"Perhaps you are right, let's take this to my office," then Captain Uriana hesitates. "Or better yet to the Kaijitsu Estate." The party returns to the Naos district.
Leading boldly to Kaijitsu Estate Elektra already starts to write her report mentally.
The party returns to the Kaijitsu Villa. It was interesting to note that as you were heading above the cleft, gawkers and curiosity seekers were heading below the great Irespan to see what destruction was levied upon the Underbridge quarter by the collapse of the infamous Shadowclock.
Checking no one is about Elektra will report, in detail about the Lamia matriarch and her goons.. pointing out that they were not able to defeat her, but at least able to drive her off. She will take blame for it, stating that sometimes not loosing is winning and admitting responsibility for the damage. She will also explain in detail of the dangers of shapeshifters and the influence of evil cults and admitting that the next is a guess. They have not found any evidence that there was more than one cell operating in this area. And she will pledge that she will investing quite some time and effort in the hunting off this beast. She now knows her powers and abilities and she will prepare for it. She will also display all evidence about the murderer plans to kill the mayor in the name of ..."Greed"
Stone will detect magic on Uriana's Leather Armor, two rings, one on each hand, her belt, Longsword, fancy Dagger, Crossbow slung on her back, and every bolt in her holster. In other words, she glows.
"Looking to rob me? I will put up a fight," Uriana says to Stone in an almost teasing and non-threatening manner.
When Elektra reports, "You must take this to the mayor. We need to go." There is an urgency in her voice. The Captain of the Watch is loyal to the Mayor. He may be a greedy blow hard; but he is a good Mayor that wants the best for Magnimar.
Captain Uriana takes a deep breath, "Of course. Rest. I will return in the morning, and then we will go see the Mayor. In the meantime, I will go and triple the Guard around him."
Flynn keeps quiet and to the back, trying to recall which of his many names he gave.
Day Forty-Two
Felicitas will write a formal report.
Who? ;)
Looking in her purse Elektra shrugs and points out... "Well how well are we funded? But yes ... I will write a few if we have time!"
Brandark pulls out the bag with the communal pot
I think we are well funded, but I suggest that we take the time and invest in a bag that will hold more than a standard sack, for all of us now
So what's the game plan? Once we are suitably prepared? and if this goes wrong do we have a back up? Flynn asks aloud
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We stay close to the Mayor and check each person that comes to see him. With detect Evil and detect Magic spells. If we had some way of making sure they where telling the truth that would be good as well. Also if we could get one of us to look like the Mayor and take his place that would be even better. As for a back up plan well..... I can't think of everything.
I have a spell that can force the truth usually, should that fail i know how to read people. As for detecting i'm adept at sniffing out evil, part of my training i had to learn was to do it without needing to cast a spell. Should something go wrong our focus should be survival, living to fight another day. We should set up a meeting point, somewhere hidden and secret if possible. if anything goes wrong or a fight looks lost we get out and meet there.
Or, we don't split up, and stay in a group. Then if we have to leave we can do it as a group, and not have to set up a secret spot.
If things go badly we might not be able to get the chance to stay together. Back up plans on top of back up plans never hurt to have. I don't trust the Magnimar officials and the current situation doesn't help me trust them anymore than i did prior.
"Honestly, I think the mayor has to worry about 3 kinds of enemys here we encountered. Normal cultists... his personal guards should take care of that. The shapeshanger, well I think that is something he also can take care of. The lamia though... well we barely touched her as a team, I highly doubt we can stop her if we are seperated. This means we have to hunt her, to prevent her from sneaking in. If she wants to do that. She had a very special spear, maybe we can track that. Stone, you can take care of that maybe? We have her notes so maybe we can try a scrying. Also give me some time and some coin and I will stock up in spells. Or we could try a commune. But those are your kind of spells."
Just let me know how much you will need, and then get back to me.
Brandark looks over at Stone But if you would be so kind as to deal with these small cuts.
Looking at her purse Elektra shrugs."How about 2000 gold pieces. What I do not need, you will get back!"
Later she will plan to buy the spells locate person and locate object.
2000 gold. That is steep, but we have that in the communal fund.
Brandark pulls out a couple of small sacks, pauses then inquires. Do you think you might be able to make this bag bigger on the inside than the outside ?
Shrugging Elektra replies."I do not want to locate a vendor just to have to run back and get an extra 5 gold pieces. And as I said ... what is not needed, will go back to the pot. But on the other hand, why don´t we do this together, you will sell what we do not want and I have a look what we really need!"
Elektra will also try to scribe the new spells from the book found in justice ironbriars "Office".
blink, 90gp
cat’s grace, 40gp
chill touch, 10gp
scorching ray 40gp
shocking grasp, 10gp
shrink item, 90gp
spider climb, 40gp
web. 10gp = 330gp
Thinking for a long moment Elektra shakes her head. "Unfortunately I can´t.. .yet. It takes a very complicated spell to create. I could make it without the spell and a scroll but that would be more expensive"
Aye, I will come along with you while you get what you need.
Brandark will accompany Elektra while she gets what she needs from the market.
Devora will look at the party, "I think we should all go together to the market." The Pathfinder is still visibly shaken by the ordeal.
Elektra will only try to buy locate creature. 700 gp per scroll and then another 160 to scribe. If possible she would seek a mage willing to trade spells or willing to let me copy the spell.
It's too dangerous for us to split up right now, we should go together
Garrath shrugs and grumbles, clearly not at home in the city.
Travelling to and from the Bazaar of Sails proved uneventful. The usually robust crowd was sparse this late afternoon. Many patrons were visiting under the Irespan for some reason.
Day Forty-Two
At the crack of dawn, Uriana comes knocking. "The mayor wanted you at his estate last night. It took some convincing to explain that you needed rest," her tone was one of frustration. "Hurry. Gather your gear. We need to get to the Mayor's compound."
"Then off we go!"
Brandark takes a bit of time to get himself and Abacuzar ready
When the party arives at Defiant's Garden, the estate of the mayor, the obese bureaucrat was asleep. A tall dour man named Khonderian meets the party and speaks with a Chelaxian accent, "We have stables for your horses. There is a staff kitchen. Meals are served there only before dawn and after dusk. For now, keep guard here in the courtyard." It was obvious that the party was expected.
Several boring hours later, the Lord Mayor Grobaras comes out of the manor house and into the courtyard. He is followed by a middle aged aristocrat and a young serving girl holding a tray with a teapot and plate of raspberry jelly smeared crumpets, "Good. You are here. Do you have the note Captain Uriana spoke about?" Grobaras delicately holds a small porcelain tea cup.
Devora hands the Lord Mayor the note. Grobaras takes a moment to read the note. He becomes visibly shaken, dropping the tea cup. It shatters on a courtyard paving stone. "What is this all about? I don't understand. I don't know this thing. Why would it desire to kill me?"
The Lord Mayor begins to pace back and forth, "Valanni, did you do something to piss off this creature?" The Lord Mayor turns and addresses the middle aged aristocrat, that you will later learn is Valanni Krinst, the Lord Mayor's personal Secretary.
"No my Lord. I know nothing about this," Krinst becomes wide eyed and takes a couple of steps back when the Lord Mayor turns on him.
"Somebody please explain this to me!" The Lord Mayor yells out. And then, just as quickly, lowers his tone and calmly with authority looks at the serving girl, "You. Get me another cup. And clean this mess up."
Trembling, and without saying a word, the serving girl moves quickly to obey the Lord Mayor's commands.
Elektra clears her mouth and starts to speak. " After much research, I can say for those people it is not what you did, but what you are that qualifies you for sacrifice. You are perceived as greedy, and that makes you a target.
Like some of the last victims of justice ironbriar. Well we could root out that norberger cult, we were able to ifentify the head and her hideout is gone. It will take time for her to get a new cult. Unfortunately is she a very evil and capable monster with shapeshifting powers so beware of beauitiful women in the near future if you do not want to end in a very gruesome, painful manner. We are trying to find her with magical means if she still wants to ripp your soul from your body, so that we can prevent that!"
This day the Lord Mayor did not go to his office at the Pediment Building for fear of been accosted in the streets. A little after noon, Khet Igersen with several other merchants arive at Defiant's Garden to see the Lord Mayor.
It would do well for you to rid yourself of some of these unnecessary things too. Greed will only attract this creature to you more. Garrath glares when he treats the serving girl poorly, and moves to help her clean up.
Elektra suggest to lock and barrage all but one door, take care that the windows are not easely accessable, not that they should be, and checks all female staff for any intruders.
Check for poison in the food the mayor digests and more.