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JJ's angelic blood helps healing his wounds.
Reaching the strength of a Cauldron hero, Kythel empties himself with his spell, a column of holy flames descending upon the heads of the villains. The pharasmite breaks through the spell resistance of both the Blue Duke and Velior Thazo, who fails to cover herself this time and takes the blunt of the flames. Thifirane and Ashmantle manage to somehow avoid part of the damage, while the tiefling resists part of the fire damage.
Kikinnin endures the Lady's ray the best possible while he complains about the barrier in front.
"Ouch, I will bring you back lightning and fire!" the Blue Duke attempts to hover in place maintaining his height superiority.
The ogre mage is clearly a seasoned sword user, but JJ is an experienced defender of Cauldron, and thanks to Marigold's fervor he barely manages to block two of the swings with Alakast, while the first one opens a clean cut on the young man's right arm. The mercenary seems surprised that JJ is not laying on the ground after his attacks "Grrrrr"
Recovering his sight the Jester, Velior Thazo, makes a weird sound with her tongue before shouting "Can you stop throwing fire? It is irksome!" she reaches for her unholy symbol and says words. A mace made of force materializes in front of Kythel and attacks.
But Kythel's magic blocks the mace swing!
"I'll deal with you Uncle... Yah picked the wrong side in this transaction o' death old man!"
Adrick Garthûn grimaces. Holding his axe with the shield hand, he climbs over the desk and takes a cup of wine. The dwarf drinks all the liquor in a single sip while contemplating the chaos around. He throws the cup that falls over the ground tiles and crashes and cleans himself with the arm "Ah! Excellent harvest Thifirane. I will give you that"
Meanwhile the Shield guardian automaton delivers himself to its master's orders.
But both attacks are pretty weak and Kikinnin easily blocks them with the shield.
Vervil Ashmantle: shield
Mhad: Children of night in r6
Thifirane: stoneskin DR 10/adamantine (140/140)
AC = 33 (PfE)
HP = 155/160
Weapon Equipped = Eldgammel +4 Holy (Divine Bond)
Condition(s) = Aura of Greater Courage(Immune to Fear, 10' radius), Protection from Evil, Bull's Strength(+4 Str)
Smite = 4/day (+8 to hit, +13 to damage, +8 deflection bonus to AC when used.)
Lay on Hands = 12x (6d6, 7d6 if Greater Mercy)
Channel Positive Energy = 6x (6d6, DC 22)
1st Level- Divine Favor, Grace, Hero's Defiance, Liberating Command
2nd Level- Paladin's Sacrifice
3rd Level- Dispel Magic
With his wounds slowly adding up, the black beard decides to guard against further serious attacks, asking Abadar to heal his wounds.
Kikinnin deals with the only direct opponent he has, though he more interesting adversaries waiting for him on the opposite side of the Wall of Force. He takes his frustration out on the Shield Guardian.
edit:
Kikinnin chimes in mentally. "Either that Wall comes down, or we're taking to the stairs."
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Marigold's Partial Round 3
[It's a Wall of Force! It can't be dispelled at all; you have to beat it down, disintegrate it, or use Mage's Disjunction!]
While she considers what to do...
Are the walls here made of stone? If so, is it possible for Marigold to move to the very bottom corner and stoneshape a crude opening into the section of wall indicated by my red arrow, thus allowing us to bypass the barrier?
...her Spiritual Ally continues swinging at the grievously-injured Ashmantle.
While his wounds heal up Kikinnin swings his axe mightily at the construct, severing one arm, yet with the strike his own hands chill out due to the cold flames surrounding the golem. A second swing is blocked by the Shield guardian, but then the dwarf feints and finally cuts one of the legs in half, causing the giant creation to fall inert to the ground. Yet this comes with a price, as the flames embrace Kikinnin frosting all his beard in a painful way.
Marigold's force ally whips at Vervil Ashmantle, but this time the improved magical defenses of the tiefling block the whip before it can harm any of his images.
Resolved Marigold moves to the edge of the wall of force and touches the stone wall there. Putting to use the terraforming secrets she has been practicing at Occipitus she forces the stone to obey her and fold to her will, creating an opening 4 feet high and 6 foot wide that opens cleanly into the southern tower.
"You are very pervasive, let's see how do you manage bringing the fire back" while he waves a more complex spell with his right hand, Vervil Ashmantle casts a quickened magic missile on Kythel, as he knows JJ is withing the invulnerability globe.
The missiles burst unerringly on the pharasmite while he throws a hand of sand into the air with his right, the sand transforming into a blast of furnace-hot wind blasts him, JJ, Marigold and everyone else entering in the area downward, burning everything down.
You recognize this is a rare spell known as a sirocco. It will last for slightly more than a minute causing continual damage.
Vervil Ashmantle: shield
Mhad: Children of night in r6
Thifirane: stoneskin DR 10/adamantine (140/140)
JJ, having been learning about the plane of fire and the secrets required to survive there finds the blasting winds almost pleasant, although slightly fatiguing.
Stepping out of the flames he continues to smash Alakast at the evil giant-spirit.
"Time for you to go visit your ancestors." he mutters.
Blessing for extra attack this round
+2 to him from heromism.
bonus to strength from bulls strength cancelled out by the penalty from fatigued.
The attacks are rapid, but the lads anger (or maybe it is his fatigue) gets the better of him, and many of them are poorly directed.
Recognising the strain of magic being deployed by Ashmantle, Maxim bellows a warning;
"The tiefling's magics'll burn yer bones, knock ye down an' tire ye out! Ware that burnin' wind!"
As the Arcane Guardian goes down , the gun-mage levels his pistol at the construct, imbuing it with more magic and fires...
... but is met with naught but a grinding sound from the pistol's mechanism as the shot flies wide and high.
"Misfire! God's be darned!"
He instead pulls forth a wand from his belt with his other hand
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The gun-mage shifts forward , then focusses invoking a new spell that he hopes will turn the tide...
"Telekinetische Lading!"
Reaching out with an arcane force, he latches onto his Bror, then propels the armoured warrior across the battlefield, over the assembled foes and toward the furthest most corner...
Realise there's been no tactical discussion on this Bror, but figured that with a 45ft. Range, Maxim can heft the flying anvil to near Lady T. Note: If your ally lands adjacent to an opponent, he can spend an immediate action to make a melee attack against that opponent with a +2 bonus on the attack roll... If its a go'er get to chopping Bror!
He instead pulls forth a wand from his belt with his other hand
Kikinnin feels his feet lift off the ground, and feels the heat of the sirocco wash over him, while the blond beard calls forth his magic.
Arriving at Thifirane's side, Kikinnin immediately seizes the opportunity to injure the Lady, hopefully preventing her from further harmful spellcasting.
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Almost unscathed thanks to his domain over the plane of fire, JJ emerges from the sirocco like a blond lion batting the Blue Duke multiple times with the oni barely able to block a couple of hits with his greatsword. With a clear demonstration of his fighting superiority JJ fervorously strikes one last time at Zarn Kyass who finally collapses unconscious clashing to the cold ground of House Rhiavadi.
Without anyone to shot, Maxim performs a series of arcane gestures and makes his dwarf comrade to fly, floating all around the wall of force an into the fiery winds of the sirocco. Emerging by the other side and cunningly directed by the blonde magical hand Kikinnin ends by Tifirane.
Unable to stop him, Kikinnin simply decapitates the Cagewright Lady with his axe Endgammel.
Tifirane's corpse lands headless over the ogre almost crossed like in a theatrical hug.
Vervil Ashmantle: shield
Mhad: Children of night in r6
Thifirane: stoneskin DR 10/adamantine (130/140)
Kikinnin pulls Eldgammel back, his face wearing a subtle look of surprise. He'd imagine Pocca would have something to say about the toothy undead, but the three-eyed witch suffering the same fate proves mightily that the work they do in this House is righteous.
The black beard looks over the collapsed body of the Blue Duke, raising his Axe to Maxim, then flicking his head in the direction of Adrick. "I'll stay my blade, Bror. Figure you've got a reckoning here, with Garthûnslag."
Kikinnin looks over the miserable dwarf, glad for the Wall of Force, for its ability to block the traitor's retreat.
Fortitude save DC 21
The missiles strike Kythel and he grins and bears it, the fire is something else entirely, he can feel it taking his breath away and slamming him into the wall and then into the ground prone.
But even from the ground, Kythel is deadly. He releases a wave of negative energy in retort against all the foes that he can reach.
Channel Energy
Kythel's blast of negative energy results too much for Vervil Ashmantle, who falls to the ground unconscious. Velior Thazo resists better the wave.
"Rovagug destroy the good on them!" the Jester turns towards Kikinnin marking the paladin for death and swinging her moningstar at him. As she does, her face retorts in a terrible way that lets you see the authentic half-fiend below the well done disguise.
The turn back is terrible, the weapon crashing on Kikinnin's face, while the sudden appearance of the jaws took him by surprise, firmly biting the dwarf's neck. He can feel the pain back from Rovagug.
Meanwhile the force mace keeps its attacks on Kythel.
The prone pharasmite cannot avoid it and the mace strikes him once with force!
"And that is the end of our agreement Jester! I won't go against my nephew!" jumping out of the table Adrick Garthûn flies over to strike on the half-fiend!
Unprepared for the attack, Velior Thazo fails to dodge the axe, but despite its strength, it is deflected by the hard skin of the disguised half-fiend.
The flames of the sirocco keep roaring in the southern tower.
Mhad: Children of night in r6
AC = 33 (PfE)
HP = 65/160
Weapon Equipped = Eldgammel +4 Holy (Divine Bond)
Condition(s) = Aura of Greater Courage(Immune to Fear, 10' radius), Protection from Evil, Bull's Strength(+4 Str)
Smite = 4/day (+8 to hit, +13 to damage, +8 deflection bonus to AC when used.)
Lay on Hands = 12x (6d6, 7d6 if Greater Mercy)
Channel Positive Energy = 6x (6d6, DC 22)
1st Level- Divine Favor, Grace, Hero's Defiance, Liberating Command
2nd Level- Paladin's Sacrifice
3rd Level- Dispel Magic
Kikinnin starts to feel the worse for wear, getting flamed through his joints from the sirocco, then getting thrashed by a worthy opponent in what now appears to be a devil-man.
The dwarf gauges Adrick's sudden swing, so steps into flank against Velior, testing the resolve of the Slag on the other side of the horned opponent. Before he does, he lays Abadar's Judgment against Velior, then swings away, disregarding his several wounds.
Kikinnin can't help but look over Velior's shoulder, keeping an eye on Adrick Backstabber. "You better find the words to ease my Bror's mind, Adrick. They may be your last."
Fortitude save DC 21
Once again, the Pharasman cannot resist the flames, and his breath comes out in a gasp.
Kythel stands and once again Channels Energy, this time to heal himself and his allies.
Channel Energy
Marigold's Round 4
Though she doesn't get knocked flat by the sudden burst of wind and flame, Marigold still feels the heat and finds herself quite keen to get clear of it!
Braving the sirocco Marigold manages to make her way through, emerging into the corner near the fighting. Unsure of just what's going on - [Wait, Maxim's uncle's on our side again? What???] - she now opts to help Kythel with the mending of wounds while the others sort things out.
Unsure about the dwarves sudden change of sides, JJ pushes the fallen ogre mage into the flames that consume that side of the room.
With a single swing of his axe Kikinnin chops the Jester at the height of his chest opening it like a can. With its human part unable to survive without air, the half-fiend collapses to the floor, looking with eyes wide like dishes at Adrick Garthûn by the side and extending the hand towards him. The dwarf trader responds with a swing of his dwarven axe that cracks the face in two.
The fires of the sirocco push down Kythel burning his skin. The pharasmite stands up and channels healing energy around, but remains inside the furnace winds letting himself endure the heat once more.
Fortunately for him, without Velior directing the force mace, the weapon returns to its owner and hovers over his corpse.
Marigold braves the flames of the sirocco and comes by the other side further healing everyone on sight.
Finally JJ takes the ogre mage body and drags it into the sirocco's flames which suppress his regeneration. The Blue Duke finally dies.
Children of night in r6
dagger
amulet of natural armor +2
magical black platinum ring
ring of protection +2
red gem-studded robe (worth 1500 gp)
wand of fireball (5th level, 22 charges)
3 potions of cure moderate wounds
scroll of cloudkill
scroll of phantasmal killer
diamond dust (250 gp)
+2 mithral breastplate
+1 light steel shield (+2 with magic vestment)
+1 morningstar (“Bloodfever”)
headband of Wisdom +2
belt of Strength +2
potion of alter self
disguise kit
holy symbol of Rovagug
+2 chain shirt (large)
+1 greatsword (large)
amulet of natural armor +2
composite longbow (+7 Str) with 20 arrows (large)
dagger
ring of protection +2
magical headband
ring of mind shielding
wand of magic missile (CL 7, 30 charges)
scroll of greater dispel magic (CL 12)
scroll of stone to flesh
scroll of prismatic spray
silver cage pendant (shield guardian amulet)
spell components pouch (350 gp diamond dust)
small ivory plaque (50 gp, mnemonic enhancer focus)
small ivory statuette of herself set with precious gems (1500 gp, contingency focus)
diamond (1500 gp for limited wish)
+1 full plate with armor spikes
mwk heavy steel shield (bears the symbol of Norgorber)
+1 unholy heavy mace
spiked gauntlets
holy symbol of Norgorber
wand of cure moderate wounds (9 charges)
scroll of flame strike
scroll of raise dead
potion of bull's strength
mwk dagger
mwk light crossbow with 20 bolts
bracers of armor +2
headband of intellect +2
potion of haste
potion of invisibility
2x mwk full plate armor
2x +2 dwarven urgrosh
2x heavy crossbow with 10 bolts
worth 100 gp each
Adrick Garthûn sheathes back his dwarven axe very slowly while he looks at Kikinnin, then steps by the chairs picking one of the charcoaled ones, its tapestry completely ruined, and turning it up towards the center of the room, he sits and slowly unbraces the shield and picks up one of the surviving bottles of wine "Such a chaos... isn't it?" looking at all of you with calm eyes he adds "So now it is when you accuse me of any particular charges your strait-laced heads can come up, isn't it? Let's go with it then" taking out the cork with his teeth, he starts drinking the bottle of fine wine.
JJ eyes the dead, the haul of magic, and the suspicious uncle.
"Well, there is going to be one hell of a power vacuum in Cauldron after this gets out." he notes.
"And how many different families and organisations wanting out heads?" he wonders.
Then the impact of the words that were heard starts to register on him.
"Wait a moment, didn't they say the ritual was underway. But... Terem... Marigold.. Kythel .. I thought they needed you all for the ritual? Terem! We have to find him."
Maxim walks to where his Uncle stands, boots crunching on the wreckage of the ruined chamber around them. Hard faced, he uncharacteristically pays the loot no heed as he holsters his pistol.
Standing before the old dwarf, the gun-mage extends his hand, gesturing for a swig of the bottle;
"Uncle. Quite the chaos indeed... I'm hopin' you'll help us make order o' it like you helped in that scrap."
At JJ's comment he nods;
"Power vacuum is the right o' it Surabar... Now I ain't naive enough ta presumin' that my Uncle here has suddenly turned o'er a new leaf, nor found his inner conscience. More like he smells an opportunity."
"Uncle Adrick is a canny merc who plays the odds. We came up on top, and like a good businessman he wants to work with the winnin' side. We've some family matters to discuss... fine details an' such... but I'm willin' to forgive and forge on... iffin everyone else agrees and Uncle Adrick is agreeable enough to tell all he knows..."
"Your uncle is a conspirator, Maxim. For how long, and for how many deaths, we can't say. Are you suggesting that his confessions are enough to see him redeemed here?"
Subconsciously, Kikinnin levels his Look upon Adrick.
Fortitude Save
Kythel, finally resisting some of the damage, stumbles out of the flames panting. He leans against the wall and casts a spell to heal himself .
"If the Ritual is taking place now, I am not sure how much energy I will have left to aid in such a fight but I can heal those of you who would brave the front lines".
As the Watchers interact with Adrick Kythel shrugs and speaks, "Is it not up to the city law and order to decide his fate? Or is he asking us to simply sweep under the rug, what we have discovered related to his involvement in this conspiracy?" The Cleric looks to Adrick to gauge his response.
Sense Motive
Maxim eyes the priest of the Boneyard first;
"Whose law Kythel? I ain't fir trustin' any who hold the reins o' power these days. Too many agendas, too many patsies in the makin'... Nah. Til such time as there is stability he ain't bein' handed o'er to no-one we don't trust. An outwith our number I ain't trustin' many."
He returns his gaze to his Bror, brow furrowed as he mulls the warriors words;
"I ain't sayin' he'll be exonerated, nor redeemed, but Hell's Teeth he chose, fir whatever reason to stand with us. Cited me as the reason. He's kin so I'd be remiss not to try an' return that favour. So his words, his knowledge may be good enough... fir me."
The gun-mage looks to the older dwarf;
"Well Uncle. As you can see, the jury is out. What you got ta say?"
The old dwarf has a faint evil aura.
Very calmly Adrick Garthûn shares the wine with Maxim and listens to your arguments before talking back "Is running a profitable business a sinful sin now? Well, then yes I am guilty then. Is it attending the government demands illegal now? Well, then yes I am a guilty one then. Is it answering the call for meeting from a noble Lady a punishable act now? Well, then yes I am guilty too"
"I never tried to put a hand on any of you during this fight, all my failure was to not trust my nephew's friends would have a chance against the great emerging powers of the region. I wanted to survive, and I wanted Garthûn's Imports to remain and prosper in the new world that is emerging. Tell me selfish for that" the dwarf takes a cigar from a pouch in his chest, one of those imported directly from the Mwangi Expanse, and extends it looking for fire "Yet I have always shared everything with you Maxim. When you run away from your parents iron education who gave you a place and a job? Who was there when you had a problem? I raised you as I would have done with my own son. You know my words are truth nephew"
"I came here to listen, and I have not done anything terrible but listen when all this chaos started."
Kythel sighs, "Your smooth words do not excuse what you would have done in the name of profit.
But I am one not to judge for I have sinned.
This was the better way for you, those villains cared nothing about profit, they would have made and may still make this city literally the Hells on earth.
How will you help us now? I suppose that is what counts".
"Like Kythel says, you listened to Rhiavadi describe fiendish armies sweeping away the innocents of this region, just now. I won't believe this is the first time you've sat down with the witch to plan your domination of the region's markets. You had her confidence, like you have Maxim's."
Kikinnin turns to Maxim. "We spared Jil's life for her confessions. I've heard nothing that sounds like confession, or remorse, from your onkel. His is not the strongest stench of evil, but it's there, have no doubt. His might be in line with Jil's selfishness."
Maxim listens to the voices within the charred room, voices he trusted and to which he owed his life.
The gun-mage flashes a hard smile at Jil's name;
"Fine. That murderin' harridan confesses, an' we gave compassion. She didn't turn.. He did, but be it, iffen y'all find my Uncle culpable an' pass judgement, then I have no option but to abide by it..."
He mulls his next words, then speaks with a harder edge;
"Know this though. Should we find Adrick guilty, then Jil's clemency is rescinded in my eyes. Likewise any an' all we encounter, from this day forth, who ain't our allies, will be dealt my black-powdered hand. No exceptions. No mercy."
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”You misunderstand, Bror. I’m waiting for your onkel’s confession. Once we hear it, he’ll get the same mercy we showed Jil. He put his axe to the last enemy when he weighed his odds, and only then.”
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"You talk about guilty ones, yet you do not care about what evil you do. Dexavalt and Kerg? What illness had they caused, those old loyal two, to receive such a treatment?" Adrick smells the cigar enjoying it with a long breath "You want confession of my deals with these people. Ok, I can tell you, but you already know about it. How the Malachite reconstructed and progressed so fast? You just did not want to see it because it was convenient for you. While you were doing the heroes around, Adrick Garthûn had to look for a new purpose for our people, new clients to make the forge run again, to dirty his hands feeding and clothing our people while others got their flawless laurel crowns"
"I am no saint of course, I did get my share. But our people are prosperous. You can lie your friends and yourselves, but you knew it, it was in front of your nose and eyes all the time" Adrick picks a bag of coins and throws it at the Jester Velior Thazo, a lot of jester coins spill all over the charcoaled stone tiles "Malachite gold. The best mint of the region. That is all I have done, to mint coins for the Last Laugh. I just discovered about Vhalantru's plans and this Cagewrights cabal. Yes, I tried to secure a good treatment with Vhalantru, but I tell you, I just discovered tonight about this Planar Junction ritual and I still cannot piece up what the s&&+ madness this people are talking about"
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Maxim listens, then nods slowly as his Uncle speaks. The gun-mages eyes flit toward the fallen dwarves bodyguards, loyal to the last.
They deserved better.
"So there you have it. The crime o' greed? Perhaps. Profiteering? Maybe so. Long said it, that the merchant's o' this city have it worst. Ain't got the gifted coin of privileged few, nor the charitable coin of the pious masses. Nah. Supply an' demand means they are loved an' hated in equal measure for the gold they earn."
The gun-mage's eyes focus on the Jester coins, then drift back to his fellow watchers;
"Hell's Teeth. Not many clean hand's in this whole darned mess. Not mine, that's a fact. So if you want to hold Adrick accountable fir his actions... then hold me accountable too. He coulda stopped Rhiavadi, an' I coulda stopped him..."
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Kythel shakes his head, "Though we have spilled blood together, I am still an outsider to this group but I would not abide by the killing of Adrick right now. We are not in mortal combat, he does not hold a blade to anyone's throat. Jil was different, she was given a chance to surrender and chose poorly
Dexavalt and Kerg were slain, it is true. There was little choice in the matter, we heard enough to know that no good was to come of this meeting should its participants escape. They heard what evils abounded and chose to be affiliated with these Fiends, quite literally.
I have not been with your Nephew long but I can assure you that if you had seen what we have seen and still chosen to aid these conspirators than you are black of heart to the core.
Based on what little evidence I have seen, you are an opportunist but not irredeemably evil.
Is there any information you can provide to us to further our own investigations. Something that will ease the mind of Kikinnin".
Having said that, Kythel casts Detect Evil...
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"You talk about guilty ones, yet you do not care about what evil you do. Dexavalt and Kerg? What illness had they caused, those old loyal two, to receive such a treatment? ...Yes, I tried to secure a good treatment with Vhalantru, but I tell you, I just discovered tonight about this Planar Junction ritual and I still cannot piece up what the s!$% madness this people are talking about."
Kikinnin looks over the dead bodies of the dwarven guards, before returning a steady gaze to the black merchant. "We just raised a dead elf, and a mostly dead Last Laugher. Death is becoming a grey area for us, now that we can petition the gods for the return of penitent souls." Kikinnin looks to Kythel and Maxim, then back to Adrick. "If you truly value the lives of those you so recklessly risked, then you won't hesitate to offer your own wealth to see them returned to life, facilitated by our magical prowess. You should stop trying to shame us, when you have no shame yourself."
"You would have profited off the death and enslavement of citizens of Cauldron and beyond, so I mark you 'Garthûnslag'. What you do to restore your family name is on you. Maxim will not be tainted by your evil nature, Adrick. He's the best of us, though you might guilt him into feeling responsible for your wickedness with the Last Laugh. You should have confided in your nephew. He would have steered you right." Kikinnin looks to the other Watchers, his last gaze set upon Maxim, his eyes declaring that he has no further words of judgment to utter. Adrick is no immediate threat to the Watchers' well-being, and the One-Eye did manage to raise points to which Kikinnin had no righteous objections.
To occupy himself while the others discuss the matters at hand, Kikinnin decides to open heretofore unopened doors, committed to seeing the whole House Thifirane investigated. He still regrets allowing Mhad to get away.
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"If your w-words are g-good enough for M-Maxim and K-Kikinnin then they're g-good enough for m-me," Marigold remarks, having opted to hold her tongue in order to better get the measure of the situation as a whole. "N-not that I'm any m-more impressed with y-you than th-they are, b-but I'm sure that d-doesn't matter to y-you anyway."
It's pretty well all she has to say on the matter, at least for the moment. There are bigger fish to fry.
And family entanglements are the *worst*.
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"Everyone has the right to tread a new path." adds JJ.
Then he directs his gaze to Adrick "But you know that eyes are upon you now. Keen eyes. What passed before, might not pass again. The gods know I believe in second chances, I'd has more than one myself. Whether you choose to take it... only you know."
The old dwarf has a faint evil aura.
"What I can tell you is this" Adrick removes the cigar he has been mulling from his mouth "When I tried to talk with the Lord Mayor I was instead received with Lord Vhalantru and Lady Thifirane. They informed me the Lord Mayor was dead and told me we had to take the reins of the city for it not to descend into complete chaos. I do not get a f+%$ to them, but I understood they were the responsible of the death. I did understood these are a dangerous pair, so when the Lady told me she was aware of my dealings with the Last Laugh and invited me to a secret meeting to plan the steps ahead, I preferred to see business instead"
"It seems she is... was... part of a group called the Cagewrights. Back to this night, the Lady lavished fine wine on us. She informed us about some ancestral demodand taint on Cauldron's blood, something she called the Shackleborn" he points then at the now ragged tapestry over the wine table, the clothing depicts the Carcerian sign "Apparently these people is important for a ritual she named the Planar Junction. They will allow them to open a portal to some realm known as Carceri. To be fair at this point I started to think these people are mad. I hope you can really stop them because if they succeed those without them are going to suffer, and I am in no position now to go back"
Kikinnin starts to explore the rest of the mansion by opening the doors around.
This carpeted room is dominated by a large mahogany and ivory harpsichord. A glass cabinet to the north contains a large collection of flutes, violins, and horns.
All of the instruments here, 7 in all counting the harpsichord, are of masterwork quality.
This room is lit by dozens of flickering candles that line the walls, placed artfully around five large paintings. A seven-foot-tall suit of exquisitely crafted full plate stands to the east. The suit of armor holds a bastard sword before it, the point resting on a marble base and its gauntleted hands draped over its hilt.
The candles are all lit with tiny continual flames. You notice because they shed only light, no warmth.
The five paintings are all landscapes of notable locations around the region. You automatically recognize the Demonskar.
The theme that ties them together is the fact that these landscapes are of the more dangerous areas in the region. A part from the Demonskar one, there is the jungle-choked ruins of Shatterhorn, the looming ruin of the Spire of Long Shadows, and the frozen facade of the Keep of Jarl Khurok.
The fifth painting may seem out of place, as it is a rendition of the Cauldron skyline, as viewed from the northeastern rim. Although for you, who have endured countless perils within Cauldron's walls, it might not seem out of place at all.
The suit of armor is sized for a human female (Thifirane, probably). Both the suit of full plate and the bastard sword are masterwork.
This relatively small library is still warm, comfortable, and well stocked with numerous large and interesting-looking books. In addition to several laden bookshelves, the library contains a reading desk, a chair, and a lovingly drawn map of Cauldron and environs mounted to one wall in a heavy wooden frame.
It seems Thifirane maintains a library of useful reference materials covering a broad range of topics.
None of the books in the library are magical.
Eventually JJ joins Kikinnin in looking around the palace.
"Nice pictures. Although the taste is toward the more dangerous areas in the region" he notes.
"De,pmslar. Shatterhorn, the Spire of Long Shadows and the keepof Jarl Khurok. And look, Cauldron. Odd location to view it from... I wonder."
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"I wonder if this is a clue as to where they are doing the ritual.."
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Still uncharacteristically ignoring the opportunity to pillage the bodies and building, Maxim instead continues to engage his Uncle;
"What ye've said there Uncle underlines what we suspected an' feared. So tell me, where did the Jester coins fit into all this? They supposed to be a message?"
He mulls the possibility then adds;
"Iffin' so I reckon, we start mintin' our own... Gold Watchers, Silver Shackleborn an' Copper Cauldrons sound right."
JJ thinks the Cauldron frame was painted from the walls northeastern watchtower. He also knows the Shatterhorn is an ancient ruin from the Age of Serpents , while the Spire of Long Shadows is a cursed and obscure place in the jungles north of Kingfisher Hollow that everyone in the region avoids , and the Keep of Jarl Khurok is and old frost giant outpost now desert in the snow-capped peaks southeast of Cauldron .
"Aye, the Last Laugh was interested to control the coinage in the region without depending on Sasserine. It worked as an easy payment method for the work of their agents, out of the greedy reach from all kinds of governments" the cunning dwarf nods affirmative "Whomever controls the mint, controls trade"
"When I tried to talk with the Lord Mayor I was instead received with Lord Vhalantru and Lady Thifirane. They informed me the Lord Mayor was dead and told me we had to take the reins of the city for it not to descend into complete chaos."
"And somehow, we're only learning of this now, by your tongue." Kikinnin snorts, one of his nostrils quite angry.
"Nice pictures. Although the taste is toward the more dangerous areas in the region."
Kikinnin allows himself some distraction, as it eases the thumping of blood behind his eyes, so recently red from laying them on Adrick Snakepurse. He leaves Maxim to finish words, while the rest of the House is investigated.
"Let's make haste. From Adrick's words, if they're to be trusted, we have a visit with Vhalantru in our near future."
Kikinnin continues to search the rest of the second floor rooms, before heading back down to check on Juraan.
Marigold moves to help the others finish looking about through the upstairs rooms while Maxim continues to engage his uncle in talk...
...but she's not able to glean much of anything useful save the same information from the set of paintings that JJ points out. But it might be enough of a starting point...
In your long hours sorting out books in Bluecrater Academy you have read some about these places:
- Shatterhorn: It seems long before humans and dreamweavers, this region was populated by a serpent humanoid race known as the serpentfolk or yuan-ti. Coming from the Darklands, Shatterhorn was their most important city in the region on the surface. By the end of the Age of Serpents, the wars with the humans of Azlant were driving back the serpentfolk to the Darklands. With the decapitation of their god Ydersius by the Azlanti hero Savith the serpentfolk fell into a final retreat in the region, completely abandon Shatterhorn in ruins around 400 years ago.
- Keep of Jarl Khurok: Led by Jarl Khurok, a group of frost giants subjugated the local stone giants, hill giants and ogre tribes, and for many years were quite the problem for Cauldron until a band of adventurers stole into the giant king's keep and assassinated him. What lurks in the abandoned keep these days is unknown. You know Skie (from Skie's Treasury) was part of this group of adventurers.
Kikinnin opens the doors of the two remaining towers.
This thickly carpeted room is empty of furnishings, yet is still oddly comfortable since the muted sounds of violin and flute music waft gently on the air, along with the pleasant scent of wildflowers.
The music and scents in the room are provided by a permanent illusion.
This room is thickly carpeted, and is lit by a pair of lanterns that hangfrom the ceiling on fine chains.
He shakes his head. "I still don't understand Vhalantru. I thought he was on our side."
His head snaps up. "Maybe he has been possessed or charmed. All these vampires and demons..."
"I d-don't know if it'll h-help any, b-but I r-remember some th-things about s-some of those p-painting locations," Marigold offers. "The Sh-Shatterhorn was p-populated by s-serpentfolk or yuan-ti. Sh-Shatterhorn was their m-most important c-city on the s-surface b-but by the end of the Age of S-Serpents, war with the h-humans of Azlant were d-driving them b-back to the D-Darklands that they originally c-came from. And w-with the s-slaying of their g-god Ydersius b-by the Azlanti hero S-Savith, they re-t-t-treated from the r-region for g-good. Th-this was all around 400 y-years ago," she explains.
"As f-for the K-Keep of Jarl Khurok, a g-group of f-frost giants l-led by Jarl Khurok s-subjugated the local st-stone giants, h-hill giants and ogre t-tribes. They were q-quite the p-problem for Cauldron for m-many years until a b-band of adventurers st-stole into the k-keep and assassinated him. It's b-been abandoned ever s-since."
She pauses. "Sk-Skie was p-part of that g-group, you know. If we w-want to kn-know more we c-could always ask h-her."
"If we have the time tomorrow, we should attempt to track and finish that Vampire.
I will pray for spells to track it down in the morning".
Kythel takes a seat at the table, still clearly exhausted from the battle.
As Maxim parleys with his Uncle, the gun-mage casts his eyes o'er their fallen foes...
... but notes nothing exceptional.
He nods towards his Uncle;
"Ah'm thinkin' its best you make an exit Uncle. Head back a count your coin an' graces... The clemency shown on our side will come at a cost, but ye've done right by me always, an' I you. Should your loyalty be bought by Vhalantru, ain't a thing'll save you from my Bror's retribution."
The wizard smiles wistfully as he looks o'er the fallen bodyguards.
"Time to promote two more I reckon. Big boots to fill, but you need to keep yourself protected."
Adrick closes by Maxim, patting him in the shoulder "No worries nephew, I have been through worst. And now I know who is the new boss at town, I will not displease you"
Looking around the fallen one last time, Adrick Garthûn picks up his axe and shield and gives you farewell "It is better for me to disappear for a few weeks. If you need me, you can find me in my safe house. But otherwise I plead you take the reins of the business and simulate my end. It would be better for all of us until things calm down."
Making sure things are clear, the dwarf leaves before the other Cauldron Watchers can have second thoughts about it.
Meanwhile JJ and Kikinnin keep the exploration of the northern towers.
This opulent room has a polished marble floor that is strangely warm to the touch. Gentle warm breezes waft through the place, carrying with them soft sounds of birdsong and the scent of flowers.
A marble counter with a silver washbasin atop it sits to the south, next to a large mirror. The most impressive feature of the room is the large marble tub against the east wall. Gilt with gold and mithral, the tub looks like it could accommodate two people with ease. The tub's rim is decorated with a floral pattern, and a dozen brightly hued songbirds hop and preen on its rim. A shelf at one end is cluttered with numerous vials of colorful liquid and powder. To the north of the tub is an exquisite rock garden, complete with miniature waterfall and tiny miniature trees growing in beds of thick, rich soil.
The stone garden is the product of a permanent image spell. In reality the bathroom ends at the edge of the tube, and the illusion is projected over a wall there.
The tub is a decadent magic item. Any creature who lays within it can command it to fill with water or to empty. She can also control the water's temperature, and can even activate an unseen servant to aid in washing. The birds that hop on its rim are permanent illusions.
The tub itself weighs 1,400 pounds, but is worth 4,000 gp.
The various bath salts and oils on the counter are worth 200 gp in all.
This posh bedroom contains a canopy bed, a full-length mirror in a freestanding wooden frame, a small writing desk with matching chair, and several wardrobes and tables covered with small decanters of perfume and fine wine.
The wardrobes are filled with rich gowns and noble outfits, shelves covered with fashionable hats and exotic wigs (many of them artfully designed for a third eye). The furnishings are plush yet tasteful.
One of the tables is cluttered with papers, many of which are crumpled. On these papers, Thifirane has been working out what her speech to her guests should entail. It basically contains everything you heard through the doors. Inside a desk here lays Thifiranes spellbook.
0—all except enchantment and necromancy;
1st—featherfall, magic aura, reduce person, enlarge person, expeditious retreat, mage armor, magic missile, shield, unseen servant;
2nd—arcane lock, darkvision, knock, alter self, bear’s endurance, cat’s grace, fox’s cunning, scorching ray, see invisibility;
3rd—fireball, fly, haste, lightning bolt, nondetection, slow, greater magic weapon, protection from energy;
4th—black tentacles, fire shield, resilient sphere, mnemonic enhancer, shout (Fort 20), stoneskin, dimensional anchor, fire trap, greater invisibility, mass reduce person, scrying;
5th—baleful polymorph, break enchantment, fire snake, lesser planar binding, mage’s private sanctum, teleport, wall of force, permanency, sending;
6th—chain lightning, contingency, disintegrate, flesh to stone, greater dispel magic, mislead, stone to flesh;
7th—ethereal jaunt, forcecage, greater teleport, limited wish, sequester, simulacrum, statue;
A single window opens to the northeast.
The walls of this gently curving room are hung with numerous paintings. Each depicts either a serene sylvan scene or cavorting and capering fey creatures.
Thifirane seens to have a particular obsession with fey, and has collected paintings of these creatures and the places in which they live for many years. The paintings on display here are her favorites.
"D-don't worry if you want to r-rest for a m-minute Kythel - I'll st-stay with Kikinnin and JJ," Marigold smiles encouragingly at her newest companion before hurrying off to catch up with those making the rounds.
"M-more illusions and a p-pretty fancy t-tub," the halfling remarks, a hint of envy creeping into her voice. "You c-can control the w-water temperature by m-magic! I w-want one of these..."
"Oi! There's a s-secret door there - behind the t-tapestry," Marigold points, her keen eyes picking out slight outline of the hidden door right away.
"S-someone really likes the f-fey..."
After Adrick exits Kythel speaks to Maxim, "You are aware my friend that your Uncle has the taint of evil.
He is no villain like these" Kythel gestures to the dead in the room "but his heart is tainted by greed and self preservation.
Perhaps by letting him go he will turn from that path but ware trusting him at your back the same way you trust Kikinnin".
Kythel slumps back in the chair and switches the subject, "Any of these wares worth utilizing or are they more fodder for the coffers?
Based on what we experienced here this day and night, I think we should invest in more diamonds in case it is one of you that I must call back from Pharasma's embrace".
"M-more illusions and a p-pretty fancy t-tub. You c-can control the w-water temperature by m-magic! I w-want one of these..."
Kikinnin grunts in agreement. "The rich always find ways to distract themselves from the mud in the gutters."
The black beard doesn't give the bathroom any more attention, moving through the doors, and finding rooms yet to inspect.
The black beard doesn't give the wardrobes any more attention, moving through the doors, and finding rooms yet to inspect.
The black beard doesn't give the paintings any more attention, moving through the doors, and finding rooms yet to inspect.
"Oi! There's a s-secret door there - behind the t-tapestry!"
Kikinnin's ears perk up, as the halfling lass pipes up. He returns to the Master Bedroom, and examines what lies behind the tapestry. He doesn't try and open anything, choosing instead to call Maxim over to inspect the personal door not meant for detecting.
"Bror, can you take a gander for traps? We don't want to snap our fingers prying."
"You are aware my friend that your Uncle has the taint of evil. He is no villain like these, but his heart is tainted by greed and self-preservation. Perhaps by letting him go he will turn from that path but ware trusting him at your back the same way you trust Kikinnin."
Kikinnin listens to the Pharasman's observations. "We turned Jil over to the Striders, so I feel more at ease with her nature being reined in a bit. Adrick must know that he'll find no mercy if we cross paths again."
"I still don't understand Vhalantru. I thought he was on our side. Maybe he has been possessed or charmed. All these vampires and demons..."
Kikinnin waits to see what lies behind the secret door, chiming in when JJ speaks his unease. "I asked the Pillars if he worked with the Cagewrights. Not for. And now we know that Vhalantru and Thifirane worked together, with half-orcs going between the Houses. Perhaps Vhalantru is wicked like Adrick, and simply wants to side with what he thinks is the likely superior power. We need to convince him otherwise, by reason, or by force."
"At this p-point n-nearly everyone we've th-thought was on our s-side actually w-wasn't or isn't," Marigold sighs as she waits for Maxim to inspect the secret door. "Well, m-maybe not n-nearly eveyone b-but probably a g-good 75%? The rot just k-keeps going d-deeper and d-deeper..."