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Cerin looks up at the Raven and the hand puppet seems to stare deeply at Javon for a moment before nodding solemly and turning to the strange gnome.
"Javon! Irememberyounow! You are famous, the way you delt with the wererat gangs of Almas was inspired...thoughmessy."
Hearing the voices, Cerin turns and gives J a friendly pat before steeping next to Grax, his deep sunken eyes evaluating the wannabe slavers.
"Asmyfriend says. The Lady is with us, and there are several of us with big weapons and short tempers. I say run and run now!"
Initiative Order - Round 1
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Hotspur(yellow) - moves, shouting taunts
Hotspur(green) - moves, shouting taunts
Hotspur(red) - moves, shouting taunts
Hotspur(pink) - moves, delays
Hotspur(blue) - moves, delays
Grax - moves, demoralizes hotspur(red)
Cerin - moves, demoralizes hotspur(yellow)
Amun-Heth - delays
Paby - sends Tog to demoralize
_and Tog - moves, demoralizes hotspur(green)
Felaeran - attempts diplomacy
Eugeni - delays
J. -
-------------------------------------Round 2
Hotspur(yellow) - draws weapon, attacks Tog
Hotspur(green) - draws weapon, attacks Tog
Hotspur(red) - draws weapon, attacks Tog
Hotspur(pink)
Hotspur(blue)
Grax
Cerin
Amun-Heth
Paby
_and Tog
Felaeran
Eugeni
J.
The Pathfinders move up to protect their charge by trying to dissuade the Qadiran Hotspurs who seem to be looking for trouble. Their combined efforts appear to have shaken the young men from their aggression. Toggeli closes in on them and they begin cursing in Kelesh and drawing weapons.
J. looks a bit shaken herself and as she takes a step backward, a rusty can near her leaps into the air and flies toward the men who threatened her and now look ready to attack Tog. The projectile bounces off the one in the middle harmlessly, but it slings rusty water over him, staining his fine outfit.
"Hey! Who threw that? What in the planes are you? Back, foul wraith!" They shout as they swing their saps right through him. Only one seems to harm the phantom, and only slightly.
But J. has made an error, and in moving back from one threat, she unwittingly stumbles into another. Two women, dusky skinned and dressed in the style of Qadira had stood back from the argument watching. One of them laughs and sneers derisively as she wrenches J's arms behind her back in a grapple. "You call this a Lady? It looks more like a boy to me. A skinny boy with narrow hips and a flat chest!" The other nods in agreement. "Yes, at best a scared little girl. Why do you dress this way, little girl? Didn't your mother teach you how to dress and walk as a lady does? I think she must be looking for trouble!" She reaches up and delivers a stinging slap to J.'s face and her handprint now stands out upon J.'s pale cheek, a livid red.
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Cerin's eyes twitchin annoyance at the foolish Qadiran attack and at their apprent foolishness of walking right into this ambush. It is always in the alley! the Gnome thinks sourly as they turn their gaze on the woman holding their charge, taking upon a terrifying aspect.
I suggest, you let go of our friend before you are brought screaming from this world and I use your corpse as a puppet!"
Initiative Order - Round 1
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Hotspur(yellow) - moves, shouting taunts
Hotspur(green) - moves, shouting taunts
Hotspur(red) - moves, shouting taunts
Hotspur(pink) - moves, delays
Hotspur(blue) - moves, delays
Grax - moves, demoralizes hotspur(red)
Cerin - moves, demoralizes hotspur(yellow)
Amun-Heth - delays
Paby - sends Tog to demoralize
_and Tog - moves, demoralizes hotspur(green)
Felaeran - attempts diplomacy
Eugeni - delays
J. - flings projectile, misses
-------------------------------------Round 2
Hotspur(yellow) - draws weapon, attacks Tog
Hotspur(green) - draws weapon, attacks Tog for 2 NL damage
Hotspur(red) - draws weapon, attacks Tog
Hotspur(pink) - grapples J.
Hotspur(blue) - slaps J. for 2 NL damage
Grax - swings and misses
_
Cerin - Cast Cause Fear Will DC 16
_
Amun-Heth - moves, swings and misses
_
_
Paby - swings and misses
_and Tog - double moves
Felaeran - tries to grab J.
Eugeni - swings and misses
J. - draws Kukri
??? -
-------------------------------------Round 3
Hotspurs withdraw!
Enough wiffing of weapons occurs in the dank little alleyway to stir up a stiff breeze! One of the hotspurs does manage to score a blow against Amun-Heth as he kicks off the wall and leaps over them.
The Qadiran men look on in horror as Tog moves through the wall and the woman holding J. drops her hold immediately as she stares fearfully at Cerin's ghastly face. She looks about to bolt.
The slap seems to have steadied J.'s nerves and the lines of her face harden as she glowers at the women and draws her Kukri. Her voice resonates with a strange tone that sounds at once both more masculine and younger than you have heard her sound previously. "Insolent fools! You dare! You will never lay a hand on her again, Qadiran scum!" And there is a strange duality in her face as another emerges from within. An intangible form in the shape of an adolescent boy rushes out from J.'s body. He crashes into the woman who slapped her, pummeling her with ethereal fists that seem to have hardened into stone. She screams in terror and pain. "They are devils!" Her companion shrieks. "They compact with evil spirits! Run for your lives!" The women cling to each other as they do just that.
Not needing to hear any more, the men turn and run in the opposite direction, just as eager to be away from this place.
The apparition of the boy turns as if to go back where he came from when J. raises her hand to stall him. “Wait, I think they will understand." She turns to face you all. "I guess I should tell you, considering who you are and where we are going. I’ve been keeping him a secret for far too long in any case. Everyone, this is my friend, Grishan.” The ghostly young man stays protectively near J.'s side and acknowledges the Pathfinders with a mere nod.
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Seeing the woman ready to bolt and then the sudden appearance of the ghostly figure to attack her, Cerin immediately goes from thunderous wrath to confusion before something clicks in his mind. He smiles and holds his hand for the ghostly boy to shake.
Hi! MynameisCerin, yes we are more understanding than most! Paby even has literally hisownghost! Is it a good time to explain what is going on?"
Without paying attention to Papy's words, the phantom approaches Grishan and bows.
"I need not to present myself once again, since your conscience is fused to J's. However, nice to meet you, Grishan."
He pauses there but continues an instant later with a smirk.
"I must say that it's the first time I meet one of my "kind". Don't mind the foul dwarf. He's jealous because we haven't reached a symbiosis allowing us to fuse completely. We're still... learning." he finishes, shaking his ectoplasmic head with an expression of sadness.
"You seem to protect J fiercely. That is most chivalrous of you, if I may say. May I inquire what is your bond to Grishan?" asks Tog, blushing a little into a paler shade of green, as this question seems to mean a lot to him. If Grishan doesn't answer, he'll ask the same questions at J.
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"Well, aren't you just full of surprises?" Javon lands near J on a nearby rock. "Grishan, it's is a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for helping us protect young J, here."
"J, how long has Grishan been with you? And is this why you're so keen on returning to the ruins? I assume, he's a spirit of one of your schoolmates?"
Grishan exchanges greetings amicably. "Well met. That is something I have not said to anyone in a very long time. Let alone my own... 'kind' as you say." He considers Toggeli a moment. "You appear now as you did in life, like myself, do you not?"
J.'s cheeks also color slightly at the question about the nature of their bond. Seeming just a touch defensive, she barks a nervous laugh. "Well, we're friends, like I said. We were friends in life and we'll be friends in death." Grishan smiles, "I think he means to ask how we became bonded in this way, J."
"Oh... well, maybe you'd better explain that part." J. turns away and seems to try not to listen as Grishan begins to explain.
His voice sounds like it comes to you from a great distance, but it is steadfast and calm. "Many years ago, Junia and I ran with the same group of schoolmates. I was the elder back then, she was eleven and I was fourteen. We were not as well behaved as was expected of us and we often slipped away from classes to play in the Necropolis. But had we been on our best behavior, we would all have perished with the others. That's where we were when the earthquake hit. We weren't hurt by the quake, but we were trapped. We had very little food and no water. We exhausted ourselves calling for help, but since no one knew we were down there, no one came looking for us. We explored the graves some, just to occupy ourselves, really. We found some jewelry that we divided among ourselves, but nothing to eat or drink. It wasn't long before we really began to suffer from dehydration and hunger."
A soft sob comes from J. "Except for me." Grishan nods, a sympathetic look on his face as she takes over telling the next part. "I picked a stupid ruby salamander ring because it was red... for Cheliax. Because I thought my mother would like it! I swear I'll never wear red again!" Her sobs increase until she cannot go on and Grishan picks up the story again.
"J. wasn't hungry or thirsty, like the rest of us. We didn't really understand why at first, but I was glad of it, all the same. Before long, we didn't really feel so badly anymore, just weak. I knew it was a bad sign for us, but J. seemed to feel fine. I thought she was just being brave at first, but soon I began to suspect the ring she had picked was magical and protecting her somehow."
J. masters herself long enough to turn to face him and shout angrily, "You should have told me then! I would have shared it! We could have taken turns!" But Grishan just shakes his head.
"All that would have done is prolong the inevitable, and you know it, J. We would have all wasted away slowly until someone decided to keep it for themselves. And the rest of us would have been too weak to stop them. Then the only one who survived would carry the guilt of what they had done the rest of their life. It was better that it was you, and better that you didn't know. And better that the rest of us went quickly."
J. spits at him, "Better for you, maybe! I had to watch it happen. Watch as you slipped away one by one. Waiting to be alone and never understanding why I survived while you all suffered!" Grishan comforts her patiently and you get the feeling that they have had this argument before many times.
"It was terrible for you, I know that. This is why I did what I did." He turns back to the Pathfinders. "I think our other friends went to their final rest. But I could not. I lingered, watching her grieve. Wishing that I could soothe her pain. I soon found that I could help her sleep. And when she crawled into an empty sarcophagus to wait for death, I did just that. I watched over her and waited for someone to find her and save her. But when another soul came along, it was not a savior. It was not long until some terrible predatory spirit found it's way to us. A mad, gibbering thing that fed off her pain. I could not protect her from it... I did the only thing I could. I fled into the Ethereal Plane and pulled Junia's soul with me. We dwelt there for a decade. J.'s body slept, sustained by the ring, but without her spirit within she did not age. Frozen in an unliving slumber. Finally, I sensed the spirits of people around her body and we returned. Since then I have been with her here in this way and it is myself who is frozen and unchanging." He says this last with a pang of regret.
"Thanks for sharing the story, Grishan and J." says Tog, indeed appearing a little bit less "ghostly".
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Cerin listens intently to the tale, thoroughly engrossed in the details of her survival as odd as that may seem. Unmoved by the moee terful sections, the odd little gnome nods slowly, standing stock still for a moment before speaking, his voiceis soft and does not sound quite the same as normal.
"Yes...We must move on... Trouble comes"
Shaking their head as of to clear a daze the Gnome smiles and waits for the others to head on.
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Javon and Grax stand transfixed by the story of J and Grishan. The half-orc rests an hand on J's shoulder. "That is an amazing story of survival, J. Very traumatic for you, but you are still alive because of Grishan. You must have been a very good friend for him to stay with you even after death."
"What is done is done. You and Grishan will have to work that out between you. Maybe this adventure will offer some closure. But afterwards, you will have to decide where your paths will go. Perhaps Papy and Tog will be able to help teach you. Perhaps the Pathfinders will be a place for you to use your talents. Perhaps you can put them to use for your house."
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Nodding to Grax after the story had concluded, "You have my condolences for your friends. What happened was a horrible experience. My companion does speak the truth though. You wander without direction now a days, but you could find meaning in your life with the Pathfinder Society."
Turning, he will continue on, speaking with J, and Grax on the Pathfinder societies Merits.
They both smile in response to your recruitment attempts. J. responds, "We have thought about it. I owe the Pathfinders much for my rescue and for your help today. But to be truthful, we are not completely without direction. It is for more than idle curiosity that we must return to the Drownyards."
Grishan nods, "My recollections of life are hazy and incomplete, but I believe we should begin in the Arboretum."
The magical rains have turned dark and acidic, causing the plants to melt away or transform into horrid mockeries of their former selves. Other plants came to unnatural life and strangled their former caretakers, feeding on their pale corpses for lack of other nutrition. Now, even the aggressive undead that plague the Precipice Quarter at night avoid the Arboretum Arcanis.
The foyer of the Arboretum Arcanis is in shambles. Debris and dead or dying plant matter cover the mosaic-tiled floor. A gnarled black thorn tree still clings to life in a giant masonry planter. Two massive skylights in the ceiling afford a view of low-hanging, purple and black clouds above; the crystal dome is completely obscured. Piles of rubble obscure most of what once may have been doorways, but a door to the west is free from debris.
Grishan's emaciated face takes on a look of concentration as he thinks back to his days among the living. "Yes, this is the place. But maybe not the right room. There was a fountain with a statue of a red lion. That's what we need to find."
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Cerin looks sideways at Amun, their eyes narrowing slightly as he reveals the nature of the plants here. Wondering how exactly he could fend off such mindless beasts, the Gnome shrugs and presses on with the group.
"RedLion... Hmm, whyaredlion? When you say hazy, do you mean hard to see? Or big gaps?" cerin asks the ghost boy as they search.
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"I am always glad for knowledgeable companions. I cannot say I would enjoyed being surprised by carnivorous plants." the elven man says, nodding to Amun and drawing his blade from his back, having it readied.
"Let us be careful. Is there is a reason for going left Javon besides the usual success? Your guess is as good as mine, I was just wondering if you knew anything about that direction."
Cerin looks sideways at Amun, their eyes narrowing slightly as he reveals the nature of the plants here. Wondering how exactly he could fend off such mindless beasts, the Gnome shrugs and presses on with the group.
"RedLion... Hmm, whyaredlion? When you say hazy, do you mean hard to see? Or big gaps?" cerin asks the ghost boy as they search.
"A little of both," the young phantom admits. "It comes back in flashes, but only things of great importance or stressful periods have any clarity. I placed a parcel inside the red lion statue. I am certain it is here somewhere, but I cannot be sure where."
But before you can decide upon a direction and head that way, some movement near the tree draws your eye. At first glance, it seems a small, gnarled root detaches itself from the black-thorn tree and moves toward you. But as it draws closer and you visibly put up your guard, it raises it branch-like arms in a universal sign of surrender. Upon closer inspection, it is roughly humanoid shaped and looks a bit like a knobby little gnome-like creature with spots of green mold and lichen instead of hair, an oversized, misshapen and bulbous head, and long, branched fingers. On his back he has numerous small sack-like growths about the size of a child’s fist.
"No hurting Pip, please and thank you! This Pip's home. Pip assists the Master Gardener. You wanting to see the Master Gardener? Pip will show you. But Pip is asking for a little something in return, please and thank you."
Map updated with Pip's icon and a larger image of him for detail.
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Tog bows to Pip and says "Most glad to meet you, Majordomo Pip."
Papy looks at the creature and raises an eyebrow.
"Yeah whaddabout da favor?"
"Have ya lot seen dat these days, the artificial clouds crackle with soundless, purple lightning and emit a slow drizzle of acidic water from time to time? A drunken sailor told me dat this liquid eventually corrupts all living things it touches, but the corruption takes days to take hold. I think that as long as we get in and out as planned, we should all be fine. I guess. Maybe."
Pip nods patiently as he listens to your questions. "Pip is Majordomo of Arboretum Arcanis. Has been since before dome cracked. Favor is just a tiny toll, you will not miss it, not at all. Just a little bit of blood, a tiny smidgen, you will not miss it, not at all. For my research, please and thank you!"
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Putting his guard down as the creature introduces himself, he raises an eyebrow at Papy, "I do hope you are right."
As the creature asks for his favor of the group, the elf furrows his brow, and tightens his grip on his blade, "I will not be giving any blood Master Pip. Wizards and Clerics can do a great deal of harm with such a substance. While I do not want to assume towards your research, we have only just met. I do not want to relinquish such a powerful component."
Javon feels sure that the creature is a Mandragora. A type of intelligent, humanoid-like plant. It has typical plant traits, being immune to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms), paralysis, poison, polymorph, sleep, and stun. Unfortunately, that's about all he is sure of.
Pip gives a slight huff over the refusal of some of the Pathfinders and stubbornly takes a position to block the door leading west. "If you are wanting to see the Master Gardner, you must pay the blood toll. Pip is researching new sources of nourishment for plants of the garden. Amount of toll is very small, you will not miss it, not at all. Just a little stick, you see?" His branch-like fingers elongate into transparent, syringe-like shapes, now tipped with needles. "Just a bit from each of you that is having blood now, please and thank you!"
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"Well we do now know the way further. I do not wish to harm this poor creature, but I also do not wish to give it my blood. Pip, why do you think blood will be a good source of nutrients? Plants need soil and water. Perhaps holy water could enrich the plants even more than blood or even normal water? What do you think of that compromise?" the elven man asks the creature, trying to not follow the puppets second option.