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"I agree, it would be best to get the jump on this fellow. But are we sure it can't wait until morning? I'm rather tired, and I could use a little time to prepare some of my alchemical extracts, not to mention another mutagen," the doctor says, carefully removing his monocle with a gnarled claw and wiping it on his waistcoat before replacing it. "A little stake out would also give me a good chunk of time for such things."
Deciding that Akkuret was trying to stall you, the party heads towards Dalsine's manor with the directions given by Charito.
Dalsine Manor is a modern, two-story structure set back from the main road and surrounded by a twelve-foot brick wall. Its main gate is shut and guarded, but through it can be seen a well-kept garden surrounding the house. A carriage covered in gold filigree and inset with gems stands parked inside the gate, while another, constructed of modest wood with drawn shades, waits just outside the gate.
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"Hmpf, very useful - to have a bird that can assist with scouting. I... do not have such a way with animals," Frunobulax comments on the raven.
Frunobulax crouches behind a bush, but raises his head to get a look at Dalsine's home. "Unless he has moved quickly, I assume he would have the sets of armor that we are tasked with retrieving in there, yes?"
Noting that the party has a moment to breath a little easier, Fruno approaches Dr. Gunter, "I apologize for ignoring your inquiry regarding my tattoo - things just got a little busy. I do not know much about it - I have a complicated history with my more savage, orcish heritage. Once we have a larger share of free time, I will be pleased to speak with you more freely on the subject."
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"Yes, certainly the armor would be inside. The question is, how are we to get in? Are we to attempt some kind of burglary, or could we persuade someone to let us in under false pretenses?"
At Frunobulax's offer, the doctor's eyes light up and a smile spreads under his mustache. "Not a problem, my man, not a problem! I understand entirely. Well, not everything entirely, you know, but that's what research it for! I'm sure we'll have a fascinating chat later!"
Vastri notes that there are several guards stationed outside the manor.
There is no other entrance besides the main gate and the entire grounds are surrounded by a wall about 12 feet tall and made of smooth stone.
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You lot get ready. I'm gonna try somethin'.
Ril begins singing. Badly. It might be some sort of sailor's shanty, but since he's slurring even more than usual, you can't actually make out the words. The singing starts very low, but gets louder for a few moments before he begins to stumble and sway toward the plain carriage outside the gate.
Once he gets close to it, he leans against it and appears to be fumbling at his pants.
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What on Golarion is that elf doing? Frunobulax thinks to himself. But as Fil comes around with his off-key singing, Fruno smiles, and whispers to the others.
"Aha, the elf is being bold. But a good strategy - playing the fool. But perhaps we should ready ourselves to aid him."
Frunobulax draws his great axe, gripping it tightly in his hands.
The guards move forward towards Ril. "Hey now, fella, you better get out of here before we toss you out. Important guests tonight and we don't need drunkards roaming the grounds."
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"My word, what a foul implication," Dr. Gunter mutters, but at hearing the phrase "important guests," he perks up. "I have an idea," he whispers, "Follow my lead."
With that, the alchemist emerges from his hiding place, making sure to avoid the view of the guards, then circles back around to approach the gates in a far less sneaky way. He strolls up to the guards with a pompous gait (or rather, more pompous than usual), confident that his fellow Pathfinders are behind him. "Ah, you've found my servant!" he calls out to the guards. Continuing in his most sophisticated voice, he says, "Good on you, I was worried he had gotten lost himself after dragging us all about the city! I'm sure that Dalsine is wondering where we've been. Ah, but of course, he only has the finest people outside his gates. Please, take a little something for finding my man here before we go in. It's good for getting warm on cold nights like this." At this, the doctor pulls out a small bottle and offers it to the guards.
The guards look up as Dr. Gunter approaches but seem to buy his story. "Oh, well, ah. . . thank you! Wasn't much finding to be done, he just stumbled in here but we'll take the gesture just the same."
The two guards pass the bottle back and forth and take a swig each. "Mmm! This is fine stuff! Say, wait a minute. . . . aren't you that famous Doctor? What's your name again?"
After hearing your name, they continue blabbering. "Wow! It's actually Dr. Gunter. Bert, straighten up! Wow, so pleased to meet you! Such an honor! What can we do for you?"
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"My good man, as I said, I believe that Chalfon Dalsine is expecting us; we are associates, and he requires my scientific expertise in determining the anthropological value and significance of a few things he's procured," Dr. Gunter continues, twirling his mustache in delight at the apparently successful plan. "We also have Mr. Vanyel, to evaluate their magical properties, and in addition to my servant there," he says with a condescending gesture toward the haggard elf, "we've also brought along a couple of my pupils, for whom this is a great learning opportunity!" he exclaims, indicating the other half-orcs. "If you'd be so good as to let us just pop in--no need to alert Dalsine, for we're already quite late--" (here a glare at Rilamon) "we have important business to attend to!"
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The guards nod at Dr. Gunter and enthusiastically respond, "Yes! Of course! Go on in! He's already got a couple guests inside."
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The party moves through the gate and into the grounds closer to the manor itself. The front porch of the manor sports a stylized compass inlaid in the masonry, and a similar symbol graces the lintel above the open double doors. Within, the sound of clashing blades echoes off the marble floor. Suddenly, the sound of combat ceases with a gruesome thud, and the sound of a laughing man replaces the metallic din. The furniture in the foyer has been thrown about, and a growing pool of blood escapes from a crumpled corpse at the foot of the wide, carpeted stairs.
As you enter the room, you see Chalfon Dalsine stands laughing at the top of the stairs, an awkwardly aloof look on his mustachioed face. Pasha Muhlia al-Jakri stands in a pool of blood over Baron Jacquo Dalsine’s beheaded corpse, twirling her twin kukris around her nimble fingers.
At your approach, she bitterly declares, "With Khismia’s death, I'm done with this whole ‘shadow war for Absalom,' and you can keep scouring the world for useless treasures and risking your lives for delusional fame and worthless fortunes if you like." She spits on Jacquo’s corpse, then taps her left toe to her right heel, activating her boots of teleportation and vanishing from scene of the crime.
Chalfon continues to laugh maniacally at the top of the stairs.
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Tevaga freezes inside the doorway, her eyes wide with shock at the scene. Softly, she curses, "Desna, is this a joke? Thought I left the gang fights behind when I joined the Society..."
She shakes her head, but manages a smile at her bad luck as she composes herself. She steps forward and puts her foot on the head of the Taldan faction leader. She gently spins it around so that it's no longer looking toward her or the rest of the party.
She looks up at Chalfon at the top of the stairs, "We're just here for a couple of those 'useless treasures'. Whatever you got going on here is clearly bigger than us, so if you don't mind, we'll just pick up those parcels and be out of your hair?" She adds a shrug for emphasis, either for Chalfon or for her fellow Pathfinders.
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The haughty half-orc scientist, extremely pleased with his clever ruse to enter the manor, is struck dumb at the vision he's granted with his successful invasion. Whatever bravado and cleverness had inspired his earlier bluffs is gone, and he cannot present himself as cooly as Tevaga. Finding his voice, he hoarsely cries out to the maniac at the top of the stairs: "Are you mad, man?! What is the meaning of this? This man was your blood! What devil, born of hell or some insanity, has caused this?!"
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Frunobulax keeps his distance, but follows the party - he has no skill for subterfuge. He pats Rilamon on the shoulder, once out of earshot of the guards, "Good work out there." He nods at Dr. Gunter, "You as well. Your way with words is quite impressive."
Once the party walk in on the scene and the Quadiran woman vanishes, Frunobulax does his best to make sense of things. He steps up to the body on the floor and takes careful look at Jacquo.
He looks up at Chalfon, but mutters to his fellow Pathfinders, in response to Tevaga, "I have a bad feeling that retrieving the armor will not be so simple..."
Chalfon continues to laugh maniacally at the top of the stairs, not responding to the party's accusations or questions. The party realizes something is wrong just as his figure begins to fade from the top of the stairs and a blade digs itself into Fruno's side, followed by the appearance of the real Chalfon.
Chalfon casts another spell, infusing his rapier with electricity once more.
Chalfon then steps over Fruno's body to stab at Tevaga!
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Tevaga barely has time to figure out what's happening when she feels the shock of Chalfon's first attack against her. She feels the second before she can even reach her belt pouch. When he finally lets up, she's surprised to still be standing, if only for a few moments more.
She glances at Fruno, who doesn't seem to be so lucky, as she steps back from Chalfon. Her hands shaking, she finishes digging out her potion of cure light wounds. She drinks it and tosses the empty vial aside before she passes out.
Up to y'all now.
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Fruno's stern gaze at the image of Chalfon at the top of the stares turns to wide-eyed surprise as the burning sting of the real Chalfon's crackling blade sinks into his side.
The half-orc is just able to turn his head and see Chalfon's knowing look that the blade has struck true.
Fruno opens his mouth to shout, "Bleargh!" All that comes out is a pitiful wail, followed but the sickening gurgle of blood rising through his throat. He collapses to the ground, blood hemorrhaging from the rapier's cut and his life being completely drained from his body.
Tevaga uses her last ounce of energy to step away from Chalfon and quaff a potion.
Vanyel greases Chalfon's rapier but his grip is firm.
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Nine bloody hells! He takes them down like nothing! Even the ferocity of orcish blood seems of little use here! And me without my mutagen, too--I certainly feel like the most foolish man alive now! Thus internally flabbergasted, Dr. Gunter snaps into action as quickly as possible. Drawing an extract vial from his person, he drinks it down and swells to an enormous size! Stepping back, he draws his longsword and brandishes it with both meaty hands. "You won't get away with this, cur! Even if you strike us down, the Society will send stronger than us; your days are numbered!"
Dr. Gunter grows to an enormous size and Rilamon unsuccessfully fire an arrow!
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Avoiding the gigantic half-orc, Chalfon casts a spell
and moves over to Rilamon, striking at the elf with his rapier!
Vanyel tries to heal Tevaga but the magic is unfamiliar to him. Dr. Gunter swings his longsword but finds the man hard to hit.
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Chalfon casts a spell
Once again his blade crackles with electricity as he steps into to stab at Dr. Gunter!
Rilamon's wounds stop bleeding but Tevaga succumbs to her wounds and passes into Pharasma's Boneyard.
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After the electrocuting wound Dalsine delivers, Dr. Gunter coughs heavily, blood flecking his mustache. He turns toward Vanyel with a harrumph: "What are you doing? Get out of here, you fool! I'll hold off this traitor. Tell the Society--RUN!" With that, the alchemist pulls out a small vial, then grins at Dalsine. Stepping back, he hefts the bomb with obvious effort, not at the maniac in front of him, but at the wall behind him, hoping to catch the manor on fire.
Vanyel continues to struggle with the wand while Dr. Gunter wildly blows a hole through the wall and instructs his remaining companion to run.
Chalfon responds, "Hah! You Pathfinders are pathetic! Bring down the Manor, but you will not bring down the man! I'll see this through to the end!"
He then steps closer to Dr. Gunter and attacks relentlessly.