Kip follows Sootscales to the hatch. Some sort of root cellar? Do you think that this is the only entry?
While his curiosity has driven him to this point, Kip gets the feeling that his luck is beginning to run short.
I can't be sure that the spell upon the door has not already given away our presence. An ambush may await us if we proceed. I urge caution.
If this is the only entrance, couldn't we just stack enough bales upon the hatch to make it impossible to open and then one of us can go and fetch the others?
Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor...
Where is yourr courage halfling...? Sootscales hisses, a grin on his face. Listening carefully to the hatch... Sootscales continues- I hear voices down there, distant. It sounds like this hatch leada to a long corridor. We should listen in no?... he says, beginning to carefully open the hatch.
Kip nods in agreement, but before Sootscales opens the hatch Kip examines the hatch for traps.
He also casts again and concentrates upon the hatch and beyond.
If nothing is amiss, he watches as the hatch is opened, drawing his wand of Mirror Image in anticipation...
The hatch shows no sign of being trapped, and it opens slowly with a quiet creaking sound. It leads into an underground corridor, apparently freshly hewn out of the earth and held up mostly by sturdy wooden supports. You and Sootscales creep through the tunnel for some time, it seems to beabout several hundred feet; until the voices you hear in the distance become more apparent. A harsh, coarse female voice becomes fully audible to you as you approach a corner, evidently leading into a well lit room. Not wanting to risk being seen, Sootscales holds up his hand up for you to halt and you listen for a moment...
... done well, and you shall be rewarded. We approach the end of our ritual, my sisters... With this blood, taken from the High Priest himself, we seal his fate! Let this blessed agent of Gyronna go forth and end his miserable life, and let him be the first of many to fall! With the aid of our dear sponsor here and our agent inside the castle... there is a high pitched cackling of approval from multiple voices we will bring down the leaders of this nation and have the people at each other's throats by the end of the month!
Kip's mouth drops agape at the revelations of the cult's intentions. Realizing that delaying may cost him the chance to disrupt the cult's nefarious plans and possibly cost Jhod his life, Kip decides to act.
Kip casts message on Soots and himself.
Kip stows his wand of MM and instead draws and uses his wand of enlarge person on Soots (if he will benefit from, and wishes to be, enlarged??).
He then stows his wand of enlarge person and draws and uses his wand of mirror image on himself . He then stows his wand and retrieves a flask of alchemical fire.
Kip instructs Soots that we should enter the room and if there is another exit, for Soots to block escape by it and attempt to sneak attack any cultists who flee. Kip is intending on casting create pit under as many as the cultists as is possible and focusing on the head cultist and/or the unknown "agent".
If there isn't another exit then Soots should stick close to this tunnel, attacking those that get too close and be prepared to flee back to the hatch and attempt to block escape by stacking hay bales on the hatch.
In either case Soots should wait for Kip to attack first in case their only option is to retreat and blockade the hatch.
Time to prove my mettle... let us go and show them what the people of Kardas are made of... For Kardas!
Kip retrieves and consumes his potion of bestow grace and then casts vanish on himself and Soots (2nd this time) .
With that Kip proceeds around the corner as quietly as he can to get a look at what he faces...
Sootscales declines the enlarge person, but accepts the vanish spell. Before you cast Vanish on him, he quickly sabotages several of the wooden supports, tying a sturdy rope to the sabotaged supports and trailing it further down the tunnel towards the ladder and the hatch.
Before we do this... If odds look overwhelming, shout "For Karrdas!" We'll run and collapse this tunnel on the way out...
Sootscales then does something rather odd. He scurries away for a moment, and when he returns he has discarded what appears to be a false belly, revealing that he actually in prime physical condition. He grins.
Best to keep every man thinking I am past my best, Mikmek tells me...
You cast Vanish on yourself and Sootscales and round the corner, two brave and small heroes ready to meet your maker, if the fates will it...
Stealth
Rounding the corner, you can see that is another freshly created chamber in the earth; a box shaped room, forty by forty feet. Seven women dressed in shabbles and holding daggers are stood around what seems to be some kind of binding or summoning circle. They each openly wear a holy symbol of Gyronna; a bloodshot eye, around their necks. In the middle of the circle, balanced on the end of three fingers, is a giant, disembodied hand; pale and pulsing with negative energy. Its bigger than you are, about the size of a well-built man. Just outside of the circle, stands a woman known to Kardas as 'Goodwife Niska', a middle-aged and jolly midwife, known to have been abandoned by her family years before in Brevoy. She is clad in full breastplate armour, her greying hair tied up into a severe hairstyle. Five torches in sconces illuminate the room, and the attention of the seven cultists is fixed on Niska- who is holding up a small jar of blood aloft and chanting as she prepares herself to anoint the giant hand with it. On the far side of the chamber, a simple stone altar with a globe shaped gemstone sits. In the two far corners of the room, two more individuals stand, watching. One is the orator Grigori, looking somewhat bored by the whole ritual and fidgeting with his fine clothes in the dirty chamber. Another is the sister of Kressle and a companion of the original Guardians; Karina, Jhod Kavken's personal assistant. She looks a little unsure of herself, but watches the ceremony nevertheless. She was dressed in dark robes and wore a hood, but she has now revealed her face. She too, wears a symbol of Gyronna. Above the circle, moonlight also illuminates the room somewhat from a large opening in the ceiling...
Kip tries to determine the nature of the summoning circle and if he can interfere with the cult's plans.
It appears that this is some kind of magic circle, focused inward and designed to stop the giant hand from following its simple undead nature and attacking the cultists. Disrupting the line of powdered silver would break the effect, but you don't surmise you have long. You get the impression when the blood is poured on the hand, the circle will become irrelevant.
Kip, realizing that he doesn't have much time to act, moves immediately to break the continuity of the summoning circle.
Once at the circle he uses his foot to wipe away a section of the powedered silver dust... hoping to release the abomination contained within upon the cultists.
(1-50 You)
As Malgorzata is about to pour the blood onto the hand, with the circle disrupted, the hand wastes no time in lunging for the cultist leader next to you, raking through her breastplate with pus-filled fingernails and latching onto her. Panic begins to ensue in the room; nobody expect you and Sootscales were expecting anything like this.
Hit
Damage
Grapple Success (Both grappled)
Malgorzata is grappled by the hand, but still clutches onto the jar of blood in her hands, seemingly about to smash it onto the hand. In the screams of the cultists and Malgorzata's cries of pain, Sootscale's whispered message reaches your eyes clearly and is heard by no one else.
Come, Kip, lets get out of here quickly! Should I rescue Karina?
Kip, realizing the possible ramifications if Niska is able to use the blood upon the hand still, summons a spell to mind that allows him to attempt to propel the vial of blood from her hand.
He also messages Soots, The vial of blood... we must take it away from her!
The jar flies away from Malgorzata, smashing against the wall behind her. She screams in fury and rage at you as you are revealed, and her cultists begin to draw daggers...
We must flee, Kip! Sootscales hisses, appearing behind a nearby cultist with a dagger in her back, dropping the corpse and gesturing to the tunnel.
Sootscales
Karina
Grigori
Cultists
Malgorzata
Hand
Grapple maintain
Damage
The giant hand maintains its hold on Malgorzata, cutting her once more with foul fingernails...
Karina freezes, recognising Sootscales... and begins to shriek in anguish. Grigori moves over to her, quickly drawing a scroll from his cloak and reading it- summoning a phantom steed in front of him.
Karina is my puppet now, you fools! Grigori taunts you as he begins to make good his escape.
Realizing they can't do any more at this time, or prevent Grigori from leaving without great risk to their lives, Kip agrees to flee back down the tunnel with Soots... collapsing the tunnel and making for the surface.
Kip smiles, knowing that he has helped protect the people of Kardas from harm this night. He pats Soots on the back as they exit the tunnel via the hatch.
Well done my friend! I am a little disappointed to learn the belly is a sham though. I was indeed jealous! But don't worry, I'll keep your secret! winking at his comrade.
You and Sootscales flee, most of the cultists hard on your heels. Sootscales gives the rope a hard tug as he reaches the end of it..
And collapses the majority of the tunnel, burying the screaming Gyronna cultists alive. You find the hole leading into the main chamber several minutes later, but it seems you were too late to influence the battle further. You see no sign of Grigori, or Karina, but the giant hand lays dead in the pit, apparently cut to death. Counting the bodies and the number of cultists following you, it seems you shattered the whole cult, including Malgorzata who apparently bled to death after finishing off the hand...
A few hours after the Statkari meeting, Sootscales summons the whole council once more. Allowing Kip to tell the tale of their heroics this evening (omitting Sootscale's disguised belly of course), the overweight kobold speaks nothing but praise for the halfling.
** spoiler omitted **
Ilya, throughout the evening you mingle at Talamon's Taps. Some adventurous hunters struck west past the old witch's hut and into the forest on a unfruitful attempt to find the green dragon thats rumoured to live there; and they say they found an abandoned elven keep; but didn't want to go inside; they heard some rather disturbing shrieking noises and kept their distance. You mingle a little longer before the summons takes you back to Castle Swordhaven.
After relaying the message Malthir gives a short congratulations to Sootscales and Kip.
You have both done well. You have averted a grave threat to Kardas as well as to Jhod from what you tell me. Sootscales, you have again proven to us your worth and your mettle. This only reinforces that people often have unexpected parts to play in this kingdom, not many would have expected you to be a hero of the realm when we first met that day in the caves.
Kip, your arrival is a welcome surprise. You seem to have almost proven your worth as a Guardian within a single night, now we just have to survive the trolls and you will have earned your place as a candidate for Statkari!
Malthir looks to Jhod after this speech. He knows that he and Karina were "close".
He approaches him alone, later.
Jhod, I am sorry. I know she meant much to you. To be honest I had feelings for her as well, a long time ago...My heart and soul were with another women though so I did what I had to and pushed her away. Do you know why she would do this? Why she would turn away from us?Grigori has sealed his fate though. He is now a confirmed enemy of the realm and the next time I see him he will end up on the wrong side of my blade.
Are you okay though? What can I do to help my friend?
Jhod, I am sorry. I know she meant much to you. To be honest I had feelings for her as well, a long time ago...My heart and soul were with another women though so I did what I had to and pushed her away. Do you know why she would do this? Why she would turn away from us?Grigori has sealed his fate though. He is now a confirmed enemy of the realm and the next time I see him he will end up on the wrong side of my blade.
Are you okay though? What can I do to help my friend?
I... I am shocked, Malthir. She must have had to drain my blood as I slept... I cannot believe that she would sink to such depravity. I believe Grigori must have here under powerful enchantment magic for such a thing to have come to pass. I... I must reflect on this. Fenna, could you see what else you can find out about her fate and motivation when you get a chance?
Placing a hand on Kip's shoulder, the older priest says sternly.
I am in your debt, Kip. You are one of us now, that much is certain. I will find a way to repay you, I feel I must honour the risk you and Sootscales took.
"A magical compulsion of some kind would certainly fit with Grigori's words, and does not conflict with what I have learned," Fenna nods sympathetically to Jhod, "I shall of course do whatever I can do determine the truth of this, and a way to undo the man's vile influence over Karina."
"You have both indeed done well," she smiles gently to Kip and Sootscales, "putting a swift end to a threat greater than I had imagined could possibly sprout up so quickly within Swordhaven. Grigori may remain at large, but with his latest scheme foiled we have a chance to root him out before he regains his balance."
Casimir's face takes on a cold, concerned look at the mention of his sister-in-law.
"We have to get back there as soon as possible. No matter what her role in this, voluntarily or under magical compulsion, we must do everything we can to find Karina. Kalev may be able to track her. I only hope we will find her unharmed. If she is still in the company of Grigori, I feat the worst."
After relating the tale of the evening's activities, with heaps of praise for his comrade-in-arms "Soots", Kip's chest is bursting with pride . Kip bows in thanks to the praise given him by Malthir. I would be honored to accompany you, and the other Guardians, against the trolls.
In response to Jhod, Kip looks up and squarely into his eyes. I would do it again, friend, as I'm sure you would do for me. You owe me no debt. Friends watch out for each other... and expect nothing in return.
Kip adds his voice to those of Fenna and Casimir. My suspicion as well. Grigori referred to Karina as his puppet, and she seemed genuinely anguished when she saw Soots. Magical compulsion seems highly likely, I agree.
Grigori is now known, and proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, to be an enemy of Kardas! A reward should be posted for his capture! We should make all citizens of Kardas aware of his transgressions and enlist their aid in determining his location. At worst, this will severely impact his ability to operate within our borders without difficulty.
To Casimir Kip adds, I am truly sorry that we could not prevent Grigori from escaping with Karina. I agree that we should return to the scene. We should confirm the complete destruction of the cult. As well, there were also some items of interest left behind in the chaos, namely, a possible scying device that I spied upon their foul altar. If it is such a device, it could help explain how Grigori has had such intimate knowledge of the council members past actions.
I am highly doubtful that we will be able to track Grigori and Karina this evening though. He has a flying steed and many hours head start, but I will accompany you right now if you wish to go Casimir. Say the word and I am with you...
Detect Magic
Create Pit
Vanish
Vanish
Detect Magic
Message
Vanish
Vanish
Mage Hand
Kalev is one of the last to arrive, and it is obvious he was outside of the town, as his clothing is covered in dust and sweat. After hearing Kip's report, he nods, grimly.
I can try looking for tracks, but if indeed he is one a flying steed, there is naught I can do. But I agree, alerting the citizens of Kardas to this threat is prudent. Also, we should try to find any surviving members of the cult and have a public display of justice. I cautioned against judging anyone on their beliefs alone last we talked, but these women have acted upon their faith and against the good of Kardas.
Casimir gears up, and is ready to move out in a few minuts. Kressle is with him, looking extremely anxious about her sister.
On the way to the barn, If he used a phantom steed to escape he could be in Pitax by now for all we know. We should search for any clue as to his origin but I doubt we will find anything. Obviously Gregori is a spy for another kingdom, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered coming back.
I see we have a couple of options. First we can take Malgorzata's body and through the power of divine magic speak with her corpse to find out what she knew about the man. Second we can try to use magic to scry upon Karina to possibly locate her, although that magic is pretty limited. There might be other magic that I am unaware of that could help locate her as well.
@Kip, Agreed, posters with Gregori's likeness should be placed around the Kingdom and a reward for information about him posted. This will at least make people aware of what he really stood for and what type of criminal he is.
Investigation of the hole leading to the main chamber just outside of the city grounds reveals no survivors. Most of the cultists were slain by the collapsed tunnel, whereas 'Goodwife Niska' seems to have been killed by the hand and bled out. You do manage to recover Malgorzata's equipment, consisting of-
+1 Breastplate
+1 Heavy Steel Shield
Masterwork Dagger
Hag’s Shabble
76GP.
[i]Kalev is confident there are no tracks or footprints around the hole itself- it seems Grigori and Karina were the only ones to escape.
Kip gingerly pokes the enormous undead hand with his walking stick asking, Anyone have any idea what this is exactly?
Kip also checks to see if the globe shaped gemstone still sits upon the altar in the corner.
This magic item first appeared
in Gods and Magic. A set of rags and
tattered robes, a hag’s shabble grants a
+2 bonus on Diplomacy and Intimidate
checks. If you are a
worshiper of Gyronna,
you may use the
shabble to cast detect
thoughts (CL 3rd) once
per day. It is worth 3,400 gp.
Remember that unless your willing to actively seek Gyronna followers,your going to be unlikely to be able to sell this.
Other than the hand being a giant and pus-filled undead hand, Malthir knows little of such a thing.
Casimir eyes the unholy magic item in disgust.
"I say we destroy this, so it will not fall into the wrong hands."
Kip wrinkles up his nose at the shabble. Agreed. We should also have this area consecrated to remove the unholy taint, the foul alter destroyed and the entire hole and tunnel filled back in.
Still upon the altar, you find a fist sized, globe shaped gemstone.
Kip picks up the gemstone and turns it over in his hand. I wonder what something like this is worth? he exclaims fascinated by the sheer size of the large gem.
Here is the plan I am submitting for this month:
.
Strategy: Expand the Kingdom 2 hexes, Complete a Cathedral at Vierkirche!
.
.
Upkeep:
Start with 1 Unrest
Stability roll needed at +32-1 to beat Control DC 34
0 Consumption
Fill Magic Item Slots:
2 Minor & 1 Medium for SwordHaven:
1 Minor for Northgreen:
Improvement:
Vaysh becomes Queen of Kardas, but stays on in her role temporarily as Magister
Claim Hex A53, Claim Hex A9 *-2 BP*
Build a Cathedral at Vierkirche: +4 Loyalty, -4 Unrest *-29 BP*
Edicts: Promotion Increased to Standard, No change in BP but +1 Stability bonus
Income:
Starting Income: 31 BP
No deposits
No withdrawals
Sell Items:
2 Economy rolls needed at +XX to sell items:
Economy roll needed to generate Income at +XX
Events:
Event that occurred this month:
Ending Income: XX BP for the month.
Please let me know if you are good with this plan, I will need to know if there is an starting unrest for the month before we roll anything?
Kip wrinkles up his nose at the shabble. Agreed. We should also have this area consecrated to remove the unholy taint, the foul alter destroyed and the entire hole and tunnel filled back in.
Item 1: divine scroll of light - 12.5 gp
Item 2: potion/oil of remove fear - 50 gp
Item 3: arcane scroll of protection from arrows - 150 gp
Item 1: lesser metamagic (maximize) - 14000 gp
Kip picks up the gemstone and turns it over in his hand. I wonder what something like this is worth? he exclaims fascinated by the sheer size of the large gem.
1d20+2
Kip sheepishly toes a rock on the ground while mentioning, Well, I am a bit short on funds... I seem to spend more than I intend to most of the time... and I was hoping to at least replace the potion I used... and there is the matter of a wedding gift I need to purchase...
Kip mumbles to nobody in particular, Looks like a tidy sum indeed... Turning to the others he asks, What function do you think this gem fulfilled?
Casimir kicks the remains of the undead hand in frustration.
"You were right, Kip. This place will tell us nothing. Karina and Grigori could be anywhere by now, and getting further away for every minute we spend gawking at shiny baubles. Kressle and I are going to examine Karina's home. In the mean time, I want the city torn apart. Sootscale, have Mikmik and every other agent we can muster begin the search before an hour has passed. Start with the homes of these women. And tell Akiros to put the city guard on full alert."
With that, Casimir strides out of the room, accompanied by a fierce-looking Kressle, twin hatchets gleaming in her belt. If Grigori should happen to show his face, blood will flow.
Vaysh and Malthir are quite busy late this month making the final preparations for the wedding. A few things of interest from her:
Priest conducting the ceremony: Jhod
Best Man: Malthir's father Lendros
Groomsmen: Male Statkari and Casimir, Ilya, Kalev
Maid of honor: Vaysh's mother Celest
Bridesmaids: Females Statkari, Fenna, Kressle, Svetlana
Ushers: Mikmekk, Noleski, Kip, and several other boys of notes from noble families in SwordHaven and beyond.
Will take place on the 1st of Calistril, in the Grand Cathedral of Kardas.
More to come in the next couple of days in RL.
Kip holds the gem out for all to see. Anyone? Perhaps I'll take it Jhod and see what he makes of it...
-------------------------------------------------------------
It would be my honor to fulfill any duty you ask of me on your wedding day, lovely Vaysh! Kip bows deeply while replying.