Zaffira's page

Fort DC 18: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 ---> FAIL

As her sight grows dim, Zaffira screeches in rage, "ARRGH! DHALEVI DAMN YOU!"

Zaffira stiffens and her eyes lock with Lilly as she calls out scornfully, "I appear to have misjudged you. The prophecy said you would have great courage, it was wrong."

She looks to her brethren and shouts in Vudrani, "KILL THEM! But leave the girl, we shall feed her to the altar."

The cultists start a slow hideous chant, offering to flay your souls for the greater glory of Dhalevi.

Initiative rolls:

Alwyn: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Lilly: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Pratavh: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Master Bvar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Darkness Acolytes: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Deepti: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Zaffira: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Combat order:
Pratavh
Deepti
Alywn
Darkness Acolytes
Zaffira
Master Bvar
Lilly & Shikyo

Pratavh is up.

Pratavh <----- WE ARE HERE

Deepti
Alywn
Darkness Acolytes
Zaffira
Master Bvar
Lilly & Shikyo

Zaffira considers for a moment before replying, "What goes for one goes with the other. If she casts spells first, then so shall I, or we can both start with none. Which is it to be? Detect magic will be acceptable but anything else will be considered an act of aggression."

Zaafira tells Lilly, "I propose the following rules. 1. Both duelists must fight on the dueling platform and neither may voluntarily leave it. 2. The duel should be a test of the combatants's strengths, neither duelist is to receive aid or outside interference during the duel. 3. The duelists cannot have others cast spells or other magic on them before combat. 4. If you win, the remaining monks will depart from this isle never to return. 5. If you loose, your companions will depart from this isle never to return. Do you find these rules acceptable?"

She is deadly earnest again - that's what the module says.

Zaffira nods, "Yes you are being toyed with, by the gods. You never asked for those powers, did you? Suddenly one day the spirits started following you around, I suspect that was a nasty surprise. It was for me too. I see they are still there hanging around behind you, ready to knock away anything you drop and to mess with your things. Did you know more than god bet upon the outcome of your birth? It was predicted you would come here and be the agent of great change. There is more to the prophecy than that of course..."

She listens to Alwyn's words and adds, "What you probably don't know is The Thakur was warned repeatedly not to change the Tea laws. Lesser warnings were ignored. Sometimes leaders have to send people into battle knowing they will die. The Thakur sent Bahni into combat asking her to perform at gatherings supporting his reforms. Not so very different as sending a soldier into war, and it wasn't as if he didn't know what would happen."

She pauses and drinks again from her stone ewer before adding, "You ask the price of power? They say power corrupts, this is true regardless of our dark mothers blessings. We wield much power here, but we live simply and eschew the hedonism and decadance you witnessed in Niswan. It is inevitable such a society will decay from within! You can either help us or be on the wrong side of history."

She pauses, "Of course if you can not be dissuaded by words, perhaps there is an alternative. A duel. I will take on your champion. The bloodshed would be a waste, but I am not afraid to test my faith. No one will interfere!"

Here is some artwork for Zaffira.

"My name is Zaffira Canelezza del Margo. I tend to the spiritual needs of the brethren, just has my predecessor and their predecessors have done back to the age of darkness. It seems you think of Dhalaevi as a harsh mistress, it is true our dark mother jealously guards her faithful. Yet what monarch does not do the same? Moreover every monarch has their chosen agents, it is not even required for you to drink from the cup. All you'd have to do is little tasks here and there, and some greater tasks if you so desire. Think of the glory to be had, we shall soon be the secret rulers of every nation in the inner sea! Ever wanted to be a lord and master of an estate, or perhaps ruler of a city, or maybe even three." She points to a large map of the region on the western wall, "There's plenty to go round! They shall all be ours to the glory of Dhalaevi! Maybe they shall be yours too?"

From the balcony above the arena, a female voice rings out, confident and bold. You look up and see a statuesque woman with a
charcoal dot on her forehead, she wears a fitted black sari and veil, set off by an intricately jeweled nose ring.

She calls out to you "What is you want? Those pathetic fools in Niswan sent you of course, but did they really think they could tame the likes of you? Could you really be beholden to such cockroaches? They think they rule this land!" Her derisive laughter rings out, "The Thakur doesn't even control his harem, let alone his court or the city of Niswan. It is ours, and has been for centuries. I chose the Thakur, it was my hand that raised him! I know everything of importance in the city, I know all of you..."
She points and says confidently, "There is Alwyn something of a bard and fair shot with that bow. Then there is the lovely Lilly, bound up in prophecy. Did you know we have a prophecy about you too? If you try to kill us, you'll never know what it was. Then there is the unflappable Pratavh, one who has given so much for others and has gained precisely nothing, I would rectify that. Who is that cowering back there, ah Master Bvar, a bit of a joke around the royal court by all accounts, although he knows what he's doing with that bow. Finally there is Shikyomaru Kuro and Mohktar, inseparable or so one would have thought. Where is Mohktar, did something happen to him? Such a shame. Still there is Shikyomaru, apparently you want to wipe us out, you wouldn't be the first to try..."

She sips water from a stone ewer before continuing, "Still, have you considered, really considered, what you are here to do? The Thakur has promised to crossed your palms with silver if you rid him of us. Something he and his predecessors have singularly failed to do for the past thousand years. Perhaps you think you are strong enough, such hubris has happened many times before and will likely happen again. It has always been a waste. Your talents are most useful, it would be a shame to snuff them out. Have you ever considered what could be done with the proper guidance and assistance? Nations shall fall and rise at our command. The glory for the conquerors shall know no bounds! The Thakur promise you petty silver, Dhalaevi is far more generous. In this world and the next! Her faithful have spread far from this isle, the power behind the throne for many nations. All that wax and wane in the inner sea do so at our command. Join us! Sip from Dhalaevi's cup! Her faithful shall inherit the world! Together no one shall gainsay us!"

She looks at you with piercing eyes, awaiting your response.