"As do I," Nowzai replies with grin.
Nowzai grabs Epik and steps ... sideways ... the both of them disappearing and leaving the rest of you standing in a room with a mummy and a raging fire.
Epik cuts surgically through the cyst, blood and pus oozing as he does so. After a long while and quite the mess he is able to.part the edges of the cyst and like a birthed calf, a feathery, bloody serpentine creature tumbles out. The slightest noise .. a gentle.groan ... escapes the snake like mouth as it feebly twitches.
You all join hands and Sam activates the amulet. It glows white hot, blinding you all for a few moments. When the after images clear up, you immediately recognize the road you are standing on, just down from.the Lucky Monkey, no more than a half days ride from Cauldron. And you ... without your horses ...
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Sam frowns as he looks around a mutters, "That isn't how this works..."
"I can get us home, one second."
Using spell recall he will recall Communal Summon Mount. I can only summon 6 that will last 4 hours each, so Sam will cast Fly on himself, not sure if I can 4x move with fly, can't find any rules on that, but if I can, I should be able to cover about 5 miles per cast, how far do we need to go?
Knowledge Arcana -
Spellcraft -
UMD -
After some checks and a quick detect magic, you realize it's been drained of magic. It appears to be refilling, but your best guess is an hour before it's useable again.
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Epik leans down to heal the couatl, "Hold on, my friend. We're here to help."
Epik heals the creature and with a gasp it rears up spitting, hissing and flaring its immense wings, one of which still hangs limply. Multiple wounds still ooze pus and blood.
Interesting ... I think some of the amulet's power transferred to me in the shift ...hmmm. I shall need to explore this
Sam is able to summon steeds and the party gets started back.
Is there anyone running the Lucky Monkey now or is it closed up?
If there is someone here, before I summon anything I will go see how things are going and if they have any news, and see how long we have been gone
The Lucky Monkey is open. You haven't been back since you left Pad in the care of the Temple and Lord Vhalantru.
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What time of day is it? What time do we get back to Cauldron? Do we know where Norwzai and Epik are, or where they are going to be when they come back?
I kinda just assumed we waited until they came back and ported together and we are just in flex time but I also guess I shouldn't assume anything.
I will go into the Lucky Monkey and check on Pad, see how he is doing and see if he knows what day it is, and what has been going on in the city so we know if we are walking into a s*%# storm.
Not understanding celestial, Epik looks to Nowzai to translate. He will attempt to heal the couatl again.
Epik will enter the Lucky Monkey with Sam. "Let's make this short. I'm eager to return to Cauldron."
Nowzai raises his hands non-threateningly. He responds to the couatl in kind.
***
Nowzai shudders upon seeing the inn. "I cannot say I was eager to see this place again." He looks reflexively over his shoulder for sneaking dinosaurs.
lucky monkey
elder, i will not let any dinosaurs near you. can we stay at the inn or are we going to lose the horses.
do we need to check on redgorge or go start to the cauldron?
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The creature calms a bit as Nowzai speaks and as Epik reaches forward, it initially flinches but recognition of the paladin's glowing hands flashes across it's reptillian face and it visibly relaxes, much of the hostility flooding out of it. A note of apprehension remains as it peers at the wizard intently.
It flexes a wing as it speaks and then points the end of a feather very dextrously at Nowzai's face.
The creature speaks matter of factly and without any hint of malice.
You arrive at the inn right at the heart of dinner time as the sun is low above the treetops. It's a lively and active place as you enter. You all notice that each of you look a bit pale and strange from your planar transport and notably Nowzai's eye has reduced from pouring smoke to being a hollow opening with a candle sized flame that wisps out smoke nearly invisibly.
You note Pad running food to the tables and Shensen helping behind the bar. They both break out into grins as you arrive although you all are all still caught up with your own internal thoughts.
The planar transport caused something odd to happen and you feel a portion of the lich's soul detach and fuse with yours. While sickening, you reconginze the lich's soul has grown less and yours has grown more. There is an increased power within it and you have a moment's ability to control where it touches.
The energy of the transport is comprised of the death of a god! My power grows immensely!
I can't believe we left my horse, Sam would you be able to send me back to grab him? If now doesn't work, I'll still be looking to recover him as soon as possible.
"I forgot about our horses, it will take several hours to get back to them, we will have to wait for this amulet to recharge, we apparently got the dollar store version of this amulet"
During the planar travel, you gained memories and thoughts of sleeping in trees and ripping through the raw, warm flesh of a deer with your teeth and ... claws? You find that your eyes have taken a feline appearance and turned emerald green and your skin has darkened and in places gotten splotchy. A fine nearly invisible fur has developed all over your body. You feel your body shifting and realize you have some control over it.
Nowzai gestures to his smoldering eye and nods. "Yes, this is an off-putting feature, but I can explain: my companions and I recently surpassed the Test of the Smoking Eye. I was marked by Occipitus during the final trial, and now the plane and I are linked. Though I am not evil, it seems I am tainted by the association. I mean to change that, given time..."
With a bow of respect, Nowzai adds, "I would ask for your assistance, and that of any of righteous heart, to bring Occipitus back from the brink -- to return it to the realms of good."
"If I may ask, what brought you to this plane?"
Selected Undead Traits:
DR 5/magic and blunt
+4 vs mind affecting effect Will saves
Epik will sit down and will order food and strong drinks for the group. He motions to Pad, "How are you doing son? What news can you tell us of Cauldron?"
Epik will also spend some time at the bar with the locals and will attempt to learn from them the current state of affairs at Cauldron.
Dalamus will sit down and enjoy the company of his companions before heading to his room to clean up and sleep
lucky monkey
bowing before Shensen, how do you fare lady? have any of our enemies return to these woods. has young master Pad recovered from his ordeal?
do you have any dwarven ale or elven mead in this fine place?
Should we stay the night, or make haste back to Cauldron? I'm concerned about how long we've been gone and how the people of the city are faring
My vote would be to check on how much time has passed and press on, but if we're not worried about time (or a much shorter amount of time has passed than expected), then I'm fine to spend the night. I'll start working on resupplying myself with arrows:
Craft:
"We should rest and spend the night, this last battle has worn us thin."
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The creature is silent for a moment, leaning in close and flicking a forked tongue around Nowzai's face. It speaks again,
"My time in the cyst has left me with holes in my memory ... I recall ... falling with Heaven and Adimarchus. But I don't recall if I was willing or not. So, perhaps, like you, I am tainted? I do not know where to return to, so if I may, I will follow you and see if you are able to remove the taint and perhaps, restore my memories in the process."
It ripples its body, the serpentine equivalent of a shrug
"Of course, it will also allow me to watch you and if you fall to the taint, then I will be right there to destroy you before you can do more harm."
With Epik and Nowzai off wherever they disappeared to, the mummy lord turns to the rest of you and speaks, "My lords, do you know of our liege's intent with the Test? You have destroyed the Bebilith and Myaruk, 2 important obstacles in the test. The way is open for all challengers. Did he impart upon you the decisions to repair the Tests of Judgement and Sacrifice?"
"My name is Tlanextic."
Shensen smiles broadly as you pepper her with questions, "Yes, lets get some food and drink into you and then we can share stories about what has transpired."
She ushers you to a private table in the back part of the bar away from the other patrons.
As she swings through with various round of mead, wine, breads and cheeses, soups, steamed root vegetables and then skillet fried meats and potatoes, the party regales her their story first. When the final plate is out, she pulls over and flops down in a chair, kicking her feet up after pouring herself a huge glass of elven goldenwine.
"Quite the work you've been doing. Helps explain a few things here although Cauldron and the area around truly seem to be unravelling."
She pauses for a moment, considering where to start. "Based on your story, I'm guessing a few days after you left, Terseon marshalled the guard and with the Lord Mayor's consent he set forth to roust the Chisel from Redgorge. He left mainly the wounded guadrsmen and the half-orc mercenaries behind to police the city, which gave an opening for the Last Laugh to really up their game. Cons, counterfeit coins and plenty of other crime has gone through the roof."
She takes a long slug, "Which has angered the people and many who have the means have taken up and left ... but that's when the refugees from the siege of Redgorge started flowing in. See, the townsfolks of Redgorge apparently decided to take up arms and defend themselves. Surprise! They may have had some help ... I hear a dwarven contingent arrived from the displaced Splintershield clan in the Malachite Hold came forward after both their patriarch and their apparently rescued clan leader never came home. The dwarves built up the defenses quite quickly. Terseon called for reinforcements and the Blue Duke took his men down leaving Cauldron nearly empty of any sort of police force."
She sighs as she stares into her cup, "And then there are the dragons."
"Refugees from nearby towns have come, complaining of creatures in the sky, by day its blazing fire and by night it's raining acid. Villages destroyed, people coming fleeing into a city that's ill equipped to support them. So we turn to our Lord Mayor and the Council for help again, and apparently the Lord Mayor has been absent since Captain Skellerang took his men south. Not even certain he was there for that, now. May have just been the opportunity the Captain was looking for. The Council has voted in Lord Vhalantru as a mayor pro temp until we can discover what happened to Lord Severen Nalavant. About that time, we hear that the Blue Duke has taken over the siege in Redgorge. Rumors abound that Terseon is wounded, incapacitated, dead, or even deserted."
"So when all seems terrible, the people turn to their Gods. The Pharasmins have apparently shut their doors, "for remodeling", and their highest spire is growing so high that they are blocking the sun from the shrine of Saranrae. It's a slap in the face to poor Kristoff. Meanwhile, Bishop Shebeleth is holding three a day rally sessions within the Temple of Iomedae, placing their plight on the lack of faithful worshippers and condemning all for their sin and preaching that vice is the harbinger of this, not specifically stating that its Cayden Cailen's fault, but it appears to be passing that message. Small bands of Iomedae worshippers have been harassing Cayden Cailen revelers at bars. The drunkards have no chance against the angry sober men and there is no Town Guard to break them up. Nothing serious yet, but it seems to only be a matter of time."
She looks meaningfully at the group of you, "And then, there is something ... horrible ... in the city, looking for you. It's busted up the Drunken Morkoth, ravaged Skie's and the Tipped Tankard and even hassled Tygot looking for you. Some massive monstrosity that yells for the "Guardians of Cauldron" to come meet him and pay for their crimes against "the All Father."
"And on a personal note, I've lost touch with Fellian. A few days ago, his mental link with all of us Striders just cut out. We fear the worst. Nemoris, our leader may wish to speak with you about what he's learned when you have the time. Bring your friends into the fold."
Realizing how much she's been speaking, Shensen sits back and downs the rest of the bottle, her eyes slightly glazed. She raises her glass to you all, "Welcome back!" She then laughs hysterically, nearly falling out of her chair.
Epik raises an eyebrow at the hysterical laughing. "Well, thank you for the information my lady. Clearly, Cauldron is need of our services. We will be traveling back at first light."
He turns to the others, "We must get back as soon as possible. Chaos seems to reign at the moment. This monstrosity that she speaks of worries me."
"Tlanextic..." Nowzai bows, smiling. "We would be happy to extend the same courtesy, should signs of corruption appear in you."
"I am grateful for your companionship and assistance. When we have some time, I will thoroughly explain our group's endeavors. I am certain you will approve of our goals." He pauses for a moment, then says, "Both of you, come when I call."
Nowzai's smoking eye flares and he disappears, re-appearing a second later at the Eye, with the rest of the group. He then calls Epik and Tlanextic and they appear. Nowzai introduces the others to the couatl.
Nowzai turns to the couatl and continues, "We plan to return to Golarion, a material plane, and the city of Cauldron. If you wish to come with us, there are places of learning and temples where we may be able to restore your memory."
"Some massive monstrosity, you say? Any more details? I suppose we shall have to deal with this thing right away, especially if it is attacking our friends and acquaintances."
"Shensen, where is the guards now? Are they still away from Cauldron? Have you seen these dragons that you speak of, or is it just rumors? Are there any rumors about a conspiracy, and how all these events seem to tie into each other? They seem rather "coincidental"."
Dalamus will drink the rest of his drink.
"Much is to be lost if we do not get back to Cauldron, We should leave at first light and upon reaching Cauldron we should seek out our contacts and friends to see if there is more to this story."
The couatl nods to Nowzai.
"I should accompany you, I think. This place is disturbing to my senses."
Shensen, a bit drunk, looks at Dalamus. "I didn't really think there was one until you just now mentioned it. Chaos begets chaos and all. Figured the taxing and oppression was a sign that the government couldn't handle themselves without the enforcers, and with them gone, all just goes to s+*&."
She thinks unsteadily for a moment, "But maybe you should take your suspicions and possibilities to Meerthan as well."
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Dalmaus will ponder his thoughts for a moment. Then look up and ask "Do you think it is safe for you here, when we leave? Perhaps we should shut down the Monkey for few days and the two of you should travel with us. This creature that is after us, is sure to make a stop here if we are not able to find him first."
Shensen waves off Dalamus' concerns, "We survived the were monkeys, we can handle anything. Besides, now that you're here, someone is bound to point it in your direction. You're famous now. That's both good and bad."
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The mummy lord repeats itself, "My lords, the Tests? How shall we handle them?
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Negative.
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The mummy is specifically speaking to you all who did not teleport with Nowzai.
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occipitus
i will ask the mummy is there any mithral or adamantine here on Occipitus. i will go check the fire giant for any non magical gear or resources. can we free the avoral guardian in test one?
The mummy stares blankly at Magma. "Unless it concerns the Test of the Smoking Eye, I cannot help you."
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the mummy first the party second about freeing the avoral guardian
We are ready to head back to Cauldron, as no one has stated otherwise. Dalamus will go with the group to investigate, but when time allows he will head to Bogdan's Tattoo Parlor.
In response to Nowzai's queries, Jenya sighs, "I am OK ... I spent most of that time unconcious and barely aware that I was being hauled around. Other than a massive headache, I'm pretty much fine." She smiles weakly, sighing and brushing a lock of air from her face. "But I'm concerned about these church reports and I'd like to investigate them and meet up with you afterwards ... where are you intending to stay? Back at the Drunken Morkoth?