The Greater Shadow's form changed into a spikey and aggressive posture, as if the anger was manifesting into horror.
"I will devour your friend's souls...and then I will decide your fate, kayal. Now, watch while I grow stronger..."
The Greater Shadow's form shifted into that of a armored humanoid. It righted itself, meeting eye to eye with Fearn and Shadrick.
And at that moment, a tendril whips out, and makes for Shadrick's heart.
This is going to be hard.
Fearn rears back and delivers a downward blow as the shadow rises.
AoO +1 War hammer ... damage
As the shadow rose again and pierced him, he needlessly swung wide, missing his opportunity to hit the creature.
"Sanira, I'm aware of Kuthon's affiliation with these, but I believe it is far beyond redemption!"
Remember that everyone has a mirror image from symbol of mirroring!
Shadrick's warscythe finds the lower extremity of the Greater Shadow and sends the incorporeal undead on its underside, giving the heroes(?) a tactical advantage.
Following suite, Fearn smashes the horrible shadow with his magical hammer.
On its turn, the Greater Shadow rises, provoking the wild swings of Fearn and Shadrick. As it righted itself, the monster swings a tendril towards what it believes to be Shadrick, employing its deathlike ability.
Nicola, who stood ready managed to pull off a spell on the Greater Shadow.
"Torag help us!"
Fearn continues to swing his massive hammer at the shadow.
Regular attack : +1 War hammer ... damage
AoO if the trip happens : +1 War hammer ... damage
Sorry about missing your Knowledge Religion check.
Greater shadows are those undead shadows that have come to be particularly infused with negative energy, such as those that have spent vast lengths of time in areas of the Plane of Shadow awash in negative energy, or those that have drained the lives of thousands of victims. These undead monsters are often found with a small band of normal shadows, which typically treat a greater shadow as a leader to rally behind. -
Sanira was only mildly annoyed by the shadow's desire to consume the life force of both herself and her companions. It was among the most mindless of the Shadowplane's denizens, and one of the least loyal to her master. Far too often they acted on animalistic impulse, rather than the defined order of pain that her master preferred.
And given her condition, she was not about to question the "heroes" willing to throw themselves in front of the creature and eliminate it. She maintained her position near the wall, doing her best to manifest her scorn across the connection she seemed to share with the creature.
"Insufferable cur! How dare you try to drain us! Taste my steel!!!!" roared Shadrick as he whipped with quick strike aimed at the Greater Shadow's incorporeal form.
"Such fight is a waste of my talents and time, to face an enemy that lacks form!"
Watching as his blade made contact, a shred of doubt filled the fighter's mind.
"I ain't about to back down from a fight, but how much abuse can this creature take?"
Rooted to the ground once more, the Greater Shadow found itself at the mercy of the heroes.
"Your friends' efforts are wasted."
A feeling of dread eminated from the Giant Shadow, as Sanira was helpless to watch as it writhed and wriggled on the Chandlery's work floor.
Nicola frowns.
Fearn and Shadrick took turns trying to best the Greater Shadow with their strikes and trip attempts, popping the beast where ever they could.
Sanira stood helpless as the Greater Shadow neared her, and passing by she felt a shudder down her spine.
"Soon..."
Nicola attempted to cast another hex towards the Fleeing Shadow Beast, but it resisted.
And just like that, the heroes were left with a mess, several dead bodies and now a relatively safe Chandlery Work Floor.
Not wasting any time at all, Shadrick proceeded over to the wax cylinders, making it a point to wave over fearn as the shadow fled at great speed. "Fearn! The cylinders might still have people in them!"
Looking at them from he was standing, Shadrick tried to determine which ones might, or definitely did. The pounding of blood to the new hole in his tongue unfortunately watered his eyes.
A total of 6 vats stood before you, and you weren't sure which of them contained people. Blood continued to fill in your mouth, and time seemed to pass while sweat dripped from your brow.
Was it #1? Was it 5? Argh, you can't seem to remember.
But something poked in your mind! Earlier, you recalled that warm wax meant a recent victim. aha!
After spending the better part of a 5mins, you hone on two vats that were noticeably different.
.
Tapping into reserves of knowledge, Shadrick hoped he could somewhat find an easier way to tilt these wax barrels over. Alas, he couldn't remember a dam thing with his head pounding and the rush of worry that seemed to wash over him.
"Fearn! Let the Shadow go! We've got people in these and I'm almost 100% sure it won't take kindly to us! Now help me!" Get the main one on the end! he said, gritting his teeth, and attempting to flip the third container on it's side.
Seeing what Shadrick is doing, Nicola runs to help. Heaving what little weight he has, he uses his cane as a lever. "Shadrick, I told you-- I'm deaf! Stop shouting, I can't hear you!"
Summoning up powerful strength, Nicola helps-- a lot, actually.
Roused by Shadrick's shout, Fearn gives up staring at the wall after the shadow. He tucks his hammer back into its belt loop and hurries to aid the man with the barrels. Grasping one edge of the barrel and driving his shoulder into it he tries to turn it as directed by Shadrick.
Str check
He nearly weeps with shame. The witch has done more.
"What if we just crack them open?"
Finding enough of a space to insert his warscythe behind the third vat, Shadrick and Nicola had no problem in freeing the occupant. Semi warm was gooped out of the container like thick soup and quickly filled the cracks within the gnarled Chandlery work floor.
Within the yellow orange soup laid a young small nidalese female. Little black curls covered a cute doll life face, that bore an expression of tranquility. Like an animal preserved in formaldehyde, Oyla seemed to be stuck in the same state she was captured - dressed in bed ware and doeish.
However, Fearn wasn't quite successful.
After seeing Nicola and Shadrick easily turn over a vat, Fearn had chosen the vessel nearest to him . Wax, cold to touch had encrusted the top portions of the container, giving the idea that its contents had a great yield. Even so, his dwarven strength was still no match for heavy container.
- - - -
Still standing near the wall, Sanira wondered how long it would be before the outsiders questioned her inaction. She decided it was probably better to tell them on her own terms than to let them discover it. Especially with the sound of smashing wood somewhere in the room.
"As glad as I am to be rid of that annoying creature, and as humorous as it may be that our cripple is deaf, and as great as whatever you're doing over there is - I can't see anything. At all."
She paused for only the briefest of moments before adding:
"The irony may be the most painful injury I've ever endured."
She paused again, this time for much longer. In a much lower volume, she added:
"Some assistance would be appreciated."
Defeated in his bid to tip the vat, Fearn exhales heavily and stares at its heavy planks. Damn thing's rooted to the floor like a tree.
He tries desperately to come up with a plan to upset the vat. Hearing Sanira, he has an idea. "Sanira, there's people in these vats of wax! We've got to get them out. Throw me one end of your chain and then follow it to me."
Fearn will grab the end of the chain and use it to establish an obstacle free path from Sanira to the vat. While she closes the distance he'll hammer his dagger into the vat and wrap the end of the chain around it. Then he'll lead the chain over the top of the vat so that he and Sanira can pull together to topple the vat. He'll put himself between Sanira and the vat while pulling so that if something goes wrong, he can push her out of the way.
With the aid of his comrade, both paladin and oracle were able to wrest Vat from its rooted position, crashing and emptying a yield of murky yellow soup.
Heal Is she dead, alive? Is the shiny ochreness anything like tallowthroat? Is the swollenness like a gas-bloated corpse or something else?
Oh and detect evil.
And how many person sized vats are still standing?
The young woman is...remarkably dead. Much of her started to meld in that she was a human made statue. It reminded Fearn of a previous encounter within the Chandlery. And as you looked at her, a faint glow of evil seemed to emanate from her - like a firefly in the summer's breeze.
Fearn's quite sure that Shadrick needs no further reason to pursue Ilquis, but he says, "Here's another young lady done in by the fey. There's a shadow of evil about her now."
He looks more closely at her.
The evil I can live with... the dead, not SO! MUCH! he says as he throws his scythe across the room. He walks over to the vats and looks into them, making it a point to realize that they don't seem to contain any bodies. Dead women were one thing, but the least he could do at this point was assist Sanira.
Walking over he began to pan a hand through his hair, pushing his bangs up in frustration. "Sanira, give me your hand, or grab onto my shoulder."
he looked over to Fearn, and waved for the Witch to stop worrying about the vats. "Dwarf, and I know you probably don't like being called that, but I've got to vent my frustrations with today somehow... You may not enjoy this idea but there's not a cleric among us that can restore these 2.
He looks to Sanira, eyes whiter than before due to the blindness. "Is there a cleric at Zon Kuthon's church that could assist us?" he asked. [b]"If there is, then the current plan is to leave, fix you both, go to the baron, and... through clenched teeth and a whisper;
"You are right, Shadrick. And I am sorry, Sanira. I am not insensitive to your plight, but we had to save anyone caught in the vats first. I pledge to do all I can in honor to see you and Nicola healed. And we should return this girl to her family."
Perception, quick searches vats and other rooms ,,,,,,
Heal check , Miss Groy :
Among other things is Oyla suffering from tallowthroat?
Sanira was taken aback by the kindness of the outsiders. She had not expected humans - or the dwarf - to be so accepting of her kind. Perhaps those from beyond the borders of Nidal were not as evil as she suspected. Gladly accepting the aid offered to her, she mumbled out a few curses to the damned fey that had done this to her.
"Ilquis will beg for the mercy of death when the true shadows of Nidal find him. When I find him."
Doing her best not to falter in appearance, even with her inability to actually see her appearance, she looked in the general direction of Shadrick.
"Most servants of the Midnight Lord have the ability to heal wounds and restore senses, but few ask the Master for such blessings without good cause, or better blood. The human priest of Karpad should be able to provide us with service, for a minor remittance."
#1 - The wax in this container is shallow, revealing an empty vat.
#2 - Even though the wax in this container is clear...you can see that there's another humanoid in this vat.
#4 - This particular vat is as cold as the chandlery work floor. You don't seem to notice if anything is inside
#5 - Just like vat #4, nothing seems to interest you.
Door 1 - Crates and various supplies marked the room. Surprisingly, no Ilquis or Greater Shadow greeted you, so...meh.
Door 2 - You instantly regretted opening this particular door. A pile of bodies, freshly dead welcomed your senses with a nauseating odor. A total of three figures laid before you - an older male, a young nidalese boy and a frail woman joined its side.
Also, Oyla is Tallowthroat free. As you examined that her, you instantly recognized that she was unconscious...
After observing that Oyla appears to be healthy and uninjured, Fearn helps Shadrick check the vats. "Here, there's another person. Let's tip this one too!"
After that he quickly tries the doors. One room is full of crates and supplies. He leaves that.
The other has three corpses. Fearn detects evil and stoops to examine them for cause of death.
Heal ;Heal ;Heal
The closet bodies...they were a mess. It was apparent that Catalina the Chandler had done her atrocious acts in desperation. Much of the corpses have strangle marks - lacerations around spots like the neck and wrists.
Despite being a stalwart paladin, Fearn's gaze didn't recognize any sort of evil from the slain bodies. He was certain they were martyrs...of Ilquis' cruel experiments.
As for the corpse inside the vat - you hastily worked to free its occupant.
With the Wax this thick, it took for some strong beating for you to chip away portions to free the captive. But...it came into view.
It was a decayed corpse. White bones peared through old looking wax, a trophy or perhaps a botched attempt. Barely anything about the captive was indiguisionable.
Having assisted Fearn, Shadrick spat, obviously upset the the gist of the matters that had revealed themselves.
"Fearn, I should warn you ahead of time that I won't be kind to the Baron on our next visit. He's done more than enough to piss off a few of our collective religions..." He says, gesturing to the nearby Sanira.
"I believe we're done here." he says, taking Sanira by the hand and slowly tugging her along with him, as he'd seen more than enough. "Grab Oyla. I believe that fat bastard from earlier said something about her, but I can't remember."
As Shadrick walked, he thought to himself. If Fearn went to return Oyla in pristine health, that'd give him more than enough time to get his say in with the Baron... Peacefully... And by peacefully he meant without "Good Guy" interruption. A funny thought, for sure, but he wouldn't do the Baroness like that. ... Unless she wanted him too.
Having assisted Fearn, Shadrick spat, obviously upset the the gist of the matters that had revealed themselves.
"Fearn, I should warn you ahead of time that I won't be kind to the Baron on our next visit. He's done more than enough to piss off a few of our collective religions..." He says, gesturing to the nearby Sanira.
"I believe we're done here." he says, taking Sanira by the hand and slowly tugging her along with him, as he'd seen more than enough. "Grab Oyla. I believe that fat bastard from earlier said something about her, but I can't remember."
As Shadrick walked, he thought to himself. If Fearn went to return Oyla in pristine health, that'd give him more than enough time to get his say in with the Baron... Peacefully... And by peacefully he meant without "Good Guy" interruption. A funny thought, for sure, but he wouldn't do the Baroness like that. ... Unless she wanted him too.
"The baron has done much ill in this town. A man's station should not protect him from justice. "
"Take Sanira and Nicola to the cleric and I will meet you there. I will return Oyla to the sheriff. Do not be hasty about returning to the baron's, Shadrick. Ilquis may be there redressing his own wrongs. And who knows where the shadow is. We should gather our strength before proceeding."
Fearn will carry Oyla out to the ladder, hopefully without waking her. At the ladder though, he wakes her gently so that she can climb. "Peace, child. You're safe now by Torag's grace and our strength of arms."
Fearn says a quick prayer for the dead then follows the girl up the ladder. He let's her ride his pony while he leads it back to the sheriff's house.
As Shadrick walks along with them, he points out a bit of something rather simple. "If you're worried about the shadow, then why exactly are you traveling alone wearing religious memorabilia?" he sighs. Pinching his nose a bit. "If we all wish to be truly safe, I suggest we escort Oyla back as a group. Otherwise that shadow will just kill you, and then there we are..." he says, crossing his arms and gently halting Sanira.
With Olya Groy within your care, you bound for the Captain of the Guard's house. A firm knock on the door quickly summoned Lucien who had been adorned in sleep atire. In his far hand was a cudgel - half expecting trouble.
"Oy! You're back! And...thats--!!" said the distraught father as his voice cracked and he came a blubbering mess. Acquiring his daughter, he quickly kissed her head and cradled his child.
"Howww...? How?"
The party had briefly separated: Fearn escorting Oyla Groy to her residence while Everyone else bound for the Temple of Zon-Kuthon. In the distance could be seen that looming building belonging to the Midnight Lord.
A graveyard surrounds this austere, spired
temple, and imagery of skulls and chains
is carved in riotous profusion onto the
tombstones and black stone edifice. Mausoleums
line the edge of the cemetery, each
emblazoned with the Boroi family
crest and dozens of names.
"Sheriff Groy, my companions and I found her at the Chandlery. A blinding fey named Ilquis had taken residence there and was creating undead and golems. There are a number of bodies of his victims there. We have seen shadows rise from dead victims of tallowthroat, although I am not sure that the disease aids in the creation of shadows or if he chose those victims because they had been weakened by the disease. We were barely able to fight off Ilquis and his shadows. We killed some shadows. but not all. Ilquis and one shadow still lurk the area. My companions have hurried to the temple of Zon Kuthon to seek healing for the blindness, deafness and ills suffered by two of our number."
"Now sheriff, is there anything more you can tell me about tallowthroat and the disappearances? It might help us track down the fey and shadow."
Upon seeing his daughter, a wave of relief came upon the frantic guardsman. The furrows in his brow seemed to ease, and he genuinely looked happy for once - a rare sight considering how earlier in the day a massacre was to be had. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he looked upon the dwarf and tried his best to answer.
"Now sheriff, is there anything more you can tell me about tallowthroat and the disappearances?
"Honestly...I've no idea how or where Tallowthroat came from. I was SO certain that it had to do with the fetchlings. They're strange, and...not of this world..and *gulp* it was...beneath me to make such an accustation...but..if you had a child, you'd understand" blubbered Lucien as he realized his paranoia and prejudiced nearly caused a genocide. "Its just, with everything going on, and not having any answers...I had to find a solution..though, had it not been for you and your comrade's interevention, my little one here wouldn't have made it."
Clutching his asleep daughter, Groy looked upon the paladin with gratitude, despite his infected neck bobbled like a Frog's croaker.
"As for the missing persons...I went blind once my daughter had joined the list. I'd imagine theres...like 4...maybe 6 people that haven't turned up?
A graveyard surrounds this austere, spired
temple, and imagery of skulls and chains
is carved in riotous profusion onto the
tombstones and black stone edifice. Mausoleums
line the edge of the cemetery, each
emblazoned with the Boroi family
crest and dozens of names.
Walking upon a winding path of white stones fashioned after a human's spinal cord, Shadrick and Nicola pressed on with Sanira between them. Passing by rows of decorative headstones, it was a cinch to wonder why they haven't met the local cleric yet. Several rows to the side by a Baroi mausoleum was a woman in her late 20's, tending to several hedgerows. Deep into her work, she was completely oblivious as the companions made for the Temple's entrance.
Coming within the threshold of the revered temple of Zon-Kuthon, not everything was right. Screams of pain echoed from the far recesses of the temple,a cacophony of the faithful...or perhaps sickened. No one was quite sure as rows of dark curtains lined the walls.
Bouncing from one was a corpulent man decked in the trappings of his office. A large spike chain, wrapped intricitely around his neck and ending at his bulbous knees seem to dangle as he saw you and hobbled over. Appearing in his late 30's, the Cleric had an unusual facial tattoo and a pattern of silver piercings running from the bridge of his nose to his pale, bald scalp.
Upon seeing you, he gives a once up, half assessing the nature of your medical emergency and why such a motley crew had entered his temple.
"Hm...tsk tsk tsk, no goiter...no tallowthroat. I'm a busy man here, trying to keep this town from this impetuous disease! Surely, my work as a Kuthite has been cut out for me...or into me...but, excuse me...where are my manners?! I'm Father Radu Miklos, ever faithful servant and supplicant of the Midnight Lord's will!!! He appeared to be proud, despite having large sweat and blood stains on his black vestments. He extended a quick short bow as he introduced himself.
As he came up, Radu's eye's widened and he displayed a worried face to Sanira. "My dear child! What ails you?! You seem not to be yourself?
Radu Miklos ushers the trio to a nearby desk carved of mahogony which bore tight and intricate designs into the wood.
"Sanira...and company...please tell me why you are here, less I need to resume my work. If this is about converting your friends here to the Midnight Lord, we can arrange for another time..."
Despite seeming pleased having seen Sanira, sweat continues to form on the priest's brow as his patience is wearing thin.
Upon seeing his daughter, a wave of relief came upon the frantic guardsman. The furrows in his brow seemed to ease, and he genuinely looked happy for once - a rare sight considering how earlier in the day a massacre was to be had. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he looked upon the dwarf and tried his best to answer.
..."Honestly...I've no idea how or where Tallowthroat came from. I was SO certain that it had to do with the fetchlings. They're strange, and...not of this world..and *gulp* it was...beneath me to make such an accustation...but..if you had a child, you'd understand" blubbered Lucien as he realized his paranoia and prejudiced nearly caused a genocide. "Its just, with everything going on, and not having any answers...I had to find a solution..though, had it not been for you and your comrade's interevention, my little one here wouldn't have made it."
"I do understand, Sheriff. Family is a strong bond, and a threat to it can cloud a man's thinking. We're not out of the woods yet on this. We still have to settle Ilquis and the shadow. And something's not quite right with the baron. I think he's in some kind of trouble too. It might be the fey."
"You'd best be careful and keep your men alert until all's done."
Clutching his asleep daughter, Groy looked upon the paladin with gratitude, despite his infected neck bobbled like a Frog's croaker.
"As for the missing persons...I went blind once my daughter had joined the list. I'd imagine theres...like 4...maybe 6 people that haven't turned up?
"That talley's with the number of dead we found at the Chandlery, give or take a few. Looks like Ilquis was behind the disappearances."
Fearn returns to Hayna and clambers into the saddle. "Take care of that throat, Sheriff, and have anyone else do the same." The dwarf grimaces with distaste. " See the cleric. His price may be steep, but I saw shadows rise from a body that died of tallowthroat. They could turn this into a ghost town real quick."
Fearn wheels the pony and trots toward the temple.
Fearn falls silent as he enters the temple, but it's not respect. He's heard battlefields where the screams of the wounded were not so disturbing. He locks his mouth shut and let's Sanira do the talking.
Nicola stared blankly ahead, trying to read the man's lips yet utterly failing. Keeping a polite demeanor, he waited for someone to say something.
Being led along by the Priest, Sanira waited for the man to pause before she broke the news. She had never really cared for the man - a fellow Kuthite, and equally devoted to the Master - but he held his humanity as a sense of pride over the fetchling population. More often treated them like favored pets of the Master than of his chosen. She regretted needing his help. She put on her best "play nice" voice and tried not to sound overly desperate.
"Father Miklos, these outsiders have been given temporary deputization by our Midnight Lord. They have been aiding me - and the Baron - in seeking the source of Karpad's plague. Unfortunately, the forces that work against our Master have lashed out and taken my sight, as well as the cripple's hearing."
Father Miklos was taken aback by Sanira's response.
"Ahh...blindness. Some would consider it a blessing for the loyal, but surely you haven't come just to share your recent gift...still there remains the trouble with your...er...cripple." Sign language and telepathy were beyond the needs of the haughty cleric, but given an opportunity of business, Miklos had to seize it - otherwise this whole conversation was a waste of his time.
Directing his attention to the fighter while continuing to speak aloud to the group. "So we've a blind fetchling, a deaf desnan by the looks of your markings Varisian...and a rather handsome fighter. I've no idea what sorta healing you would need Chelaxian, but here we've two problem children."
Opening the lowest drawer of the hevy desk he was leaning on, Miklos brandishing a small scale and a collection tray. Even the accounting tools had a Kuthite theme - a barbed skull rested on each dish of the scale, while the collection tray seemed to be constructed from entwined finger bones.
Putting on the air of the devout, Miklos gave his spiel making sure Nicola saw his lips.
"The Midnight Lord would be pleased to offer his services...for a simple coin." Noticing several side glances, Miklos continued with sweat continuing to form on his brow. "There are of course...alternatives. To you outsiders, the Midnight Lord also accepts Pain and suffering as another form of payment..."
After Miklos says his piece, a wide smile forms on his mouth revealing a mouth littered with silver teeth.
...
"Father Miklos, these outsiders have been given temporary deputization by our Midnight Lord. They have been aiding me - and the Baron - in seeking the source of Karpad's plague. Unfortunately, the forces that work against our Master have lashed out and taken my sight, as well as the cripple's hearing."
Deputized by the Midnight Lord! She goes too far. I was deputized by that miserable excuse for a baron. Fearn grinds his teeth.
Austus slips from inside of his coat, Nicola's coin purse in his mouth. Taking it from the ferret, Nicola chides him with a boop on the nose. Humorously, he realized, he was as deaf as a ferret.
"Is he asking how we're paying? Are you asking how we're paying? I'm paying with coin. Can someone ask... padre, how much coin is necessary for the spell components and the Midnight Lord's time? I'd gladly pay your fee to be rid of this irritation, this malady."
"Is he asking how we're paying? Are you asking how we're paying? I'm paying with coin. Can someone ask... padre, how much coin is necessary for the spell components and the Midnight Lord's time? I'd gladly pay your fee to be rid of this irritation, this malady."
"Ah, the deaf wishes to barter with coin...hm,..." said Father Miklos as he adjusted the sash of his vestments - a pattern of white barbs entwined into an undulating design. "We've a slight problem here...I'm at my limit for the day - I've one spell left which happens to prepared for said occasion...but for you, Desnan, I suppose would further aid my cause."
Radu's demeanor changed from jolly man to grimm and dark - matching the morose atmosphere. "Know that its just one spell, so one must decide who gets it..."
As the foreigners received the news, Father Radu had taken a seat nearby inspecting his spiked chain.
"I mean no qualms here, however - being the resident cleric has called on long service of which I will be resting soon - a short one for much has to be done in the Midnight Lord's way." he said with a sheepish yawn, prompting him to intentionally impale his thumb. Blood began to drip from his finger as he slowly restored himself.
Fearn ponders the cleric's words. It's a spell of some power. I suppose we're lucky he can cure them at all. Sanira's obviously in worse shape, but Nicola deserves to be healed also. He risked no less than her.
"If you cure one of them now, how long will it be before Zon Kuthon grants you power to cure the other?"