Beppo shakes his head. Let's just leave. If we are asked, we were attacked without reason and without warning by a jailer who disregarded orders from some of the highest-ranking members of their order. We have the documents to support that story, and it's the truth. If that doesn't justify our action, then I don't know how this Order functions.
The place looks worn down, and the windows are nighly opaque with build up of dirt and grime. Killian sees Ailyn behind a table. I know I don't even have to ask if you were followed, eh? You've always been too good for that. Killian, your interest and professionalism in helping me ferret out some much needed information about the underbelly of Westcorwn's nobility has been invaluable. Now, I want to uphold my end of the bargain and reveal a little more as to why I asked for your help with some of these things. This is Janiven Key. She's got some questions for you...and depending on your answers, a proposal that I believe you will find very interesting.
Aemon grits his teeth keeping his head down he doesn't say anything not wanting to get the group in trouble. This ain't going to work
Killian bows deeply, his smile wide and bright in the gloom of the empty, dusty building. His deep baritone ripples through the large room, "The pleasure, without doubt, is all mine to be sure. So wonderful to meet you, Janiven. A friend of Ailyn's is a friend of mine, if I may be permitted such boldness." He smiles again then comfortably takes a seat opposite the two women. "But as for your question of 'Why?' Well if I may be even bolder, I harbor no love for a government which sees fit to strangle her society with the iron-mailed fist of a state-sanctioned religion. Also, I find I rather like the thrill, don't you?" While his tone is playful and wry, his eyes convey he understands her caution and will take no offense at her questions, whatever course they might follow.
Aemon looks up eye's lock on to the Hellknight. "Malalictor attacked us in the 'Forgotten Spire' As he so nicely called it, we showed him all the paperwork then he said it would 'get messy' and then attacked. Tessai got hurt in the fight so this is on your orders head." Aemon then looks back at the others. If no one can come up with a better lie i won't hold back the truth.
Edmond stays quiet, his hood drawn low down over his face. He flexes his clawed fingers in preaparation to fight their way out.
Aemon closes his eye's Have i put my foot in it again... nothing bad can happen, how else could we get out of this..
As she hails the guards, Beppo speaks to their escort. As you will recall, we had a signed document with orders from three of your highest-ranking officers to release the prisoner. Your jailer attacked us immediately upon seeing his orders - I would think you should thank us for putting down such an insubordinate dog.
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The Hellknight, Elixia, returns. With a somber face and voice, she says, You...you didn't mention hellhounds... or the ledger on his table. I would not have believe that one of our own would consult in such fashion with devils for his own purposes. Not only that...but trading people for beasts from the Infernal plane. Unthinkable. You... you have done the Hellknights a service, actors. And to best one of our own backed up with those creatures, well, I can see why your friend is hurt. Rest assured, I will make arrangement with the church to provide the best care possible. You... you have our thanks for taking care of the matter. We will take it from here.
Beppo bows respectfully to Elixia. I did not think it necessary to impugn that cur any further - or to boast of our strength in throwing down his 'pets'. His muscles flex almost involuntarily. We did only what we had to do to protect ourselves and our friend. I had faith that you would recognize the truth.
"Ah, a kindred spirit! I was just expressing much the same disdain, my friend." Killian, having risen at Taryin's entrance, bows then takes his seat. "I am Killian Shard. Your travels would likely preclude you from recognizing my name, but I received a notable bit of praise for my role in last season's The Maralictor's Rose." Killian's introduction is accompanied by a broad and gleaming smile.
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Note to the veteran Shades of Grey here...you are welcome to read the spoilers above for entertainment and whatnot...just keep in mind your character knows nothing of it. :)
Killian nods somberly, recognizing the gravity of Janiven's words. He echoes Taryin's support "Indeed! It would be a grand thing to see such freedoms restored to Westcrown and her people. I would be honored to help, however more I might."
With but a small group of supporters and dedicated brothers and sisters, we are earning the trust and admiration of those people. A Westcrown free of these shadowy beasts that stalk our streets is one step closer to a Westcrown free of the devil that is the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune!
This is what we stand for! You must understand, it is dangerous work, my friends. Our groups have run into the enemies even more fearsome than the Hellknights themselves. Furthermore, you can understand the need for secrecy. I must know that you are willing to lay down your life for Westcrown and that you will never discuss anything you say, see, hear or do as part of our group to anyone outside...even those you love or trust, without discussing it with me first. Are you with me?
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Some of the party takes Cala back home. While you try to be discreet, a few people do see you carry her on the way.
You put her down and heal her from a distance. As she wakes, she screams. Then she looks around, and sees that she is home. She finds the note left on her person...reads it, and then cries as she heads in side.
The party heads back to the base.
Eventually, Calasenica tells her friends and family about her terrible time in the Order of the Nail and her trip as a prisoner of Hell. She relays that she woke up, at home, with a note from the Shades of Grey, who claim that they bested a devil and hellhounds to free her as a service to the people of Westcrown. The Shades of Grey gain 3 popularity points! Each member gains 4 power points!
The party returns. Janiven is not there, but Arael and most of the Shades' other members are. You relate to them what has happened. Arael ask Tessai to lay out on one of the pews in the temple base, has
What you did today was very brave, Arael says to Tessai as Fiosa cast a light spell over his head, and he inspects the wound with Kyle.
I have to admit, I've never seen anything like this. I think somehow, coming through the portal while being attacked by demons did something to her back. It doesn't look right. See the wounds here and here, Kyle? It's almost as if a part of her backbone is missing. And you already cast a cure spell, and these gnashes won't go away. It doesn't surprise me. I sense various types of magical residue here and here. It's not good.
He stands up as Tessai manages to prop herself up in the pew to a seated position. I've heard of a spell that can replace lost limbs, resort lost organs and the sort. That might work, but obtaining it in these parts outside of a church as Asmodeus will not be easy. And, even then, I cannot say for sure that it will work.
Killian arches his brow as Taryin brings up the difficulties of lying to one's parents and shrugs as he adds, "It's not so hard when the lies are to protect your loved ones from you rather than the other way 'round." His eyes bounce over to Janiven, "Oh yes, my dove, consider me one of your own. Ha HA!" He flashes a wide smile and asks, "So, when do we start, hmm?"
I don't want no help from a devil worshipping son of a b!@$#, Tessai replies. I'll be crippled before I let one of them try to heal me. If Cayden Cailen wants me healed, than another way will be found. Otherwise, I'll just....I'll just sit here.
Her face turns stone cold.
Beppo frowns at Tessai. Are you quite sure about that? He looks to Arael. There must be a way. Are you telling me that we can cure diseases and bring people back from the dead with magic, but that only Asmodeus can fix this?
She leads you to a bunch of rubble behind the bar. Clearing it out of the way reveals a cleverly hidden trap door. As she does, she answers Taryin, Yes, as you can imagine, there are a couple of hellknight orders and church inquisitors that would love to stop our heroics in their tracks despite that fact that, for the most part, what we do is legal. So, we have assumed the name of Shades of Grey as a group. When we are acting on behalf of that group, we cover our faces in grey scarfs or masks to hide our true identities. As far as I know, only our infamous leader has been taken for questioning. Even so, the Hellknights have no idea what he does. We stopped them before they got too far with him.
She leads you through sewers that run under the city. It's not pretty, and the smell takes a lot of getting used to, but travelling to our base this way insures that we are not tracked. We meet in an abandoned temple of Iemodae, but you cannot enter through the front door. It's boarded. Only through the sewers. Just look for arrows like these if you get lost.
She goes on to explain the arrows, and how they are drawn, are a code to allow one to find the entrance, should they get lost. Cleverly designed, no one without authorization has found the base yet.
The trip under the sewers takes nearly an hour, giving you time to ask further questions.
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He frowns...looking even a bit sad. I understand your frustration, Beppo. More severe injuries and curses require strong power to cure. The sad news is that when Aroden fell, many of the priests of Aroden, Iemodae and other good deities were chased away or even killed in the uprising. Now, we are scattered, and our faith is not nearly as strong as our forefathers. I pray and hope that one day, I will have that kind of strength of will and character to perform the type of miracles they did. That would help to restore faith in our people, as well. As it is, only the devil worshipping clerics of Asmodeus perform those types of miracles, or so the rumor goes.