Harbug dodges to the side, clearing Shabbezz' line of fire, then begins a flurry of vicious swings at the bug, leaving huge gashes and spurts of bloody goo with each strike.
;
;
The last shriezyx was buried under a combination of attacks, and fell in a collapsed heap. The spiny legs curled under the body and it lay still, with fluid leaking out. Other than the dead shriezyx and yourselves, the only thing in the oval room was the altar or shrine, with the black shard laying in one of the points of the seven-pointed star carved into the stone.
Zaph breathes a sigh of relief as the monster falls, and heals Jakscar with his remaining spell.
He then gets excited about the altar and is torn between administering further healing for the poison damage and rushing up to inspect the object on the shrine. "Could that be it?" he says excitedly.
Once the creature collapses, Jakscar slumps to his knees, exhausted. As Zaph's divine power rushes into him, Jakscar feels muscles knit and his body create more blood to replace that which he had lost, and slowly raises his head. "Well that hurt! Could someone help me get out of this web, i'm not sure i have the energy left."
He then works a potion out of his sash and drains it, more wounds healing as it does it's work.
Angelica recovers her dropped weapons, and works to help Jaks extricate himself from the webbing with either claw or knife, whichever helps more. Meanwhile, she nods in the direction of the symbol in the middle of the room, "Well, my shard is telling me that the other one is right there." She smirks at her own humor while winking at Harbug.
Then her eyes go wide and she yells, "Wait! I haven't thoroughly checked this room for any dangers beyond these big nasty bug things." She stops helping Jakscar and circles the dais, looking at both it, and the walls of the chamber.
"Well, everything looks safe. The only protection must have been these bastards. Fat lot of good that did them, right?" She pats Jaks on the shoulder, to indicate how well he did against them.
At the mention of it being safe, Zaphomil cannot restrain himself any longer. He rushes up to the altar and reverently picks up the next shard.
As you pick up the shard, you feel a tingling in your hands. The shard belongs to you. to you, and no one else. In fact, most of the treasure from this place should go to you. After all, if it wasn't for your timely spells and healing magic, the others would never have made it this far. You resolve to bring that up when the treasure is sold and the proceeds passed out. Speaking of which, you notice a paucity of jewelry on your person. You deserve to be decked out with gems as colorful as your gnomish hair. After all, gnomes like to make an impression.
Zaphomil's eyes go impossibly wide as he examined the shard in his hands. Nodding affirmative, he keeps it clutched tight in his hands and smiles. "Well, I've got what I came for. Gather up any other treasure in this chamber, and we should head out."
"So it's genuine?" Shabbezz questions the priest as she approaches him. "I'd like to have a look for myself, if you don't mind."
"It's as genuine as I am." He holds it out, but snatches it back before too long. "That's enough. Are we going?" He looks ready to move out.
"Careful, it's stuck to my fur! Ouch don't pull it out! What have you done to me, I'm going to need a decent haircut when we get out of here, rather than this, this butcher's job! Ok, ok that's enough, I'll get the barber to remove the rest."
Collecting his weapons and trying his best to rub the blood and ichor from his armour and weapons with a rag. Jakscar prepares to move out.
A cat-like snicker comes from around Harbug's head. "Hey, remember, those shards do funny things to people's heads until they've got the stone in them--let's get Zaphomil and the shard back to the manor ASAP."
"Fine, let's just hope we can get out of here without any more setbacks," she replies to the orc.
Ahh, geez, Whiskers, quit your fussing. You can take a hit, but can't deal with a little hair pulling, you pus... snicker... wimp. When Zaph grabs the shard, Angelica eyes him warily, "Yeah, Buggy, don't know if we warned them adequately. Them shards can get all up in your head, trust me. The sooner we get back the better. Besides, we got it, that's what we came for, so now we can get out of this blasted pillar." Knowing haste is recommended when dealing with the shards, she recovers her dropped weapons, and heads out of the place by the fastest route possible. Most likely, it is the tunnel to the sewers.
The trip back to the Pathfinder Lodge was relatively uneventful, especially compared to the adventures of the last few days. It was a long trek, made longer by the bags of gear and artifacts that you had found in your explorations of The Crow and its lower levels. Zaphomil made sure that every piece was taken with you, and he inventoried it as you walked, occasionally stopping to pull and item out and ask Angelica how much she thought it was worth.
One outside of the sewers and into the clean air f the city above, you realize that it is night time. Questioning a nearby watchman gets you some strange looks, as well as the information that it is about 2 hours after sundown...nearing 10 o'clock. From there it was simply a matter of trudging across most of the city, a goodly distance in the best of conditions, which these weren't.
Tired, sore, and ready to collapse into a bed, you finally reached the Heidmarch manner and announced yourselves. The steward led you straight to a side room - not the plush library you had destroyed only a few days before, but a more rustic room better suited for dingy adventurers and mugs of splashing ale. That latter came quickly enough, along with a platter of sliced chicken and root vegetables.
"The Countess had just retired, but she will be with you shortly. Is there anything else you need? Healing, perhaps, or a curse broken? The laundry bit is obvious, and someone will be by your rooms later to clean those garments. At your expense, of course." The steward didn't wait for any response before leaving.
About fifteen minutes later, Shiela Heidmarch walked in. Her normally exquisite attire had been replaced by a comfortable robe and house slippers, both still of high quality. The excitement in her eyes was plain as she immediately asked, "What do you have to report? Did you find it?"
Zaphomil jumps in the front of the line as the food is brought out and he immediately takes the best cuts and portions on his plate.
When the steward tries to leave, Zaph speaks up, affronted. "My expense? After I march all the way into the ancient ruins of Thassilon, extract some of the greatest secrets and treasures lost to time, get extraordinarily filthy doing so, and you're going to make me pay for my own laundry? I'll have your job for this!"
He settles down a bit by staking his claim to the last of the food on the table. When Heidmarch arrives, he eyes her suspiciously. "Perhaps."
"We got it, and Zaphomil is currently under its power. I hope you have another stone ready, if he doesn't get to take one of those, he'll probably take everything else in this building that isn't nailed down. Right now he's worse than our Angel" Harbug looks at Angelica and winks with a wry smile playing on his lips.
"Yes, the sooner that thing's where it belongs, the better," Shabbezz concedes, eyeing the gnome.
"Yes, well I have done some research, and I think I now know which ioun stones mix with which shards. This shard is the shard of greed, I believe. It takes a pale blue rhomboid like the one I have here." She held out the stone to Zaphomil. "Here, why don't you take this and see if it fits?"
Zaphomil scoffs. "Shard of greed? So I presume you think that my simply expecting to be compensated for my considerable efforts in keeping this lot alive and whole to be mere greed? Oh, think that if you like, but if it hadn't been for my magics, we'd be dragging out a number of corpses rather than a sizable amount of treasure. Treasure that, in light of my contributions, deserve to go to me."
He snatches the stone out of Sheila's hands and appraises it in his own. "Hmph. An acceptable trinket, and only partial payment for my services, certainly."
Taking several steps back, he compares the shard and the blue rhomboid stone. "Will this stone fit in this depression here? If it increases the shard's power, I can definitely see if it's worthy of my--" he trails off when the stone clicks into place on the shard.
Zaphomil stares at the combined artifact for several seconds. "Wow."
After waiting a bit while Zaphomil stares in wonder at the altered shard, Shabbezz sidles up to one of her remaining teammates and whispers out of the corner of her mouth:
"I take it he's been 'deactivated?'"
"Well, since he shut his mouth, probably so." Harbug smiles a bit and looks at the cleric. "Congratulations! You can now help triangulate the next shard's location! After we get some sleep I think."
As soon as Zaphomil slots the ioun stone into the shard, his increasingly haughty and greedy demeanor changes. Before everyone's eyes, the gnome reverts back to his normal, somewhat humble, personality.
Internally, Zaphomil feels attuned to the shard in a way that he hadn't when it was without its stone. He intuitively grasped its innate powers, and a sense of wonder flitted through his mind at the possibilities. Even so, the thought of parting from the shard made him feel somewhat sick to his stomach.
Congratulations! You are now bonded to the Shard of Greed.
The Shard of Greed is made of black adamantine. As long as the Shard of Greed is carried, its owner can use haste as a spell-like ability once
per day, gains a +2 insight bonus on saves versus transmutation spells, and gains a +1 insight bonus on attack rolls.
You also have a pale blue rhomboid permanently attached to the shard. It may not be the best bonus for you, but this isn't about maxing bonuses, is it?
His mind and body exhausted from the last couple of fights, Jakscar offers little on returning to the lodge, even failing to react much to the obvious change in his friend's character. His ears prick up at the sight of the food and his nose twitches at the smells and yet he struggles to eat much. A smile crosses his face when the gnome is returned to his usual self, and at Harbug's comment he stands and stretches.
" Sleep yes, I think I need my beauty sleep after Angelica's disgraceful attempt at a trim and the attempt of those arachnids to remove my shoulder forcibly. I am sure I will be ready again tomorrow, for restocking our supplies and the next shard."
Before she lets you trundle off to bed, the Venture Captain asked for at least the highlights of your recent travels into the Crow. She was amazed to hear about the derros, and looked thoughtful at mention of the shriezyx. She mumbled something about needing to talk to the Mayor before allowing you to head off to your rooms for a well-deserved rest.
As you collapsed into your beds, each of you could not help but think about your adventures over the last few days, and wonder at what might be coming in the near future.
Congratulations! We have (finally) finished the first module of the Shattered Star AP.
I want to thank everyone who stuck with this over the last 3 years. I've learned a lot as a GM, and had a lot of fun doing it.
Let me know in the OOC thread or via PM as soon as possible whether or not you plan on continuing with this AP. I have all the materials ready to start the next chapter, but I want to make sure everyone is ready to go before I move on. Once I know who all is staying, I'll give you a full breakdown on loot and give you a chance to resupply.
After staring in silence at the shard, he then perks back up. "That was amazing! It felt so natural! I was under the influence of an ancient Thassilonian relic! How singularly unique!"
He paces back and forth as he draws an understanding of the state's power by just possessing it. "The shard of greed, I see. Using its power, I can give everyone a boost of speed -- making time seem to slow for everyone under its effects. Quite useful, I'd imagine." He looks at everyone. "And it might make up for my earlier comments when I was feeling... greedy." He looks somewhat abashed for a moment, but his usual excitement returns quickly.
The next day dawned, and you find yourselves rested and refreshed. The healing potions and curatives provided by the Lodge's majordomo seemed to have done the trick, with none of you worse for the experience in the Crow barring a bit of stiffness.
Around lunchtime, the steward came to each of you with a request to attend the Venture Captain for lunch. Present at the table alongside Shiela Heidmarch was an oily-looking man whose bearing and clothing screamed merchant sycophant. Opposite him lKoriah Azmeren - whom you had previously seen on your first audience in the Venture Captain's study - leaned casually on a chair, an appraising look in her eyes.
The table was empty of food, and held only a large drawstring purse, placed elegantly in front of the merchant.
Shiela motioned you to take a seat, and Koriah sat as well. Before anyone could say a word, however, the smarmy man spoke.
"Lord-Mayor Grobaras wishes to thank the Pathfinders responsible for determining the source of our citizens' diappearance, and putting paid to those scandalous rumors that the City Watch has little to no feelings for those unfortunate enough to go missing, either through their own capacity or another's. This mystery has hounded the city for months, and we at the Lord-Mayor's office are glad to finally have it put to rest. We wish to offer this gift as a token of our gratitude, and a reminder to all citizens of Magnimar that no one is beneath the notice - nor care - of the Lord-Mayor's office."
He pushed the purse gently towards the nearest of you, and you could hear the clinking sounds of coins within the plush bag.
The Venture Captain said, "Martellus here is very concerned about the citizenry, as you can tell. Please, take his gift in the spirit in which it was offered."
Martellus stood, bowed deeply, and then left the dining room.
Koriah smirked, and said, "I'll wager my sword against that purple bag of coins that more than a few platinum fell out while he was counting them. Still, it was a decent gesture, and I am a cynical b@*+@, so there you go. I also have something for you, though in not quite as nice of a package as Master Greaseball, Esquire there. Lord Canavan - you know, the Venture Captain's husband? - has heard of your findings in the crow and is hurrying back to Magnimar as fast as magic and ship can take him. He's been interested in Thalassion ruins for ages, and hopes to learn as much as he can before others beat him to it. He sent word by magical messenger that I am to offer you 4000 gold pieces to split, plus a single item from his personal stores for each of you if you will document everything you remember from the ruins. That means everything - entrances, traps, frescoes, tapestries, anything at all. Deal?"
As Zaph addresses his previous behavior, Angelica waves it off, "Don't you worry none about how that shard made you act, you little cherub." She gives his cheek a light and playful pinch. "I know what it's like. The shard I carry is Pride. Now just imagine how much of a b#$*$ I was with that influence over me before the magic stone put it in check." She cocks her head toward Harbug and Shabbezz, as if to say, 'just ask these guys'.
---------------
Angelica, more at ease in clean clothes and a fresh night's rest, leans back casually with her feet up on any furniture she's allowed to rest them on. Her eyes widen with glee as she sees and hears the heavy bag being pushed across the table. Given her laid-back positioning, she wasn't close enough to snatch up the bag before one of the others grabbed it, but that didn't mean she lost interest.
She smiles at the way Koriah interprets the irritating man, giving the woman a knowing wink. Yet when the woman tells of the offer for the telling of what they found, her mouth goes agape. She has been learning that this line of work, albeit a long sight more dangerous, is well worth some hearty coin. Besides, the burglar business just got to be a little boring, and she always loves a challenge. "Sugar-pie, I will draw the hell out of every cobwebbed corner of that bug-infested pillar for a reward like that." Then with a point of order she reminds the others, "Don't forget guys, we need to inform poor Liza Jane about the brooch we found of her 'long-lost' husband Lockerbie." She adds a little wink toward Jaks for being the one that had accepted the offer.
"Well, I suppose I'm happy to tell you what we saw in there, and, at the very least, to warn the venture captain to bring a few men with him--at least one of the derro could still be in there." Harbug looks at the purple bag, clearly interested, and waits to tell what he recalls of the last few days.
Before she heads to bed that evening, Shabbezz arranges her writing tools and a fresh sheet of parchment in front of her spellbook and opens one of her scrolls, settling in to copy the spell to her spellbook.
With a smile of satisfaction she closes the book and prepares for a well-earned night's rest.
*****************************
The next morning before breakfast but after washing up, Shabbezz spends her customary hour memorizing her spells for the day.
*****************************
"The terms are more than acceptable," Shabbezz comments to all present. "It's my personal belief that you'll find what we've discovered so far quite interesting."
"For that money I would even have a go at doing the drawing, but to be honest you don't want that, believe me! I will however help the others, but although i am a brilliant swordsman, I am no artist!"
"But of course Angelica, I may be a rogue on the relationship front, after all who wouldn't when you look this good, but even I wouldn't stand in the way of true love."
With the excitement of the rewards, and the sheer pleasure of ransacking Lord Canayvan's personal treasure room, the details of the shard now in Zaphomil's possession were sort of...disregarded. Still, the gnome occasionally felt its pull when he looked upon a bejeweled weapon, or saw the trunks filled with coin. It was a queasy sort of feeling. And Not one that he was used to.
Eventually, everything settled down and it was time for Them to seriously consider the next steps. The venture captain was anxious that they move on to collecting shard. The troubled look on her face showed that she had other information in hand that she was unwilling to share at the moment.
Concentrating on the shard, and opening himself up to it, Zaphomil sought the location of the next shard. In his mind's eye, he saw a vision of a towering statue. It was a statue of a beautiful woman holding aloft a stone scepter, standing atop a bluff surrounded by a tangled seaside swampland.
This site is a relatively well-known monument known as the Lady's Light. It is a towering 200 foot tall statue looming at the southwestern most point of the mainland of Varisia. The image of the statue is known to many, and sailors often use it as a lighthouse of sorts as it denotes the presence of several dangerous reefs and rock Scholes, but the monument itself is relatively mysterious. The swamps and marshland surrounding the area are known to house numerous tribes of boggards, troglodytes, and other monsters. The ladies light is just over 50 miles away from Magnimar as the crow flies, but approaching it on foot or by sea presents different hurdles.
"I was planning on transcribing my notes and documenting our exploration anyway! I look forward to sharing my experiences with him!"
Zaph describes his vision in detail, perhaps a bit colorfully and with an almost lecherous grin as he relates the statue's beauty.
"A lovely woman standing above the sea, holding a scepter. I don't know if I've heard of that landmark."
"It sounds like the Lady's Light," Shabbezz interjects. "It's a large statue about 200 feet high located southwest of the mainland, 50 miles from the city as the crow flies; sailors use it as a landmark to avoid dangerous reefs and shoals. The swamps and marshlands surrounding the area are a haven for tribes of boggards, troglodytes, and other monsters. Just getting there is going to prove a challenge whether we approach by land or sea."
"Ah yes, another of the famous Thassilonian monuments. As Shabbezz says, it is not quite as easy a trek as it might seem. The shoals around the Lady's Light are indeed treacherous, and most captains wouldn't even consider landing you there for any payment. Going overland makes the trip last for a couple of weeks at least, and the lands are treacherous."
"We might see if we can find a captain to drop you off near the Lady's Light, just north of the shoals, but bypassing all but the southernmost edge of the moors. That would be the best of both worlds, giving a short initial travel and minimal time in the swamplands."
"I'm no expert regarding the lands surrounding the monument. We have several books and treatises on it, I believe, but nothing too recent. There's only one person I know of in Magnimar that could be considered an expert on the area, though I am afraid he's not exactly a reliable resource."
"His name is Jasper Kandamerous, and if he is in a lucid state, he could certainly be a good information resource for you. Unfortunately, he didn't deal with the blows life handed him very well, and I am afraid his mind broke with the strain. On good days, you can find him at Beacon's Point, arguing a bit of philosophy or offering his talents as guide. On bad days...well, he'll be in Beacon's Point one way or another."
" Right, well no time like the present. I know Beacon's Point and it sounds like we may need a few visits if we are to catch him sober."
"Well then let's go find the man; we can do some shopping while we're out and about. I want to pick up a few things with some of this cash."
Angelica raises an eyebrow, "We got to talk to this guy, but let's not forget Liza Jane while we're out."
"Angelica's right, we did make a deal with Lockerbie Brast. Perhaps we should attend to that matter first."
Zaph nods. "Sure, let's take care of both those errands before we charter our ship."
Zaphomil, with the aid of Anglelica and Shabbezz, spent several hours trying to find Liza Jane. Starting at the docks at the Bazaar of Sails, you made your way through the press of leaning buildings to an area in Beacon's Point known as Washer's Row. The entire area reeks of chemicals and soaps used for everything from clothing to ship sails.
There, you came across a young woman named Elizabeth. When you explained who you were and what your mission was, she burst into tears.
"Liza Jane's my ma. She died about 5 years ago. We never knew what happened to da, though o' course we figgered it to be a shipwreck. Either that, or he took up with some floozy in Riddleport, my ma always said. It's break her heart to know he died just a stone's throw away. How'd you come by this brooch anyhow?"
"I'm so sorry to hear that. We came across him in some ruins. Looks like he spent his last days there, painting and pining for his lost wife. It was obvious that there was no floozy, I can tell you that," Zaph says diplomatically, leaving out a particularly distressing detail.
"Thank you for that. It's very kind of you to bring this back. Can I offer you a reward? I don't have much money, but I could clean some clothes, or do some mending...?"
"Quite unnecessary, ma'am. A good deed is its own reward and all that."
Shabbezz looks meaningfully at her companions, eager to leave now that their bargain is fufilled.
Zaph nods in agreement with Shabbezz, eager to move on and avoid any further uncomfortable questions.
