Jinxx bursts through the maze but comes up short as he bites at the dretch; the extra cover from the corner making the dretch that much harder to hit.
Rowena has finally recovered from the stinky dretch enough to walk. She slowly lurches toward the mazey wall, hearing voices at its entrance. She hesitates, and decides she'd better stay out of the melee.
"I'll be here if you need healing!" She listens earnestly to the tumbling around inside.
With his nausea having worn off, Sarkast races through the maze to position himself behind Ayesha.
Meriui swings out viciously for the dretch, cursing at it to die. His blade strikes solidly, and the dretch collapses in a pool of blood.
With the dretch down, Meriui says a short prayer to his God and cleaves down with his scimitar, cutting off the demon's head effortlessly.
End of Combat
Rowena enters the cave and takes a cursory glance at the demon's beheaded body. "Surely this dretch is a sign of things to come...it must be protecting something, or warding off intruder...something"
Indeed, the dretches did seem to serve as guardians. Horgus stomps through the maze up to the group, Anevia and Aravashnial behind him.
"Give me that light spell thing you can do!" He barks at Anevia, who looks at him incredulously before casting light on a stump of a torch in his hand. He glowers at the group.
"I'll stay with you because I have no choice, but you," he jabs a finger at Sarkast. "Won't be counting on a dime from me after you threatened me like that!"
Horgus proceeds to stomp through the maze, finding the exit in short order.
Aravashnial groans. "That idiot is going to get himself killed." However, he starts as he hears a hoarse cheer from the other side.
"I found it! There's a tunnel leading up out of this damn place! I can feel air on my face! It... it smells bad, but it's freedom! Stop slacking off and follow me!"
Ayesha ran after Horgus and put a hand gently on his shoulder. "Master Gwerm, please do not let our eminent escape cloud your judgement. You wished for an escort, so please let us continue to serve until all are safe. "
She throws up on Sarkast's foot.
Rowena glances toward the tunnel and shivers, remembering the disgusting smell. "Hopeful the tunnel doesn't lead to more....stinky hellishness."
The group get together, and with Aravashnial's hand on Ayesha's shoulder, Anevia behind, and Horgus stomping ahead, the group make their way upwards. After just a hundred feet, the group see their first sign of Kenabres; sewers. A thick, cloying smell of decay is everywhere. Anevia's eyes light up as the group hits the sewers.
"This area used to be covered in rubble - the mongrels must have cleared it out to work with the cultists. Over there, look! A ladder. Follow me!"
Anevia starts limping forwards as quickly as she can, forgetting the pain of her broken leg in her excitement.
With Anevia leading the way, the group come to a ladder. Everyone, desperate to get to the surface starts charging up the ladder. With Meriui at the top, he pushes a manhole cover to the side, and everyone emerges into Kenabres.
...
As you emerge from the sewers you step into a city vastly different from the one you left. Tremors and demonic attacks have devastated fair Kenabres which now lies as a smoking, apocalyptic ruin. The familiar skyline is no more, the tower of the Kite and the Cathedral of St. Clydwell have been completely destroyed, while elsewhere plumes of smoke still rise from the smoldering remains of burned down buildings. Fat buzzards wheel above in skies scarred by red smoke and black clouds. The Worldwound has expanded its borders, and the city of Kenabres is enveloped in it.
You all stand in the southeast of the city, in the Southgate district. Blood, human remains, and shattered buildings surround everything. There is nobody here except for you.
As you step up into the city and hear the gasps of horror from the rest of the group, you feel a sudden change within yourself. The mass death, the chaos, the destruction awaken something within you and you suddenly feel hyper-sensitive to the world around you. Magical currents flow through your body. You feel charged. Alive.
As you look over the smoking wasteland, you suddenly hear the thoughts of another in your head.
I... I am. I am here. I have purpose. Ayesha, I am with you. We are one. So much death here. I don't like this place.
Niles, meet Bellis. Bellis, meet Niles.
The two of you have been together for the better part of a day, both having stepped in to save a family from a rampaging dretch. Some discussion after the fact and you both realised that you had similar goals - routing the cultists that had emerged to control the city, and finding others who had been blessed by Terendelev.
The two of you have been wandering the city looking for survivors and as you look around, you hear the sound of chaos from within a shop Bellis recognises as "Fine Fittings", a clothing shop. A woman's scream of utter terror rings out, followed by maniacal, crazed laughter.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THIS PLACE?!" shrieks Horgus. The large man almost falls into the manhole as he steps back, his face pale and eyes wide from the carnage.
"We need to get to my house, now! I have too much to lose! Who knows what's happened to everything, my servants... oh Gods. We need to hurry!"
Aravashnial inhales deeply and begins coughing. The blinded elf leans heavily on his staff.
"Don't describe it. I can feel what's happened here. I... I would like to be brought to Blackwing."
Sarkast moves to keep up with Anevia. He checks the ladder both for safety and to get an idea of where it goes.
"Let us not be hasty in our enthusiasm ... please allow me to check this before we climb up."
Anevia looks around resolutely. She closes her eyes, brushes aside a tear and looks to the group.
"My wife Irabeth and I have a small home in eastern Kenabres. I.. I'm desperately worried about her."
Nilus felt numb. So much destruction, so much death and chaos and....ugliness surrounded him. He fought the urge to just sit down and cry. But he knew he couldn't, he knew that people depended on him. The little Bellis, as beautiful as the Varisian Sunflower with which she shared a name, She needed him, as did Kenebres. And Terendelev...Terendelev needed to be avenged....
Sarkast emerged into the destruction, and felt his chest tighten.
"We must look for survivors, help anyone we can. It seems to be over, but there could still be attackers here. Let us stay on our guard, and make a careful path through the city to look for your families."
The kellid hefts a spear in one hand and a dagger in the other, and looks around the area, waiting for the others to emerge and take in the scene.
Looking up at Shelyn's chosen next to her, she reaches up to hold and squeeze Nilus' hand. She lets out a sad, warming smile as she looks up at him.
"It hurts, I know. All this beauty replaced by ruin. But we mustn't stop now. You hear that?" She points to the clothing shop. "Sounds like there's someone we can save. Come on!"
She pulls on Nilus' hand as she heads off toward the shop.
Meriui lays Thora's body on the ground, gasping with exhaustion as he looks around at the horror of the city. He draws the sword he claimed but has not drawn yet and looks pensively around.
"I cannot continue with you. I have pledged myself to return Thora's body to the dwarves and even as we move, I hear tell that other cities are under attack. The Dawnflower calls me elsewhere. The Gwerm can keep his money. Please..."
Meriui takes out the sword he has been carrying but has not claimed.
"This weapon belongs with a paladin, but not me. It is not right for me when my fight leads me elsewhere. Please take it and ensure it goes to one who is deserving."
With that, Meriui hands over the sword and hauls Thora's body over his shoulder to continue his journey.
Yes little flower! Let us go. picking up his rose carved glaive he moves alongside Bellis toward the sound of screaming.
Ayesha looked about, aghast at the destruction of Kenebares. Then, faintly at first, but growing stronger, she heard the voice. "Who is that?" she asked aloud, at first not realizing that the voice was speaking directly to her mind.
Then, understanding came in a burst of insight and she held aloft the black scimitar. The purple tracings in the blade seemed to pulse with their own internal light as the sword spoke to her, and she marveled at it. You...you are talking to me. In my mind. Did Khamil know of your powers? Is that why he gave you to me when I was exiled? What purpose do you speak of? What...? She looked around to see the others, each moving in their own direction as they finally reached the surface and the ruins of Kenebras. Her heart was saddened by Merui's choice to leave, but she knew that the paladin was now on a quest of his own.
"I can carry it until we find one worthy to hold the blade, Merui. I wish you well on your journey." Ayesha took the sword from him and fastened it to her back.
Then, she looked at the others and said, "I agree, Sarkast. Let us help whomever we can find. First, though, let's escort our three charges home, and finish the job we started."
The two of you make your way to the shop and the sound of the screaming. Ripping and tearing sounds come from within. Nilus is tall enough to peer through a window, and within he sees a man and woman pinned against a wall. The woman is white-faced and screaming for all she's worth while the man has simply passed out.
Around 20' from you is the front door to the building, which has been kicked in. The shattered window is also a means of ingress to the building.
Within the shop, some deformed, hunchbacked humanoid with a rat-like face is destroying everything in sight! It snarls and holds up a lovely dress before ripping it in two and cackling with delight.
This is an Abrikandilu, a minor demon which is noted for its love of destruction of all that is beautiful. It has found a very happy place in this fine clothing shop.
Come! For The Eternal Rose! Nilus raises his glaive and charges forth ready to defend the humans!
Khamil knew the value of the sword which is now my vessel, and guessed at your own potential. It broke his heart to see you go, but knew I would protect you when your time came. My purpose is... unclear. For now, you must seek others who have been blessed by Terendelev. There is greatness in you, in these others. Be their heart and conscience.
Horgus charges off ahead of the group, the most loudly insistent on going to his house first. Anevia sighs and starts to protest but shakes her head, not wanting to fight with the man.
The group carefully make their way through the ruins of the city. Nearly everything has been destroyed and although the occasional looter can be seen, there's very little sign of human activity.
The ruined buildings get a little nice as the group move further inwards to the city. Horgus keeps wringing his hands as he proceeds, red-faced and puffing.
"This is terrible... terrible. Everything destroyed. All these p--- well Gods be praised one place is still upright!"
He points a chubby finger down to a still-standing brick building, around two blocks down the street.
"That's fine Fittings! Belthis is a good man. Glad to see his shop is still in good repair. Keeps things running properly. Always done a good job on my clot--"
As Horgus points out his favorite clothing store, a scream rips through the air, apparently coming from that very same clothing store. Distantly, the group can hear cackling and more screaming from within the building.
"Nobody is safe! You have to help them! They're upstanding citizens!"
However, Horgus does not proceed, looking frantically to the group for their assistance. As you look at the building, two figures approach from the other direction, one very short - a child or small humanoid. They rush up to peer in a window of the store.
"And looters too! You have to stop them!"
"That's a vile Abrikandilu! They hate beauty! Show your wrath, passionate warrior!"
Bellis leaps in the air, opens the door, and grabs a scrap to wave enchantingly. "Even in tatters, the clothes are still pretty. Your efforts are useless, foul demon!"
Without waiting to hear Gwerm's words, Sarkast runs immediately toward the screams. Weapons in hand, as he gets close he finds cover from which to observe the action.
Is jumping to conclusions the only exercise he gets?
Ayesha pulled her scimitar and started for the clothier's place. "Actually it looks as if those "looters" are going to the aid of your tailor, Master Gwerm. Come on, let's go see if they need assistance!" And with that she bounded off.
Rowena runs after Ayesha. The small humanoid could be a looter...you can never be too sure. She keeps a hand on her bow, just in case.
Aravashnial
Nilus
Sarkast
---
Abrikandilu
---
Shopkeepers (holding their action)
Bellis
Rowena
Jinxx
Ronan
Ayesha
Horgus
Anevia
As the group advances they can see a man wielding a glaive alongside a halfling woman. Both of them look about ready to enter the store. From within the store it sounds like a feral beast is destroying the place. Smashing, roaring, ripping, and tearing sounds are punctuated with the occasional scream of people in the building. Meanwhile, the halfling strikes up a thrilling song which seems to bolster the man wielding the glaive.
Seeing the demon, Nilus moves into the building and attacks!
There is beauty in your ending!
More information I did not include. An Abrikandilu hates the site of its own reflection and will drop everything to destroy mirrors. Its bite is famous causing hideous, ugly wounds.
Catching the demon off-guard with his long weapon, Nilus slashes upwards, sending a spray of black blood across the room. The abrikandilu roars in response.
"There will be no beauty in yours!"
The abrikandilu snarls at Nilus and throws down the dress it was eating. It begins chanting, weaving its nasty arms. A portal begins to slowly open beside it.
The abrikandilu is attempting to summon another of its kind.
Aravashnial and Sarkast hold back, waiting to see what the rest of the group does.
"What is inside? Do we know yet? are the shop owners still in there?"
Sarkast moves in after the man with the glaive. Seeing him attacking a beast, the Kellid moves up beside him and attacks as well.
Ayesha manages to peer in a window. The two shop owners are huddled in a corner. Clothing has been strewn everywhere, although several racks remain upright. The abrikandilu stands in the centre, battling a man with a glaive.
The squat, rat-faced demon snarls, immediately noticing Sarkast as he tries to slink in. However, it is unable to defend itself as Sarkast lunges in, his spear opening up a wound.
Oh no you don't! Nilus says as he attacks the creature again!
but the arrival of the newcomer distracts him from the blow.
Use Cold Iron if you can, this thing is a foul minion of the Abyss Nilus says to Sarkast as he sees the man wielding weapons.
Thankfully, Sarkast's attack, which is not cold iron, seemed to harm the demon without issue.
The abrikandilu, showing shocking agility for such a squat, ugly beast, and leaps straight into the air over top of Nilus' low-swinging glaive.
"Oh thank the gods! It's destroying everything!" shouts the man cowering in the corner.
Ronan sends Jinxx in to help and follows as fast as he can behind Jinxx
Rowena charges over to the side of the building, knocking out the remains of a broken window and taking aim at the abrikandilu with her bow.
Bellis is unable to respond to the newcomers as she continues her song, but seeing that they are joining the fight against the demon she extends its powers to them.
Horgus runs up, wheezing. He spies the abrikandilu through the window.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"
In the shop, Sarkast's well-timed spear fouls the spell of the demon, and the portal vanishes. It roars in anger and looks between Sarkast and Nilus before leaping on the paladin. Although he manages to parry two of its brutal claw strikes, the small demon leaps on him, biting through his armour into his shoulder. It lands nimbly on its feet, snarling.
"You will die in ugliness and despair!"
Abrikandilu (8 damage taken)
---
Shopkeepers (holding their action)
Bellis (inspire courage)
Rowena
Jinxx
Ronan
Ayesha
Horgus
Anevia
--Round Three Starts--
Aravashnial
Nilus (19/26)
Sarkast
Ayesha moved into the room with her scimitar drawn. She knocked over one of the few remaining clothing racks in her haste to get to the demon. "Sarkast, get it between us!
Double move into the room, going wide to avoid an AoO
Once Ayesha moves around, Sarkast grins. Stepping behind the beast, he lashes out with both weapons.
Nilus silently calls upon his goddess for healing
Your moments are numbered demon. You lose. Nilus snarls as he backs up and slashes with the glaive.
Nilus glaive strikes true!
With astonishing speed, the bite wound in Nilus' shoulder begins to inflame and turn red. Ugly, purplish swelling spreads out over Nilus' left side, reaching up to his face. In the eyes of others, Nilus seems smaller, less significant. A quick chant heals the damage, but the swelling remains.
The effect on Nilus is a curse. It worsens with every successful bite from the abrikandilu and will take a day per bite to heal.
Ayesha flows into the room, spinning past the range of the abrikandilu's attacks to flank with Sarkast. It twists around to knock aside Sarkast's spear, but it has opened itself up to attack and a dagger goes straight into its face, ripping open the demon's cheek. It lets out a blood-curdling shriek of pain, which turns into a gurgle as Nilus slams his glaive into its chest. Remarkably, the creature snarls at Nilus, grabs the haft of the glaive, and pulls it out! It is still fighting, but badly wounded.
Bellis maintains her song outside, which is punctuated by the thrum of Rowena's arrow through the window. Her arrow just plinks off of the tough hide of the demon.
However, as it turns to snarl at Rowena, Jinxx leaps across the room from the door, grabbing onto the demon's arm and savaging it!
Finally, Ronan positions himself outside of the front door and loads his crossbow.
The abrikandilu looks around wildly at the encroaching group. It steps back.
"Enough! I WILL EAT YOUR SOULS!"
It points to Sarkast, snarling threats at the rogue. A strange wave of fear passes over Sarkast. Anevia and Aravashnial make their way up to the storefront as Hogus watches through the window in horror.
Abrikandilu (30 damage taken)
---
Shopkeepers (holding their action)
Bellis (inspire courage)
Rowena
Jinxx
Ronan
Ayesha
Horgus (holding)
Anevia
--Round Four Starts--
Aravashnial
Nilus (19/26) (mutilated)
Sarkast
"Don't just stand there, kill that thing! Those clothes are the best in Kenabres!" hollers Horgus from the window doing his "best" attempt at cheerleading the group.
Aravashnial leans against the side of the wall, listening.
"Well, I appreciate the music. Makes everything seem that much more heroic. Pity about the foul-sounding beast near me though. The demon sounds a right treat too."