"Sure," Empheria answers absentmindedly. Her enthusiasm was considerably lower ever since she had been told her meddling wasn't appreciated.
"Let's go then."
At the corner of Main and Water Street lies Turandarok Academy. Those of you who don't call it home know it as the main school in Sandpoint, teaching a variety of subjects from husbandry to spellcrafting (for those who are so inclined). The Headmaster's office is in the top floor, above the dormitories and next to the observatory.
As you knock, the door opens by itself. Ilsoari Gandethus, a man in his late sixties with a shortish salt-and-pepper beard, is in an armchair going over a book.
"Ah. Good day, Vorin, my brave boy. And to your friends too, pleased to meet you, I've heard tales of your exploits. My name is Ilsoari Gandethus. Are you here because you wish to brave my basement and prove yourselves as heroes?"
There are wild rumors circulating among the students about what the wizard keeps in his basement, always locked.
"No," Isaac said rather flatly. "Where can we find the Chopper?"
"Yes." starts James at the same time as Isaac, as the opportunity of a childhood presents itself - then trails off as the taller boy stays on mission. 'We'd be legends' he reflects sadly, then cheers up 'Can always come back later though.'
"We think the ghost of Chopper is haunting someone." he explains, not quite having followed the chain of theorising.
"Are you- ah, Professor Drossel's son? Please give Mirialis my regards. She's always welcome for a cup of tea."
Gandethus closed the books and motioned you all to get comfortable on the sofa and the other armchair.
"Chopper? As in Jervis Stoot? If you're looking for his resting place, I have bad news for you. He was burned and his ashes given to the wind. Why don't you explain to me what you know about him and why you think he's haunting somebody?"
"Well, we would go check your basement if Minodora might be there!" Empheria volunteers. "But if you're sure it was locked this whole time, then not right now. Minodora was kidnapped, just like Chopper used to do," she explains, almost as an afterthought, with considerable discomfort in her voice.
Vorin smiles as he's called brave, but then he nods to what the others say. Sitting down, he says, "Yeah, him. Minodora was kidnapped. She's our friend. Whoever did it left a paper bird behind. And her sisters saw something that scared her — like, magic scared her. So scared she can't even talk right."
"We want to help her Mr Gandethus, and we need your help to do that."
"It's- no, she's not in my basement."
Ilsoari moves to the edge of the chair, steepling his fingers.
"Well, I see why you would think of Chopper. The birds were his leitmotif as a sculptor, and Vernah Povalli was one of the victims. But he didn't abduct people, he murdered them in the streets. And he never left paper birds or other calling cards of sorts, he marked his victims instead."
He leans back in the chair, a shadow passing on his face.
"It only lasted one month, five years ago, but he claimed twentyfive lives. All were killed in the same, gruesome way, with-" he pauses for a second, considering whether the details are too gory to tell you, but seems to decide for it "-with deep stabs in the neck and torso, their hands and feet removed and set aside, while the tongue and eyes were taken away. It looked like nothing could trap him or stop him. He killed in the night, in the day, at dawn and dusk. He killed in dark alleys and in front of stores. He killed the old and the young, men and women, without distinction."
"His last victim was the Sheriff, Casp Avertin. Alma's son. A Shoanti guard by the name of Belor Hemlock caught him while he was desecrating the corpse, and attacked savagely. Chopper escaped, but he was bloodied, and the guard chased him to what we now call Chopper's Isle. A young, gentle man lived there, an eccentric guy by the name of Jervis Stoot. He was an incredibly talented sculptor, who used to carve delightful birds in wooden structures: benches, carriages, beams."
He goes to the bookshelf and picks up what looks like a loose journal. From there he shows you a charcoal sketch of a singing swallow. It looks like it's about to take flight. "This was carved on a table in the Hagfish. Hemlock thought that Chopper had come to claim Stoot as his victim, but instead found the sculptor dead in the basement, clad in Chopper's cloak, in front of a horrific altar to a demon lord whose name I will not say. There he had placed his victims' eyes and tongues, and as a final offering his own. I was called to assess the place, as well as Father Tobyn. Tobyn thought that a demonic entity had possessed Stoot, but I found no trace of such creature. My idea is that he had gone mad and started worshipping the demon lord."
The headmaster shivers while recalling the memory. "The house was burned down. His body was too, the ashes blessed and scattered to prevent his spirit from returning. The town built a monument to the victims and did his best to forget, Hemlock was made Sheriff, and Chopper became the bogeyman to scare children. That Minodora disappeared and Rynshinn was scared out of her wits, as you tell me, is troubling- it could just be that the girl was curious about her mother's killer and is currently exploring Chopper's Isle, or it could be something more sinister. I think I'll go look for Father Zantus and investigate Rynshinn's state of mind. There are a number of spells and creatures that can cause fear."
Outside, the sun is setting. "You should probably go to sleep now. Don't worry, we'll find her."
Quiin listens, rapt, to the tale of Chopper. As he listens, his powers activate on the headmaster.
The headmaster's trained magical mind shields him from Quiin's power and he frowns, turning to the boy. "Young man, it's very impolite to go looking in other people's minds without their consent. Please refrain from it."
"And what about the mother of demons? Is she related to this? Is that the demon Chopper worshiped?" Empheria asks. "I heard... somewhere, that she... is doing something," she stutters, trying to conceal the extent of their snooping a few days ago.
Quiin's mouth drops open as the headmaster admonishes him.
"You noticed that? No ones ever noticed that... even I don't notice it most of the time before it happens!"
He then realises that the headmaster had been telling him off.
"Umm... I mean, sorry sir."
"We should go home before dark." James agreed, cannily avoiding agreeing he'd actually do it.
"Shouldn't we do a search for Minadora or something? Get, like, hunting dogs?"
"Alright, one at a time."
"The Mother of Demons is another name for the goddess Lamashtu, and no, she's not the one Chopper worshipped. That was a demon lord."
A wax tablet flies from his desk into his hand, and he writes a name into it. Pazuzu. "Saying his name gives him power and attracts his attention, so you should never even whisper it. Let me reiterate, never. Whatever the trouble you are in, that would only make it worse. Don't make me regret trusting you with this knowledge."
"You, young man, have a wild sorcerous telepathic power, apparently. Not unlike young Miss Helbang's own incendiary abilities, if more subtle. If you come to this place as soon as this emergency is over, we can do a few tests and you should manage to get some control over it. Nothing unpleasant, I promise."
"As for the search, we'll put up a party as soon as you get home. I'll go to the garrison and grab whichever soldier is available and ask for the divination services of the Mvashti ladies."
"Have I answered all of our questions?"
"Uh..." James stalls "Maybe we should go with you, and say what we saw - then we can go home. Be a shame if the Sherrif had to go all the way out to the farm to ask a question..."
"Thank you sir, I will. And I agree with James, we should tell our story to the authorities to save them time."
Vorin's eyes open wide at the dire warning, and he nods quickly, "I won't ever say it." He looks to the others, looking thoughtful. Then, he says, in a tone of voice that shows he intends to do no such thing and he's trying to hint at it to the others, "Maybe we should go to bed."
We can follow, and hear the stuff they won't tell us!
Empheria laughs out loud when she understands Vorin's meaning, which could have been suspicious if Empheria didn't already have a tendency to giggle for no apparent reason. "Yes! I'm tired too."
Ilsoari considers the possibility. "It wouldn't be a bad idea, but I don't like you being out after sunset, even with me. Especially if something dangerous is stalking around Sandpoint. No, I'll check up on Miss Povalli and go to the authorities. You others go to sleep, I'll let you know as soon as we find something. Silas!"
A raven pokes his head from behind the writing desk.
"Tell the Mayor what happened, and that I'll be paying her a late visit. Then say the same to Father Zantus."
With a nod and a caw, Ilsoari's familiar takes flight out of the window.
Empheria waits to speak until Ilsoari leaves. "Uh, maybe we actually should go to bed? We saw goblins before, but never demons. I'm afraid of seeing one of those. I'm even a little scared to be in the same room as the paper where he wrote the demon's name..."
"I dunno..." James looks thoughtful "I don't think we should just walk away from Min. Even if it is scary."
"I think we should go to the island. There has gotta be something there to tell us what's going on! Didn't you hear him? It's a sure bet!
"I will take the front but I don't know how to fight ghosts. It won't be like with Tsuto," Isaac said. Despite his words there was little in the way of worry in his voice.
Shortly after Ilsoari recommends you again to stay together, especially at night, he leaves, heading towards Rynshinn's store and home. By this time, the sun has set. Milky clouds hide the moon.
If you want to follow him, the time is now.
Vorin shakes his head, whispering, "Let's sneak and follow and find out what they say, then figure out what to do!" And he moves to do just that.
Luck is on your side as you stalk the wizard: as James slips on a loose stone, kicking it around, two cats start hissing and fighting, distracting the headmaster.
The business of following him around also turns out to be less glamorous than legends would have you believe, with you waiting half an hour in the chilly autumn air outside of Vernah's Fine Clothing as he examines Rynshinn. Looking from the window you see him casting several increasingly complex spells, illuminating the living room in iridescent rainbows. The words he exchanges with Hannah Velerin are lost to you, but soon Ilsoari exits the shop, heading towards the Town Hall.
Expecting that, you help each other out and climb the tall oak tree outside the mayor's office. The window is closed, but the glass is thin enough to allow you to make out most of the words.
"Good evening, Ilsoari." says Mayor Deverin's voice, tired. "Your raven came by with grim news, as if I didn't have my hands full with Kajitsu's death. I assume you want to set up a search party?"
"No, Kendra. I know where we'll find Minodora." is Gandethus' shocking answer. You see the Mayor tilt her head, incredulous. "I exhamined Rynshinn's state of mind" the wizard segues. "and it's the result of a supernatural influence. Chopper is dead and his victims were buried, so it can't be a revenant: also, it's too late after the Unpleasantness for them to manifest. I'll skip over the list of creatures I've ruled out, but my point is that I believe a demon lord to be behind this all. The one that should not be named. And I believe that Minodora summoned it."
"Ilsoari." Mayor Deverin's voice is glacial. "Are you suggesting that a child called forth a demon lord? In Sandpoint?"
"Ah, no, not him directly. Some minor demon under him, but still capable of possession. The other children reported finding a paper bird, I think that the girl was investigating the one who slew her mother. And if she somehow got to know the name of the demon lord..."
"How would-"
"How did the others know about Lamashtu? They're smart, curious, and reckless enough for a band of Pathfinders! But knowledge is dangerous, Kendra and if Minodora got possessed by Him..."
The Mayor opens her hands with a sigh. "What do you want me to do?"
"I'll let everyone know that they should stay inside. And I want a perimeter of guards close to Chopper's Isle, in view of one another. Tomorrow at dawn, assisted by sunlight, Father Zantus, and the whole of the garrison, we go through the island, and look for anything we may have missed the first time. The island was marked by Chopper, and it's the first place the demon would hide in. There may be caverns or a hidden room we haven't seen. And when we find Minodora... we try to save her. If it's possible."
Empheria grasps the hand of whoever happens to be closest to her. "This isn't what I wanted to hear," she says softly.
"Maybe Ilsoari's wrong?" she adds after a long pause.
"They'll kill her! They don't know her and they won't be able to talk her down like we would. We have to save her. Tonight. Who is with me?"
"That." James says solemnly "Is a terrible idea.We don't know how to un-possess someone. We find her, then what? Plus, we go missing, they'll blame Min." James shrugs sadly.
"This thing... If it knows we're tracking it, it'll kill Min. This is a free goal. There's only one shot at this. We have to let the guy who can make the shot take the shot."
He perks up "BUT, you're right that time is of the essence. They need to go now. This 'ring of guards' thing is going to tip Min off. Then it'll kill Min."
"I'm new," Isaac spoke up, "I mean Minodora never saw me this grown up and I am obviously not a guard. If I can draw it out, get it curious and maybe away from Minodora, would that help?"
"One girl is enough to save. We don't want to have to save you too, Isaac!" Empheria exclaims.
"I'm not as easy to hurt," Isaac noted in his usual flat affect, as though the idea of someone needing to save him was entirely foreign.
Vorin has been in almost shock as the others discussed, processing what he's heard. He looks scared, but he finally looks up to the others. <Green>"I dunno, I don't think you can get it away from Min if it's possessing her. And… And I bet it wouldn't kill Min if we come instead of the grownups, it would want to kill us instead! We're kids, it will think we're weak. But we're not! We can… Maybe pretend we don't know she's possessed, that we're just looking for her, then catch her and tie her up until the grown-ups come to help her?"</Green>
This is more brainstorming, however, and he seems entirely unsure on his idea, looking to the others as if hoping for a better idea.
"Or... we could find out when the grown-ups are coming to get her, and then come half an hour or an hour before them, so that they don't kill her, but if something goes wrong we'll know the grown-ups are coming?" Empheria suggests.
Vorin brightens, and then nods quickly to Emmy, "That could work!"
You sneak down from the oak tree while Ilsoari is still busy and organizing the raid, not before noting the time: three hours after dawn. Unwilling to risk being seen out so late around the academy, you take the Drunkard's Walk behind the Sandpoint Theater. As the night becomes uncharacteristically quiet, Vorin and Isaac hear a soft whoosh and a gentle rustle of fabric. It could just be a tramp shifting in his sleep, but some instinct screams danger in your ears. You gasp audibly, and that possibly saves James' life as a smallish figure, clad in grey, tattered clothes and a hood of the same color swoops silently from the roofs, wielding two butcher's knives. Only an instinctive sidestep prevents the blades from finding purchase in the young man's flesh.
James had been idly stepping on a pallet when something tried to kill him. A gasp from Isaac gives him just enough time to sidestep as a knife swishes past his ear. 'Goblin?' his mind queries as time seems to slow down. He continues his sidestep, coming down with all his weight on his left foot, right on the one good edge of the pallet. The other edge flicks up just enough for him to hook it with his right foot, continuing the momentum and propelling it further up so he can catch it with both hands.
Desperately he lashes out with the weight, pushing at the figure in front of him as if shield-bashing with the fragile, half-rotted structure. A fragile half-rotted structure that was the only thing between James and his erstwhile killer!
Swift: Scout to detect weakness.
Move: Study Target.
Barroom Breaker to pick up and attack. Fighting defensively for -4 to hit and +2AC. Barroom expert to give blocking (+1 AC) and increase damage. Combat Expertise for -1 to hit and +1 to AC. 1 Combat Stamina to negate -1 to hit and give +1 to hit. Studied target gives +1 to hit and damage. Total: -3 to hit +4 to AC +1 to damage.
Not sure size for pallet... Edit: but not going to matter...
The creature is larger and definitely more silent than a goblin: judging from her proportions, she's either a large halfling or a small human. She lashes at James with the knife in her right hand, only catching the pallet but covering herself while she slips to the side. Her follow-up attack is more accurate, and bites into the young man's flank, drawing blood .
Vorin is caught in a moment of shock, then scrambles to draw his rapier as he wiggles his fingers in his other hand. He finishes his spell with those shouted words and teleports in a rain of sparks to appear behind the attacker, opposite of James.
"Leave my friend alone!"
"What's he doing here?" Empheria whispers frantically.
She hesitates until she sees the man attack, for fear of waking someone up. It would be really embarrassing for her and her friends to be caught up at this hour.
Deciding that she would rather be in trouble than dead, she joins the fight and fires an enormous, destructive blast of fire. It makes Empheria more upset than proud; the noise was unusally loud and she had wanted to finish the battle quietly.
A terrible thought crosses James' mind as Empheria lights up the small, female figure. "Min?" he asks, shocked.
Isaac heard James among the chaos and stepped into the fray. Without the slightest concern for his own safety, one of his hands lanced out to seize the attacking figure.
Your attacker lets out a mix of a grunt and a chuckle as recognition passes through James' face. "It's her!" whispers Quiin, equally shocked, eyes wide. "But-but not her! She's possessed! It's true!"
But you've never seen Minodora fight like this. The butcher's knives whirl in her arms, covering all angles, and they first find a target in Isaac's hand as he goes for a grab. It only takes a fraction of a second for an oozing gash to appear in his forearm . Empheria's attack is enough to make her flinch, though, and forces her to turn, covering herself with her cloak.
James blinks. 'Might be able to get healed up, but if she runs it might take her eyes.' "Empheria - whistle! Quiin in!" he shouts, and moves to open a space for Quiin while still keeping 'Min' between him and Vorin.
"Fudge" he hisses, cursing as the move sends spasms of stinging pain through his side. "Don't let her run!" he orders, and throws himself into the battle with a will, doing his best to bring the pallet down on the girl.
Minodora's defense is uncannily solid from all sides: although you try to synchronize your attacks, she doesn't seem fazed, throwing James' pallet strike to the side with a kick. One of her knives follows, taking advantage of the opening and tearing at his unprotected shoulder. As a follow-up, instead of using the other blade, she goes for a leg sweep, throwing the boy off balance.
“Ow,” Isaac noted, the wound actually managing to register some pain with him, but only some. He reached out for either Minodora or the wall to push off from and regain his balance and then backhanded the possessed figure with another of his bone rattling blows.
Empheria is shocked by the realization that she had been fighting Minodora. She gladly takes James' suggestion to call for help rather than harm her friend. She blows into the flute, playing the tune she had prepared as loudly as she can.
James waits for his friends to attack, desperately keeping the pallet between the monster-dressed-like-min and his fragile flesh.