Torean's pleas are too late as Liam has already launched a barrage of force at the elemental. The dwarf's concerns appear somewhat unfounded however, as the missiles seems to harmlessly splay off of the elemental.
In retort, it sends another burst of force at Liam. {Ignan)GO. AWAY.
attack:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32 Liam needs a DC 15 Fort save, or take 6d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 6, 4, 1, 1, 6) + 5 = 24 damage nd be forceably thrown away, 480 feet away.
As Vad slowly backs away from the other creature, it does swing at him as he nears the edge of its reach,
AoO:1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 - 2 = 15 for damage:2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9
Before striking twice at the kitsune who most recently stuck it. In all three swings however, it looks perturbed and thrown as it slowly drifts backwards.
slam 1:1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 - 2 = 16 for damage:2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 = 13 slam 2:1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 2 = 26 for damage:2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2) + 2 = 9
Initiative Dailung 31/60 hp
Torean 43/52 hp white elemental -64 hp, stuck w/ 1 syringe
Black elemental -15 hp Liam
Vad
M PRIEST OF RAZMIR 10 HP: 83/83 AC: 15, Touch: 11, FF: 14 F:+10 R:+6 W:+8 Perception -1 Init:+5 Effects:(Mage Armor, False Life, Defending Bone, See Invisibility, Heroism)
Resources:
1st 7/8 2nd 4/8 3rd 0/8 4th 2/7 5th 4/4
Fort:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Liam steps forward and casts a spell, touching Dailung. "Time to leave. She disappears from sight."Vanish on her for the next 5 rounds or until she breaks it. So I'm hoping 5 rounds.
Torean manages to extract one last sample from his target before beginning to flee. The elemental strikes back at the dwarf as he moves, missing him first with a swing, then with a lash of force, but both miss and the wounded elementals move away.
With three filled vials in hand, the four of you make your way back towards the Veiled Bazaar, more bruised than when you left but successful
Dailung is at 31/60 hp, Torean at 43/52
When you reach the force platform and approach Yetakerinos again, the great dragon smiles at you. ”Ah, you have returned. Good, I had hoped your expedition would be fruitful. Now, as promised,” he reaches back with one large claw and delicately picks up an ivory box. From the small silver key embedded in its side it appears to be a music box. The dragon lifts the lid and an unfamiliar but cheery tune fills the air, the song instill a strange mix of pleasant thoughts that nonetheless instill you with a strange sense of anxiety for the near future.
”I acquired this in my travels some time ago from a reclusive maestro. Each time the lid is opened, it plays a song that no one has ever heard before, nor will again. An eternal source of entertainment and inspiration. May it help you in your dealings.” The dragon hands the music box to Liam as he collects Dailung and Vad’s syringes. Seeing a third in Torean’s hands, Yetaerinos cocks his head. ”You are a thorough lot I see. Still, a bargain is my word. You may keep that sample if you wish. Perhaps the hag may take it as currency as well. It seems she is eager to speak to you as well.”
The dragon chuckles and looks past you as he says this. Following his gaze, you notice an elven woman in dark clothing and cloak standing at the column’s base and staring up at you. Seeing that you now notice her, she calls out in a hoarse voice. ”Pathfinders! Asylnn has news for you. Please return with me to her tent.”
Vad, and anyone else who has played The Blakros Connection, recognizes the woman from their visions. She is the elf known as ‘322’, and the former Aspis agent who absconded with Aram Zey’s soul.
"Here," Vad says, handing Dailung a wand of cure light wounds."Pay it forward, right?"
Just let me know how many charges you need. Likewise, Torean. I imagine Torean can activate it?
"You've got the right idea- -be ready for a fight. I'm not sure if Aslynn herself is our foe, but she and trouble go hand-in-hand," Vad cautions, gripping his shield cloak, just in case.
Male Dwarf Inquisitor 10 [HP: 75/75 | AC: 24/13/22 CMD: 24 | F+12 R+8 W+12* (+5 vs. spells/spell-like, +2 vs. Necromancy, +1 vs. Evocation) | Init +4 | Perc +12 SM +16 Darkvision]
Torean heals himself with his wand of Cure Light Wounds. He looks up and spots the elven woman. "Hey! You're the girl we were looking for." He tries to catch up to her. "Are you ok? What happened to you in the dream world?"
CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Torean also placed Blackros Connection and developed some sympathy for 322.
He looks up and spots the elven woman. "Hey! You're the girl we were looking for." He tries to catch up to her. "Are you ok? What happened to you in the dream world?"
"I am...fine." the elf replies to Torean as she leads you towards the hag's tent. "But what is it to you anyway? You're concerned? You want to help me?" she gives a derisive laugh. "Please. Everyone who has ever claimed to have my best interests at heart has only used me. At least now, Aslynn is offering a fair exchange."
Sense Motive DC 15:
322 is still cold towards you, but your comment shook her for a moment. A Diplomacy check might convince her of your sincerity.
Male Dwarf Inquisitor 10 [HP: 75/75 | AC: 24/13/22 CMD: 24 | F+12 R+8 W+12* (+5 vs. spells/spell-like, +2 vs. Necromancy, +1 vs. Evocation) | Init +4 | Perc +12 SM +16 Darkvision]
Sense Motive, take 10:10 + 13 = 23
"I saw a vision of you in that dreamworld. You killed Zey, but didn't do what they wanted. A friend of mine saw you cloaked with demons, them all tugging at you. You did a terrible act, but you seem lost in it all. Perhaps we can help you find your way out."
"Can you help us get the lantern back from the Hag?"
Diplomacy:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Torean's Diplomacy is pitiful. If someone can help, he'd be grateful...
AC 25/T19/FF17 HP 68/68 F+8 R+15 W+8 Init +8 Perception +13
Swasbuckler (Whirling Dervish) 9
"Well look at it the other way round. If we give you our word to help you, we won´t sell you out. And we are quite grateful!" Diplo:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34 I can only roll higher ;-)
"And besides, no one wants to see anyone put through what you've been put through. What we do want is a chance to help undo some of the pain that's been caused," Vad tacks on. "You can be a part of the solution if you want."
"Part of the solution. That's what I'm doing now - I've worked a deal with Aslynn and there is a path out in sight."[b] 322 says as she leads you through the market. You notice that other patrons seem to be giving the elf a wide birth. [b]"Still," she says, a hint of warmth peeking through. "I see you're not mocking, just a bit naive. Hold onto that before you grow out of it."
The rest of the journey is silent, until eventually she leads you to a large tents whose gauzy sides ripple under an unseen of felt wind. A placard reading 'CLOSED' floats outside it, though you don't remember noticing it there before. 322 brushes a flap aside and walks forwards. The space is dotted with a few display cases holding a variety of unusual goods: tattered books whose script squirms on the pages, glass cubes glowing with a variety of colors, fragments of stone leaking unknown fluids, and numerous other trinkets. All of these tables have been pushed to the pavillion's sides however, as in the center of the space sits a single chair, and on it a wild-eyes and long-haired woman tied and bound in glowing rope.
DC 25 Know Arcana or Perception:
You notice a lantern resting on one of the display shelves: the very lantern that was used to capture Aram Zey's soul when he fell in the Aspis Assault.
DC 15 Know Nature:
The bound figure is a maenad, mad creatures of unrestrained violence and decadence.
322's gaze glosses over the bound figure without a flicker of surprise as she moves to the side of the tent to make space. Once all of you are in, the elf's head cocks as if trying to hear a faint whisper. Suddenly her head snaps back and a trickle of blood begins to spill from her nose. As 322's head slowly rises back to stare at you, her face seems slightly different and the voice that emits from her throat echoes with a subtle hum.
"Hello again, my dears. I am so glad that you could make it. Vad! Torean! I see that you have brought some friends with you to market. How nice. Let me guess: you all came for the sould of your precious Master of Spells? Well, I would be happy to trade for it, done with it as I am."
"Unfortunately, there has been a regrettable development, as some are not nearly as respectful as your Society. Someone discovered the extra-dimensional space in which I keep my special treasures, infiltrated it, and stole the soulstone that holds your precious Aram Zey. I myself arrived in time only to kill a few straggling intruders and take this one captive.” 322's body points to the restrained woman. “I have my suspicions about who did this, but a woman can acquire a few enemies over the ages. Perhaps we can get more information out of her, eh?”
"That sounds convenient. Also what just happened to you?"
"Believe what you wish." The voice says as 322 turns to stare at the sorcerer. But it is no more convenient for me to have someone break into your home and steal something of value than it was for you. And normally I appreciate grim irony...."
"And me? Nothing has happened to me, except for my ire rising. Oh, you mean dear 322? She will be fine. This method of speaking is a bit indirect and rude I must apologize. But as was just proven, there are some people who do not care for me despite my best efforts and caution is warranted."
Torean opens his mouth to speak before being cut off by Aslynn's theatrics. He looks back and forth between 322 and the bound woman. "A maenad stole his soul? Why would they want it?" He eyes the disembodied night hag warily.
"Maenad's are known for unrestrained violence. Be careful." The dwarf slowly approaches the bound maenad. "Who are you and what were you doing here?"
Sense Motive on Aslynn is she's telling the truth about the soul being stolen:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 Sense Motive on maenad:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Torean detects an undercurrent of dry, mocking mirth from Aslynn's words, but nothing she says rings of falsehood.
The bound maenad, once the gag is stripped from it, spits a wad of accumulated saliva and starts laughing as its eyes sweep back and forth between you. It speaks in a rapid voice that rises and falls in an almost sing-song pattern. WhoamI? IIamadancer. Alovelydancersenttodancethroughtheripandtaketherockandbringitbacktohersotha tthemistresscandowhatthemistresswantstodo. Andthenthepartycangoonandonandonandon.
Torean notes that the hedonisticcreature appears surprisingly calm despite her circumstances as the dwarf hears a wry comment from behind him. "Yes, baccahnalists are always so receptive to kind words. You'll need to be a bit more stern than that I suspect."
AC 25/T19/FF17 HP 68/68 F+8 R+15 W+8 Init +8 Perception +13
Swasbuckler (Whirling Dervish) 9
Standing back for a moment Dailung seems a bit...at a loss. Her interrogating the prisoner feels somehow wrong to her. I will do so, if all else fails!
"With all due respect, I think the party's already over," Vad lies. "Your mistress has what she wants, and she's left you to hang to save her own skin. It's no way to treat a lady," Vad adds, shaking his head disapprovingly. "You ought to speak up now- -I think we are closely approaching the point in our discussion where things get less cordial. Who is your mistress and where is the stone?"
The maenad cackles at Vad's questioning. Ohalady.Quitealadyindeedwouldntyouliketoknow.Ibetastrongmanlikeyoucouldkeep dancingforquitesometi---
The bound creature suddenly starts convulsing as its mouth opens in noiseless pain. Drool trickles down its lipsand onto the floor as a wisp of some faint smoke shoots from the maenad's throat over to the body of 322, where it circles the elf's outstreched hand once before vanishing. You hear an audible sigh from Aslynn.
"Apologies for the scene. I had hoped to give you a chance given what I've seen of your lot's 'sensibilities', but that was growing tiresome. Now, let's see..." the voice trails off for a moment, leaving the tent awkwardly silent as drool continues to pool from the slumped meanad's still silently-screaming form.
"Ah, yes, Muzthari. A thorn in my side for years, though I wouldn't have expected the dreadwitch to have dared. And she's in...Galt? Well, they're type always do have their roses..."
With an awkward cock of 322's head, the elf looks at you as the voice speaks directly to your quartet. "So, your little Zey's being held by a Pakalchi Sahkil over in some crumbling Galtan hideout. You'd better chase after him. I'm sure that over the weeks worth of travel it will take you to get there she'll only be able to conduct say a dozen vile rituals with him. Or move. then again, if for whatever reason you would happen to need transport, well I'm certain a deal could be arranged." 322's mouth rises into an unsettling grin.
For more information about what you knwo about Paralchi Sahkils, ti would be a Know Planes check
Spawned long ago out of warped psychopomps who turned away from their duties, sahkil are neural evil outsiders who seek to lord over mortals rule through fear and terror. Pakalchi specifically feed upon the anxiety and insecurity of failing mortal relationships, delighting in the agony that arises from the decay of social bonds.
Liam, you also can 'remember' more info on 2 of the following: pakalchi defenses, some of their special attacks, and their special non-attack features.
Pakalchi, like most sahkil, are resilient creatures. They are immune to death and fear effects, and to diseases and posions, as well as resisting cold, electircity, and sonic assaults. The Pakalchi also posesses spell resistance, and their forms ignore some of the damage dealt by non-good weapons (DR/Good).
Pakalchi specifically possess elongated claws and a re covered in thorny vines and possess elongated claws. The fiends can use these vines to lash out to deliver wounds that poison the mind and continue to bleed. It can also launch volleys of these thorns out as ranged attacks. While a medium creature, pakalchi can occasionally whip their forms out for unexpectedly elongated attacks: once a round it's reach can be extended for a single strike by 5 feet (which can also be used for an AoO. Finally, these creatures posses several spell-like abilities, including a once-a-day Dominate effect, blink, and fly
322's head turns towards Liam. "Well, you did not come to try and purchase Aram Zey's soul empty handed did you? Provide me with whatever items you have, and I can transport you directly to this thief’s den in but an instant. Depending on what you have, perhaps I might even sweeten the deal with some things you’ll find useful."
Male Dwarf Inquisitor 10 [HP: 75/75 | AC: 24/13/22 CMD: 24 | F+12 R+8 W+12* (+5 vs. spells/spell-like, +2 vs. Necromancy, +1 vs. Evocation) | Init +4 | Perc +12 SM +16 Darkvision]
Sense Motive:1d20 + 13 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 13 - 3 = 12
Torean shakes his head, but says, "We did intend to deal for the lantern and Zey's soul. I still intend to get the lantern even if it no longer holds him." He pulls out the syringe along with the other items they have.
"You want revenge on them just as much as us. If you can find them, why not do it yourself?"
"Oh, that. the elf's head nods dismissively towards the strange looking lantern lying on a shelf. "Now that I'm finished with it, the vessel is simply a mere curiosity. Take it if you wish.
"And as for why I am not the one heading to Galt," Aslynn's voice rings out as 322's body collects the offered objects from Dailung and Torean. "I can afford to take my time to plan a measured response. It's not my fault your Soceity is so sentimental about their leaders. Oh, this is quite intriguing! And the Deletri Shaft? You shouldn't have. Why for such thoughtful gifts it would be unfair to simply shuttle you accross the world. Please, take these as well, with my compliments.
She presents you with five vials, a bottle, and a strangely marked coin: 3 potions of cure moderate wounds, 2 potions of lesser restoration, a coin of the untrodden road and an eversmoking bottle.
"Now, a quick point on the details of course. I will transport you directly outside of the ghastly estate Muzthari's been holing up in. I presume that once you're there you have some means of your own to actually return to your own plane?"You do: the vials of hypnalis Sorinna gave you at the Grand Lodge"And lest I be accused of dealing in bad faith, some advice for free: if you wish to bring your Master of Spells back to life, I would avoid breaking the stone in which I placed his soul. Doing so will not send Zey to his great reward but will destroy his soul utterly.”
"So, are you ready? I'm sure the mind and essence of that arrogant caster has all the time in the world....."
Male Dwarf Inquisitor 10 [HP: 75/75 | AC: 24/13/22 CMD: 24 | F+12 R+8 W+12* (+5 vs. spells/spell-like, +2 vs. Necromancy, +1 vs. Evocation) | Init +4 | Perc +12 SM +16 Darkvision]
"Right." Torean grabs the lantern and one of the potions of Cure Moderate Wounds. "Everyone better get ready." The dwarf casts a spell to give him the might of Torag.
M PRIEST OF RAZMIR 10 HP: 83/83 AC: 15, Touch: 11, FF: 14 F:+10 R:+6 W:+8 Perception -1 Init:+5 Effects:(Mage Armor, False Life, Defending Bone, See Invisibility, Heroism)
Resources:
1st 7/8 2nd 4/8 3rd 0/8 4th 2/7 5th 4/4
Liam will cast some spells as well before they go. Heroism and Stoneskin on me. Stoneskin on Dailung. So DR 10/Adamantine for the next 80 minutes(max 80 damage negated) for both and +2 to at/skills/saves for me.
As you brace yourselves, 322's hands make a wide arc as Aslynn's voice chants in an unknown language. A rent appears in the center of the tent, a gaping wound in the side of reality that slowly widens and stretches towards you. The last thing you see before the growing portal envelops you is 322 collapse to her knees. The elf looks up at you, her expression back to normal except for a trickle of blood streaming out from her nose. "Good...good luck" she rasps out as you are plunged into darkness...
...
...
...only to arrive flung out before the crumbling remains of a once opulent villa. The four of your are deposited shortly outside of the front doors of a large estate. However the building appears in poor repair, with sections of the wall crumbling and the surrounding plant life encroaching upon the premises. What once must have been a second floor is a mess of collapsed rubble as it was surrendered to the elements. A ring of rose bushes almost entirely encircle the compound.
As you look around, the portal snaps shut behind you. You stand alone on the ethereal plane, with the wispy outline of a shut double-door in front of you.
"Anything goes, I imagine whoever is holding Zey's soul isn't interested in fair fights," Vad offers, preparing himself for an incoming fight- -which is just grabbing his cloak as a shield and expecting the worst.
If its a question about the rules of your state, right now you are still on the ethereal plane. Gravity is irrelevant so you can fly forward, up, down, and even through the walls, though unless you have something specific or weird you cannot interact with things on the Material Plane. You can also each down the hypnalis poison the 're-corporealize', with the same actions as any other potion (move to draw, standard to drink, exceptions such as tail may apply)
You float through the shut double-doors before you to enter a wide foyer, its old old marble floor stained with long- dried patches of blood. Two grand staircases lead up to a collapsing balcony that overlooks this room.
To the south, a set of broad double doors marks the way outside, and hallways to the northeast and northwest continue farther into the villa. Five stone daises situated throughout the chamber display all manner of treasures.
On the central dais stands a large ten-foot tall towering stone statue of a imperious man with Chelish features. His eyes glance sternly down towards his feet as an expression of pure arrogance permanently lies etched on his face.
Know Arcana 21:
This statue is actually a dormant stone golem, though it seems inactive.
The platform to its left has a bizarre-looking automaton shaped like some form of shrimp. It's plating is rust-colored but the metal itself appears to be in passable condition.
Spellcraft 34:
This is a variant apparatus of the crab: an Apparatus of the Pistol Shrimp. It works essentially the same, except with two slams instead of pincers. You estimate this may need some repairs to be fully functional, but there's a minute or two left in it before it breaks down.
The other three platform hold a variety of random items carefully displayed on stands and mannequins. The most interesting of these are a +1 cold iron rapier, a +1 mithral chainmail, and a necklace stringed with five valuable pearls (non-magical however).
A reminder, that while incorporeal, you cannot current pick up of use any of these items.
"I don't know, but it's not attacking us, so I'm going to mark that a 'win.' We could use an easy win or two, considering the path that brought us here. Shall we?" Vad asks, pointing to a different room.
Ah, I see. That is a fireplace on the other side of the wall, but you can't technically see that right now (it's a fine and tricky line to make it clear there's a wall on this map without also showing some of what's past it.)
Would you like to go through the wall in that room?
Ah, I gotcha (and I've seen plenty of the fireplaces they've put on maps, it seems a bit ibvious, now that it's mentioned, of course). I'd probably actually find a door- -Material Plane habits die hard.
Drifting through the southern doorway, Torean looks around to see a small staging area for banquets with a cloak rack along the east wall. There is also a staircase that ascends clockwise to a ruined second floor and descends to a mold-caked cellar. Red stains are spilled and dried across the floor: some appear to be wine, others less pleasant fluids.
