Hedda understood wanting to believe that there was someone to save but she was highly doubtful. "I agree with Brevon. Speed may be our best chance at the moment to get to Drezen undetected and demons tend to not leave survivors unless they're interrupted - which clearly they weren't. But if you need to look, I'll do what I can to help.
"Well, how long would it take for a man to run through town? It's not that many minutes. It would take about as long for an elemental to do the same while searching, I think. We could even do this while the rest is getting ready to march. That would also have the added bonus of avoiding the army giving false positives to the search. What do you say Brevon? It's worth five to ten minutes of our time, right?" Rukzha looks to the holy warrior.
"Of course it would be, if we haven't already performed such a survey."
Elriel was more old-fashioned when it came time to trust scouts and he was perfectly happy with what the reports had been.
"I think we should not waste any more time. This may not work and we must think about the greater good here. I say we march along and cover as much distance as possible. We'll start looking for a safe place to camp once we are close to nightfall."
Rukzha looks over the town and quickly makes an estimate. "By my estimation, it'll only take about quarter of an hour. Surely we got that kind of time? We can even do it while the rest is getting ready. Sorry for not thinking about this earlier... We should have done it yesterday, but I still think it's worth doing now before we leave. The elementals will be able to sense anyone touching the ground, so it'll be much faster than a conventional search. Please Elriel?"
Arrika dismisses Kelumarion after a simple reassurance that she would be alright for the time being. Soon after, Arrika summons two earth elementals in front of you and, after a couple of words from Rukzha in a rather harsh tongue, the creatures nod and disappear inside the ground, leaving no trace behind.
About fifteen minutes later, they return to report to Rukzha, revealing that they had found nothing important... no humanoid life hidden anywhere in the town.
Meanwhile, the army was getting ready to move. Sosiel and Aron came closer, looking for the order to march forward. "So, should I send word to the sergeant? The crusaders are ready and eager to march."
Arrika only nods to Sosiel and Aron as she intones her familiar prayer, begun the moment the elementals had made their rumbling, rasping report to Rukzha and rejoined the stones beneath her feet. Kelumarion, god among us, long ago you swore...
Elriel was impressed by Rukzha's inventiveness, "That was good work and it didn't take as longas I've feared it would."
He then added, "I think it's time we march on to our destination. We want to cover good ground before the sun sets."
------------
Once you give the orders, the crusaders start to move north this time, intending to quickly reach the West Sellen River Bed, using it as a road to make the marching easier. Once more, Aron takes the lead of the army with a couple more scouts, making sure there is no problem ahead of you. You slowly leave Valas' Gift behind and are rewarded with a weak rain that, in time, will for sure soak you all completely.
After less than two hours of marching, you reach the river bed and thus follow it towards northeast. To the southeast, it is the always present fields of dying grass which, while depressing, is far more reassuring than the dead and cursed lands on the other margin of the river to the northwest.
Nurah rides along with you, telling you marvelous stories of honor and valor about the crusaders and their heroes. It is easy to know that her knowledge in the history of the crusade is immense. She also shows herself as an ardent agent of the Queen, even if kind of doubting if she will actually be able to help you in your dangerous quest.
By the end of the day, you are still more than a couple miles away from your next mark, the village and fort of Vilareth Ford, the only crossing of the West Sellen River this far north. Aron returns to ask once more for your orders. "Vilareth Ford is still about fifteen miles away and it is already getting too dark. We could march during the first hours of the night but with this we'll risk our horses since the river bed is a tricky place to march. On the other hand, there is no safe place for us to make a camp and the only protection would be our sheer numbers and the river."
Once you give the orders, the crusaders start to move north this time, intending to quickly reach the West Sellen River Bed, using it as a road to make the marching easier. Once more, Aron takes the lead of the army with a couple more scouts, making sure there is no problem ahead of you. You slowly leave Valas' Gift behind and are rewarded with a weak rain that, in time, will for sure soak you all completely.
After less than two hours of marching, you reach the river bed and thus follow it towards northeast. To the southeast, it is the always present fields of dying grass which, while depressing, is far more reassuring than the dead and cursed lands on the other margin of the river to the northwest.
Nurah rides along with you, telling you marvelous stories of honor and valor about the crusaders and their heroes. It is easy to know that her knowledge in the history of the crusade is immense. She also shows herself as an ardent agent of the Queen, even if kind of doubting if she will actually be able to help you in your dangerous quest.
By the end of the day, you are still more than a couple miles away from your next mark, the village and fort of Vilareth Ford, the only crossing of the West Sellen River this far north. Aron returns to ask once more for your orders. "Vilareth Ford is still about fifteen miles away and it is already getting too dark. We could march during the first hours of the night but with this we'll risk our horses since the river bed is a tricky place to march. On the other hand, there is no safe place for us to make a camp and the only protection would be our sheer numbers and the river."
Sosiel chimes in as well. "Even if it seems a dangerous positioning, I'd advise you against marching ahead. We can't see in the dark but our enemies can and lighting torches during the night would makes this army a beacon for them..."
Nurah interrupts Sosiel before he could finish. "On the other hand, I'd rule the river out as a protection... even if it looks like a barrier to us, I've heard about tales of aquatic demons and even if they are just that, there are many of them with the ability to fly..."
"A tired, broken army is no army at all. We cannot expect our men to force a march through the dark, and we cannot spare our horses. We need every resource available to us. I believe we should camp, but keep a keen watch on the surroundings." He turns to his companions.
Elriel nodded at Brevon's assessment of the situation. "I don't like camping out in the open but the alternative seems far worse. At the very least, we'll have fresh men ready to defend us."
He looked about, "Let's get away from the river; it's environs seem to favor our enemy and make camp in the most defensible position available. A small hill, a valley, or anything that will limit the paths that our enemy could take. Oh, and double watch again tonight."
Brevon and Elriel are right, Arrika answers with a nod of assent. Double watches at least - triple would be better, if we can do it and still get everyone enough rest. I'll see about putting up some magic wards...I don't know if I can do a lot, but maybe I could make it so we at least get some warning if something comes close...
Hedda agreed with the others. "We should definitely camp. We know the risks of our position and can defend against them now. If we continue in the dark, the risks are unknown."
"What just happened? I feel like I've experienced this before." Rukzha mutters as Aron recounts his findings. "I fear the demonic influence might be strong than it first appears. We should be on our guard. Their attacks might not all be of the kind we can see or even sense."
"It's too bad we are out here in the open, but given that we are, we should just do the best of it. Traveling through darkness when most of us can't see very far seems too risky."
With your decision made, all your three companions nod, signaling they both agree and understand you reasons. Sosiel returns to the body of the army to give the orders while Aron once more moves to the vanguard of the army to look for a good, or at least passable, place to camp. Walking for a couple more minutes you are able to find a spot that is a bit more distance from the roaring river but still inside the river bed.
According to your instructions, the crusaders dismount and get the camp ready, assigning double the numbers of sentinels during the night. Before it gets too dark, Arrika moves around the camp, judging the terrain and looking for natural enter points. Aron assists her and together they identify two possible spots. Soon after, she casts an enchantment, assuring Aron that with this, she would know if any enemy approaches.
This time, in the open field and almost within enemy territory, you light no fire, meaning that you dine in complete darkness...
Tonight, Brevon sits silently, though he still clutches Radiance to his chest. It takes every ounce of his willpower not to ignite her light. The darkness surrounding them is suffocating. Unseen demons and haunts skirt just at the periphery, he knows, waiting to grasp him and pull him into their clutches. It's all he can do to keep himself breathing.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breath in. Out."
Swallowing thickly, he tries to distract his mind by singing a marching tune he's picked up from the other soldiers.
"R-r-roll out the drums of w-war
Roll up the c-cover of the killing floor
Roll out the dr-drums of war
And let's speak of things worth fighting for"
He tries to recall what some of those things might be, but it's all he can do to remember the words of the song.
Everyone was on edge which was expected considering where they were. If you weren't vigilant and alert, you were dead. However, Hedda didn't want to spend the evening allowing herself to imagine the worst in silence. As they sat around eating trail rations in the dark she asked the group, "How'd you all meet? Have you been fighting together long?"
tag all
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Sitting next to Brevon in the fading light, Arrika gnaws at a hard-as-stone piece of dried waybread, trying to pulverize it into edibility. For a moment, she considers heating some water and crumbling the waybread into it to create an improvised porridge...until she remembers that with no fire, there's no hot water, either. What good's magic if I can't even heat up a stupid cup of tea? she thinks petulantly; Kelumarion barely manages to stifle a rumbling chuckle.
But as the evening wears on, petty gripes give way to darker fears...and just as the darkness grows deepest, Brevon's querulous song struggles out into the night. The song isn't a cheerful one, but at the last line, something absurd pops into the Kellid girl's mind - a lullaby she'd learned from the sisters who'd cared for her and the other orphans of war in Kenabres. Even at the tender age of six, life had left her too jaded and world-worn for such tunes to do much to calm her...but it spoke of good things, of life's small joys that were too easy to forget on the Crusade's front lines. The small joys that made the fight worth it.
Her soft alto voice echoes Brevon's, though the gentle lilting tune couldn't be more different from the soldier's regimented marching song.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens...
Brown paper packages tied up with strings,
These are a few of my favorite things...
Elriel remembered what it felt like for darkness to set in and not being able to see. Now, with his eyes abe to pierce the night, he felt better. A little, considering they were probably surrounded by roving bands of demons.
He neared Brevon, "It's Ok. I can see some and can help. I'll take one of the watches."
He then took a quick survey of the soldiers, "So, how many of you can see in the dark. Let's split you all up and make sure that we have at least one of them per shift. I'll take whatever shift you need me to. I have no need to rest my mind."
He scoffed, "Wouldn't do any good anyway."
Rukzha shakes her head at Hedda's question, finish chewing her bread then speaks up. "Honestly, we haven't been together for all that long. A day or so after the initial attack I was rescued by Brevon and Arrika as I had been captured by some cultists. Thankfully they hadn't been able to anything serious to me before they got me. We encountered Brevon a day or so later I believe. Though, we've been through a lot together. We've been in quite a few fights with the demons, their spawns and cultists."
Rukzha is embarrassed by Elriel's comment. "I can see in the dark." She says weakly. "Sadly, I'll need a lot of sleep if I'm going to be of much use tomorrow."
Suddenly a though strikes her and she continues excitedly. "Magic can deal with the fatigue from not resting though. Sadly, my magic isn't of much use in that regard, but we got the wand of lesser restoration. Brevon could also pray for a similar effect I believe. Isn't that right Brevon?"
"Both you and Arrika with Kelumarion could stay up all night, then have your fatigue washed away in the morning."
Despite the general wariness of the crusaders, you faced no attack during the night. Elriel was able to find a significant amount of crusaders able to see in the dark, be it dwarves, half-orcs, or planetouched, mostly aasimars and tiefling. There were also an elf or two that, even if not able to see in the darkness, had sharp ears to aid in the guarding of the encampment.
With no fire to warm you and shed a bit of light, the night was long, even if not cold, a blessing in disguise, since it was probably caused by the warmer temperature of the Worldwound.
When the first light crosses over the mountains, the crusaders were already eager and ready to resume the march. After a couple minutes to eat some rations, you start marching towards Vilareth Ford once more. During the morning, Nurah entertains you about the history of the village. "...so, it was named for the crusader general who first held the ford against a host cultists eager to use it as an invasion point, Holvar Vilareth was a true hero, and also beloved by his men. Since then, Vilareth Ford has been watched by a small contingent of crusaders. It never felt to the enemy, so there is still hope that we might be able to find shelter and supplies in there..." her voice trails off, probably doubting her own optimism.
When it is almost noon, Aron comes back riding his white horse, his face livid. "It is lost! Vilareth Ford has fallen..." He takes some air and drinks from Nurah's waterskin before he continues. "A small army of tieflings took the village. I counted around two hundred, but it could be more... I imagine all the crusaders stationed here are dead... at least it is what the amount of heads and entrails atop a bunkerlike structures that line the West Sellen's east bank. I wasn't able to see much, fearing that it would give away my positioning, but I believe there are some survivors... at least it was what the screams of pain suggested to me."
Listening to only the end of Aron's report, Sosiel gives his opinion while making sure Aron is fine. "Two hundred tieflings? They have twice as much men as we have." Despite the numbers, there is a small smile in his lips. "This is nothing! Our armed crusaders could possibly take twice as much!" He looks at you, awaiting for a confirmation. "How is the terrain, my dear? Do we have some advantage or their bunker structures are too powerful?"
Aron shakes his head, a bit more reassured. "The ford itself is a large place, but their bunkers give them some advantage against our mounted crusaders... on the other hand, the terrain until there could also provide us some concealment." Turning to you, Aron also looks for some guidance.
"As far as I can see, we could approach this in two different ways: we could send the army along the river, giving them ample time to get ready for us, but allowing our knights to possibly circumvent their bunkers; or, we could send them around the hills, giving us the element of surprise... the problem comes if we aren't able to surprise them, which would put us in a disadvantage positioning." Sosiel gives his opinion once more after checking some facts with Aron.
Elriel considered the situation and spat on the ground, "I think we should split our forces. My companions and I will take to the hills and strike from there."
When everyone raised their eyebrows, he continued, "Don't worry. I have no intention on taking on 200 tielflings. However, we can become a big nuisance. Enough so their attention is diverted to us and hopefully leave a better opening for a front assault."
He looked at the mounted knights and although fighting from horseback was not his specialty, he understood its advantages. "The way I see it, we don't want to give up the advantage of a mounted charge."
He smiled, "Besides, I think the five of us could make a lot of noise."
Rukzha tilts her head to the side quizzically with a sly smile. "Why split up, or give up the mounted charge, when we don't have to do either. If I make an illusion of a huge wave approaching, they might just all rush disorderly against us, leaving them easy pickings for our mounted charge. Though another solution could be to use said illusion to hide our advance..."
"I had always heard that witches are clever, but I had no idea..." Brevon says seriously from behind his visor. He lifts it up and appraises Rukzha. "It is only an illusion, you say? It wouldn't harm any innocent survivors, would it? We should try to save as many as we can. In that regard, I would favor the wave or something like it. If they flee quickly, they'll have less inclination to harm their captives."
He drops his visor back into place. "It is a good plan."
Sosiel nods with Rukzha's suggestion. "This is a quite smart solution... can you do it from a safe distance? I assume that it would matter if they see you or not... actually, it could even be beneficial, since they'd probably think you are casting a powerful spell. Nevertheless, you still need to choose if you'll lead the army by the river, or through the hills."
Elriel nodded, "Fine then. An illusion of a wave it is then. Hopefully that will rauffle their feathers enough to both leave the prisoners be and allow us an advantage on a mounted charge."
He cocked his head, "Speaking of prisoners, I think I hear their screams from here so let's get going, eh?"
Elriel's right - let's get going, Arrika nods in assent, rubbing her ring. When we get close, I'll throw up some wards to protect as many as I can from any evil influences.
"The sooner we go, the better. The tieflings need to pay for what they've done, and are doing, to the crusaders." Hedda unslung her greataxe in anticipation of the fight to come.
Rukzha nods. "Yeah, I can do it from over 600 feet away. Let's get as close as we think we can get away with before being discovered, get up some defenses, and then I'll do what I can to bring them to us."
Rukzha casts mirror image on herself in addition to the usual mage armor. "Wouldn't be good to be hit by a stray arrow and lose concentration halfway now would it. " It's hard to determine which of the images actually spoke as there are suddenly several copies of Rukzha standing right next to each other.
Once they are ready to begin, Rukzha starts up her usual chant. Suddenly rumbling can be heard, like waves crashing or rocks falling. They they see it. Even from this distance it's possible to make out the massive wave heading towards the village. Twenty feet high and fifty feet wide a massive wall of churning water is approaching the village. It seems to rip up the land along the riverbank as it far encompasses it.
Once the battle plan is formed, Aron guides Rukzha towards the edge of the hills where she is able to concentrate on her spell. Beneath them, the half-orc watched the smoking city, as well as the clear carnage that took place in there. Perhaps wishing to cleanse the whole place, the witch concentrated and soon the waters rose to a frightening height.
To her satisfaction, the tieflings were startled. They looked at the approaching wave with utterly fear in their eyes and soon abandoned their bunkers, running as madmen towards the hills. Then the thunder began.
Leading the charge, was Brevon with his shining scimitar guiding the crusaders to the battle, showing the path to greatness. The thunderous hooves echoed throughout the battlefield, following by the sibling sound of a hundred arrows flying towards the disorganized tiefling army... almost half of them were slain even before they knew what was happening.
In the middle of the enemy's army, you notice a goat-faced demon, a brimorak dressed in feminine clothes and carrying a burning glaive. Pointing towards you and killing a couple of her own soldiers to make her orders followed, the enemy's general takes control of the routing army, sending them towards you... twin swords are unsheathed everywhere, and soon tiedlinfs, crusaders, and horses colide in the middle of a grievous melee.
Although, the result was unsurprising, much like Sosiel had bragged. The tiefling army was no more and your army of experienced knights suffered few losses, just six brave men. The few enemies who managed to survive are prostrated on their knees, begging for mercy.
True to her word, Arrika sends each of her companions into the battle with a word of blessing, warding them against the influences of evil. As her friends departs into the melee, she saves her last gentle touch for Kelumarion, along with a mischievous smile. Give 'em Hell - or would that be give them Heaven? Her friends protected, Arrika rushes into the skirmish herself, brandishing her long spear and doing her best to distract the tieflings, creating openings for her allies in any way she can.
When the silence falls, she looks up to take in the scene, wiping a splatter of blood off her cheek and reaching her mind out to her companion as he licks blood clean from his paws. ::I...still haven't gotten used to how fast it can be over, Kelu. There's...there were hundreds of people here, just a couple of minutes ago. Now they're all gone... I know they've killed and destroyed. I know it's all part of war, and that they would fight to see the destruction of all that's good and right in the world. But still...two hundred thinking, feeling beings. Gone.::
::And if you're right in what you always taught me, their souls just go straight to the demons they served, to strengthen them... How are we supposed to fight an army that only gets stronger the more of them we defeat? What can we do against such reckless hate?:: A deep sigh and a shake of the head, and the moment passes; methodically she begins to search through the dead for anything of importance, turning bodies over with the haft of her spear and trying her hardest not to look into the glass eyes.
For all the savagery of battle, for all the demon blood spilled, and for all speed She had granted him, Brevon now finds himself in a moment of stillness.
He had walked alone across the shattered battlefield, the bodies of dead and dying demons strewn across the ground like pieces of straw. Stepping over several in a pile, a hand had closed around his ankle. Startled, he drew Radiance, her light blazing even in the daylight. The hand was clawed and was attached to a disgustingly ugly tiefling. His face was smashed, nose broken, but he sneered with crooked, bloody teeth and blinked his remaining, fiery eye.
"You'll never find her here, you fool," said the tiefling.
Brevon should have known better but, curious, he had indulged in his curiosity. "Who?" he asked.
"She's gone. She's down...below. With usss..." the demonspawn hissed the last word, the sound breaking off into a bitter chuckle.
Trembling, Brevon had fallen to his knees, shaking the demon roughly by his shoulders. "Who? Who?? Tell me, you fiend!"
But the body was dead and cold, as though it had been lifeless for hours.
He cursed and scream, driving the tip of Radiance through the corpse's skull.
And now he sits in the same location, his sword still standing upright, supported by the smashed skull of the nameless tiefling body. He thinks about his newfound speed. Sometimes he imagines that he could run forever, chasing the sun as it slips below the horizon. The night, the dark, the cold, they would all fade into mere memory.
But memories can be so haunting, and even the fastest horse in the world could not outrun his past.
Sighing, he grabs Radiance by the hilt and pulls her free of the tiefling. Then he walks back the way he came, more careful this time, to find the line of the other demons who have been captured for prisoners. He also sees his friends. He addresses the prisoners.
"She has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of light, wherein we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins. Confess! Repent! Lend aid to our cause, and we shall show you mercy!"
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As soon as Hedda sees the brimorak, she loses all thought for anything but killing it. The fact that she had almost died at the hands of another brimorak not that long ago, fueled her wrath. She had learned a few things last time that she was eager to try in this fight. With her anger focused like an arrow, she takes off across the battlefield.
Leaving a swath of tiefling bodies behind her, she carves a path towards the brimorak using her beloved greataxe. As she moves, she uses her innate magic to make her arms grow in length to give her the necessary reach to attack the brimorak while staying far enough away to remain unaffected by its burning blood. She continues to rely on her instincts as she gives in to the rage seething through her veins. The claws grow and her body takes on demonic bulk thanks to the taint in her blood. Reaching her quarry, flaming glaive clashes with coldiron greataxe and sparks fly. Hedda keeps her weapon moving and manages to land numerous blows; however, the brimorak manages to give as much as it takes. Snarling in fury the bloodrager taps into her recently acquired abilities and she manages to completely bypass the demon’s defenses. She starts by sheering its arm off at the elbow causing it to drop its glaive. Capitalizing on her advantage she brings her greataxe down on the brimorak’s head, cleaving it in two almost perfectly symmetrical halves. The force of the attack causes burning blood to splatter Hedda even at a distance but she barely notices. Her weapon stops mid-sternum in the demon as it loses its momentum. Hedda puts her boot on the demon’s chest and pushes as she pulls her weapon free. She then whirls to meet the next enemy but there is none, the army had defeated the tieflings. As her rage begins to dissipate, Hedda focuses on keeping her feet. It wouldn’t do to collapse from exhaustion in front of everyone.
Elriel had had his fill of killing, even demonspawn and tieflings. As soon as the battle was well under control, he went directly to the prisoners that still lived.
He ripped into one last jailer before plucking the keys to manacles from the still warm body. He then liberated those men and women under the yoke. he shared food and drink and asked to learn more about them. were these local farmers trying to eek out a life here or seasoned veterans who were just overwhelmed by the savagery of the demons.
tag prisoners?
He then congratulated everyone for their courage and wits, "May Iomedae keep the brave souls who perished today in all her glory."
After the battle, the army soon starts to bind the few survivors and grouping them close to the city's gate which is not open. Aron quickly slips into the surrounding regions, along with three more crusaders, to scout out the place and ensure that no other enemies lie in wait. Meanwhile, Nurah and Sosiel set out separately to seek survivor to heal and rescue from the aftermath.
A couple minutes later, Aron returns triumphantly. "That was a great victory, truly amazing! I must confess that I left Kenabres with little hopes but after seeing how you manage to plan this battle and lose only three men, I must say that I'm embarrassed to have the shadow of doubt in my heart..." after a couple seconds of silence and the reassuring hug of Sosiel, Aron continued. "Nevertheless, the battle was won. If I may, I'd like to suggest you to order the army to scavenge gear and supply from the fields of battle... our men won't like this task I guess, but it might be a good idea."
Arrika looks up from searching nearby fallen, sweat, dust, and blood streaking her face and clothes. You're absolutely right, Aron. There's no sense in leaving behind anything that might be of use - want of a single arrow can turn the tide of battle. What do we have most need of? Following Aron's instructions, she continues the macabre job, looking for anything even remotely salvageable. Though she does seem to prefer the weapons and armor that don't bear demonic sigils.
Hedda heads to another section to start searching for anything of use. Over her shoulder she states, "Agreed. Can't ask the army to do something we're not willing to do ourselves. I'll search the area over there."
For most of the battle Rukzha is busy directing the giant wave. She's quite thrilled how well her plan is working. Yes, flee before my power! Illusions sure can be powerful. Sometimes the idea of something happening can be just as effective as it actually doing so. I had theorised about it, dreamt about it, but it's something else to see it with my own eyes.
She lets the wave follow after the tiefling army until battle is joined and as they can't run from it anymore, she lets the wave wash over the horde to unsettle and confuse them. The fake water is still bitterly cold, the water block those caught in it from seeing and the roar of the water downs of other sounds, preventing the tieflings from communicating effectively.
Only after she figures she can't do more with the wave does she join battle herself. Rukzha uses her hexes to send the tieflings to sleep and to keep the crusaders alive with her healing powers.
" First let's see if we can find anyone alive in here. Anyone we can save is a blessing. We should also interrogate the tieflings. Perhaps we can somehow make them reveal their plans?"
Rukzha will scan the tieflings for good evil law chaos and magic. Anything magical can be something that they can use, or a trap. Anything good tires through investigation and anyone lawful could perhaps be struck a bargain with to reveal information.
Elriel nodded in approval to all the suggested actions, "Aye, let's figure out if any of the prisoners are able and willing to join us. If not, we need to gather some sort of guard for them and send them on their way. Perhaps we can provided weapons and supplies."
-----------
To Arrika, Aron simple shrugs. "I believe everything might be useful, since we don't know what waits for us in our way to Drezen. I'll let our men know of your orders." With this, he leaves you, issuing the orders for them to scavenge the battlefield. You clearly see many paladins aren't happy with this task. They do as you've ordered, even if grumbling from time to time.
Meanwhile, a couple crusaders try to open the gates and, after almost an hour they succeed. The gates were barred from the inside, meaning that they had to fight a couple tieflings atop the poor wooden wall and then climbing over it when the few survivors abandoned their posts and flew from the town. When the gate is opened, Aron returns with a report about the findings. "The crusaders were able to find just a bit of food and water, but it is better than nothing I suppose. On the other hand, there were a lot of weapons, gear, and tools that might be useful when we reach Drezen..." his report is interrupted by a sergeant who seeks you, his face with visible disgust.
"Milords, we found some survivors in the square... but what these monsters have done to them... their commander, I'm not sure if she will make it..." This man was an older soldier and what he have seen probably changed him, giving him yet another reason to fight...
As you reach the center of Vilareth Ford, you notice many trunks about two dozen vertical logs around a small square. Each of these logs was holding one crusader, manacled and suspended by its wrists, their skin painted with profane symbols drew with blood, blade, and fire. Some of them are clearly dead.
In the center of this tenebrous scene, yet a far worse view awaits you. You see a pillory with a naked woman locket into it with a once beautiful steel armor on her feet, identifying her as probably a commander. On her back and legs, you see more than a hundred marks grouped in five, much like if someone was using her flesh to count something.
She is awake when you see her and, to your surprise, you don't see fear or resignation in her eyes, but anger, resolve, and relief instead. Tears roll along her cheeks.
Elriel neared the woman in the middle of the square. "How is it that you still live woman?"
He then added, "If I read you right, you seethe with anger, the type of anger that will keep you going, no matter what they have done to you."
He then freed her and gave her food and drink, "What can you tell us about what happened?"
tag?
Elriel then asked the crusaders to free whoever was alive and gather those dead for a decent burial.
Hedda removes her cloak and places it around the woman, having been in a similar situation not so long ago. With disgust in her voice, she asks rhetorically, "Why is it that demons insist on stripping women of their clothing and carving into their flesh?" Before the commander covers herself the bloodrager notices the groupings of marks and continues, I'm Hedda. Do you know what they were doing to you?"
Brevon runs to the surviving woman, his feet unable to carry him fast enough. Her many wounds make it painfully clear how much she has suffered. "Brave warrior, mine is the goddess of forgiveness and redemption, but how could I judge you for your anger after such treatment?" He caresses her wounds gently with a rejuvenating touch.
Sarenrae grant you temperance..."
Rukzha has enough to do after entering the city. She tries to heal the bodies they pass that don't seem to be dead. She also scans all of them including the woman for sure of good or evil to see if that's affected by what the tieflings have done. Finally she tries to heal the woman while the rest is busy taking to and freeing her. " let me heal you. "
In all fairness, Hedda...it wasn't just the women this time, it seems. The grisly bodies hanging around the square turn Arrika's stomach, but she refuses to dishonor them by turning away - instead, she and Kelumarion work with the crusaders to free everyone still holding on to life and gather those who have passed on for a more fitting end. I don't know that we'll have time to bury them properly - time is of the essence. If we can find enough wood, though, we might be able to manage a pyre...it's better than leaving the fallen to the ravens. Or the demons.
Elriel neared the woman in the middle of the square. "How is it that you still live woman?"
He then added, "If I read you right, you seethe with anger, the type of anger that will keep you going, no matter what they have done to you."
He then freed her and gave her food and drink, "What can you tell us about what happened?"
The woman watches Elriel coming close to her, recognizing she was about to be freed. With tears in her eyes she thanks him. "I... I guess they were not finished yet to play with me... on my part, I refuse to die in such dishonored way... I'll die in battle, facing them for what they have to done to our land, our people, my men here in Vilareth Ford, and me..."
As Hedda comes closer and offers her cloak to cover the woman's body, she accepts it eagerly. "You mean, besides branding and raping me... repeatedly?" Covering herself and holding still for a while, the woman waits a couple seconds before revealing the markings on her leg. "These aren't profane symbols I'm afraid... they were just slicing me everytime one of them used me... like a chalk board or a prisoner's wall..." She then falls silent, perhaps realizing that such marks would remain with her for the rest of her life, remembering her of her worst failure and greater nightmare.
Brevon and Rukzha are able to heal much of the commander's wounds, but even so most of the scars remain, painfully visible and clear. After receiving Elriel's food and drink, the woman calms a bit, finding her center and, at least apparently, regaining her more practical sense. "They came during the night, protected not only by the darkness of the night but also by their dark magic... there were too many of them. We had wizards among us, but even if some of them were able to counter their foul darkness, we are doomed nevertheless."
Meanwhile, the crusaders were following Arrika's orders to release the other man from the poles, as well as, under Sosiel and Aron's instructions, securing the village and watching the walls. "The bulk of our man were slain, and only us were sparred, probably for our enemy's amusement." Saying this brings once more pain to her mind. "I'm commander Kamilo Dann by the way... sorry for not been able to properly report to you... I owe you my life, and I intend to repay this debt..."
Elriel was no longer shocked by the savagery of their enemy. Quite frankly, Hedda's story was similar and she turned out to be a competent ally.
Watching her eat and drink he said, There are still plenty of demons around so you'll get your chance at revenge. We are heading into demon country right now. You're welcome to come with us with whoever else you deem fit for duty."
He added, "Or you can take your leave now and help out the crusade later. I guess you need to assess your forces first."
"There is no debt to repay, Commander. This disaster has reset the abacus, it has equalized all men and women, and it has cleared away all sin. What destruction the demons have wrought has left a space for new beginnings, for redemption. It is not repayment of a debt I would ask of you, but your own resolve to reclaim the world that is ours, so that the deaths of all those who have fallen will not be in vain. It cannot be in vain."