Borgol calls out, "Flik, I need you to back away from whatever that is... and then tell me how to kill it."
Flik backs away and switches his performance to focus on the new threat.
"It's a qlippoth, a terrible creature from the Abyss! Fire and acid do nothing to it, and it resists all but the most lawful damage. Careful, slashing and piercing it will spray acid on you!"
Borgol nods, then switches his sword and for the Lucerne Hammer. "So, flattening it is good?"
for
Fergus will step up and attack. Now's the time I wielded a hammer like me kin!
"And I've got my fists!" Remy says as she rushes up beside Fergus. The fiend is just within range of her flying kick, which she follows up with a fierce flurry of blows!
Borgol's swing goes wide as the creature dodges his hammer, but Fergus lands a good hit, then Remy repeatedly pummels the fiend! Since the damage isn't lawful, it resists most of it, though. Roaring, the nyogoth attacks Remy. She twists and dodges most of its biting tentacles, but one lands a lucky hit, tearing a furrow in her shoulder that sizzles with acid.
Borgol takes and starts swinging his hammer at the terrible creature.
for
for
for
Fergus will also attack!
"You've got this!" Flik will continue to perform and forgo his other actions.
Maddie is stricken with crippling mental pain, disabling her momentarily. However, she manages to push past it after a few moment and casts a spell upon Remy.
Fergus and Borgol both land two good hits on the rubbery creature, then Remy punches it three times. The last blow is a critical strike that knocks it across the room! It splatters against the far wall before slumping to the floor.
Outside the tenement, the tentacles continue to crush the lesser cultists. You have a moment to catch your breaths and plan your next move...
Borgol says, "Anyone have a way to deal with that lot quickly? I think we need to start falling back to the vault itself -- can't imagine that scary mass of intestines is the only thing they're sending in behind the defenders. Might be something there already."
"They seem well and truly caught. Does anyone need healing?"
Borgol nods, "They do, but that spell won't hold them forever, and I don't know how much time we have."
Fortunately, it seems the tentacles are handling the cultists just fine on their own. Unable to escape, they soon fall unconscious as the tentacles squeeze the life out of them.
You rush upstairs to the vault, arriving to see a hole has opened in the southern wall of the third floor. The door to Clegg's bedroom is open, and several cultists are ransacking it, attempting to find the hidden entrance to the vault! Two human cultists flank a third, a scarred half-elf woman with purple skin signifying drow heritage. This must be the cult's leader, Leptonia! The woman snarls and brandishes her halberd. "You will not deny me my prize!"
Flik will start Naturalist for drow and try to disable the threat with a spell.
"We'll pry it from you! We'll deny your try! We'll spit in your eyes!"
Borgol shakes his head, "I don't understand why people keep saying things like that. It's not like saying it will make it true."
He then reaches over Fergus to strike down the cultist.
for
for
Leptonia resists Flik's attempt to make her laugh. Borgol slices the nearest cultist then smashes him with his shield, sending him flying across the room! The cultist slams into the far wall before crumpling to the floor.
Remy launches herself at Leptonia with a flying kick to the chin, trying to stun her, but the half-drow weathers the blow. She follows up with a powerful punch to the chest.
Leptonia casts a quickened spell, protecting herself with a shield of faith, then follows up with a defensive casting of chaos hammer! A multicolored explosion of leaping, ricocheting energy washes over you all!
The other cultists swings his halberd at Remy, but the monk nimbly dodges!
Fergus will go up and attack the half-drow.
Flik will ready an ear-piercing scream to cast when the drow begins to cast a spell.
Remy manages to resist the slowing effects of the chaotic energy. She grits her teeth and unleashes another ki-powered flurry of blows!
Borgol shrugs off the spell, then steps into the doorway, using his reach to strike down the other cultists, preventing his companions from being flanked.
for
for
for
Fergus slices into Leptonia, then as Remy pummels her with a stunning blow, the cultist reels and drops her halberd, momentarily stunned! Borgol makes quick work of the other cultist, knocking him against the wall and finishing him off with a thrust of his burning blade. Leptonia is unable to fight back yet, giving you the opportunity to press your advantage!
Fergus will press his attack!
Borgol takes another step forward, swinging his weapons over the dwarf's head to strike at the cultist,
for
for
for
Flik will continue to perform and ready his spell.
Between powerful blows from Borgol, Fergus, and Remy, Leptonia falls! And with her defeat, the threat to Clegg Zincher’s scrolls has been neutralized!
Clegg Zincher is overjoyed when he returns from the auction to find his precious scrolls are untouched. "I truly can't thank you enough for what you've done here tonight! Please, take one of the scrolls as a reward--you've more than earned it! You can also choose any two items from my armory."
Remy lets out a heavy sigh of relief once the group leaves Zincher's tenement house. "I'm glad that's over. With the Yamasoth cultists defeated, we won't have to worry about that polymorph plague spreading any further. Not to mention the resurrection of Runelord Krune! We've got enough runelords to deal with, already!
"Let's check into an inn and rest. Tomorrow, we can hit the markets before we leave Riddleport. Then... I think it's time we took Runelord Sorshen up on her offer and meet her in Korvosa. Though that is a meeting I'm not particularly looking forward to."
Borgol nods, "Glad to be of help.. And, our interests certainly aligned, as it let us destroy the leadership of the Cult." He pauses, "Your offer is most generous, Mr. Zincher."
Borgol nods, "I think taking a bit of time to unwind and celebrate having struck the head from the snake is in order -- then rest, and the markets." He pauses for a moment, then adds, "As for the rest... I think you're probably right. I really don't see another way forward.... and, really, she's likely to have at least some idea of how to frustrate her... fellows."
Remy smiles and puts a hand on Borgol's shoulder. "Celebrating seems like a great idea. Most of the places here seem rather rough-and-tumble, though. I wonder if there are actually any classy establishments in Riddleport!"
Classy establishments in Riddleport are few and far between, but you manage to find a decent place to stay in the form of The Mystery of the Gate, an impressive inn and tavern in the Leeward District of Riddleport. It is favored by sages and scholars who visit the city to study the Cyphergate. Its walls are decorated by glyphs and diagrams of the ancient monument. There, you are able to share a few drinks and some interesting conversation without having to worry about getting caught up in a bar brawl or having your pockets picked.
After resting overnight, you spend the next day among the markets of Riddleport, selling gear and making purchases to prepare yourselves for the next step of your journey. The following morning, you board Tyalee's Whim and set sail for your next destination.
It takes 8 days to reach Magnimar, and after a brief stopover there to resupply, you begin sailing along the southern coast of Varisia as you head towards Korvosa.
The journey is a pleasant one, the autumn winds sending cool breezes across the deck of the ship. As always, Captain Sursha and her crew prove to be excellent hosts, providing good food and company during the long voyage.
You are still about a week away from Korvosa when you are all out on the deck of the ship, enjoying the warm sunshine. The sound of the ocean's waves suddenly rises to an almost deafening tumult, and then time simply stands still. You find you can move and speak to each other, but cannot interact with the world around you. The sailors remain frozen in place, still as statues.
A young woman stands in your midst, having appeared out of nowhere the instant time stopped. She is clad in armor, wielding a curved blade in one hand and carrying a complex, cracked hourglass in the other. She regards you impassively, then speaks.
"You have questions, but I shall not answer them today. You will ask them in time, and I shall reveal what I can. Know for now that you have caused great turmoil in the Dimension of Time, and you have been marked by Time's guardians and predators. I am but Time's Steward, and I bring you gifts from yourselves. Use these gifts well. I have spoken to you twice more in the tomorrows to come, and should you be destined to survive at all, I shall await you in Stethelos."
As the Steward speaks, her form starts to flicker and waver. By the time her words draw to a close, she fades away entirely. After she vanishes, time returns to normal. Those around you resume their activities as if nothing had happened.
Your minds seem to have been infused with fragments of memory, inspiration, and power. The source of these boons is unclear...
Audrahni's Ally: +2 Strength or +2 Wisdom
Close Allies: +2 Charisma or +2 Strength
Intrigued by Thassilon: +2 Constitution or +2 Intelligence
Scion of Legend: +2 Dexterity or +2 Intelligence
Spirit Touched: +2 Dexterity or +2 Wisdom
Time Lost: +1 to any two ability scores
Remy blinks in surprise by the strange interaction. "Huh. Do any of you understand what just happened?"
Despite her confusion, the monk seems to move with a bit more confidence and comfort than she had just a few moments ago, drawing on the strange bits of power that have infused her.
"Can't say that I'm met anyone from the Dimension of Time before--though I must say that something has felt a bit...off...to me for some months now. Almost if I was walking down one road, but could feel myself walking down another road at the same time."
Flink runs a hand through his unruly beard. "We've made sensible decisions at each step along the way, together. I hope we aren't causing inadvertent damage. I don't like the sound of 'turmoil' in time."
The gnome sniffs. "Has anyone heard of Stethelos? I thought I was familiar with all of the city and town in Varisia, at least."
Borgol shakes his head, then laughs, "I suppose we should be pleased that future versions of ourselves are still alive to be granting us these gifts."
He then nods at Flik's comments, "I don't think you're alone in that, my friend. Both the feeling of things being wrong, and the fear that we're doing damage. I mean, we seem, now, to exist in a time where some of our companions never existed."
"Whatever is happening, we will find a way to make it right," Remy vows. "And we will find a way to bring back Alustria and Audrahni."
During the remainder of the voyage to Korvosa, Remy notices the periodic tingling that indicates somebody is scrying upon her. Indeed, at one point, she can hear the sultry voice of Sorshen speaking to her via sending: "I see you travel to Korvosa. Meet me at the Gatefoot near Kendall Plaza. You shall know me by the sign of the Redeemer Queen."
When Tyalee's Whim at last pulls into the docks of Korvosa on this late Lamashan afternoon, you can see that a great celebration is underway--the Crimson Festival, an annual celebration of the death of the wicked Queen Ileosa and the city's recovery from the dark time under her reign. Wooden statues of the dead queen are raised in each of Korvosa's squares, with a different one being burned in effigy each night, while depictions of the heroes who defeated her grace tapestries, statues, and all manner of commemorative bric-a-brac and mementos for sale in the numerous festival stalls.
Gaudy banners and oddly dressed characters throng the streets as countless citizens celebrate the festival—red mantis assassins, plague victims and the bird-masked plague doctors, the heroes, and even the queen herself. False guillotines behead scarecrow royals who are then burned on bonfires as fireworks are loosed.
Gatefoot is a relic of the past, a giant stone foot that is all that remains of a massive statue that likely once stood tall over the region during the height of Thassilon. You arrive an hour before sunset to find a familiar face waiting for you--Audrahni! Or at least, somebody that looks like Audrahni. The symbol of the Redeemer Queen is emblazoned prominently on her blouse. There are no bystanders nearby as you approach.
Flik feels a bit of a dark mood settle over him as he takes in more and more of the festival.
Queen Ileosa was a tyrant, but no good comes of crowds drunk on fire and violence.
"Watch your step around here, my friends. Plenty of good folks in Korvosa, but this place has always remembered its Chelaxian roots a little to clearly."
Borgol whistles, "When I first got away, when Liandra first started teaching me, before I felt Erastil's call... I had dreams of signing up with the Sable Company. Then again, I'm sure that's true of half the kids in Varisia who've ever lifted a blade.. and probably many who haven't."
He follows his companions, a little envious of the festival-goers, Must be nice to think that the threats are over.. then stops as he thinks he... is that...? He only barely stops himself from shouting a greeting, before sighing, "Anyone else feel like this is a trap?"
"Not a trap, just a trick," Remy says with a scowl. "Hello, Sorshen."
"Audrahni" smirks and her form shimmers and changes, revealing a sultry, dark-haired woman that is Remy's exact duplicate. Tou have met before, on Rivenrake Island. This is Runelord Sorshen. She is clad in a black dress and wears a nearly-transparent scarf of a deep red hue. "Why, hello there. I thought a familiar face might put you at ease. Gone, but not forgotten! And besides that, my enemies stalk the streets of the city, even now. I don't fear the cult of the Peacock Spirit, but I'd rather focus my time here on entertainment and delights than clashing and combat— wouldn't you agree?"
Her smirk turns into a radiant smile. "It's so nice to finally see you all again, face-to-face!" Sorshen turns and gestures at the statue of the foot behind her. "Much has changed since the last time I was here. This was part of a larger statue of me. Once, it stood a thousand feet high and surveyed all of Eurthynia, my domain, my passion, my legacy. The world has moved on in the millenia I have spent asleep."
Borgol watches Sorshen carefully, her earlier promises and offers crashing into him, even as he sees Remy standing next to her, so similar and yet so absolutely different. He shakes his head a moment, then says, "Well, of course, Runelords have lackeys for such... distasteful... things as clashes of steel."
He nods at her statement, then blinks, I would have almost expected some sort of vow to bring the world back under her heel - pun intended - and yet, she seems almost pleased with the state of the world.... Unless, Remy's wrong, and this is just the worst kind of trap... "It has," he agrees, "and yet it seems that there are those willing to kill, die and worse to try set things back to the way they were then."
He motions around the area, "Is it always this deserted near your foot, or is there some magic keeping others at bay?"
Sorshen laughs airily. ”No magic, other than the lovely lure of the festival. I am sure in less festive times, many more citizens would be gathered here to marvel at my enormous manicured toes.”
As she steps away from the Gatefoot, her scarf shimmers, and her appearance changes once more, this time to that of a petite blonde woman of average looks. "In any event, the festival’s not waiting for us. Let us dip our toes into the shenanigans, mingle with the citizens, and see what this celebration of a tyrant’s downfall has to offer us. Business is always so much more enjoyable when it’s mixed with entertainment, I think. I’ll answer some of your questions through the night, but I doubt I’ll answer anywhere close to all of them. In particular, I have information that will be of great use to you when you face our common enemies. But at the same time, I’d very much like it if you did some favors for me in return—it’s been so long since I’ve seen the sun and haggled for souvenirs, after all!”
Fergus wants to ask the Steward about his kin, Cordwin, but before he can ask, the Steward is gone. I will find out what happened to ye, cousin!
The remainder of the voyage puts Fergus in a melancholy mood.
Seeing the sights, hearing the music, and smelling the delicious food reminds Fergus of dwarven festivals of yore with his kin, and he is feeling a little homesickness.
When they meet Sorshon who also agrees to answer questions 'in time' Fergus is feeling a little discouraged. As they follow Sorshon into the crowd, Fergus swears his mind is playing tricks on him when he hears a familiar laugh and threats of 'punching someone in the nose'. It can't be his cousin Searok? It has been years since he has seen him. What is he doing in Kovosa and why is he being toasted as a hero? Fergus calls out Searok's name who drops his tankard of ale and runs over to give his cousin a great bear hug. Although he hadn' seen his cousin since he rode away on that caravan never to return, it was the same old Searok! Fergus can hardly believe it! He quickly introduces Remy, Borgol and Flik,while ignoring Sorshen. Tell me cousin, why are you being celebrated as a hero? Searok let's out a belly laugh. That is what happens when you depose a corrupt queen! Now what are you doing here? I know this city like the back o' me hand
Can I give ye some assistance?
Remy's face betrays her conflicted emotions as she follows Sorshen. The last time the two met, she had all but begged the runelord to help her become a man again. But that was months ago. Much has happened since then, not the least of which being her and Borgol pursuing their relationship together. The monk has found happiness, and as Sorshen had predicted, she now has little desire to change anything about herself.
Still, she is wary of the runelord's power and motivations, as well as her seemingly cavalier attitude towards the dangers that are plaguing Varisia. Remy stays close by Borgol's side as they walk the streets of Korvosa.
The tension breaks somewhat, though, when Fergus bumps into his cousin. Remy smiles and bows to Searok Ironbeard. "It is a pleasure to meet you. We're on our way to enjoy what the Crimson Festival has to offer. You're welcome to join us, if you'd like." She glances at Sorshen, who gives a slight nod.
Searok bows deep to Remy. Any friend of me kin, is a friend to me!