|
A dull hum emanates from Skyreach as the ground trembles, trees sway, and glass shatters. A moment later, most of Skyreach’s northwest tower tears free from the keep; however, rather than crash to the ground, a visible aura holds the structure aloft and causes it to float above the Grand Lodge. Even the shower of stone blocks floats, swirling around the airborne tower in a nimbus of speeding debris.
"...Did that Sky Key device awaken? Sometimes I question the wisdom of our leaders..." Hakon keeps half an eye on the creatures, the rest of his attention on the tower.
Mors demoralizes the purple pard, as Thaddeus and Hakon stare up at the strange events happening above them.
The purple purd shimmers and charges Mors, passing right through him! The attack burns him, as well as leaves him stunned for 1 round.
The blue one makes a similar attack on Sereniti.
These creatures are extremely nimble, and avoid all of Sereniti's and Blanmieux' attacks. The color spray, however, seems extremely effective, as the blue pard is blinded and stunned for 3 rounds.
Hakon throws his axe at the northern pard, but his throw is wide. He grimaces and pulls out his handaxe.
Thaddeus AoO is appropriate, but it did miss. His regular attack, however, appears to have done some decent damage, but not as much as you might think would be appropriate.
Hanzo strikes out at the pard as it charges by, but misses it by a mile.
Seeing that the first pard is being handled with the color spray, the other pard is within range, Hanzo scrambles over to it and lashes out with his fist, aiming to stun the creature.
Both pards are stunned.
Just as you prepare for your next attacks, one of the menagerie support staff approaches with nets, and asks you to help secure the animals. "My pards! You have done well to subdue them, please don't kill them! Here, if you help me quickly, we can recapture them without harming them."
Hakon grabs a net. "I have no skill with these, but I can capture a stunned animal," he says with a grin. He retrieves his throwing axe as well, a little sheepishly. He then works to bind up a pard in a net.
The man thanks you, as others join him to help cart away the captured beasts.
He also informs you that invaders are at the Menagerie (South area), where they
continue to release more exhibits. "I don't know why they would do this, but it is certainly keeping us busy!"
Of course, the tower tearing away is clearly an issue someone should check out as well...
"Perhaps we can get up to that tower...grapnels, or something..." Hakon looks similarly eager to get to Skyreach, echoing the barbarian's sentiments.
Marcos Farabellus makes rounds on the grounds and gathers all Pathfinder teams to him, calling for silence while he relays new information.
“Pathfinders, we have determined the nature of the threat which confronts us! As many of you have already ascertained, a number of Aspis Consortium agents remained trapped in the Hao Jin Tapestry after we captured their back door into it. To our surprise and regret, there remained a means to communicate with the outside world and the serpents have been conspiring. This raid is comprised of two different Consortium groups coordinating in a two-pronged attack. They are aided by creatures from within the tapestry, whom they have deceived about our goals and intentions.”
“At this time, we’re still unsure about what is making Skyreach’s tower hover, but we know for certain that someone has activated the Hao Jin Tapestry. Normally the Master of Spells Aram Zey would be the one to troubleshoot this kind of problem, but he is nowhere to be found. We don’t have time to wait for him, and he may be in danger. I’m sending you in as search parties and giving you temporary clearance to travel into the restricted sections of lower and middle Skyreach. Check on the Sky Key and the archives while you’re there. Zey may have left notes around that could tell us how to shut down the tapestry."
“We must act with the utmost haste. I believe the Consortium’s plan has backfired on them, but there’s no telling how long before they regroup or, worse still, somehow make the situation worse.”
You decide to enter the bottom areas to begin your search, in the Restricted Library. Twelve bookcases line the walls of this cozy lounge room. Their shelves are crammed with books, scroll tubes, and tablets. Comfortable furnishings are arrayed so that scholars may examine the works without needing to remove them from the room. It may be here that Aram Zey hid his notes about the Hao Jin Tapestry.
You also find 3 Aspis agents searching here already.
Hakon moves into the library and strikes at the middle Aspis agent.
"No, don't bother standing down! Just die already," he says somewhat jovially.
Thaddeus skewers the sorcerer in the shoulder, causing him a great deal of pain. Hakon swipes the Aspis barbarian across the arm, drawing a line of blood as well. Sereniti calls upon divine inspiration, improving everyone's courage and determination to win this battle. Hanzo stays to the shadows, looking for an opening.
The sorcerer (green) steps back from Thaddeus, and throws an alchemist fire at the ground near Hakon, lighting the room on fire (and splashing 1 hp damage on Hakon). (See the fire icon on the map).
The (red) savage moves up next to Sereniti and swings his greatsword at her in a sweeping arc. It is a damaging hit.
The other (blue) savage decides to stand toe-to-toe with Hakon, and likewise attacks with a greatsword. And while Hakon might have been more prepared than Sereniti, the wound is still significant.
* +1 morale bonus to hit and fear saves (10 rounds remain)
Between Serentiti's spear defense and Mors vicious attack, the (red) savage warrior crumples to the ground.
* +1 morale bonus to hit and fear saves (10 rounds remain)
Blanmieux manages to put out the fire by stomping it with the rug.
Thaddeus stabs the sorcerer again, and it looks like one more similar wound may end him.