The nightmare Lowls is no longer in front of you.
Theophilus immediately checks his pockets!
Theo decides to leave....
Theophilius stops dead in his tracks! Inspiration from beyond enters his insanity, reminding him of his preventative measures!
Miss me by that much!
The Witch still seems to be emptying his pockets, looking for the fake Lowls mind spirit thingy....
Mara was not afraid of her foul former employer. She consulted her ancestral memories to see if she could learn anything more about what he had become.
"Lowls went through the wall! I can't see where he he is now."
Theo Cackles. He stays within 30' of Dervak.
With the help of her ancestors knowledge, Mara decided it would be a good idea to bolster her allies' protections against fear; she recited a warding prayer.
Through the wall The spectral Lowls tries to grasp at Theo but it gropes around around helplessly no where near the Hatter.
"Cerise, destroy the wall where it is hiding!"
”Alrighty, let’s flush it out. Diasporatum!”
Theophilus shrieks like a girl and floats behind Dervak!
A bit touchy that Lowls!
He then cast See Invisible.
Ci Ci exposes the dream Lowls.
"Is this really the spirit of Lowls or just some reflection or echo?"
Dervak is not sure, but happy to do his job in any event.
Dervak rages (Str-rage), casting Bladed Dash as a free action, and attacks the spectral Lowls.
Mara replied to Dervak, "It's a dream made manifest, sent by the one it's best not to name, in order to stop us!"
Dervak tears into the not-quite-real shape and it begins to leak out wispy bits of ectoplasm. Then Mara zaps it with lightning to little effect, but not insignificant.
A dark shape stalks towards Theo.
Dervak continues to pummel the incorporeal foe.
Theo stares at the frightening manifestation with...
...a shit-eating grin!
The White Rabbit (if hare) seems to be a bit miffed!
Theo continues to Cackle for Dervak.
He then flips fake spirit ghost rider wannabe Lowls the finger.
The not so terrifying visage is given a rude gesture for its efforts. And Dervak completely dispels the nightmare made real.
The White Rabbit reappears kicking Theo in the trouser leg repeatedly!
Mara used her knowledge of bizarre alien life to help with the ritual on the Star Stelae.
The Stela begins to hum and vibrate at a pitch just at the threashold of your hearing. The sigils on it's face glow building in intensity. Then you sever the connection stringing Carcosa to Golarion and the Stela is quite once more. You pant heavily from the strain and beads of sweat drip from your brow.
Erich writes, "I'll lead you to Paris, my home nexus and final Stela. But we should rest."
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Ci Ci replies.
The White Rabbit is seen wearing his beret.
Erich leads you away from the thin air and cold of Aevan-Vhor. After what feels like endless empty streets from city claimed from an unknown world you arrive at Paris.
Erich leads you to his residence:
This cobbled street begins south of the river, the Seine as Erich calls it, and crosses it twice over large bridges of black stone. The river here has a foul smell, and the light from Carcosa’s black suns is particularly dim. Once past the northernmost bridge, the street becomes very narrow and precariously steep, occasionally nothing more than flights of steps with rails. Toward its end, the street becomes a patchwork of cobble, paving stones, and bare earth with struggling greenish-gray vegetation that ends at an ivy-covered wall. One house in particular stands taller than all the others, a rickety five-story building with a garret room. The attic room directly under the peaked roof has a window that faces west and overlooks the border between this nexus and the next.
Eight figures guard the entrance to the Musician's home, putrid green flesh and almost canine faces. Leng ghouls. As you approach they pull something long and metallic in one hand. But soon recognition dawns on them, they seem overjoyed.
Erich greets the ghouls and they quickly surround him in a defensive circle. Erich introduces one of the ghouls as Julian Gras.
Julian explains, "Master Zann, Armel has seized power in your absence and organized many of us a policing force, obstinately to maintain order. But his reign has become violent and erratic. Everyone is suffering from his tyranny."
Erich looks worried and writes to you, "You must go to the Effel Tower, a once fantastic iron tower. It has since been toppled but its base remains, on the second observation deck you will find the final Stela. I must remain and find a way to thwart Armel."
"This city is huge and unfamiliar," Ci Ci replies to Erich. "Is there any complication we might have with flying to this fallen tower, any airborne creatures that might pose a threat?
Dervak is wary of the Leng Ghouls, but has dealt with their kind peacefully in the past. They seem to be friendly to the musician.
"Erich, would you wish our assistance in dealing with this tyrannical Armel, whoever it is?
We can go to the Stela and then come help you, if it will take you some time to make plans and gather allies. Or we can help you first."
Theophilus nods in agreement at Dervak's suggestion.
The White Rabbit is seen wearing his commando outfit....
Mara greeted the ghouls; they made her a bit uncomfortable, but it was nothing she couldn't get past, given their past dealings with ghouls. She questioned them about the situation in the city explaining, "This is our first time in Paris. Can you tell me about the city, and what to look out for as newcomers?"
Orisons (4): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic
1st (7): Cure Light Wounds, Endure Elements, Protection from Evil, Remove Fear, Unbreakable Heart x3. Color Spray (spirit)
2nd (7): Barkskin x2, Calm Emotions, Delay Poison, Resist Energy, Open Slot x2, Hypnotic Pattern (spirit)
3rd (6): Heroism x3, Sleet Storm, Open Slot x2, Daylight (spirit)
4th (6): Blessing of Fervor, Fear, Slowing Mud, Spiritual Ally x2, Open slot, Rainbow Pattern (spirit)
5th (6): Ancestral Memory, Baleful Polymorth, Breath of Life x2, Open slot x2, Overland Flight (spirit)
6th (5): Greater Dispel Magic, Mass Cure Moderate Wounds, Wall of Stone, Open Slot x2, Chain Lightning (spirit)
7th (4): Fairy Ring Retreat, Heal x2, Open Slot, , Prismatic Spray (spirit).
8th (3): Firestorm, Stormbolts, Open slot, Sunburst (spirit)
Erich answers Ci Ci first, writing, ”Shantaks flock to the tower.” He regards each of you and adds, ”Nothing that will impede you significantly.”
Some of you recall having a shantak sing to you while you flew to the moon.
He then nods at Dervak and writes, ”You’ve already done so much for me. If you deal with Armel I will be able to send some of my friends here to deal with the Shantaks while you conduct your ritual.”
Julian speaks to Mara in Aklo, ”It is a ghost of the true Paris. Erich has told me that one night a performance of a play designed by the King In Yellow was performed near the Reu d’Auseil. It was meant to draw the entire city into Carcosa removing it from our world. He used his music to foil the attempt but was only partially successful. He was drawn in as were his surroundings but the majority of the city was saved. Many of us chose to become Leng ghouls after Zann struck a deal with one, we are surviving in Carcosa as best we can. We only feed on those who wish it, the hopeless who find themselves trapped here with no other recourse. Armel sees things differently. I’ve seen him frequent the Cabaret du Oubli.” Julian provides you with directions to the cabaret.
Theophilus and the White Rabbit immediately begin changing their attire for the occasion.
Theo
They both look at everyone.
Ready for another Tea party!
"Julian, what can you tell me about this Armel?
Do you think he would be willing to negotiate, or should we assume that he will react with violence?
And if it comes to a fight, what should we know about him?"
Julian looks to Erich who nods, ”He’s an extremist and a brute. He has lost every ounce of his humanity after transforming, voraciously devouring any of the remaining human population. He favors his fauchard over his revolver. I doubt he can be reasoned with. The nexus will be much better off with him gone.”
The White Rabbit is seen preparing like Rambo.
"Well then. It sounds like Gorum will be pleased."
Dervak will re-cast Shield and cast Long Arm as the party approaches the Cabaret.
He also cast Heroism, Mage Armor, See Invisible, Featherstep on Dervak. And he hexes everyone!
The exterior of the Cabaret du Oubli is a gruesome facade featuring thousands of bones and skulls surrounding a monstrous open mouth that frames the front door to the cabaret.
A pair of Leng ghouls are standing outside smoking cigarettes, casual as can be.
"So, what's the plan, stroll on in and ask if anyone's seen Armel? Assuming we find him inside, what then? Pick a fight?" Ci Ci asks.
Mara considered the situation. "I could try asking around, and see if there's anyone with a grudge against Armel: strong enough to want to assist us. I don't know how likely that is, but it might work."
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"Asking around would take too long, and word would spread. Armel would gather his troops.
No, let's just get inside and inform Armel that his reign is done and he can surrender now.
If he resists, we destroy him.
As Julian says, he has voraciously devoured the human population here."
Theophilus stops when the bouncers of the club come into view. The gentleman takes out some mouthwash, some Axe body spray and 2 mints. He gives one to The White Rabbit.
Clearing his throat, the finely dressed Mad Hatter winks at the others as he approaches the ghouls.
The White Rabbit is seen wearing a white tank and carrying a boombox.
He then reaches into his pocket and slips them each a platinum.
The pair eye Theo as he hands them money, they offer a smoke to the hatter and White Rabbit.
While Theo is chatting with and bribing the men, Ci Ci reaches into her pouch, retrieves a bit of diamond dust and sprinkles it on her skin.
"Just freshening up before I go inside. Nothing to be alarmed at, boys."
Theophilus just smiles widely at the two bouncers.
The White Rabbit continues to nod to the music.
Theo takes the offered cigarette from the ghoul, as he takes any keys (or something interesting) off him too.
Gotta light, darling. So, wat's da vibe un dere, babycheecks?
The ghoul shrugs and flicks open a metal lighter for Theo. As she leans in Theo grabs a scroll stuck between the pages of a book strapped to her hip.
She answers him in Necril, "That fat pig is drowning out the music. You can't drink in peace." She gestures to the area around her, "Needed a break and a cigarette."
Theo grins.
So many to name. Which fat pigs is that?
The other spits, "Armel. He brought his retinue too."
Theo grins.
So, he is not liked 'round 'ere?
The gentleman winks using his left eye.