"My thoughts exactly, Triphylla. Making as all faster seems the most pressing need right now, to make sure we can catch the Earl before he manages to get away. I'll focus on flight next! Quickly, before he manages to get a cab!"
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"Seems the Earl thinks to escape us with his magical cloak. Unfortunately for him, I caught a glimpse of his destination, and can easily replicate the same spell. He was headed to goldsmith street - just north of the ferry terminal on the other side of the water. My magic is only strong enough to take two of us along with me, though - the others will have to get there somehow. How do we want to split the group?"
"I see, I let you all out of my sight for some research time and a couple errands for my cousin, and you go ahead and deal with all the troubles we came here to solve." Diana grins back at Triphylla and signal the waiter for a cup as well. "Although I'd like to hear what happened in more detail later. You mentioned a dragon? That's... A bit more force than I figured our enemies would be able to get. It's a good thing you managed to get by it unscathed." She takes a sip of her drink, and nods. "Although I believe getting whatever proof you got to the Council should probably be our priority right now. The less time we give Earl Yander to prepare, the better. Hopefully we'll be able to bring him to justice and let Yanmass be peaceful again. Or as peaceful as it is possible in these times."
I'd like to apologise to everyone here for just up and vanishing for all these months. I went through a very heavy burnout at the end of February, and these last months have been difficult to deal with. I just didn't have the mental capacity to post anymore. Things are better now, though, and I feel solid enough to try and get back to the games, although I'm afraid my posting rate might still suffer a bit. There's quite a bit to read up on, too, but I'd like to join you all again, if you're all okay with that.
"My thoughts exactly, Lope." Diana says, as she nods gravely when Lope hands her the scrolls. "If we have to pick someone else, Sir Dratavis is the better choice, considering he was investigating everything that was happening here before us, and might have relevant details to pass along." After taking a good look at the scrolls with her Read Magic cantrip, to ensure she understands the magical writing within perfectly, Diana gives Triphylla's stony form a determined look, before focusing again one one of the scrolls. "I... I should warn you all beforehand - this spell is a bit beyond my current abilities. While the scroll is a big help, there still exists the possibility that this goes... Horribly wrong. You might want to keep a safe distance during the casting." When the others are ready, Diana starts chanting the arcane words. When she finishes and releases the spell towards Triphylla, she can feel its magic working correctly and lets out a relieved sigh as she sees it taking effect.
"Welcome back, Triphylla. The medusa's gaze got you before the others managed to bring her down, but we focused on bringing you back as soon as we could. How do you feel?" She gives the halfling woman a bit to get her bearings, before returning to the scroll in her hand. "We still have a second scroll, which we were hoping to use to get Sir Dratavis back as well. You might want to join the others at a safe distance, however. While yours went off without any problem, I can't guarantee the next casting will go so easy." When she's ready, Diana will focus on the second scroll and try to heal Sir Dratavis as well.
The second scroll proves much more difficult, and she only succeeds in unlocking its power on her third attempt - thankfully, her two initial failures happen without any unwanted effects and without expending the scroll.
"I agree. Witnessing first hand what we have found, and are trying to fix, would be for the best, rather than write about it only based on what we tell you - I am sure the readers and your editor will appreciate your willingness to confirm the truth with your own eyes. As for the possible political motivations behind our findings, though, I believe they will remain a mystery." This report will probably do well to boost our reputation in town as well, in addition to Savina's own as the one who provided the magic supplies and the reporter. A pity we can't prove anything about who might have been behind the medusa. Maybe Sir Dratavis can tell us more?
"A pleasure, Miss Onio. Diana Lotheed." Diana says with a smile as she studies the elven woman, before taking a moment to examine the list of scrolls for sale. "Acquiring at least one of those scrolls is indeed our main priority in coming here, as we have a rather urgent need for one, and figured you would be our best chance of finding one for sale. I must say, however, that you seem to have quite a selection of spells on offer. I might be coming here again sometime soon, if our duties to the city permit, of course, with a few more purchases in mind." "But getting back to our need for those stone to flesh scrolls... Is there any way we might convince you to lower their price?"
"I do hope we manage to find the scrolls we need." Diana says with a sad tone as they make their way to their destination. "Wender Manor was built by Augustus Wender's - an obsessive art collector, from what I've read about him - to house his extensive collection. But he died without heirs some fifty years ago. The current owner bought it a few years ago and converted it into the magic item shop it is today." As you approach one of the door men hails you, "Good evening and welcome to Wendor Manor! Do you have an appointment?" "I am afraid not." Diana says as she approaches, making sure her signet ring is clearly visible. "But I have urgent need of some very specific spell scrolls, and I was hoping to find them among your store's collection."
"Lope is right, there are spells that should help us reverse the medusa's power. They're powerful spells, though. I... Don't believe I can manage them quite yet, but might be able to cast them from a scroll..." Diana moves towards Triphylla and lays a sorrowful hand on her cold stone shoulder. "We must do what we can to restore all these poor souls to life, and Triphylla most of all. I'll try to see if I can purchase the relevant scrolls when we get back to the city."
"A medusa! That explains the statues! She seemed to be hiding her true form with some sort of polymorph spell." Hoping the others can bring their attacker down quickly before she manages to turn anyone to stone, Diana bolsters everyone's speed, before moving away.
Valeria's warning confirms what Diana was already expecting but couldn't be certain. As quickly as she can, she tries to put some distance between herself and the girl and turn invisible.
"It definitely is incredible!" Diana replies, feigning interest and acting as if she didn't notice the girl's rather obvious gesture for her to hold the statue's hand. Something's off, and the others have picked up on it too. Best I can do is keep her attention on me while they get ready. If she's the one responsible, maybe I can get her to drop her guard and say something she shouldn't.
"It does look like there's a few statues missing from the scene, not just one holding this man's hand." She continues, as she gestures around the room. "I was just commenting with my friends how this thing seemed straight out of a famous play." Diana eyes the girl attentively as she speaks, trying to gauge if her next words bring about any sort of reaction. "But there's quite a bit wrong with it, you know? There's people missing here, and there. And why soldiers instead of nobles? Whoever made this statues paid attention to the smallest details, and yet... To then leave this scene incomplete, and use the wrong models? Seems so... Crude and sloppy."
"Creepy is definitely appropriate. We were just... Appreciating how detailed these statues seem to be." Diana replies with a kind tone and a trained smile, keeping her suspicions carefully hidden. "Do you come here often? Do you have any idea who built these statues?"
"I... What madness is this?" Diana looks in shock at the scene before the group. "This... It looks as if someone tried to recreate the climax to Ailson Kindler’s The Broken House of Kriegmoor!" She eyes the group, and realising some might not be familiar with it, quickly adds: "It's, err, it's a play. A tragic one. The scene here is supposed to be a wedding, one that was intended to stop a family feud, but went horribly wrong and turned into a tragic scene of death you see depicted here." "Some things are off, though. Those soldiers were supposed to be nobles, for example. And the scene is missing some players around the wedding couple, too. There's no priest, and there's supposed to be more family members. I... I wonder if whomever is responsible is still trying to complete the scene?"
"It's not so much mistrusting the statue, as being scared of what might have made it. But I do agree that doing nothing doesn't really help us. Let's just... Be careful, as we go further in." "As for the soldier's pose, though... If this was indeed the work of magic, then it wouldn't be that surprising, assuming the caster was someone they knew, like, say, the head of one of the nation's more renowned houses..." Diana gives Triphylla, Lope and Valeria a meaningful but fearful look, trusting them to know exactly who she's referring to. "You can't trust that you'll always see a spell being cast before it is done. A skillful deceiver can mask it through other actions as she casts." As if to ilustrate her point, four small lights suddenly come into existence around Esinti, before fading away shortly after.
"I find it strange for it to be a coincidence... But then what is going on? Why'd someone go to the trouble of crafting these statues, and in such a short time, at that. These two are so expertly detailed, they seem almost..." Diana's eyes widen in fear as a horrifying thought crosses her mind, and she frantically looks around them. "Lope, don't... Don't go further inside, at least not yet." She calls out in an urgent, frightened tone. "What if... What if these are the missing regiment? Not slain, but somehow turned to stone? I know there's magic that could achieve such results. Powerful magic, far above what I could manage, as would be the spell to turn them back. I... I hope I turn out to be wrong on this, but right now it seems like the best explanation for these statues." And if that kind of magic does turn out to be behind the regiment's disappearance... Could grandfather be behind this? And if so... Can we really hope to stand against him?
"I agree with scouting the manor first. If bandits are truly jsing it as an hideout, I'd much prefer to know and catch them by surprise, than walk into a probable ambish. I do have a couple of Invisibility spells prepared, in case me and Triphylla went to pay the earl a visit. Should ensure whoever goes scout can get by unnoticed."
"That's... Odd." Diana remarks as they get closer. "Look, see the heraldry on that elephant statue? That's the Taldan Horse - the contemporary Taldan Horse, I mean. That's much more recent than the manor itself - makes no sense for it to be on the statue."
"Well, I figured we'd be teleporting in and out, rather than make it an actual official visit." Diana chuckles. "But nulling his current agents makes sense, and we might even acquire some evidence at the Manor."
Diana nods respectfully as the box is brought forth, and she gracefully puts on the ring. "Thank you for these precious gifts, Baron. I promise you, we will not rest until the troubles plaguing your dear city are dealt with and their perpetrators brought to justice." As they turn away from the crowd and Lope brings up the question of their next goal, Diana ponders for a moment, before replying in the same lowered voice. "I agree with you, Lope, the Manor seems like it should be our next target. However." Diana nods to Triphylla. "Me and Triphylla were considering some... alternative means for finding proof on who seems to be behind this attacks. That's not to say dealing with the bandits is not a priority, but if we can strike at their backer first, we can ensure their support is cut off and that no other group takes their place."
Spells Prepared:
4th (2+1/day)- Dimension Door x2, Bonus: Greater Invisibility 3rd (3+1/day)- Haste, Fly x2, Bonus: Wall of Nausea 2nd (4+1/day)- Glitterdust x2, Euphoric Cloud, Invisibility Bonus: Invisibility 1st (6+1/day)- Mage Armor, Grease x2, Heightened Awareness, Ear Piercing Scream (2 slots), Bonus: Silent Image 0th (at will)- Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Dancing Lights, Read Magic "Well, yesterday was certainly an eventful day. And you all did a great job. I am sure the council will be impressed - we have only just started, and we have already taken care of one of their more pressing troubles. That is also bound to lower the earl's standing with the council a bit, I think. Actions speak louder than words, after all, and we did in a day what he could or would not in all the time he has been here." Diana smiles warmly back at Mr. Rhundle, and laughs softly at Lope's words to him. "Indeed, Mr. Rhundle, it is good to see you back to your typical self - I trust you too had a pleasant, restful and well deserved sleep last night?"
"The door doesn't seem to have been open in a long time - seems unlikely that it'd lead to anything relating to the current troubles in the city. And our adversaries don't seem to have been too interested in it, either. Probably has been locked since the owners of this slaughterhouse passed away." Diana nods at St. John's suggestion. "I agree, we might as well take a look when we pass by it on our way out." Her face drops a bit as she eyes the precarious structure they used to climb up here and that they'll need to climb down again.
"I believe you're right, Triphylla, what we have now might not be enough. And in that case, openly confronting the earl may be counterproductive." Diana replies to Triphylla. And when they're making their way to explore the rest of the tower, Diana sticks near the halfling and whispers. "Your idea to search Merkondus' house for evidence might be our best bet as of now. Now, I know you'd probably prefer if Cyrene was here to go along with you, but... I figure I can make us both Invisible and bring us in and out with my magic, if you'd want to take me along."
Diana lets out an exhausted sigh. "I agree. It's been a long day already, and I'm sure we could all use some rest. Shpuld we escort Mr. Rhundle to his house and make our way back to the inn?"
"I understand your thinking, Lope, but do know I have spent quite a bit of my magic already. I won't be able to provide as much assistance if we run into something similar to that ice elemental." "As for exposing the earl..." Diana nods to Triphylla. "I suppose it depends if these letters and Mr. Rhundle's words are enough to sway the council to take action against him. If so, I would think it wiser to bring him down sooner rather than later. The longer he goes free, the more time he has to prepare and further his goals, and I doubt he'd stay unaware for too long. He'll have to suspect what we've done when Mr. Rhundle returns safely to the council at the same time that the nightmares seem to cease, and he stops getting word from the div."
Diana's eyes widen as Rhundle recounts what he can recall. "Mr. Rhundle, I think the council will need to hear from you - I am sure your word will carry more weight than ours. That Earl Yander was directly involved is troubling, too. Bringing this creature here seems like a deliberate attempt at weakening your city. If this is somehow part of his plan to enthrone Pythareus... Yanmass should not let this stand! Do you think your words and your letters would be enough to sway the council to action?" "But not before we escort you home and you manage to recover from all this, of course. Here" Diana takes off her Sleeves of Many Garments and hands them to Rhundle. "It's a minor magic item infused with glammer magic, that will let you change your clothes' appearance to whatever you might desire - it should let you hide that outfit until you can change into something more appropriate." Her gaze then falls on the pairaka's body, and she shivers slightly as she considers the implications of her presence in the city. As I suspected, this creature was called here, not summoned. Some powerful caster brought her here for this - was it grandfather? If so... Is he... Is he here right now? Does he know that we... That I... am working against his plans?
"I imagine this might all be a bit overwhelming for you, Mr. Navin. I wish I could give you more concrete answers to your questions, but I can only speculate for the moment. That blue skinned woman my companions so expertly took down was an outsider from one of the evil aligned planes." Diana gives a respectful nod towards Valeria. "My own knowledge of them is not as good as Miss Turanor's, but we believe it to be the cause of the nightmares that have been plaguing the town of late." "We think whatever magical ability granted her power over mortal's dreams may have also allowed her some manner of control over the same targets - we have met with a group earlier in the day that attacked us, as if in a daze. They told us they had been having a hard time sleeping due to those terrible nightmares, and that they didn't remember much of what had happened to them recently. A weird dream about a sheep telling them what to do - and this creature assumed such a form when we first got here. Do you remember anything similar happening to you?" Diana then looks thoughtfully at the fallen woman, and then looks around the room, hoping to find some clues of how she got here.
Seeing Triphylla getting hit by the pairaka's claw, Diana reaches out and touches her, casting her small illusory ward on the halfling woman.
As the merchant is too busy vomiting, Diana focuses first on doing what she can to help the fight, before trying to explain to him what's going on. She steps near Estini, and casts her second Greater Invisibility on him, hoping it lets him strike true and end this fight quicker. She then looks to Rhundle Navin, wincing as she sees Triphylla trying to shove something down his throat. "Mr. Navin, we believe this creature to be the source of those horrible nightmares plaguing the town, and she seemed to be muddling your mind and forcing you to serve her through magical means. I have placed a protective spell on you that should surpress the effects for a bit. The faster we can bring her down, the quicker you'll be free from her nefarious influence."
Diana's invisibility fades as she touches ghe man with the wand, her hands shaking as she hopes the magic is enough to overcome the pairaka's influence.
Diana takes in the room as they ascend, and her eyes widen as she sees Rhundle Navin, the missing merchant. Figuring he's under her spell, she takes out the wand of protection from evil and moves over to him invisibly, hoping the wand's magic is enough to break him out of the pairaka's hold.
Diana takes Triphylla offered pill, and casts an Invisibility spell of her own before they ascend the tower. "I don't have much more magic to help against the div, but one of the scrolls we found on my grandfather's secret study might help us deal with her."
Diana takes a good look at the items under the trap door Triphylla uncovered, scanning them for magic as well. "They do seem valuable to me, as well, although I can't really say how valuable that stein can be. Only the wand is magical, as you might have guessed - healing magic, as it were, and it's fully charged too." She nods at Esinti's request. "I... Could use some healing, as well. I'm still reeling from that blow. We should be careful going up, we should expect similar traps on the way - that creature had the advantage against us in this small room. I'm glad you all managed to bring it down so swiftly."
Diana moves slightly in case the elemental tries to hit her where it has last seen her, and places an illusory ward over Estini, in case the elemental manages to overcome its blindness.
Diana cries out as the cold fist hits her and the others. Not seeing much room to 'spread out', she nevertheless tries to follow Esinti's advice and retreats towards the corner of the room. Doing her best to ignore the pain, she focuses on a spell, hoping to blind the creature and make its attacks less threatening.
Diana eyes the the pile of machinery sceptically, and reluctantly makes her way up with Lope's help. "Guess I should be preparing more of those flight spells just in case we run into more of these kind of situations." As they make their way inside the tower, Diana takes a quick look around the room before nodding to Lope. "Lope's right - I can't provide another flight spell today. We should make the most of them."
"I... Can't be absolutely sure about the spell she just cast, but I did catch a glimpse of the room beyond her door. Seemed like some kind of tower room that was converted to a luxurious bedroom. I saw a large four poster bed with exquisite silks, furs and expensive looking gems."
Diana keeps concentrating on her illusion, having it slash at the demon, but being careful not to have the blade actually hit her.
Diana cries out as she tries to run outside the cloud of killer wasps. Distracted as she is from the stings and buzzing sounds, she fails to understand just what their foe was trying to cast. "Thank you for your concern, Triphylla, but if I understand the spell she cast correctly, the wasps won't move from the spots where they were summoned, so we should be safe if we just avoid them." Unsure what else to throw at their foe, Diana thinks back to Valeria's warning about this type of demon, and tries to get her attention by creating an illusion of a redhaired angelic being next to her, wearing a flowing crimson colored robe and wielding a shield and sword apparently made from bright reddish metal.
"She's trying to summon a swarm of killer bees! Quick, try to break her focus!" Diana briefly considers aiming at the blue woman as well, but seeing St John's flurry of blows and Valeria's spell, turns her attention to the canine beast. With Lope letting the way clear for it to charge at the group, she tries to stall it if for only a moment.
Diana looks worriedly at the way St John's skin is reacting to the demon's claws, but she knows her magic can't do much to heal whatever is happening. She instead focuses on the help she can provide, and casts her Fly spell on St John. "That should let you follow her up. But be careful - that rash doesn't look too healthy to me."
While her knowledge of outsiders still needs quite a bit of further study, there's little doibt in her mind as to the cause of Triphylla's friendliness towards the demon. "No one has forgotten your contributions to our goals, Triphylla. Lope was just surprised at your friend's sudden appearance. But don't forget why we're here - we're trying to stop those terrible nightmares plaguing the town. We should deal with the cause as swiftly as possible, right?" Figuring the best option is to defeat the demon before it can charm any other member of the party, Diana casts Haste on the party, excluding Triphylla from the effects.
"Nicely done, Triphylla. Think we can free that ram now? Although..." Diana looks at thoughtfully at the ram for a bit. "Doesn't this seem... Odd? How did it get here? Whomever is using this place had it locked down, so it couldn't just have wandered inside... And if it was brought here... Why?"
"You can safe the powerful magics. I will follow Esinti up" with a well practiced gesture Lope casts spider climb on himself "Well, follow me then. Let's see if we can unblock that door" "Fine, I'll save the spell - for now. But be careful, both of you. Fall back at the first sign of trouble, and remember that you can take one of us along as well." As the two make their way to the window, Diana listens in to the conversation between St. John and Triphylla, glancing upwards at the pair clombing the building every now and then. "It wouldn't surprise me if these nightmares, and the rest of the troubles plaguing the city, are part of some kind of plot from Pythareus' followers, trying to sow enough chaos to have the High Strategos have an excuse to sweep in and 'establish order'. Remember Sir Guisarne's ideas, Triphylla?" Diana shakes her head and sighs. "To think some would risk destroying the country if they believe it would help Pythareus' more easily take the throne..."
"I only prepared that one teleport spell, unfortunately. I do have a flight spell prepared, though - should let one of us get in through the window, or join Esinti in doing so. Although I can't say I like the idea of sending just two of us inside. Seems risky."
I'm good either way, still have a decent amount of spells left. Including another Greater Invisibility if you want it, Triphylla.
"Ah, so you do know a bit about the city! Indeed, the Sanguine Brothers Fine Meats slaughterhouse seems to be the one that makes the most sense. It's been closed down ever since its owners died, a pair of wealthy halfling brothers who catered mostly to Yanmass' noble houses and finer restaurants. They garnered quite a reputation for their business, mostly due to their focus on quality and cleanliness. Unfortunately, they had no heirs, business partners, or any close confidants who could take over the business after they passed away, so it's been closed ever since."
Diana nods. "I understand if you need some time to get ready, after all this time spent locked here. But we should try not to delay too much. The half orc woman was not working alone - if her associates come to check on her, they'll know someone is coming after them, and may end up strengthening whatever security might be in that slaughterhouse." "And talking about security... It might be best if we try to travel together as a group whenever we can - we've been ambushed by a group of mind controlled people on our way here, and you might be targeted as well."
Diana nods. "We would welcome your help. As for leads, we do indeed have something. Ms. Farkin's notes talk about an abandoned slaughterhouse in the city... Which fits with some of the descriptions we've heard of these nightmares. Do you know the city well?" Definitely sounds like they're working for someone. Our goals seem similar, at least. How many sides are involved here, I wonder.
Diana nods as she smiles back at the pair. "We've been looking into these nightmares as well, and came here hoping Ms. Farkin could provide some insight into them." Her smile drops as she mentions the house's owner. "Your captors had her silenced, however. Long before we got here. If a group of assassins was so focused on making sure Ms. Farkin didn't share her findings with anyone, what knowledge she had had to be dangerous to their plans." She studies the pair for a bit as she speaks. Are we looking at a pair of concerned citizens trying to solve the cities problems on their own? Much more likely, they're working for someone, too. Who, though? "So, what will you be doing now, if you don't mind me asking?" Diana ask after a moment, her smile back on her face.
Welcome John and Esinti!
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