"They will give him a fair trial and keep him from more evil deeds. Let take the sorcerer there then," Ellena argued. If the others agree, she sheathed her sword and stowed her shield to her back. She picked up the unconscious sorcerer and carried him over her shoulders, as she hoped the defender's were still there.
Franti's brow rose in surprise, then fell as his expression turned to a pout. "'Head back out,' Silver? I agree with the nap, but let's take everything a step at a time. Defender's Heart may need a few more, umm, defenders to keep it safe after all."
The fool looked at Ellena. "The last time we saw Crusaders they wanted virgin's blood. It is the safest place no doubt, but the sorcerer should be our prisoner, not theirs. Not 'til we can trust them."
It might have seemed to the party that it should be near sunset, after having fought three battles already, but it was still well before sunset. A partly sunny sky painted the city at times with welcome sunlight, although it also highlighted the horrible damage of battle and the deserted state of the city.
After setting out along a broad street that went generally north, the group could begin to see glimpses of the familiar dome of the Defender's Heart. It was a sturdy building that at a distance might be mistaken for a temple. It had a dome on top and four sections extending from the center making the floor plan into a stubby cross or x shape.
As the group got closer, they could see men and women perched in defensible positions on the roof, watching them with crossbows loaded and other ranged weapons at the ready. When the group got to the solid oak doors, reinforced with iron, and knocked, a small window opened in the wall next to the door and a male voice called out. "Identify yourselves and state your business!"
"We've got all sorts of business. I'm Ellena Lovain, member of the Everbright Crusaders. Ive got Irabeth's wife, a prisoner who tried to kill her and a password around here somewhere.". She'd already forgotten what exactly the password was, but she suspected that her group would be able to remember exactly what hey we're supposed to say for entrance. "This crew with me are my friends. Iomedae has clearly brought all of us together! We need a place to rest for a bit as it is wild out in he streets right now."
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Avelina stood on her tiptoes and waved with vivacious glee. She made no attempt to contain her delighted grin at finding more Iomedaeans.
"Hello! I am Avelina of House Galfrey, niece of our Queen and Ellena is my Champion. I bring with me an entourage of allies Brave, Intelligent, Implacable, Inspirational, Pure-hearted, and Funny! Along with a prisoner in-tow, as she said."
Franti cupped his hands over his mouth. "SILVERSTRONG! SILVERSTRONG! SILVERSTRONG! he yelled out repeatably, loud enough that it would be wise to have a new password following his arrival. He began to giggle, hands falling to his side, voice falling to only be heard by his compatriots. "Shoulda said we were traveling performers. Places like this always let in people like me."
Karas looked to Franti as they walked, "Anevia isn't the only one who had a home here, Franti. I still need to see if there is anything I can recover of mine."
Karas stayed near the back of the group and near Anarya so as not to alarm the crusaders. It had been a long ordeal.
The person at the small window looked the group over and listened to the various statements. Once he heard Silverstrong from Franti and Avelina announced herself, various noises could be heard that indicated large braces were being lifted and set aside, then bolts slid so that they no longer braced the door to the floor and wall. Finally the door swung open.
Inside a flurry of activity was transferring like a wave back into the dim depths of the entry-hall. Some were fetching towels and basins of warm soapy wash water and cool pitchers for rinsing. Some cleric acolytes were rushing to locate the clerics in case anyone needed healing. Some well armed and armored crusaders stood near the entrance wary in case this was some kind of ruse or surprise attack.
The group was invited in with much bowing to Avelina and solicitous questions to see whether any needed healing, food, water, etc. The soldiers took possession of the unconscious half-orc and lugged him back into the depths of the Inn to some secure location (unless given other instructions) with promises that the appropriate attention would be given to his status as a prisoner.
Anevia was recognized quickly and several friends embraced her and helped her to a seat while others promised to go get Irabeth.
Shortly thereafter a number of armor clad figures came quickly from the back of the inn, their iron soled shoes clanging on the flagstones. There followed the very joyous reunion of Anevia and Irabeth, watched through teary eyes at the sight of the lovers reunited.
After a passionate series of kisses, Anevia separated long enough to locate the members of the group who accompanied her from the underground and made introductions. "Irabeth, may I introduce you to my friends. Avelina, niece of Queen Galfrey, Ellena, paladin of Iomedae, Anarya, Tauni, Franti, and Karas. We fell into the underground at the start of the battle and have since been making the long trek back to the surface. They saved my life from Gavorg and so much more. Everyone, this is Irabeth." Anevia then fell silent, embarrassed to have to carry the focus of everyone's attention for so long.
Irabeth listened intently, taking the measure of each of the introduced people with a penetrating gaze. "Thank the Inheritor! I've been so worried. I am the current leader of the Eagle's Watch and in charge of the resistance and cleansing of the city. We obviously have much to discuss. Take food, drink, and clean up as you wish. Let our clerics heal you if you need it. When you are ready, we will meet in the briefing room." With that she swept Anevia off her feet and carried her away, trailing a host of curious and concerned people.
Things gradually settled down. Everyone got food and drink and had a chance to clean up. Some were recognized by friends and there were more reunions and the sad news of who had not returned was delivered. For a while, people were asking you for news from out in the city. But soon, an older man shooed most of these people away so you could catch your breath, eat, and clean up. He introduced himself as the owner of the Inn, Kimroth Otai. He was old, grizzled, with just one arm. Her personally insured that everyone got what they needed but otherwise was left alone for a while. When the party was ready to talk to Irabeth, he escorted you there.
Ellena was elated to see other friendly faces. It'd been so very long since she met friends. She liked to think she was tough, but seeing the lovers reunited even brought a tear to the eye of the paladin. "I'm so happy we could bring them together. True love can make it, even in the worst of times. Bless the Inheritor!"
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As the others caught up with friends, fellow warriors, and the faithful, Franti disappeared. Before anything else, Franti took up Irabeth's offer to clean-up.
Despite the day not being over, his face was well-smudged. The fool gave a large effort to making himself appear as grand as ever: his face became a painting of bright blues and gold hues, he re-attached the bells onto his hat and shoes, and he wore his holy symbol on his chest for all to see.
Franti had wanted to appear as more than a fool, however. In the company of crusaders, and to back up whatever stories of his exploits he was to tell, he also wanted to look like a warrior. On each hip he wore two weapons, a cold-iron dagger and a sap. He wore both of his quivers, thirty-three arrows both sharp and blunt on his back, and crossed his bow over his shoulder.
His bandolier was freshly stocked, filled with a myriad of tools for both soldier and joker alike. His outfit was washed of stains, and stitched of any holes. His wig was combed and curled. Franti was ready.
When he decided to eat, Franti was the most boisterous and crass person at the table. He told jokes louder than anyone else, and strived for the attention of any listener. Each story was more wild than the last, each almost equal parts truths and fabricated stories. It was the obligation of the fool - he had to tell tales larger than life, he had to laugh the longest, shout the loudest, smile the widest, if only to make a single other forget what was going on outside these walls for mere moments.
"So this mayor of Neatholm was wider than he was tall! And somehow, his heart was even larger! It turns out our arrival was some sort of prophesy! In the stories, it always is though, isn't it? I tell you, friends, this is no story!"
"- Then she STABBED me! My own buddy! That means that ol' Irabeth is in good hands though, Anevia'll fire out a shot before she knows if it's friend or foe! In this case, friend, yes, but I've long since forgiven our lame lady."
"You see Wendy, the mongrelwoman over there? With the help of our little blonde brigade she renounced darkness! Any crusader can vanquish evil, but only the greatest ones can redeem them! Now she is practically a paladin, the gods are practically murdering each other to decide who'll get her though!"
"And there was this little dragon man! He wasn't a problem, oh not at all, but he hid the largest, most terrifying viper on him! It must have been at least ten feet long, thicker than a knotted coil of rope! With the help of Horgus Gwerm - imagine him fighting, a crazy story in itself! - I managed to slay the dreaded dire-snake!"
"-The most beautiful woman you could imagine, my friend! She waits for me in the tallest tower in the largest castle in Ardeal! My love, my countess-to-be, my Lady Opaline."
The fool skipped over any meats and stews as he ate, either respectfully passing the dishes along, or leaving them untouched if given to him. Despite his behavior, not a drop of alcohol touched his lips, and he was quick to make a little gag or performance out of being passed the wine rather than actually drinking it.
Karas blushed and looked away awkwardly as Irabeth and Anevia reunited. He kept his head low and tried not tyo garner much attention in a room full of crusaders.
He ate quietly and to the side of the others and still near Anarya. The Aasimar's radiance did not do him any favors though as her light reflected on his scales.
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Franti found that his attempts at humor provoked more rolling eyes and sidelong glances than outright laughter. People were more interested in his stories, but it seemed that perhaps his attempts at humor had raised questions about whether his stories can be trusted. It was a tough crowd and he had yet to win anyone over. Perhaps it was too soon after the fall of Kenabres for people to find humor in anything, even a fool.
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As she watched the happy reunion of Irabeth and Anevia, Avelina drifted up into the clouds, where the happy lands of Glorious Sapphic Courtly Romance can be found. She saw the two lovers kissing and embracing, and she suddenly felt...sad? She of course knew that the Inheritor loved her and she loved Her back. But to touch each other, look into each other's eyes, feel the quiet rhythm of their breath--that was something she wanted more than anything.
She automatically chimed-in to Ellena's cheers.
"I could not have said it better myself, My Champion."
She sighed and slumped down, head propped up by her hands.
"My Cha--Ellena, have you ever had someone hold you like that? Kiss you?"
Her voice was far away, full of youthful yearning for paths not yet traveled.
"I can't say that I have, Lady. Perhaps one day all of us will have true love like that. I'm sure Iomedae has a plan for both, I mean each of us," Ellena's voice trailed off after watching the expression of the truest love.
After the meal, Ellena tried to find one of the higher ups to speak with for a brief moment. "Sorry, I won't take up much of your time. About the Fool, I know he's out there, but I want to vouch for him. He's goofy and wild, but he's brave and packs quite a punch in a fight. Sometimes you need to plug your ears, but he's good and true, and I want him on my side.". Ellena excused herself about giving her recommendation about Franti.
Throughout the the reunions, Tauni managed to offer weak smiles of empathetic happiness. Once inside, Tauni's eyes darted about. As grateful as she was for a place of some solace, she couldn't help but look around for other adherents to Abadar. With each passing hour, she finds herself fighting harder to hold back waves of despair that all of her friends may not have survived the attack on the city.
Ellena talks to Kimroth Otai and a crusader who seems to be a kind of lieutenant under Irabeth. They thank her for those words of assurance. Kimroth asks for more information on Wenduag and Karas, as many distrust mongrelfolk and tieflings. Her assurances of their character (along with the Avelina's) eventually leads to people softening their initial attitudes toward Wenduag and Karas. No one is outright rude to them out of deference to Anevia and Irabeth, but they tend to get wary looks and they may notice people glancing at them and then whispering to others nearby.
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Karas did his best to stay out of the way of the crusaders. Since his release he had only been among the people for 2 years and old prejudice dies hard. Especially when surrounded by tragedy.
He was eating, quietly and meekly, in the main hall when he overheard he whispers among those nearby. "Isn't that Terendelev's whelp?" "The tiefling? Are you sure?" "Ya I heard about that guy. they found him all bloody in the street and arrested him. I though he was gonna be executed." "Why wasn't he? Who'd he slaughter?!" "I don't know, but the next thing I hear, he's walking around in finery with Terendelev's sigil on it." "What?!" "Ya, y'know I wouldn't be surprised if he was part of this whole thing. I bet he got her ki-"
He couldn't stop himself.
A clawed fist slammed onto the table near him and frost escaped through gritted teeth. The hall went silent except for swords leaving sheaths.
Patience and Mercy. They know not what they say. The soothing voice wafted into his mind. He blinked for a second as the claws retracted. He looked about at the weapons drawn in his direction before slowly, with hands held in sight, he rose and walked to the private chamber they had given them.
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Suddenly everyone was much more interested in Franti's stories.
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Franti, amidst a more relaxed, less scarring rendition of one of his favorite Ustalavic children’s tale, was left almost by himself within the Inn. His stories had occupied much of his time, and he only picked lightly at his meal between his tales. Defeated, he sighed, leaned in over his plate and began to eat the now-cold meal.
At a table close-by Franti, another man was left alone after the change in shifts. He wore lighter armor than most of the crusaders, and his blade was thinner than most, a rapier it seemed. He rose from his seat, food in hand, and sat down opposite Franti. Without a word, the soldier began to eat.
The fool looked up briefly. The soldier was a couple weeks unshaven, with neck-length brown hair pushed back behind his ears. Hanging from his neck was a copper chain, with a small silver pendant resembling an ale glass. A symbol of Cayden Cailean, even the fool knew that.
In silence the two of them ate for a minute.
Mouth full, the man spoke, voice like gravel. “What happens to him?”
The fool coughs out a response, food stuck in his throat: “Wh-What?” It’d been several minutes since his story ended abruptly, his tale was no longer on his mind.
A piece of chicken is cut on the soldiers plate, still too large to consume. The crusader attempts to eat it anyway. “The story. Boy was hangin’ from a tree, fox and cat waitin’ for death to greet him. What happens to him?”
“Well,” Franti started up again, “do you want the fool’s version of the story or the classic rendition?”
Silence.
Well," Franti continues, "the traditional storyteller would tell you the boy was strangled to death, corpse left hanging until the ravens picked at his skin and sinew enough to slip his carcass through his noose. They’d tell you the boy’s tale ends there, and it’s a warning to children to listen to their father.” The fool smiles, waiting for a response, for the prompt to tell his version of the story.
Again, silence. The warrior spooned gruel into his mouth. Franti’s face fell, and his spoon lowered back into his plate. After another minute of quiet, the warrior spoke again - “Not a good ending now, was it?”
Immediately Franti pushed his plate aside, the fool grinning wide and animated. “Not at all! That is why I re-wrote it! Tripled it’s length! I added a mother figure, fey, animal doctors - animals who are doctors, not doctors for animals - even changed the meaning of the story! A much better tale for the young ones, if I do say so myself.”
The soldier’s plate was almost empty now. He pushed together the scraps to form piles large enough to fit on his fork, wolf it down, then begin the process again. “That why you changed it?”
Franti opened his mouth to answer “of course, it's a story for them!” though stopped before he uttered so much as a syllable. Was it though? While Franti had never liked the ending of the story proper, his version had such a great appeal to him.
“No,” the fool let out, “I like mine better is all.” He started to think why. Was it the journey of self-discovery the boy had on his adventure? Was it the happy ending the fool forced upon the story? Was it the fact that he wrote it himself, that it was now his story than someone else’s?
The soldier finished his food, looked up at Franti for the first time and nodded. He rose from his seat, plate in hand and left the fool with his thoughts.
And then he returned, a bottles of wine stashed between his arm and chest and a red-stained glass in each hand. He pours a cup and gestures a glass to Franti. At the fool’s refusal, the man pours a second glass for himself. “So what happens to the boy?”
Franti beams. “The noose grows tighter, his last breath upon him! As his visions wavers, and his final prayers are cast, the boy spies an eagle and chokes out a distressed call -”
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Avelina sat with the others as they ate. She was in a pleasant mood, making idle conversation about the usual topics (romance, herself, righteousness, Iomedae, and so forth).
As she took a demure sip of her tea, a young man of Taldan complexion sauntered over to Avelina, his short curly black hair fluttering with each step. He was likely no older than Avelina herself. His armor shined with a bright sheen, a tabard marking him as a knight of Mendev draped over it, nary a thread out-of-place. He flashed a winning smile as he spoke.
"Do my eyes deceive me, or is that a beloved princess I see before me?"
Avelina smiled and spun around, unable to resist a coy recognition of her Importance and Loveliness. At the sight, her smile frayed, transforming into a grimace.
"Oh...hello Sir Stevano. I didn't realize you were here." She turned up the side of her lip. She spoke with the exhaustion that comes from realizing a great trial is ahead.
He took her hand and knelt down before her, kissing the back of her hand. Her hand recoiled and she flinched, but he still held her hand.
"I had heard rumors of you making an appearance here, and I dared not restrain my desire to lay my eyes upon you once more. My dear Avelina, I haven't had the pleasure in quite some time." His lips lasciviously lingered on the word "pleasure."
She dragged him in close and chastised him through her teeth, trying and failing to keep her voice at a whisper.
"I told you to stop saying things like that around other people! They will get the wrong idea!"
He leaned over to her ear, whispering so that she could feel the air of each word invading her ear canal.
"Maybe I want them to get the wrong idea."
She pulled back from him, pushed him away, and summoned a Long Arm of Justice mage hand, striking him on the cheek with the spell's full five pounds of force. He fell back in shock, his bum landing with a clunk on the floor as his armor acquired its first ding. Avelina stood up and leaned over him. She thrust her gloved pointer finger right in his face.
"I have told you I am completely, entirely, and totally uninterested in men, especially if that man is you. If you approach me or speak of me in a familiar way again, I will have you stripped of your knighthood. If I hear you have been accosting and stalking other women, I will instead have you sent to the front lines so that you can use that armor for once in your life."
His face red from the slap and the verbal beating, the young man scambled away. Avelina watched him retreat until he was out of sight. She finally sat down and swiveled back around so she could return to her tea, resuming from where she left off. Her posture precise and perfect, head raised high, she delicately cradled her cup in her hands. She spoke with a royal reserve and propriety, as though she was 20 years older and looking back upon this moment.
"I made the mistake of entertaining his affections for a time when we were younger, and he persists in mischaracterizing our relationship. I was merely in a curious phase and experimented a bit, as one does when they are young."
Factions of Kenabres
Known as a city of demon slayers and witch hunters, Kenabres is home to dozens of groups and factions. Some of the more important groups operating out of Kenabres are listed below.
Crusaders: The Mendevian Crusades have long drawn volunteers from righteous orders across Golarion. Not all these orders are large, well-established organizations, though. Smaller orders, some consisting of no more than a few dozen knights, arrive in Mendev by the droves. Some of these “orders” are no more than a few friends banded together under a name made up on the spot. However, there are a few well-known orders in Kenabres.
Among the crusader camps, the Everbright Crusaders garner respect for their conviction and battle prowess, but their rigidity and superior attitudes tend to alienate others. Commander Ciar Cobelen (LG male human paladin of Iomedae 10) maintains a humble, good-natured attitude that appeals to others, and is widely regarded among the camps as the most approachable of the Everbright Crusaders.
cleric of Iomedae 9/paladin of Iomedae 2), a somber and soft-spoken Taldan, specializes in recognizing and ending demonic possession.
Since the fall of Kenabres, the Eagle Watch has been the defacto leader of the crusaders within the city.
Most people know of the existence of the Riftwardens, but little is known about their membership or activities. Through Aravashnial, the group knows more than most. Aravashnial shared this information but asked that no one tell others about the organization, although he fears he may be the last of the group.
Though the identity of the Riftwarden leader in Kenabres remains unknown, the spokesperson for the organization is a popular figure in town. Beltran Ravenken (CN male human bard 6/Riftwarden 3) is a friendly, gregarious man who remembers names and faces after a single meeting and always knows the latest bit of gossip. Beltran specializes in answering questions without giving any useful information away, and assuaging concerns about the Riftwardens while helping conceal the organization’s secretive activities. The Riftwardens have an understandable interest in sealing the Worldwound, but not out of any altruistic desire to save the world. Their more inscrutable beliefs on the importance of sealing planar rifts guide them, and if the chance to seal the Worldwound rose, the Riftwardens would take it no matter what the cost in lives.
Once the group indicated it was ready to meet with Irabeth, word was given and everyone was ushered into a room that was a private dining room before the inn was appropriated as the crusader HQ. Irabeth thanked everyone for their help in returning Anevia to her but also for the safe return of Aravashnial and Horgus, and for their fights on behalf of the city both below and above ground. Anevia has told her the main outline of what happened since the battle began, including the discoveries regarding the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth and the mongrelfolk.
Irabeth was most pleased to learn about the mongrelfolk. She promised Wenduag that they would be welcomed back to the surface and given any aid they might need. Irabeth was very interested in the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth. They were, in her opinion, one of the most dangerous elements of the enemy. “They have spies everywhere,” she said, “and have apparently been among us for decades. Only recently has proof of their presence been manifesting. I personally managed to root out one of their more powerful members—the leader of a group called the Hammers of Heaven. We all thought of Staunton Vhane as a model crusader, but as far as I was able to discern, he’s been working for the demons for decades. There’s even evidence he may have been the one to betray Drezen 75 years ago. They knighted me for that discovery, but I’m still not sure why, since he slipped through my fingers and is out there still, causing who knows how much more damage...” Irabeth trailed off here for a moment before she shook her head to clear her thoughts, then informed the PCs that she can reward them for their efforts against the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth. She gave the group 1500 gp for the information they had gathered so far and offered another 1500 gp per safe-house explored and neutralized.
Irabeth explained that they knew that word had reached Nerosyan, the Mendevian capitol, and that she has been telling people that she believes an army is on the way from the city. She confessed that she did not know for sure that was the case, but she was doing what she could to maintain hope. The city was still overrun with demons and enemies, but the large armies that did most of the destruction were withdrawn quickly, leaving behind only what they thought were needed to mop up. She encouraged the group to learn what they could about the remaining safe houses and tie up personal loose ends but then to report back. "I am gathering information that may reveal a way to strike a telling blow against the enemy and I could use a capable group such as you to carry it out."
When Irabeth learned that Karas was close to Terendelev, she offered her sincere condolences, saying all Kenabres (or at least all those with good hearts) shared in his grief. She offered another 1500 gp for information on the status of her valuables, concerned that looters or demons may have taken valuable information or items.
You are taken to a man named Quednys Orlun, a wizard who was the founder and head librarian of Blackwing, the library the group liberated and where they left Aravashnial. He was an aged and angular human with an eagle’s talon tattoo on his cheek. He was recovering from some nasty wounds earned in defense of the city. He was at the cathedral when the attack began and had heard rumors that the librarium had been destroyed. By relating your story of what you encountered there and the state in which you left the place, he was much relieved for he was suffering from a deep sense of guilt for not protecting the place. Irabeth promised to dispatch some crusaders to the librarium to rescue the librarians and Aravashnial.
"Looks like we have a bunch of choices. Everywhere in town is in need of our help. Between the safe houses remaining, the tower, the herbalist, and getting Karas back to Terendelev's home...I don't see how we can go wrong. What is everyone's choice?"
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Tauni wandered around Defender's Heart after their initial arrival and greeting. Glancing side to side as she went, she looked for any sign that some of the Abadaran's she knew might have come here. After long minutes searching among refugees, she heard a painful cry from her satchel. Startled, she looked down and realized she had been squeezing Cobblepaw's shoulders absently, channeling her fear and frustration into her grip. She immediately pulled the rabbit out of the satchel, stroking his soft fur and cooing apologies to her friend.
As she walked along, she noticed downcast children gazing at her and her familiar. Selfish girl, she chided herself. She crouched down by the children and asked "Would you like to pet him?" The children nodded and in mere moments, the arctic hare was on its side and stretched across the laps of several children, while several more gathered around scratching and petting the rabbit's wonderfully soft fur. Cobblepaw luxuriated in the attention, glancing at an child that let up in petting him.
As she watched the children, Tauni noticed something. One of the children, a young girl, had a holy symbol around her neck. She asked "May I see that?" The child looked down, not wanting to meet Tauni's eye. "It is okay, I won't keep it. I only want to look at it." The girl held it up to Tauni, but did not take it from around her neck or release her grip on it. Tauni examined it. It was a wooden holy symbol, the traditional key of Abadar painted in silver and gold. However, the bit was broken off and the shank was stained with dried blood.
Tauni was shaking when she asked "Where did you get this child?" When the girl started to turn away Tauni pleaded "Please! You aren't in any trouble. I just want to know where you got it. Please, it is very important to me." The girl turned back when Tauni said she wasn't in trouble. She spoke quietly as she held the symbol and looked down at it. Tauni had to lean in close to here her.
"When the earth shook, the matrons of our orphanage made us leave to go to the castle. But the thing came. It came in smoke and fire. We though... She trailed off but did not finish that sentence. Instead, she started again saying "We were scared. But the men came! The men wearing these. They ran toward the monster. They found it hard. One came to us and pulled open the sewer grate. He lowered us down, one by one, and told us we would be safe, that the demon couldn't fit down there. He was right; he saved us!" Then she fell quiet. After a few long moments, she continued. "He died there. I was the last one down. I looked up to see if he would follow. But the demon must have killed the others, because it was there and it- it hurt him. This fell from him and into the sewer. I took it and I ran with the other children." Tauni embraced the girl, holding her until they both stopped crying. She let the girl go then, and told her "You have given me a gift, little one. I don't know if the men who helped you were my friends or not, but what you told me, it makes me realize that they are alive elsewhere, or they are being honored by Adabar in his vault for their bravery and sacrifice. Be well, little one. My friends and I will do what we can to set things right."
Feeling weak from her weeping, Tauni looked back to Cobblepaw. "Come on, lazy one. We need to find our friends." The hare responded by rolling onto its back, exposing its belly more to its diminutive admirers. "Okay, but don't blame me if you end up in a stew pot!" At that the rabbit scrambled up and leapt into Tauni's arms.
"May Abadar's grace keep you well, little ones." With that, she headed back to rejoin her friends, the determination in her heart stronger than ever.
Franti's smile turned upside down. "No gifts for reuniting lovers?" He sighed loudly as his face twisted to a smirk. "S'pose love really is it's own reward..." His brow rises, remembering something on the topic of love.
Franti reaches into his bag, retrieving a journal. He speaks to Irabeth as he rips the pages out. "Actually, there is something you could do, you know, to return the favor?" He tears out another page, three or four in his hands now. He skips a page bearing Avelina and Iomedae defeating Baphomet on horseback, and another containing the verses of a work-in-progress poem.
"Should something happen to myself or gods-forbid the goodies I've picked up this journey, these might be lost." His smile fades, Franti grows sincere. "Your love now knows you're alright, mine is not so fortunate. Please, should a courier make way to Nerosyan, see that they try to take these to my love, or to find someone who can. I'll pay any sum of gold to make it so."
He rips out another page, writing in clear, large letters where the others are to be sent:
"Lady Opaline Venacdahlia
Largiest, Scariest Manor
Ardis, Ardeal, Ustalav"
The fool turned to his group, crossing his arms. "Call me selfish, but I'd like to see what a dragon keeps in her home. Enough so, that, um," he flusters, scratching the back of his head, his curly-haired pink wig slightly tilted now. "You know, maybe I can stick around for a bit longer. Just a little. Enough to see you all back here safely."
My lovely and faithful Lady Opaline,
Much has happened since we left neath the city of Kenabres. Where even do I begin, now safe among crusaders with courageous souls? I dare call “friends.” I now understand why adventurers and mercenaries become brothers in blood, so quickly have I entrusted my life to these brave souls.
As soon as we reached the surface, we were ambushed by dastardly men and women who betrayed their fellows when the demons struck. In our conflict, your fool fell lower than ever before - I struck my assailant too hard, my love, in the heat of the moment, I was reckless.
But I believe that I’ve done enough good to perhaps make up for my mistakes - we encountered a viile man with a flaming sword, and barely escaped death as we freed those under his control. Close your eyes, my love, rather, close them after imagining this sight - your fool was the one to fell him, your brave knightly jester traded blows, licked by steele and fire, yet victorious!
Had either of us truly expected me to survive out here? It scares me, love, that I may be doing more good out here in the battlefield than telling jokes. I wanted to return to you, still infact, I want to, but the people need me, or someone like me. Not someone funny or clever, but another who is brave and good. I am to stay in Kenabres and help stop this demon invasion. For those around me in need, for you, and dare-I-say myself.
Forever and Eternally yours,
Franti[/b][/i]
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Karas was happy to have the letter the chief gave him delivered. He nodded in appreciation when Irabeth offered to pay him for returning home, "I thank you ma'am but I... I think she would care more about the people than her belongings. But it looks like my friends are as interested in seeing me home as I am returning. Regardless of the state of the manor I'll do what I can..."
He looked at Franti and replied with a smirk, "She keeps furniture."
While around the Heart, Karas locates someone willing to mend his tunic so he can keep one of the last things she gave him intact.
He made ready to go when the party was ready. Homecomings are always hard. Especially when its a fairly new concept to you.
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Irabeth declined to take Franti's letter, saying, "That kind of communication will have to wait until our army arrives and the roads become safe for couriers. Believe me, when it becomes possible to send messages to Ustalav and Last Wall and Andoran, we will be sending pleas for help. Meanwhile, I suggest you give your letter to Kimroth Otai. He can see to its delivery."
She started to walk away but turned back, pondering something, and then said, "Anevia is quite taken with you. She said you did wonders for her morale as she struggled with all ...," she gestured vaguely to the city beyond the inn, "this. Thank you. She said every brigade should have a jester like you to keep people smiling and reminding us all of the good things we are fighting for."
Karas was happy to have the letter the chief gave him delivered. He nodded in appreciation when Irabeth offered to pay him for returning home, "I thank you ma'am but I... I think she would care more about the people than her belongings. But it looks like my friends are as interested in seeing me home as I am returning. Regardless of the state of the manor I'll do what I can..."
He looked at Franti and replied with a smirk, "She keeps furniture."
While around the Heart, Karas locates someone willing to mend his tunic so he can keep one of the last things she gave him intact.
He made ready to go when the party was ready. Homecomings are always hard. Especially when its a fairly new concept to you.
Karas looked about the makeshift bazaar for a suit of armor that would burden him a little less. However, whether by bad luck or prejudice against the tiefling, none was to be found.
The more he searched, the more he became aware of an acute tug and urgency to return home. He spoke to the others later that night.
"I think... Um... I think we should visit my home as soon as we can. I can't shake the feeling that there is something that would be a great symbol of hope to the crusade. If that wouldn't be too much of a stretch?"
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Avelina strolled through the makeshift bazaar with confident glee, as though this was any other weekend shopping trip. She skipped off on her own.
Later on, as the party gathered to head out once more, Avelina burst in, a proud grin on her face. Most notable of all, she stood before the party looking as clean and fresh as she did days ago at the Armasse ceremony, the acid burn on the outfit's chest completely gone. She fiddled with her wrists and the outfit suddenly turned into a normal Iomedaean cassock, fiddled again and turned it into a nightgown covered in cutesy pictures of Iomedae, and fiddled once more and returned to her original tailored cassock and skirt.
"The merchant called them 'Sleeves of Many Garments,' but I think that is a terrible, dull, and secular name. I shall call them...The Infinite Panoply of the Favored Soul!"
She drew her sword with a dramatic flourish, and a bright light filled the room, a point of heatless light shining from her sword's hilt.
"I bought a scroll of 'Neverending Flame of Valor' and placed it upon my sword. It's light can pierce even magical darkness!"
She pulled out an expended scroll and waved it about. The eagle-eyed could spot the words "Continual Flame," which had been crossed out and replaced with "Neverending Flame of Valor."
She sheathed the sword and posed, taking in her restored outfit.
"I am prepared to go! Where are we off to?"
When Franti attempted to sell what the party had gathered, he encountered more difficulty trading off his wares than in Neatholm. Weapons in particular he had trouble selling, the Crusader's had no need for additional ones it seemed. Both his shortsword gifted to him by the mongrelmen and Chaleb's longsword would remain with the fool that day.
The jester had all but lost hope until a set of bracers caught his eyes. While at first the fool thought only of the extra protection, quickly he became perplexed by the materials: Light as cloth, though durable as leather. Tough, though pliant, easy to bend. The only thing he didn't like about them was that they were black, dark as a moonless sky.
"Darkwood," the armorer told him, specifically, a weave worked by the magic tree's bark and leaves. Lighter than leather, though just as resistant. Both a difficult and rare material to work with, one even an accomplished armorer might never touch.
The armorer talked at length about the material as if he spoke to a soldier, highlighting its applications, history, and resistance. Franti's questions of darkwood cloth were much more rudimentary: Could it replace his armor? Would he be more protected? Would he be more nimble? Did it have to come in black?
Perhaps the armorer took Franti seriously (Ellena's good word might have reached him, afterall) or perhaps the craftsman heard the jingle of gold coins carried by the clown , or saw his most recent sales.
Together, they drafted a concept. Something that covered more of Franti, though weighed less. Something that would bend as easily as the fool could, equally limber if not more so. Mostly, however, they tinkered the design - tamer than his uniform, still apparent to be an entertainer's garb. Black (there was little that could be done to change this without magic) though with splashes of violet cloth - the armor the colors of Franti's homeland.
In the end, the armor looked as if it belonged to a flamboyant assassin, and Franti couldn't have been happier. He forked over the gold to have it made with almost reckless abandon, dropping fistfuls of gold and platinum coins onto the armorer's table.
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After a night of rest to restore spells and scales...
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Ready to leave after a day of rest, Franti bragged to the others about the armor that was being made for him. "Me in black! Can you believe it!? I'll appear as a proper agent of Ustalav, I will! You all should see the sketches we made, you all will need to get something as stylish if you truly want to keep me around."
The fool spun on his heel, looking at his team. With his commissioned armor in mind, they all appeared lackluster to him. Despite his painted smile, Franti's face was an exaggerated grimace. "Your armor is shiny, Silver, but couldn't it be a bit more form fitting? You can't be as strong as you are and not wear something to show it. Either get something flattering or take it off."
"And Ellena!" Franti literally bended backwards to face the paladin. "Holy warrior, modesty and all that, [i]I get it, but would it kill you to have some pizzazz? Iomedae had a brilliant red cape, right? Show some team spirit![/b]"
"Princess," he began, cartwheeling now to Avelina. "Let's talk about that look. You can't brag about having the softest skin and not show any, right? As you are now, you'll tan horribly." Franti giggles, jumping back instinctively, fearing a slap.
"Anarya, love, listen to me," he starts again, sidling beside the deaf cleric. "The angel look? You make it work, trust me, but imagine this." He puts his arm over her shoulder, his other hand reaching out to this supposed image. "Solid. Gold. Your entire outfit a thin sheet of it, shimmering with your halo." He patted her on the back, walking away. "Thank me later."
"And Little Rabbit." The fool crossed his arms and shook his head. "I'm disappointed. The others are clueless to fashion, but you neglect it! You have that scarf, wear it!"
The fool sighed, slumping over into a squat, grinning now. "Let's head out. Before they realize I'm with such frumpy friends. I have a reputation to maintain after all."
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Ellena rolled her eyes at Franti's declarations. "I keep my armor clean and shiny, as any warrior should. So long as I have Radiance in my hand, my armor and shield protecting me, and the guidance of Iomedae's teachings, I'm happy."
She turned and walked away from the fool, but she couldn't get his words completely out of her head. I don't guess a splash of color would hurt. Maybe I'll ask for the Lady's advice. She always looks so pretty...I bet she'd have plenty of ideas...
In the morning, the sky was overcast with some restless winds driving dust and smoke back and forth across the city. The shop did not have any visible damage although it stood near an area of total destruction by one of the huge demons and a sinkhole. The front door was closed and no activity was evident. There were no shop windows showing what was inside the shop. The building was 30 feet by 50 feet, one story high.
Looter 2:
Looter 3:
Looter 4:
Looter 5:
Looter 6:
Looter 7:
Anarya:
Avelina:
Ellena:
Franti:
Karas:
Tauni:
Looter 1:
Looter 2:
Looter 3:
Looter 4:
Looter 5:
Looter 6:
Looter 7:
Avelina:
Ellena:
Franti:
Karas:
Tauni:
As the group gets close, Franti, and Tauni hear sounds of voices and movement inside. It's likely those inside also heard the approach of the group, as Karas armor clanked noisily.
Franti stopped telling a joke (a long one about two servants of Abadar, he assured Tauni it was both tasteful and hysterical). He brought his finger to painted lips to silence the others.
Inside, he mouthed with a point, others.
Avelina:
Ellena:
Franti:
Karas:
Tauni:
Looter 2:
Looter 3:
Looter 4:
Looter 5:
Looter 6:
Looter 7:
Initiative Order for Round 1
30 Tauni
25 Franti
21 Karas
16 Avelina
12 Anarya
4 Ellena
Bold may take an action.
Karas approached the door and made to knock but waited for the others.
Franti didn't bother to sneak - if whatever was inside hadn't heard Karas yet, him running towards the door gave up any stealthy approach. Dropping his bag, the fool twisted his way to Karas' right, drawing his saps as arrived.
"No plan's the plan, I see?" Franti smiled, hiding a small piece of worry. Less worry, however, than he usually masked. Was it confidence or foolishness that had eased him into battle over this last week?
Franti's rapped his closed hand on his bandolier, changing his form to that of a Kobold. Despite being partial to his goblin form, the transformation felt familiar, calming even as he shrunk in size and grew cold blooded.
"Two dragons tip the scales, eh, Silver?" A toothy (grin?) revealed rows of sharp teeth, and the kobold snorted from his snout. "Get it?"
Tauni frowned as they approached, concerned about the surprises they have found at each of their destinations so far. She slid one hand into her pouch, touching the smooth, hard scale that lay within. She drew on its power to shield herself.
Activating the Sanctuary effect of her scale. Crossbow will be out and loaded.
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Avelina, enraptured by her new infinite wardrobe, built outfits as the party walked along, taking advantage of the Infinite Panoply of the Favored Soul's Sleeves of Many Garments' illusory nature to try outfits that would otherwise be extremely uncomfortable (though completely chaste, of course!). She settled on look of form-fitting whitened leather with gold bordering with a bright red cape and a tabard with her family's coat of arms.
She at least had the wherewithal to make sure to activate her Shield of Pure Silver Shield spell and Armor of Faith Mage Armor before the party made their ingress.
As Karas and Franti moved forward and Tauni readied herself for possible battle, a woman's voice called out from inside, near the door, "The shop is closed."
Melee Topaz Solutions
30 Tauni (Activated Sanctuary)
25 Franti (changed form, move)
21 Karas (move)
17 Female inside shop (speaks)
16 Avelina
15 Looter 5 (move, ready)
12 Anarya
4 Ellena
Looter 2:
Looter 3:
Looter 5:
Looter 6:
Looter 7:
Avelina:
Ellena:
Franti:
Karas:
Tauni:
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Avelina hopped forward and waved with a vigorous cheer.
"Why hello there! While I certainly understand the importance of keeping safe during the current apocalyptic conditions out here, I can assure you with 1000% certainty that none of us are demons, demon servants, possessed by demons, nor under coercion by demons!"
She clasped her hands behind her back as she fluttered her lashes in her most innocent look.
"So can we please come in?"
Ellena delayed to see the reaction Avelina got from the person in the house. "We are here to protect against those very things," she called out.
The door opened a crack and someone looked out the crack. The same female voice said, "You looks to be crusaders but we been attacked by your likes before. Back up and lay down your weapons and you can come in."
Avelina:
Ellena:
Franti:
Karas:
Tauni:
30 Tauni (Bless)(Activated Sanctuary)
25 Franti (Bless)(changed form, move)
21 Karas (Bless)(move)
...
16 Avelina (Bless)(speaks)
...
12 Anarya (Bless)(casts bless from wand)
...
4 Ellena (Bless)(Hold)
Round 2
Tauni (Bless)
Franti (Bless, small form)
Karas (Bless)
Avelina (Bless)
Anarya (Bless)
Ellena (Bless)