Azygg is the first to enter the next room. It's sparsely decorated: A padded cot sits to the south, with a platter of chicken bones picked clean sitting on the floor next to it. To the north is a large, empty crate. The stale scent of body odor permeates the air.
Laurallei follows the half-orcs and nearly makes it to the next room, through a door that Robella had left open. This room is bare except for several tall stacks of crates and boxes. Many of them are labeled to addresses and ports of call other than Ilsurian. The heavy steel door to the next room stands open, the key still in the lock. In one corner of the room, pressed against some of the crates, is a female skulk. As soon as she sees Laurallei, she throws a dagger at the witch. Fortunately, her aim is poor.
Laurallei then launches her snowball, which catch Robella full in the face. There's a lit sunrod at the woman's feet, and she's packed with a large backpack and a bulging pouch tied to her belt. She screams in rage, maybe enhanced by whatever effect gave her those bestial features, and stares down the ice witch. "Did you really think you could come here, and take me? You dealt with my husband as well, didn't you? DIDN'T YOU?!" She takes a small flask from her belt, and makes ready to throw. Her hand is quivering with the tension, knuckles white. "I'm going to give you one chance to let me walk away. If not, I'll throw this bomb at you. I'm taking this whole place down with me, if I need. DON'T test me!" Onamae, don't just stand here. Engage that woman! The skulk complies, with hesitation. She moves up to Laurallei with a short sword in hand, but doesn't strike. She looks over her shoulder at the alchemist with her bomb at the ready, unsure what to think.
--
1st - Dindal, Azygg, Yagi , Yiel-Dan, Shera
2nd - Thug (blue) , Robella , Skulk
3rd - Laurallai
Bless (whole party, 7 rounds)
|
Yagi feels like he's juuuust on the edge of an important thought, but Yiel-Dan butts him in the beak playfully and the thought is gone.
Come on, my friend, we're not done yet, et!
He rushes into the room followed closely by Yiel-Dan.
Onamae, is it, it? Look, girl, you are no match for us. Let us through to your mistress, ess. There is no need for you to die for her when she clearly does not care for your life, ife.
Azygg's hunch was right: Robella is not afraid to follow through on her threats. As the Pathfinders close in and make no move to let her leave, Robella releases her bomb at Laurallei, heedless of the danger she might put the skulk in.
The alchemist proves to be remarkable accurate, despite the cover that the skulk offers. The bomb catches the Sylph squarely in the face, detonating with considerable force that leaves Laurallei unconscious and bleeding. The skulk manages to dive away and avoids most of the damage. "I WARNED YOU," screams Robella. "There's more where that came from!" The skulk looks wide-eyed, caught between two fires, but Robella spurs her on. "FIGHT, you wretched creature. Ir you're cut off from the shiver. ATTACK!"
--
1st - Dindal, Azygg, Yagi , Yiel-Dan, Shera
2nd - Robella , Skulk
3rd - Laurallai
Bless (whole party, 7 rounds)
Dindal moves up, but doesn't have a proper shot with his crossbow.
Robella draws a potion from her belt and puts it to her lips. She's there one moment, and gone the other. The skulk, freed from her dilemma by the disappearance of her boss, tries to flee. "Just let me go," she pleads as she darts between you, looking for a way out of the crowded vault.
--
1st - Dindal, Azygg, Yagi , Yiel-Dan, Shera
2nd - Robella , Skulk
3rd - Laurallai
Bless (whole party, 6 rounds)
Dindal tries an old wizard's trick to locate an invisible person, but he knows it'll take a while to sift through the various magical auras in front of him. Shera takes up her position in the door and stabilizes her sylph companion.
The room is suddenly deadly silent after the franctic battle of moments before, with just the skulk pressing herself into a corner.
--
1st - Dindal, Azygg, Yagi , Yiel-Dan, Shera
2nd - Robella , Skulk
3rd - Laurallai
Bless (whole party, 5 rounds)
|
|
Yagi hisses to Yiel-Dan, Hunt!, then turns to cast a spell on Laurallai.
Yiel-Dan sniffs the air, a predatory look in his beady eye.
Yiel-Dan immediately and triumphantly points out the skulk in the corner.
His attempt to intimidate the poor frightened thing proves to be not much more effective than his nose.
Azygg knocks down the skulk, while Yagi does what he can to get Laurallei back to her feat. Dindal continues to concentrate on his spell, sensing the presence of magical items, but not quite able to pinpoint their location.
Shera is poised to fire an arrow, when she suddenly spot motion from the corner of her eye! Robella suddenly appears right next to Yiel-Dan. Her arrow is underway in a heartbeart, but seems to deflect off a magical shield protecting the alchemist. Then, it becomes apparent why the woman's invisilibily had broken. Another bomb is in the air, hurtling towards the Eralistilian priest. Robella's aim was easy, being invisibile, and she doesn't make mistakes. The bomb explodes near Shera's chest, knowing her down and unconscious with its force.
--
1st - Dindal, Azygg, Yagi , Yiel-Dan, Shera
2nd - Robella , Skulk
3rd - Laurallai
Bless (whole party, 4 rounds)
Yagi, Yiel-Dan, Laurallei: Splash damage
Robella's bomb proves a nasty surprise for the group of Pathfinders, wounding several of them. Dindal tries to take advantage of the alchemist becoming visible, but his crossbow bolt gets stuck in the womnan's thick leathery skin (a by-product of her feral transformation). Azygg feels his axe penetrate the magical shield protecting Robella, but his attack is likewise thwarted by her thick skin. The only one striking a wounding blow is Yagi, who manages to strike Robella's skull with his weapon.
Robella bleeds heavily and shakes her head from the Tengu's attack. "I told you you'll pay for this. For what you did to my husband!" With an eye still on the exit, Robella starts tearing into Azygg, with tooth and claw. However, Yagi's blow must have stunned the woman; all of her attacks are easily parried.
--
1st - Dindal, Azygg, Yagi , Yiel-Dan , Shera
2nd - Robella , Skulk
3rd - Laurallei
Bless (whole party, 3 rounds)
Yiel-Dan and Azygg miss once more, but Yagi seems to have found a good rhythm and smacks his Sansetuskon at Robella's jaw. Coughing blood and dizzy, she holds up her head. "Yield!" she shouts, angry but knowing she's out of options. "This isn't worth dying over," she says with an eye to the heavy backpack she has on. "I yield..."
Robella isn't exactly meek. She scowls and huffs, but doesn't make any threatening move. "The mutagen doesn't work that way. I can't just make it go away. But I know when I'm beaten" Yagi and Azygg spot two potions at her belt, labeled 'healing'.
From back down by the cells a dwarven voice can be heard. "Hullo? Are you OK back there? Did you find the skulk?"
--
Robella is bound, and her two healing potions bring Shera and Laurallei back to consciousness. The pleas from the dwarf in the cell bring the Pathfinders to search the body of the skulk, where the key is found. There is not also time for a bit more investigation of the rooms where the battle with Robella had taken place: The first are holds all kind of stolen property and smuggled goods, among which a box stamped with the holy symbol of Erastil, holding tithe money worth over 250 gp in gold, silver and copper.
Through the steel door is the actual vault area. The large chest is open and seems to have been hastily emptied by Robella. Her backpack turns out to be magical, a Handy Haversack. It contains a wealth of platinum and gold, along with a small pouch containing some gems. Undoubtedly the ill-gotten gains of this band of criminals. The Pathfinders also find a small pouch with several doses of a small powder: the drugs that was supplied to the skulks. Finally, there is a silver chalice set, that turns out to also be stolen from the local temple of Erastil.
Freeing the dwarven brothers Gearwright leave the two men crying with joy. They make good on their promise, and they tell their rescuers to look out for a mechanical device, like a metallic spider with one eye. Barengar explains that the device is a (probably broken) clockwork spy, but that a secret compartment holds some further treasure. Indeed, it isn't long before the Pathfinder come across the item that the Gearwright brothers mentioned. The device is indeed broken, but the secret compartment holds a traveler's any-tool and two magical scrolls. The clockwork device is now broken, but it might one day be repaired again.
The clockwork device is found in a room that seems to be part alchemist's laboratory, and part office. Among the lab equipment rests a logbook, which provides lots of information on the grim dealings of the "Gilded Hands". There is a roster with nicknames, criminal specialties and assignments. Unfortunately, on real names are noted, but the notebook should easily qualify as evidence to convict any of the people found in the warehouse and the underground hideout.
Searching further, the Pathfinders explore a tunnel leading to the basement of Robella's Curiosity Shop, next door. The tunnel also leads south to the docks, and north to a hidden entrance in the woods, just beyond the edge of town.
--
With all of the evidence they found, the stolen goods they retrieved and the criminals they're taken captive, the group of Pathfinder make their way to Sheriff Feldane. The Sheriff has had some time to interrogate Borvis Monchello, and the evidence gives her the missing pieces of the puzzle. All of the apprehended men are locked away for now, while constables go around town to locate Borvius's other employees. Unfortunately, most of them seem to have already fled town. All in all, the the Sheriff has more than enough cause to release Almara Delisen, since the true culprits behind the recent murder spree have been caught.
--
The Pathfinders return to the Umbra Carnival with Almara Delisen, and are hailed as heroes of the day. All of the show's artists and families come together for a celebration in the Pathfinder's honor, lavished with food, drink and gifts. Laurallei in particular, is approached Ika, who present the Sylph with a traditional Varisian scarf.
--
Back in Ilsurian, it seems that good news travels just as fast as suspicious rumours in the small town. Plenty of Ilsurian townsfolk approach the Pathfinders on the streets, most to thank them for solving the murders, sometimes voicing their surprise of the presence of such an extensive thieves' guild in their town, and also sometimes to apologize for any prejudice that had towards the carnival, or outsiders in general. This is also the time to finish off any loose ends. The Gearwright brothers approach the Pathfinders, stating that they're off to Magnimar, and offering their rescuers very lucrative jobs as security for their engineering contracts throughout Varisia. Also, Agnes Walder has taken over her late husband's business and has reopened the Locked Box. This means that the Pathfinders can finally retrieve the rubbings of supposed Thassilonian carvings, their initial reason for coming to Ilsurian
--
Events in the town come to rest over the coming two days. Since the quarantine is lifted, the shows of the Umbra Carnival sell out day after day, and everything proceeds in good spirit. Eventually, the Sheriff approaches the Pathfinders along with the mayor of the town and a young acolyte from the Temple of Erastil. They propose a memorial, for Ilsurian townsfolk and Carnival workers alike. Since Sister Woodmere's death, and to symbolize the reconciliation of differences, they ask Shera to lead the proceedings along with the young Ilsurian acolyte, Chelexian and Varian standing side by side...
|
|
Shera becomes conscious with a gasp. Assisting her party members she searches for the evidence needed to convict the instigators of what is clearly a plot. When the tithes, and the chalice from the temple are found she gets angry. She's amost willing to let Azygg loose on Robella just for the sins committed against the church.
During the party at the Carnival she drinks a little too much and tries to get some of the magicians to show her some tricks. She's assisted back to her room at the Inn by her friends.
The next morning she's up late, and heads to the Locked Box to get those rubbings. On the way she's surprised to be asked by the Islurian acolyte to take the lead on the memorial for the deceased. She's is very honored. She takes the rest of the day to prepare to lead the service.
At the memorial she is amazed that so many people can come together after being torn apart like they were. She makes a lovely speech about family, home, and taking care of those in your community.
The next morning she's more than ready to head out and deliver the box to the Venture Captain.
|
|
Azygg lets his more gab gifted companions do the briefing only grunting when he agrees with their assessment of comments. He periodically leaves the room to rummage for wine or liquor to refill his waterskin. He cares not for the actual carvings, as it is just another means to an end for him in the society, but he is content he can finally leave this backwater town. Too much griping about things by the locals and not enough doing. Killing a holy lady did cause him some pause since he is also a devout servant of a deity, although Gorum would say she should have fought better.
|
|
Yagi and Yiel-Dan are seen nuzzling beaks before departing.
Groooaaawwwk?
Yes, old friend, I know, oh. Our quarry was not the usual type this time, eh, eh? But interesting, ing!
Grooaawwk.
Yes. Let's go find you a tasty critter for lunch, unch. I think I saw a raptor nest nearby with eggs, eggs.
Groawk.
The tengu and the flying reptile set off together, full of purpose.
|
Laurallei sits up, having been healed by the magical potions. "Did we get her? If not, I'm not sleeping again till I hunt down that bi..." the witch states emphatically before stopping mid sentence when she sees Robella tied up. For good measure, Laurallei gives her the evil eye!
A bit reserved in the company of so many humans, the sylph stays in a corner during the party at the carnival, but watches proudly the next day as Shera performs her duties as a priestess of Erastil. All in all, she is well pleased with her first excursions as part of the Pathfinders, but the return journey to Magnimar is most welcome.