Cursing and calling the captive all sorts of names first, Ezra again wills the captive to sleep this time more successfully. As he starts to slip into slumber he mutters, "so close to freedo..." Once he falls Leon hefts his trusty axe and proceeds to execute him. His now free head rolls down the corridor stopping halfway to Ezra and starting at her blankly is a different face from moments before. The face of the traitor.
Not content with the destruction wrought so far Leon heads back up towards the kitchen and the back door slaying any poor fools that have the misfortune of finding themselves in the vicinity of him. At the same time, Ezra has a truly evil idea, she moves towards the basins of holy water, tipping it over and pouring in her waters of Lammastu instead. The two then proceed, after Leon bars the back door and sets the kitchen a light. Slipping into the store room in the basement and quickly moving the debris from the opening as the basement fills with smoke the two slip into the catacombs beneath.
Several hours later, thoroughly lost Ezra and Leon feel a warmth at their brand as it ignites like a torch without flame. Interestingly enough, a door appears in the wall of the catacombs made of black iron with a simple mirror instead of a window and reflected upon that mirror is the same symbol as your brand.
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Several minutes after Krovax touches the statue and finish looting the camp, Mordecai and Krovax find an iron door in the remains of a stone wall along the side of the road, as they approach closer it opens of its own volition seeming to beckon them inside.
Krovax looks at the door, then back to Mordecai. He then draws his weapon and cautiously looks inside.
Leon stares at the door for a moment, then tries to open it.
Mordecai shrugs and scans it for magic before following Krovax.
Inside the doorway is a small room, no larger than the common room of a simple inn. The entire room is made up of smoked, semi reflective glass and black basalt covers the floor. Dominating the room is an over large standing mirror, gilted and covered in ornate brass sculpting depicting leering horned faces. Once all four of you move through the doorway the shadowy form of a winged man appears within the mirror. "Well done. You've done quite the job. You should be proud. Not only have you managed to acquire the statue but you also dealt with the traitor and reclaimed one of my keys. I see great things in your future but to do that you'll require reinforcements. Allow me to introduce your new members, Aluria Nightingale and Shadow. Take a few moments to acquaint yourselves." as he introduces the two individuals step out of the mirror.
You see a humanoid that is dressed in black and red studded leather armor, which looks like this.
He steps forward and says, "They call me 'Shadow Mantis.' It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I understand that we will be working together."
Krovax eyes the newcomers suspiciously, attempting to learn something from their style of dress or heraldry displayed.
Ezra smiles and nods at the newcomers. Tonight, I may dream of my incubus again...
"Just to be certain, I suppose you wouldn't mind showing those of us who have been here a while something of interest to show you are indeed in league with us?"
Not waiting for the others to make a display, Ezra looks around for a place to rest.
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A eerie song heralded the entrance in a dark figure.
What once started as a vision
Eat slowly through your mind
Everlasting penetration
Ignore the fear deep in the eyes
There ain't no love without hate
There's no existence without fate
There's no beginning without end
There's no betrayal without revenge
A woman whom puts you in mind of a serene peacock walked in singing. She has slanted grey eyes. Her luxurious, wavy, midnight black hair is long and is worn in a simple, dignified style. She has a busty build. Her skin is pale. She has a defined nose and high cheekbones.
Lady Aluria Nightingale. All to love me yet all to fear me.
Raising an eyebrow at the songstress as she entered, Krovax takes a moment to size her up.
Finding something to rest on as well, Krovax moves to a seat with a back to a wall, Dreadmaul curling up at his feet. "Krovax Draverian, Scourge of Lastwall, Binder of Dragons, and General of the Crimson Legion.". A growl echoes forth from the skeletal form of Dreadmaul at the mention of binding dragons.
"If you recall, human, it wasn't you who actually bound us together."
No, but it was someone who owed me there allegiance, and either way, you are bound to me, so accept that fact.
Turning to Leon, Krovax says, "Where is Opal? Did she not survive?"
Shadow Mantis lifts a portion of his armor toward Ezra. She sees the chest of what appears to be a stark white humanoid with a slender build and the brand that she recognizes.
With a subtle and sweet tone he says, "I presume this is what you are looking for, my lady."
"Opal disappeared during an altercation."
Mordecai relaxes slightly as the voice speaks; it would seem there is no immediate danger. He nods to his two new companions. "Mordecai Shrykeson, former lord of Ravenmoor."
This ones going to be trouble.
Krovax casts a glance towards Leon, then turns to the figure in the mirror. "We have done what was asked of us, but apparently you already have another task in mind." Krovax says, gesturing to the newcomers.
Krovax clears his throat, then speaks, rising to his feet as he does so. "Lady Nightingale, I trust that you are of exceptional talent, otherwise you would not be here in this chamber in the presence of this company. Our benefactor has went to great lengths to gather this group together, through various periods of history, to collect a well rounded and nearly unstoppable force. However, keep in mind, that it is YOU, who is joining this group, as you stated yourself, not the other way around, and you will not label us as incompetent again." Dreadmaul also rises as Draverian speaks, locking his fiery eyes on the woman.
"As you, I am sure, are recently returned to life as we were, you are likely unaware of what we have accomplished thus far. But the four of us have acquired two artifacts for our benefactor, overcoming great odds to do so," Krovax turns to Leon, Mordecai, and Ezra, turning his back to the woman, while Dreadmaul continues to follow behind Krovax keeping an eye on the newcomers, "After leaving them, it is obvious that Sir Blackmane and Ms. Savet here completed their task of clearing out the Temple of Torag inside the city, and myself and Lord Shrykeson here eliminated a group of well trained soldiers and their leader to recover one of the requested artifacts, without so much as a scratch to ourselves. So, if it is incompetency you fear from our group," Krovax turns back to the woman and armored creature, "you need not worry."
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Lady Aluria locked gaze at Krovax before turning her gaze to Dreadmaul. A most magnificent beast, stuff of legend to write songs of dread and fear for our enemies and such songs they will be not without an equally competent master.
Turning to the Lord of Mirrors Priest. I speak truth!! A group of agents like yourself have been tasked to eliminate members of the Pathfinder society. Unfortunately they didn't quite accustomed to living again as they soon find themselves back to their sorry dead form leaving me alone to finish the task of hunting down the last two pathfinders and reclaiming the tome single handedly.
Smiling, Lady Aluria whispered.
It seems we are equals then as we each seem to have achieved something for the Lord of Mirrors.
"Yes you have all proven quite capable and worth the effort to wrest your souls from oblivion," the form's hand reaches up and the statue of Sarenrae lifts and is pulled into the mirror. "There are several more of these items throughout Golarion and I require them. So long as this task is completed and your actions do not threaten my plans, you may pursue your own endeavors alongside. The room you stand in now Is a small pocket realm I have made available for your use. Only those who bear my brand may cross the threshold safely. Pointing to one wall it crumbles and fades away revealing several doors all identical save for the last which bears an odd sign. Accomodations for you all and a link to one of my servants who may prove useful. Prepare yourselves for I have another task for you soon." with that the form fades.
Krovax moves to the door with the sign, inspecting that door further.
The masked Mantis chuckles, "This reminds me why I have traditionally worked alone."
The creature draws one of his strange sabres, which some may recognize as a sawtooth sabre. The sabre appears to have dried blood on it. He then pulls out a small cloth and begins to clean the blood off his blade. While thoroughly cleaning his blade he says, "It appears that we have all recently completed tasks for the Lord of Mirrror. He has seen reason to put us together to complete the next task, whatever that may be."
The cleaning of the sabre seems very ritualistic and systematic. Upon cleaning the first blade he stows it and pulls out another sawtooth sabre and begins cleaning it in the same manner.
Keep an eye on the Mantis, Dreadmaul, this could be our chance for vengeance...
As he moves towards the door, Krovax says to the man in the Mantis armor, "So, Shadow Mantis, I was wondering...have you ever heard of a man named Vincent Cordain?"
When Krovax moves closer to the sign he can see it is a very faded picture of a spilled over coin bag. You can see someone moving around inside through the old, dusty window.
The six doors each lead to a different blank room, interestingly enough each room is far larger than the room you are in and currently has only a simple chest and a simple bed. On the chest is a note, If you find this wanting speak to Keeper
The seventh door opens with a creak into a dusty store full odd knick knacks and dusty tombs. Sitting behind a desk writing in an old, leathery ledger is a very old looking tiefling with skin as leathery as his books. "Ah, new customers." he waves his hands towards you, "Come in, come in and view my wares. I think you'll find I have something for everyone and every occasion you could imagine." he looks you over then a slim smile crosses his face,[b]"But I'm sure you're quite confused right now, I am known as Keeper. I tend to the needs of many of our masters agents all across Golarion and take care of financial and other physical matters far below his notice. I will provide many services to you all, from material needs to information brokering and if I like you I may even give you opportunities to improve your lot in your new life. I am sure you have questions so out with them."
Prepare a bath of human blood for me.
Leon glances at Ezra with a look that speaks volumes and leans close to whisper.
"Perhaps, I will return shortly," Krovax says to the Keeper. He then returns and claims a room and places his items down, checking out the chest as well.
Ezra laughs, and wanders into the coins room. Pulling the lot of gear gained at the church from her pack, she makes a mound on the keeper's table. Yelling back over her shoulder, "If any of you wanted any of this junk, better grab it now else I am selling it to my new best friend."
Eyeing the shopkeeper, Ezra smiles, and requests a scroll index, and a couple nice pieces of Amber.
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After my bath perhaps, I hope you have exquisite musical instrument for my leisure? Or even any servants for sale? I would like one who can sing and entertain.
Aluria pauses before taking off her clothes revealing the ancient wound mark on her chest just slightly above her full bosom.
I requested the Lord of Mirrors to not rejuvenate this wound. Keeps a reminder why I am here. The Korvosa Guards will burn to their every last man when I return back to oblivion.
Spinning around, she walks towards a bathtub filled to the brim with what seems like human blood.
Such theatrics. Leon mused, taking off his armor and rolling his neck and shoulders.
The fetchling thinks to himself, It sounds as though he knows someone who was killed by the church.
He responds to Krovax and says, "Never a man by the name of Vincent but I've heard of a Cordain or two."
The fetchling attempts not to give away he knows slightly more than he is suggesting.
The fetchling finishes cleaning his other sabre, stows it, and walks in to the room with the keeper and asks "Do you have any type of fashionable but darkly colored or tinted eye wear? Also, I'd like some natural looking red hair dye."
"Ezra, please do not sell off our mundane weapons and armor. When I begin recruiting soldiers for our cause I would like to be able to equip them."
Relaxing his grip on his mace, Krovax resumes settling in to the room he claimed.
"Good idea." Sir Leon says with a nod.
Taking it upon himself to get to know this "demi-plane" which seemed like it had just become their new base of operations, Leon picked up his things and began to wander eventually finding an empty room to claim as his own.
He was going to need to make some small adjustments to the dwarf's armor and re-rig his battle harness. He was going to need some tools and a small anvil.
Changing into his lighter weight armored coat and his bastard sword, he stretched and went back out.
"I have some purchases to make. How do we leave this place? How do we get back?"
"I will be back" heading back out, and in to her own room, closes the door behind her. The pile of miscellaneous mundane gear is left in a pile at the shopkeepers table.
Stepping out of his new room, Krovax watches as Ezra heads into her room, then returns to the Keeper. "So," he says as he leans against the doorframe, "what services can you provide, explicitly?"
Loen looks at the keeper with slow-dawning surprise. "The Lord of Mirrors has provided us with a trans-planar headquarters that includes it's own quartermaster?"
"Now I am impressed."
Politely he waits his turn at the Keeper's desk.
"As I said I am a procurer, if you want an item or information I can get it for the right price. I can also facilitate many other tasks," he looks in Shadows direction for a second. "I have also been give the power to alter your, miniature realm, if you will. I can adaptor to suit whatever your needs may be. As for leaving, that's easy, use that key you have matching your brand and it will summon the Hall of Doors and from there you can travel to wherever you have opened a door to. Well after you've located a link in the material realm. And I'm not your quartermaster, I'm an extraplanar entrepreneur and definitely not a charity."
"Fine. I need a room with an adjoining armory and stable, including a full set of tools for both." Leon says matter-of-factly.
"Keeper, I'm certainly not considering you a quartermaster. I fully intend to pay for the items have requested. Are they available for purchase through you or do I need to look elsewhere for my purchases?"
"At what cost to us does it take to have our private chambers modified? And are you capable of enchanting items yourself, or would you need to use one of your contacts?"
After his turn arises, Mordecai asks- "Onyx dust. How much can you get me and how much gold will be required?"
"I don't keep slaves or servants in stock but I have acquaintances that deal with such things, give me your particular requirements and I'll get you a price young lady. As for instruments I have several, I even think I have a grand piano around here somewhere. I have several pairs of glasses that you may like, I even have a pair imported from your plane, the shadow plane, if you have the coins." reaching under the desk he draws a tray of glasses and blows the dust off. He then grabs a second item, a small box and places it upon his desk, flipping the lid open revealing an unusual set of glasses that appear to be made of obsidian. "I have some brown dyes in stock but I can get you some red by morning." As you each browse through his store he begins cataloguing the gear you wish to sell, ever so often smiling or tut tuting at something. When someone walks around the first set of shelves a rather disturbing sight is exposed. From the entrance this looks like a small shop but the shelves extend beyond your sight. Far to the left you can even see the preserved skeleton of a colossal dragon. "Modifying your rooms is a simple matter but quite expensive. I can double the size currently and all it takes is a gem that will cost you one thousand gold. As for adding walls to separate rooms within that's much cheaper, fifty gold and I'll add as many walls as you wish. How big of an armoury do you want and how many horses in your stable? For a simple, personal armoury with racks and basic tools to maintain... Maybe five hundred would do it. But if you want a bigger one or a forge it'll cost you much more. I can equip you with a stable for one hundred gold, per stall. No I don't enchant items, I have people for that. Do you want boys by the ounce, pound or by the tonne?"
When everyone finishes any purchases I'll move on two chapter two.
The second Mordecai sees the dragon, he grabs the man and points at it. "How much for THAT?"
Krovax simply mutters, "Interesting. Some food for thought..."
Afterwards, he turns, and casually says to the others, "I'll be in the room furthest down the hall. Should any of you need to speak to me, or request something from the group fund, you know where to find me."