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The little grippli sits up after Dale heals him. He looks around, and sees that the big not-friend is gone, and everything seems fixed. He looks at his big strong friends, in awe of what they have done. He also looks at all the injuries of his friends, and realizes that this may very well have been the fight of their lives. (He is secretly a little bit sad to have to leave the Lady's arms, though. He was so cozy there... But she said she needs him to do more good things before he can go stay with her.)
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Finished with her potion, Faliana takes a moment to breathe, rather painfully, and take in what just happened. I think I... almost died back there? But with the second to pause and reflect, her adrenaline and death addled brain starts to process what Fritannia has been yelling for the past few moments "...Yes you bloody f!+$ing did dearie! Almost scared the unliving bejeezuz out of me! Don't you dare try doing that again, young lady..."
Sadly, or probably more blessedly, Fritannia's chewing out gets cut short when a soft breeze rushes by, and the snake-thingy convulsed around her. It squeezes for a second and she gives a squeak of pain as the six or seven broken ribs scream in protest. However the thing can't quite keep its grip, and she falls, rather bodily, onto the snake's backside and then is engulfed in its coils.
The adrenaline rush back, Faliana slowly pulls herself free of the coils despite her body's screaming lances of pain and Fritannia's screaming curses of horror. She lies on the floor watching the snake get dragged away and the walls rebuilding themselves. Enjoying the sensation of being able to breathe easily, once one discounted the mangled breastplate.
It's Monty's words that bring her back to reality. With a slight, coughing laugh that looks painful, she shoots a comment back at the monkey-man. "Just a taste of your own medicine! Though I think I'll be content with not doing that again! I don't enjoy having broken ribs and Fritannia just won't shut up."
Gingerly standing up, she takes Monty's hands around her into a hug. With a pleading look she says, "Just don't squeeze, okay?" She rests there a moment, staring into his eyes for a second. Giving him a smile, she comments, "I think we'd promised each other something if this worked out!" before pulling him close, wincing at the pain and giving Monty a kiss. After they finish, she looks back at Monty with a few tears in her eyes. In a hoarse whisper, she confesses "To be honest, when that... thing started to wrap around me I wasn't sure I'd be able to see you again."
Deciding this isn't the time or place to break down, she turns to watch the dying Dru singing, Dale obviously on his way with a wand. In a light-hearted voice that belies her true emotions, she jokes, "You know, for a dying woman, she sings beautifully!"
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Monty gently places his forehead against hers and gives a week smile, returning the kiss softly, but with gusto. After they finish he whispers back to her...
Hey... we had a promise... I woulda chewed out Pharasma herself before I break a promise to you, and I know you better than to believe you would break a promise to me... it's okay...
It's the false reassurance of someone who knows better, but doesn't care. Now is not the time for honest talk. He grins at her joke and smiles, calling out to the slowly recovering Dru.
Ya know, perhaps you should be a bard not a bodyguard! Who knew we had a singer with such pipes!
He laughs and resists the urge to squeeze her tightly, squeezing his eyes tight to help sturdy himself as he straightens up a bit.
Goodby and good riddance to that monstrosity! That better have fixed the crew outside because I'm gonna need enough alcohol to make Cayden Calien jealous after this!
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Dale watches the exchange between Monty and Faliana, after a few minutes he pipes up as only Dale could "If you two mate and have offspring would you mind if I study the result? I don't think I've ever seen a half human, half Vanara before. I'd really like some blood samples and maybe a physical from both of you to compare the end result."
His eyes grow a bit wider, he draws out his journal and begins writing furiously, occasionally raising a finger as another question forms, only to jot that note down vigorously. "You raise a good point though Mr Monty, lets hope the hold it had on the researchers is gone!" He stows his book and rises to his feet slowly, beckoning the others to come make the discovery with him.
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It worked. "It worked! Haha!" Brady stands shell-shocked. On a day where nothing went according to plan, where it seemed their every move was thwarted by an ancient beast with too much wile and too much cunning... it came together in the end.
By the time his head is back in the room with everyone else, Monty and Dale have revived everyone. Though nobody truly looked good, everyone would walk out under their own power. "I didn't think we could do it." Was that out loud?
As the post-battle shock starts to wear off, and you go about getting folks, if not healthy, at least mobile, you hear a startled intake of breath from the doorway. There you see Arletta, poking her head around the corner, eyes wide, as she spots the condition everyone is in.
"By the gods." She exclaims, eyes looking around worriedly. "What happened?"
She notices the door seemingly intact and good as new, and sees no sign of the golem, and a confused look works its way onto her face... until she notices the now-fused panel on the all, all the warding stones in place.
"You found them all? But how...?"
"There was this big wave of... I don't know... energy of some kind? It came washing through both rooms... and now everyone's acting funny... again." She hitches one thumb back down the hallway, towards where the other archaeologists are. "I'm not sure. Thought I'd come get you, before opening that basket."
"What happened to the construct?" She adds. "Is it not going to let that thing out now?"
She seems at once curious, confused, and terrified.
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Monty limps a little as he puts Fali's arm around him to support her as they walk, and he gives a big toothy grin to Arletta.
Oh, nothing much. Just shoved a gigantic snake demon from the bowls of the abyss back into the cage it was ripping it's way out of. Just another days work for your pathfinder field agents!
He looks to Fali and laughs a bit again.
So to be more accurate, it LET that thing out, but now it's IN there with said thing... and honestly, probably in lots of little pieces when that thing gets mad enough to realize what the hell happened.
Arletta looks confused. "What? It was out? And now it's in again?"
She shakes her head, clearly happy that it seems to be over, even if she doesn't understand it all.
"We need to check on the others." Her relief hedges somewhat, as she talks of her fellow archaeologists. "Or will it still have its hooks in them?"
"There were two more Monoliths back at the dig site. Is another one going to come, and smash the door down again?" She starts to work herself into a paranoid panic again.
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Still clutching her injured ribs, Dru doesn't understand the jokes about her singin".
I honestly didn't understand a thing about this mission. Or two near death experiences were enough to erase some stuff from my memory. Whatever happened, I'm glad it has ended...Even if I feel like an useless fool.
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"I don't think we have anything to worry about again... at least not for another 10,000 years." He looks over at Dale, who's the most (and perhaps at the same time, least) likely to be the expert.
"I don't know how it was able to call the monolith... but I don't think it was counting on the monolith putting it in a stranglehold as soon as it was released."
"I agree with Dru... this has been a very strange day, and I'm not sure I understand most of it."
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Dale scratches his chin as Brady throws out a number "I'm not sure we've got nearly enough information here to throw out such a succinct number Brady. Guesses like that get written down and turn into bad information a thousand years from now!"
He moves slowly to investigate the researchers with Arletta, mumbling about possible tests they could run to help determine the permanency of the serpent's prison. "Perhaps the magic now auto repairs any damage instantly... maybe Dru can take a few wacks at the door and wall to test that... hrm."
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Faliana is more than glad to wrap an arm wound Monty. She smiles at his words, but raises an eyebrow at the last. "Enough to make Cayden himself jealous? I'm personally wanting enough to make all the gods jealous, sick or both! But first there's something I need to do!"
She points to Tad and leaning a little heavily on Monty, slowly moves over to him. She smiles softly at the grippli. "I'm assuming from your words earlier that you're not being controlled by the beast anymore?" Her smile brightens a few watts, as she continues "I'm glad you're back to your usual self! Sorry about earlier, I was mostly mad at the damnable snake thing for, how do I put this, 'corrupting' our innocent Tad and was taking it out on you..." She extends the one hand not wrapped around Monty's shoulders as a peace offering.
After reconciling with Tad, Fali extends over her ruler of healing and asks him to hit her a few times with it. She offers its services to Monty after most of her wounds have closed. "Thanks Tad! You're a life-saver as always."
Turning to Dru and Brady, the half-elf comments, "I can only make a few guesses at what happened, but, more importantly, let's make sure we don't have any problems with the researchers and get some thing to drink!"
Walking more easily, but still latched onto Monty, she gives him pat on the shoulder, a smille and a glance that says it all, Let's get going!
As they move for the door, Fali takes a moment to cock her head and calls back to Dale, "You can run your experiments only if you keep in touch and they consent to letting 'Uncle Dale' run some tests. Also I'm rather surprised to hear you don't have samples already!"
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You will find Juliet and the other Pathfinder archeologists where you last saw them, in the main entry room... but this time, when you wander in, they are not all going about their usual studies. Instead, they are standing around somewhat chaotically, looking confused, some of them holding their heads. Mostly, they are muttering to each other in hushed tones as they cast nervous glances towards the inner parts of the ruins.
Juliet's look of relief at seeing you is obvious. "There you are!" She exclaims. "And Arletta too, thank god."
"Do you know what is going on?" She adds. "I... I think something's been messing with our heads."
She looks towards the northern door with a frown. "Something bad is in there."
"I think." She adds uncertainly, a moment later.
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Dale nods along to Juliet's statements "Yes. Yes. And Yes." He replies, trying not to chuckle at the enormity of details flying through his head.
He pulls up the most comfortable seat he can find, sits down and winces a bit at his messed up leg. "Where would you like us to start? Do you have anything for lunch? Maybe some coffee or tea?" He pulls out his journal and ink pen as he brushes the hair out of his eyes. "No really, I'm quite starved, its been a whirlwind of death and destruction here for the last hour. All of that adrenaline really sucks the energy right out of you."
Dale pauses ever so briefly, turning to a fresh page in the book and begins writing and speaking at the same time. "The bad thing in the other room is a Xacarba, sealed away long ago by the Cyclopes. It was controlling people's minds through that crack in the wall. The one near the fountain you were using for water? The water by the way has some likely beneficial effect on you when you drink it. And it tastes wonderful." He scratches out the last of that sentence in the book.
"The glowing orb up on those stairs had some magical dust on it, which broke the spell on Arletta when she accidentally touched it. She's been hiding out playing sick to keep away from the rest of you in your mind raped state. Without her and that disc she kept out of your clutches, we'd all be dead by now. She deserves a raise, and a hot bath." Dale continues on.
"We fought some strange double ended snake creature that was guarding some neat things. A wand of bull's strength, an extremely pissy flail, and a big old dented shield. We also found that stylish mask I've got on and a necklace that I believe likely saved Faliana's life during our rumble with the xacarba. Well, more like the golem's rumble with the xacarba, and our race to lock it away." He licks the end of his pen and redips it in the ink.
He looks around the group for a few moments with a puzzling look in his one eyed mask "Well, not even a congrats or a thank you? We won the race obviously. Dru was nearly crushed to death from the huge xacarba, as was Faliana. Tad was almost turned into paste; Monty, Brady and I barely survived the savage tail beatings. Did I meantion that thing has three tails? A snake with THREE tails.. not very fair when most of us, save Monty, even has one to work with." He flips the page and looks up. "Any other questions?"
You will all realize that the sphere, up on the balcony, is no longer glowing. It appears to have faded back to its normal, inactive white metallic appearance. With its light gone, the site is once again lit with lanterns and other more mundane light sources, not nearly the shining beacon in the jungle it was.
A quick glance will also confirm that the crack in the wall has sealed up. In fact the entire interior wall looks brand new, whatever magic that resealed the door apparently fixing the wall all the way around.
Juliet and the others listen to Dale's synopsis of events with wide eyes, and when he is done, they all do indeed thank all of you, and Arletta profusely, offering what supplies and assistance they have. They immediately go about comparing notes about what exactly they do recall from the prior weeks. It turns out almost everything... whatever the xacarba's magic did to them, it did not stop them from remembering ... just how they reacted to the information they were learning. Their reactions range from curiosity, to horror, to embarrassment.
Juliet immediately calls for everyone to get ready to leave in the morning, intending to return to the Azlant Ridge site. Despite the experience, they are still scholars at heart though, so they careful pack up all the treasures they have found and research they have done. You do notice none of them go past the northern doorway into the rest of the ruins... recent experiences making most of them a bit gun shy... content to leave those discovers for another day, or other eyes.
Both the mask, and the flail do draw their attention. It is now that Monty will realize he has not heard a comment from the flail since the prison resealed. Try as he might, he can't get it to talk again, appearing little more then an ornate ancient magic flail. At least until the wrong person tries touching it... The flail continues to resist unwanted handling, but try as you might, it never says another word, understandable or not.
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Dale laughs at Tad "You weren't the only one that got that thing in your head, I remember really wanting to keep those discs safe! Right Brady?"
Dale for the most part takes it easy while the researchers pack up their finds and equipment. He eats and drinks and takes notes in his journal, offering up his thoughts on any finds that happen to make their way into his line of sight. "Oh check that out! What room did you find that in?" He says from his perch with the mask still over his face.
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"Oh, yeah. I remember how confused I was that everybody else didn't! It seemed the simplest and most natural thing in the world; the disks belonged in the crack. Crazy!"
"I think I've decided I don't like anyone else inside my head." He gasps. "Oh no, Faliana! I didn't mean... I'm so sorry; I hope that wasn't offensive! I just..."
"S@#!. Sorry." He looks around awkwardly.
Juliet again expresses her thanks, even insisting you keep the magical lens you retrieved from her tent at the Azlant Ridge site. They are all more than happy to show you any and all of the research they've done to this point, much to Dale's delight. It ends up being a common topic for your entire trip back, and you all gain a little better understanding of the history of the Azlanti civilization in the Mwangi Expanse as a result.
Packing up the Starwatcher Tor camp goes smoothly, all of the archaeologists apparently eager to be away from the place... at least for now. Everyone heads out the next morning, going back down the mountain, following the Monolith's path that you followed on the way up.
You make good time, and reach the dig site late the same day. Though you've only been gone a day and a half, already some of the local denizens have managed to do some damage to a number of the remaining structures, with no one there to chase them off. Juliet takes it all in stride, just glad that Happ managed to secure the artifacts and cover up the main dig before he left. You're not sure if she has quite the same enthusiasm to start the site up for a third time, her mood is noticeably more understated... but it is clearly still on her mind.
You stay the night, though the dig team is clearly nervous about it, not feeling nearly as safe without the usual guards and workers there with them. Still, other then a few mysterious cries and howls, nothing comes out from the jungle to hound you. Everyone is able to get at least some rest.
Then begins the long trip back to civilization. Most of the archaeologists, Arletta included, break off a few days out, intending on heading to Bloodcove, to meet up with Happ and the others and get the artifacts stored somewhere safe to await shipment out of Aspis territory. You are kind of glad you will not be expected to haul them all the way back to Nantambu... even if Bloodcove is far from the safest place to store them.
Juliet and a couple of the others accompany you overland for the three week hike across the plains to Nantambu. Luckily, you manage to flag down a barge heading upriver, on the third day, and are able to travel the rest of the way on the Vanji, cutting considerable time off the trip from that point forward. By the time you sail into Nantambu, everyone is rested and relaxed, the memories of the evil imprisoned within Starwatcher Tor bearing not nearly so sharp an edge.
Although you were all strangers when you met, and the hot and humid jungles and savannas of the Mwangi Expanse were like alien landscapes to most of you. You had all grown much closer, and started to view the Expanse less as a hostile country, and more an exotic home away from home (or perhaps home a few doors down from home, in the case of Monty).
But, as you are all aware, all things eventually end.
Within a week of your return from Starwatcher Tor, Faliana, Brady, and Monty are all reassigned. All three soon find themselves back aboard the Godless Wind, under cover, and on their way back to Absalom, the slow way. Overseeing the very same shipment of crates and artifacts that were so recently stored in Bloodcove by the Pathfinder archaeologists.
A couple of weeks after that, Tad too is given a new assignment and placed on barge back to Bloodcove, eventually to board a ship headed to the Inner Sea. No one mentions what his new assignment is.
A month after returning from the Terwa Uplands, only Dru and Dale remain at the lodge in Nantambu... their futures just as uncertain, but ripe with possibility.
The life of a Pathfinder!
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Brady tries to keep track of where the group goes on their travels, updating a map he'd secretly been keeping during their travels in the Mwangi.
Create a new trade route, either by mapping a legitimate path or opening doors to a smuggling enterprise. Doing so requires a successful Intimidate, Knowledge (geography), or Survival check with a DC equal to 15 + your character level.
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Brady isn't quite silent on the way back... he engages with everyone with a light frivolity in fact. But it seems like it may be a little forced. He could sense already that this little family would be broken up once they got to Nantambu. Leadership had kept them together for much longer than was usual for Pathfinders; their inevitable future was obvious.
In fact, it was some surprise to find out that he would be traveling back to Absalom with Monty and Faliana. Of course, that could only be because they all had different new missions in Absalom... but at least it forestalled one painful goodbye; they three would have a nice ship's voyage to share on their way back at least.
At the dock, he wishes each of Dru, Tad, and Dale the best in their future endeavors. His goodbye is suffused with a stoic confidence; he shakes Dru and Dale's hands with a hearty pat on the shoulder. It's only when he reaches Tad that the emotion of the leave-taking overwhelms him, and he pulls all three together into a huge bear-hug. "I'm... gonnna miss you," is all he can choke out before he runs up onto the ship... running as if he could escape his tears.
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Dale enjoys the trip back, constantly picking the brains of Juliet and the other researchers, on any and ALL topics that manage to run through his mind. He has no boundaries, no sense of humility, no strict code of morality.. only to learn.
Once they get back to Nantambu his questions and their associated notes turn quite a bit more personal for the group, seeming like he knows they aren't long to be adventuring together. He dives deeply into everyone's personal history, their families, and what they hoped to be accomplishing in the future.
As he waves off the others and their trip back home he shouts "Don't forget about me! Who knows where I'll end up, but at some point I'm sure Absalom will welcome me home, and when it does I'll be looking for you all!" He pats his pack and smiles. Such wonderful specimens, I'm glad to have learned more about them. They'll make wonderful additions to my own little family.
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As soon as they are back to what is considered as "civilization" in these parts of the world, Dru honors her word and buy more than a few rounds in the various taverns, praising Cayden Caillean for all these mighty adventures and the strong friendships build all these months traveling together and fighting side by side.
She is quite sad when the time to say good by comes and hugs her former companions, asking them to keep in touch, and to send her a word via the Pathfinders Lodges if ever they need a bodyguard.
She of course keeps an eye on Dale, as the man has quite the habit for getting into trouble with all these explosive marvels.
From time to time, Dale has to get into his laboratory to mix ingredients, when Dru's devotion to her god leaves her with what she calls a MASH (Mornin"After Spinnin"Headache)
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Faliana rushes up to Juliet as soon as it is clear that she is not being controlled anymore. Giving the other woman a hug, Fali begins to catch up with the archeologist, until it becomes clear that this is not the time.
"I think I've decided I don't like anyone else inside my head." He gasps. "Oh no, Faliana! I didn't mean... I'm so sorry; I hope that wasn't offensive! I just..."
"S*$*. Sorry." He looks around awkwardly.
Faliana laughs at the brawler's gaffe. "Oh, having spirits in your head is not for everyone, I know! Also one you accept of your own accord is completely different from something forced on you! You might try letting someone in your head, of your own accord of course! You might like it!"
On thr trip home Faliana tries to keep jovial about their trip home, chatting with everyone and laughing lots. However, in the moments where she is alone, her face takes on a melancholic, far off look. During the nights she often pulls Monty aside, making some time for them to be alone.
During one of these times, she lets her façade fall. "I have a feeling this is going to be our last assignment as a group together... It's going to be hard to say goodbye to everyone. But just in case we get split up for our next assignment, here's a spare key to my apartment in Absalom, you remember where that is, right? Oh and a letter of introduction to the nice couple who own the building. Feel free to come by anytime you wish! And don't you bloody dare forget to write!"
After they arrive in Nantambu, Fali busies herself with this and that, making sure to spend time with everyone when she can and meeting up with Monty regularly. When the assignment to go back to Absalom comes through, she takes it with a nod, expecting, almost dreading, it. Before she boards the Godless Wind, the half-elf gives the three staying behind a small Nantambu wind chime adn a sheet of paper with her adress in Absalom. With tears in her eyes she hugs everyone. "Dale, don't forget to eat, you're going to waste away if you don't. Dru, I couldn't dream of a better bodyguard, thank you for the companionship and introducing me to the best taverns! And Tad, sweet Tad, don't change one bit! But take care everyone, don't forget to write, and I'll try to write back!"
As the boat pulls away she waves good bye with tears dripping form her eyes. Once they are out of sight, she leans her head on Monty's shoulder and waits there until her tears stop.
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Monty hoots an jokes with his team as they travel back home, his silly antics matching his almost constant smile. Some notice that he’s somehow managed to convince Juliet to let him on to the flail, though he often keeps it in a box in his bunk, he still sometimes pulls it out to stare at it trying to get the ancient personality to talk to him. During the day he’s just as jovial as ever, he even jokes about Dale’s request to study his future children, telling stories about Vanaran childhood.
Kids! Hooo boy, and you thought I got up to a lot of monkey business! You ever try to chase down a toddler who can swing across the ceiling? Ugh, what a headache!
Despite his protests, he gives Fali a cheek grins and a small squeeze.
But at nights, with Fali by his side, his smile takes on a different tune and is somehow even brighter.
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When he’s given the key, he winks.
I’d give you mine, but I’ve always stayed at the lodge. Less odd looks, and only a minor chance of fleas!
Tucking it in his robes, he lies back and sighs.
I’m gonna miss them all, deeply. This has all been a very powerful experience, and I’ve learned more in these few months than I did in years before. Don’t you worry though, I’ll be stopping by plenty.
He smiles at her.
I have a feeling your bed is much more comfortable than a lodge cot.
You ever seen a monkey waggle his eyebrows? It’s really hard not to smile after that.
He works with the team as best he can to catalogue and arrange everything back in Nantambu, taking to heart Fali’s warning that this may be the last mission as a team. When it comes time for their new assignment, Monty gives each of the team a hug.
Send my mail to Fali’s place, she’ll make sure I get it. Dru, here’s that recipe for the fermented papya mash drink I showed you… Dale, I swear with that hair you must be part Vanara, you’ll always be my brother either way though.
He squats down to tad and smiles, patting him on the head.
Alright Tad, time for you to keep some other reckless buffoon baboon alive for a while! I know you and your lady will do a fantastic job! Keep being the best Tad in the pond!
As the boat pulls away, he smiles and waves as they leave, and holds Fali close sighing.
Damn sea spray in my eyes… terrible for the fur don’t you know… all that salt. On to the next adventure.