"Kan vi bruke magi utenfor døren for å blinke opp og ved siden av dyret, bror? Hvis vi kan, fortsetter jeg å hacke på ham til lyset slukker bak hver eneste av øynene hans."
"Can we use magic outside the doorway to blink up and alongside the beast, bror? If we can, I'll keep hacking at him until the light goes out behind each and every one of his eyes."
Kikinnin debates the efficiency of switching to a longbow, and plinking arrows into the underside of the beholder. Eldgammel feels too good to put aside, if he can only find himself high enough to frustrate Vhalantru's attempt at suppressing the whole room. He can't cover the whole room, can he..?
BoF - Increase Speed by 30'
The Cleric moves into the room and casts Flamestrike on the Orb, directing it so that its effects do not catch Kikinnin.
Flamestrike (Reflex Save DC 19 for 1/2) SR - .
The cleric is then caught by a charm ray!
The Cleric resists the effects of the Ray.
BoF - Extra Attack
AC = 22
Kythel feels his magical protections drain away. However, what the Orb cannot stop, his his Divine Channeling. Channel Negative Energy
He then releases another wave of negative energy shunting out his allies from the damaging effect - Quicken Channel Negative Energy
Hearing Kikinnin's words, Maxim shouts back in the old tongue;
"Hold den forestilling bror. Jeg har endnu et trick i ærmet for at prøve først!"
"Hold that notion brother. I've another trick up my sleeve to try first!"
His magical powers returned the gun-mage moves cautiously forward and brings a spell to bare on the Eye Tyrant;
"Glitterstof!"
Kythel tries to scale the walls.
Climb
Eidi retrieves a small bottle from his belt bag and tosses it with all his strength at the flying orb after a small step forward "Take that!"
As Vhalantru shots his eye rays Kikinnin swaps solidly at him, opening a wide gash that makes the monster cry in pain "You are not going to be my statue, I will make sure you fall under my control Kikinnin, the Malachite Fortress will be my puppet too!"
JJ readies himself to fly up, while Kikinnin debates on what to do under the laminating power of the antimagic field.
Marigold readies to strike with magic for when the field disappears.
Kythel tries to climb but finds the smooth basalt wall difficult to work up.
From the gate, out of the antimagic field, Maxim notices that both him and Vhalantru are out of the antimagic field. He casts a spell all up by the edge of the magic suppressing cone and a cloud of golden particles materializes over the beholder covering all of his eyes.
The dust comes into all of the eyes of the beholder who loses the sight of the scene "Ah! Damned gun mage! I will have you and all of Garthûn imports will be mine!"
The glitter that doesn't find the beholder instantly disappear as they fall through the antimagic field sparing Kikinnin from the nastiness.
Eidi's flask breaks on hitting the flying orb discharging a conflagration. The skin of the aberration though does not seem to burn. His bonding with the demodand has rendered him resistant to fire.
Celeste moves to the wall and attempts to climb desperately the walls, to no result "I need to turn back to my base form"
The beholder struggles to dust away the sparkling glitter in his eyes but manages to maintain his hovering position in the middle of the room, and keeps his central eye projecting the antimagic field through all of the place.
Another idea springs to JJs mind. For a moment it looks as if he has lost all senses as he leaps high hurling himself.... at the wall.
JJ jumps high helping himself up with the wall, and as he gets out of the antimagic field influence he feels the force of his fly and haste spells suddenly propel him forward!
AC = 40/22/39 (Haste + Smite)
HP = 160/160
Weapon Equipped = Eldgammel +4 Holy (Divine Bond)
Condition(s) = Aura of Greater Courage(Immune to Fear, 10' radius), Prayer, Blessing of Fervor, Bless, Protection from Evil, Bear's Endurance
Smite = 2/day (+8 to hit, +13 to damage, +8 deflection bonus to AC when used)
Lay on Hands = 8x (6d6, 7d6 if Greater Mercy)
Channel Positive Energy = 4x (6d6, DC 22)
1st Level- Divine Favor, Grace, Hero's Defiance, Liberating Command
2nd Level- Paladin's Sacrifice
3rd Level- Dispel Magic
Kikinnin takes his cue from JJ leaping into the air to move to the other side of the beholder, along the floor. If Vhalantru is distracted enough to drop his suppression, the black beard will launch himself back up and into the beast, Eldgammel at the ready. He feels his longbow chafing to get into the action, but the dwarf sticks to his tried and true metal for now, expecting a window of opportunity at any moment.
"Forsiktig, Bror! Han kan gi opp kampen, og jeg ser bare porten som hans utgang. Vi må kanskje jage ham ned for å fullføre ham en gang for alle."
"Careful, Bror! He may abandon his fight, and I only see the gateway as his exit. We might have to chase him down to finish him once and for all."
JJ does his best to fly as fast as he can to up, above the horrid beholder, aiming to land upon its head.
Kikinnin holds trying to find an opportunity to fly upwards with the young blond man.
JJ starts to spin around the antimagic field until he reaches just over the beholder orb.
Maxim grins mirthlessly as his blinding magic causes the Eye Tyrant distress and disorientation;
"You ain't gettin' jack Vhalantru, save cold justice..."
He raises his pistol once more and fires
But the unwieldly skin of the aberration makes for a poor footing and JJ has a hard time keeping his balance.
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Marigold's Round 3
Marigold watches as her companions begin to climb and jump to escape the antimagic field that has them all at a disadvantage...but there's no way she can manage it, not without some sort of help that the others don't have time to render. And she doesn't expect Vhalantru to shut off the field willingly. So she does the only other thing she can think of to do.
She draws out her crossbow (dusty from disuse) and loads up a cold iron bolt.
"Let's see... I was saving this for a plague of worms but this might work" Eidi takes out a small tanglefoot bag and launches it desperately at the flying enemy.
After his jump and flight, JJ tries to strike the beholder from above, but his lack of flying training makes him fail widely.
Kikinnin keeps observing the Tyrant Eye, waiting for his opportunity.
Maxim shots the other barrel of his gun. Blinded, the beholder is an easy target and the dwarf strikes true in his central eye causing considerable damage!
Marigold remembers about her loyal crossbow and readies it for the fight.
Eidi's bag flies over Vhalantru and strikes, bursting out with tar, resin, and other sticky substances that quickly become tough and resilient upon exposure to air. The many appendages get sticky, entangling the beholder.
Celeste moves out of the antimagic field with Maxim and performs a transformation. The ghaele azata becomes an orb of shining light!
Kythel does something heroic!
Still blinded Vhalantru starts to shot eyeball rays in all kind of random directions "Damned trashy heroes! You will pay for this humiliation!"
Interestingly, you notice he projects his disintegrate ray up, creating a 10 by 10 hole in the ceiling where it strikes.
He finally manages to rub the dust out of some of his eyeballs, enough to see again.
Marigold's Round 4
Trashy? That's a new one.
Satisfied that her companions aren't in any desperate need of healing, Marigold takes aim with her crossbow and attempts to fire at the enormous beholder!
Then she loads another bolt.
AC = 40/22/39 (Haste + Smite)
HP = 160/160
Weapon Equipped = Eldgammel +4 Holy (Divine Bond)
Condition(s) = Aura of Greater Courage(Immune to Fear, 10' radius), Prayer, Blessing of Fervor, Bless, Protection from Evil, Bear's Endurance
Smite = 2/day (+8 to hit, +13 to damage, +8 deflection bonus to AC when used)
Lay on Hands = 8x (6d6, 7d6 if Greater Mercy)
Channel Positive Energy = 4x (6d6, DC 22)
1st Level- Divine Favor, Grace, Hero's Defiance, Liberating Command
2nd Level- Paladin's Sacrifice
3rd Level- Dispel Magic
Seeing no other choice, Kikinnin drops Eldgammel and his shield. He visibly flinches as the glorious and bright weapon hits the floor of the beholder's chamber, but he has little chance of using it anymore on the balloon bastard so high above them.
"So it's gonna be tunneling, eh? Like a rat trying to dig its way out. How deep are we again? If he can clear 10' at a time, when does he make his ground floor in House Vhalantru?" He says it out loud, but his own mind keeps working on their current depth, and the last bits of time to see the beholder dead before it escapes.
The black beard pulls his longbow , and takes a single shot at the pink.
"Stand and fight, Vhalantru! You're dead down here, or up there, because we won't stop hunting you, now that we know your nature!"
On top of the beholder, JJ strikes as the eyes lash out.
Then, with his footing firm, he lashes out with his own series of blows!
BoF +1 attack.
+1 to hit and damage from prayer
+1 to hit from aid
"Okay, you fiend, lets see if you can take it as well as you can dish it out!"
Congratulations, you have completed Chapter 8 of Shackeld City - Lords of Oblivion written by Christopher Perkins :)
Next comes Chapter 9 - Foundation of Flame, by Chris Thomasson.
In addition to leveling up to 14th think also on selling/buying stuff. You can take it calm, you can do it easily through the next week. Without the Lord Major and Vhalantru, you will have to take a stake into the politics of governing the city for a short while unless you prefer to let things descend into chaos :P
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JJ takes a good smack on the Tyrant Eye as he starts to shot eye rays randomly around.
Although Marigold hits Vhalantru, his skin is naturally so thick that the bolt is deflected hitting a wall just behind.
With great regret Kikinnin let's Endgammel fall to the floor. The axe clings heavily sharing the feeling while the dwarf recovers his bow and lodges an arrow deeply into the beholder.
Despite his lack of flying expertise JJ manages to balance in the air and maintain his position over the beholder. As the eye appendages reach to him he hits one to one side, then spins Alakast to hit another appendage to the other side, and yet he has time to strike on another one making himself space among the entanglement of appendages. Arriving to the core, JJ blocks a couple more of attacks just in time to reach the central eye, which he strikes with all his strength. Breaking through the retina the antimagic field disappears as the young man burst through the aberration orb. As the walker of planes crosses the creature, what once was Vhalantru is just a carcass that falls heavily striking the pentagram down below breaking a few tiles.
For a cherish moment you feel the sudden surge of seeing Vhalantru, the puppet master that has been directing the lives of all cauldronites for so long, now laying defeated and lifeless over the pentagram that he thought would cling him to power.
bracers of armor +3
ring of protection +2
ring of mind shielding
scarab of protection
Apart from the beholder's gear, which he wears linked around his appendage, the desk is of immense interest to you. Draped over the chair near the desk is the simulacrum suit Thifirane built for him—it is with this suit that Vhalantru was able to masquerade for so long as a human and the suit gives you indisputable proof that you have done Cauldron an immense favor by slaying Vhalantru rather than a traitorous disservice.
The books, papers, and scrolls on the desk are equally damning.
They catalog the length of Vhalantru's stay in Cauldron. He arrived 15 years ago and was quickly welcomed among the city’s aristocracy thanks to his huge donations to fund the rebuilding of the Town Hall and several other ancient structures that were starting to fall apart. In light of his generosity, no one pried into the mysterious noble’s background.
His charming magic allowed him to quickly win over key personalities around the city, most notably Lord Mayor Severen Navalant who resulted to be easily influenciable, and Terseon Skellerang, the City Guard’s Captain.
Along the years he removed any menace by sending heroes to suicide quests that were going on his benefit if became a success. If a group survived all the tests, he made sure to invite them to his Manor to finish them converting them into statues letting others think they departed in a dangerous mission from which they would never return.
Apparently he and Thifirane were the ones that recovered Terrem from your hands, the woman using invisibility and teleportation to avoid recognizance by the time. It seems Vhalantru discovered the Cagewrights and their plans through Thifirane, his greed led him to collaborate with the cabal but he had his own plans, which did not include the destruction of the city that had taken him so much effort to control.
Some notes denote he made his doppleganger, Groteous, impersonate Davked Splintershield to convince you to recover Zenith as a huge tool for negotiation with the Cagewrights. But you screwed twice his plans when you came back both alive and without a way for him to bring the dwarf in front of the Cagewrights as a present. He gave one of his eyeballs to Thifirane as a present for her continuous support on him to extend his rule over Cauldron.
By this point Terseon Skellerang, who had been being investigated by Alek Tercival, broke out of Vhalantru’s charm and confronted him for the increasing role of the Blue Duke and his half-orc mercenaries on the defense of the city. Vhalantru killed the Captain and made Groteous his doppleganger impersonate him in his siege of Redgorge under direct supervision of the minotaur Cagewright Gau Kleeoch.
When you came back to the city from Occipitus, Vhalantru had already decided your death, and forced Ike Iverson to assassinate your group in exchange for the many favors he had made for the Church of Wee Jass. By this time the Lord Mayor Severen Navalant discovered the truth and Vhalantru had to kill him before he had ensured the man publicly gave him the charge of Lord Mayor. Vhalantru felt strong enough though to maintain the hold on the city.
When you survived and came back victorious from Karran-Kural the beholder lost his nerves and obsessed with you, feeling he was already too weak to confront you directly after you had defeated one of the Cagewrights yourselves. It was by this time he closed himself in Oblivion and decided to take the Zar’ilkoth Tarteros ritual.
Several sheets of paper that at first look like nothing more than complex geometric drawings are also of utmost interest but result difficult to interpret.
These pages comprise a complex map of the tangled caverns below Cauldron. You are able to find the locations of the Malachite Fortress, Jzadirune, and the Kopru Ruins with ease. You also note that all three of these locations were hidden relatively close to the surface, and that the tunnels continue to stretch for some distance down into the Darklands. The map indicates that the crater lake is almost 4000 feet deep, and the tunnels extend even further below that point.
A combined examination of the maps and the notes Vhalantru was making seem to indicate he was searching for something called the "Fiery Sanctum," which he seems to believe is the secret deep-underground fortress the Cagewrights are lurking in. According to the notes, Vhalantru was trying to find this location simply because it rankled him that the Cagewrights were keeping so many secrets from him.
Kythel watches with satisfaction as the grotesque corpse falls to the ground.
"Well done JJ! I was getting a bit concerned about how that was going to play out once our magic was nullified..."
Kythel says a small prayer to Pharasma and breathes in deeply, "After we clean up down here, we must spend time freeing the rest of the victims of this horrid creature still turned to stone in this house of horrors".
Knowledge Dungeoneering
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"Y-yeesh...let's n-never do that ag-gain..." Marigold remarks with a sigh of relief; being cut off from her magic was more unnerving than she really wanted to admit.
After the group has a chance to look over all the evidence left behind by Vhalantru the halfling looks up at her companions with an expression that's both amazed and highly irritated.
"W-wait, so he was j-just doing his OWN t-takeover of the city, independent of the C-Cagewrights, at l-least at f-first? I d-don't know whether to l-laugh or c-cry..."
She shakes her head.
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JJ also puzzles over the papers, but after a while..
"Hey... remember when we got enslaved in the Underdark?"
He points to a line "And then these tunnels... This is a map of the caverns beneath Cauldron!"
He sighs "Those Cagewrights have been busy. We need to find this Fiery Sanctum and free Terem."
Continuing to shake his head he just sighs "Why are so many groups so intent on our little city? I mean I know it has great views and fantastic defencive location, but... really? Surely there is something else going on here."
He does give Kythel a nod "Agreed, but that is something the rest of you are better equipped to handle than I am. I think I'm going to need to talk with Uncle Alek again and see if he is willing to step into the void that now exists in local body politics."
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Kikinnin watches JJ come back down, after downing the beholder known as Vhalantru, and grim-smiles approvingly. As the boy touches down, the black beard comes to stand next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, and patting.
"That was a gutsy jump, JJ. That, and good ears, will keep you from getting caught in the master's bedchamber when her husband comes home unexpectedly." Kikinnin gives him one more pat, then moves to the dead eye.
"We're going to need this as proof. We either bring the remaining government officials down here to witness, or we bring this lump of flesh back with us to city hall." Kikinnin considers cutting the monster's body up for transport, but feels the story will best be told with the body intact.
"After we clean up down here, we must spend time freeing the rest of the victims of this horrid creature still turned to stone in this house of horrors."
Kikinnin nods. "We lock down House Vhalantru, I think. We work on restoring the stone to flesh- they'll become potent allies, if their loyalty hasn't waned for their time in statue. We consult with Jenya about that book, so something that evil doesn't fall into the wrong hands, or we learn how to destroy it outright. Then we harden ourselves for the fight to come. The Cagewrights are starting to learn that they have true resistance. We'll need to research them deeply, so we don't find ourselves weak in our confrontation. Vhalantru's nulling eye was painful, and the Cagewrights have numbers great enough some of them are bound to have nasty tricks up their sleeves."
The black beard turns to the blond beard. "We've got a treasury here. A war chest. If we're on the front line of this fight, we should arm ourselves to the teeth. Then we need to see to Cauldron. There's prophecy that still warns of Fire, and I'll not take my eye off it, until we're sure we've weathered it."
For the Siege of House Vhalantru, Kikinnin might look fatigued, but it is quite the opposite. The dwarf is practically thrumming to get to work.
"Well, that went out well" Eidi smiles while looking at the dead beholder in the middle of the room. The half-elf produces a jar full of cinnamon cookies and opens it bringing one to his mouth and offering some to the others "I suggest we take then the body and all the information found and quickly make our way out of Oblivion before our flying magics end and navigating the place becomes a chaos again"
"These Cagewrights start to sound as a cabal of madmen with very unhealthy habits" the elder bites one of the cookies, plenty of crumbles spoiling around the tiles "Who in his senses would like to live in a place called 'Fiery Sanctrum'?"
"That beholder looks boulder-heavy, elfblood. You got any magics that will shrink it down to melon-size?"
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JJ stands shaken from the battle. Slowly he looks around for something to clean the goo off Alakast. "You know... it has been a long couple of days" he sighs.
He offers Kikinnin a wry smile, somewhat surprised by the gruff dwarfs words of praise. "Thanks.. I think I got a little lucky with my spring. Otherwise I'd have been down to plugging away at him with my bow. And we all know I'm not the best shot. The beholder has some hefty magical protections on him. Even Alakast had a hard time hurting him."
"C-can we put the body inside one of our m-magic bags?" Marigold asks. "Or I c-could try s-summoning a b-bridge but it w-won't go all the w-way to the t-top...I think it'll still b-be 50 feet sh-short..."
______________
Eidi smiles back at Kikinnin "I cannot make it smaller, but I can make someone else bigger" with some waving of his staff the dwarf suddenly starts to enlarge until reaching king size.
"Let's make sure you can bring it out" the half-elf says some more words of power, his holy symbol shining as it consumes its daily power, bringing ant haul on Kikinnin.
"That shall make it"
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With a combination of Marigold's bridge of moonlight, your flight and Kikinnin's extra capacity, it does not take you much more effort to navigate your way up and out of Oblivion.
House Vhalantru is as calm as you left it and soon you are at the entrance looking at the midday light.
Celeste steps in to intervene "What you have don here today... it was a miracle. You probably saved all of Golarion, or at least bought it some extra time. Again, thanks for rescuing me from that frame"
She bows in front of you "Now, I must return to my patron and fill him with all the information about the Cagewrights and their plans. I will make sure you are well rewarded"
"Without a government in Cauldron, I guess you are going to be busy yourselves here for a time" the azata ghaele looks through the window "Although I don't think any of these events have to do with the mission of investigating the disappearance of Belekarde that brought me here, it is clear the danger the Cagewrights pose to the world. Once I put up to date to my patron I am going to request his permission to return to you and help as much as possible"
She then turns to JJ and smiles with a much more relaxed look "What you did down there... it is clear you carry the blood of my people with you JJ" the blonde azata takes the young man by the hands "I can sense you are called for things beyond mortal capability. Endure. Persevere. Your day is coming soon. I am looking after the moment we can fight together once again"
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"I have been utilizing resources at the Church of Pharasma to create magic items, mainly potions, that can be useful in the defense of the city. I will use my share of the bounty claimed here to continue to do just that. I fear I will not have enough time to have the clergy produce as much as we need, some resources are better than no resources.
Perhaps the heads of the Churches can act as a temporary ruling council with most senior leadership of the city having proven to be less than faithful to the citizenry. What do you all think, would the populace trust the clergy in such a time? I cannot imagine that the remaining Nobility would be considered very trustworthy after all we have uncovered the past few days".
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"M-maybe some of the ch-churches but I d-don't know about all of them. Um, I th-think there m-might still need to b-be some p-public reactions work d-done after what h-happened with the ch-church of Pharasma...n-not that you haven't b-been doing your b-best already!" Marigold answers, looking pensive.
"N-not to m-mention I d-don't know h-how well each of the h-heads would be able to g-get along...though the d-different perspectives p-probably wouldn't h-hurt..."
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Kikinnin puts his back into carrying the dead beholder up and out of Oblivion, at least. Depending on their plans, Kikinnin is willing to lug the body anywhere the Ant Haul will allow him to. The obvious choice to the black beard is returning to St. Cuthbert, and informing Jenya of all that's come to pass.
Before they depart House Vhalantru, Kikinnin enlists Maxim and his skill with locks to assure them the house will remain on lockdown until they return to sort out the transition of goods. They'll also want to spend some time freeing the prisoners in stone, and he figures the church should be willing to help them in the work. One thing at a time, he imagines.
"Perhaps the heads of the Churches can act as a temporary ruling council with most senior leadership of the city having proven to be less than faithful to the citizenry. What do you all think, would the populace trust the clergy in such a time? I cannot imagine that the remaining Nobility would be considered very trustworthy after all we have uncovered the past few days."
"After Ike Iverson betrayed the city, I figure the clergy are just as distrusted as the nobility. Suppose we could ask Jenya if she thinks the same."
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Maxim tips the nod to Celeste as she departs;
"Much ablidged Lady Celeste. Been a pleasure... Reckon you've proved yersel' to have best interests o' Cauldron an' its folk at heart. My apologies fir doubtin' ye."
As talk turns to the current situation within the city, the gun-mage eyes his fellow Watchers;
"Seems to me any ruling council should be made up o' members o' different creeds, the kirk pulpits, the noble families an' o' course the merchantile houses..."
He grins wryly;
"Reckon we would be a good fit..? If not us, then perhaps someone we sponsor or advocate?"
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Celeste smiles at Maxim as he complements "You do well Maxim to be suspicious about all that was happening. I was not completely open on our first meetings, and I am in debt of an apology for that. Sorry. Perhaps now it has become more clear for everyone who is friend and who is foe."
The azata walks by to a corner "See you soon!" then becomes an orb of pure light feeling your hearts with hope and kindness and instantly disappears teleported to a far land.
Leaving House Vhalantru protected by your newly acquired dwarven friend and well locked by Maxim's skill, you make it back to Obsidian Avenue. You walk along the highest street of the city, all around the crater to reach Jenya's advice at St. Cuthbert as you have done some many times in the past. The city is calm, oblivious to the event shaking last 12 hours that has left a vast power vacuum in Cauldron.
At the temple you are immediately granted audience with the High Priestess of Abadar, who was waiting for you in a tense wait. You find her with Ryan in her office, she puts her hands over the desk, clearly relieved to see you all in good shape but nervous for what might have happened "So what?"
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When the pure light greets his eyes, Kikinnin no longer sees the beholder in his mind, which might have occupied his mind the whole way to Jenya. Now he just dreams of a day when they can all rest, done with the threats of Cagewrights, or those who conspire with them. He looks on his companions, and envisions them older, having lived prosperous long lives, venerable keepers of the peace. He throws another couple of logs on the heartfire, and his jaw sets for the days to come, days in which he'll need to remember that azatas are just as likely to join them in the fight, as demodands are to oppose them.
...
"So what?"
Kikinnin informs the high priestess that the body of Vhalantru in the shape of a beholder is sitting in the courtyard drawing stares, before he continues.
"Where to begin? We met Vhalantru before as the beholder we found today. He took Terrem from us, with Thifirane's aid. The ritual must still be afoot, but that mattered little to Vhalantru. He transformed himself with his own ritual, moments before JJ downed him from mid-air. You had to be there." Kikinnin waves for the book bearer to produce the Ritual, and set it on the desk for the priestess to inspect. "I think we need to destroy that, and I hope you can help us understand how to do it properly."
"Vhalantru has constructed a massive structure below House Vhalantru, suited to his beholder body. There are many heroes of Cauldron who stand in stone statues, even now. I managed to free one of them, but there's plenty more to return to us. Hopefully, they'll prove worthy allies, especially since we know the Cagewrights are still skulking below. There's somewhere we need to locate, called the Fiery Sanctum, and we'll need to restore our strengths and steel, quickly. That place might the the Fire of the prophecy, soon to descend on Cauldron."
"The beholder we met was Vhalantru?" Ryan seems shocked by the revelation.
"So Vhalantru was indeed the responsible of the things going on in the city?" Jenya glances through the proofs you have brought in terms of notes, simulacrum suit, and even the beholder body itself "I can't put into words how blessed we have been to have such heroes Watching over our city"
Ryan takes the Zar'ilkoth Tarteros very carefully from Kikinnin's hands "This holds profane knowledge we hardly understand yet. Perhaps it is better we save it at Abadar's Vault and study it carefully. We might need this before all this have come to an end"
"I am still a gasp of how we can have let this go unnoticed for so long..." Jenya promises to send help to free as many heroes as possible from House Vhalantru "So now..."
"Without Vhalantru, the Lord Mayor or the Guard Captain, we are at danger for the city to descend into chaos... and people will notice this in just few days, perhaps only few hours..."
"I am going to organize an urgent meeting with everyone who is of relevance at Cauldron so we can find a way out this situation. By tradition the Lord Mayor would appoint a successor and as that is not possible right now, whatever alternative we come up with shall be respected by most of the influential figures in the city" Jenya gives a serious but resolved look towards you "I know you have gone already beyond what was expected from you, but I need you in that meeting. I know you gained the respect of many of those figures along the last months, I trust they will hear your voice, and I need you to expose the current situation and what you have uncovered"
"I assume I can count with the presence of each of you" he looks then at Kythel "I plan to invite all the other churches, and given the current situation at Wee Jass Cathedral I have that you are the relevant person to contact with at this time"
Then looks back at Maxim "The merchants of the city shall have also their voice on this. I plan to invite the most relevant of Cauldron. Given the situation of your uncle, I expect you will take the spot for Garthûn's Imports in this meeting Maxim"
Maxim nods dutifully to Ryan;
"I shall indeed Taskerhill... Might be worth extendin' the invite to the Malachite also."
The gun-mage looks to the others;
"I'll be off. Some business to attend to in addition to offloadin' our good-gotten-gains! Everyone picked o'er the cache fir what they want I trust?"
He grins, pointing to the party's various magical satchels and packs bulging with treasure.
Kythel nods in response to Jenya's statement, "I shall attend both as the leader of the Church of Wee Jas as well as a member of the Watchers.
Let us hope that the little good I have done since my arrival will at least cancel out the evil conducted by the Church before my arrival.
I will spend the night praying to the Lady for the ability to begin releasing the frozen heroes from their stony prisons. Can we tomorrow head back there and begin freeing them my friends? I fear if we wait too long we give the agents of chaos a chance to go in behind us and pilfer resources to further their own schemes".
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"I assume I can count with the presence of each of you."
"You can count on us, revered Jenya. We'll need to see to several important things, and with your help, our time will be used wisely in preparations. The meeting will help us drive home the danger growing to a white hot tip."
...
"Everyone picked o'er the cache fir what they want I trust?"
Maxim nods. "I'll trust you to liquidate. If we'll have the time, I wouldn't mind your crafting skills applied to my arms and armor. I don't trust the damned demodands and their underhanded ways of giving themselves greater power by the blood of the innocent."
Kikinnin turns to Ryan. "That Ritual took three lives, by the looks of Vhalantru's demon room. We couldn't save them, they collapsed into ash." The black beard purses his lips in anger, then excuses himself.
...
Seeking out his family, Kikinnin will inform Gemma of every little thing that's come to pass, before inquiring with her. "We're almost through with it, Søstermine. We've beaten the pretender, but we still struggle against a new adversary. We're seeking out a place called the Fiery Sanctum, and your fresh set of eyes might help us pin the location. If we can find the Cagewrights before they know we're onto them, we'll have an advantage, at least. Can you help?"
"C-could we b-bring them b-back?" Marigold asks, referring to the three sacrificial victims. "It w-wouldn't be ch-cheap...but I th-think even ashes would c-count as remains for s-such divine m-magics...r-right?"
To the matter of the meeting, Marigold nods in agreement with Kikinnin. "Y-yes, definitely."
She considers how else she might be of help; with Kristof already being on the 'list' of people to be invited to the council there aren't many other resources she could tap. Well, except for...
"Um, if there's anything we n-need to research before the m-meeting, I can head to B-Bluecrater and g-get started. Or even after the m-meeting. Or b-both. I can do b-both!"
JJ, having remained unusually quiet just nods his head at Jena speaks.
"I think we should probably invite the noble families to the meeting too. While we might not get along with them, they do represent established powers and authority. And at the moment the city is going to need some structures to adhere to."
He then offers a bit of a grin.
"But with the danger passed, I think my first priority might be taking Sara out to dinner. "
"From what I have heard in the last days you have done more than little help Kythel" Jenya comments "You should have time to help free the heroes at house Vhalantru. But be ready to answer my call, and prepared to fight the Cagewrights, we do not know with what other surprise move they might try to strike us with"
"I am unsure to tell, it all depends on what is the effect of the ritual on their souls. We would need to research the ritual in the book for that response or risk losing the costly gems to do it" Ryan answers back to Marigold "Either way, I fear that will have to wait, as we have very little time to organize the city and stop the Cagewrights"
The cleric also proposes to the halfling "Perhaps you should prepare for the battles to come. Researching Thifirane and Vhalantru's notes about the Cagewrights and their plans will probably pay its time back. As well as checking the Zar'ilkoth Tarteros to gain a better understanding of Carceri might help us understand the nature of what the Cagewrights are trying. Also, using the Soul Pillars at Karran-Kural might bring more insight, but the place is far and as you explained it carried its own dangers and burden on the questioner"
Jenya nods to JJ "I do totally agree. They would block otherwise any agreement if their voice is not held. As it stands the old surnames of the city hold still great power among the minds of the people within, and truth be told, they also hold a great part of the economic power too"
She then smiles back to the young man "I am sure Sara will be eager to share a dinner. Just do so. Pursue whatever preparations you need too, but be ready for my call. I plan for this meeting to happen as soon as possible, I do not want things to go too far without leadership. The danger that the wrong person profit to size power is too high"
"I have been researching Cauldron undergrounds for weeks, and I am Rouradont, the question is not if I can help but when I will have that Fiery Sanctum place located" Gemma answers back with a smile.
Maxim taps the breastplate of his fellow dwarf with a wistful smile;
"Alas Bror, enchanting yer axe an' armour is beyond me at present. However that bulwark o' yours I can improve upon. Rush job I could have it done in 6 days..."
The gun-mage bows dramatically, then hefts the various sacks and bags laden with loot;
"I'll try Skie's first. Might be we need to send some o' these items Sasserine way for sellin... Once I've offloaded what I can, I'll drop off everyone's shares, then attend to some affairs o' my own."
He pauses mulling something Marigold said;
"Y'all remember we got a Common's Share in our treasury. Seems to me its fir spendin' on as we see fit. Bringin' back lost souls is as good a purchase as anythin' I reckon."
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Marigold smiles at Maxim when he reminds the group about their 'common' funds, set aside for whatever pursuits the group deems fit to pursue.
He's got a good heart, even if he doesn't show it much.
"That's a g-good idea. Even if we c-can't do anything for them r-right now, I m-mean. When the f-force goes to liberate the r-rest of the statues from Vhalantru's h-home I'll go w-with and collect the ashes f-from the ritual, for s-such a time when we can hopefully s-see to their restoration."
To Ryan, she nods. "Th-that will work, th-then. I'll s-set my s-sights to that until the m-meeting is c-called and hopefully I'll b-be able to learn something of use."
"But I w-won't return to Karran-Kural," she shudders. "N-not alone, at any r-rate. Th-that's an option we should res-s-serve until we h-have no other options, I th-think."
______________
With everyone agreeing and Jenya compromising to deal with the organization of the event, you are all finally free to depart and pursue your personal goals.
Skie Aldersun is bewildered to see Maxim back with so varied and powerful stash of magical items "There are here a few things I would like to place in my always growing catalog. Seems you have been pretty busy on your underground dwellings my friend!" the rest Maxim can easily send to Sasserine for selling through his contacts, which warrants everything is appropriately sold.
"As I see you got some extra coin, I can show you my extended catalog, only available for the best of clients" the gnome smiles widely.
+1 banded mail 1,400 gp
+2 shadow elven chain 12,900 gp
dwarven full plate 16,500 gp
celestial armor 22,400 gp
mithral full plate of speed, 26,500 gp
+2 heavy steel shield 4,170 gp
+2 caster's shield 6,153 gp
+3 lion's shield 14,170 gp
winged shield 17,257 gp
+1 flaming longspear 8,305 gp
+2 defending light mace 18,305 gp
bag of holding (Type II) 5,000 gp
bag of holding (Type IV) 10,000 gp
handy haversack 2,000 gp
cloak of resistance (2 available) +4 16,000 gp
cloak of resistance +5 25,000 gp
potion of cure light wounds (8 available) 50 gp each
potion of cure moderate wounds (3 available) 300 gp each
potion of barkskin 300 gp
potion of haste 750 gp
potion of fly (2 available) 750 gp
potion of remove blindness 750 gp
ring of feather falling 2,200 gp
ring of sustenance 2,500 gp
ring of climbing 2,500 gp
ring of resistance +2 6,000 gp (like a cloak of resistance)
ring of minor energy resistance (fire) 12,000 gp
ring of spell knowledge (IV) 13,500 gp
ring of revelation 16,000 gp
ring of minor spell storing 18,000 gp
ring of wizardry (I) 20,000 gp
ring of invisibility 20,000 gp
ring of evasion 25,000 gp
ring of blinking 27,000 gp
ring of protection +4 32,000 gp
ring of protection +5 50,000 gp
scroll of mirror image 150 gp
scroll of remove curse 150 gp
scroll of remove disease 150 gp
scroll of dispel magic (2 available) 375 gp
scroll of fly (2 available) 375 gp
scroll of ice storm 700 gp
scroll of teleport 1,125 gp
scroll of heal (3 available) 1,650 gp
scroll of restoration (4 available) 1,700 gp
scroll of mass heal (2 available) 1,650 gp
scroll of raise dead (2 available) 6,125 gp
wand of Melf's acid arrow (10 charges) 900 gp
wand of cure moderate wounds (22 charges) 1,980 gp
wand of dimension door (6 charges) 2,520 gp
wand of invisibility greater (12 charges) 5,040 gp
wand of cure critical wounds (18 charges) 7,560 gp
staff of toxins 12,600 gp
staff of journeys 13,600 gp
staff of shrieking 14,400 gp
staff of fire 18,950 gp
staff of bolstering 20,800 gp
staff of size alteration 26,150 gp
staff of healing 29,600 gp
staff of stealth 39,300 gp
lesser rod of intensified metamagic 3,000 gp
lesser rod of empower metamagic 9,000 gp
lesser rod of maximize metamagic 14,000 gp
lesser rod of quicken metamagic 35,000 gp
rod of extend metamagic 11,000 gp
rod of elemental metamagic 11,000 gp
rod of reach metamagic 11,000 gp
rod of empower metamagic 32,500 gp
Headband of alluring charisma +4 16,000 gp
Headband of alluring charisma +6 36,000 gp
Headband of inspired wisdom +4 16,000 gp
Headband of inspired wisdom +6 36,000 gp
Headband of vast intelligence +4 16,000 gp
Headband of vast intelligence +6 36,000 gp
Headband of mental prowess (2 available) +4 40,000 gp
Headband of mental superiority +2 16,000 gp
Belt of giant strength +4 16,000 gp
Belt of giant strength +6 36,000 gp
Belt of incredible dexterity +4 16,000 gp
Belt of incredible dexterity +6 36,000 gp
Belt of mighty constitution +4 16,000 gp
Belt of mighty constitution +6 36,000 gp
Belt of physical might +4 40,000 gp
Belt of physical perfection +2 16,000 gp
eyes of the eagle 2500 gp
goggles of minute seeing 2500 gp
goz mask 8,000 gp
glove of storing 10,000 gp
boots of speed 12,000 gp
goggles of night 12,000 gp
mask of the skull 22,000 gp
greater bracers of archery 25,000 gp
amulet of natural armor +3 18,000 gp
amulet of natural armor +4 32,000 gp
amulet of natural armor +5 50,000 gp
+2 light fortification bracers of armor 9,000 gp
+5 bracers of armor 25,000 gp
pearl of power IV 16,000 gp
pearl of power V 25,000 gp
Back at the cathedral you are informed Sasserine has sent two new acolytes armored with masterwork equipment and a guard armed with full plate and a magic sword as a response to your call. The three are on travelling to Cauldron as of now and are expected to arrive by next week. They also came with a couple of wands of healing. As for the priests that decided to remain with you, they have followed your orders and are crafting potions and scrolls to heal and cure disease for the 4000 gp you handed them. For now they have had time to craft just a few of them but have stocked with all the reagents required.
Two of the younger priests, who had less interest on divine texts and crafting have conducted extensive training with the Gorumites at the Temple of the Lordly Might as per your orders. This seems to have improved considerably the relations between both churches.
Finally, a couple of Malachite Fortress dwarves you hired are already at the dome, studying how to dismount part of the spire and replace it with crystal. They let you know the work on large stained glass has already begun at Redgorge.
JJ, considering his recent run-ins with mind control and Celeste's kind offer, sends her a prayer for protection from such perils. The next morning he wakes up with a new rather jaunty, cap on his pillow.
Arising, he puts on his nicest clothes and heads out in search of Sara.
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