Mags pauses while looking at the lamp lady, then leans in to sniff. Her face droops a little. "You're sick, lady. You can't go out. The air in her is heavy with it, all over, in everything." she looks out at her friends. "Yazi and the wall too"
Eyes back on the lady, she pats her shoulder. "I'll get Vera out, send her to The Kroft or her boyfriend for help. The people can't stay here or they will all die from this, no matter how many times we heal them." she might have a gutter accent and no education, but this street rat seems to know what she is talking about.
If the lady doesn't have anything to argue about, Mags moves to Vera to convince her to go get help. "I'll stay and help get everyone ready, or on their feet."
Vera marvels as Magda heals all of the Varisians at once. "That's really incredible! You're incredible, Mags!" After giving Magda a hug, Vera helps with all of the people that have been healed.
As Magda talks about finding help, Vera seems pensive. "Won't you come with me? I think your magic helped all the Varisians get back on their feet, already. And you and I are the only ones not sick! Marcus can do the guarding, Olenna can figure out all these notes, and Yazi can help the others."
When Magda gives her a look, Vera starts tugging at her gently. "Please? I know you don't like the Field Marshal. But I think we just need to show her the evidence, and then she can help us. We need all the help we can get."
Vera will look to collect some appropriate evidence so that Kroft might believe them.
Yaziyah sighs in exasperation at the news that she has blood veil... again. "I hope it doesn't get in the way of my work," she mutters, then adds louder for Magda and Vera. "If you go out, please take this girl with you and try to find her parents in Highbridge. I'll make sure she's fully healthy."
She turns to Marcus and Olenna. "Well, while we're stuck here let's look through these notes some more and see if we can find anything helpful. When the girls come back we can try to find another way into the basement."
Vera's tugging starts to wear her down and then there is a little girl needing to go home. Mags can't say no to the that. With a long sigh she agrees "Okay, but I'll be back." she promises, her eyes looking painfully at all the sick people she abandoning.
Pausing she looks to the lamp lady, "Hey, do we need to tell anybody other than The Kroft about you being here?"
Great. Marcus grumbles and nods to Yazi. "I'm organized with paperwork but not the researcher many of you are. If I can help let me know, meanwhile I'll be watching the perimeter."
"I'm what?" Olenna says, blinking at Magda. All this time, all the care that she had taken, all the precautions. She begins muttering another stream of elvish obscenities, pacing around. How was she going to explain this to Enzo? To Cat? That she had to quarantine. Why hadn't she prepared the proper extracts this morning? She had gotten sloppy.
Olenna grabs a fresh sheet of paper and begins furiously scribbling down two letters: one for Cressida and one for Enzo. As she finishes them with an elegant signature, she folds them and stuffs them into an envelope. "This one is for the Field Marshal," she hands the first one to Magda, "And this one is for my husband. You're already going to Highbridge, so that's convenient. Just ask around for Enzo Tucca." She sighs, a pained expression on her face. "Thank you, Magda. Vera."
Magda smiles at the thanks "No worries" she says, a phrase written on her very soul "People gotta help People or what else we going do?" the half orc shrugs and takes the letters, slipping them into her magical bag of awesome.
With aplomb and verve, the only two members of the group not infected with blood veil hurry out of the hospice with the girl in tow, making their way to the highbridge district. In short order they find the girl’s parents. Magda confirms that she’s no longer sick, and the girl hugs the pair before disappearing into the low apartment building.
The pair make their way to the citadel to eventually get to Cressida Kroft’s office. There appear to be Gray Maidens patrolling down the block, though they have yet to intervene directly in the affairs of the guard. There’s substantially more security to get through, as well as an air of formality associated with the affair, but the field Marshall, after a strained but warm greeting, nods at the pair, and rounds up a number of guards to retrieve as many of the patients as possible. She seems puzzled when they explain what Davaulus had done, but accepts the evidence that they found. Nodding, she calls the sergeant in, and tells the sergeant to show these to all of the lieutenants, and also to call for all of the good temples to send representatives as soon as possible. She asks the pair to stay, and signals for the guard to enter an even more guarded mode. She questions the pair about exactly what happened, and her brow furrows when the physicians seemed to have escaped.
She explains that the Gray Maidens are the queen’s personal guard - and they are extremely disciplined, they likely would have done whatever the doctor asked if the Queen told them to follow his orders. She wouldn’t be able to explain if physicians are cultists or just hired hands, as they had obviously some medical training, and would therefore require questioning.
As soon as everyone is gathered in a small room, after checking that nobody is sick, within about an hour (temple leaders from Sarenrae, Asmodeus, Shelyn, and Abadar (though not Ishani) show up,), she asks one of the guard’s wizards to copy over the evidence in the presented and reads from it. There is a murmur of concern. Kroft seems older, and even more exhausted, but she stands up on a dais to explain, ”These documents prove most of a case that we had suspected for a few days - Davaulus is at best ignoring the problem of the blood veil, either by incompetence or malice. We need more - and I will get to that later. As for his minions - we have no evidence the maidens are cultists, and they are the Queen’s personal guard - we have no authority over them - but I will pass on our concerns. They were not mentioned in any of these notes. The physicians were, though briefly, mentioned and so they are to be brought in for questioning. The captured ones are to be charged and booked, and their equipment confiscated. The gray maidens involved in the hospice will have their equipment confiscated until they can be questioned, then will be released without it - the law still matters here even if they are only to answer to the queen.” She coughs, clearing her throat and then continues, ”we have enough room to house half of these patients here in the citadel, this cannot be increased.”
She raises her hand towards the church leaders. The impressively dressed leader of the church of Asmodeus grins slightly, ”nothing is free in this life, Field Marshal.” Her eyes narrow as she glares at him, and she searches the others’ faces for help. The young cleric of Shelyn looks to be a neophyte, and he stammers, ”I’m so sorry Field Marshal, we are bursting at the seams as it is. Even our clergy is getting sick. We are not a big temple.” The healthy looking woman from Sarenrae’s temple, wearing a complex, layered mask over her nose and mouth, shakes her head, slightly muffled, and slightly accented Taldan, ”we have hundreds - field marshal. They are recovering well, we have the capacity for them, but if we accept any more then our process will be badly disrupted, please trust us that we would accept them if we could, but this cannot happen today. Maybe in one day. Anyone else will compromise the care of all.” She looks resolute but extremely sad, with tears at the corner of her eyes, but she adds, ”we may be able to accept the children if their numbers are small, but even then we run a terrible risk.” She looks down and wipes her eyes off with her delicate fingers.
The last representative is a portly middle-aged chelaxian who looks like he wants to escape as soon as possible . Kroft stares him down and he blanches slightly, then says ”Gregor. You have not said anything. Should I hazard a guess as to why?” The man who’s name is Gregor nods reluctantly, and responds in a quavering voice, ”yes, Cressida- I mean, Field Marshal. You have the thick and thin of it. Our church requires payment, you see - nothing so distasteful as a soul or anything- just money. It’s just our religion, of course.” The asmodeon winks at Vera and Magda, still grinning.
Kroft continues, ”yes, Gregor. Of course. I would hazard that civic breakdown that could occur for refusing me might do more to damage your churches credibility with the people of the city. But surely there’s a reason they sent you. How much?” He wrings his hands, ”oh, for the thirty people - we could accept them all for 1500 sails.”
She says, after taking a beat, ”fine.” Gregor shakes his head, ”payment must be given up front, Field Marshal.” She pauses and looks tired again, ”I know. One moment.” She moves back to her office and comes back with a piece of paper, that appears to be a title or deed, and hands it to Gregor, who looks at it, and seems to mentally calculate, ”this seems to be worth 1623 sails, Field Marshal, if I remember the valuation correctly. Would you like change?” She blinks, and shakes her head, ”just treat more people.”
Gregor nods and steps back as she claps her hands, ”okay - fine. This is resolved, we will send guards to move the sick. We need the adventurers to guard the space and watch that nobody leaves - maybe one person look for other exits - Magda, could I ask you, please? You have the best knowledge of the city layout of anyone in the city, and the keenest eyes of I think anyone.” She raises her hand, and addresses the crowd, ”without these young ladies 15 Varisian citizens would likely have been killed. Thank you for following your hunch, Magda.” She inclines her head respectfully. Those in the crowd seem to appraise Magda and Vera with newfound respect. ”I need to quarter as many guards as I can here to protect the patients and act as medics, so I am counting on the adventurers, again to deal with the cultists and get more evidence - we have to protect them while they are guarded in the citadel. I trust you two can communicate to your companions the need for speed?” She looks at the pair knowingly, ”if there is naught else, we have a lot of work to do.” She dismisses the assembled with a salute, and the guards spring into action, seemingly well organized now, and move to retrieve and move the two groups out of the hospice and into their respective care spaces.
As Magda and Vera are walking with the company of fourty or so guards and clerics, Majenko swoops down from the roof, startling some of those walking to the hospice until the realize it’s a house drake, at which time they relax and keep going. Majenko says to Vera and Magda, ”Is ready to reports for helping time. Had a big lunch with Dokrens but also a nap because of too many cakes but now Is am here for tips and investigation Mags and Veras. What you need mes to do?” He presents himself for his daily head scratch/pet.
Along the way, the party talks to Vendra, who languidly agrees to deliver a number of shipments of the new-and-improved linament to everyone at their new care centers (for a reasonable price, of course), which Sonya, Krovax’s one time sister-in-law pays for gladly.
At the hospice, as the highest ranking guard, Sonya moves to take command of the logistics, and sorts those who are sick by how sick, moving the highest priority citizens to immediate care 30 head to the temple, and 29 return to the citadel under heavy guard, with their guards wearing extensive protective clothing. A few guards climb to the top of the warehouse and crack open the windows, a difficult task considering they’ve been painted over and seemingly glued shut, but by the evening, the festering air of the hospice is largely eliminated, the patients are on their way to being safe and two relatively senior guards are tasked with staying behind to watch the “lift” in case the group has to prepare somehow.
Mags stares back at the people as they appraise her and Vera. Her eyes are not combative, but they are not a wilting flower. She will fight for the city, and every single person in it a THOUSAND times over. That is her stance, that is her hill she will die on.
But before she goes, she stops in front of the Kroft. A moment passes, enough for the Kroft to grow wearier, anticipating a fight about something. But then the young woman says VERY softly "thank you"
A moment passes, a brief but honest smile, then Mags is off to do those things she needs to do.
Ugh, why do Abadarians have to keep reminding me how much I hate them? thinks Vera, as Gregor extracts payment from the Field Marshal. She knew that Ishani felt differently about charity, and wondered for a moment whether there was any way he might be converted to a more sensible religion without giving up his divine gifts.
Cressida, on the other hand, was being as generous as ever, trying to do her duty. She was even being generous to Vera and Magda by giving them praise and credit in the eyes of the clergy. "Magda deserves all the credit. It was not only her keen senses but also her pure heart that saved the Varisians. And some of the plague-infected, too." Vera is mostly sincere, though as she soaks in the attention, she doesn't seem to mind getting some of the credit for herself. She sees that even Mags smiles briefly before getting back to business.
The notion that they needed more evidence about Dr. Davalus's misdeeds boggled her mind, however. "Surely what these doctors have done here should be enough to put and end to their work! You're saying we need more evidence?" Vera's question was rhetorical. It was clear Cressida believed she needed more evidence. Vera thinks about the elevator they had disabled. Surely that was the next best lead.
* * *
"Majenko! You're here! We need you more than ever, friend." Vera gives him a friendly rub. "Have you heard all the news?" Vera makes sure he has. "If you'd been there, Dr. Davalus wouldn't have gotten away!" That was ambiguous, but who was to say? "Will you travel with us once more? This plague is bigger than any of us understands."
As they walk to the Hospice, Vera approaches the portly chelaxian, Gregor. "Thanks for telling me about Ishani. It's no wonder he's been so frustrated with Dr. Davalus. Will you promise to find him and tell him what has happened? It's very dangerous for him to spend another second with any of those horrible doctors. Or the Grey Maidens, frankly--they give me the creeps, and that's saying something for someone who studies the occult. Ask him to look for me at the Hospice. Or my home that's nearby. Promise me you'll do this right away." He makes Gregor sincerely promise. If it seems like he wouldn't come through, Vera will send Majenko to find Ishani.
And as they run into Vendra, Vera picks up a healthy supply of Linament, paying the normal price. . "I'm sure we'll need this, for others and for ourselves. If you haven't heard the horror, apparently us two Varisians have some resistance to Blood Veil." As with Majenko, Vera makes sure Vendra gets the download of what has happened. As far as Vera was concerned, every single person needed to know of what had happened for their own safety and the good of the city.
* * *
Meeting up with the sick half of the party, Vera explains all that has transpired. "So once again, Miss Cressida is both helpful and not helpful. All the patients will have a place to go, so you don't have to worry about it right this second, Yazi. But she still doesn't think she has enough evidence. We all know that something terrible is happening, and these doctors are disease spreaders, not healers. I don't think we should wait a second longer to get more evidence so that we can arrest all these sham doctors. Let's get that moving platform thing working again and see what's down there!" She looks around for agreement, particularly at Olenna as probably the only one who could fix the contraption.
Marcus had been quietly keeping an eye on the perimeter. He listens to Vera and simply nods. "Agreed. We move forward. Olenna, this is extrajudicial. It could threaten your status. Will you go with us?"
As they wait for the girls to return, Yaziyah speaks to a few of the less sick patients downstairs, asking about them and their life, how they came to this hospice, how they have been treated and so on. She also asks them about any encounters they might have had with the masked doctors before coming or being brought here.
After Vera and Magda return and explain the situation, the Shoanti nods. For once, I agree with the Marshal, but not for the reason she cites. She may need more evidence, but we also need to understand the whole of their plan and how it can be hindered or stopped entirely. This Davaulus is a very crafty fellow, and I have no doubt that he has thought of many things and has back-up plans in place."
The patients are pleased enough to help Yazi. They note that the physicians had different skills. Some seemed like they were very adept at alchemy, as well. A small number seemed to care a little, but most were pretty rough and angry with the patients, and would often poke/prod the patients painfully.
Marcus spends his time patrolling the exterior of the warehouse during the afternoon after he helps evacuate the citizens. The warehouse seems to be part of a larger block.
Olenna is a bit sheepish to see a high-ranker like Sonya here, but is very glad that the Field Marshal had taken this seriously enough to do all this. She had explained as much as possible in the brief report that she had sent with Magda, and she had spent the ample time waiting for her to return writing a full report, from start to finish of her observations while on patrol, the accusations of kidnapping, and her decision to gather more information before everything had gone to Hell. This report she hands to Sonya (maintaining a copy for her own records). "I'm surprised to be here myself," she says to her colleague. "I wrote my report for the Field Marshal, though, if you can deliver this to her when you're done. It's all a mess, Sonya." She looks frazzled after the day's activities. Nonetheless, she gives her a briefing to the best of her ability, fully conscious of her compromised state.
Privately, Olenna wonders whether Sonya is judging her. After all, Olenna had deliberately left the vice squad, and here she was infiltrating like the old days. No, she hadn't infiltrated the organizations quite like that--not initiated--but this was not too far from her previous activity. It probably looked like...backsliding.
---
As the party discusses plans, Olenna looks perplexed. She also weathers the complaints about the Field Marshal without comment. For one of the city's leaders to be their best selves, they had to do things that the citizens would often disagree with. That Olenna often disagreed with. Cressida wasn't trying to win a popularity contest. Let them feel how they were going to feel.
The way Olenna saw it, Cressida's hands were usually tied. Decorum, formality, the legal mess of the city, and so forth kept her from doing things how she really wanted. But she was committed to this city. And so when she couldn't do things directly, she had people she trusted who could step in. At least, she hopes that's what Cressida had been aiming at.
"Well, I'm quarantined, but I'm not about to stand by and let our city be gripped by a disease cult. And if the Field Marshal hasn't pulled me out, then I take that as tacit permission to continue as I'm doing. So yes, I'll go with you. Let's hope that whoever's beneath us doesn't have too many other ways out from where they are. I'll fix it in the morning, make sure we're not too devastated by this bloody disease, and then we'll take on these plaguers."
---
It's killing Olenna to not be at home with her husband and daughter tonight. He might be upset. Granted, she had been home most nights recently, but it was still a reminder. She writes him a longer letter, and another one to Cat, that she'll have delivered as well. She's confident that it's no last will and testament (though that was updated, too, of course), but she wants them to know what she's doing and why. Or at least close enough.
In the morning, she plans to draught up some extracts to help them deal with the disease. As planning gets underway, she explains what she'll be able to offer. "I have materials with me, supplementing from Dr. Davaulus supplies, to make roundabout thirteen, fourteen potions. My best means of handling this disease are to try either delay its onset so that we just don't have to deal with it--I could make five of those. If we're already feeling crap in the morning, I could also help us recover from some of the symptoms--again I could do five of those, but that's some of the same materials I'd use for the delay draught. Or I think, based on this doctor's notes, I might be able to try to cure it altogether, but I'm not certain I could do it. Looking over his notes and what's available, I could do no more three of those in a single day. I can do any of that, but I'd rather use what materials we have on hand to keep us prepared for the Cult."
2nd—Acute Senses, Alchemical Allocation, Barkskin, Cure Moderate Wounds, Delay Disease, Invisibility, Lesser Restoration, Resist Energy, See Invisibility
1st—Alleviate Addiction, Cure Light Wounds, Disguise Self, Heightened Awareness, Long Arm, Reduce Person, Shield, Tears to Wine
She knows that she needs rest and knows that she can probably trust her fellow Guardsmen to watch out for them, but she's been on enough sting operations to know that more eyes were better. She approaches the others. "Everyone should get rest, but we should sleep in shifts. The worst thing would be if those below assaulted us unawares in our sleep. You all good for that, or what?"
Yaziyah watches Olenna write her report for a while, providing details (if asked) about how a dead noble's words had brought them to this place. What had happened at the manor was probably another mess that was going to fall into Kroft's lap, and she doesn't envy the woman. Whatever their differences, they were both working to help the city, in their own ways.
She doesn't have long letters to write, just a short note sent by messenger to Jhonas at the community center to let him know to be vigilant of the plague doctors and to warn the Varisians in Old Korvosa to tighten ranks and take care of each other even more than they usually did. No doubt the story will spread from those who had been freed, and that would feed into the discontent that was already there, so no point hammering that nail, instead she adds a line that they're doing all they can to stop this whole thing in its tracks. Another riot wouldn't do anyone any good.
When that's done, she helps Olenna figure out preparations, starting with the easiest task. "We can take shifts to keep watch, not the first time we do that. My magic can help alleviate the symptoms as well, and I can try to cure the disease as well, although it is a difficult one as you noted."
Mags comes back with all the cookies and rolls she had baked the day before, so so so long ago, along with ingredients for a massive warm stew. She sets a proper, but safe, alley fire with a beat-up old cauldron, and cooks for the sick residents. "Yes, I'll stay out." she promises the walls, and waves away the guards that decide that people shouldn't start fires in alleys. The waves don't do as much as the smell of the stews and the words "Bowls for everyone, even the shields."
Curling up in the alleyway, hidden in a nook, she protects as well as she can.
This spell sharpens your senses, allowing you to perceive threats you would otherwise miss. You become aware of sounds and smells you would normally overlook, and even retain the ability to detect threats when soundly asleep. For the duration of the spell, you gain a +5 bonus on Perception checks to act in a surprise round. Additionally, you don't take a penalty on Perception checks while sleeping, and can choose to wake if you notice a threat while asleep.
The guards that are guarding the entrance are thankful to Magda, and she spends the afternoon bringing food to where the sick people relocated, as the Hospice had emptied out.
The others in the party set up something of a watch, somewhere in the now cleaned hospice, but in their tiredness they didn’t put much thought in to how or where this was organized, sleeping in beds upstairs or down, whatever seemed comfortable, except Magda who slept in the alley outside.
As Yazi is keeping watch in the main area, she happens to see a pair of stealthy-looking people slip into one of the windows from the roof. They notice they are spotted and quickly climb back out.
Once she spots the intruders, Yaziyah goes to wake Marcus and Olenna, whispering to them.
"Couple of people were trying to get in from the roof. They slipped back out when they saw me watching them."
Magda listens up into the dark rooftops, trusting the city enough that she doesn't try and climb up to see. If one investigated every movement in the city, one would be as busy as a mama rat.
Vera remails blissfully unaware of trouble as Yazi lets her sleep.
Marcus rouses from his sleep instantly, hand on a dagger, then listens to Yazi's words and nods. He moves to his feet and gets his weaponry, leaving his full plate, and moves to check out the roof.
Marcus goes to the roof and takes some time to look around, checking nooks and crannies, looking for thieves or whoever else might be up to trouble.
Tired and a little grumpy, Olenna had slept in her chain shirt and wakes up to Yazi's urging. She had not had a chance to rebrew her mutagen or extracts, of course, but perhaps some of the extracts still had a bit of potency left. She yawns and thanks the large Shoanti woman for waking her and then offers to light a lamp if needed. She then joins Marcus on the roof.
Marcus and Olenna head up to the roof. Their eyes are keen, but the roof of the hospice transitions to more of the Shingles "district" that seems to float above everything else in the city. The ramshackle collection of huts likely hold many secrets, imp nests, and house drake homes, as well as people who have no other place to live and are willing to brave the dangers to stay out of the sewers.
The warehouse roof is largely clear of the detritus and debris typical of the Shingles, perhaps owing to the former owner's wealth, but there are ropes and wooden planks that cross from building to building, and certainly plenty of ways for an enterprising person to get up to some skullduggery should they want. The nearby buildings have plenty of nooks should the pair wish to continue, but a brief search turns up no sign of the folks that were seemingly trying to sneak in.
Especially since she is under the weather, the idea of staying up the rest of the night is not a pleasant one. "Let's go back. We can set a watch and stagger our rest."
"Agreed. I will take first watch. Go sleep." Marcus does just that. He also makes sure to set up a sword or something else large and metallic, propped up behind the door entrance from the roof, that way if anybody sneaks through without being seen they will cause the sword to fall over and clatter loudly.
Marcus’ trap doesn’t go off, but the warehouse building is large, and it’s hard to cover all the points of egress.
There don’t appear to be any more intrusions during the evening, at least nothing that the party notices. Those asleep wake up the next day, tired, as the watches were a little disorganized.
Vera awakens in the morning to learn that most everyone else either remains asleep or looks tired. "And I thought I liked to sleep in--look at you all!" She smiles brightly, unaware of what transpired last night. "Well, once everyone's ready, we can finally try to see where that moving room will take us."
Magda comes in with Vera, refreshed after a nice nap in an alleyway. She brings biscuits and sausages (the later bought), along with a jug of hot spiced cider,
"How's everyone feeling?" the mother hen inside her is coming out as she checks over each of her friends and the lamp hair lady as well.
"Unsettled. is Yaziyah's curt response. "Someone broke in last night, but we couldn't find them."
The Shoanti holds a damp handkerchief to her face. "I'm starting to run a fever. Let's first get ourselves in the best shape we can before tackling whatever's down there."
Marcus's hardy constitution not only rejects the drug but itself becomes a vaccine to it.
"Someone broke in? That's really suspicious. Maybe more of these awful doctors."
Vera finds a corner to perform her daily harrowing.
.
"The future is especially murky today--I don't have any clear insights on what we're going to find down there."
Vera wears one of the doctor's masks that's offered. She's a little worried that Magda is being left out of the masks, but ultimately trusts that Magda is the once person among them who's never gotten sick and may be immune. "Do you think anything down there will believe we'er actually these doctors, since we're wearing these pointy bird masks?"
She looks to Majenko. "I'm really glad you're coming with us too--I feel like we're beginning to unearth something truly horrifying."
The party gathers up the things they've prepared, with some wearing purloined doctors masks, and Olenna repairs the makeshift elevator. Seemingly powered by magic and mechanisms, with a click, the lift rumbles a little as it returns back to the ground floor room.
The two guards look on skeptically as the door to the lift opens. They seem relieved when there are no enemies inside. Within is a small wooden room, with walls and floor heavily reinforced with metal to provide additional strength. Whatever was here was used to lift heavy materials, and it seems well-used - far older than the doctors.
The party looks around for some sort of controls, and there appears to be two buttons in a row set into a side panel. There is also a slot, like a keyhole, but there is no key.
After a short experiment, it looks like the top button moves the elevator to the second floor, and the bottom moves it back to the ground floor, but whatever caused it to go to some basement area - it is unclear now.
Olenna uses her investigation tools to examine the inside of the lock, and sees a tumbler of some sort that seems tied to the two buttons. With a little wiggling, she is able to get her "key" to turn, though the elevator does not move. Magda notices that both buttons move slightly when the lockpicks are in the lock, and she posits that both buttons might be connected to the lock. With most folks packed in, Yazi presses both.
Majenko is curious about the guards, and is talking to them, and only notices as the lift begins its descent to unknown depths, slipping into the small lift room barely before the door closes, and the party descends. A small light illuminates the lift room with a dull glow, seemingly powered by magic, and it casts eerie shadows on the wall as it swings, the shadows of the squeezing party dancing on the walls.
"Oogafph" Magda utters as she is wedged between the Wall and Yazi in the small space. A sound that is followed quickly by "Cat!" answered by a reluctant meow and the scrawny fur ball weaving between legs to sit on her pet's foot.
Yaziyah murmurs a prayer over Vera and the girl feels her outer layer of clothing stiffening slightly. "Should give you a little more protection," clarifies the Shoanti. Then she closes her eyes, chanting another prayer as her own skin gains a metallic sheen.
Marcus reaches into a disc of black paint, and with two fingers draws lines across his cheeks.
Marcus waits for the others to give him the nod that they have all their buffs ready.
Once that is done, he raises his shield and opens the doors.
Vera helps herself to the usual magical enhancements--Mage Armor and Heightened Awareness.
"Thanks, Yazi," nods the fortune-teller as she receives some added magical armor. She keeps to the back of the moving platform, struggling a bit to see ahead given the much taller and larger warriors in front of her.
When the elevator comes to a stop, the double doors open automatically. It has to be at least 100 feet below ground.
The scuffed stone walls of this chamber have been plastered over and then decorated with lurid murals of skeletons cavorting among the dead of a Korvosa that has completely succumbed to blood veil. Simple wooden doors lead to the north, south, and west, each bearing a painting of a scythewielding skeleton. A sizable double door stands on the east wall, appearing in the mural as a massive set of double doors opening into the pyramid foundation of Castle Korvosa. Two more scythe-wielding skeletons decorate these large doors.
Across from the double doors are four grey maidens, wielding bows. They raise them wordlessly towards the party as the door opens, obviously intent on attacking.
Volley Fire
Shield wall
I charge
Blood for empire
One by one the soldiers take stock of the situation. The first says “volley!”, the second “wall!”, the third “charge!”, and the fourth “for Korvosa!” But they all aim their bows at Yazi and loose the arrows.
Vera was worried there would be trouble, but she really wasn't expecting to be attacked by Grey Maidens! "How is attacking strangers on sight 'For Korvosa?'"
Regardless, seeing the maidens nicely lined up in a row, she scatters Glitterdust on all of them!
The southernmost one and second from the top both suffer the negative effects of the glitterdust.
One shouts, and curses loudly, ”stay together - he’s going to try to overwhelm us!”
Yaziyah hisses in pain as the two arrows hit her. then she gets very, very angry.
Really? And which version of Korvosa would that be, the one pictured behind you? Where everyone is dead from a plague that YOU help spread?" The Shoanti bellows as she strides forward. "Spirits give me strength, lay down your arms and step aside, or you WILL be struck down."
She actually chortles darkly when one of them references Marcus's tactics. "'Try'? Oh, sweet child..."
Mags looks in horror and wonder at the murals, wondering how they had time for artwork. She focused then, nodding angrily along with Yazi, then infuses Marcus with strength.
Marcus does as everybody predicts, friends and foe alike, bowling into the middle of them at full tilt!
Unluckily Marcus isn't able to knock down the maidens. They don't react when Yazi yells at them, which seems to be the typical reaction of the grey maiden.
Olenna drinks some of her infusions to prepare.
When the door opens, she appraised the room and quickly studied the closest maiden, then moved in to attack.
Despite the fact that one is blinded when Marcus bowls into her, while she is bypassed with the overrun, none fall to the ground.
With snapping quickness, the four maidens draw their weapons and ready their shields. They seem to move as one unit, highly trained, their eyes filled with emotionless determination behind their heavy helmets. Focusing on Marcus after his attack, their blows seem to have additional power to them, as if they have been imbued with a collective spirit of vengeance.
The one that is most injured, the one bleeding from the paper thin rapier wound struck in a gap in her armor, ignores the attack seemingly, and just attacks Marcus as well.
Synchronized in time, it seems like four longswords are raised, and dropped at the same time.
Marcus takes a little bit of damage.
The two that are blind try to get the dust out of their eyes after their unsuccessful attacks.
The one on the bottom recovers from the dust attack, and glares at Olenna.
Mags request that her city helps out Yazi.
These maidens were not holding back, so neither would she. Swinging her lucerne hammer over her head, she aims a blow in an ascending upwards arc at the already injured one.
