Somewhat mollified, Belledonna refrains from snapping back at him, instead she focuses her attention to the rest of you & to Irabeth. "What news? Is our camp secure?"
Victrix glances over at Belle. "Looks loike our camp's secure..." She then shrugs. "I'll admit I kinda want some idiot demons ta come an' try ta take us on in the night." She runs a hand along the head of her new greataxe. "It'll give me an excuse ta test out my newest weapon."
"Dinnae rush it, lass...we'll be gettin' oor chance soon enough, I'm sure." Barundar replies as he joins the others again.
Kalandin snores softly by the squad's campfire, although he twitches every so often apparently beset by dreams. Navi has fallen asleep on his shoulder and is making tiny almost musical snores.
The party receives some well deserved rest.
You hear singing. It comes from inside the Citadel. As you explore to find who sings this wonderful music you come across a being so beautiful it takes your breath away...but when you awaken you cannot remember what she looked like, only her voice remains.
Alright. Up and at it...we have a Citadel to storm General Irabeth's voice cracks the dawn's silence.
When he rises and joins the others, Barundar looks into the distance, staring at the fortress city of Drezen. His grip on Radiance tightens as he gazes upon it and he draws in a slow, deep breath. "We dae a bloody good wirk t'day, lads; greater than ony we've yit dane. Ah'm nae a dwarf o' pretty wurds, sae ah will bae simple: let's go'n hunt doon some demons." he says to his companions.
Victrix blinks and yawns as she awakens. She stretches and sits up in bed...
...and is surprised by the *clinking* of mail.
That's weird--I didn't wear my armour to bed...
She looks down at herself and her eyes widen. "Wha--?!" She leaps out of bed, clad in silvery chainmail that appears to have been tailored specifically for her.
She stands there, bewildered. "'Ow did I get this now?"
"Some fine-lookin' armor, lass. I didnae know ye found ony like tha' yesterday. Wearing it tae bed, though? I dinnae know that e'en I love it tha' much." he remarks with a grin on seeing Vic's new wardrobe.
Victrix gives Barundar a quizzical look. "I didn't wear this ta bed, Barundar. I didn't even find it in the trove yesterday..."
She blinks. "...was I sleepwalkin' and found this?"
Konny wakes up early and studies his spellbook while the army prepares for the battle.
"Yes Barundar, let's kick some demon butt!"
When he hears Victrix he stares at her armor wondering what has happened. "Dwarven axe wielder needs proper armor." he grins.
Kaladin wakes up shivering, "Burr! Its mickle cold this morn. Dinnae get a proper nights sleep, dreams o angles n giants."
Kaladin gets a mug of coffee going and soon the camp is alive with the unmistakable phut phut of the percolator.
When its brewed, he offers the pot around, "Ahh! Tha more lik it! Black n strong." He then asks, "Enny intel over today's foes? I guess we'll be fighting more o those fireball throwers?"
The party heads to the center of the encampment. The Crusaders seem...determined today. An air of finality winds about the camp.
Come in. We have been waiting for you.
Irabeth, Sosiel, Aron and of all people Nurah Dendiwhar, the traitorous halfling, are inside the tent.
Irabeth gestures to a map of Drezen We have done it. Drezen is ready to be retaken... Aron coughs and Irabeth says Ok ok. I'll temper my good spirits. We still have the Citadel to take, and that will be a tough nut to crack. But we have a secret weapon. Irabeth gestures to Nurah who stands there resolutely. We have an inside source. Someone who has been there and knows the layout of the inside!
Irabeth pulls out a new map and lays it over the one of Drezen She's done us a kindness and labeled it. Remember, we get the Sword of Valor and we can stop the demons from teleporting! We can deny them their biggest advantage!
Still mystified by her new armour ("But not ungrateful, don't get me wrong!"), Victrix attends the meeting decked out in her new gear.
She looks over the map Nurah provided, making sure to memorize its layout before turning to the lady again. "Thanks fer this, Nurah. Yeh've given us a great foightin' chance 'ere!" She grins.
Konny studies the map.
"Is there any other entrance except the main one? And do we have any idea where the Sword might be located now?"
Nurah speaks up, embolded by Victrix's praise Aside from the main entrance. You could gain access by climbing the ramparts or the Senechal's tower. I've marked where the Sword of Valor once was...it could have been moved..or it could still be there.
Nurah waits to see if anyone has any more questions.
Irabeth however, speaks up I'll lead the army in an attack on the citadel proper... this should encumber most of the defenders leaving you with few to stand in your way. I'll need Aron and Anevia as my scouts. Sosiel would also be welcome to assist us. Do you trust Nurah to go with you?
Kaladin asks, "Ma'am do ye have enny clues as to the manner o' fighting we can expect? Just thinkin' on what precautions ta take. Seems more than like we'll face fireballs 'n' arrows, an' daemons o'course. But ennything special?"
Well. Apavonicus did mention a powerful Shadow Demon that was going to the Citadel. However, I'm not certain that it ever made it...of course, there is always Staunton Vhane and his brother Joran the Smith. I remember a few Vrocks and Succubi as well as many lesser demons.
Navi listens to the conversation with interest, but the names mean nothing to her.
For the first time that the rest of you can recall, Belledonna awakens in good humor. Even Irabeth's description of the forces arrayed against them does little to dampen her mood. "Before, you stated this...
Sword of Valor, it would prevent the fiends from...
teleporting. How is it that it does not do so now?"
I think the magic only works if the Sword is affixed to the outside of the Keep. I...don't know how or why. Nurah says hesitantly
Irabeth confirms this but she also has no explanation.
The Inheritor herself carried this crimson
banner into battle during the Shining
Crusade. An army commander who carries
the Sword of Valor increases the DV and OM
of her army by 4 against armies of undead
or evil outsiders. Yet the Sword of Valor's
greatest power lies not in offense but
in defense. Mounted firmly upon an interior wall in a visible,
public place, the Sword of Valor creates a 10-mile-radius area
that bars demons and those who worship demons from using
teleportation spells and effects and imparts on such creatures
a -4 penalty to Armor Class and on all saving throws. Once per
month while the banner is mounted on a wall, a worshiper of
Iomedae within 30 feet of the banner can use it to summon a
planetar to protect the banner and its surroundings for 1 day.
Any nonevil creature that sleeps within a 1-mile radius becomes
immune to fear effects from demons and demon worshipers
for 24 hours.
Kaladin feeling slightly out of place in meetings of war and tactics, bows out saying, "I must commune with Holy Pulura and ask for protection from fire and arrows. I'll be ready to take the fight to them in an hour."
1. CLW, Protection From Evil, Remove Fear, Shield of Faith x2, Heightened Awareness
2. CMW, False Life, Bear's Endurance , Spear of Purity
3. CSW, Sleat Storm, Communal Resist Energy
4. CCW, Holy Smite
"I'll lead the army in an attack on the citadel proper... this should encumber most of the defenders leaving you with few to stand in your way. I'll need Aron and Anevia as my scouts. Sosiel would also be welcome to assist us. Do you trust Nurah to go with you?"
Victrix stands up from the table and nods. "Aye, I will. She's done enough fer me ta believe that she's earned it."
She gives Nurah a smile of encouragement.
Barundar casts a glance back at Nurah, eyes narrowed. "Hmm. Ye've proven yer loyalty with this intel, lass, so I'll give ye the benefit o' the doubt. Just watch yer step...them inside'll not be as forgivin' o' ye switchin' sides as the Crusaders've been."
With Kaladin ensconsed in prayer, Navi finds herself bored and worried. She heads back to the meeting and studies the map. To others, much of the time she appears as a floating puff of light. This morning she is in her natural form, a tiny slender woman, with gossamer wings, almond shaped eyes and aubern hair.
In a musical voice, she asks a series of questions, "There are two, no three rooms labelled as 'garrison'. Do we know how big the enemy force is? What's their morale like? Will they all fight to the last? And what's the best way to enter the keep? It seems the keep was designed to force the attacked to come in via the gatehouse under withering enemy fire but that section of wall north of the western garrison looks to be breached. They will be expecting us to come that way, right?"
Nurah pauses at the questions from the strange outsider I haven't been inside for years...nearly a dozen. I don't know how large the force is, but they won't retreat...not while their Leaders live, demons fear punishment and death just like we do.
Nurah says If I were attacking, I'd do so from above. I'd climb the Tower or the Rampart...or fly up to it. The army's attack would provide a significant distraction. I can make you invisible so you would have less of a chance of being caught.
Vrocks embody all the rage, hatred, and violence of the Abyss. They resist all except weapons Aligned to Good.
Succcubi are formed from the souls of particularly lustful and rapacious evil mortals. They delight in tempting and betraying. They can be harmed with Cold Iron
Shadow Demons,shadow demons are incorporeal. When a particularly envious and evil mortal soul is pulled into the Abyss, it is transformed, split apart, and combined with other souls until what emerges is little more than jealous malevolence without the impediment of a physical body. They can be harmed with Cold Iron, but magical weapons are required.
"If someone 'ere cuid render us all invisible, flying up is th' best option...i'm nae daein' ony climbing in all o' this armor."
Nodding at Nurah's suggestion, Belledonna adds, "If you can render us all invisible, I can grant us flight."
As the others discuss tactics, she corners Sosiel, peppering him with questions regarding the more puissent fiends likely to be encountered within.
"If someone 'ere cuid render us all invisible, flying up is th' best option... I'm nae daein' ony climbing in all o' this armor."
Victrix nods in agreement. "I could cloimb the walls meself, but I'd be the least stealthy person fer the job. Flyin' up sounds loike a great idea."
Victrix listens in as Belle bombards Sosiel with questions regarding their demonic foes.
Navi nods at the invisibility suggestion and asks, "Apart from the obvious murder holes and kill zones, are there any traps we need to be aware of?"
There were none that I remember...but that doesn't mean they haven't made some in the interim.
Sosiel answers Belledonna's insistent questions, he also reveals other bits of information about the various demons.
Spores (Ex)
A vrock can release a cloud of spores from its body once every 3 rounds as a free action. Adjacent creatures take 1d8 points of damage from the spores, plus 1d4 points of damage per round for 10 rounds as the spores grow into thick green vines. Although ugly, the vines are harmless and wither away in 1d4 days if not shaved off before then. The spores can be destroyed by casting bless on the affected creatures or by sprinkling them with holy water. This attack can also be halted by effects that remove or provide immunity to disease.
The Shadow Demon that Nurah named as Eustoriax has a history of possession. Yaniel herself named him an as enemy in her first travel into the Worldwound.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th)
At will—deeper darkness, fear (DC 18), greater teleport (self only) telekinesis (DC 19)
3/day—shadow conjuration (DC 18), shadow evocation (DC 19)
1/day—magic jar (DC 19), summon (level 3, 1 shadow demon 50%)
Nurah named a particular Succubi, Kiranda. Who she said enjoys corrupting Crusaders.
At will—charm monster (DC 22), detect thoughts (DC 20), ethereal jaunt (self plus 50 lbs. of objects only), suggestion (DC 21), greater teleport (self plus 50 lbs. of objects only), vampiric touch
1/day—dominate person (DC 23), summon (level 3, 1 babau 50%)
An hour later, Kaladin comes back to the meeting feeling invigorated. He enquires about the plan and when the others tell him they intend to fly to the top invisible, he replies "Flyin eh? I know a charm, tho I dinnae prepare it. Nae problem, I'm sure Pulura will provide..."
Victrix rests her axe across her shoulders. "Well, it sounds loike we've got everythin' ready ta go."
Ok. Nurah makes the five of you (minus Barundar) including Brud invsible, Navi can turn herself invisible.
Belledonna casts Fly 5 times, Navi can fly herself, Brud can fly himself.
Where are you guys heading? The three options are the Senechal's Tower (f24), or the Southern Ramparts (f9B) or the Northeast Ramparts (F14B)
Kaladin nods at Vic, "Aye, I'm getting restless ta tell tha truth..." With an after thought he adds, "If ye canne give me notice of impening arrow storms, I have a charm to frustrate em. Tis nae good once combat's joined though..."
Later outside as they depart, and where none of the army can hear him, Kaladin says, "Luck be with ye all! Oh and if I canne see ya, I canne heal ya proper, makes meh right testy tha. Had several good friends die when I coulda saved them. Such a pity."
Air Barrier: 1 hour
False Life: 8 hours -
Heightened Awareness: 80 mins
Mythic Point: Cast Fly - 10 mins
Navi suggests, "Maybe we should start at the very top from the Senechal's Tower and work our way down? Be good knowing we don't have enemies at our backs."
Victrix, not entirely sure where Navi is, merely nods. It's a rather silly gesture, considering she's invisible.
"Roight--start from the top and work our way down."
The party makes it to the top of the Senechal's tower unseen. They see the attack on the gatehouse led by Irabeth and a second attack led by Sosiel and Aron on the Eastern Rampart to distract the defenders.
The tower's open rooftop seems to have once featured a gold and-
ivory inlay of a conjuration circle, but only the faintest
remnants of the magic circle are visible today.
Once at the top of the tower, Barundar releases a sigh of deep relief. He knew flying was second only to teleportation for overland travel speed, but still...not having his feet on the ground made him feel like a fish out of water.
Kneeling, he lightly traces his fingers along the ancient remnants of the gold circle on the ground, wondering what it would've looked like in its heyday.
Standing once more after the moment passes, he looks to the others, then to Konny. "Well, lad, you're the sneak among us..."
Kaladin eyes the circle not knowing what it is, and tells the party in a harsh whisper, "Afore we get inta combat, I have some blessings ta cast on ye. Only last a few minutes though, don wanna waste em. Should send a scout."
Gazing intently at the remains of the circle, Belledonna shakes her head in annoyance after a moment before nodding agreement with the others.
Victrix looks at the circle, but just shrugs and readies her axe once more.
"Konny, we need ya ta scout roight now..."
While the others are talking nobody except Kaladin notices as Navi slips away. He giver her a look as if to say "Careful now lass..."
She flies a short distance ahead and keeping well up in the air, she searches for a suitable entrance. If there's an unbarred entrance for one of her small stature, she'll have a peek inside before returning. If engaged she'll use total defense / withdraw.
Navi heads down into F23
An open-air terrace looks out from the northwest side of the
citadel, its interior shattered and broken. A pile of treasure lies
gathered in the southeast corner, while a narrow band of stairs
is half-seen just above the nearby rubble choking its entrance.
Navi does not see anything untoward in this area...however the stench of animal is almost overwhelming. Something lairs here...
Navi notices several white scales among the rubble. Navi also spots a pile of treasure heaped together in one corner. Coins and other valuables are piled up.
Navi doesn't touch any of the loot but tries to have a good look at it without getting too close.
Before departing (to report her findings), she looks to see if there are any magical or evil auras in the area. If she spots any magical auras she trys to understand what they are.
On the way back she tries to puzzle out what type of creature may be lairing there.