Gathrix's Hell's Vengeance

Game Master GM-Gathrix

Ileosa stabilizes Kel, if only to ensure he wouldn't die on them. "He should have just given himself up. Now there is a chance his friends may die." She said smirking as she looked to the group. "Shall we return? Try to get information out of this man?"

You gain 3 rebellion points, it would have been more but some being removed for attempts at diplomacy.-Some rebellion points will be unavoidable, but you can manage them. A total of 4 is good at this part of AP.

Caggan wakes up and mocks Jerax."You won today, but change is coming. Keeping me here like this...I have many friends in this town. You will pay."

"Oh?" Margaletta asks. "Who are these friends? We'd be happy to help you remind them why they should keep their heads down and not attempt treason or attack officers of the law."

"Mock us all you want, Caggan. I'm sure when the Archbaron finds out about the wereboar living in town, things are gonna be infinitely more difficult for you", sneered Jerax.

Izrail removes his helmet to better make himself clear "What in the nine hells is going through your mind, Caggan? Do you understand the scope of what you have done?" he says while crouching in front of him, forcing the wereboar to look at him straight in the eyes.

"Yesterday we met and you seemed reasonable, you understood our concerns for the peace of Longacre. That night you stepped over the line, but not so far, allowing a treacherous rat make its den inside your local. And it was in that precise moment when its plague overflew you. You let it poison your mind."

He stands and claps the pillory "For your minor fault you were destined to spend some time in here. You don't know this, but I vouched for you. I asked the Archbaron to let it slide with just a few questions and a warning, trusting your reasonable attitude from before."

"But today you went too far. You attacked Agents of Archbaron. For f!~@s sake! You attacked damned Agents of Her Most Damned Majesty! The only answer can be execution, and I'm sure the Archbaron will want to make an example of you, so expect your death to be most excruciating, long and painful. They won't let you die for real until you wish it with all your heart, until you abandon all hope of rebellion and die as a loyal citizen."

"But I believe in redemption. I believe in you, Caggan. Tell us who your friends are, and most importantly... tell us how to convince them of their wrong ways. I want to preserve peace, and it's my full intention to do it the lest bloody and violent way. With your help we can save most of them."

"But were you to decide that rudeness and threats are the only thing we will be getting from you, I swear by my honour that no quarter will be given. I will bring Hell upon those that dare to oppose the Righteous Authority, and I will do it in such a gruesome and brutal way that nobody will ever think about raising any concern. And if all hope is lost, I will make sure the Rebellion only finds scorched earth and scarred corpses in Longacre. I promise it, and I never break my word."

"Your choice, Caggan. Save yourself and them, or condemn you all. Peace will be maintained any way."

And you got knocked out by a Halfling.

Caggan sneers "Oh I won't have to tell you who my friends are, they will find you, don't you worry, they will find you." He grunts and struggles for a bit under the pillory before he relents.

"Right." Margaletta frowns. "I almost feel obligated to drag him back to the castle for some torture at this point... Might need some silver, though..."

"You bring up a good point, Margaletta", said Jerax. The archbaron should be told about the werepig."
Looking over to Arvanxi, the tiefling questioned, "You think it would be alright if you ordered Kirk to the archbaron or Razelago to update them on the what we now know about Caggan, and what they want done to him?"

"If Caggan isn't teying to bluff us I'd rather not send anybody alone. It might be dangerous." Izrail turns to Kirk and gestures him to approach "Kirk, come with me. We will both go look for the Archbaron."

You lead, I will follow Master.

Seeing the human and halfing go, Jarex unsheaths his battleaxe and keeps vigil behind the pillory at Caggan's right shoulder.
The tiefling, speaking low to the innkeeper, "I don't know if his cold iron battleaxe can kill you, but I bet it will hurt a lot. So no funny business."

"Love, correct me if I am wrong but don't we need to take Kel back as well?" Ileosa asked.

I thought we did... I'll answer you as soon as Gathrix says us what happens with Kel.

?So far he is unconscious. No one has told me they are doing anything with him yet. Someone suggested questioning him.

Caggan remains silent. Some onlookers walk by shocked, but say nothing.

I seem to recall their being two stocks at the jail. Wasn't that correct?

"Gag and chain him inside a cell. And do it extra tight just in case. Wouldn't hurt to have someone watching him at all times, preferably with a crossbow ready. I don't trust that viper not trying to charm or poison us." says Izrail with a malicious grin "We'll be back soon, don't let them out and don't play hero... that's my part. I trust this bunch to tou, love."

And so Kirk and Izrail go find the Archbaron.

Margaletta stays to watch Caggan, periodically flicking him in the face hard with a fingernail.

Margaletta stays to watch Caggan, periodically flicking him in the face hard with a fingernail.

Jerax leans over and gives Margaletta a quick, but firm nudge with his shield.

Alicia moves up with Jerax
Yes Margaletta, leave him alone.

"Agreed." Ileosa said as she stood by the tied up Kel. "Jerax and Alicia are correct. Don't go teasing an animal, that cannot end well." She commented as she shift her weight from one foot to the other.

Izrail and Kirk arrive at the Archbaron's estate. The guards inform you that his lordship has left and will not be expected back until this evening as he is entertaining an envoy from Westcrown. You may wait for his return if you wish or come back at nightfall.

Caggan stops resisting and seems to pass out from exhaustion. His minor wounds healing before your eyes. Kels squirms and struggles for a moment, but soon realizes he futility in that and just lays in the cell motionless.

Meridian sits where she can watch Kels struggle against his bonds. There is something predatory and hungry in her eyes. Her fingertips unconsciously trace the seams in her clothing and her tail coils languidly around anything it can reach. When she addresses Kels, after long minutes of watching him, her voice is deep and a little breathy, "Oh, Kels. I do hope you refuse to answer our questions. I will enjoy extracting information from you."

She lets that hang in the air for a few moments, her chest heaving slightly in anticipation. Her tail absently draws the adamantine dagger from its sheath as she speaks and places the hilt in her hand. She makes a tiny cut on her own fingertip before continuing, "Tell me about this so-called angel knight. Tell me everything you know." Almost instantly a drop of blood wells up on her wounded finger, bright against her pale violet skin. She licks it off slowly with a noticeable shudder as the drop of blood touches her tongue.

Izrail sighs, angered, before excusing themselves. "Make sure to inform the Archbaron that we will be at the jail, this is a matter of most dire importance. At a matter of fact, could you send a runner to look for Razelago?"

Next step depends: if they can send a runner or the trip to Razelago's is too long we go back to the jail. If they can't and the trip wouldn't be so long, we go look for Razelago

"We shall send word to Master Razelago." The guard tells Izrail.

Intimidation for Meridian: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"I came across a woman in winged plate armor at
dawn a couple days ago atop a hill 2 miles outside
town. She was praying, and when the dawn light
reflected upon her sculpted helm, I mistook
her for an angel. He dropped to his knees when
she approached, but she helped him up and
told him not to be afraid. He asked her name
and she gave it as Lencia Visserene. Then she
left, but I was so inspired I spent the rest of
the day writing ballads about her. That is all I know I swear it you devilish beast!" You can tell he is telling the truth no sense motive required since you beat the required intimidation so well

Meridian pouts slightly as Kels surrenders the information so easily, "I had hoped you might like to play." Then as if turning off a switch she returns to a business-like bearing, speaking as she wraps a small strip of cloth around the cut on her finger, "Thank you for your cooperation."

As she walks away she lets a rolling sway into her hips and tail, and glances back over her shoulder, "Let me know, Kels darling, if there is anything else I need to get out of you."

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 Just made it.
Jerax overhears the confession of Kels, and speaks to Meridian, "Nicely done, my Dark Queen! Hmm. This confession might go far in quelling dissent, when the people realize their angel is just a rusted savior."
The tiefling's thoughts drift away for a moment as images of a bound elven maiden being brought into Meridian's bedroom thrills his imagination.

Izrail is asked inside the manor. There is a mirror on the wall with Razelago's face on it. "You wish to speak to me agent?" Razelago says in an oddly cherub like voice.

Kels just silently cries himself to sleep.

Sir Folken, now Sheriff Folken, arrives to relieve you of the responsibility of the prisoners. "Good to see things getting back to normal around here. I am sorry I could not get to these miscreants myself, I was investigating a disturbance in the Whispering woods. "

Izrail makes a polite bow before speaking "Kel and Caggan have been subdued and captured, but not without resistance. In addition to a group of Iomedaean supoorters, Caggan transformed inti a wereboar and attacked us despite our offers of surrender. They both are actually restrained at the jail, and Caggan claims that their allies will return for vengeance. I vouched for keeping the punishment low, but in light of their acts I suggest we get every inch of information, forcefully if need be, and make an example of them. Do you have any suggestion or order, or shall we proceed?"

"I see, well that explains things a bit doesn't it. I suggest using all means at your disposal, but be cautious, the presence of Iomedaeans so boldly attacking you in broad daylight is worrying. The Archbaron has reinforcements for the new sheriff coming in from Westcrown, he is brokering the deal now. This is escalating a bit more rapidly than we had hoped. After you are finished with the prisoners come back to the ash house tonight. Now touch this mirror and receive an infernal blessing." The Devil mummers in infernal and you feel blessed. You have +1 to attack until the end of the day.

Meridian smiles at Jerax, pleased at his praise, "I was so hoping he might be a little stronger willed than that, but it is good that we have the information we were sent to retrieve. Perhaps this Lencia Visserene will be more sporting."

Sir Folken, now Sheriff Folken, arrives to relieve you of the responsibility of the prisoners. "Good to see things getting back to normal around here. I am sorry I could not get to these miscreants myself, I was investigating a disturbance in the Whispering woods. "

"Hi, 'sheriif'", says Jerax with a broad toothy grin. "Good to see you!"

"I am not sure to be honest. Caggan has been a good citizen for years. I think I'd like to know more about his relationship with Kels. Bards are known for their charming abilities, maybe he put Caggan under his sway. Either way he will have to pay a fine and do some time, but I caution against hanging him just yet. Things seem to be escalating around here and we are short manned. When Caggan and Kels wake I will question them some more. If you excuse me I need to fill out some reports in my office. I can see the stockade from my window though and I trust you tucked Kels in tight." Sir Folken says as moves to enter his office and pulling out a bunch of papers, most arrest warrants signed by the Archbaron.

Ileosa gave Folken a kind smile as she offered a nod. Though she looked to Jerax when he spoke of Caggan being a wereboar. "Being a wereboar is not against the law Jerax. It just means our sheriff with have to be overly cautious with him." Ileosa reminded her tiefling friend.

"Charm effects... mmm, I did not think about looking for those. Caggan is normally a quiet man and when we posted the new laws he was respectable in how he dealt with them... Alicia dear, would you be so kind to see if Caggan does have an effect upon him?" She asked.

Looking to his human friend, Jerax frowns with crossed arms, "It should be illegal."

"Ha, indeed, well not illegal here anyway. In Westcrown they would have ran him out of town probably, but I have known about Caggan's little secret for some time and being a bit of an outcast myself I let it go, but I never thought he would succumb to lawlessness. " Sir Folken says in response.

Feeling the rushing power of Hell through him, Izrail smiles "Thank you, Razelago. I will inform the rest, and we will get answers one way or another. Now if you excuse me, I'll be going. For Queen Abrogail and the Lords that Lie Below." and so he bids farewell.

When he and Kirk are away enough from the Archbaron's house, Izrail directs Kirk to a side alley and speaks almost in a whisper "Kirk, what are the extents of your abilities? Could you scry us to see if we are under any spell we don't know? And could you do the same with Razelago's gifts? I trust the Archbaron, but devils are insidious... we can't be sure that Razelago isn't playing his own game, and I'd rather be sure we aren't pawns."

Kirk listens to his master for a moment and shakes his head. I am sorry to disappoint you master but I have not been blessed with a spell to detect curses and such. Keep in mind we did place our hand on the stone and swear feality to Cheliax and the Archbaron. So, any detection spell that was cast could possibly pick up that. Devils can be insidious but they can also be just as loyal. They seemingly always follow through on their contracts. I suggest we meet with your wife. She may be able to answer your questions with her wonderful gift of fire.
With that, Kirk bows his head. How else might I serve you master? Is there something you would have me carry?

"Well", resigned the tiefling, " I guess we will leave this to your capable hands, Sheriff Folken."
"I can't speak for the rest", looking around to his comrades, "but if duty permits, just give me call for any help you need."
At this , Jerax offers his hand for a handshake to the half-orc.

Meridian agrees with Sheriff Folken, "Indeed he did not, Sheriff. He seemed unhappy, but most reasonable yesterday morning when the notices went out. We bid you the best of luck." With that, she curtsies slightly and turns to leave.

Izrail smiles at the halfling "You never disappoint me, Kirk. Let's go, maybe Ileosa can calm my mind."

Indeed. All seems peaceful for now. But I feel it will not last.

"Maybe the pig's blood made his brain crazy?" Margaletta suggests. "Caggan might be more friendly when the moon's shrunk a bit. I suppose we can check on him in a few days, after the bard's been... questioned."

Meridian pouts just a tiny bit as she responds to Sister Margaletta, "I got the information on the angel knight from Kels already. He didn't even put up a struggle."

"Yeah, but we'll let the sheriff ask him questions about his relation to the wereboar."

Meridian smiles delightedly, "You make a good point, Sister Margaletta, there may be more information on other topics he might surrender. There may be some sport to be had after all."

She turns back to the sheriff, Sheriff Folken, if you need any assistance in questioning the prisoner, I would like to offer mine. I have found that a combination of pleasure and pain to be very effective at eroding a prisoner's reluctance to answer questions."

Gathrix, do Kirk and Izrail when we want or will you give us an entrance?

Go ahead and arrive back when you would like. I am going to assume you are all meeting back at the ash house now, but if you want to do something before you go, post it no problem.

"Good job dealing with Caggan and Kels. Our master is quite pleased. Now I have a favor to ask. The undead creature that haunts this place has become more bold, and last night it attacked my poor Gaurig(his pet Krenshar). I do not have time to chase around this thing, so tonight when it appears will you dispose of it? It seems to appear mostly in the old bath. In the morning if you dispose of it I will pay you each 50 gold to be rid of it."

Kirk gets a huge smile on his face. He begins to speak outloud without realizing it. I don't know why but I am really looking forward to this. I have never spoke with a ghost before. I hope it was a female librarian in a past life.

"Hmmm, if it wasn't this bold before what would make it change?" Ileosa wondered aloud as she seemed lost in thought. She quickly snapped herself out of it and gave Razelago a nod. "We would be happy to get rid of it for you."