"Let's help whatever is being hunted there, those flying demons must come down to harass us as well."
Marhok says as he rides up to the winged demons, grabbing his ranseur in one hand and when he gets close enough he grabs his greatsword as well.
Quickly you begin to ride, and you do come to see Aron on his horse and defending himself against what look to be flying Schir demons. there seem to be 6 of them. One is dead, and Aron seems wounded, as does his horse.
20 feet up atm. Like they are regrouping
Marhok rides up to Aron and calls to him. "Hold fast Aron! We're here to help you out!"
"Edric take up a defensive position on the other side of Aron. These demons will learn a lesson today."
Edric does as he is told and Marhok waits for the schir demons to attack with ranseur and greatsword in hand. His eyes begin to flare a bright red colour.
"Come on you sorry excuses for vermin. Fight me!"
Marhok readies an attack for the first Schir demon to come into his range.
Edric rides up and casts Protection from Evil (Communal) on everyone.
Marhok kills the first demon that swoops down, while Aron looks at you and the others
he quickly downs a potion
Marlowe quickly, and confusingly attaches a small vial to a bolt and lets it fly. It slams into the face of another demon and it screams and falls also dead
The other 4 do flyby attacks [poc] you get 2 aoos [/ooc].
Marhok takes a total of 25 edric 17 and Marlowe manages to duck out of the way at the last moment
Marhok drops his ranseur and takes up his greatsword in two hands again.
"Come and get it you uglies!"
MArhok wounds one of them.
Edric takes a time to channel energy, omitting the 6 demons from his channel.
the 4 remaining demons swoop and attack, Marhok takes another one out with his readied attack, while two more swoop in and gash him before flying off Marhok takes 22 damage, Aron takes another horrific gash and falls off his horse, bleeding. The last one moves and its claws scrape off Edric
Marlowe Vanishes from site
Go
Edric channels his healing energy again over the group of wounded crusaders, hoping to keep Marhok and Aron alive long enough for Marhok to vanquish the flying terrors.
Marhok moves to stand over the body of Aron, protecting him from direct further harm and shouts another challenge to the flying demons.
"Is that all you got? Come on! That was only a fleshwound!"
They fly in to attack again, another falls before he gets in range, Aron's wounds close but genders not done too. Edric is gashes by 3 and takes 35 damage.
Aron's head moves backwards and his mouth opens then he is suddenly sputtering out the last bits of a potion.
go
Edric keeps on channeling the positive energy to keep everyone alive and Marhok stands close to Edric and keeps vigil to attack the next demon to come close to them.
They seem to be clever enough to avoid MArhok at the moment and all three attack Edric dealing another 24 damage.
There is the sound of a command word and Aron heals a bit more.
Go
Marhok digs through is pocket and draws a potion from it, then drinks it and doubles in size, sheltering both Edric and Aron now with his reach.
Edric keeps on Channeling
Marhok now stands looming as a giant over the others and looks menacingly at the demons.
Atm you can reach them once you are biggerized
Marlowe appears as another bolt flies, it slammed ibto the face of a creature and explodes in holy water
the demon falls screaming and Aron moves up and dispatches it with a dagger
The remaining two attack Marhok dealibg 14 damage ubless the aoos drop them
One falls take 7 damage only
Marhok takes off after the last one in a fit of rage and charges it swinging his sword in a high arc at it.
Edric heals the others and himself when Marhok returns.
Then he bows over to check on Aron and the bits of potion that he spit out.
Marhok chops the demon in two and it falls. Aron looks at Marhok then to his horse
Marhok approaches Aron and his horse and then lays a gentle hand on the horse's neck and grabs the reins.
"Look Aron, we're not here to harm you or capture you. We were only investigating your health as people were worried about you. If you would have just talked to us we could have spared you this mess. What in Iomedae's name drove you to ride out alone into the Worldwound? You made us three and Sosiel worried sick about you."
I need it.. You are going to take it from me
"You need it? So you are and were under the influence of Shadowblood? That's worrisome, but we can deal with that back at camp. Do you know where you've got it from?"
Marhok says before Edric chimes in: "We may be able to supply you with small amounts of it, but we need to know who or what your source is, lest more people are getting addicted and you would have to share your Shadowblood with them."
Marhok then places a hand on Aron's shoulder, his other hand still holding the reins of the horse.
"So you're not going to make it yourself and us difficult right? We've come here to get you back safely because we care, I don't think the demons do."
Marhok squeezes Aron's shoulder slightly, that if he should try to run or ride he could drag him of the horse.
it just appeared in my gear! Do you have more?
"Not with us, but back at the camp we might be able to find enough for you. Especially when we find who's supplying it to you. Seems we've got ourselves a rat in our midst."
As soon as everyone gets back to camp Sosiel immediately moves up to Aron and casts a spell on him.
Aron immediately falls to the ground weeping.
Marlowe looks to Marhok
Well now what?
"We find out who's supplying him with this stuff. Somebody must be getting it to him in one way or another. I can't see Horgus, Anevia, Irabeth or Arvanshnial doing this, nor Aron or Sosiel. You seem free of suspicion as well Marlowe, you've helped us too much to be an opponent of ours."
Marhok thinks to himself for a moment and then nods.
"We've got ourselves a whole army of paladins here right? Paladins could detect evil in other people's auras, I assume whoever is the perpetrator isn't good of nature and works against us. Gather a few paladins and try to go through the army for inspection anyone who detects evil would be suspicious. I'll go alert Irabeth, then ask her to call a meeting of our leaders to see if anyone of them might have betrayed us."
Marlowe stops Marhok,
There is no way someone evil could have gotten through so long, without magics to hide their evil aura. Would you allow me to poke around a bit? This is what I do, after all.[/b]
Marhok nods to Marlowe and then approaches Aron and Sosiel with Edric in tow.
"Aron? You okay? Is there anything we could do for you now you're cured?"
I just found it in my pack, I tried not to take it, I really did...
"Hmm... so someone is secretly supplying you with that demon drug. Perhaps we should place a tripwire or sort of alarm if someone other than you enters your tent or touches your pack. You should let us know if anything appears in your pack again. In that way you could pay us back for your rescue with unmasking the culprit and you can pay him or her back by getting vengeance."
Marhok then looks to Sosiel.
"As you're familiar with demonblood and know Aron from before, perhaps it's good you keep a good eye on him as well. If you see someone snooping around his tent or his belongings, let us know."
Yes I will. Sosiel walks to Aron I am sorry my friend He wraps Aron in a hug.
They head off to rest
Marhok claps Edric on the shoulder. "This has been an interesting day to say the least. Let's check back on Arles, see how he's doing and then report back to Irabeth about the spy in our midst. She should know about it."
He does seem to be doing alright. He has bot rebuilt his confidence, but he does seem to be keeping a lid on it.
The army travels the entire next day and that night Marlowe approaches
Has anyone told you just how incredible I am at my work? If not you are about to learn. I know who it is. The trail of lies and deceit was impressive, but I was able to sniff it out. I am pretty sure I know who it is.
"Then don't keep us in suspense, tell us quickly Marlowe. We may need to act as soon as possible."
Marhok says as he looks ready to get this confrontation going.
Nurah. Our Bard. I am sure it was her. Something about her is just off. Somehow she is hiding her evil ways, but she is the only one it could be.
Marlowe says this quietly
What do you want to do?
"Do you have any solid evidence? If so we could bring her in before Irabeth and a council. Elsewise I'd say we three confront her together see what she says. If she resists she's guilty, if she uses force we will use force as well, if she surrenders peacefully we'll take her in and question her more thoroughly. Also it might be best if we go now, handle this as quickly as possible. If needed we could ask two crusaders to accompany us, but I don't think that's necessary."
she is very clever. Almost as clever as me. I need to question her to know for sure. And keep in mind resisting doesn't mean guilt. These things are always tricky. It could be planted evidence. I just followed the clues and they lead to her.
"Hmm you're very true. Still it would be safest if Edric and I would tag along. If she is guilty she might try to fight her way out. Allow us to keep you safer."
Agreed. [/b]
He leads the way to her tent
Marhok will keep his greatsword loosely in hand, while Edric will have his shield loosely in his left hand as the party of three enters the tent.
You find the hallooing sitting up and plucking away at a harp.
What a pleasant surprise
Marhok will let Marlowe do the talking first, only staring at Nurah with a fixed and grim gaze, trying to gauge her reactions.
Edric will lay low as well, waiting for Marlowe to start his questioning. He only nods and murmurs. "G'day to you."
Let's get down to it. Someone planted Shadowblood in Arons bag and set him on a path that almost lead him to death. I have been tracing the evidence and it all leads back to you.
The Halfling sputters
"Do you have anything to say in your defense or will you come with us quietly?"
Marhok states as his arms looks bulging and poised to react.
Yes
Edric looks a little apprehensive at was what going on, hoping to Abadar that Nurah would go quietly or else that Marlowe was wrong.
Then again that meant they still needed to find the spy...
[b] I have no idea what you are talking about. Obviously I am being set up. [/ooc]
Marhok believes her edrick does not
"She's lying." Edric suddenly says, crossing his arms. "Look closely at her eyes and you can see them twitching."
Marhok looks surprised at Edric, then nods and continues to Marlowe. "I trust Edric on this Marlowe. Even if I don't see it myself."
Marhok says as his eyes flare up and he raises his greatsword.