Maya nods along with the proposed plan, "They may have divination magic, but they most likely wouldn't be able to use it in the heat of battle. If it comes to it, I could cast Invisibility on myself or the Prince and make a perfect copy of him via Major Image. It seemed to fool most of the soldiers at the Tallgrasses. Perhaps it can work again. In any case, perhaps we should procure some type of sturdy carriage in which to ferry the Prince. A single well-placed arrow could do him in just as easily as a full ambush, so I'd rather we account for either possibility.
"Since we know an attack is coming, I think it would be best if we avoid leaving the Prince alone till we've dealt with the threat. We still don't know the exact form the attack will take, so best to avoid a sneak attack if at all possible."
The ranger turns to the others, "I can agree with that. I don't see any reason to prolong this and let them consolidate power. If they are meaning to act now it means that they feel this is the best time." Thinking about the reinforced carriage, Amelia nods. "Alternatively we can get a bigger convoy and make them play 'Three Dragon Eggs'. Might be less conspicuous than an armored wagon."
She gives a shrug, "Do we have any idea who it is Liam?"
"I am not sure, Amelia. That masked figure who told us the 'abomination' at the center of the Cult of the Twilight Child had to be destroyed. A Pharasman inquisitor or vigilante, perhaps."
The dandy sighs, "I suppose knowing wouldn't change much anyway."
"I cannot say that I can shed any light onto this situation, common faith notwithstanding unfortunately. However, if so desired I may be able to petition my Lady for some answers, if desired." Seth offers.
"It suppose it can't hurt," Katria says. "Or, at least, most divinations don't usually hurt."
Once you are ready to depart, you collect Prince Carrius from the temple of Abadar move to secure him in the sturdy carriage for the journey back to Meratt. Suddenly, there is a bright flash of light, and a winged creature appears in the air before you! This looming black skeleton wraps itself in the wings of a giant black raven, and a familiar red leather mask gazes balefully from where its skull should be. Without a gesture, a wickedly curved scythe appears in its elongated fingers.
"You have chosen poorly," the thing says in the voice of the bald man you encountered several days ago. "You have allied yourselves with an abomination, and I have come to deliver Pharasma's wrath upon you! Turn over the prince this instant, or I shall consign your souls to the Great Beyond!"
Vanths resist spells as well as non-adamantine weapons. They are immune to death effects, disease, and poison, and they resist cold and electricity.
Seth furrows his brow and draws his blade, "If you truly speak for the Lady as you claim, then why would she send you to us? We have done nothing wrong. The Prince is no Lost One, and if he is, he shall be tried and sent to the Lady shortly. We have no quarrel."
HP 75/66 (inc. +9 from transmutation focus)
AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 18, CMD 21
Fort +11, Ref +8, Will +10
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/5
Mental Focus: 16; Abjuration [5/5]; Divination [3/3]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [4/4]
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +1 Perception; +2 Charisma
checks; +2 Con)
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][]; 3rd [][][][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/20; lightning bolt 0/20; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 0/35
Effects: Shaken within 30 feet of vanth
Katria gasps as a wave of fear rushes over her. "A vanth!" she cries out. "Use adamantine, if you have it. They resist spells, especially cold and electricity!"
”Do not presume to know the Lady’s will! And do not stand between me and my prey!” the vanth intones. He swoops down at Seth, swinging his scythe in a broad arc that misses the elf. The psychopomp then abruptly vanishes from sight.
"For Life and Liberty!"
Liam begins Inspire Courage (+2) and casts Invisibility Purge. The latter has a radius of 45'.
The vanth’s invisibility is suppressed, revealing him still adjacent to Seth.
HP 75/66 (inc. +9 from transmutation focus)
AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 18, CMD 21
Fort +11, Ref +8, Will +10
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/5
Mental Focus: 16; Abjuration [5/5]; Divination [3/3]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [4/4]
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +1 Perception; +2 Charisma
checks; +2 Con)
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][]; 3rd [][][][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/20; lightning bolt 0/20; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 1/35
Effects: Shaken within 30 feet of vanth, inspired
Her heart racing, Katria pulls out a wand and fires it toward the vanth.
Brandishing his blade, Seth responds with both words and steel, "I know but one thing of the Lady's will: that all meet their assigned fate. Should the prince's fate be death, he will meet the Lady after he has been sentenced. You are acting out of line."
Maya draws her rapier and starts up her rondo. She's not sure what to make of the group's latest foe, but if it sought the Prince's death, she couldn't let it succeed.
She manages to avoid the supernatural aura, she always managed to pull out the stops at the best times.
Realizing what it is and having her knowledge confirmed by Katria made her smirk, she did remember all the books she read afterall.
"I'm afraid I don't have adamantine. Guess we'll just have to punch through as best we can."
Katria's magic missile falters against the vanth's spell resistance. The psychopomp parries Amelia's attack, but Seth lands two hits, one of which is a critical strike. The wounded creature keeps its masked gaze focused on the elf.
"You may file a complaint with the Lady herself, for I am sending you to meet her!" he declares, lashing out with his scythe again. The magus's magic protects him from harm once more.
Liam understands the outsider's devotion to Pharasma and what it thinks is Her will, but the Lady of Graves is not Liam's deity. He serves a goddess of Hope. He calls on Milani again, filling his allies with hope and raising their spirits.
HP 75/66 (inc. +9 from transmutation focus)
AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 18, CMD 21
Fort +11, Ref +8, Will +10
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/5
Mental Focus: 16; Abjuration [5/5]; Divination [3/3]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [4/4]
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +1 Perception; +2 Charisma
checks; +2 Con)
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][]; 3rd [][][][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/20; lightning bolt 0/20; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 1/35
Effects: Shaken within 30 feet of vanth, inspired and good hoped (+4/+4)
Letting her wand fall to hang from her chatelaine, Katria retreats from the vanth, pulling out Dignity's Barb.
She takes a moment, lining up a shot, and then lets the bolt fly right at the psychopomp!
Moving to action, spurred on by the magic and music in the air, the dandy tries to damage the vanth through it's otherworldly armor.
With a barely imperceptible parry and sidestep, Seth easily deflects the Vanth's overenthusiastic swings, "You may certainly try."
Maya, though shaken by the vanth's aura, continues tapping her feet to maintain her rondo. Her allies would probably get more use from the performance than herself anyway.
Deciding the vanth's scythe could easily prove deadly with a solid swing, Maya tries to remove it from the creature's grasp.
The vanth retains his grip on his scythe, despite Maya's grease. Katria scores a hit with Dignity's Barb, while Amelia steps to flank the determined psychopomp, landing two blows that batter through its damage resistance. Seth slices the creature in two critical locations, leaving it quite critically wounded!
Despite its injuries, the fanatical psychopomp continues to attack, this time putting less force behind its swings. This time, it slices into Seth once.
HP 75/66 (inc. +9 from transmutation focus)
AC 22, touch 15, flat-footed 18, CMD 21
Fort +11, Ref +8, Will +10
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/5
Mental Focus: 16; Abjuration [5/5]; Divination [3/3]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [4/4]
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +1 Perception; +2 Charisma
checks; +2 Con)
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][]; 3rd [][][][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/20; lightning bolt 0/20; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 1/35
Effects: Shaken within 30 feet of vanth, inspired and good hoped (+4/+4)
Katria, her movements quickened by Maya's performance, seems to blur as she grabs bolt after bolt and fires them at the psychopomp.
"It's on the ropes," she calls out.
Liam knows that many outsiders can Teleport - he doesn't know if the Vanth has such ability, but better safe than sorry. He casts Dimensional Anchor.
The cleric frowns as the ray goes wide.
Seth takes the hit with a grimace, "I fear you are far too late, friend. Do greet the Lady for me when you see her again. And if she truly has sent you, tell her that she should have contacted me as she is wont to do first."
Maya maintains her distance and her performance. Given the potentially deadly nature of the vanth's scythe, the bard isn't sure she wants to get close enough to risk feeling its sting. Instead, she bides her time from a distance, hoping her companions can finish the job.
Katria shoots the psychopomp three times with Dignity's Barb, then Seth slices into it twice with his scimitar. Its mask deformed and ruined, the psychopomp crashes to the ground, lying still.
Katria shakes her head.
"It feels like a waste, but hopefully he'll reform in the Graveyard ... though that might mean he'll try to bother us again," she says. "I don't know that we had any other options. But the ince-pray is safe for now, I think, so we should try to get back to Merratt."
Liam is not particularly empathetic about the Vanth.
"Perhaps it is well and truly destroyed. Or, if it reforms, maybe its Mistress will talk to it."
As when Seth was introduced as a servant of Pharasma, Liam remains somewhat suspicious of the mysterious goddess of death (and, formerly, prophecy). Did the psychopomp truly know the will of Pharasma? What if She tells Seth in a dream or something to slay the Prince? Or perhaps She will help us, sending agents to keep Panivar busy and his eyes off of us. Who knows?
He sets his worries aside for now.
"Yes, Katria. Onwards."
"Something tells me this isn't the only part of the story." She attempts to clean the enchanted blade only to find shining steel. It still was a marvel.
"I think we need to move and quickly. Where there is one outsider there can always be more."
Maya nods as the group’s consensus seems to be moving toward continuing on, and quickly at that.
At Amelia’s comment, Maya says, “Let’s hope this is the only crazed outsider pursuing us today, though we should certainly keep up our guard.”
Also among the psychopomp's possessions, you find a fine-looking dagger. Its value is more than that of a mere weapon: it's a relic!
Scion’s Dagger is a +3 ghost touch mithral dagger. As a full-round action, the dagger’s owner can designate up to four willing creatures in her presence as her bodyguards. As a standard action, each of these creatures can determine the owner’s location and condition, as per status, as long as the owner is holding the blade. The dagger’s owner can change the designated bodyguards as a full-round action, with each chosen creature beyond four replacing a prior choice.
If the owner of Scion’s Dagger dies while carrying or wielding the blade, her body evaporates into smoke and her soul transfers into the black sapphire as per soul bind, except anyone holding the dagger can attempt to raise her as though they has access to her intact body. This effect fails if a soul already occupies the gem. Alternatively, a creature holding the dagger can instead speak a command word to release the trapped soul into the afterlife.
You quickly make your way to the waiting barge and soon leave the city behind, heading south back towards Meratt. After two long weeks on the road, you at last make it back to the Palace of Birdsong. Martella Lotheed quickly ushers you and Prince Carrius into her private office and wastes little time in examining the prince herself, asking probing questions about his childhood and comparing him to various sketches and descriptions made of the prince in his lifetime. The young man can't recall everything, but what he does remember is quite specific. Eventually she sends for Lady Paril, the high priest of Abadar in the nearby town of Lotheedar, to bring additional genealogy notes and cast divinations on her behalf.
Martella continues scrutinizing the lad even as she hands him another cup of chamomile tea, which disappears as quickly as the last. "We'll continue once Lady Paril arrives from town with the family records I requested. For now I want all of you to know you've done extraordinary work, even if I don't understand what exactly you've done just yet. If nothing else, we know that Pythareus isn't just playing dirty; it sounds like he's trying to fan the old flames of hatred with Qadira. Maybe even drag us into a new war. For now, though, go home. I'll contact you once I learn anything more about the High Strategos, or about the prince."
She pauses as the study door opens, revealing not one woman but two: Lady Paril and Princess Eutropia. "Martella, why in Abadar's name would you need a cler—" The princess's words catch in her throat as she looks at Carrius. "Carr?" she whispers in shock.
"Eutie!" Carrius cries.
The princess rushes in to embrace her brother, and tears stream down both their faces.
Katria's eye widen as she realizes what the dagger can do, and spends much of the trip back to Merratt studying it, and trying to piece together its full history. She subjects her companions to excited -- and overly detailed -- discourses about it over the course of the trip, likely boring them to distraction.
Katria gasps as the high princess steps into the room -- it's been some time since she's seen her, and she can't help but check for Taldogis too -- and recognizes the prince. That's another mark in his potential favor, but they were trying to keep the information a secret. She wonders if the high princess will be angry with them for not informing her immediately, butterflies suddenly filling her stomach (though she can't help but clinically observe how strange that is considering Desna has nothing to do with it).
Liam tries to assist Martella Lotheed and Archbanker Lady Paril with the inquiries about the Prince if they will allow him.
"Indeed, I did cast Commune and the first question I asked was if this young man truly is Prince Carrius. My goddess Milani responded 'Unclear'. Even the gods are not all-knowing - or some other deity could be blocking Her access to that information."
As they press the Prince with questions, Liam advocates for patience. "If you could give him a minute, please. Maybe not press on that point."
"Take your time, Your Highness. It's okay. You may not remember everything. Would you like a glass of water?"
He is polite and respectful to Lady Martella and the Archbanker, but he does try to emphasize compassion for Carrius. "He's a major political figure, an unexpected development in this civil war, a mystery, he is all that and more. But first of all he is a young man who has been through a lot."
He will add, out of earshot of the Prince, "One other thing... I suspect the involvement of the immortal wizard Panivar Lotheed. He has a deep interest in tampering with the River of Souls. It is my suspicion that he engineered the Prince's return, probably to use him in some fashion. It would not surprise me if Panivar were also pulling the strings on Pythareus, whether the High Strategos knows it or not. I must ask you, Lady Martella, to have your agents listen for rumors of Panivar, or of mysterious figures in Pythareus's entourage."
---
At the arrival of Princess Eutropia, Liam bows and backs out of the room, wishing to let her have all the moments she needs with her brother, but nearby enough to answer questions if his help is needed. Liam smiles. The Princess Eutropia sees a long-lost brother, a person... I think most in this world will see the Prince instead as a tool, a victim, a target, an emblem, an abomination... I would not wish to be him.
Taldogis rushes over to greet you happily, nearly bowling Katria over in his excitement to get pets.
Martella quickly ushers the hulking dog and the rest of you out of the room to give Carrius and Eutropia some privacy. She bids you to tend to your personal business and promises to be in touch soon.
***
After a week, a messenger arrives from Princess Eutropia, bearing a letter and a staff of healing commissioned for you in honor of the reunion you made possible. The letter simply reads, "You have the eternal gratitude of a sister. Thank you."
Amelia is shocked but does her best to hide it. She was surprised they made it here so easily, and even more surprised when the Princess embraced him. So... What does this do for us now? She made a mental note that she would need to speak with Lady Martella when the time was right.
She tries her best to overhear the conversation between the reunited siblings, her worse natures taking over, but quickly has that quashed when they are forced out of the room. The dandy has little to add, she will be reporting to the Lady in the near future anyway, so for now she was excited for some rest in a proper palace, with proper amenities.
---
"It has been a pleasure but I'll be leaving for now, I need a proper bath and a proper meal. If you'll excuse me." She gives a quick bow to her comrades and starts off before giving a knowing nod to Lady Martella.
In between crafting items, Liam will spend some time in Stachys attending town meetings. He listens as the residents exert their new authority in local government. He offers his advice if asked.
His efforts at improving his intuition and empathy pay off (with a bit of luck or divine inspiration). Liam knows when to speak and when to keep his mouth shut, and manages to help the people of Stachys resolve some local issues without coming across as overbearing or patronizing.
Amelia looks to unite a couple of people with the royal house, Pharasman clergy specifically, at the request of her patron. The secret meetings were always difficult, especially with a situation like this.
She eventually turns to organize a protest at the other claimants for the throne, hoping to bolster the support of those in the city. She was a woman of many faces and did her best to appear as such.
A relatively quiet month passes in Meratt. You take the time to relax and prepare for your future challenges. Eventually, you are summoned to the Palace of Birdsong.
Princess Eutropia's mutt, Taldogis, bounds forward in greeting, wielding a deafening bark and nearly lethal wagging tail. The princess gently shoos him away before inviting you into her office.
"I want to thank you again," she begins, "both for your loyal service and more personally for returning Carrius to me. I don't understand who would have the resources to raise him from the dead after so many years, but it seems obvious the plan is to disrupt both Pythareus's and my own claims to the throne. For now he's safe and recovering. He seems to be the same boy, but... haunted by this unfortunate transition. Hopefully Carrius can provide us with additional details once the cultists' drugs wear off and he feels more comfortable returned to his skin. In the meantime, it is an infinite kindness to see my brother again.
"I know normally Martella Lotheed would be offering you assignments, but she is presently in Qadira trying to prevent a war. After your encounter in Yanmass, you returned with evidence that Maxillar is conducting false attacks on Taldan border communities, disguising his soldiers as Qadirans. My follow‐up investigations have revealed he has also conducted 'retaliatory' attacks against Qadiran targets in response. He seems to believe that a nation at war will select a general as its emperor, and he's probably right. But I don't need to remind you that the last time we went to war with Qadira, it lasted 500 years and cost millions of lives, not to mention half our empire.
"There is some good news: we're not alone in wanting to prevent this. Up until now, the Lion Blades have been reluctant to take a side in the succession debate, but with Maxillar risking the nation's safety, they have reached out to me for assistance. It seems all their resources in Zimar have suddenly gone dark, and they need new eyes in the city. You've proven yourselves my most loyal and reliable agents; I'd like you to proceed to the Kitharodian Academy in Oppara to meet a woman named Kathann Zalar. She'll provide you additional information, training, and resources for this joint venture. She also asked that you return an ocarina constructed by a master artisan of the Kitharodian Academy that has been housed here at the palace for the last few centuries, as a sign of good faith.
"Do you have any questions before you depart?"
"What can you tell us about this city of Zimar where we will be going?
And what about Kathann Zalar?"
"Zimar is a fortified city on the southern border between Taldor and Qadira. It is Taldor’s southernmost major settlement and Taldor’s third largest city after Oppara and Cassomir. Its people are passionately loyal to Pythareus and wary of outsiders.
"Kathann is one of my few remaining contacts within the Lion Blades. She assisted me in my campaign to overturn primogeniture, and rushed to our defense during the Exaltation Massacre. I’ve quite literally trusted her with my life, though her sense of humor can be a bit... overbearing."
"Does the ocarina have any other significance?" Katria asks, her mind drifting to the legislation she's been working on, one designed to make it harder for Pythareus and his senators to drive the empire into a war that will cause untold destruction. Unfortunately, it's not something she's done much of yet, and the overall goal gets lost in the details, making her proposal almost useless, even if it had ever passed.
"I don’t think it does, beyond serving as a gesture of trust," Eutropia says. "It seems one of my ancestors borrowed the piece from the Kitharodian Academy and it simply became part of the family collection. A troubling habit in Taldan history."
The dandy was surprised to be in the presence of Princess Eutropia. "I know a little about Qadiran customs, I can do my best to fill you in along the way if you so desire." She was happy that she was allowed to go on assignment, but also a little frustrated that the break had not lasted as long as she would have liked. She felt the magic in her well up and gave Liam a knowing look, "What can you tell us about the false attacks on Qadira so that we don't go in blind?"
She bit her tongue, "Sorry, my liege."
"No need to apologize. Forewarned is forearmed, after all. The attacks so far have been minor raids on targets of low military value," Princess Eutropia says. "Enough for Maxillar to put on the appearance of 'defending Taldor' for his support base but not enough to provoke Qadira to make a dedicated response yet. But he is rattling his saber for war, and apparently spilling Taldan blood to get it. The sooner we put a stop to his crimes, the better."