Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

[lostsole31]

EDIT (10/26/2021): New Thread: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave II ... The Exciting Conclusion (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?637979-Curse-of-the-Crimson-Thread-Seven-Days-to-the-Grave-II-IC)!

As the Epsilon Elite returned from a mission to visit Shyamal, they found that something terrible has apparently happened. Korvosa was in flames. Smoke rose on the horizon. The frantic clang of alarm bells sang out in harmony with a multifarious cacophony of screams, the clash of steel, moans, and even the periodic detonation of arcane power. A wing of Sable Company griffon riders swooped overhead, angling towards Castle Korvosa at a breakneck pace. A badly wounded mount rained blood down on the street around the Elite before it succumbed and crashed headlong into a statue, taking its rider and itself to a bone-crushing demise. So fierce the anarchy, that others in the flight could not pause to check on their fallen ally. Amid the chaos, the voice of a Korvosan herald cut through the din: "The king is dead! Long live the queen!" only to be shouted down by ragged cries of "Hang the queen!" and "The usurper whore must die!" Through an alleyway, the party even spotted a contingent of hellknights clad in dark iron armor and horned helms pursuing a small gang of what appeared to be looters. The city has gone mad.

So passed King Eodred II, second of his honorable name, and with his last gasp the Crimson Throne became the seat of Queen Ileosa, his lady wife.

Rumors quickly spread on the street -- that he suffered from some disease beyond even the priesthoods of Sarenrae and Abadar's skill to cure, and that even Asmodeus' disciples were summoned from their pentacle temple in the deep of night to try their dark hand at restoring the king. With the king's death, Queen Ileosa ascended the Crimson Throne, much to the displeasure of most Korvosans, who view her as a petulant gold-digger at best. Worse, the castle seneschal had vanished, supposedly slain in one of the initial riots that broke out at the base of Castle Korvosa when the grim news of Eodred's death was proclaimed.

Desperate citizens, salty dock workers, soot-covered smiths, all manner of tradesmen, already stifled by Eodred's spendthrift reign, roar at the thought of Ileosa taking the throne. Dock workers abandoned the seafront wards and caravan men lee the Northgate. Frustrated merchant ships and wagon convoys turned around when they found no one to offload their goods, much less buy them. Food and other staples trickled into the city, while thousands vied for the last sack of flour or bundle of cook-fire timber in the market. Riots erupt throughout the streets. Entire wards plunge into chaos. Those who do not rove the streets with cudgel and torch in hand instead lock their doors against the gathering mob. The Bank of Abadar closes its gilded gates and a contingent of the Coin's Faithful stands at the ready with halberd and crossbow to repel would-be looters. The Academae closes its doors as well, shutting its students and professors within its walls and closing them to the rest of the city until order can be restored. In the space of a dozen hours, all of Korvosa's oppression and anger explodes into chaos. The city lies perched on the edge of anarchy.

Ill-equipped for this level of calamity, the military arm of Korvosa falters, and even the griffon-mounted marines of the Sable Company are pushed far past their limits. The Korvosan Guard does the best it can to quell the riots, yet its members are cut off from each other and forced to operate on their own. Several junior officers, thrust into the harrowing responsibility of command, break under the pressure and abandon their posts, or worse, become part of the problem by attempting to institute martial law.

In a desperate attempt to regain control, Queen Ileosa invited the Order of the Nail into the city, paying the Hellknights in royal gold for their mercenary services. Yet the Hellknights are a greatsword brandished in a tavern brawl, and their brutal crackdowns restore order only by drowning chaos in blood.

At that time, Korvosa was in desperate need for heroes to bring order, for if someone didn't step in at that time, the city might very well have torn itself apart. While the Eliite heard of another group of heroes helping out, your team pitched in to help. Their were flocks of imps fighting pseudodragons in skies. The group had to deal with doomsayers and mad prophets, trying to calm mobs and protect the innocent, and Epsilon even helped a bucket brigade put out a fire and effect a rescue of trapped persons.

The initial civil unrest and outbreaks of riots are quelled quickly, thanks to swift action by the Korvosan Guard, the Sable Company, and the Hellknights. After a day, the streets are once again relatively safe to walk, but a thick tension remains in the air. For several weeks, riots, fires, lootings, and similar events continue to erupt, and certain small parts of the city remain out of control. The group does what it can to help, but pragmatism and an understanding of limits keeps them from overextending themselves.
.................................................. ...

It has been weeks since Eodred II’s death, and things are finally starting to get back to normal in Korvosa. Yet still the streets thrum with unrest and wild rumors. Crime seems to be on the rise, with pickpocketings, robberies, and assaults skyrocketing. Some still hiss “usurper” and “murdering harlot” at the mere utterance of Ileosa’s name, and more shockingly, rumors that the king’s death was not of natural causes increasing, and the queen herself has become the primary suspect in these rumor mills.

Then things take a turn for the more concrete. There are eye-witness accounts from guards at the Castle that say that the beautiful young painter of the king's portrait, one Trinia Sabor, had been behaving oddly during her many trips to the Castle. Then, a confession is finally wrenched from a guard who swore that he was part of the young painter’s plot and saw her slipping a specially prepared poison powder into Eodred’s tea the night he took ill and her portrait of him was completed.

Word of the confession spreads rapidly, and the guard’s apparent suicide (a leap from one of the towers of Castle Korvosa cements Korvosa’s anger. In no time, Trinia’s name becomes a household word, and once again riots threaten to erupt in the streets. This time, however, the cries are not for the queen’s death, but the death of the king’s true murderer—Trinia Sabor. After two weeks of apparently hiding out, she is spotted by a patrol of Sable Company marines who swooped in on hippogriff back to arrest her and carry her off to Castle Korvosa where she is sentenced to execution.
..................................................

The execution it is not an affair to be missed. The toast of Korvosa is in attendance in garish gowns, fine capes, and enough jewels to blind a common man. The overall feel of the event is that of a grand ball or party, not an assassin’s public execution. It is only because of Delta's family and Shyamal's house that the party was even given and invite.

Queen Ileosa emerges amid a great flourish and pomp as heralds announce her arrival with a fanfare of music and drums. This queen is no longer a subdued mourner witnessed by some earlier, but Queen Ileosa has fully accepted the mantle of sole monarch now, and carries herself with poise, style, and grace. She wears a green and white silk dress worth thousands of gold coins, and is attended by a small army of servants. Chief among these is Sabina (a bodyguard who is rumored to never leave the Queen's side, and even rumored to be a lover), her expression neutral but ever watchful for possible problems in the crowd. Ileosa takes her seat in a high throne-like chair at one end of the public courtyard, while the headman’s block stands ominously at the other. The executioner is a towering, muscular man wearing an executioner’s helm and idly holding an immense axe—he remains motionless until his services are called upon.

As sunset draws near, the expectant excitement in the crowd builds. When the ominous beating of a single large drum begins, the assembled gawkers fall silent. The drum sets the pace for Trinia’s procession to the headsman’s block. As they reach the headsman’s block, one of the guards removes Trinia’s shackles and the hood, revealing a very frightened woman who nonetheless bravely holds back her tears, if only barely. Trinia is led up onto the platform, her arms bound behind her back by a leather cord, and she is forced to kneel over the wooden block before the headsman as Queen Ileosa stands and addresses the crowd.

“Fellow Korvosans! You have suffered greatly these past few weeks. Homes have burned, family members have died, fortunes have been lost. I feel your suffering, for not only have I lost a beloved husband, but with each riot, each burning home, each act of anarchy, my heart bleeds a little more. This has been a trying time for us, yet the torment is at an end. Before you is the face of your anguish and pain. Do not be deceived by this murderer’s timid nature—she is a black-hearted assassin, a seductress and sinner, a viper amidst us all. I offer you all her death as a salve against the hatred and hurt you have suffered. Her death will not rebuild Korvosa, nor will it bring back the king, yet tomorrow will be a new dawn—a dawn over a city ready to rise from the edge of anarchy to become stronger than ever before!

“And so, without further delay, let us usher in this new dawn with justice! [I]OFF WITH HER HEAD!”

As the headsman hefts his axe, the already silent crowd freezes in anticipation. Yet just before he swings, the headsman gives a strange little grunt and staggers. His raised axe falters as he reaches with one hand to the small of his back and then brings it to his face, the fingers dripping with blood. An instant later, he cries out in pain and drops the axe as a dagger embeds itself in the back of his other hand. The axe sinks itself in the block inches from Trinia’s head, and the headsman doubles over in pain, revealing a second dagger that’s already embedded in the small of his back. Trinia rises to her knees, glancing up at the executioner in shock as a scream echoes through the crowded courtyard: “By the gods! It’s Blackjack!”

An instant later, a man dressed in a hooded cloak and leather armor springs onto the executioner’s block. He wields a rapier in one hand and a dagger in the other. Blackjack cuts the bonds on Trinia’s wrists and then throws the dagger down to pin the executioner’s left foot to the wood below. He quickly helps Trinia to her feet and then briefly turns to address the shocked crowd.

“Yes indeed, my queen! Let us usher in justice, but let that be justice for Korvosa, not this shambles you petulantly call a monarchy! Long live Korvosa! Down with the Queen!”

Blackjack’s words spread like fire, causing the crowd to erupt into a frenzy of activity. Some demand that he release the assassin while others call for the queen to step down from the Crimson Throne. Queen Ileosa stands stunned for a few moments, whispers something to Sabina, and then quickly turns to flee into Castle Korvosa, Sabina and a dozen guards behind her to cover her retreat. The remaining guards in the courtyard move to apprehend Blackjack, but the gathered nobles, thirsty for blood, make it difficult to move. At the same time, the executioner recovers from his wounds and lifts his axe once again over Blackjack, who seems to have momentarily forgotten the man in his apparent delight at having forced the queen to flee.

There is a squeaking warning from small humanoid, garbed head-to-toe in a street juggler's outfit and with a funny mask. With that, Blackjack notices the headsman in time, and just ducks out of the way of his axe, dragging Trinia behind him and clambering up a hanging banner to a nearby wall. When he reaches the wall, looks down to the little patchwork guy and bows to the crowd and the little guy in particular, raising a salute to him with his rapier. He takes out a vial and drinks it. Backlit by the sunlit wall, he and Trinia leap from the wall ... a leap from a height that would kill anyone.

Escaping the chaos after Blackjack's exit was relatively simple, partly due to the chaos of the scene. Blackjack has long been seen as a hero of the city, and the fact that he has taken up a position in such direct opposition to the queen causes many of those who supported the monarchy to begin to doubt their convictions. After Blackjack’s daring rescue of Trinia, Queen Ileosa remains ensconced in Castle Korvosa for several weeks—this gives Korvosa the time it needs to recover from recent events.

[lostsole31]

With the quieting of much of the city’s disorder and the slow acceptance of Queen Ileosa as Korvosa’s new sovereign, the city returns to a state of near normalcy—although the scars of the past week’s upheaval still show on many buildings and in whispered gossip.

Just before midnight, the evening’s peace is shattered by a wooden screech, followed by the thunder of a trebuchet being fired. Again and again the sounds echo from the Wall of Eodred near North Bridge, waking nearly all of North Point. Across the river in Trail’s End, citizens wake just in time to see a sleek brig burn and swiftly sink into the wine-dark waters. The rest of the night passes in breathless anticipation of the wall-weapons’ further use, which fortuitously never comes. Next morning, gossip buzzes through the city and fanciful tales run wild. Every tavern and street corner is abuzz with rumors of pirate raiders and ghost ships. The Crimson Throne remains quiet on the matter, though, with even the loosest-tongued politicos seemingly knowing nothing of the previous night’s incident. With so many far wilder and more interesting tales circulating, the facts of the matter become lost among the frenzied gossip.

Paxre ... Epsilon Elite ... do you care beyond the interesting stories? or, do you do anything?

[PSinger]

No blessed way Pax is going to try and sneak around trigger-happy guards opening fire on ships just to climb the wall to see what's what. He'll wait until the next day. He'll do what he normally does, go from place to place performing, but this time he's going to try and get some information on last night's bayside fireworks. He'll still do a full day's worth of performing.
I know, I know ... you roll anything which might be meta-. :smallsigh: My Diplomacy (with my Pseudodragon's Mark) is +12.
Gather Info time [roll0]
Perform check [roll1]

[lostsole31]

It's not that it takes a flat two hours, obviously. Rather, interspersed into Paxre's rounds he plies folks for information. He ends up spending about 10 hours in the streets and taverns total.
As standard, you provide an enjoyable performance, earning 6 silver. It's only silver, interestingly, and not silver and copper equaling the same. Those who would only toss in a copper either can't afford to pay for your busquing, or are tight-fisted because of what has happened recently. There were a total of six persons that paid one silver each. This is no worse overall, but something about only six people in the course of a good day of performing is disheartening.

Questioning a guard that happened to be stationed on the walls last night reveals that only that an order was given to fire upon a light on the water. As you dig deeper past the rumors that talk about foolish pirates from Riddleport that tried to sneak into the city under cover of night, you find some very interesting information, if it's true. A sinister-looking ship refused inspection as it sailed into the Jeggare River. When it neared North Bridge and still failed to make its intentions known, the watch fired on it and destroyed it. None of the guardsmen who signaled or shouted out to the ship received a response. Some say that no one was on board at all.

[meemaas]

Delta

Delta and Gamma head out to investigate, asking the others to stay behind and take care of themselves. They make their way through the taverns looking for information about it, trying their best to learn all they can, while communicating back and forth through their mental link.

Gonna make the roll here, my binding check pre-leaving to bind Lady Jarah

[roll0] vs. DC 19

I'm also gonna gather information, using Delta's Diplomacy and Gamma's sense motive together, since they can communicate telepathically.

[lostsole31]

As you dig deeper past the rumors that talk about foolish pirates from Riddleport that tried to sneak into the city under cover of night, you find some very interesting information, if it's true. A sinister-looking ship refused inspection as it sailed into the Jeggare River. When it neared North Bridge and still failed to make its intentions known, the watch fired on it and destroyed it.
It is assumed that Delta and Gamma will return to the others to give a report. By the strangest coinky-dink, the one least likely to know something that might be of interest is the one least likely to deal with things nautical. Perhaps it's because of his travels to/ from Jalmeray, but the long-lived Beta knows that a single light from a ship that has no other running lights is an indication that a vessel is quarantined. The condition of quarantine might be the captain's consideration, or a label imposed by an outside force (like harbor masters, navies, and the like), and it usually deals with ships that have, or need to be checked for, diseases and other dangerous things.

[meemaas]

Epsilon Elite

The five members of Epsilon Elite all gather in a room to speak of what they known openly, rather than always relying on the mind link. Beta explains what he knows of nautical rules, and after a moment of silence, Delta speaks up first. "So you're telling me that that ship may have been under quarantine? Would that have been why it supposedly refused inspection?"

Beta nodded gruffly. "You didn't happen to find out whether or not that was the case, did you?"

Delta looked out the window towards the town. "No such luck so far. Might have to find one of the guards that was there to find out. Although I can't think that they wouldn't know this themselves." Pulling up his back, he waves at the rest of the Elite and steps out the door. "I'll be back as soon as I can, call me through the collective if something comes up." With that he heads back out into town looking for more information.

Delta is gonna scour the town looking for someone who was actually present during the events in question, or anyone who may have actually seen the ship and might be able to verify whether or not Beta's knowledge is relevant.

[lostsole31]

since Delta is going out now, it's harder for him to actually get any better information. As the time moves on, the rumors get crazier and wilder and the truth is harder to parse out.

[meemaas]

Delta

Delta wanders town still looking for information, but after finding crazy rumor after crazy rumor, he gives up and stops within a tavern to grab a drink before heading back. As he drinks, leaving the payment on the counter, he tries to strike up a conversation with the bartender. "Crazy story about last night, don't you think?"

[lostsole31]

The bartender is busy, but entertains your presence. He is quite fine with the most common word that pirates tried to sneak into the city and were blown out of the water right off the bat. The thing that does amaze him is that he heard from some guards that the time the ship was spotted and accosted, the ship was destroyed in record time. But, that's the kind of speedy response evil-doers can expect if they mess with his town.
I know Diplomacy mentions the gather-info can be retried, but it consistently goes down. The flat 1d4 hours with no adjustment over time with increasing interference works against you, and does not keep DCs static.

Also, considering your upbringing, the kind of places you would likely frequent are better than average unless you state otherwise. As such, assuming you get a mug of good ale, it will cost 2 sp.

[meemaas]

Delta

Delta places two pieces of silver on the counter, thanking the bartender for speaking with him and walks out as soon as he finished his drink. He sighs and looks up into the sky, waiting for night to fall as he slowly returns to the rest of his team.

Well, i'm out of ideas for the day, so i guess i'm done with the day.

[PSinger]

Paxre will go home to the Shingles in Old Korvosa. He'll drop 15 copper on bread and cheap beer and see what happens. After that, he'll go sleep in some corner of the Shingles.

[lostsole31]

Grau finds you as you are out and about, but that's most assuredly no thanks to Muhrbala. He's in much better condition then the last time you found him, having shaved, bathed, and sobered up. "Is there a private place where we can talk?"

Doubtless you follow, since you helped him out though he is still an acquaintance. Besides, something different beats something old.

“My niece is sick. I don’t know what she has and neither does anyone in Trail’s End. She’s broken out all over in red pocks and can barely keep down food, or even the swill that good-for-nothing herbalist gave her. Her mother’s talking about going to the Bank of Abadar, but her family can’t afford to pay the prices their clerics would demand. Then I remembered how you and your friends handled yourselves during the riots, and how you helped me out, and I figured you all could help. A bunch of resourceful folk like you, I’d bet if you don’t already have a way to fix this you must know who can. Surely you can’t just sit by while a child suffers, can you?”

He looks about confused. "By the way, what happened to your friends?"
Shyamal awakens his son-in-law, for out of love Omega is still his son-in-law despite Meera's death. With him is a fellow countryman, a Vudrani you easily recognize as a cleric of Abadar, the patron god of Korvosa. Shyamal says, "Let us have breakfast early now. There is a matter to discuss. Gather your fellows."

Since two of the Epsilon Elite's members are adopted sons and the Omega is his son-in-law, lacking a home (Gamma), and having been removed from the dormitory (Delta, whose human mother and elven father live in Mierani) all are given room and board in Shyamal's home. Obviously, there are tasks he may send you on, and that is the price of living in what is otherwise moderate luxury.

With breakfast, the meal is eaten and the countryman is a Vudrani man by the name of Ishani Dhatri.
https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=HN.607998100630015503&pid=15.1&P=0
"Honored guests and family of Shyamal Phan, I come to seek help in a mission of mercy. Last night I was summoned to Trail's End to check on an ill child. I will be leaving shortly, for it is only an hour after dawn and I want to make sure the herbal incenses are set for she has been without. I have it on good authority that your members Warpriest Gamma and Guru Omega were of incredible help with their healing skills during the riots that broke out a couple of weeks ago. Perhaps your magic and medical skill can be of use? It pains me that I must ask the family for money, but Abadar's faith is one of trade and wealth. However, my knowledge is that Iomedae requires no such restriction. Are you willing to look into this matter and accompany me to make a house call for this family?"

[meemaas]

While Delta moves to speak, he stops, as though accosted by a silent voice, and Gamma steps foward, bowing his head. "It would be our pleasure to accompany you. With any luck Iomedae's blessing will be with us and we can save that child soon." Omega stands up after him, nodding and agreeing, and Delta after that. Beta and Alpha look at each other and nod their head, knowing that they had no choice otherwise.

[PSinger]

"The riots took their toll on one; the attack on Gaedran Lamm's took another; another two left once Lamm was killed and his power broken, vengeance having been served; and, the last one and I had a falling out."

Paxre looks up. "You look better. Glad to see you've cleaned up. Of course, it takes some coin to try to get a priest to help. A lot of coin that is usually well beyond the reach of an ex-watchman like yourself. My time and services aren't free, Grau, but I assure you I'm cheaper than any Abadaran capitalist. What figure were you thinking?"

[lostsole31]

"I'm sorry for that. They seemed like good people, and you all helped me pull out from the bottom of my cups."

Grau's gaze goes to Paxre's chest. Despite the gaudy array of patches and ribbons and things for a street busquer, one thing that seems incongruous is the medal Grau had not seen before. He whistles in admiration. "I see you were awarded the Pseudodragon's Mark for service in getting rid of ... well, everything you did? That came directly from Field Marshall Krofft, didn't it?"

When he sees Paxre's fixed stance, Grau realizes his stonewalling won't work; Grau had already heard about the dissolution of the group at the hands of mobs and mobsters. He could've worked the sympathy of the Sarenite cleric that was Paxre's late companion, but the only thing Grau knew about this one is that he seems to be a great street clown, but when Paxre's group came to help him in Field Marshal Krofft's name, the cleric and the bard did most of the talking, and Paxre merely threw in quips here and there. But now, the cleric of the goddess of healing is no longer here to at least give kind words, and Grau is stuck with the dark clown. "I have saved, and saved, from when I was a soldier and good at cards. Along with my sister and help from neighbors, the absolute best I can do is 100 sails. I am told that is 50 sails shy of what I would need to pay an Abadaran cleric to heal her."

"My suggestion is to take it," hums the voice in his mind. "You have no skill in healing, you don't have that kind of magic, you aren't even an apothecary, but he came to you, not the other way around. Besides, I'm bored, and this makes for better food for awhile. It is nice when we don't have to steal sometimes."
Ishani Dhatri (nearing 30 yet still only a low-ranking priest in the church of Abadar), has to take his leave to get to the Soldado house right away, but he gives the address to the group while they finish doing whatever preps they need to make.

Once the Epsilon Elite moves out, the address takes them to a small community to the northeast of Korvosa disparagingly called Trail's End -- a slight against the number of settled Varisians in the area. Made up primarily of Varisians - with a few Shoati and socially disaffected Chelaxians - Trail's End is poor and reputedly dangerous, but the neighborhood feels more like a small town than any district in the city proper. The criminal element is obvious and impossible to ignore in the faces of toughs and thugs who loiter on the streets here, Szarni brutes who call themselves the Bashwater Boys and prey exlusively on Chelaxians and other outsiders. As it is, there are no members of the party who have Varisian blood, and the motley group is eyed very carefully. Knowing most city folks' distaste for Varisia's natives, the residents of Trail's End return such prejudices, creating a community that thrives off Korvosan coin but reviles the city all the same.

Only a crooked block from the Jeggare shore, the Soldado home is a squat, two-story wooden building in desperate need of repair and gardening. Overall, the building feels like the home of a family too busy living to bother with tedious chores. Once you get inside, the house is remarkably clean and well-kept, filled with worn, well-used furniture and decorated with the crafts and scribblings of children.

When you knock on the door, the mother of the afflicted - Tayce Soldado - answers. Nearing 40, she possesses a simple beauty, scarcely hidden by her disheveled appearance and wan features - she's not slept in more than a day. Ishani Dhatri is already there for formal introductions and to give you (Gamma and Omega) an idea of the family background.

Tayce Soldado lives here with her three children, Brienna "Breeze," Charlo, and Rello. Despite being only half-blooded Varisians, Tayce’s sons have distinctly Varisian features, with unruly black hair, brown eyes, and olive skin, while Brienna takes more after her father, having a paler complexion, with light hair and freckles. Tayce and her family are well-known and quietly respected in Trail’s End, and have nothing to fear from the local Sczarni toughs. While Tayce works as a washerwoman for those in the community and several families in North Point, her children also bring in a few coins for the family—Brienna working as a maid, while Charlo and Rello work as unofficial apprentices to a wheelwright friend of the family. Tayce is a single mother. Her husband Bayan was murdered long ago by highwaymen. Left with three children to raise alone, Tayce dedicated her life to bringing them up right.

Tayce welcomes the group sincerely, especially Gamma. She knows nothing of how her daughter might have become so ill, as the girl has drifted in and out of consciousness since her discovery. Once Tayce satisfies herself that Gamma and Omega might be able to help her, she invites the two (the others stay downstairs) upstairs with her to see Brienna.

The creaky steps open up into a bedroom loft above the main room of the Soldado home. A young girl with auburn hair lies in one of the beds, her slight frame dwarfed by the bed’s size and the pile of pillows, afghans, and quilts surrounding her. Splotches of an angry red rash cover her face and arms, appearing in irregular shapes and sizes. Suddenly, her restlessness is interrupted by a violent fit of hacking coughs that jerk her entire frame, lifting her well off her pillows. The spasm passes after a moment, dropping her back to the bed, but seemingly having done little to ease her breathing.
http://www.pathfinder-fr.org/wiki/public/upload/Illustrations/P12/Brienna.jpg
A little bit later, the door opens and in walks two figures: the first is a hale man with a definite touch of sadness to him, the other is a curious creature that is only 3' tall.

"Uncle Grau!" the boys cry as they rush over to hug him.
http://www.pathfinder-fr.org/wiki/public/upload/Illustrations/P12/Grau.jpg
In turn, and just as curious to the little guy in street performers' clothing are possibly a Chelaxian (but of unusual coloration); a strange man that appears to be made of stone; and a well-dressed half-elf of obvious Chelaxian descent on his human side.

Paxre, Alpha, Beta, Delta .... describe yourselves.

[PSinger]

Creepy little bug guy. Really. That's the simple part.

Base form. He is 3'1" and a spindly 26 lbs. He can be vaguely likened to an upright walking caterpillar with thin and elongated limbs; two arms and legs like most other humanoids, and a pair of mid-legs. His arms in three-digit hands and his legs end in two-clawed toes. His mid-legs appear to aid him in attack, balance, movement, and object manipulation, though these appendages only end in very sharp points. While these limbs are sheathed in leathery chitin, his body is fleshy and covered in coarse hair.

His coloration, even though you will only see limited bits for now ... Overall coloration is a very dark green (Kombu Green 19-0417 TPX to a Foliage Green 18-6018 TPX ) blending with no particular pattern from one to the other. There is a mild sheen to all of the fur, all over the body. A stripe (Royal Blue 19-3955 TPX ) going up his back from his abdomen to the back of his head. Six equidistant spots of purple (Amaranth Purple 19-3536 TCX ) run along the back in pairs, on opposite sides of the stripe -approximately where each set of limbs exist on the other side of the body.

His face is fairly standard to humanoids, the color is slightly lighter than his body (Pagoda Blue 17-4724 TPX) with large dark black pools for eyes. There is a small curved ridge that starts between eyes down to just above his mouth that has two small horizontal slits. His mouth, while tiny, has no readily visible teeth, but is almost always in a smile that readily conveys happiness and innocent wonder. (Above colors are in PANTONE chart numbers and names)

He bathes regularly, and is fastidious about his cleanliness. Although for all of that, he remains under clothes that for the most part cover his shape and colors, yet also give him access for both sets of arms.

He wears an entertainer's outfit, specifically geared towards street clowning, and his odd appearance does not need any greasepaint or makeup. His thick outer clothing is is a kaledoscopic riot of color with dozens of little trinkets and ribbons tied into fun shapes, and from his look he caters to children, or at least to a child-style performance that is sure to draw good-natured laughs and "Awwww's" from crowds.

For all of his crazy look, there is the obvious accessories that show he is some type of warrior. A closer look at his performers cloths reveals that his clothing is actually relatively well-disguised studded leather of very high quality. Across his back, covering a high-quality backpack, is a light shield of wood that is nearly as dark as Mwangi ebony, also of very high quality. Also across his back, just underneath the shield, are two swords of what must be a similar make. The handle does not appear to be of a familiar style, and the rest of the body of the swords are covered by the scabbards. At his side, are a paired set of light crossbows, and a partially filled case of bolts on each side.

"Seems like others have come to the party Grau," the little one says. He steps forward and proudly proclaims, "Hi! I'm Paxre. Who are you guys?"

[meemaas]

The Half-elf steps forward first. He has an unusually nice smell about him, dressed in finer clothes than the others, and appears to have a simple smile on his face. He holds his hand out towards the unusual creature in a manner of friendship. "We are the members of the Epsilon Elite. I am the leader, Delta, this..." He points towards the human, a red haired male with fiery red eyes and an unusual skin tone that makes the others feel just the slightest bit uneasy. "Is Alpha, and meanwhile this one is called Beta." With that one he points towards the gray skinned man, he looked tougher than the others, physically fit, yet was clearly unarmed and unarmored, although close inspection revealed a nearly imperceptible membrane surrounding him. "There are two more members of our team, but they are in the other room." Alpha nods with a smile while Beta kinda just grunts a greeting.

[lostsole31]

Actually, Delta, I hadn't looked at this, but below is perfect. (Very minor) noble-born from one of Perishial's entourage, which actually gives you a little more sense of lineage in Korvosa. Paxre knows this about Korvosan (half-)elves as a function of knowing about the people of the town in which he lives.
Almost as rare as druids in Korvosa, most of the elven citizens of the city originally hail from the Mierani Forest. The leader among these elves, Perishial Kalissreavil, serves as the Mierani ambassador. He and a handful of his aides and family members have lived peacefully within the city for as long as the city has existed. A small enclave specifically built for the elves exists in South Shore, where they often serve as scholars, sages, and advisors for those who would seek magical or natural advice.
Bored young women of the human noble families occasionally approach the Mierani enclave looking for an adventurous rendezvous with someone exotic and beautiful. Rather lustful himself, Perishial welcomes these trysts with bemused pleasure and claims each one strengthens the bonds between Korvosa and the Mierani elves. In his years as diplomat, Perishial has fathered countless hal-felf offspring in this way, while the male members of his entourage have collectively contributed to dozens more. Half-elves in Korvosa are thus generally looked upon as unfortunates at best, or untrustworthy bastards at worst.
Delta is obviously of Chelaxian descent on the human side, which only makes sense given he would come from a noble family.

You have no idea what Alpha is. He seems human, but definitely bizarre in features. No weapons, but he has a thin, slender, mummified hand - probably from an elf - hanging from his neck by a golden chain. Ewww. He wears a thick leather coat that is charred around the edges and smells faintly of soot.

There can be no mistaking Beta for one of a very race known as an oread. There are many djinn who long ago bred with humans to beget children who eventually bred true with each other. Genies begat sylphs; efreet sired ifrits; from marids came forth undines; and from the shaitan came the oread ... which is what this man is. Due to their strong connection to their otherworldy heritage, they are considered as alien to this world as any from the Great Beyond, and yet their nature is anchored more to this plane than the Elemental Plane of Earth. Oreads are strong, solid, stable, and stoic, though their muscle mass and form tends to make them slower of foot than a comparably sized human. As expected, they have an affinity with stone, but you are not sure how that exactly manifests beyond the cosmetic. The hardy nature of their skin, and some of the micro-crystalline structure, gives them a minor resistance to corrosives and solvents.

You've heard of a mercenary company called the Epsilon Elite, a mixed-race company. You know that the other two Delta alluded to are a dwarf and a human, but nothing more than that.
Looking at Paxre .... what in Desna's travels is that thing??
The boys Charlo and Renno continue playing in the living room, but can't help but notice the odd assortment of people in their own home! Every few minutes, a spasm of ragged coughing fills the house from above. There is a cleric of Abadar (Ishani Dhatri) tending a kettle boiling in the kitchen hearth. He is there with a bag of herbs, and the whole kitchen - now wafting into the living room - smells of cinnamon and anise. Upon seeing the man there, Grau is obviously displeased and sternly asks Tayce to talk to him outside in private.
Beta's incredible hearing makes out the gist of the conversation: Grau scolding Tayce for racking up a bill with an expensive and worthless healer when he said he would handle things, and Tayce defending her decision and restating the direness of Brienna’s condition.

[PSinger]

Paxre, despite the fine greeting, immediately has a new shiny object. He moves right past Delta without any continuance of pleasantry and he goes up to the cleric. "Hey! Why the hell aren't you the one healing this girl?! You're a cleric, right?"

[lostsole31]

Ishani holds up well to Paxre's surprisingly effective push. He sighs in frustration and replies, “If I had been sent for earlier perhaps I could, but I’m afraid that my duties at the Golden One’s Vault required me to entreat him for similar miracles already this day. Even if I could, though, the tenets of my church force me to request a donation for Abadar’s power—one that I suspect these simple folk could scarcely afford.”

What do Gamma and Omega do? Don't roll anything (that will be me). Any Heal check is about trying to figure out the disease. Otherwise, give me an idea in RP of what they do.

[meemaas]

Gamma and Omega

Gamma and Omega both together check the usual symptoms of the child, and Gamma will try using his fervor to heal the child if possible. He is woefully unprepared to deal with disease, but both of them will be trying heal checks also.

[lostsole31]

There is a rash and blisters that cover the face. Breeze has headache, fatigue, and coughing. The cough is obtrusive, the rash started in the face obviously, and spread to the neck, face, and limbs and there are pox-like blisters, and the lymph nodes have swollen into pox-like buboes.

But that's only with a quick look at her symptoms. Trying to figure out her disease with just a check of symptoms to give you a prognosis .... well, this disease is beyond anything either of you have ever seen. Gamma's fervor does absolutely nothing to help. These are symptoms of systemic, not traumatic/structural damage (i.e., she has lost CON and CHA, but not hit points beyond the natural drop to max hit points because of CON loss). As a child, she seems like she might be a little more frail than normal as it is. The disease does seem to progressing. And with her system getting worse, her ability to fight the disease keeps getting worse. If you can't heal her outright over the next day with healer brilliance, then the only way to help her for now is to keep her stable.
What do the rest of you do?

[PSinger]

Paxre doesn't wait for any more babble. He doesn't even ask permission but just goes bounding upstairs to meet the girl (if awake) and the two others. As he enters the bedroom he looks at the two persons, the healers. (What do these guys look like?)

"I take it you two are the healers? What do we have? I can't heal diseases and stuff - but something that can help if your magic isn't good enough."

[meemaas]

The first, a heavily armored dwarf, that is surprisingly hair and beardless, turns towards Paxre and looks him up and down. As he makes eye contact, Paxre can see a very large tattoo of Iomedae's symbol over his face, and notices that the man carries a sword and shield strapped to his back, both appear to have the same symbol. If you had to guess, you'd think he worshipped Iomedae. "I would be the healer, yes. I'm called Gamma, and this one is Omega." He gestures to the other fellow, a regular human of what appears to be Vudrani descent, he doesn't much stand out from other humans, but looking at him you can tell he has a darkness within that most folks do not. "The others informed us that you were coming. Paxre, was it? If you have something that can help, we would appreciate it. I may need to pray to Iomedae for magic that might help this illness."

[lostsole31]

The dwarf is a dwarf is an Iomedaen cleric, no surprise. Beardless, no doubt, to allow his holy mark to show through; you have no doubt it is a powerful mark that acts as a holy symbol. While a dwarf, there are enough things, little things like perhaps his pouch or something, that say he has spent significant amount of time with Vudrani. Unless he has fantastic ears, he is possibly some type of trained mystic that possibly read your mind for your name .... a cleric who has also spent time in distant lands. A doctor who can read a patient's mind would make for a complete healer.

The Vudrani man stands out to you more than any of them ... not blending into the background as he might to others. He carries an aura - one likely only perceptible to you - that speaks to the dark things in, beyond, and between the worlds. The source and use of this darkness is unknown at this time, obviously. As you look at him, something that can easily be overlooked becomes damningly evident to you. He has a pair of knuckles, almost like brass knuckles - with a hue that instantly defines it for what it is: forcestrike knuckles, a manifestation of one who uses akashic magic.
What the hell is that?! Quick! Someone hit it with a fly-swatter!
This Paxre may dress in clown clothes, and maybe or maybe he acts like a clown, but the two swords whose features are hidden by scabbard still bear enough shape and style to instantly define what they are to the learned warrior: two katana. Coming from him and his seemingly gregarious style is a darkness that does not seem too far afield from what you project. But where only the learned can see that darkness in you, but anyone can sense something grim, in this strange, demi-insectile creature does not project any negativity to the world around him, keeping it perfectly contained except to someone like yourself. A darkness hidden, controlled movements, a variety of weaponry on a clown, and definitely neither samurai or even ronin. The katana are made for someone of his size. No, it is unmistakeable ..... ninja.

[meemaas]

Gamma doesn't wait for Paxre to respond, and excuses himself for his prayers. He hides in a quiet area and begins to pray while Omega speaks calmly and reassuringly to the child, trying to relax her. After an hour, Gamma returns, and places his hand upon her, while putting his other hand to the tattoo he cherishes so much, casting his spell to attempt to help her.

Gamma will swap one of his second level spells for Delay Disease, and then cast it upon the girl.

Caster level check vs the disease [roll0]

[PSinger]

Before Omega begins his bedside manner, Paxre snickers. He stops, but then he snickers again. Which, frankly, given his facial features is a little disconcerting in trying to match noise to facial movement. "So, let me get this right. You're Vudrani, a race of man known to have special mystics like yourself that can read minds, and that usually comes from powers of meditation, right? But more comically, your name is ....

[.... wait for it ....]

[.... wait for it ....]

And here Paxre sits down in what is an absurdly, overdone and stereotyped lotus position and hums the first part of the Vudrani's name in a melodramatic and austere, "Awmmmmmm-ega! Awmmmmmm-ega!"

He laughs hysterically to himself and gets on to his feet. He calls to the left, as if a person "offstage" was shouting. "Hey, Ommie! We need some milk!" He tries to guess what Omega might sound like, at least a comical sense of it, and says, "Ah-mey-ga to the store later ...."

He laughs but peters out quickly and shrugs, realizing that one wasn't so good. Not that Omega would necessarily think it good or not. I don't know.

"Oooh!" as he thinks of another. "Ever hear of the Jade Empire's greatest bounty hunter? He always taunted his quarry by simply sending a note merely showing his name: 'OmeGA-Nagetchu!' Get it? Huh? I'm-a-gonna-get-yu?"

He suddenly is struck with even greater inspiration. "Of course, if you are looking for company and you are accosted on the street by a gussied-hussy, you can always throw her off your trail by saying: 'Om-not-a-straight! Om-a-gay!"

He goes into a deep and gracious bow for his singular audience and pops up to say, "Thank you, thank you. But you can see the rest of my show at the Iomedaen brothel on Toildays; and, oh, how they love the men to bring their favored weapon ... the longsword!"

[lostsole31]

Though she is too weak to laugh, and she suffers several coughing fits during Paxre's "performance," she seems to keep focused on the silly, colorful, funny clown-bug, managing to crack the weakest smile, but her eyes speak more. They are the eyes of a girl desperate for humor and joy in this dark time.25 on a Perform: Comedy check. Well, done, sir. Perhaps laughter is good medicine?
How does Omega react to all of this?

[PSinger]

Paxre is actually surprised and touched. Though Omega might be a good sport (or not), Paxre didn't expect the child to take to it (just doesn't hope she laughs-coughs herself to death). Paxre takes some of the ribbons off of his outfit and ties them into little ribbon animals and places them next to her. But he does NOT touch the girl or the sheets or pillow .... that is a little too worrisome for the little guy.

[meemaas]

Omega grimaces as Paxre pokes fun at his name, keeping his gaze level as he tries to figure out the creatures intentions. After a few minutes of the show, he takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, before opening them up and smiling in an awkward manner. "Did you enjoy yourself? Trying to fit in by making fun of anyone in sight? I thought you had something to help the child."

[PSinger]

"I have something that will act as a balm and stem the flow of the symptoms, but it's not perfect and won't always be enough," explains Paxre. "I'm interested in seeing what Gam-Gam has to offer, first."

[lostsole31]

After an hour, Gamma returns, and places his hand upon her, while putting his other hand to the tattoo he cherishes so much, casting his spell to attempt to help her. Gamma pours forth a healing energy that hopefully isolates that parasite or contagion in question. Gamma is pretty sure that it is extremely unlikely there is an illness out there that can withstand that powerful surge of the Inheritor's healing sword. Still, the magic only lasts for a day, and she still has the disease; the spell only withholds the disease's progress to give the healer more time to aid the afflicted. Then, there is what recovery may be.

Paxre, you're up. However, if Gamma/ Omega has anything to do in the interim ...

[PSinger]

Do I know what spell Gamma used? Spellcraft [roll0]

If Paxre does, he'll say, "Wow. Neat spell!"
Paxre fishes out a strange-looking device. For the most part, it looks like a standard bloodletting device used by most healers. But this version is much, much more horrible. This thing, very much like a meat tenderizer, has thin, tiny little switches on it. He flips one of the little switches, and tiny hooked blades come out. It looks a little unwieldy, obviously made for human-sized hands, but he is just testing it. Then, after the test, he shows his leg and puts the hook parts facing his thigh. He takes out a vial and places it at the collection point. Then ..... he flips the lever.

Definitely painful. Bleeding profusely for a few rounds until the vial fills, and then the bleeding automatically stops as he pulls the lever shut, and then lifts. Overall, he took 6 hit points of damage. He hands the vial to Gamma and says, "I set the lever to collect some of my black bile. It can't cure her, but it can help her recover. This is set to help her actually temporarily recover from her real pain, not her current, um, pus-bubbles."

He hands the vial to Gamma.

[lostsole31]

Delay disease, 2nd-level, is a standoff measure to allow the diseased and afflicted time to recover on their own or with the help of healers. Without a powerful priest, there's not more that can be magically done to affect a cure. (Paxre comments as spoilered.)

Gamma, do you administer the black bile formula to Breeze?

[meemaas]

Gamma takes the formula, sniffing it carefully before carefully administering it to the child. "I'm taking a chance here. If this turns out to be some kind of poison, know that you will not leave this building alive." He says with a frown, as if distrustful of the bug-man.

[lostsole31]

Gamma carefully gives the .... stuff ... to the little girl. It's not an incredible amount, but it restores 1 CON .... but that's honestly pretty significant in her state, to a child, and to anyone in general. More, bug-man actually sacrificed some of his own essence to help her, and wounded his leg in the process.

What next?

[meemaas]

Gamma

Gamma looks at the child, seemingly healthier, and then turns to the bug man, placing his hand on what he believes is its shoulder. As he does, he inputs his own healing energy into Paxre, healing the wound he had inflicted at least a small amount.

Expend a use of Fervor on Paxre [roll0]

Delta

Delta looks up just a moment after Gamma starts to heal Paxre's wounds in the other room and seeks out Grau, as if to ask him a question. Upon finding him, he pulls him aside and starts to speak to him. "About how long ago did she catch this disease? When did the symptoms first show up?"

[lostsole31]

Grau answers "Some time yesterday. She fell ill after coming back from town. Tayce drew on 20 years of parenting and common sense, but nothing seemed to soothe her. Last night, despite the attentions of her mother, the neighbor women, and a pinch-faced local herbalist, Brienna's condition worsened. As the long night brought little respite, it was clear her condition was dire indeed. The boys were sent into the city to schedule a visit from a cleric from the Grand Vault, while she called on me, her brother-in-law and only relation in town. When I heard that some cleric was going to use quackery, I went into town to find one of the heroes from the riots I had heard of who is reputed to have dark healing powers, and so he's up there with your people as well."

[PSinger]

"Thanks," bug-man says to Gamma. "Interesting talent. Still stings like a soldier, but it helped scab over the wound so it won't be easily infected. What was that you just used on me?"

[meemaas]

Delta

"Gamma believes he was able to stay the disease, albeit temporarily. And Paxre, the one you sought out, was able to help her recover just a little from it. A disease like this doesn't just come up from thin air though, it must have a cause, and whatever in town caused it, I'm willing to bet she's not the only one suffering." Delta says this all grimly, thinking carefully of what the death toll could be if this possible outbreak doesn't get contained.

Gamma

"It is but simple healing magic granted to me from Iomedae. I possess more powerful healing capabilities still, but those require a more familiar connection than I have with anyone but my team." Gamma responds, and starts off down the stairs to rejoin the rest of his team, Omega quick to follow.

[lostsole31]

"None of the other mothers I talked with have heard of anything like this," says Tayce.

"Perhaps it isn't a disease," says Grau. "It could be something like a ... a poison or a substance or something."

"Alchemy? Maybe?" says Ishani as he has the small tureen. "But we will have to see."

He heads upstairs to the two/three healers (however you want to categorize Paxre, he hasn't offered any knowledge or magic beyond the item) with a small soup tureen, a wooden mug and a few other things on a tray. He sets up incense, and then has Brienna drink some of the bitter-smelling brew. She drinks some, and he has to get her to drink more. He puts the tray on the nightstand.

"Well?" Ishani says to Gamma. "Will you watch over through the day or something? I took what time I could away from the Grand Vault to make this infustion, but I have to return now."

What now, EE?
"A mystic and a priest that knows how to use heavier armor than most clerics, and probably knows how to fight? Can you imagine how your fame would increase if you suggested partnering with Delta and his group to track this problem to ground. Remember, this helped her, but unless we knows she has been healed your agreement with Mr. Soldaldo has not been fulfilled."

[meemaas]

Gamma looks at the door and then back at the girl, thinking carefully before he answers the question. "I will remain with the child for the night. In the morning I will renew my spell on her if she doesn't get worse. Afterwards, my team and I will seek out the source. We cannot risk this getting worse."

As he finishes, Delta joins with him and starts to speak almost perfectly in tune. "While you deal with that, I will head out tonight to see if i can scrounge up something or another to help you." He turns to Gamma, who appears to be counting out some gold in a small sack, before taking the sack from Gamma and moving to the door. "Wish me luck, friends." He says before swiftly departing, leaving quickly with only Beta heading out the door with him.

Delta is going to town to seek a scroll of Remove Disease for purchase. Gamma gives him 750 of his gold to purchase two of them just in case.

[PSinger]

"I am curious, compelled, and somewhat contracted," says Paxre. "I'm coming with you since I am invested."

[meemaas]

Delta

"If you so wish, then by all means. Just don't be surprised if there is nothing for you to do. We're just going out for a quick shopping trip." Delta smiles, and heads out the door, behind him, Beta gives Paxre a look as if to say 'I don't trust you' before following after.

[PSinger]

Paxre looks up at Beta in pure awe and fascination, looking him up and down and then back to Beta's eyes and mouths a 'wow' with an ear-to-ear grin. He seems utterly dense to Beta's facial communication.

[lostsole31]

Without a doubt, the place to go for the priests that might have the power and equipment is the Grand Vault of Abadar. In a city as steeped in political scheming, decisive justice, and trade as Korvosa, it should be no surprise that the city’s largest and most influential faith is the congregation of Abadar, god of cities, laws, and merchants. Presided over by Archbanker Darb Tuttle, the Bank of Abadar is one of the more potent moderating factors in the city, ever eager to remind the government and nobility of their responsibilities to their citizens. Although its acts might sometimes seem charitable, the church of Abadar is more concerned with the just enactment of the law and the continued flow of trade.

The Grand Vault of Abadar, a meticulously well-kept structure of white marble and gleaming bronze friezes, stands in the North Point district of Korvosa. Within, the Vault serves several purposes. While the first floor holds a few small side shrines and counseling chambers, the majority of its airy halls are given over to the business of banking, with acolytes of Abadar eager to serve any with coin they would bestow in the god’s trust, while armored clerics keep watch for ne’er-do-wells. The floor above holds the god’s sanctuary and the quarters of a small number of resident priests, although most are encouraged to maintain their own addresses away from the temple.

Towering over the surrounding buildings, the Grand Vault of Abadar offers a vision of divine luxuriance amid a sea of mortal troubles. Radiant, as its grey-veined white marble reflects the midday sun, there’s little question that this place is the house of a god. Steep stairs and ramps leading up to the temple's great bronze doors are awe-inspring indeed. The temple is open, and an acolyte can show you to a place wherein they are willing to have a transaction for a scroll or a potion of remove disease.

A scroll would cost 375 gp, whereas a potion costs double that at 750 gp. Which would you want to buy?

[meemaas]

Delta purchases the scroll, and quickly heads back to his team, with Beta and most likely Paxre following. Upon their return, should it be unmolested, Delta will hand the scroll to Gamma and ask of her condition. Assuming all is well, Gamma will proceed to use the scroll on the girl to attempt to heal her, while Delta heads downstairs to give Gamma room to concentrate.

Before Delta leaves, Gamma will re-establish the Collective with Delta and Beta

After that, I'll use the scroll, unless something bad has happened to the girl in the meanwhile.

[lostsole31]

Delta and Beta return to the Soldado's home, and Delta (ostensibly, but tell me if it isn't so) returns 375 gp to Gamma. (A dwarf would definitely remember and notice.)

Surely, there is some secret excitement for Gamma. What a great day it was when the warpriest was gifted by Iomedae to cast spells that would heal more effectively, become a more powerful warrior, and other deeper secrets. But this scroll that removes diseases .... this is magic out of the hands of one such as he. Or, at least it was. To be honored with this, even though it was paid for ... Gamma unravels the scroll, and cannot make heads or tails of it. It is surely holy Abadarian script, but it is an alien form to the dwarf. So thoroughly had the dwarf learned intuitive healing and destructive power from Iomedae - leaning on his own merits or the powers directly given him by his goddess - that other than a keenly focused scholarship in philosophical and spiritual lore, he had forgone all other learning whatsoever. Likewise, his normal orisons are ill-suited to the task (needing read magic). Other than sitting there somewhat dumbfounded and sending out his results to the others, there is not much for him to do.The most capable member of the group for "unknown" magical scrolls would be Delta; he can cast read magic as a summoner, and his ability to "commandeer" magical items not originally part of his training is incredible.
"You can do this. You can heal this girl. Call out for the secrets from beyond the stars to reveal those ridiculously over-ordered words and then give blessing from the power you've been given."

[PSinger]

Paxre looks up at Gamma. "Mr. Gamma? I think maybe I can help. I'm pretty sure I can read that script, and the effects of a scroll like that is right up my alley."

[meemaas]

Gamma

"You have until Delta returns to try" Gamma says carefully as he holds out the scroll to Paxre.

Forgot i needed the sufficient caster level to activate it too. Thats what i get for posting when i'm dead tired.

[PSinger]

Paxre holds the script. He holds up his hands to gather unseen particles of energy from the deepest reaches of the universe cutting through undetected dimensional tears. He chants and his hands move deftly and subtly. He allows the knowledge of unknown script when it would be impossible to know such things from the Abadarian script. He nods once he recognizes the script and goes over the child. The magic is still beyond his normal abilities, but his mind sharpens to allow more of the energy through him as he attempts to channel the greater power of the scroll into the child.
Caster level check to activate the scroll. If a normal remove disease scroll that isn't heightened or anything stupid, it should be DC 16. [roll0]

[PSinger]

Shaking his head, Paxre looks at Gamma. "Sometimes you have try to do things the old way."

Without even trying to hold back the entropy with carefully measured words and gestures, this time Paxre just allows pure dark power to flow through him.
UMD to activate the scroll [roll0]
Crestfallen, he hangs his head and hands the scroll back to Gamma. "This scroll is far beyond my abilities."

[lostsole31]

Is it just Delta the comes upstairs to see the girl for the first time?

[PSinger]

Paxre looks up to Gamma. "I have an intuition and a gift for everyone here, courtesy of a fortune-teller that passed on. My intuition is that this is just the beginning. The gift is up to Zellara's hand and the fates. Please call all of your friends up."

He thinks and adds, "Ishani Dhatri said he could only heal the girl if he had the coin, per his religion; this means he has the power. He is the obvious choice to read his church's script to heal the child, since the cost of the scroll has been handled far and above the normal cost of the spellcasting service.

"He calls down, without waiting for Gamma. Can everyone come up, please? Especially you, Abadarian!"

[meemaas]

Gamma looks over at Paxre and scowls a little. "A priest should not be so greedy as to not heal a young child no matter the tenants of their church. The children will be our future." As he finishes his sentence, Delta arrives up first, with the others following because of the call just a moment behind him.

Delta takes the scroll from Gamma and smirks a little. "I thought you had this under control friend." He says before unraveling the scroll and starting to draw upon his own intuition to cast the spell himself upon the child.

UMD check [roll0] vs. DC 25

[PSinger]

Paxre stands there, seemingly confused when Gamma makes his comment. "Ummm .... what? Are you talking about me? I'm not a priest. What are you talking about with children and greed and everything?"

Hearing the others come up the stairs, he'll pull out a stack of cards, sit cross-legged in the middle of the open part of the floor, and begin shuffling them.
...............

After Delta surely heals the girl of the disease, Paxre speaks up, but more to the air then anyone else. "Zellara, I call upon your ghost to observe these men. I shall arrange the cards as you command."
Short form, take over this portion with Paxre, Rus. No need to bounce back and forth IC and waste time.

[lostsole31]

Ishani Dhatri nods in approval as he comes up the stairs, having heard the proper incantations from the scroll. "Well done, Delta. She is weak and still in danger simply because her system is susceptible to other things. I can come by from time to time, but sadly I cannot stay as long as you might. I leave it to your mercy if you will maintain a vigil, though I should like to assume you will. You have done a great service to this child and family, and may Abadar bless you for this."

By now, the rest of the Epsilon Elite come upstairs. Once they get up there and Dhatri thanks each of them for coming to help, that is when Paxre's odd position, card shuffling, and then invocation is really noticed. (For all of his strange nature, maybe it's his size but he is extremely easy to overlook.) It is a Harrow deck - a deck that is a quality type of playing card deck, though the better varieties are actually used for fortune-telling. Hand-painted images decorate the Harrow deck, the frames gilt in silver so that under any lighting they might sparkle and flash. Despite the worn condition of the card backs, the images on the faces are so vibrant they seem to move when viewed out of the corner of the eye. The deck itself seems to handle with surprising ease in Paxre's hands, almost shuffling itself. Finally, in a rounded table-shuffle he lays the Harrow deck face up in a semi-circle in front of him.

A vision forms, almost coming from the deck itself. It is that of an attractive, middle-aged Varisian with long hair tied back in a pony-tail and held under a colorful bandana with typical Varisian designs.
http://www.pathfinder-fr.org/wiki/public/upload/Illustrations/P12/Zellara.jpg

She seems real enough. "Go ahead, warpriest Gamma and any other spellcasters. I am an illusion cast forth by my sentient spirit in what were my Harrow cards, and through avenging my death and saving my daughter Paxre has earned as his own. Cast detect magic or detect undead or detect evil. I am the first, but not the second two. As I lived by the deck, my spirit is tied to the deck. I am no oracle to brook foolish questions that your own diligence cannot determine, but what the cards can tell.

"I have a purpose, to defend and protect the city that was my home in life and death. I know not how, but friendly spirits have given me the sense that there is great death coming, and that you seven heroes will need to protect and defend Korvosa as I can no longer do directly. Come, draw a card and receive a blessing of fate, but ask no more questions of me."

[PSinger]

Paxre uses the end of the semi-circle to turn over the next, sweeping over them all, to flip all of the cards face down. He then shuffles the cards and does a face-down spiral swirl spread of the cards. He is ready for her to draw the first card for him, as much for his familiarity of this process as to show the others it is safe.

[lostsole31]

"The time of this Choosing will require health and resolve from the seven of you. As such ..." Zellara reaches down to the cards and passes her hands over them, magical lights come from the cards to come together as a set of nine cards in her hand.

Paxre chooses one. As a deck of playing cards, this is a Jack of clubs, as indicated outside of the left of each vertical border. However, the outside right of the same is a shield, which is used for more archaic purposes. The picture is that of a path blocked by a thorny wall. "The Tangled Briar," Paxre sighs. "That doesn't bode well for me."

Zellara says, "Everyone's 'role card' will be a boon when most needed. Some people call you vermin, but you will need it most when against vermin you may have to survive. The Tangled Briar is a card of ancient deeds. It is much misaligned with you, but that means your thorny past won't just bring pain, but hope for the future."

Zellara looks at the rest of you. "There is no ill here, and the boons you receive with your 'role' shall help in some hidden way in the future, and the gods themselves that protect you shall see to protect you in darkest times."

Epsilon Elite? Let me know in what order cards are drawn .... as well as any RP that may occur.

[meemaas]

Alpha, in his childlike state, leaps forward and pulls a card before any of the others respond. "I wanna go!!!!"

Before Alpha even gets a chance to look at it, Omega smacks him in the back of the head with a quick strike. "Be patient. You don't even know what's going on." After taking a moment, and deciding otherwise, he goes after Alpha, grabbing his card next.

Delta grabs one next, and gestures to Gamma, who draws the next one, and finally Beta grabbing the last, all wordless.

[lostsole31]

Alpha takes his card. From a gambler's standpoint, it is a 5 of Diamonds. Harrow-wise, it is from the suit of shields, and this time it is the picture of a grizzled man in rustic garb and a walking stick standing on a mountain.

"The Mountain Man. This signifies an encounter with a physical power outside of one's control. This giant could personify an authority, an army, an earthquake ... just about anything that appears to be a monolithic problem. Acceding to the force might be wise, but surviving it is paramount. I can tell from your impulsive nature that this card ... suits ... you."
..................................................

It is Omega's turn. The card he pulls is a 5 of Spades. It is the third Shield card in a row. In this, an emaciated man lies in a bed in what is obviously a hospital ward. "The Sickness," says Zellara quietly. "This card represents plague, pestilence, famine, and disease. It can also indicate corruption of the soul or of a multitude of souls. This is an ill card, but The Sickness might indicated a chance to stop such a disaster. I believe you have the lack of complication in your morals to be able to meet what challenge lies ahead without fear."
................................................

Delta is next, and likely respectful buy cheery, but as with his other two fellows is quiet. "The Survivor," she says, drawing a 5 of Hearts, which is yet another Shield card. The picture is that of a mixture of fallen men and monsters. The man is on his knees, holding his sword up but with point down, and gives the sense that he is not praying, but recovering from a massive battle. "This represents a person who has been through an ordeal of some kind. Surrounded by his fallen comrades, the man represents someone or something thought lost forever, but found once more. It can also represent rebirth."

She looks up to Delta again. "Normally a good card ... if you work alone. Not so good if you have friends."
..................................

Delta gestures to Gamma, who grabs the next one, which is a Jack of Spades, and has the Harrow suit of ... you guessed it ... the Shield. The picture is that of a woman holding her ears, mouth open in a scream, and a poor form of drawing that makes it somewhat spiral. Vellara sighs and looks at the card for several seconds, then at Gamma. "I am sorry, warrior and healer of Iomedae, for this is the Waxworks, and represents everything you would despise. The Waxworks is a place of helplessness and physical entropy. The mind might be willing, but the flesh is frozen in this place of horror. It is also the card of torture and imprisonment, signifying literal inability to move or a paralysis of a more prosaic kind. But show the valor known your faith, for this card might also indicate an abundance of energy at a crucial moment that changes all."
.......................................

Beta, the sixth to draw, takes his without comment of word or expression. It is a 5 of Clubs, and of course is of the Shield suit. It is the picture of a coppery-red dwarf with flaming hair and beard, surrounded by enemies whose weapons break in attempting to strike him. "The Brass Dwarf," chuckles Zellara, "strange that the dwarf did not receive this one. This is a dwarf-like creature of hardened skin from another world .... known as an azer. He represents invulnerability to a current danger. Although others might fall, he remains hale and strong. But he is not quite the same as you may think you see of him in what you would see of yourself. He can also mean a failure or dark fate for you, which in turn might save all others around you from a greater danger."
..................................

The ghostly figure of Zellara looks around. "As you can see, all six of the cards thus far are Shield cards, and I would not doubt that the others are as well. The Shield cards all represent Health, Home, and Pain.

"Six of you have chosen - Paxre, and the five strangers. As I told you at the beginning, there are seven Chosen, and two cards are discarded. Where is the seventh of you?"
......................................

Ishani Dhatri gingerly comes forth to Zellara. "I must tell you, this strange magic is frowned upon by Abadar. But if by some twist of the Keeper's Key I have found myself here to be chosen, I accept it as my deepest honor."

He grabs a card ... or at least tries to. The instant his hand touches the card it discorporates, only to reform once Ishani tries again twice more. Three times he tried, and three times he is met with frustration.

Zellara smiles, and not with a mean "spirit." "Abadarian, you are the most powerful one in this room, for you know mysteries of your faith that the dwarf does not. Your heart is pure and kind, full of compassion; and to attempt to use natural healing herbs shows a way both to honor your faith by not forcing a mercenary action, but being able to prolong life in another. You, sir, are a good man. Sadly ... you are not the man. You are not the Seventh."

Disappointed, the priest goes back over to the child to tend to her with his infusion.

"Now," Zellara takes focus again. "Where is the seventh? For without he, she, or it ... the road that the fates are setting you upon may well crumble under your feet. With teeth and tail and a form most strange for any normal hero. Where is't? Show, or be shown."

[meemaas]

After a moment where nobody else comes forward, Delta steps out of the room, and a little over a minute later, he enters again, followed by a slightly larger...creature. The two share a similar looking rune on their foreheads, with the latter being a largely serpentine creature, slithering past Delta it reaches out with one of its unusual arms to try and grab a card without a word.

[lostsole31]

There is a gasp from Ishani, who stumbles backwards onto the girl's bed by her feet. "Wha-what is that thing!?"

Idell moves forth sinuously, its equally serpentine hands sliding forth to take one of the cards ... and his hand goes through it, as it did for Ishani Dhatri. But it doesn't understand beyond what it was told to do, and practically paws at the card, and several more times in some confusion. He could not take the card as his master wanted.

"How interesting," says Zellara. "Teeth, tail, an unusual form. But, not the teeth, not the tail, and not that form. The Chosen are separate, but that creature is tied to your own soul, almost as if it is an extension of yourself. Now, where is the Seventh?"

"Crap!" Paxre hears in his mind. "Well, I guess that's it, then. I swear to Calistria, if any of them decides to ... advertise ... I'm going to stick them in the neck. Let's see if we can't have a little fun, just to see which of these gentlemen are more susceptible to being spooked."

Here and there there are faint scratches, scrawlings, almost like a ghost or something, which terrifies the stuffing out of Alpha! Then appearing from beneath Paxre's blousy breeches is a curious creature. It is hard to tell if it climbed down from hiding, or if it simply appeared. It's body is the size of a very small housecat, but with a tail twice the length so it is 3' overall. It is dark green at the tail and topside, with a light green underbelly, quickly becoming dark red at the head and crest, with pale blue eyes. There are dark red flecks throughout. There is something about it, something you can't quite put your finger on, that despite its dark but colorful scales, part of it almost drinks in the light ... oh, so faintly. The scales, though colored, reflect no light (yes, color itself exists, but for the scientists out there, it practically has no albedo), and its small, scalloped wings are the same in color and light absorption. It's snout includes two little teeth sticking out and down and at the end of its lithe tail is a barbed stinger.

It takes 4 full rounds for Alpha to compose himself, and that is when his scholarly mind takes over. (Hystically, there were three natural 20's, and a natural 19 rolled on Will saves.)

This creature is a pseudodragon, a type of distant off-shoot of true dragons but a dragon nonetheless. Though the Tiny size of the creature means it is an ineffective combatant against most humanoids, likely to being swatted away if it tries to close in, for creatures of its own size it is likely quite tough, quick, surprisingly insightful regardless of native intelligence, has excellent senses and flight, and is even probably immune to magical sleep effects and paralysis, and possess reflexes and a resilience of mind and body that can help defend against many dangers. They often only vocalize in chirps, hisses, growls, and purrs, but they can communicate telepathically with any intelligent creature.

Pseudodragons are carnivores, devouring insects, rodents, small birds, and snakes, though they sometimes eat eggs, and most also enjoy butter, cheese, and fish. They either hunt on the ground like lizards or look for prey on the wing like a raptor. They are wary of evil folk but can bond with sorcerers and wizards as familiars. Pseudodragons often also bond with those whose company they enjoy or who have proven themselves true friends. A pseudodragon might follow another character in this manner for days, weeks, years, or even a lifetime if the creature is treated well, provided with food, and generally well-loved.

The stinger contains a venom with a moderately capable anaesthetic that can drop a normal man for three to five minutes. This is its only real defense or hunting tool, as these creatures possess neither breath weapon nor spells.

There is definitely something different than what you'd read about, or seen in the skies above Korvosa, for they are not uncommon in the city's night skies, and this is the first time you get to see one up close and personal in full light. At least, one that was alive.
"Sting-bats," "scale-bats," "fairy dragons," ... the list goes on, and there are all manner of ideas of what they might be. Some see them as vermin, or at least "creepy" things, others see them as better mousers and bug catchers than cats or spiders. A way to adopt one or two into one's attic, as long as attention is not brought to their presence, are little pats of butter or cheese. They are too small to be seen in the sky most nights, but every so often there seems to be this massive battle that takes place in the skies over Korvosa between these creatures, and horrid, winged, scaly humanoid creatures of the same tiny size. Other than the shrieks and skies filling with chaos at these times, all that is left behind are the corpses as from a battle .... but not enough to litter the streets, per se.
The creatures in questions are imps. One of the graduation tests of a student of the Academae is the calling of an imp. Since the creature is called and not summoned, they are usually just let go in the city. However, these creatures are wicked and these scale-bats are sort of a natural predator against these hell-born devils.
The creature moves towards Zellara. It is not very fast (15'), but it hustles over quickly enough. It chirps twice and ***** its head both times as if to decide what to do. It then flies up to grab a card; it has to bite onto it and hold it, and steady it with its foreclaws. The card is solid in its grasp, and it flies down to the ground. It's the Jack of Hearts, Shield suit for Harrowing, of course. The picture is that of a powerful, green-skinned, bald humanoid with white wings at its back. It is blowing into a large silver trumpet. The drawing has the trumpet stylized to be larger than it should be to draw focus to it.

"The Trumpet, a declaration of power. This creature is one of heaven known as an archon, who wades into the direst situations without hesitation in the cause of right. But beware, little one, for you are capricious and self-serving; this trumpet may regard something that is not noble, bringing injury and crumbling strength. This card grants all ... or nothing at all."

The little creature goes speeding back under Paxre's legs, curving around him with body and tail like a cat looking for protection from its alpha.

Everyone notices that the cards are no longer in their hands (or on the floor). "Now, it is time for the Choosing. Your chosen card may help you at a specific crucial time, as Desna sees fit. The Spread, however, gives you a chance at any point to help your own fate when situations are most dire. Who shall be first?"

[PSinger]

"Yes!" Paxre says excitedly. "My reading gave me some much needed speed when dealing with the past month."

[lostsole31]

Paxre = Tangled Briar
Alpha = Mountain Man
Omega = Sickness
Delta = Survivor
Gamma = Waxworks
Beta = Brass Dwarf
Little Scale-Bat = Trumpet
Zellara is about to correct Paxre about this, but lets him be to his own interpretation. She shuffles the cards thoroughly and removes nine cards at random. She then places three in a vertical column, followed by another three to the right of that, and another column for the last cards. She explains the basics to all. "The first column on the last is of the past, the middle of the present, and the right of the future; the top row are things of weal, the middle is unclear, and the bottom show darker possibilities."




Lawful
Neutral
Chaotic


Good
Positive Past ...
Playing Card: 4-Spades
Suit: Book
Card: The Idiot (NE)
Positive Present ... 3-1
Playing Card: Jack-Hearts
Suit: Shield
Card: The Trumpet (LG)

Positive Future ... 1-4
Playing Card: 7-Clubs
Suit: Hammer
Card: The Forge (LN)


Neutral
Unclear Past ...
Playing Card: 9-Clubs
Suit: Star
Card: The Eclipse (LE)

Unclear Present ... 1-7
Playing Card: King-Clubs
Suit: Hammer
Card: The Fiend (LE)
Unclear Future ... 4-1
Playing Card: 10-Hearts
Suit: Book
Card: The Hidden Truth (LG)


Evil
Negative Past
Playing Card: Joker-Prime
Suit: Star
Card: The Owl (N)

Negative Present ... 2-1
Playing Card: Queen-Hearts
Suit: Key
Card: The Dance (LG)

Negative Future ... 3-7
Playing Card:
Suit: Shield
Card: The Tangled Briar (LE)




"I shall only explain the cards and suits once as they show, so you understand their importance, but unless there is something truly strange like a misalignment, I won't need to repeat again on future readings.

"The Suit of the Book concerns money, school, and literature. Positive Past: The Idiot, a picture of goblins having captured a foolhardy man, representing the knowledge that loss of dignity can precede loss of life. This card is misaligned, however, and may indicate feigning of idiocy to disguise one's gifts.

"The Suit of the Star oversees ancient history, morality, and the gods. The Eclipse represents self-doubt and loss of purpose. This card afflicts those with faith in the divine, as their talents can wand under this stress. It can also indicate a loss of way along a path. That is the basic meaning of the card, but as terrible as that sounds, this card holds no power over you here.

"The Owl represent the eternal wisdom of the natural order. It is the harsh realism that causes a pack of wolves to cull the weak in the herd. It is tragic for the culled deer, but through such actions the herd grows stronger. The needle The Owl holds binds life together, but just as easily can pick that life apart. This card, too, is meaningless here ... though that just as well might show a lack of wisdom.

"Though another's role card, seeing a shield card at this time is most fortuitous, for it is a positive effect that will be needed; this is a partial match, and should be noted.

"The Suit of the Hammer involves matters of war, battle, and honor. In this case, the card is The Fiend, with a depiction of a devil swallowing innocents. It can indicate the death of many in a great calamity. It could also indicate some sort of dark and intelligent creature is in the area, endangering the populace.

"The Suit of the Key deals with trouble, children, and entertainment. The Dance is a rich and delicate framework that, like the universe itself, requires everyone within to abide by its rules, lest the entire constract collapse. It advises staying in perfect step, knowing your place in the greater good. Those who step out of the pattern do so at their peril. This is a rueful card here ... misaligned ... for the pattern may be hypnotic, but not to the good of all.

"The Hidden Truth symbolizes the ability to see past the obvious and banal to a greater truth within. Sometimes this discovery is an esoteric one, sometimes it is a literal find, such as an item hidden within a room. Regardless, it is a card with the power to reveal secrets.

"The Forge evokes strength through great diversity. The blacksmith represents those who can survive the mephits' trial by fire, but the forge's fire is so strong that it burns many to cinders instead. This card often represents a dangerous event that needs many sources of strength to overcome."

With the very last card drawn, so is Paxre's role card. "The second shield in the spread, plus your role card, will be of great necessity to you, Paxre. But you must be warned: your future is dire indeed. Unless fantastic odds are overcome, you shall be lost or murdered. I am sorry, Paxre. You have been a service to me, personally; to the city; and, I am sure that you will give help before you are gone. I understand if you don't want me to actually discuss the rest of your reading with you."

[lostsole31]

Curiously, the little creature moves over to the cards once Zellara collects Paxre's. (Because I might as well do it now.)





Lawful

Neutral

Chaotic



Good

Positive Past
Playing Card: 2-Spades
Suit: Crown
Card: The Betrayal (NE)

Positive Present
Playing Card: King-Diamonds
Suit: Hammer
Card: The Big Sky (CG)

Positive Future
Playing Card: King-Spades
Suit: Hammer
Card: The Cyclone (CE)



Neutral

Unclear Past
Playing Card: Queen-Diamonds
Suit: Key
Card: The Juggler (CG)

Unclear Present
Playing Card: Jack-Hearts
Suit: Shield
Card: The Trumpet (LG)

Unclear Future
Playing Card: 2-Diamonds
Suit: Crown
Card: The Courtesan (CN)



Evil

Negative Past
Playing Card: 7-Diamonds
Suit: Hammer
Card: The Uprising (CN)

Negative Present
Playing Card: 9-Hearts
Suit: Star
Card: The Winged Serpent (LG)

Negative Future
Playing Card: 6-Clubs
Suit: Key
Card: The Locksmith (LN)




"The Positive Past introduces the Suit of the Crown, dealing with love, family, and politics. This is The Betrayal, selfishness incarnate. Worry not, little one, for the card is misaligned, so this card actually means self-sacrifice or turning away from the material world and its tempations.

"The Juggler represents fate, the gods, or those who play with the lives and destinies of others. If this titanic Juggler can keep up his rhythym, he will achieve his goals.

"The Uprising represents being caught up in the clutches of something more powerful than you. It is an overwhelming strength that often crushes what comes in contact with it. The crown held high signifies an overthrowing of a leader of some sort. In the position of this spread, it is minimal.

"With the Positive Present, this card is The Big Sky, showing an epic moment as the slaves of a nation are freed. The slaves' freedom specifies momentous and powerful change, as old shackles are cast off in the light of day. This card is a partial match in this position, and is of great importance to what is happening at this time."

Zellara pulls The Trumpet for the the little scaly creature. "As with Paxre, this is your role-card, but this is important in the present. Unfortunately, the cards are unclear. Either it is as before wherein great sacrifice is made by attacking with full force when needed, but it is also possible that motives are not quite so noble, bringing injury and crumbling strrength. You must decide where you are on this issue.

"The Winged Serpent is a powerful being, but the card is misaligned. Here it means you are not seizing the moment, or doing so ill-advisedly.

"The Courtesan is the card of political intrigue. Her mask involves the social niceties that must be followed. If it slips, negotiations can take an unexpected turn. This card can also indicate a woman of power who shapes events. How she is treated decides the outcome of the situation. This is the first True Match yet that has been drawn. This card is probably even more likely tied to your future fate than The Trumpet might be tied to your present,.

"The Cyclone is a force that tears through whatever it meets. Because this card is misaligned, it will indicate renewal after a blustery trial. The fact that it is a partial match is also of importance.

"The Locksmith presents the subject with the tools with the keys needed to unlock her destiny. He grants the tools to access a new location, clue, or treasure. He does not grant insight into how or where to use the tools granted. This card often represents a strange, ancient, or magical object. The Locksmith means little in this placement.

"One shield card, but it is your role card. Use your talents wisely."

[lostsole31]

Alpha's Reading ...




Lawful

Neutral

Chaotic



Good

Positive Past
Playing Card: 5-Hearts
Harrow Suit: Shield
The Card: The Survivor (NG)

Positive Present ... 1-7
Playing Card: King-Clubs
Harrow Suit: Hammer
The Card: The Fiend (LE)

Positive Future
Playing Card: 4-Clubs
Harrow Suit: Book
The Card: The Inquisitor (LN)



Neutral

Unclear Past
Playing Card: Queen-Hearts
Harrow Suit: Key
The Card: The Dance (LG)

Unclear Present
Playing Card: 2-Spades
Harrow Suit: Crown
The Card: The Betrayal (NE)

Unclear Future
Playing Card: 4-Hearts
Harrow Suit: Book
The Card: The Wanderer (NG)



Evil

Negative Past
Playing Card: 2-Diamonds
Harrow Suit: Crown
The Card: The Courtesan (CN)

Negative Present
Playing Card: Queen-Diamonds
Harrow Suit: Key
The Card: The Juggler (CG)

Negative Future
Playing Card: Joker-Prime
Harrow Suit: Star
The Card: The Owl (N)




The Survivor: Partial Match. As with Delta's role card, though not quite as strong as his. Since it is something good in the past, it means you survived some great ordeal.

The Fiend: Misaligned. Unlike the Fiend card previously, in this position it shows that in this present time you are or will have salvation from a great calamity.

It is unclear at this time, but The Betrayal (Partial Match) may include the self-sacrifice mentioned before, or it just as possibly may indicate a person whose loveliness hides an evil heart.

Negative Present: The Juggler, misaligned. The Juggler falters, and tragedy and failure are assured for those whose lives he meddles in.

Positive Future: The Inquisitor. The Inquisitor accepts nothing save the truth. He represents immutable reality, that which cannot be fooled or swayed in any way. To attempt to go against this unchangeable object, person, or idea is to court disaster.

Unclear Future: The Wanderer is a collector. This centaur appreciates what others think of as junk or trash. The Wanderer appears to those clever enough to find the true worth in something others ignore or treat as worthless.

Negative Future: It wasn't until your very last card that you received a Star suit, relating to wisdom. And while the Owl is always a position of either-or and never misaligned, its position so far from its center point and regarding the future does not bode well, and may speak of dangerous foolishness on Alpha's part.

OOC: In addition to your role card, you only received 1 Shield card in your entire spread, which isn't very good for you.

[lostsole31]

Delta's Spread ....




Lawful

Neutral

Chaotic



Good

Positive Past
Playing Card: Queen-Hearts
Harrow Suit: Key
Card: The Dance

Positive Present
Playing Card: Jack-Clubs
Harrow Suit: Shield
Card: The Tangled Briar (LE)

Positive Future
Playing Card: 2-Diamonds
Harrow Suit: Crown
Card: The Courtesan (CN)



Neutral

Unclear Past
Playing Card: 10-Spades
Harrow Suit: Book
Card: The Snakebite (CE)

Unclear Present
Playing Card: 4-Clubs
Harrow Suit: Book
Card: The Inquisitor (LN)

Unclear Future ...3-2
Playing Card: 5-Hearts
Harrow Suit: Shield
Card: The Survivor (NG)



Evil

Negative Past
Playing Card: 9-Diamonds
Harrow Suit: Star
Card: The Publican (CG)

Negative Present
Playing Card: Jack-Spades
Harrow Suit: Shield
Card: The Waxworks (CE)

Negative Future
Playing Card: 9-Spades
Harrow Suit: Star
Card: The Lost (CE)




The Dance of the Positive Past means that you stood fast under adversity, and the effects of this true match indicate that this will lead to a great boon.

The Snakebite is a vile, poisoned weapon. Poison takes many forms -- not all of them physical. The poison on the assassin's blade represents the death of ideas and freedom, as well as the ability to turn friends against each other or poison the minds of the virtuous. Being unclear, though, this card could also mean a mental leap, a new frienship, or a discovery.

This Publican is misaligned here. It represents refuge unfound or false information given at a crucial moment. This is an opposite match, and that does not bode well. Something truly terrible concerning falsehood likely has had a profound effect on you and has defined you to this day.

The Tangled Briar here is actually misaligned. You are facing pain, but there is hope.

The Inquisitor is a partial match, meaning that is more important than a normal read of this card concerning the present, but is too cloudy to define how or why. Ironic, given that the Inquisitor seeks to burn away to find the truth.

The Waxworks is helplessness and entropy, and with a partial match it means that there is an issue even now that is causing great unease for you. But fear not too much, for as you have all seen, the cards overseeing the Shield suit will help you in the future, and you have already drawn two.

The Courtesan here is a partial match, and you are likely to find political or feminine intrigue in the future, but you have a natural charm that may counteract or overborne that challenge.

The Survivor!! You are the third of four that has their role card in their spread, and this rebirth through ordeal will have a great deal for you, but possibly with that ordeal being a pyrrhic victory wherein you come out well, but others fall.

For yet another, the very last card of the negative future is terrifying. The Lost is the card of emptiness and loss of identity. The bodak shown is forever mad, lost in a world of lunatics, insane asylums, and mass killers. For those under its influence, the world makes no sense. It evokes times where all is babble, as when meeting someone who speaks only in another tongue.

You may well overcome a coming ordeal that involves political or feminine ordeal, but the great cost of this survival wherein others do not may take your mind and your soul. But at least with three shield cards, one of which is your role card, there will be plenty of opportunities to help you out in darkest times.

[lostsole31]

Gamma's spread ...




Lawful

Neutral

Chaotic



Good

Positive Past
Playing Card: 4-Diamonds
Harrow Suit: Book
Card: The Vision (CN)

Positive Present
Playing Card: 5-Clubs
Harrow Suit: Shield
Card: The Brass Dwarf (LN)

Positive Future
Playing Card
Harrow Suit: Book
Card: The Foreign Trader (N)



Neutral

Unclear Past
Playing Card: Joker-Prime
Harrow Suit: Star
Card: The Owl (N)

Unclear Present
Playing Card: 10-Diamonds
Harrow Suit: Book
Card: The Joke (CG)

Unclear Future
Playing Card:
Harrow Suit: Star
Card: The Eclipse (LE)



Evil

Negative Past
Playing Card: 10-Diamonds
Harrow Suit: Key
Card: The Juggler (CG)

Negative Present
Playing Card: Jack-Diamonds
Harrow Suit: Hammer
Card: The Big Sky (CG)

Negative Future
Playing Card:
Harrow Suit: Book
Card: The Snakebite (CE)




The Vision: Sometime in the past, you had arcane knowledge that took the form of madness or cryptic words. This card often means you had a brush with a crazy person, but in this positive position like this, it could also signify a brush with genius.

It's hard to see in the past, but it seems you have already had a wisdom of the natural order.

Sometime in the past, you had a problem wherein you failed, and it led to disaster for those whose lives in which you put yourself in ... perhaps meddled to far as a younger priest? Nonetheless, The Juggler is in its opposite position.

You may well be invulnerable to a current peril, and with the shield card ... matching an outsider cousin of a dwarf-like creature, that is a good sign for you.

The Joke shows a terror that must be overcome - but not by physical means. This monster can only be defeated by trickery or artifice. This card can represent the value of humor in finding the way past a difficult person or task. But beware, if often may signal the joke can be on you.

The Big Sky in this position bodes ill for what is in your current state, what shackles you might be replaced with worse ones.

With The Foreign Trader, there may well be an informative pact for you in the future.

The Snakebite is a true match, and a terrible card for you, a priest. For once, a physical or spiritual poison may be what lays you low. Though you do have a Shield card in the mix, this is the most inausipicious card in your spread. Every card in past, present, and future is either misaligned, or aligned to the deepest evil.

[lostsole31]

Omega's spread ...




Lawful

Neutral

Chaotic



Good

Positive Past
Playing Card: 10-Spades
Harrow Suit: Book
Card: The Snakebite (CE)

Positive Present
Playing Card: 3-Spades
Harrow Suit: Star
Card: The Mute Hag (NE)

Positive Future
Playing Card: 4-Spades
Harrow Suit: Book
Card: The Idiot (NE)



Neutral

Unclear Past
Playing Card: King-Hearts
Harrow Suit: Hammer
Card: The Paladin (LG)

Unclear Present
Playing Card: Ace-Hearts
Harrow Suit: Hammer
Card: The Bear (N)

Unclear Future
Playing Card: 7-Clubs
Harrow Suit: Hammer
Card: The Forge (LN)



Evil

Negative Past
Playing Card: Queen-Spades
Harrow Suit: Key
Card: The Demon's Lantern (CE)

Negative Present
Playing Card: 2-Clubs
Harrow Suit: Crown
Card: The Marriage (LN)

Negative Future
Playing Card: 9-Clubs
Harrow Suit: Star
Card: The Eclipse (LE)





In the past, you've managed, and you have taken knowledge of what is truly poisonous and through mental training you have turned into a tool that has worked well for you.

The Paladin is partially aligned. The Card in general symbolizes standing strong in the face of adversity. The Paladin does not back down under any circumstances. It's hard to tell here with you past, though, you stayed the course or did what you know what was right, though it took a heavy toll .... though that journey might more foolhardy than brave with commensurate loss.

The Demon's Lantern is the card of tricks and traps, sleight of hand and sleight of mind. These wil-o'-wisps and the man who sought their light represent an impossible or intractable situation that occurred.,

The Mute Hag might be silent, but the eye she holds lets her see into the hearts of men, but your understanding of the darkness there gives you unshakeable loyalty and lucidity of speech.

The Bear is a perfect match in an unclear present. It is pure strength. People often make the mistake that The Bear can be trained or tamed. When someone believes he has The Bear under control, that person eventually learns the error of his ways. Brute force might be required here, but the consequences of its use might be severe. This is an extremely strong concept for how you should handle your situations, but you must meter it with wisdom.

You must be a truly amazing man, to carry so much darkness within you, and yet turn it to good purpose. It seems you have done so, you are doing so, and if you stay the course, you will consider doing so.

The Idiot, as you know, is a point wherein you either know, or will come to have to do even if you are not familiar in doing so, the feigning of idiocy to hide your strange gifts. As with many of your friends, however, your reading ends with a dire card revealing self-doubt and loss of purpose. That, and there are no Shield cards anywhere in your spread means that the darkness from which you draw strength will give you little to no boon for even destiny itself may not understand you. Be careful that this darkness does not cause you to lose your way or you will indeed be lost forever.

[lostsole31]

Beta's Spread ...




Lawful

Neutral

Chaotic



Good

Positive Past
Playing Card: 2-Hearts
Harrow Suit: Crown
Card: The Theater (NG)

Positive Present
Playing Card: Queen-Spades
Harrow Suit: Key
Card: The Demon's Lantern (CE)

Positive Future
Playing Card: Ace-Spades
Harrow Suit: Shield
Card: The Teamster (N)



Neutral

Unclear Past
Playing Card: 6-Diamonds
Harrow Suit: Key
Card: The Rabbit Prince (CN)

Unclear Present
Playing Card: 10-Diamonds
Harrow Suit: Book
Card: The Joke (CG)

Unclear Future
Playing Card: Joker-Prime
Harrow Suit: Star
Card: The Owl (N)



Evil

Negative Past
Playing Card: 3-Spades
Harrow Suit: Star
Card: The Mute Hag (NE)

Negative Present
Playing Card: 2-Spades
Harrow Suit: Crown
Card: The Betrayal (NE)

Negative Future
Playing Card: Queen-Diamonds
Harrow Suit: Key
Card: The Juggler (CG)




The Theater is a new card of all the spreads. It is the card of true prophecy. The puppets act out a scene, just as the prophet acts out a scene in which she has no part. The prophet is the audience and the audience is the show. She has no influence on what she sees, and its importance is often not recognized until too late. A prophecy occurred in your past, even if you were unaware of it; it was reliable, and you managed to find your way.

Ah, the Rabbit Prince. Hand-to-hand combat, just from the look of you, is a forte, but you have suffered and fallen in combat as well.

The Mute Hag invokes blood pacts and poisonous secrets, the kind that turn brother and son against father. This is a card that performers loathe, as it leaves them stumbling over their words and songs. Either you fought against the like .... or you were a part of it.

The Demon's Lantern is misaligned, and it looks like an opportunity or guide that is recently arriving at a perfect moment to show the way.

The Betrayal is a perfect match in its position. Beware of selfishness at this time, or it may lead to ruin.

The Owl is partially matched, as it often is, and wisdom or harmony of action in the future may lead to success. But ware that you do not try to enforce balance, for sometimes that harmony must come over time, and not in the visible span that we see.

A fine card for you. The Negative Future card actually has turned into your favor. Fate, the gods, wisdom, prophecy, balance, all of the cards show that you know how to stay in rhythm, and that as long as you do so you will meet success. Of the seven here, it is as fated you should be the last to have your reading. It is likely that you are the one who has the means to keep everyone together and on the road to victory.

[meemaas]

As the reading concludes, it is obvious that the Epsilon Elite have been communicating silently about their opinions on this subject. After a moment, Delta steps forward, allowing Beta, the last to have his reading done, to sit back down, and he addresses the spirit. "We thank you for this reading, and will see whether or not this will help us in the time to come." He bows towards the spirit and then turns to Paxre. "Whether or not what she says is true, she is right about one thing. This child's illness is likely the tip of the iceberg. While we, that is to say, the Epsilon Elite, are confident in our abilities to handle it, this spirit implied that you will take a strong part in what is to come. If it is to be believed, I would like to request you join us for the time being. If nothing else, until we are sure that the possible danger is averted. If you agree, do not resist what Gamma is about to do." He gestures to Gamma, who closes his eyes and focuses on Paxre. Assuming the bug man doesn't resist, he finds himself inexplicably linked to Gamma, and can suddenly feel a connection with every other member of the Epsilon Elite at the same time. "Now, I must inform you that the rest of the Elite answer directly to me, but i expect no such control over you, although I hope you listen should I make a request." Delta starts down the stairs, stopping to wait and hear Paxre's spoken responses, if any.

[PSinger]

"Great!" says Paxre. "I'd love you to join me."

Delta never quite made known what "joining" entailed.

Will save [roll0] (Well, I am sure that failed, so ...)

"Ah! Ah! Something is mentally attacking me!" yells Paxre, holding his head. Then to the air he desperately shouts, "GET .... OUT .... OF ... MY ... MIND!"

He then breaks down, flops on the ground and begins .... crying. "I think another entity is reaching out to infest my mind and thoughts. I will hear my voices, I am sure of it."

He continues to cry, and then suddenly stops. He turns his head to the side, and asks in a manner as if he did not just suffer anything.

"What's an iceberg?"

[lostsole31]

As the readings went on, Zellara became increasingly fast and curt with her answers, though explaining as above. No sooner than the last word was out of her mouth, she disappeared instantly.

"Well," Ishani sits thoughtfully. "A 'berg,' if I'm not mistaken, is like an Ulfen word for town. So, there is a place in the north called Iceberg, I guess? That, or since Delta mentioned the tip when we're discussing dangerous things, it could be an Ulfen weapon."

So, now what? Remove disease on the child, a little bit of her CON was returned. And Tayce and Grau in the dark downstairs. Will anyone sit vigil with the child? Obviously, Paxre, when not using your item, you're just as likely to accidentally harm her giving her a handkerchief, so not you. At least, not for healing.

[PSinger]

"Sooo, this whole Eplipexy thing. Does it come with room and board?" Paxre asks hopefully.

[meemaas]

Delta watches the display momentarily, and then, after Ishani tries to answer, he speaks up once more. "Basically, what i mean is that this is likely just the beginning. There is probably much more to come. And we have a place we are staying, we may be able to get you a room with us. But no promises." Delta turns to Gamma afterwards. "You stay here with the child tonight, the rest of us shall return home. Be on your guard." With that, he takes his leave, allowing the others to follow after him as they make their way downstairs.

Once downstairs, Delta turns to Grau and addresses him next. "She seems to have been cured of her disease, but Gamma will remain with her overnight to keep watch on her."

[lostsole31]

Grau and Tayce head upstairs immediately upon hearing the news and Ishani backs away from the bed so the family can move in. Tayce is overwhelmed. Brienna wakes up. She's slightly befuddled by the crowd (and truthfully, by the snake-thing hanging back (that Delta neither dismissed nor had follow him downstairs) a little nervous. Her coughing has stopped, and still a little confused, she asks her mother if lunch is ready yet. The party immediately becomes Tayce's personal heroes, and she proves very animated and affectionate in her thanks (few can hope to escape the relieved mother's hugs). [Limited monster trait: Thankful Mother Hug ... +30 on a grapple check for 1 round to hug unwilling "targets." :smallwink: ] Of course, she doesn't get near the creepy snake thing (she's not sure what it is, whose it is, or how it got there), and she neither knows about nor can she perceive the Lil' Guy. (In fact, nobody can.) Delta can't escape, either as she comes racing downstairs to give him the Thankful Mother Hug as well. Although the Soldados can hardly afford to compensate the party, Tayce is eager to prepare them a feast - a considerable reward, considering her cooking skill.

The party has definitely left an impression on Ishani Dhatri. He suggests that some of his more charitable work sometimes requires the aid of those outside his church’s rigid hierarchies and asks if the Epsilon Elite might be amenable to him contacting them in the future. Soon after, he departs to attend to other duties, but he tells the party that he can be found at the Grand Vault of Abadar should they have any need of his god’s services.

The assumption, of course, is that the party gives no offense (and quite enjoys) Tayce's hospitality.

Are we clear to end the night back at home (sans Gamma, who is with Breeze)? If so, I need everyone who prepares spells, binds, veils, maneuvers, etc. to define them for me, please. But only if they differ from the normal. Obviously, Gamma, Breeze defininitely could use lesser restoration to help her heal faster .... but that's only a suggestion.
You know how you hear something without fully hearing it? It's like your ears pick up enough of the compression waves of sound for your eardrum's to note the presence, but not enough for your brain to define it into a "sound," per se. Well, on and off in the friendly meal, you think you hear that. A half-hour later, you definitely realize there is something there again, but this time, you hear what might be whispering or even snatches of a faint song. You get goosebumps, and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Then, the sound is gone, and that is all.

[meemaas]

Gamma remains with the child, quietly praying for the better part of an hour, before casting another healing spell on the child, hoping to heal the damage done by the disease. Afterwards, he allows himself to fall asleep by the bedside, content that the child is safe.

Gamma spends an hour in prayer to swap out his spell for Lesser Restoration, and then casts it on her.
Temporary ability damage healed [roll0]

For tomorrows loadout, he will retain his usual spells prepared, but only prepare one Bull's Strength, using the other slot for Delay Disease, just in case.

Delta will dismiss Idell before they leave, and then the rest of them will head out back to their home, waiting till tomorrow to meet back up with Gamma.

The others will remain the same. Here's Delta's Daily binding check to bind Lady Jarah in the morning.
[roll1] retaining all the same choices, not taking the companion or an aspect

[lostsole31]

(Assuming he heals CON, vice CHA...) Brienna is brought nearly up to full health, and by the next morning her health is fine (CON 9, full). But the real work is what Gamma does during those 18 hours with using Tayce's cooking instruments, hot towels, and the like for compressing parts of skin with heat, or lancing, etc. Because Brienna had full bed rest and Gamma did such a fine job, most of the unsightly buboes and the like are minimal (CHA 11 of 12).
Lady Jarah purrs seductively into Delta's ear. The latter was distracted from the strangeness of last night's noises that Jarah manages to wrench fully into Delta. "Isn't this better, though? Truly, you have not failed with me, but have my full beauty instilled into you. Surely, this is better than any of the inferior pacts you have learned."

Physical Sign: You smell of flowers and a rare, expensive perfume. Whenever you activate one of Jarah’s granted abilities, your skin flashes with light like a mirror.
Personality: Whenever you attempt to make negotiations with others you must try and garner something for yourself.

Let me be clear on "Personality" ... it must be something commensurate to the undertaking (or more). Trying to get the thread off of someone's jacket or some other inane thing will receive the God-Hammer. I fully expected poor-pact personality practices to not be put into practice only partially, regardless of the fact he is an PC played by a player. RP it to the hilt, because that is what this binding thing is all about ... risk in bringing another sentience into your own psyche.
You awaken with your joints stiff. The wound you had sacrificed to get the black bile to help heal Brienna since healed, yet your back hurts some, you have a strong headache and are fatigued. You find yourself scratching painully at your face... until you discover that it feels like a rash. Dehydrated, you get some water, and look timidly into the small table mirror. Sure enough, you have a rash and the beginnings of small blisters ... 1 CON .... and 3 CHA ... lost. Considering who you are and what you do, the second might be just as bad as the first.

What do you do?

[PSinger]

A scream is heard! Paxre comes running out and into whatever passes as a main room or something. He has blotches on his face. He coughes a little bit and whines, "I'm siiiiick! Omega, help!"

[meemaas]

Gamma, certain his work is done, takes his leave once he's sure the child is healthy. Meanwhile, after Paxre comes in searching for Omega, Omega comes in in response to the yells and takes a look at his face. "This looks similar to what that little girl had. DELTA!!!" He waits for Delta to enter before continuing. "Our new comrade appears to have gotten the disease the child had, You were right about it."

Delta takes one look at Paxre, and sighs. "That means this will probably be spreading further. Don't worry, Gamma will return when he is done tending to the child, and we will get him to stall out the disease for you."

Omega does want to make a heal check and/or a perception check to make absolutely sure he is showing the same symptoms as Brienna did.

[PSinger]

Well, since you don't touch someone on the forehead with a pinky finger, Paxre definitely wants a physical in private.
I imagine this will be like a doctor's office check-up. This is the point where all of the color patterns I mentioned in the original description are visible to Omega. I know it isn't an .... ummm ... complete physical. But it will be obvious that his abdomen juts out and there is a strange orifice of some type. It definitely isn't something humanoid. That's a nonsequeter, just bringing it up. I don't know yo' skills, homey.

I'm pretty sure it's the same crap.
Like a scared little (bug-)boy, he carries that strange meat-tenderizer-looking thing. But he just has that in his lap for now. He doesn't have irises or eyelids, so reading his facial expressions can be hard. It's hard to tell if he looks out the side of his eyes (or up or down just with his eyes) or straight forward.

[lostsole31]

There is a darkness - sin or otherwise, you cannot tell - that infests, inhabits, or otherwise is involved with Paxre. You barely notice it; it's extremely faint, but it's there.
As soon as Paxre gets out of his examination, he is staring at you. He might move his look away from you, but when looking in your general direction, you can sense those black eyes staring at you, practically looking into you, but definitely not through. That is when you notice the reflected light seems to form a shape; or, perhaps you notice something within the eyes trying to get out. But the sensation is that it is trying to get out to you. Faintly, in your mind, you hear what you heard last night, and there is definitely some terrible music, but as if sung by sick children. The shape is that of some type of lanky humanoid that as Paxre shifts his sight slightly, the shape actually becomes more gnarled and multi-limbed ... that of a terrible tree. Blinking your eyes, you realize that Paxre isn't staring at you, the reflection of the light has no form beyond the expected for curvature of an orb and light's reflection upon it.

"Pay no attention to tricks of the mind, my sweet," you think you hear from Jarah. "The stress of disease to overcome weighs heavily upon you. Think how my beautiful Delta would be marred by this terror ... but think, too, of the riches you could get if you can find a way to sell your people's services. If there is more of this to come. Your friends - and by extension and your leadership, my darling, you - fame and reward are due."
Gamma returns ...

[PSinger]

While waiting for Gamma, Paxre takes the cloak of his outfit, twists the end, and then places it in his mouth. He then moves little levers on the bloodletter, meat-tenderizer looking thingy and a score of little blades comes out. He puts them back, as if he were testing them. He then puts it on his leg, pulls the same little lever, and his scream is muffled as it bleeds away reddish-black fluid into a retaining vial in the tenderizer.
Bleed [roll0]
Bleed [roll1]
Bleed [roll2]
Bleed [roll3]
Bleed [roll4]
Bleed [roll5]

Not all of that bleed, no more than 6 hps, but just curious how long it takes.
EDIT: It took 3 rounds of bleeding, so 20 seconds.

He then flips the little lever so the blades retract. A little more blood from the wound but it scabs over like any other wound (in D&D/PF). He takes out a small vial, opens it, and uses a button on the tenderizer to have a tiny spigot put that blackish stuff into the catch vial. He puts the tenderizer away, having already dropped his cloak. He concentrates on the vial and drinks it. Omega has already witnessed this ritual, but this is the first time Delta has seen it.
Lesser restoration, focusing on CHA, not CON. [roll6]
Though he still seems under the weather and fatigued, this blackish blood-potion he took from his own body takes away all of the scarrish and scary parts of the disease. The rashes and blisters go away, thought what might be lymph nodes still might seem swollen. He coughs as before. Omega saw yesterday how he (barely) helped Brienna with some health recovery, in this case Paxre seems to have vainly chosen looks over health.

[lostsole31]

Gamma, on your way back to Omega's house, there are a lot of people gossiping and rumoring fervently .... so much so that you, who weren't even trying to actively hunt down rumors, hear things on the way back.

A royal bounty of 5,000 gp has been set for the capture of the king's assassin, Trinia Sabor. Wildly embellished news of the event spreads quickly to every corner of the city, leaving all to wonder why Korvosa's long-absent hero chose now to reappear and why he rescued a sentenced killer.

[meemaas]

Gamma listens intently as he walks, mulling things over in his head. As soon as he enters the home however, he comes across Alpha, who tells him immediately that they need his help with Paxre. He speaks quietly with Omega to catch up on what he has missed, then turns to Paxre and places his hands on the bug-mans shoulder. "This will not cure your affliction, but it should put it at bay for the time being. You will remain a carrier, so while I can't tell you to stay away from people, it'll be helpful if you try to avoid contact with them. We can go out and get a proper cure if you'd like. After he finishes with his spell, he reconnects himself with his party, and moves to start speaking with Delta.

Cast my prepared Delay Disease on Paxre. Thinking we should go pay a cleric to cast Remove Disease on him ASAP.

[lostsole31]

There is a knock at the door. Upon answering, it is a youth with a card that hands it to the first person at the door. He scamper away without a word.

"Orisini Fencing Academy ... Today at earliest convenience, but sooner preferred ... extremely important. "

Paxre knows where Oris in I'm is.

[meemaas]

After Delta gets ahold of the card, he looks around the room with everyone gathered and asks anyone if they know where the fencing academy is. Assuming Paxre speaks up, Delta organizes the party and heads out, allowing Paxre to lead the way. Delta keeps surprisingly quiet this time around, compared to normal, as if afraid of something unknown to the others.

I assume Paxre would tell us, and probably lead the way, but the EE, if we're on our way out, will be on their guard.

[lostsole31]

Actually, as a a guy who knows how to get his bearing in any city (and is familiar with Korovosa, anyway), as well as studying the Who's Who in Fightsylvannia, Paxre might know, but Omega is the one must confident with knowing the wearabouts of the Orisini Academy at 16 Hillcrest St., near the center of old Korvosa. The rest of the heroes likewise hear the same rumors about the 5,000 gp reward for the capture of Trinia Sabor.

You get to the address, and a sign on the door says "Classes Cancelled Today." Whether you knock on the academy's front door or not, a serious-looking opens the door. He is a tall man of advanced years, yet with a twinkle in his eye and a bounce to his step that hints at a vibrancy and inner fire of a man under half his age. He wears his salt-and-pepper hair pulled back tightly into a bravo’s top-knot. His eyes are a cast of deep green like the ocean after a storm. He is of Old Chelish blood, and it shows. Orisini wears black leather gloves to ensure the oils of his skin don’t rust the pommel of his shining steel rapier. This rapier is his pride, and he speaks of it in tones normally reserved for a loved one.

"Thank you for responding to my note. Hello again, Paxre, I am deeply honored." and at that he genuflects on one knee and bows his head, so that a tall human looking down wouldn't seem condescending, but in this case sincerely touched. "For in truth, for your service to our beloved city I no longer simply bow."

He stands tall, takes the other five in visually, and gives you all a deep bow. As each person is introduced by Delta - or introduces themselves - he gives each a deferential nod, but he does not shake hands. Instead, he puts his hand over his heart as if deeply touched to meet each of you.The two smaller fingers of his right hand never seem to bend."My name is Vencarlo Orisini. I had heard that Paxre here had taken up with a new crew. My former pupil Grau said that yesterday your friends, Paxre, healed his niece of what seemed to be a deadly illness. He was once one of my most promising students. He is well on the road to the recovery at the citadel Paxre; of course, you hopefully saw that for yourself, yesterday."Omega, you recall hearing something about some scandal involving Grau, Vencarlo, and Sabina Merren (the queen's bodyguard, handmaiden - and rumour purports, lover).
The swordsman leads the group down a hall and into a study, the windows of which are tightly shuttered and curtained. He explains in hushed tones that he has an important task for the PCs, one that becomes obvious when he calls another guest into the room: Trinia Sabor.http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ersF53wzhq4/S88XwGPWBGI/AAAAAAAAAyU/6bUdc1jb_ms/s1600/Trinia.jpg
Wearing simple traveling clothes, the alleged assassin holds a wide-brimmed rider’s hat and a wig of long red curls—gifts from Orisini to use in her disguise. Trinia appears both nervous and excited, and upon sighting Paxre she smiles, saying, “Sorry about the trouble I gave you in the Shingles a few weeks ago.”

Vencarlo then asks his guests to be seated—he remains standing as he speaks.

“You were all at the Queen’s debacle, so I don’t doubt you recognize this charming young woman. I had only just reached my home the night of Her Majesty’s morbid gala when that rogue Blackjack and this startled woman arrived at my doorstep. The people’s hero and I have had some dealings in the past, but still, it’s been some years since I’ve seen the scoundrel. He was quick with his words, and soon swooped off—doubtlessly to right some other festering wrong—but not before entrusting Miss Sabor into my protection and care. Although I don’t know Blackjack’s motives or politics, I trust his judgment and have seen much right done by his blade. He says the girl is innocent of the crime she’s been accused of, and I’m more disposed to trust a hero of the city than the tantrums of some bloody-minded harlot playing at queen.

“The matter is simple: Korvosa is no longer safe for Miss Sabor. I’ve arranged for friends in Harse—a couple of well-respected ranchers—to take in our beautiful renegade until this whole ‘assassination’ foolishness blows over. It's the first leg of the journey where we find our problem, though. Both the Korvosan Guard and the Sable Company have been searching for the young lady tirelessly—they’ve stopped by here three times so far, and each time I’ve only just barely been able to turn them away without inviting a search. My most reliable contacts have gone to ground in light of the recent uprisings, and Her Highness’ considerable bounty for Trinia’s capture makes the use of new agents inadvisable. Thus, after some time to let her trail cool, I turned to you resourceful lot. Paxre, would you and the Epsilon Elite care to escort a lady home?”

[meemaas]

Delta opens his mouth to respond, and then, as though he hears something in his head, snaps under his breath. "We're good people, we shouldn't be asking for anything!!" Pause. "You shut up!! But..." Finally he stops whispering to himself, and looks at Vencarlo, with a slight smile on his face. "We would be happy to, but there is the matter of compensation. What would you be willing to offer us for that?"

Omega glares at Delta and jabs him in the gut with his elbow. "Nonsense, we'd be willing to..."

He doesn't even get to finish his sentence before Delta shoves Omega down, the two of them staring at each other as though they were talking to each other through their glances. After a moment, Delta looks back up at Vencarlo. "What do you have to say?"

[lostsole31]

Vencarlo nods and says, "I will be funding the mission. I will be giving Trivia a horse and supplies for her travels, along with any reasonable mundane supplies you need to smuggle her out of the city. There is more afoot than is currently clear and, as gentlefolk, you should be willing to aid a lady in need."

[meemaas]

Delta sighs softly. He still seems to be struggling with himself as he goes to answer Vencarlo. "You're putting us at a lot of risk doing this for you. I can tell you expect something bad to happen, otherwise you wouldn't have called for a team as skilled as the Epsilon Elite to help you." Delta steps forward, looking Vencarlo carefully in the eye.

[lostsole31]

:smallsigh: Vencarlo sighs and nods slowly. "Very well. I had hoped you would understand that perhaps favor now might equal favor later. I can pay you 100 gp now because that is what I have on hand. Upon return from a successful mission, 400 gp."

[PSinger]

Paxre steps forward. "Five hundred Chelish sails, no other gold currency we need to trade and to which we take a loss. May as well just give it to us at the end. I am sure if we fail, we can't spend it anyway, can we?"

He turns to Delta. "There. Gold."

He turns back to Vencarlo. "I hope that this transaction of gold is seen as a material sign of good faith, and not a grudging off-load for services rendered? There are certain currencies you cannot trade with coin. Assuming we are successful, perhaps you shall remember us when gold has failed us."

He holds his hand out to Vencarlo ...

[lostsole31]

Which Vencarlo shakes with warmth and gregariousness. "Thank you, Paxre .... Delta, Epsilon Elite. Now, here are the broad strokes, I leave the details to you ..."

Vencarlo asserts that a simple, subtle egress would work best and draw the least attention. With the recent events near North Bridge, he suggests a slow walk through the city down to High Bridge and then up to Dwarfwalk Road, mingling with the afternoon’s merchants leaving the city. He opposes more dramatic attempts to leave town, knowing the Guard is certainly on alert for such theatrics as flying people or other shows of magical power.

Overall, Vencarlo puts his trust in the the party (Paxre first, it seems) and leaves the details of Trinia’s escape to them. He refuses to go with them, explaining that he’s too well known about town and that his history with the monarchy (he’s the first to admit he might have been too outspoken in his criticism of the king and queen over the past several months) might have drawn unwanted suspicion. As such, Vencarlo plans to attend to some private business and disappear into the anonymity of Old Korvosa for a time. When the party is ready to depart with Trinia, he tells them this, thanks them for all of their help, and asks that they not try to find him. He’ll call upon them when the time is right.

Epsilon Elite, any input?

[meemaas]

Delta, content with the agreement, prepares himself for the trip out. He pulls the group away from Vencarlo and sits down to plan their actual trip. "Here's the idea I have, but I need you to trust us for it to work Paxre." He points at each of the Epsilon Elite in turn. "Each of us have a telepathic link that Gamma maintains to allow us silent communication. It has a fair range, and I want to use this link to our advantage. We would rather not get into a scuffle while within the borders of Korvosa, of course, so I want to split us up. Omega, Beta, and you are in my opinion the best bet to stay separate. If you accept the link this time. That is to say, trust us to not be trying to harm you, I would like to see you ahead of the rest of us by about 100 feet, while Omega and Beta will trail behind us on either side about the same distance, keeping track for anyone who might be coming to meet with us. Any of the three of you that see anyone who might be attempting to investigate the four of us in the center can alert us with the telepathic connection so we can prepare accordingly. Does that sound like a good plan to you?"

If Paxre likes the plan, Gamma will connect him to the Collective.

[PSinger]

Paxre's timid, but he goes through with it.

"Sounds like a good plan."

[lostsole31]

The connection is established.

With the connection opened to Paxre, the sound of diseased children singing in warbling squelches and low burblings recurs. This time, however, it is strong. You think you hear the children's voices well enough, but you don't understand what they're saying, though this is something of the phonetics:

vaD je' Hahg ts't hgel Hahc
Daq vow je' jIq 'ehlt je' 'ehlt DuS taj
a'hgelaD 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH?
hcaQ roS SIvHatSaq, qup 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH


There can be no doubt ... this jarring and terrible children's tune is coming from Paxre's mind. The effect, however, is beyond your ability to just hide. It continues again and again, rising into a maddening crescendo before suddenly stopping. Though it seemed like an eternity, the actual time is only like that of a bad nightmare.
A few minutes after the confab and as they get ready, Delta appears visibly shaken. It only lasts 2 rounds, but it is/was there.

[lostsole31]

A group of six Korvosan guards approaches the forward party (Omega/ Beta/ Paxre). Omega and Beta are both pretty nervy, but it has already been obvious that Paxre does not strike you as a model of bravery. One seems to have a mark on the shoulder of his tabard. He is making a beeline right towards you. Trinia is not in this group, so it is strange, until ... the man with the different markings comes right up to ... you guessed it. Paxre.

"Paxre? Sergeant Janz here. I just wanted to shake your hand and thank you for your help recently. Abadar bless you on your path to peaceful living, sir."

At this point, Omega and Beta (and by extension, the others) are probably quite exasperated by this semi-hero worship. It's no matter, they continue on their way ... and don't bother Trinia's group. Groups of Guards and even Hellknights cast sidelong glances at both groups as they travel through Korvosa, but each passes by as long as the either party doesn't do anything suspicious.

During the walk, Trinia takes advantage of her time with the Alpha, Delta, and Gamma to learn a little more about them. She’s particularly curious as to why they’re helping her now since she is a wanted assassin with a 5,000 gp bounty on her head. They are getting only a tenth of that, and putting their lives in great danger. She asks questions about the group's past and current goals. She’s intrigued by any tales of adventure—as a bard, she’s always on the lookout for exciting new stories. She remains relatively humble if asked about herself—she’s been through a lot lately and just wants to be out of Korvosa on her way to somewhere safe. She’s never really spent much time out of the city before, and she increasingly looks forward to her stay in Harse as an exciting opportunity, much like a vacation.You can carry on any relevant conversation, including any questions you have for her, in the Interactive thread.
Even this early, it looks like the sickness is silently spreading through Korvosa. As the party moves through Old Korvosa or North Point, an aggressive beggar stumbles up to them, hacking and wheezing, a splotchy red rash and blisters the size of ripe grapes covering his face and arms as he pleads for coins to buy food and medicine.
You have kept alert for other signs of the disease as you travel through Old Korvosa and North Point. Paxre is actually clueless, until a voice in his head tells him places to look. There are at least five other individuals—beggars, common folk, and even a merchant—who display familiar fiery rashes.
As soon as the party escorts Trinia through the city gates and some safe distance away, Trinia wholeheartedly thanks them for their help and apologizes for any trouble she’s caused them. She promises to make it all up to them someday and gives Paxre a hug, and favor's Delta with a quick kiss, but for now, she’s eager to be away from the city that wants her dead.

You return to Orisini's Academy, but it is closed and the lights are off, so perhaps it is better to try again in the morning. However, up returning to the house you find that a coffer was sent delivery and within is the 400 gp to make the entire payment of 500 gp! A fine payday for a simple (though risky) job, indeed. :smallredface:

It is evening and the party has 500 gp. Since there are seven ... even though you only once have seen what Paxre has now told you is a pseudodragon by the name of Muhrbalad...Muhrbala is a Draconic name which, in Taldane, means "Slumbering Scourge." Awwww, cute. It's small dog syndrome. ... Paxre says that Murray talks to his head and has an idea, and it was similar to a system his group used before. Since there are seven persons, why not make an extra share to act as a team "treasury?" This way, a sort of bank is made to help with non-personal spell components and other general costs, even mundane equipment. It can also help allay the cost of party-use potions and scrolls and the like. When calculating split, any fractions can go to the bank, or split to the next lowest currency. In this case, the take/share would be 62.5 gp. So, either each person could take 62 gp and the bank would get 66 gp; or, everyone and the bank would get 62 gp and 5 silver (though the bank or someone would need to bother with making chage for gold). What is the party consensus?
FYI, just to make things easy. Omega has a stipend that covers the house (there are two beds to a room since there are many of you), one live-in servant, reasonable food, and sundries. Given his background and the real owner (Shyamal), there is no alcohol in stores; you would have to purchase that. Anything that would remotely be put on a character sheet that goes out the front door with you is something that must be purchased. Once a month, Omega can set up some type of dinner or the like to entertain guests in style, or do so with more moderate means in lesser time. If you want a more extravagant lifestyle, than you'd have to pay for it. But I think the only dissenting voice against this would be Delta ... and he can pay for fun. This benefactor is to make it easy to not have to math your life out. Of course, anyone that stays under the roof may be called upon ... :smallwink:
Gamma and Omega treat Paxre's disease and tend to his health before he goes to bed (sent to bed early ... guru's orders).

EDIT: The following day is spent with each character spending time doing necessary training ... meditating, combat form, prayer, research, etc. The next morning, Paxre's fever has broken and his body has healed (minus some dehydration, which is easily dealt with by a big breakfast).

4 Gozren, Oathday

The assumption, given that your choices were based on diseases and the like (or general diplomacy for Delta), is that your preparations are the same. Let me know if I am wrong, please.

Once again, Lady Jarah teaches Delta that she rules his roost as he not only makes a poor pact, but is unable to control her outwardly. In fact, there was an embarrassing little incident at the breakfast table wherein he was asked to pass the salt. He refused to do so unless he was passed the more expensive curry; which, in fact, he never used. Something about hot foods and the elven blood in him not agreeing; he was raised on subtle and high fare. It was a good sign to his his friends, who gave in quickly, that today might be a "fun day" because they've seen this behavior enough to know that Lady Jarah has him again, despite all of his mental training for that not to happen.

An acolyte of Abadar calls on the EE. He says that Vaultkeeper Dhatri seeks a meeting with you at the temple.

[lostsole31]

The group travels from Midland (the large ward that caters more nonhumans than any other, but also the place most people think of when they think of Korvosa) to Northgate (which is where you were yesterday when you met Orisini yesterday), the home of the Grand Vault of Abadar.

Towering over the surrounding buildings, the Grand Vault of Abadar offers a vision of divine luxuriance amid a sea of mortal troubles. Radiant, as its grey-veined white marble reflects the midday sun, there’s little question that this place is the house of a god.

Yet, for a deity of law, the steep stairs and ramps leading up to the temple’s great bronze doors offer a strangely discordant scene. Dozens of citizens—mostly of the working class, although the silks of a few merchants show through the crowd—throng the entry, scarcely being held back by a group of gold-armored Abadarian clerics. All seem intent on gaining entry to the temple, but the clerics turn away nearly all comers. The clerics’ reasoning becomes clear as one desperate believer is turned away, his pitiful countenance mottled with violent red sores. There do seem to be some people that get past the throng. The guards seem to ask the questions, and let those persons pass inside to the temple.

There is no "secret entrance" you know of to get you into the temple, and doing so in game parlance would be a "Bad Idea." Besides, you do have specific business (the acolyte that told asked you to come only stayed long enough to deliver the message; he didn't stick around) with Vaultkeeper Dhatri. It is a double-gauntlet ... first, the diseased masses; second, and less troublesome, the guard-clerics.

What do you do? The most obvious, and likely the only, way to get to the clerics is simply to stong-arm through the crowd.

[PSinger]

Duck in and out of bigger legs, but I'm sure it still comes down to pushing through.

[lostsole31]

Perhaps because it is partly because he can slip around the limbs of Big Folk, Paxre pushes through the crowd to the front.

Meemaas, roll DC 14 STR checks for each of your characters, though let me know if you do anything before getting through.

[meemaas]

Delta draws upon the power of his pact, changing his form into that of a really short gnome, and he follows after Paxre, likely having an easier time going through peoples legs than Paxre does. Meanwhile, the others try to force their way through the crowd, but it is peaceful Omega who does the best at it, helping his team get through with his success.


Alpha [roll0]
Beta [roll1]
Delta: Is this one even needed? He uses his Rewrite Self power from Lady Jarah to turn into a short gnome.
Gamma [roll2]
Omega [roll3]

[lostsole31]

Omega, using more insight than power, manages to catch up with Paxre while the others are fumbling around. There is a flash of light from where Delta was, and a ... gnome or halfling, is it? It's hard to tell. It, too, is trying to make it's way through but is not faring well.
I don't know for RP if the Warpriest is decked with heraldric livery of Iomedae - tabard and shield. That would make sense. Not doing so would be a "player" choice, but I can't enforce it. But not only as a proud cleric-ish, but also as a warpriest who needs to be identified on the field of battle by friendly troops (or driven in fear by unfriendly troops, it is likely you have both.

"Hurry, quick!" comes a voice in your mind. "Don't heal anyone and try to hide your religious garb as best as possible. If the mob notices you, you might be swallowed whole."

If you think that this is beneath you, a servant of the goddess of courage, you can hope that throng doesn't notice you because of the press of bodies (most of whom look towards the Vault stairs. If you think there is wisdom in this head-voice's advice, roll a Disguise check.
Alpha/ Beta/ Delta (yes, even you)/Gamma .... roll STR checks again.

[meemaas]

Since Delta's gambit failed, he'll return to his own form, trying to push through in the normal manner. Gamma, as a servant of Iomedae has the God's mark tattooed on his face, along with emblazoned on his shield, but does not wear a tabard. He is still recognizable enough to be seen as a servant of the god, and despite the warning, refuses to hide his allegiance. Along with the others, he tries to push his way through the crowd.

Strength checks mark 2
Alpha: [roll0]
Beta [roll1] Natural 20! Does that mean Beta can bulldoze his way through with epic awesomeness and make a path for everyone else?
Delta [roll2]
Gamma [roll3]

[lostsole31]

Beta (only) manages to get through. Meanwhile, there is another glinting flash and the crowd is confused at a certain section (for .016 seconds before they realize why they're there).

In the next round, Gamma - the strongest in the group to begin with - presses through, possibly aided by Beta's recent success. Gamma is right there, facing the guards and with Omega and Paxre, when suddenly someone mentions a cleric. That is when eyes and begging voices are thrown Gamma's way, each one demanding why their need is strong than the next person's. At this point, Gamma can barely move (basically a grapple). What does Gamma do? Might as well roll again for Alpha and Delta.

[meemaas]

Alpha [roll0]
Delta [roll1]

Gamma, finding himself deluged by the others there, tries to push them away. As he does, he tries to explain himself. "I am no Cleric. I am a servant of Iomedae, yes. But i serve as a warrior of the church, not as a Cleric. I guard my fellow compatriots from harm."

Obviously Gamma isn't telling the complete truth, but it isn't actually a lie in any form, so I don't believe a bluff check is necessary.

[lostsole31]

With the sea of bodies practically holding Gamma fast, either no one heard him ... or desperate, no one cares. What does Gamma do? and the others, if anything? Gamma is still held fast.

[Hey! You're first combat! ..... Sorta'.]

[meemaas]

Gamma keeps trying to wrench himself free without harming the people mobbing him, while Delta makes his way through the crowd. Gamma mouths 'save me' to Delta as he does, and when Delta finally breaks through, Delta strikes a powerful pose, creating an image of perfection in the eyes of every onlooker while the party averts their eyes. Before Paxre has a chance to see it, he hears a voice in his head. "Quick, avert your eyes from Delta!!"

Delta will use Lady Jarah's Aura of Distracting Beauty. All onlookers have to make a save or be fascinated.

[PSinger]

That's like telling Stimpy of "Ren & Stimpy" or Peter of "Family Guy" not to do something innocuous that might bring about something terrible, and expecting them to not do it. The power of suggestion.

So, yeah, we don't share sheets, but let's let this be the discovery stuff lost was talking about.
A derro has 5 WIS and 16 CHA.
Paxre has 6 WIS and 21 CHA.

Yeah, he's a nutter. While he's exceptionally intelligent, the effects of that splat WIS far outstrip that of his acumen.
Paxre, just in stimulus to Delta's comment turns towards Delta. "Look at wh- ...??"

"Ooooohhh," Paxre coos in the manner of the "the chosen one dolls from Toy Story, including the start from one side of the mouth to the other. "Pretty colors."
Since it doesn't matter and the effects are obvious, lost, I'm just going to roll a Will save? It should also begin to show how mentally helpless he is.
Will save [roll0]

[lostsole31]

Wow. Perhaps it's because the crowd is more interested in being relieved of their desperate situation, but the mob made up of commoners and experts .... manages their Will save.
Plenty of people look at Delta, looking away from the mirror flash for a few. He fascinates several here and there, but those practically dogpiling GAmmaare unaffected. But that is when the mound on top of Gamma begins to blast open and apart with bodies flying back here and there over others (but with enough beneath them that they aren't really hurt) and there is this circle of fallen folks like a crater around the dwarf.
I'm sure he made some incredible vocal with that ... with a natural '20' and a +7 CMB to escape a grapple for a 27 on his grapple check ... the folks break like water against an island mountain. Gamma easily pushes through to the end, and Delta with him.
Not so for Alpha, who is lost in the crowd. In fact, as people were sent rolling back where Gamma was held, the sea of bodies acted like a body that pushes Alpha even further back.

(To keep things moving...) Paxre looks around as if looking for something but having heard something and lets the priests know that you are there on business with Vaultkeeper Dhatri. This allows you to get past the cleric cordon and onto the stairs, but waiting for Alpha. Though Alpha got pushed back some, the crowd itself is so unsettled by Gamma's mighty heave that the brilliant nomad is able to navigate a path for himself and get to where you need, and the party no doubt speaks for him.
Yay! The players "survived" their first "combat!"
The Temple seems like a place besieged. Within its airy hall, priests and patrons eye each other and every newcomer with suspicion, and every footfall upon the marble floor echoes through a frightened silence. EE should have no trouble finding Ishani Dhatri, as he reserved one of the temple’s western meeting rooms to meet with the party and waits for them there. The young priest looks grave as he greets them.

"Thank you for coming. I assume you already suspect my reasons for calling, having seen the crowd outside—poor lot. You recognize the symptoms too, I’m sure. I had hoped that the Soldado case was isolated, but apparently we have a bigger problem on our hands than I’d feared.

“I’m concerned for the city, but also for my brethren here. The morning after my visit to the Soldado home I came to the temple to hear that three of my brothers awoke with similar symptoms, although they had already been healed. I spoke to each, and aside from their usual duties in the temple, none have had any dealings with the sick. Later in the day, more of my brothers—vaultkeepers, guards, and acolytes—developed symptoms, and folk from throughout the city began arriving in search of healing. It’s been more than a little bit frightening. They’re calling the sickness ‘blood veil.’ An apt enough name, I suppose.

“This affliction has spread fast, yet I’m not yet sure how. Most of the patients we’re treating have come from North Point and Old Korvosa. The disease seems to spread fastest through the lower classes. Although we here at the temple can heal some of the ill, I fear that the spread of the disease will soon outpace our resources. The only way to stem the growing infection is to involve all the city’s resources. We need to organize. We need to call upon the faiths of Sarenrae, Pharasma, and even Asmodeus to face this attack. Archbanker Tuttle and several of his assistants are out pursuing alliances with these other faiths, but even that won’t be enough. We need to involve the Korvosan Guard, at the very least. And that’s where you come in—with the number of desperate souls growing, it’s not particularly safe for a priest to walk the streets of Korvosa.

"Paxre, I hear that you have a good relationship with Field Marshal Cressida Kroft—perhaps you and your friends would be willing to escort me to Citadel Volshyenek to introduce me to her?”

[meemaas]

Delta starts to speak up, but before he can, Gamma steps forward and elbows Delta, causing him to recoil before he can even speak. "The Epsilon Elite will be more than happy to protect you. I obviously cannot speak for Paxre, but I can speak for my team. This 'Blood Veil' is a dangerous thing, and even we of the Epsilon Elite will be doing everything in our power to prevent it from destroying the city's structure. Alas, we do not possess the means to cure this disease, but protecting the Clerics who do will have to suffice." As Gamma spoke, Delta recovers, standing back up straight he glares at Gamma, who gives him an intimidating glare, causing him to back down without speaking.

[lostsole31]

The group sets out. Because I'm going to have the computer for several hours and I doubt I will give Paul a chance to get on, I am just going to gratis him in this regard (having gained his permission). He started mentioning money for this, but I reminded him that Paxre suffered terribly from this.Paxre looks just as interested to try and get something out of this deal, but in this case he's not even looking at Gamma to be intimidated by him. He considers his own recent problem and quietly consents.

As you escort Ishani through the streets, he mentions what he knows. "My first encounter with it, after Brienna, was at the temple, when three of my fellow priests received healing for the disease’s early symptoms. Several other faithful fell ill soon after, but each was healed with ease. The first sick from outside the temple were a barkeep and his wife from the Three Rings Tavern in North Point. They paid to be cured magically and were sent on their way. Within the next hour, though, three more sick citizens arrived, and more in the hours after that. Soon the crowd you saw upon entering the temple had formed. I fear that the scene on the temple's steps are but a precursor to the dangers ahead."

Reaching Citadel Volshyenek poses little problem, despite Ishani’s fear to the contrary. Although many in the city attempt to conduct life as normal, stilted mumbling and quiet conversations replace the raucous chatter of any normal business day, as if noise might attract the plague’s lethal notice.

Field Marshal Cresida Kroft is an attractive, raven-haired woman dressed in red armor. She greets the group warmly, as she guesses as to the visit. "Vaultkeeper Dhatri, Paxre, and friends. We don't have time for introductions right this minute. You need to hurry to catch the doctor's in the courtyard."

As Ishani and the PCs enter the citadel, the echoes of forcefully spoken but still just-missed words resound off the imposing granite and iron walls of Citadel Volshyenek’s outer curtain. Dozens of red-and-silver-armored guards stand in assembly upon the pitted stone mustering ground here, mumbling in hushed, somber tones. Before them, atop a weathered wooden platform, paces Field Marshal Kroft, her eyebrows arched sternly as she momentarily tolerates the crowd’s murmurs. Behind her upon the scaffold stand three grizzled veteran guardsmen at attention, as well as an ominous-looking group. These men wear cowled robes of oily-looking leather, supple gloves, and wide black hats. Some grip heavy canes, others dark satchels. Each of them, though, wears a dark-goggled mask tapering to a pointed beak. Among them stand two others. The first is a middle-aged gentleman in a simple black overcoat with streaks of white gracing the sides of his short dark hair. He watches the gathered guards with a soft, concerned expression, his hands tightly clasping a heavy-looking doctor’s case. The second figure is an imposing one indeed—a woman dressed in full-plate armor, a longsword and shield at her side, and her blank-faced full helm sporting a bright red plume.
http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120331162012/bswupathfinder/images/5/56/Dr_Devaulus.pngPlague Doctor Masks, picture taken right from a museum dealing with what late medieval/ early Renaissance chirurgeons used to keep from contacting the plague themselves. By the way, for the healers (Gamma/ Omega), remember that you are just straight-up doing physicals and the like when you do your non-magic magic Heal to a diseased person. You don't have any equipment that helps you perform this task and keep you from contracting the disease at the same time.
http://static.squarespace.com/static/52b1dbfbe4b06f683c1c9b6a/t/530f7b2de4b03ba34cae2f65/1393523503832/Denmark+Museum+plague+mask+new+background.JPG
http://static1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120331174751/bswupathfinder/images/7/77/Grey_Maiden.pnghttp://www.pathfinderwiki.com/mediawiki/images/thumb/b/b3/Gray_Maiden.jpg/800px-Gray_Maiden.jpg
The Field Marshal’s fierce tone cuts through the rumble of whispers. “You will escort Doctor Davaulus and his men in their royal duties wherever those might take them. Furthermore, you are to consider orders from any of the queen’s new order of Gray Maidens to be as binding as any superior officer in the Korvosan Guard or Sable Company. You are guardsmen of Korvosa. You will not balk. These are dire times and your city needs these healers. Your city needs you. Your patrol leaders have your assignments. Dismissed!”

As the assembly ends, the guardsmen gathered in the courtyard break up into groups, many reporting for various duties while others loiter for a few moments to quietly gripe about their new orders. The armored woman, one of the queen’s aforementioned Gray Maidens, quickly organizes the guards, silencing bickering words with harsh commands and assigning orders for the day. Kroft and her veteran attendants begin to head into the citadel with Dr. Davaulus and his Queen’s Physicians. The field marshal notices the PCs before she enters the keep and sends one of her aides to fetch the you.

The leader of the Korvosan Guard welcomes the group and is even eager to see them, but she seems guarded in her current, unfavorable company—Davaulus’s doctors unnerve her just as much as they do her men. She introduces herself to the Epsilon Elite (and in turn, as the in-between, it is Paxre who introduces you) and then Paxre and the EE to Dr. Davaulus, the newly appointed Queen’s Physician. A calm man with a polite demeanor and deeply analytical mind, Dr. Davaulus greets your group warmly and welcomes their questions, saying that he hopes to ease the concerns of as many of Korvosa’s people as possible in this trying time. Ishani questions him about his plans to help Korvosa, and Davaulus admits that he must still confer with Field Marshall Kroft to form a sensible plan, but produces a public announcement from his bag—one of numerous such writs soon to be distributed throughout the city—to convey the queen’s initial expectations.
http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q755/lostsole31/Seven%20Days%20to%20the%20Grave%20Handout%201_zpsd xpwu8ac.jpg?t=1428275921
Any questions? or, move on ...

[meemaas]

Gamma steps up to the Dr. and starts to address him. "As the resident healer of the Epsilon Elite, I was hoping you could share what you know about the Blood Veil. I would be willing to offer my services to help with some degree of healing the damage caused by the disease, but I lack the ability to cure it myself, and would like to know what we can about it in case my own team catches it once more."

As he talks, Alpha looks carefully at the poster the Dr had revealed, and tilts his head curiously. "Why would anyone hide it from you? You're here to help after all. They should be begging you to help"

Delta pushes Alpha away softly and smiles. Don't worry about it. All I need to know is what we can do to help your cause."

[lostsole31]

"People don't know what's involved with an epidemic of this size," the doctor answers. "It's the classic fear of the unknown that may have folks reticent. Perhaps they feel they might be cut off from their family in a quarantine; if things get really out of hand, that just might be. Perhaps it is even as simple of a greater belief in Great-Aunt Esther's chicken soup and a lack of faith in modern chirurgy - that the proposed treatment will be less capable and thus impede 'real' recovery. I've seen a lot of different things in lesser cases when I lived in Egorian. Of course we accept Vaultkeeper Dhatri's help, which is why he was summoned in the first place.

"If you like, feel free to join in the meeting. Remember, please, that you are quiet observers, not active participants. After the meeting is over, if you have any issues submit them in writing to Vaultkeeper Dhatri, and then through the proper chain-of-command that will be sent to the Field Marshal and onwards to myself.

You are invited in to the conference room for the meeting. There are the usual bits of pre-conference chat, and you pick up on some of the Dr.'s history and demeanor. Dr. Reiner Davaulus heads Korvosa’s efforts to combat the blood veil plague preying upon the city. A Chelaxian in his mid-40s, the doctor is deliberate in his speech and conducts himself like a concerned father, seeming to take genuine interest in assuaging the concerns and maladies of those around him, unlike some healers with terrible bedside manners. He claims to have served Queen Ileosa’s family in Egorian, the capital of Cheliax, for many years. When she contacted him yesterday, asking for his assistance on her city’s behalf, he couldn’t refuse. After accepting her gracious offer of magical transport to Korvosa, he spent what little time he had yesterday assembling a group of the city’s most talented healers to help stem the tide of the spreading plague, including notable healers from the nearby holdings of Harse, Palin's Cove, and Veldraine. In all cases, he speaks highly of the queen and her attentiveness to the city's needs.

The session is a lengthy affair wherein Kroft and her aides go over the report and statistics of plague in the city, then confer about ways to contain and treat the victims. Talk of quarantining blocks of the city and limiting movement through districts is the only news of any real import that comes of the discussion. As the meeting ends, the Dr. simply nods to Ishani and says, "A pleasure meeting you and your escorts." But with that, he and his doctors are quickly on their way.

Once he leaves, Kroft takes a little more time to address the PCs. "I apologize for being so rushed. When order broke down in the past month, Paxre and his team were effectively deputized by me and he performed quite admirably. I assume his judgment in teammates continues. With that in mind, and considering you've been interested in helping, what is the chance you can be on hot standby for my call? I recommend not running around willy-nilly in the meantime. If I need you, I need you healthy. Gamma, was it? I leave it to your call as a healer when to go out or how, but if I need the group please respond.

"By the way ... congratulations. By asking to help, you have - de facto - implied desire to be deputized as Paxre to operate as an independent agent under my command. This way, while I may ask you to check up on things, I might also be able to 'run interference' if there are any questions .... just so long as no laws or - well, now at least - any decrees are broken. As a Vaultkeeper, Ishani, this does not include you. You are too important to the function of the Grand Vault, and one of the few priests in the city who can cure with a spell, we need you with the church.

"For the rest of you ... compensation, before you ask, is based on each job - not salary - and judged by me afterwards as a function of competence and punctuality. I have neither the time nor the patience to sit and act haggling like a Garundi merchant in the market. Ask Paxre. You should be happy with what you receive."

She takes a minute to look at you. "Any questions?"

[meemaas]

Gamma bows before the lady. "The pleasure is mine. If you wish to contact us, call for Delta, he is my leader, and I report to him if I leave our quarters for any reason."

Delta holds his hand out towards her next. I can promise that my team will remain in their best condition for as long as this remains a threat. We are happy to help you, and appreciate the offer of compensation for our services. We hope to be able to quell this outbreak as soon as possible, and look forward to when you call upon us." With that, after she responds, Delta turns and leads his team out, waiting on the Vaultkeeper to see if he needs an escort back before leaving.

[PSinger]

Paxre has a bunch of new folks to learn different fun things. I think if Delta wants, though, he'll probably spend a lot of time trying to sort things out with Delta. What little wisdom has is invested into the knowledge that he is a little too far off scale to believe that the supposed leader of the group should end up like him. Alpha seems like Paxre for shiny objects, but from interactive it sounds like Delta is heading for a full-blown breakdown.

Otherwise, Paxre alternates among free running through the Midlands (since it doesn't seem to be as bad yet), working with Delta to figure out this problem, and hiding under his bed, nearly catatonic from bad dreams and the like.

NOTE: He's a somnambulist, and it's pretty freaky from a little bug-man with black pools for eyes. Sometimes he'll be entirely oblivious, other times he'll look at someone directly and say something in some bizarre language before going back to under the bed he was assigned. (He doesn't like sleeping in the bed itself.) The language is something that is as if it were made of madness itself, and is entirely unpleasant to listen to.

[lostsole31]

Delta is awoken from sleep by whispering. The whispering seems to come from next to your bed. Turning around as you try and get your wits, Paxre is standing there. In a soft voice, he sings, and the song seems to resound with something inside your head. The pitch of the small bug-man's voice is childlike, though he can't fully get the quality. His face is absolutely blank in expression:

hcaQ roS SIvHatSaq qup ‘uphgeH pup ‘uphgeH
‘a’hgelaD ‘uphgeH qup ra’
‘uDmaq vaj SIvHatSaq vet je’ ‘uDmaq vaj SIvHatSaq ‘In
Hgehlt ‘IDhge’hcal Hahc hgab gnom dnuora

yrevals jav Hahg vegn Hahc
pu’ Hap ‘e’tohg
HIn steerts HoD qup puvIv
Vuq ej nom Dol llaT

tseuqer hcID'ahc DavHahc je'
bem gnuhg 'yot Hahg
Im gniyrf SI vHatSaq 'Iwtuv Hahg jav
Dol llaT HoH Dol remraf

vaD je' Hahg ts't hgel Hahc
Daq vow je' jIq 'ehlt je' 'ehlt DuS taj
a'hgelaD 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH
hcaQ roS SIvHatSaq, qup 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH

He looks away slowly 90-degrees to Alpha, whom is sleeping comfortably in his bed. This turn is as if his head is on a swivel. You are incapable of saying or doing anything; you aren't sure why, but there is a quality about this that is truly surreal. His head then slooowly turns back. Paxre's face slowly closes in on yours, more floating towards your face than actually pushing his body physically. You are staring right into his black eyes.

It is as if you pass through his eyes into another world. The darkness gives way to a blinding light that seems to be the sun. As your eyes begin to adjust you see that you are in looking at the sun through a forest canopy, but there are incongruous shapes within the tree branch. Because of the incongruity, it is as if whatever is in the trees are making a specific design; the design is clear to you, until your eyes adjust further and you can no longer focus on the anti-geometry.

Children. Six of them. All are disemboweled and their intestines reach around their neck, and from there act as nooses as they hang from the branches. Other viscera from their belly and other places either connects to the limbs of the other children or to thick branches to have brought forth the design. There are disgusting crows that come in and peck at them, and all of them have lost their eyes to such creatures. Their ashen faces and lolling, over-long tongues are gut-wrenching and heart-turning, and they sway only slightly more than they should in the breeze. Only slightly more. Just slightly.

As your good nature feels for the terrible fate of these children, you notice one child who in hanging was offset from "looking" at you as they do face multiple directions. As the children sway and slightly twist in the wind, one child is still and not swaying and twisting, until it slowly, oh so slowly, spins to have its body in line with your direction. Just as slowly, its sidelong head - neck broken - manages with creaking noises to look down at you with empty holes where its eyes were. Unlike some of the other eyes of the children you could see that where empty but bloody, this boy's eyes - who was probably around eight years old before this slaughter - aren't fleshy holes, but empty black as if you were looking into a place where light has never existed. Your vision seems to focus on him, lensing on him as if you are drawn off the ground, before your body is turned in the air so it can be perfectly in line with this one's face. The children - three boys and three girls, of ages five through 10 - sing the song again. This time, however, it drums in your mind and ears, and not just from vicinity:

hcaQ roS SIvHatSaq qup ‘uphgeH pup ‘uphgeH
‘a’hgelaD ‘uphgeH qup ra’
‘uDmaq vaj SIvHatSaq vet je’ ‘uDmaq vaj SIvHatSaq ‘In
Hgehlt ‘IDhge’hcal Hahc hgab gnom dnuora

yrevals jav Hahg vegn Hahc
pu’ Hap ‘e’tohg
HIn steerts HoD qup puvIv
Vuq ej nom Dol llaT

tseuqer hcID'ahc DavHahc je'
bem gnuhg 'yot Hahg
Im gniyrf SI vHatSaq 'Iwtuv Hahg jav
Dol llaT HoH Dol remraf

vaD je' Hahg ts't hgel Hahc
Daq vow je' jIq 'ehlt je' 'ehlt DuS taj
a'hgelaD 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH
hcaQ roS SIvHatSaq, qup 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH

There is a cold chill - a chill as much from cold sweat of your own natural fear having looked into this pre-adolescent face that sings a jumbly, jangly, shocking tune. Then, you realize it is a supernatural cold the like one has when walking in darkness and feeling afraid of that unknown, magnified on an unknown order. You hear a voice behind you, a sepuchral whisper. This whisper, however, is made up of two phrases: one is vaguely similar to the disgusting language the children use, and yet somehow different in form, and the other is in Taldane. Each breath of whisper grows in the cold you feel and the volume it uses: jIHvaD tlhab ... Freeee meeee.

The child in the tree, without any slowness or anything unnatural in its voice (though the soulless black eyes are still there), gasps briefly in terror and whispers, "Behind you!"

As much as you don't want to the immediacy of the young boy's phrasing and your own morbid and damnable curiosity get the better of you and you spin around quickly even though you are still at an odd angle to the ground. You spin too quickly to be able to make out anything other than you are now looking into eyes of real malice. Unlike the boy, whose eyeless black orbs were more than unsettling to the mortal mind, these eyes are much larger. Everything suddenly grows dark around you as you realize without seeing, knowing without feeling, that you are back in your room and these eyes must be Paxre's. There is a throaty gurgle as the eyes and the face attached to it pull back are definitely not Paxre's, but that of a very tall human with a meat cleaver. He gives some type of hissing growl as he reaches up and as he brings his cleaver down you shut your eyes and scream at your uttermost, rolling and thrashing and knowing only despair - hope having left you.
Congratulations, by the way. In addition to a horror show in your mind, I rolled a natural '1' on your Will save. This is a slight derail as you have a frickin breakdown. :eek:
Everyone, it is late evening and some of you have gone to bed. Alpha and Paxre are playing cards with his Harrow Deck (the former wins more often that not). Gamma and Omega, knowing that it will be a long day, have gone to bed, and Beta is meditating in his room.

Everyone hears a bloodcurdling scream coming from Alpha and Delta's room. After the first scream, there is a tirade of following screams. The group bursts in with lantern to note that Delta is screaming with his eyes wide open and panicked in abject terror. He has urinated himself in his bed.Please, that is not to be a mean or gratuitous DM. This is an understanding of the pure effect the psychic break has had on his bodily functions.He is not lying down, but pounding and scratching on his headboard and his fingernails are bleeding.

Gamma, who has seen far more mental trauma than Omega, recognizes that your friend has dealt with something truly terrifying. It is a breakdown condition and cannot be handled until your friend has been sedated and had sleep. And messing with him is likely to bring about a truly violent attack. Meanwhile, his howls will bring the Korvosan Guard knocking to your door.

Beta, Gamma, & Omega happen to note something in this scene. The bloody fingernails aren't just from clawing randomly at the headboard, but it is as if he has scrawled out some type of sigil, as if from autographia than any real conscious sense of what he's doing.

Omega, with Delta's wordless screams sometime come other noises that shake you to the core, as if these words weren not meant to be heard: jIHvaD tlhab. Paxre (and Muhrbala) know exactly what it says, and everyone hears in their mind, a tentative voice say: "It is Aklo, a language predating all other languages. Supposedly. What he is saying is 'Free me."

(Delta, you have taken 12 hp from psychic shock and physical damage to your hands. This is all you can do ... unless you are attacked.)

What does the group do?

[PSinger]

Paxre's only really used to Muhrbala "speaking" to him, and there is no obvious register that others received the message. He speaks up because of the screaming and babbling. "He is saying 'Free me!' in Aklo. It's the language of ancient evils beyond what man was supposed to know. It is spoken by some languages, usually ones that are already alien to us. There is a terror beyond all the stars, in a place where no light ever touches. In that place lies true chaos and true evil. Not entropy like you might think of it, because what exists is nothing like you can truly think of in the first place. Delta thinks it's because of me, because I hear voices, but nothing that drives me out like this. Anyway, yeah ... he's channeling some terrible intelligence, or even an intelligence from this world which itself was touched. Sometimes it is impossible to figure out."

He looks at the screaming, drooling half-elf and shrugs. "Soooo, do we 'give him a sedative' if you get my meaning?"

[lostsole31]

[No need to protract the above ...]

Delta immediately falls unconscious, as if his fit were over. The immediacy of its stoppage is likewise of some concern. Still, he is out and Gamma notes his fingernails torn off or peeling and his bloody fingers. In addition, there is the question of the fact that he will need to be given a sponge bath and new linens. Perhaps the fact that this latter happened, assuming Delta is unconscious rather than just sleeping, if you can get him back into a position of cleanliness before he awakes may well allow your friend to keep his dignity through his own ignorance. Omega & Gamma would obviously be the one to do/direct the sponge-down while Alpha and Paxre are probably the ones who take care of the linen ... by giving it to the maid to send to the washerwoman tomorrow. For now, there are spare linens.

Gamma has plenty of healing to make sure that Delta is as fully healed as visible.

Fireday, 3 Gozren

Delta wakes up with full knowledge of the terror from the night before. Scary, and he can remember details that he otherwise wouldn't with a normal dream, but that is enough on his mind that he doesn't have any lingering pain in his hands, nor does he recognize the clean bedding in which he sleeps. Nor, for that matter, does he actually notice the bloody sigil on his headboard above him. While the dream was terrifying, by having the dream it would seem a great weight is lifted off of his mind. As the group goes to sup and reconnects the collective, Delta feels no terrifying cold coming from Paxre before or during. Unfortunately, there is something amiss.

Gamma has been afflicted with blood veil at a loss of 2 CON/ 2 CHA. Functionally, the dwarf is still incredibly resilient, but the physical manifestation - while not as dramatic as Paxre the other day - is noticeable.

The group will do its various forms of morning routines. I will go so far to assume that Gamma swaps out bull's strength for lesser restoration, and the obvious choice for him is CON. To that regard, he fully heals himself of CON effects. Likewise, delay disease to further hold off the effects of the blood veil on him while treatment is given. I will also assume Paxre will sacrifice some of himself (6 hit points damage) to have Gamma drink his black bile, which in turns heals him of all CHA damage.

Gamma has blood veil, but neither shows it nor is further affected by it for the next day. This does NOT, however, mean that he doesn't "have" the disease, and this means he is still a carrier - meaning caution for the group and other persons. He might bring unforseen and unintended death to innocents he will never meet if he goes about town.

Since Gamma didn't fully heal Paxre before of his sacrifice for the little girl (fervored for a mere 1 hp), no assumption is made here.

..........................
So, the questions are ... if the party's main hero no long has the ability to use spontaneous CMWs (cure moderate wounds spells), does that mean the party feels "shut down" or do they sack to push ahead? for that matter, do they even want Gamma roaming the streets where he can get others sick?

Regardless, in the mid-morning a letter from Vaultkeeper Dhatri comes to you. A woman in the Heights named Vendra claims to have discovered a cure for blood veil. The PCs are asked by Ishani to visit her perfumery to determine if her claim is legitimate, offering them 1,000 gp in payment for a full report.
Paxre, and surprisingly Delta (sometimes a poor bind with Jarah means she wants you to actively look for new perfumes), both know that Lavender, one of the better-known and noted perfume boutiques in Korvosa, stands amid a row of tightly packed shops just off of Summoning Street in the Heights. Owned by Chelaxian woman named Vendra Loaggri, the perfumery has always had a reputation for avant-garde creations and brazen promotions—infamous memories of the “Free Imp with Every Purchase” stunt still linger among residents of the Heights. Even Muhrbala is willing to weigh in on that kerfuffle, because some of his kin died hunting those little bastards down.
Lavender’s Luxuriant Liniment is the everyday elixir of the common Korvosan. It wakes you up in the morning and calms you down at night. It soothes aching joints, tired feet, sore hands, and throbbing heads. It takes the pain out of cuts, burns, bruises, and blemishes. It smells like chastity, confidence, and respectability, and tastes like honeyed dewdrops over snow clouds (well, it's advertised to do so). Most miraculously, though, Lavender’s Luxuriant Liniment dispels blisters, minimizes swelling, and calms the complexion. A
Gamma knows this is complete bunk. He's even sampled some. While he has no training as an herbalist, apothecary, or alchemist to back up his medical profession. Omega has never sampled it, but both healers know that what she purportedly sells would be like potions of healing at obscenely low costs, far below what is possible just to make it. No, you don't go to a perfumery for anything other than perfume.
What does the group do?

[PSinger]

"That's great! Hurray!" shouts Paxre with glee. "We get paid a lot of money and we get something that helps us fight the plague in the meantime. I suppose it'll also help us smell good, right?"

[meemaas]

Gamma stays behind while recovering from his bout with the blood veil, while Omega goes out with Beta and Paxre (I assume) to check out the perfumery. While they check it out, looking for proof that it is a scam, Delta makes his way to the library to study up on what he can remember of the chanting, having been informed of the language, hoping to figure out a translation of what he was hearing.

Without the help of their usual face, Omega and Paxre are responsible for the interrogation, with Omega leading Paxre through what he needs to say to try and trip her up. (I assume Paxre is willing to go along with it, but with his low WIS, combined with what he's said already, Omega knows that he needs the proper direction to help catch the scam artist.)

I think that covers all the bases that I need to have covered for the time being. Leave it to your imagination what Alpha does with his time. Personally, I wouldn't put it past him to figure out how to make fireworks.

[lostsole31]

Considering Alpha is looking to get go outside of a nomad's comfort zone and learn energy missile makes perfect sense that he'd be (perhaps accidentally) brushing up on his upcoming Expanded Feat/power and Spellcraft.

So, yeah. Fireworks. Well, on a really smallll scale. :smallwink:
A queue of eager Korvosans stands in a line that stretches nearly four blocks from the perfumery’s distinctive amethyst-shaded windows. Many of these people look healthy, but several bear the obvious hacking, blistered symptoms of blood veil. The line threads through the street and into the store, where customers pay 2 gp for a dose of Lavender’s Luxuriant Liniment. Vendra greets each new customer from behind the shop counter, leaving the actual sales to two pretty young shop girls. Two large, well-dressed men with purple cravats discreetly hold saps and keep their eyes on the shop’s patrons, ready to put down any trouble at a nod from Vendra.

After patience finally pays off (no doubt with a lot of whining about the line from Paxre), you get to the Perfumery. A menagerie of heady scents twists throughout the cramped but stylish perfumery. A dizzying assortment of bottles—from gaudy ceramic containers to graceful crystalline vials—lines a variety of lace- and ribbon-strewn tables, shelves, racks, and an eye-catching display in the wide front window. Across from the front door’s orchid-tinted glass panes runs a long counter, stacked high with hundreds of simple clay phials bearing round, magenta stoppers. Behind the counter, violet flourishes swoop across a sign reading, “Lavender’s Luxuriant Liniment: Either You’ve Got It, or You’ve Had It.”

"Me, I'm pluggin' the dock for these 30 years and the haulin' gives me a bum leg," says a bedraggled, middle-aged longshoreman. "Yessirday I tried Lavender's Luxuriant Liniment. Now sure as I'm born not only did th' juice give the plague the lie and send it on its way, me bum leg is better, too!"

As the PCs wait in line, and perhaps to catch Vendra's attention, Beta and Omega notice that the longshoreman goes back to being the only one perusing the perfumes.

Meanwhile, there are two attractive ladies at the counter, and warmly greeting each customer is Vendra Loaggri herself.
https://db4sgowjqfwig.cloudfront.net/images/986519/Vendra_Loaggri.jpg

[PSinger]

Beta might not take notice what section of the store he's in, but he knows the drill. Smirking and taking out two gold sails as he moves slowly forward in line, Paxre whispers to the Big Folk. "I know this game. The dockworker's a 'shill' - a plant for a snake-oil con's game. He hangs around, gives witness to the wonders of - whatever. Some time later, after the current visible group moves away and a new one moves forward or arrives, he does this again. All the time he just meanders about the area. So, we'll buy one of these bottles for study, but I think we'll get a lot more keeping an eye on this guy. Vendra will probably be too practiced and clever for me, but this geezer is going to be the weak link. If he's a shill, and I bet he is, he's some random guy who got paid; he's not actually invested in this outfit. Shaking him down'll be easy."

[lostsole31]

Delta makes his way to the library to study up on what he can remember of the chanting, having been informed of the language, hoping to figure out a translation of what he was hearing.

Leave it to your imagination what Alpha does with his time. Personally, I wouldn't put it past him to figure out how to make fireworks.
Shyamanal tutors Alpha today on some of the flashier, energy-based aspects of psionics, and gives him homework. Suffice to say, Alpha spends some time in the library as Delta. No doubt, the latter is annoyed by the former when the latter of this discussed sentence (ergo, the former in the last sentence) keeps getting bored at points and tries to engage Delta in conversation. Of course, plenty of shiny objects in the books for Alpha. Besides, all of the fun ways to blow stuff up with one's mind is never boring reading.

Delta, you don't find anything that acts as a translation guide for Aklo. Now, Aklo is mentioned in many texts, and is a common language of extremely old societies and races in the Vaults below the surface. (The Vaults is a Golarion term for the Underdark.) Derro, evil fey, inhuman or otherworldly monsters. There are a few rare mentions of Aklo as being the language of strange eldritch entities, and ancient evils whose names cannot be written. ("Why can't they be written?") There are some strange transliterations of this or that here and there; and make no mistake, even in the Taldane, which itself is translated from Ancient Taldane, in turn transliterated from Thassilonian ... the sense of this "poor man's Aklo" is unsettling and only hints at what you heard.

Finally, Delta finds a book that was written by one Aronnahar Zyianthus. She was a trained bard, a singer who studied at the incredibly prestigious Grand Lodge of Absalom. She and her sister, and others from their doomed voyage, survived a shipwreck on an island full of snake motifs and ancient ills. After defeating the "serpentine imposter" at an ancient temple under a mountain, her friends were rescued. When they got back to the closest city port in a place called Eleder of a country called The Shackles, several of her friends (including her sister) used clues they got from their travails with the "serpentfolk priestess" they vanquished to search for an ancient temple called Saventh-Yhi in the Mwangi Expanse (central Garund continent). From various sources and her own abilities as an agent for some organization (she refers to simply as 'PFS') she pieced together as good a bit of the language as she could. The book is full of hand drawings, and parchment rubbings of ancient symbols using an alphabetic form that is not in a script form you can understand, but is full of sigils and whorls and other things you just can't follow. You have to "re-read" several sections because it is so easy to lose your way in the anti-geometric nature of the writing that you can actually get "lost" in the script and lose your way for direction.

Amazing discoveries must had been made, though it is obvious that very key bits of this expedition were lost and this volume had seen tampering. The "ownership" of the manual is then picked up by a lucky PFS chronicler going by the name of Sarosel; the conditions of this change are unknown. Sarosel has notes written in the add-on parchments referring to the notes from this Aronnahar and he believed he was "on the verge of a great discovery." Shortly after this point, the very scientific manner of writing begins to break down over days as the chronicler returns through the jungle to western Garund. In the latter pages of what is now the script of a madman whose "discoveries" (still only hinted at on parchment) have gained followers, he describes a manner of contacting The Unspeakable One, the Yellow Sign, The Fallen Shepherd so that he and his followers would know great power. More of this strange and terrible language is scripted, but on the final page is, boldly and plainly in Taldane script:

Ee'ya! Ee'ya! Tar-Ph'lugin ee-ya!

Hastur! Hastur! Hastur!


Alpha, after his study, has noted that Delta has been practically entranced by some old book.

[meemaas]

Beta takes Paxre's comments to mind, and approaches the dockworker, in the friendliest manner he possibly can. Not a particularly easy feat, but he attempts it. He smiles at the dockworker and starts talking. "So, what all do you know about this stuff? I'm not very knowledgable about this perfume stuff."

Delta finishes his studies and cradles his head in a headache, lost in thought of what he has learned. Rather than do anything more, Delta moves to his room and lays down, staring at the ceiling as he thinks, while Alpha focuses on lightning small fires in the backyard, using the fires to destroy random pieces of garbage.

[lostsole31]

The dockworker looks at you with suspicion and blows you off. "Then ask Vendra. She's the expert."

Paxre brazenly casts a spell in line, but nothing happens other than he seems to be .... more. Not in size, but something nice about him. He comes jauntily joins you both. He looks at Omega. "Omega, right? of the Epsilon Elite? If I'm not mistaken you and your group were recently deputized by Field Marshal Kroft .... of the Korvosan Guard. Well, see this medal? This is a Pseudragon's Mark for service to the city .... specifically while working as a form of agent for the Guard. I guess in a way, since I wasn't uniformed, you could consider me an undercover agent?"

The little guy laughs good-naturedly. "Well, Mr. Omega, I hope you and your friends do just as well. Work hard, and Kroft rewards those that do right by her. Just remember that some people in this town might feel scared about repercussions, but if they play ball and point to someone that set them up to something stupid it might go well for them. Try not to be too harsh on them, and keep your word that you'll protect them if they give up worse criminals ... such as poor shills confessing, in public mind you, that you were paid and put up to a lie. Otherwise, the Guard might take a long, hard look into one's life to find out what's there."

Paxre turns to the dockworker and smiles broadly. "What do you think, Mr ....?"

"Carmino," he gulps. "Solt Carmino, sir. It was a month's gold mind you."

"What was?"

"I was paid---"

"Loud enough so everyone can hear. We wouldn't want them to lose their hard earned money."

He hesitates, then begins to tear up. "Vendra Loaggri paid me to say these things, but they ain't true. Though, my bum leg does feel better. I ain't been sick, so I can't tell what it does."

More than half of the patrons begin to mutter and leave, and Vendra shouts. "Who are you, starting up trouble! Probably sent by any would-be competitors to discredit my product. Boys, please escort these gentlemen out of the store."

Beta was still in line, so no one comes to him. But the two guards come up to Omega and Paxre. "Out you two go."

They both have their saps in hand just in case there is trouble.

Paxre shrugs. "I'm all for a row, Omega. I mean, this is a crime scene they're trying to throw us out of."

[meemaas]

Omega smiles at the large bouncer, pointing behind him as he addresses Paxre. "You're welcome to stay back and let me handle this." He then turns his gaze on one of the bouncers. "I'll have to ask you to put those away. I wouldn't want to hurt you. But if you wish to try to force me, I will have no choice but to do so. Now, if you are willing to leave me and these two fine young gentlemen to our conversation, we will be able to avoid any form of a conflict. If not, well, I am authorized to use lethal force."

I'm going to assume this is an intimidate check, which Omega sucks at, but when he fails, here is my initiative roll.

[roll0] Because I want to actually see my initiative if combat breaks out.

[lostsole31]

The first guard is taken aback, out of indignance and not shock. The sound of leather saps being squeezed harder by grip easily tells you which way this is going to go.

R1T16: "Garhg!" shouts the guard facing Paxre. Just as immediately, there is Muhrbala flying behind him, just having tipped him in the lower back with his tail.

R1T15: The same guard spins around to smack Murray but misses and shatters some bottles on the shelf.

R1T14: Solt, as well as all the other patrons remaining, scream in confusion and bolt for the exit.

R1T13: Beta, you are standing in line, 5' from Paxre, 10' from the guard that just got hit. With the mess already forming and what people are passing by, this is difficult terrain. What do you do?

[meemaas]

Beta slides over to the door and braces himself in front of it, waiting for anyone foolish enough to try to escape while he leaves the matter of actual fighting to Omega.

Beta will ready an action to attack any hostile that tries to go out the door.

Attack roll, if it comes up. [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[lostsole31]

R1T13: Beta slides over to the door and braces himself in front of it, waiting for anyone foolish enough to try to escape while he leaves the matter of actual fighting to Omega.

R1T11: "These guys are punks, Awm" Paxre taunts the guards. "I think we can thrash them without any deadly weapons."

He starts to tussle unarmed with the man.

R1T10: The guard facing off against Omega holds off but has a guarded stance.

R1T8: Vendra is behind Omega screaming and shrieking about her ruined store. The guard in front of Omega swings terribly and wide and the sap smashes open bottles and boxes. He turns his face away just in time to keep from blinding himself from aromatic oils and barely keeps his footing as the floor has become thick with debris (very difficult terrain; slippery). At the same time as the guard rights himself Omega feels a sharp pain as from behind him a dagger has stuck between his legs to stab right into his femoral artery for 27. Omega shouts in pain and focuses on his leg for a bit too long and it opens up to a strike from the man in front of him saps him in Omega's chest for 10 NL. Paxre's opponent slams him in the intercostals for 17 NL, which is enough to knock Omega onto a table face down. His weight drags the table doily down with him as well as whatever ribbons and product and vials on top of him (no damage, just a cinematic KO).

R1T2: It's Omega's .... oh, wait, never mind. Do Vudrani dream of mystic sheep?

End Round 1, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T16: Muhrbala moves into the guard's space, forgoing safety to be able to attack, but Murray dances around the attack, even stabbing the man in his weapon shoulder (R) for 7. It's an outstanding wound for someone or something so small, but then you see that Murry and Pax fight in excellent flanking position, and there's no doubt now that even pseudodragons can be trained for some things. The little guy then slashes with both of his talons for a total of 13.

R2T15: The man is already too badly wounded. The guard drops his sap and wearily "I surrender." It's too cluttered to try and step out of the way and he's flanked. He just slumps to the ground.

R2T13: Yup, Beta, the men were using saps (one just surrended), but Vendra herself did amazing damage (on a crit) with her dagger and opened up Omega to get battered into unconsciousness. It will take you a move action to face the remaining guard remaining in fight, or a double move action to stumble over to Vendra. Or, you can hold position, but you don't get to keep the rolls. What do you do?

[meemaas]

Beta glares at Vendra, and like a flash, appears behind her, shoving his claw into her side with a growl. "You should have just left your stupid lackeys to their work"

Beta initiates Fading Strike teleporting to the far side of Vendra and then attacking.

Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

Fully Lethal

[lostsole31]

R2T13: Beta glares at Vendra, and like a flash, appears behind her, shoving his claw into her side (11) with a growl. "You should have just left your stupid lackeys to their work."

R2T11: "Neat effect!" cries Paxre cheerfully before a change takes over him. He manages to keep his combat awareness through instinct, but strange noises issue from his mouth and his left hand makes gestures and it is as if a dark shroud exudes from his skin to create a strange dark aura over his right fist.

R2T10: The other guard swings at the little flying thing and it seems like he should have hit Murray, or at least contacted the scales; but as soon as the sap comes into that spot there is a strange visual effect and Murray is still in the same square but 2' away.

R2T8: Vendra screams from the pain and then spins on Beta to stab him in the thicker part of his left lower arm for 6. She practically dances on boxes to get away from him. With amazing physical skill she manages to get out of reach of both Beta and Paxre without either of them getting in a strike. she gets to a door on the side of the room, opposite the counters.

R2T3: Another guard, similarly armed, opens that door. "They're wrecking the store! We knocked one out, but Tebald surrendered. Protect me!"

The guard stands ... guard in front of Vendra.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T16: Murray flaps back 5' and then winks out of sight entirely.

R3T13: Beta, it is 10' to the other guard (15' to Vendra, behind the guard). Because of her acrobatic maneuvers, she still kicked enough debris out of the way to change from very difficult to difficult terrain. You can tell by her fighting style that she is a swashbuckler, a lightly armored warrior that deals with light thrusting weapons. What do you do?

[meemaas]

Beta lurches forward to the closest target, and as though a blur, launches his claw out twice into the mans gut.



Beta initiatives Rapid Strike

Attack Roll 1 [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

Attack Roll 2 [roll2]
Damage [roll3]

[lostsole31]

R3T13: Beta lurches forward to the closest target, and as though a blur, launches both claws into the mans gut for 25 total.

R3T11: Paxre uses fist and mid-claws to attack the man, but to no effect with the man's chainmail. Paxre, as fast as he is, does not use his speed to good effect in combat.

R3T10: The guard counters to have his sap skim off Paxre's armor as well.

R3T8: Vendra takes out a wand and points to Beta, waving it and saying, "Just take your friends, forcibly if you have to, and leave my store. Please."

Vendra takes a half-second to see if there is any change. Beta doesn't feel anything.

R3T3: The guard in front of Beta swings with his pain so desperately that when he recovers he is visibly fatigued and panting.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T16: A stinger appears in the back of the other guard's right shoulder for 5, at the same time as Murray appears. The man hisses from the sting, gets wobbly, and then drops to the ground unconscious. Murray then flaps down onto the lap of the surrendered guard, stinger-tail raised, and hisses. The one who surrendered doesn't even think about running.

R4T13: Beta, what do you do? Just the guard in front of you and Vendra behind him (and the door open behind her).

[meemaas]

Beta sees an opening and compressing his claws for a moment, lurches forward and smashes the guard in the face, hoping to knock him out. After he strikes, he growls at Vendra. "Surrender and I'll spare you."

Attack roll (nonlethal) [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

Yes, I know that Beta fights to kill, but I get the feeling that another good hit would kill him or cause him to bleed out.

[lostsole31]

R4T13: Beta sees an opening and compressing his claws for a moment, lurches forward and smashes the guard in the face, hoping to knock him out. It doesn't knock him out, but the guard definitely seems to have the fight quickly leaving him.

After he strikes, he growls at Vendra. "Surrender and I'll spare you."Despite however much "sense" it makes, Intimidate is a standard action (SA) or 1 minute. However, again, RP is taken into account.
R4T11: Paxre goes into a kind of trance again, and partially aware. From the center of his chest all color is absorbed inwards and it is black but for the look of stars. One of the stars pulses stronger than the others and it seems that the pulsing from the star matches a growing, pulsing red of Vendra's dagger. Not quite sure what is happening, she moans in pain as she takes 13 heat damage from the handle of the dagger.

R4T8: She points the wand at Paxre this time. "Defend me from this man!"

"Some kind of charm, Beta!" Paxre calls. "You're an oread, an outsider, so I doubt it will have any effect on you."

R4T3: The fatigued, bloodied man tries to step out of line to not get into this anymore. Considering Beta's previous desire, he throws a fist out at him but desperation wins as the man stumbles clear. He starts moving towards the front of the store.

End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R4T16: Murray maintains his guard on "his prisoner."

R4T13: Beta, you are 10' from Vendra. What do you do?

Paxre on deck, Vendra in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Beta flips into the air with extreme acrobatic precision, bringing his foot down upon Vendra's skull with great strength before landing expertly in front of her, ready to strike her if she tries a second time.

Initiating Cartwheel Axe Kick, Acrobatics check [roll0] vs. DC 15 when successful, i'll close the distance between him and her.
Attack [roll1] (Unarmed strike, nonlethal)
Damage [roll2]

Also, wasn't going for an intimidate check, I was aiming for RP

[lostsole31]

R4T13: Beta flips into the air with extreme acrobatic precision in front of Vendra, but she moves only the slightest bit so that the warrior misses. At first it seems like a near miss, until Beta realizes that she is fine enough of a warrior herself that she likes to play it dangerously.

R4T11: Paxre takes out a light crossbow and shoots her in the chest for 3.

R4T8: She does some outstanding bladework that Beta can't quite visually track and before he knows it he has a blade in his gut for 18. She then backs up 5' out the door. This is an outside alleyway that 'T's so that Vendra goes to her left and right (she can't back up anymore, but she can turn). It is only 5-feet wide. "Spare me from what? The murder, armed robbery, and a host of other charges whether or not you win this fight?"

End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T16: Murray steps "out-of-combat" to watch over the three vanquished guards.

R5T13: Beta, you have brute power, but Vendra has tricky bladework in spades. What do you do?

[meemaas]

Beta closes in on Vendra once more, talking calmly as he does. "You do realize, of course, that taking advantage of the Blood Veil crisis to earn a bit of extra gold for worthless remedies is what earned this visit in the first place, don't you?" Before she has the chance to respond, he holds up his hand, showing his claws receding back into nothingness. "Surrender, and we'll forget this fiasco ever happened. And I'll have my leader talk the guard into turning a blind eye to this. Or would you rather be put to death for impeding the royal physicians from actually curing this disease?"

Beta is using his entire turn to talk. While also closing the distance again to be a slight bit more dangerous to her.

[lostsole31]

"My store smashed, days of product ruined. No, I doubt how blind an eye your 'leader' has, the Guard has none. You let me go, and I'll head out of Korvosa immediately to not be seen anymore."

She seems poised to strike, especially since your "diplomacy" was backed up getting into her face again.

[meemaas]

Beta turned away from Vendra, heading for Omega. "See that you're gone by evening then." He reaches to scoop Omega up, slinging him over his shoulder as he walks towards the stores exit. "If you aren't, then we'll bring the guard down on you. Do you understand me?" He turns to catch her gaze, to show her just how serious he is.

[lostsole31]

She is out the side door and gone.

Given the Ward is the Heights, the Guard gets there in a quick amount of time. Obviously, Paxre is going to have to face this one. Not only is he just shy of Delta but he is very familiar with the laws of the city (something that in a city a 'face' should otherwise have). The Guard recognizes Paxre's mark (and a form of unofficial rank as a trusted of their Commanding Officer). The three store guards will be taken into custody, though Solt Carmino managed to slip away early in the fracas. Paxre unequivocally lies though the Guard sergeant doesn't realize this; Paxre mentions questioning the con's shill, but never quite got the name of the 'young lady.'

"He likes to give leeway to some who are unfortunate; they might become useful contacts later if they feel a debt is owed for not being ratted out," comes Murray's telepathic chirp in Beta's mind. "He's of a mind that the problem with these stuck up Korvosans is that they never get anywhere because many won't let themselves get their 'ethics dirty' by dealing with the lower realms of society. Just thought you should know before you 'jog his memory' in front of the Guard and muck this up."

All done here?

[meemaas]

The party returns homes, although not before Beta speaks quietly to Murray on the trip back. "Delta is the same way. I have learned simply to not contradict his words." Upon returning home, the party seeks Gamma and allows him to patch up their wounds before heading out once more to report upon the shop. After a short visit with Ishani, they ask him if they can obtain his services to heal Gamma, ensuring he is in top condition to support their cause.

Pretty much done here. Obviously I would like to report back to the Vaultkeeper and purchase his services to heal Gamma's Blood Veil.

[lostsole31]

"Ooohhh, I hate asking them for things." Paxre puts his hands on Omega (before leaving the shop) and seems to cast a spell as if calling on some force within him, and far beyond him, and with a language somewhat disgusting to hear. His set of clothing becomes black as sackcloth and soon you cannot entirely see the outline of Paxre's body, as if it is a gateway to a dark and cold place. Omega's wounds begin to knit. Now, Beta has seen Gamma use healing, of course; and most other magical healing is about a mystical positive energy combined with re-creating the flesh, bone, sinew, and blood that was lost. There is nothing bright here. It is as if something deep and negative within Omega is drawn from him, and as it is, he heals 12 normal and 12 NL, more than enough to get Omega conscious back on his feet and walking home. Omega, as a brilliant healer, recognizes that Vendra's dagger was poisoned. Other than having been stabbed well and pounded, he is feeling just a bit dizzy but not totally off-kilter. Instead of filling Omega for healing, something was drawn from him ... and closed his wounds.

Field Marshall Kroft thanks the three of you for your service (what pseudodragon?), and she will have the matter investigated into further. She has nothing else right now, but as always please be ready.

Gamma has to blow all of his channel-fervor just to give Beta and Omega 10 PE. With CLW he fully heals Omega with spillage going to Beta. 9 PPs of natural healing is enough to make sure that Beta should be good with a good night's sleep.

Another press to get to the Vault as before (but we don't need to play it out anymore, you know what to expect).

Ishani figures that people like Vendra will start preying on the desperate (if no one else, Paxre will tell the tale of his heroism). His main concern, outside of the obvious plague, is that a healer of Gamma's skill has been stricken. Sadly, yes, he must obey the dictates of the God of Trade and Merchants and it must be coined passed. In this case, he charges 150 gp for casting. He saved one on hand for one of his brethren, but he is willing to use this for you. "See me sooner in the day than this the next time any of you are ill. You might not be so lucky and I might be out exhausted." (i.e., out of spells). The cost is 150 gold sails, which is taken out of your total pay for 850 gold sails total.

850 gold sails/ 5 shares (4 + 1 party) = 170 gp.

He doesn't have any lesser restoration for Omega, but it is far cheaper for Gamma to have a good night's rest, anyway.

The group gets back to Shyamal's home in the Midlands. Giving voice and violence to their fear of the plague, a mob of Midland citizens discovered a foolish, alley-prowling wererat and publicly executed him with a silver axe.
As in many large cities, the tunnels and sewers beneath Korvosa attract all manner of unsavory elements. Combining elements of the thieves, vermin, and monsters that prowl the reeking depths, the wererats of Korvosa eke out a subtle living from the city’s refuse. Most Korvosans contentedly believe the monsters are nothing but stories to keep children out of trouble, and thus, the lycanthropes and their unwitting hosts have long lived in a kind of oblivious accord.

[meemaas]

The party stay up speaking of the events of the day along with the story they heard of the Wererat execution, and then prepare to pass into the next day. However, before going, Delta brings the party together and takes advantage of his bound spirits special abilities to spread healing through his team, healing up both their physical abilities and their health alike.

Calling it a day there, but I'll be sure to use Ubro's vestigial Boon to heal the ability damage that Omega took. In addition i'll also expend all the uses of Channel Energy necessary to fully heal the party of any residual damage, since each member of the party can be targetted with Ubro's channel energy 8 times during a day.

Also, unrelated, but for Binding Ubro, I do get a Totem bonus on my binding check without doing anything special. Just in case you didn't apply that to the roll last time.

[lostsole31]

Everything set the same for the following day?

[lostsole31]

Starday, Gozren 6

The next day, there is a significant amount of hacking and coughing .... coughing from Paxre's room. Again. It seems that Paxre is very ill. This time, he has taken 3 CON and 1 CHA.

It is now apparent, once cured, that does not immunize a former patient from blood veil.

[meemaas]

After a moment of consideration, Delta enters and uses his spirits powers to heal the effects of the disease from Paxre. Once that has been done, Gamma enters next and casts his Delay Disease spell on him, before they allow him back out into the living room. Once there, the party sit together to talk about things. Delta is the first to suggest a course of action. "That story we heard of the Wererat. I believe it is something for us to look into. That there are creatures down there means that they could be spreading this disease. They could even be the originators. But we'll decide that when the time comes." Getting acceptance from his team, he looks simply at Paxre for agreement, and assuming they get that, summons his Eidolon to support their trek.

Assuming Paxre is coming, Delta sends Idell down first, and then goes with the others down, leaving Omega in the back to cover their rear. For obvious reasons, Idell is on the highest alert for anything he can and does see.

Are we assuming I'm using that bad but not horrible pact with Ubro?

[lostsole31]

This morning is a good pact with Ubro. The spirit's desire to work with one who values life as a virtue rather than a commodity makes Ubro more amenable. Delta tends to notice movement a little more easily, even if his senses aren't necessarily sharpened. Other than using his powers to determine that Paxre is, as guessed, diseased. This would be a great ability to attempt before full incubation, but once symptons have shown there is little more to determine unless there are secondary effects. Delta gives two specialized bursts to heal Paxre of his symptoms.

Korvosa is a sizeable city with a sizeable sewer system. It's likely you won't be able to finish in a day. Where would you start?

[meemaas]

Delta starts by inquiring among the townspeople about where the executed wererat was found, and hopefully better yet where it came from to start with. He enlists Paxre to help him ask around, with the rest of the party (including Idell, who obviously draws attention despite trying not to) keeping their eyes peeled for any others that may be scurrying about. Well, all of them except Alpha, who needs to be brought back on track multiple times to avoid him playing target practice with random objects people leave around as garbage.

Basically, Diplomacy checks for a good area to start, in addition to asking Paxre to do the same. Delta does want to keep the party together though, in case Vendra hasn't left town and is waiting to attack Beta and company while they aren't expecting it.

[lostsole31]

Though the Midlands (the same ward wherein you live) is a decent place, it was a little closer to the shore of the Jeggare River that cuts through the city (on the east side) where there are some mixed stalls and so forth. You will find several who witnessed the wererat stumble in trying to run off with a butcher's display of meat into an alley. The wererat didn't realize the alleyway was closed as there was some construction occurring and he was cut off. A mob was formed, and the butcher had a silver axe from his adventuring days. Lots of mixed words, mostly what can be guessed. This is not a good time to be a wererat with an epidemic.

"Vermin, on two legs or four."

"Spreading filth and disease, t'begin with, now this!"

"I say we appeal to the Guard to find every last one and burn them out of their holes."

They get no better information on where the wererat came from, though the common consensus is the sewers. (Excepting, of course, a rather vociferous dwarf who said something about the skin-tails having been the goo that burst through from Lamashtu's belly, and then began to eat that goop up.)

[meemaas]

After the information gathering proves to be effectively a failure, Delta decides to pick a sewer entrance closest to the butchers stand that the specific wererat was running from. He of course sends Idell down first, and then lets the rest of the party down afterwards. He sets Omega on the rear while Idell leads the way, wandering down the sewers for a sign of anything that might be a wererats community.

[lostsole31]

What might be the closest sewer is already noted. A mob is forming around a group of drunken men with weapons and torches who are vowing to go down and purge the infestation. The group gets there as many have already likely gone down into the sewer. Just above alone are some 20 people ready to follow an unknown number down there.

[meemaas]

Beta takes a moment to focus, growing in size as he pushes people out of the way to make room for his team. Once he's gotten his team through, he holds his place until he shrinks once more and heads down last after everyone else. Once down there, Idell takes the lead, leading them down the path behind the others who have already come.

Beta spends a Power Point to manifest Expansion. Strength check if needed [roll0]

[PSinger]

Pax pops down as well, and is sure to hang close to Gamma. To keep the healer safe, of course. Not the other way around. Heavens, no. :smallredface:

[lostsole31]

This is like the classic "lynching mob of angry peasants" you see in monster movies (or, in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST). Included as such is all the noise and clamor one could expect. Gabby Johnson would be proud.

[lostsole31]

Pure, rowdy chaos as many people before and after the party are in this rabble. There are cries of outrage to kill monsters, and yet there are more speeches of bravado and stupidity of how successful they'll be than any true outrage (sans a minority).

There is nothing you can do. Beta might actually notice the faintest scent of one of the caverns having been used by wererats quite recently ... a fire was put out .... but, the inhabitants left well ahead of time. Without having a clue on the sewers, going it blindly, and not really being able to get away from the din right now, today is a bust. In fact, Beta is likely to figure that if the weres are anything like they're animal side, they are not likely to return to a former part of their lair "just 'cause" like a sentient might do.

[PSinger]

"Well. This is a bust. It's not like we know how to get around down here, anyway."

[meemaas]

As Paxre goes to leave, Beta stops him. "We've only just started. I can smell their scent. That means..." He stops, letting his sentence trail off.

Delta perks up, having already given up. "We can track them. Genius!!" As the others look at him shocked, Delta walks up to his snake like eidolon and places his hands on it, casting a quick spell before stepping back. Idell, among the scents you smell, I need you to pick out the scent of rat, and start tracking them. Ignore all else, and just focus on it."

Delta will cast Lesser Evolution Surge on Idell to give him the Scent evolution. Using his scent, Idell will attempt to track the Wererats by smell, and if he can find a good trail, Delta will renew the spell when it expires to try and find them. Hopefully 8 minutes is enough to set us on the right path.

[lostsole31]

Idell starts to move forward and after a short bit you get to one of the actual sewage flows, and ...

Idell yaks and is overpowered by the smell of sewage (not that you find it pleasant, either). Not only can Idell not parse out the smell, but he it is almost debilitated.

[meemaas]

I CALL RAILROADING!!! XD

The group ends up giving up and heading back to the house, although Beta takes a detour to check and make sure Vendra had split town and left her shop behind. When they get home, each member of the EE gets to work on their own studying, most notably Delta delving into books to try and discover more about the Occult.

With lack of other plot hooks to chase down, I guess I've got little more to do but prepare for the future.

[lostsole31]

There is no sign of Vendra.

Delta, as you are getting ready for bed, that is when you actually see it .... a sigil scrawled into your headboard, which you easily can tell is blood that almost colors it. The marking is easily two-fists wide. Today you were at peace, but as soon as you see this you are reminded of your dream and fully aware of the sounds, smells, and horror as this mark is the same as that of the bodies/innards/branches of the children hanging in the tree.

[PSinger]

Paxre wants to play cards with anyone who will play with him (Alpha?). Later in the evening, he will take Murray's share of gold and bunch it in a pile in Paxre's room out of the way. Preferably someplace darker and "safer" but without a container. That way the pseudo-"dragon" can now begin his hoard.

[meemaas]

Of course Alpha will play. At least until he attempts to light one of them on fire because he was losing. Beta, Gamma, and Omega spend their time sparring for the night, and Delta spends his night trying not to have another psychotic breakdown by having a deep philosophical argument with Ubro in his head. At least until he does fall asleep.

The next day has the party putting their usual preparations, with Delta making sure to heal any injuries inflicted from a member of the party catching the blood veil, if any.

[lostsole31]

The three martials spar and conduct general combat practice with each other. Very likely Paxre is done playing cards with Alpha. For good. His cards are the same Hallow deck that brought forth the spirit of Zellara. Muhrbala, who is now comfortable with the Epsilon Elite, lazily watches the warriors do their thing; later, he primps his coins like a cat primps a pillow and curls up to sleep on his little hoard. Ubro is less a function of words so much as concepts, but through a vestige you are able to have an excellent form of sounding board for your own ability to improve proper negotiations (which in turn will help your real-world application). Also in the later evening, Omega and Gamma tend to Paxre again.

That night, even the subconscious calm of Ubro could not help Delta. He has terrible dreams as before. He does not wake up screaming, but his dreams focus on the strange language that keeps droning in his ear. Delta wakes up fatigued (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/conditions#TOC-Fatigued) from a poor night's sleep. This distraction is enough so that when he binds Ubro in the morning, it is a poor pact.

4 Gozren, Starday

The next morning, the healers check on Paxre. He has not kicked the disease, but Gamma's delay disease spell held just long enough so he can apply another dose of delay disease. This is of concern, as the healers thought they were doing quite well, and yet the disease has not truly broken.

Anything specific to do regarding this, or move on with a training day, helping the sick (if you dare expose yourself), or conduct any particular research?

[meemaas]

Gamma will take Beta and Omega as bodyguards and see what he can do to tend to the sick, with Omega's help, of course. Delta and Alpha will take the day off to study, research, and so on.

[lostsole31]

With the healers out, Murray has fun with Alpha. By now, it is clear that Alpha desperately wants to fly. So, Murray offers to "teach" him. It involves him flapping his arm and hopping about on his feet - double hops, single hops, change-of-foot jump steps. The effect is comical, and ridiculous. Before long, as Alpha gets winded and probably has no idea what he truly looked like, he hits the books. He studies various mathematical formulae concerning thrust-drag-lift, as well as Shyamal's own treatises concerning bodily movement. That takes up the majority of the day. Nerd.

Delta, just when things were going so smoothly ...
Look in your PM box, talk with me for any questions, and act accordingly.

[PSinger]

I was given semi-artistic license in a PM to post this so I can match what I was directed to include with my own PC.
"Delta, Delta ..." seems to dreamily call a distant voice.

"Delta," says the familiar, squeaky voice this time more firmly. Delta wakes up feeling drool by his mouth and bleary-eyed. "I think I have an idea about all of ... this."

Delta comes to his senses and notes that all around him on the table in the library is all manner of childish scrawlings, though vague, of the various horrors he had seen the other night. The image in the trees, the children themselves. There is also all manner of written language in unknown, though unsettling form. The language and drawings were drawn in by both charcoal and pen on blank parchment as well as in several random books that must have been nearby.

"I think I finally have an idea about your autographia, the scribblings, and the song you've been humming in your sleep. A lot of nursery and children's rhymes actually focus on terrible events. What you have written is in Aklo, a language that I learned without learning but was whispered to me over the years from the darkness. But it's backwards. I put what you muttered and have been scrawling all day into a coherent form, and it is pretty frightening." Here, Paxre's little insect hairs have been slowly, barely perceptibly been raising, as if just discussing this is scary.

"You are being haunted by an unknown villain known simply in the nursery rhyme as the Tall Man. The rhyme, called 'Dead Children,' goes like this:


'Dead children, dead children, swinging in a tree
How many dead children do you see?
Tongue turned blue and face gone grey
Watch them as they twist and sway.

'The Tall Man killed the butcher man
Then cooked him in a frying pan
Served him to his hungry guests
And gave them seconds on request.

'The Tall Man with his smile and sweets
Stole poor children off the streets
To men who dressed unsavory
He sold them into slavery.

'Dead children, dead children, swinging in a tree
How many dead children do you see?
Six feet long and six feet wide
Around their neck their own rope is tied.'


That is when Delta notes something that was previously lost in detail. By having focused on the details of the children and the forest and their own intestines used as rope, it was too easy to overlook. But here on paper where lines and shapes are so much simpler, and in some cases the subjects themselves aren't even perceptible, Delta finally gets it ...

... the "design" of the major branches, the intestines, and the splayed children actually make up a complex design. Very much, in fact, like a sigil for binding.

"My mind is cursed. It is a conduit to a dark place far, from all that is knowable. Out there appears to be a primal terror known only as the Tall Man. With me around, he sensed you as an open mind, no doubt. Your bringing forth summoned creatures plays a part, I guess; but really it is the fact that your mind is so open for strange entities to inhabit. Entities themselves don't hunt me, merely voices. I think you will have no rest unless you force the Tall Man to appear and bend him to your will.

"My guess is that Aklo is a trigger to understanding, but your own idiomatic language - Taldan - is what you must sing since that is how you actually think. Aklo was backwards, so you probably have to sing the 'Dead Children' rhyme backwards. I don't know what you actually do with binding stuff, but I am sure that drawing that and singing the song backwards is at least a part of it. You can ignore him, and it might be worse if you fail. But if you don't do something now, how much long can you resist before you are driven mad, or worse? Possessed and made into a mass murderer?"

[lostsole31]

Meanwhile ...

... the best place to go to work with others would be the Pantheon of Many, where the other itinerant or part-time shrine priests might be. The place has many, many sick, and while expert medics, without proper tools and sterilizing agents Omega and Gamma are at a disadvantage. Still, some succor must be given and hopefully the sick do not develop too much beyond their means.

A woman of barely more than 50 years, and yet roughened for her poor life, approaches Beta while he watches the others. She is a mousy, second-hand fishmonger with jaundiced eyes. Omega and Gamma are too focused on their tasks to really pay attention to anything else; that's Beta's job.

"Sir," she says with a meek and cracking voice, one that shows a life of poverty and salt air, "from one who is truly different to another, I bid you friendship. My name is Eries Yelloweyes. A contact of mine in the Korvosan Guard said someone like you and your group could help. Paxre is a friend to the poor, and through him I trust that you are as well. You are the one called Beta, right? You turned out the woman that tried to prey on those of us who live day to day, and many of my neighbors in Midland are so very thankful. I have a matter to discuss, but even in this noise I cannot bring it up here for lives are at stake if there are wagging ears. I will come by later this evening, likely after you have dined."

She turns and moves back and through the crowd. Your [Beta's] senses easily track her small frame through the throng of people begging for aid.

Fast forward .... It is too late by the time Delta's and Paxre's discussion occurs and Alpha's only study (he probably took some books into the dining room because Delta kept muttering noisily to himself) to impact here. [Continue RP on the Interactive thread, if at all.] Los Tres Amigos return, and it is time for dinner.

Anything particular to mention before dinner? or, move right to the meeting?

[meemaas]

Nothing in particular to mention before the meeting for the time being.

[lostsole31]

Sure enough, well after dark but well before most households would turn in, the fishwife shows up and is shown in. She brings the smell of the river with her. With the pleasantries and niceties she gets down to it.

"My name is Eries Yeloweyes, and I am worried that Korvosa will blame my people for the plague. My people being .... wererats. If you wish proof I can shift, but this is polite company and I do not feel that is necessary.

"As in many large cities, the tunnels and sewers beneath Korvosa attract all manner of creatures, most of which are most unsavory. Though I am ashamed to say it, due to society's prejudice we combine elements of the thieves, vermins, and monsters that prowl the reeking depths. MY people must eke out a living from the city's refuse. Most Korvosans contentedly believe we "monsters" are nothing but stories to keep children out of trouble, and thus, we lycanthropes and our oft-unwitting hosts have long lived in an oblivious accord. Until now.

"Giving voice and violence to their fear of the plague, a mob from here in this ward found a foolish member of my kin in an alleyway and executed him with a silver axe. A mob descended into the tunnels and I hear that you were of that group, yet not so vocal. We are used to fear and abuse, and most of my people responded to the attacks by abandoning their dens and hiding elsewhere in the city. One wererat, however, a firebrand called Girrigz Ripperclaws, refuses to do so, instead calling our kin to war against the weakened humans here in the above.

"I have lived in secret as a wererat for more than 50 years and I am one of the oldest wererats in the city. I've seen much suffering in my time, including devastating government-directed rat-purges, a return of which I fear Girrigz's warmongering ways could quickly incite. My efforts to talk to my violent kinsman and his gang have failed, and so I turn to you.

"Something must be done about Girrigz before lives are lost. Please speak to him and, if necessary, offer him an example of the force the city will doubtlessly employ should his rebelliousness continue. Please. Please, I beg you. Don't kill my people if it can be avoided. Many of his gang are simply impressionable youths who are following a strong leader. I can give you directions to his lair, which actually lies underneath this ward here in the Midlands. In exchange for your help, I offer you the spoils of his camp and, once you've disbanded his ragtag army, information on what might be the true reason for Korvosa's plague."

[PSinger]

"Aid the downtrodden against the reaction of a strict regime, caused by a radical whose too bloodthirsty for his own good?" Paxre pipes up. "Sounds good to me! Of course, I'm just a hanger-on of these guys. They are sort of a boy band or something, and I'm just a roadie. You have to ask them about what they want to do, but I'm in. Besides, I have been hit ... TWICE ... by this disease, and only Gamma's magic holds the plague at bay. It would be really nice to earn the favor-for-a-favor."

The bug-man looks at the EE. "Well?"

[meemaas]

Delta clasps his hands together for a second and thinks carefully about what he had heard. Before long, he looks the elderly lady in the eyes and speaks quietly. "This Girrigz, you wish for us to confront him and talk him down? Or are we allowed to incapacitate and/or kill him? I believe a proper means of action would be to take him down and capture him. Without this assumed strong leadership, his followers would be heavily demoralized."

Gamma stands up carefully and stares down Delta. "What do you have in mind? What are you plotting?"

Delta turns back to Gamma and smiles. "Nothing nefarious, I promise. The mobs will not rest without a scapegoat. If we can bring him back, we'd be able to quell the riots by promising that we have broken the Wererats apart by taking out a leader.

"That's crazy talk! What happens if you do this and they catch another Wererat? They'd simply brand us allies and try to kill us along with the rats." Gamma slams his hands on the table, angry at the risking of lives for a weak gambit.

Omega slides in between the two of them before either can react, and holds his hands out. "Calm down, both of you!!!" The Guru looks first Gamma, then Delta, in the eyes, and the both of them back down as they see the darkness in his eyes, a side of himself he never shows. "Miss Yelloweyes. While I do not agree with Delta's plan, I do see that removing Girrigz from your society is probably the best plan. I'd rather not us kill him, but I believe if we can capture him and take him from your society, we can bargain with him on our own terms. Your statement intrigues me." Omega smiles softly at the lady. "Does that seem agreeable to you?"

[PSinger]

Paxre shakes his head, "Where we would take him? No, we talk to him. If that fails, we kill him. The saving is with the rest of Eries' people. If Girrigz is this incendiary, the concept of exile won't work, and bringing him to surface authorities will have him killed anyway. What's the point?"

[meemaas]

Delta smiled at Paxre. "We'll figure it out after the fact. Sound fair?"

[lostsole31]

The agreement met with Eries, the party gets what rest it can.

7 Gozren, Sunday ... Sunday being one of the two holidays of the week (Toilday being a semi-holiday), and is usually used for religious worship.

Paxre's fever finally broke; no one else awoke sick. The next day, Delta has an incredibly capable pact with Ubro, and everyone makes their morning preparations. Gamma leads morning household worship of sorts, giving a benediction for continued success in the field before everyone gears up and is ready to head out.

Jumping right into the sewers again to search? or, is there anything you do beforehand?

[meemaas]

The party will head straight into the sewers, making it most of the way there before Delta summons Idell to support them. Assuming we run into no resistance, Delta will enter with Gamma and Beta flanking him to speak to the leader first.

[lostsole31]

As the party is moving through the sewers, using a crude map given Eries to Paxre (this is more his style), the group hears the boisterous laughter of men.

[PSinger]

Paxre looks to the others and quietly says, "Wait here .... unless Murray is here and follows me."

Paxre scouts ahead to hear what's being said (first), and then closer to see the men.

[lostsole31]

Paxre, like a darkened ghost, moves forward and down around a bend.

Paxre, the men are talking about a great score they made. They clap each other on the back for having killed a merchant, and with the worry of wererats here in the Midlands, they make great patsies. There is a body there - a middle-aged merchant who seems like he was brutally beaten before being killed.

Murray recommends the two of you (Paxre) return and report; or, get first blood and "report" to the party by the screams of the men. :smallsmile:

[PSinger]

Paxre smirks in the shadows and whispers to Murray, "First blood, first glory. Go put a little scare into them. Once their shook up, I'll follow through. The rest of the party will just take away our surprise, but they'll hear us quickly enough to come in without us getting in over our heads."

[lostsole31]

There are strange, soft noises coming from nearby; what's more, Paxre knows that Murray likes to back this one up with telepathic whispers.

Paxre, what do you do for your surprise round action?

[PSinger]

As long as he is within 30', shoot any of them with a normal bolt with his crossbow.

[lostsole31]

Paxre lines up a shot from the shadows and fires, attempting to sink back into the shadows again. The bolt skips off a man's shield and barely tinks off his shoulder armor before clacking on the sewer wall down the way.

R1T16: A roiling cloud of deep, black energy rushes past the men in a torrent of life-draining power, and the men are screaming in pain and horror.
Saved: Thug #4 (13 NE)
Failed: Thug #1 (24 NE), #2 (21 NE), 3# (29 NE)Muhrbala, flying in place appears 20' in front of the lead man.

R1T15.9: The lead was already about to react when a small bolt clipped him. All he sees, though, is the lone pseudodragon. He draws his sword and screams at the top of his lungs but misses on the charge.

R1T15: The next one does the same with a very fine cut but Murray is just too fast.

R1T12: Paxre, your first crossbow is unloaded, but your sniping position seems to be holding. Murray drew the men to his position so you only have to move 5' forward to be in melee range (or enjoy ranged from your position without provoking an AOO). What do you do? Do you say anything? Regardless, there is no doubt your comrades now know battle is underway.

Meanwhile, Epsilon Elite, roll initiative ..

[PSinger]

Bring forth my cloak of darkness and then load my crossbow.

[lostsole31]

R1T12: Paxre (as above).

R1T11-8: Seeing no other threat, two other thugs try to get around the side of the tiny, flying creature, gaining flanking positions.

End Round One, Begin Round Two ...
[Initiative has been rolled ...]

R1T24: Beta, it is about 25' down to the corner before it turns and you heard the screams of the men, but you aren't sure of the distance after that (especially with the echoing of the sewers). What do you do?

[meemaas]

Beta will move around the corner and do his best to close distance from there to the enemy. While he does, he also relays the positions of everyone he can see to the rest of the party through the Collective.

Basically double move.

[lostsole31]

R2T24: Beta will move 25' to the corner and then moves the 30' to close with the enemy. While he does, he also relays the positions of everyone he can see to the rest of the party through the Collective. Beta is now facing one of two men that are flanking the hapless pseudodragon, while two others are in front of Muhrbala. These men are well-armed, well-armored bruisers - chainmail, longswords, shields, and light crossbows at sides. Close as Beta is to this thug, it seems that he barely is standing, wheezing heavily. His movements are not lessened, perhaps because it is the ferocity of a man who knows his end is near; but, something defintely does not seem right.

R2T16: Murray opens himself for attack by trying to sting the man on the other side of him. They all miss, but his target is shocked by the attacked and swings so wildly he confuses himself. Taking advantage of the taller attackers, Murray swoops down to sting the baffled man in his left foot for 4 (min; he is exceptionally strong, even for so small a creature). The man drops like a sack of flour, his chain and loosed sword clattering on the stones of the sewer tunnel. Murray is now on top of the man, continuing to bite and claw at the unconscious man around his neck and shoulders and face.

R2T15: One of the front men, seemingly shaken, vainly attacks Murray. The other man, wounded like Beta's other facing opponent, seems to have suffered some type of enervation, to the point that there are even dark traceries of capillaries (?) along his face. His sword comes down on the oread's shoulder for 7.

R2T14: Alpha, you know what Beta mentioned 25' to the corner ... 30' from there (ish, depending on standing). What do you do?

You may as well define Delta's and Gamma's actions while you're at it.

[meemaas]

Alpha

Alpha will focus his energy and then bolt around the corner, launching a bolt of fire into the nearest and healthiest target he can see.

Swift action to Invest two Essence into my Circlet of Brass
Move action to get to the corner where he can see.
Then Standard action to manifest Energy Ray for 3PP

Attack roll [roll0] (-4 if the target is in melee with something)
Damage [roll1] (+6 damage from Circlet of Brass)

Delta

Delta stays back, moving only halfway to the corner so he can let the more powerful members of the EE do their job.

Move to about 15 feet away from the corner and wait.

Gamma

Gamma will slowly lumber his way to the fray, drawing his sword and shield as he goes.

Double move to get around the corner, draw weapon as part of the move action

[lostsole31]

R2T14: Alpha focuses his energy and then bolts around the corner, launching a bolt of fire into the nearest target he can see. Despite the interference from your ally, you blast his directly facing opponent with a whopping 16 fire and he gets blasted back 5' and prone.
Things moved too quickly and you weren't engaged in battle yet to define "healthiest target" unless it is obvious. It just happens that randomly it was the least healthy opponent. Besides, Alpha strikes me as the shoot wildly first, ask intelligent questions later kinda guy.
R2T13: Delta stays back, moving only halfway to the corner so he can let the more powerful members of the EE do their job.

R2T12.5: Gamma will slowly lumber his way to the fray, drawing his sword as he goes. [It is assumed that as vulnerable as you are, your shield is in hand roaming around the sewers.] He is now 10' from the closest thug.

R2T12: Paxre, you are hidden from the thugs, and you have a loaded crossbow. What do you do?

Omega on deck, Beta in the hole ...

[PSinger]

Paxre fires at one of the men. Either one. It doesn't matter. He then reloads his crossbow.
Attack [roll0] ... and any mods for being unseen? Damage [roll1] + [roll2] sneak attack.

[meemaas]

Omega

Omega bolts down the way to the combat, turning the corner and stopping five foot or more away from the nearest combatant.

Since he's got to double move to get over there, i'm stopping short for combat.

Beta

Beta vanishes and appears on the far side of one of the thugs, shoving his claw into its side while he was distracted by Murray.

Swift action: Spend a Ki point to use Deadly Insight, activating Deadly Strikes on my target.
Standard action: Initiate Fading Strike. Teleport to flanking with Murray and attack

Attack roll [roll0] (Added my +2 for flanking)
Damage [roll1] + Deadly Strikes [roll2]

If, and only if the target is downed by this attack, Beta will use his move action to close in on another living target.

[lostsole31]

R2T12: Hidden in a veil of shadow, Paxre surprises the man that was still shaken and a crossbow bolt goes through his hand. The man screams as he drops his sword, drops to his knees as he goes woozy, and then falls over.

R2T7: Omega bolts down the way to the combat, turning the corner and stopping 10' from the last combatant.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T24: Beta vanishes and appears on the far side of one of the thugs, shoving his claw into its side while he was distracted by Murray, but to flank with Murray brings Beta around to the man's left rear and he is skittish enough to be lucky in blocking the claw with his shield.

R3T16: Instead of going wildly, this time Murray brings his neck back and speeds forth for a single killing blow on the fallen opponent upon which he stands. As this happens, the thug sees an opportunity and brings his weapon high to get some power for a downward cut. Too high, and with too much arc, as he opens himself to Beta's claw across the thug's lower sword arm for 12 ... disabling the man but not causing him to drop his sword. Murray, for his part, does 12 to his fallen prey; a lot of damage to the throat, but his mouth is too small to "tear it out" all at once.

R3T15: The last man standing that stupidly opened himself up to Beta, turns tail and does a double move - out of range of torchlight (they had one on the ground). You now have a panicked and dangerous human roaming the sewers that went clattering down the way.

R3T14: Alpha, you no longer see that last man that ran off into the darkness .... but you can hear him clanging away and screaming in terror. There are three downed thugs. What do you do?

Delta on deck, Gamma in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Alpha

Alpha moves to close in on one of the downed thugs, the only targets he can still see, and prepares another bolt of fire to finish it. Before he can finish though, Omega yells at him to stop, that there is no need to kill them.

Delta

Delta moves after the thug, casting light on himself to brighten up the path for his teammates pursuit.

Move after the Thug, cast Light.

Gamma

Gamma moves in on the rest of the combat, but like Alpha, doesn't go to strike the killing blow.

[lostsole31]

R3T14: Alpha moves to close in on one of the downed thugs, the only targets he can still see, and prepares another bolt of fire to finish it. Before he can finish though, Omega yells at him to stop, that there is no need to kill them.

R3T13: Delta moves after the thug, casting light on himself his cap to brighten up the path for his teammates pursuit.In the end, casting on an article of clothing you carry is fine, and I know what you meant. However, just want to make sure you understand that the spell can only be cast on objects, not creatures. I am not sure what you wear, exactly, but since headwear is standard and Delta is a raffishly handsome bastard, I imagine he is sporting something at a rakish angle. Headwear is also omnidirectional and not something you necessarily look directly at ... making it ideal for reading.
R3T12.5: Gamma moves in on the fallen three, but like Alpha, doesn't go to strike the killing blow on any of them.

R3T12: Paxre, what do you do? Business is done here, there are better healers, and one is getting away.

Omega on deck, Beta in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Omega

Omega focuses his energy into his feet, dashing forward after the fleeing foe. If he catches up to him and can see him, he'll strike out at him, otherwise he'll go further down to try and cut him off.

As a swift action, Omega will reinvest the 2 essence that are in his Forcestrike Knuckles into his Cowards Boots, raising his speed to 55ft.
He'll then move out towards the fleeing foe, and if he can't see him, he'll go further down with his standard action too.
Otherwise, he'll use Breaking Glass Strike on the fleeing foe.

Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1] + [roll2]

If hit, he has to make a saving throw Will DC 18 or be dazed, and is dazzled either way.

Beta

While waiting for Omega to capture the fleeing foe, Beta starts to see what he can do to bind up the foes they've already disabled.

[PSinger]

Paxre taps into the well of energy within him and zooms forth 50' in one burst. He should be within 35' feet then, so the power of hidden and suppressed suns is released just enough to shoot forth to the man's shield. When he came out of his hiding place, it is as if he were surrounded in shadows.
SwA: Spend 1 point ki to move +20' (50' total)
MA: Move 50'.
SA: Cast burning disarm (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/burning-disarm) on his shield for [roll0], Ref DC 16 negates.

[lostsole31]

R3T12: Paxre comes out of his hiding place, looking as if he were wearing a cloak made of pure blackness, and casting swirling shadows thick and thin. He taps into the well of energy within him and zooms forth 50' in one burst. While shadows are around him, the depths of his actual body under his black cloak he calls forth the power of hidden and suppressed suns is released just enough to shoot forth to the man's shield which heats up briefly enough to do 10 fire damage. The man screams in horrific pain and the shield is seared to his hand as he drops face first onto sewer ground and the small rivulet of disgusting sewer water.

R3T7: Omega focuses his energy into his feet, dashing forward after the fleeing foe even as he sees the brief, red-hot glow of a large metal shield shows and a man screams most terribly. He moves past Paxre to find the man, as described above. It will have taken two move actions to actually get up to the man.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R3T24: A quick triage view can tell he doesn't need to waste time on the one that Alpha nearly blew out of the man's boots. There are two men on the ground, then. One is being chewed and clawed, and another man. Which one does Beta go towards?

[meemaas]

Beta will go after the one that is not being chewed or clawed.

[lostsole31]

R3T24: So, what is Beta going to use for bandages? He has very little himself.

Murray on deck, Alpha in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Bandages? Beta isn't planning on bandaging him. He's just looking to restrain the man, probably with his own body.

[lostsole31]

Okay. The man appears to be unconscious. You mean that Beta is just holding onto him in case he wakes up, so as to secure the man?

[meemaas]

Yes, that is exactly right.

[lostsole31]

R3T24: Beta holds the unattended, unconscious man down, just to make sure he doesn't try to do anything.

R3T16: There is no doubt that with this flurry of teeth and talon that Muhrbala has killed his foe. He hops off the man and licks his lips with his serpentine tongue.

R3T14: Alpha, what do you do?

Delta on deck, Gamma in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Alpha

Alpha turns and watches his friends run off into the darkness while waiting for them to take care of the runner.

Delta

Delta moves further down, allowing his cap to brighten up the path for the others.

Gamma

Gamma focuses softly and simply heals the wounds his comrade suffered, now content to know that the rest have everything in hand.

Spend 2PP to manifest Natural Healing over the collective on Beta.

[lostsole31]

R3T24: Beta holds the unattended, unconscious man down, just to make sure he doesn't try to do anything.

R3T16: There is no doubt that with this flurry of teeth and talon that Muhrbala has killed his foe. He hops off the man and licks his lips with his serpentine tongue.

R3T14-12.5: Alpha turns and watches his friends run off into the darkness while waiting for them to take care of the runner, while Delta moves further down, allowing his cap to brighten up the path for the others. Gamma focuses softly and simply heals the wounds his comrade suffered, now content to know that the rest have everything in hand, giving Beta 2 healing.

R3T12: Paxre, what do you do?

Omega on deck, Beta in the hole ... (I imagine Beta keeps hold of the man?)

[PSinger]

Paxre does a coup de gras to behead the man.
Auto-hit. Auto-crit damage = 14. Possible bonus crit damage [roll0], Sneak attack damage = [roll1]

[meemaas]

Omega

Omega comes upon the man as Paxre attempts to finish him off. Assuming he dies, Omega simply sighs and calls their victory out through the collective to everyone else.

Beta

Beta keeps hold of his prize, mumbling to himself as though complaining.

If i'm not much mistaken, thats game and match for this fight.

[lostsole31]

Oh, yeah, even for a smaller size katana, it has enough of a cutting width to behead the man. Which, in fact, it did.

All bad guys down.

After a few rounds, the one Beta is restraining is beginning to come to. What does everyone do in the meantime? What about when he awakes?

[PSinger]

Paxre begins the looting. He looks up to Omega. "We have stuff to do, so I say we strip these guys of armor, weapons, and anything we can use or sell. You can all figure out what to do with the bodies."

After that first one has been picked clean, he returns to the main battle scene.

[meemaas]

Omega sighs softly, and once Paxre has finished cleaning up the dead guys body, he softly kicks the body into the sewer water, letting it take the body away.

While the two of them are at that, Gamma and Alpha begin searching the other dead body, and once content that it has been stripped clean too, Gamma boots the body into the water likewise.

Delta sits down across from the still live man, and waits for him to come too while Beta sits on him. While doing so, Beta attempts to remove his weaponry and anything else of valuable from the body.

Once awake, Delta smiles at the captured man. "So what are you doing down here? Give me one reason to not let my murderhobo friend finish you off here and now?

[lostsole31]

From the looting, each man had chainmail, a heavy steel shield, a longsword, a crossbow and a case of 10 bolts, and a pouch with coins. Money varies, but the total count is 100 gp. If you manage to get the other items topside and resold, you will actually make better than the flat currency.

The man was only really only unconscious for a minute. So, everyone is doing their thing while Beta is restraining him and Alpha watches. Delta returns and the above is mentioned. For only half a second he tries to comprehend the foreign word murderhobo, but its root word and the context of the sentence are clear enough.

He says nothing.

[meemaas]

Delta and Alpha shove the loot into their Haversacks, while letting Beta hold down the still living man. Once they've stashed it all, Delta goes back to him and begins speaking. "I want to make this quick, and we'd rather not have to kill you too. Will you please just tell me what you were doing down here? I'd be more than willing to let you go, of course, as long as you agree to go back where you came from and not try to kill us later."

A bluff check will be necessary alongside the diplomacy check.

[lostsole31]

Delta and Alpha begin to shove the loot into the haversacks. The shields are too wide to fit into the haversacks; the mouth of the sacks doesn't widen to take whatever you need. A handy haversack has extradimensional space inside, but the entrance doesn't have unlimited stretching.

I assume that Delta and Alpha will be filling their stuff at somewhat the same time. The armor, crossbows and swords have to go into the main compartment (though the crossbows can go into the side). What are you putting in what compartment, by whom (splitting the work equally?), and in what order?

[meemaas]

They are going to split it up equally, in order from swords, to chainmail, to crossbow and ammo. Alpha will take the odd numbered sword and chainmail, and Delta will take the odd numbered Crossbow and ammo.

There was no mention of any shields.

[lostsole31]

Alpha can stuff the weapons and a suit of scale into the central compartment (and the bolts into the side), but he can't fit in the final suit. Same with Delta. That means that two suits of scale and 4 heavy steel shields can't go in.

"Why don't we just leave that here for now, and do what we came to do?" comes Muhrbala's telepathic suggestion.

[PSinger]

Paxre nods. "We took out some of the town's killers. Got something for it. Don't freak about scavengers getting the armor and shields. When you think about it, we are the scavengers ... of sorts. Let's get on with it."

[meemaas]

Paxre nods. "We took out some of the town's killers. Got something for it. Don't freak about scavengers getting the armor and shields. When you think about it, we are the scavengers ... of sorts. Let's get on with it."

Beta nods and slices the mans throat, pushing him into the water with the rest. Gamma takes up the shields and armor and shoves them into the water too, letting it take them away. He turns to Paxre and nods as the rest start off. "Just want to make sure that those don't go back into circulation if we aren't going to get anything from them. Don't worry, you'll get a share."

After Gamma has finished talking, he jogs up to meet with the rest of the party and they continue following the path they were going down.

[lostsole31]

The party moves on as guided by Paxre's intel. Through the disgustingly visible haze of noxious sewer reek, the flow of unmentionable slop through the sewer tunnel’s filth-slick channel unexpectedly forks. Most continues on its expected path, but a small stream of ooze diverts off through a wide cleft in the moldy masonry wall. The man-sized crack cuts deep into the rock behind the wall, and wisps of thin white smoke issue forth.

This is where intel ends, having been told this is Griggz' territory begins.

Delta, what do you do?

[meemaas]

As they reach that point, Delta turns to Paxre and Omega. "You two scout ahead for us down this path. Keep us aware through the Collective as you do." After he's spoken, Omega slinks into the shadows, heading down the path while giving Paxre the chance to follow along just as carefully.

Sending our stealthy party members into the crack in the wall, since that's most likely where the Wererat would make his home.

[PSinger]

Paxre looks to Muhrbala. "If you can fit through that crack, check it out and report. I'll go down the path with Omega."

[lostsole31]

Omega and Paxre creep down the tunnel another 20' where the sewer bends east. 10' from that point the way is blocked by a large, rusty grate. 20' down from the gate, a thick run of sewer water meets with the main artery ... but appears to come from a non-worked area.

Meanwhile, the fissure in the wall goes all the way down to the sewer walkway, such that the sewer partially splits into this room and goes east.

You hear Murray's telepathic voice (everyone, including Pax and Om) say, "Sewer seems screwy there flows east and south."

The fissure is big enough for a man to go through. Pax-Om had to make running jumps to get to the other side, but there is no walkway going right up to the crack to look around and in. Those two are on the SE end, while everyone else (except Murray, who is flying) is on the NW extension. There is only enough room for a person to move on the ledge at this part of the sewer, and even then ... it's slick ground that isn't a full five feet. The most straightforward approach if you want to check out the room would be to bite the bullet and get in the muck and trudge through.

What do you do?

[PSinger]

"Well? You're smaller, stealthier, and can fly over muck," says everyone's favorite little street ninja to wherever Murray might be. "Take a look-see and let us know."

[lostsole31]

Telepathic :smallsigh:

Only a few seconds later there is a high-pitched, ear-piercing noise like steam escaping from a kettle.

Murray shows up in front of everyone just as quickly. The noise continues, and despite his communicating via telepathy, the noise makes it just as hard to concentrate on his "speech" as it would be to hear from another. "How the hell did that happen? Nothing can find me when I blend!" :smallannoyed:

[PSinger]

Paxre unloads the normal bolt from his crossbow, and then loads a silver bolt.

[lostsole31]

What does the Epsilon Elite do?

[meemaas]

Gamma, Beta, and Omega join together and cross the muck, Gamma with his blade at the ready as he leads the way. Alpha and Beta let them go ahead as they carefully take their time, moving slowly and carefully down the ledge, not content to wade through muck.

If Paxre follows, Gamma will lead the way with Beta and Omega a short distance behind them, leaving a hole for Paxre to stick between the guys without risk of getting ambushed.

I'm not taking the risk of that being a Fort save or suck, so Alpha and Delta are gonna take 20 on whatever check might be necessary to move across the ledge safely.

I understand that doing so will put them out of commission for this upcoming fight, but unless combat conditions are exceedingly dangerous, i'm confident in the rest of the team to take care of it.

[lostsole31]

The piercing noise stops. It didn't go for more than 20 seconds, but for such a loud noise, it seemed like an eternity.

Beta steps into the muck first, and it goes to his knees, moving quickly. He has no trouble keeping his balance and moves through. The flow of sewer filth oozes into this rough-hewn stone cave, pooling near its center before continuing through a crude channel in the western wall. Fat black mushrooms and other disgusting fungus grow thick around the pool of slime. Several low alcoves are cut into the walls, each filled with moldering hay, filthy furs, and tiny bones.

No sooner does he step out into the chamber, two short swords come in from both sides. Beta's reflexes bats one aside, but at the cost of the other sword clipping right into the back of his head by his right ear for 9. A bite from the first bites Beta with a crit on the nose for 12, and the one behind him hits again into his right shoulder for 8.

A crossbow bolt hits right into Beta's stomach for 7.

Two big rats then charge in with one biting into his R elbow for 4 (max). With all of this, Beta is instantly in extremely dire straits!!! :smalleek:

Round One ...

R1T26: Beta, to your left and right are two humanoid rats flanking you with short swords, and to dire rats in front of you. Some 30' to your diagonal left is another one of these humanoids with a crossbow with partial cover behind a wall. If you want to get out of this, you would have to move forward-diagonally right or left, or step back. Otherwise, stand and duke it out. But the bit of wounds that weren't fully healed before, and now this ambush, it took no time at all for you to be rocked. What do you do? If you step back, you would have to strike first; stepping back would put the two ratmen around the wall and the ROUS' just out of reach.

Note your hit points.

[meemaas]

Beta

With a quick flick of the wrist, Beta launches a claw into one of the rats flanking him before disappearing around the corner as though he had never been there.

Beta will initiate Fading Strike

Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

After that, he will teleport directly backwards, and use his move action to allow Gamma and Omega to be in front of him.

[lostsole31]

R1T26: With a quick flick of the wrist, Beta launches a warding claw towards one of the rats flanking him. He blurs back instanteously, but not around the corner. He lands all the way across the sewer river itself on the other side.
You teleport to a location you see ... not one you have seen. You couldn't go around the corner, but at least you are well out of the way.
R1T21: One of the dire rats moves forward in the mucky stream towards Gamma and sprawls in the slime to end up right at Gamma's feet before it gets up.

R1T20.5: Omega, Gamma is in front of you, and a big rat in front of him. Five feet past that is the slime-stream that is right out of the tunnel. You have two visual targets: the rat in front of Gamma, and another rat 10' behind that one. What do you do?

[meemaas]

Omega closes the distance between him and the further enemy, refocusing his energy as he lashes his fists out into the rat, an explosion of bright light within his strike.

I know, I did it mechanically the right way, even if i fluffed it otherwise, since he took a move action after that.

Move to the further rat.
Swift action to reassign his Essence so that the Essence in Coward's Boots into Forcestrike Knuckles

Standard Action: Breaking Glass Strike.

Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1] + [roll2] DC 18 Will save or be Dazed for one round, Dazzled for five rounds even if he passes his save.

[lostsole31]

R1T20.5-18: Omega closes the distance between him and the further enemy, refocusing his energy as he lashes his fists out into the rat, an explosion of bright light within his strike, and the rat instantly drops. A short sword comes in high from the left which Omega easily blocks, only to find out it was a setup as a wererat crit-bites him in the stomach for 12.
Dude, you easily kept from the disease of the bite, but you rolled .... right .... on .... the ... money ... to resist the curse of lycanthropy. That would have been an interesting development.
R1T17: Gamma, prone dire rat at your feet. What do you do?

[meemaas]

Gamma spins carefully and brings his sword down upon the rat at his feet, moving past it to close distance with Beta as he channels some of his power to heal himself afterwards.

Standard action to attack

Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

Move action to move away, going towards Beta.

Swift action to use a use of fervor to cast Cure Light Wounds on Gamma, choosing to redirect healing to Beta

Healing [roll2]

[lostsole31]

R1T17: Gamma spins carefully, but not carefully enough. The clumsy dwarf in the heavy armor clanks to the ground after slipping in the muck, and then gets back up. He steps back 5', probably uttering curses under his breath, and brings forth his religious fervor upon himself while redirecting it through the collective to Beta for 5 healing.

R1T14: The wererat on Omega's left now attacks. One edge of his short sword makes a draw cut across Om's spine at the back of his neck for 8, though the bite failed to get through his magical shirt.

R1T10: Paxre, Beta just came zipping around the corner again on your side. He is badly wounded. What do you do?

[PSinger]

With Omega in front of him again, Paxre is shocked at how badly wounded he is. He starts to chant in arcane noises that are terrible and almost impossible to pronounce for any normal mortal. His mouth only moves a little bit until the horror is realized .... these terrible sounds come from within the cloak of shadow that surrounds Paxre, as if the shadow itself had a malevelonce. Paxre reaches out and thrusts his hands into Omega's wounds, and yet these hands are semi-corporeal. There is an awful, soul-stopping chill. The body heals some of its wounds, counter-intuitive to what would be expected, and as Paxre brings his hands back out some of Omega's innards melt away to fill in the gaps before finally normalizing above and below.

There are those who have refused his "gifts" before.
Cure moderate wounds [roll0]

[lostsole31]

R1T10: With Beta now in front of him, Paxre is shocked at how badly wounded he is. He starts to chant in arcane noises that are terrible and almost impossible to pronounce for any normal mortal. His mouth only moves a little bit until the horror is realized .... these terrible sounds come from within the cloak of shadow that surrounds Paxre, as if the shadow itself had a malevelonce. Paxre reaches out and thrusts his hands into Beta's wounds, and yet these hands are semi-corporeal. There is an awful, soul-stopping chill. The body heals some of its wounds, counter-intuitive to what would be expected, and as Paxre brings his hands back out some of Beta's innards melt away to fill in the gaps before finally normalizing above and below. His body repairs 13 hit points of damage, but I wouldn't say he was "healed" ... that replies an increase of comfort to a normative state.

There are those who have refused his "gifts" before.

R1T9.9: Muhrbala zooms and with his powerful stinger finishes off the other rat from above (so that an ally can pass through without worrying about him).

R1T4: A bolt from the shooter plants into Omega's left shoulder for 8.

End Round 1: It is apparent now to Alpha (and Delta) that there is no climbing safely around the muck, especially since it is getting kicked up and splashed around with battle, anyway.

Begin Round 2 ...

R2T26: Beta, you have a little help, but you are still solidly wounded, you have definitely heard grunts and cries of pain from Omega by now, as well as a big clanging ker-splash (likely followed by dwarven contumely). What do you do?

Alpha on deck (if he wants to do anything), Omega in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Beta will lunge forward back into the fray towards the nearest target, flipping into the air to slam his foot into its face before rebounding off it to make a small space between him and his foes.

Move to the target and then initiative Cartwheel Axe Kick.

Acrobatics [roll0]
Attack roll [roll1]
Damage [roll2] (Bonus damage added in already)

Alpha, having figured out already that the fight is too much to safely cross, slides down into the muck and moves so he can see through the "tunnel" to the far end. Taking advantage of knowledge granted to him from his companions through the collective, he focuses a small burst of fire centered to in his line of sight where he believes it should catch at least one of the rats.

Targetting a corner where it should hit someone that he can get line of sight/effect to without crossing into the kill box. i'll manifest Energy Stun for 4PP.

Damage [roll3] DC 20 reflex save for half, fort save for stun if he fails his reflex save.

[lostsole31]

R2T26: Beta lunges forward back into the fray, flipping into the air over Omega's head. In doing so both wererats stab at him, and both fail terribly. The first one (on the left/north) over extends so badly he dislocates his shoulder and takes 1 CON. The second is arguably worse; the weapon is loosed from his grasp towards the stone hero ... and he catches it!! You brings your foot down to slam onto the injured wererat's face before rebounding off it to make a 10' space between himself and his foes, further into the room offset to the north from the muck and in line with his opponent. Beta now has that enemy's short sword. :smallamused: A look at the damage, and Beta realizes that he only did about 6 mod; even with so powerful a strike, the legendary resistance of lycanthropes proves true as it resisted more than half of the damage that would have been put against him.

R2T25.9: No sooner does Beta land than there is a horrible screeching sound. Both wererats are in some pain (2 and 3 sonic). Beta and Omega, who manage to keep from letting the thing hurt them, both see a trembling purple plant among the fungi to the southwest.

R2T25.7: The exposed Beta sees a swarm of rats that rounded the rock before rush into and all around him. He tries to use another cartwheel style kick (think capoeira), but succeeds in only killing two of the hundreds of rats. He takes 5 from the total as they swarm all around him and make scores of nips. However, they take 1 sonic from the fungus' noise.

R2T21: Alpha, you are unable to target an intersection that would not hit Omega as well. You have no LOS to the enemy (they are on both sides of the wall, adjacent to Omega but out of sight to you. You do just barely see Beta getting covered in rats. Feel free to take your action again. What do you do?

Omega on deck ...

[meemaas]

With no ability to safely hit his enemies, Alpha waits to get a more advantageous shot when Omega makes a safe zone.

Alpha is readying an action to manifest Energy Stun after Omega lets him know he is out of the blast radius.

In case you want me to roll damage a second time, [roll0] DC 20 reflex and fort

Omega spin-kicks the nearest Wererat, the careful strike releasing a burst of malevolent energy before he beats a hasty retreat, allowing only a small portion of his essence to remain to bind the other to him in preparation for his return strike. Once out of range, he announces over the collective, rather hastily, "I'm away, burn them!!"

Standard action: Cursed Fate manuever.

Attack roll [roll1]
Damage [roll2] + [roll3] + [roll4], if successful, Will save DC 19 or take a -4 to all d20 rolls for the next round. Also, don't forget the Aura of Misfortune Stance giving a -2 penalty.

Move action to back out of range, yes, while provoking.
Then Swift action to claim the Wererat I didn't attack, regaining my Breaking Glass Strike manuever

Alpha's power will trigger after that

[lostsole31]

R2T21-20.3: With no ability to safely hit his enemies, Alpha waits to get a more advantageous shot when Omega makes a safe zone. Omega tries to spin-kick before he beats a hasty retreat, but is stabbed in the offending foot for a painful 10 while the other strike is deflected by his magic armor. Once out of range (behind Gamma), he announces over the collective, rather hastily, "I'm away, burn them!!"

Alpha simply directs his burst where Omega was standing and there is a small eruption of fire. Though Alpha can't see the effects of his opponents, Beta can; the wounded wererat takes 15 fire and is supporting himself against the wall to keep from falling over. The other wererat manages to duck into the muck quickly enough to be unsinged.
Why DC 20 versus a DC of 17? I forget, where do I find "active energy type," if that's the thing. I'll have to write that into the description when I find it. Regardless, even with a higher DC and Omega's aura, those that made a saving throw still made the saving throw.
R2T19: Yet another swarm of rats comes in from the north, into the muck, and ends its movement 10' before Gamma.

R2T18: The badly injured wererat charges Beta with its bite but it scrapes off his armor.

R2T17.9: Delta, you are well outside. What do you do? Because of Gamma, Omega, and Alpha, you wouldn't even be able to get behind the last without being in the main river of sewer water.

Gamma on deck, minorly injured wererat to south on deck ...

[meemaas]

Delta moves in close enough to encompass as many of his party as possible in his healing burst, and then lets it loose, allowing Gamma to redirect the healing where it is needed.

Move to try and get as many allies in range as possible
Standard action to use Ubro's Healing Surge [roll0]

Gamma will use a free action to redirect half of the healing to Omega, and the other half to Beta

Gamma will move in on the nearest wererat and bring his sword down upon it with all his strength.

Move in on the nearest foe.
Standard attack

Attack roll [roll1]
Damage [roll2]

[lostsole31]

R2T17.9: Delta sloshes to the middle of the actual sewer stream, but close enough to encompass as many of his party as possible in his healing burst, and then lets it loose in a brilliant light, providing 7 healing for Muhrbala and Omega while Gamma redirects 3 healing to Beta and Omega.Beta was out of range of the burst, but in range of Gamma for the redirect.
R2T17: Stepping into the mass of rats, the swarm bite and nips at him but they haven't yet gotten into his armor. He rounds the corner low to not be hit by the wererat to the south, but as he lifts his sword high for a chop, Gamma again slips into the muck and a swarm of rats. Gamma, prone and covered in rats, is in a bad place to be.

R2T14: Gamma is an easy target and the wererat hits him with all of its might in Gamma's right shoulder for 8 (max). Not being made of metal, his bite just can't get through dwarven steel.

R2T10: Paxre, what do you do?

Muhrbala on deck, sniper wererat in the hole ..

[PSinger]

Paxre is still pouring dark healing into Omega, muttering to himself as if he is not himself. He then takes out his flask of alchemist's fire.
CLW [roll0]

EDIT: YES! I call and Azathoth ... not quite answers ... but the Idiot God gives me what I want, anyway. Go, Team Dark Chaos!

[lostsole31]

R2T10: Paxre moves around the corner into the "tunnel" and steps in front of Alpha and channels dark healing into himself and focuses on this strange telepathic link while focusing on Omega, and it works! Omega dark energy flows in a creepy cloud straight from Paxre to Omega for 12. This is the first time ever he's managed distance healing and he's lost allies before because of positioning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex9GCwCdW_I
R2T9.9: Muhrbala zooms up past the badly injured wererat's snapping teeth and stabs him in the upper back for 7 mod, which is enough to drop the lycanthrope.

R2T4: The sniper fires at Beta and misses.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R2T26: Beta, you are being swarmed, and if you move offline at all you will be out of LOS from allies in the tunnel. There is only one wererat (barely wounded) near the tunnel, two rat swarms (you're in one and the other is all over the prone Gamma), and there is still a sniper around the northern corner (though he hasn't had a great track record). Stomping on the rat swarms, other than killing one or two rats, had no appreciable difference. Oh, and that gods-awful noise is still ringing. What do you do?

Noisemaker on deck, Beta's rat swarm in the hole .

[meemaas]

Ignoring the rat swarm, Beta will back up towards Gamma, stopping just in front of him so as to not lure the enemies into attacking his prone companions.

However many actions it takes to move where i mentioned.

[lostsole31]

R3T26: Beta backs up, passing a failed AOO from the wererat, to stand just in front of his prone friend. He and Gamma are now both in a rat swarm.

R3T25.9: The high-pitched noise ends.

R3T20.5: Omega, what do you do?

Alpha on deck, rat swarm on Beta/ Gamma in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Omega charges back in on his nearest target, shooting out his fist in a sudden movement, the sound of breaking glass being heard as he swings, he coalesces a bit of the dark energy to wrap around another one of the rats as he does.

Move action to the nearest Wererat, ignoring the rat swarms.
Standard action to use Breaking Glass Strike (Remember, I used Dark Claim to recover it by claiming the wererat I didn't attack as a swift action.

Attack roll [roll0]
Damage [roll1] + [roll2]
Swift action to claim another wererat to regain Cursed Fate

Saving throw DC 18 will save to avoid being Dazed for one round, dazzled for five whether he saves or not

Alpha moves and lines himself up with the swarms around Beta and Gamma, and refocuses his energy, launching a line of fire into the group.

Move action to line myself up as far out as I can while still being able to use the breath weapon from Gorget of the Wyrm.
Swift action to reallocate 2 essence from Circlet of Brass to Gorget of the Wyrm
Standard action to use the Breath Weapon [roll3] DC 18 reflex save for half (+2 damage and +1 DC from Circlet of Brass)

I assume you want to roll the saving throws yourself, so i'll avoid rolling them myself

[lostsole31]

R3T20.5: Omega charges back in on his nearest target, but his desire to rush the action is his bane as he slips and slides forward in the muck. With this terrible reversal of fortune, his aura is dropped until he can situate himself again.Sometimes, it would seem, the aura of misfortune turns back upon you. There's a price to be paid for demanding ill for others.
R3T20.3: Alpha moves up to the rats, his powers changing as he does, but as he goes to breathe - in bringing his head back - the elan falls into the muck ... and a whole lot of rats. As he lands on his back, just keeping his head out of sewer water, there is a little puff of flame and smoke and he coughs.

R3T20: A new wererat - a reinforcement it would seem - hops over the rivulet and stabs down at Omega to hit him in his right upper arm with a penetrating wound for 22.

R3T19: The rat swarm swarming Gamma and Beta, and each manages to slash at the swarm for 3 mod. With his armor keeping out some, Gamma only takes 3, but even with his psionic armor Beta still takes 6.

R3T17.9: Delta, what do you do? You can't use your healing surge until round 7. Gamma, Alpha, and Omega are all prone. The rat swarms end just in front of you ... which might not bode well for you. You already have noticed that the slick-bottomed (and moderately deep) rivulet going into the room is playing havoc for your team.

Gamma, you are swarmed by rats. Gamma is so clumsy, naturally but even worse in armor, that it seems that even attacking or spellcasting or the like is enough movement to cause slipping. Through the collective, Gamma can tell that Omega is getting into a bad way. Gamma is on deck (literally) ...