Lantressa had just about reached the lift when she felt the vibrations through the complex. It terrified her and she wanted to the surface even worse than before. When another came through she was in a near panic and she threw herself into the lift hoping to get to the surface as another wave of vibrations rocked the place. Quickly she closed the doors and hit the up button and prayed she wasn't trapped down here, the raw panic making her forget about her friends, as she tried to get out.
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Lantressa would be reminded when she got to the elevator that Callie pocketed the button that controls the elevator when they came down earlier this morning. (Which also means Ruan and Riceak should still be there waiting.)
Meanwhile, Callie herself is of a mind to run. There is only one way out and she holds the key. Some lingering sense of whatever doom this creature could inflict if left to its own devices keeps her from running just yet--especially since she can see Teodor and Korriban are determined to stand and fight.
Squaring her jaw, she takes a step back to avoid the reach of the newly bloated creature of death, flicks her sword into her hand, and holds it aloft, drawing upon the very last of her arcane reserves, using the mystic relationship she has forged with her blade to cast just one more spell: haste.
She then begins to intone her floweriest speech yet:
"Some b@+@$es just don't f$#*ing know when to quit."
Teodor can't stifle a laugh.
Unfortunately for Tressa her fear was so great that she completely forgot the lift had a separate button to make it work. It dawned on her that Callie was the one who had it and she was back with the others still. Tressa came to a moment of decision, she could wait here and hope they made it to her before the place came down or she could go back and try to get to Callie. Deciding that she was better off where she could easily get rescued Lantressa stayed there, huddled as small as she could be by the lift.
Lantressa huddles there, hoping that she'll soon be rescued--and does indeed see Riceak and Ruan emerging from one of the side rooms. The big Varisian warrior asks her something, but of course she can't hear him. Then he and Ruan take off, running, toward the rooms she's come from. Headed toward danger, not away from.
Meanwhile, in the hallway, Callie casts a final spell for the day and draws her blade, while Teodor channels energy against the undead abomination. The creature flinches, but partly shrugs off the assault--but will she be able to ignore Korriban's blade?
Initiative
Korriban<-----
Undead
Callie, Lantressa, Teodor
Riceak + Ruan
Undead Horror: HP: 78 | AC/T/FF: 21/12/18 | Fort +9 Ref +7 Will +11 (channel resist +4) | CMD: 30 | desecrate centered on self
Korriban chuckles at Callie's proclamation, despite the damage that he has taken. He uses her magic to his benefit as he continues to stab at the monster!
Korriban'a first blow is batted aside by the massive claw, but his second strikes home, spearing the undead through where its leg should be! She shrieks in pain and whirls--Korriban dodged the scything claw, but she floats backwards and lashes Teodor with her other claw, leaving a ragged wound. Its tattered robes are still aflame, but it doesn't seem to care.
Initiative
Korriban
Undead
Callie, Lantressa, Teodor<-----
Riceak and Ruan
Undead Horror: HP: 53 | AC/T/FF: 21/12/18 | Fort +9 Ref +7 Will +11 (channel resist +4) | CMD: 30 | desecrate centered on self
Teodor steps diagonally to give Korriban a flank and swings his flail, trying to act unhurt.
Callie somersaults into melee with the monster.
She then lunges at it with her blade, fueling it with her Arcane Strike.
Lantressa wasn't even aware of the presence of Riceak and Ruan as she huddled there, head tucked in and protected by her arms and waiting for the place to come crashing down.
Teodor realizes that he might be more useful in close quarters, and his suspicion is confirmed when he manages to thwack the undead directly in the back with his heavy flail! She shrieks in pain, but doesn't have much time to react as Callie leaps forward and skewers her through the side! As Riceak and Ruan continue to plunge away from Lantressa and toward the sounds of battle, Korriban makes his move...
Initiative
Korriban<-----
Daughter of Urgathoa
Callie, Lantressa, Teodor
Ruan and Riceak
Undead Horror: HP: 20 | AC/T/FF: 21/12/18 | Fort +9 Ref +7 Will +11 (channel resist +4) | CMD: 30 | desecrate centered on self
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Korriban continues to pierce the undead abomination in front of him!
He manages to land two decisive blows!
As Callie withdraws her blade, Korriban leaps forward and, stabbing twice in quick succession...skewers the blazing undead through the midriff and then through the throat!! Its hands come up to grasp the blade as it snarls, still-beautiful face within arm's reach of Korriban. But then there's a whoosh of flame, as the tattered rags come fully alight, and Korriban pulls his blade free as the monstrosity collapses to the ground, twitching and smoldering, to lie still...for the final time.
As Callie, Teodor, and Korriban catch their breaths, Riceak and Ruan arrive on the scene. "Callie!" Ruan cries. "Are you all right? Are you all well?" Riceak pokes the corpse of the heinous creature once with his blade, but when it appears unlikely to immediately rise from the ashes he gives a satisfied nod and turns to hear your responses.
Teodor is full-on wheezing. "F#*@ you again, Urine-gotha! I'd drop a s@&# in your fountain but I think you'd like it!"
Korriban pants as he manages to bring the monster down. At Ruan's questions, Korriban says, "Yeah. We're fine. We just had to deal with this thing. I think it's safe to say that we took down the cult. We can take our loot and find the cure now." He then smiles. "But, first thing's first. Did you guys see me take down that thing? That was amazing! But, don't let me take all the credit! We all did it! Go, teamwork! Hurrah!" He then holds up his hand. "High fives! Anyone?"
Once the body is sufficiently ash she will stomp out any remaining flames. If the smoke is bad she urges the group to move on. If any of her belongings remain that Korriban didn't get before she dragged the body out of the shrine she will remove (carefully with a gloved hand) them.
To Teodor, "She probably also considers that name a compliment."
She chuckles at Korriban. "It'll make a great tale to tell when our work is done." She returns his high five.
"Ruan, Riceak, thanks for coming. Yes, we're remarkably all okay. Except... did you see Lantressa run by? She just panicked and ran, and that was BEFORE a dead woman got up again. I'm not sure what happened to her. Maybe a fear spell?" She spreads ashes with her feet. "She never struck me as the kind of gal who spooked easily."
"Anyway, I think we have thoroughly routed the Urgathoans. Let's get out of here--and bring back a legion or two to wreck this place once all evidence is removed."
Korriban looks around for Lantressa. "Yeah. Where is she? Doesn't seem like her. Maybe she got overwhelmed?" Korriban will then go through the rooms, searching and taking loot, the notes, and the research.
To Callie, "Tough but fair. I'm almost dead, didn't feel like workshopping that one." Teodor straightens himself up and goes to cast "Purify Food and Drink" on the the pee humors.
"Korriban, your materialism will be your downfall. Consider that my official doomsaying. Basically my job. We should take the body. Get it properly dealt with. Opposite of a Uragothan funeral ...probably some benevolent b#+*!%~+. Consecrate her ass. Anyway, let's go. I can heal one more plague victim today."
Korriban looks at Teodor and shrugs. "Can you blame me? Orphan and grew up in Bridgefront here. Besides, there's valuable research here to cure the plague. Also, we'll need to destroy that vampire's coffin and try and track down Rolth."
"I spend most nights hoping I find comfy stones to pass out on. You have a home and a family. Who's the true orphan?" Teodor breaks into giggles. "On the other hand, what sort of nice clerical crap does she have? "
Korriban says, "Well, that's true. But, I still was an orphan for the first nine years of my life. As to your living conditions, you could always stay in Zellara's place or room with one of us for a few nights."
"Whatever you were in the past, you're not orphans now. You clearly have each other."
As they clear up and move back through the complex, Callie nods at Korriban. "Right! The coffin. Riceak, how'd you like to use your mighty Varisian strength to break the thing to splinters?"
Korriban looks at Teodor at Callie's suggestion that they're no longer orphans. "Well, buddy, she does have a point." At Callie's suggestion for Riceak to chop the coffin apart, Korriban says, "And burn it as well."
Riceak grins at Callie's suggestion. "My pleasure." He hustles off to destroy the coffin, and before too long you can hear the sounds of him at work.
Teodor's spell doesn't turn the noxious humors that remain, after the priestess's transformation, into water. But it does settle them down from their residual bubbling and turn them into (you suspect) mundane versions of the fluids rather than unholy ones.
Korriban's looting of the priestess's body did reveal a fairly large amount of "clerical crap," to use Teodor's term. Her body pre-transformation fairly glowed with magic: there's a magical potion in her belt pouch, and her scythe, belt, cloak, and headband all radiate magic. Moreover, her onyx unholy symbol of Urgathoa she carries looks pretty valuable, her breastplate survived the fire intact, and she's got almost 30 gold pieces in cash on her.
Teodor searches the unholy chamber more fully.
Korriban searches the chamber with Teodor.
After that, he'll go to the research room and start gathering the notes.
Teodor and Korriban go back to search the temple's heart briefly, and uncover a small, concealed alcove in the base of the statue of Urgathoa (is it your imagination, or does it look...angrier...than before?). Inside, they find some grim ceremonial objects--two silver candelabras resembling, and possibly made from, human hands, as well as exotic and foul-smelling incense--along with some magical items: two wands and two scrolls. Three additional blocks of incense radiate magic as well.
With no more signs of living (or undead) cultists in the area, you make your way slowly back toward the elevator, searching each room thoroughly. You don't find much more in the way of valuables, and the notes you find in the "research" room are scattered at best. But you do have the notes from Dr. Davaulus's desk and from the vampire's quarters. These are much more detailed and explicit, focusing tightly on the creation and spread of blood veil. With time to examine these, perhaps a cure can yet be found!
Finally, you arrive at the exit to the subterranean chamber, where Lantressa is still huddled. Fitting everyone onto the elevator is tough, but you manage to squeeze in and Callie activates the switch. The lift rises slowly, but finally light spills into it again: the torchlight of the old warehouse's interior.
"Teodor!!" Cristina's voice rings out across the chamber, and you see her hurrying toward all of you. "We felt some strange vibration--you're all ok? What happened down there?" Behind her, you can see the Pharasmin Bishop d'Bear, as well as a wan-looking Field Marshall Cressida Kroft. A mix of guards and marines are escorting some last patients out on stretchers, accompanied by priests. All eyes turn toward you, expectantly.
Teodor and Korriban go back to search the temple's heart briefly, and uncover a small, concealed alcove in the base of the statue of Urgathoa (is it your imagination, or does it look...angrier...than before?). Inside, they find some grim ceremonial objects--two silver candelabras resembling, and possibly made from, human hands, as well as exotic and foul-smelling incense--along with some magical items: two wands and two scrolls. Three additional blocks of incense radiate magic as well.
Korriban looks over what they find and proceeds to try and pack everything. If asked why, he says, "Well, I'm thinking that we should just take everything. That way, we won't have to come back down here." Seeing the statue looking angrier at them, Korriban feels fear for a moment... before he decides to flip the statue off. "F**k you!"
With no more signs of living (or undead) cultists in the area, you make your way slowly back toward the elevator, searching each room thoroughly. You don't find much more in the way of valuables, and the notes you find in the "research" room are scattered at best. But you do have the notes from Dr. Davaulus's desk and from the vampire's quarters. These are much more detailed and explicit, focusing tightly on the creation and spread of blood veil. With time to examine these, perhaps a cure can yet be found!
Korriban looks over the notes with elation. "Guys! This may be it! We may have a cure!"
Finally, you arrive at the exit to the subterranean chamber, where Lantressa is still huddled. Fitting everyone onto the elevator is tough, but you manage to squeeze in and Callie activates the switch. The lift rises slowly, but finally light spills into it again: the torchlight of the old warehouse's interior.
Korriban sees Lantressa huddled into the corner. Concerned, he runs up to her. "Lantressa! Lantressa! Are you okay? What happened?"
When the elevator goes up, Korriban breathes a sigh of relief, happy that this is all over.
"Teodor!!" Cristina's voice rings out across the chamber, and you see her hurrying toward all of you. "We felt some strange vibration--you're all ok? What happened down there?" Behind her, you can see the Pharasmin Bishop d'Bear, as well as a wan-looking Field Marshall Cressida Kroft. A mix of guards and marines are escorting some last patients out on stretchers, accompanied by priests. All eyes turn toward you, expectantly.
Korriban sees everyone staring at them. Taking a deep breath and clearing his throat, he steps forward and says, "We did it. We have defeated the cult of Urgothoa. They were the doctors that the Queen had hired. That also included Davaulus. They were serving under a priestess, who I believe to be Andaisan. We killed her twice. Once as a human. The second time, she was turned into an undead monster. She also said that the Queen had allowed them to do this.They were also working with a necromancer named Rolth Lamm, who had escaped using magic. We believe that he may have teleported to West Dock. There was also a powerful vampire, who we believe to have killed. There is a giant altar of Urgathoa down there, with a giant statue. We have also recovered research notes on the disease. They may contain a cure for the Blood Veil. The bodies are still down there and the vampire's coffin has been smashed. Also, Lantressa is under some sort of spell." He breathes out.
Callie helps the group pack the loot into the elevator.
When they get up top...
"Teodor!!" Cristina's voice rings out across the chamber, and you see her hurrying toward all of you. "We felt some strange vibration--you're all ok? What happened down there?" Behind her, you can see the Pharasmin Bishop d'Bear, as well as a wan-looking Field Marshall Cressida Kroft. A mix of guards and marines are escorting some last patients out on stretchers, accompanied by priests. All eyes turn toward you, expectantly.
Callie steps forward and clears her throat, preparing to use her bardic training to its upmost. She takes a moment to formulate in her mind the perfect beginning pitch, inhales deeply, ready to tell the most epic tale of good versus evil she has ever told...
Korriban sees everyone staring at them. Taking a deep breath and clearing his throat, he steps forward and says, "We did it. We have defeated the cult of Urgothoa. They were the doctors that the Queen had hired. That also included Davaulus. They were serving under a priestess, who I believe to be Andaisan. We killed her twice. Once as a human. The second time, she was turned into an undead monster. She also said that the Queen had allowed them to do this. They were also working with a necromancer named Rolth Lamm, who had escaped using magic. We believe that he may have teleported to West Dock. There was also a powerful vampire, who we believe to have killed. There is a giant altar of Urgathoa down there, with a giant statue. We have also recovered research notes on the disease. They may contain a cure for the Blood Veil. The bodies are still down there and the vampire's coffin has been smashed. Also, Lantressa is under some sort of spell." He breathes out.
And then instantly and visibly deflates as the innocently eager and adrenaline-fueled youth jumps in first and completely steals her thunder. Sure, she could add or elaborate, but the moment's been rather lost.
She mutters to herself, "Well, save it for the tavern, I guess. Least you'll get paid."
She sighs deeply and says more loudly to the group after a moment, "Not sure what's up with Lantressa, though she's been awfully quiet. If you can keep the second part going while fixing what's wrong, that'd be great." She winks. Then she points back to the piles of loot they dragged out of the room. "I don't expect the Queen's Servants being happy if a bunch of armor fashioned for the physicians and grey maidens showed up on the public market... or even the black market... so if you can make use of some of these magic breastplates, I'd say you should be welcome to them." She frowns. "These plans were long in the running. We may have stopped Andaisin. We have not stopped the Queen's long game, I'm sure. What do you think we should do, Bishop?"
"The bloodsucker likely escaped," Teodor says.
Korriban sees Lantressa huddled into the corner. Concerned, he runs up to her. "Lantressa! Lantressa! Are you okay? What happened?"
When the elevator goes up, Korriban breathes a sigh of...
Tressa was unaware of Korriban's presence when he spoke to her. She couldn't hear after all, and continued to huddle on the floor in a corner next to the lift with her body held as close as she could.
Tressa was unaware of Korriban's presence when he spoke to her. She couldn't hear after all, and continued to huddle on the floor in a corner next to the lift with her body held as close as she could.Korriban sees Lantressa huddled into the corner. Concerned, he runs up to her. "Lantressa! Lantressa! Are you okay? What happened?"
When the elevator goes up, Korriban breathes a sigh of...
Seeing Lantressa not responding, Korriban decides to try and get her attention. He gently places his hand on her shoulder. "Lantressa?"
"I can cast Remove Disease once more today ...anyone need it?"
Lantressa started at the sudden touch and in her fear and general mental state her dark side did what it inclined her to do and caused her to lash out. While on most days she might have connected with such a swipe not seeing Korriban caused her to miss horribly and when she looked up there was a near feral look to her as it was obvious she wasn't herself just now. There seemed to be just enough recognition of who she was seeing that she stilled a followup swipe as she struggled to control the demon within. It was also obvious that she was loosing that struggle as her eyes began to glow with a deeper more baleful red color and her hands started to curve into a claw shape.
[dice=claw w/prone/"blind"]1d20+5-4; 1d4[/dice]
Callie reaches for Korriban to try to pull him out of the way. "Let the priests figure out the issue. We have no idea what this b*#%% did to her, the Pharasmans are the best ones to be able to help."
Doing her best to stay out of Lantressa's way, Callie does pull some of the enormous pile of loot they had crammed into the small elevator along with six or so people away from the area so the priests could get to Lantressa more easily.
Bishop d'Bear holds up one hand and approaches Lantressa after she recoils from her swipe at Korriban. (Cressida Kroft seems slightly startled that you're deferring to the Bishop and not her, but then it's an unusual situation.) Holding up a hand, the Bishop approaches Lantressa and, catching the tiefling's attention, touches her shoulder as lightly as a feather. (If Lantressa lashes out again, she can easily dodge the blow.) Her eyes glow blue, matched by a blue light in Lantressa's own eyes.
Keppira d'Bear steps away from Lantressa, the tiefling's hearing restored. To the entire group, she says, "My priests and I will, of course, sanctify this unholy cult site. It would hardly do to leave it undisturbed." Her voice is strangely husky and full for a woman whose presence is so ethereal. She wafts toward the elevator, a few priests falling in beside her, then turns to add, over her shoulder, "You have all done the city a great service, today--and the world. I thank you, and no doubt others will as well. But what the Queen desires, and what she will do to get it...ah, that even I cannot say." She smiles and (assuming Callie will turn over the button) descends with her priests into the sanctuary.
As Callie and some of the Guards pull the loot out of the elevator, Kroft approaches. "I've got a magical technician here with me--I thought there might be some cursed objects in such a foul place.
So you needn't worry about stumbling across any nasty magic from these...things...you've taken." A slight, stooped woman gives all of the magic items you recovered a quick once-over, and jots down a quick list for you by way of a receipt.
"Bloody job well done, you lot," she says. She looks as though she hasn't slept in weeks--which, come to think of it, might not be so far from the truth. She's regarding you warmly, but not smiling, which seems odd. "I thank you as well for all your hard work--and for working together so well and so quickly, when you met just yesterday. I knew I could count on my most trusted agents."
Leaning in, she murmurs to everyone, "I would be careful about throwing around accusations against the Queen too freely, though. You've won me mostly to your way of thinking--too much has happened for me to ignore--but there are many in the Guard and the Sable who aren't yet ready to accept the truth of what the Queen's done. And there's more...a shift in the blame that you know nothing of yet."
Raising her voice back to a normal level, she informs you, "The Queen made two announcements this morning, not long after you all descended into that warren of filth. The first was that Davaulus and the Queen's Physicians had betrayed her trust, and that the fiendish doctor had been executed for crimes against the city." Her lips twitch. "I assume she referred to you, but she certainly didn't name you...but anyway, she's denied any knowledge or responsibility about this. Whatever the madwoman downstairs said, it's her word against the Queen's. And there's something more important to discuss, in any case. The second announcement...Korriban, Lantressa. Stay calm. But late last night there was a declaration of quarantine...the Gray Maidens have destroyed most of the bridges, and set up a massive barricade on the Jeggare Bridge. Old Korvosa has been hit harder by the plague than most, and it's under quarantine. Indefinitely."
Before you can fully respond, she holds up a hand. "I know you, and I know you'll want to respond. But I beg you--hold off. Even you can't confront entire legions of Gray Maidens yourselves, and you must rest and heal from your ordeal. The time to tend to Old Korvosa will come. In the meantime--you have clues to a cure? We must get them to an alchemist!"
Korriban's eyes widen as Lantressa swipes at him with her claws. Seeing her reaction as she hesitates, Korriban has a thought. As Callie tries to convince him to move back, Korriban says, "Wait. Let me try something." He then shrugs out of his coat and, after sheathing his rapier, puts it on her shoulders, like he's done in the past. He's hoping that something familiar will snap her out of it.
Bishop d'Bear holds up one hand and approaches Lantressa after she recoils from her swipe at Korriban. (Cressida Kroft seems slightly startled that you're deferring to the Bishop and not her, but then it's an unusual situation.) Holding up a hand, the Bishop approaches Lantressa and, catching the tiefling's attention, touches her shoulder as lightly as a feather. (If Lantressa lashes out again, she can easily dodge the blow.) Her eyes glow blue, matched by a blue light in Lantressa's own eyes.
Korriban watches in shock and interest. But he doesn't say anything, not knowing much on magic.
Keppira d'Bear steps away from Lantressa, the tiefling's hearing restored. To the entire group, she says, "My priests and I will, of course, sanctify this unholy cult site. It would hardly do to leave it undisturbed." Her voice is strangely husky and full for a woman whose presence is so ethereal. She wafts toward the elevator, a few priests falling in beside her, then turns to add, over her shoulder, "You have all done the city a great service, today--and the world. I thank you, and no doubt others will as well. But what the Queen desires, and what she will do to get it...ah, that even I cannot say." She smiles and (assuming Callie will turn over the button) descends with her priests into the sanctuary.
Korriban looks at d"Bear. "Thanks, Bishop. It was not much of a problem."
As Callie and some of the Guards pull the loot out of the elevator, Kroft approaches. "I've got a magical technician here with me--I thought there might be some cursed objects in such a foul place. So you needn't worry about stumbling across any nasty magic from these...things...you've taken." A slight, stooped woman gives all of the magic items you recovered a quick once-over, and jots down a quick list for you by way of a receipt.
Korriban watches as the woman looks over the items and jots down what they are. He looks at the rapier with interest before turning to Callie.
"Bloody job well done, you lot," she says. She looks as though she hasn't slept in weeks--which, come to think of it, might not be so far from the truth. She's regarding you warmly, but not smiling, which seems odd. "I thank you as well for all your hard work--and for working together so well and so quickly, when you met just yesterday. I knew I could count on my most trusted agents."
Korriban smiles. "Thanks, boss. Glad to know that we're the most trusted agents you've got. Makes me feel important."
Leaning in, she murmurs to everyone, "I would be careful about throwing around accusations against the Queen too freely, though. You've won me mostly to your way of thinking--too much has happened for me to ignore--but there are many in the Guard and the Sable who aren't yet ready to accept the truth of what the Queen's done. And there's more...a shift in the blame that you know nothing of yet."
Korriban frowns and snorts. "Well, those guys are going to get a wake up call. I can only guess that this is the start of it. Who knows that the Queen will try next?"
Raising her voice back to a normal level, she informs you, "The Queen made two announcements this morning, not long after you all descended into that warren of filth. The first was that Davaulus and the Queen's Physicians had betrayed her trust, and that the fiendish doctor had been executed for crimes against the city." Her lips twitch. "I assume she referred to you, but she certainly didn't name you...but anyway, she's denied any knowledge or responsibility about this. Whatever the madwoman downstairs said, it's her word against the Queen's."
Korriban snorts again. "Figures. Realizes that she's losing and then lies to cover her a**. How more obvious can she get?"
"And there's something more important to discuss, in any case. The second announcement...Korriban, Lantressa. Stay calm. But late last night there was a declaration of quarantine...the Gray Maidens have destroyed most of the bridges, and set up a massive barricade on the Jeggare Bridge. Old Korvosa has been hit harder by the plague than most, and it's under quarantine. Indefinitely."
Korriban is shocked as the news is brought to him. His eyes widen as he thinks of his family. Lialda. Falko. Lidda. The girls. The guards. All of them are now trapped in Old Korvosa. With no way out. And they aren't able to get out. He begins to shake.
Before you can fully respond, she holds up a hand. "I know you, and I know you'll want to respond. But I beg you--hold off. Even you can't confront entire legions of Gray Maidens yourselves, and you must rest and heal from your ordeal. The time to tend to Old Korvosa will come. In the meantime--you have clues to a cure? We must get them to an alchemist!"
He's so wrapped in his thoughts that he doesn't hear what Kroft says. He just says, "I... I... I need to get home. I need to get home. I got to get to my family. I've got to get them to safety. I've got to get them out of Old Korvosa."
Korriban's eyes widen as Lantressa swipes at him with her claws. Seeing her reaction as she hesitates, Korriban has a thought. As Callie tries to convince him to move back, Korriban says, "Wait. Let me try something." He then shrugs out of his coat and, after sheathing his rapier, puts it on her shoulders, like he's done in the past. He's hoping that something familiar will snap her out of it.
Despite Korriban's efforts to calm her it seemed she was truly lost in her fear and darkness. The look she gave him gave the implication she both wanted to rend him to shreds and screw him on the spot, and the order was something far better not to think on. It wasn't until the priest came down and cast her magic on the tiefling that Tressa began to come back to herself. She felt the invasive presence of the blue glow and shuddered as it finally left her and her eyes shifted back to their usual dull red glow.
Her hearing and sanity restored Tressa looked at the Bishop d'Bear and grabbed the woman into a hug as she began to sob. Pharasmans weren't known for their empathy to the living and not bereaved but the tiefling didn't really care just then.
Having regained her calm, and letting the Bishop go, Lantressa saw Kroft arrive. She listened with shock and then outrage at what the queen had done. She had friends back there, people she cared what happened too, and that they had just been left to die was an utter shock and betrayal. The fact the queen had stolen their actions as her own certainly didn't help matters any. Seeing Korriban begin to freak out and knowing what she had nearly done to him when she had done so the harlot reached out to gently try and place her hands on his shoulders as she said, "We'll get to them Korriban, don't worry."
Keppira d'Bear steps away from Lantressa, the tiefling's hearing restored. To the entire group, she says, "My priests and I will, of course, sanctify this unholy cult site. It would hardly do to leave it undisturbed." Her voice is strangely husky and full for a woman whose presence is so ethereal. She wafts toward the elevator, a few priests falling in beside her, then turns to add, over her shoulder, "You have all done the city a great service, today--and the world. I thank you, and no doubt others will as well. But what the Queen desires, and what she will do to get it...ah, that even I cannot say." She smiles and (assuming Callie will turn over the button) descends with her priests into the sanctuary.
Callie relaxes. She'd never been much of a person of faith, and when she was, mainly to Desna--which sometimes caused her as much trouble as good, even though Desna is an altruistic goddess. This ordeal has given her a great appreciation for honoring the proper cycle of life and death and she finds herself contemplating the value of the services the Pharasmans offer quite frequently. This is to say, she is glad and grateful the Pharasmans are seeing to the unholy site and to the ill. Of course, an ever alert part of her worries that there may be traitors among them as well, but their actions so far have been unassailable. She very willingly hands over the control to the elevator.
"Bloody job well done, you lot," she says. She looks as though she hasn't slept in weeks--which, come to think of it, might not be so far from the truth. She's regarding you warmly, but not smiling, which seems odd. "I thank you as well for all your hard work--and for working together so well and so quickly, when you met just yesterday. I knew I could count on my most trusted agents."
Leaning in, she murmurs to everyone, "I would be careful about throwing around accusations against the Queen too freely, though. You've won me mostly to your way of thinking--too much has happened for me to ignore--but there are many in the Guard and the Sable who aren't yet ready to accept the truth of what the Queen's done. And there's more...a shift in the blame that you know nothing of yet."
Callie only now really pays attention to Kroft. After dealing with undead and self-raising priestesses, this all seems so beyond the guard's bailiwick. But Kroft, for as stiff as she is, she's tended to do Callie and the town right, and so Callie smiles at her easily. "Thank you. And yes, this is going to be an uphill fight. Those Grey Maidens are something in particular we have a lot to worry about, and the Queen will use everything in her power, which she has a lot of, to keep things going. I hope the notes we've found, in addition to offering a cure, might also shed light on other plans in the city."
Before you can fully respond, she holds up a hand. "I know you, and I know you'll want to respond. But I beg you--hold off. Even you can't confront entire legions of Gray Maidens yourselves, and you must rest and heal from your ordeal. The time to tend to Old Korvosa will come. In the meantime--you have clues to a cure? We must get them to an alchemist!"
He's so wrapped in his thoughts that he doesn't hear what Kroft says. He just says, "I... I... I need to get home. I need to get home. I got to get to my family. I've got to get them to safety. I've got to get them out of Old Korvosa."
Callie had contacts and friends in Old Korvosa, though nothing like the others would. Still the thought of what might be happening there frightened her, so she knew Korriban and Lantressa would be feeling far worse.
"Korriban, take a deep breath in and exhale. Think about this. If you just charged in and tried to pull your family and employees out, you'd be pulling them through a gauntlet of Gray Maidens. You'd more likely get them killed than save them. Bawdy houses are built strong and secure for a reason--to keep their clients and workers safe from a rough world. Until we can get a better grasp of the situation, there is no safer place they can be right now than where they are. They will know their own turf. They will know how to bunker down to keep themselves as safe as they can. They will know how to keep the sick and the soldiers at bay. You have to trust them while we come up with a plan--we don't want to bring more risk to them rather than save them."
She swallows, then turns to Kroft. "Field Marshal, you might want to be deeply listening to something else over there for a moment, or at least pretending to be. Take a gander at those notes we found." She turns back to Korriban, whether Kroft is listening or not--she's just giving Kroft the opportunity for plausible deniability. "During my less savory days, I got to know a number of fences. They will have connections with smugglers. They probably know ways in--and out--of Old Korvosa that the Grey Maidens won't. Let me see what I can find out."
She sighs. "We also do need to rest. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. I probably couldn't stab a rat, let alone a Gray Maiden."
"I'm rather closer to death than I've been in ages! How exhilarating! Krofft, I know with all of this and now the quarantine we're all stretched thin. But it would be wise to spread word of the vampire lurking amongst us. Holy symbols and stakes for everyone! And Korriban, Callie is right. Your people are safer in their brothel than they'd be trying to get out. Let us rest and heal and formulate a plan."
If there's no one to cure, Teodor goes to find Cristina. "How's Anca?"
Despite Korriban's efforts to calm her it seemed she was truly lost in her fear and darkness. The look she gave him gave the implication she both wanted to rend him to shreds and screw him on the spot, and the order was something far better not to think on. It wasn't until the priest came down and cast her magic on the tiefling that Tressa began to come back to herself. She felt the invasive presence of the blue glow and shuddered as it finally left her and her eyes shifted back to their usual dull red glow.
Korriban sees the look that Lantressa is giving him. He is unnerved by the implications of pain. However, he can't help but be intrigued by the sensualness of the look. When the Bishop enters the picture, Korriban stands up and moves back to give d'Bear some room.
Callie only now really pays attention to Kroft. After dealing with undead and self-raising priestesses, this all seems so beyond the guard's bailiwick. But Kroft, for as stiff as she is, she's tended to do Callie and the town right, and so Callie smiles at her easily. "Thank you. And yes, this is going to be an uphill fight. Those Grey Maidens are something in particular we have a lot to worry about, and the Queen will use everything in her power, which she has a lot of, to keep things going. I hope the notes we've found, in addition to offering a cure, might also shed light on other plans in the city."
Korriban sighs and scratches his head. "Same here. This whole thing with the Queen is getting out of control. It could either lead to riots or complete control by the Queen. Either way, people are going to get hurt."
Having regained her calm, and letting the Bishop go, Lantressa saw Kroft arrive. She listened with shock and then outrage at what the queen had done. She had friends back there, people she cared what happened too, and that they had just been left to die was an utter shock and betrayal. The fact the queen had stolen their actions as her own certainly didn't help matters any. Seeing Korriban begin to freak out and knowing what she had nearly done to him when she had done so the harlot reached out to gently try and place her hands on his shoulders as she said, "We'll get to them Korriban, don't worry."
Korriban is still shaking when Lantressa places her hands on his shoulders. At her words, he simply says, "We have to get to them. I have to get them to safety." He looks at Lantressa. "And your friends at Eel's End? Bavarsi is expecting you to come back with us. Won't they be in danger with him and the quarantine?"
Callie had contacts and friends in Old Korvosa, though nothing like the others would. Still the thought of what might be happening there frightened her, so she knew Korriban and Lantressa would be feeling far worse.
"Korriban, take a deep breath in and exhale. Think about this. If you just charged in and tried to pull your family and employees out, you'd be pulling them through a gauntlet of Gray Maidens. You'd more likely get them killed than save them. Bawdy houses are built strong and secure for a reason--to keep their clients and workers safe from a rough world. Until we can get a better grasp of the situation, there is no safer place they can be right now than where they are. They will know their own turf. They will know how to bunker down to keep themselves as safe as they can. They will know how to keep the sick and the soldiers at bay. You have to trust them while we come up with a plan--we don't want to bring more risk to them rather than save them."
Korriban hears Callie's statements. He simply says, "I know that they'll be safe in there. But for how long? How long before the Queen decides that they and the people in Old Korvosa are not worth it and gets rid of them? We've seen this with what we just went through. I can't really focus while knowing they're in danger. I owe them everything."
She swallows, then turns to Kroft. "Field Marshal, you might want to be deeply listening to something else over there for a moment, or at least pretending to be. Take a gander at those notes we found." She turns back to Korriban, whether Kroft is listening or not--she's just giving Kroft the opportunity for plausible deniability. "During my less savory days, I got to know a number of fences. They will have connections with smugglers. They probably know ways in--and out--of Old Korvosa that the Grey Maidens won't. Let me see what I can find out."
Korriban is curious when Callie tells Kroft that she might not want to hear this. When she brings up that she knows fences and smugglers, Korriban seems interested. So, there's a chance we could get them out. Good. I just ask that when they find a way in, I come along. We may also need to get things from the Rosa out of Old Korvosa as well."[/b]
She sighs. "We also do need to rest. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. I probably couldn't stab a rat, let alone a Gray Maiden."
Korriban begins to feel the fatigue. "Yeah. I could use some rest as well."
"I'm rather closer to death than I've been in ages! How exhilarating! Krofft, I know with all of this and now the quarantine we're all stretched thin. But it would be wise to spread word of the vampire lurking amongst us. Holy symbols and stakes for everyone! And Korriban, Callie is right. Your people are safer in their brothel than they'd be trying to get out. Let us rest and heal and formulate a plan."
Korriban nods at Teodor, but he's still panicking slightly.
Kroft raises her eyebrow and looks busy while Callie takes Korriban into her confidence, but she returns quickly enough. Putting a hand on Korriban's shoulder, she says, "Your friends are right, boy. Rest. Heal. Figure out how you can help your family. but for now, for the next few days at least...don't make a move yet. Not without my say-so. I don't want you dead, too--I've lost too many guards in the last couple weeks.
"And on that note..." She waves the sheaf of notes you gave her. "I'm going to turn these over to an alchemist who's contracted with the Guard before. With any luck, he'll be able to figure out some sort of solution and we can get it out quickly!" She snaps you all a warm salute, and heads out.
days
weeks
Cristina smiles at Teodor when he inquires about Anca. "She's doing well, thanks to your treatment. I got her home, so she's resting--but she's eager to see you, both to hear how you've been and to thank you for all you've done. She'd like to thank all of you," she adds, including the rest of the group in her statement. "It seems I've misjudged both Teodor and the company he keeps. Can Anca and I offer you a place to stay for the night?"
With nothing more to keep you in the now-emptying hospice, it looks like it's up to you all where you'll go next, and what you'll spend the next few days doing. You're sure that there will be plenty to occupy your attention over the next few weeks, but for now all you know is that you could use a hot bath, a good meal, and a warm bed. The last few days have been a whirlwind of fear and danger, but the threat of the Urgathoans at least is--thanks to you--finally over.
You can breathe again.
You can breathe.
Kroft raises her eyebrow and looks busy while Callie takes Korriban into her confidence, but she returns quickly enough. Putting a hand on Korriban's shoulder, she says, "Your friends are right, boy. Rest. Heal. Figure out how you can help your family. but for now, for the next few days at least...don't make a move yet. Not without my say-so. I don't want you dead, too--I've lost too many guards in the last couple weeks.
Korriban looks like he's about to say something. However, he just sighs and says, "Got it. No actions from me."
"And on that note..." She waves the sheaf of notes you gave her. "I'm going to turn these over to an alchemist who's contracted with the Guard before. With any luck, he'll be able to figure out some sort of solution and we can get it out quickly!" She snaps you all a warm salute, and heads out.
Korriban nods and waves as she leaves. "Good luck, Kroft!" He turns to the others. "So, now what?"
Cristina smiles at Teodor when he inquires about Anca. "She's doing well, thanks to your treatment. I got her home, so she's resting--but she's eager to see you, both to hear how you've been and to thank you for all you've done. She'd like to thank all of you," she adds, including the rest of the group in her statement. "It seems I've misjudged both Teodor and the company he keeps. Can Anca and I offer you a place to stay for the night?"
Korriban's musings are interrupted by Cristina. He smiles and nods. "No problem. Teodor's my friend, after all." When she offers a place to stay, Korriban thinks on it and says, "If you and Teodor don't mind. Otherwise, I can try and find other accommodations."
With nothing more to keep you in the now-emptying hospice, it looks like it's up to you all where you'll go next, and what you'll spend the next few days doing. You're sure that there will be plenty to occupy your attention over the next few weeks, but for now all you know is that you could use a hot bath, a good meal, and a warm bed. The last few days have been a whirlwind of fear and danger, but the threat of the Urgathoans at least is--thanks to you--finally over.
You can breathe again.
You can breathe.
Korriban takes a deep breath as he processes the events that occurred over the last few days. He has a feeling... that this is only the beginning.
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Lantressa was relieved that Korriban finally calmed himself a little and released him as he asked about her friends and said, "I don't think he'll bother with them right now. The quarantine will be causing no end of trouble for him and he won't know whether I'm inside or outside of Old Korvosa. It buys me some time at least."
As Korriban asked about Anka Lantressa turned her attention to Teo's Sister Cristina and listened. The offer of a place to stay was significant and she nodded agreement with Korri and said, "I like the idea, and unlike Korri here I don't care if Teo likes the idea or not." She moved over to Cristina and attempted to loop on arm through the owoman's as she said, "Why don't we walk together and you can tell me all the embarrassing stories about his childhood."
Teodor's eyes mist over a bit as Cristina offers. "That ...that would be lovely. Staying away didn't end up protecting you and I ...I miss you, both." Teodor is too tired to pretend.
He looks at Lantressa. "And your friends at Eel's End? Bavarsi is expecting you to come back with us. Won't they be in danger with him and the quarantine?"
Lantressa was relieved that Korriban finally calmed himself a little and released him as he asked about her friends and said, "I don't think he'll bother with them right now. The quarantine will be causing no end of trouble for him and he won't know whether I'm inside or outside of Old Korvosa. It buys me some time at least."
Callie mutters, "I've heard of Bavarsi. Not good things. Weirdly, I've never met him, but I dreamed once I ran him through with my sword. It was before I'd ever really seen much fighting in my life and it rather spooked me."
"And on that note..." She waves the sheaf of notes you gave her. "I'm going to turn these over to an alchemist who's contracted with the Guard before. With any luck, he'll be able to figure out some sort of solution and we can get it out quickly!" She snaps you all a warm salute, and heads out.
"Before you go, Kroft!" She reaches for Ruan, waving for him to step forward. "We found Ruan. You know, the mission that you sent us on? Could you please be sure he gets back safely to his sister? Maybe Riceak can join you too." She smiles at Ruan. "I'll check on you and your sister in a day or two to be sure everything's okay."
Callie looks at the field marshal. "Also, I know you can take care of yourself, Kroft, but be careful who you trust. Korvosa needs you to stay safe."
Korriban hears Callie's statements. He simply says, "I know that they'll be safe in there. But for how long? How long before the Queen decides that they and the people in Old Korvosa are not worth it and gets rid of them? We've seen this with what we just went through. I can't really focus while knowing they're in danger. I owe them everything."
Korriban is curious when Callie tells Kroft that she might not want to hear this. When she brings up that she knows fences and smugglers, Korriban seems interested. So, there's a chance we could get them out. Good. I just ask that when they find a way in, I come along. We may also need to get things from the Rosa out of Old Korvosa as well."[/b]
Callie nods. "We all of us have friends or family we owe a great deal--and they and every single Korvosan is still in danger. We've just done a great deal of work to slow that danger. Hold onto that. Whatever happens--you've taken good care of your people already and that in itself gives them a much better chance to survive this. We'll do whatever we can to end this. Give me some time to follow some leads and we'll find a way in--and out."
She smiles at him. "I know I've only known you for a couple days, but what we've uncovered here--it's bigger than all of us. But I think we have what it takes to make things better. You've got my back on this, I promise." She nods to Teo and Lantressa. "That goes for all of you."
Cristina smiles at Teodor when he inquires about Anca. "She's doing well, thanks to your treatment. I got her home, so she's resting--but she's eager to see you, both to hear how you've been and to thank you for all you've done. She'd like to thank all of you," she adds, including the rest of the group in her statement. "It seems I've misjudged both Teodor and the company he keeps. Can Anca and I offer you a place to stay for the night?"
"That's most kind of you. I'll take you up on the offer too, if you've room. I don't take up a lot of space!"
Callie has a few plans for the following days:
- Replenish her personal food supply (bread and cheese) and buy a few more potions of holy water. If she has the funds after they process the items they've found, to purchase a potion of fly, perhaps among other things depending on the state of the market
- Check on her friend Marta, who works out of a local inn in the market district
- Check on Ruan and his sister
- Hear the general scuttlebutt on the streets about what's going on
- And of course, look for a local fence or smuggler she's worked with during her thieving days who can provide insight on perhaps how to get into Old Korvosa