Rissada - Session 33

While debating what to do regarding Athel, the party pays a visit to the cathedral, to see what they can do to sort everything out.

Tisha: "Nally!"
Engir: "Tisha!"
Tisha: "Engie!"
"n' Icecube!"
Nalzij: "Hi, Tisha."
Anarod: "Oh, hi!"
Tisha: "Eldie is away again..."
Engir: "No-one to play with?"
Tisha: "Not s'posed to leave th' church w'out someone."
"N' ev'ryone's busy or not in'trested in play."
Engir: "I bet he makes you ask for an adult if you want something on high up shelves, too."
Anarod: "For buildings with such flamboyant architecture, cathedrals are shocking boring places to hang out in."
Nalzij: "I think we'll be a little busy too, from the sound of it."
Anarod: "Does no one ever has anything to make you do around here?"
As the party speaks with Tisha, Astrid enters the cathedral, seemingly looking for the party itself.
Astrid: "A-Ah, you're all here after all..."
Astrid bends over a little and leans against a pew, visibly out of breath.
Anarod: "Is anything happening?"
Nalzij: "Astrid, what happened?"
Astrid: "Pitch, Melodi and Dahlia have all disappeared..."
Engir: "....great."
Anarod: "Can anyone possibly try to not disappear every 5 minutes here?"
"When did you last see them?"
Nalzij: "No sign of where to?"
Tisha: "Nnn..."
Astrid: "I have an idea... a... young girl showed up earlier at the manor..."
Nalzij: "A young girl?"
Engir: "Go on."
Astrid: "She...seemed to know Pitch and Melodi somehow."
Astrid pauses for a moment, sitting down in the back pew.
Astrid: "I went to lie down but...when I woke up they had vanished."
Anarod: "How long ago was that?"
Astrid: "An hour...?"
Astrid rubs her temples.
Anarod: "An hour."
Astrid: "I would guess she's part of a dragon clan, but...what if she was in l-league with Athel?"
Engir: "That seems like a stretch, given what we know."
Nalzij: "That's not so long."
Engir: "I can try and track Pitch's helm, if you'd like."
Anarod: "Can we not call hour-long absences disappearances?"
Astrid: "Why would... they leave without saying anything, though...?"
Nalzij: "Dragon clan sounds more likely, although still somewhat worrying."
Engir: "But yes, they could just be somewhere else in the town."
Nalzij: "Didn't think it was important or they'd be long?"
Astrid: "(Tch...Pitch alone with Dahlia.)"
Astrid grits her teeth slightly.
Engir: "Well, they're as a group. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt."
Nalzij: "(Not alone, if Melodi is still there. And she's not the most tactful.)"
Astrid: "(She's a succubus, though...)"
Astrid clenches a fist, then getting up and sighing.
Astrid: "...Anyway, Terita said you came here to research vampires?"
Engir: "Correct. Thank you for reminding me."
Engir approaches the Hierarch.
Hierophant: "Ah, how may I help you in the service of the Star?"
Nalzij: "We're trying to prepare to confront a vampire. I know it sounds crazy, but... it's at least best to be safe."
Hierophant: "A... vampire?"
"If the legends are true, they are a foul form of undead, among the strongest."
Engir: "Unfortunately, recent facts seem to suggest that they are."
Nalzij: "There's a lot of signs it is true."
Hierophant: "Let me see how much I remember..."
"Feasting on blood of the living to gain their strength, they stay indoors and asleep while the sun is up, as the light of the sun burns away their wickedness."
"At night, they come out and stalk young maidens, using eyes of devilish temptation to charm them, and claiming their blood while they're distracted."
Engir: "We found evidence of the blood draining and subtle yet powerful charming, both. Unfortunately, light sensitivity, I am unsure of."
Nalzij: "We saw him in daylight, although not for very long."
Astrid: "We did?"
Hierophant: "You already have a suspect?"
Anarod: "Well we didn't randomly decide there was a vampire somewhere."
Nalzij: "Athel von Armaneus."
Anarod: "Can we not..."
Hierophant: "Athel von... the noble's son?"
Engir: "I believe he was present at the execution, Astrid. At least, I recognised that hat."
Anarod: "Ugh, I guess it's no use with those two."
Astrid: "I see, if you're sure."
Engir: "I see no need for discretion, here. We are not going to request the church sends their own."
Nalzij looks at Anarod, confused.
Anarod: "Nevermind me."
Astrid rolls her eyes.
Hierophant: "Hm... the name goes back for some time. Many of our tomes were in fact penned by one of the ancestors, Athel von Armaneus XVI. To think one of them fell to undead scourge..."
Engir: "I offer a simpler solution, sir."
"What if each and every one was the same man, using the cunning of one who has lived an eternity to conceal this fact?"
Astrid: "But...how would a fiendish being be able to enter a holy site like this?"
Hierophant: "But that would mean he's been around for over a thousand years, since even before the Star fell."
Anarod: "He just wrote the books."
Engir: "Good question. Has Athel ever visited this cathedral?"
"Any of them, at that?"
Hierophant: "We don't hear from him, no. He does not appear to be a pious man."
Nalzij: "Has anyone seen any of them as an adult?"
Hierophant: "Seen as an adult...?"
Anarod: "If he can change form I'd assume he can magicallty alter how aged he looks, Nalzij."
Nalzij: "...why appear as a child, then?"
Anarod: "Well, because the hard part in all of this would be faking two Athels existing at the same time."
Hierophant: "...If you excuse me, I need to check something."
Engir: "I understand."
Hierophant bows to the party, heading towards the library.
Anarod: "So if he does that at all, he probably wants to cut it short as much as possible. Thus switching to the new one even when still a child."
Nalzij: "Oh. I guess that does make sense."
Engir: "Yes, that does make sense."
"Besides, people are less likely to bother a child with requests for aid and involvement."
Hierophant returns, holding onto an old weathered book.
Engir struggles to get the height to investigate the book.
Hierophant: "This is one of the oldest tomes in our possession, something we've had since the founding of this cathedral."
Hierophant hands it over to Engir.
Engir: "Oh!"
"Thank you, sir!"
Hierophant: "Perhaps you should look at it..."
Anarod: "What's it about?"
Engir doesn't hesitate to look into it.
Astrid peers over Engir at the tome.
Nalzij tries to catch a glance at the book
Engir: "That is... interesting evidence."
"So, this might just be the oldest book on confronting fiends and the undead."
"The catch is, the person who wrote it..."
"...Athel von Armaneus XVI."
Hierophant: "If what you say is true, then the same person you are suspecting as a vampire also wrote a treatise on slaying vampires."
Astrid raises an eyebrow suspiciously.
Hierophant: "That leaves two possibilities, to me."
Engir: "Likewise."
Hierophant: "Either he became one after writing it..."
"...Or the book is false."
Astrid: "Engir...what does it say inside?"
Anarod: "Either way, this is important."
Nalzij: "Odd, anyway."
"Thank you, sir."
Engir: "Deeply so. I should consider how much of this aligns with what I know."
Astrid: "Perhaps it was to throw himself off the scent...?"
Anarod: "I think our best bet at guessing whether possibility is true is to read the entire thing and try to look for clues."
Astrid: "Who would expect a vampire to write a book on how to slay them himself?"
Hierophant: "Like I said, he may be an accomplished vampire hunter, and wrote down everything he knew before being turned."
Engir: "Exactly. He would have been quite the target."
Nalzij: "How would one become a vampire?"
Hierophant: "Or he may have been a vampire and wrote down intentional falsehoods to throw people off the trail."
"Vampires sire other vampires."
"Vampires typically feed on others' blood."
Engir takes the book to a seat, and begins comparing it with his own experiences.
Hierophant: "Any body which has been completely drained rise as a vampire themselves, enthralled to the one who created them."
Engir: "That explains why Ara suggested we bury the body with the holy symbol."
Astrid: "How ironic, to become what you hate..."
Engir: "But the advice in this book does match what we know worked in the past."
Nalzij: "Becoming the very thing you were fighting... that's horrible."
Engir: "I can't imagine what that is like."
Hierophant: "...ah?"
"...Of course. If you found a victim of the vampire, of course you would be suspecting one."
Engir: "A refugee, completely drained of blood."
Nalzij: "Yes, that's exactly what happened."
Anarod: "There were a lot of signs."
Hierophant: "You were right to bury him with a holy symbol. With any luck, the Star will keep his soul at peace."
Nalzij: "And a friend of ours being controlled somehow, found with the body."
Hierophant: "Controlled... I suppose that leads some evidence to the dominating gaze."
Engir: "Yes. Thankfully we were able to break it with traditional methods."
Nalzij: "Melodi said she couldn't hear a heartbeat from him, didn't she?'
Astrid: "Mm, all the more reason to suspect, then."
Engir: "That's correct. It was when she was focusing on him that she lost control of herself."
Astrid: "...So, what do you propose we do, Engir?"
Hierophant: "You come with a very difficult dilemma."
Astrid pauses for a moment, her eyes widening.
Astrid: "Wait..."
Engir: "We were able to purchase services for powerful healing spells before. I wanted to ask if we could purchase scrolls or other methods of undead-combating magic."
"...ah?
Hierophant: "Hm...we might be able to figure out some things to assist."
Astrid: "Engir. Do you recall how there were no beastkin to be seen in the manor...?"
Nalzij: "None to be seen...?"
Astrid: "Do you think Athel was...using them as a food source?"
Nalzij: "Yes."
Anarod: "Yes, most likely."
Engir: "Indeed."
Astrid: "Nn..."
Engir: "No-one would ever notice anyone missing, that way."
Hierophant thinks to himself what services the cathedral could provide, while the party discusses amongst themselves.
Astrid: "Should we head to Athel's manor in the morning, then?"
Engir: "Quite possibly, but we will need a plan."
Nalzij: "The longer we take to prepare, the more time he has to act."
Anarod: "I'm really unconvinced by the 'barge in" strategy."
Nalzij: "It's worked so far, hasn't it? What else could we do?"
Astrid nods at Nalzij solemnly.
Hierophant: "Well, if he cannot be active during the day, it would make sense that he would have a guard posted."
"It would, of course, be easier to sneak in at night but then you will be confronting him at his full strength."
Engir: "Indeed. Not to mention it's his own territory, which he has had for centuries."
Anarod: "Yeah, that's the thing."
Nalzij: "Could we lure him out, somehow? He did leave the place for the execution."
Anarod: "Anyway we could drag him out of his place, where he probably has dominated all these servants and might have any other defenses, would be far more ideal."
Astrid: "Lure him out with...another execution?"
Hierophant: "...How likely would you say it is that he knows you know?"
Nalzij: "...I don't think so, Astrid. Just, perhaps something else."
Astrid: "...Likely."
Engir: "He knows that we don't trust him, and suspect him of other things."
Nalzij: "Good question. If his control over Melodi was continuous, it wouldn't be hard to figure out."
Hierophant: "The person that he took control over?"
Anarod: "His plan just fizzled."
Nalzij: "Yes."
Anarod: "He therefore knows at the very least that we suspect him of being up to no good."
Astrid: "Why would he hold such a grudge against Berivus...?"
Anarod: "The vampire thing specifically, that's not sure."
Astrid: "Perhaps he suspects him of knowing?"
Engir: "It's true, we don't know his motives. Perhaps Athel specifically benefits from the Valesian purity regime."
Nalzij: "It means that demihumans are less likely to be missed if they disappear, if nothing else."
Hierophant: "So he wants to strip away demihumans' rights to make them more attractive targets?"
Anarod: "I don't think we're gonna figure out his motives here."
Astrid: "This is...a lot to take in. Should we head back to the guild?"
Hierophant steps away from the altar and takes a seat with the party.
Anarod: "It's honestly really hard to scrutinize the intents of someone whose existence spans centuries."
Hierophant: "Millenia."
"Athel von Armaneus XVI was born around 400 B.F."
Astrid: "Does he need any justifications apart from survival?"
Nalzij: "I don't know, and I don't really care what his motives are, unless you can figure out how to beat him based on that."
Engir: "Good point, Nalzij."
Astrid: "Indeed..."
Hierophant: "I can... try to pool our resources and find out what we can manage to prepare."
Engir: "Thank you."
Nalzij: "Whatever help you can offer would be welcome."
Hierophant: "It's asking a lot on such short order, however. If you can provide some resources to aid us, it would be most appreciated."
Nalzij: "Of course. Engir?"
Engir: "I have some good inking and scribing tools on hand, yes."
"And naturally, we would not hesitate to provide you with the gold necessary."
Hierophant: "We may not be able to prepare much if you plan on setting out early tomorrow."
"We can likely provide more if you wait until night or the next day, but of course that means allowing this evil to fester even longer."
Engir: "I reckon we have more readiness to gain in that time than he does."
Nalzij: "If he would be that powerful... it would be worse than not trying at all, if we fail."
Engir: "I suppose we can judge that in the morning."
Astrid: "Yes...indeed."
Anarod: "I really don't think moving tomorrow if the best bet anyway."
"We still have this book to consider."
Nalzij: "There's still the matter of the alchemists, too."
Hierophant: "Alchemists...?"
"Dame Nalzij, I do not wish to pry, but perhaps I may be able to provide more assistance if I were informed of the finer details of this vampire threat?"
Nalzij: "Ah, of course. It's a little complicated..."
Anarod: "I guess we've got time for the whole explanation."
Hierophant: "We can speak of it over night."
Anarod: "After all, Engir has a whole tome to go through."
Nalzij: "We started investigating Athel after finding some of the alchemists dealing in demihuman slaves. He was one of the main buyers."
A struggle is briefly heard outside. Somebody seems to be complaining.
Hierophant: "Buying slaves for blood...?"
Engir: "...maybe we don't have time to explain."
Hierophant: "It certainly would reduce suspicion."
Engir: "You three continue, while I investigate?"
Nalzij: "What's there?"
Engir peers outside, trying to locate the noise.
A pair of knights appear to be entering the cathedral. Between them, a man in noble outfit, bound by rope.
Engir backs away to provide room.
Sullen Noble: "Listen, you can't put me away!"
Nalzij moves to the side, watching curiously.
White Paladin: "Listen, you have to have known what you were doing was wrong."
Astrid stands beside Engir, watching the situation curiously.
White Paladin: "Feigning innocence now will lead you nowhere."
Engir: "Ah, is this to do with the underground trade?"
Blue Knight: "Correct. We found several slaves within this man's estate, during one of the Captain's searches."
"Naturally, the ownership of slaves is prohibited, so he is to be confined."
Nalzij: "At least something is going well. Thank you."
Astrid: "Filth."
Sullen Noble: "You can't... there was no way! I was assured, they weren't slaves! They aren't slaves!"
Nalzij: "What did you think was going on?"
White Paladin: "I don't care how they look to your eyes, those are sentient beings you had chained."
Engir: "Do you want to read the journal of their trader, sir?"
"You'll find that they had their own civilization whipped and intimidated out of them."
Sullen Noble: "They're just animals! There's no law against owning animals!"
Engir: "I'm sure that's a very profitable story for that ring."
Blue Knight: "We will see how long you stick to that after a season in jail."
White Paladin: "Perhaps that journal of yours might be interesting reading for them. If you think it might give them a new look on things, I welcome you to make a few copies to share."
Astrid looks down at the floor, clenching a fist.
White Paladin: "Maybe if we pass one to each of the scum we capture, at least one of them will get the picture."
Engir: "Good idea. I already am scribing copies of the ledger."
Nalzij: "At least some of them might be able to realize what they've been doing, yes."
White Paladin: "Ah? Having a list of names would make apprehending these slaveowners much simpler."
"Captain Latissier needs all the help he can get."
Sullen Noble: "Please, you can't do this!"
Astrid: "Is the ledger back at the guild, Engir?"
The noble continues to shout objections over his imprisonment as he disappears, hauled into the back.
Engir: "On my person. After that discussion I don't plan on risking it getting stolen."
Nalzij: "Sounds like a lot of copying."
Engir: "Yes, I'm going to have my work cut out for me."
Hierophant: "The names alone should be sufficient."
Astrid: "Right, they should..."
Hierophant: "I wish as much as you that their horrific trade is put under."
"This is the third noble we've captured so far, and from the sounds of it he had multiple slaves as well."
Anarod: "The worrying part is still how Athel still managed to capture one that we freed under our noses."
Engir: "yeah."
Nalzij: "We can still work on hiring more guards for the manor. Antille could probably use a hand with other work, anyway."
Astrid: "A sound plan, Nalzij."
Anarod: "I'm more wondering if there's a specific... vampire-oriented thing we could do about it."
Astrid: "Warding the mansion...perhaps?"
Engir: "Ah, like consecrating the grounds."
Hierophant: "Consecrating the Estion Estate? It's... possible."
"We consecrate the cathedral grounds, after all."
Anarod: "That could work. I'm down with trying anything the lore says might work honestly."
Engir mutters quietly to himself.
Nalzij: "It couldn't hurt, anyway."
Anarod: "Since they supposedly have all those weaknesses. I'd redirect a river around the manor is that was a possibility."
"Landscaping isn't an option, sadly."
Nalzij: "It still wouldn't have stopped Melodi."
Astrid: "Do we even have time to consecrate the grounds, though?"
Engir: "Mmm. Wards against mental control may be the simplest bet."
Hierophant: "It would require one of our clergy to remain on the grounds to maintain the consecration, and a regular offering to the Star of silvered dust, but I believe we can spare it."
Nalzij: "She was in the cathedral while under his control without any problem."
Engir: "Ah, true. We speak of defences but intend to strike before we could lastingly ready them."
Nalzij: "A day or two isn't much. We can just be extra vigilant until then."
Astrid: "I agree, Nalzij."
"We'll eliminate him within a few days, anyway...hopefully."
Engir idly pulls out a whip, potion and different spellbook out of the bag.
Engir: "Do you mind me investigating these, while we talk?"
Nalzij: "Go ahead."
The female paladin returns from the back, without her accompaniment or the protesting noble.
Nalzij: "Where are the others..."
Engir: "Tch, some of the potions they used really were disgusting."
Nalzij: "What now?"
Engir: "As for the whip..."
"Well, this last potion delivers wracking pains."
Astrid sits beside Engir in the back pew, observing the items.
Engir: "The whip, on the other hand, is specifically augmented to harm beastkin."
"Of course, as a whip, I don't think it can do lasting damage. So, you know, extra pain..."
Nalzij: "Disgusting."
Engir: "A despicable use of magic, indeed."
Astrid shakes her head slowly.
Astrid: "For this to have gone on for long right beneath our noses..."
Nalzij: "Where have the other rescued slaves been taken?"
White Paladin: "We've been informed that the Estion Estate has been taking care of them."
"So the ones we have been rescuing were taken there."
Anarod: "Makes sense."
Nalzij: "Right, thank you."
Engir pulls ten small sacks of gold from his bag, and rests them on the bench,
Engir: "A thousand gold should be sufficient?"
Hierophant: "Our thanks to you for your offering to the Star."
Engir: "I should set out another thousand for Antille's services, too."
Anarod: "Sounds about right."
The party retires for the night, managing small errands before returning to their respective homes.

The morning comes and the group reconvenes at the guild. Arastalia, Terita, and Hilra are talking at the breakfast table, and Nalzij comes accompanied by a soldier from the castle.
Astrid: "Pitch, where were you last night?!"
Engir smiles happily as he joins Terita, Ara and Hilra at the table.
Arastalia: "Ah! Master, I'm glad to see you."
Engir: "And I, you."
Pitch: "Me? Ah."
Arastalia smiles warmly, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Pitch: "Well....you know that small girl?"
Arastalia: "I'm happy to report that my efforts with Hilra have yielded some pleasant results."
Astrid: "Go on...?"
Engir: "That's excellent! Our ventures went well, too. The church will support us to their best of their ability."
Nalzij takes a seat with the others.
Engir: "I also tried divining on attacking the mansion."
Terita Estion: "Mine have been quite effective as well, reverse-engineering these things is still a while away."
Pitch: "Well....she kinda turned out to be...the Red Mother."
"She came to visit us."
Astrid: "Her? ...You're joking."
Hilra Flamehammer produces a scroll from her pouch, presenting it to Engir.
Pitch: "Melodi, back me up here."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "She was amazing~"
"I really didn't expect her to show up."
Engir accepts the scroll.
Anarod: "Isn't that the leader of your village or something?"
Pitch: "None of us did.
"Pretty much, she is the leader."
Astrid: "But... where did you go last night? (And why... with Dahlia...)"
Engir: "Ah, so you did some scribing, after all!"
Astrid pauses, darting round behind Pitch.
Pitch: "Ah, we went to a mountain, so I could perform the coming of age ceremony."
Arastalia: "That one is thanks to you though."
Astrid: "Wh-What's this?!"
Engir: "That ability is going to take some getting used to."
Astrid grips Pitch's tail, eyeing it up and down.
Engir: "You nearly had me there."
Pitch: "That's it. We went to perform my coming of age ceremony... it... awakened things insi-ah!"
Astrid: "What in the seven planes happened last night?!"
Engir turns round to look at the commotion, raising an eyebrow at the tail.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Lady Red blessed big brother!"
Engir: "Seems it's been a productive day for us all."
Pitch: "And gave me a tail."
Anarod: "Huh."
"That must get in the way of everyday life when you're not used to it."
Astrid: "But... how is this a blessing?"
"What are you going to do with... a... tail?"
Engir rubs his forehead.
Engir: "Okay, not sure how this is courtesy of me."
Pitch: "It's not just a tail. My scales are stronger, too."
Pitch lifts up his arms, showing the scales being more vivid
Astrid: "By the Star..."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Right? It's incredible!"
Nalzij: "I'm not sure how you looking less human is that useful, but congratulations."
Pitch: "When Melodi had it, she grew small wings an a tail."
Engir: "Still, I can see this being very useful. Thank you, both of you."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe flaps her wings happily.
Nalzij: "What is it, Engir?"
Gespenst approaches Fenrir, tilting his head awkwardly.
Arastalia: "I simply borrowed your scribing capabilities, along with Hilra's knowledge of negative energy."
Engir: "It's a protective ward against negative energy and death spells."
Gespenst: "Ah Fenrir, it's...rare to see you around these days."
Fenrir growls a little in greeting.
Engir: "Not completely reliable, but simple enough that I could use it."
Anarod: "Yeah that more or less sounds like exactly what we needed."
"What do you mean by not completely?"
Astrid observes Pitch's tail nervously, then tugging him by the arm.
Astrid: "Pitch, did anything... else happen last night that I should know?"
Nalzij: "Where's Dahlia?"
Pitch: "Anything else? I don't think so."
Astrid: "Where's...Dahlia?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "I think she's resting?"
"She was up late last night."
Engir: "The magic's ability gives the target a chance to shrug off such spells like one would the freezing edge of yours."
Pitch: "She wanted to witness the coming-of-age ceremony so she rode with us on the back of a massive terrifying dragon."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "She's not terrifying!"
Nalzij: "...Massive dragon?"
Pitch: "...she is kinda, she's massive and could incinerate us."
Terita Estion: "Such a lively party we have here."
Astrid: "...Where is she now?"
Gespenst flexes his arms casually, grunting.
Fenrir breathes a small amount of icy air at Gespenst, tauntingly.
Gespenst ruffles the fur on his back, a few embers flaking off.
Gespenst: "Goodness, Fenrir. Do you always have to be like this?"
Fenrir growls menacingly.
Terita Estion: "Fenrir. Heel."
Nalzij: "Have they always quarreled like that, Astrid?"
Fenrir moves over, sitting by Terita's side.
Astrid: "Hmm? Ah...yes, it's...troublesome."
Terita Estion: "Old rivalries run deep."
Gespenst ruffles his fur dismissively, a few embers flaking off.
Engir grins.
Engir: "Think there could be a steam elemental?"
Terita Estion: "There are said to be demiplanes where the elemental planes converge."
Gespenst nods at Terita.
Nalzij: "This is getting crowded in here. What's our plan today?"
Arastalia: "We were going to fight Athel, right?"
Engir: "My divination implied that a direct attack would actually be effective."
"Maybe because he's arrogant, or maybe he's so wary that he wouldn't expect something so simple."
Astrid: "Mm...waiting seems unnecessary."
Nalzij: "Interesting. Anarod, still disagree?"
Astrid: "Do you feel well enough to help us, sister?"
Terita Estion: "Accompanying you to the manor?"
Anarod: "I still think we'd have higher chances with a plan, direct attack or not."
Astrid: "If we're carrying out a full offensive, Fenrir's strength could be valuable."
Engir: "I would agree with that, Anarod."
Terita Estion: "Miss Ara seems to be able to stay back and protect the guild, so with that in mind, I could definitely support."
Engir: "We don't know the man's fighting style, which is to be concerned."
Astrid: "Excellent."
Astrid smiles at Arastalia warmly.
Nalzij: "That's comforting, at least."
Gespenst twitches his ears.
Anarod: "The biggest risk is that one of more of us has their mind bent and turns on us."
Gespenst: "(Mistress, why must you do this to me...)"
Nalzij glances back at the soldier who accompanied her, a little nervously.
Fenrir growls at Gespenst.
Armored Soldier: "...Yes, miss?"
Anarod: "This is a danger no matter how strong at combat Athel himself is."
Engir: "Yes. The main problem with having Ara stay behind is we lose her communal protection spell."
"That was a lifesaver, yesterday."
Arastalia: "Not that I would be able to pull that trick off very often..."
Astrid: "Surely Hilra could supervise for today, then?"
Engir: "I suppose, if we plan on bursting in, I can manually prepare it on everyone beforehand."
Nalzij: "No, it's nothing. Just, um, you don't have to stay there."
Anarod: "As long as we get it going. We don't have the luxury to not use as many resources as we can."
Armored Soldier: "I'm merely waiting until you have an opening."
"I do wish to complete my duty, but you are discussing something important, so I shall wait."
Anarod: "An opening?"
Armored Soldier: "To speak."
Nalzij: "Ah. I see."
Anarod: "Well you were just doing it, so why don't you keep on then?"
Engir glares at Anarod.
Armored Soldier: "As you wish then. Sirs, madams."
Armored Soldier pulls out a sizable bag from her possessions, placing it on one of the tables.
Armored Soldier: "We apologize for the wait. The paperwork is ready regarding your trips to Broken Top Mountain and to the Temple of the Star."
Nalzij: "That's a lot of paperwork, even for what Engir normally has around..."
Armored Soldier: "As well as tokens of authority, marking you as official ambassador as declared by the King."
Engir: "Excellent. I prepared a few copies of the names and expenditures of the alchemists' ledger, too."
Armored Soldier: "That is fortunate. May I bring one back? We are working closely along with the Paladins to rescue the slaves."
Engir: "Of course. I plan on bringing a copy to the Paladins myself, too."
Engir hands a copy to the soldier.
Armored Soldier takes it, bowing politely.
Astrid gets up from the breakfast table, stretching her back.
Nalzij: "The journal copies, too?"
Engir: "That was more.... difficult... for me to copy."
"I plan on giving that to the Paladins, though, since they hold the jail."
Nalzij: "I can imagine, copying that would be hard. Even reading it was."
Armored Soldier: "With your leave then, sirs, madams."
"And Dame Nalzij, Aldin sends his regard, and hopes you visit soon."
Nalzij: "Er. Of course, I'll make time for it."
Armored Soldier: "Thank you."
Armored Soldier bows once more before departing.
Astrid raises an eyebrow at Nalzij.
Astrid: "...I didn't know you two were so close."
Engir: "Didn't he ask her for an errand or something?"
Arastalia: "Hm? Her and the soldier?"
Engir: "The prince and Nalzij."
Nalzij: "Not until recently, Astrid..."
Astrid: "Hmmhmm..."
Engir: "Ara, will you be okay to hold the fort? I'm sorry we're not bringing you this time."
Arastalia: "I'll try my best, Master."
"Do stay strong."
Astrid: "Rest easy, Ara."
Arastalia: "...Let me know if you need help, okay?"
Astrid: "Anyhow, we'd best retrieve the supplies from the cathedral, time is of the essence."
Engir: "I'll do my best."
Terita Estion: "Well then, I suppose it's my and Fenrir's time to shine."
Engir: "Oh, Anarod. I think you should hold onto this"
Engir hands Anarod a scroll labelled 'dimension door'.
Anarod: "Time isn't that much of the essence but we should do the cathedral thing nonetheless."
"Hm, yeah that could come in handy."
Arastalia: "I pray the scroll comes in handy, Master."
Gespenst grins at Terita, cracking his knuckles.
Fenrir growls at Gespenst threateningly.
Engir: "I should think so, though it's difficult to determine how and when."
Nalzij: "Heh, I guess competition is good for motivation, at least."
Pitch: "(Melodi, I assume you're coming too?)"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "(Are you afraid he might... try that again?)"
Pitch: "(...of course I'm afraid about that, but... I think as long as Engir can protect us with his spells, we should be fine.)"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "(You'll look out for me too, right, big brother?)"
Pitch: "(I'll always look out for you, sis. Always.)"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe gives Pitch a hug.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "I'm going to go try to wake Dahlia up, then."
Pitch hugs Melodi back
Astrid sits opposite Terita.
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Supposedly, she's bound to 'protect me' so she won't be trouble to you guys."
Astrid: "(Don't overexert yourself, okay?)"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "But I don't think she can go to the cathedral so I'll just wait for you guys near the manor, okay?"
Engir: "Ah, right, Melodi. Ara and I should give you a primer on how that works when we have time."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "A... primer?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe looks confused.
Engir: "Like, an explanation on the basics of summoning and things."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "I..."
Engir: "So you have an idea of what's with Dahlia."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "It's not like I meant to."
"I don't even know if I can."
Engir: "I know. We won't be training you to."
"Just letting you know what the existing situation is."
Anarod: "Do you think she could dismiss her if things go south?"
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "To be honest, it's confusing."
"But I at least... kinda feel something?"
Nalzij: "I'd like to trust her fully, but even this much is a little hard."
Melodi Ryuji Naabe: "Like a..."
"Engir, help?"
"You've... summoned stuff before, right?"
Engir: "Yes. There's probably some kind of binding agreement."
Anarod: "I can't fully trust someone who's already turned on us once. It'd be foolish."
Engir: "Which is why I'd like to educate you on what they typically entail."
Nalzij: "We should go for now, in any case. Better to plan once we know what we have to work with."
Astrid: "Of course."

The party makes their way towards the cathedral to pick up everything. Astrid and Terita desummon their eidolons to avoid too much of a problem, and Melodi goes off to pick up Dahlia and bring her to the manor separately.
White Paladin: "Ah. You are here earlier than expected."
Nalzij: "Omens in our favor."
Engir: "Indeed."
White Paladin: "We were expecting you tomorrow, so I cannot say everything is available."
"Mia has gone to consecrate the estate, and she will be residing there."
White Paladin offers a rune-inscribed bag to Engir.
Anarod: "What was being planned for tomorrow?"
White Paladin: "We would appreciate you returning the bag when you are complete, it is Captain Latissier's property."
Anarod: "We don't have to act right away, but we would like to know what to expect so we can plan accordingly, at least."
Engir: "Ah, I see, thank you."
Nalzij: "We had originally meant to leave tomorrow, Anarod."
White Paladin: "Mia wrote a scroll in preparation, but she hasn't had the time to prepare any more."
Engir investigates the contents of the bag.
Anarod: "I know, hence why I'm asking about the details."
"Since we have the day to spare, knowing what sort of support we'll be getting from the cathedral will help us in our planning."
Nalzij: "I thought the plan had changed back to 'go barge in'."
Engir: "The timing of it was not something I enquired about."
"Oh there are a lot of useful goods in here, though."
Terita Estion: "You folk are never really the patient type, are you?"
Engir: "Unfortunately I think Anarod is the most patient one of us."
Nalzij: "It got us to you in time back in Dubrovish."
Engir: "Let's see... a handful of simple curing potions, two scrolls of more potent curing, a scroll to restore lost energy, a lot of vials of holy water, and silvered arrows and bolts..."
Terita Estion: "I can't say I'm much the type for any of that."
Anarod: "I'm just saying, even barging in necessitates some amount of thinking beforehand as to how we're gonna proceed."
Nalzij: "Not bad at all."
Engir: "I admit, something more offensive would be useful, but the holy water and scrolls are very key for spreading out some of the traditional measures."
"Well, Holy Water is a good weapon."
Anarod: "The scrolls should probably be used for offense, yeah."
White Paladin: "If there was anything else you wanted, I can ask one of the acolytes."
Astrid: "Hmm, what do you think, Engir?"
Terita Estion: "...I seem to recall a readily available spell for combating undead. A mere cantrip, however, so they possibly figured it already at your disposal."
Nalzij: "What is it?"
Engir: "Being able to bring sunlight into the mansion, or otherwise weaponize it would be very useful. I'm starting to doubt that method though. I don't think it was in the book."
Terita Estion: "A simple necromantic charm that disrupts the negative energy holding such a creature together."
Astrid: "That could be invaluable, then."
White Paladin: "Ah? I can see if an acolyte can prepare such a scroll for you."
Engir: "I think it might we worth waiting for that."
"Perhaps I can spend the time learning this spell from Terita."
Nalzij: "Thank you. This will make things a lot easier, I think."
Engir: "Though, given my specialities, maybe I should focus on scribing more defensive measures."
Terita Estion: "I personally don't see why we can't make sure we're prepared, but the more we prepare,the more he prepares too."
Astrid: "Do whatever you think is best."
Anarod: "If we're fighting undead, I'm pretty sure you should be unloading curing spells on it as much as possible."
Nalzij: "What was it, specifically, about attacking now being a good idea, Engir?"
Engir: "Not so much now, as attacking directly."
Terita Estion: "There are ways to attack directly without going through the front door."
Astrid tilts her head at Terita.
Astrid: "Such as, sister?"
Terita Estion: "We could easily just sneak towards the back, and ambush him through there."
Nalzij: "It's a big place, there must be a few ways in."
Astrid: "Ah, of course."
Engir: "Indeed. Though we lack for subtlety, so I imagine Anarod would need to make a decoy."
Terita Estion: "The place had a few floors, so it may have a balcony as well."
Astrid: "Surely Athel would suspect, though, Engir?"
Nalzij: "And we might be better able to avoid harming anyone he's controlling that way."
Astrid: "He would have seen the illusory dragon at the execution."
Engir: "Athel would. Would his servants?"
Astrid: "You...have a point."
Terita Estion: "It still begs the question on what state his servants are in."
Engir: "That's a good point."
Anarod: "He's seen my usual decoy already, though. We'll need to think of something else."
Terita Estion: "Dominated? Vampiric thralls? Or even alive and going along with it willingly?"
Nalzij: "Some could be truly ignorant, right?"
Astrid: "It gives me shivers down the spine just to think."
Terita Estion: "...I think there are limits to human stupidity."
"It stretches the imagination to think some humans are simply that stupid."
"(Though after seeing that big oaf, I have to admit...)"
Engir: "You weren't here to see the nobles buying the slaves."
Anarod: "I'm not sure illusions even faze undead, too..."
Astrid sweeps her hair back awkwardly, glancing at Terita.
Terita Estion: "It typically doesn't. Mindless undead are drawn towards positive energy, which illusions typically lack."
Nalzij: "Er. Right, of course."
Engir: "Hmm, if the servants have been dominated, then perhaps I should ask Mia if she can ready a scroll that provides a magic circle of warding against evil.
Astrid: "Magic circle...?"
White Paladin: "An aura of saintliness that travels with the caster."
Engir: "Like the one we had around the heart. There are spells that provide a more active variant."
Astrid: "Hmm, perhaps..."
Nalzij: "Sounds like a good argument for waiting a little longer."
Astrid: "Very well, then."
Terita Estion: "Attack during the evening, then?"
Astrid: "Hmm...but he'd be at his full power, then."
Terita Estion: "There's nothing that says they're stronger during the night."
Anarod: "Sunlight didn't seem to harm in at the execution, though."
Terita Estion: "Merely weak to broad daylight."
Engir: "It's something I've been wondering, myself."
Astrid: "...I suppose we can make a better judgement once we have everything prepared."
Anarod: "I'd assume with how long he's been playing this charade in public, he's found a way around that."
Engir: "Indeed."
Nalzij: "It does mean we wouldn't be able to corner him there, but it's probably not a big loss."
Terita Estion: "That's assuming anything about that book is valid."
Engir: "Everything I could compare to my own experienced seemed true."
Terita Estion: "The person that wrote the book on vampires is a vampire himself. Forgive my skepticism if I say he planted false weaknesses."
"Your own experiences? How many vampires have you fought?"
Engir: "It's true that one section might be different."
Nalzij: "It's all we have to go on, false or not."
Engir: "Well, I think I shall visit Mia at the mansion either way, if we're delaying."
Anarod: "We should check up on the mansion anyway, see how Antille's doing, if anything else happened."
White Paladin: "Then we will continue more from our angle."
Engir: "Thank you. Do you want the bag back, now?"
White Paladin: "If you have the ability to move its contents, please."
Engir: "And yes, I imagine he's extra busy if he's getting more friends to take care of."
Engir transfers the scrolls, vials, etc to his belt and the bag of holding.
Nalzij: "We should really see about finding someone else to help him."
The party goes over their preparations, with the clear goal of Athel on their mind.