[ooc]Only one drew an AoO, but you're wlecomed to take it, sadly, it didn't help.
Round 1:
Kara: Miss
Reesa: Miss
Nym: Summoning spell
Baddies: ATK
Novid: Wrath
Enora: Color Spray
Eglantine: Go
Cetanna: 9
Honey Badger: 0
Weasel Red: 0 (Stunned for Round 2)
Weasel Blue: 0 (Stunned for Round 2)
The mad badger bits at the tiny halfling
In an astonishing display of magic and steel, Eglantine's rapier lands with a crack of electricity. The raging badger *tries* not to care, but the damage is excruciating. A normal badger would be dead and fried, but this one fights on!
Round 2:
Kara: Go
Reesa: Go
Summoned Monster: Go
Nym: Go
Baddies: TBD
Novid: TBD
Enora: TBD
Eglantine: TBD
Cetanna: 9
Honey Badger: 30
Weasel Red: 0 (Stunned for Round 2)
Weasel Blue: 0 (Stunned for Round 2)
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Karasuma's very much in the thick of it at this point, but the explosion of electricity in the air makes even his feathers floof out in an almost comical fashion as he guardedly assaults the woman who tripped him.
And then he moves to put his back to the door. He really doesn't want to corner himself like that, but he needs to limit the ability of the critters to flank him... and it might force the crazy woman to kick her pets out of the way...
5' Step 'North'
Reesa'a spell slams into the woman's face, but she shakes off the pain to focus on Kara. The woman's guard is STILL too much for the tengu. He had an opening, but his defensive posture cost him the chance. It's a tough call between hitting and getting mauled.
Round 2:
Kara: Miss
Reesa: MM
Summoned Monster: Go
Nym: Go
Baddies: TBD
Novid: TBD
Enora: TBD
Eglantine: TBD
Cetanna: 15
Honey Badger: 30
Weasel Red: 0 (Stunned for Round 2)
Weasel Blue: 0 (Stunned for Round 2)
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Putting the finishing touches on his conjuration, Nym brings over a pair of eagles, directing them against the great badger that is savaging Eglantine. Stepping out of the corner, he fires his wand at the skinwalker, a force missle slamming into her.
Hit?
Miss?
Possible Crit
Possible Crit
Possible Crit
Miss?
no confirm?
confirm?
confirm?
The summoned eagles tear the badger to ribbons, leaving a corpse in their wake! The magic missile slams into the skinwalker, but she's just extra mad now.
The baby dire weasels stand stunned from the spell, but look like they're shaking it off.
She turns on Novid, with a wicked kick to the knees and follows it up with a stomp on the face. , but he rolls out of the way!
Round 2:
Kara: Miss
Reesa: MM
Summoned Monster: KILL
Nym: MM
Baddies: ATK
Novid: Go
Enora: Go
Eglantine: Go
Cetanna: 20
Weasel Red: 0
Weasel Blue: 0
"STAY DOWN PATHFINDER! You'll find no mercy here!"
the stomp lands this time for
Round 2:
Kara: Miss
Reesa: MM
Summoned Monster: KILL
Nym: MM
Baddies: ATK
Novid: Go
Enora: Go
Eglantine: Go
Cetanna: 20
Weasel Red: 0
Weasel Blue: 0
"Should have cared." Enora shakes her head. "I'll try to slow 'em down again. Gettin' greedy here!"
Enora steps up to the baby weasels and sees if they have recovered yet. She tries to angle her color spray so it hits the weasels and the skinwalker.
Instead, she's so nervous about being bitten the spell fizzles in her hands. "Grizzlebiscuits, I'm in trouble now!"
Novid takes the hit and shrugs it off, though it would kill a normal man. The inquisitor responds with a massive hit of his own. Shockingly, she doesn't go down, but she spits blood at Novid.
Enora tries to keep up the pressure, but the weasels are ready and she loses the spell!
Round 2:
Kara: Miss
Reesa: MM
Summoned Monster: KILL
Nym: MM
Baddies: ATK
Novid: BAM!
Enora: Fizzle
Eglantine: Go
Cetanna: 46
Weasel Red: 0
Weasel Blue: 0
Eglantine's blade comes fast again. The weasel bites at her: , but Desna smiles on the magus! Her hit is massive, but the weasel isn't done yet!
Meanwhile the normal weasels fly about the room making it hard to focus. One bites Nym for DMG. Another bites Nym again for more!
Round 3:
Kara: Go
Reesa: Go
Summoned Monster: Go
Nym: Go
Baddies: TBD
Novid: TBD
Enora: TBD
Eglantine: TBD
Cetanna: 46
Weasel Red: 15
Weasel Blue: 0
Reesa gets ready with a recovered scroll!
Round 3:
Kara: Go
Reesa: Calling in back up.
Summoned Monster: Go
Nym: Go
Baddies: TBD
Novid: TBD
Enora: TBD
Eglantine: TBD
Cetanna: 46
Weasel Red: 15
Weasel Blue: 0
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Irritated by the constant biting of the weasel swarm, but knowing the real threat was from the dire version and the shapechanger, Nym focused his concentration and sent the eagles in after the dire weasels, who dive down with their sharp beaks tearing into flesh.
Nym, meanwhile, moves across the room out of the crowd, and uses his wand again to fire an unerring force missile at the powerful woman fighter.
Hit?
Crit
fail?
This time, Kara will not be denied. His swing lands right on the woman's neck. Blood cascades from the wound and she dies, another curse of the Pathfinder Society stuck on her lips, never to be spoken.
The eagles begin tearing at the weasel. Fur and viscera fly, but these are no ordinary beasts, they're extremely ornery, and they keep fighting.
With the woman down, the weasels flee, but not before Nym's magic missile stuns one and the eagles tear it to shreds.
...and like that, the bloody battle is over. The regular weasels, without their dire cousins nearby flee too.
Once you catch your breath, what do you do?
Enora spends the remainder of her arcane resevoir to open her spellbook, study Alter Self and Grease while forgetting Color Spray and Invisibility. She snaps her book shut.
When she finishes, she walks up and studies the skinwalker for a bit. "I've got an idea. She works for this Zurnzal lady? I'll pretend to be her so we can ambush Zurnzal right quick!"
Check pockets for loose change dead.
Magic feather, potion of barkskin,, potion of cure serious wounds, potion of invisibility, potion of greater magic fang, magic studded leather, mwk sling with 20 bullets, Magic cloak, 75 gp
Technically speaking, too far down the rabbit hole, but You've only spent a single round, so whatever you summon is in the room for 4 more...
The Lantern flits about, not finding anything of import. Though it does flash brightly as it sneaks northward through the doors in the NE.
The doors aren't locked, and they open easily. Two desks facing each other occupy the center of this room; each covered with stacks of reports, maps, and other pieces of paperwork. A large map of Nirmathas hangs from the north wall.
Searching the desks reveals a number of interesting documents. Amidst a stack of letters, two seem particularly interesting.
Dear Captain Vaylorne,
After our conversation last week, I’ve come up with a plan that will allow both of us to get what we want. I will get rid of the Pathfinders who are making themselves inconvenient to both the Aspis Consortium and to the church of Razmir and make you a political and religious hero.
First, you send me a list of secrets that would be damaging if they made it into Molthune’s hands, while I make the substantial gold piece donation to the church of Razmir that we discussed. After that, I will have a several people walk around town spreading rumors that Pathfinders are working with Molthune.
With that in place, I’ll contact the people I have set up in Molthune, and have them come down off of the blockade in the middle of the night. I’ll send some of my friends disguised as Pathfinders and carrying the military secrets to meet them. Each of them will be wearing a wayfinder and a glyph of the open road. I’ll dress up one of my halfling friends as their local leader, Venture Captain Oraiah Tolal. At that point, you swoop in with a large group of soldiers, kill the Molthuni, and capture the “Pathfinders”. I’ll tell them all to surrender right away, and you can arrest them. At some point when you are not on duty, I’ll break them out so there is more to blame on the Pathfinder Society.
Regards, Zurnzal
The second half of the paper is written in a different hand.
Zurnzal,
Your plan shows promise, but it relies too heavily on theatrics over substance. An entire group openly carrying wayfinders and wearing the Pathfinder’s symbol is suspicious in and of itself—real Pathfinders rarely try so hard to proclaim their allegiance—to say nothing of the considerable risk of discovery that you incur when disguising someone as a known figure in the community. The Molthuni are unlikely to agree to come off of the ships, even at night, without significant persuasion. Are you intending to have me assist their journey? What are you planning to do with the real Oraiah Tolal?
As a general point of discourse—when referring to activities that some may consider illegal, do not use plain language (particularly when you are signing your name to the document). You impressed me greatly on your last mission involving the Society, and I am certain you are capable of ironing out the details in this mission. Send me your next draft for revision.
Your Friend,
MG
Dear Z,
I have recieved your donation. Blessed are those who open their coffers and their hearts to the Living God. Those who are sufficiently generous succeed in all of their endeavors.
The information you requested will arrive tomorrow morning in a separate letter. I’ll alter the patrols to meet your group at the designated time. I can’t guarantee that none of my guards will be overzealous at the sight of Molthuni, so be sure that your group is quick to surrender and drop arms.
-V
There is also a stack of bloodstained notes, all tied together in a neat bundle.
Upstanding Cousin,
I hear you’ve been dispatched to the Fenwall Mountains—perfect timing. There’s a new upstart band of brigands and highwaymen in that area calling themselves the Gorgon’s Privateers. They’ve refused to acknowledge our claim to this region and are robbing travelers without discretion or our blessing. If you see any of them, take them down a peg or two, but make sure at least one remains alive to take our message back to their leaders: “If you cross the Sczarni again, your lives end.” Feel free to add something poetic so they really get the message.
All our blood together,
Guaril Karela
My Friend,
The road winds home and it is good to breathe the sweet air of Varisia. While my business keeps me here in Riddleport, I can find use for you in Magnimar. My niece has run away, and her father would owe me a great deal if she returned to him. My investigations reveal she has joined the Aspis Consortium based out of Magnimar. If your mission crosses paths with the Consortium, find out where she is and if possible persuade her to return to Riddleport. I do not care how you do this; just do not to scar her pretty face. Her name is Ophetta and her eyes sparkle like flawless emeralds. One final thing—make sure she tells her father that I, Guaril Karela, am responsible for her homecoming.
May the road never leave you weary,
Guaril Karela
The rest are all similar. The remaining rooms are a storage room, full of mundane supplies, and a pair of bedrooms, one used very recently (and smelling strongly of badger), the other seemingly disused for some time. The storage room has an additional passage, that seems to correspond to the path Guaril is guarding topside.
"Captain Vaylorne sold us out... man." Enora shakes her head. "We should tell...wait, Guaril?" She spits. "So he knew about this place? I hope not. Let's head up and have a good talking to him about this."
"Once you guys are ready. I'm almost out of magic today."
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Nym thanks the eagles for their service as they vanish back to the place where all summoned creatures live in a big happy zoo.
He then goes to reading the notes, curious about the section regarding Venture Captain Oraiah Tolal. "It seems our local VC may be in imposter working for this Zurnzal. The infiltration of our agency seems to know no bounds." His face turns red with anger, as he considers the implications. "Who do you think this MG referenced here is?"
Finally reading the notes from Guaril, he answers Enora. "I imagine these letters of our esteemed Varisian where included in the packets that were stolen. They seem to be personal notes to others in Varisia, but don't implicate him directly. I imagine he will want these back." he slips that stack of stained notes into his robe pocket.
Nym will also attempt to identify all the magic items found on the shapeshifter. He shows his bleeding wounds to any who will listen complaining loudly.
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Eglantine listens to the reading of the notes with a frown. "Dangerous indeed! We should bring this information to Karela. That map might have tactical locations on it as well."
She tries to take it off the wall but is far too short. With a huff, Eglantine dismisses her spell so that she's only a halfling and not a quarterling. She picks the Nirmathi map from the wall, rolls it up, and nods her readiness to go reunite with Karela up the other tunnel.
Leery of a last minute double cross, though, she keeps her blade drawn.
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"Hold off on the personal correspondence for the time being, though. When dealing with members of the Exchange, it's always good to have a source of... insurance? I'm speaking as a member of said Exchange. Never hurts to... have some in reserve. If he passes the 'sniff' test, then we can let him have them, if not, well, we can hang onto them for the time being.
Sound fair?"
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Nym raises an eyebrow at the implication, but at last acquiesces to the Tengu's advice. "I will follow your lead, Master Crow. If you speak of the personal correspondence, I will share it. Otherwise, we will take it back to Absalom with us."
He reaches a hand into his pocket, making sure the letters are still safely tucked away.
With a plan in place the party returns to the Ashfall Lodge meeting up with Guaril. The Varisian is thrilled with your work and thanks you for you assistance. "With the Aspis out of commission in Tamran, my shipments once again flow into the city freely, providing the lodge and the people of Tamran with much needed supplies."
He then eyes you with a twirl of the mustache. "So what did you learn of the Aspis activities? Did you recover anything?"
"Oh man! You should have seen it. This crazy lady had claws and was trippin' people, and weasels snarling at us from cages, and a cute little badger that tried to eat cute little Eglantine- she was so tiny! And then a pair of eagles started eating everything." She shrugs.
"Oh yeah, and we found some correspondence. I don't think you'll like this, but they got someone on the inside..." Enora hands over the documentation with Zurnzal. She doesn't mention the personal correspondence, at Kara's suggestion. "Looks like ya'll got a lot of work ahead of ya."
His mustache twirling stops, and his smile melts. "I strongly suggests you give me the information—with my vast knowledge of the Gael family, I am in the best position to track down Madreki and Zurnzal. I ask you to not turn the documents over to the Ashfall Lodge first, because in order for my plans to be effective, I must keep some information close to the chest. I promise that I will share enough information with the Venture Captain to exonerate the Pathfinder Society. Are we in agreement agents?"
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"Explore, Report, Cooperate, Profit. I think we're on the same track here. Let's hand over the information we discovered against the Society and let Mister Karela do what he does best."
There's a bit of consideration as Karasuma looks at the party, and then Guaril.
"Did you have anything else for us before we tie up the loose ends?"
The tengu doesn't mention the personal correspondence. Given how shady Guaril is being, and the man's reputation for having a 'hidden hand'... yeah, he's not giving away prime insurance material that could result in the party getting murdered for 'knowing too much'.
"Not from me. Good work Pathfinders." The twirling begins again...