Covered in magical glitter, the soul eater proves an easy target for Kahwen who leaves the creature leaking even more of it smokey substance and looking quite shredded.
Kit's performance starts, boosting the morale of the team as she slowly makes her way to her fallen companion.
Inghinn's shout is followed by a mighty spinning blow, cleaving the once gaseous vampire spawn in two. This is followed quickly by two further sword strikes as she spins again and takes down the remaining vampire spawn, still burning slowly even after sinking to the ground.
With its smokey substance still oozing out the soul eater lashes out at the tengu that attacked it though it seems to be flailing and not able to precisely locate the Pathfinder. Its second claw makes a lucky connection though barely penetrates the combination of armour and feathers.
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The puppets with fangs (or are they paper clips?) sag in her hands as they spawn fall and she shouts, "Boldly done MacKy B! Way to swing Kah-man! they won't last much longer at this rate!"
After this she pulls out a thin stick with a red heart at the end, mutters something insipid, and taps Faliana.
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Faliana's breathing finally settles as her wounds start to knit closed. Sasha's beaming face stares up at Kit as she heals him and his host. He mouths something that could be anything from a 'Thank-you,' to a 'Where's Kane?' to a 'Are the undead okay?' to a 'OOOOOOh that's a pretty wand!' He's definitely speaking too fast, and sputtering too much blood to readily interpret but his eyes do seem grateful.
Inghinn maintains her rhythm, smoothly traversing the distance needed to finish off the soul eater.
Kitoro continues to inspire while simultaneously providing some much needed magical healing to Faliana.
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"Oh, excellent work Kitoro!" Matrialda beams with pride as her grandchildren help each other. "Help her up, would you? I'll go check on our poor Mister Davorge." With a swish of her skirts, the elderly woman glides across the floor and taps the unconscious man repeatedly with her wand.
"Oh come now, you know perfectly well what you're supposed to do - now do it without all this unnecessary drama."
Davorge is unconscious but stable. His holy symbol of Ashava rests on the piano chair next to a quality starknife.
The azata is in terrible shape. His robes, dark hair, and splendid wings are matted with dirt and blood, and his pale blue skin is covered in festering wounds. He is unconscious but stable.
Ordellia makes an appearance, hovering, clearly concerned for her friends.
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Kit finds a wand on Faliana's belt in a sleeve marked, In case of emergency... or if Monty did something stupid again! Inside the bard finds a flat, lineated 'wand' that has a set of instructions written in a hand that's not Fali's that reads,
To use:
-- Dolores Pennycounter, Headmistress of the Nantambu Ladies Finishing School
This gets Faliana up, and she gives Kit a smile and then takes back her wand, before trying to get herself feeling better.
While the team are investigating the condition of those they just rescued and starting to heal those most in need, Ordellia manifests fully and channels positive energy. The Pathfinders find all their wounds fully healed and Davorge heals and rouses as well. The azata, who Ordellia identifies as Luvyire, is clearly only partially healed but recovers enough to interact with the group.
Luvyire’s wings shimmer in the light of the waxing moon as he speaks, heedless of the blood drenching his white robes, “Thank you for your assistance, heroes. I’d definitely have been slain if not for your help. I heard bits and pieces of your investigation from here while I rested, and I believe I have the answers you seek. You see, I am a servitor of the True Spark, Ashava. Along with two of my dearest friends, I watched over the Glade of the Silver Spark just outside your City of Monuments, longer than the Arvensoar has stretched toward Magnimar’s sky. Two weeks ago, our home was attacked by a malevolent will-o’-wisp called Tulvhatha. She and her servants called upon dark powers to corrupt the glade, and they tore my friends apart,” Luvyire stops, tears welling in his eyes. After a pause, he shakes them free and continues.
“I knew they were after the Soul Spark. It is a relic, a magical effigy that serves as a beacon for souls. Once the Soul Spark draws in wandering spirits, it is a simple matter for Ashava’s servants to guide them to the great River where they can find peace. I knew I couldn’t protect it alone, so I fled to Magnimar to seek aid. But my injuries slowed my flight, and the cultists tracked me down. They meant to kill me, and they nearly succeeded.” Luvyire continues, stopping briefly to gesture to Ordellia. “If Ordellia had not come to my aid, I would have met my end at their hands. I am the one left to defend the Soul Spark, but I cannot defend it without help.”
“Of course,” Ordellia interjects. “By Desna’s grace, we shall all do our part to quell the evil that lingers in the Mushfens.”
Hope fills Luvyire’s eyes. “That’s excellent! Together, I just know we can,” Luvyire’s excitement is cut short as he winces in pain, fresh blood oozing from his wounds. “I... it might be better if you go without me. But remember, heroes. Though alone you might dance, the True Spark is forever your audience. I believe I can give you a blessing in Ashava’s name, should you choose to accept it.”
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As it seems clear that the danger has passed, Kahwen sheaths his sword across his back once again.
He listens with rapt attention to Luvyire's story.
Then, he bows to him and to Ordellia in his usual way.
"That's terrible! Even more terrible to think that this artifact could end up in the hands of evil! We will gladly help you protect it! And I will gladly accept any blessing you can offer."
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"Quite right, young man - you're in no condition to go dancing around in a swamp." Matrialda's opinion of their destination is rather easy to read from her thin frown. "And if it means you'll stay put and not go recklessly chasing after us, then we'll gladly accept your blessing in return for your promise to stay safe here and get yourself healed." She raises an eyebrow. "Do we have a deal?"
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Faliana gives a small look of awe over the azata, clearly not expecting to run into an azata of her diety, well, ever. She steps forward pulling out her holy symbol and gives a deep bow. "I would be more than willing to gain the blessings of the True Spark. It would be an honor and a dream fulfilled I never knew I had. And the Society wouldn't even need to pay me to go clear out the swamp!"
As the Pathfinders each indicate they are willing to accept the blessing, Luvyire asks them to clasp hands with him. One by one, as they participate in the ritual, a full moon appears on top of their dominant hand. Acting as indicated, as each presses a finger to this marking, they are gifted with a vision from Ashava herself, who shows them dancing in Magnimar under the light of the next full moon, slowly transforming from their usual appearance to that of a werewolf with silvery fur the colour of moonlight.
After the last of them have received the blessing, Luvyire straightens slightly and addresses the group. “Then it’s settled,” Luvyire finishes solemnly. “By the light of the next full moon, you shall hunt.”
Later that week, Mayor Grobaras sends the Pathfinders ribbons acknowledging their service to Magnimar, along with a commemorative certificate that claims that he hired them in the first place. Word quickly reaches them that this perceived slight has infuriated Theodorus, who is scouring the city for critical information the group may have missed in hopes of regaining favour in the mayor’s eyes.