Brandark grabs his axe, and moves to where he can try to get a blade in on this flying snake.
Get down here and fight you overgrown snake
Surprise Round
Next to Defiant Gardens, the Lord Mayor's estate, is the House of Welcome. In human form, Xanesha used this high priced Brothel, along with other locations, to mark her prey. It was here that Xanesha met Judge Ironbriar, a frequent client to the House of Welcome, and seduced the vain elf to do her bidding. It was also here is where Xanesha, with the appropriate bribes, secured a room on the upper floor that had this wonderful view of Defiant Gardens courtyard and pool. For months now Xanesha saw the rich and powerful come and go at the Lord Mayor's estate. Many of these guest of the Lord Mayor are now dead, collected by the Skinsaw Cult. But Xanesha bided her time. She knew her biggest prize could wait. Afterall, he was an easy mark. That is until the Heroes of Sandpoint arrived in Sandpoint. So when Grobaras eagerly runs out to greet the Cheliax Baroness, Xanesha turned invisible, returned to her natural form and made her move. But in her eagerness to get her most prized mark, she was clumsy in her attack, missing the rotund Lord Mayor.
Round One
Garrath is quick. He lets out a bestial roar and rushes to attack the Lamia Matriarch. But the Shoanti Barbarian's attack was deflected by the Sorceress' Mage Armor spell.
Xanesha flies up a short five feet and activates her mask. The eyes of the mask glow a pale green as the Lamia Matriarch gazes at Garrath. But Garrath is too stout to easily be affected by this type of magic.
Uriana yells for the Lord Mayor to run. She launches a bolt at this amazing sight of a large flying snake woman. But like Garrath's attack, the bolt is deflected by Xanesha's Mage Armor.
With the Lamia Matriarch higher up and no longer in melee combat, the City Guardmen positioned on the walls had clear shots. But only one managed to get a bolt to strike.
Stone calls for the guards to protect the mayor. Then suddenly an angelic forms appears behind the Lamia Matriarch. It attacks the snake woman, but simply misses its strike.
Flynn quickly knocks arrows to his bow and sends shafts flying. One of his arrows solidly hits the large snake woman.
Glistenwing pulls out and reads a scroll. Garreth, Flynn, Stone, Brandark and the mayor get the benefit from a Haste spell.
Elektra cast Dispel Magic against the Lamia Matriarch. Xanesha suddenly falls fifteen feet from sky, but as an immediate action, the snake woman gently lands on the ground, her wicked polearm in hand and ready to strike.
Devora begins to recite an epic poem about courageous warriors.
With Xanesha on the ground, Brandark takes advantage and hacks into the snake woman, cutting her deeply.
Screaming like a little girl, the hasted Lord Mayor attempts to run inside his estate.
The Baroness' guards quickly ushers the Chelish woman out and away from the compound.
Round Two
Garrath grins a feral grin as the Lamia crashes to the ground near him, You're mine now b+&~!! and brings his Greatsword to bare on her.
With Garrath and Brandark distracting the Xanesha, the Lamia Matriarch misses her chance to take out the Lord Mayor. So, she turns her attention to those causing the distraction. She move back five feet splashing in the three feet deep waters and goes, once again, after the Shoanti Barbarian.
The Lamia Matriarch slowed by the water can only manage a single thrust at Garrath. Xanesha does activates the polearm's special ability. A wave of despair emanates from the exotic polearm.
Feeling the despair wash over her Elektra almost falls down until a You still have me in her mind and she, though quite sluggish prepres for the next moments of battle.
As a wave of despair overwhelms the usually hopeful Guard Captain, she fights through these feelings to load and fire a pair of Adamantine bolts. Even with the overwhelming feeling of despair, Uriana hits the Lamia Matriarch with one of her bolts.
One of the guards, again, actually hit the Lamia Matriarch with a bolt.
Devora shakes off a wave of despair, knocks an arrow, and lets it fly. The arrow harmlessly sails above the Lamia Matriarch
I'm done playing around Monster!
Caging Strike (Su): With a devastating weapon strike, spectral chains wrap around your target for a short period of time. Whenever you confirm a critical hit with a melee or ranged weapon attack (including spells that require attack rolls), you can choose to also entangle that target for 1d4 rounds (Fortitude negates). You may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Brandark follows into Xanesha swinging his axe, with his knees going week due to the waves of despair
Oh you overgrown worm, it is on now
|
The angelic creature move down to flank with Brandark and Garrath.
Be gone you evil creature.
School evocation [good]; Level cleric 4
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Area 20-ft.-radius burst
Duration instantaneous (1 round); see text
Saving Throw Will partial; see text; Spell Resistance yes
You draw down holy power to smite your enemies. Only evil and neutral creatures are harmed by the spell; good creatures are unaffected.
The spell deals 1d8 points of damage per two caster levels (maximum 5d8) to each evil creature in the area (or 1d6 points of damage per caster level, maximum 10d6, to an evil outsider) and causes it to becomeblinded for 1 round. A successful Will saving throw reduces damage to half and negates the blinded effect.
The spell deals only half damage to creatures who are neither good nor evil, and they are not blinded. Such a creature can reduce that damage by half (down to one-quarter of the roll) with a successful Will save.
Round Two
Garrath stumbles, but catches himself before falling into the courtyard pool. None of his attacks penetrate Xanesha's defenses.
Xanesha steps back through the waters of the pool. Slowed by the cool waters she was unable to get in more than a single thrust. But her wicked polearm slashes into the Shoanti Barbarian. A wave of despair emanates from the longspear.
The wave of despair overwhelms Uriana, but she marshals through and finds a weak point in the snake woman's defenses.
The city guardsmen continue to fire volleys of crossbow bolt at the Lamia Matriarch. One of the bolts sticks in at point where the snake-like body meets the female human-like upper torso.
The spiritual weapon of Stone's angelic ally nearly strikes, but was deflected by Xanesha's Mage Armor.
Stone attempts to cast Holy Smite against Xanesha, but the spell does not effect the Lamia Matriarch.
The Inquisitor Flynn pours supernatural energies into his bow targeting monstrous humanoids with shapechanging abilites. The first and third arrows miss, but the second arrow just misses a critical strike against the Lamia Matriarch.
And overwhelming since of despair discourages Elektra. But it does not stop the Elf Wizard from dispelling Xanesha's Mage Armor.
Devora continues to recite her poem of courage. Unfortunately, the Pathfinder misses with her shortbow.
When Xanesha steps back through the pool's water, Brandark takes an opportunity to strike. He cuts deeply with his battle axe. The hasted Dwarf follows Xanesha into the waters of the pool to continue his attacks.
Garrath laughs as the sadness rolls over him. As the creature tries to move away Garrath lashes out with his Greatsword.
Missing that attack, Garrath moves forward, and attacks in full.
Garrath missed Xanesha when she backed up through the pool's water. He sees Brandark repeatedly hacking into the Lamia Matriarch. Garrath follows and lands the deciding blow. Xanesha lets out a hissing screech that rivals the Lord Mayor's girlish howl. The Lamia Matriarch slumps over and falls face first into the now bloody pool. The actual driving force behind the Skinsaw Cult's recent actions dies. But who was driving Xanesha?
End of the Skinsaw Murders
Sitting down and waiting for the despair to leave, aided by her familiar Elektra moves forward and hugs Garrath and Stone, Brandark and Flynn.
"We made it that BI.. AM that thing is dead!"
Looking at her body Elektra wonders if she can get a decent pair of boots from the snakeskin! And maybe even a large purse!
After a while she will identify the magic items on the lamia.
Taking a deep breathe, Thank the sun that's over...with that thing dead, the murders should stop. I would say mission complete but its not, whoever lead this monster is still alive. For now we can celebrate i suppose, is everyone okay?
Garrath stands over the body of the Lamia, breathing hard as the battlerage leaves him. He grunts softly as the small bundle that is Elektra gives him a hug, "Careful you don't get blood all over you." carefully giving her a hug in return.
Garrath heaves the Lamia up and walks it over to the Mayor and drops it as his feet, "Ready to take threats seriously now? She was drawn to you because you place too much value on material things and not enough value on people" He looks at some of the servants, especially trying to find the young girl from earlier. "Maginmar may be a place of greed, but you're the leader of the city, as you go, so does it. Time to make better of yourself."
The Lord Mayor was not immediately seen. You will later find him hiding under his bed. Eventually, he fearfully comes out of the estate, still shaken from the attempt on his life, and looks over the dead Lamia Matriarch that Garrath drops at his feet. He had never seen such a creature. He had heard of them, of course, "I still don't understand why this creature wanted to kill me? Why would it care about greed? These creatures carry no virtue." Frustrated, he yells out, "There is something more to this. I must know what this is about."
The Lord Mayor turns to the party. "I need to know why this creature attacked me. The whole story! You will be well rewarded."
Flynn shows the mayor the letter, Because you're full of greed, corrupt. If you don't change your ways this could happen again, next time we might not be there
The Lord Mayor shakes off both Garrath and Flynn's comments, "OK. I am greedy. I like the good life. There are many in this city, Korvosa, Riddleport, throughout Varisia, Cheliax all over that seek wealth. But why would a Lamia care about the greed of Magnimar and its Lord Mayor? From what I heard about Lamias, they too seek power and wealth. Why would this creature care about my greed? Explain this to me?"
They work for someone and are collecting souls, apparently yours was worth quite a lot. Varisia is a land of old magic and old powers, whoever the Lamia worked for, is an old and powerful force strong enough to subdue a matriarch and has some need for greed ridden soul. that's about what we know concerning the situation. Honestly something that powerful is a bit concerning, there's a lot we don't know but something is definitely going on
"Lord Mayor, please forgive my comrades. Greed is a vice, yes, but that does not make you a bad person. I mean never trust a man without a vice. And greed makes you more trustworthy! My friend Brandark is a bit less... interested in personal gain and he just fought a horrible enemy."
The Lord Mayor begins to calm down with Flynn and Elektra's comments, "Then find who this Lamia Matriarch was working for. You will be well compensated." Then he added looking at Brandark and then the whole party, "Thank you all for what you did today."
He then looks at Garrath with a glance toward Flynn, "You are right. I am greedy. It has served me well. But it has served Magnimar well too. The Bazaar of Sails is one the greatest markets in all of Golarion. And my greed has allowed it to prosper. Magnimar prospers because I want the best from all over the world. Everyone in this city prospers because of it." He then looks down, "But you have made me see that I have put wealth ahead of people. I am sorry for that."
The Lord Mayor's aide Vallani Krinst was nearby. A couple of Varisian servants were behind Krinst, including the young Varisian girl that Garrath helped to clean up the broken tea cup. All three had looks of utter surprise on their faces. None of them had ever heard the Lord Mayor apologize for anything.
This day would be the beginning of a change in Gorbaras. He would begin to put people ahead of his personal wants. The transition would be slow, but the Lord Mayor would become a better man and a better Mayor.
Xanesha had a magic longspear, magic mask, and a magic snakeskin tunic. On a golden chain, and under the snakeskin tunic she was wearing a Sihedron Medallion. It is exactly like the one Nualia wore. Also on this gold chain is a simple iron key.
At Xanesha's side is a bag that radiates magic. When you look into the bag you see that it is much bigger on the inside; or should I say it is smaller on the outside. Either way! You count seven chests inside the bag's extra-dimensional space.
"Then this day will be a good day. Now lets take this thing away and let us investigate her so that we can find any clues about her motives, her origin and more."
Taking those items in custody Elektra identifies them.
Spear
Mask
Tunic
Medallion
Bag
And open the chests.
Elektra will determine that the longspear is old. Very old. It is thousands of years old. It is an Impaler of Thorns. The impaler of thorns is an ancient weapon dating back to Thassilonian times, when it was often used by city guards to aid in breaking up civil unrest. An impaler’s shaft is made of darkwood, and its head is a thornlike, wide-bladed barb. When an impaler of thorns is used in combat, its successful critical hits are accompanied by an unsettling screech, as of some wild beast in anger. An impaler of thorns is a +1 longspear. Once per day as it strikes a foe, the wielder can cause it (as a free action) to unleash a 30-foot-radius burst of despair that affects all creatures not wielding an impaler of thorns. Creatures affected must succeed at DC 16 Will saves or become overwhelmed with sadness and despair, taking –2 penalties on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls for 6 minutes. The target struck when this effect is triggered must also succeed at a second DC 16 Will save to resist becoming nauseated with despair for 1 round. CL7, 9000gp, weighs 9 lbs.
This first time around, Elektra is unable to identify the properties of the mask.
Elektra discovers that the snakeskin tunic is a tight, form-fitting shirt crafted from the scales of a giant snake. When worn, it grants a +1 armor bonus to AC, a +2 enhancement bonus to Dexterity, and a +2 resistance bonus on saving throws against poison. CL8, 8000gp, 2 lbs.
The Sihedron Medallion is the same in every way to the one found on Nualia. This medallion hangs on a leather cord with a silver disc inscribed with the Sihedron. While worn, a Sihedron medallion grants its wearer a +1 resistance bonus on all saving throws. Once per day, as a free action, it may be commanded to bestow the effects of false life on the wearer. Placed on the neck of a dead body, a Sihedron medallion preserves the body indefinitely via a gentle repose effect. CL5, 3500gp.
The bag is a type III Bag of Holding. It weighs 35 lbs. Can hold 1000 lbs. with a volume of 250 cubic feet. CL9 7400gp.
The iron key opens the chests within.
The first five chests contains coins kept in small leather pouches, each holding 100 coins. There is 33,000 cp, 8100 sp, 900 gp, 100 pp.
The sixth chest contains various gems and jewels, 180- 10gp gems, 20- 50gp gems, 4- 100gp, an Emerald worth 1000gp, and a Sapphire worth 5000gp.
The seventh chest contains four potions of Cure Moderate Wounds, +2 small kukri, a ring of jumping and a golembane scarab .
Garrath looks past the mayor to the servants, and gives a smile and nod to the girl. "Wanting the best for the city is not greed. Using that to make yourself rich and powerful is. Garrath drops a large, meaty hand on the Mayor's shoulder, and squeezes, just shy of hard, "But there is nothing more valuable than the people around you, and that is a wealth that continues and costs you nothing.
Brandark shakes his head at the creature, and accepts the hug from Elektra.
Aye, I hope that this is the last that we see of these things.
He wipes his blade, and puts it away.
When Garrath drops a large meaty hand on the Lord Mayor, Uriana drops her crossbow and draws her longsword. Grobaras looks at the hand and then Uriana. The Lord Mayor waves the captain of the guard off, then looks up at Garrath, "I know you mean well. But I am still the Lord Mayor here. You would do well to remember that. You have done Magnimar a great service this day. Do not ruin it by having me cast you into the Hells." Garrath crossed a line with the Lord Mayor when he grabbed him. But he will overlook this affront because of the service Garrath has performed.
I doubt it will be Brandark...There will be far worse dangers i suspect Flynn glances away for a moment, Just remember there is nothing more important than the people of the city...We should be going...I wonder if Magnimar has yogurt, i used to eat it all the time back during my days working with the government. Flynn seems to finally relax a bit, loosening the collar on his suit and putting away his bow. He pulls a small book out of his pack, quickly jotting something down.
Dragging Brandark away, actually trying to, because she can´t move him an inch if he doesn´t want to she speaks to the mayor."Forgive him, Lord Mayor, the heat of battle, you know." Whispering to Brandark she tries to sooth him."Forget it, that´s not worth it!"