The party makes their way back to Defender's heart, as you are coming in you can see Irabeth leaning a group in from the Northwest as you approach from the South West.
"What happened? We saw a bright flash then the sky changed colour, some sort of power came out and fried the Demons we were fighting." Irabeth motions for you to go inside, a few people come out with stretchers to move the wounded inside.
"Well . . .. When we touched the rod thingie against the piece of Wardstone, things went weird. The flash and destruction of the enemy was just the first bit. Who wants to talk about the visions?"
Irabeth leads you up the stairs to the warroom, calling in all those who need to hear the tale so you don't have to tell it multiple times. The day is wearing on it is almost evening meal time and food and drink is brought up for you. During your telling a guard enters telling you that the Queens army should be here on the morrow and that an advanced scout is here now.
”Irabeth, we need to talk. Before the queen gets here.”
He shared what they saw, of the visions and the avatar of Iomodae.
”What can ye tell us about this traitorous dwarf? I can’t believe that a paladin could fall so far. The fact that he’s a Son or the Forge makes it all the more bitter.”
"He was the head of a Mecenary Company, I did even look up to him..." Irabeth says looking at her wife. "He lead sorties into the world wound and helped to kill so many demons. All that was a show though, he was gathering intel and was having key patrols and shipments attacked because he was feeding information to the Demons and their ilk." Irabeth says
”A shame.” Khaz said, with sadness. ”A shame which can only be erased with his death. By Bolka I pray that we cross paths so that it might be my hand that brings justice.” He finished, his voice forceful.
"It is yes." Irabeth says. The night passes with each of you taking a turn to tell the tale of what happened and what your plans are for helping to rebuild the city once the Queen shows up. With the Wardsonte protection gone the city will have to be ready for an increased Demonic assault most days.
You have the night to rest and talk, did we deal with the loot?
That night, Khaz found the time to talk to Lorena alone. Sitting down next to her, he said ”It’s been a crazy day, eh? I wanted to say to ye, that...well, I admit that I had doubts about ye. Seeing your spells were divine in nature but I never knew yer god. But today, Iomodae herself blessed ye. And it just goes to show that I was a fool to doubt ye. We’ve been through a lot, and I’m glad that yer here. Good morning I’ll be making my morning prayers to Bolka. I know it’s not something that a non-dwarf would normally do, but I’d consider it an honor if ye’d join me.” Khaz said this with good intent, trying to do what he thought was right.
Lorena is still tired and a bit dazed from the day's events, so she offers little resistance when Khaz approaches her. She listens to his little speech, a small smile drifting onto her face. When he's done, she replies: "I'd be honored to join you as well. I wouldn't be so sure about me, though. I don't know my god either, if that's even where my magic is from, and I'm not sure I'd trust her." Quickly, she adds, "Not that we shouldn't - I just don't know what it is." She leaves it at that, not mentioning anything about her dreams, or the strange artifact at the bottom of her pack, or the thoughts she's had up to even that afternoon of fleeing. Everything will be explained soon, she hopes, but before then it'd be best to not tell anyone about it.
”Lass, ye’ve put your life on the line for others, and continue risking it for what is right. And Iomodae herself blessed ye. Whatever god gifted your powers must be a good one. And even if not, what matters most is the choices ye make.”
After a moment of thought, he added ”If ye ever need anyone to talk to, I’m here. Aye? I don’t know what it’s like. Having powers from an unknown source. But ye know...I’m an aasimar. Me entire life everyone has an expectation of me. That I have to be perfect, ye know? That one little mistake and they act like it’s the end of the world. And if I do anything right, well, it’s expected. Because I’m supposed to be good because of my blood, not because of any effort. That everyone...they label us, and it’s not fair. It’s exhausting, and it’s lonely.” He said, somewhat surprised in himself for confiding in her. ”I guess what I’m trying to say, is that I’m here for ye, if ye need it.”
Lorena chuckles a bit, giving the dwarf a different kind of smile from the one she gave earlier - one more knowing and empathetic. "Much like being a pitborn on the edges of the Worldwound. Most people either wanted me dead or in charge of their cult. Too bad for them, I'm bad at both leading and dying." She pauses, looking as if she perhaps wants to say a little more, but the moment passes in an instant. "Anyways. Thanks. And, I guess, if you need anyone, I'll probably be here as well."
Khaz returned the smile. ”I Appreciate it. Truly.”
The next morning, when it was time for his morning prayers, he chose a short one.
With a voice surprisingly melodious, he began by singing in Dwarven
ᚷᚱᚨᚾᛏ᛬ᛟ᛫ᚷᛟᛞ᛬ᚦᚨᛏ᛫ᚹᛖ᛫ᛚᛠ᛫ᛞᛟᚹᚾ᛫ᛁᚾ᛫ᛈᛠᚲᛖ᛬ᚨᚾᛞ᛫ᚱᚨᛁᛋᛖ᛫ᚢᛋ᛫ᚢᛈ᛬ᛟᚢᚱ᛫ᚷᚢᚨᚱᛞᛁᚨᚾ᛬ᛏᛟ᛫ᛚᛁᚠᛖ᛫ᚱᛖᚾ ᛖᚹᛖᛞ᛬ᛋᛈᚱᛠᛞ᛫ᛟᚡᛖᚱ᛫ᚢᛋ᛫ᚦᛖ᛫ᛋᚺᛖᛚᛏᛖᚱ᛫ᛟᚠ᛫ᛃᛟᚢᚱ᛫ᛈᛠᚲᛖ᛬ᚷᚢᛁᛞᛖ᛫ᚢᛋ᛫ᚹᛁᚦ᛫ᛃᛟᚢᚱ᛫ᚷᛟᛟᛞ᛫ᚲᛟᚢᚾᛋᛖᛚ᛬ᚠ ᛟᚱ᛫ᛃᛟᚢᚱ᛫ᚾᚨᛗᛖᛋ᛫ᛋᚨᚲᛖ᛬ᛒᛖ᛫ᛟᚢᚱ᛫ᚺᛖᛚᛈ᛬ᛋᚺᛠᛚᛞ᛫ᚨᚾᛞ᛫ᛋᚺᛖᛚᛏᛖᚱ᛫ᚢᛋ᛫ᛒᛖᚾᛠᚦ᛫ᚦᛖ᛫ᛋᚺᚨᛞᛟᚹ᛫ᛟᚠ᛫ᛃᛟᚢᚱ ᛫ᚹᛜᛋ᛬ᛞᛖᚠᛖᚾᛞ᛫ᚢᛋ᛫ᚨᚷᚨᛁᚾᛋᛏ᛫ᛖᚾᛖᛗᛠᛋ᛬ᛁᛚᛚᚾᛖᛋᛋ᛬ᚹᚨᚱ᛬ᚠᚨᛗᛁᚾᛖ᛫ᚨᚾᛞ᛫ᛋᛟᚱᚱᛟᚹ᛬ᛞᛁᛋᛏᚨᛜᚲᛖ᛫ᚢᛋ᛫ᚠᚱᛟ ᛗ᛫ᚹᚱᛟᛜᛞᛟᛜ᛬ᚠᛟᚱ᛫ᛃᛟᚢ᛬ᚷᛟᛞ᛬ᚹᚨᛏᚷ᛫ᛟᚡᛖᚱ᛫ᚢᛋ᛫ᚨᚾᛞ᛫ᛞᛖᛚᛁᚡᛖᚱ᛫ᚢᛋ᛬ᚠᛟᚱ᛫ᛃᛟᚢ᛬ᚷᛟᛞ᛬ᚨᚱᛖ᛫ᚷᚱᚨᚲᛁᛟᚢᛋ᛫ ᚨᚾᛞ᛫ᛗᛖᚱᚲᛁᚠᚢᛚ᛬ᚷᚢᚨᚱᛞ᛫ᛟᚢᚱ᛫ᚷᛟᛜ᛫ᚨᚾᛞ᛫ᚲᛟᛗᛜ᛬ᛏᛟ᛫ᛚᛁᚠᛖ᛫ᚨᚾᛞ᛫ᛏᛟ᛫ᛈᛠᚲᛖ᛫ᛖᚡᛖᚱᛗᛟᚱᛖ
Before translating it into common
”Grant, my goddess, that we live in peace, and raise us up, our Guardian, to life renewed. Spread over us the shelter of Your peace. Guide us with Your good counsel; for Your Name’s sake, be our help. Watch and shelter us beneath the shadow of Your shield. Defend us against enemies, illness, war, famine and sorrow. Distance us from wrongdoing. For You, Bolka, watch over hearth and hold. For You, Bolka, are gracious and merciful. Guard our going and coming, to life and to peace evermore.”
When finished, he looked to Lorena. ”I thank ye for sharing that with me.”
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Lorena holds her head bowed as Khaz goes through his prayers, feeling...something she isn't quite sure of. Something between awe and discomfort, sending an odd mix of shivers up her spine. Still, she can't deny feeling refreshed and grateful that the dwarfsimar had invited her. In a low voice, barely above a whisper, which she hopes fits the occasion, she replies, "Thank you, as well."
The night passes uneventfully, it is the first night in 4 days since the sundering of Kenabres Ward Stone and your third day of being on the surface. The Guards remain on high alert for any counter attack that may come from the demons who were outside of the blast radius but close enough to get to Kenabres in the night.
The Morning light dawns with Khaz waking early and waking Lorena for a prayer, as Khaz finishes up his prayer song others have started to gather around and smile and nod at him. The Common folk who survived have begn to gather, the children push through and move up close to the Heroes that saved the city.
After breakfast a voice can be heard coming in the front door.
"I told you already, I was safe at my house in my bunker, you don't have to "rescue" me." The voice says "All you crusaders are the same no matter what symbol you wear." You all know the voice of Horgus Gwerm
Firinn crashes almost the moment the group return to the Defender's Heart. After the debriefing he heads for the roof as has become his habit and curls up with a blanket. Thanks to the ring on his right hand he sleeps two blissful hours as Rionnag perches above him, bright wings fluttering in the evening light.
He wakes shortly after the sun goes down and breathes out deeply as he stares at Desna's stars. A streak of light bisects the sky and his scarred face twists into a smile.
From his perch on the roof he hears Khaz's morning prayer and grins at the sonorous sound of a chanting dwarf, even if he can't understand all the words. Rionnag perches on his hand and the two look out together to watch as the shining steel serpent of Queen Galfrey's army approaches the city.
Jocasta's grim mood has broken with the demonic forces. The epic force washing over Kenabres has smashed the floodgates and returned her smiles. Though she's still armored - battle could come at any time, after all - she's taken the time to clean and brush out her hair and she has a smile and a nod for nearly everyone in the shelter of Defender's Heart.
She's only too happy to share in whatever cobbled-together celebratory meal pops up for the evening. "I feel like we've hit a turning point," she says to Irabeth. "Like, these little victories prove that some kind of victory is possible. And if we just keep cobbling together little victories, eventually we'll have a big one."
"That is the hope we need." Irabeth says to Jocasta, hopefully when the queen arrives we will be able to figure out how to rebuild then push into the world wound and take some land back."[/b]
Irabeth grinds her teeth physically at the sound of Horgus' voice, Aniva and her head back upstairs to avoid the man.
"Where is Irabeth you said she is in charge here." Horgus calls out louder, the children move to gather around the man.
”Lord Horgus.” Khaz said evenly. ”Not far from your home we fought vile demons. An abyss infused Minotaur, a flying demon...many, many cultists. Trained and valiant crusaders were lost, and we know this because the demons turned their corpses into puppets. You were taken from your home, because if you were found there then what would your fate be? And when it comes to rebuilding, you are too valuable to be naught but a flesh-puppet for demonic amusement.”
Firinn listens to the conversation from above and shakes his head. But he is far too canny to go downstairs and get involved in the inevitable confrontation.
Horgus puffs as being called Lord, turning to Khaz Horgus addresses him. "Well I thank you for saving me from becoming a flesh-puppet indeed but maybe those things should be explained to one before being dragged from his home to this place." Horgus looks around "They said the Queen is coming? She will know what to do."
The day passes, guards come and go just past noon a runner comes in motioning for Irabeth to to go to the Warroom. Irabeth gathers your parth, Aravashnial, Horgus and Quendrys.
"The Queen has arrived she will be entering the city soon, where do you wish to receive her?"
Irabeth looks at everyone before turning to the runner. "Here is best, we can provide the most safety in this room." The runner nods at Irabeth, bowing and taking his leave.
Defender's Heart explodes into commotion as everyone tries to do some cleaning and tiding prior to the queen arriving.
Khaz nodded, glad to have stopped the scene from worsening. ”Aye, I believe she will. She wouldn’t be coming here unless she was bringing a force large enough to stabilize the situation. Finally some good news, eh? And I’m glad to see ye be safe.” He finished, before moving on.
Terry tries to stay out of the way as much as possible through the evening and overnight. Once Khaz starts his chant, Terry listens, trying to accept the sentiments, but he can't get past the reality that the only peace it seems anyone gets is the peace provided by the grave. But he's bright enough to keep his mouth shut about that.
When Gwerm shows up, Terry comes out of hiding long enough to verify it really is the fat, annoying buffoon, still alive. He just shakes his head and gladly lets Khaz make himself a target.
"I don't know, Khaz. She could be bringing a force to reinforce this city, or she could be bringing a force to evacuate it. Both make sense for different reasons. We'll have to wait for her to reveal her intent."
Terry helps the refugees clean up the space that will shortly serve as an audience chamber. He does nothing about altering his own appearance or state.
The Queen arrives to little fan fare, people stay out of the way as a small but well armed and armored entourage escorts the queen inside of Defender's Heart. Upon Entering the building the Queen not wearing a helm, her long dark hair with streaks of silver cascades down her back pulled tight in a Pony Tail.
"Good day Citizens of Kenabres I commend you upon your bravery and survival skills." The Queen looks around the room taking the time to look everyone in the eyes. "I am deeply saddened by our losses here and I vow to avenge each of them if not personally then though agents who can complete the job. With this I will take these brave few up stairs who helped to drive the evil from this city. My own army is camped outside with relief resources and we have caravans coming in the next weeks to help rebuild."
The Queen motions for your party to head upstairs to the Warroom, upon entering Irabeth and the rest of the leaders here enter.
"So tell me your tale, I do not share the same sentiments as those who are closed minded. Some talk about your destruction of the Ward Stone signalling the beginning of the end."
Firinn looks to Khaz as the de facto leader to explain the situation.
”Your highness. I will not bore ye with redundancy about how the city fell. I’m sure ye’re well aware. After the worst, we did our part in striking back. An offensive was launched against the Gray Garrison. A wizard of some power was holed up there with her cultist of Deskari and summoned demons. They were trying to corrupt the wardstone. We believe that they were attempting to use the one they had captured here to turn all of the others against us. This band here, we fought our way to the heart of the Garrison. A bloody slog it was, and a near fatal one. As is, we were barely able to destroy the wardstone in time. The energy stored within was released. It was...hard to describe. The cult leader and her champions were reduced to ash. Only it didn’t burn us. Instead we saw Iomodae. I’m nay being sacrilegious here, I assure ye. She spoke to us. Showed us visions...” He proceeded to faithfully recount the visions, speaking with holy fervor as he did so. ”...with Bolka as my witness.” He concluded, his hand placed on his heart.
Lorena seems to fade into the shadows the moment she hears Horgus's voice, and she spends the rest of her time nowhere to be seen. She reluctantly rejoins the group as the Queen arrives; not being used to such attention, she seems to shrink a little. Naturally, she remains silent like Firinn, happy to let Khaz do the talking.
THe queen listens intently at Khaz's retelling of the adventure so far, know a bit of the tale but being filled in on the rest of what has been for your eyes only.
"You did a good thing for the world preventing them from perverting the Ward Stone Fragment. Had they turned it against us who knows what would have happened." Then Queen looks the map over then back up at everyone. "We have come up with a plan, right now with the Demons being on the back foot and some of their more powerful masters being further south or west we need to strike in to the World Wound." The Queen points at a city inside the boarder, "This is the once great fort of Drezen, we held out for a while there till we were betrayed from within. My Diviners tell me that the Sword of Valor still remains there but we are unable to locate it exactly. We need to retake the city, get the sword of Valor back and then we can push out from there." The queen looks at your group
”Drezen, my queen? Solid Dwarven stonework, that. A tough nut to crack. But if the demons have moved their heavy hitters out...Ah. Ye want us to go with the army? Aye. I’ve taken the Oath of the Crusade. I’ll march to the Abyss and hopefully back if I have to.” Turning to the others, he said ”Ye lot in? I only speak for myself. But I’ve nearly died twice over already. Having ye all by my side would put my mind at ease, and hopefully keep it attached to the rest of my body.”
Firinn nods.
"The Worldwound is a blight on Desna's sky. I will help us to stop it."
Jocasta remains quiet and nervous, occasionally rocking from one foot to the other.
Terry stands in the back, shaking his head. "Not much choice, really, is there? Wardstone's gone. There's nothing holding them back, holding them in anymore. Leaving would just be running from the invasion to come." He snorts. "I don't want to go in there and try our luck, but I don't want to wait out here and see what kinds of things come out to eat me, either. Going in at least tries to stop them from eating everybody else. Yay." Enthusiasm is not the keyword for that statement, but it seems sincere.
Lorena isn't too keen on throwing herself into danger repeatedly, but it's not like she has a choice at this point, between having Khaz's trust and her mysterious patron's urging. "I guess. I've got nothing better to do anyways."
"Good then it is settled, I have 3 specialists going on this trip with you. I will Introduce them when they arrive later, I will also be sending an army of 100 hardened Paladins with you, this will give you the chance to avoid the smaller groups of enemies that could tie you up and will be small enough to avoid drawing to much attention." The Queen looks you all over, "You can have the remainder of Today to rest then tomorrow we will get all the provisions ready and you can set out the next day." The Queen again looks at those gathered her eyes scanning each of you almost intently. "Do you have any questions?"
Terry just lowers his head and tries hard not to shake it or make eye contact as he thinks to himself. 100 "hardened paladins" to keep us out of trouble? They'll bring it with them. I guess the first question will be how do we lose them?
Khaz nodded. ”As ye command. Who are these specialists, and who is the commander of this army? It would do well to introduce ourselves before we set forth.”
"Once they arrive I will introduce them. I haven't picked a commander, do you have one in mind?" The Queen again scans the room looking at you all in there.
"Not I." Horgus says, "I won't be going on any fool errand into the world wound Your Majesty." Horgus says with the uttermost respect in his voice
Terry grins as he points to Firinn, without hesitation.
Whose mouth drops for a second before he snaps it shut again and cocks an eyebrow instead...
He doesn't refuse, but seems genuinely surprised that someone might nominate him, even in jest!
Lorena speaks up, with a rather different idea: "I...uh...I think Khaz would be better. He's basically our leader already, I'm sure he could handle it."
The Queen nods looking to Lorena for the Final vote.
Jocasta raises an eyebrow. "I'm supposed to decide? Uh... Khaz. He's a natural war leader and has tactical experience. Also he can speak to other paladins and crusaders in a familiar way, since that's been his life, too."
Khaz took a deep breath. He had never thought of himself as a leader. He had never led an army into battle before. And yet here he was, with the responsibility weighing on his shoulders. ”Aye...” He looked at his mace and made up his mind. ”Aye then. If that’s the will, then we’ll find a way.”
"You'll be a far better general than I would." Firinn replies, trying not to show his relief too obviously.
The Queen turns her gaze to Khaz, you get the feeling that she knew the answer already but wanted you all to choose. "Well then it is decided, we can introduce you to your army tomorrow today we need to get you all ready and introduce you to your specialists once they arrive. Is there anything you will ask of me? People here you wish to come with you?"
"We rescued a young woman from the caverns, Aneiva." Firinn offers. "She has a badly damaged leg, but she's a capable warrior anyway. Could you do something for her?... Your majesty." He adds belatedly.