Windsong Abbey has long served as a prominent landmark of the northern Lost Coast, with its stately white lighthouse standing sentinel over the Varisian Gulf.
Founded in 4082 AR in the wake of the Even-Tongued Conquest by a group of priests who had grown frustrated by the machinations of politicians in matters of faith, Windsong Abbey was always intended to be a neutral ground for the adherents of diverse beliefs.
Its founders envisioned a place outside of established nations where members of the 21 most widespread faiths of the Inner Sea could meet and discuss religion, current events, and philosophy in an ecumenical venue, where all beliefs were considered equal and all forms of violence
between rival cults prohibited.
Members of nearly every faith in the region came to represent their beliefs here over the years, with only the cult of Rovagug declining to
take part. And while each faith was held equal, tradition held that the eldest priest would serve as the abbey's voice, wearing a masked headpiece to denote her role.
The first Masked Abbess was a priestess of Pharasma, but over the years to follow, different faiths held the vaunted position.
The abbey itself was built over the ruins of a much older site-a temple of Groetus whose deepest chambers contained mysterious sealed doors, including a particularly ominous one that the priests identified through study and research as one of the "Doomsday Doors."
Many ancient temples of Groetus included these portals-massive apertures said to be counting down the days until the end of the world, at which point each would open to unleash its own localized apocalypse to aid the End Times.
In their explorations of the ancient Groetan temple, the priests
uncovered a doomsday key that would open some of these portals, but they wisely decided these doors should stay closed. The doomsday key was entrusted to the Masked Abbot or Abbess and was kept in a vault where none could use it to delve the deeper chambers below the abbey.
And so, for over soo years and against all odds, this so called "house of twenty faiths" continued to exist with little to no internal strife or trouble. A small village grew up around the abbey to support the priests, and as the prophesied day of Aroden's return drew near, the priests watched with keen interest how the world prepared.
As it did throughout the rest of the Inner Sea region, Aroden's death in 4606 AR sent shock waves through Windsong, and particularly impacted the faith and mind of the abbey's current priest of Pharasma, an elf named
Ardathanatus.
As happened with many of Pharasma's priests, the failure of prophecy drove Ardathanatus mad. He became convinced that Iomedae had murdered her mentor, that she assassinated Aroden in a blatant attempt to seize his power.
So enraged, Ardathanatus murdered Windsong's Masked Abbess, for as a priestess oflomedae, he blamed her as much as her deity for the onset of the Age of Lost Omens. Several other priests died that day as well, all laid low by the mad cleric of Pharasma.
By the time Ardathanatus fled the abbey, no fewer than seven of the abbey's clerics had been murdered by one of their own. In the years to follow, Windsong began to fall apart.
The wake of Ardathanatus's murder spree combined with Aroden's death to shake the faith of many of Windsong's priests. Some of them abandoned the abbey entirely, while others retreated to their own corners within the abbey to become isolationists or hermits.
Only a few priests stayed on in their original posts, keeping the abbey secure in the hope of reopening it as an universal place of worship someday. Now, only five full-time priests remain at Windsong Abbey-clerics of Desna, Erastil, Gozreh, Nethys, and Zon-Kuthon.
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The owl will seek but will not find,
but spire of knowledge pays in kind
in secret kept in secret keep
in forest dark and cavern deep.
The abbey of the glutton moon will flow with blood,
the wind in tune
to finish that begun before
and open wide the doomsday door.
The shattered star with seven shards
for seven lords with seven swords
the queen of blue in distant skies
will kindle new the ancient wars.
The seas will rise and men will drown
And what was lost shall claim the crown.
You arrive in Magnimar to find that:
While news of the attack on the abbey has reached Magnimar, the city and temples are slow to react. As such, you find little support from either the city or the temples in terms of sending troops and other support,
but both certainly express concern over the development.
Unfortunately, Windsong has long run under its own flag-it is not a holding of Magnimar, and most established churches and temples regard
the abbey as something of a curiosity at best or a hive of heretics at worst.
Sheila Heidmarch has a slightly different take, when you seek her advice-she thinks that you should go up to the abbey, determine what happened, and set things right, this could well give Heidmarch Manor some more political clout in the region as an agency that seeks to help Varisia's citizens, regardless of their politics or faith.
As before, she also supplies you with an ioun stone (in this case a
dusty rose prism) that you can use to activate the Shard of Envy when you recover it.
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When you speak to her, she also advises you to make a brief stop in the town of Sandpoint-among the various rumors she's heard about the attack on Windsong, the following tale is reported by a new Sandpoint resident,
"A Varisian peddler and harrower named Pilla was among the first to pass by the abbey after it was attacked. She tried to investigate, and supposedly found something of interest before she was chased away by a giant, of all things! Last I heard, she'd all but moved into a room at the Rusty Dragon in Sandpoint-and I don't blame her. If I were her, being chased by a giant would certainly put me off life on the road!"
Sheila also tells you, with a resigned sigh that there are two people who wish to discuss something with you before you set off.
Ayamyra, the mistress of the temple of Calistria in Magnimar, and Bevaluu Zimantiu of the temple of Desna wish to talk to you.
What are you doing now, after digesting all that information :).
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Elena’s last days in Kaer Maga are a flurry of activity, racing to complete the rooftop paintings the group had viewed from the past using the ancient Thassilonean machine in the ruins. Fortunately, the artists she could hire (with what was now spare change to her) to help make it a rush job didn’t ask too many questions. Had it been worth the trouble in the end? The only thing the group never figured out themselves was how to open a certain door - by drawing the Sigil of Greed on it. As far as she could tell, the complex had contained no hints at all on as to what needed to happen. She could only assume the ‘first’ version of their group in this ‘time loop’ had figured it out through trial and error – with hopefully little cost for failure.
Regardless, she would pay the price of her actions and wish her ‘past self’ and friends well. She finishes the composition by signing it with the words ”Artos is a wanker,” as previously seen. ”I never liked Artos,” she says, grinning as she leaves. What comes around, comes around, as they said.
The priestess is relatively quiet on the way back, at first focusing on enchanting a pair of magical gauntlets for Elathras - ones he had seen during the post-excursion shopping trip but she knew were within her own capacity to make for half the price. She ponders what to add as a personal touch; whether to paint them as she did Bharak’s belt, but he didn’t seem to be the type. Maybe a wish or message instead? ”To our brave knight. May it keep you safe in the trials ahead.” That was a very ‘safe’ bet, she eventually decided. She hesitates but, thinking back to their previous conversation, adds ”I hope you find happiness. There is always another way.” on the other one.
The rest of her journey back alternates between shoring up her dancing practice, which she hadn’t done in what felt like forever, and reflecting on her journey thusfar. The local Varisian dances were slightly more ‘risque’ than she was fully comfortable with, but such was the price of homage to local Art, she figured, and at least the sailors seemed appreciative.
During one of those performances, she wondered why it was that she suppress her fear during those but not when it really counted. Even putting aside her fear of ghosts and how it related to her parents being executed, she hesitated too often, not providing enough guidance when other looked to her. ”I am not confident enough. If I can’t fix this, I will never be a good leader – if anyone even wants me as a leader,” she realizes then.
But any clear course of action remains lost to her as she finds herself back in the Magnimar lounge, listening to Sheila and the others. And again, there is that spike of fear. ”So, if I understand correctly… there is an apocalyptic weapon hidden behind the Doomsday Doors beneath the monastery. Also, both the monastery and clergy protecting the abbey and key have been in decline for over a century. And thus there is no telling if this ‘key’ is still safe or if whoever attacked the abbey is close to opening it. And they WILL be opening it, as it was stated in the prophecy. August, in his verse, without any prior knowledge on the Sihedron, correctly predicted the location of at least four of the shards. I know this is the age of LOST prophecy, but that is eerily accurate. Almost as concerning as his prediction that when we DO coll'ect all shards, there will be ‘a great flood’ as well as the rekindling of ‘an ancient war’.”
Her hands shake as she tries to keep her gaze and words steady. She takes a sip of her tea to calm herself more than anything and accidentally spills some of it. ”I… feel the need to ask to all of you. Does anyone else feel we might be a bit out of our depth; that this is an issue we might need outside help to handle? Or that it might be best to stop collecting the shards entirely? I understand that we can’t ignore what is happening at the temple now; that something has to stop whatever is behind the door. But if August is right and we complete the Sihedron, many innocents are probably going to die as a direct result of our actions. The rekindling of an ancient war has to be related to the Runelords somehow, and any war related to them HAS to be devastating.”
Once they were aboard ship, he spent most of his time chatting with his fellow pathfinders, or reading what material he could get his hands on or watching Elena learn and perform the local dances. He found the 'varisian style' a little more 'risqué' that what he'd seen in Cheliax. Of course, he'd not been to that many dances and of course his fellow countrymen had very poor opinions of the Varisain culture to start with. But Elathras was learning that his culture had gotten many things wrong.
It was the last evening of their night on the ship that Elena presented him with the finally crafted gloves. As he began to try them on he noticed the letters stitched inside the cuff, both holding two sentences. As he read them, he blushed slightly at the idea of being a 'brave Knight' and smiled at the idea of finding another way. Nodding softly, he pressed the gloves against his chest, "Thank you Elena." Then, eager to test them, he put them on and picking up his Fauchard moved to the center of the boat where he could practice with the awkward weapon.
Realizing he'd let his mind wander, Elathras turned his attention back to the conversation just as Elena posed her question. Smiling he looked from their priestess to the two dwarves and then towards Axton. His smile widens, as he shrugs. "Seems to me that we were brought together for such a time as this. When do we leave for the abbey?"
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"Look. Lass." Bharak said. "There's nay need for us to actually put the bloody thing back together. That...and I'm still not convinced that this entire prophecy business be real. It's more like, ah fook, how do I put it?" Running his finger through his beard he continued "Remember the writings ye gave us in that last hell-hole we trekked through? Technically, we were working on prophecy as to where things were and the like. But even so, just because it was seen, doesn't mean that everything had to stay the same, aye? Actions have consequences, and they ripple. If ye ask me, any time we find a prophecy, it really is just a best guess as towards what will happen if nothing changes. But by making the prophecy, it changes things, ye follow? So, we have an idea of what may happen, but no guarantee that it will. That..." he chuckled "And if this was such a big deal, then some right proper heroes would be involved, aye? Torag and Iomodae and the like would be sending visions and people of actual importance would be on the job. So really, how big of a deal could it actually be? So, I say that we just focus on what we can do, and right now that be our job."
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""And if this was such a big deal, then some right proper heroes would be involved, aye? Torag and Iomodae and the like would be sending visions and people of actual importance would be on the job. So really, how big of a deal could it actually be? So, I say that we just focus on what we can do, and right now that be our job."
The priestess lets out a soft breath and tries to focus on the here and now - to put her doubts aside. Surely Bharak and Elathras were right - by all accounts they were both true heroes, fearless as any could be. Surely they weren't condemning a lot of innocent people to their deaths on account of the prophecy merely being a 'best guess', as Bharak put it.
And even if, surely the worth of some unremarkable townsfolk paled to the glory and power that came with completing the Sihedron - a legendary relic of Thassilonean power? Wasn't that exactly what she wanted - or needed? How would she ever make a difference in Galt without its no-doubt vast magical power?
"...Wait..."
"Thank you, Bharak - and Elathras. I'd like to think you're right and that this is all me needlessly worrying about the future," She says, if only to distract herself from that train of throught. She was too tired to think straight. Right? Right. "...For now, I suppose that regardless of whether collecting the shards is dangerous, we have to visit the Temple anyway. If only to try preventing whatever is there to open the Door."
Looking to the letters on the table, she nods. "Two requests from two local high priestesses. Let's split up and talk to them on the way out. With this new information, we should probably hurry as much as we can."
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Giving a light smile as Elena thanks him, Elathras, still feeling it's his responsibilty to rid his world of monsters, interjects, "Or to open the door and deal with whatever is sealed away."
Gesturing towards the letters, he considers the two dieties represented, Having been raised in Cheliax by the hellknigts his selection of dieties had been limited, to the lesser of evils. Abadon was at least not that. Though he was intruiged with the goddess of travelers and dreamers. "Agreed, with your permission I would like to visit the priestess of Desna. Afterwords we can book passage on a ship heading to Sandpoint." He looks around at the others, "Would anyone like to join me?"
When the meeting is over, Elthras will, with whoever wants to visit the cleric of Desna, head to the temple to learn of her request.
What are you doing now?
Shrugging, "Ship is fine with me. Just as long as I don't go overboard. Swimmin' is not a strong point of mine."
Chuckling at Vhane's response to his comment, Elathras nods, "We won't let you go overboard, When I'm done speaking with the priestess of Desna I will head to the docks and book passage on the ship leaving tomorrow." Realizing only Vhane had actually answered him, Elathras pauses to make sure no one disagrees.
The small ship is happy to take you for a small fee of 10gp each. Adventurers aboard is a nice bonus to safety, even on a safe route you've been using for years.
It is mid afternoon when you arrive in Sandpoint. You easily find your way to the Rusty dragon inn, it's a local landmark and the people are happy to point the way.
You find Pilla Linuveshi, a Varisian peddler and on-and-off-again fortuneteller who's taken up residence in Sandpoint's Rusty Dragon.
While she was badly rattled by her close encounter with a hill giant, she loves telling her story for the attention it gets her. You find Pilla in the tavern's front room, enjoying some free food and attention-she's only too eager to talk to you.
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What are you doing now?
Axton looks around the common room of the bar after he orders a round of drinks for his "crew." His eyes settle on Pilla, and he calls over to her.
"Aren't you Pilla Linuveshi? We've heard your tale all the way in Magnimar! If I add another drink to this order, could we hear your story about Windsong Abbey?"
Pilla's eyes twinkle as she looks at Axton, "A handsome boy like you can get all he wants from me!" She teases light-heartedly.
She tells you all about her adventure. Having noticed smoke rising from the abbey and detouring from her journey to investigate. As she approached, she found a strange, small pointed cap of crimson felt that appears to have been soaked in blood.
A moment later, a boulder "the size of a horse!" landed not 10 feet from her. .
Pilla fled, and still isn't quite sure how she survived other than that she's always been good at running away from monsters.
She still has the red hat, and produces it for you to examine.
With a successful DC 16 Knowledge (nature) check, a PC identifies the hat as having belonged to a murderous type of fey known as a redcap.
What now?
Having believed the ship was the fastest route to Sandpoint, Elathras, like Vhane wasn't necessarily fond of the method of travel. Having placed his feet back on solid ground, His mood quickly became lighter and following Axton to the inn, accepted the frothy beverage. Pleased the woman the needed to speak with was already at the establishment, he listens to her tale observing the hat as she produces it.
Pausing for a moment, he turns towards his fellow pathfinders, "That belonged to a 'Redcap,' nasty type of fey. Some lived in the Whisperwood. Murderous little bastards."
Quite glad to find himself in a dry and well stocked tavern, Bharak took a seat and ignored the bustling people around him. Still, he half-heartedly listened in as his fellows questioned Pilla. Too many hands ruined a soup, or so they said. He would be there if he was needed. Otherwise, he'd just be enjoying a drink.
"So, you found a murderous fey's eponymous hat but not the actual fey in question. Remarkable! And did the giant give chase?
"Did you see any sign of why smoke was rising from the abbey?"
Pilla looks disappointed by Axton's question, "I'm one old lady dear. I wasn't close enough to see why there was smoke over the abbey or any Redcaps thankfully! I too busy moving these old bones away as fast as possible to see what the Giant did."
She looks a little thoughtful, "Mind you, thinking it over, normally a giant would chase for a bit. Maybe he was just making sure I didn't get any closer?"
"Or I was just too scrawny for him to bother chasing." She cackles.
What now?
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Thoroughly enjoying an exotic bowl of spicy thin baked dough strings, Elena finds her spirit rising. With the excellent food and good mood of her fellow pathfinders, it was easy to forget all the doom and gloom that supposedly awaited them in the future. At least for a moment.
"Pilla, have there been any other travelers heading to the abbey as of late? And is there anyone in town who could tell us of the remaining clergy there? Has the abbey been in contact with this town in some way?" She asks the older woman, hoping there was at least some more information on potential enemies and allies at the site.
Chuckling at Pilla's answer to Axton's question, Elathras lets his mind wander as Elene inquires deeper. Realizing it was getting later in the day, Elathras considers what he knows of the road north. He considers starting out as soon as they are done questioning the woman, or spending one more night in a soft bed before the weary road. Waiving a hand at one of the Inn's staff, he asks the young woman, "Does the inn have any open rooms?"
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Pilla gives an approving nod to Elena, specifically her symbol of Shelyn. "No love, no ones headed out that way yet. At least no one whose come through this way."
She sighs a little, "Sad to say the Abbey is a fading destination to most. It was once a bright spot but since it never really changed anything before Ardathanatus went mad time has made it less interesting and people just don't bother anymore. Since it is independent of the Magnimar temples they mostly ignore it."
She thinks for a moment, If you want to know who was still living there I'd ask the Mayor Kendra Deverin. She keeps a keen eye on the local area. She'd either know who was there, or who would know about the abbey."
She indicates a woman engaged in a hearty meal at another table with several other official looking types.
Anything else you wish to ask her. She's happy to help for the price of a drink or two :)
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"Thanks Pilla, that was very helpful. Your next drink will be on me," Elena says, smiling at the woman as she excuses herself to the other table.
"Miss Deverin? I apologize for interrupting you and yours, but I was hoping you could help us with something. I am Elena Neidhardt of the Magnimar lodge of the Pathfinder Society. My friends and I are here to look into the matter of the Windsong Abbey... rumor has it that it has been attacked and possibly destroyed. We heard you had some dealings with the remaining clergy there. Could you tell us anything about them before we venture onward?" She asks the indicated woman, smiling kindly at her and whomever else was seated there.
"A storied room that is... Haunted? Cursed? Lived in by a mystery figure?" The Shelynite ponders when the group inquires for lodgings. Her hands briefly tremble, then she swallows her nerves away. She had to face her fears at some point. And she *was* curious. "Do we count as special guests? If so, is that room available? Otherwise I'll take the Golden Dragon suite." It's only then that she realizes that there were only four regular luxury rooms for the five of them. "If the bronze room is not available, two of us will have to share unless we hire a more common room too."
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Kendra lowers her eating utensils and regards Elena calmly. "I see, I'm glad that someone in Magnimar has been paying attention. I sent the message a week ago to the temples and got no response."
She doesn't sound impressed by the attitude of the Magnimar temples.
She quickly briefs you on the remaining Clerics at the Abbey. 5 of them, and an unknown number of acolytes and servants. Sadly the Abbey had become increasingly isolationist as it faded in relevance.
She has this information thanks to the occasional visitor from the abbey coming to Sandpoint for supplies.
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What are you doing now?
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As the young server tells him of the inn's amenities Elathras keeps one ear on the conversation between Axton, Elena and Pila. Considering all the options, Elathras would rather sleep in a bed one more night than the floor. Setting a platinum coin on the table he tells the server, "I'd like one of luxury rooms and a plate of the spicy artichoke hearts." Gesturing towards the coin, "Let me know when that runs out, I've plenty more."
Realizing Elena was getting up, he tells his friend, "I've got Pilla's next drink and the one after it." As he stands he gestures towards the server, indicating that she was to take Pilla's beverages out of his coin.
Standing silent behind his friend, Elathras listens as the mayor tells of the abbey. Raising an eyebrow realizing after all that had befallen, priest of such varied beliefs are able to still exist together. Once Elena is done speaking with the mayor and her officials, Elathras gestures towards the stage, asking, "Elena, will you perform for the people of Sandpoint?" He smiles, "It would get you a discount on your room."
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"Elena, will you perform for the people of Sandpoint?" He smiles. "It would get you a discount on your room."
The half-elf chuckles and smiles back. "Yes. Because saving one gold would really help us out, hm?"
She regards the podium next, considering her options, and eventually nods. "Besides, you don't need to ask. It's my duty as a priestess. I'll be back when I'm dressed."
She retreats, returning a short while later in a more traditional ballet outfit. Customary to her Patron, it was both tasteful and very colourful.
"Good evening, dear guests of the Rusty Dragon! Tonight, if she finds me worthy, I would like to extend Shelyn's grace to you. May it be a wonderful memory to look back on in these troubled times," she winks at the audience, and to those who knew her well, it was apparent that she was using magic of a sort. Her voice was more musical, sprinkled with a bit of mirth, her movements flowing into the next just slightly more fluently. "Of course, in tribute to the town's own divine Patron, it will be in theme for Desna. 'The Dream' is a classical piece, and the next, Starlit Drift, will take a more somber tone in memory of a great musician who recently passed before her time. But it is in her writings that even now, she lives on in our hearts."
She takes out the Siherdron Shard of Pride and focuses, forming four illusionary dancers in similar garments next to her on stage. Each of them then begin their dance and song in the evening light...
The first dance was uplifting and playful, mysterious and pleasant. A celebration? An adventure of a group of friends seeking something? Something else entirely? It was left to the mind of the viewer.
The second piece was vastly different, much more serious in nature. One of the Illusions changed changed to a deep red, taking on devillish features as another's took that of a butterfly. The real Elena remained in the back, focusing on the song itself. Her lyrics had a longing, tragic undertone, speaking of struggle and unrequited, forbidden love.
"Another lonely day,"
"All of my clouds were grey,"
"A tragic solo ballet,"
"And what's there more to say?"
"Untied and adriiiiiift~"
The devil's voice reaches the ears of all throughout the room as Rose continues her graceful flourishes on the floor. Her singing voice carries a little differently than normal, it feels rich, like velvet and resonates throughout the room.
"Although my heart was blue,"
"I remember seeing you."
"A midnight dance debut."
"Could all my dreams come true?"
"A gorgeous god-sent giiiiiiift?"
The devil places her hand over her chest as she looks upon the beauty of the azata before her. Her lips trembling as she delivers the line.
"Damned if I hadn't tried,"
"I put all my doubts aside,"
"And as our worlds collide,"
"I asked you to be my guide."
"I'm falling all too swiiiiiiift~"
The azata seemingly noticing the devil for the first time, dances joyously around her as the two women exchange tender and playful smiles.
"They may say we can never be,"
"That's what cruel gods decree."
"But what if our hearts were free?"
"We could live lives of glee."
"The paradigm we could shiiiiiift."
Seeming to remember her station the azata begins to hesitate fluttering further and further away from her devil as the tone grows more somber.
"Oh how I long for you..."
The devil steps forward, her arm extending out towards the dancing Azata. "A dance that's, made for two."
Her palm upturned, hand outstretched to take the other beautiful woman's own.
"So cast aside taboo,"
She takes a step forward towards the timid azata who flits, unsure, about the stage.
"Such passions we'd pursue..."
The azata spins and glides through the air as it seems to cast aside its doubt moving closer the the hopeful devil.
"Star..."
The devils cocks her head a painful longing in her eyes as she pirouettes and reaches back.
"lit..."
Unsure, the Azata pulls back.
"Driiiiiiiift~
When she eventually returns to the group's table (following what applause came from the audience, if any), she is smiling broadly. "Thanks for the suggestion, Elathras. That was fun! I think I needed that; to get my mind off the mission for a while."
Returning to their original table as Elena takes the stage, Elathras enjoys the plate of the spicy artichoke hearts while she does her performances. As she finishes, he stands and applauds. Honestly all he knew about dancing and frankly, most of the arts, he'd learned from Elena. So, he wasn't sure if it was a case of "knowing what he liked" or "Liking what he knew" but either way he believes she'd given a fine performance.
As she thanked him, he smiled and returned to his seat. "You're certainly most welcome. The illusions added to both performances, especially the song." He was going to add that when she danced, she needed no other images being enthralling enough herself; but he didn't have the words to communicate the mixture of feelings, so he let the idea pass.
Nursing his drink, the dwarf sat back and watched the show. It was hands down the best he had ever seen performed at a tavern or an inn. Or anywhere, if he was being honest with himself. As much as he knew that he should have been keeping an eye and ear out, it was hard to do so when the show was so captivating.
The regulars at the Rusty dragon are used to wild tales and talented performers, they are still moved and impressed by Elena's performance. Genuine talent and emotion combined to make her display incredibly moving.
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Having finished dinner and retiring to the 'Brass room' Elathras spends a restful night at the 'Dragon.' Rousing early he prepares his gear for the long hike, heading to the 'common room' for breakfast.
As they prepare to leave, he shoulders his Keen Guisarme "It's a long walk." Knowing Bharak was a skilled guide, he adds "Bharak will take point. I'll do my best to keep up with him." Looking to the other dwarf, he asks, "Vhane, you mind bringing up the rear?"
"Heh." The dwarf chuckled. "To keep up with me? Aye, I've got a long stride." He said with a slight smile as he walked ahead. He was feeling good, having gotten plenty of food and rest, before what he assumed would be another inevitable slaughter of someone deserving it.
Windsong Abbey is approximately 120 miles north of Magnimar as traveled
via the Lost Coast Road. You set off from Sandpoint early and make a fast pace, soon approaching the Abbey itself.
As you approach the abbey's vicinity, the rolling hills, light forests, and coastal cliffs give way to devastation. Farm fields scorched black, houses turned into jumbles of timber, and the mangled remains of half-eaten livestock rule the view.
Turkey vultures wheel in the skies above, and the smell of ash and decay taints the air even now, weeks after the initial destruction was wrought.
The village that once clustered just outside the abbey walls looks to be in ruins, with signs that Giants have been using it as their base.
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The abbey and surrounds are badly damaged, and there are signs of Giants around. What are you doing? It is mid-afternoon now.
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"Such a tragic fate for such a noble idea..." Elena says, surveying the extensive damage. "Who or what would have done this? And why? The shard being here? The Doomsday Door? A vendetta against the clergy of the remaining five gods?"
The the outside damage appearing weeks old at least, she signs. "we're probably not going to find anyone to save. But still... I think we should check the village on the outskirts of the complex first. It's closest and maybe there are still more giants lurking around. If we don't, we could get flanked by them later on. And maybe there is something left in the village that could be of some use to us."
Once a course is set, she unwinds the cloth around her spear, revealing a magical flag portraying the heraldry of the Pathfinder Society. "Let's hope this thing is as good at inspiring hope as it was said to be. Something tells me there's a lot more bloodshed ahead... as usual."
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"Such a tragic fate for such a noble idea..." Elena says, surveying the extensive damage. "Who or what would have done this? And why? The shard being here? The Doomsday Door? A vendetta against the clergy of the remaining five gods?"
"By now, we've seen plenty of evidence that there are many beings who do not need much of a reason to create calamity to get what they want. Just as we do not value their causes, they do not value our deterrents. It is the way of things."
Axton listens to Elena's strategy for clearing the area and agrees.
"Unless we feel like getting creative, we'll probably need to pass through the gate in that wall. Let's not be taken by surprise."
As they prepare to leave, he shoulders his Keen Guisarme "It's a long walk." Knowing Bharak was a skilled guide, he adds "Bharak will take point. I'll do my best to keep up with him." Looking to the other dwarf, he asks, "Vhane, you mind bringing up the rear?"
Nodding, "Aye."
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Watching for signs of Giants present in the village as Elena and Axton talk, Elathras turns to Bharak and Vhane, "The bigger they the harder they fall. Am I right."
Gesturing towards the scattered buildings outside the wall he adds, "Let's make sure we deal with any threats outside the wall before we pass through the gate."
Turning back to Bharak he asks the dwarf, "Should we scout ahead or just cautiously approach?" He smiles, "When I said we, I meant 'you'."
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"By now, we've seen plenty of evidence that there are many beings who do not need much of a reason to create calamity to get what they want. Just as we do not value their causes, they do not value our deterrents. It is the way of things."
"It's always easier to destroy than create," Elena says, surveying the ruins. "But that doesn't in any way excuse such wanton destruction. And if any believe it is their right to do so, it is our right to correct them."
She listens as Elathras discusses scouting with Bharak. "I'm fine with either approach, scouting first or direct assault, so long as we start at the edge and work methodically. I'd also suggest staying close to the houses as we move. As giants, their main advantage is throwing big rocks at us from a distance. Hopefully the structures can offer protection."
There were many things that Bharak thought they might face, but giants was not one of them. Seeing absolutely no humor in the situation, he nodded grimly. "I'll move up ahead to scout it out but will stay as close as I can. If I come across any of the fookers, there is no way I'm outrunning them." He added "We'll likely do a direct assault regardless. But not if their numbers are too great."
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Bharak slips forward silently, but soon stops, the small hamlet is overrun with dozing Giants and Ettin!
Currently sleeping with no lookouts it seems. Perhaps they are over-confident with no opposition for so long?
What are you doing now?
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Watching for signs of Giants present in the village as Elena and Axton talk, Elathras turns to Bharak and Vhane, "The bigger they the harder they fall. Am I right?"
Nodding, "Aye. And the more they bleed."
Vhane then leans in, speaking quietly and matter-of-factly, "I hate giants. I say we kill 'em all. I say we cover this hamlet in giant blood. So much of it that they change the name 'We painted our walls with Giant blood Windsong Abbey'. I'll concentrate on the ettin while the rest o' ye take down the giants. Unless there's a better plan. Which, as far as I'm concerned, as long as it involves exsanguinating these blasted giants, then, I don't care what the plan is." The dwarf's expression is so impassive, one would possibly never know what he hates if he didn't flat out tell them.
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Taken aback by Vhanes comment, it wasn't that Elathras was surprised that the dwarf hated giants, it was the length. It was possibly the most words Elathras had heard him speak at one time. While Elathras didn't have the deep-seated hatred for giants the dwarf did, he nodded, the giants needed to be put down. Looking from dwarf to dwarf, "Do you want to sneak in and end them while they are sleeping?"
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Sharing Elthras' surprise, Elena blinks at Vhane's relative waterfall of words. "I... suppose this is personal to you in some way?" She asks the dwarf, figuring that even if his tone didn't give anything away, the words conveyed the sentiment well enough.
"Do you want to sneak in and end them while they are sleeping?"
Taken back to her very first official mission, Elena recalls her horror at seeing Gul slit the thieves' throats in their sleep, figuring it the most efficient course of action. The argument that had spurred from that had caused the half-orc to storm off in anger, which had then gotten her killed before the group had reached her.
It felt like years ago. But now... seeing the destruction wrought to the abbey by the monsters, having encountered pure evil on a number of occassions, she wondered. Did Gul have a point back then? Sure, they were fighting small time criminals on that occassion, but to normal civilians, they'd have been dangerous enough.
The thoughts were troubling. She'd sided with Umazura then. If she hadn't, would Gul have been alive?
She looks at Bharak. "I think you're the only one among us who can kill them in their sleep. It... doesn't entirely feel right to me. But we can't risk them doing something like this again to some helpless town or group of travelers. We'll be right behind you if anything goes wrong."
Axton's eyes flick from person to person speaking as he purses his lips in thought.
"I can understand the unprincipled feeling of killing a sleeping enemy, but I also feel confident that these giants didn't have any honorable principals in mind when they attacked. It makes sense to use their naptime to our advantage.
"To that end, would anyone going in like to be made invisible? The spell will cancel after your first attack, but it might be helpful to get into position if any of the giants wake up.
"Or maybe enlarged and invisible?"
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"Aye. Let's do this. I might get one or two this way, but eventually the sound is going to wake the rest. So everyone should be ready to get the fook in there once they stir." The dwarf said.