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Crazy mutters something about not being in his own skin enough these days before transmorgrifying back into Bombshell and firing up
Cognatogen, 110min,
Freedom of Mvmt, 120min
Barkskin 120min
Absorb Toxicity 120min
See Invisibility 120min
Stoneskin CL 15 300min
Heroism CL5 100min
Shield of Faith CL12, 24min
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Watching the alchemist, Kasimir mutters In the long run, that simply can’t be good for you. Assuming we live long enough to worry about the long run, that is...
Looking at the Druid again, he continues And druids may well be powerful. Certainly turning into things is a good trick. My point, though, is that if you also -look- impressive, you’ll have to prove it less often. Druids who look like poor hermits are actually -increasing- the amount of conflict in the world.
Kasimir looks around to see if everyone is ready to head to the Lodge. He pulls his prayer rug out of satchel and unrolls it, then steps atop it, standing within the five-pointed symbol at the center.
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"Oh, uh, not really supposed to say it out loud, but..." The junior agent looks around the street and shrugs. "...no one but us right now. She's at the Wounded Wisp coordinating all of us that aren't with the expedition."
"There's not too many of us here, mostly junior agents." he answers to Omrax. "None of us have any easy way over the walls, so we just keep watch rather than get in over our heads. The army outside hasn't tried to take the city, so no casualties yet."
A little bird whispers in Rokgurn's ear.
The tavern where the Society was (supposedly) founded is only a short distance across the Foreign Quarter of Absalom. Inside, the common room is as smoky and comforting as it ever is. The patrons are few, clearly dominated by Pathfinder agents, while Venture Captain Eliza Petulengro sits in a corner table. Surprise bursts across her face as she catches sight of the party, before relief replaces it as she waves for you to join her.
“Good news at last,” she declares with a sigh. “Misfortune never seems to spare Absalom, as you may have noticed from the undead army waiting outside the walls. The city awaits reinforcements before sallying out to attack, and most of the Society is far north seeking out the Whispering Tyrant’s secret weapon beneath Gallowspire. Hopefully, all this will weaken the lich and shatter his armies."
“That leaves the Grand Lodge nearly empty. And for hours now, it’s been on lockdown with no word in or out. No word from Ambrus, no word from Kreighton Shaine, nothing from the Decemvirate. I’ve organized the few other Pathfinders outside the Grand Lodge to keep an eye on it in shifts, and it’s clear something’s not right. My divinations struggle to perceive the campus, and it’s very rare for the main gates to close as they have. The agents I have here? They’re capable, but I need help breaking into the Grand Lodge, identifying what’s wrong, and neutralizing any possible threat.”
Opening her mouth to continue, she freezes and closes it abruptly. When she continues, her voice is weakly optimistic. “So welcome home. Hopefully your recent travels were less foreboding? And if you have any information to contribute, I’m eager to learn more.”
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You say that now... Kasimir looks carefully at the Venture Captain before talking, to make sure this isn’t another Red Mantis trick.
Sense Motive
Perception
I’ll need some time to pray before I’m ready to break into the Lodge. I’m sure the defenses will have been activated, what can you tell us about those?
"I do not know. Beyond the gates closing, I have seen nothing to indicate wards are activated, beyond whatever is interfering with divinations." Kasimir detects nothing amiss with the venture captain.
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Yuri nods towards Banon, who seems vaguely familiar somehow.
Listening to Eliza's words, Yuri belches with displeasure. "That ain't sound good. We'd best fortify ourselves." He quickly orders the Wisp's famous Gimlet, follows with a chaser of the Wisp's famous Guinness, and then belches again, in a rather more mellow tone. "Right then, undead army outside, grand lodge locked up tight 'n us on the outside, a decemberiverate rumored to be a lich's mole, 'n prolly Torch somewhere doin' somethin' he oughtn't, sounds fun. Let's go. What could possibly go wrong?"
"...a WHAT?" Eliza barks out in alarm at Yuri's pronouncement.
Composing herself, Eliza glances around the common room, before making a few quick gestures. The sounds of the kitchen and conversations fades, leaving the corner table seemingly the only thing in existence, the rest of the room seemingly walled off by thick glass. "Perhaps you should start from the beginning. I understand you were sent to Mediogalti?"
”You convinced her to return? Well done. However, it appears her confidence in you does not extend to myself or the rest of the Society.” Looking around, you see that Eylysia has somehow vanished from your company.
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Yuri claps his burly hand over his mouth with such alacrity that his two beards becomes twisted and tangled. "Oops, me 'n me big mouth! What I meant t' say wuz "a decemberiverate rumored to be a witch's mole" - it's a Pahmet expression - means "sitting pointlessly on the tip o' yer nose." Beg yer pardons fer any confusion..." Yuri trails off rather unconvincingly and begins to ostentatiously work on untangling his beards with the gravest of attention.
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Rokgurn just grins at Yuri's gaft.
"Dwarves are great people to have in a tight spot but sometimes hard to understand at mission briefings. The fact is that we really do not know what is going on. We spoke to Elysia who claims that one of the Decemvirate is actually a covert operative. She claims that he is a Graveknight of Vahlo Huovo and that he works for the Whispering Tyrant. She mentioned that he will activate an artifact within the Grand Lodge to weaken the defenses of the city."
"There is no actual proof of this meaning that she did not show us the proof but it is bad news so I believe it to be true."
"Do you know anything of this artifact or Vahlo Huovo?
”That is a heavy charge.” Eliza pauses in contemplation, before continuing with a measured, even tone. ”The helms can hide any identity or aura, as well as if the helm is being worn at all. An undead mastermind could hide within the Society using them, but it is still a shock that one could manage it so long. Not that it should be surprising given the transfer of power from retiring members is never publicized.” Grimacing, she adds. ”It would explain some of the foul orders said to originate from the Ten recently.”
”I do not know what artifact could be engaged to assist the Whispering Tyrant in taking the city, but that is much more Zarta’s domain than mine. I have heard the name Vahlo, in Society records. By my account he was a crusader and Pathfinder that fell in battle over a hundred years ago. Eylysia may have uncovered information I am not privy to, however.” She looks back to Yuri. ”You mentioned Torch. What does the Grandmaster have to do with this? I find it unlikely he would work for Tar Baphon, but after his role in Thurl’s attack, I can’t rule it out.”
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Watching the alchemist, Kasimir mutters In the long run, that simply can’t be good for you. Assuming we live long enough to worry about the long run, that is...
"Oh honey, you should've seen Crazy when he still had that tentacle...that was long before I came along. And I have vague recollections of a fairy dragon tumor being used in some kind of self-immolating performance piece involving vomiting up a spider swarm all over himself during a Grand Convocation..." Bombshell visibly shudders.
"Either way, it sounds like our answers lie within the Lodge." He turns to Eliza. "Do you have any intelligence on the Undead Army outside? Do they seem to be settling in for a siege, or does it seem like their attack is imminent?"
”The army appeared in almost an instant. No one has been able to determine why they haven’t already attacked, but I am guessing you have discovered what the lich is waiting for.”
Kasimir recalls that graveknights are undead warriors brought back to undeath by their bloodlust, tied to the weapons and armor they used to slaughter foes on the battlefield.
”I’m not sure. What was that about Torch? Whenever he turns up, things are always more complicated than they seem.”
”Unsurprising, she was chased out under ill circumstances. Framed, most likely, as far as recent revelations suggest. Both she and Torch have similar concerns about the Decemvirate.” Massaging her temple with one hand, she continues. ”I don’t question the report, it fits with his methods. I suspect his infiltration will cause untold damage to Society property, personnel, and reputation. I will not hold you much longer, but there could be even deeper ramifications to his gambit. Is there anything else I should know before you enter the lodge?”
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"You should know that Elysya is no blind dupe of Torch's. While she has worked with him in the past, that could probably be said for a sizable percentage of pathfinder agents. She believes there is a graveknight in the Decemvirate, and is trying to stop him. So if something should happen to us inside the Lodge, be sure to give her the benefit of the doubt. As for Torch, while he may be acting in a fashion that could aid the society in rooting out an evil in our midst, he indeed seems to serve his own purposes first and foremost, and destruction follows in his path...I make no excuses for him. But Elysya is one of the good ones, even if she's made deals with dubious allies. And who among us has not? Seek her out and aid her, if we fail."
"Torch is like my homeland of Galt; a wounded person seeking justice through dangerous means. My personal feelings towards him are conflicted, but I cannot condone his actions against the Society, no matter the reason."
“Learning what might be happening in the Grand Lodge isn’t comforting. We have two possible threats: Grandmaster Torch and the rogue Decemvirate member Vahlo. They’re both dangerous, but while we know that Torch is engaged in damaging mischief, Vahlo’s schemes are certainly more malevolent. The plan remains largely the same: get into the Grand Lodge, pave the way for possible reinforcements, reestablish control of the campus, keep an eye out for survivors, identify what’s going on, and put a stop to any devious plans. If he’s among the most senior of the Ten, Vahlo knows the ins and outs of the whole Grand Lodge, as well as how to access its most powerful secrets and artifacts. What he’s secured might provide clues as to what he’s planning and where to intercept him."
“Last thing: until and unless I think we don’t have any other choice, we’re keeping this quiet. The Society’s accumulated many evil artifacts, vile secrets, and other skeletons best kept buried deep in our closets where they’re safe. If Vahlo and Torch are parading those around, Absalom’s guards would be as likely to misinterpret and condemn the Society as fight alongside us. Our aim is to solve Pathfinder problems with Pathfinders, not get the Society kicked out of the city."
“I've kept you too long already, but blind rushing would lose more ground than we would gain. Any questions?”
"Not knowing what the artifact is makes it difficult to say where it would be set up. Perhaps it is still in the archives, unless it must be employed in the open. Worse still if it simply needs to be held to be activated, as Vahlo will certainly be attending it personally. As for the defenses, my divinations told me little of what is active. I can at least say that the gate should not have any magical protection of its own. But I'd prefer if you can open it without damaging it. Smashed doors invite curiousity, which I do not want the city guard doing."
"It is a calculated risk. Whatever trouble is in there is currently corralled by the walls, but so are any Pathfinders still alive. Opening the gates will allow our agents here to enter and assist in recovering survivors and securing the grounds. But what dangers exist may be more than they can handle and could escape to threaten the city. Use your best judgement once inside as to how to proceed."
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Omrax listens intently, trying to follow the different plots within plots.
I know not what schemes Torch is enacting. I do know I shall not allow a suspected Graveknight to injure the weak or helpless in the Grand Lodge or the city. We shall need to stop it quickly, as it cannot be redeemed and plans vile deeds we can be assured.
He pauses for a brief meditation to Iomedae before opening his eyes.
• I will not be taken prisoner by my free will. I will not
surrender those under my command.
• I will never abandon a companion, though I will honor
sacrifice freely given.
• I will guard the honor of my fellows, both in thought
and deed, and I will have faith in them.
Shall we go?
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Kasimir adjusted his clerical robes once again, they tended to cling to the armor underneath.
I am ready. I will ask for a pause once we have the lodge in sight. A Screen spell will prevent panic, keeping the appearance of the lodge still, no matter what happens inside, but it will take a few minutes.
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Rokgurn nods at Kasimir. Delays are to be expected. The Grand Lodge itself is expansive with many areas to explore.
"Accept this blessing of nature. More will follow when Kasimir's spell of concealment nears completion."
Rokgurn casts Hunter's Blessing (Urban,Undead) on the party. He also casts Deadeye Lore on himself.
Eliza wishes you all the best of luck before you depart. The travel back to the lodge is short and uneventful, with nothing preventing you from preparing your spells.
"As far as I know, she is with the rest of the Pathfinders in Ustalav."
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He turns to Dwarf.
"I can tree walk us over there and we can visit with Venture Captain Basia Kalistoff to ferret out her whereabouts. However considering the immediate threat to the city that sort of delay does not make sense at this time."
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Minutes latter near the Grand Lodge. Five minutes into Kasimir's casting Rokgurn begins his own incantations.
He casts on party members:
1) Life Bubble on the party,The Gull and Whisper (3 hours each) and the remainder on himself (7 hours), CL 14.
2) Extended Barkskin on Omrax (+5 NA enh to AC,4h20min)
He has Hamish cast on him from scroll and wand
1)Ablative Barrier - scroll
2)Mage Armor - wand
3)Heroism - scroll
He further casts on himself
1) Heightened Awareness
2) Remove Sickness
3) Protection from Energy (Fire), Extended.
After the Heroism is up he attempts to activate his wand of False Life.