Jun-Mei heals Zuzzak, but isn't able to connect with the demon.
Dran'tilt's turn.
Initiative:
Luna (AC 21, 23/57 HP)
Zhamie (AC 21, 55/62 HP)
Dran'tilt (AC 26, 74/98 HP, haste)
Jun-Mei (AC 25, 50/71 HP)
Green Screaming Grub Necromancer (-98 HP, bloodied, drained 1)
Quadenillia (AC 25, 82/83 HP)
Zuzzak (AC 21, 45/48 HP, Prone, Wounded 1)
> Scurry (AC 21, 5/30 HP)
Yellow Vescavor (-131 HP, bloodied, Enfeeble 2)
The vescavor is too quick for the crackling lightning, but after being hit by another bullet it drops to the ground with a splat.
The wounded necromancer grimaces and points at the demon. "Dead, arise!" she cries desperately. She reanimates hunks of its insectile flesh, which attack at her command. Both of them swing at Jun-Mei, though she's able to block one of them.
All PCs' turns.
Initiative:
Luna (AC 21, 23/57 HP)
Zhamie (AC 21, 55/62 HP)
Dran'tilt (AC 26, 74/98 HP, haste)
Jun-Mei (AC 25, 32/71 HP)
Green Screaming Grub Necromancer (-98 HP, bloodied, drained 1)
Quadenillia (AC 25, 82/83 HP)
Zuzzak (AC 21, 45/48 HP, Prone, Wounded 1)
> Scurry (AC 21, 5/30 HP)
Dran'tilt's spell defeats both of the undead, and with a shot each from Zhamie and Dran'Tilt, the necromancer falls as well.
There doesn't seem to be anything else living (or undead) in the basement, aside from the Pathfinders.
Amriya’s notes are laid out on the desk. The base documents themselves are in Chthonian, but the notes in the margins are written in Common.
Parts of the text concerning necessary materials (such as objects belonging to or important to the demon, or flesh of the demon itself or a relative), ideal conditions for summoning, and methods for containment have been circled and annotated.
Amriya’s notes specifically mention Deskari, noting that a piece of Ingalor’s corpse will make an ideal conduit to return Deskari to life. Ze has underlined “Cut him out of the body as he was originally born.” with fervor.
If my calculations are correct, even a piece of Ingalor’s body should suffice to complete the ritual.
Riftcarver, being a part of Ingalor, could successfully make the connection between planes. In an ideal setting, we would complete the ritual by cutting Him out of the body, as He was originally born.
The ritual must be performed with care to ensure proper binding of His power to the cult. Lady Embersplitter intends to perform the ritual herself, which will bind Him to her will, thus bringing great power and glory to our ranks.
Recommend evacuation of all but tightest circle cult members—likely many unworthy will be lost in Deskari’s rise. Prior accounts describe astounding destruction and carnage. Be sure to employ multiple note takers and artists for record keeping purposes.
The Pathfinders finish searching the room and preparing to exit. Nothing else bothers them as they make their way out of the basement.
The house is quiet in the aftermath, with none of the cultists or guards patrolling the halls. Outside the house, two of the Post Guards cross their spears, barring the exit. Watcher-Lord Ulthun and a host of the Knights of Lastwall have surrounded the courtyard of Ember Manor. An expression of barely contained rage and disappointment adorns Ulthun’s face.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing? No matter your mission, Pathfinder Society agents do not have authority to break into the home of a private citizen of Absalom.” Ulthun looks everyone in the eye, making his disappointment known. “Come—you must explain yourselves to the High Council at once.”
The Post Guards and Knights of Lastwall make a barrier, moving through the streets of Eastgate. Another manor house appears—one of the High Council’s personal dwellings—the guards enter, brusque in their
movements.
Several members of the High Council are seated around a coffee table clearly discussing other matters and look surprised at Ulthun’s entrance.
“These Pathfinders were discovered breaking into Ember Manor under cover of darkness.” Ulthun gestures, walking over to join the High Council members around the table.
Looking between each other, there seems to be a moment of silent communication between the councilors before Lady Neferpatra, First Lady of Laws, speaks.
“Well, then I certainly hope the Pathfinders have good reason for their actions. Tell me, what were you all doing?”
The High Council members present at this gathering are Acting Primarch Captain Wynsal Starborn, Commander Militant Chun Hye-Seung, and First Lady of Laws Scion Lady Neferpatra of House Ahnkamen, in addition to Watcher-Lord Ulthun.
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“These Pathfinders were discovered breaking into Ember Manor under cover of darkness.” Ulthun gestures, walking over to join the High Council members around the table.
Looking between each other, there seems to be a moment of silent communication between the councilors before Lady Neferpatra, First Lady of Laws, speaks.
“Well, then I certainly hope the Pathfinders have good reason for their actions. Tell me, what were you all doing?”
"Technically we were discovered leaving Ember Manor, but be that as it may we had good cause to be there. We have discovered that Lady Hesla Embersplitter is in league with the demon-worshipping Cult of the Screaming Grub and intends to restore the demon lord Deskari to life." She points to the collected evidence.
"A ledger of sarkoran artifacts collected for nefarious deeds. This painting depicting an adult man and woman, each with a hand on the shoulders of a young girl, all dressed in fine, traditional Sarkorian clothes. The girl is clearly a young Hesla Embersplitter and ties her to Sarkoris. These notes were found in the catacombs beneath the manor and provide details about the ritual to restore Deskari. There is also the matter of a large deceased demon underneath the manor. You'll have to go see that for yourselves however as it was beyond our means to collect."
Ulthun scowls at Luna. “As representatives of Absalom," he says, "the Pathfinder Society should know better than to intrude upon the private property of its citizens."
He looks like he intends to be similarly dismissive of Jun-Mei, but falls silent as she presents more and more evidence. And Lady Neferpatra cuts across him. "I'm sorry, the large what under Ember Manor?"
The members of the High Council pass the pieces of evidence around the table, expressions of shock, disgust, horror, and concern crossing their faces as the story pieces itself together. Ulthun, in particular, looks mortified, sinking into a nearby armchair and burying his head in his hands, his dear friend Wynsal leaning over to comfort him.
As their examination concludes, Lady Neferpatra stands from her chair, walking over with a sad smile on her face. “My apologies for your rough treatment on the way here—and thank you, for your hard work. In the future, of course, we would prefer these investigations occur legally, but it is clear in this case that time is of the essence. Please give your leaders my thanks.
“Hesla is still in the wind—you should take these pieces back to the Lodge and see if the Decemvirate can make more sense of her plans. We will fortify the city in preparation.” Chun bows her head to the rest of the Council members and the party and leaves, bringing Ulthun with her, a comforting hand on his shoulder.
As they pass, Ulthun pauses, “Please accept my sincerest apologies, friends. I did not know how deep the darkness ran. I will strive to do better.”
Lady Neferpatra thanks the Pathfinders for their diligent work and research and rewards each party member with a traveler’s any-tool as she returns the evidence.
The Pathfinders are able to return to the Grand Lodge with all of their collected evidence--and having already secured the cooperation of the council.