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Red lands a shot on Valthazar, despite the heavy load of curses that he's carrying...
...and manages to stun the witch! Valthazar's insidious cackling goes silent and Red feels some of the misfortune affecting him simply evaporate.
~~+~~Initiative~~+~~
Red
Valthazar
Annalise
Zombie Red
Vyr
Willard
Foo Lion
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Willar's foo lion charges and pounces at the curious necromancer.
for + and grab
for + and grab
for +
for +
Willard unleashes some magic missiles at the zombie version of his friend Red.
Vyr moves closer towards Zombie Red and attacks.
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Red's last blow drops the witch. The final zombie is quickly cut to ribbons/immolated.
On Valthazar's body you find: a potion of invisibility, bracers of armor +2, headband of vast intelligence +2, ring of protection +1, an iron key, an Ustalavic noble's outfit, a signet ring, and 68 gp. Atop the desk is his journal[/ooc]
If Vyr handles the key, he gets images of Valthazar enacting some kind of ritual related to the artefact in the hallway. It might take a bit of studying, but you're sure this key plays a role in the forcefield around the green mist.
The journal reveals that the destruction of Roslar's Coffer was the work of the Whispering Way and that he'd heard a rumor about a powerful device called the "Radiant Fire." Destroying the town, in his opinion, was a test of the device's power.
Within the journal is also the draft of a letter to his superior, referred to only as "G". He opines that the undead created by the blast are inferior to other juju zombies, but he never ascertained why.
Lastly, it details how he used the iron key in a ritual to create the forcefield around the Fetoring Maw. With this information, you can likely undo the forcefield. However, you will still have to determine how to destroy the necromantic artefact that the field protects.
I'll give you some time to heal up and RP before moving on.
Willard looks up from perusing the book, "Never believed in keeping a journal, myself. All my diabolical plans are up here," the old forager taps his temple.
Mr. Beans snorts in protest.
"Of course you're right, Beans. On reflection, 'Visit the Tanner Swamp next Moonday' isn't terribly diabolical. More sinister really, if you think on it."
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After searching the rest of the second floor, you find a library filled with dusty tomes on a wide variety of topics. Piled in a heap on the floor is a selection dealing with the Whispering Way, Tar Baphon, the means of creating various forms of undead, and notably, a treatise on the Fetoring Maw.
Two cats prowl the stacks, alternately curious and indifferent toward you, as is their right.
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[ooc]What I was thinking for stat-boosting items was that you could either sell them or reskin them as some other item of equal value. So, if there is something you would want in the 4k range, let's just say that's what Valthazar dropped, rather than the headband. (This prevents you taking the 50% loss when selling stuff that you'd be using were it not for ABP.)
After spending some time poring over the books, Annalise and Willard learn the following: the Fetoring Maw was deployed by the Whispering Way in one notable battle from the Shining Crusade to trap a contingent of paladins. They survived - barely- with the help of neutralize poison spells.
You also piece together that the Maw can be destroyed by first soaking it in a solution of equal parts holy water and antitoxin, and then smashing it with a blunt object. Though you may not have any on hand, the fountain at the other end of the chapel is a never-ending font of holy water, and Willard is pretty sure he can cobble together something like an antitoxin from the mushrooms growing around the place.
Assuming you do so, the gem shatters, releasing a relieved sigh. The sky out brightens, and daylight streams in through the stained glass windows - the first you've seen in many days.
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As you exit the cathedral you find yourself on a road. Going west would take you back into town, still crawling with undead and cultists. Going east will take you, well, anywhere else. The choice is easy.
Forest flanks the path, and here and there you hear twigs snapping and catch glimpses of undead shambling toward Roslar's Coffer. They pay you no mind, drawn by some song you cannot hear.
Clouds obscure the sky and a fog drifts over the road, the brief respite of good clear light ending too soon. Up ahead a lantern burns, casting a warm haze into the gloom. As you draw near you see it's a merchant's wagon. A woman in a red cloak stand beside it, her hood up, mostly obscuring her face.
"Hail wanderers," she calls out. "Stop and parley a moment, won't you?"
She asks about the state of Roslar's Coffer. If you're coming from that direction then does it mean the poison cloud has lifted? She inquires whether you are headed toward Vigil and makes you an offer: if you will take word there of the fate of Roslar's Coffer and warn Vigil that the same fate may soon befall them, then she will offer whatever healing you need. "I take it from the look of some of you that you do need a good bit."
It's hard to get a look at her beneath her cowl, but from what you can glimpse, her skin is an unhealthy pallor.
"Well, thank you kindly! We could certainly use some patching up." Willard says to the merchant. "I wouldn't recommend a visit to Rostler's Coffer. Town's overrun with undead at the moment. Quite a state of affairs."
"I don't relish visits to the city, but it seems Vigil is the place to go. Someone needs to get out here to clean up the mess, and the Knights probably need something to keep them occupied. This seems right up their alley, and they can trot out on their fancy horses."
"Have you come across any other exploding villages in your travels? I'd hate to see this phenomenon spreading."
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Red falls to his knees, practically sobbing, "Oh Sweet baby jesus!"
Looking up at the lady in red, he begins with a murmur, slowly becoming clearer and, some would say, more soulful, "There's nobody here; it's just you and me; it's where I want to be; well, I hardly know this beauty by my side; I'll never forget the way you look tonight." before adding, "If you could take away this foul curse and restore some of my hardiness and wits, I would be forever grateful."
Vyr watches this scene unfold, looks around to see if any of his compatriots have seen the knight. Seemingly not, he conjures his spirit blade in the form of a longsword to mirror the spirit. He walks forward, sword pointed at the ground.
“I do not know who you are, but the spirit that is in this blade seems to. The tragedy that befell Roslar’s Coffer also seemed to have bonded this soul to me. What can you tell of the noble knight I now carry in a different form? For an answer, I would be in your debt.”
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The cloaked woman glances at the knight by your side, who nods her head.
"The knight who has bonded herself to you is Sir Draymor Steyletta. She was one of the original Shrikes who rode with Sir Roslar in the Shining Crusade. She died in battle, sacrificing herself to enable her company to escape a rout. That her spirit has taken such a step now only confirms my suspicion. Golarion is in grave danger and the four of you have a part to play in its defense."
"I thank you for the gift of her name. I must confess she has done much to stiffen my spine and granted me new purpose. she is not the most verbose of companions. Sir Steyletta seems to know and trust you, and so I will as well. But may I ask your name, Stranger, who comes to us in our hour of need? Our purposes sound aligned and you seem to know more of what is afoot."
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After the events of the past few days, the journey north toward Vigil is peaceful. You pass traveling merchants, who can sell you provisions, and crafters, farmers and pilgrims headed toward Vigil for a 3-day celebration called The Whiteblade Festival.
Vyr and Red wake up feeling refreshed the morning after your encounter with the, ahem, lady in red - their curse having apparently been lifted and Red's negative level(s) cleared. There is some good forgaing along the way, which keeps Mr. Beans and Willard busy. For Annalise, the road is muddy and the food subpar, but it seems like these indignities will have to be born a bit longer yet?
When you arrive, you find the city of Vigil in the grip of a festive celebration. Colored streamers adorn freshly painted buildings, blooming flowers line the streets, and residents are dressed in colorful clothing. Even the grim ballista towers along the city’s thick defensive wall bear large banners showing a white sword.
The town watch seems a bit edgy, giving each of you a second look.
"Mind yourselves, visitors. Weapons are allowed at this year's festival, but if you know what's good for you, you'll keep them sheated except in self-defense."
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The city of Vigil is an impressive sight. The capital of Lastwall, it is a city built and presided over by crusaders. Massive walls embrace a population of 10,000 and the high spires of Castle Overwatch soar to the heavens from the central keep.
Vigil is a bastion of civilization at the northern edge of the Inner Sea region. To the west is the Hold of Belkzen. To the northeast are the misty hills of Ustalav and beyond that, the Worldwound. Many of the most noble crusaders to have fought there learned their trade at the Crusader's War College, which sits just beneath Castle Overwatch. This city is the mailed fist that holds this region together.
That is not to say that the air is marked by oppressive militarism. On the contrary, though duty, order, and honor are key values of the people here, the general atmosphere is one of finding joy in the rightness of purpose. Among its clean streets and well-tended hedgerows, a person can discover their true potential.
And, on the occasion of your arrival, the Whiteblade Festival marks three days of revelry, public contests, speeches by dignitaries and notable citizens, and sumptuous feasts.
You've been charged with the task of delivering a warning to the rulers of Vigil. And, though many knights and lesser officials are in attendance, there are five notable personages making public appearances. Perhaps, separately or together, they might be able to act on the Lady in Red's portent.
Approaching Vigil, Vyr nearly breaks down into tears at the sight of a place of safety and celebration. It has been a breakneck journey since the group awoke in the Boneyard, and the possibility of a warm bath, good food and a soft bed are almost too much - not so much that he doesn't procure all 3 as quickly as possible, followed by the best night of sleep he's ever had.
Once he awakes the next day, he gathers the party for a hearty breakfast and to plan their next move.
"Annalise, you have more insight into the nobles realm. Any ideas? Seems to me the Pathfinders are closer to the common folk, or at least more likely to believe our tale to start. That said, this is an emergency, so maybe we go straight to the Ceto Malderra and the Knights of Ozem?
Willard has spent the last hours of the approach to the city jumping into ditches and retrieving fungi from likely looking copses of trees.
"I know why we're headed into the city, but I can't say I'm excited. And these knights all spend too much time with horses." Mr. Beans squeals his disapproval of his equine cousins.
"Pathfinders at least know how to sleep rough. Let's pop into their lodge and see if they've heard anything. No one gossips like a Pathfinder."
To the Pathfinders it is!
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The party ambles up to the Vigil Pathfinder lodge, a two-storey "Tudor" style building not far from a lively fairgrounds. The front door is open and the doorway is decked in festive bunting.
Inside, a cheery open house is taking place inside a wood-paneled room. People mill around with what looks like chicken on skewers and free drinks. A woman's voice filters into the atrium from an adjoining drawing room...
"And for all those reasons, I think the Pathfinders have much to offer Vigil and all the people of Lastwall. I hope we can all take this occasion to mark the years of our collaboration and raise a toast and for many years to come."
A polite round of applause follows and the speaker, a gnomish woman wearing a deep blue turban emblazoned with golden stars, makes her way through the crowd. Emerging from it, she bumps into you.
"Hello and welcome," she says, "I don't think I recognize you. What brings you to the lodge today?"
Willard tries to put the best face on being in a crowded, urban social situation.
"Well, begging you pardon, but we've come to deliver an ominous warning: A terrible threat looms over all of Lastwall! Neither man nor pig is safe, and a terrible danger out of the past could destroy us all."
That should get a Pathfinder's juices flowin'.
He looms as only a mysterious and dirty codger can.
"The town of Roslar's Coffer has been destroyed by some infernal magic. There was some sort of cult there, and they managed to surrounded the entire town with poisonous gas. That's the sort of thing you Pathfinders have experience with, right? We know it might sound. . .fantastical, but the threat of this happening again is real."
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"Well, those are dire tidings indeed. Forgive me, but do you have any evidence that what you say is true? Who or what is this cult and why do you think they might be targeting Vigil specifically? The Pathfinders have definitely gotten involved in thwarting a cult or two over the years, but what exactly would you have me do?"
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Sensing some skepticism in the pathfinder, Red nervously chimes in, "Does anyone remember the name of the cult?" he asks as he looks at his companions. "Their leader, the necromancer was named Valthazer Quietus if that name rings a bell, and he referred to the poisonous mist that he created around the town as "the fettering maw" or some such. What seems most worrisome, though, is that he spoke about more powerful forces who were guiding him. I'm telling you, this was all too real."
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"Disturbing. Did he give you any specifics on who the forces were that might be guiding him? I'm very shorthanded at the moment. Perhaps you'd be willing to do a bit of follow up? If there is a threat, the city should take it seriously, but if I go to the others talking about cults and conspiracies, I'm afraid it would be written off 'more unfounded ravings from Evni'."
"Evni, this is the work of the Whispering Way! They have developed something they are calling Radiant Fire and the attack Roslar's Coffer suffered was just the first test. We have Quietus's journal here that describes some of it, at least the Whispering Way connection. Surely there are people in Lastwall who will react when that cult is involved?"
"The whole town of Rostler's Coffer was covered in undead ghoulies. Send one of those tin cans riding a horse to check." Willard doesn't hold much with knights.