Madam, let Ungala fill you in, I don't know enough it would be a disservice. Says the guide as he quickly maneuvers the group through the city taking head to make sure they are not being followed. In what seems like no time at all the group is in a completely different section of the city being guided down to a secret room underneath what appears to be regular home.
Upon everyone's entrance Ungala has a moment of frustration with being raided by so many people, but as Fola and Guaril enters they show off their wayfinders and immediately set her at ease.
Ah, my Pathfinder friends, it is great to see you. You have come at a great time for me. I am sure you have something you have come to me with and I would be happy to help if it were not for my current predicament. Three weeks ago, a mysterious entity began murdering my soldiers around Bloodcove, crippling my operation and forcing my remaining guerillas to lay low. The killer has resisted all attempts to magically discern its nature, and only one victim, a man named Embele, survived one of the attacks. As you can see She points to a body off in the corner being prepared for burial. this is not something I am taking lightly. I do not know exactly where the attacker hides, but I do know where about the attacks have been occuring and can direct you there if you can assist me.
Embele is not this man here. Embele is hiding out, afraid of the terror finding him again, with some time I am sure we could find him though.
With your heal checks you are able to tell that the corpse has several lacerations about him, about half appear to be made from a manufactured weapon and the other likely from claws.
Ungala replies to Quarrion, Yes you can meet with him. Like I said it will take us some time to find him though as he is hiding, if you are sure that is what you want to do.
With that Fola speaks up, Remember we are trying to be quick to limit the time for the Aspis to build a response to our presence. If you think it is necessary though we will take the time.
After the group searches for a time they eventually find Embele in his own little bunker house. Though afraid, he is able to give you all a description of his attacker. The attacker was a pair of spiked monstrosities, their bodies interwoven in a seemingly impossible knot. Despite its twisted appearance, the attacker moved gracefully, swinging its curved knives so quickly it seemed a blur. Fighting back was futile, for even wounds that pierced its thick hide quickly healed.
Molos and Catushlara both realize Embele is describing an adhukait asura. Between the two of them they that good weapons or spells will not only get through it's DR, but also suppress it's regeneration, it has moderate resistance to acid and electricity, has spell resistance, has a dual mind (meaning it gets two saves against mind affecting and if either succeed it is not affected), performs a dance of disaster (which allows it to move up to 10 feet after any successful attack as long as it has another attack to make no matter how much move it has or has not used).
Catushlara knows that the only way to get through this creature's defense is with good based attacks.
While her knowledge check does not tell her anything about the connection this creature may have to the trapped Asura, thinking about it does give her a nagging feeling she might want to show Ungala the note from Lutebu Alrati.
Taking a look at the note Ungala makes a realization and rushes into another room coming back with a tablet.
We found this in a raid just before the attacks started, maybe it has something to do with them.
Everyone except Catushlara who immediately realizes she does not posess the expertise to evaluate this relic, are able to decipher that there is still some connection in this tablet to the Adukhait Asura, specifically that reading a key passage backwards while within 60 feet of the fiend as a move action prevents it from teleporting for 1 hour and causes it to attack the reader, if the reader continues to recite it will slowly weaken the fiend slightly, though this weakening effect will only last as long as the reader continues.
With that the group is pretty confident there is nothing else to learn, before dealing with the creature. The path out of the town that Ungala has directed you to as the location of the previous attacks, leads by many shops that any lesser purchases someone might want to make in preparation are easily obtained on the way.
PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Molos
Flavias
Agirran
Quarrian
Catushlara
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Adukhait Asura
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Molos volunteered to read the passage, trusting the others to keep the creature away from him. Molos also planned on moving around the battlefield, keeping as much distance between the beast and he as the 60’ distance would allow.
Agirran casts a shielding spell upon himself and gives Quarrion a warning glance for touching his axe with out permission. "You don't see anyone else around here grabbin' people by their axes without asking first, do you Rocky?"
Agirran moves forward taking cover behind a ficus tree.
"The two-faced a$~$~~~ is in there all right."
"Hey Horny, what are you waiting for? Get out here already." He waves to the space behind him.
= 19 total
The creature, is not stupid and with the team not attempting to conceal their preparation actions it knows it has been spotted, not yet prepared to fight like usual it attempts to create some space and take cover behind some of the foliage to buy time before casting a spell.
PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Round 2
Molos (Protection from Evil +2 Deflection +More)
Flavias (Mirror Image=6)
Agirran (Good aligned weapon)
Quarrian (Shield of Faith +2 Deflection)
Catushlara
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Adukhait Asura
Molos starts reading the passage as he moves ahead 30’ to try and get within the distance required to affect the creature.
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The creature, is not stupid and with the team not attempting to conceal their preparation actions it knows it has been spotted, not yet prepared to fight like usual it attempts to create some space and take cover behind some of the foliage to buy time before casting a spell.
*face palm* "Oh, for the love of-"
"YO! UGLY!" Agirran says rushing forward.
The Asura casts another spell making it's already fuzzy shape seem to multiply.
Then moves across the battlefield taking up a position between Agirran and Catushlara.
PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Round 3
Molos (READING THE PASSAGE, Protection from Evil +2 Deflection +More)
Flavias (Mirror Image=6)
Agirran (Good aligned weapon)
Quarrian (Good aligned weapon, Shield of Faith +2 Deflection)
Catushlara (Good aligned weapon)
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Adukhait Asura (Blur {20% Miss Chance}, Hypnotic Stare)
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Quarrion charges up to the Asura and even despite all of the visual trickery manages to strike a solid blow on the creature.
Flavias uses is illuminating magic which minimizes the fuzzing effect, but there still seems to be multiple of the creature.
Agirran charges in seeing Quarrion's success, but is unable to repeat it and misses by so much he doesn't even swipe a fake image.
The Asura writhes a little in resistance, not from the wound inflicted by Quarrion, but presumably from the magic of the tablet. As it sees the tablet and it's holder move away it sets chase trying to maneuver safely between the threats imminent to it.
Moving nimbly and deliberately before taking off at full speed, the Asura is able to avoid the attacks of Agirran, but not of Quarrion on it's manuevers alone. With it's focus on pursuit the creature gets in the face of Molos, but does not yet have the chance to attack him.
PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Round 4
Molos (READING THE PASSAGE, Protection from Evil +2 Deflection +More)
Flavias (Mirror Image=6)
Agirran (Good aligned weapon)
Quarrian (AOO provoked against, Good aligned weapon, Shield of Faith +2 Deflection)
Catushlara (Good aligned weapon, Protection from Evil +2 Deflection +More)
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Adukhait Asura (-10, Weakened No Teleport + 1 round, Faerie Fire, Blur {20% Miss Chance}, Multiple of creature , Hypnotic Stare)
As the Asura attempts to dance past Quarrion, he manages to swing a mighty blow with his heavy pick not only into one head of the creature, but on the follow through also into the second head. The creature immediately falls to the ground incapacitated, though not outright dead.
PATHFINDERS WIN!
The improvised shrine to the southeast that the Asura came from includes an Aegis of Recovery resembling a butterfly made of leaves.
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Upon returning to Ungala to report the success of the mission she arranges for a signal to be provided her so that all parties can target Aspis operations at the same time.
With the forces of Ungala on the side of the Pathfinders there is nothing else to to deal with except Erwyn Harvacus and the Saltroot Druids.
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Guaril leads the group through the streets of Bloodcove until a few druids meet up with the group and lead you to a secret meeting hall.
"Beneath one of Bloodcove's more secluded boardwalks stretches an arched hall, its walls formed from intertwined mangrove roots and its mossy floor firm despite the Vanji's marshy banks. Motes of light float above a long table carved from a single massive tree trunk. Several large stones line the table, each sculpted into an ornate chair by druidic magic."
Erwyn Harvacus meets the team in the hall, Welcome Pathfinders, I have recently spoken to Guaril here and he has informed me the basics of the situation, but he did not have anything that compelled me to take his side in this situation with the Aspis Consortium. He assures me that our meeting will be more productive with members who have seen some of the insides of the operation. My current arrangements are stable and prosperous so I see no reason to change them as they stand.
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Catushlara nods at the druid's words before saying in reply: You say your arrangements are prosperous. How useful are the rare seeds and minerals they provide to you? Do you care where the Consortium gets the seeds and minerals from at all?
Reaching into her bag the half-elf retrieves the Overseer's note. Would you consider it a profitable venture if they burn and destroy other places to provide you with your materials? she says as she tries to get the druid to reveal if he only cares about his territory while trying to avoid getting him too angry.
Erwyn looks taken aback, Ahh, you strike aggressively with your words and get to the point. The Aspis have always done well by me, they always pay in full, and often pad our payments with rare seeds and valuable minerals, I would hate to loos such a lucrative arrangement. I did not know that the means they used to procure these seeds and minerals though were so aggressive, this is opposite of our beliefs which I thought they were honoring with the gifts. Right now though, what I would gain in conscience about those means, can not outweigh the negative affects canceling such a business would have on my whole clan.
Your sense motive tells you that he has concerns about canceling his patronage with the Aspis and what repercussions that might have on his clan, you will need to diplomacy or intimidate him into believing that the Aspis are causing more harm than good. You have a second piece of evidence that may help with this concern. He is currently not convinced, but more evidence and some aid another may push him over the edge.
Besides, not only am I and the other druid employed by the Aspis so is my family, and they have done well with the Consortium so far.
Your sense motive tells you that he has concerns about the repercussions that may occur for him and his son who was employed by the Aspis after there initial arrangements, if he were to cancel the connection, such as his son losing his lucrative job, or worse being kidnapped, or even worse. Alleviating this concern will take a bluff or intimidate. You don't believe you have any evidence to help with this concern.
I have heard of your exploits here in Bloodcove here before, what reason do I have to embrace an invasive species like yourselves that might disrupt the economic ecosystem here that I try to maintain?
Your sense motive tells you that he has concerns about the Perks of working with the Pathfinder Society. He has been impressed by the Society's previous exploits in the city, but remains concerned that cooperating with Pathfinders would cause upheaval in the status quo that currently serves him. Selling an alliance to him wil require a bluff or diplomacy. You believe that having Malika testify on the Society's behalf could help, along with proving your abilities to handle dangerous threats.
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This here the cleric begins as she holds out the overseer's note to the druid, is a note we received directly from the Guild overseer. It states that those gifts you receive? They are stolen from other places. It is the way of the Aspis Consortium: move to a place with something they want, take everything, then burn whatever is left! They do not care for anything unless it benefits them! she said angrily, barely keeping herself from shouting.
Realizing that she was letting her temper get to her Catushlara takes a deep breath before continuing. You may be employed right now but what happens once they are done excavating the ruins? Do you think they will continue to employ you and your family? Malika, she pauses as she gestures to the former captive, can tell you about what they are really like having spent some time as their "guest".
The half-elf starts to pace, as if presenting a case before a judge before whirling towards the druid. Do you even know what they are mining? They are taking cultural artifacts and they are taking it from a temple where a demon is sealed away. Each time they go deeper into the temple they risk releasing the demon on us all. And do you think they would send anyone to help defend you? Not only that, they also flood the market with false artifacts containing demons without a care if an innocent person should stumble upon it. she says as she hands the note about the false artifacts.
As for the benefits of allying with the Pathfinder Society, it depends on what you want or need. We have contacts in both high and low places, experts in magic, explorers who go out to lost and forgotten places, merchants who can probably get you anything you are currently receiving from the consortium without destroying their sources and we actually help our allies should they request it.We actually just finished dealing with an asura that was killing the people of one of our new allies here.
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Flavias takes a moment to listen to Erwyn's comments trying to suss out their worries.
Not getting any insight Flavias continues "Our exploits here in Bloodcove have been limited and even worse for our image, since the Aspis control so much here our actions are all seen through their words. Would they talk about the good they did or merely paint us with their wicked brush. I can assure you we take care of our friends and don't gloat to our business associates about how gullible you are."