Session 8 - Aftermath & Mystery

As the crowd begins to disperse, the party decides to return to Onika's house to recover. The few members of Blue Peony followed closely behind Gab as they marched. Partway to Onika's, a bald, tan skinned man with the mark of the Emerald Scent sidled up against them. He offered his name as Tylieri, a warrior and ambassador of the gang sent to learn more about their group and potentially work with them. He offers access to a Maius Hunter license as well as future collaborations and information. The party tells him they cannot give a decision at the moment, but they will come to Greenhall should they wish to accept.

Afterwards, Gab starts to talk with his disciples, learning of his relevance in Alietus. They continue their discussion on the steps at Onika's house, hearing the stories of these folks and their pilgrimages to find Gab. He learns that his old friend Edward Don Bartholomew, under the title of High Edward, is the head priest of Blue Peony. Filtar somewhat aggressively asks Gab his thoughts on death: he responds by saying control over the Maius is primary, but immortality would be fine should it come necessary for said control.

Meanwhile, Patch, Vordia, and Toni help Onika wake up, who seems to be having a nightmare. Once awake, they catch the goblin up on what transpired after they fainted. They seem stunned by the news from Tylieri: both interested and nervous about it.

The group takes the rest of the day off. Eventually, the Blue Peony acolytes head to their homes and all retire to sleep. In the middle of the night while they sleep, each of the group makes a wisdom saving through. And slowly, everyone succeeds. Not long after, as Patch sits in a low power state on the ground, the door opens quietly. No one is seen entering when it closes, but Patch hears light footsteps. A hooded figure then appears above Toni with a knife at her own arm, spilling blood all over Toni's hands and face. The floor beneath Patch creaks and the figure turns invisible once more, then grapples Patch, reappearing. Patch yells "good morning!" which suddenly wakes the others. The second this happens, the figure shifts form into a beaten and bloodied appearance of Onika, shouting to the others for help as they tumble backward in act. A tense moment passes in confusion, but Patch shouts "shapeshifter" and begins to strike.

Combat ensues. The whole party forms a double flank around the figure as she dashes over to Toni, shifting then into a pale figure that sends Toni into blind shock and rage. Their enemy barely seems to even notice all of their attacks, nimbly dodging most of them, and deflecting some of the blows she does take. She single-mindedly focuses on Toni, stabbing her repeatedly with a poison dagger and a regular one, but her focus is wavering. Toni takes blow after blow as everyone desperately tries to cut this person down. Lightning, hammers, fists, flails, and daggers are flying. Healing is cast, but it doesn't even matter. The assailant gets one good strike on Toni that sends her collapsing back to her bed. The moment that attack landed, the figure pulled out another dagger and just laid it by the unconscious Toni's throat before darting back out of the building into the night. Onika, waking up from the commotion, comes down to witness the bloody mess and wreck of the fight. The party helps Toni back to consciousness, who seems extremely shook by the whole ordeal. They change the bloodstained sheets and blankets and all take a deep breath before returning to sleep. At least, most of them. Patch stands by Toni's side as she sleeps and stands on high alert, choosing not to rest.