Kamari tumbles in, but draws the foul though she responds with a solid hit of her own! Edelmira finishes her preparations. Major Kort continues to protect the boy. Elen brings her naginata to bear, hitting twice.
Visible for the start of his attack, Xan tries the infuriatingly flying Kamari as a target with his claws but after his AoO, he has little luck.
he screeches at Kamari.
Then he swift casts again and disappears.
Myrma keeps the horses, at least relatively, calm. Virgil is snoozing comfortably on the cobbles, and the Prince hangs on to Major Kort.
The burley guards continue their archery fire, following the trick of shooting while it’s visible (Ready) though they have rather less luck this round than last.
Edelmira readies to strike with great power at the vanth, hoping to end this fight in one more blow.
HP: 70/81
AC: 28/13/27
Saves: F8/R10/W11 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled poisons)
Hero Points: 1
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Oath of Anonymity, Martial Flexibility (blind fight)
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+14[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] damage.
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Round 6, Init 14
Caught between a goth and a marketplace, Kort continues to ready to withdraw if the boy is attacked (via spell or weapon).
hp: 58/58
AC: 20/15/17
Saves: F6/R11/W11 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/7 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/2 used
Extend PotionRadiation: 0/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 1/11 used (CLW*0,Shield*1,PfE*0,DF*0)
2: 1/9 used (Inv*0,RE*0,*CE*0,1*SInv)
3: 1/7 used (H*1,DM*0,Sear*0)
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+11+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS)
magic cold iron damage;
UMD
touch to hit;
fire damage
AC 26, touch 19, flat-footed 19 (+5 armor, +2 deflection, +4 Dex, +3 dodge, +2 natural)
hp 65 (9 HD; 1d8+8d10+9)
Fort +4, Ref +14, Will +8 (+2 vs. mind-affecting effects); +2 vs. enchantments
Defensive Abilities aristocratic discipline +2, nimble +2; Immune sleep
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +8/+3 (1d4/19-20+8 Precision) or
koriana's blade +17/+12 (1d6+9/15-20+8 Precision) or
mwk rapier +15/+10 (1d6+2/15-20+8 Precision) or
sap +8/+3 (1d6 nonlethal)
Special Attacks deeds (derring-do, incredible aspirations, kip-up, menacing swordplay, opportune parry and riposte, precise strike, social panache, swashbuckler initiative, swashbuckler's grace, targeted strike), hidden strike +1d8/+1d4, panache (2/5)
Boots of flying (2/3)
Though the vanth misses twice his previous slashes begin to take their toll. She remains confident that the party will overcome in the end, or they'll at least heal her once she drops from the sky like a duck plucked from the air by hunters.
Kamari remains flying and tries her luck zipping into a flank again and readying another strike for when she can see Xan again.
"Begone servant of Pharasma -- you'll not be taking this child!"
"He's right here!"
for
for
Hits: 40/67
AC: 28/24
CMD = 25
WandofMageArmorCharges = 35/50
Resolve = 5/5
Challenge = 3 / 3
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kamari draws another AoO, but plants a soldi blow of her own and gives flank to Edelmira and Elen. Edelmira steps up and swings, hitting the flying goth as well! Major Kort continues to protect the boy. Elen uses the flank to hit once - and yet the creature still flies.
Visible for the start of his attack, Xan tries the infuriatingly flying Kamari as a target with his claws.
The frustration is real as Kamari is not swatted from the sky, but perhaps...
Then he swift casts again and disappears.
Myrma keeps the horses, at least relatively, calm. Virgil is snoozing comfortably on the cobbles, and the Prince hangs on to Major Kort staring at the battle and jumping a bit here and there as the blows land.
The burley guards continue their archery fire, following the trick of shooting while it is visible (Ready).
The guards have less luck.
Round 6, Init 14
Kort is mostly happy with the continued pattern, thinking his side is slowly winning. Again, he readies to withdrawal with any impending attack on the boy.
hp: 58/58
AC: 20/15/17
Saves: F6/R11/W11 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/7 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/2 used
Extend PotionRadiation: 0/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 1/11 used (CLW*0,Shield*1,PfE*0,DF*0)
2: 1/9 used (Inv*0,RE*0,*CE*0,1*SInv)
3: 1/7 used (H*1,DM*0,Sear*0)
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+11+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS)
magic cold iron damage;
UMD
touch to hit;
fire damage
AC 26+4, touch 19, flat-footed 19 (+5 armor, +2 deflection, +4 Dex, +3 dodge, +2 natural)
hp 65 (9 HD; 1d8+8d10+9)
Fort +4, Ref +14, Will +8 (+2 vs. mind-affecting effects); +2 vs. enchantments
Defensive Abilities aristocratic discipline +2, nimble +2; Immune sleep
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee dagger +8/+3 (1d4/19-20+8 Precision) or
koriana's blade +17/+12 (1d6+9/15-20+8 Precision) or
mwk rapier +15/+10 (1d6+2/15-20+8 Precision) or
sap +8/+3 (1d6 nonlethal)
Special Attacks deeds (derring-do, incredible aspirations, kip-up, menacing swordplay, opportune parry and riposte, precise strike, social panache, swashbuckler initiative, swashbuckler's grace, targeted strike), hidden strike +1d8/+1d4, panache (2/5)
Boots of flying (2/3)
Kamari grits her teeth in frustration as her luck runs out but also counts her blessings as she barely remains aloft. Too close to withdraw from the vanth's reach weapon----Kamari goes full defensive and remains where she is to continue to provide the flank.
With a few free seconds of doing nothing, Kamari wonders if she'll be like the boy if she's resurrected. She's never met anyone else who's returned from dead.
Seeing Kamari in danger, Edelmira hacks at the spot with the psychopomp furiously.
HP: 70/81
AC: 28/13/27
Saves: F8/R10/W11 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled poisons)
Hero Points: 1
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Oath of Anonymity, Martial Flexibility (blind fight)
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 1/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx0)
[ dice]1d20+14[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] damage.
"I mean it! Be gone, screecher!"
for
for
Hits: 40/67
AC: 28/24
CMD = 25
WandofMageArmorCharges = 35/50
Resolve = 5/5
Challenge = 3 / 3
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kamari risks her life to give her allies one more round with flank! Hummingbird indeed. No backing down. Edelmira slams big bird for a hit, but it continues flying. Major Kort gauges the battle and covers the child with his body, ready to withdraw at a moment’s notice. Elen brings the naginata down on its neck, though she misses with the follow through due to invisibility.
…and with that, the vanth falls from the sky! Bouncing off your carriage and onto the ground he takes a bit of falling damage too.
Myrma continues to control the horses, still wild with fear at all the commotion. She’s going to recommend you upgrade your team to warhorses… Virgil remains stable behind the carriage, though he could use some help to regain consciousness.
The two guards at the inn, look about for other targets. Seeing none, they offer, ”We have a supply of healing, though you’d need to pay the house of course. Happy to lend a hand though.” they each proffer potions if you need it.
Shortly after the battle concludes, the matriarch of the inn shows up with a few more guards. She eyes the situation, and nods, ”Well done. I hope my lads were of some assistance - or at least weren’t in your way.” She smiles. ”Do you need a room to rest a moment before your journey? I have a small conference room of sorts - unused at the moment.”
Kort ponders for a moment, the boy still in his hands. He then casts Stabilize on the Vanth.
"It might be that we question it. It surely knows more about the child than we do, and I think we could use another lead," Kort explains stiffly. "I do not think it was summoned by the simple short magics, but something bigger brought it to be on Golarion."
He will then tend to Kamari and Virgil with the healing wands (roll for yourselves).
Kamari hears the vanth land with a thud and is relieved it isn't her own body that went splat. Though tempted to use up every last second of the flying boots she makes the smart decision to head to the Major for healing. She ponders the difficulty of obtaining healing while afloat. She could have drawn a potion from her haversatchel and downed it, but that would have meant missing an attack. At the end, she couldn't have even done that without risking death.
With Kamari getting healed, Edelmira rushes to heal up Virgil and then Myrna before finally healing herself.
When she can get away, Edelmira changes out of her armor.
"It might be that we question it. It surely knows more about the child than we do, and I think we could use another lead," Kort explains stiffly.
Elen sighs, finding the last battle no fun at all. ”Don’t you think it would be more respectful to just send it back to its home plane and ask it from a distance? Can you stop it from turning invisible at least?” She raises her Naginata ready for another battle should it come to that.
Hits: 66/67
AC: 28/24
CMD = 25
WandofMageArmorCharges = 35/50
Resolve = 5/5
Challenge = 3 / 3
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kort will ask the staff to bring out some flour to pour upon the vanth should it decide to be silly again.
If others are ready to help, Kort will do the bare minimum to awaken the vanth after it has been tied up and weapon removed.
Questions Kort will ask:
How did you find the boy?
How was its soul forged?
What happens if you managed to kill the boy? Would the soul end?
Did someone in the City send you to do this?
Kort will ask the staff to bring out some flour to pour upon the vanth should it decide to be silly again.
“Oh, neat, thank you! Now we can see it! Great idea!“
She relieves the staff of a pound or so of flour. I wonder if the blue silk I bought in Beggar's Wood will work with this…
Major Kort, with the entire party on stand-by I imagine, awakens the crazed Vanth - and to a hostile reaction. Xan is in no sane state to answer questions, but instead immediately lashes out at Major Kort screeching at the top of his lungs (unless Kamari is flying overhead in which case she is the target).
After turning invisible, again, he is quickly put down, again, before doing too much harm.
Virgil is appreciative of the healing, as is Myrma (thanks for rolling for them). Virgil sheepishly picks up his crossbow and hooks it to his belt as he continues to load and re-load the carriage. ”We are still leaving today, yes?” asks Myrma as she gives the lead horse half an apple.
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"Well, that didn't work. Somehow I just thought there would be more sanity amongst Pharasma's servants, but, uh, I guess it doesn't matter," Kort grumps stiffly. "We tried."
"Yes, I think we are still leaving today. I see no reason to stay."
Edelmira flattens out her clothes as she finishes tidying herself. ”I am just glad none of us died. Thank you, Major, for protecting the boy. I am…very grateful for that.” She makes sure that everyone is back up to par before returning to the carriage. ”I agree that we should take our leave as quickly as possible. The longer we linger the more threats may attempt to stop us.” She tugs at her gloves and massages her wrist nervously. ”A long carriage ride is plenty of time for me to fulfill my promise to explain myself. Why I must protect the boy.”
Elen quietly sends Pharasma's 'servant' back to Pharasma before helping the others back into the carriage.
Kamari also favors departing immediately.
After a slight delay, you ride south! It’s a long two week journey, and though the carriage has the best suspension available, it’s not great - nor are the roads. Especially as you get further from Yanmass, or really any large settlements.
Myrma and Virgil tend to your needs for the most part. Virgil is a passable cook, and Myrma seems to anticipate things nicely - handling the planning side. Certainly you’re well fed on the journey with plenty of picnics at the side of the road in the shade of your gilded carriage.
A little more than half way into the trip, the Prince seems to revive considerably. Elen checks, and indeed the last spell upon the poor boy has expired!
Further the child doesn’t have two levels, so he was rendered mostly catatonic. I gave him more consciousness than the spell strictly allows so he’d be more interesting. Still, semi-conscious and dominated, he’d do whatever Pol wanted.
- - -
The Prince opens up a little more after that. And then a lot more. After all, he’s reasonably sure you’re not out to harm him by this point. Of course he also now knows Vaddrigan Pol for what he was - a child trafficker. He can’t tell you much about his past though. Near as you can figure, he was, uh, brought back just a few weeks ago and has been with Pol that entire time pushing his cult.
You doubt Pol has the power, or wealth, to do what the nation of Taldor could not. Pol feels more pawn-ish. So there’s still someone out there, somewhere, who can explain the existence of the child. Someone who brought him back. At this time however, you have no leads on who that may be.
You’re more convinced by the end of the trip that the child is in fact Prince Carrius - though perhaps still not certain. He’s more talkative now, and as an outgoing 12-13 year old, he tends to fill the small carriage with words and questions.
He has memories prior to his death and after his rebirth, but nothing from the death itself or Pharasma's boneyard.
The stories he tells of his youth sync with what you may know of Prince Carrius. In talking with him, you find he was a boisterous child, though perhaps not great at his studies. He was being groomed to be Grand Prince of course, and so there were a lot of tutors along those lines. Still, he did not have what you would call a broad education or a curious mind. More like his father than his sister.
He can’t remember exactly when he came back to life. His first memory is awakening in a wagon, in a hidden compartment, being smuggled into what he now knows was Yanmass and the Encircling Bower. However, he was not well even then, and already carried an affinity for Pol, and possibly domination too - he’s really not sure. He was pretty scrambled in those early days and never really had much chance to recover.
He asks questions of you too. Where is his sister, father, other family (mom died prior to his own death). He also asks about what has happened since his death, but he was only dimly aware of the world outside his rich-bubble so his attention flags pretty quickly. More of a physical child, he bounces around the carriage a lot, and is full of energy on your breaks - and begs for weapons training, something he was just getting started with at home.
After a fortnight of difficult traveling, you reach Meratt County. Home at last! You’ll pass by the Palace of Birdsong on your way to the Betony Estate. Do you stop in for a report and to drop off the Prince?
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Edelmira comes alive as the boy does, happily talking to him for hours on any subject he wishes. None assembled, even Herbert, have seen her speak so freely and openly for so long. She gives the boy thoughtful and careful practice at the martial endeavors he wishes to learn, but always taking care not to push him too hard. Watching the two of them is almost like seeing a younger brother and older sister.
It takes almost half of the two week trip before she finally brooches the subject of the promise she made during combat. She waits until the boy is away or asleep so that he does not have to hear.
She speaks distantly, looking out the window all the while. ”I promised you an explanation. I will need to start from the beginning. I will preface by apologizing for how maudlin it all sounds. You have heard me speak of my siblings. All eight of them passed due to an illness. That is a lie. Cooked up by my family as a cover-up. The woman who presumes to call herself our mother, Basilea, had great designs for all of us. She was a brilliant alchemist who should have had people fighting for her hand in marriage. But she just did not have the breeding. She did not look Taldan enough. Her parentage was too obscure and humble. She became obsessed with eugenics, particularly with how to cheat the process with blood alchemy. Make people stronger, smarter, tougher. She stole blood of more prestigious families and tried to splice it into her own children so she could convince people we were related to those greater families. Utter madness, all of it. She kept us locked away for months. She did it out of love, she said, to make sure nothing would get in our way in this world. She lost a bit more of herself every time one of us failed her. Retreated into her own theoretical problems in her head. Until only I was left.”
She looks completely drained and numb, as though some part of her is still reliving all of it. ”And that horror is why I do what I do. We live in a world where the powerful take what they want from the powerless, and who is more powerless than a child? The boy has suffered much like how my siblings did. How I did. If he is somehow a monstrosity of science and magic, then so am I. And I simply will not tolerate a world in which children are manipulated and tortured only to be punished for surviving. I will do everything in my power to protect him. As if he was my own brother.”
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As evidence of the boy's true nature mounts, she struggles with what to do with him. A part of her wants to hide him away until the Princess has ascended the throne, but she realizes that would likely only lead to more trouble. She wonders if there is any tradition or protocol for the handling of an heir back from the dead after so long. Perhaps the Princess will remain on the throne. Ultimately, she trusts the Princess and believes it best to drop off the boy...even if it does feel like an easy way out that avoid responsibility.
--
Kamari sits silently as Edelmira bares her soul. She cannot fathom any words of comfort that would sooth such a horror and suspects that none would do. She acknowledges the brave act with a nod and smile she hopes conveys that which words could not.
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"I have never seen her speak so freely nor openly ever," Kort gruffs stiffly to Kamari at one point after having listened to Edelmira drone on pontificate on the best pillows for a fort.
He, however, stops his complaining when Edelmira opens up. His listens fully and does not interrupt.
"...and that's why you were so insistent that we keep the boy alive. I see now." Kort summarizes, knowing that his mind was not always made up on the matter. "And yes, that makes sense. I'm sorry for your past. You seem to be making up for it handily, however."
Kort agrees with dropping off the boy.
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”The boy has suffered much like how my siblings did. How I did. If he is somehow a monstrosity of science and magic, then so am I.”
Yes… and it wasn’t even his own mother… Elen tries not to look horrified.
”I have no words… though no one would think ‘monstrosity’, for you seem well adjusted, and he seems like a normal thirteen to fourteen year old boy now. Still, something seems not quite right. Remember the missing child from Sotto? Do you think someone from there might recognise him?”
You pull over onto a side road which leads to the Palace of Birdsong and arrive without much further ado. When you arrive, Martella Lotheed sees you at once and you are escorted to her almost immediately. As if she knew the exact moment you were to arrive, a large platter of tea and cookies arrives nearly at the same time you do into her office. Though a large office, you’re a little cramped with the whole party present, and the boy of course.
She serves the tea and says, ”I have a few questions for you young Prince, if you don’t mind. And a good friend is going to stop by and ask you some questions as well. And cast a few spells.” It’s clear she’s not particularly good with children, as with her early questions she’s talking down to the boy. But he answers patiently enough, perhaps glad to not be moving for the moment.
Martella continues scrutinizing the lad even as she hands him another cup of tea, which disappears as quickly as the last, with two sugars. “We’ll continue the questions once Lady Paril of Abadar arrives from town with the family records I requested. For now I want all of you to know you’ve done extraordinary work, even if I don’t understand what exactly you’ve done just yet.”
”If nothing else, we know that Pythareus isn’t just playing dirty; it sounds like he’s trying to fan the old flames of hatred with Qadira. Maybe even drag us into a new war. For now, though, go home. I’ll contact you once I learn anything more about the High Strategos, or about the Prince.” she looks again at the child and tries smiling at him.
She pauses as the study door opens, revealing not one woman but two: High priest of Abadar, Lady Paril and Princess Eutropia herself! You all, presumably, stand and bow as the Princess speaks, “Martella, why in Abadar’s name would you need a cler-” The Princess’s words catch in her throat as she looks at Carrius.
The Princess rushes in to embrace her brother, and tears stream down both their faces as the child responds in kind, gripping his sister tightly. There is an instant recognition by both parties - who were very close in their youth. Martella shrugs, ”I guess now we know.” She smiles and dismisses you so the Princess and Prince can have some privacy.
I presume you’ll go as commanded, but there was a little time earlier for comments if you wished to make any. Martella didn’t want to discuss anything delicate in front of the child however so you haven’t made anything like a formal report as yet.
Also, do you stop in Lotheedar or head straight home? It’s Erastus 18, a Wealday, and early in the morning, though it’ll take you most of the day to get home to the Betony Estate.
Upon reflection----Kamari realizes that the boy is actually a threat to the Princess in another way. His existence provides a reason to assassinate the Princess as there would then be a clear and likely more easily manipulated successor. She is glad they have brought the boy home.
--
Though they have been on the road a while, Kamari is open to stopping at Lotheedar. She's curious how the town is faring while out from under the thumb of its former tenants.
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She smiles her enigmatic smile at the Major and Elen as they offer her condolences and compliments. ”I dress up as a theatrical character and occasionally chop the heads off people. I am not that well-adjusted.”
She slips into a more natural smile. ”I appreciate your kind words, everyone, but do not feel the need to linger on it. It is my burden, hence why I have tried to not broach the matter until now when it was relevant. If my decisions will affect you, you deserve to understand.”
Edelmira is happy to wait for their opportunity to make a formal report before delving into matters further with Martella. Tears begin to well as she witnesses the happy reunion of brother and sister. She feels emotionally exhausted and would be happy to return to Betony for a rest.
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Kort agrees with returning to the Betony for a rest. For him, it’s a chance to update the library with the collection he’s amassed recently. There was much reading to do and he needed to keep it organized.
He reflects on his interactions with the new Prince, and how it relates to the Princess and is glad for how it turned out.
”That ended better than I thought it might. It’s interesting. The boy was somehow recreated from his original soul,” he muses, trying to unravel the magics involved. ”There is a *very* strong caster out there with some deep necromagics involved. That is something to worry about. And plan for.” Kort is a planner and plans how to plan for this.
And after working in the library, Kort will walk around to check on the progress of the various projects.
"”I dress up as a theatrical character and occasionally chop the heads off people. I am not that well-adjusted.”"
In all seriousness Elen responds, "That is well adjusted."
"That ended better than I thought it might. It’s interesting. The boy was somehow recreated from his original soul."
"Yes, it is rather nice how things turned out, but still the language I find curious. The word 'reborn' keeps being used here, and they were originally unable to resurrect or raise him. It implies reincarnation, but then why is he still the same age he was when he died? I wonder if Pol will have to pay a price to some deity for whatever he did. “
She is happy to hear from Kort as to what magics could pull off such a feat, after research and rest at Betony for she, like Edelmira, is emotionally exhausted.
”Let’s plan on visiting Lothheedar after Betony. I think it is beyond Betony, and it’s a long trip back.”
You drive through Lotheedar as you head to the main road south (it’s been a while, so I posted the county in maps). You consider stopping briefly for a late breakfast, but the restaurants are all full to bursting.
Lotheedar is doing better under current leadership as you may imagine. While there is a mayor to handle the day to day, the true power in the city is the resident at the Palace of Birdsong, now Princess Eutropia. She has changed little of the local governance however. She has bigger fish to fry, and doesn’t want to make any overt mistakes that could be called out as bad examples of her eventual rule. So she’s treading lightly, carefully, and slowly in Lotheedar - though she did lighten the oppressive tax rate slightly.
However, her very presence at the Palace means many more travelers. National dignitaries are coming from all over Taldor pledging their support, or trying to encourage her to step down for Maxillar. Internationally, several countries are vying for her attention in case she wins the throne. You expect many of these countries have staff in Maxillar’s camp as well to hedge their bets. Either way, it means even the most lowly common rooms are all full of aristocrats, and their staff are staying in a tent city forming on the edge of town. A boon to the local economy at every level.
You head on out to your carriage, which has been cleaned by Virgil as Myrma fusses with the horses, readying them for the last phase of your journey. You make it back to Betony House in a several more hours, arriving just before supper, still Erastus 18, a Wealday.
The road into Stachys is smoother than any in the county - thanks to your efforts. Still Myrma slows as you get close so you can enjoy the gardens at the peak of their high summer flowerings. The late day smell is heady and, along with the heat and humidity, makes you a little drowsy as you ride through the bustling down square and up the short rise to your estate.
The servants, having been left to their own devices for something like six or seven weeks, leap to attention! Food is quickly prepared, and your road weariness is placated with snacks, drinks, and comfortable overstuffed chairs - and eventually dinner. Soon you too are overstuffed, and the night descends quietly.
News of the returned Prince spreads, and spreads quickly. So much so that by the end of the first week of your rest, you’re sure all of Taldor knows. The Prince is back! Though you’re still not sure of his origins, the act of bringing the Prince back to the ruling family improves your items (for those of you who have them already). It is a great day for Taldor!
In addition, the wielder can attempt a lucky shot to foil a ranged attack. Once per day when a ranged weapon attack targets a creature within 30 feet of the wielder, the wielder can shoot Dignity’s Barb at the projectile as an immediate action. He rolls a ranged attack, and if the result exceeds the attacker’s roll, that attack is negated. This ability can be used only if Dignity’s Barb is loaded or if the wielder can use Rapid Reload or a similar ability.
- - -
Once repaired, a gem can be activated as an immediate action once per day to make the sword’s wielder immune to a single effect of a particular type, as described below, just before she would be affected by it. She must choose to activate the gem before attempting any save or other defense against the effect. The red gem protects against fire effects, and the green gem protects against poison effects.
The pink gem continues to protect against mind-affecting effects if selected. The black gem continues to protect against negative energy if selected.
Further, the wielder of the sword gains a +1 insight bonus on all saving throws against effects of any type corresponding to one of the sword’s functioning gems even if it’s not activated.
- - -
- - -
As you settle in for the week, runners are sent to Lotheedar with the various bits of gear you want to unload and the cash is brought back to you.
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Kort is interested in the:
Temple, Advanced (8,000gp)
With a sanctified altar, expanded library, and charitable infrastructure, Stachys develops one of the nicest temples in the region, providing free education, food, and shelter for locals.
and
Farms, Advanced (4,000 gp)
With more cash, the community can acquire hardier seed, fertilizer, and even magical renewal for the soil.
Kort will certainly rest and recuperate.
Edelmira is fine with both of those improvements, though she favors the farms. ”It feels good to be working on revitalizing the county some more.”
Kort will see to making the advanced farms happen, with the blessing of Edelmira. And he will spend time in the library.
What you have currently in a temple is really just a big building with fine shrines to Abadar, Erastil, Iomedae, and Shelyn and some common areas. It is very nice, and you planned for future expansion so the buildings aesthetics won’t suffer with the substantial additions. I presume the expanded temple will be similar though with a greatly expanded library and common spaces.
Part of the process is going to be deciding on a high priest to run the place. Currently, it is Festo Mise, running the temple - an Abadarian priest. He’s the priest you saved in the Gold Canyon if you remember. Very loyal. He’s only third level though, and with the structure you’re planning to build, you could attract someone more powerful.
If you talk to the local populace, they’re more interested in Erastil. If you ask the aristocrats, they prefer Abadar. As you wish it to be a non-profit agency, perhaps Abadar isn’t the best choice though it is the strongest church in the county as well. Of course, any priest you get will support each of the shrines, not just their own.
So what do you want in a priest?
Kamari still hasn't found religion and debates internally and out loud about the pros and cons of bringing in a more experienced priest and/or letting another faith take the lead.
"I'm open to anyone with a strong opinion, but continuing with Abadar seems the most practical," she notes. "His neutrality can be a bit frustrating, but his priests have been fair with us."
"Festo has done well, but a more experienced priest would be helpful and could mentor the young priest."
--
As for the improvements, she supports all three (temple, farms, and highway reroute).
Edelmira’s concerns are not particularly theological. ”I say if the people want Erastil, let them have Erastil. We keep Festo on and give him a prestigious title and less work and put a Stag God follower in charge. Having two different faiths represented will help to encourage pluralism and prevent any one faith from supremacy. Abadar’s followers have been fair with us, but also we have money. My loyalty is for those who do not. Abadarans always feel the drive to monetize their endeavors eventually, and I would rather keep the temple services unconstrained by capital concerns.”
Too much of a city-girl to every follow Erastil herself, Kamari is open to the idea.
Elen with hit the road (to work on it).
”I say if the people want Erastil, let them have Erastil.
”Aye,” Elen nods in agreement.
Kort worships a long dead god, and is content to let others worship their live ones if that would make them happy. And he agrees to the road improvements, if that is what is required to pay off the debt.
"Have we had any word from M'Della? Anyone?" Kort asks over a supper, wondering and hoping if he's missed a missive.
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You decide to find a priest of Erastil for your new temple and begin your various projects. You otherwise spend the week in leisure, as is befitting your station. That and Yanmass was a somewhat harrowing place all things considered and you deserve a break.
A package arrives at the end of your first week’s respite, direct from the Palace on the eve of the full moon - in fact it’s from the Princess and Prince! In a letter suitable for framing and hanging in your library, the Princess and Prince formally praise you for the work you did in Yanmass, and in particular for saving Prince Carrius from his abductors. They also promise further investment in Merrat County, something overlooked by Her predecessor.
Stachys share of this largess, to be spent on infrastructure, is 3,300gp.
It’s a very sweet letter indeed. And there’s more!
In the package with the letter is another, more personal, missive from the Princess. She thanks you sincerely again, and says that the enclosed are her families gifts to each of you for what you’ve done. In each of your packages is a short necklace in your own style.
Hanging or embedded in the necklace is a single deep red gemstone in the shape of a tear. This gemstone is actually a Matyr's Tear (link). Each Tear is already full - 18hp each.
The Princess says in Her letter, in closing, ”These Tears are powered by Our own strength. They reflect the tears of joy shed repeatedly by Us. We cannot thank you enough.”
Though your ears are tingling, you are not called to the Palace as yet for your next assignment. Please go ahead and take three more days of leisure - during which time your projects will complete as well.
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Kamari unwraps her present carefully, preserving the bow and box for future use. Inside she finds a brooch with a golden hummingbird sipping on the nectar of a rose gold zinnia with an emerald center. With a smile and a tear forming in her eye she heads outdoors to the sunlight to admire the wonderful piece that is somehow both delicate and powerful. After some time, she'll return inside with the brooch upon her shirt.
"Well, that's certain nice of them!" Kort says, holding up his tear. "It's a tear set into a book! Who would have known that would be so appropriate!" Kort puts on the tear.
He admires the gold and red combination, not dissimilar to Kamari's beautiful piece.
"I shall write her a letter of thanks immediately," Kort says, and does just that. He writes a thank you letter and arranges it to be sent. He even uses fine stationary and his good quill.
The next day, he will check on the progress of the projects.
Edelmira smiles as she takes out the necklace and holds it up. She instantly recognizes it as an axe sheath, one that would fit her other necklace perfectly. ”Clever.” She also works on a letter of thanks for the Princess, though with a more perfunctory attitude than Kort.
Elen opens her gift to discover a choker band made of delicate sheer silk jacquard reinforced with a gold filigree matching the tattoos on her face; the rosy gem hung closely from the center.