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With Mivvy's final thrust and a mostly resisted ray of fire from Cassandra, the Lion slumps down into the mess of tentacles and they constrict around his lifeless body with vigor, snapping the latches on its barding.
Kahwen <flying 5 feet up>
Wembley <bark skin, heroism, black tentacles>
Bralani Azata <mage armor, mirror image 2, flying 5 feet up>
Matrialda <see invisibility, heightened awareness, mage armor>
Cassandra <comprehend languages>
Evermore <flying 10 feet up, heroism>
Mivvy <expeditious retreat, heroism, bless weapon, protection from evil>
Purple Lion Mount -96 damage <unconscious, bleed 4, -2/-4 to hit>
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The defeat of Calhadion and his mount saps what little fight is left in the Stavian loyalists within the senate building. The remaining fights within the building quickly die down, and the various senators and visiting dignitaries remaining retreat to their homes and safe houses within the capital. Only a scant few offer you praise for your heroism.
The Lion Blades who joined you earlier do catch your eye once again and give a solemn nod.
The senate building is quickly abandoned, save for a few shell-shocked guards from both sides of the conflict who put hostilities aside and offer to remain behind to keep the site free of looters.
Lady Gloriana Morilla catches up to you in the streets just outside. Recognizing the tension remaining in the city she whispers. "Join me at Muesello’s lodge for a quick talk."
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"Well," She begins, the events of the day clearly still weighing down her entire being. "... I can't begin to properly relay my gratitude for your ability to go above and beyond in maintaining some semblance of order within Taldor on this day. The next few months will be fraught, with civil war looming now, as it is. With your aid and the crucial rejoining of the Lion Blades, Princess Eutropia should triumph and lead Taldor into a new and golden age. But do not celebrate too hastily. Such an important victory as today might also serve as a beacon for those seeking to defame your Society and the Sovereign Court, for we have proven that working together, we can be a force for great political change. And that will mobilize forces and personalities I haven't yet begun to imagine. Perhaps it would be best for more notable Pathfinders such as yourselves to recuse themselves from actively helping Eutropia — at least, for a while."
She releases a deep breath.
"One more thing, though, before I go. I mentioned before the tragic death of the commoner Kalbio, who was to become a baron during the exaltation ceremony, before he was slaughtered by the King. Members of the Sovereign Court managed to retrieve Kalbio’s body from the senate floor, but they’re unsure what else to do. Given that none of the... nobles are willing to put resources into a funeral or a means of resurrection, it seems that there are to be no new inductees into the echelons of Taldan nobility this year." She pauses, unsure of what exactly to say next.
Venture-Captain Muesello steps in, turning to all of you. "Allow me, my Lady. Ahem. You see, Kalbio’s parents accepted considerable debt in order to help their son prepare for this honor, and it’s only a matter of time before news of his death reaches them, and..."
Gloriana regains her composure and finishes "...Kalbio of Breezy Creek is likely the first of many casualties in the coming months, and I would like your input on how to honor his loss."
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Matrialda puts a hand on Gloriana's knee. "There's little worse than watching your children pass before you," she murmurs solemnly. "I would be willing to donate to retrieving his soul from the Graveyard, should Pharasma have not judged him yet. Goodness knows his death was in no way his own fault."
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"Granmama is right! Kalbio should not have died and those who were trying to subvert the proper running of this country should not have the victory of striking him down," Kahwen chimes in.
"I'll also contribute to have his soul returned. And, if that is not possible, we should have a statue put up in his honor where everyone can see it and remember the sacrifice he was forced to make for his country."
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Mivvy's countenance has a hard edge, "I'm sure I can lever open father's coffers for this. Kalbio deserved better."
She sighs, "Honestly, Stavian, I didn't think he had it in him... I had him pegged for a clown."
The young woman slumps into a chair, "He came to my school once - Haberdasher's Aske - and was just the most bumbling... Headmistress had him on a string." She pushes her hair back from her face, "What a mess."