As the party deliberates what to do next, the squire hops up and runs out the door. Moments later, he returns followed by a group of crusaders, led by a cleric. "You are to come with us now!" The cleric says, ordering the crusaders to take her into custody. As she is being led out, suddenly he body starts to convulse and shudder. All at once, her body goes limp as a dark cloud exits her mouth and nose, swirling around the tent before disappearing!
After outing the shadow demon, the party heads back toward the Egelsee District. Passing by the Cruciform Cathedral, a young page comes out of the cathedral, waving your your party over. "Sister Amira sent me to ask for your assistance. Come this way please."
Following the page inside the majestic building, the boy waves at a regal looking lady. She comes over and bows to the party. "Greetings, I am Sister Amira. I was told I could rely on the Pathfinders for assistance." She smiles and continues without waiting for an answer.
"Friends, this surprise attack by the servants of darkness has struck deeper than you know. Hundreds of wounded seek shelter here in the Cruciform, but our supplies are quickly dwindling; we never imagined the demons would penetrate the city walls in such a profound manner. As a result, I must ask a favor." She pats a wounded crusader on th eback as he is helped to a bed by another cleric.
“Our fastest supplier of medical goods is a man in Pilgrim’s Rest named Zuka. He runs a local inn called the Sovereign’s Rest, and also has a small warehouse out back. The man is far from pious and prefers to be addressed as Sovereign, but he is our only option in such times of need. I can provide you with some money to pay for his latest shipment of medical goods, but the less you have to pay, the better. Sadly, for a man so well connected, he is unlikely to help out of the goodness of his heart.”
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"Why Sister Amira, we'd be glad to go get those supplies. We promise we'll get a good deal and you know what, we might even be able to make the Sovereign Zuka see the error of his ways and provide some goods, out of the goodness of the heart he'll find. Don't you worry, my companions and I will get those supplies back here as fast as possible."
Belroar gives Sister Amira a toothy grin. I am sure he meant the grin to be nice...err...hopefully
Sister Amira smiles. "Bless you all!" She waves over a burly man who has been standing to the side. He comes over and hands Belroar a sack containing 2000 gp in assorted coin and gems. "God speed to you!" The sister says to the party.
For a moment, powerful winds sweep across the street drowning out the din of battle and carrying with them, news of the battle's progress across Nerosyan's districts.
The demonic threat has been pushed back in the Battle district. Unfortunately, enemy reinforcements have begun to enter the city in uncountable numbers. The crusaders and their Pathfinder allies will have to fight harder to push back the invaders!
The party easily find Sovereign’s Rest after receiving directions from Amira. The building remains relatively unscathed from the demonic assault, with no obvious signs of damage to the structure. Inside, roughly two dozen patrons drink and mingle despite the ongoing siege outside. A male Garundi sits on a makeshift wooden throne in the back of the inn, from which he looks down on the patrons. He looks up at you curiously as the party enters and motions you over.
The man smiles. Right to the point and deferential as well! I like you already. What's your names?"
"Yes, who could have not?" He says, with a motion, indicating the noises of battle that drift into the building. He leans forward in his chair and regards the party for a moment. "I do have a few supplies left. They are a valuable commodity as I'm sure you are aware." He purses his lip, thinking for moment. "I could part with them for....4000 gold."
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Belroar looks around then looks at the Garundi.
"Well, this certainly is a nice place you have here Sovereign, I do wonder how you've been able to remain unscathed with the battle raging throughout the city? I was thinking of going into business, if I survive this." Belroar raises his hands in mock surrender. "Oh not here mind you, no reason for us to compete with each other for sure. But I wondered if you might tell a young businessman, such as myself, how you do it?"
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Mrachni's brows furrow and he opens his mouth to reply, but then turns in surprise to Belroar. Businessman? What's he playing at - he was just telling us how he recently joined the Society and wants only to fight! What's going on here?
He listens politely to the other orc's statements and question, then turns back to the man to hear his reply.
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The twin runes on master and beast flicker as they silently confer on the subject of medicine. Despite Barham's greater store of knowledge on balance, he relies on his eidolon for information on matters natural and anatomical. In the course of their adventures, Scrumpy has received much hands-on experience in these topics.
The summoner returns to verbal communication as his inquisitor ally attempts to appeal to the miserly merchant.
"You'll find no finer a tutor in all the Districts, not in all the Diamond City," he pointedly adds to Belroar.
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Feeding on the dead bodies of the ones fighting for this city. Like the vulture he is. Thats how he "makes it". Nicolae looks around.
Such a smooth operation you have going here. One can almost believe there is not a war raging all around town. It would be a shame if you got evicted out of it and drafted into the front-line, wouldn't it? Have you seem the remains of the soldiers dead at the Outer District or what was left of them? Poor fellows...
I am sure the cruzade could find someone else to run this place while you are "away", like my half orc friend here.
After a pause.
2000 gold pieces? Thats what you said... right?
Zuka sits backs and regards Belroar intently, before smiling. Ahh, I always respect a business man when I meet them." His smiles fades and he says. "You are wise to choose another location to peddle your wares though. Seeing as you are of an economic mindset, you understand me when I say that 3000 gp is as low as I can go. Entrepreneur to entrepreneur...hmmm."
Zuka watches Barham with a mildly confused expression on his face, then turns to Nicolae, when he starts speaking.
Zuka takes a quick glance, making a mental tally of his hired muscle nearby, then stares at the man, listening. He begins nodding slowly in agreement. "You make a fair point my good sir. The Cruciform Cathedral has always been a good customer. For them...I could let the supplies go for...2000 gp."
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The orc growls softly, and turns back to Zuka. His black eyes stare down at the man from his towering frame as he meets the "businessman"'s gaze. His voice is ominous and full of deadly promise when he speaks once more. "If they win, they will come here and tear you limb from limb, and then they will take your precious 'supplies'. Is that what you want?"
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Belroar laughs boisterously. He claps Mrachni on the back.
"Sovereign, you must understand, in my short time as a Pathfinder, I have found most people are like hammers. And you know, when all you have is a hammer..everything looks like a nail. Here's what I am going to do, Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur. I am going to take these supplies off your hands for nothing. We'll call them an investment. We'll deliver these goods to the Sister and put in a good word for you. And then, we'll go kill us some demons and their sympathizers. Because you see, we'll know that if we get injured the good folks over at the Cathedral will heal us up, because they have supplies. And we'll take a few more risks, and we'll sing you praises to the crusaders who will still be here when ew throw back the demon advance. And we will. And those crusaders will needs supplies and they will know to come to Sovereign Zuka, because he is a good man. And you will become rich beyond your dreams. All because of a little tiny" Belroar holds his fingers apart just a bit "investment in the war. You know that many a man has made a fortune on the aftermath of a huge battle like this."
Belroar bows respectfully.
As he bows, his hand touches his symbol and Mrachni can hear him mutter a short prayer.
Zuka's raises his hands and shakes his head in disbelief. "Friends, do not ever say the Sovereign nothing treated you square." He glances at the ceiling as if making mental calculations. "One thousand gold. That's the lowest I can go!"
Zuka crosses his arms across his chest. "One thousand...low as I go! Take it or leave it!:
Heading through the streets back toward the Confluence District, the street is littered with bodies almost equally split between those of demons and those of crusaders. The sounds of battle intensify ahead, demonstrating that more fighting is happening nearby.
As you round the corner, you see two crusaders taking cover behind a building as demon comes down an adjacent street. Seeing you, the crusaders wave you down, and point to the approaching demon, signalling the need for help to fight the creature off.
Nico and Belroar both fire arrows at the the demon, and both miss!
Barham fires his crossbow, but misses!
The creature moves forward and points at Scrumpy!
Suddenly Scrumby begins to tremble and shake.
The crusaders continue to huddle behind cover, watching the battle unfold.