Moving carefully, Sarkast continues on his original path, trying to catch a quasit between himself and Nilus.
Ronan moves up closer and waits, knowing he is more useful as support for the others. He has his crossbow ready if the opportunity to do some damage.
Jinxx moves in and attacks where he last saw the quasits
miss on 1
miss on 1
miss on 1
Nilus attacks the spot where he thinks the Quasit is hiding but he swings Radiance only through air.
Sarkast moves without encountering a quasit and Jinxx simply swipes at the air. Nilus makes a majestic sweep with his new weapon, but is unable to make contact either. Dejik cautiously creeps around, but does not detect any evil auras in front of her.
Ayesha slowly turned in a circle, her black blade in her hand. Do you sensee anything?
Not sensing any evil auras in her cone, Dejik drops her Detect Evil. Maybe their victims can give us a clue where they went.
She starts to run after the fleeing people. Wait! You're hurt--let me help you.
I can't tell. The quasits are cunning. Remember that they are swift and fly, they could be in any direction. You also asked my name. I... am not sure yet. As I awaken I may know. Call me what you will.
"I'm getting the hell away from those things!" shouts one of the men who is fleeing. Dejik sees one of the bodies on the ground move indicating at least one is alive.
Bellis looks around wildly, trying to spot one of the quasits.
"I can hear them!" shouts Bellis. "Ronan, one is right beside us and there's one that was near Sarkast in the market! I can't tell exactly where!"
Bellis once again raises her voice in song to inspire the party.
Anevia simply keeps an arrow nocked, holding until she can see something to shoot.
Quasits (invisible)
People
---
Dejik
Bellis
Nilus
Ayesha
Anevia
Jinxx
Ronan
Dejik channels to heal, hoping to stabilize any dying victims and heal the others at least a little bit before they run away.
Nilus is going to move near Ayesha and ready to strike anything that appears.
Dejik hears groans. Without careful examination, she cannot tell how many lives she saved, but she has certainly helped. Nilus readies his glaive and watches for the quasits.
One finally appears in front of Ronan, lunging itself at the summoner. The demon demon claws viciously into Ronan's face and bites down on his neck.
A second one appears right on top of Nilus, trying to do the same to the paladin!
As the quasit appears on Ronan, Anevia fires at it! Her cold iron arrow slams into the quasit, eliciting a screech of agony.
The people continue to flee.
Quasit
Triangle quasit (7 dmg)
People
---
Dejik
Bellis
Nilus (1 dmg)
Ayesha
Anevia
Jinxx
Ronan (7 dmg)
As the tiny demons reappear, Sarkast mutters under his breath. Damnable creatures...Desna lighten my feet!
He charges back through the market, going past Nilus to line up with the paladin and his quarry between himself and Ayesha. When the demon is watching the others, he thrusts with his spear.
Nilus grunts at the scratch as it burns him slightly.
Nilus drops Radiance and draws his longsword chopping downward at the demon
Ayesha activated her shard as soon as the quasits appeared, then sent a glowing charge of magical energy into the blade. She lashed out at the one on Nilus, finding a weak spot and exploiting the Hells out of it.
Ronan clutches his face where the Quasit raked his face.
Dejik comes back around the corner and fires a cold iron arrow at the quasit attacking Ronan (triangle).
Nilus whips out his longsword and bats the quasit away from him. Ayesha and Sarkast then rush in, and their weapons collide into the tiny demon. It falls to the ground, lifeless after Ayesha's scimitar cleaves into its head.
Further south, Dejik snaps off an arrow opposite to Anevia's, which sticks out of the quasit who shrieks with rage.
Triangle quasit (11 dmg)
People
---
Dejik
Bellis
Nilus (1 dmg)
Ayesha
Anevia
Jinxx
Ronan (7 dmg) (1 dex)
Jinxx runs to Ronan's side and tries to bite the Triangle quasit.
Jinxx bites nothing but air, and Bellis just keeps her song going.
The remaining closet sees its friend dies, and lets out a shriek. It vanishes once more. Droplets of blood fall to the ground as it appears to be fleeing the fight.
End of Combat
The remaining closet [...]
Sarkast remains on guard, watching for any further invisible demons to show themselves while the rest of the group recovers and gathers back together.
Nilus looks to the wounded after recovering Radiance.
Are you injured sir, here sit down.
Dejik switches her life link to Ronan. She break out her healer's kit and surgeon's tools to treat the wounded.
Ayesha: down 0 hp
Nilus: down 1 hp
Jinxx: down 0 hp
Ronan: down 2 hp, 1 Dex damage
Dejik: down 5 hp
Sarkast: down 0 hp
Bellis: down 0 hp
Anevia snaps off an arrow in frustration and grumbles something before limping up to help Dejik.
Of the four bodies, two are dead, and one appears to be paralyzed, likely by the quasit's poison. The fourth is slowly moving. She looks around wildly.
"Those horrible creatures! Are they gone?"
"I rather think they are. It appears that they weren't interested in hanging around with a group of bloodthirsty adventurers out for retribution. I think you, at least, are safe for now. Now, sit still and let Dejik take a look at those wounds."
Once confident the group is safe, Sarkast retrieves his pack. He keeps an eye out while Dejik tends to the wounded.
Sarkast, voisitko haluta tulla minun pack liian?
While tending the wounded, Dejik will also try to help Ronan fight off the quasit's poison. She'll also cast Guidance on him once a minute until he seems to be feeling better.
Sarkast nods and brings Dejik's pack to her. He then reaches into his own and hands her a small vial.
"I do not know the nature of his affliction, but we acquired this, which may help."
Ronan shudders violently as the venom courses through his system. However, with Dejik's careful attention and prayer, the venom runs its course.
Dejik takes some time to continue caring to the wounded. The one paralyzed by the poison eventually gets to the point where he can move, barely. The woman looks up with a tear-streaked face.
"Thank you. This man is my brother and our home is nearby. I will take him back. Please make haste from the streets, we have heard tell the witch Areelu Vorlesh is coming to the city soon to claim it as a trophy!"
Areelu Vorlesh is a legendary figure amongst demonkind, a half-fiend witch of notorious cruelty and power. Whilst the Storm King was at the head of the army which shattered Kenabres, she has been rumoured to be the mastermind behind the attack.
With that, the people make to return to their homes, thanking the group profusely for the help.
Anevia smiles at Dejik. "You have a kind heart, when many others would turn bitter after suffering such an injury. We need everyone we can like you in the crusade."
She picks up her walking stick and waves it vaguely at the group.
"Lead on! Defender's Heart must be close. The rumour of Areelu Vorlesh scares me."
As the group starts to move again, Sarkast asks, "Who or what is this 'Areela Vorlesh'? I am not familiar with the name."
"Never heard of her, but it sounds as if she is a powerful figure among the demons."
Indeed. Let's get to the Defenders Heart and we can find allies.
Anevia explains that she doesn't know too much, but Areelu Vorlesh is a terrible witch-demon whose cruelty and power are enough to scare many veteran crusaders. The group gather their belongings, and make their way northwards.
After another good hour of picking through ruins, Anevia lets out a shout of joy. A stone structure that shows Kenabres' most resilient and popular inn stands in the distance. She begins hurrying along, white-faced from the pain in her leg. As she approaches, a voice calls out from one of the windows in the second floor.
"Halt, who goes there?! Come no further without identifying yourselves!"
Anevia groans and shouts back.
"It's Anevia Tirablade!"
There's a momentary pause. "A-Anevia? We all thought you were dead! OI! EVERYONE! ANEVIA'S BACK!"
She smiles back to the group and beckons for everyone to approach the inn. After a moment the front door bursts open and a burly half-orc woman rushes forward towards the group. She almost bowls over Anevia in a huge embrace.
"Oh Gods Anevia! I was certain you were alive! I prayed and they doubted me and... I can't believe you're here!"
After a moment the half-orc looks up and clears her throat.
"Forgive me, it's been a... trying time for all of us. I am Irabeth. Please, come in. Anevia and I can catch up in a moment."
Irabeth is a powerful half-orc with short black hair and a face that appears a little more human than orcish, save for the green skin and tusks. She stands half a head taller than most men and is bedecked in full plate armour. Her manner is forthright and earnest, if a little awkward.
Nilus smiles in pleasure at seeing the two lovers reunited Even in these dark times love exists and even for a moment these two forget their problems. Love is truly the most powerful force in existence.
Blessed by the Rose Nilus says as he walks into the fortified Inn.
Anevia leans heavily on Irabeth and smiles at the group.
"Ira, this is Ronan with his eidolon Jinxx, Sarkast, Bellis, Dejik of Iomedae, Nilus of Shelyn, and of course Ayesha. The group I've travelled with has changed quite a bit but these brave souls have saved my life many times over. There are a lot of tales to tell of our journeys."
The inside of Defender's Watch has a few refugees, but is largely city watch and a handful of crusaders. Irabeth leads the group to a table, asking for some ration of food and drink for the group. Ale, water, and a rich-smelling stew are set out in front of the group.
Irabeth settles beside Anevia, who leans happily against her.
"So, tell me of what happened."
Dejik will help tend any wounded at Defender's Heart, but when Anevia starts to tell the story, Dejik pauses to listen, curious as to what befell the group before she met them.
"That damb demon really did a number on me I cant seem to work my hands very well" As he says this he remembers he might have a potion that may help and he pulls the potion out and swallows it down.
"AHHH much better!"
Ira looks expectantly at the group. "I'll hear Anevia's version soon enough. Tell me your story."
"Very well then."
Ayesha began relaying their story, from waking in the darkness to their appearance at the inn. She told of their travels through the underground passages, of the dwarven temple, and the rescued mongrelmen. Her story was animated when she talked of the mongrelmen village and their quests to relieve the mongrels of the cultists that had taken over the passages. She spoke at length of the deal teh mongrelmen chief had made to help support the eradication of the cultists and their demon allies.
When she told of the fight against the cultist leaders, she spun and pirouetted, using the art of the dance to tell her stories, as she had been taught so many years ago. She told of the note regarding the cultist safehouses, and of the magic sword.
In all the story, she made Anevia's struggle to remain with the group, and the wounded warrior's archery support, to be a strong part of the adventure. She neither lied nor exaggerated, simply placed the woman's struggle with the proper emphasis for the audience, as was also her training.
The others played their parts as well, Lord Gwerm, Aravashnial, Thora and Merui were introduced, followed, and set free as their stories came to a close. The discussion of their time on the surface was grim, with much detail focused on the current status of Kenebras and the destruction they had found. Ayesha told of the destruction of the Library, and the chasms they had crossed. She told of the demons still infesting the city, and their ultimate demise at the hands of the collective around her.
In all, the story took nearly an hour to tell, with the others jumping in every now and then to add a bit of information Ayesha had forgotten, ot to relive some of their better combat moves.
Irabeth sits back and watches Ayesha tell the story through dance with a smile on her face. The entire inn quiets down as Ayesha spins and twirls, speaking of the people under the city, evil cultists, and Anevia's courage. At the end of the tale the entire room bangs their mugs or applauds for the performance.
Irabeth is openly smiling when Ayesha reseats herself.
"I've never seen anything quite like that! You've found some amazing people here, Anevia. Let me tell you what I can about what you've encountered."
Irabeth takes a draught of her ale and begins speaking.
"The First Descendants, or mongrels as they are called by some, are an amazing piece of news. I have been dimly aware of them and their history as descendants from crusaders, and it is wonderful news to hear they wish to throw their lot in with us. I will dispatch Eagle Knights to Neathholm to cement the alliance at earliest opportunity."
Anevia touches Irabeth and whispers something.
"Right. The mention of the safe houses is ... well, mixed news. The Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth as they call themselves are one of the most dangeorus groups in Kenabres. Your friend Aravashnial, despite his arrogance, was right and should have been listened to. Solid proof of their manifesting has only come about recently, and I have managed to root out one of their more powerful members - the leader of a group called the Hammers of Heaven. We all thought of Staunton Vhane as a model crusader, but as far as I was able to discern, he's been working for the demons for decades!"
A few poeple spit at the mention of his name. The group recalls Staunton Vhane as a decorated crusader and leader of the Hammers of Heaven mercenary group. Anevia has mentioned that Irabeth has a great deal of unwelcome fame thanks to her outing him as a traitor, even if he escaped.
"He may have been the one to betray Drezen 75 years ago. I was knighted for that discovery, but I'm still not sure why since the bastard slipped through my fingers and it still out there, causing more damage..."
She lets out a breath. "You still have two safehouses to explore. If you can complete that task, I will reward you from our coffers for this dangerous work. Say 4,500 gold? You are free to stay here and although our supplies our meager we will offer what we can. Healing is free of charge as well if needed."
Nilus nods at Irabeth. We will do this, and for my part I would not require payment Madame. Later he will show Radiance to Irabeth and ask her about the magnificent weapon. Have you ever seen its like? I would not want to carry a stolen blade.
Sarkast listens and watches Ayesha, marveling at her grace. After hearing Irabeth's news, he collects items the group has been carrying and sets them out. "Thank you for your generosity. For our part, we have recovered a few things that we cannot use. Perhaps your order can find use for them."
As Ayesha dances, Dejik tries to follow the movement without the swirl of colors to help her separate skirt from scarf from skin. She seems both entranced and relieved as she realizes her broken sight doesn't detract from the beauty of Ayesha's performance.
As Irabeth finishes speaking, Dejik asks about Staunton Vhane and the betrayal of Drezen, wondering how Vhane was involved in a plot so long ago and how far the corruption of the Ivory Labyrinth might have spread.
Dejik's face clouds with concern. If we can't trust our fellow crusaders...How do you keep fighting when your brothers in arms might also be your enemy?
Irabeth calls out over her shoulder. "Daenar! Some weapons to examine! Make sure they get a fair price!" She looks sad for a moment as Dejik speaks. "Staunton's betrayal broke my heart and a lot of my faith in the crusade. I'm more careful with my friends now, but all we can do is keep fighting, and be aware that there may be traitors. Uprooting these safe houses will help all of us rest easier as a result."
A cheerful young man comes over and examines the weapons Sarkast has laid out. He mutters a quick spell as he looks over them.
"All of good quality... hello, let's look at this." He picks up the ranseur and looks it over carefully. "Verrrry nice. Armoring and disarming... I know just the woman for this." He looks at Sarkast. "Your contribution to the crusade is appreciated."
After a moment he starts laughing. "I joke, we pay for everything - although donations are encouraged. Two thousand, eight hundred gold for the lot. I'll round up because you brought Anevia back." He waves a hand. "Now if you want to spend some of that money, there'll be people around here who can sell most of what you need. Some minor magical supplies are available as well - nothing too fancy but ask around."
Sarkast thanks the man and divides the money among his companions. Once done, he comes back and asks, "I have heard of enchanted cords that enhance one's ability to carry a load, and backpacks that reduce the weight of the items carried. Is there any chance of such a thing being available?"