Evermore's dark half points it's mind at purple, and bombards him with terrifying thoughts. "Have you ever looked into the eyes of the blackest stars?"
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Mivvy is just able to pin the blind halfling. Evermore's violent mental assault causes blood to seep from the frozen halfling's nose and ears as his eyes glass over. Wembly and his new companion join Matrialda in waiting the battle out as Kahwen leaps over to finish the last halfling off gruesomely.
Ionnia sheathes her sword and looks at you with fear and confusion. "Something tells me you are here for something more than a polite visit with Denaria."
Evermore <DR 5/cold iron, -2 penalty on will saves>
Yellow halfling -75 damage <unconscious, bleed 4, disoriented>
Wembley
Summoned Bralani Azata
Orange halfling -91 damage <dead>
Purple halfling -50 damage <held, unconscious, bleed 2>
Matrialda <mage armor, 1 CON damage>
Ionnia -7 damage
Kahwen
Cassandra
Red halfling -89 damage <dead>
Mivvy -27 damage
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Mivvy points at the purple-clad halfling with her bloody rapier, "Somebody stop that one from bleeding to death and we can interrogate the little sod."
She then cleans her blade on the dead halfling before her, "Sorry, my dear, but Earl Vernisant might be involved in a grisly plot to murder half of the senate. We're not especially great fans of assassination. I'm especially not keen when my father might be a target." She inclines her head, "I was entirely honest regarding my lineage."
The noblewoman sheathes her rapier, "Now, we should probably put our heads together and find a solution that puts this..." she waves an arm toward the fallen halfings, "As the absolute limit on the number of corpses involved."
She locks eyes with Ionnia, "I suppose the question you have to answer is this what's more important to you: truth, justice, decency, Taldor... or your employer?"
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The halfling's eyes regain some glow after the healing spell, but he is not able to resist as he is tied up by the angered socialite. She does find it noticeably difficult to locate his exact position.
Ionnia examines the statues as the halfling leader is tightly subdued.
"I am unsure as to why these statues did not come to my defense. Someone must have tampered with their commands. They would have quelled this betrayal as surely as you did, and without the damage caused." She rubs her own wound for emphasis. "Of course, I must stand by my employer. I have no reason to suspect him of this treachery. But I also admit that I might not know everything. So I will help you get to this bottom of this."
-------------------
When you are ready, she can lead you to Calhadion’s Office.
Bookshelves line the wall of this square chamber. A fireplace along the far western wall looks well used but presently lies cold. A circular table replete with documents rests in front of it, while two couches face each other near the center of the room. A portrait of a particularly pompous noble wearing a gaudy lion helm hangs along the eastern wall, flanked by two statues of glorious Taldan knights.
Ionnia walks over to the portrait and slides it to the side. A combination lock and safe rests in the wall behind it.
"I do not know the code. But I expect one of you can open it?" She says expectantly, then steps aside.
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Mivvy sighs, "Oh, dear. This is not going well."
She shakes her head and pinches the bridge of her nose, "I just want to know what is going on here so that the minimum possible number of people are hurt. If you are some kind of fanatic, I don't even know what kind of fanatic you are. I don't even understand why you tried to kill me and my friends. We didn't come here to hurt you. Why did your friend stab me? Is that too much to ask?"
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Kahwen flicks the blood off his blade then looks back at the razor path the cut through the would be assassins. He gives a single, satisfied nod as he resheaths his sword.
"Well done, Companions!" he declares.
When Ionnia shows them the safe he perks up. "Oh...I'll bet the good stuff's in there. They always keep good stuff in things like that."
He approaches and pulls out a roll up pouch. Sweeping it open with a deft maneuver, he eyes the lock, then his tools before picking one and setting to work.
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Kahwen, before you begin...
Cassandra says a brief prayer to arrest Kahwen's hands.
Now then, if you don't want to talk that's quite alright.
Cassandra walks over to the heavily wounded halfling and touches him briefly.
I'm sure your companion will be more amenable. Only one of you can benefit from helping us, though only the first to speak will receive preferred treatment.
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When Cassandra moves over to the other halfling, she finds he has already passed.
The remaining halfling remains tight lipped, though covered sadly in glitterdust. He has obviously been trained well. Although his very existence should prove to be important evidence for the Lion Blades.
--------------------
Moving in to help the tengu rogue, Cassandra makes all the difference with her thoughtful prayer.
Kahwen twists the dial one last time and the tiny door snaps open. The interior reveals letters of credit worth 2,500 gp and a smattering of other documents. A quick perusal of them clearly show that Calhadion arranged the services of dozens of foreign groups to assist with Stavian’s planned massacre of the senate and the grand prince’s own daughter, Princess Eutropia. Along with the Brotherhood of Silence, several other organizations are listed, including local Qadiran insurgents, an overly zealous band of Andoren freedom fighters, and even one noble family from Cheliax. This last entry includes a troubling footnote that Cheliax’s Deckland family specifically requested the honor of eliminating Lady Gloriana Morilla and any allied Pathfinders present at the Grand Day of Exaltation.
Ionnia stands in stunned silence as you discuss the contents of the safe, before finally speaking up in a rattled voice. "I will handle any questions should others come to the estate. You must stop this plot, whatever it takes."
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"Thank you, Friend Cassandra. I suspect I couldn't have done it without you." Kahwen says as the safe cracks open.
He starts pulling stuff out and handing it around, pretty much randomly, trusting everyone he's with to read it and understand its import. He hardly pays any mind to the letters of credit. They're not shiny so he's not drawn to them, even though he knows, intellectually, how valuable they truly are.
Once he's reviewed what he kept and looked over a couple of shoulders he scowls, his beak open in a sign of indignation.
"Targeting pathfinders?! Diabolical! Well, at least we can protect ourselves."
"I think this should be enough evidence to convince our allies of the truth of our claims. To the Academy!"
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The halfling smirks at Mivvy's half-hearted interrogation attempt.
--------------------------
Returning to the Kitharodian Academy (prisoner in tow), you are quickly ushered in by watchful Lion Blade agents to meet again with the senior Lion Blade woman.
She stands promptly when you enter her office. "What news have you brought me?"
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It's worse than we thought. Calhadion has engaged with dozens of groups to eliminate the senate in one fell swoop. He also arranged for a group to assassinate Chamberlain Ionnia, of which this one is the sole survivor. The Deckland family requested to be the ones to kill Lady Morilla. Luckily, Calhadion left us all these writs, notes, and letters so we have a good idea of who to prepare for. It's too much for us to handle on our own. Will the Lion's Blades help?
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With each fateful word Cassandra relates, the Lion Blade leader's eyes sharpen as she becomes clearly convinced that Stavian has jeopardized the independence and stability of Taldor by making such reckless overtures to foreign powers. "Then the die is cast. Now you all may be accustomed to the banal evils of the pits of hell and of temples of doom in faraway lands, but now we must face a more insidious foe. Those that we dine with, that we pass by on the streets of this city, and celebrate with in our fine halls." Calling in one of her aides, she commands. "The die is cast. Ossia, mobilize as many Lion Blades as we can to make haste to the senate building with these heroes."
Turning back to you, her voice gets faster, but remains steadily in control. "Grand Prince Stavian has just recently arrived at the senate building for the Grand Day of Exaltation ceremonies. Lady Morilla and any others in danger will already be there. I do hope we are not too late."
She reaches into one of her cabinets and pulls out a small sack, counting you mentally as she pulls out the contents - temporary senatorial aide badges. "Take these. They will at least get you into the building. Make your way to the building and keep an eye on events. I will try to rally more Lion Blades for our cause. There may be more subterfuge, so be careful."
Within minutes a half dozen Lion Blades stand at the doorway of the office, dressed for battle.
The Lion Blade leader breathes deep. "You carry the thoughts of unknown thousands with you, Pathfinders. May this day end as peacefully as it began. For Taldor... indeed."
B1. Arcade of Triumphs - This entry gallery celebrates Taldor’s abundant military and political glories.
B2. Courtyard - Breathtaking gardens surround the senate building.
B3. Emperor’s Hall - While formally these chambers are for use by the emperor, no grand prince has ever maintained an office within the senate building, and the space is understood to be public meeting rooms by silent agreement.
B4. Gallery - The second floor of the senate building (not shown on the Taldan Senate map) acts as an observation deck for visitors to witness events of the main floor, with offices for various senators lining the outer walls.
B5. Imperial Archives - This vast library now acts as a repository of haphazardly curated books, senate minutes, and genealogy records left open to the scrutiny of uncaring nobles.
B6. Senate Floor - Normally closed to non-senators, the vast, circular senate floor is open to special guests during the Grand Day of Exaltation.
B7. Servant Area - While several hidden corridors crisscross the senate building, allowing servants to come and go without disturbing the assembled politicians, this area houses most of the storerooms, workshops, and kitchens where the building’s small army of servants bustle to maintain the façade of opulence.
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Drawing close, Mivvy casts a spell to speed her movement.
"The gallery. It has a view over the whole sentate chamber. They might attack from there, or we might observe threats on the floor. I have been incredibly bored there many a time." Mivvy throws out the words to her companions as they hustle along the streets.
She glances at her companions beside here, "There are so many little rooms, and the library, and the servants' rooms... it's an absolute warren. With Stavian's access they could hide in plain sight or they could really hide."
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Kahwen has little to do in preparation as they approach. He does get visibly nervous/excited, bouncing as he walks and his gaze darting all around rapidly.
He keeps touching the badge and admiring it. It may be just temporary and for an aide but it's official and looks like a medal!
He nods to Mivvy's suggestion.
"Either there or the servants' quarters. If you can get all over the place from there through hidden passages, it seems like the perfect place to start an assassination," he comments.
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"Now really..." pants Matrialda, trying to keep up with all these energetic young people, "there's two... ways to look at the problem. Either we can search... where we think an assassin would start... or we can intercept them... when they reveal themselves by striking their targets." The older woman's brow furrows with worry. "Given that we don't know how much time we have, we may want to start from the back and work towards the front. The gallery seems like an excellent place to locate Gloriana, and we can plan our next move from there."
"Also," Matrialda continues with a gleam in her eye, "I picked up a trick I think might come in handy here. I know a spell to scan the minds of those nearby for thoughts on a particular topic. While even one person thinking about killing senators might be a much-needed clue, imagine if we found several of them together." Her smile is hard like iron.
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Wembly pauses in a bit of fascinated concern at the thought of anyone detecting his thoughts.
”So like if I were to think about harming the lady, would I show up in the spell? Even if I did not intend to do it? What about if someone plans to hurt someone else or is it specific to Morilla? “
Wembly really is more concerned she may know he really has been thinking about when he could get another cookie from Matrialda.
”Excellent idea. “
No really it is a good idea. And I am not just thinking this to get a free cookie. But if you are reading my thoughts that is creepy. But maybe a little. And for a cookie , maybe worth it. I wish Whiskers could be here. Although a flying green planar cat is probably not going to help us blend into the crowd. If only the assassin had a flying green cat then he would be easier to spot. I wonder if I think the word cookie like a zillion times in a row if that would help.
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Your group arrives at the Senate building as quickly as your legs would take you. It seems unnaturally quiet outside, with only a few beggars huddled in a nearby alleyway.
There is no guard presence at the front steps and your entry seems far too easy. Bootsteps echo in the vast chambers as you make your way to the back of the building to reach the stairs to the gallery as planned.
Rounding the corner to the main senate chamber, you see several sets of guards standing ready next to the doorways to the chamber. Some have just lowered huge wooden planks to bar the doors from exit within.
"This event is closed. Leave now or your lives are forfeit!" one of the guards shouts angrily to your group.
There is the sound of an explosion beyond the doors, and screams fill the air from the the senate floor - muffled slightly by the closed and barred doors.
Mivvy <expeditious retreat>
Evermore
Kahwen
Matrialda <see invisibility, heightened awareness, mage armor>
Wembley <bark skin , heroism>
Cassandra <comprehend languages>
Yellow Guard - delayed
Orange Guard
Red Guard
Pink Guard
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Evermore, hides behind his own allies guards, "This is fine, you don't have to come out for this one...are you sure you do not want me to devour them... yes, i think our team can handle this. You might have spooken them last time..." A quick outer monologue from the gnome, as he casts haste on the party, and all allied officers he can.