Mawl shakes his head awake, grumbles his gratitude and hops up to take a swing at the nasty hag. "I'm so sick of you...
"Hang in there, big guy!" Sorix moves back to a more safe position behind Mawl, swiftly pops a scroll from one of her spring-loaded wrist sheaths, and begins the 1-round casting (infernal healing)
Surexeria strikes out at the woman while she slings insults, but the woman just laughs and grins. Cass casts a spell and moves closer to Mawl touching him to heal his wounds, followed by Horillo doing the same and Sorix right behind pulling out a scroll and starting her own spell.
Mawl stands up.
Before he even manages to get off the ground, the woman hears him grunting and spins around and cuts him down once again.
She laughs again as he hits the floor with a thud and and then steps to the side turning her attention on Surexeria, more of her wounds healing in the process.
She slices deep into Surexeria as she comments "I'll teach you a little respect, whoever you are..." obviously not even recognizing Surexeria.
Surexeria steps up and continues her assault. "You can try. Nobody's succeeded yet..." she says through teeth clenched in pain.
Cassie watches Mawl go down again and her heart sinks in her chest This isn't going well. When the white-eyed woman cuts a terrible wound into Surexeria, she nearly loses it and wants to drop to the ground and start crying again.
Not again. Not again. Not again.
Hoping to take the attention away from the swashbuckler, she lifts her trembling hand up with her whip and takes a step back, cracking the whip loudly as she calls out to the woman with feigned bravery "H-hey! L-leave her alone!" as she cracks her whip and attempts to trip their foe and send her to the ground.
Seeing his friend go down and seeking revenge, Horillo drops his bow and gets his long spear ready to attack the woman. "Ha, now to follow my friend or take you to hell! S, hang in their and let me take her." as he flanks her.
He thrusts forward in the hope of damaging the woman, and speaks quiety to Sorix, "Take out that big lump before he comes round."
"We die for Kintago and freedom."
Sorix’s spell finishes and Mawl starts to slowly heal. Sorix looks hesitant at Horillo’s suggestion. ”Um, I guess I can try…” She then finds the never-used dagger on her person and holds it with both hands above the ogrekin’s neck.
Surexeria comes back with a witty comment and a stab of her blade, but after her significant wounds her strength is waning and she fails to connect. Cass tries to trip the wretched woman and nearly gets her whip around her feet, but at the last minute she steps out before Cass can pull her feet from under her.
Horillo drops his bow and pulls out his longspear, moving closer to further help in dealing with the woman. He stabs and catches her off guard jabbing the spear into her leg. Sorix finsihes her spell as Mawl slowly starts to heal.
The woman glares at Horrilo after he succesful hits her and swings her glaive at him.
Missing, she steps back to get out of the precarious tactical position she was in.
"Let me move into position S" Horillo calls to his friend, as he jumps down from the table with his long spear in hand. He threatens to hit the woman once more.
Surexeria steps with her, trying to keep her isolated between herself and these "Rebels." "Nuh uh uh! No running for you! You gotta suffer before you go to the Boneyard, you ugly b*&@&!" she says as she feints one way just before spinning back and slashing her blade across the woman's torso.
"Oh...are you havin' fun yet? 'Cause I am!" Surexeria says through the pain.
Cass attempts to trip the woman again.
After Surexeria's blow, the woman is distracted and Cass manages to wrap up her feet and pull her legs out from underneath her.
She curses at you both and looks up at Surexeria "This isn't finished!"
She mutters some infernal words and a portal opens up right next to her and she rolls toward it in an attempt to get out of her poor situation.
Horillo stabs her but it isn't enough to interrupt her and in a flash she is gone.
"NO!" Surexeria cries out as the b@@+% vanishes! "DAMNIT! DAMN IT ALL TO HELL!" she fumes.
Cassie cries out as the woman gets away, terrified of what that means. She calls out "No! She got away!"
"What happened, where did she go!." Horillo looks around, a sense of panic written across his face.
As he waits on tenterhooks, nervously looking around, he puts his weight from foot to foot. As his breathing eases and the quiet of the place takes over, Horillo calls his friends, "I have Erastil's green shoots within me, come close and feel the power of Erastil."
Once everyone is within 30 ft, his tattoo glows green.
Once everyone has had a chance to heal and gather themselves, you go to look in the room where the woman had been studying. There are a dozen books here, all radiating magic. It appears she had been studying these texts and likely intended to ship them on to the Church of Asmodeus when she was done.
Their existence doesn’t harm the souls of those whose memories are recorded, and the books aren’t themselves evil. Indeed, the knowledge within them can be of great utility, and if used as a resource while attempting a Knowledge (history or local) check, the books grant a +4 competence bonus on the roll. The books weigh 20 pounds in all and, as a collection, are worth 1,600 gp.
Under the desk is a medium sized chest. Opening it up you find an assortment of gems, jewelry and coin that amounts to a total of 5000 gold.
With the complex cleared out except for the planar being at the entrance you have an opportunity to search around. After a thourough search of the place you find all of the following:
Several mundane books and documents that are mostly harmless but still rather interesting historical treasures. Very few redactions have been necessary, and taken as a whole, the books weigh 15 pounds and are worth 900 gp.
A headband of inspired wisdom +2, a silver-and-mother of pearl ink pen worth 200 gp, and a platinum disk depicting a leering angel worth 100 gp. The box with the chains, if dissasembled properly is found to be a malfunctioning cubic gate, the cubic gate itself is ruined but is still worth 3,000 gp as a curiosity.
A half-dozen books on planar theory. Together, these six books function as masterwork tools for Knowledge (planes) checks, and are thus worth 50 gp in all. A single dose of dust of emulation
The only room you haven't searched is the main entrance where the planar being resides.
Mawl looks at the books and declares "Hey, these look interesting"
Maybe someone with more magic skill than I could take a look at them?
Surexeria takes the books that have what seem to be her parents memories, and after flipping through them, holds them close to her.
"Let's get back," she says gruffly.
After the narrow escape from Thrune's agent, Horillo thinks its time he got the support of Argred, the name given by the cleric to the master dog they saved from the broken Livery. The largest of the dogs over time has come to know and accept Horillo as the leader of the pack and now waiits quietly for their daily meetings, food and love aplenty.
"Get back?" Cassie asks, confused. Then she realizes they are all going to leave here.
"Oh." she says sadly. "Thanks for rescuing me."
With her back against a wall, she slumps down to the floor and looks around at the death and destruction that had been her life had become. "This was my "back".
"I have nothing anymore. The Asmodeans continue to take from me no matter where I run and hide."
Surexeria relaxes her jaw, only slightly, as she approaches Cass. ”You want to strike back at those sons of b!#*&es? Make them pay for what they have done?”
Cassie looks up at Surexeria "I... I don't know that I can do that. I tried to strike back and that white-eyed, crazy lady had me tortured down here for weeks. If you all hadn't come along, I don't know how much longer I could have taken it."
Surexeria takes Cass by the chin and holds her eyes to maintain contact with her own. "Stop it. Now. What's done is done. Can't go back and change that now. You lost people to their hands? So have I. Standing around blubbering about it ain't gonna do ya any good. If you want to get revenge for what they, that b!%+! in particular, have taken from you...then you stick with me. Before this is all said and done, I plan on having both her and that prick Barzillai's head on pikes. You can help see that that happens. Savvy?"
Cass looks up into Surexeria's eyes and tries to decide whether she's up for that or not. Though she was able to put it together to help these strangers fight for their lives down here, it's all she can to do to keep from falling to the floor and just giving up.
Her eyes begin to water and twin tears streak from them down her soiled cheeks. She blinks away the tears and offers a slight nod to the swashbuckler. "I guess I can try." she says meekly.
"Good. Welcome to the crew," Surexeria says as she lets go of the girls chin and turns to the others. "Lets get you lot back to the hideout before this place is swarming with Asmodean filth."
Horillo watches the tough love being shown to Cassie by Surexeria, before he can take no more, "S, that may be the way you treat your crew, but not everyone can toughen up to your standards." He wanders over, putting his arm gently round Cassie's shoulders and pulls her out of Surexeria's grip, he smiles down at her. Gently he says in a soothing voice, "Cassie, it doesn't mater what you bring, other than your heart. I know in your heart, your want goodness and light, to help make all our lives better. Remove the fear, the discord, the hatred between neighbours. All that is the way of Thrune and we will stand against them, in whatever way we can. We have all been victims of their cruelty and lust for power, yet we will grow to conquer them. From the smallest seed the mighty oak grows strong, overshadowing the weeds that tried to choke it's progress. We are that sapling, and House Thrune will not choke us." As he finishes, the tattoo on his arm glows with the gentle green hue that fills Erastil's forests.
He looks over to a recovering Mawl, "And see, the mighty are here to protect us all, aren't you Mawl."
Cassie stares up at Surexeria, unwilling to challenge the bold woman. She reaches up to wipe away her tears when Horillo approaches and separates her from the swashbuckler. She listens to his cooler tone and calming voice as she continues to dry her eyes. When he finishes she turns to face him and embraces him with a soft hug and whispers "Thank you." in his ear.
Mawl, a little startled at the mention of his name, rather lost in his own thoughts and reflecting on his narrow escape. Feeling like he let his party down and mentally preparing himself and some beneficial spells that might help him finish the job the next time they have an opportunity.
"Horillo, I'm not sure what we would do without you...you've been critical to our mission. I'm happy to have you on our team." He looks around and "I'm happy to have you all on the team. We have a good group here and we are singularly focused on defeating this house of Thrune. Others have failed, but we shall not. Cassie, you are going to enjoy this team as much as you will add to it." He then introduces Cassie to the fairy dragon and talks with him a little.
Sorix will spend a good amount of time undisturbed in her room at the Aulorian residence scribing scrolls. She'll also do a bit of shopping.
"Yes Mawl you are right, we are only strong as a team, and that includes both magic, might and bravery. None so brave as Surexeria, with her pin point accuracy and skills. We all have time to have a drink of ale and decide what we do next. We still have to find the evil scythe wielding woman and free Kintargo from her influence, hitting at Thrune's heart." His face held in a mask of determination, but desperate to keep his humanity. As he lets out a deep breath, his muscles being released from the tension he feels, his mouth slowly moves and twitches into a smile. "Dogs!" he exclaims, "It is time I introduced you to Argred, a volatile and vicious dog turned protector and friend by Erastil's guidance and love. Yes, it's time you meet up with him again, you know, the big mutt we found in the Livery when first Mawl, Sorix and our lost friends began our journey to resistance."
Mawl turns the note over in his hand, looking for a signature or clue as to whom it was from. I wonder if this might have something to do with my sister, I hope not. I had hoped she had left town for her own safety. I am going to have to trust my faerie dragon friend with a note Mawl writes a note stating that he is heading to the inn, alone, room 13, as requested. He seals the note and gives it to the faerie dragon."hey buddy, I have to tend to some personal business. If I am not back in 24 hours, please give this to the rest of the party, so that they will know where I am. I will try and bring back something for you" With that, Mawl slides out and quickly heads over to the inn.
Mawls eyes go wide open..."Surex....er what's going on?" Then Mawl is immediately distracted by the food. "oh my gosh, this food looks fantastic." Mawl continues to look at the food as he moves over to the chair, sitting down unsteadily, then looking around expectantly. "I am relieved to see it was you. I was concerned that it might be about my sister. What's going on? "
hmm, what is going on? This looks like she made or bought dinner for me, I nearly got us all killed, that hardly deserves a reward. In fact she was the one that got the last shot in to cause that b@$%@ to run away.
She sighs and reaches over and cuts away one of the drumsticks and adds ”And just in that fight alone you damn near died. That alone warrants a bit of R-and-R. And I could use the distraction too,” she says as she holds the leg in front of his mouth for him to take a bite.
He leans up a little and takes a pretty healthy bite off the leg she is holding. He smiles a little while he is chewing. "wow, that is very tasty. I am so sorry about your family, but h%*l, your ship and crew also. Those b#%&*@#s need to be removed as a scourge to the world, not just Kintargo." I just hope we are strong enough to exterminate them."
Softly, "I am sorry about that battle with that b*^&$, sometimes I let my anger and emotions cause me to leave myself vulnerable to attack."
"This is very nice of you to invite me over. Let's enjoy the rest of our time together and re-focus on the mission afterwards." Mawl says with a little suggestion in his voice...
She heads off to take the longest bath of her life. Staying in well past when her skin has shriveled, she calls for hot water twice before finally relenting at the irksome look she receives from the poor girl who is constantly reheating her waters. "What?! I was dirty!" she finally responds before climbing out and realizing she has nothing to change into other than the ragged clothes she had been gifted by her friends.
Looking around anxiously, she asks "Would someone mind coming with me to pick up some new clothes? I, uhm, I'm too nervous to out on my own."
After the events at the Fantasmagorium the group retires to the Wasp Nest for some well deserved rest. In the morning they find that Surexeria isn't there and Rexus notes she went to rent a room nearby, needing some time to herself.
In the coming weeks things are reasonably quiet though there is still the occasional stop by at the Tooth & Nail above by the Dottari, checking in on rumors of dissidents in the area. Luckily none of their checks result in anything, but it is becoming more and more clear that it is likely only a matter of time until they locate your hidden base. Additionally, you've brought in more new recruits helping out with mundane jobs to keep the rebellion moving forward, however in so doing, you have found that while the Wasp Nest was originally more than enough for your little rebellion, as it has continued to grow the place is getting cramped and starting to smell from all the people in such close quarters. A new, larger hideout will have to be found if the rebellion is to safely expand further.
Your allies, for their part, remain committed to the rebellion. Rexus, though much more somber than when you first met him, remains resolved to see Thrune removed from Kintargo. Surexeria’s arrival seems to have kept him from going to a rather dark place after discovering the fate of his parents. Laria is busy most of the time with the day-to-day operations of the Coffeehouse, but always spares a few minutes every couple days to confer with you and offer suggestions for the rebellion’s activities. The Fushi Sisters also seem to have integrated well. While they undoubtedly go out from time to time on ‘supply’ runs, they have faithfully carried out any actions you’ve asked of them. Vendalfek… well, Vendalfek is Vendalfek. The faerie dragon continues to keep a small treasure hoard to himself in one corner of the Wasp Nest near the ceiling. He seems quite content and has perhaps even grown a bit more plump since leaving Clenchjaw’s tavern. Crowe and his crew have fully recovered from their ordeal at the Salt Works. Besides the activities you assign them, they also help maintain order in the Wasp Nest. Setrona, does her best to keep the dottari at bay while being happy to sit down for drinks with you whenever the tavern above is slow.
Hardly an hour has passed after you’ve finished planning your teams’ activities for the week, when a pale-faced Laria comes to find you and runs over to you.
Her disturbed look attracts the attention of almost all those in the Wasp Nest, but she takes it in stride. Her words are directed at you. “Thrune just issued another proclamation. It’s nailed all the way up and down the street. You need to see it for yourselves.”
Laria runs back toward the Wasp Nest’s entrance, expecting you to follow. Rexus and the other members of the rebellion move to follow as well.
As you near the Wasp Nest’s exit, Laria cautions those coming after you, “Not everyone at once, please. The last thing we need is for the Dottari and Rack to see a small mob coming out of the Tooth and Nail or nearby street.”
When you get up to the Tooth and Nail, you find it to be completely empty. Not even Sabin’s workers are inside. You can hear a variety of voices coming from outside.
Once outside, you find that nearly all of Kintargo appears to have emptied out onto the streets to read Thrune’s latest proclamation. Some look aghast as they read, others simply shake their heads, and a few even nod in approval.
More and more people continue to fill the streets and a cacophony of voices soon surround you. Still, a few voices stick out and you can hear snippets of what they are saying.
“Never particularly liked ‘em, but my second cousin said they rescued his nephew from pirates, so maybe they wasn’t so bad.”
“Thrune strikes again! The Torrent never hurt anyone. Sure, they were a little stuck up, but they seemed decent enough.”
“I heard the Torrent was banned by Barzillai after he found out that they were actually minions of Norgorber!”
“I met their lictor once. He seemed to be a harsh fellow.”
“Doesn’t Lictor Octavio have a niece or cousin or something? For her sake, I hope she’s heading for the hills!”
“They was operating as a thieves’ guild! When the Order took out the Gray Spiders all those years ago, they did more than end that guild; they became that guild!”
“The Order were good people! They rescued my daughter from kidnappers!”
Laria still looks pale as she says to you, “People can say what they want, but Lictor Sabinus was a good man. A tough one, to be sure, but a good one. Justice had nothing to do with Barzillai’s proclamation. I can't imagine how Setrona is taking all of this...”
You finally reach the nearest announcement of the proclamation which is nailed to a signpost.
It reads:
Proclamation the Ninth: By order of Lord-Mayor Barzillai Thrune, the Congress of Hellknights known as the Order of the Torrent is from this day forward stripped of its charter! All of its holdings and possessions are confiscated, its privileges and entitlements revoked, and its members declared outlaws! Steadfast citizens are commanded to turn over those members who have slipped the net of justice! Anyone caught harboring a Hellknight of the Torrent will face their own punishment, ranging from a fine of 500 gold up to excruciation via doghousing!
Mawl returns from his adventure and immediately checks in with Vandalfek, retrieving his note. "Turned out to be more of a good time than anything to be worried about. Thanks for being there. I have for another task for you. How about invisibly and most of all discretely look around town for another place for us to hide out. You know the requirements, but we need a little more room, I think. Keep in mind not all of us can just be invisible like you can."
"Hellknights, I thought they upheld the rule of Thrune, why would they be turned on!!" Horillo says shocked at the turn of events. He listens to the chatter amongst the crowd, which does little quell his growing confusion. He sniffs his hands as he rubs a yellowish tinge, trying to remove it, hoping his friends won't notice.
Surexeria seems unfazed by the new proclamation. She mutters ”Too many organizations make it hard to keep them all under your thumb. Who knows? Maybe one of them accidentally wore some finery...”