"The sisters are in the reception hall, on the ground floor of the keep," Avenna says.
"Alas, I do not know who is in that chamber. I have only been told that Pythareus is holding a 'special prisoner' there. The room is lined with lead, so my divinations cannot penetrate it. Only Pythareus and the castellan, Baron Roderus, have keys to the room."
Katria's eyes stay to the books. She envies this woman a little, being able to stay here and research ... though now it seems she may not be able to. She's glad, at least, that they weren't forced to kill another scholar. Perhaps when this is all over, Katria can exchange notes with her.
"Perhaps we can find a way in," she suggests. "It sounds like perhaps we should. In the meantime, if you are not scrying any further, are we safe to use our own magic in here? We've been careful to try not to, but it could help us. And if there's anything else you can tell us that would help us here, we would be grateful."
Avenna nods. "Yes, feel free to use your magic. I won't tell anybody. Baron Roderus usually trains his troops and keeps watch on the roof of the keep. Pythareus himself moves throughout the keep, so I can't tell you exactly where you might encounter him."
Amelia begins to speak but when she hears the diplomatic mission of Liam she decides to wait. There was a time and a place for each tool and if she was going to lie, it may be the wrong tool for the situation.
Listening to the conversation she is glad to not have to resort to violence, the woman seemed innocuous enough.
"We are thinking of finding our way into that room and rescuing that prisoner. Would it be alright if we placed them up here in your employ once we do? I would hate for them to be caught in some dreadful battle, malnourished and effectively a liability." The silver tongue didn't have to use its magic as her concern for the well being of the faceless prisoner was earnest.
"If no, there is no issue. I am truthfully happy to know that our mission won't spill more blood than required." She remembers something, "If the guards ask you about a delivery, there was one at the gates if you understand my meaning."
"The guards did say that you were not to be bothered, so hopefully they will not come to check."
Amelia believes that Avenna is being open and honest with you.
Avenna nods. "Of course. Whoever they are, I will watch over them and ensure they remain unharmed."
You head back downstairs to the locked door on the tower's third floor. With some effort, you are able to break through the lock. This large suite reeks of human body odor and alcohol, and once‑fine clothes lie scattered about.
A gaunt, disheveled man in a simple homespun outfit paces about the room. It takes you a moment to recognize him without the trappings of finery--this is none other than Grand Prince Stavian III! He squints in your direction with an angry scowl.
"There you are! You have some nerve making me wait so long. I demand you clean up my room at once! This place is a pigsty! And bring me more wine! I'm parched!" He waves an empty goblet in the air.
"Where am I, anyway? Where are my children? I will have answers, damn it!"
"Wait, what?!" Katria reacts with shock. "You're dead ... er, your majesty."
Her mind reels. How is this possible?? And what does it mean for what they've been doing?!
She concentrates, scanning for magic.
Liam's jaw hits the floor.
Reports of his death were greatly exaggerated.
He waits for Katria to figure out the situation.
A back-up plan by Panivar in case the Prince Carrius attempt failed? Or is this something entirely outside the archmage's control?
Stavian's brow furrows. "Dead? What are you talking about? Where's the wine I asked for?"
Katria does not detect any magic in the area, save for the teleportation ward that blankets the whole fortress.
He may not even know who he is.
"I have no wine at the moment, but do tell us of your children, sir. It may be that we can help find them."
”Little Eutropia, and darling Carrius,” Stavian says wistfully. ”The apples of my eye! How is it you don’t know them?” He narrows his eyes at Liam. ”You're not with Pythareus, are you? You've come for me!" He turns to the rest of you. "Serve your prince! Execute this ingrate! But clean my room first! It's disgusting!"
Liam falls back out of the room and motions to Katria to join him.
If she does, he will close the door.
"Oh, yes, give us a moment to do that, your majesty. The ingrate, I mean. Not the room. That might take some more time," she says, trying to assuage him.
She backs out.
"It's like he doesn't remember what happened," she muses.
"He is not well. Obviously he could not be allowed to reclaim the throne in any mental state.
Perhaps we can deliver him to Princess Eutropia after this. Or have the Lion Blades attend to him on a quiet island manor somewhere... I advocate for mercy over vengeance as much as possible, and he seems so pathetic that I don't see a threat... but I feel it should be Eutropia's decision. It would not be our place to execute her father."
"Oh, no, definitely not. But also, if he's still alive, and Carrius ... this all got much more complicated. The grand princess may be the most fit to rule, but ... I'm not sure she has the legal authority at this point."
Liam asks Katria to re-lock the door.
"Pythareus knows that as well, which is why he has kept Stavian locked away in a lead-lined room.
What is happening now is a revolution to determine who should rule Taldor. I am only concerned with inherent right to the extent that it can marshal public support.
If Princess Eutropia consolidates her power, I have no doubt that a reconstituted Senate will back her claim.
I would doubt that Prince Carrius wants the throne or is a mental state to rule.
And as to Stavian... as I said, the Lion Blades could secretly keep him a prisoner in comfort somewhere if he expresses true remorse for his actions or has entirely lost his mind. Or, if he is sane but unrepentant, then he resurfaces after Eutropia's throne is secure and he is exiled or even executed.
This is a revolution after all. While I hope it does not turn into Galt, I am fine with ignoring succession and putting the best person on the throne."
"Where to now?"
Amelia is taken aback when she sees what is behind the door. She debates speaking up but realizes that ultimately whatever the situation, even a glib tongue wouldn't be much help.
The dandy eyes the once-dead liege.
This can't be real...
She steps out of the room and turns to face Liam and Katria, "What in the name of Pharasma's steely sight is this? This can't be witchcraft..." Her mind started to grind trying to think of reasons this would be so, "Is it possible that him returning damaged him? Did his death cause some issues with poisons?" Knowing that her skills with these things were limited she eyes Katria, "Surely there must be some explanation here."
It took her a moment, "Is this the scorched earth tactic? Should the Princess win... Is this to send Taldor into chaos?"
Amelia hated not knowing the internal workings of politics. "Let us speak with our diviner friend. She should know what is in the lead-lined room and I can imagine her curiosity might give us some information."
Amelia can tell that Stavian is an angry, bitter shell of a man. His erratic behavior could be symptoms of an advanced stage of dementia.
Dame Avenna seems just as surprised as you that the former Grand Prince is still alive. "He must have survived his injuries somehow. I can understand why Pythareus has kept him a secret. He cannot reveal the Grand Prince now for fear of threatening his own ambitions of succession, but he must still feel some loyalty to his former liege to not have had him executed."
"That makes some sense," she nods. "It's also possible he could have been restored to this body, but his memories taken from an earlier point, one in which he recalls his children as still being alive. Or that a copy has been made of him and it or the original has been on the throne, and this one here, for some time, considering the seemingly long-term nature of Panivar's plans."
She pauses for a beat.
"Though dementia does also seem a possible explanation."
She considers. "I think we must ask Pythareus himself, in time. Before then, can you keep your eye on him, Dame Avenna. He should remain fine in his cell, but if you can make sure none approaches him until we return?"
If the woman agrees, Katria turns to the others.
"I know this is alarming, but I think we still need to stick to our plans. Let's confront the night hags next. I think considering this, Pythareus may be less amenable than we were hoping, so cutting his support first will help in our confrontation with him."
"I agree, Katria.
As to Pythareus... I think he must have a suspicion that this is all spiraling out of his control, even if he doesn't know about Panivar. Just Stavian alone is a problem that has no real good long-term solution for Pythareus. And beyond that, Night Hags? He cannot be comfortable with that arrangement. He no doubt suspected that Milon Jeroth had his own angle, he must have feared that the Seven Forms of Sin could get a better offer to turn against him... only a great fool could feel confident in this situation."
You make your way to the main keep's reception hall, ready to take on the night hag sisters. Royal lion emblems adorn the walls of this spacious ballroom. Three crystal chandeliers hanging from the 20‑foot‑high ceiling bathe the room in brilliant sparkling light. A fine green‑and‑blue rug on the floor bears the embroidered image of a large grimacing lion wearing the Primogen Crown.
Two courtiers lounge in the hall, but when the women see you, they quickly narrow their eyes and get to their feet.
"You cannot fool us," one says. "Your auras stink of righteousness."
"You are the ones who slew our dear sister," the other snarls. "You will pay for taking her from us!"
They rise up into the air, dresses fluttering about them, as they prepare to attack!
Seth draws his blade, preparing himself for an attack.
Seeing Seth preparing for battle, the disguised hags target him with their magic. One attempts to hex him with an evil eye while the other then casts a spell of paralysis on the elf!
"This is your finish, fiends!"
If Seth is Held, Liam will cast Spell Immunity (Hold Person, Murderous Command, Call the Void) on Seth.
If Seth made his save, then Liam will instead cast Blessing of Fervor on the party.
As a move action, he will begin Inspire Courage +3.
So we'll need Seth's save resolved before Amelia acts, because it will impact if Blessing of Fervor is active. Note that Seth can use Amelia's Bestow Luck ability for a +4 after the fact on his save, and also Hold Person is an enchantment, so I think it most likely that he passes.
Amelia sees the hags reveal their true selves in their nature, and she rushes headlong into battle.
Katria pulls out Dignity's Barb and concentrates, imbuing it with her magic.
HP 111/111 (inc. +24 from transmutation focus; base 87)
AC 25, touch 16, flat-footed 20, CMD 24
Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +12
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/7
Mental Focus: 21; Abjuration [4/4]; Divination [3/3]; Illusion [4/4]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [4/6] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +1 Perception, low-light vision; +2 Charisma checks; +4 Con; 20% miss chance)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 6
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: Barkskin (+2 natural armor, included above); outsider bane on Dignity's Barb
Seth darts forward, his sword flashing out as he strikes against the had who tried to paralyze him.
Amelia charges in, delivering a powerful slash to one of the hags, while Seth dashes in and slices her up further! The witch is badly wounded, but still manages to back away a few feet. Shrieking in fury, she tries to blind Seth, while the other one attempts to paralyze Amelia!
Fortified by Koriana's Blade, Amelia shrugs off the mental assault.
"Oh you've made a mistake."
With frightening skill, the dandy whirls into a furious attack with the magic granted from Liam.
She stares at the other hag, "You'll be next."
HP 111/111 (inc. +24 from transmutation focus; base 87)
AC 25, touch 16, flat-footed 20, CMD 24
Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +12
Speed: 30 feet
Inspiration (Knowledge/Linguistics/Spellcraft checks): 0/7
Mental Focus: 21; Abjuration [4/4]; Divination [3/3]; Illusion [4/4]; Enchantment [4/4]; Transmutation [4/6] (refocusing rod)
Resonant powers (+2 saves; +1 Perception, low-light vision; +2 Charisma checks; +4 Con; 20% miss chance)
Cape of the mountebank 0/1; gloves of arrow snaring 0/2; Dignity's Barb Crit No.: 6
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: Barkskin (+2 natural armor, included above); outsider bane on Dignity's Barb
Katria, feeling the power of Dignity's Bard in her hands, fires two bolts in quick succession at Seth's foe . Still, one of the bolts goes badly wide as she tries to make sure she doesn't shoot her companion.
Liam continues Inspire Courage (round 2 used for today).
If Seth is Blinded, then Liam will cast Dispel Magic on the Blindness/Deafness.
Presuming only one is left... if Seth is not Blinded, then Liam will instead draw his morningstar, move into a flank, and strike.
Morningstar has Greater Magic Weapon on it for a +3, but GMW does not suffice for bypassing DR/cold iron or DR/silver.
Seth keeps the pressure on the hag, delivering blow after blow.
Amelia cuts down the wounded hag with several brutal slices from Koriana's Blade. Katria shoots the second witch with a bolt from Dignity's Barb, then Liam moves in to flank the hag, scoring a critical hit and setting Seth up for two swift slices!
"You'll pay for this, mortals!" the hag shrieks. "Even if you kill us, the Circle will have its revenge!" She tries to concentrate on casting a spell defensively, but she is unable to focus with everybody surrounding her!
You make swift work of the hag, finishing her off before she has a chance to try another spell.
Liam hangs his morningstar back at his belt. He sheds no tears for the fiends.
"If I and one other take these rings, I may be able to use the teleportation abilities of the Standard of Conquest in a fight if needed. I would say Katria, so that we can reposition out of combat.
If we are to continue cutting out Pythareus's supports, should we now make for Baron Astor Roderus?"
Amelia glances the other way, "Revenge. Petty and ugly."
She sheathes the sword and turns toward Liam, "I think we should. If we remove his supports and corner him, he may be more than willing to surrender peacefully."
"To the roof, then."
Liam will cast Find the Path to identify the most direct path to the roof.
Liam's spell leads you through a nearby lounge, then to a flight of stairs that ascends through the center of the keep. On the second floor, though, a pair of guards stand at the ready. "Halt. Visitors are not allowed beyond this point," one says. "What is your business here?"
Amelia steps up, "You need to let us through immediately. We have information that needs to come directly from us. It was an order from him."
She emphasized the him to let them fill in their own blanks.
"Now move over before we all vanish from this place."
Katria takes the ivoryring Liam offered and slips it on, though she hangs back and lets Amelia handle the guards. That's her forte, and fits with the character Katria has adopted (which ironically is much like her own real identity).
The urgency and command in Amelia's voice gives the guards pause, and they reluctantly step aside to let you pass.
The stairs lead up past two more levels before emerging onto the roof of the keep. A 4‑foot‑tall defensive wall with rectangular crenels surrounds the top of the keep. Four ballistae are kept loaded and ready to fire, pointed outward to target any outside assailants.
The castellan of the fortress, Baron Astor Roderus, broods atop the wall while he watches the courtyard activity 80 feet below. Four elite guards attend to him. The bald, bearded baron turns as you draw near, glowering at you. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"We need to speak with you on an urgent matter requiring utmost discretion, sir," Katria ventures, hoping they might be able to lure than man away from the guards. "We've been told you're the one we should speak with if we want to get a message to the general from people in Oppara who hold similar interests as he."
Liam watches and listens. He is unsure of the best course of action to take with the Baron, so doesn't venture any comments just yet.
"Is that so? Well, speak up, then! What's this message?" Roderus demands.
Understanding what Katria wanted, Amelia took a different approach. One that was honest and hoped her gambit would pay off.
"Your boss, Pythareus... He is meddling with forces that are quite unnatural." She steps forward to show her seriousness, "There have been feigned deaths of lieges, necromancy, consorting with Night Hags, assassinations. I fear that whatever dark path he is on, he will be dragging all of these nations down with him."
She considers her words, "I do not pretend to know everything, but I know that whatever is happening here is not the course that this world needs to stay on. A leader built up from such treachery and such evil leads to states like Galt, Geb and Cheliax."
Lifting her empty hands up she speaks a single question with no guile, "Would you wish to see another Galt, Geb or Cheliax? To see these people that you are entrusted to protect fall victim to the same evils of men and monsters?"
"I am willing to provide proof. All I ask is for you to stand down with your men. We have not injured anyone in our journey to you, none of yours have suffered an injury. We only wish for you to step aside and let us extract the truth for all the see, to drag it into the light."
Roderus seems resistant to your overtures at first. "Show me this proof of yours and I will entertain your request."
Once he has had a chance to examine the stack of evidence you have against Pythareus, his expression becomes concerned. "This is...troubling. I will instruct my men to stand down, and I will accompany you to confront the High Strategos. But I will reserve my judgment until I hear what he has to say for himself."
Amelia has been spending time around me, to bring up the specter of Galt and the Red Revolution.
Liam breathes a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Baron."