Mordack moves up and fires again at yellow
acid dmg persistent
Orgen, step back!
"Get tha' las' flamey thing ther', greeny!" Halgir shouts as he turns on his heels and starts running towards the building.
Elgolion continues his barrage of arrows.
Halgor strides up the stairs towards the back of the building.
Elgolion fires twice and then strides out of the water.
"Who sent ye to kill us, girl? Tell us and we won't let them know ye're still alive."
"You nearly killed several of us; we don't take kindly to that."
Sam checks on Mordack, helping his teammate up.
Thanks, I'm alive and well
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The ifrit flinches. "You drive a hard bargain, Pathfinders. Not much use keeping secrets. Ngasi Bakolo paid me good! And I pocketed the coin whether or not that flesh golem laid you out like Kefanes. I'd step in if you made it. It's a shame, though; couldn't tell whether you were on the right track or not until now." Despite obvious fear and defeat, she's quite cavalier about the whole situation.
"And here's hoping you leave me out of this going forward. Like you said. Name's Keeamah, thanks for asking. You'll want to run back home soon, though, Ngasi left you a surprise."
What about the Vudrani?
Surprise? I love surprises... some more than others. But or survival is in your best interest, so telling us what you know assures mutual survival. If any of us perish, I can assure you at least one will survive to talk.
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"What Vudrani? Oh, you mean that Khibenid hack. He's conjured up a few too many of my extended family. If you're in the know about him, I assume Ladhlia put you on his trail. She was paid a bit as well, and you lot look a bit too irksome to convince her to play nice.
"No need for further threats, now. I don't know what more Ngasi has planned. She mentioned she had something in store on the off chance I failed. And if she's after that musty tome, there's your target. Go protect it, or something! I'll even deign to come with, get put in custody there."
"You're saying Ladhlia was payed to lie to us?"
"Just where is 'home' Missy?"
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"Of course she was paid, Ngasi had her bases covered. Even made it look like summoned creatures were used to hurt the golem and kill Kefanes. Prakhavu's specialty, not hers." Keeamah shakes her head, as if it was obvious. "And by home, I mean your precious Nexus House. I'm going to run there now, turn myself in. Maybe I can get asylum there. And both your time and mine is being wasted." She darts away.
If you decide to check on Ladhlia before returning, she has closed up shop for the day. Convenient.
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When you return, a grim-faced Sebnet awaits you in the massive front hall. Surprisingly, the ifrit Keeamah is actually there. "Welcome back, Pathfinders," the gnome says. "I hope your investigations were more fruitful than mine.
"It seems the text we recovered was a fake. I’d wager whoever was responsible for the murder now has the book that got Kefanes killed. Per this woman, who you apparently defeated, that's Arclord Ngasi Bakolo. I may have a plan in works, but what exactly have you found?"
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Keeamah adds to the information pool. "Ngasi might be a strong wizard, but she's awful with conjurations. Wanted to use 'em to frame Khibenid, but she had to buy scrolls to do it. Not sure if you picked up on this one, but her summons were papery. Not the sort of flamboyant scroll you pick up when doing something discreet. She never seemed all there."
"My idea can swing, then. Tomorrow evening, there’s a soiree of sorts hosted by the head of the Merchant’s League," Sebnet interjects. She perks up slightly, but still looks pensive. "It’s the kind of event where everyone who is or wants to be someone makes an appearance, and that includes most of the Arclords. Of course, since the Pathfinder Society maintains good relations with most factions in the city, it was relatively easy to secure invitations for you.
"That'll be our staging ground! You can go in and catch her, without any fears we might have on her home turf. Duels and such happen all the time at these things, just keep property damage to a minimum. Incapacitate her, ideally. I'd bring the authorities in on it so they can keep things contained and safe."
"I've always wanted to start a fight at a party." Halgir says, grinning
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You take the remainder of the to rest and partake of a conjured feast. By the next evening, you're ready.
The Merchant's League party is just as lavish as expected. Most of the huge building is hewn from marble, and the lowest ceiling is fifteen feet tall. The ballroom in which the main event takes place is several times higher! But you must wait before joining the party. Immediately upon hearing Ngasi has slipped out to a garden, you make haste that way. You push past a diamond-studded oread, a dwarf in black and white, a moving full-body suit of leather armor, and other interesting guests on your way through.
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Faint magical light from elaborate wrought-iron sconces along the walls casts this pristine garden in a gentle light. Water splashes playfully down from a channel atop the sandstone walls into elegant fountains, and the garden’s entire northern wall shimmers as water cascades smoothly over its surface into a wide basin. Fragrant flowering vines climb the sandstone walls, while immaculately manicured hedges line the main walkways of crushed marble. A ten-foot-tall statue of the archmage Nex stands proudly in the center of the garden, flanked by marble benches and encircled by a different type of flowering vine. Tall palms and pruned olive trees stand in symmetrical pairs throughout the space.
But more pressing are the enemies that lie in wait! Four animated statues creak to life, raising ceramic fists. Ngasi Bakolo stands just behind the fountain. Beside her is a weedy apprentice wizard who looks as if he'd rather be anywhere else. The Arclord, however, radiates confidence. "You made it this far, somehow, Pathfinders. I'd be remiss not to let you try and fight. But I think you'll either fall, or come to see the reason behind my 'dastardly scheme.'"
She proves as fast as she is bold. A glowing third eye lights up on her forehead as she casts a spell on herself. Mordack follows up with an explosion right atop the two wizards.
What manner of mayhem is this?
Everyone, stay calm as you leave the courtyard.
Elgolion strides to minimum range fires a shot from his bow at the apprentice and then draws a quicksilver mutagen.
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Ogren careens headlong forward towards Ngasi. The apprentice, conversely, starts running toward the rest of you. The difference is that he has dropped his book and wand in surrender. If you let him, he runs from the garden. If directed not to, he cowers in a corner near the entrance.
Sam sees that the statues' fists are ideal for grabbing. Their well-made exteriors protect them from blows, but they too grow damaged upon taking too many hits.
Sam has had enough nonsense, and considers Lightning Bolt or Fireball, whichever will affect more statues based on their formation.
Halgir steps towards the nearest statue and strikes at it with Warhammer and shield.
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Halgir's twin strikes chip through the statue's shell easily, but don't hurt it much. Proving to be the true threat, Ngasi tries to enspell Mordack. The half-elf doesn't seem to care in the slightest. He lashes out with another fireball. Decisive, if maybe a bit heedless of the expensive hedges and statue.
Elgolion drinks the mutagen, then gets into his fighting stance and fires another arrow at Ngasi.
Benefit
You gain a +1 item bonus to Acrobatics checks, Stealth checks, Thievery checks, Reflex saves, and ranged attack rolls, and you become accelerated 5.
Drawback
You take a –1 item penalty to Fortitude saves and take 3 damage. You can’t recover Hit Points lost in this way by any means while the mutagen lasts.
Halgir struggles against the grapple before striking at the statue with his Warhammer.
Elgolion moves through the courtyard in a blur and strikes at the sorceress twice with his bow.
Sam drains his Arcane Focus, depleting his gauntlet's power... another lightning bolt cuts through the air, crackling...
Halgir strikes with his Warhammer and then follows with a slam from his shield. He keeps his shield raised in preparation for the statues next attack.
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Halgir bashes away at his statue, and Sam hits both, barely missing the dwarf! Both are fried with electricity. Wounded, Ngasi snarls and changes into a massive eagle! She dives at Elgolion and pecks with a face-sized beak. Mordack tries to shoot her down with acid, and Ogren smashes the last statue.
Halgir starts making his way over to the sorceress.
Elgolion draws his bestial mutagen, drinks it, then drives an elbow at the bird's face and delivers a roundhouse kick to her beak.
Benefit
You gain a +1 item bonus to Athletics checks and unarmed attack rolls. Your damage dealt by unarmed attacks increases to two damage dice, ynless it would otherwise have more damage dice.
Drawback You take a –1 item penalty to Acrobatics checks, Stealth checks, Thievery checks, Reflex saves, and AC.
Sam charges and pommels the shapeshifter...