Flik tries to rattle the gargoyle's cage a bit with an ear-piercing scream.
He continues performing.
|
The group starts to pile on some damage, but the martials at the front are still unable to land all of their blows.
The creature scoffs, "So Torag and Erastil enter the fray. But their light does not shine here." He raws, summoning more dark creatures to his side. The vampires come creaping from dark corners of the tunnels.
The gargoyel tries swiping at Borgol once more.
With the first claw, you notice something metalic prick your skin, as a toxin enters your system Borgol.
Round 4
! Sumsarru -64
! Vamps (red, blue, green, yellow)@ Flik (--)
@ Fergus (--)
@ Borgol -22 lethal (Enlarged)
@ Maddie (Ex. MA)
@ Remy -36 lethal (Ex. MA, Barkskin)
+ Maga (--)- Lulluby (--)
Everyone may act!
Fergus will try to shoot the thing again...
Remy spends more ki to try to finish off this tough opponent!
Borgol shakes off the blows, and feels the strange burning of... venom...? even as his will, faith and hardiness push back against it. The Vindicator begins to swing his weapons again, planting his feet to strike with additional power, saying, "And yet, a Vindicator's job is to bring His light into Darkness."
for
for
Borgol calls, "Maga, try to blast the incoming before they get here?"
Maddie, seeing the endless tide of enemies, works to turn the clock in their favor.
Lest his friends despair in the face of such strong opposition, Flik will cast good hope.
Flik casts his spell of good hope, making your hearts soar. Fergus's bolts come up short. Borgol doesn't quite confirm his critical hit, but his two powerful slices are enough to finish off the gargoyle. The monster shrieks as his body dissolves into a cloud of mist!
Remy flies down to confront the newly arrived vampires, launching herself into their midst with a kick. She unleashes a flurry of blows, and within moments, both of the derro have been reduced to mist as well!
The lone remaining derro doesn't stand much chance against you. After another few moments of battle, it has been destroyed as well. The clouds of mist seep into the coffins in this chamber, where they reform into the regenerating forms of the derro and gargoyle vampires. Finishing them off completely will require stakes to the heart or exposure to sunlight.
The gargoyle possesses poisoner's gloves and a +1 composite longbow (+5 Str). His small but intriguing collection of oddities sits in a a semicircular array just to the north of his coffin. This collection of treasures consists of the following strange items:
• A long smoking pipe decorated with a fine carving of a swan landing in a crocodile’s open mouth (worth 150 gp).
• A goblet made of black glass that enhances the flavor of any red wine or blood placed within it but that sours any other liquid placed in it as though affected by a putrefy food and drink spell (worth 250 gp).
• A lamp in the form of a bloated courtesan with three faces, each of which clutches a dead rat in the mouth. The lamp is worth 250 gp, but it rattles if shaken—inside is a key of lock jamming.
• A polished wood-and-iron coat stand carved to resemble three angels back to back, with their upraised wings forming the hooks (worth 500 gp); on one of these hooks hangs a black leather coat lined with red velvet (worth 100 gp), holding in one pocket a jar with a brass stopper containing a shriveled-up tarantula (gross and worthless).
• A small, beautifully made taxidermic “catbird”—a crow with a kitten’s head (worth 50 gp).
• A 2-foot-square magical painting that depicts a shadowy figure in an alley that seems to move about occasionally, but never when looked at. This is a minor and harmless (if unsettling) illusion worth 500 gp.
Borgol says, "We have to stake them. We can't have them coming back more prepared for our bag of tricks. "
"We can break the legs off the tables in the previous room and sharpen them," Remy suggests, eyeing the strange curios distastefully.
Borgol nods, "That'll work. Let's get to it. Flik, they might be trapped to try to prevent this, can you check while we gather some wood?"
Flik closely examines that coffins to make sure that they aren't trapped.
Flik does not discover any traps, and thus, there is nothing stopping you from staking the vampires and sending them on to their final rest.
A thorough search of this room uncovers a secret door behind one of the coffins. Proceeding through it, you find yourselves in an empty room. The northeastern corner of this room has collapsed, resulting in a jagged tunnel winding to the east.
Following the tunnel leads you into another room. The southern portion of this room has collapsed, leaving only the northeastern portion intact. The collapse has shattered and cracked the floor, breaking up several magical circles that had been carved into the floor. Only one circle, located in the room’s easternmost corner, remains intact, its runes still flickering and glowing.
Inside the glowing circle, a human-sized crablike creature scuttles on six stumpy legs. Each of its four arms sports a different method of inflicting pain. As the thing turns towards you, you her an imperious telepathic voice in your minds. "Mortals! I am Og-Zeugus. I demand you free me from this prison. Do so, and I promise to leave you alone and in peace."
"Your kind are not known for their generosity, qlippoth. What brought your to our world? How were you imprisoned here?"
Flik thinks about the plague that they have seen evidence of. "Do you have anything to do with the twisted creatures that are stalking the city?"
The creature bristles, legs clacking against the floor in agitation. "I have been trapped in this place for thousands of years! A wizard desired knowledge about the nature of my kind. He mercilessly tortured and tormented me until a great catastrophe struck and this complex fell into ruin. I languished here for untold ages until at last, a follower of my creator found me here. She has agreed to release me once her plot is complete, but I do not trust her to keep her word.
"Leptonia is her name. She sought my advice in crafting the perfect vector for our creator's gifts to this world--a polymorph plague, Yamasoth's namesake. She perfected it with the help of a necromancer named Erigantus, but the delivery method was too slow for a true contagion to spread. She requires the aid of an ally with absolute mastery of conjuration magic to make the plague airborne, so she decided to try to resurrect a recently slain Thassilonian Runelord. Krune, I believe his name was.
"She has taken her followers north to Riddleport to raid some crime lord's compound and steal his scrolls of true resurrection to restore Krune to life. They plan to attack 9 days from today.
"I have told you all I know. Now, free me! To release me, you must simply damage the circle enough to deactivate its magic, or dispel its abjurations."
Borgol sighs, "I don't like the thought of releasing something so evil, and yet, sending it back to whence it came may be the best solution."
Maddie looks at the circle to determine the exact effect breaking it would likely have.
The circle appears to be a standard magic circle against evil. Disturbing or dispelling the circle will release the fiend, which will then be free to do as it pleases.
Borgol asks, "Don't suppose anyone can banish it to its home plane? I think Erastil would frown on me releasing a qlippoth in the heart of the city."
”If not, we could slay the fiend from a distance, to ensure we do not loose it on the world,” Remy quietly suggests.
Aye, let's say it has told us true and while what it has told us will help in our mission, I too, do not want to release it to the world. Fergus says nodding in agreement.
"What are you waiting for? Get me out of this accursed prison!" the qlippoth shrieks in your minds.
Borgol asks, "Maddie, Flik, is Remy right? Could we use magic and ranged weapons to strike it down, or would the circle be broken by our attacks?"
Maddie and Flik confirm that attacking the fiend from afar would not break the circle. Only physically disturbing it or attempting to cross it would break its magic.
"Yes, we should send that thing back to the Abyss. It can't have any good intentions."
Borgol nods and casts divine favour.
"No! Madness take you all!" the creature shrieks in your minds. Suddenly it seems to bulge outward in a bizarre and horrific manner, assaulting your minds!
Though the qlippoth's horrific appearance leaves her reeling, Remy somehow manages to grit her teeth and weather her confused thoughts without incident. "Kill it, Borgol!"
Maddie staggers around, her fists flailing at Flik but finding no purchase.
Borgol draws his bow and calls on Erastil, causing the arc to begin to burn with silver fire.
Fergus punches his greataxe!
Borgol fires arrow after arrow into the qlippoth. It shrieks and rails in anger and pain, but there's nothing it can do to stave off the vindicator's assault. Soon enough, its body lies bloody and still within the circle.
After slaying the fiend, you explore the few remaining rooms in the complex. There isn't much of interest besides some ancient controls for the hanging platforms in the central chamber, though one laboratory contains a rune-covered skull within a softly glowing circle of magical sigils. The skull belongs to a lamia matriarch, and Flik is able to determine that destroying it will put the ghost you fought earlier to rest.
The dungeon complex has been fully explored now. After retreating to a safe distance, you study the Abyssal journal you discovered earlier. Amid the scattered notes are three other noteworthy pieces of information. The first is a report from an unsigned investigator who confirms to that Clegg Zincher did indeed purchase three scrolls of true resurrection in the year prior, and that said scrolls are believed to be kept under lock and key somewhere in his tenement in Riddleport.
The second is a parchment bearing a list of prices offered by ships for passage for 21 people north to Riddleport. Somebody has underlined the least expensive option—passage on a ship called Sea Moth, which, according to the notes, was scheduled to depart for Riddleport yesterday. There is also a date on the sheet, 9 days from today, circled and labeled “ZINCHER’S AUCTION.”
The third is a copy of a report from Pathfinder Society agents ripped from a volume of the Pathfinder Chronicles that details the results of a dangerous mission undertaken to defeat the return of Runelord Krune. Near the section that details the death of a newly arisen Runelord Krune, somebody has penned a disturbing gloss: “Dead for now, but if we can return him to life, a thankful Runelord of Sloth may just give us the support needed to bring the polymorph plague to the breath of every city it touches!”
As you reflect on your recent experiences, you feel stronger and better able to handle the challenges that lay ahead.
"Now that spirit won't be bothering anyone."
"I appreciate the Pathfinder's zeal for keeping records, but they have left a blueprint here for these plague cultists! Looks like we are off to Riddleport to stop them. Based on all the legends I know, they are foolish to think that a Runelord will have much gratitude for them, or that he could be compelled to assist with their plans if he did not think it in his best interest."
Borgol nods, "I think we need to talk to the Pathfinders about their security -- this seems like a second breech."
He pauses, then sighs, "Do we think the situation here is... well, if not better, at least stable... before we rush off to another city?"
Maga Szuul has been silent for a while, but now the twisted alchemist speaks up. "With Leptonia and the bulk of her cult away, there is nobody left in Magnimar to actively spread the plague. I will remain here and work with the Sihedron Council on a cure, or at least a way to combat the effects of the disease before it reaches its final stage. If you loan me the Abyssal runestone, I know it will go a long way towards helping with my research. I am happy to only use it while under supervision, if it puts you more at ease."
Borgol claps the man on the shoulder, "You've proven yourself throughout all of this, Maga. I'm sure we can work something out... and, honestly, after what's happened, I'm not sure we're not better off leaving it with you than the council."
Remy seems reluctant, but she nods in agreement. ”Very well. But if I hear that you’re using it for foul purposes, be sure that we will be coming for you next.”
She turns to the rest of the group. ”Let’s get some rest. We’ll report to the Sihedron Council tomorrow and prepare to travel to Riddleport.”
You inform the Sihedron Council of your findings in the Gecko piling. They agree that your top priority should be traveling to Riddleport and stopping the Yamasoth cultists from acquiring the scrolls of true resurrection they need to resurrect Runelord Krune! Fortunately, Captain Sursha and Tyalee's Whim are still available as a means of transport. It's an eight-day journey to Riddleport via ship, giving you a day to spare if you want to make it there in time to foil the cultists' plot.
If you need to do anything else in Magnimar before departing, now is the time to do so!
Before departing departing, Fergus will check in with Ior Bronzebrand to let him know what they discovered.
He will also check in with Corla on other matters.
Ior Bronzebrand thanks Fergus for the information. "I will speak to the other churches in the city and see if we can organize a plan to contain the plague," he says. "Find infected individuals and quarantine them while we work to treat them. I will pray to the Inheritor that you are able to stop the masterminds behind this infection before it gets worse!"
***
Corla embraces Fergus when he arrives. "Are you sure you have to leave right away? We still haven't had a proper chance to spend time together without being interrupted by attacks by dimension-hopping monsters!"
The halfling sighs. "I get it, though. You've got a duty to fulfill. It's noble, and one of the reasons I like you so much. Just promise you'll be safe and you'll come back to me, okay?" She stretches up on her tiptoes to give the dwarf a kiss on the cheek.
Back at the inn, Remy packs her meager possessions as she prepares for the journey. ”I’ve never been to Riddleport before. Have you?” she asks Borgol.
Borgol shakes his head, "No, actually. Always thought it would make a nice short trip from the 'Cove, but I never quite managed to find the time before beautiful women started falling out of holes in the sky."
"Heh," Remy chuckles, turning away to hide her blush. "I hear it's a dangerous place, but the Cyphergate is a sight to see. Maybe we'll have some time to explore a bit after we save the day."
"Ah, it is a wondrous place! There is always something interesting happening, and so much history."
Borgol nods, "Never hurts to take in the wonders... though, really, at this point, with our luck, the lot we're hunting are probably invoking some sort of ancient magic connected to the bloody thing."
He says, "Given that we need to hit the ground running, we might want to ask the Council's help for anything we might need when we get there. Sadly, the Cult didn't seem to have many valuables, so I guess that limits things a bit, but still. If nothing else, I'd like to get the materials to let me cast a masterwork transformation on my shield's spikes.. and my lucerne hammer, for that matter."
You sell the treasure you have found and spend the money on what you need for the journey. The next morning, Captain Sursha welcomes you back aboard Tyalee's Whim. You set sail north along the Lost Coast, heading to Riddleport. The voyage is uneventful.
Riddleport is the third-largest city in Varisia and its most northern port. It is located on the northwestern coast of Varisia, where the mouth of the Velashu River forms a natural cove off the Varisian Gulf. Placed between two large rocky bluffs, each over 300 feet in height, the city occupies both banks of the river.
Also known as the City of Cyphers, Riddleport takes its name from the Cyphergate, a giant stone arch spanning the natural cove around which the city is built. It is covered on both sides with ancient Thassilonian symbols, although their exact meaning is unknown. An entire order of wizards known as the Order of Cyphers was established to study the ancient relic's mysteries.
Tyalee's Whim passes under the massive arch before pulling in to dock along the city's wharves. You can spot several landmarks from here: the Order of Cyphers' headquarters, the Gold Goblin gambling hall, a massive arena, the Gas Forges where dwarves smelt adamantine and other rare metals, and the infamous temple of Calistria known as the House of the Silken Veil.
After speaking with Ior, Fergus feels the situation with the plague will be handled in their absence.
He blushes as Corla gives him a kiss on the cheek. I will come back after I have cleared my cousin's good name. He is surprised when he, in turn, gives her a kiss.
What would my kin think of this situation?!
He then gives her some coins for the room and food for when he is gone.
Looking at the sprawling city, Fergus turns to his companions, Aye! Where should we start first?
Borgol looks up at arch in wonder, then chuckles at himself, You'd think living years in the City of Wonders would stop me from gaping at every Thessalonian ruin or artefact, but it's so... impressive...
He shakes himself at Fergus' question, "First up, we need a place to work out of. Then, investigate. I wish we could just scry on them and find them magically, but that is way beyond me... That said, I can't imagine the Cult has managed to slip on totally unseen, so I'd say we need to get ourselves access to rumours. Unless someone knows of an information broker?"
He pauses, then says, "If there's a Pathfinder Lodge, that might not be the worst place to start."
"We know that the cult is trying to get those resurrection scrolls from Clegg Zincher," Remy says. "They're likely to strike during this auction he's holding. Maybe we ought to go directly to him to warn him?"