Sheila gives her attention to Nadja as she speaks, but for a moment a look of shock overrides her normally stern countenance. She manages to quickly regain her composure, though, and continues to follow the explanation that Nadja provides.
"That is a quite a good question and I have a hunch as to why. Nadja, I would like to affix an ioun stone to that shard you carry. May I have your leave to fetch such an item and return with it?"
Raising her eyebrow at the unusual request Nadja gives a terse nod. You may do so. The witch haughtily states.
Sheila bows slightly and leaves the room in a hurry. You all can hear Teeth let out a deep sigh, "Whew... Teeth was worried." He grins. "Goblins not allowed in homes, no no." He shakes his head.
Sheila returns shortly thereafter, a scarlet-and-blue sphere ioun stone in hand. She offers it to Nadja.
Watching carefully as the Venture Captain leaves the room, Nadja rotates her head, her cool gaze running over Teeth. You go where I say you go Teeth. The witch states. No one tells me what to do. Serve and be rewarded.. Sniffing the air for a moment Nadja shutters. We will need to see about a bath for you however. I won't have you stinking like a three day old corpse. With that Nadja takes a seat in the parlor, quietly sipping her wine and patiently waiting.
As Lady Heidmarch returns, Nadja smoothly rises. Wordlessly she takes the scarlet-and-blue sphere ioun stone. As she goes to place it in the shard, Nadja pauses before waving her hand in a complex gesture that causes the pupils of her eyes to dilate until there is nothing but black remaining. Holding up the ioun stone Nadja takes in the colors and auras of the magical item, examining it the way a cat might examine a mouse.
Frowning at her inability to instantly recognize the stone for what it is, the witch hesitates momentarily before she snaps the ioun stone into the shard.
Content to remain quiet during Nadja's explanation of events, Raven listens to ensure accuracy while keeping an eye on Natalya's reaction to the scene. When Lady Heidmarch returns with the Ioun Stone, she becomes particularly interested in her mannerisms.
A small indentation in the shard marks the only pace that such a stone might fit. When Nadja places the stone, a bright flash of coppery light erupts from the shard of metal, momentarily blinding everyone in the room.
As your vision clears, each of you can see that he stone has taken on the coppery appearance of the shard and the two are now seamlessly fused together.
Venture Captain Sheila Heidmarch clears her throat, drawing everyone's eyes back to her. "What you've found is nothing less than a miracle. Varisia has seen its share of miracles of late, the discovery of Xin-Shalast and the defeat of Karzoug the Claimer, or Korvosa's release from mad Queen Ileosa's rule, but this... This discovery will at least be known to equal those shortly. What Natalya, and now you, have found is the Shard of Pride. It is a powerful Thassilonian artifact, or at least a piece of one. This shard is the horacalcum piece of the Shattered Star of Xin, the founder and first, and only, emperor of Thassilon. The fusing of the ioun stone proves it. This is a momentous find." She looks to Nadja, "I suspect though, that you already know what it can do..."
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As the group waits for the Venture Captain's return, Omoro bows respectfully to the Varisian witch. "Nadja-san, if I may? While we were successful in our mission, there is one way we could have succeeded further. Natalya-san was more than willing to speak when we first encountered her. It might have been a better plan to pretend to acquiesce to her, bending our knee for a few moments, just to learn what her plans were. We then could have related this to Heidmarch-sama. Again, we clearly succeed in our mission. This would have just been a greater success."
Omoro's eyes widen as Sheila describes what it is that they have found. "Truly? A find from ancient Thassilon? That is momentous. I am not familiar with the legends of the item you speak of, Heidmarch-sama, what was this Star? It was a symbol of imperial authority, surely, but what else could it do? If a shard of it has such power, what was its power before it was sundered?"
Raven notes Natalya's behavior. "I must admit, I would have thought acquiring such a relic to be more dangerous than what we experienced. And I do believe Natalya had no idea what she had either. Perhaps she would be willing to enlighten us as to how she came upon it?"
Calendir stays silent and motionless while everyone wonders at what they have uncovered - And this thing was just lying around in the hands of that girl... I wonder how many more wonders like those can be found just passin idly from hand to hand... their true powers really unknown...
Eyes narrowing from where Nadja sits, she stares down Omoro. Omoro.. The witch says softly, like a wind rustling over new snow. You have always shown the utmost respect. Glancing over his bowing figure towards Natalya, she continues in the same frosty tone. This is something that others could learn from. Arching an eyebrow, Nadja lets her vast intellect consider the previous options and outcomes that might have resulted from Omoro's suggestion. Arriving at a conclusion Nadja shakes her head decisively.
No. No, we would have gained nothing by listening to her. We knew that we had left at least some of her minions behind us, and she might have been stalling for more time. The goal was clear. Any information that Heidmarch would have wanted I am sure she could have obtained later by physical or magical means. As Nadja pauses, her viper Dagon uncoils itself from around her arm, and slithers down into Nadja's hand, where it coils around the point where Nadja's hand grips the wineglass. Its forked tongue tasting the air, Nadja runs her hand lovingly along the creatures back.
Looking into Omoro's avian like eyes, Nadja smiles slightly. It's a cold smile, but a smile none the less. You seem surprised Omoro. No shouting, or yelling? No dark curses? Nadja shakes her head at the foolishness. When we all first met each other yesterday, there was no clear leadership. That was clear from the moment that we encountered Zograthy and Bertholdt threaten to bash his head in. I did what needed to be done. Waving her hand in a gesture to encompass all of the assembled team members, Nadja gives a prideful nod of satisfaction. And it worked too. You may not like my methods, but I never shied away from doing what was necessary, and I listened to each of thoughts. I would have done the same again.
Curiously Nadja blinked several times at the shard in her hands. So much power in something so small. The witch thought, feeling the echoes of pride resonate from the recovered shard. I wonder what the transformation would have been like in another? Someone less.. proud. Someone.. weaker She contemplates, feeling the aura lift from her, yet not feeling much more different then she was before. Then running her eyes over Natalya, and the back over to Teeth, Nadja's back stiffens. Or perhaps the transformation had already begun and I was simply unaware of it.
Deciding that now is not the time for an closer exanimation of her motives, Nadja turns her attentions back on Venture Captain Heidmarch and the suggestion that the witch might know the shards powers. Captain.. Nadja begins slowly, letting the reclaimed knowledge from the shard flood into her. Yes, now that the ioun stone has bonded itself to the fragment, I do understand some of its functions. Raising the shard in wonder and greed the witch's green eyes reflect the scarlet and blue stone inset into the coppery looking fragment. The shard protects me from illusions and allows me to call upon a powerful glammer once a day. It also gives me additional insight into any task I might wish accomplish, from smoothing my words to increasing my knowledge. Infact It would make me better at any task I might wish to accomplish. Finally it empowers my ability to force another into sleep.. it is quiet simply the most powerful object I have ever seen.
Lost momentarily in the power that she holds in her hand, Nadja thinks back to the Heidmarch's previous explanation into the history of Xin. I have several questions Captain. One, you seemed to recognized the shard when I carried it in here for the first time. You even had the appropriate ioun stone keyed to the shard. Did you already know, or suspect that Natalya had found the Shard of Pride? Two, do you know how many shard fragments are rumored to exist? And three, with the discovery of the Shard of Pride I am unsure as to how long its discovery will be able to be kept a secret. What are your plans now?
Jotune kept his tongue, wondering if there was more to be known about the strange shard. Are there more of these powerful items out there? If so, how do we find them?
As Nadja describes the functions of the shard, Raven's eyes focus upon the coppery metal shard. No, the horacalcum metal shard. Raven had spent years working on the arts of illusion, nearly dying in it's mastery. It would take a long time to gain true mastery, many years yet. But to learn of such a thing, a relic from so long ago, able to mimic what has taken her years, and protect against her skills as well. Raven focuses on the discussion, but the shard stays in her thoughts.
Lady Heidmarch shakes her head at Nadja's questions. "No, I did not understand what it is that Natalya had found until I saw it in your hands. I've been long studying the magic of Thassilon and with the rise of Runelord Karzoug, I have redoubled my efforts. Where one of the Runelords return, the rest may not be further behind. I have also been increasing our investigations into thassilonian ruins and the devices found therein."
She nods to Omoro, "I know little about the Shattered Star itself beyond the legends of it. Not as popular as those of the Seven Swords of Sin, but still well-enough known. It was an artifact of great power that doubled as Emperor Xin's mark of authority. Its power was enough to give the Runelords pause, which means that it is a very powerful potential weapon against them."
"I have heard more about the shards, however. They show up in tales from time to time, at least some of them. Others have been lost and never found. I do know that they each carry a curse that is relieved by the insertion of a specific ioun stone, they each have potent magical powers related to the thassilonian study of magic, and they have the ability to grant visions of other shards."
"As for the ioun stone?" She smirks, "Believe it or not, I was lucky and happened to have one on hand. I use it from time to time in my research projects, but I prefer not to have something so ostentatious floating about my head in public, so I typically only use it as needed. That and my wayfinder already has another stone slotted."
Sheila looks directly at Nadja. "My plan at this point is to use what time is available to try and recover the rest of the shards. As pathfinders, I assume that you all are willing to aid me in this. I assure you that the Society will reward you for your efforts." She smiles.
Calendir nods - "Sounds like a plan to me. I will need a few short moments to re-think and re-fit my gear. I should be taking a different role for the greater good of the group now that Bertholdt... well, lets say he left. Other than that I am up for such challenge, though we definitely need to gather more clues regarding where to head next"
"If each carries a curse, it may be wise for us to carry ioun stones to counter the others as well. Though I do not believe we have sufficient funds at this time to allow for it, I'm afraid. Do you know what types of stones are needed for the others, so that we may keep ourselves aware? And how are these visions of the other shards performed?It may well do us good to have another practice with the shard as well, in case of the worst.
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Omoro listens to Nadja's calculating words without response. When she is finished, he bows his head. "I do not deny that we have succeeded under your guidance, Nadja-san, but I do question the truth behind physical persuasion. In my experience, testimony obtained through such means is...questionable, at best. I have no experience with magically compelled testimony, so I leave that to the experts in that field. You may be right that Natalya-san was only buying time with her pontificating, but she also was willing to talk at that time. In the end, it does not matter - we have returned her as Heidmarch-sama has asked, and, with luck, she will be able to glean what she needs from the girl."
Omoro gives a low whistle when Sheila describes the power of the Shattered Star. "An item so powerful that it gives even the Runelords pause? Now that is a terrifying thought. And you say there are more shards?" Omoro asks, then rolls his eyes in shame of such a foolish question. "Of course there would be, otherwise the piece we found would just be called the Starshard or something like that. Is there one for each of the ancient Thassalonian schools of magic?"
Once the Venture-Captain asks for their aid, he bows low to her. "Heidmarch-sama, I would be honored to serve the Society. An artifact of this power must not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands." As he bows, a thought crosses his mind. I shall need to send Venture-Captain Li word of this. She must be made aware of this development.
Venture Captain Heidmarch nods to Raven, "I do , but I would call it more of educated guesses rather than straightforward information. Some of the tales talk about the 'centers of the shards,' and the descriptions are roughly equivalent to the colors and shapes of well known ioun stones." She sighs and shakes her head, "However, I would need a bit of time to search through the tales and put together a list. I can obtain the stones fairly easily after that, but it will take a bit of time, perhaps a few days for the next."
"I'm unsure exactly how to receive the visions, but concentration and focus is a common thing for items as such. I would try to see if simply focusing on the shard or perhaps another one would be enough."
She looks to Omoro, "You are correct in your presumptions, Omoro. The tales speak of seven shards, one for each of the seven schools of Thassilonian magic: Envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath."
She smiles and bows slightly towards Omoro, "Thank you, Pathfinder Omoro. I look forward to working with you in the future."
Nadja listened to the Venture Captain's words, giving a slow nod and the decisive logic behind them. After all, that was in the end the thing that had drawn Nadja to her employment with the Captain earlier that year.. Lady Heidmarch was smart, rarely made mistakes and always had a backup plan. These were qualities that Nadja could admire. Besides the Captain knew that sometimes you had to get your hands dirty in order to get results, and that was something that Nadja knew, few truly understood.
It is a clear and concise goal Lady Captain. The witch states, listening as the groups other questions are answered. Then as Nadja hears mention that one shard can lead to another through concentration, the witch decides to take the words into action. As she slowly clears her mind, letting her surface thoughts burn away, one final thought bubbles to her mind before she dedicates all of her will power into focusing on the next shard. What I want to know is where Natalya found the shard in the first place, and why were the Tower Girl gang was after her. Though I already have my suspicouns, and wish only for her to confirm them.
Then letting everything else go, she taps into shard of pride and wills the shard to show her the next part of the Shattered Star.
Natalya mumbles something through her gag when Nadja makes her comment. She tries to gesture towards it, but her bindings inhibit even that.
Nadja seems to become trace-like for a moment, simply staring at the shard. As she quickly comes out of it, Lady Heidmarch asks, "What did you see, Nadja?"
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Omoro inclines his head to regard Natalya. "You have seemed different since the stone was placed in the Shard. If you would like to speak, I could remove the gag, and perhaps even make you more comfortable. If I were to do this, you will refrain from using any magics you still have memorized, else we would have to restrain you again. Do you understand?" Omoro waits for both Natalya's reaction to his plan - not to mention the rest of the group's - before he removes her gag.
Calendir watches the scene in silence, even though his hand rests casually on his greatsword.
At Lady Heidmarch's words, the elf's head turns toward the witch. Indeed, what did she see?
Eyes fluttering, Nadja is rocked back by her vision. It was so real, it was as if I was being pulled towards the next shard.
Composing herself, Nadja closes her eyes for a second, forcing down the feeling of vertigo. I saw Magnimar from high above the clouds, I felt as if I was falling faster and faster towards her.. As I fell, I saw the waters along its shore, and then I felt a pulling sensation towards the Irespan. The vision continued to pull me along the edge of the water until I was looking at the piling known as the The Crow. That is when it ceased. Giving a short, decisive nod, Nadja looks to Lady Heidmarch. The next shard is hidden somewhere within The Crow Piling, I'm sure of it.
Lady Heidmarch nods to Nadja, "Excellent. Then I suppose the next step is to find an entrance into The Crow." At that, Natalya grunts loudly through the gag and squirms quite a bit.
The venture captain turns to look at Natalya. "Perhaps it is time to un-gag her like Pathfinder Omoro has just suggested." Lady Heidmarch smiles at Natalya, it carrying a hint of displeasure that seems to queel Natalya's squirming and leave the captive woman uneasy.
Raven's eyes linger on the shard as Nadja describes what she sees, desiring it even more, disturbed from her thoughts by Lady Heidmarch's words. She turns to Natalya with the others. "It would be wise to be ready to subdue her if she tries anything. I doubt my 'curse' would be as effective on her as on Teeth."
Natalya snorts in frustration at Raven's comment. She almost shouts something through the gag, but it muffles her words badly.
Natalya slumps and sighs heavily.
Teeth looks at Natalya as she shouts out in frustration. He tugs on Jotune's robe and whispers in his ear. Teeth think ole boss lady sayin she no sick now. He points to the gagged lady and then whispers again. Me no trust her. Her great enchantress and may hurt Teeth for following new, more powerful bosses.
Teeth pulls Nadja's robe tighter around his small frame and then smiles to himself under the hood.
Dark magic lady must think Teeth special to give him such wonderful gift.
Laying his huge sword on Natalya's shoulder, Calendir lets its weight be felt by the captive - "I am sure we can muster enough reaction if she tries anything..."
Yes.. I think she fully understands Calendir. Nadja states matter of factually in her ever so cool tone. Walking over to the woman who had for the last hour been staring daggers into Nadja, the witch rips the gag out of the woman mouth and crosses her arms staring down at her.
Stepping back Nadja looks over the shoulder of Natalya where Teeth seems to be making a burrow out of her black velvet cloak. I doubt even Raven's spell will be able to get the filth out of the cloak now. Nadja thinks to herself, shuttering at the thought of trying to wear it again.
"Don't worry, Teeth. You are under our protection now. We'll make sure she leaves you be. "
"If she tries anything I have an arrow with her name on it little guy." Aurora chimes in breaking her customeary stoic silence.
Raven watches, though without much to ward off against a spell, at least she is wary.
"Oh sweet merciful Sarenrae, am I glad to have that gag out of my mouth!" She scapes her tongue with her teeth a few times. "Tastes like sewage, ugh!" She shakes her head and looks at the group.
"I'm more than glad to be free of the curse laid on the shard. Good lord the idiotic things I've done the past several days under its thrall!"
She sighs, "Well I suppose you want to have those answers of yours. I found the Shard secreted away behind a very well hidden secret door in the Crow. You see, the Tower Girls were looking to move into the piling and had sent me to scout it out. I'd made good progress through a couple of levels before I found the door and the Shard. The curse took over the moment I touched it and I quickly concocted a plan to take over the gang. By the time you captured me, it had bloomed into a mad scheme to rule all of Varisia." She smirks, "Not exactly the best of ideas that I've ever had."
Tapping one carefully manicured nail to her chin, Nadja thoughtfully listens to Natalya's explanation of how she first discovered the shard. Well that makes things more interesting since the next fragment of the Star is located somewhere within The Crow.
Taking a seat in one of the chairs that decorate Lady Heidmarch's study, Nadja takes a sip of her wine in thought. Since you have already been to The Crow, I will need you draw us out a map and provide us a description of the various rooms up to the point where you found the shard. I will also need to know anything you can tell us about the Tower Girls, since its likely that I will have to deal with them in the near future. Tactics, weaknesses, who the leadership is. Smiling like a cheshire cat Nadja crosses one leg over the other and looks Natalya in the eye. If it matters, they want you dead. By helping us, you help yourself.
Teeth pulls his hood back slightly and addresses Natalya. Teeth helped Dark Magic lady and she gave him fine cloak as reward. He points to the cloak proudly. Now you help Teeth's new, powerful bosses and you may have rewards too! Teeth gives Natalya a large teethy grin.
Amazingly, the small nasty smelling creature with the oversized head and ears comes across as warm and convincing. It does not take long for the goblin to blow his shining moment as he reaches into his cloak and scratches his butt then smells his fingers. As quickly as the charismatic moment begins, it ends abruptly.
Raven gives a little laugh at Teeth's remark. "It would seem your former minion in your plans for the conquest of the city has decided to grace us with his silver tongue. We would appreciate any help you may be willing to provide us."
She chuckles and nods. "Oh, I understand that quite well. I've betrayed them as far as they're concerned, so I'm a dead woman in Ayala's eyes."
"I can give you a map, but I'll need to be unbound to do it." She pauses for a moment to think. "The Tower Girls are cat burglars by trade. They'll try to come at you from different angles, and not stick to fights they're obviously not going to him. I wouldn't expect any bruisers and I don't remember any magic users in their membership." She smirks, "Plenty of wererats, though. Bring silver." She stares at Nadja with a serious look on her face.
Teeth need to get traveling bag and buy goodies with monies he earned helping new bosses. Teeth have pointy ear teach him to mix potions that go boom and make the ground sticky! He can use Healy stick too!
Teeth waves his index finger like a wand. He is obviously proud of his possible contributions to the group.
Wererats.. The witch states eyes glittering in cold malice. The other sczarni family's would never tolerate the curse of lycanthropy running through-out the people. Its likely that they must not know. Hrm.. Tapping her nails in a repetitive motion on the table in though they make a consistent clicking sound. Venture Captain, its possible that we might have an ally within the other local gangs. If someone was to start spreading rumors that the Tower Girls were lycanthropes the guard and the other family's would be on them. It could effectively bottle them up in the Crow, leaving them no other options.
Natalya looks to Omoro, "The only one born a rat. She's been 'blessing' the rest with her curse. Part of the reason I came to Venture Captain Heidmarch in the first place." She nods to Sheila.
"We... They crossed one of the other families recently, the Wreckwash Blades. The Tower Girls have been hiding for a while, hoping tensions will die down." Natalya looks up at Nadja, "But you're right. The other families would take issue with lycanthropes in their midst. I'm not sure if they'd take action or simply look the other way, though."
The woman sighs deeply, her head sagging somewhat, her confidence melting away. This is likely the first look at the woman's real self you're getting. "Look, I'm not going to ask forgiveness for what I've done. I found something more powerful than what I could handle, and paid for it. It was supposed to be a grand payday... now I'm grateful that I even have my life."
The Venture Captain stares at Natalya for a few tense moments after listening to Natalya. "She's not of the society, but we had an arrangement." Sheila sighs and shakes her head, tipping her head forward and rubbing her forehead in a sign of frustration. "Alright, I will not ask you to all to return her things, but it might be the prudent thing to do." She looks up and crosses her arms, "You may take her with you, if you wish. Perhaps her knowledge of the Crow will come in useful, perhaps not. I leave that decision to all of you. If not, I have other ways that she might be useful."
She was extremely effective. Nadja thinks, weighing the possibility's. If worse came to worse at least we could use her as bait. I'm sure the Tower Girls would likely target her first rather then an unknown. Haughty sipping her wine, Nadja gives a cold smile. I leave it up to the others to decide if they wish to give you your possessions back, and have you accompany us. In the mean time, I think another visit to the Amazing Zogarthy might be called for. The man has connections throughout the city, and I have already established a working relationship. He is if nothing else a rumor-monger. If I put the word in his ear that the Tower Girls are in fact a group of lycanthropes, every Sczarni within the city should know about it with in a few days. That should keep them confined to the tower, and help us avoid and unwanted entanglement amongst the other families. Rising Nadja gives a precise if somewhat cool nod to the Venture Captain. Lady Heidmarch, if it is available I would like to make use of the lodge for the evening. Though its still early in the day, we had a very long night.
"Give her the gear back, but I'm not sure we require her help. The goblin has been much more helpful to us, and he clearly doesn't trust her, shard or no shard. I'm sure Lady Heidmarch can find something useful for her to do around here."
Teeth flashes another big teethy grin at Jotune's comments. Teeth will work hard to please new bosses.
Calendir steps forward with his usual pragmatic attitude - "Look here, I am fine if you want to be doing the right thing and return her the gear and whatnot - It would not be my option simply for the fact that she went toe to toe with us and she LOST"
Looking at the woman he adds - "No hard feelings, but tough luck with that, I would take from you whatever I think I am entitled to but whatever, I am not the boss of anything here and I recognize the value in these people that are with me, so I will bring no discord to this debate"
Looking at the others - "Do whatever you boys and girls want to do - you will regret giving up this one though" - he swings the mithral blade a couple of times - "A fine blade it is"
With a long bow to the Venture Captain, the half-elf motions to leave - "Apologies for the outburst milady, but as Nadja would put it I am but a rude, uneducated brute, and I lack the conversational skills to get me tip toeing around the delicate issue of returning what we have earned with blood to a defeated opponent - please take no offense from it"
"I will be waiting outside - I need to refit my gear for the tasks ahead of us, after our companion decided to leave... Meet me there with whatever decision you have made" - he drops the scabbarded blade at Natalya's feet - "Enjoy"
Teeth follows Calendir outside. Calendir told them. He says matter-of-factly and then pats the Ranger on his low back in a moment of bonding.
Lady Heidmarch sighs as Calendir and Teeth leave the room. "Defeated opponent or not, taking the belongings from another member of society is usually considered stealing. Aside from that, she was underneath the effects of a curse that pushed her to do what she did. I hope that such does not happen to any of you." She glances at Nadja for a moment and smirks, "Although we of the adventuring mindset usually tend to think of things differently after all of our exploits in the wilds." Her face becomes serious, "However, there are times where the benefits of treating another with dignity outweigh those gained by taking what they owned." Her entire speech, whether heard by Calendir and Teeth or not, seems to be aimed at the group as a whole.
The Venture Captain looks over to Nadja, "Excuse me for addressing that first." She bows almost imperceptibly towards the ex-sczarni. "I believe that your plan has merit, however, I would be careful linking yourself to the information. It could possibly be turned against you. As for lodging, I will see to it that accommodations are provided." She glances over to Natalya. "It appears that your group does not wish her aid, so I will put her to use elsewhere. She can work for me in other capacities until she has paid for her rescue." Lady Heidmarch looks over the rest of the group assembled, "Is there any more business for the moment? I'll be honest, I have a question of my own?"
"A goblin?"