The Black soul eater moves toward Hendric, but runs into Eylysia’s resilient sphere so it does a 180 and moves around the sphere to be next to Hendric! It then readies an action to attack once it has flanking.
The White soul eater disengages with Marta and flies around toward Hendric!
Success
Success
*
Zanice’s blade crackles with electricity as he attempts to cast a spell!
Round 3
Field Effects: Particulate Form, Inspire Courage +3, Good Hope (not the demon), Inspire Greatness (Eylysia, Hendric, Marta, and Zanice only)
=====================
Black {hasted} [5’ above ground]
White (-22; 6 NL) {hasted; shaken} [5’ above ground]
Hendric (-115)
Sentry
Peter (-1)
Kalavakus Demon [20’ above ground]
Marta (+15)
Zanice (-3; +21; 3 Wis. Drain) {Prone; Staggered: Round 1 of 3}
Jordan (-3)
High Priest Saviya {hasted} [40’ above ground]
Blue {hasted}
Green {hasted}
Dashed Pink [40’ above ground]
Dashed Orange [40’ above ground]
Dashed Yellow [40’ above ground]
Dashed Green [40’ above ground]
Dashed Cyan [40’ above ground]
Dashed Blue [40’ above ground]
Dashed Purple [40’ above ground]
Eylysia (-84; +17) {On Fire 4d6}
Arnaut (-9)
=====================
|
Peter moves away from the assassins, taking a few hits as he does so, flying above the resilient sphere next to Hendric.
The demon telepathically addresses the pathfinders,” Only the elf is on the balcony, the others are illusions. Her will is quite strong, so I’ll have to find another victim.
Peter examines the resilience and threat posed by Saviya and calls out ,"Enough of your god's foul magics! I think you’ll find good magic can rival yours!” He begins to chant and gesture, as a string of light forms in his hands, he stretches it out into a web and then directs it throws it directly at Saviya, where it wraps around her body as it coalesces into solid glowing golden chain of light. Unfortunately for the pathfinders, Saviya proves a little too nimble to be caught and Peter quickly scrambles to cast a quickened aqueous orb . The demon moves toward the party, stopping after 30 feet, and casts haste on the party. He then eyes the closest outsider and attempts to siphon off its soul.
An orb of water materializes on top of Saviya and her bodyguards!
Three of her bodyguards stand effortlessly in the ball of water, as if it weren’t there in the first place.
Round 3
Field Effects: Particulate Form, Inspire Courage +3, Good Hope (not the demon), Inspire Greatness (Eylysia, Hendric, Marta, and Zanice only), Haste (not demon or Eylysia)
=====================
Black {hasted} [5’ above ground]
White (-22; 6 NL) {hasted; shaken} [5’ above ground]
Hendric (-113)
Sentry
Peter (-24)
Kalavakus Demon [20’ above ground]
Marta (+15)
Zanice (-1; +21; 3 Wis. Drain) {Prone; Staggered: Round 1 of 3}
Jordan (-1)
High Priest Saviya {hasted} [40’ above ground]
Blue {hasted}
Green {hasted}
Dashed Pink [40’ above ground]
Dashed Orange [40’ above ground]
Dashed Yellow [40’ above ground]
Dashed Green [40’ above ground]
Dashed Cyan [40’ above ground]
Dashed Blue [40’ above ground]
Dashed Purple [40’ above ground]
Eylysia (-82; +17) {On Fire 4d6}
Arnaut (-9)
=====================
|
Sir Hendric considers his options. He nods to his comrades. "It has been an honor."
He steps back and full-attacks White.
If that drops White, he will use his swift action to challenge Black.
That gives him +2 AC against it (total of 37 with Haste), but more importantly gives it a -2 AC against all of his allies as long as he is threatening it (as he does with his Unarmed Strike). Which may not be for long.
|
Marta will cast Divine Favor defensively, use a swift action to activate judgment (Destruction and Justice) , enter panther style (free action) and make her way north of and then right between the two assassins as if daring them to attack before approaching the black soul eater and then returning to dragon style (free action) when she arrives.
If she does manage to draw an AoO, she will be able to launch a counter attack as a free action due to the Panther Claw feat.
-
- ;
-
-
- ;
-
|
|
Telepathically Peter reassures the demon that he will return when his service is concluded, not withstanding the dimensional anchor effect. The demon complains to all pathfinders via his telepathy, " The dimensional anchor is rather stiffling... I hope that all of your blood joins the desecrated pools of this unholy temple.
Saviya growls as she casts a spell!
Peter’s aqueous orb splashes to the ground, minorly flooding the floor of the temple.
“Right in front of you, High Priest! Just move halfway down the stairs to your right and you should be fine.”
Saviya motions her mantis-like hand and the assassins surrounding her move down the stairs. She follows them, stopping just ahead of them.
The Assassins delay until after Black.
Eylysia grunts as she tries to cast a spell despite her burning clothes.
Round 3
Field Effects: Particulate Form, Inspire Courage +3, Good Hope (not the demon), Inspire Greatness (Eylysia, Hendric, Marta, and Zanice only), Haste (not demon or Eylysia)
=====================
Black {hasted} [5’ above ground]
Blue {hasted}
Green {hasted}
Hendric (-113)
Sentry
Peter (-24)
Kalavakus Demon
Marta (+15)
Zanice (-1; +21; 3 Wis. Drain) {Prone; Staggered: Round 1 of 3}
Jordan (-1) {7 images}
High Priest Saviya {hasted} [40’ above ground]
Dashed Pink [40’ above ground]
Dashed Orange [40’ above ground]
Dashed Yellow [40’ above ground]
Dashed Green [40’ above ground]
Dashed Cyan [40’ above ground]
Dashed Blue [40’ above ground]
Dashed Purple [40’ above ground]
Eylysia (-55; +3) {On Fire 4d6}
Arnaut (-9)
=====================
Hendric: Is that +22 Fort bonus including the bonus from greater heroism? Also, you are aware that that spell gives temporary hit points when you cast it, right?I believe I answered this in Gameplay, but, no, I had forgotten about temp HP from Greater Heroism (I was thinking that Heroes' Feast was the high-level buff that gave them, didn't realize both spells did).
So Sir Hendric had 11 more temp HP to start the battle, long since gone by now, which do mean that he has 11 less damage on him.
Round 3
Field Effects: Particulate Form, Inspire Courage +3, Good Hope (not the demon), Inspire Greatness (Eylysia, Hendric, Marta, and Zanice only), Haste (not demon or Eylysia)
=====================
Black {hasted} [5’ above ground]
Blue {hasted}
Green {hasted}
Hendric (-102)
Sentry
Peter (-24)
Kalavakus Demon
Marta (+15)
Zanice (-1; +21; 3 Wis. Drain) {Prone; Staggered: Round 1 of 3}
Jordan (-1) {7 images}
High Priest Saviya {hasted} [40’ above ground]
Dashed Pink [40’ above ground]
Dashed Orange [40’ above ground]
Dashed Yellow [40’ above ground]
Dashed Green [40’ above ground]
Dashed Cyan [40’ above ground]
Dashed Blue [40’ above ground]
Dashed Purple [40’ above ground]
Eylysia (-55; +3) {On Fire 4d6}
Arnaut (-9)
=====================
|
|
Arnaut steps around the bubble and whistles twice - the first bold and inspiring, the second dissonant, warbling, and cacophonous - while squinting at the remaining soul eater. It’s all I can do, Hendric - by the Rose’s grace, it’ll be enough. ”I’ve heard about hot flashes, but this is a bit ridiculous,” he quips, eyes not leaving the outsider in front of him. ”Maybe a nice cool shower would help?”
The soul eater cares little for the Shelynite’s jests, for all it knows is hunger!
But it only manages to hit the knight once! The soul eater then five-foot flies directly above Hendric.
Blue and Green both pick up their fallen sawtooth sabres and fly upward, moving over next to Peter!
Round 4
Field Effects: Particulate Form, Inspire Courage +3, Good Hope (not the demon), Inspire Greatness (Eylysia, Hendric, Marta, and Zanice only), Haste (not demon or Eylysia)
=====================
Black {hasted} [10’ above ground]
Blue {hasted} [10’ above ground]
Green {hasted} [10’ above ground]
Hendric (-106)
Sentry
Peter (-22)
Kalavakus Demon
Marta (+15)
Zanice (+21; 3 Wis. Drain) {Prone; Staggered: Round 1 of 3}
Jordan (-1) {7 images}
High Priest Saviya {hasted} [20’ above ground]
Dashed Pink [40’ above ground]
Dashed Orange [40’ above ground]
Dashed Yellow [40’ above ground]
Dashed Green [40’ above ground]
Dashed Cyan [40’ above ground]
Dashed Blue [40’ above ground]
Dashed Purple [40’ above ground]
Eylysia (-55; +17) {On Fire 4d6}
Arnaut (-16)
=====================
|
|
The kalavakus moves up to Hendric and says " My prey can't fly away, get back here."
Peter's illusionary doppleganger fades. The true wizard moves away from the assassins that withstand the telekinetic assault and proceeds to summon 4 living nightmares that are familar from the battle with Rurat that surround the high priest and attack.
Saviya smirks as she leaves herself wide open, arms outstretched, as the animate dreams reach out touch her!
The High Priest looks unaffected by the living nightmares’ attacks—if anything she seems rejuvenated!
Round 4
Field Effects: Particulate Form, Inspire Courage +3, Good Hope (not the demon), Inspire Greatness (Eylysia, Hendric, Marta, and Zanice only), Haste (not demon or Eylysia)
=====================
Black {hasted} [10’ above ground]
Blue {hasted} [10’ above ground]
Green {hasted} [10’ above ground]
Hendric (-106)
Sentry
Peter (-52)
Kalavakus Demon
Cyan Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Red Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Yellow Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Green Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Marta (+15)
Zanice (+21; 3 Wis. Drain) {Prone; Staggered: Round 1 of 3}
Jordan (-1) {7 images}
High Priest Saviya {hasted} [20’ above ground]
Dashed Pink [40’ above ground]
Dashed Orange [40’ above ground]
Dashed Yellow [40’ above ground]
Dashed Green [40’ above ground]
Dashed Cyan [40’ above ground]
Dashed Blue [40’ above ground]
Dashed Purple [40’ above ground]
Eylysia (-55; +17) {On Fire 4d6}
Arnaut (-16)
=====================
|
|
The remaining animate dreams flyby and cast fear at assassins in green and blue, before ending each of their turns adjacent to their victims.
|
|
Greatly surprised at his good fortune, Sir Hendric says a silent prayer of thanks to Iomedae.
He uses Tactician to share Escape Route as a swift action. Then he makes a Wheeling Charge on the High Priestess. Sentry can charge up stairs with no problem (Sure Footed feat), and can ignore 20' of difficult terrain per round with Acrobatic Steps in case the pool counts as difficult terrain.
Using the 1/day Inspiring Rush trait for another +1 to hit and damage, and anybody who makes a charge attack before the beginning of the next turn also gets that +1 to hit and damage.
Still (barely) within 30' of Arnaut for the Inspire Greatness temp HP.
|
|
Marta switches her bane ability to the longspear and takes a series of vicious stabs at the soul eater.
"Ragathiel scourge you with fire, you piece of ash. Try me out for a change. Hendrik is busy."
+?/1d8+?d6+? Long Spear Power Attack [crit x3; P; brace, reach] {+10[BAB] +4[str] +3[GMW] -3[pwa] +2[heroism] +2[bane] +3[Judgment] +3[divine favor] +1[haste] +3[inspire courage] / 1d8 +1d6[corrosive] +4d6[bane] +6[str] +3[GMW] +9[pwa] +2[good hope] +2[bane] +5[judgment] +3[inspire courage] +3[divine favor] }
After the series of strikes, she moves back 5'. If it pursues and moves within 5', she will get an AoO
At Zanice’s shocking strike the Blue assassin falls!
Marta strikes fervently at the remaining soul eater, but the smoky beast remains!
Hendric valiantly charges at the High Priest of Achaekek! But, at the very last moment, the knight sees the elf smirk.
Hendric’s lance pierces straight through Saviya’s forehead and out the back of her head! In the blink of an eye, however, she vanishes. Dashed Green’s mantis-like mask forms a deep crack as it shatters in half, revealing the face of High Priest Saviya, completely unharmed!
”Did you really think I was that foolish?”
Saviya blocks many of Jordan’s arrows with her shield that suddenly seemed to have replaced one of the sabres wielded by Dashed-Green-now-Saviya.
Saviya casts a spell-like ability and suddenly an identical copy of her appears next to her!
Saviya extends her hand and spreads her chitinous wings, which glow with a platinum glow. Blood-red embers in the shape of the sigil of Achaekek forms superimposed over the radiant sword that is the holy symbol of Iomedae emblazoned upon the breastplate of Hendric’s armor. In an instant the flames spread all over Hendric’s body, covering him in a crimson blaze!
Eylysia drops to the ground and rolls around to put out the fire.
Round 4
Field Effects: Particulate Form, Inspire Courage +3, Good Hope (not the demon), Inspire Greatness (Eylysia, Hendric, Marta, and Zanice only), Haste (not demon or Eylysia)
=====================
Black (-167) {hasted} [10’ above ground]
Green (-18) {hasted} [10’ above ground]
Hendric (-118)
Sentry
Peter (-52)
Kalavakus Demon
Cyan Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Red Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Yellow Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Green Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Marta (+15)
Zanice (+21; 3 Wis. Drain) {Prone; Staggered: Round 2 of 3} [5’ above ground]
Jordan (-1) {7 images}
High Priest Saviya {hasted; 1 image} [25’ above ground]
Dashed Pink
Dashed Orange
Dashed Yellow [25’ above ground]
Dashed Cyan [30’ above ground]
Dashed Blue [40’ above ground]
Dashed Purple [40’ above ground]
Eylysia (-55; +6)
Arnaut (-14)
=====================
Round 4
Field Effects: Particulate Form, Inspire Courage +3, Good Hope (not the demon), Inspire Greatness (Eylysia, Hendric, Marta, and Zanice only), Haste (not demon or Eylysia)
=====================
Black (-167) {hasted} [10’ above ground]
Green (-18) {hasted} [10’ above ground]
Hendric (-118)
Sentry
Peter (-52)
Kalavakus Demon
Cyan Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Red Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Yellow Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Green Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Marta (+15)
Zanice (+21; 3 Wis. Drain) {Prone; Staggered: Round 2 of 3} [5’ above ground]
Jordan (-1) {7 images}
High Priest Saviya (-41) {hasted; 1 image} [25’ above ground]
Dashed Pink
Dashed Orange
Dashed Yellow [25’ above ground]
Dashed Cyan [30’ above ground]
Dashed Blue [40’ above ground]
Dashed Purple [40’ above ground]
Eylysia (-55; +6)
Arnaut (-14)
=====================
|
|
Arnaut steps to the side, balancing easily on the edge of the blood-filled gutter. ”Saviya darling, are you sure you’re feeling alright? I know I would feel absolutely terrible if I did such a haphazard job guarding a place.” He reaches behind his back to grab a long ivory rod out of his pack and waits to hear the high priest’s reaction.
Saviya sneers at Arnaut.
The soul eater swiftly slithers through the air, flying right above Hendric and strikes!
Green ceases flying, standing on top of the resilient sphere. He then five-foot steps off of the sphere onto the ground , and strikes against Peter!
Round 5
Field Effects: Particulate Form (not summons), Inspire Courage +3, Good Hope (not summons), Inspire Greatness (Arnaut, Hendric, Marta, and Peter only), Haste (not summons or Eylysia)
=====================
Black (-167) {hasted} [15’ above ground]
Green (-37) {hasted}
Hendric (-116; +15)
Sentry
Peter (-81)
Kalavakus Demon
Cyan Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Red Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Yellow Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Green Animate Dream [20’ above ground]
Marta (+15)
Zanice (3 Wis. Drain) {Prone; Staggered: Round 2 of 3} [5’ above ground]
Jordan {7 images}
High Priest Saviya (-41) {hasted; 1 image; Staggered and -2 to AC: round 0 of 1} [25’ above ground]
Dashed Pink
Dashed Orange
Dashed Yellow [25’ above ground]
Dashed Cyan [30’ above ground]
Dashed Blue [40’ above ground]
Dashed Purple [40’ above ground]
Eylysia (-55)
Arnaut (-20; +15)
=====================
|
|
Peter steps away from the assassin, using the cover offered by Arnaut. He proceeds to let out a wave of healing to himself, Arnaut, and Hendric.
The animate dream with the green hue moves up to and attacks the assassin once.
The demon is quite upset at the assassin in blue being killed by someone else, addressing Zanice,” That one was !” He moves up, intending focus on green, but never gets the chance as Peter orders telepathically “ You’re in a good position NOW, haste the other summons and help Hendric!” As he hastes the animate dreams and himself, two dreams unleash against the assassin and the final one moves up to attack the soul eater on Hendric.
The animate dream with the red hue moves up and attacks the black soul eater.
|
|
"Dang, that is one determined entity. Not so fast buddy!"
Using panther style, Marta rushes across the room, trying to chase the soul eater down and stick it with her spear.
If attacked en-route she will use panther style to get AoOs.
I think there is only one guy en route, but let me know if I need to make more rolls. Not sure if the images can attack as they are pretty high up. She is not using power attack while en-route as it is more important to land a blow than do damage.
If a hit connects and Marta makes her intimidate check it will cause the opponent to be shaken for as many rounds as non-lethal damage, provided non-lethal damage works on it because of the Enforcer feat. A second hit will cause the opponent to be sickened due to the Cruel enchantment on her Amulet of Mighty Fists.
-
- ;
-
Once she gets there she enters dragon style and attempts a power attack on the soul eater.
|
Zanice is feeling fairly useless here, deprived of full-round actions.
Get it together man. I'm trying, that spell was brutal. Come on now, you've got to shake it off. I got it, trying to get my head right.
He will cast Bladed Dash, moving to flank Green with Jordan, striking him at the end of the spell's movement.
(Crit threat 15+), acid/electric
|
|
"Through the grace of Iomedae and the valor of my comrades, I yet live. I defy your Vermin God. For as long as the Inheritor wills it."
Sir Hendric enters Snake Style (swift), steps up with Sentry, and attacks the High Priestess. Trying to Sunder her headband, cloak, and sword (in that order).
"I have faced this trick before, or one like it; you cannot keep it up forever."
With the wild barrage of living nightmares, Green finally falls!
As Marta advances at the soul eater, thrusts forward, and skewers the soul eater!
As Hendric tries to destroy her headband, Saviya and her clone once again swaps places, this time with Dashed Yellow.
Jordan shoots at Saviya, but only manages to hit her once .
Saviya looks around at the battlefield in shock, which quickly turns to rage!
Saviya’s hand glows with a crimson light as she reaches out to touch Hendric!
Success
Saviya uses her chitinous wings to leap momentarily off of the ground, catching Hendric off-guard just long enough for her to reach over and clench her hand over the knight’s face, sending a massive surge of negative energy coursing through him and dropping the human!
A warm glow—far different the burning hot glow from previously—washes over Eylysia as she stands up.
”Alright, my clothes are put out. How’re you—Oh gods!”
The gnome looks up to see the carnage just outside of the resilient sphere—and just in time to see Hendric fall off of Sentry!
Round 5/6
Field Effects: Particulate Form (not summons), Inspire Courage +3, Good Hope (not summons), Inspire Greatness (Arnaut, Hendric, Marta, and Peter only), Haste (not summons or Eylysia)
=====================
Hendric (-159) {DEAD; prone} [10’ above ground]
Sentry [10’ above ground]
Peter (-64)
Kalavakus Demon
Cyan Animate Dream [5’ above ground]
Red Animate Dream [15’ above ground]
Yellow Animate Dream [5’ above ground]
Green Animate Dream [5’ above ground]
Marta (-6)
Zanice (3 Wis. Drain) [20’ above ground]
Jordan {7 images}
High Priest Saviya (-61) {hasted} [25’ above ground]
Dashed Pink
Dashed Orange
Dashed Cyan [30’ above ground]
Dashed Blue [40’ above ground]
Dashed Purple [40’ above ground]
Eylysia (-19)
Arnaut (-3; +15)
=====================
|
|
Well now, I seem to finally be able to move freely again. It's too bad about that outfit though.
Swift action to use my Bane Baldric to add Bane: Elf to Nephilim.
Spell Combat to cast Frigid Touch defensively (+23 can't fail) and deliver with a full attack on Saviya.
(Crit threat 15+), acid/electric/bane
(Crit threat 15+), acid/electric/bane
(Crit threat 15+), acid/electric/bane
(Crit threat 15+), acid/electric/bane
(Crit threat 15+),
(Crit threat 15+),
(Crit threat 15+), acid/electric/bane
Zanice slashes nastily at Saviya, but only manages to hit an illusion as the High Priest swaps places with Dashed Cyan. The tiefling steps forward and continues his assault! With one final attack, he grabs the High Priest by the shoulder and sends his black sword straight through the elf’s side and out the other!
Saviya coughs up blood as she glares at Zanice. Her face begins to morph—the shape of her head bends as it grows more triangular. The massive irises indicative of elven physiology swiftly shrink to the size of mere dots, while her eyeballs simultaneously grow and her eye sockets move closer to her temples.
The mantis-like face of High Priest Saviya glares down at Eylysia and her still-humanoid mouth snaps acidic words in the gnomes direction:
”The…Red Mantis…always fulfill…a contract…”
At those words, Saviya’s flesh twists as out of the woman’s clothes and armor fly thousands of blood-red preying mantises that fly out of the Temple of the Ghost Mantis with mind-boggling speed—leaving behind all that the woman was wearing, as well as a black sawtooth sabre with a crimson hilt.
Eylysia claps her hands, lowering the resilient sphere. She takes off her glasses and begins cleaning them with her dress.
”Well, that was exciting. Won’t stop them, though,” She places her spectacles back on her face. ”If a contract was made, then they pursue it to the bitter end. Torch is still dealing with the contract set on him by the Spider eight years ago.
“But this old bat has lived a long life—far longer than is useful. If I am to die at the hands of the Red Mantis, then so be it. But I cannot die until I am featured in the Chronicles, dadgummit! And it seems this is the last chance this hag has to be in it. So,” Eylysia sits crosslegged on the ground and looks each Pathfinder in the eye with a smirk. ”What do you want to know?”
|
|
Marta stirs the pile of things left behind by the decomposed priest or priestess.
"Well, that was flashy. I do hope we meet again."
Marta does the detect magic thing to find out what was magical that was left behind. When the cloak is described it produces a sour look on her normally stoic face.
"Well, I suppose if those of our order can fashion a Sword of Vengeance, it only makes sense a creepy crawly priestess like her would commission this foul thing."
Turning towards Elysia, with a considering and curious look on her face, she responds, "Well, you were going to tell us your story, and how you were screwed by our leaders before we were so rudely interrupted? Do continue before we are interrupted again."
Turning towards Elysia, with a considering and curious look on her face, she responds, "Well, you were going to tell us your story, and how you were screwed by our leaders before we were so rudely interrupted? Do continue before we are interrupted again."
”Well, that’s not exactly true—in a way I had what was coming to me. I was present centuries ago when the Pathfinder Society was first founded and later, when the Decemvirate were installed. I had suspicions that three of the Ten were not honorable characters. After investigation, their corruption proved worse than I thought. My companions and I confronted them, but a struggle ensued. One of the Ten was killed, along with all my companions. The remaining Decemvirate placed a price on my head, and I was forced into exile. Although my name eventually faded from Pathfinder history, I continued my investigations and have tracked the corruption of the Ten.”
|
|
Arnaut finishes the fourth stanza of a Cayleanite drinking song and sits next to Marta. ”So what made you suspicious in the first place, and you mentioned an evil within the Decemvirate. Can you tell us more about that, and how you have identified that evil? Then we should talk about how you’ve been working with the Grandmaster formerly known as Torch and how he might be seeking to hurt the Society.”
|
|
Having taken a number of high-level divine spells to the face, as well as an inordinate number of Soul Eater attacks, Sir Hendric is amazed to be not only alive, but conscious.
He dismounts, and nods with gratitude as Arnaut heals his wounds. Between that and the fast healing from Particulate Form, he is feeling much better.
"Can't believe I let her tag me with that spell. I have trained to dodge such attacks after an unfortunate encounter in the past. But I yet live. Praise Iomedae."
"Perhaps if they pursue the contract 'to the bitter end', then it will be to the bitter end of the Vermin God's cult. They are finite in number. And they are not omnipotent."
Sir Hendric listens to Elysia speak, trying to gauge the truth of her words.
|
|
Pete contemplates,” Most of the founders, and venture captains within the society are human, no? Are the two surviving alleged corrupt members of the 10 members of a long lived race, or have they too faded into history and you have since simply been trying to find corrupt behavior from our leadership? ”
|
|
Marta does not join Arnaut in sitting, preferring to remain at the ready. Though the priestess may have vanished in a cloud of insects, Marta is quite sure the group will be seeing her again, maybe sooner, maybe later, but not much later. Conflicted by years of indoctrination and a reluctance to share too much, she does provide the following summary of her last mission.
"I was sent on a mission to apprehend Hestram, who seemed to be assassinating members of the Decemvirate. What I found was disturbing. One of the Decemvirate was a devil summoner, for example, from Cheliax. But another was quite good. Odd that I had always thought of the Pathfinder Society as a force for good, and since the society was a force for good, then the leadership must be too. Turns out this is not so. And here I am again, in a very similar situation, being sent to apprehend those who may rightly have messed with our leadership for good reason. Had things been different I might be the one sitting in
Elyssia's place right now as I cannot abide devil worshipers..."
Marta pauses for a moment to consider something.
"Then again, I have indeed worked side by side with some pretty unsavory pathfinders in the past."
”So what made you suspicious in the first place...”
Eylysia folds her arms and raises an eyebrow at the Shelynite’s question.
”You mean to tell me that you completely trust them? Without question? Ask a stupid question, my boy, and you get an obvious answer. I just happened to have the resources to determine such things—the Ten hadn’t quite put their mystery down to a science yet. But what happened in the past is not important, there are matters threatening the present and near future.”
” Most of the founders, and venture captains within the society are human, no? Are the two surviving alleged corrupt members of the 10 members of a long lived race, or have they too faded into history and you have since simply been trying to find corrupt behavior from our leadership? ”
”I’m getting there, sonny! Now be patient and don’t interrupt! Kids these days…”
”…and you mentioned an evil within the Decemvirate. Can you tell us more about that, and how you have identified that evil? Then we should talk about how you’ve been working with the Grandmaster formerly known as Torch and how he might be seeking to hurt the Society.”
Something in Eylysia’s eyes shatter as a flash of anger sweeps across them. Eylysia screams, as if letting out a large collection of frustration:
”He’s not trying to harm the Society!”
Realizing the volume her voice had reached, the gnome awkwardly coughs in an attempt to regain her composure.
“Torch has a long and complicated history, much of which I find distasteful. We do, however agree one key point: we cannot blindly place our trust in the Decemvirate. In recent years, Torch and I have confirmed that the member of the Decemvirate in the triple-spired mask in fact an agent of the Whispering Way. For centuries, he has held the helm while overseeing several fake transitions to maintain his hold on power. Now that the Whispering Tyrant is once again free, he has grown more active than ever. Something big is in the works.”
|
|
”Dear, if we were blindly trusting the Decemvirate you wouldn’t have to sit waiting another decade or two for the assassins to rehearse their next attempt on your life,” Arnaut states gently and without a hint of malice. ”But just as you warn us not to trust the Ten blindly, neither can we take what you say at face value. What did you discover to confirm your suspicions?” He pauses for dramatic effect before adding, ”And it might interest you to know that this mission happened to come from one such member of the Decemvirate wearing one such helm with three flanges.”