As most of the party likely begins to save within 60 feet of Ingvarr, excluding Saronis, Koldur says the second option. The mermaid looks at you and offers, "I can let your elf friend go but each of them guards the mansion too. Yes they may choose to be friendly towards you but... so what do you want done, sir dwarf?" She releases Sable.
The other mermaid stops as well, freeing the rest of your companions and appears in the small pool next to her sister. She chuckles and says, "Just doing my job. I know HE is gone but trying to keep the peace."
Listening to her explanations and the council of the others, Koldur makes his decision.
Much as I loathe it. Hold them in your thrall. We'll come back for them later once we have obtained this Rod of Supremacy. At least I can see that your intentions are good though the methods to me needs to be questioned. I do not fault you in attempting to ensure peace prevails." he says to both Genevieve and her sister.
Looking at the cat lady, Katrina
"Yes you may come. Having you alone will let us reach this place faster and you can warn us of the various Guardians and traps still in place."
Looking at the rest of the group.
"As you have no doubt heard, none of these guardians could be hostile to us but I say we keep their gear with us for now to prevent any unpleasantness later." he moves towards the other gear and weapons and proceeds to move them away from their erstwhile owners.
"Hundor! That is a mighty fine weapon you found there." he congratulates the halfling.
"Thanks Koldur! Did you want your new armor? I have it here if you want it now!" He smiles at the compliment and offers the armor.
The ladies in the pool just wave at you, some of them point out special things their weapons and equipment does but do warn you that they are cursed, so don't try wielding them.
Seraphina was alone in the water when she became conscious of what had happened. She emerged from the pool, sloughing off as much water from her hair and clothes before she cast prestidigitation multiple times to dry herself off. She rejoined the party looking rather sheepish.
"Well, that was refreshing, at least. How far is it to reach this rod we need? I can cast a spell to cause one to vanish from sight for a time, but it only lasts about half a minute."
Koldur takes note of each of their special characteristics of their equipment but still retains the presence of mind to place them out of reach of those users. Better to be safe then sorry.
"Thanks Koldur! Did you want your new armor? I have it here if you want it now!" He smiles at the compliment and offers the armor.
Hundor's words though brightens up the dwarf's day as he receives a new suit of impressive looking armor. With some time and help, he soon dons it feeling the effect almost immediately.
"Siren's, Mermaids. You boys had some fun huh? Do we have any idea where this place is in relation to where we were?"
She takes the lead and offers, "We could take one of three ways. The most direct route going through the guardians, then we could try scaling the cliff to get to the windows or go through the attic. I would suggest the attic as long as we don't wake the dragon... those without stealth and speed might want to stay behind."
The few undead you find along the way are easily dispatched. Then she puts her finger to her lip and pulls down a rope revealing more stairs. Going up and through the attic requires 5 checks anything below a 10 provokes the dragon.
Koldur displays something surprising for a dwarf of his age and bulk....
The former armsmaster shows an amazing agility for someone whose supposed to be mostly a sold ground fighter until one recalls the style he usually displays in fighting.
He vaults up and using tiny and almost unseen footholds, he leaps his way up the stairs and makes it his way to the attic.
Ingvarr will join as well, with his ability to quietly inspire at the ready in case someone is unusually clumsy.
,
She opens up her doorway for the less fleet of feet and loud individuals. Once all are in she reduces her size, changing into that of a cat and quietly pads along with the group.
He quietly follows along not able to fail.
She pulled down a rope, thus you now have stairs to ascend to the attic.
So far the group is quietly following the woman with cat ears and a cat's tail. she did pick up her leather armor, cat o' tails weapon, and her chakrams. Equipping the armor easily and throwing on some pants as well.
At the far end of the attic she presses a few stones on the wall that light up and then move to show a door. She opens the door and walks down a spiral staircase. Down at the bottom she whispers, "Okay, I will open the door and walk into the room. I will try to draw the attention of any of the guardians to the side so you have a clear shot for the rod. It should be floating behind the throne in one of the alcoves. You should open the doorway and let your friends in to help." She says and makes sure there is no other questions.
In response to Hundor she states, "I don't know exactly, I would say your leaders should try to hold it. It is the legendary rod that rules this place the Count used it to take dominion of the mansion. I was brought after that event."
---
Then she opens the door and walks out. You can see her walking straight into the room and waves to someone. She walks past them and makes the armored individuals face away from the door.
In the stair case he opens the portal with the white marble figurine to let everyone out, to hear Catrina's words. Then he asks, "So all we have to do is hold the rod?"
"Does no one have invisibility or a spell to give us more speed?" Koldur points out as he studies the armored Guardians from far.
Looking first at Koldur and then Sable, he offers, "If you and Sable, cut a hand and give me of your blood, I can zoom in there! Also I can cast Vanish as well but it only lasts 3 rounds. Oh wait, yes that would be useful, but how about I go invisible using vanish, hide, use it again and identify the rod! Then we would know what we need to do to claim the rod!"
He sliced the palm of his hands, let the greatsword rest next to the wall, grabbed Sable's arm and looked for Koldur to offer. He whispers to those around, "The power of pact magic, that you to could join!"
With the ritual complete he touches his band on his right arm saying the elven word for love. All their wounds seal. Then he casts identify, then moves down to next to the open door and casts vanish.
The lights in the mansion begin to flicker. The guards in armor look to each other, Catrina, and to what appears to be a female angel with black wings.
She lowers her wings and kneels. A moment passes and so do they. As you enter into the throne room you see the throne and not really a rod but a staff of black metal and sharp angles. Stepping further in reveal Hundor on the throne his face awash with a white glow. And he speaks only a few words in an other worldly voice of power, "Be glad for his masters!"
The light fades and Hundor looks horrified... he stutters out,, "I.. I wasn't suppose to touch it. Johanna I am sorry! Oh no! I won't, you can't make me! Please someone summon an animal or something quick!" He slowly begins to lower the rod...
She walks up in front of your group and she turns her head to the side saying, "Sacrifices must be made, all power has a price to pay. Magic always must be balanced!"
Ingvarr steps forward gallantly, shielding the lady with his body and summoning his backup singers, saying, "No lady, you will not sacrifice yourself to this foul magical compulsion. I will protect you."
Sable nodded to Hundor and Koldur, taking his blade and slicing his fore arm and offering it to Hundor.
Koldur doe so as well and using the sharp edge of Moonshine, he run her across his palm and squeezes the needed blood out.
Koldur sighs.
"Is that it?" he steps up and attempts to take the rod.
Magic always must be balanced? I have no Magic. Hundor has Magic. Yep Balance. he considers though he guesses that no one else is able to conjure forth an animal or something before Hundor does something.
Koldur steps in front of Ingvarr and goes to take the rod from Hundor. But he fails Hundor grimaces whispering to himself, "No not Koldur!" A bright light and the tear of paper can be heard.
Then a massive wave appears and sweeps everyone away...as you get close to a wall you may attempt a Reflex Save DC 14 or be pinned to the wall, taking 4d8 damage.
+32
The other worldly voice is back and the rod shines a light on Hundor's face. "Now a sacrifice must made, I had three willing before if you would sacrifice for another so not one has to make the sacrifice step forward."
Ingvarr catches himself and moves back towards Hundor, saying, "I'm not sure what is going on, but I volunteer as tribute to protect the others."
Seraphina grabs on quickly to avoid hitting the wall and shook her head ruefully. "We clearly didn't have all the information when we decided on this plan..." she laments. She thought quickly, trying to recall something about such arcane rituals as this and how they should proceed.
She approaches slowly and does her best to appeal to the magically influenced halfling. "Hundor, it's Sera, listen to me! Just stay calm and breathe. What kind of sacrifice is needed? Life, blood, gold, power? Is the extent lessened the more of us submit?"
He struggles to say his own words, finally getting a few words out, "Yes, the more that offer, the more it is spread."
She steps forward and offers, "I offer myself for tribute." Using Ingvarr's word looking over to him and nodding.
Koldur hears Hundor's pained words just before he's flung back and slammed into the wall.
"What manner of Rod is this? Does it have it's own sentience?" he gasps out pinned to the wall as he is.
She steps forward and offers, "I offer myself for tribute." Using Ingvarr's word looking over to him and nodding.
Ingvarr looks over, smiles at Olivara, and holds her hand, ready to face whatever comes next.
"Yes, Koldur, it is the rod that compels him. I don't think he can hold it back much longer." She moved to her place in line, taking Ingvarr's other hand. "I offer myself as Tribute. It's alright, Hundor. I trust you." She smiled and nodded, so he knew she had confidence in him.
"Yes, Koldur, it is the rod that compels him. I don't think he can hold it back much longer." She moved to her place in line, taking Ingvarr's other hand. "I offer myself as Tribute. It's alright, Hundor. I trust you." She smiled and nodded, so he knew she had confidence in him.
** spoiler omitted **
Rai winces as he is launched into the wall by the wave."I would join you, but I appear to be a bit stuck at the moment!"
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Peeling himself of the wall, Koldur's face is bleak.
Yet another Sacrifice? I'll bear it all. No one else needs to suffer you foul thing. Take me instead." Koldur is furious.
Furious at himself for failing to help Hundor. Furious that yet once again others are at risk. Furious that his companions are once more being called to sacrifice their lifeforce, physique and what ever else makes them unique.
"Three willing before? I am more willing then anybody else to be this sacrifice! For everyone in this room. This Mansion. This V E R Y L A N D." He growls out as he wills his battered body across the room walking with each heavy step towards Hundor and the Infernal Possession Rod.
Koldur draws the attention of the rod again but Hundor won't let it happen. Koldur and Hundor take 8 con drain, Fort DC 20 to take half. Everyone else takes 2 con drain, Fort DC 20 to take half.
Then the rod goes to sleep. The light stops showing on Hundor's face and he can get off the throne.
He looks drained and stays in the throne. The rod floats beside the throne as he lets it go.
Bearing up fairly well under the stress of the tribute, Ingvarr rushes over to heal Koldur.
Seraphina felt only marginally weaker after the draining ritual, but Koldur and Hundor did not look well at all. She rushed to check on the halfling, pressing her hands to his forehead and neck like her mother used to when checking for fever. But he was not warm, in fact, he felt much too cool. "Oh Hundor, what have you done to yourself? Don't worry, everyone is alright and we're going to take care of you and Koldur."
She looked round to Olivira, "They are going to need healing and rest. I know it's rude to impose, but may we use your home for now? I know we still have unfinished business here, but Hundor isn't going to be giving any commands in this state. Maybe the wand I found can help them."
Sera helped move Hundor to make him more comfortable and gave her wand of lesser restoration she received earlier in the Caves of Nethys to either Rognar or Johanna, whomever was handy to make use of it.
Koldur feels light headed but with it a sense of satisfaction since he's managed to blocked off most if not all of the Rod's Negative Impact. He feels Sable hefting him up and in rare times he does not resist.
However he raises his grizzled head and looks at Hundor.
Whispering. "Not gonna let you or anyone else suffer. No Not this old dwarf."
Weakly raising a hand as he is helped to the throne, he points at Hundor
"This won't kill me. Not at all. I'm fine. As tough as the very mountain I am. Attend to the little one, Use that wand on as needed on him." He takes a deep breathe and slowly calms his racing heart.
Would have he have done it again if it meant sparing his friends?
Yes. Without any hesitation.
"Koldur... but If I hadn't taken some of it for you, you would likely be dead." He coughs out. "I can't have that!"
He pulls out his book and realizes that this is the time. "As the bearer of the contract of blood, I offer you all a chance to join. Ask your questions and my representative will answer." He then indicates Olivira.