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Bubba races up the stairs after the others, momentarily awestruck by the sight of the struggling researchers and the shadows and negative energy swirling and pulsing within the room. But he quickly refocuses and moves to stand near one of the researchers, ready for...well, anything, really, while his other allies work to wrangle the ritual flaws.
Maldlethu, on the other hand, actually seems to be enjoying the spectacle even as he recognizes the danger of it. He also moves to stand near Tavvar and begins tracing air sigils...but did she really screw this section up? The elf isn't quite sure and his attempt to repair one of the flaws falters.
The ritual circle suddenly crackles and emits a pulse of shadow energy that washes over Tavvar, her assistants, Pawero, Swayaah, and Maldlethu! Unable to
Tavvar and her assistants keep on their feet but it's clear that the energy burst has done a number on most of them. The three assistants look extremely injured and you suspect they probably can't withstand another blast like that, while Tavvar is noticeably bloodied.
And to make matters worse, one of the swirling bits of shadow coalesces into a wispy, humanoid shape! It's surprisingly small, though. In fact, it's downright tiny.
As luck would have it, it pops up within reach of Bubba who promptly welcomes it to the Material Plane by cracking it over the head with his sling staff! Looks like it was super effective too, as the shadow wisp screeches in pain and flits into Bubba's square to strike back...
...and as it hits, it attempts to attach itself to Bubba's shadow! Luckily his own shadow manages to duck out of the way.
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Pawero
Bubba
Maldlethu
Swayaah
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Ritual
Shadow Wisp
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Jirelle
Ezren
Active Conditions: None
Everyone is UP!
Ezren winces as the negative energy washes over the assistants and Tavvar. Can't let her suffer any more for her own idiocy. Striding up as fast as his weary legs can muster he concentrates on the next closest flaw, working to undo the damage that has been done...
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Though ready for anything, Jirelle wasn't actually ready for this. The spectacle of the ritual, the shadow wisps, and cracks in Reality(!) give her pause. But she knows she needs to help.
She hustles up topside and catches Swayaah expressing her frustration at her own attempts to "fix the ritual." But Jirelle can kind of tell how it works. She's actually surprised at herself, but it's a little bit like a lock, or a puzzle.... "Ooh, yeah, it's kinda like those Qadiran puzzle boxes. My boson had one of those. Here, try this," she says as she carefully manipulates the ritual items.
Realizing that this ritual is not playing around, everyone scrambles to do what they can against it. Ezren hustles the rest of the way up the stairs and attempts to stabilize one of the flaws, but runs into much the same problem that Maldlethu did and hesitates at the last second.
Caught off guard, Pawero suffers the full effect of the negative energy blast and triples his efforts to stabilize and repair the ritual flaws. His expertise in magical effects pays off as he's able to stabilize not one but two of the remaining flaws!
Swayaah, on the other hand, manages to resist some of the ritual's negative energy. She also triples her efforts to get things under control, but for some reason she just can't keep her focus this time.
At this point Jirelle finishes her hurried trek up the stairs and finds herself taken aback by the spectacle of it all. Yet some of the trappings of the ritual are actually somewhat familiar to her and she manages to easily disable one of the flaws!
Over on the other side of the room, Bubba flies into a rage at the AUDACITY of this thing trying to slip into his shadow! He delivers another solid blow to the shadow wisp, this one even MORE powerful than his first...and with a screech, the shadows fly apart and the wisp returns from whence it came!
Now only the three flaws being contained by Tavvar's assistants remain and with so many of the other flaws now repaired, it proves much, much easier for the group to finish stabilizing them. The energy of the ritual finally dissipates and the shadows slip out of the room.
Tavvar shakily drops down on her hands and knees. "Ooh...that...that didn't go as planned," she gasps.
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Arms spread wide, Maldlethu almost seems to welcome the wash of chilling darkness. Eyes shut, he doesn’t seem to notice the frantic movements of his companions until the ritual has been tamed. When he does finally return, he scowls at the sudden lack of magical phenomena in the room.
“But it was glorious, was it not?” Maldlethu thrusts a hand into the air, the two-sided silver face dangling between his fingers. “Now feel the power of magic burning away your injuries and your doubts!” Gentle white light spills from his fingers and pools around each living creature in the room like cats returning to their favorite sleeping spots.
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A frown flickers across Pawero's face.
"I would not describe it as glorious," he comments. "Whatever its intentions, it was clearly spiraling out of control and nearly took more than one life. What was the plan?"
While he awaits Tavvar's answer, he removes a tincture from his bandolier and swiftly applies it to himself, restoring his vigor.
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"Glorious?" Wizards. "Sure, the darkness almost ate us. That's fine, that's cool, that's real uh glorious." Swayaah scratches her head briefly, then recoils as her nails scrape her scalp. "Ow."
This wizard can heal, though, so it's not all bad.
With that accomplished, she turns to Tavvar. "Tavvar Hamavsi? Good to see you. I'm Swayaah Maeleranti. My friends and I are part of the Pathfinder Society. We wanted to ask you about the ritual you... were performing. Our boss was interested in copies of the ritual scrolls, if you have any. Maybe you could come with us and talk to him, too."
"It's the least you could do. We did kinda save your life."
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"Glorious is NOT the word I would use here..." Ezren grumbles as he surveys the scene hobbling over to Tavvar. "Yeah, we wanted to make sure no lasting harm was done by your...ritual. Any information you have would be most appreciated."
Like Swayaah says...we DID save you from your own stupidity!
"Well, I mean..." Tavvar actually begins to protest before catching the looks being given to her by her research assistants. If looks could kill, Tavvar would probably be pushing up daisies after all.
"Er...of course," she nods sheepishly. "You did save us all, so it's only fair I share my research with you and your boss. I've been focused on creating partially real shadow illusion manifestations of the memories from people, places, and things, you see."
Now looking a bit better courtesy of Maldlethu's channeled healing, Tavvar gets back on her feet and moves over to a nearby desk stacked with papers. "But the thing that just happened was not supposed to happen, I promise you!" she exclaims as she scoops them up in her arms and turns back to face the group. "I guess...I guess I got into too much of a hurry with the ritual design," she sighs. "What a stupid, amateur mistake..."
One of the assistants coughs awkwardly but the trio otherwise remain silent.
"Anyway...you said you're with the Pathfinder Society? Then that explains why you've got some skill yourselves with magic. And your boss is curious about my research..."
Tavvar's expression turns thoughtful. "You know...perhaps working with you would be for the best after all. I could always use more help and a patron that wouldn't be breathing down my neck for results. Then I could make sure to take the proper care that such things deserve."
"Still...he's right, it was rather glorious, wasn't it? In its own twisted sort of way," she adds with a bit of a wry smile. "Oh! It's not much, but I still have the focus I used for the ritual - I think I need to try using something else next time but it'd be a shame to let it go to waste. Please, take it."
She scoops something up from the center of the ritual circle and offers it to you; looks like it's a Lesser Mistform Elixir.
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"Sweet. Let's get you back to the lodge. We'll get a recommendation in for your assistants, too. They're strong." She grins.
Swayaah just wanted to get out of there. The sooner, the better. Now she can add "overeager shadow ritual" to her list of Reasons to tear the Blakros Museum Down. Seriously, this place never lets up.
Salera is right where Swayaah left her: alone with Chayron. "Mom, stop it. We're moving. Leave him alone." She turns to Chayron. "Best you forget her." Salera shrugs and grins at Chayron. "You know where I live. I could use some assistance..."
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Tavvar's expression turns thoughtful. "You know...perhaps working with you would be for the best after all. I could always use more help and a patron that wouldn't be breathing down my neck for results. Then I could make sure to take the proper care that such things deserve."
"Yes, the Master of Spells is both an enthusiast and a connoisseur of magic. You would be welcomed!" Maldlethu ignores (or perhaps doesn't notice) his companions' cool responses to his enthusiasm on the topic.
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Bubba swats at the dissipating shadows with his giant staff a few more times before shaking his fist in the air and mumbling something in his ancient native tongue.
"The Queen Mother strengthens her own, begone!"
A refreshing wave of energy washes over him and breaks him out of his rage. "Everyone and their shadows ok?" He moves around the room a bit and leans in behind Tavvar and her assistants to check, just in case. "Looks ok here I think."
"So who's your normal patron anyhow? Rushing you to control shadows?" His ears can be keen, at least when he's not chewing.
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Bubba splits off from the group to ask around about the haunted house, how spooky is that!
"My research is my own but the College of Mysteries is...always very eager to see results," Tavvar answers Bubba as everyone, herself and her assistants included, begins making their way out of the museum. "But we're not necessarily beholden to each other, so my working with the Pathfinder Society shouldn't ruffle too many feathers."
After collecting Salera from Chayron's company (he actually seems a bit sad to see her go) you part ways with Tavvar; she's got a meeting at the Grand Lodge while you have an appointment of sorts to keep with a certain 'haunted house' out in the Precipice Quarter...
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It's already quite late in the day by the time you head over to the Precipice Quarter; the sun will be going down soon and shops and other businesses are beginning to close their doors for the day. Hoping to save the group some time, Pawero tries to recall what he may have heard about this so-called haunted mansion.
As it turns out, Pawero has actually heard a fair bit about this location! The Mavedarus estate was built generations ago, and the series of disappearances and deaths in and around the house began before it was even completed. Despite the perpetual incidents, the house remained in the possession of the original Chelaxian family, passing down through the generations until it was abandoned after the earthquake that shook Absalom in 4698 AR, sending most of Beldrin's Bluff into the sea. The couple in residence at the time, a pair of dollmakers, went missing in the quake. While rescue workers never found their bodies, they found many others within its walls - until a series of accidents eventually killed enough rescue workers that they simply boarded up the site and left it. And there it sits to this day, empty...and waiting.
Rumor also has it that the dolls made by the former owners were no ordinary dolls. No, these dolls supposedly contained one extra, very special ingredient...human souls. Of course no one ever found any conclusive proof of this, but the rumors persist.
And this is the place Calisro Benarry wishes you to spend the night. Lovely. But at least forewarned is forearmed, right? All of this information is corroborated by Bubba, who does a little asking around himself as you make your way out to the mansion.
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The Mavedarus home was once a grand, three-story structure with a rooftop veranda and manicured grounds and might have once commanded the respect and envy of its neighbors. Now, whatever upper stories it might have once had have long collapsed, scattering stone and debris across gardens grown wild and weedy. Two curving staircases lead to a broad veranda bereft of its railings. Two openings that might have once been doors lead into the faint remnants of a solarium, while two more doors lead further into the creaking house itself. A whiff of rot and decay seeps from the structure.
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"So, it's like some of those ancient places near the Eye. Unlucky, then long abandoned. C'mon, Bubba," Jirelle says as she gives the halfling an elbow nudge. "Up the starbo... right side stairs?" she suggests. Though she doesn't start moving quite yet, in case her more observant friends notice anything amiss first.
"What a lovely abode...LOVE what the owners have done to the place..." Ezren grumbles sarcastically to himself before pausing at the entrance of the solarium. "Best to go slow here. Benarry obviously wants us to find something here, but no need to be careless."
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From one cursed residence to the next. Pawero's deduction and Bubba's findings paint a terrible picture of this place, and the many "accidents" over time didn't help. But it's not the first time people let rumor run wild over the truth. Swayaah scratches her horns until her mother taps her hand as a reminder to stop.
Swayaah takes a moment to investigate what's left of this house.
"Okay, no traps were in the museum (for once). But what about this place? I'll take point and head to the front door once we're ready."
After Swayaah and Pawero both take a few moments to walk the perimeter of the house - overgrown as it is - the group carefully makes their way up the curving staircases to what's left of the veranda. For a moment you can see in your mind's eye what the house must have looked like back when it was brand new and unsullied by death and decay. The view from the veranda and solarium overlooking the vibrant green landscaping would have been wonderful, especially paired with a comfortable chair and a cold beverage.
It's a pleasant thought, but brief. Those days are long gone and only the shadows remain. What remains of the veranda as well as the solarium hold little of interest beyond some crumbling furniture and a few potted plants gone feral, so you turn your attention to the large doors that lead into the manor itself. Though warped and faded with age, they're still surprisingly sturdy.
After Swayaah and Bubba confirm that there doesn't seem to be anything amiss about the doors, the tiefling carefully pushes them open to reveal the chamber beyond. The tiled floor, ornate columns, and sweeping staircases of this once-grant hall evoke a distinctly Taldan aesthetic, though the finery has suffered greatly over the past years. The marble floor tiles are cracked and filthy, and the statuary lining the walls has been smashed. None of the three staircases climbs beyond head level before ending abruptly, debris from their fallen upper reaches scattered across the floor.
As the group begins making its way inside, the two of you hear what sounds like scratching, coming from underneath the floorboards. Except it doesn't sound like the sort of scratching that rodents would make. It's deeper, and more rhythmic...almost like the sounds that humanoid nails might make.
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Salera looks at the mansion with a critical eye. "The landscaping was well done, for mortal hands anyway. The stairs are still sturdy. You can tell the help understood quality. Is that a rosebush?" She smiles, locking her gaze with Swayaah as they finish their investigations. "I'll stay out here and keep looking around. Shout if you need me."
Swayaah smiles, nods and moves to the entrance. Mom likes inspecting these mansions. Reminds them both of home, before the exile.
It isn't long before Pawero points out noises in his usual deadpan tone. She turns to him, then turns towards the floor. "I don't... hear anything. And if it is a ghost, what do we do about that?"
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"I hear it, too," Jirelle pipes in. "But ghosts? I dunno," she adds trying to see if she knows anything at all about ghosts. But she's never encountered a ghost, so all she'd know would be what she'd heard in the shanties of old salts. And those aren't exactly known for their accuracy.
"Anyone see stairs leading below? Go meet 'em on our terms, rather than waiting for 'em to come get us?"
Either way, she's not keen on staying bunched up, and steps out of the gaggle to her right just a bit.
"Exorcism?" Ezren snorts, "And who is going to do that?"
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"Exorcism... with the priests and the gods and the backwards neck thing?"
"Ugh, I never paid attention to Dad's teachings on this. I'm with Jirelle. Keep your eyes peeled for any access downstairs."
Swayaah heads towards one of the doors, paying careful attention to her surroundings before opening the doorway.
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"Exorcism?" Ezren snorts, "And who is going to do that?"
Maldlethu spreads his arms wide, black robes and white hair fluttering madly in all directions. "The dead pass to another plane of existence, and there sometimes their form, their very essence is transformed into the pinnacle of what they believed in life. Certainly a magical transition, wouldn't you agree?"
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"This place is in rough shape, looks like someone didn't have enough sons to pass down the family fortune." He pokes the feral plant pots with his staff, checking for snakes.
"Or maybe they lost everything at the camel spitting contest, its been known to happen..." Don't say a word mother! He hangs his head in shame as he tries to laugh it off.
Bubba moves inside and looks around, nothing catches his eye and he starts to let his guard down a bit, at least until the two mention something about ghosts and exorcisms. "Ghosts? Cripes! Maybe I can help them exercise some. I've heard the Isis priests' chants plenty of times, if only I can remember the words just right..." He moves to the southern door to check it out, going over the phrases in his head as he does.
Isus, veronica, neptune? Feels kind right...
After thinking it over a moment, Maldlethu and Ezren both realize what has already occurred to Pawero - it's highly likely that the scrabbling sounds might be some manner of haunt lingering within the room. This seems somewhat more likely when Jirelle's mention of stairs leading down make you all realize that you don't actually see any - at least not here.
These three - Maldlethu, Ezren, Pawero - suspect that it would take the application of holy rites to remove, or at least disable, a haunting. In short, an exorcism.
Meanwhile, Swayaah ain't too concerned about no ghosts! She heads for a set of double doors to the north, taking some precautionary measures before opening the the brittle, unlocked doors. They swing open to reveal what seems to have once been a small reading room, now open to the sky due to the partially collapsed walls and ceiling. Another door leads off of this room to the east.
Bubba heads down the southern hall, stopping at a closed door leading to the east. After studying it, he's certain that there aren't any lingering traps here nor does he hear anything on the other side. This door also appears to be unlocked.
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“Spirits! Restless dead! Why do you linger here? Do you not realize the wonders awaiting you beyond Pharasma’s Boneyard? Enrapturing pain, restful darkness, maddening understanding of how the multitudes of the universe coexist, and then finally, a return to the unceasing fires of creation! Imagine it!”
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Eeny, meeny..., Eh, I'll stick with Swayaah. She's smart, and Bubba can handle himself, Jirelle decides as the party begins to scooby off.
"Find anything interesting?"
"Why am I whispering?" Jirelle chides herself with a laugh as she slips past Swayaah and into the reading room. She looks up at the exposed sky, takes a quick look around, then steps back to give the tiefling room to check the next door.
Ezren grunts in reply to Pawero, "Yeah, if you want to get technical here..." Eying Maldlethu closely he stands ready to assist with the exorcism, if needed...
Most of the group hold their collective breath as Maldlethu urges any lingering spirits to cross the threshold into eternity. The scrabbling sounds intensify until it sounds as though the very floor may erupt...and then stop. Silence falls over the decrepit hall and the atmosphere here seems to lighten.
While all of this is going on, Jirelle heads north to join Swayaah in the ruined reading room. She takes a quick gander around but seeing nothing to alarm or rouse her interest, she steps back and waits for Swayaah to inspect the eastern door.
Down on the other end of the hall, Bubba waits to make sure that things are under control and that there won't be any angry spirits coming to eat the group's toes. Once Maldlethu quiets the lingering spirits, he casually pushes open the door in front of him. The furniture in this once-fine dining room was crushed by the debris falling from the floors above. What remains is sodden and mostly unidentifiable. Three doors exit from the dining room; two individual doors lead to the east while a third leads south.
Not particularly worried about the group having split up a bit, Swayaah checks the door in front of her and finding nothing suspicious about it, gently swings it open.
Everything this room once held now lies jumbled over the floor in a soggy mess: torn pages, scraps of fabric, and splintered remnants of furniture. A door hangs askew in the west wall, but the door to the south has been smashed from its hinges. The only thing of immediate interest that Swayaah can see is a small, unbroken vial of red liquid that looks to have rolled into a nearby corner.
Jirelle, on the other hand, spots something that the tiefling does not. A hidden compartment, in the wall behind a collapsed bookcase. Within lies a sack of notes that seems to pertain to the previous owners' work. Disturbingly, one of these papers lists the exact schematics and materials necessary to create a soulbound doll...
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Jirelle gladly hands off the weird red liquid and even stranger notes. She doesn't understand the mystical notations or equations, and the diagrams are just plain creepy and unsettling.
She moves in behind Swayaah, rapier at the ready.
"At some point, something's gonna jump out at us. It's just a matter of when...." she notes to the tiefling, continuing to whisper out of habit in a place like this.
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Maldlethu follows after Bubba, rubbing his throat and wincing whenever he tries to clear it.
Bubba gives the Elf a strange look "Kinda weirdin' me out that you keep rubbin' my throat every time I cough. Pretty sure I ain't got the plague.. pretty sure at least." He shakes it off and moves into the room, poking through the rubble to the pair of double doors on the other end.
No Mother I'm not gonna take my shoes off at the door.. door's rotted all ta heck n the ruff's fallen in! After a moment of 'reflection' he tests the doors and peeks inside.