Noke sprays glitterdust against the vampires.
Both vampire spawn are covered in dust, unable to see. Yet the vampires still have some uncanny ability to dodge attackers. Hanlin learns this the hard way as his blast veers off angle. Serge also discovers this as the gods mock him some more.
"The only bad luck I suffer is listening to your mindless words!" The Soul Eater hisses at Ginko. "Your soul will grant me nothing but indigestion!"
Gitano takes this opportunity to slip in while the soul eater is distracted and impales it with his rapier.
Glorne slashes the Soul Eater twice, and its hold on existence is much weaker than before. The Soul Eater identifies him as the big threat and slashes at him twice.
One claw reaches right through his armor, targeting a piece of his very soul.
Meanwhile, Ordellia maintains her ethereal starknives on the two vampires. "Dammit all, I can't see!" They lash out blindly at those nearby.
One of the vampires slams Glorne with her fist. The starknives briefly collect in front of Glorne and repel the vampire before she can drain his life.
While the ethereal starknives away from her face, the vampire wipes the glitterdust away. "I knew we should have taken our food to go. But no, you had to get greedy! Hurry up and help me flank this guy."
Allies
Soul Eater (73 damage)
Purple
Red (Glitterdust 2/5)
Serge
Gitano
Hanlin
Noke (8 damage)
Glorne (32 damage, Fort Save DC 17 or take 7 wisdom damage, Fort Save DC 17 or take 6 wisdom damage)
Ginko
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Wrinkling his nose in annoyance as his undead zapper fails to connect, Hanlin strides into the room with a purpose, drawing his silver mace as he walks. "Excuse me while I whip this out..." He grins, looking at the mace then instead raising his empty palm to the sky and letting the healing energy of Iomedae wash over all his allies in the room.
The healing energy isn't much, but it's enough to revive Davorge and the Blue Man. Davorge coughs some blood. "My friends, you're just in time. I can tend to our injuries if someone hands me my holy symbol." He points to the piano seat.
He shouts. "Luvyire and I were able to destroy two of the undead, but the others were too strong."
The Red vampire feels Noke's misfortune overwhelm her thoughts.
With his first lunge, Gitano destroys the Soul Eater. He then shuffles forward a bit and impales the vampire through her Purple dress.
Ginko takes the opportunity to retrieve the starknife and holy symbol before folding time and space, landing next to Davorge.
"I'll... I'll work on banishing these vampires with my holy magic. Unless you want me to heal you instead." Davorge hums a bit to himself. "And my friend in the back there can turn you invisible if you get close to him."
Glorne freezes the vampire so badly she falls to the floor, unmoving. Some of its wounds heal slightly.
Serge clobbers the vampire twice, not hitting as hard as he would want to.
Ordellia continues to rain ethereal starknives over the vampires as Davorge comes to his feet and takes the symbol. "Oh, Ashava. Heal my good friends, who kept me alive for yet another day."
Davorge laughs as the remaining vampire flails uselessly. Where is she aiming?
"Now now, friends." He coughs. "Can someone take care of those vampires, permanently? You'll need something wooden to drive through their wretched hearts. Then we can behead them and anoint the remains with holy water."
The blue man in the back rises to his feet. "Davorge. Immersing them in running water will destroy them. Or we need to wait for the sunrise."
Allies
Purple (48 damage, prone, unconscious)
Red (23 damage, Glitterdust 3/5)
Serge
Gitano
Hanlin
Noke (2 damage)
Glorne (26 damage)
Ginko
Noke starts casting 'enlarge person'.
Ginko heals some of the yamah's wounds. Something prevents the majority of wounds from healing though. "Th-thank you." He looks at the starknife. "Right now my starknife will be better utilized by someone else." He grabs his arm and feels the many wounds across it.
"I can turn you invisible, if you wish."
Hanlin takes the opportunity to bonk the vampire in the face with his mace.
The yamah nods to Ginko and... patiently waits for his turn.
Serge takes aim and hacks into the remaining vampire, taking her down before she rubs the glitterdust out.
The vampire spawn is dead. Ordellia’s spirit manifests fully. She raises her hands, and your wounds magically close. The blue man’s wounds still persist, but Davorge is feeling better than ever. ”Luvyire!” Davorge reaches a hand. ”These are the allies from the Pathfinder Society I told Ordellia to contact. I knew they wouldn’t let me down!”
Davorge produces several vials of holy water and lets you hack the vampire heads off as you drive planks of wood into their hearts. They lurch forward for one last gasp at unlife before turning to dust.
After the grisly action, Luvyire’s wings shimmer in the light of the waxing moon as he speaks, heedless of the blood drenching his white robes, “Thank you for your assistance, heroes. I’d definitely have been slain if not for your help. I heard bits and pieces of your investigation from here while I rested, and I believe I have the answers you seek. You see, I am a servitor of the True Spark, Ashava. Along with two of my dearest friends, I watched over the Glade of the Silver Spark just outside your City of Monuments, longer than the Arvensoar has stretched toward Magnimar’s sky. Two weeks ago, our home was attacked by a malevolent will-o’-wisp called Tulvhatha. She
and her servants called upon dark powers to corrupt the glade, and they tore my friends apart,” Luvyire stops, tears welling in his eyes. After a pause, he shakes them free and continues.
“I knew they were after the Soul Spark. It is a relic, a magical effigy that serves as a beacon for souls. Once the Soul Spark draws in wandering spirits, it is a simple matter for Ashava’s servants to guide them to the great River where they can find peace. I knew I couldn’t protect it alone, so I fled to Magnimar to seek aid. But my injuries slowed my flight, and the cultists tracked me down. They meant to kill me, and they nearly succeeded.” Luvyire continues,
stopping briefly to gesture to Ordellia. “If Ordellia had not come to my aid, I would have met my end at their hands. I am the one left to defend the Soul Spark, but I cannot defend it without help.”
“Of course,” Ordellia interjects. “By Desna’s grace, we shall all do our part to quell the evil that lingers in the Mushfens.”
Hope fills Luvyire’s eyes. “That’s excellent! Together, I just know we can,” Luvyire’s excitement is cut short as he winces in pain, fresh blood oozing from his wounds. “I... it might be better if you go without me. But remember, heroes. Though alone you might dance, the True Spark is forever your audience. I believe I can give you a blessing in Ashava’s name, should you choose to accept it.”
After you make your decision, Luvyire stands silent for a moment. “Then it’s settled,” Luvyire finishes solemnly. “By the light of the next full moon, you shall hunt.”
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Hanlin happily takes his longsword and beheads each of the vampires. He whispers a small prayer to Iomedae as each has its heart shredded by the oaken stake. "And that's enough out of you fiend." He repeats each time.
After things have been 'taken care of' Hanlin smiles as he listens to the back and forth, nodding with acceptance "I'd love the blessing of Ashava. The Gods like to work together to get worthwhile things done, and this sounds very worth while. I'm in."
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Gitano throws caution to the wind. "Free blessing? Hells, yeah! Lady Luck won't hold it against me." Right, Desna?
Luvyire takes Gitano's hand, and a full moon appears on it. Of course, he immediately has to rub it.
What the heck?
Gitano shares a knowing wink and a grin with Noke and Hanlin, and he waits to see what the others will do.
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Serge smiles upon the spirit, bowing to it. "Ragathiel's blessings upon you, Luvyire. It is an honor to have aided you, and especially to have eliminated those wretched vampires." The paladin nods at Hanlin and throws him an awkward thumbs up.
"My code does not forbid me from accepting a blessing, so please, as you will." The paladin noisily gets down on his knees, and as the blessing takes shape, Serge's face contorts.
I believe she said a blessing. Why am I a.. werewolf?
"Glorne, I need your assistance, elsewhere." Sheila calls the man aside. "Venture-Captain Dreng in Absalom asked for you personally." She shrugs. "He didn't tell me anything else... He never tells me anything."
Sheila Heidmarch is proud of your efforts, and she lets you keep the equipment she lent you. She grants Luvyire a room to stay in while he recovers from his wounds. He’s not the strangest guest to ever set foot in the mansion, and he practices his dances every night.
Mayor Grobaras sends you ribbons acknowledging your service to Magnimar, along with a commemorative certificate that claims that he hired you in the first place. The slight infuriates Theodorus, and he begins what he calls the “True Investigation” before fading from the public eye.
Davorge continues his worship. Between consulting with Ordellia and practicing his dance steps with Luvyire, he couldn’t be happier to be alive. That’s not true, he wishes he could locate the source of corruption himself.
Astrologers say the week will end with the full moon against a cloudless night sky. The Heidmarches agree and advise you to stay in the city- you will hunt again, soon.
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Noke is content that they were able to rid the city of corruption but her desire to learn more about the source of the evil is almost too much to bear.
"I want research as much as possible about what awaits so that we are prepared! You find me in the lodge's library ... and you all should ready yourself so that we can depart soon - the full moon is nearing!"
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Gitano spends the week exploring what Magnimar has to offer in evening enterntainment.
He discovers he feels most at home in Magnimar’s most dangerous district, Underbridge. Seedy taverns, poorly run brothels, and rat-infested gambling dens compete with salt-blasted tenement buildings and cheap flophouses. Ah, my kind of neighborhood!
"Come, Sancho. Let's have a drink, shall we?" Gitano enters a promising local pub.
The Friendly Merchant is a dilapidated tavern, and the bravo soon learns that it's frequented by thugs, con artists, deviants, and worse. The friendly merchant himself, the elf sorcerer Siov Cassimeel, is a scheming but ultimately cowardly criminal involved in a variety of petty crimes.
Gitano pulls up a chair near the sputtering, struggling flame in the hearth. "Lords and ladies, have I a tale to tell, of spirits and ghosts, of monuments and mayhem. Gird your loins and lend me your ears, and I will recount the incredible exploits of magic and melee, of heroes and scoundrels."
A handsome half-orc serving wench brings him a chilled glass of Kyonin absinthe. As the crowd gathers and the tension mounts, he sips the milky green vintage. Then, from his waistcoat he draws a fine braganza, a thin-rolled cigar from the Plains of western Molthune. With a dying ember from the hearth, he fires up his cigarillo, as he surveys his spell-bound audience.
Gitano exhales slowly, peering at them through the blue smoke, and recounts his tale...
Day Job
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Hovering as far away from Gitano as is seemly, Sancho palms a small silver flask that his employer retrieved from the dubious establishment in Absalom where Sancho had been forced to pawn it. The engraved sigil of his minor noble house, twin windmills, was still visible through the tarnish and grime. When his rheumy eyes clear enough to focus, he can just barely make out the etched words, "To my darling son Sancho Panza de Hidalgo. Be a good boy and don't spend all your inheritance on wine, women, and dice."
With a damp palm, Sancho wipes a tear from his ruddy cheek and then blows his nose, wiping his hand on his soiled pants. He flops down onto a rickety chair and hugs his master's sack of burdensome belongings.
I miss you, Mom. Sniffle.
Last time, on Pathfinder Society (Season 10, Episode 5)
Ghosts haunted the Varisian city of Magnimar. Restless spirits, dark rituals and bloodthirsty cultists terrorized the night. A supernatural investigator Theodorus Ichonvarde took his sweet time and drew no leads, so Lord-Mayor Grobaras tapped into a different resource- the Pathfinder Society.
The Pathfinders sanctified the monuments, restored sanity to the guardian spirit of Ordellia, and she led them to Luvyire, an azata follower of Ashava. The cultists planned to sacrifice him, but the Pathfinders saved him and quelled the threat. He warned them that the true culprit was still out there, corrupting the Glade of the Silver Spark. The malevolent will-o’-wisp called Tulvhatha must be stopped before she attacks civilization again.
Lord-Mayor Grobaras thank the Pathfinders and then claimed credit for quelling the supernatural activity and restoring peace to the monuments. Inspector Theodorus remained in the city, claiming the haunting wasn’t over.
One week later...
The week in Magnimar passes by. Glorne bids you all goodbye, off to complete his mission in Absalom. Noke begins her own mission in the lodge's library, only emerging to eat and drink. Ginko finds all of this entertaining, and amuses himself with several koans.
Gitano enjoys the week slumming, clubbing and having as much entertainment as possible. Sancho follows as much as he can. Serge and Hanlin follow the will of their gods, praying for success.
Eventually the week comes to an end.
Today is the day before the full moon in Magnimar. You have been in the Heidmarch manor, resting, recovering, and performing minor tasks for Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch. She asked you to come for breakfast at sunrise, and not to be tardy.
Sunlight streams through the dining hall’s window panes, illuminating the numerous dishes of food set on the table. Among the selection is a salad of fiddleheads, wild mushrooms, and herbs, a tray of grilled mackerel dressed with fen pepper, a plate of stuffed cabbage leaves, a bowl of maize porridge, and a tray of cheeses, nuts, and plums.
A blue-skinned man with solid black eyes, pointed ears, and butterfly wings stands nearby. He casts a curious gaze at the display while Venture- Captain Sheila Heidmarch strides forward with a warm smile.
“Thank you for joining us for luncheon, Pathfinders.” She gestures to the array on the table with a proud gleam in her eyes. “I thought we might chat over some quality Varisian cuisine. Please take a seat and help yourself to whatever you like, though I do recommend trying the mackerel—it’s freshly caught this morning.”
Settling into her seat, Venture-Captain Heidmarch pours herself a small glass of chilled white wine and reclines. “You likely know several areas of the city were recently disrupted by necromantic activity. The investigation traced the attacks to a will-o’-wisp named Tulvhatha, who has taken control of a holy site of Ashava known as the Glade of Silver Sparks. From what we’ve already seen in the city, along with Luvyire’s account of what occurred at the glade, it’s clear this creature wields power that surpasses most others of her kind.”
She flicks her gaze toward the blue-skinned man and inclines her head toward him. “Luvyire here has already offered Ashava’s blessing to transform the Pathfinders who saved his life into holy emissaries of the True Spark—something which can only be accomplished by the light of the full moon.”
Luvyire adds, “And I shall offer my goddess’s blessing to the rest of you as well. With it, you can transform into holy emissaries of the True Spark—something which can only be accomplished by the light of the full moon.”
The venture-captain pauses to sip her wine and idly runs a finger across the rim of the empty plate before her. “Tonight will be the full moon, and with it the chance to seek out the will-o’-wisp Tulvhatha and end her destruction.” Luvyire perks up from the assortment of food and glances longingly to the window before looking back. “I’m sorry I won’t be able to join you, Pathfinders. After recently being on the receiving end of Tulvhatha’s wrath, I fear I’m still too weak to make the journey. May Ashava watch over you and keep you safe.”
“I’m glad you’re finally seeing reason, Luvyire,” says the venture-captain. “You’ve already helped enough, and Magnimar is safer for it. As for you, Pathfinders, given the unique nature of the blessing Luvyire has bestowed upon you, you will need to exercise discretion. Your transformation will draw unnecessary alarm if witnessed by civilians. With this in mind, please be sure to be at the Mushfens by sunset. Take the time to prepare yourself for this evening however you need. Luvyire and I are here if you need our assistance. Remember, you have only this one night to discover the Glade of Silver Sparks and destroy Tulvhatha. Be quick, but be careful—you go against a formidable foe.”
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Serge worriedly strokes his chin at the thought of the transformation.
Will I maintain control of myself in such a form? And what if I do not?
"What can we expect at the Glade of Silver Sparks, Venture-Captain? I have not been to the Mushfens in some time, and I dare not leave without the proper preparations." Serge rummages through his bag to take stock. He's got a few vials of holy water, acid, and some torches. "Then again, I suppose if we take on the form of a wolf, we will likely lose the ability to use such items, and have to rely only on our senses." He rubs the bastard sword and wing emblazoned on his armor. Ragathiel, guide us.
Luvyire hears Serge and answers sorrowfully, “The glade is... was a holy dancing field dedicated to Ashava. I maintained and guarded it with two of my dearest friends, who died protecting it. The site also held a sacred relic called the Soul Spark—a mystical orb that helped draw in wayward spirits so that we might lead them to their final resting places. I don’t know what has become of it or the glade now.”
Heidmarch nods. "As for the marshfens itself, you will be traveling during a full moon- expect dim light conditions. You will want to look out for the animals and plants there. But I haven't heard anything particularly extraordinary.."
Unfortunately, Noke's research was not fruitful. The library didn't show her anything new.
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Hanlin spent the week socializing by night at the local drinkeries and visiting the local temple to Iomedae by day, practicing his sword strokes and speaking to the young initiates about how exactly to defeat evil outsiders such as demons and devils. "Listen kid, IF you keep your s%$* about you then you've got a chance. After that, cold iron or silver is your best bet. Holy water is great but those guys are tough mothers!"
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Hanlin arrives on time for dinner, not only is he usually punctual, but free food and drink was on the menu "Thanks Ms Heidimarch, this looks fabulously familiar!" He takes a seat and slides over a glass of wine and starts serving himself some food.
"I'm afraid I have no info to add on this creature, nor am I a woodsman. How will we find this Glade?" He asks between fork fulls of mushrooms.
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Ginko wakes up from a doze in his chair, content from the nice meal. "Hmm? I like traveling in moonlight. Very relaxing. Sleep all day and then wake up and go on a little walk is an ideal day. Oh, and with tea, of course." He yawns and scratches at his beak. "What kinds of animals and plants should we look out for?"