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When the group returns from the beach Moadis makes a point to warm Hamaria that at least one of the twins have tried to switch places with the other figuring out that their mother would know which one is which.
I should have guessed that anything involving people as rotten as the blakros would always end up in melee, even a wedding. He thinks with a sigh when the combat starts at the cerimony. The paladin draws his sword, steps forward an attacks the demon.
Ophelia moves closer to Arastrax, while Valik climbs up on a table and adeptly rolls past the dretch to attack the man, but his attack does not quite hit.
Moadis moves forward to smite the demon in front of him. With a single blow he destroys the creature and it pops out of existence.
Quiella draws her greatsword and advances on Arastrax, putting more power into the blow at the expense of accuracy. The man manages to side steps her sword, and it merely leaves a crack on the stage.
Arastrax then draws his heavy flail and swings it at Valik, hitting the monk in the chest. Apparently quite proficient in combat, the man takes a second swing at Valik, but the monk dodges the other blow.
Initiative (Round 2)
Arastrax
Moadis <= Up
Valik [10 Dmg] <= Up
Melufiuos <= Up
Halkale <= Up
Quiella <= Up
Ophelia <= Up
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Quiella steps to the south. "Valik, move behind him; we'll surround him!"
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Valik moves to flank with Quiella, but his weapon strike misses the man. While distracted by the monk, Arastrax walks right into Quiella's greatsword and the man is severed in half.
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Mel, due to an inexplicable hunch that the combat is not over, pulls out a scroll of true strike and casts it.
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Halkale and Moadis are the first to notice what appears to be living shadow emerge from the man's corpse, forming into a small-sized shadowy bat-winged creature with demonic features.
Laughing, it flies to the south of the stage, and uses some type of inherent spell-like ability to engender an intense frightening feeling inside Valik, Quiella, and Melufiuos.
Initiative (Round 3)
Arastrax
Moadis <= Up
Valik [10 Dmg - Will Save needed] <= Up
Melufiuos [Will Save needed] <= Up
Halkale <= Up
Quiella [Will Save needed] <= Up
Ophelia <= Up
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Quiella swings at him as he runs away. When her sword passes through him she groans in frustration. She feels a wave of fear pass through her, but pushes it down. She pulls out an oil and applies it to her Greatsword.
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A panicked creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can’t take any other actions. In addition, the creature takes a –2 penalty on all saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If cornered, a panicked creature cowers and does not attack, typically using the total defense action in combat. A panicked creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape.
Panicked is a more extreme state of fear than shaken or frightened.
A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.
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The sight of the shadow thing rising out of the corpse is too much for the young magus. A low howl begins in his chest and then rises to a high pitched shriek as Mel slowly take a few unconscious steps backwards. This of course leads him off of the table he was on, falling backwards with a crash. Wrestling with the chair which 'has him', he flees out of the west exit in a frantic, running tumble, pleading for someone named Abbot to help him.
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Quiella and Moadis quickly bless their weapons with magical oil, while Melufiuos and Valik fall pray to the shadow monster's fear attack. His mind focused on escaping, the monk is unable to impart any wisdom about the creature at this time.
Ophelia casts Bull's Strength on Quiella, but is unable to recall any information about the shadow creature.
After witnessing Quiella slice through the shadow creature ineffectually, Halkale opts to observe the battle for a little longer in the hopes of finding a way to assist without wasting arrows.
Arastrax continues its mocking laughter as it flies to the southwest corner of the tent and moves into the shadows there. It then instantly becomes one with the darkness, the outline of its form completely disappearing. "Here I am fleshy ones. Come and get me." Its disembodied voice calls out from the corner.
Initiative (Round 4)
Arastrax
Moadis <= Up
Valik [10 Dmg, Panicked] <= Up
Melufiuos [Panicked] <= Up
Halkale <= Up
Quiella <= Up
Ophelia <= Up
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Quiella moves around the stage, popping her wand from its wrist sheath as she goes. She taps herself with it.
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Ophelia casts Bless on those still remaining in the tent, while Quiella and Halkale move closer to the shadow monster, with the former also popping a wand from her wrist sheath and casting a Shield spell on herself.
From the southeast corner, those in the tent hear the creature's voice say, "Bah!" with frustration and boredom. As you all close on the shadow, it quickly becomes clear the monster is gone, and not present anywhere nearby.
Melufiuos and Valik quickly recover from their panicked states, and rejoin the others. Thanks to the mercenary group and some of more experienced guests, you discover that the lesser demons assaulting the wedding have all been dispatched or have fled. Mercenary captain Rubaani Shafar finds you afterwards and offers you 1300gp for your assistance in defending the reception, stating that you earned a part of the company's commission for assisting where they have failed.
With the reception interrupted and the security of the island clearly breached, Hamaria Blakros calls the weekend’s festivities to a close. Guests are quickly rounded up by surviving mercenaries and ushered to the pier. The boat ride back to Absalom takes on a somber tone, any joy at the wedding eclipsed by the death and destruction the demons brought to Pariol Island.
Although there is no debriefing with Venture-Captain Valsin, you are all heralded as heroes of the wedding, and you are certain that the Society's prestige has grown on the basis of your heroism and the work you put in influencing the guests.
In Wrath's Shadow
Roused from sleep and herded aboard the Winking Wyvern, the party sails urgently for Rivenrake Island and the ruins of Xin-Bakrakhan, ancient capital of the Thassilonian Runelord of Wrath. A note from Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch informs the group that a Society-funded dig team has uncovered a totally intact temple that appears to be associated with the goddess Lissala, buried for 10,000 years. Given the fresh revelations that this long-thought dead cult is thriving and allied with the Aspis Consortium, it's a truly wonderful find, providing an unprecedented opportunity to gain knowledge of this forgotten faith. Even if the site turns out to not be dedicated to Lissala, learning more about the faiths and practices of ancient Thassilon always provides an abundance of knowledge. Often the items they use in their rituals lead to clues about the cults.
By now the work crew has finished clearing the site—the time to explore its secrets is at hand. The Society has no exclusive contract to the site, and the Aspis Consortium agents scour the countryside seeking such ripe targets so time is of the essence. Archaeologists Halla Beusophis and Kovo Murse can answer questions when the group arrives, and a fellow Pathfinder ranger, Riemme Batelle, is already on the island, ready to join this exciting endeavor. Sheila Heidmarch has given the party a charge: eliminate the ancient temple's dangers so that the Society scholars can study the ruins safely, and bring back whatever knowledge lies within.
Thassilon was the ancient empire that encompassed all of modern Varisia and beyond. It fell into ruin at the advent of Earthfall 10,000 years ago. It was ruled over by seven runelords, extremely powerful wizards who employed Thassilonian sin magic. Bakrakhan was the province of Alaznist, Runelord of Wrath, and Xin-Bakrakhan was her capital city.
Hollow Mountain, which broods over the ruins of Xin-Bakrakhan, is thought to hide endless subterranean spaces filled with wealth and danger. Some believe Alaznist herself is hidden within its unplumbed depths.
Alaznist was known to have favorites whom she gifted with powerful magic items of her own creation. Many of these minions are known to have been in Xin-Bakrakhan when disaster struck.
Lissala was the goddess of fate, runes, and reward of service, and was especially prominent in Thassilon. While a much more disciplined faith in the early days of the empire, her worship grew more reckless and decadent in Thassilon's waning years. Veneration of the deity was thought to have died with Thassilon itself
Alaznist didn't treat well with the worship of Lissala, instead preferring to pay homage to a number of fiendish patrons. Earlier in Bakrakhan's history, Lissala was widely worshipped, but as Alaznist came to power, the popularity of the faith waned in the nation. During this time, many of the temples were repurposed to venerate various demon lords.
One prominent fiend worshipped in the late days of Bakrakhan was Yamasoth, a nascent qlippoth lord of cursed kingdoms and vile experiments. Rites to Yamasoth included mortification of the flesh and experimental transformations. Alaznist was a dedicated follower of Yamasoth, and sought to learn his ways in order to harness that power for her own armies.
* * *
Before departing, an anonymous sailor drops off a leather pouch containing the following letters for each of you.
Agent of Liberty
The Vanderales merchant family based in Magnimar sometimes hires out skilled labor to landowners and organizations around Varisia. They have a reputation for ruthlessness with such laborers and deal harshly with anyone stirring up unrest. We wish to establish a clandestine presence within this organization as a means of fomenting reform. However, as yet we don't have the trust of Magnimar's common people, Vanderales workers are employed at the dig on Rivenrake where your assignment leads you. Please use your powers of persuasion to convince one of them to carry the enclosed message to One-Leg Betram, a well-regarded Vanderales middle manager in the city sympathetic to out concerns. He is more likely to greet our overtures favorably if they come from a Vanderales worker.
For Freedom!
Major Colson Maldris
Loyal Pathfinder,
It is my understanding that the excavation on Rivenrake Isle has been a long and most grueling effort for the workers hired by the Soceity. The Aspis Consortium spreads rumors that we treat people in our employ with brutality. As we wish to maintain a reputation as a fair and humane employer, see to it that any of the workers who may have sustained injury in the course of their labors receives appropriate care. The archaeologists and agents can see after themselves (they're loyal Pathfinders, after all), but effort must be exerted to prove that the Society has a proper concern for even our laborers.
Success!
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
Champion of Light,
It has been brought to my attention that your mission calls you into the ruins of Bakrakhan—a place known for depravity and violence. Our prayers go with you in that dark place, where I hope you can bring some light. Cults in Bakrakhan were said to have appalling practices such as sacrificing unwilling victims, malforming their bones and bodies into inhuman forms, and displaying the preserved bodies in their temples like trophies. If you should ocme across such unfortunates, anoint their remairs with the holy oil provided with this note. We believe this simple act releases souls suffering unspeakable torment.
May Right Prevail,
Ollysta Zadrian
Loyal Seeker of Knowledge,
We are most interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the faiths of the ancient Thassilonians, since the curse that has befallen the Ruby Prince came from that ancient place. Your trip to the Rivenrake dig offers the perfect opportunity. Should you come upon any priestly vestments, shrine engravings, or other religious accoutrements, please examine them for inscriptions or interesting designs, making precise copies for out further investigation. Your efforst to expand our comprehension of antiquity are most appreciated, and it may be the key to healing the Ruby Prince—blessings be upon his exalted name.
With Duty to our Ancestors,
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage
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Moadis enjoys his time at the ship. Never had set foot on one before leaving his homeland of Mendev he discovered the sea have a relaxing effect on him. He could spend hours just scanning the horizons.
After arriving at the island he asks the group of archaelogists. Do you people have any idea what kind of challenges we will find inside?
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Halkale spends most of each day on the ship working with a wolf that seems to follow him around and he introduces the wolf as Frostfur. At first, you think this might just be a young wolf pet, but after a few days at sea you realize you are seeing the beginnings of the relationship between a ranger and his animal companion.
Frostfur is a wolf with silvered tips on a grey coat, which probably led to his name. He's young, still not fully grown but you can tell is probably still quite dangerous. He appears very stocky and hardy though and has the makings of a very powerful ally as he grows.
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Quiella smiles at Frostfur. She begins speaking to him "Hello Frostfur. You look to be a mighty warrior. You can call me Holly. I'm glad you and my friend Halkale are friends."
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With the harbor closest to the dig site silted over, the Winking Wyvern drops anchor and sends you ashore in a pair of launches. Arriving on shore, you are greeted by a half-dozen bedraggled souls living in rugged tents sufficient for four time their number. They're led by a grim-looking woman in work clothes, with signs of emotional strain and fatigue lining her face. She introduces herself as Halla Beusophis, lead archaeologist on the temple dig.
”Thank goodness you've arrived,” begins the careworn Pathfinder. ”Two days ago workers at the dig site were attacked, by what or whom I don't know. I was here at camp when it happened. Only a single worker escaped—Shadaq, who crawled back here, bleeding from a dozen terrible injuries. The wounds were mortal and none of us here possessed the skill to aid him. Before he died, we got a little information. He told us of the attack, said everyone had been, 'gutted like game birds.' His last words—as his eyes violently rolled back in his head—were 'Lissala is angry, but so am I.'”
"The six of us are all that's left—myself and these five hired excavators. They've refused to go back to the site and I didn't dare go alone. We've been huddled in these damned tents since Wealday, waiting for your arrival. I'll take you to the dig myself, but I don't know what we'll find. If Shadaq's words are true, it won't be pretty. Only the gods know whether those same attackers lie in wait.”
She stops to take a breath and waits for any questions.
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"Oh no! Are all of you alright? Is there anything we can do to take care of you before we go to the dig?"
"And... might we see the dead miner's body? We would like to anoint it with holy oil."
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Mel is saddened by the news and offers condolences. But then he discretely walks the camp, detecting magic and looking for any evidence of Lissa worship of the ancient wiz gal.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Well, we've buried Shadaq already, but I could show you his grave. You'd need to exhume the body, I guess." Halla replies to Quiella's question, indicating the location of the grave if pressed. "The camp doesn't need anything right now, although if you need any excavation equipment we have plenty."
Melufiuos finds no magical signatures in the camp outside those brought in by his fellow Pathfinders. There are also no signs of any kind of worship, although off in the distance he can see a hateful woman's face carved into the mountainside.