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Yakuthiel is able to surge free from the grapple, but cannot seem to topple her with the follow-up swing. With a perfect combination, the cleric vanquishes one of the tortured souls. A single arrow nearly ends the other.
Dran'Tilt
Prof. Whitegourd
Nagaikaze -12 damage <enfeebled 1>
Orange Woman -143 damage <destroyed>
Yakuthiel -1 damage
Song Jun-Mei -2 damage
Emdi
Yellow Woman -106 damage
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It is time to head to the supposed Dispatch hideout in the old inn called No Rest for the Wicked. While it is mostly boarded up, it looks like it sometimes houses dock workers looking to get rid of a little steam while waiting to get paid for their labor, while also helping to alleviate the pain of carrying all of that pay.
Next to the main taproom, a dusty dining chamber sits lit in candlelight from wall sconces and in small, melted columns on the three tables fit into three of the room’s corners. Each table is covered in layers of old plating, empty cups, and piles upon piles of notes, records books, coin purses, and empty crates. Over everything, a cloying layer of thick dust covers any exposed surface like dirty snowfall over a mountain range.
Seated at a round table in the northeast corner of the room, an elderly man updates his record book and moves coins and papers from one pile to another, periodically stamping a document with a red and black inked stamp resembling a crude image of a pair of chitinous clawed appendages.
As you step into the room, he doesn’t look up from his paperwork. “If you’re here to start a business, like that aiuvarin, we’re full up. Unless you fork over 200 gold pieces. Otherwise, get back to the docks. Payday isn’t until Oathday.”
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The old man looks up and ponders, for but a moment before sliding over a sheaf of papers. "Yes, well I have three open contracts in my possession, there was fourth but it has somehow disappeared. The contracts won't do you much good without the related dossiers on each of them, but then they are in the Whisperer's backroom of this tavern, not here."
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• Zarta Dralneen: Zarta’s contract is on the top of the pile. It does not mention who the client is but is stamped with the mark of the House of Thrune.
• Kassi Aziril: Kassi’s contract also has a Thrune mark on it but again has no client information.
• Mafika Ayuwari: Mafika’s contract is from a jorogumo noble in Shenmen. An addition to the contract includes raiding his office for multiple books and notes from recent experiments he’s been working on with the Plane of Wood.
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On the long table, a detailed map of the settlement marks not only the inn, but a dockside tavern, a nondescript building, and hospital on the outskirts with the names Thidos, Chirper, and Blacklevy. There are also many pouches of coins and a small chest.
The old man slides over an ornate black key in the shape of two intertwined thorned roses. "Here, this will get you to that room through the courtyard. The entrances to the courtyard are sealed with a spell I cannot fathom, but the key will get you past. A short-cut, if you will." He smiles politely (or is it menacingly?), then resumes his tedious work.
Eando’s team of Pathfinders, including both Zarta Dralneen and Giovanna break into No Rest for the Wicked with undead creatures hot on their heels.
Sotroz glances about at the number of Pathfinders and casually compares it to their own gathered minions. “Ah. I see the gang is all here. Finally.”
Kline dispatches a ghoul on the end of his blade and eyes the powerful ghoulish foe. “So, this is...”
“Sotroz,” Giovanna answers for him, easily fighting off a pair of magic wielding ghouls.
Zarta seems about to make a sarcastic comment, but a lumbering ogre, forced into undeath, bashes away an inattentive Pathfinder and draws her full attention.
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Using the cold, black key in the nearby doorway, it releases its protection and creaks open.
At one time, this cobblestone and marble courtyard must have been the pride of the inn, with a towering statue of a hero on a barded warhorse standing in the middle of a recessed stage. And though the weakening evening sun still finds its way into the open-air courtyard, its light only falls on the crumbling remains of the once great statue strewn over what was once a symbol of triumph.
Now it is occupied by an armored ghoul and a pair of hulking zombies, who stand guarding the barely visible Sotroz standing in the alcove beyond. The vision of Sotroz blips and fizzles and it is readily apparent that they’re not actually present, but some sort of illusion, but one that seems to be watching you.
Nagaikaze
Prof. Whitegourd
Yakuthiel
Yellow zombie
Orange zombie
Dran'Tilt
Song Jun-Mei
Purple ghoul
Emdi
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Initially eager to rush in, the sight of the two biggest Zombies that he has ever seen gives Nagaikaze some pause for thought. It would be unwise to get caught between them. Much better to fight one at a time, surely. Hopefully they are slow like other Zombies. Nagaikaze enters the room ready for a fight and waits for a Zombie to come to him, hopefully blocking the way for the other.
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The monk repositions as the professor weakens the ghoul enough for Yakuthiel to move in to the fray.
The zombies step slowly forward and target the warrior with their swinging meat.
Nagaikaze <AC 29>
Prof. Whitegourd
Yakuthiel -13 damage
Yellow zombie
Orange zombie
Dran'Tilt
Song Jun-Mei
Purple ghoul -49 damage <prone>
Emdi
As the disparate teams of Pathfinders find their way to the ruined
courtyard of No Rest for the Wicked, the remaining undead
minions of Sotroz attempt to escape their far more numerable
foes, only to fall to the blades and magics the Pathfinders bring
to bear. A quiet pause holds for a moment until a dark mist rises
from the flagstones beneath the inn’s courtyard.
Welcome to my island, Pathfinders. I imagine you have
many questions, but I shall have to decide if you deserve the
answers,” says the disembodied voice of the ghoul, Sotroz, for
all to hear. “That is, if you can survive long enough to ask
them of me, of course.” And as quickly as their voice rose, it is
gone as the mists dissolve.
Zarta looks around at the gathered Pathfinder forces. “I
imagine we’ve gathered much valuable information as we’ve
cracked the surface of this place. We should regroup and
compare notes.”
“Agreed,” Eando nods patiently. “We should gather back at
the docks, finish unloading our supplies, and prepare to make
a more organized foray into this island. There’ll be more of the
Red Mantis Dispatch’s undead out in the streets, I’m sure, but
they shouldn’t be much of a threat with our numbers.”
Giovanna gives a mildly disappointed tut and shakes her
head with a wry smile. “You Pathfinders. Always so prepared.
Never just jumping in when it could be so much fun.”
Zarta only eyes her with daggers while Eando rallies the
Pathfinders to gather what they can and move out.
As the action around the Society’s landing operations comes
to a close, Eando Kline calls for all agents to gather around
while cleaning his blade. “Well done, everyone. As amphibious
assaults go, I’d rate that one pretty highly. Unfortunately, things
get a bit more complicated from here, as they always do.”
Zarta Dralneen lets out a soft sigh as she steps up next to
Eando. “You worry too much, dear. But we still must be cautious
as we proceed. We’ve learned that the Red Mantis Dispatch are
holding three hostages in separate buildings across the island’s
interior, including one of our own agents. Our top priority now
is rescuing each of them as fast as we can.”
Clearing her throat, Giovana of the true Red Mantis
interjects. “Ahem. Let’s not forget who set your Society loose
on this little pleasure cruise today. While you’re off being
heroic and noble, you’d best see to my interests as well.
While you were pushing the Dispatch forces back from the
docks, I discovered their assassins-in-training regrouping
for a counterattack. I want you to wipe these nuisances out.
I’m also more than curious about what kind of magic the
Dispatch has been using to keep themselves hidden from our
divinations. Do be kind and unravel that little mystery for me,
hm?” She gives Eando a smile like that of a mongoose who’s
just finished thrashing a snake.
Eando raises an eyebrow with an unreadable expression on
his face for a moment before slowly turning to the gathered
Pathfinders. “Okay... rescue the hostages, but let’s also not
forget about the obligations to our host. Most importantly,
stay safe out there, Pathfinders!”
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Zarta approaches first and points toward a multi-story building situated a bit away from the rest of the others on the island. “According to our information, that’s the local hospital. A hostage named Tiziri Blacklevy is supposedly being held there, while the Dispatch has been milking thons family for proof-of-life ransom demands for years. Let’s do a good deed and get thon out of there swiftly, shall we?”
When you arrive at the location, you find the ground floor set up as a regular infirmary. The upper floor is arranged for long-term patients and is guarded by some minions, but upon seeing your force arrive, they scatter to the winds. From the streets below, you here them calling for reinforcements, so time is of the essence.
Before long you spot Tiziri Blacklevy sitting at a long table, clearly crafting even at this time of day.
"You do not look like guards, I'm not sure what is going on but please don't hurt me." she says softly.
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Tiziri becomes ashen when you speak of leaving. "No, I can't believe it. I wished for this to be true, but I must be imagining this."
When the realization hits that it is indeed genuine, Tiziri begs "I can't leave without my creations. You must help find them. They hide from the guards but they are here somewhere. And I will need help as well."
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Now Tiziri I understand not wanting to leave your creations but let us worry about them for now. Your family is worried about you and wants you back. Please take a seat in the lovely device that Dran'Tilt has made for you so we can get you out of here safely."
Once Tiziri is in place, Jun-Mei pulls out her gayaguem and begins to play. "Your dolls like music I hope."
Jun-mei begins to sing.
Come out my lovelies.
Come with us as we leave this sad place,
and sail away home.
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Dran'Tilt shaves off the initial square wheels for a fine device. After some pep talks, Nagaikaze is able to position Tiziri on it with a bit of help.
Song Jun-Mei and Yakuthiel charm the dolls with music, the Professor encourages with a deeper understanding of their true workings (while Emdi ensures any heistant ones fall in line).
Once everything is ready and the dolls are gathered, Tiziri thanks you profusely.
"I cannot ever repay your kindness today in full. But, I beg of you, if you are ever hampered in any way today, please come and find me at your base camp and I will do whatever I can to help."
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After returning to base camp with Tiziri and the dolls, you are approached by another desperate Pathfinder. Eando Kline catches up to the group, almost out of breath. “Pathfinders, our intel has revealed that the Dispatch is holding a monkey goblin thief named Chirper hostage who might have more information about their motives and tactics. We think he’s being held in a solitary cell in this general area. I’ll leave it up to you on how best to proceed, though. Good hunting!”
When you reach the area in question, there are but a pair of guards stationed in a hallway outside of a makeshift cell. They lower their crossbows at you trying to force a stalemate, but their shaky grips betray their total lack of experience.