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It would seem odd if you did not stay the night in the mansion, as it was when that noble-lady left earlier, namely because of the shadow beasts that prowl the streets at night. However, given how long these people will sleep in the morning, most may assume you left at the crack of dawn. You are unsure as to what time it is at the moment, but you assume it's late night.
The Imp floats over and sits on Brandon's head. Those are some big words. Ya lost me, wizard. Kinda cozy up here. Really. We're going to get along well. I can tell it now. Just as long as we steer clear of my boss. He's a pisser. But, hey. You can teleport us away, eh? And, don't worry. I got your back. You can depend on me!
The dog pants, clearly tired after the whole ordeal.
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Villola runs over to a table, picks up a broom and quickly clears it off, causing vials of paint and inkwells to fall on the floor. Now, now...calm down. Lay him here. G'Tosh!!!
A large orcish lookin man comes in from a nearby room. He hits his head on the roof, causing a thud. For Shelyn's sake, could you please keep it down. I don't need you alerting the Shadow Beasts AND the Hellknights. Now, give Tessai some water or something before she hyperventilates and I have TWO patients on my hands!
The brightly colored gnome looks over BD for what seems like hours. She swears underneth her breath several times after casting some spells. Finally, she lets out a deep sigh before approaching Tessai again. She looks uncharacteristically grim.
Can you tell me what happened?
Tessai does her best, given the circumstances, to quickly relate what has happened.
It's not good. It's not good at all. I've cured the injury to his body, but his spirit is torn. As you may know, normally, when someone dies, their spirit leaves for the River of Souls to await calling by Pharasma for judgement and placement. However, with certain divine magic, we can call out to that soul to bring them back to the realm of the Living. If that person desires to come back, and the stars are in alignment, their spirit may return to their body, provided the injuries are healed.
Black Devil's spirit didn't leave it because of death. Rather, it was torn. And, as best as I can tell, I can't pull it back, even with Sheyln's gift and the proper sacrifices. Either he doesn't want to come back, or something is holding onto his spirit. That something may be Pharasma herself if she feels it is absolutely his time. However, given what you have told me, I cannot help but suspect that forces most foul and ugly are at work here.
She shakes her head. I just cannot say for sure.
She walks over to the body. I can keep him alive with divine magic for a week or so...but without his spirit, the body will not live forever. Worse yet, it's a perfect vessel for evil spirits looking for a host.
She turns to the half-orc. G'Tosh! I need you to prepare the spare room. I want you to ward it against evil spirits as I showed you a few weeks ago. I'll be there to inspect your work. Then move his body from the table and lay it on the bed. And for love of all that is pleasing to the eye, do NOT knock the door off its hinges again!
G'Tosh nods his head. Yes, ma'am. I'm beautiful, right?
Yes, G'Tosh... you may look like an accident but you have a heart of gold and that's what counts to Sheyln. Now, please, get to work.
He replies excitedly, Yes ma'am!
The priestess walks back over to Tessai and puts a hand on her shoulder. I know this is hard to accept, child. I'll do all I can to keep him alive and safe while you try to work this out. I wish I could help you further, but I am limited in my gifts. If you want to help him, you must first find out what happened to him.
Her voice drops a bit. Depending on the answer, it may be best to kill the body now, lest his body become host to a sinister force. Find out what you can, and return back to me quickly, OK?
Tessai is lost at Villolas' words - "I think I understand what you mean, but I have absolutely no idea how to work this out... You say there is a possibility that Devil's spirit does NOT or CANNOT return to his body - how the heck am I supposed to know the truth behind it all..?" she shakes her head at the idea.
Standing up, resolute, Tessai walks back to the door - "I will do my best to find out - I'll speak with Kyle and advise with him" - or I need to understand the very nature of the Knot, it HAS to be related - her mind wanders.
Stopping at the door, turning back to the priestess, the tiefling is indeed a miserable creature, soaked in grime and rain. Smiling, she nods - "I will return as soon as I can. Thank you for having offered your assistance"
With a short bow, she wraps her cloak around her and moves out into the rain again.
"Well, lets head back before we are at risk of disturbing the other guests, I am glad to be rid of this place."
Corellon will make his way home and find his room for a rest, he knows something isn't right with him, but some sleep will do him the best right now and he will seek Kyle's advice in the morning.
Beppo likewise returns to his room and attempts to get a touch of rest. Once conscious, he seeks out Kyle to see if the priest can help with his various ailments .
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For the sake of expediency, and to pull everyone (finally) back in the same area and the same page, we move forward in time to where everyone is back at the hideout and rested. Tessai would have returned by this point, in the middle of the night, before Arael had returned. She relayed everything to Janiven, who would do her best to calm the tiefling down. Without Arael they could not make another move, even if they knew what that move would be. She would convince Tessai that in her extremely fatigued state, she would be worthless to any cause, including that to save her friend.
The next morning, Arael returns, and heals all with diseases. Before the whole party has arrived and/or awakened, he has heard about everything through Tessai and/or Janiven. He indicates that he needs time to pray about the situation, and asks you all to have breakfast in the mean time. It is not long afterwards that he joins you with Aiyln, the Pathfinder.
Arael takes a seat. You notice that none of the other Shades are here... just you, Janivan, Aiyln and Arael. In the middle of the tables lies the Crux that you fought so hard for.
Arael begins, Welcome back home, Shades. I must praise you on the success of your efforts, though it clearly did not come without a cost. Before I speak on that, I want to thank each and every one of you. The city does not yet know what you have done for it, but you have certainly pushed the cause forward by a huge step.
Unfortunately, there is a serious matter of which we must discuss. Tessai received disturbing direction from the priestess of Sheyln, and I'm afraid my news isn't any more comforting.
Thinking carefully upon your recount of the situation that lead to Black Devil's demise, as well as what the priestess indicated, I believe there may be a strong possibility that his spirit may be imprisoned or held by a powerful devil itself. This devil still be in the Knot, or it may have traveled to another plane.
Unfortunately, getting the answers to questions such as "which devil?" and "Where?" is beyond my capabilities. However.... and I am hesitant to point this out... there is one group who is all too familiar with the working of devils. The Church of Asmodeus.
As he searches your faces for reactions, he continues.
I cannot stress the gravity of the situation. Going to the church for any help, especially along these lines, is recipe for trouble or disaster. The church is not only capable of binding your physical body through the power of the law and government, but of darker bindings...those of the spirit.
He pauses for a minute, and speaks at half volume. There is another option, though I doubt you will find it no more palatable. I do have the power to free Devil's spirit by the power of Iomedae...but only if Devil did not give himself willingly to the Devil in a pact. Furthermore, there is a cost. We would have to sacrifice his body completely.
A silence falls over the room giving each person a chance to fully consider the weight of the options given.
Corellon looks around the room at the others for a sense of direction 'I thought we were done with devils and the like, to think we have to deal with them again, I shudder at the thought. But ... what must be done ... must be done.
Ever a man of practicalities, Brandon says;
So are you saying that the only way to save Devil is to kill him? Or his body at least?
Arael nods. It's a bit hard to explain, but devils follow a set of rules in pursuing their evil desires. In death, Pharasma only grants them those souls who are sealed and bound by a contract. Presuming that Devil did not enter into such an agreement with one of those dark forces, they would be forced to release him to Pharasma's judgement should the body expire.
It isn't the only way to save him. As I mentioned, the other would involved tracking down and confronting that which currently holds his soul. I cannot even begin to guess as to why any of those fiends would be holding his spirit in check. However, it would mean involving the church of Asmodeus. They are the experts in making deals with devils.
The alchemist shrugs as if the solution were self-evident.
Well we consult the Church then, obviously. Then, feeling an air of uncertainty he looks around to his comrades and says;
Right..?
Looking solemn, Janiven adds, It's a very difficult decision to make. Dealing with the church can be very dangerous for any of our members. She frowns. And you don't know that what you'll find out will actually be helpful. It's a tough decision, and its ultimately up to you all. We'll support you either way.
We can talk further about your time in the Knot and the item you found once you have resolved this. I will be praying for the gods to watch you carefully not matter what you choose.
"Before we set off, especially if against anything unnatured like devils and such, we need to prepare, there were several of us that couldn't do a thing to those beasts. We need to make sure that if we find ourselves in battle with other worldly things we stand a chance."
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I can tell you quite a bit about devils in general. They are immune to fire and poison, and resistant to acid and cold spells. They can see in the dark, and can often summon up lesser demons who serve them. They shun any weapon blessed by goodness or coated by silver. More powerful devils may also have other unnatural defenses.
Once you enter a pact with a devil, they can be extremely hard to get out of. Any such agreement is always written to the devil's benefit. Such agreements are binding, even in death.
The imp one top of Brandon's head, now invisible, whispers, Hey, do you think this guy doesn't like me?
Hard to tell. Brandon whispers back. Best you dont say anything. At all. For a while. We'll talk later.
Much later hopefully.
"This all seems bigger than us, Demon packs and Devil's we hardly made it out of the knot." Aemon sighs. "I was never a good friend with Devil, wish i had spent a bit more time with him now." He takes a moment of silents. "But if you think his soul is being held, i guess there's only one thing we can do. He'd do it for us."
Tessai hadn't said a single word further than recounting to the others what she had learned about Devils' condition. After having some rest, her eyes had regained their usual glimmer and she sat silently, listening to all Arael had to say about the situation at hand.
She smiled after listening to the reaction of her companions, and when her turn to speak came up she offered, plain and simple - "If there is a way to recover our friend Devil of soul and body, from my part there is no doubt that this is the path to follow - if it means we have to plow through the Asmodean Church and drag one of their holy men kicking and screaming back here to perform the necessary rituals, so be it. If it means a deal is to be struck... Things may get complicated, but we should take each obstacle at a time, and judge them as we go"
"I've had time to think on this, and this talk of going to the church it could bring a lot of heat on to us." Aemon then looks away from everyone.
"I know what needs to be done, but we have to think about the cause about the city, we have a lot that needs to be done." Then has face turns a little red almost shy. "Someone had to say it, he's one man and we've got a city to save. We really need to decide about this, maybe a vote?"
That was brave. Brandon thinks, looking at the ranger.
He's right, someone needed to say it. But I just cannot agree. Surely the same could have been said when he was returned to us from Pharasma's clutches.
Corellon's heart pounds, as if the weight of all of this is on him. A silly thought, it was a shared burden, but a burden nonetheless. To have to choose, to have to consider denying him, where fate and his conscious met, what right did he have to choose.
"A vote ... its probably the right thing here.' but the thought terrified him.
There's little doubt that when you approach the church, you are going into the belly of the beast, so to speak. The good news is that your identities as the now infamous group known as the Shades of Grey have been secret. As long as you maintain that, and do not give them any cause to believe that you do lack respect for Asmodeus, you shouldn't raise suspicions. You certainly wouldn't be the first group that approached the church about an encounter with a devil gone bad. You do, of course, want to avoid mentioning the Knot and the such.
Devils are powerful creatures. The one you face could very easily be more powerful than anything you've seen before, even in the Knot.
A vote... The notion drifts on Tessais' mind, hard to swallow, and even harder to digest.
There is actually no other way to go about this is there? she ponders. All are entitled to an opinion, and all have the right to voice it.
Still she cannot shake the unpleasant thought of losing one of the group, being given an opportunity to recover him, and having it put to a vote. It should be unquestionable shouldn't it? Or was this being shortsighted?
Something else some of the more faithful among you should ponder. You may be asked to demonstrate your faith to the church of Asmodeus. It may mean that you have to say a prayer or something along those lines publicly showing your support for said deity. That may be a problem for some of you.
Aemon starts to look a little uneasy when no one responds to his suggestion. He fiddles with his hands not looking anyone in the eye.
I should have kept that to myself, what must they all be thinking about me.
Corellon looks to Aemon and sees him wrestle with the decision. He jumps in to support him ...
"Aemon's right. A vote makes sense, and if need be a debate or case made one way or the other. I for one have had enough of devils and the like, but if it must be, I accept that will. I too would rather focus on the greater good here, but if the devil's path is the route to the greater good, so be it."
Arael sighs. It is a very difficult decision to make. What you propose is extremely risky. I know that most of you would never hesitate to put your lives on the line for a friend. However, that cannot be the only thing you consider here. As one of you said, if you are caught, or perish in the attempt, all of Westcrown may suffer. Even now, we may be on the cusp of ridding the entire town of the threat of Shadowbeasts.
Weight the needs of the many against the needs of a friend is never easy. Iomedae's teaching leans towards the many, but many other good deities sway in other directions. Each must weight the costs, and if you do put it to a vote, vote by the dictates of your conscious or teachings of your god.
Then let's do that... if anyone else has something to say, now is the time. While you speak, I will hand out small parchments. Please write your vote on it, fold it and hand it to me. I will count the votes and tell you which direction wins the majority.
Looks like voting is the way here. Everyone has until 6pm EST to email me their vote - jcservant at cyberlightcomics dot com. Janiven will announce the group's decision at that point.
Brandon listens quietly to the debate.
For his own part he can see the reason in what they say. The good of the many versus the good of the few?
And yes he was a man of reason. One who not so long ago would have shied away from this kind of confrontation. But Devil had been his friend. The first to suspect there was something different about him, the first to offer understanding.
His mind was set and it would be the Church of Asmodeous, no matter the cost.
It was then that he heard a voice. So soft he almost missed it and to his astonishment it was Edmond, quietly seeking to get his attention when he would normally just blurt it into his mind.
Slowly the alchemists eyes widen with a memory Edmond shares.
We... he clears his throat. There should be no vote. We should let him go... it's... what he would have wanted.
His voice is thick with emotion but he continues.
Kyle. Remember the argument you had with him after you sought to heal the old man? Edmond just reminded me what Devil said.
"I contributed caution. Yes, I had been incautious, insane, I... think. But healing that man today, the same day, was folly, and it increased his danger, and the danger to whomever you met in that shop. You see, I followed you. Is caution worth explaining, is your rhetoric redress worth answering, or have you stopped listening? Or had you stopped then, in the street? It's forgivable, laudable, that his silence closed your ears, but if you only have an eye for beauty or its loss, then you will be blind to the dangers we face."
More than anyone he he saw the bigger picture when we celebrated our meagre successes and focussed on what was was right in front of us he saw the horizon. The fact is. He wouldn't want us to risk everything just to save him....
We should let him go. Brandons tears flow freely by the end.
Standing up abruptly, Tessai looks at Brandon, approaches and places an arm around him.
Then she simply smiles, staring at the others, apparently in peace - "Boys... You know me. And thank you Janiven, but I don't need a piece of paper" - she winks at the woman.
"My vote, in case you guys hadn't figured out yet, is that we do whatever is necessary to bring Devil back - from what I understood, the... Stasis in which he is at the moment cannot be maintained for more than a week, so a week is all we will ever have. I say we take the opportunity and do the best we can with it!"
Her smile a little bitter now, she adds - "Westcrown lived in a stupor of decay for centuries, until we started shaking the established order - ONE week to TRY and save our friend will not make such a crucial difference in this timeframe. Besides, I have seen us take our time, weeks and maybe more fraternizing with our companions here" - she opens her arms as if encompassing the whole hideout - "Teaching, learning, building what we have now, tapping on potentials that may or may have not been there... And a great job has been done, EXACTLY because time was taken for it. It was considered RELEVANT"
"And one of the more relevant in those very actions was Devil... So just IMAGINE what he will be able to do in the future alongside us - he always gave the best of what was his for all of us here, so I think he deserves that we give back a puny week of our own"
With a huge smile again, she finalizes - "So, there you have it - my vote!"
Arael puts his fingers together against his chin, looking very deliberate in this though.
Tessai, your passion and loyalty to your friends are admirable. In thinking over both sides of the matter, please understand, I do not believe anyone here is expressing a concern over delaying our efforts in Westcrowne. Indeed, I believe it may take us some time just to figure out what this item is you have retrieved and how it will help us. Rather, the concern is for your safety and well-being...and, more importantly, what it means to Westcrowne if that becomes jeopardize in the attempt to save one. Devils are not to be trifled with, even by one who is strong in faith. Our more recent history is filled with the stories of those who crossed their path only to come out much worse for the experience. And while I convinced none of you would never hesitate to put your own life on the line for a friend, the high degree of danger coupled with your importance to our efforts here must force you to ask the hard question, do you risk the future of our people for a small chance to save his life? And I do believe Brandon makes a very good point... what would he say, if he were here to offer his opinion on the matter?
I...I need a few minutes. I'll be back.
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Kyle had already decided what his vote was shortly after his meditation. He had considered his teachings and heart to come to a decision. He listened to Brandon while writing down his decision on paper and handed it to Janiven before Tessai had a chance to speak up.
Kyle was impressed with Tessai's heart for her fellow companions. 'I could learn from her inner beauty,' he thought to himself. His vote was for different reasons than the ones she mentioned, but he did not speak up or add to her argument. Kyle believes that everyone had to make their own decision on what to do and not be felt pressured to vote a certain way.
Kyle follows Janiven and asks, "Is there something troubling you? Please allow me to help"
Beppo watches the exchange unfold, deep in thought. For once, he does not speak.
I was just starting to like the guy. Still, it's not like no one I liked ever died - Galt, anyone? Sure, Tessai is impassioned for her fellow devil-spawn. He was a good guy, and valuable to liberating Westcrown from the damned, but people die - Devan would have been willing to sacrifice himself. Is this really worth it? Would he want us to go through all this trouble?
He joins Kyle in following Janiven. Something is wrong - what is it?
Janiven looks at Kyle and Beppo. Her face read with a mixture of anger, doubt and frustration, she whispers, It's just...just... he can just sit there and talk about Devil as if he's just another casualty of war! Another lost soldier that we simply have to dismiss and move on!! I just... I just can't think of Devil that way.... of any of you! If I thought the way he did, he would be in a Hellknight prison right now, dead or tortured close to it! We saved him because we put the needs of one above the group. It's just....just... She trails off, wiping the tears from her eyes...
... he might be right here. Listening to what you told me, you all barely escaped the Knot with your lives. Marching to the church, asking questions about devils with the intention of finding a way to confront the creature? To say it's a risk to your freedom or your lives is an understatement, even with the best planning. Few people know this better than I. Yet, while I know this to be true...indisputable... I just wish... there was a way to save him. Part of me wants to take the risk, no matter the odds.
I just wish I believed that some part of Arael felt the same way...
Janiven and the others return back. Janiven leans over and whispers to Arael.
He folds his hands at the table and looks at each member in question. You have made a very difficult decision...perhaps the most difficult question you have made in your life. The group has decided to not attempt a rescue.
He lets that sit for a moment before he continues.
However, the next question may be even more difficult. His body is still alive thanks in part to Kyle's friend and mentor. However, if his spirit is being held by a devil, outside of a contract, there would be mercy in ... terminating the life of the body as quickly as possible. That would force the devil to let the spirit go onto Pharasma lest he chance invoking her wrath directly. As his closest friends, you must make the decision and inform the healer as to what you think is best.
Janiven asks, Are you...are you actually suggesting we KILL him?!?!
In a manner of speaking, he is already lost to us, sadly. To continue to sustain his life through divine means only means that his spirit remains in the tortuous grip of an evil entity even longer. I know this is hard, but we must consider showing mercy through death.
Janiven half-yells, I can't believe I'm hearing this. Are you out of you mind? Kill our friends? I thought you told me you're half-elf! Clearly you've lost all grip on humanity!!
It is my love for humanity that drives me to suggest this course, Janiven.
He looks to the group. What do you have to say?
"I have said all that I have to say" - Tessai stands up and moves away.
Aemon keeping quiet in all of this after it was his words that sparked all this debate. He stands up hoping to say something over all the talking.
"I have something to say" He lets the room settle down before speaking. "You might remember I died, in the play I lost my life I don't like to talk about it, it's something I have to live with. I was lucky to be brought back, I didn't expect it, I didn't deserve it. If you had to go out of your way to save me I wouldn't want you risking what we had here, none of us are bigger than the cause." he takes a deep breath. "I know it's hard, but this is no easy life, whatever way this vote went I would go along with it 100% please let's try and get through this and not make his death pointless."
Aemon looks to the ground almost shaking with the memory's coming back. He steadys himself on the table and drops back in to his chair.
This is all to much.
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Kyle stays quiet. He keeps thinking about the information the group gave up. He wanted to learn what happened to Devil and how it is possible. These are the type of things we need to combat and now we won't know how. What will the group decide if it happens again? to me? Would I want them to take the risk then for me?
Corellon stands still almost paralyzed by the debate that is unfolding. His eyes dart from person to person as they pour out their souls.
"How can all of this be, the loss of one threatens to tear us all apart now. His wounds have now spread to the very fabric of our group. His will, our will, Westcrown's will. One of these must govern."
Brandon shifts his weight nervously from one foot to the other. He feels sick and almost back-bent with the weight if responsibility.
He had suggested they let Devil die and spare the risk to the greater good. He wasn't sure if he could live with that. He could see Aemon and Correllon in particular suffering the same crisis of conscience.