As Patros insults the demon, he hears children's laughter from outside the bubble. Laktharis appears a bit smaller, and when he begins retorting, his voice is unnaturally and embarassingly high.
The clockwork servant doesn't see Ghostwriter sneaking up, and ends up being surprised by an arrow to the head.
Orin rushes through Red.
The Red construct steps back from Orin (depends on whether he made his Acrobatics check), and then fires a net from his shoulder.
vs touch
Yellow moves up and fires a net at Patros.
vs touch
Blue moves up and fires a net at Patros.
vs touch
Laktharis moves up and fires a net at Patros.
vs touch
Round 1!
Patros
Ghostwriter
Orin (Acrobatics check vs CMD+5 [DC 25])
Red Puppet (-24 hp)
Yellow Puppet
Blue Puppet
Laktharis Puppet (smaller 1x)
Xiao
Fifi
Reggie
Fifi and Xiao hear the roaring laugh of the crowd as they mock Laktharis. When they look back, he's even smaller and even shriller.
"Fear me!!" he cries.
Reggie takes the more direct approach, stabbing it with his lance.
Round 2!
Patros
Ghostwriter
Orin
Red Puppet (-24 hp)
Yellow Puppet
Blue Puppet
Laktharis Puppet (smaller 2x, -9 hp)
Xiao
Fifi
Reggie
Patros steps up and takes a chunk out of the Laktharis puppet. He demoralizes Laktharis. The applause is significant, but it seems like the audience wants something new.
Ghostwriter tries to jump through Laktharis's square. The audience gasps in anticipation, nd audibly sighs when it fails.
Orin puts a crossbow bolt into the consteuct, but can't hit with the wakizashi.
Red bashes back at Orin.
Red misses.
Yellow steps up to Laktharis and reaches over and fiddles some knobs. laktharis looks healthier!
Blue moves up to Laktharis and heals.
Round 2/3!
Patros
Ghostwriter
Orin
Red Puppet (-26 hp)
Yellow Puppet
Blue Puppet
Laktharis Puppet (2 humiliations, -16 hp)
Xiao
Fifi
Reggie
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Knowing entering melee might be difficult with the current positioning, Fifi instead opts to direct a message to the audience, as she bows to the children and says-"The being who sought to control everything, now a puppet of fate. The heroes in seek of atonement and justice, stand tall in the face of adversity, and keep winning with ever-growing zeal. Let this be a lesson for all - to control others is to deny freedom, and to seek enslavement results in tragedy"-trying her best to project a air of grandeur and eloquence so as to draw in the children.
Ghostwriter claws and bites Laktharis, while Reggie lands a final blow. The puppet collapses to the ground while Fifi speaks to the audience. They applaud wildly.
The air in the courtyard wavers and pops, transporting the Pathfinders back to reality. Standing at their feet is Laktharis, now a puppet standing only 2 feet high. He still tries to boss people around in a shrill voice, but is ultimately harmless.
---
Oneol rewards the Pathfinders with six well-crafted marionettes worth 20 gp each. He also hands them a prop that he uses in some of his other performances, a lesser celestial shield.
The Pathfinders barely have time to decide who gets to hold the shield.
A thriae seer approaches them in Heaven’s Shore, leading Valais’s unresponsive soul. The top half of the seer’s body looks mostly human, aside from her light purple skin and insectile wings, while the bottom half of her body looks like the abdomen of a giant bee. Introducing herself as a Hivetender of the empyreal lord Andoletta, the thriae tells the Pathfinders that she discovered Valais’s soul wandering the slopes of Heaven and brought her here to Heaven’s Shore.
"The soul of Valais is badly damaged and has no memories of her former life," the Hivetender explains. "Will you help me retrieve a variety of special flowers to make restorative honey? If I add nectar from just the right flowers, I can imbue some of the honey with the soulhealing properties."
Between Orin, Patros, and Xiao, enough nectar is harvested. The thriae finishes the honey and feeds it to the listless soul of Valais, who instantly livens up and regains some of her former memories.
Valais tearfully thanks the Pathfinders for healing her.
The thriae has a few jars of some other honey left over, and offers it to the Pathfinders.
"You've been instrumental in helping me, so I in turn aid you. Eating this honey provides a mild feeling of euphoria and grants the gift of honeyed speech for 24 hours. You must return to the Great Library of Harmonious Scripture to face judgement. This will help you present your best case."
Cheerful as always, Akarah happily bobs alongside the Pathfinders and leads them back to the library. Kitarlo follows as well. Inside, they find Altha pondering over the ritual books. Altha indicates a row of chairs, one for each Pathfinder, and motions for them to sit. The archon points to another chair in the corner of the room as well, motioning for Kitarlo to take that seat.
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Xiao junior joins in to taste the honey!
”Hmmm ... delicious! Who would have believed that we would have such an incredible adventure in heaven!!! Not only a library but the hunt for demons and the rescuing of souls!! Ahh ... this is a tale I will tell in taverns!“ Xiao junior says with a big smile while riding his dog!
Altha the Scrivener stands at a podium in the center of circular chamber. The archon addresses the room in a booming voice.
“Kitarlo, you are here as an observer, and I expect you to remain quiet and sit patiently until these proceedings have reached their conclusion. As for you, mortals, the time has come to form a proper account of what has happened here. From the evidence I have gathered, it seems most likely that you have come here with noble designs, but good intentions alone are insufficient. Mortals often show a careless disregard for order and a weakness toward evil influence. The halls of this library could not contain the accounts of all of the times that these tendencies have lead to ruin, from the scale of individual souls to the scales of nations and beyond. On your world, Golarion, mortal sins share some of the blame for the recent surge in fiendish incursions, from the creation of the Worldwound to the fall of Cheliax under devilish influence to the growing strength of qlippoth forces in Tianjing. A soul that seeks righteousness should remain ever wary of the costs and effects of its actions.
And so, to that end, I ask of you: what have been your actions since you first arrived in Heaven?”
1. The Gates of Heaven
"You are required to confess anything you have hidden in order to gain access to Heaven, including, but not limited to: items, abilities, and intentions. Was helping Valais an excuse to loot Heaven? How did you even know about the Great Library of Harmonious Scripture?"
2. The Purification Ritual
"This ritual is not a plaything for mortals. Do you feel your research was adequate, and that you possess the fortitude - physical or mental - to complete the ritual?"
3. Hunting the Babau
"As you know, your foolishness released two demons into Heaven. Describe your tactics for defeating this babau specifically, and in general tell me honestly whether you should be allowed to meddle in demonic affairs in the future."
4. King of Strings
"I see that you not only defeated the puppet Laktharis, but on your world, you defeated Laktharis itself. Perhaps you are coldhearted mercenaries, more interested in slaughter for slaughter's sake?"
5. Healing Valais
"Valais has begun the painful and arduous process of overcoming the scars of demon possession. She will require friends who are truly committed to a full restoration of all that she is, and can be. Are you those friends for her?"
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2. The Purification Ritual"This ritual is not a plaything for mortals. Do you feel your research was adequate, and that you possess...
Xiao bows.
“I completely understand that you believe that we mortals do not fulfill all your standards. Believe us please that we tried to do all the research necessary for the ritual ... but we messed up. We learnt something from our failure! And we can be successful this time! We are smart and we are willing to fight for good!!“ he says with a genuine sincerity.
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Reggie gladly takes the honey. "I can't think of nothin' sweeter than honey from Heaven. Seems like there oughta be a song 'bout it," he says.
3.) Reggie stands up on the saddle on Rowdy's back, using it like a soap box as he answers the question put to him.
"Now, there ain't no denyin' that we accidentally let a coupla demons loose up here, but it was to help a good person. If you don't take chances to help folks and have the bravery to face down those who want to hurt people, then you ain't really doin' good, are ya? You're just payin' lip service."
"With this here Baby Demon, we did what Pathfinders always do. We worked together, we stood up for what's right, and we didn't shy away from danger."
"Way I see it, it's the demons what're meddlin' in our affairs. Valais didn't ask to have demons bonded to her and, while it was a mortal what done that, you need us dealin' with them mortals what do things like that and the demons who're all too happy to take advantage of their ambition, greed and stupidity."
"'Less that is, you wanna come on down to Golarion and lend us a hand."
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"You are required to confess anything you have hidden in order to gain access to Heaven, including, but not limited to: items, abilities, and intentions. Was helping Valais an excuse to loot Heaven? How did you even know about the Great Library of Harmonious Scripture?"
The Ghostwriter is eager to present the opening arguments.
"I understand why you would assume that we may have entered Heaven under deceptive means, but I can assure you that we have only been straight forward and honest regarding our intentions."
The Ghostwriter recounts the story of how the party rescued Kitarlo from Laktharis in the World Wound, who was maimed by the vicious demon. He also describes how the group approached the gates of Heaven and their interaction with the hound archon.
"Us mere mortals, would never have considered violating the customs and laws of Heaven. Although we did take measures not to call attention to ourselves and Valais's condition, we also never tried to enter you kingdom under false pretenses and were open with any that we encountered."
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Well, since we are of the helpful sort, we went looking for the materials Hivetender Andoletta deemed necessary to make a salve to help Valais with her becoming whole again. As my colleagues have so eloquently put, we did what we needed to do to get the job done. I hope that is enough to convince you...
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[ooc]Looks like King of Strings is left?[/b]
"I assure you, I have naught to hide, nor any intention to ruffle any feathers. Bloodthirsty? Nay, we have all taken up arms for a greater, nobler purpose- to aid the downtrodden and to seek knowledge for the betterment of all people. Though I have trained with the blade all my life, I truly long for the day I might lay it aside."
"Us mere mortals, would never have considered violating the customs and laws of Heaven. Although we did take measures not to call attention to ourselves and Valais's condition, we also never tried to enter you kingdom under false pretenses and were open with any that we encountered."
Altha nods in agreement, and jots something down on an unseen notepad.
“I completely understand that you believe that we mortals do not fulfill all your standards. Believe us please that we tried to do all the research necessary for the ritual ...
Altha requests the bailiff bring a list of the books that the Pathfinders pulled from the Library. They flip through each of the volumes, increasingly satisfied that, despite the outcome, the mortals did their best to prepare.
[b]"Way I see it, it's the demons what're meddlin' in our affairs. Valais didn't ask to have demons bonded to her and, while it was a mortal what done that, you need us dealin' with them mortals what do things like that and the demons who're all too happy to take advantage of their ambition, greed and stupidity."
"'Less that is, you wanna come on down to Golarion and lend us a hand."
Altha quotes Heaven's strict non-intervention policy on the Material Plane. But then they quickly agree that the mortals did do an adequate job of cleaning up the forest without intervention.
"I assure you, I have naught to hide, nor any intention to ruffle any feathers. Bloodthirsty? Nay, we have all taken up arms for a greater, nobler purpose- to aid the downtrodden and to seek knowledge for the betterment of all people. Though I have trained with the blade all my life, I truly long for the day I might lay it aside."
Altha is shown a replayed memory of the children laughing, and they agree that the Pathfinders will put down their weapons if needed.
Well, since we are of the helpful sort, we went looking for the materials Hivetender Andoletta deemed necessary to make a salve to help Valais with her becoming whole again.
Altha asks for a sample of the honey.
"I taste orange blossom ... lavender ... overtones of moral clarity ... and a strong aftertaste of selfless charity. This is excellent honey."
Altha requests a plate of brown mustard buffalo wings from The Angel's Wing to dip into the delicious honey, and finally cracks a smile.
"Your actions were pure enough, even if things did go awry with the ritual. I am impressed by your story and marvel at the resiliency Valais has demonstrated."
Altha invites her to travel to the peak of Heaven’s mountain and enter the Garden, where her spirit and body can be truly restored.
Altha's wings arrive. he dismisses the case with a quick bow, and rapidly disappears to his chambers holding the honey in one hand and a plate of wings in the other.
The Pathfinders return to Heaven’s Shore with Kitarlo. Kitarlo takes them to speak with Zepha, who is delighted to hear that the Pathfinders have successfully restored Valais. Zepha apologizes that the situation ended up being so complicated, and offers his hospitality to anyone who may wish to stay a while longer to enjoy Heaven’s Shore.
Eventually, Kitarlo uses plane shift to transport everyone back to Absalom.
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Epilogue: One week later, Valais returns to Absalom with her body and mind fully restored. Moreover, her experience in the Garden imbued her with a fragment of heavenly essence, transforming her into an aasimar with radiant gold hair.
She thanks the Pathfinders profusely for finally restoring her mind to normal and promises to repay them someday in the future.
To make good on her promise to return the favor, Valais heads a new faction, the Radiant Oath.
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Xiao Junior is truly a amazed by the experiences in heaven and also unbelievably glad that Valais could be restored to her true self!
“Guys, this was another sign that Pathfinders are more than just graverobbers. And that we understand our duty to our members!! Thanks for everything you invested and I learned a lot from all of you!!“
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Fifi is overjoyed Valais has been restored to her former self, and beyond that, been given the Garden's heavenly influence. She gives her a warm hug and assures her she will be with her whenever she needs her.
She also bows to the rest of the group and smiles at Xiao as she says-"I agree. Let this be an outstanding chronicle in the Archives - for today we did good as the Everlight teaches."-before bidding farewell to everyone.
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The Ghostwriter is glad to see Valais healed from her condition, commenting that order has been restored. He stays in Heaven for several days and tries to enjoy it but begins to feel anxious from the relentless goodness. When it is time to leave, he is glad to go back to the Material Plane.
"I hope to see you all again, but I am eager to return to Kaer Maega after being away so long. I fear that the criminal elements have begun to relax in my absence and it is time that I return and chase them back into the shadows." With a flourish of his cloak, a pair of wings sprout from his back and he flies away, as quietly as he came.