Lynn Warhaven |
"Believe me, I'm a big fan of redemption. And when I see someone who really regrets his wrongs I'm the last to deny a second chance. But this guy was evil and we have no prison, no nothing where we can put him to give him the time to come to his senses. We're surrounded by enemies. And the next demon that blocks our way would have been the chance for him to turn on us again. That's where my mercy has it's limit." Lynn explains herself.
DM Raltus |
These worms are not native to this plane, they are something planar
alarm, dismissal, dispel magic, magic circle against chaos, resist energy,
and versatile weapon. A scroll of dimensional lock. You can figured out how many pages are left.
When Tink holds the spell book up and begins to leaf through, Fenna gives it to him for helping out.
"That man would have killed us in cold blood, I am glad he is dead, I feel he would have just come back or done something else just as evil. The head Librarian Quednys Orlun was out at the festival when this happened, we have not heard from him since."
Iko_ |
"Maybe so, but a lone man is no threat to all of us. And I do not see a diviner among you to say for certain that that would be the case." For the first time in since the earthquake, people notice Iko's always calm voice, raises a little in frustration? Anger? But he cuts himself short and closes his eyes and takes a breath, seemingly taking control of his emotions.
Then he speaks again.
"But we are surrounded by demons and there is very little time to argue when we must yet survive."
Lynn Warhaven |
"Let us take a minute to sit down and talk this over lest it becomes a wedge driven between us." Lynn moves over to a bench, leans her weapon at the wall, puts her backpack down and takes a seat.
"Good and evil are no philosophical concepts. They are facts backed by the gods. I am recognized as good by anyone who is gifted with the magic to see good and evil. And if I decide to do evil I lose that. And all my powers Shelyn gifted me with are withdrawn in an instant."
"It is the same with evil. You worship an evil god and that god backs that for everyone to see."
"Or you do good or evil deeds until they change your character. Which is not as strong as what is given by the gods but sums up until you're also recognizable as good or evil. No little thief looks evil. And noone looks good because he throws a coin to a beggar."
"And I can see that. But I failed to ask for it today in my prayer time. I didn't think I'd need it. But the lantern archon can. And it acknowledged that this man was evil. And it is men like him that wear insignia of Iomedae and serve Baphomet that brought Kenabres to fall. How many of them can you let go without them becoming a threat to our world?"
"I don't know if I did the right thing. But in all conscience it was the best thing to do here as far as I know."
Aravashnial_NPC |
Fenna and the other sit with Aravashnial and have a conversation while Lynn and Iko have a philosophical debate on good vs evil.
"I am electing to stay here, as the most senior member of the Rift Wardens it is my duty to help protect these books. If you find Quednys please tell him we are here."
Aravashnial helps with picking up some of the books.
Iko_ |
"Yes, I see your point, but still I do not agree with that as the only course of action. But, let's move on." Iko says and grabs his gear. But stops and adds...
"Fear not Lynn, this does not mean I will stop aiding everyone here in surviving this."
DM Raltus |
As the group makes it way through the interior of the city passing ruined buildings, bodies and signs of battle crying can be heard from a head. The group rounds the corner to find a shrine to Sarenrae, knights in beaten and battered armor stand round a kneeling woman. The faces of the knights are soot stained and grim looking.
A female knight is kneeling on the ground her sword held in a reverse grip away from the other woman. "Your sacrifice aids the cause of the good" The woman stands up, placing her sword over the woman's heart.
It is a known rumor that long ago knights used to sacrifice virgins to empower their blades with holy energy to help with defeating great evil.
Lynn Warhaven |
Knowledge(History): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
"Hey great idea! We have not enough dead knights yet. If you kill this girl, I'll add you to the body count too." Lynn shouts at the crazies. Her face red with anger and the vein on er forehead pulsing. She keeps marching towards the group with her glaive pointed at the woman holding the sword over the heart.
DM Raltus |
The group turns in unison, all bearing an insignia on their tabard's, it is a Black bird talons grasping towards the observer. The woman stands slowly righting the grip on her swords. There are fresh scars on her face, one of the men has a bandage over his left eye and another is missing the skin from his right cheek, it is covered badly.
"Be you friend or foe?"
These are Halmen's Crows, they are known for getting into a few of Sarkoris' hidden armories and treasuries and bringing back some rare volumes on demons and druidic practices.
DM Raltus |
The woman looks at Don then at Lynn, finally at the others with you.
"Strange company, we have fought a few lesser demons but there has to be something bigger lurking around, we are prepared to fight it, you have interrupted the Ritual, this Virgin is willing to sacrifice her life to save this city."
The girl on the ground looks about 14 and is sobbing loudly.
Iko_ |
Iko slowly starts moving towards the 14 year old girl. His face suddenly grim. He moves slowly trying to be inconspicuous using his travelling companions and the rubble for cover.
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Lynn Warhaven |
Lynn looks down at her armor checking if she might have grabbed the wrong one this morning. "Yes I'm Lynn and I'm a follower of SHELYN. You know - the one goddess wielding a glaive and the songbird as holy symbol. Not Sarenrae who is a fiery angel who wields a scimitar with an angelic figure or an ankh as holy symbol. But as you suggest to sacrifice innocent blood I assume you missed a lot of your Sunday School lessons." Lynn answers in a scolding tone. "Or are you worshipping one of these demons, because they demand sacrifices." she inquires.
Lynn Warhaven |
"That we can agree on. Though we have to bring Aniva home first." Lynn replies. "But I've seen - and killed - more demon worshippers in crusader's armor in the last days than I have seen honest people. So I don't judge people by the cover anymore but by their actions."
"So tell me. What ritual is that and why do you think it might do any good in the fight versus evil." Lynn asks taking back her glaive and using it to rest on.
DM Raltus |
Danila puts her sword away, as do those with her. The young woman on the ground collapses to the ground, breathing heavily but very alive still.
"It is an old one, they used it in the first Crusade, a Virgin would sacrifice themselves in the name of stopping the demons and a weapon bathed in the blood would become a weapon that would kill demons easily." Danila takes out her water skin taking a long pull. "It hasn't been done in years as far as I know, we are desperate and backed on our heels here."
One of the group sits the woman up and offers her some food and drink.
Iko_ |
Iko walks over to the woman and kneels beside her and speaks in a calm voice "You are safe now. We have come to help. What is your name young one?"
Lynn Warhaven |
"We have cold iron and magic for that. Go visit the Blackwing Library. If what you think is based on something real then you'll find it there. I don't think you'll find it. But you will find really useful stuff there to kill demons." Lynn replies.
Turning to the girl she adds "You're worth much more alive and fighting against demons in this war. And if your companions don't see that you're always welcome to join us. That might get you killed too - but then you would die fighting demons and not as a useless sacrifice."
"Or you simply go to live somewhere else in Golarion where the fields are green and life is peaceful."
DM Raltus |
Na..Natalia.." The girl says just above a whisper, "I am not fighter, I just want to be away from here. My parents owned Defender's Heart, it was a barrack once. Now it is an inn."
Danila turns to look at the girl. "Why didn't you say who you were? We would have escorted you there, you didn't have to give up your life."
Natalia looks up throw filthy hair, her face is dirt stained and tear marked, eyes swollen from crying.
"My parents must be dead..." She shutters then draws a breath. "I just wanted to be with them again."
DM Raltus |
The girl nods at you, Danila looks at her men then at your group.
"My men and myself will head to Blackwing and help with the defense of the Library there. If you make it to Defenders heart send word and we will make our way there."
Halmen's Crowes take their leave, heading back the way you came. The city feels slightly empty again. Most buildings in the lower middle district remain intact, they are as empty as they would have been the day before when the celebration was taking place. Most of the city walls are still up with holes where the gates dividing the districts were.
You are at F, we can go to E or G
DM Raltus |
As the group moves towards the sound of the should, a stream of blood moves towards them in the cobble stones. Rounding another corner 3 dead bodies can be seen, The buildings around the area are ruined and missing half of their faces.
Archer Sneak: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 4 = 12
Tink Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Iko Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Don Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Lynn Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Some scuffling can be heard as you see someone on a second floor attempt to hide behind a table that is over turned.
A sharp whistle sounds, "Wes be havin' some company, more ta the blade eh?" The voice floats down from above and down the alley.