Death, therefore, the most awful of evils, is nothing to us, seeing that, when we are, death is not come, and, when death is come, we are not.

Game Master Torvald Torvaldson

A: 3d20 ⇒ (8, 16, 3) = 27

You put down your giant and help Arissa finish off hers.

"That was not as bad as I expected, I wonder where the wizard went off to? Are you in need of healing?"

If she needs healing:
channel 123: 6d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 4, 6, 5, 5, 3) + 3 = 31

Arissa looks surprisingly well considering the damage she's taken but gladly accepts your offer of healing-Thank you Ang. I agree it definitely could have been worse, but that makes me think the "worse" probably lies ahead of us. I think we will take a little bit more circuitous route to the Citadel and avoid the obvious routes. Certainly I'm not going in the direction this lot hoped to drive us towards.-she points at the dead bodies as she gently pulls on her horse's harness and leads him back the way you just came.

perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

Any valuables or clues on the dead?

The slain foes had 500GP worth of valuables. There is nothing suspicious or intriguing about them and they appear to be common shock troops. Wherever the pesky wizard is, he is apparently not here nor nearby.

You travel for the remainder of the day and appear to have either eliminated or evaded any remaining pursuers (for the moment). Finding a reasonable place to rest you make camp with Arissa-We are not far now. If our luck holds steady we should be to the Citadel by mid-day tomorrow. Will you keep the watch with me again tonight?

“Yes, of course.”

Cast Keep Watch.

perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

A/M: 2d20 ⇒ (16, 10) = 26

About half way through the night Arissa whispers over to you-I think something is out there....watching us....

“So long as it doesn’t bother us, I think we should just let it be.”

Detect evil around the camp. 60’ range

Your senses detect 2 highly evil creatures (orcs) skulking out at the edge of your vision.

Whispering: “I can sense a couple orcs out there.”

Arissa squints out into the darkness-Your eyes, at least, are superior to mine. I see nothing but darkness. If it is indeed just a pair of orcs, I'm not overly worried. As long as they stay and watch us they can't report back to their masters. Right?

“Who knows, the Wizard could have magic’d them somehow.”

Arissa-Intriguing notion and probably just like a tircksy mage. It's your call Ang. I'm content to leave well enough alone, even if I don't like potential foes watching me while I rest.

“I am content to kill them in the morning if need be.”

Clearly the orcs are not content to wait till morning and they slowly creep towards your position as you keep watch. Currently within 30' of your position.

“What do you want dogs? Come to your deaths if that is your desire!”

A/M: 2d20 ⇒ (13, 11) = 24
A: 2d20 ⇒ (9, 5) = 14

Seeing that they have been spotted the two orcs dispense with stealth and race towards your camp. Their flesh shimmers and twists, an illusion, melting away revealing a pair of fang-filled visages of firey-eyed bristley barbed devils, with lashing tails.

Arissa's blade lands once but she takes some hurt from the devil's thickly barbed carapace in return.

Your action, then devils.

Divine bond +1 to hammer.

ghpa: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 15 + 1 = 32
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (6, 2) + 16 + 1 = 25

ghpa: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 16 + 1 = 27

You first blow connects but does much less damage then you would expect and you take barbs: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 of damage for your troubles.

A/D: 4d20 ⇒ (14, 1, 8, 10) = 33 Arissa connects once and gets hit once.

Devil on Ang -15
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 232d8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 6 = 10
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 282d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 6) + 6 = 17

-31

LOH: 6d6 + 13 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 5, 5, 4) + 13 = 35

Smite evil, bypass DR.

ghpa: 1d20 + 15 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 5 + 1 = 34
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 28

ghpa: 1d20 + 8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 5 + 1 = 16
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 1) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 30

A/D: 4d20 ⇒ (1, 11, 13, 11) = 36

Your first blow smashes through any resistance the devil may have but you take bards: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9. Arissa stumbles badly and gets thrashed, looking much the worse for wear.

Devil on Ang -43
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 252d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 6 = 14
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (2) + 18 = 202d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 = 10

-9

ghpa: 1d20 + 15 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 15 + 5 + 1 = 25
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 30

ghpa: 1d20 + 8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 5 + 1 = 29
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 31

A/D: 4d20 ⇒ (1, 7, 18, 16) = 42

Arissa can't get out of her own way and the devil wraps her in a thorny embrace, crushing her in a bear hug and throwing her bleeding form to the ground preparing to engage you next.

Its companion stays focused on you.
Devil on Ang -74
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 192d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 2) + 6 = 16

-9

Die devil.

ghpa: 1d20 + 15 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 5 + 1 = 40
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 26

ghpa: 1d20 + 8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 5 + 1 = 31
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 26

You land two mighty smashes on the devil but it manages to barely stay on its feet. The other devil contemplates Arissa's fallen form but decides it's better to eliminate the remaining threat. The wounded devil misses badly, but the fresh one hits twice and bear hugs you savagely.

Devil on Ang -126
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (1) + 18 = 192d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 6) + 6 = 19

Devil on Ang
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 252d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 6 = 14
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 302d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 = 10
impale: 3d8 + 9 ⇒ (5, 7, 4) + 9 = 25

-58

loh: 6d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3) + 13 = 21

-37

ghpa: 1d20 + 15 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 15 + 5 + 1 = 38
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 31

ghpa: 1d20 + 8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 5 + 1 = 15
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 30

You finish off the heavily wounded devil with your first hammer strike but miss on the remaining one with your second.

Devil on Ang
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 232d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 3) + 6 = 16
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 212d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 6 = 8

loh: 6d6 + 13 ⇒ (3, 5, 1, 4, 4, 6) + 13 = 36
-1

ghpa: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 1 = 23
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (6, 5) + 16 + 1 = 28

ghpa: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + 16 + 1 = 27

The second devil appears a bit more agile and dodges both of your swings.

Devil on Ang
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 372d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 3) + 6 = 14
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 262d8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 6 = 12
impale: 3d8 + 9 ⇒ (5, 8, 5) + 9 = 27

-54

Smite evil.

ghpa: 1d20 + 15 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 15 + 5 + 1 = 38
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 6) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 35

ghpa: 1d20 + 8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 5 + 1 = 17
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 3) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 32

Your first blow connects solidly as a group of heavily armored men on horseback race in from the flank and attack the devil, seemingly aiding you in your struggle.

Devil on Ang -35
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 252d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 6) + 6 = 13
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 282d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 8) + 6 = 21
impale: 3d8 + 9 ⇒ (8, 3, 6) + 9 = 26

+5 AC due to smite evil, devil misses

loh: 6d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 5, 3, 5) + 13 = 35
-19

ghpa: 1d20 + 15 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 5 + 1 = 28
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 28

ghpa: 1d20 + 8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 5 + 1 = 24
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 26

Just realized I haven't been giving you the 1d8+6 damage for barbed defense you should be taking each time you hit; ~sigh~ oh well.

The new combatants lay about but their weapons find little purchase against the devil. The infernal creature pays them no mind, staying completely focused on you, muttering-Cursed mage never told us it would be this tough....I hate paladins....

You take barbs: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 as you hit once with your hammer.

Devil on Ang -63
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 362d8 + 6 ⇒ (4, 7) + 6 = 17
claw: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 212d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 2) + 6 = 15

-46

LOH: 6d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 6, 1, 6, 6, 1) + 13 = 34
-12

GHPA: 1d20 + 15 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 5 + 1 = 39
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 3) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 32

GHPA: 1d20 + 8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 5 + 1 = 28
dam: 2d6 + 16 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 16 + 6 + 1 = 30

You next two hammer blows combined with the efforts of the mounted warriors are enough to finish off the last remaining devil.

Cure Arissa.

LOH 6: 6d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 1, 4, 5) + 1 = 19

Airssa comes to and thanks you for saving her-A life for a life as the saying goes. I would think it is good that this squad from the Citadel arrived when it did, but maybe you would have been OK on your own. Only the fates can say.

We should be able to make it to the Citadel now without further delay. I can't imagine that our magical foe has much energy left to throw at us.

And so it is as you spend the next several hours completing your journey to Citadel Dinyar. The path to the Citadel proper is long, winding, and easily defended. The Citadel itself is relatively compact but rises into the air featuring spidery buttresses and steeples reminiscent of cathedrals throughout the region. At the entry gates you are confronted by grim statues of the Order's patron deities (Abadar, Asmodeus, Iomedae, Irori, and Torag) and this theme is clearly repeated in the mountain stone and fortress's statuary.

The main structure inside the outer walls is a chapel-keep with five tall towers in which mighty bells can be seen. Arissa takes her steed to a stable boy and then you to a mess hall-Best you grab something to eat and drink. Then you should wash and prepare yourself for tomorrow when you will be taken to meet the Lictor. She grabs a chunk of bread and a small cut of meat-I'm for my room and some rest. Hopefully I'll get to see you again. This squire here will attend to you and get you to your room. She points out a young man that stands nervously nearby.

Take Arissa’s advice. Eat, wash, and then rest.

You wake the next day fully refreshed. The attentive squire stands outside your door waiting for you-What is it you wish sir?

“I was told I would be taken to the Lictor today, I would see that done as soon as possible.”

The squire looks at you nervously-I'm sorry sir, but I do not have any orders regarding that. Would you like me to make an inquiry on your behalf?

“No, someone will likely track me down should the Lictor desire my presence. Why don’t you give me a tour of the Citadel and tell me what you know of it’s history.”

The squire smiles eagerly, clearly a task he can perform without danger. Talking to you as you tour the Citadel-I'll tell you all that I know; please forgive me if you have heard some of it before.

The Citadel has five chapels in a ring around the central fortress. Each chapel has its own services and bell tower. The main fortress, where you are now, houses the majority of the inhabitants as well as training, armory, and other facilities. At any given time there are almost 1,000 people housed within our walls.

The tour takes the better part of the morning and you can tell that there are several areas which he avoids that are clearly off limits to junior members of the Order. You get the sense that there at least as many levels below ground, as those that rise up into the high arches above ground.

“Thank you, quite impressive. Do you know where I might find Arissa, the knight I arrived with?”

The young man thinks for a few moments in quiet concentration-Given the time of day my guess is the mess hall, training room, or still in her quarters. Shall I lead you to one of them?

"Sure, let's go, you pick."

Squire-I guess we can go in order. He smiles-Plus if you don't mind, I'm a bit hungry and could use a bite to eat.

He leads you to the large room with long tables that serves as the communal mess hall. The room is slowly starting to fill for the mid-day meal and it's strange to see the sigils of the five different faiths in the same place even if they generally sit in their own groups. Squire, a little anxiously and anticipatory-Do you want something?

"Yes, let's eat, your tour has made me hungry."

The squire leads you through the line and helps himself to an ample plateful before heading towards a seat at a table that is relatively empty. He eats quietly, clearly happy to use his mouth for a function other than words.

While you eat you feel many eyes upon you; clearly visitors are not the norm at the Citadel. Finally, as you get close to finishing your lunch, a small group of gruff looking dwarves heads over towards you.

Lead dwarf with a very surly demeanor-You're the paladin of Torag, eh? Funny thing is we didn't see you at services this morning....

“To answer your question, yes. Though why you would find humor in my absence is puzzling to me.”