Iron Gods: Forged into Legends

Game Master polyfrequencies

Everyone is welcome to make a Knowledge (planes) check, DC 16, to know something about the Xill. Tentative categories are below in the spoiler and are up for negotiation.

"Not naturally invisible. But naturally ethereal. It fully manifests on the material plane to assail victims. You will see...it.",
Basil responds to Harg, after she arrives as well.

Sorry, no token movement from me yet, still on work equipment so no roll20 right now.

Knowledge (planes): 10 + 8 = 18 take 10 woo! Uh... would its etheral stuff fall under movement, SLA, or Other Special Abilities?
If I have to guess, I'll guess SQ

"Remember, ethereal creatures can move through solid objects. A stone is not necessarily a safe to turn your back on." Thawm says from atop her summoned Mount following behind Keldor and casting Shield.

She was just here... wasn't she? Thawm thinks to herself.

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

In this case Harg knows nothing about these creatures. He will try to be ready for anything.

Yeah, I'm one of the weird summoners that has not taken Knowledge (Planes) yet I guess (not enough Skill points at 1st level). But to his defense, he was more concerned to learn about his own eidolon than other supernatural forces. (Normally he tends to stick with elementals and animal-type summoned creatures...) However, now might be a really good incentive the next time he levels to put in the book time (skill points) to learn it!

Keldor looks bewildered at his friends actions, seeing them all begin to approach...

"Something must be going on."

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Recalling back to what she had studied of xill, Thawm recalls that xills have the ability to Planewalk, shifting from their home on the Ethereal Plane to the Material Plane so swiftly and smoothly that they are able to strike their prey while they remain unaware. This is done chiefly for the purpose of perpetuating the xill race by injecting and incubating their eggs into paralyzed victims.

A xill can shift from the Ethereal Plane to the Material Plane as a move action. Shifting from the Material Plane to the Ethereal Plane takes 2 consecutive full-round actions, during which time the xill is immobile. As a xill fades away, it becomes harder to hit: opponents have a 20% miss chance in the first round and a 50% miss chance in the second. A xill can take a single willing or helpless creature with it when it switches planes.

---

On recognition that a Stealth hunt would go better if we were all sitting around the same table and rolling dice live, I'm going to fast track this to figure out approximately when and where the encounter formally begins!

Let's continue by getting five perception checks from everyone (four from Gauntlet, who didn't notice anything during Round One). If anyone beats the DC, I'll let you know and you can take your standard action that round to do as you please. Please describe any novel actions you are taking as you move around. You may also use these five rounds to cast spells instead of moving and seeking.

"I'll escort Keldor." Thawm explains as she follows him around on horseback.

round 1 for shield? XD
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

seeing that reminds me that I should just buff rolls xD

Moving ahead and spreading out amidst the rocks, the group looks around for the once-allied xill. Behind them, the Ghost Wolves continue on horseback. As the sound of thundering hooves fade in the distance, it is replaced with the low din of cicadas, cautious breathing, armor creaking, and the occasional clop of Thawm's mount. As Gauntlet maneuvers forward, keeping their eyes peeled and their ears trained, their careful search is rewarded. They catch the glimpse of a red tail passing between two rock formations. Zagmaander seems to realize that she has been made and raises a hand glowing with dark energy aimed at Gauntlet.

That'll do, Gauntlet! The 27 in Round 3 beats her flubbed DC 25. No need for anyone else to roll Perception (though you may if you want to). Round 1 DC 27, Round 2 DC 33, Round 3 DC 25.

I tried to move people their movement speed ahead, spreading out a bit as you had described. Hopefully you're okay with where you're starting.

A ray of nearly black light, coruscating improbably in the mid-morning light, erupts from Zagmaander's hand and curves around the boulder she has crept behind towards Gauntlet and narrowly missing the eidolon. The ray curves down at the last moment, burrowing into a patch of grass that goes instantly gray and crumbles.
"This does not concern you, Keldor Whisthawk," comes the harsh whisper of the xill.

Round Three
Zagmaander
Thawm: 63/63
Basil: 84/84
Gauntlet: 119/77
Harg: 91/91

The party is up!

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

"Is that you, Zaagmander? You're picking on the wrong people." Thawm explains as she begins casting Summon Monster 4.

Swift Action: Smite Evil upon the Xill. Note: Assuming he is evil, that increases my AC against him by an additional +3 deflection (effectively only +2 bonus since my +1 Ring of Protection already providing deflection bonus.)

"When someone hurts innocent lives, it will always be my place to interfere Zaagmander! You should NEVER have returned..."

Swiftly moving up to engage the Xill using his wings, Keldor/Gauntlet attempts to strike the four-armed creature as he lands next to it!

Slam Attack! w/Smite Evil!: 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 3 = 33
Damage - Ignores any DR!: 2d6 + 4 + 7 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 + 7 = 17
Crit?
Slam Attack! w/Smite Evil!: 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 3 = 20
Damage - Ignores any DR!: 2d6 + 4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 5) + 4 + 7 = 19

Add another +7 (or +14 if a Crit?) damage if a Xill is considered an Evil Outsider.

A definite hit, but not a crit! She is definitely an evil outsider, so that's a solid 24 damage to start things off!

The xill hisses as Gauntlet delivers a stunning blow to her torso. "Theeeese were my breeeeding grounnndsssss for ssssscenturiesss before any of you were booorn!" Zagmaander chitters back, striking a defiant (and deadly-looking) pose with two jagged blades and a shield.

Round Three
Zagmaander: -24
Thawm: 63/63, summoning
Basil: 84/84
Gauntlet: 119/77, smite evil
Harg: 91/91

Basil and Harg are up!

Listening to some of his old teachings Harg lifts off the ground then flies forward to get closer to the fray. Getting a good look at the creature, and he analyzes his movements.

"Try to get it into position to flank!"

Standard: Cast Fly on self with Hex
Move: Fly 40 feet (slower since in medium armor)
Swift: Studied target

Doing most things currently from laptop(and bed), not desktop.
Laptop is work hardware with certain limitations though, among them "no roll20". please move me as needed.
"They were. And you were cursed before we were born. The people you prey on are our allies. There is a different group, only days north of here, who use technology to subdue others. There need be no conflict between us, if you shift your hunting grounds there and leave these alone-",Basil attempts to explain. If I remember geography wrong, please correct me, IC I'd know which way the Technic Leagues territory is closest from here and how far - we DID evade it on our way back so it has to be close by)
She approaches, but has no arnaments in hand.

For now I'll upload pictures of the battlefield. Here is the current map, along with a purple line showing where Basil was and where I moved her. I had her double-move, not her full complement, but about 40 ft so that she is within 30 ft of the xill.

"No. Thisssss is reckoninnnng, Bassssil NaN," Zagmaander rasps.

The xill launches herself with full fury at Gauntlet.

The four-armed creature whips her blades against gauntlet. The first blow clatters off of his impressive armor, but in a vengeful follow-up, the xill spins and stabs both blades into weak spots in Gauntlet's armor, rending asunder skin, bone, metal, and whatever strange material makes up an eidolon. By the third consecutive blow, Gauntlet finds the rhythm and begins to evade anything more damaging, but the pain is certain.

Ouch! That's three hits, at a 36, 35, and 32, along with a rend, for 11, 18, and 10 damage respectively, totaling 39. That ate through most of the temp HP, which I believe is the eidolon's. I trust that Keldor knows eidolon mechanics better than me, so I'll let him handle whatever comes next!

Round Four
Zagmaander: -24
Thawm: 63/63, summoning
Basil: 84/84
Gauntlet: 80/77, smite evil (AC 30)
Harg: 91/91

The party is up!

Keldor will transfer 19 hps from himself to help keep Gauntlet solid.

Im out of town, but I should be able post my full response tomorrow.

Thawm summons a Hound Archon right next to Keldor in his Gauntlet suit!
5' to the right
Then Thawm rides her horse past Basil and casts Haste on all 3 of her allies, her two summons, and herself.
30' straight up if I can. Maybe the rock means 5' to the right also?

22ac & 39hp

The summoned Hound Archon magically knows who isn't on his team and gets to work immediately.
He swings at the xill with his greatsword.

stabbity+haste: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 = 29
stabbity+haste confirm?: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 1 = 15
slashing damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6

stabbity+haste haste bonus attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22
slashing damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 2) + 3 = 11

stabbity+haste iterative: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6
slashing damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6

bite+haste: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 = 8
probably b+p+s damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

also DC 16 will from Aura of Menace. Succeed or take -2 to AC, attacks, and saves until Zaagmander can hit the Archon xD

"You have witnessed what this weapon can do.", Basil holds up her gun, then levels it with Zaagmaander as her form begins to vanish: "I implore you to reconsider."

"NO MORE WORDS! DIE MURDERER!"

Slam Attack! w/Smite Evil+Haste!: 1d20 + 10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 3 + 1 = 19
Damage - Ignores any DR!: 2d6 + 4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 + 7 = 14
Slam Attack! w/Smite Evil!(iterative)+Haste!: 1d20 + 10 + 3 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 3 - 5 + 1 = 20
Damage - Ignores any DR!: 2d6 + 4 + 7 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 + 7 = 19
+Haste!
Slam Attack! w/Smite Evil!+Haste: 1d20 + 10 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 3 + 1 = 15
Damage - Ignores any DR!: 2d6 + 4 + 7 ⇒ (6, 4) + 4 + 7 = 21

And it starts...

With Thawm's haste energy flowing through him, Harg holds one hand out activating power that surges through his black blade. Flying into position, flanking with Gauntlet, and swinging down with his blade hard and fast, lightning coursing through the blade and down into Harg's arm.

Swift Action: Arcane Pool +1 and Keen
Casting Spekkstrike spell before moving to avoid AoO
Move: Fly into position
Free: Blade Blade Arcane pool Strike +2
Standard: SpellStrike Intensified shocking Grasp

Spellstrike Haste+Flank+Studied: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 32
Confirm: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 12 + 2d6 + 8d6 ⇒ (3) + 12 + (3, 2) + (2, 5, 1, 2, 5, 1, 3, 6) = 45

25 damage of that is Electricity. If it crit it does 90 damage total

Damn still getting used to pf1 again My to hit with Haste, flank, Arcane Pool, and Studied is actually +19. Not sure how I got the bad math before. So that should have been 37 to hit (with crit possible) and 26 on the confirm.

Edit 3 - Its also a slowing Strike, so if the Sneak attack worked because of flank, he has his speed halved by 1d4 rounds, Fort DC 18 negates.

Welp, I thought I'd have more time and energy last week to move us forward, but I was mistaken. Thanks for the patience.

Harg: Are you accounting for the -2 two-weapon fighting penalty in your attack calculation? It looks to me like it should be static BaB +7, Str +5, Black Blade Enhancement +2, Weapon Focus +1 for a base +15 to hit. Circumstantial bonuses are then: Haste +1, Flank +2, Studied Target +2, stacking Enhancement +1, & TWF -2. So 7 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 18. So yes, a 37 to hit and threat and a 26 to confirm, which does confirm against her aura of menaced AC. Ouch.

The hound archon appears in a burst of glorious, fearsome light. With a snarl, he hacks into the xill--a small, but not insigificant blow. Still, Zagmaander avoids the worst of the first blow and fends off the rest, though she looks bothered. A fail vs the aura of menace.

With a snarl, she turns to face the archon. "An unnnnwelcommme visssssitor. I knooow your kiiiinnnd."

She dodges around Gauntlet's blows and ignores Basil's words, keeping her attention on the new throw, until the unfamiliar-to-her half-orc circles around and lays into her. She screeches a hideous shriek of pain as her chitinous body tenses up, and whirls to gaze up at this new foe. In an unslowed rage, she turns into a whirlwind of prospective death. Pass vs slowing strike.

With a brutal demonstration of her might, Zagmaander stabs both of her swords into the archon before dragging them in an upwards X and cleanly decapitating him A 30 to hit for 19 damage, followed by a 23 for 18 damage, and 12 rend damage on top. She does have an evil subtype and therefore bypasses DR/evil. Before the summoned creature has time to react, its conjured essence fading in the late morning light, Zagmaander turns her full fury on the half-orc that brutalized her.

Sparks fly as the magus parries three consecutive blows before the xill swings one of her unarmed claws around and clamps down on Harg's spellcasting arm. She leans in to bite his neck, but Harg's blade, simmering with energy, snaps up between her teeth.

Harg takes 17 damage and is grappled.

Round Five
Zagmaander: -120, grappled
Thawm: 63/63, haste
Basil: 84/84, haste
Gauntlet: 21/42; Kelldor: 59/77, smite evil (AC 30), haste
Harg: 74/91, haste, grappled

The party is up!

Grunting in pain as the blade his his arm. With the creature holding on to him, Harg focuses some of his magical energy into the blade again. This time it continues up then back down into his arm. The magical energies aligning his muscles and directing his blows.

Swift: Arcane Accuracy +3
Full attack Power Attack
Grabbed, Arcane Pool, Arcane Accuracy, Haste, etc

Black Blade: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34
Slashing Damage plus sneak: 1d6 + 16 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 16 + (3, 5) = 26

Black Blade Haste: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38
Confirm: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29
Slashing Damage plus sneak: 1d6 + 16 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 16 + (3, 1) = 23

Black Blade second BaB: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Confirm: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Slashing Damage plus sneak: 1d6 + 16 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 16 + (5, 1) = 24

Stepping around the fallen Archon's remains with a quick prayer, Gauntlet moves to quickly flank the Xill with Harg!

Slam Attack! w/Smite Evil+Haste+Flank!: 1d20 + 10 + 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 23
Damage - Ignores any DR!: 2d6 + 4 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 4 + 7 = 15 Add +7 more if that hits because he's an Evil Outsider.

"You're the unwelcome visitor, Parasite." Thawm comments as she casts True Strike.

There, not that I think it's necessary after that, but I'll even throw in some Bane for the swift and a Re-roll as free :) -

Basil reappears next to the Xill and shoots it several times at point blank range: "You have choosen....poorly."

Attack, from invisibility, against touch: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 21 Damage, piercing: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 + (1, 3) = 12

Attack Haste, against touch: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 20

Attack Haste Reroll, against touch: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 2 + 1 = 31 Damage, piercing: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 + (3, 5) = 17

Attack Iterative, against touch: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 26 Damage, piercing: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 + (2, 2) = 14

I also rolled quite poorly for her attacks. My d20 attack rolls last turn were 16, 7, 6, 2, 14, 11, 9, 8. She could have done upwards of 135 damage if she had actually been able to connect more often.

One thing is that Furious Focus only applies if the weapon is held with two hands, which it definitely can't be while grappled, but the -2 penalty is not enough to save Zagmaander.

The saviors of Torch, the liberators of Scrapwall, three of whom slew an Iron God, close on the Blood Ghost. Generations ago, this xill had terrorized the Kellids of these hills. She had only been able to be brought down through a curse. The combined might of those ages ago was insufficient. And yet here, through the combined training and experience of the gathered, blades and bullets and burnished fists alike tear her apart before she has a chance to so much as scream.

Zagmaander the Blood Ghost is no more.

It is fitting in many ways that Harg, as an adopted member of the Ghost Wolves, participated so heavily in the slaying. Although he had only been with them for a few months, he had heard stories about the Blood Ghost and knew only the centuries of fear and rage built up in the community about the ancient bogeyman. It will surely be the final evidence needed that he was ready to graduate as it were.

Thawm feels tremendous arcane energies, those connected with the stars themselves, draining out as the xill's blood mixes with the soil. The ground shimmers with the light of stars currently blotted out by the light of Golarion's sun.

---

Combat is thunderously over. Feel free to have any reactions before we move back to the camp and onto the next thing!

As the arms release his body and fall to the floor, Harg turns to the others. "One of these days you will have to explain your history with this, thing. Sorry if I went in too fast for the kill. I try to be patient with my strikes, but my time with the Ghost Wolves has pushed me to charge in a bit faster."

With a deep sigh, the arcane energies draining from his body and sword, "This was a step in my own training. A nice denouement for my training. If you will have me, I would like to join you on your journey. I know you are getting into other dangerous things. You have my sword, and my spells. For what they are."

Harg grins, his tusks displayed prominently as he sheaths his blade. A blade blacker than the night. Edges difficult to see, no blood stains its surface.

"I'm pretty sure that was Zaagmander. She helped us kill Hellion. Anyway, the blood ghost is dead." Thawm explains, happy with a job well done.

"I had hoped to find a mutually satisfactory solution together with her - but it seems she was not inclined to consider parlay, so killing her was fine, Harg.", Basil starts talking with Harg, then turns towards Thawm, "The next time we work out a cooperation with a creature like her, we will need to define the terms better. The losses among the Ghost Wolves were unfortunate, but Hellion was a danger far greater then Zaagmander, and would not have stopped in Scrapwall. I believe our decisions and course of action were correct, but we should take care to learn from these experiences for the future, and include terms that minimize expected trouble in future agreements."

It is probably not a good idea to tell the Ghost Wolves that we released her, but Basil sees no practical reason to lie to Harg.

Keldor releases Gauntlet and watches the last of the Xill fade.

“We have to tell them the truth. We are…at least partially responsible. Now that we know our assumptions were correct, we can’t lie to them. We released the creature from its captivity. Good reasons or not. I will take full responsibility for it all. I should have known better, but my instincts and fears overwhelmed my reason. Im surprised my god has not cast me down by now…unless he is simply waiting for my atonement in advance.”

He shakes his head and turns to Harg.

“I surrender myself to you for trial. Please take me to the elders for judgment.”

Looking at Basil and Thawm, he chides.

“You should leave while you can. I will not escape punishment, nor fear it, but you are not obligated here. Only I am, and maybe you can meet Harg back in Torch later.”

"My allegiance is to Torch. And you. Not to the Ghost Wolves."
Basil takes a step futher away from Harg, casually reloading her Gun. "It would be unfortunate if we have to make them release you by force. Make no mistake. I would prefer no further casualities, but the Xills actions are not yours. If they mean to put you on trial for something you are not guilty of, there will be more death."

Shaking his head sadly Keldor rebuffs Basil.

“You misread the situation. You two never would have gone along with the Xill, if I had forbidden it. I was the deciding vote. Its MY responsibility. No rescue needed. No gunshots. Please. Basil, you are more than smart enough to understand this is MY decision. My truth. By becoming a Paladin, I accepted certain things in my life…would be necessary. Inconvenient truths are not something I can hide from, if my god can peer into my soul. This done. Walk away.”

"No.", Basil flatly refuses.
"You are trying to take responsibility for something that is not your fault. We redeemed a drugged up alchemist and gave her a new start in Scrapwall. If we had not, maybe she would have killed some Smilers evacuating from the city after we defeated them. With her not killing them, they may now go on and murder a dozen travellers before being brought to justice. Is it your fault those Smilers are out there killing? Because you may have stopped someone that could have killed them?"
Basil looks to Thawm, then back to Keldor: "I am not good with emotion. But logic and causality is something I feel comfortable with. Zaagmander was an intelligent being making her own decisions. It was her decision to come back here, to resume killing. You are not in a position to forbid me anything. I value your opinion, highly so, but as I was not aware of the exact capabilities of Hellion at that time, I would have attempted to find an agreement with Zaagmander with or without your vote."
She continues to switch between looking at Hargs reaction and Keldor:"You say yourself your god saw no reason to cast you down. You even resolved the situation. There is no logic in being harsher to yourself. Or taking on guilt that is not yours merely because you regret a prior decision in hindsight. It is your decision. You do what you need to. But don't presume to tell me what I can or cannot do. If they lay blame on you and attempt to judge you, there will be blood. That is NOT your decision."

Listening to Keldor's words. Letting the others talk while he processes and thinks things through, "Let us put gods aside on this. The Ghost Wolves are not brutes. They bring with them the understanding of magics and causality. If you wish to communicate your part in the release of this creature, I see no need avoiding that."

He looks down at the body. "That all being said, I don't believe they will take your confession poorly. If they hate anything more than this devil, it is high tech robots." He glances over to Basil, "The kind that walk the land, with metal claws and built in hard light guns, not an intelligent android such as yourself."

"What I am trying to say is, if you feel the need to be honest with them, I will vouch for you. You might have caused the mess, but you also cleaned it up. You are honorable. They will listen. I have to head back to camp either way. We can tell them what transpired." Leaning down and cutting off its head with the blade. "You killed their boogieman. It was locked awhile for awhile. You released it, so you could track it down. It is over. That is what they will care about."

“Basil, Im not telling you to do anything. I’m asking…begging you to back off. Let this play out. If my god deems me worthy of no wrongdoing then any sentence or punishment I get will be light or balanced to the situation. The Ghost Wolves, as Harg stated, are intelligent and are savvy enough to understand my situation. I can only hope…but hope is a virtue I’m told. That must mean I’m doing the right thing. Right?”

He then turns to follow Harg back to camp solemnly.

"You do what you need to do, I do what I need to do.", Basil answers, finally holstering her weapon, then starting to walk towards the camp.

Thawm sighs heavily and as audibly as she can.
Rolling her eyes at Keldor's melodrama, she says "fine, let's go then."

"Why don't you start your 'penance' by carrying the proof of our victory?" she suggests as she turns to lead the way back.

The group cleans up quickly. With only a single non-summoned corpse present in the field and the battle having been swift but furious, they are able to catch up to the final group of Ghost Wolves that Keldor had been leading. Those fleeing are surprised to see the group in such quick order, and there is a mixture of fear followed by jubilation at the news that the Blood Ghost has been finally dealt with. The lifeless body provides the final justification needed. One of the riders with the swiftest horse takes off in a gallop to share the news with the rest of the Camp.

By the time the three outsiders and the kin-by-spilled-blood half-orc arrive back, the sound of drums and singing fills the air. An impromptu celebration colors the atmosphere, and although a fatted boar will take many hours to properly roast, the fire is already started. The various tribespeople that the group has interacted with so far are visible with smiles on their faces. Even those who lost someone in Zagmaander's final death raids are relieved. Dinvaya spots Keldor coming and runs towards him, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before fading off to the side of the crowd.

The only person who does not show a smile is Chieftain Xol-Nomag, who stands just past a roaring fire, clad in her grand wolf pelt and holding her enormous, spiked club. Jala Spirit-Eye sees the group and ushers them forward, hearing no remonstration otherwise. As they stand arrayed around the fire, Xol-Nomag holds up a fist. Almost instantly, the camp's clamor ceases.

"What news do you bring us, outsiders?"

As previously stated, the Ghost Wolves are savvy, and their leader is especially. This is clearly an element of theater: ceremony that the chieftain hopes the non-Kellids will play a part in for the benefit of the whole tribe.

Keldor steps forward, placing the creature’s equipment near the families who lost loved ones.

”The Blood Ghost is dead. We have defeated the creature.”

He sighs heavily, then goes on to explain the entire story that led to this current situation, and Keldor’s part in it.

”My allies would never have agreed to free the creature, if I had been brave enough to argue. I take full responsibility for my choices and actions. I throw myself on the mercy of the tribe, and can only beg for forgiveness from the families who have lost too much already.”

He then kneels and lowers his head in silent prayer, ready to accept whatever the tribe metes out.

"Do not presume to speak for me. Had you argued, I would have ignored you.", Basil locks eyes with Xol-Nomag: "The mechanical god-aspirant Hellion in his robotic shell was a threat to all of Numeria and would not have stopped if allowed to ascend. I would have done ANYTHING to make certain we could bring him down, and even so, we almost died. I feel sorry for the losses you suffered, but the alternative would have been so much worse. I regret nothing."

Basil told Keldor that she would have sought an alliance with Zaag regardless of his opinion. You claiming otherwise now, even if you lie in an attempt to protect us, prompts her to speak up. If you want, you can omit that first sentence about your allies and assume she keeps silent.

"Good point, Basil. Hellion the robot and would-be god is dead too." Thawm adds, hopeful that they'd like to hear about the slaying of a god of tech leading to the unfortunate return of the blood ghost.

Keldor's tale draws gasps and whispers from those close enough to hear it. As Basil and Thawm offer their own takes, the chatter grows. Xol-Nomag holds up a fist again, bringing quiet to the proceedings. "Mercy," she muses. "For one who knew nothing of our tribe's history and customs until yesterday and yet acted as more of a Ghost Wolf than many of my own brethren: facing down one of the most offensive mechanical beasts in our territory and destroying it utterly." A smile breaks across her face and she begins to laugh. "Keldor Whisthawk, you amuse me. You should see the look on your face."

The chieftain continues on. "I mourn our dead. But do I blame you? No. And I would challenge any of my brethren who wish to take a pound of your flesh to combat. I will hold no trial to determine your guilt or innocence for there is neither to be had here. Any injury you unwittingly visited upon my people has been repaid. If you feel guilty, take it up with your god. And if you want to feel like you have atoned, I will duel you to first blood." The smile on her face falters slightly and she gravely finishes her statement. "Though I cannot guarantee that you would survive."

Wanting to avoid answering for her ally in the middle of a formal audience, Thawm settles for staring daggers at Keldor, willing him to accept his acquittal.

Nodding at the verdict, Keldor sighs softly.

“It is not my place to question my god or your judgment. If Erastil had disagreed with your decision, he would have stripped me of my link to him. I am his hand in this world still, and I thank you for your wisdom.”

Keldor likely feels some extra sense as his three female companions, from different angles around the camp, bore near intense holes with their focus on him, willing him to accept. And as he does, Xol-Nomag smiles and ushers him forward. "Then please give me the body."

I assume Keldor obliges.

With Zagmaander's body in her hands, Xol-Nomag begins rounding the fire slowly, like a wolf unafraid and stalking its prey. She addresses her people as a masterful storyteller, her strong voice rising in intensity as she continues. "Centuries ago our people had worked to demonstrate our superiority to the machines that blight our lands. Yet one day a blood-red ghost appeared to hunt us. The methods we used to defend ourselves against the machines did nothing. We suffered. But we fought. And then my ancestor, the great Xol-Nalur, proved herself more powerful than the Ghost. With the Ghost banished from our lands, we returned our focus to the machines. But old enemies rarely stay gone forever. The Ghost reappeared, bringing fear and suffering. And yet. AND YET. There are those across Numeria neither of our kith nor kin but of a disposition to join our fight. They killed a machine claiming godhood. They ended a grave heretic. In doing so, they found the Ghost. And when we called for aid, they came and slew the Ghost once and for all!"

Xol-Nomag reaches to Zagmaander's neck and rips the alien-looking head from the body in one near-smooth motion. The body she throws into the enormous bonfire at the center. The head she holds up high so that all, from hundreds of feet around, can see. "Today we celebrate! The Ghost Wolves are rid of an ancient enemy, and we gain new friends!" She looks up at the severed head, grimaces, and crushes the skull with one hand. "So celebrate, all! We dine!"

"I like Xol-Nomag." Thawm comments to no one in particular. She smiles, nods, and then joins the feast.

After the proclamation and without comment, Keldor wanders off into the wilderness, quietly contemplating his circumstances. He won’t generally return until the next day.

Harg watches his conversation with a smile on his face, and a hand on his hilt. Not knowing, but expecting the results to go as they do.

At the end watching Keldor walk off into the wilds, Harg just watches. If Keldor glances his direction, he gives a node of understanding. Leave the man to his thoughts.

Harg takes notes on the tribes celebration, maybe his last for this group. Excited for the next thing.