"Why, thank you very much! Always nice to meet our fans," one of the performers says.
"Especially ones as lovely as you. That is a gorgeous outfit!" says another, eyeing Ema up and down.
"We don't get many surface-dwellers in the city. What brings you to Talasantri?"
Ema said to the first one, "Of course, I learned a long time ago to give credit and praise where it is due and I think your group is certainly deserving of it."
When the second one spoke to her, after having blatantly eyed Ema up and down, Ema said, "Why thank you, it was made for me by Lady Anemora after I saw how lovely her's was, she seems quite nice." She eyed the aquatic elf for a moment as well and said, "And you look pretty good yourself," with a wink.
Ema's gaze went to the third elf and she said, "Well we are part of a new colony on a nearby island, founded by Andoran, called Talmandor's Bounty. We've only just dealt with the most immediate problems to the area and are now working on reaching out and making connections to surrounding communities. We've met several in the immediate vicinity and were told about this city so here we are."
"I see. Well, you are welcome to watch our shows whenever you'd like--and I'm sure the other merchants and artists in town will appreciate your coin as well," the first elf says.
The second one smiles broadly. "It looks like you've already got a guide, but if you ever want somebody to show you the more, uh... adult areas of town, I'd be happy to be your escort. My name's Arvastan." He effects a somewhat graceful bow in the water.
Ema nodded to the first elf and said, "Oh absolutely, I've already been to see Derona's and found something there," her hand drifted up to the haircomb she wore, "and I plan to get around to other places as well if I can."
Shifting her focus back to the second aquatic elf Ema said, "Oh I just might take you up on that Arvastan," Ema giggled, "I like adult things like that." She looked back to where the others were and said, "but not right now. Still, you know now where I am staying so you can reach me there if you like. Now if you'll excuse me I think my friends are ready to get going," Ema stepped back and as she did her eyes flashed and she suddenly appeared next to Drecissa and Victrix looking at the door and said, "Shall we ladies?"
The three ladies depart the theater and begin to make their way further into the city. Suddenly, they hear a cry of pain from nearby! They see a merfolk grabbing at his neck. He tries to say something, but within a few seconds his face is contorting into a rictus grin, his tongue protruding grotesquely from his mouth.
A large jellyfish floats behind the merfolk, moving closer to its prey. It is a bit larger than the other jellyfish lanterns that provide illumination throughout the city streets, glows more dimly, and has a strange mark on its surface.
"Death's head jellyfish! It's extremely toxic!" Drecissa cries.
At the sudden attack on the merfolk by the jellyfish Ema reacted quickly and said, "Drecissa, can you help that person if we get that jellyfish away from them?" She didn't know if the woman could or not but it was worth asking. Meanwhile Ema's eyes flashed once as she converted some magic into her reservoir and then tore open a portal right behind the jellyfish. At first it seemed nothing was there it blended into the water so well but then she spoke in Aquan requesting aid from the gate and something lashed out at the jellyfish twice as cobalt blue eyes began to glow where her water elemental floated.
The first strike missed as the elemenalt realized it would hit the merfolk being attacked and drew back but the second came in hard and fast for the jellyfish.
Luckily, the jellyfish isn't very tough. The elemental's strike crushes it to pulp, leaving it floating limply through the water. Drecissa swims to the merfolk's side and reaches for her satchel, applying an herbal poultice to the man's wound to try to neutralize the poison.
Her efforts prove to be enough, and soon the merfolk's facial features relax and go back to normal. He seems shaken by the ordeal. "Thank you! If you hadn't happened along when you did, I would have been done for!"
Once he swims away, Drecissa turns back to Ema and Victrix with a worried look. "The death's head jellyfish is common in temperate and tropical waters, but extremely rare in tihs region. It's unlikely it swam into Talasantri on its own. Somebody must have brought it here. But who? And why?"
With the brutal splatting of the jellyfish completed Ema requested the elemental to gather up it's remains and take them back with it so the thing wouldn't hurt anyone on accident. The elemental began to whirl around into a small whirlpool and sucked the jellyfish remains in as Ema tore open the portal again to let it return home as she burbled her thanks in aquan.
With Drecissa having helped the merfolk survive the poisoning Ema gave him a smile as he thanked them and said, "Of course, I wouldn't leave someone to be harmed by something like," she shuddered at the thought of the stinging tentacles, "like that."
As the merfolk swam away and Decissa spoke about the rarity of the creature in this area Ema frowned concerned, "With all that in mind I agree," her delicate eyebrows furrowed as she considered the fact it just happened to be while they were here and said, "and what are the odds that it would just happen to appear near where we are and attack someone? Pretty poor I think...hmmm"
There was concern in her eyes as Ema said, "Given what brought us here I don't think this is a coincidence and it would be just like those slippery bastards to try something like this, a subtle attempt to get at us that wouldn't lead back to them." Ema looked to Drecissa, "Much as I would like to continue our exploration of the city I think we might be better off heading back to your home for now." She looked at Victrix, "What do you think Viki? You've been rather quiet this whole time."
Victrix quietly joins Ema wherever she goes.
The death's head jellyfish causes her to go for her axe, but it's squashed before she can do anything.
"What do you think Viki? You've been rather quiet this whole time."
"...just been quietly taking in the city. And not really trusting myself enough to not make things more awkward for people."
Not after that little incident getting in, anyway.
Drecissa leads you back to her mother's house. You share dinner with the merfolk family before retiring to the guest chambers for the night. Anemora provides you with weighted blankets of woven kelp to keep you from floating away from your beds as you settle in for the night. It is an interesting experience sleeping underwater--fortunately, your magic items continue to allow you to breathe even while asleep.
The next morning, over breakfast, Anemora informs you that she has arranged a meeting with Rillikamatai. You can head to the city hall now unless there is more you wanted to do within the city first.
Anemora nods. "Very well. Follow me."
The matronly mermaid leads you through the submerged streets until you reach a plaza in the center of the city, the edges of which are marked with four enormous pillars of spiraling ivory. Sandstone tiles infused with specks of gleaming gold cover the ground. Along one side of the plaza stretches a stone building, its front decorated with a relief showing an alliance of aquatic elves, cecaelias, merfolk, and other underwater creatures battling an enormous sea dragon.
Two aquatic elves stand guard in front of the entrance to the building, but Anemora sails past them without sparing them a glance and motions for you to follow. The guards seem intimidated by the mermaid and don't raise any objections as you make your way into Rillikimatai's office.
Inside, you find an elderly aquatic elf floating behind a stone desk, peering at an inscribed tablet. His white hair floats around his head like a nimbus. Resting against the wall behind him is a tall wooden staff encrusted with a spiral of tiny golden seashells. A blue gem glows faintly at the tip of the staff.
Anemora glides over and kisses the elf's cheeks. "Rillikimatai, darling, so good to see you! I have brought some newly arrived surface dwellers who say they must speak to you!"
The elderly elf eyes you curiously. "Indeed? Welcome to Talasantri, friends. How may I assist you?"
Ema was relieved to find that there were blankets to keep them weighted to the bed that night, something she would likely need badly, and foound the night of sleeping in the water rather...comfortable. It was a very different sensation than anything she'd experienced before and she was very glad that she had the opportunity to experience it. When she awoke the next morning she studied her spells for the day and then went to breakfast. The food was delicious and when they were done she agreed with Simon saying, "While I'd love to see more of your lovely city I agree with Simon, we need to be be about our mission if there is a chance to deal with the threat looming over us."
As they travelled Ema was fascinated with the reliefs on the buildings as they reached their destination and she wondered if it was a historical event or something more mythical in nature. It was something she woul have to follow up on later and she madea mental note to do so. That the guards didn't even question them as they entered their destination building showed just what Anemora's standing was in their society and Ema was impressed.
As they were ussured in to see Rillikimatai, and saw that Anemora approached him so familiarly, Ema was even further impressed. After Anemora stated why they were there in the broadest of terms Ema gave the best curtsy she could underwater and then said, "I am honored to be in your presence sir." She straightened up again and then said, "I am Emalliandra, and these are Simon, Valentin, and this Victrix. We've come from a newly founded colony by the country of Andoran, on a nearby island called Talmandor's Bounty and the reason that we have come is because of what I believe you may agree is a mutual enemy. The Veiled Masters have turned their gaze towards our colony and the surrounding areas experimenting in some of the ancient Azlanti ruins and abducting people to experiment on and corrupt as is their usual method of operation. We are trying to find both allies and information in our fight against them and having met the peoples of the nearby islands were told about your city both by the local locath village led by Koloshkora and the water naga Vriskirsa, both of whom we have developed friendly relations with and were told you might be willing to aid us or at least have information that might help us fight off this menace." She smiled and then said, "We would also like to invite an envoy to return to our colony to discuss possible trade with our leaders."
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Simon was pleased that Ema stepped forward to lead the conversation, and with the detail she presented, but felt the need to clarify a few points.
Bowing in respect, he added "Great Rillikimatai, we were able to track the abducted people to a sunken Azlanti laboratory on the island. Inside we battled and defeated an aboleth. It was this aboleth who threatened us, saying that a Veiled Master was active in the area.
The way he said the term Veiled Master made it seem like an actual individual creature rather than the behind-the-scenes cabal that I thought Azlanti meant when they referred to The Veiled Masteres.
Does that mean anything to you?"
Rillikimatai listens closely to Gideon's story, then speaks. “Your words interest me greatly. It’s possible that I have information that could be of use to you. However, while you have told me where you have come from, I know nothing of your character. The knowledge I bear is dangerous. I need to think on this matter before I speak further.”
Ema considered Rillikimatai's reticence and understood it far too well. She knew he might well need to consider but decided she should tell him who he wouldbe working with even if it meant nothing to him. "I understand just how dangerous this information is, how much trouble it can bring, and how insidious the Veiled Masters are better than anyone else alive. I have been fighting them for almost my entire, overlong, life and I don't intend to stop anytime soon." Her expression was filled with disgust at the thought of the Veiled Masters and sadi, "Gods know that when fighting the Veiled Masters there is often nothing but time while their plots come to fruition."
"We've had to deal with their brainwashed thralls and their unholy experiments. When it comes to dealing with aboleths, it's clear that caution is not only warranted, but demanded."
"They rescued my daughter from a band of sahuagin," Anemora says in support. "And she told me they saved one of our citizens from an attack by a death's head jellyfish. I believe they are of good moral fiber."
Rillikimatai seems impressed. The elf nods. "Very well. I’m afraid I have no certain information to offer you. However, I can say that there have been a number of odd occurrences in Talasantri of late. Nothing definite enough to cause real alarm, but I’m closely attuned to the city’s heartbeat. There have been unexplained accidents… an increase in thefts… even the occasional disappearance. My guards have investigated and found no source to this disquiet, but I feel something is wrong in our city.
"These events may be somehow connected to your search. I have come across mention of this ‘veiled master’ being that you seek. Its name is Ochymua. It is an ancient creature of incredible power, one believed to have been destroyed long ago with the fall of Azlant, but apparently that is not the case. Ancient records show that Ochymua and its brethren manipulated the Azlanti and orchestrated attacks against their civilization. If it survived Earthfall, then it has undoubtedly grown even more powerful—perhaps unstoppably so."
Before Rillkimatai can continue, a commotion arises outside. A guard appears at the door, telling Rillkimatai he’s required on the plaza. Looking concerned, Rillkimatai gestures for you to follow him. He picks up his staff and swims to the plaza.
A group of three deep merfolk have clustered before the hall at one end of the plaza. Unlike most of the merfolk in Talasantri, these are gaunt with pale, almost bluish-white skin and red crests on their tails and fins. One of the merfolk, a woman, floats a few feet in front of her companions. She calls out, in a voice that carries across the plaza: “We come with a warning! An ancient threat awakens not far from here. Doom begins with tremors, and then powerful quakes that will tear the city apart. These are heralds of the plankta Ruinquake, rising from its sleep!”
A group of citizens has gathered to listen to the doomcriers’ warning. As Rillkimatai asks the merfolk for details, the crowd mutters and speculates. A siyokoy in the crowd points at you and loudly says, “It’s the surfacers! They bring poor luck.” A ripple of agreement runs through the citizens around her.
Planktas are stony creatures formed from the shattered remnants of ancient island civilizations devastated and inundated by natural or magical cataclysms, and given life by unleashed magical energies and the anguished spirits of those lost in the tragedies that formed the planktas.
These massive, rocky aberrations dwell in the seas. They burn with hatred for the ships and cities of empires that still stand, and seek to ruin such foes in the hope of creating more planktas, though this bizarre attempt at reproduction rarely succeeds.
In particular, the plankta known as Ruinquake attacked Talasantri over 100 years ago. The city guard rallied against the plankta, but their preparations proved to be woefully inadequate. Were it not for the appearance of a hero known as Wavewalker, Talasantri would have been destroyed.
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Simon looks at the merfolk woman with a small amount of skepticism. He wants more proof than precursors of a potential earthquake before he believes that a return of Ruinquake is coming.
However, he knows that he is out of his element. Turning to Rillikimatai, he offers. "Sir, I know something of Talasantri's history, and of this particular plankta. If the creature is beginning to stir once again, that is a major threat.
Is it known that the tremors spoken of are a precursor to the beast's appearance? Did such tremors occur before the previous attacks? If so, perhaps there is something that we can do to provide reconnaissance to determine the truth of the creature awakening or perhaps some way to ensure that is stays asleep.
We are more than willing to help keep Talasantri safe. Your safety is our safety."
Rillikimatai nods. "I was here for Ruinquake's last attack. If indeed it stirs again, this is grave news indeed."
The crowd's angry murmurs are beginning to grow louder, interfering with your conversation. It might be a good idea to settle the unrest before they turn against you.
Victrix clears her throat and addresses the doomsayers. "If what you're saying is true, a plankta is a dire threat that needs to be addressed. We mean Talasantri no harm, and to prove it we stand ready to assist in whatever capacity necessary to resolve this issue."
Ema felt relief, of a sorts, at the agreement though having to fight whatever this thing was would be incredibly difficult. "Of all the times not to have been able to build some constructs this is it." Ema heard the increasingly agitated crowd outside and turned to face them as she knew full well what an angry mob could do if left unchecked.
"What my friend Victrix says is right! This is not a time to point fingers and accuse people who are different of causing problems. We no more caused this than you did. I think I know who is responsible though, a group of beings from long ago, the ones who sunk this part of the world beneath the waves and took away everything and everyone I loved. This is the kind of manipulation the Veiled Masters specialize in." Ema's voice was full of emotion as she began to speak, "They move behind the scenes, make catspaws of others to do their dirty work. They know that there are those organizing against them and like every time through out the history of Golarion they are positioning pawns to deal with the threat to their order. But I tell you the fact they are scared enough to free something like this, something even they won't be able to control fully, shows how scared they are this time. You want the true enemy it is the Veiled Master pulling the strings and taking this kind of a gamble."
Ema paused a moment before she continued, "But you know what people of Talasantri? I won't stand for it, I have never stood by and let their machinations succeed and I never will! I have fought these bastards for millennia and I will not stop fighting until the last breath leaves my body. Even then I will find a way, they took everything from me and so many others and I will see them brought low. Now they threaten you with this creature! Will you stand for it? Will you let them win? Or will you join with us against a mutual foe so we can stop this threat and then work on taking the fight to the Veiled Masters themselves? I plan to rip away their veils and expose them for what they are to the world before they are brought down." Her voice rang out then as she asked the crowd, "Will you join me?!"
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Simon cringes at the broadcast of danger from the Veiled Masters, preferring to keep that information close, but tries to keep the emotion off his face.
"The threat of the plankta is indeed dire, but it is also a threat the people of Talasantri are familiar with. The memories of the previous attack are still fresh and you know what worked to drive the beast away.
We four may not be as powerful as the fabled Wavewalker, but we are acclaimed as heroes in the surface world. We are here to assist in this time of need and will go out to gather information on whether this plankta is indeed waking once again."
A fresh murmur of consternation runs through the crowd when Ema speaks of the veiled masters. Standing beside Rillikimatai and Anemora seems to give the you more credibility in their eyes, though, and as each of you speak, the wave of resentment among the crowd slowly starts to dissipate as the onlookers begin to disperse.
Rillikimatai turns to you. "I need time to talk to these merfolk further and decide what to do about this dire news. Please, return in a few hours and we will speak further."
Ema, the crowd pacified for now, turned back to listen to what Simon had to say and then asked, "What, exactly, is this creature Simon? You seem to know more about it than I do." Ema sounded slightly annoyed at that fact as she admitted to not know about the beast.
After hearing what Simon had to say she asked their hosts, "Are there any left alive who knew the Wavewalker well?" She pondered some more as she listened to any response she got to her question and then said, "If our studies don't turn up anything Simon I can try going a bit further afield. I have a few contacts I think I can access in the various planes that might be able to help but I would prefer not to use them if I don't need to."
”There is a sage, yes,” Anemora says. ”I can take you—“
The mermaid trails off as a strong and unusual current suddenly rushes through the plaza, powerful enough to send people spinning in the water. The guards near the hall fan out, searching for the cause of the disturbance, while the crowd begins to disperse. Then a gargantuan creature swims into the plaza in the wake of the current, knocking into buildings and chasing after terrified citizens! This enormous segmented worm shimmers with iridescent colors, and large bristles run along its sides.
The enormous worm thrashes around in the center of the plaza, its bristles stabbing into one of the aquatic elf guards. He recoils in pain before his body begins to spasm, the worm’s poison ravaging him!
Victrix wastes no time in bringing her axe to bear and hacking away!
Valentin casts Blessing of Fervor targeting the party and any 3 Talasantrians who are within range and participating in the battle.
He uses the blessing to increase his to hit and AC and waits to see where he can be useful.
Ema saw the worm thing and felt a thrill of fear go through her. It reminded her far too much of a giant tentacle and she wanted nothing to do with it. Unfortunately it seemed there would be little choice. She felt the blessing Valentin cast upon them fall over her and chose a defensive option for now then tore open a gate to call forth her water elemental once more then her eyes flashed as she converted another spell to her reservoir.
The elementa, hearing Ema's burbled request, assaulted the worm creature.
Victrix's attacks scrape against the ragworm's armored body. Ema's summoned elemental scores a critical blow, though, drawing the worm's ire. It slams its body against the elemental and slaps it with its tail, then it turns its throat inside out to extend its massive jaws to bite the elemental. It grabs a hold and yanks the creature inside of its gullet, swallowing it whole!
Ema cried out when she saw her elemental get battered, bitten, and swallowed whole but she knew it still survived as she hadn't felt the connection severed. Realizing this could be an interesting chance here she left her elemental be knowing it would start making the thing regret it's decision to eat it very quickly. As the elemental thrashed inside of the worm viciously...
...Ema sent a beam of black energy to sap the worm's strength lancing out.
Victrix pales when she sees the elemental get swallowed whole by the worm. It doesn't stop her from hacking at the worm anyway.
Here's hoping it's only got room for one in there...
Simon and Victrix each land one good hit, while from within, the elemental bashes the creature's stomach. Ema strikes it with a black ray, sapping its life force.
Despite its weakened state, the worm manages to batter Victrix with is spines and tail. Then its jaws shoot out to bite her, grabbing her and dragging her down its gullet to follow the elemental!
Ema was beginning to feel fear as this thing swallowed Victrix now after badly battering her. Ema knew she couldn't handle that kind of punishment and started to consider that discretion might be the better part of valor. Still she wasn't about to give up yet and sent yet another beam of black foulness lancing out at the worm.
Unfortunately her burgeoning fear caused her to shake badly and the beam slammed into the ground almost hitting her feat which drew a surprised yelp from her.
The elemental, meanwhile, continued to thrash around inside of the thing, flailing about with huge amounts of water to batter the thing's insides.
Victrix lets out a panicked scream as she's swallowed whole and yanks her machete free from her belt. She starts madly hacking and slashing at the worm's guts, trying to cut her way out!
Both the water elemental and Victrix assault the worm from the inside, finding it much easier to damage the creature. The worm shudders and spasms as the barbarian tears open a huge gash in its gut, as she swims free of its body, the massive worm goes limp and floats away, blood pouring from its fatal wounds.
The nervous crowd begins to gather in the plaza again now that the threat has been neutralized. As Victrix is cleaning herself off, a few clay fragments fall off of her armor. "What are those?" calls one of the gathered people, and another grabs for them. The merfolk man studies them for a few moments before gasping.
"I recognize these. They are part of an ancient Azlanti weapon that can cause destructive concussive force--a 'bomb.' They probably set off the device to draw the creature here and set themselves up as heroes!"
The crowd begins to murmur anew, their expressions turning ugly...
Ema was relieved when the worm finally died and Victrix swam free of it. She quickly dismissed her elemental and swam as best she could to look at the fragments that fell out with Victrix. As she floundered her way there Ema stated, "Or it was something planted inside of the worm to try and frame us. Besides," she looked at the merman, "it's awful convenient for there to be someone right here who can tell at a brief glance that these are bomb fragments. How would you even know sir? Have you seen one before?"
Ema made her way when she got close and saw another had grabbed them she called out, "Let me see those fragments please. If you refuse it is proof you are part of a conspiracy trying to cover up the truth of events and shows you are complicit in this attack."
The merman scoffs. "I am Echono. I am a researcher, and I specialize in ancient Azlant. I am no conspirator, madame, simply a concerned citizen. Observe for yourself."
He allows Ema to study the fragments. The arcanist is able to recognize that they are, indeed, shards from an ancient Azlanti explosive device.
Wait--bomb? That's what brought this thing here? And they think we set it off?!
Victrix forces herself to calm down--and the worm's venom hits, causing her to growl in pain.
"Mate, if we set off that 'bomb' to lure the worm here, why the blue holy f*$+ would we stay in the area? It attacked us, too! Who'd be stupid enough to lure a monster to attack a city they're currently staying in?!"
"I can attest that these surface dwellers have been with me the entire morning," Anemora says, coming to your defense. "There is no way they are responsible for setting off a bomb."
Echono frowns, but Victrix's assertions force him to grudgingly admit that you must have been framed. The crowd disperses for a final time, finally accepting that you may, in fact, actually be here to help as you claim.
Anemora sighs and rolls her eyes, her tail twitching in agitation. "I apologize on behalf of these rubes. Honestly, some of the other citizens in Talasantri simply have no class at all! At any rate, I'll leave you all to your own devices for the time being. Explore the city, visit the shops, or whatever else suit your fancy. You'll find dinner waiting for you at my house when you return tonight."
Ema was taken aback by the merman's credentials and felt relief when he readily let her examine the pieces he had picked up. She couldn't help but agree that he was correct and Ema gave her best underwater curtsy as she said, "My apologies Mr., or is that Professor, Ochono? I was mistaken in my assumption when you so quickly picked up and identified the fragments and I ask your forgiveness for my hasty assumption." She was genuinely sorry about her reaction, though it was justified in her mind under the circumstances, "I hope you can understand that, given the timing it did seem a bit suspicious. I am Emalliandra Azlanta." She offered her hand to him.
With her introduction out of the way Ema said, "you are indeed correct about what these fragments are from, I haven't seen a complete one of these in more years than I care to remember. I didn't actually think one of them even still existed." Her expression became wry as she said, "here were a few times I wished I had one, they would have come in quite handy on several occasions." She looked to Ochono and asked, "Do you now how they worked and just how much destructive power they had?" As her inner nerd came out Ema completely forgot about the increasingly agitated mob around them.
Echono nods. "It seems we both reacted hastily. You have my apologies as well."
He adjusts a pair of spectacles on his nose. "I believe the bombs are larger versions of the weapons that modern alchemists sometimes wield. They are spherical and about six feet in diameter, but I have read reports of even larger devices capable of mass destruction. I have some parchments in my library. If you're interested, you're welcome to accompany me back to my shop, Shell & Stylus."
Ema nodded, "Oh I would be delighted to join you Ochono," she practically squealed. As she began to leave with the merman Ochono Ema said enthusiastically, "They did indeed have bigger ones, much bigger ones. I recall seeing one tested once," Ema reminisced, " when the Great Doom approached," her tone was lost in reverie as she remembered something, "My father took me to see the test detonation. They had hoped, of all the strange things, to blow up the meteor that would cause Azlant to be lost beneath the waves with it. I never understood how they meant to get it up there though, maybe some form of teleportation magic or something?"