Wallace's blade crashes through Nelk's meager defense, justly ending the criminal's life. The cleric then races out of the unsettling cloud. Lizbeth catches a lungful and stumbles away from the sickening mist. Her stomach churns and begins to evacuate onto the stone tiles. Chorlo moves up to cut off the alchemist's escape route.
Undeterred but the chemical assault, Ayo steps out of the vapors. Her katana flashes like a silver viper and sinks deep into her opponent's chest. The inquisitor's sword is covered in slick crimson after being withdrawn.
Round 4 bold may post
Round 4
Llorva {16/18 hp}
Cladara {-28 of ??}
Chorlo
Ayo {26/30 hp}
Wallace {4/15 hp}
Lizbeth {14/15 hp}
The alchemist is clearly desperate now. However, she seems determined to take at least one of you with her. She eyes Ayo, "You come down here into these tunnels, MY tunnels, and think there won't be a price to pay? Think again!" The ferocity of the thrust nearly catches the inquisitor off guard. A back handed slap knocks the rapier a fraction of an inch, preventing it from piercing her lung. When the blade is extracted, the wound continues to burn.
Round 4 bold may post
Round 4
Cladara {-28 of ??}
Chorlo
Ayo {21/30 hp}
Wallace {4/15 hp}
Lizbeth {14/15 hp}
Round 5 starts here
Llorva {16/18 hp}
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Perhaps it’s something of the archon in Ayo’s blood or perhaps it’s just her stubborn single-mindedness but the poison doesn’t take. She stoically nods at the alchemist’s words.
”There’s always a price. I can pay it. Can you?”
Seeing the woman is desperate, possibly nearing her limit, Ayo takes up a stance with her shield in front and her katana leveled for a horizontal slash. Ayo catches Chorlo’s eye and gives him a grave nod, hoping he will see her waiting for him to move in to flank. As she waits, she guages the exact height at which she could take the alchemist’s head in one strike.
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With Ayo and Chorlo about to pounce on the remaining foe, Wallace takes the opportunity to address the burns all over his body. Placing his sword on the table, he withdraws his wand and takes the edge off of his wounds. By the Divine, heat and metal armor does not mix well together. "Justice is not long away now villain!" he admonishes from across the table.
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Chorlo steps forward, ensuring the alchemist has nowhere to flee. His attack is a mere distraction for Ayo's strike.
Often while training in the Starrise Spire, Ayo would find a sense of peace as she became one with her ancestral sword. Today, for perhaps the first time, she has found that same sense of oneness with her katana during actual combat. In her mind's eye, she saw the blade flow from effortlessly through her opponent. She feels the air ripple as the sword slices the wind. As Ayo prepares to attack, she realizes that she had already completed the act.
The one known as Cladara ceases to exist. Silently, her head rolls forward and falls to the ground. Her body collapses in a heap. No final threat or call for mercy. No deep exhalation. One moment, the woman was fully engaged in a battle for her very life. After Ayo's 'perfect second', the fight is simply over.
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Ayo flicks the blood off her katana before returning it to her scabard. She kneels down on the floor and pulls out a piece of paper, a vial of ink, and an inkbrush, laying them out delicately in front of her.
With fluid, dancing brushstrokes, she begins writing:
"'My tunnels!' she said
Before her head fell away
Staining the stones red."
She puts away each of the materials in reverse order, except for the paper, then stands up. She picks up the head and holds it in front of her, staring at it with her cold, gold eyes. ”The price is paid. Here is your receipt." She pulls open the head's mouth and places the parchment inside, gently closing the jaw.
She turns to her companions and holds the head high. "The Venture-Captain's death has been avenged."
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"Indeed..." Wallace says grimly as he closes more of his wounds while seated at the table. Satisfied with his recovery, he stows the wand and his sword before pulling out rope. "Any survivors shall be brought the law," he says with finality. A strategic nightmare, but we seem to have pulled through for now.
________
Further exploration reveals the den has been abandoned. Rather than face the same fate as their leader, the remaining Ghostknives grabbed anything of value before slinking off into the sewers.
You return to the safe house and brief Timinic. While relieved that this episode has concluded, he seems distraught about everything that has happened. "Bosk and Clovish dead and gone! At what price? And for what purpose? Their deaths were in vain. Your lives placed in peril, but to what end? I feel that perhaps The Decemvirate only cares about their own machinations. I think it may be time to end my relationship with them. Indeed, perhaps I should speak out in order to save the lives of other dedicated agents."
You know that the departure of such an experienced agent you be a terrible loss to the Pathfinders. Should take action on his doubts about the leadership, that could put agents in jeopardy (especially given the rift that lead to the Shadow Lodge in the recent past).
He looks at you all, "Well, you're the wave of the future, what do you think?"
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"As Agents, it is our duty to serve the Pathfinder Society," Wallace begins. "While it is reckless for leadership to expend our lives needlessly, there is a certain danger that comes with the arrangement. Furthermore, now that the Ghostknives have been brought into the shining light of justice, Pemak, a local alchemist has offered increased protections for the Society here in Daggermark."
________
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Lizbeth rolls her eye and gives her head a shake. Leaning against a door frame she crosses her arms. "Being a Pathfinder's dangerous business. It always has been. Bosk knew that. So do you. You shouldn't let your cowardice--" Suddenly she clears her throat and stands straight. Her tone turns from mocking to comforting and strong. "Grief is expected. Fear is no stranger. But let neither blind you. Do not dishonour yourself by casting blame on your superiors and disparaging the life's work of companions." She pauses a moment in contemplation then finishes, "Uphold your vows. Stay the course. Make the Society better from within. I vow upon --"
Suddenly here eyes widen and she lets out a snarl. "No! No vows!" she hisses to herself under her breath. She glances over her shoulder. "Don't you dare! ....No.... ...I don't... ...Cut it out!"
She looks back at her fellow agents awkwardly, then plasters a fake smile on her face. "What he said. I SAID! What I said. That." She nods. "Yup..."
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Wallace raises an eyebrow at Lizbeth's internal turmoil. "Perhaps... you should take a moment to collect your thoughts Lizbeth? Seated, even," he suggests with a little bit of sternness in his voice. Is she... Possessed? Subconsciously, his hand moves to rest on the hilt of his sword as he turns his focus back to the Gnome.
________
Timinic listens to your words. "I just don't know. For all the knowledge we recover, it just seems to stay kept under wraps; never to see the light of day. I'm not certain that makes the Decemvirate much better than the Aspis really. Still, it sounds as if you still have some faith in the Society. Maybe I should give them one last chance."
"Well, any decision I make can at least wait until the morning. How about I buy you a round at Ramyla's. Ever tried the whiskey there. It'll put hair on yer chest. C'mon, let go celebrate."