"I think he ended up in the Cathedral choir." Allie says brightly. "They'd never had such a good soprano!"
When you return to the cemetery, the winged manifestation of the loci spirit appears before you once more. "Thank you, travelers of the Dead Roads, we are whole once again. You have proven yourselves to be friends of Roslar's Coffer, and so you can step inside to honor its dead. We must warn you, though: the dead are restless within our cemetery. They have congregated within the edifice known as Roslar's Tomb. Perhaps they somehow know of the hidden passage between the tomb and the Bastion of Light and seek to assault that noble edifice."
The Bastion of Light is the abandoned temple to Sarenrae outside town--the very one the Whispering Way cultist claimed they were using as their headquarters.
"In addition, you may participate as celebrants our ceremony to receive our blessing."
As you prepare to enter the cemetery, you reflect on your recent experiences. You feel stronger and ready for the greater challenges to come!
"Ellie, you'd be the best one to speak about the town I think..." Alessandra offers quietly, "Gabbi - do you remember the rites? We should ease the spirits passing if we can."
She remains in the background, adding a few names to Ellie's litany and echoing Gabriella's rites, although she clearly doesn't remember the correct responses and seems to just echo her sisters words.
Ellie gulps at the thought. "OK, well, I'll, uh, do what I can..."
Unfortunately, when she opens her mouth her brain freezes up: all she can think of is the previous time Roslar's Coffer suffered, in the orc invasion that took her brother and changed the direction of her life forever.
Ashen-faced, she stumbles over a few names, repeating herself several times, before it all gets too much and she buries her face in Allie's shoulder, sobbing incoherently.
"Sorry, I'm sorry, I messed it up, I'm sorry..."
"It's ok darling, it's ok." Allie murmurs, stroking gentle circles into Ellie's back. "We don't have to do this now, we can do it tomorrow. Let's go around town and make a list of all the names we can all remember. Then tomorrow you can use that to help."
She takes Ellie's wet face between her own cool hands. "Relax darling. You're a strong woman, the strongest I've ever met. You can do this, don't fight the memories - they're part of you, it's not a bad thing."
The loci spirit inclines their head. "Do not fret. You may return tomorrow and try again. For now, we shall conserve our energy to maintain the sanctity of the cemetery."
Gabbi reaches up and hesitantly pats the tall woman on the back. "It's not that big a deal. We'll try again tomorrow. I'll probably screw it up then."
"Yeah, let's fall back." Allie agrees. "Rest, recover and come back tomorrow bright and early. It won't make much difference with this fog, but going in when the sun is high might help."
-------------------------
That evening Allie begins operation 'Boost Ellie's confidence'. Seeing Roslar's Coffer destroyed hasn't had much impact on the dhampir - she didn't really know the place or the people, but Ellie clearly has a much deeper connection to the place and needs cheering up.
The operation begins with Allie insisting that Ellie join her and Cuddles underneath the hide. Snuggled into the tigers warm body Allie wraps Ellie in her arms, everything about her exuding comfort.
"Are you all-right little one? I know this is hard for you. How can I help?"
"We should hide the bodies. Sure, the blood and gore won't disappear with them, but it at least keeps whoever comes looking occupied for a while. Or, you know what, it's been a long day - let's just let them rot. It's what they wanted in life, right?"
---
Unsure how to feel, Elká falls back towards the safest place in and around Roslar's Coffer together with her companions. What the changeling had called 'home' now was a blight of desolation infested by the undead and those who bring them into this world. Everyone she knew, gone. It's not like she had many friends - she didn't - but the thought of what life will be like once all of this is over - will it ever be over? - was one she couldn't quite stomach right now.
Luckily for Elká, there's a bottle of booze that will help shut up any and all such thoughts. For now.
"No, they didn't want to rot," Gabriella counters. "They wanted to avoid their final judgement." Her lips turn up in a cold smile. "Sucks to be them."
~~~
"Didn't your mother ever teach you to share?" Gabbi says as she sits down next to the changeling. She holds out her hand indicating the bottle Elká holds.
The dhampir's words cause Elká to frown at her. Is she messing wi'me? In reply, she stares at the dhampir before shaking her head in defeat. "Sure, fine, of course. Here, have some," and like that, she hands over the otherworldly liquor. Once it leaves her clawed hands, she continues. "And no, she didn't teach me a darn thing. Well, she did teach me that growing up without parents is hard, but I doubt that's a necessary wisdom a parent has to impart upon their kid. Can't blame my dad for not being around - from what little I've figured out, my mother fell for him hook, line and sinker, and devoured him whole during their short-lived affair."
Ulrich uses his time to scribe another scroll. Meticulous soft chanting, the inscription of runes, and the seal of melted gold.
Kamosh flutters over to Elka and Gabriella, who aren't nearly as boring as Ulrich. He announces himself with a little "Whippoorwill!"
"If it helps, Kamosh don't have parents either." Says the little bird.
Gabbi takes a single swallow from the bottle, tries to hide her grimace and then hands it back. "Sorry. I didn't mean to bring up a sore subject," she says with a shrug. She glances over to where her sister is cuddling with Ellie. "She always knows the right thing to say. Me ...?" she shrugs again. "Our mother died when we were born. Our father ... Well someday we'll meet up with our beloved father ... and put a stake through his heart."
She grins at Kamosh and Elká showing her teeth. "Every family has its own peculiar rituals."
She looks over at Alessandra and Ellie again and then rises from where she sits to walk over to the edge of the platform and settle herself for a night alone.
Ellie sniffles a bit, before snuggling up against the dhampir. "Thank you. This is nice. You're nice. I like you..." After a long and exhausting day, she falls asleep swiftly.
-----
The next day, she rises early and spends some time looking at what little of the sun can penetrate the thick bank of weird fog that has surrounded the town. She polishes out the various nicks and dents in her armour that have accumulated over the last few weeks (it feels like longer. Much longer) and cleans the spiked head of her heavy flail.
After whatever passes for breakfast in these parts, she stands, ready to move on once more. "OK. Shall we give this another go?"
She looks over at Alessandra and Ellie again and then rises from where she sits to walk over to the edge of the platform and settle herself for a night alone.
Once Ellie falls asleep and it becomes clear that she isn't going to be waking up any time soon Allie catches her sister's eye and opens her other arm in invitation. Surrounded by warmth, people and animals that she loves Allie rather enjoys her night's sleep.
=================
"I'm ready when you guys are!" Allie responds, having seen to all the injuries the night before. "I'll do my best to help."
Ellie nods, her confidence restored by a good night's rest.
This time, when she performs the ritual her voice doesn't falter.
Gabbi sits for a while staring out into the darkness. When she finally looks back and sees her sister's gesture, she smiles. Rising from the worn wood, she moves quietly to slip in next to Allie.
"Surprised you still have room for me with all your pets," she teases. A soft kiss below Allie's ear follows. "I'm still the one that knows what you really like, though." A slight nip at a soft earlobe. "Goodnight, Love." She rests her head on the soft, cool shoulder and lets her thoughts drift.
~~~~~~
Gabbi watches as the Lore Warden begins reciting the names and smiles a the woman's confidence.
Once Ellie finishes, Gabriella steps up and attempts to the follow through with the appropriate prescribed ritual.
Confident that she didn't miss a beat, Gabbi turns and winks at Ellie.
You successfully perform the ritual this time. The angelic figure smiles and disperses throughout the cemetery, granting you its blessing.
"Well, that feels ... interesting," Gabriella comments as the aura spreads throughout the cemetery. "On to the tomb then," she continues as she readies her crossbow and begins moving toward the indicated tomb.
------------------------------
Spells Prepared
------------------------------
0th (at will) Daze14, Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead, Read Magic
1st chill touch16, dancing lantern, enlarge person, repair undead, vanish
2nd blindness/deafness17, blood transcription, boneshaker17, false life, see invisibility
3rd dispel magic, haste, hold person17, speak with dead18
Ulrich uses his magic rod to extend his False Life spell, which he prepares before setting out for the cemetery.
"Well done, both of you. Before we enter, should we consider making a wooden stake?"
Gabriella frowns.
"I didn't think that ... Is the vampire ...?" She begins hesitantly, but then looks towards the tomb. "I thought he was on the other side. But you might be right. It's better to be prepared. Alli?"
The inquisitor searches around for some tree branches to carve some crude stakes from.
"I think this tomb will lead us to the chapel of Sarenrae, where the vampire dwells. We may not get another chance to prepare."
"No, you're right. We should ready ourselves now," Gabbi says growing more convinced. "I don't think he's ... I'm sure he's not our father, but ..."
She thinks for a moment. "No, it couldn't be him," she finally says.
Allie simply heads for the nearest tree - her touch has branches falling within moments and she rapidly tears twigs off before handing them on to the other members of the group to see what her improvised weapons look like when they aren't falling to pieces.
"It won't be him." She agrees with her sister, who can see that she is by no means sure.
As you make your way through Roslar's Coffer's cemetery, you find that many of the tombstones are toppled and shattered, and more than a few older graves are now empty, their earth broken open from underneath as though the graves’ occupants dug their way free.
A faint mist clings to the ground and swirls around your feet. Roslar's Tomb is unmistakable: it stands in the center of the cemetery and is by far the cemetery's largest structure. A macabre pile of bones and sinew is heaped near the tomb's entrance.
Gabbi trims the spare greenery off the piece of wood her sister hands her with a dagger until she has a serviceable stake and shoves it into her belt.
"Evidence indicates the tomb may have residents," She comments, gesturing towards the empty graves. "And that doesn't look suspicious at all," she adds with a glance at the pile of bones.
The inquisitor narrows her eyes and checks the pile for an aura of evil before she readies her weapon.
The bones do not radiate any evil auras, nor auras of any other alignment.
The inquisitor makes a slightly surprised noise and then turns to her sister and shakes her head. "Nothing," she says simply.
Keeping a suspicious eye on the pile, Gabbi approaches the door, appraising how difficult it will be to open.
As Gabby gets within 20 feet of the pile, it suddenly shudders and coalesces into a towering, vaguely humanoid construct!
It seems familiar to her, but Gabbi can't quite place what the creature is.
"That's a bone golem!" Allie gasps, "Healing spells will slow it. Watch out for its fists!" She sends the parties blood thrumming to help speed them on their way.
The golem hurls several bones at Gabby. They magically duplicate and form a cage surrounding the inquisitor which holds her tight and squeezes her! The golem stomps past her to get into melee range of the rest of the party!
"Oh - a bone golem. I've read about those..." Ellie trails off and glowers slightly as Allie pre-emptively steals her thunder; but quickly refocuses as the thing targets Gabbi.
She aims a blow at the golem with her flail.
"I did not want to use this so early, but I do not see much of a choice." Ulrich mutters before casting his most powerful spell.
Targets include: Everyone except Ulrich, including Cuddles and Kamosh.
When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with one natural or manufactured weapon. The attack is made using the creature’s full base attack bonus, plus any modifiers appropriate to the situation. (This effect is not cumulative with similar effects, such as that provided by a speed weapon, nor does it actually grant an extra action, so you can’t use it to cast a second spell or otherwise take an extra action in the round.)
A hasted creature gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses.
All of the hasted creature’s modes of movement (including land movement, burrow, climb, fly, and swim) increase by 30 feet, to a maximum of twice the subject’s normal speed using that form of movement. This increase counts as an enhancement bonus, and it affects the creature’s jumping distance as normal for increased speed. Multiple haste effects don’t stack. Haste dispels and counters slow.
Baring her teeth and growling in frustration, Gabbi attempts to slip free from the constricting cage. Her snarling grows louder as she realizes that she's unable to do so.
"Allie!?!" she calls out, a note of panic slipping into her voice.
Allie is just moving to flank the golem when she hears her sister call. Without a moments hesitation she abandons the melee to help her sister, although Cuddles slinks around to threaten the golem from opposite Ellie.
Allie hurries up to the cage and grasps it with both hands, hoping that her wrecking touch might have some effect...
Elká rolls into position and strikes at the enchanted pile of bones. Exactly how is she supposed to apply her knowledge of anatomy to this wicked creation?!
Ulrich's spell infuses the group with great speed! As Gabby struggles in vain to escape the crushing bone prison, Elly launches a furious assault on the golem. She scores a single hit, smashing bones to splinters with her adamantine flail.
Allie moves to help her sister, but her attack proves ineffective against the magical prison. Cuddles moves around to flank the golem, and it swings on the tiger as it moves through its reach. Cuddles takes a crushing blow, growling as he retaliates, but the cat's claws don't seem to harm the golem.
Elka studies the golem before slicing at a vulnerable spot, tearing through sinew with her claw.
The bone cage continue to crush Gabby while the golem focuses its ire on Ellie. It bites at the fighter and smashes her with its heavy fists!
Ellie cries out in pain as the thing retaliates, hitting her despite her best efforts to go on the defensive.
She swings at the thing's legs with her flail, aiming to knock it down.
She smacks it as it falls.
For good measure, she swings again once it's down.
She looks down at the smashed pile of bone with a certain degree of satisfaction. "See how you like it."
Elly topples the towering golem and lays into it with her flail, battering it again and again! With the third and final blow, it falls to pieces, and the bone priso around Gabby crumbles to dust as well! The battle is won!
Since Ulrich is the only one not hasted, he moves in what feels like slow motion compared to everyone else.
Kamosh flies around at supersonic speeds. Don't do drugs, kids!
Gabbi moves away from the disintegrating bone and into her sister's arms. She holds her in a tight embrace for a moment before releasing her and turning to the Lore Master.
She looks at the woman for a moment before putting her arms around her as well.
"Thank you," she whispers to the tall woman. Ellie can feel the inquisitor shaking.
Gabbi collects herself and looks back towards the tomb. "Hopefully there's not more of those things inside."
Allie follows her sister and joins her in hugging Ellie.
"Yes, thank you Little One." She adds. The moment is interrupted by Cuddles nudging his way into the embrace. Allie peels herself away with a noise of concern as she sees her companion hurt. A nip at her own finger and some petting later and Cuddles looks much better.
"Do you want me to patch you up Gabbi?" She asks gently, "Mine doesn't hurt the way yours does."
Slightly disconcerted by the obvious affection and emotion being shown to her, Ellie wraps her arms gently around Gabbi, or as gently as one can while being encased in mithral. "Hey, there. No problem - it's what I'm here for, remember? Hit the bad things till they stop being bad, or stop being things."
She plants a kiss on Gabbi's forehead. "There. Better now."
She slides a glance towards Alessandra. "If you're offering some patching up, I could do with that, too."