"Er, what? You are going to grave rob the princess? I don't understand. I don't know what you will face, though the crypt is untrapped..."
It seems that she was going to say more, but the spell hit the limit.
Muri shares his Sending with the others, reasonably sure that no one would suspect the brazenness of their plan. "Martella suggests the building is clear, but we should probably try and avoid any outside guards."
The halfling and hound wait for the spell to be cast, and Betony to depart for the grave.
With Major Kort and Elen sneakily in the lead, you blow up to the mausoleum. You spy two guards standing casually but attentively at the entrance. You can solidify behind the structure readily enough without being detected - remember it takes a few rounds to turn into or out of the wind walk’s gaseous form.
The guards are about 30’ away, on the other side of the structure. Generally speaking, how do you want to handle them? You certainly have surprise, so you can factor that into your planning.
Kort will see if he can find a gaseous way into the structure.
Perception
Gaseous Form could work - you'd get in through the doors which are not airtight.
Unfortunately the guards are at the doors and might notice the cloying mist moving without wind, at night, in an ancient family graveyard. Hard to know how they'd react, but there'd certainly be fear.
While not a perfect plan, Kamari likes Kort's idea. She'd prefer to not harm the guards but foresees the likelihood that they will have to be incapacitated at some point.
"Once inside, how will you get the remains out?"
"Once inside, how will you get the remains out?"
Kort nods stiffly.
”We have pouches for such things. Or, we can be unseen. Good thought, and something to consider,” Kort whispers back.
”I do not wish to kill the guards, if we must engage them at all. I do wish M’Della were here. She would make the wall cease to exist for a time, what would be perfect, or the like,” Kort continues his whispered thoughts.
”If we cannot bypass the guards, we will have to bluff them or engage them. I will not kill them. They are not the enemy here,” he notes, wishing that someone had the ability to bluff their way past.
Muri perks up. "Oh, I can do that." The Crusaders within his Ring bring forth the magic which shapes stone, on the other side of the mausoleum, allowing a cloudy person entrance.
Muri steps up and creates a small hole high up in the structure, under the eaves where it won’t be noticed. Major Kort already a gas-bag (from the wind walk!) slips inside. He solidifies and feels around for the Princess’s body - finding it readily enough in the space. It takes some heaving to remove the large stone block enough to pull her from the sarcophagus, but he manages.
He carefully places her in one of your bags of holding or the like, then returns to gas and departs the way he came. You all take to the air again, the guards none the wiser, and fly back to the abandoned village and the Soul Crucible.
You arrive as the sun is just coming over the horizon having flown all night. The wind walk spell begins to fade as you solidify. You are all fatigued. You move back to the Soul Crucible and place the Princesses body, carefully, in the bowl.
Any further preparation? Or do you attempt to raise the Princess?
”There is the ring but -- Night Swan – you have the Princess’s necklace. I wonder if by any chance might it contain her soul?”
The Night Swan produces the necklace and holds it up. ”I have it. It containing her soul would not be unreasonable. A good contingency, one that may soon prove its worth, should it be so.”
Kort will ensure that he, at least, understand the particulars of the ceremony, and enlist the party in preparations (and defenses...he trusts nothing).
"While I do not expect to be interrupted, we have been watched in the past, and might be again now. So we must assume that we might get interrupted. Let us all be on guard," Kort warns the party, and insists those not directly helping stand guard.
Kort will offer his usual protections before starting. When others are ready, he will begin.
Elen stands at the ready, looking for incoming threats.
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You lay the Princess’s body inside the bowl and activate the Soul Crucible.
The stones below the Crucible begin to flare white-hot, and ghostly steam issues from the vessel. You worry you must be cooking Eutropia, but thankfully there’s no odor. The winch must then be turned according to Major Kort, tipping the upper vessel over and ‘pouring out’ the soul energy into the arcane fluid below. Not too much now!
There’s a sharp CRACK! as the necklace she bequeathed you shatters, and images smokily pour forth from the crucible, a flickering parade of childhood memories.
Princess Eutropia’s memories spill over the vessel’s lip like a thickening fog, each heartbreak and victory, each friendship and loss that shaped the princess’s spirit into the woman you know. You catch glimpses of young Eutropia and her brother playing at knights and dragons, reading together in the Imperial Palace, and other such innocent, but deep, memories.
You also see the grief and resolve on Eutropia’s face as she stands next to her brother’s body at his funeral, a memory that defines her so strongly it glows with a light that overshadows other facets of her soul.
Over time, the vessel slowly rights itself as the soul-energy of Eutropia coalesces into the form of the princess, pale and exhausted, dressed only in her funeral garb - a simple gray shroud.
The Princess shudders awake, wrapping her arms around her shoulders to stop the shivering as her body re-adjusts to life. She musters a smile for you as she looks about and says with a beaming grin, ”You’ve restored me, exactly as I knew you could! That wasn’t so hard now, was it?”
She begin a phlegmy coughing however, still recovering from the ordeal of death.
Wow!
Elen offers the Princess some water and her Sleeves of Many Garments. She looks up at her companions.
”Maybe a restoration will help?” she suggests. Then on to safety!"
”You’ve restored me, exactly as I knew you could! That wasn’t so hard now, was it?”
Kort looks at the Princess, trying to make sure it's really her.
"You *knew* this was going to happen? You knew you were going to need this?" Kort asks, trying to understand not only what she meant, but if she was who she says she is.
Sense Motive
The Princess puts on the sleeves of many garments, and doctors up a plain outfit - though a touch regal. ”Oh, a restoration would be lovely.” She’ll take it if it’s offered, though she can’t cast it.
"You *knew* this was going to happen? You knew you were going to need this?" Kort asks, trying to understand not only what she meant, but if she was who she says she is.
”Well of course! I was sure you’d figure out My soul was in the necklace, and wouldn’t let them raise Me until it was safe to do so. So it’s safe now, right?”
The Major is sure it’s her, but a note might have been nice, or even telling Martella of the plan, someone.
"It's not safe at all." Muri speaks before he can smooth out his words. "We are really glad you're back. We're being blamed for your death, and I think we're going to need to deal with your brother. We think there's something wrong with him, the way he was brought back to life. Not like you. Something way more ugly."
It's all a bit too much for Kamari at first.
That mother of a puppy!
A few tears escape as she tries to maintain her composure.
You trusted us to figure it out, but didn't trust us enough to tell us. But, that makes sense. It had to be a secret. Telling anyone would have jeopardized everything.
Lost in the debate between the emotional and logical parts of her brain, Kamari doesn't notice the trickle turn into a stream. She stands, staring at but beyond the Princess, as she attempts to process events. Her body eventually betrays her as relief at the Princess' revival wins out and she begins to sob quietly.
Muri's words pull her out from her inner turmoil. She tries to speak but realizes she's still sobbing. She pulls out a handkerchief, wipes her face, blows her nose, and finally feels capable of speaking. She focuses on the mission and puts her emotions aside.
"Princess, did you know what your brother is? Did you prepare anything else for your return? Did you have a plan for reclaiming the kingdom?"
”Well of course! I was sure you’d figure out My soul was in the necklace, and wouldn’t let them raise Me until it was safe to do so. So it’s safe now, right?”
Kort’s face looks serious. ”Yes, but how did you know to do this? Why did you do this? HOW did you do this?” He has more questions, but these are the most pressing.
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Kort’s face looks serious. ”Yes, but how did you know to do this? Why did you do this? HOW did you do this?” He has more questions, but these are the most pressing.
”We were clearly winning. Regicide seemed the only logical next step - and Martella’s spies seemed to hint at the likelihood. The necklace has always held the power, it’s why We were given it. To avoid such things becoming permanent - particularly after my brothers death. Quite a useful magic item.”
"It's not safe at all." Muri speaks before he can smooth out his words. "We are really glad you're back. We're being blamed for your death, and I think we're going to need to deal with your brother. We think there's something wrong with him, the way he was brought back to life. Not like you. Something way more ugly."
"Princess, did you know what your brother is? Did you prepare anything else for your return? Did you have a plan for reclaiming the kingdom?"
”Wait, what? What happened? Tell Us everything!” she says as she straightens up and becomes more formal, and more focused - though there’s still a little haziness behind her eyes.
”Oh! That’s horrible! So you’re saying Our brother isn’t really Our brother? And he’s claimed the throne over Our still cooling body, driving off my most trusted advisors?” The Princess takes some time to come to grips with the first fact first. ”But he was so like him…”
Her resolve is strong however, and despite her personal concerns, there is the fate of a nation to consider. ”He is a usurper then, and not even a Stavian. Not really.” Despite her attempts, her voice quavers a little.
”It seems We have three choices. Do nothing, and allow Our brother to rule, illegally and immorally. Precipitate a civil war, rallying Our forces in the hopes of overtaking… him.” She turns to you, Her eyes glistening, ”Or turn to you one more time and end this evil charade once and for all.”
”You say you can assault the, er, souls? that comprise him now? How close do you need to be for that ring to work? I know a few secret passages in the capital that might help you get fairly close. You must remove their influence on Our brother. Perhaps that will return him to sanity…” she takes a deep breath, ”…or at least ends his false claim.” She can’t quite say it aloud, but you know what she means.
Kill him.
A tear trickles down her cheek.
Muri frowns from time to time, as Princess Eutropia speaks. He's not my brother. The frowns coincide with the use of the Royals, and diminish with repeated exposure.
"With your help, we can avoid the first two choices. We saw some pretty evil things, and it may have its hooks too deep in your brother. When we try to remove them. Unless you have special magics? We barely understand what the Ring lets us do to him."
"Where is Taldogis?"
Elen pulls out the Duke's right hand (stab! stab! stab!) and retrieves the Ring.
"I think the Ring when donned allows you to travel into the mind of the prince to confront or otherwise control or destroy the various prior Taldor emperor souls bound to him. I don't know if it requires psychic energy to use, though. Perhaps we should spruce up our disguises to get closer to the Prince and see if it can at all be used."
Kort listens and adds details when needed. He looks over when Elen mentions the ring, and wonders if Elen would be willing to use it...and if it might be helpful.
"Are you going to try the ring, Elen?" Kort asks, thinking things through.
"And we might need to try again when we are closer. So...entering the capital might be helpful. Princess, what other resources do you, or we, have at our command? Are there any who would still be loyal to you?"
Edelmira’s face falls as she thinks about the Prince. ”I will do whatever is in my power to free the Prince from these presences that plague and dominate him. You will have your brother back, should I have anything to say about it.” The thought of getting a crack at the spirits of the former emperors does bring forth a touch of joy, one she dare not let show. She knows it will not change the outcomes of their various imperial transgressions, but she does imagine it will be quite personally cathartic. They may even let slip information that will be useful for her future endeavors.
She moves to ask a question, but relents upon hearing the Major get to her exact question first. She waits patiently for an answer.
You don't know where Taldogis might be. Upon the Princesses death, he was moping about the Palace of Birdsong - but he might have gone with the Prince to Oppara. Hard to know for sure...
The Princess speaks, "We do not know who to trust at this point, though you've said Martella is in Oppara. She is someone We can trust. Her loyalty is to Us more than Taldor, so she is unlikely to be swayed by the Prince's new position."
"Everything else should be considered suspect. We shall have to speak to Martella and coordinate Our return to the public eye. Likely after you have, ah, corrected what's been done to Prince Carrius." She speaks formally of her brother, though her voice again wavers.
Though she has been standing, she slumps into a chair, or more likely the floor as none is available, still weak. From the floor then she says with feeling, "You have done so much for Us, there is little that can be done to repay you. But do this one further service and you shall be rewarded in this life and the next!"
"Are you going to try the ring, Elen?"”I will do whatever is in my power to free the Prince from these presences that plague and dominate him. You will have your brother back, should I have anything to say about it.”
"Oh, thank you but like I said -- this is really not my 'thing'. I think Edelmira might be more equipped for this sort of mental gymnastic.". She removes the ring from the Duke's right hand (stab stab stab) and offers it to Edelmira.
She watches the Princess sink to the floor. "Oh, if only we had a Restoration! We should arrange to get the Princess to safety, then pay the Prince a visit."
"You're alive, and you have the best interests of Taldor at heart. That's enough for me." Muri turns to the others.
"If we put together Martella's and the Princess's cautions, we might avoid problems with the informants and investigators by striking at the Prince directly. We're still gonna face the Ulfens and the Royals, just stepping onto Palace grounds..."
"It seems our first step is to make contact with Martella and find a safe place for you," Kamari offers. "After that, we will deal with the problem of the Prince. It seems we are headed back to Oppara."
Kamari looks closely at the Princess. "Hopefully we still have the element of surprise, but do you have anything on you that might be traced if your body's absence from the sarcophagus is noted?"
Kort watches the ring being passed to Edelmira, and then waits to see what happens with the ring next.
”I am loathe to formulate any plans until we have all the pieces of information that we can reliably get. And what that ring may tell us…might be nothing, might be everything. I would want to know if it offers us anything.”
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Yes, the Prince is in Oppara, planning his coronation...
The Princess isn't sure about her missing body, but suspects they don't open the crypt - just guard it. So you should be good for some time.
You guys have done nothing with the ring, so your knowledge is extremely limited. It may have a range? What that might be is hard to know. Most of what you know is from the Duke's own musings where he tangentially mentions the ring.
You think, from those scraps, that the Duke used the ring to get inside the boy's mind to confront the soul-shards directly and keep them in line. But you don't know how it works, whether it has a range, if more than one can go, etc.
You also know the Duke never formally visited the boy. At least not since you rescued him. Prior to that is anyone's guess, but it's likely they spent some time together while Carrius was out of it and scarcely conscious.
Seeing everyone looking to her, Edelmira takes the ring and puts it on to see what happens.
Edelmira puts on the ring.
There’s a faint tingly sensation as it settles into her mind. She feels the ring seeking… something. Another soul. But it cannot find it. You all, briefly, see the shadow of a door forming, but as there’s no soul to attach it to, the door fades from sight and the ring goes dormant. You’re pretty sure anyone can use the door when it’s opened - since you could all see it.
The ring didn’t seem bound by physical space, and its searching seemed to be fairly near - relatively speaking. Something like 70’ or so.
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Muri watches the Ring pass from one agent to another, coming to rest in the palm of Edelmira. The halfling doesn't object whatsoever, and wonders if the Night Swan will put the ring on to check for fit.
Messing with his own Ring, Muri verifies that its settings are still the same, since last he Sent to Martella.
"Prince Carrius- please send help, currently in Kazuhn City, hiding, need funds to resupply, we discovered many things, are rumors true? Are we wanted?"
Kort listens to Edelmira's report (assuming she shares), and add the limited information to the limited information that he currently possesses.
And then he waits to see if Muri's excellent rouse finds purchase. He suspects that some scrying will come the party's way, but there is little help for that at the moment, and again he wished M'Della were around to help with that.
There’s a hesitation, and then a reply, ”Kazuhn City? Excellent! I’ll send some ulfen warriors your way. Contact me again, and tell me what you need. I’ll send it straight away.” It was from Prince Carrius.
"Well, that's one less group of Ulfens to worry about, hopefully. I might try that again tomorrow, if you think it's worth doing."
The halfling and hound ready for departure. "Where to, Princess? Where should we leave you?"
Edelmira puts on the ring...
Muri watches something materialize before all of their eyes, and gasps quietly, not sure what to make of it. He's not much wiser after Edelmira shares the experience from her side of the Ring. "At least it didn't feel... dangerous, Edelmira?"
”Well, that is encouraging. Maybe there is something left of the Prince’s soul – otherwise whose soul would it be seeking?” wonders Elen aloud after hearing Edelmira’s description. ”Maybe we should get closer.”
She turns and curtsies to the pathetic, pitiful, prone Princess. ”Princess, did say you knew of secret passages that might get us close to the Prince? If we can disrupt the old souls and free him, maybe he can just end this nonsense."
"But first, maybe go to Martella and rest up if it is safe to do so."
Hits: 125/125
Current AC: 34
Current Saves: Fort: +15; Ref +17; Will: +10, +12 if Enchant (Elf) (+5 Wingz)
AC: 25; 26 (Bare naked save for Mask and Dodge, +1 Dodge (Sacred))
flat: 18 (ring +3, nat armor +2, mage armor +4) (+1 See above^)
touch: 28 (ring +3, Dex +6, Cha +7, Dodge +1) (Ditto)
Crits on 19-20
CMD = 35
WandofMageArmorCharges = 58/50
Wand of CLW: 31/50
Resolve = 8/8
Challenge = 6/6
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kamari applauds Muri's ingenuity and concurs with Elen.
"We should pick up a couple more scroll of restorations when we have the chance. I worry we might encounter more things for which a lesser restoration won't do the trick. Also, if we manage to save what remains of the Prince, then he will likely need one sooner than later."
Kort will easily use the scroll(s) of Restoration on the Princess if she so wishes it and if they will help.
"Perhaps we should also make plans to equip ourselves again? More scrolls or the like? I'm not sure what our coffers are like, but I have a lot of wands left, but maybe we need more."
The halfling and hound ready for departure. "Where to, Princess? Where should we leave you?"
”I’m coming with you - at least as far as the palace.”
She turns and curtsies to the pathetic, pitiful, prone Princess. ”Princess, did say you knew of secret passages that might get us close to the Prince? If we can disrupt the old souls and free him, maybe he can just end this nonsense."
”I think, with a little preparation, We can smuggle you in through the tunnels.” She explains there are some tunnels for the royal family to escape the palace in time of danger. They haven’t been used in generations for flight, but they have been used to sneak out from time to time. There are a myriad of traps and automatons, but the Princess can get you past all that kerfuffle.
However, Prince Carrius knows of the tunnels too - but whether that knowledge was shared with those currently in charge of his soul is another matter entirely. It’s risky, but better then slogging through the ulfen guards and palace sentries and whatever else the six-souls have concocted.
"We should pick up a couple more scroll of restorations when we have the chance. I worry we might encounter more things for which a lesser restoration won't do the trick. Also, if we manage to save what remains of the Prince, then he will likely need one sooner than later."
"Perhaps we should also make plans to equip ourselves again? More scrolls or the like? I'm not sure what our coffers are like, but I have a lot of wands left, but maybe we need more."
”Martella should be able to help you there. Oppara’s a big place, with lots of shops. We’re sure something can be arranged.”
She gratefully accepts the restoration, and some color returns to her cheeks. She’ll take the other one, though it can’t be used quite yet (Raise Dead, so one now, and one in a week).
”Let’s get going. You said you had a way to get us there quickly? We can rest at Martella’s safe house, and plan Our next steps.”
The wind walk scrolls are used up, and the party, plus the Princess, take on gaseous form once again. You take to the sky and streak faster than any horse through the air to the south. A few hours pass and the farming villages of Oppara begin to appear, then the nearby towns, then the graceful outer walls themselves!
You fly high over the city to elude any hope of detection, descending only when you reach the isle, and manor house, where Martella is in hiding. It’s a little tricky appearing in the garden, frightening the poor gardener half out of his wits, but Martella appears quickly enough and explanations are passed around.
She takes you inside, though there’s some time spent fawning over and hugging the now very much alive Princess! However, before too long, you get down to business. Martella asks if Her Highness has a plan, and Eutropia explains about the ring, and the hope, however slim, that destroying the soul shards will save Her brother from his current imprisonment in his own body - if in fact there’s anything left of him at all.
Muri does a herd count over all the loot sheep. He remembers something, almost as if Chaldira Herself reminded him to keep track of even the smallest in the flock.
"We still have that Key to Abadar's Vault, right? That might be something our more deceptive companions might be able to investigate, eh? I mean, we are returning to Oppara..."
The halfling asks Betony if the Belt of Mighty Constitution might benefit Underfoot, for the number of times he's been unable to shelter her from various forms of nastiness.
"If you think it would be helpful, giving the Belt of Might Constitution to Underfoot is fine by me. And, I am interested in the Headband of Vast intelligence +6 (Fly, Perception, Use Magic Device)."
Someone (presumably) explains to Martella that you need to resupply before heading in to confront the Prince. You draw up what is sure to be a monstrous list and hand over a fortune in magics to pay for it. She does the best she can, but likely it’ll take a couple days to get your items (depending on what people request of course).
"We still have that Key to Abadar's Vault, right? That might be something our more deceptive companions might be able to investigate, eh? I mean, we are returning to Oppara..."
”That is certainly something to consider after we tend to the Princess. Ensuring that that is not looted or such after the transition should be a priority,” Kort says, agreeing completely. ”But if you think it might help us now, we can certainly push it up the priority list.”
Kort ponders what he might do with the new funds, having already surpassed (by many many degrees) his retirement monies, he wonders if he could spend all the money ever in the rest of his short life. He shrugs, knowing that someone somewhere might have something to help the party accomplish their task.
"Yeah, I'm thinking that if we peeled the iron key off the Masked Marquis, there might be things in the deposit box we might benefit from. The more resources, the better."
The party spends the rest of the day relaxing, making plans, and waiting while Martella and the few agents she has available to her do your shopping. You spend a pleasant night in the manor house where Martella has setup shop. There aren’t enough rooms for all of you, so you deal with a little friendly snoring, but it’s at least more comfortable than the field bivouacking you’ve been doing with all your travels.
In the morning, Lamashan 18, an Oathday, Martella goes out to collect your various items, and returns by midday. Princess Eutropia suggests the mid afternoon lull might be the best time. The Prince should be in the chambers behind the throne for tea - so he’ll be the closest to the courtyard where the Princess can get you.
You can, if you wish, try to claim the vault box at the church of Abadar before you leave for the Palace. You’ll want to be disguised going out into the city, but that will be no trouble between the magics you have (oh, the Princess returns Elen's sleeves of many garments once she has a chance to shop as well), and Martella’s skills.
Just let me know what’s next, and what you’re all buying. There really isn't time to improve items, but just about anything off the shelf is fine. Oppara is one of the wealthiest and largest cities in the world. All manner of strange things are available here.
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Kamari wonders what to do with this queen's ransom of gold. She buys a few more pearls of power and restoration scrolls but resists buying any extravagant magic items that most likely she would never use. She hopes the gold can be used for the good of the people when all of this madness is resolved.
Kamari is up for checking out the vault box at the church of Abadar.
"There might only be treasure inside, but there could be notes, journals, or some other useful item inside."
Hero Points 3/3
#/# daily uses remaining
Panache 6/6
Arcane Pool 3/3
Pearl of Power level 1: 4/4
Pearl of Power level 2: 4/4
Armband of the golden serpent - An armband of the golden serpent allows its wearer to cast spells with the range of touch in melee combat without provoking attacks of opportunity.
Corset of the vishkanya 10/10
Determination from Armor 1/1
Swordmaster's Flair blue scarf 1/1
Winged boots - 3/3 minutes
Current CLW Wand #3 - 22/50 remaining
Wand of shield - 40/50
Princess's tear brooch - 18/18 HP available
Koriana's blade gemstones
White - Magic missiles 1/1
Pink - Mind-affecting spells 1/1
Black - Negative energy 1/1
Green - Poison 1/1
Prepared Spells
Level 0 (4 per day)
Dancing Lights
Daze
Mage Hand
Prestidigitation
Level 1 (5 per day)
Blurred Movement
Frostbite
Obscuring Mist
Shield
Vanish
Level 2 (3 per day)
Bladed Dash
Invisibility
Mirror Image
Elen retrieves her parcels when Martella arrives with them, and prepares to head for the Church.