Ayako helps Ruan out of the room and to the one they rested in.
Sebastian joins Ayako in escorting Ruan, if only to get away from the vampire. "I can't believe we're just letting that thing go! What if he decides to dally about town?"
"I don't think he will. He just wants to get back to his experiments. He said he has to obey his sire, and the mission he was sent on is finished. I'm positive he'll return to Ustalav and the Comte."
I don't think it will, right now this place is going to be swarming with guards and the temples would be very keen on tracking him down. I can consult with the Pharsmian temple about seeing if he has indeed left town.
Meanwhile in a house in the better parts of Korvosa
____________________________
Tyrandro can't believe it. His father the always scheming and intriguing ambassador blackmailed. It was almost comedic. Love seems to make not only blind but also stupid. With the wife of his superior in Cheliax! And then getting the love letters stolen. So his father ended up on the wrong end of what he usually does to others.
Tyrandro was never a fan of these games. Mostly because he is no good at them. But that his father is now at the mercy of Field Marshal Croft is excruciating. If it comes to the worst Tyrandro's comfortable life could be over. But his preferred way of solving things - either paying for a favour or beating it out of someone - won't work with the leader of several hundred solders in a garrison. And so he decides for another route. Trying to steal it back.
Becoming a soldier himself is beneath him and it would take like forever to climb the ranks to get in proximity of the Field Marshal. But his father's well informed sources told of rumours about a group that are no soldiers. But report to the Guard anyway. Those turned up at several key spots during the latest events in town. Maybe a special OPs team of the guard? This might be a short cut into the garrison. At least it couldn't hurt to find out more about them.
As the decision is made Tyrandro packs for several days away from home. He walks through the city to Citadel Volshyenek. Just some hundred yards away he finds the Creaky Hammock where he rents a room with a window towards the garrison. He tries his best not to show his disgust about this flophouse to the owner.
In the room he moves the furniture around to sit at the small table in front of the window. Waiting for a group to show up that matches the vague descriptions he got. The plan sounded much better while he was pondering it in his comfortable bedroom at home. But a day or two won't kill him so he stares out of the window.
After transporting Ruan to the front room, you continue east deeper into the temple.
The reek of burning wax wafts through this morbid chamber, with several tall, misshapen candles being the apparent source. Workspaces strewn with tall beakers of foul-colored liquids, parchments covered in insidious symbols, and cages of whimpering rodents fill large alcoves in both the northern and southern walls. A pair of huge stone doors hang ajar to the east, revealing a long hallway leading further into the dark. At the room’s center stand four large, cylindrical glass vats, each filled with a bubbling emerald fluid that tints the chamber’s light a noxious green. Within each suspension floats a malformed abomination—something part man, part angel, and part horse—things of half-formed muscle with dead, fleshless equine skulls. Three of the forms are motionless and still, but the fourth twitches now and then with life.
The open double doors to the east lead to a 100-foot-long hallway that slopes downward at a noticeable (but not dangerous) angle, slowly widening to a width of 15 feet.
Meanwhile...
Tyrando "settles down" for his watch, but quickly realizes that his choice of venue will be much more taxing than he planned. They have a saying at the Creaky Hammock. "The only way to sleep in the Creaky Hammock is to drink yourself asleep." There are no private rooms at this inn. Just four small rooms with ten hammocks apiece. But the number of guests often exceeds 40 as sailors simply pass out on the floor. Tyrando sits by the window as the sounds of singing, drinking, and vomiting drown out any noise from the streets.
This is quite the disturbing thing, I wonder what it is? Ayako peers at the creature, cocking her head as a feminine voice whispers to her
This is a leukodaemon.
Harbingers of plagues and daemons of disease, leukodaemons spread sickness among all who fall beneath the shadow of their black wings. Servants of Apollyon, the Horseman of Pestilence—one of the foul masters of Abaddon and among the most powerful of archdaemons—leukodaemons scour the planes at the behest of their dark master, claiming souls in his dreaded name. Among the greatest bowmen of the Lower Planes, the skull-headed fiends strike like the plagues they spread: silent, sudden, and deadly.
Like their apocalyptic master, leukodaemons are actively destructive beings. They seek to murder all living creatures, claiming each life in the name of their foul daemon liege. Although their endless supplies of plague-ridden arrows could fell whole cities, the daemons' perverse affinities with disease and enjoyment of slow suffering lead them to prefer sowing the seeds of sickness and watching an ailment grow from a minor infection to a full-fledged epidemic.
You know this is a powerful daemon and would be a challenging opponent were it to be released. And the glass looks very fragile...
Ayako nods her head silently as if listening to a far off voice. This is a leukodaemon, a foul creature of disease that uses blighted arrows to spread sickness. I am not surprised that follower of Urgathoa would have one here for their own use. we best avoid this for now. The glass is fragile and it might still be alive.
Sebastian, standing close to a tank, peers in at the disturbing contents. Upon learning its nature, he quickly backs away. "We should destroy these foul creatures," he mutters to himself. Placing his hand on his sword's hilt, he looks to Lucien to see what the paladin would do.
"It is indeed an overwhelming evil that I would gladly destroy. If we are to destroy it, we best be prepared first."
I have only a few silver sling bullets and few spells that could hamper it. I can bless our group and maybe pin it in place with shadowy bonds. Is your weapon silver, Sebastion?
"I say leave it alone for the moment. Maybe we can bring the priests down here to assist after we finish with this temple. I have a silver sickle, but I don't want to get close enough to use it. My spells won't be as effective either."
Sebastian nods at Ayako. Both Vimanda's dagger and the wererats' sword were silver. "Aye, and I've got a case of twenty silver-blanched bolts as well. They didn't see any use in the wererat tunnels." After a beat, he glances at Iolana and catches himself. "Luckily."
Iolana's objections are enough to prod Sebastian into action. "Let's get a move on, then. The sooner we end this, the better." Pushing forward, he leads the way down the hall.
Ayako nods and breathes in to brace herself. Let us finish this then.
The long hall opens into a circular chamber rising into a high dome. Seven basins jut from the walls, ensconced within evenly spaced alcoves that circle the room. Each is filled to the brim with a unique liquid corruption—blood, bile, milk, or other unidentifiable fluid. Each fills the air with its own distinct reek, creating a noxious, eye-watering bouquet. Upon the floor around each basin lie several small, empty metal boxes, each carved with images of skulls.
At the room's center, rising from a wide pool of crystalline water, rises a golden statue of a sight both erotic and horrifying. The statue is that of a beautiful nude woman, human above the waist, but below this the figure is nothing more than a skeleton.
Within the room waits the the high priestess. She must be the one that the cultists referred to as Lady Andaisin. She wears a skimpy iridescent green corset that shows off her gaunt and pallid flesh and a long flowing cape adorned with large black feathers. She wields a large vicious looking scythe. Even without the ability to detect evil or magic, you can feel wickedness emanating off of the weapon. She is flanked by two more cultists.
"And so you have found your way to me, hopeful heroes. Know that you stand before the architect of your city's death. You call this sending blood veil, yet I know it as the gentle kiss of the Pallid Princess. Your reward shall be great—choose of the seven scourges to become one with the goddess. Those who drink, I shall only cripple, leaving you alive to enjoy her as she quickens inside your flesh. Those who abstain are fools, not fit to house the divine gift. You may prostrate yourselves at my feet and I shall make your end all the more swift for it. Swifter, in any event, than this delightful end your lovely queen has enjoined me to create!"
She stands arrogantly, half expecting you to actually prostrate yourselves before her. But she doesn't let her guard down.
Tyrando, continues his vigilance by the window for hours and is eventually rewarded with something of interest. It isn't the "heroes" he was looking for, but he sees a group of sickly Varisians making their way towards the Citadel led by an excited purple pseudodragon.
Iolana let's out an a indelicate snort at the idea of drinking anything from those basins. She almost makes a rude gesture when the "Lady" suggests she prostrate herself, but manages to refrain. "Don't you find that outfit a little drafty?"
Ayako taps her chin. Ah, the opening soliloquy, rather good I shall grade you high. I suppose this is where we demand an explanation and then you say we cannot possibly understand. Ayako tosses her hair back. Let us skip such trivialities, en garde.
"What the..." Tyrandro says to himself and jumps up. Running out of the inn and down the two houses he intercepts the group. Standing in their way some 10 feet away he straightens out holding out his right hand to signal them to stop, the left on the pommel of his sword.
"Stop. Madams and Sirs - you don't look well and I have to ask you why you're moving to the Citadel in this condition. You know there are dedicated places in the city to take care of you if you contracted the disease and the Citadel is none of them. So please explain yourself!" Tyrandro demands.
As Sebastian enters the room, he's struck by the overwhelming odors of corruption. This new cocktail of vileness is even worse than the smell from the necromancer's spell. Vomit burns at the back of his throat, but his eyes are drawn to the statue, and from there to the woman beyond.
The sight of the woman stops him in his tracks. He had been expecting Lady Andaisin to be a hag or crone, a horrid creature with little left in life but the promise of a hollow immortality. But the creature standing before him was something far different, almost like the statue made flesh, inspiring such a curious mix of feelings in Sebastian. Even as he recoils against her words, he feels some dark part of him that wants nothing more than to take a draught of the dreadful brew.
His companions seem more resistant to the high priestess's foul charms, and their strength lends him strength. After all, this was the woman that had plotted to create blood veil. He had only been afflicted with the disease for a day, but it had been more than enough. If that was what Lady Andaisin was offering, Sebastian wanted no (large) part of it. But he couldn't bring himself to join with Ayako and forgo any explanation. Her cry of en garde sends his hand to his sword's hilt instinctively, but he restrains himself from drawing steel. He still couldn't reconcile his idea of the Queen, and of Sabina, with the horrors this cult was peddling. Even with his hand on his pommel, he asks, "Why has the Queen does this? How does she profit from throwing her city beneath your heel?"
"I have no idea what the Queen's intentions are, nor do I care. Such concerns will soon be beyond you as well after I sacrifice you to Urgathoa."
The crowd stops when they see Tyrando in their way. One of the man in front responds.
"We've come from the Hospice of the Blessed Maiden. That place is not dedicated to healing. It's been corrupted by a cult of Urgathoa and run by foul priests and necromancers. We've been trapped and tortured within until a group of heroes came and rescued us. They are probably still fighting within as we speak. The Citadel must be informed."
Iolana moves forward and casts Color Spray on the Priests and the Priestess. "Please go to sleep."
Ayako mutters words of blessing and helps her friend's aim.
When the Pallid Princess's name falls from her priestess's lips, Sebastian decides he's heard enough. Drawing his weapon, he advances to engage one of the priests. He'd love to go straight for Lady Andaisin, but he's not so far gone as to willingly step in between all three of them.
"That's horrible news. And these heroes sent you to inform the Guard?" Tyrandro asks in reply. On the confirmative answer he steps out of the way "Well. Then please do as you were told. Thank you for your help and get well soon. I have to hurry now."
Trytton moves back to the inn to get his backpack and bedroll. To the owner he says "You remember that I paid for the night already when I come back later." Then he leaves and walks through town towards the Blessed Maiden's Hospice.
Tyrando follows the man's directions to the hospice with haste. He finds the place nearly deserted expect for the cots filled with sick patients unable to leave. No attendants are anywhere it site and there are clear signs of battle. There is a large pool of blood and a trail leading to the back area. Within he finds the bodies of a few Gray Maidens and Queen's Physicians laying in a pile next to what appears to be an elevator shaft. Tyrando is able to summon the lift and take it down.
Taking the most direct route, I'll repost the rooms he passed through.
Tyrando comes upon the final room, just as four warriors are about to being battle with a menacing woman and two cultists.
As Tyrandro reaches the hospice he takes a look first. But as there is no movement to be seen from outside he opens the door to take a closer look. Moving further in he finds the blood. "Now that went down quick." he thinks, takes his bow from the shoulder and nocks an arrow. Following the trail he finds the dead grey maidens. "Whoever they are they are no friends of the queen. That'a a plus."
Following the trail at hand Tyrandro is disgusted by all this worship for undead monsters and abominations. "I hope they were thorough and I'm not walking into a trap." He is kind of relieved to find a group of adventurers who look like they still in one piece and good health. But he could have done without meeting the head of this hole.
Tyrandro wouldn't judge someone just because he is evil. He is from Cheliax after all. But this Urgathoa is unwelcome even there.
And so he shoots at the first enemy that comes into mind.
Sebastian stabs one of the priests severely wounding him. The priest clutches the wound trying to hold the last of his life-blood in.
A wave of colored light emanates from Iolana's hands and flows over the three enemies but to no effect. Their will proves stronger this time.
Ayako blesses the group.
Suddenly a man you've never seen before appears behind you and wordlessly explodes one of the priest's heads with a single arrow and takes out the one Sebastian injured with a second. A third arrow flies towards Lady Andaisin but she tilts her head and it passes by.
Lucien calls upon the power of Abadar to smite Lady Andaisin and charges forward with his greatsword glowing with holy energy. Despite everything he put into the attack, the high priestess brings up her scythe at the last second and blocks the attack with a ringing clang.
Lady Andaisin (using the withdraw action) casually walks backwards on air as if it were solid stairs and rises into the air 10 feet off the ground ending near the head of the statue.
"And just who are you?" she shouts and points the tip of her scythe at Tyrandro.
Ayako casts Pilfering hand A multi-fingered limb seems to flow from under her clothes and plucks at the Scythe in the hand of Andaisin.
"That's too much of an honor that you waste your last two minutes of life to get to know me." Tyrandro replies - not willing to tell such a creature who he is.
Iolana is surprised to see the person join them. He was shooting at the cultists he must be on their side. At least for now. She points her finger at Andaisin and a Scorching Ray of ice shoots toward the cleric.
Unable to reach the high priestess with his rapier, Sebastian whips out his dagger and tosses it in a single action that pierces her thigh before plunging into the pool of dark water below.
Iolana strikes her with a ray of ice next. She doesn't appear to have any resistance to cold and shivers from the damaging effect.
Ayako's ballsy move surprising succeeds. He yanks the scythe from the started Lady Andaisin's and into her own hands. Holding the weapon, Ayako can sense that the weapon isn't intelligent but thirsts for blood.
Tyrando plants two arrows into Lady Andaisin. The arrows clearly hurt her but her emotion is more of rage than pain.
Lucien can't reach either so he uses his action to activate his divine bond and give his sword the flaming property.
"Insolent fools! You WILL kneel before Urgathoa!" remaining floating, she empowers her words with a spell.
Everyone except Ayako falls to their knees, prone, and is unable to stand back up.
At the Lady's command, Sebastian kneels. At first he resists, but he soon feels that place of darkness welling up inside of him. Before he knows it, he's on the ground like the gleeful sycophant that he really is, deep down.
As he bows down before the high priestess, he finds himself aiming a crossbow at her. Horrified, he finds himself squeezing the trigger. "No!" He cries out, jerking his hand enough to send the bolt off in a harmless direction.
Ayako smirks at the priestess as she waggles the scythe at her. Looks like you have grown weak hiding down here. Ayako blows out and shadow dust flies from her lips at the cleric
Finding himself lying on the ground infuriates Tyrandro. His pride hurts even more than a cut in the flesh would. He tries to force his body to stand up again, but it is as if his mind is in a prison in his own head and someone else took over holding him in the dirt.
Iolana glares at the woman. "I don't care if you make me kneel. I do not bow before your god." She casts another ray at the cleric.
Sebastian's crossbow misses, but Iolana hits Andaisin with another ray.
Ayako continues to show who is the greater cleric. Lady Andaisin succumbs to the dust of twilight and is weakened.
"Enjoy your minor triumphs while you can." she shouts at Ayako. "Try the scythe. It has a bite."
Tyrando and Lucien struggle to stand but can't do much else.
Lady Andaisin floats down and lands in front of Lucien. Her hand glows with killing energy and she places it upon Lucien's forehead. Someone Lucien grits his teeth and resists death.
The high priestess scowls in anger. "Continue to resist! You only prolong your suffering."
Ayako gets out her sling and loads a bullet
Iolana tries to rise, but is unable to gather the will to do so. She fires off another Scorching Ray at the cleric. "Why don't you join your god and leave us alone. Our suffering will end when you do."
Tyrandro brakes the magic compulsion. He gets up - his head the color of a ripe cherry from anger - and shoots again.
But anger doesn't help with aiming.
The war within Sebastian's soul continues to rage. Happily, gleefully, he remains prostrate before the high priestess, even as he crawls toward her and pulls himself up onto the edge of the fountain.
Sebastian drags himself up to the fountain on his knees.
Iolana continues to blast Andaisin with ice. The attacks are clearly taking a toll on her and she doesn't look like she can take much more.
Ayako draws her sling.
Tyrandro succeeds at standing but that's all.
Lucien strains against the dominating effect of the command. He starts to stand but it forced back down again. But even on his knees, he can reach Lady Andaisin who is standing right in front of him. He sweeps his greatsword around and slashes her with a gush of blood. She staggers and gasps, barely able to hold herself up.
Lady Andaisin is forced to retreat. She 5 ft. steps back and uses a moderate healing spell to close her most severe wounds.
"This will not stand! Urgathoa will not let me lose! I will claim your lives for her divine altar!"
Ayako steps forwards and twirls the sling overhead, putting her new skills to the test as she sends a bullet flying at the priestess.
Trytton takes a deep breath to calm himself and take a good aim at the forsaken cleric.
"Damn!" He curses as most of his arrows just deflect from her instead of ending this farce.
Iolana tries to stand and fails again. "Your goddess isn't going to save you from us. You tried to kill an entire city." Seeing that the Ray seems to be working she tries it again.
Sebastian swims in the fountain?
Iolana hits Lady Andaisin again. Her attack re-open the wounds she just healed.
Ayako's sling bullet misses.
Tyrando's first two arrows are also misses but finally the third drives home. It plunges into her chest and she collapses over dead. Her body lays half draped over the lip of the fountain and her blood slowly fouls the already filthy water.
In the respite from combat, you can finally find out who this mysterious stranger is who showed up to help you.
Ayako looks at the newcomer warily. Your aid was very helpful but we have yet to be properly introduced. Just why are you here?
