Kahwen rushes past and into position to distract Tulvhatha while Inghinn delivers a powerful, though not critical, blow.
But as the Pathfinders close with the will-o-wisp, they also move into the haunts domain. The sound of the moans increase as a whirling miasma of spirits lashes out with grasping, spectral hands.
Tulvhatha visibly recovers slightly before targeting Inghinn with their attack then carefully moving from between the two Pathfinders.
electricity and negative energy
As the electricity and negative energy surge through Inghinn she experiences a surge of primal terror.
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Inghinn pushes through the grasping hands of the haunt, though they rake painfully at her legs, but the corruption of this once holy place clearly disturbs her. That disgust carries her through when Tulvhatha lashes out at her, though, and she resists the fear the wisp tries to instill in her.
Despite her wounds and the feeling of unease this desecrated place gives her, Inghinn lashes out with a trio of powerful strikes.
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Kahwen's bond with his fellow Pathfinders is too strong for him to be phased by the fear being sent out by the haunt. He fends off both the fright and the damage with his faith in himself and his companions.
He moves opposite Inghinn as she maneuvers with Tulvatha.
When the moment comes, he strikes and strikes again!
Inghinn does not let the shocking experience of Tulvhatha's attack frighten her, instead, when the glowing entity moves away, Inghinn follows. The haunt's effects and the painful damage it dealt have left her slightly off her game though and her strike misses. Working closely with her team, the fighter waits patiently for Kahwen to move into place so they can attack the creature together.
Kahwen, completely unaffected by the haunt, see the opportunity offered and makes good use of it.
As Inghinn distracts Tulvhatha, Kahwen powerfully applies his elven curve blade to the problem, leaving little in the way of remnants.
As Tulvhatha's expires a great moaning but grateful sigh is heard as the tormented souls of the haunt are released.
Matrialda barely has time to conserve her spell and Kitoro comes dancing over, followed by Elado.
As the team look around the once-pristine glade, they see where Tulvhatha as stacked the statues and holy relics she has corrupted. Though significantly tarnished and having little monetary value, they are sufficiently undamaged that delivering them to an appropriate temple for purification would be possible.
Glinting near the Soul Spark they spot a dancer's starknife, likely dropped by one of Luvyire's former companions when they perished.
The land around them is clearly recovering with the recession of the necromantic energies. The released spirits are free to peacefully make their way to Pharasma's Boneyard and find their eternal rest.
The Pathfinders gather together, apply healing as needed, and make their way back through the Mushfens by the fading light of the full moon. As dawn approaches, the Blessing of Ashava fades from each like a gentle caress before returning them back to their true forms again.
When the team return to Magnimar, Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch and Luvyire greet them with great relief. After hearing their report, Luvyier addresses them.
“Your bravery and good work should be a shining example to the Pathfinder Society, my friends. Thank you.” The yamah takes in a shaking breath as he blinks back the tears forming in his eyes. “You have secured the Glade of Silver Sparks as a beacon of hope and peace for the lost once more. For that you have my eternal gratitude, as well, I am sure, of Ashava herself. I will try to help rebuild the site to itself former state. Perhaps in time, other devotees of my lady will find their way to the glade and take up the mantle of my fallen companions. Until then I will do what I can, alone.” He sighs and offers a sad smile. “May Ashava’s grace carry you through many serene days, Pathfinders.”
Over the next few days, the supernatural activity Tulvhatha caused fully fades away, returning the Mushfens to their original condition. Luvyire heals from his wounds and returns to the Glade of Silver Sparks to begin work on restoring it.
Another message finds its way to the lodge before the team depart. Mairisse and Cybelle are deeply grateful for Cybelle’s rescue. The swan maidens offer their alliance to the Pathfinder Society if needed for future expeditions into the Mushfens.
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As Tulvhatha dissipates, Inghinn breathes a sigh of relief. She lets the tip of her blade fall gently to the ground, then finds a column or convenient bit of rubble to sit down on. "Good work, Kahwen," she says, breathing heavily through the pain of her wounds. "I'm glad your bravery and skill didn't leave you as mine did when I came to this place. Still, the Inheritor saw us through, and Ashava as well. Now the work to restore this place can begin."
The warrior stands, clears any wispy bits from her blade, and joins the others in wrapping things up.
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"Huzzah!" Kahwen says, jumping and pulling a back flip aided by his wings, landing with his sword brandished overhead in one hand when Tulvhatha falls.
He bows to Inghinn in his usual way, sword extended out to the side, hand over breast and torso parallel to the ground.
"I could not have done it if you had not distracted the villain," he says to her.
He then turns to the other Pathfinders. "Nor could I have gotten my second blow in without Elado's assistance or been as effective without Kitoro's inspiration or even gotten here without Faliana and Nana Matrialda."
He looks anxious as they all exchange congratulations but excuses himself as quickly as he can to go fly while his wings remain.
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Kit stands there with blood dripping from her forhead. "Well, glad I could help in spite of those dang spectral hands messing with my puppets! ... Oh dang."
Kit gets out a wet cloth and starts trying to rub her blood off of some of the puppets. She just tosses the white puppet that represented the wisp aside figuring it is a lost cause. though it brings a smile to her face how apropos the blood stains are considering the outcome.