"They definitely look like a pain." Eylysia agrees. ”Perhaps someone in Absalom can remove them.”
|
”I reckon that’s a mighty fine plan. We should find everything that we can. ” He pauses, and then addresses Eylysia.
”Ma’am, are you gonna come with us? If what you say is true, you will be instrumental in saving the Pathfinder Society from itself. We’ll do out darned best to protect you, but you’ll have to come for that. We can’t protect your way out here. ”
"I will take you there, if you have need of transportation. But I am too old to offer you much help in stopping Vahlo's schemes. You know the Grand Lodge far better than I do these days, I'm sure." She offers a kindly smile, loading the piles of books into a small knapsack.
Kulik finds an assortment of magical equipment adorning the bodies of the assassins, weapons, armor, cloaks, rings, belts, and obviously masks as well.
With the campsite packed and the Pathfinders wounds tended to, Eylysia follows the party up and out of the temple, not bothering to look back as she exits the oppressive structure. Gathering in a circle, she ponders a moment before speaking.
”Best we set down somewhere outside of the lodge. My memory might not be so accurate so many years later.” Eylysia shakes her head slightly. ”And who knows what we’d land in if we tried the middle of the grounds.” With a few precise arcane gestures, the boneyard around the ancient temple disappears, replaced by one of the main thoroughfares some distance from the Grand Lodge.
Almost immediately, a cart heavy with what looks to be stacks of ammunition and pole arms rumbles past, the driver pulling the draft horses hard to the side to avoid trampling over the sudden arrivals. She barely spares you a irritated glance, focusing on the road ahead. Few other common folk seem to be out, replaced by contingents of guards moving with purpose. A noticeable pall seems to hover over everything, the sounds of the city tense and muted.
”Looks like you’ll need to find a launderer as well.” Eylysia observes. Following her eye to your packs, they appear to be soaking through with red stains.
Opening his pack, he sees that most of the Red Mantis' gear the party collected is slowly dissolving into bright red blood.
After an application of cleaning spells, the party makes their way through the streets towards the Grand Lodge. The mood in the city is tense, with rumors of major defeats in Lastwall swirling around boasts of how short the siege of two years ago lasted. While guards and civilians are apparent, either preparing defenses or preparing departure, one thing you notice is a lack of Pathfinders on the streets.
The gates of the Grand Lodge stand closed and sealed as you arrive. No signs or sounds of activity come from the high, solid walls. Before you have much time to take in the eerie ambiance, a door to one of the buildings along the street behind opens and a half-orc steps out, falcata sheathed at his back. He raises a wayfinder in greeting as he approaches.
The tavern where the Society was (supposedly) founded is only a short distance across the Foreign Quarter of Absalom. Inside, the common room is as smoky and comforting as it ever is. The patrons are few, only one or two appearing to be Pathfinders, while Venture Captain Eliza Petulengro sits in a corner table. Surprise bursts across her face as she catches sight of the party, followed by confusion, before relief replaces it as she waves for you to join her. With a quick arcane word and a gesture, the brands of the mantis god are wiped away.
“Good news at last,” she declares with a sigh. “Misfortune never seems to spare Absalom, as you may have noticed from the undead army waiting outside the walls. The city awaits reinforcements before sallying out to attack, and most of the Society is far north seeking out the Whispering Tyrant’s secret weapon beneath Gallowspire. Hopefully, all this will weaken the lich and shatter his armies."
“That leaves the Grand Lodge nearly empty. And for hours now, it’s been on lockdown with no word in or out. No word from Ambrus, no word from Kreighton Shaine, nothing from the Decemvirate. I’ve organized the few other Pathfinders outside the Grand Lodge to keep an eye on it in shifts, and it’s clear something’s not right. My divinations struggle to perceive the campus, and it’s very rare for the main gates to close as they have. The agents I have here? They’re capable, but I need help breaking into the Grand Lodge, identifying what’s wrong, and neutralizing any possible threat.”
Opening her mouth to continue, she freezes and closes it abruptly. When she continues, her voice is weakly optimistic. “So welcome home. Hopefully your recent travels were less foreboding? And if you have any information to contribute, I’m eager to learn more.”
|
|
”Is it safe to talk here?” asks Munny.
”This fits with what we have learned. The Society has been betrayed from within... by one of the Decemverite themselves. The one in the triple-spired mask... in fact the very one that sent us to find Torch and Eylysia.
“Torch is planning something big to fight this betrayer, we had heard an assault. However, as our betrayer has been in league with the whispering way, so that undead army seems more his way than Ven Lorovo‘s. So, that probably belongs to Vahlo, and the lockdown it probably Torches doing. However, I have been wrong before. ”
Bishop stays quiet, though his eyes keep passing back and forth between Eliza and Eylysia....
Bishop notices with a start that Eylysia is nowhere to be seen. The only evidence of her existence is the haversack of notes left with the party.
”Is it safe to talk here?” asks Munny.
"Excellent point." Eliza speaks a few more arcane phrases, pointing deliberately to each corner of the table. The noise of the tavern becomes muddled and muted. "Please go ahead."
"Ven Lorovox," Nym corrects the gunslinger. "Torch's name is Ven Lorovox. And regardless of how this shakes out, I have no doubt I'm not done with him."
To Eliza he says, "Do we need to actually break into the Grand Lodge? Magical wards? Constructs defending the premises? Can you elaborate?"
"There must be something more going on to justify the closing of the gates than merely another attack by Torch. This is not to say his infiltration is harmless; his gambit could cause untold damage to the Society's property, personnel, and reputation. To say nothing of deeper possible ramifications." She shakes her head in consternation. "Beyond the closing of the gates, I have little information of what is occuring inside. My divinations have failed to glean anything and entering alone would be an irresponsible risk. All I have been able to do is safeguard our junior agents outside the lodge. With so many of our Seekers sent to Gallowspire, you are all I can count on to resolve the situation in the Grand Lodge."
"Torch is like my homeland of Galt: a wounded person seeking justice through dangerous means. I find myself conflicted in how to handle him. The Decemvirate have always cautioned against attacking him, speculating he held some secret weapon against them. That only one of them met with you is strange..." For a moment, she seems lost in thought. "The charge of betrayal is a heavy one, but perhaps not surprising. The helms hide the wearers identity and auras, even the fact it is being worn at all if so desired. That a traitor could hide behind them is no surprise, while it would also explain some of the foul orders thought to come from the Ten."
|
|
"There's something else, isn't there?" asks Munny. "This all smells, much like that incident that started back at your lodge a while back... like there are secrets the Decemverite is keeping from even its most experienced and loyal agents.
"Please, our goal today is the protection of the Pathfinder Society. We brought back evidence of the crimes, as collected by Eylysia, though we haven't had a chance to dig through it all. She brought us back to Absalom as a gesture of good will, or at least I reckon that was so.
"Holding back will do no one any good, Venture-Captain. I don't rightly know what's goin' on at the Grand Lodge, but I reckon we were sent on a chase to Mediogalti Island to get us away from here. So, I ask, Pathfinder to Pathfinder, what do you know?"
Eliza nods as Munny speaks, relaxing a bit. "It may come as no surprise to some of you, given previous events, but I have met with over half of the Decemvirate on multiple occassions these past few years. So I can speak with a bit more conviction to the conflicted opinions on how to handle the threat of Grandmaster Torch. The suggestion of a traitor among the Ten would explain some of that, as well as this unusual tasking you were given." She rests her chin on folded hands, thinking a moment.
"When her notes resurfaced in recent years, Eylysia's name became commonplace once more. Chased out under ill circumstances—likely framed. From what I heard, she and Torch shared similar concerns about the Decemvirate. If you will allow me, I will review her findings while you deal with the immediate problems. I know that learning about what might be happening in the Grand Lodge isn’t comforting. We have two possible threats: Grandmaster Torch and the alleged rogue Decemvirate member Vahlo. They’re both dangerous, but where we know that Torch is engaged in mischief, Vahlo’s schemes are almost certainly more malevolent. Our priorities: get into the Grand Lodge, pave the way for possible reinforcements, reestablish control of the campus, keep an eye out for survivors, identify what’s going on, and put a stop to any devious plans. If he’s among the most senior of the Ten, Vahlo knows the ins and outs of the whole Grand Lodge, as well as how to access its most powerful secrets and artifacts. What he’s secured might provide clues as to what he’s planning and where to intercept him."
“Last thing: until and unless I think we’ve no other choice, we’re keeping this quiet. The Society’s accumulated many evil artifacts, vile secrets, and other skeletons best kept buried deep in our closets where they’re safe. If Vahlo and Torch are parading those around, Absalom’s guards would be as likely to misinterpret and condemn the Society as fight alongside us. Our aim is to solve Pathfinder problems with Pathfinders, not get the Society kicked out of the city."
"Take a moment to recover here from your journey, but there's little time available to us. Is there anything more you need of me?"
Eliza takes a moment to consider the question, brow furrowing in focus. ”You are among our most experienced Seeker agents. If you can confirm traitorous intent, I have no qualms about how you deal with such individuals. If you judge that mercy can be afforded, I encourage you to do so. But your safety and the safety of the Lodge and even the city come first.”
|
|
"Mercy?" Munny grunts. "We'll see about that. If it turns out this Vahlo is part of the Whispering Path, and has put Agents in danger, or worse, there will be no mercy.
"Torch is another story altogether. We shan't talk of him here.'
He thinks for a moment, realizing that Eliza has always played straight with him.
"No, I reckon there are some secrets you aren't privy speak of, but maybe you can give us a little background on this Valho varmint. First of all, do you know anything about what particular kind of person he bight be, seein' how he's been around so long? Do we even know if he's truly alive, or even a 'he'?
"In short, what can you tell us of this probable traitor?"
”I trust in your judgement and ability to handle whatever surprises you find within in an appropriate manner. I have too much to coordinate here with our few agents and attempting to reach others in Ustalav that can return, else I would go in with you. And I have told you everything I can.” The unspoken implication does not linger as she gestures to the haversack of Eylysia’s notes.
”I may find more useful information about Vahlo in there, but if he’s older than we think, there are a number of ways he could have accomplished that. Magical life extensions, extraplanar origin, even undeath if he truly is of the Whispering Way. Shocking to suggest as it may be, the masks could certainly hide an undead creatures true form for centuries.” She grimaces at the unpleasant admission.
”I wish I had some insight to offer, but the masks are inscrutable after all. I will send to you if I find something useful, as you should send to me if there is something I can help or advise you on.”
|
|
"Very well... once more into the breach, my friends. This is not the first time we've had to save the Grand Lodge, but Abadar willing, this will be the last time it is needed!"
Right before entering, Munny casts the following:
(all extended to 260 minutes)
- Named Bullet (human)
- Heroism
- Perceive Cues
- See Invisible
- Comprehend Languages
(26 minutes)
- Shield of faith
Plus I always have 26 hours of greater magic weapon on Vera
Eliza wishes you all the best of luck before you depart. The travel back to the lodge is short and uneventful, with nothing standing in your way. From the second floor window of the small building, Banon waves an all-clear signal. The gates remain closed and silent.
Spells in place, Bishop easily latches the grappling hook in place, allowing those without flight to scale with wall with muscle power. The gate remains closed and unguarded, no Pathfinders in sight nearby. Across the grounds, figures of rotting flesh and skeletal bone stagger about, seemingly aimless. The source is readily apparent, as the Mausoleum doors stand open and more undead mill inside.
The second most obvious trouble is marked by a plume of smoke, as flames are visible in the domed tower windows of Starhall. Several groups of humanoids appear to be rushing between some of the out buildings, carrying satchels and large objects. Some of them appear to be climbing over the wall on the far side. Much less concerning but still noticeable is a lone figure appearing to be working on the door of the Center House.
Brown Circle: Closed Gate
Red Circle: Starhall Burning
Purple Circle: Mausoleum Overflowing
Blue Circle: Lone Agent
Green Circle: Intruder Horde
|
"Loathe though I am to let the undead linger, they seem weak and unintelligent. I do not believe they are the priority unless they get beyond the gates of the Grand Lodge. The fire though... that is more troubling to me. If we are to prioritize, I suggest we deal with the fire at Starhall, then head to the outbuildings and deal with the thieves. After that we check in on the lone agent at the Center House, and finally wipe out the restless dead at the mausoleum. Thoughts?"
Nym pauses to consider the challenge ahead. "If we are in agreement, then I can offer up some minor magics to protect everyone from elevated temperatures. It won't prevent you from being burned, but it will make hot environs more comfortable. I can also add magicks that allow you to breathe when there is no air to be found. Again, nothing foolproof, but it can help."