Fethril's arrow strikes true once again. The trollhound has lost a lot of blood, but continues to heal despite your efforts.
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"Its a trollhound! Use acid or fire!" Sabert calls out as he sees the unholy creature at the foot of the stairs.
Before he can do much else, the hound lunges out from its cage and tears into Saberts leg, severing the femoral artery as it drags him to the ground. Within bare seconds, shock has set in and the minstrels eyes roll back into his head as he quickly bleeds out.
The trollhound continues healing as it looks for a new target.
It's eyes settle on Kelris as it lunges for him.
The trollhound's jaws snap shut well away from Kelris.
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Now that the beast has moved on from Sabert, Fethril goes to tend his wounds.
"Well, I am not certain I can save you," he says to the unconscious form, "I mean, there is just so much blood here." Prodding and inspecting the wound, "Your leg is barely attached. My triage training tells me I should save my healing for someone less injured as you are so close to death. I mean, you are practically dead as it is. You cannot see all the blood, but trust me, it is an impressive amount. Oh well, training be damned."
Seeing the bard's eyes snap open, "Trust me, I am as surprised as you are. I didn't think it would actually work. You are a prodigious bleeder. Anyway, welcome back and all. Still work to do. Get off your back and don't slip in all of your own blood. Wouldn't that just be the most embarrassing thing?"
James final blow knocks the trollhound out. It slumps to the floor unconscious, though it continues to heal.
The door to the Captain's quarters swings open revealing a Keleshite woman in studded leather holding two ornately decorated kukris. Her black hair is held out of her face by a faded yellow bandana. She has a dark mole on her left cheek just below her eye. "You'll never get my goods scum!" she screams moving forward with menace.
The room behind her has an uncomfortable bed, a desk, a small chest, and a brazier bolted to the floor burning brightly. It sparks and roars, letting off smoke in thick patches, which quickly fill the space you occupy. It is not dangerous, yet, but if the fire rages out of control it could spell doom for the ship.
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Saberts eyes pop open, and he peers blearily around, trying to figure out what is going on.. then, in a sudden panic he grabs for his leg! Astonished that it is whole, he grabs Fethril in a great hug.
"Thank you! You saved me! I am in your debt, man!" he says with overflowing emotion.
He releases the elf, and carefully gets to his feet. Seeing that the blasted hound is dead, he peers around the room and gathers his crossbow from where it fell and reloads it.
"Bring it on abolitionist garbage! You're not taking my earnings from me!"
She steps around the pillar, keeping her back to the wall, to attack Kelris.
While fast enough to catch Kelris Wardak blade does not slip through the scales of his armor, skittering eerily across them instead.
CMD 18
hp 24
James' scythe slashes through the air next to Waheeda, but does not touch her.
The Captain feels compelled and answers Sabert, allowing Kelris to slip through her defenses, "What did it say?" Upon hearing the punchline she drops to the floor, howling with laughter. It seems she knows Gnoll as she slips into that yipping and barking language. It sounds completely natural with the laughter rolling off her in waves. Fethril's arrow lands in the main mast before the joke is completed.
The trollhound slows its bleeding, though it still remains unconscious.
Wardak's laughter ceases suddenly as she deadpans, "Wasn't actually that funny."
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"Couldn't you guys just toss the dog overboard? I doubt it could heal from drowning. Just a thought."
Walking over to Aura, "Perhaps the guidance of the All-Seeing will help you."
"Or couldn't we just take the keys off the captain there? If they are not with the captain, then they should be in her quarters. Again, just a thought."
The boat rocks with an incoming swell causing Sabert's aim to be off. His flask of fire hits the bulkhead above the trollhound, bathing it in fire and finishing it off for good. The material quickly burns itself out and leaves a large scorch mark on the wall.
James' blade flies down, temporarily pinning Waheeda to the floor of the vessel. When he pulls his blade back a large hole is left between her shoulder and her rib cage which begins oozing blood immediately. The fire has not left her eyes as she curses and spits at all of you.
Waheeda growls and drops one of her kukri, reaching for something on her belt. She pulls out a small vial and moves to drink it.
Kelris blade cleanly severs the woman's arm and opens several arteries on her other extremeties. She quickly bleeds out on the floor as the fire rages in the brazier bolted down in the Captain's quarters.
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Pinching the bridge of his nose, slowly shaking his head, "Why would you listen to a man whose life blood just emptied out all over the floor? There is no way he is in his right mind presently. And you go and let him throw fire on a boat. Shades of Gray!" Walking up to the chained Pathfinder, Fethril inquires, "I don't suppose you could summon up some water? Assuming Aura can get you free. If she cannot, you will either burn to death, or drown when the hull is compromised. Terrible ways to die. Of course we could save your life by hacking off part until you slip free of the manacle, but then you wouldn't be able to cast again. So, water?"
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Sabert rushes to the womans side, attempting to staunch the flow of blood. "Why listen to me? Because she is worth far more to us alive than dead, thats why!" he exclaims to Fethril. "Someone help me! If we can save her, we can find out more about the handmaiden, then turn her over to the port authorities to claim her bounty! We win on both sides of the coin! As for the fire.. well, James did say to torch the dog.. I can't help it if my aim was a tad bit off!"
Aura finds the keys on the former captain and proceeds to free all of the prisoners while James heads into the room and banks the fire safely. A lot of ash is scattered around the room and he manages to find a shred of paper, though the edges are blackened by fire, with a name. Muhlia
The gnome springs from her chains and grabs Aura in a hug, babbling her gratitude. She quickly heads over to Sabert and casts another spell to heal him. "I'm Rilla Lavon, a Pathfinder that was captured and taken through the Okeno slave markets, I need to head back to the Grand Lodge to report in."
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"We shall be along shortly as well, this mission her is complete. There is a dwarf in a long boat off the port side of the ship. She is our Pilot, can you send her up so we can bring this ship into port?"
After that Kelris will bring the bodies of the dead up to the deck, covering them in extra sail and helping with those still chained up.
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Sabert rises from his futile efforts with the captain, and thanks the gnome for her healing hands. "I am in your debt, madam. Thank you for helping to heal me!" Rising, he grants her a deep bow before continuing. "In this I agree with my companions. We need to search for magical spells of scrying placed upon you. Do you have any clue what these people have been up to?"
Wardak Waheeda has a few potions but none of the slaves are glowing with tell-tale magical essence. Zigil quickly climbs aboard and pilots the ship deftly through the Graveyard and docks. You return to Lady Darchana and get her up to speed about the events that went down on the At Sea.
She is deeply troubled by the implications, but authorizes the bounty on the At Sea for the full amount of 750 gold pieces. She addresses you one last time, "Pathfinders, you have done a great service to Absalom today. The full extent, understandably, may never be widely known or recognized by the sleeping masses, but know that the Pathfinder Society can count on me as a friend and ally, and I hope that I may call upon you again in the future should the need arise."
Upon returning to the Grand Lodge, Rilla recounts what she can to Venture-Captain Valsin and your team about her time spent in the Okeno slave markets on Stonespire Island, confirming several interactions with a heavily veiled humanoid woman who forcibly took blood samples on two occasions. When Rilla inquires as to the fate of the other Pathfinders she was on assignment with, Venture-Captain Valsin closes his eyes and slowly shakes his head. “No contact,” is all he says on the matter.
Your team is called in to see Ambrus Valsin in his office for your next assignment.
“Ah, Falroun, these are the agents I was telling you about,” Ambrus Valsin says. “Pathfinders, welcome! May I introduce Count Falroun Matsanda of Alkenstar.” He gestures across his desk to a tall Garundi man with short black hair and goldrimmed spectacles.
Valsin’s guest stands and offers his hand in greeting as he speaks. “It is a true pleasure to meet you. I have purchased several antiquities from your Society in the past, and I have always wondered about the people who acquire such treasures. I must say, you do not disappoint!”
Valsin smiles at the compliment before continuing, “Agents, your next mission will take you to the island of Jalmeray. We’ve received reports that the ruins of a previously unknown temple have been found in a part of the Segang Jungle known as the Urapangi Lowlands. From its location, I think this temple could be one of those abandoned by the legendary Maharaja Khiben-Sald when he left Jalmeray over four thousand years ago. A temple untouched since Khiben-Sald’s time would be a major find for the Society. Of course, getting to Jalmeray on such short notice poses some difficulties.”
“I believe that’s where I come in,” the count interjects. “I’m arranging a hunting expedition to Jalmeray for myself and my new father-in-law, Baron Bomande Rudyahm. Bomande was quite the sportsman in his day. However, some years ago he was wounded during a tiger hunt in the Segang Jungle. He’s been grumbling about getting revenge on the beast for so long that I thought taking him on a trip back to Segang might earn me some credit with the old man.”
Ambrus Valsin continues: “Falroun has graciously offered to provide transport to and from Jalmeray and to outfit us with everything we need for our journey into the jungle. In exchange, you’re going to help his father-in-law, the baron, with this tiger hunt and make sure he gets the better of the beast this time around, as it were. You’ll have time to discuss the details of the hunt during your voyage to Jalmeray.”
“A voyage for which I must make some final arrangements,” adds Falroun, “I’m afraid I must depart. Once again, it is a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to our journey together.” With a nod, he exits the room. As the count’s footsteps recede down the hall, Ambrus Valsin’s smile fades from his face. “Ordinarily, the Society would cover the costs of an expedition like this. However, our resources are stretched thin at the moment thanks to our campaigns in Varisia and the Worldwound. Until such time as those ventures pay off, we’re going to have to rely on people like Count Matsanda to cover some of our operating expenses. I’m trusting you with the Society’s reputation on this mission. Fulfill our end of this bargain by helping the baron bag his tiger, and try to make nice with at least one of these nobles. Now, unless you have any questions about this temple, go get your affairs in order. Your ship sails in the morning.”
Valsin pulls a tome from a nearby bookshelf and places dainty reading glasses on the bridge of his nose. "Let's see...The Vudrani occupation of Jalmeray began in 563 AR when the Maharaja Khiben-Sald received the island as a gift from the archmage Nex. Though Khiben-Sald and his entourage occupied Jalmeray for only a decade, they built dozens of palaces, temples, and monuments on the island with the help of their genie servants. Many of these structures remain in use today, preserved by genie magic or by the care and attention of the island’s inhabitants. Others have fallen into disrepair or been swallowed by the island’s jungles. The temples of Khiben-Sald were not only richly adorned, but are also said to store records of the Maharaja’s journeys in the Inner Sea."
Ambrus takes his reading glasses off and places the book back on it's shelf, "That was one of our chronicles, though it sounds like most of the report was toned down for public consumption. Segang is hot and muggy this time of year. It’s a jungle, so expect dangerous plants and animals, venomous creatures, and disease. You may also encounter some looters at the temple, if you don’t get there fast enough.”
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Sabert unconsciously rubs at the pale white scar he can feel beneath his trousers at Fethril's comment. "Either that or really set it to aching.. I've never been to a jungle before. We shall have to see!" he replies, smiling. "Lets hope this tiger goes down easier than that damn trollhound!"
"I don't seem to recall much about this place, but you seem to have that pretty well in hand, Venture Captain." Sabert says. "Is there anything that you would suggest we take along with us?"
"You'll be heading straight to the island of Jalmeray tomorrow morning so buy what gear you need. Based on what is there antitoxins, light clothing, regular gear such as alchemist's fire or acid, water, light sources and so forth. Any other questions?"