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A few moments pass before the person stops to scream. He answers to Jiggo's voice:
"Errm really? You... you killed them? Are you mad from the mist too? Is it safe?"
His voice seems to be much more calm, now. When you assure him the man-apes are not killed, just unconscious, the door of the cabinet opens and reveals a blubbery scribe. His jowls quaver and shake with terror as he tells you:
"The offices... They suddenly became flooded by a strange mist early this morning! The tendrils of it seemed to down Kadarnik's and Yannis' throat moments before they went stark mad and beat Milgen to a... to a... to a pulp!" he says, designating the two men lying on the floor unconscious.
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"Are we mad, possibly... But not from the vapor that you speak of. What is the genesis of your monkey mist afterall? What can you tell us about it?" the halforc questions.
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"Oh no, sir. We didn't kill anyone. Just knocked them out. They should be awake in a few hours. We could discuss this a bit easier if you could come out..."
When the scholar emerges, Jiggo gives a sigh of relief and helps the man out. "I'm Jiggo Maelerant. That's Callan, Hasshin, Graxzos and Nimgaji." He gestures to his companions.
"We were looking for Nigel, actually. Someone named Lugizar Trantos supposedly brought something with him that we think is the root of this madness. If you know anything about where they are, or what this mist is we would be very appreciative. And who is Milgen?"
"We can escort you out of here once you're done." Jiggo smiles.
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The man nods to Callan and to Jiggo and calms down a little bit. "My name is Saldak. Thanks for saving me." he says.
As an answer to Callan's question, he says:
"I believe that the Tik Taan idols are responsible! I smelled something wrong with those hideous monkey-faced things as soon as Lugizar brought them out of his pack. I’ve a nose for trouble, I do! No one ever listens!"
Looking very sad, he continues:
"I don't know why it didn't affect me... maybe I just have a stronger willpower? It didn't affect Milgen either, but that might not have been a good thing. Milgen... he is... WAS... my colleague!" He is visibly shaken by looking at the bloody mess that remains of Milgen's body in a corner of the room.
He eventually regains his composure and looks deep in Jiggo's eyes.
"I am not sure where the idols are and what they are. But that's what brought doom upon us! Last I knew, Nigel was taking stock of the pieces in storage in the East Exhibit storage room. You might ask him what he thinks is going on."
"Oh and you might need..." He begins to search one of the desks and produces a parchment-like cloth on which you can see strange writings. The cloth is labelled "Three Tik Taan Idols, courtesy of Lugizar Trantos." "This!" he says, giving the cloth to Nimgaji.
This is a warning against the idols but also a powerful chant that dispels their influence over men. Used as a scroll of break enchantment, it dispels the influence of the idols on one subject.
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"Hmm, wonder that says. One moment, so my Lord may grant me insight."
Jiggo casts Comprehend Languages upon himself and tries to read the parchment again.
"Saldak, my friend, you have a keen eye! This scroll has a warning about using those idols. It also has a powerful chant, as well. It's designed to break the idol's influence over one person. I can hold onto this for now."
"Saldak, let's get you out of here and to safety. When this is all cleared up, I will help you give Milgen his proper respects. But for now, it's much too dangerous."
Assuming no one else has questions for Saldak, Jiggo will help escort the man out, then return here.
"If we're all ready, I think it's time for the East Exhibit room. Maybe we can save Nigel."
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"Thanks, Jiggo." after a polite farewell, Saldak runs for his life outside the museum.
When you reach the entrance of the East Exibit hall, you a large placard above the entryway that reads “Hunting the Beasts of Legend” in great block letters. This gigantic chamber is relatively free of mist, and darkness is held at bay by braziers of radiant light. Behemoths occupy these halls, great taxidermy nightmares such as a two-headed bear easily taller than an ogre; a great desiccated beetle, its carapace larger than the face of the clock tower of Absalom’s Clockwork Cathedral; a massive specimen of chimera, its jaws open in a mock roar; and an assembled skeleton of a tyrant lizard. The walls here are studded with strange masks, staves, spears, and other implements of long forgotten cultures, most likely used in ritual hunts of the beasts preserved here.
Taking your attention from the large stuffed creatures, you see a pair of helm-like masks mounted on the wall. The helms begin to crack and move slightly. You have 1 round of actions you can perform at this time.
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Graxzos glances about himself warily as the group of Pathfinders make their way to the East Exhibit Hall. "Great. Jus' great. A mist what be turning men inta beasts? I've had quite enough o' that fer me lifetime, thank you! First wolves, now monkeys...what's next? 'm gonna turn into a turtle?"
Inside the exhibit hall, the dwarf's eyes widen slightly and he starts to nod slowly at the taxidermy displays. Keeping his pistol in hand, he starts to wander toward the nearest door. "It's a right bunch o' stuffed heads, all right. I wonder where that Nigel fellow--"
His words are cut off by Jiggo's warning!
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At Jiggo's warning, the former gladiator reaffirms his grip on his axe and assumes a ready stance, pouring his sences towards the masks.
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Jiggo's fine sense of observation makes him notice that what you perceived first as masks are in fact Vargouilles attacking you!
Two hideous looking creatures burst free of their casing in a shower of dust and stone shards and begin to fly (10' off ground). They appear to be blackened, bat-winged fiend's heads with tentacles dangle from chin and scalp, and fanged mouths hang agape.
Round 1
Jiggo
Nimgaji
Genki
Graxzos
Vargouilles
Hasshin
Callan
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Jiggo freezes in place as the creature screams. it sounded less like a kobold and more like a Pit Fiend, rising from the pit, cackling as it tore Jiggo's soul from his body and dragged it to the deepest pit of the Abyss.
Jiggo collapses and drops his staff, unable to move.
Damn it, man...hold it together!
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"Jiggo, maybe we should first stop by there" the halforc motions to the lavitory, "so you could, er... clean yer self up! Hahahahhahaa! But seriously, thanks for the heads up on those, those.... things."
Callan recommends that they leave no space unsearched, "So lets check the pisser, first... I could shake the dew from my lilly."
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Graxzos reloads his gun with a smirk as the aberration falls to the ground. "'At's how it's done, boys."
Seeing the others headed toward the lavatory, he quirks his eyebrow. "Thought we knew the fella we was lookin' fer was in the storeroom..." he shrugs, though, and follows. At Jiggo's exclamation, he snorts. "There's a lot worse things 'e coulda said, boy, believe me."
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When Callan kicks the door open, he sees... restrooms.
These public restrooms seem to be for the use of visiting clientele. Several stalls are here and a huge cesspool below collects the offal. Mad laughter echoes in this cramped stone chamber. The stench of sewage battles the cold of the mist, but through the haze can be seen smears of blood across the floor, walls, and ceiling, as well as the doors of several stalls.
Callan also sees a snake and there is an ape-man that appears from within the last stall.
Round 1
Nimgaji+Genki
Graxzos
M + Snake
Callan
Hasshin
Jiggo
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Since Callan's strike is not needed, he will instead secure the unconscious apeman then look for anything of note
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