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Dawn swiftly claims the mace before hightailing it out. The Tatzlwrym hisses its anger, but otherwise chooses to stay back.
********************************************
The party returns to the Short Sorcerer Tavern with the mace, the whole trip back they are able to inspect the mace. Sure enough, more infernal writing resides on the hilt of this mace.
Upon returning, however, they find the venture captain gone once again. A courier is waiting for the party, and delivers to you a wax-sealed package. “Pathfinders, I’ve been holding this message for you,” he says, handing over the envelope. “The venture-captain advises urgency. Someone else hunts the prize you’re after.”
Pathfinders,
I have it on good authority that a surviving Irrica descendant is chasing the devil’s true name for her own purposes. Needless to say, it cannot fall into her hands. In better news, I have a solid lead on an item that should provide the missing parts of the puzzle. A Hellknight named Dremlut Irrica was posted to an outpost in the Chitterwood along with an enchanted signet ring—see attached letter for details.
I have also enclosed a map that should help you circumnavigate any known goblin ambushes. Given the Irrica involvement, I suggest you make use of the ring’s protection once you have it in your possession. It just might keep you alive. See you in Almas.
Venture-Captain Brackett
Dremlut,
I pray this letter finds you safe. I know your duty to the Hellknights will put you in the path of danger, but yours is an honorable path, and I do not begrudge it. What concerns me is your faith in your own family. We are a jealous lot, and I fear my sister’s ambition does not rest easy alongside your rapid promotion. I worry that her peace will be bought with nothing less than your life. You do not believe me, but I know my sister better than you know your aunt. I pray you take care and to keep close the signet ring—should my sister try to command the Wrathful Angel against you, it will keep you and your companions safe. Remember to always wear it on your left hand; it was dearly crafted to shield you, my only child.
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Dawn Whoop whoop whoop whoops out of there. "That was fun! Can anyone read the nasty stuff on the mace?"
----
Later, Dawn reads the new maps and shrugs. "I guess we're going to Almas. I'm ready."
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After days of travel on overgrown trails and hard sleeping in the wilds of the Chitterwood, a half-collapsed wall emerges from the trees winding around a long forgotten encampment. The Hellknight outpost was breached long ago, and decades of growth have begun to reclaim the interior courtyard. A few walls still stand, and undergrowth covers the ground in a dense carpet. A single building in the southeastern end seems to be whole, its entrance blocked with a crude piece of wood.
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Birseko looks around for any sign that he might have been here before, but the place jogs no unseen corners of his memory.
Suspecting that danger may await, he taps himself with his wands of Mage Armor and Heightened Awareness, and draws his wand of Magic Missile.
Then Birseko will scan the area to see if he detects any thoughts.
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Lujuria and Birseko see something of interest. Several scattered humanoid skeletal remains are on the ground. In the shadow of the broken wall they can see spider webs from some presumably giant spider. Strange tracks on the ground show recent activity.
You detect the thoughts of something within the lower right building remains. It seems like a gnawing hunger.
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"Undead, huh? Got it." Dawn stops humming.
Once she's within 90 feet of the lower right building, she casts vanish, draws her scimitar and approaches.
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"Could be a hungry dog? I mean, they eat bones don't they? 'Sides, skeletons don't really think. No brains in their skull-pans, see. Yeah, it's just a dog, you'll see."
But if it's not, best be prepared, eh?
Lucky draws his Wand of Shield, holding it at the ready with his polearm swung over the other shoulder.
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Light Condition: Normal
Active Buffs: Dawn: Vanish
Active Penalties: None
Dawn Verda(-0,Fine)
Spider Freak(-0,Fine)
Lucky Lee(-0,Fine)
Gorrig(-0,Fine)
Birseko Naam(-0,Fine)
Lujuria(-0,Fine)
Ettercap
NE Medium Aberration
This hideous purple creature walks upright like a man, but its face is that of a spider, and its hands are sickle-shaped claws.
The purple flesh creature hisses as the party opens the door, and its ambush has failed.
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Light Condition: Normal
Active Buffs: Dawn: Vanish
Active Penalties: None
Dawn Verda(-0,Fine)
Spider Freak(-19,Fine)
Lucky Lee(-0,Fine)
Gorrig(-0,Fine)
Birseko Naam(-0,Fine)
Lujuria(-0,Fine)
Ettercap
NE Medium Aberration
This hideous purple creature walks upright like a man, but its face is that of a spider, and its hands are sickle-shaped claws.
The strange creature, now forced into melee against Dawn, retaliates with everything in its fury.
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Light Condition: Normal
Active Buffs: None
Active Penalties: None
Dawn Verda(-6,Fine)
Spider Freak(-19,Fine)
Lucky Lee(-0,Fine)
Gorrig(-0,Fine)
Birseko Naam(-0,Fine)
Lujuria(-0,Fine)
Ettercap
NE Medium Aberration
This hideous purple creature walks upright like a man, but its face is that of a spider, and its hands are sickle-shaped claws.
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The ettercap does not have enough endurance left in it to take that kind of blow. Dawn's slice manages to flicker the life from the ettercap.
Searching these ruins you find that the skeletal remains of several victims you do find a ring.
This ring appears to be attuned to a dark force, as if holding it would prevent evil forces from assaulting you.
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Birseko is just about to blast the ettercap when he notices that it has been sliced in half. "Nice work!" He looks around carefully to be sure that something else isn't about to leap out before re-holstering his wand.
When they find the ring, he asks Lujuria if he can hold it for a moment. "I think this must be the signet ring we are hunting. I think the letter said that it must always be worn on the left hand. Let me see if it will tell me any of its secrets..."
He holds the ring in the palm of his hand and focusses intently on it. After a moment, his eyes roll back in his head and it appears as though - mentally at least - Birseko is somewhere far far away.
After a minute or two, he opens his eyes and looks around him with a smile. "I think I may know something about this ring..."
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You receive a vision, showing the manor once again. The painting shouting mutely, and the angel of vengeance appearing. This time, however, the angel flies towards your vision form and strikes. As the blade lands, however, it is deflected as you raise your illusory hand and a barrier wards off the blow. Upon your hand is the very ring you gaze upon now.
**************************************************
You also see the angel of vengeance, but this time in a different environment entirely. Seething and longing for something, it sits upon a ruined fortress looking down and letting out a deep sigh as it stares at the carnage. Below, a mortal bears the very things you have gone to great lengths to find. The mortal figure points forward, shouting a mute cry while gazing at the angel of vengeance. Beyond that mortal figure are a band of people who charge at the figure. It is clear that the mortal is issuing a command to the angel to strike down those who approach.
The angel emanates an aura of hatred, as though it despises this existence. Being bound to an ill-will mortal is a fate that is both threatening to Golarion and to the creature itself. With its freedom, the creature would not be here. It would be back to fighting in hell and heaven, earning a title worthy of its own existence.
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Birseko reels from the vision, staggers back, and puts the ring down. "My friends, I believe grave danger awaits us, perhaps the very angel of vengeance itself! We had best take Captain Brackett's suggestion and one of us should wear the ring. On the left hand, of course! And I think we must all be on our guard - if my vision is true, we are not done with our quest..."
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A woman’s voice calls from the outside, “Explorers! I am Pava Irrica and I believe you have been traveling across Isger, collecting my family heirlooms. However you’ve come by them, I am willing to forgive and forget as long as you turn them over to me peacefully. You can walk away, and I’ll not get the authorities involved. Now come out and sheathe your weapons.”
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"Me?! You want to give a devil-command ring to someone whose blood is corrupted by devil-nuns? I'm not sure that's a good idea.
You heard Birseko's tale. The devil bound to that ring desires freedom, to go join an eternal war in the Great Beyond. If it comes down to me, I won't give her that freedom. I'll order her to keep an unceasing vigil over the bottom of the ocean, or somesuch, rather than give hell another warrior."
Hearing the new arrival, Lucky readies his weapon.
"S+&%. We can't surrender the relics to her! We mustn't!"
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"Heh, I tried to be nice." Dawn shrugs when Lucky rejects the offer. "What did we collect, again? A mace, a ring, uh...the locket with part of you-know-who's name. Oh! and a Rooden Rod!"
Then she hears the woman yell. "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin! You want this stuff? Come and get it!"
Dawn mocks the woman, but she sounds too silly to be taken seriously.
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The woman now sounds furious, as if all Dawn did was antagonize her. However, the sound of a spell completing can be heard, and another voice calls out...
“Ah, I see the Irrica family line isn’t entirely wiped out yet,” she observes, “And facing off for a fight! You mortals make such tepid entertainment. But I am merciful. Give me the fragments you’ve collected and I’ll let you all live.”
The first voice of the woman retorts with anger, "You serve the Irricas, devil; I know you cannot harm me. Now you lot, quickly, give me the ring, and I’ll command it to spare you.”
Looking outside, you see both the woman who wears red robes and a long pony tail. You also see a black-winged figure in tight leather armor, wielding a bow, as she resides above the ruins, looking down at the Irrica who shouts at her and at you.