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Faustinia wakes up blearily as her surprised butler rouses her with news of the strange people in the manor house. She mumbles an explanation about them being her guests before falling back into a dreamless sleep. She sleeps extraordinarily late, and blinks awake as the midday sun pours in through the window and across her face. She strips off the remnants of the costume, heading to a wash room to freshen up and try to get the spirit gum off her face where the false beard attached. As she descends the stairs from her upper level manor bedroom, the smell of breakfast awakens a deep hunger in her belly and she follows the smell to the dining hall.
Faustinia’s manor house is an old design. Clearly pre-Thrune, it lacks the sharp angles and edges of the Egorian architectural style, instead focusing on a kind of elegant minimalism of white plaster, with slim pillars and marble accents. It eschews the red and black of House Thrune for soft off-whites with occasional hints of dark gray and navy blue. Decoration is sparse: antique dark wooden furniture stands like lonely islands in rooms far too large for them, with large glass windows allowing beams of sunlight to sweep across the interior uninterrupted. Carpets are scarce on the hardwood floors. The rare portrait of a Xerysis noble hangs on the wall along with occasional banners marking the House Xerysis crest: dark gray and blue colors behind a white heraldry of a many-ringed hand holding a yellow goblet. It’s clear that this place, when first built, was meant to accommodate fine tastes and an abundance of material wealth. The sparseness of the rooms and halls here makes the manor feel larger, but distinctly lacking and lonely. Even a quiet conversation in one of the living rooms feels loud and echoing.
The dining hall, despite the emptiness of the rest of the manor house, feels the most welcoming. One of the more used rooms, it contains twice as much furniture (end tables, small statuary, hall drawers, etc.) as anywhere else, and the large glass window has a yellow stained glass goblet held by a white hand. The butler, a middle aged human man with a balding head and a thin black moustache, busies about setting the table for breakfast. “Thank you so much for preparing this for my guests at such short notice, Archibald,” she says graciously as she approaches. “I know it’s a bit unorthodox, but the Lord-Mayor’s soiree went very late. I so appreciate your accommodation.”
Faustinia takes a heavier breakfast than usual, piling her plate with eggs, bread, breakfast sausages and pickled vegetables of various kinds. She pairs it with a hot cup of coffee, refilling it from a silver carafe on the table. Once she’s quelled her ravenous hunger somewhat, she converses with her fellow Irises to determine the next steps. “First thing first, perhaps we should head to the temple to help alleviate our… conditions. Although, perhaps Arael would know a way to assist us. Once we are healthy, we should go visit him and let him know how the Lord-Mayor’s party went. We can figure out our next steps from there: preparing ourselves, addressing what we, ah, recovered.”
---
Varius is elated - after he strips, orders a bath, and scrubs himself until he's pink. His body is covered in spiders bites, scars, and discolorations from the disgusting, brutal ordeal he's put himself through. There's also a worrying problem with his eyesight and an incoming fever he can feel, which he chooses to ignore. After his bath, he collapses into bed, sleeping terribly as he is both over-excited from the incredible heroics he's been a part of, and the fact he feels like dung.
The following morning, feeling even worse, he sits with the rest of the Irises for breakfast. Now with his clown makeup off, Varius' face is pale and covered in small red welts from spider bites.
"Temple first. I do not feel well. But... I can't believe we did that. This is not exactly how I planned my life as a hero to go, but I couldn't be happier. But yes - temple, then Arael."
A full night sleep and a bath has Petals beaming once she's in the dinning room. Not nearly recovered she still feels much much better. Though by the look of her friends, she doubts they are.
"These are delicious!" the pickled veggies being savored with relish. "Thank you... um... Archibald?" she gives the man a smile hoping she got his name right. She is not used to being waited on.
On the topic of what to do next. "The temple, I agree. Varius is plagued with several somethings, plus you and Alessandro look like you are losing bit of yourselves in your food. Nothing else before the temple."
"Varius, you were a hero, a very brave one." the blonde elf says honestly, but with a hint of a smile though she continues "Devils, Mummies, and Spiders are the standard things of tales all over, but a steaming filth encrusted lake of pure sludge and rotting bits... not many could have dived into something like that... Twice." her smile is hesitant, worrying he'll take her teasing the wrong way.
Alessandro takes two baths. First he washes off all the blood, slime, and dirt from his body until the water is a cesspool of filth. He then, refreshes the water and soaks for a long couple of hours, just relaxing and reflecting on recent events. I'm not cut out for this work. he thinks to himself. The others are real heroes. I'm just a fop acting like one. I should retire before I get myself killed. Heavens know I came very close already.
In the morning, Alessandro will seek help curing and removing the two diseases he caught along the way.
Catina wakes full of energy, after sleeping through most of the day. She still has only her costume to wear, but she spends some time before coming down to fix it. She takes her time in going to the dining hall, admiring the Xerysis manor for what it used to be, and for what it is now. Upon entering the dining hall, she compliments Faustinia. "What a wonderful place, Faustinia. It's a breath of breash air to be somewhere modest and in taste. It really speaks of your family's character. " She then seats herself on the table, eager for breakfast.
She launches into a well-meant applause after Petal's words of praise on Varius. "To heroes..." Her face then turns more serious, but determined. "Yes, definitely the temple. You know, I've never tried my hand at magic to cure curses and diseases. That's so much more difficult than bruises and cuts. But, I think... I think I might be ready now. We'll all go, and I'll see if the other priests can guide me."
As she eats her (very late) breakfast, Catina speaks her mind. "I couldn't really sleep last night, so I was thinking... We only have our costumes with us, and people might recognize us with the amount of attention we've been getting. With the way Faustinia and Alessandro look, that might stand out, and might cause the Lord-Mayor to piece two and two together. It's strange enough that no one saw us leave, perhaps. Let's hope he doesn't go into the Knot often, and doesn't figure out that someone's been there until much later."
"Anyway, I was thinking we could go to the temple if we dress in modest clothes, with hoods up. That should be innocent enough. Plenty of people go to the temple to seek healing, and not everyone wants to be recognized. Once we're there, I'll tell a priest that it's me, and ask for a quiet room. Then, hopefully we'll find someone who's willing to teach me how to deal with your diseases - and the curse - and I can try it on you. I'm still not sure how much of that magic I'll be able to perform, but we might get one of the other priests to help me if I can't do it alone. They'll expect a donation of course, but we've found quite some gold in the Knot. At least that way, it'll go to a good cause."
She takes another large gulp of her drink, then suddenly adds. "Oh, we should totally bring the glaive as well. I'm really hoping that the priests will be able to tell us a bit more about it, and whether we can... do something about it. If you know what I mean..."
The group follows Catina's suggestion and they head to the temple carefully hidden behind hoods. Once at the temple, the small group is welcomed in by a young priest. Catina knows him as Maynard, a recent novice said to be closely related with the Salisfer family.
"Welcome to the temple of Shelyn, travelers. What leads you here? How can I assist you?" the young man asks with a polite voice.
in an attempt to get a glimpse of who's behind the hoods.
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Varius thinks for a moment before nodding. "Frankly, I'm still so covered in spider bites that I'd prefer to be hooded anyways. I feel like death. Let's keep a low profile."
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Briefly thankful for the hood, Varius can scarcely conceal his surprise and delight as he spots the young man. However, he keeps his mouth shut, glancing briefly over to someone who knows temple more to do the talking, resolving quietly to speak with the young man later.
Catina is glad that they made it to the temple without incident. However, she hadn't expected much else, given how often she had walked across the city hidden in the hood of her cloak. It feels strange to her how long ago that seemed, that she felt like she should always cover herself. Letting go of those thoughts, she gives acolyte Maynard a good look. She had supposed that she would simply show herself when they reached the temple, but something in the young man's scrutinizing look gives her pause. He could just be curious, but I'd rather not take any chancces. Rather deal with one of the other priests directly. Ideally the high-priestess, but that's too much to ask for. She wouldn't come out for just anyone asking for her, I suppose.
"Thank you," she replies to his greeting, lowering her voice just a bit. "Some of my companions are ill. We seek the aid of Shelyn's faithul to aid them. I suppose we need someone of moderate experience," she says subtly, "to deal with a wasting disease like that. We can make a donation in return, of course." She lowers her voice just a bit more. "Maybe you could show us somewhere with a bit of privacy? The illness, you see - it's not really... beautiful." She realizes it's not the best of excuses she could come up with, but she doesn't want to pique his interest any more than necessary.
--
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Faustinia agrees with Catina’s plan and sends Archibald to fetch any spare cloaks for any of her guests who don’t own one. Her pace through the city is a bit diminished by the stress of her disease, but at least she isn’t faring as bad as Alessandro. The poor man - she would probably have to throw out the bathtub he used, too…
Distracted by these things and more, she is content to think and let Catina do the talking. The temple of Shelyn is rather lovely, isn’t it? she muses. I’m used to flattery, but perhaps Catina actually meant what she said about my home. They teach an admirable respect for such things here, I suppose. And it’s not as if Catina is a liar, but it’s strange to hear such a polite phrase used earnestly…
Catina’s conversation with the young priest draws Faustinia back from her wandering thoughts. She concentrates a little on the young man, and Catina’s expert request for discretion. Furrowing her brow, she feels like something may be off. It could just be the accursed illness, though.
---
My once home Petals thinks nervously. The place she first understood the difference between humans and elves.
Time.
Every child she played with in the temple had grown lanky or shapely in a blink of an eye. Another, they were fully grown seeking mates and children of their own. A heartbreaking third blink and they were just gone. And Petals was left, still the same.
Again and again. She had to stop trying to remember them. Choosing living in a fog instead of with the constant pain of loss.
She shuddered in a way that had nothing to do with the weakness still in her muscles. Her eyes dart over to her new friends, trying to will time to stop. Even if they managed to live through these adventures, all of them would be long dead before she even reached the middle of her lifespan.
They had woken her up again, and she dare not blink.
The young man's attempts at being nosey just makes it worse. Thankful Catina is taking the lead, she slips into the once familiar halls.
“Catina!”, exclaims Maynard after hearing the tiefling girl’s voice, “but it’s you! How are you, you look pretty…sick”. Maynard is not a fool. He seems to realize that Catina is in a hurry, and doesn’t like to spend her time at the entrance of the temple rather than inside of it more than necessary. As a result, Maynard nods to the tiefling girl. “These people are your friends? In any case, I’m sorry but they will have to follow me in the guesthouse for the moment”, explains the young man. “Rules are rules. As for you, you’re free to get back into your room or you can follow your friends, as you prefer. Now, please follow me everyone”.
Maynard leads the group inside the temple. After passing by a small but elegant cloister, Maynard turns left into a long corridor with stone columns at each side. Every now and then, a wooden door appears between the columns. These are the chambers of the most powerful and respected priests, as Catina knows. Maynard turns right and goes upstairs using a stone stairway partially covered in dust. No one came upstairs recently, by the looks of it.
Once upstairs, Maynard gives you an encouraging smile. “We’re almost there, hold on”. The young man follows the perimeter of a balcony overlooking the cloister and then finally opens a door on the right, revealing a big room beyond. This rectangular room hosts three beds and about ten bedrolls. The room is clean, although a bit dusty. There’s a fireplace in the southern wall, and a few old chairs around it. On the opposite side of the beds is a rectangular wooden table which has seen better days. A bench has been placed on each side of the table. In the northern corner of a room, there’s even a small library, containing old small tomes.
“Make yourselves at home. I will return with our best available healer as soon as possible.” With that said, Maynard vanishes behind the door, leaving you some time to interact with each other, if you wish so.
***
After about ten minutes, someone appears at the door of the guestroom. They are two, now that you can see them. One is an old gnome wearing a leather gown and a strange, blue hat. Catina identifies him as Magister Melandronon, the alchemist. At his side, is a beautiful young woman wearing a green dress and with blonde hairs. Her name is Sister Eudeline, as Catina can explain, and she’s the most skilled healer in the temple apart from the high-priestess.
Sister Eudeline and Magister Melandronon wait until Maynard introduce them to the party with their respective titles, then walk toward the party. “Maynard told us you have contracted some serious diseases. Would you please lay down for a while so that we can check out your conditions?”
***
The medical examination lasts about an hour. At the end of it, Sister Eudeline, Magister Melandronon and Catina gather outside of the guestroom.
“I won’t ask how your friends contracted such a wide array of different diseases, Sister Catina, but their conditions are critical. Two of them have contracted mummy rot. Mummy rot, do you understand? It’s…Well, this goes beyond ordinary”. Although powerful and very skilled at healing, Eudeline is also known for her ambitious nature and her tendency to coquet perhaps a tad too much for her position. Fortunately, Magister Melandronon knows perfectly his priorities.
“It’s not time to think about this, Sister Eudeline. We must find a way to cure them”, points out the gnome.
“Very well”. Sister Eudeline clearly doesn’t like the tone of Melandronon’s reproach, but does her best to conceal her irritation. “We will need to remove the curse first. The high-priestess is too busy these days, and we can handle the situation ourselves. Your friends will need to wait for a day or two inside the temple, Sister Catina. Now, let’s get to work.”
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Catina feels busted when Maynard recognizes her, and she's embarrassed for not having told him it was her right away. She nods a bit dumbly, and is grateful that he colouring cheeks aren't really visible because of the hood. "Yes, they're my friends. I'll join you."
Walking the halls of the cloister again makes Catina forget about some of the hardships of the Knot. She looks sideways and thinks she spots some discomfort in Petals. "Are you OK? I figured you'd fit right in here. Right?"
--
Catina gives a respectful greeting to Magister Melandronon and Sister Eudeline, thankful that the both of them were sent for. "You'll be in very good hands," she reassures her companions. "She's the best healer in the temple we could have wished for." She tries to wait patiently during the examination, but has a hard time of it. She alternates sitting down, and hovering near Sister Eudaline to learn about healing. When the examination is over, she follows both of them outside. It's still awkward to hear herself refered to as 'Sister Catina'. She doesn't really feel like one of their peers yet. But she supposed she's performed quite a few feats already. Even if she's never gotten two people together. Isn't that also required of proper priests of Shelyn?
She shakes off the distraction, and nods gravely. "Yes, I know how bad it is. I think I'm ready to be able to learn how to cure diseases, but that alone won't do the trick. Still, I ah... think I learned a thing or two about curses as well. That's what we should lift first, right? If you'll guide me, I think I'm strong enough to perform that magic. I even prepared the prayer for Shelyn to grant me extra wisdom, to guide me in performing such magics." With the help of Shelyn's magic, Sister Eudaline's guidance and some pep-talk to grant herself a bit of extra courage, she manages to lift the curse that was part of the mummy rot. At the end of it, she's quite sweaty and tired. "I... I did it," she stammers, still not quite believing that she succeeded.
She looks at her friends. "You're all OK with staying here for another day, right? We could use the rest, I suppose."
No. Not anymore. realizing she's being too glum. It's just been a Long time since I've been here. I'm just butterflies and nerves, that's all. Thanks. she'll give Catina a small smile.
Once in the guest room, she'll find a chair and stay out of the way. When Eudeline speaks, she'll sit at the edge of her seat, hands wringing out her skirts in worry for her friends.
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Faustinia recognizes a kind of curiosity in the young man’s face - a characteristically upper class way of not just wanting to know something, but feeling as if one deserves it. Whether this young noble thinks he recognizes the stars of The Sixfold Trial, or has a more sinister interest, neither is good. Faustinia draws her hood more closely around her face, lowering her head to obscure her visage.
***
In the guest room, Faustinia frowns at the layers of dust. Once Maynard leaves, she walks over the bookshelf at the north end of the room to investigate the little bookshelf. She casts her familiar cleaning spell and evaporates some of the dust around her - it stirs up more and she sneezes a few times before she clean that up, too. “Ugh. I hope we can be rid of this soon. I wish I could prestidigitate my lungs: they felt full up with dust even before we got here.” she mutters.
***
Faustinia is relieved when Catina relays that they can be cured, Faustinia sighs with relief. At the details, however, she responds with an indignant hiss of, “Two days!? Two whole days?” She is interrupted by a small coughing fit, but eventually recovers. She pinches the bridge of her nose and thinks. “It’ll have to do, I suppose,” she grumbles. She continues muttering under her breath, something about not having prepared her spells yet, anyway, and having a library present, even if miniscule.
---
"Thank you for the hospitality" says Alessandro. Temples are always more hospitable when you are able to pay.
Alessandro rests within the temple. He feels miserable from a terrible fever and rotting flesh but he rests peacefully knowing that the clerics will take care of him and that no more devils or undead are lurking around the next corner.
Varius leans in to Faustinia as the group are being lead out. "I think he's a cousin of mine... interesting to see someone else got out. He doesn't need to know that yet, family gossip more than anyone."
***
Relaxing on a stone examination table, Varius lets out a groan of relief as his maddeningly itchy spider bites are soothed with balm. As well, a worrying problem with his eyesight is cleared up as his blinding sickness is removed. The filth fever is gone soon enough as well, and he's almost as good as new, but with a few more scars.
***
He stifles a laugh as Faustinia vents her outrage, but then grows serious, now realizing he has a moment to relax and ask some questions.
"Faustinia, what do you know about House Rufano's history?"
Catina tries to soothe Faustinia, when the noblewoman learns they'll have to stay another day. "It's not so bad here, is it? And I suppose some rest will do us all good, even apart from the diseases." That makes her check up on the others. "Petals, I have some magic left to restore your body." She weaves the magic and restores Petals's strength.
Next, she moves to Alessandro, looking worried. "Alessandro, lifting the curse went well, and I have good hope that we'll be able to clean the disease tomorrow. It's just..." She looks at him. "The mummy rot took a lot out of your body. I'm not sure whether it's wise to try and restore all that with magic." There's a faint glimmer in her eye. "Couldn't you maybe take a few days' rest to let it heal over time? Do you know someone who could take care of you for a while, make sure you take rest and are well-tended to?" The glimmer is there again, and it seems like Catina has someone in mind already.
--
When they have some privacy, Catina approaches Sister Eudeline again. "Euhm..." she hesitates, not quite sure how to approach the subject. "I... We recently came across a glaive, a magical one. And quite powerful. Except, it's invested with a personality, a malevolent one. I thought it was quite a coincidence for me - us - to find it, and it sort of reminded me of Whisperer of Souls." She hesitates once more, gauging the priestess's reaction. "Do you think there's a chance we could... cleanse such a weapon? That's the right thing to try, isn't it?"
--
Sister Eudeline watches Catina walk to her as though she was studying her. When the tiefling girl reveals the reason that brought her to the healer, Sister Eudeline squints her eyes. There's something coquettish in her look, in the way she listens to Catina. For a moment, Catina has the impression to see the healer grin, as though she was already thinking about the innumerable ways in which she will spread the gossip she has just learned. But that's just an impression. "Cleanse an intelligent item?!" The healer's eyes are harsh. "So it is true. You've deviated from the path of good..." The young woman gives Catina an inquisitorial look, then her grimace widens into a smile and a coquettish laughter. None of them sound too genuine. "Come on, Catina, don't tell me you fell for it!" The priestess regains her seriousness quite abruptly, making her whole behavior a little strange. "If what you say is true, Sister Catina, you should speak directly with the high-priestes", she suggests with a harsh expression.
But before Catina can leave, the young woman calls her attention. "Sister! A moment..." She walks to Catina, who had taken a few steps away from her. "Perhaps there's an alternative...I have a good friend of mine who runs a magic shop in Rego Aerum. Perhaps he could be interested in that glave of yours...And he could also pay well for it, in case you want to sell it. He knows a bunch of talented wizards said to be capable to disenchant items, to cleanse them as you say..."
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Faustinia sighs and tries to release some of her frustration. “I’m sorry, Catina, there’s nothing wrong with this place. It’s just… frustrating. I thought we would be able to move more quickly than this, but I suppose there’s no harm in taking time to recover. I’m just eager to get back to… you know.” she says vaguely, not wanting to give anything away to any prying eyes and ears after that Maynard boy set her on edge.
She sneezes again at the dust and makes a disgusted face. She starts to mutter again, but is interrupted by Varius. “House Rufano? Hm. Let me think…” she answers, staring off into space and creasing her brow as she concentrates, drawing on her deep well of knowledge.
***
Over the course of the time spent at the temple, Faustinia tries to occupy herself with reading, but there’s only so much one can do in a day. Noticing Petals’ nervousness and glum attitude despite being in her deity’s temple, she tries to engage her in some conversation to soothe the other woman and pass some time. “So, Petals… I hope you don’t mind, but I couldn’t help but overhear what you were saying to Catina, about it being a long time since you’ve been here. Please excuse me if this is a rude question, but… exactly how old are you?”
---
After Catina makes her whole again, and after more than a bit of wallowing, the elf tries to busy herself with cleaning up the place. Cleaning supplies have always been kept in the same closet despite the years, so she has little trouble locating them and starting. Unfortunately it doesn't take long to make the place presentable. Then she's back to wallowing some more.
At Faustinia's question, she pales "I... I don't know." she's clearly embarrassed, cheeks turning a dusty pink. For a second she looks like she's about to find something, Anything, else to do at the moment instead of answer, but she takes a deep breath, and words pour out in a torrent "There wasn't anyone to tell the temple when I was found. And I was too young to know such things myself. Humans and elves mature at different rates... I'm sure you know all that, why am I repeating things you know... no matter, it just makes knowing by looking hard. So they guessed. Once they figured out no one was coming for me. So that would put me... um... um..." her cheeks go from dusty to crimson. She looks a little lost when she admits, "I don't know what year it is."
If someone is nice enough to tell her, she answer "Around 150. Give or take a decade. Or two." she looks sheepish then asks Faustinia "Um... how old are you?"
Catina feels her cheeks heat up under the piercing stare of Sister Eudaline. She repeatedly opens her mouth to defend herself, but can't find any words. "No, it's not... Why... I'm..." The woman's abrupt laughter makes matter even worse, and it catches Catina quite a few moments to compose herself. The embarassement makes her cheeks crimson, and she still doesn't know what to say. She manages a sheeping laughter. "Yes, you got me," is all she manages, still off-balance. "I guess I should go to the high-priestess." Maybe I should have done so in the first place...? She's about to turn away when an alternative is presented. Catina considers it for a moment, giving her fellow cleric a good look. "Hmm, I'm was hoping I could keep it, like maybe the cleansing was meant as a task for myself. But I'll think about it," she concedes, not wanting to ruffle Sister Eudaline's feathers.
She checks up on Varius and Alessandro, leaving the two other women in their private conversation. She then quickly excuses herself to change into her proper attire and to see whether the high-priestess is available.
In the past, House Xerysis and House Rufano came into contact at one point, when Estebella Xerysis (the sister of your grandma) married Erwald Rufano (a notorious knight returning from service in Lastwall).
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After ruminating on it for a little while, Faustinia answers Varius, “Hm. House Rufano is beholden to House Khullarix. I remember a story or two about some Rufanos being heroic allies of Iomedae, but that's all. The family has grown increasingly decadent over the last few decades. Like so many, the family's name has quickly faded and lost its importance after the Thrune rose to power. But that’s all common knowledge to anyone who’s spent any time looking into family histories. You probably knew all this, but you asked what I know,” she says with a smirk.
“Additionally, now that I think about it, I think my great aunt Estebella married a Rufano. Erwald Rufano, a notorious knight returning from service in Lastwall. I suppose that makes us distant cousins of a sort,” Faustinia concludes. She looks Varius in the eye with a direct focus. “I’m curious, though. Why do you ask? And while we’re at it, what do you know of House Xerysis?”
***
Faustinia informs Petals that the current year is 4709 A.R., letting her speak. She tries to be a gracious listener, attempting to put Petals at ease by pretending not to notice her embarrassment. “I see.” The usually witty Faustinia seems at a loss for words as she sits in silence, processing what Petals tells her. She is grateful to have a question to respond to directly, and replies, “I am currently fifty years of age. A mere third of your time spent here, but I am already past the halfway point of my life, whereas you are still quite young. Perhaps getting on in… a few decades I suppose?” she guesses.
Faustinia suddenly focuses, and she doesn’t say anything for a beat while focusing intently on the elven woman. “Hm. One hundred fifty years… that puts you at being born before the civil war. I…” Faustinia looks away sheepishly, uncharacteristically for the confident older woman. She looks back and says apologetically, “It sounds like it was hard growing up for you. I’m sorry. However, getting to experience a childhood in Cheliax’s heights must have been something.” She turns from apologetic to excited now, a spark in her eyes. “Imagine! Getting to live in Cheliax before Thrune, when Aroden was still with us. Obviously you were very young, and you were young for a long time in Westcrown while it was the capitol. That must have been so exciting. What I wouldn’t do to get to experience that Westcrown…” she says with a nostalgic sigh.
---
Petal feels a slight pang at having to disappoint her friend I spent most of my time in the temple when I was a child, even as I grew. I sometimes think one of the reasons I wasn't excepted as a priestess was to get me to go out in the world. she give a slight smile But it was probably simply because I am not that good a student.
You really do love this city, don't you?
Varius settles in a bit, taking a moment to consider what he says before speaking. Perhaps a first.
"Well, I'm not sure how much I've explained about my own past. I'm of House Rufano. I'm technically violating a contract speaking too much about this but considering what we just did, it doesn't matter any more. Third son of Jeriax Rufano, the younger brother to the current Lord of the house. Anyways I'm fourteenth in secession or something." The boredom in his voice is obvious. "Rufano is a sorry house. What they lack in influence, talent, and money they make up for in fanaticism. My uncle is convinced that if we are the most deranged diabolists in Cheliax, then House Thrune will notice us and shower us with glittering prizes for having sacrificed the most goats-per-minute in the country. They're idiots who don't know they're a laughing stock and in the thrall of the devils they think they control."
He looks Faustinia over keenly.
"I was trained for the clergy to worship Asmodeus. I wasn't good at it for all the reasons you would expect. The clerics abused me, I defied them, and it escalated. Eventually, I was ordered to do something beyond all reason, and that was enough. I went to my father and in exchange for no longer embarrassing the house, I would give up the family name and go my own way."
He opens his pack, and produces a few sheafs of papers, showing them to Faustinia and the others.
"But I found something. I knew nothing about my family history, and it turns out for a reason. Rufano is quite old, and before Aroden's death we were beholden to Tilernos, and devout Iomedaens. Rufanos were counsellors, the founders of the order that became the Order of the Rack, and according to this even a lover of Iomedae!"
He lets out a long breath and looks at her.
"I'm sorry, I was a bad student and I don't know too much about your family. But I suppose I'm telling you this because it turns out that I didn't betray my family, my family betrayed something far greater. And I don't quite know what to do now."
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Faustinia listens attentively to Varius’ family history, nodding appropriately where she should and paying close attention. “It sounds like they’re in over their own heads,” Faustinia comments. “It is foolish to ignore Asmodeus’ church, of course, but quite dangerous to throw oneself and one’s family into the depths of diabolism. It requires careful dealing, and it does not sound like they are being particularly careful - am I understanding that correctly?” she asks, hoping not to offend.
She reads over the papers that Varius hands her at his request, taking them in as he explains what they are. She continues nodding, but she is obviously lost in reading as Varius continues to talk. “Iomedae… Hellknights… prolific crusaders…” she mutters as she takes a look. She lets out a sigh of her own to match Varius’ as he concludes. “This is truly an amazing find. It would be best to keep that somewhere safe,” she warns. “I wish I could say I was so fortunate. There were a number of records we just recovered: debts, blackmail. My own family among them, their coffers stripped to conceal the tarnish on our name. I can only wish that these blotches on my history were fabricated, and not a legitimate record of their deeds. Perhaps it is better that you do not know much about House Xerysis for the moment. For now it is beholden to House Drovenge, a ghost of a House in Drovenge’s shadow. Perhaps it can be more in the future.” Faustinia moves closer to Varius and places her hands on his shoulders in what she hopes is a comforting gesture. “I suppose the only thing to do now is to honor our histories. Or rather, to recognize our origins and evaluate our paths going forward. I’m no priest, obviously, so I think it would be rather brash of me to offer redemption. But I think if we can honor this city at least, and do what we can for its people, well… maybe that will be enough.”
***
Faustinia smiles softly at Petals. “Being a good student isn’t all it’s chalked up to be. I would know,” she says playfully. “Whatever hardships you endured in your youth, I am glad that you are here with all of us now. Besides, judging by your singing, you are as true a student of Shelyn’s arts as any other I’ve known,” she says matter of factly.
She nods at Petals’ question. “I do. Westcrown is… everything to me now.” Faustinia sharply inhales before letting out a sigh. She drifts off into her own thoughts for just a moment before returning to the conversation. “Maybe I love this city, or maybe I just love a history that I wish I could be part of. Perhaps it is simply the foolish nostalgia of a historian,” she jokes, but with sad eyes.
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The first part of the second day at the temple passes, and Catina is able to remove all the remaining diseases from her friends.
The temple of Shelyn is pretty rich, thanks to the donations of all those who love the arts, including a few notables patrons, but most of the riches of the temple, as you know perfectly well, end into maintenance of the temple itself and sponsoring of new art projects or related tasks. As a result, the high-priestess can't return your favor with gold. Instead, she gives something else to you, as a sign of respect and gratitude for bringing the powerful, but evil glaive to her: a dusty rose prism ioun stone. The ioun stone belonged to a famed Pathfinder who had embraced the life of the faitfhul many decades ago. Along with the rest of his belongings, they passed to the temple once he died, an event which occured about five years ago.
The ioun stone has a very small carving on it. It reads: "Fausto Bon Durati". If you remember correctly that was the name of your uncle, the brother of your father, but the whole thing is strange, since you remind the man to whom the stone belonged, and he didn't have that name. But coming to think about it, he carried some sort of resemblance to your father...
After being healed and once the matter of the intelligent glaive is solved by Catina, the group splits in order to reach the Shrine of Aroden at irregular intervals. In fact, the party is still very weak, despite no one is sick anymore. Arael's healings could come in handy now.
***
As soon as you arrive at the Shrine, only Arael and Morosino are there to congratulate on your incredible success. The half-elf's satisfaction is clear in his eyes, and the fact that no one lost his or her life makes the whole picture even better. Arael rejoices that the plan went as intended, and is very pleased to learn that you have found the Chelish Crux. He delays the moment in which you'll be opening the item, however: he suggests you to rest a bit more while he heals you and tries to figure out a way to open the Crux.
Catina returns to the group the next morning at the temple, without the intelligent glaive. She looks somewhat disappointed, and a bit absent. "I had to leave the glaive in the care of the high-priestess. She says it can't be cleansed." She doesn't doubt the words of the high-priestess, but it's clear that she had hoped for a different verdict. "They're going to keep it here, and find a way to destroy it. That's always a pity, if the only recourse left is to unmake something that was once beautiful." She hesitates a bit, then pulls a pale pink gemstone from her belt pouch, holding it gently. "I received this in return. It's a magical item. Supposed to float around your head I think, and it will protect me from harm." She had tried it in her dorm cell, and the feeling of the stone floating around her head had made her feel safe, like a warm embrace. She glows a bit just remembering it. "I won't wear it all the time, of course. It'll draw too much attention, and someone might snag it." She carefully puts it back in her belt pouch. As she does so, an engraving can be seen on the ioun stone, but she doesn't mention it and it's too small to read from a distance. "We should get back to healing you," she swiftly changes the subject.
--
The healing is once again tiring, but Catina manages to lift the mummy rot from both Faustinia and Alessandro. Also, her magic rejuvenates Petals back to her former strength. The only one that still feels the toll of their journey in the Knot is Alessandro. "Do you give my suggestion some thought?" Catina asks with the same twinkly in her eyes. She barely gives the man time to answer. "Come, you're not well and you need someone to look after you for a couple of days. Who knows what Ar- our friend has in store for us? Come, we'll practically pass her house on the way over." Catina has set her mind to the plan, thinking that gettting Alessandro and Calseinica together is the only proper thing to do for a priest of Shelyn. Before long, she ushers the group out of the temple and on their way.
--
"Hi, Calseinica. It's us again. Could we maybe have a minute of your tiem? You see, it's Alessandro." She points at the weakened man. "He has fallen ill. I've lifted the disease with my magic, but I'm afraid it's already taken quite a toll on his body. He needs... Well, the best thing for him would be a good week of rest." She gives her best stern look. "But he needs someone to look after him. Make sure he doesn't exert himself too much. Now, you must be busy, but I couldn't help but think of you. He'll sleep a lot, so you'd hardly notice he was there," she lies. "If it's not too much bother, could we maybe ask you to look out for him?" She gives Alessandro a gently nudge forward, thinking that should seal the deal.
--
While it was good to visit the temple of Shelyn again after their ordeal in the Knot, coming back to the shrine might be even better for Catina. She immediately re-discovers the feeling that Arael gives to the atmosphere and to her; that they are truly welcomed and appreciated. She's content to savour the feeling for the moment, letting the others tell their story. She nods at Arael's suggestion for some more rest, tired from her first experience curing diseases.
This is home. she breathed with a soft smile, entering the Shrine. After an initial greeting, she'll dart off to her room and into clean clothes. Returning with a lightness about her, she'll busy about humming and fetching some honeyed tea and biscuits for everyone, leaving the others to tell the story of their ordeals.
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Just happy to be rid of her disease, and practically recovered from the quickly fading rot, Faustinia doesn’t seem too bothered by the fate of the glaive. “It is a pity, certainly, but I’m sure your priestess would know best in these matters, right?” she asks, almost perfunctorily. “The important thing is that we tried, no? And magic is certainly a worthwhile reward. It seems like it’s all for the best.”
***
Faustinia acquiesces to Arael's further delays. It feels like less of a burden to spend some days in the old Aroden temple than it did at the temple of Shelyn. Perhaps it is a matter of the freedom of being able to come and go (more or less) as she pleases, and knowing that she's safe from prying eyes. "I am quite interested in that Crux," she tells Arael. “If that Pathfinder friend of ours comes around to investigate, do let me know. I’d be happy to take a crack at unlocking it with you.
“In the meantime,” she tells the others, “I have some errands to run. I need to get supplies for my spellbook. I’ve been feeling inspired of late and I’d like to try to decipher some things from the book I found in the Knot.” She thinks for a moment, as if just remembering something. “Hm, I suppose we’ll need some funds first, though. I could go and see what kinds of prices I could get for our various treasures, depending on what fits in the haversack. I’d need someone else to carry the weapons, though.”
"Of course, Catina" Calseinica tries to be stern, but the smile on her face tells another story. The young starlet is happy to see you all and in one piece, and although she had a discussion with Alessandro before you went into the Knot, she seems to be willing to forgive her lover. "I don't have another bed, though..."
***
With Alessandro left at Calseinica's home, the group reaches the Shrine of Aroden. After a short rest, the group gathers in the main hall and someone, possibly Catina or Varius, tells the story of how the party managed to sneak its way into the Asmodean Knot, and the many dangers they had to face there before being able to recover the Chelish Crux. Arael listens with a proud smile and congratules on the Irises' success.
"We must wait for Ailyn before we can open the Crux, but I've already sent Morosino to fetch her. She should be here in a few hours. In the meantime, let's talk about the treasure you found into the Asmodean Knot". The group is having its lunch while the half-elf speaks, after sipping a good, local wine. "Lady Faustinia, allow me to disagree with your plan. To be honest, I'm quite sure that sending someone out there, no matter who, trying to sell some incredibly valuable magic items would immediately generate a lot of questions...and what's worse, earn a lot of undesired attentions to that person. No, we can't afford it, especially because we can't justify the source of the treasure itself."
Arael sighs, as though his mind had just proposed him an idea he's not willing to follow. But soon thereafter, the smile on his face appears again. "Anyway, our members have a lot of discreet contacts in the city. Fiosa, Tarvi, Ermolos, they all know someone who could be interested in your finding and they could act as intermediaries. That way, the treasure would be splitted among our agents and won't rise too many questions...Of course, the whole profit would be entirely given to you, in order to allow our élite members to buy better equipment. What do you think about it?"
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Still with Faustinia, Varius nods slowly and then smiles at her. "Makes sense. We're already doing what we need to be doing. Once we see what the fallout is with the Knot I'll talk to that priest, too. Low profile for now. Interesting to see a relative here rather than bathing in goat's blood. Thank you!"
***
Once he's finally free of the temple and feeling better, if still a little shaky, Varius takes the long way to get to the shrine. He stops at his apartment, finally changing into the new clothes he bought not too long ago, and taking a little while to polish up his weapons. Varius takes a very large drink of brandy to put himself in high spirits, and heads in.
Meeting up with the rest of the group, Varius excitedly tells the story of their journeys, tripping over his words. "Well we had to get information from all the nobles at the feast blah blah blah Sascar Tilernos a deformed child and a birthmark on her bottomblah blah blah broke into the attic and found a weird devil-curse blah blah blah devil dogs and death shadows and I was eaten alive by spiders but got better blah blah blah some crazed tiefling with funny gravity doors but Faustinia was clever blah blah blah a mummy and an otyugh and now we're here!"
His story told in full, Varius settles in to listen to Arael as he explains what's going on next. "I'm all for that plan. Good way to deal with what we've found."
Oblivious as always, Varius then realizes someone is missing. "Where's Alessandro? Is he still sick?"
Catina listens to Varius telling the story, occasionally trying to add a point she deems important - or to flatout correct him if Varius makes too much of a shortcut - but she doesn't get much chance to interrupt. She eventually sticks to the points that are really important.
"Right. We found a lot of weapons," Catina notes when Arael suggests a way to sell their equipment. "There's even a full suit of plate mail. Varius, that's not really your style is it? The whole 'knight in shining armor' thing?" Her eyes glaze over momentarily as she thinks on Lorenzo, and who he would have looked in shining armor with one of the swords they'd found. She says a silent prayer for their former companion, then returns to the present. "I think we'll have to sell most of it, if we're not going to use it. I think our first priority should be to make sure all of our weapons are enchanted. Those shadows nearly became our undoing, because we weren't properly equipped to handle them."
Catina sighs at seeing how much Varius manages to miss, wondering where the man's mind goes sometimes. "I think you were gawking at some store fronts, Varius." To not make the man feel like a total dolt, she adresses Arael in her explanation. "Alessandro was hurt worse than the rest of us, but the mummy rot. There's only so much we could do for him at the temple, and he needed a few days' rest. We went by Calseinica on the way over here, and asked her to tend to him for a while." Catina tries to not look smug at her ploy, but fails quite badly.
--
Petals listens intently, laughing at some of Varius's more off colored details and Catina's addition Calseinica seemed rather pleased at the outcome... we might not see our resting comrade for some time. humor erodes a little as she tried to imagine having gone through the knot without him. It would have been impossible.
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Faustinia nods in agreement with Arael’s plan. “Yes, of course. That makes a lot of sense, Arael, and seems far less dangerous. A few days delay shouldn’t make too much difference, and it’s better not to draw attention to ourselves.”
Faustinia sits amused as Varius spits forth the tale of their traversal through the Lord-Mayor’s banquet and Asmodean Knot, smiling gently as Catina adds some guidance to the telling. At the end she adds, “Yes, Alessandro endured quite a lot in our excursion through that strange dimension. I’d be surprised if he didn’t spend a few extra days with Calseinica after that. He deserves some rest and comfort after everything he did to keep us and himself alive in there.”
Faustinia hesitates for a moment, her mind drawn somewhere else. She then adds, “Things were rough in the Knot, and although we ultimately triumphed there is still something that weighs on me. That tiefling we encountered was not like the other inhabitants there. From what we saw, we know she was the one who laid the runecurse, and she specifically waited in ambush for us. I fear that we have attracted some outside attention, and that she was there specifically to murder us.” Her brow worried, she levels a serious look at Arael. “Arael, do you think that people know about us? And I mean, we do have our disguises to make people trust the Eyes of Westcrown, but is there a danger that people can link us Irises specifically to this organization? It’s difficult to know,” she explains. Perhaps I should look into some form of divination for this…”
"Mmmh...Hard to tell if she was waiting in ambush for you, or if she somehow learned about your presence in the Knot through other means, and however before you stumbled into her. Did you make some noise before she attacked you?"
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While the conversation continues, the door of the Shrine of Aroden opens, allowing a familiar face to get inside—Aylin Ghontasavos, undercover Pathfinder agent and one of the minds behind the plan that has led the Irises of Westcrown to acquire the Chelish Crux. The woman says hello with a nod of her head, and accepts Arael’s fraternal hug before taking a seat. “I heard the news”, she says as she sits down, “your undertaking has been remarkable, my compliments”.
With Ailyn, Morosino returned to the safehouse as well. The boy immediately takes care of bringing some more wine to the table while you discuss. Arael briefly summarizes what you had to endure before claiming the Crux, then takes a deep breath in. “Well, I guess it’s time to open it!” The half-elf stands up and goes up the stairs, disappearing from your sight for a few minutes.
“As Arael already knows, I’ve managed to gather a few information on Delvehaven during my research, and I believe this is the right moment to share the result of my investigation”. The woman takes a quick sip from her glass.
“ In late 4605 ar, a Pathfinder named Donatalus Bisby returned to Westcrown from a mission to the Mwangi Expanse—a mission previously believed to have been lost. Bisby’s unexpected return brought much celebration, despite the fact that of the dozens who traveled with him to the southern jungles, only he and his chronicler had returned. Word soon spread that Bisby’s journals would revolutionize what was known about certain lost tribes of the Mwangi, and that he brought back with him a potent artifact. Yet before his journals could be published, Aroden died”.
The Pathfinder pauses in order to allow you to process the information while she hydrates her dried throat with wine.
“Upon Aroden’s death, panic seized Cheliax. Details of what happened in Delvehaven are sparse, but it seems that the majority of the Pathfinders stationed in Westcrown—Bisby included—perished in the riots and mayhem. Worse, his journal and all of Delvehaven’s artifacts were cut off from the Society for over thirty years. In 4674 ar, many years after the House of Thrune seized control of Cheliax, they made a great show of reopening Delvehaven and inviting a select few Pathfinders back to run the lodge—but those choices were not the Grand Lodge’s to make.” Ailyn’s expression becomes a little bitter. “The House of Thrune only agreed to Delvehaven’s reopening if Chelish Pathfinders of their choosing were to manage the site, and the Society reluctantly agreed to the conditions. Securing an accurate list of what had and hadn’t survived in Delvehaven’s vaults was a political nightmare—the House of Thrune and their pet Pathfinders reported that nothing of value remained, but they were resistant to letting anyone from outside make their own inventory and exploration of the ruins. To the public, the lodge seemed to be run by the Society, but in truth we have very little idea exactly what was going on in Delvehaven during those years. The whole situation seemed to be coming to a head, with a full-on clash between the House of Thrune and the Society imminent, but as things worked out, Delvehaven didn’t remain active under Thrune’s control for long”.
Ailyn stands up at this point, again giving you some time to process the information while she fiddles with a pre-Thrune candlestick placed on an equally ancient piece of furniture.
“In 4676 ar,” she ensues, still standing, “something happened in Delvehaven that caused the deaths of all the Thrune Pathfinders and its subsequent sealing by the government itself. The House of Thrune has to this date refused to open Delvehaven or allow the Society access to the lodge, and various conflicts with the Aspis Consortium and the House of Thrune in other parts of Cheliax since then have effectively distracted us from Delvehaven’s legacy. General consensus in the Society today is that Thrune looted Delvehaven to the root and that nothing of value remains within.”
Ailyn gets back to her seat, sips more wine and shakes her head. “But I’m not so sure. Over the past several months, I’ve grown more and more intrigued by the unexplained mysteries of exactly what happened in Delvehaven. Of perhaps more interest to you as Westcrown natives, I’ve learned a bit about the artifact Bisby returned with, an artifact that was in Delvehaven at the time of Aroden’s death and that hasn’t been seen since. Notes on this artifact are vague, alas, but from an initial report sent from Delvehaven just before Aroden’s death, it would appear that the artifact had ties to a dualistic religion of light and shadow. The fact that it was only a few weeks after the House of Thrune closed up Delvehaven that the shadow beasts first appeared in Westcrown can’t be a coincidence. I suspect that they found this artifact in Delvehaven, but in so doing triggered the lodge’s defenses and caused something. I’m not saying that the source of the shadow beasts is hidden in Delvehaven, or even that the artifact is involved—but in my experience, there are no coincidences.”
Hearing some steps on the stairs, Ailyn concludes her speech, looking you in the eye to verify if she’s managed to spark your interest.
When Arael returns, he carries the Chelish Crux with him. A faint smile on his face, the half-elf places the strange dodecahedron on the table. “It’s time”, he announces.
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Varius paces around a little, being always fidgety and letting off the nervous energy as he listens.
"Just repeating it back so I get it, hope you don't find it a bother." He clears his throat and stops pacing. "Delvehaven is the Pathfinder lodge. Ancient artifact brought from Mwangi, Aroden dies, Delvehaven locked. Delvehaven opened up with Thrune control over puppet Pathfinders, who keep others out. Two years later, everyone dies and they shut the place down. But this is when the shadow beasts appeared - not a coincidence."
He lets out a breath. "Now that means people are being kept out of Delvehaven, or something is being kept in, or both. And there's this strange light/shadow religion that may be tied to the shadow beasts. So we'll have a look at this Crux, and then see about getting into Delvehaven to face Gods-know-what." Varius grins. "Sounds fun."
After a moment, Varius glances over to the others. "Anyone know anything about a dualistic religion?"
Catina is excited to see Aylin Ghontasavos again. It feels weird to have Arael recount their adventure in the Knot, so soon after their ordeal. It seems like quite a while ago, to hear it like that. As she waits, she takes a good look at Ailyn, and finds that their eyes meet more than a few times. It makes her uncomfortable, and she quickly averts her gaze when it happens. Is it the horns? Her thoughts wander to her meeting with the High-priestess, and she sublty retrieves the ioun stone from her belt pouch. He was a Pathfinder, wasn't he? Would she know something about him? She's not sure whether she should ask, but she leaves that for later. She's glad when Ailyn starts talking, because it gives her mind something else to think about.
She listens attentively, furrowing her brow as she processed all this information. She's wondering what the Mwangi artifact has to do with anything, but luckily Ailyn gets to that in due time. Catina then listens to Varius's summary, nodding to indicate that that's also what she took from the story. "I agree, I think. The timing seems too odd to be a coincidence." She thinks on Varius's question for a moment. Rather than an answer, a question of her own pops up. "If it's true that something linked to the Shadowbeasts is in Delvehaven, would that mean that there's more of them over there? Have people ever noticed a pattern in their movements, or their numbers?" She doesn't really know who she should be asking this, so the question lingers in the air.
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Faustinia thinks back to answer Arael’s question. “We weren’t particularly quiet going about the Knot, no. So it was easy for her to get the drop on us in an unexpected place. If you mean, were we loud during the Mayor’s feast? I certainly didn’t have a private moment to myself. I mostly spoke with Lady Drovenge. I suppose it’s possible someone there was out to get us, but there were such crowds that I couldn’t begin to tell you.”
Once Aylin arrives, Faustinia greets her graciously and thanks Morosino for bringing wine. She raises an eyebrow at Arael as he rushes away, but turns her attention to Aylin instead of worrying about where the man has gone. Perhaps he has some sort of guidance on how to open it up there. I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to having some starting point with that confusing thing. She lends brief commentary on Thrune’s early politics, rolling her eyes at adding a few jabs of, “Typical Thrune machinations,” at the House’s deception and naked attempts at control, taking sips at her wine.
She is quieter for the revelation of the Pathfinders’ deaths and the start of Westcrown’s decline into more literal shadow. “I remember something about that, but vaguely…” she comments. The only thing she adds is, “I was just a girl at the time. I thought I was grown, of course…” Faustinia looks away as if remembering something during the rest of Aylin’s recounting, turning her attention between the Pathfinder and apparently some distant memory. The rest of her wine goes untouched. She eventually jolts fully back to the present when Arael comes down the stairs. She clears her throat before nodding in agreement with the others. “Not much to do with Thrune is coincidental. But even if it is, it’s our only lead right now - if nothing else, perhaps we can find something in Delvehaven to help Westcrown, whatever that may be.”
Faustinia nods to Arael. “So, how does this puzzle box open? You seem like you’re confident in the answer.”
---
No one mentioned the pathfinder house at the time. Petals adds quietly. She never liked telling people things that happened so long ago, makes the differences in ages starker, but Faustinia asked already so... Everyone thought it was a demonstration of power.
Unfortunately, Varius never head about the dualistic cult mentioned by Ailyn.
"I tried to ask people living around Delvehaven if they had noticed something suspicious since the lodge was closed," says Ailyn with a nod to Catina. "Most of them were so reluctant to share such dangerous information, that they completely refused to speak about it. Those few that I managed to convince, reported to have heard strange noises coming from the abandoned lodge, but no one was able to go into more detail, unfortunately." The Pathfinder is visibly disappointed.
***
"Confident?" Arael smiles, with that kind of mischievous smile that seems so innocent typical of those who have elven blood. "A good leader must always seem confident, my lady. And indeed I am." Arael grins, gesturing to the Crux. "Not because I have a method to open the Crux, of course. Rather, I take your presence here as a guarantee that we will be able to figure out a way to open it."
Catina wishes she could share Arael's optimism, as she examines the Chelish Crux. She keeps her distance and gives it a wary look, like it's a viper that could strike at any moment. "So, how does this work?"
When someone explains it to her, Catina looks sheepish. "So, there's a security measure. And it's fire. That isn't really a surprise, is it?" She frowns. "As you now by now, my... heritage makes me resistant to fire. I could stand some of the punishment, except..." She looks embarrassed. I have no idea how to solve such a thing. It would have to be blind luck." She forces a bit of optimism in her voice. "Still, I could help, if someone else would try. I've prepared spell that protects someone from fire, and from evil. Also, I could pray to Shelyn for guidance, of course."
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Faustinia sucks air through her teeth at the revelation of the Crux’s opening mechanism. “While your confidence is well placed, Arael, this will still be difficult.”
She examines the strange box, even as it warps in her vision, leaning her head around all sides in order to find a good place to start. When Catina pipes up, Faustinia listens patiently before replying, “I remember well how instrumental your spell was in protecting us from that acid-filled beast’s stomach in The Sixfold Trial, Catina. I’m sure your magic would be excellent protection against the punitive safeguards of the Crux.” She smiles. “And although I’ve no doubt in all of our blind luck at this point, I really would like to have a go at solving this puzzle. It’s a fascinating object, if dangerous. Does anyone else mind? I usually have a knack for these kinds of things, and I could use some of my own magic to help as well.”
I'm not sure I can... um... bypass it. Petals looks at the thing, trying to figure out the mechanics, magical or otherwise. She looks up at Faustinia hopefully when she asks to be able to try. Okay, if we can be of any help...
Catina quickly accepts that Faustinia is the smartest among them, and should take a crack at solving it. However, she's a bit hesitant. "Are you sure you can stand up to the punishment, should you fail? Even with the spell, I mean..."
Varius just sort of looks over people's shoulders, popping in and out from staring at the thing.
"All of us have our roles to play here, and Faustinia is the smart one. Provided we can protect her with a spell I'm game. That said the person who lays hands on it doesn't necessarily have to be the smart one. If it turns out it will bite us no matter what, I can take the hits and let the rest of you do the thinking. Turns out I'm rather good at it."
"Sorry, Varius," Catina comments on his suggestion. "I think anyone handling the puzzle of those standing close by will be hit by the blast."
Catina looks around. "Should we just do it here? We wouldn't want to ruin the shrine or any furniture, of course." She prepares to cast her new spell. "Ready when you are, Faustinia. You'll be protected by the fire, when you start. I'll keep my distance, but will step in when it looks like you need the help. Don't worry about me. I can handle it if you slip and trigger the fire."
Um... also if you like that dress... the elf covers the worry about her friend with worry about material things. When Faustinia is ready to start she starts to sing her god's music into the room, a complicated song meant to bolster one's concentration. A conversation of sounds, each voice a different pitch. Without words it is hard to know exactly what the song is about, but Petals heard it was a lover's spat between intellectuals. Hence the complication.