Ch 5: Part 4: Thorn's End: Session 94

[15:34] <@Kilarra> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:34] <@Kilarra> ~~~Chapter 5: A Memory of Darkness~~~
[15:34] <@Kilarra> -Session 94-
[15:39] <@Kilarra> After learning the shocking truth about Allevrah Azrinae, who was in fact, the same General Allevrah that once belonged to the Winter Council, the party too rest in Perelir's acolyte chambers to prepare to retrieve their wayward comapnion. A scrying revealed that she had, merciflly, landed on the plane of Elysium.
[15:43] * Kilarra looks to Aluthyra, "Alright, so I have a plan. I think you'll like it too, since you finally get a chance to really try out those lovely wings." She smiles, stroking one of them
[15:45] * Aluthyra raises an eyebrow. "
[15:45] <Aluthyra> "Oh?" She smiles. "Let's hear it."
[15:47] * Kilarra nods, "So, as I've said before, the trick with plane shifting is that, even knowing exactly where you want to end up, you could land anywhere from five to five hundred miles away. That's a lot of ground to search, and the easiest way is to do that from the air."
[15:48] * Kilarra continues, "I have a spell that will allow Kjell and I to take on a vaporous form and walk on the winds, and you of course, have your own wings."
[15:49] * Aluthyra smiles. "I see! That will do then, if we are so far."
[15:50] <@Kilarra> Kjell raises a question, "Well, that might get us to her, but how will we get back once we have her? She won't be with us to recieve the benefits of that spell."
[15:50] * Kilarra blinks, "Uh... well I had two plane shifts prepared but... damnit."
[15:52] <@Kilarra> Perelir speaks up, "Perhaps you can use this." She produces a scroll from her robes and offers it to Kjell. "You said you knew how to teleport short distances, so using this scroll should not prove too difficult."
[15:53] <@Kilarra> Kjell looks the scroll over and nods. "That will do nicely, thank you."
[15:54] <@Kilarra> Perelir adds, "Will you return here once you are back on the material, or do you intend to head straight to Queen Telandia?"
[15:56] * Aluthyra looks to Kilarra and Kjell to confirm, "Unless you have need of us here, most likely to Queen Telandia.":
[15:58] * Kilarra nods. "Our main reason for coming here was to find out why the Winter Council was obstructing our attempts to aid Kyonin. I doubt that is an issue any longer."
[15:58] <@Kilarra> Perelir nods, "And I take it that you intend to seek out Allevrah and put an end to her destructive plot?"
[16:00] * Aluthyra nods. "Yes."
[16:02] <@Kilarra> Perelir nods and steps into her room for a moment, coming back with a reasonably sized tome stuffed with loose leaves of parchment and various pages marked. "When Allevrah fled, she took most of her research with her. What she left behind, Hialin has collected in here it seems, and he was working on re completing her research. I do not know all that is in here, but I feel it might be of use to you for thwarting Allevrah."
[16:03] <@Kilarra> Kjell takes the tome and skims through it, pausing to check a few things as he goes.
[16:04] <@Kilarra> Kjell seems a bit boggled. "Perhaps I should look into it when I have more time to properly go over it." He slips the tome away for now
[16:06] * Kilarra looks to Perelir, "I assume we'll have to step outside the wards boundaries to be able to shift planes?"
[16:07] <@Kilarra> Perelir nods, "Extradimensional movement will not work in these halls, correct."
[16:10] * Aluthyra bows her head. "Thank you again, and farewell. Perhaps we shall meet again."
[16:12] * Kilarra nods, "Alright then. Thank you for your help. May Calistria return to your companions the ability to feel good about themselves."
[16:13] <@Kilarra> Perelir smiles, "Best of luck to you as well."
[16:13] * Aluthyra smiles and turns, ready to depart.
[16:16] * Kilarra heads back down through the fortress with her companions, stopping when they reach the entrance hall and checking in with Armistril. "How did your men fare when the wards came down?"
[16:18] <@Kilarra> The Elven guard captain with the wolf motif armour has a fresh, jagged scar on his face. "We lost two, but it could have been much worse. Once the wards went back up, they all scrambled to get out. I imagine we'll be finding demon corpses throughout the tower for weeks."
[16:22] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods, "Sorry for your losses. I suspect Perelir will be in touch with Queen Telandia, and you might finally get some relief now."
[16:23] * Aluthyra frowns, slight concern etching her features. "How is Malindil?"
[16:25] <@Kilarra> Armistril shakes his head, "I have not spoken with her, but whispers of what trasnpire have reached us. I fear the Winter Council may be dead, but hope that perhaps what is left can still be of use to Kyonin."
[16:26] * Aluthyra nods. "Then do you have plans on what to do next?"
[16:27] <@Kilarra> The captain shakes his head, "The plan falls to the Council, and until then I will continue to do my duty to my fellow guards and to this fortress."
[16:28] * Aluthyra nods. "Then I wish you well."
[16:29] * Kilarra nods, "Good luck." She pulls the door open, quickly checking the courtyard for stragglers.
[16:30] <@Kilarra> The demonic horde seems to have moved out of the courtyard at least, their leaders gone and a number of corpses laying about after the squabbling that followed.
[16:31] * Kilarra steps out, but keeps close to the door. However, she looks immediately relieved as the itching sensation from the Maleficus Spike's wards finally stops.
[16:32] <@Kilarra> Kjell follows her out, keeping his spell arm up just in case
[16:32] * Aluthyra flexes her wings, readying herself for flight.
[16:35] * Kilarra pulls out her tuning fork and holds out one hand each to Kjell and Aluthyra.
[16:35] * Aluthyra grasps one of Kilarra's hands.
[16:36] <@Kilarra> Kjell takes the other, and one of Aluthyra's as well.
[16:36] * Kilarra takes a deep breath, and then they're away.
[16:38] <@Kilarra> The group rematerializes on the plane of Elysium, surrounded by a thick evergreen forest, the sounds of life all around them as before
[16:39] * Kilarra takes a quick look around. "Okay, when we saw Kahree in the mirror, she was in a field of flowers, with a forest in the distance. That's probably where we've ended up."
[16:39] * Aluthyra nods. "How far do you think she is?"
[16:40] * Kilarra looks to Aluthyra, "Walking the winds is not quite like proper flight. We can move very quickly, but only as carried on the winds, so it will be up to you to really look for Kahree. She could be dozens or even hundreds of miles off."
[16:42] * Aluthyra nods. "Very well." She unfurls her wings, lifting off of the ground. "I am ready when the two of you are."
[16:43] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods, "So basically we want to find that field of flowers first, once we are above the trees. Then Aluthyra can use her talented eyes to find out wayward companion."
[16:43] * Kilarra nods, then places a hand on Kjell's arm, her other clutching her holy symbol. "Calistria; life us up like clouds that we might walk on the winds."
[16:44] <@Kilarra> Immediately, Kjell and Kilarra's bodies turn misty and translucent.
[16:44] * Kilarra takes a breath and then just lets herself float upwards until she breaches the canopy of the forest
[16:45] <@Kilarra> Kjell follows Kilarra's example
[16:46] * Aluthyra flies up, flapping her wings down and keeping with her companions.
[16:47] * Aluthyra nods to her companions once at a sufficient height and begins to fly, keeping with the current of the wind while looking for Kahree...
[16:49] <@Kilarra> Aluthyra can easily spy a massive, sprawling field of flowers that seems to go on for miles to the east. As well, flying up above the trees and amidst the wings for the first time has to be rather exhilarating.
[16:51] * Aluthyra smiles, letting out a contented sigh at being able to fly so freely. She continues forward, a few times twirling in the air as she goes to test her wings.
[16:52] * Kilarra looks to Aluthyra, calling up the winds to push her and Kjell, but not going anywhere near the maximum speed the spell could allow for. At least not until they knew exactly where Kahree was, which was up to Aluthyra. She smiles though, glad to see her getting to enjoy those wings finally.
[16:53] * Kilarra calls to the aasimar, "The forest was, if memory serves, a ways off from where we saw Kahree, so we should get out over that field."
[16:54] * Aluthyra begins to increase speed towards the field of flowers after a few more twirls, bidding Kilarra and Kjell to do the same.
[16:54] * Kilarra nods and pushes the winds more quickly
[16:54] <@Kilarra> The nature of the plane seems inclined to assist, with the strong but gentle winds leaving Kjell and Kilarra a decent amount of control even at higher speeds.
[17:00] * Aluthyra begins to slow as the flowers draw near, lazily floating above as she scans for Kahree.
[17:03] * Kilarra stops just beyond the edge of the Forest next to Aluthyra, "We should probably do this systematically. It might take a while, but this spell will last for half a day if it needs to."
[17:04] * Aluthyra nods. "Right." She continues to fly, making sure to cover each part.
[17:06] <@Kilarra> It takes a couple hours of searching, and a few passes over different parts of the field, but Aluthyra finally spots something greyish standing well above the height of most of the flowers.
[17:06] * Aluthyra waves to her companions as she descends, going in for a better look.
[17:07] <@Kilarra> As Aluthyra descends, a small figure flies up and nearly bumps into her face.
[17:08] * Aluthyra blinks, swerving to avoid hitting the creature! She looks around as she narrowly misses it, trying to see whom it may be.
[17:08] <@Kilarra> The tiny figure is that of a Lyrakien. She looks Aluthyra up and down, smiling, "Oh thank goodness! It's about time some one else showed up."
[17:08] * Kilarra and Kjell blow up to Aluthyra as she stops in midair.
[17:09] * Aluthyra smiles. "Then it is Kahree down in that field?"
[17:12] <@Kilarra> The Lyrakien blinks, "Who's Kahree? I was looking for help with miss Lawn Ornament. Oh course, Kahree might be her name, for all I know. I tried to keep her company, but she's not that talkative of course."
[17:12] <@Kilarra> The Lyrakien spies Kjell and Kilarra as they approach, eyeing them both. "Friends of yours miss?"
[17:14] * Aluthyra nods. "Yes." She chuckles. "Thank you. And yes, I believe she is Kahree."
[17:16] <@Kilarra> The Lyrakien leads Aluthyra down to what is, in fact, the petrified form of Kahree. "I didn't want to leave her alone, and was waiting for a Ghaele to come along, but none showed up." She frowns. "Must be really tough for her, stuck like that."
[17:16] * Kilarra lands and approaches her, "That's why I'm here."
[17:16] <@Kilarra> Kjell lands as well
[17:17] * Kilarra dismisses the wind walking spell, resuming her and Kjell's solid forms.
[17:17] * Aluthyra lands behind them, smiling to the Lyrakien. "Well for that, we thank you. I am sure she appreciates it too."
[17:19] <@Kilarra> The Lyrakien smiles, although she seems to be keeping her distance from Kilarra. She wasn't registering as evil, but she still looked out of place next to the angelic Aluthyra and the Stout and hearty looking Kjell
[17:21] * Kilarra frowns, but is used to that kind of look and places a hand on Kahree's form. She looks her over, detecting magic and trying to get a feel for how difficult the task would be.
[17:28] * Kilarra steps back, "This is gonna be a bit tricky, but..." She offers a prayer to Calistria for exceptional luck, then raises her hand. "Calistria, set my companion free from her stone prison!"
[17:31] <@Kilarra> Kilarra's bit of luck seems to pay off as Kahree's form and equipment regain their colour and texture, restored to mobility.
[17:32] * Aluthyra immediately drops her maces, looking around. "W-what... where am I?" She turns, blinking a few times at noticing the setting and those around her. "Elysium...? What... the hell?"
[17:33] * Kilarra looks a bit relived. "You're lucky actually," she states. "You got shunted off plane by that spell, and ended up here. We're on Elysium."
[17:34] <@Kilarra> The Lyrakien flies up and hugs Kahree's shoulder, "Good to see you free! If you're feeling stiff, I can help with that!"
[17:37] <Aluthyra> Kahree frowns, nodding. "A little, I guess..." She looks to her companions. "What happened with the council? The demons?" Her eyebrows furrow. "...Quilindra?"
[17:41] * Kilarra starts, "Well, Hialin is dead. Kjell dropped him and Arlindil broke his neck while he was unconscious. Quilindra and Viggrizzur are both dead." She nods to Aluthyra, who had Quilindra's effects
[17:44] <@Kilarra> Kjell adds, "The council is in a bit of a mess, and Perelir was the only one who seemed to remain truly rational. I suspect they will not be a further hindrance, and hope they may yet be able to salvage some good from what remains."
[17:45] * Kahree sighs. "Of course..." Her shoulders slump. "Look, thanks for telling me. She was probably-- she was using me. I just... I thought that, 'what if she isn't?' and... I was okay with that." She shakes her head, kicking at the ground. "Whatever. Thanks, but tell me sooner next time so you don't kick me down while I'm standing. Kick me before I stand up..."
[17:47] * Kilarra sighs and shakes her head, "I was the one who decided to keep it from you in the first place. I thought you might be safer if she didn't feel threatened, at least until such time as our mutual usefulness to each other ran out."
[17:48] <Aluthyra> Kahree frowns. "Whatever... let's just go. I'd still rather get all of this over with."
[17:52] * Kilarra nods, "Which we will. We're heading back to Iadara next. Perelir recovered Hialin's research on Allevrah's work, which should help us deal with her, and with the Council dealt with, Queen Telandia will be free to aid us openly."
[17:52] * Aluthyra clears her throat. "I know it is not much, but... here is her jewelry. I thought that you might like it." The monk reaches into her haversack, taking out several items; the bloodstone silver anklet, a platinum ring, and a silver moonstone bracelet.
[17:53] <Aluthyra> Kahree takes the items with only a -very- small smile, immediately trying them on. "...thanks," she mutters.
[17:58] * Kilarra smirks and holds out a hand, producing her tuning fork once again. She looks to the Lyrakien. "Thanks for keeping her company."
[17:58] <@Kilarra> The Lyrakien smiles and nods, "Bye Miss Kahree Lawn Ornament!" She waves
[17:58] * Aluthyra nods, taking Kilarra's hand.
[17:58] <@Kilarra> Kjell can't contain a snicker at that
[17:59] <Aluthyra> Kahree smirks, waving goodbye before taking Kjell's hand.
[17:59] * Kilarra completes the circle and holds her tuning fork aloft, this time aiming for Iadara back on Golarion.
[18:03] <@Kilarra> The party returns to the material plane near a riverbank in a marshy, swampy area of the River Kingdoms (for any with knowledge of geography)
[18:03] * Kilarra looks around, then to Kjell, "You don't need to know where we are to take us the rest of the way, right?"
[18:04] <@Kilarra> Kjell produces the scroll, nodding. "Aye. Just so long as I have a good image in mind of where to end up. I'll just try and get us to that lodging we stayed in near the palace."
[18:04] * Kilarra holds up a hand, "Then hold on a moment. I'm going to send the Queen a message first so she knows we're coming." She pulls out her loop of copper wire once again
[18:07] <@Kilarra> Kjell nods and keeps the scroll on standby
[18:10] <@Kilarra> Kilarra takes the ten minutes to cast the sending, the copper loop glowing as though it were red hot. "Kilarra to Queen Telandia. Winter Council fragmented, needs assistance. We have vital information and will be teleporting in soon. Full explanation upon arrival. En route."
[18:11] <@Kilarra> While Kilarra is casting the spell, he takes a bit more time to look at Hialin's tome
[18:11] <@Kilarra> *Kjell
[18:11] * Kilarra waits for a response, if any
[18:13] <@Kilarra> Kilarra sees Queen Telanida in her minds eye, stating: "Thank you. We have much to discuss. Will have diviners assess Winter Council situation, have recieved confirmation of everything you warned of. Please be prompt."
[18:13] * Kilarra looks to the rest of her party, relaying Queen Telandia's words as she responds.
[18:17] * Kilarra waits to see if her companions have anything to say before they move on.
[18:17] * Aluthyra shakes her head.
[18:17] <Aluthyra> Kahree has nothing to say, frown still on her face.
[18:18] * Kilarra gets the point, then looks to Kjell.
[18:18] <@Kilarra> Kjell slips the tome away, "Well, I was able to discipher a few things. Mainly that Hialin's work was incomplete and would have backfired horrendously if he actually tried to use it. However, I think I should save the long winded explanations so I only have to give them once."
[18:25] <@Kilarra> Kjell brings out the scroll. He first takes a moment to read it over, making sure he can use it, glad that it's of the same type as his short range teleportation. Then, with a bit of concentration, he triggers the teleport
[18:26] <@Kilarra> The party successfully lands just outside the residence in Iadara they had stayed in the night of the Shin'Rakorath attack, not far from the palace.
[18:27] <@Kilarra> A few elven citizens glance their way when they arrive, but teleporting in from distant locations is not an uncommon feat in this city, and most are unphased
[18:27] <@Kilarra> -End Session-
[18:28] <@Kilarra> GM Note: Due to an experience to intended level discrepancy, and a desire to avoid the challenges of the final chapter being overwhelming, the party is elevated to level 13