GM Kiora's Wrath of the Righteous

Game Master Kiora Atua

Are there any windows at this level? Or access to the roof of the garrison?

No windows, no roof access.

Commander Irabeth nods at Hinagiku. "Right. Well, shall we be off?"

Ary grimaces slightly, looking to Markus as she realizes that they can't keep delaying... but she tries anyway. "Maybe we should route the cultists while we have the chance? Surely they know that they've lost by now. Clearing the fortress should be easier... and besides, I've got a feeling there's a goat-thing downstairs that Markus would like to visit."

"No, no, no. He have to stay indoors until nightfall." Markus says, a little feverish. His forehead begins to sweat. "Annabelle can't go outdoors."

Commander Irabeth stares at Ary levelly. "Ary, there are men fighting and dying outside, to protect our flank, as we speak. We don't have time to get side-tracked."

Annabelle stares at Markus strangely. "What? What are you talking about?"

Commander Irabeth shares Annabelle's concern. She gives Markus a long, searching look. "How did you revive Annabelle? I tried... but I could not succeed."

Irabeth K. Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

"Very well, lets be off then," she says flatly. She wasn't sure what to do about the situation with Jeslyn at this point, so she decided to leave it be unless Ary pushed it further.

"But if we're going to be fighting our way through more foes, we should prepare." Not wasting any time, she immediately begins casting a spell, recognizable to the group by now as heroism. As she does she draws into the pool of energy within her and focuses it to begin tracing a rune into the air before her. "वीरता," floats before her, and she allows it to mingle with the spell, this time imbuing its power into Ary. Mythic Heroism on Ary. Duration 1 hour. Ary feels her inner self emboldened even beyond what the wardstone had done for her as the spell's power flows into her.

Isilme looks sadly at Markus as he begins to have to explain Annabelle's situation. She wondered how the woman would take it, especially given that her mood was considerably darker after the exchange regarding Jeslyn.

Hinagiku hands jerked as she touched Annabelle's shoulder. Fighting her emotions she tries to keep her expression neutral, but the shock is to great, she had never expected what she just felt. To the others, it seems as though Hinagiku's face is contorting into a grimace before she regains control of her emotions. That is until Markus speaks. That's when she realizes that it is his fault. Her eyes shoot lightning at the necromancer.

"What is it that you did?"

"Um. It wasn't precisely revivification. I thought the power of the wardstone would give me the power to raise dead - members of my discipline are capable of it." He sighs and places a hand on the back of his head. "My corrupted and cursed bloodline got in the way of the spell, and I animated Annabelle's body by mistake as an undead."

Ary swallows. "I'm sorry," she says, moving her eyes away from Markus and back to Annabelle, "And I'm sorry to you, as well. We won't be getting to ride together at sunset. I..." she exhales heavily. "I cannot save people. I can't bring them back... I can only do my best to protect them. Markus... can. He brought you back, but there was a cost. You're like him, now. But more... I think."

Irabeth's grip on her sword tightens involuntarily. "What?" she says faintly, head reeling. Revivification? What does that mean?

Annabelle's eyes widen.

"....I was dead?" she says, shocked. She stares at Markus, her gaze is intense. "And you saved me?" Her eyes tear up.

Ehren closes his eyes. Things were already going south, and now he had to be the bearer of more bad news. Perhaps there was some way of putting it out there lightly.

"The wardstone field is gone," he reports frankly, standing from where he was kneeling. He looks to everyone in the room one by one, his expression grim. "You all know what that means, do you not?"

"Kul." Ary said, thinking slowly at first, but her engines revving. "It means that we succeeded. It means that this place is no longer a target for the Demons." she says after a moment. "But every other wardstone may well be in danger now, right? What's to stop them from doing somewhere else what they wanted to do to Kenabres?"

Her eyes moved to Markus, "Count the living, not the dead, yeah?"

"Remember the vision, Ary. This wardstone was mentioned as being special," Isilme points out. "Our task now is to get back to defender's heart and try to get warnings out that the demons are no longer held back."

Val pales slightly at Ehren's declaration. "Gone. As in gone gone. Kul! I thought the point of this was to save the wardstone field. If it's down, the Worldwound demons could march straight into Mendev."

"Um, yes." responds Markus to Annabelle. "I tried. I'm...sorry about the result."

When the rest of the group starts to talk about what to do next, he responds, "You guys weren't listening to me." says Markus, exasperation crossing his face. "We can't go outside without Annabelle dying. The sun..."

"I.... what? Why are you sorry?" Annabelle stares down at her hands. "You wanted to bring me back to life, so I'm alive, right? I'm here. I'm me!" She frowns. "If that doesn't count as being alive then I guess I don't know what being alive means."

She tilts her head. "Why can't I go outside?"

Expeditious Retreat wears off of Isilme.

Irabeth stares at Ehren. "...I see. Isilme is correct, then." She turns to Markus, waiting for his response to Annabelle.

"Hence my alternative suggestion.." Ary says, frowning. "It wasn't just me continuing to beat the same drums." she says with a tiny shrug.

In response to Annabelle, she adds, "She did kinda want to come back as a zombie if it meant wrecking more demons. So I guess this is kinda an upgrade."

"To never see the sun again would be a truly cruel fate," she thinks to herself as she ponders what she would do in Annabelle's situation. She thinks back about all the time she'd spent wandering the world under the sun, and before that. As she does she feels her memories slipping away into a haze, like they'd been a dream. The blessing of the wardstone gone, she was, although more than she was before, still not quite whole.

Isilme watches silently, wondering if Markus is going to answer the question directly. She had gathered that Hinagiku had seen the truth of her situation when she touched Annabelle, given that her normally placid face had twisted into a grimace for a moment. "I can't help but feel my initial reading of this was right. This is the second act of a tragedy, and only now is their loss being revealed to those present."

Markus hesitates for a few moments with his mouth open, unsure of exactly what to say. "Uh. Because you're a vampire."

"They die in the sunlight. Pretty instantly."

Annabelle is stunned into silence, as she contemplates exactly what that means.

Irabeth frowns. She gives Markus a searching look. "And you say this is an accident?" She looks up at the other heroes. "Did the rest of you see this happen? Was it an accident?"

Ehren goes quiet again in anticipation of Markus' response. Somehow glad that the news diffused the argument somewhat, he finally turns to regard the battered and broken Jeslyn, right there beside the wardstone cage. Her death, he hoped, was instantaneous. He walks over to her body and kneels down again, looking it over for anything useful that might have survived the explosion. And then, after a moment of hesitation, he pulls out his dagger and cuts off a long lock of her pink hair. Redemption is a very special thing. It is not for everyone, he thinks, holding it close to his face. Knotting its ends, he then places it into a pocket. If fate permitted, perhaps they would go through with Ary's plan. If not, then it was a reminder of what could have been.

When he hears Markus' answer, Ehren cringes somewhat. To call the issue problematic would be an understatement. He is quick to speak in the necromancer's defense however when Irabeth looks to him.

"The power we gained from the ley... it was the power of the entire wardstone field. Our bodies could barely contain it at first, let alone manipulate it. It's possible that the ley might have interfered with his spellcasting. It... wouldn't be the first time something of the sort has happened."

"I'm pretty sure it was an accident." Val pauses and thinks back for a moment. She had been a bit focused on other things at the moment and she has to consider the moment again. "He was trying some healing magic to try and bring her back, then... something happened. I was a little focused on stabbing demons at the time. Then I saw her getting up with blood on her mouth and Markus looked really confused."

She looks at Annabelle and smiles. "Look at it this way. You're stronger, faster, have better senses, and are going to live a really long time if no one kills you. You just get really bad sunburn."

"I don't know." Ary says, honestly. "I know he dripped blood into her mouth, but I wasn't looking at him when it happened, I only put the two together. It looked as though he'd cut into his hand by gripping too tightly." Ary said, "I was busy with Jeslyn... then I was focused on the demons. Either way, I trust him."

Ehren finds the following on Jeslyn's body:

• Mundane scythe
  
• 3 scrolls
  DC 23 Spellcraft or Read Magic:

  Dispel Magic
  
  
• Onyx gems
  Markus:

  350 gp worth
  
  
• 32 gp
  

"I only saw her rise, the demons we fought took most of our focus. It was clear at that moment she was a vampire, although it appears her personality was unaffected by the transformation. Judge him with your own eyes, Irabeth. If he had created a vampire intentionally and lied about it, do you believe he would be able to hide his nature from you?" she asks the paladin.

"I for one believe him," she adds.

Moving over to Annabelle, she places a hand on her arm gently and leans in to whisper. "I cannot say whether what you have been given is a curse, that is for you to decide, but however you feel about what has happened, I want you to know that I have been where you are twice before. You have my sympathy, Annabelle, and my ear should you ever wish it."

"It was an accident, but... I had to try something." Markus sighs. "Scan me if you like, Commander, but we need to decide on something to do soon."

Irabeth frowns at Markus. "A single transgression would not be enough to alert a scan. Souls are not so mutable." She closes her eyes and thinks for a moment. The situation was fishy. But Annabelle was not evil. And neither was Markus. Though she didn't need to scan to confirm the latter.

After a long pause, the paladin says, "I will have faith in my fellows. I trust you." She paces back and forth for a moment, thinking on what to do. "Without seeing the situation outside, we have no way of knowing how long it will be until sunset, or whether or not it is even possible for our forces to hold off the demons for any longer."

Annabelle looks up at Isilme. She smiles warmly at the aasimar. "Mmmm. I'm okay," she says, sounding distant. It hasn't really seemed to sink in, quite yet. She props her glaive against the wall and suddenly lunges forward to hug Markus. Her body is cold.

"It's okay! Please don't blame yourself." She pauses for a moment, looking at Irabeth seriously. "Commander, if you have to leave me behind, it's okay. I understand."

"Then let's take the castle, batten down the hatches and signal for our allies to retreat." says Markus, stroking his chin. "We can keep the gates shut and our allies can get a little bit of respite before nightfall comes and we slip away."

When Annabelle hugs him, his flesh is come as well. He stands stiffly for a moment before he hugs himself back. "Well, if we have to leave you behind...that's a whole lot of nothing I did. We'll try to get out and then you can thank me."

"Are there any other ways out of the building?" Ary asks, looking to Irabeth. "A base with only one entrance is a deathtrap."

Red Ranger go bed.

"I approve of Markus's plan. I want to do what we can to get the cultists cleared out of this place. This place is still a fortress and even without the wardstone to corrupt, the cultists and the demons can use it to help hold the city. If we can drive them out, then we can break their biggest stronghold in Kenabres."

Isilme smiles back at Annabelle, thinking to herself "If that's true, you'll have handled it better than I did."

Turning to Irabeth she says "We cannot exit without clearing the barricade below, correct? We should scout it out. If the cultists are trying to break in still, we'll be in for a fight either way."

Reiterating Ary's point, she adds "Unless, as Ary points out, you know another way out of the building."

Irabeth nods. "Scouting. Hinagiku suggested that earlier. That sounds like a good start. Valaria?" She looks to Isilme. "It is true that we will likely need to fight our way out regardless."

Annabelle sticks her tongue out at Markus, letting go of him. "I'll thank you whenever I want to! You're not the boss of me, necromancer!" She grins, though it is tight-lipped.

Ehren walks back toward the group, Jeslyn's belongings (sans her scythe) bundled in his arms. He looks around at the chamber's walls and ceiling as he does so, searching for possible escape routes. They were numerous, but not necessarily feasible.

"I... think I could get to the outside easily enough. Perhaps even give us an opening that leads directly out of the garrison," he remarks as he thinks it over. "But if we're going to clear the cultists out... perhaps it is for the best that we take the long way down."

'Oh, sure. Noooow they wanna clear out the place, now that it's their idea and not mine. 'Scouting sounds good.'' Ary carefully rolls her eyes when no one is looking, with a small grin.

"Just be careful." Ary says as she twists her ring once more. "I will shine in her legion." as the wear and tear of the battles slips away, she looks to Ehren, and nods. She chews on her lip for a moment. "So... am I just gonna carry Jeslyn or something?" she asks the others, not-quite-aware of the fact that Ehren has already handled that.

Isilme starts down the steps, but lingers for a moment waiting for Valaria.

She was fairly certain that they'd not broken through yet, as they probably would've heard the racket, but it was certainly better to know how close they were. Even if Ehren managed to provide them an exit, getting caught with half the group down could be disastrous.

Once Valaria gets moving, she heads down the stairs as quietly as she can, listening intently for signs of the cultists' activity.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Isilme creeps quietly down the stairs and into the "organ donor lounge". The room is still a ghastly sight, littered with corpses and the befouled scrying pool, but the barricade against the door is still intact. There are no noises of anything struggling to get inside.

Val jumps to lead the way down with Isilme, moving quietly and keeping her eyes peeled for more of the cultists.

Stealth (Heroism): 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 4 = 24
Perception (Heroism): 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 4 = 33

She stops at the bottom of the stairs and looks around carefully for a moment. "All clear down here for the moment," she calls back to the group. "Maybe the wardstone explosion scared them off or something."

Isilme heads back up after verifying that the cultists aren't attempting to make it through the barricade. "Ehren, you said you might be able to get outside, correct? How would you do so? Would you be able to see where the cultists have gotten to if I provided you with invisibility?" she asks as she rounds the top of the stairs.

After regaining her composure and accepting that Markus is sorry, and thus likely made a mistake, Hinagiku seem much calmer. Although still not really jovial, at least the lightning in her eyes are gone.

After Annabelle makes it clear that she is fine and does not need support, Hinagiku takes a few steps away from the group, and stares at them, trying to figure out how she could make herself useful. Before she finds anything, her thoughts are interrupted when Isilme and Valaria make their way back.

"Strange. I thought the barricade would be down after ... the oni Vorlesh came. Come to think of it... why didn't she take any of the cultist with her to confront us?"

"Maybe she used a spell." Ary offered, with a shrug. "I assume I'll be on the flank rather than behind, until we get to the downstairs hall, yeah? That way I can get to the rear more quickly, once there actually is one."

"The walls here are all made of stone," Ehren explains while fumbling with the things in his arms. "In the right form I could pass right through them. Being invisible would certainly make it more... subtle."

Looking to Hinagiku, he nods in agreement with Ary's suggestion. "She might have very well appeared directly in this chamber. And those demons she summoned... they were far more formidable than any cultist we've fought up till now. It seemed there was worse to come, if the portal had not been forced shut."

Isilme nods in agreement with Markus. The demons that had been following the Babaus would have been serious trouble, even in their condition.

"I doubt she would deign to interact with mere cultists. They are no doubt expendable to her. It's as likely that she killed all of the cultists when she realized Jeslyn was dead as it is that she ignored them and teleported here, in fact." There was no doubt in her mind that if they'd fallen to Areelu, she'd have killed everyone around for failing her. Demons weren't exactly known for mercy, and one as powerful as her likely had a temper to match.

"I believe we should have Ehren scout around through the walls then, if he can do so. Knowing where they are and what they're up to would give us a huge advantage. And with a properly timed summons, could provide the distraction we need to take them by surprise."

If no objections, will cast invisibility on Ehren, 6 min duration.

"Perhaps we'll have some good fortune for a change and some of the cultists will have fled the fortress. Or perhaps the crusaders have mounted an assault somewhere and they're busy trying to fight them back. We're about due for some good luck."

She nods at Isilme's plan. "Sounds reasonable, but be careful. We don't need you getting ambushed."

"Very well, then," Ehren says in agreement with the plan. He pockets the gold, hands the onyxes over to Markus, and offers Isilme the scrolls. He then turns to Ary, pulling the lock of hair out from his pocket and holding it out to her. He gives her a look as though to say "We'll see what happens" before taking a step back. It occurs to him that he had never actually done this before. Closing his eyes, he breathes in deeply.

In his mind he visualized the element of earth. The numerous small pebbles in his pocket. The sliver of wardstone he had taken from the ground. The stone walls and floor of the Grey Garrison. He had to become as they were. Solid. Strong. Just like that, he could feel his body changing, no longer made of flesh and bone, but of solid earth. When Ehren opens his eyes again, they are glittering gemstones, like small emeralds nestled into his sockets. Oh, and he was now about half his height.

That didn't go quite as planned... Ehren thinks with dismay, though it did not quite translate well on his statuesque features. Well, at least it'll be easier to sneak around.

"I'm, uh, ready," he says, his voice coming out deep and gravelly.

Isilme can't help but chuckle at the druid's transformation, the disruption of his newly acquired stony demeanor giving away his desire to appear slightly more mountainous and less mole-hill-ish. "Thinking you're off to a rocky start?" Isilme offers, a grin cracking across her face. "Don't worry, Ehren. Give it a bit and I'm sure you'll feel boulder! Anyway, too slate to change your mind now, off you go!" She gives Ehren a wink as she taps him on the head, causing him to vanish from sight.

Markus: Save vs. Puns or Groan :p

Save vs. Puns: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Markus groans. "Isilme, I know your chaotic nature may prohibit this or something, and there are times that I appreciate it, but can you be serious for five minutes? The tension is palpable here."

"As for Vorlesh....she was never here. I saw, in her form, the coils of dweomercraft. It was merely an illusion, a projected image of her. Then it was a gate." Markus thinks for a moment. "She couldn't get here for another day for some reason. She must be capable of teleportation, so it must be because she's still working on the Nahyndrian Crystals."

Hinagiku, was impressed. Ehren's transformation was extraordinary. She never imagined it would have been possible. Coming out of her temporary stupor, she hears Isilme's puns, but does not groan; not used to Taldan enough to understands them, she simply writes it off as some strange custom or some such. In an even and calm voice she answers to Markus.

"We must be careful then. The cultists must have a reason for being silent. Let us hope that they have fled or that crusaders have joined us."

"So... in small words... that wasn't her. That was just sort of her giving us a parting gift... and she probably still will have her wings when we see her again?" Ary asked, listening to the others as she watched the elemental... and then didn't. "Just... let us know when you're going, and when you're coming back." she says after a moment's delay, as she realizes she'd have no way of knowing. She carefully places the lock on hair in her belt pouch... though she isn't really certain of why he handed it to her. Did he have some sort of fetish he planned to make?

Speaking of... when we do reincarnate her, it would be wise to collect some portion of her body (a snippet of fur or the like) so we can use divination to track her should she choose evil over good :p Leading us to her boss would be amazing. But not something Ary would think of.

"So... okay. While you were trying to... errr... wake Annabelle up... the Wardstone was showing us stuff. Your fight with Vhane... and the wardstone's involvement. Pieces of our pasts. And yours. It also showed us Jeslyn... and I think it's the reason she turned evil. Do you know about her past..?" she asked Irabeth, not yet broaching the topic at hand, but still seeking to give a brief summary for debriefing while Ehren was gone. 'Strange that we didn't see anything of Annabelle.'

That bit having been explained, Markus heads over to Deradnu's body. "I'm warning you all now - I'm raising Deradnu to help us fight the cultists if Ehren comes back with news that we need to fight our way out."

Nevermind, I can't actually do that.

"Oooh. That'll come in handy if we send him into rooms first. They're not gonna know he's dead unless they..." she looks over the body. "Hm. Any ideas on how to make him look less obviously dead?" she said as her eyes lingered on the very vicious wound Irabeth had delivered to him.