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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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

Kiora:
Ehren concentrates inwardly, seeing whether he could communicate with the staff through thought. If not, he simply murmurs again in Druidic:

"Is there any way to purge you of this taint? With Laktharis destroyed, surely there must be some way to heal you."

When Laktharis succumbs to his wounds, Ehren sighs again with relief, as though a great burden had just been lifted from his shoulders. Though it was still damaged, his soul was no longer in any danger. Hearing Valais cry out, he looks to her with concern, quickly followed by astonishment when he sees her partially restored form. He had not anticipated it being as simple as that. Equally remarkable is Kitarlo's alternative.

"I agree. See what this Great Library can offer you. Perhaps there will be something that can help you and others that share your fate. In the meantime, should we cross paths with this babau, we will know what to do. I wager that it will stand out from the others."


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 agree with the library; with luck, Valais will be protected from the influence simply by moving to another Plane - at least for now. As for the Temple itself... it's certainly sturdy enough. We'd need to break the symbols to make it usable... but we'd also need permission from the local Sarkorians. This is their temple to their sacred tree, after all."


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Ehren:

Unfortunately, the tree does not seem to be telepathic - it is literally speaking to you, as if through speak with plants

'Only the Archdruid would be capable of such a powerful ritual, and the last one passed away with the last of the Hierophants when Sarkoris fell to the Taint.'

Valais nods. "Okay. Then I'll go with you to this Great Library, Kitarlo. Thank you." She smiles.

"Excellent! But first, I'd love to hear your story. Come, come. There's always time for stories." Kitarlo grins broadly from his spot on the ground.


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

Kiora:
'What is lost can be found, and what is broken can be mended. If it pleases you, I will take you from this place, and we will search for the means to heal you together. And perhaps in time, you can make the land fertile once more.'

Ehren continues to converse with the staff in a hushed tone, looking disappointed, but not terribly so. Seeing that Kitarlo was insisting on hearing their side of the story first, he remains sitting in his cross-legged position, waiting patiently. He looks to Isilme expectantly, with the shadow of a smirk on his face.


WRONG ALIAS

"Well, I can tell our story from the point I entered it, it will likely fall to Valaria to fill you in on what happened prior to then. However, the story is long, and if you do not mind accompanying us, would be best told on the trip back to Nerosyan," she says in response to Kitarlo's request for a tale. "Of course if you and Valais will be headed elsewhere from here I will do my best to tell the tale now, I certainly owe you that much," she adds with a smile.

Will write up a story-telling post if we're starting the trip back, or if he can't travel with us, I'll write one assuming we're hanging around here for a bit.


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 would be happy to share, though Isilme's not wrong when she says it's quite a long story. And frankly one I'd rather not tell while we're still in the middle of the Worldwound."


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Kitarlo's face falls for a moment, but is quickly replaced with his familiar grin. "Well, if that's the cost, so be it. Should we head out?"

Anything else you'd like to do inside of the temple? Once two are ready to leave, we will.


WRONG ALIAS

Isilme heads back out the door and retrieves her Ioun stone, placing it in orbit around her head. Turning to look back into the room, she says "Shall we go then?"


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 recovers her own stone, turning it over in her hands. "Hey Xan. Think you could dispel the glow so I don't light up like a torch while I'm walking around with this thing?"


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

Seeing that story time has been postponed for the time being, Ehren stands up and retrieves the wand he had dropped earlier. He takes one last long look at the chamber before turning to leave.

"Let's go."


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Ehren:
"I hope so, little druid. I hope so."

The group heads out of the temple, moving carefully around to avoid triggering the still active symbol of persuasion trap. Outside the sun hangs heavy in the sky - the kellids outside gather around excitedly, eager to learn what the group has found in Laktharis' temple.

"Houna, dyna ni!"

"Beth ddigwyddodd? Is deml sanctaidd Laktharis 'dal yn gyfan?"

"A welsoch chi Mam Ruddin?"

Hallit:

"Houna, there you are!"

"What happened? Is Laktharis' sacred temple still intact?"

"Did you see Mother Heartwood?"

Houna stares at the ground, looking highly uncomfortable in the presence of her clansmen. She glances back at the group and mumbles, "Nid wyf yn gwybod beth i'w ddweud wrthynt."

Hallit:
"I don't know what to say to them."

Shyael rubs her shoulder comfortingly and glances back at the group. "She doesn't know how to explain what happened in there."


Buffs | Char. Sheet |

Though almost startled by Valais’ reaction upon Laktharis’ death, Hinagiku stays calm, and smiles, the natural looking smile she had had to practice for many hours, when she realizes that the pathfinder is released from the Kalavakus.

”I am glad you found what you were looking for miss Valais. Though hunting the remaining oni down might seem like the only way, I have to agree with miss Valaria and miss Isilme., it would likely be a life consuming quest which would only lead to obsession. However, spending time in heaven would probably bring you much more peace. I think you should go with mr Alaion er Xa'lim… Kitargo. ”

When everyone starts leaving the room, Hinagiku moves to Kitarlo’s side, and finally introduces herself.
”Pardon me for taking so long to introduce myself, I did not mean to be rude, and wanted to let you speak with miss Valais.” she slightly bows before continuing. ”I am Hinagiku, and I hope our future endeavors will be fructuous.” she straightens back ”I wish to thank you for what you will do for miss Valais.” she finally adds before joining Ehren’s side.

She politely looks him in the eyes, assessing his state of mind before speaking.
”Mr. Ehren, are you laright?” she asks, sincerely worried, before continuing ” Do you know anyone who might be able to heal its corruption… and is this the true Laktharis? Or was it simply a tool the oni used to lure followers?” she finishes, clearly concerned about the staff too.

Outside
After the kellids gather around them, Hinagiku glandes at Ehren, hoping his answers to her last questions might be the ones the followers of Laktharis need. Otherwise, she stays silent, these were not her people, and she did not know enough about them to be helpful yet.


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

Before
"Yes. I am fine now," Ehren says to Hinagiku with a smile, as they prepare to leave the temple. In response to her other question, he looks to the charwood staff in his hand and sighs.

"From the very start, he was a pretender. It was a druid that first brought Mother Heartwood to this place, all those years ago. She wanted to make the land more fertile, so that her clan could prosper. But Laktharis enslaved her and took the staff for himself. From then on, he abused the tree's power, and used it to propagate his cult. His sick and twisted rituals left her vulnerable to the Worldwound's corruption."

"She tells me that the knowledge necessary to restore her is lost... but it is too early to lose hope."

Now
Ehren returns Hinagiku's glance with a grimace, clearly hesitant to engage Houna's clansmen. Talking her down had been a chore in itself for the others. Even with all the answers, how could he hope to sway these people?


Grippli Arcane Trickster | hp 104 / 104 (healthy), AC 23, touch 19, ff 16, CMD 23 | Fort +9, Ref +9, Will +12 (+2 vs. confusion, insanity) | Init +9, Perc +15, darkvision 60ft, (mythic power 9/9)

Xanderghul somewhat nervously paces around while they get ready to go. Prone time in the Worldwound made him anxious. When they head out of the temple, and Valaria addresses him, he answers: "Sure, I could cast dispel magic on it. Not today, but for sure. I don't think it would permanently remove the spell, though. Given that it's a magic item, dispel magic only suppresses the power of those for a short time."

Reaching the outside of the temple, the Kellids coming up to ask Houna about what had happened inside, Xanderghul frowns in contemplation. He's not sure how to talk to them either.

He opens his mouth anyways, and tries to explain some of what had happened in Kellid: "Doedden ni ddim yn dod o hyd i'r gwir Laktheris tu mewn. Rydym yn dod o hyd i gythraul oedd yn esgus bod yr orsedd eich duw, a gwelsom Mam rhuddin dan reolaeth y cythraul yn. Yn anffodus, blynyddoedd maith y tu mewn i'r llygredd y Worldwound wedi newid Mam ruddin. Rhaid iddi gael ei buro os yw'n dod â gwyrddlesni at eich tiroedd eto." He grimaces, waiting for their inevitable angry reply. Even-mindedness was so often too much to expect.

Kellid:
"We didn't find the true Laktheris inside. We found a demon that was pretending to the throne of your god, and we found Mother Heartwood under the demon's control. Unfortunately, long years inside the corruption of the Worldwound have changed Mother Heartwood. She must be purified if she is to bring verdancy to your lands again."


WRONG ALIAS

While Isilme normally had little in the way of qualms about twisting the truth where it served the greater good, she worries that giving them false hope for the return of Laktharis could open them up to being taken advantage again. When Xanderghul finishes speaking, she adds her own two cents, taking care not to directly contradict Xanderghul while making it clear that they should return to their ancestor's worship of Mother Heartwood instead of Laktharis.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29
"Gall hyn fod yn anodd eu clywed, ond byth efallai y bu gwir Laktharis. Mam Rhuddin wedi cael ei llygru gan y cythraul ni drechu, a bydd angen ei buro cyn y gall hi roi ei fendith i'r tiroedd o'i gwmpas Ehren," pausing for a moment to point him out, "yn gallu commune gyda hi, a bydd yn gwneud popeth o fewn ei allu i adfer iddi ei gyflwr gwreiddiol. Yna bydd eich pobl unwaith eto yn cael ei fendith, a bydd yn ffynnu eto."

Hallit:

"This may be hard to hear, but there may never have been a true Laktharis. Mother Heartwood has been tainted by the demon we defeated, and will need to be purified before she can provide her blessing to the surrounding lands. Ehren," She stops for a moment to point him out, "is able to commune with her, and will do everything he can to restore her to her original state. Then your people will once again have her blessing, and will prosper again."


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Earlier...

Kitarlo smiles warmly at the kitsune monk, returning the bow in kind. "'Calm Hinagiku', is it? A pleasure. And it's no trouble to myself at all. Well, other than having to deal with the ways of archons for possibly a few years. But I'll have fascinating company, yes?" He grins at Valais.

Now...

The kellids are outraged.

"Paganiaid! Rydych yn siarad gelwydd!"

"Laktharis yw ein gwir dduw, yr wyf yn clywed ei lais fy hun!"

Hallit:

"Heathens! You speak lies!"

"Laktharis is our true god, I heard his voice for myself!"

Houna intervenes. "Maent yn siarad y gwir. oedd byth yn Laktharis duw, fe ddim ond yn manteisio ar ein hynafiaid. Roedd yn llygru Mam ruddin," She gestures towards Ehren's staff. "A gadael ei yma i wywo a bydru. Nid oes dim ar ôl i ni yma."

Hallit:

"They speak the truth. Laktharis was never a god, he merely took advantage of our ancestors. He corrupted Mother Heartwood, and left her here to wither and rot. There is nothing left for us here."

Her clansmen mutter amongst themselves, until finally an aged Kellid man steps forward in front of Ehren. "Byddwn yn dilyn Mam Ruddin. Hi yw ein duwies, a byddwn yn dilyn hi i mewn i'r Abyss os bydd angen."

Hallit:

"We will follow Mother Heartwood. She is our goddess, and we will follow her into the Abyss if need be."

Shyael whispers a basic translation - "Isilme and Xanderghul told them that Laktharis was a demon, and Houna backed them up. Now they're saying that because there is nothing left for them here, they wish to follow the Heartwood tree."


Grippli Arcane Trickster | hp 104 / 104 (healthy), AC 23, touch 19, ff 16, CMD 23 | Fort +9, Ref +9, Will +12 (+2 vs. confusion, insanity) | Init +9, Perc +15, darkvision 60ft, (mythic power 9/9)

Xanderghul raises an eyebrow and looks at Shyael. "Does that mean... they're gonna follow Ehren around? Assuming he keeps the staff."


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 shifts uncomfortably, as though just now realizing that he was literally holding this clan's god in his very hands. All things considered, it was a thoroughly awkward situation.

For a moment he considers conferring with the staff for guidance on the matter, but instead he simply holds it out for all of Houna's clansmen to see.

"Mae gan Mam ruddin daith fawr o'i blaen. Byddaf yn dod o hyd i ffordd i lanhau hi o staen hwn, fel y gall hi ddod â'r gwyrdd sy'n gelwydd addo Laktharis chi. Yr wyf yn tyngu hyn."

Hallit:
"Mother Heartwood has a great journey ahead of her. I will find a way to cleanse her of this taint, so that she can bring you the green that Laktharis falsely promised. I swear this."


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

The old man pauses to consider Ehren's words, then breaks into a smile. "Yn dda iawn, derwydd. Rydym yn disgwyl am eich ffurflen dreth."

Hallit:
"Very well, druid. We will eagerly await your return."

Shyael turns to Xanderghul. "I... don't think so. I think Ehren convinced them not to."

The kellids begin to pack up their things, preparing to leave the Worldwound for the safer hunting grounds in Mendev. The elven paladin turns to the heroes. "I still have a ways to go - I must head west along the Ustalav border, looking for suitable sites for the crusaders to reclaim. It's been an honor to fight by your side. Put in a good word with Commander Mazrarad for me, hmm?"

Kitarlo smiles. "It's been a pleasure to meet you, crusader Shyael." He also turns to address the heroes. "So, should we be off? Forgive me - I'm anxious to get moving, and you mortals move so slow."

Anything left to do or say here? Once two are ready, we'll start heading back to Nerosyan.


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

"Good luck," Val says to the scout. "Let's hope that this place is the most excitement you have for the rest of your trip." She's shoulders her pack and gets ready to go.


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'm ready to go," Ehren says with a nod, rolling his shoulder around. "I'm eager to get back to Nerosyan; I think we're due for another appointment with Sosiel."


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Shyael salutes the group. "Good luck to you as well!'

Shyael parts ways with the rest, though the kellids elect to stick with the heroes as they traverse back across the Worldwound proper.

28 Rova - 3 Lamashan 4713

The trek back across the Worldwound is fairly long and monotonous - they bump into a small group of brimoraks on the third day who attempt to harangue them with insults and thrown flames from a distance, and on the sixth day they bump into a cowardly group of dretches who turn tail and run rather than mess with such a large group of humanoids.

Now that Isilme no longer needs to eat nor drink with her new ioun stone, the 21 pounds of rations are more than enough to last the group the remainder of the way - they have 4 lbs of rations remaining at the end of the trip. Ehren provides water for all but the sixth day - Ary is able to take over on that day with her plethora of waterskins.

Ehren Survival Check #1 (neg level): 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 14 - 1 = 27
Ehren Survival Check #2 (neg level): 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 14 - 1 = 20
Ehren Survival Check #3 (neg level): 1d20 + 14 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 14 - 1 = 17

GM things:

7d100 ⇒ (20, 66, 93, 97, 30, 88, 58) = 452
7d100 ⇒ (93, 57, 70, 80, 26, 17, 57) = 400
1d50 ⇒ 8

On the first night that they sit down for camp, Kitarlo moves over to sit next to Isilme, still wearing his human guise.

"So everyone is settling down for the night, and I must insist to learn what Lleuad a'r Sêr has been up to these past, oh? 80 years, if I remember the date of your last entry correctly." He grins, his face cast in flickering light from the campfire.

Xanderghul, if you wish to dispel the continual flame (which you actually identified for yourself on Valaria's stone, Isilme told you about the continual flame effect on her own, though you could have inferred the spell even with the failed roll) then roll for it.

4 Lamashan 4713

The kellids part ways with the heroes soon after crossing the Mendevian border. Houna thanks the heroes for their help in uncovering their clans' secrets, and wishes Ehren good luck with restoring Mother Heartwood to her previous state.

The heroes arrive back in Nerosyan late in the morning of the fourth of Lamashan. It is cold and snowy - a layer of white powder rests on the streets and buildings nearly two inches thick. They make their way back to the command center, where Commander Mazrarad and Valerys are waiting for them.

Commander Valerys immediately moves to Valais, inspecting her changed face with a smile. "You are looking better! How has this come to pass?"

Mazrarad doesn't smile - she never does - instead turning to address the heroes. "Indeed. I am more interested in hearing what progress Shyael has made in locating a suitable site for a new fortress. Report, soldiers."


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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

As they settle down to camp for their first night, Val glances over at Isilme. "Do you want to start? Or should I tell the story of the fall and you can pick it up when you come in?"

Will be working on a journal in a bit.


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Grippli Arcane Trickster | hp 104 / 104 (healthy), AC 23, touch 19, ff 16, CMD 23 | Fort +9, Ref +9, Will +12 (+2 vs. confusion, insanity) | Init +9, Perc +15, darkvision 60ft, (mythic power 9/9)

I just wasn't sure whether it was a separate spellcast or part of the enchantment. Sure, Xanderghul will try to dispel the continual flame once per day of the journey.

Lamashan 29,

Dispel Magic: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Dispel Magic (Eldritch Breach): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Lamashan 30,

Dispel Magic: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Dispel Magic (Eldritch Breach): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

After trying (and probably failing) the second day of their journey, Xanderghul will prepare and cast dispel magic again on Valaria's ioun stone in an attempt to remove the effect that makes it light up, instead making it merely a shiny gem orbiting around her head. Much less conspicuous. Yes, very sneaky. Such stealth. Wow.

When Kitarlo asks for the tale, well, Xanderghul has very little to say about the matter. The story he is asking for is one that Xanderghul has little to no actual knowledge of. So, he remains silent, and he keeps watch while the storytellers tell their stories.


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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)

Earlier:
Ary stands, lips pursed, as everyone speaks in the language that she doesn't at all understand. Worse, the gravity of the words was clear from emotional investment. Ridiculously annoying. She had intended to learn Hallit, so that she could converse with the Sarkorians, but it was becoming clear that it was becoming more of a requirement to do her job.

As things begin to wind down, and before Shyael has a chance to leave, Ary stops her. "There's still the matter of refurbishing the temple. As Isilme said, it's a sturdy structure and there are plenty of materials to reinforce it. Clearly, however, it belongs to these people and their ancestors. While we intend to use it to help reclaim their lands, we don't exactly have the right to simply take it from them."

"Also... due to the current state of the Templars within the Crusades, I'm likely to fail to mention that the staff that Ehren now carries is such a potent tool for the restoration of the Worldwound. Can I rely on you to also keep this Sarkorian secret in the dark?

Story Time:
Ary looks distinctly uncomfortable when the Raelis admits to having read Isilme's private thoughts that she'd tucked away inside of her journal. She makes no mention of the book inside of her bag for this very reason... though she does slide it away from the Azata.

Ary nods to the dwarven woman, providing a small salute. "The trip was a long one - we only just had enough food for the trek, but when we arrived, we discovered the temple being renovated by the Sarkorian peoples whose ancestors once worshiped there. Shyael was there and greeted us, which aided us greatly in reaching the temple at all.

"We pressed forward to the entryway itself, a massive door covered in strange runes and markings - the others surmised that perhaps we needed to place Laktharis over the abyssal lords... but it turned out to actually be a rather large abyssal mimic. Luckily, no one wound up too injured, so we were able to use some of our curatives to continue onwards.

"The entryway had a statue dedicated to Laktharis - who turned out to be a Kalavakus, as well as several writings, with two paths. There were several very literal messages, that detailed what sorts of traps to expect, and several rooms with treasures and traps as well. The left-side direction still has a functioning symbol meant to make suggestions - we didn't interact with it.

"The temple has an inner chamber, as well as several side chambers, one of which has a great deal of masonry, which may enable us to fortify it, in the event the owners allow us to do so. The central doorway is trapped with a blade trap, while the door itself is unlocked by Ioun stones - I would suggest removing the door, personally. Maybe shoving it in a museum. Depends on above, she wouldn't suggest it if they didn't give the okay!

"Of particular note, the Kalavakus - who seemed to be fully a demon - also bore signs of Jorsal's tampering. Parts of his body had been exchanged for Glabrezu parts, he had taken a Raelis's arm, and through their shared connection, he was apparently able to push Valais to attack us.

"He turned out to be even less dangerous than his pet that was the front door, though, and we were able to contain him, thanks primarily to Isilme's magics and Shyael's divine grace. She was actually paramount in our success, not only diplomatically, but also in her skill at arms. It ultimately felt as though we were just there to escort her past the traps." Ary adds with a small smirk. "When Laktharis was defeated, Valais was freed from the grafted body parts. It would seem that Jorsal needs for the demons to remain alive in order to ensure that the body parts don't simply vanish back to the abyss."

"The trip, otherwise, was thankfully not very eventful, both the trip there and back only resulting in minor skirmishes with the demonic host."


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Earlier, back at the Temple of Laktharis

Shyael raises an eyebrow and hesitates for a moment, then nods. "...Alright, Captain Bishop." She shrugs. "Better to keep it in a Sarkorian's hands anyway, yeah? The kellids wouldn't like it if they knew the crusades seized control of it, and civil war is the last thing we need right now."

She turns to the Houna. "Byddai hyn yn deml yn gwneud sylfaen dda ar gyfer y Croesgadau yn ein hymdrechion i adennill eich tiroedd oddi wrth y cythreuliaid. A fyddai hynny'n iawn gyda chi a'ch clan?"

Hallit:
"This temple would make a good base for the Crusades in our attempts to reclaim your lands from the demons. Would that be alright with you and your clan?"

Houna consults quickly with the clan's elder before returning. "Mae hyn yn deml oes unrhyw gartref o ni. Mae'n ddrwg, ac rydym am ddim i'w wneud ag ef."

Hallit:
"This temple is no home of ours. It is evil, and we want nothing to do with it."

Shyael nods, translating for Ary's sake - "They say they plan to abandon the temple anyway - it is evil and they do not plan on staying here."

--------
Now...

Valais nods, agreeing with Ary's report. "Yes, Commander. I can no longer hear the kalvakus inside my mind. In addition, we met this man - he is a celestial azata named Kitarlo." Kitarlo smiles and bows. "He has offered to take me to Heaven to seek help in healing the rest of my body with the help of the archons."

Commander Valerys smiles warmly. "I'm happy to hear that your mind is clearer, Valais. You certainly seem happier than I've ever seen you since your group recovered her from Jorsla's laboratory. Thank you, Kitarlo. You've given her real hope, something she has lacked recently. Thank you."

Kitarlo feigns embarassment. "Ah, it's nothing, really. I'm glad to help." He extends a hand to Valais. "So. Shall we be off?" Valais nods and grips his hand with her human one.

Valais smiles at the group. "Thank you, friends. For everything you've done for me."

Kitarlo reaches into his pack and pulls out a golden tuning fork. "Thanks for the stories!" he chirps, before he and Valais simply vanish in a flash of light.

Commander Mazrarad bridges her fingers together, looking bemused. "Congratulations on making contact with such a powerful celestial ally. Kitarlo's plan to gain Heaven's aid could work... but archons often have larger concerns than a single mortal soul. Azatas have good intentions, but they are not always reliable. I would hate to get Valais' hopes up..."

Commander Valerys shakes her head, eager to lighten the mood. "Ah, but now is not the time to fret about the risks in Valais' future. Now is the time to celebrate the fact that she has a way forward, and that the Worldwound has lost a powerful demon that was tricking and exploiting innocent Sarkorians. We even have a promising site to build a new base! Thank you. If you have nothing left to report, you are dismissed. It sounds like you've earned yourself a nice long break." She presses a commendation into Ary's hand - it is worth 2,500 gp. "May the Dawnflower's light illuminate your path."

Valaria, now that Xanderghul has dispelled the continual flame, are you going to keep it equipped, or only when you designate?

Book keeping: Ary has 4 lbs of rations remaining. Xanderghul dispels continual flame from Valaria's dusty rose prism ioun stone. Ary gains a commendation worth 2,500 gp. Isilme gains her journal back.

I have letters to write for Ary and Isilme. I'll get to those... eventually. Probably tomorrow. But for now you're free to decide what you want to do for the rest of the evening - probably collapse into a soft bed.


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 believe I'll keep it equipped now that it doesn't make me shine like a beacon. Extra AC is useful. Working on other stuff. Might not have a journal until late tonight or tomorrow.


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

During the journey back...
When he's not busy sorting through rations, Ehren spends each night consulting the charwood staff. The fact alone that she was a relic of a time before the Worldwound seemed to utterly fascinate him. There were so many things that he wanted to learn about, but not knowing whether the living goddess had any concept of impatience, he takes care not to assail her with too many questions. He asks Mother Heartwood if she remembers how she came into being, as well as about the druid that once held her - the one they had unknowingly avenged by destroying Laktharis.

Now
Ehren blinks, almost missing what seemed to be the entirety of Kitarlo and Valais' journey in the process. For some reason, he had expected one's entry to a place like Heaven to be more... dramatic. After the fact, he smiles to himself and shakes his head, wishing the best for their friend.

"So... how should we pass the time before our next..." The druid pauses to glance at Valaria with a grimace. "...suicide mission?"


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

During the journey...

Ehren:
Mother Heartwood is patient and kind to the druid's questioning, and is happy to share stories of her life as a young sapling in the Stonewilds, a few milennia ago. She says that she was originally an ordinary tree there, until one day an Archdruid came and enchanted her into becoming what she is today. She has spent her whole life travelling throughout ancient Sarkoris, bringing prosperity to a variety of tribes, and gaining their veneration in the process.

Now..

As the heroes return to The Hunting Vrock to rest and relax for the evening, a young female squire with a face full of freckles rushes over to the group, nearly bowling herself over in her eagerness.

"C-captain Bishop, ma'am! I have a letter for you!"

Letter for Ary:

Ary Bishop,

It is good to hear from you again, though you needn't worry about delays in correspondence. I imagine they keep you soldiers very busy now that we are in a new Crusade. I am pleased that you think of me and keep me updated with your goings on. I am glad that you managed to recover from your encounter with the hezrou demons. They are foul creatures, though I personally think that babau are the worst of demonkind.

I did speak of your last letter with Chevalier Tirablade. She sends her best wishes your way.

As for Kenabres, the reconstruction efforts are going well. Crusader Queen Galfrey visited the city personally just two weeks ago, and though I did not gain a private audience with her, I understand that she met with Chevalier Tirablade and asked many questions about you and your group.

I have managed to hire many new members to my staff, though Ethan and his father, Ruric, are wonderful, hard-workers. I thank you for recommending them to me. Good help is so hard to come by these days in Kenabres.

Wishing you well,

Lord Horgus Gwerm

Only a few moments later the heroes spot a familiar face - Fenna, a 16-year old girl in purple and blue furred robes with fiery red hair, accompanied by Aravashnial, a blind white-haired elf in an identical uniform. Fenna waves to the heroes, immediately identifying Isilme and Valaria in the crowd.

"Guys! You guys! You're here! Master Aravashnial, they're here!" She grins.

Master Aravashnial sits upright with a start, the hints of a smile on his lips. "Are they, now? It's about time."

Once the group arrives, she embraces each hero (that she knows) in turn with a hug. She finishes with Ary. "Ary! You do look really different. We heard something happened."

She smiles politely at Xanderghul and Hinagiku. "Hello! I don't think we've met. My name is Fenna, and this is my teacher, Aravashnial."


Buffs | Char. Sheet |

On their way to Nerosyan
Hinagiku felt this strange connection to Mother Heartwood ever since she had seen the corruption emanating from within the temple. So, she spent an important portion of her downtime during the trip to Nerosyan trying to speak with Ehren about it, though the dangers of the Worldwound, the kellids’ interactions with the druid and his tendency to often commune with the tree keep her from striking a fruitful conversation. All she had time to do was congratulate the young man on speaking to the kellids, and taking on the quest for finding a cure for its corruption. She had to say, the young druid had a noble heart.

The rest of the time, Hinagiku spends it guarding the camp, and with Valais and Kitarlo. Though kind, she found the realis immature, but she knew he would not change and did not try to teach him anything. However, she did try to prepare Valais for time spend with the celestial, trying to give her hints on how to stay strong, focused, but not obsessed.

When they separate from Shyael, Houna, and the kellid clan, Hinagiku politely salutes them, but reserves special thanks to the follower of Erastil, as Ary would soon say, she truly had shone in the fight against Laktharis.

I am guessing that the staff is actually what Hinagiku felt was corrupted, seems the most likely thing

At the command center with Mazrarad and Valerys
Hinagiku barely has time to salute Valais before she is gone with Kitarlo. Gently smiling inwardly she ascribes it to the nature of Raelis’. She wished Valais success.

Otherwise, Hinagiku stays silent and in the background during the meeting. She only speaks at its end, when Ehren speaks again of suicide missions.
”Dangerous but heroic feats.” she lets escape, a crooked smile on her lips. She lets it fade slowly, starting to acknowledge her kitsune nature.

At the hunting Vrock
Hinagiku slightly bows to salute Fenna,introduces herself, and voices a salutation to Aravashnial before stepping away and watching Isilme’s reaction to Aravashnial presence, she hoped to see joy on her companion’s face. She turns back to Fenna:

”Miss Fenna, what has brought the two of you here? Is everything well in Kenabres?”


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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

17 Rova - 4 Lamashan:
17 Rova - 27 Rova

We’ve been travelling through the Worldwound for a while now. We’ve actually managed to get a mission into the Worldwound that’s not suicidal. It’s amazing what happens when we’re not being led around by the nose by a traitor. I’m still not completely sold on Jorsal’s guilt, but we’re certainly safer not under his command. Anyway, we’ve been asked to simply find a crusader scout who’s been looking for places that the crusades could reclaim as bases along the southern edge of the Worldwound. I suppose with the Wardstone field down, the crusaders now need to garrison the southern border to keep the demons from moving south toward Ustalav instead of attacking the stronger garrisons in Mendev itself. I can’t fault them for trying to push the demons to hit them instead of running off to ravage other parts of the world, but it does mean there’s likely to be an increase in fighting. Things are going to get worse from here on.

But that’s just the official part of our mission. Unofficially, we’re here to help Valais, the Pathfinder that Sir Jorsal was operating on and had fused demon bits with. She’s been having dreams about some ancient Sarkorian god named Laktharis who supposedly lived in this area. If Ehren knows what he’s talking about, Margin: And if anyone knows old Sarkoris, it’s him then he was one of the old Sarkorian demigods that lived in the region before the Worldwound opened. I’m the last person who will discount a dream from a god, so maybe this is a sign that we can help restore her to normal. While having the essence of the Abyss infused with your soul is hardly the end of the world, Margin: And if anyone knows that, it’s me I get that having those surgeries forced on her is a bit different than my circumstances. I just hope that she knows that if this doesn’t work out, it doesn’t change who she is. We’re almost there, so we’ll see…

27 Rova - 4 Lamashan 4713

I hate the Worldwound. I hate religious zealots. I really hate demons. Well, except the Horror. He’s annoying, but useful. Hate demons. I should back-up and explain myself. We reached the temple of this Laktharis and found both our crusader scout, an elf woman named Shyael, and some local Sarkorians who were also called to the temple to help restore it. For a few minutes, this actually sounded hopeful. Perhaps the god was coming back. Then we managed to get inside after discovering that the front door was a mimic. Truly that was a a wonderful start to this fine mess. Margin: Have I mentioned how much I hate the Worldwound?

Then we walked inside and learned that things were very, very wrong. First and foremost, the carvings of the ‘god’ on the wall were clearly of a kalavakus demon, also known as slavery demon. That was the first of several rather obvious signs that this was going to go very wrong. Well, that and the creepy demonic fungus, plant, flesh pod things growing on the walls. The next obvious sign was the huge statue of a kalavakus demon with a saying at the bottom that could be summarized pretty accurately as ‘serve me and don’t think too much’. Which sounds about right for a demon. Unfortunately, the Sarkorian woman who was with us, Houna, refused to actually believe that. She was convinced by whatever ruse the demon used to get people to follow him in the first place that he was actually a god. Something to do with being born from a tree called the Mother Heartwood or something like that. The tree seemed to be much closer to an actual god and the demon somehow managed to force it to do what he wanted.

Exploring the temple was a maze of traps, but luckily it was pretty much uninhabited. We found some ioun stones, which was interesting, and more of his whole ‘obey’ sayings, which just p*ssed me off more. Finally, we managed to get in to the inner sanctum to find the tree. And a critically wounded Raelis Azata. I have no idea how he got there, but I can’t really complain about a friendly face. Hopefully. If he turns out to be corrupted later, I’m going to be ticked off. Anyway, he’d managed to get a circle against evil around the tree, or some barrier that only good creatures can cross at least. It seemed to have been keeping out the demon, because he wanted some kind of staff thing from the Heartwood tree. Ehren called out the staff that I think is part of controlling the tree and the demon decided that it was time to attack. He managed to exert some control over Valais by connecting to the kalavakus parts on her. It seems that they actually came from him, because he was as stitched together as Valais was. It seems that Jorsal has been very ambitious with his experiments, forcibly transforming demons as well as humans. We actually killed him fairly easily. I guess that without his control over the tree, Laktharis wasn’t all that strong.

And better yet, Valais’s kalavakus parts kind of evaporated, returning her back to normal, at least partially. It seems that if we manage to kill all of the demons that the parts attached to her are from, we should be able to completely restore her. Which is good to know, but not immediately helpful since we have no idea where these demons might be. Still, the azata seemed interested in what was happening and even offered to put in a word with some archons that might be able to find a cure for Valais. So that was nice of him. He also agreed to accompany us back to Nerosyan. We had a few minor encounters with demons on the way back, but none of them were really all that powerful. We had a couple of brimoraks that we had to deal with, but that was the worst of it. We spent a surprising amount of time just resting and sharing stories. Overall a less deadly than usual trip in to the Worldwound.


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WRONG ALIAS

28 Rova - 3 Lamashan 4713

Isilme sits down that evening with Kitarlo, enjoying the opportunity to converse with one of her own kind. "It has been eighty years, yes," she begins, thinking back. "Around then Elan--whom you should be familiar with from the journal--and I attempted to tangle with Minagho." Isilme lets that hang in the air for a few moments before continuing, "I know, it sounds... no... it was crazy. She was in the middle of sacrificing a baby in front of it's mother, and I thought I would be able to snatch the baby and teleport away to save it. Instead, she was able to spot me without any issue and managed to capture me." She sighs as she thinks back, finding that the memory of the incident was still tough to work through. Still, she knew it was a story worth sharing, especially with one of her own kind.

"What followed was Minagho offering to spare the child if the woman used the wish she granted her to get rid of me." Isilme pauses again, looking pained as she describes the incident. "Thankfully Elan had a ring with a wish left in it, and was able to use it to counteract the other. The drawback was that the wish was unable to recreate my body, which by that point had almost vanished entirely. Instead, I was bound within Elan's sword essentially permanently."

After a minute, she continues again "Or I would have been, were it not for the fact that Elan's daughter Li'an managed to get herself captured by cultists, which resulted in Elan being killed, and required me to use the remaining power I had left to save her. After doing so, I was lost within the blade until just shortly after the attack on Kenabres. When the others here attempted to reincarnate Li'an after she was killed, the ritual somehow restored me to her body, hence my elven appearance."

"I'm sure you've already sensed the journal in my pack," she says, pointing to it. "A good bit of our journey is contained within it, please feel free to read it. It also contains some entries from Li'an's time as well."

"As an aside, I miss being able to sense and pore over the contents of written materials as we normally can. Reading through books as mortals do, while still rewarding, is exceedingly tedious."

"Please share what happened before my arrival, Val, and if you'd like to fill in what's happened up until now, I'm sure Kitarlo would love to hear all the details," she says.

She spends the rest of the evening talking with Kitarlo and Val, going over stories, including the Tale of Ghalcor and the tales she told in Nerosyan before their departure for here.

4 Lamashan 4713

When they report to Commanders Valerys and Mazrarad, Isilme listens as Ary speaks. When she finishes, Isilme adds, "The Sarkorians were quite helpful, and have agreed to give up the temple complex to the crusades since it was tainted by the demon. As Ary said, it should make for an excellent forward base for the crusades. Please keep the Sarkorians in mind when you make use of it however, it is their land, even if they are giving it up. Recognizing that sacrifice would go a long way towards improving relations between the Sarkorians and the Crusade."

When Kitarlo excuses himself and Valais, Isilme waves at him, and isn't at all surprised when the two of them vanish entirely. "Ahh to be able to teleport again would be wonderful," she thinks aloud, looking at where he'd been standing only a moment ago.

Later with Aravashnial

Isilme spots Fenna and waves at her. "Aravashnial is here?" she asks, not hiding her excitement at all. Catching sight of Aravashnial, she runs over and gives him a hug, catching him off-guard. "Ai'sintar! Sut naa lle? amin valina tanya lle karne ta sinome! nae lle trip varna?" she says, smiling brightly as she gives him a peck on the cheek. "lye auta yulna-aya ar' atsaa de!"

Elvish:

"how are you? I am happy that you made it here! was your trip safe?"
"We should go drink and catch up!"


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Xanderghul:

It is worth mentioning that as an arcane scholar and crusader himself,
Xanderghul would be aware of who the rift wardens are and would recognize their uniform. While the rift wardens are secretive and unknown by the General mendevian population, they are in regular contact with crusader leadership, especially arcanists within the crusades. They are generally open with their information, some of it they naturally keep close to their chest, but overall the crusades and rift wardens formed a mutually beneficial relationship.

The rift wardens were certainly interested in meeting Xanderghul, who literally came to the material plane through a rift. They would have been fairly exhaustive in their questioning, however, when Xanderghul came to join the crusades, aravashnial would have not been a rift warden yet. He joined a few years later.

Whether or not Xanderghul has met with aravashnial specifically is up to you. If he has, he would have remembered him as a rather quiet fellow - being the newest rift warden member, he would be apt to let other members do most of the talking in group situations. This is a sharp contrast with how haughty he tends to be when he's around people he considers less experienced than him (such as the pcs at the beginning of the campaign)

Assuming Xanderghul was forthright about being a shabti, aravashnial would be fairly respectful of him, as he tends to be around beings that are older than him.


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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

28 Rova

Val is silent through Isilme's story. It never gets easier for her to imagine what it must have been like, to feel herself fading away to nothingness. "I'll give it my best shot. I apologize if it's not quite as dramatic as my telling of the battle of the Grey Garrison, but I'm a bit too sober to write something like that right now."

She sits back and takes a deep breath, considering the best place to start. "I guess it begins, like many tales, with a party. Not just any party, of course, but the great festival of Armasse in the city of Kenabres. None of us had met before that day, save I believe Li'an and Ary. I was but a humble pilgrim seeking knowledge to overcome demons, Ehren was in town for... something to do with the wardstone I believe, you'll have to ask him. Li'an and Ary were of course members of the crusades. And there were two others who have gone to seek their destinies in their own ways, Sir Hrut and Markus of Ustalav. Unfortunately, we had little time to enjoy the festivities. No sooner had the prelate begun the ceremonies to begin the festival, we heard the most dreadful sound. The sky burned like a second sun had risen and the air roared with a tremendous explosion. And just like that the wardstone was gone and the Stormking himself rose from the flaming wreckage of the fortress to do battle with his age old foe, Terendelev. We desperately fought back, trying to fend off the incoming horde, but to little avail. Finally, the earth seemed to open up and swallow us whole, dropping our number and several who have become something of friends, or at least tolerated acquaintances."

She stops for a moment, carefully reconstructing the scene in her head. "We found ourselves trapped within Kenabres's underground, only alive by the will of Terendelev, who used her last breath to spare our lives. The journey out was hard and filled with beasts and dangers, but also with new allies, for we discovered the lost descendants of the first crusaders deep below the city. Though their physical forms are twisted by the Abyss, their hearts are still kind. Their help was instrumental in escaping the underground, though we quickly found ourselves in combat with cultists of Baphomet who had infested the city."

"Thankfully, the city still clung to life when we reached the surface, though only just. It was a... difficult task to cross the ruins to find allies and shelter. We did our best to protect any innocents we might have found but... it cost us. Li'an was killed attempting to rescue a child from cultists when she fell. But thankfully we managed to reach safety. Soon afterward we learned of the plans for the wardstone from the records of some cultists that we assaulted and well... since you know the nicknames, then I don't doubt that you've heard my story of the Grey Garrison. It's remarkably accurate, it a bit over the top. I'm a terrible drunk..."

She coughs and quickly drops the subject. "Anyway. After that incident was cleared up, we've been spending most of our time dealing with messes around the Worldwound border. Attempting to retrieve a Sarkorian prophecy, which was stolen by a cultists, clearing our names after a different cultist framed one of us for murder, recovering valuable research and a super weapon from an abandoned crusader research lab. That sort of thing."

Now

Val playful grins. "Now you're catching on," she says, entirely too cheerfully. "The life of a hero is never done. That why I tried to avoid it before now!"

She happily hugs Fenna back and grins wider. "Fenna! Avi! I didn't expect to see either of you here. I hope things have been going well for you two." She glances at Isilme and grins. "And I bet you're happy to see Avi again, hmmm?" she says to the celestial.


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

Hinagiku:
While Ehren is not above selfishly hoarding druidic secrets, he is more than happy to share Mother Heartwood's story with Hinagiku. He elaborates on what he said back at the temple, mentioning that an Archdruid was responsible for creating her, and that only an Archdruid had the knowledge of how to purify her. Despite this, he does not seem terribly discouraged; in fact, he seems rather confident that he will be able to find a way.

Given that they had little else to do while walking (when demons weren't attacking, at least), Ehren also tries to solicit more of the monk's time, hoping to continue his lessons on the Abyssal language. The abundance of runes in Laktharis' temple had reminded him that he still had much to learn.

"Fenna. Aravashnial. It's been too long," he says, giving a the former a quick hug while regarding the (blind) wizard with a somewhat pointless nod. Concurring with Hinagiku's questions, he adds, "To be honest, I expected it to be longer. All is well, I hope."

Overhearing Fenna's remark to Ary, it occurs to Ehren that since his reincarnation, he had not actually bothered to look at his own reflection. He had simply taken for granted the fact that unlike Ary and Hinagiku, he was still human. Of course, Aravashnial had never seen what he looked like to begin with.


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

26 Rova

Kitarlo listens eagerly to Isilme and Valaria’s tale. He’s a good one-man audience – he gasps at all the right places and cheers to hear of their victories. After Valaria finishes, he gestures to Valais.

”What about that one? How did she come to be? A pathfinder with the parts of a Sarkorian ‘god’.” He mimics quotation marks with his fingers.

Now..

Aravashnial goes rigid when Isilme embraces him – his blindness meant he was completely unprepared for the sudden contact, and he simply doesn’t know how to react to such a display of affection. He exhales slowly when she lets go – his face breaking back into a smile. ” Ta naa quel a' elea lle vee' eithel, Isilme. Lye fon nae varna. Ta naa quel a' elea lle entula tuulo' i' Worldwound e' er bado.”

Elven:
”It is good to see you too, Isilme. Our trip went well. I am glad you’ve returned from your trip into the Worldwound safely.”

He then answers Hinagiku. ”Everything is going well in Kenabres – the reconstruction efforts are well under way, and there hasn’t been a sight of a demon nor cultist since the events at the Grey Garrison. As for ourselves, we came here because Isilme asked me to come to Nerosyan to see her.” He frowns. ”That was almost two weeks ago. We’ve been waiting ever since.”

”Ah, it’s been no bother, really!” Fenna grins. ”I’ve never been to Nerosyan before, it’s good to explore the city. Everything is so big here, and so busy!”

Not trying to rush y'all out of RP or anything, but once 3 people are ready to go to sleep, we're moving on to the next day.


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

On the road

"A Pathfinder named Jorsal seems to have been a traitor. He was doing experiments with surgically implanting demon parts on people and even other demons, as you saw." She frowns. "The kalavakus had your arm attached to him didn't he? I'd bet that similar techniques were used to pull that off."

Nerosyan

"Ooooh, Isilme wanted to see you huh? So you rushed down here to wait for her to return." She grins. "I see how it is..."


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Grippli Arcane Trickster | hp 104 / 104 (healthy), AC 23, touch 19, ff 16, CMD 23 | Fort +9, Ref +9, Will +12 (+2 vs. confusion, insanity) | Init +9, Perc +15, darkvision 60ft, (mythic power 9/9)

At first, Xanderghul is happy for the opportunity to rest, and drink, and perhaps jibe with Isilme about the effectiveness of her magic songs. Then the little girl and the elf come up, and he's excited about meeting new friends socializing... and then his eyes fall on Aravashnial's Riftwarden outfit.

Concentrating briefly, Xanderghul uses his hat of disguise to summon a comically fake moustache, a pair of plastic glasses and a ridiculous purple hat onto his person. He adjusts his fake illusory glasses and walks over behind Valaria, trying to hide behind her.

"So, what's with the Riftwarden and Isilme?" he asks, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as somebody wearing a two-foot purple hat can. "You seem to be on your teasing game today."

GM:
I'm gonna say it's easier if Aravashnial and Xanderghul don't know each other already.


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

"You see, Avi was good friends with Li'an's father and he knew Isilme back before she got trapped in Li'an's sword, but he thought she was dead for good until she somehow got stuck in Li'an's body." Val explains. "We just had our first mission in to the Worldwound that wasn't either an emergency where we had no prep time or a blatant suicide mission. And we succeeded pretty much exactly how we were intending to. I'm in a great mood today."


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

"How have the underfolk been faring?" Ehren asks, thinking back to the last time he met them. Given their special circumstances, he found it hard to take for granted that everything was going well. "I should hope that nobody has been giving them any trouble."


WRONG ALIAS

"That is true Val, we did remarkably well! This calls for a celebration! All the more reason to get some drinks!" Isilme says, taking Aravashnial by the arm, sitting down next to him and pointedly ignoring Val and Xanderghul's gossiping. "Pay no mind to Val's teasing, Ai'sintar. I apologize for keeping you waiting, we ended up having to help a pathfinder, Valais, we had rescued from Ser Jorsal's fiendish experiments. He managed to graft demonic parts to her permanently by some means. I can give you more details later, as your feedback on the ritual would be invaluable, I suspect we will run into demons that have been cobbled together like that again in the future. We met another Raelis while out there as well, Kitarlo! I have not seen another of my kind in a while now, although admittedly it was a fairly rare occurrence to begin with. Oddly enough he managed to find my journal from before Mossbrad!" She looks at Fenna and smiles, happy to see she is doing well as she chats with the others. Turning back to Aravashnial, she says "So how are the students doing? What have you been teaching them?"

Realizing she's monopolizing Aravashnial, she looks at the others, "Come on, everyone take a seat!" Looking again at Xanderghul's ridiculous outfit, she chuckles. "Oh, you aren't aware that Markus left us to spend time here in Nerosyan tending to the wounded! He decided to do so after the mess earlier. We have also picked up a new straggler, Xanderghul, he is apparently a Shabti of someone or another, and he occasionally manages to not rub everyone the wrong way. Xanderghul, this is Aravashnial, an old friend of mine who happened to get caught up in the mess in Kenabres along with everyone here."

Looking around, she spots the waitress and calls her over and orders a round of drinks for everyone.


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Grippli Arcane Trickster | hp 104 / 104 (healthy), AC 23, touch 19, ff 16, CMD 23 | Fort +9, Ref +9, Will +12 (+2 vs. confusion, insanity) | Init +9, Perc +15, darkvision 60ft, (mythic power 9/9)

Xanderghul comes out from behind Valaria when Isilme calls for him. "Finally!" he says, throwing his arms up and grinning. "Something we agree on - drinks!" He laughs, sits down, and offers a hand - the fake glasses, moustache and giant purple hat still up there. All illusory, of course.

He thinks of a joke related to massages and dismisses it because it's too stupid, instead opting to merely extend a hand towards Aravashnial. "Yes, I'm Xanderghul." When he sees that the elf isn't extending back, he says "Oh, uhm, I'm holding my hand out. For a handshake."


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Buffs | Char. Sheet |

On the road with Ehren:

Hinagiku is please to help Ehren with abyssal lessons. However, her teaching style is unorthodox to say the least. She seems to have more of an intuitive knowledge of the language rather than a factual one, so she simply speaks the language slowly followed by a translation, and hopes Ehren will pick it up.

”Water for me.” Hinagiku adds after Isilme’s order.
The kitsune sits and listens silently to Xanderghul and Valaria teasing Isilme. After a while, she seems to withdraw inwardly deep in thoughts. Hinagiku knew that she needed to show them. It needed to be done because if anyone found out, they might think she was an oni in disguise. And now was a good time, she had practiced it numerous time when she was alone and had gotten the hang of it. She about to tell them about it, when some of her kitsune heritage took over, so she decided to make it a surprise. So, she did it: Hinagiku relaxed and visualized it, letting it change slowly. She does not hide it, but does not advertise it either. Once done, she looks at the others before speaking:
”Forgive me everyone, but here is the other new me… I thought it might be important for you all to know.” she says, her voice slightly deeper than before and much more pleasing.

When the others turn, they can see that instead of a kitsune, a tian-min woman is sitting with them. She looks nothing like the previous Hinagiku, who had modest looks. The new Hinagiku has hair of the darkest and silkiest brown, and braided all the way down to her hips. Her face is quite attractive and consists of smooth curves. Whereas the former Hinagiku looked emaciated, this one has slightly rounded cheeks and fuller lips. Similarly her nose is slightly smoother than the previous one. The most similar feature between her old and new self is here eyes. Though slightly larger than they used to be, they possess the same gentle kindness, a kind of peace that is imprinted in them. As for her body, it also underwent major changes compared to her first. It is shorter, around 3’ shorter and, like her face, rounder. While Hinagiku former body was lithe, muscular, and lean almost beyond imagination, almost androgynous, this one was more feminine, with larger hips and being well-endowed Anyone knows a more polliticallyy correct way of saying this?.

”So?” she simply asks.


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 laughs. "You're getting used to me," she giggles at Isilme's comment. "Alright, let's get some drinks and share stories. It's been too long since we've seen each other."

She looks over Hinagiku's new look. "Different, but nice. Approved!" She shoots her two thumbs up.

You've seen the description of Val's outfit right? It uses the words 'black leather corset'.


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)

Shyael:
"Thank you. Both in regards to the Heartwood, and the temple. It's really annoying keeping things like this from being known... but the last thing my group needs is a bunch of traitors and demons being fully aware that a possible solution to cleansing the wound is in one of my friend's care."

Ary smiles to the squire as she closes in, "Thank you very much." she adds as she starts to tear into the letter, before becoming distracted by the familiar voice.

"Yeah... a thing kinda happened. The dying and all that, but I got better." Ary responds with a grin to Fenna as she's hugged... then proceeds to muss her hair, because she's still taller.

"Mostly, anyway. I can't figure out how to get my ears to stop being so pointy, and the colors are all wrong." then she remembers herself and nods to the squire. "Thank you. Could you do me a favor, if you aren't too busy? We have a friend in the Songbird's Temple named Sosiel. If you'd let him know we've returned to the Hunting Vrock it would be a great deal of help." she starts to dig into her bag, but then frowns. "Sorry... we're a little low on spending money." she adds, as she doesn't have any actual coin.

"I'll actually be back in a few hours." Ary tacks on, as she begins to dig into the letter, not really looking up. Time spent with friends seemed like a good idea, but maybe it was best to wait until they were adequately inebriated, so they wouldn't try to egg her into drinking for hours. "I'm actually thinking of heading to one of the libraries... I've got a lot to catch up on. I keep finding that there are far too many things I don't know. Anyone's welcome to come with."

She then looks up from the letter in time to see Hinagiku's new form. She tilts her head slowly, "So... did your hair just braid itself? How exactly does all of this work..?" she asks, motioning to all of Hinagiku's form with her sword hand, not really knowing much at all about Kitsune.


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

Despite feeling slightly tired after their trek, Ehren seats himself at the table, happy for the chance to relax and catch up with the Riftwarden. When he hears the unfamiliar voice, he turns his head and is left staring at Hinagiku, giving her an odd look. A look not terribly far off from the one he had when he first saw her spirit at the Grey Garrison. His gaze lingers a little longer than intended, resulting in him averting it a little too quickly. He looks back to Aravashnial, refocusing on the conversation at hand.

So as to not be uncharacteristically rude however, he says without looking, "It suits you." Whatever he means by that.


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

The squire shakes her head. "Nonono, Captain Bishop. It's perfectly fine! I-I'm happy to help. I'll go find Sosiel right away, ma'am." She rushes off, nearly tripping over herself in her haste.

"The mong- ah, forgive me, I mean underfolk have settled outside the city walls, forming a small farming community there. Chevalier Tirablade has been consulting with their leader regularly, I believe, looking out for their well-being," Aravashnial answers Ehren.

At Xanderghul's prompt, he extends a hand and waits for the other wizard to grasp it, rather than feeling around blindly. Compared to the kellids they had been interacting with lately, his handshake is rather limp wristed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Xanderghul. 'The man who crawled out of the rift', yes? Fascinating."

He frowns as he listens to Isilme's account of Ser Jorsal's treachery. "Another Templar of the Ivory Labyrinth? I never would have suspected.... though you cant stitch demon parts onto a person. They'd simply disappear once the demon perished - the soul returned to the Abyss. That's not possible."

Fenna watches Hinagiku's sudden transformation with interest. "Oh? That's amazing! Is that... alter self? Right?"

What is Ary going to go research at the library? :)


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

"That's good," Val says as Avi fills them in. "I was a little worried that they wouldn't adapt to life on the surface well, but they sound like they're getting used to it. Hopefully they're getting on well with the rest of the people in Kenebres."

As he mentions Jorsal's work, she nods. "That's just it. He managed to get parts from a demon while they were still alive. He surgically pulls bits off and mixed them around without killing any of them. His lab was a nightmare."


Buffs | Char. Sheet | Percept +22 | Init +6| AC 28, Touch 27, FF 22 | CMD 30 | Fort + 16 Ref +17 Will +19, +2 death effects | Evasion (for all saves)

Hinagiku smiles to Valaria's reaction. Interestingly, though the smile is as gentle as her previous one, it appears less subtle, as if her facial traits increase it.

"My hair? I braided last time I was in this form. It seems to retain a kind of memory of what I lass did to it. However, it need to reattach its end every time I change form, the ribbon just falls off when I return into the vulpine shape." she says, taking out a small blue ribbon and tying the tip of the braid.

After leaving Ehren's comment tactfully unanswered, to avoid making him more uncomfortable, or reddish, Hinagiku finally answers Fenna:
"Thank you miss Fenna. However, I am not sure I understand... yes I did change shape... its one of kitsune's, fox people, ability. They... I mean we... posses two form, a human one, and a vulpine one."

"Ary, this is actually a good idea, I have been looking for books to read for some time now." she stand up from her seat and slightly bows to the people at the table. "Sorry to leave your company so early. I will try to be back to enjoy some more relaxing time with all of you." she says, directing her voice toward Avarashnial and Fenna.


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

"While still alive? That is... ghastly, indeed. The incredible depravity of the cultists never ceases to amaze me, even after all this time," Aravashnial replies.

Fenna nods at Hinagiku's explanation. "Oh.... okay! Well, you look very beautiful, besides."

She turns to Valaria. "Some of the people in Kenabres don't like having the Underfolk nearby - they say they're tainted by the Worldwound - but Chevalier Irabeth is keeping the peace."

Aravashnial nods. "Yes, things are much different with her than they were with Prelate Hulrun."

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