With an onslaught seldom seen in these parts, you manage to destroy the undead creature in the house.
With that, Ordellia manifests fully. She channels positive energy to fully heal all of you, Davorge, and Luvyire. Once Ordellia has finished with her treatments, 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.”
The little dinosaur doesn't even look up at the mention of his name.
“Then it’s settled,” Luvyire finishes solemnly.
Luvyire asks each of you to take his hand one at a time, and a full moon appears on the top of each of your dominant hand. If you press a finger to this marking, you are gifted with a vision from Ashava herself, who shows dancing in Magnimar under the light of the next full moon, slowly transforming from their usual appearance to that of a werewolf with silvery fur the color of moonlight.
“By the light of the next full moon, you shall hunt.”
Later in the week, Mayor Grobaras sends you ribbons acknowledging their service to Magnimar, along with a commemorative certificate that claims that he hired you in the first place. The slight infuriates Theodorus, who scours the city for critical information you may have missed in hopes of regaining favor in the mayor’s eyes.
Theodorus gathers enough evidence to conclusively pin the cause of the corruption on vampires. When the vampire attacks stop, Theodorus takes credit for saving the city and enjoys lavish praise from Mayor Grobaras.
In the week that followed, Lord-Mayor Grobaras claimed credit for quelling the supernatural activity and restoring peace to the monuments.
Our adventure begins in the dining hall of the Heidmarch Manor, where Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch has invited you, and Luvyire, over for a noontime lunch to discuss business.
“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 you who saved his life 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.”[/b]
“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 formable foe.”
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”Team, if you don’t need me to be talking, I might better serve the team in a dinosaur form. ” explains the Druid. ”I can still cast spells, though I will need someone to hold my component punch before I change.
“I will probably buff once we have a good idea where we are going, so as to maximize the 60mins most of my spells have. ”
Luvyire says to Alaric,"While you will be taking on the form of a celestial werewolf, you will not actually be infected with the lycanthropic curse. You will retain your personality and control, and it will last only for the duration of tonight’s full moon. After tonight, the blessing ends and you will return to normal form.”
Heidmarch answers Darven, “Tulvhatha has proven capable of wielding significant necromantic abilities, and her activity has caused the dead to become quite active, so it’s likely you can have to deal with such threats. There are also many fey in the Mushfens, of both avoidant and hostile natures, so you should be on guard for the latter. Beyond this, the Mushfens hold their own natural perils with terrain that is quite dangerous for those not accustomed to traversing it.”
Luvyire chimes in as well. "Remember, real lycanthropes are harmed by silver, but fey creatures are harmed best by using cold iron. Will-o-wisps are also rumored to be immune to magic, are invisible, and feed on fear. What are your worst fears?"
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The Agent sighs as the full scope of their next assignment is laid before them, realizing it's already too late to have taken the boat back to Absalom.
"So, werewolf huh? I guess that'll be pretty good for dealing with this will-o-wisp."
He pats his quiver which he somehow brought into Sheila's manor.
"And is there anything besides cold iron arrows that's standard issues for the Society? Probably could use some silver though, I passed on that recommendation we got during training about getting a knife coated with it."
The Agent shrugs at the inquiry into his fears.
"I dunno, today it feels like my worst fear is a will-o-wisp feeding on my soul and draining me into a shallow husk, like an Osiriani mummy."
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"Not much I can do about the Will-o-wisp. Glad we have a holy man along with us. I carry cold iron tipped arrows with me. May need to pick up on silver weaponry." Darven says looking over his weaponry.
"My worst fear." Darven says rubbing a hand over his bald head, "Has to be returning from a mission away from home and finding my wife and child slaughtered by an unknown evil."
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Farlen looking worried when the 'immune to magic' is mentioned, "Well, isn't that just peacey!" "I am not sure why you want me, a wizard, to go, but I pledge my best to you all." "I may not know much, but you have whatever I got."
"Do you have a map of the glade and its surroundings? Are there any alies we can get from near by who might help?"
"A map of the glade? Why, I don't know of any, but I can probably make you a rough sketch."
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Darven slaps the Wizard on the back, "Oh come now Farlen, there is always a need for a master of the arcane arts. You may not be able to do anything about the Wisp, but I am sure it will have minions vulnerable to your magics."
"Alaric, If we need some scrolls, I know an Ulfen Skald that owes me a favor or two"
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Ny'a starts at the description of the transformation the blessing will do to them. "My greatest fear is losing my connection to Iomedae, the Lady of Valor. I didn't think Ashava's blessing would be so... well, real! I fear for my Lady with this; the Inheritor's blessing over me is greater than any such boon of Ashava's. I can't trade one for the other!"
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The Agent appears a bit embarrassed.
"Ah yeah! That'd be a real bummer. Losing my connection with Dessie. I mean, that's how they let me into the Society and all, I imagine. Without that, it'd be a real toughie putting food on the plate and all that."
The Agent swallows hard as he recalls all the threats laid out before them.
"So Mushfens.. undead, fey and a will-o-the-wisp, right? Anything besides this fear-feasting we have to worry about them doing to us?"
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"Darven, you think that you could get glitterdust? Could be something that Farlen uses if we get in a bind. Or, maybe see invisible, good hope, or haste?"
"Also, going to hold off going into dino-form... but when we head out, I will cast greater magic fang on Shredder. Though, it depends... how far away is this glade?"
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"Comrade Alaric, I know this spell, Glitterdust. I usually have it prepared most days. I would think getting a scroll of it would be duplicity. If an issue arises where it is needed, my amulet can aid with that. See invisibility would be useful, but only for the person reading the scroll. The spell, Haste, would be something I could try to use and I think it would be most useful."
“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.”
"The way to the Glade of Silver Sparks is too difficult to reach without knowing the path, and Tulvhatha’s influence has transformed the nearby landscape, cloaking it in mist and shadows and distorting what few landmarks there are to be found out in the swamp. However, when the full moon’s light shines upon one blessed by Ashava’s grace, she will be able to see the path. In addition to this boon, the blessing will grant abilities quite advantageous to taking down a foe like Tulvhatha.”
"You have until moonrise to arrive, but you should have no problems making it."
You came for a luncheon, so it is early afternoon.
"The moonlight will activate the blessing, do not fear."
You finish your preparations and head out. By twilight, you reach the Mushfens.
Moonlight streams through the forest’s thick canopy of dark branches. The chirps and gurgles of nocturnal critters echo in a soft, steady hum, interrupted only by the occasional snapping of a twig or low hoot of an owl. In the distance, fireflies flicker in the shadows. The scent of wet moss and dirt clings to the misty air. Several damp paths branch off, each leading deeper into the swampy woods.
As the full moon's light washes over you, you find yourself transforming into a celestial wolf.
You also now note a stream of faint, shimmering motes of light gleaming upon one of the paths plunging deeper into the Mushfens.
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"Wowwwoooooo!" Ny'a exclaims, her surprise turning into a brief, high-pitched howl as her muscles stretch into this new wolfen shape. Her dog barks sharply, twice, before Ny'a calms him. "It's okay, Dog! It's me; this is wild!" The dog sniffs around and, satisfied, sits by her feet until the party begins moving again.
"I think you're right, Agent! Let's follow the lights!"
The trail here leads to the east, into an area of swampy ground. The swampy ground and trees both provide difficult terrain.
A sharp breeze cuts through the night, rustling loudly through the trees and brambles. Shadowy figures emerge from the undergrowth. The husky voice of the tallest figure calls out, “Halt where you are, monsters!
The speaker is Inspector Theodorus Ichonvarde.
“I knew there was darkness inside you, Pathfinders,” the man continues, his gaze a steely fire of determination and fury. “Does the rest of the Pathfinder Society even know what foul beasts walk among them, or do they know and harbor you nonetheless? Maybe it’s even worse than that, hmm? Perhaps this paltry cabal of you represents the true face of the entire organization. Be assured that I shall find out. But for now, I see the truth of your malignant nature, and the ruse ends here—along with your lives!”
There wasn't much time for talking, as the guards around Theodorus have already been ordered to attack, and they are uite loyal, it seems.
As they approach. Zaldur tries to stab one and misses, but Darven slashes one of them. The cut is decent, but not huge.
The guards close on Darven.
Guard 2:
Allowed to his thing once more, Shredder leaps into action against orange!