"What, exactly, are you implying or suggesting?" Tessenarin asks warily, tightening his grip on his bow.
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Clenching his jaw, Vinas tries to remain patient. Just in case the room erupts with fire, blood, and death, he tries to pay attention to the papers on the desk, committing anything useful to memory,
Vanyan does not yet act, but awaits an answer to Tess’ queries.
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“This will, of course, necessitate me cutting you open to see what makes you tick,” and with a wave of his hands he commands his juju zombies to attack.
Seeing Atium's imposing frame standing in the doorway, Valthazar's eyes squint in concentration. With each passing second terrible wounds begin to split open on Atium's chest.
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Valthazar
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Tessenarin (39/45)
Atium (86/86; Raging 100/100; +3 Barkskin; MCvsE)
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Juju Zombies
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Vinas (73/73; +3 Barkskin)
Aishe (35/46)
Vanyan (45/45; +17 Temp HP; 1 str drain)
"I think you will find we are not so easy as that. We survived the Boneyard; we will survive you."
With that, Tessenarin plays a tune you've not heard before. It's fast and energetic, and you all find yourselves energized.
He then switches to his angry song and enchants the weapons.
It's time for me to kill myself, but doing so as a Drake! Shakra Drake!
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Atium holds back as this supernatural gift takes hold of him as does Tessenarin's magic.
The Juju Zombies move to protect Valthazar as Juju Atium and Vinas close in on the doorway each with blades drawn.
Both swords clumsily strike the wall near Atium's body.
Haste
Weapon Song (+2 Magic Weapons)
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Valthazar
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Tessenarin (39/45)
Atium (86/86; Raging 100/100; +3 Barkskin; MCvsE)
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Juju Zombies
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Vinas (73/73; +3 Barkskin)
Aishe (35/46)
Vanyan (45/45; +17 Temp HP; 1 str drain)
"I need a lane!" Vainas takes a 5' step and tries to swing at his undead mirror from the other side of the doorway. As he steps he channels some of Iomedae's power into his blade.
for
for
for
Seeing Atium's imposing frame standing in the doorway, Valthazar's eyes squint in concentration. With each passing second terrible wounds begin to split open on Atium's chest.
Vanyan’s eyes narrow as he watches this and tries to figure it out.
Spellcraft
That seems familiar. Or is it?
Round: 1
Conditions = Haste
Weapon Equipped = Crossbow
Regular Bolts = 5/9
Cold Iron Bolts = 6/6
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Bolts = 5/5
Crossbow: Attack: BAB +7/+2, Dex +5, Masterwork +1, (Deadly Aim -2, Rapid Shot -2) Damage: Dex +5, (Deadly Aim +4)(crit 19-20 x3)
Melee: Attack: BAB +7/+2 Damage: +0
Grit = 3/4
Ranger Focus (sw, +2 att, dam, skills) = 1/1
Lay on Hands = 1/1 (d6)
Aishe, in the hopes of opening things up a little bit, tries shooting the Juju-Vinas to open up a lane. If by some miracle it goes down (DR sucks!) he’ll starting in Juju-Tess.
(PB, haste, cover) (PB)
(PB, haste, cover) (PB)
(PB, haste, cover) (PB)
(PB, haste, cover) (PB)
Atium is in Wyvern mode. Little did he know, this was going to hurt him a whole lot.
He drops the Warhammer, and defends the portal with tooth and claw.
The Wyvern wants this Vinas imposter on the floor! The Wyvern has claws sharp enough to rip through it's dead flesh!
Slashing Ju Ju Vinas
Slashing
Hasted claw
Slashing
Slashing
Atium then barrell rolls his body along the doorway wall giving an opening to allow the archers to shoot at the zombies and both Atium and Vinas to smash anything coming through.
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Vanyan recognizes signs of this power hex-like magic. He has seen it once before in his travels. Whoever the hexed person damages, they share the same fate taking half of the damage they deal in battle.
Vinas isn't able to manage getting a lane or even a clean attack through the congested hallway. Atium gives him a hand clawing at the undead Vinas' face. Atium gets similar, shallower claw marks across his own face.
Aishe pelts a pair of bolts into Juju Vinas' chest, quickly dropping the zombie.
Haste
Weapon Song (+2 Magic Weapons)
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Valthazar
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Tessenarin (39/45)
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Juju Zombies
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Atium (80/86; Raging 94/100; +3 Barkskin; MCvsE)
Vinas (73/73; +3 Barkskin)
Aishe (35/46)
Vanyan (45/45; +17 Temp HP; 1 str drain)
Round 1
Vanyan looks into the room, his gaze moving first to the Vanyanganger, then to the hexy beast vampire.
"How dare that Vanzombie cower in the back. That isn't like me at all," Vanyan sneers angrily. Still gripping his staff, he calls his magics into the fight and creating a Wall of Fire in the room.
+6 ranged touch
[ dice]1d20+4[/dice] vs. DC10 to aid
hp: 45/45 + 17 temp
AC: 16/14/12
Saves: F5/R6/W10
Broken Lightbox: 0/1 used
PoP 2: 1/1 used
PoP 1: 0/1 used
GlitterYourFace: 1/2 used
Extend Metamagic: 2/3 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/7 used
Staff of Courage: 8/10 charges left
Bless (1 charge)
Remove fear (1 charge)
Prayer (2 charges)
Remove paralysis (2 charges)
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Vanyan conjures up a wall of flames that fills the room.
Rancid burning meat fills the air as Juju Tessenarin and Aishe burn in the flames. Their leather =-like skin seems to resist the heat at first though. The heat flickers further back as Valthazar blocks it from his face. Red welts forming on his skin.
Valthazar steps to the side glaring through the doorway. "That will be quite enough of that insolence." Vanyan begins to feel very, very sick.
Haste
Weapon Song (+2 Magic Weapons; 3 save vs spells and supernatural)
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Valthazar (-25)
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Tessenarin (39/45)
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Juju Zombies (Tessenarin -19)(Aishe -19) (Vanyan -3)
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Atium (80/86; Raging 94/100; +3 Barkskin; MCvsE)
Vinas (73/73; +3 Barkskin)
Aishe (35/46)
Vanyan (45/45; +17 Temp HP; 1 str drain)
Fort
Vanyan grits his teeth and lets Tessenarin's song fill him with valor. He *will not* puke this day...until later.
Tessenarin tries to see if he knows anything about the juju zombies himself.
He then tries to take out the juju Atium to give Vinas some roomm.
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Tessenarin knows that the juju zombies much faster than your average zombie and will do what they can to block your path.
Tessenarin's arrow shatters against the wall as the zombies pass to the safe side of the wall of fire.
Haste
Weapon Song (+2 Magic Weapons; 3 save vs spells and supernatural)
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Valthazar (-25)
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Tessenarin (39/45)
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Juju Zombies (Tessenarin -19)(Aishe -19) (Vanyan -21)
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Atium (80/86; Raging 94/100; +3 Barkskin; MCvsE)
Vinas (73/73; +3 Barkskin)
Aishe (35/46)
Vanyan (45/45; +17 Temp HP; 1 str drain)
"Valthazar! I'm coming for you!" Vinas focuses his righteous rage on the 'lord'. for now though, he's got to cut a path in, focusing on juju Atium:
for
for
for
Aishe waits to see if juju-Atium is dropped before acting. I'm also waiting to post to see what Atium does.
Round 2
Vanyan stops concentrating on the wall of fire, letting it go as soon as it was cast. He thinks about how to help others and draws his wand of CLW. He will cast Produce Flame but will wait to use it.
+6 ranged touch
[ dice]1d20+4[/dice] vs. DC10 to aid
hp: 45/45 + 17 temp
AC: 16/14/12
Saves: F5/R6/W10
Broken Lightbox: 0/1 used
PoP 2: 1/1 used
PoP 1: 0/1 used
GlitterYourFace: 1/2 used
Extend Metamagic: 2/3 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/7 used
Staff of Courage: 8/10 charges left
Bless (1 charge)
Remove fear (1 charge)
Prayer (2 charges)
Remove paralysis (2 charges)
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Vinas puts the hurting on Juju Atium. His blade hacking off one side of his chest and arm. Vanyan draws a wand as the wall of flames subside, their roar dimming little by little.
Haste
Weapon Song (+2 Magic Weapons; 3 save vs spells and supernatural)
Bless
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Valthazar (-25)
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Tessenarin (39/45)
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Juju Zombies (Atium -24) (Tessenarin -19)(Aishe -19) (Vanyan -21)
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Atium (80/86; Raging 94/100; +3 Barkskin; MCvsE)
Vinas (73/73; +3 Barkskin)
Aishe (35/46)
Vanyan (45/45; +17 Temp HP; 1 str drain)
Round: 2
Conditions = Haste, Song, Bless, ranger focus (dhampir)
Weapon Equipped = Crossbow
Regular Bolts = 1/9
Cold Iron Bolts = 6/6
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Bolts = 5/5
Crossbow: Attack: BAB +7/+2, Dex +5, Masterwork +1, (Deadly Aim -2, Rapid Shot -2) Damage: Dex +5, (Deadly Aim +4)(crit 19-20 x3)
Melee: Attack: BAB +7/+2 Damage: +0
Grit = 3/4
Ranger Focus (sw, +2 att, dam, skills) = 0/1
Lay on Hands = 1/1 (d6)
Aishe targets juju-Atium if he’s still up. If he does so, he first 5’ steps back. He’ll also focus on the not-vampire (ranger focus) and attack him if juju-Atium isn't in the way.
(PB, haste, song, bless) (PB, song)
(PB, haste, song, bless) (PB, song)
(PB, haste, song, bless) (PB, song)
(PB, haste, song, bless) (PB, song)
(PB, haste, song, bless) (PB, song)
If he’s shooting the not-vampire, +2 to attack and damage!
You are just the one I wanted to destroy. Thank you for coming to me you stupid AbsalonianGit!
Atium unloads on what used to be his body.
Hasted Claw:
Bite:
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Atium rips his own undead throat out and tosses it to the ground on top of his own body as Aishe sends bolts through the doorway at Valthazar. Two bolts stick into his necka nd chest as the final bolt goes through the Dhampir's eye. he doesn't even have a chance to utter another word as he crashes back against his desk, dead on the spot.
Your Juju forms also collapse, not able to sustain themselves without the witch's magic holding them together. Atium's wounds also be gin to close up as the hex leaves his body.
Tessenarin (39/45)
Atium (74/86; Raging 88/100; +3 Barkskin; MCvsE)
Vinas (73/73; +3 Barkskin)
Aishe (35/46)
Vanyan (45/45; +17 Temp HP; 1 str drain)
Next!
Vinas, rather comically, and certainly immaturely, lets his blade arm sag. "I.... I.... Nice shooting." He quickly gets over himself, sheaths his blade and gives the others slaps on the shoulders. Righteous work everyone!"
He roughly searches the erstwhile "lord" before awaiting an all clear to check the desk.
Conditions = None
Weapon Equipped = Crossbow
Regular Bolts = 6/6
Cold Iron Bolts = 9/9
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Bolts = 5/5
Crossbow: Attack: BAB +7/+2, Dex +5, Masterwork +1, (Deadly Aim -2, Rapid Shot -2) Damage: Dex +5, (Deadly Aim +4)(crit 19-20 x3)
Melee: Attack: BAB +7/+2 Damage: +0
Grit = 3/4
Ranger Focus (sw, +2 att, dam, skills) = 0/1
Lay on Hands = 1/1 (d6)
Aishe is pleased with the result, though he walks up to juju-Aishe and plugs it once in the head with his crossbow, wasting a bolt to be sure it's not getting up again. "Too many of me about." he grunts.
He'll watch over the others as they search the room, paying especial attention to the remaining doorway as he replenishes his bolts from the waning supply in his pack.
”Yeah, nice shooting Aishe...that was all you,” Vanyan moves in to make sure the body isn’t regenerating or anything. He will take his staff and smack the vampire’s face in a few times to make sure it’s dead-dead.
Know (religion) - this vampire
Know (local) - this vampire
He will then cast Detect Magic and look about the room and the bodies. He hopes the wall of fire dissipates soon.
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The journal Valthazar keeps on his desk is easy to enough to find. It contains three important clues.
The pair of rooms to the south hold little of value.
This wide room features a simple writing desk, a bed, a nightstand, and several attached wardrobes along the southern wall. The doors of the wardrobes hang open, and several articles of clothing have been pulled out and piled on the floor.
The writing desk holds the previous deacon’s final personal correspondence, which includes a friendly letter to a paladin in Vigil ending with a notation for a chess move. Valthazar has idly scribbled a few alternative, superior chess moves on this letter.
In the final room wooden cabinets line the southern wall of this room, and a vanity with a round mirror and a single chair stands against the northern wall. A fist-sized hole in the wall next to the mirror seems recent. A steel tub, rust beginning to form along its bottom, occupies the center of the room, holding a crumbling skeleton.
"this somehow seems almost..... anticlimactic? Somehow I expected something more. Well, I suppose we also have Aishe's dead eye to thank for that, do we not? It appears we have resolved things here. Should we return to the library? I would like to get away from.... these... He gestures at the zombies.
Spellcraft
"What do we have here? Is this a key? Is it a key key?" Vanyan examines it carefully, then explains what he finds. He passes out the magical gear, hoping to find a good home for each.
He picks up the notes, reading them aloud and then passing them off if anyone wants to read.
"What's weird about this first note is that it seems to be speculation, but it was done by the Whispering Way...but if they did it, why is the destruction here seem like speculation?" Vanyan asks aloud, confused.
Vanyan shrugs, looking around.
"Seems like this should be the last of the cultists, right? We're...we should be safe now?" he asks uncertain. "Might be now we can look in that library for more information. Hopefully find something to help us out here."
Aishe will take the Ring of Protection +1, unless Vinas would want it. Should probably go to a front liner first...
"Do we have what we need to research?" He asks those smarter than himself, "Or can we just use this key and get out of here?"
He's eager to leave, but something nags at him, suggesting it would be a bad idea to leave wrong.
"These notes indicate that the key will allow us to access that gem, but not stop it from functioning. We will need to research to do that. Vinas or Atium should take that amulet. If they currently have such an item, then I could use it. I am returning to the library to research. I would appreciate some watchfulness while I do so. Just in case."
With that Tessenarin walks back to the library and begins to research using the books.
I still don't like the fact that I am seeing my dead body. or all of your dead bodies. This is world breaker work if I ever saw. Someone is trying to break this land like an turtle egg.
***********
Atium looks over the items. Shaking his head at everything except the nobles outfit. He picks that up and puts it on.
You all deserve the spoils of this vampires possessions. You have come into your own in ability and can dish out death.
He hears Tess need someone to watch over him and protect him while research. Atium volunteers. Once he has the Noble outfit on, fitted around the light and thin mythral Breastplate. Atium tears off the sleeves of the finery. Turning the expensive garment into a muscle shirt, he flexes said muscles.
When in the Library. He stands vigil. Getting bored after a bit, he swipes his meaty hands along a line of books on the upper level of a bookshelf (some 3- 4 feet up) spilling the books to the floor.
Kicking the disrespected books to clear an area, Atium tries various jump kicks attempting to bash his foot clear through the back of the wooden bookcase.
THUMP!
(Jump kick)
THUMP!
(Jump kick)
THUMP! CRACK.
Atium's antics are clearly helping the Loremaster research.
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It only takes Tessenarin about a day to full delve into the library and figure out their escape. It looks as if the fetoring maw was encased in a wall of force spell that had to be broken through first using Valthazar’s iron key.
Tessenarin finds a few key points that may help with tearing down the poisonous cloud.
A fetoring maw can be destroyed by first immersing it in holy water. For 1 minute after being immersed, the fetoring maw is weakened; if dealt at least 10 points of damage in a single blow with a bludgeoning magic weapon, the artifact shatters and any fog sphere it has created should dissipate harmlessly.
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Vanyan seems perplexed as he begins to dive into the research only to have Tess one up him in every knowledge exploration that he attempts.
Vanyan: "Have you considered that..."
Tessenarin: "Yes, of course, but you have to remember that Tar-Baphon..."
Vanyan: "You mean this has nothing to do with squirrels? I'm *sure* I read someplace..."
Tessenarin: "No, you'll see right here that it was antitoxin and holy water, not squirrels..."
Vanyan: "But doesn't that mean that..."
Tessenarin: "No, no, no...holy water and *Wank*'s...I mean, Atium's muscles are all we need."
Vanyan finally relents.
It's infuriating, but Tess manages to figure things out so well that Vanyan can't help but be impressed and can't find anything that we would want to complain about (to his chagrin).
"Now, where are we going to find enough holy water?"
Vinas spends the time after the fight vacillating between help, prayer, and reflection. It's a major victory, and some answers are now at hand, but there are many more questions remaining.
Once Tess gives a report, "We must destroy this artifact." Everyone realizes its' the first thing Vinas has said in some time.
Aishe quite contentedly and patiently watches over Tessenarin as he does his research that day, helped, or perhaps hindered, by Vanyan. When the results are announced he nods, ”Well done Tess.”
"Now, where are we going to find enough holy water?"
”Fountain. he grunts meaningfully.
He stretches his limbs to work out the kinks from spending the day resting as he agrees with Vinas. ”Do we want to try it now, or should we go first thing tomorrow? I dunno what we might find out there. Might be best to lay low another night.”
"Vanyan, were you not paying attention? Remember that.... horrible thing in the fountain downstairs? According to this map, that is where we fought that.... thing that came up and attacked us from the fountain. It says here it has 'amazing recuperative powers.' I am sure if we give it a day, two at the worst, it will begin producing holy water again. And thankfully, Atium is more than capable of smashing things," he says finishing with an uncharacteristic grin.
Only then does Tessenarin realize Vinas has finally spoken. "Oh, Vinas, there you are. Where have you been?"
"Vanyan, were you not paying attention?"
"Oh, right. I was trying to figure out where we were trying to get enough squirrels...and well, yeah, I missed that part. Sorry," Vanyan apologizes, seemingly confused by Tess' newfound competence.
"Well, okay...so we rest for the night and wait for the fountain to clear then?" Vanyan asks, agreeing with Aishe and looking at the cleaner fountain water. He tries to help clean it faster by scooping out any mounds of filth that still exist.
"Where do you want to camp?" Vanyan asks the party. "*Wank*, we're gunna need your hammer tomorrow, so you get it ready."
. "*Wank*, we're gunna need your hammer tomorrow, so you get it ready."
To which Atium replies.
I'll be ready. If it means we finally get to know a bit of freedom.. I'll smash invisible walls, and gems, and fountains, and ... did you say you found squirrels in your reading?He scrunches up his face.
Do I have to smash squirrels?
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The next morning, you examine the bastion's fountain to see that the corruption has completely vanished, leaving pure holy water in its place. You gather several vials of it and mix it with the antitoxin, then immerse the fetoring maw in the mixture. Doing so weakens the artifact's magic, allowing Atium to smash it with his hammer in a single blow! With the gem's destruction, the dome of poisonous fog surrounding Roslar's Coffer dissipates harmlessly. At last, you are free to leave the town.
As you step outside of the town's limits, you encounter a woman wearing a heavy, dark-red cloak. A strange but not unpleasant aroma of spices accompanies her. The woman holds up her hands to show that she isn't armed, and while the cloak obscures her features, you can see her skin has a gray pallor.
"Hold now!" A steady feminine voice issues forth from beneath the dark crimson hood. Her accent is clipped and strange. "I mean you no harm! I am just as caught up in these events as you. But perhaps we can help one another? Wouldn't you like to learn more about what caused all this?" She gestures in the direction of Roslar's Coffer. "And why the undead and malicious fanatics seem to be drawn to its aftermath?"
The woman speaks firmly and quickly, without awaiting a response to her questions. "You certainly seem capable of handling yourselves, so I propose an alliance. I can offer you a respite from your wounds, and resources to replenish your supplies." The stranger points to a sturdy wagon positioned on the road not far away, hitched to a pair of grumpy-looking donkeys. "In return, I ask that you travel to Vigil and warn the Knights of Ozem that the destruction wrought here has every chance of happening in Lastwall's capital. While you are there, be watchful for a foul creature named Gildais or, at the very least, evidence of his misdeeds within the city. Gildais was once Tar-Baphon's seneschal, and I fear he has escaped Gallowspire and caused this disaster as part of a larger plan to free the Whispering Tyrant."
The foreign spices catch Atium's nose and brings a flash of a memory back to his mind.
"Who are you? I do not recognize you from this town. I would think I would know you if you are from here. Do you think we would blindly ally ourselves with someone we do not even know?"
"Aye, I don't want to raise my crossbow to a woman, but I've shot myself in the head twice now, so what I want doesn't always apply."
He raises his crossbow and waits for her to explain herself, being somewhat unsure of the situation. He also looks for allies who may be trying to surround them in the trees or some such.
The Knights of Ozem‽" Vinas, riding high on the victory over the artifact immediately has his interest piqued. He calms down a bit, enough to bore his righteous gaze into the woman, checking her aura for nefarious intent.
"Who and what is this Gildais?'
Vanyan is too awed and happy to away from the undead stank to notice the woman immediately. And when he finally gathers his senses and realizes that it's a real 'normal' woman who is talking to them, Vanyan realize he hasn't seen one of them in weeks. Maybe longer as he's not sure of the date.
"Hey...what day and month is it? And the year? Is Aroden...uh...is Aroden still...you know? Dead?" Vanyan has questions too. "And, uhm...can you show us your face? We've been...uhm...dealt with weirdly over the past few months? I dunno. It would be a kindness."
Know (Local) - Knights of Ozem
Know (Local) - Gildais
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"I am not yet ready to reveal myself to you, for my safety and your own. Suffice to say, I have a... vested interest in all matters concerning the Whispering Tyrant."
"I was in the region when this town was destroyed, same as you. We all seem to have miraculously survived annihilation. Somehow, I am certain that your destiny is bound with mine, but I can’t explain why. Regardless, I think we are all interested in ensuring the Whispering Tyrant remains locked away."
"After the Shining Crusade, the knights of Lastwall created several great seals to ensure Tar-Baphon could not escape Gallowspire. As long as at least one remains intact, the lich is secure. But over the last few years, agents of the Whispering Way have slowly begun destroying the seals. With each one's loss, some of the Tyrant's lesser servants have been able to bypass the wards. Now, only one remains, deep beneath the streets of Vigil. You must do all you can to ensure it remains intact!"
Vinas detects an overwhelming evil aura coming from the woman, this physically stuns the man. Despite this, he does not detect any lies coming from her.