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"Indeed."
Alexa glances over at Darya & Luci before getting back to work. "Although, I have to admit, the sight of the two of you bound by the wrists and on your knees got me thinking..."
A little smirk touches her lips. It's rare that I've been able to do that.
Darya snorts, turning into a full on laugh. "Oh really now? Isn't that......informative?"
The rogue just shrugs. "Make of it what you will. I'll be happy to share more once we're back at the Heart."
Alexa scrutinizes the chest and finds that it isn't trapped. Testing the key, she finds that it opens the lock. The chest holds three noteworthy things:
1. A collection of money and treasures: 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, and a currently broken phylactery.
2. 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. This is probably very valuable to the Crusaders back at Defenders' Heart.
3. A short personal note: "Faxon,
You did well to report your superior’s mishandling of funds, and I trust that you will continue to serve as loyally in the weeks to come. You need not command the Kenabres Templars for long, for the city is about to die—I only wish I could be there to take part in its murder, for I have fond memories of my Red Morning Massacre. No matter, I suppose, for your mortal kin will all fall soon enough—as I said, Kenabres’s days are short. Vorlesh has already left to meet with our Lord’s daughter in the Abyss to secure a Nahyndrian crystal of the proper purity, and once she has what she needs, she’ ll arrive in Kenabres to finish the job and turn the wardstones fully to our use. You will know when she succeeds, I suspect! Praise Lord Baphomet!
Minagho"
As you are going through the things, Sario hears someone approaching from outside.
Alexa's jaw tightens as she reads the note in the chest. "...son of a b@#~!, they're learning to plan."
She gathers up the papers and the note. "We've got a note from the current ruler of broken Raliscrad, and the name of the Worldwound's architect--Vorlesh. It looks like they're planning to turn the wardstones keeping the Worldwound from spilling even further across the borders to their use."
"Hello, how may I help you?" Sario says louder than what would be normal so that those downstairs can hear her. She moves to put the two men bound between her and the man at the door.
She grinned at Alexa's remark about her and Darya being tied up, ideas already coming to mind. Ideas which quickly disappeared when Alexa explained what the note said.
"Guess that confirms what Quednys said about them trying to turn the wardstone network into a weapon."
That was when she heard Sario speak up from upstairs. Cursing quietly, Luci moved to the stairs, trying to listen to what was going on.
The gorgeous man smiles and immediately stands. He turns his full attention to Sario and says, "Why, yes, you could be a dear. Why don't you come on out and we can have a... talk?" he says suggestively. Somehow it comes off as amusingly flirty rather than creepily stalkerish. "Or I could... come in."
Iomenna begins to examine the wand, as well as the weapons, but immediately drops them and begins making her way back upstairs when she hears Sario speaking to their new guest. "Sario," she whispers from the doorway, "Who is it?"
Darya's smile evaporates as they realize that Sario has company. Moving to the stairs, she rests her hand on herr sword, silently awaiting a response to Iomenna's question.
Alexa winces and shoves the papers & note into her backpack before grabbing her shortbow and creeping up the stairs to see what's going on.
And, apparently, fate decided that now, of all times, would be a GREAT time for Alexa to stub her toe.
"A man has come a knocking on our hold out." Sario responds. "My friends are just down stairs, these two men are our prisoners present."
As Alexa stubs her toe, the man calls out, "Ooh, that sounded painful! Would you like for me to kiss it and make it feel better? All right, that's a lie, it wouldn't really feel better. But you'd certainly stop caring."
He looks down at his fingernails, then back at Sario. "They left you up here with these bad boys, eh? Feeling a little left out? Tell you what, we can be friends if you like. No strings attached. No attachments at all!"
He glances briefly at the prisoners. One of them falls over backward and scrabbles his feet against the floor, trying to get away by any means possible. "Ah, these sad sacks of humanity aren't worth the flesh they're printed on," says the strange man.
"Look. I don't want to turn this little tower into an abattoir and you don't want to be dead, so let's be friends, right?"
And not the weak kind.
Well I think secrecy's out the window." Darya mutters heading up the stairs. As she walks into the room hearing the man;s words, her eyes take on a golden glow as she peers into him.
"$#!+"
Alexa silently follows.
"...what do you want?"
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Luci was right behind Darya (and, for once, not paying attention to the view) and got a look at the newcomer herself with the eyes of a paladin.
Her internal thoughts upon seeing the results of this were rather more severe than those that came to the aasimar's mind, but that had more to do with Abyssal having a truly staggering flexibility when it comes to foul language.
"I don't think so" Sario says a bit quietly, "We have taken this place and these men, please leave now or my friends and I will not be so kind."
"There won't be a second warning." Darya adds, her halo flaring to life as her voice takes on a steely tone, though not able to hide the worry in her voice.
"All right, one last offer," says the demon. "In addition to these fine yabos*, I have ah... 'friends' situated about the city! A few here, a few there. And we have one very significant location out there for you to find! Now you ladies look like the uptight sorts who would never say 'yes' to me right out the gate so let's make this a game. Well, maybe you," - he says with a nod to Luci and her holy symbol of Lymneris - "if you want some bondage tips, I can accommodate."
He takes about three steps back from the doorway and says, "Maybe if we switched things up?" He lifts his arms into the air and his body shifts and changes visibly over the course of several seconds. His hips and chest widen, chin narrows, and quickly he turns into she. She lowers her hands and brushes them suggestively over her reshapen body with a noticeable grab of her nethers and says, "If this is what you like, I can make it work. We can be friends. Though if you want to continue to futilely remain committed to your 'quest against the Worldwound' and all that self-sacrificing rah-rah then I guess we'll just have to play out our game in this city and see how it goes."
Her eyes twinkle as she says, "Or maybe that's just your excuse for liking it rough." Large bat wings sprout from her back and she takes to the air. "I'll see you ladies around!" she shouts from above, and blows a kiss. "You can change your mind any time!"
With that, the incubus, or succubus, or whatever demon it is propels itself into the skies and over the rooftops to quickly vanish somewhere to the north side of the city.
"It's called temptation for reason I suppose." Darya mutters aloud running a hand through her hair.
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Alexa snorts in derision. "I prefer my women to be less manipulative. Reminds me too much of work."
"Now, get them on their feet." She waves to the prisoners. "We'll need to get them back to the Heart. And someone make sure to grab the rest of the loot from that 'shrine' in the basement--we'll need the resources."
"It's a good thing I find gender-changing, demons, and the level of bondage she was implying all turn-offs or I'd have a hard time thinking straight right now," Luci said, even if she had trouble getting the image of the demon's cleavage out of her head.
"I'll start grabbing all the crap downstairs, at least that chest looks sturdy."
Iomenna breathes a sigh of relief as the demon takes flight and moves away from the tower. "Well, while you ladies had your brains in your pants, I was wondering about that significant location she mentioned. Looks like we might have some interrogations to do. For now, though, I'll help Luci haul up some of the stuff from downstairs. That's gonna be a pretty good haul for the Heart."
"Yup, let's get them back there with everything down there and then start questioning the bastards. You're right though, we'll definitely need to check out that place she was talking about," Darya agrees turning to the prisoners.
Sario Stands the prisoners up and tightens the bonds that hold them.
"Are we worried that whatever or whoever that was will try to free these men? Also what did you find down stairs?"
"We found money, equipment & information." Alexa turns to Sario. "Vital information that I think our superiors will want to hear."
"Who were you talking too down there?" Sario helps guide the prisoners outside at spear point.
"Their boss. The man was an arrogant tool, in both senses of the term--a puppet of demon lords (specifically Baphomet), and an unpleasant person in general."
"And I can only assume the demon we just met was his boss." Alexa says as she ponders just what sort of demon it was. She has a sneaking suspicion she knows already...
Iomenna strides over and lays a hand on Sario's shoulder, "Thank you for watching our backs, Sario," she says seriously, "I honestly think, between the spoils we found downstairs and the information we may gain from these men, this may turn out to be a very important turning point for us, and you played a major role in helping it come to pass." She turns to the other women around her, "Now let's round everything up and head home, alright ladies?"
Any way you cut it, best to have some cold iron weapons handy. And don't get kissed. While succubi/incubi can change shape and could look like anyone you meet, fortunately the paladins can always detect it by its presence as an evil outsider.
"Sounds like a plan to me m'lady," Darya replies with a wink as she begins preparing to leave. Moving to the exit she looks around, alert for any sign of activity in the abandoned streets.
Alexa sighs. "Figures. That was either an incubus or succubus that accosted us--and for some reason, it didn't decide to kill us all, despite the fact it likely had enough power to do so. We'll need cold iron weapons to harm her--and we'll need to be especially wary. They're clever enough to play the long game, and they can take the form of anyone they wish."
"I think Darya and I can get around the need for cold iron with our power, but we can only really target one person a day with it at the moment so if she turns up after we've both had to use it on someone else..." Luci shrugged.
"As for not killing us; my guess is that it's because they're a succubus and/or incubus. They always struck me as manipulative corruptors more than the 'making a jacket out of your skin' type of demon. She certainly seemed to think I was an easy mark, at least."
"That's why I recommend we all get cold iron weapons."
"Who can make them for us? I would guess that there are or were smithies here that could be we haven't found any yet." Sario says as she prods the men along.
"Iomenna, I didn't do as much as you two did, that demon whatever it was could have killed me if it wanted to and I don't think I could have done to much."
You carefully pick your way back to Defender's Heart, to plan your next step. The stout walls are still intact, archers warily guarding, the doors barricaded; you slip in quickly, and the guards are pleased to see that you've made some progress. You hand over your prisoners to be kept in the small cell at the end of the hall that you've converted; Kimroth suggests that perhaps you should start to consider building a more secure jail in one of the buildings next door.
Azura the bard comes flying down the stairs and practically leaps at Luci, grabbing her in a firm embrace. "You made it! It's soooo good to see you all. Did you have a chance to get my bag from your house? Never mind. C'mon, Kimroth's making onion soup with a beef base for dinner. People are feeling pretty good. We haven't had much in the way of demons or zombies for hours now. Attacks are slowing down - many of the demons must've moved on or been killed."
Irabeth takes the opportunity to speak up.
"That fellow Merlin was working on turning the old shoeing forge in back into a proper smithy. It will take a bit of time to complete, but we've found several useful tools and rebuilt part of the firepit. Still, that could be days away," says the half-orc paladin.
"In the meantime, I have a few ideas." She heads to the planning table, where Iomenna previously had staked out some of your goals on the large map of Kenabres that Anevia had provided.
"First," she says, pointing to the north side of the map just outside the city wall, "are the crusader camps. Likely they have been sacked and scattered. The city required that independent crusaders not affiliated with a church or guard unit must camp outside the city, because there were too many problems with brawls and slumlords inside. This was essentially a massive tent city of heavily-armed men and women looking to fight. They've had their chance... and any survivors have likely either fled overland or into the city... but there may be useful things left behind, if we can destroy any demons that have taken up residence there."
"Second," she says, her finger tracing over to the southwest of the city, "Warehouse square. Many wealthy nobles hoarded their gains in the warehouses here, and there is a massive crane assembly for bringing things over the wall into or out of the district. It's likely that some of these warehouses will have raw materials that we can use: Kenabres imports lumber, ore, and textiles."
"Third," she says, tracing her hand to the east, "Truestone quarry. It is located some distance to the east, outside of the city - about ten miles. Caravans usually moved back and forth, bringing stone from the quarry for the construction of defensive fortifications. There may still be survivors at the quarry, and a high number of people there had some training as masons or engineers. They could be useful in rebuilding."
"Of course, if you have other ideas, we can use any opportunity we can imagine."
Luci was almost bowled over by Azura, surprised at the bard's exuberance. "Sorry, bag's still at Darya's. I'll try and swing by there tomorrow if we can. Should be a quick stop."
With one arm still around Azura, she followed Irabeth to the planning table. Looking over it all and listening to the details, Luci pointed to the crusader camp.
"We can probably save this for last - we'll be needing materials pretty urgently and, given what we've seen of the nobles holding up in their quarter, I wouldn't be surprised if they're wanting to secure the warehouses as well. That being said; the quarry might be our best option as a first stop - potential survivors and they'll have plenty of heavy-duty wagons, which we might need for ferrying supplies from the warehouses. And, if things have died down like Azura said, this might be the best opening we have for going that far outside the city."
"Although, speaking of wagons and the warehouse, my own house is about here, in New Kenabres. Assuming it wasn't destroyed in the attack, Dad's wagon should still be there. I couldn't say how it compares to the ones at the quarry, but it's designed for carrying heavy logs and furniture. Could be worth grabbing it on the way to Warehouse Square, although we'd have to pull it ourselves - if Winter didn't die in the attack, injure herself in panic, or just plain escape from her stable, she's not gonna be in any state to pull the wagon for us."
Darya smiles at Azura's enthusiastic welcome of Luci, after all, it was moments like this, that made everything they were doing worthwhile.
Leaning in to study the map she considers their options. "The quarry might also have what we need to make weapons better suited to harming demons. Between that, the likelihood of skilled survivors and the materials it definitely is a strong candidate for our first option. It'd probably be easier to convert and reinforce one of the other buildings as ashe garrison at that point as well." she says running a hand through her fiery hair.
As the team gathers around the war map, Alexa delves into her backpack and pulls out the papers the party retrieved from the Tower. "Yes, the quarry sounds like the more tactically relevant option. By the way, we were able to retrieve these from the Tower--" She lays the papers detailing the cultists' movements out on the table for Irabeth to peruse. "--and a note of importance."
She leaves Minagho's note on top of the pile of papers.
Azura gives a happy smile to Darya as well. "Maybe we can grab anything else left when you get my bag," she says. She rests a hand on Luci's back and watches as the team surveys the map.
Irabeth carefully reads the notes and they crinkle slightly as her hand clenches. Then she sighs and says, "It makes sense... all this time we were preparing for the Crusade, the cultists were doing the same. They were waiting for this day as much as we were. With the city flattened, now it's a matter of getting back to some semblance of 'normal'... and at least the cultists have now shown their true colors."
Irabeth says, "The quarry is likely to have lots of tools leftover, and workable stone. There's not a lot of ore from there, as I understand it; much of our metal is imported, which is expensive. But it's worth a look."
Kimroth swings by with a plate of flatbread and cheeses and adds, "By the way, at some point someone should take a look at the aqueducts. There are three pumps on the far western side of the city that provide water to the cisterns that feed large portions of the city, especially in Old Kenabres. If they were damaged, people could be hurting for water soon. And since at a glance most of the big buildings over there broke apart when the dragon landed on them, I'd say the aqueducts might not be in the best shape."
Irabeth turns to Iomenna and folds her arms. "What's next? The other team is working their way toward the barracks and will crack into the Gray Garrison and Old Kenabres, and they should report back when they're done. I don't imagine they will be gone more than a couple of days. We'll keep working on fortifying this area and gathering supplies."
"Well, like Darya said, we could really use some weapons that would help us take down the demons we run into, so I'm tempted to head to the Warehouse Square first to see if the nobles had some cold iron weapons in stock or the materials to make them. But I think we need to fortify our position here a bit better, especially if we're going to start taking prisoners." Her eyes wander toward the hallway down which the prisoners were lead moments before. "Right. The quarry it is. Darya, did you say we might be able to swing by your place on the way there? The more we can accomplish in one trip, the better, right?"
"Sure. At least it hasn't rained so it shouldn't be too badly off despite missing an entire wall." Darya says after a moment's thought.
"Before we go, I'd at least like to get some better armour. Does the Heart have any spare chain shirts laying around that are in my size? Preferably in black?"
Irabeth says, "We have some additional supplies from the guard rotations, and from weapons and armor scavenged from the remains of those who've died valiantly in defense of our city. Please, help put it to good use."
"Heh, black is definitely your color."[b] Darya quips.
Turning to Iomenna with a grin, she leans in. [B]"Do you want to have your breastplate adjusted before we go back out?"
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Iomenna smirks at Darya's suggestive look, "Like I said before, Flamekissed, keep it in your pants. Speaking of armor though, I might see if we have something a bit sturdier around here."
She turns to Alexa, "I think we have a few chain shirts that we took off those cultists from the tower. See if one of those strikes your fancy."
”The quarry sounds the best place to go first, you all like to hit things with rather large weapons and if that demon or others come back we will need all the help we can get.” Sario puts her 2 copper in.
”Those prisoners also could have some information on supplies around the city could they not?” Sario directs this question to Irabeth.
Chuckling Darya nods. "All right, all right, point taken boss lady, let's get geared up and ready to head out there."
Interrogating the prisoners, you find that they know only what you've mostly sussed out: That the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth have had cells about the city for years now, that they've waited for this time to make their uprising, and that they expect their demonic patrons to kill off all the do-gooders (like yourselves) and let them run rampant and get their "just rewards." Obviously, things didn't go quite as they expect.
They do verify that the Templars have a strong presence in Old Kenabres, in the central part of the city, and likely have the Gray Garrison completely overrun; that they expect that as demons flood out of the Worldwound, more reinforcements will pass through Kenabres until it becomes an Abyssal landscape on Golarion; and that there are a few other safehouses of the Templars scattered here and there throughout the city, though usually not very close to the big temples (where a paladin or cleric might have detected their presence).
"Alright," Iomenna says, back in the central room of the Heart, "We've got a lot of intel to digest here, but before we can really think about making any major strikes back against the demons and those traitor Templars, we need to make sure we're in a strong position back home. So let's get to the quarry and recover what materials and hands we can find there. Who knows, maybe we can find a store of food on the way to help keep us all fed for a little bit longer. Right? Get some sleep everyone, we set out at daybreak tomorrow. Dismissed!"