GM Kiora's Wrath of the Righteous

Game Master Kiora Atua

Chosen heroes have arrived in Kenabres at the dawn of the Fifth Crusade. Will they be the ones to end a century long war?

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Living Steel DR 4/Evil Female InE 1 / SYF 1 / SP 1 / SCB 1 Valiant Keeper Half-Elven Ran 8/War 2/Fig 10 (VMC) HP (153/153)
Stats:
AC/Touch/Flat/CMD 32/15/25/30 | Fort/Ref/Will +13/12/12 | Init +05
MP 06/11 LP 3/3 AM 3/3 SP 12/12 CS 12/12 M 0/6
Skills:
+21: Acrobatics +22: K(Pl) +18: Athletics +17: Perception +15: P(Soldier); +14: K(Du, Na, Re), A(Poetry), Survival; +12: Diplo +8: Stealth; +7: Spellcraft, Ride; +6: Heal; +5: L(Drezen); +3 Ling; +2: K(No, Lo, Ar)

Ary stays stock still for a few moments longer, looks slowly from left to right with just her eyes. She flexes her fingers experimentally, and finds that she seems to be able to move once more. And she still has her things. Including her backpack. Her very heavy backpack. She discovers she's holding her breath, and slowly lets it out, before turning to look at how her allies were doing. The demons were gone. That was good. She turns and moves to the door, pulling it back open to make sure Val had come through alright.


Male Oread (Kellid) Legendary Druid 11/Hierophant 4 | HP 97/137 | AC 24, T 23, FF 19 | Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +18 | CMD 27 | Resist Acid 10 | SR 13 (evil outsiders), 17 (demons) | Init +2 | Perception +22 | MP 1/11 | LP 2/2 | PM 8/11 | SP 10/10

The chamber is awfully quiet after the weapon's activation. Ehren turns to look out the massive hole in the wall, only to find that their noisy, gigantic culprit was no longer there. Nor were the two wrecker demons, for that matter. After a moment he rushes to the side of the control platform and peers down... only to see that Ary was alive and in one piece. He could not help but to feel a little foolish.

Ehren tears open the front of the protective suit and lets out a great sigh of pure relief. He had not realized how heavily his heart had ben pounding the entire time. It went without saying that he has gotten used to working under pressure, but even their mission at the Grey Garrison had not been so tense.

"...We should see how everyone is doing," he says finally, starting down the staircase. The druid stops for a moment by the immense breach, by Jamas' body. He did not need to touch him to know that he was far gone. Ehren bows his head for a moment and murmurs something before moving on to join the others.


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Female Tiefling (Pitborn) Bard (Weapon Champion) 9/Champion/Trickster 3 | HP: 97/114 | AC: 25, Touch 18, Flat-Footed 19 | CMD: 26 | Fort: +10, Reflex +13, Will: +10 | Init: +6 | Perception: +16, Darkvision 60 ft. | Performance: 18/24, Shatter: 1/1, Lore Master: 1/1, Mythic Power: 6/9

Val allows herself a momentary smirk as the hag is obliterated by the massive wave of holy energy. As Ary opens the door, Val jumps at her and slaps her across the face, then pulls her into a hug before she can respond. "Don't do that you idiot!" she snaps. "You can't go around like you expect to be martyred. You don't do anyone any good by getting yourself killed!"


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WRONG ALIAS

Time seems to crawl in those last moments as Isilme stands before the Abrikandilu. She was fairly certain that she would die at its hands if the Shemhazian didn't subject them to its magic again first. Then of course there is the situation below with Ary and Valaria. She thought she had heard Valaria calling for Ary to get out, so perhaps one of them had made it out safely.

"The prisms are in, I have done all I can my Lady. Grant us the luck to pull through this unharmed." The pain of the wounds she's suffered is almost more than she can handle honestly. The falling rocks had probably dislocated her shoulder, and she'd suffered a nasty puncture from the Abrikandilu's attack when she'd loaded the prisms in. Worst though was the burning pain coursing through her from the Shemhazian's magic. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, listening for Annabelle's call.

In the lull her thoughts turn to Elan and the nightmare she'd suffered hardly minutes before. She hadn't even had a chance to reflect upon it yet, and the terror, sadness and anger are clearly still there beneath all the adrenaline, pain and stress of the current situation. Before she can think any further on it Annabelle's voice resounds in her ears and the room begins to glow. Opening and looking up, she sees the rune floating above her, recognizing it, but unable to interpret the intent behind it.

The world turns white and for an instant she thinks she sees the Abrikandilu before her fade away like the night before the sun. In the aftermath she looks about and finds everyone still in tact and the demons completely gone. Exhausted and faint from the pain, she sits and slumps down against the console. She places a hand on herself and utters a word, healing the worst of the wounds and easing her pain.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Whispering through her magic, and dreading the answer, she asks "Val, Ary, are you both alright?"


Female Tiefling (Pitborn) Bard (Weapon Champion) 9/Champion/Trickster 3 | HP: 97/114 | AC: 25, Touch 18, Flat-Footed 19 | CMD: 26 | Fort: +10, Reflex +13, Will: +10 | Init: +6 | Perception: +16, Darkvision 60 ft. | Performance: 18/24, Shatter: 1/1, Lore Master: 1/1, Mythic Power: 6/9

"We're both fine, despite Ary's insistence on trying to play the martyr. And I think that blast dealt with one of my unwanted passengers."


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Male Dhampir (Moroi-Born) White Necromancer 7/Archmage 2 | hp 51/51 (healthy), AC 12, touch 10, ff 12, CMD 15 | Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +7, various bonuses | Init -1, Perception +2, low-light, darkvision (mythic power 7/7)

Markus looks up at the spent astrolabe and smiles. Really smiles, for the first time in a long time. "We did it." he says. "We actually won for once."


Male Oread (Kellid) Legendary Druid 11/Hierophant 4 | HP 97/137 | AC 24, T 23, FF 19 | Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +18 | CMD 27 | Resist Acid 10 | SR 13 (evil outsiders), 17 (demons) | Init +2 | Perception +22 | MP 1/11 | LP 2/2 | PM 8/11 | SP 10/10

"Which one?" Ehren whispers to Valaria through the spell as he comes down the stairway, unable to resist feeling elated.


Female Tiefling (Pitborn) Bard (Weapon Champion) 9/Champion/Trickster 3 | HP: 97/114 | AC: 25, Touch 18, Flat-Footed 19 | CMD: 26 | Fort: +10, Reflex +13, Will: +10 | Init: +6 | Perception: +16, Darkvision 60 ft. | Performance: 18/24, Shatter: 1/1, Lore Master: 1/1, Mythic Power: 6/9

"The hag I think. I don't think the little one's gone, unfortunately."


Living Steel DR 4/Evil Female InE 1 / SYF 1 / SP 1 / SCB 1 Valiant Keeper Half-Elven Ran 8/War 2/Fig 10 (VMC) HP (153/153)
Stats:
AC/Touch/Flat/CMD 32/15/25/30 | Fort/Ref/Will +13/12/12 | Init +05
MP 06/11 LP 3/3 AM 3/3 SP 12/12 CS 12/12 M 0/6
Skills:
+21: Acrobatics +22: K(Pl) +18: Athletics +17: Perception +15: P(Soldier); +14: K(Du, Na, Re), A(Poetry), Survival; +12: Diplo +8: Stealth; +7: Spellcraft, Ride; +6: Heal; +5: L(Drezen); +3 Ling; +2: K(No, Lo, Ar)

Might not be the hag. It might have been the Quasit. *fingers crossed*. No offense Val, but one's just killing you, not the whole party. :)

"Thanks, Val." Ary responds. Pain is good. It means you're alive. "For letting me go. It means a lot." She seemed to actually mean it, somehow. "I couldn't handle being the reason someone else died."


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Buffs | Char. Sheet |

Hinagiku kept her calm even as another abrikandalu appeared over the console. She focused, and simply stared at it, somewhat hoping her gaze might slow the oni down, and waited for Annabelle to give her the signal.

When she finally heard the call, Hinagiku turned the dial, and immediately tries to make her way toward the huge oni, hoping to stop it (well, try to) before it reaches the inside of the tower. Luckily, when she gets to it, only wisps of light remain.

Hinagiku stops in her track, and watches as the blue and white light fade. Looking around, her mind calms down even more as she sees tha both Annabelle and Ary are left unscathed.

The monk then climbs up the breach in the wall to look outside, hoping that all the onis assaulting the tower are gone.


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Female Tiefling (Pitborn) Bard (Weapon Champion) 9/Champion/Trickster 3 | HP: 97/114 | AC: 25, Touch 18, Flat-Footed 19 | CMD: 26 | Fort: +10, Reflex +13, Will: +10 | Init: +6 | Perception: +16, Darkvision 60 ft. | Performance: 18/24, Shatter: 1/1, Lore Master: 1/1, Mythic Power: 6/9

I doubt I'll ever be that lucky in a game.

"And you think knowing I might be giving you up for dead feels good for me?" Val momentarily considers slapping her again, but settles for a scowl rather than continuing to assault her, thankfully, very alive friend. "Your life means something too you fool. I... we already lost Li'an. Please don't make me bury another friend."


Living Steel DR 4/Evil Female InE 1 / SYF 1 / SP 1 / SCB 1 Valiant Keeper Half-Elven Ran 8/War 2/Fig 10 (VMC) HP (153/153)
Stats:
AC/Touch/Flat/CMD 32/15/25/30 | Fort/Ref/Will +13/12/12 | Init +05
MP 06/11 LP 3/3 AM 3/3 SP 12/12 CS 12/12 M 0/6
Skills:
+21: Acrobatics +22: K(Pl) +18: Athletics +17: Perception +15: P(Soldier); +14: K(Du, Na, Re), A(Poetry), Survival; +12: Diplo +8: Stealth; +7: Spellcraft, Ride; +6: Heal; +5: L(Drezen); +3 Ling; +2: K(No, Lo, Ar)

"It's not like that. The Abrikandilu were in position to break the machine... or maybe kill someone up there. If you didn't close the door, and they didn't start the machine... we'd have probably lost a lot more than just me. Keeping the door open meant the thing would have blasted you, Hrut, and Ser Albright. Or them risking everything up there. You made the right call... even if it was terribly hard. Again. Thank you." She says, patting the hair near one of her horns.


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

The heroes regain all uses of mythic power, courtesy of the weapon.

Hinagiku looks out of the enormous breach - there are no demons outside - only crusaders cheering and embracing in the morning rain.

Annabelle whoops and embraces Markus in a tight hug (possibly a little too tight - the vampire doesn't know her own strength), their leather suits making a squeaking sound against one another. She quickly lets go and grins sheepishly. "That was...insane," she says, breathlessly.

She turns, peering at the prisms in the console. Predictably, they have been completely drained of energy... but they also have enormous cracks down their surface. "Aw... that's a bummer."

Nurah peels her own suit off, rushing back to Ser Albright's side. "Let's go, let's go. I need to write while this is all fresh!"


Living Steel DR 4/Evil Female InE 1 / SYF 1 / SP 1 / SCB 1 Valiant Keeper Half-Elven Ran 8/War 2/Fig 10 (VMC) HP (153/153)
Stats:
AC/Touch/Flat/CMD 32/15/25/30 | Fort/Ref/Will +13/12/12 | Init +05
MP 06/11 LP 3/3 AM 3/3 SP 12/12 CS 12/12 M 0/6
Skills:
+21: Acrobatics +22: K(Pl) +18: Athletics +17: Perception +15: P(Soldier); +14: K(Du, Na, Re), A(Poetry), Survival; +12: Diplo +8: Stealth; +7: Spellcraft, Ride; +6: Heal; +5: L(Drezen); +3 Ling; +2: K(No, Lo, Ar)

It'd be a bummer if Ary weren't going to loot everything that's even remotely shiny in the entire place, anyway. :3


WRONG ALIAS

Isilme is relieved to find that everyone made it through. One of the Empyreal guardians had died, which was a shame, but somehow despite being such a chaotic situation, the group had pulled through.

After resting for a bit she stands up, the pain dulled by the healing she'd done on herself. She smiles at the others on the platform. "Great work Annabelle, Hinagiku. And it is a good thing you were able to understand the controls so well Markus, I am not sure how we would have done it with out your knowledge."

"Lets head down," Isilme says to the group.
She takes her time going down the long spiral staircase, looking out the gash rent in the side of the tower by the Shemhazian as she descends. When she reaches the floor she walks up and gives Ary and Val a hug. "Apparently Starsong was watching over you today!"

"I am eager to write--some rest would be welcome as well--as well, but we should take our time and go over the tower carefully on the way out. No sense leaving anything valuable here behind." she adds. "We should see if we can extract those bombs in the entryway as well. If they are stable they might come in handy in the future."

I suggest we go through all the rooms and search them in detail on the way out in case we've missed anything


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Male Oread (Kellid) Legendary Druid 11/Hierophant 4 | HP 97/137 | AC 24, T 23, FF 19 | Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +18 | CMD 27 | Resist Acid 10 | SR 13 (evil outsiders), 17 (demons) | Init +2 | Perception +22 | MP 1/11 | LP 2/2 | PM 8/11 | SP 10/10

Ehren is totally nabbing the last prism on the way out. Souvenir! :P


Living Steel DR 4/Evil Female InE 1 / SYF 1 / SP 1 / SCB 1 Valiant Keeper Half-Elven Ran 8/War 2/Fig 10 (VMC) HP (153/153)
Stats:
AC/Touch/Flat/CMD 32/15/25/30 | Fort/Ref/Will +13/12/12 | Init +05
MP 06/11 LP 3/3 AM 3/3 SP 12/12 CS 12/12 M 0/6
Skills:
+21: Acrobatics +22: K(Pl) +18: Athletics +17: Perception +15: P(Soldier); +14: K(Du, Na, Re), A(Poetry), Survival; +12: Diplo +8: Stealth; +7: Spellcraft, Ride; +6: Heal; +5: L(Drezen); +3 Ling; +2: K(No, Lo, Ar)

"If that's not what the booms were when they followed us in, anyway." Ary responds, "We need to get Jamas downstairs, need to doublecheck everything. Shouldn't leave anything the demons brought with them, or anything of particular immediate use, and should check if the teleportation circle does anything. I kind of figure it was an effort by Ghalcor to try to get out... even though he knew it wouldn't work." Ary finishes with a slight grimace. She rolls her shoulders and starts the trip back up to the space the half-elf was, unsure of his final condition.


Female Tiefling (Pitborn) Bard (Weapon Champion) 9/Champion/Trickster 3 | HP: 97/114 | AC: 25, Touch 18, Flat-Footed 19 | CMD: 26 | Fort: +10, Reflex +13, Will: +10 | Init: +6 | Perception: +16, Darkvision 60 ft. | Performance: 18/24, Shatter: 1/1, Lore Master: 1/1, Mythic Power: 6/9

"Not a bad idea. There has to be something left here. Equipment or notes of something."


Buffs | Char. Sheet |

Hinagiku breaths in, relieved. The weapon truly had worked, the onis were all dead. Turning, she speaks in a peaceful and gentle voice, which carries surprisingly far.

"The onis, they are all gone. The crusaders outside are cheering. We succeeded." she says.

In the stairs, she presses herself agains the wall to let Isilme pass in front of her. As she does, Hinagikku gives the reincarnated celestial a gentle smile. She then makes her way to Jamas and, after closing his eyes, she tries to drag him as gently as possible down the stairs.

Once she arrives down, Hinagiku nods toward Ary, as if saying that one of her order had already being carried. Then, she walks toward the changing chamber. There, she first give her condolences to Hrut and Albright before proceeding to remove the leather suit she is wearing.


Male Dhampir (Moroi-Born) White Necromancer 7/Archmage 2 | hp 51/51 (healthy), AC 12, touch 10, ff 12, CMD 15 | Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +7, various bonuses | Init -1, Perception +2, low-light, darkvision (mythic power 7/7)

"And if I've remembered correctly..." says Markus, coming down the stairs to meet up with Valaria and Ary. "We don't actually have anything to do right now. At least, no outstanding orders that we need to rush to."

He clasps Ary's hand and gives her a quick nod. "I'm glad you made it through, Captain." he says before moving on. "Let's go. We've got a lot to do."


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Nurah grins at Isilme. "Ah, so the azata is all business, is she? The tower is ours. And after seeing that weapon in action, we'll be sure to keep it ours. I'm headed out to enjoy the celebration, myself. But you can stay in here and work if you want." The halfling hangs the leather suit neatly on the coat rack, and heads out of the tower, following Ser Albright and Hrut.

Annabelle follows after Markus, hugging Ary after Isilme lets go. She watches the other crusaders leave, then salutes. "Okay, so, to work, Captain?"

Book keeping: Ehren picks up the only functioning sacred prism


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WRONG ALIAS

"I am fairly certain I have spent more time indulging in celebration and revelry than you have been alive, Nurah," she teases the halfling. "But I suspect we will not be long in joining you. We have certainly earned some rest and relaxation after all this for sure!"


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Male Oread (Kellid) Legendary Druid 11/Hierophant 4 | HP 97/137 | AC 24, T 23, FF 19 | Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +18 | CMD 27 | Resist Acid 10 | SR 13 (evil outsiders), 17 (demons) | Init +2 | Perception +22 | MP 1/11 | LP 2/2 | PM 8/11 | SP 10/10

Once again, Ehren briefly touches Ary's shoulder and smiles without saying anything. For him, words seemed... inadequate. Even if he asked her to stop risking her life, he knew that for what was so often at stake, she would do so anyway. It was not a part of her that could be changed. So instead, the onus was on them to make her difficult decisions a little easier. But for now, it seemed that they could afford to relax a little.

After removing his suit, the druid follows Nurah back to the entry hall, only to return moments later with the last of the sacred prisms. Ghalcor's legacy, so to speak. He turns it over in his hands thoughtfully, pondering whether such a power could truly be corrupted. It was just a shame that the price paid to create it had been so steep.

"Was there any mention of the circle in that journal?" Ehren asks, wondering if it had truly been a desperate, futile attempt to escape.


Living Steel DR 4/Evil Female InE 1 / SYF 1 / SP 1 / SCB 1 Valiant Keeper Half-Elven Ran 8/War 2/Fig 10 (VMC) HP (153/153)
Stats:
AC/Touch/Flat/CMD 32/15/25/30 | Fort/Ref/Will +13/12/12 | Init +05
MP 06/11 LP 3/3 AM 3/3 SP 12/12 CS 12/12 M 0/6
Skills:
+21: Acrobatics +22: K(Pl) +18: Athletics +17: Perception +15: P(Soldier); +14: K(Du, Na, Re), A(Poetry), Survival; +12: Diplo +8: Stealth; +7: Spellcraft, Ride; +6: Heal; +5: L(Drezen); +3 Ling; +2: K(No, Lo, Ar)

Ary begins to slowly deflate under the parade-of-love that she's apparently become the main attraction of. Eventually she just resigns herself to it, and tries not to roll her eyes as she smirks at people.

Seeing Hinagiku already moving the Crusader, she nods, and moves to see if the demons had left anything of value behind when they did their disappearing act. "I'm gonna go through the tower again. We were in a hurry the first time. There could have been any number of things we've missed. I'd hazard any other traps we've missed have long since been detonated... so I shouldn't be too worried." she explains.

Sleeping quarters, forge, giant destructy building, lots of stairs, Archon room they otherwise ignored... she started listing off the places she still needed to go in her head. But still she goes up rather than down, following the spiral staircase up to the device - she hadn't known that it had broken the prisms, but simply nodded when she saw it. She kneels down in front of the console, running her hands along bare metal. "Thanks for not killing me."

And then begins the search for valuables within the astrolabe's room!


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WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Ary searches where the abrikandilu demons’ bodies once were and finds…


  • 2 masterwork studded leather
  • 2 mundane heavy picks
  • 2 thieves’ tools

If you’re picking something up, say so.

Annabelle dutifully follows Ary around and helps her as she works, while Nurah and the other crusaders go outside to join the celebrations. Inside, Ary and anyone who chooses to help her slowly searches all of the rooms they came through. The rooms are full of valuable magical research equipment and research notes – more than the group could hope to carry – though they can fill their bags to maximum capacity with the stuff if they so wish. There isn’t anything new though that could qualify as adventuring equipment or treasure. Regardless, Ary chooses to spend the next few hours scouring the tower, even though the base is surely to be occupied by other crusaders for the foreseeable future.

Perhaps there is other stuff here that you guys found and either ignored or didn’t notice that I brought up. You’ll just have to go back and look, because I won’t be listing it out again for your benefit here.

They also find that the bombs in the hallway were detonated by Ser Albright and his men as they rushed in earlier, and that the teleportation circle simply leads to the entryway.

While Ary works inside, Hinagiku helps to carry Jamas’ body out of the tower, where it is placed carefully alongside the other crusaders lost in the battle. Hrut smiles kindly at the monk as she emerges, wincing as a cleric tends to his wounds.

”Thank you for that, miss…? Hinagiku, was it? I’m sorry, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Hrut Ingvarson.”

All around Hinagiku crusaders are celebrating and cheering, in spite of the endless rain. Several come up to her (and anyone else who chooses to emerge from the tower, rather than stay inside to search for valuables) and thank her for her help.


Female Tiefling (Pitborn) Bard (Weapon Champion) 9/Champion/Trickster 3 | HP: 97/114 | AC: 25, Touch 18, Flat-Footed 19 | CMD: 26 | Fort: +10, Reflex +13, Will: +10 | Init: +6 | Perception: +16, Darkvision 60 ft. | Performance: 18/24, Shatter: 1/1, Lore Master: 1/1, Mythic Power: 6/9

Val goes to help Ary searching through the tower and looking for anything that they might need or want to recover before the tower is taken over by the crusaders again. "I don't think there's anything special here that we really need," she comments as the work. "And I'm sure that the crusaders will be able to put the research notes and gear more than we ever will. If there are some things that we might want to take with us, either for our use or to pass on to the bosses on top of the Crusades."

Once they've finished looking through the tower, she stops in the first hall. "Hang on. I'm going to try to get the rest of these traps taken down and try to recover those orbs Markus mentioned. You never know when we'll need some explosive holy fire orbs. Plus, I think the crusaders will appreciate not having to work their way around these traps whenever they try to get in."

Disable Device (Heroism, Masterwork): 1d20 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 35 Well okay :P


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Male Oread (Kellid) Legendary Druid 11/Hierophant 4 | HP 97/137 | AC 24, T 23, FF 19 | Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +18 | CMD 27 | Resist Acid 10 | SR 13 (evil outsiders), 17 (demons) | Init +2 | Perception +22 | MP 1/11 | LP 2/2 | PM 8/11 | SP 10/10

Ehren flips through some research notes out of curiosity, but comes to the same conclusion as Valaria. As interested as he was in Ghalcor's methodology, on paper it was a little beyond him. He forms a neat stack and sets it aside for whoever would occupy the tower later on.

After going through the paperwork, he returns to the buffer room, leaning down by Ghalcor's corpse. He very gently pulls him away from the wall and sets him down on the ground, before retrieving the scroll and phial that he spotted earlier.

"We should make sure he gets a proper burial. We... owe him our lives," he says, leaving the cleric's stint as an insane ghost unspoken of.

Spellcraft (scroll): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Spellcraft (phial): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Taking the potion of shield of faith and scroll of align weapon. The cassock (Mahorfeus is a sneaky no-good spoiler reader :P) is nice, but I feel kind of odd about just stripping the dude.


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WRONG ALIAS

With calm settled down over the tower, Isilme was glad for the opportunity to wander about freely and unwind for a bit. She takes a moment to heal herself again, and then makes a trip to each of the rooms, giving them a once over in turn. She wasn't interested in turning the place upside down, she'd leave that to Ary or anyone who wanted to be more thorough, but more eyes on the tower wouldn't hurt.

And truthfully part of the reason she'd wanted to spend more time here was to be able to study the tower in more detail. Ghalcor's story was quite a tragic one up until they had arrived. If they had been a bit less lucky, it might have become even more tragic. It was the sort of story she lived to share though, the kind that took on a life of its own once it passed from her lips to her audience. The kind that would be retold countless times in bars or among friends.

She smiles to herself as she turns the story over in her mind, refining and embellishing, honing and polishing. Perhaps she would try it out on the Crusaders outside the tower and see how it was received, she thought to herself. Satisfied, she eventually heads out to join Hinagiku and the Crusaders, leaving well before Ary had finished her rounds. Heading into the mass, she calls their attention,

"Everyone, please listen for a moment! Thank you all for your aid and trust in us," she begins. "This victory belongs to everyone who fought to hold the line out here. If you had not risked your lives and sacrificed, we would not have been successful inside. For this you have our sincerest gratitude." She smiles and gestures at the crowd before bowing in a show of gratitude to the assembled crusaders and Empyreal guardians.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (18) + 21 = 39
Perform(Oratory): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39

The Tragedy of Ghalcor:

”Inside the tower we learned the tragic fate of Ghalcor, who gave his all trying to perfect the weapon. Without his sacrifice we would not have succeeded either,” she says, looking back at the tower. It was true, too. He had given everything, and even in death he was desperate to finish the weapon. ”One day while contemplating the acts of Iomedae he recieved a vision. In it he found himself standing before the shrine of the Seventh in Absolom before it had become the church of the Seventh. The city around him lay in ruins and demons crawled among its ruins, glaring at him with sinister red eyes. He found himself overwhelmed by terror! How could such a thing have happened to so great a city? He turned to the shrine and prostrated himself, calling to Iomedae to show him how he might save the citizens of the town whose screams echoed through the air all around.” She utters a few words and summons forth an illusion of Ghalcor kneeling before the shrine, terrified. Casting silent image

"The shrine erupted into light, and a great image appeared above it!” Isilme gestures up into the air and a blinding flash of light appears, slowly resolving into a series of divine runes above the crowd. ”Instead of an image of Iomedae, however, the divine rune for valor appeared burning in the sky above him. It surged with holy energy, and he felt it wash over him as it flared so brightly he thought he would be struck permanently blind. Despite the light, however, he could see the demons in the town overcome by the same flash of light. As it passed through them they turned to ash, and he finally understood what he was witnessing.”

”He awoke with a new goal. He would master the magic of the rune to produce a weapon which could aid them in the battle against the demons,” she says, the image now fading to Ghalcor in a study poring over books and making notes. ”He devoted himself to the study of the planes and of divine magic, hoping to understand the recipe for producing such a weapon. Surely the vision could not be wrong, he thought!” She pauses for a moment letting the crowd catch up. ”Determined, he gathered scholars from all walks of life and of all specialties, bringing them together so they might learn from each other, and putting them to task he’d conceived of.”

”With time and hard work, he finally was able to come up with a way to harness the power of the rune into a weapon. He received permission and began work on this very tower!” she gestures to the tower, and then alters the illusion to show the tower being constructed. ”The tower was designed to serve as a means to defend the border from the demons, as such it was imbued with potent defenses to prevent the demons from approaching it while they were able to use the weapon with impunity.”

Isilme looks sadly at the tower and lowers her voice. ”Unfortunately Ghalcor miscalculated when he created the receptacles for divine energy that would provide the energy necessary to enable the tower’s functioning. He had underestimated the energy necessary to create the rune, though he knew it not yet. She pauses again for dramatic effect, and the illusion of the tower is now completed and surrounded by demons. [b]”When the demons pressed forward, Ghalcor was caught unprepared within the tower. Knowing time was of the essence, he enabled the defenses and rushed to activate the weapon. Unfortunately when he attempted to activate the weapon it drained too much of the tower’s power and cracked several of the crystals necessary to power the weapon. Trapped by his own defenses, and unable to fire the weapon, struggled to find a solution. In the end, half-desperate and half-mad, he channeled his very being into the remaining two crystals making them whole at the cost of his own life.”

”Though he had hoped that the crusaders would eventually come and be able to make use of the crystals to power the weapon, his failure prevented him from resting peacefully. Because of this he rose as an Allip, a spirit of madness and desperation, whose very voice can drive men mad.” Isilme changes the image to reflect the Allip they’d fought inside. ”It was only minutes ago that we freed him to his eternal rest! His sacrifice made this victory possible above all. Let none forget the valor and determination that Ghalcor showed against the demons. Tonight we celebrate his triumph and sacrifice above all!”
Isilme replaces the image with that of Ghalcor as he’d looked before he returned to Iomedae’s side, and the allows it to fade away. When it’s gone, she bows and thanks the crusaders for listening to his tale.


Buffs | Char. Sheet |

"Yes, I am Hinagiku. You may also call me Daisy. I am please that we are now officially introducing ourselves Mr. Ingvarson. May our future relations be earnest." says the monk, bowing.

Before the crusader can answer anything, Hinagiku continues.
"I am sorry, but I have to go back inside, there is still much to do today." she finishes, before bowing once more and heading for the tower's entrance. However, she is quickly blocked by a few crusaders. Staying polite and calm she acquiesces to what they say, sharing in their joy.

They delay her long enough so that she is still outside when Isilme exits the tower, giving her the opportunity to listen to the tale. Hinagiku follows the celestial's speech until she is done, smiling to see Ghalcors memory immortalized. Then, Hinagiku makes her way back into the tower until she finds Ary.

"Ary, I believe we should return to the town we were in to take care of the evil presence, especially the waitress." she says.


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Male Dhampir (Moroi-Born) White Necromancer 7/Archmage 2 | hp 51/51 (healthy), AC 12, touch 10, ff 12, CMD 15 | Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +7, various bonuses | Init -1, Perception +2, low-light, darkvision (mythic power 7/7)

Markus doesn't join Ary in searching through the tower - he's not sure it's really worth the time, so he heads down to the foot of the tower to celebrate with the remaining Crusaders, Hrut, Hinagiku and Isilme.

He listens with admiration to the azata's tale, smiling and looking between Isilme and the Crusaders listening to the story of Ghalcor. Markus knew well the ability of such rhetoric to galvanize people. The knowledge of Ghalcor's determination and valor would rightly embolden the forces assembled here today.

The story reminded Markus of something, too - it was true that for once he and his friends had scored a complete victory, but it was just as true that it truly was Ghalcor who had won this victory. Markus was merely using the instrument that he had created, not doing anything on his own.

Eventually, these old Crusaders' tools would run out, Markus supposes. He would have to come up with some toys of his own.


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Living Steel DR 4/Evil Female InE 1 / SYF 1 / SP 1 / SCB 1 Valiant Keeper Half-Elven Ran 8/War 2/Fig 10 (VMC) HP (153/153)
Stats:
AC/Touch/Flat/CMD 32/15/25/30 | Fort/Ref/Will +13/12/12 | Init +05
MP 06/11 LP 3/3 AM 3/3 SP 12/12 CS 12/12 M 0/6
Skills:
+21: Acrobatics +22: K(Pl) +18: Athletics +17: Perception +15: P(Soldier); +14: K(Du, Na, Re), A(Poetry), Survival; +12: Diplo +8: Stealth; +7: Spellcraft, Ride; +6: Heal; +5: L(Drezen); +3 Ling; +2: K(No, Lo, Ar)

An Iomedaean Priest would be pretty upset if he was buried in anything valuable, I'd hazard. But it's up to you whether you want to be the one to do it. Makes more sense for someone who has spare clothes to do it, probably. :)

Contrary to popular belief, Ary didn't have plans to search everything top-to-bottom. She wanted to ensure that the things the demons had used didn't need special attention, and wanted to double check the other room, and especially where the portal lead. Discovering that it lead to the bottom floor, she'd inform a Crusader to make sure no one stood in the space that it lead to. That could be very, very bad.

Then she would move back inside. To the real reason she'd wanted to stay behind. They'd taken what could be of value, almost assuredly already. Knowledge being the largest, but hope being a close second. Had she died, perhaps that would have been... tainted. She grimaced slightly as she moved along the room lined in the Acts of Iomedae, allowing Radiance's light to show her each image once more. She wanted very much to reach out and touch them... but she felt like that would somehow be wrong.

So, instead, she sat quietly. Going from act to act, and thinking about what each meant to her.

Leave no man behind. Know the enemy. Do not suffer evil to live. Faith and Hope are stronger than any arms or armor. Decisive victory is always preferable to attrition. A sword is just a weapon, without a cause it has no value. Blades are not always the answer. Redemption can be found in the strangest of places - often in those places you least expect. A true hero bears the heaviest burden and doesn't complain for doing so. Leadership is a duty, not a privilege. Every goal is reached by starting with the first step.

If anyone had stayed with her throughout the entire process... she had been quiet for most of the time that she studied each portrait, reminiscing. She could have died. Yet she hadn't been afraid - not for herself anyway. Somehow, in those moments she had embraced everything as it was. Yet... she had been given a divine mission, if her dream were to be viewed as a reality. It was her duty to lead, and when she could not lead, to advise.

With every oath she took, the burden of not breaking them became more and more cumbersome. Finally, she kneels, in the center of the room. Radiance held beneathe Faith as she had done many times in the recent months, allowing the golden light to shine through the green crystal, sword, shield, and arm all interposed. It was in this position that Hinagiku found her. She took a moment to respond, standing after a short time, and nodding to Hinagiku.

"Right. We need to inform the Crusaders of what we've found, and what has been following us. We can do that along the way back to town."


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WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Valaria and Ehren stay behind to help Ary, with Hinagiku rejoining later on. Valaria goes through the hallway looking for the faith orbs Markus pointed out earlier, but finds that the crusaders detonated them both in their haste to find the group earlier. Ehren ensures that Ghalcor gets a proper burial, along with his researchers, whose corpses lined the opening hallway. They are assembled outside with Jamas and the other deceased crusaders for burial.

Outside, Isilme entertains the crusaders with the tale of Ghalcor, punctuating her words with illusionary magic. Her tale is riveting, and proves to only further lift the crusader's spirits. Afterwards she is approached by several soldiers expressing their gratitude for her hand in activating the weapon and saving all of their lives.

After the azata finishes her story, Nurah ambles over to her, furiously scribbling her own notes even as she speaks. "You know how to work a crowd," the bard grins. "Perhaps a little too embellished for my tastes. We'll see whose story ends up remembered in the end, eh?" She winks.

Though soon the mood grows somber, as it is time to bury the dead. Ser Holton Albright approaches Markus, placing a large hand on his shoulder. "Lieutenant Markus. First, let me thank you for your excellent work in there. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have been able to figure that apparatus out. Hrut had told me fantastic stories of your group's prowess, surviving that fall into the Underdark! Incredible. But now I think that his stories were understated, having seen you all in action with my own eyes. I'll certainly be passing on this story to the Queen when I give my report."

"But we have work to do, don't we? Many of our brothers and sisters in arms perished in the last battle... others very long ago," he gestures to Ghalcor's corpse, laid alongside his research group. "There are no Pharasmins present, so would you do us the honors of sending off our dead, and overseeing their burial?"

After the dead are buried, the crusaders all all business. The clerics present seek out the heroes and tend to their wounds - the young soldiers are positively beaming at the honor to heal the men and women of the hour.

While this all happens, Annabelle stays inside of the tower. The weather outside was pretty dreary, with no visible sun but... the shadowy penumbra Markus had cast upon her had long since worn off, and she didn't feel like taking a risk. She lingers in the shrine to Iomedae with Ary. While not a follower herself, the Shelynite could appreciate a beautiful shrine.

"It's nice to explore someplace beautiful for once... and not just completely desecrated by demons. Especially so deep in the Worldwound," she comments softly to Ary.

Book keeping: Ehren picks up a potion of shield of faith (CL 12) and a scroll of align weapon. Heroes are replenished to full HP.

Sounds like Ary and Hinagiku are ready to head back to town. Markus: Are you bringing Annabelle?

Once two are ready to head to town, we'll move scenes.


Female Tiefling (Pitborn) Bard (Weapon Champion) 9/Champion/Trickster 3 | HP: 97/114 | AC: 25, Touch 18, Flat-Footed 19 | CMD: 26 | Fort: +10, Reflex +13, Will: +10 | Init: +6 | Perception: +16, Darkvision 60 ft. | Performance: 18/24, Shatter: 1/1, Lore Master: 1/1, Mythic Power: 6/9

Val frowns as she discovers the traps already triggered. A twinge of guilt spikes in her chest. Could the fallen Guardian have survived if she'd taken the time to ensure that there were no more traps remaining in the entry way? She shakes it off and makes her way outside to find Isilme and Nurah. "I'll have to get a copy of that later," she comments as she finds them. "I didn't really get a chance to hear most of it, but I have a feeling that's one to share later. Everyone loves a good tragedy." She looks around at the celebrating crusaders, but doesn't really feel like joining them. The last few days have been nothing but exhausting and troublesome and she's in no mood for it, despite their victory today. "Think there's a priest around that can heal the energy that hag drained from me?" she asks off-hand. "Or are we going to have to wait until we hit somewhere like Nerosyan to get me checked out?"

Kioralady:
"Hey, annoying horror thing. You alive?"


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Male Dhampir (Moroi-Born) White Necromancer 7/Archmage 2 | hp 51/51 (healthy), AC 12, touch 10, ff 12, CMD 15 | Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +7, various bonuses | Init -1, Perception +2, low-light, darkvision (mythic power 7/7)

Markus eagerly shakes Albright's hand, giving the man a rare smile. "Of course. It's only intuitive knowledge to me, so it sort of seems like I did the least of everybody. I know that without you, we would all have died, so I'm just as grateful for you and your ridiculous sword-arm as you are for me and my arcane knowledge."

When asked to do the rites for the dead, Markus solemnly nods. "Of course I'll oversee the rites. Those that died deserve only the highest honors."

He proceeds to the Crusaders being buried, and pulls out his Crusaders' cross. He holds it over his chest and closes his eyes, addressing those Crusaders who care to listen.

"Today, we commend an unfortunate number of our brothers into the Great Beyond. They gave their lives for those of us that remain, and passed on to their ultimate reward for it."

He goes around the bodies of the fallen, stopping at each one, solemnly nodding and murmuring, "Thank you." When he's gone around to the whole group, he twiddles his fingers and murmurs an arcane phrase, filling the whole area with morale-boosting magic. Casting bless.

"Though their passing should sadden us, it ought also to embolden us. Their ultimate reward is greater for the cause which drew their loyalty, and I can think of no better a death for these brave men and women than in winning a great battle against the demonic host."

"May their souls pass without obstacle to The Spire."

Another thing - before we go, is there a tent with injured Crusaders? I can heal up to 12 Crusaders who are at 0 or lower for 1d4+6 and will gladly do so before we depart.

When considering when to leave, Markus approaches Annabelle. "Annabelle - we're heading back to Gundrun. I want to bring you, but it's risky. You want to use the other scroll to void any risk?


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Valaria:
There is no response.

Hrut Ingvarson listens to Valaria's request thoughtfully. "What are you talking about, Valaria? Hag?" Regardless, he heads off into the crowd a pair of female crusaders - a gnome and a human. They inspect Valaria for a moment then shake their heads.

"There has been damage done directly to your soul. We'd need special components to muster enough power to restore it - diamond dust. We don't have any to spare with us, but there is a thriving bazaar in Gundrun. Perhaps someone has some for sale?" says the gnome.


Female Tiefling (Pitborn) Bard (Weapon Champion) 9/Champion/Trickster 3 | HP: 97/114 | AC: 25, Touch 18, Flat-Footed 19 | CMD: 26 | Fort: +10, Reflex +13, Will: +10 | Init: +6 | Perception: +16, Darkvision 60 ft. | Performance: 18/24, Shatter: 1/1, Lore Master: 1/1, Mythic Power: 6/9

Val fights the urge to do a little dance as the quasit doesn't reply. Perhaps she's finally free of his obnoxious ass. "I was being haunted by a night hag that we picked up somewhere in the Worldwound," Val admits to Hrut. "We were planning to get rid of it once we finished things up here at the tower, but it seems that Ghalcor's weapon did the job for us. Now I just need someone to patch my soul up and we can forget the whole incident ever happened." She's not terribly torn up about there not being a priest around to help. "I can manage for a while if we need to find special supplies."


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Hrut raises an eyebrow at Valaria, then looses a loud, barking laugh and slaps her on the back between the shoulder blades. "Hah! You all are still managing to get into trouble, I see!"

He hushes up to listen as Markus begins the burial rites. He watches Jamas' body go into the ground, and his demeanor is unusually serious for the rest of the day.

Markus then departs to the medic's tent to aid the clerics there, where he personally helps save the lives of nearly a dozen wounded Empyreal Guardians. His actions bring him notice, and he finds himself well-liked among his fellow crusaders.

He then goes back into the tower to find Annabelle, who is doing her best to assist Nurah as she wanders around, taking copious notes. She turns to Markus and shrugs.

"I don't know, at least it's not lonely here," she gestures around at the tower, which is quickly being filled up with crusaders and Empyreal Guardians - assessing the damage done to the structure and making plans to refortify it. "And there's plenty to do. So, really, it's up to you, Lieutenant Necromancer!"


Living Steel DR 4/Evil Female InE 1 / SYF 1 / SP 1 / SCB 1 Valiant Keeper Half-Elven Ran 8/War 2/Fig 10 (VMC) HP (153/153)
Stats:
AC/Touch/Flat/CMD 32/15/25/30 | Fort/Ref/Will +13/12/12 | Init +05
MP 06/11 LP 3/3 AM 3/3 SP 12/12 CS 12/12 M 0/6
Skills:
+21: Acrobatics +22: K(Pl) +18: Athletics +17: Perception +15: P(Soldier); +14: K(Du, Na, Re), A(Poetry), Survival; +12: Diplo +8: Stealth; +7: Spellcraft, Ride; +6: Heal; +5: L(Drezen); +3 Ling; +2: K(No, Lo, Ar)

Ary leads the way back out of the shrine, joining the others now that Hinagiku has brought her back to Golarion. She offers a short salute to the men to be buried, ensuring that any who worshipped Iomedae were not buried with their weapons. She figured most people knew, but it was better not to just let things slide.

"Maybe there's plenty for you to do, but there's not much for me. And there's a lot of things that do need doing. I don't know that we can, though." Ary says with a small shrug.

"Hinagiku has said the the tavern we were in had a lot of evil folks inside. Their new waitress deserves special mention, apparently." she said, sharing what she'd been informed of with Albright. "Now that we're not surrounded by a mixed crowd of people we can't really trust... I'm happy to go over the details whenever you'd like, though I suspect sooner is better in case there's anything specific you want to deal with. Not that you're not busy."


Male Oread (Kellid) Legendary Druid 11/Hierophant 4 | HP 97/137 | AC 24, T 23, FF 19 | Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +18 | CMD 27 | Resist Acid 10 | SR 13 (evil outsiders), 17 (demons) | Init +2 | Perception +22 | MP 1/11 | LP 2/2 | PM 8/11 | SP 10/10

Ehren is present during the funeral, where he pays his respects to the crusaders and researchers. He takes one last long look at Ghalcor before he buried, quietly murmuring his thanks. Instead of inviting ruin to Gundrun, the man had all but saved it. With that in mind, the druid manages to smile - he would have to make sure that the clan-liege heard about that.

He is disappointed to hear that none of the clerics present could mend the damage that the hag inflicted on Valaria. His own magic was suitable for healing the body, but like many things, healing the soul was beyond his ken. He frowns again when she mentions the hag's apparent destruction, but says nothing. Every now and then, when he does not think she is looking, he scans the area with his spirit sense, searching for the wicked creature - even in the Ethereal Plane, it would not be able to avoid detection. Not that he could actually do anything to it.

"I suppose we will be riding normal horses back," he muses, recalling the surreal experience of riding a phantom steed.


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Ser Albright nods appreciatively at Ary's report. "Evil? You mean with detect evil?" He looks at Hinagiku thoughtfully. "You're a cleric, Hinagiku? Of what deity?" he inquires.

"Regardless, detect evil is not foolproof, those with evil intentions are also flagged. But we will follow-up with this... waitress. Though unless you consider it especially pressing, we will have our hands full re-establishing a base of operations here at Ghalcor's Tower for the time being. You are of course, welcome to look into the matter with your squad yourself."

"You are dismissed until tomorrow at noon, Captain Bishop. You are heading back to Nerosyan to follow up with Ser Jorsal of Lauterbury."

Ehren:
You notice a forebodingly powerful presence still following Valaria around.


WRONG ALIAS

"Why thank you, Nurah, I take great pride in my ability to spin a tale." she says, smiling proudly. "Thankfully that is not an ability I lost when I was returned in this body. But you should know that In the end all stories wind up embellished," she says to the halfling. "A tome is merely a chrysalis for the story. Eventually it will emerge and spread its wings, and something truly wonderful will come of it. No matter how carefully you crafted it, what emerges will always surprise you, and if you live long enough to encounter it again, you will be amazed to see how much it has changed with time." It was something she loved dearly. Stories could be as alive as any mortal, and just as free if given the chance. And she made sure to take every opportunity to ensure that they had it.

"I have freed many stories in that way in my journeys, and occasionally have had the pleasure of hearing them recounted decades later in some far off corner of the world. This story is one I will hear again in the future, I am certain. In the end it may be impossible to tell whose story is out in the world, and either way I look forward to seeing what becomes of it! On that note, I should go join the others and prepare to depart," she says, excusing herself.

After getting healed up by the clerics, she spends a bit of time among the wounded telling tales and playing music to boost their spirits. She then tracks down the others. "So what is the plan then? Are we heading back to Gundrun now?" she asks.


Male Oread (Kellid) Legendary Druid 11/Hierophant 4 | HP 97/137 | AC 24, T 23, FF 19 | Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +18 | CMD 27 | Resist Acid 10 | SR 13 (evil outsiders), 17 (demons) | Init +2 | Perception +22 | MP 1/11 | LP 2/2 | PM 8/11 | SP 10/10

"I am ready to set off - the tower is in good hands," Ehren says with a nod, looking up at the structure. "But as Ser Albright said, it is going to keep them occupied. We should at least look into what might have been going on in that inn."

In a quieter, more serious voice, he adds through the message spell, "Also... something is still following Valaria. I suspect that it is the hag. Assuming it was with us the entire time, I believe it would have intervened if the weapon had any real chance of destroying it." As tense as their rush to activate the weapon was, he did not want to even imagine how things might have transpired had the hag interfered.


Living Steel DR 4/Evil Female InE 1 / SYF 1 / SP 1 / SCB 1 Valiant Keeper Half-Elven Ran 8/War 2/Fig 10 (VMC) HP (153/153)
Stats:
AC/Touch/Flat/CMD 32/15/25/30 | Fort/Ref/Will +13/12/12 | Init +05
MP 06/11 LP 3/3 AM 3/3 SP 12/12 CS 12/12 M 0/6
Skills:
+21: Acrobatics +22: K(Pl) +18: Athletics +17: Perception +15: P(Soldier); +14: K(Du, Na, Re), A(Poetry), Survival; +12: Diplo +8: Stealth; +7: Spellcraft, Ride; +6: Heal; +5: L(Drezen); +3 Ling; +2: K(No, Lo, Ar)

"Well, there was also the matter of the precocious little scamp of a Quasit, that with any luck, got a one-way ticket home. I couldn't think of any way to deal with him, but I don't think he's gained any information they wouldn't inherently know anyway. Though him sticking around for longer than a day is worrying for what he knows specifically about us." she says with a grimace... then shakes her head. "Yeah, we'll go check in on the city. I don't know if we'll be able to do anything about the waitress. Knowing our luck, it's a second night hag."

She nods to Ehren. "Best to head back. I'll pray for a solution, tomorrow."


Buffs | Char. Sheet |

While Ary prepares to leave, Hinagiku turns toward Annabelle. Giving her a gentle smile to comfort the cavalier, she then silently heads outside the tower at Ary’s side.

Outside, Hinagiku makes her to the burial ceremony where she watches as the crusaders descend the fallen into the earth. As they do, she bows her head in respect, praying for a better life for those who might be reincarnated.

Afterward, Hinagiku sticks to Ary’s side, meeting sir Albright with her. The monk nods a few time as Ary explains their reason for heading back to Gundrun, and finally joins the conversation once Albright asks her about her faith and her power to detect evil.
”I am a follower of the Master of masters, know to some by the name of Irori.” she says, bringing a hand to the blue medallion hanging from her neck. ”If by detect evil you mean the power that some clerics have to find the presence of evil within the hearts of others, then yes, I can do something akin to that. However, it is not something I am used to... Still, what I saw was disturbing. This waitress had a much darker aura than anyone else within the inn, enough to make me feel uncomfortable. I know I have yet to get used to the sight of evil intent, so I might be overinterpreting what I saw, but I would not rest easy if our inaction lead to the death of others. ” she finishes.

Staying at Ary’s side, Hinagiku leaves Albright’s company. She stays silent when Ary mentions the quasit. They were save from the onis influence for now, and should take it easy. However, that was not the case with the presence by Valaria’s side, they would need to do something.
”Ary, this hag has been sucking on miss Valaria’s ki for some time now, can we afford to have her spend another with this thing?” she asks in an calm and even voice.

Ready to depart


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Male Dhampir (Moroi-Born) White Necromancer 7/Archmage 2 | hp 51/51 (healthy), AC 12, touch 10, ff 12, CMD 15 | Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +7, various bonuses | Init -1, Perception +2, low-light, darkvision (mythic power 7/7)

MArkus sighs and tells Annabelle - "It might be best if you stayed here for the rest of the day, then. You can help the other Crusaders out with restoring and exploring Ghalcor's temple, and you can follow us over to Gundrun on Blossom during the night." he tells her. "Albright's ordered us to be ready to leave by noon tomorrow. Head straight for the Crusader barge tonight, then, and be there before sunrise. Can I count on you to do that?"

"If you can, try to secure an escort - a fifteen-mile hike over Worldwound territory is sure to be dangerous."

With that, he nods, gives her a nice firm handshake, and then heads to talk to Ary. He hears her report on the quasit vs. the hag being destroyed and he concludes that he agrees it was the quasit that was destroyed. "Captain Ary," he says, "I'm not sure we have so much to worry from the quasit telling them information about us. Not all demons are allied, and if I understand Valaria's ancestry correctly... Well, the quasit serves...somebody looking out for her, right? The Worldwound is maintained by Baphomet and Deskari, neither of which have any stake in keeping Valaria alive."


Female Tiefling (Pitborn) Bard (Weapon Champion) 9/Champion/Trickster 3 | HP: 97/114 | AC: 25, Touch 18, Flat-Footed 19 | CMD: 26 | Fort: +10, Reflex +13, Will: +10 | Init: +6 | Perception: +16, Darkvision 60 ft. | Performance: 18/24, Shatter: 1/1, Lore Master: 1/1, Mythic Power: 6/9

"I'm fairly certain succubi serve Nocticula," Val adds. "And unless I missed something fairly important, she's not involved in the whole Worldwound thing. So hopefully we don't have to worry about the quasit handing over secrets to our enemies. With luck, it's not coming back at all. I'm not usually that lucky, but still..."


Male Dhampir (Moroi-Born) White Necromancer 7/Archmage 2 | hp 51/51 (healthy), AC 12, touch 10, ff 12, CMD 15 | Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +7, various bonuses | Init -1, Perception +2, low-light, darkvision (mythic power 7/7)

Markus points at Valaria. "My thoughts exactly. The quasit is independently a problem, merely considering that it's a demon and we don't like those... but referring to all demons as them and assuming he was here for some strategic reason might not get the whole picture."


Living Steel DR 4/Evil Female InE 1 / SYF 1 / SP 1 / SCB 1 Valiant Keeper Half-Elven Ran 8/War 2/Fig 10 (VMC) HP (153/153)
Stats:
AC/Touch/Flat/CMD 32/15/25/30 | Fort/Ref/Will +13/12/12 | Init +05
MP 06/11 LP 3/3 AM 3/3 SP 12/12 CS 12/12 M 0/6
Skills:
+21: Acrobatics +22: K(Pl) +18: Athletics +17: Perception +15: P(Soldier); +14: K(Du, Na, Re), A(Poetry), Survival; +12: Diplo +8: Stealth; +7: Spellcraft, Ride; +6: Heal; +5: L(Drezen); +3 Ling; +2: K(No, Lo, Ar)

"I understand that the question is about who the Quasit serves. But how many times have we fooled cultists by allowing Butterfly to walk into a room first with a symbol on her side? Every time, they fill in the rest. We have absolutely no reason to believe the cheeky little bugger. None. And so far, he has caused us nothing but trouble. Which is roughly what I suspect is the only thing a Quasit who wishes to ruin our days is even capable of. Remember, there was a Quasit working for Shax. Made our lives pretty cruddy and nearly got Annabelle killed. I don't think the Worldwound belongs to Shax, either. That doesn't mean the Quasit's boss just wants cuddles." she glances over at Val, "At least I hope not."

She looks back to Markus, "So the question isn't just who the Quasit serves, but also how much you're willing to risk on the off-chance that this one works for one that wants to stab another in the back and isn't just lying on the off-chance we believe it."


WRONG ALIAS

The discussion about the quasit's origins was certainly interesting to Isilme. She wasn't certain it had been working on the side of the cultists, but Ary had a point. "Regardless of its affiliation and intentions, It is a moot point now, unless, and until, he returns. The Bound Horror was many fragments if I recall correctly, so we may very well see another. The important issue now is Val's other guest. I have an idea, but we will need to reach Nerosyan before we can do anything I believe."


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Male Dhampir (Moroi-Born) White Necromancer 7/Archmage 2 | hp 51/51 (healthy), AC 12, touch 10, ff 12, CMD 15 | Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +7, various bonuses | Init -1, Perception +2, low-light, darkvision (mythic power 7/7)

"I too have an idea. It's much simpler, but much more difficult to pull off than any idea that Isilme has." Markus thinks about it for a second. "It's probably not practical, actually. Nevermind, forget I said anything. We'll likely need a myriad of weak spells cast on us to combat the creature."

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