|
The Carnelian Signet chokes and gags on the fetid aura just before Adelmare blasts the offending ghould away. Though not soon enough for the Signet. Zenari has less trouble, maybe because she didn’t take a huge gulp of air like the Signet did.
Mrs. Crinkle hulks-out, lays out the nearest ghoul, lays into it with her teeth, then finally pumps out a gaseous cloud of her own. Thankfully her allies are immune, but her enemies are emotionally traumatized.
The one on the ground doesn’t want to be any closer to Mrs. Crinkle’s exhaust port than it has to be so it stands….
… and attacks the lady that knocked it down.
But is so bothered by what it witnessed that it misses both times.
The jauniced Yellow ghoul draws its sword and swings around to the far side of Zenari
Blue and Green decide to team up on the Signet. They vie for the attention of the lady that blew them a kiss, each hoping to turn her into a ghoul.
Blue draws first blood, and Green nicks an artery only because the poor Signet is trying to keep her lunch down.
The Downward Path
Conditions: Areas of the Map around the Statue with what appear to be rubble are Difficult Terrain.
EVERYONE May Act
Adelmare
The Carnelian Signet
Mrs. Crinkle
Zenari
Black Ghoul Cadet
Yellow Ghoul Soldier
Green Ghoul Soldier
Blue Ghoul Cadet
Shalosar
Eltis
"Well, now that I have your attent- HACK!" The Carnelian Signet continues coughing.
Well at least she has regained her bearings.
"As I was saying!" She bears a flaming blade onto the Blue-shirted Cadet who just bit into her.
"At least take me on a date before you kiss me, dear."
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!”
|
|
Zenari’s quick reflexes trigger, and she puts her trident straight through the ghoul’s belly. It collapses back to the floor without managing to do a thing.
The Carnelian Signet clears the bile from her lungs and turns her attention to the youngest of the two ghouls. She slices it in half for the gall it had to bite her on the first date.
The rest of the team do enough damage before the ghouls can flee to obliterate the undead foes.
The Carnelian Signet
Zenari
"Well, I don't bite unless you ask nicely." The Carnelian Signet grins before the pain from the bite sinks in and her rage falters.
She sighs. "Zarta, do you have a Lesser Healing Potion perchance? These ghouls seem to keep finding weakpoints in my armor..."
|
|
Zarta hands the Carnelian Signet a potion from her bag. ”Darling, you should really get that looked at by a, ahem, competent healer,” she says with a bit of side-eye at Eltis. She then 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. Not that I expect you’ll find any healers there, mind you. Rather, 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?”
Tiziri Blacklevy uses thon/thons/thonself pronouns which are one of the first known examples of intentionally gender-neutral pronouns. Dating back to 1858 in our world, most lingual studies on the history of pronouns claim that thon was intended as a contraction of “that one.” For Tiziri, the pronouns Fit thon’s Understanding of thonself, and even the so-called agents of the Red Mantis Dispatch understand value in being respectful to thon’s wishes in the matter.
====End Spoiler===
When you arrive at the hospital, you find the ground floor set up as a regular infirmary. The upper floor is arranged for long-term patients and is guarded. The guards here flee immediately upon seeing a team of well-armed Pathfinders, but when they reach the street, they start calling for reinforcements! You have only so much time to complete this rescue without risking the safety of the hostage!
It’s easy to find the only “long-term care” patient. Tiziri Blacklevy tells you that thon has been held here for years and is paralyzed from the waist-down. When it’s apparent that thon is being rescued, thon informs you that the soulbound dolls thon crafted for company are hiding around the hospital. ”They only come out once the guards go to sleep to avoid being noticed. We can’t leave any of them behind. Please find them, and then I will go with you, thon states emphatically.
To get Tiziri and thons’ soulbound dolls collected and evacuated to a Pathfinder-controlled area of the island before Dispatch reinforcements arrive, you can a) work to help get Tiziri up and moving, OR b) you can try to corral the dolls.
"Oh, it's alright." The Carnelian Signet grunts as Eltis cuts the wrong spot with his scalpel. "This is probably divine payback for my lies backfiring."
"Close enough."
"Tiziri? Glad to see you. Sure, we'll find your friends."
The Carnelian Signet finds some dolls, but she's not certain which are dolls and which are alive. "Well well well. We need to get these priceless artifacts out of this dingy shack. The Pathfinder Society would love to clean them and take good care. Much better than these awful guards." She talks out loud to herself before producing a crate. "Well, I'll just leave this here and come back later to pick it up." She closes the door, figuring the dolls will climb into the crate and she'll find the crate conveniently full.
"There we are, Tiziri. Let's get you out of here, eh?"
"Oof! I need to work out more, but I think I've got it. We'll get you and your dolls safe."
|
Adelmare shares a long, awkward look with Tziri as thon describes the need to be moved.
"We have many fine, strong people here who can see to your transport. Just because I am a horseman trained in the proper way to move injured people doesn't mean that I must be the one to carry thon out"
Adelmare chuffs and turns away before attuning to the dolls.
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Mrs. Crinkle joins the throng of Pathfinders all trying to lift one skinny young 'un. "Oh, for cripes' sake, dearies! Let me help. This little old lady is stronger than she looks! Heehee!" She reaches up to help lift Tiziri onto Zenari's back.
"OooOoo! Time to do a collection run! Also, I'm going to find a chamber pot. Those ghouls just run right through me! Heehee!" Mrs. Crinkle dashes off: first to find a chamber pot, then to hide it in the guards' break room fireplace (the coals are still warm; she snickers with glee), and finally to find some dolls. She begins wailing and wringing her hands, crying out: "Oh, deary me! Tiziri's sick and needs to be taken to a better hospital! Thon fear thon will never see their precious dolls again! Oh woe is thon! If only Tiziri's dolls would come to thon!"
|
|
The Carnelian Signet sets a box on the floor and turns her back to walk away. Just as one can herd cats without them even knowing they’re being herded, several dolls come out of hiding and climb into the box as if it was their idea all along. Meanwhile, the Signet finds out she needs to do more squats at the gym.
Eltis, on the other hand, just needs to get to a gym once in a while. His attempts at herding dolls leave him out of breath and frustrated.
Adelmare gets a little bit of ‘tude going before turning his attentions to the dolls. Several more come out of hiding and wander up to the centaur as if hypnotized by his magics.
Shalosar neutralizes some of the poison in Tiziri who thanks him in a quiet voice. But the kineticist really should have known better than to copy Eltis’ techniques at herding cats dolls.
Zenari tries to show Eltis and Shalosar how it’s done, but finally gives up in frustration at how fast the little buggers are. She then helps the Signet get a better lifting position on Tiziri, and they manage to get thon up.
Mrs. Crinkle … well, what can be said … She poisons the poor guards’ fireplace with toxic chemicals, tricks the dolls into hurrying back to Tiziri before the team can leave, and then hoists Tiziri up like one of thon’s own dolls, making the two ladies already struggling to carry the crafter look redundant.
The Pathfinders collect all of Tiziri’s dolls and evacuate thon back to the ship for further medical treatment and eventually a reunion with thon’s family back in Nex. Hooray!
|
|
While you take a break on the deck for some much needed refreshment and healing*, Eando Kline catches up to your group. “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,” he says pointing to a spot on a map of the city. I’ll leave it up to you on how best to proceed, though. Good hunting!”
As you reach the building that Eando indicated, the two mercenaries keeping watch over Chirper lock themselves in a narrow hallway just outside the goblin’s jail cell, commanding you to keep back while leveling their crossbows at you, creating an effective stalemate.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
So take it however you like, but for PBP a blend of RP and whatever skill check you can make a case to use might be best. Except the Carnelian Signet; she has to use Deception :)
"Oh, we don't have time for this pageantry!" The Carnelian Signet stands up and starts marching towards the mercenaries. "Your superiors sent us to relieve you of your duty. We need to transfer Chirper to a secure location. The ghouls will be here any minute, and they're hungry."
"Now, do you want to become Ghoul feed or will you hand me the keys to Chirper's cell and head to safety?" She taps her foot impatiently. "I'm waaaaaaiting!"
|
|
”Uhh… Mickey sent you?” The two guards look at each other and then back to the Carnelian Signet and her friends. ”Well, sure, that makes sense. The two of us ain’t enough to move this guy through the streets, what with the Pathfinders all over the place,” says the one. ”And it is about time for shift change anyway,” the other adds as he begins packing up his gear.
”Here you go, good luck,” they say as they hand over the keys on their way past you in the narrow hall. You hear them discussing what tavern might still be open as they depart.
”DANG! You lot got some big brassy ones on ya! Well, in a manner of speaking, of course,” Chirper exclaims with a look between Adelmare and the Carnelian Signet as you release him from his cell. ”Thanks a ton for getting me out! They captured me when I might have accidentally mentioned something sensitive to a certain girl…. No, not about that kinda stuff!” he squeaks at Mrs. Crinkle’s look. ”No, I discovered proof that the false mantises (the Dispatch) started taking on assassination contracts, pretending to be the real Red Mantis. They grabbed me off the street, and they’ve been trying to ransom me back to my family for cash. Heh, but little do they know, my family is poor as dirt and wouldn’t have paid up anyway, so they would’ve just been giving me room and board forever. Heh!”
He then presents the one piece of (slightly moist) evidence he was able to hide on his person all this time (and no, don’t ask where) — a contract signed by a Chelaxian government official, requesting the Red Mantis Dispatch (pointedly not the Red Mantis) assassinate Zarta Dralneen of the Pathfinder Society. He also draws a map for you to where he buried the rest of the evidence he gathered, along with a cache of ancient coins from the Ghol-Gan empire worth a small fortune (or at least a couple “bundles” worth of fortune), which he wants you to have as thanks for his rescue.
As you proceed back to the ship to get Chirper to safety, you spot Giovana leaning against the wall of a building, cleaning blood off the blade from one of her iconic sawtooth sabers. She pauses momentarily when she spots Chirper with you. They engage in a quick conversation about the aforementioned contract and Chirper’s payment for the delivery of it to her. She asks him to proceed to the ship and give it to Eando Kline “with her love,” and as he scampers off to do so, she turns her deadly serious attention back to you.
Indicating a passageway behind her with a thumb, she explains. ”Some of the poor Dispatch fools tried to tangle with me and paid the ultimate price. Their disciples—assassin trainees if you will, fled inside. Clearing them out is beneath me, so I want you to handle it.” She fixes a steely glare on the Pathfinders. “Don’t let a single one out alive.”
The Red Mantis vernai struts away without another word, leaving you at the entrance of a Dispatch training dojo.
"Good job, Chirper. Zarta will want a name, this will be perfect. It's good to be wanted..." The Carnelian Signet chuckles.
She manages not to sigh in boredom as Giovana barks orders to clean up her own mistakes. "Yes, mistress..." Is all she mutters as Giovana leaves.
"Let's get this over with. Dispatch or no, I don't like being a cleanup crew. I'd protest if they hadn't started taking contracts to take lives."
"Anyone notice anything?"
|
"Well, that was an impressive performance I have to say. When it works it really works!"
A few minutes later. "Huh. A Chelaxian government official wants Zarta dead. Well, that's no huge surprise."
As they see Giovana ahead in a low voice, "Look, it's the captain's future wife!"
"Oh yes, this is interesting..."
|
|
"They captured me when I might have accidentally mentioned something sensitive to a certain girl…. No, not about that kinda stuff!” he squeaks at Mrs. Crinkle’s look.
...
He then presents the one piece of (slightly moist) evidence he was able to hide on his person all this time (and no, don’t ask where)...
Mrs. Crinkle is having far too much fun with this. She drops a few bawdy comments , then changes tactics completely. She accepts Chirper's damp evidence with an exaggerated innocent expression. "Oh, my! It's so moist, Chirper. Wherever did you keep it? Heehee!" Of course she asks where, and of course she can't keep a straight face for the entire delivery. She's like a comedian that cracks up at her own punchlines.
The Red Mantis vernai struts away without another word...
Ever demure, Mrs. Crinkle calls after the vastly superior killer: "Shake that tail more, honey! I hear it'll make Kline blush like a maiden! Heehee! --Now! Let's bash some heads! Ooo, this'll be fun! Heehee!" She's about ready to barge right in there when she notices the Carnelian Signet and Eltis reconnoitering. "Oh, pooh!" Pouting slightly, she waits until they're ready to head inside. Cooperation means not leaving anybody behind to miss out on all the fun.
|
|
Eltis and the Carnelian Signet discover various escape ladders and hatches cleverly disguised as buttresses on the building’s exterior that lead to a skylight and alternative entry points into the dojo. Perhaps the assassins used these for their own training or perhaps for secret ingress/egress routes between missions. Either way, you’re able to scout out the coming encounter as well as possibly splitting up in a pincer maneuver if you so choose.
The main entrance is to the western edge of the room, but the alternative entry points would deposit you via trap doors in the northeast and southeast corners of the upper balcony overlooking the training floor. The upper level is 10 feet higher than the central floor and connected by stairs. A quick reconnoiter reveals 5 Dispatch Younglings currently engaged in combat training.
Always ready for a flashy entrance, the Carnelian Signet arrives on the Southeast upper balcony. Longsword ready and Aura Channeled, motes of flame swirl around her. She waits for the signal.
|
|
With guile and stealth, the Pathfinders make their way up to the balcony, leaving only Adelmare to come in through the front doors. Five Red Mantis Dispatch trainees are nervously running through some combat forms in anticipation of being hunted down by the very woman that just slaughtered all their Masters.
The Dojo of Younglings
Conditions:
BOLD May Act
Eltis
Shalosar
Black Disciple
Red Disciple
Adelmare
Mrs. Crinkle
Green Disciple
The Carnelian Signet
Zenari
Yellow Disciple
Blue Disciple
Once the team is ready, The Carnelian Signet prepares to leap down the stairs, longsword and fire ablaze. "I am the Terror that burns in plain sight! I am the Hellfire that awaits you upon Judgement!"
"Red Mantis Dispatch! Surrender peacefully or you face... The Carnelian Signet!"
|
|
The Carnelian Signet rehearses her line in her hear and under her breath. She knows it’s going to sound awesome when she opens the fight with… Oh wait, Shalosar’s already down on the dojo floor….
Eltis waits to see how things get going, but Shalosar isn’t shy. He heads down the stairs and snaps a chain at one of the nearest disciples, doing a fair bit of damage.
The one in Black - oh, wait, they’re all wearing some Black - okay, the one with the most Black in his uniform rushes forward and tries to stab Shalosar before raising his cloak in a fancy defensive maneuver.
He’s been practicing and nearly cuts an artery, but maybe he needs a better knife.
The one in Red - okay, again, the one in the most Red (maybe he’s more senior so he gets more Red in his uniform?) - hustles across the floor and also slashes at Shalosar, but the kineticist easily dodges this one.
The Dojo of Younglings
Conditions:
BOLD May Act
Eltis
Shalosar
Black Disciple
Red Disciple
Adelmare
Mrs. Crinkle
Green Disciple
The Carnelian Signet
Zenari
Yellow Disciple
Blue Disciple