Ezro, seeing all the misses asks Iomedae for her blessing to help the group overcome this foe. Alikia steps back, then shoots an acid dart at the knight and after it hits, she reloads her crossbow. Hyram swings at the tiefling to his right, but misses. Quinn meanwhile puts all his energy into a powerful swing, and the knight is down and a bloody mess on the floor. Aladir moves into the building but the two tiefling are so surprised that the knight went down that they start to flee, and Aladir kills one with his shot.
The librarians finish untieing the last one, and look at the dead knight and the group, and they look ready to flee.
"Aravashnial, the battle is over. Shall I help you in."
Hearing that name, the librarians loose the panicked look in their eyes, and one says, "Master Arvashnial? Are you here?"
While Aravashnial has his reunion with the other librarians, Aladir busies himself searching the bodies of the fallen.
Hyram, disappointed that the tiefling fled, momentarily thinks about going after him, but feeling that the librarians still need protecting he stays. We will find you! There is nowhere you can hide! he shouts to the fleeing tiefling, but since he was unable to hit the creature, his threat almost sounds hollow.
Nice shooting Aladir! Too bad that one got out of range so fast! He says to the Elf.
Well done Quinn! He says as he surveys the bloody pulp of what used to be the knight. Whatever Aladir finds in that mess will definitely need to be cleaned the Inquisitor muses.
As he sees Alikia approach he says to her, And well done to you too! Between your grease spell with the knights and your dart just now, you are turning into quite the warrior! His mouth tightens in what looks like a smile. To Ezro he says, And thanks for asking the Inheritor's blessings on us!
Hyram is surprised he is offering so many compliments. This is so unlike him. Perhaps it is seeing Arvashnial reunited with his friends among so much ruin that has warmed his heart a little.
Quinn shakes his head at Hyram's compliment. "Thank the Inheritor there was one bold enough to walk in beside me! That was foolish on my part, and I might have been quickly surrounded, if you had not been at my back."
"I never want to become one of those witch-burning zealots, who sees cultists and spies behind every rock and tree. But, this is a wake-up call. Kenabres is no longer a city under siege. It is a city under occupation. I will be... less bold... from here forward."
"Scholars," Quinn addresses the librarians, "Master Aravashniel is among our number. Are any of you wounded?"
After the reunions, "Who was this offal? What was he doing here? Or rather, what was he trying to do?"
Sheathing his sword and taking a breath, Ezro nods to Hyram, "Thank you. I am only glad that the Inheritor decided to listen."
Walking over to the librarians he speaks with them, "If any are injured, Iomedea can help heal your wounds."
Aladir, while still focused on searching, manages a nod in response to Hyram's statement. "Too bad indeed...I am less concerned about further damage he may personally do and more worried that he's going to let his superiors know that a band of do-gooders is loose in the city. Hopefully he'll be so worried about getting killed for abandoning a location clearly important to them that he'll keep it to himself."
Relaxing as the knight falls, Alikia offers a smile to Hyram. "Thank you, Hyram. I hope that our other stops are not met with such open hostilities." Readjusting her pack to keep it from digging into her shoulder, Alikia moves over to offer help to Aravashniel. "Arvashniel, there are others here that know you. Would you like my assistance in reaching them?"
Moving into the library, Alikia excitedly looks over everything, almost as if she is trying to memorize everything at once. After a few moments of scanning the room, she offers a smile to the other five librarians. "Hello, I'm Alikia. I was in Clydwell Plaza when the wardstones fell."
Quinn watches as Alikia nearly spins herself to the ground trying to take in the entire contents of the room at once. He collects a book at random from the stacks, peering at the front and spine before flipping it open to reveal its title. "At the very least, something of the library's contents survived. 'An Accounting of the Merits of Silver Dust in the Admixture for the Creation of Barriers to Inhibit Extra-Planar Travel and Dimensional Calling'," Quinn recited from the tome's title page. "I'm sure that could be... helpful. Couldn't it?" he looks around for someone to decipher and translate.
"Yes, thank you Alikia." he says, and extends his hand to hold onto her arm.
The woman who was stacking the books, and cried out for Aravashnial, says when the elf comes into the building, "Master Aravashnial, the library is just about destroyed. We managed to save some of the books, but not many, and that maniac was going to burn the rest of them with us in the middle" she is almost sobbing at this point, then she seems to wrest control of herself back, "my apologies, Master. And to you also brave adventurers. My name is Fenna and I am, or I was, assistant to the man in charge of this branch of the library. Many thanks for saving us from this one. He came to our building, and in his ramblings mentioned that he had killed a follower of Iomedae and took her shield and mace. He rambled on about a demon patron, and how he would get noticed if he killed enough of us." As she tells the tale, her resolve seems to harden, and she helps the rest of her friends up and they begin to stack the books. At one point she picks up a partially burned book, thumbs through it and then hands it to Alikia, "this was a spellbook. It still has a few spells. Take it with our thanks."
"He took the shield and mace from a knight? Did he say a name?" and when Fenna replies in the negative, Anevia looks disheartened. "We need to go to my house" she mumbles.
Asked if they need healing Fenna replies, "no kind sir. We are bruised a bit, but not seriously injured."
Fenna continues, speaking to Aravashnial, "Please stay with us Master. Now that this evil man is dead, the library will be a safe haven. Especially if your friends can find Quednys Orlun, who was the head librarian. He was in Clydwell Plaza for the ceremony three days ago, when all this started."
"Certainly I will stay." He turns to the group, " I am staying with my people here. If you can find Quednys Orlun in your travels, let him know that we are still here, and look forward to him returning here. We shall rebuild, and we shall help the city." He then puts an arm out to Fenna, and they begin discussing what they need to do now.
Before they get too far, Fenna turns back and address the group, "One more thing. Blackwing was destroyed by a horrific abomination—a man made of worms who used magic and enslaved demons to smash the structure down. We suspect that the worm took several treasures from the ruins before he left, but we are unsure what specifically he took." That said, she and Aravashnial go back to speaking in low tones.
Aladir, looks over the body of the dead tiefling and the knight. The tiefling has simple studded leather armor, and a nondescript rapier, however the knight has well made banded mail, a well made heavy shield with Iomedae symbol on it, and a well made heavy mace. He also has two potions of cure moderate wounds in a pouch.
"Quinn, I suspect that you might make good use of this shield, yes? I do not think any of the gear they carry is of use to me, save the two potions of course, but the shield and the mace are certainly worth taking if only so that they cannot be reclaimed by the demons and their ilk." Aladir states, going through the process of removing the straps holding the shield to the man's arm.
"Regardless, we should be on our way quickly. First we stop at Horgus' manor, then on to find Anevia's house, swift as we may. Let us hope we can get there without encountering a great many other demons." the elf says, offering the shield to Quinn before taking up his bow again, an arrow held lightly to the string, ready to fire at a moment's notice.
I agree. Let us be on our way and see what other interesting and friendly people we encounter. Hyram says sarcastically, his grim mood fully returning.
Quinn claps the blind elf on the shoulder. "Are you certain you will be safe here?" he asks. "Most of this building is gone, and what remains will not stand another onslaught. I worry for you and these scholars, left alone."
"But, if you are content... We will do our best to seek out this Quednys Orlun. But, this... man shaped of worms... I cannot even imagine such a vile creature!"
Quinn lifts the shield and flexes it on his arm a few times. "For the Lady's sake, I will bear such an emblem," he says as he slings it across his shoulder. "I've always believed the best defense against demons is to dispatch them more quickly than they can kill you."
Quinn pulls Terendelev's silver scale from his belt pouch and offers it to Hyram. "I found great use for this power. Perhaps you can as well."
"My friends, please bare in mind that Alikia and I probably need some time to rest. It has be a long day and the blessings I have received from Iomedea are warring thin. I would imagine by this time Alikia as well is running low on the resources she brings to a fight."
Hyram nods, Of course brother Ezro. You and Alikia have been most invaluable. If you both need to rest to continue to provide Iomedae's blessings, then we should. The question is, do we take shelter here for the night or try a reach Hogus'. Assuming that he will put us up for the night. Hyram says as he glances at the nobleman.
Smiling slightly as Quinn reads off the title of a book, Alikia says "Ah, that was a ploy from a guild in Cheliax to try and up their sales of silver dust. Silver works amazingly well against devils, but most demons won't be phased by that. I had heard that most high level abjurers were testing cold iron to see if that could keep demons more at bay by creating 'safe zones' in the worldwound. So far tests were inconclusive."
Graciously accepting the burned spell book, Alikia thanks Fenna before starting to thumb through it. Making a soft hum in agreement with Ezro, at the mention of spells, she continues to flip through the partially destroyed tome. "I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, but my most useful spells will not return until I have a chance to rest." Alikia says distractedly, pausing at the folded up piece of paper. "Of course, as long that is okay with Mister Gwerm to delay his arrival home, I would welcome a brief respite."
Pulling out the piece of parchment, her eyes widen slightly at the powerful abjuration spell contained on it. "Fenna, are you sure that it is okay that I take this?" Waving the scroll at the librarians, Alikia glances around at the other books. Just how many powerful scrolls could be hiding in what remains of this library?
"While recovering your spells would certainly be helpful, I'm not certain it's wise to delay ourselves. We are not only getting Horgus back home, but there is also the matter of Anevia's spouse. If we decided to stay and rest somewhere, it seems likely that she would wish to press on by herself to try and make it home; I know that I would. I do not believe that I could, in good conscience, allow such a thing to happen if I am able to prevent it."
"Loathe though I am to push you beyond your capacity, this is not a sanctuary for us. These are scholars, not warriors. Our presence makes this place a target again, and it barely has any walls left standing as it is..."
"Horgus Manor is more centralized. Like as not he has some supplies stored up to restore us and prepare us for our forays into the city center," Quinn nods towards Horgus.
"I am battered and in need of rest, too. But every moment we delay, scenes such as this are playing out across the city." Quinn waves his hand, gesturing towards the dead knight and the circle of books.
"I worry though that, while this library is no fortress, we do not know of the destruction wrought to Horgus's manor. This refuge is a known, Horgus's is an unknown. I would rather fortify a known battlefield than an unknown one. We also do not know what we will come across, venturing further into the city. I cannot guarantee Alikia's and I contribution will be of any help going forward. I have enough energy for the night, I do not have enough for an adventure and a night."
Looking out over the city, he turns back to the others, "We alone are not going to save this city. Pushing ourselves and rushing forward beyond our limits will only get us killed, we cannot help the city then. This city is already occupied, it is more important that we survive to aid the reinforcements from Nerosyan. We should save as many as we can, but it is important to not lose ourselves either."
"That's wise enough council," Quinn concedes. "Let's secure the grounds, and do a quick search. We should keep a strong guard, tonight. We have already made four enemies, and we've barely scratched the surface."
Quinn looks around for a horse outside the building, but there is not one within sight.
Fenna replies to Alikia, "Ah, so that is where that scroll went. You keep it, and perhaps put it to good use someday. If you all had not saved us, it would have been destroyed."
"While I would rather push on to my home, I have come to see the wisdom of following your lead, so yes, we can rest here for the night then head to my home."
"I too would like to push on, but as it is getting late into the day, yes, we can rest here for the night. We have been out of touch for three days. One more should not matter."
After securing the area, and setting up watches, you spend the night in the library without incident. You do hear noises throughout the night, but nothing comes your way.
Morning arrives.
Aladir, having volunteered for last watch since he is accustomed to being up early for hunting, sits atop the tallest structure standing nearby, watching the sun as it emerges over the far horizon. He seems both tranquil and keenly alert from his perch, barely even moving to breath. It would not be difficult to mistake him for some sort of statue.
Quinn disarming becomes almost comical as he sloughs off enough weaponry to outfit an entire platoon of guardsmen. Before laying down to sleep, he uses the last of his healing energies to restore himself and Hyram.
In the morning, Quinn is slow to rise, having volunteered once again for the middle watch. The strain of interrupted sleep is telling, as he snorts and huffs through the process of re-encasing himself in his armaments. Soon he is surrounded by a brown-grey haze of sulfurous smelling smoke, as every snap and breath includes a shower of orange sparks and a billow of the foul-smelling exhalent.
In the first rays of the rising sun, Quinn's mood noticeably improves, though he stays uncharacteristically silent as the group falls back in order, and Aladir skulks forward into the devastation.
Alikia takes the first watch, so she can sleep uninterrupted. When it comes time for Quinn to take over, she finds an armchair to splay out in, falling asleep with a book over her chest and in a position most would consider uncomfortable.
Waking with the sound of movement, Alikia uses the time when Ezro offers prayers and service to Iomedea for studying from her own spellbook, ensuring that the two other ones are secured safely, along with the scroll. Alikia looks surprisingly chipper this morning and at ease for the first time since the descent into the cavern. Heaving her pack onto her back before strapping her longsword trophy she staggers slightly before steadying herself. "Well, this is it. Time to take back our home." She whispers, more to herself than anyone, while watching Aladir vanish from view.
Hyram will use the down time to pray with Ezro and silently contemplate the destruction around them. He will take a watch where he is best needed and when not on watch he dreams of standing on a battlefield facing an army of demons and devils wearing armor painted with symbols of Iomedae. They leer and taunt him as they surge forward. Just as they are about to envelop him, Hyram awakes in a cold sweat. He looks around still shaken from his dream and it takes him a moment to realize he in in the ruined library. It was just a dream. he muses as he starts to prepare his gear for the road ahead. I'm ready whenever everyone else is. he says to no one in particular.
Ezro rises from his prayers and preparations and nods to the others. "I as well. Iomedea has bestowed us great grace. Let us use it to find survivors."
"I hope we can secure Horgus' home and find Irabeth today."
Aladir nods when the others are ready to go, drawing in and slowly releasing a deep breath before he takes up his bow, holding an arrow to the string, then stalks forward ahead of everyone, as much as possible sticking to shadows and cover, hoping he can guide the group away from any trouble that may rear its head.
Now that morning has come, everyone is healed up and spelled up, you leave Aravashnial behind with the librarians, and watch as they begin to clean up the area and put the books back onto shelves.
Leaving Blackwing, you follow a chasm up to where you can enter the eastern portion of Kenabres. While it seems as if this area for the most part escaped the devastation, you see that some buildings have damage. After an hour, you arrive at the Gwerm Manor, and Horgus looks it over. From the outside there is no damage, and when Horgus enters with you he notices that all the guards and servants have left,
"Well, they took a lot of the valuables when they left" he muses. Then he looks around, and heads to his vault which is still locked. He unlocks it, "I promised you a reward, and a reward you shall have" and he enters the vault, and returns with a longsword in a scabbard. Looking at Quinn, "I know you have found a magical longsword, and perhaps several other weapons, so permit me to give this to another of your group." He moves to Hyram. "This weapon was my fathers. It is a simple magical longsword, but may you destroy many demons with it."
After giving Hyram the longsword, he tells the group, "I will stay with my home. If there is a way that I may be of service later, please just come back and ask. I know every trader in goods in the city. My contacts might be helpful."
"Goodbye Horgus, I am glad that we came to an understanding during these trials." She then turns to Quinn, "let us head to my home now, ok?"
Hyram is touched by the gift since he feels that Horgus and him hadn't bonded. I...uh...don't know what to say? he says as he feels the fine balance of the sword. I will use it to bring honor to you and your family as we take back this city from the demonic forces. You have done me a great honor and have my thanks, and if I can be of service to you, call on me.
I really need to work on my people skills! A few days ago I figured Horgus was a spoiled, good-for-nothing noble, and now he gives me this magnificent sword.
Sheathing the sword, Hyram will agree with Anevia, Yes! Let's reunite you and Irabeth.
"Aye. We shall press on to Anevia and Irabeth's home. You have our thanks for the gift, Horgus. I am pleased that your home is still standing...I'm sure that your resources will be instrumental in rebuilding Kenabres after this disaster." Aladir answers, already preparing himself to move on from the manor to their next goal.
Quinn waves away the nobleman's lament. "They deserve all the rewards." Quinn nods towards the rest of the group. "We certainly wouldn't have returned you without their consumate skill. All I did was my duty, and I need no recompense for that." Quinn gets a prick of conscious as he thinks about his new armor and shield, but let's it go. Radiance, on the other hand, feels less like a prize and more like a nearly divinely mandated responsibility.
"Besides, I could hardly carry any more weapons," he says with a laugh. "If you would like to be of more help, may we store this collection here... briefly, at least. I am about to buckle under the weight of it. If we never return, perhaps it could help you replace some of what was stolen."
After bidding farewell to Horgus, Quinn cinches down a few straps on his appropriated armor giving it a tighter fit across his frame. "Don't be tempted to rush in as soon as we arrive," he admonishes Anevia. "I know how anxious you are about Irabeth. I share your concern. But, a leader of the Eagle Watch may be a target. These cultists may have found where you live. We'll go first," he indicates himself, Hyram, and Aladir. "Follow shortly with Ezro, Alikia, and Lann."
Nodding in agreement at Quinn's suggest, Ezro adds, "Tactical choice. It had not occured to me that Irabeth could be a target."
Looking at the city, he continues, "I suggest we keep sharp vigil. Kenebras is an occupied city now. We do not know what we will encounter. It would best to keep weapons on hand."
Watching quietly as Horgus offers Hyram the sword, Alikia glances outside. Here at Gwerm manor, it looked almost untouched. As Quinn starts to unload his weapon cache, she looks through it all. 'Had we really been collecting so many trinkets?' "I agree with leaving some of the weapons or armor that no one uses here, but I would suggest that we keep any alchemical or magical supply with us."
Nodding at Quinn's suggestion for march order, Alikia pauses. "Where will Anevia be? Will she be in the second group or the first?"
Nodding in agreement at Quinn's suggest, Ezro adds, "Tactical choice. It had not occured to me that Irabeth could be a target."
"I pray she is not," Quinn responds. "But, we know Kandro Nyserian indebted himself to purchase Irabeth's sword - an heirloom of her family. And we know that Nyserian Manor is a cultist safehouse. Further, we know they have a desire to corrupt the swords of the faithful," he draws Radiance as a reminder.
Quinn looks to Hyram to see if his investigative mind had reached the same conclusion. "I cannot imagine that is all a coincidence."
Hyram nods in agreement as Quinn is speaking. I don't believe in coincidences. There is a greater evil at work here then roving bands of cultist knights. Perhaps the cultist knights are a decoy? The sooner we get to the bottom of this the better!
Hyram nods in agreement as Quinn is speaking. I don't believe in coincidences. There is a greater evil at work here then roving bands of cultist knights. Perhaps the cultist knights are a decoy? The sooner we get to the bottom of this the better!
"I am a great believer in providence. But, you are right. There are powerful forces at work here..." Quinn stares into the golden blade of Radiance. "The quicker we are able to coordinate with the Eagle Watch, the better."
Quinn mutters, "How did they break those knights so quickly?"
"I honestly doubt the knight we encountered at the library was ever a follower of Iomedae. It seems more likely to me that he had felled a true believer of the Inheritor and claimed the armor to make it easier for him to lull others into a false sense of security." he replies.
"Regardless, I agree with Quinn's plan. It would be better for us to lead and make sure everything is alright. I would say not to stay too far back, though, because if we do get into trouble, it would be much better to have all of us there to take care of any threats than just half of us."
Clearing her throat, and clearly looking uncomfortable at the talk of cultist, Alikia watches as Quinn shows off his holy relic. "I have heard that some demons gain great delight in corrupting holy warriors and relics and shaping them into their own pawns. Sometimes, they even go so far as to plant some of their own unholy champions amongst the pure, in order to quickly disable a particularly strong group of crusaders." Pausing for a moment, Alikia makes some space between herself and the Iomedeans.
"Who knows how long ago these cultist could have been planted here in Kenabras and what chaos they caused after Ter- after the wardstones failed? I'm sure that we will encounter more of these blasphemers before we can reclaim our city. The sooner we find the condition of the Eagle Watch, the better off we will be to encounter this Kandro Nyserian and show him what happens when you betray the citizens of Mendev."
"Certainly. You can store whatever you wish here, and it will be safe. After Queen Galfrey and the Mendevian army retake the city, I will look for you, or you can come back and reclaim your goods."
Heading north along streets that are mostly deserted, but not quite as damaged as other areas, you come to a modest home where Anevia calls out "Irabeth, are you home?" and when there is no answer she goes up to the front door and takes a key from her pouch, unlocks the door and opens it.
Hyram will grip his longsword tightly. As much as he hopes for the best for Anevia, it seems likely they will run into demon cultists. He will keep his eyes open and alert.
Quinn brandishes Radiance as they approach. As Anevia places the key in the lock, Quinn runs his thumb across the edge of Terendelev's scale, bolstering his health and preparing him for the fight.
Quinn nods to Hyram and Aladir. Once Anevia pushes the door open, he moves as quietly as possible to enter the building.
Aladir follows closely behind. There's no reason to suspect foul play just yet, but that didn't mean he should't be prepared. An arrow nocked against the bowstring and pulled back to a hold taut enough that he could quickly snap a shot off, but not so taut as to tire his muscles, he follows the others, quickly looking around the home.
"We have a secret place where we store notes. I will check there" and she strides into the room and goes to the door on the left side of the room.
As she enters, Quinn and Hyram follow her in and take a quick look around while Aladir moves to the door.
As Anevia approaches the door, a housecat-sized beetle with a dull brown color brightened by two glowing green-yellow spots on its carapace, appears next to her and attacks, however it misses her.
Aladir UP
As soon as the beetle appears, Aladir moves into the room and immediately looses the drawn arrow on it, shouting back to the others, knowing well what it meant that the beetle simply appeared out of nowhere,"It was summoned, search the house!"
Some consider Hyram a pessimist, but it is situations like this that bear him out. He will move up to the beetle and swing his new (to him) longsword.
Take that, vermin!