So the trio of Sherman, Tarphrex, and Ain take the previous advice and head off towards the Pathfinder Lodge of Magnimar. Where-in, you all meet Venture-Captain Shelia Heidmarch, a gracious and refined hostess. She listens to your plight, and offers what aid she can. Her only available Pathfinder agents are currently persuing a mission in one of the pillars of the Irespan, a pillar out in the bay, and will likely be gone for multiple days. But she will write to some associates and gather what aid she can.
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Play out any other role-play you'd like for the remainder of this day, and next week (probably Tuesday) we'll pick up with the ceremony at the Church of Shelyn. There is an over-night vigil at the Church of Iomedea, and someone shold tell Loth's family about the services.
@Elisani: Your boss finishes her read and looks up at you. She taps the letter againster her palm while considering you. After a moment she says, "A favor is being called in. A request for aid from Lady Heidmarch of the Pathfinder Society. There is apparently some sort of threat inside the city, a creature or monster of some sort. From what is described in the letter, perhaps a medusa. But only perhaps." She pauses to consider you some more. "The request says to send who we can offer to memorial services at the Church of Shelyn for ones Zenaida, Alain, Quinn, and Loth." She puts the paper in her pocket. "I never was one much for the Harrow, fate, and all that crap. But I also don't believe in coincidence." She pulls out some paper and begins writing. "The case is yours. I'll trust that, despite your personal connections, you'll uphold the good name of this agency. Your fee will be salvage rights, keep what you can find that isn't needed for evidence."
She hands you the paper, a basic work order from the agency. That, combined with the agency name around Magnimar, can get you by with the guards for suspicious activity (like following someone, but not trespassing).
There's a silence that follows. "I'm sorry Elisani."
@Elisani: Your boss finishes her read and looks up at you. She taps the letter againster her palm while considering you. After a moment she says, "A favor is being called in. A request for aid from Lady Heidmarch of the Pathfinder Society. There is apparently some sort of threat inside the city, a creature or monster of some sort. From what is described in the letter, perhaps a medusa. But only perhaps." She pauses to consider you some more. "The request says to send who we can offer to memorial services at the Church of Shelyn for ones Zenaida, Alain, Quinn, and Loth." She puts the paper in her pocket. "I never was one much for the Harrow, fate, and all that crap. But I also don't believe in coincidence." She pulls out some paper and begins writing. "The case is yours. I'll trust that, despite your personal connections, you'll uphold the good name of this agency. Your fee will be salvage rights, keep what you can find that isn't needed for evidence."
She hands you the paper, a basic work order from the agency. That, combined with the agency name around Magnimar, can get you by with the guards for suspicious activity (like following someone, but not trespassing).There's a silence that follows. "I'm sorry Elisani."
Elisani nods, accepting the work order. Her eyes are suspiciously bright, but she manages to keep the tears from falling. "Thank you. Zenaida... she was one of my favorite cousins. Magnimar will be a darker place without her." She takes a deep, shaky breath. "I will, as always, act on the facts of the case and not my emotions." And if the facts of the case require a rapier through the heart of the party responsible for Zenaida's death, all the better. Certainly a medusa can't be allowed to roam the city turning people into stone.
If Zenaida was petrified, there might be a chance of restoring her, provided that the party responsible was arrogant enough to keep trophies. A smart enemy would smash the statue to bits. It's best to assume she is dead and proceed accordingly. It would be too painful to cling to hope and then discover the worst.
"Zenaida trained with the Church of Iomedae, so they will most likely have some sort of service for her as well. I'll start there, then attend the memorial at the Temple of Shelyn." Why Shelyn? Maybe one of the others named in the letter was a Shelynite. You certainly couldn't ask for a more beautiful ceremony than those offered by the Temple of Shelyn.
”Must go back lounge of Loth, tell family of church time for friends.”
In the chaplain's office, Sherman graciously accepts the potions and thanks them for their aid. "Should we be able to retrieve Zenaida-turned-stone, could your magic bring back to life?" he asks, hoping it's not too much.
---
In the Pathfinder lodge, he exchanges pleasantries with Lady Heidmarch, enjoys the refreshment and does his best to hide the disappointment for the lack of any substantial aid.
"We..." he starts, and pauses to consider his words carefully. "We took some assets from our fallen enemies. Masks of powerful magic, but evil, and little use for any law-abiding citizen. But still, we would like to turn these into funds to better combat the enemy. Would the Society be interested to buy these off our hands? For study and safekeeping?"
@Sherman: Lady Heidmarch would indeed be willing to pay you (on behalf of the Society), and remarks that there will be no changing of your mind on this purchase. She implies that the items may likely be destroyed if they're to dangerous/cursed.
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The priestess informs you that she can only revive someone who died moments ago.
Throughout the evening, five disparate souls gather in the Church of Iomedea. A grieving cousin, two friends seeking revenge and justice, a wanderer grateful for a path, and a hero in need of a cause.
The ceremony at the temple is rife with traditions, many handed down from the time of Aroden, and is long and solemn. It is a time of quiet contemplation, of individual grieving and remembering. Well befitting the austere grey stone of the church itself, stark and raw.
The trio of Ain, Sherman, and Tarphrex are easy to spot in the crowd. Not the least for which Tarphrex is the only Kobold in the church, maybe the only Kobold in the entire city.
@Estella: You spent the day looking for these three, and it took you some time. But a Kobold is a thing people remember seeing, and you find them here.
@Elisani: The above mentioned trio are pointed out to you as you mingle before the vigil as two of them knew your cousin and reported her death here.
@Ain, Sherman, & Tarphrex: The place is not as full as you'd expect. Family members are here, but it is clear that the cermeony of this vigil doesn't match with the Varisian style of mourning. Loth's family is there when you arrive, but leaves after a couple of hours.
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It is understood that anyone that wishes to converse beyond a few words should do so in a side chamber or (even better) outside.
Looking around the temple and its somber vigil, Elisani is glad that she took the time to go home and change into her black Chelaxian-style funeral outfit. Varisians believe in celebrating the life of the deceased, with the person's favorite music, food, dances and stories. That way their spirit can move on to the River of Souls content in the knowledge that they are remembered fondly and that their loved ones will be all right in their absence. Apparently other peoples think that the spirits of the dead want to see their loved ones mourning, though.
It's strange. But people are often strange. Elisani is used to that by now. She's accepted the fact that she'll never completely understand why other people do things.
When one of the acolytes points out Sherman and Tarphrex, the detective is glad for the distraction from the overwhelming atmosphere of grief. She makes her way through the crowd toward the odd duo (who now appear to be a trio?). Ha, I called it! A kobold. It's always satisfying to have a hypothesis proven to be true.
"Excuse me. May I speak to you in private?" Elisani gestures toward the door. "I am Elisani Dascalu, and Zenaida is- was- my cousin."
During the vigil, Estella keeps a calm face, lightly contemplating. She was taught how to behave in times like this, but when faced with the grief for people she never knew, she can't help but feel awkward.
What snippets she picks up about what they were like make her wonder though. They seemed like good people. She would've liked to meet them.
After the service she spots the trio she's looking for, and approaches them shortly after Elisani.
"Me too, please! I'm with her," she says cheerily, but her face turns more appropriately serious immediately after. "I want to help too."
Tarphrex looks very awkward and unsure of himself. He feels like this is what he should do, but he really did not know what he was in for. So much formality.
The approach of the two strangers startled him a bit, but he looks up at both of them and at Sherman and the new one, questioningly.
One of the acolyte's cuts you all a glare and the group of you move off to a relatively empty corner of the room. Sister Dunmorrow can be seen watching you, her desire to join you battling with her desire to not disappoint Chaplain Tira, the later of which is watching her.
When they are a polite distance away from the service, Tarphrex motions to the woman that said she was a cousin of Zenaida. Come down to my level.
"My condolences for the loss of your cousin. Zenaida was a dear friend." Sherman replies, sad smile on his lips. He fights to suppress the image of warpriestess turning to stone in his mind.
"She..." He shakes away the sorrow and despair, and forces a kinder smile. "She seems to have a big family. Now, how may I help you, and your friend?" The reverend acknowledges Estella with a nod.
Once the group has moved away from the service, Elisani gracefully sinks to one knee in front of Tarphrex as requested. "I am a detective with the Unblinking Eye Agency in Silver Shore. Venture-Captain Heidmarch asked us to investigate the death of Zenaida and her friends. But even if she had not done so, I would have requested this case. If necessary, I would have worked it on my own time." The half-elf closes her eyes briefly, a flash of pain visible on her face for a moment before her mask of cool professionalism returns. "Zenaida was... dear to me. I hope that you will accept my help in finding the party responsible and avenging her."
Hmm. Common is most likely a second language for the kobold. Well, she can always use an opportunity to practice her Draconic. Elisani repeats her statements in the tongue of kobolds and dragons. Her Draconic is quite good for a member of a mammalian species, with a distinct bronze dragon accent.
Tarphrex moves in against the investigator now that she's closer to his height and wraps his arms around her and lays his head on her shoulder. He sighs deeply, drawing comfort for a moment even if she doesn't return the scaly embrace.
He pulls back at the sound of his native tongue, eyes wide. In Draconic, he responds. His speech is much smoother, his cadence much faster.
Tarphrex looks up at Sherman, "Pathfinder lady say she send aid. This one? That one? Watcher-man? How many friends to avenge friends?" He gestures at Elisani, Estella, then Ain. "Go to kobold lounge, watch for traps. Go back to lounge, know most traps. Kobolds not move traps, plan for second trip better." He nods solemnly, "Go to tower, saw what snake-lady do. Go back to tower, know snake-lady, have better plan."
Estella extends a hand to the both of them. "You've suffered a great loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, on behalf of the whole Vale family."
She stands up straight to introduce herself properly. "My name is Estella of House Vale of Korvosa." She bows, as courtesy demands, but a subdued one, as to not come across as too flashy during a solemn event like this. "I've been going across Varisia offering my help where people need it. You can count on me. Your friends will be avenged."
Tarphrex looks at her for a long moment. "You like Zenaida, travel just to help." He turns to Elisani, "And you, you family of Zenaida." He points at the Watcher and adds, "He see god-message, some to help."
He nods solemnly, "This is good. We tell you about snake-lady, make plan. First, say good-bye to friends." He makes an awkward little curtsy-bow and returns to the service, but his head is held higher than before.
Tarphrex moves in against the investigator now that she's closer to his height and wraps his arms around her and lays his head on her shoulder. He sighs deeply, drawing comfort for a moment even if she doesn't return the scaly embrace.
He pulls back at the sound of his native tongue, eyes wide. In Draconic, he responds. His speech is much smoother, his cadence much faster.
Draconic:Rapidly, "She was my best friend. I'm so sorry I did not save her. I did not even know she was turned to stone, I stayed back and attacked from a distance while the others charged in. With the stairs, I couldn't see what was happening. I turned invisible to sneak up because something was wrong - I couldn't hear my friends in the battle. I couldn't hear Zenaida telling the monster to surrender. I snuck up and it was too late. Only Quinn was left, but before I could help him, she stabbed him. I ran. I'm sorry I ran. I will accept your help, but I cannot let you die, too. The monster is smart, I think, and powerful, I know. We must have a plan. I will tell you everything I know. You know people, yes, you can find out what she is, how we can exact our revenge?"Tarphrex looks up at Sherman, "Pathfinder lady say she send aid. This one? That one? Watcher-man? How many friends to avenge friends?" He gestures at Elisani, Estella, then Ain. "Go to kobold lounge, watch for traps. Go back to lounge, know most traps. Kobolds not move traps, plan for second trip better." He nods solemnly, "Go to tower, saw what snake-lady do. Go back to tower, know snake-lady, have better plan."
A hug? Kobolds hug? Or maybe he learned from Zenaida. Oh. I should hug back, right. Elisani returns the hug, hoping it can bring him (her? them? How do you tell with kobolds?) some comfort. As they speak, she is extremely thankful for the dragon Arronax's thorough lessons in the Draconic language. The kobold's accent is unfamiliar, which she expected, but she can understand what he's saying.
Elisani rises to her feet and repeats what she told the kobold in Common. It's rude to speak to one member of a group in a different language and not translate. "Ah... I'm afraid Venture-Captain Heidmarch's letter did not tell me your names." Or their gender, in the case of the kobold. Hopefully she can pick up on that from their companion in future conversation, because she has no idea how you ask someone their gender without being insulting. (Fortunately Kaderen has a sense of humor about the whole thing, because the less said about her incredibly awkward first meeting with them, the better.)
He listens to Elisani’s kind words about the value in their survival. He pauses, thoughtful look on his face, then nods and returns to the ceremony without replying.
Mine would not have been mentioned anyway. I am Ain. The silver haired man gives a polite bow, i am a follower of Pulura, she sometimes sends her followers visions. Which is what lead me here
Before the group breaks up, one of the clergy approaches the conversation.
"And I am Sister Dunmorrow, knight of Iomedae. I will join you in seeking out this creature."
@Elisani: Since you were close to Zendaida, you would have heard her speak of this friend from the temple. A fellow outsider that helped her feel not so alone amongst strangers.
""Ah... I'm afraid Venture-Captain Heidmarch's letter did not tell me your names.""
Sherman nods, and grunts silently. Good thing his name is not spread around in letters - he is still wary of the cult, even if he is going after the apparent mastermind.
"I am Sherman," he says politely. "Reverend Sherman Blake. I am glad there are good people willing to fight the evils that threaten us all."
And he was glad. Despair making way for newfound hope.
Tarphrex bows, ”Tarphrex the Magnificent. Tarphrex happy to meet new friends.”
The rest of the service at the Church of Iomedea passes quietly.
The next day, at dawn, sees a very different type of rememberance at the Church of Shelyn. Songs are song, paintings of the fallen (mostly Alain as he is the one they knew), even a few interpretive dances. Drinks and food are passed around as stories are told of fond memories and hilarious instances. It is still somewhat subduded, but these people look fondly back at the good times instead of mourning what was lost.
The Varisian wake is an even bigger swing on the pendulum. To say there is wine and singing is an understatement. A full blown wake is in effect, many are drunk, food is eaten by the tableful, and crying mixes with laughter as the Varisian people feel their emotions to the absolute fullest, to the point that they burst from them and mix with the emotions of all those around them.
That night, the new found party members meet up with Sherman and Tarphrex at Sherman's chapel/home.
Ain, Elisani, Estella, and Sister Dunmorrow, all in different stages of dealing with their emotions. Sister Dunmorrow, specifically, sits quietly in full armor, sharpening her sword and looking grim.
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i... Believe we should dispense with fairness and end this monster in its sleep before it can cause more harm
”You sneaky? Tower very old, make much noise to climb. We kill guard-thing, maybe she make new guard-thing. Fight guard-thing, make noise, wake up snake-lady.”
"We can at least try, though I'll be the first to admit I'm not exactly sneaky." Estella says with a laugh, then she crosses her arms and frowns. Time for business.
"Preparation is key here, methinks. We should at least have something for that petrification. My hope is that she can't use it in quick succession. After all, if she could, why stop at Zenaida?"
Elisani smiles at Tarphrex's question, a flash of teeth. "Oh, I can be extremely sneaky when I want to be. You have a point about the guard, though." What do they mean by 'guard-thing', though? Both constructs and undead are made rather than born, but they require different tactics and spells.
She nods to Estella. Clearly, her friend Anastasia's little sister has not only grown up, she has grown in experience. "We can only hope that that is the case. Unfortunately, I just paid rent for the month. I have little gold available for something like stone salve." And, well, her mother got a new shipment from Kaer Maga with elixirs of tumbling a few days ago. Elisani is self-aware enough to acknowledge that she is weak in the face of interesting potions and elixirs. She'll be eating bread and beans for the next week or two unless this snake-lady has a lot of treasure.
Worth it, though.
Sister Dumorrow chimes in, "I have these. I took them from the stash at the church. They're supposed to be for emergencies, but I figured this counts. That said, I didn't tell Chaplain Tira I was taking them, so maybe don't bring it up."
She pulls out 8 potions of levitate.
"They'll get us up the side of the tower. See, you can just magically lift yourself up...."
Tarphrex flaps his tiny wings. ”Fly no wings?” He squints at the potions, but doesn’t reach for one yet.
Estella's eyes light up when she sees the potions. "I daresay this snake lady isn't expecting an approach from the outside. We might be able to reclaim the element of surprise with these!"
"Last time she was waiting was us, invisible. But maybe she heard the sounds of fighting below. In any case, we should be aware of that - does any of you have the magic to see the invisible?"
Having said that, a thought occurs to him. Why not turn the tables in that regards.
"How about we are the invisible ones this time, and surprise her? That should serve her right..."
i can do neother but I'm fast on my feet and i have many attacks that operate on area blasts. As well as the ability to make weapons sacred
Elisani translates Tarphrex's information on the golem for the rest of the group, then listens as the others speak. "I'm afraid not, Sherman. There are other means to detect the invisible, though, as long as they have physical substance. If we bring bags of flour with us, we can throw it across the top of the tower. Between all of us, we should be able to cover the area completely. The flour will cling to her and show us where she is." This isn't her first time facing a spellcasting enemy who thinks invisibility will save them. "Alternatively, a glitterdust spell will do the same and it has a chance of blinding her temporarily." Both Caleb and Kaderen love their glitterdust.
”Tarphrex make her sparkly when we fight.”
Tarphrex taps on Elisani’s knee with a clawed digit. Looking up at her, he asks, ”Tarphrex needs find shop. Does Zenaida-cousin know shop treat with dragon fair?”
Elisani smiles down at Tarphrex. "Indeed I do. It's a little late, but Mama should still be at the shop. She sells all kinds of goods and equipment, magical and not." Well, 'shop' is a bit of a misnomer, considering that Sofiya Dascalu's storefront is basically a walled-off corner of her warehouse in Ordellia. Mama is always happy to accommodate friends of her beloved daughter. Even if those friends are small and scaly.
You all gather your equipment and your courage, then head out. Crossing through town is a surreal thing for you. Everyone around you continues about their day unaware of what you've been through, and what you're heading into. For you, this is a grim occasion. To the townsfolk, it is a Tuesday.
Entering into Underbridge, the noise and crowds slowly disperse, leaving you in silence and shadow. Tarphrex and Sherman take a lead towards your destination and even the sparse population of Underbridge is gone in the square around the Shadow Clock. No one wants to live near a building that might fall on them.
One thing has changed since your last visit, however. There is strange debris scattered about the open space before the clock tower. Glints of metal, unknown white fragments, and a scattering of rats.
Your footsteps slow as you approach, wary and watchful. One of you reaches down to pick up part of the white, it takes a moment before you realize that it is a fragment of bone. Small toothmarks show where rats have eaten the flesh from it. Another one of you picks up a glint of metal, part of a blade. Over there, half a gauntlet, cut clean in two. Horror pulls at some of your faces as realization slowly dawns on you as to what you're seeing. A statue, thrown from the roof, shattered across the ground, it then reverted back into the form it was once in, before the petrification spell. Zenaida lays scattered at your feet.
Elisani is the first to realize what they're seeing. She's examined more corpses than she cares to count, but she's only ever read about this particular manner of death. "Oh my gods. Zenaida." Her eyes sting as she searches the debris. Eventually she finds a silver medallion on a broken chain, showing a woman's bejeweled hand holding a sword in raised relief. The holy symbol of Falayna. Straightening up from her crouch, Elisani holds it up for Sherman and Tarphrex to see.
"Our enemy pushed or threw her over the side of the tower while she was petrified. I'm sorry."
As the realization dawns on him, Tarphrex freezes, staring at the debris. He very slowly raises his head to look up the tower.
When Elisani holds up the medallion, he asks in Draconic, whispering sibilantly,
Estella stares at the fragments, then swallows. "Cruel and monstrous. The sooner we can get rid of this monster, the better." She turns to Elisani and Zenaida's friends. "I am so sorry. She deserved better than this."
With the gravity of the situation weighing down on her, she starts looking more serious. She pulls out her shrunken spear and mutters, "Proudly.". The spear expands into its full size.
She then pulls out a sheet of canvas, which she quickly ties to the end of the spear with a deft hand.
"I'm ready."
You all turn your heads at the sound of a small glass bottle hitting the ground. You can get just a glimpse of tears and fury on Sister Dunmorrow's face as she secures her helmet in place. Sword drawn, she begins moving towards the tower.
As the realization dawns on him, Tarphrex freezes, staring at the debris. He very slowly raises his head to look up the tower.
When Elisani holds up the medallion, he asks in Draconic, whispering sibilantly,
Draconic:”Do you want it? Do you want your cousin’s medal? I would keep it in my hoard if you do not.”
It's tempting, so tempting. But Elisani is pretty sure she knows what Zenaida would want. "You obviously cared for her a great deal, and I'm sure Zenaida cared for you in turn." She carefully places the holy symbol in Tarphrex's hand. "I believe she would want you to keep this. I have other little treasures to remember her by." A bookmark with Elisani's name written in Zenaida's shaky childhood handwriting. A braided silver bangle, one of her cousin's first forays into making jewelry. A well-thumbed book describing the flora of the Mushfens and their uses in alchemy, that Zenaida bought for her one Armasse. Tokens of days gone by.
Out of the corner of her eye, Elisani sees Sister Dunmorrow take a potion out of its case. "A moment, please. There are certain items that may have survived that her family will want." By some stroke of luck, Zenaida's backpack is mostly intact. The detective rummages through it, coming up with a small traveling jewelry case and a long, intricately embroidered and appliqued scarf. "I will return Zenaida's kapenia and jewelry- minus her holy symbol, of course- to her parents once we are finished here. I would also like to gather her remains at that time and take them to the Temple of Pharasma for proper burial."
Once she's packed her cousin's personal effects away, Elisani starts taking vials and flasks out of her bandolier and knocking them back like the seasoned pro she is. One of the infusions shrinks her down to Tarphrex's size. Two of the flasks produce a thin white mist from her mouth; she then proceeds to drink from a vial after each one and spit its contents back in. She hesitates with the final flask. "This one will have visible effects on me. Please do not be alarmed at my appearance."
'Visible effects' is putting it lightly. As she drinks her mutagen, Elisani's body warps with a series of sickening cracks as her arms and legs grow longer. Her already slim body looks inhumanly thin, even emaciated. Her pointed ears elongate, her skin thickens to a leathery texture, and her canine teeth protrude slightly from her mouth. She looks alarmingly similar to a ghoul, but with a decidedly living tone to her roughened skin.
Tarphrex hisses, ”Wait! Do not rush to death angry. Tarphrex has trick, we stand together.”
He rushes forward, extends a claw as he pulls a roll of parchment with the other.
”Touch claw of Tarphrex.”
Ain looks, his expression turns grim as he mutters a prayer and draws his shield, i can give one persons weapon minor holy properties. Its best served on particular weapons that can target vital spots easier
Tarphrex hisses, ”Wait! Do not rush to death angry. Tarphrex has trick, we stand together.”
He rushes forward, extends a claw as he pulls a roll of parchment with the other.
”Touch claw of Tarphrex.”
She does wait, but she is obviously impatient.