Nilus unloads on the Minotaur
Nilus and Sarkast team up, quickly dispatching one of the half-fiend minotaurs.
Haste active
Joran
Nilus
Dejik (24 dmg)
Jestak (34 dmg)
Ayesha (16 dmg)
Sarkast
Ronan
Jinxx
Irabeth
---
L Minotaur (31 dmg)
Jinxx turns and rips into the Minotaur to the north
Pouncing on the minotaur to the north, Jinxx scrabbles up his leg and clamps down on the minotaur's neck. The huge beast thrashes and flails, but Jinxx is victorious, and they both crash to the ground. Jinxx stands, covered in blood.
End of Combat
Irabeth and Joran walk up to Staunton's body.
"This man has defined my life up to this point. I wish Anevia were here," says Irabeth as she looks down at the body. "But I'm certain she's keeping a lot of trouble away from us right now."
Joran remains silent for a moment, the hunted expression on his face is now gone and he only now looks very, very tired. He falls to his knees and buries his face in his hands.
"It's all gone now," he croaks. "I've lost my family and my faith. Ask of me what you want crusaders and do whatever justice you think is right."
The Lady has shown that even those caught in the grip of the Abyss might still know love, and beauty. Nilus says to the dwarf
We still have a purpose here. We must recover the Sword of Drezen, tell us where Staunton has hidden it.
Dejik walks over to Jestak. You fought well for us. Let me heal you. Dejik lays her hand on Jestak's wound and begins to absorb it.
Jestak and Ayesha heal another 11 (that should get Ayesha healthy). Dejik heals 21.
Jestak ends this round with 18 damage, Dejik ends with 13.
Jestak end the three rounds with 3 dmg.
Dejik ends the third round with 28 dmg.
Dejik heals 22, leaving her with 6 dmg.
Jestak grunts her thanks to Dejik as Joran takes a moment over his brother's dead body before speaking.
"I lost any love and beauty in my life a long time ago. Droskar preaches that pragmatism and toil will lead to success. Instead it made me a slave to my own brother."
He grabs around his neck and rips off his holy symbol, tossing it on the ground.
"I renounce the Ashen Forge !" he shouts at the ceiling. "I renounce Droskar!"
Disgustedly, he steps over Joran's body and stares at Nilus. He begins speaking softly.
"The blind seer, the dancer, the Knight of the Rose, the acrobat, the creature. I'd never met a man more powerful than Staunton and he was dead to you in seconds." He gives Irabeth a long look before turning back to Nilus.
"The Sword of Valor is in the dungeons below. Deep, farther than I've gone. The entrance is in the war room. Staunton has also been in a panic, looking for some prisoner. A succubus called Arueshalae escaped and is apparently very important."
Nilus asks Why would you be holding a demoness prisoner? confusedly
Ayesha cleaned her blade as she listened to Nilus do his redemption thing. It was truly amazing how the man could hold to his beliefs so strongly in the face of the evil all about them. As she felt her wounds finish knitting back together, she stood and streched, then gave a word of thanks to Dejik. With her, they would likely have all died several times over.
Once done, she motioned to Sarkast, and the two of them began rifling through the bodies of the dead. Nilus had his task, and she had hers. She was engrossed in the process, and missed much of the conversation, but one word caught her ears.
"A succubus? Here?" When she had been researching ways to cure her barrenness, she had found a bit of ancient lore that alluded to one of the powers of a succubus - the ability to transfer an unwanted pregnancy to another womb...even one known to be barren. The lore was fragmented, but seemed to tell the story of a Queen who was on the verge of being put aside for her inability to birth an heir, until she made a deal with a succubus, who took on her form and lay with her husband. The Queen bore the resulting child as if it were her own. It was more of a fairy tale than actual recorded truth, and still...
Joran raises his hands in a helpless shrug.
"I do not know why. I'm not even sure Staunton knows, but apparently the prisoner was given very high priority before she escaped."
Dejik frowned. Were there other succubi here? Or just that one?
Joran nods.
"Janeamine is in the old chapel to Iomedae, just south of here. Kiranda is around some place - she's been particularly interested in all of you and may wear a disguise."
Sarkast grunts at the mention of the succubus. "She did, but not for long. She died at our hands, as do all demons we meet."
Sarkast cleans his own blades and helps Ayesha search the room and the fallen.
Joran Vhane, since you have renounced Droskar, I would consider it my pleasure to assist you in some form of redemption. Pick up your weapons, join us in the fight against the remaining demons here in this foul place. Do this and I will speak for you when the time comes. I may not alter your fate, but your own actions may show the world how something good can come from the most unlikely of places. Nilus nods to Jestak.
Joran looks at Nilus, his voice a croak.
"I cannot fight with you Crusader. I am a scholar, not a warrior, and my heart is not in it. I have not slept in two weeks, only sustaining myself through prayer. I will tell you what you need, but take me prisoner and do your justice. There is nothing left of me to give."
Ayesha and Sarkast look over the room. On Staunton's body are the following:
- +3 spiked full plate
- +1 returning throwing axe
- +2 amulet of natural armour
- +4 belt of mighty constitution
- +2 headband of alluring charisma
- a key
His glaive also lies on the floor, radiating incredible magic.
Ayesha pointed out the various properties on the magical items, then looked at the glaive. The sheer amount of magic radiating from it nearly blinded her magical sight, and she had to concentrate long and hard to try and identify it.
When Ayesha points out the axe, Sarkast hefts it briefly, then puts it back down. "The balance is very different from a knife. I would have to train with it before attempting to use it."
Ronan looks over the glaive after Ayesha.
Irabeth cleans and sheathes her sword, looking over Joran and Jestak thoughtfully.
"So where to next? Do we make for the dungeons, explore more of this floor, or return to camp?"
Sarkast looks at Dejik, Ayesha, and Ronan. "As long as we are healed by your magic, Irabeth, Nilus and I can continue until weariness sets in. You three, though, must consider your magical resources. Are you prepared to continue, or should we let you rest?"
"Jinxx and I are ready to continue." he thinks for a moment "Perhaps we should clear out the rest of this floor before hedding to the dungeons, we don't really need to leave anything nasty that may sneak up behind us.
Dejik checks the last of her wounds. I agree we should check the rest of this floor, then perhaps rest before heading down to the dungeons.
Sarkast nods in acknowledgment to Ronan and Dejik. Donning one of the belts and an amulet, he settles his gear back into place, then inspects the exits from the room for signs of danger.
Irabeth looks at Joran worriedly.
"Staunton was Lord of this Citadel. I should return and spread the news - and get Joran under guard." She picks up his hammer. "I'll return the prisoner unless you need otherwise."
The room the group finds themselves in appear to be officer's quarters. Rich appointments of fine furniture and plush carpet decorate this oddly shaped chamber. A mahogany desk with several bookshelves occupies the southeast corner, while expansive liquor cabinets follow the curving northern wall. Within the liquor cabinet are unmarked brown bottles which appear to be of high quality.
Three doors lead south and west. The doors to the south open into unused rooms which some broken furniture has been crammed into.
The key easily fits the door to the west, which opens to reveal Staunton's bedroom.
This spacious bedroom is immaculate to the point of spotlessness. The bed sheets are tight against the mattress, and no splinters mar the floor near the well-used sparring dummy in the corner, despite its obvious heavy use. An inkwell, a blotter, and a black quill sit atop an otherwise bare desk with a three-legged stool pushed out of the way underneath.
A single large chest sits at the foot of the bed.
Dejik waits for Sarkast's signal that it's safe to proceed, then crosses the room and checks the desk. If we're lucky, Staunton might have some notes or orders that will give some information on the demon horde's next move.
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The desk is immaculate and has no papers of any kind on it. However, the key does fit the large chest beside the desk. After Sarkast checks it for traps, of which there are none, the chest easily opens to reveal Staunton's personal wealth and possessions, neatly ordered and spotless.
- 14542.54 in assorted platinum, gold, silver, and copper
Magical:
- pearl of power, level 2
- a rod of metal and mineral detection
- a scroll of divination
- an elixir of climbing
- a potion of neutralize poison
- a wand of nondetection (23 charges)
- a vial of oil of life, which will cast true resurrection upon a body it is sprinkled upon
Nonmagical, requires appraisal:
- a set of stone-carved dwarven figurines
- a pair of expensive, ornate vases
- a silver coffer
However, the most valuable object to the crusades is neatly at the top: Staunton's journal. As you peruse the journal, which takes a while, Irabeth returns from her delivery of Joran.
Perusal reveals the following:
- Notes referring to a demon called Avonivicius, a marilith who is apparently Staunton's commander.
- The purpose of the corruption forge, which is to corrupt sacred and holy items for the purposes of evil. Joran has apparently done this to dozens of items. The notes go into detail about its function.
- A description of the Sword of Valor. Staunton's notes indicate he is frustrated that Aponavicius has refused to corrupt the item and instead keep it as a trophy. The banner was apparently carried by Iomedae herself and it grants great powers to any army battling demons. It is a red banner with a silvery outline bearing Iomedae's symbol.
- Horrific, detailed pages of his dreamed tortures for Irabeth for 'ruining nearly everything' from when she outed him as a traitor in Kenabres.
- Notes on the shadow demon Eustoyriax, whom he describes as 'unusually powerful'. It arrived weeks after Staunton fled to the Citadel from Kenabres. The shadow demon arrived in the body of a possessed crusader named Maranse (long dead after having been 'given' to the succubus Kiranda). It bore gifts from a place called the Ivory Sanctum; five elixirs of distilled power brewed from a powdered "Nahyndrian crystal". The notes explain how Staunton volunteered to take one of the elixirs to test its strength before Aponavicius used one, and of the powers the elixir unlocked in him. The notes go on to describe the grisly deaths the elixirs inflicted on the dragon and xacarba servants Aponavicius tested them on, and that only the chimera Soltengrebbe survived the transformation. The notes conclude by revealing that the shadow demon Eustoyriax remains here in a chamber below the citadel, where Aponavicius has placed him in charge of protecting the Sword of Valor.
- Finally, Staunton mentions a special prisoner who's been kept in the Drezen dungeons-a succubus by the name of Aureshalae who was captured by Aponavicius. Staunton knows the succubus is some sort of Abyssal heretic and that the marilith wanted her kept prisoner until a special oubliette in the Rasping Rifts on the Abyss was ready for her. The fact that the succubus escaped not long after Aponavicius left Drezen in Staunton's hands appears to worry him greatly. He has sent several minions into the Worldwound to track her, noting that her loss of certain demonic abilities is the one saving grace and hoping her inability to teleport or become ethereal will allow his agents to find her and return her to Drezen before Aponavicius finds out she's managed to flee into the wilds of the Wounded Lands.
- The final note in the diary talks of how he hired an annis hag cultist of Sifkesh to track her down as well, and that if this final attempt fails, he intends to seek out Arueshalae himself once "this matter with the so- called heroes of Kenabres is settled."
Ayesha glanced at the magical items with interest, and identified those of them that she could. She cast an avaricious gaze on the pearl of power, but fingered her new amulet and decided to let Ronan have it uncontested if he wished. If not, she would certainly take it!
Of more immediate interest to her was the journal. As she read through it, she read aloud certain passages to point out details she found interesting to the others. The corruption forge thing sounded of particular interest. It sounded a lot like something Nilus would want to see put permanently out of action for sure. The bits about the succubus were also interesting to her, as they fueled her imagination about the possibility of completing her personal quest here.
At that thought, she paused and touched the hilt of her scimitar. The awakening of the blade had already brought so much joy and purpose to her life. She could feel its presence almost constantly now, and Darb N'ssiar's insights had proved extremely valuable. She wondered...
Darb N'ssiar is curiousity muted for a while before you hear a response.
A heretical succubus. This idea gives me hope where there was none. I will think upon this, but it is not selfish! What do we fight for if not for life?
A succubus that has turned away from the Abyss... this. This is most troubling, how many have I slain without giving quarter? Nilus grows pensive, thinking about the implications of such a thing.
We know where the Sword is being held. We should go and get it as soon as we can.
We know where the Sword is being held. We should go and get it as soon as we can.
"I am in agreement."
Irabeth steps back from reading over the journal, and the closes it, placing it in her pack.
"The information here is incredibly valuable, althouhg I'd be happier if I never read this again."
She looks to the rest of the group.
"Where to next? Do we make for the dungeon, or do we explore more of the main floor?"
Based on these notes, we'll have to face a shadow demon--an "exceptionally powerful" one at that--and probably a marilith demon as well.
Dejik tells the group what she knows about shadow demons, then turns to Ayesha and Ronan. I'm afraid I'm not that familiar mariliths--can you help here?
Between them, Ayesha and Darb N'ssiar know quite a bit about the marilith class of demons, and she tells the others all that she knows about the six-armed snake women of the abyss.
In response to Irabeth, Ayesha said "I hate the thought of leaving potential enemies behind us, but time is of the essence here, it seems. Now that we've broken the strength of the defenders, can units from the main force secure the above ground levels of the citadel while we delve below? If not, I think we should continue to clear this area, to avoid complications from the rear as we drive deeper below."
Irabeth licks her lips, frowning.
"I think we can safely have the army secure sections of the top level, however one of those minotaurs could kill many men. As well, if there's another succubus on the top floor the havoc she could wreak in the ranks would be considerable. That said, we can close and secure the deadbolts in the doors here and safely hold off intruders."
Ayesha knows mariliths as major leaders amongst the demon hordes, typically generals or queens. They are always female, and the most powerful mariliths have no master, defying even the demon lords. They appear as six-armed women with an enormous snake's body. Rather than possessing an array of magical powers, they are martial fighters and brilliant commanders.
Shadow demons are incorporeal manifestations of envious mortal souls pulled into the Abyss. They are known to hate the sunlight.
Irabeth taps her sword against her leg, shaking her head.
"I will return to camp and begin organizing the occupation of the cleared areas. The west wing and entrance are empty and should be seized. Prepare yourselves for that dungeon, commanders. I don't envy you."
The you bid farewell to Irabeth, who escorts Jestak with her. The enormous, angry female barbarian stares at the group before she is forced to hand over her adamantine greatsword.
With only the five of you and Jinxx remaining, you head northwards to the door pointed out by Joran. There, a steep staircase leads down into the dungeon. The new architecture is unmistakeable, a significant change from the careful precision of the dwarven stonework that defines the Citadel. Down the stairs is a dull, red glow.
An unholy, vile feeling seeps into your bones as you descend. This place is certainly unhallowed land, hostile to those good of heart. And as you descend deeper, an evil, crazed whispering begins to infect your mind. It becomes difficult to concentrate as whispers of death and torture fill the silence.
Finally, you come to a door at the bottom of the stairs, which opens to reveal a prison. The walls of this chamber hold numerous dark, narrow prison cells. Around the main entrance stands an iron cage, with a cell door blocking the entrance in. Joran's key fits, and the door opens. Double doors lead westwards, and there are many cells and adjacent rooms from the prison. Nothing is here to greet you.
Ayesha wasn't as attuned to divine magics as she was to arcane ones, but even a blind and deaf ogre would be able to feel the evil emanations surrounded them as she and the others made their way downwards. She kept her scimitar out, letting the intelligent sword see what it could from the magical flows around them. Perhaps it would make a difference in the long run.
"Looks like there are more doors directly across the way. Can we get to them without being cut off?"
Nilus moves across the room and tries the doors.
As Ayesha looks over the barren cells, finding nothing, Nilus makes his way across the room and throws the double doors open.
A long passageway extends past multiple prison cells before ending within a barred chamber to the east. An alcove along the south wall includes another set of iron doors leading south, while opposite this a barred gate provides access to another set to the north.
Floating along the passageway are two spectral beings, appearing as human paladins with horribly broken and disfigured limbs. Their eyes glow a malevolent red, but they make no move to attack.
These are spectres, incorporeal undead known for their powerful energy drain.
Nilus knows the creatures are dangerous, but nothing more.
Sarkast holds back, looking to Dejik for guidance. His weapons are in hand as he watches everything.