"Probably not. Just rats." Imperia replies, all calm. Inside however she reevaluates her promise to Loredana and decides to go into the cellar fully armed with Jordanna in tow. Just in case...
The next morning the two changelings appear at the Sweetest Drop for breakfast as has rapidly become their habit.
Jana greets you with a kiss on the cheek and happily serves up breakfast with a side of gossip. "Did you see the fire last night? Poor Faydreth! Guess he bit off more than he could chew with his research into infernal magic. I heard he summoned a devil that killed him and nearly burned down Narikopolus Manor! There have been a few other fires breaking out around town. The devil's still out there, I'd wager..."
"How awful!" Imperia agrees. "Devils alway turn up when you least want them so youre probably rofht Jana. I fear we wont have seen the last of them!" Imperia seems quite worried about this fact and enquires who will be able to protect the town now that the wizard Zaine is so unfortunately dead.
"The governor has sworn to bring the fiend to justice in the name of the Glorious Reclamation. We'll see if he can actually produce results," Jana says dubiously.
"Well best of luck to him!" Imperia replies with convincingly feigned fervor. "Thank you for breakfast Jana. I'll see you tomorrow?"
Once that's done Imperia spends a morning observing the town and trying to figure out how people are responding to yesterdays news. Then she returns with Jordanna to the Little Uskwood.
"How quiet is it?" She asks Loredana. "I don't want anyone to be upset, and that includes you. Go and do some shopping - get your food stores for the evening. It'll be done when you're back. Now off you go Little Shadow."
Once Loredana is gone Imperia leads Jordanna to the cellar. "Well, let's see what's down there." She says grimly.
Jordanna drinks her mutagen and several extracts before tearing off the boards covering the cellar entrance. Once broken open, it reveals a rickety wooden ladder that descends into the inn’s darkened cellar.
Once you enter, a horrid creature rises up from among the haphazardly placed barrels, boxes, and other abandoned stores! This floating creature looks like a man’s animate, hollow skin. Its upper half is intact, but its lower half is in tatters! It moans eerily as it flies toward you!
Jordanna moves up and stabs it with her spear! It ignores her though, flying past the alchemist and dodging her opportunistic attack. It grabs a hold of Imperia, trying to wrap itself around her head and shoulders!
Imperia wriggles desperately but is unable to get away from the flying skin.
Jordanna stabs the skin again, poking another hole in it. But it does not relent, completely enshrouding Imperia!
Imperia, thankfully doesn't need to speak to perform most of her magic - although the urge to blast the thing is almost overwhelming. Instead she attempts to... oddly... make the thing laugh.
The undead skin resists Imperias spell, and it jerks her body to avoid Jordanna’s spear. Imperia feels pressure on her vocal cords as it forces her to intone a prayer to Zon-Kuthon while grasping the holy symbol it wears. Dark mist rises up in the cellar, obscuring it from Jordanna!
Truly desperate Imperia fumbles for the dagger she keeps mostly for eating and slices at the creature as well as she can.
Though Imperia fails to get a good hit, falling does the trick, setting Jordanna up for a strong thrust. The spearpoint tears through the skin and pierces Imperia’s side, but fortunately the powerful blow is enough to finish off the undead. It releases Imperia as it sloughs off, lying still.
Jordanna offers Imperia a hand up and a healing extract.
The creature was wearing a platinum unholy symbol of Zon-Kuthon (worth 500 gp). A thorough inspection of the cellar turns up a jet- black lesser merciful metamagic rod amid the remains of Loredana’s father’s melted lower body. In addition, a small open lockbox holds a scroll of darkness, a scroll of hold person, and 100 gp.
"Right then." Imperia says, looking at the dead (again) skin with distaste. "That thing needs to be burned. The inn is empty so we should be able to do it outside." She refuses to anything else before the skin is greasy smoke and charred embers but then returns to the cellar.
"Thank you." She says as they descend again. "I'd be dead now without you." As a gesture of gratitude she offers Jordanna first pick of anything she wants from Loredana's father and the spoils from the manor the night before.
When Loredana comes back Imperia meets her in the kitchen. "The cellar is clear." She says. "A bit unpleasant and some nasty smells but nothing that a little airing won't fix. I will use it for the time being and then you'll have extra storage space once we move on."
”Ours is a mutually beneficial relationship,” Jordanna replies to Imperia’s expression of thanks.
Loredana seems to sag with relief when you tell her what happened. ”Thank you. You did something I could not. I am in your debt.” She gives you a kiss of gratitude.
***
Later that afternoon, the Nidalese man Nicolae approaches you. ”Loredana told me you helped her with a personal matter. I wonder if you might be able to help me as well?”
Nicolae is incensed over the Glorious Reclamation’s reforms in Kantaria, which have cost him a legally purchased duo of halfling slaves. Unwilling to face his masters in Nidal without the slaves, Nicolae has lingered around the Little Uskwood hoping Thrune will eventually come to restore order.
Nicolae asks if you would be willing to subdue the two recently freed halflings he already purchased. The Glorious Reclamation has already warned him against taking any action himself, and he and his bodyguards have been pointed out to the halflings, so it would be difficult for them to apprehend the pair without causing a commotion. The Nidalese slaver believes you might be up to the task, however, offering a reward of 400 gp for capturing the halflings alive and discreetly bringing them to the Little Uskwood.
"I will keep an eye open." Imperia says, not willing to give the impression of being a slaver-for-hire. "Should an opportunity arise I will return your property, but do not consider me your lackey sir. I ask nothing of you and if you receive nothing then that is the price you pay."
That night Loredana receives a stern 'correction' on the subject of not spreading personal details around. The innkeeper receives the lesson gratefully and asks for another...
------------------------------------
Imperia ends up spending the next morning making subtle enquiries about Nicolae's halflings, although she has to have a number of highly round-about conversations to get anything useful without arousing suspicion.
Imperia learns that Jed and Leora, the halfling twins promised to Nicolae as slaves, now make their living as fisherfolk on the Sedna River. Enjoying their newfound freedom, the two take long trips away from Kantaria to fish along the river when not working for the Labor Guild.
Imperia, having established that the twins are currently away, makes plans for a trip up river. However today she has other plans and makes her way back to Hardship's Hearth and Jalila.
She makes a point of greeting the monk with a kiss on the cheek, in full aristocratic fashion. "So, how are you Jalila? Looking as wonderful as ever I see! How is our mutual friend doing? Have you made any more progress with her?"
Jalila smiles, but there is a hint of sadness in her eyes. ”You are too kind. Physically, I am well, but my heart aches for poor Faydreth. I have been praying that the Inheritor welcome him into her embrace that he may find peace in the next life.”
She looks to the cell where Zara is being held. ”Miss Orcelani is finally beginning to open up some. It is slow going, but we have had several conversations about the role of law in a peaceful society. It is promising, at least.”
"It seems he meddled in forces beyond his understanding." Imperia says, laying a hand on Jalila's arm and looking mournful. "It could almost be a metaphor for the Reclamation as a whole. They charge in with good intentions, but their actions only end up causing suffering and harm to those around them. Abadar teaches that the law comes first precisely to prevent such foolishness and for all the House Thrune has contracts with Hell they do at least maintain peace and stability." She shakes her head. "My apologies, the news has made me glum. It's good that Miss Orcelani has opened up to you, it must be your charm that's doing it!" She offers the monk a smile.
"I was going to go and sit with her for a bit, with your permission of course - but would you prefer that I stay with you? I won't distract you from your duties - I just thought perhaps we could both use a little company."
Jalila nods. "Yes, if you don't mind, I would enjoy speaking to you more."
The monk discusses in length her history. Born in distant Katapesh, Jalila was sold into slavery as a child. She eventually ended up in Absalom, where agents of the Pathfinder Society freed her and entrusted her to the care of a local church of Iomedae. Raised in the Inheritor’s faith, Jalila has led a mostly insular life, eventually finding purpose in the Glorious Reclamation’s call to arms.
Imperia finds the woman kind, considerate, and extremely pious. As a sign of devotion to her faith, Jalila has had all of the Eleven Acts of Iomedae tattooed onto her skin in black ink. Of course, this doesn't mean she is incorruptible--already, she can sense faint cracks that could be exploited--but the mesmerist will definitely have her work cut out for her.
***
Meanwhile, Jordanna tries to make inroads with Linton Demeer, but she finds the alchemist deflects most of her questions and turns them bakc around to her. She'll need to try again later.
Long term projects are always the best ones so Imperia remains content to take her time and get to know Jalila for now. After a few pleasant hours she returns to the inn to catch up with Jordanna and relax. Thanks to their recent activities the changelings have considerable funds, although accessing them safely may be tricky.
However that is a problem for later and the women have a trip up river to make the next day so Imperia retires early and alone.
After a short journey up the Sedna River, you come upon the halflings Jed and Leora relaxing on its shores, lazily casting their fishing lines into the water. They smile and wave as you approach. "Good morning! Fine day, isn't it?" Jed says in greeting.
"Indeed!" Imperia replies, "Good sport to you both."
Then, once out of immediate sight she casts Lullaby and then Sleep.
The halflings yawn and slump to the ground, snoring softly.
"That was easy," Jordanna says as she moves to shackle the pair.
"That is always preferable." Imperia replies. The slaves are marched/carried back to the Little Uskwood with all possible haste to be exchanged for gold. Imperia has no desire to be seen doing this.
Then, obligation complete, she seeks an audience with the governor at his convenience.
Nicolae pays you the reward as promised, along with a special gift he thinks you can put to use—a discord bottle.
Once Loredana passes your request to Governor Nevilindor, he is more than happy to grant you an audience. He meets with you in the narthex of Valor's Fastness. The walls of this expansive chamber are covered in elaborate frescoes depicting Iomedae’s greatest heroic struggles, including the Shining Crusade, the salvation of Kantaria, and the Test of the Starstone. Sturdy stone pillars etched with intricately carved text are evenly spaced alongside the walls.
"Lady Tanessen, Inheritor's blessings upon you," Oppian says with a bow. "To what do I owe the honor of this meeting?"
"I'm afraid I simply wanted to get to know you a little more Governor." Imperia replies with a light laugh. "You were kind enough to invite me to brunch and then I barely talked to you! It was most impolite so please allow me to repair my oversight. I havent congratulated you on your appointment. Governing the town places your in the foot steps of the Inheritor herself! You must be proud."
Oppian smiles warmly, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. You notice that he keeps one hand on his sheathed sword as a habit. "Thank you. It is an incredible honor, but an even greater responsibility, to usher Kantaria into a new age of peace and prosperity. And it will not be without growing pains and setbacks, to which the untimely death of Faydreth Zaine stands in testament."
Oppian warms up quickly to your ingratiating manner. He tells you some of his history.
Born in Kantaria and raised on the legends of Iomedae, Oppian Nevilindor knew in his heart that one day he would lead the town’s Iomedaean faithful. This belief was born not out of hubris, but from duty to his goddess and a drive to oppose the malevolence festering in Cheliax. Oppian left Kantaria to hone his combat skills in service to Iomedae, but returned to his hometown 10 years ago. Under House Thrune’s oppressive rule, Oppian ascended to the rank of Fourth Sword Knight and oversaw a flourishing of Iomedae’s church in Kantaria, repairing and rebuilding much of the fortress temple of Valor’s Fastness. His efforts were rewarded as Kantaria’s populace increasingly turned to the church of Iomedae for fellowship and guidance.
The Glorious Reclamation’s arrival in Kantaria changed everything for Oppian. Approached in secret by the Iomedaean knights, Oppian agreed to assist their efforts. He was instrumental in developing the strategy for the conquest of Kantaria, designed with the express purpose of minimizing civilian casualties. When the time came to liberate the town, Oppian led the offensive.
"And you know the rest of the story," Oppian finishes.
"Quite the tale, and a testament to your devotion and skil!" Imperia replies. "Still, I know I'm not the woman you really want to see, so I'll leave you to it. Thank you for your time Governor. I hoep we get to speak again some time."
Imperia decides to wait until the governor next comes to visit before approaching him again and therefore finds herself at something of a loss. So she asks Jordanna's opinion on what they should do next.
Loredana politely speaks to Oppian for a time, gently rebuffing his advances, as usual. Eventually, the governor bows and takes his leave.
"Razelago popped in earlier," Jordanna says. "He said there's a supply shipment heading here from the Menador Mountains. We might be able to ambush it outside of town. If you want to make a more direct move, we could raid the supply cache in one of the Sword Towers or destroy the docks to strike a blow against the town's economy."
The alchemist shrugs. "Or we could stick to subtlety for now and you can help me try to crack Linton Demeer."
"The supply convoy seems time sensitive." Imperia replies. "Let is deal with that, well outisde town and leaving no survivors. Then we can continue working on the alchemist. I want to save drastic action like the docks for circumstances where we have no other choice. Now... disguises would be sensible. Can you do anything along those lines?"
"I can change my body to resemble somebody else for a few minutes," Jordanna says. "As far as taking out the convoy, my bombs should prove effective, as would the elemental gem we found if you would like to put it to use."
"An excellent point" Imperia replies, "Well, we should set out soon I think. I trust Razelago gave you directions?"
You head out to the convoy's path to lay your ambush. As the wagon draws near, Jordanna hands you a potion of invisibility and drinks one herself.
The shipment consists of an assortment of refined metals carried in a medium wagondrawn by two heavy horses. Four members of the Glorious Reclamation guard the shipment. A sergeant sits on the wagon’s seat next to a militia volunteer driving the wagon, while two halfling slingers perch on the back.
Imperia targets the slingers in the back with sleep, holding the fire elemental gem in one hand so she's ready for stage two of the plan.
As the two halflings fall asleep, Jordanna hurls a bomb at the sergeant, burning him! He cries out in pain as he realizes, belatedly, that the wagon is under attack!
Imperia crushes the fire elemental gem in her hand.
"Attack the driver of the wagon and slay him!" She commands, before walking around towards the back of the wagon.
The fire elemental swiftly assaults the sergeant, setting him ablaze! He screams and falls from the wagon, his body engulfed in flame. Jordanna hurls another bomb, this one badly burning the other militia member on the wagon. Crying out in horror, he shakes one of the halflings awake in a desperate attempt to salvage the battle!
Imperia moves in close and levels her crossbow at the militia man.
Imperia’s bolt goes wide, and the fire elemental only lands a glancing blow on the militia member. Jordanna finishes him off with a third bomb, though! The halfling wakes up his fellow solider!
Imperia steps back and weaves sleep magic over the pair again!
No sooner are both halflings awake than Imperia puts them to sleep again. The elemental makes quick work of them after that.
Imperia has the elemental burn the bodies to an unidentifiable charred mass well away from the road before its term expires. After a brief bout of haggling during which Imperia expresses her considerable displeasure at the devils cheek Razelago settles for a reduced fee and starts removing the metals.
"I'll leave selling the wagon and the horses to you." Imperia tells Jordanna, "It'll be more convincing coming from you."
Ensconced once again in the Little Uskwood Imperia works down a mental checklist. "Loyalists in the hills, the alchemist, docks, market." When Jordanna returns with more coin Imperia recounts her list.
"The loyalists seem like a logical next step." She says, "I don't want to push Jalila too soon, so another couple of days will be good. Let us visit the alchemist in the morning and then head out of town."
The disappearance of the supply shipment raises fears that Kantaria’s outlying lands are no longer safe. Since there were no survivors, your actions are blamed on the Narikopolus loyalists known to operate in the hinterlands outside town.
***
The next day, both changeling ladies do their best to get Linton Demeer to warm up to them through a combination of flattery and shop talk. The combination does the trick, and once Linton starts feeling more comfortable around you, he opens up with a request.
”Prior to the Glorious Reclamation’s arrival in Kantaria, I had working relationships with multiple factions in town. Chief among them were the town’s former leaders, the nobles of House Narikopolus, who were of course loyal to House Thrune. When the Iomedaeans took control of Kantaria, the Narikopolus family was conveniently away, in the capital city of Egorian. Although some of the family’s retainers were apprehended and imprisoned in Hardship’s Hearth, a handful of them managed to flee the fall of the town and evade capture. They call themselves ‘Narikopolus loyalists,’ though of course the Glorious Reclamation has branded them rebels.
“I would be remiss not to mention that I have a good friend among these retainers, a man by the name of Gregor Ardain. While I am far from a supporter of House Thrune or the Narikopolus cause, Gregor has kept in contact with me about the movements of this band of loyalist rebels. He’s been quite punctual in his updates, sending a message every few days, but it has now been over a week since I last heard from him. His last missive indicated a stop at the Blooming Caves—a rather beautiful series of nearby caverns that, in less turbulent times, the locals occasionally visit.
“Obviously, it would be inappropriate for me to broach this with our new protectors, but as you are outsiders, I thought I might ask you to investigate as a personal favor. Specifically, I’d like to know what has happened to my friend Gregor. I can offer you a reward of 3,000 gp for discovering his fate.”
Since the man has given up information about where to find the loyalists that Imperia was going to go looking for anyway, and is offering a not inconsiderable sum of gold to do so Imperia is inclined to be gracious.
"Very well, I will attempt to ascertain what has become of your friend Mr Ardain."
Then after lunch the changelings leave to do just that!
A half-day’s journey northwest of Kantaria, the Blooming Caves are a deep cave system that is famous locally because of the luminous fungi and exotic plants found within. Normally a popular spot for young lovers seeking exotic trysts, travel to the caverns has all but ceased because of rumors of desperate rebels in the surrounding area.
Ceilings within the Blooming Caves vary between 10 and 15 feet in height. The ever-present glowing fungi in the caverns emit a warm, pink glow, filling each chamber with dim light unless otherwise noted. The air in the caves is damp and humid.
Two torches mounted on the walls illuminate a roughly circular stone chamber. At the northern end of the cave, a steep slope leads up to a subterranean passageway. Two women stand guard at the bottom of the slope. They seem to be suffering from some affliction—their skin is riddled with purple lesions, some of which sprout small mushrooms. They raise their bows in challenge as they spot you.
”Halt! Who goes there?”
"Loyal friends of the Narikopolis family and the crown." Imperia replies holding her empty hands up. "We mean you no harm."
The women keep their bows trained on you. ”No matter where your loyalties lie, these caves are off-limit to outsiders. Turn back.”
Based on the way the women are acting, Imperia can tell they are under the effects of a charm spell.
"Of course." Imperia replies. "We have no quarrel." She then attempts to charm one of the affected women - hoping to override the effect that currently holds them.
”Yes. No quarrel,” the woman echoes, lowering her bow. The other one glances at the first but follows suit.