Weighting his options Oliver remains silent pushing the time to speak by taking a mouthful of food followed by more than enough ale to wash it down. Finally he has decided and says: "It seems driving these bastards away has its perks, so I guess I am also staying for now."
"I am certainly willing to help return this city to its former state, where the streets are safe from demonic assault. Rooting out the infestation of the Ivory Labyrinth seems a good step towards that goal." Mordan continues polishing his armor, both saddened by the need to wear it and glad to have a reason to need it.
"All right, now you go," Sam says, unable to stop smiling for some reason. "How did you survive? I saw you crushed in a demon's grip!
Unsure about their opponents Oliver asks: "Who are these Ivory Labyrinth guys? Beastmen?"
"Another crusader using magic far beyond my understanding, breathed life back into me. Some others hauled me away from the cathedral as the battle raged on. In the chaos my rescuer was lost, and no one remaining knows who it might have been. I somehow managed to survive the battle while the cathedral was torn asunder. When I awoke dawn was breaking and a small group of the Eagle's Watch had returned to search for any survivors."
"So I cam to be here, the remainder of my wounds too severe for the skill of the healers we have left. Forced to sit idle while the battle for this city continues. Even Lord Hulrun was killed during the attack and the demons have his body on display. Such desecration and darkness permeates the very essence of the city now, many feel there is nothing left to do, but I think you should return below, I know that Irabeth has been working on a plan an the news you've brought would be of aid to that woman."
Irabeth replies to Oliver's question coolly. "The Templars look like you or me, they infiltrated our ranks, sowed corruption and indolence through out the crusaders. Likely though they'll have little time for any reaming deception. As much as I hate to say it, it may be better to strike without warning against any the remain outside of these walls. At least any that threaten you. Demons walk the very streets and only those with hearts as black as theirs are spared. While there are a few survivors holed up in varying locations, most will stay away from anyone for the time being.
"The day is still young and if we delay the Templars may find away to escape justice.
Then we must not delay. Let's outfit ourselves as best we can, leave whatever we do not need here, and strike quickly. Which will be the easiest and fastest to reach, the Nyserian Manor, Topaz Solutions, or the Tower of Estrod?
Valtyra listens quietly to what everyone has to say. Checking her armor is fit for the next battles that they may encounter. Standing she looks at the others. "I am ready for what ever may be coming, let us do what we can to help defeat the evil that is here."
"While the Tower is closer, it is also in the Ring District. The demons have fortified the center of the city as their own stronghold. I would recommend heading for the Topaz Solutions. Perhaps you will even find useful supplies in the Alchemy shop. " Irabeth give you a wry smile.
"Agreed. There were merchants here correct? Then let us take what gold we have to outfit accordingly. Shall we meet back here in two hours with our supplies?"
Why don't you come with me and we'll do what business we can with the merchants here, Mordan? For some reason, people tend to take more kindly to you than me... With Greylocke's aid, Haroon sells off what he can as quickly as he can. He also leaves behind some of his possessions after asking Kimroth, Are the room rates the same, or is there a special for demon hunters? in jest.
"What will we find at this Topaz solutions?" Oliver asks uncertain of the soundness of their plan.
"There is but one way to know for certain..."
The sun is high in the sky as you leave the Inn, refreshed and well fed. Th nearby streets have been mostly cleared of ruins and without the injured companions you make much better time.
A lone vulture swoops down at you but is quickly dispatched by a shot from Sam's gun.
Seemly attracted by the noise three more quickly attack. The prove to be little more effective than the lone one.
Apart from these creatures your travel is unremarkable.
A wooden sign above the door bears a carving of a bundle of orange herbs and flowers hovering over a beaker filled with smoking orange liquid. The building's windows are tightly shuttered, but the front door hangs halfway off its hinges.
Entering the establishment you find a group of 6 men scattered throughout the room.
Recalling the instructions from Staunton Vhane's recovered letter to Hosilla, Haroon nods to the men in turn and says in a measured turn, Good day gentlemen, I've new material for the archives.
Puzzled by Haroon's speach Oliver keeps his mouth shut and awaits the response of the men, but keeps his hand on the hilt.
The men seem surprised by your sudden intrusion and slowly get to their feet. The nearest spits something dark onto the floor. "Materials ey? Lets see them then mate."
Haroon smiles and pulls out Terendrelev's Scale of Glittering, blasting the four men closest to the door.
Smiling coldly Oliver draws his sword and readies himself himself to attack those who might avoid Terendrelev's might and later those who don't.
Valtyra pulls out Radiance and prepares to attack the man if he moves.
Sam keeps their pistol at the ready to shoot anyone who might resist the glittering scale.
Mordan prepares to rush in front of Haroon, protecting him with a wall of steel should any of the guards resist the spell.
Order
Thug Leaps onto the counter slashing down at Valtyra. His blade misses.
Haroon- Gliterdust
Thug
Thug
Sam
Mordan
Thug
Thug
Thug
Valtyra dodges the man's blow at slices at his mid section but misses from trying to hit him while on the counter top.
Thug- misses.
Haroon- Gliterdust
all failed marked in red
Valtyra -misses
Thug - GD
Thug - Pushes past his comrade swinging at Haroon.
Thug -GD
Thug
Thug -GD
Stepping to Haroon's side Oliver draws his blade and slashes at the attacker. The other manages to parry leaving Oliver bitter preparing for his next assault.
The gunslinger steps back and fires at a goon, reloading swiftly.
Mordan steps to the door, his longsword being drawn. "You have yet a chance to surrender. Lay down your arms and recognize the folly of listening to demonic tongues. This city shall brook no traitors, so you have only the one chance."
"Demons? we ain't been working for no demons, we just holed up in this empty shop!"
Bloodied and injured the man by the door back away closer to his friends. "What ever stuff you brought for the owner ain't worth dying for. "
Valtyra five foot steps away from the man on the counter. She continues to watch the men carefully and prepares to attack should they try to harm the party.
"Then it is best you lay down your arms and surrender. There is suspicion of demonic association in this place. If you were unaware of your employers possible leanings, then the tribunal shall find you innocent of treason. It shall not be so gentle to those unrepentant. Toss your weapons this way, place your hands on your heads and slowly move closer."
Mordan prepares to bind the hands of those who surrender, and plans to take them back for judgment at the Defender's Hearth.
Sam arches a brow, trying to determine if these guys were trying to feed them all a load of bull or if they were genuinely just squatters.
"Hey, Haroon? Did you just try some kind of passphrase with these guys? Cause if they don't know the right response, doesn't that kind of prove they ain't cultists, just cowards?"
"Employer? Tribunal? What are you talking about? You saying a guy can't take shelter fro demons in a abandoned shop? You guys are the ones that started with your fancy magic, you like to attack people in shops now?"
"There are accusations of demonic infiltration associated with this building. If you have randomly chosen to shelter here, you have chosen poorly. As the city stands, there is no room for blind trust amidst demonic treachery. Therefore, should you be found innocent you will be free to rejoin this position, or stay in the better defended position at the Defender's Hearth. Should you choose to resist, then we shall be forced to take severe action. If we are wrong, and you are innocent or misled, the Gods will take our punishment in hand. Throw down your weapons, stand down, and we will finish our investigation. Should no demonic presence remain here, then you are free to launch a formal complaint to the remaining crusaders at the Hearth. I fear your complaint will have few ramifications presently, until law and order are restored to Kenabres, but you will have that right. Now. Stand. Down."
"We'll be leaving, and taking our things with us. If you want to attack us we'll defend ourselves. Turning men out onto the streets at a time like this. We'll go sure enough we don't want 'ny more trouble with the like of you, but we'll be keeping our blades. Threatening you'll bring the law down on us eh?" The man spits out blood from his mouth. Continuing his mumbling he helps the men who are just now recovering for Haroon's scale. With his blade sheathed he walks up to the older paladin. "Let the fiends take you, you son of a Calistrian whore!."
Mordan sighs, then pulls out his holy symbol to Iomedae. He closes his eyes for a brief second, his eyes glowing white when the opens them back up. He briefly looks over the room, hoping to rationalize letting the men go.
An thorough examination of the shop shows that these men seem to have recently take up residence here.
A large sack is found.
Treasure: The looters keep their collection of treasure
in a large sack. The trove consists of 122 gp, 418 sp, a set
of silver cutlery worth 125 gp, a brass goblet worth 15
gp, a portrait of a young man in fancy dress cut from its
frame and rolled up worth 55 gp, a flask of acid, a flask of
alchemist's fire, two vials of antitoxins, three vials of holy
water, three +iflamin.!J bolts, an elixir of vision, and a potion
of barkskin +2.
A secret door in the northwest corner is built into the back of a series of shelves containing fake alchemical supplies. The stairs lead to a basement.
The air in this basement is damp and musty-smelling. The walls and floor are packed earth, while dozens of gourds hang from the ceiling beams. A sludge of rotting plant matter covers the floor. Against one wall, a wooden table holds a strange apparatus that looks like a clockwork toy of a snake-bodied, six armed woman holding a sword in each hand. A tightly corked bottle, filled with what looks like water, sits before the statue. A wooden chest covered with engraved runes stands under the table, and a sinister image of a star surrounding a goat's face is painted on the wall above the table.
"I guess those weren't the reason we went here?" Oliver asks as the men are allowed to leave. "Remind me what I should be looking for," he adds when they begin to search the Topaz solutions. Moving into the basement he forces a strained smile. "This is it isn't it?" he asks pointing to the painting on the wall.
"I would guess so. I'll leave it to the more learned of us to identify, but it does seem to hint at a more nefarious intent. Haroon, does any of this look recognizable? Valtyra, have you studied much of the lore? Sadly, my time was focused on combat medicine and I never applied myself to demonic studies in my elder years. Knowing what cult would use this symbol may help us. Also, we should proceed with extreme caution. I doubt this place has been abandoned for long, and there very well may be some traps left behind for those who come a-looking."
Valtyra will exam the image on the wall to see if she recognizes it from her study of demons.
Giving Valtyra time to access the symbol Oliver turns his attention to the rest of the room. "Do you think those are also Daemonic?" Oliver asks Greylocke pointing to the chest and figurine.
Valtyra recognizes the painting as Baphomet a demon lord.
Sam attempts to look around from a distance to see if she can determine if there's any sort of trap in here.