Although he himself cannot cast healing spells in his current form, Mal is still more easily able to reach Alis' side than Priyya. Darting forward, he easily snares the unconscious woman with his tentacles and returns her to the surface next to Priyya.
At the end of the pier, Lureene successfully administers a potion to her red-headed friend. While it is not enough to wake her, she at least becomes stable and at no risk of drowning with her head supported.
From inside Alton and Aerys come running to see how they can help.
Priyya hitches a ride on Mal until she is in range and in sight of all the injured.
Standard Action -
After channeling for the last time today, Priyya lays a hand on the still form of Alis.
"Uuugh..." Alis' eyes flutter open and she looks up at Sarah's face. "I feel terrible..."
Noticing that they are being sped along without actually swimming, her eyes go wide and she gives a start before realizing it's Mal that that them. Relaxing only slightly she asks, "That black knight... is everyone alright?!"
Lureene gives a sigh of relief as Sasha's breath comes easily, although she is still unconscious. She spares a glance over to where Alis and Priyya are being escorted by a squid?? Still, they seem to be ok.
She puts an arm around Sasha and grabs the ladder, trying to pull her up, but her limited strength is showing here, as she can barely move Sasha's limp form.
"Alton, Aerys, I need a hand here, can you help her up?"
Once everyone is back on the dock, Priyya triages the wounded and converts her remaining spells to healing, using them as needed.
When she is finished with that, Priyya marches back into the bar like a woman on a mission. She performs last rites for the fallen Paladin and the other innocents. Angry, she kicks open the door to the backroom and scruffs the gnome in a vice-like grip not caring whether he is naked or not. She carries him none-to-gently over to the hole in the floor and drops him in, saying "The next time people are in danger, you better risk your ass instead of trying to get a piece of one."
While Priyya is performing last rights for the fallen, Alis performs a last bit of healing with the few remaining charges on the old wand. A bawdy racket still coming from the room that Gelik is in, she lifts not a finger and says not a word when the fiery-tempered cleric kicks in the door eliciting a pair of high-pitched shrieks.
Indeed, were it not for the gravity of the calamity in the bar, she would have surely laughed to see an old black woman carrying a naked gnome by one leg and tossing him into the drink. To abashed to say anything, the naked waitress simply gathers up her clothes, dresses quickly and runs over to the pit to help him back up.
Alis remarks dryly, "Well, at least he was able to keep one person out of harm's way with his... sword."
As everyone finally sits down to let the adrenaline subside and their breath return, the sopping wet barkeep, Henry, his daughter, and the other barmaid who fled down the trap door approach.
"I don't know what all that business was," he says still shaken, "all I know is I'd be dead now if it wasn't for you folks and there's a good chance the girls would be too. Other than today's till, I don't have a whole lot I can offer you for a reward, but you can drink, eat, and rest here for as long you need."
He offers Priyya a small purse with some coins in.
Sorsha shakes her head. "I at least cannot accept any such payment. I have already accepted too much of these people's generosity in healing my injuries."
"These cultists have been making a play for power within Light's End. To that end, they have been trying to eliminate members of my order." She casts a weary look at Sasha. "It would seem that they mistook my cousin for me and began trailing her companions. I'm guessing that changing into that outfit and showing off your tattoo is what brought them down like that, Sash'."
Sasha pales at Sorsha's words. "Oh damn, I was wondering why they kept calling me by your– I didn't even– I– oh damn..."
She sits down heavily at a table that didn't get knocked over and down an unfinished drink. "Well sh1t, I didn't even know you were here. Guess that doesn't make much difference though."
Priyya raises a hand to stop the barkeep from passing her the purse. "It is a kind offer, but it seems trouble followed us in here." She looks around at all the ruined furnishings. "If anything, we should pay you for not leaving your tavern in better condition... I'm not sure how long we'll remain in port, but I'd consider it a kindness if you made sure that the dead got buried appropriately."
At the exchange between the cousins, Alis sighs, and rubs her forehead murmuring something indecipherable beneath her breath. "Well, it was fortuitous that you were here Miss Sorsha. Not only did you save Sarah's life, but shoving that foul man into the water likely salvaged the situation. My word, and here I thought my adventuring days had been left behind with my youth."
When Priyya refuses the purse, Alis nods in agreement. "I'd be a poor business woman if I brought trouble to an establishment and didn't cover the costs I incurred. Our ship leaves early in the morning, but if you'll come to the southbound queue before the morning convoy departs, hail the White Pearl and as for Mrs. Bambiano. I will see you compensated. You can consider it an investment."
Sorsha nods thoughtfully at this and removes a pair of tokens from a small hidden pouch on her belt. They looks like 3-sized pyramids perhaps a finger's width in height. On one side, you recognize the symbol of the ruby coil. On another a symbol that matches the tattoo that Sasha has on the back. The third side has a motif of a being with the torso of a woman with curving horns, but the wings, legs and thorax of a wasp. The final side bears what would appear to be Sorsha's initial in elvish.
"Should you ever find yourselves in need of the services of a member of my order, place this in a goblet, fill it with red wine, and leave it in an empty room by the light of the red moon."
"Yes, of course, priestess." Henry says to Sarah, "I'll make certain Lord Briston's estate is notified right away. No doubt they'll want to handle things from there. Noble houses are all particular like that. Uh– no offense to you, Mrs. Bamiano."
Lisa waves her hand dismissively, clearly not perturbed by the comment. As she looks at the odd 4-sided object, Henry's daughter looks at theirs and asks innocently, "What kind of services, ma'am?"
Sharp green eyes focus on the girl and she says plainly, "The sort that solves a problem by the most direct means — removing its head."
She bows to Lisa and nods respectfully to Sarah. "I have little doubt that our superiors would prefer we limit the duration of our fraternization. Thank you again, priestess. If it's not too much trouble, please keep my foolish cousin safe."
Sorsha takes Sasha's left hand in hers and shakes her head. "Quite frankly, in spite of her mother's stubborn pride, she's not cut out to be an assassin much less a member of my order. If she was more objective she'd recognize that fact. As you said earlier, an innocent."
"Thank you! I've been trying to tell her that for years but she's so insistent! I just want to go be a big game hunter or maybe go hunt bounties or something. Ever since great grandma got killed though, she's really gone nuts about this."
"What?!" Sorsha's head snaps around. "Are you saying that Chivane got killed? You're kidding me, what happened?"
"Oh right, that's actually why she's sending me down to Dafar actually — wanted me to tell her sister. Um... from what I was told, she was supposed to kidnap some elven princess up in Elsmyr Dale, but she and her bound devil, your remember Lucia, well they both got beaten."
"Oh right, that's actually why she's sending me down to Dafar actually — wanted me to tell her sister. Um... from what I was told, she was supposed to kidnap some elven princess up in Elsmyr Dale, but she and her bound devil, your remember Lucia, well they both got beaten..."
Sorsha sighs heavily. "Well that is unfortunate and it shames us all. You know Aunt Shivone is going to be inconsolable. Be careful and whatever you do, don't agitate her."
When Sasha looks up as if to say 'would I do that?' her older cousin simply flashes her a withering look that cuts her off.
"I have to go now," she says giving Sasha a hug, "stay out of trouble and good luck with the hunter idea, it certainly sounds like a better fit for you. And for the love of everything above and below, put a shirt on!"
With that, the tall half-elf excuses herself, "If there's nothing else, I should really be on my way. Thank you all again for you assistance here today. At least it should put an end to the Zaalists' machinations here for some time."
Priyya speaks quietly with Mal and Alis after the assassin leaves.
Lureene spends the time silently holding her breath as the revelation of Chivane's death are revealed. She exhales slowly, as it becomes clear their cover has not been blown, at least for now.
Mal nods in agreement and whispers back.
Then he'll head over to the trapdoor and slip into the water, searching out the sword, the shield, and even inspecting the area around the exploded body of the dark knight.
With Alis' spell upon him, Mal finds that he is able to glide about the water as easily as if he were a fish. He has little trouble recovering the heavy, black bastard sword, the empty shell of the blackguard's armor, his demonic looking shield, and a few other items including a belt, a cloak, and what Mal presumes is an unholy symbol.
Mal hands them all back up through teh trap door before climbing back up himself. When he sees the piled gear, he spits, growling, "Commendable my a$$!"
Lureene nods at the pile of gear recovered from the remains of the Dark Knight, and then, once the group is alone, proceeds to scan not only the gear of him, but of any of the cultists gear left behind for any magical auras.
"Andre, there are ladies present!" Alis says in a fake scold. Then looking around, she whispers, "OK, so there's a lady present anyway. Now then, what have we here...?"
From each of the dead cultists, you recover only a black robe, an evil-aligned +1 adamantine dagger, studded leather armor, and an unholy symbol like the one Mal found on the blackguard.
Take 1
Take 2
Take 3
Take 4
Mal looks around, obviously trying to distinguish who 'the lady' is. Shrugging he continues, "I think our priestess is right. The evil and unholy items should be donated - hopefully for a reward - to a local temple capable of destroying them. The rest we keep or sell, right?" His eyes swing over to Sasha, "Any other family members or organizational ties we're likely to run into that we should know about before they get us killed? I mean, I appreciate your friendship with Ellie and all, but I'm rather fond of my skin and would like to keep it."
Sasha answers sheepishly, "Sorry about that, Andre, you too Sarah and Mrs. Bambiano. Um... the only one I know of is my great-great aunt Siobhan down in Port Eldarion. I mean I didn't even know Sorsha was here — assassins are usually pretty uh– secrety about where they're going and what they're up to."
Lureene puts an arm around Sasha, and says quietly, ”No one is accusing you of plotting our deaths, Sash. Heck, without your cousin’s timely intervention, I think we all would have perished!”
Releasing her, she turns to the other members of the group, and continues, ”What, I am more concerned about is what prompted their attacks on the Coil.”
Sasha gives Ellie a strange, almost fearful look. She whispers "You know about the Coil? I thought you guys were just merchants..."
Sense Motive Checks:
"Savvy merchants hear all sorts of rumors... and the evil fellow did say we were now 'allied' with the Coil. I couldn't miss that comment, emphasized as it was with a black blade waving in my face."
"Oh– uh... yeah guess I forgot in the excitement, heheh–" Sasha turns bright red and quickly picks up another half-empty tankard to hide her embarrassment.
Sarah smiles, "Well a lot of strange things were happening all at once there. No doubt. So, Lisa, shall we head back to the ship where I can rest my weary bones..." She casts a glance at the hole in the floor that Alis dove into, "...or do you intend to do more mollusk hunting?"
Priyya thinks, Note to self... dig shallow grave for Lureene.
A thoughtful look crosses Mals face, and he picks up one of the dark daggers, "This didn't register as evil, did it?" If the answer is no, he slips it into his belt, "This could be a handy thing to have in a pinch."
"So, we're off to the teme first? Or do we need to get back to the ship for any reason?"
"No, no, I think we've fished for enough trouble today, Sarah. Let's hold off on returning to the ship for a bit though. We should head to the temple district first to see what can be done about these tainted blades. As for the armor, I think I might a collector back in Malatesta who might be interested..."
"Mr. Devers, do you know of any temples to Hiro or Alíta in Light's End?"
With Alton leading the way, it doesn't take particularly long for you to locate a fortress-like temple dedicated to Khorus, Hiro, and Alíta — The Sacred Order of Lightbringers.
Unlike in more lawful cities, here the clergies of these three faiths work together as a group of freelance justicars working to bring some level of safety and order to Light's End. From the time you spend there, it strikes you almost like a cross between an embassy and a mercenary lodge.
The head of the lodge, a hale old cleric who still wears his mail under his vestments is overjoyed by your victory. While he is unable to offer a reward per se (their order operates at a loss here as is), he would be able to strip the unholy enchantments from the weapons and return them to you for a mere 10% tithe of what they would normally sell for. In that way at least, former tools of the enemy might yet be turned to good works...
"Would you be able to completely disenchant two of their unholy symbols? I have a buyer in Malatesta who collects the arms of various vanquished villains. No doubt, the complete regalia of this blackguard and one of his followers would be a noteworthy addition to their display..."
Turning to the rest of you, Alis whispers, "Shield, plate, leathers, robes, the sword, a dagger, and an amulet... I'd wager Kiril will pay well over 20 grand for this collection! I'll send it north on the next secure shipment bound for Malatesta. It will take about a month before we see the coin, but that's just the nature of investments..."
Lureene pulls her ‘Momma’ aside, and whispers quietly in her ear,
Perception .
When Alis asks the temple head about other supplies, he responds. "Oh certainly, forgive me for not offering, ma'am. If there are any consumables that you wish to purchase, wands, potions, scrolls... we can sell you those at just 20% above our cost so long as the market worth of whatever you purchase does not exceed the salable worth of the blades you have surrendered that you did not opt to have cleansed. It's the least we can do since you might just as easily sold them were your intentions less honorable."
"Please go ahead and cleanse the lot then," Lisa says, "we shall return in a few hours once your clergy have had time to finish their good works."
Once everyone turns over their portion of the tithes, she turns and says, "Alright, there's just one stop left then. Someone," she looks pointedly at Ellie, "is going to replace all my good bath salts that she used up."
Naturally, Lisa's 'one stop' proves to be the city's bazaar district. It is well past nightfall by the time you have completed you circuit by which time sellers of a different ilk have taken to the streets openly selling all manners of pleasure that would be illegal in most other places. Satisfied with what she assures you were some deals that were 'too good to pass up':
- Some lush rugs and draperies for her office
- a lightweight, brocaded jacket with feathery trim for Sasha (to cover up her tattoo)
- an ostrich feather fan for Aerys (for the bedroom)
- some maternity dresses for Ellie (to keep up her disguise)
- an assortment of exotic teas and incense from Xerech and Loxphari for Sarah (to keep her sedated)
- a compartmentalized, lead-lined coffer (into which she deposits Sorsha's token
When she finally notes that even Gelik's endurance for such an expedition is flagging, she locates what appears to be a rather exclusive restaurant (such as there are in Light's End). Thankfully for everyone, it is the high cost of the place's exotic and flavorful fare that determines its clientele rather than dress or presumed pedigree. While Mal has little doubt that the eight of you are the only 'respectable' people in the place, at least mercenary generals, cartel bosses, and merchant princes are a bit more bearable than the guests he had to endure at courtly functions. It didn't hurt that these people were also inclined to keep their distance from anyone else rather than seeking introductions or favors.
By the time you have finished dinner, stopped by the Lightbringers, and returned to the White Pearl you are each well and truly exhausted. This time when everyone hits their bunks, it is only Gelik who is disturbed by the nearby sound of two lovers entwining (though he dares not kick in Alton's door)...