Kallie scowls at the fact that her dimensional step ability is curtailed, so she lets Croq's music bolster her mind. She steps through the arch determined to fight off the cursed magic.
"Okay, nice. We might have to rely on that music a bit more, since those guards were medusas. Get a good look at them within conversational distance, and you're petrified. As in, turned to stone."
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"I'm not certain the power of rock is the best way to avoid getting stoned..." cautions Jaya.
"If you have a better idea, I'm all ears. At least while the red shrine's working."
Aurealia strides through without issue, bopping her head to the beat.
The rest of your companions make it through the cursed archway without much trouble, Galatea deciding to forgo using her pendant for the sake of expediency. From there, you find yourselves in a much larger chamber. Eight thick pillars of stone support its domed ceiling, which rises forty feet into the air. The most notable thing about the room itself is that it's filled with... statues. Quite a variety too, from stylized peacocks to lifelike humanoid ones...
As if on cue, one of the medusa guards pokes her head into the room from outside and waves sheepishly.
"It appears that you and your entourage got past the trap just fine, Lady Doss?" she inquires.
Despite the rather chilling decor, Viralane manages to stay in-character.
"Indeed. And I must say, this is certainly a rather... interesting welcome committee," 'Hira' muses aloud.
"Oh, uh, please pardon the... artwork, Lady Doss," the medusa guard says with a blush. "This entranceway is rarely used, so the two of us get bored just standing around all day. Carving statues is how we pass the time."
At the moment, it appears that you could quite easily just keep walking; the guards genuinely believe that you are here to escort 'Hira' back to the Grand Temple proper. That said, there is very little stopping you from attacking the medusas while their guard is down.
Well, besides the very real possibility that you might join their statue collection...
Aurealia takes her lead from the group's talkers, playing the role of guard to the best of her ability.
"Well, that was inconvenient, although clearly not insurmountable," Kallie comments loudly enough that the medusae could hear. Once past the archway, she addresses the guards directly. "Now that that's over with, what is the latest news here in the Peacock Shrine? Did Xandergul arrive like he said he would? We have to make our report."
"And make sure you're not gazing at us! We've no wish to join your little art projects."
The medusas avert their gaze as instructed, but they seem genuinely confused by the mention of Xanderghul.
"...Xandergul? To my knowledge, no one named Xanderghul currently resides at the Grand Temple, ma'am," one of them says, eliciting a nod of agreement from the other. "As for your other question, I heard it through the grapevine that something recently got High Priestess Zurea quite upset. However, I'm not keen on the exact details."
"Otherwise, it's basically business as usual," the other adds. "Seriously, Old Haanshu and Karrigan Patch are still at each other's throats!"
Your conversation with the medusa guards ends shortly afterward. Without further ado, you proceed north into the temple grounds proper, passing two pools of water as you leave the entrance building. Taking in your surroundings, you notice a river that flows south. With her heightened senses, Aurealia is able to hear a waterfall in the distance to the southeast.
You soon spot two more buildings made of finely polished stone. The one to the south is rather small and located by where Aurealia hears the waterfall. Meanwhile, the northern one appears to be a large fortress, which completely blocks the path north.
"We should search both complexes. Those Peacock Shrines could be anywhere," Galatea suggests once you are out of earshot of the guards. "Even if the purple shrine is arguably the most important one, each one we neutralize will still weaken the defenses of this place."
"There's something in the bottom of the pool there," Aurealia observes aloud, pointing to the eastern pool. "Can't really make it out under the rocks. Anyone want to go swimming?"
Kallie frowns. "Not particularly, no."
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"Sure, I've got some croc skillz thanks to...wait, a parent maybe? Damn I hate having my memories messed with.
"Anyway, I'm a natural as swimming. I'll check it out."
The medusa guards collectively tilt their heads in confusion as Croq abruptly (from their point of view) jumps into one of the water pools.
However, 'Hira' promptly gives them an unamused look and gestures for them to get back to their posts. The two once again salute ‘Hira’ and then scurry back into the entrance building. For her part, thanks to her strong swimming skills, Croq has no trouble retrieving what appears to be a magical rod not unlike the ones Jaya sometimes uses to enhance her spells.
"Could be a nanny? I suppose a relative is more likely since you're also crocodilian in nature..."
"Oh! This rod may be of use. It enhances the aetheric conductivity of spells, allowing those that are typically used at a close distance greater flexibility in their range."
"Sweet. That will come in handy at some point, I'm sure." She looks around for a moment and then points at the southern building. "Let's clear that little place first, while we still have the element of surprise?"
Croq hands the rod to Jaya, "Take it!"
"Sweet. That will come in handy at some point, I'm sure." She looks around for a moment and then points at the southern building. "Let's clear that little place first, while we still have the element of surprise?"
"Sounds good to me. Lead on, sis!"
The most prominent feature of the smaller complex would be its two guard towers. These octagonal structures, one on each side of the river, are made of stone and rise about 30 feet into the air. A flight of stone stairs going up about 10 feet leads into the western tower. At this same height, you see a wooden bridge spanning the width of the river that connects the two towers.
Aurealia brings the group to the stop as she spots an arrow flying from one of the guard towers. Thankfully, it hits a target off in the distance, about halfway to the larger complex to the north. From what Aurealia can see with her heightened senses, said target appears to be a wooden dummy.
"I think we should discuss our approach before proceeding forward," Galatea suggests. "Should we, as they say in Alkenstar, go in guns blazing? Or does anyone have something else in mind?"
Upon noticing Galatea glancing at her, 'Hira' shrugs.
"Bluffing our way past two lone lackeys is one thing, and honestly, I only tried because we were in a bit of pickle. By the way, Kallie, thank you for the inspiration," Viralane says, dropping the act, though not the appearance just yet. "I'm not sure how well my act would hold up against someone who actually knows Hira, and there are some pretty considerable gaps in my knowledge about these people. I don't even know the actual name of 'Her Eminence' for example. 'Her Eminence' would be Hira's boss, by the way."
Aurealia shrugs. She flexes her biceps, offering, "I've got guns. They can blaze."
"Yeah, but they'll be able to blaze even if the deception fails," Kallie says. "At least until those shrines get removed, I'm not going to be much help in a fight, and odds are neither is Jaya because of all the layered protections. Fighting should be last resort, unless you're sure that fighting in the guard towers won't draw out all the defenders."
"Time for an encore presentation then, huh? Alright, I'll see if I can at least get us inside," Viralane says with a nod, her voice gradually changing back to her Hira impression as she speaks. "That said, unless Jaya's explosive spells are particularly loud, I doubt anyone but Aurealia would hear any fighting through several inches of solid stone."
"I'd still prepare for a fight regardless. If we find a Peacock Shrine in there, I doubt the guards will just politely stand around while we disable it," Galatea notes.
Viralane takes a moment to rehearse what she plans to say before leading the way to the southern complex.
"Hira Doss and company, reporting in!" 'Hira' calls out on the cue of Aurealia, who easily notices the archers noticing you. "I'd like to speak with your superior before returning to the temple proper!"
Once again, Viralane's natural talent and charisma become readily apparent. A moment later, another medusa pokes her head from atop the western tower. She studies "Hira and company" for a moment before nodding.
"One moment, Lady Doss. I'll let him know that we have visitors," the medusa says with a salute. It appears that she's better informed than her companions at the entrance were.
A moment later, the guard returns with... a lithe and yet towering humanoid creature with two red eyes, two long golden tusks, and six arms. He's bare-chested, showing off much of his lean, muscular physique and golden skin. He isn't wearing much in the way of protective gear, just a pair of loose white pants with a crimson sash and pair of pointy metallic boots that also protect his shins. He's armed with two bows and two handaxes.
"Lady Doss," the creature says with a nod, his deep voice echoing in your mind. "How did your mission go?"
He pauses as he looks at each of you.
"And who are they? They don't look like the ones Her Eminence sent with you..."
Croq laughs, and then takes on a look of genuine surprise. "Wait, sorry, didn't you know?
"Those were the traitors. Her Eminence didn't want to let them know she was onto them but of course she was, right?
"She sent us to meet up with Lady Doss and show the traitors what Her Eminence thinks of those who would sabotage her plans.
"They hadn't...you hadn't been fooled by them, had you?"
Taking advantage of Croq's distraction, Jaya tries to suss out what the strange creature is...
Wow, he's so pretty. Aurealia starts staring at the wondrous creature.
As he processes Croq's words, the golden creature crosses his arms... before slowly nodding.
"I see. Well, it is good that you dealt with the traitors then," he remarks, clearly taking Croq's tale at face value. "Now, what did you wish to speak with me about?"
"I was hoping I could get a more... comprehensive synopsis of recent events around the temple grounds. Unfortunately, the two posted at the entrance were... not particularly helpful," 'Hira' says dryly, getting a chuckle from the nearby medusa archer.
"In some regards, not much has changed since you left, Lady Doss. The bickering between Old Haanshu, Karrigan Patch, and their respective groups has continued as usual," the golden creature says. He points to the northern complex. He then motions vaguely to the northwest. "However, something recently roused The Forester out of his long slumber, and he has begun tending to the temple grounds again. Whatever it was appears also to have... upset Her Eminence as well."
Kallie squints one eye as she considers what's being said by the six-armed creature. "Something woke up the Forester? Any idea what it was? A visitor, perhaps? Signs or portents? And are you sure that whatever it was, it's the same something that's upset Her Eminence?"
Kallie's question seems to bring the six-armed creature pause.
"It is an educated guess," he eventually admits. "Almost exactly when the Forester woke up, something upset Her Eminence. To me, that implies a correlation."
"'Upset' is an understatement! She actually ventured all the way out here to check on..." the medusa archer says before a glare from the golden creature's red eyes silences her. Clearly, her boss does not like to be interrupted!
"As for the Forester," the six-armed creature continues, pausing for a long moment before finally saying, "you'll have to ask him directly to be sure, but I think he's preparing the grounds to the liking of an important visitor."
Kallie nods as if all this makes sense. Then she decides upon a gambit. Turning to the archer but avoiding looking her in the eye, she asks, "Her Eminence checked on what? One of the shrines?"
After waiting to make sure that her boss is done speaking, the archer nods affirmatively.
"As far I know, everything was ultimately fine," she adds.
After several seconds of silence, 'Hira' quickly reads the metaphorical room and takes charge once again.
"Well, I'd say that's a fairly comprehensive synopsis. Thank you both for the information," she says with a nod and a charming smile. "Anyway, I think we'll take our leave now. I've got a few things I'd like to discuss with my team about before we head to the temple proper."
The six-armed creature nods and heads back inside the southern complex without another word. At this point, you're getting the impression that he's a fairly apathetic fellow in general. After a moment of awkward silence, the medusa archer waves goodbye and then returns to her post on the guard tower. 'Hira' takes this chance to lead you somewhere secluded where you can speak in peace.
"Alright, what's the plan now?" Viralane says, once again dropping her act but not her disguise. "For the record, I don't know anything about Karrigan Patch or Old Haanshu. While Hira never mentioned them, we might have trouble if she was drinking buddies with them or something."
"We still have the element of surprise right now. We should probably start clearing out the opposition while we have the chance, especially since it sounds like there's a shrine in that southern complex," Galatea suggests. "By the way, does anyone know what kind of creature that was? Unfortunately, Garland the Gallant has yet to fight anything humanoid with six-arms and elephant tusks."
"That was a japalisura. Their extra arms lets them shoot arrows from two bows at a time. They also have visions of the future like oracles, but they can twist them into violence. Meaning, he can get people to attack each other."
She gives her staff a twirl. "We might not be in the shrines' warded area yet. I've got to try to get rid of the medusae, and it'd be nice to get them on our side."
"OK then, is it time for a drumming??"
When her allies are ready, Croq casts Good Hope on everyone, and starts a Raging Song.
"I've got a new form I could break out, but it would be rather noticeable. I think I'll stay like this for now."
She casts an extended shield with her rod, and gets ready to follow the others.
In preparation for the upcoming battle, Galatea casts a suite of spells on herself and Cheshire and then vanishes from sight.
"I think I'll sit this one out," Viralane says with a weary sigh. "With my luck, I'll either end up as a pin cushion or a statue..."
With that, the actress offers you a bow of respect and then goes to hide somewhere safe and out of the way.
The walk back to the southern complex is uneventful. As you draw near, you see that the two medusae have returned to their archery contest. The one you spoke with earlier perks up as she sees you approaching and offers a small wave.
"Oh, hello again. Did you need something?" she asks.
Jaya watches for Kallie's move, ready to blind whichever archer does not have her mind seized.
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"Hi! Could we be friends?" Kallie says simply as she triggers her staff, putting a portion of her own power to boost its strength.
Before enacting her plan, Kallie quickly realizes that the medusa guarding the eastern tower is out of reach of her Infectious Charms. Thankfully, Kallie's silver tongue quickly solves that problem; a quick (and classic) "There's something important I need to tell you both." is all it takes to lure both guards into range.
And after Kallie makes her announcement (and casts her spell), both the guards look at each other in confusion before turning back to Kallie.
"I thought we were already friends?" they say simultaneously.
"Oh, sure! Best friends," Kallie confirms with delight in her voice.
She motions for them to come closer, leaning in conspiratorily. "So, this is super important, and I can only share this with trusted allies. Our mission to uncover the traitors found something else out: The Peacock shrines were cursed. The protections you think they're giving? Reversed. They're making us vulnerable. The only way we can protect ourselves is to shut them down, so they can be reactivated without the curse."
Croq was just about to spin into drumming mode when Kallie spoke up.
Happily she restrains herself in time to smile and nod along to Kallie's yarn. With the earnestness of a trained performer, she adds, "It's complicated because we're still not sure we've found all the traitors. There are people who have seemed loyal for years but are actually working to undermine Her Eminence. Happily, we know you two aren't involved. With some sadness, it's possible we'll have to fight some traitors who have tried to appear loyal for a while. Can we count on your help, for the sake of Her Eminence?
"By the way, earlier you said, 'She actually ventured all the way out here to check on...' but we got interrupted. I'm confident Her Eminence would like you to finish that thought now, aren't you?"
It takes the two guards a few minutes to process everything that they're bring told.
"Her Eminence ventured out here to check on the Peacock shrine. She seemed to think everything was fine after inspecting it, though..." the western tower guard finally says.
For a moment, she seems uncertain about this apparent contradiction between what she knows and what you're telling her. However, one look at Kallie's charming smile, and the archer reaches an obvious conclusion. Obviously, her trusted friend and ally would never lie to her, right?
"Something must have changed, huh? Alright, you better go take a look. The shrine is inside the boss' room. Right through the front door and to the right."
Stepping inside the complex, you discover that it's actually a prison. Thankfully, all the cells are empty. There are six small ones to the south and southwest plus a larger cell to the southeast. Of note, the metal bars of the larger cell are black, and its walls are painted midnight blue. The latter seems to absorb any light that draws near.
The boss' quarters are by far the most furnished part of the complex, but that isn't really saying much; all you see are an admittedly nice wooden chair and single desk, the latter with a ring of keys resting atop it. All over the walls of this room, you see the image of a large, open eye surrounded by a peacock feather. All of this imagery is blue... just like the peacock statue resting atop a pedestal in the southwestern corner of the room. While the body of the statue itself is blue, you see every color of the rainbow radiating from its plumage.
The only obstacle between the Peacock shrine and you is the six-armed japalisura, who is just kind of... standing in the room. Menacingly, of course. Granted, his apathy is also on full display as he doesn't even do much more than look at you before quickly resuming his previous position.
"You're not just going to let us do our thing, are you?"
"Saboteurs," the japalisura growls, his red eyes widening slightly in realization. He quickly becomes... slightly less apathetic than before. He also readies his bows, giving a very obvious answer to Aurealia's question.
"...Drat. Cheshire can't fit in that room," Galatea's disembodied voice mutters.
Still outside, the medusa guards look at each other in confusion before turning to their best buddy Kallie for an explanation.
The japalisura swiftly conjures several arrows literally from thin air and then fires a concentrated volley at Aurealia.
Aurelia staggers as she's hit by the hail of arrows. "Aww, hells no. I can play the arm game too!"
As the spell takes hold, Aurealia surges in size into a two-story tall female giant with blue skin and six arms. She looks a bit shocked at the sheer mass she's attained, and clearly didn't think through the size of the room in her haste to try out her new combat form.
Jaya yelps in surprise as Aurealia's sudden expansion shoves her off to the side, only narrowly squeezing around the corner instead of Aurealia pressing her against a wall.
Which would be... bad.
Shaking off her surprise, Jaya reaches up to a knee to channel some of her inborn fury into Aurealia for her next assault.
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Kallie turns to her two new besties. "Look, getting rid of the sabotaged shrines is our priority, and not everyone is going to let us. I know the spell to undo petrified flesh, so how about you use your gaze on them while we sort this out? I'll fix everyone who's loyal later. Okay?"
"Damn, sis, that's a badass form!"
Croq surfs in on her magic carpet, floating about 10' off the air. As she approaches the outsider, she sings,