Zaril returns Soleil's approached with a hardened, focused stare. Just as she swings the curved elven blade he thrusts his spear forward with both hands, deflecting the it.
The mercenary laughs, a hearty belly laugh, at Soleil's inability to connect with his leader. He's laughing so hard that he doesn't notice Magmara's hammer about to collide with his head... All present in the chamber hear a very clean crack with a slight hint of, organic give. Most look away immediately, feeling that they might be overcome with nausea at the site of such a blow.
Mei approaches the unconscious mercenary to begin a vigil. Gaskar, feeling like that last mercenary looked, manages to stumble out of the grease just in time for Talethia to stride up and heal some of his wounds.
With the tide turning hard now, Ari-Ani smiles and grips the handles of her maces tightly. She winds up and swings one at Zaril who avoids it entirely in a sort of jumping-dodge. He lands right into her swing of the second mace with an audible crunch of his ribs.
The Golden Guardian continues his watch over the scene, not keen on squeezing through the crowd.
Meux
Ki Chin
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Zaril (-15, sickened)
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Mei
Magmara
Soleil
Ari-Ani (-7, grease 6 rounds)
Gaskar (-9)
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Red (-15, -16 nonlethal, unconscious, stable)
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Talethia
Tiny
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Golden Guardian
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Meux
Meux further patches up Gaskar, and the team is looking in reasonable shape.
Zaril watches an orb of acid fly by his face, though he never seems concerned about it. He takes a step back and jabs at Ari-Ani with his spear...
Having watched him the whole time she easily dodges the sharp tip and can tell he's perhaps maneuvering for a clean escape...
Ki Chin
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Zaril (-15, sickened)
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Mei
Magmara
Soleil
Ari-Ani (-7, grease 5 rounds)
Gaskar (-3)
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Red (-15, -16 nonlethal, unconscious, stable)
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Talethia
Tiny
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Golden Guardian
--------------
Meux
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As the foe steps to the side, he moves directly into range for Magmara who swings her gore-covered hammer at him.
Zaril grunts in irritation knowing what he's just walked into, as the same hammer that felled his underling comes at him too. While it doesn't clonk him on the head, it does slam into his shoulder causing him to growl at the pain.
When Soleil's blade connects across the opposite shoulder, Zaril looks less than fully confident for the first time. He looks down at the thin slice, filling with red and mixing with sweat, assessing the clear turn of events.
Mei, tired of waiting, runs into the grease to get at Zaril.
Mei tries to scurry through the grease to help but ends up slipping on his paws and sliding on his fur through the grease.
Talethia tries another bad joke, and Zaril just stares endlessly, as if he's still waiting for the punchline.
Zaril seems irritated by Gaskar's attempt, but he remains worried about his prospects here.
Ari-Ani takes another step with Zaril and winds up with her maces. This time he can dodge neither and she beats him about the torso and head. The final shot to the back of his head would likely knock out one's sight for a moment, but in this case it's moot because with an audible crack she puts him down for the count.
Ki Chin
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Zaril (-66, sickened)
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Mei (prone)
Magmara
Soleil
Ari-Ani (-7, grease 6 rounds)
Gaskar (-3)
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Red (-15, -16 nonlethal, unconscious, stable)
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Talethia
Tiny
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Golden Guardian
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Meux
A calm falls over the temple chamber, and one unconscious Aspis Agent remains.
What do you do?
Magmara smiles and shakes her head at her "sister's" antics.
She then looks up to the Golden Guardian and bows saying, "I apologize for this act of violence in your sacred space. We did try to contain it to the entryway to respect your shrine."
The kobolds seem to be lazily milling about the Eastern portion of the chamber when Soleil approaches them. The lead one looks up suddenly, looking a little guilty as if he'd been "caught".
Oh, hey! We were just headed over to help with the annoying Aspis people! Totally! How many left? You been workin' pretty hard over there so we can probably get the rest!
They act like they're taking up arms to head to the other side of the chamber when they feign disappointment.
Oh no! You didn't leave any for us. Oh noooooOooO!
Shrugging, they go back to congregating amongst themselves.
Meanwhile, the Golden Guardian returns Magmara's address with a respectful nod.
While I like the meddling of neither, I can tell the differences between your organizations. I trust you do not intend to take up residence in this place? While we appreciate your assistance, I think it's fair to say the Pathfinder Society has worn its welcome here for now. Never-the-less, the kobolds will help you recover your associate.
With Zaril Namoth and his Aspis Consortium expedition thwarted, the Golden Guardian and kobolds assist you in clearing the collapsed corridor of rubble. There you uncover the remains of Venture-Captain Nieford Sharrowsmith, which are badly damaged but identifiable thanks to his crushed wayfinder and other belongings. The kobolds allow you to extract the body and its possessions in peace. Afterward the small humanoids reiterate that you have overstayed their welcome and should leave.
"Correct, golden one, we do not seek to reside here. Before we leave, though, we are keepers and preservers of knowledge. May was have a moment to sketch the murals you graciously allowed us to view earlier?"
|
Talethia also apologizes for the mess in the doorway and offers to help clean up. She also thanks the gargoyle and the Kobolds for their help recovering the lost Pathfinder's body and effects.
"Do you mind if I stop and say goodbye to your basilisk pet? 'Stinkeye', you called him?" She asks before they leave. "He was very sweet, despite being a terrifying lizard that can turn people to stone..."
|
"We should search the Aspis consortium agents. They may carry instructions that may lead us to more of them or how to avoid them." Ki Chin says as the kobolds lead the Pathfinders to Sharrowsmith.
At the sight of the venture captain the magus sighs. "It is unfortunate, what happened to the venture captain. He lacked patience and went without proper preparation."
The large gargoyle nods, confirming Magmara's request.
Yes, you can record as much of what you see as you'd like. He frowns slightly before continuing. I fear those who left this place to me may never return indicating that he understands the party is not really of those people, despite being able to talk about the murals earlier. Clearly your help in defending this place has helped him to overlook that.
The kobolds tell Talethia she can definitely visit Stinkeye. Hey, you got this far. You must've found some nice way to handle him. Just don't be thinking you can adopt him as pet! He's our lizard-baby!
Searching over the Aspis Consortium agents' bodies, Ki-Chin does not find anything written that would spell out general plans and operations in the area. As far as you could tell, the Consortium first chased the myth of the gripplis' "weapon" (that ended up being the talisman recognized by the Golden Guardian), and then intended to explore this place on the rumors that something "Golden" existed here. Imagine their surprise when it turned out to not be a simple statue that could be melted down for profit...
When you return to Nantambu, Aya Allahe is there to receive you. She listens to your recounting of your mission, and when she learns of Sharrowsmith’s death, she nods sadly and voices her thanks.
“Nantambu will not be the same without my friend Nieford Sharrowsmith. When he was younger, he traveled to all corners of the Mwangi Expanse and truly made the region his home, despite having been born hundreds of miles away in Avistan. He never truly lost his adventuring spirit, and as this lodge grew, he found his hours dedicated more and more to paperwork and less and less to exploring the lands’ rich history. I know his soul would take no offense at my saying he died as he would have wished—active, engaged, and in the field. I take solace in being able to provide him proper funerary rites.
“With his passing, Sharrowsmith’s Exports has no venture- captain, but I have corresponded with Nieford’s colleague Ambrus Valsin and agreed to act as the temporary manager of the lodge. After all, the full extent of the Pathfinders’ involvement in Nantambu has remained something of an open secret, and it would be an embarrassment for anyone but a friend or family member to take command of the business so soon after the owner’s death.”
“I dearly appreciate what you have done for the Society, for your venture-captain, and for me.”
Aya Allahe also examines the metal component the PCs found in the Krihirik talisman. After a moment’s study, she quickly stands, recovers a piece of stationary bearing five graphite illustrations, and slowly smiles. “This is remarkable,” she announces. “The shape of the talisman matches one of the drawings Ambrus Valsin sent me. What you have found is a piece of the Sky Key, the device even now the rest of the Society is at its wits’ end attempting to reassemble!” Then, with quiet affection, she murmurs to the Sky Key component, “Congratulations, Nieford. You and your agents have once again done what the rest of the Society could not—a fitting tribute, and a fine legacy.”
PRIMARY SUCCESS CONDITION The PCs successfully complete their main mission by delivering Nieford Sharrowsmith’s body or wayfinder to Aya Allahe.
SECONDARY SUCCESS CONDITION The PCs successfully complete their secondary mission if none of the kobolds in the Golden Guardian encounter died. Staying on peaceful terms with the kobolds makes it easier for the Nantambu Lodge to continue its operation.
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I'm glad you all enjoyed this scenario!
It was a lot of fun running it. The game has been reported. While I've filled out your chronicle sheets, I just looked back and realized we never did day jobs (or else I'm somehow not finding them). So those of you who want them, roll now and I'll finalize chronicles tomorrow sometime.
I don't think you did. The chronicle has been updated with your day job gold.