Lola nods, ”if we can find it, we may be able to keep it trapped, but this energy drain - if there is only one it is highly doubtful it will kill anyone before we kill it - we just need to find it.” She looks resolute, and any mischievousness melts away, ”this - it will keep killing and spreading across lastwall if we do not find it. Let’s head outside and catch our breath. First, who can find undead? I have a sense of it but no magic.” As she says this she pats Coral on the shoulder and leads her out.
Feena was glad the second spectral creature when down and was just as worried about where the third got off to. If it was smart it was long gone already but they couldn't be sure and it did need to be dealt with. "The only thing I could think of, if it is hiding in the walls, is to set the place on fire. I don't know if using ectoplasm laced fire would carry over to the whole building, but we could try it."
Feena frowned and then added, "I don't the city would care for that idea very much and I, unfortunately, can't track it magically or otherwise."
Kendren said, "We should fall back and see if we can get some kind of healing for the life energy that was drained. It's also possible the spectre will come back once it no longer feels fear, and we can deal with it then."
"I can try to find it, give me a moment."
Damian mutters the words of a ritual, or perhaps a prayer, facing towards the last place where they had seen the third specter go.
Damian gets the results from his spell that he expects. He determines there is a singular presence of undead in the stone floor of the area it fled to previously.
Lola rounds up some Knights of Ozem - and basically commands them, seemingly upset "you - there is a spectre here, we need help from knights. It is a terrible danger to Lastwall. We have a plan to kill it, but our adventurers need to move quickly - if it emerges we need to take it down." She's commanding to the knights, and she stays behind to guard the situation while Coral (and anyone else who wants) moves back to the city to find their wayward barbarian, heal the negative energy damage, and scrounge up some ghost whip scrolls.
Kendren joins Coral in getting somewhere to heal her current life drain and find this Vlad fellow they mentioned.
After the brutal skirmish within the Dyeworks shop, the party emerges, drained and weary from the days events. The cool air outside, while fresher than the stifling atmosphere of the shop, does little to ease the weight on their shoulders.
As you move back towards where you left the guards, you notice a third soldier approaching briskly. His expression is earnest, and his movements convey the urgency of his task.
"Greetings." he says, offering a respectful nod as he extends the sealed letter towards them. "I've been sent with a dispatch from Second Sword Knight Aylunna Varvatos."
The letter is sealed and looks quite official. Breaking the seal and unfold the letter reveals a summons penned in a firm, elegant script:
"Brave Defenders,
In light of recent events and your ongoing efforts to secure our city from the shadows that threaten its peace, your presence is requested at the Cathedral of Sancta Iomedaea to brief us on what you have uncovered. I'm assembling the appropriate decision-makers to hear your findings. We must discuss urgent matters concerning the safety of Lastwall and the implications of your discoveries.
Please make haste.
In service and faith,
Aylunna Varvatos, Second Sword Knight"
Lola throws her hands up in the air, ”this is just… “
She looks exasperated, ”they have a spectre trapped in there - if night falls it can kill much of the city. If we are to come with you, send some priests to contain it, okay?”
"This is rather poorly timed. How urgent did this summons seem?"
Coral will, like the others, try to discern if this is the truth or a trick.
If these Six Wise Crows were trying to draw us away from the investigation, they could use disguises.
She also looks at the seal carefully to see if it seems genuine.
Assuming she senses no deception, she will follow as instructed.
”they have a spectre trapped in there - if night falls it can kill much of the city. If we are to come with you, send some priests to contain it, okay?”
The armed escorts that arrived at this location listen to Lola's explanation of the situation about the spectre, seemingly unnerved by the thought of the creature still loose in the building. The newly arrived reinforcement agrees to seek out a collective of priests who can address the situation while the two guards remain posted out front to ensure it does not get loose without their notice.
"This is rather poorly timed. How urgent did this summons seem?"
The messenger blinks. "Good sir, are you asking me whether or not a personal dispatch from the Second Sword Knight is important?" Unsure whether he is being tested or not, he looks around and then, finally, nods slowly, frustration beginning to showi. "I presume it to be importance, but I am not privy to the message contained within. I have been searching for you for quite a many hours now. I was instructed to return to Watcher’s Tor and locate you, but was unable to do so. After reporting on this, I was then redirected with new information that you could find at the Dyeworks, and thus, now I am here. I have delivered my message. It is up to you what you do with it."
He huffs loudly before continuing, "It wouldn't have been so bad if you had just been where you were supposed to be have been in the first place! Between me jotting all over Vigil and all of the people asking about you, I'm starting to feel like you should be paying me!" He folds his arms, irritated at his apparent poor reception.
The group studies the messenger and discerns nothing out of the ordinary or receipt from him. When Coral and Lola review the seal, it looks legitimate as far as they can tell.
Lola raises an eyebrow, ”hmm? Supposed to be? Where were we supposed to be? We have not been in the city more than a day - we have no lodging. We were supposed to see her after we spoke with Ranton - but there’s been a series of rolling emergencies.” She waves her hand dismissively, ”Who else was asking about us? You work for the temple? We owe her a visit out of courtesy, but please - who told you where we were? Why would we be at Watcher’s Tor?”
"I doubt they have the time, the inclination, or the information to discuss it, Lola."
Coral starts off for the Cathedral.
”Who else was asking about us? You work for the temple? We owe her a visit out of courtesy, but please - who told you where we were? Why would we be at Watcher’s Tor?”
The messenger does their best to address Lola's barrage of questions. They take a deep breath, close their eyes and start again "Look. I was asked to find you at Watcher's Tor. You weren't there, so I asked around. Before, I found some Watchknights that directed me here, but before I could get out of the square, I was stopped by Venture Captain Evni Zongnoss. They asked me several questions about you and your whereabouts and then asked me to courier a letter to you as well! Can you believe it? I'm already overdue to return for my next delivery. Anyway. I informed them I could not as I am under obligation to the Second Sword and they would need to find another courier. I quickly left before anyone else could sidetrack me. After hours of traipsing across Vigil I finally arrive here to deliver my message to some grumpy people with lots of questions and no appreciation for the hunt I endured locating them."
With a huff they cross their arms and say "And that's what I know. Good luck. Good afternoon to you."
Lola throws her hands up, ”fine. Eres menos que inútil. I am going to guess that someone who hired you is trying to kill us, but when the crusade gives an order - I suppose we have to follow it. Wait up, Coral.” She’s visibly annoyed, and points at the courier, ”it wouldn’t be fair to blame you if the spectre escapes - but I’m going to do it anyway. And I have an eternity to enact justice.” She grabs her stuff and runs after Coral.
Feena was relieved when reinforcements showed up but dismayed to hear the man had been looking for them so hard and just missing them. Even worse was the rudeness that he was given by some of their group after all he had been doing and as they began to leave Feena stopped before the man. "I'm sorry for the rudeness sir. It has been a rough couple of weeks for us, and it shows no sign of improving."
Feena leaned in and gave the man a kiss on the cheek before stepping back and saying, "Please consider that recompense for your troubles." With a blush Feena backed away and took off after her companions.
The rapid back-and-forth between Lola and the messenger is difficult to follow, but Damian gets the distinct impression that neither him nor their duskwalker companion are particularly happy. Leaving the job unfinished like this rankled him to no end, but he supposes the summons are important, especially if this fellow spent several hours tracking them down. By now this issue might be downright urgent.
He moves to follow Coral and Lola, hastening his stride to catch up with them.
The courier was waiting for a coin to be flicked his way, not a peck on the cheek. His eyes go wide, and his face flushes red. He looks at the ground and shuffles his feet, trying to recover from the unexpected display of affection. "Well. I. Uhm. I. Okay. Uh. Thank you. Sorry, I'm late."
The party quickly groups together and begins to make their way towards the cathedral as the daylight begins to fade.
Several minutes into your trip, Coral gets the distinct impression that the group is being followed. When she takes the time to periodically check, sure enough, she sees the satchel-carrying, cloaked figure retracing your steps as you move through alleyways and streets across town.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"We're being followed. Keep going fifty yards and then double back. I will see who they are when they pass."
Coral slips off into the shadows, hoping to get a closer look at whoever is following the party.
Her hope is that the figure will come close enough to her hiding spot for her to get a look, but that they will fall back when the party turns around.
The pursuer appears oblivious to Coral's departure or dismisses it entirely. As the party proceeds, she remains concealed. In a few minutes, a slender, middle-aged man draped in a maroon cloak and carrying a satchel strides past.
Kendren sighed, took out a gold and handed it to the man. "My apologies. I thought this summons was more recent than being several hours old. We have been rather busy throughout the day today."
Kendren continues walking forwards as Coral warns them, not looking behind them so as not to tip off whoever is following them. Remembering what the messenger said about the Venture-Captain of the Pathfinder Society also looking to send them a message, he wondered if this might their messenger. Still, it could be one of the Six Crows, or someone who worked for them.
Once they had gone 50 yards, he wheeled about and began doubling back, as Coral instructed.
Lola nods, following Coral's instruction, and then also follows Kendren. She looks like she's turned back, and is looking on the ground, as if she's looking for something that dropped.
When the party turns back, the tail slows and eventually stops before turning around and slowly retreating the way he came, checking over his shoulder several times to see if the party is still moving after him.
Coral steps out of the shadows into the figure's path, drawing her sword.
"Looking for us?"
"Who are you?"
The man was clearly not expecting Coral and gasps loudly, staggering sideways into a pile of debris before toppling over. Laying down on the ground, he cries out "I don't have any coin! Don't hurt me!"
Clearly confused, it takes him a few seconds of staring before he opens his mouth again and says "Looking for you. Are you-" he pushes himself off the ground and looks down the alley towards the remaining members of your party and tries to figure out how you got behind him.
"Uh. You? You're with them, then? The group that was at Brunna's fire, right? Uh." he cautiously moves towards his bag, "May I?"
If allowed, he slowly retrieves what is becoming a familiar sight: another scroll. "Uh. Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss requests your presence immediately."
I ask for your presence at an urgent meeting to discuss threats against Vigil. Please meet me at the Hound’s Glory, a tavern just west of the Tribute Hall to Magic; directions to this meeting location are enclosed. The society I represent does not suffer from the bureaucracy of the Ozem knighthood, and we fear if we wait for these good men and women to sort things out, it might be too late. They mean well, surely they do, but if you wish to stop the forces of evil, I beg you to meet me outside the formal festival and away from bureaucratic ears.
Eagerly in Wait,
E. Z.
Lola rubs her temple and closes her eyes, ”yes. Thank you, young man. We are on edge - you didn’t do anything wrong. Here -“ She gives him five gold pieces. ”Honestly, at this point let’s just get ambushed to get it over with. You hear that, six-Wise Crows?” She calls out to the shingles, then turns to Coral, ”The temple of Iomedae first, right Coral?”
"We desperately need the attention of priests, after the attacks of those undead.
But after that... do we return to the Dyeworks, or follow up with the Pathfinders?
Everything is urgent. I don't know.
But yes, to the temple first. They can heal our ailments and tell us what they need to tell us."
”I absolutely want to talk to the pathfinders, but it is extremely important we get that spectre dealt with before the night comes. If the society is on the way, we can stop there. They might even have some special tool that could help.”
Damian nods. "Seems like a good plan to me. Temple first, then the Pathfinders." He turns to the others. "Does anyone know much about these Pathfinders? I confess that I am rather ignorant of their organization and its goals. I thought generally they were looking for relics and such, not so much combating the forces of evil. But perhaps they are after the shield."
The courier is a little confused by Lola's calling out to the six wise crows, whatever that means. He takes his tip and thanks her, scrambling away from Coral at the first opportunity.
The party quickly continues towards the cathedral.
--
As the party approaches the Cathedral of Sancta Iomedaea, they are greeted by a breathtaking sight. The splendid structure rises majestically at the foot of Watcher's Tor, its golden marble façade glistening in the sunlight. Stained glass windows cast a kaleidoscope of colors onto the grounds below, depicting scenes of saints, archons, and angels in intricate detail. The onyx and porphyry inlays add a rich contrast to the golden marble, enhancing the grandeur of the cathedral.
The central dome, an architectural marvel, stands prominently above, pierced with crystal veins that catch the light, creating a dazzling display. The dome is flanked by 39 smaller sub-domes, forming a vast and airy chamber beneath, which soars 60 paces high. The four great towers of the cathedral, from which the deep-toned bells ring at dawn and sunset, stand as sentinels, their tops adorned with banners bearing the symbol of Iomedae.
As the party nears the gatehouse,, they pass under arches adorned with carvings of Iomedae’s sword and other holy symbols. The gatehouse itself is an impressive structure designed to provide both security and a grand entrance to the cathedral.
Two vigilant Watchknights, clad in gleaming armor, stand guard at the gatehouse. They are immediately alert as the party approaches, their eyes scanning the newcomers with practiced precision. The lead knight steps forward, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword.
"Halt! State your business at the Cathedral of Sancta Iomedaea." he commands, his voice firm but respectful.
The other knight remains watchful, ready to respond to any sign of trouble.
Coral is awed by the magnificent cathedral of her goddess. As she approaches, she places her hand on her sword and whispers a prayer to the Inheritor.
She looks at the scenes in the stained glass windows, trying to recall not only the Acts of Iomedae but the more obscure scenes depicted as well.
Coral stops as soon as indicated to by the Watchknights.
"May Iomedae reward your vigilance with Her favor, Watchknights.
We are here for a meeting with Second Sword Knight Aylunna Varvatos. We were specifically invited."
Coral holds out the letter in case they wish to inspect it, but she does not approach unless directed to do so.
Feena approached the knights just behind Coral and added, "The messenger had troubles finding us so are running very late for the summons. Your assistance in expediting our entry is greatly appreciated."
The party is swiftly ushered past the gatehouse and into the grand chancel of the Cathedral of Sancta Iomedaea, they are met with the sight of a gathering of dignitaries, the air thick with tension. The chancel, with its high vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows casting colorful patterns on the marble floor, provides a solemn backdrop to the loud scene unfolding before them.
Two figures, Ranton Gandry and Ceto Malderra, are locked in a heated argument, their voices echoing off the cathedral's stone walls. Ranton, the seasoned veteran, stands with a mixture of defensiveness and regret, while Ceto, the formidable Marshal of the Flood Road, exudes an aura of barely contained fury.
Ceto's voice rings out, her face flushed with anger. "Your inaction has cost us dearly! How could you not see the danger? How could you let this happen? Your mind is too far gone, and you should have left us when you were still capable."
Ranton, his age showing in the lines of his face and the tremor in his voice, responds with a mixture of guilt and defiance. "Ceto. Wait. I. I did what I thought was right. I had no reason to suspect—"
"No reason?!" Ceto interrupts, her voice rising. "No reason to suspect treachery right under our noses? Your negligence has jeopardized everything we stand for! There will be an immediate and thorough inspection of ALL Knights ranks to identify any further potential traitors or compromised individuals. This will include background checks, scrying, scrutiny, and interrogations of every single individual necessary. Who knows how far your foolishness has taken us!"
Before Ranton can respond, Ceto turns on her heel, her frustration boiling over. She storms out of the chancel, pushing past the party with a forceful shove, her eyes blazing with indignation. The crowd of dignitaries parts to let her through, their murmurs filling the space left by her departure.
Second Sword Knight Aylunna Varvatos finally notices the party. Her calm demeanor contrasts sharply with the recent outburst, and she moves towards them with an air of composed authority. "Come." she says, her voice steady and reassuring. "We have much to discuss."
Varavtos leads the party into a side room where there are half-dozen clergy members talking in hushed whispers, which stop upon her arrival. Varvatis commands "Leave us. Send in Sister Cloodes, if you please."
She gestures for the party to enter after the current occupants scatter. She turns to you, "You all look worse for the wear. What news do you bring?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
There’s tension in Lola’s voice as she responds calmly, ”we were investigating the dyeworks. We followed a lead from Brunna’s, an arsonist tried to summon an elemental to destroy it - we think we saw one of the six wise crows or their minions, the summoner, fleeing - but we couldn’t catch them” She inclines her head, ” con todo el debido respeto, we were nearly killed by spectres - there’s still some there in the dyeworks. I pray we can destroy it before the evening. We have have been two-steps behind their plot the entire time.”
She seems apologetic, ”if you could aid us - we can get back to the investigation. One of the relics - it may be a forgery. And if it is truly an artifact in the hands of the whispering way - I can’t be the first to explain the peril Golarion is in, can I?” She runs her finger through her black hair, ”we’ve made a lot of progress but we have to leave as soon as possible, respectfully, as soon as we can muster the tools to kill the spectre and heal at least Coral’s life drain.”
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"If you will forgive my saying so, Second Sword Knight, I believe that Ceto Malderra should be relieved of her command instantly.
Anger clouds judgment, and she chose to give in to her anger.
But, that is not why you called us here.
Yes, as Lola said, it seems the Whispering Way has stolen a fragment of the Shattered Shield of Arnisant and replaced it with a fraud."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
As the group got settled, a soft knock came on the side door. After Second Sword Varvatos bid enter, a robed woman slipped in. "Aylee, your flock is scattering like leaves or hens, do you yell at them?" Her easy smile faltered as she saw the group "Oh, now I understand."
She bowed but let her eyes scan each of them, quickly catching details. "Sister Isabet Cloodes, at your service." Her words lilted up in the way a native Skald speaker would. The sister is not in red and white, as one would expect, but tan and silver. A chain around her neck has a charm shaped like a tankard, if there was any doubt she is a Cailean.
"Yes. Ranton filled me in after you spoke with him. I-" she pauses as the door opens and Sister Cloodes enters.
Varvatos clears her throat at Isabet's use of "Aylee" in front of their guests, shooting her a frown.
She shakes it away quickly and smiles warmly at Isabet. "Thank you for joining us so quickly, Sister Isabet. These are the brave survivors of Roslar's Coffer, whom I spoke to you about earlier. I know you were assembling items for me to join them, but it seems plans have changed unexptedly. I now must juggle diffusing politics and egos before the entire council turns upon itself in their greatest time of need."
She presses her fingers to the bridge of her nose and draws a deep breath before continuing. "Excuse. I'm sorry for that."
She clears her throat again and the short woman turns to Isabet, "Sister, I ask of you a great task. You will accompany these five in my place and unmask those who are responsible. You must act swiftly and decisively. The Whispering Way’s machinations threaten us all. Do what must be done; I fear our great city is in peril."
To the group, she explains "Sister Isabet is not only a devoted cleric of Cayden Cailean but also my closest confidant. I have asked her to accompany you on your hunt for answers because time is of the essence, and I must attend to urgent matters with the council myself. Trust in her as you have trusted in me."
"Sister Isabet has my full trust and authority. She can speak on my behalf where needed, and I assure you, she is quite capable. Her knowledge, skills, and unwavering dedication will be invaluable in this endeavor."
The sister's blue eyes look on with worry on her friend. She knew the second sword had been feeling lighter at the prospect of helping out these five, of escaping the very things that won't let her go. Politics and egos.
She holds her gaze for several seconds, asking silently Are You Sure? Isabet would offer to take on the politics, but they both knew her faith did not hold the same respect. And Isabet would almost certainly tell those egos where they can be shoved.
Turning to the group, she smiles again, the crackling of laugh lines spreading across her skin. "Is there anything I can say to help with this latest disappointment?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Damian watches the outburst with clear discomfort, taking a half step forward at one moment as if to attempt to diffuse the situation, but just then Ceto Malderra storms past them.
The paladin gives Sister Cloodes a small bow of greeting, but remains silent otherwise as the Second Sword Knight explains the situation. As she mentions that Sister Isabet will be accompanying them, he turns to study her with a little more attention.
"Sister, a pleasure to meet you, although the circumstances are dire. We welcome your aid more than you could possibly know, but be warned that it will likely be very dangerous." He gives her a sheepish smile. "And please talk where I can see your face when you address me." He points to one ear. "I cannot hear at all."
Lola remains tense, but she unclenches her fists slightly”perhaps this is the first good luck we have had since Marya had to leave.” She chuckles, ”I’ll be honest - more than one of us received the assault from los espectros, but in my case, it may be hard to tell. Lady Aylunna, can we rely on the temple clergy to help us, at least Coral?“
Lola’s voice is accented, but from where - it is hard to tell, and she addresses Isabel, ”I am … inclined towards florid introductions,” and she removes her broad white hat, bowing theatrically, before replacing it, ”but the hour grows quite late - would you indulge us, Ms. Cloodes, by saving long introductiosn for the … corriendo alrededor we have to do?” She makes a running motion with fingers gloved hand, ”we are being pulled in three directions at once. I am Lola, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Her smile softens at Damian. "I will remember." she assures him in her normal tone without slowing or raising her volume as if either would help. "Danger, I am familiar with. I've been a healer for a long time at Lastwall, though the danger behind the lines is much different than those in them, I assume.".
Her smile widens again at the sweeping graceful bow. "Cayden would like you, Lola. Whether that is a good or bad thing, is up to you." Shaking her head at her own thoughts she adds "Second Knight Varavtos..." she accentuates her friend's last name very clearly, shooting an amused look her way "... knows me. Every quirk and oddity, as we've served together for many years. So as long as you trust her, then please know she trusts me. If you are okay with that, then I am ready to leave whenever you wish."
The sister does not wear armor and only carries a small dagger on her hip as weaponry.
Lola barks a laugh, ”maybe! Pobre de mí, I am spoken for.” She looks the cleric up and down, hesitant, ”there is danger and then… danger. I’ve already died once in the last two weeks - are you … prepared?”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Feena was startled at the argument they heard on entering and was more than a little worried when the woman made a bunch of demands and then stormed off. Fortunately, things quickly calmed down and they met with Aylunna and Sister Isabet. It was a great relief that they would have someone with them to assist in both healing and dealing with the undead as a clerics magic was far better at it than Feena's own.
Feena gave a rather awkward curtsy as she said, "I am Feena, it is a pleasure to meet you and it is greatly reassuring to know that you will be joining us for the time being. We have come close to being out of our depth on several occasions." She pushed her glasses up on her nose a bit better and added, "We've all died at least once in the last two weeks. It just did not stick."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"I am Coral, and as Lola said, I am the one the spectres feasted on the most.
I'm from Three Pines Ford, on the Nirmathi border. I follow Iomedae, though none can doubt the bravery of Cayden Cailean and his followers."
She pulls out her purse. "Sister Cloodes, Second Sword Varvatos, I am in need of a spell of Restoration. I can pay for the diamond dust and for the casting of the spell.
I wish to get back to the Dyeworks and finish off the last spectre."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Another smile, coupled with honest sympathy turns to the bespectacled Feena. "Aylunna has told me just a sliver of your trials, Feena, and your survival is nothing sort of miraculous." she waved her her "Miraculous in your own abilities since our gods do not help with the 'little' things." There is a bit of bitterness in her on that score.
"I am ready, Lola." She looked down at her simple robes and lack of weapons and sighed. "I have never been a warrior, holy or otherwise, no war hammers or shining mail. And I am too old to start now." Pinching her small silver tankard around her neck, she lifts it slightly "I can support and heal, little else. It is somewhat like sending a twig against the castle gates. A twig has many great uses, like if your back needs a solid scratch but for ramming, you need much much more."
At Cora's introduction, her eyes take in the waxen palor of the halfling's skin. Reaching into her pouch, she pulls out another pouch brimming with diamond dust. "Cayden decided to gift me with spells more suited to a fight instead of restoration, but I can help with the components. Aylee, can you cast the spell?"
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Lola nods specifically at Feena, ”I think it’s fair to say that I’ve got the most direct experience with being dead, Feena.” She turns back to Isabel, ”I just want you to know … you will be attacked, and while Coral and Kendren are guardians sin igual, it will happen and it will hurt.” She is direct and matter-of-fact, though her voice is not without a measure of comfort.
She leans on her spear, ”it hurts every time you’re killed. Or punched. Or stabbed. And if you’re lucky … or unlucky… to come back to Golarion? There’s always a price.” She raises the small holy symbol of her own, silver, of a dancing maiden under the moon to her mouth and kisses it. ” guarda mi alma hasta el fin del mundo.” She waves dismissively, ”it would not be fair to doubt your courage - so I do not. I will not. And I say no more on the matter.”
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Second Sword Knight Aylunna Varvatos, high priestess of Iomedae finally is unable to maintain her composure amidst the informalities introduced by Sister Isabet. She turns towards her, hands on hips and rolling her eyes, "OH ISABET! SERIOUSLY! You are stubborn as a mule, take me!"
She sighs and bites her tongue, rubbing her temples "This is not time for formalities, so we will discuss this later in private, won't we?" She looks sternly at Isabet knowing it is a lost cause to get her friend to address her properly. She rolls her eyes and gives up, turning to the halfling.
"Coral, your bravery is commendable, and the needs of those who defend Vigil are a priority for the church. You need not bear this burden alone—the Cathedral of Sancta Iomedaea will cover the costs of the restoration spell necessary to heal you." Varvatos declares.
She calls for a nearby clergy to retrieve the necessary components for the spell.
"As for the spectres, it is crucial that you are fully restored before you confront them again. We cannot afford to have our forces diminished by such afflictions. Let us ensure you are all prepared and adequately equipped to face whatever threats remain at the Dyeworks."
When the clergy returns with the components, she casts the spell to restore all who are affected. Additionally, she bestows upon Isabet a pouch with enough dust to cast the spell three more times should the situation present itself.
Kendren observed the argument between Ranton and Ceto, watching as the latter stormed out. We need to find out what Ceto warned Ranton about. It may be useful information for us.
As they met with the Second Sword Knight, she introduced them to a Caydenite who was apparently her confidant. Kendren said, "It is an honor to meet you. I am Kendren Nollt, anointed knight of Sarenrae. I joined this group later than most, but the dangers I have seen in the short time I've been with them speak to that which we face."
Turning back to the Second Sword Knight, Kendren said, "Second Sword Knight, we received a meeting request from the Venture-Captain of the Pathfinder Lodge. What can you tell us of them?"
Second Sword Knight Aylunna Varvatos looks thoughtful for a moment before responding. "The Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss is a capable leader and a respected member of the Pathfinder Society. She leads the local Pathfinder Lodge and is known for her innovative approaches to both exploration and combat. She is deeply committed to the Society’s mission of discovering and preserving knowledge, and her battlemages are some of the best-trained spellcasters in Vigil."
"Given the nature of your quest and the threats you face, her assistance could prove invaluable. She has a keen mind for strategy and might be able to provide you with insights or resources that could tip the balance in our favor. You should definitely meet with her and see how she can assist you in your endeavors."
Varvatos pauses, concern washing over her features. "But be cautious. The situation in Vigil is dire, and there are many who would use this chaos to their advantage. I'm not saying the Pathfinders are working against Vigil, mind you. Trust, but verify. And remember, the Cathedral of Sancta Iomedaea will always be a safe haven for you."