”See that you do,” Japu says, looking down at Jack. ”Now, stay out of our way.” He and his cronies storm off.
With the tension diffused, you head on into the chapel. This large hall features a simple but large altar in its center, and rows of mahogany pews with high backs radiate from either side. Accordion-like dividers on either side of the altar are folded up against the north and south walls, but when unfolded, the dividers bisect the room into two separate worship spaces with the altar visible in each.
Dora is able to determine the altar is magical. Studying the prayers inscribed upon it, Devon determines that its power is activated when somebody whispers a secret to it.
Dani nods in satisfaction at Jack's comments as the group leaves. Once gone, she quickly turns to him and apologizes "Sorry about that. I really wanted to sell it. I really wanted to avoid any undue attention if we can."
Inside the chapel, she asks "So. Does anyone know the secret passcode?"
"I think any secret will activate the altar," Devon says. "Anybody want to volunteer?"
"Well Jack shared a secret with us most recently which I presume is still secret from the rest of Absalom, so how about you go Doctor Dhampir?" Dora says with a cheeky smile.
The look that Jack gives Dora is not even mildly amused. He doesn't say anything though, merely goes to the altar, crouches and speaks very softly to it.
There is a low grinding noise, and the altar slides aside to reveal a spiral staircase leading down. "Nice one!" Devon says, clapping Jack on the back as he takes the lead down the stairs.
The tight, spiral staircase descends to the center of an odd-shaped room formed of tightly fitted stones. Doors lead out of alcoves to the west, south, and east. The north wall bears three large mirrors, each about five feet square.
Dora checks to see if the mirrors hold any magical auras. "Hold on a second, let me just check these out from afar."
The mirrors are not magical. Close investigation reveals that they are two-way mirrors, though, allowing anybody on the other side to see into this room. However, it's impossible to see into the room beyond from here without breaking a mirror.
Dani grumbles, but doesn't want to smash the mirrors. "Let's just get down there before someone sees us."
Jack takes a quick look around and then heads east, trying to get out of sight of the mirrors as quickly as possible.
The doors here are made of reinforced wood and bear the mask symbol of Norgorber in a sickly green color. Each door bears a simple push-plate to open and can be opened by moving through them, to accommodate those carrying armloads of chemicals.
A large alcove at the north end of this room contains a statue of a grinning woman with a long white smock force-feeding a smoking potion to a bound male dwarf. A wooden table and several chairs stand in the southwest corner of the room. Several cots and blankets are folded up against the east wall.
Three burly men are here, along with a slender priest. They are sitting at the table, spending their time needling impressive tattoos on one another. When they see you, though, they quickly startle and shout. "Hey! You're not supposed to be down here!" The three men stand and grab mauls, ready to defend the temple!
Dani sends out a synaptic pulse to try and slow the men down.
Afterwards, she starts to play her inspirational song of courage.
Dora curses under her breath and begins to cast aiming to completely paralyze one of their foes before quickly firing an electric charge to jump between two of the men.
The priest resists Dani's synaptic pulse, but two of the burly warriors are completely stunned while the third is barely able to act.
Dora ensures the last warrior is paralyzed completely!
Devon pushes his way past the stunned and paralyzed foes to get to the priest. He lands one hit!
Jack goes with Devon, striking hard at the priest alongside the champion.
The priest takes two hits. Unable to step away thanks to Devon's harrying shield, he opens himself up to an attack of opportunity as he backs away.
This proves to be a costly mistake as Devon scores a critical hit and Jack stabs the priest as well! Badly hurt, the priest calls on Norgorber to heal his own wounds.
"I'd ask you boys to drop your weapons and lay down on the ground, but you wouldn't listen if I did, would you?"
Dani continues to inspire courage, but adds a defense ditty into the mix as well this time.
Devon continues to put the pressure on the priest. His first two swings go wide but he manages a lucky blow on his third strike!
Jack strikes with Devon, and then follows up with a blow of his own.
Dora continues to zap two of the warriors with lightning as Devon and Jack team up to take down the priest!
Recovering from their stun, the burly guards hurl themselves into melee with Devon! His armor keeps him safe from their attacks!
Dora, knowing just how skilled Devon Durant can be, casts to enable him to move even faster.
She then holds up her hand in a fist and thrusts it towards the closest bodyguard.
Devon turns to the newcomers with a cocky grin. He raises his shield and swings, but only manages one hit.
Jack's quick reactions allow him to land a brutal hit as Devon distracts the newcomers.
Jack follows up on Devon's attack, dropping one of the temple guards. He then turns to the next one, scoring a critical hit and and normal strike. Dora blasts the third thug with her ring, sending him flying several feet away!
The two remaining guards try to take down Devon again, but with the help of Dani's protective song, he wards off their blows!
It doesn't take much longer for you to take down the pair of guards.
The tattooing materials here are of exquisite quality, including a variety of cold iron needles, real Varisian tattoo ink, and a mother-of-pearl carrying case. Altogether, this stolen equipment is worth a 120 gp bounty when turned in to the Starwatch.
Ignoring all the weaponry on the pair of guards, Dora turns to Devon and runs her hand down his arm, as if checking he is still okay. "That was an impressive feat Agent Durant, not one blow landed on you the entire time. Now we just need to keep this all up."
Looking towards Jack and Dani, Dora adds very quickly; "That was really great, Dani we should definitely keep trying those incapacitating spells in the future. Doctor...just keep doing what you're doing!"
Realising she is babbling just to cover up her earlier focus on Devon Dora tries to urge everyone to keep on with their goal.
"Come on, we need to keep pushing on."
Jack slips off the examine the door nearest to the statue.
"Well, that was all thanks to you speed magic! And Dani's defensive song!" Devon declares. He does flex his muscles when Dora touches his arm though, giving her a little thrill.
Jack doesn't hear anything beyond the door near the statue, but there are muffled sounds of conversation beyond the south one. Neither door appears to be trapped or locked.
[smaller]"There's someone that way." Jack says, pointing quietly. "I want to check this way first."
He goes through the door by the statue.
This long hall has doors at the east and west ends. The south wall contains three large windows of smoked glass, with a pulley mechanism to the left side of each. This is the other side of the two-way mirrors that look into the entry chamber. Fortunately, no guards are present here.
When you approach the door to the west, you can hear the heart-rending cries of a creature in obvious pain. The voice is polyphonic, and Devon gasps. "That sounds like a celestial being tormented!"
"Quick, we can't delay!" Dora says, panic covering her voice. Jack, have a look whats through there quickly."
Jack cracks the door open as little as possible to take a look.
Racks of spotlessly clean torture implements are neatly spaced around this chamber. Several cells against the western wall contain piles of straw, scraps of shredded cloth, and empty water dishes. Despite the scrubbed and antiseptic appearance of the torture chamber, the coppery tang of spilled blood hangs in the air along with a sweet smell like summer flowers.
An angel is bound to a rack, their hands and wings twisted and maimed. A Kapateshi woman with cropped dark hair and numerous scars works with another priest, subjecting the angel to a viscous poison. A burly warrior takes notes on a long scroll nearby.
Unfortunately, Jack’s attempt at stealth fails. As the three Norgorberites turn to you, the tortured angel cries out for aid!
The woman casts a spell, calling down a flame strike on you! Her fellow priest poisons his shortsword as he moves in to attack, while the burly warrior consumes a vial of toxin, whipping himself into a frenzy as he readies his maul.
Devon shouts as the fire burns him. He swings at the rogue that stabbed Jack but he comes up short!
Jack ducks out of the way of the melee and dives for the bound angel who he immediately moves to release, before shoving a bit of his favoured medicinal root into the outsider's mouth.
"Argh" Dora yells out in pain as the fire envelops her before sending a luminous green arrow towards the rogue.
Dani fails to avoid the fire like most of the others, crying out in pain as she gets burned.
Composing herself, she pulls out her violin and begins to play her songs. .
Dora's acid arrow burns into the rogue's chest. Jack dodges past him to release the angel and heal their wounds. The angel stands and points a maimed hand at the priest who was torturing them. "Thou art irredeemable! I brand thee impenitent!" they declare.
The priest winces as she is momentarily weakened. She steps away from Jack and targets him with a phantasmal killer. As the rogue attacks Devon with poisoned blade, the warrior rushes Jack and swings his maul!
Jack shakes off the effects of the spell, only a little the worse for wear, although there are certain physiological reactions that even he cannot prevent.
Moving quickly he skirts around the thug and lashes out with Devon at the rogue.
Dani targets the woman who cast a spell on Jack and tries to confuse her.
Afterwards, she resumes playing her song of courage.
Critical Success The target is unaffected.
Success The target babbles incoherently and is stunned 1.
Failure The target is confused for 1 minute. It can attempt a new save at the end of each of its turns to end the confusion.
Critical Failure The target is confused for 1 minute, with no save to end early.
Dora, keeping her attention on the rogue, flings as many force missiles as she can muster.
Devon makes up for his previous failure with three powerful blows,
Devon and Jack team up to take down the rogue, so Dora sends her magic missiles at the maul-wielding warrior instead. Dani’s confusion spell has the priest babbling for a bit. The angel disappears from sight, and Devon giggles as the celestial spiritually merges with him! ”Ooh! Tingly!” laughs the Caydenite.
The cleric of Norgorber casts another spell, shaping shadowy energy into a burst of force. The warrior tries to smash Jack again, scoring a critical hit and knocking him prone!
Being knocked over helps Jack to avoid the force blast and he rolls to his feet and stabs at the maul-wielding thug!
Dani manages to avoid the brunt of the force attack, harmonizing her defensive song back into the mix again.
The force blast rocks Devon, but he remains on his feet as he attacks the warrior that knocked down Jack.
Between Devon and Jack, the warrior falls. Only the cleric is still standing!
Dora, relieved to see the warrior fall, turns to the cleric and brings down yet another crackling bolt of lightening.
The cleric screams in pain as she botches her attempt to dodge the lightning bolt. She shudders as electricity courses through her veins. Staggering forward, the woman invokes a dark prayer and tries to draw in your blood and life force!
Devon weathers the cleric's spell, taking no injuries since he is a juggernaut! He steps forward to try to punish the torturer with his holy sword, but she dodges his attacks.
Dani is not a juggernaut and takes full damage again. Her injuries are beginning to take a toll on her, but she fights through the pain and continues to inspire her allies.
Devon's intercession protects Dani from some of the damage and allows everybody to step up. This gives him more time to attack...
...but he still comes up short.