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Caellus checks to see if anyone is wounded, and offers healing if needed. Noticing the Dawnflower Blossom, he approaches and helps her pack her belongings.
”Where will you go, sister? Although perhaps it’s safer for you if I don’t know… I suspect we will be facing this Dacline character, and while I have faith in the others, one never knows…”
He lowers his voice to a whisper. ”You can speak freely, I will not betray you.”
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As Caellus come over to assist, Gronak pulls out two wands. He hands him the first to heal, then holds out the second to any casters that may be willing to hold it.
"If we get into a rough spot and someone sees an opportunity, this one will double my size and help me end the fight quickly. I'm usually busy getting close and swinging."
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Ver'Yanion tops off his health with his own CLW wand, "Time to find out what new secrets shall be revealed to me, be well!" and he suddenly disappears....
Still fidgeting, the young lady begins to cry. "P..p..please don't kill me, I used to work in the Dalsine residence as chambermaid for a woman whom he was having an affair with." Nervousness prevalent within her speech, she continues, "I didn't mention this to the others for fear of retribution...I swear I knew nothing of the attacks!" The last was loud enough for a couple of the others to look towards Brother Caellus and the woman with concern in their eyes. "Please spare me, I can tell you where his home is located within the Senate Hill section of the city!" She adds, her voice still trembling.
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The young lady tears up and tells a story of impoverished upbringing, passed off from one wealthy family to another, until roughly these past couple of years serving the lady with whom Chalfon had been having an affair with. Not the only one she suspects. The a couple of the other refugees listen, and offer her comfort, the others return to packing. She finds some tattered scroll within the temple ruins and sketches a rudimentary map of Taldor, Senate Hill, and the Dalsine residence.
One whom continued packing comes over a moment later and offers Brother Caellus an illuminated manuscript, in Kellish Excerpts from The Birth of Light and Truth, is prominently written at the top. He also offers up a small vial stating "This heals other injuries of the within."
Slowly, leaving a number of other possessions behind, the refugees begin to depart back through the maze.
---
The party finds the rudimentary map sufficiently effective, between Wrofyx's geography skill and Lugrok/Gronak's survival training to make it to the area indicated.
Dalsine Manor is a modern, two-story structure set back from the main road and surrounded by a twelve-foot brick wall. Its main gate is shut and guarded, but through it can be seen a well-kept garden surrounding the house. A carriage covered in gold filigree and inset with gems stands parked inside the gate, while another, constructed of modest wood with drawn shades, waits just outside the gate.
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Caellus comforts the chambermaid as gently as possible, encouraging her to find a new employer and make a new life somewhere else. He gives her 5gp to try and get the group back on their feet. He accepts the book with thanks, admiring the illuminated frontispiece and tracing his finger over the beautiful characters, before securely stowing it in his pack.
---
As we approach the manor, Caellus keeps his eyes open for any potential ways past the guards. "I'm not much for climbing walls, but perhaps having a small party approach the gate and distract the guards while others gain entry that way?"
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There are six individuals outside/at the gate, four of whom appear to be House Dalsine guards. They appear to be in heated discussions, the occasional arm pointing either towards the residence, the carriage inside, the carriage outside, or any of the participants. The other two appear to be wearing Qadiran garb.
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"Going over the wall is breaking and entering... going through the gate is being invited," Caellus muses. "The occupant of the other carriage must have gone in that way, and it looks like their servants are arguing with the house guards. We could perhaps mediate, and use the confusion to get inside?"
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Urk looks about the other two legged friends, watching them look as if they are unsure as to what to do. He looks at the gate, the guards, then back to his friends. After a moment more, he finally decides he needs to help.
Walking right up to the gate, Urk snorts once in front of the guards, then falls over, squealing as if in pain and hurt. He shakes and spasms, and squeals once more.
Oh, woe is me! I am in need of medical assistance! Will no one of you brave and attentive guards help one so wounded?!
Urk grunts and winces again.
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Seeing Urk take matters into his own tusks, Wrofyx gets an idea. He looks over at Lugrok "Damn, that boar is smart. Look woried and follow my lead."
The Gnome grabs the Orc and runs towards the gate, dropping to his knees beside Urk.
"Oh no what has happened to you my friend?", he then looks up at the guards, "You have to help. My friend's animal companion seems to have been injured and obviously you're good people or he wouldn't have run to you for help. Please he's a good friend to all of us, you have to help."
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"What is happening here, friends?"[/b[+] he begins, looking from guard to guard. [b]"Can I offer my assistance? I am a healer. Which one of you owns this animal?" Caellus kneels and inspects the animal, then recoils in horror, covering his nose and mouth with his sleeve.
"Gods, this animal has sand fever!" he shouts, crab-walking backwards several steps. "Incredibly contagious, and uncomfortable for swine, but deadly to humanoids. Stay back!"
He points to the house guards in turn. "You - go alert the master of this house! You - run and fetch blankets and water. You - we'll need a brazier and fuel. And you - come and hold the animal in place. Just... don't breath too deeply, and I'm sure you'll be... fine. You'll be fine."
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The heated discussion between the two sets of guards pauses for a moment when Urk wanders in and falls over squealing in pain. Looks of disbelief form on each of their faces as each one wonders where on Golarion did this pig come from?
An accusation starts to form from one of the house Dalsine guards when Wrofyx and Lugrok arrive. Mouths agape, the guards listen to Wrofyx’s story, and observe Lugroks actions with skepticism. ”Oy, what goes on ‘ere!” one of the Dalsine guards says, looking from the new commotion to the Qadiran guards, ”Tryin’ some kin’ of funny business?”
The Qadiran guards, with confused looks on their faces now, look between the newcomers, themselves, and the Dalsine guards. One begins to utter, ”They’re not…” but is interrupted by the added arrival of Brother Caellus. ”Hey, just wait…”
After Brother Caellus recounts his evaluation, the Dalsine guards look somewhat concerned, ”We don’ know ya, just who are ya thinkin’ you can give us orders?” says one. ”Awe, but I was hop’n fer some bacon!” says a second.
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"Please, you have to help. With what this healer is saying we are all being exposed the longer we debate here. Please, is there nowhere we can quarantine while this gentleman does what he needs to to heal us? As of now it is likely only our group has been exposed. If we're quarantined fast enough we can prevent this from spreading and becoming an epidemic."
The Gnomes voice breaks more than once during this, as he looks up at the guards with the biggest puppy dog eyes a gnome can possibly make and allows a single tear to run down his cheek. Before throwing himself on the boar.
"My friend you have saved my life more than once. This healer knows what's wrong with you and it seems he can help. I just pray these fine folks will allow us somewhere where that healing can be administered.
With that the gnome starts crying inconsolably.
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Urk squeaks pitifully as the gnome continues to talk and then throws himself ont he boars body. Slight twitches come from Urk as each sob wells from inside the gnomes body, the rough tongue lolling from the side of his mouth. He breathes as slow as he can, even releasing some gas to make help with the effect of being utterly sick.
Woe is me! I am dying! Will you kind people not help one such as me? A lowly friend who deserves not your kind attentions, but your healing respect?
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The four Dalsine guards begin to retch from the smell issued forth from Urk. The two Qadiran guards begin to laugh but with concern,"Perhaps they are right? You should let us all in, lest you perish here from something as ignoble as a sickness!" Turning towards the party, they continue,"However you have placed our mistress, Pasha al-Jakiri, at risk from this sickness and you will attend to her as well?" motioning towards the carriage behind them.
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Caellus turns to the Qadiran guards. "Of course, I will help as I may. Shall we speak with your mistress, <i>privately</i>?" I hope they take the hint...
If the guards take Caellus to the carriage, he whispers to the guard, "Do not react outwardly. I am Caellus, an agent of the Pathfinder Society. There is no disease, it was a ruse to fool the guards. We have reason to believe that the owner of this house is responsible for the murder of several members of the Dawnflower Blossoms, and we seek to apprehend him before he commits more crimes. I beseech you, as loyal citizens of the Satrapy, to aid us in forcing an entrance if need be. This man must be stopped before more innocents die merely for worshipping the Everlight. "
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Gronak remains out of sight, but listens in amusement at the distant conversation. He pulls out the grappling hook, wraps the tines in some scrap cloth to lessen the possible noise, and carefully tosses it up to the wall to find a firm grip.
Not a quiet man, he takes the opportunity of the commotion and retching to pull himself up his knotted rope and over the other side, sliding down behind a nearby tree or bush.
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Gronak finds his footing isn't as solid as he'd like, but sufficient to scale the smooth wall. There is a moderately dense amount of foliage inside that snags some of Gronak's gear has he drops in, causing a slight tear to open in his shirt. Peeking through he sees the house guards quite distracted, though lessening, with their own nausea and the Qadiran guards appear to be escorting Brother Caellus to the outer carriage door. He also spots an open window on the residence, not visible to the rest.
The Qadiran guards nod at Brother Caellus and guide him over to the door of their carriage. "Mistress al-Jakiri? There are some other, umm guests, that wish to speak with you." Silence from the inside of the carriage.
One guard knocks on the carriage, then opens the door, "Mistress al-Jakiri?" His face turns to a cross of shock and surprise. "She's gone!" the guard turns to Caellus, "Where did..." As the words leave his lips, the ring of blades battling can just be heard coming from the manor house, as the guards retching lessens. "Oh dear..."
The Dalsine guards, beginning to stabilize, hear the battle going on inside and croak out, "I guess you can go inside..."
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"Uh, she must have...she had business to discuss with Dalsine over the death of her sister." The one guard states, "You all go on inside, it doesn't sound good from out here. We will stay back and watch over our carriage," his head turns towards the house guards "And them. We still don't trust them."
---
Looking ahead, the party sees the grounds as being well cared for, decorated with a variety of statues, topiaries, and the occasional bench. Everburning torches burn inside colorful lanterns posted, or occasionally attached to a couple of the trees within the area.
Ahead of the group (opposite side of the building from Gronak) is the Front entry porch. Within the masonry, the depiction of a stylized compass stands. A similar symbol graces the lintel above the double front doors which can now be seen as somewhat ajar.
On Gronak's side, the open window he spotted is some 20 feet up the wall from the ground.
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Urk hears the sudden change in the guards voices, seemingly affected by his ever so wonderful acting ability. Without much ado, the boar stands up on his legs, shaking himself off (causing a light dust cloud to form about him), and then happily proceeds in past the gate to the area beyond.
I have done it once more, my wonderful friends! The great Urk and his mighty companions will save the day!
He looks back to make sure his orcish friend lumbers behind him as the boar strides purposefully.
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The Dalsine guards offer no resistance to the party as they pass through the gates. By the time the quartet reaches the front porch, Gronak arrives from around back. As the reassembled group reaches the slightly ajar door, the sounds of blades clashing suddenly ceases with the sound of "Unghhh..." followed by a thud, as if something, or someone was dropped on the ground.
Scant seconds later, a triumphant laugh echos from inside.
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As Brother Caellus bursts through the door, a somewhat grizzly scene falls upon his gaze. While quite well apportioned, the inside looks as if it was the sight of a great, wide ranging battle. Furniture toppled, with multiple slash and puncture marks, strewn about the lower level.
At the top of the stairs, stands a well dressed Taldan male, fitting the description of Chalfon Dalsine, maniacally laughing triumphantly over the scene below.
A corpse, with its head expertly slashed from its body, lies in an expanding pool of blood at the bottom of what was a beautifully carpeted wide set of stairs. Adjacent to the body, blood still dripping from a pair of kukri, is a Qadiran woman. She looks up at Brother Caellus as he bursts through the door. As she nimbly twirls her twin kukri, drops of blood fling across the room and bitterly she states, "With Khismia's death, I'm done with this whole shadow war for Absalom! You can continue scouring the world for trinkets and treasures, risking your lives for delusional fame and glory all you like!" She turns her head, spits on the corpse at her feet, and with a single tap of her left booted toe to the heel of the right, they briefly glow and she disappears.
---
Inititive
Brother Caellus
Gronak
Lugrok
Urk
Wrofyx
Chalfon Dalsine
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Round 1
Chalfon Dalsine, continues to laugh maniacally about the scene having played out below him.
Lugrok
Gronak (enlarging this round, can still move once)
Wrofyx
Brother Caellus
Urk
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The big ork heard the body and laughter, then the womans words ringing through the interior hall. With a grunt, he hefted his great axe into his hand and stalked cautiously into through the door, remaining wary for anyone who might be on just the inside. A quick bark to Urk would have the boar following him in, on his guard and sniffing about.
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Caellus is shocked by the vitriol the woman spit at... him? The Society? The world? It was hard to tell. No matter... she was gone, whoever she was, and there was a maniac to deal with.
"Come down, Dalsine. You have done much you must answer for. Surrender and you will not be harmed."
As he speaks, Caellus, draws his oil of shillelagh and applies it to his quarterstaff, well aware that laughing maniacs rarely surrendered when asked...
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Urk, still proudly carrying himself from his obviously masterful acting to get them party into the gate and to the house, hears the grunt from his orcish friend. He trots carefully up the stairs into the house, walking between the now massive two legged friend towering above them all. Once reaching near Lugrok, he stopped and started rooting about, like trying to find a truffle...
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With the otherwise stillness of the air inside the residence, aside from the party (minus Wrofyx), some fancy incence, the body presently leaking at the bottom of the stairs is as much as he can detect.
Gronak's Enlarge Person completes its cast.
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Round 2
Chalfon Dalsine, continues to laugh maniacally, making no move towards the party.
Lugrok
Gronak
Wrofyx
Brother Caellus
Urk
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Please move me, I am at the airport on tablet. 20’, W-W-SW-W.
Caellus advances and tries to get the attention of the laughing imbecile at the top of the stairs.
”You seem to be enjoying yourself, Mr. Dalsine. Trust me when I say you won’t enjoy what happens to you if you resist… my companions are quite skilled at taking prisoners alive… although sometimes it’s barely alive,” he says calmly.
”Please, come down and lay down your weapons, and you won’t be harmed.”
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Urk sees his friends all preparing, and does what every hero would ever do: move forward bravely into a spot so that he can be seen and heard by all.
Come out and face us, villain! We, the boar pack of Urk the Mighty, are here to lay waste to your plans and see you brought to justice!
Mostly though, it was a lot of squeals and snorts, understood by no one in the immediate area. Urks point, to emphasize the seriousness of his words, was made apparent by the singular stomp of his foot on the ground.
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Sniffing around, aside from himself, Urk currently detects the odors of Lugrok, Gronak, Brother Caellus, the corpse at the bottom of the stairs.
Round 3
Chalfon Dalsine, continues to laugh maniacally, making no move towards the party.
Lugrok
Gronak
Wrofyx
Brother Caellus
Urk
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Brother Caellus raises an eyebrow as Lugrok… throws a book? at Dalsine. What is going on here? Something is awry.
He looks at the stairs carefully, to determine if they are trapped, and to try and recall exactly where they are for his next step.
If the checks don’t reveal anything, he casts obscuring mist and then moves 20’ towards the stairs, NW-NW-W. (Can’t add spell or move, sorry)