After checking in with her sister and enjoying a simple meal at the abbey, Tsura returns to the Murdered Mare to reconnect with the group.
Tsura arrives back at the Murdered Mare. "I have not had time to investigate. I reported back to the church and returned. I have been asked to keep working for Mr. Steele - which means that I will continue to be your workmate."
Tsura ponders for a moment, then speaks up. "Maybe we can check for necromantic wizards? I don't know very much about alchemy, but the church has a large library on the undead. Mostly how to identify and destroy. If we could find a spellcaster, perhaps they made the creatures. Or maybe they were just commissioned, which would still give us a lead."
Quarick looks from Exlurian to Tsura, suddenly realizing they are working as a group. While naturally a loner, long years spent as part of a performance troupe had taught him the strength of numbers.
"I have considered asking for another shard."He nods towards the paladin. "But a few reasons make it seem like a weak line of investigation. For one thing they might not give up evidence to a couple of random bodyguards, and asking for it might make them suspect us. I could always steal it, of course..". The gnomes small eyes glint in the morning light. "But that might result in even worse side-effects. besides, even if we do get another shard and take it to the alchemists.....it very well might get stolen again. Who knows if we can protect it?"
He turns to Tsura,[b]"Do you think someone of this caliber, willing to attack an auction in broad daylight would use a contract wizard? Seems risky...".
Quarick ponders and tries to recall if he knows anyone/anyplace that could help them find a necromatic wizard for hire. Perhaps one of the infamous Absalom information brokers?
Taking his leave from his... acquaintances, Jonas finally returns to the Murdered Mare and, after a light dinner and some wine, he retires to his room for the night. Rested and relaxed, he is ready to talk to his new associates the next morning, finding both Elxurian and Quarick and soon enough Tsura as well having breakfast and talking. Joining them and helping himself to some fruit and cheese and a cup of coffee, he appears in a good mood.
"Well," he begins after taking a sip, "my contacts do not seem to believe that Herne was the target. And I have to say, they usually know what they are talking about." Another sip. "On the matter of the creatures, they unforunately could not help, at least at the moment, but they would do a bit of research and maybe get back to me. They did mention though that a... ahem... a sample, as in a corpse, might actually help them find out more."
He shrugs. "That is pretty much it for now. That and the fact they still believe the fragment or whatever it is may have something to do with the whole thing despite any doubts we may have as to its authenticity."
Hanz stumps into the Murdered Mare, glancing about suspiciously, and settles at the party's table in time to hear the end of their conversation. He nods thoughtfully.
"More samples of the bone-knives would be good for all of us, no doubt," he says gravely. "But unlikely, it seems, that the Guard would simply hand them over. It is good to know, as well, that the objects were magical and may have been the source of that strange villainy. I have...friends in the Arcanamirium who are researching these fiends. Knowing that will no doubt speed their progress." The dwarf smiles grimly. "If there's a necromancer or transmuter capable of such vileness in Absalom, I have no doubt they will discover it."
To Tsura, he adds, "Given the enchantment on the knives, it may well be that these fiends are not undead. Did they seem so to you? It's not a possibility to rule out, but the fact that the magic lay in the objects widens the field of treachery."
"They were definitely not undeads, I've studied and encountered some of those, and they were not of those kind. This was dark magic, making people wicked." Elxurian turns to Quarick, not forgetting about his comment. "I hope you don't really mean to steal that thing, sir, or my respect for you is gonna decrease a level. If it's no use to ask them for a piece of it, it's not worth researching the problem any further, since we've got no new leads. I'm gonna try just a little bit more, and then call it a day. If you have nothing else to add, I'll be taking my leave. See you tomorrow."
"I know nothing about undead creatures, so I unfortunately cannot be of help in this matter. When it is time to destroy more of them, I will be there with you."
"Necromancy involves manipulating and shaping flesh, regardless of whether it is dead or not. The dead are just willing subjects. Perhaps a transmuter did this, but if you are going to take a shot in the dark about who committed an act against nature, then a necromancer is a safe bet." Tsura traces circles on the table with her finger as she thinks. "I guess we could look for more information, but I doubt anyone who is not a specialist could tell us any more. The scribes at my abbey are doing their own research, but the leader of my priory has never heard of such creatures."
After three days time, mostly spent searching for information, visiting contacts, and so on, the group heads to Steele's Emporium to meet with Clovis and discover this assignment he mentioned. For many, this meant a chance to look deeper into the current mystery surrounding the appearance of the strange creatures, and for others it was a chance at some fairly earned coin.
Greeted at the door by one of the man's attendants, you are ushered once more to the large meeting room in the back of the building. There, waiting for your arrival, is Clovis Steele, looking a bit more haggard than when you last crossed paths. It seems obvious that he has been suffering from a lack of sleep, and deep worry lines crease his brow. "Ah good, you've arrived, and right on time." says the merchant, happy to be pressed to think about something a bit more mundane. "As promised, I have a task to set forth for you. While I do not feel it will be a difficult one, the wilds of Kortos can never be underestimated."
He briefly takes a drink from a glass of wine before continuing, "I've managed to acquire the rights to an artifact that I've been hoping to obtain for an upcoming sale, and I'd like for you to retrieve it for me. Near the base of the Kortos Mountains dwells a centaur tribe called the Cangarit. Their current leader, a Nashota Bloodhoof, recently returned from travels abroad with some interesting spoils from a tournament she was a participant in. One of those items is a pair of gloves once wielded by a great master of the eastern arts. She has agreed to part with these for an equally valuable item I have had some troubles moving." He stands and retrieves a satchel from the table next to him. "I'd like for you to take this, seek out the Cangarit tribe, and make the exchange for me. The trip should only take a few days of travel each way, and the dangers should be minor. I'm willing to pay you two hundred sphinxes for your time and expertise. Will you help me?"
"Seems relatively straightforward. Though... dealing with centaurs may not be so simple. They are unpredictable at best. Is this payment two hundred gold for each of us? If so, we'll take the mission, I expect."
Quarick takes it in, nodding at Penka's question but adding his own, eyeing the bag. 'What are we trading for it? We've been attacked for one of your items before, I'd hate to do it again.Tell me it isn't another bit of the Starstone.". The gnome adds a bit of sarcastic edge to his voice, but it otherwise respectful enough.
"Seems relatively straightforward. Though... dealing with centaurs may not be so simple. They are unpredictable at best. Is this payment two hundred gold for each of us? If so, we'll take the mission, I expect."
Elxurian thinks a bit before giving any answer. "Our mission is dangerous in any case. Since you're selling the starstone shard, it's possible whoever wants to steal it comes after us, thinking we're carrying it. In any case, 200 sphinxes is a fair amount, I guess. Is this centaur trustworthy?"
"I agree, that amount is acceptable. Forgive me, I am not well-versed in the coin of this nation. I have spent much of my time here in the forest with Tree."
Quarick takes it in, nodding at Penka's question but adding his own, eyeing the bag. 'What are we trading for it? We've been attacked for one of your items before, I'd hate to do it again.Tell me it isn't another bit of the Starstone.". The gnome adds a bit of sarcastic edge to his voice, but it otherwise respectful enough.
Tsura nods at the comment by Quarick. "Just for peace of mind, Mr. Steele. What are we transporting? Because, you know, reasons."
Understanding the reason for concern, Clovis answers, "Of course. Recently there have been some troubles between the centaurs who are native to the island and some factions within Absalom. Something to do with a murdered noble or some such. Anyway, during those troubles several mercenary groups acted against the centaurs, killing off several of their clans and many members of clans still alive today. During one of those raids a necklace sacred to the Cangarit tribe was taken from one of the aforementioned victims, and brought back to Absalom. When I heard of the desire of the Cangarit to have it back I negotiated its purchase in order to trade it back to the clan for something I sought."
Nodding to Elxurian, the merchant says, "As far as I have been made aware, Nashota is one of honor, and I feel she can be trusted. Her heroics on behalf of the Pathfinder Society are of note, and from what I understand she was honorable in her dealings with that organization." He pauses for a moment before adding, "I should note, however, that the centaur are a proud race, and care must be taken when dealing with them and traveling on their land. Be respectful yet strong in your convictions and there should be no trouble. Oh, and I'd caution against using horses as a means of travel. Best to go on foot."
"I wouldn't have thought that would offend them. Thanks for the advice. We will be on our way then, if everyone is ready." She looks at the others, waiting for any other questions.
"Shall we departure immediately?"
Hanz, mostly silent up till now, eyes the bag containing the necklace warily. "I have no love for creatures that are only half-man, but...if this 'Nashota' is as honorable as you say, Master Steele, we should have no problems. I am ready to depart."
As the group heads out of Absalom, Hanz makes sure that his crossbow is loaded and cocked, ready to go, and glances about himself suspiciously.
"Something the matter, Master Deadshield?" Walking next to the dwarf, Jonas notices the way he carries himself and how he looks around. "You seem a little on edge perhaps? Of course I could very well be wrong. I generally have a little bit of difficulty reading dwarven expressions on occasion. It must be all the facial hair." He shrugs, his tone friendly and his words meant mostly in jest, an attempt at striking up a conversation.
"I've had brushes with centaurs before, and I have found that as long as you respect their space and culture, they are not such savages as most folk think they are. I'm ready as well."
Hanz grunts. "I do not come from a place where open-air cities are...possible, much less so damnably crowded. With all these people milling about, I feel it best to keep my eyes open for foes at all times." The dwarf scowls as he continues to scan the crowds on their way to the gates.
Tsura nods in agreement as Master Steele gives them instructions and joins the party as they head toward the gate. "I understand Hanz' apprehension. Those creatures we fought did not look any different than any one of us before they revealed themselves. There could be sleeper agents throughout Absalom, for all we know. Just waiting for the call. Until we know more about hem, and have a way of detecting them, I think being on-guard is very wise."
Penka, riding on Tree's shoulder, nods in agreement. "It is always best to be cautious. But enough talk, let's head out! I can't wait to leave this busy city behind us and get back to the wilderness!"
"There is a good point in keeping sharing information, but beware of your surroundings. I don't think anyone is going to attack us in Absalom." She shakes her head. "We will have a safe trip, hopefully."
The group sets off towards the location communicated to them by Steele, a small settlement at the base of one of the great peaks of the Kortos Mounts, the mountain range that dominates the center of the Isle of Kortos. The journey promises to be a solid three days of marching if the weather stays good, possibly more if it turns. It is late spring in Golarion, and that means the last of the storms from the west should be dying off, bringing a hot summer that is so common to the Inner Sea.
Leaving the city by way of the Ivy District, the party passes through the northwestern gates of Absalom and into the outlying slums and settlements that ring the metropolis. Before long the city is just a jumble of shapes on the horizon behind them as they make their way north, through the flatlands and into the more densely forested areas surrounding the Kortos Mounts. Coming to the edge of the forested region, the party elects to camp for the evening while they still have the benefit of flat, cleared terrain, enjoying the view south across the plains, to the dimly glowing shape of Absalom in the distance.
The first evening passes without event, the group resting fully and feeling refreshed. For many, being away from the city was something of a new experience, the majority of their lives spent within the densely packed walls of some great city or another. For others, the outdoors brought a refreshing sense of peace and freedom, a connection to a larger force that dominated the lands beyond mankind's civilization. Breaking camp, the group continues north, heading into the wooded area that surrounds the base of the mountains. After a few hours, both Penka and Hanz notice shadows moving along either side of the path the party is on, seeming to pace the group as they head deeper into the forest.
Quarick whistles while he walks, enjoying tramping through the countryside. The gnome wasn't totally unfamiliar with the countryside, but he had spent much of his life in congested, smelly cities. A chance to take in some deep breathes without smelling rancid milk, horse manure or unwashed bodies was a plus.
He turns towards Penka, sitting in the striding Tree. "Can Tree speak to other trees?" he asks idly, to pass the time.
Just as Quarick idly asks about Tree, Penka holds a finger to her lips. "Hush for a moment, cousin. There are some sort of creatures pacing us. They are on each side of our path." she whispers.
Penka listens very closely and strains her eyes against the shadows, trying to make out the creatures' forms.
The gnome freezes, his hand groping for his rapier. Creatures, wild creatures? Quarick would much rather deal with people. Silently, he peers with Penka, into the gloom. He thinks of what sort of creatures are known to attacker travelers on this road.
Hanz snorts, keeping his eyes forward. His crossbow, as usual, rests, loaded, in his hands. "I see them also. I know not what kind of fell beasts stalk these lands, but I would hope that if they planned to attack, they would have tried already..."
Elxurian is used to being stalked by others, and that was usually evil lurking in the shadows. Her armor made too much of a noise, and it was difficult to hear anything with such interference. "Or they are waiting for the best moment. Let's give them a chance to introduce themselves."
She raises her voice to be clearly heard by the creatures, whatever they were. "We're not here to cause trouble. If you would like to talk to us, please step forward. We won't harm you."
"It appears keeping your eyes open has proven to be the wise thing to do, Master Deadshield," Jonas acknowledges as he tries to see what it is the others are seeing. And while he is quite content to let Elxurian do the talking for now, he does keep his hand close to the bow on his back nevertheless.
"If I were a centaur chieftain, living on an island with the largest human city in the world, I would have very regular patrols. I imagine the centaurs know of every creature that enter their domain." Tsura keeps her hands relaxed and at her sides as they travel...
Elxurian shakes her head. "We're still far away from that place."
"These horse-men would move faster than we, surely," Hanz murmurs. "Perhaps this is the limit of their ranging? What else lairs in these woods?"
As the group notices the movement within the edge of the forest, they quickly set to work on guessing what might be out there in the shadows of the denser foliage. Quarick catches a flash of tan fur for a moment before it too passes into the shadows. Without warning, the bushes on either side of the trail erupt into motion, savage looking hunting cats leaping from the cover of the trail to attack! Roughly five feet long, the attackers best resemble large hunting cats with spotted tan pelts and no discernible ears. Snarling and salivating they crouch low and prepare to pounce, the fur on their faces literally quivering with excitement at the appearance of easy prey.
These creature are known as Krenshar. They are by most appearances very similar to large hunting cats, yet they have evolved distinct features to aid them to eat carrion. They can, at will, actually peel the skin of their face away from their skull, revealing the muscle beneath. This adaptation is quite fearsome to behold and has earned them the nicknames of "skullface hunters".
Krenshar can emit a terrifying howl that sends lesser creatures running in panic while other members of the pack chase them down, and their skullfaced visage can strike fear into a weaker man's heart.
Quarick, keen eyes spotting the creatures as they moved through the undergrowth, and Elxurian, on the alert, react to the threat the moment before the rest of the group.
"Careful, friends, these creatures will stretch the skin back from their faces, making a hideous and nerve-wracking visage! Don't let it upset you!"
"Don't run into the woods! There will be more waiting there!" The paladin moves while drawing her greatsword and strikes without a second thought at one of the creatures, but she is not precise in her strike. At least she's in a good position to protect the others.
"Wasn't planning it Elxurian! I think we have enough playmates here." Quarick says while running up besides her, then slashing out with his rapier at the nearest animal. He hopes he can prevent the paladin from being attacked on both sides.
He too is rattled however and misses his mark.
On their toes at the first sign of attack, Elxurian and Quarick both react quickly to the sudden appearance of the strange looking creatures. Somewhat apprehensive about the strange beasts, neither of the brave warriors manages to land a solid strike, the creatures ducking and dodging attacks.
Saliva dripping from starving mouths, the cats attack. The first one targets the paladin, biting and clawing at the noble warrior. She manages to deflect the beast's attacks, avoiding the strikes completely. Quarick however, is not so lucky, as the creature on him latches solidly to his small leg with its teeth and shakes its head back and forth, giving the gnome a nasty looking wound, which it follows with a solid swipe of its clawed paw.
The two creatures to the south both advance, corralling the party into a group, before the very skin from their faces pulls back to reveal the flesh and wet muscle beneath, their eyes bulging out from their revealed skulls. At the same time they both let forth a terrifying howl, which sends Jonas in a panic, his eyes darting for the quickest way to escape the horrifying beasts.
Penka steps back and uses one of her spell-like abilities, casting entangle in a 40-foot radius that affects only the two Krenshars to the south.
Tree smacks the other Krenshar twice.
...but misses both times.
As the creatures' appearance turns horrific, or at least even more horrific, and they let out a frightening howl, Jonas is most affected by it. Both the sight and the sound are too much for him to bear and he suddenly finds himself wanting, needing to get as far away from them as humanly possible.
Quarick swears in flavorful gnomish fashion as the claw rakes his leg. It hurts, it actually hurts a great deal, and he nearly swoons as he sees blood flow onto the dirt path. He grits his teeth against the pain and backed up behind Exlurian.
Seeing Quarick hurt Elxurian doesn't even realize Jonas went running. She is completely focused on the creature in front of her, and delivers a mighty strike only a few could avoid, and not those few.
!
If she kills the creature she steps to her right, protecting Quarick.
Reaching into her jacket and removing another sizable knife, Tsura attempts to slash at the creature to her immediate southwest.
mindblade
Penka calls out a strange arcane chant as the grasses and branches in the area to the south begin to animate, writhing in the air and twisting around anything they can grasp. The twisting grasses wrap themselves around the legs of the creatures to the south and hold fast, preventing the catlike things from moving. Targeting an immobilized Krenshar, Tree swings two mighty branches at the thing, but fails to connect with its attacks. Elxurian swings her greatsword in a mighty arc, nearly cleaving one of the beasts in two as she connects, the giant blade ripping through the soft fur and hide of the creature. As she steps forward, preparing to square off against the remaining Krenshar to the north, protecting Quarick from pursuit, Hanz takes the opportunity to fire his crossbow at the thing, the bolt narrowly missing his target and vanishing into the trees beyond. Tsura draws a knife and slices at the creature threatening her, but her attack catches only air as the agile creature ducks its head in response to the swing.
The Krenshar to the south, unable to move into the flanking attacks that their kind prefer, strike out against those they are engaged with. The one on Tsura narrowly misses with a bite attack, the nimble woman dodging the attack moments before it lands. Tree's tough bark stands up against the assault from the foe it faces, claws and teeth raking against the wood with little effect. The agile Krenshar that dealt Quarick such foul wounds continues its assault on Elxurian, biting and clawing the paladin with its attacks.
Seeing that all of the krenshar are in a melee with his allies, Hanz grumbles a dwarvish curse, drops his crossbow, and (once he's certain the beasts to the south are sufficiently entangled to pose no threat) crosses to the closest cat, flanking it with Elxurian and bringing his warhammer down toward it!
"Cursed monster!" With Hanz drawing the monster's attention her task was made easier, and the paladin promptly retaliates against the devilish demon who hurt her, moving her bloodied sword in a deadly arc to finish off another enemy!
!
If she kills it, she walks three squares southeast.
Still bleeding, the gnome leaves Elxurian to her grim work of butchering the Krenshar.Instead he moves quickly, flanking the cat-like beast near Tsura and attempts to strike out at the entangled and flanked feline creature.
Tree slams at the krenshar closest to it twice more.
Penka, seeing how ineffective Tree is being against the stupid cat-thing, pulls out a scroll and casts magic fang on him.