Derf will move in, slowly and carefully, then leap onto one of the lower crates to get a better look.
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Nikita rubs his chin thoughtfully. I vould like to underrrstand wherrre puppeteer of zis terrrible spectacle of death is. Ahem. I'm sorrry, Lady Vanessa, I'm not talking about you.
Vanessa only smiles indulgently at Nikita's correction.
Seeing Moo and Deeno unable to follow, she commands them to wait - one at the top of each stair - and kill anyone that tries to follow her down the stairs.
At the sight of the slick floors, she comments "I am not tromping tru zhat vater in zhese shoes." Even as she says it, wings of inky blackness spring from her back. Although clearly magical, their form and design seem to perfectly match the black silk and lace dress she's wearing. She launches herself into the air, flies over Nikita's head and into the left-hand tunnel so that at least Nikita can still see her. She gently alights behind a rock and peeks around the corner without exposing herself to what- or whom-ever may lie beyond.
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And I'm annoyed there is not enough water to swim and just enough water to make this a hazard.
She casts Cat's Grace on herself then holds out a hand to the Magistros.
Maybe if we pair up we can help steady each other she says with a smile. Anyway, you've come this far may as well keep going. Besides, what a tale you will be able to tell once this is over. Bragging rights galore.
She then moves carefully along the tunnel after Vanessa (with or without the Magistros).
Unless Featherstep negates the slipperyness, she slips and falls.
Derf takes to the tunnel.
She launches herself into the air, flies over Nikita's head and into the left-hand tunnel so that at least Nikita can still see her.
Vanessa takes to the air.
She then moves carefully along the tunnel after Vanessa
Unless Featherstep negates the slipperyness, she slips and falls.
Spica takes to the wet ground.
She gently alights behind a rock and peeks around the corner without exposing herself to what- or whom-ever may lie beyond.
From her vantage, the Lady can easily see what lies ahead.
Well lit by standing lamps, the tunnels stretch into an adjacent chamber, seemingly carved from the bedrock as well. However, the adjacent chamber is made of smooth walls, covered in strange glyphs, and also lit by the same standing lamps. At the center of that chamber stands a tall stone dais. In the middle of the dais is a huge boulder which, by all appearances, fell a great distance before crashing here. The boulder glows with an eerie green light.
Full map now revealed on Slides.
Next to the boulder, Vanessa spies a man, dressed in the macabre attire of the cultists slain in the opera hall above and holding a heavy pick in one hand and a vial in another. As she peaks around the corner, she catches the last few syllables of some ancient incantation, which is followed by a dark, ghostly shimmer emanating throughout much of the chamber.
A massive, lumbering form of decaying flesh stands at the base of the dais.
Images of the man and monster now on Slides.
The man next to the stone seems prepared to speak, but he is unable to do so before Vanessa can act.
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Seeing another zombie, the Lady would do what's worked so well so far.
The necromantic energies bonded to her blood by the foul ceremony that marked her own conception spill out in words of power, and the dark winged Lady adds another minion to her repertoire.
She then quietly informs Grunjar of what she's done and commands Pooh to join her while staying behind the cover of the rocks.
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Great! Fly! Another spell I didn't think I was going to need today
Hey guys. Are there any planks in this room? Maybe we can lay them out as a sort of path
She then has another go at traversing the tunnel while the Cats Grace is still active. Maybe I should save up for a belt of Dex.
She gives up on that approach and goes looking for objects that could be used as stepping stones to avoid the slippery floor.
Time to MacGyver something. She'll deal with the damage to her dignity later.
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One thought knocks in Nikita's head. The main thing is not to wet the cartridges. With these thoughts, he rushes forward, stepping carefully in the water so as not to slip.
Feeling with all his gut that they are approaching the lair of evil, Nikita brings the revolver to his face and whispers a short prayer "За Родину, За Красную Армию, За Рагатиэля!", after which a red flame runs through his revolver and seems to stick into the barrel.
Nikita Volkov cocks the trigger.
The mindless undead stands ready to obey the words of its new mistress.
Nikita approaches with revolver in hand.
The man atop the dais turns to the stone and speaks. "More come, Zyphus! Even though their deaths that I shall help arrange are not truly accidental, their souls are dedicated to strengthen you!"
DEATH AWAITS WITHIN THE CHAMBER OF THE STONE - Round One Begins!
Grunjar
Derf
Nikita
Spica
Lady Vanessa
Cultist
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"Ok, then I'll try to temporary blind the cultist and leave your new pet unharmed."
Grunjar flies the other way around the rock. When he has a good look at the cultist, he casts Burst of Radiance.
"Ok, then I'll try to temporary blind the cultist and leave your new pet unharmed."
Grunjar flies the other way around the rock. When he has a good look at the cultist, he casts Burst of Radiance.
The cultist manages to avoid a direct view into the flash.
DEATH AWAITS WITHIN THE CHAMBER OF THE STONE - Round One Cont'd!
Grunjar
Derf
Nikita
Spica
Lady Vanessa
Cultist -9 HP
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"Pooh, get in here!" Vanessa calls out to the BugBear, though she suspects this might all be over before it can shuffle its way across the slick floors.
Turning her attention back to the fore, she tells her new minion, "Hmm, you're big and green ... Groo? Maybe Groot? No..., ve'll stick vif Groo. Groo, Kill him." she commands it, then flutters her black-lace wings and rounds the corner. As she alights again, she catches sight of two of her Boys in the other corridor.
Noting their position, she asks Zon-Kuthon for a bit of his terrible blessings.
With the assistance of bits of wood, Spica has another go at traversing the tunnel
"What is going on? Don't leave me!' shouts the Magistros as Spica gets up and follows the others into the tunnel. "I demand you remain!" Having seen Spica previously fall and get her clothing covered in the unsightly stains, he is reluctant to follow.
"Groo, Kill him." she commands it, then flutters her black-lace wings and rounds the corner. As she alights again, she catches sight of two of her Boys in the other corridor.
Noting their position, she asks Zon-Kuthon for a bit of his terrible blessings.
In obedience, the massive undead slowly lumbers up the steps, but does no more.
Stats (from D&D 3.5; creature does not ) now on Slides.
Seeing his undead creation moving menacing toward him, the cultist quaffs the potion in his hand and seemingly disappears.
Token on Map provides last visible location of cultist.
DEATH AWAITS WITHIN THE CHAMBER OF THE STONE - Round Two Begins!
Grunjar
Derf
Nikita
Spica
Lady Vanessa
Cultist -9 HP
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Seeing the cultist quaff the potion in his hand and seemingly disappear, Grunjar shakes his head and murmurs: "О нет, ты не..."
He casts another spell and flies forward.
You surround yourself with a sphere of power with a radius of 5 feet per caster level that negates all forms of invisibility.
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He casts another spell and flies forward.
As the Pathfinder flies forward, the cultist's current location is readily revealed!
Location adjusted on Map!DEATH AWAITS WITHIN THE CHAMBER OF THE STONE - Round Two Cont'd!
Grunjar
Derf
Nikita
Spica
Lady Vanessa
Cultist -9 HP
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I thought you were right behind me and following in my footsteps Spica snaps at the Magistros as she helps him down the tunnel.
She then looks contrite as she realises what she just did.
I'm so sorry, I do apologise. That was uncalled for. I just don't want to miss the battle.
She then calls out. You got another one my dear? What's it this time?
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In obedience, the massive undead slowly lumbers up the steps, but does no more.
"Spica, dahling, vhere are you? You're missing all zhe fun," Vanessa calls out to her young lover.
"I really don't know, dahling," she says in answer to Spica's query. "It's as big as Moo, but uglier zhan Pooh. Just leave zhe Magistros. Pooh can protect him, and ve need you here."
She palms her black gem of power and adds a pinch of salt as she speaks again in the language of undeath, commanding the cultist's body to dance for her like a puppet on a string as she drags him back closer to Groo.
She palms her black gem of power and adds a pinch of salt as she speaks again in the language of undeath, commanding the cultist's body to dance for her like a puppet on a string as she drags him back closer to Groo.
The cultist shakes off most of the spell. "It will take more than that to bring down Fel Bustrani, Faithful of Zyphus!"
In response, the boasting Fel finds himself struck by a slingstone.
"Who did that!?" he whispers.
"No matter," he concludes. "The Grim Harvestman shall continue to reap." He then mutters a prayer in the direction of the stone as his fresh wounds begin to knit.
He then retrieves another vial.
DEATH AWAITS WITHIN THE CHAMBER OF THE STONE - Round Three Begins!
Grunjar
Derf
Nikita
Spica
Lady Vanessa
Cultist -16 HP
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"Well, well, well... aren't you a confident one."
Grunjar rolls his eyes at the cultist.
"Let's see whose deity is more powerful, Fool Bistro, yes?"
The cleric casts blessing of fervor.
With this blessing, you call your allies to move forth and empower them to conquer and become victorious. Each round for the duration of this spell, each of your allies can choose one of the following bonuses for that round at the beginning of its turn (their choice).
* Increase its speed by 30 feet.
* Stand up as a swift action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
* Take one extra attack as part of a full attack action, using its highest base attack bonus.
* Gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls and a +2 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.
* Cast a single spell of 2nd level or lower as if it were an enlarged, extended, silent, or still spell.These effects are not cumulative with similar effects, such as those provided by haste or a speed weapon, nor do they actually grant an extra action, so you can't use it to cast a second spell or otherwise take an extra action in the round. Blessing of fervor does not stack with haste.
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Nikita, feeling the divine blessing of the Deans on himself, immediately gets up and walks forward. Carefully, step by step, so as not to fall again. He raises the gun and says the words in an unfamiliar language: "Попробуй-ка красноармейской пули, больной мерзавец!" A shot is heard, deafening in the vaults of the cave.
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"Groo. I told you to kill him. Vhat are you vaiting for?" the Lady asks her pet, hoping to provoke a response from its former master.
The big green monstrosity groans in frustration at disappointing its mistress as it slams its huge hand into Fel.
She chuckles at Grunjar's challenge. "Yes, let's see. Alzhough I don't 'vorship' zhe Midnight Lord any more zhan most ov my countrymen; I just like his style."
She fingers the void shard again as she casts another spell full of dark words and foul curses.
The Pathfinder turn their combined efforts on the cultist, pounding Fel Bustrani from all sides until Fel falls.
The death of Fel Bustrani severs his link to the magic stone! The result is the release of a wave of magic that instantly destroys Groo and Pooh
[ooc]COMBAT OVER
It is clear, following Bustrani's death, that the stone is a terrible artifact. Its acquisition could be both a boon and a terrible burden for the Society.
If Bustrani has any insights to offer, only a speak with dead spell would now reveal his plans.
Wuther's letter details how he had been contacted a year ago by the "cleric", who regaled him with an amazing story of a lost artifact of Zyphus, known as the Zyphus Stone, that was ritually sealed in an underground tomb by descendants of Lost Azlant when Oppara was nothing more than an indigenous fishing village on the River Porthmos. This "cleric" told Wuthers that the stone was a “living artifact” designed to bring Zyphus’s faithful back to life if they died in service to their Grim god.
The "cleric" invited Wuthers to return to Taldor’s capital and help him access the stone’s resting place, known as the Chamber of the Stone, which the "cleric" claimed to ahve recently located beneath Oppara’s famed House of the Immortal Son, an opera house that was once a temple to Aroden.
So led, Wuthers, the Pathfinder, quietly gained access to the opera house’s cobweb-filled storage area and began digging, convincing the management of the Immortal Son that a find of this caliber beneath their theater would put nobles into seats for years to come. It took quite some time to dig through the bedrock beneath Oppara, but three months ago they finally punched through the last few inches and became the first living beings to gaze into the Chamber of the Stone in more than 6,000 years. The chamber’s only resident was the Azlanti that had been left behind, sprawled across a raised dais beside a huge block of stone in which had been carved the symbol of Zyphus: a heavy pick made of a femur, skull, and rib. Assuming the Azlanti was a preserved corpse, Wuthers noted his plans to approach the stone and begin sketching and documenting the find. His draft letter abruptly ends thereafter.
Wuthers' pouch also contains a personal journal, a shorthand record of his many adventures as a Pathfinder.
Surprisingly, you find that more than half of the theatergoers survived the zombie onslaught by gathering together and fighting off the undead menace. Because you dealt with the roving band of cultists' bent on stamping out resistance as well as defeating Bustrani himself, the wealthy socialites and nobility of Oppara now have several dinner parties’ worth of sordid zombie stories with which to frighten and awe their friends.
You, however, are left with the decision of what to do next. Will you take the time and effort necessary to destroy the stone, thus ridding the world of its potent necromantic magic? Or will you return the stone either to the Grand Lodge in Absalom or to the Pathfinder Lodge in Oppara for safe-keeping?
[ooc]Thus, we come to the conclusion of Among the Living. Feel free to partake in any additional roleplay or efforts to learn more about what has transpired here at the opera. It is assumed that the party returns to Absalom and some time passes before the beginning of Among the Dead.
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When the zombies all drop, Vanessa sheds not a tear. They're just tools, after all, and poorly made ones at that. Instead, she approaches the Stone and at Derf's comment, she nods in agreement. "Zarta vould expect no less."
She lets the others handle the important but menial Pathfinder tasks of looting bodies and investigating the stone and Wuthers' journals. She follows Spica around and talks to the local nobles and guests, applying some healing magics here and there as needed, and calming people with her poise, grace, and force of character.
Back at the inn, a full day of shopping, opera-going, and unexpected Adventuring behind them, she lounges on the comfortable couch in the Duchess Suite. She watches with pleasure as the lithe figure of Spica performs a sensual dance for an appreciative audience of one. And when the young undine is done, they both discover that neither of them are as tired as they ought to be...
Late evening messengers pull you awake from your tasks and order you to appear before Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng by midnight. Dreng, ever presenting the appearance of the doddering, decrepit old man, meets you in the Great Hall of Skyreach, the main fortress of the Grand Lodge in Absalom. Dressed only in tattered night clothes complete with a faded yellow sleeping cap, the youthful excitement in Dreng’s eyes bely his elderly appearance.
“We’ve found them!” he declares, the moment you arrive in the Great Hall. “Those pitiful bastards who murdered Pathfinder Bodriggan Wuthers in Oppara those many months ago—you know, the Zyphus-worshipping fools who tried to turn Oppara into a zombie-filled nightmare? After all this time, we finally tracked their remnants to a burned-out temple in the vagabond camp across the river from the capital."
"You will set out for there at once—there is a ship waiting—and meet a man named Sebastus Hustavan outside the burned-out temple. Once a man of great importance, he seems to have fallen on hard times— fallen so far as to join those Zyphus fiends. But he’s redeemed himself by telling us their location! Find Hustavan—it can’t be hard, there’s only one burned-out temple to Sarenrae in the vagabond camp—learn all you can about the cult’s hideout, and then cleanse it of their presence. Cultists across Golarion must know they may not use the Society to fulfill their horrid glories—so too will they know that the Society will not stand by and watch its members murdered!”
Dreng clears his throat then, his posture losing the sudden youthful fire and passion, his shoulders hunching once more, his face pinched and tired. “Of course, while you are there,” he rasps, “do your duty as Pathfinders and seek anything they may have that the Society would need in the vaults.”
Ahead of you over the next five days is a hurried early morning rush to gather supplies in Absalom, several days in the blustery Inner Sea, and another spent weaving through the bureaucracy of the Taldan customs rituals before you find yourself walking through a chilly, early morning rain storm and approaching what the vagabond locals say is the location of the burned out temple to Sarenrae.
slide. old faction missives (which are entirely optional, may be fun to attempt, but otherwise have no mechanical or beneficial effect).
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They defiled a temple of Sarenrae? I'll make sure they pay for that as well as the other crimes they have committed. And this Hustavan...is he trustworthy? I don't mean to sound jaded...but a double cross isn't exactly a new concept. I don't mean to cast doubt on your vetting, sir...just..you never know... Goran says as he scribbles down a few notes. His face coming back to normal after hearing a temple to his goddess was defiled. A large scarified tattoo peaks out from his shirt...a memento of his time over in Tien...a gift from the wayangs he met over there while on a mission.
And this Hustavan...is he trustworthy? I don't mean to sound jaded...but a double cross isn't exactly a new concept. I don't mean to cast doubt on your vetting, sir...just..you never know...
"Hustavan was once a consul of the empire and carried the title Magistros," Dreng replies. "Your fellow agents have dealt with the man in person, so they may have more insights on the former consul for the fourth district of Oppara Prefecture. However, I think it wise to view the former Magistros as suspect."
"Hustavan was present in the House of the Immortal Son when the Society saved Oppara from the cultists. He’s fallen on hard times since—hard enough that he joined the cultists out of desperation." The Venture-Captain explains. "His recent messages to our lodge in Oppara indicate that something in the cult has changed and he wants out, so he’s given us their location in exchange for us keeping him safe and bringing him back to Absalom, where he will likely spend his days scrubbing floors in Skyreach."
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"Back to Oppara? Vell, ve simply must go back to zhat nice little cafe in zhe Second District. Zhe pistachio puff pastry vas to die for," the noble dhamphir says to the young undine sitting beside her. "Oh, and I'll need to stop at Madam Malvika's. Please don't let me forget, dahling."
With the important stuff taken care of, she turns her attention to the new guy and the briefing.
"Hustavan is - or vas, vhen ve met him - a crowing, self-important idiot," the Lady says bittingly. "I'm not surprised zhat his behavior zhat night cost him politically. I don't tsink he's savvy enough to arrange a double-cross on his own. Zhough he could certainly be somebody's puppet. Speaking of puppets, I hope zhese stupid cultists made more zombies for me," she finishes with a predatory smile - one you instantly know you'd never want to see in a dark alley. Or even worse, a candlelit dungeon.
She pauses to toss a ringlet of hair over her shoulder as she switches her focus to Ser Balderos. Though the movement looks completely casual to any plebian observer, it's actually very precisely done to effect.
"Ve haven't been introduced," she says with a small glare at Dreng. "I'm zhe Lady Vanessa Reizende, late of Pangloi in Nidal." She extends a glove covered hand in greeting.
"And zhis is Spica Capella." The Lady indicates the undine woman next to her with a gentle flourish and a sweet smile that speaks untold volumes.
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Delighted to meet you, milady... Goran says, taking the offered hand and kissing it lightly. He nods to Spica. I assume you are more than just a secretary... he says with a smile.
Goran...nice to meet you Derf... he makes his way to the other agent to shake his hand.
So...back to Oppara...might as well...
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Indeed yes Spica replies. It still sometimes surprises me how a Desnian and a Zon-Kuthanite can get on so well but, let us just say, we enjoy each others company.
She gives Vanessa a sideways hug
And yes, that Magistros. He was such a .... what is the word .... boor? So demanding and arrogant. I tried to be nice but ... he wasn't worth it. But falling in with a Cult of Zyphus, that actually surprises me.
And I never did get around to identifying that last one. Troll perhaps?
So you've been to Oppara before Sir Goran. Did you attend the opera? There is a twinkle in her eye as she says that.
She then turns to Dreng and says with a wink. I presume you would wish the contents of their wine cellar sir?