"Just think! We could be your role models Nurah", Cassandra puts in, slightly amused by the idea of Nurah considering Cassandra a role model considering her previous dislike.
Sir Bastion stands and extending his arm to help Nurah also stand up,
"Well Nurah, well you walk back into the Redeemer's Light."
The elven wizard awkwardly points out that the alternative is to flee back to the demons that tortured her, which does not seem to help.
Nurah shakes her head, tears glinting in the torchlight, "I just...I don't...I'm sorry." She collapses in a pile, sobbing. Aron rushes forward and starts to cradle her, when the sound of a drawing sword breaks the tableau. Aron looks up and says, "Sosiel! What are you doing?"
Sosiel points the sword at Nurah. "She has betrayed us. I do not intend to kill, but I do not trust her. As guilty as you feel, Aron, you cannot let your emotions overtake you so. Bind her. We can deal with her on the morrow, after we've slept."
As Nurah is bound, she makes no attempt to resist, only sniffling in response. The night passes uneventfully after.
In the morning, Sosiel and Aron meet you outside the tent where Nurah is kept. Sosiel asks, "Now that night has passed and we've slept, what shall we do with her? Send her back? I do not know that we can spare any men or time. Our only other option is to bring her with us, and give her chance to rectify herself."
I am inclined to follow my goddess example of Her Eighth Act and let Nurah take the long path of redemption. But also like my goddess, if I am played the fool and deceived that she is following the path, there will be no second chance. I will offer my support to Nurah as best I can, and that is all I can offer at this time. So I will take responsibility for Nurah."
The wizard concurs with Sir Bastion's plan and goes to ready his gear for travel and battle. Among that gear he carries the 4 vials of Shadowblood and he wonders how he might turn such an evil thing to their cause.
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The description of what the tieflings have done to crusaders remains at the ford can only be answered one way, the annihilation of their forces.
After careful consideration in his first command position, Sir Bastion orders the Knights of Kenabres to position themselves around the intended battlefield so that they may ambush the tiefling army. In this position the army will be able to perform a flanking maneuver with both their longbows and longswords.
[Dice=Ambush]1d20+8
Range Phase
Tactic expert flankers
[dice=Ranged Weapons(Longbows)]1d20+8+2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30
Current DV 16
Bastion's leadership proves effective as the army's flankers silently creep into range of the tiefling army without them noticing. A hail of arrows falls upon them, most of them dying before realizing they are under attack. By the time any of the tieflings realize and try to defend...a second volley cuts them down. The battle is over before it has truly begun.
The paladins cheer and you are all swept up in enjoyment for a few brief moments.
Aron and Sosiel counsel you to scavenge what gear and supplies you can from the tiefling army. Aron mentions that whatever you find can only help to rebuild Drezen if the opportunity presents itself...goods can turn into gold easily enough.
When searching the buildings of the garrison, a few survivors are found in one stone building. One of them, a badly bruised and beaten female paladin named Kamilo Dann, is a sergeant, the highest ranking soldier left. The dozen or so survivors are in terrible condition, and unfit to go with your army, but they do mention that they heard a greater army lies somewhere north of a place called Keeper's Canyon. Kamilo, finally, volunteers to lead the survivors back to Kenabres. Queen Galfrey needs to know about the loss of the garrison at the ford.
"Sound advise Aron and Sosiel. We should try to recover what we can, and not leave valuable supplies for our enemies. We can have the Knights of Kenabres look for gear and supplies while we search for survivors."
"Also spread the word to keep an eye open for Brimorak demon that Aron said was leading them. Our attack was swift and we may have removed one of the lesser leaders."
Lastly Sir Bastion makes sure to not all of Sgt. Dann's observations and intelligence on their own map.
That evening, the mood in the camp is elated. The paladin army have tasted victory and spirits run high. Kamilo and the survivors are exuberant in living, although tinged with sadness at the horror and loss they suffered.
The next morning, the army packs and departs, Kamilo and her dozen survivors heading back towards Kenabres. You head north along the western banks of the West Sellen river. The sky seems darker and...ominous. Vegetation is scarce and eventually missing over the next day of travel. The ground is desolate and unforgiving. The joy that was present the previous day is muted and eventually extinguished under the oppressive feeling pervading the region.
As you come to Keeper's Canyon, according to your scouts and the reports from Kamilo, you see the gorge where the now dry riverbed would have fed into the West Sellen. Aron rides back near the end of day and reports that there appears to be two armies waiting in the gorge near some ruins. One, a tiefling army roughly double the size of the previous, and the other a small force of demons he names dretches.
Paritosh looks at his companions, "do you think they are ready to feel the wrath of the Inheritor?"
From Here
Aron mentions a cackling, goat-faced demon who seems to be in charge. Nurah perks up and asks about it. Based on the description, Nurah calls it a Brimorak demon.
Arc falls in with Sir Bastion taking his direction. I've not studied such tactical situations from an army point of view. I am yours to direct.
"Let's go!"
Sir Bastion leaves with group in their endeavor to end the battle before it even begins.
Slipping through the country side to the enemies encampment, he approaches with the others.
Arc casts Mage Armor before joining the team.
He is as quiet as he can be.
Aron rides back near the end of day and reports that there appears to be two armies waiting in the gorge near some ruins. One, a tiefling army roughly double the size of the previous, and the other a small force of demons he names dretches.
Reiko moves quietly through the camp, heading towards the most impressive tents.
You sense evil and magic coming from the big, square, orange tent. The blue tent has a feeling of residual magic (and evil) but it doesn't feel active. The guards are half-heartedly going about their duty, obviously lulled into complacency with numbers and location inside the borders of the Worldwound.
As you creep along towards the blue tent you quickly duck behind some wagons as a sentry walks past. You slip into the circular blue tent and find a sleeping space with a mattress and frame, a small writing desk, and a round table with a plate of half-eaten meat on it. There's a trunk at the end of the bed. No living creatures can be seen inside.
Paritosh points towards Reiko and motions her to the trunk.
Arc casts Detect Magic and surveys the scene, trying to discern what type of creature uses this place based on the meal. matress and other furnishings. He then goes over the the writing desk and looks it over.
Reiko cautiously approaches the chest, checks it for traps, and then proceeds to try opening it.
Sir Bastion will maintains his concentration of detect evil while facing the tent entrance.
Reiko does indeed find a trap on the trunk, a simple blade on a spring which she easily disarms. Inside she finds nothing but some vials of dark, sticky-looking liquid.
Arc, meanwhile, detects some magic but it has faded. He can see that this tent is used, but by nothing humanoid. The indentations on the bed and the lingering magical aura would suggest a demon of some sort.