Ferocia lands and turns back into her regular self so everyone can see her deep, angry, SCOWL. She's bloody and bruised, with a split lip, burns across her arms, and a wide array of arrow-sized holes in her flesh.
She scoffs at the sight of the coins, then looks at her greedy, money-grubbing companions and crosses her arms in displeasure.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ferocia snarls and places a hand on the pouch at her hip, containing the ashes of her birds kin. "We came here to satisfy YOUR greed," she gestures at all of her companions. "To get coin so all of you could get what you needed so we could go SAVE lives. And how many people just DIED here? For what? Coin? Glory? We were better off not competing at all." She shakes her head. "That coin's not worth the blood this city paid."
Ferocia turns and stalks off, walking among the crowds to see if anyone needs help. She's particularly focusing on any kids who may be hurt, scared, or who looks like they're lost or in mourning.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Azalia doesn't say it in public yet, but to her group she comments
The city would have paid a lot more if we didn't find out what was going on. She knows that too. She'll get over it... we just have to put a stop to it.
____
When Marten asks his question, Azalia looks around and asks the headmaster if there is someplace a little bit more private where they can talk. She doesn't leave without the chest full of platinum however, dragging it with them to wherever the headmaster wants to have this conversation.
"Of course not, that's why there'll be a full investigation. Now there's quite a lot to attend to and I'm sure like your dwarven friend you have plenty of ideas on how to spend the reward."
He's shaken and scared with a great desire to move things along and put a spin on things. He likely knows more than he's letting on but exactly how much is hard to tell.
Azalia, exasperated, lowers her voice and says
We know exactly why there were devils there, and you can either find us a quiet place to talk, or we can tell the public right now. We're trying to protect you, not kill you. Your call.
"I don't know what you're getting at. You'd want to be very careful about what you say, I'm a very important person!"
Anneka's tattered, blood-spattered dress and disheveled hair speak for themselves. She stands, glaring at the headmaster. Yet for all the trouble they'd faced in the...other place, the most troubling thing is the lingering sensation of watching her brother's murder. She is reminded of where they were heading before their detour to the Acadamae.
"Leave him to the devils that bind him."
Torn between wanting to see the Headmaster answer for The Breaching travesty and the need to move against Mokmurian, Marten leave the room when the others do with a glare and an unspoken promise.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Azalia explains as patiently as she is able
We know that your ancestor the former headmaster signed a contract with the devils. We need to talk about what you are going to do about it, or surely you will be removed for intentionally causing harm to students, whether or not you knew about it. Would you like to discuss, or should we address the people who really run the school?
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Headmaster Toff's face goes a crimson read. "Outrageous! Slander! Defamation against my good name and that of my ancestors! You shall give me an apology now and in writing before leaving this place!" His hand gesticulations and body language becomes quite animated as he starts to get worked up.
But the crowd around him isn't throwing their support behind him. Some are concerned now there's truth to such matters to one degree or another. "Regardless of what you have found out about the Headmaster's ancestors such a grand scheme as this is a bit- uhm- doesn't seem like his style." One of the faculty says while trying to phrase things nice.
Nicely played, Azalia! Now, let's see if I can't add fuel to the fire.
Creydon asks in a seemingly innocent tone, but a voice that carries.
"The devils sounded pretty insistent about "getting what is owed to them". You might be in an awful lot of trouble once we leave."
His hand gesticulations and body language becomes quite animated as he starts to get worked up.
Marten narrows his eyes and watches the Headmaster closely, making sure he isn't trying to cast a spell with all of his unnecessary gesturing.
Responding to the nearby faculty member, Azalia says
Didn't say he personally did it... only that it was done. This whole contest has been one giant deathtrap... basically a feeding bowl for the devils, and his ancestor set it up on purpose. We were all in there, and we all saw the whole history literally painted on the walls. I mean to see it end, and if he won't work to accomplish that, then he needs to be removed from his position.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"I'll not hear any more of this. I should have never invited you to the competition. Good day." The Headmaster starts stomping off.
There's muttering amongst the faculty, but none move to block him. A few dirty looks are thrown his way... but only behind his back.
Breaking of glass and a short scream from a nearby building... a young wizard lies on the lawn amid broken glass. Terenius stands amidst a broken upper window pointing down at the man. "This is my room, you are banished. You're things shall be put into a box and shall be outside the door as dawn breaks, disturb me no longer."
Azalia moves after the headmaster, still carrying the chest full of platinum.
Sir, you are forcing my hand. Calm down and talk about this, or I will be forced to assume that you are in on it, and you are already aware that my group is a formidable force.
____
Seeing Terenius, she rolls her eyes. Another problem. Well, she could only do one thing at a time. Hopefully someone else would make sure Terenius' victim was okay.
"Fine we can talk so I can be rid of you." The Headmaster storms into his office.
"Right, what do you want so you can leave and I can get on with my very busy and extraordinarily demanding duties!"
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
”Jus’ the fooking platinum.” Drazh muttered under his breath, unhappy that his comrades were forcing an issue he didn’t care about. In his mind all wizards were power-mad, arrogant, highly dangerous, and too smart for their own good. Marten just proved that their company could be tolerated, if not occasionally enjoyed. So what if they sent their journeymen to their deaths? It was their guild! Was it to try and clean up their mess? Was it unintentional? He didn’t care either way. The wizards were paying, so let the wizards wag their fingers around in their dresses for all he cared. They’d just make the same mistakes again anyways, it was in their nature as wizards. Telling them not to muck around with powers beyond their comprehension would be like telling a dwarf to stop drinking. You could explain it all you wanted, but it wouldn’t get you anywhere. So why bother?
But Azalia was holding the platinum! And while Ferocia was willing to walk away (he STILL didn’t understand her at all), he couldn’t do so. He had to stay there with his hammer to kill anyone who tried to take their winning away.
So all he could do was silently grumble until his companions decided to stop having fun tormenting the crazy wizard.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Apparently not finding any kids in need, Ferocia turns to the sound of the screaming. She hurries over to the fellow who just got pushed out a window to see if he's alright.
Azalia sets the chest down in the headmaster's office and uses it as a seat.
Sir, I know you are a very busy and important man, and I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to us. We only want one thing: to ensure that no more students are sent to their deaths as fodder for the devils. You have the power to stop it. We have no desire to lay the blame at your feet, or to drag you down. We only want to be of assistance in cleaning up this mess and ending the practice of what is basically human sacrifice. How can we help you to put an end to it?
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"You see--"
Azaliz put a finger up in front of Marten's face. When he looks at her she just shakes her head.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The man doesn't seem too badly injured physically but having been thrown out a window is understandably shaken. "He just came in ranting about getting out of his room but I've been there for six months... is he with the devils?"
"Look I just kind of keep things ticking along in many ways. Traditions and such... things set in motion long ago. I suspect I know who's behind it but as to how they've interfered with the Breaching Festival exactly I don't know, I truely do want to investigate." The Headmaster steeples his fingers and starts to consider the problem before him.
"He's too powerful to deal with by myself, always has been. But you've got potential. He's not playing as close attention, he can't. He certainly can't blame me for spoiling his interference in the breaching, I didn't know about it." His eyes dart up towards you. "We need to play the long game, let a few months pass to allay his suspicions. As you've uncovered somehow a Devil called Lothracht has had his claws into my family for some time, it's former Patriarch made a deal with him back when we resided in Westcrown for eternal youth... as we found out close to a century ago he had died and the devil took his place."
Toff grimaces "If you're willing to help me deal with him in time we might have a real chance of dealing with him. His place amongst the hierarchy of hell is tenous... he's no longer recognized as an Infernal Duke. It's no mean feat but when you have honed your abilities together we can destroy him."
"He'll need to think I convinced you to stop... a little bribery, some social sleight of hand. How does Professor of Thassilonian Arcane Studies Marten Daseto sound?"
Azalia can't really read him, but she believes he is sincere, and says
Okay. As long as there isn't a breaching festival in the interim, I think that sounds good. I'm happy to be bribed. Anything enchanted with complex magic would work, even if it is cursed. I like to study magical items. It's kind of my thing.
Anyone else want a nice bribe?
Glancing at Drazh, she adds
We have some business to attend to anyway, but after we're done with that, we'll return and help you with your problem.
Our friend Ferocia is still outside, but I think I know what her bribe should be. Do you have any birds?
"I'm not made of money." He grumbles before producing a silver statue of a raven "That's the closest I have, why does she like birds?"
"You've got some arcane training Azalia, I can maybe get you a staff position too... Professor might be a bit much of course."
Looking towards Drazh and Creydon "You could make use of these, very beneficial if crude. Shoanti warpaints!" He produces two black and four green pots.
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
"How does Professor of Thassilonian Arcane Studies Marten Daseto sound?"
Marten's heart grew three sizes that day.
"That sounds... very amenable."
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”Yeah, yeah. Paint and a bird. Bet Ferocia would like the bird. She’s weird like that. Bet ye she’d like the paint too. Me? Got myself a different price. The time of one of yer mages. See, got me a flask of endless ale. It’s everything I ever wanted. Except that when it’s all drunk it casts a spell on me. Small chance it’ll make me smaller. That’s not ideal. I’d like help fixing that problem. Do that, either ye or one of yer underlings, and this hammer will fix yer problem. And ye can ask this lot. This hammer has fixed many a large problem.”
Azalia takes the statue to give to Ferocia, hoping she will like it.
She just does. Birds are her thing. And I don't want to be a professor. I want something magic. I have been able to see magical auras since birth, and I want something new to study. Happy to take one of the magic items you are wearing if you don't have something more interesting. Come on... surely you have a cursed item that some student screwed up while trying to enchant it or SOMETHING?
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"...a curriculum centered around admixture edacity with theses implementing Thassilonian runic deviations how exciting!"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"I'm sure we can make some adjustment to the item."
"Now my room is protected against divination, try not to talk about this for a few weeks and if you can after that for Gods' sakes and all our hides take some precautions."
He starts writing up some documentation "It will take a few days to push the appointment through but there will be a few advantages when everything is in order."
Ring of Truth
Source: PZO1115
Aura moderate enchantment; CL 9th
Slot ring; Weight —
DESCRIPTION
Deceptively pleasant looking, a ring of truth bears images of childlike angels and broadly smiling divine creatures holding onto links of a heavy chain. The wearer of this cursed ring is rendered unable to tell a deliberate lie, in either speech or writing. The wearer may simply omit the truth or choose not to communicate, but even then must succeed on a DC 20 Will saving throw to avoid answering a direct question truthfully. The wearer cannot remove the ring unless the magic of the curse is negated.
We will sir. Thank you for the interesting item.
She takes the bird statue out to Ferocia. (She is still carrying the chest of Platinum.)
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
People just seem to be in disarray when you get out still but reality is starting to set in. Various people cheer you on for your previous heroics a few people point and call out to 'Azalia the Breacher'. One well dressed man approaches Azalia "Excuse me Lady Azalia my name is Endronus of Endronus' Eldritch Vaults, I'd like to speak with you at some future point about mystically enhanced security. We make magically enhanced vaults for the privacy and security minded individual, we're working on a new line and your aid in the design process could be quite the feather in our cap. You'd be compensated of course!"
Azalia takes the man's card, telling him she is busy now, but that she'll contact him next time she is out this way.
When the group is back together in a private place, Azalia divides all the platinum pieces into equal piles and hands them out to the group so that everyone can go shopping.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ferocia shakes her head at the window, then looks down at the guy on the road. "He's crazy. Tell your superiors and they'll get it sorted. But for now, stay away from him. Yeah?"
When the group reemerges onto the city streets Ferocia walks over to them. "I need my cut." she remarks bluntly.
Coin in hand, Ferocia picks up a few corpses and shuffles off towards a nearby church of Pharasma. A few sad looking people and kids following behind her. Once inside she wanders over to the nearest cleric. "Bunch of people died. I want these ones brought back. Where should I put them?"
Ferocia trudges off as directed and lays down the bodies of two children and three adults. She sighs impatiently as she waits, ignoring the tears of the corpse's relatives.
When the priests arrives she drops down her pile of platinum coins. She places a hand on her coin pouch, the one filled with the ashes of her birds. She could have them back... But this was more important. The deaths of these kids and their family was their fault. She couldn't leave dead kids and orphans in her wake. "This is for them. Raise dead. You can do it, right?" She crosses her arms impatiently. With the confirmation of the priest, Ferocia settles in to a nearby chair and waits, silently watching as one by one the kids and their relatives are brought back to life.
When its done she gives the priest a nod, turns, and leaves in silence. She takes to the sky once she's outside. To get away from the blood, and the tears, and the stench of rot and brimstone still hanging over this cursed city.
She couldn't take the blood of anymore innocents on her hands.
When she sees one of her companions she lands, turns back into her dwarven form, and says, "We need to leave. What's coming for Sandpoint is worse than what happened here. We're running out of time."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”So go...I don’t know, sit in a tree or something. Or bother the mage. I’m sure he’ll enjoy being rushed.” Drazh said impatiently.
Later...
When she sees one of her companions she lands, turns back into her dwarven form, and says, "We need to leave. What's coming for Sandpoint is worse than what happened here. We're running out of time."
"I know!" Marten exclaims, animated as much from his good mood as he is from his sense of urgency. "It's my first day as faculty, and I'm already behind! The initiatory paperwork and other preliminaries are already piling up! I firmly informed them that I was exempt, so you just know I'll be hearing about that. What nonsense. Fortunately, the temporal diffusion from that demiplane was minimal, so we didn't lose as much daylight as we could have.
"I just need to secure my position here so that I'll be set to utilize my benefits when I return. And I should pick up a couple spells now, and see if I can acquire a particular item, gah--if only I had time to scribe more scrolls....
"Oh, don't look at me like that, Ferocia! These measures are necessary so that I--we can be effective! We shouldn't rush off all half-cocked against a force more powerful than us! Why don't you go see what Anneka or Mr. Clay are doing? No doubt they could benefit from your harassment."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Creydon watches quietly as Azalia smoothly works over the headmaster, feeling no need to interrupt.
He graciously accepts the "bribe".
Before he goes, he does ask, showing his lyre of building:
"So, do you need some rapid repairs to any structures? Reasonable rates too!"
******************
"So. We've plenty on our plate. The giants are going to take some beating. We've got cash, best to use it right now and gear up. I'm thinking armour..."
As you journey from Korvosa heading north towards the Cinderlands your group comes across a strange scene. A farmer lies on the ground with a blood temple. Nearby a fence has been smashed as if a powerful creature had just charged through it. Footprints of a large humanoid are apparent.
The farmer starts to come round as you approach. "They stole my sheep... damned ogres, may Asmodeus use their living hides for a codpiece!"
Shall we introduce your new feathered friend shortly? Could swoop in next combat. With feytouched it could still be small size but medium is doable as well.