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T'chazzar says forcefully, "Kidnapping and torture are the craven tools of failure. Any position that could be defended on its merits can do so without such action, and once one is no longer able to engage in such activities, the status quo of power relations immediately reverts. Thus reliance on such tools is a show of personal weakness and desperation."
"Look. The city is in a bad way. People are suffering. Not all resistance movements succeed, but that doesn't mean that resistance shouldn't be tried. It just means that many people will likely give up their lives for the cause before tyranny is overthrown. The difficult job of the resistance leader is balancing the competing imperatives of advancing the cause of resistance, while minimizing exposure to the innocent people impacted by despotism."
It seems that the usually taciturn drow has quite a bit to say on the intellectual characteristics of resistance against oppressive structures.
SHRINE OF SAINT SENEX
The Hellknight listens to your words without emotion. After T'chazzar speaks, Octavio replies, "You speak with the wisdom that comes with age and experience. Perhaps I have underestimated you all."
To Dom he asks, "You say that you rescued some of my armigers? Well done! Long have I sat in the darkness here weighing whether the better course of action was to get word of Barzillai Thrune's madness and cruelty out into the wider world or risk myself in an attempt to save my comrades. You have my sincere thanks."
"Perhaps my next move should be to return to the city where I can take stock of things for myself," the lictor continues. "Tell me: What means do you have of getting into and out of Kintargo unseen? Secret passages tunneled beneath the walls? A small fleet of low boats for paddling into the harbor under cover of darkness?"
Dom nods in recognition of the lictor's thanks. "You asked what we were willing to do, Lictor. I hope that gives you at least part of the answer. As to getting into the city, to date we have opted more for 'unrecognized' than 'unseen'. We tend to disguise our looks often."
Dom ponders Octavius' questions. "Would tunnels be feasible? Could we do that before we were all old and toothless? That'd be awesome if we could. We'd be like trapdoor spiders or something..."
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Falina listened to what the Lichtor said about the founding of their order and she remembered the events of that time herself. When he spoke of the defeat of that ass who was abducting children and how he was cut down Falina smile evilly at the memory. By the time she finished replaying the memory the discussion was winding down and Falina said, "Yes, I remember the night your founder took down that fool very well. The rest of us were quite grateful that you took that idiot down, even those of us who sided with him up to that point found his actions wrong and his fall was fitting." Her gaze became slightly vacant as she remember that day, so long ago, as best she could and said, "The look on his face when your founder killed him was priceless."
Falina looked at the Lichtor directly, her form having been allowed to shift to her true appearance while everyone was distracted, and asked, "Tell me, does your order still remember the remaining rebel leaders from that day? Do they remember their names and what they looked like..." her voice trailed off and then her gaze firmed as she finished by asking, "do they remember me?"
SHRINE OF SAINT SENEX (21 Gozran)
Lictor Sabinus looks at Falina with confusion. When she explains what happened that left her stranded in another time, the lictor shakes his head in disbelief. "Most likely all records of the Silver Ravens were redacted once they were defeated--that's standard procedure for House Thrune. Any records we had in out citadel have probably been seized, redacted, or destroyed by now."
Octavio looks from Falina to the rest of your group. "Have you resurrected the Silver Ravens from Kintargo's past? Who else have you recruited? Any of the other noble houses? The Shelynites, perhaps?" After listening to your answers, Octavio Sabinus says, "I think you've swayed me to your cause."
Falina frowned slightly at the statement he didn't know who she was. She'd hoped that she would at least have gone down in verbal history within those her plots had affected, "Such a shame," she said, "that even tales spoken would forget such important people." Falina' annoyance seemed to shift slightly as she continued, "Of course I suppose that could mean that I covered my tracks well and most people never figured out who I really was. If they only knew it was a woman who took out so many supporter of Thrune back then. Everyone of them died with a smile on their face too in the most pleasant way possible."
As she spoke there was a dangerous glint that came to Falina's eyes, nearly a glow, and a sense of an insatiable, hungry, lust seemed to radiate from her. As quick as it appeared though it faded away and she seemed her normal self again as she shuddered, "That was a long time ago though and I have a chance to do things differently this time..." there was an ugly expression that crossed her face as sh continued thoughtfully, "I wonder if I have any new sisters I need to deal with...." she then looked a bit fearful as she mumbled, "can I even handle them at all as I am now?"
Falina's reaction raised an eyebrow for Domitius. Between both the things she was saying, including the mention of sisters (which earned Dom a taste of her wrath not too far back), and the...hunger in her voice, he was a little concerned.
Leaning down into her a bit, Dom quietly says, "You okay, Falina? Is there someone we need to handle?"
Arani watches the interactions with only an arched eyebrow indicating her response. Not for the first time she found herself glad to not be a target for Falina's predatory nature. "You could say that the Silver Ravens once again shine a light in the darkness of this city. There is some noble presence, though I'm sure you'll understand a reluctance to rattle off a list of names....given that you were pointing a blade at us a few minutes ago." she says cooly.
"Though we definitely consider you a much welcome addition to the cause."
Davina studies the Lictor. "We are very happy to have you as an ally. We'll do our best to avoid anything involving children. Luckily ol Barry doesn't have any, that I know of."
"How are we going to get you back in town? Too bad Jess isn't here she'd have some insane plan that just might work."
Miss Falina and I are fair hands at disguising people. If you don't mind, we can put your armor in our bags. Split between all of us. We can help you with a disguise. Perhaps hunters returning to the city."
"I wish we had a secret way back in, but the first time we tried that. I hate to admit, we were almost eaten by plants. The next time we tried it, we ended up in a different plane of existence. I'd rather avoid that if at all possible."
ARGO ISLE AND THE RUST GATE (21 Gozran)
The Hellknight lictor listens to your words and is swayed by them. He agrees to accompany you all back to Kintargo and work against Barzillai Thrune and his underlings. When it becomes apparent that your party will be breaching the city wall in the traditional manner (i.e.--through a gate), the lictor reluctantly agrees to take off his distinctive plate mail and have it split up amongst the party to be hidden and carried into the city piecemeal.
"I don't suppose any of you has any magic that could make my halberd look like a mere quarterstaff?" he asks hopefully. "Or at least a spell that will give me some measure of protection should our disguises fail and we need to do a bit of fighting?"
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When it becomes apparent that no one has the magic to disguise his trusty halberd*, Lictor Sabinus begrudgingly agrees to hide it somewhere outside the city wall, to be retrieved later. He is still armed, with both a mithral short sword and a longbow.
During the walk back to the city, he chats more with each of you, perhaps to further gage the character of the people he's about to align himself with. He also asks about how many folks in the city seem to support your organization and its cause. Lastly, he asks about headquarters and safe houses within the city.
"I may be able to point you in the right direction," he says when he hears that the group is searching for a new base of operations.
Dom looks to Octavius slightly apologetically. "Sorry, Lictor. Didn't occur to me that you were gonna go on the lam loaded for boar," he says, shrugging. "Not to say I don't respect the weaponry."
It's at that moment that the man's title finally snaps something in Dom's head. Lictor, Lictor...
The voice that responds in his head almost sounds like Jess'. Lictor? Damn near killed her!
Dom strangles back his laughter to one out-of-nowhere chortle at seemingly nothing. I gotta tell that one to Jess, maybe she can work it into her play...
Falina replied quietly to Dom's question about someone to handle. "Not that I know of but it wouldn't shock me."
As the Lictor asked about protection in case they were discovered Falina said, "Yes, that I can accomplish." She approached him, chanted in gestured, and then touched the center of his chest. As she did plates of what looked like semi visible armor covered his chest and then vanished. "That should suffice for now."
Stepping back Falina said, "Now, if everyone will excuse me a minute I need to shift back to the form I left the city in." With that she walked off, finding a place she could have some semi-privacy, and resumed her previously assumed form.
THE RUST GATE (21 Gozran)
Your party--the disguised lictor in tow--arrives at the Rust Gate a few minutes before it's scheduled to open (and close) for the last time this day. Perhaps it's a sign of the times: There are no merchant wagons or caravans awaiting entry to the city, only a few fisherfolk and farmers carrying a few baskets of vegetables.
Once you've passed through the gates, a lot of things happen more-or-less at once. The two dottari nearest the gate draw swords and try to address your group, but their words are drowned out by a loud explosion nearby. As if awaiting just such a signal, several folks in the milling crowd nearby set off smokesticks, adding to the confusion. It's still light enough outside for you to see a few cloaked figures moving in your general direction; from beneath the cloaks you catch a glimpse of the red-and-black armor favored by the Queensmen loyalists. There are also a pair of additional dottari--archers--positioned on the east and west side of the road.
Upon seeing the men in their Queensmen armor, Dom eyes go wide for a moment. No, this isn't the time to go into a full-on Dukkan thing, he decides. Just put the mad dogs down. Drawing his sword, he moves to his right and engages.
As everything erupts into chaos, Arani runs her hand over her bow, uttering a brief invocation to Milani as the weapon thrums with power. Glaring at the target directly ahead of her she calls out a warning, the threat and intent unmistakable. "You have seconds to make what could be your last decision. Choose wisely!"
T'chazzar doesn't hesitate, but moves to aid Dom, reasoning that if they can finish off enemies quickly, this will be over sooner. Both swords come out, though he only has time to stab with one of them.
THE RUST GATE (21 Gozran)
Dom and T'chazzar quickly take the fight to the nearest Queensman, wounding him pretty badly. The fellow seems a bit tougher than the previous Queensmen you've encountered, and he's equipped with a buckler on his off-arm. Come to think of it, his studded armor seems a bit nicer and more stylish than what you've seen previously...although the man's heavy bleeding is beginning to stain it.
The fellow Arani addressed seems too shocked to reply. You can read his thoughts in his wide eyes: WE were supposed to ambush YOU!
Although he's slightly surprised the man has lasted this long against both him and T'chazzar, Dom doesn't let it show. Instead, he sneers skeptically, "C'mon pal, don't let that be the outfit you die in..."
0 Level Orisons Selected (DC13; 4 per Day): Detect Magic, Guidance, Light & Read Magic
1st Level Spells Selected (DC14; 3+1 per Day): Bless, Hedging Weapons, Shadow Trap & Protection from Law (DOMAIN SPELL)
2nd Level Spells Selected (DC15; 2+1 per Day): Burst of Radiance, Remove Paralysis (DOMAIN SPELL) & Spiritual Weapon.
Spontaneous Casting (out-with Domain Spells): 1st Level = Cure Light Wounds; 2nd Level =Cure Moderate Wounds.
At Will: Ghost Sound & Prestidigitation (Cloak of the Hedge Wizard magic item)
1/Day: Colour Spray & Silent Image
As the thunderous trigger is released and flare and haze of the smokestick ignitions fill the gate, Dekumund smiles from beneath his hood.
The half-elf casts a baleful look toward dottari archer before him, his hands moving in what appears to be arcane gesticulations;
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"Captis Umbral!"
False Arcanist class ability to disguise divine spells as arcane in nature… In this instance Shadow Trap...
:
Upon casting his spell, regardless of his success he advances upon the archer, pulling forth a finely crafted morningstar as he goes...
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Dom's facial expression opens up into bafflement at what's going on around him. Under his breath, maybe loud enough for T'chazzar to hear, he mutters, "Chto za chert?"
THE RUST GATE (21 Gozran)
A cloaked figure--perhaps the same fellow who threw the thunderstone earlier--casts a spell, seeming to target a dottari archer, but the spell doesn't seem to have any effect . Davina draws her rapier and stabs at the dottari swordsman near her, but these watchmen wear chainmail, and the man's armor turns her blade.
The dottari and Queensmen belatedly launch their counterattack. Barzillai's loyalists--while perhaps grown a bit tougher--still display the qualities you've come to expect of Queensmen: a lack of discipline, an abundance of cowardice, and a penchant for bullying. Half attack the unarmed citizens who lit up the distracting smokesticks--one Kintargan is dropped--while the rest (save the deafened fellow nearest your unknown cloaked ally) close on the party but fail to deliver any damage.
The dottari prove more capable: One archer repositions and fires at Arani, clipping her while Davina's foe manages to just beat her defenses . Octavio and the dottari he's faced off with exchange near misses.
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Not liking her position in this fight Falina quickly moved to get some distance from the nearest attackers and then cast a spell. When she finished a bolt of acid flew out at one of the Queensguard and impacted with a sizzling his of corrosive power.
RUST GATE (21 Gozran)
Falina moves a bit before casting a spell that drenches a Queensman with acid. The fellow shrieks and swears in agony but still stands.
The two foes your cloaked ally deafened with the thunderstone are not pleased and converge on the figure , each striking him soundly ! It appears the rescuer is in need of rescue himself now!
CCG #1; see previous post
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Seeing one of the Queensmen strike down more civilians enrages Domitius to no end. Leaving the fellow he’d previously struck for T’chazzar to finish off, he takes a fierce swing at the black-clad fool. "Do svidaniya, durachok." Part of him berates himself for using Orcish in public. We won’t leave anyone who cares alive, he counters.
Dom and his falcata behead the Queensman in spectacular fashion. Even Octavio, who previously criticized the use of violence in overthrowing Thrune, seems impressed.
T'chazzar meanwhile keeps his enemy busy as best he can as Domitius breaks off to fight someone else.
Davina is impressed with the explosions, and quick response of her friends. She hisses as her attacker hits. She stabs back at him with her rapier.
Opportune Parry and Riposte
Taking a single step back to a central position where she could effectively monitor the battlefield, Arani cooly sinks a pair of arrows in the Queensman in front of her, sparing a baleful glance at the archer that hit her. "Spell casters in need of muscle on the other side boys! Looks like Falina's found a friendly who's about to get a beatdown." She calls out to Dom and T'chazzar as they cut a swath through guardsmen.
RUST GATE (21 Gozran)
T'chazzar's twin strikes drop the injured Queensman. While Davina's stab fails to connect with her dottari foe, Arani puts a pair of arrows into the Queensman nearest Domitius, leaving him badly bloodied.
Dekamund reels as he is assailed by the blades of the dottari and thug...
Clutching the rose shaped clasp of his cloak, the priest-in-mage's clothing calls upon the healing powers of his faith:
Infernal brute squad be damned! May my blood not be shed in vain this day!
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He then shifts toward the approaching Falina
RUST GATE (21 Gozran)
The badly-wounded hooded man seems stunned by the attacks on him, grasping at the clasp of his cloak before staggering back toward Falina. Arani and Davina feel some of their wounds heal a bit and recognize a positive energy channel from the times Leora performed them--the newcomer is likely a cleric or divine spellcaster of some sort.
The Queensmen don't seem to notice, however. One closes on Arani and swings his light mace at her while two more shift positions to flank Dom. While Arani's foe manages to clip her forearm , Dom's opponents both fail to connect.
The dottari archer fires at the only clear target--Falina--but his aim is off. Though Davina's planning on parrying her foe's next strike, it's too quick and she's hit again . Likewise, Octavio's hit, but he strikes back twice with his mithral short sword, dealing more damage than he took.
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The man who took the acid from Falina before, despite being on the ground and dying, continues to get melted.
Falina chanted and gestured again and another arrow of acid lanced out at one of the dottari this time .
But due to her desire to miss her allies the arrow plops into the ground near the dottari's feet and began to melt the ground.
RUST GATE
Falina's first acid arrow target is further burned and screams in pain; the sorceress's next arrow misses the dottari near Davina, however.
Seeing that the cloaked man isn't fighting back, the deafened dottari yells at the deafened Queensman to take him alive. Predictably, the Queensman yells back, "WHAT??!!" Then he nods, apparently having read the man's lips. His swing, however, misses the mark. The dottari closes on Arani and strikes a heavy blow on the archer, causing her blood to spurt
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Having felled one foe, T'chazzar turns to face the guardsman on his left and stabs simultaneously with both of his mithral blades.
Hoping the presence of the headless body impedes his former friend's advance, Dom uses the corpse's presence to leave his right flank relatively unguarded, as he executes a spin move and brings his sword down on one of the two men facing him.
RUST GATE (21 Gozran)
Seeing T'chazzar stab his Queensman foe pretty good, Dom decides to carve his way westward to help Falina, Davina, and the good Samaritan with their opponents. He easily cuts down the Queensman blocking his path.
A still wounded Dekamund moves closer to Falina, giving the sorceress a pained nod before once again calling upon his healing powers;
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Reeling from the pain of the attacks, Arani breathes a bit of releief as she feels healing energy wash over her again. She takes a quick step back, hurriedly firing at the Queensman, the first arrow firing into the ground ineffectively before the second shot hits home.
RUST GATE (21 Gozran)
As the cloaked figure again surreptitiously channels healing energy, Arani drops the Queensman she targets.
Davina stabs at the dottari still in front of her. "A pox on you or something like that." She mutters. She makes a quick glance around to see how her allies are faring. That slight looks causes her to miss her intended victim.
As her second acid arrow continued to sizzle away on it's target Falina readied a new spell. She shifted back slightly and sent a beam of foul black energy at the nearest of their attackers .
RUST GATE (21 Gozran)
Falina zaps the deafened Queensman with her strength-draining ray. Davina, meanwhile, trades misses with her dottari foe. A whole lot of martial futility follows. The lone dottari archer repositions and manages to again clip Arani with an arrow , while Octavio strikes true with a pair of thrusts from his mithral short sword, leaving his foe standing on wobbly legs. All other combatants whiff.
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T'chazzar lunges forward with both swords outstretched and in a rare confluence of events somehow manages to land a solid hit.
Dom stalks angrily toward the dottari, drifting a bit to his right as he does so. "Your turn now," he mutters at the man angrily.
Letting out a cry of pain as yet another arrow sinks into her, Arani turns her fury on the other archer, selecting one of her signature thistle arrows for her first shot.
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RUST GATE (21 Gozran)
The Silver Ravens strike back, and pretty hard. T'chazzar's twin strikes leave his foe barely standing. Meanwhile, both Dom and Arani deliver the first damage to two of the dottari guards. Both still seem to have a decent amount of fight left in them, though.
The dottari archer seems vaguely familiar. You think he may have been one of the guards you drove off at the doghousing when your group rescued the first Order of the Torrent armiger. Perhaps he recognized your group--or its general make-up--and set up this ambush.