Heroes of Westcrown

Game Master Moondragon Starshadow

With rage building up inside him Ezren takes a deep breath. "The symbol on the wooden coin is a sign of Mammon a devil who lords over the third level of Hell, known as Erebus. It is a bad omen for sure."

"So you believe that the Teiflings are the night terrors?"

... these men are treating the teifling like vermin ... this can not go unpunished ... soon they will pay for these evil acts with their lives ...

BACK AT THE SHRINE OF ARODEN

You all arrive back at the shrine of Aroden and enter the secret hideout underneath it. When you enter, you see Janiven talking with Ariel. Hanging on the wall are multiple black hooded cloaks with a large SYMBOL on the back.

You share what you learned. Jimmy and Ezren share that the Lord Mayor Aberian Arvanxi has ordered the capture and killings of tieflings in Westcrown and is paying an unspecified amount for each one killed. They are secretly piling up tiefling bodies in Rego Cader. Some of the tieflings had the same wooden coin that have appeared at some crimes.

Tristain and Moshley share that there have been several crimes that have also resulted in murders. They seem to be targeting wealthy individuals, and the rumors are that they occur at night. The crimes are hurting businesses in the area, and they confirm that the Lord Mayor did issue some kind of order, but wasn't sure what. It reminds you of the letter you found (and burned) when rescuing Ariel.

Ariel says that he had heard while in the confines of the Hellknights that the problem had been going on for about two weeks, and the group is known as the Bastards of Erebus, clearly referencing the third level of Hell ruled by the arch-devil Mammon. That's why they put Mammon's image on the wooden coins. It's a kind of calling card, but why they are leaving a calling card behind is unknown, except to cause more fear. Perhaps they need the notoriety. He has no idea how they are moving at night (nor did the Hellknights).

Janiven says that based upon Ariel's information from the Hellknights, she was able to use her contacts and found that the Bastards of Erebus are indeed located in Rego Cader. She heard that the tieflings were being captured for questioning, but is stunned to learn that they are actually being put to death by the local guards on orders from the Lord Mayor. She believes they operate out of The Old Temple of Erastil (see the player map #24 in Rego Cader). Janiven couldn't get too close becuase in the belltower of the old temple was a tiefling standing watch.

Ariel says, "The best way to save the tieflings from further abuse is to stop the Bastards of Erebus. This is when we can make our mark. We stop the crime, we save the innocent tieflings being put to death, and we show people of Westcrown that things can be improved. It will accomplish all of our initial goals in one fell swoop."

Ariel looks around at the different members of the resistance, and hands out the black hooded cloaks with the remarkable symbol of light and dawn. "We shall be known as (k)Night's Bane, as we are knights of a higher power and to bring light into the darkness. We will show this city that it need not live in fear. Without fear, they will be less wicked, and eventually turn back to the people my father and grandfather told me about. This is now our chance."

Janiven steps forward and says, "This is a dangerous mission, but an important mission. I hate to say it, but clearly the four of you," (pointing in your direction) "are the only chance against them. Some others might be able to stop them from running or guard entrances, but it will require the four of you to enter the temple and kill them. We'll need proof of their death so that the Lord Mayor will call off his hunt, and the people of Westcrown won't be so afraid."

Mathalen, pondering as she always does, says, "Stopping the Bastards of Erebus will require some planning. You'll have to figure out how to get close to the temple without the guard in the belltower alerting everyone to your presence. If they are alerted, I fear it will be much more difficult to stop them." With that, she goes back and sits down, pondering her new cloak.

Okay guys, this is it, what you wanted: making the city better. Now is the time for the tide to turn from the total evil you have seen to taking the city a better place. This is the start of your adventures. Good luck. Please discuss strategies either in character or in the discussion thread. When you are ready to move, post in gameplay.

STARTING MAP - RED CIRCLE IS 3 STORY BELL TOWER

... finally an enemy we can bring to justice for their crimes without having an army after us .... well I hope ...

"The guard in the tower will be important. If we can catch them by surprise it will be that much easier to subdue them. If the road leading to the temple is narrow I can use my fog spell to cloak our entry. We could also try to find a back way or try to use the sewers again to gain access to the temple from below. Anyone have any other ideas?"

Ariel responds, "While there are sewers, Janiven and I have only mapped those between here and Vizio's Tavern. It would take months to learn the sewers all the way up to Rego Cader. The temple is at the corner of a street (see map), so while fog might work once you get close, I'm sure sudden fog during the day would probably alert them. All they have to do is ring the bell in the watchtower, and they'll all be alerted. So, even if you try to kill the tiefling in the watchtower, you better do it on the first strike, since all they have to do is reach over and pull the rope on the bell."

Ariel shakes his head. "Sorry, I know it's going to be tough. I've been thinking about how to get in there with Janiven, and that guard at the tower is the biggest problem. Oh, and since we haven't spoken much, this might be a good opportunity to ask me any questions you might have about me."

Janiven says, "One more thing, you probably want to wear the hooded cloaks once you get close, or have some other disguise. If something should go wrong, you don't want the Bastards of Erebus to come after you. If everything goes right, you might not want the government coming after you. Either way, if they know your identities, it might be a problem. Just make sure you bring proof that the Bastards are dead, or the killing of the tieflings will continue, and businesses will continue to go bankrupt as fear grips the city."

Ask Ariel anything you want, now's the best time in the game to do it. You can just make a list if you like, and Ariel will respond to all of them. The faster you guys figure it out, the faster we can move along and get to some action.

Ariel tell Janiven, "Why don't you tell them everything that you saw while scouting the place Janiven?"

"Oh yeah, right. Duh." She slaps her forehead. "So, they keep a lookout in the old bell tower, but while I was there for three hours, I never saw any patrols, but another tiefling did replace the one in the bell tower during that time. Near the temple are a bunch of two-story buildings, probably a shop of some kind on the bottom with a small residence above. I didn't risk getting close enough to see what was in any of them, but I did see that the one with windows on the ground level had them boarded up. The other buildings farther out, like 200' out, were either ransacked or had sturdy, locked doors to thwart looters. Now, there was a barn-like structure nearby, little more than a hitching post with a roof, which had a lot of loose rock piled within it, but I couldn't figure out what the point of that was."

Gorvio says, "Aye, I'm familiar with that place, since it has tieflings. Anyway, there's a way of getting close to that temple without getting seen. Well, I think I could show you how to get probably 50' from it without being seen. However, since it's on the corner, any closer than 50' and you'll be in the open."

Tristain whistles as he sees the new symbol, appreciating the colors and imagery.

That's something special, alright. Something to aspire to and work towards. I like that. Knight's Bane. Night's Bane. Yeah. YEAH!

"YEAH!" Tristain hoots appreciatively when it unveiled.

His hooting lowers in many decibels when the next part of the plan is explained:

"We'll need proof of their death so that the Lord Mayor will call off his hunt, and the people of Westcrown won't be so afraid."

He looks around to confirm that Ariel is looking at him/them.

Me? Really.
Yes, you. Get over it. You're in deep now.
Do I even want to be in this deep?
Too late, murderer. You have a new job now.

It's all that Tristain can do is to nod in agreement. Tristain looks to the right, to Ezren who speaks.

"...Anyone have any other ideas?"

Tristain shakes his head, signifying the lack of ideas...yet.

"I dunno yet, Ezren. Let me think a bit. Maybe we could arrange a diversion. Or maybe Tarvi has some ideas. We'll need to sketch out the place and talk more."

Tristain needs time to think. He's not a quick thinker.

"Oh, and since we haven't spoken much, this might be a good opportunity to ask me any questions you might have about me."

Tristain looks at Ariel a bunch of mission related and non-mission questions popping into his head.

"What did you do to get arrested? What powers to do you have to help us out? How many days to do we have to complete this, do you think? And do I have time to run to the store to buy some things? Also, can anyone summon a dragon or titan to help us out? That would make things easier."

Well, he asked for it.

"Is anyone available to help us? I dunno, a diversion?" Tristain's babble slows down as he begins to think more.

He turns to Jimmy and Moshley to see what their input might be.

I'm going to need a black bandana to go with this sweet cloak. And I'll come up with a fancy nickname for myself when I'm in costume and killing hellknights. Yeah, that's it. Artist by day, assassin on other days.

Janiven says, "Oh, I can sketch it. It looks like THIS. On the bottom is the Temple of Erastil, that's the one with the bell tower. The square on the left side of the sketch is some kind of building that has been totally barricaded, with wooden boards nailed over the door. No window, so no idea what's inside that one. The square on the right side is a woodcarver shop, with a residence above it. The square on the top left is a carpenter's shop, with a residence above it as well. Finally, the square on the top right is a tailor's shop, with, you guessed it, a residence up above. The weird part is, I think those shops are all abandoned."

Ezren turns toward Ariel. "My first question is why should we follow you? I did not know you before we rescued you and all I was told was told by Janiven was "Ariel knows all of your names and the hellknights will break him and we will all be dead". So I rescued you to not only save myself but that ones I love from being harmed. Now tell me or even show me why anyone of us should follow you. What makes you the right man to lead us?"

Jimmy stares back at Tristain when he notices the artist looking into his direction. "Jimmy doesn't know anything else we could do."

But perhaps one of the voices in his head can tell Jimmy more about the place the party's going to:

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Ariel looks at Ezren and says, "Dear sir, I am not the leader. I am simply the founder, along with Janiven. I certainly appreciate you saving me from the Hellknights, they would have certainly tortured me. While I did not give anything away while I was with them, they were saving the, uh, enhanced interrogation techniques for when I reached the citadel."

"Once a leader has to say they are the leader, they are not the leader, if you catch my drift. Anyway, I was looking for some very capable people to join our resistance. While Janiven and I have high hopes for those in our group, we needed true heroes to join us. I suspect the true heroes that you four are, will be leading us in the future. Do you have any further questions?

If you just want to make a list: 1, 2, 3, 4 that is fine as well. Now's the time to ask. If anything so far has come up that is confusing, didn't make sense, or whatever, here's your chance.

"What did you do to get arrested? What powers to do you have to help us out? How many days to do we have to complete this, do you think? And do I have time to run to the store to buy some things? Also, can anyone summon a dragon or titan to help us out? That would make things easier."

"Is anyone available to help us? I dunno, a diversion?"

Ariel says, "I was trying to organize a few links with sympathetic groups elsewhere in the city, particularly the Pathfinders, who are using a secret agent here in the city. Someone must have seen what I was doing and reported my actions. That's about all I can say about that at the moment. I don't have permission to provide a name. I have another meeting with them in the near future, where I can be sure not to be seen.

I have some abilities, I can make you some healing potions, I have enough ingredients for one for each of you. I can make some other potions if you can supply the ingredients. I'm a cleric of Iomedae."

Janiven also says, "As for how long to complete this? Well, the Lord Mayor is having the tieflings killed off according to your friends. We need to act quickly to save as many innocent tieflings as possible. Plus, businesses are starting to go fail. If we wait another week, I fear the tieflings will be eliminated and more businesses will fail. We need to act quickly. Tomorrow if at all possible." They ignore your summons question.

Tavari pops in the conversation and says, "Diversion, like last time? We can do that! We're good at that. Please, pick me, pick me. I want to help! My parents are so worried. I bet they are going to be targeted any night now and, I just can't bear to think of losing them. If we don't act soon, and they die, I just, I just couldn't bear it. I'd throw myself to Asmodeus or something."

Ariel smiles. "She's got a point. You seem to work well together."

Ariel provides each of you 1 cure light wounds potion, which heals for 1d8 + 1.

"Scalvo will not be joining us for a while he does not feel comfortable with some of the actions of the group. So it will be only three of you for the distraction. I think a argument between the three of you on the southwest corner of the bell tower should draw his attention so we can slip in the door on the est wall of the temple." Looking at each of them to hoping they understand.

"I believe a day attack would be better as well so if we do get forced outside or have to flee then we can run out side. I will prepare and be ready first thing in the morning."

Ariel says, "Well, whatever you guys decide, I'll go with. Just remember to wear your outfit, so people will know the (k)Nights Bane is here to protect the city. Plus, if you need to run, they won't know who you were."

Let's see what Jimmy & Moshley can think of or if they have additional questions for Ariel.

Tristain scratches his chin, thinking.

"Should be kill these Bastards? Or just bring them to the dottari? I mean, maybe they're just robbing because they are being persecuted and need a way to survive?"

Tristain ponders a plan of action.

"Maybe we should go check it tomorrow, then buy anything we might need, then try to infiltrate in the night. I don't know what else to suggest."

Janiven says, "You'll need to kill them, and find some way to prove you done it. If you don't, they'll just deny it and then they'll keep killing more tieflings. Maybe you'll find something there that will be proof."

Ariel agrees. "Yeah, tieflings, dangerous creatures. No offense Gorvio."

Rizzardo says, "F an F'n A man. What could be so bad that Scalvo won't F'n go? What the F'k man? I'll go. F'ck ya, take me, I'll f'kn kill anyone stupid enough to F'kn run. I'm also good at, what did you call it?"

"He called it a diversion, idiot. It's not a swearing contest, so I'm sure you'd fail," says Ermolos. "I can take Scalvo's place. I actually know what a diversion is, unlike the retard here."

"Who you callin' a retard?"

"See what I mean?"

"I don't get it."

"Exactly."

"Exactly! Pfft. I got a f'kn sword, I can dowit!" Rizzardo nearly begs you to take him.

"That brute can't even spell diversion, he'd screw it up." Ermolos makes a good point.

Tea-drinker: I remember several historic facts, but I think the following piece of information is most relevant to the current situation. Please do share with the others that...

Jimmy: Uhuh... Jimmy doesn't get it, but okay!

"Jimmy remembers the..." Jimmy stops talking when Rizzardo and Ermolos start their squabble. He patiently waits for them to stop talking, then says what he wanted to share. "Jimmy remembers the buildings that Janiven sketched around the Old Temple of Erastil were occupied a few weeks ago, but then they were suddenly boarded up."

There's a slight shift in Jimmy's mannerism, and Jimmy continues to speak with the voice of someone who plays cricket on a regular basis. "Chaps, I fear the stores could be boarded up for a most unpleasant reason. Did it occur to you that, perchance, the stores are being utilized by the bloody Bastards? We may want to clear the stores, before we approach the temple itself. Or at least the stores we'll pass on our way to this bloody temple."

Janiven responds to Jimmy's pronouncement, "Oh, I didn't know that. I forget that you and your brother performed in Rego Cader and know the land and layout of that dilapidated sector. You might be right Jimmy, if they boarded up all the buildings around the same time as the Bastards of Erebus started robbing and killing people. Makes sense."

Amaya looks at Jimmy with wonder. "What the heck?"

Tristain nods and listens.

"Maybe that's exactly what we do. Investigate those boarded up buildings first. Seems like a good start."

Gorvio gives Ariel a snarl about his comment on tieflings. "Yeah, I know the tiefling area well, and I remember those buildings too. I can get you to them without being seen by the belltower guard. Just let me know which building you want to go to first."

Scalvo says to Ezren, "Dear Sir Ezren, if they are correct and this can stop the bloodshed of the tieflings, then I think this would be my way of redemption. I have changed my mind. I wish to go, perhaps this mission will also provide atonement."

Ariel comments, "If you are successful, I think I can get the Pathfinder representative to meet with us. They might be waiting for us to prove our worth. Oh, also, did anyone have any further questions for me? I've got time to answer them."

Ariel clearly knows a lot of stuff, now's your chance to ask just about anything.

"I beg your pardon, child?" Jimmy raises his eyebrows when hearing Amaya's words. "What an awkward selection of words you use to formulate your sentence."

"As for the store we should clear first... From which direction will we approach the bloody temple? Was there a particular store that drew more attention than the others? Perhaps we should first spend a day scouting the area...?"

"Jimmy wants to know where all the temple's entrances and exits are," the actual Jimmy says. "Or did someone already ask that, and did Jimmy miss it? Jimmy's not sure."

Scalvo says to Jimmy, "It's not a bloody temple, you filthy liar. It's a temple of Erastil. Sure, take your time! what do you care how many innocent tieflings die? You seen them stacked up in a grave, and you want to take your time? Maybe you should go beat up a few more before they execute them. I've seen you in action, you could care less."

Ariel says, "Calm down Scalvo. Westcrown has done a lot to folks."

Amaya just shakes her head. "Touched by a demon, that one is."

Tristain looks at Scalvo and is glad that his friends, Ezren & Tarvi are much more restrained. He doesn't glance at Rizzardo for fear that the man has accidentally cut off his own head with his sword.

"Well, we're not going to fix Westcrown overnight. And we're not responsible for the actions of others. All we can do is what we can do to help...and maybe inspire the citizens to do better by themselves."

Tristain studies the sketches more. He waits someone who knows the area better to make a decision on what building to hit first.

"I am with Scalvo we need to hit them soon. I would like to go in the morning and clear all the buildings around the temple first. We do not want the alarm raised then find we are surrounded by army from the other buildings."

Moshley addresses the whole group.
"I don't know what would be wise. It both sounds viable."
He seems ponder on the subject a bit and then continues.
"No actually, I think we should scout first and then assault. If we know more about the area we could move more efficient, and we would have a higher chance of surviving. So I side with Jimmy. What is your opinion Gorvio?"

"We should get a crowbar. And rope. Definitely rope. And maybe a few of them spikey spike things. Anyone have any of those?"

Tristain thinks more. He's beginning to think of his assassin's kit: a bag of tools that he would use when he is The Tristsassin, a cloaked man who murders the lawful in Westcrown for the greater good.

"Does anyone have, uh, have one of those fancy lock picking sets?" Tristain asks with embarrassment. "I can afford some of that, but not all."

THE NIGHT PASSES -- IT'S JUST BEFORE DAWN

Ariel is awake and you've eaten. He says, "Time to gather your team. May Iomedae guide you to success."

Amaya says, "As a way of inspiration, I wish to sing a song before we go.

The (k)Nights Bane gather around to hear Amaya sing an inspirational song.

See the white lights,
The light within.
Be your own disciple,
Fan the sparks of will.
For the citizens in waiting,
(k)Nights Bane will come!

Rays of power shining,
Rays of magic fall.
On Ariel's golden voice,
That speaks within us all.
For the citizens in waiting,
(k)Nights Bane will come!

Feel the white lights,
The light within,
Yea, it burns a fire,
Drives us all to win.
For the citizens in waiting,
(k)Nights Bane will come!

Words of power,
Calling to us all.
Holding us together,
While other kingdoms fall.
No more waiting!
A better kingdom will come!

They applaud and chant "(k)Nights Bane, (k)Nights Bane, (k)Nights Bane"

Who is going, and how do you plan to get to Rego Cader? Do you plan on going through the city or going outside the city and coming around? I'm pushing the game forward, 2 days of discussing plans and time to ask questions of Ariel is enough IMO. You can figure out which building and strategy on the way there.

Ezren walks up to Ariel after the song. "Just have a few more questions I want answered before we go. Why did you not cloak yourself when we where riding back through town after we rescued you? Some of the guards pointed at us as we moved through the city as well. Do you happen to know why/who they my have been pointing at and why?" Ezren waits for a response.

Ariel says, "I'm glad you asked. By rescuing me beyond Westcrown’s walls, you did not technically break city laws. As you may know, many in Westcrown, including a significant portion of the nobility, bristle at the Hellknights and see them as little more than mercenaries, and won’t take issue if they lose a prisoner on the way to the citadel. Furthermore, since I was in Hellknight custody, I knew Westcrown would no longer be interested in my supposed crimes. Despite my escape, the city isn't bound to turn me back over to the Hellknights unless enough government officials want to do the Order of the Rack a favor. I know such a favor is unlikely to be granted, especially since handing me over to the zealous Order of the Rack was already just such a favor. So I was confident that if I arrived back in Westcrown I'd be safe."

"Jimmy agrees on getting a crowbar and some locker pickers! Lock... lock pickers...? Lock... pickes...?" After trying some more variations of the word 'lockpicks,' Jimmy decides to give up.

"Jimmy thinks it's too hard to say, so we should just get a crowbar only. Jimmy thinks we should just smash every door with it."

Jimmy doesn't get why people say liar to him. They think Jimmy's mean? Should Jimmy hug them?

Okay, 30 minutes have passed, you guys are still sitting in the safehouse. Let me know when you go and do something. Tick tock, tick tock.

"Well, I'm going to pick up some supplies and, if needed, sell some stuff so that I can buy what I need," Tristain says, indicating the spare chainmails and longswords.

"I need a few things: a crowbar, rope, some tools, and some more arrows."

Moshley sits waiting for the others.
"Whatever we do I am ready to go. Although we still need to decide if we want to scout first or just charge in. The thieving equipment is a good idea by the way Tristain, I wouldn't really be able to use it though."
He looks down at his small body, a bit ashamed.

"Jimmy says let's go buy and sell things first, we need to be prepared. Next day, Jimmy thinks we go scout. Or perhaps we can also scout a bit on the first day, but Jimmy thinks shopping needs to go first."

"On third day we go to the temple, and attack. You agree with Jimmy?" Figuring he'd better confirm that he agrees with his own plan, Jimmy adds one more thing: "Jimmy agrees!"

Time/Day: 07:30 / Wednesday

Tristain, when you say spare chainmails/longswords, I going to assume that you are giving 2 of each to the NPCs? I'm going to put them as party claim (since those 2 NPCs aren't really affiliated with you) for the purpose of selling loot and determining the loot split.

Second, I want to point out that Moshley is entirely, 100% correct: nobody has posted that they have left the shrine, so he is still waiting. Everyone is still talking about what they are going to do when they leave. As such, I have advanced the clock another 30min to 7:30a.m.

Third, I cannot respond to many of these questions you guys are posting for a variety of reasons. I'm not making new rules. Sorry if you feel that way, but I've got access to additional information that I cannot share.

Tristain leaves to go selling/shopping. He lugs what he thinks he can sell. As is his usual and accustomed mode of transportation, he walks.

Time/Day 07:40 / Wednesday

Okay, we have an action. I will assume based upon comments made back in the shrine that everyone is going. I'll also assume Ezren will go as well, as I know he is a bit busy and would probably go.

It takes you a few minutes to get to Rego Pena, and there are eight dottari questioning everyone coming and going from Rego Pena. They see the four of you approaching. "Halt! In the name of the Lord Mayor Aberian Arvanxi, I order you to drop your weapons immediately."

What do you do?

Tristain halts and drops his staff and his bow. He prepares to drop his backpack (and his non visible weapons) as needed.

"How can I help you today, sir?"

Ezren lays all his weapons down on the ground the stands with hands open. "What is going on? Why are we not allowed weapons? Why are you searching everyone?" As Ezren is speaking his dagger he forgot about falls out of his tunic. "Ooops, must have forgotten that one. It is so small I forgot it was even there."

07:50 / Wednesday

I will assume both Jimmy and Moshley drop their weapons when they see you drop weapons

The dottari see you drop some of your weapons. "I'll ask you one more time. Drop your weapons or else." He points at Tristain, who is also carrying five light crossbows, three longswords, a heavy mace, dragging plate mail and 2 chain mail armor sets along behind him in what must be a really big backpack.

Given all your weapons and your failure to drop them, you have now been surrounded by all eight dottari.

What do you do?

I find it hard to believe Tristain was carrying everything, but sure.

Tristain the Mule drops his weapons.

I find it hard to believe Tristain was carrying everything, but sure.

Tristain the Mule drops his weapons.

I don't believe it either. You did say "He lugs what he thinks he can sell" and the group decided that loot should be weightless. As such, I'm playing what the group wished to have: weightless loot. I've never played weightless loot and I've always had to have containers, but whatever. There is no impact for carrying it. This scene happens regardless if you try to sell things while there's a crime spree going on.

The guard continues, "What are you doing with all those weapons and armor? Answer me, now."

Was waiting for Jimmy or Moshley to post. Shrug.

"I was going to market to sell them. This is the market, right?" Tristain answers. "Wait! Is the market closed? Is something wrong?"