"Ah thank you much better." once again retreating behind the talking types of the group waiting to see what happens next.
Dorian watched one of the watchmen heal Reishia's wound and smiled.
"Thank you for that. I know that your spells are limited resources, but it is greatly appreciated."
"Cult? What cult are you speaking of? I am afraid you have me at a loss there. None of us are part of a cult, unless you count the paladin of Torag over there. But, I don't believe Torag-worship is considered cultish here in Magnimar. As for Arvensoar, is that truly necessary? Not that we wish to avoide the place, but it a bit of a walk, and you must all have better things to do."
The watchman considers Nadesico for a moment. "Say. Do you know you are bleeding?
Turning back to Dorian, he explains "Haven't you heard? Rash of murders going around town, they are calling it a killer cult. Been happening for a few months now, but these last few weeks have been the worst. All sorts of interesting people turning up dead. Bankers, merchants, noblemen, adventurers, money lenders - you name it."
The commander nods, "Afraid I'm going to have to insist, I'm under strict orders from the High Justine himself. All murders and suspicious doings need to have their events recorded and examined by one of his inquisitors."
He holds a hand up to stop a protest "I understand you may have been in the right here, that is what will go in my official report. You are not under arrest or suspicious, we simply need to follow procedure since the justices are involved."
"A rash of murders, you say? That's terrible. Of course we'll come with you. It may be that the good people of Magnimar have need of information we may not even know we have. Lead on, dear Commander. Lead on."
"Oh, and don't worry about the cat. She lost something very dear to her and has been crying ever since."
Dorian waved to the others and picked up his weapons, seating them firmly in their respective places upon his person. Then, he prepared to follow Commander Fargraves to the Arvensoar to the meet the Justices.
Much to their surprise, the group is loaded into a wagon and is quickly transported across town to Arvensoar. The impressive tower stands nearly 400 feet in height, towering over the nearby districts. As you enter the tower proper, it becomes evident that it serves as a barracks for the city watch as you count untold numbers of official looking figures.
Commander Fargraves leads you up two flights of stairs to a room with a half dozen different clerks. He directs you over to the clerk and requests you answer her questions about the events that transpired at the Foxglove estate. He leaves and tells the clerk to take you to the justices when you are done.
The next two hours of your life you wish you had never heard of Aldern Foxglove as you are repeatedly asked numerous questions as to why you are here in Magnimar, what were you doing on various nights in question, what relation or knowledge do you have of the cult, what were you doing in Foxglove's townshouse and so on.
When questions finally stop and the clerk is satisfied all answers have been recorded, he leads you down the hall where you are deposited into a large empty waiting room. Once you are all seated the door closes and you wait another hour before he returns and apologizes for the wait. Another hour passes before he returns again with drinks and snacks and finally a third hour before he apologizes again and instructs you to followup to the justice.
You're escorted down the hall a lavish office with a variety of eccentric elven influences on decor. Seated at the desk is a middle-aged elf in purple robes who is furiously scribbling on parchment. When you enter he does not lift his head to acknowledge you, but waves his hand to the empty chairs before him. The clerk announces you by name and then departs, closing the door behind him.
The elf finally stops scribbling and puts his quill down. Looking up at you he speaks in a distinguished voice that bursts with authority. "Now then, sorry for the wait, we've been incredibly busy. I'm Justice Ironbriar and I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me. I'll get right to the heart of the matter."
"My teams have been scouring the city for weeks on clues to the location these murderous cults, unfortunately coming face to face with members and losing their lives. From what Commander Fargraves has told me, you single-handedly dispatched some foul creature earlier tonight. I'm in a dire position where I need highly trained troupes to assist with the extermination of this cult. We had a lead come in this afternoon and I have no one to send to follow it up."
"I'd like to propose to you a business deal. Exterminate this threat for the city and I am authorized by the Lord Mayor to you 6,000 GP upon delivery of their head."
"So, just to be clear, this is definitely an 'exterminate' situation and not a 'capture for interrogation' one? I just want to be perfectly clear. Also, I don't think our resident paladin will want to agree with to that unless you have clear and definitive proof of the target's malfeasance. She may not be the sharpest sword in the rack, but she does learn from her mistakes."
"Please, tell us more about this situation, and what you want done about it."
Nodding to Dorian he confirms. "Extermination. We have already racked up enough information on this individual to be one hundred percent certain of their crimes. This individual was part of a larger group of six cultist that we had in our custody. Five of the other cultist were executed, but this one escaped and has been terrorizing the town since."
Looking towards Nadesico he says "I understand your hesitation at this approach, but let me alleviate your need for concern. This individual was part of a group that is responsible for murdering dozens of creatures. They have killed eight of the Magnimar city watchman and I'm told were planning an assault on a local temple before the larger group was apprehended."
Looking back to Dorian he shrugs "If your conscience is too heavy and this task is too much for you, I will find someone else. You are not forced to undertake this task, but I would be in your debt if you were to successfully complete it."
Enjoying her snack to the fullest while waiting she brings a few into the room as she sits back listening.
"Mpffhp *gulp*. Ahem. 6000 gold! My that sounds a lot for a head, have you pictures on what head we should be delivering? Think we have things to do but we'll be certain to keep an eye out for a 6000 gold piece head."
The justice nods passes along a parchment with a description of the fugitive to the party. "Here you go."
He shakes his head at Reishia's lackadaisical approach to his request. "I'm afraid I'll need you to take care of this immediately, it must be done tonight before we lose sight of the target. If you cannot afford to take a break from your other plans than I'm afraid this arrangement will not work."
Shrugging she continues munching seeing what the rest of the group feel like doing.
Wiping away a few bloody tears Nadesico turns to the justice, listening to his words to get a full understanding of what is being requested.
"A temple??? They attacked a temple? Oh gosh that is awful, just awful it is. If this person has committed the crimes you claim, and has been given fair trial already once, then we shall do as you ask. Yup we will. Don't you fret one bit."
Clearing her throat a bit after stressing over Dorian's comment about not being the brightest, she chimes back in attempting to be more informed.
"Now if only you could provide some background on how exactly this person escaped, that would be purrrrrific! Also, you said, and I quote 'They killed dozens of creatures...' Do you mean people? they killed dozens of people? Or is there something else we are missing here? Ohh, and by golly if I could just browse your paperwork you have outlining the crimes this person committed, that would be the last I ask of it. Surely you have something I can look at. Yes?
The justice nods. "Of course, I have all of the information right here. I'm sure you will be satisfied."
Justice Ironbriar opens a drawer and pulls out a binder and slides it across the table towards you. Inside are dozens of pages of various reports from the crimes committed by the a band of criminals who raped, pillaged and burned a town named Pandontis about 20 miles northeast of Magnimar. After burning the temple of Gozreh to the ground in Pandontis, they came to Magnimar to continue their crimes. They established a cult of followers and began to target those with money, killing them in spectacular fashion and leaving a trail of blood.
"As for their victims, the list is quite long. Humans, dwarves, halflings, half-eves for certain. I believe their death toll currently sits at 78 presently."
"Oh my, yes yes this is awful. We will catch this scoundrel, and we will assure justice is served swiftly. Come on Sandpoint 5 + 1! " She shouts excitedly as she lets out a wink to Reishia
Dorian shrugged. "It seems like a good deed, and I don't think Nadesico is going to let this one go. I'm in. Who's the dead guy?"
Dorian considered for a moment, then clarified.
"Who is the target? I'm just referring to them by the name you'll be familiar with tomorrow when we are done with our job."
Ironbriar nods, understanding Dorian's clarification. "Shapeshifter female named Orr. She's the last of the cultists in this area. I'm told she's responsible for putting those faceless stalkers you ran into in play here in Magnimar. Very dangerous. Don't be fooled by her wit or trickery, she's lured many a men to their death with lies and false pretenses."
He folds his hands on the table and adds "Most recently she has taken to tiger form and has been hiding out in the forest on the Lost Coast Road just outside town. Just before you got here I received word that she had slaughtered a mother and daughter on their way into town through the east gate." He shakes his head slowly and remarks "Truly terrible.
He looks at you and you get the impression you are dismissed. When nothing is said he adds [b]"Please bring this last criminal to justice as soon as possible. The city thanks you. Commander Fargraves will escort you to the location she was last spotted in."
"Right then off to collect a head."
You're escorted to the east gate while being briefed on cult leader's activities and whereabouts. "This one is a doozy I tell you! She single-handedly ravaged the last squad that went after her, quite surprisingly you agreed to this operation. The coin must have been pretty nice, eh?"
Waving it off he explains that the cultist is a known shape shifter and you should be prepared for whatever she throws at you. He gives you the last known location of Orr and explains a dire tiger was seen off the side road 2 miles southeast. Saying goodbye to the watchman, you set off in search of your quarry.
Moving cautiously through the road you quickly find that the normally busy road is deserted and eerily quiet. Looking around for troubel, you move through a slight bend in the road that sends you around some tall grass and natural rock formations. From behind Vanny a 6,000 pound tiger with two saber-like fangs jutting downward from its powerful jaws Charges from the tall grass right at him!
The tiger opens its large mouth and pounces on the monkey's back and holding on tight with its jaws, ripping flesh from his body and holding him on the ground. While holding him, it rakes its claws against his chest..
"oh no! hold on monkey!"
Chanting and focusing she rushes in. While the tiger was busy eating the monkey Reisha moved along the road around both poking the creature from the backside.
atk
confirm:
"Rooowar!" Nadesico growls at the tiger.
In Catfolk for the lulz"Lay off my friend! Back off big kitty!"
Nadesico approaches the big cat, with her shield in hand, and her other with her sword drawn ready to attack.
The large cat snarls and is surprised with the cat speaks. The tiger issues a prolong followed by several other cat sounds.
Syrenna quickly pops the latches for her backpack and before it even hits the ground, she's moving at the creature. "GIVE BACK MY LOVE MONKEY!" she shouts.
Taken back by the large cat speaking back, Nadesico quickly yells out to her comrades "Everyone stop! I don't think this kitty is our nemesis! Its just trying to protect itself. It thought we were part of the cult, just let me try to talk to it"
Nadesico lowers her guard, and shouts out to the rather large cat:
In catfolk"Oh great beast, we are not here to hurt you. I apologies for my comrades quick action, and harmful strikes. They, just like a herd, are trying to protect their allies, and you have one of our allies in your grip right now. Please release him, and my allies will back off. I can heal your wounds, and we can discuss what i believe is a common threat - the head of the cult. Yes yes, please hear me out!"
The tiger turns its head toward the catfolk, dragging the monkey and laying it at the paladin's feet. Once it drops the bloody monkey to the ground it roars again.
Shouting again to her allies "See look! This is purely a sign of respect. It thought we were the bad people. PLease everyone put down your weapons. This beautiful creature can be an ally in this fight! Yes let us make peace here!"
Nadesico wipes away some bloody tears before continuing to speak back to the large cat.
Dorian kept his whip in hand, but held his strikes as the catfolk spat and hissed at the dire tiger. He didn't understand why the shapeshifter was bothering to talk with Nadesico, but he'd wait and see how this played out.
"See if it will let me heal Vanny before he bleeds to death. That would be a very good sign of respect."
Dorian took his wand out of his pack, in case the creature did.
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Vanny groans and spits out a mouthful of blood as he's dropped unceremoniously from the tiger's mouth. In a panic he crawls 5ft towards Dorian after hearing about getting some healing.
"You're crazy! What do you mean it's trying to protect itself this thing just jumped me out of no where!"
Vanny takes a defensive stance while next to Dorian.
The large cat looks down as Vanny crawls away, but does not show any sign of finishing the kill. After the monkey crawls away, the large tiger looks Nadesico and continues conversing in catfolk.
As the meowing continues Reishia takes a step back while staying on guard. Bit confused as to how catfolk and wildlife can converse.
Dorian took the offered opportunity and began to heal Vanny with the wand.
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Vanny lets out an audible gasp every time his wounds are mending from the healing light.
"Thanks Dorian, owe ya half my life there." Vanny sputters as he stands up then proceeds to back another 5ft away very slowly.
"I don't know what's going on with the cats but i'm not going near that crazy thing no matter what bleedy eyes says." Vanny whispers to Dorian while he rests his hand on bow behind his back and his tail inches towards an arrow.
Nadesico continues to try to keep her allies at bay, while conversing with the rather large kitty.
While the party hears a bunch of roars, meows, hisses, and other strange noises, Nadesico talks to the large kitty
The cat eyes Nadesico warily. It doesn't make any overt signs of attacking but clearly is staying on its guard with all of these armed combatants around it.
Nadesico waves her comrades back, and slowly approaches the unnamed cat.
The big cat stretches out a paw and seems to raise an eyebrow, confused or intrigued by what the oradin said. She speaks in a strange tongue, not the catfolk she's been using.
Shifting her weight, she adds a bit in catfolk once more.
Hearing a familiar tongue she responds in kind.
Thassalonian:
"Peculiar creature you are able to speak as such. We're here for the head of some shapeshifter named Orr under the decree of the Ironbriar. They say Orr takes shape of a tiger as you are such. If you contest these charges surrender and come with us peacefully. Either way your head is worth 6000 gold to us."
The large cat begins to split different dialgoues with Reishia and Nadesico in different tongues. It's clear that this is no normal kitty! Gesturing to Nadesico, the large cat points its paw at the catfolk and says something in Thassalonian.
Turning her head to Nadesico, she continues in catfolk with alarm growing on her face and the last half of the sentence coming out as furious growls as her body posture tenses.
Keeping an eye on the large tiger she glances at her allies and furrows her brows as she can't figure out what they're going to do.
She continues to respond to the tiger creature.
The tiger looks at Reishia curiously, turning to face Nadesico halfway through her conversation.
SM:
Speaking to the paladin she translates.
"Hey Cat, this thing's clearly crazy, it's saying you are Orr, or that you let her take Orr's name or something and something about finding each other. It's also claiming to not have attacked any women or children today."
Turning to Reishia "Whaaat? I am not Orr! Where did she get that idea? Something very strange is going on here. I will try one last time"
Turning now to face the large cat.
We were told Orr was a shapeshifter, and took on the shape of a large tiger like creature, like you! But now I fear we both may be misled. My name is Nadesico! A great paladin of Torag, and I shall prove my faith!"
With that she runs after the tiger creature and lays a warming hand on the tiger.
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"You know....i'm not the best with tongues but that doesn't sound completely like meowing that thing is spitting out Vanny whispers to Dorian.
Vanny proceeds to slowly side step towards the pot over the fire to investigate.
"HEY Bleedy eyes! it doesn't sound quite like it speaks only cat since it's talking to Reisha too. Ain't ever heard of a tiger that can speak any language who just appears next to a campfire if you know what i'm saying..so how about we wrap up this farce already." Vanny shouts at the bleeding eye paladin while he takes out his bow and grips an arrow in his tail.
Trenna winces as Nadesico leaps toward her, her paw up and ready to slash. She's not quick enough, however, and shudders as the warmth rushes through her. A soft voice emanates from the tiger's mouth, speaking common, "that's the stuff. I haven't been healed by a paladin since Torel. Gods be damned, he saved my life more often than I can count. Now ..."
She trails off and sits back on her haunches, looking around at the group.
Her eye catches Vanny's, [common]"mind that bow, you don't want to start another fight"
She finally turns her attention to Sylph before continuing in Thassalonian. She flexes her claws a few times as she speaks,
Her eyes fill briefly before she shakes her head and looks around, "well now what?"
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"By Erastil I'll 'now what' your face you crazy tiger! You jump and attack us for no reason then meow like an idiot while you can speak common the whole time. Reisha thinks you're crazy and as far as i'm concerned Justice Ironbriar of Magnimar has a 6000 gold price on your head for claiming over 80 innocent lives. So you either come with us quietly or we bring you back as a corpse!"
Vanny yells at the tiger while notching an arrow in his bow, readying to attack if the tiger so much as moves a step towards him.
Dorian let the others deal with the tiger for a few moments while he tried to discern the motive behind the creature's words. It seemed that someone was confused, and he hoped it wasn't him.
"So, it seems that we are being misled, either by the tiger, the Judge, or...well, it is possible there is another large tiger-creature out here killing innocents. So, Trenna, how about it? Seen any other man-eating shape changers about? Also, given that your faithful companion here has been with us for the last several months, I'm not leaning heavily on your ability to tell the truth...or distinguish reality from the past stories you have made up in your head."
"Also, now that we have established you can speak clearly in common, why don't we all converse in that language? It might keep any ... miscommunications to a minimum, and keep someone from dying."
"So.... can we kill it?" Syrenna says somewhat jokingly. She turns to Reina. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding... I'm assuming that we're not lunch?" she sheathes her swords with a sigh.
Nadesico's face widens in astonishment as the great beast start speaking in many tongues.
"I don't know what to believe anymore, but I agree with my friend Dorian here. I try to keep this team in line, but they have been known to hurt first and ask questions later. You are obviously not our intended target, but I do not think any of them are either quite pleased with you attacking our friend here first.
Yes yes, I encourage you to speak up, and let us get straighten this out. By Torag's strength i can keep this team at bay for a little longer, but you must hurry. Yes please start talking! Why do you keep calling me Warri? I think you confusing me for someone else."
Nadesico moves over to Vanny, helping him to his feet, and assuring to put herself between Vanny and the mysterious cat/creature. "Calm my monkey friend. We clearly have the numbers on this creature, and I won't let it hurt you again. Let us try to clear up this mishap here, and we can be on our way"
Responding to Syrenna with a twist in her face "huh?!? I'm for killing it at this point. So far I'm not convinced she isn't the target. We have her picture don't we? Hey tiger, turn back into your humanoid form."
Muttering a bit under her breath as she waits for something to happen
Trenna tilts her head at Nadesico,
Her eyes takes in the others as she begins to lick a paw, [common]"I'm not sure where the confusion is coming from. In all my years, I've only been able to communicate with one animal friend, my dear Warri. I thought she had been killed by the assassins but here she stands. It is inconceivable that there would be another great cat who can understand me as she does. How she came to travel with you, I do not know. I've lost track of the time spent surviving and hiding in these woods."
She chuffs in the monkey's direction, "I apologize for my actions, Vanny. Warri has informed me that you are not her snack. I'm deeply sorry to have caused you harm."
Trenna finally turns to Reishia, "Lightning lady, if you show me the picture, I will do my best. I barely remember my own face these days. I've taken this form ever since we tracked that scary Aasimar b!*#@ with the huge warhammer to the cultists, and then Ironbriar or one of his men turned on us. We were offered a large reward too. If only we'd stopped the Brotherhood, maybe my friends would still be alive."
She stops abruptly and looks back at Nadesico,
The sketch very closely resembles the female standing before you.