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Lidya is able to escape the Spider's web, slashing her way free.
Zazu sends a cloud of lightning at the Black Spider, and it shudders as the electricity runs through it.
Lidya strikes at the Red dotted spider, barely missing with the Firebrand and swinging wider with their dagger.
◆ The Red dotted Spider strikes back at Lidya
and Crits Lidya for 12 point of damage plus a Fortitude save
If the save fails, poison stage 1 and 1d10 poison damage:
◆ Red Strikes again at Lidya
Missing with the second strike
◆ And strikes again for a third Strike at Lidya
Missing again
Round 2
Bold May Act
Inspire Courage is up. +1 status bonus to Attack, Damage, and Saves versus Fear
Tifali (Xixotli -9 HP, Pending DC 16 Fortitude Save, poison round 2)
Red Spider (-8 HP)
Tawnie Rumbuckle
Green Spider (-13 HP)
Hui Kong (Immobilized, Escape DC 17)
Black Spider (HP -7)
Morthos Talandro (-12 HP Pending DC 16 Fort save for poison)
Zazu
Keliara Irsiya
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Hui Kong looks on as his magical shield just barely manages to repel the mass of web that flies toward him, and grins.
He starts chanting a spell as he spins his staff, and vicious spikes grow forth from his weapon as he brings it down upon the spider that is attacking his teammates, ignoring the one behind him, for now.
Even as the spikes retract, he keeps spinning his staff in the air. In a blur, he first brings it down on the same target and spins around to attack the one behind him.
Oof
Lidya seems to brace herself against the spider bite, attempting to maintain a level of "toughness."
It seems to work though, as while she can feel the poison coursing through her veins she somehow wills away its effects.
Lidya looks around frantically, realizing that Hui Kong has taken out the last of the spiders. She stows her blade and straightens out her clothes.
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Tifali & Xixotli are in obvious distress due to the Spider's poison. Xixotli's wound drains a massive amount of blood and nasty looking puss. Tifali does his best to treat the poison, but while his effort helps, the pair slumps to the ground.
Round 3
Bold May Act
Tifali (Xixotli Unconscious and Dying 1, poison round 3)
Red Spider (-8 HP)
Tawnie Rumbuckle
Green Spider (-13 HP)
Hui Kong
Black Spider (HP -7)
Morthos Talandro
Zazu
Keliara Irsiya
Botting Tawnie Rumble's Round 2 Action
Tawnie Casts Soothe on Tifali
After all this, I am not going to let a member of my party succumb to Spider Venom!
Round 3
Bold May Act
Tifali (Healed 6 HP, poison round 3)
Red Spider (-8 HP)
Tawnie Rumbuckle
Green Spider (-13 HP)
Hui Kong
Black Spider (HP -7)
Morthos Talandro
Zazu
Keliara Irsiya
Lidya also approaches Tifali, wondering how she might help.
The spectral woman rushes in and pushes her brother out of the way and grabs the healer's tools.
You're doing it all wrong, let me try!
After you attempt to Treat a Poison for a creature, you can’t try again until after the next time that creature attempts a save against the poison.
Tawnie Rumbuckle steps forward and casts "Guidance" on Tifali
Tifali's body shudders as the poison works it's way deeper into his body.
Round 5
Bold May Act
Tawnie Rumbuckle
Hui Kong
Morthos Talandro
Zazu
Keliara Irsiya
Tifali (Currently 8 HP, poison round 4 done, Poison Stage 3)
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Tifali is devastated by the spider's poison, but eventually survives the experience, although not by much.
As the poison ends its ravages on Tifali's body, a semi-transparent figure coalesces over obviously disturbed mound of dirt in the garden plot. The smell of decaying flesh mixed with freshly turned earth fills the air as the rain continues.
The figure reaches out toward you and says "Pathfinders?" with a wavering, questioning tone.
With Tifali finally coming through, Lidya and Morthos exhale and step away from him.
That was a close one. Sorry, I'm guessing this crowd isn't too comfortable. You probably want some space.
She's heading in the other direction when the figure suddenly appears.
Eloise?! Yes, we're the Pathfinders trying to set things right with... what happened to you. How can we help you?
Lidya frowns, frustrated but clearly saddened and not angry.
Please, we need to know how to help you! Is the problem Cadmin and Brimson? If you tell us whether they exist and where they are we can deal with them.
Lidya's expression shifts from sadness to confusion, and then a spark of an idea. She offers her own spectral hand to the tormented spirit.
Oh! Would you like to join us? You can be a real Pathfinder and help us complete this mission! What do you say?
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When Zazu places the Wayfinder on the mound, Eloise spirit looks satisfied and starts to fade.
As she fades into the darkness, the rain slacks off, and a beam of light finds its way through the clouds.
As Eloise fades away and her spirit continues the journey through to the boneyard, you hear on last, firm word, that seems to confirm her brotherhood with you.
Pathfinders!!
Lysandria has made her way to the mansion, and appears behind you on the roof. Tear streaming down her face, she moves toward the mound as the Spirit fades.
Goodbye my love. I am glad you got your wish, but I will miss you more than you can know.
Thank you Pathfinders. You made Eloise's dream come true. I will make arrangements to have her moved to a proper resting place under the appropriate rites. Please leave me alone so the I can grieve the loss of my partner.
Word quickly spreads throughout East Hill and the rest of Almas. Lysandria makes sure everyone knows the Pathfinder Society’s role in events.
Venture-Captain Brackett is impressed by your actions during the investigation. Since you managed to capture Revinus, Brackett thanks
you for investigating thoroughly, even as he shares concern about events transpiring in Cheliax.
When VC Brackett examines the mysterious letter from “Aydrian”, he confirms it is likely Aydrian Thrune, a minor noble in the Chelaxian House of Thrune. More concerning is the implication that the situation with Eloise resulted from the interference of another party in some elaborate scheme.
With the legal matters coming to a head soon, Brackett tells you to get some rest.
I hope you’ll be around the lodge in the coming weeks when I'm set to present our case for the Pathfinder Society’s rightful ownership of
the Cathedral of Aroden.
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Keliara lets out a sigh of relief as Tifali manages to shake off the effects of the poison. When the ghost appears, Keliara takes a concerned expression and opens her mouth to speak, but ultimately decides it is better to do Lidya do the talking.
When the ghost fades after Zazu offers her his Wayfinder, the woman lowers her head in silence. After a few moments, she turns to the Pathfinders. "We did a good thing. I am glad she will be able to rest now."
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As the Pathfinders head back to the Cathedral, Keliara speaks with her family. "Who would have thought we'd be sent to deal with a ghost on our first assignment." she muses. "Perhaps there are people in the Society who are sympathetic to our cause and want us to find what happened to Lidya, after all." She places a hand on her sister's spectral shoulder. "You did good, sis. We're one step closer to solving your mystery."
Then, turning to her brother, she adds: "What do you propose we do, Morthos? Should we stay and see this matter resolved or should we pursue leads elsewhere?"
I'm here working with the society and I'm still stuck like this... not fair. The spectral woman looks a little forlorn, and isn't really engaging discussion otherwise at the moment.
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He frowns at his younger sister, barely knowing what to say. Finally, with resign, he offers Hang in there kid, we'll figure it out.
Then to Keliara, Given the nature of this case I think we should stay with it. Perhaps while investigating the greater plot we can continue our research on spirits and why some can be put to rest seemingly on fewer tasks than others. It... can't be much longer now.
He gives his youngest sister a slightly hopeful look.
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After about a week of "Downtime" (eight days to be exact) when you all get letters slid under your doors. The letters are from VC Brackett, informing you that he expects you to come with him to help defend the Pathfinder Society's ownership claim to the cathedral.
It is late afternoon. Venture Captain Brackett will meet you in the morning for the walk to the Golden Cathedral.
New slide with a new handout
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Eight days after the events involving the ghost of Eloise, juste as the Pathfinders receive the letters from Brackett, Keliara arrives especially early for breakfast.
In place of the traditional Osiriani clothing she usually wears, Keliara wears brand new Andoran clothes. Despite the clothes being the right size for her, she constantly fidgets with it, pulling on the sleeves and replacing the collar.
"I thought I would be presentable for the hearing. But this is much less comfortable than my usual clothes.
Her thick, curly hair has been straightened into a single ponytail, with a few stragglers veiling her ears. The only thing about her look that is the same as the previous days is her leather jerkin, way too small for her, worn awkwardly over her new clothes.
The herbalist patiently waits for the others to arrive while sipping a cup of tea.
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Morthos exits his room reading a letter. For now, his sister Lidya is not with him. As soon as he has sight of any of the party in the common room, his complaining commences.
Buttering up city council members? So that Brackett can make an easier case to them? Isn't this what silver-tongued bards are for? We have better things to be doing!
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Zazu reads the letter for 3rd time. In the morning he uses his magic to clean his clothes and iron them. "Ok Zazu, it is time to do the show, you may not be the talkative type, but you can be a bullsh**t artist. And in the end it is all about showmanship"
He grabs his staff and leaves to meet with the others.
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“Good morning!” says Venture-Captain Brackett, “And thank you for coming. I trust you read my briefing and you’re well rested and ready for a busy day at court! Please, let us walk and talk; I want to make sure we’re not late. I hope to speak with Valor, the Iomedaean representative, before we start. We’ll be going to the Golden Cathedral to present our case to the People’s Council.”
The short walk to the Golden Cathedral passes through one of the main streets in Almas. Even at this early hour, the city is bustling. The sounds and smells of the street-food vendors selling breakfast fill the crisp morning air, carried on a bracing ocean breeze. Down the side streets, vendors are setting up their carts and getting ready for another busy day.
Brackett continues, “I am sure you read my brief when you arrived, but let’s go over some of the basics to refresh everyone’s memory. Over a decade ago, I purchased our lodge, the Almas Cathedral, at a deeply discounted price. I got the discount because the Church of Aroden here in Almas had gone bankrupt; it was very scandalous, but the purchase was appropriate, and I like to think we have used the building to help the people of Andoran. It seems that not everyone agrees, and the church of Iomedae has thrown the legitimacy of our claim into question. As you know, the ghost of a woman slain nearby seemingly accused the Pathfinder Society of her murder, but you proved the whole affair was orchestrated by Chelaxian spies. It seems someone else might’ve been pulling the strings, but we haven’t ascertained who it is. I can’t help but think our string of unfortunate circumstances lately might be related.”
“It is excellent to work with you again so soon. Your help in clearing our name in that haunting incident is very much appreciated. I am pleased to get to work with you again. Perhaps you could mention your efforts when arguing our case? It may help if we can remind the council, and the church of Iomedae, that we’re united with them against such machinations.”
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The night before, Morthos heads out to some nearby hangouts to talk up locals and see what rumors they know of Freya Greensong.
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As they walk along, Morthos listens to Brackett recount the claim from his letter.
So, is it possible there will be competing agents around as well chatting up these officials? Should we be on the lookout for Chelaxian agents at this very event?
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VC Brackett responds to Morthis query
Valor, the representative of the Church of Iomedae will be there. I don't expect any others, as this is a subset of the Council that is gathering information. We haven't seen Chelaxian Agents operating as openly as to be at events like this. I don't expect any of them to be here, but remember that there are people who aren't fond of the Pathfinders who aren't Chelaxian Agents.
VC Brackett picks up on Zazu's interest in the Church of Iomedae and tells you “Valor is an automaton champion of Iomedae. If it weren’t for our current situation, I think we would get along quite well. They’re very committed to growing the Iomedaean faith and believe that the best way to do that is with a grand cathedral. They seem sincere in their belief that their church is the rightful inheritor of the building, despite our legitimate purchase.”
I am giving you the general society check results
Most members of the People’s Council take their responsibility to serve their country and its people seriously. They are as diverse in their membership as they are in opinions. Andoran prides itself on welcoming all, and open disrespect of others is not acceptable.
The People’s Council can be swayed by arguments that focus on how a decision makes Andoran better and stronger. While the letter of the law is important, in many cases, the impact of the law on people and society takes precedence.
No one in the bars you visited is familiar with Freya Greensong.