Serra smiles as Grasker accepts the destiny of the blade.
Tis a good man, he is. He'll do well with that blade. I must protect him.
Serra awaits Lady Irabeth's thoughts while planning his next steps.
As Grasker prays, Radiance darkens to the matte gray of cold iron and flares with a holy light. The grip shifts subtly, until it fits his hand as if made for him alone.
Eli's eyebrows raise in quiet surprise as Grasker and Radiance come to an understanding with one another. That is a welcome sight, I should say. There is more than darkness afoot in Kenabres.
"Looking good, Grasker."
Eli turns back to Irabeth and bides his time.
Cole watches the hand off with interest. Not really sure what to make of it, he files it away in his head for future thought.
His mind drifts a little and he starts trying to plan the best route for the morning. He waits patiently to see if Irabeth has anything else to add. If it seems clear that she's done, Cole will turn in for the night and prepare himself for the cultist hunt early.
"I ... I have not seen the like in all my days as a holy warrior in blessed Iomedae's service. Surely, Radiance has chosen a new champion." Still somewhat in awe, she excuses the companions to get some much needed rest.
Serra bows and thanks Lady Irabeth for her time, turning to leave her. He awaits the team outside her doors. He surveys them as the walk out, confident in their measure and worth.
"Cole? Can you lead us to the locations of the cult? I assume that since you lead us here safely, we can count on your leadership again?" Serra asks deferentially the gruff Cole.
"Shall we agree to meet within the first hour of sunrise tomorrow? We should rest, prepare?" Serra assumes agreement.
"Should any of you see Kastor tonight, please let him know of the plan. I have given him leave to play and may not see him before bed."
Serra will find dinner, read, relax, and spend a short time practicing with his ranseur before heading for bed.
Eli waits for the others to leave, a concern as yet unvoiced, itching to be heard. He presses his rather largish palm against the door softly, and turns to the captain.
"A moment of your time, captain? I'm not sure how much you've been told of this motley crew. I've grown cautious about the one called Serra." Eli turns towards the door, unsure if he should say more. He decides to continue.
"He claims to have a squire. He goes so far as to call it Kastor. None of us have seen it. He's gone so far as to request a second set of clothing for it from the shop owners we recently encountered. I think the fall has done grievous injury to his state of mind. As for his character, you know of his claim to the gold of Horgus, but moreso, he's looted the dead in the streets of Kenabres. I only tell you this, because I can not vouch for his character. Regarding Radiance, as Horgus's wealth, he claimed them quite easily for his personal gain, without regard to true ownership." Eli purses his lips. "I... I have said what I believe needed saying. Addled minds are dangerous on the battlefield, and Kenabres has certainly become one."
"I see. This is... unfortunate. Do the others feel as you do?" She pauses as she considers. "Anevia had glowing things to say of each of you... And somewhat disturbing things as well, if I am frank about it." Her brow raises as she remembers Anevia's description of the old man's manner with the crazed crusaders.
"... In the end I lay my gaze upon each of you and none gave me pause. That is something, but addled need not be evil. I'll be honest with you, we are very tight for soldiers. I have no more to spare. As to the dead in the streets, I debate upon that as well.
Perhaps if you return alive, that might be another mission, to gather them and see them situated. Taking their possessions is not right, but leaving them to be picked over by cultists looking to fund their expansion is not smart. The Abadarians are too few in number at this time to go after them all, even those with contracts with the church."
Each word is but the tip of an iceberg of thought, and by the end of it, some decision has been reached. Before sharing it, though, she asks one more question.
"If my choice is to send an addled knight to tilt at cultists' towers or to send a healer of which we have too few, I must send the crazed knight and hope for the best. But you do not have to attend, Elyanias. Your skills are just as useful here. It is your choice, at least this bit of it."
"I will not speak for the others, captain." Eli studies Irabeth's unspoken thoughts as they pass across her face.
"My... skills are at your command, of course. If you require me to attend the ward, I shall do my best there." By his tone, it is quite clear that the ward is more a source of frustration than satisfaction for the old man.
His hand lowers to the door's handle, readying to leave Irabeth to her responsibilities.
Beagan is awed by the vow Grasker makes and the holy flare of the sword in his hands. "Yes! You are a worthy champion!" And with the blessings of Tenderlev, your Lady, and now this Holy Sword, you will make a difference. And we will help you!
A broad smile crosses his face and he looks to the heavens.
Cathyra! I have found a place where I can make a difference! Where you would have wanted to be! Clearly the Big R' has led us here - and I'll do my best to serve as you would have. Overjoyed, the Gnome scurries to prepare for their next venture against the forces of oppression, with a new spring in his step.
Eli leaves the captain's office, and listens to Serra address the gathered.
"Should any of you see Kastor tonight, please let him know of the plan. I have given him leave to play and may not see him before bed."
A mild frustration tinges the old man's tone. "Serra, I will not be mocked. I have never seen your Kastor, nor do I expect I ever will. It appears that you are the only one amongst us who can see him. Would you care to explain that? Can you? My eyes see you perfectly. Lower the lights, and they still see you. What are the circumstances under which I will be fortunate to lay eyes upon this Kastor?" Eli crosses his arms, expecting to be ridiculed.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
His father, so big and strong, lifts him easily from a crib. Behind him, the blaze of Iomedae shines upon the wall and five holy warriors stand watch.
"Not a word, brother. Not even to your new wife." His father's unlined face reminds him of Gulur, though in his dream, he knows of no one else but that man, and the rare touch of the radiant light, and the five holy warriors.
The man nods nuzzling his belly, then sobers as he nods again. "Though she may leave me for a liar and a cad, I will tell no one. It is the only way to keep him safe."
One of the five steps forward then, older than the rest, "The desire to do good is not met by doing ill, even by a good man. You cannot tell what you do not know, Prestur." Words of magic weave and warp, his father's voice cries out in shock...
The cry from the gate calls the dawn, wakening Grasker from his slumber. The shreds of his dream slip and slide through his mind, until only the tiniest of fragments remain.
"Cole? Can you lead us to the locations of the cult? I assume that since you lead us here safely, we can count on your leadership again?" Serra asks deferentially the gruff Cole.
"Shall we agree to meet within the first hour of sunrise tomorrow? We should rest, prepare?" Serra assumes agreement.
Cole nods, "There are a few possible routes, but a lot depends on what we find traveling too. With the city being what it is just now it's hard to know what will be more dangerous - the destination or the path there."
Cole turns in early eager to see more of his city in the morning - and try his new bow on a few cultists.
"Say you will, Cole. Say you'll be back in time for the wedding." Taller now than Cole, his younger brother looked down at him with hopeful eyes.
" I know it's hard with Pitr gone. It's hard for Klarah too. But he'd want you to be there. I tell you what, we'll push the wedding out another month, so you can be here, ok? It won't be the same without you."
Cole wakes, a cool sweat on his brow as the memory comes back. Laine and Klarah had waited the extra month, using the time to keep working so they could afford the small place down closer to the market after they wed. The attack on the water pumps happened the day Cole returned, all of his charges in one piece, at least from this run. Laine's body had been waiting on his mother's table, already dressed in the clothes Klarah had made him for the wedding...
"There are a few possible routes, but a lot depends on what we find traveling too. With the city being what it is just now it's hard to know what will be more dangerous - the destination or the path there."
"Great. Thanks Cole," Serra nods. "I'll see you in the morning."
Serra goes to prepare for the morrow.
* * *
"Kastor! There you are lad! I hope you had a good day of play," Serra says with a degree of pity for the young squire. Might be the last day like that for a while, if not forever.
Serra prepares his backpack, taking only the lightest and necessary items for the raids. "Tomorrow, we meet the group early to go take out the cultists. Luckily, Kastor, Irabeth has allows us to continue to work with our friends: the grumpy steadfast Cole, the intense Sir Beagan and his loyal bunnything, the noble Grasker! Did you, Kastor, that Irabeth gave Radiance to Grasker! It was a moment! The sword seemed to join with Grasker on the spot. Such is the power of the Divine, Kastor."
Serra slips off his boots and listens to his squire.
"Oh, Gregori, huh? No, I didn't make any new friends. I spent time working on my wriiting. It reminds me of my mother, Kastor. She was a good woman," Serra reflects briefly before returning to discussion with his squire.
Serra leans forward toward the squire.
"Ah, I wish that we did not have to fight demons, Kastor. But we are knights and we have duties. We cannot turn our backs on them lest we lose all our safeties for all the world. It is a heavy burden, one that we do not choose, but one that is ours. So, yes, Kastor, we must be ready to fight demons," Serra answers.
He's a good lad, he is.
"Don't you worry about the demons, Kastor. You're going to be a stout knight someday and the demons will tremble at your coming," Serra says, making way for bed. "I don't know how long we'll be staying; that is up to Irabeth."
Serra makes sure his starknife is at hand should trouble arise and makes for bed.
* * *
Serra awakes early, eats, armors, and is ready to meet Cole in the morning.
Eli contents himself with one last pass through the wards, then secures a cot for an early night's rest.
...
Come morning, he returns to the ward first, where he spends a couple of hours, before proceeding to find something to eat to start the day. He inquires with the gnome, as Beagan has been ever the compass for locating food sources.
"Well rested, master Beagan? Are you ready to root out some cultists?" Eli finishes breakfast, and dons his new breastplate. He then remembers to retrieve his hammer, should it be ready and waiting with Dorian.
When fully armed, Eli waits as the group comes together to head out.
Grasker wakes early for morning prayers, now with Radiance before him. The taking up the sword, the echos of his mother's pride beyond the grave, fragments of a strange dream make his emotions rise with awe at the wonders of the world.
As sound of the waking Defender's Heart grows he will prepare for the day, armoring against whatever lies outside between them and the cultist warrens. He will stop by the bakery, and with thanks to Kimroth collect bread for the refugees with persistent wounds.
He doesn't have much time to spend, and hear their stories before the group leaves. But Grasker apologizes to the bearded man. "I'm sorry about yesterday. I thought.. I don't know why, but I thought you were Gulur made old. I shouldn't have treated you as I did. If I survive the coming days, if you are still here, perhaps you will be able to tell me what happened to him. "
Beagan tidies up a nest of new scrolls recently purchased from the alchemical booth and slips a couple of potion vials in his bandolier.
"I can read, Eli! I mean, I say a special prayer to the Big R' and then I can read really special stuff! Holy writings! Magical writings!"
His eyes are just beaming. "I mean, I figured out a couple of parchments in the tunnels, but I thought that was mostly 'cause I've always been good with languages. When Amber showed me a whole bunch of scrolls, I could read just about all of them! Some of them the Big R' clearly didn't want me to have, as even after praying I could barely make heads or tails of the words. But some of them - I mean wow! - I think I can make Xanthos run even faster! How cool is that!"
He continues packing up when his eyes blink. "Oh, yeah, Xanthos! I almost forgot!"
Beagan performs his morning oblations and the furry mount appears in a puff of crackling flame and smoke. Xanthos stretches and nods low to Eli, seemingly ignoring the Gnome at first. The little man finishes scrambling and pressing, slipping and sliding all of his new holy gear into place. The mount eventually deigns to let the little rider his on back.
"Yeah, I'm definitely ready to tackle some cultist heinie now! With Grasker and Radiance leading the way, we could help start righting the wrongs put to this city!"
Ok, that's a huge challenge. But ya' gotta start somewhere, right?
"I'm sorry about yesterday. If I survive the coming days, if you are still here, perhaps you will be able to tell me what happened to him. "
The old man looks up once as Grasker approaches, then lowers his eyes back to the wall. He says nothing through the younger man's words, nor as Grasker turns to go. But as the holy warrior slips through the door, he mutters something beneath his breath.
"Survive, then, Grass. Come back and we can talk."
"Yeah, I'm definitely ready to tackle some cultist heinie now! With Grasker and Radiance leading the way, we could help start righting the wrongs put to this city!"
"That's the spirit, warrior gnome. If we play our cards right, the cultists won't know what hit them, until it's hit them." Eli tucks away his silver box, snicking a small piece of twisted wood into two pieces, with a light dagger. Sheathing it, he pats Beagan on the shoulder, and nods to Xanthos, still not used to its magical nature.
"With Xanthos strong beneath your feet, something tells me you'll find yourself just as much at Grasker's side than following behind. Try not to get too far ahead, and I should be able to set your blade and your mount against any evil creatures we confront." Eli pats his belt pouch, the hardness of the scale close at hand. It assures him of allies, if not visible, still nearby and accessible.
Having gathered gear and rations, the group sets out to serve the greater good once more. The world, while still devastated seems a little brighter for a good night's sleep.
The closest of the Templar safe houses is not all that far and the trip sees them outside Topaz Solutions before the chill has left the air. A wooden sign above the door bears a carving of a bundle of orange herbs and flowers hovering over a beaker filled with smoking orange liquid. The building’s windows are tightly shuttered, but the front door hangs halfway off its hinges.
Serra, from as much as a distance as he reasonably can, looks around the building to see if there are back exits/entrances/windows that might allow for easy cultist escape. He's fine with 2nd floor or higher windows.
Serra doesn't see any windows or other entrances save for the front one. There does not appear to be a second story.
Serra nods to Grasker to get the otherside of the front door, looking at the rest of the team to get into storming positions.
Serra assumes brave Sir Beagan will lead the way in once the door is opened.
B5: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Beagan Berelcar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Serra Iondri Phaer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Grasker: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Cole Zeff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
B4: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
B3: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Elyanius Myoch: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
B2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
B1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
As Beagan begins to enter the building, the sound of laughter comes from inside. "No, no. It's not your color. I should get that. Wait, did you hear something?"
Round 1
Round 1, Init 19
HP: 37/37
AC: 18 (ff 16, t 13)
CMD: 13
Init: +3
Fort: +5 | Ref: +3 | Will: +2
Per: +0 | Know nature: +6 | Know planes: +7
Equipped: Shield & Sword
Calistria's Presto-Changeo Trick: 1/1
Dancing Holy Flames: 1/1
Flare Holy Flames: 1/1
Big R's Holy Flameball:1/1
Call upon Big R to protect/rejuvenate mount/protect from evil, shield: 3/4
Call upon Big R to send assistance: 6/6
Scale = 3/3
At will: Read Holy Writing, Detect Blessings, Guide the Faithful, Resist the Enemy, See the Faithful
Xanthos’ full stats
HP: 25/25
AC: 22 ( touch 12, flat-footed 20) (+2 Dex, +6 natural, +4 mage armor)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +1
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.
Acrobatics +8 (+12 jump), Climb +6, Intimidate +5, Knowledge Planes +3, Perception +6, Sense Motive +4, Stealth +2
Beagan opens the door, hearing and then spotting numerous folk inside.
"Halt! In the name of all that is good! We have been told evil cultists inhabit this building. If you be true friends and wish to remain free, submit to the judgment of the wielder of Radiance!"
With a squeeze of the Gnome's knees, Xanthos strides inside, turning to threaten any who would attack.
"What?! Hey now! We found this place fair and square." The closest of the men follows Xanthos and Beagan as they enter.
"but we're ready to move on. I don't know who this Radiance guy is, but if he wants the space, we'll just be on our way with our stuff."
Grasker considers what he sees before entering. Do the people have weapons drawn?
The men inside are armed, and the one is holding a sap right now.
There is also a large sack behind them on the floor, full of lumpy bumpy poky things.
Round 1, Init 18
Sense Motive (are they leaving?)
Serra moves into the room, readying his ranseur for attack if they attack. He'll let Grasker do the talking here.
to hit;
damage.
Serra has reach. If they provoke:
to hit;
damage.
Grasker enters with his sword and shield readied, and moves to line up with Sir Beagan (and avoid being flanked).
"We seek not the building and instead demon cultists that live here. If you mean no harm put down your weapons as we search the place.
Grasker readies to attack if combat starts. He tries to get a sense of what is going on with these people.
Grasker figures out very quickly that these men are looters and ducked into here to loot the place. They have a bag of goods behind them and one of them holds a silver handle that he's pulled free of one of the drawers in the shop.
"the place was empty when we got here. We'll just be on our way."
"Are we doing recruitments? Maybe we should 'escort' these men back to the Heart for their own safety?"
Cole, bow at the ready and itching for a fight, none the less follows Grasker's lead and does not do anything as yet.
"What bad luck for you! To be in this city when the demons invaded and to loot a demon followers shop when we show up to kill them!"
"We have other business than chasing scavengers. But it would be a shame to let go clever cultists. Let us search you for demonic tainted items and clues to the cultists, aid us in searching the building for hidden rooms, and we can let you leave without a wound."
Serra is quick to back up Grasker.
"That's right, Grasker. We wouldn't want to confuse anything for anything."
vs. DC 10 to Diplomacy
"यही है, सेरा एक महान विचार है! Irabeth वह प्राप्त कर सकते हैं सभी की मदद की जरूरत है!"
The Gnome tries to look official, backing up Grasker's rather reasonable request.
"You should listen to him."
Apparently he's rather caught up in his sword and shield, looking at Xanthos trying to decide whether it's time to play nice or not.
"Look, we told you what we were doing here. We're on our way out. So, no, we are disinclined to agree to your demands. This city is in shambles, and whatever law there was is long since gone. So don't go acting like you're all better than we are. I suggest you make your peace with the new order and grab what you can and get out like we are." A second man steps up, hand resting on his sword as he talks. They do not seem inclined to submit to a search.
Round 1, Init 8
AC = 16
HP = 31/31
Weapon Equipped = MW Cold Iron Lucerne Hammer
Condition(s) = None
Eli positions himself closer to the door, hoping to bring into view the looter speaking.
"There is law still here. We've just come from Defender's Heart, and I can assure you it still lives. You don't care to see it. Now, do as Grasker orders you. Looters have been given far too much leniency, and you seem ripe for being made an example."
Round 1, Init 6,4
Ely's menacing presence looms through the door, adding additional weight to the words of the others. Two of the men step forward, their hands spread wide and empty.
"Now, let's not be hasty, Friend. The Defender's Heart, you say? We Uhhh we'll just head over that way to uhhh, volunteer, how's that? " They approach the door cautiously, though unarmed.
Round 2
Cole Zeff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 23
Beagan Berelcar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
B5: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 19-
Serra Iondri Phaer: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Grasker: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
B4: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
B3: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Elyanius Myoch: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8
B2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
B1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
"We insist on searching you for demonic materials. Sir Serra, please refrain from killing them once they are beaten down."
Serra is quick to back up Grasker.
"That's right, Grasker. We wouldn't want to kill them dead for resisting if they are not cultists."
vs. DC 10(15?) Aid to Diplomacy
"Luckily, the search will be quick and we can escort them safely to the Heart," Serra agrees and looks to Sir Beagan to begin the searching.
Cole continues to delay. He'll not fire the first shot - he's waiting for them to lay down arms or bring them to bear. He's further not convinced that they're anything but robbers - something the party could also easily be accused of - so he has no particular itch for this fight.
That said, I will come out of delay the instant any of them draws a weapon and swings (which would put me after the actor in initiative 'cause I'm not readying - continuing to delay).
"Aye, aye, Grasker! Serra!"
Reluctant to accost people who might just be in the wrong place at the wrong time, the Gnome wants to find proof. With a squeeze, Xanthos trots towards the back of the facility, and Beagan peers around the corners, looking to see if there are any demonic symbols present.
A little shaken by his inability to convince them via words, the Gnome is somewhat nervous as looks for any obvious signs of cultists hidden in the back.
Grasker insists upon searching them for cultist activity. Serra backs him up, but his constant staring at nothing in space leeches some of the conviction from his threat. Still, the two that were moving stop, while the first one that talked (B5) glares at the uppity psuedo-knights.
The little gnome on the back of the big battle bunny trots around, looking for signs of cultists, but finds none.
Cole waits outside, ready to nail the first one to attack to the wall with a hail of arrows.
"Get back here, you two! The Ash Ravens are NOT going to just let any old delusional paladin wannabe go through our things!"
The two don't seem to listen, and continue their cautious crab walk towards the door. B5 draws his sword, and B3 and B4 seem to be leaning his way.
Unfortunately, Cole can't see B-5, so he does not yet come out of delay.
Serra delays, waiting for the two peaceful ones to politely leave, hopefully heading to the Heart before acting.
"On your way then, you two. Get to the Heart or wait for us to take you there. Your choice. We'll need to finish with Grasker's orders first."
"Hold to be searched and scanned for evil, or leave and we will subdue you and search your unconscious bodies."
Grasker will attack to subdue any looter that does not put away their weapons and return to be searched.
"We don't know if these are common looters or scavengers for the demon kind. Spend a minute to prove you are the former and you may leave and be thankful you did not meet the city watch."
Round 2, Init 8
AC = 16
HP = 31/31
Weapon Equipped = MW Cold Iron Lucerne Hammer
Condition(s) = None
"Good. We'll start with you first." Eli pushes through ones surrendering to strike at the barking one. He doesn't seem to mind the likely cut by moving into the room.