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While the others went to either interrogate the giant or take the mayor on the express trip to Magnimar Jessica found herself unable to handle either task. Instead she went back to helping tend the wounded for a time and then went to her home, which came through in surprisingly good shape since it was out of the path of the majority of the attack. There was some damage but not so much as to make it unlivable and repairs were surprisingly swift.
Normally Jessica's home would be kept for later since it wasn't so badly damaged but there was a sudden influx of new orphans after the attack or children who's families were still missing and she needed every bit of space and manpower she could get to take care of them. Because of this the manor was bumped ahead in priority for repairs and some few people, those injured enough to be unable to help with the rebuilding but not so injured as to be completely incapacitated were tasked with helping with the children.
Jessica walked up and saw children playing in the yard under watchful supervision of Tillia, an older woman who'd had her ankle sprained under debris when a boulder fell on her home, and waved as she said, "I'm back Tillia, thanks for watching them all." Jessica was a bit more cheerful than normal, even though she'd found out her friends had died taking down the dragon, because she now knew they would be brought back to life soon enough. Hope like that was a powerful thing and she was in a better mood than she had been for some time.
Vivi nods at the words.
"Probably best to have the guard be ready for another attempt, in case they didn't get the stone. Well, that exhausts my questions for you." He turns to Sunday.
"I probably am not the best to sit in judgment of him right now, given... my recent outburst and my ongoing condition. I leave that decision in your hands." Without waiting to see the outcome of that decision, the monk leaves the room and heads to the Inn.
"Okay," Sunday flatly says before driving his sword into the giant's stomach.
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Delendir nods in agreement to Yavenee "There is nothing like the fields and landscapes of Varisia, but I have to admit that having a bit of time of respite helps to regain sanity" the half-elf offers his arm to the woman.
The ranger walks around the streets of Magnimar with the security of someone who has lived for years at town. He observes the city with those eyes of those returned after a long stay abroad, taking time to check the old monuments by which the city is known, rejoicing at the memories of old favorite places and surprising himself at small changes, like new shops, or changes on the street furniture "When you left the tribe, why did you chose Magnimar to live?"
"The City itself. The is a power...more than that, an awareness and intelligence that resides within Magnimar. Through its age, history and power, Magnimar has become a genius loci, evolving or awakening a spirit within that holds great power. I felt that power and awareness calling out to me, was drawn to it like a moth. It is from there that I draw my power, and the vast web of interconnected ley lies that channel power throughout the world." the witch explains
"Okay," Sunday flatly says before driving his sword into the giant's stomach.
Coup de Grace: 2d10 + 40 ⇒ (6, 3) + 40 = 49 Fortitude DC 59 vs instant death
Delendir seems surprised by Yavanee's revelations "Oh! Wait! You mean the city is alive like you or me? Like if I hit some stone in here it will notice it as when Daud hits my belly?" the half-elf pats himself "You were always so smart... I think you should try to write a book Perhaps something about our findings of this Thassilion, something like Quinn Brodert."
"Mmm... look, is that a shark?!" the ranger is happy to have a walk through the Aquaretum sharing stories with Yavanee until it is time for the meeting at the tavern "I guess it is about time to go have a drink at the Old Fang and find out what Deverin has come out with the governor"
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The stone giant doesn't have a chance in hell of surviving Sunday's attack and is quickly put to death.
Delendir and Yavenee head over to the Old Fang to meet Deverin, but she hasn't arrived yet. It takes them a few mugs of ale before the mayor finally arrives, a large sack slung over her shoulder. She looks exhausted mentally spent, but she heads in your direction. "Alright. I got what we needed and more. Please take us home."
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Sunday flings the gore from his blade and heads out. "Compost him," he tells those present.
Delendir is calmly celebrating their moment of respite with Yavenee "I feel this is my home now, but sometimes I do miss our time with the tribe... I still consider shoantis as my people"
When Deverin arrives the half-elf raises his cup of wine to greet her. It is clear the man is starting to become dizzy and his cheeks are already red "Hei! Look! Deverin! That is my Major! Oh... wait I mean Mayor! I did not want to offend you... you know... sorry for this, and... for that before... well... you know what I mean. How has it been? Are our good friends and new heroes back? What did that pompous big ass told you?"
Without waiting for much more he turns to Yavenee "Oh yes! It is maybe time to go back" Delendir pushes away the cup of wine, the face doubting but the tone resolved "Yes! It is about time to come back" he pats on the bag over all the stuff they have bought for the team.
"They will be returned to us once the Mayor delivers the necessary materials to Jessica." Yavenee explains to Delendir. "Thank you for taking on dealing with this," she says, thanking Deverin, "I can tell that it was not pleasant."
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Deverin nods and in a tired voice that shows her lack of sleep over the last days she says with raise brows "Oh yes, yes indeed. I got everything we need to bring them back and more. I was able to secure enough materials such that we could perform these rites again on two more souls should the unfortunate situation present itself. I will be presenting these to you of course, for once again putting yourself in harms way and coming back to warn us. Had you not done so, all of those that had gotten to safety very well may have died. Sandpoint may very well have been wiped from Golarion. Think on that and your title of Heroes of Sandpoint falls short."
"I had to promise him that your companion Vivi would not enact vengeance on him though, that was the only condition. He mentioned him quite early on in our meeting, almost as if he had expected a visit from the man himself. You'll need to talk some sense into him, can I count on you for that?"
She hands the bag over to Delendir and places a hand on Yavenee's shoulder "Please. Home. I am about ready to pass out and I'm not sure how much longer I can stay on my feet."
"Welllll.... if.... if you had heard my voice telling you the giants where attacking the farms just a month ago... but you never heard, you never hear until it is too late... **hic**!" Delendir places the glass away and takes the bag offered by Deverin "Hold back your titles... we better keep Sandpoint from danger going forward..."
"Yes Yavenee. Bring us HOME. Jessica must be anxious to prepare the ritual and bring them back" Delendir also gets his hand on the witch's shoulder.
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"Of course," Yaveneee says softly, rubbing Deverin's back comfortingly. "You are a hero in your own right. Let us all get back to those waiting for us."
Smiling as Delendir prepares for the journey back she begins her spell reaching across the distance through the invisible pathways of energy flowing through the land to connect them to their destination.
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Back in Sandpoint, Mayor Deverin takes a deep breath. "That makes my stomach turn in circles. Whew. Okay, thank you Yavenee for getting me here in one piece. I'm going to check in with Sheriff Hemlock before I catch a few hours of sleep. I'll trust you all to handle what needs to be done with those materials." She places a comforting arm on Delendir's shoulder before heading off to bed.
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Jessica made her way up to her room and checked in on the sleeping Hope before settling down to pray. She needed to ready the spells she would shortly need and sang quietly as she focused on the needed blessings to bring back her dead friends. It took her a while to prepare and when she was finished Jessica rose and went to Hope's cradle.
"Hey there my Little Light in the Dark, I 'm glad you slept through my preparations." Jessica reached into the cradle where her daughter lie and lifted the little girl up gently. She held her daughter close and said, "I want you to come with me for this, to witness the Blessings of Shelyn even if you are too little to understand or really remember." She smiled slightly and said quietly, "Besides, I'm sure you're getting hungry and the ride back into town will give us time to take care of that."
Jessica proceeded to change Hope's diaper and then gather a bag to take with them and had just finished when the messenger arrived to let her know all was ready. Jessica nodded and said, "Of course, I'll be right down." True to her word Jessica came down promptly and after climbing into the carriage sent for her began nursing Hope on the way into town again.
When they arrived Jessica climbed out of the carriage and gave the coachman a smile of thanks before heading into the temple. When she entered she looked for her companions as she carried Hope.
Delendir breaths deeply when Deverin comforts him before going to rest. The half-elf catches Naffer Vosk, the gravedigger "Please, go to her manor and let Jessica know that we are back and we have the materials. We will wait for her at the temple"
Vosk nods to the Ranger and disappears quickly down the street, as quickly as his lameness allows him.
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When Jessica arrives, Delendir gives her a troubled but understanding look "Are the orphans ok?"
"The materials Deverin promised..." the half-elf offers the cleric the bag with all the diamonds and opens his arms, offering himself to take Hope while she performs the raising duty.
Delendir moves forward to Shelyn's chapel inside the temple and takes into the first row. He observes both the bodies, readied at each side of the altar, their state preserved with the magic of the sihedron amulets the group has temporarily lended. The ranger then nods in reassurance for Jessica to proceed with the raising ritual.
Sunday saunters back into the temple once he hears that Yavenee and Delendir return.
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Inside the Rusty Dragon, Vivi wordlessly goes to the kitchen and washes up. Satisfied that any grime or grit won't come off and affect the food, the monk begins to prepare potatoes, onions, carrots, and other vegetables that he can find for a stew by washing and cutting them. Any offers from assistance from Ameiko's staff are met with silent shakes of his head 'no'. The monk also prepares herbs and spices for the meal as Ameiko had shown him during their time together.
Finally, the monk takes a shoulder of beef from the larder and prepares it as well. Normally he would not have done this part, given his views on the consumption of meat, but he tries his best to estimate how the one time adventurer turned innkeeper would cut them.
Taking a large iron pot, the monk adds water, wine, and the vegetables that would take the longest to cook, and places it over a fire.
"She is coming back. She will want food. More to the point, she will want others to have food." The monk repeats this to himself a few times as he cooks... it is not clear if this is to convince himself of that fact or others.
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Yavenee smiles as she sees Sunday entering the temple. "How have things been while we were in Magnimar?" she asks as he comes to stand beside her.
Disarmed by the Witch’s smile in greeting Sunday gives her a slight bow in return. ”Quiet for the most part. We learned all we could from the captive giant. There’s apparently a legendary cursed fortress they’re using. Also they were looking for some sort of stones in Sandpoint.”
"Interesting..." the witch says considering the information for a bit. "And the captive giant?"
”Fertilizer.”
Jessica nodded in response to Delendir's question and replied, "Yes, they are shaken up but children are resilient. They've banded together to help each other for now and the ones I've had for a while are making the new ones feel as at home as they can."
Before she took the diamonds from Delendir Jessica looked to Yavenee and said, "This is going to take a bit to complete, would you please hold Hope for me while I perform the ritual?" She gently offered the baby to the witch and waited for her reaction.
Delendir looks a bit deceived about the fact Jessica did not accept his offering and trusted him with the baby. The man smells his explorer's clothing, reeking of sweat and alcohol. He shrugs understanding and hits Yavenee with his elbow "Of course she is taking care of the creature. We all will take care"
"Do not worry Jessica, I am confident you can proceed with the ritual without worry" the half-elf takes his place waiting for the ritual to proceed. He eyes at Ameiko and thinks one of them could be her now, he turns to Daud "Do you think she will remember of his free food and lodging promise?"
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he turns to Daud "Do you think she will remember of his free food and lodging promise?"
"Shhh, she might reject the magic if she hears you asking for free stuff before she's back." Sunday says out of the corner of his mouth.
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”Fertilizer.”
The corner of Yavenee's mouth curls in a smile of amusement at Sunday's simple response. A hard man for whom death was simply another aspect of existence.
She was about to add something when Jessica asks her to hold Hope. "Of course!" she says smiling as the priestess places the adorable bundle of cuteness in her arms.
Delendir cannot avoid a chuckle at Sunday's sentence. He then remembers of the solemnity of the event and recomposes himself, looking at the altar "We are ready Jessica. You can proceed"
Jessica handed Hope to Yavenee and giggled slightly when Delendir sniffed himself and gave him a knowing grin. With her baby handed over Jessica turned to Delendir and took the pouch from him, "Thank you my friend." Jessica turned to the two bodies and had to decide which to start with. It was a tough call but, given how badly Vivi had been hurting Jessica went to Ameiko's body first. She took first the diamond out and then a smaller pouch that contained the diamond dust, which she set aside for the time, and then knelt before Ameiko's body.
With everything in place Jessica began to pray. Her prayer was all done as a song, one tailored to Ameiko specifically, and which touched on all that she knew of the woman. There were invocations to Shelyn to intercede with the Lady of Graves and gain permission for the tian woman to be allowed to return. As the prayer continued the diamond began to float on it's own and a tiny, infinitesimal spot of light appeared within it. As the prayer reached it's end her song rose into an expectant crescendo as the, now incandescent tiny green star that had once been a diamond, hovered over Ameiko's body as she was given the chance to return.
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The brilliantly glowing light slammed down into Ameiko and her back arched as she gasped in her first lungful of air since her death. Not hesitating in the least Jessica pulled the smaller pouch over and began yet another song of prayer. It didn't take nearly as long as the first one and the dust she poured from the pouch above Amieko glowed as it suffused into her body and alleviated the weakness being raised inevitably brought with it.
Jessica placed a hand at Ameiko's back to help support her and said, "Thank Shelyn you're back!" She pulled the other woman into an embrace and held her tight for a moment before letting her go. "You can stay if you need to but Vivi is worried sick about you and I think he is at your bar cooking or something?"
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Ameiko gasps loudly as her lungs fill with air and her heart starts beating again. Her eyes open wide as all of her muscles stretch and then contract suddenly. She blinks rapidly several times before squinting, issues a rasping response "Everything hurts." she groans. "B-but. I'm... I'm alive? I died. You. You brought, me back, Jessica? H-How?"
She seems generally confused and overwhelmed, and out of sorts. She asks "Vivi. He made it?"
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”Making it, it’ll be a bit before the food is done.” Sunday states.
The Tian woman looks even more confused. "Food? What? Vivi. Vivi's alive?"
Delendir laughs and silently cries at the same time. The half-elf advances himself to both help Ameiko stand up and hug her "You reckless thing... you saved me, you saved all of us. You are a true hero my friend"
The ranger pads the woman in the back "Vivi is waiting for you at the Rusty Dragon. He was so nervous about the ritual that he could not even come. Instead he is preparing food at the inn. I hope you still have a taste for Tien's food, because I think you will have enough to eat for a couple of weeks."
Helping Ameiko to move out of the small chapel, Delendir then nods to Jessica for her to proceed "One done. Krysta awaits now"
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Turning to the body of her best friend, her protector, the dragon Krysta, Jessica pulled forth another diamond and began to sing once more. This song was much similar to the first, it spoke of the dragon, things that had happened, memories to call to her, and yet again the diamond began to float, then glow brighter, and brighter. As the song reached a crescendo The diamond again flared with light brighter than a sun. The light was an amethyst that matched Krysta's scales and it slammed down into her body bringing life back to the great dragon.
There were tears in Jessica's eyes as she moved into her next prayer and a moment later dumped the diamond dust from another smaller pouch over Krysta's head. When she was done Jessica threw her arms around Krysta's neck and sobbed, "Oh thank Shelyn! You came back!"
Krysta didn't seem to know what, exactly, was happening at first but the feeling of Jessica's arms around her and the sound of her friend's voice brought her into focus. "I...I was dead, I was going to be judged, and then I was told it was all a big mistake and I could go back?" She wrapped one arm carefully around the sobbing priestess and folded her wings down around them both, "Thank you Jessica."
As Jessica calmed down and started drying her tears Krysta stretched, her wings mantling, and largely filled up the immediate area and then some. Hope chose then to begin to cry, having been very quiet until then, and Krysta looked to the baby and gasped as she said, "Hope!" She moved over towards Yavenee and leaned her crystal snout on to sniff the baby and said, "Baby's smell wierd."
The sound of Krysta's voice drew Hope's focus and she reached out and patted Krysta's nose and cooed. The baby was much calmer again and Jessica smiled happily as she said, [b]"Why don't we all head to the Rusty Dragon for something to eat.
Delendir smiles wide as Jessica operates the miracle of bringing back to life the crystal dragon "You got that. See what you made Jessica. The hesitant priestess I met just a year ago is gone now. You are a true cleric of Shelyn now. Nice to see you again Krysta. Once more you saved our life with your heroic charge"
"Yes, let's go to the Rusty Dragon. Vivi has probably a tone of food for us by now" Delendir let's the others get the advance and he takes the opportunity to greet Father Zantus and have a quick chat on how all the injured citizens where doing. Then, before leaving the cathedral, the half-elf approaches Erastil's chapel and leaves an arrow at the feet of the Old Deadeye statue "Two giant leaders are dead. Their boss, the false Lord Mokmurian, will soon fall from its Black Tower. No more giant is going to threaten this community"
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Opening the doors of the Rusty Dragon, Delendir smiles wide seeing Ameiko and Vivi once again together. He takes sit in one of the tables with Daud and Yavenee and hands for one of the beer cups "So... less kisses and hugs... leave that for your privacy couple. I have been told you had some real Tien food here and my belly is empty like a goblin's head. Let's celebrate today, as for tomorrow our hunt begins anew"
"It's a nice smell though." Yavenee says with a laugh. "Welcome back."
Still happy to see Ameiko and Vivi reencounter, Delendir turns to Jessica, Yaenee and Daud while taking a glass of wine "So the giants are leaded by a dark old giant called Mokmurian... and you say the prisoner told you the Plateau People was to march over Sandpoint. We have to stop them before it is too late..."
The half-elf leans over his chair's back and breathes loudly "The Valley of the Black Tower in the Iron Peaks. I think I know where that place is. The Shriikirri-Quah, the shoanti clan of the hawk that was our tribe, had legends about that place. A dangerous place... but I think I can guide you there. As the giant told you, it is by the Muschkal River, passed the Storval stairs. If the giants have answers to why they need a stone from Sandpoint, those answers must be there"
"The Storval Plateau is far away, and it is a dangerous place. Yavenee and Jessica, do you have magic that would help us to travel fast and avoid most of the giant scouts?"
The group takes magical transport under consideration, but decides they want to at least start the travel by foot to ensure no other giants are hindering the region. It's possible some escaped Sandpoint and are making their way back to Jorgenfist or terrorizing the nearby farmers.
Delendir's fantastic knowledge of the region helps him plan your route. He suggests that starting in Sandpoint, you travel up the Lost Coast Road, over to Ember Lake, then up to Galduria, Wolf's Ear, Ravenmoor, and finally the Storval Stairs. Once they reach the top of the stairs, they can head directly east into the Iron Peaks and the Valley ofthe Black Tower. Up through Ravenmoor, this journey travels along roads and tracks and trails, but beyond Ravenmoor it's open country.
Once preparations have been made for travel, including acquisition of a map of Varisia, the group heads out of town and on their way. A few days into their travel, you begin to take note of several disturbing signs of giant activity in the Varisian lands around you. Along the Lost Coast Road between Sandpoint and Galduria, there are more than one scene of destruction and murder. Several caravans have clearly been raided and plundered, the battle sites littered with shattered stones and pulped bodies being feasted upon by birds of prey. All signs of valuable loot has been stripped away from the victims.
Another troubling sign is an enormous campsite, hidden in the mountain range east of Wolf's Ear, the campfire made of tree trunks within a ring of boulders clearly indicates it was used by giants. A mostly eaten carcass of a roasted 14-foot-long aurochs in the ashes. Nearby, there is a cairn of stones nearly 15-feet-long.
Somewhere between Wolf's Ear and Ravenmoor, you spy a pillar of smoke rising from behind a copse of trees. The bleats of panicked cattle can be heard on the wind, as well as the guttural voices of ogres...
Delendir looks at the raising smoke and frowns "Trouble ahead" the half-elf makes signs for the group to gather around and ready "Let me have a look of what is going on, because I am hearing ogres, and I do not like it after all the farms attacked we have spotted in the countryside."
The half-elf advances himself stealthily, trying to cover himself with vegetation and rocks and gain a vantage point from where to spy what is going on. He encourages anyone stealthy to come with him.
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Vivi sees Ameiko walk, albeit a bit shakily, into the room and at once he is overcome with emotions of shame, gratitude, and relief.
"神々に感謝します. おかえりなさい."
"Thank the gods. Welcome home."
Giving her a bow, he walks around the bar.
"I hope it is to your liking. I tried to make the stew the way you would, though it has been a long time since I..." the monk stops as he chokes up on tears, seemingly overcome with emotions.
"I am sorry. I thought I... we lost you. I was hardly myself. I should have been better prepared." Vivi is almost sobbing out each word, tears flowing freely. "It should have been me. Not you. Me."
"Giants. Great. We should try to take one alive. Get more reviling... regaling... no... revealing, yes, revealing.... information from them. Like if they were able to get that stone in the raid."
"It sounds like quite a few of them." Yavenee notes as they close in.
With their friends brought back and dinner done Jessica worked on making preparations to leave and help her friends end this threat to their homes once and for all. She knew it would be hard to leave, especially since she couldn't bring Hope with them, and being parted from her daughter was going to be the hardest part. Still she accomplished her preparations and left Hope in the arms of her doting "Auntie K" as Krysta started calling herself as well as the protection of the house, the children, and the town in the heroic dragoness' capable claws.
During their travels they stumbled on the pillar of smoke in the trees and discovered there were ogres having a party Jessica asked, "Just how bad are these ogres? I don't think I've ever heard of one in the area or seen one."
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”You don’t wanna know.”
Vivi wipes his eyes and tries to compose himself better.
"As I said... it has been a while since I cooked, so you will have to tell me if I got it close to your recipe or not. I hope it is to your liking... or edible, for that matter. Presuming it is, there should be enough to share."
Turning to Delendir, he asks the man if he was able to pick up the portraits he had asked for. He takes them from the man and shows them to Ameiko.
"The one of you is for me, on my travels. The one of me is for you... if you want it."
Vivi shudders at Jessica's question.
"You do not want to be captured alive by them. They make for poor hosts."
Vivi heads after Delendir, as stealthily as he can.