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Vralk realizes that he is out of bombs. He is most disappointed. That hardly seems at all fair.
He'll fly up to the body of black on the catwalk and see if he can find anything that he can use to drop on somebody.
Regardless of success
"I have another bomb!! Surrender now or I make you go BOOM!!!!"
The skulk goes down! And at this point... I'm going to call this battle. There is no way that the happy, joyous swarm will survive all of you wailing upon it, and you've brought down everyone else who was willing to battle you.
There is a frantic sound from the other side of the southern office door as two rogues slam open the front doors of the warehouse, followed by shouts and a scuffle. As you all burst through the southern office door, you see Sheriff Feldane and Irv, holding two squirming rogues.
"Hey guys," Irv says cheerfully. "Look what we caught!"
The Sheriff looks you over. "Are all of you alright?"
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"I'll be fine after a warm bath." Stali replies, wiping some blood off his arm.
Pointing towards the curiosity shop, he asks "Did you know they have a pit trap at the front of the store? We left some people tied up in it so we wouldn't have to carry them. That and tunnels all over."
With a chuckle, he adds "You have a lot of evidence to sort through, but we found what made the claw and bite marks!"
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"Yes, we have compelling proof that the circus is totally innocent. Robella turned into some kind of monster.
We captured everybody alive as we promised. But I hope that they nearly all are executed. I don't know your laws, but they killed with abandon, robbed, helped pirates. Maybe whichever of the low ranking thugs squeals quickest and loudest should be allowed to live. But they ALL deserve to die if your laws support that.
After a fair trial, of course. But there is lots of proof"
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Stali is surprised by how harsh of judgement Gallako and Vralk call for. I guess that is why they only gave anyone one chance to surrender.
"Robella and Borvius show no remorse, and Onamae fully supports everything they did. Although there are many more who were are involved, I am not convinced all of those involved knew the full extent of the crimes."
The Sheriff nods, taking notes, and walking through the entire complex with you. Her deputies take everyone into custody. "This will be the biggest trial this town has seen, but we owe it to the Sister and the others to give them the Justice they deserve."
As you walk back through town with the parade of bad guys going to the jail, the Sheriff turns to you and grins. "I know that you're getting recompensed by the Circus, but I've heard a rumor that some of you like pie. May I purchase a few pies and beers for you tonight at the Two Rivers Tavern? After all this fuss, I think I may take a couple hours off to celebrate with you. Is that alright?"
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Andrietta finally extracts herself from the goopy stuff and her feathers lay back. She was an avenging force of Justice at Braeton Manor.
Now? She's an angry and goopy grandmother who's been soaked almost to the bone with some sort of slimy thing.
With the thugs and skulks largely dealt with, there is naught else for her to do but turn her attentions on the gloppy mess and end it's insidious joy-putty existence.
This may or may not influence some of the rogues to give up, as her vengeance upon the... whatever it was thing is brutal and efficient, with no quarter given.
"Good timing, dear. We're going to do a quick walk-through to make sure we didn't miss anyone, and it's very kind of you to offer at least a pie or three... but don't forget the most important thing."
The grandmother will pause for a moment or two, letting the suspense build if no one catches it...
"Please go to the Umbra Carnival and tell them that not only the quarantine is lifted, but that they should open up their shows to the community.
Everyone has been hurt by this ordeal, and this is the best way to bring the two communities together, by building on what a group of foul heartless folks tried to sunder.
Show the murderers that no matter what they try, Ilsurian and the Carnival are joined by more than spirit now, they're joined by the shared spilt blood of family members.
Show that no matter what background people are from, it doesn't matter when it comes to a community.
I'm not from around here, but both the Carnival and Ilsurian brought in our flock, gave us shelter, gave us food, and treated us largely with the respect we earned through our actions. Not too many communities on Golarion can swing that, even on a good day, and the past few days have been far from good days."
"After that, though, please, yes, let's share a meal and drink together, dear. We've earned it, all of us."
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"After we are done with dinner and our celebration, either tonight, or maybe tomorrow if it's too late, I'd like to go back to the carnival and see everyone one last time before leaving. We've made a lot of friends who I will miss. You are definitely among those, too," he adds to the sheriff.
"Friends," he says after a pause. "I have no home here in the west, and no family and few friends. I never expected to meet more tengu here, especially folks I feel so close too, you are all my sisters and brothers... except for you, Grandmother... You are more like my auntie or grandmother. I hope, even after we return to the Society, that we can remain friends and maybe meet again from time to time, maybe even undertake another mission or two together." He nods as if talking to himself, then finishes with... "I'd like that."
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That evening Gallako and Vralk celebrate their victory with the others, Vralk consuming more pie than anybody would have thought possible.
The next morning, Gallako gets up a little early and communes with the spirits
"Oh spirits, I'd like to give you my heartfelt thanks. It was you who gave me the gift that is Vralk. Before now, I hadn't fully appreciated him. But now I do. He is truly the little brother that I never had growing up. He is brave, courageous, noble of heart, and silly. I have the feeling that my life is going to need more than a little silly. I have chosen a life where I am going to see much of what is ugly and disgusting in the world. It will be easy to see only the dark side. But his heart is so light that it is impossible for it not to, in turn, lift my own.
I was right to join the Society. We accomplished some good here over the last couple of days. The Society can be a force for good and order. And where else would I have had an opportunity like this?"
Later, to the group
"I am going to spend at least a few more days here with the circus. If the rest of you wish to leave, I'll stay and give testimony as to what we saw. Andrietta, you have my word that I'll be as truthful and honest as I can be :-).
It was a great pleasure adventuring alongside all of you. I am sure that our paths will cross again and I look forward to that day. I consider all of you to be part of my Flock."
Gallako will spend whatever time the circus is in town at it, helping as he can to train the animals, especially trying to get Hyper to calm down :-). But mostly he'll just be taking a well earned vacation amongst friends.
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"I would gladly join you on another mission, Hikaru." Stali says, then waves his arms towards the others "All of you. Especially the mighty Vralk!" he cheerfully adds.
Looking to Andrietta, he asks "Do Pathfinders stay in one place much? Do all missions get so complicated?"
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"I LOVE all you guys. Crows RULE. Oh, and you crow people not too bad either"
"None can stand between you and your chosen pie, Vralk!" Stali gently teases.
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The news spreads fast throughout Ilsurian, and the glum mood in the town breaks to a contagious joy and festival mood. Almara Delisen is freed from the jail to town cheers as word of the dire plot of the Monchellos become common knowledge. The Sheriff lifts the quarantine on the Umbral Carnival, and townsfolk and carnies alike celebrate. Most of the town packs the Big Top to hear the lovely sphinx, Jherizhana, sing. No one is surprised though, when the sphinx sings an aria to one particular young swashbuckler, a hero of whom she’d become particularly fond.
One of the well-dressed town dowagers confides to Stali, “I always told everyone that she was innocent. Didn’t I, Gertrude?” Her friend, Gertrude, nods. “We tried telling others that the Carnival was just clean fun, but no one listened to us!”
Despite the selective memory of many of its citizenry, the clean-up afterwards of the Town Council is extensive. Some of the Town Council turn out to be in cahoots with the Monchellos, while others like friendly but somewhat gullible Sally Needle are discovered to be mere dupes. “What... you mean that Ro and Borvius weren’t putting on amateur theatricals? Then what did they need all those costumes for? They were my best customers!”
Ilsurian appoints a new temporary town council to deal with all the chaos that the Monchellos and their gang of thieves, drug dealers and murderers left in their wake. In the next few days, funerals are held for Sister Es, Davo, Archie Walder and the Braetons. The new town council has its hands full trying to work out what to do with the Braeton Shipping Business and its two very young heirs.
Just about everyone wants to meet the investigative heroes, and join the celebrations in the Two Rivers Inn. Vralk, and everyone else in your little group, get all the pie, tea and beer that you can handle.
“What can I do to ever repay you for saving our livelihood and our reputation?” Almara is delighted with your work, and is as good as her word about recompensing you for your time. “You’ll always have a home and friends in the Umbral Carnival.”
The Sheriff, while less effusive in her praise, does hand you all deputy badges. “You did good. Should any of you get tired of the Pathfinder Society, I could use your sharp eyes keeping an eye on crime around here!”
But all missions must come to an end. Sheila Heidmarch is waiting for her second best pearl tiara and her report. And so, with all the pie, bacon, and good will that you can muster, you finally take your leave to see what new adventures await.
Thank you for being the best group imaginable.
____
Now, while the credits roll, feel free to create a closing credits Easter Egg to share with everyone.
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"I guess all that is left is for someone to remain behind a carefully, meticulously and diligently catalogue all the evidence." He says this to the sheriff with a gleam in his eye and a pen in his hand.
Chak remains in Ilsurian intrigued by the idea of a trial. When he learns that he will get to testify and that means sharing all the notes he has taken in great detail to a captive audience, he becomes giddy with delight.
Once the carnival is ready to move on and the celebrations die down, Chak decides to take up Sheriff Feldane on her offer, at least on a part time basis. The late Mister Walder kept meticulous records of his own business and the business of others. That hand was lost to the cruel stroke of a murder most foul and it was up to the fowl to make it most right.
So Chak pens a long report to Sheila Heidmarch and also requisitions some funds from the Society which he uses to set up a shop in Ilsurian. A sign carved to look like an unfurled scroll hangs beside the front window.
"Chak Yuen Chen, Scrivener, Scribe and Notary Public."
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Hikaru stays for as long as the carnival does and spends as much time as he can with Jherizhana. When she sings an aria to him, he blushes under all his feathers.
"Miss Jheri, you have done me much honor tonight, and thrilled me beyond words. If you EVER need anything, you have but to ask and I will come to your side and your aid. Will you... will you do me the honor of having dinner with me tomorrow night after your performance?"
When the carnival is ready to move on, he gets their itinerary so he can stay in touch with them by post wherever they might go.
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Stali spends much of the next day at the circus. He tries all the games he missed the first time and enjoys several shows. He makes sure to attend each of Pharden’s exhibitions, making sure to cheer and clap each time the panotti succeeds.
During a slow part of the day, he talks with Almara. He explains how he likes to keep an eye out for business opportunities and explains some of the ways he thinks they could both profit from working together.
He does ask for a favor from her -- provided that Pharden also agrees. Over the next few days, Stali asks Pharden for advice on flying. The two of them work together as Stali tries to improve his control. Each day’s practice gives him a few more bruises, and a better understanding of what does and does not work.
How does Pharden stay aloft without proper wings?
“Are you sure we should be this far up?”
Wrapping his ears around himself like a blanket, Pharden nods. “Easier to catch a breeze! Just aim for that tent, it is the softest if you end up crashing!” he advises, pointing to one near the animal pens.
Taking a deep breathe, Stali tries to calm himself before making the leap.
"Awk! Going too fast!" Stali cries, just before giving out a squawk as he crashes into Hajek's tent.
From within the tent a voice screams "Get off my tent, you crazy bird!" out comes Hajek shaking her cane in Stali's direction. "You are worse than those miserable dogs!"
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When the group is ready, he travels with them back to Magnimar. On the trip back, he asks about what is expected and works on his own report of events. He leaves out a few details in the written report, electing to speak to her directly about the information. He explains his reservations about making the details relating to the baby dragon and the gynosphinx known as it could affect the business of the circus.
Stali does elect to join the Pathfinder Society, and is given a field commision. Having learned of the Exchange Faction, he is happy to join them and shares the contacts he has with the circus.
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Andrietta *will* show up at each and every trial.
If Shelia protests, Andrietta will send a very polite yet very curt note back to her, simply pointing out that in order to secure the 'good name' of the Pathfinder Society in Ilsurian, this is a thing that MUST be done.
She will provide true and direct testimony for each and every person facing charges, detailing the activities of each person and attesting to the care that those who surrendered showed in submitting themselves to a lawfully convened authority.
While she won't speak on behalf of sentencing recommendations, she will point out that the surrender of those individuals indicates that they have some good in them, and they have a chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of the community.
For those who refused to surrender, she's a bit more blunt on their assessment. She'll point out that the *only* reason that they aren't dead by her hand in the true course of Justice for all those slain in the attempted power-grab is because Old Deadeye would want the *community* to decide their fates, and she will leave it to the community to make those determinations.
If some are sentenced to hang or face the executioner's block, Andrietta will be there, up front with the families of those who lost loved ones that are present, and will not flinch when the punishment is meted out.
From: Andrietta Ebonfeather, Concerned Grandmother of the Silver Crusade
Dear Miss Zadrian,
I'm dropping you this note, dear, from the sleepy town of Ilsurian in Varisia. You may have heard of recent events here, including the slaughter of Sister Esrelda Woodmere, a clergywoman representing Old Deadeye in this community.
She was a much-loved and stable force in the community, and her loss is sorely felt among the people. A replacement may not mean a lot in the short-term, but for goodness' sake they need someone to bring them back together.
I'm just a grandmother tending the flock and working for the Society. That keeps me from taking up this task -- I'd do it in a heartbeat, but Andoletta has other designs for me, and it's not good to keep an Empyreal waiting.
Is there anything the Crusade can do to help Ilsurian in their time of need?
Thank you for your time,
Andrietta Ebonfeather
Between writing letters to the Silver Crusade and to the Venture Captain with a full detailed report of the events that transpired, she *will* arrange for a private meeting with Almara and Jherizhana.
You need to do something with the Sphinx act, though, dears. All it will take is one truly perceptive child or someone who can see the truth of things and your entire family will be undone with great pain and suffering.
You're good and honest hard-working people. None of us want to see that happen to you."
She'll pause briefly, then glance directly to Jherizhana.
"You said once that you are a creature of dreams and stories. Perhaps it is time for more than one story to be told, be more than just one thing?"
There's another pause, then a bit of a wry chortle and a shrug.
"Do what you're going to do, but never forget who you are, friends. As long as I'm living, I won't forget that you took my flock in *first*."
At a lull-point between trials, the grandmother will approach Sheriff Kyra Feldane.
It's a small sort of thing, and if you need money to make it happen I have a little bit stashed away, please let me know?"
With the situation largely under control, Andrietta will approach the Town Council's representatives respectfully and gently note that with the Monchellos no longer in the city and their base of power broken, the warehouse and facilities are probably community property.
She will suggest that the Pathfinder Society be allowed to start a small Lodge at that location, both to prevent that from happening again with a new bunch and also freeing the Town Council of at least one headache.
She will then suggest that contacting Lady Shelia Heidmarch for further details in that regard would be a good idea.
With most of the important matters well in hand, Andrietta will visit Agnes Walder and offer what comfort she can, and spend time listening, talking, taking tea, or whatever Agnes desires to do. She will make sure that the widow is going to be okay, and inspire her to keep going some more.
As the flock is packing up and getting ready to go, Andrietta will leave a very nice tip for Noria.
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Hikaru comes to Almara and asks simply and plainly... "I want to travel and live with your nomadic enterprise so that I can remain near Jherizhana... I will learn whatever it takes to be a contributing member of the circus... I'm handy with a blade and can easily obfuscate my words so as to befuddle and confuse others if those skills can be of use to you. All of this of course pertains only if Jherizhana will have me near her so much. I have yet to approach her on the subject until I'd spoken with you. Also, I may have to leave from time to time for missions for the Society, but hopefully those will be few and far between. So, what say you?"
"Hullo, dear lady. Will you allow me to be near you? I have arranged to join the circus and travel with you, if you'll have me. I want to get to know you better and share what we can. I... like you a lot.. perhaps love will come in time and I'd like that. Of course, if you don't feel the same, tell me now, so I'll know. Don't spare my feelings, as in the long run, it would be better to be honest up front. But, if you DO say 'no', I hope we will remain friends at least. My feelings for you will not change even if you don't share them. But I beg you, if you have even the slightest feelings for me, I hope you will say yes, so we can at least have a chance for more." He looks at her hopefully, with liquid eyes, black and fathomless.
“Oh, Hikaru, our stories were meant to be told together! Let us journey, and find where our tale leads us!” A bard grins and takes the swashbuckler’s hand. “Want to play at being one of my guards? It would add to the Sphinx’s reputation to have a fine exotic swordsman like you at her side! Where do you want to be from? Ustalov? Tien? Or perhaps you can be the former dread pirate Hikaru!”
A young, rough looking Erastilian cleric who looks like he’s come in straight from the woods knocks on General Chak’s office. “Excuse me, I hear you’re the town’s notary public? Ollystra Zadrian sent me here as a replacement clergyman, and I need to have some papers stamped... I’m Tenyel Teabark.” He offers you his hand to shake and gives you a sheepish grin. “Um, are tengu common in these parts? I got told that I was sent here at the insistence of one very stubborn old lady crow. Is she around by chance? I’d love to meet anyone who can order our faction head around.”
An elderly dwarf opens a parcel, and then grins as he sees clockwork parts and a letter inside. “Pietros! Our rescuers want us to build them their clockwork spy!”
Eagerly, the two dwarves reach for their tools and set to work.