Cassandra shrugs. "Oh, I'm sure it would be, but options are limited anyway when you're fighting a war. I'm sure I'll manage the travel as best as I can"
Looking back and forth at the two women, "ladies, ladies, you are both correct. Options are limited when on the warpath, and all that are willing are welcome, so that's settled," he winks at Cassandra and Reiko, each in turn as he quotes their words back at them.
The first day of traveling is fairly uneventful. The ground in the area around Valas' Gift is surprisingly fertile. As you approach the village you notice a troubling smoke. Aron makes a remark of "Looks like the demons already visited." Turook reports much the same when he gets back from his scouting. The village has been completely destroyed, and only some of the ruins are still smoking somewhat. Judging by the scouting reports from the two or three other advance scouts the demons have already scattered into the surrounding hinterlands.
Evening approaches as camp is struck, the first day coming to close.
At day's end, Reiko grooms her horse and quietly observes the disposition of the troops, looking for signs of trouble. Aron and Sosiel catch her eye. She wanders over, curious.
As she is seen, she nods politely. "Is this something I can help with?"
As camp is being setup, Sir Bastion and Jokum will going through the ruin of the village looking for any survivors or signs of the type of demons involved with the attack. (i.e. were elemental engeries used, sources of attacks like claws, talons, weapons or teeth, or even lost feathers, pieces of hide or flesh.)
Cassandra, on the other hand, is entirely curious about the whole thing, and slowly walks over, smiling at Aron. "Sosiel...Aron, is everything alright?" she asks, bringing her charm to bear.
Paritosh and Rocinian will join Sir Bastion and Jokum.
Paritosh has his lance out and deployed.
The wizard appoaches Sir Bastion and asks Might I have a word in private? he goes on to mention quietly what he has observed of Aron.
Sosiel and Aron look up at the various figures making their way towards them. Aron shakes his head minutely and Sosiel simply says, "My friend Aron is not feeling well. It has been a little time since he has needed to ride all day, and though he is experienced it can sometimes take a day or two to get used to it. I, as a cleric, am simply giving some simple healing methods to Aron to help the transition."
Cassnadra listens quietly to Sosiel, and while he finds his explanation unlikely, decides not to call him out on it.
Sosiel's words ring exactly true, as could be expected from a holy person.
Noting Nurah hanging around Aron and Sosiel's tent, Arc will send over his scorpion to keep any eye on things while he goes and finds Sir Bastion and reports. I fear I have noted Nurah hanging around Aron and Sosiel's tent. Wahteer she is up to it looks very suspicious to me. My scorpion watches Should we intervene?
"Has Nurah done anything wrong? Maybe she is concerned for whatever ails Aron. Keep an eye on her if you feel it is needed, but don't let it cause any problems if you can avoid it."
He thinks a moment about Aron and Sosiel before continuing, "Based on what you say Sosiel tells you, I am concerned that something more may be wrong with Aron other than not being used to a day's ride. We did not ride that hard this first day, but the road will not get any easier for us. I will check in on them later this evening, once camp has been prepared. Iomedae has granted me know spells that may help Aron."
Much the same as the day before, pre-dawn comes early and the camp is broken down. The march resumes, with still high spirits. Around midday you come to the ford, Vilareth Ford. As the army approaches, Turook reports back with Aron that the ford has been taken by an enemy army. The bulk of the crusaders who watched over the ford have their heads and entrails decorate the bunkerlike structures lining the river's east bank. The army appears to be something around 200 tieflings.
Aron mentions a cackling, goat-faced demon who seems to be in charge. Nurah perks up and asks about it. Based on the description, Nurah calls it a Brimorak demon.
The scorpion familiar will slip into Aron's tent and prowl around, looking for anything that seem hidden, planted, or out of place.[/b]
The description of what the tieflings have done to crusaders remains at the ford can only be answered one way, the annihilation of their forces.
After careful consideration in his first command position, Sir Bastion orders the Knights of Kenabres to position themselves around the intended battlefield so that they may ambush the tiefling army. In this position the army will be able to perform a flanking maneuver with both their longbows and longswords.
"Great choice General Bastion!"
Range Phase
Tactic expert flankers
Current DV 16
No. He does have my skill ranks though.
It will take one and stealthfully return it to Arc. After which the wizard will try to identify it, first with detect magic and spellcraft and, if not magic with Alchemy. He will use a surge to add to each check if taking 10 fails. Alchemy is +10 and spell craft is +15.
"Hey dog, ever been in a battle like this before?"
"Nope, you? The two legs seem to just stand around waiting on something to happen."
You notice that Jokum's bark has taken on a deeper tone and his growls are more menacing.
"What do you think of them trying to make my look like a cow? This stuff doesn't even smell like a cow anymore."
"Honestly, I hadn't put much thought into it. As for the battle, yes, we have done a couple. Terribly stupid things really. We all line up, and run at each other, with big pointy sticks leading the way. It seems to me that the longest sticks usually win, but my job is to just run, and turn, and trample. Although, occasionally I get to smash thing with my hooves. They put these big metal things on my hooves. Uncomfortable usually, and they take getting used to, but they seem to really hurt the enemy when I kick with them."
The wizard sends his scorpion immediately back to the tent to retrieve and hide the other three vials IF the tent is still unoccupied. If the tent is occupied then I may need to alter this by having both the scorpion and a guard watch Aron to make sure he does nothing crazy. With his skill set I worry that he might try to run. My goal is to try to help him without calling him out in front of all the troops.
After assessing the contents of the vial in private Arc goes to fetch Nurah asking her to join the other party members in the main tent. Arc will go so far as to escort her if necessary. Once the party and Nurah are present Arc announces Team, I have become aware of a problem for our group and wanted to gain insight into how to best resolve it among ourselves. It seems that one of our member has become addicted to Shadowblood, a strong and dangerous narcotic that weakens its user's will to demon control. And other members of our team seem to both be covering for him, and He shoots an accusing loot at Nurah. even supplying him the drug. I strongly suspect Aron is suffering from withdrawal now and is not simply tired from the road and Sosiel is doing his best to treat him. Nurah, will you tell us what you know of this?
Arc's impromptu meeting is greeted with shuffling feet and questioning looks. When everyone settles and Arc starts with his question, Aron gasps and Sosiel's eyes widen to saucers. Nurah looks around and says "Aron's an addict. I am afraid so much so that he could literally die if he doesn't get his fix. Being so well-versed in the demons I naturally have ways of procuring shadowblood."
Aron and Sosiel both shake with rage, at almost the exact same time the hiss "LIAR!"
"Don't you think our time would be better spent fighting the hordes over there," he points, "than turning on our own?"
Sir Bastion listens to the statements of all involved and then focuses his gaze on Nurah, looking for the tell tale signs of the Worldwound's taint.
"Nurah Dendiwhar, did Aron Kir or Sosiel Vaenic ask for your assistance with dealing with this addiction or did you take it upon yourself to procure the Shadowblood?" he asks in a calm voice.
Not totally sure of what to make of Nurah's lie Arc adds You were spotted putting something into Aron's tent Nurah and it was obvious to me that you were trying not to be noticed. If Aron has a problem then we want to help him overcome it. If he is struggling to fight off addiction to this demonic drug then the last thing we need to do is to tempt him to take even more of it. And from my vantage point, that is what you were doing. Explain yourself.
"But, but..." and Paritosh points in the direction of the tiefling army.
Sir Bastion looks in the direction of the tiefling army, thinks a moment and then continues, "A moment Paritosh, my friend. Our Army still is getting into position."
Cassandra easily hears the lie in Nurah's words, but chooses not to press the issue. Yet. Cassandra does however, wonder how Nurah could have remained undetected for so long with an army of Paladins. A suspicion starts to grow in her mind, as Cassandra reviews her channeling options.
Nurah looks back and forth between everyone. Her breath becomes more ragged and quick. Suddenly, she draws a dagger and backs towards a tent wall. "Aron's the cursed filth who was addicted to the shadowblood. He deserves what he suffers at the drug! All of you deserve to be swallowed up by the Lord of Locusts! Where were you?" she points the dagger towards Aron and Sosiel, "when I was captive of the demons? HUH!?! WHERE WERE YOU?! Now you must suffer as I did!"
Her breath is sharp and she is right at the edge of the tent.
Arc looks ready to cast a spell at the girl but is waiting for words from the others first.
"Nurah put away your dagger, so we are trying to find out what is occurring here."
"I never knew you where captured by demons, and I cannot even image the torment and torture they put you through. But you are free from them now, and the Light of Iomedea has lead you here to us. If we stand together we can send these foul demons back to the Abyss and begin to right the wrongs they have set upon the people of these lands and the land itself."
"Narah, you are part of that endeavor, so I know you must believe in our cause at some level."
"Come sit next to me, so we can continue to talk."
Nurah starts to calm down, her dagger drops down to her side. She says, "I wasn't shown pity when I was captive of the demons. They tortured me. Endlessly."
Aron bursts into tears, "I'm sorry Nurah! I know it was my fault. I was on shadowblood then. But I've overcome the addiction, with some help. Please, what are you planning to do?"
Nurah is crying freely now, her voice ragged. "Do you KNOW what demons do to you when they torture you? HAVE YOU ANY IDEA?! I am going to give this whole party and all of living kind, so that I don't have to bear any more. I never escaped the demons, they twisted me and set me loose!"
"Narah, I will help you find redemption, just as Sosiel has been helping Aron, if that is what you want. I can sense the corruption placed by the demons on your soul, but with heartfelt effort at penance, dedication for the path of redemption and the support of others, that corruption can be removed. What do you say to this proposal?"
"The rest of the troops need not have to know of the situation, unless you wish to tell them as your first steps to redemption. They already look to you to bolster their spirits, and this could help show righteousness of our crusade."
Nurah looks up, an odd look of crazed anger and...hope.
"Take it from one who has 'fallen' from Her glory. She can still use you to fight the demons."
My assist: