Aishe puts away the key and reloads his crossbow. He waits for the others to enter before following.
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Vanyan detects magic scatter among the filthy floor of the room, likely buried underneath one of the mounds of clothing.
As Vinas takes a look around he pulls back the curtains to the changing rooms, he reveals the spectral forms of three humans in fine clothing. Their spirits bear horrible cuts across their bodies, and they had been staring at themselves in small mirrors at the back of the rooms. When they notice you, though, they whirl towards you and shriek with spectral rage! Rascal whines and shrinks away from their unnatural auras.
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Undead
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Aishe (52/52)
Atium (81/98; Raging 97/114; DR 1/-; Barkskin +3; MCaE +2)
Tessenarin (51/51)
Vanyan (51/51; 15 temp HP; 1 str drain)
Vinas (70/83; Barkskin +3)
Round 1
Vanyan scrunches up his face, looking the figures to see if he can figure out what they might be.
Know (Religion)
"Are those undead? I thought we were done with undead! How can there be more?" Vanyan curses and casts Prayer from his staff.
+8 ranged touch
[ dice]1d20+6[/dice] vs. DC10 to aid
hp: 52/52 + 11 temp
AC: 16/14/12
Saves: F5/R6/W14
Broken Lightbox: 0/1 used
PoP 2: 0/1 used
PoP 1: 0/1 used
GlitterYourFace: 0/2 used
Extend Metamagic: 0/3 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 1/8 used
Staff of Courage: 8/10 charges left
Bless (1 charge)
Remove fear (1 charge)
Prayer (2 charges)
Remove paralysis (2 charges)
"To the Boneyard with you!"
Vinas steps forward to send the first of the three home:
for
for
Enemies to the left of me. Enemies to the right. Just what any Ulfen would wish for on the Summer Solstice!
Shakra Bull!
Atium moves to the red target and attacks. Sliding five feet- swinging twice. Looking for precision over power against these ghostly threats.
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Round: 1
Conditions = None
Weapon Equipped = Crossbow
Regular Bolts = 21/24
Cold Iron, Silver Blanch Bolts = 16/16
Cold Iron, Ghost Salt Bolts = 10/10
Cold Iron, Adamantine Blanch Bolts = 10/10
Javelins = 18/18
Spears = 6/6
Crossbow: Attack: BAB +8/+3, Dex +6, Magic +2, (Deadly Aim -3, Rapid Shot -2) Damage: Dex +6, Magic +2, (Deadly Aim +6)(crit 19-20 x3)
Melee: Attack: BAB +8/+3 Damage: +0
Grit = 3/4
Ranger Focus = 0/1 (sw, +2 att, dam, skills)
Lay on Hands = 1/1 (2d6)
Aishe takes advantage of his open field of fire to shoot red, unfortunately before Vanyan’s prayer, but he hopes for the best.
(PB) (PB)
(PB) (PB)
(PB) (PB)
He watches as his bolts all hit the floor in front of him. "Mm. Good grouping." he shrugs and loads his crossbow with proper bolts, not these borrowed things...
Tessenarin begins to sing his angry song. Everyone's weapons are now +1 Ghost touch weapons (instead of +2).
He then moves into the room.
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Tessenarin's song allows everyone's weapons to easily penetrate the undead but Aishe is back on his consistent missing streak. Atium smashes his hammer into the incorporeal undead as wisps of it fly into nothingness.
Vanyan begins a prayer but is unsure what these truly are. Vinas' blade is just as useful as it cleaves through another of the undead. The trio unnaturally float through the air as they reach through your armor.
Prayer
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Undead (Red -22) (Green -19)
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Aishe (52/52)
Atium (70/98; Raging 86/114; DR 1/-; Barkskin +3; MCaE +2)
Tessenarin (51/51)
Vanyan (51/51; 15 temp HP; 1 str drain)
Vinas (70/83; Barkskin +3)
Round: 3
Conditions = None
Weapon Equipped = Crossbow
Regular Bolts = 21/24
Cold Iron, Silver Blanch Bolts = 16/16
Cold Iron, Ghost Salt Bolts = 10/10
Cold Iron, Adamantine Blanch Bolts = 10/10
Javelins = 18/18
Spears = 6/6
Crossbow: Attack: BAB +8/+3, Dex +6, Magic +2, (Deadly Aim -3, Rapid Shot -2) Damage: Dex +6, Magic +2, (Deadly Aim +6)(crit 19-20 x3)
Melee: Attack: BAB +8/+3 Damage: +0
Grit = 2/4
Ranger Focus = 0/1 (sw, +2 att, dam, skills)
Lay on Hands = 1/1 (2d6)
Aishe smiles as power courses through his crossbow from the mighty Tessenarin. ”Thanks Tess!”
He’ll focus a bit more on his attacks, worried about Atium being surrounded. He’ll pray to Abadar for guidance on the third attack, as usual.*
(PB) (PB)
(PB) (PB)
(PB) (PB)
(PB) (PB)
Save 1 DC 16.
Save 2 DC 16.
Atium feels his very spirit jump outside his body. It wracks him with such pain.
He strikes back at this thing.
step 5 feet.
Round 2
Vanyan casts his second Produce Flame and fires an enhanced, ghost touched ball of fire at pink.
ranged touch
ghost touch fire damage
+8 ranged touch
[ dice]1d20+6[/dice] vs. DC10 to aid
hp: 52/52 + 15 temp
AC: 16/14/12
Saves: F5/R6/W14
Broken Lightbox: 0/1 used
PoP 2: 0/1 used
PoP 1: 0/1 used
GlitterYourFace: 0/2 used
Extend Metamagic: 0/3 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 1/8 used
Staff of Courage: 8/10 charges left
Bless (1 charge)
Remove fear (1 charge)
Prayer (2 charges)
Remove paralysis (2 charges)
Tessenarin tries to figure out what these things are.
he then takes two shots at Pink.
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Aishe's bolts completely take out one of the spectre's surrounding Atium as two magical bolts dissipate it completely. Atium gets a solid hit in himself as he steps out of the way, so as not to be surrounded.
Tessenarin recognizes these undead as Spectres. Spectres are evil undead that hate sunlight and living things. Most are the remnants of murdered or evil humans, their anger preventing them from entering the afterlife. Like ghosts, spectres haunt the places of their deaths, and seek to draw others into the lonely abyss of undeath.
A spectre looks much as it did in life and can be easily recognized by those who knew the individual or have seen the individual’s face in paintings or drawings. Spectres retain a strong sense of identity, and even ancient, insane spectres generally remain coherent. Evil historians and necromancers often try to ally with spectres for the knowledge they held in life and retain in undeath.
Knowing right where to strike Tessenarin wipes out the remaining two Spectres' with his arrows.
=========================================================
With the threats neutralized, you have time to look around the shop more thoroughly. The heaps of fabric in front of the counter conceal four corpses—three humans in fine clothing and a female half-elf in blackened full plate armor. The humans' features resemble those of the spectres. They wear fine clothing and appear to be prosperous residents, although none of them bear the mark of justice that would identify them as citizens in Vigil. They were all killed with slashing weapons.
The half-elf is badly scarred, as from a hard life of battle, and wears a cloth over her mouth beneath her helmet. Several pieces of her full plate have been removed, including the chest plate on which identifying heraldry or markings might have appeared. She was killed with piercing weapons.
You realize that these individuals were all in a fight here in this shop recently, along with four other people wearing heavy boots. The half-elf's boots and greaves carry a faint odor of sewage.
The humans were fighting against hte half-elf and four other people. The half-elf's side seems to have won.
A safe underneath the wooden counter is broken open, its contents scattered on the floor. An empty lockbox with a smashed lid lies discarded amid the safe’s contents. Examining the safe, you discover a false bottom. A sheaf of parchment in this compartment details plans to steal the Shattered Shield of Arnisant from the Crusader War College and replace all but one of the fragments with magical replicas. The plans include dates that are almost 2 years old and reference a Count Jomah Gildais paying 40,000 gold pieces to a gang of thieves called the Six Wise Crows for performing the heist.
Aishe (52/52)
Atium (70/98; Raging 86/114; DR 1/-; Barkskin +3; MCaE +2)
Tessenarin (51/51)
Vanyan (51/51; 15 temp HP; 1 str drain)
Vinas (70/83; Barkskin +3)
Atium looks carefully at the elf's boots.
He sniffs.
These boots smell of sewage. Are there sewers around here that we can backtrack? I think the best idea is for us to check out sewers. What do you think?
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"Perhaps, but there still appear to be some buildings here we should inspect. Vanyan, I do not think you can use this wand? If not, I can take it in case. However, I am most concerned about the notes we have found. This is further proof that a longer term plot has been going on in Vigil. And another reference to the wise crows. How many do we think we have killed thus far? Two? three? There are still some to go. Do we need to heal before going to the other buldings?"
Aishe smiles as Tessenarin rips through the shadowy opponents. ”Well done!” he grunts as he takes a look at the room to try and determine what happened.
(+1 when tracking)
He sniffs. These boots smell of sewage. Are there sewers around here that we can backtrack? I think the best idea is for us to check out sewers. What do you think?
”Ayep.” Aishe agrees, though he’s not looking forward to searching below the city.
He wonders where the nearest sewer access point is as he gathers up some of the loot to help carry (though he leaves the bolts of cloth alone).
"Aye. Look here and here. The humans were fighting against hte half-elf and four other people. The half-elf's side seems to have won."
Vanyan looks over the gear, and listens to what others have to say.
"Sewers? The sewers? That isn't good. I prefer towns without sewers, just keep all that out in the open and then this no underground haven for bad things, you know? It's tradeoffs."
"Vanyan, I do not think you can use this wand? "
Vanyan looks at the wand again (as he probably identified it in the first place).
"Nah, we should sell that if we can. I don't need it," Vanyan says, feeling that that wand was needed long ago , and he's trying not to be angry about the irony of finding it now. "I'm not sure how many wise crows we've kilt. I should be keeping track, huh?"
"Not sure we need to take to the sewers yet. Let's finish looking around here," Vanyan waits to move on.
Tessenarin follows behind Vanyan to the next building.
As does Vinas, who doesn't revel in the idea of sullying his armor, but revels less in the plot afoot.
Aishe shares what he knows of the sewers as he follows the others to the next area, crossbow at the ready.
Atium moves forward. Ready also!
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Rows of flowers and other plants decorate the northern central portion of the Erstwhile Dyeworks. Fennel, henna, madder, poppies, and saffron surround several walnut trees. Sheets of colored fabric and sheaves of brightly dyed wool hang on wires that crisscross the garden.
Moving through the garden and tanning pits you head towards the barn where Kilibrandt's key unlocks the southern door.
The stink of animal waste fills this barn. A pair of cages is built into the barn’s northern wall. Several goats crammed into the western cage bleat in distress, and the eastern cage is covered with a vibrantly dyed curtain. An enormous mound of hay fills the eastern third of the barn. Large sliding doors lead south, a smaller door opens to the west, and a hayloft rings the barn above.
Pulling the curtain aside reveals that the east cage contains a battered woman fastened within a pillory in the cage. She sports numerous bruises, and she looks up in despair at you. "Please, free me! I am Doeswen Aubry, one of Vigil's guards! The city is in grave danger!"
Vanyan pauses for a moment, not trusting anything just yet, but looks at the area around Doeswen after casting Detect Magic.
Perception
"Yeah, Doeswen...we've been looking for you..."
"Doeswen? Yes, we have indeed been searching for you. We have followed your trail through the city and also believe it is in danger. Aishe, can you free her?"
As Tess speaks and Vanyan scans, Vinas does his own, sensing for the presence of evil and trying to get a bead on her probity
Aishe hurries over to the woman with the keys. If they don't work, and he doesn't immediately see anything handy nearby, he'll do what he can to open the locks on his own to free Ms Aubry.
He helps her up and looks around for any gear that might be hers and hands it to her.
Atium's head is on a swivel.
We found a fight in the main factory. Looks like they killed at least one Crow. Which is good. We smelled sewer stink on the boots, this city is in danger, and we think it has to do with the sewers. Do you have any ideas?
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"I am the commander of the Northgate Road waystation outside of the city. We were attacked by a gang of thieves and murderers--the Six Wise Crows. They kidnapped me and brought me here earlier today. I am not certain what they planned to do with me, but something odd happened a few hours ago. It sounded like there was an attack from outside. I heard several armored people running, and members of the Six Wise Crows shouting, 'They’ve got Dondun!' 'They came from the sewer!' and 'Fall back to the shop!'
"The attack was over in minutes. Luckily, whoever attacked didn't check the barn at all, and nobody else has come in since then. I shouted for help a few times, but no one has come."
Vinas senses Doeswen is speaking the truth, though she is being cautious about sharing everything she knows. There does not seem to be any evil nor magic coming from within the barn, except possibly the goats. Goats are evil.
Vanyan warily stares at the goats, worried, and waits for Aishe to free the woman.
"Can you describe any of the Six Wise Crows? I think we've kilt a few of them. Which ones did you see?"
Atium waxes poetic to his days as a youth. Remembering about goats and their impact on the harsh lands.
Goats and sons of goats. They run wild up in the northern lands.
Think they rule the snows!
Hmmm. is it possible the Whispering Way sent assassins after the Crows? Trying to clean up the plot by killing everyone involved?
Atium counts on his fingers the enemies and the dead.
Finger 1. Killibrand- Gnome. Finger two. Usunda- Death priest. Finger three- Ogaku- tough Orc. Finger 4. Ralidan. Finger 5. Onthur.
Thumb- Not dead. squeaky old man at the shield shop. He disappeared before Aishe or Vanyan could get him. But he -for sure- started the fire.
I don't understand who this Dondun is. That's too many stupid Crows.
Atium stares at his two hands and all his fingers (and thumb) that's up.
"We have been following your trail here. We found your notes regarding the shield order and what seems to be happening in town. Is there anything else you can tell us?"
Vanyan nods along with Atium’s thinking, impressed he can get to six with just one hand.
”Yeah, you’re right, *Wank*,” Vanyan agrees, hoping the woman can fill them in more.
Aishe stands quietly as the others chat. He offers the woman some water, and a bit of food if she's hungry, as they discuss their plans.
He gestures through the door, "Don't forget the main building. We should check that before the sewers." He looks at the others, "When we're done here."
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As Aishe frees Doeswen she describes all of the members of the Six Wise Crows. They include several people you have already killed, including the priestess and orc at the way station and the gnome who tried to ambush you along the way. Dondun is the old human wizard that Tessenarin spotted outside the burning smithy. It would seem he's the only one unaccounted for.
hearing of her found notes she sighs in relief. "Finally someone believes me. Two years ago I held a post at the Crusader War College near the reliquary that held the shards of Arnisant’s shield. I witnessed Kilibrandt steal the relic, and sounded the alarm right away." Her face grows troubled.
"But, by the time I sounded the alarm I was sure I made a mistake. The shards were still in place, even after the gnome had fled. Now I realize the thief had replaced the shards with fakes. At the time, though, I was labeled a troublemaker for sounding a false alarm. Rather than investigate further, Ranton reassigned me to a post where my protests wouldn’t fall on his tired ears. I don’t think Ranton was involved with the theft, but his stubborn unwillingness to hear me out makes him partly to blame for this mess. Of course if you found my notes you know all that I know."
She thinks on it a bit more. "Who could be killing off the Crows. Maybe you are right. Maybe someone is trying to silence them." She grows a bit alarmed at the thought.
"Perhaps. Though we have been doing a good job of killing of the crows. Or at least my friends have. This is all quite concerning. Nothing good will come from this. Is there anything else here we should know about?"
"I worry that we've stepped into a spider's web. I certainly hope we're not doing someone else's dirty work. Let me think for a minute on the people we've met..."
Aishe considers a moment, "Maybe you could go back to the authorities, Doeswen, and let them know what we've found so far. Wet their appetite as it were. We'll check this last building, and head into the sewers while the trail is fresh. Then return to report to them once we've cleaned up."
He looks to the others to see if they agree.
”I don’t suppose there is any authority that you can speak to, Doeswen? What can you do to alert people of what’s happening?”
Vanyan moves around as he thinks what to do next. There is a lot that has recently happened and wishes the local Pathfinder Jerktain was less of a useless jerk.
When others are done talking and questioning things, he moves over to the side door of the big building. He hopes to find more answers inside.
"I disagree Aishe. I think we should go with Doeswen to approach the leaders. I think having more of us to contribute and provide evidence would be best. Once we convince them, we can turn our attention to the sewers."
Isn't the city about to blow up like Rossler's Coffer? No way am I waiting on anyone in authority. If we wait any longer- I'm getting a long ways away from the city - I don't think I'll survive death a second time.
Atium feels hurried, he heads to the last unexplored house, and looks for sewer access. Squinting his eyes in his attempts.
Aishe grunts in agreement with the group, "Every hours delay means less chance of tracking them, but sure, we can rest the night."
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I'd love to sleep, and don't want to railroad the PC's into continuing --but (as Atium) there's a feeling of a doomsday clock about to go off. @GM - any motivations out there to make Atium think the world *won't blow up* at anytime?
Doeswen nods. "There are a few I can speak with. I'll bring them to the waystation as proof." She winces as several bruises cover her body. "I'll be alright. You do what you need to do." And with that she looks out the door to make sure it is safe before rushing back into the city to look for aid.
Vanyan heads to teh western building to investigate further.
Two mill wheels straddle a wide trough in the ground. Each is connected to a stirring mechanism in a huge vat, one to the north of the wheels and one to the south. Several barrels stand near the vats, each overfilled with bright, rainbow-colored pigments. Fireplaces stand on the east wall near each vat, roughly opposite large sliding doors.
The millhouse is where workers can mix colors in 15-foot-diameter vats. Although most dye manufacturers stir their vats by hand, the Erstwhile family long ago invented a more convoluted mixing method. Two enormous mill wheels sit in a large trench and can be connected (individually or as a pair) to a canvas treadmill at the bottom of the trench by flipping a lever. Anyone walking on the treadmill powers the mechanisms to stir the vats. Currently, only the south vat is connected to the treadmill, as the workers only use the north vat for disposal.
The barrels hold all manner of dye ingredients such as cochineal, fennel, indigo, sandalwood, and woad. Most of it is of poor quality.
Kilibrandt hides some of her drugs and poisons in a leather satchel near the bottom of the barrel of fennel. The satchel includes 4 doses of arsenic and 6 doses of opium.
Near the back of the millhouse you find that this warehouse contains several bolts of fabric, folded sheets of linen, and barrels of concentrated dye. It also includes a covered sewer grate leading to Vigil’s sewers.
Perception
Perception
"Do you all want to camp here for tonight? Or head back to a proper in?" Vanyan rubs the back of his neck as he considers options. "That hamberder I had was pretty good...I don't suppose they deliver?"
He moves over to examine the grate, having already discovered the poisons.
"Yeah, this is a lair or a launching point for a lair, I tell you what," Vanyan notes aggressively happy that he sound two clues. "Maybe we rest here and get down there in the morning. What do you think, *Wank*?" Vanyan asks Atium what he thinks, now that the man is truly beginning to flex his intellectual muscle.
"I am fine with either, but an inn does sound nicer than camping here by a sewer entrance."
Aishe is pleased with the sewer grating finding, and agrees with Tessenarin's approach. "Let's give our reports then, if we're doing that tonight, and rest properly."
"Vanyan, that sounds like a great idea. Aishe, same."