You simply decide to get up and leave the mansion. Nobody tries to stop you but you feel hidden eyes boring into your backs as you walk away. The feeling of being watched continues the whole way to the Sleepless Building, however you manage to get there without incident.
You go to knock on the door but it opens immediately, this time with a rather drought looking Cesadia flanked by several of her halfling agents. All of them are heavily armed. Cesadia nodded, "You'd better come in. Winter turned up, said something about having a feeling you'd need her - and that she doesn't feel safe at the chapel." You follow Cesadia into her study and she pours out a large glass of bourbon and downs it, before turning to face you "You look like hell..." She then looks at Zarine and Zandomir for the first time, blinks and says sounding puzzled, "I don't believe we've met. No wait. Surely not..." She frowns as if concentrating, "You're Lowl's pet tomb raiders aren't you. Talathel and Greenblood wasn't it. what are you doing here? Oh don't tell me, you can't remember can you." The latter was not a question.
Zandomir glances over at Zarine to get her reaction to this Cesadia. Her ability to predict their recollection, or lack there of, is uncanny... or obvious.
"My name is Zandomir Talathel, yes. I understand I was employed by Lowl's for one reason or another, though I don't know the nature of such things. Tomb raiding, you say? Any other details you can provide would be appreciated."
Pet...? Oh, yeah, maybe that makes sense. Dead people don't need their things anymore. That sounds like something I might have signed up for.
Answering Zandomir, Cesadia replies, "He had you scouring every crypt and necropolis within a hundred miles for forbidden lore. He was none too picky about whose tomb got raided, I mean so what if it was holy to Nethys or Pharasma?"
"Dead people don't need their things anymore. That sounds like something I might have signed up for.
Cesadia gazes at Zarine for a moment as if trying to detect any snark. Apparently not finding any she sighs, "Darling you two where smart enough to realize after a while that it was much easier and safer to rob other dungeon delvers as they crawled out of whatever tomb they'd just explored. You went as far to spread rumors of gems and riches so local adventures in half a dozen towns would do your dirty work... Lets just say you didn't exactly make a lot of friends."
At that moment a tall raven haired woman enters the room from a side door. She is dressed in armor with a wicked looking mace at her side, and she is carrying a rather impressive looking parchment. She looks like she was about to say something before looking at Zarine and Zandomor. Glancing to Agrippa and Cesadia, she says, "Oh I didn't realize we had guests..."
When faced with the truth of someone who remembers her, Zarine starts babbling an apology. ... Well, I apologize for not being a good person. I can't remember that, and I feel like a good person now, so all I can do is go forward as I am, but I am truly sorry if I hurt and tricked people...
When Winter comes in she stops babbling, and waits to see what will happen.
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Cesadia takes a deep breath before letting it out, "Aww heck, took me a bit to believe the others really didn't remember either. Still they won us over in the end, I'm sure you will too."
A little tentatively Winter spoke up, "Err if this is a bad time I can come back..." She glances once more to Agrippa before shifting her gaze to Filbert and Lizzie.
Filbert waves at Winter as she comes in. "Hi'ya Winter, like my new hat" he says with a grin. " Don't think Lowe's is gonna miss it, judging from the company he's keeping these days."
"Oh you have a lead?" winter sounded impressed, "The crown is very keen to interview him. I have reason to believe he's been filing fraudulent his tax returns for years and directing others to do so too among other abuses of power. Then there's the matter of him arranging for the murder of Magistrate Padgett as well as my boss."
Indeed. We have several leads. I am keen to fill you in...but first, a bit of the Lady's favor if I may be so direct. Agrippa says, asking for his afflictions to be healed.
When Zarine apologizes, Zandomir feels compelled to do so as well. It's a bit awkward apologizing for something he doesn't even remember doing.
"My apologies as well. I hope we prove to be more... noble-minded... than before."
Noticing Winter's discomfort and lack of recognition, Zan says to her, "My name is Zandomir Talathel and that is Zarine Greenblood. We're recent additions to the group, but we've worked with Lowls, in one capacity or another, just as everyone else has."
Zan nods in agreement with Heinrich's request, "I happen to have some experience with the healing arts as well, but his malady is beyond my abilities. Any remedy you can provide would be greatly appreciated."
Strangely, because she is usually bad at this sort of thing, Zarine senses that Winter is a little bit uncomfortable, and doesn't recognize them like the others do, so Zarine smiles at her, and bows when Zandomir introduces them.
Pleased to meet you. Are you in charge?
"Er ah yes!" replied Winter chagrined. She nods at Zandomir and unfolds the parchment that she was carrying, revealing a very complicated pictograph. It had been illuminated with fantastical geometric shapes and calligraphy all in metallic inks which shone iridescently in the sunlight filtering through the sash windows. You have encountered and used scrolls before but this was clearly something beyond your experience.
She whispers a single word and the parchment abruptly vanishes and an actinic glow surrounded her hands sending crazy shadows despite the sunlight. She walked towards Heinrich and gently touched his head. A peel of distant thunder sounded and Heinrich leapt backwards as if he'd been bitten.
"Er... Wow that was intense." said Winter, with smoke rising from her fingertips. "In case you where wondering, that was the last one. I found it in a letter addressed to me, hidden in the chapel. The letter was signed by Trilliss Mavaine the night before she died. There's nothing even remotely creepy about that right? Especially considering I never met her!"
Cesadia answered Zarine's question, "All those who where in charge have either been killed or absconded Miss Greenblood. Miss Klaczka here represents the crown it's true, and I respect that but she'll be the first person to admit she's not in charge." Winter nodded.
Cesadia concluded, "No, we've just got to make the best of the hand we've been dealt."
When they arrived at their destination Momijii listened to the conversation but didn't chime in on anything for now. She was truthfully too worn out and just wanted a chance to rest. It was necessary, though, to await Winter so she otherwise waited, listened, and prepared to intervene if things got too heated.
When Winter appeared finally it caused a needed re-direction of the discussion and she turned to the priestess of death and said, "I too need assistance, something down there..." Momijii paused before continuing, "ripped at my soul is the only way I can describe it. Ever since I've felt weaker and been less effective than I should have been." She looked at the changeling and asked, "Is there something you can do to help remedy this priestess?"
"Zandomir found a map detailing where the Count disappeared to, can't say I'm to familiar with that area though. Then again could have been there before running errands for the count and wouldn't remember a bit of it."Filbert says with a crooked grin. " but a Vudrani woman is still here causing trouble, think we're supposed to take care of her first. "
When Winter uses the scroll, Zarine says Wow. That was crazy amazing.
She nods at Cesadia's explanation. Thanks. Too bad. I was hoping *someone* would be in charge, but I understand.
Zandomir tilts his head at Winter as she appears to cast some sort of spell and directs it at Heinrich. There's something... different... about the woman. The half-elf can't quite put his finger on what, though.
Regarding leadership, Zan says to Winter and Cesadia, "Hopefully the crown will appoint someone once this place has become relatively safe. It seems like one of you two would be a good candidate. You've had firsthand experience with these unusual activities. I fear none of us will be staying for long, once we've dealt with that Vudrani woman Filbert mentioned."
"That wouldn't be a bad idea, one of you two in charge.", she says with gnomish enthusiasm.
Agrippa, his noble upbringing a hazy dim memory, still scoffs at the idea of "mere commoners" being placed in a position of supreme power.
Indeed. I'm sure the crown will appoint someone worthy.
My thanks Mistress Wentz. I feel whole once more. We will post guards and return to the Manor on the morrow. The cult of Hastur will be destroyed, root and stem.
Winter nodded at Winter and told her, "Trilliss's letter also contained this." she held up a small blueish gem which glowed with an inner light, "Apparently one dissolves it in hot water steeped with honey and jasmine and drink it like tea." She nods to Cesadia, "Would you?"
Cesadia smiles and puts a small pot on a blackened hook built into the room's main fireplace. Within a couple of minutes the water within is bubbling away and she retrieves it with a pair of tongues. One of her halfling agents arrives with a tea set and, Cesadia dexterously pours in water along with a generous dollop of honey from a glass jar.
Winter then drops the tiny gem into the tea pot and she murmured with surprise, "Oh look, it dissolved just like that and wow the liquid is glowing!" She pours some out into the bone china cup, and the amber liquid within bathes the room with a warm liquid light. She then offers cup to Momijii and withdraws a step.
"You're just full of surprises Miss Winter, got anything else?"
Filbert asks, Winter's spells peaking his natural curiosity...
reaching over to see what else she has in her pouch, Filbert's haunts pluck against the cleric's belt pouch.
"Agrippa, what's the plan for tomorrow?"
Zandomir watches curiously as Cesadia and Winter prepare what appears to be a remedy for the monk. It's not at all what he expected. But different methods for different people, or something like that.
The warpriest turns to look at Heinrich at Filbert's question. Zan's not sure if the question is rhetorical. Perhaps the gnome is referring to what their plans are after finishing up things in the manor. That assumes, of course, that their encounter with the Vudrani woman goes well.
Zarine really hopes this woman is around with her magnificent tricks if she is injured in the future. A slight tinge of jealousy washes over her as she wishes she could perform such amazing feats.
The plan, my dear Filbert, is most simple. We gain access to the manse once more, and if the Vudrani has not fled....we end her and her cult. Then we find a way to destroy, or other wise neutralize the threat of the Star Stelae. Do you recall the book of forbidden knowledge I read not so long ago. It gave me a glimpse of what they are capable of, and none of it will be for the benefit of these people of Trushmoore.
Cesadia gave Heinrich a meaningful look before asking, "We already know a third of the town has vanished... What's the uh worst case scenario? Dear we need to evacuate?"
"Would knocking the Stellae over disrupt them, like a lens being out of alignment or will they need to be broken physically" Filbert ask out loud not knowing if Agrippa has that answer or not; but also as the engineering side of his mind begins to tackle the problem before them.
At Cesadia's question regarding evacuation, Lizzie ponders it.
"Well, we'd all prefer to avoid mass hysteria, but i reckon it's a bit late for that. A third of the residents missing is bad, so a covert evacuation wouldn't be bad."
Zandomir frowns at the thought of a mass evacuation. “I’m not sure there would realistically be anything subtle about an evacuation of two thirds of the town. If we can end this problem tomorrow, hopefully the remainder of the town will be safe from the cult’s plans.”
Cesadia nods, "Not everyone would want to go anyway, even if staying meant near certain doom. Well then, we've got to hope you will be successful taking the cult down."
We might only need to seal one of the Stelae away under the mansion. I believe all three are needed for the worst of its foul arcaneries to function. But first, the Cult of Hastur here must be rooted out and purged. Agrippa says with an uncommon zeal
Zarine listens to the save the world plans, mostly interested. It would be good to be a part of something like that. Of course, they might just get more people killed instead, so she would just have to wait and see.
These stelae, they're rock, right? Couldn't someone just stone shape them into a nice rock garden instead?
She looks up at Winter.
You probably have a sufficiently powerful wizard friend who could do that, right?
"Well... " Winter thought for a moment, "The Royal Accusers back in Caliphas sometimes hire magisters from the Quarterfaux Archives. I'm sure in time one might be dispatched here, although that could take weeks."
Cesadia looks thoughtful but remains quiet.
Zandomir shakes his head at Winter's words. "It's a good thought, Zarine, but we don't have weeks. We need to end this now, or risk the rest of the town disappearing. Perhaps we can still send for a wizard or two to eventually permanently end the threat, but we need to end the cult first."
Oh, okay. It was just a thought.
Momijii took the drink that Winter gave her and drank it down quickly. One never knew quite what it might taste like and she wasn't taking chances it would taste foul. Fortunately it wasn't so bad, though the glow was unexpected, and she impulsively reached out to embrace Winter in a hug. "Thank you Winter."
Momijii listened intently to the discussion about what to do next. It was all very concerning really and mostly made no sense to her. She wasn't skilled in the ways of magic and had little use for it outside of what others could do with it to help her. "I don't think that we will be able to do much to the Stelae themselves, not with a cult here to disrupt our efforts, and an evacuation is likely too little too late, our best bet is to end the cult first."
Momijii cocked her head slightly to one side and asked, "Do we have to destroy or move the stones or is there something else we could do?" She thought about it a moment, "Would defacing them somehow get the job done? It would be easier to do small things to each than a big thing to one wouldn't it?"
"The stones have been here for aeons Momijii. I think your best bet is to destroy the cult like Agrippa said, we can worry about them later." replied Cesadia at once.
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"Seems a good nights sleep is in order, if one can be found around here and back to the manse to dispose of the vudrani witch. Winter do you have anything that could protect us from her evil?"
Filbert offers from the side.
Zarine nods. Is there a safe place to sleep around here?
At Filbert's question, Zan says, "I can't speak for Winter, but I have some protective magic I can prepare tomorrow. I may not be able to do so for everyone, but can at least do so for those who will have to get close to her. Any aid you can provide Winter would, of course, be appreciated."
Zandomir nods at Zarine's question. He says to Cesadia and Winter, "Is it safer here or at the Chapel? Or perhaps somewhere else?"