please let me know if you hear anything. I would love to see her, but more important I would like to see you again. she adds the last part with a blush.
She jots down where she can be reached (probably at a random Inn she knows about in town)
For now at least you leave the tavern and return to your rooms at the baron's estate. The next day you have a meeting with Razalgo.
"I thought you were going to arrest the bartender and the bard what happened? Have you grown soft?"
"There was no need to close the town's tavern by arresting the bartender, that'd start discontent for certain. Kayla seemed to be having luck cultivating the bard as a source of information, so leaving him free for a time seems advisable."
Kayla arrived back to her room late, having set herself up as a patron at another inn to complete her facade to gain the Bard's trust.
the next morning, meeting with Razalgo, Kayla arrived with her face full of what could best be described as a cream filled doughnut.
The bard was a nice guy, I think I could use him later. I think he has more information but just doesn't realize it yet. let me work with him as an unsuspecting informant. If he proves troublesome, well then, accidents happen, don't they
"I will leave this matter to your judgement then, however I suspect there is more to the bartender than meets the eye. In the meantime I have found another lead. I intercepted a letter from the town apothecary. She wrote a letter to her cousin Nivianne Giatanno in Remesiana. Along with general gossip and continuing worries about her hospice, Rohalendi also mentions her concerns about Archbaron Fex’s recent decrees and the rising rebellious sentiment in town...Now the interesting part is were she mentions that there’s a woman in town the people call the Angel Knight who’s encouraging the townspeople to organise and revolt and she has been asked to provide as many healing potions as she can to help the cause. Rohalendi says she doesn’t know anything about the rebels and declined their request, but she wonders if maybe they’d be able to take in or otherwise help some of wounded should it come to conflict. It may be worth questioning her about this perhaps we can learn more. However this letter seems to indicate that the angel knight is already in Longacre...."
Razalgo becomes quiet and in a moment he takes on the appearance of a human man.
A town guard rushes into the room.
"Sorry to disturb you sirs! But we have an urgent matter. Some folks have gone and taken the armoury! They broke in and tried to steal the weapons but we surrounded them and blocked off their escape and now they barricaded themselves in. We identified at least one of them as Loran Allamar."
"Loran Allamar? The son of the priestess?" says Razalgo "this is a good chance." He turns to you. "Go and bring me Loran alive. You can kill the rest."
Kayla gives a smile at the order. Kalya give a bow to her "master" as you wish
she wipes the cream from her face, checks her weapons, and heads out.
I have a quick stop to make then I will scout out the armory for a way it.
Kayla makes her way to the inn where she set up a "front" room for her new bard friend.
checking for any messages before making her way to the armory.
"We will meet you at the armory" Mercer says to Kayla as he an the others depart to apprehend Loran.
Once you arrive at the armoury you see a group of ten guards have taken positions around the building. The windows have been boarded up from the inside but catch a glimpse of someone peeking out here and there.
Mercer casts Mage Armor on himself and waits for Kayla to arrive so that she can scout around the building.
Kayla arrives to meet the others giving a nod to let them know she is going to scout.
Kayla attempts to slip past any perimeter guards to look for a spot to gain entrance to the building.
taking note of the number of guards and any patrol patterns.
"This could be dangerous...." Mercer says to himself.
"Perhaps a bit more preparation....".
He casts false life on himself for temporary hit points.
The bottom floors looks locked down tight but there is a window on that looks like it leads into the attic that might be a way in unseen.
"I am neither stealthy nor a climber, but if Kayla wants to sneak in that way, I'll help provide a distraction on the ground floor."
Kayla slips back to the group, I found an entrance to the attic. I can try and climb up there but may need a little help. anyone have some rope and grapple hook?
Kayla manages to sneak into the Armory and find the rebels sneaking weapons out using a tunnel!
She manages to eliminate some sentries and opens the doors for the watch to get in.
With Kayla and mercer supporting them the guards manage to kill or apprehend most of the guards including Loran Allamar but not before the rebels got hundreds of weapons and armours out of the armoury and collapsed the tunnel.
In his fury at the news the Archbaron gives the order to have Loran Allamar publicly executed the next morning an order which is carried out despite protest from his advisor Razalgo who claims it will infuriate the populace.
The execution happens the next day and despite an attack by rebels Loran is killed.
Following this the number of attacks escalates quickly and despite your best efforts things are getting worst especially since it becomes obvious the rebels are getting outside help. On numerous occasions there is mention of a paladin leading the strikes and even rumours of a creature Razalgo identified as a hound archon.
When it is discovered the local tavern is acting as a supply center of sorts for the rebels you go to shut it down and discover the bartender working there is a werebear! To powerful for you to defeat he killed several members of your group before retreating into the woods.
The Archbaron has called for more help and today several new agents have arrived to help quell the rebels.
You are currently in a meeting to decide your next move.
The baron is absent as usual since the rebellion started he has rarely left his quarters letting Razalgo take charge.
The devil Razalgo is a skilled administrator and his efforts are the only reason the town hasn't completely fallen already.
"We need to find This "angel knight" that leads them and capture or kill her. It's the only way we can end this quickly. I believe their base of operations is Fort Estazano. But I cannot send my spies to verify it because some druid magic prevents them from approaching which is more of less a confirmation that something is there. The fort was build fifty years ago to serve as a base of operations for launching forays into whisperwood but it was sacked by bandits three years after it was finished and was abandoned since." says Razalgo.
"Appula del Arionne," I nod, "daughter-scion of the Arionne family. If you've enjoyed owning an obedient slave, they were probably trained by us. Kill the ringleader, we quell the rebellion here. Capture them and," I smirk softly, "break them, we quell the rebellion everywhere. I'm a fighter, and I'm willing to put my body in harm's way to protect our laws, our order, our way of life."
When Taissa entered the room, she was wearing ordinary travelling clothes - the kind a merchant might wear. But within this secure place she runs her hands down her arms and her clothing changes to black velvet with red trim. It is the vestment of an Asmodean inquisitor, clothing only worn among those who have earned a level of trust.
She has the pale skin of Chelaxian heritage, but no obvious features of any of the noble houses. In contrast, her sharp eyes are nearly as black as her shoulder-length hair.
She kneels to Razalglo, showing her fealty to his infernal authority. At his nod, she rises and pours herself a deep red shiraz from the table. Though at first glance one might expect her to be cold, she makes pleasant small talk until everybody arrives, though she occasionally appears a little distracted.
When it comes time for introductions she smiles to the group, "I am Taissa Hellseeker." The name is pronounced Hell's Seeker. "I hunt those who threaten the First and his interests on this world. I use words, weapons, magic and skill. Whatever is needed to bring pain and fear to those who oppose us. I look forward to working with you."
An imposing man in dark, heavy armor bearing the insigna of a Hellknight squire bows to Razalgo before speaking with a raucous voice.
"Cruor Venelli, from the Order of the Godclaw, at your service, milord. Before I leave for this assignment, I bear grave news from Citadel Dinyar. The Citadel has fallen prey to the crusader scum, my Order has been devastated, the officers slain. I am fully at your command, milord, with my arm, my sword and my blood."
A noble looking man of tall stature, but lean frame, enters the room after the rest. He clearly holds himself in high esteem and his looks appear almost otherworldly. While his physique is of no real concern, there is something about his eyes that can be unsettling if looked upon for too long.
"Ah, the help has arrived," he states upon entering the room.
With a grin he turns his gaze upon Taissa, something about the way he looked at her made it apparent that he was aware of her ability to discern alignment and it would be at that point in time she would start to detect the presence of good in the room.
He would give a wink before moving his attention to Razalgo, having caught the devil's statement as he entered.
"Is our task to simply locate or are we being tasked with the latter, that is the capturing and/or killing of her, as well?"
Arriving a little late is Kayla. she looks exceptionally cute this day as she is not dressed in her normal garb.
Instead she is dressed in a casual Tien outfit made silk, carrying a red bean bun.
Sorry I'm a little late. busy night. Anyway, If you want to catch the Angel, I can see if my contact has heard anything.
initially she didn't notice the new people. but she soon realizes they are there.
oh, are these the new agents I heard about? Hi I'm Kayla.
Kayla does not register on any alignment scale (no good nor evil, no Law nor Chaos)
as far as magic goes, she does not seem to have much (she has a rope belt, and there is something magical up each sleeve). the obvious one is the little stone that circles tightly around her head.
"Eeee!" I dart forward, catching the adorable gnomish girl's arms and whirling her round. "Aren't you just a perfectly deadly little doll! Oh, this job is going to be fun after all!" I set her down. "I can't wait to watch you cut loose on those rebel scum.
"Your task in coming here is to end this rebellion by any means necessary and restore order. Taking down the angel knight is simply the fastest way of doing that" replies Razalgo
Cruor smiles a mirthless grin, tasting the future bloodshed and fame.
"Fort Estazano, you said? I wouldn't suggest a frontal assault, not without troops, but I can act as a diversion if someone wants to infiltrate. Milord, do we have a map, have you perhaps drafted a plan? I believe that you would have information, even with magic acting against you."
"What else can you tell us about Fort Estazano?" Mercer asks
"I have little information to offer about the fort. It was more or less destroyed some 47 years ago by bandits when some fool tossed a torch into the armoury which was filled with barrels of explosive black powder. The keep along with a section of the wall was blown into the sky and the fort was abandoned afterwards. I am unable to scry the current condition of the forts and there are no records of anything being done after that so you will have to scout it out. I believe Kayla is more than capable of doing that task."
Taissa stiffens for a moment as seeing Patronicus's aura of good, but relaxes at the wink. Such concealment is common enough, and smart protection in some cases.
There is a nod and a pleasant smile at Kayla as she enters. Though she refrains from grabbing her. After all, every person in this room is a known killer.
She follows along the information, "As we come closer to the site, I can find out more by diving the rebel's activities. I can help with scouting as well. Once we know more, we'll know best how to take her and her group down."
Kayla is taken by surprise at the sudden excitement of Appula she almost looses her treat.
The look on her face is one of real confusion. She probably wants to run her blade through Appula but she also knows that is not really an option.
Once set down, she straightens out her clothing. I will scout out the fort as dusk. I can take advantage of the dark. M'Lord, not to question your instructions, but perhaps if there is a way to discredit this angel that me prove more useful. killing may make her a martyr. and to capture may embolden them.
Kayla offers her opinion in a very respectful tone, willing to carry out her orders whatever they may be.
however, If this is an assassination order, then I will carry that out.
"The nearby crusader army gives them hope. However the crusade cannot send a large force without being intercepted. I believe the Angel knight and the hound archon are the only representatives from the crusade present. Slay the archon and capture or kill the angel knight. It will cut their link to the crusade. If you can take her alive however she would be a valuable source of information."
"What sort of magic could keep the devil's spies from approaching the fort? Will it interfere with Kayla?"
"Druid magic that prevents insects from approaching. That spell should pose no danger to you." replies Razalgo
Taissa smiles, "I can help scout. I'm not bad at sneaking, and better with others around. Darkness is not a problem." She hefts her mace, "And taking somebody alive for questioning is something I do well."
"Taking people alive is not among my strong suits... But that archon is in for a nasty surprise when they cross swords with me."
Cruor licks his lips several times. "Shall we be on our way?"
Razalgo pauses for a moment as if listening to a distant conversation "This is surprising. It seems this manor is being attacked. Rable mostly but the bartender is with them"
Mercer and Kayla remember their face-off against him that ended badly. The bartender is a werebear and a skilled warrior.
"We are ready for him this time..." Mercer responds to the devil.
Casting Mage Armor on myself and my familiar.
To Kayla "Let's go get even."
Cruor raises, unsheathing his greatsword and fitting his helmet on his head. "It would be rude to keep our guests waiting, let's give them the warmest welcome we can. Miss del Arionne, I believe the two of us should make up the frontline." With a chuckle, he heads out of the room, watching around for signs of an ambush.
"A good way for us to learn each others' styles." she says with a smile. She'll draw her mace as they head out. At seeing them, she will call out, "The power of Cheliax bows to no mere beast."
Kayla slips away As the others get ready to confront the aggressors.
getting her armor on and gathering her weapons.
she then tries to find a back exit to circle around to flank them.
There's a soft shrriiing as my broad-bladed falchion slides from its sheath. "Let's intimidate the mice back into their holes and put the bear in a cage. He can dance for our amusement. Or tell us some useful things."
You go out of the meeting room and find the battle in the entryway. The former sheriff of Longacre Rhona and her deputies are crossing blades with Cimri the scout and former smuggler working for the baron and two guards.
The sherif is fighting defensibly as she is trying to reason with Cimri it's clear the two know each other. Cimri is attacking all out with her kukri but cant land a blow.
The four deputies and four guards aren't holding back and that battle could go either way.
At the same time the east wing of the mansion seems to be on fire thick smoke is coming out that hallway and a bear size hole in the south wall of the room is likely the direction taken by the werebear-towards the baron's quarters.
Initiative rolls/map will come a little later still working on it. Feel free to post your actions with your init if you know what you wanna do.
Move within 30' of the Sheriff and hit her with a Misfortune Hex.
Taissa will move to get as many enemies within 30' as possible and call them out. "Your insurrection is meaningless. Your painful deaths will serve as an example of the fate of all rebels. "
Laughing maniacally, Cruor charges towards the closest of the foes, swinging with his greatsword.
With a burbling, joyful laugh of my own, I leap forwards, twirling my blade as I approach my victim.
... bleh, my init is +1 so the result is actually 7
Patronicus would cast mage armor as he walks with the newly formed group to confront their foe.
Patronicus would start towards the bear sized hole while calmly, if not in a bit of a demeaning tone, reminding his companions of a certain host they seemed to be forgetting.
"Might I remind you that we have one of more prestige that may need our assistance?"
If he moves within 30' of an enemy, he will take a swift action to demoralize them. Otherwise, he is moving to assess the situation with he baron.