Prologue - Rego Aerum - Treasure Sector - The Teatro alla Wescala -
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Jing's sister is fine but restless, after reminding her about curiosity and cats, he once more ventures out to make coin to support her.
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Ian and Janiven hand you all some lines and you begin to practice. This is a different play than the one you all tried out for.
In Absolom, in the year 4680, a brilliant poet and swordsman named Cyrano de Bergerac finds himself deeply in love with his beautiful, intellectual cousin Roxane. Despite Cyrano’s brilliance and charisma, a shockingly large nose afflicts his appearance, and he considers himself too ugly even to risk telling Roxane his feelings. One night, Cyrano goes to the playhouse at the Hotel de Bourgogne to make trouble: he has forbidden the actor Montfleury to take the stage for one month, but Montfleury plans to perform in the night’s production of La Clorise, with Roxane in the audience. Also in the audience is a young, handsome nobleman named Christian, who confides in his friend Ligniere that he loves Roxane.
Despite there not being enough of you for all of the bit parts, you are able to walk through easily enough and are there for an hour plus. Certainly long enough to show that indeed this was rehearsal!
Ian bids you all adieu as you step outside of the Teatro, Janiven smiles, "Let's go. Stay close".
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You walk across Westcrown to the Rego Sacero district. Also known as the “Priest Sector” it contains more shrines and ecclesiastical real estate than the five other major Chelish cities combined. For centuries, priests and nobles alike kept all land east of the Arodennama (on and beneath the Rise) vacant for Aroden’s personal gardens. That land became a flashpoint of land grabs and assassination among many nobles, officials, and priesthoods after the Last Azlanti’s death. By 4614, various faiths and houses had bought up much of the land.
As you enter the district Janivern speaks once more in a low whisper and begins to become more wary of who is around the group and what they are paying attention to, "When Arael first came to Westcrown several years ago, he was distraught at the condition of the city’s abandoned shrines to Aroden. Nowhere else, he thought, had the corruption and fall of the once proud empire of Cheliax more blatantly exposed its shame than here. The ascendancy of Asmodeus-worship has discouraged many people from public worship of other gods, leading to some temples closing as their followers stopped attending, prayed at home, or changed to other churches.
This shrine to Aroden, like many others throughout Westcrown, isn’t technically abandoned—it belongs to the church of Iomedae now, but no one has tended it for years. Westcrown’s government has no interest in maintaining the building, and like so many other ancient structures it is simply ignored.
Arael decided to use this old shrine as a safe house for his latest project for precisely these reasons. The combination of it being a sacred place to his religion and being a building the city government ignores makes it a perfect place to serve as a headquarters. Furthermore, long-standing laws that forbid secular groups from looting, rebuilding, or otherwise harming houses of worship work well to prevent too much Hellknight interest in the building. Yet just to be safe, Arael is careful to hide all indications that the shrine is now inhabited".
She's not kidding, as you approach and move past the shrine, its facade is as old and filthy as it ever was, no light sources can be seen from within.
"We've got to proceed with caution".
Sia rehearses her parts with all her talent. She's a little disappointed that it's time for the next part of the day, rebelling against the government.
When they arrive at the abandoned shrine, she looks around carefully to see if anyone has been following them. "It's a good place to have a headquarters. No one will notice it."
Blackspire enjoys the unexpected role. A nice change of pace.
He has done comedy in the past - gnome actors have to take whatever comes their way in Cheliax.
He looks at the abandoned shrine of Aroden with great interest. Did the Last Azlanti sacrifice himself for his people, as I have heard some scholars say? What great threat did he face? Did he succeed or fail? Do some fragments of his spirit still reside in his temples?
"Good to have a safe house."
He also looks around for anybody following the party.
Malqazar follows the rest of the group somewhat stealthily.
Vara stealth .
Prologue - Rego Aerum - Treasure Sector - The Teatro alla Wescala -
As thr grop slips in through the backdoor of the shrine, a voice in the darkness calls out, "Janiven, I hope this lot fights better than they sneak! Dwarven armies make less noise"...
Janiven freezes, "Did anyone from the outside see us?!"
A torch light blazes from the darkness of the small room, "No just me but caution is on order especially after what took place yesterday. Greetings friends, I am Ermolos. Who are you all?" The torch is being held by a muscular human male, he has dark hair and a chiseled handsome face.
Sia grins widely and gives Vara a sideways look. Pretty.
She moves next to Ermolos. "I'm Sia Markham, and these are the members of the acting troop. We just aren't the best at sneaking. You could give me lessons in being sneaky I'm sure." She waves at the others while giving the man a flirtatious grin.
I'm fairly certain he didn't see me.
The gnome slips out from the shadows.
"Blackspire Thundergloom. Actor, storyteller, sometime cheesemonger. But I have walked this world for many years and played many roles, so we shall see if Fate decrees that I must become something more."
Prologue - Rego Aerum - Treasure Sector - The Teatro alla Wescala -
Vara and Malqazar give greetings as well though both seem perturbed by the fact the group was so easily spotted.
Ermolos grins, "Follow me".
He leads you from the back room you snuck into through a short hallway and into the main hall of the ruined shrine. Despite the damage and the age, the shrine itself still has some of its former glory shining through. The murals on the ceiling depict the God shepherding humanity through some of its darkest days. It is incomplete though and besides all the shouting form the people already present is distracting!
A man, “The Knights of Westcrown.” A woman, “No, the Scions of Aroden.” Others interject, "It should be something gentler and more subtle in its attempt to win the hearts of the citizens and less antagonistic of the Thrune."
A man, "Right like, Guardians of Cheliax.” Another woman, "Or Children of Westcrown.”
Ermolos speaks, "Janiven's here."
A man retorts, "That's a terrible name... by Iomedae it is Janiven!"
Those gathered all look towards your group and some move towards Janiven including young Morosino who you dashed through the sewers with the other day. Besides Morosino and Ermolos, there are 10 other men and women here. Almost all appear to be commoners or at least that is how they dress.
Janiven motions to your group, "As you can see, I have been recruiting..."
One of the women asks, "Is it true what Morosino said, has Arael been captured?!"
Janiven nods affirmatively, "It is true and we need to get him back".
Malqazar follows Janiven and Ermolos, admiring the murals on the cieling.
"Tell us what you know about where he is being held, and what resources we have, and I will be glad to help attempt a rescue. We should try to do this by stealth or trickery rather than force if at all possible."
Sia smiles at the group and waves. "Trying to come up with a name for the group? Do you want Thrune to come down on us? Let's not tie it to any building we are standing in." She waves her hand at the shrine.
She waits for Jaiven to answer Blackspire's question. "Why do we need to get him back?"
"Arael wishes to bring hope to the people. That alone is reason enough to try to rescue him. Beyond that, if he is held and interrogated, we could all be at risk."
Prologue - Rego Aerum - Treasure Sector - The Teatro alla Wescala -
The Rebel that suggested the Scions of Aroden blushes at Sia's comment.
Janiven nods in agreement with Blackspire, "Indeed my perceptive friend. While there are some things we need to discuss now that you are all here it is true that rescuing Arael trumps all other things in importance right now..."
Before she can finish another female bursts into the room, "I've found him! But it may be too late, the Hellknights have finally secured control over Arael, the bureaucratic complications of what jurisdiction the prisoner fell into were resolved in the Order of the Rack’s favor. The Hellknights are preparing to move him from the city jail to Citadel Rivad, the order’s stronghold outside the city walls. Once he’s there, he’s as good as lost and so are we". She is nearly in tears.
"Perhaps we can ambush the Hellknights while they are moving him. I believe our little theater troupe can avoid being seen when they wish, and has a few tricks that can distract or disable the Hellknights without killing them.
A bloodbath is probably not the right way to start winning the favor of the locals.
Should we disguise ourselves? I could appear as a goblin, perhaps, though if you have any magical forms of disguise that would be even better."
Blackspire does not relish the thought of his actions bringing Hellknight wrath down on Westcrown's small gnome community. A scroll of Disguise Self would be good, Alter Self even better.
"Hopefully we can catch them on the way to the Citadel. If they get him that far, I believe you are right miss. He will be lost to us. An argument about something or the other? That might work." Sia muses as she tries to comfort the young woman who is crying.
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Jing perked his head up a bit as they began to talk of plans to rescue this do gooder. He had no problem with it to be honest, after all having this figurehead still in the group would be helpful as a scapegoat at the very least in things went to total muck.
Jing nodded at Blackspire's words and Sia's. "To be honest though, I worry. If even a single Hellknight were a mage or the like and somehow saw through our illusions...then we'd jeopardize the entire fledgling organization. Goblins might actually be best, though it'd not speak well for the poor Gleek." he said as he began to scratch at one of his ears.
Still in the end he said the one thing the others were probably attempting to ignore. "Though, we should be prepared to kill them all, or be ready to flee the city as a group and work from the outside with informants on the inside. Unless we have some way of disguising Arael permanently, or at least till we wretch enough control from the evil that plagues the city then the idea of working from outside the city night actually hold good promise." he said nodding.
"You are right about Gleek, Jing. Perhaps I could try for a large kobold, or an imp or Fey creature.
A mage in their ranks might be able to tell that we are using magic to disguise ourselves, but only a very powerful one could actually pierce disguise to see our true selves.
I think killing Hellknights an extraordinarily bad idea. It will magnify our problems and bring in much more powerful Hellknights to deal with us."
Prologue - Rego Aerum - Treasure Sector - The Teatro alla Wescala -
Janiven smiles at the suggestions by the newcomers, "Indeed, not only will an attempted rescue on the way to the Citadel be for the best Sia but it will eliminate observers and any chance that the Dottari or other locals interfere in our rescue attempts.
Even more importantly, by rescuing him beyond Westcrown’s walls, we aren’t technically breaking city laws".
Ermolos speaks up, "That is all well and good, and I do agree that slaying Hellknights would be more trouble than it's worth, but how will we actually accomplish this?"
Janiven sighs, "We'll need volunteers, I will certainly go, who else is with me?"
Young Morosino adds, "Well, I would like to go but I don't think I've the strength with a bow or blade to stop a Hellknight much less without killing one fully armed and armored as they will be". He looks around the room at the rest of the gathering.
A devilishly handsome Tiefling comes forward. His attractiveness is not marred by the blindfold over his eyes. He bows. Though he appears blind, when he speaks, he addresses a person directly, "looking" right at them.
"I am but newly arrived here, but would be glad to help. I am Fukushu of Minata. I have traveled long to come here, and believe I may be of much use to you all, despite my rather obvious handicap."
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A slight human woman with white ruffs below her armor steps up beside the tiefling. "I don't think I've ever heard a better call to action," her dark hair and skin marked her well enough as a Varisian woman, though the accent was a bit off. "Let no one say Firarra ran while a blind devil-kin stood and fought. I would be the laugh-riot of Avistan."
She looked about the room with a smirk, an obvious attempt to goad more supporters for the mission.
Janiven sighs, "We'll need volunteers, I will certainly go, who else is with me?"
The broad Shoanti man with the large hammer stands up.
"I can go. I am sick of being cooped up in here anyhow."
He looks around.
"The hellknights are indeed mighty foes, but if we act quickly, we might be able to get to him before the Hellknights collect him. Do we have a way into the jail?"
Upon seeing the new recruits Malqazar extends a hand, "Greetings fellow rebels and actors. I am Malqazar the Magnificent, master of minds, mental manipulator, and mesmerist extraordinaire! Our...ah...troupe has had some success in evading Hellknights but we have not faced them face to face. Now, it looks like we have a few rather bulky new additions to our group, so we may have a bit more skill in that regard."
A young man stood next to Fukushu acting as some sort of attendant to the blind man. He didn't stick out like the shoanti or the magician. In fact, he was barely memorable in any way. His clothes were serviceable, decently crafted but not fine. Worn thin in a few places, but not dirty. A morningstar hung from his belt. He gave a small, slightly awkward wave. "I'm Max."
You see a tall human woman with short-cropped, raven-black hair. Her eyes are a deep blue, with small flecks of silver near the iris. Her skin is fair and pale, indicating northern ancestry. She has small freckles on her nose, high cheek bones, and a strong jaw. She wears chain shirt armor and an estoc at her waist. She is tall, with a solid frame and straight posture.
She folds her arms under her breasts. "I'm Tsura. I can fight."
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Jing looked over the others for a few moments and nodded. "Delightful. So a round 10 of us going against a band of hellknights to save someone? The odds are at least better now. Very well, then are we planning an ambush? Or perhaps a ruse...I personally like ruses, Hellknights aren't the smartest band." he said grinning a bit.
Sia brightens as the volunteers step forward. "Wonderful to meet you all. I am Sia Markham. She looks them up and down and doesn't add the yes those Markhams this time. I'm just an actress, and dancer."
The gnome introduces himself. You may have seen him around town in one production or another (often as a goblin or imp), or perhaps attending one of his storytelling events. Maybe you've even been to the cheese shop where he works. His wears an extravagant black vest, embroidered in silk with stars, skulls, and arcane symbols.
"Blackspire Thundergloom. Pleased to meet you all. Do any of you have skills or spells of trickery, confusion, or fear? I can perhaps frighten off a Hellknight or two with my magic."
Bakuno looks around as people introduce themselves, and realizes he has not.
"For those of you who don't know me, I am Bakuno."
"Blackspire...Thundergloom? Is that actually your name? Is it a translation issue, or did your parents just hate you?" the blind man's assistant asked.
Blackspire laughs.
"Oh no, my parents didn't give me this name. I chose it for myself. Or fate chose it for me, perhaps. Depends how you look at it. But it seemed right."
"Ooooh, that makes a lot more sense." Max said.
"Honored to meet you all. So that you will not all be surprised, despite my lack of sight, I am quite skilled with a blade in close quarters. I may be of use in setting up the ambush, as I can also create preternatural darkness. I leave the actual plan to those better versed in tactics than myself."
Bakuno gives Fukushu a sidelong glance.
"That can't be easy, fighting blind."
"But I can arrange to be able to see even in magical darkness, so that might be useful."
Fukushu inclines his head towards Bakuno, smiling softly.
"Then it seems our meeting is most fortuitous. Similarly, my music can ward against those of evil intent. I am happy to fulfill whatever roll is asked of me, my new comrades."
Prologue - Rego Aerum - Treasure Sector - The Teatro alla Wescala -
Janiven is clearly emboldened by the amount of volunteers that have stepped forward to rescue Arael.
She takes a deep breath, "As much as I would have liked to introduce the newcomers to those well established, as well as meet those of you that Arael recruited whilst I was busy myself, the time to act is now!
I know the road to Citadel Rivad, if we hurry e can set up a proper ambush for the Hellknight caravan.
Citadel Rivad lies northwest of the city of Westcrown a fortress and training ground for the Order of the Rack, the oldest and most zealous of the Hellknight orders. The road to the citadel is an offshoot from the main road that winds off to the southwest—the land along the route to the citadel is mostly open plain, with a few scattered groves of trees and one stone bridge crossing a stream.
With rare exceptions, the only people who use the road are Hellknights or those providing services for them. Because of the low traffic and the proximity to the Hellknights, banditry is unheard of on this minor road, and while the forces of Citadel Rivad aren’t careless about the possibility of being attacked in this area, they certainly don’t expect it. This all makes the road the best point to attempt a rescue of the imprisoned half-elf.
Still, the Hellknights are nothing if not thorough, their numbers will be great.
I propose a two pronged attack. I, Morosino, Ermolos, and a few others who have access to horses will lead a feint ambush against the Hellknight caravan.
Given the absence of bandit attacks on that road, the Hellknights are sure to interpret any attack as an attempt to rescue their prisoner, and the likely response to sighting a group of what appear to be bandits stepping into the road ahead will be to split their forces, sending their mounted troops forward to handle the supposed highwaymen while the
prisoner and his guards hang back and perhaps begin to turn around to make a retreat back to Westcrown so they don’t lose their prize.
Then, your force can spring a second assault against the caravan, with lesser numbers allowing you to more easily free Arael and also reduce the amount of potential casualties that will need to be inflicted to accomplish the mission.
If anyone has another suggestion, I am certainly willing to entertain one".
We could hide under the bridge like trolls, and jump out. That would cause us to take on all the guards. I like splitting the enemy. I just hope that they can keep them distracted long enough for us to do our jobs.
"You do know we're actors, and not fighters. I like the idea of splitting the enemy. I just hope that we can fight well enough to do what needs done." Sia tries to look confident, but just can't pull it off.
"You do know we're actors, and not fighters...."
Bakuno looks at Sia sidelong.
"Speak for yourself. I was a gladiator in the arena."
Bakuno turns back to look at Janiven.
"This plan is as good as any," Bakuno says, nodding. "But after this, they will be hunting us. The Hellknights are known for their determination and their cruelty. We should cover our faces, lest any witnesses survive."
"They aren't all cruel, Bakuno. And they aren't all of evil intent, Fukushu.
While the organization does fail to temper justice with mercy, the individual members are simply people. Flawed, imperfect, varied, with fears and doubts. In the past century since the death of Aroden, it did seem that Chaos was ascendant. The Chelish Civil War. The very air going mad with the Eye of Abendego. The Abyss invading Golarion through the Worldwound. Groups like the Hellknights promise to fight for Order and the preservation of civilization, and so it's understandable many would be drawn to it.
Some individual Hellknights have proven themselves heroically, fighting demons or other supernatural evils. Some of the minor orders like the Pike are actually more focused on defending people than oppressing them. It is my hope that eventually we can appeal to their sense of righteousness and maybe sway one or two of them to our side. And put doubts about their harsh methods in the minds of many more.
It's probably a foolish hope, but even so I would show mercy to the Hellknights and leave that door open. Our enemy is the things that stalk the night in Westcrown. I don't think the Hellknights are behind that. Perhaps in the end we will need to work with them."
Blackspire Thundergloom is an idealist, for sure. But there could be a basis for his optimism; perhaps he knows stories of some of the more honorable Hellknights like Maidrayne Vox.
”Never did I say they were, Master Blackspire. I merely wanted to inform you of my capabilities, that they be factored into any tactical planning.
Though that said, we should probably remember that they are, you know, Hellknights.”
"A name meant to strike terror into the hearts of criminals, I think."
"Although some orders are rumored to conjure devils, so I have heard.
I believe there is indeed a truly evil force haunting Westcrown, against which your wards will be most needed. I hope it isn't the men and women guarding Arael."
"To be honest with you, I won't be here if there wasn't great evil at work. I believe that as well."
Bakuno looks at Sia sidelong.
"Speak for yourself. I was a gladiator in the arena."
"I think that counts as acting. Just because the violence is real doesn't mean the presentation isn't a performance too."
"A name meant to strike terror into the hearts of criminals, I think."
"That's just collateral effect. The Hellknights are the Knights of Thrune, who rule Celiax. The house of Thrune is very public about their worship of Asmodeus. The Hell in their knightly title is very literal."
"I like the plan. Let's go make a mess."
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"Hellknights in many lands have many duties, some of them are even noble, but their duties in this city are to crush the spirit of the populace and uphold the power of the diabolists. There is no confusion regarding their mission, and those who join them do not do so blindly. They are complicit." Tsura grips the pommel of her blade angrily. "The strategy is sound. I would suggest that those who attack the wagon have one member carry a stout pole to insert between their wheel spokes. It will stop them from escaping."
"Speak for yourself. I was a gladiator in the arena.""I think that counts as acting. Just because the violence is real doesn't mean the presentation isn't a performance too."
Bakuno grins. "Oh, I never said I wasn't an entertainer. But acting? No... we really do kill one another in the arena. That is not an act."
Bakuno looks around at the others.
"I think we are as ready as we ever will be, and sitting around here talking won't make us more ready. So I'm ready to go."
"I am as well. This should be interesting, and informative. The last time I was in a fight we ended up with a goblin for a friend. That's a story I'll tell of an ale at an inn sometime later." Sia gathers herself and is ready to head out.
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Jing shakes his head a bit at the people around him. "Delightful, a few fighters in the group and everything thinks they are capable of taking a prisoner from the Hellknights." he said with his head on his fist.
He licked his lips "Tell me, is there any rights you wish me to speak upon your tombstones? Don't get me wrong, with sheer numbers we may well win...but to not expect any losses is foolish. I simply want to make sure your eternals souls are properly taken care of as I'm a coward and won't be allowing myself to die at the Hellknights hands." he said simply.