Tally notices the 5 graves he walks past have items placed on the mounds of dirt.
And the items on the graves he passed in this post? How many graves and does he recognize any of the objects.
Four have only holy symbols of Pharasma. The other has all of Valdis' possessions scattered upon it. In addition to his inventory there is the quill that Salighara gave him.
[b]"That must be Valdis' grave over there. I recognize his things, and the quill Mrs. Salighara gave him. Do you think it would be sacrilegious to take it?"[b]
Walhart considers the question for a moment, before shrugging. "Truth be told, isn't our entire task here kinda sacrilegious? With all the resistance we've offered Pharasma, what's one grave theft more?"
Tally waves him twoards the grave, reluctant to loot it himself even so.
Once he has finished, Tally attempts to cross the boundary with the gravestones.
It is a fence with multiple gates. Problem is the gates are only three feet wide.
Not a problem for Tally. He's not the one currently enlarged. do I need to pick a gate?
No
Walhart'll pack up some of Valdis' belongings in his pack, thinking it's probably best to divvy the stuff up once they're out of danger.
Damien approaches Stephan "I can dismiss the spell if you wish but once I do the spell ends and we still have Mictena to deal with."
In some cases, you may have to squeeze into or through an area that isn’t as wide as the space you take up. You can squeeze through or into a space that is at least half as wide as your normal space. Each move into or through a narrow space counts as if it were 2 squares, and while squeezed in a narrow space, you take a –4 penalty on attack rolls and a –4 penalty to AC.
When a Large creature (which normally takes up 4 squares) squeezes into a space that’s 1 square wide, the creature’s miniature figure occupies 2 squares, centered on the line between the 2 squares. For a bigger creature, center the creature likewise in the area it squeezes into.
A creature can squeeze past a creature while moving but it can’t end its movement in an occupied square.
To squeeze through or into a space less than half your space’s width, you must use the Escape Artist skill. You can’t attack while using Escape Artist to squeeze through or into a narrow space, you take a –4 penalty to AC, and you lose any Dexterity bonus to AC.
I believe the authors intended this to stop any large creatures. They explicitly mentioned the width of the gates and give no indication the wall can be climbed. An alternative that is addressed at the beginning of Deathbower is climbing the 15 foot high hedges. Climbing the hedges looks very difficult as the tender petals give little purchase and there are thorns embedded in the branches.
Walhart passes through the gate. "Seems like shrinking him's the only option right now." he tells Damien. "Also... I'm not entirely sure Mictena's actually here. I suspect she might be lurking from a distance and letting people like Aydie do her dirty work for her."
Damien waves his hand as if shooing away an annoying fly "Deminuo" he says as Stephan begins to shrink down to his normal size.
As you move in the most likely direction a male Osirian steps out from the hedge with a branch in his hand. A shield is at his waist as is some sort of martial blade. He is dressed casually but royally. His physical appearance seems flawless. A perfect male in tone and features.
"I witnessed your encounter with Aydie. It seems that introductions are in order. I am Reedreaper. Mictena's head gardener, personal bodyguard and friend."
The feeling of shrinking made his stomach churn a bit as he saw everything become somewhat normal in size once again.
"Many thanks Damien!" Clapping his hand on the wizard's shoulder he nods towards Walhart. "Perhaps we can talk her down, or remind her that since we are alive, we shouldn't be here. Perhaps this Mictoona could guide us to the land of the living."
He then makes his way through the opening of the stone pillars.
"Greetings, Reedreaper, a pleasure to meet you, I hope, though I suppose you are going to deliver another ultimatum about turning back. Which would be disappointing, though not unexpected. I am Tally. Alive and well. I do wish we could be friends with Mictena too."
"I agree in that an ulti... That thing Tally said, would be bad. As you can see, we are all alive and mostly well. My name, is Stephan, and your friend keeps a nice garden." Stephan smiles and hold an open hand over his chest. "Warrior of Sarenrae, and protector of good!"
"I hear the psychopomps can see something in your hearts. You look like normal living beings to me."
He smiles at Tally's assumption.
"I am a shabti. A soul duplicate of a wealthy young man who died and would have been sentenced to Abaddon except that I was to take his place. My existence began as a soul hunted by unrelenting fiends. I have all of Akten-ar’s memories and believed I was Akten-ar. I spent spent several mortal lifetimes running, hiding, and watching the few friends I made get caught and savaged by daemons."
"By chance my path crossed Mictena who knew I was a shabti and did not deserve eternal torture. She led me to the Boneyard, nurtured and educated me and counseled me on my fear and rage. I vowed my service to her and eventually with watchfulness and determination became her number one."
"There is much good in her. And it may be that she is right about us and these things in our bodies are keeping us alive when we should be dead. But then again they may not. I do feel for her."
After a pause and a sigh, Tally continues, "But I can't shake this sense that I need to get back to the prime material and do something. I don't know what yet, but... something. In any case we have to try and, perhaps, really die in the attempt. Besides, what do we have to lose? and it is the nature of living things to continue to struggle for life."
Having started down the path of waxing philosophical, he earnestly elaborates. "And worse, if we don't, we will never know what this is all about. The curiosity would drive me mad and follow me to the land of the dead forever. And being permanently mad would be a bad thing."
Looking at the man and feeling compassion he adds, "I'm sorry about your previous life. Everyone dies eventually and some day the guy that used you will see his just rewards. He's only just postponed it and, BONUS, gave you life."
Nodding he looks at Tally and shakes his head with a slight sigh, "Being mad while dying, isn't the best of things. Brings one's soul back to haunt from my understandings from school. Also, Sarenrae is keen about her followers to lay to waste those brought back unwillingly, though here..." Stephan gestures around. "I think we aren't dead or undead. Perhaps, a bit challenged as yourself, but I think we still have our destinies to fulfill."
"You fought Aydie with honor and respect not to mention skill. I yearn to return to Osirion. The memories there were so fulfilling. I wish to return my toes to that sand yet it be many lifetimes since I was there. As you return to Golarion, so should I. You will make good companions."
"Mictena is obsessed with you. She parks her domain on the roads and her domain is being ripped apart by this unwise decision."
He holds up the branch he has been holding. "See, it withers from within. Deathbower is weakened and Mictena may be as well. My betrayal will not land well with her."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Walhart says, nodding at Reedreaper, "And I think we would be happy to have your company."
Walhart sighs and looks pensively at the garden around him.
"But from what I understand... This sounds like Mictena's obsession isn't even in her own best interests. Sacrificing so much of herself just to keep us here, to the point of weakening her domain and herself... Not to mention you, and Aydie, and the other gardeners. They were respectful. Honorable. Kind, even, I feel. I can't imagine an evil leader would keep their loyalty for long."
"I'm beginning to feel like Mictena herself might not be the one who wants to keep us here. Could it be someone is forcing her to?"
"I don't see her as evil. All the evidence points to an honorable being, one with compassion for those sent here wrongfully. There is definitely something more to this. Perhaps it is, as you suggest Father, an external influence. But since she has never shared her reasoning with her allies, it seems it is up to us to ferret it out of her and find out if it has merit or not. This all would have been much simpler if she would have confronted us directly."
Tally shakes his head and sighs.
"Well, let's go find her. Are there any other obstacles before we can meet her and have a discussion, Reedreaper?"
"Thank you for your honesty, Reedreaper. I hope it won't come to fighting but given the obsessive nature of Mictena's grudge against us I don't see any other outcome." he strokes his beard thoughtfully "Perhaps if we can get you and Aydie to vouch for us perhaps she will listen more to the two you, her closest friends, than she will to us. but if it should come to blows I ask that you sit it out rather than assist us. That way your honor would be satisfied"
"Aydie. Hmmm. She teleported away. We will find her, but how long I do not know. Her presence would certainly help sway Mictena."
"I do not believe there is someone pushing Mictena in this direction. A good theory, but I have spoken with her at length about your presence. This is her reasoning alone which I do not agree with."
"I hope you are as good with your persuasion as you are with your weapons."
"I would think that if they give a good word, we can talk to Mictena and ask why she is going out of her way to kill us. Perhaps it's to see why we aren't dead, and walking towards the Boneyard? I'm just in hopes that Mictena can be talked towards," he says while checking the straps on his shield and the pins of the warhammer.
"So it truly is her own conviction then... A shame."
Walhart braces himself for whatever's next.
"Do we take the time to locate Aydie? Who is the most persuasive of this group? Who will do the talking when we meet Mictena?"
Tally shakes his head.
"If she wanted to be a part of this she would have stuck around. Wherever she went I suspect she would rather be left alone. Let us proceed and talk to her."
"We could look for Aydie, though from what she said to me after our fight, I think she may have gone off somewhere. Told me that she was no concern of ours, even after I offered her help," Stephan offers up. Looking at the others, with eyes lingering on Damien for a bit he then looks towards Reedreaper. "I'be been told that my personality helps when I talk with people. Also the fact that I won't lie might also be a big motivator to listen to me." Again, looking over the others, he sighs slightly, "I'm with talking to folks, but having being able to convey my words.... can pose a challenge. I am willing to talk to Mictena though, and see why she wants us, I guess, redeaded?"
"Do any of you casters need to recharge before we proceed?"
"I believe I am ready to go on, but that's me. I can cast spells, but I'm mainly using the art of strength to get past most obstacles. What say you Tally and Damien, should we go on ahead?"
"You mean wait a day? I'd rather not, even if it means going in short on spells."
"I think we should press on."
"I'm good to go as well."
"This way. Mictena has placed her gazebo by the exit."
This wide garden shows clear signs of damage; entire flower beds are rotting and the hedges have gaps and fissures. A wooden gazebo stands at the eastern end, its wood discolored and warped. A wide wrought-iron gate stands to the west, reading “Deathbower” in backward script from this direction. Beneath this archway is a thick iron gate, shut tight.
Aydie sounds like she is pleading with Mictena and stops as soon as you arrive. Mictena stands before the gazebo.
Tally, ever forthright, if not a diplomat, marches forward to confront their adversary.
"Mictena," he says heavily, "we need to leave this land and return to the prime material. Please allow us to pass and cease these assaults. We have the right by the stamps we carry."
Mictena appears as a skeleton dressed in formal garb and adorned with flowers. She prefers long, flowing dresses in elaborate colors and a wears a halo of bright flowers atop her skull. Unwaveringly dignified, Mictena never slouches and only rarely even sits down, holding herself high as a matter of principle. Mictena decorates her forehead with spreading lines connected together.
"I shall brook no pleading for mercy."
Walhart says nothing but turns to Stephan, a sense of faith in his new ally clear in his eyes.
Unstrapping his helm and placing it under his arm, Stephan looks at Mictena, where he assumed here here eyes would be.
"Tally is correct about the stamps. I too, ask as to why you have spent energy in trying to kill us, at your own peril. We are alive, and here, where we shouldn't be, and yet, rather than help us, you risk yourself to destroy us. I do not fear my own death, but I can not willingly be killed for those I protect, as per my oaths." Setting his helm on the ground and taking a deep breath, he continues, "Reedreaper and Aydie have greeted us, on your own terms might I add. Aydie wished to strike us down before we continued further, holding her own promise of favor, and did so valiantly. Reedreaper met us not with hostility, but rather asked us if we noticed that there was something wrong with your beautiful garden. It is dying Mistress Mictena, our of your pursuit of us for being where we shouldn't be. I am alive. Tally, Damien, and Walhart are alive. I hold my honor as a sword for Sarenrae, that I do not kill those that do not deserve it, to which Aydie can attest to. I ask, does your realm deserve the decay on not following your laws and favors, or are you able to see the larger picture and let us pass? There must be some reason why we came to the realm of the dead, when we are not so, and I am in wanting to see as to why and how that had happened."
"You upset the balance of creation!"
Aydie leaves in obvious frustration.
Reedreaper moves closer to Mictena.
"WE upset it? How about all those invaders, the gremlins, the nightmare creatures, all that? Seems more likely we were meant to correct the balance while you are disrupting it. Do you know anything about those disturbances?"
"I can't hear you at that distance fool!"
Give me a will save, Tally.
Walhart. suspecting her patience is about to be up, observes Mictena, taking a moment to study his target for the fight ahead.
So what just happened. Is a spellcraft roll in order?