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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Female elf l.sorc 11|wiz//Rel Hero/Archmage 4 THP 0 HP 104/104 | Init +7 Percpt +21 | AC 32/25/27 CMD 22 CMB +5 | Fort +8 Ref +11 Will +13 (see defenses) MP 0/11 Chn 6/8
Spells:
Sorc (CL 11; cn +21) 1st 8/8 2nd 8/8 3rd 5/8 4th 7/8 5th 4/5 6th 2/3
Skills:
Acro +12 Appr +14 Bluff +16 C(Jewel) +24 DDev +21 K(Hist|Arc,Pln,Dng|Loc|Any) +27/+22/+16/+12 Ling +13 S Motive +26 Splcrft +22 Stealth +19 UMD +22

Li'an waves at Anevia as they reach the manor again. She gestures at Anevia, linking her with message and explains the situation. "We found both of them at Topaz Solutions. Unfortuntely things got messy and they're both dead now. Thankfully it didn't seem they had a chance to meet up with any other cultists. We can explain the rest when we get inside."

Exhausted from the ordeal they'd been through--Li'an certainly hadn't expected to be fighting demonic plants or trying to survive poisonous fumes--the sight she walked into was more than she could process. She burst out laughing at the sight of the fuscia warrior and all the kids clambering over him and Markus. "I guess we know who'll be staying behind to take care kids in the future," she said to Val, Ehren and Ary, snickering as she did.

"We're back, by the way. Hosilla and Uziel are..." she stopped herself and changed mid-sentence. "They won't be causing us any further trouble." Though the children might be aware, she felt better not openly troubling them with such details. "We also brought back a few things from Topaz Solutions, including a nice little music box that seems to help with the howler's curse. If anyone is still feeling the effects, you should talk to Ary."


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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)

"Found them both... but their Stargoat killed them." Ary shakes her head, sighing, to fill in just Anevia. "Met up with Ash Ravens and sent them north."

Once inside, and reunited with Anevia, she motions to the ladies, "They're both much better storytellers, so I think I'll leave it to them to explain. We did find quite a few neat baubles. I honestly think we might even get a smile out of Avi with them. How are you doing?" she asks as she enters and stops to watch the kids. "I leave you alone for a couple of hours and the kids take over completely." Ary fake-sighs... though she is quite near to exhaustion. "I wanted to talk to a lot of people. It can wait a bit, though."


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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 can't help breaking out in a fit of giggles at Hrut's appearance. "I'm surprised. Gloomy's actually pretty great with kids. Who would have thought?" She smiles and waves at the children hard at work on their spell casting, but can't keep her composure and keeps chuckling to herself. "I guess we missed some fun here."

"Topaz Solutions was a little bit of a mess, but at least we don't have to worry about those two hurting people anymore and we cleared one of the safehouses so we know the cultists aren't getting any more use out of it."


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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

Even Ehren cracks a smile upon seeing Hrut. A strange sound starts to escape him, but he quickly claps a hand over his mouth, as though to prevent something terrible from crawling out. Only when he manages to catch his breath does he lower his hand, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I take it that everything went well here," he says to change the subject, still unhappy with how things went. Hosilla and Uziel deserved their fates, but their deaths were still a waste. He glances at Hrut and Markus. "How did it go with the rats?"


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Stats:
HP 45/45, AC (22)20/11/21, Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +5(+2 and/or +2), Perception +8, Wound Treshold 0
Skills:
Bluff +4, Climb +8(+3/+1), Diplomacy +6, Handle Animal +4, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (history) +8, Knowledge (martial) +8, Knowledge (nobility) +8, Perception +8, Sense Motive +8, Survival +6, Swim +8(+3/+1)

Hrut laughs at the new color he has taken on,

If I can make them forget for a bit who cares!

"Well yeah I figured now that I am back in the city I would start trying to be fashionable again!" Hrut says as he spins one time looking at himself doing it.

"Yeah, the rats are dead, it was messy, that is all." Hrut is clearly uncomfortable with the topic and places his new hotness helm back on his head to hide.


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WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

The heroes have gone 24 hours without food, or sleep. They are all fatigued. Markus takes 1 point of nonlethal damage.

Markus Constitution: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (11) - 3 = 8
Nonlethal damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Valaria Constitution: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 - 2 = 20
Hrut Constitution: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 - 2 = 19
Ehren Constitution: 1d20 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 - 1 = 19
Ary Constitution: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Li'an Constitution: 1d20 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 - 1 = 13

Ehren's adrenaline effect wears off.


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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 opens her mouth, and is immediately interrupted by her stomach growling loud enough for the entire room to hear her. She breaks out laughing again, the exhaustion of the day sapping her already poor self-control. "Well, since you cleared the pantry out, let's raid it and find some food. I want to eat something that we didn't have to kill ourselves before bed."


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WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Fenna yawns, stretching out - watching as the rest of the children (except for poor Chiles - who is turning beet red with frustration) slowly manage to mend various pieces of torn clothing, paper, and other small baubles.

She grins at Valaria. "Waaaaaaaay ahead of you." At that moment the sweet smell of a freshly baked pie starts to waft through the halls. Belthis emerges from the eastern wing. "Dinner's ready!" he announces.

"Oh man! Food!" Ealden cheers.

"Is that pie?" Chiles' eyes light up - all the frustration from the repeated failed attempts at mending forgotten.

The group moves into Horgus' grand banquet hall, where Lord Gwerm himself is already seated at the head of the table, changed into a nice looking dinner jacket. He frowns at the heroes. "None of you are dressed appropriately for dinner! Shoo! This is a dining hall, not a warzone!"

The table itself is laid out with a number of dishes - from coriander and millet biscuits, to several platters of hard and soft cheeses, to a number of pies, pastries, and a heaping plate of stewed sausage. There is brandy and fine mead to drink, as well. And for dessert - three blueberry pies.


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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 sniffs the air and a smile splits her face. "Mmmm. Well, let's not stand around them."

Her mouth almost waters at the spread and her stomach growls again, a little more restrained. "Where exactly are we supposed to get more clothes? Unless you're offering to let us raid your closets too. Not that I'd mind I suppose."


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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 haven't had time to fix my clothing yet," says Markus, who still wears his blood-spattered overshirt and carries his torn jacked and vest. "I could take this off and show off my wounds, I suppose, but I think I need food and then rest as fast as I can get it."


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Female elf l.sorc 11|wiz//Rel Hero/Archmage 4 THP 0 HP 104/104 | Init +7 Percpt +21 | AC 32/25/27 CMD 22 CMB +5 | Fort +8 Ref +11 Will +13 (see defenses) MP 0/11 Chn 6/8
Spells:
Sorc (CL 11; cn +21) 1st 8/8 2nd 8/8 3rd 5/8 4th 7/8 5th 4/5 6th 2/3
Skills:
Acro +12 Appr +14 Bluff +16 C(Jewel) +24 DDev +21 K(Hist|Arc,Pln,Dng|Loc|Any) +27/+22/+16/+12 Ling +13 S Motive +26 Splcrft +22 Stealth +19 UMD +22

"This *is* a warzone," Li'an says in response. "We just got back from hunting down those cultists so this house would remain safe Horgus. The food on the table is the result of Markus and Hrut clearing the pantry of those rats as well. We're exhausted and starving, just let us eat, please."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 - 1 = 18


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WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Horgus grumbles. "At least clean yourselves! Comb your hair! Take off that ridiculous pink armor! Ary, why are you wandering around with six different swords?! You are all going to ruin my upholstery!"


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 wordlessly approaches the table and sits down, reaching for a place, silverware, and finally the food. He puts food on plates and hands a plate to each of the children before plating some food for himself, sitting down, and eating.


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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

At Horgus' remark, Ehren looks down at his new clothes with a frown. It had taken all of one day for it to be torn and splattered with blood. Ironically, his old outfit had fared far better. He regards the small feast hungrily, his curiosity piqued by dishes he had never even heard of before. However, he quickly exercises restraint and coughs into his hand slightly.

"Um. Actually, if none of you mind, I would like to bathe," he says, turning his eyes away from the food.


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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 just sighs. "Just try and save some for us. I'll make things quick. I don't suppose you have somewhere where you might keep outfits appropriate for dinner? And which way to the baths? I'll at least wash of the outer layer of grime."


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WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Horgus sniffs at Li'an's remark. "Indeed- and need I remind you that this is my food and my home and my beds- if you cannot behave as a guest, then you can sleep on the street. Or are you here to rob me like that horrible tiefling you brought into my manor?"

He gestures upstairs. "Ary drew baths a while ago. She is a model bodyguard, always anticipating my needs before I even realize them, and you could all do well to take a leaf out of her book. I do not own women's clothing. The clothing you got from these fine tailors here is sufficient. It is rude to come armed to dinner in someone's private residence."


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Stats:
HP 45/45, AC (22)20/11/21, Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +5(+2 and/or +2), Perception +8, Wound Treshold 0
Skills:
Bluff +4, Climb +8(+3/+1), Diplomacy +6, Handle Animal +4, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (history) +8, Knowledge (martial) +8, Knowledge (nobility) +8, Perception +8, Sense Motive +8, Survival +6, Swim +8(+3/+1)

Narrowing his eyes at Horgus,

"Fine."

Hrut goes up stairs and puts on his clothing that was given to him earlier that day, having already bathed he returns to the dining hall,

"Is this more appropriate Lord Gwerm?" Hrut asks not even bothering to hide his disdain for the man at this point.

Ugh! I am fed up with the pig of a person, he needs to serve some time on the front lines I think, give him some perspective.


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

"Sure." Val mutters, the only thing keeping her from snapping at the pompous jack*ss being her own exhaustion. "I'll be back shortly."

She wanders off, muttering under her breath slightly and makes her way to the baths. She doesn't bother to even get undressed, simply washing her face and getting her hair untangled. She does do her best to get and stains or marks off her clothing and leaves most of her gear, including her kinives, and her pack in the main hall near the stairs before returning to the table and beginning to pick out food without another word.


Female elf l.sorc 11|wiz//Rel Hero/Archmage 4 THP 0 HP 104/104 | Init +7 Percpt +21 | AC 32/25/27 CMD 22 CMB +5 | Fort +8 Ref +11 Will +13 (see defenses) MP 0/11 Chn 6/8
Spells:
Sorc (CL 11; cn +21) 1st 8/8 2nd 8/8 3rd 5/8 4th 7/8 5th 4/5 6th 2/3
Skills:
Acro +12 Appr +14 Bluff +16 C(Jewel) +24 DDev +21 K(Hist|Arc,Pln,Dng|Loc|Any) +27/+22/+16/+12 Ling +13 S Motive +26 Splcrft +22 Stealth +19 UMD +22

"Two hours of trekking across the ruins of Kenabres and we come back to this Lleuad," Li'an thought with a frown. Without another word, she spun around on her heel and left the room, heading out to grab her pack and find a place to rest for the night. She'd worry about bathing and updating her journal in the morning, but for now she wanted to sleep.

Instead of heading up to the bedrooms, she instead goes to the base of one of the watch towers. There she tosses her bag on the ground and strips out of her armor, setting it aside. Using her bedroll as a mat, she sits down, placing Lleuad close beside her. Her stomach rumbling, she thinks "I should at least eat something before I try to sleep" Opening her pack, she digs out one of her rations and scarfs it down quickly before leaning back against the wall and closing her eyes.


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 seems content to acquiesce to Horgus' demands, but for his own reasons. In a way, it was fortunate that the others were so reluctant. He had grown to greatly appreciate their companionship, but he also appreciated occasional solitude. While he was not particularly shy about his own body, the act of scrubbing away at least a week's worth of dirt, dust, and dead skin did call for a bit of privacy. It was not something he'd have done at Neattholm's hot springs, at any rate. He cleans himself methodically, paying special attention to his feet, the parts of his body most exposed to the elements.

Nearly an hour passes before he rejoins the others in the banquet hall, having cleaned off his clothing as much as he could. He sits down and eats quietly, feeling refreshed.


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Horgus seems appeased at the heroes' small measures - having regained a small semblance of normalcy in his life at last. "Belthis tells me my pantry is well-stocked! I intend to weather out this storm in my home. I'd like to thank you for finally escorting me here. I could have done with a few less road stops, but no use complaining about the past."

Aravashnial stiffens, as if he would like to argue, but knows better at this point. He decides to focus on his food.


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Female elf l.sorc 11|wiz//Rel Hero/Archmage 4 THP 0 HP 104/104 | Init +7 Percpt +21 | AC 32/25/27 CMD 22 CMB +5 | Fort +8 Ref +11 Will +13 (see defenses) MP 0/11 Chn 6/8
Spells:
Sorc (CL 11; cn +21) 1st 8/8 2nd 8/8 3rd 5/8 4th 7/8 5th 4/5 6th 2/3
Skills:
Acro +12 Appr +14 Bluff +16 C(Jewel) +24 DDev +21 K(Hist|Arc,Pln,Dng|Loc|Any) +27/+22/+16/+12 Ling +13 S Motive +26 Splcrft +22 Stealth +19 UMD +22

20th-21st of Arodus:

I’m less certain of the date now than I was before. It seems like a lifetime since we left Neathholm for Kenabres.

We came up to the surface in the middle of the night, welcomed by Desna’s stars. It was a relief to see the sky again, they were as beautiful as always and seemed completely unaware of what had transpired beneath them. I wish I could say the same for Kenabres. Though most of yesterday is a blur, between trekking to Blackwing, to Horgus’s place, and then to Topaz Solutions and back I’ve seen enough of the city to know it will bear these scars for a long time.

Despite the shock of seeing the city brought low, we were able to press onwards. Aravashnial was interested in checking the status of Blackwing Library, so we decided to head there first. We managed to save the Loumises from a pair of wrecker demons as we passed their shop. It was a rough fight, but thankfully with Ary baiting one of the demons out using Radiance, we were able to bring them down. Grateful for their rescue, Nira (and her husband to a lesser extent) offered to let us pick up anything we wanted from their store.

The clothes I got are already tattered and pierced, which is a shame. I should see if I can get Markus to mend them. The real find there, however, was the green dress. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen something that struck me so. If we find someplace safe that we can rest a few nights in, I might try it on. In the margin: Won’t she be surprised? I wonder if she’ll like it? Not here though, I refuse to take any more of this man’s “hospitality”. My conception of the nobles in this city was right to begin with, the world has ended and he’s fretting about getting holes in the upholstery.

My opinion of Horgus had improved significantly in our travels. He was willing to stand guard over the cultists we were taking with us, and even leapt into battle when Ary was wounded by the Howler. Yet somehow we get to his manor and everything we’ve been through vanishes. It’s like he’s completely forgotten what the world is like outside his front door. I digress…

We travelled to Blackwing from the Loumises’ shop. The library was mostly ruined, but somehow the main entrance of the building had survived. Inside were four tieflings and an ex-crusader, Chaleb along with the children who were being trained in the building. I remember Ary telling me what an ass he was, and now he was apparently intent on setting the children on fire to impress Baphomet. Looking back, what Val and I did was insane. The two of us strode in there with no backup--the rest of the group being better than a hundred feet away from the entrance--and somehow convinced them that we were cultists. I’m sure their libidos being aflame from seeing Val helped us immensely.

In order to seal the deal I had to come on to that man... I was detached somehow like that time long ago, like it wasn’t me in control again; I was trapped in the back of my mind, helpless. It worked exceedingly well, but the thought of it even now makes me feel physically ill. In the end we were able to separate them from the children, convincing the tieflings and Chaleb to fight the rest of the group while getting the kids to stay safe in the Library. In the end Chaleb fled, and all but one of the tieflings were slain. The remaining one surrendered, and after a heart-to-heart with Ary we decided to give him a chance to redeem himself. He’s--his name is Garil--a crude boor, but he also stood by Ary and fought when the time came, so I’m grateful for that.

In the margin: She was talking about some elf she’d “known” in Kyonin. I… got so angry! So unlike me. I’m not sure if she realizes...
The trip from there to Horgus’s led us by the park, and there we found the druid Crocris fighting a Howler demon. Those things are terrible, their howling cuts through your mind and slowly wears away at your sanity. Ary was still feeling the effects hours afterwards in fact. We had a close fight against the Howler, and in the meantime another of them attacked Ary, who had stayed with the rearguard. She wouldn’t admit it, but I think she came fairly close to dying in that fight. Somehow we managed to pull through without losing anyone though. After convincing Crocris to join us, we made it to Horgus’s place and set up camp here. In the confusion after our arrival, however, Hosilla and her tiefling accomplice managed to escape. Unwilling to risk them warning the other cultists, four of us headed out to track them down.

Between Terendelev’s scale and Ehren’s skill in tracking we managed to find them in Topaz Solutions, one of the cultist hideouts mentioned in the note. They hadn’t managed to find gear beyond a pair of longswords, and I was able to sneak up and eliminate Uziel right off bat, and knock out Hosilla as well before she could respond. Unfortunately it seems the altar down there was a trap of some sort. A voice… called out to us, and the room was plunged into darkness. In the darkness we fought a Mandragora, a terrible little plant creature. The room also apparently filled with some sort of noxious vapors, although I was able to fight off their effects for most of the fight. We won, somehow, though it was close. Val almost succumbed to the poison at the end, but I was able to revive her with one of her potions. In the margin: Note: She blushes too!

We made it back with a few things we took from the cultist’s hideout. Horgus demanded we clean up and dress appropriately to eat. I tried to reason with him, but when he argued I decided it wasn’t worth it. I’ll eat my rations and treat this as any other place we’ve had to stop on our journey. I refuse to be indebted in the slightest to that man.


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 looks confused at Horgus at first, then remembers that she's carrying -all of those things-. She doesn't even stay to hear that Garil has made a fool of himself.

She excuses herself upstairs immediately to put the swords away, get undressed, and get clean, in one quick sweep. She spends a bit too much time in the bath, getting clean, and changing into the new unmentionables while washing the old. She lays those out to dry

She gets as cleaned up as best she can before heading back down to round everyone up that wasn't already at the table... but finds everyone but Crocris already there; she'd see him after, perhaps.

"Thank you for feeding everyone tonight, Horgus." she says as she tucks herself in; she's not the picture of etiquette, but she's at least respectful of where she is. Even if she is falling asleep.

"We found a few things you might find neat while we were out, Avi. The others might think so as well." she excuses herself from the table after drinking and eating a bit, and brings the Marilith toy back from the main room, placing it in front of Aravashnial. "Be careful, parts of it may be sharp. I thought you might be able to use it in your lessons or something. Also, it's kind of pretty, and seems exceedingly well made." she says as she guides his hands (if he'll let her) up to the toy.

She then places the music box on the table. "We also found this." she say as she opens it up and allows the music to fill the room once more: Kids and Civilians all get a round of the pretty angel box.

She then returns to her food, before realizing she's missed someone. Her brow furrows in concern as she asks: "Where's Garil?"


Female elf l.sorc 11|wiz//Rel Hero/Archmage 4 THP 0 HP 104/104 | Init +7 Percpt +21 | AC 32/25/27 CMD 22 CMB +5 | Fort +8 Ref +11 Will +13 (see defenses) MP 0/11 Chn 6/8
Spells:
Sorc (CL 11; cn +21) 1st 8/8 2nd 8/8 3rd 5/8 4th 7/8 5th 4/5 6th 2/3
Skills:
Acro +12 Appr +14 Bluff +16 C(Jewel) +24 DDev +21 K(Hist|Arc,Pln,Dng|Loc|Any) +27/+22/+16/+12 Ling +13 S Motive +26 Splcrft +22 Stealth +19 UMD +22

Just adding: If someone wants to hunt down Li'an for RP feel free to interrupt her sleep, she just didn't react well to the absurdity of Horgus's demands. :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)

You also get off light with only 4 hours needed. Cheater. So they could probably find you while you're writing :p


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Aema's eyes light up at the marilith toy. "Oh wow! That's so pretty! A marilith, right, Master Aravashnial?"

Aravashnial allows Ary to guide his hands across it. He nods and smiles. "Children. What do you remember about Mariliths?"

"Serpent demons!" Chiles says, immediately.

"Made from arrogance and pride?" Fenna adds.

"No duh," Aema rolls her eyes. "And they're not made from arrogance and pride. Mariliths are made from evil rulers and sadistic warlords! They are among the oldest demons - Master Quednys said that the first mariliths were made from the souls of serpentfolk, hence their appearance."

"Very good, Aema." Aravashnial beams. "What can they do?"

"Make walls of whirling blades!" crows Thomas.

"Stab you with their six arms!" adds Ealden.

"They have telekinesis. And they are skilled at illusion magic," Aema sniffs.

"Correct! Mariliths. The proudest children of the Abyss are her mariliths, serpentine demons who rise from the corrupt souls of despotic kings, sadistic queens, and the most violent of the world's warlords. They take delight in the tactics of the battlefield, in their own prowess of weapon play, and in their accumulations of power. Yet despite their stature and position among the ranks of the demonic hordes as one of the deadliest of their kind, no marilith ever forgets that she is, in fact, not the greatest demon of all. As arrogant as they are, mariliths are forever consigned to serve those who wield greater power- their eternal punishment of servitude," Aravashnial lectures. "Who is the most famous marilith of the Worldwound?"

"Aponavicius," whispers Gail.

"Aponavicius!" says Aema, eyes sparkling. "Second only to the Storm King himself in power within the Worldwound! She holds the lost crusader city of Drezen, built in the First Mendevian Crusade, and lost in the Second."

"Very good. What does she wield?"

"She's a master swordswoman," says Thomas. "She can wield anything."

"She wields a katana, a falcata, a khopesh, a shotel, and a kusarigama," says Aema, again.

"That's only five weapons, smarty-pants," Thomas bristles.

"She keeps the last hand free to cast spells, duh," Aema sticks her tongue out at Thomas.


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 smiles and watches as everyone speaks and explains what they knew. Aravashnial was doing good work with the kids... even if it wasn't all his doing. Getting them excited about learning was important. If they cared about what they were learning, they'd retain it as she had.

As things continue, she smiles... then a chill runs down her spine. Six arms. Five weapons... and magic for the sixth arm.

"Umm... Avi. Would it mean something in particular that the cultists left us five longswords, five holy symbols, and the music box, in a chest that the Marilith was sitting on? Or am I just... imagining things here? Well, two longswords were in the hands of Hosilla and Uziel, but I assume the two came from the chest. I'm sensing some intended symbolism that I missed."

Then it dawns on her. "Five hands of Aponavicius in Kenabres, with one mage." she swats her forehead. Or maybe she was reaching. "There was also a note saying that they didn't need them anymore... and the holy symbols were poisoned... yeah." she sighs quietly.


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 finishes her meal, finally satisfied. "I'm going to get a bath and get some rest. Good night everyone." She heads upstairs, retrieving her gear on the way, and gets a quick bath, more interested in getting clean than trying to enjoy herself, then heading straight to bed in one of the rooms.


Stats:
HP 45/45, AC (22)20/11/21, Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +5(+2 and/or +2), Perception +8, Wound Treshold 0
Skills:
Bluff +4, Climb +8(+3/+1), Diplomacy +6, Handle Animal +4, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (history) +8, Knowledge (martial) +8, Knowledge (nobility) +8, Perception +8, Sense Motive +8, Survival +6, Swim +8(+3/+1)

Hrut eagerly consumes the food before him, addressing Ary,

"He ran off when we were dealing with the rats, I would assume he took something on his way out also." Matter of factly, avoiding the rate discussion.

"Wake me for my watch whenever you decide it is."

After consuming his fill Hrut goes back to his room and falls asleep quickly.


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'd think the alarm would wake us if anything were to be going on." Ary nods as everyone decides to disappear just as she's tucking in. Oh well... maybe talk 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

At Hrut's mention of Garil, several alarms go off in Ehren's head. He looks to Horgus, wondering if perhaps there was a connection to his current behavior. The way he was acting hardly seemed uncharacteristic, and yet, it rather wildly conflicted with what he had seen of the man. If he were better with words he might try to console him, but alas.

After eating a moderate portion of food, Ehren quietly thanks Horgus and excuses himself from the table. With food in his belly, fatigue was finally starting to get the better of him. Nonetheless, when he collects his belongings and retreats to his room, he promptly disrobes again, intent on treating the wound Garil had inflicted on him earlier.

Treat Deadly Wounds: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 = 15

An hour goes wasted as unfortunately, treating his own wounds unaided proves more difficult than he had anticipated. After nearly reopening a closed wound, he curses under his breath and discards the wasted bandages. Ignoring the rather comfortable-looking bed in the room, he redresses and lies flat on the ground, staring at the ceiling until sleep takes him.


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)

Before bed, Ary would seek to speak with both Horgus and Anevia. The former in relation to her inviting Garil into his home... and the man pillaging it and leaving. The latter to apologize for not making it out to her house that day, given all of the things that had occurred.

Preferably without a crowd, and we can do these while we push on just 'other timeline' it, maybe?

"Horgus... I'm sorry about Garil. What did he take, and how valuable was it to you?" Ary asked, chewing her lip. "And is it even remotely possible that I could replace it?"

To Anevia, "Hey... how are you holding up after all of this? I wish we hadn't had so many screwups today. Maybe if I'd paid more attention, we'd have already gotten where we needed to go."


Female elf l.sorc 11|wiz//Rel Hero/Archmage 4 THP 0 HP 104/104 | Init +7 Percpt +21 | AC 32/25/27 CMD 22 CMB +5 | Fort +8 Ref +11 Will +13 (see defenses) MP 0/11 Chn 6/8
Spells:
Sorc (CL 11; cn +21) 1st 8/8 2nd 8/8 3rd 5/8 4th 7/8 5th 4/5 6th 2/3
Skills:
Acro +12 Appr +14 Bluff +16 C(Jewel) +24 DDev +21 K(Hist|Arc,Pln,Dng|Loc|Any) +27/+22/+16/+12 Ling +13 S Motive +26 Splcrft +22 Stealth +19 UMD +22

Li'an eventually wakes up, unsure of what time it is. Though still somewhat groggy, she gathers her things and wanders upstairs to find where the baths are. Once there she throws her things to the side and grabs a bucket to go draw fresh water for it.

A few trips later she's prepared a bath. "Water's cold, but it's better than nothing," she thinks as she closes the door for privacy and strips down. Sinking down into the water, she tenses up at first, her body recoiling from the chilly water. After a few moments however the sensation fades and she's able to relax. "Thank Desna, Horgus isn't here to tell me that I need to bathe before my bath," she says quietly to herself, sighing at last night's demands at dinner.

She spends sometime thinking about the previous day's events, getting them in order so she'll be able to write them down once she's done bathing. With that sorted out, she grabs a brush and some soap and proceeds to scrub herself clean of the previous day-and-a-half's worth of grime and grunge. "Ooh, so much better" she thinks as she finishes cleaning up. One quick rinse later, she was stepping out and drying herself off. Li'an finishes up, putting on her old clothes for now, hoping to get Markus (or perhaps the kids) to mend and clean the new ones later.

Heading down, she seats herself at the dining room table, pulling out her quill and inkwell along with her journal to begin writing.

The results of which are posted above.


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Horgus fumes. "Exactly 1,083 platinum pieces. I counted and recounted several times while you were gone." He sighs, his expression softening as he looks at Ary. "You don't owe me a copper piece, dear girl. Believe me, if you did, you'd know."

He glances at his bed and sighs. "All the sheets are pilfered except for these crude linens I salvaged from the servant's quarters. It will be difficult to fall asleep on such coarse fabric."
----------

Anevia wakes up with a start - she had been nodding off at her post at the top of the watchtower. A bare plate sits next to her - Nira was thoughtful enough to bring her a plate of food while she kept watch.

"I'm doing fine! Tomorrow we'll head to my house, eh? I don't really expect Irabeth to be there though. No way she'd hunker down in a house when there's people to be saved. I bet she left me a note, though. I feel it in me bones!"

She glances at Ary, suddenly serious - which is uncharacteristic of her. "And you? Are you holding up alright?" She looks out at the ruined city. "I really didn't expect anything like this."

Excited for Valaria's journal :D


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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 quietly finishes dinner with everyone else. He was proud that he was able to help the kids with magic, but he's also afraid that he, not exactly a learned man, wouldn't be able to continue doing it - Markus is glad Aravashnial is around.

When dinner is done, he takes his plates back to the kitchen and washes them. He heads upstairs to where the baths are drawn and waits until one is available for him, and he just sits in it. He tries to scrub his skin, but it's too tender...so he just sits in it.

He falls asleep in that bath, but luckily he's tall enough such that he doesn't slip down and drown to death, and he wakes up wrinkled and cold halfway through the night. He crawls out of the tub, dries himself quickly and falls asleep in a heap on the ground, on top of as many soft things as he can find.

When Markus awakes, he scours the house for several minutes in his underwear, looking for soft cloth. When he finds any, he binds what wounds he still has (and he still has many) and he spends an hour mending his clothes while the others do their own preparations.

Then he heals himself with a spell. The negative energy is relieving after the day of spending positive energy to heal others all day the previous day.

Inflict Healing: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Leaves me at 13/21, which is just wounded. 5/6 spells for the day left.


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----
Ary Bishop wrote:


Preferably without a crowd, and we can do these while we push on just 'other timeline' it, maybe?

Okie dokie artichokey

22 Arodus 4713

No watch order was set, the group choosing to instead crutch on Horgus' formidable defenses. Whether they held true or if the mansion was just deemed uninteresting by passing by demons or cultists, they'll never know. Outside, the sun is shining. It is relatively cloudless, but still unnaturally cold, and the wind does not help matters.

Belthis prepares a rich meal of biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast.


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

HP Totals
Ehren: 24/33
Ary: 36/36
Markus: 13/21 Grazed
Valaria: 18/36 Wounded
Li'an: 18/21
Hrut: 18/45 Wounded

Aravashnial: 35/35 HP
Anevia Tirablade: 11/17 HP Grazed
Horgus Gwerm: 18/18 HP
Crocris: 29/31 HP


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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 wakes up a little late, feeling much better now that she's not exhausted and the soreness from her wounds feel a bit dulled with some rest. She smells breakfast cooking and smiles, quickly filling in another journal entry to record her thoughts before getting dressed and heading down to eat.

21 Arodus 2713:
We made our way up to the surface this morning, well evening. I almost wish we hadn’t. The city… ruined. Every building shattered, smoke and fire everywhere. Seeing the stars again was small comfort after seeing that. I suppose I should have expected it after the attack, but still… seeing it in person puts a different perspective on everything we’ve been through. This is why I hate demons. Everything destroyed for no reason other than they felt like it. At least we had a goal to focus on to put it at the back of our minds for a bit. Avi wanted to go to some library, Blackwing, Horgus wanted to get back to his mansion Margin: Of course he did. Rich twit., and Anevia wanted to get back to her house to look for her wife.

Of course, we barely made it halfway to Blackwing before something happened. We seem to be magnets for the worst kind of trouble. This time we found ourselves facing some Ara-things. Avi called them Wrecker Demons, so let’s go with the version I can spell. They apparently hate beautiful things and were tearing up a clothing shop, with the shopkeepers still inside. I’m not sure if I should be worried or happy that they decided to make it their life’s mission to tear me limb from limb. Probably worried. At least we managed to rescue the shopkeepers and we even got some new outfits out of it. Margin: Li’an’s face when she saw my choice. Priceless. We ended up bringing the Loumises with us, but it’s certainly better than leaving them in the middle of this mess alone.

And then Blackwing. Argh. One day, we’re going to try this cultist act and it’s going to go horribly wrong. Not today though. Today we found a rather stupid ex-crusader named Chaleb in the process of gathering the library books to burn the lot of them while threatening a group of children that survived the attack on the library. Needless to say, we put a stop to that. Li’an and me somehow managed to convince them that we were Baphomet cultists and that he’d earned our patron’s attention by being awful. He and his tiefling followers apparently decided to think with their little heads rather than their big ones and fell for it hook, line, and sinker. We took them down pretty handily, but Chaleb made a break for it. I ran after the guy, but he was either way luckier than he had any right to be, or the universe really wanted him to get away, because he slipped through my fingers. Margin: Not going to happen twice.

So it turns out Aravashnial’s a member of some secret society of mage types called Riftwardens that are supposed to protect the Material Plane from stuff like the Worldwound and other threats to the stability of the planes. You’d think they’re the good guys, but their idea of ‘protecting’ ignores the actually people living in the planes they’re trying to protect. Sure, blowing up half of Avistan is totally an acceptable cost for closing the Worldwound. Assh*le. I knew he was kind of stuck-up, but I didn’t know he was crazy on top of everything else. Whatever. At least the kids they took in were safe. And maybe they’re not too indoctrinated to see that this plan of the Wardens is insane. Either way, they’re adorable and good natured, so that’s a plus.

So with our new munchkins in tow, we headed off to Horgus’s place. We rescued a druid in charge of one of the local parks on the way through and he seems like a pretty good guy. Lost some animal friends fighting off these Abyssal dog things called Howlers. Nasty, but not too horrible. Apparently they do this weird curse thingy, but my blood protects me. Lucky I guess. We made it to Horgus’s place without too much trouble after that point at least. Everyone was a little tired and ready to get turned in, and we even got paid for getting Horgus home alive. A pouch of platinum always brightens my day. Pity Horgus is still a twit.

So while scrounging up dinner from Horgus’s pantry, we found a swarm of rats infesting the place. Lovely. Of course, before we had a chance to clear them out, the other rats escaped. Hosilla and her tiefling got away while we were distracted. Oops. Li’an, Ary, Ehren, and me went after them while Markus and Hrut cleared the pantry and kept an eye on everyone. We hunted them down to one of the cultists’ safe houses, Topaz Solutions apothecary. And low and behold, some crusaders had beaten us to it. Some guys Ary called Ash Ravens. I’d bet my coin purse that the stuff they had ‘salvaged’ was stolen Margin: Not Horgus’s platinum though. I have plans for that. but they seemed alright, just desperate. We sent them to find the rest of the crusaders and searched the place. We found the two escapees in the basement and killed them off easy enough, but then set off some kind of trap. Fighting some plant monster thing while dealing with a room full of poison gas is a pain. We lived through it though, so I think it worked out. I did pass out from my injuries at one point. Margin: Waking up in Li’an’s arms makes my heart race.

So we make it back to Horgus’s place in… well not in one piece, but still alive. And the tiefling we spared while dealing with Chaleb had run off with a bunch of Horgus’s money. That’s gratitude for you I suppose. We didn’t have to leave him alive. We didn’t even treat him like a prisoner for gods’ sake. And just to really cap off the day, Horgus had to be pompous on top of being a twit and refuse to shut up about us sitting at his table and eating dinner until we cleaned up. I can understand not wanting guests to be rude, but we’re in a war zone and just came back from a combat mission. There’s a time and a place for propriety and this isn’t it. I was just too tired to argue. I think I’m actually glad to leave the guy behind here, even if he’s at risk. I’m getting sick of dealing with him. He's the entirely wrong kind of noble.


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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)

To Horgus

'Ten... thousand..?' Ary's eyes steadily widened until Horgus relented... and a lot of stress that had built over just those few moments dissapated.

"Well, the Loumises gave me that cape. Feels like silk, I think? I can't really tell. I haven't ever really done much with silk. You wouldn't be able to move much, but it's probably a bit better." she shrugs. Horgus had a very different way of life and a different set of expectations. That ten thousand gold could have likely paid for a new library... sans the books. That was vaguely terrifying. Somewhere in the city was a Tiefling, probably eaten by howlers, with ten thousand gold.

"If it's any consolation, we might be able to find some somewhere. I'm not sure you'd want to just take from anywhere, though." she shrugs.

"Is there anything else you need before bed?"

To Anevia

"'M fine. But just between you and me... no, no I'm not okay. At all. It's what I signed on for, for sure. But it's not what everyone else signed on for." she motions around. "A lot of people lived here because there was no where else; no one else would trust them. Half-orcs especially. This place brought a whole lot of people together for a tragically beautiful reason. War is hell... and it's even more true here. But until a week ago, I thought that Kenabres was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever see."

She motions off in the distance. "I was going to go camping on the evening of Armasse. Up there. I'd have had an absolutely beautiful view. If... they'd attacked five hours later, I'd have had to watch as everything got ripped to shreds. Thank Iomedae for small favors." she sighs, shaking her head. "No, I'm not okay. I think if not for the kids, and the civilians, and all the other people giving me reason to be strong, I'd have already fallen apart. I'm scared, and I'm cold, and I still have a vague ringing in my ears from all the things that have screamed at me today. We saved a half dozen people today, maybe more. And that's good. It's a small victory, but one we can hold on to."

"There are more large victories, too. Radiance showing up when she was needed. Reigniting a forge of Torag. Bringing a disparate people back together. Finding all those children alive and well in the library. Aravashnial smiling. Each one is its own precious miracle." Ary smiled. "Then there are smaller victories, too. Saving Crocris, finding out there are more crusaders to the north. Running into Ash Ravens. Running my sword through a symbol of Baphomet. Tiny music boxes that make nightmares go away.."

"And most of all... having a safe place to sleep when everything's going to hell. Garil might have traded all the money in the world for that, but..." she shook her head, eyes distant. "Nothing better than a safe place."

Ary will be fashionably late for breakfast, as she still had to wash her clothes, hang them, finish conversations, then head to bed. :p


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

After breakfast, Aravashnial sits in the foyer, lecturing his wards on the planes.

"Planar theory separates the multiverse into two distinct regions: the inner and outer spheres. The planes of the outer sphere rest upon the inner surface of a great, hollow sphere, with the planes of the Inner Sphere nestled at the sphere's core, separated by the great Astral void. So where is Golarion in all of this?"

"Golarion rests in the Material Plane, which is in the Inner Sphere - opposite its sister, the Shadow Plane." chirps Aema, obviously.

"Very good, Aema. The Inner Sphere is comprised of the elemental planes, which surround the Material Plane like a series of immense shells - like layers on an onion. And what lay at the cores of the Material and Shadow Planes?"

"The Positive and Negative Energy planes - from which all positive and negative energy flows," says Gail, softly.

"Precisely. So while the Inner Sphere is highly structured - the Outer Sphere is amorphous. The Outer Planes drift through the Outer Sphere - like stable islands in the chaos of the Maelstrom. The Maelstrom surrounds the Inner plane like a sheath, and between the two lays the astral plane - sometimes known as the River of Souls."

I need the following decisions to be made:

Where are you going next?

Are you taking any NPCs with you? Anevia is going to accompany you unless explicitly asked not to (she wants to visit her home, after all.) Horgus intends to stay in his mansion indefinitely. The rest will follow your lead.

Once these decisions have been made, once two are ready to go, we will.


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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)

You also may have missed Ary stoking Aravashnial's inner conspiracy theorist last night, now that I think about it. :P


1 person marked this as a favorite.
WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

I had limited time in the AM to post, so I settled for only dropping some knowledge bombs about someone you may or may not slay someday :p - I didn't address a lot of things, sorry!


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 think we should bring Anevia and Crocris with us for now, and leave everyone else behind, if we plan to return once we find someplace safer. If we don't want to make return treks, I think we ought to bring everybody except Horgus with us.

Markus heads out into the courtyard to stretch and to catch a bit of the sun, and he finds it unusually cold. Fortunately, his skin isn't particularly sensitive, so he isn't as bothered by it as one could be...but it's not the most pleasant feeling.

He goes to find Aravashnial, approaching quietly and sitting down. "Aravashnial? I wanted to talk to you for a moment while we had some quiet time. Remember the psionic techniques I mentioned earlier? Would you ever be interested in learning them? One of the professors, back in Caliphas - she would know them. And even if she's left...they'd know how to contact somebody that did know how to utilize it. We could ask someone to come here."


Female elf l.sorc 11|wiz//Rel Hero/Archmage 4 THP 0 HP 104/104 | Init +7 Percpt +21 | AC 32/25/27 CMD 22 CMB +5 | Fort +8 Ref +11 Will +13 (see defenses) MP 0/11 Chn 6/8
Spells:
Sorc (CL 11; cn +21) 1st 8/8 2nd 8/8 3rd 5/8 4th 7/8 5th 4/5 6th 2/3
Skills:
Acro +12 Appr +14 Bluff +16 C(Jewel) +24 DDev +21 K(Hist|Arc,Pln,Dng|Loc|Any) +27/+22/+16/+12 Ling +13 S Motive +26 Splcrft +22 Stealth +19 UMD +22

I think leaving everyone but Anevia makes sense. Crocris can decide if he'd like to come or stay. Until we've found some other safe place we should continue operating out of here though.

Li'an steals some of the biscuits and gravy and sits down to listen to Aravashnial lecturing the children. "You know he used to tell me all these things ages ago, when I was just a child," she tells the children with a laugh as she sits down. "That was, when he wasn't yelling at me to pay attention or stop sleeping." It was good to see him relaxed with the children.

When there was a break in his lecture again, she interjected, asking "Do you mind staying here in the Manor today Master Aravashnial? I think we're going to make an effort to visit Anevia's house to see if we can find a note or something indicating where Irabeth might be. I'm also going to see if I can talk the others into visiting my home, even if it's the wrong way."


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 think that Ary's goal is probably 'Anevia's place, North side of town if Anevia's place knows where we're going. Then to either Kite or Estrod. If Kite, take Crocris, if Estrod, let Crocris decide.

Ary slips groggily past the conversations that are taking place, towards the kitchen. She listens for a moment about the planes; she wasn't as good at remembering the planar stuff as she was remembering the monsters. It was a lot easier to remember the stuff she cared about. Like how the things were going to bite her. Or if their mouths were even for biting. They're always for biting...

Her clothes were clean, if slightly damp; the night had gone by far too quickly. But she'd slept. And she'd slept safely. In a bed of all things.


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 agree with Markus and Li'an. This place is secure enough to keep them safe. If worse comes to worse, they can hide until we make it back. As for destination, Anevia's place first. After that, we'll see what happens.

Val comes into the dining room looking significantly happier and takes a seat, digging into the meal with gusto while Aravashnial lectures the children. "I learned a little about the Outer Planes when I was younger, but not much. Just enough to get the whole demons and devils thing and that whole mess."


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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)

"Is that anything like the Birds and the Bees... cept everything has stingers?" Ary grins at Valaria, groggily from her bowl of shredded biscuits and gravy. She'd mixed it all together into a thick paste-bread mixture that was glorious to taste... if not to behold.


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

Earlier..

Horgus gives a small, thin-lipped smile. "A pity you went and swore the oath and joined the Crusades, Ary, or I'd hire you as the captain of my personal guards. Oaths are important, though. I wouldn't respect you if you would turn back on a promise for money alone."

He accepts her cape, and prepares to go to bed. "I don't need anything further, Ary. Sleep well."

----------

Anevia lets Ary vent, and smiles when she manages to find the bright side of things despite all the sorrow and hardship they've gone through these past days. "It's been a crazy trip, these past few days, huh?" She stares northward. "Bet Irabeth is with those crusaders. I don't know where they'd be holed up, though. Most of the big barracks are closer to Old Kenabres..."

She goes silent for a moment, then adds, thoughtfully, "I don't know if I'd count saving all these people as just a small victory though. I think every life is a victory, in a way."

She glances at Ary and grins. "Bet when we find the crusaders you'll be promoted a rank or two. How's Lance Corporal Ary Bishop sound, huh? You ready for more responsibility?"

--------
Now..
Aravashnial pauses in his lecture when Markus address him. "Children, that's all I have for you today. Next time we'll discuss the ethereal and astral demiplanes."

The children disperse, and he turns towards the dhampir's voice. "That sounds wonderful - I'm intrigued. I had no idea they had such progressive research being conducted in Caliphas. At least - outside of necromancy. The problem is, I have no plans to abandon Kenabres or the Worldwound border now. I bear the weight of the accumulated research and knowledge of the Riftwardens stationed here now that Blackwing has been destroyed. And there is also the matter of Xanthir Vang emerging in the region. I am skeptical a scholar that wasn't explicitly interested in planar research would be willing to travel to such a dangerous region as here, and I am not wealthy enough to bribe such a thing, or even to pay for transportation."


WotR Global Buffs/Debuffs: ----

To Li'an, Aravashnial nods. "I would prefer to stay with my students, actually. I am glad to be useful to them - I only have a few spells left, so I am not of much use to you."

Crocris' cheeks turn red when the heroes ask if he would like to accompany them on their excursion into the city. "Ah! I am flattered you think so highly of me. But I really am just a simple gardener - I'm not a warrior by any means. It was only by virtue of my deceased companion, Khudu, that I survived so long in Truestone Park to begin with. I think I would prefer to see if I can breathe some life back into Lord Gwerm's vegetable garden. It is probably too late, but if this home is to be made into a longterm base, finding sustainable sources of food should be a top priority. In particular, if I could get a berry bush growing, I could sustain almost half of us for as long as the bush bears fruit."

So, we're taking Anevia and we're going to her house, it seems. When two are ready to leave, we will.


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)

"Goodnight, Horgus. I'll make it up to you somehow, either way." she says as she slips out to go find Anevia.

---------------------

To Anevia

"Well... sort of." Ary says, looking away. "I'm sort of a softy when it comes to people and their pasts. So... it's easy for me to overlook things, but it just makes it hurt so much more when I trust someone and they betray that. Like with Garil; And Chaleb. What the Hell." Ary says, shaking her head. "Doesn't matter. No use dwelling. Are there any old churches on the northside? Any eagle scout safehouses, or just... I don't know, homes?" she asks, trying to switch back to the proper topic. "And please no. Paperwork terrifies me more than demons. Almost as much as Howlers. How's this. You use your thievy powers on all my paperwork, and I'll consider it." she smiles to Anevia.

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