Jaeger movea over to investigates Ifri's body first retriving his thrown dagger. He frowns at the knicked blade knowing it will take time with a whet stone. He begins to check the body for any equipment that could be of use but is also looking for any signs to explain his betrayl.
"I have learned a few of your names through the words had in battle, but I find myself curious to why my goddess would send me here. It seems obvious that some of you are outsiders in this land. Would I be correct in assuming we are still near to Kenebras?"
Jen queries as one of her hands clenches tightly looking to the cursed earth of the arena.
"While we make ready to move introductions can be had i suppose. I am Jen'Dalash, a guardian of sheylen." The woman looks sadly to the holy symbol on her belt and sighs "Likely one of the few that remains in this nation."
Ethyra/All
Ethyra determines the best course of action, seeing that a cutting tool was the only way to remove the spikes from Ga'Tul's hands. Its tough work, utilizing the stronger backs of others to sit on shoulders and saw away at the spikes until finally they gave way. Ga'Tul appeared to be conserving her strength, for good reason, when she was removed from teh wall the extent of her injures were far worse than expected. A large deep diagonal gash went from her shoulder to her hip, making it obvious how they got the drop on her.
She leans heavily on those who aid her, revealing that the strength of her legs was lacking.
Its takes quite a bit of magic to get her to where her eyes stay open more than a few moments at a time. When she came too she looked beat down, like the rest of the Deathguard's, a despair hung over them like a cloud.
She looks to each of you before her eyes rested on Lasciel. She growls in anger. "It was the torches..." The same foul smoking torches that her companions were now destroying as she spoke. "Ifri... It wasn't alone, there was a creature waiting for us. One I cannot even try to explain... It crushed most of my soldiers minds in a single breath. The smoke than caused wide spread confusion and they mistook each other as demons. They were seeing things that weren't there. It was one of my Lieutenants who struck me down. Those that fell to the charms of that demon were unaffected by the smoke and were turned on their confused companions. It was a wholesale slaughter by the Deathguards alone..." She pause, closing her eyes as she pictured the event clearly. "The corpses you passed, were of those who's wills were too strong for the demons compulsion. They paid the price for how ill-prepared we were."
Tawn'Garth appeared to still be in shock, looking down on the deceased Ifri as the light in the room faded little by little. "Ifri wasn't always such a fool, he used to be like her. However he changed little by little. We all did. As settlement after settlement fell to their unending advance. Even the Ratfolk didn't stand a chance, their metal men were the only reason they lasted so long. We lost contact with them after this place fell. Effectively cutting us from the few that still relied on us."
"It appears we have been given a gift by our enemy and I plan to rip out their heart for their insults." She balls one fist as her muscles flex visibly. She sighs as she gets on her knees. "I am already deep in your debt and hate to ask this but we will work to clear this place of the dead. If you can start searching the surrounding areas for any... Stragglers. I'd be more indebted to you all." She leans forward and places her four fists on the floor as she slowly, because of her battered muscles and injuries.
Lasciel
Your brother appeared to be fitfully sleeping, blowing small dust clouds as he snorted in his somewhat contorted fall. Shaking him appears to do little more than than straighten out how he is laying. Or worsen it...
Jaeger
Tales of demonic possession are common, used often by the ignorant to explain strange or violent behavior. While the majority of such cases are merely manifestations of madness or derangement, those that are legitimate possessions are often the work of shadow demons.
What you all saw could have only been such a foe. A Shadow Demon. An Incorporeal creature that is extremely sensitive to bright light, cold iron and/or Good aligned weapons. They have abilities to possess victimes and use their body like a carriage, even if their victim dies they do not die. The victim's spirit returns to their dying or dead form and are expelled to the boneyard. It is unknown whether this form of Murder by possession or if they are dragged into the abyss for the heinous acts committed despite not being in control.
They are able to throw off wizards attacks as well, overall they are a deadly infiltrator...
Defensive Abilities incorporeal; DR 10/cold iron or good; Immune cold, electricity, poison; Resist acid 10, fire 10; SR 17
Weaknesses sunlight powerlessness.
"Da names Jaeger di Angelo, Ju could say we somewhere about dere...more close ta say we below it. Deciding in a moment of pity to keep the possibility of the shadow demons possesion of Ifri to himself. Tawny didn't need to distraction she has enough to deal with as is.
"Absolutely, we would be glad to help Tawn'Garth." Lasciel says quietly. After checking on her brother, the aasimar helps Ga'Tul to a spot wherew she can sit, before joining the others looking for survivors amidst the chaos.
The half orc nods head turning to the one who returned her greeting "Well met then, and by below you mean well below? I..I must admit I had never heard of tunnels under the streets of Kenebras." Looking to the still slathered arrows in her quiver and the weary warriors around her Jen nods to the previously crucified mongrelwoman. "I will gladly seek all who remain in this place. I am unwounded and still prepared to exert myself."The warrior states as she scans the area and looks for the most likely place to start.
Ga'Tul, while being assisted by Lasciel, looks to Jen'Dalash her wolfen like eyes glowing ever so faintly for a moment as she spoke. "During the first crusade, our people aided those above in beating back the hordes. When the creatures went beneath the earth we continued to fight them. Only a few generations ago these caves teemed with life, it was difficult but there were many places and now only Neatholm remains."
"The Deathguard originally were Dwarves, whose city was crushed beneath the weight of the demon's attacks." Her eyes glistened as she looked away. "They swore vengeance and fought to the last. Before the last of them fell we took up their banner and made it our own. Its a grim existence, but without struggle the demons will consume us all so we must fight. Or who else will?" As Lasciel helps her to sit down, Ga'Tul gives her a toothy grin but finishes speaking, although her voice is more thoughtful than before. "Where you stand now is far more ancient than even our oral histories. This place was once a home or bastion for another people. Ones long gone before we claimed it."
Her voice returns to its previous caution as she speaks. "Be careful in your search, I wish you luck, we will search for survivors among the fallen here."
Some Deathguards retreated in fear due to magic and vanished down the northwestern doorway's, they haven't returned since...
"That sounds like a story I would want to hear from the beginning, so I can tell it properly in future. As to the situation now, know that even as you are your warriors did significantly better in overcoming their betrayal than my own." The half orc smiles sadly as she speaks "I will begin searching now, there is no telling what that craven creature that fled will return. I'd make the assumption it will return with force enough to crush us." Retriving her chakram from the ground "I will admit that I have next to no idea where I would end up were I to begin searching here. You, Tatooed one, do you or any of your compatriots plan to help in this request? Knowing where to start in a search like this would be for the best." The green skinned warrior asks as she seeks the optimal place to begin moving forward. To have a purpose... yes this is a good thing right now. She think as she does her best to hide a pained grimace, looking to the underearth warriors who were sorrowful at their actions yet still alive to regret them.
Flashing Ga'Tul a smile of her own she turns to the stranger. "My name is Laciel, and it's actually not a tattoo but a mark I was born with though it's a common mistake." she says with a disarming grin.
"Ther are a few that ran in fear after I focused on them, and others that might be injured nearby. We should move in pairs at least, stay within range to acll out if you need help. We bring anyone we find back here. Once we're done we all head back as a group."
"Sure why not, nothin else could go wrong, eh chère." Jaeger says to Ethyra as he pulls Abysion from his back and jams the blade point down on the ground and leans his arms on its crossguard.
Jen nods in agreement, the cordial smile still on her face. A bit dimmed in its effect by the emotion not reaching her eyes though. " Well met then Lasciel. You plan is agreeable, who of you will I travel with? And Sir Angelo, while we may be in the presence of a priest of the rare exception I'd still advise against tempting the lords of fate and chance with words such as that. Zyphus is said to listen for such carefree words."
With her superstitious caution said the paladin begins moving toward the indicated tunnel.
Upon hearing Jen'Dalash's warning Ethyra wallops Jaeger on the head. Gently enough not to injure him but in a way that still made a lot of noise.
You better listen to her mi amor, or it won't just be Zyphus you have to worry about! Best behavior!
She shoots Jaeger a grin and hopes this may cheer Jen 'Dalash up a bit.
Don't worry, I will make sure he doesn't speak mindlessly. She says to the half Orc with a smile.
"Come on we really be worri, ow! So deen I guess dhat failed de 'Will Ethyra hit me if I say dis' test, no?" Jaeger says with a grin as he wraps his arm around Ethyra's shoulder and pulls her close. I love you ma bebelle" He whispers to Ethyra, then turning to the rest of the group, "So we decided den we go and look for surviviors or any oder mooks who hidin about."
"Come on we really be worri, ow! So deen I guess dhat failed de 'Will Ethyra hit me if I say dis' test, no?" Jaeger says with a grin as he wraps his arm around Ethyra's shoulder and pulls her close. I love you ma bebelle" He whispers to Ethyra, then turning to the rest of the group, "So we decided den we go and look for surviviors or any oder mooks who hidin about."
When being pulled close to Jaeger and hearing him whisper in her ear, she couldn't help but turn three shades of red before finally cooling back down to ivory. I can also assist the survivors by tending to their wounds.
"Den it settled Ethyra and moi be stick'n tagether, de rest o' ju comin too or ju to tired and get to sit around eh? It alright Jaeger got dis covered anyway." The tiefling says with a smirk as he pulls Abysion from the ground as he grils the hilt he feels a strange pulse crom from the blade and frowns for a second as he resheathes the blade.
Jen smiles ans looks to Jaeger "I am ready whenever you are, I take that you would like to lead this expedition?"
"Of course can ju not tell I be de leader of dis here, OW!" Jaeger cuts off as Ethyra 'accidently steps on the flamboyant tieflings foot.
"I see."Jen says with a quirk to her cheek, might have been the ghost of a smile, but the blood and dust made determining difficult. " Do any of you know the variety of demon possessing the commander? Perhaps it is crass to ask but I have no doubt we will see that creature again, the mortals that foiled its fun will be high on the list of things it desires to kill."
"I'm not sure..sides we ev'n sure it be possessen em? May'av been watching dey be teamed up, no?" Jaeger says as he glances back at the dead body of Ifri.
Ga'Tul nods at Lasciel, though now she looked at her markings more intently. Why she seemed more interested she kept to herself. "Your plan is sound, we will gather ourselves here and recover before venturing into the other chambers. Perhaps we can salvage this mission. I'll send men back to the village to see to it that Neatholm is secure as well." She sounded too tired to be even wary of the new companion that appeared in a burst of light. Her soldiers however were looking at Jen in an almost reverent fashion, however if she approaches them they move immediately out of her way...
Ga'Tul's battered state makes it easier to tell that she is doubtful the village is unscathed. By her stance alone it won't be surprising if she is the one leading the group of men back to defend Neatholm if it is indeed under attack.
Still shaken by her experiance, Tawn'Garth joins you all and cleans the blood from her axe. "I will stay with Ga'Tul and ensure that nothing comes in from behind you. I will bellow if something happens."
Lasciel studies Ga'Tul for a moment before gently touching the other woman's cheek. "Be careful Ga'Tul. Your concerns are well founded, but try to remember you don't need to take all of the risk all the time. You're not alone in your duty."
Jen frowns slightly but seems to hold her peace, doing her best to not look haggard in front of the warriors looking at her. I just did what needed be done. Lady's grace that I was able to see the damage done before even more lives were lost. This is a tragedy, and we only feed it more by dwelling on it."
Jen looks to the warriors and smiles. A sad, small thing but an earnest one.
"Warriors, I would say a hundred things to the nobility you displayed today. To take up arms against a comrade is one of the hardest acts a soldier can commit, to lower them after? More so. Hold onto that as you leave this battlefield and know that while so many have been lost here the losses could have been so much worse. Do not let the wedges our foes sought to drive today succeed in separating you all."
The Half-orc speaks as she gestures to those fallen on the field
"Know that Compassion and Mercy are just as valuable weapons in your armory as the steel at your side, when tempered by the wisdom of where to use them. For a weapon not understood by your foe is one you can use to critical effect. "
That said the Tattooed orc waits for the rest of the scouting group to gather once more before moving down the corridor
------
"Ser Jeager, had you anything more to say on the topic we were discussing? Also I am concerned that your ally intends to lead the assault back to her home. I can understand and sympathize with the desire to return immediately to defend ones home."
The orc says with a fist clenched hard enough to turn knuckles white.
"Let us hurry in this, so we can add our might to hers on such an arrival."
"De demon dat was Iffri was a shadow demon known for possessen people. Not dat I liked em da firs time we saw em, it is possible dat de demon was in control an dat he wasn't actually a traitor. Though it do make it easier if he was in da pot wid da demon by choice. I jus didn't think it was the best place to reveal such tings, no?
Jaeger says with a glance back towards where they had left Ga'Tul and Tawn'Garth.
"Creatures like that, who can change the hearts and minds of free-willed mortals like so much kindling are considered one of the greatest threats to my orders tenants."
The half-orc says with a clenched fist gazing down the corridor
"They deny that which is most important in any aspect of joy or love. Choice of intent, even hatred or dislike can blossom into heartfelt feelings but their abilities destroy such chances entirely. I just question if sparing them their feelings now will hurt or harm them later down the line when they discover the truth of it all. I have no doubt the company leaders already suspect something."
Lasciel
Ga'Tul reflexively closes her eyes at the touch and when she opens them again their is a fierceness burning in them. "Thank you Upl- Lasciel. I was blind but now I can see. I won't be so foolish."
Seeing you companions shifting further away she nods towards them. "We will speak again. I will see you again." She gives you a toothy grin as she rises shakily to her feet and tends to the shaken Tawn'Garth.
"I'll hold you to that." With a last warm smile, Lasciel joins the others, heading out to search.
Following the path of the retreating Deathguard's you move through the dark with Kieran relying on those blessed with Darkvision to guide him through the dark. Your about to round a corner...
Jaeger and Jen halt, Jaeger being in the lead looks around the smooth stone walls and sees what appears to be a pair of barricades haphazardly set across the end of the hall. Behind these barricades appear to be MOongrelfolk, which of whom are dragging the still forms of a pair of the fleeing Deathguards. The Deathguards each have what look almost like the shaft of a javelin protruding from their chest or side.
Its a clear that in their fear addled state the ran straight into another ambush...
The Barricades are roughly 60ft from the corner your hiding behind. So far the four visible defenders haven't spotted you, the act of the dragging the well equipped Deathguards is making a fair amount of noise. Two of these mongrelemn defenders are 20ft away from their barriers and are dragging the still forms towards them at a slow pace...
He throws out his hand causing the others to stop. "Look like da survivors ran into a bit o trouble after dey ran off. Some mongrelmen seem ta live out ere as well and ambushed dem. I don't like dis dey had no way of knowing dey was traitors I'm thinkin dat not all de mongrelmen be of dey city. Want me ta find out if dey are allies it simple dey try to stab me I stab dem if dey don't den dey allies. Simple, no?"
Her eyebrows arch and a flash of anger almost bright enough to be seen in the dark comes over her. "Jaeger don't be so careless " she wanted so badly to wallop him over the head. A smile then emerges as she thinks to herself, "If I have to nurse you back to health because you go in carelessly and get hurt, I promise I will make you better but not without punishing you for it! You can kiss your favorite foods goodbye until the scabs fall off...."
Jen looks to the barricade and then over to Jaeger "And if their senses are confused like the warriors before?"
The half orc ensures her chakram are in easy reach the polearm is still straight on her back. "I would like to give them the benefit of the doubt, let us announce ourselves and see how they respond."
---------
Jen steps from behind the defenses looking to the mongrelmen at the barricade. "If you are foes of the Mongrelman Ifri who commanded the warriors here know that he has been defeated. I am Jen'Dalash, warrior of Sheylen and I seek no quarrel with you."
Jaeger gives a short mocking bow before stepping back and letting Jen' Dalash by.
Jen's statement sets the Mongrelfolk into a hollering frenzy, the two dragging the Deathguards to the Barricade abandon them where they are and look to be about to run for cover. The other two appear to be shouting and going for something just out of sight behind the barricade...
The Hollering Mongrelfolk warriors heft Javelins as predicted and lob them at Jen, however their aim wasn't as strong as their yowling and their attack come off wide and short. Clattering off the stone walls as theirother two companions duck behind the barricades...
The three downed Deathgaurds remain where they are...
Jen sighs at the mongrelmen's actions speaking over her shoulder
"It doesn't sound like they are terribly interested in listening what I have to say. Fortunate that Violence is my mother tongue. Ethyra I am going to move up, use the distraction to channel a burst of your healing for the deathguards. Then we scare these raiders off. Any objections?"
Jen walks forward while drawing her bow and loosing a shot.
Though the half-orc seems much more focused on keeping herself a hard target than actually harming the defenders.
"Not ta say I told ja so, but..." Jaeger says with a laugh as he takes off, Abyssion trailing behind him. He pulls a dagger and let's it fly in one smooth motion aiming for the mongrelman on the right.