Sarkast turns invisible, and opens the door.
Two long cabinets line the north and east walls of this room, while pegs on the walls are adorned with cloaks and robes.
Considering the ominous silence coming from the room, the interior appears to be a bit of an anticlimax.
Still invisible, Sarkast whispers to the others, "Let me step in and look around ... be ready if you see or hear anything."
Moving so silently he barely disturbs the air, Sarkast looks over the room - his keen eyes spot a secret door, which is locked, but not trapped. There are no dangers in the room, and the rest of the group can enter. Checking over the keys you've found, one fits the door.
Ayesha held her blade ready, spell on her lips as she waited for Sarkast to open the door.
Sarkast scans the room, then as he becomes visible he motions everyone over to the secret door. He listens carefully, then when everyone is ready, opens it.
As the door swings open, a strange, discordant drone fills your ears.
The inside of this dark room is lined entirely with lead, inscribed with tiny Abyssal runes that sweat and reabsorb cold black water.
Standing ominously is in the room is a looming, horned skeletal figure clutching a wicked staff. A seething glow burns in its eyes sockets. It raises a bony finger to point directly at Sarkast, despite his invisibility.
"YOU. DIE."
This is a daemon, specifically a thanadaemon, neither of chaos nor law. Thanadaemons are the boatmen of the River Styx in Abaddon. They are a representation of death through old age, and are known to transport travelers on the Styx - for a price. They have much the same resistances as demons, and drain the souls of the living through their weapons and touch.
Ayesha
Nilus
Sarkast
Arueshalae
--
Thanadaemon
--
Dejik
Sarkast is taken aback by the creature's eyes, and he looks back to the others. "What is this demon? I have not seen such before."
Nilus surveys the tight quarters and draws Rose's Kiss, his longsword.
He darts into the room and slashes at the Daemon.
Status:
AC vs Daemon 28
HP 163
As Nilus rushes in, the strange droning sound begins to affect his mind. Snatches of his past start to become hazy. In the heat of the fight, it's hard to tell exactly what is going on.
However, he resists any negative effects from the room. Ayesha quickly explains the thanadaemon to the group, and pops off a haste spell.
Specific knowledge about abilities and defenses available at a DC 32 roll.
Sarkast follows Nilus into the room as Ayesha tells him what she knows. When he hears the sound, he covers his ears and mutters a prayer to Desna to protect him.
Recognizing the confused look on her comrades' faces, Dejik quickly chants a spell.
The image of Nilus's pale, gaunt face loomed in her mind, and she remembered the horror of watching her friend's life drain away. Never again, she whispered. Mother, protect Shelyn's servant, even as he protects those who serve you.
Dejik spends a Mythic Point to cast Mythic Prayer.
Thanadaemons primarily work through energy drain, which they can channel through their weapons. They have notoriously high spell resistance, and the typical immunities of demons - acid, death effects, disease, poison, and resistance to cold, electricity, and fire. They are resistant to weapons which are not good-aligned.
Nilus rushes in, and scores a vicious hit on the flat-footed daemon. Sarkast moves into the room, and the droning begins to affect him and he starts to lose fragments of his memory.
The thanadaemons swipes its staff at Nilus three times, focusing on the paladin. One strike hits, and although Nilus feels a strange drain upon his person, Dejik's magic blocks it!
Ayesha
Nilus (death ward)
Sarkast (-1 lvl)
Arueshalae
--
Thanadaemon
--
Dejik
Sarkast feels his own life energy wane, and takes a moment to focus the power of his ancestors. As he does, one of the medals on his chest begins to glow faintly as well. He then strikes at the demon.
Is that a negative level every round you fail? And you keep making new saves regardless of whether you saved or failed the prior round?
Nilus calls out Stay out of the room! Lady Dejik has made me immune to this beast's power. and he slashes mercilessly at the Daemon
Status:
AC vs Daemon 28
HP 163
DR5/Mythic
From her position in the outer chamber, Ayesha wavers. She knows that she is less effective at range, but Nilus clearly told her to stay out. Steeling herself, she cast a draining spell at the thanadaemon, trying to reduce both its defenses and attack capability.
Sarkast lunges at the thanadaemon again and again, but is unable to penetrate its defenses as it moves its quarterstaff in with shocking precision to block his attacks. Nilus fares better, scoring one vicious hit on the daemon.
In the back, Ayesha readies, and fires off a thin yellow ray at the thanadaemon. It sags, but manages to fight through the worst of the ray and keep on fighting!
Haste active
Ayesha
Nilus (death ward)
Sarkast (-1 lvl)
Arueshalae
--
Thanadaemon (-31) (fatigued)
--
Dejik
Status:
AC vs Daemon 29
HP 163
DR5/Mythic
Hasted
Realizing that Nilus is immune to the level draining energy, the thanadaemon instead focuses entirely on Sarkast. The nimble rogue proves an impossible target, even with his invisibility seen through. He parries and avoids the attacks.
Arueshalae then rushes into the room, wincing as she tries to resist the draining of the room. She fires an arrow right into the thanadaemon's face, damaging it badly.
Haste active
Ayesha
Nilus (death ward)
Sarkast (-1 lvl)
Arueshalae
--
Thanadaemon (-64) (fatigued)
--
Dejik
Realizing that her spell is protecting Nilus, Dejik stretches her magic out to protect Sarkast, too. Then she quickly channels the power of life to counter the death demon.
Nilus unloads on the Daemon
That's some poor d20 rolling right there.
Dejik reaches out to protect Sarkast, allowing him to remain in the room for a while long before blasting the thanadaemon with her channeling magic. Arueshalae loads up two arrows in her bow before letting them fly with deadly accuracy. They slam solidly into the boatman's empty eye sockets, and before it can even react, Nilus sweeps his sword in a wide arc, and its head flies off.
End of Combat
The strangely weeping, droning walls of the room continue their strange magic as the skeletal body disintegrates. With the boatman of the river styx and the incredible, powerfully draining magic of the room, it is clearly the most heavily guarded place in the sanctum. However, there doesn't appear to be anything in it. Just empty stone shelves.
"Thank you, cousin ... I wasn't sure how long I could hold out against this infernal noise."
Protected by Dejik's magic, Sarkast carefully inspects the room, looking for any evidence about what makes it worth protecting so strongly.
As Sarkast drinks the elixir of vision, his eyes sharpen considerably. Although he cannot see anything on the shelves, she can see disturbances and changes in the dust that show the presence of many invisible items. Upon retrieving them from the shelf, they become visible. This room is so heavily protected because it is a vault. Arueshalae's jaw drops as Sarkast produces the incredible treasures herein.
Four chests are found brimming with gold. As well, there are a significant amount of precious objects of art. Holy symbols, jewelery, fine paintings, clothing, statuettes, dinnerware - it goes on. Although the styles vary wildly, at least some of these are likely spoils from Drezen considering the very nice painting of Queen Galfrey here. All in all there are over 60 pounds of valuables, not counting the chests of gold.
Several magical items are found here, easily identified by Ayesha as Sarkast pulls them off of the shelves and out of the horrible room.
- +3 greataxe
- a shimmering, incandescent sword of the planes
- a rod of empower metamagic
- a staff of healing (6 charges)
- a beautiful gold-and-red carpet of flying (5' by 5')
- a small metal cube, identified as an instant fortress
The northern shelf contains two objects, one of which is large, bulky, and surprisingly light. Sarkast pulls off an entire suit of mithral full plate armour, emblazoned with a holy symbol of Iomedae.
Something odd happens as Sarkast pulls off the plate armour - Nilus' glaive Radiance begins to glow wildly in his hands. As he approaches the plate armour, the long sword begins to bend and change, its hilt turning into that of a bird, and the blade a beautiful multicolored tail.
Finally, Sarkast retrieves a mithral chain shirt, as her pours the near-liquid metal in his hands, he spots a circular symbol, difficult to spot unless the angle is just right. The symbol of the Riftwardens.
Ayesha identifies the armour as +2 mithral chain of spell storing.
Mother, mother! That armour, it feels important. There is a warmth here, something special. Xanthir Vang murdered your parents, he would have their things... I think this my grandmother's.
"There is something...something odd about that armor. It feels...similar to Darb N'ssiar in some way. Like they are connected somehow. Like I am connected..." She trailed off as Sarkast pointed to the Riftwarden symbol on the armor.
"...my mother. She whispered.
The rest of the magical items were easily identified, but Ayesha only had eyes for the chain shirt, taking it from Sarkast gently and holding it in her arms as if it were a baby, or something else equally as precious.
Dejik stares at the plate mail, watching in awe as the emblem of Iomedae transformed itself into Shelyn's symbol. Nilus, my mother chose to gift this armor to you. I can't think of a clearer sign that your goddess and mine fight beside each other in this war.
I agree Mistress Dejik. The Inheritor and the Rose have much cause to join.
As Nilus takes the armour, Radiance bursts into light as it is rejoined with its armour. As Radiance once belonged to the famous heroine Yaniel, so too did this armour.
---
Arueshalae hangs back near Sarkast, watching with tears in her eyes as Ayesha recovers something of her mother's and Nilus is quite literally given a gift from the Gods.
"I've never seen anything like this. There's just... such love."
She looks to him. "You have given me such kindness, and fought with me. All emotions to a succubus are tools. Rage, lust, envy, greed - these are means to an end. With you, I see something different. Will you show me? Show me more?"
The Armor of Yaniel. This would do much to bolster the spirits of those in Drezen.
"I've never seen anything like this. There's just... such love."
She looks to him. "You have given me such kindness, and fought with me. All emotions to a succubus are tools. Rage, lust, envy, greed - these are means to an end. With you, I see something different. Will you show me? Show me more?"
Sarkast sees the earnestness in Arushelae's eyes. He takes her hand and quietly says, "You have already proven that you are much more than you ever believed. There is love in you. I know it."
Arueshalae just seems confused by Sarkast's response, but smiles anyways and falls silent.
You gather what equipment you can, and with your mission completed and the Ivory Sanctum cleared out, you make your way back to Drezen. Arueshalae spends much of the time flying and scouting ahead, but then returning to attempt to make awkward small talk with Sarkast. Although a succubus of unearthly beauty who has corrupted countless mortals, she has been clearly placed out of her comfort zone.
================
================
Althouhg the celebration upon your return is spectacular, the ramifications of the fall of the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth is spectacular. With the deaths of their leaders and the information secured by the four of you, dozens of agents are discovered seeded throughout the crusade across all of Mendev.
Aravashnial is happy to lend his efforts to translating Xanthir Vang's journal, although deciphering the Abyssal code is a long-term project which he promises to report back on.
The Abyssal forces have been dealt a triumphant blow, and the Fourth Crusade, once plagued by in-fighting, serious losses, and incredible corruption is now the noblest of them all. You have earned a rest, but only for a while. Word has come that Aravashnial's translations have borne very interesting fruit, and Queen Galfrey herself is travelling to Drezen to speak with you.
Nilus heads over to visit his friend Sosiel.
Nilus is interested in having a small Temple to the Blessed Rose built in Drezen and he hopes that Sosiel would assist him in this endeavor. In Nilus' mind this Chapel wouldn't be an ostentatious display, just a small place to hold services and care for the ill. Eventually Nilus would want to add a place for art to be displayed and created as well as a place for a holy order to live.
He will also ask after Sosiel's lover Aron Kir and see how the man is battling his addiction.
In turn, Nilus will spend time with all of his wayward "flock".
He checks on the berserker Jestak(and the Wintersun Tribe), the demonbound Chorussina, Joran and his Redemption Forge, the fallen Cleric of Erastil Jesker (Nilus will donate gold towards Jesker's Shrine of Erastil project).
However, the great bulk of Nilus' time will be spent ministering to the needs of the three reformed Lamashtans. Nyx, Kuthie and Darus. He inquires as to their physical health (Nyx was once pregnant but a ritual cured her?). Most importantly, he checks on their spiritual health.
Sarkast's usual "down time" routine involves assisting the army with weapon maintenance and maintaining a scouting routine in the area around Drezen. He invites Arushelae to join him on his trips out, and seems to be enjoying her company.
He also spends time tending to the small roadside shrines to Desna he has been creating along the reopened travel routes, making sure they are clean and clear of debris.
Dejik tries to steal some of Aravashniel's time to learn more about her spells and how to use them.
She'll also tend to the ill and injured and help Sosiel as much as she can.
Ayesha busies herself leading an expedition to to the Ivory Sanctum in order to secure the various supplies, objects of art, and other valuables which were stored in the massive temple to Baphomet. She is gone for a week organizing this.
Sosiel is delighted by Nilus' offer to build a shrine, and recruits the ever-grumpy Horgus Gwerm to leads its construction. One thing Gwerm likes is beauty, which he sees as a celebration of wealth, and with Nilus funding its construction the shrine gets underway. Doubling as a gallery and other space for art, it can function as a fine home for much of the art Xanthir Vang collected - simply to hide in a vault for his own greedy sake.
You visit the leader of (what remains of) the Riftwardens in his study in Citadel Drezen. He smiles as he spots you, his restored eyes shining in their strange way through your alternate sight.
"Dejik, I hear you wanted to ask about spells? Can you specify what you're interested in?"
You spend much of your time travelling along the roads, tending to your roadside shrines to Desna. Since Arueshalae's own awkward expression of interest she's followed you around closely, her own awkward, shy demeanour slowly fading as she becomes more used to speaking and dealing with mortals. Now that she's started to come out of her shell her personality has begun to shine through - she is peppy, inquisitive, and shockingly blunt at times.
As you restore a shrine that's been defiled by what is likely a wandering demon, she starts speaking as she carves a butterfly into a stone with her claw. Her wings flutter and fold up neatly behind her as she settles into her work.
"I don't understand love. What is it? I mean, I thought I did. But I think that's just sex without killing someone at the end. I think I love you. But maybe I don't. You've been very good to me. And I like the others, but not as much. Nilus is more like an angel than a person. Dejik seems like she sees a different world - I don't know what she's looking at when she's looking at me. Ayesha is lovely but I think she loves her sword and that's a little strange. What does the Dreamer say about it?"
You find Aron Kir in relatively fine form. As a recovering addict he will never be cured, but two things have helped him. The hard, constant work of building up Drezen, and the fact that with the collapse of the Templars, nobody has been smuggling any drugs into Drezen to undermine the crusade. You walk with him as he explains how things have been going.
"You certainly took in a lot of strays." His voice is as raspy as ever. "Jestak is a formidable scout and commander, and has settled in well with the Wintersuns. I... I get the strong impression she works with us because she thinks we're winning and may leave for a better offer. Frankly, she doesn't have enough imagination to understand good for its own sake. Maybe you can reach out to her in a way I can't."
He sighs when asked about Chorussina. "No change. Irabeth hinted to me there may be a way to deal with her, but I don't know what she was getting at."
"Jesker has bounced right back though. Old Deadeye is slow to forgive - Jesker is still no cleric, but he has been attending the shrine diligently. And the steady hand of tradition is comforting to a lot of the troops."
Finally, he leads you to Nyx, Kuthie, and Darus. "As for these three... well, I'll stay back and let you deal with them. They've been looking forwards to seeing you. That said, after some discussions with Dejik, Nyx let Sosiel simply remove the demon child. Considerable healing magics have been cast on them."
Aron Kir leads you to a restored stone house which has been mostly repaired. He gives you an odd look before knocking on the door. Kuthie is the one to open the door, who was once half-monster. She lets out a cry as she spies you, and falls to the floor. Nyx and Darus arrive as well, and they all collapse to their knees.
"FATHER NILUS YOU HAVE RETURNED! PRAISE TO THE KNIGHT OF THE ROSE!"
As the three... well, worship you, it's clear that a lot has been done to help repair the horrific damage done to them as cultists of Lamashtu. Nyx's jaw has been at least partially repaired and her scars are healed over - she is no longer pregnant after a discussion with Dejik lead to Sosiel simply physically removing the demon child during his surgeries. Darus' face is now a mass of scar tissue, but is no longer peeled and exposed. Kuthie is doing the best of all - the monstrous transformations having been half-reversed. Patches of scales are still across her skin.
Nilus is enthused by Gwerm's assistance. While he never really "liked" Horgus Gwerm, Nilus does recognize his unwavering support for the Crusade and his tireless efforts to keep the Crusade going logistically. Clearly Gwerm helping will make building the Shrine of the Blessed Rose much easier to accomplish.
Nilus enjoys his time with Aron, he sees what Sosiel loves about the man. Nilus assures Aron that he will visit with Jestak and the Wintersun and see what can be done. Nilus makes a note to visit with General Irabeth and bring her the gorgeous Armor of Yaniel, as well as inquire about Chorrusina's fate. Nilus smiles at the work that Jesker is doing. Erastil is a dour god, but even dour gods have their place. Stability is important afterall. Tradition is a comfort, especially in times of conflict.
Nilus doesn't try and dissuade the three former Lamashtans from worshipping him. He knows that he is different, he knows that some strange power flows through him. His only wish is that they remember who he serves, and they set aside some of their time and devote it to the Rose as well. Nilus is very pleased with the three and leads them in prayer and contemplation for as many days as they can muster in Drezen.
Then Nilus resolves to visit with Irabeth. He has the Armor of Yaniel oiled and polished to a shine before placing it in a case and bringing it to the General.
A gift, for all your efforts here M'lady. Your knowledge and steadfast courage have aided our efforts in this Glorious Crusade against the forces of Darkness.
and once they have a moment, Nilus will inquire as to Irabeth's intentions regarding Chorussina. While in the Castle Drezen, Nilus will visit with Joran to check on his spiritual progress and the Forge of Redemption.
Next, feeling a bit busy, Nilus pops in on Jesker to visit the Shrine of Erastil and give the man a few encouraging words. He will also have Horgus Gwerm send 500GP to the Shrine as a donation from Nilus' own personal wealth.
Finally, Nilus goes to visit the Wintersun. He tries to gage their mood and reaction to the Crusade, as well as their spiritual leanings. He will either influence them towards the worship of Erastil, Shelyn, or Iomedae depending on what he senses they need most, spiritually speaking. He spends as much time as he can visiting with Jestak and encouraging her to find a sense of purpose within the Crusade beyond simple battle. His advice is to make the Wintersun her own tribe, and for her to lead them as a wise and good leader should. So, he attempts to arrange a visit between Jesker and Jestak, so that the man might have some influence over the wayward Barbarian.
"The truth is, I am not a priest, so I can't tell you what her thoughts are, only my own. Love is a feeling that grows between people who spend time together. It has many forms, and they can change over time. I can't say what sort of love might exist between us, but I can say that I want to spend more time together and find out."
Over the course of their free time, Sarkast enjoys helping her come out of her shell and getting to know the person inside the demon.
Dejik hugs her friend tightly, then explains that she wants to learn to enhance her spells to last longer. She's been using the metamagic rod for a while, and she wants to replicate the same effect without the rod.
=========
Once she's had a chance to practice, Dejik starts casting the following spells on her friends every morning:
Extended Mythic Endure Elements. 48 hours, up to 12 creatures (covers all the PCs and Arushalae), Resist cold 5 and resist fire 5 (If possible, Dejik will use the extra 6 slots on Irabeth, Anevia, Aravashniel, Sosiel, Aron Kir, and anyone else who is present.)
Extended Status. 24 hours, up to 4 creatures (covers all the PCs and Arushalae).
Extended Mythic Shield Other. 24 hours, 1 creature per casting. Extends to long range, and when Dejik uses her surge ability on a saving throw, the shielded ally can use her surge bonus on the save. When Dejik has time, she'll cast it on all the PCs and Arushalae. If she doesn't have time, she'll cast them in this order: Ayesha, Sarkast, Arushalae, and Nilus.
Dejik can have Life Links with up to 14 people. She'll link with all the PCs and Arushalae. She'll also try to maintain links with on Irabeth, Anevia, Aravashniel, Sosiel, and Aron Kir, but it only has a range of 240 feet, so it will probably break pretty quickly.
============
Dejik also spends her downtime boosting the army's supplies with Create Water and Purify Food and Drink, and tending the ill and injured.
Demons aren't noted for their sense of irony, but some must feel it. The destruction of the great Mendevian barrier, centred in the city of Kenabres caused the fall of the greatest shield Avistan had against the demonic hordes. However, the power released from the fall of the barrier gave the Crusades a far greater gift. Four mighty heroes were blessed with incredible mythic power as the incredible protective magics flowed into them, granting them abilities far beyond most mortals.
With these heroes at the fore, the Crusade knew that their time of defense was over. A mighty army struck out for the long-lost city of Drezen, battling many demonic opponents until the city was finally taken. With it, a mighty artifact, the Sword of Valor was reclaimed. As well, during the battles a strange succubus was found, the one demon who could dream. Awakened by Desna, Arueshalae strove for her own redemption.
After Drezen was taken, the final step was to strike out against the most insidious threat to the crusade. The Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth had corrupted many brave men and women, and their lair was within this area of the Worldwound. Herein, strange powerful Nahnhydrian crystals were used to create mighty demons of mythic power.
Our heroes struck out at the Ivory Sanctum, and with the redeemed succubus, defeated its denizens, finally putting an end to Jerribeth and Xanthir Fang. With their headquarters and leaders destroyed, the Templars fell into disarray, and their agents were swiftly purged from the crusade.
Our heroes now stand tall.
Sarkast, the Acrobat, the Unseen Blade. His life was saved as a youth by Arueshalae and is now forever linked to the Desnan succubus. She has declared her love for the Kellid, who has cautiously begun to let her in his life. Regardless, he has an ally for life, the one demon who learned how to dream.
Dejik, the Blind Seer. Blinded but seeing things others cannot. Dejik discovered that she is not just blessed by Iomedae, but that she is the daughter of the Inheritor. For all her days, she shall stand with her mother, protecting the week, and finding truths in a land of lies.
Nilus, the Knight of the Rose, the Redeemer. Almost slaughtered as a youth by the demon Jerribeth, Nilus unlocked his true majesty upon slaying the glabrezu. His love for good and beauty is limitless, and from this love he has redeemed several souls. They now follow him, and revere him. Soon, his power will spread to his followers.
Ayesha, the Dancer. Orphaned and sold as a youth, Ayesha fell in love with her master but was unable to provide a child. However, a strange black scimitar that was gifted to her when she left began to develop a bond. A spirit had inhabited the blade, and it became clear the spirit was Ayesha's child itself, named Darb N'Ssiar. Upon striking the Ivory Sanctum, it was revealed that Ayesha's parent were Riftwardens, and that Xanthir Vang had slain them personally. Her parents are now avenged, and their last possessions are with Ayesha. She works with the riftwardens and her blade-child to guard the world against the demonic hordes.
Rumour has it that Queen Galfrey herself is due to arrive at Kenabres, with a mission to travel into the Abyss itself, to an area called the Midnight Isles. However, that is a story for another time.
<claps maniacally>
Wow, that was a really long movie. I hope the sequels are as good!
It was indeed a blast
-Posted with Wayfinder