"I don't have a clue. Every bit of this seems to be more difficult than the last."
The woman starts to stir after Freya's ministrations. The tiefling tries to bump his way over to where she is.
Lirrathan continues to sulk, arms crossed, at the table. He turns to look at Freya "Just know, girlie, if you and Arc keep planning on taking prisoners, you guys get be responsible for them. I ain't babysitting someone that could have easily been removed as a threat with a little flash of my sword during the fight."
Freya smiles, as if at a child's follies. "I am going to go check on my armor in a more modest environment, and I am putting the prisoner's in your care. Remember, I said I would not harm them."
Lirrathan waves his hands wardingly in front of him, "Nuh-uh, don't even try to put that off on me. You two offered them surrender. You want to let them fight their way out, fine! You want to keep them prisoner, fine! You don't get to say they can surrender and then expect me to clean up ypur mess while you turn your back."
Freya laughs. "Fine with me, just offering you a chance to do things your way."
Lirrathan balks, "Sweetie, if we were doing things my way, they would have died while we were still fighting, and you and I would be checking your armor in a more modest environment. My way was interrupted, now you guys get to deal with what way you're gonna do it." He gets a little smile, "Now, that doesn't necessarily stop you an me from checking your armor in a more modest environment."
Freya messes up his hair, like she would to a child. "Well don't go complaining about this later than." She walks back their prisoners, chuckling as if amused by the whole situation.
"I wouldn't have offered surrender, but I wouldn't kill prisoners in cold blood, either. You offering to arrange for both to happen confuses me far more than Lir' asking to climb inside your armor."
Mirel turns to interrogate the cult leader. "I don't know if you are familiar with the Savored Sting, but let me inform you that her followers have ways of extracting information. So, we can do this easy and boring, which you will like better, or the hard way. Which will be more fun for me." she whispers in the woman's ear.
Lirrathan watches the two women, and not for the normal reason he watches them, but more out of curiosity. He's not sure how to deal with them, they are not like the normal women he's used to dealing with. He actually finds it odd, that he and Terry both seem to agree in not liking how things turned out.
The cultist leader shakes her head away from the woman. "I am familiar with Calistria. Baphomet will take you all in time. Fine. What do you want."
"This one would like some time alone for me to... acquire any information we seek." Mirel says to the group, brandishing her whip. "Unless you have anything to say?" she asks the male.
Lirrathan thinks on it, then nods his head, "Hey, there's a fine line between interrogation and torture. As long as you don't cross it, you can walk all along that edge for all I care."
"Please, don't hurt her. What do you want to know?"
"Shut your weakling mouth Uziel. Baphomet's glory will be served regardless!"
Terry waggles a finger at Hosilla. "Looks like somebody wants a time out." He'll grab whatever's available, using Hosilla's own shirt if nothing better presents itself, to stuff Hosilla's mouth and then to wrap around the head and hold said material in. Obviously, Hosilla's hands will need to be secured behind the back, first.
Once the more aggressive of the two is properly trussed, Terry will turn them away from Uziel, to break line of sight for facial expressions . . ..
Arc points out some logic to Uziel as Terry quotes Hosilla. Well, since Baphomet's glory will be served regardless, it will not hurt for you to tell us all about this place and what you all were doing here. The sooner we all know everything about this place the sooner we can leave. And if you tell us what you know then my friend here will not have to hurt your girlfriend. And even if you do not want to tell the others, you can tell me anyway because, well I have earned this. Arc shows the man his ring.
To reinforce the party's point, Mirel cracks her whip inches from Hosilla's face.
"Ok. Just...look for the letter in this room" he jerks his head to indicate the room currently in, "you'll find our instructions. I'm sorry Lady, but I can't let them hurt you. Staunton will know something is wrong when we don't meet him!"
Hosilla struggles in her bindings and screams through the gag.
"And who is Staunton?"
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"Ah-ah-ah." Terry taps Hosilla on top of her head. "Not the way you are supposed to behave."
"Staunton Vhane." A gasp follows shortly from all three of Horgus, Aravashnial, and Anevia. Anyone looking closely notice that Anevia especially tightens her grip around her sword.
"We should kill these wretches now and hurry to the surface. Ira must know about this...the Crusaders must know!"
"Vhane...all these years. You were supposed to be dead. I agree...the Riftwardens need this confirmation as well."
"That dwarven...WORM?!"
After spending a few minutes searching the room you find a lockbox with an assortment of things in them. A key you find hanging around Hosilla's neck fits perfectly into it.
You find a small leather pouch containing an assortment of semiprecious gemstones (three chips of lapis lazuli worth 10 gp each, two bloodstones worth 50 gp each, a citrine worth 50 gp, and a white pearl worth 100 gp) as well as a scroll of bear’s enduranceand a scroll of remove disease. The lockbox also contains long, thin darkwood sword case worth 200 gp. A rolled up piece of parchment reveals the following:
Hosilla,
You will remain, for the time being, in Kenabres, but know this: the city’s days are numbered. Seek a place of safetk—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 news 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.
Other items you find on Hosilla and Uziel include a potion of cure moderate wounds, a potion of invisibility, a wand of spiritual weapon(8 charges), alchemist’s fire (2), tanglefoot bag, 2 chain shirts,
masterwork glaive, antitoxin, bejeweled book of prayers devoted
to Baphomet worth 50 gp, and black stained leather armor, and a +1 cruel whip.
Mirel picks up the whip. "This should serve better than my current weapon. If it is alright, I would like to take it."
"I agree. We must clear out these traitors and get to the surface."
The wizard explains the history. Staunton Vhane was a decorated crusader and commander of the mercenaries known as the Hammers of Heaven. He was exposed as a treacherous demon follower. It is conjectured that he was responsible for the attack and fall of Drezen.
After reading the note Arc casts detect magic and identifies what items he can. What of Yaniel’s sword? Where is it? he asks Uziel in a very serious, threatening tone.
"Yes. I think the sword is a pretty big deal, too. 'Corrupt it', the note said, right? Where's the sword? You've given me a reason to be less friendly, now."
Lirrathan has only been half listening, but his ears perk up at the mention of a special sword. "Yeah, tell us about this sword." is really all he contributes to the interrogation.
The sword case does indeed contain a sword. The case is not locked and opens easily. A breathtaking sword lies inside, obviously made with superior craftsmanship and a blade of shining gold with a razor sharp edge.
"I don't know...it's called Radiance and belonged to some famous demon hunter Crusader called Yaniel."
"Wow! A magical cold iron longsword. Too bad. We should still take it with us."
Lirrathan's eyes flash with excitement "Oh yeah? A magic longsword? I don't see anything 'too bad' about that."
Arc considers the sword.
The wizard lifts the blade with reverence. I know this blade. It is called Radiance. he concentrates and causes the blade to glow with a bright light. It is both magical and cold iron, dispute its look of gold. it once belonged to a great paladin. And Arc will recant the history of the blade to the group.
Lirrathan, just kind of nods and waits for the talky parts to end, and when they finally do, "Cool story, buddy. So, whatever shall we do with that magnificent blade? Hmmm, so many options. I couldn't imagine what the best place for such a splendid weapon would be..." Given his tone, it is blatantly obvious where he thinks the best place for the blade would be, his hand.
This is a weapon of both law and good. If half of what I have heard is true the weapon will never perform to its potential for you or me Lirrathan. But that does not mean it will not cut for you. Perhaps you and the sword could grow closer. But be warned. I weapon like this an change people. he says a little ominously and he presents the weapon, hilt first to the ranger.
Lirrathan smiles as his message gets through, and the blade comes into his grasp. He turns it over in his hands, feeling the heft, examining the edge, and feeling the smooth temper of it. "Change me? Like what, is it gonna make me an a!+&~@#?"
"Oh look, it worked!"
Lirrathan wasn't really paying attention, he just turns to look with a scowl of confusion, "What'd you say?" before turning back to admire the blade without waiting for an answer.
The blade radiates brightly for a moment and a high-keening echoes around the room...like metal on metal. "You will do, creature. I am Radiance."
Lirrathan starts at the unfamiliar voice, "Whoa! What the hells? You can talk? This just keeps gettin' better and better. You and me buddy, we're gonna kill us lots of demons. Sound like a plan?"
Freya moves forward, he normally carefree face full of caution. "Be careful Lir."
"What's the fuss, sweetheart? It ain't like this is my first blade you know? Just the first one that talked to me. Besides, Arc there said it belonged to a famous paladin or something, wasn't really listening, so what could go wrong?" His cocksure attitude just as prevalent as always.
After a few more minutes you hear noises coming from the main room outside of this bedroom. The feathered and partially insectoid female from earlier is looking in to the room with shock on her face...
Arcessenties explains.There has been a change of leadership. Hosilla is our prisoner and will be going back to the surface to stand trial. Baphomet has no power here and his worship is no longer allowed. You are now in charge. I have been instructed to invite you to rejoin Chief Sull back at the lake where you are all welcome and wanted. Lann is close and will help lead you back. This is your best corse of action. Any resistance would result in Hosilli's execution here and likely many injuries of your family here.
"Yeah, what he said. But, also, above and beyond all the threats, your families want you to come home. They just want to have the chance to love and support each other. They beg for you to remember them fondly, and add your strengths back to theirs."
"Hosilla...I am in charge now? But you...Sull! Sull sent you didn't he? That...magnificent rat." The woman shakes her head ruefully and motions to the other mongrelmen with her. They go to either side of Hosilla and Uziel. "You wish to take her to the surface...but we are people too. We have our own justice to mete. I ask that you leave her to us."
"Why? Will you not just rally behind her again? Or were you coerced into following her and the demon Baphomet?"