Katria recognizes the creatures as entothropes, victims of a curse similar to lycanthropy. Instead of transforming into werewolves or similar mammals, though, they have transformed into were-assasin bugs! They have poisonous bites and are resistant to non-silver weapons.
"I have no sympathy for assassins, but killing them all might not be the best course of action.
What if we were to teleport to their leader, incapacitate her and take her prisoner, then use her as a hostage to keep the others at bay until we have learned what there is to learn?
If not that plan, then stealth as Seth and Amelia suggest."
"I think that makes sense," Katria nods. "Teleportation and going straight to the head of the enemy has worked well for us a few times."
Liam will use the Standard of Conquest to transport the party.
Spells to cast first:
Greater Shield of Fortification on everybody (lasts 11 minutes, grants 50% fortification).
Good Hope on the party (11 minutes)
Barkskin on himself and Amelia (using Pearl of Power) (110 minutes, +4)
Shield on himself (11 minutes)
Magic Vestment on himself (11 hours)
Invisibility Purge (11 minutes)
Moment of Greatness (11 minutes)
0 (4): Light, Stabilize, Create Water, Guidance
1 (6+1):
2 (6+1):
3 (5+1): Protection from Energy (D),
4 (4+1): Spell Immunity (D),
5 (3+1): Spell Resistance (D), Breath of Life (2), Communal Air Walk
6 (2+1): Antimagic Field (D), Greater Dispel Magic, Heal
"Gather here for a moment."
She improves everyone's reflexes in case of any traps or magic. .
When you are ready, Liam raises the Standard of Conquest, teleporting you all into the library with Sister Dismaal and her bodyguards. The three monks startle at you sudden appearance!
"For Taldor and Princess Eutropia!"
Liam starts INSPIRE COURAGE +3 and casts Sound Burst on the enemies.
That is sonic damage, and a DC 18 Fort save or be stunned 1 round.
HP 91/91 (inc. +11 from transmutation focus; base 80)
AC 23, touch 16, flat-footed 18, CMD 23
Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +11
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/6
Mental Focus: 19; Abjuration [4/4]; Divination [3/4]; Illusion [4/4]; Enchantment [2/3]; Transmutation [4/4] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +1 Charisma checks; +2 Con; 20% miss chance)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.:
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][]; 3rd [][][][]; 4th [x][x][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/20; lightning bolt 0/20; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 0/34
Effects:
Katria concentrates for a moment and then gestures toward Sister Dismaal, sending a spray of bright light toward her, where the motes swirl in a brilliant shroud.
Unperturbed by the standard of conquest's teleportation, Amelia flies into battle with Koriana's Blade.
Seth is ready with his sword drawn and enhanced, so as soon as they appear in the library he springs into action, striking at Sister Dismaal.
Liam unleashes a burst of sound on the monks, wounding all of them. Amelia moves in to slice Sister Dismaal, then Seth dashes in and delivers a furious series of strikes. With the final blow, the elven monk falls before she can even fight back!
The other two monks reel, stunned by the sound burst and unable to act!
Liam tries to judge if Sister Dismaal still lives or is truly dead.
The elf is dying but still clinging to life!
Liam continues his performance (round 2) and casts Stabilize on Sister Dismaal.
"Subdue them if you can. Hostages keep us safe. Corpses do not."
HP 91/91 (inc. +11 from transmutation focus; base 80)
AC 23, touch 16, flat-footed 18, CMD 23
Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +11
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/6
Mental Focus: 19; Abjuration [4/4]; Divination [3/4]; Illusion [4/4]; Enchantment [2/3]; Transmutation [4/4] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +1 Charisma checks; +2 Con; 20% miss chance)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.:
Spells/day: 1st [][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][]; 3rd [][][][]; 4th [x][][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/20; lightning bolt 0/20; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 0/34
Effects:
Seeing the elven monk go down, Katria's jaw falls open in stunned surprise. Her mind races as she tries to figure out what she can do to help keep the monks subdued, fearing they might have too strong wills for her own powers.
With few other options, she pulls her blade and slashes at the first stunned monk, assuming she won't kill him, then feints to draw it's attention from Amelia.
"Not an issue."
Moving to slice the monks up, she only aims for slashes that would leave superficial damage.
Seth maneuvers into position, keeping his magic active as he decidedly does [i]not[i] go for nonlethal wounds.
With another swift assault, you dispatch the remaining monks before they can fight back! Like Sister Dismaal, they still live, but are quite thoroughly unconscious.
The four monks who were training in the room down the hall have heard the sound burst, though, and now they come running down the hall towards you, trying to defend their monastery!
HP 91/91 (inc. +11 from transmutation focus; base 80)
AC 23, touch 16, flat-footed 18, CMD 23
Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +11
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/6
Mental Focus: 19; Abjuration [4/4]; Divination [3/4]; Illusion [4/4]; Enchantment [2/3]; Transmutation [4/4] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +1 Charisma checks; +2 Con; 20% miss chance)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 5
Spells/day: 1st [x][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][]; 3rd [][][][]; 4th [x][][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/20; lightning bolt 0/20; magic missile (CL 5) 0/47; magic missile (CL 5) 0/34
Effects:
Seeing the monks rushing forward, Katria tries a spell, hoping to turn them against each other.
Seth interposes himself between the newcomers and his allies, holding his blade prepared to intercept those that come their way.
Liam will give up Communal Air Walk to spontaneously cast Greater Command.
Amelia holds the line and readies an attack with Koriana's Blade in hand.
The monks prove quite resistant to your compulsions, ignoring both Liam's and Katria's spells. Seth and Amelia slash and pummel the first two monks as they close.
The monks dart in to punch at the warriors before springing back, allowing their allies to do the same! Luckily, both Seth and Amelia manage to fend off their strikes.
Liam continues Inspire Courage (round 4) and casts Admonishing Ray on one of the monks.
Rays of force slam into one of the monks' solar plexus.
HP 91/91 (inc. +11 from transmutation focus; base 80)
AC 23, touch 16, flat-footed 18, CMD 23
Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +11
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/6
Mental Focus: 19; Abjuration [4/4]; Divination [3/4]; Illusion [4/4]; Enchantment [2/3]; Transmutation [4/4] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +1 Charisma checks; +2 Con; 20% miss chance)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 5
Spells/day: 1st [x][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][]; 3rd [][][][]; 4th [x][][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/20; lightning bolt 0/20; magic missile (CL 5) 1/47; magic missile (CL 5) 0/34
Effects:
Katria shakes her head -- she should know most monks have strong wills and would be able to resist such compulsions. She drops her blade and pulls one of her wands instead, firing three magic missiles that she knows will hit their target.
Easily deflecting the blow, Amelia shifts into a more aggressive stance. "I gave you a chance to lay down your arms, I will have to unfortunately use more force than I wanted."
Rushing down the nearest monk, Amelia attempts a two handed cleave.
With a quick twist of his wrist, Seth slices into his attackers, aiming to take them down one after the other.
Liam's rays slam into one of the monks, knocking him out. Katria blasts another one with magic missies, then Amelia and Seth team up to take that one down. The remaining two monks step up to go toe-to-toe with the elf, but they are unable to find a gap in his defenses!
HP 91/91 (inc. +11 from transmutation focus; base 80)
AC 23, touch 16, flat-footed 18, CMD 23
Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +11
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/6
Mental Focus: 19; Abjuration [4/4]; Divination [3/4]; Illusion [4/4]; Enchantment [2/3]; Transmutation [4/4] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +2 Perception, low-light vision; +1 Charisma checks; +2 Con; 20% miss chance)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 5
Spells/day: 1st [x][][][][]; 2nd [][][][][]; 3rd [][][][]; 4th [x][][]
Wands: Scorching ray 0/20; lightning bolt 0/20; magic missile (CL 5) 2/47; magic missile (CL 5) 0/34
Effects:
Katria calls out to the two remaining monks, "Just give up! You can see you can't beat us, can't you?" If they don't, she blasts one again with magic missiles.
Seth turns aside the blows one at a time with his blade, responding in kind.
Amelia shakes her head, "More needless loss of life. When will people understand it isn't necessary to throw your life away for this?"
As this fight is probably well in hand, Liam saves his remaining Admonishing Ray.
If any are still up, he will give up one Sure Casting to cast Command for "HALT," DC 17.
If all are down, he will cast Stabilize on the nearest.
Amelia and Seth take down a third monk, but the final one resists Liam's command. Despite being on the wrong end of a losing battle, the last monk desperately attacks Amelia, landing one hit.
Unfortunately, it's not nearly enough to swing the balance, and the monk soon joins his unconscious brethren.
Liam will stabilize any of the wounded, and then begin searching Sister Dismaal's quarters for any evidence or documents that might refer to Pythareus, Milon Jeroth, or the Immaculate Circle.
The library's scrolls and books include volumes on history, medicine, and philosophy, but also recipes for preparing intelligent creatures and reams of erotica, which one would not expect in a monastic collection. A thorough search reveals a manual of gainful exercise +1 tucked behind a shelf.
Dismaal’s wardrobe contains three noble’s outfits and seven courtier’s outfits, as well as assorted jewelry worth a total of 1,200 gp. An emerald set above the door is worth 2,000 gp.
A pewter brazier on the desk holds a half‐burned order from Maxillar Pythareus. This is a vital piece of evidence for his illegal agenda. What remains reads as follows.
—ill comely, despite her advancing age, and still within her childbearing years. I'd much prefer her argumentative nature curbed. This entire conflict would be so easily resolved with a wedding, were she not so demanding and selfish! It truly pains me to do this, but for the sake of Taldor she must be put down like the rabid animal she acts like. These new agents her fawning assistant seems to prefer—they are relative unknowns with a reputation for violence, are they not? Cut her throat and put the dagger in their hands; perhaps that will finally get the Lion Blades to obey. Return to me when the deed is done and your payment will be enough to establish your order as a legitimate force among the Taldan aristocracy.
—Pythareus
"They're trying to set us up!" Katria exclaims, before immediately wondering whether he could in fact be plotting against some other catspaws. Have they truly drawn his attention? And, what sort of man puts his own signature on something so damning.
"And the way he objectifies the Grand Princess! Certainly there's a long history of sexism in Taldor leadership -- obviously the effort to rectify that in part led to all this -- but ... what a pig!"
Still, Katria can't help but wonder if this is a further setup from the Immaculate Circle and/or Panivar, a concern she voices to the others. Wouldn't this potentially take out two birds at once (should it be used against Pythareus after she and her friends were executed), or allow them to simple implicate whoever they felt was more of a threat.
"'Relative unknowns with a reputation for violence'?"
Liam looks at the carnage the party has wrought.
"Well... okay... maybe. But I thought we did a fine job in Stachys and Yanmass, resolving problems with as little bloodshed as necessary."
"I agree, Katria. Political marriages are part of the world of the aristocracy, but this letter lacks any sort of decency, decorum, or respect for Princess Eutropia. And to plan to kill her for her refusal to marry Pythareus is, perhaps, revealing as to the prior murder he was involved with.
This letter could be a setup from Panivar and the Immaculate Circle, but I doubt it. Milon Jeroth was their agent here. This note would only have been discovered if he was defeated, his ledgers taken, and then someone tracked down his allies here at the Seven Forms of Sin and defeated them as well. I don't think he would count on all that happening. But if you wish, we can ask Sister Dismaal about it.
And as to these assassins... Zimar might be better served by killing them all, or it might not. Who knows what other group would take their place. I intend to ask Sister Dismaal to swear to take no action against us, directly or indirectly. I could magically compel her, but that only lasts for a number of days, and might make her seek revenge afterwards."
Amelia swiftly cleans the blade that does not need cleaning, before shifting herself to examining the room. Seeing the letter, her facade breaks, "Set us up? Bloodthirsty? Childbearing? Unbelievable." Something in that struck a nerve with the woman, but she was remiss to say more.
"I cannot speak to acts of violence, I have done the best I could to stay my blade where possible, but we do know that this is a war of ideals as much as weapons." She began to cycle through strategies in her head to shift the momentum in their favour, this war would be won as much with cloak and dagger as it would with revolt and camaraderie.
Walking up to Sister Dismaal, the dandy goes to grab some rope and chain. "Let's get to it." Tying her up, she eventually gives the unconscious woman a pat on the face.
"Wake up. I have some questions for you." She steps aside just enough to reveal the bodies along the floor and her comrades.
The elven monk groans as she regains consciousness. She sneers up at Amelia. "Ask them, then. I haven't got all day."
"We know you are working against the High Princess and plotting her murder," Katria says, her heart in her throat for a moment. "Have you taken any steps to put that plan in motion?"
"And how did Pythareus contact you? Tell us more about your arrangements with him, if you will."
"We work for Milon Jeroth," Dismaal says. "He gets the orders from Pythareus, and he tells us when to act. We have not done so yet."
"Milon Jeroth is dead," says Liam.
"And he served a different master than Pythareus. We will leave this place and leave you with your life if you will swear an oath to your gods to not knowingly act against us or against Princess Eutropia, directly or indirectly.
I am not the law here. Perhaps it is necessary that Zimar have a group such as yours; and, if not, Zimar's authorities will act against you in their own time. I do seek to place Princess Eutropia on the throne of Taldor. If you are but mercenaries, and have no true grievance against her, then you can stand down.
Are these terms you can accept?"
And on her reply...
Seth lingers just in the periphery of Dismaal's line of sight, watching the interrogation with interest.
Dismaal nods. "Yes, I can accept those turns. I vow that neither you nor your princess will have anything to fear from our order from this point forth."
Amelia raises an eyebrow, it almost seemed too easy, So what do the rest of you think? The thought ran through her head, trying to feel the Sister's emotion.
"Very well."
Liam turns to his comrades.
"Let us be off."
Once the party has left the monastery, Liam will use the Wand of Sending to contact Kathann.
Pythareus sought to hire assassins to murder Eutropia and frame us, to force Lion Blades to take his side. Have letter to guildmistress.
Katria nods.
"So what now? I think we need to rest, but then we should perhaps go to Waterhill?" she asks the others.
From here:
My own personal agents in Waterhill have had difficulty in swaying Pythareus’s majordomo, Baron Astor, and now stamp and fume to replace him with one of my own. I feel the scrutiny the high strategos keeps him under makes this hasty course seem childishly impulsive. We shall bide our time.
Pythareus’s little cult and its enumerator, Iovinus, have likewise proved intractable. Whoever would imagine an Abadaran would feel himself above a bribe. So be it. The Seven Forms of Sin are eager enough for my coin instead, and have places to stash his corpse. I await only your approval.
With all the evidence you have collected against Pythareus, it is enough for the Lion Blades to agree beyond a shadow of a doubt that the High Strategos is a threat to the nation’s safety. When you inform her of your latest discovery, Kathann asks you to meet her again at Panemona’s Windmill Inn, outside the city.
The vishkanya waits for you in a small booth inside the inn. "Thanks to your efforts, we now have conclusive evidence against Pythareus. His actions—ordering unlawful attacks on Taldan settlements, murdering Taldan citizens, threatening rivals, and trying to drag Taldor into a war—constitute treason. He is unfit for command and must be arrested before he causes more damage to our nation. You’ve already done so much for the Lion Blades, but I must ask you for one more task: place High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus under arrest! He operates in the city’s most fortified stronghold: Abadar’s Pillar, on the river.
"If the situation demands it, you are authorized to kill him. But if there’s a decent man left inside him, I hope you can persuade him to surrender."
Amelia listens and takes a quick breath, "Tell us what to expect of this fortress. Are there any old tunnels? Are there ways in that are not normally seen by those who walk in the day?"
She wanted to have all the information available to her before she went off, but no matter what happens she was certain it would come to blows with the High Strategos.