GM SpiderBeard's Wrath of the Righteous (Inactive)

Game Master Barvo Delancy

Indeed Master Sarkast, our lives are definitely in their hands. Nilus affirms

Dejik spends her days tending the sick and injured. Each evening before the party goes to bed, Dejik casts extended Mythic Endure Elements and Extended Status.

As they come to crypt, Dejik remembers their past companion. Didn't Ronan say that his parents worked with the Rift Wardens? We should probably be prepared for magical wards.

As the group starts to approach the crypt, a ghostly figure materializes before you!

"What fresh insult approaches here!"

The figure is clad in armour, wavering transparently before you. His face is a twisted mask of torment, but he does not appear violent - yet.

"I... I feel that the child was once with you! His power, his flesh and bones, they carry with you yet he is long gone. You have come to torment me with the child's memory! Woe, the bliss of being forgotten yet eludes these old bones!"

We have not come to torment you Spirit. What is your name? I am Nilus Romani, Servant of the Rose.

I am afraid I am not being a very good player here. I got so busy this last few weeks that I haven't spent more than a few minutes on a post, and am always playing catch up. I can only apologize and hope to do better in the future.

Ayesha spent most of her time back in the camp attending to logistics. The procedures she had set forth appeared to be working well, keeping the supplies moving and the troops fed and equipped. In fact, now that they were at a fixed position, it seemed that she wasn't needed any more. She let Nilus and Dejik handle the prisoners, and for the most part, kept to herself. Quiet and solitude was something hard come by in the rebuilt - and rebuilding - city of Drezden, but she sought it where she could find it.

When Sarkast came to her and asked if she was ready to go, she had her pack and swordbelt in hand before he had even finished his question.

She was excited to see the crypt, and its ties to Ronan brought back many memories, most of which were good ones. This was the basis of her response to the ghost which appeared, unsummoned, but not unexpected.

"The child? You must mean Ronan. Yes, he was once a companion of ours, and a good friend. He fought valiantly, thought deeply, and experienced life to the fullest. He and his spirit companion both walked with us for many months, and between us we destroyed much that was evil and restored much that was good. I am Ayesha Jalal, and I claim friendship with he who was once known to us as Ronan Black."

The spirit hovers in the air as it looks at you all.

"Lo, I am ashamed to be Alrys Black - you can free me from my curse and from the evil that infests my heart. There is a darkness in the ground below, festering in a place forever barred to me. I am a monster made such by this land, yet the monster below is far worse! Remove it from my proscribed crypt that only its proximity may vex me, for one more night with the demon squatting within may well drive me to seek out your kin, slay them, and bring their souls back to revel with me!"

The spirit moves to the side, gesturing to the crypt.

"Go and drive out the evil lest the evil come for you!"

"Master Black, it is our honor and duty to see that the evil in this place is set to rest. It is our privilege to be able to do it in aid of the family of our friend Ronan."

Sarkast bows to the ghost, then touches the elk charm on his bracelet and whispers a quiet prayer in preparation. He then drinks a potion and moves up to peer into the crypt.

Spending a Mythic point to activate Impossible Speed for 1 hour. Drinking Elixir of Vision to increase Perception to +29 for 1 hour.

"We will harry this evil from your crpyts, but be warned. We will not hesitate to defend ourselves from any, even those driven insane by the mere presence of evil. We can do more good on this world if we stay alive to continue, and we will do everything in our power to remain among the living."

Ayesha moves to follow after Sarkast.

Sarkast checks the door and you all move in.

The stone walls within this mausoleum are engraved with images of a celestial woman bearing a longsword and shield. Deep claw marks deface the engravings, and some phrase is scrawled in caked old blood and filth toward the top of the east wall.

An image of Iomedae is on the walls, with the words "Filthy usurper" written below in Abyssal.

Stairs lead downwards into a short passageway. Sarkast's supernaturally-enhanced hearing detects a strange shuffling sound from below.

As the group prepares to enter the crypt, Dejik draws her rod and quicky chants the same spell twice, calling on Iomedae and Shelyn to protect her friends.
Casting Extended Mythic Protection from Evil on Sarkast and Ayesha. They now have +4 AC (deflection bonus) and saves (resistance bonus). An evil creature attempting to control their minds must make a DC 17 will save or take 5d6 damage from mental feedback. This lasts 20 minutes.

As the gloom of the crypt surrounds them, Dejik summons a special sight that lets her distinguish living from dead. Casting Deathwatch.

Sarkast whispers, "I hear movement below - probably undead. Let us move in carefully."

When everyone is ready, he leads the way, daggers drawn.

With Dejik's spell, AC is 29/20/23 vs Evil, saves are 11/16/9 vs Evil.

Having appropriately girded your loins, you descend down into the crypt. The Fallen watching over you vanishes from sight.

A row of six stone doors, each carved with an image of a saluting woman with a sword and shield, runs along the east wall of this room. Statues of the same woman stand in three of the room's corners.

In the southern part of the room, standing against two double doors is a horrid creature.

The flesh of this emaciated creature appears charred or dried, and its empty eye sockets seep trails of smoke.

The creature lets out a loud, wailing moan and attacks!

Everyone is up and the bodak is flat footed!

GM, my initiative should be +5 now since at Sentinel level 4 I got this ability. Divine Quickness (Ex): Starting at 4th level, so long as the sentinel carries his deity’s favored weapon, he gains a +2 sacred or profane bonus on initiative checks. The weapon doesn’t need to be carried in hand, but must at least be on his person and accessible enough that he can wield it with no greater than a move action. At 8th level, this bonus increases to +4.

Nilus charges forward

For the Rose! Smite Evil!

Radiance!: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 35 Damage: 1d10 + 30 ⇒ (3) + 30 = 33

"Nilus, Dejik, any idea what that thing is?"

Ayesha didn't waste time trying to figure it out. She simply acted. Knowing that Sarkast and Nilus both enjoyed the benefits of a haste spell, she fired one off before moving in with scimitar drawn.

casting Haste

Sarkast feels the rush of Ayesha's spell and moves in behind Nilus. Sensing that they have caught the creature unaware, he tries to slip past it to prevent it from finding safety in the corner of the room.

Free action to activate Daredevil boots, attempt to move through its square.
Acrobatics vs flat-footed CMD+5: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (10) + 26 = 36

He then jabs his dagger into the creature.

Haste, banner, Combat Expertise, flat-footed
Attack, magic dagger: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 Damage, magic, good: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Sneak Attack: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6, 2, 1) = 14
If sneak attack hits, target is unable to make attacks of opportunity for 1 round. In addition, target is Disoriented (-2 attack, -4 vs Sarkast) for 1 round.

AC is 32 (23 touch) this round, assuming the creature is evil.

Lost my post, but Dejik rolled a 1 one her Knowledge Religion, for a total of 10.

Having never seen a creature like this before and feeling the benefits of Ayesha's spell, Dejik resorts to time-worn training. She steps up and fires her bow at the thing.

Attack, Haste, magic, cold iron arrow, Precise Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Attack, Haste, magic, cold iron arrow, Precise Shot: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Attack, (iterative), magic, cold iron arrow,Precise Shot: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Wow. The RNG says it's time for Dejik to go to bed!

Nilus rushes in, slashing down brutally at the creature while Sarkast rolls past it and slams a dagger into its back. He notices a damage resistance against his specific weapon. Ayesha's haste spell goes off, while Dejik's arrows hit everything but the creature. Since Dejik is technically blind, nobody minds.

Snarling, the creature rears back and lets out a brutal howl as smoke pours from its eyes and mouth. With Sarkast right against it, it turns and black, horrible energy flows over the rogue.

Sarkast must make a DC 20 fortitude save or gain 1d4 ⇒ 4 negative levels! Everyone is up!

acrobatics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Ayesha saw the black energies pouring over Sarkast's body and paused only to cast a spell before rushing in to support the rogue. She dove for the floor as she approached the creature, coming to her feet on the side opposite the rogue.

Holding the charge on a intensified shocking grasp

Sarkast notices the black energy coming from the creature and quickly curls up.

Using Twist Away to make a Reflex in place of the Fort save. Regardless of success, Sarkast is staggered on his next round.
Reflex: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31

The energy fails to touch him, and he quickly rolls back out just as Ayesha arrives to distract the creature. As he tries jabbing his other dagger at it to see what effect it has, he feels a now familiar sense of righteous anger flow over him.

Free action to start Controlled Bloodrage for +4 DEX.
Haste, banner, flanking, combat expertise
Attack, MW cold iron dagger: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18 Damage, good, cold iron: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Sneak Attack: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 6, 6, 6) = 22

If sneak attack hits, target is unable to make attacks of opportunity for 1 round. In addition, target is Bewildered (-2 AC, -4 vs Sarkast) for 1 round.

Nilus attacks the Bodak repeatedly!

Radiance1: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (12) + 23 = 35 Damage: 1d10 + 30 ⇒ (1) + 30 = 31
Radiance2: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29 Damage: 1d10 + 30 ⇒ (6) + 30 = 36
RadianceHaste: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (12) + 23 = 35 Damage: 1d10 + 30 ⇒ (10) + 30 = 40

Can't update until Monday, see you guys then!

Thanks for your patience. Your GM is now in his new digs.

Having a clear line of attack, the fury of his God in his heart, and a very, very sharp glaive ensures that few things survive Nilus' onslaught. The bodak is ripped apart in seconds by Radiance, and collapses to the ground in dusty, smouldering parts.

End of Combat

The bodak appears to have no possessions, and there is nothing else of note in this room.

South of the room, double doors open to a hallway, which leads to a second set of double doors. They do not appear locked.

Map is updated.

Congratulations on new digs!

"Well done, Nilus. Well done, indeed! Too bad it didn't have anything useful on it. Still, at least we put it out of our misery. There are some doors down this way, Sarkast, if you don't mind checking them out."

Nilus nods at Ayesha. It needed to be done.

Sarkast creeps up to the doors, going through his usual routine to ensure they're not trapped. The door is not trapped, unlocked, and there is absolutely no sound from the other side.

Sarkast waits for everyone to get into position, then opens the door.

Dejik waits for Nilus and Ayesha to choose their positions, then lines up behind them. (Her goal is to be within reach of both of them, but if that's not possible, she'll make sure she can reach Ayesha first.)

Thanks for your patience! Crazy day today.

The doors swing open to reveal utter blackness. Even Dejik's darkvision does not penetrate the obviously magical dark. No sound comes from this room.

Surprised that even Dejik's holy vision cannot see in, and noticing the lack of any sound, Sarkast takes one of his spears and reaches it in, waving it around to see if there is anything near the door. He also taps it against the floor and nearby wall to see if he can create a sound.

Dejik draws one of the wands Aravashniel gave her and a coin. As she speaks the command word, the coin shines as bright as the sun. She hands the coin to Sarkast. Here, cousin--see if this will help..

Casting Daylight on a coin.

Sarkast swipes around to no avail. Dejik, having seen this before (so to speak), produces a coin and casts a spell on it. Immediately the area lights up, and a large, very menacing nabasu is revealed just to the side of the door! It snarls, attacking!

Dejik, Sarkast, and Ayesha are up! Map is updated. Nabasu is flat-footed to start the round, you caught him off guard with the spell.

Dejik calls on the power of Iomedae and Shelyn to aid the group. Casting Mythic Prayer--+2 luck bonus on attacks, damage, saves, and skill checks for 10 rounds. The nabasu takes -2 on the same checks.
Spell resistance check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

k. planes: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35

"It's a nabasu. Ware it's gaze and use good or cold iron weapons." Putting deed to words, she activated her dragon scale to augment Darb N'ssiar.

standard to activate dragon's scale, align weapon good

If a bit of retcon is ok, when Dejik cast the Daylight spell Sarkast would have suggested using his spear as the target. Spiderbeard, is that OK?

Sarkast looks into the room. As the demon's form is revealed, he jabs at it with the spear he was using, then quickly follows up with his dagger.

Free: Controlled Bloodrage. Swift: Mythic point for Mythic 2-Weapon Fighting. 5' step, full attack with Combat Expertise. Including sneak attack damage on the assumption it is flat-footed. Ignore if it is not.

Primary Attack, shortspear: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 Damage, good: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Sneak Attack: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 6, 6, 1) = 17
Secondary Attack, +1 returning dagger: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32 Damage, good, magic: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10 Sneak Attack: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6, 3, 4) = 18
Primary Iterative Attack, +1 returning dagger: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 Damage, good: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Sneak Attack: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 5, 3, 1) = 15
Secondary Iterative Attack, cold iron dagger: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 Damage, good, magic: 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 Sneak Attack: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 3, 6) = 23

If sneak attack hits, target is unable to make attacks of opportunity for 1 round. In addition, target is Disoriented (-2 attack, -4 vs Sarkast) for 1 round. For each additional sneak attack that hits, extend duration by 1 round or until a new effect is applied.

With current buffs and Combat Expertise, AC is 31 (22 touch).

Sarkast, sure.

The group is bolstered as Dejik calls out a powerful prayer to the Inheritor. However, her spell does not affect the nabasu which simply snarls in response. Ayesha enchants Darb N'Ssiar with her scale while Sarkast simply leaps into battle. He manages to strike twice, drawing black blood from the shrieking demon and disorienting it with a slash above the eyes.

The nabasu quickly staggers back from Sarkast's attack, chanting a spell before pointing at the rogue who feels a paralysis creeping over his limbs. The nabasu keeps chanting, and the rest of the group feels the spell taking effect as well!

Everyone must make a DC 23 will save or be paralyzed! And everyone is up.

Will: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Nilus moves in, Radiance shining!

Smite Evil.

Radiance: 1d20 + 17 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 5 = 26
Damage: 1d10 + 30 ⇒ (3) + 30 = 33

[Status: 122HP Smite Evil Active AC26/16/25]

will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 + surge: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Ayesha felt the paralyzing grip taking hold of her and she struggled, pushing some of her magical energies into the effort. With a mental wrench, she broke the grip and was free to act.

Ayesha moved into the room to act more as a distraction than any serious fighting force. At least for now.

Moving in and going Total Defense to add +4 dodge to AC

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Sarkast ignores the wave of magic as he back up and charges back in.

Mythic point for Fleet charge, first attack ignores all DR and gets sneak attack with Skirmisher. Full attack with no sneak attack.

Mythic Attack, +1 returning dagger: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29 Damage, ignores DR: 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 Sneak Attack: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 5, 6, 6) = 20
If sneak attack hits, target is unable to make attacks of opportunity for 1 round. In addition, target is Bewildered (-2 AC, -4 vs Sarkast) for 1 round.

Primary Attack, +1 returning dagger: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27 Damage, good, magic: 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Secondary Attack, shortspear: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 Damage, good: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Primary Iterative Attack, +1 returning dagger: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 Damage, good, magic: 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Secondary Iterative Attack, shortspear: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Damage, good: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Nilus charges in along with Sarkast and the two start attacking viciously. Sarkast leads in with his dagger as he rushes in, slashing four solid hits on the nabasu while Nilus gets one good one of his own.

Dejik is up!

Dejik rushes into the room, firing off an arrow which misses.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

The nabasu, finding it under brutal attack from the group, leaps at Nilus, trying to rip the paladin apart with its axe, teeth, and claws. Nilus' blood sprays on the wall as he is attacked.

Attack: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (5) + 25 = 30 Damage: 1d8 + 10 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 10 + (4, 1) = 19
Attack: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 20 = 22 Damage: 1d8 + 10 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 10 + (6, 3) = 26
Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 19 Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38 Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Confirm: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32 Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Nilus takes 62 damage, 11 of which is negative energy! Everyone is up!

What is in the top right corner? Is it possible for Sarkast to stand there so that he and Ayesha could get a flank going?

Statues - you can move in there but there's partial cover working both ways.

If it's not considered squeezing, I'll take it!

My action assumes Ayesha moves into flank first, then Sarkast takes his action afterward. If Ayesha does something else, then Sarkast's attacks will lose the flanking bonus and won't do sneak attack.

Sarkast catches Ayesha's eye and nods toward the wall. Stepping in tandem with her, he waits until the demon is distracted before lashing out.

Final round of ignoring 2-weapon fighting penalties, 5/6 rounds of bloodrage used. Once any attack does sneak attack damage, the Bewildered condition should make further attacks easier.

Primary Attack, +1 returning dagger: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 2 = 23 Damage, good, magic: 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 Sneak Attack: 5d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 5, 1, 5) = 17
Secondary Attack, shortspear: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 = 29 Damage, good: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Sneak Attack: 5d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2, 6, 6) = 18
Primary Iterative Attack, +1 returning dagger: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 = 31 Damage, good, magic: 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 Sneak Attack: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 3, 1, 3) = 14
Secondary Iterative Attack, shortspear: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22 Damage, good: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Sneak Attack: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 1, 2) = 9

Confirm crit on attack #3: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 = 28 Damage, good, magic: 1d4 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

If sneak attack hits, target is unable to make attacks of opportunity for 1 round. In addition, target is Bewildered (-2 AC, -4 vs Sarkast) for 1 round. For each additional sneak attack, extend duration by 1 round or until a new effect is applied.

Nilus is only hit for 36...his AC is 26 against the demon due to Smite Evil. @GM Are you counting Nilus' DR in your attacks? If not then Nilus takes 26 damage.

Nilus lashes out twice with Radiance, its gleaming light a blur!

Radiance: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38 Damage: 1d10 + 30 ⇒ (9) + 30 = 39
Radiance2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34 Damage: 1d10 + 30 ⇒ (8) + 30 = 38

[Status: 86(96)HP Smite Evil Active AC26/16/25]

Will save: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37

Dejik absorbs 5 points of damage from Nilus, then casts Blessing of Fervor.

Hey Nilus can you put your DR up by your armour class in yoru tag line? I (obviously) keep forgetting it! Hitting fast-forward with what I'd consider obvious actions from the group.

Between Sarkast and Nilus, the nabasu is slashed to pieces. It shrieks, and starts to shimmer in place as it attempts to teleport away, but the sheer onslaught of the two combatants is more than the creature can handle. It falls to the ground, dead.

End of Combat

The nabasu lies still and its body boils out of existence. Clattering on the floor is its axe. A quick check identifies it as a +2 vicious battleaxe. Knowing what must be done with a Fallen, such as the one you met in the wastes, Nilus and Dejik conduct funeral rites over sarcophagus. The spectre of the Fallen, Alrys appears above the coffin as the Iomedean rites are completed. The anger on his face fades into one of serenity.

"You have done for me what my children could not. They came here, a time ago, and in my anger I attacked them. They defeated me, they thought me vanquished, yet I was not gone - my final release was beyond their abilities. But you have saved me. Allow me to gift a token of my gratitude."

With those last words his ghostly body begins to glow before it fires out of the crypt! Following it, you see it land at some place within the ghost town. The spot glows with a magical light.

Following the trail of where Ronan's ancestor went, you follow the trail to find a spot in the ruined of an old church. Quick scraping at the ground reveals a metal chest. Within the chest are the following:

Taking 10 on spellcraft checks to ID

- a scroll of resurrection
- a horn of goodness - once per day when blown it will create a magical circle against evil for one hour
- 7 evil outsider slaying arrows
- a +2 holy longbow (no strength rating)

Gathering the items for later distribution, you check over the crypt. WIth its curse lifted, you are good to continue on. You rest the night in the village, the presence of the Fallen and the nabasu being enough to keep the nastier denizens of the Worldwound away.

The following day you awaken and strike southwest for the rumoured location of the Temple of Baphomet. The sky is crimson and the rock is black, with the conditions brutally cold - thankfully mitigated by Dejik's spell. You manage to travel for two additional days without encountering anything dangerous beyond a small group of dretches who are wise enough to give you a wide pass.

As you walk, Sarkast is the first to spot a creature soaring high overhead with the unmistakable silhouette of a dragon. Although size is impossible this far away, it seems enormous. A deep, bestial roar echoes through the red sky, and it is gone, vanishing far to the south.

Your journeys take you to an escarpment, not far from a river Sarkast knows as the Gray Road. A cave opening, 30' high, yawns before you.

Two days have passed since hte battle with the nabasu. Take a bit to RP, distribute loot, and prepare to enter the cave in whatever manner you deem appropriate.

Still out of the country but I'm keeping up with things.

That bodes ill... Nilus says in remarking the dragon passing overhead.

(Earlier)
Dejik examines the bow. This is fine work--a holy weapon. Not as fine as Radiance, of course, but few weapons could be. She tests the grip. Do you mind if I carry it?

As the dragon shadow flies over
Dejik listens to her comrades describe the dragon-shaped creature, wincing as the bestial roar resounds through the rocks. For a brief instant, I thought it might be-- She takes out her dragon scale, the last gift from Terendelev, and traces its edges with her fingers. I had almost forgotten...it seems like a lifetime ago.

As they approach the cave
Dejik suddenly freezes in place. Something...terrible has happened in that cave...I'm not sure what...Nilus, do you sense it, too?
Casting Detect Evil.

As she scans the area for evil auras, her jaw tightens. "We must put a stop to it," she growls through clenched teeth, and her voice has a harsh edge that her friends have heard only twice, perhaps three times during the time they've known her.

She draws the holy bow and heads towards the cave, with far too much purpose and too little caution.

At the crypt / travelling
---------------------------
Once the demon is dispatched, Sarkast slumps down in near exhaustion for a minute or two, then recovers. He seems introspective the rest of the day, and he touches his elk charm even more than usual.

During the next few days of travel, he finally decides to speak up. "Something has been on my mind. When the demon was revealed at the crypt, Ayesha recognized it and reminded us that only weapons that are made from cold-forged iron or that are spiritually aligned with the gods of good can truly harm them. I was armed only with my magical dagger and an ordinary spear, yet my blows seemed to penetrate its hide."

"I know our work is a holy quest and that our gods watch us, but have we in some way earned direct intervention? Are they guiding our very limbs as we fight this evil? The thought worries me slightly - my people fiercely value our independence, and though we make offerings and prayers to Desna, the thought that she or any god might be affecting my choices disturbs me."

Dragon sighting
-----------------
Sarkast peers up into the sky and points out the silhouette to the others. At Dejik's comment, he nods. "We can only hope that the good dragons are here trying to made good on Terendelev's sacrifice. I am sure we are not the only ones trying to push the demons back."

At the cave
-------------
Sarkast is doing his usual inspection of the area before the group moves in, and is surprised at Dejik's suddenly taking the lead. He says nothing, trusting in his cousin's instinct's, and merely follows.
Drawing both daggers, spending a mythic point to activate Impossible Speed for the next hour.