OK
After dispatching the winged Darkmantles, you notice the room around you. Stone figures are carved into the walls of this cavern. Each depicts a different crusader clad in armor and wielding weapons, but their carved stone features contain expressions of sadness.
Glancing about the still limping Anevia studies the statues with an interested gaze "These statues look ancient." she remarks. Upon hearing this, the blind elf, Aravashniel begins to stroke his chin. "There is a legend among the Riftwardens that after the first crusade there was a group of poor souls who fled into these caverns, crusaders infected with foul abyssal energies, who only wanted respite and refuge in which they could raise their children. Huh, if this wasn't the middle of an absolute disaster, I would say this is a significant historical find.
Leaving the cavern and winding your way down the tunnel further, you come upon a small campfire and a well-used bedroll, along with a few utensils and tools, another opening is across the way from this small cavern. As you set foot into the small clearing, a crazed dwarf sets upon you attacking with magics and screeching curses upon you with the assuredness that only insanity can bring to statements. Managing to defeat the crazed dwarf, you all move through the opening on the far side and find a steeply inclined tunnel that leads upwards to the north, its walls lined with numerous nooks, handholds, and dozens of iron pitons that have been driven into the wall ages ago. With this ladder like ensemble, you are all able to make the climb, assisting the wounded amongst you.
After a 30 minute walk down dark and twisting corridors that head generally northwest, the tunnel opens into a large cavern, about seventy feet across. Cylindrical rock formations along the walls arch up to make a dome like chamber, but the walls and floor are riddled with cracks. At the center of the cave a stone tower that may once have reached the fifty-foot-high ceiling has collapsed onto its side.
In the dim light of the cavern you make out two humanoids, carefully picking their way through the rubble. As the group approaches the two drop into defensive stances, and one speaks to you. [b]"If your intentions are ill, move on and leave us in peace. If they are good, perhaps you can help. As you can see, a misfortune has befallen us." he speaks in a flowing drawl of the common tongue. As you move closer, you see a third creature, trapped beneath the rocks of the collapsed tower. The man speaking to you introduces himself as Lann, he has a face that melds the features of an attractive elven man, a goat, and a lizardfolk. The one next to him appears to be female, Lann introduces her as Dyra, but she is so riddled with tumors that she cannot speak beyond grunting sounds.
Being the heroes and generally good folk that you are, you all agree to help them straight away, apart from Horgus who just makes rude remarks at the hideous nature of the kind natured cave dwellers. With the concerted effort from all of you (save Horgus) quickly frees the buried one, introduced as Crel. Having befriended the three, they agree to take you to their tribe's place of residence, the underground village of Neathholm.
After about an hour of travel, you come to the largest cavern you've had the privilege of seeing so far in your charming underground excursion. It is about 200 feet in diameter, filled with water and adorned with a hundred foot diameter island, upon which ramshackle buildings formed of mud and stone, as well as what you would assume to be very old building materials, perhaps brought with from the first mongrelmen to flee to their subterraneal home.
After taking a raft across the small watery expanse, you are in the village proper and Lann quickly leads you to the largest building in the center of the island. Inside he reports to a bloated elder Mongrelman introduced as Chief Sull. The chief speaks with a raspy voice. "Thank you surface dwellers for your assistance in saving Crel. These tremors have been unexpected and relentlessly dangerous for my people."
When told of the explosion and collapse in Kenebras he looks worried. "That explains it, foul demons. My kind maybe looked upon as freaks by our surface brethren, but our ancestors fought in the first crusade, and if you can bring them word, let the crusade know that we stand ready to help take back the city. Well, apart from those dirty traitors."
Chief Sull goes on to explain that the way out of these tunnels is past the lair of a group of wicked minded mongrelmen who have been associating with demonic cultists recently.
Crossing the otherside of the underground lake, the fearless heroes and Horgus, travel down the tunnel, towards the vile lair, on their way to the fresh air and light of day.
Inside the lair, you heroes of yore do glorious battle against twelve traitorous mongrelmen, managing to knock some sleeping ones unconscious, but forced to fight the rest. Making your way past a vicious spiked trap, giant bugs and foul rats. You finally face off against the real villains of this den of evil. A human inquisitor and several human and teifling cultists. Standing victorious over her evil corpses, you find an unholy symbol, a silver bull head with ruby eyes, the mark of Baphomet. Further searching of her things uncovers a letter.
The letter reads:Hostilla,
You will remain, for the time being, in Kenabres, but know this; the city's days are numbered. Seek a place of safety - The underground den of your mongrel lackeys should suffice to keep you safe from the devastation to come. I shall assume command of Drezen shortly and once Vorlesh has finished with the wardstone and Kenabres is no longer of interest to us, you are to return to my side. Excellent new regarding the salvage of Yaniel's sword from the museum as well - bring it with you, for I believe this weapon could be quite useful once we corrupt it. Before you leave for Drezen, stop by the three safe houses (Nyserian Manor, Topaz Solutions, and the Tower of Estrod - the passphrase remains "I've new material for the archives," for now) to ensure no evidence remains behind.
May Lord Deskari and Lord Baphomet watch over you!
-S.V.
At the mention of the sword, you all look among the woman's things and find a golden bladed sword in a darkwood case that glows faintly. Recovering this artifact for good, all make your way out of the tunnels into the ruined city. Smoke can been seen from hundreds of different fires across the city and rubble is strewn about. The streets are deviod of life but as you walk about, you can see a shadow darting down an alley here or there, or a window shutter snap shut.
Looking around in shock at the devastation, "Well this is...I am at a loss for words at how bad this is." Looking at her compatriots and the three they escorted out, in particular Aravashniel and Anevia, "Is there some place safe we can go? If so, we should look for survivors on the way I think."
Steave Rojerz, the former captain in the first crusade, surveys the devastated city taking cover in the tunnel exit. After describing the landmarks that he sees to the blind elf Aravashniel, he asks him, Anevia, Lord pain-in-the-a$$, and his companions. "Does anyone recognize where we are in the city? What's the closest: one of your homes or the one of the three safe houses of the cultists?"
"Well, Cap, I mostly lived near the barracks in army - provided housing. Dunno if it survived. By my oath, I am not a pessimistic man, but, Gods, do you think we're the only ones to make it?"
Sarge's ruddy face has an ashen cast as he looks out at the destruction.
The Captain replies to Sarge, "We'll find out, sergeant. We have at least six destinations from which to choose: the homes of our three charges that we have safely returned to the surface and the three safe houses of the cultists that we need to eradicate: Nyserian Manor, Topaz Solutions, and the Tower of Estrod. We just need a local to identify which one is closest, in order to take it one step at a time. Anything look familiar people?"
Getting a wistful look on her face, "It must be nice to have a home. The closest I have here is what ever inn is putting me up for the night in exchange for an evening of entertainment."
"Well, Anevia, yer wife's Irabeth, yes? Leader of the Eagle Watch if I remember? Maybe she's someone to find, to see what's going on in this mess."
Kyra can only stare in horror at what remains of her precious home, which is now in ruins. With everything that occurred underground, she's under quite a lot of stress, the same as everyone else. Unable to speak, she sinks to her knees, quickly pulling out her holy symbol as she holds it to her chest, hands clasped in prayer. She shakes her head, her hair hiding her face fairly well as she prays in silence, her shoulders moving up and down as a few tears stream down her face.
"No...please no..." she repeats, her entire body shaking as she mourns the fate of Kenabres.
Seeing Kyra's distress, Iolana moves over and kneels beside her, wrapping one arm around her in an attempt to comfort her as she morns the dead and loss of her home.
Before the emergence, when the sword is discovered and described, Aravashniel recognizes it and begins a swift history lesson as he is escorted through the tunnels. He speaks in a wise but haughty voice, so common among elves. "This is a great find. You see in the early days of the Fourth Crusade, 4692 AR I believe,' he coughs a bit clearing his throat. 'There was a paladin of Iomedae, the renowned demon slayer, Yaniel. Now Yaniel spoke out against the Mendevian crusaders, accusing them of negligence and sloth, claiming these faults were what allowed Khorramzadeh to invade Kenabres and damage the wardstone. Yaniel's accusations cut to close to the truth, and in a moment of weakness her superiors threatened to excommunicate her. Instead, she said she would enter the World Wound and fight the Fourth Crusade on her own, with only her magical sword Radiance to for company." he says the name of the sword with an intellectual reverence, running his sensitive hands down the blade.
"The church was happy to see Yaniel go, and in the two years that followed, she was thought to have been slain. Yet when she returned to Kenabres in 4694, leading a small army of crusaders she'd rescued, Both Yaniel and her superiors had changed. Yaniel had shed her pride and had gained a new appreciation for the difficult decisions leaders are forced to make. And the church leaders had learned that sometimes the truth is exactly what you need to hear. Alas, Yaniel was slain only a week into her second personal crusade. Her body was never recovered, but some of her followers managed to make it back. The sword went dark after Yaniel's death, apparently worthless, the crusaders elected to put it on display in the Gray Garrison. It must have been stolen sometime recently." he finishes with a solemn moment. "But if the sword is rekindling, it gives me a slight hope for the future."
An hour or so after the history lesson you come to the surface.
At the question, Anevia sobs for a moment, but quickly regains her composure, glancing around she says "We seem to be in the southernmost part of the city, Irabeth and I have a house in the eastern section, I..I need to go there, to my home." she trails off "My love, please be ok."
Aravashniel lifts his head at the mention of the location he speaks up. "Blackwing is near here. The headquarters of the Riftwardens, is likely only several blocks northwest of here. I must go and see if my brethren are alive, please take me there."
Horgus harrumphs loudly, "I have hired them, my house is to the north and I'm paying good money to be escorted there." his outburst is less than forceful, but it doesn't stop him from putting his own needs above those of the blind warden and brave scout.
"I don't like splittin' up. I promised to take care of you, and I will. Let's see. Exactly where to the northwest, eh, Aravashniel? And where in the east and north are your houses?" he asks of their three charges.
"So the closest destination is Aravashniel's. The most important thing now is to find a secure location in this chaos. Let's head there first on our way to the home of Lord Horgus."
Aleister allows his eyes to readjust to sunlight. Somehow the tunnels below had changed him, he felt different and not just stronger. Looking over the ruins of his home he felt like he had purpose.
The wizard sends his familiar into the sky to get a birds eye view of the city looking for the nearest safe area or possibly anyone still in need.
Xanaphia has been shaken into silence by seeing her home so wrecked.
"My family also lives in Kenebras, I would like to see if they made it back. They were with me at the cathedral when this all started. I need to know I have not lost my parents for a second time."
She maintains a calm and stolid exterior, as she thinks a true follower of the crusades would
Although her mask of calm is not quite as good as he would hope and her distress leaks into her voice, she turns away from the rest of the group while she regains her composure.
Vardan takes a deep breath and winces at Xanaphia's comment, his focus returning, "My mother was to be moved to the hospice today... I also wonder if she's survived the attack. However, I think the Sergeant has the right of it -- we should stay together... and Rogers is also right, we should find a safe base of operations now that the reconsecrated temple of Torag is so far below us."
Looking rather sad at all of this talk about family, Iolana stands back up and offers Kyra a hand, "I agree that we need a new safe place to work from, and trying to get more information about what we are walking into is a good idea as well. I would think what ever place is closest would be best place to start." She shoulders her pack, gets out her whip, and prepares to head to someplace safe.
Kyra accepts Iolana's assistance and wipes her tears, forcing herself to wear a determined face, joining the conversation.
"I cannot say I ever knew my parents. I was left at a temple of Iomedae and raised by the priest there, but I always felt calm there...Even when others mocked me, or when troubles befell us, Iomedae saw me through. She even gave me a friend in my time of need, but Amanda...No, never mind. I must put such thoughts to the side. She's had a proper burial, and I shall have time to grieve later...Faith has seen me through all my life, and it shall see us through here." she announces, her voice steeled and her form full of resolve as she draws Radiance from its hilt, grabbing her shield in the same manner. Wearing her holy symbol on her neck, she bangs her fist on her shield twice and leaves one more saying, a common one amongst the worshipers of the Inheritor.
"For victory, for the heart."
Seeming very sad all of a sudden with the glimmer of tears in her eyes, Iolana turns away from the others and pulls something out of a pouch, holding it close to her heart for a moment, and then putting it away. She wipes her hand across her face before she turns back, she seems much more in control of herself, "Well, are we ready?"
"Yes there is nothing to be gained staying here, we should head towards the closest place any of us needs to go and see what we can do to help people around here. Hopefully we will not need to grieve. Let's get moving"
Vardan nods, "Aye, as they say, there's no sense borrowing trouble... especially since today, we seem to have more than enough of that already."
After all the discussion, Steave says "Let's move out. " He readies his shield and starts walking and leading to the Blackwing library. It was where the Riftwardens thawed him out several weeks ago, so he looks for landmarks of the nearby area.
Moving to walk near Steave, "When you say that they thawed you out, you don't mean literally do you? You mean it metaphorically don't you?"
Steave nods and replies, "Yes, literally. I was a captain in what you know as the First Crusade. On my last mission below towering ice cliffs in the Crown of the World, an avalanche buried me. Several months ago, Riftwardens recovered me and brought me to Kenabres. I woke up a several weeks ago. It's been a bit of an adjustment." But the recent battles make it more familiar, he finishes to himself, not wanting to suggest that he prefers war or what has befallen Kenabres.
Looking rather shocked, "So how does that work anyway? They just stick you in a furnace or something? Do you remember any of your time frozen? What was it like waking up? Hmmm, I think I may need to write a song about this."
Steave shrugs and replies, "I had some dreams that I don't remember and didn't really ask about the thawing process. It seemed that they hadn't done it before, but you're welcome to ask Aravashniel. He was one of them that did it."
Kyra seems to be concentrating deeply during the conversation, eyes closed as she recites Iomedae's code quietly and with the utmost reverence. During this, her prismatic wings seem to adopt a cooler blue hue, reflecting her calm.
"I will learn the weight of my sword. Without my heart to guide it, it is worthless- my strength is not in my sword, but in my heart. If I lose my sword, I have lost a tool. If I betray my heart, I have died..."
" So Steave you were frozen in Ice for a long time and then woken up by the Riftwardens? That sounds cool.... Ah erm I mean it sounds interesting to see the world after all that time. How long ago did you wake up? "
She looks momentarily embarrassed at the cool reference
Giggling at Xanaphia's inadvertent play on words, "Nice one Xana, very punny." Iolana continues following Steave and begins humming a lively marching tune, adding a few dance steps every so often.
Steave calmly replies, "yes, several weeks ago."
Their interest in my story will keep their minds off the devastation around us, he thinks to himself.
"So Steave, what was it like then as opposed to now?" Iolana continues to hum to herself as she listens to the tale.
Steave shrugs and replies, "Not really sure. I was never in Kenabres before and haven't been out since."
Looking a little exasperated at so little elaboration, "Oh I didn't mean Kenabres itself I meant more the world in general. I have only been in this city about a year now myself and don't know it all that well either. Surely you traveled some before coming here? I would like to hear about what you experienced and see if it seems that much different from my own travels. "
As she recites the tenets of Iomedae, the aasimar seems to calm herself down, finally opening her eyes. The only reminder of her crying session are the dried tears and the bit of red under her eyes, signalling irritated skin.
"I apologize for succumbing like that in this time of need. I let despair take hold of me. I shall make sure it doesn't happen again." she announces, correcting her posture.
"Be on guard, everyone. I've seen citizens hiding when they saw us. I wouldn't be surprised if there were some remainders of this attack in the city." she warns, stepping forward to get closer to the front lines of the group.
Seeing her exasperation, Steave replies, "Ma'am, we're in a battlefield right now. You can interview me when we can relax. Until then, know that I was born in Almas in 4606, the year Aroden died. I've not been back since waking up, so I don't know what's changed. But looking around, the demons appear to be the same."
"It must have been nice to travel , I have never traveled more than a couple of days from Kenebras, since my parents brought me here and so this is all I remember. I had never seen a demon before the attack on the Cathedral , they were even more terrifying than I expected. I just hope if we face them I don't run. I would like to pay them back for what they have done to my home"
She does her best to look determined rather than worried
"More or less the same. I've seen depictions and a corpse here or there that's been dragged through town, but never the real deal."
Vardan finds himself nodding at the once frozen man's statement, "Perhaps we should find a place of safety, as both Ser Rogers and the good Sergeant suggested, before grilling our companion?"
Giving Steave an annoyed and somewhat hurt look, Iolana gives up on getting him to talk for now and drops back to Xanaphia, "I have traveled for most of my life, this is the longest I have lived in one place, not that I exactly ha a choice in the matter. As far as seeing demons before, I have seen one, far closer than I ever wanted to be..." her expression slides into near despair, and with a slight catch in her voice as she continues, "It is not an experience that you want to relive." She then slides her hand into a pouch and seems to grab something for a moment, taking a deep breath, and continues walking though she is no longer as energetic as before.
Having found that the Riftwarden's place, Blackwing Library, is the closest by far. You set out through the devastation that is Kenabres city proper. Aravashniel led around and over the carnage by Anevia, who is solemnly silent. Horgus, grumbles about filth and the difficulty walking in such dreadful conditions.
And dreadful they are. As the group moves down the street, you see the smoldering wreckage and desolation that beings more than mortal can inflict. Bodies litter the street and dried up small rivers of blackened blood criss cross the pavement. Every couple of buildings, you see one that is oddly whole, standing out unscathed by the destruction around it. Aravashniel comments that this is likely due to them being empty when the demons attacked.
Large chunks of rubble and debris from the razed architecture around you impedes your every step, and the going is slow. Scattered surviors are seen here and there, picking their former lives from amongst the wreckage, or sitting with motionless loved ones, staring at nothing, covered in soot. The foul smell of sulfer permeates everything in the city it seems, and the sky is blackened from the still raging fires in some areas of the city.
Your destination draws near, only a few more city blocks to traverse. You round a rather large piece of rubble perched precariously on another large pieces of rubble, like a brick balance on a piece of flint. As you round the broken stone, in the middle of the street you see four feathered creatures, fighting over the last remains of a child. There is viscera and entrails strewn about them and their bald heads are red with blood. They shriek a horrible gluttonous sound as the flap about bloated from their feast, each the size of an average human. Seeing you all they turn, eyes red with hunger.
In no condition to fight, Anevia leads Aravashniel to the side, near a downed column for cover with Horgus cowering behind it.
Kyra, Steave, and Xanaphia, then enemies, then Iolana, Aleister, and Varden. Varden just have Thorne share your Initiative.
The sight of the vile beasts feasting on s child almost made Xanaphia wretch , instead she decided to hit them with a spell before her allies could get among them
Considering the situation, Steave assumes the four feathered creatures are demons and summons the blessing the silver dragon. He steps forward and calls out to one of them,
Kyra wears a brave face during the rest of their trek to the Blackwing Library, casting her gaze away from the nightmarish scenes that seem to follow her along the path. What used to be homes have been reduced to naught but rubble, save for one seemingly ignored building, though the Riftwarden admits it's more than likely due to it being empty before the demons arrived in full force. Here and there, the aasimar sees some survivors, thanking Iomedae for this precious blessing amidst the massacre. Unfortunately, it's bittersweet. For every survivor, there seem to be five corpses scattered amongst the remains of proud Kenabres.
Finally, the group turns the corner, only to be greeted with the gut-wrenching sounds of large vultures tearing the insides of a child's corpse, fighting amongst each other over scraps. Unable to contain her fury any longer, Kyra grips Radiance and charges forward, letting loose a powerful swipe with her longsword against one of the vultures.
"I'll wipe this demonic taint clean from our home!" she yells.
The vultures face you in an odd square, two abreast, two deep. Xanaphia speaks a magical incantation and makes a sharp gesture, then she blows fine sand from the palm of her hand and the vulture furthest back and right looks sleepy for a moment but then shakes its head with anger and lets out a shriek.
Kyra faces the front left vulture and slashes it with a vicious strike. Angered the best tears at the Aasimar with a razor sharp beak, drawing blood. The foul creature next to it darts past on scraping talons, running up to Steave and snapping at the first crusader and tearing at his stomach. The two monsters in the rear take a pained flight soaring up over the front line, the one whom the spell failed put to sleep flies and lands in front of Xanaphia snapping at the sorceress.
The last beast attacks the daring Jackram! Biting him on the shoulder.
V1
KA
--V2
--SR
V3--V4
XH--SJH
--IT
V1 20/38
V2 38/38
V3 38/38
V4 38/38
Iolana begins her dance.
Varden, Aleister, and Sarge are up.
Aleister begins chanting and three rings of arcane light begin to form around the area.