Even though Lucretia is most probably a creature several centuries old who has witnessed the lives of countless mortals, the paladin's outbreak totally takes her by surprise.
Your sword cuts deep into her shoulder and her smile suddenly freezes
I was your only chance to save her!
"I do not believe you! If you used your necromatic powers to save her, you would have only brought her back in a corrupted form, much like yourself. I rather take my chances with the Almighty Inheritor! With Iomedae as my witness, we will have no more of this evil! Prepare to die, Lucretia!"
Item
Base/Resale
Dagger +1 2302/1151
Dagger +1 2302/1151
Scythe +2 (UB) 18318/9154
Mace +1 (Corr) 8312/4151
Plate +1 2650/1325
Banded Mail +3 9400/4700
Light Wood Shld +2 4153/2076
Helm of Fearsome 5000/2500
Total resale = 26208
26208/6 = 4368gp each
Warden cuts through the air, aimed at the vampire's throat but Lucretia is too quick, turns away from the blade and jumps right through the window...glas rains around Solaric and colourful tears of crystal spray forth as Lucretia escapes to the rooftop...
Only a heartbeat later Gregori breaks into the room, pistol and sword drawn
M'lord?!
To cut things short and get us back on track.
Victorias' plan is that (if the Dragon arrives):
* Let it drink its health from the fountain.
* See if it knows any historical significance of the fountain.
* Ask if it can do a bulk water lift to Karcau to cure all the sick people (and get us back there quickly)
* Destroy the fountain (unless some amazing reason says we shouldn't/can't).
- If the Dragon doesn't want to play we will need to carry the water in barrels and go the slow route via cart, which will suck.
-Don't need to play this out step by step, as we probably need to get back to karcau and find out whether:
* Our Paladin just became a Fighter.
(I thought we had a deal with the vampires?)
* Find out who is now in charge of Karcau.
(Roll on the next Livgrace, hope its not the Vampire)
* Whether we still have political support.
(Probably not if it is the Vampire)
* Mop up the vampire 'problem' that I wanted to mop up before we went.
(and negotiate payment for doing so, hard if turns out its the Vampire we are negotiating with)
Only a heartbeat later Gregori breaks into the room, pistol and sword drawn!
"M'lord?!"
"Gregori, it's Lucretia! Take the shot! Take that wretched vampire down! She is getting away on the rooftops! I'm convinced that she has something to do with this! What was she doing here in the first place?!"
Solaric turns and walks slowly back to Sassandra Livgrace and takes her hand in his.
"My dearest Sassandra! I'm so sorry that I was not there for you. I was sure that I would be able to return in time, but I underestimated Lucretia's treachery. Forgive me, my dear!"
Solaric takes the sword pendant that he gave Sassandra before leaving and puts it back around his own neck.
"In time, my love, I will see that all matters are put right again! The Inheritor willing, I will see Iomedae's just and upright kingdom come to this land. Peace will prevail some day, and I will not stop until I see it happen. I give you my word that I will take care of your people and your land."
Gregori looks aghast, but quickly rushes over to the broken window
Nothing, M'lord, only a cloud of mist...oh wait!
He fires his pistol, but a moment later sighs in disappointment
The bullet has just passed through the mist...I didn't know she was here, she must have been waiting for you, I think...
as soon as Gregori realizes that Solaric has turned his attention to Sassandra again, he falls silent.
---------
Dragons not yet there...:)
Dragons not yet there...:)
We give it one day, then act per above. Don't need to play it out, it is all merely transactional - we got what Victoria wanted, now we just trash it and leave. A Dragon will only make the journey quicker and may give us a bit more info on the fountain if it is important.
Solaric, filled with grief, looks over Sassandra and checks to see if she has a pulse, or any sign of life. If indeed she is dead, he checks to see if he can determine her cause of death.
"My dear God, give me the strength to continue and bring justice to my dear Sassandra! Not my will, but thine my Inheritor, be done in and through me!"
After trying to cope with the shock of her death, Solaric turns to Gregori Dumitru. So when did she die? Is it the belief of the healers that it was the plague that killed her?"[/b]
Cairn was restless while they waited for the dragon to make his appearance. Knowing that undead roamed the countryside had him beside himself. But he trusted Victoria so he bided his time making timely circuits of the cloister along with Kirk to make sure there wouldn't be anymore surprises.
"We will get things back in order Cairn, it will take a while but business will resume soon enough. There will be a few more political troubles before we are done though, no doubt"
I know M'lady. Its the hot Sczarni blood in me I guess and the fact that we seem to be needed in a dozen different places at the same time or all of Karcau will fall.
"Karcau will not fall, it simply needs to remember what it is and rule with a rod of iron like it has for centuries. Likewise, we need to take the initiative and not flinch away from what must be done, instead of being pushed about at the mercy of the enemy. Why are we here? Because he wants us here, why were we in the Opera? Because he wanted us there. He names the tune and we do the dance over and over and over. Mercy and kindness are tools being used against us, one can only be merciful and kind when one is in a strong position to offer them. Iron fists in velvet gloves is the secret to Ustalavian rule"
Cairn shrugged.
Who is he, Vicky? Do you mean Solaric?
"No, the Puppet-master that haunts us and leads the opposition. Unfortunately he knows that Solaric is the most easily manipulated as he can always be relied upon to do the 'nice thing', so far we have kept that in balance because we have always stood ready to so what needed to be done, no matter how distasteful, no matter how ruthless and bloody, because we knew what would happen if we let matters slide - we have limited suffering by removing gangrenous limbs quickly with our surgeons knives, lose a limb but save the patient"
"Our balance has been lost though as we hurtle blindly towards the light, Solaric on the throne would bathe Karcau in a sea of blood deeper and more turbulent than any outside attack; it would be peaceful for only moments, a calm before an enormous storm. We'd be busy people trying to navigate those harsh seas as the assassins form a double line to whack him and the Countess - he could be her courtier, but could never rule in peace"
"I know that, the enemy knows that, and we are being played as a result - he needs to be reigned in, and his Countess needs a reckoning. She forgets her place, and she needs a firm reminder"
The unruly haired youth nodded in sudden understanding. As a Sczarni he should see the deep currents and double dealings of politics from every angle... and find a way to profit from them...but Victoria's grasp of the ins and outs was impressive.
I'll leave giving the Countess a 'firm reminder' to you M'lady. Sounds like we'll be busy, underappreciated and most likely underpaid as well.
"Underpaid? They are significantly behind on their debts, and their needs to be a collection. We will be properly appreciated from now on, and fairly compensated too. We are not a charity. Business is business after all"
Gregori still lingers a moment longer at the window and peers into the greyish sky
This morning...she asked for you and I told her that you were on your way...I...we...had no idea if you were successful or not...but while we all doubted the success of your mission, Countess Livgrace always believed in you...her will was so strong, much stronger than her body...
Gregori is so grief-stricken that he doesn't even answer your original question.
"This morning...she asked for you and I told her that you were on your way...I...we...had no idea if you were successful or not...but while we all doubted the success of your mission, Countess Livgrace always believed in you...her will was so strong, much stronger than her body..."
"I loved her with all of my heart, Gregori. I promised that I would take care of her, and yet here I have failed! My dear God, save us all! The enemy is defeating us at every turn. Little by little, we are doing some good, but overall, they are calling all of the shots. And now, as if they know how to crush us, they take that which gives hope to me and all of her people. Although my heart is broken, I know that my dearest Sassandra would not want us filled with grief. She would want to see us strong that we may restore peace to the land. The Inheritor knows when that will happen, but I do know that I will not let her die in vain. We must not give up, Gregori. We must rally ourselves and move forward with the tasks that need done. Perhaps some day, I will be given the power to resurrect her, but until that time, we must lay her to rest in a peaceful, sacred place."
Gregori nods solemnly, a single tear runs down his cheek
I will see to that m'lord.
he says curtly and leaves the room...
---------
After several long hours of waiting the dragon really arrives and restore his health. Hoewever, he agrees to transport the water but not closer to Karcau than two miles.
He could also take you back to the city during one of the water trips. In the end the dragon asks why the fountain has to be destroyed?
Two miles is fine.
"If you can't tell us why it is strategically important then all we have is a mystery. Sadly my good friend we were used and manipulated into coming here and sure as dogs on leashes because the Puppetmaster set it up that way. Obviously he has need of the place, but might not have been able to liberate it himself - who can guess why, alliances he couldn't be seen to be breaking with the guardian or his demon friends, maybe some aura keeping him out, whatever - but we were led here for a purpose and I will see him denied. He shall gain nothing, scorched earth and salted fields shall be his reward. I only hoped you might have the benefit of any salving properties to recover your earlier injuries before it was ruined"
"Karcau it is, we have a vampire needs dealing with. If you'd believe it a deal was done to provide the vampire free run and blood in exchange for the defence of the city. An untidy loose end, and one that needs a longer term solution. Many things to sort out when we get back, and almost all of them ending in a river of blood"
"If we are to eliminate the enemy outside the gates we need to ensure we get the problems behind the gate settled. I have a list"
After following the words of the dragon, he lifts his head from his notebook and adds
Well to be honest, I do not see why the fountain needs to be destroyed either. As this has been a holy place for Pharasma, it must be the duty of the church to decide what should happen with this fountain.
"I don't frankly care for the clergy of Pharasma, if they were so concerned about their fountain they would have liberated it, or they could perhaps have called on gallant faithful to come liberate it, but no, it wont be left intact for the enemy, and no the Pharasmites won't get a say - it was a holy place, then it wasn't. I care little for delicate sensibilities, especially as its these delicate sensibilities that seem to get us deeper and deeper into danger"
Solaric kneels by Sassandra's bedside a while longer.
"My dearest Sassandra, we did not have much time together, but I promise that I will come for you. There will be a day when we will live in that glorious realm together. Know that I will take care of your people and protect your kingdom until that day arrives!"
The dragon thrones in the central atrium of the cloister while he puts the barrels together
I don't want to get too clossse to Karcau becaussse the people there are already on the edge, no need to start a fight.
the dragon seems amused by your telling of the things that are going to happen in Karcau
Isss it a strength of the human racce that they don't want to leave their landsss when the enemy attackss or iss it a weakness? I've seen the forccess of the enemy and I wouldn't sstay If I were you.
Cairn's heart was still thudding in his chest like a smith's hammer at the anvil...i just rode a bloody dragon!..Aunti Gremalda is never going to believe this...she'll probably box my ears like she did when i was a lad...
It looks that bad? Where would we go?
...now why did i go and say anything...now it will be looking at me with those cat like eyes...and even those little buggers want to eat you...dumb lad...real dumb...you deserve your ears being boxed...
"They leave their lands all the time, its just you then have to take someone elses land off them when you do so - so the choice is battle on your home terrain to beat an invader, or be the invader fighting someone else who has a home ground advantage. Karcau is a rosebush, it looks pretty enough, but it is full of thorns, even the dirt knows how to hate and this is its best defence - the place has only softened and lost its way in recent times, and now there is an invasion, the two are linked."
"It galls me the you should feel the need to stay clear of the City, that the people do not revere and respect you as one of its guardians and a treasure of knowledge, that they now wish to shun all the darkness and turn to the light like naive children thinking a candle alone will keep the monsters at bay."
The dragon chuckles and it sounds like the rumbling of a distant debris avalanche
Hah...I've seen the attacker's vaguard, a mighty host. Soon they will surround Karcau and then the humans who have stayed will have to proof whether manning the walls was a good idea...however, I will wait for the outcome and then decide which is safer, leave Sinaria or stay...surely I don't want to fight this Avatar of Norgorber or whatever he may be on my own.
"I might well join you in Sinaria at this point, the Countess forgets her obligations doesn't understand loyalty. Karcau is not my home."
Johenric approaches the dragon.
You mentioned an Avatar of Norgorber? Which type of avatar have you seen?
Haven't you met him yourself? The one hushed voices in Karcau call the Ragman. Once a disappointed lover who became the vessel of hate and the lust to kill...
the dragon replies and turns to Vicky again
Then let us fly to the shores of Lake Porphyria.
the dragon bows its long neck so that all of you may climb on his back.
"Ahhh a sightseeing tour of the enemy, lets"
Yes, you can verify her death, the marks of the plague are still on her neck and back. However, even now they heal once the fountain water is dripped onto them.
--------
Once everyone has boarded the black-scaled vessel, the dragon takes off with two powerful wing slaps. The sensation of flying is terrifying at first but soon the exaltation of the feeling takes over when you glide through the misty twilight of Ustalav towards the mirror-like surface of Lake Porphyria.
"This is where I belong"
Haven't you met him yourself? The one hushed voices in Karcau call the Ragman. Once a disappointed lover who became the vessel of hate and the lust to kill...
In a friendly tune Johenric replies.
I do not remember that the ragman has been defined as an avatar. But so be it.
While flying on the back of the dragon:
Interesting experience and very functional. I should think about having an equivalent travel opportunity
Yes, you can verify her death, the marks of the plague are still on her neck and back. However, even now they heal once the fountain water is dripped onto them.
Next, Solaric leaves Swansong and goes out to the streets to find people inflicted with the plague give aid with both the holy water and his skill as a healer.
Just re-summarising...!
* Let it drink its health from the fountain.
* See if it knows any historical significance of the fountain.
* Ask if it can do a bulk water lift to Karcau to cure all the sick people (and get us back there quickly)
* Destroy the fountain (unless some amazing reason says we shouldn't/can't).
* Our Paladin just became a Fighter.
(I thought we had a deal with the vampires?)
* Find out who is now in charge of Karcau.
(Roll on the next Livgrace, hope its not the Vampire)
* Whether we still have political support.
(Probably not if it is the Vampire)
* Mop up the vampire 'problem' that I wanted to mop up before we went.
(and negotiate payment for doing so, hard if turns out its the Vampire we are negotiating with)
No, sadly the water cannot restore her to life - even its miraculous powers are limited.
As you leave Sasandra's chamber, you run right into Gorian. The giant looks pale and haggard but as he grabs you by the shoulder you can still feel the immense strength the man has
Solaric, as soon as word spread I came here...I...
-----------
The dragon darts through the air and you revel in the feeling of freedom and the ecstasy of speed. When the majestic predator suddenly swoops with a growl you have to grab the dge of one of the nightly scales not to fall
STR check DC 10
Or DEX Check DC 12
Dex
"Solaric, as soon as word spread I came here...I..."
"Gorian!" Solaric greets his friend with a clasp of his arm. "You are kind to come. Sassandra is dead, my friend. I was not fast enough. I gathered up the healing waters, but it was too late. She died before I returned. It was the plague, but I believe, there is something more sinister behind all of this. The witch Lucretia was here trying to bargain with me about Sassandra's life, but I did not want anything to do with her. I am convinced she is somehow behind all of this and I refuse to be a pawn in her manipulation games. Evil is already upon us and the Countess is an innocent victim in all of this! I just wish there was something I could have done! I have some healing water to help give to others in need here in Karcau. Let us hope that no more die of this wretched sickness!"
Cairn was lost in the unnatural feeling of flying on the back of an actual dragon and his stomach leaped when the great lizard dove and he lost all idea of what he should do.
Gorian nods slowly, his eyes full with tears
She'll pay for that...her vampires have been striving through the city's streets during the last nights, spying but not attacking...I think she had planned that you wouldn't accept her proposal. Now we have enemies outside the city, threatening to lay siege and enemies within the walls.
------
Waiting for Jo - what about Kirk?
Jo
Kirk
They made it, yay! :P
Gorian nods slowly, his eyes full with tears
She'll pay for that...her vampires have been striving through the city's streets during the last nights, spying but not attacking...I think she had planned that you wouldn't accept her proposal. Now we have enemies outside the city, threatening to lay siege and enemies within the walls.
"I knew she would be up to her treachery! I wish I had killed her when I had the chance! Mistakes have been made, but the time has come to start putting this house in order. I hope you've got that great weapon of yours, because you are going to need it pretty soon around here! Let's go destroy some undead!"
Everyone is able to keep themselves steady on the dragon's back besides Cairn, who loses his grasp and slides towards one of the massive wings -
options:
1) Ram a blade into the dragon to get a hold and possibly injure the monster.
2) Use all your acrobatic abilities for a last chance attempt to stay on his back.
--------
Gorian nods determinedly
I can assemble the Sczarni, but you should go to the temple and speak to Tanor, then we can keep the city guard out of that...otherwise word would spread too soon and with the enemy so close to our gates we have no need for chaos and confusion inside the wall.
Victoria simply clicks her fingers at Cairn, hexing him immediately with the power of Feather Fall - saving him the trouble of falling quickly.
"Fly on, no problems here"