Tarov grunts, before stating, "Yer not gonna best us, fiend! Ain't nothin' but death waitin' fer ya!" He strikes out again with his ranseur, attempting to shut the pitborn's smug face and open a hole in his defense for Julian to take advantage of..
Tarov declares a Challenge (swift action) and attacks (standard action), then uses Aid Allies to boost Julian's attack roll (move action).
As Julian lashes out with Einharjar he laughs. "Thats the admission of a weakling. Couldn't survive on your own so you took the easy route." His laugh was mocking because he knew deep down it was true. "Like this city I rose above the weakness of blood and forged my own path. Which is fine by me..." He angles Einharjar as he evokes a spell and lashes out at his fellow caster a second time. "... because someone has to beat some sense into the abyssal fodder."
With that he angled his blade, prepared to fight to the death for the city...
Instead of empty rebuttal she did the easiest thing she could think of and brought the mace sweeping back for another attempt at striking her elusive foe!
Tarov's swing goes wide, and the Tiefling stabbed out at Julian in an attack of opportunity.
Melee:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
It wasn't enough to stop the spellcasting, though, and your own infernally-touched friend struck out with magic and melee alike. Both strikes landed, but the tiefling was resistant to both attacks, and neither did as much damage as they should have. Rowan's mace whistled harmlessly through the air a moment later, and the enemy raised a hand to his mouth and bit down on one finger. He flung his hand out a moment later, and a spray of blood shot out of his hand, coalescing into the form of another hell hound that landed to the side and exhaled a cone of flame across the three of you.
Fire Damage:2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7 Reflex DC 14 halves... Julian:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Rowan:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 Tarov:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 ...and all of you eaaaaaasily avoid the worst of the fire. Julian resists fire and takes no damage, Rowan and Tarov take 3 points.
Tarov pulls something from his belt, gripping the small object tightly in his gloved hand. Whispering beneath his breath, the object begins to glow softly before covering the dwarf in the same soft light. He then grips the haft of his weapon once more and changes his stance, the business end of his weapon still pointed squarely at the tiefling's heart. The cold look on Tarov's face is one of duty and resolve.
Tarov pulls his Scale of Sacred Weaponry from his belt (move action) and uses it to cast Align Weapon (Good) on his ranseur (standard action), then switches to the Eyes of the Crane stance (swift action).
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Julian skin glowed, revealing the cracks between his scales as his bloodline protected him from the flames completely. His eyes glowed brightly as he opened them after the fire had dispersed completely. "Again, too weak little brother." The mockery in his voice wasn't hard to discern. "And another summon creature? Ha!"
Rowan continued her assault even when the fire washed over her...
She arcs an eyebrow at her burnt armor as she stood unaffected by the flames. Resist fire 5 boss :( sorry. Or does the hellhounds flame bypass her resist? If so I will update. :)
Not willing to mince words she does her best to smite this treacherous caster in the name of her goddess and for the good of the city!
Rowan, your profile notes Resist Acid, Cold, and Electricity. I think you typed your stat bar wrong.
Julian and Rowan's attacks both landed as the enemy tiefling recovered from casting his spell... and Julian, in particular, managed to deliver a particularly deadly blow. It wasn't enough to fell the tiefling, however, and he moved one of his hands in an odd way... just in time for a wand to drop out of his sleeve, and he tapped it against his side as he took a five-foot-step towards the depths of the cloud. The telltale sign of a curing spell - potency unknown, sadly - could be seen as he acted.
The blood hound, meanwhile, let out a barking cry and stepped forward to bite at Tarov.
Whoops my mess up there, I thought for some reason the Periblooded had fire resist. It has been corrected. Hp reduced and stat bar fixed. I will try and be more diligent. :/
FA: 5ft step to follow after the Tiefling. SA: Attack with Heavy mace:1d20 + 5 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 4 + 1 = 15 Dmg with mace:1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10 Concealment? Nope!:1d100 ⇒ 31
Rowan stepped after the Tiefling, intent on stopping their evil here and now if she were able. The power of the divine flowed through her blows and gave her greater resolve to resist this evil cultists attacks. However Julian's glowing skin gave her pause only for a moment, her old inquisitorial instincts kicking in as she assessed the situation.
She then side stepped and swung at the Tiefling with the heavy mace once more!
Tarov grunts under the summoned creature's attack, before jabbing towards the tiefling with an outstretched hand. "Get 'im! I'll take care o' this thing!" The dwarven knight settles down into his defensive stance, ranseur readied to strike.
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
HP 22/27 FA:Use tail to recover stowed extract. SA:Drink Drink Clw extract:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
[ooc]MA: 5ft step after Tiefling
As his brethren retreated, he used his tail to recover a stowed potion and drank it down. The Hellhound attacking Tarov was annoying but seeing the Tieflings change in tactics told him that they were injuring him significantly now. "Let me know if you can't handle that Hound..." Brandishing Einharjar he stepped after the Teifling just after Rowan swung at them. Soon the magic in his blackblade was going to fade and he needed to make the best use while he could...
Rowan's swing missed the tiefling, and he laughed - openly - as Tarov entered into a dual with the hellhound. His armor flashed brightly a moment later, and seemed to change slightly before your very eyes, though it wasn't entirely apparent what it had changed to. He did step further back a moment later, though, vanishing from Tarov's sight as the hound continued to try and distract the dwarf...
...starting with another burst of flame.
Fire Damage (Tarov):2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 Reflex DC 14 halves:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
MA: Roll past and flank tiefling between Rowan and Julian. Although she needs to catch up but at least his 5ft step will keep him within hitting AoO range... CHESS MATCH BEGIN! Acrobatics to avoid AoO:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Attack with Einharjar +1 1/10 rounds remaining +bless +Tarov's bonus:1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 1 + 1 = 16 Damage:1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 concealment:1d100 ⇒ 29
Julian moves after the caster and tries to cut off his retreat and pin him between the Paladin and himself. "Not so funny now is it?" Was all he said as he hacked at the Tiefling's legs...
The Tiefling's taunt is cut short as Rowan steps up and cracks them in the ribs with her mace. The fire of her Inquisitorial days was starting to emerge, the Bloodhound wasn't an opponent to take lightly and their hubris would be their undoing. No matter the magical might they possessed she and her companion's would prevail. These cultists would be brought to heel and if they had nothing to provide they would be executed under wartime conditions. They had no place for prisoners and if they proved irredeemable would be given the gift of mercy.
She didn't use Julian's chance to flank but she would keep him pinned this time, no getting away...
Tarov winces as the hellhound's breath licks him, growling as he thrusts his blade at the summoned creature. "Go back t' whate'er fiery pit ya came from!" he roars as his weapon strikes true.
Tarov uses Enduring Crane Strike on the hellhound (standard action).
Julian's acrobatic movement wasn't enough to avoid an attack of opportunity, and the enemy took it, slamming his morningstar outwards.
AoO:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
...Well, let's be nice to the poor guy and just move on with the note that it wasn't a very good swing. Unfortunately, Julian's attack also failed to strike the other tiefling, but Rowan managed to land a blow. The armor still seemed to be resisting some of the damage, but it couldn't block everything.
Meanwhile, Tarov's duel wasn't going too badly... aside, unfortunately, from the minor matter that the beast of blood was only harmed by the main blow. The strange composition of its body - very similar to that of elementals - meant that critical blows couldn't harm it. Fortunate for the beast, that, because Tarov would have annihilated it with that one strike otherwise. Even so, a few more good hits would almost certainly be enough to flatline it.
The tiefling pointed at Rowan a moment later, and a burst of fire shot out of his hand...
Ranged Touch Attack:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 for Fire Damage:1d6 ⇒ 5
...and actually managing to scorch the Paladin a bit. He muttered a curse under his breath anyway, even as the hound continued its duel with Tarov...
Due to the fog and seeing the Paladin burst into flame Julian's blow went awry as his overprotective nature made him regret distancing himself from the paladin...
Note to self fog is hard, find way to disperse it, end note. xD
Tarov grins, his weapon trained on the hellhound all the while. "Yer a tough li'l bastard, ain't ya?" he growls, a strange twinkle in his eye. "Guess it's yer master I should be worried about, after all!" he cries, stepping back and turning in a fluid motion, rushing towards the enemy tiefling with fire in his eyes.
Tarov uses Panthera on the Hunt to attack the tiefling (full-round action). If the attack hits, he applies Armiger's Mark (free action).
Ranseur of the Gargoyle attack (Power Attack, Panthera on the Hunt, Bless, Challenge):1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 23 Ranseur of the Gargoyle damage (Power Attack, Panthera on the Hunt, Challenge):2d4 + 10 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 10 + 2 + 3 = 20 Concealment 1:1d100 ⇒ 93 Concealment 2:1d100 ⇒ 96<--- This guy. Figures I get good rolls on both when I activate this stance!
Effects: Eyes of the Crane, Bless, Challenge, Align Weapon (Good)
Manuevers:
. . 2nd -- [maneuver] -; [boost] -; [counter] sanguine barrier [1/1]
. . 1st -- [stance] eyes of the crane [1], silver crane waltz; [maneuver] crushing blow, enduring crane strike [0/1], panthera on the hunt [0/1], red zephyr's strike, scything strike; [boost] encouraging roar [1/1]
For clarity's sake, Armiger's Mark lasts 3 rounds, gives the guy a -4 to all attack rolls against people who aren't me, and also gives him +11% arcane spell failure.
SA: Brain Drain dc 15 will to negate:3d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) = 12 FA: 5ft step AC = 24 LoH FA: Hp Healed:1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 = 4 HP: 31/36
Healing herself to counter some of the damage she had taken she focused her acute senses to attack the Tieflings own. Stepping close, so she could pin the Tiefling between her and Julian as she focuses on invading the vile cultists memories. Perhaps there would be something useful that they could utilize....
Like the location of other cultists strongholds or other Intel.
*Rubs chin* The Tiefling was out of right, but you rolled very high - twice - on Concealment... eh, sure, why not? XD Just note that you usually need Line of Sight to a foe for any charge, including Panthera, and I reserve the right to not allow exceptions in the future.
Tarov's ranseur skewered the tiefling as he charged, moving through the mist and somehow managing to target the tiefling with pinpoint accuracy. Rowan sent a burst of mind-affecting power towards him a moment later...
Will:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
...and he threw it off with contemptuous ease. "Is that the power your goddess gives you? Pathetic!" He pointed towards Tarov a moment later, and another bolt of fire shot out of his fingers...
Ranged Touch Attack:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 for Fire Damage:1d6 ⇒ 2
...even as the hound darted through the mists to attack Tarov from behind.
Still, after the skewering, it was clear that the evil tiefling had been badly wounded by this point, and his expression was a twisted grimace of hate and rage, as if promising to return every injury a dozen times over.
Tarov's ranseur stabbed into the badly-wounded tiefling, even as Julian cut out at the blood beast and scattered some of its essence across the floor. Rowan's blow, sadly, wasn't quite accurate enough to smite the cultist despite the many injuries he'd already taken... but it didn't look like he could withstand another blow.
Laughing, the tiefling put two fingers against the bottom of his chin. "Hail, Baphomet, lord of all beasts." he said. His fingers flashed, and his head exploded, damaging it far beyond what magics like Speak With Dead could work with. The bloody hellhound fell apart, vanishing into the air, even as the fog within the chamber lifted and allowed the three of you to see once again. Your enemy had recognized the inevitable, it seemed - and chosen to die in a way that would thwart you as much as possible. Spite was... well... rather common among those who chose the path of evil, actually. The strange armor he'd been wearing dissipated as well - apparently, it was some kind of summoned creation, not an item to wear normally.
On his body, you find a Braces of Armor +1, a Cloak of Resistance +1, the wand he'd used earlier, and two keys.
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
"Coward to the end, good riddance and I look forward to his return." Julian spits on the corpse after taking the two keys and turning towards the other cultists.
"You sorry bastards aren't about to cause trouble, your path ends here and now..." He pauses long enough to look at Rowan. "What about these two, they evil as well? Because if they are they don't leave this tower. Can't afford to have them causing trouble..."
Rowan turned her gaze on the two other cultists (if they are still there :P) ignoring Julian's words as she searched them for wrong doing.
"I doubt they will be anymore useful than the last. Their commander was what we needed." She was annoyed but she wasn't going to waste her trump card on such insignificant foes.
Or its a wand of infernal healing lol
Long story short she will hold for 3 rounds and if they prove to be evil she will mercifully execute them like the three she encountered before. She will pray for their souls and forgiveness from her goddess before stripping their gear and leaving remains covered in a corner. She isn't leaving useable gear gear behind when they have other people to save and equip. She will take their holy symbol's as well to be disposed of.
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Julian hands Tarov his last healing extract.
Cure Light Wounds extract 3/3 (All gone for the day):1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
"I can make extracts more readily than full ptions, hope this takes the edge off Tarov. I'm gonna go get the othersand hide them in here instead..."
With the inside of the Tower handled, Julian exited and left the dirty work to the Bloodhound and Tarov. He went to where the others were hiding and got them inside the tower, by the time he was back the dirty work was most likely completed.
So he set about getting the other sin motion. Propping up the broken door with the cart and putting the soldiers on guard duty while they searched the inside of the Tower. "If anything tries to break in yell or fetch us. Other than that keep chit chat quiet and we're going in deeper to see what lies within." Pointing at the woman they rescued he gives her a small frown as he rubs the back of his neck. "If'n ya please, could you gather up their things and load them on the cart. I don't want to leave anything behind that could be useful, feel free to arm yourself as well. Thanks." Being a Tiefling made everything more awkward but with Rowan giving a sermon over the bodies he didn't have much choice.
Wait for hels from Rowan before we proceed I guess. Julian wil take lead into the basement level, Tarov in the middle with Rowan in the rear again? Its worked out well so far. :)
Gods are fickle lol At least Tarov is near full and Julian will just have to suffer for a bit lol.
Sounds fine by me Julian, waiting to see if my powers get stricken yet. Feel like I am breaking rules by NOT taking them prisoners but the situation isn't friendly to such lofty ideals. Not when we have so many to protect. :/ Sigh hard to choose sometimes. :/
Somewhat unsurprisingly, the universe indeed seemed to consider the other two cultists to be evil - they each had a set of masterwork chainmail for protection and a masterwork glaive to fight with, but didn't seem to be carrying anything else. On the bright side, executing them was certainly not against the Paladin's code. Goodness (literally) knew these people had earned a death sentence, and since you had yet to establish contact with a legitimate civil authority, there was no problem with delivering justice.
Once all of the healing was done, the three of you were able to make your way downstairs. This semicircular room is empty except for a few bookshelves against the walls and a single desk and chair sit in one corner. A huge set of wood and metal double doors stands in the south wall, locked but easily opening when you try the keys taken from the cultist's body.
This semicircular room (N4) has been outfitted with numerous demonic decorations. The green glass lanterns hanging on the walls give the room an eerie glow. A brazen minotaur head hangs from one wall above an altar covered with wavy-bladed knives and curved bulls' horns, while star-shaped symbols in red decorate other walls. A large wooden chest sits near the west wall.
Even as you enter, you can feel your skin crawling, like just standing here has covered you in filth. This is an unholy place by any measure, and may very well have been a center of the cultists' operations, but the other key easily opens the chest.
Within, you're able to locate 2,310 cp, 759 sp, 122 gp, 11 pp, five silver holy symbols of Iomedae (worth 25 gp each), a masterwork longsword, two masterwork scimitars, 450 gp in various fine housewares like silverware and table settings, a wand of bless weapon (18 charges), and a currently broken phylactery of faithfulness.
The chest also contains a sheaf of papers documenting the cultists' movements around the city. These papers not only indicate that the plan to attack Kenabres was several years in the planning, but that there were a large number of Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth involved.
Finally, there's a short note in immaculate handwriting. (You can make a Local, History, or Planes check for additional information. Roll Planes twice if you do.)
You can keep the extract, Julian. Just Rowan's LoH will put me to 49/54, which is good enough for government work, and you need to be closer to full. :)
Knowledge (history):1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10I can't imagine this will get me anything. :(
Tarov practically growls as he enters the cultists' room, finding it uncomfortable even to breathe in this awful place. "Can ya do anythin' 'bout this place, Rowan?" he grumbles as he begins searching through the items collected here. When he finds the short note, he begins to shake with anger. "I am gonna find whoe'er is in charge o' this mess. They are gonna have reason t' fear me more than their dark god."
Julian wished his explosive packed more punch because he'd bring the entire tower down on his way out if he could. Without further ado he digs into the items in the room and catalogs what information he can as he searches for any other information that could help the resistance effort. Checking the note after Tarov he digs deep for answers...
Rowan perused the items they found as she felt like scratching herself over the filthy aura that surrounded the shrine. Once she was done thinking she hefted the magical heavy mace and stood before the Minotaur head. "This city will never be yours... Not while the Inheritor defends it!" She slams the mace into whatever symbol of baphomet was drawn nearby, marring it forever before stowing her mace and shield. She then pulls down the depiction of Baphomet from the wall and wraps it up in cloth to be taken with them on their journey. She speaks to her companions than, her voice growing hot and angry with each word. "Remove everything affiliated with this filth and load it in the cart as well. It could prove useful, if not it will be destroyed along with the rest of this Templar filth." Her anger made her hair start to turn red as she raged on. "We will find the other parts of this cult and purge them from Kenebras, we will expel their demon ilk as well... However, this Minagho will be found if it in the city and when we do find this creature it shall be put to the question before being released to their endearing lords embrace. Kenebras will not suffer longer than it takes to cut out there heart and tear them down!"
Her hair revert back to its normal coloring as her venting ended, her frustration was getting the better of her. What were these Templars? Vorlesh? Or Minagho? She cast them aside and focused on reaching Defenders Heart. Than they would be less restricted in moving around the city. "Apologies my companions, this business vexes me. To think she evil was here all along and we..." She stops short unable to finish when she remembered how many innocent lives were lost during the witch hunts. Was that too a design of these Templars?
If it is worth while Rowan will perform a cleansing rite (with probably little chance of success) to remove the filthy presence of Baphomet in this tower. Failing that she is intent to scarify and destroy whatever symbols are present if they are not an object they can easily remove. :)
A few of the names in the text are familiar to your group. Minagho (the writer) is the demonic ruler of the ruined city of Raliscrad in the Worldwound, and Vorlesh is the woman rumored to have helped open the Worldwound in the first place. It's doubtful that too many of the people on the list are still in the city... but some of them may well be in other cities, and the paper is definitely worth keeping.
Unfortunately, the only practical ways of removing the influence of Baphomet here are considerably beyond your current capabilities - the easiest method would be casting Hallow over it, and that's a fifth-level spell. It may be more effective to report this location to a civil authority and ask them to have a talented cleric visit it as soon as possible.
Several minutes of bashing later, the symbols of Baphomet have all been whacked rather well, and the filthy presence seemed... slightly less awful. Not gone by any measure, but every little bit helped. Collecting all the items and transporting them outside is a fairly straightforward task - they don't seem to have much value (aside from the metal head, which is definitely magical and definitely evil), but at least you haven't left much of anything that another cultist could use in service to evil.
Anevia's eyes light up in glee as you head outside and explain the things you found. "I knew it was worth coming here!" she said softly. "Are you ready to go?"
Tarov nods, making sure all the things they've gathered are carefully loaded onto the cart. "Now let's get t' th' Defender's Heart so we can find some much needed friendly faces. Maybe put this junk somewhere safe, too." The knight rests his weapon on his shoulder, eyes peering around the area as they prepare to leave.
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Julian watches the anger rise and fall with the Aasimarian paladin and grimaces when no one is looking. He wondered if thats what he had been like or worse in his mutated state. His new mutagen was burning a hole in his belt as it was focused on a different attribute this time...
He didn't like them taking the Minotaur head with them, he wished she had justsmashed it instead. But who was he to argue with an angry Paladin.
At her speech Einharjar spoke up in his mind. <:I like her spirit! You should endeavor to be so righteous!:>
<:Not gonna happen. I've seen where blind righteousness can take things. I'll stick to my own path thanks!:>
Einharjar radiated a quiet emotion, disappointment or something else? Julian wasn't able to decipher it as he finished loading the items with his companion's. He smiles at Tarov. "Indeed, I think I have enough regeants for one more batch of goods but than I will have to rely on my wit and sword skills." He chuckles as they load the last of it up.
He looks to the Riftwarden then a little doubt creeping in. "You didn't know anything about this did you? Was such trechery suspected?" Once he had his answer he looked to Anevia.
He nods to Anevia. "If you know of anywhere else than let us know. I wouldn't mind breaking a few more heads before heading back to civilized company. Don't you agree Tarov?" He smirked before looking to their Crusader companion's. "It's a pity about your companion, do you think they would have sought shelter nearby? It'd be nice if we could find them and ..." He clears his throat. "Strongly suggest they come with us."
Einharjar murmured with a silent laugh before Julian could mentally hush him.
Other than that I am ready to go. Maraching Order, Julian in front, Tarov on cart with two soldiers pushing and one ready to protect Tarov. Young woman, Anevia and Riftwarden on cart. Rowan and remaining stwo soldiers in back to protect our rear. Sound Good?
A few of the names in the text are familiar to your group. Minagho (the writer) is the demonic ruler of the ruined city of Raliscrad in the Worldwound, and Vorlesh is the woman rumored to have helped open the Worldwound in the first place. It's doubtful that too many of the people on the list are still in the city... but some of them may well be in other cities, and the paper is definitely worth keeping.
"Vorlesh and Minagho... I remember them now." She rubs the sides of her nose in frustration with a chainmailed glove. "What a disaster and again we allow ourselves to be taken unawares. No one can say there wasn't a sign but in our confusion or hubris we missed it..." Smashing the last object of Baphomet she looked to the others, throwing aside her frustration as she nodded to Tarov. "Agreed, than we will be able to act more freely." She didn't regret protecting people but it put unseen chains on their ability to act.
[qoute=GM Rednal]
Unfortunately, the only practical ways of removing the influence of Baphomet here are considerably beyond your current capabilities - the easiest method would be casting Hallow over it, and that's a fifth-level spell. It may be more effective to report this location to a civil authority and ask them to have a talented cleric visit it as soon as possible.
That's what I figured but I thought I would at least put it forth, she still says a prayer but yeah. The evil is strong with this place. A little less now but... yeah. :/
[Qoute=Anevia]
Anevia's eyes light up in glee as you head outside and explain the things you found. "I knew it was worth coming here!" she said softly. "Are you ready to go?"
She smiles at Anevia and nods. "You did well to bring this to us, I apologize for not acting sooner and can blame only my own inability to act swiftly on why this went unnoticed so long." She takes the notes on the other Templar information and hands it to her. "As our guiding source it is only right you carry this and present it on our arrival."
The cart's starting to creak a little under the weight of the stuff piled inside, but it's still possible to move it, and it's not long before the group is together and you're headed back through the city. The sun has moved through a fair portion of the sky, but the journey is quiet as you approach the massive stone in. Even from some ways back, you can see the forms of armored watchmen looking out from the upper windows, and several warriors in the armor of the Eagle Knights block the way into the camp that's grown up around the building.
"Let me handle the formalities." Anevia said with a smile as she hobbled forward, towards the guards. Smiles appeared across their faces, though one of the guards immediately began casting - a spell to detect evil, it seemed, to which Anevia willingly submitted. The smiles grew even wider once the examination was done, and she limped back as best she could. "All right, we're in." she said, going the rest of the way with you.
Barely thirty seconds had passed before a half-orc in the armor of a paladin of Iomedae rushed out of the building. "Anevia!" she called, embracing the other woman and holding her tight for quite a bit longer than was strictly necessary.
"Irabeth. I'm back." Anevia said quietly. Only when Irabeth let go of her did she turn back and gesture to all of you, quickly and concisely explaining what had happened... though when she got to Julian, she made a very pointed reminder to the guards, noting the way he'd proven himself to the group and had been traveling under the watchful eye of another of Iomedae's paladins. They got the hint.
By the end, Irabeth was still smiling, though it was clear she was concerned by some of the news. "Well done, sister, all of you." Irabeth said. "You've done more than I ever imagined... and if you plan to keep fighting the demons here, I think I can talk them into giving you some funds. I've taken charge of the Eagle Watch here until the Mendevian army arrives to free the city. I don't believe any of the other border cities have suffered as much as we have, but the entire network the wardstones made has been greatly diminished after the destruction of our own stone. I thank Iomedae daily for the foolishness of our enemies - had they attacked Nerosyan as heavily as Kenabres, things would be dire indeed."
There was still a bit more to talk about, though - the mongrels, some of the names you'd heard, that list, and your newer companions all needed dealing with...
Congratulations on reaching Defender's Heart! You'll reach Level 4 once you rest - update your profiles at that point - and can collect the rewards for your adventures after you're done talking with Irabeth. All items up to 100 GP are widely available, anything up to 2500 GP has a 75% chance of being here (I'll roll), and sadly, anything above that still isn't around.
Tarov sighs as he feels a weight lifted off his shoulders. "Glad t' hear that there's some hope. It's hard t' tell by th' looks o' this place," he admits, his previously stalwart stance seeming to collapse as his shoulders droop from exhaustion and relief. "We've got plenty t' talk about. Let's continue inside, away from pryin' eyes an' ears," the knight suggests.
"There is always hope, Sir Dwarf." Irabeth said, a gently amused look on her face. "There are many things in this world one should doubt, but that is not among them." She gestured to the main entrance of the inn and ushered everyone inside, nodding to the old, one-armed bartender who ran the place. "Kimroth! These people have fought hard and brought us valuable information - see to it that all of them are well-fed tonight." she said. He acknowledged her words with a nod of his own. The owner wasn't a terribly handsome man - too many scars covering his face from his days as a fighter - but his smile of welcome was genuine as he waved his arm, clearly giving you your pick of the open seats.
Rowan smiles lightly at Irabeth's praise, however the rest of this moment of joyful reunion for the couple does little more than make the Hound pause. They had much to do and little time to spare. She takes a breath before she starts to speak. "Anevia's leg is broken and needs mending beyond our ability. These soldiers have faced the darkness and came out of it scarred but no less ready for battle if needed and this young lady will need shelter as well. I surrender my bed so that she may have a place if needed. It isn't the first nor last time I have slept on the earth and I much prefer it nowadays. Our friend here needs healing for his eyes and we have much to speak about when you two are done. Also we have relics captured from our enemy to be... disposed of along with an alter in the Tower of Estrod." She unwraps the evil magical minotaur head and nods at Irabeth with a grave look on her face before wrapping it up and setting it with the rest of the objects.
She rubs her face, the long day bringing forth her frustrations once more as she swiftly apologized for her blunt manner. "Apologies for not being more joyful but our work is unfinished Sword sister. If you'll excuse me."
She faces her companions as she focuses her attention in offloading what cargo they didn't need. "Julian, take care of distributing what armor and weapons we don't need to the effort here. Keep some in reserve in case we need it later. I plan on many forays into the city, replacement gear will be needed."
Looking to Tarov she nodded at the cultist items. "Help me off load these and dispose of them properly."
Looking at them both she added. "Once this is done we can take the time to recover and strategize our next target." Nodding to them both she gets to work off loading the objects while Julian off loads there extra gear, hoping that he had an eye for what they needed...
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Julian ignores the looks from the soldiers, as he stares at Irabeth and Anevia touching reunion but now wasn't the time for pause. He sighed heavily as he gestures at Anevia. "Don't..." He was cut off by Rowans forward manner and speech, choosing instead to listen he was surprised at how much she rolled out and the orders she dropped on them. It was as if she wasn't about to accept anything was safe yet, this was just par for the course of their mission and she its director.
He didn't know whether to like it or not but he wasn't about to disagree. He nodded to her and gestured to his fellow soldiers. The ones they had... rescued. "Going to need your strong hands lads and lasses, we got a lot of shit to shift here."
Tarov assists in unloading all the assorted junk they'd found, working tirelessly despite the fatigue that is clear in his features. "I have t' say, I'm gonna enjoy a warm meal an' a soft place t' sleep. I think we all deserve it."
"As well as I, once this is behind us we can focus on what lies ahead and work for the good of Kenebras." She grimaced at how much blood they would shed soon and she knew before the fighting was done a great many cultists would join the abyssal armies, the outcome was certainly not going to be good...
Lvling up to lvl 4 character, will pot additions soonish!
"Don't be too ready to rush into the city, Sister." Irabeth said, beckoning to one of the Eagle Watch and muttering to them. They hurried off, and she turned back to all of you. "If you're willing to help continue protecting Kenabres, then I have a mission for the three of you who have already proven your resilience, and I suspect it will be more important than simply fighting demons or rescuing those in need." This was not a callous statement - Irabeth seemed completely serious, and no true Paladin made such statements lightly. "I'll have more information on it in the morning. For now, let's take care of the things you brought in."
The guard she'd whispered to returned a moment later, and set down a sack of coins - clearly the reward for your efforts thus far.
The party has acquired 3000 GP. If you'd like, you can rest now - or go shopping - and assume that each minor matter has been taken care of. No need to actually roleplay unloading items and such unless you want to. XD
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
Julian arcs an eyebrow at Rowan's rush before saying quite bluntly. "We have a lot to go through and until we get this gear settled we are staying the night at least. Many spells to transfer and that takes a lot of time." Offloading the last of the items he rubbed his shoulders and started pulling off the chainshirt armor in exchange for the magic bracers as he added.
"But we made a promise to a group of Librarian's to aid them at Blackwing Library, at least what is left of it. Do you know where to find someone named Quednys, Irabeth?."
"Quednys Orlun? The head librarian? He's resting upstairs right now. He nearly suffered a fatal wound while saving others during the collapse of the cathedral, but managed to pull through. How many librarians are there right now? If it's only a few, I can dispatch some of my fastest men to bring them here."
JulianReligion: Desna | HP: 96/103 | AC: 27 / T: 23 / FF: 14 / Resist: Fire 5 Defiant Armor - vs Evil Outsiders +2 AC DR 2/- | F: +8, R: +14, W: +8 | BAB +6 CMB: +7 CMD: +30 | Ini: +15 Perception: +15
He nods. "Thats the one and..."
Five right?
"... we told them to barricade themselves inside the ruins of Blackwing Library, there's five of them. We found them almost being burned to death in some absurd attempt to gain a demons attention. We put down the thugs hard and left them to hide in the ruins."Snapping on the bracers his hair flares up as the magical protection forms around him instantly. "I can lead your men there to speed us through areas we already cleared. If you want. But they had little for supplies so waiting isn't much an option."
The last part he stressed, clearly intending to go and get them himself if the paladin's balked.
Tarov nods, returning with a new suit of expertly-crafed armor and a significantly lightened pack. "Let 'em take care o' it, Julian. We been rushin' 'round the city all day an' we deserve a good rest. An', if me memory ain't failin' me, ya got th' stuffin' beat out o' ya earlier."
