Taldaris blasts the bogeyman with magic missiles. Katria hits with one of her crossbow bolts, while Liam and Amelia charge forward, slashing and stabbing the evil fey. He is badly wounded, but still standing.
The bogeyman casts a quickened phantasmal killer spell, but Liam's blessings render him immune to fear so the magic falters. The fey lashes out at Amelia with his claws as the undead axiomites move in to attack with their swords. All of their attacks come up short.
HP 135/152 (inc. +32 from transmutation focus; base 120)
AC 27, touch 16, flat-footed 21, CMD 27
Fort +19, Ref +12, Will +14
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/7
Mental Focus: 25; Abjuration [6/6]; Divination [4/4]; Evocation [2/2]; Illusion [3/3]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [5/6] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+3 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +2 Charisma checks; +4 Con; 15% miss chance; +1 damage to evocation spells/focus powers)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 17
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][][]; 3rd [x][][][][]; 4th [][][][][]; 5th [x][][][]; 6th [][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/17; lightning bolt 0/19; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 2/29
Effects:
Katria eyes the contract devil, but content that it's not going to enter the fight at the moment -- what does it want? what the heck is going on here?! -- she turns her attention back to the bogeyman.
"Don't let it cast that spell again!" she cries as she unloads a barrage of bolts. "It can be deadly!"
The first two shots go wide, but the third slams into the thing's chest.
"Understood!" She hears Katria's warning and unleashes a flurry of attacks while the bolts from Dignity's Barb whiz past her head.
"Not deadly to us!" Liam shouts triumphantly.
He is immune to fear all the time because of Deific Obedience, but everyone else is temporarily immune to fear due to the Greater Heroism from the Standard of Conquest.
He begins Inspire Courage again (making it now 12 rounds used for the day, just went back and checked) and attacks whichever foes are still up (presumably the undead Axiomites).
You finish off the bogeyman with your attacks, then turn your attention to the undead axiomites. The contract devil hangs back from the fight, a serene smile on her face as she watches you.
One of the graveknights is wounded badly, but still fights on. Luckily, neither one of the enemies comes close to landing a hit as your magically enhanced defenses hold!
HP 135/152 (inc. +32 from transmutation focus; base 120)
AC 27, touch 16, flat-footed 21, CMD 27
Fort +19, Ref +12, Will +14
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/7
Mental Focus: 25; Abjuration [6/6]; Divination [4/4]; Evocation [2/2]; Illusion [3/3]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [5/6] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+3 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +2 Charisma checks; +4 Con; 15% miss chance; +1 damage to evocation spells/focus powers)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 17
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][][]; 3rd [x][][][][]; 4th [][][][][]; 5th [x][][][]; 6th [][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/17; lightning bolt 0/19; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 2/29
Effects:
With Liam's inspiration, Katria turns her attention -- and Dignity's Barb's aim -- first to the wounded graveknight, then the next closest foes.
Liam strikes at the nearest graveknight with Scion's Dagger, switching to the other enemy if he drops his target.
He is hasty and overconfident, and two of his swings are quite poor. The smiling contract devil has him unnerved.
I'd like to say we won't make any deals, but what if we need to make a deal with her?
Once more, you prove yourselves stronger than undead axiomites as you make short work of both remaining enemies!
The contract-laden devil emerges from hiding and clears her throat audibly. "Well done. My name is Phlagomi, a visiting dignitary from the pits of Hell. I am familiar with this outpost of Lost Silhouette and many of its inhabitants. For a simple fee of 5,000 gp, I am willing to provide a simple map of the facility. And, of course, should you wish to strike another sort of bargain, I am both licensed and ratified to write up a wide variety of contracts..."
Liam looks at the devil icily.
"You do serve a purpose in the cosmic structure, and I have no proof of any evil acts you have committed against innocents. So I will not strike you down where you stand."
He sheathes his dagger.
Liam waits to see if his companions have anything to say.
Katria hesitates -- only for a moment, but it seems to stretch, feeling like weeks -- as she considers the devil's offer. She knows what the creature is and even beyond any devil, it's likely to keep its word. A potential bigger bargain would certainly be within its power, but she doesn't feel any need to risk her soul. Especially after everything they've experienced in the last few days and weeks, that seems like a poor deal, regardless of any potential benefits.
But a map? That seems reasonable ... potentially. She has questions; not unusual for her, but the answers may be even more important than her usual curiosity.
"Will the map include what inhabitants you are aware of? And any traps or other details beyond the basic geometry of this place? And will you swear the map will be of the current facility, not one from centuries ago? ... And what was your business with that bogeyman? It didn't look like your negotiations were going well when we entered! One might even wonder if you owe us a discount for saving you from a painful return to Hell."
"The map will include any inhabitants, traps, and details on each room. I'd even be willing to follow you at a distance to provide more context about a room's contents, though I will not participate in any combats. The map will be current and accurate to the best of my knowledge," Phlagomi promises.
"I visit Lost Silhouette regularly, acting as a broker for scores of agents in Hell. But I sometimes use my privileged status to sneak into the areas where they hold the souls of the damned to bargain with them as well. My latest foray ran afoul of the Secret Shade's servants there, who were attempting to interrogate me when you happened along.
"I am grateful for the rescue, by the way. So how about I lower my asking price to 2,000 gold pieces as my way of saying thanks?"
Katria looks at her two companions. That feels like a deal worth taking, and not one that's going to imperil her own soul.
"I am not inclined to deal with Hell. You can do as you wish."
Liam won't stop Katria from making this deal, or even try to talk her out of it, but neither will he support her.
"If I'm to be damned, it would be due to what I had done in the past, not some map." She looks at the devil with a steeled gaze, "Do you speak truth devil? As much truth as your kind can?"
"I speak the truth," Phlagomi insists, and Amelia does not sense any deception from her. "It is a simple transaction for the map, nothing more. Your soul is not at risk in this arrangement, though if you do desire more, I can offer quite the high price for such a bounty..."
Amelia considers herself a fairly good judge or character, despite the character she was talking to.
"Katria? If you wish I can support you in this endeavour. I want to spend as little time as possible in this wretched place."
Katria nods, and pulls out her purse, happy as well to have the deal with the devil concluded.
Phlagomi accepts the coins and quickly produces a map of the complex. She describes the rooms that you haven't explored yet:
D3: An interrogation hall and torture room staffed by axiomite graveknights.
D6: A laboratory for creating serums and toxins, run by spiderlike outsiders called karumzeks.
D7: An assembly hall for announcements or briefings. The north hallway is a trapped decoy.
D8: The chambers of an intellect devourer servant of Norgorber (likely the same one that had taken over the body of the postal dragon that you defeated).
D9: The chambers of the slime naga Clacosic.
D10: A laboratory hosting experiments in chemistry, flesh-grafting, and alchemical botany, run by more karumzeks.
A room in the center of the complex is notably absent from the map. Phlagomi explains she has yet to be able to infiltrate inside of it.
Katria ponders the map.
"We've encountered or heard of two of these before," she notes, then points to the blank space. "But it almost seems certain we'll have to go this room here."
She thinks for a few moments.
"I think we should go to the intellect devourer's room first. We already killed it, so let's see if we can learn something there. Then do we want to deal with the slime naga? I think we can probably avoid the other rooms, unless you all thing we should get rid of those horrible things..."
Amelia stops Katria and hands her 1000 gold pieces, "Now we're square. For now at least."
"I don't think we should go on some overzealous death march in this place and draw more attention than we have to."
"Didn't we also defeat the slime naga? Back at the graveyard?"
"Our immediate task is to find the halberd of Emperor Taldaris, and to find and slay Hamal Kai, the hyrakume. Once those are done, I believe we can leave this place."
"Let's head through that interrogation and torture room; it is on our way to the closed-off room, and we might be able to free some poor soul from the clutches of Norgorber."
This large room contains several metal tables with a plethora of straps for binding creatures. Arrays of torture implements and surgical tools hang from carefully ordered displays along the west wall. More than 100 maps of different worlds and cities hang from the eastern wall.
Three undead axiomites are in this room. They are currently tormenting a small petitioner bound to one of the tables. Liam and Katria recognize the unmistakable clown makeup adorning the halfling's face. It is none other than one of the earliest enemies they faced in the service of Princess Eutropia--Wyssilka the Fantabulous, although she is not looking quite so fantabulous at the moment!
With a brief and brutal skirmish, you dispatch the three axiomites. Still strapped to the table, Wyssilka the Fantabulous struggles futilely and piteously. "Please... Get me out of here..." she wails.
Liam's best guess that Wyssilka is being tortured for failing in her task.
"You have already paid for your crimes with your life, and then been judged by Pharasma. I can free you, though I don't know where you will go. If the followers of Norgorber want you to suffer, they will find you again. Still, I will do what I can."
He cuts her bonds. Something doesn't quite make sense, though. What is Norgorber's connection to the Immaculate Circle? He had thought that followers of Norgorber were just hired to assassinate Martella Lotheed and to capture Taldaris, but Wyssilka's presence here suggests that they actually care about how the outcome of these efforts. That it really matters to them that Wyssilka failed.
"Is Norgorber involved in the plots against Princess Eutropia?"
Katria watches warily as Liam frees Wyssilka, wondering if they should have waited to ask her questions first. Though that would likely make them no better than their enemies.
"I... I don't know," Wyssilka moans. "I devoted my life to the faithful service of Norgorber's shadow, Thamir Gixx. When I died, I was judged and sent to the realm he shares with Norgorber, but I lasted there less than a day before the lord of this place captured me. Since then I've known nothing but torture and endless interrogations. Surely a devoted servant like me deserves a better fate than this!
"My memories of life are blurry but... we were enemies, right? You... you are the ones that killed me." The little petitioner shudders. "That was a long time ago. I'm willing to forgive and forget. I just want out of this place."
If you wanted to be rewarded for loyalty, you might have done well to follow a more honorable deity.
"Can you tell me what they asked in the interrogations? What the denizens of this place wanted to know?"
Liam wonders what information Wyssilka could possibly have to merit such attention.
"They asked a lot of questions about the people who hired the Brotherhood of Silence to capture Martella Lotheed. I told them all that I knew was the name of the organization--the Immaculate Circle!"
"And is that actually true?" Katria asks.
So perhaps the Immaculate Circle is also an enemy of Norgorber? Strange bedfellows, if so ...
Amelia wasn't sure how to take all of this. She had read the file but to see it face to face... She was doubtful of everything.
"I see you want to end the torture, but how do we know what you're saying to us is true." Her tone is callous, "It does conveniently match up to our assessments but you know as well as I that Norgorber lurks everywhere for stories and gossip." The paranoia of the place starts catching up to her, no doubt accelerated by seeing another follower of the deity punished in this way.
"I wouldn't confirm our suspicion about the Immaculate Circle just yet Katria."
"Please, I have no reason to lie!" Wyssilka says. "My whole existence now is pain and suffering. I just want it to end. Norgorber's agents seem very interested in this Immaculate Circle. They keep asking me for more information, but I have none to give beyond the name! But they keep asking, and they keep torturing me..."
Amelia doesn't detect any deception from the whimpering petitioner.
"I wonder how it is that they didn't already know who hired you. I suppose there are many factions with Norgorber's followers, and that they keep secrets from each other. Secrecy and betrayal are the main tenets of that faith, as I understand it."
"I cannot promise you safety, Wyssilka. Pharasma judged you and sent you to Duskfathom because of the choices you made in life; I suppose your god has a domain within that place. It is not my place to subvert Pharasma's ruling. If you return to Duskfathom, you may be able to plead your case with some other agent of Norgorber. That is not my concern.
We did find a tunnel that leads out of this place. I assume it leads to the rest of Duskfathom. That is where I would go if I were you."
"Thank you! Thank you!" Wyssilka says. If there are no other questions for her, she quickly scurries away.
Liam cast Death Ward from the Band of the Crusader's Alliance during the fight with the Herecites to counteract the temporary negative levels from Enervation. That would last for 11 minutes.
After that, Katria read the insane mathematics; Liam cast Heal on Pvarish-19; we passed through the room of the Hunted; we fought the Bogeyman and more undead Axiomites; dealt with Phlagomi; and then fought more Graveknights and dealt with Wyssikla.
It seems quite likely that more than 11 minutes have passed, so Liam is once again taking a -5 to everything due to Enervation. He will cast his prepared Death Ward, which will last 16 minutes.
Once that expires, he will take 15 minutes to prepare Restoration into an open slot (he does have 200 gp of diamond dust). But for now, I'm trying to avoid taking even a short rest like that since we don't want to give the enemy time to regroup or coordinate.
Find Traps has expired by now. We'll be careful, go more slowly, and make active checks in the unexplored areas.
2 (6+1):
3 (5+1): Protection from Energy (D),
4 (5+1): Protection from Energy (D),
5 (5+1): Spell Resistance (D), Breath of Life, Cleanse,
6 (4+1): Antimagic Field (D), Greater Dispel Magic,
7 (2+1): Deflection (D),
8 (1+1):
Eaglesoul (14 hours)
Invoke Deity (Shield, Shield of Faith +4, Resist Fire 30) (90 minutes)
Barkskin +5 (90 minutes)
Life Bubble (7 hours)
Communal Delay Poison (2 hours)
Freedom of Movement (90 minutes)
On Amelia: Magic Vestment (Armor +4, Shield +4) (15 hours)
On Amelia: Barkskin +5 (90 minutes)
"On to that hidden room?"
Katria nods, casting heightened awareness on each of the three of them. She's unsure they did the right thing with Wyssilka by letting her go, but she's not sure there is a better option...
"Sure thing."
Amelia casts Heightened Reflexes on them again.
You push aside a heavy curtain beyond the secret door. Illuminated by red-flamed candles that cast dim light, this room contains several plush rugs, a well-stocked sideboard, and a large padded chair. Near the ceiling along each wall are several tiny pipes.
A monstrous being lurks in this chamber. This bloated creature’s eyes protrude from between the fleshy fat rolls of its neckless, hulking form.
"That is Hamal Kai, the spymaster!" Taldaris declares, glaring at the many-eyed monstrosity.
Hamal Kai does not waste time in conversation, moving at once to attack!
She quickly sends shards of ice hurtling towards Amelia, followed by a blast of sound!
HP 135/152 (inc. +32 from transmutation focus; base 120)
AC 27, touch 16, flat-footed 21, CMD 27
Fort +19, Ref +12, Will +14
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/7
Mental Focus: 25; Abjuration [6/6]; Divination [4/4]; Evocation [2/2]; Illusion [3/3]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [5/6] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+3 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +2 Charisma checks; +4 Con; 15% miss chance; +1 damage to evocation spells/focus powers)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 17
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][][]; 3rd [x][][][][]; 4th [][][][][]; 5th [x][][][]; 6th [x][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/17; lightning bolt 0/19; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 2/29
Effects:
Katria shakes her head as she realizes she knows what this thing is -- but can't quite place it right now. Clearly, though, it's dangerous!
Frowning, she concentrates on one of her newest spells, sending a thin green beam of light flashing toward the horror.
Liam will start INSPIRE COURAGE +3 as usual for another +3 to hit and damage for Katria. (Also, the Standard of Conquest gives a +1 morale bonus to attack rolls, which is easily forgotten as it is usually overlapped by Good Hope.)
Then he will move up and slash with Scion's Dagger.
The lucky dandy hears Liam's inspiring words and turns, and with that moment the shards deflect off the back of her cloak.
"Nice try."
Turning back around, Koriana's Blade gets drawn and in what seems like a blink of an eye she rushes the creature.
Katria just manages to strike the creature with her distintegration beam. It bellows in pain as huge parts of its body crumble away to dust! Liam and Amelia move in, each one scoring a solid hit!
Unprepared for the sudden brutality of your assault, the terribly wounded monster brandishes a shadowy staff and activates its magic. The creature disappears from sight, and you can hear its heavy footsteps as it tries to make a break for the door you came in from!
"Oh no you don't."
Liam casts Invisibility Purge!
He will move to be adjacent to the creature again.
The monster becomes visible again, 30 feet away!
HP 135/152 (inc. +32 from transmutation focus; base 120)
AC 27, touch 16, flat-footed 21, CMD 27
Fort +19, Ref +12, Will +14
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/7
Mental Focus: 25; Abjuration [6/6]; Divination [4/4]; Evocation [2/2]; Illusion [3/3]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [5/6] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+3 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +2 Charisma checks; +4 Con; 15% miss chance; +1 damage to evocation spells/focus powers)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 17
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][][]; 3rd [x][][][][]; 4th [][][][][]; 5th [x][][][]; 6th [x][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/17; lightning bolt 0/19; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 2/29
Effects: Inspired, banner (+4/+3)
Katria unleashes a series of bolts from Dignity's Barb at the fleeing spymaster. "Oh no you don't! she calls.
In silence, Amelia flourishes the blade, dancing to unheard music.
Katria fires two bolts into the many-eyed monster's bulk, then Amelia charges and takes it out with a powerful strike! It falls with a resounding thud!
"Excellent!" Taldaris declares. "Now we must merely recover my glaive and we can depart this accursed place."
Forgetting about the glaive for the moment, Katria examines the magical items.
"A mantle of immortality! It's slightly a misnomer, but that could be very useful to someone!"
She begins looking around afterward for Taldaris' weapon.