Enemy status is posted in the initiative tracker.
27 Chusynd (Damage: 17)
18 Veiled Captive (Damage: 12)
12 Tak
11 Seldiliel
10 Thoriel (Damage: 8)
10 Greyveil
9 Blue (Damage: 82, Bleed 2, Unconscious)
9 Green (Damage: 55)
9 Red (Unconscious)
9 Sahess
The dark caller resists Seldiliel's command, dodging aside of Thoriel's attacks. Seeing her allies fall, she steps away, drawing a scroll forth.
The room falls into supernatural darkness once more!
27 Chusynd (Damage: 17)
18 Veiled Captive (Damage: 12)
12 Tak
11 Seldiliel
10 Thoriel (Damage: 8)
10 Greyveil
9 Blue (Damage: 82, Bleed 2, Unconscious)
9 Green (Damage: 55)
9 Red (Unconscious)
9 Sahess
The burst does not pierce the darkness, but Tak can hear the grunt of pain from the holy energy.
Thoriel strikes true twice, electrocuting the caller, but still she stands!
27 Chusynd (Damage: 17)
18 Veiled Captive (Damage: 12)
12 Tak
11 Seldiliel
10 Thoriel (Damage: 8)
10 Greyveil
9 Blue (Damage: 82, Bleed 2, Unconscious)
9 Green (Damage: 116)
9 Red (Unconscious)
9 Sahess
The dark folk explodes in a burst of shadows, the chill blast sapping Thoriel's strength and washing over the captive man and woman nearby. With no enemies remaining standing, you find the downed kytons difficult to kill outright. A healthy dose of silver-typed damage finishes them off.
Turning your attention to the unconscious dark folk in the corner, you realize another deception. Basia Kalistoff, bound and unconscious, is under the effects of a disguise other spell. The relief in the Scarab Man's eyes is obvious to you all, and he gives you a muffled cheer. His cheer turns into a low moan as he winces in pain. The woman with red hair you recognize as Olivina. She is still gagged and bound to the organ seat. She radiates hostility as you approach.
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Greyveil moves first to release the man from his adopted country. Untagging ad untying the Scarab Man he asked Can you tell us what has gone on here brother while I free the others. I too follow the scarab sages.
Her will then free Basia Kalistoff asking her Olivina seems unhappy to see us. I suspect the dark folk have filled her head with lies. I will free her anyway of course. and moves to do so if others do not beat him to it.
All three captives have large visible bruises and shallow cuts on their bodies. When you remove the gag from the man's mouth, he stammers his thanks. "My gratitude, all of you. I cannot begin to describe my terrible ordeal. I visiting family in Karcau only a day or two ago before I was abducted and taken here." He looks around with wide eyes. "Where is here exactly?"
"I offer my thanks for your generosity again." the man responds, taking the potion from Greyveil. "I must profess, I do not know your sages. But the Eye is vigilant and respects those who are likewise, that they might stand against evil together."
Basia wakes groggily, the healing of the Arodenite clearly not enough to fully remove the pain. "Pathfinders! I see that you have successfully dealt with the culprits of these heinous acts." She grimaces slightly at the sight of the tied up Olivina. "Let me assist you in securing their well-being."
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Greyveil shoots Thoriel a shushing look then adds I am sure whatever the good man means there are some things he would rather not discuss in the open. Let us respect his privacy. Turning to the man he adds The Eye stands in high regard with the Scarab Sages, and I consider out meeting quite fortuitous. I wonder if you might take a message to the Eye from my superiors? We have heard that the eye might know of a certain multi-hued precious stone the size of a halfling’s fist. There are rumors that this stone might be a sage jewel, or at least connected to one. If your organization would be willing to contact mine to discuss the where-abouts of this item and the possibility that it might be be returned to the sages I would be most grateful.
"I'm sure you can understand why I would prefer to speak little more of it then." he answers Thoriel's playful comment with an apologetic smile. His face turns serious once more at Greyveil's reasoning. "I cannot deny that you have proven your mettle here this night. You should inform your leaders to contact High Ptesokrasalus for a meeting. I am not so ranked as to be able negotiate access to our most treasured relics."
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It will be done. Greyveil says, turning his attention to Olivina.
My dear woman, it seems you have been misled or worse. We are here to help. I can assure you we offer only healing and succor. You have been held, mistreated, and perhaps magically influenced by these dark creatures. How might we set your mind at ease?
As Greyveil releases the actress from her bonds, Tak can see her bewilderment grow despite her ire appearing to not cool in the slightest. Her speech confirms as much when the gag is removed. "Oh, you vile Pathfinders." she moans theatrically. "Abduct me, beat me savagely, keep me in the sewers until my adoring fans could search no longer, and then drag me through dark tunnels to this profane cellar to rot! And now you claim no knowledge of it?"
"Miss Olivina, I assure you my agents only arrived just today..." Basia interjects, but is cut off by a breathy huff of disbelief.
"Foul mistress of darkness, do not stain my ears with your lies! Was it not you who ordered your torture demons to violate myself and this poor noble man? How far will you go to crush what is beautiful and good in this world?" The venture captain grimaces before stepping away towards the door to the stairwell.
"I will call for the guards and inspect the lodge while you resolve this. Try to be gentle." Basia offers quietly to Tak and the rest of the party before departing.
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Sahess re-enters the room, looking somewhat disheveled. "My apologies for that impropriety. Am I needed?"
Overhearing the actress's accusations, Sahess walks over to her. "Miss, if we had wanted you abducted, tortured, and violated, rest assured I would have no qualms doing so." She removes her helmet, revealing the mixed Nagaji and draconic features. "As you are here and relatively unharmed, you can see that we are not intending to hurt you, else you would be slain and disposed of or not within your right mind. Do you think us incompetent? You offend, and you offend a lady of Taldor and emissary of Nagajor. Are these your intentions? Do you intend to slander me, my associates, and my Society?"
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M'lady! Chusynd hurries after Olivina, a scrap of parchment and quill in hand. Lady Sharnau! Could I possibly trouble you to grace me with an autograph? I should very much like to show that I've met a talent such as yours. He gushes about her most recent performance at Cloisoi Theater, and eventually dropping the spirit Margaret's name, mentioning her recounting of Olivina's disappearance through the sewer grates.
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Seldiliel will step in front of Greyveil and hold out her hand to step Greyviel from freeing Olivina.
"I have peered into the minds of these people and I believe that Oliviana is under the effects of some sort of enchantment. She sees this fiend we slayed as a savior. My suggestion is to reinforce her bindings and put a gag in her mouth...for her own safety of course."
Seldiliel turns to Basia and asks, "Do you know of anyone who can break a powerful enchantment? Otherwise, I think we need to keep her restrained until the effect ends on its own. Considering her status in society, it would be better to find her magical help."
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Upon hearing 'gag her' Tak says "We would rather not gag you you are famous for your voice. Please think of it this way, we traversed the sewers, made pacts with unknown powers, investigated the city in the dead of night and were assailed in the dark. Only to overcome and rescue you. Why would we do this if we were not on your side?"
Tak will also take 15 min to prep dispel magic in his 4th level slot.
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She may not trust us Seldiliel, but she is hardly gonna hurt us. She is hurt and has been restrained too long already by those dark folk. I will not have her restrained any longer. To Olivina he adds I only ask that you hear us out before you take your leave completely and consider the possibility that we might have been set up to look like the bad guys.
"Or you may have set yourselves up to look like the heroes!" The retort isn't as full throated as some of the previous rhetoric, and the confusion on her face deepens at Chusynd's gushing praise. "So even the Pathfinders have those with appreciation for the arts..." The distracting rush of the Arodenites verbiage thankfully drowns out the threat of gagging.
"Very well then. My apologies for misjudging you all." she concedes in the face of Sahess and Tak's explanation, although the words feel practiced and not heartfelt. "If there are no other surprises, I wish to return home. My understudy in the Orphan of Okeno is always sharp in the final solo." A quick investigation of the dusty library beyond reveals a gaping hole in the floor leading to an underground lake. No further villains leap out to enact poorly thought out revenge attacks, allowing you all to exit safely.
The Karcau city guard has arrived as the party exits the basement to safely see the freed captives to their home. Before departing, the man introduces himself as Liand Erumont to Greyveil, expressing his hope to cross paths again in the fight for justice.
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"Oh little dark one, I suggested keeping her restrained for her safety, not ours. My only concern was that her addled mind may have lead her to committing some act of self destructive foolish. But by all means, release her! I really don't care what happens to her at this point. I'm going back to the inn to take a bath."
Seldiliel steps aside so that Greyviel can release Olivina and heads back up the steps.
After a long bath and a warm meal, Seldiliel will spend what remaining time she has in Karcau trying to figure out if there is a way to end the haunting of Mad Maria. The idea of her wandering the halls of the opera in an endless loop of madness strikes Seldiliel as particularly tragic.
The party returns to the Aria amid quiet streets, the city finally seeming to have gone to bed.
The next morning, simple breakfast trays arrive at your rooms two hours past dawn. At this relatively early hour, a gentle violin solo drifts through the inset grates left open either by choice or due to your exhaustion. An hour later, a runner knocks sharply and presents a folded note on a tray. A small silver key tied with a purple ribbon sits beside it.
The key neatly opens the discrete door to the auditoriums setting. When you arrive, you see Sasandra Livgrace on stage, seated in elaborate evening dress and playing the violin. Her eyes follow as you move into the room, but close again as she completes the musical movement with a bright arpeggio. She pauses a moment before setting her instrument and bow upon a small table beside her. Her smile is enigmatic as she addresses the assembled group. "I don't often get the opportunity to play upon a stage. It is nice sometimes to return to it." She clears her throat. "But I am not here to revel in simple pleasures. I am here to congratulate you for solving the case and saving the day." Her smile broadens as she indicates you all. "In fact, most of the morning's gossip focuses on how 'The Pathfinders' helped protect Karcau, and how they performed a daring rescue of Olivina." Her eyes raise knowingly. "No doubt the publicity will improve your Society's standing among the city's aristocracy."
Seldiliel is allowed to stay on in Karcau for some days after studying the manifestation of Mad Margaret, coming to the conclusion that her spirit must be cleansed of the madness that brought about her death before she can be brought to recognize her spiritual existence. Sadly, no method yet exists to bring this about.
Only a month overdue, I call that a win. :)
I keep most of my chronicles on the dropbox indefinitely. They take up so little room that I don't need to clean them out.