Sam for their part step out of range of Hosilla's weapon, leveling their firearm at the woman's head and firing with a crack. It's a solid blow, the gunslinger going automatically through the motions of reloading before even seeing if the shot was fatal or not.
The elder paladin's countenance becomes grim, the line of his jaw shifting as his face becomes hard. "You, and your masters, have much to answer for. By Iomedae's light, I forsake thee. By Iomedae's grace, I send thee back to thy masters!" With a step and a massive swing, Mordan brings down the Morningstar with power straight at the woman's head.
Ginger shakes her head coming out of her shock and moves in next Oliver and swings at enemy all the while grumbling to herself.
Hosilia manages to keep her feet despite the slick floor but is dropped by the flurry of attacks. Ginger rushes into the room and executes the mongrelman, ignoring his pleas.
Treasure
2 light crossbows 20 bolts
potion of invisibility, wand of spiritual weapon (5 charges),alchemist's fire (2), tanglefoot bag, chinshirt, mwk glaive, antitoxin, bejeweled book of prayers devoted to Baphomet worth 50gp, lockbox key, orders from Staunton Vhane, 32 gp
studded leather armor, short sword, light crossbow with 20 bolts
Hosilla,
You will remain, for the time being, in Kenabres, but know this: the city's days are numbered. Seek a place of saftey-the underground den of your mongrel lackeys should suffice to keep you safe from the devastation to come. I shall assume command of Drezenshortly, and once Vorlesh has finished with the Wardstone and Kenabres is no longer of
interest to us, you are to return to my side.
Excellent news regarding the salvage of Yaniel's sword from the museum as well-bring it with you, for I believe this weapon could be quite useful once we corrupt it. Before you leave for Drezen stop by the three safe houses (Nyserian Manor, Topaz Solutions, and the Tower of Estrod- the passphrase remains: "I've new material for the archives," for now) to ensure no evidence remains behind.
May Lord Deskari and Lord Baphomet watch over you!
S.V.
Valtyra glares at the dwarf woman for killing the mongrelman that had been begging for his life at Oliver's feet.
You didn't need to kill him dwarf!
She states as she moves past the others towards the door to the north of the room and opens the door to see what lays there. Valtyra hopes that the sight of her will make anyone in the room surrender rather then face a demon.
Haroon shakes his head in consternation. Mordan, is he beyond all aid? Haroon dismisses the grease under Hosilla and searches her corpse for information. When he comes across the note on her person, he bares his teeth and spits to the ground. S.V.? That could only be the infamous Staunton Vhane, unholy warrior and traitor to the crusade. If she was in league with him, and these beast-men were her minions, and she hid down here from the attack on Kenebres... The edge of Ginger's axe was all the mercy they deserved! But what is this about Yaniel's sword? I've read her treatise on Demons. If they seek to corrupt it... We must recover it! Haroon stuffs the letter and keys into his belt pouch.
Ginger looks a bit stunned and confused for moment "he was begging for his life?" I didn't know I was... Her face suddenly goes pale and she drops to her knee's letting go of her axe before she starts to pray to her god for forgiveness and the evil act she had just committed.
Valtyra rushes forward throwing open the door to find:
A stone pedestal holds a copper brazier a loft in the center of this room. Against the western wall, an enormous pile of animal furs and thick quilts serves as a bed. Sheathed weapons and stone carvings adorn the walls. The eastern half of the room holds a wooden desk, beneath which stands a long, thin iron lockbox.
The room is no longer occupied.
Still sword in hand Oliver walks to Ginger's side, and places his hand on her shoulder. "You did the right thing, he said. Looking to the others he says: "I gather you would like to offer mercy to these beasts, but they are followers of demons and deserve not mercy but our blades."
When he learns that there is no present danger, he wipes his blades and sheaths it before picking up his bow and inspecting it for damage.
Mordan walks over to Ginger, his face a stone mask. "I understand the heat of battle, but a life has been taken which could have been saved to bolster the forces of good." Mordan kneels down in front of Ginger, and bows his head while placing a hand upon her shoulder. "In these times, of strife and pain, we ask for guidance. There is nothing that can be done now, and the danger at hand both in the city above and these catacombs below do not lend us the time to seek atonement for our sins. I will serve penance with you, friend, no matter the demand. But that penance will have to wait until we are free from these caves." Mordan stands back up and offers Ginger his hand. I doubt this will be the last time our resolve and faith will be tested."
The elder paladin glares at Oliver. "All sentient creatures are allowed choices, for even the aged are but children next to the gods. As such, we make choices both good and bad. How many had this mongrelman killed? Dozens? Maybe. None? Also a possibility. How are you to judge? The only thing we know is that he allowed his mind to be swayed by the honeyed words of demonkind. One day, you will find yourself compromised by the abyssal denizens. And when the chance of redemption is offered to you, remember these creatures you would slaughter without compassion."
Turning, Mordan offers a blessing from Iomedae to anyone who needs it.
Haroon's mouth curls a bit at Mordan's words, and he swallows, unsure of what was right. He shakes off his discomfort and invokes his magical sight to distract himself, sweeping the room for auras before coaxing Obregon out from under his robes. Have a look my friend, but be careful.
The raven loops around the room, keen-eyed and wary before returning to the wizard's shoulder.
There is a very Strong Aura emanating from within the lockbox.
Ginger gets up slowly with Mordan's help she then bends over to pick up her axe cleaning off the blood and putting away. She moves to stand next to the paladin. "I'm a bit hurt Mordan if you don't mind healing me. Not that I deserve it," she looks to the edge of her boots feeling ashamed.
Haroon makes his way carefully into the room and opens the lockbox.
Contents of the Lockbox
The lockbox under the desk is fastened with an average lock. The lockbox holds a small leather pouch containing an assortment of semiprecious gemstones (three chips of lapis lazuli worth 10 gp each, two bloodstones worth 50 gp each, a citrine worth 50 gp, and a white pearl worth 100 gp) as well as a scroll of bear's endurance and a scroll of remove disease. The lock box also contains long, thin darkwood sword case worth 200 gp (The case contains a masterfully crafted longsword with a dull gold blade.)
Valtyra will look into the lock box before picking up the sword to take a look at the dull gold blade to see if the sword could be sharpened and perhaps used.
As soon as Valtyra's hand grasps the hilt of the sword the dull color is infused with life and it takes on a radiant gleam!
Could it be? Haroon whispers, Yaniel's blade? He gazes in wonder as his face is bathed in radiant light, all moral quandaries forgotten in the instant.
Mordan places his hands on Ginger's shoulders as he finishes his small prayer. "Let Iomedae decide your worthiness for her blessing, friend." Warmth flows from his hands, as Ginger's minor wounds bind themselves.
"Yaniel's blade? This is indeed good news. We must return it to the crusaders above as soon as we can. Another holy relic can only help fight the demons, and this one could boost moral significantly as well."
"Greylock I ask only of you to strike me down should I ever fall to the corruption of demons." Oliver replies to the wise words of the paladin. At the others delight of the marvellous find Oliver asks: "Who is this Yaniel, an Iomedaen saint?"
Yaniel, a saint? Well, I don't know that I would go that far, but she was a great crusader and one of Iomedae's holy warriors. If this is truly her sword, and it's powerful enough, that's for certain, many demons have met their fate on this blade. But... Haroon pauses as realization overcomes him. It was supposed to be dormant, the magic fled or locked away. He trails off in hushed awe. If I tried to study this blade, well, it would be very difficult for me to unlock its secrets, but it could be done.
Haroon shakes off his dreamy distraction and nods to Mordan. Greylocke is right. We must return this blade to the surface so that it can once again be brought to bear in the fight against demonkind.
Yaniel was a famous demon-hunting paladin of Iomedae. She killed many demons but she also saved many crusaders from the world wound many years ago.
Valtyra just looks to the sword in her hand, amazed by the fact that she is holding the sword that saved so many crusaders and destroyed so many demons.
You are right my fellow paladin, this will give the crusaders fighting the demons of the worldwound above in Kenabres a boost to their moral.
Valtyra smiles as she continues to marvel at the sword before strapping it to her hip with its sheath.
"Huh. Magic sword, cool." Sam states, taking an inventory of everything. "Okay, it looks like all the lower levels are cleared out, so...we can now head up. Probably a couple more cultist guards up there but nothing we can't handle," The gunslinger claims. They prepare for heading back up - nabbing the two alchemist's fire vials for good use. They had a decent throwing arm after all.
Haroon examines the brazier, kicks through the furs and pelts, and makes a quick inventory of the weapons on the wall with Obregon's aid.
I think there was one door to the south, and one more in that kitchen room above us where we met that woman who was kind enough to donate her bow to Oliver, but after those, yes, let's head upwards.
Mordan pushes past the upcoming disagreement with Oliver... for now. "Yes, let's not leave possible enemies behind us. Let's finish down here, then the kitchen, then see if up truly leads out of here. One would hope that these demon worshipers came from somewhere above. There must be a way for them to get into the city from here. Does offer a ray of hope to see the sun again, does it not?"
"Could the sword save us?" Oliver inquires and continues: "Perhaps in the hands of another paladin of Iomedae?" gesturing towards Greylocke. For the first time in a while he smiles tiredly and remarks: "I for one would appreciate seeing the surface soon."
"I am a paladin of Iomedae as well Oliver. I am also a celestial being, an Assimar. You seem to forget so easily that I am someone who was blessed with the blood of angels and given the gift from Iomedae herself to be able to transform and speak to those who may possible be redeemed."
Valtyra points at the ranger, "You have treated me worse then you have treated Haroon since the first time I have transformed."
Valtyra walks out of the room heading towards the south door to make sure that there is no other enemies around.
Oliver smiles coldly, "Forgive me blessed one, he openly mocks before his expressions grow even darker and he continues in a more genuine tone of voice: "You wear the skin of both angel and demon. Your actions have been pure thus far, but I don't trust easily."
"Easy, all. Remember, we're far from safety and still need to rely upon each other to survive. Let's not let ourselves forget that in the moment. Shall we head up?"
"Gladly," Oliver replies and begins to move away.
Haroon grins nervously between Valtyra and Oliver. If this is Yaniel's sword, which is a reasonable assumption, but by no means certain, then its response to Valtyra's grasp is quite reassuring, to me at least. Let's continue.
Haroon refreshes his dancing lights as Obregon stays perched on his shoulder, quorking softly. He then moves to the southern door, and once everyone is ready, opens it.
Old bloodstains the floor of this small cavern. Barrels filled with scraps of fur and fat sit against one wall, emitting an foul stench. The two long stone slab tables are covered with skinning tools and piles of freshly butchered meat. Two wooden racks hold drying animal skins.
A quick check reveals this to be some sort of kitchen. You can find about 5 days worth of usable rations in here.
Ginger nods to herself as she watches her wounds knit back together and only showing a small scratch. "Thank you Mordan that helped a lot." She watches the show with the sword in the back of group not wanting to get into anyone's way. As everyone heads to the south door she will follow staying the back.
"If you're done fighting over the shiny sword now," Sam states, "Let's get a damn move on, because it's been like four days since I've seen sunlight, and it's seriously messing with my head not knowing if its night or day."
It's always night down here Haroon murmurs as he climbs the rope back to the higher level.
Valtyra will follow Haroon up the rope back to the room with the door, opening the door she looks to see what is inside.
In 4692 AR, soon after the start of the Fourth Crusade, a paladin of Iomedae and renowned demon slayer named Yaniel spoke out against the Mendevian crusaders, accusing them of negligence and sloth, and claiming these faults were what allowed Khorramzadeh to invade Kenabres and damage the wardstone. Her accusations cut too close to the truth, and in a moment of weakness her superiors threatened to excommunicate her. Instead, she said she would enter the Worldwound and fight the Fourth Crusade on her own, with only her magic sword Radiance for company.
The church was happy to see Yaniel go, and in the 2 years that followed, she was thought to have been slain. Yet when she returned to Kenabres in 4694 AR, leading a small army of crusaders she'd rescued, both Yaniel and her superiors had changed. For her part, Yaniel had shed her pride and insubordination, and had gained a new appreciation for the difficult decisions leaders are forced to make. And the church leaders had learned that sometimes the truth is exactly what you need to hear. Alas, Yaniel was assassinated before the year was out, slain by the lilitu demon Minagho only a week into her second personal crusade. Her followers managed to return to Kenabres with Radiance, but Yaniel's body had been taken. The sword had gone dark after Yaniel's death, its magical powers apparently lost or dormant, and so the crusaders elected to place it in the Gray Garrison on display.
Yet several months ago it was stolen by the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth, who plan to soon send the sword north to Drezen for corruption into a weapon of evil.
Valtyra opens the north-east door of this chamber and almost immediately regrets it. This narrow hallway slopes downward steeply. The walls are stained with foul- smelling streaks of refuse. A mound of rotting garbage lies heaped at the far end of the hallway.
Gah! Haroon gags. Shut it! It's just the privy!
Ginger picks up a great club and swings it around feeling the weight and how it handles. She smiles to herself and straps it in with all her other weapons. After that she will follow Harron and Valtyra up the rope. As she gets to the top she will quickly cover her nose as the smell reaches her. "Oh god that's a retched stench.
Feeling his stomach turn when the stench hits him Oliver pales a little. "There can be nothing of interest there, lets move on," he suggests.
Valtyra slams the door shut at the stench of the refuse. "You are correct, there is nothing here of interest." Valtyra holds back a gag at the smell that still lingered in the room. Moving away from the door she heads to the hole in the ceiling of the other room and looks up into the darkness to see if there is anything that she can see at the top of the hole.
Haroon follows behind Valtyra, but keeps his dancing lights below, and at an angle to prevent them from illuminating the chamber above, trusting the Aasimar's preternatural vision.
Above she can see drying blood splashed across the ceiling, a rank smell drifts down from above.
Valtyra relays what she sees along with the horrible stench that is wafting down with the scene. "We may want to be careful when going up."
Mordan also follows everyone back up.
Unsure of Valtyra's remark Oliver asks: "Do you have an idea of what awaits us?"
Only one way to find out. Haroon looks up the rope and then to his lights. Say the word and I'll send them up.
"I can't see anything beside blood splashed over the cavern walls and ceiling, but what ever is up there may be dangerous. Valtyra looks at Oliver as she answers and then turns to Haroon. "No that may give away that someone is coming up to who ever may be up there." Valtyra that grabs the rungs of the ladder and slowly begins to climb up being as careful as possible to not alert anyone at the top that she is approaching.
The dark room is filthy. At one point three large rats once nested here, but the bloody and torn remains of their corpses now occupy their home instead. There is a hallway leading off to the east and the gentle glow of coals are visible down its dark depths.