"Why do they focus on Lisandra!?"
Arthas charges demon three even as the corpse before him has yet to fall beside its decapitated head fountains of blood streaming from the stump of its neck.
The paladin serves up another powerful two handed swing.
"Your hold on this place is at an end demon. Go back to whatever layer of the Abyss shat you into existence!"
Follwing Arthas's example Karthak charges the other surviving demon!
Hearing Arthas shout the question, Voren responds with, "Because she's beautiful! These demons hate beauty in every form, especially mirrors! That's their weakness! Their claws can rend away one's charisma!" In the heat of combat, Voren completely ignores the fact that he admitted to Lisandra's beauty. He moves closer to the demon and brings down his morningstar.
But unfortunately, his swing goes wide.
Voren relays the information to Lisandra in the celestial language. "Ces démons vous attaquent parce que vous êtes belle! Essayez de tenir sur! Nous allons nous débarrasser d'eux! Si vous avez un miroir, la révéler! Voilà leur faiblesse!"
Voren then tells Iavdi, "हे भुते सौंदर्य द्वेष आणि सर्व इतर वरील हल्ला करणार! त्यांनी मिरर एक अशक्तपणा आहे!"
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"तिचा घेणे आपला नाही कारण मी , आपण या जगात आणखी सौंदर्य नष्ट करण्याची परवानगी देत नाही !"
With this battle cry, Iavdicharges into flanking with Lisandra, attempting to slay one of the fiends.
But instead suffers the same misfortune as Voren did.
Seeing Lisandra under attack, Dakota tries to protect her with her magic.
"Go milady, move away from these evil monsters!"
Voter translates Dakota's words into celestial.
Voter translates Dakota's words into celestial.
Jokum snarls in rage and whirls as the demon flies over his head, stepping sideways to get a clear shot, nocking another arrow, and loosing even as it descends toward Lisandra. It's a rushed shot, though, and the arrow merely glances off the demon's hide. He whistles, and jerks his head at Tentak, hoping to encourage the badger to contribute, but it just stares at him stonily and backs slowly away from the ravenous demons...
Round 2____________
Arthas Sword of Ragathiel_____
Arthas charges demon three even as the corpse before him has yet to fall beside its decapitated head fountains of blood streaming from the stump of its neck.
The paladin serves up another powerful two handed swing.
Karthak Ironbreaker_____
Follwing Arthas's example Karthak charges the other surviving demon!
Voren the Outsider_____
Hearing Arthas shout the question, Voren responds with, "Because she's beautiful! These demons hate beauty in every form, especially mirrors! That's their weakness! Their claws can rend away one's charisma!" In the heat of combat, Voren completely ignores the fact that he admitted to Lisandra's beauty. He moves closer to the demon and brings down his morningstar.
Move Action: Move to D10 Standard Action: Attack demon 1
Lavdi______
With this battle cry, Iavdicharges into flanking with Lisandra, attempting to slay one of the fiends.
But instead suffers the same misfortune as Voren did.
Dakota Bloomingdale_____
Seeing Lisandra under attack, Dakota tries to protect her with her magic.
Casting Vanish on Lisandra. She'll be invisible for 4 rounds unless she attacks.
Jokum of the Breakbones_____
Jokum snarls in rage and whirls as the demon flies over his head, stepping sideways to get a clear shot, nocking another arrow, and loosing even as it descends toward Lisandra.
He whistles, and jerks his head at Tentak, hoping to encourage the badger to contribute,
Enemies__________
Red 1_____
The demon stopped suddenly, looking around wildly for the now missing Lisandra.
It catches Lisandras scent and attacked!
Auto miss due to total concealment!
Auto miss due to total concealment!
Red 2_____
Unable to see Lisandra, it whirled about to attack Arthas!
for a possible slashing damage plus mutilation (DC 13 Fortitude save or take a –1 penalty on all Charisma-based checks. This can stack up to max -5. Curse effect.)
Not confirmed! Ordinary miss.
for a possible slashing damage plus mutilation (DC 13 Fortitude save or take a –1 penalty on all Charisma-based checks. This can stack up to max -5. Curse effect.)
Abrikandelou 1: 22
Abrikandelou 3: 8
Seeing the demons still standing Karthak renews his attempts to bring the foul creatures down for good, this time aiming to dispose of the most heavily wounded one!
The demons' claws tear at the paladin of Ragathiel. The first demon can't defeat his armor, but the second finds an opening and slips a claw in due to the Paladin wielding his sword two handed. Arthas counter attacks seeking to drop the already wounded foe.
Dropping his bow with a growl of frustration, Jokum hustles around the tightly knit scrum of fighters and brings his greatsword down in a whistling arc toward the demon's skull!
Voren winces in pain as his morningstar hits his hoof. He believes that he could feel a small bit chip off. Voren glares at the demon next to him, his eyes' glow going to green.
Round 3_____
Karthak Ironbreaker_____
Seeing the demons still standing Karthak renews his attempts to bring the foul creatures down for good, this time aiming to dispose of the most heavily wounded one!
Arthas Sword of Ragathiel_____
Arthas counter attacks seeking to drop the already wounded foe.
Jokum of the Breakbones_____
Dropping his bow with a growl of frustration, Jokum hustles around the tightly knit scrum of fighters and brings his greatsword down in a whistling arc toward the demon's skull!
Lavdi_____
Iavdi sees an opening, and dashes over to take advantage of it, leaving herself open to an attack from the first one.
Dakota Bloomingdale_____
Dakota tries to hit the enemy before her, taking advantage of flanking:
Voren the Outsider_____
Voren glares at the demon next to him, his eyes' glow going to green.
(npc) Lisandra_____
Lisandra, seeing her friends swarm to her defense, cautiously took a step backward out of reach of the demon, and Waited.
Enemies__________
Red 1_____
Unable to find Lisandra, it whirls about and attacks Arthas!
for a possible slashing damage plus mutilation (DC 13 Fortitude save or take a –1 penalty on all Charisma-based checks. This can stack up to max -5. Curse effect.)
for a possible slashing damage plus mutilation (DC 13 Fortitude save or take a –1 penalty on all Charisma-based checks. This can stack up to max -5. Curse effect.)
Abrikandelou 1: 7
Karthak steps forward, between Dakota and Iavdi and attacks th dmon again with his cold iron waraxe!
Once again the paladin takes damage because he forsakes his shield to make more savage hits.
But the demon can't harm the holy warriors good looks and presence, because Ragathiel's wings shield his servant.
Radiance splits the air seeking retribution on the servant of the Abyss.
"You will go back to chaos you are from, unsated, unfulfilled."
Karthaks attack lands, putting the demon in the critical damage zone.
Arthas attack also lands, and the demons head is pulped and splattered over a wide area.
This battle is over.
This room was once used to display memorabilia from the First Crusade, as a successful DC 15 Knowledge (history or religion) check confirms while searching the rubble.
Searching the room you find in the debris the bodies of three crusaders.
It looks to you that these paladins attempted to retake the Gray Garrison on their own—they made it this far before being slain, their bodies distracting the abrikandilus for quite some time.
One of the paladins’ +1 adamantine morningstar lies discarded in the corner of the room—while the abrikandilus couldn’t break this object no matter how hard they tried, they did use it to pulverize the paladins’ bodies and gear, all of which is completely destroyed.
Jokum sighs in relief as the battle ends. "Well, that's that taken care of, at least. Not that you were much help," he adds in a snarl to Tentak. The badger studiously ignores the huge man's ire. "Lisandra? Where are you? Are you all right?"
"This is a fine enchanted weapon. It is as hard as a diamond and its spikes can pierce nearly anything."
"How many are hurt? Should we use a burst?"
Voren sighs in relief and looks around. "They really did a number here..." Seeing the morningstar in Arthas's hands, Voren moves closer to look at the weapon. "I'm interested in that... Though, if anyone else wants to take it..."
He then realizes that he complemented Lisandra's beauty... to everyone. His face reddens even more and he puts up his hood.
When Arthas asks about healing, Voren shakes his head. "I'm not too hurt. I don't need any healing right now. Thank you. Does anyone need anything? I do have access to lesser restoration. So any mutilating strikes that you've taken I can try to heal." He looks at the others.
Voren decides to search the room for anything else. He places a hand on the ground. Ayne crawls from underneath his sleeve and aids in the search.
He puts his morningstar away and draws his wand of magic missile, thinking that it would be more effective.
The paladin looks around at the other party members before offering the Tiefling the handle of the weapon.
"It somehow seems fitting you should have this. This weapon is from the time of the first crusade, some kind of relic, and useful one at that. Kind of like you Voren."
"Give Lavdi the one we captured from the traitor in the basement. It is magical, it just doesn't have an adamantium head. An enchanted weapon can be useful against many demon types."
Karthak checks the room and sighs:"This was once a museum. A place of beauty, pride and honor. Now, like Kenabres, it's in ruin. But once we save the city it will raise as well!"
Then the dwarf concentrates on the fallen crusaders:"Brave souls! I have no doubt in my mind they fell defending the garrison with bravery. They deserve better than to rot here. Maybe we could give them the rites of safe rest and bring them to the temple of Iomeade? I'm sure the Inheritor will guard them"
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"I will take your old morningstar until we can sell or donate it, Voren."
"We will save Kenabres, Karthak. Starting with this building. As for moving the crusaders, I say that is what we must do. We cannot let them lie here, after they attempted to take it bravely themselves. They may not have been worshippers of Iomadae, for the weapons they carried were not hers, but they must be moved from this destroyed museum."
Voren looks at the offered morningstar that Arthas holds. He takes it in his hand and inspects it. He looks back at the paladin. "Thank you." He then takes out his other morningstar and gives it to Iavdi.
When Karthak says that this was a museum, Voren's eyes widen and looks around at the mess. "Oh, no... All of this knowledge... gone." He then sees if he can help restore something. Looking back at Karthak, the witch says, "I agree with Iavdi. We must save Kenabres. Starting here! With the completion of our mission, all will be better. Even if it's for a moment."
Voren looks at the fallen crusaders. When Iavdi suggests to move the bodies, Voren nods and helps in moving them. Looking to Iavdi, Voren asks, "Where should we move them? I wish for them to be in a safe place for their rites and send off."
Jokum sighs slightly, and bends to lift one of the corpses. "If you insist on moving them to your god's chapel, very well, but let us make haste. Remember that we are on a mission here, and one that will not brook delay!"
As he hauls the body through the door that leads back to the old chapel, he adds, "I hope that these 'rites,' at least, can wait until after we have destroyed the Wardstone? There are those who would say that slaying demons is sufficient display of piety."
"Remember, these are just their bodies. Their souls are with the Lady and the General fighting on. Let us cleanse this place in honor of the fallen. The martyred dead lie all about the city. We must save the city or we will join those here. We cannot doom our world by delaying at every dead body or scrubbing every sundered altar prior to accomplishing our mission."
"Do not think me callous, my chapter subscribes to providing proper litanies and rites as well, but this is total war. We may be the final offensive hope for this city. Look at how our enemies lounge about, not even bothering to get up when someone assaults their door. The believe the battle is over. Surprise is one of our few weapons, we cannot squander it."
"Agreed, but the proper rites won't take more than a few minutes, we can use the rest albeit small and it won't be wasted time anyway. Just say the words Iavdi, then we'll move on" says Karthak emphatically.
When it's done and the group has re-entered the room with the statue of Iomedae, Karthak points at the only unopened door left:"Ready? GO!" he whispers as he swings it open arms ready!
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"As you wish, master dwarf."
Iavdi kneels in front of the statue, and holds her sword, decorated with the holy symbol of the Inheritor, towards Her statue.
"Inheritor, please watch over these blessed souls. They were obviously holy warriors, although maybe not of yours. All I ask, Lady, is that you guide their souls to whatever afterlife awaits them. I will continue to follow the path they started, and finish this work at hand. We must all strive to emulate your perfection."
She stands up, and turns towards her companions.
"That will do it, I believe."
She then enters the next room behind Karthak, weapon and shield in hand.
Jokum looks irritated that the party is taking the time to pray now, but uses the opportunity to retrieve his fallen arrows from the next room and return them to his quiver. One he nocks, and prepares to shoot any foe he can see through the open door.
It is apparent that Commander Irabeth's diversionary attacks must have succeeded very well, as no alarms have been raised and no patrols have been by to discover you.
When Iavdi delivers her prayer over the remains of the paladins, it seems like the oppression you feel in this place is little less.
When you are ready, you take the north doorway and find the central chamber.
There used to be friezes of crusaders worshipping lawful good deities here, as well as wall mounted symbols, but these have been torn down and scratched to illegibility by impressive looking claws.
You know that the Abrikandelous have claws capable, and are more than willing to do it.
There are doors leading West and North.
Jokum jerks his head sharply at the westward-facing door. "The Wardstone is probably in the heart of the building," he whispers. "And if this is not the way to it, best that we not be surprised." He takes up a position 5' from the door, and looks at Karthak expectantly.
"I agree with your assessment, Jokum. yet I'd argue we have better to check all of this place before finding ourselves caught between enemy forces. Let's go north before heading west. If the wardstone is that way we'll get to it later but knowing we have dealt with any unpleasant surprises. If it's not we'll get back to make sure no one is hiding in the west room, waiting to ambush us!" whispers Karthak back at Jokum, pointing at the northern door.
Not noticing anything about the museum, Voren picks Ayne back up and she crawls into the folds of his robes. He sheathes his morningstar and keeps his wand out. When Iavdi delivers her prayer, Voren bows his head in respect and stays silent. He delivers his own mental prayers.
Voren follows with the group, ready for a fight to break out. When Karthak suggests going north, Voren nods. He whispers, "I agree with Karthak. We should go forward and see what's there. If there are enemies there, we can get rid of them and stop ourselves from getting pinned down on both sides."
Jokum shrugs. "Very well...I am overmastered. Let us make haste." He swivels and strides away to take up a position aiming through the northern door instead, and waits for Karthak to open it.
The door turns out to be unlocked. When you open it, the smell strikes you first.
Blood and filth smear floor of this long room.
Six white stone statues of famous heroes line the hall—each clawed, bloodstained, partially smashed, or otherwise defaced.
At the far end of the hall, a raised dais holds an upturned alabaster altar.
Sitting atop the upside-down altar is a hideous mass of severed limbs that have been stitched together into a vile monstrous insectoid shape.
Before the dais, fourteen ratty bedrolls have been laid out on the floor.
It takes you a moment, but the design... you realize that this is the Temple of Iomedae at the Citadel!
A couple of the ones laughing and joking turn to glance back at you, then whirl aroud shouting and grabbing for weapons.
As he notices the blasphemous creatures Karthak moves in, shield raised and axe on the ready, and strikes at the first one on his line of sight!
Dakota moves ahead to get in range and casts grease among no. 4, 5 and 6.
At first glance, these enemies look like cultists of some kind. With the manner of dress and insignia, you think you've run into these guys before.
Arthas charges forth to strike #5. Radiance held high casting its brilliant holy light throughout the desecrated chamber like a lighthouse on a foggy night, the paladin holds his black shield up for defense as he crashes into his target.
"I am Arthas Baumhal, last of my chapter, Sword of Ragathiel, and in His name I strike you down. Behold my vengeance and righteous holy anger for what you have done to my Lady's house!"
The one handed blow comes in so fast Radiance shrieks as though it has life of its own.