Imperia isn't phased, the spell is still her best chance of ending the fight quickly.
Once more, Kalcyra resists your paralysis spell! Jordanna stabs her again, though, leaving the dwarf badly wounded.
She steps back and clutches her holy symbol. "Torag, protect me!" A shimmering radiance surrounds her, and she pronounces a judgment of healing to tend to her wounds.
Meanwhile, the strange dogs bound at Jordanna.
She impales one on her spear, but it resists some of the damage. Both hounds snap at the alchemist, one biting her leg despite the mirror image that appears.
With the hounds too far for her most effective spell Imperia tries once more to simply paralyze the dwarf, stepping out from cover as she does so.
Once more, the stalwart dwarf proves resistant to Imperia's magic!
Jordanna moves around the pesky dogs, ignoring their bite as she tries to finish off Kalcyra.
Kalcyra gasps in pain but manages to remain on her feet! She steps back to drink a healing potion.
The dogs follow Jordanna. She stabs the wounded one and drops it while the other dashes under her reach but fails to bite her.
Imperia says something in Infernal that a devil would blush to hear and gestures sharply at the dwarf. A blurred ripple slams into the dwarf from behind.
Jordanna's luck runs out as she misses the dwarf. Kalcyra grunts as the magic missile hits her. The dwarf steps back again to cast a spell, unleashing a vicious tirade of insults and invectives! Not only is it demoralizing, it is so blistering that it threatens to set you aflame!
The dog bites Jordanna!
Imperia hisses before lashing out with another bolt at the dog and then moving further away from Jordanna.
Jordanna howls with fury as she avoids catching on fire. She stabs Kalcyra again, and this time, the dwarf finally falls!
The dog worries Jordanna's leg again, nearly taking down the badly wounded alchemist. But Jordanna whirls her spear and impales the dog to finish it off as well!
In the aftermath of the fight, Jordanna stands, huffing and breathing heavily. She drinks some healing potions to tend her wounds. "Tough b&$*~," she remarks, kicking the dead inquisitor.
"Stubborn." Imperia agrees, examining the singeing on her robe. She tosses the holy symbol into the undergrowth and collects the rest of the inquisitors useful gear into the bag of holding. "Now, do we need to spend the night in the caves? I don't want it being obvious when we return that you've been in a fight."
"You go back to town. Don't want people getting supsicious. I'll slip back to the Little Uskwood in the morning," Jordanna says.
The next day, once it becomes clear that Kalcyra the Just is running late, Oppian Nevilindor sends out scouts to try to find the missing dwarf. They find her holy symbol in the undergrowth outside town, making her fate clear.
The inquisitor’s death is another blow to the Glorious Reclamation as her efficiency in managing Kantaria’s industrial efforts is now lost. Several dwarven families in town pack up their belongings and start the long trek east to their ancestral homeland in the Five Kings Mountains, hoping to escape the growing conflict in Cheliax. Oppian Nevilindor holds a memorial service for Kalcyra, inviting you and the other council members to attend.
"First Faydreth Zaine, now Kalcyra the Just," Oppian says solemnly. "It seems that none of us are safe against the depradations of these vile insurrectionists! I will root them out. This, I vow before the eyes of Iomedae, the Inheritor."
Neither Jalila, Jana, Linton, nor Loredana look all that convinced of the governor's ability to do so.
Imperia nods and follows Jordanna's plan. She goes to breakfast at the Sweetest Drop and talks up Jordanna's continuing discomfort due to her 'pregnancy'. She pays very close attention to the days gossip, asking after the governor and how he intends to restore order in the town.
"Does he have any leads?" She asks, "Any suspects at all? I know the Narikopolis loyalists are meant to have fled, but what if some of them are hiding in town and causing sabotage? Has the governor considered that?"
Jana shrugs. "Governor Nevilindor still believes the Nairkopolous loyalists are behind all of these troubles. I heard that he plans on beseeching his superiors in the Glorious Reclamation for reinforcements." She looks around before lowering her voice. "Between you and me, I think Oppian may be starting to lose it. He hardly ever leaves Valor's Fastness any more, and you can see the self-loathing on his face. If this pressure keeps up, he's going to crack sooner rather than later!"
"Goodness me! The poor man." Imperia says with a sympathetic smile. "I do feel sorry for him. He seems so smitten with Loredana at the Little Uskwood but she just doesn't see him that way. She's... more of our persuasion if you know what I mean." Unfortunately she doesn't keep her voice down quite enough and a few ears prick up on surrounding tables. Imperia apparently misses this however and continue her conversation with Jana, oblivious to the now straining ears around. "She's such a sweet lover, I know she's a bit rough on the outside but once you..." She cuts off suddenly. "Oh my! Jana, promise you won't mention this? It's so thoughtless of me! To be prattling on while the governor has such important things to be dealing with. Promise you won't tell him, the poor man would be heartbroken."
Alas the news is already out...
"Oh! Of course, my lips are sealed!" Jana says with a sly smile which seems to indicate the exact opposite of what's she's said...
And indeed, it would seem the news reaches Oppian's ears rather swiftly, as those close to him begin to remark how even more distraught the governor seems to become!
The rumors of opposition to the Glorious Reclamation has become indisputable now. People are starting to stay in their homes, venturing outside only when necessary. Local militia volunteers now patrol the streets along with the Glorious Reclamation’s soldiers.
A powerful celestial ally is seen prowling throughout town, intent on sniffing out evildoers to bring to justice. Silvery armor in the shape of a powerful ram barely contains the brilliant radiance shining from within it, and curling, steel horns emerge from its helm.
It won't take much more pushing now to fully erode the Glorious Reclamation's hold on Kantaria. Slaying the celestial being, destroying the docks, or freeing the prisoners in Hardship's Hearth could be the final nail in Oppian's coffin...
A wholehearted believer in the dictum that knowledge is power Imperia waits for Razelago to make one of his occasional appearances and asks him to speak to the Archbaron about the ram-shaped celestial that the Reclamation have summoned to the town.
She then sends Jordanna to investigate the docks, while herself visting Hardship's Hearth once more, hoping that Jalila, with a little more persuasion, might finally take the plunge and abandon her devotion to the Reclamation.
Razelago reports back that the celestial is a hiracapath. Despite their placid appearances, hiracapaths act as Heaven’s watchdogs, running down any discovered interlopers and dragging them before more formal authorities for judgment. They are skilled at dealing nonlethal damage with their attacks, and any evildoers that attack them in melee are punished by their glorious nimbus of light. Evil weapons can overcome their damage reduction. They resist electricity and fire.
At Hardship's Hearth, Jalila forgoes the usual tea that she serves you. Instead, she paces about her office nervously. "The attacks continue. Now, Governor Nevilindor is gripped with paranoia and fear. Why does the Inheritor allow the situation in Kantaria to continue to deteriorate? She herself ruled this town for a year and a day! I would think that, if any place on Golarion might receive her protection, this would be it!"
"She is a goddess now Jalila." Imperia replies gently. "They have different priorities to us. We try to interpret their will and act as they desire, but how can we really?" She asks with a rueful shrug. "We are not gods - we simply try to interpret their will. Did Lord Marshal Cansellarion truly do the Inheritor's will when she founded the Reclamation and set Cheliax on fire? I don't know - none of us can. All we can do is look for signs and at the results of our deeds. As you say the signs are bleak, the town burns still, the governor has shut himself away in the cathedral and neglects his duties... he has celestials patrolling the streets now, an inquisition in all but name. At this point I honestly believe that the Reclamation has failed here Jalila. I'm sorry, but we've always been honest with each other. I think it is time for the citizens of Kantaria to reclaim the town for themselves. What I fear is how the governor might react. If a delegation goes to him, even peacefully, will he immediately assume that it is sedition and set his guards and celestials upon them?"
She pauses and waits, trying to see how Jalila is responding. "What do you think Jalila? You know the governor and you have a good heart? Can we let him continue to change into a despot? A tyranny backed by Heaven is no better than one backed by Hell..."
Jalila shakes her head. "No, we cannot let that happen. But I don't know what I can do! I spent my life in meditation to the Inheritor's teachings. I have sworn myself to the Glorious Reclamation and its ideals. I have promised to suffer death before dishonor!" She looks to you with pleading eyes. "Please, just tell me what to do!" she whimpers.
"We have to go to the Governor." Imperia says quietly, closing in to put an arm around Jalila's shoulders. "And we can't go alone. You have to let the loyalists out of the camp here. I will guarentee their good behaviour myself if need be. The Hellknight in particular, everyone knows that they are bastions of Law and Order. With them at our side Governor Nevilindor will have to take us seriously and listen to reason. I know its hard Jalila, but this is what's best for Kantaria and it's people. It is the right thing to do."
Jalila takes a deep breath before nodding. "Okay."
Acting on her orders, the guards garrisoned at the prison camp release the 16 Chelish soldiers who remained loyal to House Thrune. Jalila personally releases Zara Orcelani from her prison cell. The Hellknight gives you a salute of thanks. "Give me a decent sword and shield, and let us take vengeance for the wrongs the Glorious Reclamation has inflicted upon us."
"You will have it." Imperia agrees, leading the hellknight aside she produces her gear from the bag of holding and helps to arm her. "Less talk of vengeance." She cautions Zara as they work. "We are removing the Glorious Reclamation because it is in the best interest of Kantaria. Jalila is with us because the Glorious Reclamation is wrong, not because she wishes to destroy it. Your motives are your own but keep them quiet thank you!" She speaks in a tone of firm command and stares at the Hellknight until she receives an acknowledgement.
Razelago is dispatched to summon the loyalists in the blooming caves and Imperia's procession collects Loredana and Linton on its way to the cathedral...
You organize all of your allies and followers as you march through Kantaria towards Valor's Fastness. Several Thrune loyalists among the population eagerly join in the procession, and the Glorious Reclamation's remaining soldiers retreat to the protection of the fortress church of Iomedae.
Only one being stubbornly stands in your way--the hiracapath! The celestial beast snorts and stamps its hooves as it prepares to fight to subdue you!
"Stay behind me. I will protect you," Zara says, raising her shield and stepping between you and the celestial.
"You see?" Imperia calls to the crowd. "The governor send shis summoned creatures to attack us rather than treat us as equals! Stay back while we dispose of this beast and then we all will show the governor that we are not to be ignored!"
She gestures and sends a bolt of force at the ram, quite happy that Zara is getting in front of her.
The hiracapath grunts as the magic missile slams into it. It charges Zara, goring the Hellknight with its horns in a nonlethal attack! Zara’s shield buckles from the impact and she huffs as the powerful charge knocks the air out of her lungs!
Imperia touches the hellknight o the back to grant her some protection against the beast.
Jordanna stabs the celestial while Zara lands a critical hit! Its glowing nimbus leaves them both slightly dazzled. The hiracapath rears up but this time Zara holds off its horns and hooves!
Imperia stays where she is and settles for giving the hiracapath a withering glare.
[
Jordanna misses while Zara scores two hits. The demoralized celestial destroys Zara’s mirror image instead of hitting her!
So Imperia implants another!
Jordanna hits this time, and Zara slices the being two more times. The creature groans and collapses, the light of its body fading away and leaving only empty armor behind!
"You see?" Imperia calls to her crowd of supporters. "Our arms are mighty and our cause true. Even Heaven fades before us, what more proof can there be that we are in the right? For Kantaria and Cheliax!"
With that they press on, although Imperia does pass Zara a number of healing potions. "You may need these." She says with a slight smile. "Never let it be said I am not grateful to those who take blows for me. We also have some enchanted weapons if you wish to wield one."
As the crowd approaches Valor's Fastness Imperia calls out in a loud voice. "Oppian Nevilindor, come out and face your town! Kantaria calls for your departure, that we may choose our own allegiance, as is the right of all free women!"
Linton Demeer waves off your potions, instead providing Zara and Jordanna with his own stock of extracts to heal them to full health.
A sturdy wooden gate stands between two towers in the thick white walls of the fortress, barring entry. The sword-and-sun symbol of Iomedae is painted on the gate in vibrant colors. Several guards peek out from tall towers on either side of the gate. They have longbows drawn, but they appear hesitant to fire down into the crowd of protestors.
There is no response to your calls from the main temple. Jalila steps forward to address the guards in the towers. "Please, we only want what is best for the town. Blood need not be shed. As a member of the governing council of Kantaria, I request you let us in to speak to the governor."
The monk's words have sway, and the guards reluctantly agree to allow a small party entry. They open the gate enough to allow you, Jordanna, Jalila, and Zara inside the courtyard.
Bushes and trees grow in the well-tended grass of this expansive inner courtyard, and a gravel path runs northeast from the fortress’s main gate to the temple proper. The path encircles a magnificent stone fountain, atop which a tall sword stands, its length thrust halfway into the fountain’s spout. Names of famous heroes are engraved all along the sides of the fountain.
As you prepare to enter the church itself, Jordanna drinks her mutagen, taking on a vaguely canine appearance--essence of foo dog harvested from the fight with Kalcyra. She casts off her cloak to reveal she has grown black, birdlike wings as well. Jalila seems shocked by her monstrous appearance, but steels herself after a reassuring look from Imperia.
You step into the narthex of the church. There, you see Oppian Nevilindor awaiting your arrival. "So, you are the architects of the chaos that has plagued Kantaria?" he asks. "I can sense the taint of evil in your hearts. Please, I beg you to cease this senseless violence!"
Jordanna sniffs the air and growls. "Something isn't right. He has no scent."
"We are merely concerned citizens." Imperia responds, advancing on Oppian with one hand outstretched. "The chaos in this town is your doing Governor - no-one else's! And now you accuse us, including a member of the governing council of this? Truly you have fallen in paranoia and madness. Can we not discuss this in good faith? If you truly care for the Inheritor's town you must see that the only responsible course is for you to withdraw your forces and allow Kantaria to decide for itself how it will be governed."
The entire speech has been cover for her closing to within touching distance, and she reaches out to place a hand on the man's shoulder - confident that it is in fact an illusion.
Though he at first appears to be solid, you quickly disbelieve the illusion. "We will not surrender. Turn back or our cloaks will turn red," the image of Oppian says. Then it wavers and disappears.
"I don't understand. Why would Oppian not meet us for an honorable conversation?" Jalila asks. "Why resort to trickery and misdirection?"
"Because he has lost his way." Imperia replies, not really needing to feign her disappointment. "He has been looking so hard for enemies that he can no longer distinguish friends or those concerned for Kantaria from his enemies. We must be careful now, I suspect we will meet only violence from here - but we must maintain offer them the chance to do what is right." She says, looking sternly at Zara and Jordanna.
She advances through the nave to look into the narthex she vaguely remembers on the right.
Two rows of wide pews line this room, facing an elevated stone dais and altar to the southeast. Above the dais, magnificent banners depicting crusading knights and heraldic emblems hang from the edge of a wooden balcony overlooking the space.
A creature appears on the dais, resembling a small, humanoid fox-woman. Her amber eyes radiate a sense of supernatural calm. "I implore you again, in the name of the Inheritor. Give up your wicked ways."
Imperia has to restrain a sudden flash of anger, she hates people trying to meddle with her mind. "Once again you accuse us of evil without proof." Imperia counters, "You assail us with magic and claim that we are the wicked ones? Depart! And leave those who truly care for this town to care for themselves. We do not need the false piety of those who hide in a fortress while the people suffer!"
Some of her frustration shows...
The fox-woman winces and shrinks before Imperia's fury, but she remains resolute. "I cannot leave this place while evil threatens it. I fear it is inevitable that we must match blades!"
Jordanna leads off with a hurled bomb that burns the celestial. In response, the creature yips and unleashes a holy smite!
Imperia resists the smite and moves swiftly to one side to avoid presenting anpthrr grouped target. "Stay back Jalila!" She commands, before firing a bolt at the creature.
Both Jordanna and Zara cry out as the holy smite blinds them! Nevertheless, Zara moves in to try to strike the celestial as it dodges Imperia's bolt, and Jordanna hurls another bomb. The blindness hampers their efforts, and the fox is only splashed by fiery liquid.
Seeing its tactic is effective, the celestial smites again!
Imperia scowls and resolves to find a way of protecting her minions from this sort of effect in future. With litle else she can do against this obviously inhuman creature she flings a missile of force at it.
Zara resists the smite and slices into the celestial with her sword. Jordanna is blinded but still manages a solid blast with her bomb. The magic missile further wounds the creature.
Badly hurt, the celestial still is intent on fighting valiantly! It bites and claws at Zara but she fends it off with her shield.
Imperia tossses another missile, hoping to finish the creature off.
Between your magic missile and two brutal strikes from Zara, the vulpinal falls.
Jalila looks crestfallen. "Another goodly creature dead because of Oppian's craven nature. How many more will he sacrifice?"
"All too many I fear..." Imperia replies. "Cowardice will not rest or face facts until it have exhausted every other option." She heads around to the right, intent on clearing this side of the building.
The small room under the stairs to the south is a sacristy. Sacred implements and furnishings for the sanctuary are stored here. The silver chalices, platters, and altar service kept here are worth a total of 750 gp. In addition, a weapons rack holds six ceremonial longswords (two of them are Small, sized for halflings) used for Iomedaean rites. The swords are masterwork alchemical silver longswords of pristine quality, but they have been intentionally dulled, and are considered to have the broken condition if used in combat. These swords can be restored to combat readiness with a successful DC 15 Craft (weapons) check. Individually, the swords can be sold for half their normal value (200 gp each), but as a set, they would be worth 2,500 gp to an interested buyer of Iomedaean religious paraphernalia.
The antechamber to the west features a red carpet covering the floor. Three wooden chairs rest against one wall, their seats covered with simple red pillows, while a small iron safe stands against the opposite wall.
Seeing nothing dangerous Imperia leaves the rooms be for now and gesutres up the stairs. "I imagine the governors chambers will be above. We must find him quickly to minimise bloodshed." So saying she leads the way upstairs.
The stairs lead up to the second floor. To the north, an archway leads to a wooden balcony, which provides seating for a choir or special guests who don’t want to mingle with the common folk in the temple’s sanctuary. A low wooden railing separates the balcony from the sanctuary floor 15 feet below.
To the west, a wide hallway stretches along the front face of the main temple building. Ornate wooden bookshelves cover the northeast wall, while glass windows in the southwest wall overlook the temple’s courtyard outside.
A strange statue of a lion with a humanlike face sits in front of the doors leading into the temple here, but a closer inspection reveals it is actually a creature similar to the dogs that accompanied Kalcyra the Just. The lion springs to life and prepares to attack!
Jordanna readies her spear to strike as the lion charges Zara!
The alchemist impales the lion from behind the Hellknight. Zara hunkers behind her shield, managing to keep its claws at bay.
She strikes back, finishing off the badly wounded beast. "Hmph," the Hellknight scoffs.
Bookshelves cover many of this chamber’s walls, which curve to the south and west. A large wooden table surrounded by chairs sits in the center of the room, its surface covered in maps and papers. A single wooden door leads northeast.
The table is covered with maps of the town, its surrounding farms, and potential trade routes with the Menador Mountains. Information on the region and the history of Kantaria fills the bookshelves, along with more recent additions of books on governance.
The door leads into a storeroom. Empty storage barrels and crates fill this chamber, which once stored food for the inhabitants of Valor’s Fastness and equipment for the Glorious Reclamation. All of these containers are now empty, their contents used to fund the order’s activities in Kantaria and the surrounding region. A flight of stone stairs curves up the southeast wall.