Clebsch GM Wrath of the Righteous Adventure Path (Inactive)

Game Master Clebsch73

Tauni slipped back to the edge of the alley and kept a watch back the way they came. Though she couldn't see very far, she listened intently for anyone - or anything - approaching.

As Karas attacked the spitting cat, it launched a full attack at him, but only managed a minor bite before his much more potent claws silenced it. Cat did 1 point damage to Karas and took 10 from Karas. Cat is unconscious and bleeding out.

Anarya kept the fallen who were bleeding out from dying by stabilizing them. The serpent creature continued to bleed, however, unaided. Instead of dying, however, it simply vanished, like a summoned creature. It was not a demon as some had supposed, but an eidolon, a summoned creature linked to the life essence of a summoner. Since the summoner was dead, it was unlikely to ever be seen on this plane again.

Once the battle was over, the crusaders began to look around, trying to figure out where they were.

The marketplace was a popular one for purchasing clothing and other pleasant non-necessities, a place many came to spend a little extra coin to try to forget the burden they all staggered under trying to keep the rift secured against invasion. Avelina and Anevia were quickest to recognize this and others agreed. The marketplace was located on the southwest sector of the city. Peering over the rubble to the north revealed a dreadful gash that had driven 20' deep into the ground and broke through the wall to the east.

It would be a simple matter to force open a door to one of the buildings to the south and leave the cultists inside, if the party wants to do that.

"Our house is that way," Anevia said, pointing north toward the artificial gorge. "Maybe we can get around this gorge that way and ..." She pointed northwest as her voice trailed off and her eyes grew wet. She secured her weapons, retrieved what arrows she could and stood ready to guide Aravashnial.

"My manor is that way. The sooner we get there, the sooner I can ... the sooner you can get my reward and have a soft bed to sleep on," Horgus stated bluntly, also ready to move on. He seemed annoyed that others were concerned to keep the cultists alive, but did nothing to stop them from moving them to some kind of shelter. "We should tie them up and come back when we've found other crusaders. There may be a reward for scum like this."

"Many dangers will lie in wait at night in a dark and occupied city," Aravashnial stated glumly. "The Librarium of the Black Wing is very close. We should make for it. It may provide a more defensible position than any of these houses."

Anevia and Horgus both knew where the Black Wing, as it was known to most, was located. It would take less than a half hour to make it there on clear streets. What the darkness held was anyone's guess.

"I think we needn't concern ourselves with rewards, Horgus is right. If we restrain them, we can keep them as prisoners once we find allies, so they don't attack anyone else on the streets. I'm sure there are other crusaders still fighting." She looks around, thinking. "We will make sure to reach both the Librarium and Horgus's home, but I think we should seek Sir Irabeth first. She will know how to reach whatever crusaders remain in Kenabres."

Avelina's self-satisfied smile returns and she nods in approval.

"Absolutely! Certainly, we will find allies at Anevia's domecile, and combining our battle strength will spell certain doom for the Abyssal Legions."

"What reason do we have to think that Irabeth will be at home, rather than with a force trying to retake the city? And Horgus, if we go to your residence first, would you be safe there? The Librarium may have diviners who can give us a better idea of what is happening within the city, and without."

Karas stood over Scariani with teeth bared and claws taught as if ready to strike, when a gentle light glided over the body of his foe. His blood haze cleared as his mind came back before his rage would kill the man. He recognized Anarya's light and a voice toned soft and stern in his head. Mercy

His rage faded and the claws withdrew as he relaxed. He huffed in exhaustion once more.

He looked about the ruins trying to get his bearings, "I think my home is that way but we should see to the others first. If we can save any lives, we need to."

He watched as Anarya tended to the other and, as his fatigue wore off, he moved to an empty building and tried to force the door. "We can leave these people here for now."

Elena wasn't sure the best course of action. Certainly the paladin would be fighting to retake the town...there was no doubt about that. It's exactly what she would do in that same circumstance. Still, she couldn't very well have the girl crying while the others were seen to first. That'd just be cruel.

"Let's go find Iribeth. She'll be worried to death about you," Ellena recommends, trying to be decisive to reassure the others.

Franti stopped his laughter as he searched the last living body, and when he finished, he tried to position himself to face away from the summoner's corpse. He waited for everyone to exchange ideas for where to go. "Entertain a fool for a second, everyone? We've been up here, what, two minutes and we've already been enchanted, stabbed and forced to kill? If you all wander at night, you need light. You'd walk as beacons for killers or cultists or worse."

The rogue attempted to reason, he hadn't the hope it appeared the other's had. He moved around the group sporadically, looking for someone to agree with him. "You all need a well-thought plan, not a death-wish. Ellena, how will your corpse help find Irabeth? Listen! We can leave, ten of us alive, ten souls saved with a few quick paces." Franti pointed towards the most-recently created exit to the city of Kenabres.

He tried to make eye-contact with everyone during his plea. He looked to Avelina with a forced smile pushing against his frown. "Let's leave, c'mon." To Ellena. " You can come back, with a plan and greater numbers, I don't care." To Anarya. "Wherever you think you're going, glowing with lights and halos and whimsies, you'll die." To Karas. "Please, make a better plan. I can't watch my only friends embark on their death-march." Lastly, to Tauni. "I can't lose you... C'mon... Come with me. Please..."

Karas' features softened at the fools pleas. "I can't do that. Turn my back on all those who may still live. That... That would make her sad. I can't do that to her memory."

He looked over the others as they regrouped and planned, "I can't make you stay Franti, only you can decide that but... We have a difference still to make. She saved us for a reason and its a debt I can never repay but have to try."

He pointed to the scale Franti carried. "She gave us some of her power. We have to do what we can."

He smiled as Anarya tended the wounded before moving to help carry the enemies into the broken shop for safety.

Avelina's face scrunched up as Franti made his plea. What in the Name of Iomedae's Sanctified Left Greave was this fool talking about?

Her face loosened. Ah, fool, that's it! She held up a hand to her mouth as she stifled a laugh.

"Oh, Darling. You are an absolutely brilliant jester. I could never even imagine saying such ridiculous things, much less so convincingly."

She paused. There was still an ever so small chance that this fool was serious. If that was the case, she would need to do her best to help him remember the courage in his heart. She sighed. So much is required from one Beloved by Fate such as herself. She stood squarely in front of Franti and clasped his shoulders, gazing at him with a serene confidence, as though her touch would pass along a portion of her boundless Faith to him. She liked this fool, as every good story must have comic relief, so she spoke from her heart.

"You have been Chosen by the Providence of the Inheritor, as have we all. If you think us too weak to take up this charge, then perhaps that's the point. The demons shall learn that Her Power is so great that even the least of us can be made to triumph over the greatest evils the Abyss can spew out."

She grinned.

"Consider it a joke at the demons' expense, with you as the punchline. You like jokes, don't you, Darling?"

She took her hands off of Franti and turned away, brushing off her hands and cassock. "Besides, you are all traveling with the Favored Soul of the Inheritor. How could you have anything to worry about?"

"Franti... I think we can make it. Look what we already did. We were ambushed by a giant, a demon, a barbarian, a... some sort of mage, and more. We defeated them handily - and now they won't hurt anyone else. Look around - I don't see any of those titanic demons that smashed the plaza on Armasse. Kenabres isn't through. Not yet. And I don't want to abandon anyone else who might be still hiding here." She thought a moment and gave the rogue a little smile. "Dimming the halo is probably wise, however." She concentrated, the halo's light diminishing to a less harsh illumination.

Is it night? What's the lighting like?

She looks off in the direction Anevia had pointed. "Even if Sir Irabeth is off fighting, she might have left a message for Anevia in case she returned to their home. It's a place to start - and we'll never know if we don't check."

Did anyone detect magic on their gear yet?

"The battle's not over yet, fool. Greater miracles have been done that us surviving. Don't give up hope "

Not yet, but that's a good idea.

Anarya lets her light fall on the fallen enemies' gear, peering into their auras to see if they carried any magic with them.

Tauni embraced Franti for a moment, and then stepped back half a pace.

"Dear, sweet Franti. I wish we could wait for daylight, but I fear it is little safer outside the city now than in it, and staying here is no guarantee either. At least here we have some chance for shelter and cover as we go. We are strongest together. You have already proven to be brave in ways that has been unfair to be asked of you. Please stay with us until we can find a safe haven for your jests and tales."

One of her hands absentmindedly slipped into the satchel at her side, stroking Cobblepaw's soft fur. When she touched him, she felt the tension in his little leporid body, she was reminded of the need to be vigilant.

I am certain it is night. We'eve been using dark-vision, after-all.

Franti wasn't sure how to respond to Karas. The scale on his heart gained a weight to it with each word Karas said. It was a burden now, and it almost felt as if it burned his skin. He removed it from beneath his armor. "This wasn't meant for me. It belongs to Horgus. Or Aravashnial. Or Wenduag. I only saw it first. I stole it." He looks around. "Someone take it. Please."

Franti knew that Avelina didn't mean make things worse. With her words, he couldn't maintain a smiling facade any longer. "You're right. I'm the joke, the punchline is that you all keep me around. "

Franti sniffles pierces though Anarya's words. "It's not- I don't -" another sniffle interrupted his response. "I, I don't want to leave them either. But we can't..." At Ellena's words he merely shook his head. "Crusaders battle... I'm no crusader, I'm a clown."

Franti couldn't muster words after Tauni spoke to him. His eyes began to well with tears before she finished speaking. He looked around to everyone, sniveling, trying to wipe away the tears. "I, I..." He choked down a sob.

Franti hiccuped, covered his mouth, and after a little time of silences among snorts, let out a whimpering giggle. "Hehe, you're right, Little Rabbit. If, if, if I don't go then," he curved a smile, "then, who'd tell the story? Avelina?" He lets out another laugh, coughing it out, wiping away the tears again. "Heheh, if, if she told it, it would, it would be a tale of her and Iomedae saving this city by themselves." His laughter spread until he could hardly breathe. "It'd be, haha, it, heh, you all wouldn't even be in the, heh, story. The princess would write you all of the tale!"

He continued laughing, keeling over with hands over his stomach. When he straightened out, he took a quick jump forward towards Tauni. He returned the embrace, and his voice faded to a whisper. "Thank you, heh, Little Rabbit. I, I want to tell your story. I'll stay, if just, hehe, if just until we are safe." He let go and sniffled a final time. "If I'm going to die, it better be with you all."

"And if you are going to live, better be with us as well, my friend."

Avelina rested her fists against her hips, her eyes livid at the indignity of having a fool laugh at her earnest expression of support.

"I most certainly would not write anyone out of anything! I resent the implication that I am even capable of such duplicity! You lot are the first friends I've ev--"

She bit her lip, tears beginning to well in her eyes. She stomped a few feet away from the group, just far enought to not let any of them see her weakness. She whispered under her breath.

"...I was only trying to cheer you up, you...you...fool!"

Karas smiled at the fool as he came to his realization. "There isn't a better person to write this story my friend."

Karas' clawed hand closed Franti's over the scale with a pat. "I think it found it's way to the right person. She had a knack for seeing the good and strength in everyone."

He looked over to Avelina. "He is a fool princess. Its his job to make us see things from other perspectives. Don't worry. We forgive your attempt to write us out." He added a quick laugh before he stepped over near Anarya and waited for the destination to be set.

Great role playing everyone! I have a full day today, but I will try to connect via my tablet from the Con when I have spare time and make any updates I can. Your options are that from this location, you can exit the city to the East through the breach in the wall or explore the area near the South Gate in the southern part of the Gates district. The Librarium is literally just a few blocks from where you are north so that will be easy to get to without spending a lot of time on the streets. You could find an abandoned house on the market, however, if you want to rest now and move through the city in the morning.

If we're that close to the Librarium, we should head over there.

Anarya is totally ready for another fight. I've got plenty of resources left, and should be just fine engaging another combat - I've never been a fan of the fifteen-minute adventuring day anyway. How's everyone else's readiness?

Anarya smiled as Franti resolved to remain with the group. She was happy this band of warriors was growing into a band of friends. Even more, she was pleased she had been able to be a true help to her companions. Fighting was never easy - but she and her companions were growing stronger as they learned to fight as a team.

One Alter self left, but otherwise I am golden. I am still rather capable without those. I agree that the Librarium is the best starting point. Maybe we won't get a Paladin, but we might get a pointer on where to go/what happened.

Franti prepared himself once more. From his experience with the scale, he knew he only had one more use out of it. While in his regular human shape he couldn't see past the darkness, he thought it best to save his transformation perhaps a little longer, just in case. He checked his bandolier, tapping each of the eight pockets to ensure everything was where it should be. His hand lingered on the scale.

Franti took out his shortbow and gripped the shaft of the blunted arrow, twirling it in his fingers. He let out a chilled, shaken breath, and tried to keep it together. "Um, I agree with Tauni, chasing after Irabeth now would be dangerous without a lead... Horgus, do you have family at your home we'll need to help? If not, it may be best to hold for daybreak."

Elena hated to acknowledge it, but the tactical move was to run to the closest area, the library. It would allow them to help the blind wizard, to find out anything his mate Wizards knew about the town's fate, and stay safe during the darkness, when none of the could see that well.

She couldn't bring herself to admit this face out loud, and waited to see if any of the others had the same thoughts.

Karas spoke up, "If we need to move by the cover of night, I can take the front. The darkness doesn't bother me much."

He looked around, "Irabeth is likely joined with any crusaders waging a resistance. Our best bet is likely to go to the nearest point first and see if there's any news we can get."

"I know Kenabres well. If I am right, this market is near the Librarium. We can make it there quickly. We can check there first, them decide where to go next." Anarya adds.

Tauni wanted to speak up in agreement with Anarya, but waited to see if anyone dissented. She'd made it clear where she stood and didn't want to come across as insensitive to the concerns of the others.

Avelina finally returned to the group. She crossed her arms and hunched her back, as if she wanted nothing more than to curl into a ball and hide. She shied away even from eye contact.

"Fine. Whatever everyone else wants to do."

Avelina did something she had always tried to avoid: retreating inward towards her thoughts. Thinking too long and too hard endangered her, opening up the way for all the self-loathing and self-pity she buried. She never wanted to fall down that hole again, yet here she was teetering on the edge.

She tried her best to be helpful and everyone had to assume the worst of her.
Maybe my best isn't good enough.
She couldn't believe that after all this time traveling together, everyone thought so little of her, that they thought she cared so little about them.
Maybe I don't deserve to be cared about.
She had even ventured the thought that they were her friends; she had never had friends before.
Maybe I don't deserve to have friends.

"We need to find a safe place to spend the night. Irabeth is watched over by Iomedae and I trust her to keep her safe or if not safe then doing what has to be done for the greater good. Let's go see what is at the Librarium."

"Of course. No point in going off half-cocked when it's dark as Descari's ... Well, when it's so dark. But we need to be smart. Karas leads. Those with magical lights keep the light shaded so we can just see enough to follow him. No point in ringing the dinner bell."

Assuming everyone is okay with this:

The crusaders formed a line led by Karas and kept their lights dim. The group went along the edge of the large gouge in the earth until Karas slowed and indicated the librarium was ahead.

With lights dimmed everyone could see faint flickers of light through broken masonry and a voice could be heard inside saying, "Stack the damn books better!" The voice speaks common with a Hallit accent. Nothing else appears to be stirring nearby, yet.

See the map link. Everyone is at the bottom right in no particular order. Order yourselves and proceed to investigate.

Karas furrowed his brow and spoke in low tones to the others, "This building looks like it was targeted. The buildings around it aren't as damaged. We need to be on guard. Franti, can you get a peek as to what's going on inside and let us know? I'll be on watch for you if you go."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Given that her body language tells the story pretty well, I think that's enough for Anarya to pick up on what Avelina might be feeling.

Anarya moved up behind Avelina and put a hand on her back as the others began to move out. "We all value you very highly as a friend, Avelina." she said softly. "Franti was just making another one of his jests. Your devotion to the goddess is perhaps greater than any of ours - but you've already proven you're just as devoted to your friends." She smiled at her friend. "You're one of us," she concluded. "And none of us have ever had cause to doubt it."

---

Later:

Her light dimmed to barely brighter than a candle, Anarya crept along with the others. She touched Franti as he went forward to scout, imbuing him with guidance.

Ellena waited quietly with the others while the ones with night vision were able to explore safely.

Senses Motive 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

As par for the course, she missed the context clues of Avelina's crisis of confidence.

Even with a positive modifier, she's oblivious, lol!

Franti was apprehensive about scouting ahead. He couldn't see as Karas could, and the scale's power was waning. If the voices with were that of enemies, he'd be attacked on sight, but if they were friends, they wouldn't take kindly to either of his preferred, altered forms. He had to see, after all, and lighting a sun-rod seemed poorly conceived even for the rogue.

With Anarya's touch, Franti sighed. "Okay, okay." He brought his hand to his scale and shrunk small, reverting to his goblinoid appearance. He dropped his bag to the floor, removed a silver whistle, and held his saps tightly. He wouldn't need to worry about anything so long as he wasn't seen. "What would you all do without me..."

Small, Guidance Stealth: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 1 = 35

Franti put the whistle to his mouth, wrapping his lips tightly around it to blow at a moment's notice. He entered the librarium, walking through the ajar door, careful to ensure he made not a sound.

[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+6

Given that her body language tells the story pretty well, I think that's enough for Anarya to pick up on what Avelina might be feeling.

Anarya moved up behind Avelina and put a hand on her back as the others began to move out. "We all value you very highly as a friend, Avelina." she said softly. "Franti was just making another one of his jests. Your devotion to the goddess is perhaps greater than any of ours - but you've already proven you're just as devoted to your friends." She smiled at her friend. "You're one of us," she concluded. "And none of us have ever had cause to doubt it."

Avelina isn't exactly prescient enough to hide it, so I totally agree that's enough Sense Motive

Eyes fighting back tears, Avelina turned back around to Anarya. Avelina smiled as best she could.

"Oh. Well...I, uh, certainly would...have to...tha...tha...."

She threw her arms around Anarya, the tears flooding freely. "I'M SO STUPID AND TERRIBLE AND YOU ARE ALL SO SWEET AND WONDERFUL AND I DON'T DESERVE YOU." She buried her face in the crook of Anarya's neck, trying to hide her tears until she calmed.

After a few moments of stifled heaving and sobbing, she finally extricated herself from the embrace. She wiped her eyes and straightened out her outfit, a few errant sniffles falling out occasionally.

"Um. Yes. Thank you. In summary, I consider all of you friends and I would never do anything to undermine your accomplishments."

Avelina took her place at Ellena's arm once more.

"And I certainly would never belittle your accomplishments in-particular, My Champion. In fact, I wanted to tell you that you were glorious back there." Avelina twirled one of her forelocks idly. "I am honored that the Inheritor chose to give me such a devoted champion."

Franti blended in so well with the darkness he was hard to spot, even for those who knew exactly where he was going.

Sorry for the delay, today was the last of my classes.

Franti watched the man with the symbol of the Inheritor upon the shield. At first, his goblin face lit up, but before he could call out to the man, the man began to let out curses and threats. Franti's breathing began to escalate. He took in a breath, and held is as he tried to put together the scene the best he could.

He walked back outside, bee-lining for Ellena. Franti whispered sharply. "Big, armored man, your size. He, um, wears Iomodae's symbol on his shield, and he is covered in blood. I think..." he tried to collect the thoughts. What was the man trying to do? "I think he is making a book pyre. Or a ritual. He's forcing this woman to create stacks circling around four people, I think they're tied up."

"Can you lead me to him? A ritual? That doesn't make good sense. Are the tied up people demons, maybe? We need to figure out what is happening in there..." Ellena commands the little jester.

Karas gritted his teeth and hands, then started stomping toward the door. His breath was coming out in cold fog already.

Avelina's breath quickened as she interjects herself. She attempted to whisper, but she ends up with more of a stage whisper.

"If you are not making yet another jest, dear Fool, this is concerning indeed."

She drew her longsword, straightening her back and thrusting the blade towards the site of the trouble. She continued her stage whispering, despite her sudden heroic posing.

"No right-minded and true follower of the Goddess would engage in such deplorable behavior! He's probably one of those cultists in disguise."

Move your tokens toward the librarium but do not enter. I will make stealth rolls for everybody and perception checks. If you have extinguished your light source, delete the light icon. If you are dimming the source or holding it beneath something to limit the light, place your token in front of the light token (right click on your character token and select Order: Bring to Front).

Ellena is willing to dim her shield, but only if someone points it out to her. It won't occur to her on her own.

"No joke, Princess." Franti turned his attention away from Avelina, and lead Ellena to the doors. "I am making sense, you'll see."

Strong Human-Man presumably doesn't have darkvision: can I relay that there is already light in the Librarium, if there is?

"Just because his shield bears the goddess's sword does not mean he is a friend. His actions define him, not the equipment he carries. Anyone could pick up a fallen crusader's shield." Anarya narrowed her eyes, preparing for a fight. "Lights out," she concluded, her halo vanishing. She touched Ellena's arm, reminding her to dim her light as well.

Anarya also silently casts protection from evil on Franti.

Can't access the map right now - can someone move me?

There is light visible from inside the Librarium, mostly coming out the door that is slightly ajar. Franti knows that the light levels inside are normal, lit with torches at the corners and a large chandelier hanging over the center of the room. It is about 45 feet square with some book shelves near the north side. The people and books are in the center of the room.

Are we in initiative now? If so, who's up?

I was waiting to see if anyone had anything to post before opening the door. I'll get things started and if someone was unable to post, you can retcon any actions you wanted to post prior to initiative.

The party tried to make a stealthy approach but in the dark, it was hard to keep as quiet as would be ideal. Karas' armor clinked and clanked, even as he tried to keep his body movements to a minimum. Aravashasnial's foot kicked a bit of broken glass. It was not loud so maybe the occupant of Black Wing would not notice.

Once the group was in position at the door, Franti opened the door and started to move in. The sight that greeted him however was daunting. The room was large, with a high ceiling. Hanging from the center of the room was a large wheel shaped chandelier with recently lit candles adding illumination to the room to the light shed from everlit torches in the walls at the four corners of the room. Directly under the chandelier was a group of people wearing the black robes of the Black Wing staff. They had been tied with hands behind their backs in kneeling positions, and they were also tied to each other. One of them was looking at the door, as if she had heard their approach. Books were stacked in a ring around the four.

Further back in the room were book shelves that partly blocked the view to the back of the room, but he could see the man he had spotted earlier standing behind a librarian, holding a flaming longsword threateningly in front of her body. He was looking right at the door, grinning.

Franti was quick to spot that the rope that held the chandelier was connected to a device at the west end of the room which allowed the chandelier to be lowered so it could be lit and then lifted back up high into the room. As his eye followed the rope to this point, he noticed a strange creature hovering at the rope about 15 feet above the ground. The creature was tiny, with bright red skin, with row after row of sharp teeth in a mouth that was half the size of the creture itself. It seemed to be mostly a head with a short tail. Eyes faced many different directions, some above the jaw and some below. If the creature were to bite the rope in two, the chandelier would fall on the helpless librarians.

Along the back of the room and on either side are bodies on the floor, evidently slain.

The ceiling of the room is 30' high. The lighting in the room is normal. Movement through the books and the bound librarians is difficult terrain. Assuming a running start, it is a DC 25 acrobatics check to jump over the books and librarians.

Round 1
Aravashnial 27 (delays)
Franti 25
Tauni 21
Anarya 17
Avelina 12
Anevia 15
Librarians 8
Flying creature 8
Chaleb 8
Horgus 7
Ellena 4
Karas 3

Shit, not what I was expecting

The goblin near-entered the room, ready to help, though proved frozen by the sights in front of him. He turned back for an instant, wondering if anyone had the resolve to charge forward.

Delay. Will resume at the latest after Anevia.