[oov]I missed that too! I was sure Sara was in the well with a ghoul that was going to eat her. Very happy to be wrong here.[/ooc]
The ghast moves through the grease and attacks Capricia, who just slashed her pretty good.
Twang!
Sveng stops and looks down at the old crossbow. I am a MUCH better shot than I thought.
"Hey you bloated sack of rotting meat! I bet those teeth of yours is as foul and useless as the rest of you" Sara taunts the ghast since she is dog paddling in the water without her sword.
Eregos moves forward to assist Capricia in fighting the ghast, his own sword lashing out.
It is evident to anyone watching that what Capricia does with grace and finesse, Eregos does using raw strength and power.
Valeria continues her song, and shoots as she reaches the end of the verse!
Capricia surrenders herself to Valeria's song and tries to strike another blow for Martella and Eutropia.
for
Sara senses mostly just hunger, although there also appears to be sorrow in those eyes. It matters little, though, because Eregos, Capricia and Sveng make quick work of the undead creature.
With the threat taken care of, Valeria notices that the creature wears a silver-and-agate holy symbol of Arazni .
Valeria carefully liberates the holy symbol of Arazni from the once noble hero gone undead, saying, "This, ladies and gents, is a symbol of a more glorious and simpler time, back when Arazni, now known as the Harlot Queen, was in fact the Herald of Aroden. Some do mention that she was acquainted with Sunlord Thalachos, the herald of the goddess Sarenrae, during this time...
Here before you lies the desecrated, gone undead form of one of her ancient holy servant, as evidenced by this ancient, still-holy-then version of this Arazni symbol. Cursed with ghoul fever in the Shining Crusades and succumbing to the disease before returning home, Marjorine Sandaris arose as a ravenous undead at her funeral and attempted to devour her family before a cousin and cleric of Aroden laid her to rest with a burst of divine light that burned the face from the dead woman’s skull.
The cursed strain of ghoul fever that afflicted Lady Sandaris would not let her rest for long, however, and she rose again under the next new moon. Eventually her family bound her coffin with wards and blessings from several good-aligned gods to keep the war hero in a blessed oblivion. This peace lasted for a thousand years until recently...
I suspect the flooding washed and rotted away those protections, and Marjorine, now calling herself the 'Queen Without a Face' based on the hushed stories I managed to eavesdrop on in Stachys, rose again to prowl the moors... we now see the stories were true after all, and I believe that now that we have temporarily defeated her corporeal undead form, that it would be time for us to research a ritual that will send her soul to its proper rest for good.
All in agreement?"
Capricia wipes the ghastly gore from the battle on the tattered remains of the monster's clothing; she gives Eregos a respectful nod, knowing firsthand how well a falcata can fare against certain corporeal undead like zombies and ghouls.
"Agreed," she tells Valeria.
Eregos gives a slight shiver at Valeria's description. "Agreed. Especially if we want to keep this pump house up and running." He nods in respect to Capricia, as well - as someone who practiced the Rondelero style as it should be, instead of his own bastard-ized version, he respected her skill.
Going back to the well, he calls down to Sara, "Do you want to try and look for Piri some more?"
"If Sara doesn't want to do it, I can try. Please note that there is something magical at the bottom. I suspect this is Piri's equipment. We should retrieve his body and give it a proper funeral, lest our neglect leads to more cases of undeath due to these foul waters... We should also send his personal effects to his closest family back in Oppara. Besides, regardless of your personal religious or afterlife inclinations, I also suspect that leaving large objects like CORPSES into this pump well would perhaps be detrimental to the good functioning of this machinery, wouldn't you say?"
"I learned the basics of swimming in my youth--I can dive for Piri and whatever he was carrying," Capricia chimes in. She sheathes her falcata and stows her buckler before entering the water, clenching a dagger betwixt her teeth. She removes the small weapon briefly to ask if someone would be so kind as to cast a light spell on the weapon to aid her visibility.
Valeria will renew dancing lights and have them follow Capricia, monitoring Capricia's position from the pumphouse floor above, inspiring Capricia's swimming with a song!
*♫ "O my brother, do not go
Down to where no light is known
Chase no more a foolish dream
Of magic's lure and treasure's gleam." ♫♪
Sveng drinks in the information from Valeria, silently nodding in agreement to her plan.
Sara loves a good tale, but the enjoyment is lessened by the foul water all around her. "Thank Capricia, help would be... helpful." the bard does stay in and helps as best she can, though the once lady pirate is vastly more skilled at the activity.
Capricia - please make a Fort save.
Otherwise, you eventually work together to get to the bottom. Piri is recoverable, but you also find a spear stuck in the muck at the bottom of the well. It is magical, and looks to have some history.
Exploring the rest of the pump house, you find that you have removed the danger. Now, perhaps, you can get some workers to approach the place and get it up and running again.
Heading back home with two bodies in tow, it is a somber event. However the staff quickly become excited by your stories of vanquishing Marjorine Sandaris, and the recovery of her holy spear, Godspike (+1 holy spear).
A little more research reveals that you will need to completely dismember the ghast and lay her to rest in consecrated ground to avoid her rising again on the next full moon. Likewise, Piri must be buried properly to avoid his return as a ghoul, so I assume you do so.
As staff tend to talk, news of your heroism and regard for the fallen spreads rapidly, improving your standing in the town of Stachys. You find you can invest 900 gold into the pump to get it up and running again. Repairing the pump with a simple, animal-drawn mechanism is enough to start draining the adjoining marsh, solving Stachys’s insect and mildew problems. Alternatively, you can invest 4500 gp, repairing the pump’s full functionality with a magical or engineering solution and establishing a regular ferry service helps connect Stachys to the rest of the county via the canal system. This will also allow travel along the canals to reach their destinations more quickly.
Capricia's not afraid of a little hard works, taking it upon herself to see to the burial of the cursed dead. As usual, she leaves the decision-making about the estate to those more in the know with Taldan politics than she.
A crafter? Certainly useful, could save us quite a bit of personal wealth if we continue to have to handle these violent situations on our own. "Bimble Fickleblooper, I wish we could meet in better circumstances." He looks down at Piri's corpse with well-maintained sadness and regret.
"So, the Red Ember. It seems your time with Baron Cardigan did not damper your flame." Sveng's insight into Bimble's past was rather shrewd. "Hmm, your flattery is unnecessary but not unwelcome." He says with a small dismissive wave. "Princess Eutropia has a good cause, the right politics and names behind it for a wave of progress. Do not think me a selfless agent, I place myself at her side to rise along with her, but between the alternative options for a rising tide strategy, the choice was clear."
Eregos greets the others, glad to have them join up. He does, however, ask them to refer to him as Sir Kalegos Sedry when they are around others.
You know that the Villarius family were minor nobles in Taldor. The family patriarch was a political rival of Pythareus. A few years ago, rumors circulated that the family were devil worshippers, with the behavior of the youngest son, who had a reputation for being a drinking, womanizing, gambler, used as proof of the family’s beliefs. Following the patriarch’s death in a riding accident, the heir, Marcus Villarius, sold the family estate. The younger son’s whereabouts are unknown.
"Please to meet you, Sir Sedry" Sara gives the lord a curtsey, after busying herself with using her magic to clean herself off. "Why the ruse? If you don't mind me asking." she asks because she has no idea.
”Let’s just say that I don’t want to be a drag on our negotiations with the other nobles,” he seems to grimace slightly as he says that. ”Besides, no one pays attention to the useless hanger-on cousin who likes wine a bit too much.”
Sara gets the gist enough "I'm a bastard daughter of a semi-famous baker who is only slightly less known for his amorous cheating bastard producing nature than he is for his buns." she gives him a lovely smile "So there will be no judgment on my part at least."
----
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While you all are settling in together, and Bimble directs repairing the pump house with a magical solution. The costs are high, but the rewards look to be worth it. 3 days later, and the swamp is draining, and so is more of the locals' suspicions of you.
"Oh Sveng! always sooooooo modest and claiming you're still doing this due to self-interest... when will you finally admit that you are a force for good and you have grown as a hero in the hearts of many already, hmm?" Valeria smiles and winks at Sveng, patting him on the shoulder as she walks by.
Upon returning in the village of Stachys, Valeria breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the recently arrived Master Bimble taking charge of the pump's magical repairs. After a well-deserved night of rest, she immediately dove into some heraldry research for Marjorine Sandaris' eulogy, and secured the proper funerary rituals for Sveng so that her soul could be put to rest in a permanent manner.
Sara stands in front of the mansion in wry awe "I do understand the concept that makes nobility feels the need to show everyone how special they are, but everyone does realize we could house most of the town in this place." Sara says with a mixture of jest and indignation.
Then she sets to exploring, starting with the hub of any household. The Kitchen. The bard/revolutionary/baker is most at home in the warm smells of bread and butter. "Hello. I am Sara Nole" she gives a deep curtsey people about the place, no matter their station in life. "I have the great pleasure of being hired on to this household to aid our new Baroness in the general way Ladies in Waiting do, if the lady in question is not a lady but just a 'Me'. Can I help?"
She'll then spend the rest of the day baking, cleaning, gabbing, and gossiping about any little thing.
Civic Improvements, Basic (1,000 gp): Repairing potholes, leveling the streets, repainting buildings, and patching roofs all help improve the quality of life and attract new visitors. The PCs gain 1 Loyalty Point.
Civic Improvements, Advanced (4,000 gp): Investing more money allows Stachys to renovate its waste systems, build new walkways, and construct new buildings. The PCs gain 3 Loyalty Points.
Farms, Basic (1,000 gp): Basic improvements include repairing irrigation, pulling stumps, and marking outlying roads. The PCs gain 1 Loyalty Point.
Farms, Advanced (4,000 gp): With more cash, the community can acquire hardier seed, fertilizer, and even magical renewal for the soil. The PCs gain 3 Loyalty Points.
Festivals (2,000 gp each): Festivals to mark special occasions and holidays are an easy way to win support and impress the neighbors, but PCs can't hold more than one festival every 2 weeks. A festival raises the town's opinion of the PCs to indifferent if it has fallen to unfriendly. Inviting a noble to visit during a festival grants the PCs a +2 circumstance bonus on checks to influence that noble during the visit. If the PCs hold at least three festivals, they gain 1 Loyalty Point.
Gold Canyon Bridge (3,000 gp): Rebuilding the bridge over Gold Canyon allows PCs to travel more quickly to Jabris, Moost, and New Towne, and encourages new trade. The PCs gain 1 Loyalty Point.
Market, Basic (2,000 gp): By paving the village square, coordinating with local artisans and neighboring farms, and hiring a few messengers, the PCs can establish a weekly market to attract more wealth. This improvement helps Stachys become more self-sufficient, reducing the base cost of all future improvements by 10%.
Mill (1,000 gp): The windmill just outside of town broke down in a storm 20 years ago, and no local has the knowledge or money to fix it. With some small investments in repairing the mill, farmers will no longer need to cart their wheat to Pensaris and back. The PCs gain 1 Loyalty Point.
Public House (5,000 gp): Onora's original tavern is little more than an oversized home with a dirt floor. Constructing a true public house provides Stachys with a public gathering space as well as room for brewing. This investment automatically improves Onora Piscum's attitude toward the PCs by one step. This new pub may also attract adventurers. The PCs gain 2 Loyalty Points.
Statue (1,000 gp): Once the PCs have invested at least 10,000 gp into town improvements, they can erect a statue in town square, honoring the local culture, the local nobility, or themselves. If they choose to honor the local culture, they gain 1 Loyalty Point. If they choose to honor the local nobility, they gain a +1 equipment bonus on Diplomacy checks to influence nobles of the county. If they choose to honor themselves, the statue becomes a minor tourist attraction, increasing the town's base value by 10%.
Temple, Basic (4,000 gp): Stachys has a small shrine to Abadar, Erastil, Iomedae, and Shelyn, and with expensive construction this can be transformed into a small temple to any one of these gods. This improvement grants the PCs access to the healing services of a 1st-level cleric while in town, free of charge. The PCs gain 2 Loyalty Points.
Temple, Advanced (10,000 gp): With a sanctified altar, expanded library, and charitable infrastructure, Stachys develops one of the nicest temples in the region, providing free education, food, and shelter for locals. This provides the PCs with free access to the spellcasting abilities of a 3rd-level cleric while in town and increases the community spellcasting level by 1 as more experienced clerics visit from neighboring communities. The PCs gain 2 Loyalty Points.
As the improvements to the pump are finished, and the draining of the swamp begins, you seem to have established some legitimacy here.
Onara Piscum comes to call on you. "As the local Lady of note, we have need of your judgement on a case of assault, public drunkenness, and theft! I can hold the accused in "jail" for a few days, but I would appreciate if you can help resolve the matter quickly."
Holding trial takes a day and takes place in Onora’s pub, and most of Stachys comes out to watch.
Valeria follows Onara back to her pub. She wondered what it was this time. Last time they had to do this was for Lucinia Mag, a drunk lady that had stolen money from her...
Sara spots the lady and the tribune walking through the village and decides to join. The young woman has been helping clean out an old abandoned house and needs a bit of a break "Good morning to you both, Marybell and Henry have eyes on each other and hearts to match, so we thought might as well have a place for them to hang their hats once the lad... or the lady... gets the courage to say the words." she explains for no reason, whisking her skirts to rid herself of a layer of earned dust. "Where are you important people off to" she askes, curiosity twinkling behind her eyes.
"Oh, nothing but the occasional on-demand application of the law, I suppose. Why don't you come with us? Onara here is about to fill us in on the particulars. I've told the others at the Betony Estate. They're on their way shortly."
Capricia is weeding a garden when word reaches her of Lady Piscum's presence and need of assistance. The former pirate-in-training has transformed since the others first met her. Gone is her general surliness and resentment about her servitude to Martella (and, through her, to Eutropia). Though she's still got a ways to go before she'll be at home in the back-stabbing politics of Taldor, Capricia's not afraid of a little hard work and has come into her own while helping restore the Betony estate.
After taking a few moments to clean up and don her distinctive armor and traditional rondelero gear, she joins the others.
Sveng looms quietly, then slips closer and says in a low voice to Valeria. "I will attend as well. My knowledge may be of some assistance." And this is probably far more important than deciding the fate of one person.
"Did I say drunkenness? Sorry... this vagrant was caught poaching. Where must my mind be..."
As you join the crowd in the tavern, Piscum calls everyone to order. "Portimer of Stachys, you weres caught by several guards poaching the count’s deer in the Abbeywood just north of the Stachys Spur!"
After a severe beating, he has been returned to Stachys for trial. "Local law demands execution for such a crime."
The man sputters, clearly desperate for some hope. "I weren't poaching! I wounded the deer while hunting south of the canal and followed it to finish off the suffering creature, not realizing I’d trespassed on the count’s land. I am innocent, I tell you!"
Well first things first. Sveng tries to judge the intentions of the man, his gaze turning frighteningly piercing.
Capricia listens to the man's story, finding it plausible on the surface at least. Something about the fellow just seems off to her, however.
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"You are suggesting to kill a man for killing a deer?" the bard's lighthearted tone suddenly drips deep scorn. "At worst that is stealing and only because it sounds like the count is claiming ownership of every animal on his land. I guess that means I own any rat or cat that slipped into my kitchens and should be up in arms about anyone kicking at them." her hands are on her hips now, a clear sign she is mad. "Makes about as much sense as anything, sure, BUT Execution??? That is insane. Does that mean if a noble's carriage accidentally hit a bunny on the road going through a farmer's land, he'd be up for summary beheading???"