Katria doesn't participate. She's a spy, and she's had to resort to violence more than she could ever imagine, but she's still a scholar first. She watches, tears in her eyes at the sheer waste of it. How could someone so love and misunderstand art at the same time?
Afterward, she asks sadly.
"We should look around to make sure she was the only problem here, but then should we go back immediately and tell everyone what happened or go to Talgrasses first? It would be nice to try to start restoring them immediately, but I don't think they'll come to any further harm if we don't and who knows what damage the bandits will do in the meantime ..."
"Katria, I do have that scroll that Bartelby gave us to free Baron Telus from his curse. I never needed to use it. I will use it here to free whom I can. It should help a number of them. The Taldan Horse may even be able to help us against the bandits.
Do we know which statue might be a leader or officer?"
Katria can only shrug, unsure with all the changes the medusa wrought on their appearance which might be officers.
Liam will just go for whatever grouping gets the most targets (since the "within 30'" clause is probably the limiting factor).
If there are two equally numerous groups, he will look to include an officer.
Amelia finishes the dirty work and looks at all the statues, placed about, "This is disgusting. Is there anything we can do to help them? I don't know what I can do to aid you but let me know what this magic is about."
Maya also tries to identify an officer.
Doritan makes swift work of the medusa, ending her life in a single brutal strike.
The medusa has a lesser extend metamagic rod and a +1 composite longbow. Aside from a few pots of paints and materials to make costumes, there is nothing else of value here.
None of the soldiers here appear to be officers, but looking closely at the petrified people allows you to recognize one of the unhappy grooms as Sir Meir Dratavis, Princess Eutropia's previous liaison to the Mercantile Council! Liam uses the scroll of break enchantment to undo his petrification and restore him to flesh, along with eight of the remaining 11 statues. This includes all of the Taldan Horse soldiers, as well as a handful of vagabonds who had the ill fortune to stumble upon the medusa's lair.
Meir gasps and staggers forward, struggling to get his bearings. "Ah! Th-that monster! What happened? Is she dead?"
Once you explain the situation, he thanks you profusely. "I was attempting to follow leads on the missing Taldan Horse regiment. Well, I found them alright--and the medusa that had petrified them! You have saved me from a grim fate, friends. Please, take this in thanks." He hands over a dark blue rhomboid ioun stone.
The others are equally grateful for the rescue. The soldiers have little additional information to offer and only wish to report back to Yanmass for new orders. They do inquire after their commander, Lieutenant Gallindra Jondrek. Her elephant is the one that is petrified outside, but she is the lone member of the regiment that seems to have escaped the medusa's wrath. Her current whereabouts are unknown.
When the soldiers bring up their commander, Maya says, "I assume she was with you when you confronted the medusa? Do you think she would have fled or hid nearby? Anywhere nearby she's particularly familiar with? Also, what date did you come out here? Knowing the exact timeline might help us ascertain how far your commander could have gone."
The soldiers tell you a date about two weeks before you arrived in Yanmass. "Most likely, she would return to the city. Lieutneant Galindra is a skilled ranger and woodswoman, so if she needed to hide out somewhere, it's likely she would choose Hedge Hill. The forest there is thick and wild--a perfect spot to remain unseen."
Aside from having heard reports that Lieutenant Gallindra is a good-hearted and loyal soldier, she hasn't made enough of a name for herself for Maya to know much else.
"We heard about something strange at Hedge Hill ... but why would she hide there instead of just returning to the city."
Katria looks torn. "I think this might be more important than the bandits," she tells the others. "It's ... unusual ... if she's really the person that was causing those rumors. Maybe something else happened to her?"
The wearer no longer takes penalties on Perception checks for being distracted or asleep; while asleep, the wearer can remain open-eyed and fully aware of his environment, though he is still helpless against undetected threats until he actually wakes up.
"Let's go find out. Perhaps she was also afflicted by some of the other evils at work in this city? She may be troubled in spirit, so we should employ a gentle approach. If she is able to help, she could lead these soldiers against the bandits alongside us."
She looks puzzled, "It is indeed a strange choice of action. After losing a regiment to a supernatural threat I know what I would do as a person, but I also know what I would do as an official." Nodding at Katria she continues on, "Bandits can be dealt with with this regiment should we find their leader. I agree that this is bewildering to me and doesn't sit right."
That seems to be the nature of this city though.
She eyes the bow, "A nice weapon, I have my own personal one however but if any of you need it I would be happy to help you train with it."
Maya nods her agreement with the others. "I'm also just genuinely curious to know what happened to her. I can't imagine she would willingly stay away from this place if she knew the fate that befell her fellow soldiers. Perhaps we can free her from what trouble she's found herself in."
You return to Yanmass, determined to search Hedge Hill to see if Gallindra is hiding out there. Before you can reach the park, though, an elf approaches...
A tall elven man, with white hair, black eyes, and a raven on his shoulder, tilts his head to get a better look at the group and seems to ask his raven something. Seeming to make up his mind, he makes his way over. Once he's close enough, he seems to confirm with himself that you are who he's looking for, and he approaches the group, and says with a boisterous voice, "Greetings! My Lady told me I might find you here! Excellent to meet your acquaintance."
He somehow slips around the group to where Doritan is skulking, and whispers something in the vigilante's ear. Doritan looks confused for a moment, before nodding, waving to the group, and seems to fade into the background.
"Anyway! I'm Seth and this is Murminin." he says, gesturing to the raven perched on his shoulder. Now that he's close enough, it's clear that he carries himself in a way that's easygoing, yet always keeps his hand in a way that makes it quick for him to draw his sword if needed, "I'm afraid I don't know faces to names, though." he adds, in an obvious invitation.
Katria seems taking aback.
"Wait a moment! Where's Doritan going? Who are you? I heard your name, and your bird's, but ... how do you know us?"
Here eyes begin to glow as she tries to make sense of this sudden change.
"I'm your friend's replacement. Your lady has been keeping him busy with... well, never mind that, and he sent out a call for help. Your lady and my Lady let me know, and sent me on my way to here."
Seth chuckles, "Sorry. It's too much fun speaking in riddles. Anyway, Doritan has some stuff to take care of, so he arranged for me to lend my blade to your cause." he fiddles around with a pouch on his belt, and pulls out a couple sheets of paper, "This should clear things up" he says, handing them to Katria. One of the papers is a letter from Doritan requesting a replacement, and the other is a dispatch from Eutropia introducing Seth as a Pharasmin knight and his assignment to this cell.
Katria looks the letter over carefully before determining it doesn't seem to be a forgery.
She gives a cross look at where Doritan departed. Why hadn't he just told them? He always had been quiet...
"Well, welcome, Seth," she greets him more properly, filling him in on what's happened since they've been in Yanmass and their next destination.
The pretender looks at the newcomer with suspicion. It wasn't that this scenario was unlikely, it just seemed a little too convenient for her. She gave the elf a once over, then a twice over, but remained quiet for the time being. She wasn't sure what he was talking about but upon seeing Doritan walk off she looked bewildered.
She almost reaches for her weapon, intending to be jumped but seeing Katria ease up after reading the note helped her demeanor.
"I'm sure he did have stuff to handle, he has been a bit... Disenchanted recently." She prowls over, not taking her eyes off of him, almost studying Seth. "Lady Amelia Reed."
Eventually she puts two and two together, "Ah, The Lady. You can forgive my misunderstanding. Excuse my earlier suspicions, it is the nature of the business that I am in." She wasn't much of a follower of the gods but she knows full well of their power. With a little sleight of hand a small coin rolls between her fingers before getting put back in one of her pockets.
Liam is quiet for a moment.
"Doritan had skills and an approach to problems that Princess Eutropia might have thought fitting alongside other of her agents."
He looks at the letter. "Pharasma? Hmm." He says this with the slightest bit of uncertainty.
Milani had been a saint of Aroden before she became a goddess, and as many followers of Aroden's associated deities, Liam wonders about the mysterious goddess of prophecy and death. Does she know what happened to Aroden? Did she know it was going to happen?
Well, we must move on. Some mysteries will remain forever, and we cannot call the gods to account for their actions.
"Welcome, Seth. I am Liam of Kozan, priest of Milani the Everbloom."
Seth merely shrugs, a twinkle in his eye, "The pleasure is mine, Lady Delaval, Lady Reed, Father Liam, and Lady Watersby. From what I heard of Doritan, he needed to not let even a slight hint of his departure slip beforehand, lest the sensitive nature of it be compromised. I'm certain he will be back eventually, to say farewell if naught else, but he was uncertain how long it might take and felt that you would feel the lack of his blade keenly enough for me to join you"
He seems to enjoy using far more words than are strictly needed, but tries to not go on for too long. Tries.
Maya takes the letter from Katria once the occultist is finished with it. The bard glances over the letter at Seth as she reads, not sure what to make of this sudden change.
Not finding fault with the letter, Maya decides the only proper way to cope with such a difference is satire.
"I would have you know that my first name is Maya. Lady is not part of my name. If we are to become better acquainted, I would have you use my proper first name. Honestly it's a bit suspicious calling all of us Lady this and Father that."
Maya pauses to clear her throat. "If we're to tolerate your presence, you should at least let us know what you're capable of. For instance, is that sword for show or do you know how to use it?"
"If that's what you so wish..." his lips twitch in amusement, "Lady Maya. I am a spellsword with a fairly broad repertoire and, if I may be so bold, one of the better swordsmen I've met in the last century. Granted, in Galt the sword isn't a terribly popular weapon- something about training someone to use a blade being against the Will of the People by Setting One Above the Others, a Heresy Punishable by Death- but the mere fact that it's only been in the last year that I've even seen another sword shouldn't detract from my claim, I would think." He twitches his eyebrows and grins in a clear challenge of sorts to Maya, Two can play at that game.
"You are from Galt? I am sorry for the troubles of that land."
Liam sounds genuinely empathetic.
"The Red Revolution has consumed it and many of the people. When fighting against tyranny, there is a need for wisdom, compassion, and a willingness to consider others' perspectives - zeal by itself is not enough."
Katria nods. She's read some of the tracts out of Galt, just out of curiosity and the interests of scholarship, but few seemed to be coherent enough to even their own point. Even beyond the situation in the poor country, the lack of integrity and intellect in what was once a font of philosophy makes her sad.
"Not initially- I ventured there initially to escape the rise of diabolism in Cheliax, but found myself caught up in the revolution and tried to stop it. So, I've been destroying the Final Blades when I can, but was led here to presumably prevent a similar fate from befalling Taldor." Seth responds, with a wave of his hand, "It will be quite nice, being able to walk outside without worrying about being lynched every day."
Amelia is enamored with the idea of Galt, but less enamored when she realizes that executions are a normal way of life. "Well, I have to say I am extremely interested in hearing about your experiences with Galtan nobility; it is such a vastly different world than what I am accustomed to."
Glancing at Katria's direction she shrugs, "In some ways I am as much of a scorpion as the medusa."
Liam raises an eyebrow at Amelia's remark. "Galtan nobility? You'll only find them in a graveyard. Aside from a few who escaped - and even they may be hunted by the Grey Gardeners. Of course the Red Revolution didn't stop with those who happened to be born into the wrong family, but kept finding new 'enemies of the people' to execute."
Something that Seth says jars him. "You... you destroyed a Final Blade?"
"Well, let us be off. Seth, we found out what happened to many of the missing Taldan Horse Regiment. They were petrified by a medusa. We have restored many of them to life, but now need to find their senior officer, who escaped. We believe she is hiding out in Hedge Hill. We are on our way there now."
"Well... ah, disabled is probably the better term most of the time, but they do eventually break if you hit them enough. The Lady generally has to lend her hand, and I rarely attempt it without backup, but it is doable. But, over the course of a century, I've done it less than a half-dozen times, usually with a few of Mur's higher-ups to aid." he looks uneasy for a moment, then a grin sneaks across his face, "But a medusa? Oh, those poor souls! Trapped neither alive nor dead until freed, unable to move on nor to live. You freed them, you said? Wonderful! Nothing like a second chance at life, certainly. And Hedge Hill? Well, don't let me stop you! Let's go!" he starts walking in the exactly wrong direction until his raven caws at him and he spins around with a nervous grin, returning to the group, "Ah, how dare I impose? Lead the way, good sirs! And madams."
Unperturbed, Maya says to Seth, "Just Maya, thank you. Or are you deaf? If so, I apologize. Must be a nasty condition to have. Whatever the case, you seem at least moderately competent at what you do, so I suppose we'll have to make do with you as Doritan's replacement. Hardly ideal, but it seems it can't be helped."
When the time comes to head to Hedge Hill, Maya shakes her head mockingly at Seth and says, "This way. Come along."
Hedge Hill is an orderly, well-tended park with rolling hills of cut grass and carefully arranged flowers. The center of the park is a wild tangle of vegetation, standing in stark contrast to the meticulous beauty of the rest of the park. This central forest is overgrown, with few paths, and the dense trees create deep shadows even on bright days.
As you wander along the paths, you notice a side passage leading deeper into the underbrush. Curiously, you also spot a well-concealed tripwire strung across the path.
”As you wish... Just Maya.” Seth replies, a mischievous smile on his face.
Katria points to the tripwire.
"It seems like maybe she is in there, but why? We should be ready, she may be confused or traumatized and lash out," Katria says.
HP 67/59 (inc. +8 from transmutation focus)
AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 18, CMD 21
Fort +11, Ref +7, Will +10
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/5
Mental Focus: 15; Abjuration [4/4]; Divination [4/4]; Enchantment [3/3]; Transmutation [1/4]
Resonant powers (+1 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +2 Charisma
checks; +2 Con)
Spells/day: 1st [x][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][]; 3rd [][][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/20; lightning bolt 0/20; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 0/35
Effects:
Not wanting to take any chances, Katria concentrates for a moment, heightening her awareness.
Amelia grins at Liam, "Well we are talking to a Pharasman. I suppose a little gallows humour isn't what we need right now." Getting back to business, the dandy heads with the others to Hedge Hill.
Upon seeing Katria spot the tripwire, Amelia raises an eyebrow. "Seems to me that we're on the right track. Though it makes me wonder how no animal has tripped it."
"Maybe she's resetting it," Katria says, ready to grab a wand as she starts feeling like eyes may be on her from behind every tree.
Amelia finds a set of human footprints leading to and from the path. She follows them around the tripwire and into a small clearing that contains several dense thickets. Piles of leafy branches rest atop the thickets, making the dense undergrowth even more impenetrable.
A lean, muscular woman with a haunted look in her eyes whirls to look at the dandy. In a flash, she draws her bow and nocks an arrow. "Who are you?" she demands.
Faced with the imposing woman, Katria steps back involuntarily at the threat.
"We're friends, Gallindra!" she says, trying to keep everyone calm despite the quiver in her voice.
"We've helped free your men and women from the medusa, but why are you here?"
The woman's eyes widen and she quickly lowers her weapon. "You freed them? They are alive? Oh, thank the gods."
She sighs heavily. "I had thought them lost forever. Thank you. Up until recently, we served under Commander Jaliessa Staubel. She ordered our regiment to investigate activity in that abandoned manor outside of Yanmass, and we willingly complied. But it was a trap. That medusa attacked us, turned my companions and my mount to stone. Only the fact that my elephant reared up shielded me from the fell magic long enough for me to flee.
"Jaliessa was just trying to dispose of us. We were inconveniently loyal to Taldor instead of her. Luckily, she thinks that I'm dead. I've been hiding here trying to figure out my next move.
"Jaliessa is preparing some kind of treachery and is encamped at an abandoned caravanserai called Tallgrasses, out on the plains. If you want to help me, you'll put a stop to her plot, whatever it might be."
Katria nods, her expression growing unusually grim.
"Treachery and schemes are all too common, and we've suffered them too," she sympathizes. "We had heard about bandits at Tallgrasses and were planning to investigate, but fortunately thought it was more important to find out what happened to you. Now that we know, I think that's our next step. We're here to support Grand Princess Eutropia, whose first loyalty also is to Taldor."
"As Katria said, we sought to investigate Tallgrasses next. It sounds like the 'bandits' are actually Taldan Horse loyal to Jaliessa Staubel. Do you know of her loyalties in the current difficulties?
It is possible, though unlikely, that she is on our side and just misguided.
For example, she may fear that Yanmass will fall into the camp of Maxillar Pythareus, and seeks to cut it off from the rest of Taldor if that should happen.
I think it more likely she supports the High Strategos and fears that Yanmass will fall into the camp of Princess Eutropia.
It would help to know if she expressed any sentiment about the claimants for the throne."
Treachery. Her eyes lit up at the word, there was always excitement for the mind, the tongue and the body when treachery was involved.
"I think that any expressions they might make mean nothing, the acts mean more than the words themselves." She flips her hood quickly to get some sun and cleans the dirt from her nails, "Regardless we should investigate it and find out for sure where they lie."
Seth observes the exchange, trying to get a grasp of the dynamics of the group, "Did you free all of the medusa's victims already? It isn't right to leave them to their fate." he inquires.
"What is right and what needs to be done are two very different things. They will remain in stone for the time being, it is difficult to break such enchantment without time to prepare. I refuse to be idle." Looking at the Seth she speaks with some knowledge of spycraft, "Besides, if they were in contact with the medusa it is only a matter of time until they realize their contact is dead."
Seth looks like he wants to argue the point, but ultimately accedes the point, "So be it. They have gone this long as statues, they will last a few more days, I suppose."
Maya says, "If Jaliessa has contacts in the city, she may already know - or soon learn - that the medusa is dead and the cavalry have been freed. We should make haste to the Talgrasses to resolve this issue. We need to determine once and for all where Jaliessa's loyalties lie."
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"My loyalties are to Taldor's safety above anything else," Gallindra says. "I don't know Jaliessa's proclivities, nor do I care. I only wish to see her brought to justice for what she did to my company. If you'll have me, I will lead you to Tallgrasses tomorrow and join you in fighting against her forces."