. We'll come down and back you up in that case."
With that said, he rushes back upstairs. "All of you, the Maidens downstairs saw a damned door move on its own and the lift turn on. Seems Davaulus snuck down the stairs and into the cargo elevator. And he sure as anything didn't go back up. Seems we've got ourselves a basement that the Maidens at least don't know about." His brow furrows as he considers the group's options. "I can try to call for the Guard to come and help the injured and infected here, at least to get them somewhere safe. But I think we should follow after Davaulus. If he chose to flee that way while invisible rather than just escape out the front... that might means there's something very important down there that he didn't want anyone to find."
He takes in the Maidens being let go free and raises an eyebrow, but says nothing. Clearly an arrangement has been reached.
Examining the lift, Zamanda suspects that someone who has skill in disabling - or enabling, in this case - devices might be able to get the lift moving even without the button.
The maiden takes Zamanda’s hand and shakes it firmly. The bard’s earlier efforts seem to have taken the edge off her current, less diplomatic ones.
The head maiden replies, “For the record, you aren’t forgiven. But this has nothing to do with forgiveness. It has to do with results. If we can get these people proper care, maybe some of them will live to see the end of this veil.”
The maiden nods at Kalem’s remark. “That’s a really good thing since I don’t.”
The same maiden looks Bashiel up and down after he returns, then she says, “If Davaulus went down, he’s going to have to come up at some point to get out. We may not have been aware of the lift, but we did keep track of the physicians, since it was our job to assist and protect them. They occasionally disappeared down the lift up here or into the room below, sometimes for quite a while. However, they always came out eventually. Point is, if there was another way out of this place, don’t you think one or two would have used it?
“We can post guards near the lift and lock the doors to keep him from escaping, but our priority is getting these people out. And didn’t you hear? I already called the Guard. I don’t think it would do for you not to be here when they show up, what’s left of them anyway. Might be hard for you to explain why you knocked us out and killed a bunch of physicians if you aren’t here to speak for yourselves.”
The maiden doesn’t explicitly say it, but there’s an implied threat in her words. Once she’s done staring at Bashiel through her helm, she picks up one of the Varisians and starts walking toward the stairs.
A shiver ran down Kalem’s spine. He could imagine the damp jail cell already, followed by a quick and fatal drop with a noose.
”Right. Right. Let’s go then and get this done with. The Urgathoan isn’t going to kill himself.”
Zamanda is glad to note that they should be able to use the lift even though the button is gone. She refrains from trying it now, however, and nods at the Gray Maiden's plan, although it isn't really what she wanted to do. Compromise was important unless they wanted an all-out war. She asks
Is there a kitchen here? These people need food. They haven't been fed and are suffering from malnutrition, in addition to the horrible experimentation.
She helps to free everyone, but as they are waiting for the guard, she makes sure to set aside some time to pull the small journal out of her pocket and examine it. She knew what was going on, but she didn't know what her proof really looked like, and needed to be prepared.
Varor could feel his head throbbing pain again, and he couldn’t stop himself from clutching his head with one hand due to the pain. He pushes it down as best he can he can lay down and rest after these Urgathoans are finished. “All right, let’s get in the left and head down. I don’t want to take a chance on there being a secret escape route down there.”
Bashiel shakes his head, disappointed in the mulishness of the Maidens. "Very well. Lets keep an eye on the lift. We'll hear it if anyone uses it. And in the mean time we can try to help the folks here." He joins the Maidens in helping the Varisians down to the ground floor and into an area where they can be comfortable while waiting for the Guard to arrive.
While he works, Bashiel does two more things: He takes a look into the other room on the ground floor (I've marked with the X from earlier), and he suggests to the Maidens "I'm worried that what we might find underground here will be worse than what Davaulus was doing upstairs. Will the Maidens be investigating as well? After all, the Queen will likely want to know the extent of her Physicians' work with Urgathoan cultists..."
The head maiden shakes her head at Zamanda’s question. “No, but there are a few boxes of supplies in the ward. Some bread and water. Better than nothing.”
When Bashiel asks about whether or not the Maidens will be investigating, she replies, “That’ll depend on what our commander decides when she gets here. It’s out of my hands at this point.”
Zamanda examines the small journal and finds that only a few pages haven’t been used. Much of the book appears to have been written in medical jargon, so it’s hard to understand what all is being said. The bard suspects that someone with skill in alchemy would be able to make more sense of the book - and the other papers as well.
However, Zamanda does notice two particular details. Namely, the notebook makes multiple references to Urgathoans and their involvement in Davaulus’s experiments. Second, the journal has several mentions of reports being “sent below to A.”
-----
It takes about ten minutes, but you’re able to get all the Varisians down to the ward. The other patients seem confused by what’s happening, but most are too sick to do anything more than look.
Bashiel peeks into the room at the back of the ward to find it filled with the scent of exotic wood and sawdust. The room is a maze of barrels and crates and a web of ropes and pulleys crisscrosses the ceiling. From one thick cable hangs a net of barrels suspended nearly twenty feet above the splinter-scattered floor below. Three great wooden doors stand in the northern wall. All three are completely boarded up.
This room appears to be a vestige of what the Hospice used to look like when it was a warehouse for Arkona Imports. While it’s possible there could be something valuable inside, there are so many boxes and crates that it would take a fair bit of time to do a thorough search.
-----
Shortly after you finish tending to the Varisians and just after Bashiel takes a cursory look at the back room, a group of five maidens enters alongside Field Marshall Cressida Kroft.
All of you recognize the central Gray Maiden by her ornate armor, and all but Zamanda recognize her by name: Sabina Merrin.
Cressida hangs back, clearly showing she thinks Merrin outranks her.
The lead maiden you had been speaking with on the second floor gives a sharp salute to Merrin and says, “Commander, the Hospice is compromised.” She points at you all and continues, “These people claim the Queen’s Physicians and Davaulus were Urgathoans. They also claim to have evidence of this.”
Commander Sabina Merrin looks at each of you in turn for a few moments before speaking. There’s an edge to her voice that wasn’t there when you last spoke, but there’s no doubt it’s the same person as she addresses you. “I was called here on word that fighting had broken out. It seems that report was incorrect or that the fighting has already ceased. My maiden says you have evidence that Urgathoans were operating here. Give an account of yourselves, and do so succinctly.”
Cressida offers you a weak smile and nod, but remains silent, focusing most of her attention on Commander Merrin.
Zamanda, in response to Cressida's nod, takes the notebook up to Sabina and shows her the relevant passages.
He also confessed to us in person, but this is additional proof. Also, I found this hidden under a false bottom in his desk drawer. It might be significant since it was hidden so well.
She proffers the knife, but makes sure that Cressida gets a good look too as she hands it over, just in case it is something that only she would know.
He makes reference in the journal to taking things below, and we are fairly certain that there is a basement area where Davaulus has fled. We wish to pursue, but wanted to make sure that the prisoners held upstairs were safe first. I want to commend the Gray Maidens for their integral role in helping these people once they knew that they were immune to the bloodveil and had been kidnapped and held against their will. They are still weak and in need of assistance. The doctors hadn't even been feeding them.
Bashiel bows to Commander Merrin. It felt like it was not that long ago that he'd been summoned to the citadel to receive commendations (and a promotion) from the Queen, and at that time he'd seen Merrin up close for the first time. She was... maybe even more imposing now.
After Zamanda speaks, he adds "As she says, we are fairly certain that Davaulus fled to the basement. Two of the Maidens stationed on the catwalks spotted the door to the cargo elevator moving during the time we knew him to have become invisible." He nods at the Maidens- credit where credit is due. He avoids thinking about how complicit they might have been, or how severe their blinders were if not.
"If you find his journal to not be proof enough, I suspect we'll find further confirmation in the chambers below. Field Marshall Kroft can attest to our previous work in clearing out cells of the Urgathoan cult. We are well equipped to continue the investigation below."
He pauses, thinking about whether planting the idea of Maidens joining the team for this 'confirmation' is a good idea.
Varor decides to let Bashiel and Zamanda handle explaining the situation to the Commander. Mainly because they were more well spoken than him and partly due to his worsening headache. He does take one opportunity to try and help where he can. “We’re here to try and make the city better not worse. We didn’t kill any of the gray maidens when we had the chance. One of them can attest to me personally not killing her while she was down, for what it’s worth. And I will try my best to ensure that we bring Davaulus back alive, for proper questioning and then social justice.”
Sabina listens carefully as Zamanda shows her the book and explains what else you found.
The Gray Maidens Commander doesn’t recognize the knife and Cressida offers a slight shake of her head to indicate the same.
Once Zamanda, Bashiel, and Varor are finished speaking, Sabina says, “What happened here is abhorrent. That it happened under our noses makes it even worse. Your efforts are to be commended.
“Investigating further will have to wait. These people need care and most of my maidens are busy securing the Jeggare Bridge and other parts of the city. We will not leave this cargo elevator unguarded, of course, but that means you will be needed to assist with transporting the patients to the temples. As you have previous experience with the Urgathoans, I will let your group go below when the time comes.”
To Varor's statement, Sabina says, "Didn't kill... I thought the fight was with the Doctor and his physicians. Are you now telling me that you fought with my maidens?"
Merrin cracks her knuckles and is silent for a few moments before continuing, "If you assaulted agents in the Queen's service, there will be consequences. Those must wait, however, till the present situation is resolved."
Commander Merrin motions for Cressida to come closer, then says to all of you, “The Field Marshall will take your statements while my maidens work to secure the cargo elevator and to start moving these patients.”
Sabina moves to the other side of the room where the newly arrived maidens have begun triaging the sick. This gives you a few moments alone with Cressida.
Kroft offers you another smile, this one not much better than the last, then says, “I can take your statements another time, perhaps back at the Citadel. Right now, I need to know what you found that might expedite the creation of a cure. You mentioned that some of these people were immune to blood veil? Did the notes mention how this might relate to finding a cure?”
Zamanda puts the knife away, and is very pleased with how the conversation is going, but then cringes internally when Varor speaks. Her deal with the maidens had almost worked, but of course now it wasn't going to be that easy. She hopes that she can think of a way out of that one... at least she has some time.
In response to Cressida, Zamanda smiles, completely genuinely this time, and says
His notes seem to be all about overcoming the immunity, but I think that they will be helpful to another doctor, as might samples from the immune subjects, if any of them are willing to offer that after going through this ordeal. She hands the notebook to Cressida. You might want to have Ishani copy the notes over before sending them on, just so that we have a copy.
She hopes that Cressida gets the underlying idea that they need copies for both groups that are working on the cure. She doesn't want to say it out loud in front of the Gray Maidens.
She doesn't hand over any of the other notes in her backpack at this time, not having had a chance to look through them. She is worried that they could implicate the queen as well, which would be an absolute disaster to reveal in front of the maidens.
Bashiel huddles with Zamanda and Cressida. "I agree with Zamanda, we should probably make copies of whatever we gathered. There's no telling what might happen if its simply released to another group of 'Physicians'." He looks up at the Maidens and runs a hand through his hair, clearly stressed. "Cressida, don't take this the wrong way, but I'd appreciate if the Guard could really be heavily involved in relocating the folks here. And quickly too. Before anyone, uh, wanders off." His brow furrows as he looks at all the disabled patients.
He returns to the huddle "With Davaulus' notes in the right hands, someone might be able to solve this plague... but..." He thinks back to his earlier discussion with the Doctor. "He openly admitted that he didn't have an antidote or treatment for himself or his men. They relied on magical treatment and those creepy masks. That at least doesn't bode well for us."
"Otherwise, do you think you can get us freed up to investigate the basement? The Maidens can guard it all they like, but if there happens to be another way out, we're going to have a mass murderer on the loose. And maybe worse, if the previous Urgathoan den was anything to go by."
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Cressida takes the notebook from Zamanda and nods. “I’ll make sure Ishani makes a couple copies. That way we can keep one and he and my contact can both get one as well.”
The Field Marshall shakes her head sadly at Bashiel’s request for the Guard to be heavily involved and says, “I wish I could, but I wasn’t even able to bring anyone with me here in the first place because we’re so short staffed. The guardsmen we do have are seeing to points of entry in the city as well as investigating violent crimes. I wish I could bring more, but I can’t justify it.”
Cressida glances over at Merrin and the other Gray Maidens, then looks back at you and says, “If you think it’s absolutely essential that you get down to the basement now, I can try to convince Commander Merrin to request assistance from the Abadarans and Sarenites in transporting these people. I can’t make any promises, but if Davaulus is responsible for this plague, I agree that we can’t let him escape.”
Cressida concludes, “Is there anything else I should know?”
Just try to smooth over the conflict with the maidens, if you would. They seem to be trying to help now that we have proof, but we had to fight some of them to get the proof that we needed. ...I'm really sorry we dragged you into this.
”And for our part let’s stop talking to the maidens. We are at the point where it can only do harm to ourselves.”
|
Ilsa shifts uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
I can't believe we walked in here, attacked Gray Maidens, and are walking out without being arrested...
"I think we need to get to the basement now. Maybe there will be indisputable proof down there we will need to ease tensions with the Maidens. Also, I don't like that doctor running around with all his secrets."
“If you think it’s absolutely essential that you get down to the basement now, I can try to convince Commander Merrin to request assistance from the Abadarans and Sarenites in transporting these people. I can’t make any promises, but if Davaulus is responsible for this plague, I agree that we can’t let him escape.”
"Please do." Bashiel nods.
At Cressida's prompting he glances to see if anyone (especially any of the maidens) is pointedly listening in. He lowers his voice even further to add "Two things. First is that Davaulus openly admitted to being hired by the Queen for this..." He waves a hand at the varisian test subjects "All of this thing. And second, he believed that if we also were working with the Queen on this, we would know where to find Rolth." He pauses, thinking once again of the obvious implications.
Bashiel casts an openly afraid look across the sick beds. If left in the hands of the Maidens alone, who knows what might happen to them. "Those Abadarans and Sarenites can't get here soon enough. Be careful Cressida."
He turns his attention to the rest of the party. "How is everyone, are we even ready to push down after Davaulus?"
”Let’s go. I’m embarrassed that he survived my hammer. Let’s rectify that.” Kalem was very eager to get away from the maidens. Fighting Urgathoans in their own lair seemed safer to him.
Varor notices Ilsa shifting around. ‘She really needs to figure out what her issues are, or get a little bit of confidence so she doesn’t look like some first time criminal having an attack of conscience.’
“Let’s just get this done. I have a growing headache, and a merchant I need to go talk to. Sarenrae, give us strength to raise this unholy work.”
Cressida sighs at Zamanda’s words, then actually chuckles for a moment before saying, “I was going to be involved in this mess one way or another. I’m just glad I’m here for the initial kerfuffle rather than after everything’s already said and done.”
Kroft’s eyes bulge at Bashiel’s whispered words. Despite his lowered voice, she still gives a quick glance over to Commander Merrin and the other maidens. All of them still seem to be assessing the patients.
She whispers back, “We can speak of that later if we must. Even whispering things like that in the open is far too risky.”
Raising her voice again, Cressida says, “Wait here and I’ll see if I can convince the Commander to let you go down now.”
Cressida leaves you and walks over to Commander Merrin who’s still overseeing the other maidens as they assess the patients. The pair share a whispered conversation, during which Merrin glances over at you several times.
Several minutes pass before Commander Merrin finally slowly nods to Cressida. The Field Marshall nods in return before quickly moving back over to you, seemingly afraid the Commander will change her mind.
“Okay,” Cressida says to you. “Commander Merrin will let you go down now, but I have to go help retrieve the Abadarans and Sarenites. It was the best compromise I could make. I hope you’ve been thorough in your search up here.”
Cressida escorts you to the lift before saying, “Good luck down there. I’m guessing you’ll need it.”
With a final nod and wave, Cressida leaves you next to the cargo lift. For the moment, all is silent and you are alone.
As they went down Kalem closed his eyes. He was weak. Caged to his flesh. Limited by his humanity. It was like an anchor, pulling him down. The city might well die because of his limitations.
He opened his eyes and he could *see*. His cursed blood ran hot through his veins. He had demanded to see through Invisibility and now he could. Moreso, he felt his ancestor’s raw power. Protecting him. Making him as he *should* be. He smiled as he lifted his hammer. ”I am ready.”
Zamanda attempts to get the switch working even though the button on the lift has been removed.
It takes Zamanda a few tries, but she’s eventually able to get the lift headed down. The ropes stretch and the gears turn as you descend below the first floor of the Hospice. It’s tight quarters as you descend. It seems the lift isn’t meant to fit five people at a time. A few dozen feet after you begin your descent, the cargo lift comes to a stop as it finally touches solid ground.
Darkness engulfs the room beyond the lift, save for the area brightened by Ilsa’s Light spell. Ilsa's spell faintly illuminates the scuffed stone walls of the chamber that have been plastered over and then decorated with lurid murals of skeletons cavorting among the dead of a Korvosa that has completely succumbed to blood veil.
Simple wooden doors lead to the north and south, each bearing a painting of a scythe-wielding skeleton. A sizable set of double doors stands on the east wall, appearing in the mural as a massive set of double doors opening into the pyramid foundation of Castle Korvosa. Two more scythe-wielding skeletons decorate these large doors.
All of you can see light streaming from the cracks of all the doors leading out of the room, though the room itself is dark save for Ilsa’s light.
As the lift reaches the basement floor, Bashiel utters a prayer to Osiris for protection. After the previous Urgathoan warren, he fully expects this basement to be crawling with all manner of horrors. At the bottom, he draws his longsword and steps out of the lift, scanning the dimly lit basement for traps or other threats.
He whispers. "They've even thought to decorate. How... disgustingly bold of them."
”Everone needs a hobby.” Kalem said as he walked alongside Bashiel. ”Let’s keep pressing ahead. Unlikely to be trapped given how they need to move along here themselves. Let’s see if the doctor can still be found.”
”That’s why they made them.” Kalem said back, quietly. ”Just to unnerve us. It’s a simple trick, no? But remember, we are hunting them. They are the ones who should be afraid of us. Between both of our Claws, we’ll be fine.” He finished, trying to reassure her.
Varor grits his teeth at the gleeful display of death. Listening to Kalem only tightens his nerves. “Kalem, there is a lot wrong with everything you just said. This is not the time or the place to be making ill-conceived jokes. And this is not some intimidation tactic. Read the room, why would it be?”
|
|
Though distracted by the animated murals, Ilsa can feel a breath on the back of her neck and almost jumps as she hears a voice speak. It is a voice that inspires fear...one from beyond the grave.
We can work together, you and I. You need my power, and I need your help. As a token of goodwill, you will notice there are traps on the north and east doors. The paladin just missed them...
Ilsa holds up a hand, her eyes wide. "Traps..." she says, pointing.
Ilsa isn't sure what the trap is, but she knows it's magical in nature - not something a typical thief would be able to dismantle.
Ignoring Varor’s reprimands, Kalem shrugged his shoulders. ”I’d rather be lighthearted that sad, or scared. None of it changes our situation, so I choose to be happy. Or at least happier. Anyways, Varor, if that trap is magical is there anything you could do about it? Maybe ask your goddess to safeguard us?”
“Not unless one of us feels like triggering the trap.”
Kalem frowned. ”Can anyone summon something? Something magical to trigger the trap? Otherwise just be ready to heal me when I open it.”
Zamanda can see in the dark, so she isn't really worried about the darkness, but she pulls out her Ioun torch and sets it going so that the others can see better.
Erm, I can summon a swarm, or a couple of little tiny creatures like housecats or skunks. Would that do it?
He looks dubiously towards the trapped doors and whispers "Even if you think you're tough enough to weather any traps Kalem, they might be noisy enough that every nearby cultist will converge on us."
"Better we try the south first, if we can't deal with these."
Even working together, you’re not able to determine the specifics of how the trap works.
"Yes, lets. We can work out the rest later." Bashiel steps quietly over to the southern door and puts an ear up against it to try to hear if there are cultists on the other side.
After a moment to prepare if there are, he opens the way south.
Zamanda makes sure her bowstring is taut and ready, and follows Bash in.
-
Bashiel hears the sound of shuffling feet on the other side of the southern door in the moment before he opens it. Inside, he sees four apparent cultists. All are armed and ready for a fight, but look surprised as the paladin presents himself. They apparently hadn’t been expecting the door to open at that moment, and so lose the element of surprise.
Zamanda leans to the side of Bashiel, shooting around him into blue.
(point-blank, rapid shot)
Unfortunately, Bash is just too burly to fire around, and her arrows glance off the doorway.