"Anytime, sir, I just hope you make a full recovery -" And to Camellia, "I'm fine with killing her, I just don't know if demons have a way to look dead without being that way. Will cutting off her head do it?"

"Then removing her head ought to be fine, yes, though it's not like overkill is going to hurt. Succubi can fake their own deaths, but as far as I'm aware it's by shapeshifting into a form that already appears sufficiently injured and then people not confirming, not because they can actually shrug off lethal injuries."

"Oh good." Camellia can decapitate her if she wants; Ky will de-cocoon the lucid fellow.

She'll be very thorough.

"My guess is they were both charmed since one of them got out when they got attacked. I don't remember how long a charm lasts from a succubus, but it's definitely days, and if they fell for it I don't know if trying to suppress it with protection from evil will help. Maybe if we could get him to a sanctified temple; how safely do you expect to be able to move him if he keeps struggling?"

"Now that I can focus on him I can wrestle him into a more cooperative shape." She hauls him into shape and snugs up the paper and relieves him of his weapon while she's at it. "Is Iomedae's or Desna's closer to here?"

"Iomedae's, it's further south than it is west."

"He's called Jim?" Ky asks the lucid one.

"It's what we called him, I guess I don't know if it's his name? It's not like we were close, we just got assigned to work together after the attack since it wasn't safe to patrol solo anymore but lots of of our normal partners weren't available; mine just lost a hand, but I think his usual partner is dead or missing. Of course, it's not like patrolling in pairs is safe either if you're going to be an idiot about it."

His voice sounds bitter as he self flagellates.

"Do you want to come with us, catch your breath for a bit before you get a new assignment, provide a witness?"

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Hopefully it's Stasia or Irabeth organizing things there and not Hulrun."

"Oh?"

He winces at the fact that he'll have to explain it.

"Hulrun tends to be, uh, strict about mistakes, but he doesn't usually try to overrule decisions someone else made. Not saying I didn't fuck up, y'know, it's just usually a good idea to stay out of his way unless you're one of the kinds of people he accepts as trustworthy. Paladins, lawful clerics, that kind of thing. I mostly worship Iomedae and I'm strong enough to detect, barely, so it's not as bad as it could be but it's not great."

"Did you fuck up? You were with your assigned partner and you got hit by mind magic."

This seems more baffling than anything.

"I tried to kill you! It's not always realistic that you're able to shrug off a charm, but being charmed has limits; you're supposed to be able to snap out of it or ignore orders if you notice you're being told to do something evil or out of character, but I didn't stop until she attacked me."

"Well, I'm no expert, but maybe next time I should look less threatening somehow."

Meanwhile, Camellia has been examining the loot.

"I think this is a cloak of resistance, but there's something else on top of it. Guessing from the fact that it's a succubus that had it, I would expect something about persuasion or disguise or mind control, but it's possible it wasn't originally theirs and they just wanted it for the bonus to saves. I wouldn't put it on until you find an expert to take a look but it's a pretty good haul even if it is somehow cursed."

She wraps up the cloak in a paper packet without touching it directly and sticks it to the back of her cloak. "Suppose the fellow at the curio shop will be able to suss it out? I wanted to head there next."

"Wizards usually have pretty good spellcraft, so it's a good guess. If not them, maybe Rathimus will."

The temple of Iomedae is currently being run by Stasia, to their companion's relief. With the help of resistance and guidance, Jim is even able to use the hallow effect to throw off the charm. It won't help if he ends up leaving again, but at least his thinking isn't currently being affected. He's similarly grateful for the help, though most of his embarrassment seems to come from the fact that he spent the whole trip there struggling to get out.

Well, if he's willing to stay in the temple for the next while she can un-cocoon him and reiterate that she's just glad he's recovered. And introduce herself to Stasia and anyone else who'll hold still for it.

Then the curio shop!

Stasia is more than a little frazzled, like she’s been working long hours on too little sleep, but she’ll take the time to thank Kybele. The fact that she was able to get some extra security for the temple without having to make the choice to pull people off the streets is a bit of a weight off her shoulders.

The Ancientries and Wonders shop is one of the nicest buildings in the area, but it’s clearly had better days. The windows are broken in and many of the items on the shelves are missing, but there’s still a somewhat surprising number of things there; the reason for the incomplete looting might have something to do with the large stone… statue at the back of the shop?

The question is if any people are in there! "Hello the shop!"

The statue’s head swivels to look at her.

”Greetings. Please by advised that this model never forgets anything, and theft will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of law.”

"Oh, hello, you're alive! I'm Kybele the Curator, or Gazette, and I'm looking for the wizard who operates this establishment."

"Information on the master's whereabouts is prohibited."

As though triggered by their conversation, another voice calls out, less loudly than the golem.

"Hello? Is someone there? I can hear you talking - please, get me out of here!"

It seems to be coming from the direction of a fallen-over shelf.