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Kasimir rolls up his sleeve and begins the complex spell. As he worked, he reflected on the many times he had been within this lodge, and thought about the many details he wished the place to visibly retain, including the illusion that the gates were closed.
While all clerics of Asmodeus were forced to memorize all of their spells when first invested, this was the first time he had used this particular spell on the Society’s behalf.
Several minutes later, he turned and announced It is done, the Lodge will look like it always has, even to you. (Will DC 27)
He then casts Shield of Faith (+4) on Rokgurn, using Rokgurn’s equipment to extend the spell, and then recall it.
Spells in place, entering the lodge is a simple matter, walking up over the walls to see the grounds below. The gate remains closed and unguarded, no Pathfinders in sight nearby. Across the grounds, figures of rotting flesh and skeletal bone stagger about, seemingly aimless. The source is readily apparent, as the Mausoleum doors stand open and more undead mill inside.
The second most obvious trouble is marked by a plume of smoke, as flames are visible in the domed tower windows of Starhall. Several groups of humanoids appear to be rushing between some of the out buildings, carrying satchels and large objects. Some of them appear to be climbing over the wall on the far side. Much less concerning but still noticeable is a lone figure appearing to be working on the door of the Center House.
Brown Circle: Closed Gate
Red Circle: Starhall Burning
Purple Circle: Mausoleum Overflowing
Blue Circle: Lone Agent
Green Circle: Intruder Horde
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Rokgurn thanks Kasimir and retrieves his magical equipment.
He agrees with the Cleric that they should be dealing with the threats before throwing the doors open.
"I think that we should keep the doors closed for now until we can nullify some of the threats. I do not want the Undead wandering around the city of Absalom."
"Perhaps dealing with the humanoids pilfering the grounds should be our first target. The Undead are not going anywhere yet."
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"Lootin' ain't gonna get folks killed." He responds, disagreeing with Rokgurn's priorities. "This place ain't deserted, leaving' things to wander, just means there will be more dead, walking and not."
He points towards the mausoleum. "Things are still pouring out. And the only bodies in there, be fellow Pathfinders that someone or something is makin' this way."
"And you never ignore a fire... or you're swimmin' before too long." He adds, eyeing the flames flickering in the upper stories of the Starhall.
"Can leave the lads here to try to open this thing, while we deal with one of those. Can't be any harder than the Emir's Harem doors."
Whisper peeks out of his personal habitat to check out the nature of the Undead.
Quickly coming to the decision that the fires of Starhall are the first priority, the team makes their way across the Grand Lodge rapidly. While the doors are closed, plenty of open windows sixty feet above the ground allow access inside.
Rows of bookcases stand burning, as a ashen skinned humanoid with flaming wings walks among them, touching a flaming longsword to scrolls and tomes. It pauses, gesturing to one shelf, causing one of the tomes to teleport to its hand. It briefly peruses the pages before raising the blade again.
The creature turns, speaking directly in Kasimirs mind, as it has no mouth. ”Asmodean. Cease your interference in the lawful execution of this contract.” Touching the longsword to the pages, the tome in its hand bursts into flame.
"You are in error. I have been bound to destroy any dangerous records in this archive should they be at risk of falling into vile hands. Do you hold greater authority than the venture captains of this society?"
”You claim the being known as Ambrus Valsin is not a rightfully appointed leader of the Pathfinder Society?”
”I was summoned at the behest of the Master of Spells, Sorrina Westyr, and Master of Scrolls, Kreighton Shaine. Is it your claim that these two were also false or misled parties?”
Kasimir recognizes an exscinder archon, a lawful good outsider responsible for censuring unholy text, destroying and rewriting dangerous knowledge. The archon considers the clerics claim, lowering the blade.
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"Ambrus may be leader, but there are those what he answers to, as well." Hamish pipes in. "One o' them... some undead bastard in league with the enemy flotilla even now forming a blockade outside the city, is the one causin' all this fuss. Been leading a silent mutiny for some time, that we just drug kicking and screamin' into the clear. But you're just doing the blaggard's work for him, destroying these things. Westyr and Shaine been hornswaggled, just as you are now."
"Ain't time to be torchin' the wheelhouse. You should be battenin' down the hatches. Keep these things safe, from that one and the mess he's dredged up from the depths. I'm sure when its all over, Ambrus himself'll come congratulate you."
He grins slightly. "In the meanwhile, we've a chance to make shark bait a' the leader o' that mutiny. Scuttle his bony ass to the sea floor."
"Very well. Regardless of the veracity of the contract, the threat of dangerous knowledge falling into evil hands is mostly abated after the expulsion of the last group." The archon gives Kasimir a pointed look. "This will conclude my service to the Pathfinder Society."
"That was not part of the contract. I shall return to my work elsewhere."
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"Hey, a piece of paper is good for leadin' ya to the big X on the map." Hamish replies. "But once you get there, the diggin' and remembering ta bring the shovels... that's on you."
"If yer actually interested in keepin' all this..." He motions absently to the artifacts all around. "To keep it all outta the hands o' those what might use it uh... inappropriately. Seems like hanging for a bit, 'til the fuss dies down ain't somethin' that needs a piece a paper to sound like a good line to take."
"Stickin' to the letter, o'er the intent, that's more his thing." He says, conspiratorially, hitching a thumb back towards Kasimir. "I'm sure you're better'n that, am I right? You lot are eternal, aye? Doesn't seem no big thing to hang here, keep the riff raff out for a bit, 'til things calm down."
"I'm sure Ambrus Valsin himself would agree!"
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"Venture-Captain Westyr herself was tellin' me just that, when we was sharin' a drink down at the Paunch. She said these documents were very important, and would be needed in for the troubles loomin' on the horizon. Can't let them get destroyed now, can we? Or whisked away by those bludgers runnin' around outside, right?"
"I'm sure you can spare a bit a time. I'll take you for a drink with the lads, once we're all done, to celebrate!" He pauses for a second, realizing the guardian has no mouth. "How do you guys imbibe, anyway?"
”Much of this knowledge is vile. But there is justice in knowing the enemy and their methods, to better thwart evil schemes. This Unnamed shall stand guard until all threats have been dispatched.” The archon stares at Hamish, burning gaze boring into the pirate captain. ”I do not.
Having dowsed the flames, the party marches to the Mausoleum. The wandering undead become more numerous in the courtyard, oblivious to the party overhead. Peering through the doorway, a horde of restless bodies can be seen, falling over each other and forming huge barriers of rotting flesh and bone.
Brown Circle: Closed Gate
Red Circle: Starhall Burning
Purple Circle: Mausoleum Overflowing
Blue Circle: Lone Agent
Green Circle: Intruder Horde
The fell power washes over the undead, the nearest ones stopping to face Kasimir, waiting. The rest of the horde also turns toward the party, staggering towards the Pathfinders with bony arms upraised.
Dutifully, the commanded zombies turn and march deeper into the maulsoleum. The horde presses against the two in the doorway, crawling over each other in an attempt to get outside.
With the opening sealed, the stragglers outside are easy pickings.
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"That should hold them for now."
Rokgurn turns to the others.
"There is clearly a source of necrotic energy animating these creatures. We will need to go into the Mausoleum to deal with it directly. However it can wait until we deal with more immediate threats."
Rokgurn looks more closely at the structure to see if there are other ways to enter the building.
"Perhaps Omrax and Yuri can clean up the stragglers and then we can proceed to deal with the thieves?"
Making your way across the grounds, smashing the stray skeleton here and there along the way, you draw closer to the groups of living breathing problems. As you approach, it becomes apparent that they are crews of half-orcs. Pausing their work to regard you, a couple exchange glances before one speaks up. ”Nothing at see here, just union business.”
Brown Circle: Closed Gate
Red Circle: Starhall Burning
Purple Circle: Mausoleum Overflowing
Blue Circle: Lone Agent
Green Circle: Intruder Horde
The Gull notices that while there are two separate groups looting out in the open, there is also one more crew that seems to be attempting to hide in the shadows and foliage, watching the proceedings.
”Y’know, the Grandmaster Union! Ain’t you heard?” one of the half-orcs yells back, before the first one slaps him upside the head.