"If we all got what we deserve, who would escape whipping?" He laughed as he quipped the well known Taldan playwrights line.
"Sounds like you have a stricter standard than I do." He chuckles. "I admire your resolve." He thinks a moment, "No mortal system is perfect. I hear evil folk whose goal was murder and strife were stopped and given a befitting end."
"You seem to want to defy a shame and rebuke that perhaps you don't deserve. But then again I am not the boneyard's judge."
"Your mind is sharp as a blade. Rigid and decisive. Some matters can, and should, be held in tension. Not all matters are either/or. Some are both/and."
"I hope your judge allows you more mercy than you offer yourself."
"None." Cleonora answered with a straight face.
"That was always my goal... to ensure the innocent remain such I chose to ensure my hands would always be blood covered."
"She's quite beautiful... At least from the far distance I was. Did you know it takes two hundred years to get through the boneyard? Turns out once you're judged there is no coming back. No magic nor wish. When you cross that threshold you become something else, depending upon where you go." Cleonora said before she finished her tea.
"I am not without mercy, not without a heart... you saw it first hand if I remember correctly. It isn't about mercy. My targets are not the man stealing bread because his children are starving, nor the merchant who sell a bit higher to ensure their children have a future no no no. My targets are the worst mortals have to offer, those who prey upon the weak for no other reason than personal gain or satisfaction. Those, are my targets. But a kill is still a kill, while some those I have killed have been in the act of their wrong doing, I will admit many more have not been. I think the one thing I cannot forgive most... is when one has duties to others and blatantly ignores them... I despise those who allow others to suffer when they not only have the power to do something about it but the responsibility to, sadly those aren't the kind you can just up and remove with ease. They take time."
"So we agree 2 out of 3. No one would escape whipping. You killed bad people. Your the only one that thinks you an awful person for it." His stony face fades into a chuckle.
"You might want to take that up with the gods." Cleonora said with a slight smirk. "As they seem to believe that as well."
Taking a moment, Cloenora looked to the waterclock on the far side of the room. "I have a class soon, would you be interested in taking part?" She asked.
"Which one. Seriously there are few if any even of the most good gods that do not allow for self defense or the duty of justice. Some would call for mercy when possible but again. Not all killing is murder and not all killing is evil. And true justice isn't revenge. You're deceiving yourself if you equate them."
"I should run along."
"Enough to send me to Hell." Cleonora answered before she stood and moved to the door to let him leave. "As you wish. I know the arcane arts are not for everyone." She stated as the door opened by her hand. "I would point out I never said revenge is justice. The law has no compassion. And justice is administered without compassion. Thus laws are without emotion as it should be, revenge is full of all emotions. Else how could one feel what fuels revenge?"
"Fair enough. The mistaking all killing for murder usually goes hand in hand with the failure to understand justice. That is not your issue."
"Judged today and judged tomorrow might yield different verdicts."
"Tis the price we pay for being mortal." Cleonora said with a shrug. "Now, off with you!" She declared with a slight smirk. "And Quince...." She paused a moment as she looked more at the door than him. "If you wish to talk again... well it might not be so horrible. To have your company again I mean."
Quince smiles, "Good. I will drop in from time to time. See you soon."
"Take care." She said with a nod before she let him leave, then went about cleaning her office. After that she made her way to her class and after likely have dinner Jorne.
He had excused himself somewhere along the conversation and returns as Quince is leaving. He nods to Quince and gives him a friendly smile.
He does what he can to help but waits for Cleo to say something.
"You're rather quiet this evening." Cleonora commented as they ate their dinner. "Did something happen today?" She wondered.
"No, I have just had a lot on my mind. Too much to prepare for. I need to stop stressing about it." He sighed and relented telling of the age old method of being prepared...
Cleonora listened, though she wasn't sure how she could really help. She pushed her plate to the side and leaned forward, placing her hand atop of his. "I'm here" She told him gently, though nervously. Relationships where still new to her. She was sure one day she'd wake up and find it was all a dream.
He smiled as her hand went atop of his. Looking up into her face he explained, "I know, thank you. There are no immediate threats but as I have begun my training as a warden, I am learning what I can do to better protect you."
"You always have Jorne, what happened wasn't your failing." Cleonora reminded him as she softly squeezed his hand. "No even you can be everywhere with me." She half smiled.
He looked pained at your words but nodded in agreement.
Cleonora looked down with a sigh. "I've said the wrong thing..."
"No... it's the truth. We can't prepare for everything. Are there others that I don't know about that might rise? I also understand if you don't want to talk about it. Like my family." He says trying to reassure her.
"Nothing that I can think of.... I mean I took down many people in my time. I honestly cannot say how many could or would be able to come after me. There are few who saw my face, that was one of my failings with him..." She explained.
He nods in understanding, "Nothing we can do to prepare for them then."
"... I think Quince wants to make me a Warden." Cleonora said after a long pause. "He spoke of it a bit today..."
"No... really?" He states with obvious sarcasm. He bites onto this to move away from the other conversation, "There are not many special or even many normal people that could take on a position of a Warden very easily. I hear there are a few applicants but it is a very short list."
"This isn't something to joke about love." Cleonora said with a shake of her head. "That means this place's future is in my hands." She added. "Do you really people that should be in the hands of one as bloody as mine?"
"I have lost way too many, and then twice that number I have killed. I am sure they are all very experienced in that part of life. I don't think you are the only one with bloody background. I could be wrong. Quince and Katrina probably not, though most of the others..." He leaves it off there willing to continue if she presses.
Cleonora had narrowed her eyes as Jorne continued to talk, till he paused. She let out a sigh and shook her head. "That isn't wasn't I meant... Doesn't matter, some one has to take up the mantle and at least if I do then I can protect my school..."
A ruined, circular keep looms out of the forest, surrounded by towering, ancient trees draped with hanging moss. Four circular towers sprout from the cracked walls like the trunks of great trees, at least one crumbled into rubble. Twisting vines and thick moss cover the walls in a coat of verdant green, blending the ruins almost seamlessly into the surrounding woods. The overgrown remains of a path lead to an open, arched gateway gaping in the keep’s eastern wall, its doors long since rotted away.
15 Knowledge (engineering) or Knowledge (history) check
identifies the ruins as being of ancient elven construction.
The keep’s southern wall has been breached, creating a
rubble-choked opening leading inside. The walls can be
scaled with a DC 15 Climb check.
Traps: The quickling living inside (see area G4) has
trapped the citadel’s gate. Anyone passing through the arch
triggers the trap, causing the keep’s ancient portcullis to
fall down, sealing the entrance and alerting the denizens
of the keep to the intruders’ presence.
Falling Portcullis Trap CR 4
XP 1,200
Type mechanical; Perception DC 25; Disable Device DC 25
EFFECTS
Trigger location; Reset manual; Bypass hidden switch (Perception
DC 25)
Effect falling portcullis (6d6 damage); DC 20 Reflex avoids
SPECIAL
Note: Once the trap has been sprung, a DC 25 Strength check can
lift the portcullis.
Now with his new powers and through the power of the wishes he was much stronger. Now was the time to put his skills to the test. Dismounting from his elk mount, he then pats its neck with a reassuring pat. Then he walks forward checking his bow, quiver, belt, and his newest weapon the flame sword. He drew it knowing that it would be his first choice in combat. The sword burst into flame as it was exposed to the sunlight.
"What do we make of this lost keep?" He asks those following his lead.
"Look at these ancient, worn carvings, this must be elven craft. I wonder how long they have been here! Oh! Look at that the portcullis has been rigged to drop!" He goes over to a spot and pushes a bush to the side revealing a lever and pulls it. "It should be fine now, just don't stand under it."
"Ahhh... a place I have not seen before. Though we are deep, very deep in the Nalmarsh." He states as he dismounts his Axe Beak.
Following Jorne he hefts his greataxe that shines with a green dull glow and bleeds. "Nice find! Even better!"
She dismounts and follows the others. Taking her robe of furs and pulls it tighter to herself. Asking, "Did anyone else just get a chill?!" .
With the Bow of the Winter moon in one hand she checks her stock of arrows just in case. In her other hand is an elm wand. Her grand stag elk follows her every step. She takes her free hand and motions for it to stop. She then speaks to it and it seems to understand, backing up and standing near the other mounts. "I told him to watch out for the other mounts. Also to shrill if something attacks so we can come back and help."
"Good eyes."
Quince looks toward Katrina, "Not so much. But your sense may be more attuned to things which we are not."
"I sure hope I am not attuned to this place..." She spits out and shivers some more. Ready with wand and bow. Eyes and ears alert to any movement...
Quince shakes his head. "No but your connection to the divine might give insight when something is amiss. You speak as if this place is more than a ruin."
"I sense that it is the home to evil. I don't know what kind. We will see and expunge it!" She states confidently and determined.
"Okay, enough talking, let's move in unless someone wants to scout it out first?" He points out as he casually walks up to the entrance.
"If this place had a trap it might still be home to evil." Cleonora pointed out. "While traps can remain for many years this place doesn't seem right... It also could be that I am in agreement that this place just seethes with evil."
"Its all good, just keep moving." He states and moves under the porculious and beyond.
Cleonora followed after Jorne, looking around as they moved.
A graceful tower rises out of the keep’s central courtyard, now
overgrown with bushes, undergrowth, and several sizable
trees. Like the outer walls, the tower is draped with vines and
creepers, and several small plants have taken up residence on
ledges and in cracks along its sides.
The thick underbrush makes the entire
courtyard difficult terrain.
this ruined tower. The fey occasionally toss bodies
and other rubbish inside for the rats to dispose of but
otherwise avoid entering the tower. The rats attack any
warm-blooded creature entering the tower, forming into
four swarms.
Rat Swarms (4) CR 2
XP 600 each
hp 16 each (Pathfinder RPG Bestiary 232)
A wooden door made from roughly-cut timber planks, obviously
of newer construction than the rest of the keep, blocks the
entrance to this tower.
roof, but interwoven, leafy vines and the forest canopy
above provide a ceiling of sorts, shading the interior and
allowing only dim illumination. Inside, the rubble and
undergrowth have been cleared away to create a cozy living
space, decorated with crude wooden furniture, sized for a
Small creature, and bloody scalps nailed to the walls.
Creatures: This tower serves as home to a twisted,
malevolent fey murderer, a quickling named Rigg
Gargadilly. Quicklings are small, incredibly swif and agile
creatures that move so fast that they can effectively become
invisible. Like most quicklings, Rigg is high-strung and
prone to violent outbursts of cruelty. He listens carefully
for the sound of his trap at area G1 being sprung and for
movement in the courtyard outside. If he sees the PCs, he
sneaks into the courtyard and hides in the underbrush,
hoping to attack the intruders by surprise and from behind
when they investigate his tower.
Rigg Gargadilly CR 6
XP 2,400
Male quickling rogue 3 (Tome of Horrors Revised 301)
NE Small fey
Init +13; Senses low-light vision; Perception +15
DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 21, flat-footed 11 (+9 Dex, +1 dodge, +1 size)
hp 51 (4d6+3d8+24)
Fort +5, Ref +16, Will +8
Defensive Abilities evasion, natural invisibility, supernatural
speed, trap sense +1; DR 5/cold iron
Weaknesses slow susceptibility
OFFENSE
Speed 120 f.
Melee +1 short sword +6 (1d4/19–20 plus poison)
Special Attacks sneak attack +2d6 plus 2 bleed
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th; concentration +7)
1/day—dancing lights, flare (DC 11), levitate, shatter (DC 13),
ventriloquism (DC 12)
TACTICS
During Combat Fond of misdirection, Rigg tries to trick the PCs
into splitting up; he uses dancing lights and ventriloquism to lure
them in multiple directions. Once they’re spread out, he rushes
in to stab one of them and then Spring Attacks away to find
a hiding spot where he can wait a round to become invisible
again before repeating his dangerous, annoying tactic.
Morale If brought below 15 hp, Rigg abandons the keep and flees,
perhaps becoming an annoying recurring villain set on revenge
against the PCs for chasing him out of his home.
STATISTICS
Str 8, Dex 28, Con 17, Int 17, Wis 17, Cha 12
Base Atk +4; CMB +2; CMD 22
Feats Dodge, Improved Initiative, MobilityB, Spring AttackB,
Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (short sword)
Skills Acrobatics +19 (+55 jump), Bluff +11, Craf (trapmaking) +13,
Escape Artist +19, Fly +0, Knowledge (nature) +13, Perception +15,
Sleight of Hand +18, Stealth +23, Survival +10, Use Magic Device +11
Languages Aklo, Common
SQ poison use, rogue talent (bleeding attack), trapfinding
Combat Gear blue whinnis (5 doses); Other Gear +1 short sword
Natural Invisibility (Su) A quickling is invisible when motionless.
It loses this invisibility and remains visible for 1 round in any
round in which it takes any action other than a free action.
Poison Use (Ex) A quickling is never at risk of poisoning itself when
handling poison. They usually use blue whinnis on their daggers.
Supernatural Speed (Su) A quickling moves with incredible
speed. Save for when it remains motionless (at which point it
is invisible), a quickling’s shape blurs and shimmers with this
speed, granting it concealment (20% miss chance). In addition,
this ability grants the quickling evasion and uncanny dodge (as
the rogue abilities of the same name).
Slow Susceptibility (Ex) A quickling that succumbs to a slow effect
loses its supernatural speed ability and is sickened.
Treasure: Rigg keeps his favorite treasure (gemstones)
hidden in a clay urn hidden inside the tower in a niche 20
feet above the floor (DC 20 Perception check to find). The
urn contains 119 gp, 131 sp, 27 cp, and a dozen different
sparkling gemstones worth 1,800 gp in all.
filling the interior with debris and rubble.
in the forest’s canopy. The vines choking the tower’s exterior,
which are festooned with bleached humanoid skulls, nearly
obscure the dark arrow slits. At ground level, a closed wooden
door hides behind a cloak of hanging vines.
obscured in places by earth and undergrowth, the hall’s floor
is crafed of smooth stone tiles in multicolored pastel hues.
The walls of the chamber are decorated with faded frescoes of
sylvan life, showing scenes of beautiful elves engaged in hunting,
feasting, dancing, singing, and a bewildering variety of other
idyllic pursuits. To the west, a graceful, filigreed stone staircase,
garlanded with flowering vines, climbs to the level above.
Cleo doesn't see anything strange or moving. The whole place is filled with vegetation, well overrun by it, and it makes moving hard.
Standing near Cleonora, he puts his bow away and pulls out his blade of flames. "Which tower should we investigate first?"
"New door. Current resident?" He points toward the South East Tower.
"New door. Current resident?" He points toward the South East Tower.
"Very likely shall we knock?" He asks with sarcasm dripping from the words.
Quince smirks, "After we check for traps."
"I'd ask if we even want to knock but we shouldn't be rude." Cleonora said as she moved to look at the door.
No traps found, you find sliding a dagger or other slim instrument through the planks making the door you can unlock it easily enough.
Looking through the cracks you barely see much inside. Inside, the rubble and undergrowth have been cleared away from what you have seen.
"Shall we knock?" Cleonora asked with a grin.
Quince readies an arrow. He chuckles, "As a good neighbor I brought a gift."