Hikaru, you cannot charge through the cultists, but you hit anyway with that twenty one. Adding in Flagbearer and the magic weapon, you do six damage!
The Mayor pouts. "Well, it was worth a try..."
Andrietta, Chak, Stali, Hikaru are up!
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Chak begins to circle around, blade in hand, but does not attack right away.
You are not the only creatures that can swarm, crowd and flock! CAW!
Move and use Tactician to give everyone the Precise Strike teamwork feat for 5 rounds.
Chak gives precise strike to the team. Gang, if you are flanking, add in that precise strike!
Meanwhile, Hikaru and Stali attack.
"AAAaaargh! I should have sacrificed you ALL the moment you got into town, full moon be damned!"
I guess he did need that kidney.
Andrietta is up!
"So, it's like that, is it?"
He casts defensively!
He turns into a faint wisp of himself... insubstantial, misty and translucent. He grins. "Sorry Feather heads. I gotta blow!"
As all of these attacks hit... the Mayor's insubstantial, gassy body shudders. He cries out, "That which sleeps within must be fed! Only blood can contain this land's corruption!"
He spasms... and audibly rips in half, body parts landing on the ground with pair of thuds. Out of his mangled corpse a human-sized mosquito-looking creature crawls out. Its wings are still slick with blood, and cling to its newborn form. It shakes its wings out and looks at you, balefully.
But although it fans its wings, they still sound wet and clumpy.... Too wet to fly, just yet. The sight of it the blight spawn is so horrifying, you feel a deep chill in your blood. It feels so cold, so wrong, that it threatens to slow you way down.
Hikaru is so startled by it erupting in front of him, that he is slowed.
The cult members fall to the ground in religious ecstasy or fear or both. "The Blightspawn! The end days are upon us!"
The whole party is up! And yes, Andrietta, this radiates EVIL.
Chak slices at the newborn blightspawn with a devastating first strike. Not all of it goes through, but most of it does.
Because it is still flatfooted, Stali's strike barely makes it through. He does not do as much damage as he expects with his attack, but the precision of his cut still hurts the creature.
Andrietta, Hikaru, Gallako, Vralk and Sarano are all up!
Hikaru hits with the magical sickle and all the damage goes through!
Meanwhile, Gallako grabs the child from Stali and discovers that the Blightspawn is still flat-footed this round. No attack of opportunity.
Vralk does a touch attack... hits and does 2 fire damage! Stali, Andrietta, Hikaru and Chak all take 1 point of fire damage from the splash.
Andrietta and Sarano are up!
Sarano hits the Blightspawn with a potent magic missile and all of the damage goes through. The blightspawn falls unconscious with a sucking, gasping sound, but still appears to be alive.
Andrietta, do you put it out of the town's misery?
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With one casual swipe of her blade Andrietta ends the captivity of the village and restores the chance of righteousness for Ravenmoor.
"Go home to your families. Ravenmoor's long night has ended, and it's time for a bright dawn to bring hope to her people. The Song of the Spheres has not forsaken you, and Grandmother Crow will help you back on the true path."
Andrietta lops off the Blightspawn's head in a single decisive strike. All of a sudden, it's like a weight lifts from this humid glade. Clouds of mosquitos fly up in confusion, and the cultists pull off their masks, looking around with shocked expressions on their faces.
What do the rest of you do?
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Andrietta will wait until the mosquitoes and other vermin have dispersed before removing the protective garb, because the idea of dying to a million bugs after defeating the big bug is just kind of disturbing.
"You are confused, lost, and afraid, kids. You don't need to be afraid anymore. We're going to get things set aright, an' get Ravenmoor back working again."
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Nodding in thanks to Gallako for taking the child, Stali asks "Can you tell if she is alright?"
Then Stali looks down at the dead monster. "What was that thing?"
Alright, that probably isn't our first concern. Concentrate on the next steps to smooth the transition. We need to know which fools were part of this cult.
He then starts helping the drugged cultists to their feet. Figuring now it a good time to get some answers, Stali asks each of them "Do you need help getting home? What is your name?" As he does that, he helps them take off their masks.
He is glad that he doesn't need to take notes or try to memorize each name. Eits is still in place, recording every sound. As long as the little clockwork spy isn't damaged, he can listen to it later.
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"You are free of this foul cult that has lied to you for generations. For now, you should all take off your robes and go home"
In Tengu to his companions
"While they were clearly misled and under the thrall of their leaders, these cultists DID murder several people that we're aware of, including an official of Magnimar. Do we let them off completely scot free or do we need to enact some kind of justice? And what will Magnimar do when it finds out the truth? I'm not at all comfortable with just saying "Everything is ok now, we'll ignore the fact that you're all murderers". Equally, I don't want them all to die for their crimes which will doubtless be Magnimar's position"
The bewildered cultists take off their masks and offer their names. Some of them ask you, "Is the blight truly gone? Will our crops still grow?"
You can see the terror in their faces, but they allow you to walk them home. When Sarano examines little Krissy, she finds the child is drugged heavily with flayleaf, but otherwise alright. Chances are very good that she will remember nothing of this evening's events, since she was not awake to witness them. You find a blanket to wrap her in, and carry her back to the village. Although she's about six years old, she is a light little thing, and curls up in your arms.
With the sun's rise, a new day begins in Ravenmoor. A chorus of cawing ravens rings out over the village as hundreds of the birds descend on not only the feast's remnants, but also some of the clouds of mosquitoes. The birds gorge themselves on the spoiling food, and not a single soul stirs within the village. Shops remain closed, rapped doors of cultist homes go unanswered, and the ferry does not cross the Lampblack this day. Even before word spreads of the horrific events at the Chenowitz place, the people of Ravenmoor can feel a difference in the air—their lives have changed forever.
Viorec and Ornigaard wander out to see you, as do Owen and Arthur and a number of the non-cultist villagers. Ornigaard is clutching Applesauce tightly. "What's happened?" Viorec asks, bewildered.
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Sarano will search out the family of little Krissy, returning her to her home safe and sound.
As she returns the little girl, she has a moment with the parents, "Your daughter was kidnapped and a group of cultists, they didn't defile her, rather they intended to sacrifice her to their dark god," pausing to allow the parents a moment to digest such terrible information "She has been heavily drugged and shouldn't remember anything that transpired tonight,"
Pausing as if she doesn't know what else to say or what to do with her unusual boldness with the parents. Offering one last thing to them, "Please guard her life, raise her right and if she needs any assistance, please write to me, I'm usually in Magnimar but the Pathfinder Society will get a letter to me and I'll come as quick as I can, even if you guys are still raising these horrendous mosquitos"
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In the aftermath of the summary execution of the cult leader, Chak begins to get the affairs of the town in order. He offers his services in not only settling their accounts but also (especially with Andrietta's help) in drafting a new charter for the town and to oversee the election of a new governing body.
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Stali assures the cultists that "Yes, we have destroyed it. Your crops should grow better than ever."
Before getting some sleep, Stali goes to where the Lupesco family were hiding to let them know what happened.
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In a serious voice, Stali informs them "It seems that the Kriegler's and Alizna were at the head of a cult -- followers of something called the Gossamer King. They were killing people in a dark ritual each full moon. They were prepared to slay either Shel or Krissy last night. We stopped them."
He shows them the cultist robes and masks.
"I can not prove it, but I believe your founder Iola Kriegler never returned from the Churlwood. I suspect a monster came back in her place. I know that Leonard, Andretti and Alizna were not human." He will wait for a better time to talk with the adults about the horrors they actually were.
He tells them of the bodies buried at the Chenowick's place. "More than likely, all those who you were told went to Riddleport actually were killed to feed this foul being."
He asks Ornigaard if anyone would have a baby stirge, and uses that as a transition to telling them about the Mongrelmen. "I think you should add them to your community. They may be a little simple, but I don't think they are evil. One was quite upset to find some of the stirges dead."
Looking directly at Ornigaard, he says "I promised to get them a new baby stirge, and was hoping you could help me find one for them. They promised to take good care of it."
"The good news is we also found the money collected for the taxes. It seems too much was collected, so we will have to give some back. General Chak has the records of who paid, so we should be able to reconcile this fairly."
Stali plans to stay a few days, help the community recover and lay some plans for how to live in their environment. He would look at what they were doing and suggest some adjustments based on his own knowledge.
He will have Eits replay the recording made for any adults that are not convinced.
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In the aftermath of the purging of the village, Andrietta will be advocating for the mongrelkids, and ensuring much like in Ilsurian there's a proper legal framework in place before anyone goes to trial.
Unlike those unrepentant murdering fiends, though, she will take great care and caution with the guidance of her patron Andoletta to go over the general inclinations of the population, to separate the truly rotten from those who were afraid to speak up or do anything.
The fact that she literally radiates courage might even help in that regard, as well.
Once the mongrelfolk are hopefully accepted, perhaps even fostered out to some of the families that have lost loved ones during Ravenmoor's dark years, her focus will turn to getting Desna's place cleaned up, and if anyone asks, she'll tell folks quite a bit about Andoletta and her insistence on hard honest work being a good judge of a person' character.
If folks don't seem to be keen on those religious discussions, she won't push the issue, as trying to shove religion down the throats of folks what have had their trust abused for years is never a good idea. That's how zealots get started, which ain't good for anyone.
Provided there is enough time, and enough information available, a proposed celebratory feast, with several notable items eliminated -- no pigs going bad, no flayleaf at the dinner table.
There will also be a few new tales of other deities who have come out to help Ravenmoor grow as a village.
With the Kriegler place possibly in contention, a recommendation will be made to the town elders that the Pathfinder Society be allowed to run a waystation there, both for learning more about Ravenmoor and for the prospect of bringing knowledge to the town.
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The party spends a little time in Ravenmoor sorting through back taxes, offering grief counseling, and rebuilding community. Krissy's family at first finds it difficult to believe that their beloved Mayor and the elderly town weaver could have had anything to do with an attempt to offer up their tiny child as a blood sacrifice. The recording from Eits and the accumulated bodies in the barn finally convinces them, and they decide to talk with Chak about relocating to Magnimar. Viorec, Arthur and Owen are shocked to the core by the mounting proof that so many of their fellow villagers were involved in this blood-filled cult, and for several generations. But they are the first to accept the mongrelmen, bonding with them over a shared love of stirges. Ravenmoor is their home, and they decide to stay.
Your reports back to Magnimar cause the Church of Desna to decide to send out missionaries. Several missionaries travel to the village and quickly set about the difficult task of repairing the villagers' faith and the village's infrastructure, but by the time winter comes, improvements in town are noticeable. The blight has been banished with the death of the cult, and the villagers' fate is once again their own. Under the guidance of several helpful priests of Desna eager to repair the damage several generations of infestation have created, Ravenmoor may one day soon grow into a healthy village.
As for the criminal charges... These are more difficult to assess. Cult members numbered amongst most of the pillars of the community. Many, like the Lupescus, joined the cult out of fear that if they didn't the community as a whole would suffer. There are too many to prosecute and dead monsters to blame for it all, so the town instead assigns them years of community service and confession.
Upon your return to Magnimar, Jeminda is both saddened and relieved to find that her brother in law did not run off with the back taxes after all. With Chak's careful accounting in place, Jeminda finally is able to reconcile the books. Thanks to your actions in Ravenmoor, and the protection of Magnimar's interest in Varisia, you each receive a medal and public thanks from the authorities of the city.
Venture Captain Heidmarch is very pleased indeed. "I really should consider hiring more tengu. You're all so good at delicate operations like this."
This is the part where I invite you all to create a DVD-style Easter Egg scene as the closing credits roll.
Thanks for a great game!
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Chak will ask Krissy's family if they would consider relocating to Ilsurian instead. It's a smaller town so it wouldn't be quite the culture shock that moving to a big city would be. He will offer them a place to live and a job overseeing his shop while he is out adventuring with the Pathfinders.
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Hikaru will try to see Shel, if she'll see him... and her parents too. He'll apologize to her parents for the injuries he caused and tell them he how glad he is that neither was killed in his vigorous self defense.
Then privately with Shel, he'll take her for that evening walk alone that they missed out on, and tell her, "I know you were only in desperate straits, but you should maybe be a bit more circumspect and cautious in your dealings with young men in the future... I'm afraid it would never have worked out between us... So no more midnight trysts till you're a good bit older, my dear. Your reputation will be secure and you will find yourself someone to love in the fullness of time. Trust me in this." He will give her a little kiss, but a very chaste and gentlemanly one and a hug, then walk her home again...
***
After the trip to Magnimar and reporting dutifully to the Society, Hikaru will take his leave of the group, promising to meet with them again for further missions... He heads off to find the Umbral Circus on their current path and reunite with Jherizhana. "Ah, my dear one... my one true love... it is a joy to see you again. My heart takes flight just to be with you."
Krissy's family, Maya and Perron, are delighted to take up Chak's offer. "You'll give us a place to stay and a job?" Maya asks. "Oh, I'm good with numbers! We'll work hard, General!"
Krissy is a bit more nervous. "Will I see Grandma Andrietta and Auntie Sarano in Ilsurian sometimes? Will they allow my pet raven? Greediguts gave me an egg, and I think I can hatch it!"
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Jherizhana is delighted to see Hikaru again. "My dashing hero! Do you bring me stories, Hikaru? You know how much I love them."
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In spite of his personal feelings about stirges, Stali works with Ornigaard to find Sammy a new pet stirge. Several times he reminds himself, I made a promise. I keep my promises!
When Stali, Viorec and Ornigaard bring Sammy the new baby stirge, the boy is overjoyed. "Is it really for me!?!?" Sammy calls out in disbelief. After reassuring him it was, Stali then provides introductions. He stays and watches as Ornigaard talks with Sammy about the best ways to care for and train the creatures.
"Well Ornigaard, it looks like you've found someone who likes stirges as much as you do!"
Later that day, Ornigaard helps introduce the three young mongrelmen to Owen, Arthur and several of the other stirge lovers in the village.
It doesn't matter how I feel about the vermin. What matters is this will provide something to help the community bond again. They will need that during this transition.
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Jherizhana is delighted to see Hikaru again. "My dashing hero! Do you bring me stories, Hikaru? You know how much I love them."
"I have quite a tale to tell... a tax collector from Magnimar went missing and his sister sent us to find him. His last known destination was a small town called Ravenmoor.... don't you think that's quite apropos for our little band? Anyway, we traveled there, and discovered a town that indeed was home to many ravens, and stirges too! So many of the folk even had pet ravens and stirges. They invited us to a festival that they hold once a month, with a feast and games. And yet there was an odd undercurrent in the town... something not quite right... but we couldn't put a pin feather on it... anyway. After the festival one of the young ladies in the town invited me to a midnight stroll, and when I went to talk to her, more to caution her not to tryst with strangers in the future, two robed and masked folks tried to attack me... I fought them off, despite their use of poisoned weapons, and when I injured one of them, their ruse was ended, and it turned out it was the girl's parents! It turns out the mayor and his brother were the leaders of an evil cult dedicated to a twisted moth god. They were going to sacrifice the daughter to their evil god. The parents were trying to take me captive and offer me up to their evil mayor and his brother, so their daughter wouldn't be the one to be sacrificed. We fought an evil spider-moth woman who we had thought originally was the town weaver, and defeated the mayor and his brother as well... With the townsfolk free of the influence of the evil cultists, we set them back on the path of hopefully worshipping Desna again, and found out what happened to the tax collector - he'd been sacrificed long before our arrival. It was exciting and felt good to be part of something so uplifting. I hope the town of Ravenmoor survives after their long enslavement to an evil cult... How can I not hope the best for a town full of ravens and folk who love them? And how have you been in my absence... tell me about the circus and where you've been traveling and what you've been doing. I love to hear your tales as well."
After his long tale, HIkaru will take a long draught of water and let Jherizana tell her own stories.
*****
He'll spend an extended time with Jherizana, just enjoying her company and helping out around the circus, before the Society calls him away again... When he's done traveling for the Society, being sent all over Golarion for a time, he returns to the Umbral Circus once again, a changed bird... stronger and more capable, and with a new outlook on life.
*****
After telling her the tales of his many adventures, he ends by saying, "My dear one, I have learned you could help me achieve a new phase in my life. I have learned so much, and wish to honor and serve the ancients you have told me about. I had this stone crafted and wish you to grant me a place in the service of the ancients by placing it in my forehead and granting me the great honor of becoming a living monolith."
*****
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Andrietta turns her attention until her next assignment doing the very arduous, important, yet tedious task of restoring the Chenowitz farmstead to some level of sustainability, asking for nothing save extra hands to help work on the repairs, limited funds to buy repair parts, and patience.
The clean-up will take a while.
By the time the recall to Magnimar rolls around, she's gotten it into reasonable shape.
"We're getting this all lined up so folks what might be a bit down on their luck can get food and lodging for hard work. Hope t' come back again at some future point what when things for the Society have died down a bit for me, but it'd be rotten of me to profit from that and it'd be just the sort of thing that city folks would be expected t' do.
Please keep the place going for me, when I get a chance, I want to settle down in the community if at all possible, and the old Chenowitz place seems like a good option.
We'll call it Raven's Rest, an' I'll be leavin' some things behind so folks what are curious about Andoletta can read up on Her, if'n they're so inclined."
The trip back to Magnimar and Heidmarch Manor is relatively quiet, with the grandmother having a lot to think about on the journey...