Lanarial uses his left hand to direct another telekinetic fist at the leader, hoping his magic finally inflicts some pain on her!
He then moves behind the bar to help Vasaro with his daughter...
Lanarial you move behind the bar to find Vasaro hunched over Basila holding her tightly. Your old friend turns towards you his eyes streaming with tears and begs you to help Basila.
Unnoticed by Vasaro you watch as Basila's arm slowly rises seeking to reassure her father. You are about to say something just as another wave of unholy power pulses from the priestess' symbol sweeping through the room.
In that moment Basila's voice tears through the room its sound eeriely hollow and final as it abruptly comes to an end. It is soon followed by Vasaro's wailing. "Nooooo!".
It is in that grim moment the priestess smiles. "...And the weak shall be reaped by The Mother."
Aledueces realizes what has happened and his song while in still in the hearts of his allies takes a more somber and angry tone.
Aledueces steps up to the woman and screams in her face...
dc 15 reflex to negate
Unprepared to be barraged yet again by a second magical attack the priestess is unable to shield herself from Alledueces' magical scream as it shreds her face and neck. Her smile fades replaced by sudden look of fear.
Lothenlieth grunted in pain, but all reason fled him. Right now nothing was more important than killing this person and saving Basila. He struck with spell and blade...
Striking feel blows with both.
Lothenlieth screamed "Someone must heal Basila!"
Alledueces manages to shake off a fair amount of the dark energies that wash over him. The real damage is the sound of Vasaro's cry.
Lothenlieth attacks with such fury that the priestess can find no quarter and as he drives his blade deep into her chest he releases his charge and the priestess' body begins to violently convulse. Discarding the still smoldering corpse from his blade he turns to the bar his only concern Basila's well-being.
The taproom seems to stand still in time as the priestess dies. Echoes of Basila's hollow, lifeless cry still ring through your ears only to be interrupted by Vasaro's hysteria. "Wake up Bassie. Wake up girl. The evil lady is gone. You can wake up now. Come on just open your eyes for me. Just a little...NO!! Why...Why her. Why not me! What has caused me to be so cursed!"
Amigail disarms both of the priestess's fallen bodyguards, throwing the weapons deeper into the tavern, sending them clattering across a table and onto the floor beyond. Only then does she check to see if the nearest man is still alive and try to save his wretched life.
The men you find are not dead but are unconscious. You remember them dropping after Bahram threw his colored sand at them and the prism of colours that exploded in front of them.
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Nhilune turned from the wicked attackers to head behind the bar to aid Vasaro and Basila. Assuming she still could. She knelt down beside Basila and gave her a quick once over to check her vitals.
She then musters up what minor magics she has in an attempt to patch things up, or at least make the effort if Basila was beyond help for Vasaro's sake.
Bahram rushes over, as fast as he can. He could still hear Bassie's last cry echoing in his ears. Bassie's gone? No...it couldn't be. Surely the world wouldn't be so cruel? He looks at Nhilune imploring. Is there any hope?
Somewhere in the back of his mind, Lothenlieth knew there was nothing he could do to help. That was what kept his rage focused. His face was contorted with anger and grief, and he would not suffer these people to live. One, he would leave alive. There were questions that only these monsters could answer. But the others...well. They had sealed their fates, and Lothenlieth was not inclined to give them mercy.
Lothenlieth was not kind. He plunged his rapier deep into the carotid artery of his nearest unconscious foe. The man woke, in unspeakable agony, and clawed at his own neck, trying desperately to stem the flow of his lifesblood.
Lothenlieth watched as the light in his eyes faded, and the elf took no comfort in it.
Lanarial felt the full force of the second blast of negative energy, dropping him to his knees a second before Vasaro cries out over his daughter. After recovering his senses, the elf quickly checks the girl, trying to stabilize her...
Alledueces walked about behind Vasaro and willed for Basilla to be okay... But he knew that Vasaro knew what death looked like. He had spent years in the army, been an adventurer, held the dead body of his son, his wife and now....
Alledueces reached a hand out to the larger mans shoulder barely touching him... There was nothing he could say. Nothing he could do...
As everyone rushes to Basila's aid you are unsuccessful in reviving her. What had once been a vibrant young woman is now replaced by an empty vessel. Already her beautiful face had started to take on a gray pallor as the blood ceased to course through her veins.
Nearby Vasaro's sits huddled on the ground slowly rocking himself. You can hear him mumbling to himself in between his sobbing. When Alledueces puts his hand on Vasaro's shoulder he is unresponsive but Alledueces can feel him shivering from the shock of what has happened.
In the background you hear the gurgled cry as Lothenlieth executes one of the cultists. As the rush of adrenaline dissipates you are left wondering what to do next. Sickened from whatever the cultist carried in the glass vial. Staring at the corpse of one who knew too few years. This night has not been how you expected it to be.
"Bassie...please.."Bahram checks Basila's vitals. He didn't want to believe that she was gone, just like that, but the physician in him knew better. She was gone. Tears streaming down his face, he holds her one last time. "I failed to protect you...I wasn't there when you needed me...I'm so sorry..."
He could remember her toddling into the shop, such a cheerful little sprite, then maturing into a beautiful young woman. Nothing had made him happier to see her grow up. And now all he had were memories and a gaping hole in his heart.
Alledueces shut his emotions deep down deep... He wasn't going to cry... he wasn't going to get mad.. He was going to get even... He was going to make not just these five monsters pay but all of who ever they were pay. His best friend from his childhood lay dead on the ground and as far as he was concerned retribution had only begun.
He knew that Vasaro wasn't ready to talk but Alledueces didn't want to wait for his quest for vengeance. He got up and walked to the bodies rifling through their belongings. He didn't care about their possessions monetary value. Only what it could tell him of their stories. As he searched the bodies he asked himself certain questions trying to recall possible answers from all the conversations he had had with past visitors to the Pike and Flagon...
Who was "The Mother", who were these people who worshipped her, what were the little lizard creatures, and what was in the vial the woman had thrown at them at the beginning of the fight.
Amigail stands swiftly as Lothenlieth executes the second unconscious cultist, hand going to the hilt of her falcata as she interposes herself between the elf and remaining cultist. Her hazel eyes are definitely unpleased and judgmental as she speaks.
"This man may have important information that we'll need to make sense out of this seemingly random attack," she tells Lothenleith. "Although I'm not a member of the town watch--yet--you'd be wise to consider me one nonetheless."
Her eyes soften slightly as they flick briefly to the cultist the elf dispatched. "I didn't see whatever befell that bastard," she lies smoothly, "but this one is my prisoner, to be questioned both by us and by the watch if we can manage it. I could use some rope to bind him."
The map has two points and a red line linking both points. At first you have no idea what this map details until it all starts to click and you look down at your feet. Where better to travel unseen from the watch or others to mount an attack on the city: The Cassomir Locker!
You are not sure where the other point leads to in the city but you figure one point must be somewhere close to the Pike & Tankard, more than likely a drain grate. You remember just the other day overhearing someone in the inn speaking about some children betting one another to see how many of them it would take to lift the grate. Took about five of them before they were able to lift it. The drain was just behind that miser, Felchum, moneylending shop.
On the priestess you find two noteworthy items. The first is her unholy symbol. The symbol depicts a two-headed vulture on both sides. The symbol represents no deity you have ever come across either in the city or in any book you have read. The second item is another vial containing a liquid. It looks identical to the vial that the priestess threw. It is stoppered and sealed so you would need to break the seal to learn more of the substance.
Lothenlieth looks at Amigail, eye hard and cold. He speaks in a nearly monotone voice.
"Oh, you don't have to worry. I'm quite interested in what he has to say. I wasn't planning on doing him any harm. Not until all is known."
Don't think. Don't feel. Act. Do not let his happen.
Lothenlieth went over to Vasaro, willing himself to ignore Basila's inert form.
"Vasaro...we need to focus. Are there any priests in this town capable of bringing her back? I'm trying to recall if there is. Now, I don't have enough money to hire one, but I will promise them any service if they can help us. Is there one in town?"
Vasaro turns his head and stares at Lothenlieth giving no answer. Looking at him you see his eyes are vacant and pink. His face is flushed and the grief that has befallen him can be felt by any who look upon this man. You can't but wonder what will happen to him. Having lost all of his family you fear for the worst. He returns his gaze to Basila his hands now clenched fists.
"There might be someone who can help at Grayguard Castle...maybe. I...I don't know what to do."
Lanarial had seen death too often. In the gnoll camp as a slave, he saw fellow captives beaten, worked, or starved to death. As a sailor he had seen men fall from the yardarms and lie broken on the deck, or swept overboard in a storm, or killed in pirate attacks. He had become numb to death. But seeing, and hearing, his old friend like this almost broke through his resolve like a sudden gale ripping a sheet from its brace.
He stood, touched Vasaro firmly in the shoulder, and then joined the Halfling in examining the bodies and tying up the lone survivor.
Once Lanarial binds the prisoner, Amigail slowly makes her way over to Vasaro and offers her condolences and a hug (if the man's willing). Afterwards, she whispers to the others, "What happened to Basila? She seemed fine when I left her to engage the enemy. Was she felled by what was in that vial the priestess threw?"
Bahram lays out Basila's body, such that unless one noted the gray colour of her skin, she almost appeared as if she was asleep. It was the least he could do, after failing that badly.
I'd like to do the following - I have a healers kit with me at the moment. Mix up a sleeping draught, convince Varaso to take it, so at least he can sleep it over. And empty his room of any sharp/dangerous objects. A night may make the emotions less raw. I would also like to remain behind in the inn to keep an eye on Varaso, for as long as it takes to get into a more stable frame of mind, handle the funeral, etc. I understand this may be in NPC territory, and if need be, I will reroll a new character. Please inform me if I need to do so.
Reasoning: Revenge won't bring back the dead. The best you can do is to pick up the pieces that remain.
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Nhilune felt... awkward. She'd given Basila a once over and a token burst of healing, then was quickly crowded out by the other patrons. Sure, she'd gotten to know Basila and her father well enough over the years but clearly not as well as these other folks. They all seemed rather irrational to her, but she was a bad judge of social norms what with how much time she spent alone at the edge of a big wild forest. She hadn't had much experience with intimate social experiences, and even less so with death.
She shuffled back to make room for the others and began trying to figure out what she ought to be doing.
What do I do? What do I say? What should I do with my hands? No, don't put them on your hips, idiot, it makes you look cross. Do I look sad? I should probably look sadder.
Nhilune's face pulled down into something that looked more like and expression you'd see on a contemplative old man reading the news than anything else.
Well done. Nailing it. Oh biscuits, are they crying?
It wasn't that she was heartless or didn't care, she just didn't know how exactly to express her particular levels of caring. She also didn't know how to express strong feelings in front of others. She was much more used to just keeping emotions inside because she was usually the only one there to experience them anyways. It was all rather confusing and overwhelming.
when Lanariel joined the halfling in searching the bodies Alledueces hands him a map that would appear to be of the sewers with a red line drawn on it connecting two points.
I don't know who they are but it looks like they are using the Locker to get around and I think I know where this point on the map is. It is very close to here.
Alledueces points at one of the red marks on the crude map.
Then Alledueces would walk to Vasaro and hold the Unholy symbol up in front of him. anyone who looks at it will see a two-headed vulture depicted on both sides of it.
I'm sorry Vasaro, but you know what Bass would want you to do right now. There are more people In danger. Who are these murderous monsters? Why would they do this to you? Why would they do this to Bass? Is anyone else's daughter in danger from them tonight?
Vasaro turns and smiles at Alledueces. "Such a good lad. You were always there for Basila. She treasured you as a brother. We often spoke of you and the mischief that you'd find yourself in,"he pauses you can see the tears welling up in his eyes again as he tries to regain some composure. "No Alledueces I do not why any would harm my Basila. She was loved by all..." he glares at the unholy symbol you place in front of him. "Get that cursed thing out of my bar NOW! Would that I could find the one responsible I would find ways to torture them beyond belief!" Vasaro scrambles to get up but immediately falls back only to be caught by Bahram. Staring at Bahram he cannot contain himself and begins to weep again. Bahram holds him tight as he begins to lead Vasaro up the stairs.
Amigail waits for the captive cultist to come around, anxious to question him. When it takes a while, she walks to the front door, opens it and screams twice for the city watch.
While Alledueces goes over to Vasaro to ask him about the priestess' unholy symbol you continue to look over what the cultists and the kobolds had. You find the following:
sickle (x4)
scythe (x2)
breastplate (x3)
cloak
smokesticks (x2)
a small sack filled with sticky substances
Lothenlieth you watch the cultist as Amigail goes to call for the watch and see him waking up. Bound he struggles against the rope you have tied but he seems secure enough for you.
Lanarial takes the tanglefoot bag and secures it to his belt next to two others. The gear he strips off and moves to a corner of the room for the others to inspect, use, or for them to sell later to help cover the costs of Basila's funeral.
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Nhilune grabs a cup from under the bar and fills it with some cool water. She brings it to Vasaro and sets it beside him. She grabs a handful more and fills one for each person in the room. It was important to stay hydrated in times like these, especially for the ones who had shed tears. She carries the water out to people as they go about their various versions of mourning, offering up a quick shoulder pat to go with it.
Maramaga was bound to a fertility totem and flayed over the course of weeks as she wept for mercy and release from pain. Just before dying from her terrible ordeal, Maramaga spat an angry curse at her people. Yet the tribal elders, well satisfied with their efforts, collected and spread her mortal blood over the scorched summer crops in hopes that it would bring the long-absent rains. Instead, Urgathoa sympathized with her long and tortured suffering whilst hearing her final curse. The Pallid Princess granted her black divinity so that she might exact the vengeance of her dying words. She eventually brought the sweet summer rains her people had so long sought, but not without price.
After the miracle of her rebirth, Maramaga installed herself as the de facto harvest goddess over the multitudes. She began her rule by taking the blood of those who murdered her, the tribal elders, then demanded the sacrifice of the old, the infirm and the weak. Her hatred for the elderly and those dependent on others knew few bounds. When these were gone, she would eventually demand the sacrifice of young animals and children by the same twisted logic. In return for bountiful harvests, she continually demanded blood sacrifice, coming to value only the strong and the virile, which formed her new priesthood.
It is unsure what happened to Maramaga or her followers because almost all reference to her is usually mistakened for Urgathoa. It is rumored that knowledge of her divinity has been passed on to modern generations by lone clerics, druids, and oracles, and her religion is still very much alive.
The vulture headed idol catches his eye. He walks over, turns the amulet over a few times, feeling like crushing it beneath his feet for the suffering it had caused them. No, it would not serve. There is something greater at stake.
He begins to speak, if somewhat hestitantly, as if recalling something he came across a long time ago. "We came across the vulture before. The flayed bodies of young children, dumped in a nearby heap. A madman dancing over his latest victim on the bloody altar. He wore the vulture. The cult of Maramaga, Daughter of Urgathoa. They practice blood sacrifice for their cruel goddess, favoring the old and the children." His eyes are distant, as if he is stil lost in the realms of memory. "We put an end to the madman. We thought we removed the evil, but alas, evil is like a hydra. For each head you cut off, another two grow back."His shoulders sag. "If the cult has established a foothold in the city, then Cassomir is in danger."
"My place is here. I will not leave him when he needs me.Go forth and put an end to the cult, before the gutters flow with the blood of the sacrifices."
He returns the amulet to Alledueces.
The cultist looks over at Bahram at the mention of Maramaga and the handling of the priestess unholy symbol. "You'll die. The Scythe Mother will wash Cassomir of you weak unbelievers! None will escape her divine wishes! he looks over at Basila, "She is our first sacrifice and soon there will be many more!"
Amigail re-enters the tavern just in time to hear the cultist spew his diatribe. Rolling her eyes and shaking her head, she says, "We spared you to hear this??!! Spare me! Tell me something--why is your oh-so-superior faith based out of the city's sewers? Oh--it's because you and your goddess are nothing but pieces of ****, useless waste floating aimlessly until it collects somewhere and makes a big stink."
Turning to the others, she adds, "Let the watch lock him away--we need to purge this evil from the city NOW! Perhaps we can visit a temple to get healed up first, but our next stop after that should be the spot marked on that map we found."
Alledueces absently scratches at his wrist and notices the rash that is forming their for the first time...
Um... Bahram... Uh do you know what this is? We might not want to start running all over the place if this is really contagious.
"I am also in need of healing if we are to track down this cult. I don't want to give up on Basila, though. I suggest we head to the Grayguard Castle first, and then we pursue these bastards:"
Bahram examines the rashes. He hasn't had much experience with diseases spread by thrown vials.
"Nihlune, a second opinion on this?"
Lanarial shakes his head. "I refuse to be killed by a cough! We need healing for ourselves, and if possible, powerful magic for Basila. Let's get to the castle before anything else. We can bring this gear to help offset the costs we will surely incur." With that, he starts picking up the collected gear.
"Agreed, Lanarial."