The Shackled City - Golarion Prelude

[ahayford]

[sblock=Sense Motive]The voice of the unseen speaker is dripping with arrogance. It is clear from her tone and inflection that she believes you and your companions to be at her mercy. The snear in her voice indicates that her threat of violence is no bluff. The only thing keeping her “children” from attacking you is an strange sense of curiosity...Perhaps she wishes to determine how a band of adventurers managed to infiltrate her sanctum before she sells you into slavery?

Her accent is alien to you. It is not similar to Ghelve’s speech patterns even slightly. It is unlikely the speaker was a native of Jzadirune the same time Ghelve was.[/sblock]

Slow, musical laughter echoes ominously off the stone walls of Jzadirune. The sharp notes would almost be beautiful if it weren’t for the fact that it makes you feel incredibly uneasy.

Aaah yes. The guardian the gnomes set to keep the riff raff out of their fair city. When my children found her, she was but a withered dead thing. After being abandoned for so long, she was more then willing to accept us as citizens. I’ve seen broken slaves more demure. I’d hoped she would have chosen to keep those not of my brood out of the city...but I see she wasn’t as broken as I’d supposed.

She pauses for a moment.

*tsk It is no matter. I’m afraid anyone who may have once cared about the opinions of that twisted tree has long since departed this place.

A humanoid figure, roughly six feet in height melts into view at the far end of the room, roughly at the edge of where you believe the second energy field ends. She wears a dark cloak that seems to follow her movements like a shadow. The parts of her figure that the cloak does not cover are wrapped in long bands of dark cloth. The only portion of her body that is visible are her inky black eyes and the bridge of her nose. A curved, wicked blade rests on her hip.

But that is not the most unique thing about her. A quick eye can discern that her flesh has a pallid...almost translucent quality to it.

The black cloaked woman points at Valanaan.

Whatever “blessing” that tree gave you is meaningless. This city is mine now. Who led you to this place? Did that fool Ghelve finally grow a spine?

You hear a chorus of chittering laughter from several points behind her. It is clear that her confidence is not misplaced.

 

[jkason]

Caytis tenses as the creature comes into full view. He finds himself sorting through his own memories, trying to remember what he knows about skulks, if that's even what this 'mother' is. It made little sense to him that she's bother talking if there wasn't something she wanted. If he could just figure out what that was, they might make it out of this room in one piece...

[sblock=ooc]Making Know checks now that she's visible[/sblock]

[sblock=mini-stats]Caytis Maggerin
HP: 10/10 AC: 15(19) AC(T): 12 AC(FF): 13(17)
(values in parenthesis with Shield active)
Init: +02
BAB: 00 CMB/CMD: 00/12 ACP: -1 ASF: 00 Spot: +05

Conditions: none
In Hand: Quadrens

Saving Throw Total Base Mod Misc Special
Fort: 03 2 +1
Ref: 01 0 +2 -1*
Will: 03 2 +1

* -1 Reflex (Wyrm Blooded trait)
** Conditional: Immune sleep, +2 vs enchantments, +4 vs acid

Weapon Attack Damage Critical Special
Quadrens +2 1d6 19-20/x2 1 pt bleed on crit
Quadrens, Spell Combat +0 1d6 19-20/x2 1 pt bleed on crit
Composite Shortbow +2 1d6 20/x3 Range 70 ft.

* Conditional: +1 attack with Arcane Pool enhancement.

Arcane Pool: 3/5 remaining

Spells Prepared:
* 0 Level (3): Prestidigitation, Detect Magic, Light
* 1st Level (2, DC 15): Shield, Shield[/sblock]

 

[Dragonwriter]

The sight of the freakish woman-thing provokes immediate feelings of revulsion in Marcus. He controls the strong urge to retch and manages to say in a firm voice, "Ghelve told us a bit, after some of the skulks wrecked his shop and nearly killed him. We only came looking for children the skulks stole and handed over to the Dark Ones."

 

[ahayford]

[sblock=Dungeoneering] Immediately you realize that the woman's dress and eyes peg her as one of the Dark Folk allies the captured skulk had mentioned. The 'mother' is a Dark Stalker. The Dark folk have a strange dichotomy. Tribes of Dark Folk tend to consist mostly of the shorter, and more feral, Dark Creepers. The leadership usually consists of one or more Dark Stalkers that maintain some semblance of order. This one seems to see herself as a mother figure to her brood of Creepers.

Additionally, you do not remember translucent skin being in the racial description of the grimoires you studied....
[/sblock]

[sblock=Arcana]
As the woman speaks, her cloak shifts, revealing a crystal amulet similar to the one Ghelve gave you.

*******

Aha! You've got it....The translucent skin matches the description of the effects of the plague that swept through Jzadirune causing its evacuation in the first place! It is likely this creature has been infected with whatever it was that drove the gnomes out 80 years ago.
[/sblock]

 

[jkason]

Caytis Maggerin, half-elf magus

Caytis holds back a curse as recognition kicks in, then can't help but let his brow crease as he recognizes something else.

"Ghelve also mentioned why Jzadirune was abandoned. A plague, wasn't it? Did he mention it to you? and the symptoms?"

[sblock=mini-stats]Caytis Maggerin
HP: 10/10 AC: 15(19) AC(T): 12 AC(FF): 13(17)
(values in parenthesis with Shield active)
Init: +02
BAB: 00 CMB/CMD: 00/12 ACP: -1 ASF: 00 Spot: +05

Conditions: none
In Hand: Quadrens

Saving Throw Total Base Mod Misc Special
Fort: 03 2 +1
Ref: 01 0 +2 -1*
Will: 03 2 +1

* -1 Reflex (Wyrm Blooded trait)
** Conditional: Immune sleep, +2 vs enchantments, +4 vs acid

Weapon Attack Damage Critical Special
Quadrens +2 1d6 19-20/x2 1 pt bleed on crit
Quadrens, Spell Combat +0 1d6 19-20/x2 1 pt bleed on crit
Composite Shortbow +2 1d6 20/x3 Range 70 ft.

* Conditional: +1 attack with Arcane Pool enhancement.

Arcane Pool: 3/5 remaining

Spells Prepared:
* 0 Level (3): Prestidigitation, Detect Magic, Light
* 1st Level (2, DC 15): Shield, Shield[/sblock]

 

[ahayford]

The creature looks confused for a moment....but only a moment as she quickly regains her composure. Her focus quickly moves from Valanaan to Caytis.

I see. Perhaps, you are not as hapless as I first suspected. Perhaps....We can come to some sort of agreement. What do you know of this plague? What did Ghelve tell you? Do you know the cure?

Her demeanor has changed slightly...but you know it is fleeting. It is clear you are only safe as long as she believes you are useful to her.

 

[jkason]

Caytis Maggerin, half-elf magus

Caytis feels a moment's relief that he seems to have stalled what's to come, but realizes exactly how little even Ghelve knew about the plague. Knowing himself a horrible liar, and not wanting to squander the opening, he stalls:

"Svexyn was his apprentice," he offers truthfully. "A good master teaches his apprentices everything he knows."

[sblock=ooc]Looks like none of us are good Bluffers, but I'm going to add an Aid Another roll so that if anyone decides to try their luck, hopefully it'll help.[/sblock]

[sblock=mini-stats]Caytis Maggerin
HP: 10/10 AC: 15(19) AC(T): 12 AC(FF): 13(17)
(values in parenthesis with Shield active)
Init: +02
BAB: 00 CMB/CMD: 00/12 ACP: -1 ASF: 00 Spot: +05

Conditions: none
In Hand: Quadrens

Saving Throw Total Base Mod Misc Special
Fort: 03 2 +1
Ref: 01 0 +2 -1*
Will: 03 2 +1

* -1 Reflex (Wyrm Blooded trait)
** Conditional: Immune sleep, +2 vs enchantments, +4 vs acid

Weapon Attack Damage Critical Special
Quadrens +2 1d6 19-20/x2 1 pt bleed on crit
Quadrens, Spell Combat +0 1d6 19-20/x2 1 pt bleed on crit
Composite Shortbow +2 1d6 20/x3 Range 70 ft.

* Conditional: +1 attack with Arcane Pool enhancement.

Arcane Pool: 3/5 remaining

Spells Prepared:
* 0 Level (3): Prestidigitation, Detect Magic, Light
* 1st Level (2, DC 15): Shield, Shield[/sblock]

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

"Aye, Svexyn . . . you've told us your former master and you were once close. What did he tell you of this plague?" While those who know him are certain he's trying to back Caytis' play, his question comes out more like that of a petulant child putting his chum on the spot.

[sblock=OOC]Yeah, Val's still not reconnected enough with his street urchin past to have developed that particular skill yet. He'll aid another as well.[/sblock]

[sblock=Oops!]Accidentally double clicked the "Roll" button (I think). Can't remember off hand whether it's the top listed or the bottom that's first.

OK, looks like it lists from the bottom up, so Val's aid another check is a solid 4 [/sblock]

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

Svexyn thinks back on what he remembered Keygan talked about when mentioning the Vanishing. He looks around, noting that the others seemed to be waiting for him to speak on the subject. Instead, he attempts to buy some time to think on the matter.

"It would seem that this meeting was meant to be. You need information. We need the same. As well as safe passage. If you doubt our intentions, then I tell you this. Have you heard of the Vanishing?"

[sblock=OOC]I am not sure what he would know from his working with the locksmith, but I figure it must be enough about his past and gnomish customs and traditions that he would pick up the language. Svexyn speaks gnome, and would try to know enough to be useful.[/sblock]

 

[ahayford]

I know nothing of this "Vanishing"...but if it is the plague that drove the little bastards from this place, then you will deliver me a cure.

She pauses a moment...

In exchange I will instruct my children to grant you safe passage.

A voice questions from the direction of the field.

But mistress....the surfacers killed one....

SILENCE. Know that you are lucky we have guests ally, or I would kill you where you stand. Your tribe and I have an understanding but do not question me in this. In fact..

She faces the group once more.

The Skulks have been whining for some months about a creature stalking their territory, attacking without warning and then dragging its victims deep into the city. Anyone who has gotten more then a fleeting glance of the creature was slain or taken. Since they cannot seem to control their half of the city....the pathetic creatures came to me begging for help. I refused of course...If my allies cannot even protect themselves, what good are they to me...

The Skulks believe this creature lairs in the Great Factory to the west. Bring me proof you have slain the creature and I will ensure the Skulks allow you free passage.