Crimson Knights of the Black Blade (Inactive)

Game Master BloodWolven

When the holy aura fades and the divine power is withdrawn, Xenia blinks her eyes. Then she rubs them and squints for a moment, looking up to the top of the room and then into darker corners.

How strange. It is as though I can see better than before. I know not what boon this angel has granted, but it appears as though my sense have been improved.

She to then looks over at Zanthias:
I know little of this daemon thing of which she spoke. But, if your heart is focused on good, then I shall fight with you. If you seek to harm others and control them against their will, then you will find my rapier before you at every step.

Having said this, she walks over to the daemon turned redcap turned halfling and too offers her hand:
I hope that my blade need never be drawn against you. For now, I intend to call you friend. May the Everbloom grant you the will to stay on the path of good.

Vortani comes to his senses and returns the bow to Keeya. "Best of travels to you as well."

"Who understands how divination spells work and is willing to hold onto a scrying orb for me?" He asks the group in general.

Accepting Donovan's and Xenia's hands to help him up he begins to respond to the group, "I am sure the long story can wait for the next trip ahead of us. In a nut shell I was born a halfling a few thousand years ago and turned wholly evil, granted a new form as a daemon when he died. I served many masters and protected many vaults. I was inprisoned by a holy order and lost much of my powers, rescued by some fool adventurers and grew in strength, I died and they reincarnated me into the redcap form you see before you. I strive to to help the weak and help make them strong. I follow the path to perfect my mind, body and soul even if they are fully connected, you could say I am a follower of Irori."

"Perhaps some more information will help you decide on where you want to protect and destroy evil. The wasteland is that way because of fell magics, demonspawn, and those who live there gave themselves to unholy powers. Now few innocents are in the land but areanas are the focal point to the few villages in the area. One large city still thrives on the wastelands border but it is full of dark cultists. Your few allies would be the barbarians."

"The mountainous region has many villages that have not succumbed to bandits, dark fey, or even encountered demonspawn yet. There is a great stirring that needs to be quelled. Each of those forces seem to be growing in strength and numbers. Your priority would be to defend the villages that are not corrupted and get them prepared for the coming threat. Then destroy the threat and the sources of those threats. You might find many more allies in this region but also many more cloaked enemies. The elves and good fey would be your best allies in this region."

"Please ask any questions and discuss where and why you want to go there."

bow? Keeya can't use a bow sorry, are you think of the skiff or another player GM

" I think we should head to the hills and woodlands, there we can do good now, a wast land of demons is more the task for a crusading Amy not a band of 6 "

She finishes her talk of helping Flame.

"Also even tho we all have a voice may I suggest that General flame be our leader, I trust his expirance and judgment, in low of arguments or split votes I would take his view as final."

Then that said

"Delman may I see the sky skiff you have,"

-------------------Catching up----------------------
Hymn nods in acceptance when Keeya says Zanthias is his responsibility.

Hymn then walks over to Zanthias and helps him up.

Pausing for a moment to consider Keeya's words. Hymn thoughts seem troubled. Hesitantly Hymn states(unlike his normal self) "A small group of people can move a lot easier through a bush than an army of people when looking for the head of a snake. When I was a general in Sulesh's army, we would send groups much like ourselves to assassinate the leadership. It would cause chaos and make it much easier."

Hymn pauses for a moment to collect himself, after realizing he was giving too much information about himself. Also, that he has already caused some problems.

"I am fine with Flame as the leader. I believe he will do an excellent job. I also agree with Keeya, the wastelands may not be a good task for our group." Hymn says with little hesitation in his voice now.

"That is a big responsibility. I will make sure to do my best as your leader."

He pauses for a second. "As for the location, I too would prefer the hilly woodlands because there would probably be more innocent people needing our help."

Xenia listens to the others before speaking up:
I too believe that the woodlands would be preferable. Lets us free those we are most capable of from subjugation first. Then, once we have learned how each other works, we can move on to the demon infested wastelands.

Regarding the nomination of Flame as the leader of this group. I will not vote for or against this choice. I do not know Flame from any other individual of an unknown background and in my business, one can put little trust in others until they have proven themselves. We are a small group and should work together towards the freedom of the subjugated and the betterment of the common good. However, if all plans need to pass through one person, this delay could easily lead to failure. If I had to wait for approval from the captain each time I boarded a ship and found one amongst the prisoners who appeared untoward, then I imagine that I would have long since felt a dagger of deceit in my back.

Keeya waits on Delman but nods at what Xenia says.

It will be interesting seeing how the dichotomy between our CG players and our LG/LN players plays out.

Donovan nods his thanks that Zanthias has shared some of his history with them. At Delman's words, he shrugs. "My skills with diplomacy may come in handy in both places, but I would prefer to go to the mountains if there are more communities to protect. Perhaps they can be rallied and strengthened, and so protect against further danger in the future. Never doubt the power of a few individuals defending their homes."

"I would prefer to take the fight directly to the demons in the wasteland, but it appears I'm in the minority in this case. Also, unsurprisingly, I agree that Flame would make an excellent leader for the group." Serra says after thinking a few moments.

It looks my post got eaten up... He was bowing back to you, the verb not the noun, as it looked like you bowed to him in the first place.

"Keeya, I would suggest that you stay with the group until it is decided on where your group goes. If you are in such a hurry, you can ascend to the top of the tower where the skiff is secured on the top level." He says with some interest considering she just deferred to Flame.

After that he listens to the others throwing out ideas and opinions.

He stands quietly to the side collecting his gear from behind the pillar as the group continues to talk about where to go.

Hymn waits silently as group decided their course of action.

Telepathy(Zanthias):

"Do any of you have the skills to make maps or well apt to inturpret travel to paper? I would like your group to make a map of the area for other members of the order to help and for later development plans if deemed to extend as such. The skiff up top is well equipped to supply your group gear for about a month. No diviners in your group perhaps I will leave it with Bearik. Instructions and some maps for both locations can be found in the navigation room. Anything else I can help you with otherwise I will be on my way." The man says in his normal businesslike manner.

"I can make maps"

She says as she heads up to inspect the skiff

"Flame I leave them in your capable hands then, if you have any questions you can contact me through the Coagial Tome on the skiff, or ask questions holding your dagger. Fresh blood enhances either." He finishes as it looks like there is little else to discuss, then he walks up the stairs.

"Well then. What next?" Donovan says, looking to their newly appointed leader.

Flys up to the skiff as she calls down,
"I will be up her getting the Skiff ready and, come up"

Once at the skiff she go's over it checking the flight panels and steering. Stowing away and items that are louse.

Xenia looks up at the skiff with some concern:
You sure that thing is safe? Not sure I like the idea of being so high in the air.

"Yes its safe as long as we keep away from anything that may damage the flight panels, even then unless they are ripped off it will come down under control. She's small but fast, we can out run most things that fly. Why don't you let me show you how to Pilot her, you have skills with water ships, this is some what the same. You just have to get use to moving up and down as well. Reading the weather and winds, keeping away from storms. All the same, She can channel electric along the metal strips here and here, so she can take one to two lighting strikes, but its not a good idea. Also the can go one water and there you can help"

She moves over to a winch.

"You use this to wind up the flight panels. Then she's just a water craft, that's where I will need your help. I dont know water boats, I have no idea how to read the rivers and seas. I have no skill in the water, you will have to Captain her then. The rudders controls are here and the it has a sail stowed away, with a mount mast. It even has ors if I can find them.

She moves over around looking in stow racks.

"arr here they are 4 of them and a second sail. never had to use em, but I am thinking if we fly into outland towns and villages we will attract to much attention if we are investigating, Much better to sail in on the lakes and water ways or the weather is to bad to fly. What do you think Xenia. I get us close and then you take over."

She jumps down from the Skiff to land next to Xenia.

Thinking if she's both air and water, we both get a go as Capitan. Also we can't just fly every where, sometimes sailing keeps a lower profile into a place like village or town. And some places have to be gotten to v water. Also it lets you PC shine at what she dos, what do you think GM?

Up eight stories Keeya finally makes it to the top of the massive tower. Many of the rooms look deserted and the walls look decrepit but it all still holds up. At the top of the tower the skiff has a massive tarp over it securing it to the top.

There is three main rooms to the skiff. A cargo bay, which the walls have fold down bunks, though the room is half full with equipment and supplies likely for the venture. The second room is a bunk room with hammocks, fold down bunks, and chests for personal items. The last room is the charter room, filled with shelves along the sides, a table in the center and a second, steering wheel, besides the bed for the captain.

If you want you can search around or in the tower before leaving. Keeya, that is an excellent idea!

The raging storm outside has fully stopped and only some rain comes down now.

Xenia continues to look at the ship suspiciously.
I have never captained a ship, although I have spent enough on time that I should know how to sail this one. In addition, the skiff is small enough that I an not sure the title captain is really appropriate anyway.

Lets search. If most of the rooms are deserted, we should be able to move through fairly quickly.

"Let's get the tarp off fully, then you can see it's true size, it's a lot bigger than it looks from over there.

Talking the rest of the tarp off shows just how big the sky skiff is.

Looking over the supply's she says.

"This is good, we have a lot of supply's, food, water, ale, cold clothing, even packs and tents. We will have to take the tarp with us, if we go far from the boat. We.ll have to cover her and camouflage her. She will not fly with out a command rod. I have one keyed to me so let's see."

She heads to the wheel room and pulling out a foot long blue glass rod from a pouch on her belt. The rod is longer than the pouch. She places it in a hole by the wheel. The flight plates move slightly, there is a gust of wind then the craft lifts a foot off the ground and holds there, bobbing a little.

"Well her panels are sound, she's sky worthy or the rod would be glowing red. How ever no spy glass that I can find so it's eyes only. She dos have a compass so that's good news. If any one needs me Xenia I'll be in the captains room going over the charts. I'll plot a direct course now the weather looks better."

Pulling out charts keeya starts making notes.

As the group headed up to head to the skiff, Serra thought about Zanthias. Once a demon... I'm not sure how to feel about that. They took so many lives in Kenabres, and took Philip. It would be vengeance to repay it upon him, but would it be righteous? Is Ragathiel testing me? She adjusted her robes and her breastplate absentmindedly, a physical manifestation of the discomfort her thoughts were causing her.

Content to let Xenia and Keeya go over the skiff in preparation, Serra decides to check out the rooms in the old tower in the meantime. "Flame, I'm going to go check out the rooms up here while the skiff is readied."

To Donnovan: "I guess the next thing to do is to get settled in on the skiff."

Flame nods at Serra.

Forgot to do perception checks. Not sure how many levels there are, but here's a few.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Obviously Serra's still lost in thought for the first two bits of searching.

Perception to search while climbing:

Perception(level 1): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Perception(level 2): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Perception(level 3): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Perception(level 4): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
--> styling, double natural-1s
-------

Upon arriving, Xenia nods at Keeya's instructions. Once the sky captain heads to the cabin, Xenia begins to tentatively examine the ship to see what is aboard. Some things she readily recognizes as being similar to those on a normal water bound ship, but many others are simply alien to her. These she takes more care examining, but is truly confused as to most of their purposes.

Hymn will wonder around the outside area of the tower. Just kind of wondering around and gathering his thoughts till it is time to leave. He'll also keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

DM feel free to roll perceptions if needed for me. Only access I have at moment is my phone. I'll try to post a little later.

There are 8 levels and the dwarven hall and the summoning chamber below that.

When she gets up to level 4, Xenia calls to the others.
Seems likes something was here, not sure what. Anyone able to see if some magic might still be lingering about.

Everyone please post where you are, or who you are with. I have Keeya up at the skiff, Xenia followed then went back down, Serra heading up to the skiff but searching as she goes up, Hymn is somewhere outside of the tower still not sure considering his ability at flight, at the bottom in the summoning room I still have Flame, Donovan, and Zanthias.

Donovan, too, heads up to see this skiff, wanting to familiarize himself with anything his life will depend on in the near future.

Having found the two strange rooms, Xenia calls for, and then hunts down, her new companions.

Rather strange on floors six and seven. Six looks like someone attempted to barricade themselves within by piling chairs and tables against the door. Looks pretty old, but you have to wonder why.

Seven is different. There is a locked chest in there and what appears to be a doorway concealed quite poorly. I would open the chest and door, but thought that it would be better to be together incase something untoward happens.

Donovan frowns. "Should we not seek out Delman and ask him? He brought us to this place for the ritual, it seems likely he could tell us more about it and its history."

The little, yet burly, halfling follows Donovan up to the skiff. After hearing Xenia he offers to help, "I will aid you in your search!"

Looks at the halfling as it comes up to the skiff, as the call comes up
She shakes her head.

"I need to get things done here, if there is trouble I'll come"

She gos back to working on the skiff.

Flame slowly ascends the stairs after Donnovan.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

"Good idea, Zanthias. The more people, the better. I will come as well."

Serra examines the banner, trying to see if she recognizes the coat of arms on it.

Focused Trance
Knowledge: Nobility: 1d20 + 8 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 20 = 48

She then takes a look at the polearms, banner and vials with detect magic. After gathering the vials and anything magic she heads off to join the others.

When she hears Xenia describe the chest and secret door, she nods. "I'll come as well, it's certainly odd that there would be an untouched chest here."

The halfling looks like the wind was let out of his sails as Flame speaks up that he will join them. He walks seperated from the group slowly but keeping them in sight.

Peception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
OOC: Hymn would just be walking along the grounds by the tower.
Hymn continues to casually stroll and walks up to flame, trying to see how it works. He'll examine ground to see if it's a item or just a random spell.
Peception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

It might seem odd but it is hard for me to figure out where you are when you don't really connect but leave it so vague. I will take the initiative then.

Xenia leads Serra, Flame, and Zanthias back into the tower to search the places again. Which level do you start with?

Donovan is familiarizing himself with the skiff and its three rooms as Keeya double checks the maintenance of the vessel.

Keeya makes her way to the exit for the Sky-Skiff and opens it up, pulling ropes back, ready to set off.

I think we were going to check out the locked chest and door. So level 7?

Once done she heads down to the others at Pandora's box.

Yup, room with the mystery box and secret door first.