Mummy's Mask - Shifting Sands [IC]

[Gwynfrid]

Relentlessly chased by the hungry insects and toads, Turi sees his flying companions disappear into the smoke above. At the limit of the lighting provided by Lehasti's falchion, Natala gets level with a new masked character - but contrary to the cultists, the mask is lifted up, revealing a young feminine face as she seems to be looking for something, bow and arrow at the ready.

No sound is uttered, and a few seconds pass is complete silence while the two women eye each other and look around for threats.

In the darkness above, a faint sound is audible. Sunset feels a slack in her rope, and sure enough, the severed end falls down on her shoulders.

Spoiler: end of round 9

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Sunset can grab the rope if she doesn't want to let it fall to the bottom, but in that case she won't be have a free hand to fire arrows.

Lehasti can't see in the smoke, but she can see upwards out of it, thanks the the light from Azkin's spell. Azkin can see downwards but not upwards. The light at the bottom of the well is from the fallen cultist's equipment.

The frogs climb faster than Turi can, so they continue eating him alive (2d6)[10] damage, Fort save DC13 (1d20+3)[20] or (1d4)[1] Con damage.

3rd round of poisoning for Vershab Fort save DC13 (1d20+1)[14] or (1d4)[4] Con damage.

Turi takes 10 damage and resists the poison, while Vershab's poisoning has run its course.

[Starbin]

Natala al Akmet, Warsighted Oracle

Natala’s eyes narrow as she sees the cultist there. But taking in the bow and lack of mask, she pauses, spear tip pointed at the other woman. ”Speak quickly, or throw down your weapons. Who are you?”

---

OOC - I figure there’s enough discrepancies to warrant a tactical pause with this figure. Here’s hoping it’s actually another PC! Holding an action to attack or ... something else, depending on her response.

Spoiler: Crunch

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AC 21 HP 28/57 Init +8 Move 30
F +5 R +8 W +8
Weapon: MW longspear (+8, 1d8+3), Ancestral Weapon (+1 magic weapon ouf choice from pantheon)
Spells: (Unl) guidance, detect magic, create water, read magic, detect poison, stabilize, mending, ghost sound, mage hand / (8/8) cure light wounds, unseen servant, ray of sickening, divine favor, remove fear, bless, protection vs evil / (4/7) cure moderate wounds, levitate, minor image, spiritual weapon, burst of radiance, lesser restoration, spear of purity / (3/5) cure serious wounds, heroism, searing light, summon monster 3
Martial flexibility: 3/6; AW: 5/7: Spirit shield: 6/7; Blessings: 1/2
Key skills: Diplomacy +12; KS History/Religion +9; Sense Motive +8; Spellcraft +8; Heal +5; Linguistics +5; KS All others +4; Craft Weapons +6
Effect: Martial mastery (blind-fight, 2 of 10 rounds); Spirit Shield (+6 armor; 1 hr); Bless (+1 attack/save vs fear, minutes); war blessing (Lehasti, 5 rounds left); poisoned (-1 Con)

[Inspector Valin]

"Here to help, you idiot! Did you miss the bomb arrow? Bodies falling from the sky? Did you think some kind of murder - fairy had taken pity on you or something?"

The woman with lightly sparkling orange hair looks far from happy at a second interrogation by the people she'd come here to help. Still, she catches the falling rope with her off hand, rather than notch another arrow to her bow. "Someone just dropped my rope. She might be running. Out of minions to throw at you." Seemingly content with the newly risen Relic Knight, this friendly cultist stares up at the height of the shaft. She'd far rather their opponent not escape to menace them another day. Slowly motes of amber light start to swirl around the distant summit of the well shaft, a handful at first slowly growing into a gentle storm of ethereal dust.

Spoiler

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Grabbing the rope. Can't hit an invisible target anyway and this is more immediately useful. Using Glitterdust at the top of the shaft to try and ping our invisible friend. Will saving throw DC 15 to avoid blindness. She can't avoid the glitter outline effect though. Lasts 7 rounds. Radius of 10ft should ensure she can't get out without being coated in the stuff. Assuming the rope grab is a free action, Sunset's gonna start climbing up with her move action.

[Farmerbink]

"Some help, here?!" Turi shouts, trying in vain to swat at the swarming frogs as he climbs upwards. As they pace him despite his best efforts, he reconsiders his options entirely, dropping back to the well floor and scampering into the darkness.

"Bringing the fun to you, Vee!"

Spoiler: Turi, round "10"

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Spoiler: current stats

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Turi
Male N Human Fighter 1 / URogue 6 (Knife master), Level 7, Init +5, HP 22/73 (3 nonlethal damage), Speed 30
AC 22, Touch 16, Flat-footed 17, CMD 21, Fort 8, Ref 11, Will 6, CMB +5, Base Attack Bonus 5
+1 Kukri x2 +12 or +10/+10 (1d4+6, 18-20, x2)
Cold iron dagger +10 (1d4, 19-20, x2)
Silver dagger +10 (1d4-1, 19-20, x2)
Trip attempt +16 (assuming +1 kukri)
Mistmail (mist form- 20% concealment), Amulet of natural armor, Ring of protection (+5 Armor, +5 Dex, +1 Nat, +1 Def)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 20, Con 15, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 8
Condition +1 dmg when flanking
+1 AC (23) vs attack with light blades
sneak stab: 3d8/3d4
Endurance, die hard // Resiliency: 1/1
Vanish: 1/2 (CL 6)
-2 skill checks after failure
ignore first 5' of difficult terrain
poisons, potions
Escape artist R's edge

Climb down one move, accelerated for 15' down. Drop to the floor. (1d20+12)[30] vs 15 to reduce falling damage by 10'. If successful, (1d6)[3] nonlethal damage, and move as far as I can the rest of my turn.
If unsuccessful, that roll is lethal, and add (1d6)[4] nonlethal. move action to stand up?

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Vershab Status, Round 10

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Vershab Fethi
Male True Neutral Human Blood Arcanist, Level 7, Init 12, HP 13/51, DR 5/- (vs. Nonlethal), Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 6, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 3
Mage Armor (Extended, 14 Hours)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 12, Con 12 (7 currently), Int 21, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition 1/9 Arcane Reservoir Available
0/5 Grave Touch Used
Draak 25/25 HPs
Fly 8/50 rounds

"Catch the leader if you can - the archer seems trustworthy enough for now! The archon was willing to vouch for her!" calls Vershab as he flies forward, stopping before he reaches melee with the swarm.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Double move to fly towards the swarm, but stopping before coming into melee range of it. Next round I would like to be able to fly into melee with a single move action before casting Burning Hands.

[Starbin]

Natala al Akmet, Warsighted Oracle

Natala’s jaws clench as the woman insults her ... and fails to answer her question. She pauses a moment, deciding whether to retort when the scholar’s voice echoes up from below, vouching for an archer. Nodding to herself, Natala continues flying upwards, spear ready as she does. She casts about for signs of the last (?) cultist, a spell ready if she finds them.

---

OOC - flying up full move; if she catches up, she’ll cast burst of radiance; otherwise she’ll double move to continue the chase

Spoiler: Crunch

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AC 21 HP 28/57 Init +8 Move 30
F +5 R +8 W +8
Weapon: MW longspear (+8, 1d8+3), Ancestral Weapon (+1 magic weapon ouf choice from pantheon)
Spells: (Unl) guidance, detect magic, create water, read magic, detect poison, stabilize, mending, ghost sound, mage hand / (8/8) cure light wounds, unseen servant, ray of sickening, divine favor, remove fear, bless, protection vs evil / (4/7) cure moderate wounds, levitate, minor image, spiritual weapon, burst of radiance, lesser restoration, spear of purity / (3/5) cure serious wounds, heroism, searing light, summon monster 3
Martial flexibility: 3/6; AW: 5/7: Spirit shield: 6/7; Blessings: 1/2
Key skills: Diplomacy +12; KS History/Religion +9; Sense Motive +8; Spellcraft +8; Heal +5; Linguistics +5; KS All others +4; Craft Weapons +6
Effect: Martial mastery (blind-fight, 3 of 10 rounds); Spirit Shield (+6 armor; 1 hr); Bless (+1 attack/save vs fear, minutes); war blessing (Lehasti, 4 rounds left); poisoned (-1 Con)

[JWallyR]

Lehasti continues to float upward, desperately seeking for a target for her ire. Her searching eyes land on the semi-masked figure above and narrow suspiciously, but Vershab's shout seems to resolve the momentary conflict. As she continues her pursuit of the unseen foe, she barks out, "I will count you a friend- see that you don't prove me wrong."

Spoiler: Actions

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Lehasti continues to rise upward in search of a foe. She has had +10 move speed for the last several rounds due to the martial blessing from Natala, I don't know if this has been being tracked.

Should she find her foe she will Smite Evil (+7 damage assuming she's not undead or evil outsider, +3 atk/AC, all if evil) as a Swift action and attack. Attack rolls do not consider Smite Evil.

Attack: (1d20+15)[33]
CC: (1d20+15)[32] for x2 on 33+
Damage: (2d4+14)[19] slashing plus (1d6)[4] flaming
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[19] slashing

Spoiler: AoO

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Attack: (1d20+15)[17]
CC: (1d20+15)[29] for x2 on 33+
Damage: (2d4+14)[18] slashing plus (1d6)[5] flaming
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[20] slashing

Spoiler: Stats

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Lehasti Gesmeha
F LG Human Paladin, Level 7, Init 1, HP 74/85, Speed 20
AC 28, Touch 17, Flat-footed 23, CMD 29, Fort 15, Ref 10, Will 11, CMB +15, Base Attack Bonus 7
+1/Flaming/Flaming Burst, Continual Flame Flaming Puzzle Falchion +1 +14 (2d4+7, 18-20, x2)
Flail, Heavy +11 (1d10+6, 19-20, x2)
Spiked Gauntlet +11 (1d4+4, )
Breastplate +1 (+7 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 Natural, +4 Deflect)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 7, Cha 16
Condition Falchion is Flaming (1d6 fire damage) today.
Heroism: +2 (morale) attack (net +1 with Bless) saves and skills, 493 rds remaining
Bless: +1 (morale) to Attack, 42 rds remaining
Protection From Evil: +2 (Deflection) AC and +2 resistance (+1 net) Saves vs Evil enemies, 40 rds remaining
Ironskin: +4 (net +3 with amulet) nat'l armor, dismiss to negate crit, 37 rds remaining
War Blessing (Pick +10 mv spd or +1 to atk OR saves OR AC 1 rd), 4 rds remaining
Divine Favor: +1 (luck) to Attack/Damage, 1 rds remaining
+10 mv speed this round

Azkin continues to follow his mistress, eyes and ears searching for a sign of their foe.

Spoiler: Actions

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Azkin continues to fly after Lehasti, looking for their enemy. If given some reason to think that an opponent is in range, he will attempt to actively locate with Perception: (1d20+8)[24].

Otherwise, a potential attack:

Attack: (1d20+5)[12]
CC: (1d20+5)[9] for x2 on 25
Damage: (1d8+3)[5] piercing
Crit damage: (2d8+6)[11] piercing

Spoiler: AoOs

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Attack: (1d20+5)[15]
CC: (1d20+5)[25] for x2 on 25
Damage: (1d8+3)[10] piercing
Crit damage: (2d8+6)[18] piercing

Attack: (1d20+5)[20]
CC: (1d20+5)[25] for x2 on 25
Damage: (1d8+3)[4] piercing
Crit damage: (2d8+6)[20] piercing

Attack: (1d20+5)[25]
CC: (1d20+5)[18] for x2 on 25
Damage: (1d8+3)[9] piercing
Crit damage: (2d8+6)[19] piercing

Spoiler: Stats

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Azkin
M NG Human Cleric, Level 5, Init 2, HP 45/49, Speed 30
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 17, Fort 8, Ref 5, Will 9, CMB +6, Base Attack Bonus 3
Longspear 5 (1d8+3, x3)
Dagger +1 6 (1d4+3, 19-20, x2)
Scimitar 5 (1d6+2, 18-20, x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 10
Condition Bless: 42 rds, +1 (morale) to attacks, saves vs fear

[Gwynfrid]

Turi deftly escapes the batracian swarm and lands back to take cover in the corridor. He comes across a flying Vershab, who begins to ascend in pursuit of the frogs. But he immediately notices that the swarm is now crawling downwards, chasing the young rogue, and the arcanist retreats to prepare his fiery counter-attack.

Higher up, Sunset involves a rain of luminous motes that gently fall down, some of them covering her enemy, then Natala, then herself before they disperse. Visible, or at least, located at last! Natala doesn't let this chance pass, and unleashes Ra's wrath upon the hateful masked woman.

As they emerge from the smoke, Lehasti and Azkin witness the clouds and bursts of light. They see an orange-haired stranger exchanging sharp words with Nalata, but the desert woman flies further up, into the darkness.

Spoiler: round 10

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I applied a bit of creative common sense on 2 points:
- The glitterdust area happened to be higher than Meret-Hetef's position. The dust falls down and covers her, but since it wasn't a direct hit, I'm ruling that the blinded effect doesn't apply. Some sparkles land down on Natala and Sunset, meaning they can't hide anymore either.
- Vershab's movement was going to have him end in the middle of the frogs as they're now backtracking, but I had Vershab back down a little instead. He's now in an ideal roasting position as a result.

Burst of Radiance damage (5d4)[11], and Refl DC17 (1d20+9)[19], if fail, blinded, if pass, dazzled, for (1d4)[4] rounds.

[Gwynfrid]

"Nice trick, Tabiry. I didn't know you could do that too." Sunset realizes the implication, just as a sharp incantation from above brings into being a very similar cloud of piercingly bright motes, that covers Nalata and her. Both women shake the dusty light out of their vision, and they can see the masked woman flying upwards away from them.

Spoiler: end of round 10

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Meret-Hetef casts glitterdust as well, Will DC16
Natala (1d20+8)[19]
Sunset (1d20+7)[22]
... Both passed

[Starbin]

Natala al Akmet, Warsighted Oracle

Natala shakes away the glittering dust and calls forth anothe r bow, this one hovering mearby. It immediately fires at the female cultist leader even as Natala flies upward in chase.

---

OOC - Casting spiritual weapon (comp shortbow), attack leader. Fly upwards in chase
Attack - (1d20+10)[23], Damage - (1d8+2)[10]

Spoiler: Crunch

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AC 21 HP 28/57 Init +8 Move 30
F +5 R +8 W +8
Weapon: MW longspear (+8, 1d8+3), Ancestral Weapon (+1 magic weapon ouf choice from pantheon)
Spells: (Unl) guidance, detect magic, create water, read magic, detect poison, stabilize, mending, ghost sound, mage hand / (8/8) cure light wounds, unseen servant, ray of sickening, divine favor, remove fear, bless, protection vs evil / (3/7) cure moderate wounds, levitate, minor image, spiritual weapon, burst of radiance, lesser restoration, spear of purity / (3/5) cure serious wounds, heroism, searing light, summon monster 3
Martial flexibility: 3/6; AW: 5/7: Spirit shield: 6/7; Blessings: 1/2
Key skills: Diplomacy +12; KS History/Religion +9; Sense Motive +8; Spellcraft +8; Heal +5; Linguistics +5; KS All others +4; Craft Weapons +6
Effect: Martial mastery (blind-fight, 3 of 10 rounds); Spirit Shield (+6 armor; 1 hr); Bless (+1 attack/save vs fear, minutes); war blessing (Lehasti, 4 rounds left); poisoned (-1 Con)

[DarkOne-Rob]

Spoiler: Vershab Status, Round 11

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Vershab Fethi
Male True Neutral Human Blood Arcanist, Level 7, Init 12, HP 13/51, DR 5/- (vs. Nonlethal), Speed 30 ft.
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-footed 14, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 6, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 3
Mage Armor (Extended, 14 Hours)
Abilities Str 9, Dex 12, Con 12 (7 currently), Int 21, Wis 10, Cha 14
Condition 1/9 Arcane Reservoir Available
0/5 Grave Touch Used
Draak 25/25 HPs
Fly 9/50 rounds

"Turi, I will go down the leg at the split with the frightened face - you go down the opposite. If we split up I think can only attack one of us." directs Vershab as he invokes a cone of flame, roasting as many of the frogs as he can before flying backwards as described.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Cast Burning Hands (Reflex DC 16 for half damage) on the frog swarm - (5d4)[10] fire damage (not counting the extra 50% damage for them being a swarm)

Then Vershab flies backwards, staying out of range of the swarm to the best of his ability (about J14).

[JWallyR]

As the target of her ire comes into view, Lehasti grins savagely, but her enthusiasm wanes as the glittery figure continues to rise away from her. "Azkin! Her Flight spell!" barks the paladin to her young companion, who squints upward at the retreating figure. With a nod, the cleric squints upward at the foe, praying for divine intervention- "Oh Flower of the Dawn! Cleanse away the artifice of darkness!"

Spoiler: Actions

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Lehasti flies upward toward the foe. Even with the +10 move speed from her blessing, she cannot reach the foe this turn.

Spoiler: AoO

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Attack: (1d20+15)[35]
CC: (1d20+15)[22] for x2 on 33+
Damage: (2d4+14)[17] slashing plus (1d6)[1] flaming
Crit damage: (2d4+14)[18] slashing

Spoiler: Stats

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Lehasti Gesmeha
F LG Human Paladin, Level 7, Init 1, HP 74/85, Speed 20
AC 28, Touch 17, Flat-footed 23, CMD 29, Fort 15, Ref 10, Will 11, CMB +15, Base Attack Bonus 7
+1/Flaming/Flaming Burst, Continual Flame Flaming Puzzle Falchion +1 +14 (2d4+7, 18-20, x2)
Flail, Heavy +11 (1d10+6, 19-20, x2)
Spiked Gauntlet +11 (1d4+4, )
Breastplate +1 (+7 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 Natural, +4 Deflect)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 7, Cha 16
Condition Falchion is Flaming (1d6 fire damage) today.
Heroism: +2 (morale) attack (net +1 with Bless) saves and skills, 492 rds remaining
Bless: +1 (morale) to Attack, 41 rds remaining
Protection From Evil: +2 (Deflection) AC and +2 resistance (+1 net) Saves vs Evil enemies, 39 rds remaining
Ironskin: +4 (net +3 with amulet) nat'l armor, dismiss to negate crit, 36 rds remaining
War Blessing (Pick +10 mv spd or +1 to atk OR saves OR AC 1 rd), 3 rds remaining
Divine Favor: +1 (luck) to Attack/Damage, 0 rds remaining
+10 mv speed this round

Azkin casts Dispel Magic and attempts to target an assumed Fly spell on the enemy with CL check: (1d20+5)[21]
Win or lose, he will use his remaining move action to follow Lehasti upward.

Spoiler: AoOs

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Attack: (1d20+6)[18]
CC: (1d20+6)[10] for x2 on 26
Damage: (1d8+3)[10] piercing
Crit damage: (2d8+6)[20] piercing

Attack: (1d20+6)[26]
CC: (1d20+6)[13] for x2 on 26
Damage: (1d8+3)[11] piercing
Crit damage: (2d8+6)[18] piercing

Attack: (1d20+6)[14]
CC: (1d20+6)[9] for x2 on 26
Damage: (1d8+3)[10] piercing
Crit damage: (2d8+6)[11] piercing

Spoiler: Stats

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Azkin
M NG Human Cleric, Level 5, Init 2, HP 45/49, Speed 30
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 17, Fort 8, Ref 5, Will 9, CMB +6, Base Attack Bonus 3
Longspear 5 (1d8+3, x3)
Dagger +1 6 (1d4+3, 19-20, x2)
Scimitar 5 (1d6+2, 18-20, x2)
Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 19, Cha 10
Condition Bless: 41 rds, +1 (morale) to attacks, saves vs fear

[Gwynfrid]

A sharp, involuntary yell of surprise from above rewards Lehasti's quick thinking when Azkin ends his invocation of the Dawnflower's power. The fleeing enemy leader falls, only to be met with a powerful swing of the paladin's falchion that slices her armor open and leaves a large, bloody gash in her thigh. Carefully, Natala readjusts her arrow towards the falling enemy, and finds her exposed neck. Slowly, Meret-Hetef's limp body falls down to the bottom of the well.

In the corridor below, the frogs take a wave of fire from Vershab, who then flees, as does Turi. They hear the dull thump of a body hitting the floor of the well, and from the triumphant calls from their friends, they conclude the victory is theirs. The next minute is simply a game of staying out of the way of the poisonous swarm until the summoning magic expires and the creatures go back wherever they came from.

Spoiler: end of round 11, and of combat

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Reflex save DC20 (1d20+9)[19]

[JWallyR]

"Haha! Well done, Azkin!" Lehasti's triumphant shout echos the height of the well shaft. The young cleric's only reaction is to blush furiously at the high praise from his mistress before looking to minister to what wounds may be found on his various allies.

Lehasti darts down the well shaft, past the various visual blockages and varying light sources that obstruct a clear picture of the activities near the bottom, to observe that the swarm seems to be milling around but causing no harm. Satisfied that the threat to her allies is over, the paladin rises once more in search of the second new, apparently friendly, arrival. Fixing her with an appraising (but not overtly hostile) stare, the paladin says in a measured tone, "It has been said that actions shout while words merely whisper. Yours tell me that you are not an enemy- but precious few friends reveal themselves in such a time and place, and I know not your face. Why are you here?" The paladin eyes the orange-haired woman with a piercing gaze; after closing her eyes in a prayerful manner, the paladin reopens them, revealing a golden shimmer that was not present before.

Spoiler: Actions

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Detect Evil, obviously, and wait for the new arrival to introduce herself, etc.

[Inspector Valin]

Sunset gives Meret a small wave as she drops by. The last thing her former superior sees might be that vicious grin, glinting in the darkness. Once the body finally hits the distant ground, Sunset whistles, looking up at Azkin and Lehasti with an appreciative smile. "Well! That could've gone far worse. Nice job!"

The strange archer takes a moment to retrieve a strange black arrow that has been lodged in the wall opposite the ladder, untying the length of rope from it and stowing both in her back before she starts to slowly descend back towards the ground level and the assembled adventurers. Notably, she doesn't seem inclined to bother with the ladder, fixing her bow to her back and starting to scale down the rockface. Before she can make it all the way however, a familiar figure rises up to greet her. Sunset raises one hand to try and show peaceful intent, coming to a swift halt and humming at the question. "Lot of stuff to unpack with that one, Sarry. Give me a second."

Apparently, that second was needed to fix her outfit. Lehasti watches as the mask of the cult fades, Sunset placing it atop her head as it transforms into a wide brimmed azure hat, shaded to offset her sparkling sun-tinted hair. The leathers around her silver armor lighten in tone too, and her cape shifts from a faded crimson to a far brighter, more vibrant red. After a brief appraisal, the archer seems content with her reworked appearance, nodding to Lehasti with a smile.

"I've been part of Hakoteph's band for a while now. Think I was one of the first outside their inner circle. They trained me to do their dirty work: infiltration, assassination, you can probably guess the sort of thing." All of these are recited without a shred of remorse or sorrow. Yet Sunset looks away for just a second once she's done. When she turns back, the stranger seems a touch more agitated. "I wanted out. The Cult wasn't gonna let me leave, so something like this was always bound to happen. But I heard about the Relic Knights, who'd hung onto the Mask of the Sky Pharaoh so passionately. So I waited until Meret launched this little raid, and I could try and help you turn the tables on her. Figured the best way to get out safe would be to join up with people the Dead Lickers were already trying to kill. Safety in numbers, right?"

Oh, she should let them know about the boy! Sunset waves a hand upwards, towards the mouth of the pit. "They knew you'd be down here in the Repository because of some kid. Sabef. 'parrently you hired him as a guide? They left me to guard him. He's up top, unconscious and tied up." The archer chuckles. "Well, he was tied up. I may have slit his bonds before coming down to join in the fun. Only seemed fair if I was gonna try and get out to give the tyke a chance to do the same, right?"

Spoiler

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Sarry = Sarenrite. Just to be clear

[DarkOne-Rob]

Vershab floats to the body, intent on the only cultist to remain intact upon death. "The fall killed her - we won't be able to question her easily," he mutters as Lehasti interrogates yet another newcomer. "I cannot invoke the power to speak with the dead again today and doubt the people of Tephu will allow us to carry around her corpse for tomorrow...

Lehasti! Is it going to upset you and your protege if I animate her corpse? I can probably manage to control her and we might get some useful information that way!" the scholar yells up at the paladin.

"You know I find your morals confusing, but I do not want to make you unhappy with me...Oh, and while I will live, I surely need some healing before we meet any new threats. Are you done up there? Are we adopting more unexpected allies to join us? If not, kill her quickly. If we are adopting them, you should warn them about me before I accidentally insult them somehow and make things awkward..."

[Starbin]

Natala al Akmet, Warsighted Oracle

When the leader was struck down by the combined efforts of Lehasti and Azkin, Natala turned back to the other archer, quietly watching as the knight arrived to question her. She was impressed by how the Okd Gods continued to guide events, sending yet another ally to assist. Natala is quiet for a moment, until she heard Vershab call from below. Glancing from Lehasti to the bottom of the shaft, she said ”I will provide succor to the scholar, presuming you need no aid here.”

Once Lehasti agreed, Natala flies down to meet the others, letting her spiritual weapon disappear. Upon reaching the others, she approached the scholar. “I have a scroll to speak with the dead, if that would be of value ... but I wonder if it will provide much benefit for any of these cultist. Why did she not explode, do you think?

Oh, my! You bear the ravages of a deadly poison! Hold still and receive the blessing of Sekhmet!”

The Oracle reaches out to provide the healing power of her gods ...

---

OOC - Heal V: Lesser restoration - (1d4)[4], Lesser restoration - (1d4)[1] (if necessary), CSW - (3d8+7)[22]
Religion - (1d20+9)[10] to figure out why the cultist didn’t blow up; Religion - (1d20+9)[14] to determine if the speak with dead would work against the leader.

Spoiler: Crunch

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AC 21 HP 28/57 Init +8 Move 30
F +5 R +8 W +8
Weapon: MW longspear (+8, 1d8+3), Ancestral Weapon (+1 magic weapon ouf choice from pantheon)
Spells: (Unl) guidance, detect magic, create water, read magic, detect poison, stabilize, mending, ghost sound, mage hand / (8/8) cure light wounds, unseen servant, ray of sickening, divine favor, remove fear, bless, protection vs evil / (1/7) cure moderate wounds, levitate, minor image, spiritual weapon, burst of radiance, lesser restoration, spear of purity / (2/5) cure serious wounds, heroism, searing light, summon monster 3
Martial flexibility: 3/6; AW: 5/7: Spirit shield: 6/7; Blessings: 1/2
Key skills: Diplomacy +12; KS History/Religion +9; Sense Motive +8; Spellcraft +8; Heal +5; Linguistics +5; KS All others +4; Craft Weapons +6
Effect: Martial mastery (blind-fight, 4 of 10 rounds); Spirit Shield (+6 armor; 1 hr); Bless (+1 attack/save vs fear, minutes); war blessing (Lehasti, 3 rounds left); poisoned (-1 Con)

[Inspector Valin]

"Kill?"

Sunset's eyes go wide - as collected as she likes to act, the archer hadn't considered the possibility that the Relic Knights would simply end her life just for the sake of expediency. She tries to smile again, chuckling at Vershab's latter postscript, but Lehasti can tell she's nervous now. Awkward indeed. "Too late!" Sunset calls down, though she sounds more amused than insulted. After a few seconds, she adds "Appreciate the thought though!"

That part of the conversation done, Sunset turns back to Lehasti, humour gone from her face. She gets the feeling the warrior wouldn't appreciate it. "You know, I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Meret might know more than me, but you'll have to drag answers out of her with magic. I actually want to help you. I get not trusting me, but if I'd been trying to kill you, I wouldn't have mucked this ambush up for Meret. Isolated spot, no idea we were coming. It was too good a chance to waste."

[JWallyR]

A few short moments after Lehasti's eyes reopen with a golden shimmer, they suddenly widen in surprise before narrowing in a more naked suspicion as the orange-haired woman tells her tale. At the overt reference to the Sky Pharoah's mask, her eyes widen once more in shock, her mouth opening as if to speak before clamping shut, accompanied by an even more skeptical expression.

"Sabef. 'parrently you hired him as a guide? They left me to guard him. He's up top, unconscious and tied up. Well, he was tied up. I may have slit his bonds before coming down to join in the fun. Only seemed fair if I was gonna try and get out to give the tyke a chance to do the same, right?"

For a third time, the paladin's face reveals surprise and confusion, melting into another guarded expression as she attempts to gauge the newcomer. "It is quite the relief that our young guide has found at worst this merciful a fate. Be that as it ma-" the paladin's thought is interrupted by Vershab's shouted remarks.

Lehasti! Is it going to upset you and your protege if I animate her corpse? I can probably manage to control her and we might get some useful information that way!You know I find your morals confusing, but I do not want to make you unhappy with me...Oh, and while I will live, I surely need some healing before we meet any new threats. Are you done up there? Are we adopting more unexpected allies to join us? If not, kill her quickly. If we are adopting them, you should warn them about me before I accidentally insult them somehow and make things awkward..."

Lehasti reaches up to cover her eyes with one gauntleted fist and groans quietly. Failing to completely hide her irritation, she calls down to her companion, "I don't imagine that she is likely to become any more dead in the next few minutes, is she? One thing at a time, Vershab."

"You know, I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Meret might know more than me, but you'll have to drag answers out of her with magic. I actually want to help you. I get not trusting me, but if I'd been trying to kill you, I wouldn't have mucked this ambush up for Meret. Isolated spot, no idea we were coming. It was too good a chance to waste."

Returning her complete focus to the newcomer, Lehasti listens with an affect of deliberate impassiveness. "Questions have I, indeed. What sort of evil cultist shows mercy to a captive boy when he is no longer of any use to her?" The paladin's tone is level, almost clinical in her description of the facts as she sees them. "You bear knowledge of us that is a close-held secret... apparently, to all but this cult about which you speak with so little concern. No, stranger, I do not trust you, though you have granted Sabef mercy and fought what seems to be our mutual enemy." The paladin's expression softens almost imperceptibly. "But neither will I call you my foe, for many a dark heart has been won to the light by patience and mercy."

Her expression hardening somewhat again, she continues, "You will have to understand, however, that the lives of my companions is in my charge. You seek the shelter of our wings from the predations of your former allies, which implies that you wish to join our travels. Conveniently enough, I would wish a close watch kept on any soul with such intimate knowledge of our errand as you clearly have, particularly until such a one were to prove herself an ally in truth, and not merely convenience." The paladin raises one eyebrow in a questioning expression. "Find ye such terms acceptable, or must we negotiate more directly?" The paladin's emphasis, combined with a deliberate adjustment of her gauntleted hands about the grip of her flaming blade, leave very little doubt as to her intended meaning.

[Inspector Valin]

Sunset doesn't need long to deliberate on Lehasti's offer. She nods, swiftly and emphatically. "I'll take that. Figured you were up to something that'd keep you fighting the Sky Lord's bootlickers, so didn't expect this to be easy. Still beats going it alone." She chuckles, placing a hand to her neck. "Make no promises about the whole 'won to the light' thing, but hey, you'll be putting up with me. Least I can do is listen to you, right?"

Conversation done, unless Lehasti has further objections to offer, Sunset starts climbing down to the base of the shaft. As she goes however, she glances over at the Paladin. "Anyway, why would I kill the kid? He'd never done anything to me. I'd figured you lot might want him dead since he ratted you out and everything, but that's not how you work, I get it." The archer snorts, "I ain't gonna call myself a paragon of morality, but if I just started killing people who weren't useful to me, I'd run out of people fast. Lotta idiots out there."

[JWallyR]

Lehasti grunts noncommittally at the archer-woman's comments as the latter makes her way down the well shaft, her gaze following the newcomer's progress down the shaft. She gazes up toward the street level and their young guide, unseen from this vantage, with concern clearly in her eyes, then down again at her newest traveling companion. With a soft growl of frustration under her breath, the still-airborne paladin darts downward to join the rest of the party. As soon as Azkin is in earshot, she calls to him, "Azkin- it seems that young master Sabef may be in need of our aid up on the alleyway above. See to his condition, if you would." After ensuring that their newest addition's back is turned, the paladin jerks her head toward the orange-haired woman and gives her cleric companion an eyebrow-raised expression pregnant with meaning. His brows furrowed in confusion and concern, Azkin springs upward to the street level in search of Sabef.

Clearing her throat, the paladin addresses the party: "Sarenrae be praised, we are victorious this day; and while we are all wearied, She preserves us to fight again on the morrow. In addition, it seems we have another new... companion on our journey." Gesturing at the newcomer, the paladin continues, "Clearly an archer of some skill, and a refugee of the dark cult that is, it would seem, our greatest foe at the moment... how shall we call you?" she turns to address the woman directly.

Spoiler: Actions

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Lehasti is coming down to see to the remaining companions and cough keep an eye on Sunset.

Azkin will head to street level and see to Sabef's condition, including basic healing (wand of CLW) if his condition places him in immediate danger, reassuring him if he becomes conscious and seems to be fearful of the Relic Knights.

[Gwynfrid]

The ascension up the well is a long, exhausting slog for bodies barely recovering from wounds, poison, and a terrifying fight for survival deep underground, against merciless and faceless enemies. At last, the group emerges to the surface of the earth, in a quiet, dark street. The smell in the air feels like dawn can't be too far away, although its first light is yet to appear.

Azkin easily finds Sabef's body, hastily tucked against the wall in a darker corner of the alleyway. The group's unfortunate guide is in a pitiful state, his swollen face barely recognizable, with multiple bruises, split lips and several broken teeth, his arms and thighs covered in vicious burns, his clothing torn and blood-soaked. For an instant, Azkin fears he might not have survived the ordeal, but a touch of his healing wand causes a stir in the boy's body. He moans, in a broken voice: "Please, I beg you... no more..." It takes several more applications of the wand before he truly comes to his senses, the soothing divine power closing the worse cuts and easing the pain.

"Oh, Master Azkin, it is you! You came back to save my life! I didn't deserve it, I betrayed your trust! I'm so, so sorry!" Through tears, Sabef explains... "I couldn't take it anymore, so I talked... Such a shame on my head! It's my fault, too! I should never have read this message that I carried to you. Curiosity... Cursed curiosity got the better of me..."

[Inspector Valin]

The strange archer is glancing down at her ensemble after leaving the well. It takes her a few seconds, but Lehasti can see she's reverted some of the colourization process she'd used in conversation, dulling the tones of her leathers and cape to better fit a darkened city street. The orange hair still twinkles in the half-light however. The former cultist glances around the emerging Relic Knights, taking them in one by one before answering Lehasti's question. "I just went by Sunset in the cult. It still works. It's as much my name as any other"

That was unduly solemn. Pondering that makes the former cultist notice the low sobs coming from her right. Sunset gives the crying Sabef a cheery wave, hoping that would help his mood a little, before turning back to the body of the group. "You've probably got questions for me. I get that. But waiting around right next to the well with a crying boy is asking for trouble. And while fighting every single watchman in Tephu sounds like fun, I don't have that many bomb arrows left." She winks at Lehasti, before returning to the conversation. "If we're talking more, it should be literally anywhere else. Personally, I'd kill for somewhere with a hot meal and a nice bed, but I'll take whatever you've got. 'Not here' is the important bit."

[Farmerbink]

For what seems like an unreasonably long time, Turi plays an awkward game of tug-o'-war with Vershab, daring close enough to draw the amphibious vermin away from his ally before fleeing, screaming, back away just in time to avoid another dose of the death by a thousand gooey bites. Finally, the slimy host dissolves into... nothing? "Bloody magic," he coughs, perhaps the most vulgar rendition of the word Vershab's yet witnessed. Still, the immediate danger relieved, Turi carefully prowls forward, to join the rest of his companions, new and old, at the foot of the ladder. "Strangest place I ever heard of to make new friends- and strange names, too." is all he comments at Sunset's appearance and Lehasti's apparent acceptance of it. Shrugging, he puts hands to the ladder and begins to climb. "Not... getting.. an.. any... closer..." Try as he might to hide it, it's clear the events of the evening are wearing on the youngster- and heavily.

[Starbin]

Natala al Akmet, Warsighted Oracle

After healing Vershab, Natala stares at the odd man for a moment, then nods towards the body he is standing over studying. ”So as I was saying, why do you think she did not explode? Do you think she will have enchantments that prevent her from being questioned in death? Or perhaps will destroy her body then? It certainly seems within the realm of the possible give. What little I have witnessed so far...”

As Turi approaches, she nods her head to him, eyes noting his wounds. “Would you like me to soothe your wounds? The gods have granted me with more to share ...”

If no one else takes the opportunity to search the remains, Natala will do so, primary looking for clues.

---

OOC - Let me know if more heals are needed. And still curious if Natala has any ideas of why the leader didn’t explode, or if she thinks they could question her.

PS - I’ll use that 1 for lesser restoration on Nat if no one else needs it.

Spoiler: Crunch

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AC 21 HP 28/57 Init +8 Move 30
F +5 R +8 W +8
Weapon: MW longspear (+8, 1d8+3), Ancestral Weapon (+1 magic weapon ouf choice from pantheon)
Spells: (Unl) guidance, detect magic, create water, read magic, detect poison, stabilize, mending, ghost sound, mage hand / (8/8) cure light wounds, unseen servant, ray of sickening, divine favor, remove fear, bless, protection vs evil / (1/7) cure moderate wounds, levitate, minor image, spiritual weapon, burst of radiance, lesser restoration, spear of purity / (2/5) cure serious wounds, heroism, searing light, summon monster 3
Martial flexibility: 3/6; AW: 5/7: Spirit shield: 6/7; Blessings: 1/2
Key skills: Diplomacy +12; KS History/Religion +9; Sense Motive +8; Spellcraft +8; Heal +5; Linguistics +5; KS All others +4; Craft Weapons +6
Effect: Spirit Shield (+6 armor; 1 hr); Bless (+1 attack/save vs fear, minutes); poisoned (-1 Con)

[Farmerbink]

Spoiler: OOC

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Turi is at 22/73 HP prior to healing

As Turi slinks past Natala, he turns his head only just to acknowledge her offer. "Eh," he grunts, his noncommittal attitude rising to the surface. Vershab and Lehasti have seen it enough times to know that he's desperate for relief, but somewhere between too prideful and stubborn to admit he needs it. As he notes Azkin's absence, he allows himself just a bit more openness.

"Yes, please," he asks, begrudgingly. He pauses in his approach to the ladder just long enough to receive her ministrations and shrug in response to her other question. "Magic is stupid, that's why."

---

Back at street level, he sits on the well's edge, leaning against one of the support columns. He breathes slowly, allowing himself to find restoration in the simple act of being. He spares a wary, unhappy glance for their erstwhile guide, but looks to Lehasti and Vershab as the authorities in dealing with him. His sour expression leaves little to guess about his feelings, however.

[DarkOne-Rob]

As Natala moves close to administer the healing magic by touch, Vershab flinches away momentarily before sitting still and allowing the spells to be cast. Without looking at her he answers, "I think that scroll could prove useful, but I am afraid to waste it on her - it may fail because of her opposition to our cause. I think that Lehasti's protégé can cast the spell, if he has the divine power left. If not, then I think we should leave her to find what rest she can.

As for the explosions, I suspect that the higher ranking members of the cult are hypocritical and do not follow the conventions they force upon their junior members. It is a common problem with violent extremists seeking to hide their actions from those who would expose them."

Spoiler: Healing Details

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Vershab needs both Lesser Restoration spells to be at full Constitution, but I would recommend only casting one - he will heal one point of CON damage overnight. The Cure Serious Wounds brings him to 35/51 HPs, so he could probably use a couple of additional Cure Light Wounds spells, if they are available.

"Too late! Appreciate the thought though!"

"Too late for what? I was talking to the knight!"

"I don't imagine that she is likely to become any more dead in the next few minutes, is she? One thing at a time, Vershab."

"No, but the degree that she is dead wasn't my question - we may not get any answers out of her any other way! And this is the only thing I am doing - or not doing - right now! You aren't making much sense, Lehasti..."

Looking somewhat flustered, the arcanist opens his handy haversack and removes a scroll and large onyx gem. "Alright, now what did Lehasti tell me that one time...'Silence does not mean consent is given.' Oh...right," he mutters, looking at the scroll and gem in his hands. "Guess that means I should put these away again..."

"...Lotta idiots out there."

Vershab snorts to himself quietly.

"Strangest place I ever heard of to make new friends- and strange names, too." is all he comments at Sunset's appearance and Lehasti's apparent acceptance of it.

"If I recall correctly, didn't we meet you and your brother in a crypt where you tried to blackmail us? Either we could stay down there and rot or pay you to lower the rope ladder we used to get there..." Vershab asks Turi without turning his head towards the thief.

"Bloody magic," he coughs, perhaps the most vulgar rendition of the word Vershab's yet witnessed...

"Magic is stupid, that's why."

"Magic hates it when you anthropomorphise it..." Vershab quips. "As an energy source without intellect or will, it is nonsense to describe it in such a way. Nearly as absurd as calling a skeleton bloody...though that actually is a thing, necromantically speaking..."

---

Before the party begins to ascend, Vershab takes the time to carefully search all of the cultist remains, looking for clues. He doesn't find any, but does find some treasure which he dutifully collects and sorts into pockets of his handy haversack. "I will need help carrying some of this - everyone grab what you can of the larger items," he says, obviously expecting some cooperation. "I will point out what is magical - if you have to leave something behind, don't leave enchanted equipment..."

Spoiler: Treasure, detailed by the DM via text

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Kept by Vershab until we divide it up: Scrolls of Magic Missile (CL 3) x8,
Scroll of Experitious Retreat
Wand of Invisibility (9 charges)
Potions of Cure Moderate Wounds x4
Cloak of Resistance +1 x8
23 GP

Recommend we keep these: Studded Leather Armor +1
Buckler +1
+1 Heavy Crossbow x8
Gilt wooden funerary mask (25 GP worth) x8
8 Masterwork Falcions

Leave behind most likely: Studded Leather Armor x9
160 Crossbow Bolts

Once everything is collected, Vershab silently looks down at the corpse of 'Meret-Hefet' for several moments. "Lehasti - though gruesome and rude, I must insist we do something more to her corpse. We need to behead her and keep the skull with us somehow. It may be possible to get it to answer some questions via magic - if we can accomplish it, wonderful, but we cannot allow that to be performed by our enemies..." Vershab remains at the bottom of the well shaft until the grissly deed is done, and then offers to take the head in his handy haversack (after cleaning it up as much as possible so as to avoid bloodstains on the pack). He then begins to fly up the shaft, intent on reaching the surface.

Once back outside he waits only a moment for Sabef to return to consciousness before addressing the boy. "I am not a devotee of the Dawnflower, nor am I known for being a very empathic or nurturing person," he looks at the boy, dispassionately, and begins speaking. "As such I offer you no mercy, nor gentle care. Instead, I will give you a simple choice.

You will continue to serve our party in one of two ways: Either you convince me that you will be a loyal and devoted aide, in which case we will continue to pay you, we will protect you with all the fervor and skill we can muster, and eventually you may re-earn our respect. Alternatively I will kill you and reanimate your corpse, in which case you will serve me until your bones wear themselves down to dust. I can do this - do not doubt me - and I don't say this to intimidate or threaten. It is simply the two options I will allow you. Choose one."

[Inspector Valin]

Sunset stands just across from Turi, resting her back against a seperate column. She glances across to Vershab and Sabef, raising an eyebrow but chuckling rather than looking angered by the situation.

"If he'd lied to Meret, she'd have killed him for it. Kept his mouth shut, she'd have probably gotten impatient, killed him anyway. If you expect him to go to his death to keep you all safe, I hope you pay him really well for that aide work. How much did you get off these guys so far, kid?"

Spoiler

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Diplomacy! Thinking about it, Sabef's probably never seen Sunset unmasked before, so hopefully he doesn't know who she is. Trying to lighten the atmosphere a little, we'll see if it works.

(d20+13)[28] Diplomacy (Higher on my sheet, because it assumes I'd be rolling this in civilian identity)

[Starbin]

Natala al Akmet, Warsighted Oracle

Natala nods solemnly at the boy, casting the spells. [i]”I’m sure you didn’t need any help, but thank you for humoring me.”

Spoiler: Turi Heals

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Going with 1x CSW, 1x CMW (instead of the lesser restoration) and 2x CLW
CSW - (3d8+7)[17], CMW - (2d8+7)[16], CLW - (1d8+5)[12], CLW - (1d8+5)[7]

She also provide another three heals to Vershab, smiling at his discomfort.

Spoiler: Vershab Heals

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Going with 3x CLW
CLW - (1d8+5)[7], CLW - (1d8+5)[12], CLW - (1d8+5)[8]

---

Once they were done searching the cultist remains and gathering any treasure, Natala heads to the top to join the others. She comments on the items Vershab identifies, “We should check these items for sigils or engravings - it would not be unheard of for a cult to make their equipment. ”

She watches as the others attend a boy, younger than Turi, bringing him back to the world of the conscious. She frowned when the boy confessed his sins, but blinked in surprise when Vershab verbally assaulted the boy, giving both threat and promise. After Sunset spoke, Natala steps forward with fire in her eyes, raising a hand to forestall more from Vershab.

”A moment, scholar ... you seem to think the boy voluntarily gave you up to the cultists. You, who are well know as the Relic Knights, who have rubbed elbows with the Fan-Bearer on the Right Side of the King ... have you considered that in involving this child you are responsible for his fate? For these events? Given your penchant for logic, I am taken aback by your lack of consideration.

You have taken this boy’s life, and are now responsible for it. You owe him an apology, not an ultimatum. “

---

OOC - Figured I’d throw some stuff in there ... might curtail other arguments ... or convolute them more!

Spoiler: Crunch

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AC 21 HP 28/57 Init +8 Move 30
F +5 R +8 W +8
Weapon: MW longspear (+8, 1d8+3), Ancestral Weapon (+1 magic weapon ouf choice from pantheon)
Spells: (Unl) guidance, detect magic, create water, read magic, detect poison, stabilize, mending, ghost sound, mage hand / (3/8) cure light wounds, unseen servant, ray of sickening, divine favor, remove fear, bless, protection vs evil / (1/7) cure moderate wounds, levitate, minor image, spiritual weapon, burst of radiance, lesser restoration, spear of purity / (1/5) cure serious wounds, heroism, searing light, summon monster 3
Martial flexibility: 3/6; AW: 5/7: Spirit shield: 6/7; Blessings: 1/2
Key skills: Diplomacy +12; KS History/Religion +9; Sense Motive +8; Spellcraft +8; Heal +5; Linguistics +5; KS All others +4; Craft Weapons +6
Effect: Spirit Shield (+6 armor; 1 hr); Bless (+1 attack/save vs fear, minutes); poisoned (-1 Con)

[Farmerbink]

Turi snorts at Vershab's comment regarding their own introductions in the depths. "Psh. We weren't friends yet. Not by a long shot." He winks, leaving some of the onlookers more than a little curious and confused, before shouldering a few enchanted crossbows and putting his hands to the rungs.

---

Back at street level, watches Vershab with an impassive gaze as the arcanist approaches and scolds Sabef, broken only to gauge Lehasti's reaction. For his own part, Turi remains unmoved by Natala's claim, intimately familiar with the realities of life as an orphan and the risks that come with it. Sabef knew he was in danger, and indeed expressed it to the party. Perhaps, if he hadn't read that missive, he wouldn't have ended up in this state.

Still, he has no intention of letting Vershab kill and reanimate their guide, though he doesn't yet move to stop it. Frankly, he doesn't think the arcanist has it in him to do it quickly enough to not be interrupted.

Ultimately, above all else, he's tired. As the Arcanist continues to pontificate, he closes his eyes, letting his head rest once more on the columns as his ears stay trained on their surroundings.