"I think it's safe." reported Logan, "Who might as well come out whoever you are..." He was curious to see who these people where, perhaps they were captives of the cultists?
She nodded to Logan who said he thought it was safe then she burst into the 'trapped' room pistol at the ready just in case.
"Hey folks we are heros here to help hands up though, its been crazy in here..."
She began slightly waggling the gun so they could she she was armed in case they were crazy.
"How long have you been here? Where Were you taken from? Do you know what they wanted with you?" Lena lets of a rapid fire series of questions at the young women. She's hurting and not in the mood to be overly kind.
"Here have some food."
Bicks offers a ration each.
"Eat slowly."
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The two young men looks really scared and Lena's mood isn't really helping on the situation untill Bicks joins them and offer some food. "Thanks mr." they say beforing wolfing down the food. Once they have had time to eat and regain a little energy they start to talk again. "We been here for a little over a week now I think. I'm Angus and this is my twinbrother Phenio we live in the Iudeimus Tenement. We where taken from a shop, some woman we met offered us to try out a new type of candy if we helped her carrie some stuff she had brought at the market, but when we got to try it, it made us really tired and after that we woke up here with all those devils around us. They said they would sacrifice us to their deity on the eve of our 18th birthday, which should be tomorrow or the day after depending on how long we've been here. There was another here before us, but she was already dead when we were locked up next to her."
Jack asks the twins how long they've been captives and asks what kind of clothing the dead woman was wearing, trying to figure out if the young men are talking about the Jhaltero noblewoman found earlier or if there's potentially another prisoner in the complex they need to find immediately. He shows them the signet ring if needed.
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While the rest of the group talk to the twins, Mirabella moves back to the bound invisible cult leader. She gropes around until she has a good feel for her body shape and draws her morning star, ready to bash her on the head is she wakes and attempts to cast a spell. If she can find a holy symbol on her, she removes it.
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They look at the ring "I don't know really, we were chained to the other side of the room so couldn't really see it, her clothes looked fine made but it was soaked in blood. We only got moved in here because the big devil told the smaller to move us." Jack is sure it's most likely the same corpse you are talking about.
Mirabella is not really sure what she is looking for she is groping a invisible wearing some kind of chain armor under her priest dress.
"There's another devil? Beside the big one?" Lena looks up from where she was sitting on the floor.
She didnt think she would be the best person to talk to the twins really, one glimpse at her teeth and the poor things would be liable to pass out again, never mind the fact the mutagen was still coursing through her body. It should be done running its course soon enough she hoped, though that damn Devil was still about. She made sure to reload with a silver bullet again just in case.
She moved out to help Mirabella with the unconcious foe. She awkwardly felt the woman till she found her feet, then she amused herself by taking off her shoes/boots to see if they would turn visible off the woman.. and if they did she would experiment and put them back on to see if they disapeared again.
magic. . . was interesting sometimes.
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Canacha comes over to Mirabella who is currently groping around on the unconcious cult leader and decides to join in. As she work her way down to her feet a strange idea comes to her mind and Canacha starts feeling around for the laces binding the boots to her feet. She unties them and remove the boot upon which it becomes visible to her again.
Canacha is than struck by another idea, and she decides to put the boot back on her feet, only for it to disappear under the cult leaders long dress again. However when Canacha lifts the dress slightly up, she can still see the one boot visible.
"Why don't we get these kids out of here and get them to some that can take care of them?"
"Yes--that WAS our whole reason for coming to this place," Jack lies as he suddenly realizes that now there are already two outsiders who know the location of the Silver Ravens' new would-be headquarters.
"I agree...let's haul this invisible she-devil out with us and take these poor boys straight to their family. But we should probably leave a lookout stationed in hiding upside, in case more cultists return. Any volunteers? If not, I can do it."
Before leaving, Mirabella quickly searches both slain cultists to see if they have any useful items.
"She surely won't stay invisible for much longer, a few minutes at best. Do we really want to be seen dragging likes of her on the street?" asked Logan who suspected they needed to dispatch her, it wasn't as if there was anyone they could hander her over to. Quite possibly the corrupt local authorities would rule in her favour should it come to that.
Amused at her discovery she took the ladies boots off, put them back on, and used that as a guide to tie her feet together.
"There was a reason we didnt just kill her right? Like some plan to make her not an evil devil loving cultist person right?"
She began asking aloud. Light she felt like the mutagen made her well more prone to violence she just couldnt see the point in the evil candy making woman living any longer truth be told. Oh wait... recipes.
"Is it so we can take all her candy recipes right? I do like candy. Jack you should right that down. I like candy, purple flowers, clumsy men who dont know when the right time to ask a pale skinned lady out."
She added sticking her tongue out just for a moment. Was she spelling things out too much for him? Probably. Was it the mutagen? her slightly frazzled hair? it might be the hair. she should spend more time with a brush.
"I assumed it was that she had information about other cultists in the city right? That is why you take prisoners, for what they know."
"Well then, perhaps we should ask..." replied Logan.
He wheeled round to face the invisible cultist and judging by Canacha was he gave the invisible cultist a good kick before leaning close to growl, "We have some questions. It will go badly for you if you don't answer quickly and truthfully. You had some big words about the other cults, tell us about them and their weaknesses."
Lena stands shaking off her grumpy mood. She helps the boys to their feet and out the of their cell. "Careful boys. We'll get you home, and then take care of this lady. I say we take her to the guards and leave here for them to deal with." She gives her companions a long long.
She realizes the city guard will care less, and they will probably have to deal with her themselves, but doesn't want the boys upset further.
"I have some rations. Would you like something to eat?" she asks the twins.
Bicks will use smelling salts to wake the women up.
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As the woman turns visible again, Bicks givesher a sniff of his smelling salt and she regain conciousness. She looks around for a moment not really sure what happened, until Logan starts to interrogate her.
She returns his attempt to intimidate her stern gaze looking completely undaunted by him. "There is the cult of Asmodeus led by that Thrune guy and the grand cleric with his undead girlfriend, or the Milani cult led by the Rose. Uh there is even a hag coven with a very powerful succubus leader somewhere in the sewers, she is powerful than two Elgadazums. Take your pick there is a lot of smaller og bigger cults in this town."
Logan glanced at Lena and resisted the urge to sigh, what exactly did she think the guards would do with her? It certainly didn't involve justice, probably a pat on the back and the promise to track us down.
Turning back to the now visible cultist, Logan asked, "I see... Half of that I knew anyway. What else is in this place?"
"I don't think we should count on any help from official channels."
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”No, the guards and any other Thrune henchmen are of no use to us. Even if we could trust them to punish this vile woman and her accomplishes for their horrible crimes, turning her in would raise too many questions that would endanger our cause. And letting her go free is out of the question...”
Mirabella pauses for a long monent, pondering how far she has come from her old dreams of becoming an opera diva. Violence was never what she wanted, but it seemed that freedom for the city she loved had to be earned with blood and pain.
”If we truly care for Kintargo, it must fall on us to bring justice to those who would harm it or it’s citizens. And for these crimes of kidnapping and murdering innocents, to which she has so brazenly confessed, I can think of only one suitable punishment...Lucella, do you have anything to say that might cause us to spare your life, even though you have taken so many in cold blood?”
"Oh im sure some folk in the guard might not be as bad as it appears, course how to tell the ones who want peace and justice from the ones who just want to hurt folk? Anyhow You guys go on ahead. I'll take care of her confession."
She said with a sigh and a frown.
Lena gives Canacha a studying look. She looks sad, and sighs quietly. "Boys we need to get you home. Please follow me." she says as she tries to lead the young men from the room.
"Mira will you come with us?" She asks the halfling. "Perhaps you can entertain us on the way to their home with an appropriate or maybe inappropriate story about birth days."
Her intention is to get the boys away from any cold blooded actions and loud explosions. She hopes that Mirabella can get them laughing loud enough to not notice any loud voices or noises.
"I will join you getting a head start on getting the kids home."
Jack lags behind, staying with Canacha while she dispatches the cult leader.
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As the rest of your team has left you alone with the cult leader she starts laughing at you "You friends are fools, they should never have left you alone with me. Don't you know that us clerics are never out of tricks." she says as she begins shaking her head knocking the mask of, revealing a tattoo on the left cheek that looks like the symbol you seen on the doors. "Mahatallah grant your servant this final boom to smite thy enemies." she yells as a brust of negative energy fills the imediate area.
As the negative energy is bursting out from her symbol tattoo, she looks at you with a smug, which quickly turns to one of fear as she sees the energy does the opposite of what she intended on you. Before you bent down and put your pistol to her temple and blows her brain out"[/b]
First part of the exploring of the Lucky Bones are complete welcome to level 5
The twins live in the Iudeimus Tenement, one of the poorest areas of Kintargo. You escort them there safely without any incidents. The parents Morten and Cessei Shellet are overjoyed to have their children back and are offering you all the coin they have as thanks, if you accept it.
She stepped out of the room with the fallen cult leader and jumped when she saw Jack standing there waiting. She hadnt expected that. She was conflicted wiping at her eyes her pistol still in hand forgotten for a moment. When she realized how ridiculous she must look she holstered it standing there stiffly for a moment.
"She tried to channel negative energy as a final act of spite and revenge."
She began her voice barely holding steady. Her hands were slightly shaking. When she spoke again her voice started off shakily but firmed up as the mutagen coursed through her again.
"It had... It to be done okay. I d.... I don't like doing it, being death but what can we do? If... if someone's hands must be dirty mine'll do. I've already got a stained soul from birth no sense in you all dirtying yours."
She said lowly sniffing and wiping at her eyes before he hands went up and adjusted her hat.
Logan had a fair idea what was going to happen to the cultist and replied, "She was a monster, no loss to this world but Canacha sometimes a responsibility should be shared..."
Jack wears a grimace on his face, the kind you'd get when you smelled something so awful it burned off your nose and half your face as well.
"I noticed," the ranger deadpans. Obviously, he'd been watching from the doorway when Canacha had executed the cultist and had taken the brunt of the negative energy as well.
He listens stoically to her words before speaking. "I'm not sure I buy into that 'stained soul from birth' nonsense, but I understand--and appreciate--the rest of it. I'd like to see the hands of Bicks, Mirabella, Logan, and even Lena not end up bloodstained as we move further against Thrune. You're strong, tough, and resilient...."
Jack seems like he might add something more but remains solemnly quiet.
"I was going to offer to kill her myself," he tells Canacha, "but you know me: I'd try to slit her throat and probably end up piercing her ears!"
He stoops to pick up the cult leader's mask before escorting Canacha back to the others.
Before leaving:
”We will see these fellows home, then return here. I suggest we rest in the sleeping area where we encountered the first cultists. That way, if more cultists return to their hideout, we can deal with them as well. Once we regain our strength, we can explore the complex further.”
Mirabella helped Lena escort the twins out of the ruin. To lighten the mood, she sings a bawdy ballad about the adventures of three brothers each seeking to find a wife. The song is lewd, laden with erotic suggestions and highly amusing.
Once they get the twins safely home, she refused all talk of rewards. ”Please, we could not possibly take from someone who have so little to begin with. We are just happy to reunity you with your sons. Hopefully, we will be able to improve the lives of everyone in Kintargo who are suffering from oppression and abuse.”
Bicks nods in agreement with Mirabella in all instances.
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The cult leader has the following items on her person:
2 potions of bear's endurance, 2 potions of cure moderate wounds, 1 scroll of glyph of warding
Equipment: she has a magical chain shirt, cloak, and ring.
Non magical: Mwk net, mwk sickle, an amber and jade facemask of Mahathallah, and a 174 gp.
Mirabella found while searching the room a scroll of raise dead hidden under the alter.
The parents think you once again for retuning their boys and looks a little disblieved by you refusing to take the coin. "We can't let you help go unrewarded, we will take with some of the other families here and she that they know someone is working against the new Lord-Mayor. Of course without mentioning who you are or look like." Morten tells you as his wife is busy hugging the sons.
Jack wears a grimace on his face, the kind you'd get when you smelled something so awful it burned off your nose and half your face as well.
"I noticed," the ranger deadpans. Obviously, he'd been watching from the doorway when Canacha had executed the cultist and had taken the brunt of the negative energy as well.
He listens stoically to her words before speaking. "I'm not sure I buy into that 'stained soul from birth' nonsense, but I understand--and appreciate--the rest of it. I'd like to see the hands of Bicks, Mirabella, Logan, and even Lena not end up bloodstained as we move further against Thrune. You're strong, tough, and resilient...."
Jack seems like he might add something more but remains solemnly quiet.
"I was going to offer to kill her myself," he tells Canacha, "but you know me: I'd try to slit her throat and probably end up piercing her ears!"
He stoops to pick up the cult leader's mask before escorting Canacha back to the others.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Jack. She just smiled her best smile... the one that clearly highlighted her little fangs.
"Jack. It felt.... good when she channeled that hateful energy at me. Good. Maybe its the mutagen, maybe its not having Melly about to make me laugh and giggle as much. But but killing these cultists felt good. And you... you dont give yourself enough credit. You did great agaist the poop monsters, you hit a devil and took out so the cultists like a real hero."
It was plain to see that something was really really bothering her, but she brushed it aside.
"Damn it, i forgot to get her candy recipes. You think she has a book of recipe's in her shop? Oh and we should try to recover that body, the noble one. Any idea how we could get it back to uh its family for proper burial?"
She quipped as she shook off her doldrums.
Logan inspected the small cache of blood stained weapons and items and ponders for a while before announcing, "I think I know what some of these might be..."
Overhearing Cancacha's conversation Logan chimed in, "Normally I'd say you shouldn't talk to the nobles, not in this town, not unless you want trouble. Still if you want to do the right thing, we think she's House Jhaltero don't we. Perhaps we can start by sending a letter?"
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"I'm no good identifying magic stuff," Jack says. "I'll take care of dealing with the dead noblewoman's remains and notifying her family."
After returning from the Iudeimus Tenement, Mirabella ask a few of the other group members to help her wrap all the slain cultists in sheets or cloaks and store them in one of the cells until they can dispose of the properly. Then she covers up the remains of the otyughs with garbage.
Before turning in, she also conducts a thorough search of all of the areas they have explored so far, looking for more secret passages and hidden compartments.
"We should set a double watch tonight, in case several cultists show up. There's also that bearded devil. We sent him packing, but he may be far from beaten, even with Lucella dead."
"Does anyone have the alarm spell I keep hearing about? Jack can you still prepare a spell today? If so the rangers I used to travel with would cast Keep watch before they went to bed."
"I do want to start getting scrolls for the group. Maybe the next time we get supplies. Have several healing ones in mind a few contingency ones that we can spread out among the group."
Lena is happy to see the boys home. She thanks the family, and as they are taking their leave she whispers. "Milani's blessing on you all." Then she joins her companions to head back to the others.
She keeps busy with Mirabella giving rites over the dead cultists. "They are in the Boneyard I'm sure, but who knows if Pharasma might take pity."
Jack seems a bit distracted, but eventually turns his attention to Bicks and answers the gnome's question. "Ah, no--I've been regularly preparing resist energy as we've heard rumors of a dragon flying over the city at night and I wanted to be semi-prepared should it prove to be more than rumor."
"Not my kind of thing that Bicks sorry. It does sound like a good idea, but my talents tend towards the martial..." replied Logan. He glanced at Jack, "Yeah about that... A dragon of any stature will melt you regardless, unless you're talking about heroes out of legend. I very much hope it's just a rumor!"
"I dont know about that Logan, Have you seen yourself in action... i mean sure as long as the dragon stays up in the air and you are stuck on the ground you are probably a melted cheese sammich minus the bread. But I bet if the dragon was on the ground you could give it the what for. Have you seen yourself stab people with magic? Its pretty cool. Besides..."
She winked saucily at Jack and nudged Lena.
"The poor dragon would probably be laughing so hard at Jack's attack it would be like it was trapped by one of Miss Mirabella's laughing so hard it couldnt stop you from stabbing it through the eye anywho."
She pulled out her abbacus and sat crosslegged on the floor and began to fiddle with it suddenly quiet. Her tongue stuck out slightly and it was clear her mind had wandered onto to something else and from the look of concentration she wasnt liking where the math was taking her.
"Um... Canacha thanks for the vote of confidence, but I still think we have no business fighting dragons!" replied Logan with a snort of laughter. "No I think we should finish up here and decide where we go from there. I'm sure something will crop up."
"Hey guys think we can make a mint smoke bomb and set it off near the former opera house to annoy the mayor? I think i can manage it well enough. Just need to get a bit more mint."
She began with a devious grin, so maybe all the mint wouldnt be used in the smoke bomb. A girl needed her tea properly and all. And chocolate cake could certainly use mint. She knew someone who was into those as well.
She did a few more calculations on her abbacus and then set it aside.
"We should look into either founding some smugglers or getting to know some, eventually things might start to dry up we could use."