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"Sure, Bro! But Cyph said he was totally trying to stall us, so it would be most excellent if we were, like, not here anymore." He takes some rope from his pack and starts hogtying the creature as securely as he is able, "Maybe we just stabilise it for now? I could totally carry it while we look for someplace more secure." Eadric glances at Charito, "Maybe we could find a place on the way to Dalsine's?"
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"We should expect a fight," Soraya says. "I would hate to waste resources on this abomination that is most likely unwilling to give us answers. It did resist even the charms of Arashea's most talented servant. I am in favor of destroying it. It only lives because I believed it to be a misguided priest and took mercy on my first blow."
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Cypher looks at Oma and shakes their head.
I can do a lot... but a alien mind is not going to be susceptible to my charms, literal or figurative.
They look decidedly uncomfortable all of a sudden and for the first time look unsure and unconfident.
If... If I can't make them talk that way... there isn't anything I can do... The only other option... I swore that kinda thing off when I left Nidal... and I don't want us to be like that... Idon't want to be like that again... so... Let's just be merciful, either kill it now or leave it tied up, but I have no doubt that thing will kill again if we let it. Right now, we need to get the blossoms out of here.
They turn to the others and resume their confident poise.
Alright gang, obviously the vault is compromised. Do you know anywhere else we can go?
The Blossoms don't seem too keen on reviving the creature that probably killed their old lay priest. They start to huddle around awkwardly, thinking of their next move. Piria looks over the strange leathery body, sighs, and looks at the pathfinders.
"You've helped enough, but there is nothing more for us here. If this impostor knew the location of the vault, there will be others. We need to leave or we risk a massacre just like the one last night."
She looks back at the rest of the Sarenites - "I guess Taldor did it, then. They outlawed and forced the light od the Dawnflower out of their lands..."
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Eadric nods as everyone comes to their decision, and leans back down to untie the dying creature, "There must be someplace else you guys can, like, hide for a bit..." Stowing his rope away he turns to Piria, "Don't give up, Sis! While you're still alive, Taldor totally has some of that righteous Dawnflower light." He frowns for a moment and scratches his head, trying to think of a good way to ask, "I know you Blossoms sort of want to go your own way from here, but like, we still need to find Dalsine and..." He looks apologetically at the woman who was so recently accused of being a traitor, "Charito, could you, like, show us the way? We'd totally protect you from the militia, wont we guys?!"
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Cypher smiles at Eadric.
Eadric has the root of it. Dalsine is the source of the hunt. If we can bring him down, and fast, and preferably in such a way that leaves a LOT of egg on his face, then he'll be to busy with that to hunt you down.
They gently put a hand on Charito's shoulder.
We can do this. So long as even a flicker of flame in your hearts is here, the dawnflower still has a fighting chance.
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Before they say goodbye to the Blossoms, Eadric takes a moment to say a few words to one man in particular, "Hey, Bro... I've been told to say that, like, you should totally come back to the Society. The big Bro with the rubies says that you are totally forgiven and it would be most excellent if you contacted Osirion faction." He shakes the mans hand and flashes his best, most reassuring, toothless grin, "Could be way safer for you if you did" Unfortunately, that last sentence comes over more as a threat than advise. Decides to change tack slightly, Eadric gives Ahen the names and locations of a few friends of friends he has in the city, "They're good people, if you need help, I'm sure they'll give it to you."
The Sarenites look over each other as you encourage them in their plight, some nod, some just wait in quiet contemplation. "We might spread out through Taldor and regroup once things calm down a bit. They are looking for a big group, not individuals, right? We probably could slip by. Probably...". Piria speaks out for the group. Charito steps forward to shake the Pathfinders' hands, still drying some of her tears. "After what he's done? Yes, absolutely. He lives on Senate's Hill. Big place, tall walls, large gate. They have a lovely garden. I can get you close through the tunnels, I think. You make that man pay for several murders, you hear?", she says, with some fighting spirit taking over her initial fear.
Ahan, a Kelish man with greying hair listens to Eadric's request with interest. "I fell from grace a long time ago, my friend.", he says hesitantly. "I'll consider it. No promises."
He doesn't seem convinced.
"All those who perished had a burial beneath the vault, next to the Khasekhemwy's tomb.", Sophone responds to Helme. I'll show you.
She takes the party to a set of circular stairs leading further into the depths of the tunnels. The place is dark and damp, but the slow-burning lamps remedy the situation, even if only a bit. The tomb itself is a rather small stone chest in the middle of the room, with intricate carvings on top and and reliefs on the side. They depict a man holding a star in his hands, walking into what seems like a city with several loaded carts in tow. Another shows the same man overseeing a construction, with the star in the middle of the building. The depicted area resembles the Vault above.
A more dire matter are the new graves in the room. While there are a lot of graves here, the number of those with fresh soil on top seems unnerving, and leaves a bitter aftertaste. Sophone's face shows as much. She sighs and performs a hushed prayer.
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Eadric feels an interesting mix of disappointment at his unconvincing performance with the man upstairs, triumph at unexpectedly finding Khasekhemwy's tomb, sadness at the sight of all the new graves, and most of all, guilt as he makes a lot of rustling noises getting rubbings of the fancy tomb while everyone else is saying a quiet prayer. "Sorry, but, like I'm told this is most important, and we totally need to be quick..." He says with a blush, well aware of how inappropriate his actions are. Why did they ask me to do this? Cyph would have, like, been way better... He thinks to himself as he stows away the rubbings.
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Cypher puts a hand on Eadric's shoulder and squeezes and gives one of their winning smiles.
It's okay Eadric... as sad as it is to contemplate, I would not put it past the authorities to destroy this tomb in their zealotry. By collecting these rubbings, you can guarantee that their memories are preserved, even if the worst comes to past. While it might be better to do it later, we don't have that luxury of time right now, and sometimes we must put tact behind practicality.
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Helme takes a moment and slips a bag of gems to Sophone. "Thank you. This is for the Dawnflower's support. May it help you on your travels."
She bows at the new graves. "Her brother wanted me to bring her home. I don't know how I can do that. I will leave her here, and let him know what happened. Thank you." Helme prays for all those lost.
Shortly after, Charito appears to give you a crudely drawn map of the nearby tunnels. It also shows a few exits. "You can exit here, here, or here-", she points to the marked sections of the map. "Those are the nearest access points from the surface. We won't be coming with you. We already sent people to secure a passage to Qadira and they just came back. The ship is leaving soon and we need to move."
She gives you a description of Dalsine's manor and the address. "Big gate, tall wall, two floor building. On that address. You can't miss it."
She looks at Sophone and takes a last look at the freshly filled tomb. "Goodbye...", she mutters under her breath, and turns to the Pathfinders once more. "Thank you for your help. We couldn't do it without you, but we must leave. Perhaps we will be able to come back to Taldor one day, when the circumstances are not so dire, and sit down for lunch. May the Dawnflower's light guide your path, Pathfinders."
She turns around and disappears above the stairs. Sophone nods at you, follows, and the chat above the tomb drowns out into the distance. And just like that, the Blossoms disappear in the nearby tunnels.
After you make copies of the carvings and collect your belongings, you quickly head outside of the tunnels and get to Senate's Hill.
Dalsine Manor is a modern, two-story structure set back from the main road and surrounded by a twelve-foot brick wall. Its main gate is shut and guarded, but through it can be seen a well-kept garden surrounding the house. A carriage covered in gold filigree and inset with gems stands parked inside the gate, while another, constructed of modest wood with drawn shades, waits just outside the gate. Near the more modest carriage, two groups of uniformed guards (not Militia, however) argue with each other. When you approach them, you find out that one group are the manor gate guards, and the other are personal bodyguards of Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri. Al-Jakri's people insist that they are allowed passage into the manor courtyard, but Dalsine's people clearly won't have none of it. Both groups are adamant and don't wish to give in.
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"Conflict resolution, a speciality." Eadric says happily, nodding along to Tenibri's offer of help. He stays near the back of the group, however, doing his own impression of a bodyguard, studying the carriages and surrounding area for anything of note. He also studies the people, watching for signs of trouble or dishonesty.
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A small mutter is heard behind them, and out steps a beautiful woman in a delicate blue dress. While it's still Cypher, sort of, the woman looks more motherly and non-threatening than down right beautiful like Cypher normally does.
My fine soldiers, what seems to be the trouble. I am, as has been mentioned, a mediator. What seems to be the matter?
Both guards looks the Pathfinders up and down. Their hands remain on their weapons, but the grips lessen quite a bit. Openly attacking people in front of witnesses, even if they are sworn enemies, would probably not be for the best.
"Pasha al-Jakri demands an audience in the Dalsine manor.", one of the Qadirans speaks out. "We have travelled far, just to be turned around quite literally at the front door."
The Taldor guards retort: "Like I said - we are under strict orders to not let anyone in. Until one of the Dalsines cancel that order, nobody enters."
"We saw a carriage enter the gate JUST NOW! Do you deny the fact?"
The manor guard sighs, and argues back - "That was Baron Jacquo Dalsine, you imbecile! The building is his property!"
@Soraya - The guards do not hide any emotions from you. It is clear that they don't like the other group. The sentiment is mutual. Despite al-Jakri's high standing, they can't let her and her guards inside.
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Cypher smiles softly and holds up their hands.
Ladies, Gentlemen, please, calm. Heated heads will only prevent us from achieving our goals. Let us think rationally.
She turns to the Pasha's men first and smiles sweetly, speaking in a calming voice.
I know you are weary from travel, but have some sympathy for these men. They are merely trying to fulfill their master's desires to the best of their ability, isn't that commendable?
She turns to the Taldor Guards and continues.
And these men have traveled all this way for their master, protecting and serving him in these dangerous times. Perhaps you can understand how a weary soldier, his goal in sight, may feel sting at being turned away so close to their goal?
After coaxing the two sides to empathize a bit with each other, Cypher continues.
Now, let us consider a method that will allow everyone's needs to be met.
The sweet laugh that follows is calming and gentle.
Though please remember, that the soul of compromise is that no one is perfectly happy! Consider, My good guardsmen how far these men have traveled and that they represent someone that your master wishes to have proper relations with. Since their presence is unexpected, we can't believe that your master would intentionally turn them away! While your orders still stand, there is no reason you cannot provide adequate hospitality befitting their station and their rank, am I right? Do not all great Taldor houses keep a sitting room where our dear guests may rest their weary feet, and have some water while they wait?
She then turns to the arriving men.
And remember, that you come unannounced, and the lord of the house is a important and busy man, for what need would your master have to meet with a lazy layabout? This means that you must have patience, and may have to wait a little bit before he is available.
Cypher claps their hands as if a decision was made, smiling broadly.
The decision is made then! We'll go into the sitting room and wait for one of the Dalsines to become free to meet with you. These wonderful guards will go first to ensure that their master isn't accidentally interrupted and then will ensure that these visitors are given the hospitality as is proper for their station! Truly Taldoran guards are representatives of their noble houses to treat their guests with such care!
She says it all so sweetly and matter of fact, that you'd think the plan had been proposed by the guards themselves.
Cypher's words seem to take seed in both groups of guards' heads, and the Taldor bodyguards reluctantly agree and open the gate, although there is a quiet "She...", heard from the Qadirans when Cypher speaks of Pasha al-Jakri.
"We'll keep an eye on these Qadirans, but you seem trustworthy.", the manor guard captain speaks discreetly to Cypher. "You just follow the trail to the house. Through the tree alley to the left. Once the carriage is in place, we'll wait until one of the bluebloods calls for the Pasha. Go announce her, please."
With that, the guards head for the nearby cul-de-cas and the stables next to it, tending to the horses while waiting for the Dalsines to come out to accept the audience.
The grounds within the manor’s walls are well tended and decorated with small statues, topiaries, and the occasional bench. Everburning torches burn inside colorful lanterns from many of the grounds’ trees. The party takes a left turn to continue via a walkway trailing between two linear sets of trees.
The situation turns a bit more dire soon enough, when you hear growling from nearby. A bunch of guard dogs appear from behind a bush and bark angrily at you.
Turn 1 - Go if bolded
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Tenibri
Oma
Eadric
Helme
Soraya
Attack Bred Corgis
Cypher
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Tenibri moves a bit closer to the nearest dog. He mutters arcane words, calling a packed ball of snow and ice into his hands. He tamps and presses it in both hands--with the instinct of a child on a snow day--and then throws it with all of his might at the closest corgi.
You conjure a ball of packed ice and snow that you can throw at a single target as a ranged touch attack. The snowball deals 1d6 points of cold damage per caster level (maximum 5d6) on a successful hit, and the target must make a successful Fortitude saving throw or be staggered for 1 round.
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Eadric moves between the dogs and his friends, quickly drawing his longspear and pointing it warily at the adorable vicious looking creatures, "Shouldn't those guards have, like, warned us about the totally toothy dogs?" He wonders as his attention quickly shifts from dog to dog, spear ready to strike should any of them come too close.
A few quick smacks and four canine whimpers later, all of the dogs are on the ground, unconscious. All of them are still breathing, but who knows how long?
What's your move?
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Eadric blushes at just how easy it was to fend off the poor dogs, "Woah, I thought they'd be way tougher..." He nods at Cypher, "Totally, Cyph! Poor little guys were, like, only doing what they were trained to..." He puts his spear away and steps closer the the nearest guard dog, inspecting it for holes, and doing his best to plug them.
Eadric manages to pull out Oma's bolt from one of the dire corgis. He does so with great care, and makes sure the Fluffy's condition is stable where she is. Perhaps he should have been a vet.