Umut cries out as she is burned by fire, then acid, raked by claws, and finally disemboweled by Maximillian's sword. The last words to pass her lips are a dying prayer to her terrible deity.
But her death does not stop the horrors she has summoned as undead skeletal forms step from the crypt. Three are old dry bones, but the third is covered with blood and gore and wields the magical scimitar you brought as a gift to the wake.
They move quickly, pouring out from the crypt before anyone can stop them, dodging attacks from both Maximillian and Petra.
The bloody skeleton raises its stolen weapon and slashes at Maximillian as the others spread out to attack, one joining its bloody companion on Max, a second clawing at Muzhaa'f, and the last going for Petra.
The skeletons crack and burn from Muzhaa'f's holy energy, and Cathis burns the head off the one standing over Petra.
Maximillian swings his sword at the bloody skeleton facing him, but the blow doesn't land solid.
Petra bleeds.
Nicolae smashes the bloody skeleton apart with a mace while Cyrinda greases the area beneath the other two, causing one to slip and fall.
The standing skeleton claws at Maximillian. The other clamors to its skeletal feet and readies to claw at Muzhaa'f, but is cleaved in two by the paladin's sword.
The group then converges on the last skeleton and quickly destroy it, ending the threat created by the evil priestess.
After healing Petra, you search the priestess and the crypt and find some gold, a few potions and scrolls, a scythe she had hidden just inside the doorway, plus a silver unholy symbol of Pharasma and silver unholy symbol of Urgathoa.
Returning with her body to Aaqir al'Hakam, you are congratulated by both he and the guests at the wake. With no other threats looming Aaqir al’Hakam and his family soon conclude Zarmina’s burial.
****
The next day, as the wake comes to a close and the merchants begin preparing to go their separate ways, you have one last chance to speak with Aaqir about Doritannia's letter.
Noble Pathfinders,
Your preference for Passad’s dwarven rival has not gone unnoticed, and whether you realize it or not, it threatens any alliance you may have with Temel Passad. In a way,that makes us allies.
Eleven months ago, a caravan of expensive wine and spices I sent to Druma vanished along the Sellen River, likely poached by pirates or bandits. The loss ruined me, and only Passad’s timely intervention spared me from bankruptcy. However, he is utterly businesslike in his generosity, and I have become little more than an indentured servant to him. He has forced me to sell off my most lucrative businesses to meet his rigid piety, and every day he gains more power over me.
I am a talented accountant and businesswoman, and I wish to ally with a more reasonable patron so that I might rebuild my businesses. I can only do this if one were to purchase my debt from the Kalistocrat. Were you to speak to your patron Aaqir al’Hakam and convince him to buy my freedom, I would happily work with him in all future endeavors.
With all sincerity,
Doritannia Raffella
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"Trade Prince, if I may, Doritanna Raffella has sent us a private letter asking that you purchase her debts from Temel Passad. She says that Passad is a difficult person to be indebted to, and if you were to take over the debt, she would be happy to work in close alliance with you and the Pathfinder Society. This may have some negative consequences for your relationship with Passad, but our strong connection with Metella Rauger has already made a good relationship with him difficult. I believe if you were to buy Doritanna's debt it would be strong investment in a worthy ally."
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"And there is perhaps even chance that the customs of Kalistrade encourage the selling of this debt to you, and you may garner favor with Passad rather than blemish it. I must add, however, that this is speculation and I would wish to consult the libraries at Skyreach before asserting this as Truth."
Aaqir listens to your suggestion and nods in agreement. "With your success not only in defeating this priestess, but in dealing with these difficult merchants, I think your judgement is something I should trust. I will purchase Lady Raffella's debts and become her new patron, and I expect the arrangement will be a profitable one. As for the Society, I promise to write an account of the recent events to send to your venture-captains at the Grand Lodge so that you might be recognized for your efforts and heroism."
Aaqir also arranges for magical interrogation of the dead priestess that called herself Umut and learns she was an impostor. Her real name was Shirin, and she murdered the real Umut and left the body out in the Qadiran desert. The assassin remains a mystery, with no direct connection to the evil priestess, but everyone involved is more than happy to lay the blame for all the recent troubles on Shirin.
Metella Rauger and Temel Passad, and the two rival merchants continue to regard each other warily as they prepare to depart, but there is also a glimmer of respect, having survived an attack that threatened them all.
Aaqir is grateful for the party's help, debriefs you on what you were able to accomplish regarding the merchants, and thanks you again for your contributions. He promises to write a report containing his account of the recent events to send to your venture-captains and the Grand Lodge so that the party might be recognized for your efforts.
THE END