Pau heads in and receives a nasty shock as Tulvatha turns visible.
Brak double moves ahead as Pimwrick tries to line up a clear shot.
Pau clobbers the skull once, before the sounds around the glade of silver sparks roars. A whirling miasma of spirits moan and lash out with spectral bites, claws and try to frighten you.
Once that's done, Tulvatha turns invisible again.
Tulvatha (8 damage, Invisible)
Zephyr
Kord (Will DC 16 save to halve 15 damage)
Pimwrick
Kavor (See Invisible)
Pau (8 damage, Will Save DC 15 or be frightened for 1 round) (Will DC 16 save to halve 15 damage and not be shaken for 1 round)
Brak (Will DC 16 save to halve 15 damage and not be shaken for 1 round)
Overtaken by fear, Pau runs away as quickly as he can. Tulvatha laughs and makes a slurping noise as he runs. "Yes, delicious fear!"
Her gloat is interrupted when Kavor blasts her with arcane magic. "Oh, you can see me? Well then. I'll just kill you first!"
"She's somewhere around here, right?" Brak stares at the golden trail, noting how it ends right in front of him. "Let's see if the void protects you now!"
"Ha, got ya!"
"Damn, nothin' but air."
Tulvatha shrieks when Brak hits her. "Nope, I'll deal with the wizard, thank you!" She flies off to zap Kavor. She appears and zaps him.
Pimwrick takes careful aim. Maybe his god guided his aim. Maybe Ashava nudged him in the right direction. Or maybe he's sick and tired of this thing and he wants to relax. No matter, his arrow flies right through Tulvatha's eye sockets, shattering the unholy symbol connecting the two.
”You cannot prevent… the world...” Tulvatha loses her grip and ceases to exist. Without someone to focus it, the malevolent fog dissipates harmlessly. The tormented souls may finally go to rest. A joyful mass of howls erupt somewhere within the forest.
It is simple enough to follow the moonlit path to leave the forest. The blessing of Ashava fades away. The celestial werewolves feel the blessing fade as the moon sets and the sun rises. When the image of the moon on your palm fades, you are back to your normal self. The sun peeks over the horizon by the time you return to Magnimar and report to the Heidmarch manor.
“Your bravery and good work should be a shining example to the Pathfinder Society, my friends. Thank you.” The yamah takes in a shaking breath as he blinks back the tears forming in his eyes. “You have secured the Glade of Silver Sparks as a beacon of hope and peace for the lost once more. For that you have my eternal gratitude, as well, I am sure, of Ashava herself. I will try to help rebuild the site to itself former state. Perhaps in time, other devotees of my lady will find their way to the glade and take up the mantle of my fallen companions. Until then I will do what I can, alone.” He sighs and offers a sad smile. “May Ashava’s grace carry you through many serene days, Pathfinders.”
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As the foul Tulvatha disintegrates, Pimwrick kisses his bow and says, "Thank you, Old Deadeye, for helping me aim true!" He joins his friends on the rather strange journey to Heidmarch Manor, as each of them feels the otherworldly blessing of Ashava fade away.
Back at the manor, Pim offers Erastil's blessing to the relieved yamah, "Erastil protects those who seek to make community in the wilderness, just as you hope to rebuild a home in the glade made wild and dangerous by Tulvatha. I will think of you and ask his blessing as you rebuild."
As he turns away, he says quietly to himself, "And now...time for a nap!"
The Mushfens return to normal over the next few days. Luvyire returns to his glade and mourns his fallen allies. Then he rebuilds and resumes his dances.
Cybelle and Mairisse are deeply thankful for the Pathfinder Society’s help. They continue to patrol the Mushfens, but they send missives to the Heidmarch Manor, asking for more information and assistance from the agents.
Those who travel around the Mushfens hear tales of a thriving band of wolves. Those with connections know Windcaller has grown confident in her leadership and continues the band in the Riverfang’s name. The real Riverfang.
And what of you?
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Brak does what he always does after a mission; he heads down to the pub, you know the one. He always eats the same thing, a hunk of whatever meat is on hand, a log of cheese, and a dunkel to wash it down.
He waits until he is SURE that no one is looking. Then he takes out his journal, and in his extremely average and pedestrian prose, writes his own mission briefing, So we walked into Magnimar, surrounded by statues when....
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"That was some food for thought," Zephyr says, feeling rather tired without the celestial blessing. It should pass. "Here's hoping we've made a lasting difference, one that helps Ashava."
He says his cordial goodbyes to his teammates and new allies, but stays with Kavor Doan for a while. Later, he retrieves a more mundane piece of parchment.
At each monument, we were faced with different obstacles. After passing them, we tried to sanctify the sites as best we could. Our progress was hounded by an 'Abadaran' - so quoted due to his unwillingness to cooperate or back down when faced with the truth. We were rewarded with a blessing from Ashava, one that initially made me question her place in the Upper Planes. But it could be adapted to with surprising ease, and was a much-needed boon in our hunt.
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After the debrief, the paladin congratulates the others on a successful mission. "It was nice working with ya. Hope the powers that be send us each others way now and again."
Kord then heads to the forge found at Torag's temple. He has the priest check his armor for dent, rents or other imperfections while the half orc steps up to pump the bellows. Soon he is sweaty and shirtless. He falls into a rhythm coming to a trance-like state. Kord allows himself to release the stress of the last assignment. He thanks Torag for restoring his sight and for the strength to face the challenges of the last few weeks. It is humbling work, but it serves to connect the paladin to something greater than himself. He remembers the words of his mentor, 'Pain and sweat are just weakness leaving the body.'
Despite the heat and fatigue, Kord smiles as he continues to pump all night and well into the dark morning hours. Not until dawn does the paladin stand down. Kord accepts the damp cloth offered to him, wiping the soot and grime from his body before joining the others to a simple breakfast.
After morning prayers, he dons his armor and heads off to the nearby lodge to see if there is an assignment waiting for him.