As the creatures turned and begin to run, she looks at her fellow warriors
"Persue?" if given a nod, she will charge down the nearest one with her lance
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"No one leaves. The vile demons will find no perch here. We will cleanse them from these realms."
Kevroth rushes forward, vaulting over the rail of the stairs down which the demonic abomination is disappearing, attempting to land in front of it and block its escape.
The creature stops short as Kevroth lands on the stairs, cutting off its escape to higher ground. It turns, cowardice overcoming its innate desire for slaughter and destruction, seeking escape and freedom to bring further ruin to the world. Its efforts are for naught as Hellstrider pounces forward, lunging with her great lance. The wood plunges through the demon's worm-like head, shattering whatever approximates for bone in its skull and splattering Kevroth's face with brain matter and vile, squirming worm-like blood. It thrashes, its sword flailing in the air, vainly trying to cut at the chatka armiger. But, Hellstrider swings once more with her claw and splays the creature open, spilling even more worms upon the steps.
Quickly, it begins to rot in heaping piles of steaming stinking worms. The final vermlek leaps from the walls, madness driving it to attack but ..
The creatures are dead, yet, still, there is the matter of Faxon, cultist of Baphomet, and the source of so much chaos in this city.
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"Fear not, companions, for I have returned from my lengthy absence. I must apologize for this extended break, but we all know the requirements set upon our shoulders by our various Orders." Iavdi says, casually cleaning the fiends' guts off of his glaive.
With that, he climbs off of Igneous and extends an armored hand towards the nearest member of their little group, apparently in the idea of friendship you mortals so enjoy.
"Unfortunately, I cannot aid you in healing any wounds you may have acquired up until now, although I can promise you an able body for the upcoming fights."
Kevroth approaches Ren, "If you would use one of those on me, I would appreciate it."
@Ren: it'll take 15 charges to bring everyone back up to full hp.
@Kevroth: the stairs lead down
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The staircase descends in a downward spiral, a mangled torsion of wood and stone and masonry wrought of the chaos of destruction. The stepping is treacherous, it seems to buck and bend and heave with each step the armigers take. Only their resolute will and firm training keeps them on this chaotic staircase.
They round that last curve of the stairs and see a small workshop in the semicircular room dominated by a large workbench and bookshelves on either wall. In the center of the room, two robed men in bull masks rise from their prostrations on the floor. They rise, viscera hanging from their horns as they charge towards the armigers with glaives readied.
She lowers her lance. Her eyes set on the one closest to them. He will not escape judgement.
"May your soul be claimed by the vile gods you serve!" she roars as she barrels down onto, and through, the masked creature, stopping a few feat away. Ready to charge again
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Kevroth moves forward and to the right, slashing at one of the fiends.
Hellstrider and Kevroth easily dispatch the cultists, filled with the conviction and determination of their training. Their blood spills on the floor, working and twisting in an intricate spiraling pattern. An inverted star appears in the center of the sprial, formed of the horned bull of the Lord of the Ivory Labyrinth. The bull leers and bulges up, more blood flowing from the corpses on the floor. It takes the form of a man, goat-hoofed and horned, with a pointed beard and bared chest. A bleeding inverted star with a spiral in the center is carved on the man's chest. He laughs. You think to stop the Demon Lord of Beasts? Hah! Foolish mortals, you are already lost! This world is already His!
The affront of this creature displaying a perverted parody of the holy pentagram of Asmodeus fills Kevroth with a righteous rage. With a swift jerk, he pulls his own pentagram out of his shirt to lie prominently displayed on his chest. With a brief effort of the fiery passion for the Lord of Hell that burns in his heart, Kevroth calls on the power of Asmodeus to guide his strikes. The pentagram on his chest, consecrated by one of the anointed of The First, flares with a pure reddish light.
He then places his palm flat on one of his Kukri, speaking intently, "By Asmodeus' will." It takes on a soft yellow glow.
Kevroth speaks calmly as he steps forward deftly avoiding Faxon's weapons, but his voice is tight with affronted anger, "Claiming dominion and actually having dominion over Golarion are two different things, entirely. You shall not prevail here, lost creature that you are."
Divine Favor: +1 on attack and damage.
Blessing of Law: +1d6 damage vs. chaotic creatures.
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Flipping and dancing, D'hara moved to surround Faxon. She tried to distract the...man, more than striking him in an attempt to draw focus away from Kevroth. The more attention he paid her, the better.
Iavdi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Kevroth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Giosue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Renn: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
D'hara: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Hellstrider: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Faxon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Flipping and dancing, D'hara moves to surround Faxon. She tries to distract the...man, more than striking him in an attempt to draw focus away from Kevroth. The more attention he pays her, the better. Her deception works, and the demon-spawn swings at D'hara, allowing Kevroth the opportunity to slide into place behind him. The blow passes over the monk's head.
The affront of this creature displaying a perverted parody of the holy pentagram of Asmodeus fills Kevroth with a righteous rage. With a swift jerk, he pulls his own pentagram out of his shirt to lie prominently displayed on his chest. With a brief effort of the fiery passion for the Lord of Hell that burns in his heart, Kevroth calls on the power of Asmodeus to guide his strikes. The pentagram on his chest, consecrated by one of the anointed of The First, flares with a pure reddish light.
He then places his palm flat on one of his Kukri, speaking intently, "By Asmodeus' will." It takes on a soft yellow glow.
Kevroth speaks calmly as he steps forward deftly avoiding Faxon's weapons, but his voice is tight with affronted anger, "Claiming dominion and actually having dominion over Golarion are two different things, entirely. You shall not prevail here, lost creature that you are."
Faxon points a finger at Giosue, his mouth opening impossibly wide. Flies and locusts swarm from the cavernous opening a buzzing scream. It shakes the foundations of the tower, staggering the armigers for a but a moment. They recover, as their training their steels their will and spines. But, Giosue hears nothing after, not the grinding of the armigers' armor, nor the creak of their leather harnesses. All is silent to the mage.
This keeps rerolling. it's actually 20.
Kevroth: Protection vs. Chaos: AC 19 and +2 on saves vs. chaotic creatures. Divine Favor: +1 on attack and damage. Blessing of Law: +1d6 damage vs. chaotic creatures.
D'hara:
Iavdi:
Giosue: deaf
Ren:
Despite the obvious anger directed at Faxon, Kevroth's motions are precise as he cuts, taking advantage of the fiend's compromised guard.
Protection vs. Chaos: AC 19 and +2 on saves vs. chaotic creatures.
Divine Favor: +1 on attack and damage.
Blessing of Law: +1d6 damage vs. chaotic creatures.
Damn his disobedience! Giosue deserved to be put to torment for weeks for allowing himself such laxity as to be taken by a spell. His entire arsenal now at risk. But he would not shrink now. The chain did not slacken for the weak. His masters had trained him for this. Giosue focused on the feeling of his lips and tongue as he spoke, forming each precisely to the right shape:
"Ave Mammonae, simul Erebi de turba ego fimi infernum chaos servus ot hoc ritu consecrabitur." A clot of infernal ordure appeared hovering just above his hand. He willed some of his power into it and sent it streaking toward Faxon's face.
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Iavdi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Kevroth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Giosue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Renn: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
D'hara: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Hellstrider: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Faxon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Iavdi silently moves forward, getting within range before swinging his glaive in a wide arc at the strange man. Faxon laughs as he ducks beneath the blade.
Damn his disobedience! Giosue curses as he regains his bearings from the demon-spawn's spell. He deserves to be put to torment for weeks for allowing himself such laxity as to be taken by a spell. His entire arsenal is now at risk. But he will not shrink now. The chain does not slacken for the weak. His masters had trained him for this. Giosue focuses on the feeling of his lips and tongue as he speaks, forming each precisely to the right shape:
"Ave Mammonae, simul Erebi de turba ego fimi infernum chaos servus ot hoc ritu consecrabitur." A clot of infernal ordure appears hovering just above his hand. He wills some of his power into it and sends it streaking toward Faxon's face. The fiend dodges the ball as it sails across the room only to collide against the wall in a quickly evaporating pile of sulfurous-smelling dung.
As one, Dathna and Renn assault Faxon. Renn looses an arrow as Dathna's claws flash. Renn's arrow strikes with the surety that only the discipline of a Hellknight can provide. And, the demon lurches backward as the arrow plants in his shoulder. But, the movement is just large enough, to avoid Dathna's swing.
At the end, Hellstrider charges forward, slamming her silver lance forward and down, running the monster through. But, still, somehow, the fiend stands.
Kevroth: Protection vs. Chaos: AC 19 and +2 on saves vs. chaotic creatures. Divine Favor: +1 on attack and damage. Blessing of Law: +1d6 damage vs. chaotic creatures.
D'hara:
Iavdi:
Giosue: deaf
Ren:
Despite the obvious anger directed at Faxon, Kevroth's motions are precise as he cuts, taking advantage of the fiend's compromised guard.
Two-weapon fighting, flanking.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 25.
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 + (4, 6) + (1) = 16.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 20.
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 2d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 + (2, 2) + (2) = 16.
Divine Favor: +1 on attack and damage.
Blessing of Law: +1d6 damage vs. chaotic creatures.
Frustrated with the lack of success her weapons were having, D'hara dropped her chain and simply tried to tackle Faxon. If she couldn't hit him, she would try to make sure the others could.
Frustrated with the lack of success her weapons are having, D'hara drops her chain and simply tackles Faxon. If she can't hit him, she will make sure the others can! Her gambit is desperate, and undisciplined, but her martial skill and training are sound, she pins the foul demon-spawn in her powerful grip. She spins in place, exposing Faxon's flank to Kevroth's blade.
The priest of the First takes the opening and cuts at the witch with his twin kukri. Despite the obvious anger directed at Faxon, Kevroth's motions are precise as he cuts, taking advantage of the fiend's compromised guard. One slices across the demon-spawn's belly, splaying out his vermin-coated intestines. The other cuts quick across Faxon's neck. Blood sprays out, covering him in thick slime filled with worms. The demon screams and collapses to the ground, dead.
Kevroth makes a gesture of veneration to Asmodeus, and wipes his blades clean before replacing them in their sheaths, "As it was pre-destined to be, so it now is. All glory to the Lord of Hell."
Kevroth steps up to the doors, checking over them carefully for any traps, and listening to detect any other foes that might lie in wait on the other side of the door.
Kevroth presses his ear against the door, and finds it spongy and moist to the touch, like rotting wood. Yet, it's oddly cold and smooth, like metal. He hears the faint clicking and skittering of insects within the wood, but feels confident there are no traps beyond the door.
Kevroth recoils from the feeling of the door, wiping at the side of his head with a disgusted shake. Then he nods back to his friends, and checks to see if the door is locked.
Kevroth opens the door quietly and checks inside for any danger he did not hear.
After picking up her discarded chain, D'hara walked over to Faxon's corpse and proceeded to search his body. She was mainly looking for more notes or instructions, but she also pocketed anything that may be of value. Perhaps when they had more time Giosue could examine them.
Once satisfied that the body had no more value, she followed after Kevroth and took a place next to him. She watched patiently as his fingers danced around the door handle and as he began to open the door, she closed her eyes and tried to focus on listening.
Giosue joined the examination of Faxon's things, invoking a divination to find any magic.
Cautiously, with all the training and discipline drilled into him through years in the church of Asmodeus, the warpriest of the First pushes open the rotting iron door and reveals a scene of depravity and mindless destruction. The far wall is dominated by a large bronze bull head, its eyes glowing a sickly white the color of aged ivory or pus. Offal dangles from its horns and form a crown about its brow. A twisting geometric spiral of angles and hard lines formed of bleached bones has been inset into the floor of the room. The room is lit by heads wrapped in soaked hides set upon burning braziers in each corner, filling the room with an oppressive heat and the scent of animal musk. Beneath the bull's head is a chest cleverly hidden as a candle-covered altar.
Behind him, D'hara and Giosue find a small key about Faxon's neck, although nothing else seems magical. Whatever power the demon-spawn had in life has been shattered by the iron will of the Hellknights.
"He had a key," Giosue said, holding it up. "In all likelihood, it belongs to that chest."
Giosue stepped forward and passed his divination over the chest before opening it, stopping if he found any magic.
Kevroth tries to stop Giosue from touching the chest, "Wait, let me see if it is trapped. Some hazards cannot be seen through the use of magic."
Kevroth tries to stop Giosue from touching the chest, "Wait, let me see if it is trapped. Some hazards cannot be seen through the use of magic."
"Of course," Giosue said, waiting obediently for Kevroth to check the chest.
Shockingly, the chest is unguarded, such is the foolish weakness of these chaotic creatures. They are disorganized, without discipline and or strategy. They do not understand the importance of fail-safes and contingencies. Such is their loss. But, as Giouse surmises, the key easily fits the chest and reveals several papers. Each bare lists of names. some, disturbingly, belong to prominent members of society in Kenabres, or those who are in key positions to its security. Others belong to those of other cities who, no doubt, hold positions of equal importance and stature. There are also plans and reports of the Templars' actions for... years. Apparently the Ivory Labyrinth has been active in Kenabres for quite some time.
Beneath these are several tomes, all on the history and crafting of the wardstone, as well books on demonic items of power ans souls.
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' 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 whats eh needs she'll arrive in Kanebres to finish the job and turn the wardstone fully to our use. You will know when she succeeds, I suspect! Praise Lord Baphomet!
Minagho
Minagho is the lilitu ruler of the ruined city of Raliscrad int he Worldwound.
Vorlesh is the woman rumored to have helped open the Worldwound in the first place.
Nahyndrian crystals are much more obscure reference and will take quite some time and research to uncover (DC 35 knowledge (planes) check)
"This is quite unnerving. That this has been going on for so long. This could be why the defences failed?" she suggests
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