Elliander keeps quiet, but follows the others towards the next set of doors, while holding the right flank. The lions are magnificent and he does not want to fight them if he can avoid it.
Oathday, the 29th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is mostly clear and very warm, with gusty winds coming from the north.
3 hours after sunrise
----------------------------------------------
The party moves forward toward the doors, passing between the lions with varying degrees of trepidation. Entering the chamber beyond the door, the adventurers note that the stained glass windows set high in the domed walls cast multicolored lights across the oval-shaped room, dappling the many books and scrolls crammed onto every spare surface save for the massive pile of blankets and pillows spread out across an enormous circular dais. An iron staircase runs along the eastern wall of the room, climbing to a balcony above the double doors – above the heads of the adventurers.
A great beast with the lower body of a lion and the upper torse of a comely woman with cat’s eyes and sharp fangs rests upon the dais and the heap of pillows and blankets. Her kohl-shaded eyes languidly follow the party as they enter her demesnes, and as Francis speaks she raises one eyebrow as the left corner of her mouth lifts with either scorn or thin humor. “Ah… such civility in a follower of Pharasma. Tell me, did you extend that same courtesy to my Iriri? She is very protective of me - thinks I’m her mother, you know. Very adorable…”
She watches the adventurers carefully as she pauses, obviously waiting for an answer. The guardsman moves up behind the group, hovering protectively near the double doors as the lions sit attentively behind the warrior.
--------------------------------------------
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Detail Map]
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Large-Scale Map]
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 41/41 [Sword is ‘holding charge’ for Chill Touch [x4 uses remaining]
Soumral 32/32 Dancing Lights cantrip active (4 floating lights illuminate area as a torch, must stay within 10’ of each other, travels 100’/round) for 1 minute
Francis 31/31
Rediz 29/29
Hasina 42/42 [Light orison active on flail (illuminates area as a torch) for 40 minutes]
Francis stops as the, cat lady speaks. He returns the smile in kind, then sadly shakes his head. "Not all worshipers of Pharasma are the same I fear. We ourselves have only recently had an encounter with a more militant branch.... But that has no bearing here."
"I don't know of an Iriri. Unless you refer to the great snake that attacked us as we entered the front door? If that is she, I must sadly admit that we had to defend ourselves, and the snake was hurt, and possibly killed. I will not dishonor the creature with a lie, but we were given no other option."
He pauses his speaking, waiting for a reply but obviously having more to say.
Elliander looks at the strange woman-lion(?) hybrid. He wonders if she considers herself blessed or cursed to look like that but keeps his silence. The duskblade is aware of the guard and the two lions at his back and keeps his sword and shield ready if an attack would come from behind.
Hasina is very much aware of the diplomacy going on before them, but watching the lions and guard very carefully. In our current position, I would hate to get jumped on by a big cat unawares.
Oathday, the 29th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is mostly clear and very warm, with gusty winds coming from the north.
3 hours after sunrise
----------------------------------------------
Hepsushep’s eyes narrow dangerously as she regards the party. “At least you are honest… Leave the trinkets I’m quite certain you have taken from Iriri’s body. And leave a few trinkets of your own as recompense for my loss. Then you may leave. Tarouk, you will escort them out after they have satisfied me with an offering.”
The guardsman bows and smiles wolfishly. ”As you wish, my love. Akshu. Bezar.” The two lions stand at the ready, their eyes reflecting an eager hunger – and Rediz is fairly certain they are both looking at him specifically!
--------------------------------------------
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Detail Map]
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Large-Scale Map]
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 41/41 [Sword is ‘holding charge’ for Chill Touch [x4 uses remaining]
Soumral 32/32 Dancing Lights cantrip active (4 floating lights illuminate area as a torch, must stay within 10’ of each other, travels 100’/round) for 1 minute
Francis 31/31
Rediz 29/29
Hasina 42/42 [Light orison active on flail (illuminates area as a torch) for 40 minutes]
Elliander feels that giving back the snake’s earrings is fair. Having to pay more than a few gold pieces on top of that and still not get access to the compass is not. The snake attacked them without them having a chance to explain their mission. It had attacked them first. He waits for Francis or Hasina to say something more while he holds his side of the door opening, blocking any entrance for the guardsman or his lions.
The chat has obviously gone quite poorly. Soumral thinks opening ghe conversation with a priest and an atheist discussing religion, no matter how tangentally, was doomed to not progress favorably.
"Pardon me Lady Hepsushep, but I believe there may be a misunderstanding regarding our presence here. I certainly see how it might appear we have come to discuss theology, but nothing could be further from our actual purpose."
"We have come with Francis, and yes, he is a priest. But I for one am no believer in divine worship. Yet our goals are aligned due to the seriousness of recent events in Wati. With the undead risen en mass, philosophy must be set aside to find a solution. If not, everyone's brains, whatever their thinking on esoteric subjects, will be eaten."
"We are here because we have good information that a seegiac compass is located on your premises. With it, and two others nearby, we can locate the source of necromantic energy responsible for the crisis. All we ask is access to the compass so I can make any repairs needed. When is is activated, we will be on our way without delay."
"May we find and repair the device?"
Oathday, the 29th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is mostly clear and very warm, with gusty winds coming from the north.
3 hours after sunrise
----------------------------------------------
As Elliander shifts his stance slightly, he notes that the guardsman does the same, reading the duskblade’s intentions as only a veteran warrior might. But then Soumral speaks and Hepsushep quirks an eyebrow as the left corner of her mouth lifts upward slightly in an amused expression. “Indeed? I have not really noticed any such uprising, though in truth my nights of late have been spent doing otherwise…” She gives Harouk a sly glance, and the warrior’s smile grows even wider, then turns back to the wizardess. “I know nothing of this compass you speak of, though perhaps we could come to an arrangement of sorts? I will allow you to do your work, if you agree to dwell here for a time? We could have many interesting conversations about the folly of faith in higher powers during the day. And I promise you the nights will be most pleasurable.” The lamia purrs seductively.
--------------------------------------------
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Detail Map]
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Large-Scale Map]
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 41/41 [Sword is ‘holding charge’ for Chill Touch [x4 uses remaining]
Soumral 32/32 Dancing Lights cantrip active (4 floating lights illuminate area as a torch, must stay within 10’ of each other, travels 100’/round) for 1 minute
Francis 31/31
Rediz 29/29
Hasina 42/42 [Light orison active on flail (illuminates area as a torch) for 40 minutes]
Francis steps forward carefully, no weapon in hand.... to talk. "Your offer is certainly gracious. But perhaps we could return at a later date? The undead that we mentioned are a threat to every living thing in the entire city of Wati, and perhaps the countryside around here. This necropolis is crawling with more and more of them as time passes and more are able to dig their way oput of the crypts here. If you would depart from here I would definitely recommend doing so in the daylight hours, and not alone. But for now, we must continue our quest to locate the source of the power raising the dead and stop it. If we fail, the military branch of the temple has stated that they intend to summon extra planar creatures to tear through here and destroy everything, and likely everyone in their path."
"We seek peace with the living, just destruction of the undead."
Soumral's head tilts slightly and her eyebrows rise. She had been hoping to get a more positive response from Hepsushep but um, where did that come from all the sudden? Is it meant to be a simple invitation or is it a condition for her cooperation? If I say 'no' how insulting would it be? If I say 'yes' how jealous would be guy with the big sword be? She's probably a very interesting discussion partner, and the report I'd be able to write for the Pathfinder Society could be a real hoot. And maybe I could use a distraction to take my mind off Voss being gone now...
Soumral mulls things very quickly. She probably doesn't have long at all to gracefully reply.
"Lady Hepsushep, your invitation is an enticing one and I eagerly accept, but there is one condition I must request. I have committed myself to seeing the seegiac compasses are repaired and used to locate the source of the energy animating the dead; and afterward ensuring the threat to Wati by the undead is removed. I take my commitments seriously and cannot abandon the ones I've made. Especially because I am the only person who can make the repairs to the compasses if any are needed."
"I will need a few days yet to see these things are completed, but then I will be free to return and spend some time with you. Is this acceptable?"
Soumral smiles back. She doesn't do seductive, at least in a polished, practiced way, but she tries the narrowed eyes she's seen used often enough by women who are better at this sort of thing than she.
Oathday, the 29th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is mostly clear and very warm, with gusty winds coming from the north.
3 hours after sunrise
----------------------------------------------
The lamia pouts, speaking in a sullen tone. “I think you are lying to me. You have no intention of returning. I could force you to stay, you know. I have that power. But I suspect your friends would object and I would hate to get blood on the cushions. It would positively ruin my plans for tonight.”
Hepsushep sighs and then throws up her hands in a gesture of exasperation. “Very well, if it means that much to you, I will allow you to… do whatever it is you need to do with this compass of yours.” But in the next instant, Hepsushep’s manner changes suddenly, and she growls in a dangerous tone. “My demand for the jewelry that adorned my poor Iriri stands, however, along with whatever other trinkets you might possess that will at least partially make up for the loss of my dear little girl. On that particular issue I will not be swayed. If you have issue with that, I will simply have to have Harouk spend his time tonight cleaning up the blood that will most certainly be staining my chambers.” She glares angrily at the party, and you can sense the guardsmen and the lions readying themselves for imminent combat.
--------------------------------------------
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Detail Map]
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Large-Scale Map]
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 41/41 [Sword is ‘holding charge’ for Chill Touch [x4 uses remaining]
Soumral 32/32 Dancing Lights cantrip active (4 floating lights illuminate area as a torch, must stay within 10’ of each other, travels 100’/round) for 1 minute
Francis 31/31
Rediz 29/29
Hasina 42/42 [Light orison active on flail (illuminates area as a torch) for 40 minutes]
"The jewelry will most certainly be returned to you."
Hasina looks at the others, she does not know what else the lamia wants or needs.
Francis gets a look of annoyance on his face at first, but quickly changes it. With a slow and measured speaking pace he replies. "Lady. If you need such for your belief, then accept my vow by my Lady Pharasma. If we survive the challenges ahead we will return. We are not here for looting, but I would personally like to return to see the treasures here and determine their historical value. The temple in Wati would be very interested in such items and would compensate you for their value. I'm certain such a business arrangement such as that could be quite profitable for yourself and your sisters. ??"
"As to the adornments of your friend Iriri, they are of course yours. The only reason we removed them from the body was to find the rightful owner. I would of course also offer to perform the final rights and burial for your friend if you would want. The Lady of Graves doesn't like bodies to be left for scavengers and worse to despoil. However, for your additional.... demand, for other trinkets.... I can only state for myself that I do not have any such things. My branch of the church doesn't do such, and I follow the Lady's practices."
Oathday, the 29th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is mostly clear and very warm, with gusty winds coming from the north.
3 hours after sunrise
----------------------------------------------
Hepsushep sneers at Francis' words. “Ah yes... the vows of poverty taken by the oh-so noble clergy. Do you truly believe that I am to believe the priests and priestesses that call themselves devout live in squalor? You are either a fool or deluded, cleric. Gold then. Or platinum. Call it weregild, for the life you took from me. And I warn you, if you dare to offer a trifle for my beloved Iriri, you will pay the remainder in blood!” Her face twists and anger as she spits her demand to the party.
--------------------------------------------
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Detail Map]
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Large-Scale Map]
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 41/41 [Sword is ‘holding charge’ for Chill Touch [x4 uses remaining]
Soumral 32/32 Dancing Lights cantrip active (4 floating lights illuminate area as a torch, must stay within 10’ of each other, travels 100’/round) for 1 minute
Francis 31/31
Rediz 29/29
Hasina 42/42 [Light orison active on flail (illuminates area as a torch) for 40 minutes]
"It grieves me that you doubt my sincerity Lady Hepsushep. As I have already said, I do not make commitments lightly and when I do, I take them seriously. It is certainly your prerogative to limit the terms of your invitation in whatever ways you choose.
"Our apologies regarding your snake. We were given no choice but to defend ourselves."
Elliander did not collect any earrings from the snake, but let Soumral do it. "I've got no trinkets either, but a few platinum pieces only." he says, handing over 10 pp to Francis before talking up a stance again. He will not let the guard behind them advance into the room.
The 'treasure list' is empty, save for what you took from the snake. Your characters sheets (links are in my last post) will have an outline of your gold/gems you might be carrying. So far the only offering I'm seeing (other than returning the jewelry taken) is 10pp. Anything else?
Francis face goes blank at the insult from the creature. He considers explaining reality to her, but decides that she has closed the discussion. "Since you have decided to close this discussion, on your head be it. We shall be sure that your corpse does not rise again as an ugly, undead version of yourself"
There are double doors and they have both been swung wide. Closing both doors in the face of the guardsman and the lions is a full round action, though you see no bar (nor even handles you could use to create a makeshift bar using a weapon or the like) to keep them from being opened again. It'll be opposed STR checks to see if one or the other of the doors are forced from the other side. Obviously you'll need to put your shoulder to one of the doors to try and do that, so two of you would need to try and lean your weight against the doors to keep them closed.
Elliander starts feeling the discussion is really going sour and prepares to get a better position. Unwilling to straight out start fighting, he will attempt to close the door closest to him unless his allies soon can get a deal with the lamia (likely with a comment such as “My friend here gets uncomfortable around big cats. Please keep them outside.”).
|
When the elf sees Francis stiffening and preparing himself for the unavoidable confrontation, she tries to calm him down wiht a touch of her hand.
" Its better to resolve this friendly Francis"
Then she takes out her purse and pays out some platinum pieces.
"You must excuse my ratling friend here, he is always causing me only trouble. But we are sorry for the grief he caused. We think a weregild of 40 platin pieces is a fair price for your beloved Inri."
"I hope you will see it our way and I impore you to let us access the compass. I am really the only person in this city who can use these compasses and save us all from this undead invasion."
Bristling and ready for the inevitable fight, Francis feels the touch of a friend. With his jaw clenched over harsh words he steps back to allow someone else to negotiate.
Oathday, the 29th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is mostly clear and very warm, with gusty winds coming from the north.
3 hours after sunrise
----------------------------------------------
The lamia’s eyes widen at the cleric’s words, and her lips twist in a snarl as she opens her mouth, the guardsman stepping forward to nudge the closing door with his pike and the lions surge to their feet as they growl menacingly. Then Soumral speaks soothingly to Hepsushep, who takes a deep breath, then smiles at the elf – though there is a cruel twist to her lips. “Such a fine tongue in that mouth… Well, I suppose a handful of shiny like that will help soothe my broken heart, as well as the rude tongue of your friend. I really should have it cut out and added to my collection, but I suppose you’ve persuaded me to let it pass. Typical behavior of the uptight religious men I’ve encountered at any rate. Besides, I really don’t want my man to be cleaning up blood tonight when I have other plans for us. And I do hope you take me up on my offer. Think about it.”
The lamia winks and then calls out. “Harouk, be a dear and watch them carefully. Come in, and bring Akshar and Bezar with you. If they so much as twitch in a manner I dislike, you have my permission to kill them all.” Then the lamia vanishes from sight! In the next instant, her voice is heard from above as the soldier and the two lions move to push past the adventurers into the chamber. “I believe the device you are looking for is up here, my precious little elf. Is it you that will do the repairs? Or another of your friends, perhaps the furry one? In any case, I will allow only one of you to approach. The rest of you will stay right where you are.”
Moving further into the room as the lions and the guardsman usher you in, the party turns and sees the lamia lounging on the balcony above them – unseen when they were standing directly below. Soumral realizes that they had been conversing with a powerful illusion that seemed to emulate the lamia perfectly, both to the senses of sight and hearing. A ladder of simple iron rungs leads up from the balcony to a small platform about twenty feet above the floor. There is an object up there that appears to be the elegiac compass they had come to activate…
--------------------------------------------
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Detail Map]
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Large-Scale Map]
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 41/41 [Sword is ‘holding charge’ for Chill Touch [x4 uses remaining]
Soumral 32/32 Dancing Lights cantrip active (4 floating lights illuminate area as a torch, must stay within 10’ of each other, travels 100’/round) for 1 minute
Francis 31/31
Rediz 29/29
Hasina 42/42 [Light orison active on flail (illuminates area as a torch) for 40 minutes]
|
|
Rediz bows to Soumral and waves in the direction of the ladder. "Do your magic and try not to get distracted like in Othirion last year. And if you need any Help, just whistle. I am always willing to help out fletching young wizards."
Then Rediz uses the new found free space to take a few more steps awqy from the guard and his cat.
Soumral assures Hepsushep that she can put the compass in order and get it operating without assistance. "Unless there are really major repairs needed and I need someone to help hold it as I put it back together."
Soumral climbs the ladder and assesses the compass before getting to work. She chats with Hepsushep as she does so, attempting to deflate tensions.
"Yeah, I sympathize Hepsushep. Religious types can be hard to take. Now myself, I have some interests around the general subject but they are intellectual pursuits. Take the Black Butterfly, seemingly arising to consciousness from the void. Fascinating! The void is my passion you see, very under-appreciated as a fundamental element of the multiverse. The invisible absence of all that paradoxically structures all else and gives it form."
"Anyway I'm rambling. I would like to pay you a visit when this is all finished. I think we would have some really stimulating conversations. I'd also like to look through your book collection."
Soumral lowers her voice so it doesn't carry to down below. "One thing though. Your boy down there seems awfully attached. I don't want to get in the middle of anything that's going to get awkward. And as far as things being one big happy party, nah, he really isn't my type... Now my friend Voss, he he could leave a girl too jelly-legged to walk given a couple of hours..."
Soumral continues in this vein while she works, almost free-associating her chatter to keep the lamia's attention occupied and off Francis. She doesn't want Hepsushep to grow bored.
Elliander watches Soumral climb up to the compass, but he still keeps an eye on the lions and the guard. Should the elf need some help, he knows something about Arcana too.
Oathday, the 29th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is mostly clear and very warm, with gusty winds coming from the north.
2 hours before midday
----------------------------------------------
In the span of about 15 minutes – which passes quickly for Soumral as she chats in almost amiable fashion with the lamia and incredibly slowly for those on the ground surrounded by a grim soldier and his lions – the wizard gets the compass activated without much of a problem. The delicate mechanism begins to emit a low hum, which Soumral knows will last for a period of 24 hours before it shuts itself down automatically. The countdown has begun. Once the other two have also been activated, she can invoke the ritual given her by Sebti that will allow her to ‘see’ the beams emitted by the compasses that will triangulate the position of the most powerful source of necromantic energy in the surrounding area. Surely that will be the ka pulse that is responsible for unleashing the undead upon the city. Climbing back down to rejoin the others, Hepsushep waves at Soumral and reminds her of her promise to return. “I look forward to it. And don’t mind Harouk – he can be very accommodating...”
The adventurers are free to leave the way they came in and to brave the streets of the Necropolis again. At least they have several hours of daylight ahead of them…
--------------------------------------------
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Detail Map]
Cenotaph of the Cynic [Large-Scale Map]
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 41/41 [Sword is ‘holding charge’ for Chill Touch [x4 uses remaining]
Soumral 32/32 Dancing Lights cantrip active (4 floating lights illuminate area as a torch, must stay within 10’ of each other, travels 100’/round) for 1 minute
Francis 31/31
Rediz 29/29
Hasina 42/42 [Light orison active on flail (illuminates area as a torch) for 20 minutes]
Elliander watches Soumral descend to the floor again. The wizard has hopefully done what it takes to get this compass working. He nods at her in recognition. ”So, on to the next one?”
The duskblade is ready to go and places himself between Rediz and the closest lion, to help his ally feel a bit more secure.
Hasina leads with Francis towards the next point of the compass. She is watching for.. everything.. as she goes, weapons at the ready.
Down on the lower floor once again, Soumral waves back in answer to Hepsushep before leading the others out of the building. When they pause outside to look at the map and get their bearings Soumral tells them about the time limit on the active compass.
"There! One now running and we're on our way to the next without any cuts or bruises" she remarks with satisfaction. "I even have a date set up if I decide I want it."
"We'll need to hurry from now going forward. It will be hard to continue after sundown, and the compass will only remain activated for twenty-four hours. We need to get the other two running before sundown."
|
|
When Soumral steps down the ladder Rediz looks expectantly at the wizardress."You sure you got that one right? We don't want to have another nasty surprise like Sothis last year."
When the group gives its goodbye to the Cenotaph Rediz steps up to Soumral remarking:"Thanks for handling the ngotiatiinons so smoothly. I think we were lucky to avoid that fight."
Then he turns to the Duskblade: "Thank you to Eliander for your protection. My mother would be hardbroken if her oldest son would have ended as cat food in there."
"So what does anybody know about the dark folk supposedly dwelling in that estate? Should we prepare for anything out of the ordinary?"
"Hmm.... Well, not much personally. Ptemnib indicated that they were mostly harmless and maybe even peaceful. He suggested that we try and speak with their leader, someone called Unwrapped Harmony. If they've dealt with the temple in the past, maybe they'll be willing to talk peacefully with us."
Elliander smiles at Rediz’s wit, but then grows vigilant again as they start making their way to the next target. He looks at any dark opening or narrow alleyway as if to expect lurking undead to jump out at them. The duskblade also keeps an eye at the roof tops. He hopes they are still hard to detect by the undead.
When the others start talking about what awaits them at the estate, he thinks about what info he has picked also.
Anything related to magic? “Unwrapped Harmony”? Hrrpf, sounds like a musician with a bit too great an ego., he muses.
Oathday, the 29th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is mostly clear and very warm, with gusty winds coming from the north.
1 1/2 hours before midday
----------------------------------------------
The party quickly determines that the concealment spell from the wand will soon expire and Francis uses its magic again to hide them from the undead that inhabit Wati’s Necropolis. Other than keeping their distance from a small pack of ghouls and a deranged-looking wight that bursts forth from an alley in one heart-stopping moment, the adventurers avoid finding any trouble, arriving at the old Asetiti estate on the western side of the hill in the southern-most reaches of the dead city.
Other than the scant information given them by Ptemnib, nobody can muster up any further knowledge of Unwrapped Harmony or the Xoti clan. Approaching the sprawling grounds, three humanoid shaped figures in filthy black rags wrapping them from head to toe nervously move to intercept the party. Only their pale hands and the tips of their noses are visible through the tattered robes that conceal their bodies so thoroughly. Daggers hang from their half-rotted belts, but they keep their hands well away from their weapons as the lead one speaks haltingly. “What business have you with the Xoti? This is a dangerous place in which to travel uninvited.” The creature’s voice is raspy and not particularly friendly in tone, but none of the trio appear to be hostile – just the opposite in fact, their body language seems to mark them as somewhat timid or at least uncomfortable with this sort of social interaction.
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 41/41 [Sword is ‘holding charge’ for Chill Touch [x4 uses remaining]
Soumral 32/32 Dancing Lights cantrip active (4 floating lights illuminate area as a torch, must stay within 10’ of each other, travels 100’/round) for 1 minute
Francis 31/31
Rediz 29/29
Hasina 42/42 [Light orison active on flail (illuminates area as a torch) for 25 minutes]
Having barely avoided some additional undead on the way to their next building, Elliander is more than a bit unnerved. He does not relax when they reach the estate and are met by figures he cannot easily estimate. By their initial appearance, they can be undead just as well, but they seem to see him despite the wand’s ward. Looking at their poor clothing makes him on edge. It’s not like they are simply poor. They seem unkept in general and not really human(?). Elliander lets the others do the talking while he really studies the figures dressed in black rags. What type of creatures are they?
Unsure but mainly not wanting another escalation of hostilities like the previous, Francis steps to the lead of the group, checking that his holy symbol is obvious across his chest. With both hands clearly visible and empty he smiles as he speaks. "I understand that we weren't invited, but we come in peace. Before today I knew nothing of your clan. We are on a mission for the Temple of Pharasma to find some devices that may lead to an end of the undead threat here. Ptemnib told us to try and contact someone known as Unwrapped Harmony from your clan. Could you help us?"
Soumral makes it clear to the Xoti she has no hostile intent as she steps forard to talk with them. She hopes they will be able to pursue the same strategy as before, talking their way in and out again.
"We appreciate your warning. We would rather not be here, but we have a mission of great importance. You have probably noticed the numbers of undead have greatly increased recently. This is because of surge of necromantic magic somewhere within the Necropolis. We're have been sent to find and neutralize the magic."
"We were told by the Pharmasman priestess who sent us there is a device located here that can help us pinpoint the location of the necromantic magic. We have come to talk with Unwrapped Harmony about getting access to this device, a compass of sorts, so we can turn it on. Is Unwrapped Harmony available to see us?"
Oathday, the 29th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is mostly clear and very warm, with gusty winds coming from the north.
1 before midday
----------------------------------------------
When Francis mentions Ptemnib, the guards mutter between themselves in low, but excited tones. It seems that they’re only paying attention when Soumral speaks, but finally one of them nods and starts moving swiftly toward the estate. The other two bow stiffly and one of them speaks in broken Common. “Wait here. Unwrapped Harmony see you soon.”
The minutes pass by in awkward silence as the guards seem to look everywhere but at their visitors. Clearly they are uncomfortable with outsiders. It is nearly a half hour later (shortly after the light orison cast upon Hasina’s flail expires with a sullen flicker) when the third guardsman comes shuffling back up the path, leading another trio that are clad in much the same manner as the guards, though they are slimmer and taller than the stout soldiers. One of them is a bit taller than the other two and moves with an uncanny grace, a pair of short swords sheathed at each hip. As they draw closer, there is a certain air of authority that is nearly palpable in the tallest of the new arrivals, and after a few long moments of examining the adventurers in turn, when it speaks the voice is feminine and cultured. “I am Unwrapped Harmony, and it seems you have intrigued my guardsmen enough for them to have summoned me. What business do you have with our clan here at our private estate? Ptemnib is well aware of our customs and inviting strangers into our home unannounced is unseemly. My people prefer to keep to ourselves, as we are certainly not welcomed by those beyond the walls of Necropolis. Our appearance makes most people uncomfortable and at times even draws violence, while those abominations that are not counted among the living and yet walk among them as hunters have learned well not to bother us here.”
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Elliander 41/41 [Sword is ‘holding charge’ for Chill Touch [x4 uses remaining]
Soumral 32/32 Dancing Lights cantrip active (4 floating lights illuminate area as a torch, must stay within 10’ of each other, travels 100’/round) for 1 minute
Francis 31/31
Rediz 29/29
Hasina 42/42