Lola nods in thanks at all the assistance, and in relief. ”I only will add, Ranton made mistakes but he has a good heart. He’s trying to make up for them.”
"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.
The group makes their way back to the Dyeworks where they find the watch still positioned out front. They inform you that they have seen no creatures come or go since they left, but there was a man who came by a short while ago asking of you. "Said that they had something for you. Told them you were summoned off to the cathedral and they likely could find you there."
Pushing past the watch back to the Dyeworks shop, you find it as you left it. Inside the spectre isn't visible, but Damian uses his magic to help pinpoint it. You use your preparation skills and after sufficiently antagonizing it, it emerges in the center of the room.
On the walk over, Sister Cloodes questions the others about this sector, trying to match the description with her knowledge.
As soon as the specter emerges (with sufficient antagonization) Sister Isabet Cloodes grasps her holy symbol and prays for the "Swift and thorough devastation of this wickedly irradiating stain on this colorful shop."
Lola starts her bardic performance, grimly, and then raises a finger to blast the spectre before the others suffer.
Kendren knew exactly what his duty was. As the specter appeared, he stepped forward and said, "Fall, creature of darkness!" and struck as swiftly as he could.
Feena could see in where the spectral thing appeared and knew she would have a hard time hitting it but was resolved to try. She laved her spell with ectoplasm, taking longer than normal to cast, and then unleashed a beam of fire at the specter.
The second visit with the incorporeal creature goes much better than the first. As the group marches into the shop and forces the spectre to appear, they systematically eradicate it by disrupting, scoring, and smashing it until the creature dissipates.
With the undead dealt with, Damian is able to return to the bodies on the floor. As he discovered previously, they had been slain only within a few hours of your first arrival.
The heaps of fabric in front of the counter conceal four corpses—three humans in fine clothing and a female half-elf in blackened full plate armor. None of them bear the mark of justice that would identify them as citizens in Vigil. They were all killed with slashing weapons. The half-elf is badly scarred, as from a hard life of battle, and wears a cloth over her mouth beneath her helmet. Several pieces of her full plate have been removed, including the chest plate on which identifying heraldry or markings might have appeared. She was killed with piercing weapons. No weapons remain here.
You spend some time reconstructing what happened here by examining the corpses and clues around the room. You eventually surmise that these individuals were all in a fight here in this shop recently, along with four other people wearing heavy boots. Additionally, the half-elf ’s boots and greaves carry a faint odor of sewage. Furthermore, the humans were fighting against the half-elf and the four other people; the half-elf ’s side won and stashed the bodies underneath the fabric.
Other by the counter, a safe underneath the wooden counter is broken open, its contents scattered on the floor. An empty lockbox with a smashed lid lies discarded amid the safe’s contents. While examining the area, you spot a false bottom that eluded the previous thieves attention. A sheaf of parchment in this compartment details plans to steal the Shattered Shield of Arnisant from the Crusader War College and replace all but one of the fragments with magical replicas. The plans include dates that are almost 2 years old and reference Count Jomah Gildais paying 40,000 gold pieces to a gang of thieves
called the Six Wise Crows for performing the heist.
The safe’s contents on the floor include 257 sp, 33 gp, a red velvet bag containing a silver wand of identify (8 charges), and a gilded pipe in the shape of a preening crow worth 250 gp. The +1 full plate is functional despite having several plates and symbols removed. The bolts of quality fabric are worth 580 gp, but weigh 300 pounds in all.
The double door at the south end of the shop leads out into the gardens and stands closed. In addition to the gardens, there are two other buildings here that remain unexplored.
"I wonder what happened here. this place seems to have been abandoned a while ago, by the state of things outside. So why were these people here, and why did they fight?"
Damian turns to those who might know more about Vigil. "Does this city have underground sewers?" He crouches to examine the smashed lockbox, trying to determine if it was damaged recently. "Perhaps the Six Wise Crows wanted to remove the evidence we found. But who are these others? Did they work for Count Gildais?" Frustrated by all the questions, the paladin shakes his head and climbs to his feet again, walking towards the door at the back of the room.
"Coral, would you like to do the honours?"
Lola thanks the guards, "ve con Dios. We could not have done this without you." She clasps them on the shoulder and squeeze, and then adds, "if you would do us one more favor - can you send word to Ms. Evni Zongnoss at the nearby Pathfinder Lodge? She needed our help, but we have to ensure this area is secure. And these poor people - they need to be interred," She gestures towards the dead. "We would do so, but time is not on our side." She bows to them, thankful, regardless of their response, and then relaxes slightly and takes a breath, facing Damian, "good nose - let me think..."
The sister gives the bodies and the place of specter dissipation a quick prayer asking that their souls are freed to travel the river to their next destination. Then moved back over to the group "I do believe our Second Knight was incorrect in your need for help."
As Damian asked question, she shook her head in her lack of answers. "They died recently, so if answers are needed we could ask them. I would need to pray for the magic to be gifted to me, so we should wait until the more immediate concerns are taken care of."
"We were more fortunate this time, Sister Isabet. Must be the Lucky Drunk's favor!
Answers from the dead could be of great use."
Coral checks the door to the south for traps.
Isabet bows her head at the mention of her god's favor "The question is simply how much time do you wish to expend on the answers? Also if you have specific questions to ask or just wish for general knowledge of their life and death?" the priestess asks. In her mind, Isabet is here for support, and they know what their timeline more than her.
As Coral moves to the door, the priestess offers a smidgen of help "If you don't mind the slight fleeting buzz it causes I can provide a small divine guidance to your search?"
Lola returns to the Watchknights at the gate just as the last of the day disappears over the horizon. She updates the Watchknights and they set off for the Pathfinder lodge to deliver your message as she returns to the group.
Lola doesn't have extensive knowledge of Vigil's sewers, but she recalls hearing that the city has them.
Coral finds the doors to the south locked, but safe.
Sister Isabet casts blood biography on the slain half-elf. On the adjacent wall, four answers appear to her questions.
Who are you?
"Serenya Val'Lyon"
What are you?
"Female, Half-Elf, Seal-Breaker Knight"
How was your blood shed?
"I was slain in combat by the Six Wise Crows after leading an assault on the Erstwhile Dyeworks. They fought fiercely, but we overwhelmed them. Barrush's spear got me from behind."
When was your blood shed?
"This day. Several hours ago."
Kendren frowned. "What is a Seal-Breaker Knight, and why was one leading an assault on the dyeworks today?"
Lola laughs, but there is a hint of bitterness and melancholy in her voice, as she sighs.
She shakes her head, ”I know there are sewers, and we can deduce that this seal breaker was in the sewer. Why they attacked the crows, I can’t imagine.”
Over the last year, whispers have surfaced of another criminal organization in Vigil that is far more serious than Six Wise Crows. This organization supposedly consists of violent nihilists who have been working to free the Whispering Tyrant from imprisonment in Gallowspire. Little to nothing is known beyond this.
Kendren frowned at the corpses. He wasn't always the smartest person in the room, but he could at least connect some bits of information together. "I have a theory as to why the Seal-Breakers attacked the Crows. The Crows were hired by Gildais to replace all but one of the shards of the Shield of Arnisant with magical replicas. What if the Seal-Breakers found out the Crows had stolen the shards, and wanted to take shards from the Crows as a means of breaking the Seal? They may not realize that the shards are already in the hands of the Whispering Way."
Once the spell is over, Sister Isabet cleans off her fingers, tacky with drying blood, then rises. "These Crows are your enemies, and these Seal-Breakers are new? Does the name of killer, Barrush, mean anything to you?" she attempts to clarify the details in her own head.
Lola cackles and pulls down her skull mask, disappearing behind it, ”by my count, this is the third evil organization that we’ve made enemies of. Cuanto más, mejor.” She grins, and adds something in a totally unrecognizable language, ”Kuxtal yéetel u kíimile' jump'éel ilusión, le k'áate' ancla ba'ax Yaan to'on leti' le incertidumbre.”
”I am not counting, of course, the psychopomps who want to see us all returned to pharasma’s judgement. Who I work for. She sighs, ”have you any regrets in joining our doomed crusade? We do have some allies, of course, including a bitterly resentful archmage lich, in case you had any second thoughts.” She leans in, ”might want to keep that from the Crusade.” She winks at Isabet and steps back.
The sister watched the bard with interest dancing in her perceptive eyes. An interest that grew sharp and cold at the mention of a lich.
"I spent decades putting people back together from the Crusade, those that could be put back together, that is. So maybe I am one of those you Shouldn't be telling that to." she says, but then considers, wondering if Aylee knew about the lich.
Maybe that is why she thought Isabet would be an accepted help to them.
Her eyes soften again, at the thought of her friend and her own secrets. A weariness enter them in the place of the mirth. "No regrets, Ms. Aguilar-Vargas, I serve as is needed, no matter the place."
Coral says nothing about the resentful archmage lich, but slinks off quietly to work on the locked doors.
"Barrush" is a local thief from Vigil who made a name for themselves handling logistics for heists. Word on the street is that they were so talented they were scooped up and recruited to handle logistics for the Six Wise Crows gang.
The lock to the garden isn't as serious and with only a slight delay, Coral pops it open and reveals the garden beyond.
Outside in the dimly lit gardens, there are rows of flowers and other plants that decorate the northern central portion of the Erstwhile Dyeworks. Fennel, henna, madder, poppies, and saffron surround several walnut trees. Sheets of colored fabric and sheaves of brightly dyed wool hang on wires that crisscross the garden.
Two paths leave this area, one connects to the barn and one to the Millhouse. In between these two rests the tanning pits.
Isabet's ears perk a bit, before she leans in to whisper to the group "There are sloshing sounds coming from the tanning pits, and a bad odor coming from it as well."
Sister Isabet can't place the scent precisely. It's not exactly undead, but it's familiar to her. She thinks it smells like ... a terrible disease or plague, which she's smelled plenty of in her day.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"It smells like sickness" she says with a start. Quickly she slips her hand into the small pouch on her hip and pulls out a small vial labeled neatly 'Antiplague'. She hands it to the nearest person, then pulls out another and another until each person has one. "Better safe than sorry. Drink. Please."
"Wait, what's that about a lich?" Kendren didn't recall anyone telling him about a lich, just a strange traveler on a road who didn't like the Whispering Way.
When Isabet handed him the vial, he took her advice and drank it. The Second Sword Knight trusted her, so he would trust her. He then whispered, "Coral and I will advance to the front. If the door is safe to open, and after Coral unlocks it if needed, I will open it and enter first so that I take the brunt of any enemy attacks."
Lola grins at Kendren, and pats him on the arm, "we do not walk the path of wickedness, rest assured, but ... Golarion is a complex place," She nods at Isabet, "you are both risking your lives and perhaps even souls for a great cause - you are owed some ... knowledge of the complexity."
She gestures at the people who had been with her the longest, "they can correct me, but at the moment, I think we accept what we cannot control and persevere as best we can."
She steps behind Coral and Kendren, and swigs the antiplague, "yuumbo'otik kiik Cloodes," tilting her head in thanks at Isabet.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Feena felt herself becoming nervous when it was spelled out just what they were up against. So many enemies and so few allies, it was not pleasant to think about. There was little they could do about it though, other than gain what support they could. The mention of the Archlich was a bit more than she might have recommended but it was true and, more importantly, she had realized who it was and knew that they likely could trust her, she had more reason to hate the Whispering Tyrant than any of them did. She did respond to Kendren's surprised response about a lich and asked, "Did you not realize who gave us the cart and the equipment was Kendren? She seemed to want to stay anonymous so I did not say anything about her identity. Let's just say there is no one I can think of who would want the Whispering Tyrant dealt with more than her."
As they continued their explorations and found the tanning pits Feena's nose wrinkled at the smell of it. It was foul and nasty, and she wanted nothing to do with it. Fortunately, it seemed that Sister Isabet was proving her worth and warned them of something in the pits that smelled at the very least of disease.
Feena accepted the offered vial from Isabet and downed it, her face crinkling at the taste of it, but swallowing it regardless. She then gestured that they should step back a short distance to decide how to do this. Once they were hopefully far enough away, she said softly, "I can cast a spell and try to wring the pit in a wall of fire. Anything inside should be cooked and burned badly before it can reach us. If the fire keeps it trapped a few attacks from a distance might well be enough to end it."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Damian raises the vial towards Sister Isobet in a 'cheers' gesture before he downs it. He nods at Feena's suggestion.
"Fire is usually a good way to contain the transmission of sickness." He pulls up the top edge of his undershirt over his nose and mouth, for good measure. "I need to get a scarf. Perhaps there's a souvenir shop here, I'll buy one that says "I've been to Vigil and all I got was the plague"."
As Feena and Damian discuss burning the pits, Isabet places her hand on the barn door and looks within (without opening the door). "Cayden is not a fool, even if he plays the part Very well. He teachers, that bravely rushing through a door is much easier once you know what is on the other side." she explains, then expands the explanation to describe the power she is using.
Isabet touches the barn door and gets a glimpse of a rather strange sight beyond.
"Miss Coral, please we need to open this door now. There is a watchknight captain in desperate need of rescue." she steps back out of the way "She is locked in the pillory. And also there is a cage full of goats... which is odd."
"That may be Captain Aubry - she may have witnessed the theft of the pieces of the shield. If she is alive, her intelligence may be helpful."
Kendren prepared to open the barn door once Coral assured him it was safe and unlocked.
Coral quickly goes over the door to find it safe. Kendren opens the door, and a wave of animal waste stink fills the barn, hitting him full-on. A pair of cages is built into the barn’s northern wall. Several goats crammed into the western cage bleat in distress. An enormous mound of hay fills the eastern third of the barn. Large sliding doors lead south out of the barn and a smaller door opens to the west , and a hayloft rings the barn above.
Stuffed with the bleating goats is a pillory containing a woman in Watchknight clothing and captain's rank insignia. She is bloodied and has been beaten and roughed up, but remains alive.
Kendren didn't like this. Part of this felt like a trap. He scanned the area between their door and the cage, as well as the hayloft, looking for traps or other such dangers. "Can someone check if there is any magic to beware of?"
Isabet frowns. The caution the warrior is showing makes sense, but seeing the woman in need without rushing toward her to help is almost painful to the cleric. Quickly she grasps her holy symbol, prays out the spell, and detects magic into the room.
Isabet cautiously scans the room to look for magic but finds none. Kendren's gaze moves around the barn, searching for signs of an ambush or trap, but doesn't find anything either.
Finally sensing your presence, the woman in the pillory slowly lifts her head to look at you. She opens her mouth and says something, but she is unable to summon the strength to speak loudly and her words are lost under the bleating of the distressed goats.
"Kendren, can you sense the presence of evil like many paladins can? I suspect a trap or deception."
"There are no magical auras." the sister states, still showing a strong desire to move forward. But she knew these people were greater experts on situations such as this. Trying to think about Coral's words, she suggests "If one of you have a bow, you could fire into the hay." she doesn't take her eyes off the wounded woman enough to look around.
Damian nocks an arrow to follow Sister Isabet's suggestion just as he concentrates on the presence of evil in the barn.
Damian's arrow sails into the large pile of hay, but nothing jumps out or makes any sound. A quick survey for evil in the barn comes up empty.
The woman eyes you anxiously before taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, her shoulders sagging in resignation. "Please make it quick." she says in a raspy voice, her tone filled with a mix of fear and resignation.
Coral moves up and opens the pillory.
If it is locked,
With Coral's forward movement, Isabet also breaks ranks. "shhh, we are not an enemy. We are allies" she continues soothing sounds, white pressing her hand on the battered woman slow and nonthreatening, healing some of the physical wounds away.
Lola seems anxious at the entire affair. She breathes steadily, paying close attention to their surroundings, trying to discern whatever she can about the barn and the goats, her spear at the ready. In particular, she watches behind the party, carefully monitoring the courtyard.
Feena saw how badly the woman inside the building was doing and immediately felt for her. That couldn't be pleasant and the fact that she thought they were there to hurt her more caused an expression of hurt to wash across her face for a moment. Instead she went to help the woman sit after being freed from the stocks. "You will be alright now, we'll get you out of here."
Coral unlocks the woman from the pillory, and Isabet cures some of her wounds. Relief washes over her, and she takes a deep breath. It's clear she had assumed you were here to kill her.
"Thank you." she starts, her posture still heavily guarded. It's clear she doesn't feel safe and she offers nothing further. She wraps her hands around her chest and walks away from the cage as her eyes search each of you as if she were trying to gauge your trustworthiness.
"Captain, I am Sister Isabet Cloodes, a good friend of Second Sword Knight Aylunna Varvatos. And these fine people are working with her to help stop some of the calamities befalling us lately. You can trust us. But I understand completely if that is beyond your ability to do so at the moment." she slowly pulls her dagger from her belt "I am not a fighter, just a healer, so this is my only weapon. You may have it if it would make you feel safer."
Doeswen's eyes flicker between each party member before settling on Isabet. She holds up her hand to tell Sister Isabet she is not interested in her dagger. Her breathing steadies slightly, and she seems to relax some, but her harrowing ordeal has put her on edge, and she hesitates before. "That's ... not enough. You are accompanied by a band of highly skilled individuals by the look of it. Believing a dagger would protect me from you would be folly."
"Sister Isabet, what are you doing here? Who are these others? I did not expect to be rescued by just a healer. Why have you freed me? You clearly are not a Watchknight nor are you Six Wise Crows. If you are here to help, I need to know more. Prove to me that I can trust you."