Harlod moves closer to the girl. Hi, I'm a doctor. Can I take a look at you to make sure you're not injured?
"Well met strangers.. Nicely done work there.. Any of you by chance a healer?" She motions to the deep cut she just recieved from the cultist..
You do indeed to seem to be bleeding there. Come here and I'll take care of that. Harlod holds out his blackened hands, gesturing for the Magus to come closer.
Neverost turns to Halara,
"You said you rushed up to the surface? Were you in the square? Were there other survivors besides yourself?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
The woman seems to be openly admiring the half-orc as a hero.
"Oh, no I'm fine except for a few bruises and such. My name is Natasha. I didn't hear much about their plans but they did say something about there being other 'rituals' taking place. I didn't hear that much because of how scared I was."
The woman seems happy but that seems to be more about the fact that she isn't about to be sacrificed right now. She doesn't seem to be under any compulsion or charm effects.
Hosilla,
You will remain, for the time being, in
Kenabres, but know this: the city’s days
are numbered. Seek a place of safety—the
underground den of your mongrel lackeys should
suffice to keep you safe from the devastation
to come. I shall assume command of Drezen
shortly, 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.
"Don't worry, you're safe now." Halara calms the little girl, and picks the orders they found with the cultists, then passes it from hand to hand, so they can read it.
"We found these orders with some other cultists we found on the underground, along with some stolen items from the city. It seems they are trying to do something with the ward stone, but if that's the case their full force will be there. Should we try these safe houses to see what else can we find?"
After glancing over the orders, Harlod shakes his head. I'm not familiar with any of these names but perhaps you could help us find these places? He repeats the three names for her to hear.
Pursing his lips, he looks over the cultists for anything else of use.
"Yes we must track down these 3 safe houses for info on what to do next.. Whoever this Vorlesh is, he must be stopped for if the Wardstone goes down this place is ruined.."
After confirming that the maiden is alright, Ophelia nods and lets
Harlod attend to her. He is much better with such matters. However, the elf does ask, "Natasha, by chance do you know a safe location where we can escort you? Oh, where are my manners? My name is Ophelia Glinathir. Pleased to meet you. I wish the circumstances were better."
She turns to newcomers.
"Likewise for you all; glad to see that my associates and I are not the only pocket of resistance."
When given the chance, Ophelia looks over the orders.
"That explains why the demons have yet to swarm us. Anyway, I might know of these locations," she says, taking a moment to think it over. "Kenabres is a big city, but even if I rarely left my district prior to this mess, I have lived here for nearly a hundred years."
50 gold total
4 daggers
1 masterwork dagger
5 suits of leather armor
Two of the cultists are still alive lying on the ground bleeding out. The woman shakes her head at Ophelia.
"I am sorry but my home was destroyed in some of the first waves of creatures. I haven't had a safe place to sleep since then. One of those men said that they knew of a safe place, but as soon as I came with them one of them hit me on the back of the head. Next thing I knew I was being held down on that table."
You have heard of a place sometimes referred to as the Tower of Estrod. You're pretty sure you could lead the group there if it was needed.
Halara will carefully gather resources to fight the evil forces, taking 20 on the bodies for a total of 32.
"Maybe they are performing sacrifices to weaken the wardstone. We need to hurry."
"I know that saving someone is important but I have a request for a place to go. During this confusion I don't know what might have happened to my house. I have several things that might help out on our travels stored there and Irabeth might be there. It won't be much of a detour and we can be in and out quickly."
"I am Thorst. I used to patrol the walls of Kenabres. We have failed and it has fallen so now I aim to get as many alive to safety as I can." Thorst introduces himself a little.
"If it is a short way then let us go and hopefully find your friend and continue on our path after that." He looks to see if others agree.
After collecting the gear Val looks up.. "Names Val, very nice to meet you all.. Lets get to Anevia's place quickly and make a plan there.. At least get out of the streets.."
I am Harlod, ex-combat medic for the 4th Sun Leigon. It's a pleasure. I do find it odd that these cultists continue to bleed even after I stabilized then...ah well, we shall just have to wake one up! Harlod pulls a small container from his backpack and squats next to one of the not stabilized cultists and looks up at Thorst. You there, do me a favor and be ready to hold this thug down. He shouldn't struggle too much but I don't want him tryin to end his miserable existence quite yet. Pulling a dagger from its shoulder sheathe, Harlod leveled it at the cultist's throat and waved the tin of smelling salts under his nose, it's time to wake up. We have a few questions for you and it would really be in your best interest to answer them. This city is not a safe place right now and you're leaking all over the street right now...
The first cultist you wake up looks around and laughs darkly.
"Not a safe place for you maybe but I know the true masters of this city."
Ah, the true masters of this city seem to have left this population alone and in a rather... Harlod glances around the street at the wreckage and bodies, the utter ruin surrounding them. ...set of circumstances, but my questions don't pertain to them. I would like to know your name and why you were molesting this poor girl instead of fleeing this warzone for your life. Reaching a hand into his pack, Harlod drew a roll of bandages and sheathed his dagger. Looking down at the cultist he shook his head, no matter the side, you won't last long without some attention.
"Accept your defeat. There's nothing else you can do now, but you can make amends for a part of what you have done."
As requested in helping to stop the cultist escaping, Thorst holds the sharp side of his falchion against the neck of the cultist. "Answer them truthfully and you will die quickly." He says slowly.
She thinks of a better option to get him talking.
"Common! Where's the fun, if you elaborate the most evil plan ever and can't tell it to the heroes? Don't you want to see despair in their faces?"
The man still seems unhelpful but the threat of violence is enough to get him talking.
"My name is Henry. We did this because this isn't a warzone for us. It's a hunting ground and we were the hunters."
Oh? Are there other hunting parties aside from yours? What are you hunting? Harlod begins to slowly tend to the injuries, cleaning and bandaging the wounds in an practiced, efficient manner. I'm new to this hunting ground and I was wondering if I could get some directions from you Henry. I'm interested in visiting Nyserian Manor, Topaz Solutions, and the Tower of Estrod...I heard those places were some sights to see!
Val grows irratated.. "Your not gonna get that kinda info outa him.. Off with his head and lets get moving.."
Ophelia keeps looking over the notes as the group interogates the cultists. The elf spends the entire time deep in thought. Finally, she tells the others about the results of her brainstorming, "I can lead us to this Tower of Estrod if need be. I am not so sure about the other two locations. Might I ask where you planned to go originally?"
"We were gonna look around till we found one of those places i suppose.. We really didn't have a plan, was just happy to be out of the ground.."
"Horgus might know where the important survivors are holed up or what resistance might be around. Says he has connections."
"I'm the most important survivor here."
Horgus then gets a gleam in his eye.
"And you want to protect that woman over there, so why don't we head to my mansion first? It is well protected, and I have a vault there that I can open. Inside is a panic room of sorts, and if we go there right now you can deposit both me and her."
While Horgus doesn't actually seem to care that much about the woman his offer of safety for her and himself is genuine.
Nerevost had been listening to the conversation for some time quietly,
"Whatever our course of action, let us decide it quickly and be on our way. The streets of Kenabres are not friendly, we shouldn't linger for long. Something worst than cultists could be about."
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Anevia's house seems like a solid option. We can take a better look at the city by climbing to a higher spot. Then we move to Horgus and leave them there, although I don't think there will really be a safe place here." She turns to the newcomer. "Henry, is it? What was the purpose of your ritual?"
Val waits the for the cultist to be non-responsive and then lops his head off if noone else does..
"Im fine with whatever, lets just get going.."
Henry seems to clam up after Harold's last question, and then Valkyrie lops his head off.
Neverost shrugs,
"He would have proved far more useful alive once we found someone with proper interrogation magic."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Henry seems to clam up after Harold's last question, and then Valkyrie lops his head off.
"I doubt it. Likely just a grunt. Ok, we'll go to Anevia's house, see what we can find there and bring her friend with us if we find them. Then let Horgus hole up if he wishes and anyone who wishes to hide with him. Then we go after these safe houses and make them unsafe if possible."
"That plan sounds just fine," Ophelia remarks, a bit relieved to know that there is some safety in the city. "Hopefully, we will also find other allies along the way."
Thorst makes sure all cultists are dead before they leave.
You all leave the bodies of the dead cultists behind and begin making your way through the city. Traveling is slow going since you have two people who cannot move at top speed, but nothing happens as you arrive at Anevia's house. The house is a two story building with windows and the entire neighborhood is in a good state of repair. Most of the buildings are still standing and there aren't any fires going on nearby.
Ophelia is rather relieved that the group avoids trouble as they travel. While it probably would be a good thing in the long run to whittle away at the cultists and demons, the elf cannot help but feel that it would be best to gather a sizeable force and strike at those three major locations first. Hopefully, she will be able to gather more allies very soon. The possibility seems good; after all, her group just more than doubled in size.
"So is this your place, Ms. Anevia?" Ophelia says as she gives the estate a look over. "So will it be as simple as knocking, or is there some other approach we must take?"
Halara agrees with Ophelia's reasoning, although she cannot read the elf's mind and have no idea what is she thinking about.
"I'll take a look around." With her weapons at hand, she slowly walks around the house, checking windows and any noises she may hear.
Harlod wanders a few feet from the group staring intent into the sky, hands turning a holy symbol over and over.
"Let's get inside.. Do you have any supplies you can afford you gives us Anevia?"
"I just need to check if it's locked or not. Otherwise it should be good."
Anevia goes up to the door and checks it before pulling out a key and opening the door.
You notice that the inside of the house is in disarray with everything in the house thrown around.
"Well this don't look good.."
Halara shares her findings with the others. "The inside of the house is in disarray. Someone burst in, so just open the door and let us do a quick swipe first."
Ophelia crosses her arms and sighs. She just can't catch a break today. "How should we proceed then?"
Thorst will keep watch just inside the door as the others gather things.
Halara all of a sudden bursts in laughter. MINE! It is miiiiiine!