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Lumna watches the Pathfinders study her, her expression unchanging. It's clear that, whatever they are, they do not have a perfect grasp of human emotion. The image of Lumna-as-Treju flashes briefly as static once more comes over them. "I am sure that you plan to see Revecka. This is good. I think I see in you what I saw in Adelana: kindness. If I am right, please help me. Find me and free me. It is what Dr. Treju wanted. What they were working towards. Find me. I am in the laboratory."
And with those last few words they disappear is a fresh bit of brief static.
I don't trust Lumna. Let's go back to Revecka anyway.
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The Pathfinders head back up the stairs and moments later are back in front of Revecka.
Assuming that you recall that, because this scenario makes no mention of what her fate was.
"Thank you," Revecka says, taking the components from Talos. She sets to the task of building a battery that will sustain her for a time. The process is brief, a sure sign of her skills. She then makes a few adjustments to the stasian coils in the chamber, and the hum of electric power changes. She breathes a sigh of relief. "Alright, I've redirected the power back to the laboratory itself. I'm sure you've got questions about this place. You mentioned a few things in your tale, so let me see if I can at least answer a few questions."
Talos looks at the battery. How long can that battery keep your heart beating? Can you route power to the door at least temoprarily so we cang get down there?
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Jaqard's eyes glaze over as if in deep thought , and then all at once he snaps to. I am sorry, he says, I am a fool who did not assemble pieces before this moment. You are Revecka, sister of Rozla, one of the Ardis Scholars?
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Revecka is rocked to core by Jaward's news. There's a long pause as she digests what she's heard, broken when she speaks to the half-orc. "Thank you, Jaqard. This is not the news I wanted today," she wipes at the tears in her eyes. "But it's news I needed to know. Thank you."
"Don't worry about me. Right now, I'm fine. This battery will help sustain me for a week or two. I'll need materials to build another, but I've got some time now at least."
When Alaric asks about the lab, she collects herself somewhat. "Getting into the lab required three things. The first was rerouting power to it, which I've just done. Then there's the override switch, which is in the room here and I can do for you. The last is that there's a password. It's 'Stormheart'. You want me to hit the override? I can-"
She stops, cocking her head. Moments later, you all hear what she's hearing: the sound of many voices outside the building. Revecka moves over to one of the windows, opening it to see what's out there.
A fearful mob has gathered outside the manor holding torches, pitchforks, cleavers, and anything else the frightened people of Ilev could use as a weapon. They are led by a man in his forties wearing a silver butterfly medallion with images of stars, suns, and moons made with a bright blue enamel. A man with a haunted face is close behind holding a sharp cleaver with a sinister glint in his eyes.
The Pathfinders recognize the haunted man outside as Kistur Radu.
I suppose we should quell this foolishness.
Talos heads outside to confront the yokels.
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The Pathfinders head out to meet with the angry mob. Revecka follows them to the entrance of the manor, saying, "I'll be watching at the window. If there's any problems, come back here. I'll be at the door."
As they approach to within speaking distance the man leading the people steps forward. He gestures at the man behind him. "Kistur did say that there might be Pathfinders here, held under the sway of th-"
Static noise presages the appearance of Lumna, and they suddenly appear standing next to Alaric. A chorus of gasps and angry mutters follow, though the alien seems ignorant to the demeanor of the mob. "Hello. I am Lumna. It is a-"
"Block your ears!" Kistur shouts as a warning. You see him adjust the grip on his cleaver, then uses it to point at the Pathfinders. "The vile, malevolent, sick and evil being is trying to get in your head! It's already gotten to that lot."
You can tell that, without some intervention, this is going to escalate to violence quickly...
SKILL CHALLENGE
Alaric - Go (2 checks)
Dr Talos - Go (2 checks)
Jaqard - Go (2 checks)
Sun Fire - Go (2 checks)
Talos comes out and and lets his nanites burn like a torch, lighting up his mannequin face. He tilts a twisted grin at the yokels.
"Some of us were vile and twisted before even getting here. Now let us do our work in peace."
"Kistur you provincial fool. Do you think a rusty cleaver can save you from mind control? That dull old thing couldn't even amputate a leg in under three minutes. If you want immunity to mind control I'd recommend a frontal lobotomy, though that involves a small icepick, you see…" The good android doctor describes the horrific procedure with his typical, emotionally detached bedside manner.
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I and my companions have faced many a "vile, malevolent, sick and evil being" in our time, Jaqard points out reasonably, and I can assure you that none of them introduce themselves by their name and with a "Hello". They do not feign friendliness, they merely act toward your demise.
This man Kistur has cultivated only fear in you. If one plants trust, trust will grow; if one plants fear, fear will grow.
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Sun Fire Boom Boom bounces up and down.
"It's full of scarry traps in there, your torches and pitchforks won't do any good."
"Let me break it down into an easy to understand song."
Although fire is really great
And your pitchforks will open the gate
It's full of horribnle traps
like blades that will turn you to scraps
So if you attack it you'll all just be bait
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Alaric slams the bottom of his staff on the stone as he cuts the mob off. "Held under the sway of what exactly?" He charges flames in the palm of his hand. "I am a Hellknight from the Order of the Gate! Bested devils and you question my authority in this investigation? Perhaps I should further my investigation?" He asks the man.
He raises his staff into the air releasing a searing wave of flames from the staff just over the crowds heads.
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The villagers, mere peasants with farm implements, cringe back away from emotionless facade of Dr Talos.
When Alaric slams his staff against the stone, booming a proclamation of his hellknight order, several people jump in surprise at the man's words.
Sun Fire Boom Boom then shares a dire warning to the unwashed masses before them. One they are not equipped to handle. In the back someone says, "Oh shit."
And when Jaqard speaks, his tone calm, to point out the seemingly obvious fact that Lumna wouldn't say 'hello' if they meant any harm, it's enough to turn the tide of the situation.
Kistur looks at the man leading the group. "Saban, please. Don't listen-"
The man named Saban raises a hand, silencing Kistur. "I will not risk harm to the good people assembled."
With a nod to Jaqard, Saban turns and leaves. The mob, including Kistur, follow wordlessly behind him.
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The Pathfinders return to the manor in time to see Revecka about to head up the stairs. Her voice is weak when she speaks. "I need to get some rest. I'll be upstairs if you have other questions. If you're keen on heading to the lab, it's through the study," Revecka says, pointing at the door to the left.
The frightening heroes and Jaqard head toward the study, immediately notihng that the door to the great hall is missing, its shattered remains barely hanging from the twisted hinges while debris lies scattered
everywhere. Inside, there's a door with deep gashes and marks. It likely survived whatever assault thanks to its metallic inner core. It has no visible lock. A small brass ear horn covered in splinters but otherwise undamaged is attached to the door frame of the reinforced door, acting as a sort of listening device.
When one of you gets close, a deadpan voice intones, "The laboratory is in lockdown mode by the authority of Revecka Cioraru. Only authorized personnel with the current password may enter."
When Alaric says the word 'Stormheart' the voice continues, saying, "Password accepted." The door unlocks, revealing a small
room with stairs leading deep below the manor. As you descend, the air becomes cold and humid and carries an animalistic smell. The sound of water is faintly audible in the distance.
Talos circles around, doing likewise.
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Alaric leads the way as the group heads north, looping around to where the water flows in. The source of the water is a fountain that, perhaps due to the rerouting of power that's occurred, is now overflowing at a slow trickle.
Heading south from the fountain, Alaric reaches a fork. He inspects to the wet first and sees a room filled with spacious pens holding a few different animals. On one side, an albino ball python slithers in a terrarium adorned with Osirion inspired decor while a vampire bat sleeps lazily away from the light. On the opposite end, a large aquarium fitted with a spigot hosts a pair of bizarre fishlike creatures. An attentive and diminutive cu sith sits free in the middle of the room, wearing a polished silver collar with the word "Gleam" on it.
Upon spotting Alaric, the cu sith taps his paw three times on the floor and sits next to what appears to be a chart on the floor.
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Alaric studies the chart. It's simple enough, explaining the meaning of the tapping from Gleam, the cu sith, and lists off various planes of existence.
Clearly looking for a reward, Gleam once more taps three times. Consulting the chart reveals that the taps
indicate a portal to the Shadow Plane.
Meanwhile, Jaqard passes Alaric to explore another room. The room is dominated by a complex device fitted with two large coils and dozens of dials located on a raised platform. Its metallic shine has not faded over the years, although some of the engravings next to each panel have been worn out due to long-time use. The machine emits a steady and low hum.
Vilo reappears, and when he speaks it's through the machine. His voice is strangely melodic as he talks, suggesting that there may be a musical quality to the device. "Hello again! Seems you've found the device Silvu created for me. Normally, I could only communicate through this, but the key you carry seems to also be a broadcasting device of sorts."
"I wonder what would happen if the two were interfaced together..."
Talo senes motive.
"Does it matter?"
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At Alaric's words there's a deep exhalation. And though they ignore Talos' question, he can tell that this person cares deeply for Revecka.
"Good. Good! Alright then, since you're Pathfinders I feel like you probably deserve answers. It's a tale, so please bear with me."
"My name is Narcela, and my mother is a night hag named Aslynn. She sent me to monitor the Ardis Scholars several months ago. During this time, I got to know them. They're good people, and don't deserve to be pawns in my mother's game. So I started visiting the dreams of one of their researchers, Revecka."
"When I discovering what my mother did in the Tomb Between Worlds, I decided to turn against Aslynn to protect Revecka and the rest of the Ardis Scholars. Before I could do much, Aslynn launched a sudden raid on the laboratory and captured most of the scholars, planning to use their knowledge of rare technology and interplanar travel to further her schemes."
"I am no match for my mother in a direct confrontation, so fled the scene, pocketing a strange crystal key," Narcela pauses, and you can hear the regret in her voice when she continues. "The survivors left behind have been forced to fend for themselves, including an incorporeal being from another world named Lumna."
"I knew that Lumna would likely evade Aslynn’s raid, but they can't survive on Golarion long-term without specialized care. Lumna’s telepathic communications can traverse great distances using the crystal key as a beacon though, so I snuck the key into the Pathfinder Society’s treasure hoard, hoping Lumna would eventually reach out for aid."
"My plan was for the Pathfinder Society to arrive in time to save Lumna, learn what Aslynn had done to the Ardis Scholars, and rescue whoever had survived Aslynn’s plots. I've been unable to reach Revecka’s dreams since the raid, and was worried she was dead or caught in the grasp of her mother’s power over nightmares. But neither of those things happened, and you're there now. So my plan worked. Thanks you."
Thoughout this whole conversation Sun Fire Boom Boom pokes around, finding no invisible beings.
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You are strong with wisdom to know when you cannot succeed, Jaqard says gently. This is no sin.
His face suddenly hardens. But while you are no match for your mother in a direct confrontation, we perhaps are more suited for this task. Truly, as the great Teacher Qi Lo Ni says, it is best to avoid confrontation at all; but as his humble pupil Jaqard says, when confrontation will not avoid you, the time comes to face it.
Lumna is trapped somewhere down here, and we've helped Revecka who's opened the way down to the lab.
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"Got it. If you can help Lumna, please do. They're an innocent in all of this, and are trapped due to circumstance and bad luck."
Narcela breaks off communications then, and silence returns. The Pathfinders resume their exploration, heading west. Before long they reach another chamber.
The air feels stale and cold, as if something were draining this place of warmth. Scraps and spare parts lie scattered across the room, making it difficult to move without hitting a spring, coil or tube. Unfinished, humanlike constructs lean inert against the wall, most missing limbs or critical components. One slender construct, heavily modified by expert hands, is fitted with a large coil leading to a container filled with dark energy.
The construct begins to move, swirling purple energy infusing it to an animate state. At the same time some of the scattered parts begin bouncing about. Each moves with a menacing intent!
ROUND 1
Talos - Go
Vessel - TBD
Heap - TBD
Jaqard - TBD
Sun Fire - TBD
Alaric - TBD
Time me, gentlemen. Talos's nanites ignite, casting cold white light across his mannequin face as he peers around the corner.
Critical Success Your marshal's aura increases to a 20-foot emanation, and it grants you and allies a status bonus to damage rolls equal to the number of weapon damage dice of the unarmed attack or weapon you are wielding that has the most weapon damage dice. When you or an ally in the aura critically hits an enemy with a Strike, that enemy is frightened 1.
Success As critical success, but your aura's size doesn't increase.
Failure You fail to enter the stance.
Critical Failure You fail to enter the stance and can't take this action again for 1 minute.
He prances into the room and stabs his rapier into the Stasian coil. He wriggles it around in there just to see what happens.
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Talos rushes in and delivers a perfect strike with his silver rapier. The metal frame of the vessel is hard though, suggesting that silver is not ideal for breaking the clockwork machine.
He's not surprised when it shows no fear.
For its part it lashes out with a menacing looking halberd.
A series of metal plates extend out on a metal actuator, acting as a barrier to defend against future blows.
The heap of metal parts bounce and roll towards Talos as well, purple wisps weaving and twirling as they reach out to Talos.
ROUND 1
Talos - CRIT
Vessel - HACK (-40hp)
Heap - Bad Touch
Jaqard - Go
Sun Fire - Go
Alaric - Go
Talos reacts when Jaquard strikes the automaton-like creature, tripping it while distracted (or, trying to)::
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Alaric calmly walks into the room, sending out his invisible wave of hellish flames to touch everything around him. "Must be some sort of automated sentry for the Lab. Would have been nice to warn us about it."
HP 84/88
AC 27 (29 w/ shield raised)
Resistance: Mental, Slashing 4, Acid, Fire, Harm 5, Own and Allies Alchemical Splash damage 3
Spells (1) 2/3 (2) 3/3 (3) 3/3 (4) 2/3
Focus Points 2/3
Infernal Detonations 1/1
Hero Point 1/3
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The halberd-wielding vessel swings the polearm as Jaqard moves close...
The blow is powerful, and throws off the monk enough that neither strike lands. Similarly, the clockwork vessel avoids Talos' trip attempt.
Sun Fire Boom Boom begins to sing, adding magic to hasten Jaqard.
Alaric closes, his aura activated.
ROUND 2
Talos - Go
Vessel - TBD (-40hp)
Heap - TBD
Jaqard - TBD
Sun Fire - TBD
Alaric - TBD
Tiny creatures writhe under the good Doctor's skin, pushing out from his pores and even his mouth, surrounding him like a cloud of flies.
Then he tosses away his scalpel and heals himself: