“My power is beginning to wane, I am perilously close to becoming less of an asset.”
I’d like a Knowledge (Arcana) check on the mage. He ate a spell, that should be mentioned in some archaic tome I’ve come across. 
If we’re following the mage I’m dropping back into the pack and using the crossbow. Again.
I’m hoping I have enough time to do at least a quick search before we chase after the mage. If the group rushes out, I may stay and follow in a bit.
The bodies having melted, the search is quite easy. As you bend to search through the armor, though, a dirty look from Marco Valente stops you. He doesn’t seem to like the idea of you taking anything from House Valente.
Funnily enough, you know very little about zombies. They’re clearly magically animated, but you don’t know anything else.
The bird, however, you do know something about. It carried markings like that of an immature Roc, but you’ve never heard of a Roc quite that orange.
He doesn’t match the description of any well-known bandits, rogue magicians, or anyone else you’ve ever heard of.
There are several different ways to transform like that. The caster could be a wizard or a druid, which would imply at least six levels, possibly more. In addition, this might be someone who has no intrinsic powers and is working for a magician of some type.
A small golden cup on the credenza catches your eye. Marco bends to tend to his father, and you snatch it.
Your wolf trots off out the door.
You also recognize the bird as a Roc, or at least very similar. Rocs are most certainly not native to Italy.
As you should have remembered from your work with your master, that spell is ineffective against anyone of strong enough will. Or more than three HD.
“We should keep the pursuit as hot as we can,” growls Zachary, a little indistinctly.
Harald still has enough decency to look a bit guilty as he reluctantly drops a rather gaudy ring under hostile peer pressure Right. Hot pursuit. That’s the ticket, yes. Onwards, brothers ! Let’s go pluck up the mage.
“There’s nothing in this room that sheds any light on this, Let’s pursue that mage!”
Jospeh peers out the window thoughtfully.
“Shapeshifting of that nature is powerful magic,” he says as the group forms up to leave, “so I’d advise a certain amount of caution if we catch up with him again. We don’t want to end up caught between a roc and a hard place.”
Can I make a CMB check to push Joseph out the window?
Barring that, I follow the wolf.
As do I (since well he’s mine…)
You wouldn’t be content with just flipping me the bird?
Marco Valente listens intently to the conversation and halts the group. “If the mage went several windows down on this floor, he’s headed to the library. There are dozens of volumes in there vital to the interests of Genoa, and hundreds more that could prove equally dangerous in the wrong hands. We’re going there to stop him. Help me escort my father out of the building, and we’ll go get what I need and stop him.”
I got, like, eight more rounds of rage left. Don’t tempt me.
If the old man will let me, I can carry him down to the plaza.
Yeah, sorry - suppose I’ve given you just caws.
He agrees, gratefully.
“Valente, we will pursue this mage, who is a source of foul abominations. But there is more to this then you let on. After we resolve this immediate problem, you had best let these capable men know what precisely is going on. Now, my friends, let us make haste to the library, to stop this satanic creature in his tracks!”
All right, you take the legs, I’ll take the hea… shoulders. One, two, THREE ! Meet y’all up in the liberarry !
ETA : appleciders, where am I sitting wrt rage rounds and large rounds please ?
Onwards and downwards then, bombs and extracts at the ready.
You traipse downstairs, Aji and Harald carrying the Doge as gently as they are able. With Marco leading, you step outside the door. Marco steps over a zombie’s corpse unthinkingly and is penalized for his mistake when the zombie rolls over and seizes his leg and bites down on his ankle! Two quick thrusts from Marco’s sword put an end to the zombie, but the damage is done. Marco staggers out into the piazza, motions to Aji to bring the Doge over, and pulls a ring off his finger. Marco turns the ring over in his fingers, whispering to it, and after a moment, three guardsmen in the Doge’s livery trot around the corner and rally to Marco’s side.
Marco turns to Joseph, who he seems to regard as the leader of this motley crew. “That was a nasty wound. I’m not going to be climbing stairs any time soon. I’ve summoned soldiers, who will be able to put out the fire in the palace, but I need you to go up to the library and secure the last three years of Valente family merchant records. In addition, chase out that orange imposter! I’ll reward you handsomely.”
Kobal2, you’ve used 5 rounds of rage and 2 rounds of growth.
A dangerous mage? A royal mandate? A library in danger? A handsome reward?
Joseph turns to eye each of the members of this random assortment of drunkards, charlatans, and wanderers, and then lifts his eyebrow.
“Seems to me that we have a job to do, lads. The eternal gratitude of the Valente family (hopefully measured in florins) awaits!”