The wind-carved basalt walls part here, opening into a large, empty space. Tall, irregular towers riddled with holes like titans’ flutes jab at the sky. On the northeast wall of this canyon is a sunken relief sculpture of a massive, robed humanoid, exquisitely hewn from living rock and thirty feet tall. A passage that leads to the east reveals a wide chasm and rubble where it looks like the ground split open. A cold, dry wind blows constantly.
Floating in reverence is the flickering form of a truly massive flying polyp, even by polyp standards. As it twists around you hear baleful harmonics as the wind whips through the towers.
Mara didn't recognize the figure depicted in the sculpture. But her attention was immediately drawn to the massive flying polyp!. She studied it, then concentrated, speeding up the flow of time for her allies. After that she rose into the air.
"Now I feel it coming back again, like a rolling thunder chasing the wind!" Ci Ci cries out in a sing-song chant, as she draws upon her power. "This moment she's been waiting for," she whispers, as she unleashes the magic.
Dervak casts Fly, ascends 30', then Dex-rages casting Bladed Dash to strike the Flying Polyp and move back to 30' above Theophilus.
Theophilus walks along the winding path. The White Rabbit is seen tugging his trousers. Theo looks at the giant statue of some weird-looking fellow.
We should get us a statue like that. White Rabbit would be funny so big.
The White Rabbit nods in agreement. He then points at the enormous Flying Polyp, before exiting stage left....
Theo witnessing CiCi immediately gets out his harmonica and starts playing!
The White Rabbit returns to play the remaining instruments, because, well, who can resist!
Once the song ends, the White Rabbit bows before disappearing with the instruments!
The Mad Hatter (in case you forgotten) decides to treat this Polyp like any other Polyp.
Anybody got any Preparation H?
The Witch then nods his head to the right; where The White Rabbit is seen modeling some Preparation H.
We got bills to pay.
Theo then returns his attention back to the situation at hand.
He misfortune hexes the turd!
He then smiles.
The flying polyp reels as Ci Ci's rage manifests on top of it zapping the creature with its weakness, lightning.
Dervak, having remained within range of the aerial monstrosity, strikes at it with Teralindar's Honor.
Sensing that the enemy was momentarily disoriented, Mara flew up next to Dervak and gave the polyp a whack with her axe!
Scintillating Slivers!" Ci Ci intones, as she moves closer to the massive polyp. She unleashes a torrent of razor-sharp diamond shards upon the things tumorous hide.
With her other hand, she maintains the roiling thundercloud's contact with the foul creature.
Theophilus decides to try another Hex.
Dervak with the blade holding Upianshe's spirit and the crackling manifestation of Ci Ci's power quickly dispatches the massive polyp. The party is left to the howling wind and carving in the city's buildings.
In a sealed cache below the statue you find, a luckblade (1 wish) , cauldron of resurrection with 10,000gp of materials, potion of cure serious woundsx2, and 27190gp worth of coins, jems, and jewelry.
Mara checked on everyone, "Anyone hurt?" No-one seemed to be, so she turned her attention back to the statue, "I don't recognize the figure, but it seemed to have held some meaning to the polyp."
"Allegra might have known," Dervak says with some sadness.
"I am unhurt. Should we continue on?"
"We got that big sack of skin before it got us. Let's hope our luck holds out," Ci Ci replies.
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Mara sudied the sculpture again, consulting her ancestral memories this time. After a moment she informed her friends, "That relief depicts the King in Yellow.
"Let's continue to Aevan-Vhor."
Theophilus sighs.
It appears that we will need that.
He points to the cauldron of resurrection with 10,000gp of materials.
He prepares to continue.
Any idea about how long until we get there?
Exiting the Neruzavin nexus you come to the shore of a lake, the faint scent of corruption wafts from its waters. No fish swim near the shore and inexplicable ruins disturb the surface. A dense mist rolls across the surface but does not come ashore. Hiding in the mist immense and indistinct shapes break the surface of the water, too vague to be clearly discerned.
In the distance tall snow capped mountains lurk behind the moon of Carcosa, Bohlvarai hides somewhere on one of the mountains, but the party has a closer goal. You follow the shore through the deserted ruins of other cities claimed by the King in Yellow and after a time you arrive.
While Aevan-Vhor is populated, it still feels deserted. But people are still plainly carrying out the business of daily life. The outlying districts resemble the worst part of Ustalavic farm country, with sick and struggling crops. The city proper is a stark contrast, with tall, once impressive stone structures in various states of disrepair. As Cassilda said, most of the population are undead creatures, ghosts, vampires, and ghouls, but a few harried individuals are alive.
As you enter this nexus the oppressive nature of Neruzavin ceases but it is replaced with other stranger impulses. Deviant thoughts that you’ve repressed bubble to the surface of your mind begging to be indulged in. Actions you once thought taboo become dangerously enticing.
"Azlanti architecture. So this place was taken from Golarion to Carcosa some ten thousand years ago?
Remember, Cassilda said that most of the inhabitants think themselves to be still alive.
We need to find the Star Stela in Aevan-Vhor, and also the Musician if we can. Who may be a 'guest' of Lord Eldarius.
We may be able to ask around, as long as we do not show alarm at the undead state of the locals."
Mara nodded in agreement with Dervak's assessment of the architectural style, "I'll try talking to some of the locals."
She steeled herself to mingle with the undead townsfolk and spent some time inquiring about Lord Eldarius and the Musician.
This once-proud estate is in ruins. A waist-high stone wall surrounds a mansion constructed primarily of stone. The landscaping is a tangled mess, and the remains of an adjoining observatory tower stands next to the main house. Sections of the roof and walls have collapsed.
A ghost child plays in the courtyard as you approach and her ethereal eyes stare at you too long for comfort.
Theophilus wonders the roads, streets, paths, game trails afforded to them as they travel to Eldarius’s manor. The Witch wistfully wishes wonderful whereforalls for this poor and downtrodden place.
The White Rabbit is seen taking down addresses. He seems to be dress as a tax collector.
The Witch doesn't seem to give a haunt for its history or architecture. His player on the other hand; absolutely does!
The White Rabbit is now seen dressed in a History professor's outfit.
Theo looks at the ghost child with glee!
Wanna play hide and seek? I betcha you are good at it!
The White Rabbit nods in enthusiasm. He seems to be now dressed as a clown!
Theo takes out a deck of cards. He skillfully begins doing some tricks.
Mara approached the courtyard and looked around. She smiled at the child and listened for sounds of music.
Ci Ci hovers near the others, keeping an eye out for danger.
Dervak tries to act at ease around the ghost.
The dead still unnerve him, but he tries to hide it.
A spectral giggle fills the courtyard as Theo and White Rabbit entertain the child.
Soon a stout, middle-aged, balding man dressed in finery appears from a ruined door. He frowns at your presence and demands, "What is your business on my property?"
Mara greeted the man with courtesy, "Hello, Lord Eldarius? Please excuse the intrusion; we are looking for a man known as the Musician. I understand he may be a guest of yours."
Dervak contemplates how to weigh in.
What would we ask? Say, sir, you don't happen to have a Star Stela on your property, do you? Mind if we look around? No, I don't think that would work.
Theophilus thinks that directly asking this man about the Star Stela is a most correct way of replying. He is so happy to see Dervak coming around to his way of thinking!
The White Rabbit gives Dervak two rabbit thumbs up!
Now, about that Wish...
Something about Mara's words disarms the incorporeal aristocrat and the words spill out of him as he tells his story, "Ah. His name is Erich Zann, if you didn't know, he is a powerful bard who governs one of the other stolen cities and has a reputation of circumventing many of Carcosa's worst degradations with his unique magical masterpieces."
He regards his daughter, "Go play inside dear."
And continues, "I beseeched him to restore my family and take them from here. But the untested music failed disastrously. My eldest daughter, Delmaria, was made corporeal but the curse immediately made her a vampire. In a fit of rage I arranged for Erich to be cast in to the dungeon of Lord Avaric. Something I regret now."
"When Delmaria became corporeal she became distraught, confused, and isolated. So Lord Avaric and I concocted a plan, she would "enter adult society," she would live among other vampires. I wish I could draw my daughter back and protect her, tonight is the night of the Bleeding Moon and Avaric intends to have a party which is sure to become a bacchanalia ripe with violence against both body and soul."
Mara listened to Lord Eldarius' account and asked, "Will Erich Zann be at this party? We need to speak with him. Perhaps there's a way we could help Delmaria at the same time."
Theo and the White Rabbit seem a bit morose that their play pal has left them....
"...Avaric intends to have a party which is sure to become a bacchanalia ripe with violence against both body and soul."
Dervak tries not to smile too much at this part.
Gorum will be pleased.
"What do you know about vampires? They exist in our world but may be different here."
Dervak tries to recall what he knows.
Eldarius explains what he knows but the information is nothing that you don’t already know.
Dervak reflects on the time Theo had a commission from Lady Splinterbone. Kat was gracious enough to edify the party after the incident.
”If Erich still lives, he will be held in Lord Avaric’s dungeon. If it were possible for me to leave my estate I would have sought Lord Avaric myself. Should you rescue my daughter from my bad judgement, I will be in your debt.”
Lord Avaric’s dungeon? Shouldn't be a problem.
Theophilus winks at the group.
The White Rabbit is seen wearing a jailor's outfit.
And, where might that be?
"Attend a party that will turn into an orgy of violence.
Rescue Delmaria from a vampire lord. She is probably treated at least on the surface more like a guest than a prisoner. I don't know if we can cure her condition, but at least we can bring her back to you.
Rescue Erich Zann. He is probably in the dungeon.
Got it."
"Theophilus, Mara, Cerise, what do you think? Should we play along as guests of Lord Avaric until we find our quarry? Or just storm the place?"
"There seem to be advantages and problems with either scenario," Ci Ci replies. "The chaos ensuing from the disrupted party could either give us cover to escape, give us too many foes to face, or even force us to inflict collateral damage on innocents...if there are any. The frontal assault gets rid of the latter two problems, but leaves us in plain sight of our foes. If we make a frontal assault, let's hope we have enough power to overcome the vamp lord and his lackeys."
Mara offered her opinion, "We don't know how Delmaria views her relationship with Lord Avaric. I think we should try to attend the party and learn more about the situation. Simply attacking seems like it could result in unintended consequences."
She asked Lord Eldarius, "Would we need an invitation to this event? I realise that it's very short notice."
The ghost’s expression grows pained, ”Please I beg you to not be violent. They are cursed to not know their existence and are innocent. When you find Delmaria tell her that I animated clockwork toys for her as a child, she was particularly fond of an armadillo I made her.”
He gives you an invitation, ”My daughter left it behind.”
Restoring Delmaria to life might be difficult, the curse has already circumvented one attempt at restoring her, making her a vampire.
When Theo asks for directions, ”I’m sorry my family cannot leave the grounds of our home. Perhaps you can ask someone else.”
Mara told the ghost, "I have some skill as a healer. I can't promise anything without examining her, but I may be able to do something about her condition."
"Let's start with the diplomatic route. If things get messy, we'll try to get her out without leveling the place."
Dervak looks completely at ease with the request to refrain from violence (well, at least to not initiate violence).
He is a sophisticated urban bloodrager and is learning the ways of tact and deception after all.
"Let's still be prepared for trouble, though not start any. Learning more about Delmaria sounds like a good idea."
The White Rabbit (dressed like Rambo) looks a bit disappointed, kicking dirt.
Theophilus looks a bit distracted by a blade of grass.
hours
[Dice=Gather info]1d4 hours
The manor is a three-story mansion that, unlike many structures in Carcosa, is well maintained. An expansive lawn with a half-circle drive allows coaches to arrive at the front. Behind the property is a stone patio with steps that descend to a fountain and the entrance of a hedge maze. The hedges have grown tall and wild. Ivy encroaches on the patio and fountain where it shouldn’t. The southeast corner of the house is a domed ballroom. The home is clearly lit and ready for guests.
A 5ft ledge surrounds the top floor of the mansion. The ledge lies 3ft below the windowpanes and has four stone gargoyle statues that overlook the ordinal points of the house.
The moon of Carcosa hangs in front of the distant mountains and appears to be dripping a white fluid that drops into Lake Hali, the Bleeding Moon.
Although it's hard to tell with Carcosa’s perpetual night, you have been led to believe its 8pm.
Theophilus looks up at the hedges sitting on top of the lowered floor just mocking him. The Witch proceeds to deliver a raspberry to the ever-villainous gargoyles.
He decides this to be a great time to cast some spells, prior to all the milk and cookies starting....
He also calls Frederick to accompany them.
The White Rabbit is seen decked out in a formal tuxedo, complete with tail (hehe) and top hat.
Before they went to Lord Avaric's manor, Mara meditated for some final spells.
1st lvl (7): Ant Haul, Liberating Command, Protection from Evil, Unbreakable Heart x2, open slot x2 -> (Summon Nature's Aly 1, Remove Fear), Color Spray (spirit)
2nd lvl (6): Barkskin x3, Calm Emotions, Delay Poison, Resist Energy, Hypnotic Pattern (spirit)
3rd lvl (6): Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Dispel Magic, Fly, Protection from Energy, Sleet Storm, open slot -> Heroism, Daylight (spirit)
4th lvl (6): Blessing of Fervor x2, Freedom of Movement, Restoration, Spiritual Ally, open Slot -> Tongues, Rainbow Pattern (spirit)
5th lvl (6): Ancestral Memory, Baleful Polymorph, Breath of Life x2, Mass Cure Light Wounds, open slot -> True Seeing, Overland Flight (spirit)
6th lvl (4): Greater Dispel Magic x2, Wall of Stone, open slot, Chain Lightning (spirit)
7th lvl (3): Heal x2, open slot -> Sunbeam, Prismatic Spray (spirit).
8th lvl (2): Fire Storm, Stormbolts, Sunburst (spirit)
When they arrived at the manor, Mara recited a prayer to prepare for the evening.
When it came time to approach the main entrance, she looked around and noted the layout and noted the attitude of those that greeted them.
Dervak looks at his attire. His Robes of Eldritch Heritage are pretty snazzy, at least - black with royal purple trim. Adequate for a party. He sheathes his sword for now.
This being a vampire party, the warm blood in our veins is like showing up with a bottle of wine. Well, none of them are getting a drink if I can help it.