Yvell Weathers the wail its brushing off his form like water. He looks to the Paladin seeing his allies flail about and run in fear shouting in command at both the Ghost and his allies. " LISTEN HERE! Be not afraid, neither of this ghost and his wails of sorrow nor You Ghost, of your failure! " The energy around the Half-Elf rises, his fury coming forth in small wisps of Fire.. almost spectral themselves as they lace his back and shoulders.
His shouts grow, " What of the fact she died! You know that Sarenrae always protects her faithful in many ways but ultimately what we do is OUR choice! Have you not thought your wife awaits you on your Gods plane!? Have you not understood your bond here is meaningless!? And I shall show you that faith isnt misplaced with my own body! " The flames burst outward into lesser depictions of Wings, 5 in all made of the element and then the flames surge outward gracing each person in the area.
" STAND TOGETHER, AND FIGHT IF WE MUST! " He shouts to the group as he moves forward to distract the Ghost.
The ghost is affected by Ibuki's spell. Aldronard does nothing but hover in place, sobbing.
Stop attacking, he´s subdued!
Aldronard! Tell me your troubles! Why are you here? Why not leave this place and process to the afterlife?
Yvell raises his blade ready to strike out once more, the Fiery might of Ragathiel flowing trough him, but his mind still his. He waited. " Tell him to leave this place! To ask for forgiveness and then ascend! If anyone would do so it would be his goddess and none-other ! Or I will have to do what is needed to protect us! "
It might be wise to cut the religious talk for a moment. Clearly it enrages him. He wasn´t hostile before. So let´s give it a peaceful try please. Empathy and understanding, you know? My spell should hold for 6 days, untill it is broken by hostile actions against him before.
Aldronard stares at Ibuki.
"Eredian, is that you? Do my eyes deceive me?"
He moves through anyone in the way, kneels before him, still hovering above the ground. "I ask forgiveness from you, Justinia's father. For my weakness in not being able to protect Justinia. For unfairly blaming Sarenrae, just as you blamed me for your daughter's death. What can I do to atone? What must I do?"
Yvell lowers his blade, looking wide-eyed that the Ghost saw a semblance of the man's Father-in-law in Ibuki. His fervor left him and instead he went to comfort Valtyra. As he walked by he gave Ibuki a warning with his eyes but other than that let the spell-weaver decide on the..atonement. Yvell held Valtyra close, both to assuage her fear and to stop her from causing an issue with negotiations. " Hold fast Valtyra.. calm yourself.. they are speaking. He is no longer a threat to you.. I am here to keep you safe."
Auehda watches in awe as Yvell sprouts wings and Ibuki tames the ghost. "Good job Ibuki!" They incline their head to the ghost.
Yvell's wings stay up for a few moments more before dissipating.
Ibuki waits some moments, gathering himself untill he fells better.
Eredian, yes, Justinias father. Mhrrmmm.
He eyes his comrades for some support.
I was in deep pain when i accused you, yet i was wrong. You did what you could. I forgive you now. I only ask one last favor. Come with me and this group and help us slay the enemies, then you are free.
"What enemies would you have me slay, Eredian? Even as a ghost, I am no match for the demons of the Worldwound. I do not even know if I can escape from this place."
Aldronard seems to have some understanding of his situation.
"Maybe just tell Aldronard to let go . . ." Auehda says. "If Aldronard gets out of spell he could really hurt us."
" There is no point of trading one form of slavery for another. He has realized his misdeeds and seeks forgiveness.. Do not keep him from his wife a moment longer.. 'Eredian'. What could he do otherwise? " Yvell said from behind Ibuki holding Valtyra still not realizing that the effect of the wail was surely over.
"I think it's just a ploy to buy time until we can figure out what we need to do with this dude." Muga comments nonchalantly, looking around the place, lifting pieces of rubble to examine underneath. He might be looking for clues... Or just seeing if anything was still valuable enough to carry.
"Or maybe.. Just maybe, he feels the need to earn his redemption. I don't know about you highly religious good civilized folk, but sometimes a man doesn't accept forgiveness until he's paid blood back with blood."
"if you cannot escape here then have my forgiveness. Go and find your peace aldronard. I forgive you. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
Aldronard cries in relief and gratitude. He raises his hands to the sky and says, "I ask you for your forgiveness Sarenrae. I unfairly blamed you and I am truly sorry."
A beam of light comes from the sky, through the hole in the ceiling, and shines upon Aldronard. He seems to lift up into the sky, and vanishes.
You all feel a warmth in your body and magical healing surrounds you. You are healed of all wounds.
The dark presence in the Chapel is gone.
She watched as the specter lifted up and felt the divine touch keenly within her. The warmth it conveyed was comforting and welcoming. The departure of the ghostly paladin was of some relief to Aeron, but her thoughts were anything but calm. She still reeled over the feeling it had instilled within her. The hum and arcs of electricity from the weapon had since faded, but within her mind echoed an almost coo of pleasure. The sword seemed to be basking. She lifted her scimitar to look into her reflection offered by the beam of light before it fades, staring intently at the black sheen. The blade sent forth its thoughts of bliss at the events that had unfolded.
Explain yourself!
Her voice was sharp, amplified by the stillness and calm that had just so recently come over the chapel. Her gaze lifted from the blade for a moment as she peered about at the others before returning her scrutinizing gaze back down at the blade. Nothing but silence followed as the weapon replied to her once more telepathically.
That feeling. Oh what a wonderful feeling. That feeling you experienced. It was fear. You have yet to move through the gambit of emotions, but you will learn. I will be there with you always as you learn.
"Meh, doesn't surprise me. I'm fairly glad not to think like the type that sits dead sobbing in a chapel for a bunch of years."
"Aldronard was good man, just confused. Auehda thinks." The druid picks up their half-hafted greataxe and turns to leave the chapel.
"Yes, Auehda. I think your right. I'm glad he is at rest now." Val says, still visibly shaken from the whole ordeal.
"You did what you could, Valtyra," Auehda says, noting their friend's wobbling steps. "Fears different for everyone."
They return to the keep and lay out their bedroll. "Andalos and Keepers, you have food for the night? Yvell carrying bunches and can share with you."
"Thank you for the offer," Andalos says. "We will accept any assistance we can give you."
You spend the rest of the night at Aldronard's Grave.
I´m glad my spell functioned! It´s essentially like a charm for undead, making them friendly. I´m sure you can see the advantages of that? It went down very well and i´m also glad he could move on and end the his haunting existance here. On the other hand, what a waste. He would have been a powerful ally!
Auehda nods. "Paladin Aldronard needed peace."
After eating, they set Khonnir's old backpack on their bedroll and go to the doors of the keep. "Auehda will take first watch. Muga and Phylla take second, maybe?"
Allright, i can take watch with Aeron alter on.
While we are at it, we can as well do something for him.
Ibuki will write and chisel down the story to secure memory for later generations.
Valtyra, don´t you want to make some prayers or make a sacred site here?
" I believe... you might be right when it comes to that.. I mistrusted you and that was wrong. I wanted you to hear that" Yvell stays with Valtyra until she feels better.
=====
In the morning Yvell was awake and strong, feeling the correct path had been made. " We shall head out to Scrapwall this morning. I hope you crusaders can make your journey safely. "
After you finish your rest at Aldronard's Grave, you resume your journey to Scrapwall. The crusaders bid you farewell as they prepare for their own journey. You cross a bridge nearby the fort and head north along the Sellen River. It is night time when you spy Scrapwall. It appears to be a like a giant junkyard.
Scrapwall is an intimidating sight. Towers of rusted iron and hills of rubble and ruin, long ago divested of anything of remote value by tech-hungry scavengers, loom from the dusty surrounding plains. Immense lengths of chain, coils of jagged wire, giant clockwork gears, and old
corrugated metal cargo containers riddled with gashes, bullet holes, and the telltale pockmarks of laser fire are piled high, forming a jagged and intimidating hill-like wall surrounding the interior. Scrapwall is 3 miles across at its widest point, and the walls of junk enclosing its interior are an average of 30 feet high. These walls are not vertical and can be scaled, but the rubble shifts dangerously at times.
There is a gate in the southwestern portion of the large town.
Probably safer to camp and wait untill morning.
As they ride up Yvell halts the party and points to the lack of sun. " We are going into uncharted territory against possible enemies, like the Gang that Meyanda was a part of. As such I dont think it wise to approach in the night. Especially when there is no guarantee of safe passage. I suggest we camp out having at least one martially inclined person in pairs on watch and approach in the first light. In the meantime we can figure out what we know of this place, and make a more informed trek. I'm sure you agree? "
Yvell went over in his mind anything he knew about the land of Scrapwall.
Thanks Yvell, i would not have been aware of that.
Ibuki casts a smile to Yvell.
Yvell smirks as his eyes narrow to Ibuki. He doesnt say anything directly but Yvell makes it obvious with his body language that he was aware.. and Not amused. " Anytime , I'm aware you might not have placed as much thought in such endeavors when your eyes peruse written knowledge for extended periods of time.. "
Knowlegde that made it possible to redeem Ardronard. Seems worth it to me. Now, wanna set up the tent or what´s the plan?
The vision of Scrapwall was quite intriguing to the android. She had never seen such a large collection of... well, of anything in her 8 years of life. She was actually quite relieved at Yvell's suggestion though. She had seen the bullet and laser holes littered across the piles and knew this place to be one she would have avoided if she were still on her own. But she wasn't alone anymore now was she. Her quizzical look wandered over to the rest of the party as she surveyed their surroundings. Her gaze settled a bit longer on Valtyra than the others, but continued none the less.
She is not what you were expecting is she.
A soft, nearly inaudible whisper escaped her lips in reply.
No. Not what I expected.
Aeron then slipped off her saddle and began the preparations to set up camp as Yvell suggested, never having answered his query except in her simple and straightforward actions.
" You were right and so I have previously acknowledge this fact. On that note, yes we shall set up the tent now. " He leaped off his horse as well and reached for his Phylla-straps to let her down to the ground. " Phylla.. you have been getting tighter as we progressed.. I assume this land is not to your liking.. Are you still hungry or are you satisfied for today? " He asks the Plant as he begins to set up the area.
A genuine smile creeps upon the Paladin's face at Aeron's dutiful work, She listened well but talked little... He would have to grow more knowledgeable of the person. " The next shift I would like to pair with Aeron tonight is that fine with you? " Looking to the.. android.
No outstanding magic in Scrapwall. There are people who hide from the Technic League in Scrapwall, so there is some presence. You also remember that a "deity" named Hellion is here granting powers to his followers, like Meyanda.
Scrapwall is mostly junk. Most of the useful items and gadgets have been looted a long time ago.
Scrapwall has had several gangs competing with each other. No real gang has been in control except for now with the Lords of Rust. Most of the people are outcasts and exiles.
You haven't heard of any lords or nobility in Scrapwall. Lords of Rust is just the name of the gang. The highest persons are the Lords of Rust leaders, who you don't know, Hellion, the mysterious deity, and the other gang leaders.
Other than Hellion, there are no strong deity presences here. You remember from Joram Kyte that there is a follower of Brigh named Dinvaya.
Scrapwall is filled with outcasts and exiles, hiding or running from something.
Respect = Scrap-worth. More scrapworth means you won't get attacked by gangs. You get this by being brave, ruthless and audacious.
Current Gangs in ascending order of power:
Steel Hawks, Redtooth's Raiders, Smiler and Lords of Rust. The Thralls of Hellion have "recently" disbanded.
There is also a mysterious worshipper of Brigh, you recall as Dinvaya, an elf, a mutated manticore, dead spirits that haunt the easternmost section of Scrapwall, and several exiles and vagabonds.
There is no tunnel to collapse. Large amounts of weight can cause the "walls" to shift, as can simply trying to climb them. You've heard of people trying to climb the rubble and being crushed by it.
Phylla seems to be displeased. "This is very different from Torch-home. There will be good red food here? I don't think so... It looks like that junkyard Auehda-servant's father lives in. Just trash." She slaps the ground with her tentacles sullenly.
Afterwards, the campfire you make outside of Scrapwall talks to you. "There is a stench here, Burnt One. A stench of death and secrets. It should be caught in an inferno and burned. The flames should consume everything."
"I don't care who you put me on watch with, but I'll warn you, I'm not terribly disciplined at keeping an eye out over long periods." Muga took his seat just outside Yvell's area of setting up the tent.
Yvell pats the plant creature reassuringly and shook his head, " It is a different land altogether. There will be some along our travels like this and others you will think are a paradise, that is the meaning of experience. I'm sure you still prefer this than to the small room you were stuck in. You get to see the Sun and sky and taste many red foods. Regardless you act as if you will run out of red food. Just assume you will have to wait for more or ask me to tide you over. " Yvell visibly smirks, amused. " As for Junkyard, the term is..Ones junk is another's treasure.. I wouldn't call it all trash.. not yet. "
He looked to Muga's response, " That is fine, you seem capable with your weapon which is to ward off threats. If you are not mindful of your surroundings I'm sure either Ibuki or Auehda can make up for your shortcomings.. everyone has them of course. "
As the group eventually starts the fire, Yvell takes advantage of the grouping of various tasks to regal what he remembered. " From what I can tell this place is fairly true to its name.. It is mostly junk as Phylla so eloquently stated. Its a Hodge-podge of gangs competing for power which apparently the Lords of Rust are now the leaders. No doubt due to this Hellion giving them the upper hand with its ability to instill its followers with divine power; Scrapwall is not known to have many magically inclined individuals. Another note being our additional task while trying to complete this mission. Much like other person's hiding in Scrapwall, the Brigh-worshipper named Dinvaya is to be found and safely sent back to Torch. So I believe our priorities should be finding information on Dinvaya, The Lords of Rust and Hellion.. and systematically breaking the gang down so that they are no longer a threat. We should also find out what this enemy in Silver mount is. What do the rest of you think? Thoughts? Info? "
"Maybe, Flame," Auehda says to the campfire the night before. "Auehda thinks best to check for themselves first though."
- 0-level (4) - detect magic (4 minutes), guidance (DC 14), light (40 minutes), virtue
- 1st-level (3+1+D) - burning hands (DC 15, 5d4), call animal (4 hours, CR 4), gentle breeze (35 ft., DC 15), nauseating dart (35 ft., DC 16), obscuring mist (4 minutes)
- 2nd-level (2+1+D) - flaming sphere (160 ft., 6 rounds, DC 16), lesser restoration (DC 17), produce flame (6 minutes, 1d6+5), recentering drone (35 ft., 2 creatures, DC 16)
"Sound okay Yvell. Auehda think we should stay together while inside."
Once the meeting is over, they begin walking towards the southwestern gates.