Nilus shouts The Rose, The Rose! his familiar battlecry, so that the others know that he is being attacked.
The others are not the enemy! Nilus also shouts, hoping his allies in their zeal to not harm the noncombatants.
Nilus draws his longsword and focuses his attention onto Marhevok
At the yells and shouts, Ayesha turned to the barbarians around them. She was just about to cast a spell that would incinerate them all when she heard Nilus' shout. Dubiously she grabbed Radiance, yanking it from the splintered floor, and rushed inside. She held the glaive out to Nilus.
"Here, you might want this."
Ayesha rushes past the stunned barbarians, grabbing Radiance from the group and tossing it to Nilus, who cathces it. The beautiful weapon bursts into white light!
"BEVERACH! JOIN ME IN MY FIGHT!"
There's a strange cry and the pool of water is suddenly disturbed. Emerging from it is a two-legged white dragon which lets out a fierce cry before joining the fight!
This two-legged dragon has dull blue scales tinged with bright blue ice. A freezing mist issues from between its powerful jaws.
This is a frost drake, a lesser cousin of white dragons noted for its freezing mist breath which will freeze the surrounding area.
Frost drakes are vulnerable to fire, immune to cold, paralysis, and sleep. They can walk on ice as a spider does on walls, and are capable of incredible bursts of speed.
The drake rushes across the floor and rearing back, lets out a ball of white liquid from its mouth. It flies into the ground behind Nilus before exploding into a cloud of freezing mist!
Marhevok roars, charging straight for Nilus with the horns growing from his head! The barbarians remain quietly in the back, watching their leader battle without interfering.
Sarkast
Dejik
--
Nilus (4 dmg)
Ayesha
---
Beverach
Marhevok
Sarkast rolls into a ball as the freezing blast crosses the room. Coming up, he makes use of his invisibility to dart behind the demon and begins attacking with all of his might.
Ayesha took in the frost drake, and the ever more demonic appearance of Nilus' brother, half-brother, whatever. She knew that the only hope here was to act quickly and decisively, and hope the crowd in the hallway didn't decide to join in. She drew on her power and cast a spell that she knew well. The world around her seemed to grow slower as teh spell took effect.
HP 62/78. Current AC: 23/15/19
Active conditions:
Active spell effects: haste
Arcane pool: 10/10 left today
Spells remaining: 1st 7/7, 2nd 5/5, 3rd 4/4
Black Blade arcane pool 3/3
Mythic power: 5/9
pearl of power lvl 1 2/2
pearl of power lvl 2 1/1
Nilus dances away from Marhevok and flicks out Radiance in a glowing arc aimed at the Barbarian
miss
Blessed Rose, Give me Strength!
Haste +1AC and Attack, Extra attack
Smite Evil +5 to hit +6 damage +5AC/CMD
AC 27 CMD 28(30 v Demons)
HP 112-4-21+5+13= 105HP
Dejik quickly chants a protection spell, then moves into the room to touch Nilus and Ayesha, shielding them from the drake's cold breath.
Sarkast, I can't reach you right now. Are you still all right?
I want to make sure I haven't missed anything on Ayesha--Dejik does not want to risk her getting that close to death ever again!
Here's what I have as the sequence:
1) She took 21 damage at the door.
2) Dejik absorbs 5 (=16)
3) Ayesha was in the room when Dejik channeled to heal the barbarians. (I hadn't bothered rolling it before because they had only take 8 damage, and Dejik's minimum is 7...)
That brings Ayesha back to full. (Dejik, too.)
4) Dragon breathes for 26. (I didn't see Ayesha's reflex save, so she took either 21 or 8.)
Sarkast: 0 dmg
Ayesha: 17 or 3 dmg (21 or 8, -5 LL)
Nilus: 0 dmg
Dejik: 5 dmg
Ayesha dives out of the way of the worst of the breath weapon and then casts a haste spell, which bursts amongst the party, speeding their movements.
Marhevok shows unbelievable reflexes as Sarkast appears out of nowhere, turning aside at the last moment. Although one of Sarkast's attacks does hit, it is not a sneak attack. Nilus swings thrice, his final attack striking true.
Marhevok snarls as Nilus strikes him, and the raging demon-barbarian starts trying to pummel the paladin with his fists. Nilus is cracked across the jaw with a huge, spiked, meaty fist!
The frost drake crouches, and then pounces at Nilus as well. The paladin leaps over a swooping tail, but is then caught and shaken vigorously in the creature's powerful jaws. Brutal, pounding cold emanates from the drake, but Dejik's protective magic saves Nilus from the worst of it.
(cold resistance 20, 5 for Sarkast) (haste)
Sarkast
Dejik (5 dmg)
--
Nilus (33 dmg)
Ayesha (3 dmg)
---
Beverach
Marhevok (40 dmg)
Nilus strikes out once more at the Half Demon Barbarian
Mother of Beauty, preserve me!
Prot. From Energy Cold (20)
Haste +1AC and Attack, Extra attack
Smite Evil +5 to hit +6 damage +5AC/CMD
AC 27(v Marhevok) CMD 28(30 v Demons)
HP 112-4-21+5+13= 105-5-10-7+15=98HP
Although one of Sarkast's attacks does hit, it is not a sneak attack.
"Uskon voivani välttää kylmän sumun , serkku. Suojaa muut!"
Seeing that the barbarian has trained in keeping his vital organs protected, Sarkast turns to the dragon. With another burst of speed he maneuvers behind it and attacks, gaining even more momentum from Ayesha's spell.
Sarkast leaps straight onto Marhevok, planting his feet on the big man's chest before backflipping right over the drake and landing right on his back. He stabs both daggers in, ripping open a ghastly wound and drawing a shriek of incredible pain from the mighty creature. He quickly hops off, with the drake nearly dead before him.
Nilus, meanwhile, engages enthusiastically with Marhevok, Radiance slashing incredible wounds into the demonic barbarian.
(cold resistance 20, 5 for Sarkast) (haste)
Sarkast
Dejik (5 dmg)
--
Nilus (21 dmg)
Ayesha (3 dmg)
---
Beverach (71 dmg)
Marhevok (128 dmg)
Ayesha called out the words to a spell that made her blade shine with a dark power. Moving in, she cut at Marhevok in a spinning dance of blades.
HP 62/78. Current AC: 23/15/19
Active conditions:
Active spell effects: haste
Arcane pool: 10/10 left today
Spells remaining: 1st 7/7, 2nd 5/5, 3rd 3/4
Black Blade arcane pool 3/3
Mythic power: 5/9
pearl of power lvl 1 2/2
pearl of power lvl 2 1/1
As she absorbs the remains of Nilus' wound, Dejik draws the flaming arrows that Aravashniel gave her back when--how long ago was it, now? It seemed like years--and rained righteous fury on the dragon.
Sarkast: 0 dmg
Ayesha: 3 dmg
Nilus: 0 dmg (20-15 LoH, -5 LL)
Dejik: 10 dmg
Ayesha rushes in, moving into her beautiful dance, despite being on ice. However, Marhevok parries Ayesha's blows easily, only getting lightly slashed with one attack.
Dejik feels for the flaming arrows she hadn't had reason to use until now, firing them in sequence at the drake. All of them land, the final one flying into the eye of the drake. It screams, smoke rising from it as it is horribly burned, and collapses to the ground, dead.
Marhevok looks to his many barbarians, who stand back, staring at him forlornly. He starts screaming in Hallit.
"Hjelp meg dere feiginger!"
"Help me you cowards!"
The barbarians look at each other, and do not move. Nilus' words have saved them from this fight at the least.
Raging and with nowhere to go, he nonetheless presses the fight and remains fixated on Nilus, enraged by the betrayal of his "brother". One fist clocks the mighty paladin.
(cold resistance 20, 5 for Sarkast) (haste)
Sarkast
Dejik (5 dmg)
--
Nilus (21 dmg)
Ayesha (3 dmg)
---
Beverach (79 dmg)
"Well done, cousin!"
Sarkast rolls over the slumped body of the drake to get Marhevok directly between himself and Ayesha, and stabs at the demon.
"You are surrounded and your people have seen the error of following you. You are done!"
"Good job, Dejik. Now, perhaps, we can get this load of muscle to repent of his demonic ways. Or die an ignoble death. Either way."
Ayesha kept on spinning, her scimitar dancing about her. As she did, lightning ran ragged down Darb N'ssiar's blade, the blue-white arcs spitting in the cold air.
HP 62/78. Current AC: 23/15/19
Active conditions:
Active spell effects: haste
Arcane pool: 10/10 left today
Spells remaining: 1st 7/7, 2nd 4/5, 3rd 3/4
Black Blade arcane pool 3/3
Mythic power: 5/9
pearl of power lvl 1 2/2
pearl of power lvl 2 1/1
Ayesha lunges at Marhevok, and there is a loud BANG as her charged scimitar finds its mark! She then swipes out many more times - her features blurred by the magical enhancement. She finally stops swinging when she realises Marhevok has stopped dodging. The mighty barbarian crashes to the ground.
End of Combat
The various barbarians approach the room, very, very slowly. One speak up in broken common.
"Can you take us from here?"
After Marhevok falls, Sarkast ensures he is dead. When the demon's former associates speak up, he responds in their language. His words are clearly harsh, but his tone honest.
"Hvis du er virkelig angrende av ondskap denne mannen , så vil du finne en trygg havn hos vår hær . Men vet at hvis du tenker å forråde oss, vil din skjebne være den samme som hans."
Ayesha breathed heavily as she slowed to a more normal speed, her eyes looking down on the remains of the man, demon, thing that claimed to be Nilus' relation. Ever so carefully she pulled a scrap of cloth from her pack and began cleaning Darb N'ssiar, studiously avoiding meeting Nilus' gaze.
She heard the barbarian's question, and though she didn't understand Sarkast's response, she nodded.
Dejik translates for Nilus and Ayesha as she checks to make sure everyone is all right. Then she turns to the barbarians.
"Mainitsit vaimonne ja lapset - missä he ovat? Voisimme auttaa . Ja me
varmasti voi jättää heitä tänne yksin."
"You mentioned your wives and children--where are they? We might be able to help. And we certainly can't leave them here alone."
[i]You ask questions that are beyond me, mother. I am a weapon, and I exist to kill. The question is who must be killed, and why. The demons have corrupted so much, and taken so many souls. All I know is that when we see a life that we feel we must take, we must first ask if it is right, and if there is another way. This Marhevok gave us no choice.[i]
The barbarians make no move to stop you from looting Marhevok's body, and seem to be deferring to you. He has:
amulet of natural armour +1
bracers of armour +3
decanter of endless water
ring of protection +1
unholy symbol of Baphomet with an inscription in Abyssal that reads 'Jerribeth' - Nilus feels strangely attuned and at ease to this item
an empty bag of holding II
The symbol imparts a -10 to will saves if the carrier is the subject of scrying.
With Marhevok dead, barbarians start to flood into the room, with the women and children as well. The Wintersun clan all carry deformities of some kind, which is explained as a curse brought down upon them when their ancestor, Corag Grunhuld-Wintersun insisted that they stay in their ancestral homeland when the Worldwound opened up. The people are sad, hungry, and desperate.
The contents of the clan hall are meagre as well, although the supplies would be of obvious aid to Drezen, even with extra mouths to feed.
As the terms of their repentance from evil are laid out, it is clear the folk of Wintersun are willing to do anything to escape their miserable existence. One by one, they all step forwards and say:
"Jeg sverger til Drezen!" - which translated is an oath to Drezen.
============
============
Following the battle with Marhevok, Nilus is considered a sort of acting chieftan, particularly because of the strange kinship the demonic barbarian felt with the paladin. You are all given food (such as it is) and lodging as the clan prepares to travel northwards to Drezen.
The following day, you are rested, healed, and prepared. Dozens of hungry, miserable barbarians now follow you, and you strike northwards to Drezen. Your journey through the now-explored land is surprisingly unmolested, perhaps because of the small army travelling with you. And you return to the city without issue.
The question still burns however. Who is Jerribeth? What did she do to Marhevok, and why does Nilus feel such a strong connection with not just Marhevok, but the unholy symbol he carried?
===========
===========
Your return is a celebrated success as the first true foray into the Worldwound not only came back with an end to the raids, but several dozen powerful warriors to join Drezen's cause. The news of the cessation of the raids is received enthusiastically by Mendev, who send a goodly purse of 8,000 to help bolster Drezen's economy.
The barbarians are given a district of Drezen to themselves so as to avoid clashes with the military populace, and all of you earn a few days of rest and respite.
Nilus spends some time with the new arrivals, getting to know them and their people. He also goes to Aravashnial with the name "Jerribeth" hopefully the learned Sage can point Nilus in the right direction.
Dejik tends to the newcomers as best she can, healing any wounds and treating illnesses. She pays special attention to the sickest, the youngest, and the eldest on their journey.
Unable to formulate a coherent reply, Ayesha simply sent a wave of understanding to her sword before sheathing it. As Nilus and Dejik took care of the barbarians and their conversion, Ayesha busied herself with stripping the fallen and examining his weapons and gear.
The magic items were simple to identify, except for the holy symbol. She knew that it was magic of a sorts, but could not identify its properties. That worried her. She had become rather adept at such things over the last few months, and an item that defied her at this turn had to be powerful indeed. but, they hadn't really seen any sign of power at that level in the fight against Marhevok.
As she explained this fact to the others, she also called out the other items. most were of minor magical powers only, though some might get a little use. Possibly the most useful items were the bag of holding and the decanter. Water in the wasteland is a precious resource, as many travelers to Qadira have found to their sorrow.
Sarkast will help the newcomers settle in at Drezen, helping to translate. He will ask them about their clan history and share his own. With their demon leader defeated, he will watch to see which of them seems to be best suited to be spokesman for the group and introduce that person to Irabeth and the various people they will need to work with.
Beyond that he resumes his normal duties of helping to keep the weapons in good order and leading scouting parties to watch Drezen's borders.
===========
===========
Nilus finds Aravashnial in the midst of ordering around some paladins as they repair a library within the town. Upon explaining the name Jerribeth and the backstory, Arvashnial frowns at him a moment.
"Well, you came to the right person to ask such a question, but this is not a name I am familiar with. This Marhevok seemed almost enslaved by Jerribeth, or at least a servant beyond his liking from your description - and he was not a weak foe. I will send forth some feelers and see if I can unearth anything about this specific name."
==========
==========
Nilus and Dejik do their best to help the Wintersun clan settle in to Kenabres. It is immediately apparent that they are a violent, unlearned, and extremely sheltered people coming from what may literally be the worst place in the world. That is to say they are not particularly civilized, or used to dealing with anything diplomatically.
After settling in, a brief meet was held and a new chieftan appointed. One of Marhevok's daughters, Hilarad now stands as chief for the Wintersun being cleverer and stronger than most.
Working with her, Sarkast is able to set up some negotiations with Irabeth for the Wintersun's position in Kenabres and what is required of them to participate. An agreement is made that they will primarily function as scouts and guides, given their knowledge of the area, and join war parties when called upon. Otherwise they are expected to keep to themselves, and the others of Kenabres expected to leave them in peace.
Dejik does her best medical inspection of the entire clan. Some problems can be fixed - such as malnutrition and a few particularly virulent diseases of the Worldwound. Others, such as what is apparently a demonic curse on their bloodline, may require some research. All of the Wintersun have some demonic traits, and speak of some babes that are born as horrifying monsters. The lucky ones may just have a tail and fangs.
============
============
After several days of research and working with the clans, you are prepared for your next foray into the Worldwound and to explore the area. The following are mentioned:
Investigating Jesker Helton - Irabeth has asked you to investigate the disappearance of Jesker Helton, a cleric of Erastil.
Ghost Town - While out scouting, Sarkast discovered a strange ghost town to the west of Kenabres that may bear investigating.
Reclaiming the Fane - Anevia discovered a temple of Baphomet 30 miles west of Drezen. This is an excellent chance to uncover more information about the enemy.
Nilus will press to rescue the Cleric. All life is precious.
Dejik agrees with Nilus: exploration and reconnaissance are a lower priority than people.
All of you settle in with Irabeth, who appears to be comfortable in her role managing the city.
"Good job with the Wintersun. It will be... interesting learning to work with them, but they are hard people who know the land and the demons. They also appear to have never seen food before, which endears us to them. Anyways, Jesker Helton."
Irabeth unfurls a small scroll, checking it.
"Jesker maintained a small chapel here in Drezen. Around a week ago, he vanished and the chapel has been ah.. desecrated. We have decided not to clean it up until people could be spared to figure out what had happened. Some cursory investigations have not revealed anything. Our request is that you determine what happened to Jesker and the chapel."
Nilus says Perhaps the locals know of Jesker.
Nilus goes to speak with the residents of Drezen.
Nilus takes to asking around for the remainder of the day, discovering the following:
Helton was a relatively young, handsome cleric who joined the Crusade because of his interest in the old Sarkorian worship of Erastil. He recently was mourning the loss of a precious heirloom: his mother's wedding ring.
There aren't a lot of Erastil worshipers in Drezen, but those who are here all mention that the consecration of the shrine after so many years in demonic hands has been going slowly. Holy symbols often have become lost or damaged and mud stains have appeared on prayer books.
Once during a sermon, a longbow hanging over the altar fell and broke. Jesker took these events in stride, noting that the shrine had spent many years in demonic lands, and that a few " unquiet echoes" were bound to remain.
A few worshipers confess to encounters with Jesker that bordered on flirtatious in an inappropriate way. These few parishioners describe Jesker as charming and kind-but then report feeling very uncomfortable about the encounter afterward. Other witnesses describe recent
moodiness and depression. By all accounts this is a change, not Jesker's normal behavior.
While Nilus asked around about Jesker, Ayesha thought that a trip to the chapel might be a better use of her talents. taking Sarkast with her, she followed the directions to the place. Reaching it, she began her inspection, looking for both physcial and magical traces that might give them a hint as to where Jesker might have gone, and who - or what - was befouling this place.
Nilus will report back to his allies
So, Jesker was acting strangely of late... and there were strange happenings in the Shrine as well. Could this be some sort of demonic possession? Nilus asks, his time as a Crusader has left him with some small knowledge of the wiles of the demon hordes.
While Nilus asked around about Jesker, Ayesha thought that a trip to the chapel might be a better use of her talents. taking Sarkast with her, she followed the directions to the place. Reaching it, she began her inspection, looking for both physcial and magical traces that might give them a hint as to where Jesker might have gone, and who - or what - was befouling this place.
[dice=perception]1d20+17
With Ayesha watching for magical auras, Sarkast inspects the grounds around the chapel carefully.
Before Sarkast and Ayesha head out, Dejik recasts the extended Status spell so she'll know if anything happens to them. Then she accompanies Nilus as he talks to the locals.
When the locals begin to speak of changes in Jesker's behavior, Dejik presses for details. When did the changes start? (Does this time frame coincide with the broken longbow?) And were there any other notable events around the same time, that might not seem to be related to the chapel?
Sarkast, Ayesha, and Dejik make their way for the chapel on the outskirts of Drezen. The building is a humble wooden chapel with a stone foundation. Within, there are two rooms: a larger temple and a small personal chamber Helton would have stayed in.
Animal blood has been splashed around the shrine and its altar. Messages in Abyssal have been scratched into its wooden walls. The messages are all blasphemies and insults against Erastil, while smeared in blood across the altar's front is the phrase:
"Just as Delamere now weeps tears of fire, so shall those who follow go to the fire!"
The statue of Erastil has been smashed to rubble and the now telltale affects of an unhallow spell are felt by Dejik and Nilus. A fear spell also appears to be in place, but it is shrugged off by the powerful heroes.
Dejik and Nilus are unable to determine anything about the nature of the desecration. However, Sarkast finds something which answers some of the questions.
Sarkast uncovers a book during his search, it is well-read and filthy in the rubble of the statue. The Stag King's Bride, a rambling, heretical holy book of Erastil. It's an account of a priestess of Erastil named Delamere who taught that cities were among the greatest blights humanity had ever conceived, and that any settlement of more than 53 citizens was inherently evil.
According to Delamere's bizarre and nigh-incomprehensible teachings, the 54th person in any settlement has an unusually high chance to be a traitor to a family, based in part on the theory that a family of five lies at the center of six families of five grandparents, cousins, and nieces and nephews. The 54th person, therefore, would be outside of the family, and thus a danger.
Delamere's teachings were controversial, but in the smaller towns of northeastern Sarkoris they gained enough popularity that when she died, she was buried in a sizable tomb. Since that time, the families of those who follow her teachings were each assured a place in the large
tomb as well. According to the final pages of the book, the tomb itself was located in a place of geothermal activity called the Weeping Hills, some 24 miles south of Drezen.
Of note in these last pages is a single short message written in ink:
"Delamere has the right of it-Drezen is too big for its own good. A trip to her tomb to search for more of her teachings may be in order."
Oh boy. This isn't good. Not good at all...
"I will check the maps and prepare to set out. Even if the priest is safe, I can't imagine anything he finds in that tomb will be good."
Dejik shudders as they enter the desecrated chapel. My power isn't strong enough to counter the evil here. After we find the priest, I'll see if Sosiel might be able to do something.
Dejik checks in briefly with Sosiel, and the cleric agrees to look into removing the unhallow spell from the area now that it has been investigated. You stock up on supplies, ready for another foray into the Worldwound and at the crack of dawn the next day, you strike southwest, with Sarkast's maps having a good guess as to the location of the tomb, which is a two day journey.
As you step out into the Worldwound, the rain starts, and will not stop. It is cold, brutal, unrelenting, and tastes of decay. It is almost impossible to see in front of you, and the group relies heavily on Dejik's magical sight in order to make any progress.
=============
=============
After a miserable camp, the rain keeps up and is accompanied by howling wind. You slowly make your way down into a canyon, which begins as quite narrow and then eventually opens up.
Throw the rain, you hear the unmistakable sound of zombies groaning. And as you approach, you see several of them up ahead milling about near a large boulder aimlessly. The zombies do not seem to have noticed you yet.
Sarkast whispers to Dejik and Ayesha, "How many do you think you could catch with your light-burst and fire spells? That might be a good opening to soften them up."
I can only see one of them, so I'm not sure how much I could do. If we want to get closer, I can try to channel divine power against them. Before we go, though, I can boost your fighting ability.
It's just zombies... Nilus says, not understanding everyone's hesitancy
Nilus will move towards the enemies.